Chapter 534 The Fan Girl Appears
Zhao Yanxuan's golden python robe billowed in the wind, as if filled with an invisible gale.
All the fear, shame, and hesitation on his face vanished, leaving only an almost transparent clarity—the chilling aura that truly awakened deep within the imperial bloodline when all pretense was removed and the country was on the verge of collapse.
He walked straight to the kneeling general, reached out and helped him up.
The fingertips touched the other person's skin, a mixture of cold armor and scalding sweat; the rough texture felt more real and more intense than any official commentary on a memorial.
"Issue my decree!" Zhao Yan's voice wasn't loud, yet it rang clearly like the clash of metal, causing a few withered plum blossoms to flutter down in the Imperial Garden. "Immediately assemble the elite troops from the capital region, Hedong, and Hebei. All military officers of the third rank and above are to report for duty at the Meridian Gate training ground within half an hour!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping across Ruan Xiaotian's pale face, then over Shen Mo's calm, unfathomable eyes, finally settling on the general's blood-stained shoulder armor. He spoke each word slowly and decisively: "Order the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of War to immediately open the granaries and distribute grain, melt down arrowheads, and repair the equipment! I want to see the first batch of 100,000 shi of military rations, 500,000 armor-piercing arrowheads, and 3,000 powerful crossbows delivered to Yanmen Pass for defense within three days!"
The air in the Imperial Garden seemed to be clenched tightly by an invisible hand and then suddenly released.
The suffocating atmosphere of impending doom receded like the tide as Emperor Zhao Heng issued his final order.
Zhao Heng slowly turned around, the unbreakable ice shell on his face belonging to an emperor had melted away, replaced by an unprecedentedly complex expression.
He looked at Shen Mo, his gaze no longer scrutinizing like a hawk, nor looking down upon a commoner like a king, but more like that of a chess player who had just played three games with a peerless master. His eyes held both lingering lingering charm and a hint of mutual respect.
He even nodded slightly, his voice carrying a gentleness he himself was unaware of: "Young Master Shen, the situation is urgent, I... excuse me for a moment."
The word "excuse me" is used brilliantly. It's no longer a condescending "step down," but rather a farewell between peers. The wariness in their eyes vanishes without a trace, like morning mist meeting the rising sun.
At this moment, Zhao Heng seemed to have shed the heavy burden of being the emperor, and was just a young man who was shocked by the "Three Questions of the Martial World", with his heart surging with awe and contemplation of the ultimate principles of martial arts.
Having said that, he said no more, flicked his sleeves, and led the group of silent eunuchs and guards behind him, leaving the Imperial Garden with steady steps.
The bright yellow figure passed through the moon gate and quickly disappeared behind the layers of palace walls, leaving only the quiet fragrance of flowers in the garden, and Ruan Xiaotian standing to the side, his breath faint.
Only then did the two eunuchs dare to step forward and tremblingly help the Southern Region National Preceptor up.
Ruan Xiaotian's face was ashen, and the blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth had already stained his snow-white beard. He kept his eyes closed, not daring to look at Shen Mo again, and just let the eunuchs drag him away in a disheveled state to find the imperial physician.
The thrilling duel just now not only crippled his arms, but also completely shattered his pride as a grandmaster of the Southern Region.
All he wanted to do at that moment was escape from this place that had made him lose face, and hide in the deepest shadows.
Once all the footsteps had completely faded away, the Imperial Garden finally returned to its original tranquility.
Shen Mo looked around and saw exotic flowers in full bloom, artificial mountains in verdant layers, and a clear spring tinkling between the rocks, as if the sparring match had never happened.
He found a quiet stone bench and sat down. The cool stone seeped into his skin through the thin fabric of his clothes, bringing a sense of clarity.
He closed his eyes, not to rest, but to begin introspection.
From the moment he stepped into the Forbidden City, he keenly sensed that this place was unusual.
The spiritual energy here is several times denser than outside! Although it's far from the almost liquefied level of the Demon Refining Mountain, it can still be considered a rare blessed land. It's conceivable that emperors throughout history spent countless resources to gather the dragon veins of the world here, creating this auspicious land that nourishes imperial power.
With a thought, Shen Mo quietly activated the "True Technique of the Demon God".
The chaotic true energy within his body flowed slowly through his meridians like a gentle, swimming dragon.
At the same time, the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be summoned by some mysterious force, transforming into countless invisible blue light spots that converged from all directions, gently seeping into his pores and merging into his true energy.
Each breath felt like inhaling and exhaling the essence of the sun and moon, and each cycle made his foundation more solid.
He could clearly feel that his connection with this royal garden was deepening, as if he had become an ancient tree or a rock in the garden, breathing with heaven and earth and sharing the fate of all things.
However, this mysterious tranquility did not last long.
A series of light footsteps, like pearls falling onto a plate, came from the entrance of the Imperial Garden, breaking Shen Mo's resonance with heaven and earth.
He suddenly opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in them so quickly it seemed like an illusion.
A young girl was standing not far away, curiously observing him.
She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a light purple brocade dress with delicate butterfly and flower patterns embroidered in silver thread on the hem. A matching silk sash was tied around her waist, from which hung a small, exquisite mutton-fat jade pendant. This attire was definitely not that of a palace maid; rather, it resembled that of a noble lady raised in seclusion.
Her appearance wasn't exactly stunning, but she possessed a refined and elegant charm.
Her eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, her nose was straight and elegant, her lips were light pink, and her skin was as white as snow.
What is most striking about her are her eyes, which are crystal clear yet carry a cold arrogance that is incongruous with her age, like a frozen lake in winter, with an untouchable aloofness hidden beneath the calm surface.
She stood there quietly, exuding an innate nobility and composure that made it clear at a glance that her identity was far from ordinary.
Shen Mo's heart stirred slightly as he pondered to himself: This is a royal forbidden garden, where ordinary people are not allowed to enter without permission. This young girl was able to come here alone; her identity must be extraordinary!
When the young woman saw Shen Mo open his eyes and look at her, instead of shyly lowering his head or turning away like a typical young lady, she strode in confidently.
She walked lightly, her skirt brushing against the bluestone path, making a soft rustling sound, and walked straight to Shen Mo, no more than three steps away.
She tilted her head slightly, her clear eyes looking directly at Shen Mo, her gaze filled with undisguised curiosity and inquiry.
"Are you the Sword God?" Her voice was clear and melodious, like jade striking each other, carrying an innate aloofness and reserve, as if she were asking about something unrelated to herself, yet something that piqued her interest. This demeanor made Shen Mo even more certain that her identity was far from simple.
Faced with this sudden question, Shen Mo did not get up, nor did he ask her about her background.
He simply met her gaze calmly, then nodded slightly and replied succinctly, "That's right, exactly."
"It really is you!"
The moment Shen Mo finished speaking, the noble and aloof shell on the girl seemed to melt away instantly, as if by an invisible warm sun.
Her entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation. The composed and aloof noblewoman from before vanished, replaced by a radiant, slightly flushed, and excited little fangirl!