Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The Great Banner is no ordinary General’s Banner; it represents the highest ruler and is known as the Flag Head.

Now that the Great Banner has been shot down, the entire Eighteen Lords’ reputation is tarnished.

The sound of the Great Banner snapping was like a loud slap on the faces of the Eighteen Lords.

Yun Fei, Zhao Jiang’s general and also a First Grade Martial Artist, requested to attack the city, believing that only by breaking the city could they restore the honor lost by the shooting of the Great Banner.

Several other lords also requested to join the battle, each with anger on their faces.

Fortunately, although Zhao Jiang was angry, he retained his reason, realizing that the repeated setbacks today had greatly reduced morale.

Furthermore, it had rained earlier this morning, making the ground wet and unsuitable for a siege.

Besides, they had just arrived and hadn’t figured out the defenses of the other side yet, making an attack disadvantageous.

”Sound the gong to withdraw the troops,” Zhao Jiang commanded with a wave of his hand.

...

”Sir, they are withdrawing,” Gao Zheng said, watching the dust plume in the distance.

”Yes, I saw that.” Chen Mo was not surprised by the enemy’s withdrawal, as it was already afternoon, and with nightfall not far off, the opposing side would surely not choose this time to attack.

However, Chen Mo remained vigilant.

He patted Gao Zheng on the shoulder and then said, ”Increase the alert, be wary of enemy surprise attacks.”

”Understood,” Gao Zheng replied respectfully.

”Xishan, go retrieve the arrow that was shot into the wall. The rest of the generals come to the commander’s tent for a meeting,” Chen Mo ordered.

”Yes.”

...

In the commander’s tent.

Dai Xishan handed the silver-white arrow pulled out from the city wall to Chen Mo.

Chen Mo studied it for a moment, then tossed the arrow on the table, sweeping his gaze over the gathered generals, ”Does anyone recognize this arrow?”

The generals each took it in turn to examine but all shook their heads. When it reached Feng Ji, he raised his eyebrows, appearing thoughtful.

All eyes turned towards Feng Ji.

”This arrow seems to be a bone arrow used by the Flood Dragon Tendon Bow, rumored to be forged and honed from Flood Dragon bones. It was bestowed by the Late Emperor when King Yan went to his fiefdom. The Flood Dragon Tendon Bow is a Celestial Tier Basic Level Treasure of considerable value,” Feng Ji recounted at length everything he knew.

”Celestial Tier Treasure?!” The assembled generals were astounded.

Celestial Tier Treasures are rare throughout the Great Song Dynasty, and many First Grade Martial Artists have never seen one in their lifetime.

No one expected to encounter its bone arrow on the battlefield, especially launched by the opposing side.

Upon hearing Feng Ji’s words, Li Yang seemed to recall something, ”I’ve heard the Flood Dragon Tendon Bow was also involved in the contest between the Supreme Emperor and King Yan back in the day...”

At this point, Li Yang paused and didn’t continue.

Chen Mo understood and immediately dismissed the generals.

In the tent, only Chen Mo and Li Yang remained.

These were old matters, yet they touched upon the privacy of the Imperial Family.

Although imperial power was waning, Li Yang still had to consider the implications. There were too many eyes and ears; it might cause unnecessary trouble if word got out.

Once the generals had departed, Li Yang began to slowly recount the story.

It turned out that after discovering the signs of Zhao Ji’s marriage alliance with the Xiao Family, Zhao Jiang realized his hope of ascending the throne was slim. He planned to initiate a coup while he still held significant influence at the court.

For some unknown reason, the coup never happened.

Zhao Ji successfully married Xiao Yunxi.

And Zhao Jiang took with him a significant treasure bestowed by the Late Emperor when he left the Capital.

That treasure, now it seems, must have been the Flood Dragon Tendon Bow.

However, shortly after Zhao Jiang left the Capital, his followers at the court either mysteriously vanished or suddenly died.

Even officials who tried to investigate the matter were inexplicably demoted.

Then these issues faded into obscurity.

After listening, Chen Mo seemed to understand something.

The Flood Dragon Tendon Bow was probably given by the Late Emperor as compensation after Zhao Jiang withdrew from the contest for the throne.

What puzzled Chen Mo, though, was why, when Zhao Jiang had intended a coup, did neither the Late Emperor nor the subsequent emperor Zhao Ji eliminate him?

He didn’t believe in sentimentality based on blood ties.

Seeing Chen Mo deep in thought, Li Yang reminded him, ”Commander, you must be more cautious. At a certain distance, if hit, not even the Protective True Qi of an Innate Martial Artist can withstand the bone arrow shot from the Flood Dragon Tendon Bow.

At close range, even an Innate Martial Artist would perish.”

For now, they were on the same side, so Li Yang naturally hoped Chen Mo would survive and defend Qinyang County, which would benefit both An Yang and himself.

Chen Mo nodded.

It was like in his previous life when playing battle royale games and frequently being sniped by campers with AWM rifles.

From Feng Ji’s and Li Yang’s accounts, the Flood Dragon Tendon Bow seemed akin to an AWM.

...

In the evening, just as Chen Mo was preparing for dual cultivation, having forgotten all about restraint, Gao Zheng suddenly came to report that an assassin had snuck into the city and attempted to steal a command flag. Fortunately, it was discovered by Yang in time, preventing the assassin from succeeding, though they got away with a Command Flag.

Moreover, the assassin was highly skilled, managing to escape from Li Yang.

Hearing this, Chen Mo couldn’t help but twitch his lips.

It was obvious without thinking; it was definitely orchestrated by Zhao Jiang.

He had shot down Zhao Jiang’s General’s Banner in the afternoon, so he intended to regain his pride by nightfall.

After all, the commander’s banner was not a living person, so Chen Mo couldn’t assign heavy guards. Even if it was truly stolen, Chen Mo wouldn’t be surprised.

However, since it wasn’t stolen, it was a relief.

”In the future, take down the commander’s banner at night and display it only during the day,” Chen Mo said.

”Yes, sir.” Gao Zheng saluted and departed.

When Chen Mo entered the commander’s tent, lifting the central curtain, Jiang Ruoqing was there, holding a quilt, looking at him with a face full of resentment. Being aroused and then suddenly interrupted, anyone would be angry.

”Waited long? I’m here now.” Chen Mo dove onto the bed, taking away Jiang Ruoqing’s quilt, and began kissing her.

”Did something happen?” Jiang Ruoqing tilted her head, her cheeks flushing.

”Nothing major, just that the commander’s banner almost got stolen, and an assassin took a Command Flag.” Chen Mo skillfully hoisted her leg up.

Jiang Ruoqing bit down on the quilt, stifling her sounds.

They stopped only when both were completely exhausted.

”In another fortnight or so, you should reach First Grade, right?” Chen Mo said weakly.

”No, my understanding... is still... not sufficient,” Jiang Ruoqing responded.

”Hmm, I see.” Chen Mo embraced her and drifted into sleep.

...

The next morning, when Jiang Ruoqing woke up, she saw Chen Mo looking at himself in the mirror with a sorrowful expression and was puzzled: ”You... what happened to you?”

”Alas, I’ve been damaged by indulgence, leaving me so haggard,” Chen Mo sighed.

”Who told you to keep thinking of doing bad things every day?” Jiang Ruoqing rolled her eyes at Chen Mo, something she rarely did.

”I’ve decided.” Chen Mo suddenly shouted in a fright, startling Jiang Ruoqing, then said, ”Starting today, I’m quitting drinking.”