Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 529 The Imperial City: Merely a Test
Inside the Qianyang Palace, Zhang Yuan narrowed his eyes, his blood and qi surging.

Although he wasn't surrounded by a murderous aura, his overwhelming killing power instantly made people tremble and dare not look him in the eye.

With his gaze sweeping over the officials in the main hall, Zhang Yuan took out a scroll and looked at Emperor Yuankang, who was sitting upright.

"Your Majesty, this is the result of the investigation and calculation by the Director of the Imperial Observatory and the various officials. The Demon-Suppressing Pillar of the Heavenly Suppression Bureau is severely corroded and its Buddhist energy is almost completely depleted."

"If the Demon-Suppressing Pillar is not rebuilt and the Buddhist energy is not replenished, the Demon-Suppressing Array will collapse within ten years."

Will the Demon-Suppressing Array of the Heavenly Suppressor Bureau collapse within ten years?

The Demon-Suppressing Formation can suppress countless evil spirits.

If these evil spirits, which even the great powers of yesteryear could not annihilate, were to step out of the Zhen Tian Si due to the collapse of the great formation, it would be an immeasurable catastrophe for the people of the imperial city and for the Great Qin!

Inside the main hall, all the officials looked up as the scroll in Zhang Yuan's hand was presented to Emperor Yuankang, and then watched as Emperor Yuankang unfolded the scroll and carefully examined it.

No one in the main hall dared to utter a sound.

Only after a long while did Emperor Yuankang raise his head and say calmly, "Yun Miao has indeed determined that the Demon Suppression Formation will not last more than ten years."

None of the officials who were able to attend this court assembly were fools.

How could the Emperor not know that the Zhen Tian Si Grand Formation could not withstand the attack?
At this moment, it was merely a performance with Marquis Qingyang.

In other words, this was the emperor backing up what the Marquis of Qingyang had done.

The departure of 300,000 Heavenly Guards from the Imperial City is now a foregone conclusion.

Upon hearing Emperor Yuankang's words, Zhang Yuan turned to look at Du Zhaoming: "Lord Du, you must serve as Minister of Justice for ten years, otherwise you will not witness the collapse of the Demon-Suppressing Array of my Zhentian Division, or the scene of the Ministry of Justice's prison receiving those demons suppressed under the copper pillars."

The Ministry of Justice's prison is receiving the evil spirits beneath the Demon-Suppressing Copper Pillar.
Du Zhaoming trembled.

"Lord Qingyang, you mustn't—"

Guo Wenhua, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice standing behind Du Zhaoming, let out a low exclamation.

“Lord Qingyang, it is the duty of the Zhen Tian Division to suppress evil spirits. Outsiders must not interfere in this matter.” A civil official stepped forward and shouted to Zhang Yuan.

"Lord Qingyang, you must not act rashly. Minister Du's words are biased." Someone stepped forward to mediate.

"Your Majesty, I approve of the Heavenly Guards' campaign against Liangyuan."

"I agree. The Demon-Suppressing Array is the foundation of the Imperial City and cannot be lost."

"I also believe that Liang Yuanyu should be conquered."

Inside the main hall, figures stepped out, bowed, and spoke.

Zhang Yuan glanced around and sighed, "You gentlemen are truly wise."

"If the Demon-Suppressing Array hadn't been in danger of collapsing, how could there have been any talk of rebuilding the Imperial City?"

"That was to protect you gentlemen..."

Is the imperial city being rebuilt because the demon-suppressing array might collapse?

I see?
In the main hall, the ministers looked at each other, their eyes filled with astonishment.

"This matter is approved," Emperor Yuankang, seated at the head of the table, finally spoke.

Emperor Yuankang looked at Zhang Yuan and said calmly, "Marquis Changning and Marquis Qingyang, stay behind and plan how to mobilize the Heavenly Guards out of the city."

Inside the main hall, everyone looked at each other, bowed, and withdrew from the court.

Once only Zhang Yuan and Marquis Su Jing of Changning were in the main hall, Zhang Yuan gave a brief report on the arrangements for the Zhen Tian Division.

Grandmaster Qin Wuyai commanded the army, while Zhenxibo Ouyang Shucai, who was familiar with the northwest region, and Baili Xi, who was skilled in both literature and martial arts, led the army out of the imperial city and directly approached Liangyuan Domain.

This battle is not about killing, but about Buddhism.

Zhang Yuan also recommended Zhao Kuo, the martial arts instructor of Zhengyang County, as the vanguard officer, and entrusted the logistics and provisions to caravans familiar with Liangyuan Region, such as Yuyuan Trading Company.

At the same time, the spies previously planted in Liangyuan Domain, such as Ding Yuan, can all be put to use, including Yao Dashanren, who travels to and from Liangyuan Domain.

Emperor Yuankang had no objections to any of these matters and simply nodded in agreement.

After Zhang Yuan finished reporting, Emperor Yuankang said calmly, "Zhang Yuan, you will leave the city with the army. There is no need to go to Liangyuan Domain."

"Tang Zheng, the prefect of Jiujiang Prefecture, together with other officials stationed in Jiujiang Prefecture, submitted a letter opposing the self-examination of officials."

"You will handle this matter personally."

Emperor Yuankang's gaze slowly fell on Zhang Yuan, his eyes revealing a profound light. "Of the thirty-six prefectures of Great Qin, some officials have lost their reverence and loyalty to Great Qin."

"Yes, sir." Zhang Yuan clasped his hands in a fist salute and spoke loudly.

The imperial city is merely a test.

His sword was only truly unsheathed once it left the imperial city.

------------------

When Zhang Yuan left the palace, it was already sunset.

When they arrived at the Qingyang Marquis's residence, a wooden carriage was parked not far from the gate.

As Zhang Yuan strode past the carriage, he suddenly stopped.

Zhang Yuan recognized the person sitting on the bicycle frame.

Aunt Wu, a servant in the Prince Zhao's residence and a bodyguard of Zhao Yu.

At this time, Aunt Wu had already reached the peak of the Innate Realm.

Although the power of the Great Dao has advanced in Yongtian Continent, making it much easier for cultivators to improve their cultivation and reducing bottlenecks, this does not mean that the potential of those cultivators has increased.

For the vast majority of martial artists, without sufficient opportunities and resources, the upper limit of their cultivation in this lifetime is below the Grandmaster level.

Aunt Wu, who was sitting on the car frame, saw Zhang Yuan stop before jumping off the car and bowing respectfully.

"Greetings, Marquis Qingyang."

Zhang Yuan nodded, his eyes revealing surprise.

Aunt Wu was with Zhao Yu at the Great Wall in the north. Now that Aunt Wu is here, then—

He turned and walked towards the Qingyang Marquis's residence. When he reached the door, the guards bowed and said, "My lord, Clerk Zhao has arrived."

"Zhao Zhubu" was the title given to Zhao Yu by his brothers in the military guards when he was in Luyang Prefecture.

Zhang Yuan laughed heartily, strode into the mansion, passed through the front hall, and went to the back courtyard, where he saw a figure standing in front of the eaves looking at the faint writing on the screen wall.

Wearing a moon-white fox fur cloak, her long hair was tied up.

The moonlight cast a cold glow on the silver trim of her fox fur coat, making her profile appear as fresh as after a snowfall.

Her eyebrows resembled distant mountains shrouded in mist, her nose was as straight and elegant as if carved from white jade, and her slightly pursed lips were tinged with a faint vermilion in the candlelight.

As her fingertips lightly traced the characters on the screen wall, half of her fair wrist slipped down from her wide sleeves. A fleeting glimpse of her delicate beauty pierced through her dashing men's attire, like a plum blossom breaking through icy armor, suddenly blooming with a breathtakingly vibrant color amidst the chill.

Zhang Yuanli stopped in front of the courtyard gate.

He didn't want to shatter the beautiful scene before him.

A hint of tenderness appeared in his eyes.

In this world, the only person who could make Zhang Yuan's eyes soften was probably the one standing before him.

Zhao Yu.

Princess Yu Ruo of the Prince Zhao's Mansion.

Zhao Yu stood still for a moment, then came to her senses, turned her head slightly, saw Zhang Yuan, and trembled all over.

Zhang Yuan smiled and slowly walked forward.

She could sense that Zhao Yu's body was stiff and uneasy.

He walked straight up to Zhao Yu, reached out, and slowly put his arm around Zhao Yu's waist.

The moment his hands firmly embraced her, the body in her arms went limp, and her hands naturally climbed up his neck. She looked up, and his warm breath carried a delicate fragrance.

This movement, this posture, has been practiced countless times in the Spring Mountain Cave.

Their eyes met, and Zhang Yuan's face was full of smiles.

Zhao Yu blushed instantly, and before she could lower her head, Zhang Yuan pressed her red lips down.

"Woo..."

(End of this chapter)