Chapter 586: Xu Jingtang was beheaded by Governor Zhao at the foot of Zhengyang Mountain
The next morning, Zhao Du'an, Yuxiu and Jinjian rode on the old Taoist priest's two huge cranes, left Zhengyang Mountain and returned to Huai River.
It was unknown what kind of crane it was, but it was even more exaggerated than a unicorn. With the help of the old Taoist's magic, after half a day, Zhao Duan rode on the crane's back, lowered his head and peered through the clouds, and saw that the Jingchuan County below was clearly visible.
The crane swooped down and landed in the suburbs.
"Let's stop here. You can walk the rest of the way on your own. I also want to return to the capital."
Zhang Yanyi sat down on another crane, with Jin Jian dozing off next to him.
Zhao Duan and Yuxiu were riding one of them. Upon hearing the words, they jumped off the crane's back. The dazed Jin Jian rubbed his sleepy eyes and forced himself to land.
"Master, take care. See you when we return to Beijing." Zhao Duan smiled and bowed.
After the three of them watched Zhang Yanyi leave on a crane and disappear into the sky, Zhao Duan said with a strange expression:
"Although this crane is very fast with a person on board, it seems that it would take more than a day to reach Yongjia from the capital..."
He was a little suspicious. The last time the crane delivered the message, it might have been carried by Old Zhang...
Shaking his head, he smiled at the two women's bewildered gazes and said, "Let's go, it's time to go back and take a look."
Then, the three of them walked straight towards the county town gate.
From a distance, he could see that the flags on the city walls had already been changed, and that imperial soldiers were guarding the gates. Zhao Duan walked straight over, took out his token, and shouted, "What are you doing?"
"Yuan Feng and Zhao Shixiong are in the city. Go and inform them immediately that I am waiting for them at the Huai'an Palace."
After saying this, he took two priests with him and entered the city. Only then did the soldiers guarding the gate come back to their senses from their shock. They looked at each other with horror on their faces.
The governor is back... Without hesitation, soldiers immediately rushed to deliver the news.
The return of the Grand Commander who had disappeared for many days was news that was enough to shock the entire Jingchuan town.
…
Inside the city.
Zhao Duan and the other two walked along the street. Compared to the deserted scene during the last night raid, the county town was much more lively during the day.
Although the air was still filled with the gloom of post-war times, the general order was stable and shops were open as usual.
"Aren't you going to the county government office?" Yuxiu asked curiously.
Zhao Duan shook his head and put the Fengyue Treasure Mirror in his arms:
"Let's go to the palace first."
After entering Jingchuan Town, he used Fengyue Baojian to check the locations of Jiyue and Lang Shiba, and found that both of them were in the Prince Huai's Mansion.
While in the capital, he learned from military intelligence that Lang Shiba had successfully arranged to send back the person he had instructed that day, but he was also seriously injured.
Compared to the bustling streets, the area around Huai'an Prince's Mansion is quite solemn.
From a distance, one could see that each gate of the palace was heavily guarded. The entire palace was blocked by the elite troops of the Beijing Camp, and no one was allowed to enter or leave.
"Who is it?! The area ahead is important, don't get close!"
The soldiers at the main gate saw the three men approaching from afar, and some new recruits immediately drew their swords and shouted at them.
Obviously, not all soldiers knew General Zhao.
Zhao Duan was too lazy to talk nonsense. He took out a token and threw it forward, saying lightly: "Tell the officer stationed here to come see me."
After a moment, the tightly closed gate of the palace burst open. A mid-level officer from the Fifth Army Battalion held the Grand Commander's badge in his hands like a hot potato. As he stepped out, his eyes lit up, and a look of surprise and joy mingled with his expression. He bent down ninety degrees and said,
"This humble general respectfully welcomes the Grand Commander. I was unaware of your return and failed to welcome you. I beg the Commander to punish me!"
Grand Commander?
The other soldiers were shocked when they heard this and immediately knelt down on one knee.
Jin Jian was extremely envious and whispered, "This guy is really impressive."
Yuxiu snorted. As a Taoist priestess from outside the secular world, she had some prejudice against this worldly behavior.
Zhao Duan took back the badge with a smile and asked a few questions about the situation. The officer was extremely excited and quickly described the situation in the city in the past few days.
It turned out that the imperial army had won a great victory after occupying Jingchuan Town that night, but the news that Lang Shiba brought back afterwards made Yuan Feng, Zhao Shixiong and others very nervous.
Although they were extremely anxious, they could only follow Zhao Duan's orders and calm down to stabilize the situation. However, the senior generals were all very worried about Zhao Duan's whereabouts and safety.
Because the battle at Baishi Manor that night was so loud, even though Yuan Feng and others tried their best to block the news, the news of Zhao Duan's disappearance still spread uncontrollably.
Everyone understood that if something happened to Zhao Duan, the credit for conquering Jingchuan Town would not be able to make up for this crime.
Therefore, the general was so excited to see Zhao Duan return safely.
"Alright, I'll go into the palace first, you wait outside."
Zhao Duan gave some instructions and led the two priests into the palace.
Not long after walking, I heard some noise and saw three familiar people coming hand in hand.
They were the foodie prince Xu An, princess Xu Junling, and prince Xu Qian.
After just a few days of not seeing each other, Prince Huai'an looked visibly older, and the elegant and amiable princess could hardly hide the fatigue between her brows. Only the heartless prince was still full of energy.
The moment they saw Zhao Duan, they were obviously stunned, as if they couldn't believe it.
"Prince, Princess, what's wrong? You don't recognize me after just a few days of not seeing me?" Zhao Duan smiled.
"Zhao...you're back?!" King Huai'an was surprised and happy.
At this moment, this imperial fence-sitter was almost crying with joy. He staggered over and grabbed Zhao Duan's hand with an enthusiasm that was unpleasant.
Prince Huai'an felt miserable.
That night, he clearly reached an agreement with Zhao Du'an to surrender to the court. As a result, the plan was accomplished, but Zhao Du'an disappeared.
Although Ji Yue and Lang Shiba were there, their statements were not sufficient to serve as evidence.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, Yuan Feng still sealed off the palace.
Prince Huai'an has had difficulty sleeping these past few days, fearing that something might happen to Zhao Du'an. If that happens, the entire Prince Huai'an's Mansion will be finished.
"Excuse me, Governor,"
Princess Xu Junling has become much better with her boyfriend. Although she can hardly hide the joy in her eyes, she still maintains the demeanor of a princess:
"The day before yesterday, when my father learned that the governor was missing, he was almost sick with worry. Fortunately, the governor returned safely."
As she spoke, she hurriedly called the servants: "Come, quickly prepare the refreshments."
Zhao Duan smiled and said, "No hurry, is Lang Shiba at home?"
Xu Junling immediately nodded and personally led Zhao Duan to a villa in the palace.
…
As soon as he entered, a figure with disheveled hair emerged from the courtyard pond. It was Ji Yue.
The socially anxious sorceress was very surprised to see Zhao Duan coming back, but because of her socially anxious personality, she stammered and couldn't speak.
After thinking for a moment, he turned around and plopped back into the pond. After a while, Ji Yue came back out of the water carrying a large door frame. He walked over with wet footprints, gave the door frame a "Hey ha" sound, and stood in front of Zhao Duan, saying flatteringly:
"The door... sir... I have guarded it well."
Zhao Duan looked at this scene with a mixture of laughter and tears. He reached out his hand, ruffled Jiyue's hair, and said with a smile:
"Well done. I'll go check on Eighteen first."
Ji Yue, who was holding onto the door frame, was stunned. Behind her black hair that almost covered her face, her face turned red.
I felt like everyone was staring at me, and I wanted to dive underwater immediately - I have social phobia.
Pushing open the door, Zhao Duan finally saw Lang Shiba sitting up from the bed.
The air was filled with a faint medicinal fragrance.
Lang Shiba, who had a light blue stubble, was naked from the waist up, with white bandages crisscrossing around on him, and his lower body was covered with a quilt.
Beneath the messy hair, a look of surprise appeared on his face, full of vicissitudes and stories, and he wanted to stand up and salute:
"Sir...you're back..."
But Zhao Duan hurried forward to stop him. He frowned, sensing the weakness on Lang Shiba's body, and asked with concern, "Lie down first. How are your injuries?"
Behind him, Xu Junling stepped over the threshold and said hurriedly:
"The palace has invited the best physician in the city to treat him. He said his life is not in danger, but his Qi Sea meridians have been damaged, affecting his essence. Although his cultivation level is still there, it will probably take a long time to recover."
This statement was euphemistic, but the injury was actually more serious than described.
According to the doctor, even if there were enough precious medicinal herbs to treat him, they could only save Lang Shiba's life. As for his cultivation... it would probably be difficult to recover.
"Sir," Lang Shiba said with a frank smile:
"I have lived up to your trust, my Lord. These minor injuries are nothing to worry about. It's just a pity that I will no longer be able to serve you and protect you."
Zhao Duan's heart sank, and he turned to look at Yuxiu: "Priest, please take a look at his injuries. Is there any way to treat him in the Tianshi Mansion?"
Yuxiu walked over, raised two fingers and placed them on Lang Shiba's wrist. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and said hesitantly:
"Too many meridians have been broken, and his Qi Sea is riddled with holes. Although there are sorcerers skilled in treatment within the Tianshi Mansion, they mostly focus on the soul. As for healing the body, the Buddhist sect is more adept. However, given his injuries... for any effect to be effective, a Buddhist master of equal, or even higher, level would be needed... I have one person in mind who has a better chance of success."
Zhao Duan's heart moved, and he asked, "Prajna Bodhisattva?"
He remembered that the old nun who was greedy for his body was good at this.
Yuxiu nodded: "If Prajna takes action, it is indeed the safest."
Prajna Bodhisattva... Before the empress's Fengshan ceremony, this female Bodhisattva left Jianning Prefecture and went to the Buddhist temple in Jiancheng Road. Afterwards, during the Rebellion of the Eight Kings, the Shenlong Temple was destroyed, and Prajna Bodhisattva never showed up again.
Now, no one knows what the attitude of the court is. If Yuxiu hadn't mentioned it, Zhao Duan would have almost forgotten about this old nun.
"Sir... ahem." Lang Shiba shook his head and said, "Don't worry about me..."
Zhao Duan shook his head, squeezed his hand tightly, and said in a deep voice:
"You can rest and recuperate here first. The Huaiwang Mansion is well-off, and the medicine they use must be of good quality. When I attack Jiancheng later, I will capture Prajna to help you connect your meridians and repair your Qi sea."
Lang Shiba stared at him blankly, then suddenly smiled:
"Your Excellency, please do not do this. My current cultivation level is no longer important to you, Your Excellency."
Zhao Duan said calmly, "Those who follow me will never be let down."
After chatting for a few more words, Zhao Duan stood up and stopped disturbing Lang Shiba's recuperation. Just before leaving, Lang Shiba finally remembered something and asked, "Sir, Xu Jingtang..."
Zhao Duan paused as he stepped out of the door and said calmly, "Dead."
Lang Shiba was startled and then smiled.
Xu Junling, who was standing aside, was completely stunned.
…
When Zhao Duan returned from the villa, he and King Huai'an came to the courtyard of the palace together.
Only the sound of horse hooves was heard outside the mansion, and then a large group of people rushed in hurriedly.
After a quick glance, Zhao Duan smiled. They were all old acquaintances.
The square-faced man leading the group was Yuan Feng, the commander of the Fifth Army Battalion.
Following behind him was a man wearing a warrior's robe, slightly short in stature, but with eyes as bright as lightning, which was frightening. It was Zhao Shixiong, who had not been seen for many days.
Beside him was the tall and plump female general Gongsun, with two swords on her back.
The rest were also generals of the imperial court.
"Commander!" Yuan Feng walked away, smiling excitedly:
"When will the governor return? Why didn't he go to the camp or the county government? When I got the news, I wasn't sure."
The others also saluted excitedly: "Greetings, Grand Commander!"
"This general pays homage to the Grand Commander!"
Amidst the flurry of greetings, Zhao Duan smiled and waved his hand, jokingly saying:
"You all act as if I've come back to life. What? Do you still think I'll never come back?"
Suddenly, a group of generals were hit in the heart and dug their toes into the ground in embarrassment.
Aren’t they just worried that something might happen to Zhao Duan?
Zhao Shixiong looked him up and down at this time and said with a smile:
"It seems we were indeed overthinking it. It's a pity that I arrived a step too late that night. I only managed to fight the evil sorcerer from the White Clothes Sect, but didn't see Xu Jingtang. However, since the governor has returned safely, it seems there is good news."
brush--
Everyone looked at Zhao Duan, waiting for him to speak.
Everyone was extremely curious and wanted to know where Xu Jingtang was and what had happened in the past few days.
Zhao Duan said calmly, "This is not the place to talk. Let's go inside and talk."
So, soon, a group of generals and several people including King Huai'an gathered in the hall. Zhao Duan sat in the main seat. Seeing that everyone was present, he slowly explained the assassination action of his group that night.
Including how he was intercepted by two masters from the Shenlong Temple in the county town after leaving the Prince Huai's Mansion.
How to eradicate it? Later, in the Baishi Garden, he met Xu Jingtang, who colluded with evil sorcerers and actually made gods descend to the world.
He was chased by them and had to flee to Yunfu.
After Lang Shiba escaped that day, he vaguely recounted what had happened, but due to his serious injuries, he soon passed out. Therefore, the people present did not know the details. It was not until this moment that they understood the thrill of that night, and everyone was terrified after listening to it.
Even Zhao Shixiong felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
If a god were to descend to the world, even if he encountered him, he would be dead.
"So, Commander-in-Chief, you got rid of Xu Jingtang? You just disappeared for three days and then returned?"
Yuan Feng seemed to understand, and a look of worry appeared on his face:
"So, the threat from the Yunfu rebels still exists, but the power of the gods cannot last forever. Otherwise, Xu Jingtang could come alone and wipe us out."
Zhao Shixiong shook his head and said:
"Collaborating with evil sorcerers is against the will of heaven. Now that we have solid evidence, perhaps we can ask the Heavenly Masters of the Heavenly Masters' Mansion to join us in fighting the thieves."
He looked at the jade sleeves and the golden tablet.
The other generals were also worried. Everyone subconsciously thought that Zhao Duan and his group had fled all the way and finally got rid of Xu Jingtang. After all, counterattacking and killing a god was really too incredible.
Only Xu Junling had a strange look in his eyes. He looked at everyone in the hall, wanting to speak but hesitant. Finally, he couldn't help but said:
"Not getting rid of. Xu Jingtang is already dead."
Faces looked at her in astonishment.
Xu Junling glanced at Zhao Duan, who was sitting in the main seat, and said with infinite awe, "Xu Jingtang has been beheaded by Governor Zhao at the foot of Zhengyang Mountain."
There was complete silence.
…
Next, the protagonist will return to Beijing to hide for a while.
(End of this chapter)
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