Tiger Crouching in the Northern Frontier

The news of Duke of Zhenguo Chen Qing needing to "rectify the Northern Frontier and temporarily postpone his return to the capital," coupled with the aftermath of the Northern Mang Royal Court's destruction, was like a massive stone thrown into a calm lake, creating even greater ripples in the Imperial Capital, Yujing.

"Arrogant! Utterly arrogant!"

"Hoarding troops and disrespecting the sovereign! This is a sign of rebellion!"

"Your Majesty, this Chen Qing is ambitious and treacherous, his intentions are now clear for all to see! You must immediately issue an edict to strip him of his military power and arrest him to be brought to the capital for judgment!"

On the Golden Imperial Hall, memorials impeaching Chen Qing piled up on the Emperor's imperial desk like snowflakes. What were previously only veiled apprehensions had now transformed into naked attacks and panic. Chen Qing's refusal to return to the capital immediately had completely struck a sensitive nerve in the court.

The Emperor, seated on the dragon throne, had a gloomy expression that could drip water. He gripped the armrest of the dragon throne with force, his knuckles turning white. Chen Qing's achievements were too great, and the situation in the Northern Frontier was too complex. If he rashly issued an edict to seize power, and this Fierce Tiger were provoked, the consequences would be unimaginable. But if he let it go unchecked and allowed it to grow powerful in the Northern Frontier, it would also be a great disaster.

"Enough!" The Emperor slammed the dragon throne, his voice icy as he interrupted the argument below. "Esteemed Minister Chen has worked tirelessly and achieved great merit. The Northern Frontier has just been pacified, and the affairs are complicated. It is reasonable for him to delay his return. Convey my decree: grant Duke of Zhenguo additional ceremonial guards, and allow him to act as he sees fit to pacify the Northern Frontier. Furthermore, order the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue to fully guarantee the supply of grain, fodder, and provisions for the Northern Frontier army without delay!"

This decree, which seemed to be appeasing but was actually a combination of soft tactics and enticement, left the officials in the hall with mixed feelings. Some secretly sighed at the Emperor's shrewd methods, while others became even more worried.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Frontier, at Zhenbei City.

Chen Qing seemed oblivious to the storm in the Imperial Capital, or rather, he simply didn't care. He poured all his energy into integrating the Northern Frontier and improving his own strength.

With the original Northern Expeditionary Army as the core, a large number of surrendered soldiers from Northern Mang were incorporated and screened. The weak and elderly were removed, while the brave and fierce were retained. A "Northern Army" of even greater scale, more complex composition, but also fiercer, rapidly took shape, with its numbers once swelling to two hundred thousand! Loyal generals like Old Niu and Sun Quezi saw their status rise, each taking charge of important military powers.

At the same time, Chen Qing issued the Northern Army Decree, abolishing the old system of Northern Mang. Based on the laws of Great Yan and combined with the actual situation in the Northern Frontier, a rough but efficient ruling system was established, primarily focused on military governance while also considering the livelihoods of the people. He heavily relied on some Northern Mang nobles willing to surrender and tribal leaders who understood the times, using barbarians to control barbarians, quickly stabilizing the vast grasslands.

Zhenbei City also began to expand at an astonishing speed, with towering city walls and numerous fortresses, clearly becoming the new political, military, and economic center of the Northern Frontier. Caravans from the interior of Great Yan and the Western Regions began to tentatively enter this land that had just seen its war fires extinguished, bringing various supplies and news.

Chen Qing's commander's residence had now been expanded into the magnificent Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion. Deep within the mansion, in a secret chamber.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged, the black fragment floating before him. After months of continuous refinement, the fragment had shrunk by a circle and become more crystal clear. The ancient malevolent energy and information contained within it had also been increasingly absorbed by Chen Qing.

His cultivation had already broken through to the late stage of the Aperture Opening Realm! The Fierce Tiger Dharma Aspect had become more solidified, reaching a height of a hundred zhang, and the power of heaven and earth he invoked with every movement was even more terrifying. The eight-zhang Fierce Tiger Domain was subtly showing signs of expanding to ten zhang, with the three true intents of slaughter, annihilation, and devouring within the domain becoming more perfectly integrated.

More importantly, his understanding of the Black Tiger inheritance had reached a new height. It was not just about fist and saber techniques, but a supreme inheritance that directly pointed to the origin of the Great Dao, involving laws of space, destruction, and devouring! The so-called "Shattering Void" was not simply breaking through spatial barriers, but using one's own power to open up a "Void Domain" that belonged solely to oneself, which was the "Inner World"!

This fragment was one of the cornerstones for constructing the "Inner World"!

"I need more fragments..." Chen Qing opened his eyes, feeling the surging power within his body and his subtle perception of the void. His gaze penetrated the secret chamber, looking towards the more distant heavens and earth. He had a premonition that other fragments were scattered in various corners of this world, perhaps even... in those ancient sects and sacred lands, or in more dangerous desolate places.

"My Lord Duke." Sun Quezi's low voice came from outside the secret chamber, "Someone has arrived from the Imperial Capital again. This time it's the Deputy Commander of the Shadow Guard, carrying an imperial secret decree."

Shadow Guard? The Emperor's private intelligence agency?

A cold glint flashed in Chen Qing's eyes. It seemed that the one in Yujing was becoming increasingly restless.

He stood up, tidied his robes, and slowly walked out of the secret chamber.

In the Duke's Mansion's council hall, a middle-aged man dressed in ordinary blue, with an ordinary face but eyes as sharp as a falcon's, stood quietly. His aura was contained, and he was clearly a master at the early stage of the Aperture Opening Realm. He was the Deputy Commander of the Shadow Guard, Ying Shisan.

"Ying Shisan, greets Duke of Zhenguo." Upon seeing Chen Qing, Ying Shisan bowed slightly, his manners courteous, but the scrutiny in his eyes was unconcealed.

"Commander Ying need not be so formal." Chen Qing sat in the main seat, his tone calm. "What is His Majesty's decree?"

Ying Shisan took out a sealed scroll and presented it with both hands: "His Majesty's secret decree, please have the Duke of Zhenguo read it personally."

Chen Qing took the scroll, and a wisp of malevolent energy passed over his fingertips, silently dissolving the seal. He unrolled it and saw that the content was nothing more than a renewed urging for him to return to the capital, the words more earnest than before, but also carrying a subtle hint of a final ultimatum. At the same time, the secret decree vaguely mentioned that the court had obtained certain "evidence," implying that Chen Qing was involved with "remnants of the previous dynasty."

"Remnants of the previous dynasty?" Chen Qing sneered inwardly. This was likely a rumor spread by Han Wenyuan or the forces behind him, trying to use the court to deal with him.

He casually placed the secret decree aside and looked at Ying Shisan: "I understand His Majesty's intentions. The situation in the Northern Frontier is complex and cannot be settled in a day. When matters are properly handled, I will naturally return to the capital to beg for punishment."

Ying Shisan frowned slightly: "My Lord Duke, His Majesty earnestly anticipates your return, and the court and the public alike eagerly await their pillar of support and meritorious minister. Delaying for too long may lead to rumors, which would harm your reputation."

"Rumors?" Chen Qing's lips curled into a half-smile. "Why should I care about others' gossip when I act? Commander Ying has traveled far and worked hard. Please stay in Zhenbei City for a few more days, see the scenery of the Northern Frontier, and then you can return to report the 'actual situation' here to His Majesty in detail."

He deliberately emphasized the words "actual situation."

Ying Shisan's eyes flickered. He understood the toughness and implication in Chen Qing's words. He knew that this mission was likely to be difficult to complete. This Duke of Zhenguo had grown strong wings and was by no means someone who could be easily moved by a mere imperial edict.

"Since that is the case, I shall take my leave." Ying Shisan said no more, bowed, and withdrew from the council hall.

Watching his departing back, Chen Qing's eyes grew cold.

The patience of Yujing was likely running out.

Next, it would probably not be a secret decree urging him, but real thunderous methods.

However, he was now firmly entrenched in the Northern Frontier, with a strong army and a powerful force, his own cultivation at the late stage of the Aperture Opening Realm, and he had also gained a preliminary glimpse into the secret of Shattering Void. Why should he be afraid?

"Send word to our people in the south," Chen Qing instructed Sun Quezi, who had appeared silently, "Keep a close watch on the movements in Yujing, especially the Ministry of War and my 'father-in-law,' Marquis Zhenbei."

"Yes." Sun Quezi took the order, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "My Lord Duke, should we make some preparations in advance? For example, strengthening the defenses at the border passes, or... contacting some potential allies?"

Chen Qing shook his head, his gaze sharp as a knife: "No need. Respond to change with constancy. I want to see if this Great Yan, this world, can tolerate me, this 'Fierce Tiger'!"

He stood up, an invisible aura of dominance emanating from him.

"Tell the soldiers to intensify their training. This Northern Frontier is our foundation. Anyone who wants to extend their hand in here will have to ask if our swords agree!"

"Yes!"

Sun Quezi felt Chen Qing's resolute will and his heart settled. He bowed and retreated.

Chen Qing walked alone to the outside of the hall, looking at the Zhenbei Army soldiers diligently training on the drill ground, looking at the continuous camps and the city that was beginning to take shape in the distance.

The Northern Frontier was now under his complete control.

Next, he would use the Northern Frontier as a chessboard to play a good game with the players in the Imperial Capital.

And his goal had never been to merely occupy a corner.

Those scattered Black Tiger fragments, that supreme realm of Shattering Void, were his true pursuit.

The winds and clouds of this world were merely stepping stones for him to reach the pinnacle.