Chapter 35: Project Divine General, Immortal Fairy Yaozhen

Chapter 35: The Divine General Project, Immortal Fairy Yaozhen

It was already late at night when Ning Xuan returned to his manor.

In the past, during the late hours, Xiao Jie would only light the lamp in his room.

But tonight, the entire place was brightly lit.

As Ning Xuan walked through the courtyard gate, he immediately sensed someone in the drawing room.

There was his father, and a stranger.

Ning Xuan thought another "Uncle Tang" had arrived, but after rounding the privacy screen, he saw a cold and charming young female Taoist.

She held a whisk in her hands, her expression indifferent.

It was a type of indifference that felt as if she existed outside the clouds, amidst the ice and snow, devoid of any worldly dust.

It was as if she were utterly unconcerned with anything in the world.

This indifference was starkly mismatched with her youth.

Even more unique was that such an indifferent female Taoist was wearing a Black Python Taoist robe.

The majestic Black Python robe was clearly very oversized, to the point that it enveloped her, concealing her originally voluptuous figure and beautiful curves.

Seeing Ning Xuan appear, Ning Taiyi hurriedly stood up and said, "Xuan'er, this is the Imperial Envoy, Immortal Fairy Yaozhen."

An Immortal Fairy?

Ning Xuan thought back for a moment.

His eldest brother had told him that female Celestial Masters were usually referred to as Immortal Fairies, but because there were so few of them, he had rarely seen one.

He sized up this Immortal Fairy; she was certainly not much older than himself.

To become an Immortal Fairy at such a young age—she truly lived up to her reputation of coming from a major power.

The indifferent woman in the python robe did not waste words. She rose directly and said in an extremely formulaic tone, "Ning Xuan, please perform a single strike."

Ning Taiyi added from the side, "Xuan'er, just like last time."

Ning Xuan did not dally. He took his blade and, utilizing his 3.5 constitution, unleashed a single, decisive strike.

A long, sharp hum, like the cry of a startled swallow, resonated and lingered for a long time.

Immortal Fairy Yaozhen gazed at it for a while, nodded, and then pulled a bright yellow silk scroll from her sleeve, saying, "Ning Xuan, receive the decree."

Ning Taiyi hurried over and pulled Ning Xuan down to kneel.

Immortal Fairy Yaozhen began to recite.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees

I have heard that Ning Xuan of the Ning family is gifted with extraordinary talent and peerless courage. Though young, he possesses the bravery to slay demons and subdue monsters, truly a pillar of the state. Now, he is specially promoted to the rank of General Anyuan, granted the Tiger Tally, and commanded to govern the two prefectures of Wangyue and Ping'an to ensure peace in the region.

May you diligently cultivate your martial arts and hone your edge, so as not to fail my heavy entrustment. Use your bravery to awe the demons and your loyalty to protect my borders. When you achieve great success in the future, there shall be generous rewards!

By Imperial Command."

After finishing the reading, Immortal Fairy Yaozhen took out a jade box and held it up alongside the imperial decree.

Ning Xuan narrowed his eyes.

Everything else was just boilerplate language, but the crux was the sentence: "commanded to govern the two prefectures of Wangyue and Ping'an to ensure peace in the region."

This granted him immense power, but it also defined his jurisdiction.

The so-called immense power meant that he held the overt authority of the Prefects in Wangyue and Ping'an prefectures; secretly, he could mobilize the forces of the Fangshi at will using the Tiger Tally.

By becoming General Anyuan, he had essentially become the absolute authority of these two prefectures, second only to the Emperor.

Why two prefectures?

Because Wangyue Prefecture already belonged to his family. This was the Son of Heaven providing a safety net, delivering exactly what the Ning family had originally sought. It was also a way of saying, "If your Ning family does not wish to move, then do not move. Not only will you stay, but I will provide double insurance for your family; not only is the Prefect yours, but even the General above the Prefect is yours." This was what was meant by "the boundless grace of the Emperor."

As for Ping'an Prefecture, it was more interesting.

Based on the fact that Tang Chuan's daughter was in the "Imperial Capital Divine Soldier Camp," that "Tang Chuan had stayed in the capital for many years," and that "Tang Chuan knew about the reforms and imperial intelligence," it was clear that Tang Chuan was definitely part of the Emperor's faction.

Therefore, when the Emperor issued a decree placing someone above Tang Chuan, Tang Chuan would not oppose it vehemently.

However, Ping'an Prefecture was currently suffering from a demon calamity.

Since he, as General Anyuan, was to "command the two prefectures of Wangyue and Ping'an," he naturally had to take responsibility for resolving the troubles in "Ping'an Prefecture."

He had no choice but to accept this.

Because this was also a test of his ability.

Only by passing it would he truly be the General Anyuan who "commanded the two prefectures of Wangyue and Ping'an."

If he failed, the Ning family would no longer be qualified to enjoy the privilege of "glory lasting for two generations."

Ning Xuan did not waste words. He stood up directly, said, "I thank the Emperor for his immense grace," and then took the jade box and the decree into his hands.

He opened the jade box, revealing a dragon-shaped golden talisman that emitted a profound, mysterious aura.

Upon seeing that aura, Ning Taiyi immediately bowed respectfully to his son.

Ning Xuan frowned in confusion.

Ning Taiyi explained with a smile, "Reporting to the General, those of us who go out to serve were once Taoists under the Emperor's command. Although we have dispersed our powers after taking up our posts, we are still familiar with the Dragon Qi of our former sovereign. Seeing this Tiger Tally, loyalty naturally arises in our hearts.

However, since we have dispersed our powers and much time has passed, that forced loyalty has faded significantly, replaced by spontaneous devotion."

He acted like a subordinate to a superior.

But anyone could see that he was beaming with joy.

What could be more delightful than "one's son becoming one's direct superior"?

Then, he explained further, "This decree of appointment will be proclaimed to the world, so the General need not worry about the law being unable to be enforced."

Ning Xuan smiled as well and said, "Old man, you can rest easy now."

Ning Taiyi was not at ease; there was still a hint of worry in his eyes. How could Ning Xuan fail to notice what he was feeling?

Ning Xuan said, "Old man, go rest first."

Ning Taiyi said, "Chounu is about to break through; he can stay with you."

Ning Xuan nodded.

Only then did Ning Taiyi smile and withdraw.

He had extremely biasedly given all the Dragon Qi to his eldest son, while giving the task of continuing the lineage to his younger son. Yet, as it happened, the younger son was also proving to be very capable, and he now hoped his eldest son would do everything in his power to protect the younger one.

In the drawing room, only the two of them remained.

Ning Xuan asked, "When will the Immortal Fairy depart?"

Yaozhen shook her head.

Ning Xuan said, "Does the Immortal Fairy still hold the task of Inspector, waiting to see how I stabilize Ping'an Prefecture before leaving?"

Yaozhen said, "I am not leaving."

Ning Xuan said, "Oh?"

Yaozhen said, "Starting twenty years ago, the Imperial Family has done its best to cultivate a group of Taoists who possess deep blood feuds with demons, have no family ties, and are utterly loyal to the Imperial Family, in order to implement the Divine General Project twenty years later. Now is that twenty-year mark. You and I are both parts of the Divine General Project."

Ning Xuan asked curiously, "What Divine General Project?"

Yaozhen said, "Demons will grow increasingly stronger. The Imperial Family intends to devote all its resources to cultivating twelve Divine Generals."

Ning Xuan asked, "What about Great General Qin? Is he participating?"

Yaozhen said, "He is not participating."

After saying that, she added, "We Taoists all possess a special power called 'Whisper.' We can exchange information with one another, even if we are separated by ten thousand miles, without any error.

In addition, we can be dedicated to one person, performing a ten-thousand-mile 'Whisper' with them. That person is our Divine General.

The purpose of our cultivation is to be placed by the side of a prospective Divine General, growing alongside them until we become comrades-in-arms who share life and death.

I can obtain much intelligence, I can help you apply for necessary subsidies, and I can also stand by your side when you go to war.

I came to deliver the decree, giving you the imperial decree, the Tiger Tally, and myself."

Ning Xuan froze for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Is this a political marriage bestowed by His Majesty?"

Yaozhen said, "No."

Ning Xuan said softly, "That is good then."

Having said that, he continued, "I do not like it when the people around me are forced. Since we are destined to be partners, I hope you can have more freedom, more of your own thoughts—even when it comes to love."

Yaozhen said, "This humble Taoist's heart is set upon the Great Void, untainted by the dust of emotion. Quietude is self-sufficiency. Blessings be infinite."

The first round of confrontation... ended.

Ning Xuan wanted to test whether she was "love-brained." After all, the combination of being an "orphan" and "cultivated as a tool" made it very easy to be "starved for affection."

However, Yaozhen saw through his thoughts at a glance and directly stated, "I do not lack love, thank you."

Ning Xuan then said, "Then I want to sleep with you. Does His Majesty agree?"

Yaozhen replied very seriously, "I do not agree."

Ning Xuan said, "Do you not know that the Divine General Project is very important? Since you were born for the Divine General Project, are you... unwilling to make even a tiny, necessary sacrifice? If you could make me your subordinate in love, wouldn't things be much more convenient for you in the future?"

As he spoke, he reverted to his rogue-like demeanor.

The eyes that had fought through the night in the Fragrant Incense Pavilion began to dart around, scanning Yaozhen's wide python robe as if trying to see through what was hidden beneath.

Yaozhen's cold face finally cracked; she had never encountered such an old rogue before, and her cheeks instantly turned red.

She repeated, "This humble Taoist's heart is set upon the Great Void, untainted by the dust of emotion! If the General wishes to seek me, simply call for me. I have already linked the 'Whisper' with you. Even if the General is at the ends of the earth, as long as you mention the name Yaozhen, I will be able to hear you."

With that, her figure moved, golden light surged, and she vanished from the spot.

Ning Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

At least the person sent by His Majesty would blush when teased; she was not a puppet.

He performed a brief perception and felt a mysterious aura added to his soul.

This must be the "Whisper" Yaozhen had mentioned.

He thought for a moment, thinking of Immortal Fairy Yaozhen, and spoke aloud, "I love you."

No response.

He said again, "Yaozhen, I love you."

This time, a response came from the other side.

"General, do not joke!"

The voice carried a hint of irritation that was difficult to suppress.

Ning Xuan burst into laughter.

Alright, the initial test was complete.

He had gained a simple, preliminary understanding of his position and the temperament of this partner.