Chapter 81: Beautiful Female General

Tai Bai, I fear I will have to stay here for quite a while; when I am looking for clues to the Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation, I will have Qing Luan take charge.

Jiu Tian Xuan Nu said.

Qing Luan? The mount of Princess Long Ji, Xuan Nu, you have already seen the princess; how is the princess doing now?

Tai Bai Jin Xing asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiu Tian Xuan Nu couldn't help but picture Princess Long Ji with her prominent belly.

The princess is doing fine now; go report to His Majesty and the Empress, don't worry!

Jiu Tian Xuan Nu said.

Good, good!

Tai Bai Jin Xing let out a breath of relief; just thinking of the scene where Princess Long Ji caused a havoc at the Peach Banquet makes him still feel uneasy.

That time, His Majesty and the Golden Mother were truly angry; otherwise they would not have demoted the dearly loved Princess Long Ji to the mortal realm.

But how could Tai Bai Jin Xing have imagined that, after who knows how many years, Princess Long Ji would bring a monkey that fears neither heaven nor earth, cause another havoc at the Peach Banquet, and even nearly kick her father off the Jade Emperor's throne!

Of course, that is later; now that Tai Bai Jin Xing has learned Princess Long Ji is safe, he then took Qing Luan and left Chen Tang Guan to continue searching for clues of the Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation.

However, Tai Bai Jin Xing had no idea that Qing Luan, following him, was not really helping him find clues to the Zhou Tian Star Dou Grand Formation but merely keeping an eye on this old man.

After all, the matter of Princess Long Ji and Yun Hua Xianzi cannot yet be made known to the heavenly realm.

Sending a little spy to stay by Tai Bai Jin Xing's side was also proposed by Ao Yifan.

After all, Tai Bai Jin Xing never expected that Princess Long Ji's mount was meant to guard against him.

……

Oh? It seems there's no need to worry about Tai Bai Jin Xing's side for now!

Ao Yifan stroked Jiu Tian Xuan Nu's heroic face, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile.

To be honest, Ao Yifan still feels some apprehension toward Tai Bai Jin Xing.

After all, don't look at this old man's frail and kind appearance; but don't forget, Tai Bai Jin Xing is the star in charge of slaughter and war!

Being able to hold this divine post shows just how formidable this little old man is.

According to Jiu Tian Xuan Nu, even she would not have a sure victory against Tai Bai Jin Xing.

What's more, Tai Bai Jin Xing is a close aide of the Heavenly Sovereign.

Who knows what treasure he obtained from the Heavenly Sovereign?

Otherwise, without any ability, who would dare to act as the Heavenly Sovereign's frequent envoy to the mortal realm?

So, Ao Yifan now does not want to confront Tai Bai Jin Xing head‑on; he can only use this method to coax him away.

For now I've tricked Tai Bai away, but this can't stay hidden for long—that little old man is sharp!

Lifting her head, Jiu Tian Xuan Nu said.

I know!

Ao Yifan nodded and said: 'However, we are merely lacking a bit of time; once the opportunity ripens, even if the Heavenly Sovereign and the Golden Mother come in person, they will not be able to do anything to me.'

After giving Ao Yifan a deep look, Jiu Tian Xuan Nu said: 'Having confidence is fine, but you promised me you would help me get rid of Ci Hang Dao Ren—don't forget that.'

Rest assured, I am not thinking of a way?

Ao Yifan said while pulling the squatting Jiu Tian Xuan Nu up, then walked toward……

……

Father, look, ahead is Chen Tang Guan!

The mighty army surged forward like a long dragon toward Chen Tang Guan.

At the front of the army, a handsome young female general said to the middle‑aged general beside her: 'Father, I see that Chen Tang Guan's prosperity is not much inferior to Zhao Ge Cheng; it is far superior to our San Shan Guan. Princess Su Zhi has indeed governed this place very well!'

After taking a deep look at the imposing pass, Deng Jiu Gong snorted coldly: 'The more prosperous Chen Tang Guan becomes, the worse Princess Su Zhi's situation is!'

Ah?

The beautiful female general asked, puzzled: 'Father, achieving good governance isn't a good thing, so what's the problem?'

Chan Er, you are still young and don't understand many things; you only need to know that this time we have come, we must obey the orders of Shang Xiang and not voice any personal opinions!

Deng Jiu Gong said.

Oh, Father, I understand!

The beautiful female general nodded as if half‑understanding, but her doubts remained unresolved.

Glancing at his daughter, Deng Jiu Gong let out a sigh.

To be honest, if it were possible, he really would not want to take this on.

However, this is something the Great King himself has ordered; Deng Jiu Gong simply cannot refuse.

The descent of the Xuan Niao upon Chen Tang Guan—what it signifies, everyone knows very well.

This time, even if Princess Su Zhi does not intend it, it will inevitably arouse the Great King's suspicion.

There's no way around it; this is the psychology of those in power—even blood relatives have lines that cannot be crossed!

Yet this matter is extremely tricky to handle; a slight misstep will provoke the Great King's wrath, after all, Princess Su Zhi is the Great King's own younger sister.

Therefore, how to act and to what extent all require careful measure.

Only someone like Shang Rong, a veteran official of three dynasties, is qualified to handle this matter.

Take himself for example—though he is a garrison commander of a pass, if he gets dragged into this dispute, a little carelessness will have him torn to shreds.

That is why, although he actually controls the twenty‑thousand‑strong army, Deng Jiu Gong remains very low‑key, submitting everything in advance to Shang Rong for approval, daring not to be the slightest bit careless.

Suddenly, a troop of cavalry came flying.

The beautiful female general waved her hand; in the next instant the army swiftly changed formation, assuming a defensive stance.

What a well‑trained army!

Li Jing, who had arrived on horseback, instantly saw the marvel of the formation before him, and couldn't help but sigh.

Immediately, Li Jing reined in his horse and dismounted, bringing his personal troops to the front of the great army formation.

"Chen Tang Pass Vice General Li Jing pays his respects to the Shang Minister and General Deng!"

As for the visitor's identity, the Chen Tang Pass side had long been aware of it.

After all, with Queen Jiang present, how could any move of Chao Ge City escape notice from this side?

"Li Jing, this minister has heard of you!"

At that moment, Shang Rong's carriage curtains were drawn aside; the already white-haired Shang Rong sized up Li Jing from head to toe, then nodded and said, "You're not bad!"

"Thank you for your praise, Minister Shang. I, Jing, dare not accept it. The Princess is pregnant, so it is inconvenient for her to receive you in person; I have therefore been sent out of the city to welcome you, Minister."

Li Jing spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, instantly causing Shang Rong and Deng Jiu Gong to look at him with renewed esteem.

"Indeed, thank the Princess for remembering this old man, Elder Deng. Arrange for the army to be stationed outside the city; the rest of you, follow this minister into the city to pay respects to the Princess."

Shang Rong said.

"Yes!"

Deng Jiu Gong clasped his hands and then said to the beautiful female general beside him, "Chan'er, follow Minister Shang into the city and be sure to protect him thoroughly!"

"Father, rest assured; with me here, the Minister will surely be fine!"

The beautiful female general spoke candidly; it was obvious she had considerable confidence in her own abilities.

Li Jing couldn't help but glance at the beautiful female general again, and his heart stirred.

For he suddenly saw, in her, a trace of the former Princess's shadow.