Reincarnation Girl Becomes Immortal

Today's court assembly was uneventful.

……

Outside Yan'an City, Xi Heng led 20,000 elite Ever Victorious Army soldiers southward.

The army, fed with provisions sent by the imperial court and dairy products and dried meat seized from the Yanmeng people, showed no signs of fatigue despite their long march; on the contrary, they were quite eager to fight.

Most of the soldiers thought that this route was to the south to quell the rebellion. Having just defeated a powerful enemy, they were not afraid of the ordinary rebel army in the south, believing that the rebel army was no match for them. Therefore, they were in high spirits.

However, some speculate that the army's return to the south was not actually to quell the rebels.

The road they were taking was the road back to the capital.

The highly prestigious princess led her army back to the capital of the country—the purpose of which is perhaps self-evident.

Those who guessed were even more excited. Having witnessed the divine power in the northern frontier, they naturally believed that Princess Diana was the most qualified person to sit on the throne.

If she doesn't become emperor, who else can?

Ten days passed quickly during the march.

The army arrived at Hongcheng, a city slightly north of the capital.

Xi Heng displayed his Grand Commandant's official badge in front of the city, and then led the military into the city to rest.

During this time, she always felt that the city's officials were unusually nervous and cautious when facing her, as if they were afraid of saying or doing something wrong.

It is likely that officials in various places along the way who heard the news had already made some guesses about what she was going to do next.

The capital city is probably already prepared, either to welcome or to counterattack—more likely the latter.

Now, the city gate towers of the capital must be filled with all sorts of defensive equipment.

Tens of thousands of Beijing troops held firm, keeping the city gates tightly closed, making it difficult to breach.

Because of the long march, the Ever Victorious Army did not bring any engineering equipment, so if the capital was well defended, it would have been very difficult to break through.

However, since Xi Heng is here, this is no ordinary situation.

A hundred full spirit stones were more than enough for her to cast the Blood Sea Technique once more, revealing the Dharma form of the Dark Mother, intimidating the capital army, capturing the capital, and reaching the palace.

There might be some people accidentally run over along the way, but it doesn't matter, Xi Heng has already apologized in his heart.

She yawned casually, silently checked her inventory, and glanced at the hundreds of spirit stones it contained.

This battle will surely be won, and this city will surely fall.

The throne will inevitably be hers.

When she made up her mind to lead her troops south, the outcome was already predetermined—at least that's what she thought.

Xi Heng wasn't thinking of simply killing Zhao Chuxiao and inheriting the throne; that would mean he'd have to handle all sorts of affairs himself.

The daily toil she experienced as emperor was quite a hassle for her.

Therefore, on his way back to Beijing, Xi Heng often thought about how he could both hold supreme power and, as far as possible, distance himself from the troubles that power brought.

Now, I've reached a conclusion in my mind.

Going back to reality.

She led her troops to stay in Hongcheng, the city closest to the capital, for a few more days until the scouts sent to the south brought news of the Dark Heaven Sect. Only then did she lead her troops out of the city amidst the relief and farewell of the Hongcheng officials.

Xi Heng rode a red-maned steed, wearing a gold-patterned general's red armor, with a blood-red cloak hanging behind him. His white hair was casually tied in a high ponytail, his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist, and his exquisite face pierced with piercing eyes.

On one side, several flags bearing the character "夕" fluttered in the wind, while behind them followed the overlapping footsteps and rustling sounds of countless soldiers.

After leaving the poorly navigable northern frontier region, and traveling to the central part of the Great Zhao, the official roads became increasingly wide, and the efficiency of the march increased due to the smooth and spacious roads.

We will arrive in the capital in just three days.

Standing at the crossroads of the official road in front of the capital, one can already see the tall city gate in the distance, and the nine gates below where commoners are still queuing to enter.

The city gates were all wide open, and although there were indeed guards above, there seemed to be few of them, and the level of vigilance was only average.

Xi Heng never expected that Zhao Chuxiao would disregard her arrival and open the city gates wide.

"What is this? The Empty City Stratagem?"

Why is no one playing the piano up there?

However, no matter what tricks Zhao Chuxiao is up to, I just need to follow the original plan.

After nodding slightly, Xi Heng raised his hand and ordered the soldiers to halt and rest in place.

She stopped looking at the city gate and instead gazed at the long road leading south.

"Judging by the time, it should be arriving soon, right?"

She deliberately stayed in Hongcheng in the north for a few more days in order to wait for the person mentioned in the intelligence report to arrive.

Those people weren't combatants, but they were of great use to her.

Time passed, from morning until noon, then some beef was slaughtered and soup was made for the soldiers to eat, and then it was afternoon again.

Just as Xi Heng was wondering if he had miscalculated the date, some figures in black robes finally appeared in the distance.

Gradually, the figures became more and more numerous, their layers of black robes swaying in the long winter wind, their footsteps steady and firm, accompanied by many strange chants in addition to the sound of their footsteps.

There's no need to identify it at all; any normal person could tell at a glance that it must be some kind of heretical cult.

"We've finally arrived. I thought the intelligence was wrong."

Xi Heng ordered the army to end their rest and reorganize, while he swung the reins and approached the black-robed formation in the distance.

The array at the far end was intact, and there seemed to be no wounded. It did not appear to have encountered any attacks or obstructions along the way—which was rather strange.

Upon seeing her arrive, one of the leaders of the Dark Heaven Sect's pilgrimage army came to greet her.

The other person lifted the hood of the black robe embroidered with snake patterns, revealing a head of light golden hair and a fair and delicate face. It was none other than Chen Fenghuo, the leader of the Dark Heaven Sect and the Crimson Goddess.

"It's been a long time." Upon approaching, Xi Heng dismounted.

"Even so, I have often heard news about you these past few months."

The Crimson Goddess rarely showed a smile: "After all the preparations you've made, today we'll finally see the outcome."

"No, today's events are just one part of the plan."

The girl shook her head, reached her right hand behind her head, and pulled off the red ribbon that tied her hair.

"You've really changed a lot," Chen Fenghuo remarked upon seeing the head of white hair.

Xi Heng interrupted:

"Let's talk about reminiscing later. I am now the mortal incarnation of the Great Dark Heavenly Mother. You must help me spread this name—the Dark Heavenly Sect—which will become the state religion of Great Zhao today."

The other person nodded, and her peaceful demeanor gradually returned to that of a devout and earnest saintess. She crossed her fingers in front of her chest and slowly clasped her hands together.

"Honorable Mother of Darkness." Chen Fenghuo spoke with his inner strength, his voice carrying for a thousand meters.

The thousands of Dark Heavenly Cult members who had been watching for a long time all followed suit, making a prayer gesture and speaking.

"I am the incarnation of the Heavenly Mother; all of you mortals should kneel and worship me," Xi Heng said indifferently.

The Crimson Goddess took a deep breath, bent her knees slightly, and lowered her figure, suddenly appearing shorter, as she prayed:

"The Supreme Being of the Ten Directions and Three Worlds, the Ultimate Heaven, the Sacred of the Sacred."

The numerous believers of varying statuses and positions behind them also spoke up, and they all knelt down in worship along with the saintess.

People lifted their hoods, and Xi Heng saw many familiar figures among the followers in front of her. Most of them were people who had joined the church when they were young and recognized her.

It's probably because they know she is the true founder of the Dark Heaven Sect that these people have no resistance to her.

Xi Heng glanced around and raised his right hand.

He pinched his fingers together and flicked his wrist, the blood-red lines on the back of his hand facing upwards.

"flutter."

As the brief voice fell, a thick, blood-red mist suddenly appeared and surged upwards.

The Blood Surge Technique instantly created the enormous figure of a goddess clad in a blood-red robe in the clear, sunny sky beneath the heavens.

Although the image is blurry, no matter how you look at it, it evokes the image of the Great Dark Goddess.

The enormous blood shadow appeared for a few seconds before slowly disappearing due to the long wind.

But simply showing it is enough for the believers.

Thousands of believers thus realized that the Dark Mother was watching over this place.

They will then obey the will of the true God and help God's children accomplish an immortal great cause.

"The Heavenly Mother will descend to earth in her incarnation and become the Queen of Kings and the Lord of Lords."

As soon as Heng uttered these words, thousands of believers behind him immediately chanted the following scripture in unison:

"The people praise, the people are liberated! The precious blood has washed away all evil, eternal joy! The evil world is over, and peace reigns!"

The scripture was recited several times, which made people increasingly emotional, and tears welled up in their eyes.

Xi Heng raised his right hand slightly, gesturing for everyone to stand up.

As the Crimson Goddess moved, the crowd, who were still chanting various strange scriptures, also stood up.

"Peace and tranquility will begin from this day forward."

After speaking, the girl turned around, mounted her red-maned steed, and pulled on the reins to return to the army formation.

Behind them, the Crimson Goddess led her subordinates in following.

The military formations were in place, with the Dark Heavenly Sect's pilgrimage army and the Great Zhao army running in harmony.

An army of over 25,000 men approached the gates of the capital.

The horse trod on the official road, making a soft clattering sound.

In the cold wind, the guards on the city wall swept about, their voices clamoring as they watched the approaching military headquarters.

Although the approaching army was flying the banners of the Great Zhao, their posture looked more like they were about to attack the city, which made the capital's army uneasy.

By the time the girl arrived at the city gate, most of the bystanders had already dispersed.

On the city wall, the figure of a deputy general of the Beijing army who had once followed her in suppressing bandits appeared, bowing and saying:

"May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings."

Xi Heng, however, stated frankly:

"I have been besieging the city for a long time, why haven't the capital troops closed the city gates and prepared to fight? Have you forgotten what I taught you?"

During the suppression of bandits, she used a lot of extreme language to preach in order to cultivate the fighting spirit of the weak Beijing army.

In retrospect, preaching doesn't seem to have much effect; the Beijing army still shows no will to fight as always.

"This humble general is unwilling to be an enemy of the Princess, nor does he believe that Your Highness will provoke a civil war. Furthermore... His Majesty issued an edict yesterday, which requires that bloodshed between the two armies be avoided."

"I see……"

It sounds like Chu Xiao has given up on fighting her for power.

She probably realized that she couldn't win no matter what.

"Those who understand the times are wise." Xi Heng nodded: "Let's open the city gate."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Beijing army actually surrendered the city gates.

With a gentle flick of the reins, the horse continued forward.

The main army then passed through the nine city gates, entered the spacious square, and split into several roads, slowly making its way to the inner palace.

The several checkpoints along the way, like city gates, did not hinder Xi Heng in the slightest.

The Beijing army seemed to appear every now and then like welcoming NPCs; every now and then, a group of them would greet her and make way for her.

She had expected a major battle, but it turned out to be so easy... like walking in her own backyard.

"Now, Chu Xiao should be waiting to surrender in the palace, right?" Her mind relaxed a little because of this.

After passing through the inner city walls and leading the troops across the inner city streets, they arrived at the grand Imperial City Square.

The square was spacious enough to accommodate tens of thousands of soldiers, but the palace was relatively small. So Xi Heng only selected one thousand of his most elite soldiers and five hundred followers to accompany him into the imperial city.

The gates of the imperial city were naturally open.

The guards on both sides even helped her open the door, allowing Xi Heng to step back onto the clean palace paths.