To achieve immortality, I cultivate using Qi Luck

The cold gradually receded, spring warmth revived.

Braving the early morning chill, the great army meandered out on its journey.

"Time really flies."

Lu Yuan looked at the endless dragon-like procession and could not help but sigh, "In the blink of an eye, it’s already the second year of the Northern Expedition, isn’t it?"

Next to him, his second son, Lu Hao, couldn’t appreciate the sorrow in his father’s words and excitedly said, "Yes, Father Emperor, it’s already the second year. This time we’re fighting Liang, I must take part in the battle, you can’t stop me this time."

This Northern Expedition required the mobilization of too many Inborn Grandmasters, so Lu Yuan didn’t give any special treatment.

All his children, who were Inborns and willing to go to the battlefield, were brought along to experience the atmosphere of war firsthand.

The rest, who were reluctant, continued to stay within the country, distributed to various counties to defend the local areas.

However, though he wanted to train his children, they were, after all, his own, and beyond the training, Lu Yuan still placed great emphasis on their safety.

Therefore, in the face of some more dangerous battles, Lu Yuan would restrain his children, keeping them close to his side, not allowing them to act recklessly.

It was precisely because of this that during the grand Northern Expedition last year, led by Lu He, Lu Hao, and a group of princes and princesses, though they also went to the battlefield several times, they hadn’t fought many fierce battles.

They even rarely encountered Inborn Grandmasters from the enemy state, mostly just bullying those beneath the Innate World.

Such a manner of fighting was thrilling, sure, but whether it was truly effective in training, that was another matter entirely.

At any rate, for now, Lu Hao was very dissatisfied.

Young people, after all, yearn for the exhilaration of charging into the fray, cutting down generals and slaying enemies.

Not sheltered by their parents, merely accepting a preordained fate.

Lu Yuan glanced at his son, whose eagerness was clear, and smiled helplessly, "Alright, alright, this time I won’t stop you. You can go to the battlefield, alright?"

As they spoke, he couldn’t help but ponder if his protection over his children had been too much.

Eaglets must eventually grow up; they cannot stay forever under their parents’ wings.

For a moment, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but feel like an old father.

Uh... something seems a bit off.

Well, considering his own lifespan, it seemed that his children would probably not outlive him even if they tried.

In this regard, he truly could protect his children for a lifetime.

Musing silently over his own extended lifespan, Lu Yuan looked at his son, who was ecstatic with approval, "This time, the Liang people have gathered a million troops at Daliang. Along the Shanyang, Rencheng, Yingling line, they have also stationed nearly two million troops.

"Although I am using three million soldiers for this Northern Expedition, breaking through Daliang City’s defenses will not be easy.

"You wish to join the battlefield, and I do not object.

"But you must remember, the battlefield is merciless; do not force things or take risks recklessly.

"In the face of the enemy’s tempting moves, be extremely cautious. Do not fall into an ambush and place yourself in danger.

"Understand?"

Lu Hao patted his chest, "Rest assured, Father Emperor. I have been to the battlefield before and know the dangers; I will not give the enemy an opportunity."

Do you truly understand?

Seeing his son’s confident demeanor, Lu Yuan couldn’t help but feel somewhat uneasy.

For some reason, this son of his hadn’t inherited his own steadiness and caution, and his personality was nothing like his own.

At nearly forty years old, he was still so rash and frivolous.

If not for the blood relation that confirmed this young man was indeed his own, he would have thought whether the Empress had been unfaithful to him.

Ah, let it be.

His own son, was ultimately his own worry.

This boy being this way, he could only pay more attention and arrange a couple of avatars to take care of him, so he wouldn’t truly get into trouble.

Lu Yuan shook his head, thinking this in his heart.

...

While Lu Yuan was concerned about his children’s education on one side, Daliang City to the North fell into chaos again upon receiving the news of another Chu army Northern Expedition.

In the Liang palace.

"Gentlemen, the Chu soldiers are waging war against us again; they’ve already reached Meng Mountain. How should our great Liang respond?"

The Emperor of Liang spoke with a weary voice, looking at the assembled ministers below and inquired.

It was now the fifty-second year of his reign, and the vitality and ambition of his early days had faded with time, settling into calmness and silence.

In recent years, due to the many difficulties Liang faced, constantly besieged and antagonized by other states, he had exhausted much of his vigor.

Especially six years ago, after Liang’s great victory, the betrayal of Chu State led to famine within the country, and last year’s earth-shattering Northern Expedition had directly broken the backbone of Liang.

All these setbacks had diminished the once dominant ruler, who had unified Qingzhou and sat atop the world.

In his place was a weak and weary old man.

Although, given the Emperor of Liang’s Inborn cultivation, at the tender age of seventy-two, he was just reaching his prime, with many good years ahead to enjoy.

But now, his greatest wish was no longer filled with great ambition; all he desired inside was to preserve the last vestiges of Liang’s altars of soil and grain, to extend the foundation his ancestors left behind.

This was his only wish.

However, even this last wish, the people of Chu refused to satisfy.

With three million Chu troops marching fiercely, seizing six of his counties, they were still not content, bent on taking the whole of Qingzhou and completely annihilating Liang.

How greedy, how detestable.