194: Exchange for the Black Armor Army! Summon Zhuge Liang! (33

Chapter 193: Exchange for Xuanjia Army! Summon Zhuge Liang! (33)

Two months after Xu Xiao agreed to the conditions, the imperial decree from the Li Yang Dynasty arrived.

All rumors were confirmed: Li Chang'an was appointed Protector-General of Anxi, commanding the seven prefectures of Sha Province.

Additionally, Xu Zhihu was bestowed in marriage to Li Chang'an, becoming the King of Tang's official consort.

The King of Tang, following the regulations for a medium-sized enfeoffed state, was granted an army of six thousand, five hundred taels of gold, one thousand taels of silver, and five thousand bolts of Shu brocade.

That night, Hong Shu, with a frown, relayed this news to Li Chang'an.

Li Chang'an patted Xu Weibear's bottom, greatly appreciating her efforts.

“Thanks to Weixiong’s strategic planning, this matter is finally settled.”

Xu Weibear’s face flushed, and she panted softly, unable to utter a single word.

Hong Shu chuckled, “Hehe! Weixiong Older Sister, your swordplay has greatly improved!”

Li Chang'an praised, “It’s just that the scabbard is a bit tight.”

Soon after, Xu Weibear was drenched in sweat, completely unable to continue, and could only concede defeat.

Hong Shu’s delicate hands, with seductive eyes like silk, fumbled to grasp the long saber.

“Your Highness… the swordplay is done, it’s time to practice saber techniques.”

The enchanting and alluring Hong Shu, with the help of Dual Cultivation Technique, saw her cultivation advance by leaps and bounds.

She felt the powerful True Qi emanating from the long saber and accurately sheathed it.

The precious saber entered its scabbard, eliciting a series of mournful wails!

Li Chang'an clicked his tongue in admiration, “The scabbard is quite tight too!”

Not long after, Hong Shu was completely intoxicated, lost to her surroundings.

“Hong Shu, if I give you an imperial robe in the future, will you wear it?”

Dunhuang City, under Northern Mang, held a very special status, and its city lord was also an empress who wore an imperial robe.

Hong Shu murmured, “If Your Highness wishes me to wear it… this concubine will wear it…”

An hour later, Hong Shu was utterly defeated.

“Your Highness… neither the sword practitioner nor the saber practitioner… is a match for Your Highness…”

“There’s someone outside who practices spear earnestly…”

“Your Highness… don’t you like women who wield spears and staffs the most…”

Hong Shu was referring to Qing Niao, who was on duty at the door.

Li Chang'an laughed, “Hong Shu, you still have the mind to talk about others.”

“That means you still have energy left, come again!”

Then, there was a shriek from Hong Shu.

“No, Your Highness!”

“Wuwuwu… Your Highness… Hong Shu is going to die!”

Qing Niao, who had just delivered the imperial decree, was still outside the door.

Her face flushed, Qing Niao gripped the Kshana Spear in her hand!

However, hearing Hong Shu being bullied by Li Chang'an, Qing Niao couldn't help but feel happy.

“You troublesome little Fox spirit, Your Highness should really give you a good lesson!”

With the imperial decree from the Li Yang Dynasty, Xu Xiao also secretly sent money and provisions.

Li Chang'an's various rankings all improved.

[Your Power ranking has risen to 62nd!]

[Your Wealth ranking has risen to 40th!]

[Your Romantic ranking has risen to 125th!]

With two rankings entering the top hundred, the System finally initiated settlement and rewarded a large number of Mortal World points.

[Your influence in the Snow in the Red World has greatly increased, rewarding 25,000 Mortal World points!]

Now, Li Chang'an could legally command six thousand troops.

However, Li Chang'an still habitually recruited an additional thousand men.

The next step was to go to the Western Regions, so cavalry was indispensable.

From a stack of cavalry templates, he chose elite Xuanjia Army, all of whom were Fourth-Rank Martial Skills practitioners.

[Consume 15,000 Mortal World points to exchange for 3,000 elite Xuanjia Army!]

The Xuanjia Army, against ordinary cavalry, was enough to be one against ten; these three thousand men could slaughter thirty thousand Northern Liang Iron Cavalry without effort.

After all, in this world, there were no armies composed entirely of Martial Skills practitioners, let alone Fourth-Rank Martial Skills practitioners!

Next, Li Chang'an also needed to summon a figure from the myriad worlds.

Currently, Li Chang'an was not lacking in experts around him.

What he needed was a valiant cavalry general and a strategist capable of managing finances and internal affairs.

The cavalry general could wait; it would not be too late to summon him after reaching the Western Regions.

However, a strategist was urgently needed, as managing the army's finances and logistics was no easy task.

In fact, Li Chang'an knew that what he needed was a grand steward.

Otherwise, he would be too exhausted himself.

Among a group of strategists, Li Chang'an found the most suitable one.

[Consume 6,000 Mortal World points, successfully summon Zhuge Liang, he will arrive by the host's side in the most reasonable way!]

Marquis Wu Zhuge, known as the prime minister of all ages, with the land of one province, fought against a nation of nine provinces, forcing them into passive defense.

He was best at maximizing the use of resources at hand.

He could not only manage troops, horses, money, and provisions but also stabilize internal affairs after arriving in Sha Province.

Moreover, it only cost six thousand points, which was incredibly cost-effective.

Two days later, an recluse from Yong Province came to offer his services.

Name: Zhuge Liang

Age: 27

Realm: Confucian School · Fifth Rank Upper

Talent: Military Strategy (Ninth Rank), Management (Ninth Rank), Socializing (Ninth Rank)

Abilities: Military Strategy (Ninth Rank), Internal Affairs (Seventh Rank), Socializing (Seventh Rank)

Affection: 100 (Die-hard loyalty)

At twenty-seven, Zhuge Liang was at the age when he had just emerged from reclusion to assist Liu Bei.

His Military Strategy, Management, and Socializing talents were all at their maximum!

Military Strategy referred to combat and army governance, Management was concretized into internal affairs, and Socializing indirectly indicated personal charisma.

With this grand steward, Li Chang'an instantly felt much more relaxed.

Li Chang'an directly appointed him as Military Advisor and Lieutenant General, entrusting him with important responsibilities.

Afterward, Li Chang'an was not in a hurry to depart for Sha Province.

Xu Xiao enthusiastically invited Li Chang'an to pass through the three provinces of Northern Liang and then reach the Western Regions.

Li Chang'an, of course, would not pass through Northern Liang but intended to detour through Qing Province and Western Shu Province before reaching the Western Regions.

He did not set off immediately because he was not fully prepared.

The horses and equipment for the Xuanjia Army could not be fully prepared in one or two months.

Moreover, Zhuge Liang still needed to familiarize himself with the military strength and financial reserves and formulate a System that could manage the entire army.

Li Chang'an himself, while Cultivating Martial Skill, also needed to improve his artistic ranking.

Previously, due to the need for a low profile, Li Chang'an had not done anything too attention-grabbing.

However, the situation was different now.

Li Chang'an publicly played several games of chess with Xu Weibear, then sold several paintings, and his artistic ranking also rose considerably.

Apart from that time, Li Chang'an spent all his time Cultivating Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill.

With the assistance of the Prajna Heart Bell, Li Chang'an directly Cultivated the Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill to the twelfth layer!

His Realm, too, in over a year, had advanced from the initial entry into the Vajra Realm to the Peak of the Vajra Realm.

World: Snow in the Red World

Age: 18

Realm: First Rank Martial Skill Practitioner · Peak Vajra Realm

Cultivation Technique: Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill (Twelfth Layer)

Martial Skill: Dragon Grasping Skill (Perfection), Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms (Perfection), Crossing the River on a Reed (Perfection), Prajna Heart Bell (Major Achievement)

Innate Abilities: Clairvoyant Eyes, Photographic Memory, Myriad World Army Lord

Abilities: (Expand)

Mortal World: 6000 points (Accumulated 200,000 points)

Rankings: Power 62, Wealth 40, Martial Prowess 43, Romantic 125, Artistic 230

One morning.

The light in the room was too dim, so Hong Shu held a small mirror and touched up her makeup in the courtyard.

Old Southern Tang was the most extravagant, using the finest of all kinds of utensils.

The Tang Royal Mansion originally had all sorts of flashy but impractical items, and after Hong Shu arrived, she unearthed many useful little trinkets.

This exquisite small mirror was one of them.

At this moment, Hong Shu, having received ample nourishment, was radiant and incomparably beautiful every day.

“Fox spirit!”

A cold female voice came from the doorway of another wing room.

Hong Shu squinted, unsurprised to see the aloof Qing Niao.

Qing Niao never wore makeup and often scoffed at Hong Shu’s habit of applying cosmetics.

Hong Shu gently twisted her waist, letting out a captivating giggle.

“It’s still early, Your Highness has not yet risen.”

“Little Qing Niao, come here!”

“This maiden wants to have a word with you!”

These days, no matter where Li Chang'an went, Qing Niao would follow.

Since Li Chang'an hadn't risen yet, Qing Niao wasn't in a hurry and sat opposite Hong Shu.

“What’s wrong with this maiden wearing makeup? Your Highness likes it!”

Qing Niao said expressionlessly, “Young Miss Xu always wears light makeup, and Your Highness likes her just the same.”

Hong Shu reached out and tapped Qing Niao’s forehead, “What do you know? You don’t know how hard Weixiong Older Sister works!”

It was impossible for Qing Niao not to know.

However, Qing Niao was always cold and elegant and would not delve into such matters with Hong Shu.

Seeing Qing Niao remain silent, Hong Shu puffed out her ample chest and said, “Little Qing Niao!”

This remark immediately drew a sidelong glance from Qing Niao!

The two were very familiar with each other, and Qing Niao knew what that “little” referred to.

Seeing Qing Niao glare at her, Hong Shu felt even more energized.

“What do you think of Your Highness?”

As Li Chang'an’s personal bodyguard, Qing Niao’s understanding was very clear.

“In terms of martial arts, he masters everything, a Heavenly God-like figure!”

“In terms of intelligence, he is knowledgeable about ancient and modern times, predicting things like a god!”

“In terms of character, he is a hidden Dragon of this era, not an ordinary being!”

After hearing this, Hong Shu immediately beamed with joy.

“To think that someone in this world could earn such high praise from Little Qing Niao!”

One had to know that Qing Niao’s standards were extremely high, almost arrogant.

“However, your understanding is too superficial; you don’t know how naughty Your Highness is!”

Hong Shu gave a seductive smile, her cheeks slightly flushed, looking quite alluring.

Qing Niao’s expression shifted slightly, and she couldn't help but think of Li Chang'an personally guiding her spear practice.

For the past six months, in addition to Cultivating, Li Chang'an had not forgotten to tease and play with Qing Niao.

Their occasional physical contact always stirred her heart.

What His Highness pointed out were all the flaws in her spear technique.

Seeing Qing Niao lost in thought, Hong Shu began to fan the flames.

“Little Qing Niao, you must think carefully.”

“Can you ever meet another extraordinary man like His Highness!”

“Currently, there are only two women by His Highness’s side.”

“His Highness is so unfathomable; soon there will be a third, a fourth…”

“If you remain so aloof, later women who meet His Highness after you might become very close to him…”

Hearing this, Qing Niao stood up.

“Farewell! I’m going to the front courtyard to wait for His Highness!”

Watching Qing Niao’s retreating back, Hong Shu stomped her feet in exasperation.

“Stubborn Qing Niao, you just don’t get it!”

“I was being kind, telling you all this!”

“This maiden is a killer by profession, best at reading expressions!”

“If you didn’t have any feelings for His Highness, I wouldn’t bother talking to you!”

Late at night, all was quiet.

Qing Niao lay on her bed, fully dressed, waiting for Li Chang'an.

In a nearby room, the faint sounds of battle gradually subsided.

Xu Weibear and Hong Shu slept deeply, embracing each other.

Not long after, Li Chang'an’s footsteps echoed in the courtyard.

Qing Niao habitually flipped up, grabbed her Kshana Spear, and immediately went out.

On the day she first returned to the Tang Royal Mansion, Qing Niao had done the same.

But at that time, Li Chang'an had only said he wanted to guide Qing Niao’s spear technique.

From then on, practicing spear under the moon became an unspoken understanding between Qing Niao and His Highness.

Neither Xu Weibear nor Hong Shu knew about this.

Today seemed no different; Qing Niao moved like lightning, thrusting her spear as she stepped out of her room.

Li Chang'an habitually flicked her forehead, and Qing Niao never dodged.

She merely smoothed her hair and said earnestly.

“Your Highness, Qing Niao is here.”

Qing Niao was a little different today.

Her face was slightly flushed, and her breathing was a bit rapid.

Under the moonlight, Qing Niao, without makeup, was even more captivating.

“Qing Niao… your cold demeanor is exquisitely elegant.”

“You are far more beautiful and alluring than those undeserving female heroes.”

Li Chang'an’s simple words, however, made Qing Niao secretly overjoyed.

She really wanted to tell Hong Shu those very words, exactly as they were spoken!

Let that Fox spirit hear how high His Highness’s taste was!

Li Chang'an, observing her expressions, knew that Qing Niao was almost ready to be 'cooked'.

The intentional and unintentional teasing over the past six months had indeed been effective.

And Qing Niao also felt something was amiss; His Highness was so bold today.

During spear guidance, he was not at all proper.

Half an hour later, Li Chang'an followed Qing Niao into her room.

Li Chang'an made himself at home, sitting at the table and looking at Qing Niao.

“Close the door.”

Qing Niao’s heart trembled violently, almost leaping out of her chest!

Hong Shu had said before that His Highness was very domineering!

She closed the door, turned to face Li Chang'an, unsure what to do.

Qing Niao’s face was beet red, and she didn’t know where to put her hands.

She couldn’t act coquettishly like Hong Shu and then throw herself into Li Chang'an’s arms!

In a flurry, she poured Li Chang'an a cup of tea, hoping to ease the atmosphere.

“Disarm!”

Li Chang'an’s tone was calm, a faint smile on his face.

This command to disarm was different from how he had teased Yuan Meng in his previous life.

Because Li Chang'an was certain that Qing Niao would obey.

Under the candlelight, Qing Niao’s heart fluttered!

The ‘disarm’ His Highness spoke of couldn’t possibly be the ultimate move ‘Overlord Disarms’ from the Kshana Spear, could it!

Late at night, a lone man and woman.

His Highness wouldn’t be looking for a fight with her, would he!

The meaning of this ‘disarm’ was all too clear.

Qing Niao was surprised; was His Highness that confident?

How could he be so sure that she would be so obedient.

Just as her heart was in turmoil, Li Chang'an suddenly said,

“Guard Qing Niao, I command you to disarm!”

Qing Niao, in her state of tension, immediately replied reflexively.

“Yes, Your Highness!”

After speaking, Qing Niao immediately slapped her own forehead.

Oh, Qing Niao, you’re so stupid!

Then, this handsome and elegant prince revealed a cunning smile.

“Qing Niao, since you’ve agreed, what are you waiting for?”

Li Chang'an was very pragmatic when it came to matters between men and women.

He would never invest too much in a woman he hadn’t ‘obtained’ yet.

However, if the other party sincerely became his woman, he would never be stingy.

For a woman who had already fallen for him, Li Chang'an would not hesitate in the slightest.

One should pluck flowers when they are in bloom; it’s not as if he couldn’t afford to support them.

Moreover, it was a beauty as elegant and captivating as Qing Niao.

Qing Niao did not disappoint Li Chang'an; her trembling jade hands had already unfastened her belt.

Her green clothes fell to the ground, her dark hair cascaded. Her skin was flawless, breathtakingly beautiful. Her slender waist and curves rose and fell, exquisitely proportioned.

Qing Niao lowered her head, her face so red it looked like it could drip water.

“Your… Your Highness, what do we do next?”