Divine General Plan, Yaozhen Immortal Aunt

Chapter 35: Divine General Plan, Yaozhen Immortal Aunt

It was late at night by the time Ning Xuan returned to his estate.

Usually, at this hour, Xiao Jie would simply light the lamp in his room.

But tonight, the lights were blazing.

As Ning Xuan walked through the courtyard gate, he immediately sensed someone in the reception hall.

It was his father, and a stranger.

Ning Xuan thought another "Uncle Tang" had arrived, but when he rounded the screen wall, he saw a cold, beautiful young Taoist priestess.

She held a whisk in her hand, her expression indifferent.

It was an indifference born of the clouds and the ice, devoid of worldly concerns.

As if she cared nothing for anything in the world.

This indifference was utterly unsuited to her youth.

Even more peculiar was that such an indifferent Taoist priestess was wearing a black python robe.

The imposing black python robe was clearly too large, and it draped over her, completely concealing her originally full figure and beautiful curves.

Upon seeing Ning Xuan appear, Ning Taiyi quickly stood up and said, "Xuan'er, this is an envoy from the Imperial Capital, Yaozhen Immortal Aunt."

Immortal Aunt?

Ning Xuan mused for a moment.

His elder brother had told him that female Celestial Masters were usually called Immortal Aunt, but because there were so few of them, he hadn't met many.

He sized up the Immortal Aunt. She couldn't be much older than him.

To become an Immortal Aunt at such a young age, she was indeed from a significant place.

The indifferent woman in the python robe wasted no words. She stood up directly and said in a highly formulaic tone, "Ning Xuan, present your blade."

Ning Taiyi added from the side, "Xuan'er, just like last time."

Ning Xuan also wasted no words. He took his blade and, with his physique of 3.5, unleashed a single Yan He Slash.

A long, sharp hum, like the cry of a startled swallow, lingered for a long time.

Yaozhen Immortal Aunt stared for a while, nodded, and then produced a bright yellow silk scroll from her sleeve. "Ning Xuan, receive the decree."

Ning Taiyi hurried over and pulled Ning Xuan to his knees.

Yaozhen Immortal Aunt began to read.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, from the Emperor, I decree:

I have heard that Ning Xuan of the Ning family possesses extraordinary talent and unparalleled bravery. Though young, he has the courage to slay demons and subdue devils, truly a pillar of the nation. He is hereby promoted to General Anyuan, granted the Tiger Tally, to command both Wangyue and Ping'an Prefectures, bringing peace to the region.

May you diligently cultivate your martial arts, hone your edge, and live up to my trust. Use your bravery to subdue demons and monsters, and your loyalty to protect our borders. In the future, your achievements will be richly rewarded!

Respect this decree."

After finishing, Yaozhen Immortal Aunt took out a jade box and held it aloft with the imperial decree.

Ning Xuan narrowed his eyes.

Nothing else was unusual; it was all standard verbiage, but the key point was "to command both Wangyue and Ping'an Prefectures, bringing peace to the region."

This granted him immense power and also defined his jurisdiction.

The so-called immense power meant that he could freely mobilize the overt Prefectural forces and covert Alchemist forces of Wangyue and Ping'an Prefectures with the Tiger Tally.

By becoming General Anyuan, he had become the undisputed emperor of these two prefectures.

Why two prefectures?

Because Wangyue Prefecture was already his family's. This was the Son of Heaven covering his Ning family's back, granting them what the Ning family had originally sought. It also meant, "If your Ning family doesn't want to move, then don't. Not only will you not move, but we'll also give you double insurance. Not only is the Prefect from your family, but even the General above the Prefect is from your family." This was the Son of Heaven's boundless grace.

As for Ping'an Prefecture, it was interesting.

Given that Tang Chuan's daughter was in the "Imperial Capital Divine Weapon Camp," and that "Tang Chuan had stayed in the Imperial Capital for many years," and that "Tang Chuan knew about the reforms and Imperial Capital intelligence," it was clear that Tang Chuan was a member of the Son of Heaven's faction.

Therefore, even with the Son of Heaven issuing an imperial decree and placing someone above Tang Chuan, Tang Chuan would not strongly object.

However, Ping'an Prefecture was currently experiencing a demon disaster.

Since he, as General Anyuan, "commanded both Wangyue and Ping'an Prefectures," he would naturally be responsible for resolving the troubles in "Ping'an Prefecture."

He had no choice but to accept this task.

Because it was also a test of his abilities.

Only by passing it would he truly be the General Anyuan who "commanded both Wangyue and Ping'an Prefectures."

If he failed, the Ning family would not be qualified to enjoy the privilege of "glory lasting more than two generations."

Ning Xuan wasted no words. He stood up directly, said, "Thank you for your grace," and then took the jade box and the imperial decree into his hands.

He opened the jade box. Inside was a dragon-shaped golden talisman, emitting a mysterious aura.

Upon seeing the aura, Ning Taiyi directly bowed respectfully to his son.

Ning Xuan frowned in confusion.

Ning Taiyi smiled and explained, "Reporting to General, those of us who went out to take up our posts were all Daoists under the Son of Heaven. After going out to take up our posts, we dispersed our powers. Even so, we are still familiar with the Dragon Qi of our former lord. Seeing this tiger tally naturally evokes loyalty.

However, we have dispersed our powers, and coupled with the passage of time, that mandatory loyalty has faded considerably, replaced by spontaneous loyalty."

He acted like a subordinate to a superior.

But anyone could see that he was beaming with joy.

What in the world could be happier than "one's son becoming his direct superior"?

Then, he explained further, "This imperial decree bestowing the title of General will be announced to the world, so General need not worry about the law not being enforced."

Ning Xuan also smiled and said, "Dad, you can rest easy now."

Ning Taiyi was not at ease; a hint of worry still lingered in his eyes. How could Ning Xuan not understand what he understood?

Ning Xuan said, "Dad, you should go rest first."

Ning Taiyi said, "Ugly Slave is about to break through. He can go with you."

Ning Xuan nodded.

Only then did Ning Taiyi smile and withdraw.

He had given all his Dragon Qi extremely preferentially to his eldest son, and the task of passing on his lineage to his youngest son. Yet, the youngest son had proven to be very capable. He truly hoped his eldest son would go all out to protect his youngest son.

In the reception hall, only two people remained.

Ning Xuan asked, "When will Immortal Aunt leave?"

Yao Zhen shook her head.

Ning Xuan asked, "Immortal Aunt is still serving as an Inspector. Are you waiting to see how I stabilize Ping'an Prefecture before leaving?"

Yao Zhen said, "I am not leaving."

Ning Xuan said, "Oh?"

Yao Zhen said, "The imperial family has been doing its best for the past twenty years to cultivate a group of Daoists who have a deep-seated hatred for demons, have no family ties, and are completely loyal to the imperial family, in order to carry out the Divine General Plan twenty years later. Now is twenty years later, and both you and I are part of the Divine General Plan."

Ning Xuan asked curiously, "What Divine General Plan?"

Yao Zhen said, "Demons will become increasingly powerful. The imperial family intends to pour all its resources into nurturing twelve Divine Generals."

Ning Xuan asked, "What about Great General Qin? Is he participating?"

Yao Zhen said, "He is not participating."

After speaking, she added, "All of us Daoists in this batch have mastered a special power called 'Whisper.' We can communicate information with each other, even if we are thousands of miles apart.

In addition, we can be dedicated to one person and conduct a 'Whisper' with this person across thousands of miles. This person is our Divine General.

Our purpose in being cultivated is to be placed beside the quasi-Divine Generals, to grow with them until we become comrades who share life and death.

I can obtain a lot of intelligence, and I can also apply for some necessary subsidies for you. At the same time, I can guard your side when you go on campaign.

I came to deliver the decree, giving you the imperial decree, the tiger tally, and myself."

Ning Xuan was stunned for a moment and tentatively asked, "Is this an arranged marriage bestowed by His Majesty?"

Yao Zhen said, "No."

Ning Xuan said gently, "That's good."

He then said, "I don't like people around me being forced. Since we are destined to be partners, I hope you can have more freedom, more of your own thoughts, even when it comes to love."

Yao Zhen said, "My heart is in the Great Void, untainted by worldly desires. I am pure and content, blessed with immeasurable fortune."

The first round of confrontation. Ended.

Ning Xuan wanted to test if the other party was a love-struck fool. After all, elements like "orphan" and "cultivated as a tool" combined together could easily lead to "lack of love."

However, Yao Zhen saw through his thoughts at a glance and directly stated, "I don't lack love, thank you."

Ning Xuan then said, "Then I want to sleep with you. Does His Majesty agree?"

Yao Zhen said earnestly, "I do not agree."

Ning Xuan said, "Don't you know the Divine General Plan is very important? Since you were born for the Divine General Plan, aren't you willing to make a small, necessary sacrifice? If you could make me your subordinate in love, wouldn't things be much more convenient in the future?"

As he spoke, he resumed his roguish demeanor.

His eyes, which had fought valiantly in Chenxiang Pavilion at night, darted around, scanning Yao Zhen's wide python robe, as if trying to see what was hidden within.

Yao Zhen's icy face finally couldn't hold. She had never encountered such a scoundrel before, and her cheeks instantly turned red.

She said again, "My heart is in the Great Void, untainted by worldly desires! If General wishes to find me, simply summon me. I have already linked with General through 'Whisper.' Even if General is at the ends of the earth, as long as you utter the name Yao Zhen, I will be able to hear you."

As she spoke, her figure moved, and golden light surged. She vanished from her spot.

Ning Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

At least the person His Majesty sent blushed when teased; she wasn't a puppet.

He sensed slightly and felt a mysterious aura on his soul.

This must be the "Whisper" Yao Zhen had spoken of.

He thought for a moment, and then, recalling Yaozhen Immortal Aunt, he spoke, "I love you."

There was no response.

He spoke again, "Yaozhen, I love you."

This time, a response came from the other side.

"General, please don't joke!"

Her voice carried a barely suppressed anger.

Ning Xuan burst out laughing.

Alright, the initial test was complete.

He had gained a simple, preliminary understanding of his position and his companion's temperament.