Wu Yu chose to surrender and proactively handed over his military authority. His submission was so swift and decisive that it surprised Bai Ling. She had expected a lengthy negotiation, but Wu Yu surrendered with just a few words.
"He is indeed a man who knows how to play his cards right."
"Perhaps the battle back then made him lose the will to resist," Zhan Tianque's deep, magnetic voice sounded exceptionally reassuring.
"Since Wu Yu has relinquished his command, Tianque, make good use of it and give that treacherous Han Prince an unforgettable lesson!" Xiao Man said faintly. "He has schemed against me repeatedly; it's time for retribution."
"Then let's give Prince Yusheng a taste of hell's eighteen layers," Zhan Tianque's lips curved into a bloodthirsty smile. "Do you want the hundred thousand troops, Miss?"
"They are soldiers of Yusheng, after all. I wonder if Nangong Yu would be interested. Those who surrender, we take; those who refuse, you may deal with as you see fit," Xiao Man said softly. "What I want is the trade route of the Four Kingdoms. Anyone who blocks my path will be killed without mercy!"
"Your subordinate will surely secure the trade route of the Four Kingdoms for Miss!" Zhan Tianque immediately knelt. The Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry would finally see the light of day again. Those who owed them would be repaid, little by little!
Nangong Cheng commanded the army to a frontal assault. Unexpectedly, the Kingdom of Wuyue suddenly changed its tactics, opened its city gates, and lured the enemy deep inside. Nangong Cheng, unable to discern the truth, ordered the vanguard to enter, only to be trapped like fish in a barrel, with the entire army annihilated.
Of the hundred thousand troops, a third were lost, leaving fewer than sixty thousand. The vanguard general was killed, and the morale of the Yusheng soldiers plummeted. Nangong Cheng grew increasingly furious.
"Damn it, damn it! They're just a bunch of barbarians, yet they dare to treat me like this! When I break through the city gates, I will surely bloodbath the Kingdom of Wuyue, leaving not a single soul alive!" Nangong Cheng's face was terrifyingly cold. The small Kingdom of Wuyue had pushed him to his absolute limit.
"Your Highness the Han Prince, if we continue like this, our morale will completely disintegrate. By then, we will be even less of a match for the Kingdom of Wuyue."
"No matter how formidable the Kingdom of Wuyue is, without a leader, they are merely savages," Nangong Cheng's eyes were filled with killing intent. "You may leave. I have my own plans."
"Yes, Your Highness the Han Prince."
After the generals departed, several figures in black appeared behind Nangong Cheng. "The targets are the heads of the King of Wuyue and his commanding general."
"Understood,楼主 (Louzhu - Master of the Tower)."
The night was as dark as ink, with not a single star visible in the sky. The weather in the Kingdom of Wuyue was dry, with no wind at all. Even the night insects, which usually chirped incessantly, had fallen silent, as if they knew this night was dangerous.
Countless shadows moved through the darkness, infiltrating the royal capital of Wuyue and heading straight for the palace. If the ruler of a nation were assassinated, the Kingdom of Wuyue would descend into complete chaos, and then it would crumble without a fight.
Chu Qingge scratched her head in frustration. She truly disliked playing chess. Every time she played with Xiao Man, she lost, especially now that Xiao Man's chess skills were becoming increasingly refined. Without her realizing it, she would fall into Xiao Man's traps, leading to a desperate situation!
"I'll move... I'll move here." Chu Qingge placed her piece hesitantly. Xiao Man followed, blocking her retreat. Chu Qingge's brow furrowed so deeply it could have pinched a fly dead; there was no escape no matter where she moved.
"I... I concede," Chu Qingge said reluctantly.
Xiao Man placed the chess piece back into the jar and was about to say something when she heard movement outside. Her lips curved slightly. "The show is about to begin."
Chu Qingge's expression grew serious. "It seems they can no longer sit still after their continuous defeats."
"If he could sit still, he wouldn't be himself," Xiao Man rose and picked up the sword placed beside her. "After being attacked repeatedly, it's time to strike back."
Chu Qingge stood up and followed. "Such an interesting event, I can't miss it."
The assassins who had infiltrated the royal capital had expected to easily slip into the palace and take the king's head. To their surprise, they were intercepted on the street before they even reached the palace.
"Who goes there?"
Xiao Man emerged from the darkness, wearing a Rakshasa mask. Her sword, Tian Gan, was unsheathed, exuding a murderous aura. With a swift movement, she was upon them. The leading assassin hadn't even had time to react before he was run through.
Xiao Man's speed didn't falter. As soon as she dealt with one, she moved directly towards another. Assassins were accustomed to hiding in the darkness, seeking opportunities to deliver a fatal blow to their prey. They had never imagined that one day they would become someone else's prey.
"Get out of the way!" An assassin swung his large hammer, attacking Xiao Man, who was surrounded. It was Shi Lei, an assassin from Jiuyu Tower, who had once ambushed Xiao Man. However, Xiao Man showed no fear and charged forward, her movements as light as a swallow, skillfully evading her opponent's attacks and launching counterattacks.
"Damn it, who are you? Why are you helping the barbarians?"
"I also want to ask when Jiuyu Tower became a lackey of the imperial court?" Xiao Man's voice was cold and merciless. "No, I misspoke. Jiuyu Tower has always been a pack of mad dogs raised by Nangong Cheng."
Shi Lei's expression was grim. The楼主 (Louzhu) must have sent them to assassinate on a whim. Yet, the opponent had been waiting here all along. Was there a mole among the楼主's (Louzhu's) close associates?
"Who are you?"
Xiao Man's eyes were indifferent. "The one who ensures you have no return journey. Leave no one alive."
Shi Lei had never imagined that one day he would be defeated by the strength he prided himself on. Losing to a strong female monster was already a humiliation. To think that another terrifying woman had appeared, whom he didn't even know the appearance of.
Wu Yu stood on the palace wall, watching the fight below, cold sweat trickling down his back. If he hadn't chosen to surrender wisely, would he have become a dead soul under someone's blade by now?
"Father, who exactly is that person?" Wu Lan Na asked, shocked. It was as if everything was within that person's control, a feeling that made her feel terrified.
"Wu Lan Na, watch closely. Watch that person," Wu Yu said in a low voice. "The height she can reach might be something you can only look up to your entire life. But by following her, you will see scenery you've never seen before."
"Father, do you mean I should follow her?" Wu Lan Na asked, disbelievingly.
"Wu Lan Na, whether you can follow her depends on your ability. Not everyone is qualified to follow her," Wu Yu's voice was very low. If that person was willing to take Wu Lan Na under her wing, then Wu Lan Na's future would be limitless. After all, anyone she casually brought out was a figure who dominated a region!
"Father, she even accepted Bai Ling. Am I worse than Bai Ling?"
"Wu Lan Na, put away your arrogance. If you could learn even a tenth of her abilities, it would be enough for you to benefit your entire life. There's always someone better; there are far more formidable people in this world than you can imagine!"