As predicted, Yan Jun's gaze shifted from anger to coldness. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Zuo Wushang, her words sharp.
"It's clearly your Great Heng Kingdom remnants who are hesitant and unwilling to exert yourselves, yet you blame us?!"
Zuo Wushang said in a deep voice, "Zuo has already devised an excellent plan to capture Liang Xiao! Your repeated assassination attempts will only alarm him, making Liang Xiao increasingly cautious. In the end, even Zuo's meticulous arrangements might come to naught!"
Yan Jun sneered, "Your Great Heng Kingdom, could it be that you intend to protect Liang Xiao and prepare to surrender to the Great Qian Kingdom's court?"
"Our Great Heng Kingdom possesses immense wealth. Even if we abandon the cause of restoring our kingdom, each of us can live as wealthy gentlemen. Why should we surrender?" Zuo Wushang's expression was equally grim.
At this moment, he wished he could cut Yan Jun down with a single blow.
If this woman continued her relentless assassination attempts on Liang Xiao, Liang Xiao's vigilance would only increase. This meant his hope of reclaiming the princess was becoming increasingly slim. Even seeking help from the Cloud Heaven Guard would be useless!
Yan Jun smiled charmingly, her face like a peach blossom.
"It was this empress who misspoke. I apologize to Marshal Zuo here!"
With that, Yan Jun bowed deeply towards Zuo Wushang.
The onlookers had long grown accustomed to Yan Jun's volatile temperament and were not overly surprised.
Zuo Wushang said sternly, "Zuo has already invited true experts to plan against Liang Xiao. Once successful, you must not disturb Liang Xiao or his loved ones again!"
"How can Marshal Zuo prove his confidence?" Yan Jun narrowed her eyes, staring at Zuo Wushang as if trying to see through him.
Zuo Wushang simply took a jade pendant from his waist. The crowd, upon seeing it, gasped.
Ye Qingyi's heart pounded!
It was a white jade pendant shaped like a cloud, adorned with intricate gold patterns.
Yan Jun chuckled, "Cloud Heaven Guard? Very well! I will know when to stop. However, if my companions in Jinling make any moves, you cannot blame me. Furthermore, that Yang Chen, who dares to rebel, will surely die!"
"Withdraw most of the Spring Revival Sect members to the Chuzhou area. These are all chivalrous heroes here, easily exposed!" Zuo Wushang said in a deep voice.
Yan Jun remained silent for a long time, then finally nodded. She turned and left with her followers, leaving one last remark before departing.
"I hope your Great Heng Kingdom does not disappoint me again!"
"Marshal..." Ye Qingyi looked at Zuo Wushang nervously.
Zuo Wushang's tone was extremely grave, "Qingyi, ensure your safety within the Spring Revival Sect. If they take any unexpected actions against Liang Xiao, you must inform me. These fools, neglecting other matters, insist on repeatedly disturbing people like Liang Xiao and making things difficult for us..."
Ye Qingyi nodded and sighed, "My master might also appear in Jinling..."
Zuo Wushang's expression changed, and he warned, "Tell her not to act rashly and ruin the Cloud Heaven Guard's plans. Liang Xiao is not that easy to deal with!"
Thinking of Liang Xiao, Ye Qingyi felt a jolt of fear and nodded silently, saying no more.
Through the propaganda spread by Liang Xiao's people, Yang Chen transformed from an assassin into a hero who saved Liang Xiao and Elder Chen. His reputation rose another notch.
To repay Liang Xiao for saving his parents and to atone for his guilt towards Liang Xiao, Yang Chen, after receiving a hundred taels of gold, quickly went to the black market to bargain and exchanged it for eleven hundred taels of silver notes.
With the silver notes, Yang Chen then sought out chivalrous heroes across Chuzhou who harbored hatred for the Spring Revival Sect, hoping to gain their assistance.
The assassination attempt overnight also made Liang Xiao somewhat wary of the martial artists and scholars he had recruited in Chuzhou. He instructed Elder Chen to thoroughly investigate their backgrounds.
Fearing Liu Yunzi, Liang Xiao stayed in Chuzhou for a day, arranging for the Chuzhou commander to assign five hundred men to protect the Flowing Cloud Temple.
After Chen Shaoling and Chen Xinyue's wedding, they were inseparable. Liang Xiao did not want Chen Shaoling to continue being busy for him. Instead, he planned for Chen Shaoling and Li Hongshu to remain in Chuzhou.
Firstly, the three of them as a couple could keep him informed of the latest developments in Chuzhou and provide intelligence. Secondly, it would allow Elder Chen to confidently urge his daughter to have children soon.
Sixth Senior Brother Yu Qingchuan's abilities were also recognized by Liang Xiao. Although his martial arts were inferior to Chen Shaoling's, he was brave and resourceful. In terms of strategy, he even surpassed Chen Shaoling. His timely rescue of Yang Chen's parents last night was the strongest proof.
News of the Heavenly General's divine manifestation also reached the northern regions. The soldiers and civilians of Yanzhou were filled with excitement and awe, flocking to the Heavenly General's tomb in Yanzhou to pay their respects.
Only Lü Changhe and Lü Yi exchanged glances in their tent.
"Father, could he really be..." Lü Changhe muttered to himself.
Lü Yi nodded, "Perhaps the Heavenly General's voice was just his disguise? In any case, you must not speak of this to anyone, not even to Ji Yun and Wu Lue! Regardless, when he returns to the capital, I must also go back, after all, Shuang'er she..."
Lü Changhe grinned, "I heard he impersonated me in Luzhou. When he comes to the north, I will definitely get my revenge!"
Lü Yi squinted, looking at the smug Lü Changhe, and helplessly pursed his lips.
He had a feeling his son was dancing on the edge of disaster. He didn't seem to realize why Liang Xiao had specifically impersonated him.
It was clearly because this young man had repeatedly tried to expose Liang Xiao's secrets!
Lü Yi then asked, "How are the Great Qian Iron Guards and the Sky-Supporting Guards training progressing?"
"Quite smoothly. The Great Qian Iron Guards have adapted to the training intensity of the Marquis of Anguo! The Sky-Supporting Guards are slowly transforming into elite soldiers!" Lü Changhe replied.
Lü Yi's face broke into a smile, "This fellow is quite skilled in training soldiers. I look forward to the day they shine on the battlefield!"
The training methods left by Liang Xiao were only suitable for these selected top elites. Ordinary elite soldiers could not withstand such intense training!
"I heard that the Ministry of Military Equipment has delivered some weapons and armor, and some weapons made of binate iron still require repeated forging!" Lü Changhe said excitedly.
Lü Yi nodded, "I've seen them. They are quite special and perhaps also what the 'Que Yue Formation' requires."
Just then, Zhuo Wulue arrived with intelligence, reporting, "Marshal, there are reports of barbarian cavalry appearing in the Yunzhou area!"
The father and son were startled. Lü Yi immediately requested, "You shall proceed to Yunzhou to guard and investigate the situation."
Zhuo Wulue, now serving as supervisor and Vice Minister of War, readily agreed.
Exiting the tent and ascending the city wall to gaze north, Lü Yi said hatefully, "Those damned barbarians are stirring up trouble again. If only the Heavenly General were here..."
Nan Jiyun, standing beside him, comforted him, "Marshal, have no fear! The Heavenly General once promised Changhe to water his horse in the vast desert. One day, we too will advance deep into the desert and leave no barbarian alive!"
The surrounding soldiers were invigorated.
Watering horses in the vast desert!
With the news of the Heavenly General's divine manifestation in Luzhou spreading, these four words became a hot topic of discussion in the northern military camps.
Liang Xiao, who remained in Chuzhou for another day, was not idle. Besides visiting Liu Yunzi again to personally arrange the defenses of the Flowing Cloud Temple, he also wrote several secret letters at his residence and sent them to Jinling.
During his free time, Liang Xiao practiced calligraphy while telling jokes and scary stories to the girls.
After a day, confirming the stability of the situation in Chuzhou, Liang Xiao finally set off, bidding farewell to Chen Shaoling and Elder Chen. His group then headed towards Jinling.