When asked if Wei Yuan had known about his resurrection beforehand, Huaiqing instinctively furrowed her brow.

Currently, there is abundant evidence suggesting that Wei Yuan had anticipated, and even prepared for, his resurrection.

For instance, Zhao Shou used Words Become Reality with the power of the Confucian Saint’s knife and Sub-sage’s crown to bring back a strand of Wei Yuan’s soul.

Zhao Shou couldn’t have kept this from Wei Yuan beforehand—there was no reason for secrecy.

Then there was Song Qing’s creation of the “world-shocking” human refinement technique—which was, in a sense, truly shocking.

This couldn’t have escaped Wei Yuan’s notice.

With his calculating ability, he must have incorporated it into his plans.

But something still felt off to Huaiqing…

Ah yes, the lotus seed—Lord Wei had specifically asked Xu Qi’an to help the Daoist Golden Lotus in exchange for a lotus seed… Huaiqing remembered now, that Wei Yuan had obtained a lotus seed through Xu Qi’an from the Daoist Golden Lotus.

Based on these various clues, it wasn’t difficult to deduce that Wei Yuan had prepared his resurrection plan before setting out for battle.

She had initially thought Wei Yuan’s request for the lotus seed was purely opportunistic, never imagining his schemes ran so deep as to draw such sighs of admiration.

“First, tell me about Great Feng’s recent situation.”

As Wei Yuan spoke, his gaze drifted toward Sangbo’s direction.

The Spring Festival ceremony was being held there. Only half a quarter hour had passed from his resurrection to their current conversation.

Just enough time to brew tea.

“It’s a long story…”

Huaiqing considered carefully, then said: “I’ll highlight the key points for you.”

These key points included Great Feng’s current situation, covering the battles in Qing and Yong Provinces, the Observatory Master’s “fall,” and the comparison of Transcendent numbers and strength between Great Feng and Yun Province.

And finally, the current tribulation battle.

This would help Wei Yuan quickly grasp the overall situation.

As for how she ascended the throne, the power shifts in Great Feng’s officialdom, and those ancient secrets were all secondary matters.

“Better than I imagined,” Wei Yuan took a sip of tea and smiled:

“I mean the battlefield. Fighting to this point, Great Feng is barely hanging on, but Yun Province is half-dead too. This is good.”

At this moment, Huaiqing didn’t understand what he meant by “good,” or what was good about it.

She said gravely:

“Now, Great Feng’s success or failure depends on the tribulation battle in the Northern Borders. However, I’m not confident about whether Luo Yuheng can successfully pass her tribulation. What does Lord Wei think?”

Huaiqing was eager to hear Wei Yuan’s insights.

But Wei Yuan didn’t answer, instead asking:

“When Xu Qi’an advanced to Second, did he absorb the Princess Consort’s spiritual essence?”

He still habitually referred to Mu Nanzhi as the Princess Consort.

In her earlier description, Huaiqing had only mentioned Xu Qi’an removing the Demon-Sealing Nail and advancing to Second-Rank, without mentioning Mu Nanzhi.

Hearing this, Huaiqing bit her lip and nodded slightly.

Wei Yuan’s expression relaxed somewhat as he said:

“You shouldn’t focus on the Transcendent battle in the Northern Borders. There’s no need to worry about things you cannot influence. Success or failure won’t change based on your will.

“The same applies to me—this body is no different from a normal person’s, I can do nothing about the Northern battle.

“Xu Ning Yan had you resurrect me to help resolve the Yong Province situation.”

He examined her casual attire with approval:

“You haven’t disappointed me, choosing the perfect moment to ascend the throne. Though I initially thought you would support the Fourth Prince’s ascension while manipulating things from behind. Of course, I also left contingencies in case you chose to seize power after Yuan Jing’s death.”

Huaiqing started: “Besides the Night Watchers’ hidden pieces, what other measures did Lord Wei leave?”

She had chosen to remain patient after the previous emperor’s death because the Crown Prince was the legitimate heir, and Great Feng hadn’t deteriorated so badly then, so the timing wasn’t right.

Moreover, the dragon qi had dispersed then, Yun Province rebels were poised to strike, and the previous emperor had nearly drained the treasury.

When Yongxing ascended the throne, he faced a complete mess that he absolutely couldn’t handle with his abilities. So Huaiqing believed patience was the best approach.

She hadn’t imagined Wei Yuan had left her additional trump cards.

“Since they weren’t used, there’s no need to discuss them.” Wei Yuan narrowed his eyes and said:

“When I said ‘good’ earlier, I meant Yang Gong and Great Feng’s soldiers performed better than I expected. I had anticipated a bitter struggle, but the Yun Province army was already at its limit.

“However, the White Emperor’s appearance was not within my predictions. As for the Observatory Master’s ‘stumble,’ that’s not surprising.

“For Xu Pingfeng to dare rebel, he must have had ways to counter the Heaven’s Mandate Master’s power. On this point, one doesn’t need to peek into the future—just using one’s brain is enough.”

He looked at the Empress’s suddenly shocked expression and smiled:

“Indeed, how could the Observatory Master not think of what I could think of?”

Huaiqing wasn’t foolish. After a long silence, she asked:

“You mean the Observatory Master did it deliberately, voluntarily entering the trap… why?”

Wei Yuan shook his head:

“No one knows what that old creature thinks. Just remember this hidden piece for now, continue watching, and you’ll naturally figure it out.”

Huaiqing pondered for a moment, then made a sound of acknowledgment, indicating she had learned.

Wei Yuan continued:

“What was the White Emperor’s purpose in dealing with the Observatory Master and Great Feng?”

This was also something Huaiqing hadn’t mentioned earlier.

Knowing Wei Yuan would ask, she responded:

“This matter is complex. Lord Wei, have you heard of the existence of the Gatekeeper?”

Wei Yuan shook his head while suddenly realizing:

“The Observatory Master?”

Before him, Huaiqing had never felt like a clever person. She nodded helplessly and proceeded to tell Wei Yuan everything about the Gatekeeper concept and the truth about the ancient gods’ fall.

“So it’s the same goal as the Transcendent.” Wei Yuan understood. He finished his lukewarm tea in one gulp and said:

“The tribulation ends in four days. Hmm, you should immediately order Yong Province to withdraw troops overnight, retreating to defend the capital.”

How did he know that the Transcendent and White Emperors were pursuing the same goal… Huaiqing hadn’t seen Wei Yuan’s letter to Xu Qi’an. After brief confusion, she was startled by Wei Yuan’s words, frowning:

“Yang Gong is gravely wounded and unconscious, the Yong Province defenders are headless without a leader, waiting for you to take charge. Yong Province is the last line of defense, why give it up for nothing?”

Wei Yuan unhurriedly added hot water to his tea, smiling:

“I want to give Yong Province to him.”

Seeing Huaiqing’s furrowed brow, Wei Yuan explained:

“Xu Pingfeng is a Second-Rank artificer. He must already know of my resurrection. Put yourself in his position—how would you respond?”

Huaiqing analyzed:

“Strike quickly before you can take control of the situation and the army, taking Yong Province. He won’t give you time.”

Wei Yuan asked further:

“Great Feng’s elite forces are already depleted. Do you think Yong Province can be held?”

Huaiqing shook her head, pursing her lips:

“But we can still eliminate part of Yun Province’s main force.”

Wei Yuan shook his head:

“That’s not how to fight this war. Yong Province has few elite troops left, but the capital does. The capital still has ten thousand Imperial Guard troops—these are Great Feng’s last forces. The capital has the finest artillery and equipment reserves and the most fortified walls. We don’t lack experts either—noble households maintain many powerful fighters.

“The capital still has the city defense array personally inscribed by the Observatory Master. Though its power is greatly reduced without his presence, it’s still a solid defense. Combined with the Secret Camp Imperial Guard and Yong Province’s remnants, isn’t this more worthwhile than having Yang Gong and the others die defending the city?”

The city defense array was laid down when the capital was first built.

When Great Feng was founded, the founding emperor established the capital here, with all the Astronomical Bureau’s artificers participating in its construction.

They invested corresponding materials in various parts of the city walls, inscribing arrays under the first Observatory Master’s direction. No one knows exactly how many arrays are hidden within the capital’s seemingly ordinary high walls.

When the current Observatory Master took the position, the capital’s arrays underwent a major renovation, consuming nearly half a year of tax revenue.

Besides the capital, only some important main cities at the borders had arrays, and those were just rough city defense arrays.

These things were simply too costly in resources and manpower.

But this way we’ll have no retreat… Huaiqing frowned silently, then heard Wei Yuan say:

“This is the most correct response. In Xu Pingfeng’s view, this is the choice I would make. This point is extremely important.”

Huaiqing frowned:

“What do you mean?”

Wei Yuan looked toward Yong Province:

“It means a quick decisive battle.”

…

Deep night.

Forty li outside Yong Province city, in the Yun Province military camp.

Inside the command tent, over ten commanders gathered together. Compared to when they first left Yun Province, many new faces now attended General Qi Guangbo’s strategy meetings.

Zhuo Haoran, Wang Chu, and other experienced, highly cultivated generals had successively fallen in battle.

The newly promoted replacements either had weaker cultivation or less experience in commanding troops.

Compared to the loss of elite troops, the death of these senior commanders pained Qi Guangbo the most.

An experienced commander could sometimes determine the outcome of an entire campaign—wasn’t that why they said “Armies are easy to raise, but generals are hard to find”?

But at this stage of the war, Great Feng’s losses could only be heavier.

Not only had they exhausted their elite forces, but even Yong Province General Yang Gong was hanging by a thread. The Yong Province army was now headless, with the highest-ranking official being Yong Province Administrative Commissioner Yao Hong, a mere scholar.

And the Yong Province Commander was just another noble son idly living off his ancestors’ achievements.

Yong Province bordered the capital, connecting north and south, historically prosperous and rarely experienced warfare.

Thus from top to bottom, the army’s fighting capacity was extremely weak, traditionally serving as a good place for noble sons to gain superficial military credentials.

After the battle of Xun Province, Great Feng’s capable elite forces were almost destroyed. Taking Yong Province was just a matter of time.

But the Yun Province army had also suffered heavy losses, with exhausted soldiers. Qi Guangbo’s direct forces had been nearly annihilated at Xun Province.

Therefore, though the Yun Province army camped outside Yong Province city, they only maintained a standoff without engaging, both recuperating and waiting for the Northern Border tribulation battle to end.

But today, news that made the Yun Province high command’s scalps tingle came from the Imperial Preceptor.

Wei Yuan had resurrected!

At this critical juncture, Wei Yuan had returned to life.

Anyone with a military background knew Wei Yuan’s reputation.

This generation’s war god who won the Shanhai Pass campaign was destined to be recorded in history.

Even if Yun Province eventually took the realm, when court historians wrote the records, they couldn’t avoid mentioning this once-in-a-millennium military talent.

“What does the Imperial Preceptor mean?”

Yang Chuannan glanced at Ji Xuan, then at Qi Guangbo.

Ji Xuan had returned to camp today, meaning the Transcendent battle in Yong Province had ended. But with no news of Kou Yangzhou or Sun Xuanji’s death, it wasn’t hard to guess they had merely temporarily ceased fighting.

Ji Xuan said gravely:

“The Imperial Preceptor means to take Yong Province at any cost. Then advance north to face off against the capital, giving Wei Yuan no opportunity.”

Qi Guangbo’s expression was solemn, but his eyes blazed with unprecedented fighting spirit as he added:

“Take the capital, welcome His Majesty for the ascension ceremony, and then the Imperial Preceptor will absorb the capital’s fortune. The Great Feng court will have no chance of recovery.”

Yang Chuannan nodded:

“This is indeed the best approach.”

The other commanders didn’t speak, only nodding.

They understood the Imperial Preceptor’s concerns—they couldn’t give Wei Yuan time. The longer they delayed, the more unfavorable the situation would become.

If they won the Northern Border tribulation battle, all would be well.

But what if they failed?

If Luo Yuheng successfully advanced to First Rank, they’d be roughly equal at the Transcendent level, and with Wei Yuan directing strategy… just thinking about it made their scalps tingle.

Everyone had initially been extremely confident about the tribulation battle, but as time passed, most had wavered.

Nearly ten days had passed, yet the Garan Tree Bodhisattva and White Emperor still hadn’t killed Xu Qi’an and the others.

If they could have killed them, they would have done so already. With no result yet, it meant the Northern battle must have encountered trouble.

Qi Guangbo said:

“Pass down the order—attack at dawn.”

Ji Xuan said:

“The Imperial Preceptor and I will handle containing Sun Xuanji and the Martial Arts Alliance’s Old Warrior. You must take Yong Province as quickly as possible.”

Everyone responded in unison:

“We’ll die trying!”

…

The cold moon hung high.

A rider galloped along narrow mountain paths, occasionally stopping to determine direction by the full moon’s position.

After a full night of racing through an uninhabited wilderness, lights finally appeared ahead.

The lights grew brighter, and building outlines became visible to the black-clothed rider.

It was an abandoned military station built in a mountain hollow.

The horse galloped along the stone-strewn path toward the station when suddenly an arrow shot through the night, embedding itself in the road ahead.

The rider sharply pulled the reins, the warhorse letting out a long neigh as it came to an abrupt stop.

From the grass on both sides of the gravel path, over ten armed soldiers emerged.

The lead soldier shouted:

“Who goes there!”

The rider remained completely calm, saying steadily:

“By Lord Wei’s command, I’ve come to see your leader.”

He didn’t know who the leader was.

…

In the central tower of the military station, Nan Gong Qianrou sat at a table, polishing a gleaming war blade.

Over these five months, he had developed the habit of polishing weapons before sleep.

Waiting for the day he could lead troops to raze the Shaman God Sect, avenging his adoptive father.

The oil lamp cast a yellow glow, illuminating his devastatingly beautiful face—delicate features, snow-white skin, cherry lips, picturesque brows, and eyes. If not for the cold, piercing gaze unlike any woman’s, and the obvious Adam’s apple, anyone would have mistaken him for a woman.

And an exceptional beauty at that.

After meeting Sun Xuanji that day, he followed the instructions in his adoptive father’s sealed letter to come to this abandoned military station.

It had everything—enough grain to feed ten thousand troops for a full year, as this supply was meant for an army of a hundred thousand.

Besides grain, there were candles, lamp oil, and corresponding daily necessities and supplies, though in very small quantities.

Seeing these military supplies, Nan Gong Qianrou suddenly understood where the missing supplies from the Shaman God Sect campaign had gone.

But he had only guessed half correctly. These supplies were indeed the missing batch, but Wei Yuan hadn’t cut off the supplies—the previous emperor had made a feint while secretly moving these supplies via water transport.

They were just intercepted en route by people Wei Yuan had arranged.

The previous emperor cutting off supplies was something Wei Yuan had anticipated.

Nan Gong Qianrou didn’t know his mission. Wei Yuan had given him three sealed letters through Sun Xuanji—one contained an address and orders to wait here for the right moment.

What moment to wait for, Nan Gong Qianrou didn’t know.

He hadn’t opened the other two letters.

Nan Gong Qianrou believed that when the time came, Wei Yuan would let him open the letters, even though this infinitely calculating Great Blue Robe had already died.

Just then, a soldier knocked on Nan Gong Qianrou’s door, saying:

“General Nan Gong, someone outside seeks an audience.”

Nan Gong Qianrou’s polishing motion paused. He took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions surging in his heart, and said:

“Bring them in!”

Soon, a black-clothed man was brought in. Nan Gong Qianrou examined him in surprise:

“You?”

The black-clothed man likewise examined Nan Gong Qianrou, his gaze shifting from confusion to shock, then showing sudden understanding:

“Nan Gong the Golden Gong?!”

The heaven-concealing technique became ineffective for “witnesses” upon seeing the person directly.

But for everyone to remember required exposure to public view—that is, three or more people.

Nan Gong Qianrou nodded:

“So you’re also the adoptive father’s hidden piece. Does Princess Huaiqing know?”

This man was the captain of Huaiqing’s palace guard.

The most trusted among her confidants.

“It’s Empress Huaiqing now.” The guard captain finished, showing a bitter smile:

“I didn’t know before, but after Empress Huaiqing took over Lord Wei’s hidden pieces, she found out. Her Majesty is kindhearted and didn’t punish me, still willing to trust me. However, she still doesn’t know the task Lord Wei gave me before setting out.”

Her Majesty… Nan Gong Qianrou pressed:

“What task did your adoptive father give you?”