The next day, early morning.
Amidst the swirling clouds, a Flood Dragon Boat, flying the banner of the Great Shang Dynasty, descended upon the Snow Region Heavenly Pool. Following this, a group of Great Shang Dynasty generals slowly ascended the mountain. Leading the way was Zhao Shutong, clad in golden armor, an eleventh-realm sword cultivator, the Eldest Princess of the Great Shang Dynasty, and currently the true power broker of the dynasty.
Lin Zhao, along with Wu Zhi, Huang Tingyu, and Yu Wan Ning, met them on the mountain path and then escorted Zhao Shutong to the Natural Abode.
"Marshal Lin."
Zhao Shutong stepped onto the mountain path paved with rocks and smiled, "The mountain peak villa is already being rebuilt. It is so prosperous, everything is just right, it is truly heartening."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Your Highness has traveled thousands of miles to the Snow Region Heavenly Pool; you must have come for more than just to tell me this, right?"
Zhao Shutong chuckled, "Indeed, not."
"Enter the Natural Abode, we'll have tea and then you can speak slowly."
"Alright~~~"
After the two entered the Natural Abode, Liu Li Ying brought two cups of tea and then withdrew. Wu Zhi, Huang Tingyu, Yu Wan Ning, and the others also went about their own business. No one would disturb the conversation between Lin Zhao and Zhao Shutong. They were all familiar with each other, so there was nothing to hide.
"Marshal Lin, the time is almost ripe."
Zhao Shutong said with a gentle smile, "Nearly five hundred thousand demon troops are trapped around Shanhai Pass, their supplies cut off. In these past few days, they have continuously sent small forces to harass the south, but they were all repelled by the two Marshals, Han Yetang and Chen Xi. According to the reconnaissance of our accompanying cultivators, quite a few demons within the pass have begun to kill each other, devouring each other's bodies. The restless emotions within the demon encampments are growing stronger, and even Shi Jun Gang cannot completely suppress them. They are nearing their breaking point."
"Indeed, I can imagine."
Lin Zhao nodded, "What about the demon race?"
"The demon race is not faring any better," Zhao Shutong said with a dimpled smile, "Their two hundred thousand troops have been continuously depleted by the forces of the Snow Region Heavenly Pool and the Fusu Great Wall, and now only about one hundred and fifty thousand remain. They are huddled in the wilderness north of the Fusu Great Wall, lacking food and clothing. It is spring now, so there is grass for the warhorses, but the demon cavalry have no provisions."
She slightly raised her eyebrows and said, "The intelligence gathered by the assassins from the Embroidered Uniform Guard indicates that many demon cavalry have already begun to kill their horses for food. Once more than half of them lack warhorses, they will no longer be able to move quickly. At that point, the initiative will completely fall into the hands of our human race."
"Indeed."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Are Han Yetang and Chen Xi also unable to hold back any longer?"
"Yes."
Zhao Shutong did not deny it and said with a smile, "In fact, it was after discussing with these two Marshals that I came to see you. However... I myself also believe that the time for a counterattack has arrived. We do not need to hesitate. Although Shanhai Pass is magnificent and sturdy, it cannot withstand our bombardment. Once our army launches an offensive, the demons will surely retreat north, and at that time, we will have the opportunity to encircle and annihilate these hundreds of thousands of elite demon troops with a pincer attack from the north and south of the Fusu Great Wall."
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao nodded, "However, please tell Marshals Han Yetang and Chen Xi when you return that reclaiming the northern territories is not the end, but only the beginning. They must continue to recruit troops, gather provisions, weapons, and warhorses, and so on. After we have annihilated the hundreds of thousands of enemy troops between the Snow Region Heavenly Pool and Shanhai Pass, we will march north, first destroying Wuwang Mountain, then the Demon Ancestral Mountain, and seize the opportunity during the demons' respite to destroy them in one fell swoop!"
"Ah?!"
Zhao Shutong frowned. She had not expected Lin Zhao to have planned this far ahead. The next moment, her beautiful eyes showed a hint of excitement, "Marshal Lin has already planned this far?"
"Of course."
Lin Zhao smiled, "Does Your Highness not wish to plant the battle flag of the Great Shang Dynasty atop the Demon Ancestral Mountain?"
"How could I not wish..."
Zhao Shutong's beautiful eyes misted over with both hope and excitement, "If we can truly plant the battle flag of the Great Shang Dynasty on the Ancestral Mountain, this would be an unprecedented achievement in history. How could I, Zhao Shutong, dare to even think of it?"
"It's alright, I will help Your Highness fulfill this dream."
Lin Zhao smiled and took a sip of tea, "Is there anything else?"
"Yes!"
Zhao Shutong calmed her emotions and said, "I have come this time not only to consult Marshal Lin on whether we can advance on Shanhai Pass, but also for another matter, which I hope Marshal Lin can agree to."
"Oh, what is it? Speak first."
"It's like this."
The Eldest Princess tidied her clothes and gently said with pursed red lips, "Before the great battle of Shanhai Pass begins, I hope Marshal Lin can go to White Emperor City and have an audience with the Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng in the Hall of Military Virtue. Only after meeting the Emperor in court can Jingheng reconfirm Marshal Lin's authority as the Grand Marshal of the Three Armies of the human world, and thus silence all those in court who do not submit to Marshal Lin. Moreover, this is not just Zhao Shutong's wish, but also Jingheng's wish. He truly wants to meet Marshal Lin, but... the palace rules are strict, and as the Human Emperor, he cannot leave White Emperor City without permission."
"Is this necessary?"
Lin Zhao frowned, "Even if I don't see His Majesty, it shouldn't affect the deployment of the war, right?"
"It's not like that."
Zhao Shutong furrowed her brows, "Marshal Lin is the commander of the Three Armies of the human world, and Zhao Jingheng is the supreme ruler of the human world. Therefore... it is only natural for the ruler to meet the commander. If this meeting does not happen, there will always be people gossiping, feeling that Marshal Lin's position is not legitimately earned, merely a decree from the upper realms, without the Emperor's consent."
She then whispered, "Marshal Lin, this child Jingheng is actually a very good person. He is both a warrior and a sword cultivator. Since childhood, he has regarded Marshal Lin as the person he aspires to become. He dreams of acknowledging Marshal Lin as his master, as his brother, and wishes to confer upon you the title of Imperial Tutor. But he is the Emperor of Great Shang, trapped in his cage, unable to be as carefree and unrestrained as you are. Therefore... as an elder sister, I also wish to invite Marshal Lin to visit the Hall of Military Virtue in White Emperor City, to meet Zhao Jingheng as Lin Baiyi, and even... there's no need to perform the rites between sovereign and subject."
Lin Zhao pondered for a moment, feeling that there was no need to be overly rigid. "Alright, I promise Your Highness. When shall I have an audience with His Majesty?"
"It's a bit late today. Perhaps tomorrow. Tomorrow is the Grand Court Assembly, and all the civil and military officials will be present. Marshal Lin's audience with His Majesty then would be the most opportune time."
"Good."
Lin Zhao nodded, "So be it. After meeting His Majesty, the great battle of Shanhai Pass will begin."
"Good!"
Zhao Shutong breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Then I will come to pick up Marshal Lin early tomorrow morning with the Flood Dragon Boat!"
...
He was about to enter the capital for an imperial audience, but Lin Zhao remained composed and unperturbed, treating it as nothing. He continued to practice his boxing and swordplay in the Natural Abode. In the evening, Leng Yan arrived, and he took Leng Yan to the area west of Jiuzhangyuan to grind monsters using his four natal flying swords and seventy-two Ephemeral Flying Swords. Coupled with the several super skills from the Eternal Sword Scripture, his monster-grinding speed was incredibly fast. In just one afternoon, he and Leng Yan each leveled up by 3. He felt that after fighting the demons, if he could find time to grind monsters, reaching the maximum level of 255 would not be a problem.
The next morning, a Flood Dragon Boat broke through the clouds and arrived above the mountain peak villa.
Lin Zhao, along with Wu Zhi, Huang Tingyu, and Lin Zhujie, was having breakfast. The noodles were still cooked by Miss Dongcang. Early in the morning, there were all sorts of noodles available, including eel noodles, green pepper shredded pork noodles, and preserved vegetable shredded pork noodles. So, he invited Zhao Shutong to join them for breakfast. Zhao Shutong, being a lady of noble birth, was not constrained. She sat beside Lin Zhao and ate the steaming noodles together, her forehead soon glistening with sweat.
"Oh my..."
Lin Zhujie secretly glanced at Lin Zhao and Zhao Shutong in front of him and whispered, "Old Huang, don't you think our mountain master and the Eldest Princess are quite a good match? Like the legendary complementary couple of Dao companions on the mountain. If Her Highness weren't royalty, they would be a match made in heaven!"
Huang Tingyu glanced at him and said loudly, "Complementary couple my foot! Our mountain master is just a sword cultivator on the mountain. Her Highness is the Eldest Princess of the Great Shang Dynasty, someone truly second only to the Emperor. If our mountain master could marry Her Highness, that would be like a toad trying to eat swan meat. I think it's unlikely..."
Zhao Shutong's pretty face turned red. The atmosphere in the mountain peak villa was indeed unrestrained, with everyone daring to joke with their mountain master.
As a result, Lin Zhao looked up, and Huang Tingyu dared not speak.
"My Lord."
Wu Zhi smiled, "Who shall we bring for escort to the imperial audience in White Emperor City later? Old Huang, or me, or both?"
"I'll go alone, without any escort."
Lin Zhao frowned, "To avoid people gossiping."
Zhao Shutong's dimpled smile appeared, "I've brought quite a few guards, it's fine..."
...
A short while later, the Flood Dragon Boat shuttled through the clouds. When it landed, it was already above the Hall of Military Virtue in White Emperor City.
In the grand hall, ministers stood on both sides. The Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng had grown into a young man, clad in dragon robes, exuding imperial presence. However, even before Lin Zhao arrived, he was already standing on the steps outside the hall, anxiously awaiting the renowned Lin Baiyi.
Lin Zhao disembarked from the Flood Dragon Boat and looked up. The steps leading to the Hall of Military Virtue were a full mile long, with imperial guards lining both sides. The guards wore exquisite armor, holding long spears, their heads held high. These were the personal guards of the Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng, and their status in the palace was very high. Ordinary people simply couldn't catch their attention.
However, as Lin Zhao stepped onto the steps, the imperial guards all lowered their heads, paying respects to Marshal Lin.
"..."
Zhao Shutong, following behind Lin Zhao, couldn't help but frown. There had never been such a protocol among the imperial guards. Except for the Emperor, they never paid respects to anyone when on duty. Yet, with Lin Zhao's arrival, these imperial guards unanimously bowed their heads. This clearly demonstrated Lin Zhao's status in the human race's military, truly comparable to the legendary God of War, far surpassing even the Martial Marquis Yue Hao of the past!
Lin Zhao did not overstep protocol by flying his sword into the hall, but walked step by step up the stairs.
"Marshal Lin..."
On the steps, the Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng, standing outside the Hall of Military Virtue, watched Lin Zhao approach step by step. He could no longer restrain himself. He quickly descended the imperial steps to welcome the Imperial Tutor in his heart.
"Your Majesty, absolutely not!"
The Minister of Rites, following behind, was so terrified that his soul almost flew out of his body. How could the Son of Heaven descend the steps to welcome a subject? In the history of the Great Shang Dynasty's protocol, such a thing had never happened!
Lin Zhao slightly stiffened. He had not expected to receive such courtesies in the court of the Great Shang Dynasty.
...
The imperial guards bowed, the Emperor descended the steps.
This honor was enjoyed by only one person in the entire human world.