Martial Arts: My achievements in Beiliang were so great that they threatened the lord's positio

In the clash of their energies just now, Lin Xuan had a slight advantage, while he was slightly inferior.

Although he hadn't actually made a move, within the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, he admitted that he was no match for Lin Xuan.

This person, who was at the pinnacle of human cultivation, dared not be the slightest bit careless at this moment. He had originally thought that the rumors in the martial arts world were mostly exaggerated, but he was greatly shocked by the profound cultivation of Lin Xuan today.

No wonder he was able to confront Tuoba Bodhisattva head-on.

"You flatter me."

Lin Xuan gently raised his hand, and the warm tea on the table flew out smoothly, slowly heading towards **.

The pace seemed unhurried, but in **'s eyes, this cup of tea was not easy to accept.

He reached out with his right hand, fingers outstretched, towards the teacup.

He held the cup firmly in his palm and then withdrew it. If you look closely, you can see that his wrist trembled almost imperceptibly for a moment when he took the cup.

If one cannot accept this cup of tea, one is not qualified to enter the hall and take a seat.

He lifted the lid, gently stirred the tea foam, took a small sip, and then with a flick of his sleeve, the teacup flew back steadily.

Lin Xuan reached out and caught it, then placed it back on the table.

"Master Cao, please take a seat."

The General of the Northern Garrison raised his hand in invitation.

He nodded slightly, stepped up the stairs, entered the hall, and said, "General, aren't you afraid of getting yourself into trouble by harboring a wanted criminal like me?"

"As long as Cao Guanzi doesn't make it public, no one in the world should know."

Lin Xuan remained calm: "Besides, it's just a cup of tea, nothing special."

"The General's tea is excellent."

He praised her.

"This is a pre-Qingming tea from Dafu Mountain. It's a pity that there's not much left. Otherwise, based on your words, I would certainly give you some."

He shook his head slightly.

In the brief, unspoken exchange, Lin Xuan gained a slight advantage, and naturally, he also seized the initiative in their conversation.

"We've rarely heard of you, sir, roaming the martial world these past few years. May I ask what brings you to my general's residence today?"

"I have long admired the General's reputation and have come to pay my respects."

** replied.

"I see."

Lin Xuan chuckled: "Then this general will not keep you for a meal any longer."

"Is the General seeing the guests out?"

** His eyebrows twitched slightly.

"cough."

Lin Xuan put down his teacup: "That's one way to understand it."

"Is the General's recruitment order still valid?"

** He wasn't annoyed and spoke slowly.

"Natural numbers."

Lin Xuan nodded.

"Just take it as it comes."

He said, "I believe I have some talent and would like to seek a position under the General."

"Could it be that the General is unwilling to accept them because he is concerned about the court?"

"No need to beat around the bush."

Lin Xuan had no intention of engaging in pleasantries: "Mr. Cao, what brings this old friend from Western Chu here on your special trip?"

"happy."

**With a calm expression:** "I have come here to discuss a collaboration with the General."

"What kind of cooperation?"

Lin Xuan already had a premonition, but still asked the question.

"Borrowing troops to restore the country."

He spoke each word clearly.

Lin Xuan's expression turned cold: "Mr. Cao, are you joking? You, a man hunted by the imperial court, come to the Second-Rank General of the Northern Garrison to borrow troops to restore your country. Are you out of your mind, or has this general lost his reason?"

"That's not the case at all."

Shaking his head, he cast a deep gaze at the man in white and said slowly, "If the Great General had no ambition, there would be no Yanzhou today. The position of Second-Rank Zhenbei General is probably not the end for the Great General."

"How does this relate to your collaboration?"

Lin Xuan scoffed: "This general has his own ambitions. Who in the world is without aspirations? But some people are capable of fulfilling those ambitions, while others are full of empty ambitions and fail to recognize their own worth."

"Mr. Cao, the State of Chu has fallen, fallen to the iron cavalry of my Northern Liang."

"There is no Chu state now, and there will never be one."

"Though the state of Chu has perished, the people of Chu remain."

His gaze was intense, and his aura was imposing, causing the clouds in the sky to churn and the faint sound of thunder to be heard.

This is his obsession, and the entire meaning behind his years of traveling around the world.

"Even if the country is restored, it will only be a fleeting moment of glory."

Lin Xuan didn't take it to heart.

Even if it's just a fleeting moment of brilliance, I'm willing to give it my all.

**His expression was resolute.

"You've fallen into a delusion."

Lin Xuan said.

"A leaf before the eyes obscures Mount Tai," and even this supreme being of humanity finds it difficult to see clearly at this moment.

"If a person has no desires and no attachments, wouldn't this life be dull?"

**His words carried an air of arrogance.

"Tell me, how many troops do you need, when do you need them, and what will I get in return?"

He spoke slowly, but his questions covered a wide range of topics.

"One hundred thousand."

**Opening.

"There's no need to talk about it anymore."

Lin Xuan opened his eyes slightly: "Mr. Cao, please leave."

"Let it be as if I never met you today."

His expression faltered for a moment, perhaps realizing he was asking for too much, and he changed his mind, saying, "Fifty thousand."

"No."

Thirty thousand.

This supreme human being gritted his teeth and said.

"At most ten thousand."

Lin Xuan raised an eyebrow: "Not a single soldier more will do."

"Can."

**He nodded.

The 10,000 Yanzhou cavalry were formidable in combat, barely sufficient for their needs.

"When will you need to use troops?"

Lin Xuan asked.

Not now.

**Shake head.**

"I cannot lend it to you right now."

Lin Xuan continued, "What can I get in return?"

This is what he cares about most.

"A chaotic world."

**With a resolute tone: "Only when the times are in turmoil will ambitious individuals like the General have room to maneuver."

"You should understand that those who initiate sabotage often meet a tragic end."

Lin Xuan chuckled softly.

"What does it matter if I die and my soul dissipates?"

**He said indifferently.

"Anything is worth it if it can bring about the downfall of my Great Chu."

"not enough."

The young man in white pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Your offer is too low."

Even if I don't lend you troops, with Mr. Cao's abilities, it would be enough to stir up the winds and clouds of the world.

"When the time comes, I will be able to act as I wish."

"Whether the world is in chaos or not makes no difference to me."

He shrugged.

"Please name your price, General."

**Watching him.**

Lin Xuan gently swirled the teacup in his hand, scrutinizing the other person with his gaze. After a moment, he said in a deep voice, "I can help you restore your kingdom, but in return, your life will belong to me from now on."

"The Chu territory after its restoration must also be at your disposal."

After the restoration of the Great Chu, it was nothing more than a puppet in his hands. He may have seemed ruthless on the surface, but both Lin Xuan and ** knew this in their hearts.

Even if they were to restore their kingdom, it would only be a brief period of glory, and it would soon be wiped out by the imperial army.

"Master Cao, if you agree, you may stay; if you do not agree, then pretend you never set foot here today."

He said calmly, "I will not reveal your whereabouts, but you must not disclose any details of today's conversation."

Even so, Lin Xuan was confident that the person would not refuse.

Looking across the world, apart from him, the General Who Guards the North, who holds great military power and harbors ambitions, probably no one else would dare to claim that they can help him restore his country.

To agree or not to agree?

**A struggle within me: whether to meet a glorious end after a brief period of brilliance, or to fight tooth and nail for a glimmer of hope after the restoration of the nation.**

"Can I trust you?"

**His expression was solemn.

"If I break my promise, the official may take this person's head at any time."

Lin Xuan's lips curled up slightly.

"it is good."

He nodded: "I agree."

"To have Cao Guanzi's help is truly my greatest fortune."

He stood up and invited ** to sit down again.

"Yunqin, bring two more cups of hot tea."

The change in attitude was so swift that ** secretly sighed, "This General Zhenbei is truly as temperamental as a monkey, changing his mind in an instant."

Who exactly is this person?

Judging solely by his cultivation level, even if he doesn't rank among the top three in the world, he must be in the top five.

Lin Xuan only had a slight advantage. If he could recruit him and take the opportunity to consolidate the remaining forces of the Chu Kingdom, this deal would be extremely worthwhile.

This can be described as killing two birds with one stone. As for the price to be paid, it is nothing more than helping him restore his country. And this move is exactly what Lin Xuan needs to stir up the world.

"Master Cao, you may choose any position within the General's Mansion."

He began to speak.

"No need."

He shook his head: "I am a serious criminal of the imperial court. If I were to appear in public at the general's mansion, it would inevitably arouse suspicion."

I've heard that there's a knife-sharpening hall in the General's mansion; I'd like to stay there temporarily.

"That's fine too."

Lin Xuan nodded in agreement.

"There is something else."

He then said, "Regarding the grand plan of restoring the kingdom, we still need the General's assistance."

"Please speak freely, sir."

Lin Xuan did not specify, only saying, "Weapons, provisions, and warhorses can all be provided."

"Not these."

**He shook his head: "It was a princess of the Chu Kingdom."

I have been searching for her all these years, but unfortunately, I have never heard from her.

A hint of sadness crossed his face: "Without her, it would be difficult to reunite the Chu people who were scattered in various places."

"Does the Emperor want me to help find the princess?"

Lin Xuan asked.

That's exactly what I meant.

**nod.

"No problem."

He replied with a smile, "I will send someone to look for it."

"Then thank you very much, General."

He stood up and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"Looks like I'll have to find some time to go to Beiliang."

Lin Xuan thought to himself, now that ** has been brought under his command, that little clay figure can no longer remain in the Northern Liang King's Mansion.

In the past, she was of no use before the **arrival**, but now it's different—Lin Xuan needs her identity as a princess of Chu to advance the plan.

As the saying goes, "To hold the emperor hostage and command the feudal lords."

Since he had no emperor at his disposal, he had no choice but to use the princess's name to command the people of Chu.

As for the attitude of the people in the Northern Liang Prince's Mansion, Lin Xuan completely ignored them.

"My lord, I am somewhat curious, why have you suddenly come to Yan to borrow troops from me?"

Lin Xuan asked casually.

"The General led eight hundred cavalry out of Beiliang, first defeating the Tuoba tribe, then the three guards of the Duoyan tribe, resisting the Northern Python, and now he has captured Tianxian Pass."

He said, "Even if the general has no intention of becoming emperor, he at least has the ambition to carve out his own territory and become a king."

"Of course I'd try my luck."

"Your Excellency made the right choice coming here."

He nodded slightly.

"Qin'er, tell the kitchen to prepare the dishes. I want to have a few drinks with the Emperor today."

"My lord, please come with me."

**Enter the Zhenbei General's Mansion

This undoubtedly adds an extremely powerful trump card to Lin Xuan's portfolio, which may be able to turn the tide at a crucial moment.

After the banquet, the scholar surnamed Cao was settled in the Sharpening Knife Garden, and then he returned to his own residence.

With such a prominent figure from the Celestial Realm residing here, even falling asleep feels more peaceful.

"Congratulations, young master, on gaining another capable person under your command."

Mu Qing'er thoughtfully served her warm tea.

"This is due to a matter of chance."

Lin Xuan smiled and said, "Who would have thought that ** would come on her own?"

"It was not a matter of chance, but rather a result of human effort."

Mu Qing'er shook her head: "If you were still an unknown person, someone like ** would probably not even give you a second glance."

But now, as the Prefect of Yanzhou, the young master holds the rank of Second-Rank General of the North, with well-trained and well-supplied troops under his command, just like the former King of Beiliang.

Naturally, many capable people will come to attach themselves to him, because the young master holds what they need in his hands.

"Now that ** has entered the Sharpening Hall, it's a good opportunity to gather the old Chu troops and use them as a hidden pawn."

"When the time is right, we will seize this opportunity to stir up trouble."

"Qing'er is becoming more and more intelligent."

Lin Xuan gave a thumbs up in admiration.

"I've always been very intelligent."

She gave a slightly smug hum.

"Tomorrow I'll go to the warehouse to select some rare items, as I'm going to Qingliang Mountain."

Why go to Qingliang Mountain?

Mu Qing'er was puzzled.

"Sigh, I'm going to ask Xu Xiao for someone."

Lin Xuan kept everyone in suspense: "You'll know once I bring the person back."

"Going alone might not be appropriate."

Mu Qing'er said worriedly, "Our relationship with Beiliang is currently tense, and we could go to war at any time. If Young Master goes to Qingliang Mountain now, what if Xu Xiao has malicious intentions..."

"Don't worry."