Joy of Life: Born to Ye Qingmei, raised by Li Yunrui

Chapter 119 Armed Protection

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A figure in grey cloth appeared in a few flashes, seemingly shrinking the distance between them, and stood before Ye Tian and the others. This was none other than the Grand Preceptor Ku He, who had just received the news and forcibly broken free of his seclusion to protect the last hope of Northern Qi!

Inside the palace, Zhan Doudou heard that familiar voice. Like a drowning person grasping at the last straw, she rushed out without hesitation. When she saw Ku He's thin but still majestic figure, tears instantly streamed down her face!

"Grand Tutor! Grand Tutor! You've finally come!" Zhan Doudou rushed to Ku He's side, tightly grabbing his arm, her voice choked with sobs, filled with despair and longing, "Northern Qi, Northern Qi is finished! That demon king Ye Tian, ​​he has breached the imperial city!"

General Uesugi Tora was killed in battle, and Senior Sister Haitang and Si Lili were also captured by him!

"Grand Tutor, you are my last hope for Northern Qi! You must have a way, right? You can definitely help me, help me restore the country, and drive that Ye Tian out!"

Like a helpless child, she placed all her hopes on this guardian deity of Northern Qi.

Looking at the Empress before him, her face streaked with tears, so usually so dignified yet now so vulnerable, Ku He felt a deep sorrow and helplessness fill his heart. He slowly reached out and gently patted Zhan Doudou's shoulder, his voice aged and sorrowful:

"Your Majesty, I am late. Ye Tian's power is already established and cannot be resisted by human power. He also commands 100,000 mysterious iron cavalry, who are invincible in battle and unconquerable in attack. As for the talk of restoring the kingdom, Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but I am afraid it is as difficult as ascending to heaven."

"No! It can't be!" Zhan Doudou suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with disbelief and a final stubbornness. "Grand Tutor! You are a Grandmaster! You are the strongest person in the world, on par with Ye Liuyun and Si Gu Jian of Qing Kingdom! You are the guardian of Northern Qi! With you here, Ye Tian, ​​he, he definitely won't dare to be too presumptuous! As long as you take action, you can definitely, definitely turn the tide and drive these Qing Kingdom bandits out! Northern Qi will not perish! As long as you are here, Northern Qi will absolutely not perish!"

She clung tightly to Ku He's arm, as if it were her only support. In her heart, a Grandmaster was an invincible being, a god-like symbol. If Ku He was willing to help, he could surely create a miracle!

Looking at Zhan Doudou's hopeful eyes, Ku He felt even more bitter. How could he not know that although Grandmasters were strong, they were not truly immortal? Moreover, Ye Tian was a monster who could not be fathomed by ordinary standards!

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end it only turned into a long sigh, his eyes filled with endless sorrow and a desolate sense of helplessness.

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Under Ye Tian's icy gaze and the threat of death, Shen Zhong was already terrified and dared not hesitate for a moment. He suppressed the trembling of his legs and the damp heat and odor coming from his crotch, and respectfully led the way, leading Ye Tian and his party through the war-torn palace, toward the Jingxin Palace, the last palace of the Northern Qi Empress Zhan Doudou.

Behind Ye Tian were Fan Xian, whose expression was complicated and whose heart was still churning with turmoil; Haitang Duoduo, the Holy Maiden of Northern Qi, who had just been forced to "submit," and Si Lili, the former spy, whose brows were filled with humiliation and unease, yet whose minds were also active; and Sang Wen, who was already completely devoted to Ye Tian and worshipped him to the extreme.

Outside the Jingxin Hall, guards were already stationed every three steps and sentries every five steps. The remaining Northern Qi imperial guards and palace attendants, armed and tense, protected their last lord. However, when they saw Shen Zhong leading Ye Tian, ​​this fearsome figure, and the several other individuals with different auras behind him, the guards instinctively took a half step back, their eyes filled with fear.

"His Highness the King of Qin has arrived," Shen Zhong's voice was dry and hoarse, carrying a fawning tone that he himself was unaware of.

Before the guards could announce their arrival, a voice, trembling with tears and joy, cried out from inside the bedchamber: "Grand Tutor! You've finally arrived!"

Immediately afterwards, the palace doors swung open, and Zhan Doudou, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe (slightly disheveled at the moment), walked out quickly, supported by the Grand Preceptor Kuhe. Tears still clung to her face, and the composure and majesty that usually belonged to an emperor had long since vanished. At this moment, she looked more like a helpless girl who had grasped at the last straw.

When her gaze met Ye Tian's deep, cold eyes, her body trembled slightly involuntarily, and she subconsciously hid behind Ku He.

Master Kuhe's current appearance also drew slight glances from Ye Tian and the others. He was still dressed in a simple gray monk's robe, his face gaunt, but his eyes, which were usually half-open and seemingly calm like a still well, were now fully open. Gone was his usual compassion and serenity; in their place was a resolute determination as firm as a rock and as serene as an abyss. His seemingly frail body now stood like an insurmountable mountain, firmly blocking Zhan Doudou's path, emanating a faint yet vast and majestic aura of a master, in harmony with heaven and earth.

This is Ku He, the pillar of Northern Qi, one of the four grandmasters! He integrates Buddhist teachings into his martial arts, incorporating the mysteries of the Heavenly Dao. His cultivation has long since reached a state of perfection. His spiritual power and profound understanding of the primordial energy of heaven and earth are unparalleled among the four grandmasters. He is not only the martial guardian of Northern Qi, but also the spiritual pillar of all the people of Northern Qi.

"Your Highness, King Qin," Ku He spoke slowly, his voice aged yet possessing a penetrating power. He looked calmly at Ye Tian, ​​"You have already conquered our capital and slaughtered our soldiers. Now, do you intend to exterminate our king as well?"

Zhan Doudou hid behind Ku He, only revealing her phoenix eyes, which were filled with shock and anger. She shouted fiercely but weakly, "Ye Tian! You traitor! Butcher! Executioner! Don't even think about making me submit! I have the Grand Tutor here, and I have a million loyal subjects of Northern Qi. Northern Qi, Northern Qi will never perish!"

Ye Tian looked at the pair of "ruler and minister," a disdainful smile curving his lips: "Master Kuhe, Your Majesty Zhan Doudou, now that I am here, I have already taken control of the Northern Qi's territory. In this world, the strong ultimately reign supreme. But I have always respected true strength and admired those with integrity. Today, I can give you, and Northern Qi, one last chance."

His gaze swept over Ku He, then glanced at the blustering but cowardly Zhan Doudou, and the two women beside him, Haitang Duoduo and Si Lili, each with a different expression. He said loudly, "Master Ku He, shall we have a fair fight right here?"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Doudou, Shen Zhong, and the others were all shocked! Ye Tian actually wanted to fight Master Ku He one-on-one?!

A glint flashed in Ku He's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

Ye Tian's face revealed a smile brimming with extreme confidence and domineering: "It's very simple. If the master manages to defeat me even by a single move, I will immediately order my 100,000-strong army (he didn't mention the Great Snow Dragon Riders, only 100,000 troops, to avoid being too sensational and to leave the opponent with a sliver of 'hope') to withdraw from the borders of Northern Qi. For ten years, the Qing army will never again set foot in Northern Qi! All previous grudges will be wiped clean!"

These conditions were incredibly generous! They practically gave Northern Qi a glimmer of hope!

A flame of hope instantly ignited in Zhan Doudou's eyes. She gripped Ku He's monk's robe tightly and cried out urgently, "Grand Tutor! Grand Tutor, you..."

Ye Tian didn't give her a chance to speak. His tone shifted, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "But, if, unfortunately, Master, you are defeated by me," he paused, his gaze pressing down on Ku He with a tangible intensity, "then I request that Master and Her Majesty Zhan Doudou completely submit to me. Master must help me to quell this corrupt old order and establish a brand new, prosperous dynasty that far surpasses Qing and Northern Qi, a dynasty where everyone is truly a dragon among men!"