activa-t Chapter 55 Zhao Zilong, Half-Step Celestial
Chapter 55 Zhao Zilong, Half-Step Celestial
As dawn broke, Lin Chen slowly opened his eyes on his bed in Xue Mei Courtyard.
The scent of orchids, unique to Nanzhao, lingered around her nose; it was the scent emanating from Murong Xue.
He turned his head and looked at the woman sleeping soundly beside him.
Her dark hair was spread out, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and the pleasure of last night left a faint blush on her face, like a begonia after the rain.
Lin Chen didn't disturb her and quietly got up.
As soon as I finished putting on my inner robe, a system notification sounded in my mind:
"Ding! A breakthrough in the relationship between the host and a core member of the family has been detected, triggering a stage reward!"
"Acquired: [Character Summoning Card - Changshan Zhao Zilong] (Half-step Celestial Realm, Divine Spear Technique, White Horse and Silver Spear, Unparalleled Loyalty and Bravery)"
"Obtained: [Item - Dragon Gallant Silver Spear] (Low-grade Heavenly Rank Divine Weapon, bound to Zhao Zilong)"
"Acquired: [Martial Arts - Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix Spear Technique] (Low-grade Heaven Rank, automatically perfected)"
Zhao Zilong! A near-celestial being!
Lin Chen's eyes lit up.
This man was a top general during the Three Kingdoms period, a legendary figure who charged in and out of enemy lines seven times and single-handedly rescued his lord.
Sending him to be the deputy commander of the Tiger Legion would be perfect!
"System, summon Zhao Zilong."
"Ding! Summoning successful! Zhao Zilong has appeared in the system space. Manifest him?"
"Not for now," Lin Chen thought to himself.
He put on his outer robe and pushed open the door.
The morning air was crisp and clear, and the plum trees in the courtyard were in full bloom, their subtle fragrance wafting through the air.
As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, I saw my second sister-in-law, Chu Yueyao, carrying a medicine bowl, coming in through the moon gate.
Upon seeing Lin Chen, a complex expression flashed across his face.
"Good morning, Second Sister-in-law," Lin Chen greeted with a smile, appearing completely at ease.
Chu Yueyao composed herself and stepped forward:
"Eighth brother, I've brewed you some nourishing medicinal soup. You've had a tough time these past few days."
The words were phrased tactfully, but Lin Chen could hear the concern in them.
He took the medicine pot, smelled it, and said, "Did Second Sister-in-law brew this herself? Then I must drink it properly."
Seeing his completely indifferent expression, Chu Yueyao couldn't help but scold him playfully:
"You... don't even take care of yourself. Seventh Sister has just received your favor, and you don't even know how to cherish her."
Lin Chen took a sip of the medicinal soup and smacked his lips:
"Second sister-in-law's cooking is really good. But what you're saying—how can I not feel sorry for her? Seventh sister-in-law is sleeping soundly right now."
He took a step closer and lowered his voice:
"If Second Sister-in-law feels sorry for Seventh Sister-in-law, why not share her burdens? I promise... I will take good care of Second Sister-in-law."
These words were so flippant that Chu Yueyao's face flushed red, and she reached out to hit him.
"You lecherous scoundrel! You're never serious!"
Lin Chen laughed and dodged away, then casually put his arm around her waist: "Second sister-in-law, don't be angry, I'm serious."
Look at Fifth Sister-in-law, Seventh Sister-in-law... When will Second Sister-in-law give me a chance too?
Chu Yueyao was both ashamed and angry. She tried to push him away, but he held her even tighter.
The two were very close and could feel each other's heartbeats.
"Eighth brother... let go..." Chu Yueyao's voice trembled.
"I won't let go." Lin Chen lowered his head and whispered in her ear, "Unless Second Sister-in-law agrees to it."
The warm breath brushed against her ear, and Chu Yueyao's body went weak, almost unable to stand.
She bit her lip, her eyes brimming with tears: "You...you should let go first, it's not good if someone sees..."
"It's just the two of us here." Lin Chen took advantage of the situation and lightly kissed her cheek. "Second sister-in-law, I've been waiting for a long time."
Chu Yuexia trembled all over and finally collapsed into his arms, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz:
"You...you let go first, I...I'll think about it..."
Lin Chen knew he couldn't push too hard, so he smiled and let go: "Okay, I'll wait for your good news, Second Sister-in-law."
Chu Yueyao ran away as if fleeing, forgetting even to take the medicine cup.
Lin Chen watched her retreating figure, then shook his head with a smile.
This second sister-in-law is gentle and reserved; we need to take it slow.
After drinking the medicinal soup, he slowly walked towards Zhenwu Hall.
On the way, they met Liu Ruyan, the elder sister-in-law, who was teaching Lin Nian'er swordsmanship in the yard.
"Uncle Ba!" Lin Nian'er called out in her childish voice when she saw him.
Lin Chen walked over and picked up the little girl:
"Nian'er is really hardworking, getting up so early to practice her sword."
"Mother said that you have to be diligent in learning martial arts!" Lin Nian'er said earnestly.
Liu Ruyan sheathed her sword, glanced at Lin Chen, and remained calm:
"How is Seventh Sister?"
Lin Chen remained expressionless: "Seventh Sister-in-law is still asleep, Eldest Sister-in-law...you're not blaming me, are you?"
Liu Ruyan remained silent for a moment, then sighed softly:
"This is Grandmother's wish, and it's also your own choice. I just hope... you can be kinder to Seventh Sister; she hasn't had it easy these past few years."
"I will," Lin Chen said solemnly.
"Be good to Seventh Sister-in-law, be good to Eldest Sister-in-law, be good to all Sisters-in-law."
Liu Ruyan blushed slightly and turned her head away: "You smooth talker, alright, go ahead and do your work, I still have to teach Nian'er."
"Okay."
After leaving Liu Ruyan's courtyard, Lin Chen encountered his fourth sister-in-law, Xiao Yulou, who was about to leave.
"Eighth Brother, you're up quite early today?" Xiao Yulou said with a half-smile. "Looks like you weren't tired last night?"
Lin Chen grinned and said, "If Fourth Sister-in-law is curious, come to my room tonight, and I'll tell you how tired I am."
"Get out!" Xiao Yulou kicked him.
"You're always so unserious! By the way, I'm going out to train the caravan guards, do you want to come along?"
"I trust Fourth Sister-in-law to handle things," Lin Chen waved his hand. "Just do what you think is best."
"You're just lazy," Xiao Yulou glared at him and turned to leave.
As they approached the Zhenwu Hall, Fifth Sister-in-law Wen Ruoxi happened to come from Ningxiang Courtyard, carrying an account book.
"Eighth Brother..." She looked Lin Chen up and down carefully, "You...were at Seventh Sister's last night?"
Lin Chen touched his nose: "Is Fifth Sister-in-law jealous?"
Wen Ruoxi blushed and snorted, "Who's jealous? I mean... Seventh Sister is weak, so watch your step."
"I know, I know." Lin Chen put his arm around her shoulder.
"Fifth Sister-in-law, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. By the way, you can handle the matter of Zuiyuexuan yourself, you don't need to ask me about everything."
"How can that be..." Before Wen Ruoxi could finish speaking, Lin Chen lightly pecked her lips.
"If I say it's okay, then it's okay," Lin Chen said with a smile.
"My fifth sister-in-law is so capable, I'd love to be a hands-off manager."
Wen Ruoxi was amused by him and said reproachfully, "You're just lazy."
After exchanging a few jokes, Wen Ruoxi went to attend to her work.
Just as Lin Chen was about to go to the study, his sixth sister-in-law, Ye Qingying, appeared out of nowhere and handed him a briefing.
"This is the latest intelligence from all sides..."
"You don't need to report everything. Just report to me if there's any urgent news." He took the briefing.
Ye Qingying nodded slightly and was about to leave when Lin Chen suddenly called out to her, "Sixth Sister-in-law."
"Um?"
"You...don't you have anything to say to me?" Lin Chen looked into her cold eyes.
Ye Qingying was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Eighth Brother... take care of yourself."
After saying that, he vanished in a flash.
Lin Chen smiled; this sixth sister-in-law still cared about him after all.
He went into the study, closed the door, and a thought struck him:
"System, Zhao Zilong has now manifested in the Tiger Legion camp, disguised as a spear master at the peak of the Grandmaster level. He claims to be... a descendant of my father's former subordinates, here to serve."
"Ding! Command being executed..."
"Zhao Zilong has materialized in the Tiger Warriors' camp; background settings are complete."
Lin Chen nodded in satisfaction, took a sip of tea, and began to handle the day's affairs.
First, there's the Imperial City Guard.
Although he was nominally the deputy commander, the empress gave him real power—he could access files and command some personnel.
In the past few days, he had Ye Qingying help him organize things and had already grasped the operating model of the Imperial City Guard.
"Lin Wu," he called out.
"exist."
"Go to the Imperial City Guard and tell them to act according to the usual procedures. If there is anything important, report to the prefecture."
"Yes."
Lin Chen stretched.
If it's something that needs to be done by the Imperial City Guard, then do so.
Anyway, with Commander Liu Zhenshan on the mountaintop, he was happy to have some peace and quiet.
Next up is the Tiger Legion.
He wrote a handwritten order, giving Yuan Tiangang full authority over the selection and training, Zhao Zilong as deputy commander-in-chief, and Li Chunfeng as strategist.
The standard will be set by the Empress—a minimum of seventh-rank warriors, with priority given to cavalry.
Eight thousand cavalrymen, that's quite a large-scale operation.
The Dayan capital garrison had 200,000 troops, but only 30,000 were cavalry.
If the Tiger Legion is truly trained, it will be the most elite mobile force in the capital.
By the time all this was done, the sun was already high in the sky.
Just as Lin Chen was about to leave for the military camp, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence outside the study.
"Mr. Li is back?" He opened the window.
Li Chunfeng, dressed in a blue robe, looked travel-worn but relaxed, clearly indicating that things had gone smoothly.
"My lord," he said, bowing.
"Come in and talk."
Li Chunfeng entered the study, casually set up a soundproof array, and then spoke:
"The matter of Nanzhao has been resolved. Sato Ichiro sneaked into the palace last night, intending to assassinate the King of Nanzhao, but I trapped him in the Small Heavenly Star Formation and killed him with a single sword stroke."
The entire process went unnoticed; even the three grandmasters of Nanzhao remained unaware of anything amiss.
"Has the body been disposed of?"
"It has been incinerated by the Samadhi True Fire, reduced to ashes," Li Chunfeng said.
"The Dongli side will just assume he died in a failed mission, and they won't be able to trace it back to us."
"That's good." Lin Chen thought for a moment.
"Mr. Li, you've worked hard. Go and rest first. We'll need your help setting up the training formations for the Tiger Legion."
"It's my duty," Li Chunfeng replied, then added:
"By the way, my lord, when I was in the palace of the Nanzhao king, I sensed a faint fluctuation of demonic energy. It was very weak, but it was definitely there."
"Demonic energy?" Lin Chen frowned. "Are there demonic practitioners in Nanzhao?"
"It doesn't seem like it." Li Chunfeng shook his head. "That demonic energy is very peculiar, seemingly there yet not there, as if it were being suppressed by some kind of treasure. I was pressed for time and didn't have time to investigate in detail."
Lin Chen kept this in mind: "Let's put this matter aside for now and investigate it again when we have the chance. You should go and rest."
"Yes."
After Li Chunfeng left, Lin Chen walked out of the study, intending to go and take a look at the military camp.