Imperial Capital Undercurrents

The news of the Northern Mang Royal Court's destruction spread like wildfire, faster than the hooves of the Northern Expeditionary Army, sweeping across the entire Great Yan Dynasty. Finally, it arrived as an urgent military dispatch, crashing heavily onto the Golden Luang Hall of the Imperial Capital, Yujing.

"General of the Northern Expedition, Chen Qing, led his troops to fight a bloody battle and conquer the Northern Mang Royal Court! He personally slew the Northern Mang Great Khan, the Left Virtuous King Wuwei, the National Preceptor, and the Wolf God Guard, along with a host of enemy leaders! The main forces of Northern Mang are annihilated, and the Royal Court has been reduced to scorched earth! The century-long beacon fires of the Northern Frontier are extinguished from this day forth!"

The Minister of War's voice boomed, filled with unconcealable excitement, as he read the report destined to be etched in history.

The assembled civil and military officials were first met with a deathly silence, which then erupted into a massive uproar!

Although they had long anticipated Chen Qing's Northern Expedition might achieve victory, the moment such a glorious, almost dreamlike outcome was presented before them, it still left everyone in disbelief!

To annihilate a nation! To flatten a royal court! This was an unprecedented military achievement in the hundreds of years since the Great Yan Dynasty's founding!

The Great Yan Emperor, seated on his dragon throne, could not help but stand up abruptly, his face flushed. Even with his deep composure, he uttered three "Good!" in succession!

"Good! Good! Good! My loyal minister Chen is truly my Marquis of Champion, the pillar of the nation!"

Rewards! He must be heavily rewarded!

However, just as the court was celebrating and discussing how to reward this monumental achievement, some discordant voices began to stir beneath the surface.

"Your Majesty, General Chen's merits are indeed world-shattering and deserve heavy rewards. However, his Northern Expeditionary Army has now swelled to over a hundred thousand men, all battle-hardened veterans. They know only General Chen and not the court... If this continues, it may not be a blessing for the nation." An imperial censor stepped forward, his tone filled with worry.

"I second that! The cultivation technique General Chen practices is filled with overwhelming malevolent energy, far from the righteous path. Now he has even broken through to the Aperture Opening Realm, his strength unfathomable. If he harbors any ill intentions... the consequences are unimaginable!" Another minister followed suit.

"It is rumored that he found a rare treasure in the ruins of the Northern Mang Royal Court but did not submit it to the court, instead keeping it for himself..."

Doubt and apprehension, like cold, venomous snakes, quietly spread beneath the seemingly brilliant merits. Chen Qing's rise was too rapid, his strength too formidable, and his methods too ruthless. He had touched the sensitive nerves of many and disrupted the existing balance of the court.

The Emperor's joyful expression gradually subsided, and he sat back on his dragon throne, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest. His gaze was deep, revealing neither pleasure nor anger.

He needed Chen Qing, this sharp blade, to expand their territory and awe the four directions, but he absolutely would not tolerate the possibility of this blade turning against its master.

"Issue my decree," the Emperor finally spoke, his voice regaining its usual authority. "Promote Chen Qing to 'Duke of Zhenguo,' with hereditary succession. Grant him an Iron Certificate of Immunity, a reward of one hundred thousand gold, ten thousand spirit jade, and a thousand bolts of brocade! Order him to immediately consolidate the defenses of the Northern Frontier, appease the surrendered soldiers, and handle the aftermath. Once the Northern Frontier is stable, he is to immediately lead his army back to the capital. I will personally celebrate his victory and announce it to the world!"

Duke of Zhenguo! Hereditary succession! Iron Certificate of Immunity!

This was almost the ultimate honor and authority a subject could attain! It showed the Emperor's recognition of Chen Qing's merits.

But the final sentence, "lead his army back to the capital," also carried an undeniable implication—his achievements are complete, and it's time to hand over his military power and return to enjoy wealth and honor in the capital.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Most of the court officials echoed in unison. Only a few seasoned and prudent individuals showed a flicker of worry in their eyes. Was it truly a good thing to let such a fierce tiger, radiating malevolent energy, leave its den and enter the dragon's lair of Yujing?

The imperial decree, accompanied by the imperial envoy's retinue, once again sped northwards at the fastest possible pace.

* * *

In the Northern Frontier, within the temporary command post of the former Northern Mang Royal Court ruins, now renamed "Town North City."

Chen Qing sat cross-legged, holding the black fragment he obtained from the royal court's ruins. Strands of pure, ancient malevolent energy continuously flowed into his body, being refined and absorbed by the Fierce Tiger Iron Body. His aura grew increasingly profound, his cultivation at the mid-stage of the Aperture Opening Realm thoroughly stabilized and steadily advancing towards the late stage.

More importantly, as he refined this fragment, more and more fragmented information about the Black Tiger Legacy appeared in his mind, and his comprehension of "Shattering Void" became clearer. He vaguely sensed that this fragment was not complete, and other parts seemed to be scattered across the world.

"General, the imperial envoy from the capital has arrived outside the camp, bearing an imperial decree." Old Niu's voice sounded from outside the door, carrying a hint of imperceptible worry. The capital sending an envoy at this time had an obvious intention.

Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes, a flash of dark red light disappearing in his pupils. He put away the black fragment, his expression calm and unruffled.

"Prepare the incense table, receive the decree."

Outside the command post, banners fluttered, and the imperial envoy's retinue was solemn and majestic. A eunuch with a pale, beardless face and sharp eyes, holding a bright yellow imperial decree, read it aloud.

When the generals of the Northern Expeditionary Army, who were listening around, heard the words "Duke of Zhenguo," "hereditary succession," and "lead his army back to the capital," their faces showed complex expressions. There was excitement for sharing in the glory, as well as confusion and a hint of unease about the future.

Chen Qing listened to the imperial decree expressionlessly, thanked the Emperor for his grace, and accepted the heavy Iron Certificate of Immunity and the imperial decree.

"Congratulations, Duke of Zhenguo, congratulations! His Majesty favors you greatly!" The eunuch who delivered the decree smiled warmly, but his words carried a probing tone, "When will the Duke be able to set off? His Majesty and all the court officials are eagerly awaiting the return of their pillar of support to the capital."

Chen Qing glanced at him. His calm, unruffled gaze sent a chill down the spine of the seasoned eunuch, and his smile became somewhat stiff.

"The Northern Frontier has just been pacified, and everything is in disarray. Many matters still need to be handled. Once I have arranged the defenses and appeased the surrendered tribes, I will naturally obey the decree and return to the capital." Chen Qing's tone was plain but carried an undeniable authority. "The envoy has traveled far and worked hard. Please rest in the camp for a few days first."

After speaking, he turned and returned to the command post without paying further attention to the eunuch.

The eunuch watched Chen Qing's retreating back, opened his mouth, but ultimately did not dare to say more. He could only curse "Fiend Star" in his heart and reluctantly head to the accommodation arranged for him.

Inside the command post, Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and other core generals followed him in, all with worried expressions.

"Duke, His Majesty is... trying to discard the bow after the rabbit is caught!" Old Niu, being the most straightforward, couldn't help but say, "We are strong and well-equipped now, and we have just achieved an unparalleled feat. Why must we return to the capital to face those people's displeasure? Why not..."

He didn't say the rest, but the meaning was obvious.

Sun Quezi also said sinisterly, "That place, the capital, is very deep. Duke, with your current high merits, you are overshadowing the Emperor, and you possess a rare treasure. I fear this trip will be a feast with no good intentions."

Chen Qing sat in the main seat, playing with the "Duke of Zhenguo" seal, his eyes deep.

"Yujing, I will naturally go."

He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over everyone, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold arc.

"But not now, and certainly not in a manner of being 'summoned' back."

"The Northern Frontier is what we conquered. The rules here will naturally be set by us."

"Issue the order. With Town North City as the core, rebuild the order of the Northern Frontier. Incorporate the surrendered soldiers of Northern Mang, select elites, and supplement the Northern Expeditionary Army. Old Niu, you are responsible for military training and consolidation; Sun Quezi, you are responsible for internal and external surveillance and clearing out remaining enemies."

"As for returning to the capital..." Chen Qing paused, his tone carrying an undeniable dominance, "When I deem the time appropriate, I will personally go to Yujing to 'report' on the matters of the Northern Frontier to His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned for a moment, then understood Chen Qing's intention—he intended to build his own power base, thoroughly establishing the Northern Frontier as his own territory!

"Your subordinate obeys!" Old Niu, Sun Quezi, and the others' spirits lifted, and they answered in unison. Following such a lord was truly exhilarating!

Chen Qing waved his hand, signaling them to withdraw. He walked alone to the window, gazing in the direction of the Imperial Capital to the south.

The undercurrents in Yujing, the Emperor's suspicion, the court officials' apprehension... he knew it all too well.

But he was no longer the person he used to be. His cultivation at the Aperture Opening Realm, the hundred thousand elite troops, and the Black Tiger Fragment related to the secret of Shattering Void all gave him sufficient confidence.

This world was a chessboard, and he was no longer a pawn to be manipulated.

He would use this Northern Frontier as his base and the Fierce Tiger as his banner to contend with the turbulent events in the Imperial Capital.

He would see just how high a fierce tiger could soar under the skies of Great Yan!