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

On the fifth day of the fourth lunar month, just as dawn was breaking, the city of Yuzhou was already bustling with activity.

On the speeding train, Qingwen quietly covered Jiang Mengxuan, who was bent over her desk, with a cotton blanket.

However, this subtle movement suddenly woke the empress, who was only in a light sleep.

"Your Majesty, have I disturbed your rest?"

"It's okay, where are we now?"

"Your Majesty, we will arrive at our destination in two hours."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan stood up and said, "Prepare water for washing up. I need to change my clothes. Please help me with my makeup."

Qingwen: "Yes, this servant will go and prepare it right away."

Jiang Mengxuan closed the official documents on the table and gazed at the gradually brightening sky outside the window...

The eastern railway line, located 20 miles outside Yuzhou City, had already been cleared three days prior.

A red carpet was laid out, and officials waited patiently, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Empress as soon as the train arrived at the station.

Sun Yuwang kept looking around in the crowd, afraid that someone would notice something amiss.

The operation is about to begin. If nothing unexpected happens, over a thousand righteous men, along with their fellow disciples, are already lying in ambush in the dense forests on both sides of the station, about twenty miles to the east.

A large amount of explosives has also been planted along the train's route. Once the Empress's train passes by, the explosives will be detonated, and then the Empress will be killed in the chaos.

Of course, this is the most perfect plan. If it fails, then civil war in Shu County will inevitably break out.

Inside the General's Office, Fang Lin paced back and forth, his gaze frequently drifting eastward.

The day has finally arrived; success or death depends on this one battle.

Suddenly, Dong Biao rushed into the General's Office and grabbed Fang Lin's hand in a panic.

"who are you?"

"Are you from the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, and your name is Fang Lin?"

"You've misunderstood, I'm not..."

"Oh dear, stop pretending. I am also a disciple of the Dugu Sect. I have discovered an important secret. You must take me to a safe place."

"What secret?"

Fang Lin was very wary of this person who had suddenly appeared.

"This is not the place to talk. Take me away from here."

"What do you want? I'm waiting for someone."

"Don't wait any longer, something's happened! If we don't leave now, we won't be able to leave at all!"

Fang Lin was taken aback: "What do you mean? Explain yourself to me quickly."

"Ugh!"

Helpless, Dong Biao took out a secret letter from the Empress to Sun Yuwang.

"I saw this by chance in the governor's study when I was doing errands for him. Take a look for yourself."

Fang Lin was puzzled and could only take it apart to see.

Upon seeing this, he was so shocked he almost screamed, but luckily Dong Biao reacted quickly and covered his mouth.

"Now, do you believe me?"

Fang Lin broke free from Dong Biao's hand: "Why did you only send it now?"

"I only found out yesterday. I need to hurry back to the Shushan Sword Sect and tell Sect Master Dugu what to do next."

"Okay, you'll come back with me."

"Well, let's hurry up and leave while the headquarters is empty."

The two immediately left the General's Office in a hurry.

Inside the station, seeing that it was almost time, Sun Yuwang immediately made an excuse to relieve himself and went to a secluded spot. After looking around and seeing that no one was there, he immediately took out a firecracker.

As the fireworks in the void flashed, Sun Yuwang let out a heavy sigh of relief.

The righteous men in the shadows saw sparks flying in the air and immediately understood that this was the signal to move out. They decisively hoisted their yellow flags, spurred their horses, and rode along the railway line eastward to deliver the message.

"It's all finally over."

Sun Yuwang rubbed his cheek hard with his palm.

But when he turned around, he saw Pei Lun appear behind him at some point, holding a pastry in his hand and smiling at him.

"Governor Sun, what were you doing just now?"

"No, it's nothing."

While Sun Yuwang was giving perfunctory replies, he was secretly channeling his inner energy, intending to kill Pei Lun directly.

"I saw it all. Are you sending a signal to someone?"

"I don't understand what you're saying."

"Are you still pretending even now?"

Pei Lun smiled, popped a small piece of pastry into his mouth, and then clapped his hands.

"Oh well, it doesn't matter. Tomorrow, important news will be circulating throughout the streets and alleys."

That was because the Shushan Sword Sect colluded with rebels to blow up the railway. Fortunately, Governor Sun Yuwang turned the tide and exposed the rebels' scheme.

Governor Sun, you truly deserve to be the virtuous and benevolent official of my Shu Prefecture!

"What did you say?"

Sun Yuwang's eyes widened.

Pei Lun simply sat down five steps away from him and slowly began to speak.

"Actually, from the first moment I saw you, I knew you had an ulterior motive. Words can lie, but your eyes can't betray me."

"Speaking of which, we really have to thank you. If it weren't for you gathering everyone together, we wouldn't have been able to wipe out this bunch of rebels so quickly."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yuwang immediately prepared to go and rent a place to stay.

But just as he was about to leave, he heard Pei Lun continue, "It's too late, it's already too late."

Sun Yuwang suddenly felt as if half of his strength had been drained, and he lost all his energy and spirit.

……

"Woo——"

The train is about to enter the station, and with a long whistle, it gradually begins to slow down.

Jiang Mengxuan had already changed into a dark-colored dragon robe and was quietly waiting for the train to arrive at the station.

A water leaked out from the side, dripping drop by drop, splashing up tiny, almost imperceptible water droplets.

She slowly closed her eyes, quietly awaiting the end.

"Your Majesty, the train is about to arrive at the station."

Ye Mo's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Understood, proceed according to plan."

"As ordered!"

……

"Woo——"

As the train passed through a dense forest, its whistle blared to scare away the wild animals in the surrounding area.

The righteous warriors, who were lying in ambush, gripped their weapons tightly.

Upon seeing the outline of the train, Jiang Mohan immediately whispered, "Everyone, the tyrant's train is coming! Get ready! Success or failure hinges on this."

Hao Dayou and the twelve Immortal Realm Sword Sect disciples behind him gripped their longswords tightly, waiting for the final moment to arrive.

Just as the train sped onto the designated tracks...

"pull!"

Jiang Mohan shouted.

boom--

The next moment, a deafening roar erupted from the dense forest, echoing for dozens of miles around.

The train, which was moving along, had no time to react and derailed and overturned amidst the explosion...

"Kill the tyrant!"

Jiang Mohan shouted and took the lead in flying towards the damaged train carriage on his sword.

Following closely behind were more than 1,600 righteous men who stepped forward in unison…

The enormous explosion was felt even by the officials waiting at the station, and an ominous premonition arose in everyone's hearts.

Just as everyone was filled with anxiety, Fa Xiaozhi calmly stepped forward to take charge: "Everyone, please don't worry. Please return to Yuzhou City and wait for news."

"Prefect Fa, what exactly happened?"

"Yes, what happened? Your Majesty wouldn't have..."

All the officials looked at Fa Xiaozhi in bewilderment.

Fa Xiaozhi smiled and said, "Gentlemen, His Majesty has changed his itinerary at the last minute and will not return to Shu County for inspection for several days. You may all go back."

……

salute!

At Chang'an Railway Station, Guo Huaizhi's troops had been waiting for a long time.

The moment Jiang Mengxuan stepped off the train, thousands of new soldiers saluted her in unison.

"General Guo, it's been a long time."

"This humble general greets Your Majesty!"

Guo Huaizhi knelt respectfully before Jiang Mengxuan.

Seeing his beloved disciple now a true Empress of the Great Chu, he felt very gratified.