Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

Meanwhile, as the battle reports were sent back to the Capital, the land of Jizhou grew increasingly hot, and the flames of war raged ever fiercer.

Since the Imperial Guard occupied Huanmu City with the aid of the Red Barbarian Cannons, they successively seized control of the Three Mountains on the southern shore, breaking the Yellow Turban Army’s strategic formation, and propelled an army of over two hundred thousand into Jizhou.

In just two weeks, the Imperial Guard advanced unstoppably deep into Jizhou territory, reclaiming one-fourth of its cities. Whenever encountering a siege, they would bring out the Red Barbarian Cannons, firing a few blasts.

The morale of the Yellow Turban Army, hard-won several times, vanished in an instant as shells exploded, causing them to flee like scared rats.

Apart from the advantage in firearms, the Song Army far surpassed the Yellow Turban Army in terms of equipment.

Most of the Yellow Turban soldiers were clad in plain cloth and linen, wielding agricultural tools like sickles and hoes as weapons, whereas each member of the Imperial Guard wore battle armor and held excellent weapons, with the Fire Qilin Army even equipped with flesh-bound treasures.

To put it bluntly, a soldier of the Fire Qilin Army could stand before the Yellow Turban Army and let them attack, and they’d still have a hard time making a dent.

Then there’s the matter of formation.

After a round of bombardment, the Yellow Turban Army fled in disarray, failing to form a cohesive military unit.

The Imperial Guard, on the other hand, advanced orderly through strict battle arrays.

This all-around crushing led to the Yellow Turban Army being no match for the Imperial Guard.

The cities guarding Jizhou fell one after another.

Deep in the territory, Zhao Qianyi ordered a three-pronged advancement, directly targeting the stronghold of the ant rebels—Julu.

Zhao Qianyi took one route.

Huangfu Hao took another, aided by Elder He.

Jiang Ruoqing took the third, accompanied by Second Grade generals like Li Weiqiu and Dai Xishan.

...

It was the golden autumn, and calm reigned in Bianliang. Chen Mo had long dispatched people to monitor the situation in Youzhou and movements of the Vassal Princes, so once any changes arose, he would be informed in advance.

Thus, Chen Mo enjoyed a leisurely life.

By day, he cultivated the Profound Celestial Dragon Control Second Technique, Wandering Dragon Emerges from the Sea.

By night, he practiced his spear technique, exchanging pointers with his wives.

Later on, Chen Mo even crafted several wooden plaques inscribed with the names of consorts, such as Xin’Er and Zhen’Er. After dinner, he would pick a plaque, and whoever’s name appeared would be designated for cultivation that night.

If he was particularly energetic, he’d pick two plaques, giving them extra lessons.

Now, the girls of the Prince’s Mansion were quite spoiled by him.

The sun set in the west.

Chen Mo was either stealing a moment of leisure amidst his business or visiting the ancestors of the Xiao Family to see the family he married into. Xiao Yunxi slyly snuck out of the Imperial Palace after handling political matters, bringing Chen Mo here.

The turmoil in the world and multitude of tasks had left the cemetery overgrown with weeds. Xiao Yunxi cleared the weeds with True Qi while asking Chen Mo to tell her stories.

At this moment, both of them cast aside their identities, resembling a pair of lovers in a passionate romance.

”Xiaoqing was angry that Fa Hai wanted to imprison her sister and chastised him for his lack of love. Fa Hai sought Xiaoqing’s help with his cultivation, asking her to use... feminine allure to disturb his mind, promising to spare her sister if successful...”

The Legend of the White Snake was a familiar tale to Chen Mo from his past life. Influenced by various adaptations, Chen Mo narrated a different version of the story.

”Does a monk meddle so much? And if the White Snake cultivated for a thousand years, transforming into human form, how is she not a match for Fa Hai?”

Xiao Yunxi listened attentively and now voiced her doubts.

”Long years of cultivation don’t guarantee strength. Some First Grade Martial Artists have trained for one or two hundred years, while others for merely a dozen. The principle is the same,” Chen Mo replied.

Xiao Yunxi blinked, acknowledging the wisdom in his words, and then asked, ”Did Fa Hai let the White Lady go afterward? Though Xu Shilin was so pathetic, maybe it’s better they parted.”

Chen Mo leaned in, pointing to his cheek, ”Give me a kiss, and I’ll tell you.”

Xiao Yunxi glared at Chen Mo but still leaned closer. Just as she was about to kiss him, a green snake slithered out from the weeds at her feet.

Xiao Yunxi’s expression stiffened momentarily, then she jumped up in fear, clinging to Chen Mo, saying nervously, ”Snake... there’s a snake...”

The green snake, startled by Xiao Yunxi, quickly slithered away...

Chen Mo supported Xiao Yunxi by her bottom, a smile on his lips, ”You’re nearly Innate, yet still afraid of snakes?”

”I... I was bitten by a snake as a child, so I’ve feared them ever since,” Xiao Yunxi, still shaken, explained.

”You’re like ’once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of ropes,’” Chen Mo teased, giving Xiao Yunxi a light peck on her lips. ”Now you understand why Xu Shilin feared the White Lady once he learned she was a snake demon!”

”Was he bitten by a snake as a child too?”

”Are you pretending not to understand?” Chen Mo gently bumped heads with Xiao Yunxi.

”Ouch, you bully.” Xiao Yunxi bit Chen Mo’s ear.

”You big fool, come down already; my waist is about to break, you’re so heavy.”

”No, I’m not heavy.” Xiao Yunxi playfully whined, showing a girl’s temperament. Instead of letting go, she tightened her grip with her legs, her eyes teasingly challenging Chen Mo as she lightly smacked his shoulder.

The next second, she found herself pressed into the weeds by Chen Mo.

Xiao Yunxi cried out in panic, ”Let go, there’s... there’s a snake.”

”What snake? It’s gone.”

”Where did it go? It will come back.” Seeing Chen Mo’s playful gaze, Xiao Yunxi grew anxious.

”I assure you, it won’t return.” Chen Mo lifted Xiao Yunxi’s collar with his fingers.

A gust of autumn wind blew, chilly air slipped into her clothes, making Xiao Yunxi blush. She swatted at Chen Mo, ”You’re crazy, this is the Xiao Family cemetery.”

Chen Mo glanced around. After thinking for a moment, he lifted Xiao Yunxi, walked out of the Xiao Family cemetery, and placed her on a grass patch outside. ”It’s not, now.”

Xiao Yunxi peeked around, her panic escalating.

Inside the cemetery, at least there were stone walls and tombs for cover, but outside was vast and open. Not far away was the official road where horses leisurely grazed, occasionally shaking their heads to rid themselves of bugs, with the wind faintly whispering in her ears.

”Nobody comes here.” Chen Mo’s fingers caressed Xiao Yunxi’s silky cheek as he gazed into her eyes.

”Do you have to...” The word to shame was cut off as Chen Mo sealed her lips with his.

...

The autumn wind whistled, carrying away the scent of osmanthus blossoms.

”I hate you, my skirt is torn. How will I return to the palace now?” Xiao Yunxi tied her undergarment, holding her palace skirt as she glared at Chen Mo.

”That’s easy—no one’s at the Princess’s Mansion. Go there and borrow a dress; you’re similar in height, so it should fit.”

”You trouble-maker! If they find out, I’ll chew you to bits.”

”How will you chew me?” Chen Mo teased, looking at her.

”I’ll take it out on you!”