Suppressing the North and Displaying Might - Chapter 145: Deng Zhanxuan Emerges from Seclusion

As Yang Ruiyun gained his newfound power, everyone from the Beitang family at Zhenbei Pass suddenly felt the ground begin to tremble gently. While they were still panicking and at a loss, another explosion-like sound echoed from the backyard.

"What is going on?"

"That backyard sounds like the place where General Deng has been in seclusion."

"Could it be that he has broken through his seclusion? Quickly, go notify the young lady. Let us go and take a look."

In the backyard, Deng Zhanxuan stood shirtless amidst a pile of ruins. As for why it was a ruin, the blame lay entirely on Deng Zhanxuan himself. The moment he awoke, the terrifying and formidable power of the Black Tortoise instantly erupted, reducing the secret chamber where he had been in seclusion into rubble in the blink of an eye.

Deng Zhanxuan awkwardly scratched...

Vague rumors were already circulating within the Qing army camp, suggesting that certain Ming military generals in the city had resolved to surrender. However, Hong Taiji had issued strict orders to both the Ming and Qing sides demanding that Hong Chengchou be captured alive. Because this condition was exceedingly harsh and difficult to fulfill, the fortress had not yet been breached.

Nalan Kui was truly a man of literary talent! Qingqing indeed possessed an extraordinary gift for painting; the old prince had once thought that Nalan Kui's deep immersion in painting amounted to neglecting his proper duties.

The male partner was none other than the man in blue from moments ago—the son of the former dynasty's prime minister. Because of his meritorious service in protecting the sovereign and his imperial betrothal to the princess, he was now the sole prince of a different surname in the imperial court.

It was rare for the junior martial brother not to use disguise today. Yet to the man in white, whether it was his original peerless and stunning face or that mighty, domineering face as broad as a cutting board... he remained his junior martial brother nonetheless.

"But Grandmother..." Rong Zhan was about to say more, but Jun Li pulled him back, exchanging a glance with him to signal that he should say no more. Only then did they bow together to the Dowager and withdraw.

Hearing these words, how could Jun Li fail to understand that Rong Qianhan's primary purpose in summoning her into the palace today was to put on a show of force, to make her terrified and regretful, and to condemn her to live the rest of her days in perpetual panic?

Having managed with great difficulty to come out and stretch her legs, she was determined to make the most of this opportunity. Only by muddying the waters could she fish in troubled streams.

Leng Chengran could peer into the heavenly secrets, but he was forbidden from speaking of what he saw; otherwise, he would truly commit a grave taboo.

We all understand the child Penglai; when it comes to imposing momentum, she has never liked to lose to anyone, even if her actual strength genuinely falls short.

"Really? Then I must see for myself." After the vehicle traveled a bit further, the driver shouted that the road was too difficult to navigate and demanded payment before refusing to drive any further.

An ugly-looking Oirat warrior of about forty stood quietly by the river, gazing into the distance at the surging and rolling Kherlen River. The grief and indignation churning within his chest surged like roaring waves, impossible to suppress. He was none other than Tuoba, the supreme master of the Oirat tribe and the renowned "Desert Flying Eagle" across the grasslands.

"Acacia?" Jiang Nuan softly repeated the term, knowing in her heart that the old emperor meant the Dowager Consort Che was suffering from lovesickness, yet her own thoughts drifted to that seductive demon.

"Wuwu..." The little hero, having slept soundly and now in high spirits, heard Jiang Nuan talking to him and 'sensibly' began chatting back with her.

Boom! Finally, the Demonic Flame Stone could no longer withstand the suction force of the Heaven-Incinerating Gourd, plunging straight into it and vanishing without a trace.

"This must undoubtedly be the center of the array. Although the immortal array shows signs of damage, the core power should still be exceedingly formidable," Fairy Xiangying said as she looked at the expanse of nothingness, her interest quite piqued.

Naturally, those incorruptible upright officials who kept their hands clean and treated their official duties as serving the people had nothing to fear. In the depths of their hearts, they even held a measure of respect for the assassins of the Shadow Gate.

"I will never appear here again." Ling Xue stepped off the treadmill and turned to leave.

"His Majesty has issued a proclamation to the entire realm that henceforth, the imperial examinations of our Great Ming will be divided into northern and southern lists." The scholar said in a deep voice.

Yet being alike was not the same as being equal. After all, she lacked the backing of a proper title and constantly worried that Chu Huandong and Wang Zhangzhu might reconcile. Every minor anomaly was magnified in her eyes, let alone an entire night of Chu Huandong failing to return—to her, that was nothing short of a cataclysmic event.