Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

As the smoke and dust cleared, only a burly figure stood motionless in place.

"Dahan, how is it? Is he dead?"

Behind them, an archer and a masked woman in purple robes appeared.

However, Dahan did not react at all.

The archer frowned and instinctively stepped forward to investigate.

But as soon as they got close, the fishbone's chilling coldness assaulted their hearts.

"not good!"

He instinctively stepped back, and just then, a sturdy flail swung directly at him.

Fortunately, the archer reacted quickly and barely dodged it.

"Just a hair's breadth away, damn it."

His heavy body collapsed, revealing Shen Lang's pale face, which was staring at the two of them with a gloomy expression.

"Good, as expected of a captain in the elite vanguard battalion. Even under these circumstances, you couldn't kill me. You certainly have some skills!"

The veiled woman in purple gave a compliment.

Shen Lang pointed at the two men expressionlessly: "You lackeys of Northern Yan, it was you who orchestrated this despicable scheme behind the scenes, ruining my reputation?"

"a ha ha ha--"

The masked woman burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"Shen Lang, Shen Lang, you never expected this day to come, did you? It's a pity you're only ruined, while my fiancé, Murong Jun, died a month before our wedding."

He was practically skinned alive by you; compared to that, what you suffered is nothing!

The masked woman's tone suddenly turned sharp, filled with endless resentment.

"Shen Lang! Today, I, Bojin Chiyan, will avenge my fiancé!"

After speaking, Bojin Chiyan quickly shook the Soul-Capturing Bell on his wrist.

The moment the sound waves struck his brain, another streak of blood appeared at the corner of Shen Lang's mouth.

The archer beside him seized the opportunity and decisively fired three arrows in one go. The arrows, like shooting stars, flew straight towards Shen Lang's vitals.

"Kill me, Shen Lang? With these methods..."

The tassels in Shen Lang's hand shimmered, and the dagger was already spinning in his palm.

"not enough!"

jingle--

Her lithe movements were like a sudden storm, and the clear sound of the wind chimes heralded the beginning of a demise.

puff-

The moment the three arrows missed their mark, a pool of boiling blood gushed from the archer's neck.

"what!"

Bojin Chiyan was shocked, thinking that Shen Lang was so badly injured that he was powerless to resist.

never thought...

"Tai Xu - Soul Severance".

Before he could think any further, Shen Lang's killing move was already upon him.

Before Bojin Chiyan could react.

Puff puff puff——

Shen Lang's dagger sliced ​​through her wrists, ankles, chest, and neck with lightning speed.

jingle--

The sound of bells echoed.

After a burst of blood bloomed on the body of the Bojin Red Goose, it stood there in disbelief.

Behind him, Shen Lang's voice drifted over.

"Murong Jun, I remember him, the fourth prince of Northern Yan. I poured mercury into his scalp and he tore his own skin off while he was still alive."

Since you miss him so much, I'll send you to reunite with him now. Remember to ask him for me why his death was the most cruel.

After saying this, Bojin Chiyan fell unwillingly into a pool of blood.

"puff--"

After killing three people, Shen Lang could no longer suppress his injuries and couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. His whole body was soaked in sweat and blood, and he knelt weakly on one knee on the ground.

"We can't fall, now is not the time..."

He forced himself to sit up, touched his chest, and found it covered in blood.

At this point, his consciousness began to blur, and he simply walked aimlessly step by step toward the direction of the sound of water.

When he finally came across a stream, he could no longer hold on and collapsed by the stream.

At that moment, a figure appeared behind Shen Lang...

On the other side, inside the Taiji Hall of Weiyang Palace.

Regarding the events of yesterday, Jiang Mengxuan's cold face showed no change in emotion whatsoever; she simply listened silently as Zhang Yanchu listed Shen Lang's crimes.

After he finished speaking, Ye Mo was the first to step forward.

"Your Majesty, the matter of Shen Lang will be entirely handled by the Ministry of Justice. The most urgent task at present is to select a new army commander as soon as possible."

Jiang Mengxuan closed her eyes slightly: "Prime Minister Ye, who do you think is suitable?"

Ye Mo lowered his head: "Everything still needs Your Majesty's decision."

Jiang Mengxuan then looked at Lü Lin: "Minister Lü, what do you think?"

Lu Lin instinctively wanted to recommend a few suitable people.

But the moment their eyes met, she swallowed back the words she was about to say.

"Everything is at Your Majesty's discretion."

Jiang Mengxuan nodded and said, "In that case, what about the candidate for the position of commander of the Central Army?"

I will make the arrangements myself, but there is one more matter that I must discuss with you all.

During this period, many rumors detrimental to our Great Chu have been circulating in the martial arts world.

"You say I'm acting against the natural order and making enemies of the sects? Is that true?"

Cao Xianzhi immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, there are indeed complaints circulating in the martial arts world."

They believe that His Majesty's current reliance on the new army shows his disdain for the martial arts sects.

The handling of the appointments by the Heavenly Dao Sect, in particular, aroused extreme dissatisfaction among major forces in the martial arts world, even His Majesty's sect, the Purple Cloud Sect, had its share of complaints.

Jiang Mengxuan snorted: "What, are they dissatisfied with my appointment of the Heavenly Dao Sect as the Wu region's patron, or do they feel that the Heavenly Dao Sect is unworthy of this honor?"

Cao Xianzhi lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, the forces of the martial world are inherently separate from those of the imperial court. Forcibly trying to win them over will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the sects."

The current opinion of His Majesty in the martial arts world is extremely negative, with some even saying that the Heavenly Dao Sect is now the court's dog.

"Be a dog of the imperial court?" Jiang Mengxuan flicked her phoenix sleeves. "Not everyone can be one!"

Of course, if they are willing to submit to the court, then I will naturally treat them with courtesy.

Sometimes, being a dog can bring honor to one's family.

Cao Xianzhi was immediately stunned.

Just as he was about to say something, Changsun Yang suddenly stood up.

"Your Majesty, I have something to report."

"explain."

"Upon investigation, it was found that the Zixia Sect has maintained close ties with the Northern Yan forces in recent years, and has also corresponded with various regional princes, suggesting that they have long harbored rebellious intentions."

Is there any empirical evidence?

Changsun Yang immediately presented a memorial: "Your Majesty, I have recorded all the evidence of the crimes committed by the Zixia Sect in its dealings with the Northern Yan and the vassal kings of various regions. Please take a look."

After reading the memorial, Jiang Mengxuan gently touched her forehead and remained silent for a long time.

Ye Mo immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I know that you and the Zixia Sect are related by master and disciple, but the Zixia Sect is now suspected of serious treason and must not be let off lightly."

"Alas, how could I not understand what you are saying? But after all, the Zixia Sect is the sect I cultivate with."

"Your Majesty knows that you value relationships and righteousness, but this matter concerns the fate of the nation and its people, so you must make a decisive decision."

Jiang Mengxuan opened her phoenix eyes slightly: "Then what does Prime Minister Ye think should be done?"

Ye Mo: "We can use the imperial court's name to force the Zixia Sect to submit to the Great Chu. If they refuse, we will discuss it further."

As soon as Ye Mo said this, the hall erupted in an uproar.

Even a fool could tell that the imperial court was about to take action against the Zixia Sect.

Although the new army's achievements were evident to all after its establishment.

However, the influence of the sect lingered in everyone's minds, and they feared that a single misstep could lead to the annihilation of the sect.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yanchu immediately cried out, "Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

"Why not?" Changsun Yang retorted directly. "Shen Lang's ferocity has been exposed, and he is currently wanted by the imperial court."

To avoid being hunted down by the imperial court, who else could he turn to besides a sect?

Anyone who dares to harbor a criminal should be dealt with severely. What if the Zixia Sect is colluding with Shen Lang?

Zhang Yanchu was speechless.

He's good at spouting nonsense, but when it comes to these seasoned veterans who spend their days with foxes and tigers, he's utterly inexperienced.

"Quiet!"

Jiang Mengxuan pondered for a moment and then silenced the noisy hall.

"My mind is made up. Inform Qu Yi's troops that they should lead a regiment before the fourth watch tomorrow."

"Accompany the envoy to offer condolences and pacification to the Zixia Sect. To dare disobey is to show contempt for the imperial court."

Ye Mo bowed and asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, who is qualified to be the envoy for reconciliation?"

A sly glint flashed in Jiang Mengxuan's eyes: "I have my own arrangements, you don't need to ask."

……

The next morning, Qu Yi led a regiment of soldiers and was already waiting outside the city.

Hearing that a pacification envoy and a new commander-in-chief would be arriving today, Qu Yi waited outside the city gate early in the morning.

Suddenly, a bright red figure floated down from the void.

"who!"

The next moment, Qu Yi exclaimed in surprise, and all the soldiers in the front row raised their guns and aimed at the approaching person.

A graceful figure descended, draped in soft armor, a green sword hanging at her waist, her figure slender and exquisite.

It was obvious that it was a woman, and she was facing away from Qu Yi and the others.

"Who are you? Tell me or I'll shoot!"

Qu Yi raised his hand high, ready to kill the newcomer at any moment.

The next moment, the woman turned around, revealing a Vermilion Bird mask on her face.

She raised her hand, and there was an imperial edict in her palm.

Upon seeing this, Qu Yi immediately stood up straight and saluted at the military posture.

"By order of the Empress, effective immediately, the seven divisions directly under the command of former Army Commander Shen Lang will be temporarily placed under my command! You must all obey my orders!"

Qu Yi frowned: "Who are you!"

The woman simply handed him an appointment letter.

"The Empress's First Shadow Guard, Zhuque! This is a document written by the Empress herself."

Qu Yi opened it and glanced at it, then immediately frowned.

Suzaku?

Ouchi Shadow Guard?

I've never heard of that before.