Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace-Chapter 188 - 187 Soft and Charming

But Zhao Ji was unaware.

Zhao Jiang’s action was merely to make Zhao Ji lower his guard against him.

His ambition for the throne never dissipated.

If Zhao Ji were to finally marry into the Xiao Family, then the throne, even if it meant risking his life, Zhao Jiang would have to contest him for it.

However, after Zhao Ji’s alliance through marriage with the Xiao Family, Zhao Jiang knew he had no chance to compete.

At the time when he had the most influence in the court, he quietly withdrew early.

After being assigned to Youzhou, his talents were perfectly displayed, and in less than two years, he secretly had control over all military and political matters in Youzhou.

At this moment, Zhao Jiang, with a golden crown on his head and a python robe on his body and already having gray hair, sat in the hall, below him were his strategists.

He held a secret letter in his hand, glanced at it for a moment, and then passed it down: "I didn’t expect that the Nanyang rebellion would be suppressed in just a few days. I had overestimated this Yellow Turban Army."

"Your Highness, I mentioned earlier that these mud-legged soldiers lack not only cultivation method martial arts but also armor treasures; they have no discipline. They might rely on numbers to create momentum, but once defeated, they’ll be utterly crushed with no chance to fight back."

Yao Xian, one of King Yan’s three Grand Generals, sitting on a huanghuali wooden chair, stroked his long beard and said.

"Hey, Your Highness, who is this Chen Hong? He actually achieved the primary credit for suppressing the Nanyang unrest."

Li Ye, one of the three Grand Generals, asked in confusion.

"According to the secret report, he’s someone from the Xiao Family, a Third Grade Innate Martial Artist." Zhao Jiang said with narrowed eyes.

"Someone from the Xiao Family..."

The hall fell silent, and then quiet whispers began.

After a moment, Yao Xian said: "Your Highness, this might be an opportunity for us."

"How so?" Zhao Jiang asked.

"As I understand, the relationship between the Xiao Family and Your Majesty has already reached a superficial state. If we add fuel to the fire, it could further deteriorate their relationship." Yao Xian said.

"You mean..."

"Your Highness, since we’re already planning to assassinate Huangfu Hao, it wouldn’t hurt to add Chen Hong to the list." Yao Xian said.

"Assassinating two Innate experts consecutively, and with Youzhou being quite far from Nanyang, the personnel deployment might not be sufficient." Zhao Jiang frowned and said.

"Your Highness, I have a person to recommend."

"Who?"

"Master Guangzhi." Yao Xian stood up, then slowly said: "During the anti-Buddhist movement, the Shenxiao Sect nearly wiped out all the temples nationwide, and almost all the monks were executed.

It can be said that there is deep-seated hatred between Buddhism and the Shenxiao Sect, and an eminent Buddhist master from those times exchanged his life to kill Lin Su Ya’s first and second disciples, while Master Guangzhi is hiding in Nan County. If we tell him that Chen Hong is a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect and is highly valued by Lin Su Ya, he certainly won’t miss this opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jiang thought for a moment and said, "Okay."

"Then I’ll send the message immediately."

...

Somewhere in Nanyang County.

In a dilapidated tavern, a burly man wearing a conical hat, dressed in a tiger-skin coat, and wearing straw sandals, holding a wine gourd, walked in.

Soon after, the door of the tavern was closed.

The burly man was blindfolded and led to the backyard.

A man with a scar on his face shouted, "Password!"

The burly man frowned but still said, "The year of Jiazi."

"All’s well in the world," replied the scarred man, then asked: "Are you Lord Guan Hai?"

Guan Hai nodded: "Where is your leader?"

"The General has already... been killed by the Song Army." The scarred man said in a deep voice.

Guan Hai frowned: "Who?"

"Seems to be someone called Chen Hong, a Third Grade Martial Artist." The scarred man thought for a moment and said.

"Where is he now?" Guan Hai asked.

"Currently being investigated, Lord Guan Hai, are you going to?"

"Failing to protect your leader is my dereliction. Since ancient times, blood must be repaid with blood, an eye for an eye. I intend to take his head to Jizhou to meet General Tiangong." Guan Hai said.

The scarred man’s pupils shrank, as if he recalled that.

Within the Yellow Turban Army of Wuling County, Guan Hai was known as the top strongman of the Yellow Turbans.

...

Night descended.

Chen Mo returned to Celestial River City with the army.

In the afternoon, he patrolled the neighboring city of Celestial River, found some Yellow Turban remnants, and according to orders, executed them all.

Even the countryside was not spared.

Only after thoroughly clearing the neighboring city did the army begin to return.

Riding on the Snow Dragon Steed, Chen Mo said to Gao Zheng: "Tomorrow, take control of the Dan Stone Mine we saw today. Once the seven chests of treasure arrive, I will promptly complete the paperwork to avoid leaving a handle."

"Understood."

"Also, now that the maid has been assigned, don’t act on your own again." Chen Mo glared at Gao Zheng.

Earlier, while patrolling the countryside of the neighboring city, Gao Zheng’s eyes frequently lingered on the womenfolk.

"It won’t happen again next time." Gao Zheng said with an awkward smile.

Chen Mo rolled his eyes at Gao Zheng, then dismounted as they approached Luo Mansion.

Seeing this, Gao Zheng skillfully came forward to lead the horse. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

As he was about to enter Luo Mansion, Chen Mo turned back and said, "You handled the Xu Miaozhen matter well."

"Thank you for the compliment, my lord."

...

Luo Mansion had begun repairs, but the damage was so severe that it wouldn’t be fixed within a day or two.

Some corridors were still without candlelight.

In the absence of moonlight, it was completely dark.

But this did not affect Chen Mo.

The place where Chen Mo lived was in the backyard of Luo Mansion.

Walking through a pitch-black area, Chen Mo saw Xu Miaozhen walking straight toward him.

Then Chen Mo stopped in his tracks.

In the darkness, Xu Miaozhen directly bumped into Chen Mo, almost falling.

Chen Mo instinctively wrapped his arm around Xu Miaozhen’s waist to stabilize her.

"Ah... who’s there?"

Being held, Xu Miaozhen was startled, screaming, and was struggling.

"It’s me." Chen Mo said.

He then visibly watched Xu Miaozhen’s face flush red.

After freeing herself from Chen Mo’s embrace, she rubbed her skirt with her hands, not knowing where to place her hands and feet, and whispered: "My... My lord..."

"Why don’t you carry a lantern in such darkness?" Chen Mo asked.

Xu Miaozhen blushed and remained silent.

Could she say she was going to the toilet?

Why carry a lantern to the toilet?

"Remember to bring a lantern next time, lest you bump into something." Chen Mo took a deep breath and said.

Given Xu Miaozhen’s current appearance, coupled with the darkness and her delicate demeanor, it gave a sense of her being thoroughly tormented, like she had endured many trials.

This appearance of hers would instinctively provoke a man to take possession of her.

Chen Mo was currently in a fiery mood.

After they parted.

He went to Luo Zhen’s room.

Seeing Chen Mo, Luo Zhen was delighted, just coming over to greet him, only for Chen Mo to lift her over his shoulder and toss her onto the bed.