You, a tyrannical ruler, roam the heavens; you cannot understand my joy.

"Come on, go inside and tell me in detail about the situation in Nantong."

Chen Wu and others had prepared a courtyard for Lu Zuo in Nantong City beforehand.

Chen Wu nodded, turned around and pushed open a vermilion gate next to the alley. With a creak, the scene in the courtyard came into view.

The interior was not spacious, only about fifty paces from east to west and about thirty paces from north to south, with only a few rooms.

But the interior was clean and tidy, and all kinds of facilities were available.

Chen Wu followed Lu Zuo into the hall, wondering why His Majesty would pick up a piece of yellow paper for no reason.

"How many of our people have entered the city?"

Lu Zuo sat on a wooden chair, looking at Chen Wu, whose face was somewhat blank.

"Return to Your Majesty."

"Although there were many refugees pouring into the city, the Divine Martial Army dared not mingle among them in large numbers, lest they arouse suspicion."

"So far, only a thousand people have infiltrated."

"However, the relief food will need to be distributed for seven days, and at least eight thousand of our people can get in."

Chen Wu then informed Lu Zuo of everything he had learned.

The situation was largely as he had predicted, except for the fact that Yang Guang might be within the territory of Chen, which surprised him somewhat.

"Have Lu Qingyuan find out where Yang Guang is right now, if possible."

"Also, what's the situation in Dongyang?"

Chen Wu: "Your Majesty, although Shen Xun has been in seclusion recently, the Shen family has been recruiting soldiers on a large scale. They have now expanded their army by at least 100,000."

"Including the original 60,000 people..."

"I estimate that by the time Shen Xun raises his army, he will have at least 200,000 troops!"

"in addition……"

"It is said that Shen Xun has several martial artists who have just completed the Three Elements stage under his command, but their specific identities have not yet been confirmed."

Lu Zuo's pupils suddenly contracted!

This situation was worse than he had anticipated...

The combined strength of several three-element warriors is enough to crush everything in their path, tear apart battle formations, break through city defenses, and influence the balance of victory in a battle!

"Go back first, and don't come over unless it's absolutely necessary."

"These next few days are crucial. Keep a close eye on Shen An; absolutely nothing can go wrong with him!"

Chen Wu nodded: "Your Majesty, rest assured, Shen An is a coward who is afraid of death. After taking the secret medicine from the Black-Clad Guards, he will never dare to have any rebellious thoughts again."

After saying this, he bowed and left the courtyard.

"Several individuals at the Third Realm, and one at the Great Completion of the Third Realm..."

"I wonder how things are going with the Yin Gui Sect?"

……

Jiankang City, the Imperial Preceptor's Residence.

Beside an exquisite sandalwood wooden table, Zhang Lihua gently raised her hand, picked up a teacup, brought it to her lips, took a small sip, and then frowned as she put it back.

It was both bitter and astringent...

Even after trying it many times, she still couldn't tell what was so good about the tea.

"Senior sister, has the sect replied to you?"

Zhu Yuyan closed the "Dongxuan Lingbao Dingguan Jing" in her hand, nodded, and a trace of worry appeared on her face.

"Although Master agreed to his conditions, she is currently in seclusion, and several elders are not in the sect either. It will be some time before we can go to Chen Kingdom."

"well……"

She sighed softly, her fingertips lightly tracing the cover of the scroll. "I'm afraid that by the time they arrive, it will be too late."

Oh?

Zhang Lihua was taken aback and asked, puzzled, "What do you mean by that, Senior Sister?"

Zhu Yuyan stood up, walked slowly to the window, looked up towards the southwest, and said softly, "Lihua, do you know what the situation is like in Chen Kingdom right now?"

"What else could it be?"

Zhang Lihua's tone was somewhat dismissive: "The emperor eliminates powerful ministers, I take control of the court, and you are appointed as the Imperial Advisor. Everything is under our control."

Zhu Yuyan shook her head and smiled bitterly: "If that's really the case, then that would be good..."

Zhang Lihua sensed something unusual in her tone and asked seriously, "What does Senior Sister think?"

"Beset by internal and external troubles, the situation is precarious."

"If the situations in Nantong and Dongyang are not handled properly, destruction could happen in an instant!"

Zhang Lihua's eyes narrowed: "Is it that serious?"

Zhu Yuyan nodded: "Otherwise, why do you think he rushed off to Nantong with his men before the Five Great Camps had finished their reorganization?"

"He doesn't have time!"

After a pause, Zhu Yuyan continued her analysis: "Emperor Chen Shubao was put on the throne by the combined efforts of the six great families and the Shen family of Wuxing."

"Now that the emperor is out of control and no longer at their beck and call, how could the six great families accept this?"

"They're not making any moves right now; they're waiting for Dongyang to rebel!"

"The rebellion in Dongyang is common knowledge in the court and among the people, and Shen Xun has been operating in Dongyang for many years, with deep roots and great power."

"If the emperor wants to quell the rebellion, he will have to rely on the power of the six great families."

"And they..."

"This gives you the opportunity to make demands and ask for greater benefits and more advantages."

"even……"

Zhu Yuyan's eyes turned cold: "We will secretly assist Dongyang, providing them with provisions and weapons, killing the emperor, and installing a new ruler!"

"If he dies, all our previous efforts and the terms we just agreed on will have been for nothing..."

Zhang Lihua then realized the seriousness of the situation and jumped up from her seat!

"The imperial court still has four battalions of troops, totaling over two hundred thousand!"

"General Ren Zhong is working hard to rectify the situation and replace the generals with trustworthy people."

"It's no use." Zhu Yuyan waved her hand. "Firstly, there's no time."

"Secondly, all those who are capable have inextricably linked to the major aristocratic families."

"It is already quite remarkable that a Divine Martial Camp could be transformed."

"No matter what kind of generals they become in the future, they will still have the manpower of the major families, just like the Imperial Guard and the Five Cities Garrison."

"If the powerful families unite and are determined to fight the emperor head-on, these generals and soldiers will not be an asset, but a huge problem!"

"He only took the Shenwu Battalion to Nantong, not only because there wasn't enough time, but also because there were no other troops available to mobilize."

"Oh……"

At this point, Zhu Yuyan chuckled softly, her laughter tinged with bitterness and sarcasm.

"The emperor of a nation has a truly trustworthy army of only about 60,000 men."

"How pitiful, how lamentable..."

She turned around, stood before the north wall, and stared intently at the map on the wall, her gaze landing on Nanxu County: "What I have described above is merely an internal problem."

"The real trouble is still the Sui Dynasty, this external threat!"

"Although the Northern Turks are not yet pacified, once internal strife breaks out in Chen, it's hard to guarantee that Yang Su won't seize the opportunity to march south and head straight for Jiankang!"

"By then..."

"How can he possibly keep his throne?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lihua's eyebrows furrowed: "Each hurdle is harder than the last..."

Zhu Yuyan nodded: "There's nothing we can do; the very foundation of the Chen Kingdom is completely rotten."

"Even if there is no immediate threat of annihilation, defeat is only a matter of time."

Zhang Lihua asked, "In your opinion, Senior Sister... can this tyrannical and incompetent ruler hold the situation together?"

"Do you still think he's a tyrannical and incompetent ruler?" Zhu Yuyan glanced at her sideways: "Using extremely weak forces, he borrowed their strength to eliminate powerful ministers."

"Ren Zhong was reinstated and quickly reorganized the five major camps. He realized that Dongyang and Nantong were key areas, and immediately led troops there after the reorganization."

"From all these aspects, where is there any sign of incompetence?"

Zhang Lihua pursed her lips, somewhat unconvinced: "But he was insatiably lustful and committed absurd acts such as adultery with his subjects and abducting women from the common people."

"Throughout history, has any wise ruler ever acted in this way?"

"Heh." Zhu Yuyan chuckled lightly: "Being morally deficient in private matters doesn't mean you're muddle-headed when it comes to important things."

"besides……"

"I just received news that the women that Zhang Youyuan, Kong Fan, and the others abducted for him were secretly released the day he left the capital."

"Some were given money and sent home, while those who did not want to leave were settled in Da'an Village outside the city."

what?

Zhang Lihua stared wide-eyed, her face filled with disbelief.

"He's a lecherous wolf, how could he release a beauty to take home?"

"How is this possible?"

Zhu Yuyan shook her head: "To be honest, I was also quite puzzled when I heard this news."

"You always said I had a good eye for people, but now I understand him less and less..."

"I always felt that this person's actions were somewhat contradictory."

"In fact... there's some division."

Just as the two women were talking, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Imperial Preceptor."

A young eunuch stood at the doorway, holding an envelope in his hand, and said in a high-pitched voice, "An urgent secret letter has been delivered by an envoy from the Black-Clad Guard."

Zhang Lihua quickly stepped forward, snatched the letter, and opened it on the spot, reading it with Zhu Yuyan.

"Shen Xun is actually at the Third Realm?"

"And he's in seclusion attempting to achieve the Great Perfection of the Three Elements?"

Zhu Yuyan gasped, her face instantly turning icy cold, her hands instinctively clenching into fists: "This is troublesome..."

"The key to Your Majesty's victory lies in whether you can quickly subdue Nantong and withstand the rebellion in Dongyang."

"now……."

"Lihua!"

"I need to get to Nantong immediately!"

"You stay in the capital. Once our people arrive, have them go to Nantong to provide reinforcements!"

The Yin Gui Sect is now completely tied to Lu Zuo.

If he becomes the ruler of a fallen kingdom, all his previous efforts will have been in vain!

As soon as she finished speaking, Zhu Yuyan lightly touched the ground with her toes, her figure shooting out and disappearing from the Imperial Preceptor's residence in an instant.

For a master like her, traveling by horseback is far less efficient than using light-footed skills.

……

The situation was far worse than Zhu Yuyan had anticipated.

Lu Zuo was well aware of the situation, but he had no other choice. If he didn't want to become the ruler of a fallen kingdom, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go through with it.

There are two key issues at present.

First, they quickly captured Nantong.

Secondly, to block Shen Xun's rebel army.

As for the Sui Dynasty, although there is the variable of Yang Guang, he doesn't even know where Yang Guang is right now, so the disguise talisman is useless.

The only hope was that the Southern Xu navy could withstand the Sui's attack.

At the very least, they must prevent the Sui Dynasty from invading before they finish suppressing the rebellion...

Whether it's taking Nantong or stopping Shen Xun, individual combat strength is very important!

After Chen Wu left, Lu Zuo sat cross-legged, calmed his mind, and continued to try to break through to the Three Realms Realm, which he had not been able to do before.

Having experienced several failures, he was extremely cautious this time in his attempt to break through.

The innate true energy slowly rises from the dantian and flows into the dantian. Guided by intention, it boils and spreads.

In an instant, strands of innate true energy transformed into sharp spikes, their gleam piercing into meridians, acupoints, muscles, bones, and skin...

"grass!"

A searing, excruciating pain, like a river overflowing its banks, swept over Lu Zuo, almost causing him to scream out loud.

"Hold on, hold on..."

He trembled slightly, and large beads of sweat dripped down his face, soaking his clothes in an instant, and even leaving water stains on the bed.

Lu Zuo clenched his teeth, blood seeping from between his lips and teeth, yet he still managed to retain a sliver of 'mental clarity' amidst the intense pain.

Time passed little by little, and soon it was noon from morning, and then evening from noon.

As dusk settles and the setting sun dips below the horizon...

Boom!

A thunderous roar exploded within Lu Zuo's body!

As dusk settles and the setting sun dips below the horizon...

Boom!

A thunderous roar exploded within Lu Zuo's body!

The excruciating pain—like being pricked by needles, having muscles torn, internal organs crushed, and bones broken—vanished instantly with the sound of thunder, disappearing without a trace!

Instead, there is a feeling of being thoroughly cleansed and connected from the inside out.

A surge of warm and cool, vast power replaced the original innate true energy, nourishing every part of the body like spring water overflowing a dry riverbed.

"call……"

Lu Zuo exhaled a breath of fresh air and felt his mind clear and bright, like a clear autumn sky.

That vast, cool power also brought him a strange feeling.

Richer, purer, and more powerful!

"This must be true essence, right?"

He silently sensed the changes within his body, feeling that his physical strength had increased by at least a thousand pounds, and his senses were more acute and clear.

Overall combat strength...

It's at least doubled!

"Finally, a breakthrough has been achieved! The initial formation of the Three Elements is complete!"

Thump!

Before he finished speaking, a muffled thud came from outside the door, as if something had fallen into the courtyard.

With a thought, Lu Zuo quickly pushed open the bedroom door and walked out. He didn't even look, but he clearly sensed in his mind that a man in black had fallen behind a water vat at the base of the wall.

Upon closer inspection, I saw a tall, slender woman with a wheatish complexion and an ordinary appearance lying on the ground.

She lay sprawled on the ground, her face deathly pale, her breath faint, her chest rising and falling slightly with each breath.

On his chest, there was a gaping wound, with flesh torn open and blood dripping from his neck down to his waist.

Through the gruesome wounds, it is clear that her sternum was damaged and broken, and her internal organs were probably also injured.

"well……"

"He can't be saved..."

Lu Zuo shook his head and bent down: "Miss, it's fate that you ended up in my courtyard."

"If you have any last words, please say them quickly."

The woman in black weakly raised her head, looked at Lu Zuo, and murmured softly, "Young Master..."

"Could you help me find a doctor?"

After saying that, his head lolled to the side and he lost consciousness.

Lu Zuo's heart stirred slightly. He reached out and placed his hand on her pulse point, using his internal energy to examine her condition.

A moment later, his eyes suddenly sharpened!

"strangeness……"

"Such a severe injury, yet there wasn't the slightest damage to its internal organs?"

"That shouldn't be the case. Even if it were a true qi shock, it should have shattered her internal organs..."

"What kind of martial arts does this woman practice?"

After thinking for a moment, Lu Zuo reached out and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom and placing her on the bed.

Sizzle!

He immediately tore off the bed sheet and used it as gauze to give the woman a simple bandage. He also sealed several acupoints to stop the bleeding from the wound before going out to find a doctor.

……

Perhaps because it was too late, he knocked on the doors of several clinics, but no one answered.

With no other option, Lu Zuo had to turn back, leaving the question of whether the woman could survive to fate.

"I hope we can pull through."

"After all, her technique, which can protect her internal organs from damage, is quite tempting... Hmm?"

As soon as he returned to the alley, he sensed that something was wrong in the courtyard!

He rushed to the gate in a few strides, pushed it open with all his might, and peered inside.

Goodness...