This Was No Retreat to One Corner; He Sought Only Peace for the People of One Region!

Upon receiving the system notification, Zhu Youning was not surprised.

The Inverted Dragon and Phoenix Art indeed could not be cultivated automatically, because it was a dual-cultivation inner art.

At the very least, two people were needed to practice this inner art.

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

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

Having narrowly escaped with their lives, Black and White Impermanence did not dare linger. Afraid that Zhu Youning might change his mind at any moment, they fled without looking back.

The news that Prince An Zhu Youning was going to take up the post of Pinglu Jiedushi soon spread throughout the court.

The many ministers were naturally taken aback.

Pinglu Garrison was simply too vast. They truly had not expected Emperor Zhu Wen to hand the entire garrison over to Zhu Youning, intact.

But the news that followed put them at ease.

Zhu Youning was stepping down as Commander of the Left and Right Longxiang Army. The new commanders would be Wang Yanzhang, formerly the Left Longxiang Army Commander.

Only after hearing this did the court officials understand Emperor Zhu Wen's intentions.

He had given Zhu Youning Pinglu Garrison, a vast place that was little more than a mess, while stripping him of his command. Zhu Wen had played a fine game of balance.

The news naturally reached Zhu Yougui, who had just returned to the Xuanming Cult's headquarters.

However, Zhu Yougui was clearly not pleased when he heard it.

"That old bastard! He's driving me mad! I've risked life and limb for him all these years, yet he opposes me at every turn! Whatever I want to do, he never lets me have my way!"

Meng Po, Zhu Yougui's trusted aide, leaned on the Phantom Dragon Staff and patiently tried to console him. "Underworld Emperor, please don't be angry. His Majesty has always been like this with everyone. He isn't singling you out."

"Hmph! Don't bother. After all these years, we both know what's what."

Zhu Yougui did not believe Meng Po's reassurances. He said coldly, "That old man looks down on my birth. He's deliberately making things difficult for me."

Zhu Yougui's mother had in fact been a camp prostitute in Bo Prefecture.

During the Guangqi era of Emperor Xizong of Tang, Zhu Wen was stationed in Xuanwu. When he expanded his territory to Song Prefecture and Bo Prefecture, he once led his army through Bo Prefecture and summoned Zhu Yougui's mother to attend him. Zhu Yougui was born later. In the end, Zhu Wen simply looked down on Zhu Yougui's origins.

Hearing this, Meng Po showed no contempt for Zhu Yougui. Instead, she comforted him. "Underworld Emperor, a hero's origins do not matter. You have exhausted yourself in the service of Great Liang and repeatedly rendered meritorious service. You are a true, towering man."

Zhu Yougui's expression eased a little. After a moment's thought, he said, "Actually, if you think about it, this outcome is still acceptable. But Zhu Youwen has gained the post of Tianxing Army Commander for no reason, and the threat he poses grows greater by the day. I must find a way to get rid of him!"

Meng Po said calmly from the side, "If Underworld Emperor wants to get rid of the Ghost King, this old woman does have a plan."

Zhu Yougui immediately turned to look at her. "Oh? Tell me. What plan?"

Meng Po said, "The Ghost King's two disciples, Black and White Impermanence, likely harbor considerable resentment toward him. They also happen to know where he is in seclusion. If Underworld Emperor strikes while the Ghost King is in seclusion, your chances of success will surely increase."

"That would indeed be a fine opportunity." A strange smile appeared on Zhu Yougui's face. "Meng Po, take me to find Black and White Impermanence!"

Prince An's manor.

Zhu Youning summoned Wu Yi.

"Before long, I'll be leaving the whirlpool of power in Bian Prefecture behind and taking five thousand men from the former Right Wing of the Longxiang Army to Pinglu. I suppose you've heard."

Wu Yi nodded, looking puzzled. "Commander, is His Majesty doing this because—"

Zhu Youning knew what he wanted to say. "Don't speculate about the emperor's intentions."

"But you—"

"You have to look at the long term."

Zhu Youning shook his head, his manner calm and accepting. "This isn't a retreat to one corner; I seek only peace for the people of one region."

Seeing that Zhu Youning had put it that way, Wu Yi could only clasp his fists and say, "Commander, you serve the country and its people. I admire you."

"Save the flattery."

Zhu Youning waved a hand. "Why not help me with a few practical matters instead?"

"Please give your orders, Commander."

Zhu Youning said, "Take some men and search among the common people for skilled craftsmen. Carpenters, blacksmiths—anyone with experience making large iron objects, weapons, or ships would be best. Hire every one you can find, and pay them generously."

"Understood!"

After the rain cleared, everything in Bian Prefecture seemed especially crisp and clear.

Beneath the vast sky, the magnificent city of Bian Prefecture served as a backdrop, making the five thousand men assembled at the city gate look all the more imposing.

Zhu Youning looked back at the countless grand buildings and the thriving city of Bian Prefecture. A poetic mood suddenly stirred in him. Though he spent half a day without composing a single poem, he still felt something stirring within him.

Of course, he could have played the plagiarist and recited famous works by great poets from the Song dynasty onward, but there was no need.

Those poems were not his, after all. And even if he could recite them, there would be no one to appreciate them.

This was the end of the Tang dynasty and the beginning of Liang. There was fighting every moment of every day. Most people were men of war—who would care about someone composing poetry?

Before setting out, Zhu Youning had already said goodbye to the ministers he was close to and his former comrades in the Left Wing of the Longxiang Army. He had told them not to see him off, but when it was time to leave, quite a few still came.

The most prominent among them was Jing Xiang.

Jing Xiang had followed Zhu Wen for a long time and had practically watched Zhu Youning grow up. When Zhu Youning was little, he had even pestered Jing Xiang to teach him the Four Books and Five Classics. The two of them had always gotten along fairly well.

They parted reluctantly, reminiscing about all the amusing things that had happened over the years.

They could not talk about politics. One was an important court official, the other a powerful commander stationed outside the capital; it would not do for them to discuss political affairs, or they might easily be accused of something.

Besides Jing Xiang, many people from the military camp also came to see Zhu Youning off. To his surprise, the man leading them was Wang Yanzhang.

"Commander."

Wang Yanzhang did not say much, but Zhu Youning understood what he meant.

Wang Yanzhang seemed to feel somewhat guilty toward Zhu Youning, yet also felt he had nothing to reproach himself for.

He felt guilty because he had gained the post of Commander of the Left and Right Longxiang Army, which had originally belonged to Zhu Youning. Yet he had a clear conscience because whoever held the post would fight bravely and win glory for Great Liang.

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

"General Wang, to be honest, keeping you as Left Longxiang Army Commander all this time was a waste of your talent. You're far more capable than I am. If not for my special status, that command would have been yours long ago. Now the sea is wide enough for fish to leap, and the sky high enough for birds to soar. You must do all you can to help Great Liang through its troubles!"

"Yes!"

"All right, go back. The camp still needs you to whip it into shape."

Wang Yanzhang cupped his fist toward Zhu Youning, then turned and left.

Before their departure, Wu Yi had also followed Zhu Youning's instructions and gathered all the skilled craftsmen he wanted.

There were carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, and craftsmen of many other trades—a total of 223 people.

These craftsmen were the skilled workers Zhu Youning intended to bring to Pinglu to help build it up.

Of course, besides them, Zhu Youning had also obtained a true talent.

That man was Liu Xun!

The foremost general under Wang Shifan, he was particularly skilled at defending cities. He had later surrendered to Liang and had now been assigned to Zhu Youning, serving at his command.

"Liu Xun."

"At your command."

"Rally the troops. We're leaving."

"Understood!"