My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Upon receiving the order, the vanguard battalions, led by their respective captains and squad leaders, did their best to maintain formation, yet their hurried and light steps were still evident as they swiftly and orderly marched toward their designated marching positions.

Distribution has begun.

The cooks carried specially made long-handled strainers and wooden spoons.

A strainer was plunged into the bubbling pot, scooping up spoonfuls of golden, curly noodles soaked in the thick broth, and pouring them into the earthenware bowls held by the vanguard soldiers.

The noodles, coated in a glossy, dark brown sauce, were steaming hot and still slightly bouncy as they were poured.

Immediately afterwards, another wooden spoon was used to scoop up the piping hot, thick soup, which was covered with red oil and small pieces of dehydrated vegetable leaves and minced meat, and poured it over the noodles until the bowl was full.

"Watch out, it's hot! Hold it steady!"

The cook shouted instructions, but the vanguard soldiers who took the bowls paid no attention.

The first soldier to receive it held the heavy, hot earthenware bowl in both hands, which made his soul tremble, and stared intently at the bowl—it ​​was full!

It's truly a bowl full of golden noodles that you'd only find in the celestial realm!

Soaked in a divine soup that is orange-red, glistening, and exudes an irresistible aroma!

A few tiny, seemingly minced meat-like things and scattered green vegetable leaves dotted the surface.

The aroma wafted up close, a hundred times stronger than any lingering scent that had ever drifted on the wind before—salty, savory, spicy, fragrant…

It rushed into his nasal cavity in a complex and domineering way, straight to the top of his head!

This...

His hands were trembling, not because the bowl was hot, but because of extreme excitement and a kind of almost sacred feeling.

He heard his comrades around him gasping for breath, and some even sobbing quietly.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty! Thank you, Grand Eunuch!"

Someone roared hoarsely, their voice choked with sobs, and bowed deeply toward Chang'an and the low platform where Li Jing was before stepping aside.

The other vanguard soldiers followed suit, and the moment they received their bowls, shouts of gratitude rose and fell.

They retreated cautiously, as if holding a priceless treasure.

Many people couldn't even bear to eat immediately, but instead buried their faces deep into the bowls, greedily inhaling the source of that deadly aroma, their faces a mixture of ecstasy, awe, and unparalleled satisfaction.

However, many more soldiers were not called out.

They belonged to the main force battalions, rear guard battalions, and supply battalions of the central army...

Since they weren't in the vanguard battalion, they could only stand still, craning their necks to watch enviously as their comrades in the vanguard battalion held the real delicacies in their hands, looking at the golden noodles and smelling the increasingly strong and pervasive aroma.

Envy and longing gnawed at their hearts like ants.

Damn it!

Why didn't I go and be a vanguard back then?

One of the young crossbowmen stood on tiptoe, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets, staring intently at the noodles in the hands of a vanguard soldier not far away.

The noodles, trembling and glistening with oil, were slurped into the soldier's mouth, and the soldier immediately showed an expression of extreme ecstasy, as if ascending to heaven.

The crossbowman felt his stomach clench violently, and his mouth instantly filled with saliva.

Soon, the vanguard battalion was fully deployed. The chief clerk's voice rang out again.

"The remaining soldiers of the various battalions—"

All the soldiers whose names were not called suddenly perked up and held their breath.

"Step forward and collect your 'soup'!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the cook switched to a slightly smaller ceramic bowl.

The long-handled wooden spoon was once again dipped into the cooking pot.

This time, however, the spoon cleverly avoided the noodles that had sunk to the bottom, and instead scooped up the piping hot, thick soup that was also floating with oil and a few bits of spices, and poured it into the bowl, filling it about halfway.

It was the turn of the battalion with the young crossbowmen.

He followed the group, his heart pounding, and walked to the camp pot.

When the large bowl of scalding hot, orange-red "elixir" was handed to him, the heat was intense, and the aroma was equally domineering and strong.

But... there was only soup in the bowl, a rather clear soup.

Although it was still oily and fragrant, it lacked the tempting golden noodles.

He held the bowl, subconsciously turned his head, and glanced at a soldier from the vanguard battalion next to him.

The man was looking down, carefully picking at the last noodle at the bottom of the bowl.

The young crossbowman withdrew his gaze and looked at the half-full bowl of "immortal soup" in his hand.

Feeling lost?

A little.

But the next moment, the fragrance, more real and intense than ever before, instantly dispelled any regret.

In this cold weather, having a bowl of this...

He followed others' example and took a deep sniff first.

The savory and spicy flavor hit him right in the head, making him feel a little uncomfortable.

He took a deep breath and carefully sipped it.

"boom--!"

Scalding hot! Salty and savory! With an unfamiliar, tingling "spicy" sensation!

The soup slid down my throat like a line of fire, then plunged straight into my stomach, followed by a burst of intense warmth that quickly spread to my cold limbs!

That peculiar, addictive taste lingers in your mouth, making you want to take a second sip right away!

"Ha... Hiss!"

He couldn't help but exhale a breath of hot air, his eyes burning slightly, but he felt inexplicably light and refreshed, the chill dissipated, and his fatigue seemed to lessen.

He looked at the vanguard battalion, watching them slurp up golden noodles and sigh with admiration, and swallowed hard.

"I wish we had noodles!"

Be content, kid!

The veteran next to him was also holding a bowl of soup, sipping it slowly, squinting his eyes to enjoy the warmth, and whispering.

"This is a divine soup bestowed by His Majesty! Although we didn't get any immortal noodles, this soup still contains the essence of the celestial realm! Drink it, and we'll have the same energy to chop down those Tuyuhun bastards later!"

The crossbowman nodded heavily, then looked at the soup bowl in his hand again, his eyes now different.

The Emperor's grace is boundless!

He held the bowl even tighter with both hands, as if trying to absorb every bit of heat and flavor into his body.

The entire campsite presented a scene that was distinct yet strangely harmonious.

Some soldiers buried themselves in the "celestial food bowl," carefully picking out the few but incredibly precious golden noodles, chewing each bite with utmost care.

Many soldiers held their "immortal soup bowls" and sipped the scalding soup with gusto, letting the warmth and energy surge through their bodies.

Different bowls, but the same aroma wafts through the air.

They received the same treatment, and their eyes were ignited with the same burning passion.

Li Jing stood on the high platform, looking down at the scene below where the morale of the entire army was visibly boiling and rising after the "Dividing Immortals".

The vanguard battalion, with their truly "immortal faces," became even more arrogant and sharp, their gazes burning as if they wanted to devour people.

The other battalions were warmed and invigorated by that bowl of "divine soup," their desire for battle burning brightly. Their gazes toward the vanguard battalion were filled not only with envy but also with a fierce determination to "take their place."

He slowly pressed his sword, knowing that the time was right.

When the last bowl of soup was served, Li Jing suddenly drew his sword, its blade flashing coldly in the darkening sky, pointing directly towards the Tuyuhun camp in the west.

His voice was no longer flat.

"We have enjoyed the divine feast, and the Emperor's grace has filled our bellies! The mighty warriors of the Tang Dynasty—"

"Follow me—kill the traitors!"

"Those who are brave and skilled in battle will be greatly rewarded by this general!!!"

"kill!!!!!!"

This roar was unprecedentedly unified, violent, and filled with a bloodthirsty desire!

Thousands of voices converged into a frenzy that tore through the twilight.

The army has moved.