Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 358, Reunion at 368

Li Cunxiao as the forward?

All six bodyguards were taken aback. Kang Junli and others even had to search their minds for a while before recalling this familiar yet unfamiliar name.

Li Cunxiao? The thirteenth prince?
Hadn't he been in Jiannan Circuit for four or five years? Why would His Majesty suddenly think of him?
"Is it because of that rumor from back then?"

Shi Jingsi's mind worked the fastest, recalling the news that had leaked from the Prince of Jin's residence before Li Cunxiao ascended the throne, before Li Cunxiao went to the southwest.

When Li Cunxiao returns from Jiannan Road, he will be granted the title of King of Song!

"Is that really what Godfather is planning? Or is he joking?"

Kang Junli and the others also recalled that incident from back then, and their faces turned grim.

Over the years, they fought on the front lines, repeatedly achieving military merits. Their titles rose from county marquis to county duke, and they were granted fiefs. They were incredibly successful and had long forgotten about what happened back then.

Li Cunxiao spent four or five years in the southwest without making any major moves. They only remembered him when the army ran out of medicine.

Whenever the gangsters gathered, they would even use this as a source of amusement while drinking:
No matter how prestigious your family background or how talented you are, Li Cunxiao, you still end up cleaning up our messes.

Now that Zhu Quanzhong has abandoned his main camp in Xuzhou and is retreating towards Qingzhou, the Taibao (military commanders) all feel that the recovery of the Central Plains is just around the corner, and the great achievement is also just around the corner.

Unexpectedly, Li Yisheng suddenly mentioned Li Cunxiao, who was like a transparent person, and wanted him to be the vanguard and steal the credit.

Why!
As their status and power grew day by day, the arrogance of the Taibao (a group of bodyguards) increased, but their fear of Li Yisheng also grew day by day.

Although they were dissatisfied, no one dared to speak up first. They expressed their dissatisfaction with silence, while exchanging glances, hoping that someone would be the first to step forward.

"Your Majesty, Li Cunxiao is stationed in Jiannan Road. Sending him as the vanguard might cause us to miss the opportunity to win the battle."

"I dare not comment on Your Majesty's decree, but Li Cunxiao is at peace in Jiannan Road, at most he kills some bandits and demons, but he may lack in battle."

Li Siben and Li Si'en were, after all, Li Yisheng's personal guards, and because of this relationship, they weren't so afraid to ask questions.

These words were like a piercing through a thin layer of paper, and only then did the other bodyguards dare to speak up:
"I second that suggestion. The thirteenth prince is doing a good job providing supplies in the rear, and if he's suddenly transferred to the front lines, the army's supplies will be hard to guarantee."

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

I second that.

Although they were opposed, the group of bodyguards only said one thing each and dared not say too much.

To put it bluntly, Li Yisheng was the emperor and a grandmaster, so ultimately, he was the one who made the decisions in the military camp.

The reason for raising this issue may be to hear their opinions, or it may simply be to see their attitude.

The selection of the forwards interferes with personal interests and also with the struggle between the "Grandpa Party" and the "Third Grandpa Party." Struggle is necessary, but it is crucial not to alienate Li Yisheng.

Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; even the most foolish person should learn some political wisdom over a few years.

"Jing Si, you seem to have something to say?"

After listening to the accounts of the others, Li Yisheng shifted his gaze to Shi Jingsi.

The latter felt the gazes of the bodyguards, and a thought seemed to flash through his mind. He cupped his hands respectfully and said:
"Your Majesty's decision is wise and decisive. We have no choice but to carry it out at the cost of our lives."

"However, the thirteenth brother is still young. Firstly, he is far from here, and secondly, he lacks experience in battle."

Kang Junli and the others were quite dissatisfied upon hearing this, thinking to themselves that this was just a repetition of what they had just said.
"Thirdly, and most importantly, his cultivation level is similar to ours, both at the seventh level."

"To be frank, in the current war, whether there is one more or one less seventh-realm martial artist has a negligible impact on the overall situation."

"Everything still depends on His Majesty, the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Jin, Grand Master Chang Congjian, and the two monks of Yuhua Temple."

"Is the one His Majesty wishes to transfer not the thirteenth brother, but Master Qici?"

Yup!

Kang Junli and the others suddenly realized that this was Li Yisheng's intention, and secretly gave Shi Jingsi a thumbs up.

The arrival of Li Cunxiao would not significantly alter the course of the battle. However, the great monk Qici, with his master-level strength, was capable of contending with Yang Shihou (Silver Spear) and Ge Congzhou (Doppelganger).

The problem is that before Li Yisheng changed the era name, Qici only guarded the city of Dongdu with Zhiheng and never actively participated in the war.

This bald monk has such an awkward personality, doesn't his godfather know that?

If he were willing to join the army to conquer cities and seize strongholds, Li Cunxiao would probably have already benefited and been granted a princely title.
Upon hearing this, Li Yisheng looked at Shi Jingsi, and a hint of a smile finally appeared in his eyes.

These words, seemingly implying that Li Cunxiao was unsuitable to be the vanguard, were actually offering him a way out.

"Is that what you all think?" he asked slowly. Seeing this, Shi Jingsi became even more certain of his guess, while also feeling a little surprised.

"Yes," the other bodyguards replied, completely unaware of the situation.

"I had three considerations when I appointed Li Cunxiao as the striker."

"First, before I ascended the throne, I promised Li Cunxiao the title of Prince of Song."

"A ruler's word is law, and naturally, so too is a word spoken in the army."

"No one can be made a king without military merit. He has been accumulating merits in Jiannan Road for so long, and he needs a place to use them."

"This striker is just being given a chance. If Li Cunxiao doesn't perform well, then you will have your turn."

The bodyguards were indignant, but dared not show it on their faces.

The emperor's word is law, and this one statement alone is irrefutable. You can't say that Your Majesty's face is unimportant, can you?

"Secondly, do you know what I hold in my palm?"

As he spoke, Li Yisheng lifted the agate jade box and channeled his true essence into it.

Then, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the jade box gradually became transparent, revealing a perfectly round golden pill inside.

This golden elixir appears to have a physical form, but upon closer inspection, it seems to be composed of countless primordial energies of heaven and earth.

Wind, frost, rain, snow, the ever-changing clouds, and even the rising and setting of the sun and moon seem to encompass all the changes in celestial phenomena, like a miniature world.

Just by looking at these unusual phenomena, you can tell that it is definitely not an ordinary item.

"Unheard of before, unseen before"

Kang Junli frowned, sensing the pure spiritual energy within, but couldn't even describe what it was.

After a brief moment of shock, Shi Jingsi seemed to remember something:
"First stage: Subduing Elixir; Second stage: Taming Elixir; Third stage: Nourishing Elixir; Fourth stage: Refining Elixir; Fifth stage: Returning Elixir; Sixth stage: Spirit Elixir; Seventh stage: Great Elixir; Eighth stage: Divine Elixir; Ninth stage: Golden Elixir."

"Eleventh brother, what are you mumbling about?"

A bunch of ignorant and incompetent brutes.

Shi Jingsi was displeased, but he still patiently explained:
"There are nine grades of pills, corresponding to the nine realms of martial artists. The pills we usually take are the seventh-grade pills."

"And masters like my eldest brother and third brother use divine pills for cultivation. But as you know, divine pills are not something you can get every day. It takes years to refine a single batch of divine pills."

"Grandmasters are practically immortals on land; the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir is something you can only encounter by chance, and even Master Zhiheng was unable to refine it."

Upon hearing this explanation, everyone understood at first, then their hearts trembled, and their gazes involuntarily shifted to the pill in Li Yisheng's hand, which seemed to contain an entire small world.

"Your Majesty, could this be a golden elixir?"

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! With the Golden Elixir in hand, you are now like a tiger with wings. When you attack the Great Liang, you will surely make that Zhu bastard pay! Hey, Twelfth Prince, why did you kick me?"

Kang Junli ignored the noise from the side and forced a smile:
"Your Majesty, could this golden elixir have been brought to you by the thirteenth prince as a tribute?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was startled and suddenly realized the reason why Li Yisheng had taken out this item earlier.

Immediately, he couldn't help but grit his teeth in jealousy.

That thirteenth son, how come he always seems to run into good things!
Could there be some ancient cave dwelling in such a remote and impoverished place as Jiannan Road that he stumbled upon? Li Yisheng looked at the expressions of his adopted sons and sighed inwardly.

A bunch of brutes.

They are ruthless to outsiders and ruthless to their own people, but their personalities are all rough and domineering. Apart from the eldest and the third son, none of them are capable of being of great use.

“That’s not entirely true,” Li Yisheng seemed to sense something, stood up, and stopped keeping him in suspense.

"This pill was a gift from the thirteenth prince, but it wasn't something I found by chance in some cave, as you might think."

"He refined this golden elixir himself!"

what?
Li Cunxiao, the elixir refined by Li Cunxiao?

Wasn't it said that even Zhi Heng, a Grandmaster, couldn't refine it?
What gives Li Cunxiao the right? Did he really refine this elixir? If he did, then...
Everyone's thoughts seemed to be frozen, only their bodies subconsciously followed Li Yisheng out of the central command tent.

It wasn't until they reached the edge of the military camp that some of the gangsters gradually came to their senses. An idea popped into their heads, but they immediately rejected it.

how can that be possible?
Li Cunxiao was able to refine pills that even Zhi Heng couldn't, which doesn't mean...
"Report! Your Majesty, an army of ten thousand is approaching the main camp!"

The scout rode up on a fine horse, dismounted, and knelt on one knee. But before he could finish speaking, Li Yisheng waved his hand and said with a smile:
"It's one of our own."

"One of our own?!"

The bodyguards, including Shi Jingsi, were all shaken, and in an instant, they understood many things.

Whether they were willing or not, whether they were happy or disgusted, they all stared wide-eyed at the distant horizon.

The sound of horses' hooves.

The familiar sound of marching troops, and the dust billowing in the air.

A large banner was raised high, with the words "Li, Military Governor of Songzhou" standing out prominently.

Beneath the banner, a young general riding a blue lion and clad in blue phoenix armor took the lead.

Even among thousands of people, his figure stood out like a crane among chickens, attracting everyone's attention.

"Our godfather sent Li Cunxiao from Jiannan Road a long time ago; we've all been tricked!"

Such thoughts arose in the minds of all the bodyguards, and apart from Shi Jingsi who was only regretful, the others were all gritting their teeth.

When the army approached within a hundred paces, the young general waved his hand, and the entire army immediately stopped marching. The world became still, and the dust cleared away. This demonstrated the strict discipline and obedience of his orders.

Li Yisheng stood quietly, waiting for the green lion carrying the man to approach before smiling and saying:
"Ah~ it's the King of Song!"

Li Cunxiao dismounted from the lion, quickly stepped forward, and respectfully said:

"I dare not, I am but Your Majesty's pawn."

"Hahahaha," Li Yisheng suddenly burst into laughter and grabbed the other person's arm.

“Cunxiao is now a grandmaster. If he still considers himself a foot soldier, how can they face others?”

His eyes held a profound meaning, and his other hand still held a jade box, within which the golden elixir shone brightly.

"After four years apart, you've returned with a wonderful surprise."

"With just this golden elixir, I could bestow upon you the title of king. Why bother going into battle?"

Li Cunxiao remained respectful and his expression did not change because of these words.

"Being granted a title for military merit is a matter of imperial law. A subject should share the burdens of His Majesty; how can he rely on favor to demand a title?"

"Good!" Li Yisheng laughed again, but when he looked at the helpless bodyguards beside him, a hint of disappointment flashed in his eyes.

Comparing people with others will lead to death, and comparing goods with goods will lead to throwing away.

In terms of both speech and actions, the difference between the others and the thirteenth prince is simply too great.

Only Shi Jingsi is somewhat acceptable.

"Now that there is no Grandmaster guarding the city of Songzhou, I think today is a good day to send troops out."

"The sooner you bestow a royal title and establish a hierarchy, the better, so that your sworn brothers won't be at a loss for words."

"Furthermore, I've heard that you have some old friends in Songzhou City?"

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao felt a chill run down his spine, but a look of gratitude appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty's care for me is boundless; I will repay you with my life!"

After saying that, ignoring the ugly expressions on Kang Junli and the others' faces, he bowed to Li Yisheng, turned around, mounted the Azure Lion, lit a thousand Imperial Dragon Steeds, and roared towards Songzhou City!

"Master Bai, how much grain is left in the city?"

"Originally, it would have been enough for a month, but the Liang army looted most of it when they retreated, and refugees have poured into Bianzhou. Now, I'm afraid the only option is to abandon the city."

A somber atmosphere permeated the Songzhou government office. Among the three people in the hall were Bai Xiangshan, the governor of Songzhou, Dezheng, the abbot of Tiangu Temple, and Zhaoyang, the abbot of Huqiu Temple in Bianzhou.

The three men faced each other, their faces filled with sorrow, and all of them showed signs of being bandaged. Dezheng, in particular, was coughing intermittently, clearly indicating that he was injured.

When Zhu Quanzhong occupied Songzhou, he used it as a springboard to take Luoyang to the west and then attack the capital.

After declaring himself emperor and establishing his own country, in order to win over the hearts of the people and to ensure tax revenue and conscription, he did not carry out a major purge of local officials.

As long as taxes are paid in full, the newly established Liang dynasty is willing to demonstrate its approachability and orthodoxy.

However, just like the increasingly corrupt military discipline of the Qin Dynasty, as the Liang Dynasty gradually fell into decline, Zhu Quanzhong prepared to withdraw from Xuzhou, and those generals and soldiers no longer suppressed their bestial nature.

They committed arson, murder, looting, rape, and cannibalism—all sorts of atrocities. Bai Xiangshan and Dezheng had long hated these soldiers, but in the past, with a master like Ge Congzhou around, they were unwilling to bring about a brutal crackdown due to a momentary impulse.

Now that Songzhou has become a pawn, they can no longer tolerate it and have joined forces with Huishan Temple, which has been relocated from Bianzhou, to take action.

Although they eventually repelled Liang's army, all three were injured.

Now that the Qin Dynasty is about to arrive again, the discipline of the Hedong soldiers is not much better than that of the Liang Dynasty. It can be said that they have just escaped the tiger's mouth and entered the wolf's den.

Otherwise, Bai Xiangshan wouldn't have suggested abandoning the city and fleeing.
"The Qin army is here!!!"

A hurried shout rang out, and the next moment, a young monk in armor appeared at the door. He was none other than Yuanguang, the eldest disciple of Dezheng and the senior disciple of Tiangu Temple.

"What?! They arrived so quickly!"

The three men's expressions changed drastically. Bai Xiangshan smiled bitterly, but also seemed somewhat relieved.

"It seems there's no way to escape today, neither do we need to."

"No," Yuan Guang said, but to everyone's surprise, he shook his head, looking somewhat hesitant.

"It wasn't a large army that came, only about a thousand people, led by a young general."

"A thousand people?"

The three were immediately puzzled. "Could it be one of the Thirteen Protectors?"

However, among the Thirteen Protectors, apart from the First Protector and the Third Protector, they are all only Xuan Guan martial artists.

Although the three of them were injured, they were not so badly unable to take down even one person.

Such contempt? Or are they here to persuade us to surrender?
"Do you recognize that person? Which one of the Thirteen Protectors is he?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Guang's expression grew even more hesitant. He subconsciously glanced at his master, and under the other's questioning gaze, whispered:

"That person seems to be Junior Brother Li Cunxiao."

(End of this chapter)