diskusbooks Chapter 462: The Shining Imperial Star
Chapter 462: The Shining Imperial Star
According to historical records, during the Battle of Chang'an, Li Xiuning had 70,000 troops under her command. These were civilians from the chaotic times who were attracted to join her women's army. After the Battle of Chang'an, her 70,000 troops were reorganized and reorganized, leaving her with only 15,000 men in her own force.
The fighting around Guanzhong was raging, and her military strength was constantly being replenished and depleted. Moreover, as Liu Heita grew stronger, the balance of power gradually tilted.
"General, why don't we retreat?"
"If the rebels join forces with Liu Heita to besiege the pass, we will have nowhere to go."
Several deputy generals offered their advice.
Li Xiuning stepped out of the tent, looked at the setting sun, and muttered, "I'm not leaving. This time, I'm going to wipe them out."
She was no longer the Li Xiuning of the past. Knowing that the Holy Emperor's army was coming, she waited near Niangziguan for the critical moment of life and death, so she decided to wait and see.
Seeing her determination, the lieutenants could only arrange for defense and steadfastness.
Meanwhile, Chen Futu's army quietly set up camp.
Given the system's track record, this life-or-death crisis is likely to occur within the next couple of days.
However, the deployment still needs to be carried out.
Chen Futu ordered Ma Chao to send scouts to check the movements in the east. Based on the information provided by the system, it was determined that during this period, the rebels should have defected to Liu Heita, cutting off Li Xiuning's retreat and encircling him.
Once the rebels' movements are ascertained, the general outline of the life-or-death crisis can be understood.
The night deepened.
Qin Liangyu seemed restless, and Chen Futu said, "Don't worry, Aning won't be defeated so easily. Back then, she was able to hold the pass for dozens of days with only eight hundred men. Unless she breaks through herself, Niangziguan Pass won't be easily breached."
Stepping out of the tent, Chen Futu saw Guan Yu stroking his long beard and staring at Niangziguan. He asked, "General Guan, what are you thinking about?"
"Your Majesty, how similar this situation is!"
Guan Yu refers to the defeat at Maicheng, and now the world is in turmoil, with heroes rising up everywhere.
A rebellious army rose up in Hebei, intending to join forces with Liu Heita. Li Xiuning was caught in the middle between the two armies, losing contact with Guanzhong. It was somewhat like the end of the world.
Chen Futu stared intently at the figure walking on the city wall and muttered, "History often repeats itself. The current chaotic world is not much different from the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, my Green Dragon Crescent Blade will surely sever Liu Heita's head and present it to you."
"My Ma Chao is no less capable than anyone else." Ma Chao and his men walked over, and Dian Wei shouted, "My lord, when are we going to take them down?"
"Don't worry, it will be in the next couple of days."
Chen Futu looked at Zhang Liang as he spoke, and Zhang Liang said, "I have just inspected Liu's army camp. Apart from the large number of troops, they have no discipline. We can defeat them in an instant."
"I am relieved to hear the strategist's words."
Chen Futu then instructed his generals that they should not send out troops without a military order, and then went to rest.
In a Taoist temple, an old Taoist priest suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed in surprise, "How strange! Why is there such a strong imperial dragon aura in the world all of a sudden?"
As he spoke, the old Taoist priest hurriedly left the Taoist temple and looked up at the sky, exclaiming in astonishment, "The imperial star is shining brightly, and generals are surrounded by stars! Why is this so? Why is this so!"
This old Taoist priest was none other than Li Yuanba's teacher, the Taoist Master Ziyang.
The more he looked at the celestial phenomena, the more horrified he became. The sudden arrival of the imperial star, accompanied by purple aura, instantly overwhelmed all the feudal lords in the world, and it carried an overwhelming aura of ferocity. It was definitely an unparalleled overlord who had never appeared before in history.
The strangest thing is that this imperial star actually coexists with the imperial aura of the Li Tang dynasty, and there are subtle signs of a connection between them.
"A change has occurred in the Central Plains. Who is it?"
Master Ziyang pondered for a long time, then summoned the boy to inquire about the war in the Central Plains.
The boy said, "Master, no particularly famous people have appeared recently."
"No, there must be some variables."
Master Ziyang calculated with his fingers and soon exclaimed in surprise, "The ominous imperial star is located in the southwest, which is the direction of Taiyuan!"
"Master, the only one over there who has any connection to the imperial family is the female general guarding the main camp."
"Li Xiuning? That's right, it's all about her, the Imperial Star came for her... No, Li Xiuning's death tribulation has disappeared, how is that possible!"
Master Ziyang's eyes widened. In fact, he had long ago predicted Li Xiuning's death. Now, not only had the death aura on Li Xiuning's body disappeared, but her destiny was also filled with an indescribable imperial fortune. The golden dragon of fortune was extremely ferocious, protecting Li Xiuning from behind, swallowing the sun and moon, and looking down on Taiyuan. With Li Xiuning's current fortune and destiny, let alone Liu Heita, even if the emperor of the Li Tang dynasty himself went there, he would not be able to suppress the violent golden dragon of fortune behind her.
"A hen crowing at dawn? No, this is nothing."
Master Ziyang's head was spinning more and more as he calculated, and in the end, he broke out in a cold sweat.
He didn't believe that an empress would replace the Tang dynasty now, after all, the chaos was not over yet.
Finally, Master Ziyang steeled his heart and said, "Let this old man see who this emperor really is!"
As Master Ziyang performed his deductions, Chen Futu, who was fast asleep, suddenly heard a system notification.
Ding!
[A supreme being has been detected deducing the host's past. Do you wish to retaliate?]
"Deducing my fate? Heh, this means someone has discovered a change in the course of history and wants to set things right, so they're giving me a counterattack."
[Received. The system will immediately retaliate and conceal the host's true intentions, refusing to accept any deductions.]
As soon as the system voice finished speaking, thunder roared in the quiet night sky above the Taoist temple. Then, a black and gold vortex of wind and clouds, spanning thousands of feet, appeared. A golden dragon roared within it, its huge eyes like lanterns looking down at the master and disciple with contempt in them.
Immediately following a cracking sound, blood trickled from the corner of Ziyang Daoist's eye as he stared in horror at the golden dragon of fortune, "That was formed from imperial energy..."
"Master, what's wrong with you?"
The boy couldn't see the wind and clouds change color, nor could he see the golden dragon of fortune, so he shook Master Ziyang with all his might. But Master Ziyang seemed to have lost his soul, standing still and staring at the sky without moving, cold sweat soaking his back.
"Master, Master!"
The boy grew increasingly anxious, and only then did the Purple Sun Daoist realize what was happening. He avoided the golden dragon's gaze and gritted his teeth, saying, "Where do you come from? You do not belong to this world, so why are you disrupting the will of Heaven?"
"Heaven? I am Heaven. You have offended me, and you shall be punished."
Chen Futu's rebuke descended from the sky, the rolling imperial voice carrying immense power, pressing down on Ziyang Daoist until he bent over. The old man trembled all over and could not speak. Finally, he spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground. In his daze, he saw a majestic figure that dominated the world reach out to suppress him from the distorted vortex of wind. The scene in his eyes was like the sky collapsing and the earth splitting, with no possibility of resistance.
Just a second before the giant hand struck Ziyang Daoist to death, the hand quietly dispersed, and the turbulence in the sky disappeared, leaving only a mocking smile: "Considering your connection with the Li Tang dynasty, I will spare you this time. If you dare to covet it again, you will bear the consequences."