Chapter 453: Chapter 276: The Expedition Against the Golden Crow: Chief Minister Chen Ke Respectfully Obeys the Holy Edict and Prays for the Holy Emperor’s Triumphant Return

Lu Mingyuan instantly understood the Golden Crow Country’s intentions.

Beyond Jiayu Pass lay open plains and the fertile Northern Lands. Known as a god-given territory, it was one of Great Yan’s breadbaskets.

The Golden Crow Country was truly willing to pay a hefty price.

Factoring in the natural barrier, the treacherous cliffs, and the extreme low temperatures that had persisted for days, they would lose at least a fifth of their forces.

"Has the Garrison Commander at Jiayu Pass increased patrols?" Lu Mingyuan asked.

"Yes, and the nearby States and Counties have also sent reinforcements to prevent a worse situation from developing and nip any trouble in the bud," Wang He’fu replied.

Lu Mingyuan nodded lightly.

’Good. It seems we’ve defended against the first wave of their attack.’

His eyes flickered. He was now certain.

’The words on the Black Turtle Shell are not prophecies, but records of events that have already happened.’

’If the Turtle Shell in my mind is likened to the Eight Trigrams, it represents the Yang Trigrams. It can predict the unknown, reveal future events, and grant the blessing of destiny—in other words, the Fate Grid.’

’Then the Great Nether Empress’s Black Turtle Shell must be the Yin Trigrams, which can reveal information about past events, allowing one to nip problems in the bud.’

’One is the future, the other is the past.’

’I just wonder what other abilities this Black Turtle Shell has.’

’If the two Turtle Shells were combined into one...’

’Wouldn’t that be equivalent to seeing through all matters of the past, present, and future? To have complete insight into all people and all events, becoming virtually omniscient? Merging one’s own past, present, and future... It would be a unique treasure comparable to a Supreme Immortal Artifact!’

Suppressing the joy in his heart, Lu Mingyuan began to consider how to counter the Golden Crow Country.

The words on the Turtle Shell told him that the Six Kingdoms had now united against a common enemy. Some dynasties had even dispatched joint forces to invade the borders of the Great Yan Country.

’I can’t just sit here and wait for death. I have to teach them a lesson.’

Thinking of this, Lu Mingyuan snorted coldly.

"The mere Golden Crow dares to invade my Great Yan? They’re courting death!"

"Relay my decree! All officials are to assemble in the Holy Bright Palace within Half an Hour to discuss matters!"

...

「During the Half an Hour wait.」

Lu Mingyuan went alone to the dungeon entrance located in the Imperial Garden.

Two Sword Cultivators in long, blue robes stood guard at the entrance to the Imperial Garden. They appeared to be from the same Sect.

"Greetings, Holy Emperor!"

The two Sword Cultivators bowed respectfully.

They bowed from the heart. After all, it is human nature to respect the strong.

"How is the Demoness?"

Lu Mingyuan asked coolly.

"Reporting to the Holy Emperor, there’s nothing unusual. She’s been quiet and has said almost nothing."

"Hmm..."

Lu Mingyuan nodded and stepped into the dungeon.

The gloomy, damp Imperial Capital Prison was completely dark. Now and then, a scream that sounded neither human nor ghost would echo, enough to make one’s skin crawl.

Seeing the familiar dungeon, memories flooded Lu Mingyuan’s mind.

Several years ago, it was in this very dungeon that he had awakened.

Only back then, the Demoness had fled to freedom, and he was the one locked in the cell.

Now, everything was reversed.

Before, he let the Demoness go, which led to him being cast into the Cold Palace.

Now, he was the Emperor, and he had captured the Demoness.

Everything had come full circle.

Lu Mingyuan followed the guiding Prison Guard to a cell in the deepest part of the prison.

Along the way, some prisoners tried to glare at him.

But a single, indifferent glance from him was enough to make them collapse to the ground, weak-kneed.

’I now bear the Emperor’s Fortune, bolstered by my Fate Grid. For an ordinary person to provoke me is simply courting death.’

’The pressure of the Celestial Human Realm will teach them some manners.’

The Imperial Guard leading the way removed the heavy chains from the large gate, which rattled with a RATTLE.

Then he stepped aside.

By the light of a torch held by another Imperial Guard, Lu Mingyuan could clearly see the figure of the woman in the cell.

Witch Palace Language was sitting cross-legged on the bed with her eyes closed.

Her pale, slender arms, her delicate waist, and her small ankles—her entire body was bound by Great Yan’s specially-made Dragon Locks.

These Dragon Locks were an unparalleled tool against Cultivators, jointly developed with the Taoist Sect. They were forged from Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Soul Spirit Crystals found a thousand meters deep under the sea of the Southern Cold Continent.

They were also engraved with numerous Taoist Family True Talismans, personally inscribed by the True Monarchs of the Dao Alliance. They could suppress ninety-nine percent of Middle Fifth Grade Cultivators.

They insulated the wearer from nature’s spiritual energy. No matter which faction a Cultivator belonged to, once bound by these locks, they were no different from an ordinary person.

With twelve Dragon Locks, even a Saint would find it difficult to escape.

Then again, a Saint wouldn’t just stand still and offer up their hands to be bound.

The cost of these things was indeed exorbitant, so they were only used on high-profile criminals.

This particular cell had all the amenities for eating, drinking, and relieving oneself—a relatively luxurious private room, all things considered.

Lu Mingyuan had not mistreated the Great Nether Empress; after all, it was Qi Muxue’s body.

"Well?"

Lu Mingyuan was the first to speak, breaking the silence.

"What about it?"

Witch Palace Language opened her eyes slightly and glanced at him. Her voice was as cold and indifferent as ever, yet pleasant to the ear.

"It all began in a cell, and it all ends in a cell. How does it feel?" Lu Mingyuan said with a smile.

"You seem quite pleased with yourself," Witch Palace Language said flatly.

"You are my prisoner now. Am I not allowed to be a little pleased?" Lu Mingyuan retorted.

Witch Palace Language closed her eyes again, no longer looking at him. "Then go on and be pleased with yourself. If you’re just here to gloat, we have nothing to talk about."

"Let’s not beat around the bush."

Lu Mingyuan’s expression turned serious. With a wave of his hand, he formed an air Barrier made of Primordial Qi and asked in a solemn tone:

"This Black Turtle Shell of yours... where did you get it?"

Witch Palace Language didn’t answer him directly. Instead, she gave a faint smile, opened her eyes, and retorted, "I’d like to ask you the same thing. Where did you get *your* Turtle Shell?"