Chapter 161: New Roster of Shu-Han

Tiangong?

Zhao Yun and the others, unaware of the truth, were all stunned, looking at Guan Xing and Zhuge Liang with surprise and confusion.

Zhuge Liang smiled without speaking, walked over to the group, and respectfully bowed to Li Li Shimin on the dragon bed.

"Your Majesty!"

"Prime Minister, no need for such ceremony... Li Xian, grant him a seat."

"Yes."

Li Xian waved his hand; the nano-metal streams already attached to the wooden chair surged at once, lifting the chair into the air and settling it beside Zhuge Liang.

Seeing this scene, everyone was startled again.

Li Li Shimin raised his eyes; an indescribable aura rose with his movement, like a dragon soaring and a tiger gazing, majestic as an abyss, bringing everyone an extremely intense sense of pressure.

Amidst this overwhelming majesty and silence, even the most unruly Wei Yan could not help but lower his head, secretly alarmed, daring not to look directly into those eyes as majestic as the heavens.

Seeing this, Li Li Shimin finally revealed a satisfied smile.

He turned his head, looking at Zhuge Liang beside him, and said, "Prime Minister, it is time."

Zhuge Liang bowed again, rose to his full height, and swept his bright gaze over the crowd, saying, "In the past, King Wu obtained a white fish, and a red crow carried a vermilion book; Gaozu slew the white serpent; Guangwu received the Red Omen. These four were all signs that Heaven's Mandate had returned, thus they were able to sweep away exhaustion and achieve great undertakings."

"Now, Your Majesty has received the protection of Gaozu and the revelation of Heaven, having traveled through a thousand years in a dream and recalled his past life."

"Just as the True Lord of the Universe descended into the world and met Your Majesty in a dream, we learned that Your Majesty is not from this realm, but the reincarnation of a True Lord from Heaven..."

Zhuge Liang quoted classics and cited precedents, speaking with clear logic, slowly recounting what had happened to Li Li Shimin.

Everyone listened, completely bewildered, and could not help but turn their gaze toward Li Li Shimin, some with sudden understanding, others with shock.

What they understood suddenly were the mysterious divine artifacts that had appeared over these past few months; what shocked them was Your Majesty's identity, and the immortal-fate object mentioned last by Zhuge Liang.

So the question arises: what is an immortal-fate object?

Since it involves immortals, the first thing everyone thought of was of course longevity.

Plus Zhuge Liang's display of returning from old age to youth, all five generals, including Wei Yan, could not help but grow excited, their eyes slightly fervent as they looked at Li Li Shimin at the head of the hall.

Meeting everyone's gaze, Li Li Shimin slowly spoke: "As the Prime Minister said, I have returned from the Tiangong and received an immortal-fate object as a gift. The first is the Longevity Pill, which can extend the life of a mortal by several decades."

"The second is the Dragon-Tiger Pill; consuming it grants the power of the dragon and tiger, allowing one to tear apart tigers and leopards with bare hands, possessing boundless strength!"

"Both of these were gifts from the Fairy Linghua of the Tiangong, absolutely genuine. However, since I have already regained my position as the True Lord of the Tiangong, taking them would be ineffective. Therefore, I have specially summoned the generals to the palace to choose and bestow them upon you..."

Speaking thus, Li Li Shimin paused, his gaze sweeping over the five later Shu-Han generals.

Feeling Your Majesty's scrutinizing gaze, everyone, including Zhao Yun and Guan Xing, felt tense and uneasy.

Especially Jiang Wei; he already felt he had no right to be here, so naturally his heart was more nervous than the others.

Just then, Li Li Shimin suddenly spoke: "Duke of Yongchang Pavilion!"

Zhao Yun, over sixty years old with white beard and white hair, brightened at once, immediately raising his head. His pair of aged tiger eyes shone brightly as he looked directly at Your Majesty and spoke with force:

"This old minister is present!"

Li Li Shimin smiled lightly: "General Zhen Dong is brave and skilled in battle, his prestige shakes the four directions, his loyalty is unwavering, and his labor and merit are immense. In the Battle of Changban, if not for Uncle Yun risking his life to save me, where would I have had the chance to return to the Tiangong!"

Upon hearing this term 'Uncle Yun', Wei Yan and others sighed deeply in their hearts, understanding that Zhao Yun was surely going to receive the immortal pills.

Indeed, even setting aside seniority and military merit aside, just the two past instances of saving the lord were enough to make them feel far out of reach!

Li Li Shimin smiled and said: "Li Xian!"

Li Xian bowed and said: "Your servant is here."

"Bestow one Longevity Pill and one Dragon-Tiger Pill each!"

"Yes!"

Li Xian accepted the order, immediately took out two brocade boxes from his sleeve, stepped forward, and handed them to Zhao Yun.

"Thank Your Majesty for your heavenly grace!"

Zhao Yun kowtowed to express gratitude, then rose, his hand trembling slightly as he accepted the brocade boxes, his aged face full of excitement.

Li Li Shimin smiled: "The Longevity Pill requires two hours to take effect. Uncle Yun may remain in the palace for now; wait until the longevity success is confirmed, then depart."

"As for the Dragon-Tiger Pill, this pill differs from the Longevity Pill; one only needs an injection to obtain the power of the dragon and tiger. If Uncle Yun does not mind, you may demonstrate it before your comrades for me, so that the generals may have a clear idea..."

Hearing these words, Wei Yan and others brightened again.

Your Majesty never does anything pointless; since he wants Zhao Yun to demonstrate the effect of the Dragon-Tiger Pill before them, it means they also have a chance to receive immortal pills after Zhao Yun!

So... exactly how many immortal pills does Your Majesty have in hand?

The crowd did not know clearly, only feeling that this Emperor was becoming increasingly mysterious and increasingly majestic.

As long as they follow Your Majesty, in the long run, perhaps the entire Ji-Han could rise to heaven, even the chickens and dogs!

Just as everyone's hearts were excited, Zhao Yun did not hesitate, immediately saying:

"Your Majesty has given an order; how would this subordinate dare not obey?"

Hearing these words, Li Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction and signaled Li Xian to inject Zhao Yun with the serum.

Li Xian opened the brocade box, took out the syringe containing the blue liquid, and in the expectant gaze of everyone, removed Zhao Yun's armor, injecting the entire tube of serum into Zhao Yun's body.

"Ugh..."

Zhao Yun let out a muffled groan, knelt on one knee, his brows tightly furrowed, his expression seeming somewhat painful.

Guan Xing and the other four beside him were slightly stunned, unable to help but turn their heads to look at Zhuge Liang beside them and Li Li Shimin on the dragon bed.

Zhuge Liang lightly pressed his feather fan, signaling the generals to calm down and not panic.

He had experienced the effect of the Longevity Pill and knew that washing the marrow and cleansing the skin inevitably involved pain, so he was calmer than the generals.

Not long after, Zhao Yun's exposed right arm swelled; the muscles that had been slightly shriveled became full, and the skin cracked like a dried-up riverbed. Dead skin and flakes were burst open by the muscles, revealing the new, delicate skin beneath.

Moreover, Zhao Yun's white hair and white beard were falling rapidly, growing into black beard and hair.

Although the features on his face had not changed much, under the contrast of black hair and black beard, he looked at least ten years younger.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, Zhao Yun let out a beast-like low growl from his throat, then suddenly swung his fist up with a mighty force, smashing it down onto the ground beneath his feet.

"Boom—"

A deafening roar erupted; the hard stone bricks instantly caved in and shattered, cracks spreading out layer by layer like a spiderweb.

All the generals were startled, unable to help but press their hands on the swords at their waists, staring fixedly at the figure in front of them that had regained its imposing stature.

Li Li Shimin's face showed a smile; he raised his hand and pressed it down in the air, signaling the generals not to panic.

Zhao Yun also recovered quickly, forcing himself to endure the discomfort as he bowed low and struck the ground, saying in shame:

"This old minister has lost his composure; please, Your Majesty, punish me!"

Li Li Shimin smiled and said, "It is of no consequence. Having just consumed the Immortal Pill, one indeed needs to vent. Uncle Yun, do not mind it; simply let your body stretch out freely, do not hold it back inside your heart."

These words left everyone confused, as if lost in clouds and mist; only Zhao Yun himself could understand.

Filled with gratitude in his heart, he immediately kowtowed to express thanks, then rose to his full height, stretched out both arms, and shook his entire body; his muscles trembled as he fully released the power that was continuously surging within him.

In just an instant, the clothes on his body were actually shattered by the force, exposing a torso that could be described as powerfully built.

This was naturally not just the power brought by the serum, but also Zhao Yun's own supreme Wu Gong, as well as his force control, which could be described as perfect to the very last detail.

Only at this moment did the generals belatedly realize that Zhao Yun's palm, which had just smashed the floor tiles, was now completely unharmed!

... Is this the so-called Dragon and Tiger power?

Gazing at Zhao Yun's scar-covered, muscular physique, the generals' eyes burned with fanaticism; they would have loved to immediately take his place and experience the feeling of possessing Dragon and Tiger power.

Li Li Shimin chuckled lightly and asked, "General Zhen Dong, how do you feel?"

Zhao Yun knelt on one knee, his eyes shining brightly as he replied, "Replying to Your Majesty: for the Northern Expedition next year, this subject is willing to serve as the vanguard and capture a city for Your Majesty first!"

Hearing this, Li Li Shimin laughed and shook his head, saying, "The General has been granted the Immortal Pill, which has already aroused envy among the generals. If you now seek merit, are you not afraid that the other generals will be dissatisfied?"

Hearing this, Zhao Yun was stunned, only then noticing the four fiery gazes behind him.

Guan Xing and Zhang Bao smiled and said, "Yes, Fourth Uncle, let this merit of being the first to ascend be left to your young nephew!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Wei Yan and Jiang Wei also knelt on one knee, competing and scrambling to serve as the vanguard.

Li Li Shimin and Zhuge Liang exchanged a smile.

He waved his large hand and declared loudly, "For the Northern Expedition next year, the four generals shall each lead one army."

"Whoever is the first to ascend, breaks the formation, slays a general, or seizes the banner shall be rewarded with one Dragon and Tiger Pill."

"Whoever is the first to attack Chang'an and capture Sima Yi and the traitor Cao shall be rewarded with one Longevity Pill and one Dragon and Tiger Pill!"

Everyone's eyes immediately lit up, and they immediately cried out fanatically, "How dare we not give our lives!"

Li Li Shimin clapped his hands and laughed, announcing that the entire army would equip firearms, with Li Xian by his side teaching the generals how to use firearms, vowing to forge the Shu Han army into a force capable of at least one decisive battle.

Thus, Shu Han's new lineup was finally completed.

The generals, having learned the secret of the Immortal Pill, all exerted their utmost strength to learn the art of commanding the firearm army.

Even without the Super Soldier Serum enhancement, they were confident they could achieve the feat of being the first to ascend, breaking formations, slaying generals, and seizing banners!

Just as Li Li Shimin was assembling Shu Han's new lineup, Fan Xian also returned to the Yu Nian World due to a certain matter; while busy, he sent wedding invitations to the group members.

That's right; after more than a month, the wedding between Fan Xian and Lin Wan'er was finally about to be held!

At this time, the activity level of the chat group had already grown to 38,284; according to a daily growth rate of seven hundred, the stage goal would be reached exactly on the second day of Fan Xian's wedding.

Such a coincidental event could truly be described as double joy arriving at the door.

The group members all congratulated and offered blessings, agreeing to cross worlds and attend the wedding on the day, absolutely not missing it!

(End of this chapter)