This is not for a corner of peace, but for the tranquility of the common people!

Zhu Youning was not surprised by the system prompt.

The Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art indeed could not be cultivated automatically, as it was a dual-cultivation internal energy technique.

To practice this technique, at least two people were required.

After obtaining the Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art, Zhu Youning did not kill Black and White Impermanence; instead, he spared their lives.

After all, if he wanted to obtain the Nine Nether Profound Heaven Divine Skill, he would indeed still need them.

Having narrowly escaped death, Black and White Impermanence dared not linger for even a moment. Fearing that Zhu Youning might suddenly change his mind, they fled in a panic without once looking back.

The news that Prince An, Zhu Youning, was to be appointed as the Pinglu Jiedushi soon spread throughout the imperial court.

Many officials were naturally quite surprised.

Because the Pinglu Garrison was truly too vast, they had honestly not expected Emperor Zhu Wen to hand over the entire territory to Zhu Youning.

However, the subsequent news put them at ease.

Zhu Youning was to step down from his post as the commander of the Left and Right Longxiang Armies. The new commander of the Left and Right Longxiang Armies would be Wang Yanzhang, the former commander of the Left Longxiang Army.

Upon hearing this, the courtiers finally understood Emperor Zhu Wen's intentions.

By granting him the vast but chaotic Pinglu Garrison while stripping him of his command, Zhu Wen had played a masterful game of balance.

This news naturally reached the ears of Zhu Yougui, who had just returned to the Xuanming Cult headquarters.

However, upon receiving the news, Zhu Yougui was clearly not very happy.

"That old thing, he's going to be the death of me! I've risked my life for him for so many years, yet he opposes me at every turn! Whatever I want to do, he never lets me have my way!"

Zhu Yougui's confidante, Meng Po, leaned on her Phantom Dragon Staff and patiently advised him from the side: "Underworld Emperor, do not be angry. His Majesty has always had this temperament; he is the same with everyone, it is not directed solely at you."

"Hmph! No need to say more. After all these years, we both know the truth."

Zhu Yougui did not believe Meng Po's words of consolation and said coldly: "That old man clearly looks down on my origins and is deliberately making things difficult for me."

Zhu Yougui's mother was, in fact, a camp prostitute in Bo Prefecture.

During the Guangqi era of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty, when Zhu Wen was garrisoned in Xuanwu and expanding his territory into Song Prefecture and Bo Prefecture, he once led his army through Bo Prefecture and summoned his mother to attend to him, which eventually led to the birth of Zhu Yougui. In the final analysis, Zhu Wen simply looked down on Zhu Yougui's background.

Hearing this, Meng Po did not mean to look down on Zhu Yougui, but instead consoled him: "Underworld Emperor, a hero does not ask his origins. The Underworld Emperor has racked his brains and exhausted his efforts for Great Liang, establishing merit time and again; you are truly a towering, upright man."

Zhu Yougui's expression softened slightly, and he mused: "Actually, if I think about it carefully, this result is acceptable. It's just that Zhu Youwen has gained the position of commander of the Tianxing Army for no reason, and his threat is growing ever greater. This Seat must find a way to get rid of him!"

Meng Po said calmly from the side: "If the Underworld Emperor wishes to get rid of the Ghost King, this old woman has a method."

Zhu Yougui immediately turned his gaze toward her and said: "Oh? Tell me, what method?"

Meng Po said: "The Ghost King's two disciples, Black and White Impermanence, likely harbor grievances against the Ghost King, and they happen to know where he is in seclusion. If the Underworld Emperor were to strike while the Ghost King is in seclusion, your chances of success would surely increase greatly."

"That is indeed a good opportunity." A sinister smile appeared on Zhu Yougui's face. "Meng Po, take This Seat to find Black and White Impermanence!"

Prince An's Mansion.

Zhu Youning summoned Wu Yi.

"Before long, this Prince will be leaving the center of the power struggle in Bian Prefecture, taking the five thousand men of the original Right Wing of the Longxiang Army to Pinglu. I presume you are already aware of this."

Wu Yi nodded, a look of confusion on his face, and said: "Commander, is it really wise for His Majesty to—"

Zhu Youning knew what he wanted to say and simply replied: "Do not speculate on the Emperor's will."

"But you—"

"You must look at the long term."

Zhu Youning shook his head, his attitude calm and resigned. "This is not about seeking a quiet corner, but about ensuring the peace of the people in one region."

Seeing that Zhu Youning had said as much, Wu Yi could only cup his hands and say: "The Commander acts for the country and the people; this subordinate admires you."

"Enough with the flattery."

Zhu Youning waved his hand and said: "It would be better to help me accomplish some practical tasks."

"Please, Commander, give your orders."

Zhu Youning said: "Take men into the civilian population and specifically seek out skilled craftsmen—carpenters, blacksmiths, anyone with experience in manufacturing large ironware, weaponry, or ships. As long as you can find them, hire them all with high salaries."

"Understood!"

After the rain, the sky cleared, and everything in Bian Prefecture became exceptionally distinct.

Under the vast sky, set against the backdrop of the magnificent and majestic city of Bian Prefecture, the five thousand men ready for departure at the city gates appeared all the more spectacular.

Zhu Youning looked back at the thousands of grand buildings and the prosperous city of Bian Prefecture, suddenly feeling a surge of poetic inspiration. Although he couldn't come up with a poem after a long while, he still felt a unique sensation.

Of course, he could have acted as a literary plagiarist and recited the masterpieces of great poets from the Song Dynasty and beyond, but there was no need.

Because those were not poems he had written himself, and even if he could recite them, there was no one to appreciate them.

At this time, during the late Tang and early Liang periods, war was constant, and there were mostly warriors; who would care about your poetry and prose?

Before setting off, Zhu Youning had already bid farewell to the officials he was close with, as well as his old subordinates from the Left Wing of the Longxiang Army, and told everyone not to see him off. Yet, when the time came to depart, many still came to send him on his way.

Among them, the most heavyweight figure was Jing Xiang.

Jing Xiang had followed Zhu Wen for a long time and had essentially watched Zhu Youning grow up. When Zhu Youning was a child, he had even pestered Jing Xiang to teach him the Four Books and Five Classics, so the relationship between the two was quite good.

The two bade each other a reluctant farewell, their conversation filled entirely with amusing anecdotes from the past.

They could not touch upon state affairs; one was a high-ranking court official, the other a powerful frontier general, and such topics were inappropriate, lest they be slapped with accusations.

Aside from Jing Xiang, many in the military camp also came to see Zhu Youning off. Among those leading the group, to Zhu Youning's surprise, was Wang Yanzhang.

"Commander."

Wang Yanzhang said nothing more, but Zhu Youning already understood his intent.

Wang Yanzhang seemed to feel a touch of guilt toward Zhu Youning, yet simultaneously possessed a clear conscience.

The guilt stemmed from his acquisition of the position of Commander of the Left and Right Longxiang Army, which had originally belonged to Zhu Youning; his clear conscience came from the knowledge that whoever held this post would fight bravely to build merit for Great Liang.

Zhu Youning read Wang Yanzhang's thoughts and patted him on the shoulder.

"General Wang, to be honest, keeping you as the Left Longxiang Army Commander was truly a waste of your talents. Your abilities far exceed my own; had it not been for my unique status, this position of Commander would have been yours long ago. Now that the sea is wide enough for fish to leap and the sky high enough for birds to fly, you must surely resolve the troubles and difficulties for Great Liang!"

"Yes!"

"Very well, go back. The camp still requires your oversight."

Wang Yanzhang cupped his hands in a salute to Zhu Youning, then turned and departed.

Before the departure, Wu Yi also followed instructions and gathered all the skilled craftsmen Zhu Youning had requested.

Carpenters, blacksmiths, stonemasons, and various other tradesmen—there were two hundred and twenty-three in total.

These craftsmen were the constructive talents Zhu Youning intended to bring to Pinglu.

Of course, besides these people, Zhu Youning had also gained a true talent.

This man was Liu Xun!

Formerly the top general under Wang Shifan, he was particularly skilled in defending cities. After surrendering to Liang, he was now transferred to Zhu Youning's side to serve under his command.

"Liu Xun."

"This general is here."

"Organize the troops and set out."

"As you command!"