Leng Yanran glanced at him, then at Ran Qingqiu beside her. Despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn’t help but snort coldly. "Hasn’t Young Master Li already made a move against my Demon Sect? You’ve practically poached all the elite disciples from our many halls, and yet you stand here asking if I can accept this!"
Li Chang’an roared with laughter. "Sect Leader Leng, you’re so direct! Since our enemies are Cultivators, we must naturally clean up our own house on the Li Yang Continent. Any internal strife or conflict will cause all our efforts to be for naught!"
Hearing this, Leng Yanran’s expression grew a little more solemn, but she didn’t speak right away.
She had, of course, considered this point as well.
The problem was that the Li Yang Continent was vast, and the hearts of men were so complex. Even as a Martial Arts Mythology, she had no way to unify everyone completely.
Li Chang’an guessed her concerns and said with a smile, "Just leave this matter to me. There’s no need for Sect Leader Leng to trouble herself with it!"
The three of them discussed for a while longer, making arrangements for what was to come.
As for spreading the news that the Cultivators would arrive in twenty-six years?
None of the three were so foolish as to consider that for the moment.
After all, they were already facing more than enough problems. The most important task right now was to unite and consolidate their internal forces.
Before this was accomplished, leaking the news about the Cultivators prematurely—setting aside whether anyone would even believe it—would only cause widespread panic and serve no other purpose.
...
After clarifying the information about the Cultivators, Li Chang’an quickly returned to the Li Yang Capital without a moment’s rest.
The Empress, Su Ying, had been very anxious about his departure. Seeing him finally return, she couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief and ask, "The Demon Sect and the Buddhist Sect didn’t give you any trouble, did they?"
She knew Li Chang’an had gone home to visit his family and was deeply afraid that the Demon Sect and the Buddhist Sect would use this opportunity to join forces, set a trap, and assassinate him.
Li Chang’an smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, this servant hopes to grasp a measure of power."
Hearing this, Su Ying’s expression changed slightly. After a long silence, she finally said, "Didn’t we have an agreement?"
She was referring to the principle of equal exchange that Li Chang’an had mentioned.
Li Chang’an chuckled. "Your Majesty, this servant would naturally not forget our agreement. How about this: you grant me the authority to train and command an army, and I will make the Buddhist, Daoist, and Demon Sects all submit to Li Yang. How does that sound?"
Hearing Li Chang’an’s reply,
Su Ying was completely dazed. After a long moment, she managed to ask, "Are you serious?"
Li Chang’an nodded. "Of course!"
Su Ying fell silent again for a long moment. "And if I’m not willing to agree, what will you do?"
Li Chang’an spread his hands. "Your Majesty will agree. Won’t you?"
Su Ying stared at him for a long while with her narrow, phoenix-like eyes, then suddenly smiled. "We can agree. We can agree to anything you ask, but on one condition..."
Her voice trailed off. She suddenly poured a cup of strong liquor from a nearby flagon, gulped it down in one go, and then, emboldened by the alcohol, threw herself into Li Chang’an’s arms. Her pretty face was slightly flushed as she said, "We want you to consummate our marriage!"
’She’s not playing by the rules!’
Li Chang’an gave a wry smile. "Your Majesty, this servant is not that kind of person!"
Hearing this, Su Ying’s pretty face grew even redder. She snorted, her breath fragrant. "Is that so? I see your ’flagpole’ is quite honest!"
Facing Li Chang’an, Su Ying had no more cards to play.
Thus, out of desperation, she could only play herself as her final card.
But at that moment, Su Ying was stunned to find that she wasn’t as opposed to the idea as she’d thought. After all, heroes love beauties, but don’t beauties also love heroes?
...
「One day later」
Su Ying now hung on Li Chang’an’s every word. She directly granted Li Chang’an the rank of General and gave him ten thousand elite soldiers.
The number might not sound like much, but in reality, this was already considered the most formidable elite force in all of Li Yang, and it was the ace up Su Ying’s sleeve.
Her willingness to hand over military authority to Li Chang’an also meant that Su Ying had completely let down her guard around him. After all, Li Chang’an had now truly become her husband. The empire and foundation they built would be inherited by their future children.
In all the world, there was no bond more secure than one forged by blood.
As for feelings?
To say there were no feelings between them at all would certainly be a lie.
But to say it was all about feelings would also be impossible.
Perhaps feelings would grow over time, but for now, their relationship was more about each getting what they needed.
...
The Martial Champion Scholar, Li Chang’an, took command of the Li Yang Imperial Family’s most elite army and began a series of reforms: recruiting troops, procuring horses, and implementing new strategies.
This matter quickly drew the attention of the entire world.
Whether it was the Jianghu or the various Sects, everyone paid extremely close attention to this development.
It was no wonder they were nervous.
After all, the last time Li Chang’an had made a move, he had silently repelled two Major Sects, and to this day, he had yet to face retaliation from the Demon Sect or the Buddhist Sect.
And now, this madman was suddenly reorganizing the army.
Who the hell knew if he was planning to start a war?
Although common sense told them such a thing was impossible—the current Li Yang simply didn’t have the resources to wage a major war against other powers.
But when it came to a young man like Li Chang’an, no one dared to apply common sense.
For a time, many powers in the Jianghu turned their eyes toward the Li Yang Capital City, continuously sending spies to gather information, trying to figure out just what Li Chang’an was plotting.
...
Li Chang’an didn’t care about any of this.
Ignoring the eyes of the outside world, once the troops were reorganized, Li Chang’an began to personally teach the Martial Scripture to the army under his command.