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

Inside Blackwater City, the Swiftwind Squad arrived in droves outside the main hall.

The captain, who was leading the group, was the first to throw off his cloak and kneel down on the ground.

"Greetings, Heavenly Venerable."

As soon as he finished speaking, two bloody heads rolled out of the main hall entrance and landed right at the captain's knees.

The next moment, Jiang Yue's figure appeared proudly in front of them.

"Ok?"

One of the Swiftwind team members was filled with doubt the moment he saw Jiang Yue's face.

Fortunately, the Yaksha mask covered his face, so his true expression was not visible.

Fortunately, Jiang Yue did not notice anything unusual. She simply asked, "How is the matter that Mother instructed you to handle going?"

"Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable, the individual combat strength of this Chu army is not a threat, but the firearms they possess are extremely sharp."

The captain's hoarse voice drifted through the air.

"Especially the concentrated firepower strikes are hard to defend against, and the Swiftwind team can't get too close."

Jiang Yue's face turned cold: "I want to hear the results of the battle."

"In this operation, the Swiftwind Squad suffered nineteen dead and seventeen wounded. However, on the return journey, eight more succumbed to their injuries and died on horseback."

However, this also resulted in the annihilation of 287 Chu soldiers. I originally intended to continue harassing them and inflicting further damage, but after the first surprise attack...

The Chu army seems to be on guard against us; they set up defensive lines in advance, whether marching or resting, making it impossible for us to attack.

After listening to the captain's description, Jiang Yue's face grew increasingly gloomy, almost dripping with water.

"So, the high hopes the Empress Dowager placed on you have resulted in this outcome?"

"Feel sorry."

Captain Xunfeng immediately lowered his head, not daring to look Jiang Yue in the eye.

But the next moment, an invisible iron hand gripped his neck tightly.

"Uh~"

After a moment of silence, the cavalry captain's body became completely immobile, and he slowly lifted off the ground, floating directly in the void.

"Tuoba Ying!"

Jiang Yue's icy voice echoed through the wilderness.

"Is this how you repay the hopes your mother had for you?"

"You have truly disappointed me. Tell me, how should I punish you?"

As she finished speaking, Jiang Yue's palm slowly tightened.

Instantly, a chilling, suffocating sensation spread throughout every inch of Tuoba Ying's body.

"Heavenly Venerable One, I..."

Why did it fail?

Jiang Yue's expression was cold, her bloodshot eyes filled with resentment.

"Since you've failed, why not commit suicide to atone for your sins?"

"Why, why do you have to make Mother uneasy!"

"When Mother is angry, my heart aches terribly, don't you know that?"

"You have betrayed the Empress Dowager's trust!"

Jiang Yue pressed down hard with her hand, instantly throwing Tuoba Ying to the ground.

A surge of energy erupted, and the ground beneath Tuoba Ying cracked open like a spiderweb.

Just as Jiang Yue went berserk and was about to kill the entire Swiftwind team.

"What are you crazy about?"

A shrill roar instantly extinguished the rage within Jiang Yue.

"Mother!"

Upon seeing Yu Ling Shuang's icy gaze, Jiang Yue immediately knelt down and withdrew her hands.

Tuoba Ying and other members of the Swift Wind Team also escaped unharmed.

"Humph!"

As Yu Ling Shuang passed by Jiang Yue, she let out a heavy snort.

He then put on a concerned expression, walked to Tuoba Ying's side, and bowed.

"General Tuoba, I apologize to you on behalf of my good-for-nothing daughter."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yue felt very resentful.

Why is it that a mother treats a stranger more kindly than she treats herself?

What should I do to earn my mother's respect?

Tuoba Ying stood up and shook his head, his voice softening as he spoke to Yu Ling Shuang: "Madam, there's no need for that. The Swift Wind Team did indeed fail in its mission this time, so it's only right that the Heavenly Venerable wants to kill us."

Yu Ling Shuang: "General Tuoba, there's no need to plead for her. Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. How can she lose her life because of a single dereliction of duty? Besides, if it weren't for you back then, how could my daughter and I be alive today?"

As he spoke, he turned back and glared at Jiang Yue, angrily rebuking her, "Apologize to General Tuoba now!"

Jiang Yue was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and didn't react for a moment.

Upon seeing this, Tuoba Ying immediately said, "Absolutely not! The Heavenly Venerable is of noble birth and will ascend to the throne in the future. I am utterly unworthy of such a position. Please, Madam, rescind your order."

Yu Ling Shuang: "Since General Tuoba is not going to pursue this matter, let's just let it go."

He then roared at Jiang Yue, "Get out of here now! Go kneel on the back mountain for three days as punishment, and I'll settle the score with you later!"

Jiang Yue shuddered, stood up, bowed to Yu Ling Shuang, and hurriedly headed towards the back mountain.

Jiang Yue has an innate psychological fear of Yu Ling Shuang.

After Jiang Yue left, Yu Ling Shuang said to Tuoba Ying, "General Tuoba, I just heard that the army you wanted to assassinate is quite different from others?"

Tuoba Ying cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes, the firearms equipped by this Chu army can easily tear apart the protective qi of those below the Innate Realm."

If it weren't for the fact that all members of the Swiftwind Squad were renowned for their agility and speed, this raid would likely have ended in dire straits.

Yu Ling Shuang frowned deeply: "Is there really no way to control it?"

Tuoba Ying: "I heard that Shen Lang is in Blackwater City. Why don't you ask him, Madam? I think no one knows this army better than him."

"I see."

Yu Ling Shuang turned to her attendant and said, "Quickly go and invite Shen Lang to the palace for questioning."

A quarter of an hour later, Shen Lang sat in the Blackwater Hall, looking expressionlessly at Yu Ling Shuang sitting on the dragon throne.

All around sat the heads of various sects.

After a brief silence, Yu Ling Shuang spoke first: "Duke Zhenguo, the reason I summoned you here is to inquire about the current situation of the Chu army."

Shen Lang: "What do you want to know, Madam?"

"Is there any way to counter the Chu army's firearms?"

"No."

Shen Lang shook his head expressionlessly.

"Unless you can develop more advanced firearms."

One sentence silenced everyone present.

"Heh, you expect us martial arts practitioners to use such strange and ingenious techniques? Only the Emperor of Great Chu could come up with something like that."

Bai Tianyu's tone was sarcastic and mocking, clearly showing that he didn't take Shen Lang seriously.

Shen Lang laughed: "Strange tricks and ingenious techniques? Yes, the Chu army relied on the strange tricks and ingenious techniques I devised to directly defeat the various southern sects and turn them into the dogs of the imperial court."

"If you don't mind, you can try it and see if your supposedly invincible skills can withstand even a single breath against tens of thousands of rifles."

"How dare you underestimate me!" Bai Tianyu roared instantly. "Shen Lang, don't act like you're entitled to this. Let me tell you, we haven't settled our score yet!"

Shen Lang glanced at him and sneered, "I advise you not to be like your deadbeat disciple Mu Changge, rushing headlong into your death."

I'm really curious, why do you, who claims to be a descendant of Bai Xi Nian, say such idiotic things?

You wouldn't be showing off by fabricating an ancestor just because your surname is Bai, would you?

Uh-huh~

Bai Tianyu decisively drew a black sword from behind his back.

"Shen Lang, do you dare to take a single blow from my Yellow Springs Sword Intent?"

Shen Lang slowly stood up: "Since you insist on not living, why shouldn't I grant your wish? Yellow Springs Sword Intent?"

"Pay for my disciple Changge's life!"

Bai Tianyu let out a heart-wrenching scream and raised his hand to slash with his sword.

"Stop it all!"

At the critical moment, Yu Ling Shuang called out to Bai Tian Yu in time.

"We're all in the same boat now, why fight amongst ourselves? The Chu army is already heading towards Qingzhou. We should put aside our differences and unite against a common enemy!"

Bai Tianyu sheathed his sword and said to Yu Ling Shuang, "Madam, the Chu army's mobilization is definitely related to this Shen Lang."

I request that you, Madam, execute Shen Lang now and order the Chu army to retreat for the time being.

Shen Lang's eyes turned cold: "Bai Tianyu, if you really want to die, I can grant your wish right now!"

What's the best way to dispel doubt? The safest bet is to kill the dead.