Chapter 354: Return to the Capital

Within the city of Aurora, flames surged skyward from the imperial palace grounds. General Zhongshan sat cross-legged amidst his troops, protected by tens of thousands.

The city was taken swiftly upon the receipt of a secret missive from Shuijing. It spoke of the disappearance of insightful courtiers a month prior and the weakening military force within. The commander, though esteemed, lacked formidable capabilities. Even the famed Frost Guard was not at its peak. Detailed in the message was the character of the North Gate's defender.

A letter tied to a feathered arrow flew up the city walls, revealing threats and promises that coerced the gatekeeper into submission. Once inside, Zhongshan's forces swiftly secured the city. With the remaining troops, he marched directly towards the imperial palace, where flames engulfed the celestial halls. A golden dragon, emblem of the heavens, lunged toward Zhongshan, only to be devoured by the Eight Extremities Tail, unleashing a surge of energy that purified Zhongshan's karma, aiding his breakthrough.

The dragon's entry fortified by ten million soldiers bore witness to Zhongshan's increased prowess, a testament uniquely his own.

Five hours later, bolts of lightning burst forth from Zhongshan's body, forming a cocoon of brilliant light, encasing him in a sphere. Thunder crackled intensely, dazzlingly bright.

Another breakthrough—Zhongshan emerged with his Purple Mansion now dense with pure Yang energy, its essence akin to boundless mist. Just one final catalyst would condense all this essence into a Nascent Infant.

Tenth Dan of the Golden Core!

Zhongshan's eyes opened, the lightning dissipating gently around him, silently fading away. Witnessing such control over thunder left all in awe. Soft thunder? Even the Emperor's fire paled in comparison.

No one but Zhongshan could tame such ferocious thunder into gentle streams. Those who met his gaze felt thunderous explosions, not only within his eyes but within their hearts, leaving all awestruck. When Zhongshan's eyes returned to normal, the palace still burned.

Zhongshan rose, surveying his generals. "Commanders, hear me. Divide into nineteen routes immediately, sweep the remaining sixty cities of the Grand Light Empire. Leave none unclaimed!"

"Yes!" The commanders responded in unison.

Leaving only Zhongshan's forces to consolidate Aurora City—a sweeping operation of grand scale.

Within six months, the sixty remaining cities of the Grand Light Empire were seized and assimilated under the banner of the Great Luo Celestial Empire. Adjacent empires dared not intervene, overwhelmed by the magnitude of Zhongshan's campaign. The Grand Light Empire was erased from the map of the Divine Land.

And thus, the battlefield of Great Xuan fell silent. War had ended.

Aurora City, within Zhongshan's encampment.

Zhongshan looked at Zhao Chuan before him.

"Zhao Chuan, the war is over. You will return to the Great Xuan Army immediately. You have served diligently these years," Zhongshan said sincerely.

"Over these years, under the General's guidance, Zhao Chuan has learned invaluable lessons that will benefit him for life. Although I return to the Great Xuan Army now, I take pride in having served in General Zhong's ranks. If the General ever needs me in the future, Zhao Chuan will spare no effort," Zhao Chuan expressed with deep reluctance, bowing respectfully.

"Travel safely," Zhongshan responded, clasping Zhao Chuan's raised fist.

"Thank you, General! Farewell, my fellow generals!" With a heavy heart, Zhao Chuan departed the camp of the Great Xuan Army's First Battalion.

"General Zhao, fare thee well!" echoed the generals within the camp, their voices tinged with reluctance.

Observing Zhao Chuan's departure, Zhongshan narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning to his commanders.

"Shui Wuheng, how fares the Zhong Clan Private Army?" Zhongshan queried from his command seat.

"Reporting, General. The Zhong Clan Army consists of forty-five thousand Wolf Cavalry and seventy-five thousand elite soldiers, totaling eighty thousand," Shui Wuheng promptly reported.

"Only eighty thousand?" Zhongshan fixed his gaze on Shui Wuheng.

"Yes, precisely eighty thousand," affirmed Shui Wuheng with unwavering certainty.

Pleased with Shui Wuheng's steadfastness, Zhongshan smiled satisfactorily. Eighty thousand? Zhongshan's eighty thousand soldiers could rival two hundred thousand of any other army.

"Very well. Provide ample spiritual stones for continued rigorous training," Zhongshan instructed.

"Yes, General!" Shui Wuheng acknowledged.

"General, what about the Crown Prince of the captured Grand Light Empire?" Shui Wuheng inquired.

"You mean the one who returned for a woman and refused to leave?" Zhongshan chuckled.

"Yes, precisely," chuckled Shui Wuheng.

"Have we extracted any useful information from him?" Zhongshan asked.

"Not yet. He only knows someone will come for him, but he doesn't know where he'll be taken," replied Shui Wuheng.

"Release him," Zhongshan decided after a moment's thought.

"Release him?" Shui Wuheng frowned.

"Han Jiguang is a formidable figure. In his duel with the Great Xuan King, both were severely injured, but they ultimately withdrew intact. If he values his son this much, he'll come for him. Holding the Crown Prince hostage would be a liability, not an achievement," Zhongshan explained solemnly.

"But..." Shui Wuheng hesitated.

"This is not our concern. Release him," Zhongshan reiterated.

"Yes, General," Shui Wuheng complied immediately.

"A royal decree!" Suddenly, a sharp voice of a eunuch sounded from outside the camp.

Zhongshan rose swiftly and led his generals outside.

"Zhongshan receives the decree!" shouted an elderly eunuch in black robes as Zhongshan emerged.

"I, Zhongshan, pay respects to His Majesty!" Zhongshan declared.

"We pay respects to His Majesty!" echoed the assembled generals.

"By the mandate of Heaven, His Majesty decrees: Eastern Marquis Zhongshan, having fulfilled our expectations, has glorified himself on the battlefields of Grand Light and Grand Universe. Assisting the Great Xuan King in pacifying external threats, he has achieved outstanding military merits. His Majesty orders the Eastern Marquis to immediately return to the Ancient Sacred Capital. There, in court, he shall be honored and rewarded, and enshrined in the hall of gods! Long live His Majesty!" the eunuch proclaimed.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live!" Zhongshan responded, receiving the decree with reverence.

"Long live, long live, long live!" cheered the generals with excitement.

Ordered to return to court! After over a decade of warfare, Zhongshan was finally heading home.

The Ancient Sacred Capital, the court of the emperor? Meeting His Majesty? Zhongshan felt a slight excitement in his heart. He should have met the emperor thirteen years ago, but it had been delayed until now—

Five months later.

Zhongshan arrived with his 800,000 Zhong Clan soldiers just outside the Ancient Sacred Capital. This was their final rest stop before officially entering the city.

An hour later, Zhongshan soared from a valley, proclaiming, "Prepare to march!"

"Roar~~~" A unified shout erupted from the three armies, filled with excitement.

Marching along the mountain roads, they swiftly headed towards the Ancient Sacred Capital.

Flying high in the sky, Zhongshan could already see the distant splendor of the Ancient Sacred Capital. The surging sea of Qi luck appeared even more majestic, and the Great Luo Celestial Empire prospered.

As Zhongshan led the troops forward, a distant speck suddenly flew towards him in disarray. Behind the speck followed five or six figures, all dressed in black robes, chasing after the foremost person.

Zhongshan halted the army, descending from the clouds alongside Zhihuo, and held his ground, allowing them to pass.

"Master~~~" The foremost person, in a desperate escape, cried out in pleasant surprise.

"Ada?" Zhongshan's eyes narrowed.

In the blink of an eye, Ada flew closer.

Ada appeared extremely disheveled, his clothes torn in many places with a massive wound on his back, flesh and blood exposed. Yet, his face was filled with relief.

Upon seeing this, Zhongshan was furious! Who dared to harm Ada?

Zhongshan waved his hand, and Shui Wuheng immediately shouted, "Archers, prepare!"

"Whoosh~~~" The Zhong Clan soldiers, well-trained, swiftly drew their bows, aiming directly at the five approaching figures from behind.

Each figure carried a giant sword, their black robes embroidered with the national beast totem of the Great Luo Celestial Empire—a fierce tiger.

"Master, they are officials from the Imperial Court. Please do not harm them," Ada anxiously pleaded.

"Hmm?" Zhongshan raised an eyebrow, then stared at the five individuals hovering in the air.

"Bold Ada, how dare you escape with a crime? Come back with us!" The leader among the black-robed individuals demanded.

Recognizing the banner of the Great Luo Celestial Empire's army, they chose to ignore it and focused on Ada.

Zhongshan positioned himself in front of Ada, glaring at the five individuals. "I don't care who you are. Count to five, and disappear from my sight."

"Hmph, who do you think you are?" The leader of the black-robed men stared back.

"One," Zhongshan's voice remained cold.

"We are officials from the Ministry of Punishments, tasked with apprehending imperial criminals. How dare you stop us?" The black-robed man's eyes narrowed.

"Two," Zhongshan continued, unmoved.

Meanwhile, Shui Wuheng swiftly organized the troops into formation. In no time, they were ready to charge, with numerous arrows aimed at the five in the sky.

Tensions escalated quickly.

"Whose subordinates are you?" The black-robed leader shouted.

"Three."

With Zhongshan's third count, beads of sweat appeared on the foreheads of all five individuals. Who was this man? Such imposing aura!

"Identify yourselves so I can report back!" The leader finally softened. If they couldn't capture Ada, they needed at least to identify who had intercepted him.

"Four," Zhongshan stated expressionlessly.

"Go!" The leader shouted abruptly, turning with the others and swiftly flying away.