Chapter 636 The Empress's Western Expedition
"You have a solution, right?"
In the courtyard deep in the Tianshi Mansion, the old Tianshi said this with certainty, waiting for Zhao Duan's reaction.
The king and his minister were both shocked, looked at each other, and realized something.
"Master, you're joking. I remember you said that no one in the world can enter the Mubei Forest. How can I have the ability to do that?" Zhao Duan said in surprise.
Zhang Yanyi looked at the Empress with an expression of "You are still pretending". He glanced at her and said slowly:
"Before the Celestial Masters of our Celestial Master House passed away, there was a tradition. Your Majesty has probably heard of it.
Trying to deduce the secrets of heaven can easily lead to backlash from heaven.
Therefore, before realizing that their time was up, the Heavenly Masters of all generations would risk their last lifespans to find out some things for the sake of the inheritance of the Heavenly Master's Mansion and for the sake of future generations of disciples.
All of these are recorded in the Heavenly Book, which is a secret of our Heavenly Master's Mansion that is not passed down. Before the death of the previous Heavenly Master, he left a few words in the Heavenly Book.
There's a line in it that roughly means that when the Yu Kingdom's Taizu returns to the world, the current 'Son of Heaven and Earth' will open the golden gate to the far north."
Son of Heaven and Earth... The last time Zhao Duan heard this term was when the Jade Sleeve Priest first found him.
It refers to the trendsetters of the times who are born every few hundred years.
Zhang Yanyi sighed:
"I knew this prophecy when I took over the Heavenly Book, but I didn't know what it exactly referred to. I also didn't know how the long-dead Emperor Taizu could return to the mortal world."
Zhao Duanfu was filled with joy and said:
"So, you have been consciously trying to get in touch with some of the rising talents in the capital, such as Song Zhi in the past, and like me..."
At this moment, he finally understood why Lao Zhang had always treated him differently and what he was planning against him.
Zhang Yanyi did not deny it and nodded:
"Indeed, the previous Heavenly Master's prophecy was too vague. I don't even know if it will come true in my lifetime.
It wasn't until I glimpsed the dragon soul within you that I began to speculate. And when you transformed into the Yu Kingdom's Taizu with your dragon soul the day before yesterday on Binhai Road, I knew the prophecy had come true.
No wonder... No wonder you, Old Deng, hinted to me about the use of Dragon Soul back in Zhengyang Mountain... Zhao Duan suddenly realized.
Xu Zhenguan was alert and blocked Zhao Duan behind him, his expression turned a little colder:
"The Heavenly Master wants to enter the Mubei Forest?"
Zhang Yanyi happily faced the empress's scrutiny and said frankly:
“I have been in heaven for many years, but I still cannot find the chance to be an immortal.
Although I am not sure if Mubei is effective, I have thought about it and think that if I want to make further progress on the Great Dao, I can only emulate the great men of the past, such as Maya Xingzhe, the first generation of Tianshi, Ksitigarbha Dharma King, and the Yu Kingdom Taizu... and try to go to Mubei to seek opportunities."
His eyes were gentle and calm:
"I know Your Majesty is wary, and I do have my own selfish motives. However, every word I just said is true, and it is not a threat. If Your Majesty does not believe me, the Heavenly Book is here, and you can read it yourself.
However, Your Majesty has just entered the celestial realm, your foundation is unstable, and you are injured. You shoulder the great responsibility of the world, and now you are unable to pursue the traces of the human immortals.
Therefore, if Your Majesty and Young Friend Zhao are willing to cooperate with me, and each gets what they need, then everyone will be happy."
As he said this, the old Taoist priest actually threw the heavenly book to the empress.
Xu Zhenguan was stunned for a moment, but without hesitation, he began to read it carefully.
Zhao Duan glanced at it curiously, and then tears flowed from his eyes. He could only see the twisted lines on the jade slip appearing and disappearing, and he could not see the content at all.
Damn...it even has an anti-peeping function...Oh, it's more likely that I'm too weak...Zhao Duan wiped his tears.
After a moment, Xu Zhenguan put down the heavenly book and frowned.
In fact, she did not doubt Zhang Yanyi's statement too much, because whether it was the appearance of the disaster star or the step-by-step "arrangement" of the ancestors.
Including the appearance of the golden gate after the dragon soul appeared... these are not things that Zhang Yanyi can control.
She was very sure that it was impossible for Zhang Yanyi to spy on the emperor and his ministers as they explored the Taimiao.
"As the Heavenly Master said, if the Heavenly Master can really be promoted to a human immortal, the balance between heaven and man will probably be broken." The empress suddenly said.
Implications:
If Zhang Yanyi becomes too powerful, he will override the imperial court.
To this question, the old Taoist priest decisively answered: "What I cultivate is the Way of Heaven."
This sentence seems to be irrelevant to the question, but it is actually very accurate.
Majoring in the Way of Heaven means that the higher one's cultivation, the more one must act in accordance with the Way. It also means that one's actions will be constrained by the laws of heaven and earth and one cannot act arbitrarily. Once one's actions violate the Way of Heaven, one will suffer backlash.
To explain it more abstractly, the god "Heaven's Way" originally represents order.
Rather than chaos.
This is also the core reason why emperors of all dynasties maintained good relations with the Tianshi Mansion - there was no conflict between them.
It is also a tradition that Taoist sorcerers always maintain a very small number of people and rarely interfere in the mortal world.
Think for a long time.
The Empress said, "I trust the Tianshi Mansion. As for the way to Mubei, it does exist. However, certain conditions must be met."
Zhang Yan's eyes lit up, and he was moved: "What conditions?"
Xu Zhenguan pointed at Zhao Duan:
"I need Master Zhang to help Zhao Qing do something to protect his safety."
Zhao Duan was startled for a moment, then looked at the Empress. When their eyes met, he immediately understood what she meant:
Regardless of whether Zhang Yanyi's words are true or not, the "task" left by Emperor Taizu must be completed.
In order to explore the secret, I originally wanted to delay, but if Xuan Yin really wanted to cause trouble, there would be no time to delay.
In order to open the golden gate, one must first find the key. This task can only be entrusted to Zhao Duan, but it is difficult for him to accomplish it alone. If Zhang Yanyi escorts him, the success rate will be greatly increased.
Coincidentally, the condition for opening the remaining two doors is the "Heavenly Realm".
Everything seems destined.
"Could it be that even Zhang Yanyi's move was part of Old Xu's plan?"
At this moment, Zhao Duan was in a trance and felt a strong sense of fate coming over him.
"Can."
Zhang Yanyi nodded happily.
Among the great celestial beings in the world today, except for the newly promoted Empress, the other three are all looking for the hope of becoming human immortals.
Wu Xiankui hopes to explore the "inheritance of the God of War".
Xuan Yin didn't know what tricks he was up to.
Zhang Yan placed his hopes on the "prophecy" left by the previous generation of Heavenly Master.
"Your Majesty, then you..." Zhao Duan opened his mouth.
Xu Zhenguan suddenly smiled and said:
"As for me, I will recuperate for a few more days, then I will personally lead the army to Xiping Road."
She said seriously:
"As long as we stay within the borders of the Yu Kingdom, I will not fear the Mysterious Seal, even if I am injured. The Western Region Dharma King dares not leave the Western Region. I will not take action in Xipingdao, but will only stay to boost morale and eliminate the enemy troops."
After a pause, she looked at Zhao Duan, her eyes heavy:
"If the calamity brought about by the calamity star is unavoidable, and things really come to a point where a human immortal must be born to turn the tide, then I will also be at the front lines, delaying this time as much as possible to buy you some time."
Zhao Duan was moved!
The Empress smiled and said:
"Okay, we're not in such a hurry to leave yet. We need to rest for a few days and make some preparations."
Zhang Yan bowed and said, "I will just wait patiently."
A moment later.
The two parties who had reached an alliance separated, and the empress took Zhao Duan away from the Tianshi Mansion.
In mid-air, Zhao Duan once again stood behind the empress, rubbing her belly to stimulate the dragon spirit in her belly and help her heal:
"Your Majesty, please take this dragon soul with you. It may provide a guarantee at a critical moment."
Even though she had touched him many times, Xu Zhenguan was still not used to this shameful posture. Her cheeks were slightly red.
"No need. I also practiced your 'Dragon Controlling Technique', but this ugly thing is completely disobedient. It's as good as dead in my stomach. It's better for you to take care of it. Zhang Yanyi may not be completely reliable.
Besides... if you want to find the key, you may also need the guidance of the dragon soul.
Don't worry, if Xuan Yin really has a big plan, he will definitely not easily come down to fight me. I'm afraid he will hide in the Western Regions and refuse to come out."
Zhao Duan thought about it and had no choice but to pull the dragon soul out of the empress's body...
"Bo~"
…
Having just put down the Rebellion of the Eight Princes, Xu Zhenguan was about to lead the army in person. He immediately summoned his ministers and prepared a series of arrangements.
Zhao Duan suddenly had nothing to do. He walked around the palace and suddenly noticed that a familiar figure was missing. He grabbed a female official and asked:
"Why don't you see Sun Zhangyin?"
He was referring to the eunuch in charge of the seal, Sun Lianying.
The female official hurriedly said, "Master Sun was hit by a late spring cold snap and has been recuperating for a while now."
Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, and vaguely remembered that Sun Lianying had indeed been ill for a long time.
Immediately, he left the palace and rode his horse to the Baima Prison.
…
Sun Lianying had a house granted by the emperor in Beijing, but because he was alone, he never lived there and only regarded the back hall of the White Horse Prison as his home.
After a long time, Zhao Duan once again led his horse to the outside of Baima Prison. Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar door lintel in the spring light, he couldn't help but sigh.
Two years ago, he was just a small messenger here.
"Zhao Shaobao!"
An envoy happened to come out of the government office. He was startled when he saw him, and hurriedly bent his waist and ran over to lead his horse.
"Why are you here, sir?"
Zhao Duan took a look at the man and felt that he looked familiar. He was a former colleague. He smiled and said:
"I hold an official position at the White Horse Prison, so why can't I come?"
"That's not what I meant..." The messenger stammered, frightened.
Zhao Duan laughed and said kindly:
"I heard that the Chief Supervisor was ill, so I came to visit him. Is Chief Supervisor Sun still recovering from his cold?"
Upon hearing this, the envoy's expression changed and he whispered:
"This...you can go and see it yourself, my lord."
When Zhao Duan walked into the back court, he smelled the strong aroma of Chinese medicine from afar. In the kitchen next door, a servant had cooked a soup and was bringing it out.
"Master Zhao..."
"Shh, let me do it." Zhao Duan made a gesture to keep quiet, carried the tray himself, and pushed the door into the bedroom.
The door creaked open.
Inside the bedroom, there was a strange smell in the air, the doors and windows were closed, the room was extremely quiet, and an old man was lying on the bed with his eyes closed.
Sun Lianying opened her eyes and was slightly surprised to see it was him. She forced a weak smile.
"What wind... ahem, it brought you, a busy man, here?"
Zhao Duan was startled, put down the medicine, and walked a few steps to the bed: "Master Supervisor..."
After not seeing her for a few months, Sun Lianying seemed to have aged ten years!
His temples, which were originally slightly gray, have now turned completely white, and his once strong body has suddenly become much thinner!
The flesh on the cheeks has become much shriveled, and the complexion is no longer rosy, only showing a state of terminal decline!
"Why are you so ill? Didn't you say it was just a cold?"
Zhao Duan grasped the old eunuch's hand and used his spiritual sense to sense that the old man's energy and blood were declining and his body was extremely weak. Unfortunately, he was not a medical officer and could not understand much.
Sun Lianying smiled and tried to sit up little by little. Zhao Duan hurriedly supported him and put a pillow behind him.
"You are old now. Haven't you heard that an army comes like a mountain falling and an illness goes away like a thread being pulled out?" The old supervisor said with a gentle look in his eyes.
Zhao Duan frowned and asked, "What did the imperial physician say? Does Your Majesty know?"
Sun Lianying smiled and said:
"The imperial physician has been watching over me the entire time. I've used all sorts of precious medicinal herbs in the palace. I've even invited the priests from the Heavenly Master's Mansion to come over. They're all very dedicated. I just need to rest and recuperate.
As for His Majesty, I have been suppressing my subordinates and not letting them speak. You should also not tell His Majesty. State affairs are busy now, so don't let His Majesty be distracted by this minor illness of ours..."
Zhao Duan was silent.
Yes, during this period of time, the empress has been with him in Binhai, and only occasionally appeared in the form of a puppet.
There were too many trivial matters, and everyone was so busy that they almost forgot about the old eunuch who was taking sick leave.
Only then did he remember that the old official's health had shown signs of illness long ago. After the Fengshan ceremony at Luoshan, Sun Lianying had escaped back to the capital from the south with great difficulty and had fallen ill.
At such an age, running thousands of miles and working day and night, the fact that he is not exhausted already shows that he has a solid foundation.
But mortals are not as good as cultivators after all. When they get older, they are too weak to be replenished. No matter whether it is precious medicinal herbs or healing techniques, it will only overdraw their already weak bodies.
"I heard that you and His Majesty beheaded Prince Jing?" Sun Lianying asked when she saw that he was distracted.
Zhao Duan was surprised: "You know everything?"
"Haha," Sun Lianying laughed weakly.
"This is the White Horse Prison. Even though I'm bedridden, any disturbance in the capital, ahem... the people below will report it promptly."
After a pause, he smiled and said:
"Well done, very well done. I originally thought that the military order you issued was... too difficult... I don't think I underestimated you... Prince Jing is dead, and the Eight Princes Rebellion... will soon be over... Your Majesty can breathe a sigh of relief... and the world will be at peace..."
The old official praised and chattered.
Zhao Duan listened quietly and did not tell him about the possibility of the Liao people sending troops or Xuan Yin's conspiracy.
Seeing that he talked too much and started coughing again, Zhao Duan hurriedly stopped him, picked up the medicine, and personally fed it to the old official.
After finishing the bowl of medicine, Sun Lianying waved her hands and said with a smile:
"Go and get busy. You must be busy with your own affairs. Don't bother to disturb my sleep by making noises around this useless body of mine."
Zhao Duan stood up and said seriously:
"I will be in Beijing for the time being and will come to see you from time to time."
Sun Lianying waved her hand and said:
"Go and get busy. Don't keep coming to me and waste this beautiful spring time."
Zhao Duan forced a smile and said, "When you get better, we'll drink and eat meat."
Sun Lianying smacked her lips and said with some longing:
"I've been drinking herbal medicine for a few months now, and I'm really craving wine. Next time, bring a jar of osmanthus wine. I want it to be from the palace, not from a liquor store."
"Okay." Zhao Duan agreed and left.
When I walked out of the room, I turned my head to look at the new green buds sprouting from the tree in the back yamen, and my heart felt heavy.
…
The empress is going to lead the army in person!
Just a few days after the news of Prince Jing's death spread, new news spread like wildfire.
In this regard, both court officials and the public had a positive view.
Everyone believed that it would be a great thing for the empress to lead the army in person, using her power of suppressing the Rebellion of the Eight Princes as a weapon to boost the morale of the army.
Therefore, this matter was quickly implemented.
In a blink of an eye, it was the day for the emperor to lead the army in person.
early morning.
West City Gate.
Hundreds of officials and countless common people lined up to see her off respectfully. On the city wall, Zhao Du'an personally beat the drum to bid farewell to the female emperor who was leading a team of palace troops on the westward expedition.
(End of this chapter)
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