3rd Year of Zhengyong, November 2nd.
Xu Mujun led the Dragon-soaring Army, leaving Black Mountain Pass for the Border Army to guard, while he and the Dragon-soaring Army pushed south.
3rd Year of Zhengyong, November 15th.
Xu Mujun led the Dragon-soaring Army to defeat the Celestial Destiny Army, killing 120,000 enemies and capturing countless others.
3rd Year of Zhengyong, December 7th.
The White Lotus Sect, Yellow Heaven Army, and Celestial Destiny Army jointly attacked the Dragon-soaring Army.
The Dragon-soaring Army was defeated, and Xu Mujun charged alone into the army, killing the Commander-in-Chief of the Celestial Destiny Army and capturing the Vice Sect Leader of the White Lotus Sect, 'Laughing Celestial Maitreya'.
After two battles, the chaotic troops scattered like startled birds, and Xu Mujun's martial arts cultivation was revealed to be at the Innate Realm!
The Great Yu Dynasty's second Innate Realm master!
When the battle report was sent back, Emperor Zhengyong was overjoyed, causing a stir in the Imperial Court as countless people petitioned to reward Xu Mujun.
4th Year of Zhengyong, January 3rd, Xu Mujun sent back military orders that the Dragon-soaring Army had suffered heavy losses, and they were stationed at Datong to annihilate the rebel forces.
For a while, the winds shifted in the Imperial Court.
But under Prime Minister Yang's orders, the court officials still offered congratulations and rewards to Xu Mujun.
"Great Eunuch, what do you think Xu Mujun... is really thinking?"
Late at night, inside Jiaotai Hall.
Emperor Zhengyong held his forehead, speaking in a detached tone.
Wang Zhongyi did not dare to speak carelessly, only saying, "I don't know either, perhaps the Dragon-soaring Army has been fighting for years, suffered heavy losses, and they must rest and regroup."
"Suppressing Nanyue County, driving out Wu Country, and the Luan Min in Qingzhou, even if the Dragon-soaring Army were made of iron, they couldn't withstand such prolonged fighting."
"Is that so?"
Emperor Zhengyong said, "He, Xu Mujun, is an Innate Realm master... Taking a general's head among the chaos is like retrieving something from a pocket!"
"If he was willing, how could the Dragon-soaring Army suffer such loss?"
"Your Majesty..."
Emperor Zhengyong shook his head and said, "Has the Imperial City Department sent him a secret letter, and received a reply?"
"Not yet..."
"What about Prime Minister Yang?"
"No movement... But from the information passed by subordinates, it seems Prime Minister Yang is waiting for Consort Shuu to give birth..."
"Consort Shuu to give birth?"
Emperor Zhengyong's face changed slightly, gritting his teeth, "Yes, if Consort Shuu gives birth to a Dragon Child, it could compete for the Crown Prince position!"
"But fortunately, the Empress, Consort Bi, and Consort De are already pregnant."
"I don't believe they can't give birth to a Dragon Child?!"
These past few months, Zheng Yi hasn't had a moment's rest.
He's either in the Empress's palace or with Consort Duann.
During this time, even Consort De could not escape Zheng Yi's grasp.
Unfortunately, like the Empress, Consort De is just a vase.
After dual cultivation, they could only enhance the root bone but gained no further benefits.
"What about Noble Consort Cui?"
Emperor Zhengyong suddenly asked, "Is she still claiming illness?"
"Yes... Your Majesty,"
Wang Zhongyi said, "Three months ago, after Noble Consort Cui suddenly fell into the water, she has been claiming illness ever since, so the Imperial Household Department hasn't put her name on the board."
"The Qinghe Cui Family... hehehe, they really are a group of old foxes."
"Knowing Prime Minister Yang's power, don't want to get involved?"
Emperor Zhengyong sneered, "Unfortunately, being in the Royal Family means you don't have a choice!"
Wang Zhongyi did not dare to respond, and after a few moments of silence, Emperor Zhengyong suddenly asked, "What is the situation with Consort Duann?"
"The subsequent Empress and Consort De are already pregnant, why is she not pregnant yet?"
"If she were pregnant, Xu Mujun might be cautious..."
Wang Zhongyi said, "This matter is also strange to me, that shadow goes to Consort Duann's palace the most, and often stays overnight... Yet Consort Duann hasn't become pregnant after so long, it really is strange."
"The Empress, Consort Shuu, Consort De, and Consort Bi are all pregnant, so it seems it has nothing to do with the shadow."
"Have the Imperial Physician take a good look at Consort Duann's body, understand?"
"Yes... Your Majesty!"
...
Xianfu Palace.
Having just finished exercising, Zheng Yi held Xu Qingluan and continued speaking sweet words.
During these past months, Zheng Yi's relationship with Xu Qingluan has progressed rapidly.
Being from a military background, Xu Qingluan dares to love and hate.
Especially these months, Zheng Yi's vigorous physique has already deeply captivated her.
Her whole heart is hung on Zheng Yi.
At this moment, she gazed at Zheng Yi with admiration and said, "Your Majesty, this concubine is guilty... It's been so long, and this concubine still can't give birth to a child for Your Majesty..."
"Who said my beloved has sinned?"
Zheng Yi lifted her chin with his fingers, proudly saying, "I just want to spend more time with my beloved, how could I bear to let my beloved become pregnant?"
These words were true.
The Empress, Consort Shuu, Consort De are ordinary women, and dual cultivation can only enhance root bone and lifespan.
Through these experiments, he also explored the factors of lifespan growth.
The current age of the women determines how much lifespan he gains after dual cultivation.
Consort Bi, although bearing the "White Lotus Reincarnation Divine Skill," was already pregnant with a four-month term, making dual cultivation impossible.
Noble Consort Cui has been claiming illness, deeply locked in the palace.
The reason for not letting Consort Duann become pregnant is, of course, the dual cultivation of the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror.
After all, the Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber and root bone enhancement are what Zheng Yi urgently needs.
Through months of hard work, besides getting the Empress and Consort De pregnant, all his effort has been focused on Consort Duann.
Effort pays off over time.
After these months of hard work, his proficiency in the Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber has already reached 6520 out of 10000.
If he persists for a few more months, he will break through to the third level.
By then, his overall strength will reach the first-grade!
A First-grade Martial Artist!
In the martial arts world, he is considered a formidable figure.
In the Great Yu Military System, he holds the rank of General!
Fortunately, the Hundred Battle Blood Slaughter Saber can be cultivated both internally and externally, not focusing on inner strength, only releasing evil qi during actual swordsmanship, thus not being detectable by others.
Otherwise, with Zheng Yi and Consort Duann's daily interactions, any ordinary cultivation technique would soon be discovered by her.
He will not let Consort Duann become pregnant until his overall strength reaches the first-grade!
After another two hours, Xu Qingluan slowly fell asleep, and Zheng Yi, accompanied by Wang Zhongyi, returned to Jiaotai Hall.
Wang Zhongyi waved his hand, signaling nearby eunuchs and guards to move further away, and whispered:
"Your Majesty, I have already sent an Imperial Physician to diagnose Consort Duann."
"Diagnose Consort Duann?" Zheng Yi asked in surprise, "Diagnose what?"
"Now in the harem, only Consort Duann and Noble Consort Cui are not pregnant, hoping Your Majesty continues to cultivate..."
"I've already tried quite hard, Consort Duann is also trying hard."
"Then try even harder."
"This... okay..."
As the entourage reached the side of the Imperial Garden, a ghostly figure suddenly emerged from the pond outside, rushing towards Zheng Yi at a high speed.
Wang Zhongyi immediately sensed it, his body automatically moving to protect Zheng Yi, his robe fluttering without wind, and he quickly rushed forward.
"Assassin!"
"Protect His Majesty!!!"
"Bang!"
In mid-air, as their palms collided, a muffled sound was heard.
The figure in black swiftly retreated, while Wang Zhongyi also staggered back several steps, his face extremely unsightly, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Cold Ice Poison Palm... Elder Xuan Ming?!"
"Not good! Your Majesty!"
He quickly turned back, only to see another dark figure leaping down from a large tree in the corner, swooping towards Zheng Yi like a giant eagle.
"Hahaha... Emperor, your life is mine!"