The contingency buried for five months (Happy May Day)

When asked if Wei Yuan knew beforehand that he would be resurrected, Huaiqing instinctively frowned.

Currently, there is a great deal of evidence to prove that Wei Yuan anticipated, and even prepared for, his resurrection.

For example, Zhao Shou used the power of the Confucian sage's carving knife and the Confucian crown of the second sage to perform the Law Follows Speech, bringing back a wisp of Wei Yuan's soul.

Zhao Shou couldn't possibly not tell Wei Yuan about this beforehand; there was no need to hide it.

For example, Song Qing created a "shocking" human body alchemy technique—in a sense, it truly deserves to be called shocking.

This certainly couldn't be hidden from Wei Yuan.

Given his cunning, he must have already incorporated it into his plan.

But Huaiqing still felt that something was wrong.

That's right, it's a lotus seed. Duke Wei specifically asked Xu Qi'an to help Daoist Jinlian and exchange a lotus seed for it. Huaiqing remembered that Wei Yuan got a lotus seed from Daoist Jinlian through Xu Qi'an.

Based on the above clues, it is not difficult to deduce that Wei Yuan had prepared a plan for resurrection long before he went to war.

At first, we thought Wei Yuan was just asking for lotus seeds out of greed, but we never imagined his scheme was so far-reaching and impressive.

"Tell me about the current situation of the Great Feng."

As Wei Yuan spoke, his gaze was fixed on the direction of Sangbo.

A grand spring festival was being held there, and only a quarter of an hour had passed between his resurrection and the two sitting down to talk.

It was just the right time to brew tea.

"It's a long story."

Huaiqing considered for a moment and said, "I'll focus on the key points."

The key point is the current situation of Great Feng, including the course of the battles in Qingzhou and Yongzhou, the "fall" of the supervisor, and the number and strength comparison of extraordinary experts in Great Feng and Yunzhou.

Then there's the current tribulation battle.

This helped Wei Yuan quickly grasp the overall situation.

As for how she ascended the throne, the power shifts in the Great Feng court, and those High Antiquity secrets, these are all secondary.

"It's better than I expected." Wei Yuan took a sip of tea and smiled.

"I'm referring to the battlefield. The situation has deteriorated to this point; Great Feng is on its last legs, and Yunzhou is barely alive. That's good."

At this point, Huaiqing still didn't understand what he meant by "good" or what made it good.

She said in a deep voice:

"Now, the fate of the Great Feng Dynasty hinges on the tribulation battle in the northern border. But whether Luo Yuheng can successfully overcome the tribulation, I have no idea. What do you think, Duke Wei?"

Huaiqing was eager to hear Wei Yuan's insights.

Wei Yuan did not answer, but instead asked:

"When Xu Qi'an was promoted to the second rank, did he seize the Princess's spiritual essence?"

He still habitually refers to Mu Nanzhi as Princess Consort.

In the previous description, Huaiqing only mentioned that Xu Qi'an unsealed the Demon-Sealing Nail and then advanced to the second rank, without mentioning Mu Nanzhi.

Upon hearing this, Huaiqing bit her lip and nodded.

Wei Yuan's expression relaxed slightly, and he said:

"What you need to focus on is not the extraordinary battle in the North. Things that are beyond your control should not be bothered with. Success or failure will not change because of your will."

"Me too, this body is no different from an ordinary person's, and I was helpless in the war in the North."

"Xu Ningyan asked you to revive me because he wants my help in resolving the war in Yongzhou."

He examined Huaiqing's casual clothes and said with satisfaction:

"You didn't disappoint me, choosing just the right time to ascend the throne. However, I initially thought you would support the fourth prince's ascension while secretly manipulating the court. Of course, if you had chosen to seize the throne after Yuan Jing's death, I had also prepared a backup plan for you."

Huaiqing was taken aback. "Besides the Nightwatchers's spies, what other tricks has Duke Wei kept up?"

The reason she chose to remain silent after the late emperor's death was because the crown prince was the legitimate heir, and the Great Feng had not yet become so dire, so the time was not yet ripe.

Moreover, at that time, the dragon's aura dissipated, the rebel army in Yunzhou was poised to launch an attack, and the late emperor had almost drained the national treasury.

When Yongxing ascended the throne, he was faced with a huge mess, and with his abilities, he was absolutely incapable of handling the situation. Therefore, Huaiqing believed that forbearance was the best approach.

She hadn't expected Wei Yuan to have left her a trump card.

"Since it wasn't used, there's no need to mention it." Wei Yuan squinted and said:

"As I just said, the fighting strength of Yang Gong and the Great Feng soldiers exceeded my expectations and was better than I imagined. I thought it would be a tough battle, but the Yunzhou army was already exhausted."

"But the appearance of the White Emperor Non-Self expected. As for the supervisor's horse stumbling, that's not surprising."

"If Xu Pingfeng dares to rebel, he must have a way to deal with the power of the Fated Master. There's no need to peek into the future; just use your brain."

He looked at the Empress, whose expression suddenly changed, and laughed:

"Yes, what I can think of, surely the Supervisor wouldn't think of?"

Huaiqing wasn't stupid; he remained silent for a long while.

"You mean, the supervisor did this intentionally, deliberately walking into a trap. Why?"

Wei Yuan shook his head:

"Nobody knows what that old man is thinking. Just remember this hidden move, and you'll be able to guess it as you continue watching."

Huaiqing pondered for a moment, then hummed in agreement, indicating that he had learned something.

Wei Yuan continued:

What is the purpose of Baidi's actions against Jianzheng and Great Feng?

This is something Huaiqing didn't mention earlier.

Knowing Wei Yuan would ask, she answered accordingly:

"The matter is complicated. Has Duke Wei ever heard of the existence of gatekeepers?"

Wei Yuan shook his head, then suddenly realized:

"Jian Zheng?"

Huaiqing had never felt like a smart person in front of him before. He nodded helplessly and immediately told Wei Yuan everything about the concept of the gatekeeper and the truth about the fall of ancient Gods and Devils.

"So it was for the same purpose as Super Brand." Wei Yuan suddenly realized, and he downed his lukewarm tea in one gulp, saying:

"The tribulation will end in four days. Hmm, now immediately issue an order to Yongzhou to withdraw the troops overnight and retreat to the capital."

How did he know that Chaopin and Baidi were plotting the same thing? Huaiqing hadn't read Wei Yuan's will left for Xu Qi'an. After a brief moment of doubt, he was stunned by Wei Yuan's words and frowned, saying:

"Yang Gong is critically injured and unconscious. The garrison in Yongzhou is leaderless and awaits your leadership. Yongzhou is the last line of defense; why hand it over to them so easily?"

Wei Yuan slowly added hot water and smiled:

"I'm going to give Yongzhou to him."

Seeing Huaiqing's furrowed brows, Wei Yuan explained:

"Xu Pingfeng is a second-rank Warlock. He probably already knows I've been resurrected. If we were in each other's shoes, how do you think he would react?"

Huaiqing analyzed:

"Before you've been resurrected and have time to take control of the situation and the army, we must act swiftly and seize Yongzhou. He won't give you that time."

Wei Yuan then asked:

"The elite troops of the Great Feng have long been wiped out. Do you think Yongzhou can be defended?"

Huaiqing shook his head and pursed his lips, saying:

"But we can still wipe out a portion of the main force of the Yunzhou army."

Wei Yuan shook his head:

"That's not how you fight a war. Yongzhou doesn't have many elite troops left, but the capital does. The capital still has 10,000 Imperial Guards, which is the last remaining force of the Great Feng. The capital has the best artillery and equipment in reserve, as well as the strongest city walls. It also has no shortage of experts; the mansions of princes and nobles keep many experts."

"The capital still has a defensive formation personally designed by the Imperial Guard. Although its power has been greatly reduced without his supervision, it is still a solid layer of defense. Wouldn't it be more worthwhile to gather the forces of the Imperial Guards and the remnants of Yongzhou than to let Yang Gong and the others perish in the city?"

The defensive formation was set up when the capital was first built.

When the Great Feng Dynasty was founded, Emperor Gaozu established his capital here, and all the Warlock from the Bureau of Astronomy came out to participate in its construction.

Materials were placed into various parts of the city walls to inscribe formations. The first supervisor personally oversaw the process. No one knew how many formations were hidden within the seemingly ordinary, towering city walls of the capital.

After the current supervisor took office, he carried out a major overhaul of the city's battle formations, which cost the court nearly half a year's worth of tax revenue.

Apart from the capital, only some important main cities on the border have formations, but these are only some rudimentary defensive formations.

This thing is really too much of a waste of money and resources.

But then we'll have no way out. Huaiqing frowned and remained silent, then heard Wei Yuan say:

"This is the most correct way to deal with it. In Xu Pingfeng's view, it's the choice I would make. This is very important."

Huaiqing frowned and said:

"What's the meaning?"

Wei Yuan looked towards Yongzhou:

"It means to fight a quick battle and resolve the matter swiftly."

late at night.

Forty li outside Yongzhou City, at the Yunzhou military camp.

Inside the military tent, more than a dozen generals gathered together. Compared to when they first left Yunzhou, the generals who could enter Qi Guangbo's military tent to discuss matters had become many new faces.

Zhuo Haoran, Wang Chu, and other experienced and highly skilled generals died one after another on the battlefield.

The newly promoted people either have lower cultivation levels or less experience in leading troops in battle.

Compared to the losses of elite troops, the deaths of these high-ranking generals were what pained Qi Guangbo the most.

An experienced general can sometimes decide the outcome of a battle; that's why it's said that it's easy to find a thousand soldiers, but hard to find a good general.

However, as the battle has progressed to this point, the losses for the Great Feng will only increase.

Not only were their elite troops wiped out, but even General Yang Gong of Yongzhou was on the verge of death. At this time, the Yongzhou army was leaderless, and the highest-ranking official was Yao Hong, the Provincial Governor of Yongzhou, a mere scholar.

The Commander of Yongzhou was a scion of a powerful Aristocratic Clan who lived off his ancestors' achievements and was content with his lot.

Yongzhou is adjacent to the capital and connects the north and south. It has been prosperous since ancient times and rarely suffers from war.

Therefore, from top to bottom, the army's combat effectiveness was extremely weak, making it a good place for aristocratic Aristocratic Clan to gain prestige.

After the Battle of Xunzhou, the elite troops of the Great Feng were almost entirely wiped out. Taking Yongzhou was only a matter of time.

However, the Yunzhou army also suffered heavy losses, and the soldiers were exhausted. Qi Guangbo's direct troops were almost completely wiped out in Xunzhou.

Therefore, although the Yunzhou army was stationed outside Yongzhou City, they only maintained a stalemate and did not engage in battle, while recuperating and waiting for the end of the Northern Frontier Tribulation War.

But today, a piece of news that sent chills down the spines of the Yunzhou army's high command came from the Grand Preceptor.

Wei Yuan has been resurrected!

At this critical juncture, Wei Yuan was resurrected.

Anyone with a military background knows the name Wei Yuan.

This military genius who won the Battle of Shanhai Pass is destined to be remembered in history.

Even if Yunzhou gains control of the country in the future, historians will still be able to mention this once-in-a-millennium military genius when they compile history.

What does "Imperial Advisor" mean?

Yang Chuannan glanced at Ji Xuan, then at Qi Guangbo.

Ji Xuan returned to the military camp today, which means that the extraordinary battle in Yongzhou has ended. However, there was no news of Kou Yangzhou or Sun Xuanji being killed in battle. It is not difficult to guess that the two sides have only temporarily ceased hostilities.

Ji Xuan said in a deep voice:

"The Grand Preceptor's intention is to take Yongzhou at any cost, then march north to confront the capital, denying Wei Yuan any opportunity."

Qi Guangbo's expression was solemn, but his eyes shone brightly, displaying an unprecedentedly high fighting spirit. He added:

"Once we capture the capital, welcome His Majesty, and hold the enthronement ceremony, the Imperial Preceptor will refine the capital's fortune, and the Great Feng Dynasty will be powerless to reverse its fate."

Yang Chuannan nodded:

"This is indeed the best way."

The other generals remained silent, only nodding.

They understood the Grand Preceptor's concerns; they couldn't give Wei Yuan time, as the longer it dragged on, the more unfavorable the situation would become.

If we win the battle to transcend the tribulations in the North, everything will be fine.

But what if you make a mistake?

Luo Yuheng has successfully advanced to the first rank, and his combat prowess at the extraordinary level is almost on par with others. In addition, Wei Yuan is strategizing and planning. Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle.

Everyone was initially very confident about the tribulation battle, but as time went on, most of them began to waver.

Nearly ten days have passed, and the Bodhisattva Garuda and the White Emperor have still not killed Xu Qi'an and the others.

If they could have killed them already, they would have done so long ago. The fact that there's still no result indicates that the battle in the North is definitely in trouble.

Qi Guangbo said:

"Pass down the order: attack the city at dawn."

Ji Xuandao:

"I and the Imperial Advisor will be responsible for containing Sun Xuanji and that old scoundrel from the Martial Arts Alliance. You must take Yongzhou as soon as possible."

Everyone said in unison:

I would gladly die for it!

The cold moon hangs high in the sky.

A lone rider galloped along the narrow mountain road, occasionally stopping to determine direction by the position of the full moon.

After a whole night of driving through the desolate wilderness, a light finally appeared ahead.

The firelight grew brighter, and the corresponding building outlines came into view of the black-clad knight.

It was an abandoned military town built in a mountain valley.

The horses galloped along the pebbly path, reaching the outskirts of the military town, when suddenly an arrow shot out in the night and embedded itself in the road ahead.

The rider on horseback yanked the reins sharply, and the warhorse came to an abrupt stop with a long neigh.

More than a dozen heavily armored soldiers emerged from the bushes on both sides of the gravel path.

The lead armored soldier shouted:

Who goes there!

The knight remained calm and composed, saying:

"I have come to see your leader on the orders of Duke Wei."

He didn't know who the leader was.

In a small building in the center of the military town, Nangong Qianrou sat at the table, wiping her gleaming battle sword.

For the past five months, he has made it a habit to wipe his weapons clean before going to bed.

He awaits the day when he can lead his army to crush the Witch God Cult and avenge his adoptive father.

The dim light of the oil lamp illuminated his stunningly beautiful face. He possessed a delicate, feminine air, with fair skin, cherry lips, and exquisitely beautiful features. If it weren't for his cold, piercing eyes, which were clearly not those of a woman, and his prominent Adam's apple, anyone who saw him would have mistaken him for a woman.

And she was an absolute beauty.

After meeting Sun Xuanji that day, he followed the instructions in the brocade pouch left by his adoptive father and arrived at this abandoned military town.

This place has everything, enough food to feed an army of 10,000 for a whole year, since this batch of supplies is meant to supply an army of 100,000.

Besides food supplies, there were also candles, kerosene, and other daily necessities and supplies, but in very small quantities.

Upon seeing these military rations, Nangong Qianrou suddenly realized where the missing rations had gone during the campaign against the Witch God Sect.

However, he was only half right. These military rations were indeed the same batch that had disappeared before, but it wasn't Wei Yuan who cut off the supplies. The late emperor had secretly moved these military rations via the Grand Canal.

However, they were intercepted by Wei Yuan's men along the way.

The late emperor cutting off food supplies was something Wei Yuan had anticipated.

Nangong Qianrou was unaware of her mission. Wei Yuan gave her three brocade pouches through Sun Xuanji. One of the pouches contained an address and an order for her to wait there for the right opportunity.

Nangong Qianrou didn't know what opportunity she was waiting for.

He did not open the two subsequent pouches.

Nangong Qianrou believed that when the time was right, Wei Yuan would naturally make him open the brocade pouch, even if the shrewd and resourceful Grand Master in Green Robe was already dead.

At this moment, a soldier knocked on Nangong Qianrou's door and said:

"General Nangong, someone from outside the town requests an audience."

Nangong Qianrou paused in her wiping motion, took a deep breath, suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, and said:

"Bring him in!"

Soon, a man in black was brought in. Nangong Qianrou scrutinized him and was taken aback:

"You?"

The man in black also scrutinized Nangong Qianrou, his gaze shifting from blankness to astonishment, then revealing a look of sudden realization:

"Nangong Jinluo?!"

The technique of concealing celestial secrets becomes ineffective for "witnesses" once the person is seen in person.

But to make everyone remember, it must be exposed to the public eye, that is, by more than three people (this setting was mentioned at the end of the second volume).

Nangong Qianrou nodded:

"So you were also one of my godfather's henchmen, Your Highness Huaiqing, were you aware of that?"

This man was none other than the head guard of Huaiqing Prefecture.

The most trusted confidant.

"It is His Majesty Huaiqing now." The head guard finished speaking and gave a wry smile.

"I didn't know before, but after Her Majesty Huaiqing took over Duke Wei's spy, she found out. Her Majesty is kind-hearted and didn't punish me, still willing to give me an important position. However, she still doesn't know the task Duke Wei gave me before he went to war."

Your Majesty, Nangong Qianrou pressed on with the question:

What task did your godfather give you?

P. S.: Happy May Day! Happy Labor Day!