Chapter 471 - 427: Qingzhou’s Decision

Chapter 471: Chapter 427: Qingzhou’s Decision

Bai Mansion.

Xiao Qiaoniang held little Bai An, her eyes filled with reluctance as she watched Bai Yuan step out the door.

"Brother Yuan, An’Er and I will be waiting for you at home."

"Mm."

Bai Yuan nodded.

’If I want to survive this chaos, I can’t just hole up in Ling Province.’

Yesterday, he had received a message from Li Huan in Qingzhou. The Qingzhou Royal Mansion hoped that Bai Yuan, the Jiedu Envoy, would send troops as reinforcements.

Ever since Mr. Yuan’s departure, no one could control the Demon Race and Barbarian People of the Northern Plains. Hordes of powerful demons had invaded, sweeping south and plunging the entire Northern Territory into misery.

The King of Qingzhou had been summoned to the capital by imperial decree and had yet to return.

Qingzhou, relying solely on the experts left in the Royal Mansion, was powerless to resist. They had no choice but to ask for help.

As the Jiedu Envoy in command of the Four States of Shuofang, Bai Yuan naturally couldn’t stand by and watch something happen to Qingzhou.

Besides, his relationship with the Qingzhou Royal Mansion had always been good. With Li Huan there, it was difficult for him to simply stand by and do nothing.

That was why he immediately led his troops toward Qingzhou to quell the chaos. If Qingzhou were to fall into turmoil, the other three states would suffer as well—a situation he certainly would not allow. ℴ

A force of a thousand men marched swiftly out of Huanglong Prefecture, heading for Qingzhou.

...

Three days later, Bai Yuan arrived at the Qingzhou Royal Mansion.

Several of the King of Qingzhou’s sons were at the gate to welcome him.

Even though Li Huan had the best relationship with Bai Yuan, he could only stand in the second rank.

Standing at the very front was the Eldest Prince, Li You.

When Li You saw Bai Yuan appear, he quickened his pace to greet him. "Lord Bai, you’ve had a long journey. On behalf of my father, the King, I thank you."

With the King of Qingzhou away, he was clearly the one in charge of the Prince’s Mansion.

But Li You did have the standing to back it up. His strength was the greatest among the King of Qingzhou’s many heirs, and breaking through the Mingxin Pass was considered a certainty. Moreover, he was the most senior, and the Nine Extremes Mansion he controlled was powerful enough to look down on the other mansions in Qingzhou.

Although Li Huan’s influence had been growing in recent years, it was nowhere near enough to threaten Li You.

Bai Yuan cupped his hands. "Greetings, Young Master."

His attitude, however, was not particularly warm, and it lacked even a hint of flattery.

Li You showed no displeasure at this. Bai Yuan was a Mingxin Grandmaster and a high-ranking minister of the second rank, wielding power over four states. The Qingzhou Royal Mansion wasn’t even qualified to win over such a figure. Bai Yuan had no reason to curry favor with them; if anything, Li You should have been the one currying favor with him.

And that was indeed the case. Li You was the very picture of humility and respect.

’Though his younger brother Li Huan is close with Bai Yuan,’ he thought, ’I can achieve the same.’

Li You invited Bai Yuan into the main hall of the Prince’s Mansion. He deliberately left the King of Qingzhou’s seat empty and sat to Bai Yuan’s left, giving him the seat of honor.

"Lord Bai, the demons from the Northern Plains have come south. The Qingzhou Royal Mansion’s forces are powerless to resist. It is truly shameful."

But Bai Yuan turned his head and asked Li Huan instead, "How many demons are there within Qingzhou’s borders?"

Seeing Bai Yuan ignore him and direct the question to his younger brother, a flash of astonishment crossed Li You’s eyes.

Sitting three meters from Bai Yuan, Li Huan was taken aback for a moment, then his heart warmed. "One Tier Eight, over ten Tier Seven, over a hundred Tier Six, and over a thousand Tier Five."

’How could I not see that Bai Yuan is deliberately backing me up?’

’The influence of a Mingxin Grandmaster is immense, and my own status in Qingzhou will likely rise significantly.’

Bai Yuan nodded. "Good. Crown Princes, the situation is urgent. Why don’t we lead the troops to exterminate the demons immediately?"

"Lord Bai is a man of great righteousness."

Li You praised.

As the Eldest Prince, his claim to the title of King of Qingzhou was terrifyingly secure, so he had at least that much magnanimity. Besides, Bai Yuan’s arrival in Qingzhou was indeed a great help to him.

Bai Yuan, with lightning speed, led his thousand-plus Demon Cavalry north. Li You specifically called on Li Huan to lead troops alongside him, following Bai Yuan to slay the demons.

...

「Northern Qingzhou.」

The massive corpse of an Elephant Demon, over ten zhang tall, lay in the mountain forest like a small hill.

Li You and Li Huan stared in disbelief at Bai Yuan, who was currently drenched in blood as he slaughtered demons.

It was the Elephant Demon’s blood, of course.

Like a humanoid beast, Bai Yuan used no technique, fiercely wrestling with the Elephant Demon before finally pummeling it to death with his bare fists.

Even as worldly and experienced as they were, they had never witnessed such a scene.

That was a Tier Eight Elephant Demon, comparable to a Mingxin Grandmaster! Even if the King of Qingzhou himself were here, he would have to be extremely cautious; killing it would be an utter impossibility.

Bai Yuan took a towel from a Commander and wiped his face.

’Another tens of thousands of enhancement points acquired.’

’And when I get to the Northern Plains Cave, I can double them. Double the fun.’

Seeing his brother’s divine might in battle, Li Huan felt a surge of pride. He walked forward, laughing heartily. "Ah Yuan, I remember there’s a clear lake about a li from here. Why don’t we go there and wash off the blood?"

Bai Yuan was overjoyed. "I was thinking the exact same thing."

’I just like to grind monsters, I’m not a pervert; I have no special fetish for bathing in blood.’

He immediately followed Li Huan and disappeared into the mountain forest.

Li You watched Li Huan’s disappearing figure, his eyes filled with envy.

’In this world, once an opportunity is missed, it can never be reclaimed. My younger brother, Li Huan, knew Bai Yuan before he rose to prominence. Theirs is a friendship I can’t hope to compete with.’

’After spending this time together, I realize I’ll probably never have the chance in this lifetime to form such a deep bond with Bai Yuan.’

However, he also began to re-evaluate this younger brother of his.

The competition for the title of King of Qingzhou, while not as brutally life-or-death as the succession of the Imperial Race, wasn’t much better. His grandfather had a total of ten crown princes, but now only two or three of them were still alive. Most had died competing for the throne of Qingzhou. That’s right—they were all killed by the current King of Qingzhou.