57: Inquiry

Let alone the fact that the Dongyan Empire, Xilan Empire, and Silver Moon Empire had no intention of taking advantage of the situation for certain reasons.

Even if they had such an idea, they would have to abandon it at this moment!

With such terrifying military strength, who would want to follow in the footsteps of the Beichuan Empire before figuring out the situation?

That was 140,000 soldiers!

140,000 soldiers, and a Cultivator army at that; how much national strength and how many resources would be needed to Cultivate them?

...

Clear Serenity Empire, Qianqing Hall.

Nangong Aotian received news from the northern border and could not help but be overjoyed, "Good, good, good! Immediately spread this news to every corner of the Clear Serenity Empire to boost morale!"

"Right, what needs to be stated should be stated. The fact that the Northern Expeditionary Army obtained intelligence from the Mysterious Person, acquiring the Beichuan Empire's defense maps, battle formations, and information on the abilities of their main generals, must also be made known to the world!"

Hearing this, the court officials were slightly suspicious, but then they realized something and couldn't help but feel enlightened.

"Your Majesty, should such a thing really be said? After all, the first major victory is a morale-boosting event. If we say we relied on external forces, wouldn't it imply that the military capability of our Clear Serenity Empire is inadequate, and that we won without honor?"

A court official spoke up, wanting to hide the point about the Mysterious Person providing intelligence.

"Yes, Your Majesty, is it possible not to mention the point about the Mysterious Person providing intelligence?"

"Your Majesty, we also feel that this point should not be mentioned. Otherwise, it will be a slight blow to the morale of the people of the Clear Serenity Empire; it is not worth the loss!"

"Your Majesty..."

Seeing that most of the officials had jumped out, Nangong Aotian's expression darkened, "Enough! I have my own decision on this matter. You need not say more; just do as I say!"

The facts are what they are; how long could one hide them?

Furthermore, if the point about the Mysterious Person's intelligence were hidden, wouldn't that be an exaggeration that belittles the illustrious military achievements of the Prince of Zhenbei, Nangong Aochen?

If that were the case, what if the world looked down on Nangong Aochen because of it, or even ridiculed and mocked him?

A war god hero becoming a joke?

Although his younger brother Nangong Aochen had already fallen, he would not allow such a thing to happen.

Seeing that Nangong Aotian looked displeased and showed signs of anger, the officials no longer tried to persuade him.

"We obey your decree!"

Seeing that no one opposed him anymore, Nangong Aotian nodded slightly, "Very well, court is dismissed!"

"We respectfully see Your Majesty off!"

...

Northern border, inside the main command tent of the Northern Expeditionary Army.

Ming Tianan and the others were all looking joyful. This great battle had only lasted two days, but it had allowed them to fight to their heart's content and vent the dissatisfaction in their hearts.

"Marshal, the Beichuan Empire's remnants are now in full retreat, and their defenses are practically non-existent. I request the Marshal to issue an order to drive straight in and seize their cities and land!"

"I also request the Marshal to order us to continue the Northern Expedition and thoroughly hurt the Beichuan Empire!"

"I request the Marshal to issue the order!"

"..."

"Marshal, this is a rare opportunity. Please make a decision quickly to launch the Northern Expedition into Beichuan!"

Seeing the generals all in high spirits, Ming Tianan pondered for a moment and said, "The entire army shall set out and advance slowly. Along the way, expel all citizens of the Beichuan Empire. Those who dare to resist, or even have the intention to resist, are to be killed without mercy!"

"We obey your order!"

Hearing this order, the soldiers immediately accepted it with excitement and left.

Seeing this, Ming Tianan and Yang Zhong exchanged a glance, a trace of hidden worry in their eyes.

"Yang Zhong, immediately take seventy percent of the cultivation resources obtained in this battle and 300,000 Spirit Stones, and go find Nangong Wenxin of the Zhenbei Army to inquire about a matter!"

"Marshal, what should I ask about?" Yang Zhong vaguely guessed something, but still asked.

"Are there any ambushes? How deep should the main army advance? Are reinforcements from the Beichuan Empire on their way?"

Hearing this, Yang Zhong understood, "This general will take Ancestor Zhao and go immediately."

"Go quickly and return quickly!"

"This general obeys your command!"

Watching Yang Zhong leave, Ming Tianan looked toward the north, "This great victory has come too smoothly; this old man feels somewhat uneasy!"

...

Beichuan Empire, the hinterland of the southern border.

The Zhenbei Army marched to a valley before stopping to reorganize and rest.

"Those who were involved in the plot to kill the Prince are now only those few people left in the court of the Beichuan Empire who participated in the planning."

Nangong Lingyun took a deep breath and said with a faint smile.

"No rush, we will eventually make them pay with their lives!"

Nangong Wenxin nodded slightly, his eyes blood-red, with a flash of killing intent.

Immediately, he looked at the Black-Robed Person not far away, "Emissary, is it possible to continue moving forward?"

The Black-Robed Person shook his head slightly, "Reinforcements from the Beichuan Empire are on their way. Retreat, or change route to kill your way back and pillage another wave!"

Hearing this, Nangong Wenxin took out a map and quickly planned a route for the return journey.

"Rest for half a day, then kill our way back!"

"Good!"

Nangong Lingyun and the other nodded, their eyes full of deep red killing intent; clearly, they had been driven to a bloodthirsty frenzy.

It was also at this time that Nangong Wenxin received the message from Yang Zhong and could not help but look up at the Black-Robed Person.

"Emissary, General Yang Zhong wishes to inquire about a matter!"

The Black-Robed Person looked up slightly, "What matter?"

Nangong Wenxin did not hesitate and directly stated Yang Zhong's questions: "Are there any ambushes in the southern border of the Beichuan Empire? How deep should the Clear Serenity Empire's main army advance? Are reinforcements from the Beichuan Empire on their way?"

Hearing this, the Black-Robed Person lowered his head slightly, wondering what he was thinking.

After a long while, his cold, eerie voice resounded, "What is the reward for the intelligence?"

Nangong Wenxin hurriedly said, "Seventy percent of the cultivation resources they obtained in yesterday's great battle, and 300,000 Spirit Stones!"

Hearing this, the Black-Robed Person shook his head, "The share is a bit low, but the intelligence is not too difficult to obtain; 300,000 Spirit Stones can barely compensate for it."

Hearing this, Nangong Wenxin was slightly happy, "So, can I let him come over?"

But the Black-Robed Person shook his head, "No need. Have him report a location, and this Heavenly God Emissary will have someone go to collect the reward and convey the intelligence to him!"

Nangong Wenxin was slightly stunned; it was the first time he had heard the Heavenly God Emissary mention other people.

"Good!"

But he didn't think too much about it and hurriedly agreed.

Soon, Yang Zhong reported a location, and the Heavenly God Emissary nodded slightly and disappeared.

...

Clear Serenity Empire, northern border.

Outside Zhenshan Pass, Yang Zhong quickly found Ming Tianan's main army.

"What is the result?"

Seeing him return so quickly, Ming Tianan was slightly taken aback and hurriedly asked.

Yang Zhong nodded slightly and said, "The Mysterious Person came personally to collect the reward and provided the intelligence."

"He said that the military morale in the southern border of the Beichuan Empire is scattered, and there are no ambushes. However, the Beichuan Empire is reacting quickly, and reinforcements have already gathered from various places; they are expected to arrive at Longxing Pass in two days. Longxing Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and they intend to intercept us there and drive us back to Clear Serenity!"

"The Mysterious Person suggests that if we want to capture the territory of the Beichuan Empire's southern border, we can first seize Longxing Pass and securely take over everything south of Longxing Pass before proceeding!"

"Longxing Pass?"

Ming Tianan hurriedly took out a map and quickly found the location of Longxing Pass.