The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1004 - 564: The Little Heavenly Master Arrives

Zhao Shixiong pondered briefly and slowly said, "Xu Jingtang appears rough on the outside but is actually cautious. After my daughter headed north, he must have been preparing for it. I believe my surrender news will reach his ears soon. It will come down to two results."

"Firstly, Xu Jingtang leads his army to engage us directly, competing for control over the Huai River."

"Secondly, he strategically retreats, only dispatching troops to block us, buying time to return to Yunfu. Personally, I think this possibility is more likely."

Zhao Douan nodded; this matched his judgment: "Since that’s the case, do you think General Xu Jingtang will lead his troops himself to stop us, or will he flee?"

Zhao Shixiong hesitated not: "If he intends to retreat to Yunfu, he certainly won’t engage in battle. However, with his temperament, he won’t hand over Jingchuan City easily. He will likely devise a plan to transport the provisions, gold, and silver seized from the Huai River back to his main camp."

Zhao Douan nodded and gently tapped the table: "In that case, there’s no time to waste. The whole army should break camp immediately and head south to face the enemy. General Yuan, General Zhao, as this governor is not skilled in warfare, I must rely on you for this battle."

Xu Jingtang wants to flee, and he wants to pursue.

Every day delayed increases the chances of the opponent’s retreat.

Yuan Feng nodded, rubbed his hands eagerly, and laughed: "I will not fail my duty!"

He had been waiting for the opportunity to perform for a long time.

Yet Zhao Shixiong seemed to taste something, looking at Zhao Douan: "The governor doesn’t travel south with the army? Are you planning to stay behind and oversee matters?"

Zhao Douan shook his head, revealing a smile: "No. I will also go south, but not with the army, instead taking a precise force to try to cut off Xu Jingtang’s retreat. Hence, Lang Shiba and Ji Yue will not travel south with the army."

The others were stunned.

Seeming to understand something, Gongsun, who also held the female officer position of the Southwest Border Army despite being a woman, suddenly advised against: "Sir, you must not take this risk. It’s not possible. Although Xu Jingtang’s cultivation is low, Mu Prince Manor has accumulated over the years and must have its foundations..."

Others vaguely grasped his intention and grew tense, voicing their dissuasion.

If the Imperial Consort were to fall here, they could not bear this responsibility.

Yet Zhao Douan resisted the crowd: "That’s decided. You will lead the army first, and I will act alone afterward. This matter must remain a secret... Ha, don’t worry, if Mu Prince chooses to personally lead the army, the majority of skilled cultivators in the manor will be deployed and won’t be left by his side."

Moreover, if Mu Prince chooses to lead personally, I might end up empty-handed."

The others wanted to dissuade him, but could only accept the orders.

Then, details were discussed, and everyone dispersed to prepare to break camp.

Zhao Shixiong was the last to leave; before exiting, he glanced at him, his tiger eyes slightly moved: "Prince Jing colludes with the White Clothes Sect, and those magicians can affect the fate. This endeavor may not be smooth."

Zhao Douan smiled: "I know, but the influence of cultivation magicians is certainly limited. If they affect anything, it would be the interference with the army. So, you should be cautious."

Zhao Shixiong looked at him intensely, saying, "Considering your status, risking isn’t necessary."

Zhao Douan grinned: "I can’t be at ease with General Zhao traveling south alone. Oh, and the message of General Zhao’s surrender has already been spread to the Nine Roads and Eighteen Prefectures, and His Majesty will issue a decree to validate the general."

This sentence seemed kind but was actually a reminder: you have no option for rebellion again.

Zhao Shixiong’s beard trembled for a moment, then he laughed heartily and left, only leaving a statement:

"I will swiftly defeat the Yunfu army, invade Jingchuan City, and capture Mu Prince alive. If you act slowly, this achievement will be mine!"

...

Watched the other party depart, leaving only Lang Shiba and others in the hall.

Yu Xiu frowned, looking at Zhao Douan: "Are you going to Jingchuan City to hunt down Mu Prince? Just you?"

Zhao Douan smiled: "Including you."

He then revealed the matter of borrowing troops from the Old Heavenly Master: "We will wait in Yongjia. Mu Prince won’t run away that quickly. The armies won’t clash in just a day or two, so once everyone arrives, we’ll set off."

Has Master agreed? Yu Xiu didn’t doubt his words, just curious about what Magic this guy used to communicate with the Capital.

As a neighbor residing in the government office’s back courtyard, Yu Xiu didn’t know Zhao Douan’s specific method of shuttling between the two places but suspected his frequent cloistering.

So, it wasn’t surprising.

"Priest Jin Jian, what are you thinking?" Zhao Douan stretched lazily, turned to the contemplative, silent girl beside him, teasingly: "Did you hear that? Your master wants you to accompany me in doing this."

Jin Jian lifted her head, cautiously took out her bulging pouch from her robe and suddenly gritted her teeth, pushing it in front of Zhao Douan: "Last time, you said if I lent you money, you’d return me several times the amount!"

Zhao Douan was taken aback, crying and laughing.

This girl had been pondering the investment during the meeting!

This little money-lover, it’s remarkable!

Yet Zhao Douan shook his head: "When I suggested you invest, Zhao Shixiong hadn’t surrendered. Now that he has, regaining the Huai River is nearly certain, the investment opportunity is gone, Priest, take back the money. Haha, Priest wouldn’t think such good deals are always available, right."

Jin Jian felt like she was struck by lightning, her face turning blank, heart aching combined with hard breaths!

She missed the investment window again!

Seeing the girl visibly wilting, Zhao Douan laughed: "However — as for this hunting operation, those who perform well will receive generous bonuses."

Jin Jian’s ears perked up, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

Yu Xiu silently covered her face, unable to bear looking directly: the reputation of the Heavenly Master Mansion was disgraced by this junior sister.

...

...

With Zhao Douan’s orders, the combined forces of Capital Camp and Southwest Border Army in Yongjia City marched with great fanfare, directly heading south to Jingchuan City.

Only a small part was left to guard the Prefecture.

Zhao Douan personally saw off the soldiers from the city, making outward appearances of staying in Yongjia, to oversee the rear.

That night, nearly at dawn.

Zhao Douan was awakened from sleep by a strange sound, walked out into the courtyard, looked up, and saw a celestial crane flying down into the center courtyard.

The celestial crane opened its beak, spitting out a brocade pouch and a decree.

"So timely..." Zhao Douan’s eyes lit up, he took the brocade pouch and treasured it closely, then handed the Old Heavenly Master’s handwritten decree to Yu Xiu and Jin Jian who emerged from the neighboring room.

Seeing the master’s handwritten letter asking them to cooperate with Zhao Douan against the White Clothes Sect and Divine Dragon Temple, Yu Xiu sighed lightly, reflecting: "It seems we are like working for you. When do we set off?"

Zhao Douan said: "We’ll wait a bit more. Not everyone is here yet."

Suddenly, he noticed Jin Jian circling the celestial crane, her eyebrows tightly knit.

"What’s the matter?" Zhao asked.

Jin Jian shook her head, gently stroking the crane’s neck, letting the bird affectionately nuzzle her, muttering: "Nothing."

She felt puzzled, the crane flew such a distance yet appeared radiant... seemingly not tired...

The night passed without a word.

The next day, Zhao Douan still did not set off.

The day after that, still the same.

Finally, just when he felt uneasy, on the morning of the third day.

A strange carriage appeared in the government office’s rear yard.

As Zhao Douan and the others walked out the door, they saw a black carriage standing amidst the thick morning fog.

A group of mysterious white unicorns were stamping their hooves, snorting white vapor from their nostrils.

The carriage’s curtain was lifted.

A fierce-looking man draped in a black priest robe sat cross-legged inside the carriage.

On his knee lay a broad scarlet sword, its blade vaguely engraved with lines.

The Little Heavenly Master, Zhong Pan, finally arrived!

"Senior Brother!" Yu Xiu, who hurriedly donned his robe, saluted.

"Senior Brother!" Jin Jian followed suit, cupping her hands.

With a crossed saber and wine gourd hung behind, Lang Shiba instinctively felt intense danger, his gaze fierce.

Ji Yue, ghost-like with disheveled hair, silently floated behind Zhao Douan, accompanied by age-old social anxiety.

The two clearly recognized the formidable strength of the priest before them!

"Senior Brother Zhong, you’ve finally arrived." Zhao Douan shamelessly addressed him as senior brother.

Little Heavenly Master Zhong Pan stepped off the carriage, appearing weathered: "I received master’s decree and hurried from afar. Come, let’s get on the carriage. I’ll take you to Jingchuan City."

Immediately, Zhao Douan and the group made simple preparations, climbing into the carriage.

With Zhong Pan commanding the unicorns with a word: "Drive!"

Instinctively, the mysterious carriage suddenly became ephemeral, transitioning to a semi-transparent state, breaking through the morning fog, heading south.