The prince stepped on me to get to the top, I angrily flirted with the enemy's hostage

The handwriting on the secret report was like a red-hot iron, burning deep into Su Chi's eyes.

Red Rock Sand Sea…Umuhan…Unusual Movements in the East…

He exerted force with his knuckles, almost crushing the thin silk paper, but his expression remained as calm as ten-thousand-year-old ice. He simply folded the secret report slowly and put it in his arms.

As he moved, he felt a dull pain in the wound on his shoulder blade, but it was far less painful than the torment brought by the poisonous stings in his heart called "Su Rou's disappearance" and "Andre's suspicion".

In the side hall, the false peace continued.

The little emperor was obviously moved by Andre's "heartfelt words" and was trying hard to show the majesty of an emperor, sipping the soup served by the palace servants, and occasionally looking curiously at Andre's accessories which were very different from the style of the Da Nan.

Andrei was in high spirits, sometimes praising the rich natural resources of the South, sometimes expressing his admiration for the magnificent scenery of the desert. His words were flawless, and he created an impeccable image of a vassal king who admired the new dynasty and sincerely submitted to it.

But the corner of his eyes never really left Su Chi behind the little emperor.

Su Chi's dead silence made him more alert than any roar.

The palace banquet ended hastily in a delicate and tense atmosphere.

The little emperor was surrounded by palace servants and taken back to rest. Before leaving, he couldn't help but look back, as if expecting that familiar figure to suddenly appear, but in the end he only saw Su Chi's cold and straight back and Andre's unfathomable smile.

After the little emperor left and only a few core people were left in the side hall, the hypocritical veil of warmth was instantly torn off.

"The east is unstable, and Wumuhan is not dead yet."

Su Chi's voice broke the silence and directly threw out the content of the secret report without any detour.

He looked at Gong Yu and said, "The defense of the capital and the safety of His Majesty are in your hands. You must ensure that nothing goes wrong."

He glanced at Andre with undisguised scrutiny, "It's just the East..."

"East, I'll go." Su Chi interrupted him.

He must leave this suffocating imperial city, must numb his heart which was almost broken by the loss of Su Rou through killing and war, and must completely nip the potential threat in the bud.

Wumuhan must die.

At this time, he finally turned his gaze to Andre, his eyes as sharp as a knife, as if to peel off all his disguises, "King of the Desert,"

He deliberately emphasized the title, speaking with a hint of cold sarcasm. "His Majesty the Emperor has already promised you 'friendship.' But the remnants of the Eastern Rebellion are still lingering, posing a serious threat to the Southern Kingdom. I wonder if you, 'the strongest bulwark,' intend to sit back and watch, or are you willing to lend a hand and jointly defeat these stubborn enemies?"

This was a straightforward test, and also a way to force Andre to express his stance.

If Andre truly surrenders, this is the best time to show his loyalty.

If he has ulterior motives and tries to evade responsibility, he deserves death!

Andrei sneered inwardly, but his face showed an impassioned expression. "General Su, what are you talking about! Wumuhan's pack of hyenas, plundering caravans and harassing border residents, are notorious even in our desert! Now they are a major threat to the Southern Kingdom. Neither we, nor the Southern Kingdom, will tolerate them! Since I have allied with Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to help you!"

He waved his hand with a heroic gesture, "I will immediately issue an order to mobilize 3,000 elite Canglang Cavalry under my command to be deployed by General Su. They will help you to clear the sea of ​​sand and cut off Wumuhan's head!"

The three thousand Canglang Riders are Andre's elite troops with strong combat capabilities, but they are undoubtedly chess pieces he has placed under Su Chi's nose.

It is both assistance and surveillance, and more importantly, a gesture - look, I have even given you the most core power to command, isn't that sincere enough?

Su Chi looked at Andre deeply, and that look seemed to be able to penetrate the soul.

He didn't say whether he believed it or not, but nodded slowly. "In that case, we will mobilize our troops and march out at dawn tomorrow."

He didn't say thank you, as if Andre's dispatch of troops was a matter of course.

Andre still smiled, but his mind was thinking rapidly.

Let Su Chi fight to the death with Wumuhan. No matter who wins or loses, it will greatly consume the military strength of the Southern Kingdom and even Su Chi himself.

If Su Chi died in the sea of ​​sand... then who in the Southern Kingdom's court could see through his tricks?

If Wumuhan was defeated... Andrei would also be a hero in suppressing the rebellion, and he could take the opportunity to infiltrate his power into the east.

No matter what, he won't lose.

"I'll prepare right away!" Andre bowed, turned around and left, his sleeves fluttering with a fierce determination to win.

Only Su Chi and Gong Yu were left in the hall.

"This Andre..." Gong Yu frowned, worried.

"I know."

Su Chi interrupted him, his voice low and tired, "We need time to stabilize the internal situation, and we also need strength to clear the external situation. His troops can be used for a while. You should keep an eye on the capital and His Majesty..."

It seems that the only clue he has left in finding his sister is the poisonous snake Andre, but he has to temporarily pretend to be friendly with him and even rely on his power.

Gong Yu felt a pang in his heart and nodded heavily: "This journey is dangerous. Wumuhan is as cunning as a fox, the environment in the desert is harsh, and Andrei is even more sinister. You must be careful!"

Su Chi didn't say anything else, just patted Gong Yu's shoulder, then turned around and strode out of the hall.

The setting sun stretched his shadow very long, casting it on the empty palace grounds.

At dawn the next day, the morning light was dim, but it was as cold as metal.

In the parade ground of the capital, flags were waving and the air was filled with murderous intent.

Su Chi was dressed in black armor, and his scarlet cloak rustled in the wind. He sat astride a majestic black horse, his face pale but his eyes were sharp.

Behind him were the elite soldiers of the Southern Kingdom, lined up in solemn formation, like a black reef.

On the other side, there were 3,000 Gray Wolf Riders that Andre had dispatched. They were dressed in leather armor, carrying bows on their backs, and scimitars on their waists. They had unruly and fierce eyes, and a wildness honed by the desert wind and sand, which was completely different from the disciplined army of the South.

The leading general, General Teller, nodded slightly to Su Chi on his horse, but his eyes were not very respectful.

Andrei himself did not come in person, but only sent trusted generals to take orders. His intention is self-evident.

Su Chi's cold gaze swept across the entire audience. There was no pre-war mobilization, no impassioned speech, he just slowly raised the long sword in his hand.

The blade points to the east, towards the vast red rock sand sea that has swallowed countless lives and hides deadly dangers.

"Set off."

The word "cold" was like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, slicing through the silence of dawn.

The iron torrent began to surge, and the sound of horse hooves was like muffled thunder, rolling over the earth, carrying endless murderous aura, rushing towards an unknown journey.

The imperial city gradually shrank on the towering palace walls, and on the horizon ahead, the wind and sand gradually rose, like a ferocious beast with its huge mouth opened.