156: Wonders outside the protective shield

The relocation of the Old Capital was very rushed, and the current Imperial Palace is merely three five-courtyard complexes merged together.

The central courtyard houses the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where Li Shun typically holds discussions with his ministers.

Granny Chen's petition was quickly presented to His Majesty.

Inside the Imperial Study, Li Shun unrolled the bamboo slip, his brows slightly furrowed.

Candlelight flickered in his deep-set eyes, reflecting a hint of confusion.

"There are evil spirits causing trouble even on the borders of Qing Province?"

These evil spirits are too bold; Lord Chuping just displayed his Divine Might in Yan Province, and these things dare to commit crimes against the wind.

They are truly boundless in their arrogance.

Li Shun put down the petition in his hand and looked up at Shen Jianhong, who stood beside him.

"My dear minister, how does the Imperial Dynasty intend to deal with this matter?"

Shen Jianhong bowed, the wide sleeves of his court robes hanging at his sides.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, since Lord Chuping has not inquired about this matter, it is likely still within control. If it were a change like in Yan Province, Lord Chuping would have descended like thunder before we even noticed."

"The Imperial Dynasty's involvement in this matter is an excellent opportunity to establish its authority."

Previously in the Old Capital, the Imperial Dynasty's response to evil spirits causing trouble was often somewhat powerless. Now, with Lord Chuping present, they might as well take bigger steps.

Additionally, some benevolent demons could also be recruited into the Imperial Court.

It's truly unimaginable what kind of glorious era this will be.

* * *

Li Shun chuckled at the words, his knuckles tapping crisply on the sandalwood desk.

"Your words, my dear minister, are precisely what I desire. This time, I plan to accompany the army on the expedition, which will be a good experience. Issue an edict: mobilize three hundred elite Imperial Guards, order General Luo to command them, and coordinate with the Temple Officials of each village to thoroughly investigate this matter."

Shen Jianhong's pupils constricted slightly. Who? Who is gaining experience?

His Majesty is actually going to personally lead the expedition?

"Your Majesty,"

He carefully chose his words, "Evil spirits are treacherous, and the battlefield is fraught with danger. The Sacred Body is precious... there is truly no need to personally take such risks."

Although Li Shun did not bring many people with him during this relocation of the Old Capital, the Li family's Imperial Dynasty was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. As long as Li Shun was alive, they could recruit an endless supply of fighting power.

Your Majesty, please do not court death!

Before Shen Jianhong could finish, Li Shun waved his hand, interrupting him.

"Minister Shen, there is no need to persuade me further. The Great Yan Imperial Family, confined to the deep palace in the past, did not recognize the dangers of demons and spirits, which led to the disaster of its overthrow."

"Since I have received the Mandate of Heaven, how can I repeat the same mistakes?"

Seeing the Son of Heaven's resolve, Shen Jianhong could only bow his head: "Your subject... obeys the decree."

"I heard that Minister Shen's third son is also on this trip?"

Li Shun suddenly turned, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "My dear minister, why don't you go together? It would be good to have someone to look after him."

Shen Jianhong secretly smiled bitterly. His Majesty wanted him to be both a strategist and a nanny.

Could he refuse? Obviously not.

"Your subject, accepts the order."

* * *

Three days later, a team consisting of the Emperor himself, the Imperial Guards, three Temple Officials, and experts from various villages gathered at the border of Qing Province.

The cold gleam of iron armor and coarse linen clothes flickered in the thin mist, and the chilling aura startled the birds in the forest.

"It's that old forest ahead."

Li Ergou pointed into the distance, his voice trembling.

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, only to see the protective shield seemingly dividing an old forest into two worlds.

The half of the forest within Qing Province was relatively normal, with small paths made by people or animals, and occasionally one could hear birds chirping and insects buzzing.

As for the other half, just staring at it brought an oppressive, suffocating feeling.

Ancient trees entwined with vines obscured the sky, the ground covered with decaying leaves concealed traps, and the mist carried an unknown low hum, every shadow like a lurking giant beast.

It was as if life and death were intertwined in a paradise, with towering giant trees rising from the ground and humus nourishing the vigorous growth of fungi.

Granny Chen leaned on her walking stick, squinting at the deep forest outside the protective shield: "The Qi in this forest is not right; there's a putrid smell."

"Chunsheng, what is this place outside?"

Liu Chunsheng stared at the eerie, dense forest, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Granny Chen, to be honest, people from our village never dared to come this way. The older generation always said this forest is the 'Yin and Yang Boundary'; living people who enter never come out."

He pointed to a crooked old tree in the distance.

"Look at those trees; five people hugging them would be difficult. I don't know how long they've been growing here."

Old people become wise, old trees become spirits. These things wouldn't also develop self-awareness, would they?

With Liu Chunsheng's words, everyone realized that the trees that five people could barely hug were considered small fry outside the protective shield. Some trees, at a glance, were as wide as a small house.

The group observed every plant and blade of grass outside, separated by the protective shield.

In the past, when they encountered such an old forest, they would definitely turn and run, as far as they could. Now, such a close-up observation opportunity was rare.

It was truly an eye-opener.

Shen Jianhong stood at the very front, his gaze fixed intently on the old forest outside the protective shield, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

This was a posture ready to launch an attack at any moment.

General Luo was even more direct; he directly drew his sword and held it horizontally in front of him.

"This mist is also not right,"

Shen Jianhong said in a deep voice, "Ordinary mist disperses with the wind, but the mist in this forest swirls and refuses to dissipate like a living thing."

General Luo also nodded in agreement.

"This General once campaigned against various demons and monsters for the late Emperor and has seen places filled with miasma, but I have never seen such a bizarre sight."

"It's too eerie."

It was hard to imagine that mist could be described as eerie, but everyone had a feeling that this mist was now showing off its moves right in front of them.

"Don't focus on this mist. Look at the vines on the ground!"

Liu Chunsheng suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the ground.

Everyone followed the direction of his finger and saw several dark red vines slowly writhing on the ground at the edge of the protective shield, crawling like snakes.

Even more chilling was that the surface of those vines was covered with fine suction cups, and whenever they touched the protective shield, they emitted a "sizzling" corrosive sound.

"This thing is poisonous."

"These vines are probing the weak points of the protective shield!"

"Fall back!"

He roared, pulling Granny Chen back, and his longsword unsheathed.

General Luo slashed with his sword, a cold light cutting through the mist: "All troops, be on alert!"

The vines seemed startled, suddenly growing several feet longer, and more than a dozen more emerged from beneath the decaying leaves, biting at the light curtain like blood-red snakes.

Amidst the sizzling corrosive sounds, the protective shield actually rippled...

"Form a battle array! Protect His Majesty."

At General Luo's command, three hundred Imperial Guards moved as one, instantly forming a circular array to protect the Emperor in the center.

The clang of iron shields resounded, echoing through the silent forest.

Li Shun: "..."

Li Shun suddenly felt that he was losing Face, especially when the villagers all looked at him in unison.

"Cough, cough!"

He pushed aside his personal guards and stepped forward.

"It's alright, we are inside the protective shield, this thing cannot get in."

“The relocation of the Old Capital was very rushed, and the current Imperial Palace is merely three five-courtyard complexes merged together.”

“The central courtyard houses the Hall of Supreme Harmony, where Li Shun typically holds discussions with his ministers.”

“Granny Chen's petition was quickly presented to His Majesty.”

“Inside the Imperial Study, Li Shun unrolled the bamboo slip, his brows slightly furrowed.”

“Candlelight flickered in his deep-set eyes, reflecting a hint of confusion.”

“There are evil spirits causing trouble even on the borders of Qing Province?”

“These evil spirits are too bold; Lord Chuping just displayed his Divine Might in Yan Province, and these things dare to commit crimes against the wind.”

“They are truly boundless in their arrogance.”

“Li Shun put down the petition in his hand and looked up at Shen Jianhong, who stood beside him.”

“My dear minister, how does the Imperial Dynasty intend to deal with this matter?”

“Shen Jianhong bowed, the wide sleeves of his court robes hanging at his sides.”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, since Lord Chuping has not inquired about this matter, it is likely still within control. If it were a change like in Yan Province, Lord Chuping would have descended like thunder before we even noticed.”

“The Imperial Dynasty's involvement in this matter is an excellent opportunity to establish its authority.”

“Previously in the Old Capital, the Imperial Dynasty's response to evil spirits causing trouble was often somewhat powerless. Now, with Lord Chuping present, they might as well take bigger steps.”

“Additionally, some benevolent demons could also be recruited into the Imperial Court.”

“It's truly unimaginable what kind of glorious era this will be.”

* * *

“Li Shun chuckled at the words, his knuckles tapping crisply on the sandalwood desk.”

“Your words, my dear minister, are precisely what I desire. This time, I plan to accompany the army on the expedition, which will be a good experience. Issue an edict: mobilize three hundred elite Imperial Guards, order General Luo to command them, and coordinate with the Temple Officials of each village to thoroughly investigate this matter.”

“Shen Jianhong's pupils constricted slightly. Who? Who is gaining experience?”

“His Majesty is actually going to personally lead the expedition?”

“Your Majesty,”

“He carefully chose his words, Evil spirits are treacherous, and the battlefield is fraught with danger. The Sacred Body is precious... there is truly no need to personally take such risks.”

“Although Li Shun did not bring many people with him during this relocation of the Old Capital, the Li family's Imperial Dynasty was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. As long as Li Shun was alive, they could recruit an endless supply of fighting power.”

“Your Majesty, please do not court death!”

“Before Shen Jianhong could finish, Li Shun waved his hand, interrupting him.”

“Minister Shen, there is no need to persuade me further. The Great Yan Imperial Family, confined to the deep palace in the past, did not recognize the dangers of demons and spirits, which led to the disaster of its overthrow.”

“Since I have received the Mandate of Heaven, how can I repeat the same mistakes?”

“Seeing the Son of Heaven's resolve, Shen Jianhong could only bow his head: Your subject... obeys the decree.”

“I heard that Minister Shen's third son is also on this trip?”

“Li Shun suddenly turned, a mischievous glint in his eyes, My dear minister, why don't you go together? It would be good to have someone to look after him.”

“Shen Jianhong secretly smiled bitterly. His Majesty wanted him to be both a strategist and a nanny.”

“Could he refuse? Obviously not.”

“Your subject, accepts the order.”

* * *

“Three days later, a team consisting of the Emperor himself, the Imperial Guards, three Temple Officials, and experts from various villages gathered at the border of Qing Province.”

“The cold gleam of iron armor and coarse linen clothes flickered in the thin mist, and the chilling aura startled the birds in the forest.”

“It's that old forest ahead.”

“Li Ergou pointed into the distance, his voice trembling.”

“Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, only to see the protective shield seemingly dividing an old forest into two worlds.”

“The half of the forest within Qing Province was relatively normal, with small paths made by people or animals, and occasionally one could hear birds chirping and insects buzzing.”

“As for the other half, just staring at it brought an oppressive, suffocating feeling.”

“Ancient trees entwined with vines obscured the sky, the ground covered with decaying leaves concealed traps, and the mist carried an unknown low hum, every shadow like a lurking giant beast.”

“It was as if life and death were intertwined in a paradise, with towering giant trees rising from the ground and humus nourishing the vigorous growth of fungi.”

“Granny Chen leaned on her walking stick, squinting at the deep forest outside the protective shield: The Qi in this forest is not right; there's a putrid smell.”

“Chunsheng, what is this place outside?”

“Liu Chunsheng stared at the eerie, dense forest, his Adam's apple bobbing.”

“Granny Chen, to be honest, people from our village never dared to come this way. The older generation always said this forest is the 'Yin and Yang Boundary'; living people who enter never come out.”

“He pointed to a crooked old tree in the distance.”

“You see those trees; five people hugging them would be difficult. I don't know how long they've been growing here.”

“Old people become wise, old trees become spirits. These things wouldn't also develop self-awareness, would they?”

“With Liu Chunsheng's words, everyone realized that the trees that five people could barely hug were considered small fry outside the protective shield. Some trees, at a glance, were as wide as a small house.”

“The group observed every plant and blade of grass outside, separated by the protective shield.”

“In the past, when they encountered such an old forest, they would definitely turn and run, as far as they could. Now, such a close-up observation opportunity was rare.”

“It was truly an eye-opener.”

“Shen Jianhong stood at the very front, his gaze fixed intently on the old forest outside the protective shield, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.”

“This was a posture ready to launch an attack at any moment.”

“General Luo was even more direct; he directly drew his sword and held it horizontally in front of him.”

“This mist is also not right,”

“Shen Jianhong said in a deep voice, Ordinary mist disperses with the wind, but the mist in this forest swirls and refuses to dissipate like a living thing.”

“General Luo also nodded in agreement.”

“This General once campaigned against various demons and monsters for the late Emperor and has seen places filled with miasma, but I have never seen such a bizarre sight.”

“It's too eerie.”

“It was hard to imagine that mist could be described as eerie, but everyone had a feeling that this mist was now showing off its moves right in front of them.”

“You all, don't focus on this mist. Look at the vines on the ground!”

“Liu Chunsheng suddenly exclaimed, pointing at the ground.”

“Everyone followed the direction of his finger and saw several dark red vines slowly writhing on the ground at the edge of the protective shield, crawling like snakes.”

“Even more chilling was that the surface of those vines was covered with fine suction cups, and whenever they touched the protective shield, they emitted a "sizzling" corrosive sound.”

“This thing is poisonous.”

“These vines are probing the weak points of the protective shield!”

“Fall back!”

“He roared, pulling Granny Chen back, and his longsword unsheathed.”

“General Luo slashed with his sword, a cold light cutting through the mist: All troops, be on alert!”

“The vines seemed startled, suddenly growing several feet longer, and more than a dozen more emerged from beneath the decaying leaves, biting at the light curtain like blood-red snakes.”

“Amidst the sizzling corrosive sounds, the protective shield actually rippled...”

“Form a battle array! Protect His Majesty.”

“General Luo's order, three hundred Imperial Guards moved as one, instantly forming a circular array to protect the Emperor in the center.”

“The clang of iron shields resounded, echoing through the silent forest.”

“Li Shun: ...”

“Li Shun suddenly felt that he was losing Face, especially when the villagers all looked at him in unison.”

“Cough, cough!”

“He pushed aside his personal guards and stepped forward.”

“It's alright, we are inside the protective shield, this thing cannot get in.”