Shu Residence.

The autumn wind sighed, and the courtyard was filled with yellow leaves.

In the main hall, Yang Xian received the secret report from the front line, his eyes wide open, unable to hide the astonishment on his face.

Unexpectedly, not only did Chen Mo win the battle in Huai State, but it was a major victory.

Gongsun Yan, the Grand General under King Chong, and Luo Qingyang, the patriarch of the Luo Family, both famous Divine Power Realm Martial Artists in the world, were actually shot and killed by Chen Mo in a single encounter.

Even Liang Mu, the patriarch of the Liang Family, was captured.

King Anping "defected at the last moment," and the Alliance Army was utterly defeated.

In the perspective of Yang Xian and the others, King Anping and King Chong were also in league.

So, when King Anping sided with Chen Mo, in Yang Xian's view, it was naturally defection.

After the shock, Yang Xian's lips curled into a sneer.

"This Chu Yan and Lu Sheng are really not to be conspired with. They launched a campaign against Chen Mo and didn't even give it their all, deservedly defeated..."

In the secret report, neither King Chong nor Lu Sheng appeared in the battle in Huai State, so in Yang Xian's view, it was still the other side underestimating Chen Mo and not giving their all.

"With Chu Yan and the others' major defeat this time, Chen Mo might actually succeed in heading south to support the King, and by then..."

Yang Xian shouted toward the outside of the hall: "Someone, come."

"Master." A maid walked in.

"Quickly bring the young lady here," Yang Xian ordered.

"Yes."

Soon, Yang Qingqing arrived in front of Yang Xian with a cold expression.

"Qingqing, why are you dressed like this? A young lady should dress like a young lady," Yang Xian said with a frown, looking at Yang Qingqing dressed in a short and tight fighting outfit.

"Haven't I always dressed like this?" Yang Qingqing replied coldly.

Hearing this, Yang Xian's expression became a bit unnatural. He sat in the chair, looking at the daughter he had pampered like a treasure since childhood, sighed, and then said, "Still angry at your father?"

Since that day Yang Xian spoke to Yang Qingqing that way, Yang Qingqing had never shown him a good face.

"No," Yang Qingqing said coldly.

"Father knows you are dissatisfied, but it's for your own good," Yang Xian's voice softened.

"What for my own good? It's all for your gain, marrying me off to them so you can benefit. What father would send his daughter to be someone else's concubine for her own good?"

Yang Qingqing couldn't stand Yang Xian's tone of acting in her best interest, and with reddened eyes, she shouted.

"Silence."

Yang Xian slapped the table beside him, angrily.

"I'm telling the truth," Yang Qingqing said, facing Yang Xian's anger, "You're just doing it for yourself."

Yang Xian suddenly stood up, raised his hand, and upon seeing this, Yang Qingqing did not avoid it. Instead, she stepped closer, showing a defiant attitude.

This slap, Yang Xian ultimately did not land. He sat down, lowered his voice, and said, "The war in Huai State is over, Chen Mo won, and it was a great victory."

Yang Qingqing said nothing, just looked at Yang Xian coldly.

Yang Xian did not avoid her gaze and said:

"You cannot accept being someone else's concubine merely because you're afraid of others' gossip. Yet that Chen Mo became famous at a young age, was already a First-class Duke at twenty-two, defeated Prince Huai, expelled foreign invaders, his governance is stable and peaceful, praised by the people, renown for his wisdom, and possesses a commendable appearance. Now, his status is higher than our Yang Family's. If you become his concubine, others will only envy you, and no one will gossip about or look down on you.

Moreover, Chen Mo has the appearance of the Human Emperor; if he claims the throne one day, you will become a Consort, which is something many females in this world yearn for but cannot achieve."

Yang Qingqing still said nothing.

Yang Xian stood up and said, "In any case, you will marry whether you want to or not. It's not up to you."

With that, he walked out of the main hall.

...

Yan State.

At the foot of a mountain outside Yuan County.

King Anping, Chu Ji, along with the Prefect of Yanzhou, Zhang Le, came to this place under the escort of over two thousand personal soldiers, intending to meet Chen Mo in the temple up the mountain.

But as soon as they arrived at the foot of the mountain, they were stopped by Sun Meng.

Zhang Le frowned, and Chu Ji's personal soldiers immediately drew their swords, ready to fight.

"What's this about?" Chu Ji turned his head and shouted, and then, with a smile, looked at Sun Meng and said, "I am King Anping, Chu Ji, here to see Duke An. I hope the general can allow for this."

"I am Sun Meng, Captain of the Personal Guard under Duke An's command. My Marquis instructed that the temple is a serene place, and bringing so many people up could offend the Buddha. Moreover, your men are all clad in armor, filled with evil qi, which clashes with the Buddha," Sun Meng said.

Chu Ji twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth, 'Evil Qi too heavy? Is it heavier than your Duke An?'

However, he understood Duke An's intention and said to Zhang Le, "You all wait here. I will go alone."

"But, My Lord..."

Zhang Le's words had just begun when Chu Ji interrupted, loudly saying, "Duke An conducts himself openly and straightforwardly. Are you worried they would harm me?"

"That's not what I mean."

"Then wait here."

"..."

Sun Meng quietly watched them perform, and after they were done, he said, "My Lord, please."

... 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The setting sun cast its afterglow on the gilded plaque of Guangcheng Temple on the mountain.

Chen Mo didn't allow Chu Ji to bring soldiers up the mountain, yet there were many armored warriors of the Chen Army on the mountain, each holding swords and guns.

Sun Meng led Chu Ji to the temple entrance, saying, "My Lord, the Marquis is waiting for you inside."

Chu Ji nodded and walked in.

Inside the temple, the armored warriors of the Chen Army stood in a straight line on both sides of the path.

A slender figure stood in the center.

Upon hearing footsteps, the figure turned around and surprisingly, it was a woman clad in armor, holding a sword.

With a clear and cold voice, Xia Zhining said, "My Lord, Duke An has been waiting for you for a long time."

With that, she led Chu Ji directly to the center of the temple.

In the Buddha Hall.

A young man in a white robe sat solemnly behind the table, and behind him, on both sides, the monks of the temple were all kneeling on the ground, each with a blade at their neck.