Undercurrents in the Capital

News of the Northern Mang Royal Court's destruction spread like a wildfire sweeping across the plains, racing even faster than the iron hooves of the Northern Expeditionary Army. In the end, it became an urgent military dispatch sent eight hundred li, crashing heavily into the Golden Throne Hall of Yujing, the Imperial Capital.

"Great General of the Northern Expedition Chen Qing led his troops in bloody battle and captured the Northern Mang Royal Court! He slew the Northern Mang Great Khan, Left Virtuous King Wuwei, the National Preceptor, the Wolf God Guard, and a host of other enemy chieftains in battle! The main force of Northern Mang has been utterly annihilated, and the Royal Court reduced to scorched earth! The century-long beacon fires of the Northern Frontier have now been settled once and for all!"

The Minister of War read out the battle report in a ringing voice, unable to suppress his excitement. This report was destined to be recorded in history.

The entire court first fell into deathly silence, then erupted into an immense uproar!

Though they had long anticipated that Chen Qing's northern campaign might achieve victory, when this glorious, almost dreamlike result was truly laid before them, everyone still found it hard to believe!

The destruction of a nation! The leveling of a royal court! Such magnificent martial achievement had never been seen in the several centuries since the Great Yan Dynasty was founded!

Even the Great Yan Emperor, seated upon the dragon throne, could not help but rise abruptly despite his deep composure. A flush surged onto his face as he said "Good" three times in succession!

"Good! Good! Good! Beloved Minister Chen is truly my Marquis of Champion, a pillar of the state!"

Rewards! He had to be heavily rewarded!

Yet just as the entire court rejoiced and discussed how to reward such heaven-shaking merit, discordant voices began to stir beneath the undercurrents.

"Your Majesty, General Chen's achievements overshadow the age, and he indeed deserves great rewards. Yet the Northern Expeditionary Army under his command has now expanded to more than a hundred thousand men, all hardened veterans of countless battles. They know only General Chen, and do not know the court... If this continues, I fear it will not be a blessing for the state." A censor stepped forward, his tone filled with concern.

"This minister concurs! The cultivation method General Chen practices has Killing Intent soaring into the heavens and differs greatly from the orthodox path. He has now broken through to the Aperture Opening Realm, and his strength is unfathomable. Should he harbor rebellious ambitions... the consequences would be unthinkable!" Another official promptly followed.

"I have heard that he found a strange treasure amid the ruins of the Northern Mang Royal Court, yet did not hand it over to the court, instead keeping it for himself..."

Doubt and apprehension spread silently beneath his seemingly glorious achievements like cold, venomous snakes. Chen Qing had risen too swiftly, grown too powerful, and acted too ruthlessly. He had already touched the sensitive nerves of many people and shattered the court's original balance.

The delight on the Emperor's face gradually faded. He sat back down upon the dragon throne, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest. His gaze was deep, revealing neither joy nor anger.

He needed Chen Qing, this sharp blade, to expand the territory and awe the four directions, but he would never permit that blade to have even the slightest chance of turning back upon its master.

"Transmit my decree." The Emperor finally spoke, his voice returning to its usual majesty. "Confer upon Chen Qing the title of Duke of Zhenguo, hereditary in perpetuity. Bestow upon him an Iron Certificate of Immunity, one hundred thousand taels of gold, ten thousand spirit jades, and a thousand bolts of brocade! Order him to immediately organize the Northern Frontier's defenses, pacify the surrendered soldiers, and handle all subsequent matters. Once the Northern Frontier is stable, he is to return to court at once. I shall personally celebrate his merits and proclaim them to the realm!"

Duke of Zhenguo! Hereditary in perpetuity! An Iron Certificate of Immunity!

This was nearly the utmost honor and authority a subject could attain! It showed how greatly the Emperor acknowledged Chen Qing's achievements.

Yet that final phrase, "return to court," also carried an undeniable implication—now that he had gained success and fame, it was time to hand over his military authority and return to the capital to enjoy wealth and glory.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Most of the court officials echoed in unison. Only a handful of seasoned, prudent elders showed a flicker of worry in their eyes. Was it truly a good thing to let such a ferocious tiger, with Killing Intent soaring to the heavens, leave its den and enter Yujing—that dragon's pool and tiger's lair?

The imperial decree once again sped northward with the imperial envoy's procession.

Northern Frontier, within the ruins of the former Northern Mang Royal Court, inside the temporary command residence of what had now been renamed Town North City.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged, holding the black fragment he had obtained from the Royal Court ruins. Threads of pure, ancient Baleful Intent continuously flowed into his body, refined and absorbed by the Fierce Tiger Iron Body. His aura grew ever deeper. His mid-stage Aperture Opening Realm cultivation had completely stabilized and was steadily advancing toward the late stage.

More importantly, as he refined the fragment, the fragmented information in his mind concerning the Black Tiger Legacy grew increasingly abundant, and his understanding of "Shattering Void" became ever clearer. He faintly sensed that this fragment was not complete, and that other portions seemed to be scattered somewhere between heaven and earth.

"General, the imperial envoy from the capital has arrived outside the camp to announce the decree." Old Niu's voice sounded from beyond the door, carrying a trace of barely perceptible worry. At a time like this, the capital's intent in sending an imperial envoy was self-evident.

Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes. A dark-red glint flashed through his pupils and vanished. He put away the black fragment, his expression calm and unruffled.

"Set up the incense table. Receive the decree."

Outside the command residence, banners fluttered in the wind, and the imperial envoy's procession stood solemn and imposing. A fair-faced, beardless eunuch with sharp eyes held the bright-yellow imperial decree and read it aloud.

When they heard phrases such as "Duke of Zhenguo," "hereditary in perpetuity," and "return to court," the Northern Expeditionary Army generals listening nearby all revealed complicated expressions. There was the excitement of sharing in his glory, but also bewilderment about the future and a trace of unease.

Chen Qing listened to the decree without expression, kowtowed in thanks for the imperial favor, and accepted the weighty Iron Certificate of Immunity and imperial decree.

"Congratulations, Duke of Zhenguo! Congratulations, Duke of Zhenguo! His Majesty has shown Your Grace exceptional favor!" The eunuch announcing the decree piled on an enthusiastic smile, though his words contained a probing note. "May I ask when Your Grace will be able to depart? His Majesty and the entire court are eagerly awaiting the meritorious minister who supports the heavens and guards the throne to return to the capital."

Chen Qing glanced at him. That calm, unruffled gaze made the eunuch, long accustomed to palace intrigues, shudder inwardly. Even his smile stiffened somewhat.

"The Northern Frontier has only just been settled, and all things await rebuilding. Many matters still require handling. Once I have arranged the defenses and pacified the surrendered tribes, I will naturally obey the decree and return to the capital." Chen Qing's tone was mild, but it carried an air that allowed no question. "The imperial envoy has traveled far and endured much hardship. Rest in the camp for a few days first."

Having said that, he ignored the eunuch no further, turned, and returned to the command residence.

The eunuch watched Chen Qing's retreating back. His mouth opened, but in the end he did not dare say anything more. He could only curse "Fiend Star" inwardly and head resentfully toward the quarters arranged for him.

Inside the command residence, Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the other core generals followed him in, each wearing an anxious expression.

"Duke, His Majesty is... planning to put away the bow once the birds are gone!" Old Niu was the most straightforward and could not help saying, "We are strong in troops now and have just achieved an unparalleled feat. Why should we return to the capital to suffer those people's looks? Why not..."

He did not finish, but his meaning was obvious.

Sun Quezi also said sinisterly, "That capital is deep water indeed. Duke, you now have merit greater than your sovereign's, and you carry a strange treasure besides. I fear this trip will be a banquet with no good banquet."

Chen Qing sat in the seat of honor, turning the seal of "Duke of Zhenguo" over in his hand, his gaze deep.

"Yujing must naturally be visited."

He raised his head, swept his gaze over the crowd, and a cold curve lifted at the corner of his mouth.

"But not now, and certainly not by being 'summoned' back in this manner."

"We conquered the Northern Frontier. Naturally, we will set the rules here."

"Pass down the order: with Town North City as the core, rebuild the order of the Northern Frontier. Incorporate the surrendered Northern Mang soldiers, select the elite, and replenish the Northern Expeditionary Army. Old Niu, you will oversee military reorganization and training; Sun Quezi, you will oversee internal and external surveillance and purge the remaining enemy forces."

"As for returning to the capital..." Chen Qing paused, his tone carrying an unquestionable dominance. "When I deem the timing suitable, I will naturally go to Yujing and personally 'report' Northern Frontier affairs to His Majesty."

The crowd was stunned at first, then they understood Chen Qing's meaning—he intended to maintain an army for his own weight and thoroughly establish the Northern Frontier as the foundation of his own power!

"This general obeys!" Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the others were invigorated and answered in unison. Following a lord like this was truly satisfying!

Chen Qing waved them away, then walked alone to the window and gazed toward the southern Imperial Capital.

Yujing's undercurrents, the Emperor's suspicion, the court officials' apprehension... he understood them all perfectly.

But he was no longer the Wu Xia Amon of old. His Aperture Opening Realm cultivation, an army of one hundred thousand tiger warriors, and the Black Tiger Fragment containing the secret of Shattering Void had all given him sufficient confidence.

The world was a chessboard, and he was no longer a chess piece to be arranged at another's whim.

He would take the Northern Frontier as his root and the fierce tiger as his banner, then test the storms gathering in the Imperial Capital.

He would see just how tall a fierce tiger the skies of Great Yan could truly contain!