The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1207 - 646: A Wolf Among Sheep

"Where is the General? The Clan Leader sends orders."

Quickly.

The White Flute arrived at a temporarily constructed military tent amidst the lengthy army.

With the white flute at their waist, they passed unhindered into the main tent, where their eyes fell upon several commanders sitting together, discussing something over a map spread on the table.

"The Clan Leader has sent a message," White Flute said coldly.

The group of commanders was startled, exchanging glances. Suddenly receiving a message from the Clan Leader, could there be some change within the clan?

"You all leave first." At this moment, someone spoke from the main seat.

He was tall and handsome, with slightly black skin and gently curly hair, a rare sight within the Liao Clan.

However, the most striking feature was his pair of lightly golden eyes, from which simply gazing seemed to provoke fear.

Currently, the supreme commander of the army maintained a casual posture, even slightly reclining in a rough bull-horn chair.

The generals rose simultaneously, silently, and walked out.

In the blink of an eye, only four people remained in the tent.

"White Flute, why did the Clan Leader send you? Ha, victory won’t come that quickly," the lazy man with golden eyes joked.

"General Po Yun."

Although White Flute disliked this individual’s unrestrained persona, they still bowed deeply to show respect for the clan’s first warrior.

Then, turning towards Po Yun’s side, they slightly bowed to another person draped in a black cloak, possessing graceful elegance and pale skin: "Your Highness."

Xu Jianwen chuckled:

"What did Song Zhi say? We’ve only just started, surely nothing has happened within the clan?"

White Flute nodded earnestly:

"Yesterday, Zhang Yan Yi from the Heavenly Master Mansion suddenly broke into the Great Territory, infuriating the Divine. He fought with the Clan Leader within the Great Territory, leading to the death of Man Gu.

Simultaneously, Zhang Yan Yi allegedly dispatched disciples to infiltrate La Garden and abducted Tubo Priest. The Clan Leader sent me to inform the two of you, to coordinate the capture of the Heavenly Master Mansion disciples and rescue Tubo Priest."

Initially, Xu Jianwen was still smiling, but upon hearing the whole report, his smile froze, and his hand suddenly clenched tightly.

Sitting quietly behind him, Qi Yuchun was suddenly startled.

Zhang Yan Yi made a move? At this moment, what is the purpose?

Beside him, the lazy demeanor of Po Yun also frowned.

"Explain! Explain in detail!" Xu Jianwen demanded sternly.

Once getting the details from White Flute, Xu Jianwen’s brows furrowed, surging with worry and intense unease.

"Can you confirm how many people infiltrated La Garden, and who they are?" Xu Jianwen suddenly asked.

White Flute shook her head:

"It’s not confirmed. But judging from the collected intelligence, it should include Zhang Yan Yi’s fourth disciple Han Zhao, second disciple Yu Xiu... others might be two or three, but it’s not certain."

Zhao Douan fled all the way, killing everyone who saw him, leaving little trace within La Garden, hence remaining undetected.

Could only people from the Heavenly Master Mansion be acting?

Xu Jianwen subconsciously breathed a sigh, as earlier, the name "Zhao Douan" had instinctively drifted through his mind, but he then chided himself for being overly sensitive.

Zhao Douan was severely injured in the clash with Prince Jing, and should be stationed in the capital now, why would he suddenly appear in the Great Territory?

It seems unnecessary; even if he should appear, it should be to meet up with Zhao Shixiong.

Then... could Zhang Yan Yi be feeling pressure from the Buddhist order and thus taking actions?

But why then? The temple’s treasures? There haven’t been any significant ones left.

Tubo Priest? That supposed attendant of the Qi Country Crown Prince’s divine? But he had explored the matter many times, and the priest refused to cooperate...

If they intended to hinder his military actions, they should come after him straightaway, and there’s no reason to target the Great La Ba.

Xu Jianwen’s thoughts raced with lightning speed, yet despite his intelligence, he couldn’t comprehend it.

"I understand, go rest first."

At this moment, Po Yun, perfectly upright and possessing a handsome appearance, with golden eyes weirdly cold, waved his hand to let White Flute exit before looking at Xu Jianwen, saying calmly:

"Your Highness, are you aware of Zhang Yan Yi’s purpose?"

Xu Jianwen shook his head:

"I still can’t figure it out. However, it definitely isn’t anything decent; you should immediately issue orders to send out personnel for search."

Po Yun furrowed his eyebrows, saying displeasedly:

"Ahead is the border city, our army is advancing, now is the precise moment for progress, how could we halt and send out manpower for a search? We Liao Clan warriors don’t have that many troops of Yu Country, akin to an endless army of ants."

Silent Qi Yuchun suddenly spoke coldly:

"Dare you defy His Highness’s orders?"

Po Yun scornfully glanced at Qi Yuchun, dismissing him, saying:

"Is it your place to speak here? Looking at what? Want to fight?"

Qi Yuchun dared not voice his anger!

He understood the immense power of Po Yun, the opponent nearly touching the Heavenly Human realm; battling him would guarantee no victory.

Simultaneously, this first warrior of the Liao Clan was also their greatest reliance in dealing with the Southwest Border Army.

Without such warriors, capturing Zhao Shixiong, suspected of nearing the Half-step Celestial, wielding the Soul-breaking Blade, would be incredibly tough.

"General Po Yun!" Xu Jianwen suppressed his fury forcefully, "Before departure, Song Zhi mentioned that everything should be under His Highness’s command."

Po Yun retorted:

"Your Highness, but I also heard that in Yu Country, there’s a saying, ’When a general is abroad, orders from the central command may be disregarded.’"

Pausing, he candidly met Xu Jianwen’s cold gaze, saying:

"And. Prince Xu, be clear, if Sect Leader Song hadn’t voiced it, do you think we’d willingly come here to fight Zhao Shixiong for you, expand territories?"

Xu Jianwen chuckled suddenly, offering comfort:

"I’ve promised that if you assist me in reclaiming the throne, there will naturally be rewards for the entire Liao Tribe. Benefits unimaginable to you will be bestowed."

He paused momentarily, stating seriously:

"Of course, not deploying troops for search also has reasons.

But, you must order everyone to heighten their alert, watch for any anomalies; otherwise, if those priests stand in Zhao Shixiong’s way, they will also be formidable enemies."

Po Yun burst into laughter, standing up, stretching languidly, speaking with disdain:

"The General knows it, but your Highness is too timid."

He proceeded to walk out, and Xu Jianwen also uneasily stood to follow.

Both of them exited the main tent.

The sky, at an unspecified moment, was covered in clouds, looking like it might rain.

Xu Jianwen reminded:

"Though you possess might, there’s always someone above; such as Zhao Douan, recently killed a Fake Celestial."

Po Yun’s golden eyes brimmed with indifference, for a moment making people mistake him as a being entirely different from humans, as a higher-dimensional life form.

He casually said: "Zhao Douan? He had better pray not to appear before me, or else..."

Unexpectedly, Po Yun swung his arm, throwing a punch towards the sky.

"Boom!!!"

A clap of thunder in dry land, countless Liao people lifted their heads, witnessing the clouds in the sky punctured by a great hole, sunlight pouring down, clouds shattering and scattering.

The Liao people cheered.

Po Yun looked up at the sky, smiling slightly, coldly stating:

"I’ll beat him to pulp!"

...

...

Under the same stretch of sky.

On a winding official road farther south.

Disguised as refugees, Zhao Douan’s group of four mingled among families fleeing with belongings due to the turmoil, preparing to gather some news.

Just then, Zhao Douan abruptly raised his head, gazing towards the distant north, muttering:

"Did you hear it? It seems like there’s thunder ahead."

Tuoba Weizhi, Yu Xiu, and Jin Jian were stunned for a moment, about to discern closely when suddenly a shadow enveloped them, covering the four.

Then, shouts came from above them:

"Everyone on the ground, listen up! Immediately crouch down and hold your heads! Otherwise, be shot on the spot!"

The four bewildered, along with the surrounding civilians, lifted their heads, then astonishingly saw a massive "flying boat" covered in vines approaching from afar!

The flying boat appeared like a ship on water, but each corner was tightly fastened with thick ropes, ascending upwards, grabbed by several enormous monstrous birds, collectively pulling the flying boat forward.

"Wow... this is possible..." Zhao Douan was astounded.

Immediately afterward, he noticed warriors of the Liao Clan along the edge of the flying boat, drawing bowstrings, aiming cold arrows at the civilians below.

Yu Xiu’s heart stirred, and she whispered:

"We’ve bumped into the Liao Clan’s recruitment crew!"