Mountain Patrol Military Officer-Chapter 1102 - 725: Sweep All Opponents

"So that’s how it is!"

"No wonder the Prince is withdrawing his troops at this time."

"Quite unfortunate indeed."

Jieye Arhat murmured softly, without much expression.

"Dare I ask how the Prince plans to resolve this?"

Xiao Zhongtian was waiting for these words. He rose from his command chair, walked over to Jieye Arhat,

"The world is unclear nowadays, and a muddle-headed ruler reigns. The Saint Monk wishes to promote Mahayana Buddhism and save the people. I want to restore a world of clarity. We are all working for the welfare of the common people, and I ask the Saint Monk to assist me. Once the great cause is accomplished, I am willing to honor the Saint Monk as the State Preceptor." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

As he spoke, he put his hands together and bowed deeply, his sturdy frame clad in icy, fierce armor, exuding a wild sense. Then his voice turned harsh,

"But how can others sleep soundly in my domain? Shu sits at the rear, and its leader sticks in my throat like a fishbone. My Beiliang Iron Cavalry forces are advancing east, leaving the rear vulnerable. If this Chen occasionally troubles us, making it difficult to handle both ends, the great cause will be hard to achieve."

Xiao Zhongtian’s gaze turned fierce, explaining the pros and cons to Jieye Arhat, as they were both old foxes seeking mutual needs.

Jieye Arhat’s eyes, resembling the Star River, flickered as he raised his eyelids and met Xiao Zhongtian’s gaze. "The Prince has ambitions to stabilize the realm, and as a humble monk, I comprehend. However, after deducing recently, this matter has more hidden aspects, something unknown to me. I know that the Shu leader has previously defeated the Prince’s hundred thousand cavalry but did not pursue victory, instead retreating to Shu. Now he is recruiting troops extensively, preparing for a decisive battle against the northern Devil Race and not seeking conflict with the Prince. It seems there are unknown factors here, which I do not understand. I hope the Prince can enlighten me."

His words were light, yet as he lifted his eyelids, there was hidden sharpness.

Xiao Zhongtian’s expression slightly paused, but soon, without showing much emotion, he spoke honestly,

"A few days ago, the muddle-headed ruler secretly decreed to dispatch a ceremonial entourage from the capital, intending to bestow the title of Marquis Zhen Nan upon Chen Wusheng, to appease him. I received secret reports from the palace, and to prevent the ruler and his ministers from aligning, I ordered a secret ambush on Shu Road to intercept and destroy the capital’s forces, with only one escaping to Tianxiong Pass."

"I then received information and speculated it might be related to this matter, but this person has always been arrogant, incompatible with the muddle-headed ruler, ignoring orders. Even if I truly killed the ruler’s dispatched forces, the person should not stubbornly oppose me at this critical juncture, letting that muddle-headed ruler enjoy the spectacle. Hence, I can’t be sure if he will intervene."

As he said this, his heart harbored frustration.

Upon hearing this, Jieye Arhat seemed to have gotten his answer and slowly lowered his raised eyelids,

"It seems the Prince does not understand this person."

"The person is indeed arrogant, but I’ve interacted with him. This widely-renowned Martial Saint General has an unfathomable mind, using any means to achieve his goals. His actions must have a purpose he desires."

"Thus, I ask the Prince to inform me in the future when taking actions. Otherwise, if matters arise without witnessing the Prince’s sincerity, there might only be an apology, and the Prince might not have the affinity with Mahayana Buddhism,"

These words struck straightforwardly at Xiao Zhongtian’s face.

With these words, the atmosphere in the room instantly stalled. The faces of the commanders standing in two rows, already difficult to look at, turned even worse, their eyes filled with anger staring at the monk from Western Soil.

"Chi"

A commander raised his hand, ready to draw half a foot of the sword from his waist in anger, shouting,

"You monk, spewing nonsense, dare to speak to the Prince like that."

"Can your Mahayana Buddhism be as sharp as my sword?"

After finishing his stern words, Xiao Zhongtian immediately frowned and scolded,

"Impertinent, step back, do not disrespect the Saint Monk."

After speaking, he turned his gaze to Jieye, speaking directly, "The Saint Monk’s words, I can agree with. But since things have come to this, I need the Saint Monk’s assistance."

"Amitabha Buddha, he took something from my Sumeru Mountain, it must be retrieved." Jieye Arhat merely whispered a Buddhist chant, made a salute, and then lightly drifted away.

The room fell silent as they watched the Western Holy Monk leave, disappearing beyond the cabin. Then the crowds were incensed, stepping forward,

"Prince, he came to demand accountability. Why should the Prince endure this indignity? Now that the Prince has raised troops, calling upon heroes from all over the realm, there’s no need to compromise for this."

"Indeed, this person under the guise of Mahayana Buddhism merely seeks to leverage the Prince’s power. The Prince’s three visits have already shown enough courtesy, yet this monk has not contributed to the Prince’s great cause. His recent actions are infuriating. As a subordinate, I really can’t stand it."

"..."

Everyone was expressing their discontent, one after another.

Xiao Zhongtian raised his hand to quell all voices of discontent, "Enough."

His gaze was profound, filled with burning ambition, "Those who achieve great things can employ the heroes of the world for their use. As long as the task is accomplished, what does it matter if this king must humble himself?"

......

The next afternoon, the wind from Tianxiong Pass blew southward to Jingguan City.

The news of Lazi Pass at the border between Beiliang and Shu being broken through in a surprise attack by the Ninth Mountain finally reached Jingguan City.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Lord Jiang Yi, who was suffering day and night at Yunding Mountain, was invigorated by the news. Upon receiving it, he immediately rushed to the Ninth Mountain Colonel Hall to meet Chen Yuan.

At this moment, the sun was hanging diagonally over the western mountains. As soon as he reached the top of Ninth Mountain, the soldiers guarding the hall came to greet the imperial envoy, one of the Six Ministers, with a fist salute.

"Lord Jiang, the general is already waiting for you in the backyard!"

"Please follow me immediately!"

Marquis Zhen Nan already knew about his arrival, Jiang Yi thought to himself.

Without saying much, he followed the armored soldier leading the way to the backyard.

After passing through several corridors and alleys, Jiang Yi was led to an octagonal pavilion. Under the pavilion, stone tables and chairs, laid with delicacies and fine wine, surrounded by landscape paintings. There he saw Chen Yuan sitting, dressed in a pale blue Kui Dragon Pattern Robe. The embroidered single-footed Kui Dragon winding its way around, the dragon’s body agile, scales and claws distinct, complemented by sea water river cliff patterns on the hem, cirrus cloud patterns swirling around the collar and sleeves, it exuded an air of majestic dignity, devoid of the murderous aura typical of the military school.

"Greetings, Marquis Zhen Nan!" Jiang Yi saluted upon seeing him.

Under the pavilion, Chen Yuan’s eyes flickered, and he signaled others to withdraw, then spoke, "Lord Jiang, please sit."

Jiang Yi entered the pavilion and sat opposite Chen Yuan. He recognized the Kui Dragon Robe Chen Yuan was wearing as one of the imperial rewards, representing a significant rank.

Noticing the other’s gaze, Chen Yuan raised an eyebrow, "Lord Jiang, how does this Kui Dragon Robe suit me?"

Hearing him refer to himself as this marquis, and wearing the imperial Kui Dragon Robe, Jiang Yi was reassured, "The satin reveals your character, the embroideries show your authority. Marquis Chen wearing this is extremely fitting."

Chen Yuan then pointed his fingers at the wine pot on the table, and the wine pot seemed lifted by an invisible hand as wine poured into the cup. Chen Yuan pushed it toward the opposite direction, speaking casually as if chatting.

"Has Lord Jiang received the news?"

Jiang Yi was holding the cup pushed by Chen Yuan, and upon hearing this, his expression turned serious and he put down the cup, "Yesterday, I was wondering about the marquis’s intentions. Today, upon receiving the news I understood. The marquis dispatched forces to crush the rebels’ momentum, bringing a great relief and worry to His Majesty. When I return to the capital, I will certainly commend the marquis for his meritorious deeds."

Saying this, Lord Jiang bowed his hands toward the direction of the Central Plains Dragon Court.

Chen Yuan looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, Jiang Yi’s earnest "official demeanor" with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

That was unspoken agreement.

"As Lord Jiang mentioned, for this marquis, honored by His Majesty, the rebel king sent people to assassinate you angels, and seized the rewards meant to compensate my three armies. This marquis naturally must act, or else how could I face His Majesty. Lord Jiang, right or wrong?" Chen Yuan spoke "with righteous indignation."

Jiang Yi’s eyes blinked, quickly responding, "What the marquis says is absolutely right!"

Chen Yuan then "revealed his plan," "Now that you’ve vented your anger, His Majesty’s prestige has been upheld, the rebels’ momentum crushed, my Jiannan Road Fusi has done everything possible, devotedly. Therefore, when Lord Jiang returns to the capital, pIease inform His Majesty, we can’t let my Mountain-cutting Army soldiers lose heart. The rewards should be supplemented, and the losses from this marquis’s surprise attack on the rebel army should also be fully compensated. Otherwise, my Fusi soldiers will find it hard to fight."

"Afterwards, my soldiers will provide these records to Lord Jiang. I hope Lord Jiang can take them back to the capital."

"Moreover, time is tight. The devil race is stirring, I’m afraid this marquis cannot keep Lord Jiang for many days."

"I entrust Lord Jiang with this task!"

As Chen Yuan spoke these words, he had a smile on his lips.

Meanwhile, seeing the smile of Marquis Zhen Nan, Jiang Yi’s hand holding the wine cup stiffened.