45: Chapter 45 Alliance

The main hall of Qingfeng Temple was overturned by Han Tiance's blade strike; half the roof had collapsed, and the divine statue lay on the ground, shattered into several pieces. Elder Xuan glanced at the ruins, shook his head, and led Chen Yuanji to the backyard. The building in the backyard was still relatively intact, with half a pot of cold porridge on the stove and several bundles of dry firewood stacked in the corner.

"Sit." Elder Xuan moved two wooden stumps, sat on one himself, and pushed the other toward Chen Yuanji.

Chen Yuanji sat down, took out the martial gods heart and ancient jade from his robes, and placed them on the ground between them. The two martial god relics emitted a faint glow under the moonlight, resonating with each other like two old friends in conversation.

"You got the martial gods heart." Elder Xuan looked at that golden heart, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "I searched for a lifetime and never found it, yet you obtained it in just a few months."

"Luck."

"It wasn't luck." Elder Xuan shook his head. "It is fate. The Legacy of the Martial Dao Divine Court chose you not because of how strong you are, but because the path you walk is the same as the Martial Dao Divine Court's—not cultivating Yuan Qi, but only the Physical Body."

Chen Yuanji did not reply. Elder Xuan took out a map from his robes and spread it on the ground. The map marked the distribution of the major powers in the Zhongyuan Region—the Tiandao Sect, the Seven Ancient Clans, the Five Great Imperial Dynasties, and various Sects—so densely packed it was dizzying to behold.

"I went to the Imperial Capital of Great Yan and met Empress Yan Wuji." Elder Xuan pointed at the Imperial Capital of Great Yan on the map. "She is even more formidable than I imagined. Despite her youth, her methods are sophisticated, and she has those old foxes in the court completely submissive. She has allied with Great Chu and Great Zhou; the three Imperial Dynasties have formed an Alliance to oppose the Tiandao Sect."

"Three Imperial Dynasties against one Tiandao Sect—is that enough?"

"Not enough," Elder Xuan said truthfully. "The Tiandao Sect has over a dozen Void-Piercing Realm Elders, dozens in the Faxiang Realm, and hundreds in the Shentong Realm. The combined top-tier combat power of the three Imperial Dynasties isn't even enough to fill the gaps between the Tiandao Sect's teeth."

"Then why is Empress Yan Wuji fighting?"

"Because if she doesn't fight, the Tiandao Sect will still attack her." Elder Xuan sighed. "The Tiandao Sect wants absolute control; all Five Great Imperial Dynasties must submit. Great Yan, Great Chu, and Great Zhou refuse to comply, so the Tiandao Sect wants to destroy them. Rather than waiting for death, it is better to take the initiative and strike."

Chen Yuanji was silent for a moment.

"Elder Xuan, do you want me to join Empress Yan Wuji's Alliance?"

"It's not that I want you to, it's that Empress Yan Wuji does." Elder Xuan looked at him. "She heard of your deeds in the Eastern Desolate Region and is very interested. She said that if you are willing to come to Great Yan, she will give you the position of a General."

"General?"

"Yes, the Great General of the State, commanding the three armies." Elder Xuan paused. "She said this is what you deserve. She has always remembered how you saved her people in the Monster Beast Mountain Range back then."

Chen Yuanji thought of that crown prince disguised as a man, who was now the Empress. He had only met her a few times, and they hadn't spoken more than ten sentences in total, but she remembered him and what he had done.

"I'll consider it."

"No rush." Elder Xuan put away the map. "Han Tiance knows you are here, so we can't stay. We must move to another place."

"Where to?"

"The Imperial Capital of Great Yan." Elder Xuan stood up. "Empress Yan Wuji has arranged a residence for you. It's very safe. No matter how arrogant the Tiandao Sect is, they wouldn't dare to make a move inside the Imperial Capital."

Chen Yuanji thought for a moment and then nodded.

"Let's go."

The two went down the mountain overnight. The Wuzhui Horse carried the luggage while Elder Xuan rode an old gray horse, heading toward the Imperial Capital of Great Yan along the mountain path. From Cangwu Mountain to the Imperial Capital of Great Yan, it would take three days of hard riding. They traveled by day and rested by night, encountering no pursuers from the Tiandao Sect along the way.

On the evening of the third day, they finally saw the gates of the Imperial Capital of Great Yan. The Imperial Capital was even more magnificent than Chen Yuanji remembered. The city walls had been raised by thirty feet, and every hundred paces along the wall sat a Yuan Qi Ballista, their muzzles pointed outside the city, radiating Killing Intent. The inspection at the city gate was strict; everyone entering had to show identification documents. The soldiers guarding the city were all Martial Artists of the Ningyuan Realm or higher, and the leading commander was even at the Peak of the Guiyuan Realm. Elder Xuan produced a token, and after one look, the commander immediately allowed them through.

Inside the Imperial Capital, it was even more bustling than outside. The streets were packed with people, shops lined the roads, and the sounds of hawking rose and fell. Although a great war was imminent, the lives of the common people seemed largely unaffected; they ate, drank, and conducted business as usual. Elder Xuan led Chen Yuanji through several streets to a grand mansion. Hanging above the entrance was a new plaque with six large characters: 'Residence of the Great General of the State.'

"This is your mansion." Elder Xuan pushed open the door. "Empress Yan Wuji had people prepare it half a month ago. She has been waiting for you."

Chen Yuanji walked into the mansion. The courtyard was large, complete with rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and towers. The servants stood in two rows and bowed respectfully to him.

"Greetings, General!"

Chen Yuanji nodded but did not speak; he was not used to such ostentation. In his previous life, he lived in a small rural courtyard, raising a few chickens and planting a few rows of vegetables, living a simple and free life. Now, suddenly becoming a general and moving into a grand mansion made him feel uneasy.

"Don't think too much about it." Elder Xuan patted his shoulder. "You'll get used to it after living here for a while."

Chen Yuanji chose a side room to stay in and told the servants not to disturb him. Sitting by the window, he looked at the rockeries and flowing water in the courtyard, calculating his next steps. Joining Empress Yan Wuji's Alliance had both pros and cons. The benefit was the protection of the Great Yan Dynasty, meaning the Tiandao Sect wouldn't dare to act openly. The downside was that as Empress Yan Wuji's general, he would have to go to the battlefield, kill people, and take on more responsibility.

"However, this might be an opportunity for a Breakthrough to the God Realm," he murmured. The God Realm required 'comprehension,' and comprehension required a catalyst. The life-and-death struggles on the battlefield might just be that catalyst.

Early the next morning, before Chen Yuanji had even gotten out of bed, he heard footsteps in the courtyard. He rose and walked to the window to see a woman dressed in dragon robes standing in the courtyard, followed by two maidservants. It was Empress Yan Wuji. She was more mature than she had been a few years ago, her heroic spirit even more pronounced, but there was a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. Being an Emperor was no easy task, especially one who intended to oppose the Tiandao Sect.

"Chen Yuanji, long time no see." Empress Yan Wuji's voice was crisp, carrying a hint of a smile.

Chen Yuanji walked out of the room and stood before her. "Long time no see."

Empress Yan Wuji looked him up and down and nodded. "You've changed. You're stronger than before."

"You've changed too. You look more tired than before."

Empress Yan Wuji was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "You're still as blunt as ever." She turned and walked toward the main hall. "Come, let's talk inside. I have something to tell you."