"Return to the King, it is said that General Li Tianba, the Defender of the Nation, persuaded the western cities to surrender along the way. Therefore, nearly all the cities in the western regions fell without a fight, directly welcoming the Xuanfeng army into their gates."
"Scoundrel! Traitor Li Tianba, I will kill you!" Li Chenggan's doubts were immediately cleared.
However, the more troublesome issue was that with Li Tianba in play, it was likely that Huangfeng City would surrender without a fight as well. If that happened, the Xuanfeng army would surely surround Shengjing City, and then it would be difficult to break the siege.
"De Gonggong, summon Li Ru to the palace."
"Understood."
The series of events left Li Chenggan with a headache. He vaguely felt that his father had managed to fend off the siege of four nations for thirty years, and there seemed to be some hidden truth behind it.
It was as if the other four nations deliberately made a lot of noise but didn't truly press the attack...
Shaking his head, he decided not to dwell on these matters. For now, Li Chenggan only wanted to hear Li Ru's advice to handle the current crisis before delving into further speculation.
Just as De Gonggong walked out of the Imperial Study, he ran into Li Ru, who was rushing toward him.
"Li-daren, the King has requested your presence in the palace, please follow me."
"Thank you, De Gonggong."
Not long after, the two of them entered the Imperial Study one after the other.
"Eh, what's going on here?"
"Your Majesty, I just ran into Li Daren as I left."
"Very well. De Gonggong, you may leave. I have matters to discuss with Wenyou."
"Understood."
Up until this point, De Gonggong appeared to be entirely loyal, but Li Chenggan still didn't fully trust him. After all, the mysterious death of his previous self and Li Mo's sudden illness were filled with strange circumstances. Li Chenggan had to be cautious.
Until the truth behind his previous death and Li Mo's demise was fully uncovered, Li Chenggan would trust only the summoned heroes, and be wary of everyone else.
"Wenyou, tell me, what did you gather on this mission?"
This time, Li Ru had wiped out nearly a hundred powerful families in Shengjing, and surely he had reaped some significant rewards.
"Your Majesty, I have eradicated 93 traitorous families, confiscating their wealth and supplies. The exact amount is still being counted, but I estimate it could supply half a million troops for a year."
Li Chenggan, though already expecting a considerable haul, couldn't help but be shocked. These families were incredibly wealthy!
"Moreover, Your Majesty, I found this in Li Xiao's private chambers."
Li Ru took out a square-shaped token and handed it to Li Chenggan. The token was engraved with alternating dragons and tigers, exuding a formidable presence.
"Wenyou, do you know the origin of this token?"
"Your Majesty, after reviewing the files through the night, I found a clue. It is said that over three hundred years ago, before the Tang Dynasty was established, this territory was controlled by a group called the Longhu Sect. Later, when the Tang Dynasty founded the nation, the Longhu Sect disappeared overnight. Some say they were destroyed by the Tang Dynasty, but I discovered some inconsistencies in the records. The Longhu Sect had masters of the divine realm, and with the Tang Dynasty's strength at that time, it would have been impossible for them to be destroyed."
At this point, Li Ru frowned deeply, sensing a heavy pressure from the mysterious Longhu Sect.
"Wenyou, are you saying that this token belongs to the Longhu Sect? And that the sect has been hiding in the shadows for three hundred years with some ulterior motive?"
After listening to Li Ru's explanation, Li Chenggan seemed to have an inkling.
"Yes, the Longhu Sect must be plotting something significant. Otherwise, they wouldn't have hidden so completely. Perhaps the three elders of the royal family and Li Xiao knew something, but alas…"
"No matter. They are just rats. If they choose to remain hidden, it means they are not yet strong enough to act. If they don't show themselves, fine. But if they dare reveal their intentions, I will destroy them."
Unlike Li Ru's regrets, Li Chenggan was far more composed. As long as he had time, the Longhu Sect would be no match for him. By then, even the heroes he summoned might be stronger than the Longhu Sect's divine masters.
"Your Majesty is right. I have overestimated them. They are nothing to worry about."
Li Ru quickly came to his senses. With his own pace of cultivation, what was the divine realm? It was nothing!
"Enough, Wenyou, let's put those rats aside for now. I summoned you because I wanted your thoughts on the upcoming arrival of the Xuanfeng Dynasty's army at Huangfeng City. What do you suggest?"
In truth, the Tang Dynasty was surrounded by enemies on all sides, and there was no spare strength to deal with the Longhu Sect. Li Chenggan had to put aside his suspicions, at least for the moment.
"Your Majesty, allow me to go to Huangfeng City. Before Li Tianba persuades them to surrender, I will take down the city's defenders and rally the soldiers. With that, we can hold the Xuanfeng army at the gates."
As expected of Li Ru, he immediately proposed a solution, thinking ahead, knowing that Li Tianba's persuasive efforts could lead to an early surrender.
"No, Wenyou, Shengjing City needs you. I need you to stay here and manage the rear. I will personally head to Huangfeng City to face the Xuanfeng Dynasty's army. I must personally take down the traitor Li Tianba!"
This idea had just come to Li Chenggan's mind, and once it did, he could no longer suppress his impulse.
"Your Majesty, this is too dangerous! You should not risk your life over someone like Li Tianba!"
"Wenyou, I understand your concern for my safety, but do you know? The Tang Dynasty is on the brink of collapse. If I do not step forward now to deliver a major victory, the people will lose faith in us, and soon the Dynasty will fall. What use is it to survive if the nation is lost?"
Li Chenggan spoke from the heart, and Li Ru, moved by his words, stood in awe. It only made him more certain that Li Chenggan had a great future ahead.
He believed that as long as they overcame this crisis, the Tang Dynasty would rise like a carp leaping over the dragon gate, unstoppable!
"Your Majesty need not worry. Li Ru will carry out his duties as ordered!"
Li Ru bowed solemnly, no longer attempting to dissuade him.
"Good, there is no time to waste. I will take Zhou Cang and Guan Ping and depart immediately. I will leave the matters in Shengjing to you, Wenyou!"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty."
...
Meanwhile, in the training grounds, Zhou Cang and Guan Ping had already gathered eight thousand blood guards, awaiting orders.
After much thought, Li Chenggan decided to summon eight thousand blood guards for the coming battle, despite the fact that summoning eight second-tier heroes would not have the same impact.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the King!"
As Li Chenggan arrived at the training grounds, he was met with a thunderous cheer.
"Rise. The Xuanfeng Dynasty has invaded our lands and harmed our people. Do you accept this?"
Li Chenggan activated the *Ten Thousand Ages Eternal Emperor Technique*, and his imperial aura spread throughout the field. His commanding voice rang out, shaking the very souls of his soldiers.
"No! No! No!"
The soldiers roared with fury.
"Good! I swear before you all. I will not return until the Xuanfeng Dynasty is defeated! Will you follow me to battle?"
"Kill! Kill! Kill! We will not return until Xuanfeng is destroyed!"
The oath was resolute, the roar deafening. A blood-red aura formed in the sky, making the entire Shengjing tremble!
The army was united, their hearts resolute. This battle would surely be won! Li Chenggan drew his sword and pointed it towards Huangfeng City. The army began its march!