CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 193: PERFORM WELL!

"Are you going too?"

At this moment, Xuan Er asked.

Ye Yilan didn’t speak but took out a letter from his coat and handed it over.

He frowned deeply after reading it.

"Since the order has arrived, we must go."

Although unwilling, he had no choice but to go, because he was also a Dark Guard!

The imperial court’s summons for Third Grade martial artists wasn’t so pressing, but as soon as the Dark Guard order arrived, he must go.

When he joined initially, he took a blood oath, which included both him and his descendants!

Therefore, he dared not, and could not, refuse to go!

"Let me see!"

Chen Xuan took the letter and saw: Dark Guard Thirty-Eight, set off for Liangzhou Guhe Commandery immediately, without error!

"Father-in-law, are you also a Dark Guard?"

Now he understood why the two of them had such expressions.

"Yes!"

Ye Yilan nodded, "I joined the Dark Guard initially for cultivation resources, but later made great contributions. His Majesty showed me mercy, allowing me to leave the Imperial City and appointing me as Mansion Master of Youlan Mansion."

"But once you join the Dark Guard, you live as a Dark Guard and die as a Dark Guard ghost!"

"Why don’t I discuss with Qi Lin, considering I helped the Great Xia last time, they should give me some leeway, right?"

This time is different from last time, as Great Xia’s masters are all mobilized; soon First Grade masters will be everywhere, and Second Grade ones won’t even compare to dogs.

Ye Yilan is merely at the early stage of First Grade. While not assured of death, his chances of surviving are not high either.

"No need! Don’t concern yourself with this matter!"

Ye Yilan unexpectedly refused him, and with a very firm attitude, leaving him very puzzled. Just as he was about to persuade further, Xuan Er spoke up.

"Don’t worry about it! I will accompany him then! Alright, you should go back first."

"Well... okay."

These two were too strange; now Xuan Er directly asked him to leave first. Despite being very confused, he slightly nodded.

Yet he determined in his heart that he would accompany Ye Yilan then.

After all, Xuan Er was only at the Third Layer of Purity strength, with his spiritual foot ability for self-defense, but to protect Ye Yilan, he was still lacking.

After Chen Xuan left.

"If only I hadn’t joined the Dark Guard back then! Alas!"

Ye Yilan sighed softly, filled with regret, yet now he had no choice but to go.

"Enough! There’s no free lunch. Without those resources back then, you couldn’t have cultivated to your current level. Gain comes with loss; there’s nothing to regret."

Xuan Er looked at him disdainfully for his current lamenting self.

"Moreover, do you think this kid won’t care about this matter?"

He understood Chen Xuan’s character well; he never ignored his own people, especially since Ye Yilan was his father-in-law.

It’s impossible for him not to care.

...

Meanwhile, on the Great Zhou’s side.

The atmosphere instantly became tense. After a year of peace, Great Xia was finally making a move, and in a decisive manner.

In Taihe Palace.

Nearly twenty people were present, all of First Grade, and Zhou Yi stood at the top, looking extremely solemn.

After learning of the news, he hadn’t closed his eyes.

While Great Xia’s spies sent back one message after another.

Upon learning that Great Xia would concentrate all their forces to attack Jizhou,

then almost all Great Xia’s forces were drawn towards Jizhou.

But yesterday,

a piece of news made him realize that this time, it’s either life or death, with no third possibility!

Because even Xia Yi had deployed the Dark Guard.

"Everyone, the situation is as follows. Many of you belong to sects. I think once Great Zhou perishes, you all know the consequences without me having to elaborate!"

"Therefore, this is a moment of life and death for Great Zhou. Regardless of what happened before, or any misunderstandings!"

"This time, I hope everyone can set everything aside and face the fierce threat from Great Xia with all your might!"

"If we win this battle, the Nine Provinces will be ours; if we lose, we all go down together!"

Zhou Yi’s voice echoed in the grand hall.

Beneath him, the expressions of these people were truly varied.

Some were regretful, though few, mostly from small sects that had allied with Great Zhou. Having enjoyed a comfortable year, now facing a decisive battle between two countries, they lament not staying in the wilderness.

Although life there was tough, at least it didn’t pose a life threat.

More were those from large sects, worrying continuously.

They were all bound with Great Zhou, and if Great Zhou were eliminated, their fate would be worse than those small sects.

Of course, some were inspired by Zhou Yi’s words, getting pumped up, yet very few!

And these people were all Great Zhou’s own members.

"Where’s His Majesty?"

At this moment Si Hong asked.

Zhou Zheng had been cultivating at the National Spirit side, not appearing for a year; now in this moment, he should show some stance.

It’s not just them fighting for their lives.

"I will keep an eye on Great Xia’s masters above the Fifth Layer of Purity, and leave the rest to you all!"

At this moment, Zhou Zheng’s voice resounded in the grand hall, accompanied by a tremendous pressure.

"So powerful!"

Si Hong squinted his eyes, stunned by this pressure.

What layer of purity is he now?

Over the past year, relying on Great Zhou’s National Spirit, he cultivated to the Fourth Layer of Purity, considered top-tier among Great Zhou’s First Grade, yet just Zhou Zheng’s pressure left him feeling powerless.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Immediately, everyone in the grand hall solemnly responded.

"Whew—"

Zhou Yi let out a sigh of relief. These sect people had seen their strength soar within a year, while he was preoccupied with national affairs. Although he made some progress, compared with these people, there was still a significant gap.

Thankfully, Zheng’Er appeared, otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to suppress these people.

...

Chen Mansion!

The sky had already gone completely dark.

In a side room, after returning from the City Lord’s Mansion, Chen Xuan began cultivating.

He exhaled a long breath of foul air.

At this moment, he could not help but recall what happened today.

Something felt amiss.

This time, both countries were mobilizing completely, and who knows how many people would die then.

Especially those high-grade Martial Artists.

He didn’t believe Xia Yi was unaware of the Demon Race matters. If he knew, why would he choose this time to strike against Great Zhou? Wouldn’t the two countries joining forces have a better chance?

He really wanted to ask the Emperor of Great Xia in person, what exactly was he thinking!

"I just can’t figure it out..."

He sighed softly, then got up and headed to the rear courtyard hall.

When he arrived at the hall, several women were already there waiting for him.

"Brother Xuan, we’ve been waiting for you, come quickly, today sister made a new dish!" Su Yun said as she swallowed a mouthful of saliva.

Immediately, Chen Xuan burst into laughter.

"You, you’re just a glutton!"

He tapped her forehead before sitting down.

"Hehe!"

The little girl chuckled, not arguing, as they all knew this little hobby of hers.

"Come on, Brother Xuan, eat first!"

Su Yun picked up a piece of tender white fish and placed it in Chen Xuan’s bowl, "Sister said this is a Dragon Scale Fish, considered a mid-tier Demon Beast, and it was sent by Qin Gang today!"

Qin Gang?

That kid!

Chen Xuan chuckled and shook his head.

Since he was no longer in the Divine Capture Bureau, this kid had become the Chief Constable of the East District Divine Capture Bureau.

Though he seemed carefree usually, he knew who treated him well. His position as Chief Constable was largely thanks to Chen Xuan’s help.

So, to show gratitude, he regularly sent some nice things to the mansion.

Of course, Chen Xuan wasn’t stingy either. He sent some good stuff to him that he got from Qi Lin previously.

Now this kid was already a Fourth Grade Martial Artist.

Picking up the piece of fish and putting it in his mouth, it was fresh, tender, without the slightest fishy smell, "Not bad, not bad, you all should try it too!"

"I’ll try it first!"

Su Yun eagerly took a bite, "Yummy, yummy!"

Her delighted eyes formed little crescents as she smiled.

"Then you should eat more!"

As he said, he put a big piece of fish in her bowl.

Of course, adhering to the principle of fairness, each of the other women also got a piece!

"Thank you, husband!"

The women laughed and thanked him in unison.

The dinner began in this warm and harmonious atmosphere.

During the meal,

The women continuously picked up food for him, or directly fed him.

Chen Xuan loved this feeling, though there were many women, the crucial thing was they got along very well and never argued.

"This is life! A man’s life!"

He was very satisfied with this state, knowing about the Demon Race matters, but being happy for a day was a day well-spent, even if he died, it would have been enjoyable, and worth it.

After eating almost enough, Chen Xuan informed the women about the impending war between Great Xia and Great Zhou.

Of course, he didn’t hide anything about Ye Yilan either.

Ye Jincen’s face changed drastically, her worried eyes fixed on Chen Xuan.

This kind of decisive battle between two countries, even her father, now a First Grade Martial Artist, had a low chance of surviving.

"Don’t worry, I, along with Master, will go with him!"

With these words, her expression finally brightened a bit, "Thank you, husband!"

"You’ve been calling me husband, how could I ignore my father-in-law!"

Chen Xuan said seriously, but soon after he had a mischievous smile, adding, "If you really want to thank me, then perform well!"

Instantly, Ye Jincen’s face turned visibly red with shyness.

Though they had been married for over a year, and shared a bed with the other women, she still felt a bit restrained.

Every time, she blushed and passively accepted.

For this, Pei Yuenan, the veteran, had tried coaching her numerous times, but it was to no avail in the end.

At crucial moments, she’d mess up.

Finally, Pei Yuenan had to give up helplessly.

"Then... I’ll try!"

Ye Jincen’s head was bowed so low it was almost touching her prominent chest.

"Really!?"

Chen Xuan had said it casually, not expecting her to agree.

Instantly, he was overcome with joy.

The scene of the prestigious young miss of Youlan Mansion acting in such a way vividly appeared in his mind.

"Gulp!"

Even as an experienced man, he couldn’t help but swallow hard!