Song of Adolescence

Chapter 375 Conflict of the Trapped Beast

Red Prince Residence.

Xiao Yu was sitting in the courtyard slowly drinking his tea. He was probably the calmest person in the entire Heavenly Revelations City today, because everything that was happening now was under his control.

An army of 200,000 pressing straight towards Heavenly Revelations. No matter how fast their horses were, even if they were to ride all day and all night without stopping, they couldn’t have arrived without any warning.

"We intercepted all the military correspondence and killed anyone who tried to send word, just so that I could pave their way into Heavenly Revelations. They should be grateful to me." Xiao Yu smiled and put down the teapot. "Come, we shall go to the Hall of Calming Purity."

Long Ye frowned. "Your Highness, are you putting yourself at risk of getting killed?"

"Who’s getting killed? They’ve come with the Dragon-Sealed Scroll to proclaim themselves as the sovereign. They want to succeed the throne legitimately. Killing us would turn this into a rebellion." Xiao Yu stood up and looked at the black-robed man next to him. "What's more, I'm not that easy to kill."

Long Ye nodded. "What's the next step?"

Xiao Yu raised his head and looked at the sky. "Tell the two generals to get ready. A big battle is coming and nobody can guess the outcome. They’ll just have to fight with all they’ve got."

Let the Langya Army capture Heavenly Revelations, then the Upper and Lower Armies of Beili would send in troops to defend the Emperor. That was the script prepared by Xiao Yu. Many people were going to die in this battle. But today, at least one person must die first.

Mingde Emperor.

Only after he was dead could Xiao Yu step into the centre of this stage.

Xiao Lingchen rode his horse and together with Ye Xiaoying, they trotted slowly down the streets of Heavenly Revelations City. Xiao Lingchen looked at the wide road and said with a smile, "Back then, every time my Marshal Father returned victorious from the war, he would parade down this street on his horse. Everywhere he passed, the people would kneel and pay their respects and their eyes practically worshipped him. Now when they see our horses, there is only fear in their eyes."

Ye Xiaoying sighed. "Many people are no longer the same, and this city is no longer the Heavenly Revelations City of the past."

Xiao Lingchen waved his spear. "All men, obey my orders! Do not harm or kill the people of the city. Violators will be beheaded."

"Where are you going now?" Ye Xiaoying asked.

Xiao Lingchen turned his horse. "To the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

Directorate of Astronomy.

In name, they were merely a department in charge of divinations for Beili. Apart from the major ceremonies of offerings, they seldom made public appearances and spent most of their time observing the constellations and recording astrological signs. However, everyone knew that there were several celestial masters of pinnacle realms within. If they were to combine their skills, they had the power to change heaven and earth.

"State Preceptor, what are your plans?" Xie Xuan asked.

The State Preceptor smiled. "Let the mandate of Heaven run its course."

"Whose side will the mandate of Heaven stand on?" Xie Xuan asked again.

"Many years ago, it once stood on Langya Prince’s side, but he gave it up on his own." Qi Tianchen flicked his horsetail whisk and strolled out.

However, even if an immortal arrived, he couldn’t stop 200,000 fierce warriors.

Outside the Hall of Calming Purity.

Mingde Emperor walked out with Li Changqing’s support. Below the hall, all available soldiers in the Imperial Army had assembled with the elite Brave Tiger Guards standing at the rear, right in front of Mingde Emperor. Grand Eunuch Jin Xuan, Eunuch of Incense Jin Xian, Lanyue Marquis, White Prince Xiao Chong, Yong’an Prince Xiao Se, and Red Prince Xiao Yu, as well as their respective attendants stood waiting outside the hall.

"An army of 200,000 just appeared out of thin air?" After a long silence, Mingde Emperor asked this one question.

Nobody could answer him.

Li Changqing was already covered in sweat. As the commander-general of the Imperial Army, he was in charge of the military forces of the imperial city. When an army of 200,000 marched towards the capital, there should have been unceasing military reports submitted along the way. But, what could have gone wrong…

After another bout of silence, Mingde Emperor asked again, "Is Lingchen leading the soldiers?"

Li Changqing nodded and said, "Yes, but General Ye Xiaoying is with him."

"Lingchen is a kind-hearted child just like his father. At least Heavenly Revelations City will not be damaged." Mingde Emperor said faintly. "Pass down my orders. Do not engage in unnecessary conflicts. We will wait for him here."

"Your Majesty!" Li Changqing said anxiously, "This subject has already sent word to the Wang Li Heavenly Army and the other two generals. As long as we hold the palace gates, we just have to wait for their return!"

"With an army of 200,000, how are you going to hold the gates?" Mingde Emperor coughed. "These are my finest generals of Beili. Do you want them to die in this meaningless war?"

"Meaningless?" Xiao Chong repeated in a low voice.

Xiao Yu hid a tiny smile.

Xiao Se remained silent.

Outside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, Xiao Lingchen flipped off his horse and walked in.

Ye Xiaoying and the rest of the army stood outside on guard. Only the Xiao Clan imperial family were allowed to enter the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Xiao Lingchen walked in, and there was an old man sitting inside. When he saw Xiao Lingchen, his eyes widened with mild surprise.

"Granduncle, it’s been so many years since I last saw you." Xiao Lingchen bowed his head with a smile.

The old man was already very old, and even standing up took a lot of effort. He stood up, his knees trembling, and slowly said, "Ling… Lingchen?"

"It's me, Granduncle," Xiao Lingchen replied respectfully.

This old man guarding the Imperial Ancestral Temple was the oldest living member of the Xiao Clan imperial family. Even Mingde Emperor would respectfully address him as uncle. Back then, he had also participated in quelling the unrest caused by the eunuchs grabbing for power and had experienced all sorts of storms through the dynasty. Now, he stayed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, guarding it quietly, watching the changing situation outside the temple. Granduncle walked over to Xiao Lingchen. "You’re back. This is good."

"Does Granduncle really think so?" Xiao Lingchen raised his head and looked at the names on all the memorial tablets. He read each name from top to bottom and indeed, he did not see the one that belonged to his father.

Granduncle seemed to read his mind and sighed. "Ruofeng was convicted of treason. His name will not be enshrined in the Ancestral Temple."

"He will be tomorrow." Xiao Lingchen reached out his hand. "Granduncle, please give me a stick of incense."

Granduncle lit a stick of incense and handed it over. Xiao Lingchen received it and faced the memorial tablets with a deep bow. "Before my ancestors and my clan, Lingchen has returned this time to quell the rebellion on behalf of the Xiao Clan imperial family, and from there, restore the proprietary and virtues of the imperial family." After finishing his words, he turned around and strode out.

He entered the city, entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple, paid his respects to his ancestors and clan, then headed straight for the Hall of Calming Purity.

He was as swift as thunder.

But when he walked out of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, he saw a person standing on the rooftop of the opposite building.

He wore the robes of a celestial master and held a white-coloured horsetail whisk in his arm. He had an air of an immortal and the look of a Daoist priest.

Directorate of Astronomy, Qi Tianchen.

"Draw your blades!" Ye Xiaoying yelled furiously. Each and every soldier followed his order and drew their blades instantly. They rode their horses right up to Xiao Lingchen's side.

There was no one under Heaven who could face an army of 200,000 on his own, but there was indeed a person who could take the head of the leader of an army of 200,000.

"Be careful," Ye Xiaoying growled in a low voice.

Xiao Lingchen raised his head, looked at Qi Tianchen, and said with a smile, "The celestial master has doted on me since I was a child. Don’t worry, he won’t kill me."

Qi Tianchen also smiled and bowed his head. "Our last parting turned into so many years. How have you been, little friend?"

"Not good. I don’t eat well, I don’t sleep well." Xiao Lingchen shook his head. "Until I stepped into Heavenly Revelations City, then I started to feel a little better."

"How is it better?" Qi Tianchen asked again.

"I’ll feel better when I get to kill the person I want to kill!" Xiao Lingchen declared loudly.

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