Chapter 654

He was overjoyed and immediately bowed in thanks,

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your favor, O Purple Robe Xie Dahan."

The Immortal God of Longevity now shed all his malice, uttered a Buddhist chant, and returned a Buddhist salute, saying,

"This humble monk, Changsheng, thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

"Congratulations to Your Majesty! Joy to Your Majesty!"

With the return of these two top-tier powerhouses, all civil and military officials rejoiced and chorused their congratulations.

"Yelu Chu, prepare wine and food—I wish to discuss Buddhist doctrine with the two masters."

The Great Yuan has always been dominated by Fomen; before this, Wang Si had overshadowed all other factions.

Thus, the imperial family, including Tie Muzhen, possessed profound Buddhist learning.

He believed his discussion of Buddhist doctrine with them would not be refused.

"Your Majesty's boundless grace moves this humble monk deeply."

But the Immortal God of Longevity refused, saying,

"Yet the most pressing matter now is arranging state and military affairs!"

"Your noble spirit, Master, I shall forever remember."

Upon hearing the Immortal God of Longevity wished to immediately oversee state affairs, even Tie Muzhen was deeply grateful.

He immediately accepted without hesitation, saying,

"The two most pressing matters now: first, naturally, is recovering the traitors Chilaowen and Zhamuhe."

In the previous meeting, Tie Muzhen had been extremely reserved.

Back then, his strongest forces were merely the Thirteen Wings and Long Xiang Seng.

Now, however!

With the return of the Immortal God of Longevity and the Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang,

Tie Muzhen now possessed sufficient strength—and a trump card!

Zhamuhe and Chilaowen, each for the sake of a woman, had betrayed their oaths.

In his heart, what else could they be called but traitors?

"I shall go myself to handle this matter!"

The Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang, listening to Boyan's explanation, fully understood the sequence of events.

Hearing that Chilaowen had left the imperial court in rage over his obsession with Tie Muzhen's favorite concubine, Timuer,

the Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang gave Tie Muzhen a strange look, then accepted the mission.

The Xuedaqi Sect is an extremely powerful force within Great Ming!

Its lord, Tie Zhongtang, is also a formidable powerhouse.

Yet the Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang is a fusion of the former Purple Robe Chief and the Zi Yi Jing Wang, two top experts.

He once fought against the Xiao brothers and Seeing Di Shitian in the Long Yin Cave—top-tier members of the Qinglong Society.

Thus, in Tie Muzhen's eyes, this mission nearly required the entire upper echelon of the Great Yuan.

But in the Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang's eyes, he alone was sufficient.

"Then I thank you, Zi Yi Jing Wang."

Tie Muzhen immediately bowed in thanks and asked,

"Might the Right State Preceptor require additional personnel for safety?"

"No need!"

The Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang waved his hand—this mission, to him, was truly trivial.

Far simpler than finding the Immortal God of Longevity and persuading him to join the Great Yuan.

"When you return, I shall drink with you, Zi Yi Jing Wang."

Tie Muzhen said, overjoyed.

"Farewell!"

The Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang's form flickered and was gone.

"The second matter should be the attack on Youzhou, correct?"

On his arrival, the Immortal God of Longevity had already overheard part of the military and political deliberations with his formidable power.

"Precisely!"

Tie Muzhen was ecstatic—now that the Purple Robe Zi Yi Jing Wang had personally gone to pursue the traitors Chilaowen and Zhamuhe,

the Great Yuan's strength was freed up.

Capturing Tang's Youzhou would grant access to communication with the Yin Yue Imperial Court!

"Why does Your Majesty wish to seize Youzhou?"

The Immortal God of Longevity had already been to Youzhou's Guobeizhen and once battled the Demon Lord Bai Suzhen at Lanruo Temple.

Unfortunately, his physical body was destroyed, and his spirit had sunk through the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

Though a mysterious entity rescued him from the Eighteen Levels of Hell,

he retained only his cultivation, having lost most of his memories.

Naturally, he did not recall the events at Guobeizhen!

Tie Muzhen knew none of this and immediately explained the strategic purpose to the Immortal God of Longevity.

Since ascending the Heavenly Dao Golden List, the Yin Yue Imperial Court has repeatedly stunned the world.

Of the four Demon Palace Sages, only three have been revealed—and they already occupy three top spots.

Other experts, clearly, are numerous.

Therefore, not only Temujin, but also the Great Qin and Great Tang all wished to ally with the Yin Yue Imperial Court.

"So that's it! Then what is the strength of Great Tang in Youzhou?"

Hearing it was about the Yin Yue Imperial Court, Master Changsheng nodded, showing understanding.

"Yelu Chu, you answer."

Temujin naturally knew less about Youzhou's situation than Yelu Chu.

"Scouts report that, besides the fifty thousand defenders in Youzhou City, the only experts are a few imperial court attendants of Great Tang."

Yelu Chu pulled from his bosom a sheepskin scroll, on which were recorded the detailed information of these imperial court attendants of Great Tang.

Imperial court attendants differ from national protectors—they are far weaker than national protectors and cannot cultivate by drawing upon the imperial fortune.

Thus, upon hearing only a few imperial court attendants, Master Changsheng vaguely understood.

"Your Majesty's intent is to seize Youzhou, then station experts at its borders to block Great Tang's experts from coming?"

"Precisely! Great Tang has recruited Tianmo Cang Qu. His strength is terrifying."

Previously, I thought Long Xiang, plus three of the Thirteen Wings, could theoretically hold off Cang Qu.

Then have Yelu Chu quickly negotiate with the Yin Yue Imperial Court."

Temujin nodded. In the Nine Provinces World, conquering cities and lands now depended most not on armies, but on top-tier experts!

After all, while armies may pose some threat to top-tier experts, it is only a slight threat!

"Good! This task, leave it to this monk."

Master Changsheng said no more, immediately accepting the task.

"Excellent! Yelu Chu, immediately notify Pingzhou: have Mu Huali and General Zhebie prepare for battle.

This war must succeed in one strike. After taking Youzhou, establish contact with the Yin Yue Imperial Court as soon as possible."

Temujin, full of confidence, felt as though destiny itself now rested upon him!

Yet had he known that a top-tier expert still blocked the path before Lanruo Temple, what would he think?

Great Tang, Great Ming Palace.

"One glance at Ximen dooms a lifetime? But I've never even seen him—why…?"

Gazing at Sun Xiaohong's remark, Empress Wu Zetian of Great Tang murmured suddenly.

Shangguan Wan stared in disbelief—what had come over her sovereign?

Had she truly fallen for Ximen Wudi?

But why?

Almost everyone in the world who has seen Ximen Wudi belongs to the Qinglong Society.