The Emperor Reigns Them All

Chapter 259 Rising to the Challenge

Outside Chang’an City, in the Yanmen Army Camp.

Li Keyong was hosting the generals to a feast.

Now, the war in Guanzhong had ended and the imperial court’s rewards had been completed. Li Keyong got the title of Prince of the county, and his position as the commissioner of Yanmen had been changed to Hedong. He was extremely proud of his success. It was inevitable to hold a banquet for the meritorious generals in his army. However, although Li Keyong was all smiles facing all the toasts dedicated to him, the bitterness in his eyes had never dissipated.

After the feast, Li Keyong returned to the big tent in his camp. There was no one there, and even his scribe was sent away. Li Keyong sat behind the general’s table and fell into a long silence looking at the empty tent. No one knew what he was thinking.

After a long time, two generals came requesting to see him. One had thick shoulders and a waist like a bear, he was An Cunxiao, Li Keyong’s number one trusted subordinate. But now he was no longer named An Cunxiao, He was now Li Cunxiao.

This time, the imperial court’s rewards were very substantial. Li Keyong’s trusted subordinate generals had also given the surname Li. The other person was introverted, although he had a rough face, no one would think that he was foolhardy. He was also a trusted subordinate general of Li Keyong, called Li Siyuan.

As Li Keyong aligned with Tian Lingzi, although he had not made any eye-catching merits in trying to settle the Huang Chao Uprising, he also gained a lot of benefits. His Eight God Sons had been given the surname ‘Li’.

The so-called “Eight God Sons” were Li Keyong’s most brave and elite military officers. They fought bravely in the war and were respected by the vassal states. Li Keyong naturally took a liking to these officers, and took them all as his godsons.

Speaking of this, Li Keyong was barely 30 years old himself. Although the “Eight God Sons” were young sergeants, they were not much younger than him. For example, Li Cunxiao was two years younger than Li Keyong. However, taking a godson was a popular trend, which was understandable.

“Did Master Huiming really fall in Li Ye’s hands?” asked Li Keyong in a low voice as he looked up slowly.

The man who answered him was Li Siyuan. He replied, “It is true. This time, Li Ye went west to Fengxiang and made a shocking maneuver. Buddhism’s eighteen guardian warriors, thirty-six arhats and eight hundred monk soldiers had all fallen. The power of Buddhism had taken a nosedive. Not only have they lost their most powerful forces in the Tang Empire, they’ve also even lost their respect in the Western Regions. It would probably take them twenty years to recover.”

Li Keyong fell silent, Buddhism had always been his support. Now Buddhism had suffered such hard knocks, the strength of its cultivators had dipped a great deal. The day he battled with Shang Rang at Lingkou, if it weren’t for Buddhism’s timely support, he would not have been able to stop Shang Rang’s Military Formation of Militarism.

“Your Highness, what do we do next?” Li Cunxiao asked. Li Keyong was conferred to the Prince of the county, so now he could be called ‘Your Highness’.

Li Keyong became silent again, and this time was even longer.

Before long, his wife Liu Yun walked out from the internal tent and came to Li Keyong and sat down beside him. While caressing his hand, she watched him with concern, then she whispered, “Prince An is so powerful that we can no longer be his enemy. A great man knows when to yield and when not. Why don’t you go and meet Prince An, and see if there is any possibility of burying the hatchet between us?”

Li Keyong looked terrible, then he sighed after a long time. “We have a deep grudge with Prince An, so I am afraid it is difficult to laugh away the enmity.”

At that point, he could no longer continue. Now Li Ye’s power was second to none. All soldiers and horses of the world were under his temperance. Even though Li Keyong had a massive ego, he knew that he could no longer wrestle with Li Ye. He had the intention of letting go of the past with Li Ye, but a lot of things did not turn out as he wished.

Liu Yun could naturally understand Li Keyong’ difficulties. She couldn’t bear to see him struggle to make a decision. So she added, “Since you can’t befriend Prince An, then the only way left is to use Tian Lingzi. Tian Lingzi’s messenger has arrived, does Your Highness want to see him?”

Li Keyong frowned. “At this time, what is Tian Lingzi’s man doing here?”

Liu Yun stared at Li Keyong, and said word by word, “He has a plan.”

In Prince An’s Manor, Li Ye was sitting with Yang Fuguang and drinking tea.

They had been talking about the war for an hour. Yang Fuguang’s face was radiant, and his eyebrows revealed sheer joy. He was so happy, naturally not because of what Li Ye gave him, but that Li Ye was willing to chat with him for so long. This honor made him feel proud.

Yang Fuguang thought with enthusiasm, “Li Ye is the glory of the dynasty, the hero of the world. So many people want to see Prince An but cannot get their wish. I, on the other hand, can chat with Prince An for so long. Once people find out in the future, who dared to offend men when they see me? That saying ‘when one succeeds, all that surrounds him benefits’ is definitely true.”

Li Ye put down the tea cup and smiled. “The Privy Councilor seems to have a lot of troubles these days.”

Yang Fuguang had already served as the Privy Councilor because of his merits. The so-called four high-ranking eunuchs were left and right Lieutenant of the Regal Guards, the principal and subordinate Privy Councilor of Privy Council. Although Yang Fuguang’s status was still not comparable to Tian Lingzi’s, he was not to be underestimated.

“I must thank you, Your Highness Prince An. Without the Black Office’s help, I’m afraid that I would have already died several times.” When talking about this, Yang Fuguang changed his expression and immediately sighed. “I don’t know who wants my worthless head.”

Li Ye asked with a smile, “Is the Privy Councilor really not aware?”

Yang Fuguang was slightly taken aback, but then smiled bitterly, “Your Highness, you have discerning eyes. Naturally, you know what’s happening. But I have no intention of competing with him. After all, he is now in a higher position, so no matter how he treats me, there is nothing I can do about it.”

Li Ye added slowly, “I have an idea.”

Yang Fuguang’s eyes lit up. “Does the Prince An intend to...?”

He didn’t explain it very clearly because there was no need for it. Everyone in the whole world knew that Li Ye had killed Liu Xingshen and Han Wenyue back in the day.

Li Ye was noncommittal, his eyes were deep and abstruse. And his true thoughts were unpredictable, “It is not easy to do without a reason. This requires an opportunity. The Privy Councilor does not need to worry, just wait for the opportunity to come.”

He took a sip of tea, and added in a strange tone, “There are people who should be more anxious than us.”

After Yang Fuguang left, Li Ye planned to rest. At this time, Su Emei and Song Jiao came and wanted to discuss something with Li Ye. These two usually hated each, so it was unexpected that they would appear together at this time.

“What is it?” Li Ye sat down at the round table and gestured Su Emei and Song Jiao to sit down as well.

“Discord has erupted in Pinglu,” said both of them in unison. And they glanced at each other after saying that. Song Jiao raised her eyebrow, but Su Emei still looked calm, she smiled slightly and said, “Let Chief Song tell you about it.”

Song Jiao looked at Li Ye with murderous eyes and added word by word, “Pinglu has seen... demons!”

This time it was Li Ye’s turn to be shocked. “Demons?”

Song Jiao added in a low voice, “The intelligence of the Black Office cannot be wrong. There are large groups of demons appearing out of nowhere. They’ve harmed many villages and states. They’re spreading rumors that you are their demon king. Now that you are the master of Pinglu, they will swallow all the people of Pinglu alive to enhance their cultivation.”

Li Ye laughed and added, “It is rare to see such madness.”

When Su Emei saw that Li Ye didn’t take it seriously, she took the initiative to speak, “The so-called demons are the scattered cultivators in the mountains. During ancient times, immortals and mortals lived together, and there were many cultivation systems. Everyone could become an immortal. After the Taoist sect had expanded, for the sake of maintaining a strong hold, they excluded the others, and eventually dominated the Immortal Court. The spirits, demons, monsters and other scattered cultivators had no hope left.”

“The Immortal Court is the most fortunate place for it to gather the Qi of heaven and earth. The best cultivation and comprehension resources between heaven and earth are in the Immortal Court. The cultivators who live there can extend life. If the mortal cultivators can’t go to the Immortal Court, they will end up in ashes and dust no matter how high their cultivation is. Therefore, the scattered cultivators had always hated the Immortal Court of the Taoist sect and been irreconcilable with them. This time, somehow they are willing to be the minions of the Immortal Court.”

Li Ye fell silent, he had never heard of this before, because there were no demons or spirits on earth. And it was against the law to become ghosts after the founding of the country. “So what’s the background of these demons who are creating discord?”

Su Emei was in silence for a moment, then she added, “I don’t know yet. But since they have already appeared, we’d better go back as soon as possible. If we really let them loose, I am afraid that Pinglu will be in chaos.”

Li Ye mused for a moment and added, “Such being the case, I’ll deploy the troops. There’s not much left to do in Chang’an and I’ve made the necessary arrangements.”

Song Jiao and Su Emei nodded in agreement. They naturally knew some of Li Ye’s plans and arrangements.

The next day Li Yan personally lead hundreds of civil and military officers out of Chang’an City to send off the Pinglu army.

The Vassal State Armies around Chang’an had all left. Pinglu army was the last to leave. Since Huang Chao Uprising was a thing of the past, naturally Chang’an capital had restored order like before.

The Shang Rang sect that attacked Chenzhou had also collapsed after Zhu Wen arrived with reinforcements. Zhu Wen and Gao Pian joined forces and drove away the Shang Rang sect.

“Brother Ye, I will be all alone in Chang’an now that you’re leaving. I won’t even have anyone to share my worries with. Why don’t you want to stay in Chang’an?” Sighed Li Yan as he grabbed Li Ye.

Li Ye then comforted, “There are many ministers by your side Your Majesty. It won’t be too bad after I’ve gone. However, any time you need, just send for me and I’ll hurry back.”

Li Yan was still rather unhappy. Though he felt a little better upon hearing Li Ye’s words. With his cultivation, Li Ye really could come back to Chang’an anytime. It would only take him half a day for a round trip. He then added, “I heard things have taken a turn for the worse in Pinglu. I know I can’t keep you here; take care, Brother Ye.”

Li Ye clasped his fist in his hand in salute and said, “Take care, Your Majesty.”

Seeing Li Ye chase catch up to the Pinglu army on his horse, Tian Lingzi, who was beside Li Yan, smiled. He was so happy that his eyes squeezed into a thin line. Of course he smiled silently, so no one could notice.

Back in the Imperial Palace, Tian Lingzi quickly sent for Yang Fugong. They both entered the secret chamber and discussed important matters. “Prince An has left. Now, our plan needs to be executed straight away!”

Yang Fugong bowed and obeyed.

Tian Lingzi’s plan was simple. The Regal Guards controlled the Chang’an City defense. This would never change and him being the Lieutenant of the Regal Guards, he naturally had the right to order the feudal prince in the name of the emperor! Except that in the past, Tian Lingzi did not want to create conflict.

Days later.

Li Yan was resting in the Sleeping Palace and Tian Lingzi charged in without reporting. Li Yan, who was leaning on the lounge chair, was shocked when he saw Tian Lingzi come in. “I did not send for you, why are you here?”

Tian Lingzi strode before Li Yan with wide steps and looked down at him coldly. “From this day forth, I don’t need you to send for me. Whenever I feel like seeing Your Majesty, I’ll come.”

Li Yan was taken aback. He suddenly realized something and his expression changed. He jumped up and yelled angrily in a low voice, “Tian Lingzi! How dare you start a coup!” He jumped up and yelled angrily in a low voice, “Tian Lingzi! How dare you start a coup! You dare to threaten your emperor?”

Tian Lingzi was as calm as ever, and he revealed a casualness about him but his eyes were cold. “I’ve no idea what Your Majesty is talking about. I just want Your Majesty to know that in Chang’an City, there’s nothing the Regal Guards can’t do. And there’s nothing I, Tian Lingzi, can’t do!”

As he finished his words, Tian Lingzi waved his hands and a bunch of eunuchs came rushing, then he ordered calmly, “From this day forth, you will take care of Your Majesty’s living needs. If anything goes wrong, you know what will happen.”

All the eunuchs bowed and obeyed.

Li Yan was mad with fury. Tian Lingzi was clear, from here on in, he wanted to keep watch on Li Yan. “Tian Lingzi! You peasant dog, how dare you? Are you not afraid that Prince An will take your head off your neck?”

“Prince An? He’s long gone. Don’t worry Your Majesty; I’m very discreet. No one will know what’s happening. Before the Huang Chao Uprising, Your Majesty had never bothered with political affairs. Those ministers are used to not seeing you, so no one would say anything.”

Tian Lingzi then snorted and said, “I’ve been too nice to you in the past. From now on, I will not be so polite, Your Majesty.”

“What about the top masters Prince An left behind?”

“Top masters? I’ve already breached the gates, and no one did anything to stop me. Why is that? Does Your Majesty seriously have no idea?”

Tian Lingzi looked at the Majesty sideways and added, “Speaking of the masters Prince An left behind. Though their cultivation is quite high, but they’re still just on par with the Imperial Swordsman. After all, as a feudal minister, the cultivation of the masters he left behind could not be higher than the Majesty’s own men. That, has provided me with the perfect opportunity.”

“You... even so, that’s still a lot of top masters. How could your men just quietly kill them?”

“I do have help from good people, Your Majesty needn’t worry.”

As he finished those words, Tian Lingzi no longer wanted to stay. He headed straight out of the palace.

As he got to the gates, he stopped his steps but did not turn around. He just turned his head slightly and added, “Your Majesty, look at what you’ve done to the country. Haven’t you learned your lesson from the Huang Chao Uprising? Since you don’t care to nor have the ability deal with political affairs, just leave such matters to me. You just keep holding the emperor title, have fun and enjoy life, isn’t that just perfect?”

Sun light scattered in through the palace gates and landed on Tian Lingzi. Half of his face was in the shade, which made him look extra frightening.

After saying these words, Tian Lingzi strode out, and only his voice echoed back, “Tell the Secretariats, tell the Prime Minister, Chen Jingxuan, from today, the memorial will be sent to me!”

“Yes!”

“Let the Privy Councilor, Yang Fuguang, come to see me!”

“Yes!”

Having driven to distraction, Li Yan looked at the empty hall. He only felt that the strength of his body was suddenly taken out that he could no longer stand, and then fell to the ground.

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