Reborn as Powerful Minister's Beloved-Chapter 535 - 514 Second Update

Marquis of Zhenbei was already getting anxious with his trusted aides, but having seen the strength of these people with his own eyes, he dared not provoke them lightly. Fortunately, the initial agreement was merely to lead this troop into Nanzheng successfully, and their transaction would be considered complete.

For so many years, Ghoul Ravine had been suppressed by Qiandao Temple, especially during the battle over a decade ago, which almost completely wiped them out, leaving the Northern Border nearly devoid of any sightings of Ghoul Ravine’s presence for several years following.

Moreover, along the entire route into Zheng Capital from the Northern Border, countless Maze Formations left by Qiandao Temple were buried, aimed at preventing the people of Ghoul Ravine from invading Zheng Capital again.

As for the hatred between Ghoul Ravine and Qiandao Temple, that was none of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s concern. To him, who lived or died was all the same. Furthermore, if Ghoul Ravine rose to power, there would still be a possibility of forming an alliance with them first. Compared with his current relationship with Qiandao Temple, they were more advantageous.

"General, at this rate, we won’t make it to Yulin County in three days. The situation in Zheng Capital is changing by the day, and we need to be prepared as soon as possible," his trusted aide was becoming anxious.

"No matter, once we’re out of the Northern Border, we will immediately pick up the pace," the Marquis of Zhenbei said, glancing at the troop of Ghoul Ravine hidden among tens of thousands of soldiers of the North Border Army.

At least for now, the people of Ghoul Ravine seemed to be adhering to the agreement and had not caused any trouble nor made any excessive demands. However, the Marquis of Zhenbei remained extremely cautious, careful not to let anyone know of their relationship with Ghoul Ravine, especially not while their relationship with Qiandao Temple remained unruptured.

The soldiers of the North Border Army were very wary of those from Ghoul Ravine. Odd and bizarre in appearance, they grouped together like a troupe of acrobats, but the carriage in the center was always tightly covered, revealing nothing of who or what was inside, which was secretive and frightening.

The people of Ghoul Ravine, in turn, had little regard for the North Border Army. Accustomed to the days in the darkness, they found it difficult to suddenly walk on the road like normal people, and that too for an entire day, with entities like Ghost Shadow unable to emerge, all of them felt stifled. Only those who regularly ventured out, such as Elder Can and Elder Su, and their people, behaved somewhat normally. But the odd looks cast by the North Border Army had been irritating everyone for days.

After two days of travel, there had already been three or four frictions between Ghoul Ravine and the North Border Army. Each time, Elder Can arrived just in time to defuse the situation. Initially, they had thought to directly enter Zeng Capital under the guise of the North Border Army, but now that was no longer possible, and they had to find another way.

Fortunately, Yin He inside the carriage was uninterested in all this, indifferent to whether they followed the North Border Army or not. They could still reach Zheng Capital on their own.

So, the troop of Ghoul Ravine sped up significantly and to everyone’s surprise, arrived at Yulin County half a day earlier than expected. Upon reaching Yulin County, the people from Ghoul Ravine hurriedly bid everyone goodbye and left with their group straightaway.

...

"Commandery Princess, there’s a fire outside the city—" Zheng Nianru, trapped inside the palace, had no idea of the situation outside but she didn’t need to deliberately inquire to know; guards were constantly rushing back and forth outside the palace, their footsteps rapid and chaotic, yet no one ever broke into their residence.

Zheng Nianru knew that at this moment, Zheng Congyuan hadn’t truly made his move yet.

But Zheng Nianru still wrapped herself in her robe and watched the half sky lit up by the fire, feeling as if she were in a different world, especially since she had not yet ascertained if everything happening now was leading to the same outcome as in her previous life. Therefore, she wasn’t in a hurry to inform Zheng Congyuan of her whereabouts; she was thinking that perhaps, in the end, she might still have a chance to turn the tables on the entire situation.

Thus, Zheng Nianru recalled the people under her father’s command. After her night raid on the Crown Prince’s Mansion, and Zheng Congyuan’s outright rejection, she resolutely decided to raise an army when Prince Duan’s forces appeared, so swiftly that she couldn’t even tell where these people had emerged from.

"Commandery Princess, should we not send a message to the Prince?" Nanny Yun still felt uneasy. This was the third time she had asked Zheng Nianru. It would be wise to at least inform Prince Duan or the Crown Prince, given the current sensitive situation. After all, it was unclear who would eventually prevail, and any ill-conceived actions could backfire terribly.

Zheng Nianru shook her head, no longer interested in the sight of the flames. She turned and went into the house.

...

Wen Qun advanced from the eastern road, his forces smashing through defenses like a hot knife through butter. He took over several districts and counties with breathtaking speed and, within less than three days, had already reached the outskirts of the Imperial City. He arrogantly sealed off all the entrances to the city, clamoring for Zheng Congyuan’s men to surrender.

Inside Zheng Capital at that moment, the atmosphere was one of utter panic. The Loyal Warriors of the Wen Family had captured several of Zheng Congyuan’s trusted aides, and after setting a blazing fire that consumed entire households, all officials took cover with their families. The civilians who wanted to flee the city were blocked by Wen Qun’s soldiers.

Everything seemed to be going incredibly smoothly for the Wen Family, who were struggling to contain their excitement. They had not yet made a move against Zheng Congyuan for two reasons. Firstly, the moment was not yet right, as they wanted to successfully sway the undecided to their side and slowly disintegrate Zheng Congyuan’s camp, watching his reputation for integrity crumble amidst the chaos. Secondly, they were waiting for news from the Northern Border, which was delayed by several days, and there had been no word from the Southeastern Army either. Old Master Wen Kang, consumed by an urgent restlessness, was merely waiting for the North Border Army and Southeastern Army to take their positions, which would then solidify the situation.

"Father, what are we waiting for? We understand the characters of Eldest Brother and Second Brother—they’re cautious, never acting without certainty. What could possibly go wrong with them?" Wen Qun was already growing impatient. With victory within grasp, he could hardly wait to capture Zheng Congyuan and help Zheng Haoyuan ascend to the throne then and there.

Old Master Wen Kang gritted his teeth, on the verge of making a decision to strike, when suddenly a group barged into the Eastern Border Army’s camp. Shortly after, a messenger on horseback hurried to Old Master Wen Kang.

"What’s the meaning of this?" Old Master Wen Kang glared at the person who had come hastening to him. What did he mean? A spy in the Eastern Border Army?

"Nonsense, how could my men have a spy among them?" Wen Qun immediately glared back and demanded.

"Marquis, General, the Southeastern Army... only a few hundred men from the Southeastern Army have arrived," the soldier knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly, overcome with grief.

Old Master Wen Kang staggered back in shock at the words and, scarcely believing what he heard, tried to ask a question when yet more soldiers from the Eastern Border Army burst in.

"Marquis, General, something terrible has happened—" Before the words were fully out, Wen Qun had walked out and saw a blaze erupting in the direction of his camp, the fire beginning to rage. Wen Qun was about to ask what had happened when the soldier began babbling incoherently.

"General, the soldiers have gone mad. All the soldiers in the camp have gone mad, General. Someone must have poisoned them, someone has poisoned our camp," the soldier said.

Wen Qun immediately prepared to ride back to the camp, and Old Master Wen Kang, upon seeing this, promptly decided to send his own men with him. However, at that moment, the sound of fierce fighting erupted from within the Imperial City.

Old Master Wen Kang turned around, shaken.

"What’s happened? What’s happened inside the city?"

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