My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

"but……"

Dong Linghui changed the subject, saying, "Lord Li, both alchemy and weapon forging carry the risk of failure."

"According to the rules, if the refining fails, you cannot cause trouble for the alchemist or the weapon refiner."

Li Xuancang nodded slightly; he could understand.

"Please trouble Fellow Daoist Dong to contact Master Ou Ye and ask him to come and forge the precious armor. Please make any requests he may have."

Li Xuancang threw out a scale, which landed precisely in Dong Linghui's hand.

"These are the main materials for forging the precious armor. Fellow Daoist Dong can take them to Master Ou Ye for inspection."

Upon handling the scales, he found them to be incredibly sturdy. Dong Linghui, with his extensive experience, immediately recognized that the scales were no ordinary object.

"Rest assured, Lord Li, I will contact Master Ou Ye immediately."

Not only did Dong Linghui not find it troublesome to be able to do things for Li Xuancang, but she was also happy to do so and left quickly.

Li Xuancang had the corpse of the Xuan'e King and didn't want to waste its scales, so he thought of turning them into a protective armor.

The armor was not for my own use.

Li Xuancang wanted to protect his family members in case of emergency.

As his power grew and his official position rose, he also offended more and more people.

He can't be with his family every moment, so he can only plan ahead and do his best to ensure their safety.

"Li Xuancang, the garrison commander of Ganquan County, led his troops to kill tens of thousands of members of the Giant Whale Gang, and Yangzhou was pacified."

News of the great victory reached the capital, shaking the entire nation.

"The Whale Gang's rebellion has been quelled? That was so fast!"

"Wasn't Yangzhou supposed to be in grave danger? Why was the unrest quelled in such a short time?"

Is this true?

"..."

The good news spread throughout the capital and rapidly reached the territory of the Great Yan.

The people found it hard to believe.

They had only just learned of the invasion of Yangzhou, and so little time had passed before Yangzhou was pacified, as if it were child's play.

"Li Xuancang is too strong. Li Canglang was seriously injured and on the verge of death by his punch and fled in panic."

"Li Xuancang killed dozens of Qi Condensation Realm experts and slaughtered his way through the Giant Whale Gang."

"Li Xuancang's strength is even more terrifying than rumored. The Giant Whale Gang underestimated him and paid a heavy price."

"..."

Those powerful forces knew the details of the great battle and held Li Xuancang in even greater awe.

The people of the city flocked to the streets, spreading the news far and wide.

In the teahouse and tavern, the storyteller slammed his fist on the table and slammed it down with a loud thud.

Some people set off firecrackers, some opened wine jars, some wept with joy, and some buried their heads in their hands and cried.

If Yangzhou falls, the entire Great Yan will be affected.

At that time, the price of grain in the capital will skyrocket, and the common people will be the first to suffer.

With Yangzhou pacified, the people were finally relieved.

News of the great victory arrived, and the imperial court convened a grand court assembly.

"My esteemed ministers,"

The emperor's voice echoed in the hall, unable to conceal his joy.

"You've all seen the news of the victory in Yangzhou. Yangzhou has been recaptured, and the Giant Whale Gang has suffered heavy losses. This is a great victory!"

He stood up, placed his hands on the imperial desk, and glanced at the assembled officials below.

"I am very pleased!"

The courtiers in the hall shouted in unison.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Heaven bless the Great Yan!"

The emperor laughed heartily, his laughter was the first time he had laughed so heartily in recent days.

Gu Yanqing was the first to step forward, her aged voice ringing out.

"Your Majesty, Commander Li has killed over ten thousand enemies and curbed the wolfish ambitions of the Giant Whale Gang. He deserves the greatest credit."

Everyone was surprised, not expecting Gu Yanqing to recommend Li Xuancang for credit, as they had never heard of any interaction between Li Xuancang and Gu Yanqing.

The emperor nodded repeatedly, his smile growing wider.

"Commander Li's merits are evident to all, and I will reward him handsomely."

The Giant Whale Gang has only been temporarily defeated and could make a comeback at any time. The situation in Yangzhou has not been completely resolved and there are still potential problems.

Although they have a marriage alliance with the grassland people, the grassland people are ruthless and will never give up their invasion of the Great Yan just because of a princess.

Whether in Yangzhou or Liangzhou, they cannot do without Li Xuancang for the time being.

The court officials and the emperor needed Li Xuancang to ensure the stability of the two prefectures, and rewards were indispensable.

"Your Majesty, the crisis in Yangzhou has been temporarily resolved. We should send the princess to the grasslands for a political marriage as soon as possible to appease the grassland people."

With Li Xuancang back in Liangzhou, the marriage alliance should be put on the agenda.

The Great Yan Dynasty is now riddled with holes and declining day by day.

If they could use a princess to stabilize the grasslands, they would be able to catch their breath and have a chance to gradually stabilize the situation.

Upon hearing this, the emperor's joyful expression immediately turned sour.

He didn't dote on his daughter; he had over a hundred children, and he couldn't possibly dote on all of them.

However, he considered the marriage alliance with the grasslands a disgrace, and after his death, he had no words to face his ancestors.

The emperor thought for a moment, but ultimately did not make a decision on the spot.

"I need to think about this matter some more. The princess's marriage is a major event and cannot be taken lightly."

Seeing that the emperor was wavering, the ministers' expressions immediately changed.

"Your Majesty, a ruler's word is law!"

"Your Majesty, we have already agreed to the marriage alliance with the Golden Eagle Tribe. If we go back on our word, we will surely enrage the Golden Eagle Tribe."

"Your Majesty, the fate of the nation is paramount; please reconsider!"

"..."

The courtiers offered their advice, pressuring the emperor to make a decision.

Looking down at the sanctimonious officials below, who appeared to be acting in the best interests of the country and its people, the emperor felt a surge of murderous intent.

These people simply want to sacrifice a princess in exchange for peace on the border.

Although everyone knew the chances were slim, they still held onto a sliver of hope.

Even if they cannot achieve peace, they will not suffer any losses.

The officials only showed superficial respect for the emperor, but in reality, they had no fear of him at all.

The imperial power of the Great Yan Dynasty had long since fallen into the wrong hands; it was no longer the supreme ruler whose word was law.

The emperor suppressed his anger and could not refute the crowd.

"Let the Ministry of Rites arrange it!"

After speaking, the emperor looked dejected and left in a sullen mood.

"Your Majesty is wise..."

The voices of the courtiers echoed throughout the hall, and the emperor found them extremely grating.

Inside the palace, Princess Zhaoyang, a beautiful girl of fourteen or fifteen, with almond-shaped eyes as bright as stars, is painting flowers.

She loves painting, especially snow and ice, and paints her imagined snow-covered landscape on rice paper.

"Mother, look, doesn't this snowflake look like a butterfly?"

She turned around, holding up the drawing paper, only to see her mother standing at the door, her face as white as the snow in her painting.

"Mother?"

Consort De did not answer. She walked in slowly, each step as if it carried the weight of a thousand pounds.

She knelt down, reached out, and gently stroked her daughter's cheek; her fingertips were cold and trembling slightly.

"Zhaoyang..." Her voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible.

"Zhaoyang, my child..."

Princess Zhaoyang, not understanding what was going on, tilted her head and looked at her mother.

She had never seen her mother with such an expression.

Consort De embraced her tightly, as if she wanted to meld her into her very bones and never be separated again.

"Mother?"

Princess Zhaoyang was a little scared and gently patted Consort De's back with her small hand.

"Mother, what's wrong? Did you have a nightmare?"

Consort De did not answer, but simply held her, trembling all over, silently shedding tears.