Li Shimin's expression shifted slightly, and he asked for the details.
The messenger answered each question and presented an ear of wheat he had picked.
Li Shimin took it and fell silent in thought.
Beside him, his close attendant and relative by marriage Zhangsun Wuji stepped forward to examine the wheat. Then he cupped his hands and said, "This is the work of an immortal. I've heard that many people from the Immortal Sects have gathered in Luoyang lately, as though a treasure is about to emerge! Why not send someone to investigate? Even if we cannot win them over, we must at least keep Wang Shichong from getting there first. A pity that Daoist master did not come with us. If he were here, he could surely make arrangements!"
Li Shimin remained silent for a while. Only when Zhangsun Wuji was about to press him did he shake his head. "We are on campaign, so we should attend to the business of war. Leave matters of Divine Abilities alone. We fight our battles."
Seeing Zhangsun Wuji about to argue, he continued, "I once heard that when an army marches, its blood and vigor rise like smoke and its killing force is immense. It wards off evil and drives back immortals. Even those with mighty Divine Abilities cannot readily interfere. Otherwise, would the rise and fall of dynasties in the Mortal World not have fallen into immortal hands long ago? Besides, ghosts and gods cause no trouble when kept at a distance, but draw near and you fall under their sway. So we will fight our battles and ask no more!"
As he spoke, he suddenly smiled. "Perhaps when this news reaches Wang Shichong, he will take action instead. If he eases his oversight of troops, funds, and provisions, putting