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n“Who was the one who slashed that sword? Was it the Martial Saint who followed you? It’s a blessing to the Northern Kingdom that she’s so strong. You must be respectful to her in the future. If she has any requests, the Northern Kingdom will do it for her!”

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nOn that day, only Princess Zhaoyang and Hu Jiujiu went up the mountain. Those soldiers at the foot of the mountain only knew that that earth-shattering sword strike had split apart the Wind Thunder Sect’s headquarters.

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nAfter that, Princess Zhaoyang rushed towards the other factions without stopping. The memorial to report back to the Emperor did not mention this matter. In Li Huanjun’s knowledge, only Hu Jiujiu was able to strike that sword.

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nAfter all, many people watched the two of them go up the mountain. In the end, they were the only ones that went down the mountain.

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nZhaoyang only had the strength of a seventh-grade martial artist while Hu Jiujiu was a Martial Saint. Although Li Huanjun had a vague feeling that the person in the Wilderness Valley had this ability, he felt that he was thinking too much.

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nImpossible!

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nFurthermore, he had an idea. He wanted to take Hu Jiujiu for his own use or to protect the Northern Dukedom. He was willing to let her take on the position of a guardian of the country. He did not believe that he could not win over the heart of that Martial Saint with the power of a country. Would she still follow that unfilial son?

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nAs soon as Li Huanjun said this, Zhaoyang understood her father’s intentions. He always placed the country first. All decisions were considered from this point.

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n“Hu Jiujiu never spoke. My brother struck with that sword to save us. The Wind Thunder Sect has six Martial Saints. Five of them were raised using evil techniques. It’s time for the Northern Kingdom to be reformed. If we want the country to prosper, we have to nurture the powerful martial artists of the Northern Kingdom…” Zhaoyang coldly said.

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nAlthough her father had always prioritized the country, the foundation of the Northern Kingdom under his rule was unstable. The Northern Kingdom, which was in danger after it was founded a hundred years ago, could only last for a long time.

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nThey had to nurture martial artists who were loyal to the country.

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n“Li Yuanqing? That strike was from Li Yuanqing? That Martial Saint never talks?”

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nLi Huanjun sucked in a breath of cold air. He wanted to scold this unfilial son in his heart, but he couldn’t say it out loud. This unfilial son was truly terrifyingly powerful. He was even more powerful than the Holy Grandmaster who founded the Northern Kingdom.

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nNo wonder that Martial Saint was his servant.

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nWait, never speak?

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nLi Huanjun suddenly recalled that the guard who delivered food to Li Yuanqing seemed to have mentioned that Li Yuanqing had once picked up a mute. Could it be this Martial Saint?

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nLi Huanjun felt a chill down his spine at the indescribable horror. This bastard, no, how much power was Li Yuanqing hiding?

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nHow was he so powerful?

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nWhen did it start?

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nLi Huanjun was restless at the thought of the imperial decree that he had issued to cripple Li Yuanqing’s cultivation. He waved his hand to signal for Zhaoyang to leave first, but Princess Zhaoyang did not leave.

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n“Father, I suggest that we increase the number of martial artists that the Royal Martial Academy accepts every year. Moreover, I want to go to the Martial Academy to take up a position…”

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n“Yeah, approved!”

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nLi Huanjun did not want to say anything at this moment. His mind was filled with Li Yuanqing. How could he be so powerful? He didn’t care about what Princess Zhaoyang said.

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nAfter a few days, Li Huanjun decided to visit the Wilderness Valley incognito. This time, he was going to meet that unfilial son, no, the former Crown Prince, Li Yuanqing.

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nThis time, he did not head to the encampment. Instead, he led his men to the Wilderness Valley, intending to meet Li Yuanqing no matter what. After all, he had mixed feelings about this prince.

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nAlthough he was unwilling to do so, he had to build a good relationship with the First Prince. He wanted him to feel his sincerity.

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nHe had even thought about it. In order to stabilize the empire of the Northern Kingdom, he was even willing to bow down to the First Prince and apologize to him. He was willing to do anything as long as he…

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nUnfortunately, before he could even stay in the Wilderness Valley, Wang Shun anxiously came to see His Majesty and delivered a letter.

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n“If the country is not under distress, don’t come!”

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nThere were only nine words in the letter. As the father, Li Huanjun naturally knew that it was Li Yuanqing’s handwriting. It was his second time here, but Li Yuanqing was still unwilling to meet him.

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nHe even gave him nine words.

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nHowever, Li Huanjun immediately felt relieved. Although Li Huanjun didn’t want to see him, the other meaning was that if the country was in distress, he could come and seek help.

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nMoreover, Li Yuanqing took care of Princess Zhaoyang.

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nEvery time she came, she would see Li Yuanqing. That way, if the Northern Kingdom was in trouble, he could get Princess Zhaoyang to beg him. If he could not see Li Yuanqing in the future, he could get Princess Zhaoyang to come over.

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nAfter Li Huanjun received the letter, he turned around and went to the camp stationed in the Wilderness. He stayed there for the night and summoned the garrison general to ask him about the former Crown Prince.

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n“His Highness, the former Crown Prince, has been very quiet all these years and has never mentioned anything else. Some time back, there was a snowfall in the valley that destroyed a house. Wang Shun and Zhang Quan brought some people to renovate it, and the rest was to deliver food to His Highness every week. This is the arrangement of the menu every time…”

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nThe garrison general felt that it was a little abrupt. He was fortunate that he had not neglected the former crown prince all these years when he saw His Majesty’s concern for the former Crown Prince.

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nHe tried his best to arrange the food and drinks properly. He even had a menu. He didn’t expect it to come in handy today.

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n“Alright, ask the two people who delivered the food to him. What does His Highness the Crown Prince like to eat? Make sure to follow the highest standard. If he doesn’t object to the renovation of the house, you can change the house without affecting him. Try to make His Highness the Crown Prince live more comfortably. Also, plant more flowers and wood…”

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nFor the first time in his life, Li Huanjun was as patient as he was when it came to important matters of the country. He reminded the garrison general to make the necessary arrangements. This was the first time in his life that the garrison general was so shocked that he pretended not to know anything.

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nOver the years, his official position had risen a little, and the pay from the imperial court had increased. In the past, he would still owe some rations, but now, they no longer exist.

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nThese changes made his colleagues envious.

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nIt should be known that in the past, the annual military pay and wages in this Wilderness had always been delayed. Every year, when there wasn’t enough grain and fodder, they had to take care of it themselves, but they still couldn’t cope with the annual beast tide and winter snow.

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nBut in recent years, although there had been heavy snow, the beast tide had disappeared, and the army’s rations were plentiful. This caused many soldiers in the Northern Kingdom to view this place as a fertile land, and they all rushed over.

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nAlthough no one said anything, the garrison general felt that it was right to respect the former Crown Prince. However, the Crown Prince liked peace and quiet, so he didn’t dare to disturb him.

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nThus, he nodded his head and quickly got Wang Shun and Zhang Quan to do it.

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nLi Yuanqing was drinking tea under a tree.

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nHe had no intention of meeting His Majesty even if he came. Moreover, he felt that he had miscalculated during this trip to the Wind Thunder Sect. There were too many hidden experts in the world, and he had to continuously accumulate his strength!

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