Chapter 411 People from Yunli Kingdom

Thinking of this, Li Xi's expression calmed down, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly: "Big brother, you're right. We can't let our godfather down."

Situ Feng thought that Ren Shan Tang should not be trampled underfoot by An Ji Fang.

So he hurriedly pulled Li Xi aside and talked for a long time.

Several strategies and plans were also set out: "Xiaoyue, you wait here, I'll tell you after I've made the arrangements."

Li Xi casually replied to a few words, but secretly pondered every detail that Situ Feng had said.

After Situ Feng left, Sui Feng surveyed the courtyard thoroughly.

After confirming that no one else was around, Li Xi began practicing martial arts.

Only after the Gu worms were removed did she realize that the potential and power hidden within her body were gradually awakening.

Each punch was accompanied by a subtle popping sound in the air.

With light steps and a figure as swift as the wind, she seemed to merge with the primordial energy of heaven and earth.

Because of her status as a saintess, the church's resources were readily available to her.

Li Xi was able to access more profound and mysterious martial arts manuals and cultivation methods.

The Red Lotus Sect has used [various methods] over the years

She not only practiced martial arts diligently, but also delved into the study of internal energy cultivation techniques. She strived to cultivate both internal and external strength to elevate her own abilities to a higher level.

Unbeknownst to the cult leader, Li Xi and the others were enjoying the cult's resources while quietly improving their own strength.

During this period, trade between Qing'an City and Jiye City suddenly ceased.

This sudden change left people confused and uneasy, with everyone speculating about the reasons behind it.

It turns out that all of this was because some people or forces of unknown origin appeared in the Northern Ji Kingdom.

The arrival of these mysterious figures had a huge impact on both cities, forcing a halt to their business exchanges.

For a time, the residents of Qing'an City and Jiye City were filled with tension and anxiety, worried that this change would have a profound impact on their lives.

Meanwhile, rumors about the Northern Ji Kingdom were increasing, with various speculations and gossip spreading throughout the streets and alleys.

Prince An recalled that he had met Xiao Yan, the fifth prince of Beiji, in Qing'an City last time, and later discovered some remarkable information.

So he immediately went to the palace to discuss the matter with the emperor.

The emperor has been looking very worried lately. State affairs and family matters have become a complicated web, making it hard for him to breathe.

Since the beginning of spring, the Geri tribe has once again invaded the border, burning, killing, and looting, causing immense suffering to the people and keeping the border soldiers constantly on the move.

Urgent news also arrived from Lingcheng, the southernmost city.

Months of heavy rains caused flash floods, destroying many dikes and farmlands, displacing people, causing food shortages, and casting a shadow of plague.

The Yunli Kingdom has always coveted Lingcheng, and now it senses an opportunity to take advantage of it.

Their spies frequently appeared on the border, sometimes provoking and sometimes gathering intelligence.

The intention was to deliver a fatal blow when Lingcheng was at its most vulnerable.

Rumors spread like wildfire, with some saying that the Yunli Kingdom had assembled a large army, ready to surge forward like a tidal wave at the first command.

There are also reports that they are secretly funding the rebels in Lingcheng in an attempt to undermine the defenses from within.

Faced with internal and external troubles, the imperial court was embroiled in endless debates about how to allocate disaster relief funds and supplies, and how to effectively resist external threats, yet a unified strategy could not be reached for a long time.

When Prince An entered the imperial study, he saw the emperor holding a vermilion brush, his brows furrowed, struggling to choose among the mountains of memorials.

He stepped forward lightly, bowed, and slowly said, "Father, I have something important to report."

The emperor didn't even raise his head: "Speak."

Prince An then recounted in detail his chance encounter with Xiao Yan, the fifth prince of Beiji, in Qing'an City that day.

He then emphasized some key intelligence obtained from the subsequent investigation: "Your Majesty, I have discovered that Xiao Yan has close ties with the Grand Protector of the Red Lotus Sect. In reality, he is secretly probing the strengths and weaknesses of our dynasty, and his intentions are unclear."

But what worries me even more is that things have not been peaceful in the Northern Hebei region in recent years. Internal power struggles have been constant, especially the increasingly fierce competition for the throne among the princes.

This Fifth Prince, Xiao Yan, is secretly colluding with the Red Lotus Sect, perhaps concealing a far more profound strategic plot. Your Majesty, I fear they are not only intent on spying on our dynasty, but may also be using the Red Lotus Sect's influence among the people to create chaos and plot treason.”

Upon hearing this, the emperor paused, his vermilion brush still.

Finally, he raised his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Prince An, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes: "Do you have a good plan?"

Prince An and the emperor talked for a long time in the imperial study, and then he urgently summoned some of his confidants to investigate.

Meanwhile, Gu Cheng, in Tingfeng Courtyard, looked at the person kneeling on the ground with a worried expression: "Go back, I won't go back with you. Tell him I'm dead!"

Gu Cheng's words carried an undeniable firmness.

His gaze pierced through the dappled light and shadow in the courtyard, as if he could see through all the helplessness and constraints of the world.

The person kneeling on the ground trembled slightly, their eyes filled with incomprehension and pleading.

He tried to speak again, but his voice was so hoarse it was almost inaudible: "Seventh Prince, His Majesty... he is truly worried about you. He has been searching for you all these years, and his health is deteriorating. Please go back and see him, even if it's just..."

Gu Cheng sneered: "He cares about me?"

Where was he seven years ago? Why didn't he show up when he was tricked out of the palace and chased?

It was his maternal grandfather who abandoned everything and took him to Jingyuan, and it was Sister Xi and Sister Lan who used a lot of good medicine to keep him alive. Otherwise, he would probably have died of illness by now.

Those people poisoned him back then, causing his death! And now they're just sending someone to say they miss him?

What a huge joke!

Now he and his maternal grandfather have settled down here, and Brother Qin has even asked someone to help them get their household registration, officially making them people of Jingyuan.

The person kneeling on the ground is the chief bodyguard of the emperor of Yunli Kingdom.

Although he knew that what Gu Cheng said was true, he could not disobey the emperor's order. "Seventh Prince, His Majesty said that the truth of what happened back then has been found out. Your mother was indeed wronged. Later, His Majesty even posthumously conferred the title of Empress Xianzhuang upon Consort Ming."

"Ah, then I thank Your Majesty on behalf of my mother for your great kindness. In that case, take this reply back and tell him!"

The head guard looked at Old Master Gu with trepidation, "Grand Scholar Gu, please persuade the Seventh Prince to go back. His Majesty also... hopes to see the Seventh Prince again."

He sighed softly, walked to Gu Cheng's side, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly:

“My grandson has always been stubborn. Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it. I understand His Majesty’s intentions, but the knot in Cheng’er’s heart cannot be untied overnight. What happened back then was a lesson in blood and tears for him, and the heart-wrenching pain of losing his mother at a young age.”

Grandpa Gu paused, gazing intently into the distance, as if reminiscing about the past.