Chapter 225 Take Off The Veil
The army of the Qi Empire had finally been defeated by the Pinglu Army. Except for the few who died in the battle, the rest of them either fled or surrendered. But the battle continued for most of the day. After all, it was a battle comprising of hundreds of thousands of troops.
During the follow-up time of the battle, Li Keyong dispatched the elite cavalry of the Yanmen Army to ride fast to Chang’an, from 50 kilometers away. After the Pinglu Army poured into Chang’an from all directions, the Yanmen cavalry followed them into Chang’an, without stopping for a second.
In any case, the Yanmen Army had to share the credit of conquering Chang’an.
If the Yanmen Army had not held off the main force of Huang Chao’s troops, the Pinglu Army would not have a chance to drive straight in to Chang’an.
The battle did not end. Even though Huang Chao’s troops near Chang’an were defeated, some of Huang Chao’s generals still controlled large places near Guanzhong.
Later, Li Ye learned that even as Huang Chao sent troops to defend the Pinglu Army and the Yanmen Army, he stationed tens of thousands of soldiers in Lantian as a leeway. After Huang Chao was killed, his son gathered Shang Rang’s remaining troops to enter the Central Plains from Lantian. They attacked Caizhou first.
While the Pinglu Army was entering the city from all directions, Li Ye was attending to the Junior Priestess in Prince An’s Manor. Although Li Ye took office in Pinglu, Prince An’s Manor in Chang’an was still his mansion.
Li Ye’s cultivation was at the semi Foundation-building Stage, and he could not revive the Junior Priestess.
When the city was completely occupied by the Pinglu Army, and news of Prince An’s recapture of Chang’an spread throughout the city, luck converged into Li Ye’s body, so that his cultivation improved rapidly. Therefore, he was able to stabilize the Junior Priestess’ injury.
The healing process lasted for three days. In the first two days, Li Ye could only stabilize the Junior Priestess’s injury. On the third night, wisps of luck converged from all directions and kept pouring into Li Ye’s body, reaching a critical point.
The Dragon Qi swam wildly above the Ocean of Qi. Originally, most of its body was in a condensed state. After it continued to absorb luck, it became increasingly crystal clear.
At dawn, the Dragon Qi suddenly sent out dazzling golden light, and one could not tell what its original appearance was like. Then, a loud sound was heard. When the Dragon Qi reappeared, it had a different look. It had a golden body and became more lifelike, with an unparalleled bearing.
Before Li Ye had time to get a good look, the Ocean of Qi sent forth terrifying crashing waves, and continued to impact the barrier of Level 9 Qi-refining, forming waves of Spiritual Qi tides.
As Li Ye trembled, the barrier of the Ocean of Qi at Level 9 of Qi-refining, was immediately broken. Then, a round pool, like a simple and ancient altar, rose from the chaotic scene. The round pool was full of Spiritual Qi, dazzling and holy. And it also sent out boundless pressure.
This was the Spiritual Pool.
There were three realms in the Spiritual Master Realm, the Spiritual Pool Spiritual Master, the Yin Spiritual Master, and the Yang Spiritual Master. The sign of stepping into the first level of the Spiritual Master Realm, was to create a Spiritual Pool, in the body.
Once the Spiritual Pool was created, the full Spiritual Qi started to spread around the eight extraordinary meridians. Li Ye was worn out, because he had healed the Junior Priestess, but now, he was full of vigor.
Li Ye was shocked. He was very familiar with the Spiritual Pool Spiritual Master’s cultivation. It was where he had reached before his transmigration. At this moment, he could feel that a new world was opening to him. A constant flow of boundless power surged into his meridians, making him feel as if he had the power to move mountains and fill the seas.
But Li Ye was not complacent. At this moment, the Junior Priestess had not recovered from the injury yet, and she was at death’s door.
With the Spiritual Pool Spiritual Master’s realm, Li Ye immediately had full confidence in healing the Junior Priestess’ injury.
As the power of the cultivation in the Spiritual Master Realm continued to pour into the Junior Priestess’ meridians, her face gradually grew ruddy, her heart beat slowly, and her breathing regained strength.
Another day passed. After sunset, the house was ablaze with lights. Li Ye went out of the house, with a pale face.
The Senior Priestess, who had waited outside the door for several days and nights, immediately went forward and asked with concern, “How’s it going?”
Li Ye smiled. “Nothing serious, but I’m afraid it will take another two days for her to come around.”
After she said her thanks to Li Ye, all the Senior Priestess thought of then, was to rush into the house.
Li Ye was slightly tired, but in good spirits. He went out of the courtyard and ordered the men waiting outside to immediately call Liu Dazheng, Li Zhen, and the others to meet him. He went straight to the east study.
As soon as Li Ye sat down, Song Jiao walked in the house. She glanced at Li Ye lightly and saw him looking rather tired. She felt a little jealous. She said sourly, “You look tired. I’m afraid you’ve forgotten what day it is today.”
Li Ye looked up at her and did not bother about the ridicule in her words. He asked, “How are things in the city?”
Song Jiao sat down on the chair and restrained her expression. She said solemnly, “The city has been taken over by the Pinglu Army and the Imperial Palace has been sealed off. One of Huang Chao’s sons has fled, but the rest of his family members have been detained. You can dispose of them at any time.”
“In the battle of the day before yesterday, more than ten thousand rebels were killed. Except for those who have fled, almost the rest of them were captured and are now in custody at the army barracks. You can also dispose of them at any time. In addition, the military report has been sent to all quarters, and the memorial, which you signed and sealed, has also been sent to Chengdu. At present, Chang’an has been restored to basic order. Li Zhen is in charge of civil affairs and Liu Dazheng is in charge of military affairs.”
Li Ye nodded. “How about the Yanmen Army?”
Speaking of the Yanmen Army, Song Jiao smiled, but she had a teasing smile on her face.
She said proudly, “Li Keyong has already arrived in Chang’an, and the Yanmen soldiers came in succession. The day before yesterday, Li Keyong fought hard against Shang Rang and killed most of his 200,000 troops. He has beheaded over 100,000 people, which is more than what you have beheaded in this battle. In the imperial court’s record of merit, every head is a military merit. Li Keyong has a lot of merit this time, but he still falls far behind you.”
Li Ye did not take it seriously. “I have made three achievements, including conquering Tongguan, recapturing Chang’an, and killing Huang Chao, so I should share a bit of the achievements with Li Keyong. Otherwise, I cannot explain it.”
Song Jiao smiled and continued, “The troops on all sides of Guanzhong are besieging the states and counties occupied by Huang Chao’s troops. Some of them surrendered, while the others refused to surrender and wants to occupy the place and become the emperor. So, the battle will not be over for some time yet. By the way, Huang Chao’s son gathered Shang Rang’s remaining troops and went to Lantian.”
Li Ye nodded. “Although Huang Chao was killed, he had many ambitious men under his command, so they won’t admit defeat so easily. And now, the world is in chaos, so everyone wants to make a difference. Naturally, they will refuse to throw in the towel so early.”
“Apart from Huang Chao, there are rebels of various sizes everywhere.” Song Jiao sneered. “It’s good to have ambitions in troubled times, but if they can’t recognize the situation, they’re killing themselves. Well, Guanzhong is now in trouble, on all sides. Not only are the remaining rebels carrying out activities everywhere, but many of those rebels, who fled from the battlefield, have become bandits in the forests. Should the Pinglu Army attack all sides next?”
Li Ye shook his head. “No. Give the rest of the achievements to the other armies. It’s not necessary for me to do everything, and get all the achievements. I don’t want to be in the crosshairs.”
When Li Ye finished speaking with Song Jiao, Li Zhen, Liu Dazheng, and the others arrived. Li Ye discussed some important matters with them, as well.
It could be said that the present Chang’an was in Li Ye’s hands. As the Pinglu Army took control of the defense of Chang’an, naturally, it meant that it took control of the whole city. Fortunately, Huang Chao did not burn the Imperial Palace, so Chang’an was not greatly damaged. But after all, it had been under the rebels’ control for a long time, so it was not as prosperous as it was before. It could not recover immediately.
After Li Ye arranged everything, he let everyone return to their jobs.
Now, he was waiting for Li Yan to come back, and then, he could report on his mission. After getting the rewards he deserved, he would leave Chang’an and return to Pinglu.
When Li Ye returned to his living quarters, the Junior Priestess had already come around, much earlier than Li Ye had expected. The Junior Priestess had a strong vitality.
The Senior Priestess was talking with her. Seeing Li Ye coming back, the Senior Priestess gave him a complicated glance, and then she left. In the end, she told the Junior Priestess, “I will come and see you tomorrow.”
Originally, Li Ye intended to check on the Junior Priestess’ condition and then go back to have a rest. After all, Prince An’s Manor was so big that he could rest wherever he wanted. He wanted to let the Senior Priestess stay with the Junior Priestess. But seeing the Senior Priestess’ actions, it seemed that Li Ye had to stay with the Junior Priestess tonight.
The Junior Priestess laid on the bed. It seemed that she had recovered. Although she was still weak, she would recover fully, after a few more days of recuperation.
Li Ye sat down on the chair near the bed left by the Senior Priestess. He smiled and asked, “How are you?”
The Junior Priestess nodded to show that she was fine. She fixed her clear eyes on Li Ye. Her eyes were so bright that it was as if she had thousands of words to tell Li Ye, but she did not speak out. Li Ye felt embarrassed, and did not dare to look at her anymore, as she kept staring at him.
Li Ye asked a few questions about the Junior Priestess’ situation and learned that she was fine. He felt relieved. He was able to kill Huang Chao, ,because the Junior Priestess had obstructed Huang Chao, without any regard for her own life. Otherwise, if Huang Chao had escaped this time, he would have caused a lot of trouble. The Pinglu Army had fought on the battlefield for a long time. If they had to continue to fight like this, Li Ye was afraid the soldiers would be homesick, and then their fighting abilities would be greatly reduced.
Li Ye always knew that the Junior Priestess was a competitive sort. Last time, when the Senior Priestess questioned him, shouting herself hoarse, Li Ye also asked himself in his heart, “Does the Junior Priestess really care that much about me?”
Never one for talking, the Junior Priestess looked cold, but she felt lonely inside. Maybe she would develop a strong feeling, after all, she and Li Ye had been living together for three years. Their initial hostility had long vanished. Otherwise, when the Junior Priestess slept in the outer room of Li Ye’s living quarters in Pinglu all the year round, she would try to assassinate Li Ye.
Li Ye sighed in his heart. Dispelling all those thoughts, he said to the Junior Priestess, “You should take a good rest...”
He was about to say that he had to go. But before he could speak, he suddenly stood there, stunned, because the Junior Priestess was reaching out her hand to remove her veil!
In Li Ye’s memory, the Junior Priestess had never taken off her veil, just like she had never spoken. It was said that the Junior Priestess’ appearance hidden under the veil, was exceedingly beautiful. The one who saw it would inevitably felt shocked. However, that was only a legend, and no one had actually seen it.
She removed her veil slowly, and Li Ye fixed his eyes on her.
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