Awarding Merit
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Amidst the swirling white snowflakes, crimson Source Qi overflowed, and two figures darted and weaved in the makeshift Drill Ground, the sounds of clashing weapons echoing incessantly.
This Drill Ground was really simple; it was just a relatively flat piece of land where a circle was drawn to restrict the area where people could move around.
However, this makeshift Drill Ground did not dampen the enthusiasm of the soldiers watching from the surrounding area.
After all, this is one of the few recreational activities available to military personnel.
"A fine knife!"
"Lord Xu won't last much longer."
"Heh, even if Captain Qin's military formation is at the fourth rank and he's been through countless battles, how could this Lord Xu, at the fifth rank of Soul Condensation, possibly be his match?"
"Captain Qin, go for it! Kill this Little White!"
"Are you out of your mind?! What Little White? That's His Highness's consort!"
"Your Highness's consort?"
Don't you know?
"Captain Qin, go for it!! Kill the prince's son-in-law!!!"
"You fucking..."
"."
The cheers from the sidelines overwhelmingly supported the burly Captain Qin, while there was not a single person supporting Xu Yuan.
Xu Yuan, however, was not surprised at all.
Marquis of Martial Achievement cursed his father as an old scoundrel and a usurper of the state.
If the commander-in-chief acts this way, the soldiers below will be more or less affected by him.
And more importantly,
These days, he has been sleeping in the same room with their goddess princess Li Qingyan every night.
The men below had no idea what they were doing inside, and the fact that the Beifeng Army hadn't been bothered by these soldiers was already a testament to their strict discipline.
Under such circumstances, he even took the initiative to participate in the martial arts competition organized within their Beifeng Army, and arrogantly stated:
"Anyone below the fourth rank, including the fourth rank, whoever can defeat me will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver."
These words caused an uproar throughout the army.
Because there were more than one or two people in the Beifeng Army who wanted to beat Xu Yuan up, it was a pity that no one of the fifth-rank cultivators in the same level could beat him.
Those with fourth-rank cultivation were mostly high-ranking officers at the captain level, and they couldn't bring themselves to do it.
Today, Captain Qin is the first fourth-rank Body Fusion expert to take the stage.
Time passed second by second.
Those outside the gates watched the spectacle, while those inside observed the intricacies. Some astute observers on the sidelines had already noticed that Lord Xu's swordsmanship had become chaotic and that he had been forced to the edge of the Drill Ground.
"Captain Qin is going to win."
"Ten thousand taels of silver. Ha, Captain Qin said he'd use the money to buy wine for the brothers if he won."
"Doesn't His Highness forbid drinking in the army?"
"Drinking a little should be fine."
"."
Hearing these confident words from the side, Xu Yuan's lips twitched, because he really couldn't hold on much longer.
The difference between Body Fusion and Soul Condensation is enormous.
Therefore, the battle was one-sided from the very beginning, and even the deadly move of Blood Ink Jade only caused the seasoned Captain Qin a little trouble.
He chipped the blade off his Ancient Ingot Longblade.
"Buzz--"
Although the blade was dull, the ancient sword, still imbued with Source Qi, shone brightly as it slashed down at Xu Yuan.
Upon seeing this powerful strike, Xu Yuan knew that he had no way to avoid it.
Unfortunately, he couldn't possibly lose.
Because he has cheat codes.
With these thoughts in mind,
A few cherry blossoms quietly drifted down.
Qin Xiaowei's eyes, which were flashing red light, froze briefly for a moment, and his slashing blade simultaneously shifted to the side of Xu Yuan.
Taking advantage of this brief opening, Xu Yuan stepped back, turned around with his sword behind his back, and delivered a fierce whip kick that whistled through the air, striking Qin Xiaowei in the chest.
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, a figure dressed in white was sent flying backward, crashing outside the designated circle.
Upon seeing the brocade-robed young master standing in the center of the crowd, the soldiers, who had been preparing to cheer and celebrate, instantly fell silent.
Qin Xiaowei was defeated?
In a moment of astonishment,
"Bass."
A buzzing sound,
Xu Yuan returned to his sheath, glanced around at the soldiers and officers with gloomy faces, bowed respectfully, and said with a smile:
"Thank you for the concession. We'll continue tomorrow. Your Beifeng Army's fourth-rank Body Fusion..."
You lost.
Just Xu Yuan was about to make a few sarcastic remarks to provoke hatred, a clear, cold, and hoarse female voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
"."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to look back.
The wind and snow continued, and a path immediately parted at the edge of the previously packed Drill Ground to allow the person to speak.
A stunningly beautiful woman in red armor walked slowly forward, surrounded by several men in commander's armor.
They stared at each other for a moment, then she pointed to Xu Yuan's feet:
"You went out of bounds first."
As soon as he finished speaking,
Xu Yuan glanced down at his feet and saw that his feet had already stepped out of the designated boundary.
Xu Yuan smacked his lips but didn't say anything.
Under the watchful eyes of the world,
Li Qingyan slowly walked up to Xu Yuan, a hint of a smile in her phoenix eyes, and slightly raised her jade hand as if asking for something:
"My lord, you wouldn't be trying to renege on your debt, would you? If you do, I can't protect you from the consequences in the army."
After saying that,
Seeing that the princess had spoken up for them, the surrounding soldiers were about to shout and urge them on when Xu Yuan rolled his eyes, took a large box from his Sumeru Ring, and slammed it to the ground with a "thud," saying with a pained expression:
"Alright, alright, stop rushing me. You're all so impatient. I'm a man of my word, so here you go."
Having said that,
Xu Yuan casually opened the box, revealing a dazzling array of silver coins inside.
Li Qingyan glanced at it sideways, bowed respectfully, and smiled:
"I Third Young Master for the gift of ten thousand taels of silver."
After a moment of silence, the surrounding soldiers, upon hearing this, beamed with joy and shouted in unison:
"Third Young Master, for the gift of ten thousand taels of silver!!"
"Third Young Master, for the gift of ten thousand taels of silver!!"
"Captain Qin has won!!"
"Captain Qin has won!!"
The shouts of the Beifeng soldiers were deafening, and amidst this roar, Xu Yuan left with a dark face, overhearing some of the captains' mocking remarks.
"Lord Xu, shall we continue tomorrow?"
"Shut up, you were just lucky today. We'll see again tomorrow."
"Lord Xu, don't be in such a hurry. It's just a matter of accepting the loss."
Xu Yuan said nothing more, his face dark, and left directly.
The moment Xu Yuan left the Drill Ground and returned to the carriage, the gloom on his face vanished instantly. He threw himself onto the soft couch, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Every now and then, the car door was opened, and a delicate woman's fragrance wafted into his nostrils. Xu Yuan didn't even look up, and casually asked:
"How?"
Li Qingyan swiftly walked to the space beside Xu Yuan's waist and sat down, saying:
"Thanks."
Xu Yuan glanced sideways at the curves of the woman's back outlined by her red outfit and smiled:
"Thank you is the most useless word in the world; body language is the most beautiful language. Qingyan, what do you think?"
"."
After a few quiet moments, Li Qingyan chuckled softly, his voice raspy:
"I thought you were just going there to kill time."
Change the subject
Not being easily fooled is not endearing.
Day N of missing the Big Ice Block.
With a silent grumble to himself, Xu Yuan looked up at the ceiling and casually replied:
"The barbarian army's prolonged harassment has caused some unrest in the army. My position makes me the perfect target; letting them vent their frustrations will boost morale."
He paused for a moment,
He let out a long breath and sighed, his voice slightly raised:
"But what I'm giving is all real gold and silver. I heard from the officers that you've always been fair in your rewards and punishments. Now that I, the prince consort, have paid such a high price, how can the princess still be so stingy?"
Li Qingyan's voice was neither cold nor indifferent:
"That silver you got must have been embezzled from the sect, right?"
"No," Xu Yuan denied outright.
"No?"
"The sect didn't give you cash; this was extorted from your brother."
"." Li Qingyan.
"My lord, you really don't try to hide anything from me. So, what about all this silver?"
"Don't change the subject, Your Highness Wu Yuan is very fair in rewards and punishments."
"." Li Qingyan.
Li Qingyan took a deep breath and said:
"Very well, Prince Consort, how do you intend for me to reward you?"
"."
Xu Yuan blinked, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
After spending the last few months together, he was all too familiar with the princess's KFC tactics.
Playing hard to get, treating him differently from others, showing him but not giving him anything in return, flirting and then ignoring him, making empty promises, etc.
This attack was just an attempt to take the opportunity to tease the other party a little.
After a moment of contemplation,
Xu Yuan scanned her slender figure from head to toe, grinned, and tentatively asked:
"When you return to the carriage, remove your breast wrap and do not resist, nor use your Source Qi for protection."
"."
The carriage fell silent after the words were spoken.
After a long pause, Li Qingyan replied in a businesslike manner:
"Military situations are constantly changing; I must never leave my armor."
"There's absolutely no sincerity involved."
Xu Yuan rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, "And what's with all this talk about clear rewards and punishments?"
Li Qingyan a soft snort and narrowed her eyes:
"Your Highness, are you in a hurry to seduce me?"
Looking at her unapproachable, noble, and aloof demeanor, Xu Yuan said very seriously:
"Any man would be unable to remain calm in the face of such a stunning beauty as Your Highness."
He paused for a moment, sighed, and then smiled:
"However, since Your Highness cannot be without your armor, then so be it."
As he spoke, Xu Yuan raised a finger and tapped his cheek, saying:
"If Your Highness is unwilling, then so be it. In any case, I didn't expect Your Highness to reward or punish me anyway."
Before the words were finished,
"Buzz--"
The spacious interior of the beast-drawn carriage seemed to freeze in time.
A crimson glint appeared in Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes.
Xu Yuan felt as if he were being controlled by a powerful Source Qi. The valiant woman in red armor beside him slowly stood up.
They gazed at each other for a moment.
Li Qingyan raised a slender index finger and gently lifted Xu Yuan's chin:
"My lord, do you... want me to kiss you?"
"."
His crimson eyes held a cold, condescending gaze.
With his body under control, Xu Yuan licked his lips, coughed lightly, and his expression became serious.
"Your Highness, I simply..."
"Shut up."
"." Xu Yuan.
With a cool, gentle smile, Li Qingyan's phoenix eyes held amusement as she slowly leaned down, her breath sweet Ru Lan fragrant against his ear:
"Although I have other methods to boost morale, the Prince Consort has indeed helped me, and deserves a great reward."
After saying that,
The carriage was completely silent.
Looking into those exquisitely beautiful phoenix eyes so close to his, filled with mist, and feeling the soft touch of her lips that was intoxicating, he was just about to take the next step when he suddenly realized that he couldn't move his entire body. He was being firmly pressed down onto the soft couch by an invisible force.
"." Xu Yuan.
Damn, how many is this now?
He was raped by women again and again, and forced to become a eunuch again and again.
Power
Once he reaches the second Origin Beginning, he'll show these women what true patriarchal authority is.
Counting breaths, lips parted.
Li Qingyan extended her delicate tongue and gently licked his full, red lips for a moment, her slender fingers still gripping his chin, her gaze looking down at him with a slight smile:
"Your Highness, you must have kissed quite a few women in the past, haven't you?"
Xu Yuan was startled, his expression turned serious, and his voice became solemn:
"Your Highness, please do not tarnish my reputation. I, Xu Changtian, have always been deeply affectionate."
Li Qingyan released Xu Yuan's chin, suppressing her slightly accelerated heartbeat, her phoenix eyes flickering with uncertainty:
"Deep affection? Deep affection for every woman?"
Xu Yuan remained expressionless and casually made up a story:
"Your Highness, kissing one person a hundred times has the same effect as kissing a hundred people once each."
"Oh."
Li Qingyan chuckled softly, not delving into the matter further. She gently raised her jade-like hand, untied Xu Yuan's restraints, and sat back down beside him.
"Is the Prince Consort satisfied with the reward now?"
"If we're not satisfied, can we continue?"
What do you think?
"."
Her calm gaze made Xu Yuan feel a little uneasy, so he looked away and changed the subject:
"Your Highness, it's been almost two months since we Beifeng, hasn't it?"
Yes, he has been with the army for two months.
Judging by the time, Tianyan should have already arrived in the capital.
Li Qingyan rolled her eyes at him and continued the conversation:
"My lord, military service knows no time. Chasing these barbarian tribes across the Snow Plain can sometimes take half a year. When Uncle Mu and his men were suppressing rebellions within the territory, it was even longer; it often took them nearly a year to capture a city from the rebels."
Xu Yuan stared at the wooden ceiling and said slowly:
"That Barbarian Tribe Alien King is truly patient; his own stronghold is almost destroyed, yet he can still endure it."
"This is also beyond my expectations. That Barbarian Tribe Alien King should be very familiar with Uncle Mu's style of leading troops."
"Style?"
"Given Uncle Mu's personality, he will most likely slaughter all those barbarians before returning to base."
"."
After a few moments of contemplation, Xu Yuan slowly sat up from the soft couch:
"It's no use saying all this now. By the way, Qingyan, you've been calling on the generals for military meetings every day these Tianqing. Have you discovered anything?"
Li Qingyan turned around, slightly surprised:
"How so?"
Xu Yuan shrugged and said matter-of-factly:
"Qingyan, you're not like those generals who love formalities. You won't summon your generals unless there's important military intelligence. Besides, we've been stuck here at the foot of Northern Court Peak for five days now. This has never happened in the past two months."
Li Qingyan wiped her lips, stared at Xu Yuan, and smiled:
"Although the blizzard has concealed the traces, this is still within the territory of our Great Yan. Two months should have been enough time to find something."
"Creak--"
"Creak--"
A red dress fluttered in the swirling snow, and two footprints in the snow rose up the mountainside before being covered by the falling snow again.
Standing atop North Court Mountain,
Looking at the woman beside him, with her heroic and captivating beauty, and listening to the whistling wind, it seemed as if the entire world consisted of only the two of them.
She didn't look at him, but gazed into the distance at the vast, snow-covered land, pointing northwest, and said softly:
"My lord, the forbidden zone is three hundred li away. Our scouts and elite soldiers who went there never returned."
As he spoke,
Li Qingyan's eyes showed a serious expression, and he said in a low voice:
"I arranged for Luo Qingfeng and his 20,000 border troops to go there yesterday. If nothing unexpected happens, we should have an answer today."