On the other side, the expression of the people from the Tianyang Empire was not so pleasant.
"Retrieve Nangong Yin," but it’s retrieving a corpse!
Claiming marriage proposal as a pretext to seize three critical passes of Sky White Empire, the result was the loss of three cities!
Xiahou Lie clenched his fists tightly, the more imposing Ling Feng appeared, the more he wished he could strangle that youngster.
"General, we should return to the hostel first and head back home soon," suggested a deputy general behind Xiahou Lie, bowing.
Xiahou Lie’s expression flickered between shades as he glared at Ling Feng, this youth had repeatedly humiliated him and now had single-handedly foiled the great plans of the Tianyang Empire.
This boy would eventually become a major threat to the Tianyang Empire!
"Let’s return to the hostel! Ah..."
After a long while, Xiahou Lie let out a deep sigh, beckoning his men to carry away those talents from the Tianyang Empire who had been beaten half to death by Ling Feng, or the ones who had already turned into corpses, at least giving them a burial.
As for the other matters, they would be decided by the Eleventh Prince once they returned.
Upon the high platform.
Grand Commandant Lee saw Xiahou Lie escorting the envoys of the Tianyang Empire away; he stroked his long beard and laughed loudly, "It seems that Xiahou Lie will not have it easy when he returns."
"With the usual iron-blooded manner of the Tianyang Empire, Xiahou Lie won’t die but he will surely lose a layer of skin."
Yue Zhonglian approached Grand Commandant Lee, standing shoulder to shoulder with him, he spoke softly, "This Xiahou Lie, indeed a talented person, it’s a pity, he is ultimately an opponent."
"Sect Leader, I actually hope the Emperor of Tianyang executes this fellow. He would then be one less formidable enemy on the battlefield, ha ha ha..."
Grand Commandant Lee turned to look at Yue Zhonglian; although his status ranked amongst the Three Grand Ministers, Yue Zhonglian as the Sect Master of National Guardian Divine Sect held a position equal to the State Preceptor, even above him in status.
Yue Zhonglian nodded slightly, his gaze shifting forward as Yue Yunlan walked slowly towards him.
"Father." Yue Yunlan approached her father, bit her silver teeth, and gave a respectful curtsy.
"Lan’er, you’ve suffered," Yue Zhonglian raised his hand, gently caressed Yue Yunlan’s head, a hint of remorse flashed in his eyes.
Even though Yue Yunlan had escaped marrying into the Tianyang Empire, he still felt some guilt in his heart.
"I understand your helplessness, father, so I don’t blame you."
Yue Yunlan narrowed her eyes and smiled, in her father’s heart, between the state and home, the state was always the first priority.
This was the unshirkable duty of the Cangqiong Sect as the National Guardian Divine Sect, as well as the adherence of the Yue family ancestors through the generations.
"It’s good you understand. Your mother..." Yue Zhonglian showed a bitter smile; because of this matter, the Sect Master’s Wife almost had a big quarrel with him.
"It’s all right now. At most, mother was just angry for a few days, she, how could she truly be angry with you."
Yue Yunlan stepped forward and hugged her father’s arm, giggling.
"You’re such a clever spirit." Yue Zhonglian shook his head, patted his daughter’s back, and said gravely, "Don’t worry, something won’t happen again."
This was his promise as a father to his daughter!
"Okay, Lan’er, why don’t you go find Ling Feng, that youngster? This time he really..."
Before Yue Zhonglian could finish, he was interrupted by Yue Yunlan.
Yue Yunlan glared at her father, gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, let’s go back and see mother. As for Ling Feng, he’s busy!"
Qiaoqiao looked at the crowd below, where countless people surrounded Ling Feng. A bunch of eligible young ladies were casting surreptitious glances at him, but the guy could only scratch the back of his head and chuckle foolishly. Couldn’t he take this opportunity to confess his feelings to the young lady or something?
"True, Ling Feng my friend is indeed different from before," Yue Zhonglian said with a light smile. "Well, I’ll have to invite him over to the Cangqiong Sect another day and properly thank him."
"Mm-hmm." Yue Yunlan nodded and pushed her father away from the training field.
"That’s settled then. Big brother should also head back now and deal with some follow-up matters with the Sect Leader."
Wen Tingguang looked back to see that Yue Zhonglian and his daughter had already left, bid farewell to Ling Feng, and on leaving, he even advised Ling Feng not to be too hard on Yue Zhonglian.
Actually, making such a tough decision, Yue Zhonglian felt worse than anyone.
Ling Feng naturally understood that he had indeed been a bit rude before.
"No need for long speeches, Big Brother. Kid, just keep up the good work!"
Wen Tingguang gave Ling Feng an ambiguous glance, leaving him wondering whether Wen intended for him to continue diligently in his cultivation or to strive to become Cangqiong Sect’s newest son-in-law!
"Mhm. Next time I’m free, I’ll visit Cangqiong Mountain to see Big Brother!"
After Wen Tingguang left, Ling Feng no longer felt like staying there as a public spectacle. Just as he was about to leave with his brothers from the East Courtyard Sword Team, a eunuch, dressed in eunuch robes and holding a white feather duster, hurried over, bowed deeply to Ling Feng. "General Ling, I am here by the command of the Empress Dowager, hoping General Ling would accompany me to the palace to meet Her Thousand-Year Majesty."
"The Empress Dowager?"
Ling Feng’s eyelid twitched, suddenly reminded of something.
This little eunuch’s Empress Dowager seemed to be Elder Yan’s "old flame."
The Empress Dowager really had fast information! The contest had just ended, and her people were already on the move.
It looked like the Empress Dowager must have learned about his tie with Yan Cangtian and thus sent for him.
Other than that, Ling Feng couldn’t think of any other reason the high and mighty Empress Dowager would want to see him.
Since she was Elder Yan’s "first love," it might be worth seeing her. He was also quite curious to see what kind of woman could have Yan Cangtian head over heels, still an old virgin in his fifties or sixties.
"Since the Empress Dowager wishes it, how could I refuse?" Ling Feng bowed to the little eunuch. "Please lead the way, Eunuch."
"This servant is called Little Anzi," said the little eunuch, pinching his fingers daintily and speaking in a delicate tone, "Little General, please follow me."
"Mhm, Little Anzi, just a moment, please." Ling Feng turned back to Goo Tengfeng and others, smiled faintly, and said, "Everyone, I’ll make a trip to the palace. Captain, you take everyone back first."
After that, he glanced at Mu Qianxue and saw that she seemed a bit distracted and absent-minded.
"Hey hey, Brother Feen, never thought the Empress Dowager would think so highly of you!" Yuu Sixian chuckled. "Brother Feen, I heard the Empress Dowager used to be the number one beauty in Imperial City. You’ll have to tell me just how stunning she is after you’re back!"
"Brother Feen, everything else aside, now that you’re a Great General, you’ve got to treat us to a meal!" Lin Mochen also laughed.
"Alright, stop messing around," Goo Tengfeng stepped forward, patted Ling Feng’s shoulder, and smiled faintly. "Be careful out there."
"Mhm." Ling Feng nodded, then looked in the direction of Tuoba Yan, and then said to Little Anzi, "Eunuch Anzi, I’ll bring along one maid, that should be alright, shouldn’t it?"
"This..." Little Anzi hesitated for a moment, "That should be alright."
Ling Feng called out to Tuoba Yan. Although Tuoba Yan could follow him secretly, considering the Imperial City was filled with experts and there were over a dozen at the Emperor-level, he thought it better not to risk her safety.
Tuoba Yan clenched her silver teeth, inwardly cursing the accursed Red Dust Heart Devouring Gu but was helpless to do anything about it. She leapt into the air and landed steadily beside Ling Feng.