Chapter 680 -652: The Madwoman Drills the Troops
Lin Xiaosu and Qing Ying stepped through the void and landed outside Zhen Heaven Pavilion.
Zhen Heaven Pavilion, even when viewed from a distance, was incredibly stunning, and up close, it was akin to confronting an immortal temple.
The architecture soared into the clouds, its imposing presence shook the earth and touched the heavens.
Perhaps this is the essence of the “Zhen Heaven” in Zhen Heaven Pavilion, forged by centuries of rise and fall, forming a mission’s imprint.
Just as Lin Xiaosu arrived, a group of people came striding along, leading them was a white-haired elder, moving with the vigor of a dragon and tiger, appearing like a white-haired general on inspection. But when he got closer, he offered a scholar’s greeting: “Zhen Heaven Pavilion Master Lei Tianlun, greetings Mr. Li!”
Lin Xiaosu quickly paid his respects in an official manner: “Mr. Lei is a first-grade official, how could I dare trouble you to personally welcome me?”
Lei Tianlun reached out, grasped his shoulder, and laughed heartily: “To be honest, Mr. Li, if it were any other day, I truly wouldn’t have come out to personally greet you. But today is different, Mr. Li just drove away three eminent monks from Beijing at the gates of Zhen Heaven Pavilion, exalting the power of our Dynasty. Regardless of circumstances, I must come to greet you personally!”
This is the benefit brought by Lin Xiaosu’s discussion on Buddhism outside Zhen Heaven Pavilion.
The three eminent monks chose to set up a Buddhist altar outside Zhen Heaven Pavilion, which indeed carries a hint of pressure against Zhen Heaven Pavilion.
Although Zhen Heaven Pavilion does not remotely compare to the million Dragon Riders of the founding years, its function remains unchanged.
The duty it shoulders is to suppress any opposition to the Dynasty.
Hence, it is regarded as a Pillar of the Dynasty.
The three eminent monks’ challenge outside the pavilion, if left unchecked, would be akin to stepping on the Dynasty’s Pillar and gaining eternal fame.
Zhen Heaven Pavilion was originally quite troubled.
With Lin Xiaosu’s intervention, the three eminent monks fled in panic, and the greatest beneficiary was this Zhen Heaven Pavilion Master.
This can be considered a gesture from Lin Xiaosu to Zhen Heaven Pavilion, establishing their initial meeting on a deeply harmonious foundation.
This left Qing Ying deeply moved.
People say the officialdom is hard to navigate.
She naturally knew the hardships of officialdom were far greater than the rumors.
Even her father, once a distinguished first-grade Prime Minister, found the Pavilion Master of Zhen Heaven Pavilion difficult to deal with.
And he, with an unassuming entry into office for only a few days, comes to Zhen Heaven Pavilion for the first time and receives such a warm welcome.
This gentleman’s extraordinariness is simply beyond her father’s.
“Amitabha! This humble monk greets the Buddhist scholar!” The three old monks simultaneously offered a bow.
Not only did this settle the matters at the top, but it also happened to resolve one of the eight domains of Zhen Heaven Pavilion, the Buddhist Hall.
After Lin Xiaosu returned the gesture, Lei Tianlun got straight to the point: “Mr. Li, Your Majesty’s decree has been issued, command to call a Town-level elite to serve under you, at your command. This Pavilion has independently owned twenty-seven Town-level units, all with remarkable combat capabilities. You may select as you wish.”
“Mr. Lei’s execution of His Majesty’s decree is indeed swift and decisive, I greatly admire it!” Lin Xiaosu said, “How about Mr. Lei summon both commanders and deputy commanders of these twenty-seven units for me to make a selection?”
“Alright!” Lei Tianlun gestured broadly: “Make it happen!”
A person beside him soared into the sky to gather the commanders and deputy commanders.
“Gathering all the generals requires a little time, Mr. Li, please first have a seat in Zhen Heaven Pavilion Hall.”
“Mr. Lei, please!”
“Mr. Li, please!”
Zhen Heaven Pavilion Hall, though it’s called a hall, carries its own majesty.
The walls of the grand hall are cast in black iron.
Opposite is a giant map, the Dahuang Map.
It marks the states, the prefectures, the counties, and also notes mountains, rivers, and lakes.
Naturally, it also marks the influence of various sects.
This is what distinguishes this world from the typical feudal society.
In a typical feudal society, finding a complete map is almost impossible, many people dedicate their entire lives to crafting maps to present to the Emperor as a wartime Divine Artifact.
But here, humans can fly!
Surveying from the sky makes mapping not as difficult.
The Fourth Realm is clearly marked as well, with Yan Country to the north, Chu Country to the west, Ye Country to the east, and the South Sea to the south, beyond which lies the Central Domain.
“Mr. Li, can you give me a hint now, what mission has Your Majesty entrusted to you?” Lei Tianlun asked.
“Mr. Lei doesn’t know?”
“The decree did not specify the particular task, only mentioned selecting a Town-level unit.”
Lin Xiaosu hesitated slightly: “Then perhaps I should wait until they are all gathered, and then inform you truthfully.”
About half an hour later, a trusted aide reported.
All commanders have arrived!
“Everyone come in!” Lei Tianlun ordered.
“Order! All commanders and deputy commanders enter the hall!” With a resounding shout from the aide at the entrance.
The Master of the Military Hall of Zhen Heaven Pavilion led the commanders of twenty-seven Town-level units into the venue.
One unit has a commanding chief envoy and a deputy commander present, totaling no more than fifty people. However, their entry alone carries the aura of thousands of troops.
Rumbling sounds.
The floor beneath Lin Xiaosu’s feet rose, elevating three feet.
He and Lei Tianlun thus stood atop the platform.
The generals entered below, with an impressive presence.
On the left were the chief commanders, on the right the deputy commanders, their physiques varied greatly, yes, Lin Xiaosu had never seen a troop with such a disparity in physiques.
The first commander on the left towered over six meters tall.
The second was of a normal build, roughly 1.8 meters tall.
The third was extremely short, only about 1.23 meters, but measured horizontally at least a meter.
The fourth had a tall and thin frame, three meters in height, with a waist slimmer than that of a brothel woman…
Over fifty individuals made their appearance in such diverse, magnificent styles.
Yet, these individuals shared one common trait: all had eyes with an intent to kill, and an aura of lethal violence, clearly men forged by countless battles.
“Report to Mr. Lei!” A guard stepped forward from the rear: “Twenty-seven Town-level units, fifty-four chief and deputy commanders, fifty-four should be present, but currently fifty-three are present.”
