Several Daoists of the Dong Generation around them nodded silently.
This grand victory made each of them proud.
It also proved that their choice was not wrong.
Following such a wise and majestic emperor was not a disgrace to everyone.
At this moment, Song Yingzhen raised the sharp sword in his hand.
"Since General An has pacified Beichu, we should also intensify our scrutiny and handle this matter beautifully, lest our colleagues belittle us!"
With a wave of his hand, the longsword fell to the ground, embedding itself to the hilt.
...
In the depths of the void, as Zhang Jian integrated the Earth Qi of Beichu, his expression suddenly changed, having sensed a familiar aura.
Within his vast Primordial Spirit Divine Sense, he saw an invisible brilliance within the Two Realms Region, like a swiftly moving white glow cutting through the night, suddenly plunging into the Beichu Realm.
This icy white glow also sensed the magnificent Dragon Vein Dragon Qi within the Beichu Realm, hesitated slightly, and then transformed into a stream of light, plunging into a forest within Beichu.
Almost simultaneously, from the depths of the void, several streaks of white chill-like storms appeared from the void, instantly manifesting three bright, peculiar figures.
Leading them was a chilling woman whose form was like the bright moon, surrounded by surging cold energies, with two bone wings behind her, standing on a rotating pure white bone lotus, filled with demonic energy.
Behind her were a man and a woman, the woman veiled lightly, her form like a faint ghostly moon, the fleeting Xinyue Hall Master from the Taiyin Demon Palace in the Beichu Imperial Palace.
The other wore a blood-red garment, his face handsome, but his eyes revealed a deep darkness, like the reverse side of Taiyin, yet his aura was the weakest.
He was the most outstanding old demon of the Taiyin Demon Palace in recent years, having just recently attained the Primordial Spirit.
"Master, what happened?"
At this moment, his eyes swept toward the surroundings.
The beautiful woman standing on the bone lotus only slightly raised her hand, her eyes scanning the surroundings.
This formidable being enveloped in vast demonic energy had a solemn, cautious countenance.
"It seems something has set its sights on me!"
"Where is it?"
This Youchi Daoist's face darkened, appearing as though facing a great enemy, while the beautiful woman's expression was grim.
She did not speak; she had cultivated a unique Primordial Spirit Immortal Technique from the Taiyin Demon Palace, making her Primordial Spirit extremely sensitive and able to reflect the Cyan Nether. The gaze was extremely secretive, but she indeed sensed a terrifying presence.
This made the depths of her 'Ice Mirror Heart' ripple slightly.
"Let's go!"
Although they could not eradicate the threat completely, her safety was paramount. Demonic energy surged around her, and in an instant, the three of them vanished as if disappearing into the bright white moon.
"Taiyin Mirror Escape Technique!"
At this moment, high in the Beichu sky, Zhang Jian's substantiated Primordial Spirit Divine Sense enveloped the three figures. In his vast, substantiated Primordial Spirit, he seemed to see the three escape lights using the void as a mirror, continuously refracting and transforming, projecting thousands of escape lights, disappearing into the depths of the void, unable to be tracked to their origin.
His gaze flickered with an unusual light.
These cultivators of the Taiyin Demon Palace are indeed cautious.
As long as these three high-tier demon cultivators took one step forward into the range covered by the Great Xia Dragon Qi, even with such profound escape techniques, they would certainly not escape the spatial seal formed by the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
It can be said that this Zhao Hua Master has considerable luck.
"The person just now was standing on a Six-Turned White Bone Demon Lotus, and those two bone wings behind should be the famous Wind Roc Bone Wings of the Taiyin Demon Palace, so this person should be the Ice Mirror Princess among the Supreme Elders of the Taiyin Demon Palace!"
A part of the information flashed through Zhang Jian's mind; he had been having frequent interactions with many Daoists from the Tongshan Dao Lineage, not for nothing.
The Ice Mirror Princess was rumored to be a royal princess' white bone corpse from a dynasty in the Two Realms Region thousands of years ago, with extremely strong Dao Practice, especially her abnormal Taiyin Demon Body, making her quite formidable.
Of course, he was not easy to deal with either.
As the thought crossed his mind, Zhang Jian looked down, seeing the bright white light hastily moving, its form speeding towards the direction of Great Xia.
Zhang Jian's vast Primordial Spirit Divine Sense continuously followed her unhurriedly, watching as she traveled from Beichu straight to the Great Xia Imperial City.
In Haojing City, this figure entered directly into the Observatory Bureau.
"This immortal is quite knowledgeable of destiny!"
Seeing this scene, Zhang Jian smiled faintly.
The one being pursued by numerous Demon Dao Masters from the Taiyin Demon Palace was none other than the Taiyin Fairy who had left the expeditionary army.
Sure enough, soon after, Xue Dongming was overjoyed as he hurriedly reported that a Primordial Spirit Master was willing to join the Great Xia Observatory Platform and wanted to meet Zhang Jian.
...
At this moment, within Haojing City, as the news of the expeditionary army conquering Beichu, annihilating Beichu's Grandmaster, and capturing Emperor Chu Huan Xuan alive was relayed back, the entire Great Xia was engulfed in a sea of celebration.
The greatest achievement for a ruler is nothing less than expanding territories and destroying enemy nations.
Though Beichu had stood for less than five hundred years, Daqian fell, yet it still stood firm in the Northern Land.
This shows how tough a bone Beichu was to crack.
But with Great Xia newly established, to be able to wipe out Beichu in one stroke and unify the East Continent, doesn't this align with the rumors among the people?
The Great Xia Emperor is indeed the one destined by the heavens.
If not, how could they have destroyed the Chu Kingdom and united the lands in such a short time?
In the court, many civil and military officials were greatly encouraged.
Previously, Great Xia's succession of Daqian had faced some criticisms, but now with the great victory of the royal army and the recovery of the Northern territory, there was more pride and a sense of belonging in the people's words.
In a carriage entering the palace at this time, a figure took in the scene of the people's jubilant cheers in the marketplace.
"The people's hearts can be used, with this momentum, if Great Xia nurtures and cultivates for a few more years, the people will fully return their hearts!"
Wang Huan took in this scene, his eyes also somewhat touched.
That Great Xia could recover the Northern Land and reunify the mountains and rivers was something that Wang Huan was also deeply proud of.
The division of the Northern Land for hundreds of years had always been a long-lasting regret in the eyes of countless civil and military figures of Daqian; anyone capable of achieving this would gain unimaginable prestige.
With this achievement, it is more than enough for Great Xia to solidify this foundation.
Coupled with nurturing and treating the people well, the vision of a greatly virtuous and orderly rule can be foreseen.
Wang Huan's aged face also showed some joy, but the purpose of this entry into the palace was for another matter.
Regarding the formation of the cabinet, he planned to retreat at the right time.
Having succeeded in the Northern Expedition, whether it was the commander of the vanguard army, An Ruming, or the second route marshal Wang You, both would be remembered in history, and the Great Xia Emperor would certainly not lack in granting rewards and titles.
As the clan leader of the Wang Family, he was already in a position of extreme trust and importance.
With him there, it was difficult for the Wang Family to produce another high-ranking minister.
The Wang Family is already very powerful, with two Dukes in one family, if this Northern Expedition success is added...
Wang Huan knew excess is as bad as deficiency, things flourish in prosperity and decay afterwards.
Retiring at this point could also make way for Wang You.
...
The Palace of the Imperial Harem was also lively at this time, with the Empress, as the head of the harem, seizing the opportunity to hold a banquet, inviting the wives and daughters of many civil and military officials, including Lady Hao Ming, to celebrate the success of the royal army in the Northern Expedition.
Beneath the gentle white moon at this moment, after hosting many of the Imperial Decree Ladies, the Empress appeared in the inner hall surrounded by numerous Palace Maids.
Madam Qi Wan was already waiting here.
Upon meeting, mother and daughter, naturally, exchanged some cordialities.
Since relocating her parents to settle in Haojing City, the Empress often saw Madam Qi Wan. Compared to ten years ago, Madam Qi Wan just had one or two faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes, still radiant and beautiful.
At this moment, she sighed softly.
"Who would have thought that the Beichu, standing for five hundred years in the Northern Land, would collapse in the hands of the Emperor, an unprecedented event in a thousand years!"
"The unification of the East Continent brings the Emperor's accomplishments to the ages!"
Beside her, seeing her mother praise Zhang Jian so much, the Empress's beautiful face also showed some joy, and she said.
"This victory was also due to the soldiers risked their lives and the unity between the commander and the generals, thus achieving such a feat!"
Madam Qi Wan nodded, and after speaking of some personal matters with her daughter, she glanced around and sighed softly.
Seeing this, the Empress couldn't help but be surprised. "Mother, why did you suddenly sigh?"
Madam Qi Wan glanced at the Empress and said, "Your Highness, while I was walking around the palace, it struck me how empty the grand palace is. You, being the ruler of the Six Palaces, find most of them unoccupied and without a mistress. How can this set an example for the world? If this goes on for a long time, won't those gossiping women, or the people outside, say that the Empress is jealous and unable to accept others, thus tarnishing His Majesty's wise reputation?"