Demon Emperor

Chapter 37 The Donkey Army

Heavenly Maiden Palace.

The place was heavily guarded, both inside and out. Ruan Hu spoke while looking at the murals in the deepest part of the room.

Behind them were layers upon layers of hidden gauze curtains, and beyond that was the main hall, where statues of celestial maidens were enshrined.

Incense was burning in front of the statue, and the fragrance had already drifted over here.

The phantom of the Celestial Maiden of Wonderful Fragrance flew down from the wall and came to Ruan Hu's side.

"Is this the legacy that you said Prince Ma wanted to give me?"

As soon as Ruan Hu opened his mouth, he mentioned what Miao Xiang Tian Nu had said to him earlier, which seemed to have a hidden meaning.

Although the woman spoke very truthfully at night, she later confessed everything honestly under Ruan Hu's questioning.

However, Ruan Hu did not believe it entirely, so he rushed to the Heavenly Maiden Palace early in the morning to ask her in person.

The celestial maiden asked with a smile, "Not entirely, but does Your Majesty like it?"

Ruan Hu: "I do like it, but I haven't even gotten my hands on this donkey yet, so how can I say I like it!"

Miao Xiang Tian Nu: "It seems His Majesty still likes it. As for the white-headed donkey, it is in Fenghuang Mountain and will be obtained by His Majesty sooner or later."

Therefore, the story of the white-haired donkey must be genuine.

Ruan Hu couldn't help but show some joy on his face.

This Lord Ma is truly generous; first he gifted the precious mirror, then the divine palace.

now.

He also sent his wife and a mount that she could ride.

Even if you were a sworn brother, or a godfather, no one would be as generous as the other party.

Ruan Hu: "That white-headed donkey has reproduced for several generations. Has it changed from the original one?"

The celestial maiden said, "Although this white-headed donkey was created using evil magic, it is a renowned demon species in the Nine Provinces because of the illustrious reputation left by the Donkey Army in its past conquests of the world. It is worthy of being recorded in the Book of Mountains and Seas."

"Although the bloodline of this demon seed has faded, it has now become a truly culturable mutant species."

"After all, no matter how powerful or powerful ordinary demons are, there are very few that can be used as mounts."

"And these strange creatures that can be ridden in large numbers are even harder to find than the demons."

"If I were to receive that secret technique again, it wouldn't be impossible for me to transform into a demon once more."

Ruan Hu: "If that's the case, why wasn't this white-haired donkey acquired by someone else earlier, and why hasn't anyone gone to Fenghuang Mountain to search for it?"

Miao Xiang Tian Nu said, "If it weren't for the White Maiden Goddess, no one else could control this white-headed donkey. And without her to cast spells and supernatural powers, according to her secret method, this donkey army would be difficult to create."

"The reason why Lord Ma was able to occupy this underworld under Xijing was partly due to the Donkey Army. He kept this move in mind, waiting to lay the groundwork for Xicheng!"

"But before he could even make his brilliant move, His Majesty overturned the chessboard."

Ruan Hu: "What other plans does this Prince Ma have in mind?"

Myo-fragrant Celestial Maiden: "Support the Dragon!"

The importance of the White Maiden Goddess was instantly elevated to another level.

Ruan Hu: "This White Maiden Goddess is very important."

Miaoxiang Tiannu: "That depends on who uses it. In His Majesty's hands and in the hands of that Prince Ma, it's a world of difference."

Ruan Hu was intrigued by Miao Xiang Tian Nu's words. If he could bring back the white-headed donkey and have Bai Gu Shen by his side, he could quickly train a usable cavalry army using the old donkey army training methods.

Back in the day, this extraordinary army was able to fight in the east and west before the Great Sheng Dynasty declined, and even managed to break through the encirclement and escape to the land of Xicheng.

Then he spoke.

"It seems we still have to make a trip to Fenghuang Mountain."

Ruan Hu is about to leave the capital to pay homage to the late emperor's mausoleum. He can conveniently visit Fenghuang Mountain along the way and perhaps retrieve the white-headed donkey.
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The palace city of Xijing was built in imitation of the imperial city of the former Dasheng Dynasty.

There are three large gates under the Vermilion Bird Gate, and the city wall is more than ten feet high. Most officials enter the imperial city through this gate.

Huang Hui, who had just taken office as the gatekeeper, walked through the long path and it took him about fifteen minutes to reach the end.

after that.

He passed through several more doors before finally arriving at the recently established Government Affairs Hall.

When Huang Hui saw Li Hongdao, who had arrived earlier, his expression immediately turned sour.

He thought to himself, "This old man has been so diligent lately..."

However, after stepping over the threshold, he immediately cupped his hands in greeting, and the other person stood up with a smile. The emperor had recently been summoning his ministers here to discuss matters, and Huang Hui, Li Hongdao, and some clerks from the Council of State Affairs were on duty here every day.

In addition, there were some officials who were summoned by the emperor to answer questions about court affairs, and these people were not always on duty here.

Huang Hui glanced at the documents on his desk, then looked away absentmindedly.

As a result, Li Hongdao had the same expression.

recently.

The matter that concerned them most was the emperor's sacrifice at the mausoleum of the late emperor.

After a series of dramatic twists and turns, the greatest aspiration of the entire court is now to bring the recently restless emperor back to his place.

They listened to their every word, just as the late emperor had done, a perfect harmony between ruler and subject.

The emperor only needs to do what he is supposed to do; leave the rest to them.

Even though Huang Hui and Li Hongdao didn't get along, they were on the same page on this matter.

Huang Hui feigned modesty and waited quite a while before asking the clerk beside him.

Has His Majesty issued any decree?

Huang Hui did not ask what the decree was, but everyone present knew what it was.

The document reads: "No imperial decree has been issued."

Huang Hui, unable to sit still any longer, stood up and said, "What does Your Majesty mean by this? Do you not even care about basic filial piety?"

Now that things have come to this, we must make the emperor yield no matter what.

Huang Hui looked at Li Hongdao and said, "Why is Lord Ling silent? If His Majesty continues like this, how can things continue like this?"

"Do we still want the legacy of our ancestors, the rules passed down from them?"

Li Hongdao pondered for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, let's submit another memorial together."

At this moment, a eunuch burst into the government office, straightened his back, and shouted loudly.

"His Majesty has decreed..."

Where is the Minister of Rites?

Another official on duty in the government office immediately stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and accepted the imperial decree regarding the matters related to the sacrificial ceremony at the imperial mausoleum.

The others also knelt down in worship, and after they stood up, some of them had excited expressions on their faces, as if they had won a great victory.

Huang Hui was overjoyed, and even Li Hongdao nodded repeatedly in agreement.

"Your Majesty is virtuous!"

"Indeed, His Majesty still retains the virtues of the late Emperor, and is as wise and virtuous as he was!"

Now that the emperor has yielded, the next step should be to put the reins back on this wild horse that is about to break free, as usual.

This day.

Civil and military officials waited in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate. The ceremonial procession, consisting of various flags, musical instruments, and guards, had already arrived, but the emperor was nowhere to be seen.

The officials were in an uproar, some at a loss for what to do.

Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?

Where has His Majesty gone?

"what happened?"

The officials were all somewhat uneasy. Just then, the sound of horses' hooves and hurried footsteps approached, and the officials saw the Imperial Guards coming in formation.

The one leading the group, clad in armor and riding a spirited horse, was none other than Emperor Ruan Hu.

Ruan Hu, leading three thousand newly reorganized and trained imperial guards, looked more like a military general than an emperor, preparing to leave the capital.

As the army pressed forward.

The atmosphere outside the Vermilion Bird Gate changed instantly.

Everyone looked at the dark mass of figures, and it seemed as if the sky had darkened.

For an instant.

Everyone remembered again the night when the emperor led his army back to the capital and Prime Minister Ruan Heng perished in the flames.

(End of this chapter)