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

The opportunity was fleeting. Upon learning of the strange events in Yanjing, Yue Fei made a decisive move and quickly organized his cavalry to pursue the retreating Northern Yan army.

However, halfway through the march, they saw Murong Xiang, an envoy from the Northern Yan army, leading a troop of cavalry rushing towards them.

"Are those the Duke of Zhenguo's troops ahead?"

"Who are you?"

"I am Murong Xiang, an envoy from Northern Yan, here to deliver a letter from His Highness the Second Prince."

Yue Fei took the handwritten letter from Murong Ke, unfolded it, glanced at it, and couldn't help but sneer.

"Using the same old tactics again? What problems do they think negotiations can solve?"

"His Highness said that this time he is truly willing to sincerely negotiate with the Duke of Zhenguo and make greater concessions based on the original agreement."

Hearing Murong Xiang say this, Yue Fei was somewhat undecided.

Murong Xiang continued, "General, may I ask where the Duke of Zhenguo is?"

Yue Fei said, "The Duke of Zhenguo has important matters to attend to, and I'm afraid he cannot discuss important matters with you for the time being."

Murong Xiang smiled and said, "It's alright. Please be sure to convey to the Duke of Zhenguo that our Great Yan is sincerely seeking peace talks with your country this time, and we guarantee a satisfactory answer."

Yue Fei: "How can I believe your words? After all, your Yan state has already broken its promise once."

Murong Xiang said righteously, "Please rest assured, General, this time I will definitely put your country at ease. To be honest, the late Emperor of our Great Yan has passed away, and although the new ruler, Murong Jun, is young..."

However, he was kind and gentle by nature, and intended to improve relations with the State of Chu. The return of our Great Yan army to the capital was only possible because the new ruler had repeatedly issued orders to the death.

"Please accept my condolences, Your Excellency."

Yue Fei had no deep-seated hatred for the Yan Kingdom. Since their emperor had passed away, he simply made a show of respect.

However, the things that need to be discussed still need to be discussed.

"When does your country plan to hold peace talks?"

"After the state funeral, we will definitely send a delegation to Chu to discuss the border demarcation with your country in detail. Please be patient, General. I believe the Duke of Zhenguo will agree."

Yue Fei thought for a moment and said, "Then I need to consult with the Commander-in-Chief and wait for his instructions before I can give a specific reply. But is your army really going to withdraw now?"

"Our Great Yan's goal has always been Goguryeo. Now that Goguryeo has been destroyed, it is time to return to the capital."

That was just a polite remark; the two countries had already broken off relations, and both sides were pretending not to know the true state of the situation.

"Alright, I can deliver the letter to the commander, but to prevent your country from breaking its promise again and causing unnecessary trouble, I must send someone back to the Great Yan military camp with you so that I can see your army returning in full force before I feel at ease."

"No problem, General. Please send someone to accompany me."

"Ah."

Yue Fei immediately approached Wang Xuance: "Advisor Wang, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to make another trip."

Wang Xuance waved his hand: "You're being too polite, Your Excellency. This is simply my duty. I will now accompany the Yan envoy to take a look."

After saying that, he rode up to Murong Xiang's side. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two turned their horses around and headed straight for the Northern Yan army camp.

Yue Fei could never have imagined that it was precisely this cautious action that saved Liaodong from a catastrophe that would destroy the world.

……

At this time, inside the Yan army camp, the army was breaking camp and preparing to return to the capital.

After days of fierce fighting, the Yan soldiers were already homesick and wished they could sprout wings and fly back home...

Just as everyone was extremely busy, a group of cooks came in front of them carrying buckets of strong liquor and shouted loudly.

"Come, come, everyone, come and have a taste! This wine was prepared by the Second Prince. Originally, we planned to share it after we conquered Rangzhou."

Now that there's no need for war anymore, there's no need to hide it. His Highness the Second Prince said, let's distribute all the wine."

"Thank you, Second Prince!"

Wine is the best solace for soldiers on distant expeditions, and everyone in the Northern Yan army camp loves wine.

In the past two years, the Yan Kingdom has been plagued by natural disasters, and alcohol has become a prohibited item among the people.

Being able to have a sip of this now is truly delightful and can relieve the stress of these days of being away on campaign.

As a result, each of the Yan soldiers present received a small bowl of strong liquor.

Without thinking twice, they raised their bowls and drank heartily.

"Strange, why does this wine taste off?"

"You're overthinking it. He probably hasn't had alcohol in a long time and is just not used to it yet."

"Maybe."

"Alright, don't overthink it, everyone, let's drink up."

Although many people noticed that there were some problems with the drinks, most people didn't think much of it.

"Happy!"

After finishing his drink, an old soldier, still looking like he hadn't had enough, licked the bottom of the bowl hard with his tongue.

Just then, he felt his head was spinning and his vision was blurry.

"Looks like you haven't had a drink in a long time and you're not a good drinker anymore."

He shook his head, not thinking much about it.

But just as he put down the wine bowl and turned around, he froze.

"How did I get here? What am I supposed to do?"

Something seemed to be wriggling in the veteran's pupils, and when he looked around, he had a huge difference in his perception of the people and things in front of him.

"A person has one mouth, four eyes, eight arms, and two heads..."

"No, this isn't right, my head hurts so much, who are they, who am I, where am I, Abalos is sleeping rough, you're so reckless..."

The veteran held his head and kept muttering to himself. Eventually, he even forgot how to speak and uttered words that were completely incomprehensible, like the whispers of an ancient god.

This was not an isolated incident. Just as the veteran was writhing on the ground in agony, the other soldiers who had recently drunk alcohol also began to show unusual symptoms.

Just as the last 30,000 people were rolling on the ground, clutching their heads, Murong Ke's figure appeared on a distant hill.

"For the future of the Great Yan, I, Murong Ke, am willing to bear the infamy for the rest of my life."

"If we withdraw our troops and return to the capital this time, the only thing awaiting our Yan state is annihilation."

"You are the most loyal warriors of my Great Yan, and you should not waste the rest of your lives in a dull and mundane existence."

Your destiny lies on the battlefield; even in death, fight the enemy to the very last moment.

The inextinguishable flame shone for a fleeting moment...

"Roar--"

Thirty thousand Yan soldiers suddenly went mad, their pupils turning blood red, their postures becoming frenzied.

Murong Ke sighed softly and closed his eyes with a hint of pain.

"Everything was for the Great Yan Kingdom. Your sacrifices will not be in vain. The people of Great Yan will forever remember your contributions!"

Just as he was about to lead the Yan army, which had undergone a mutation, to the battlefield of Rangzhou...

"Second Prince, what are you doing?"

Murong Chui's voice rang out behind Murong Ke.

"Were those soldiers your doing? What exactly did you do to them?!"

Murong Ke turned around calmly and said to Murong Chui, "General, everything I have done is for the Great Yan. The lives of 30,000 troops have been exchanged for the foundation of the Great Yan for thousands of years. I believe it is all worth it."

"Are you crazy?!"

Murong Chui immediately drew his longsword.

"Murong Ke! Quickly turn them back!"

"It's too late. They've been infected by the Unquenchable Flame and have become ferocious beasts that only know how to kill."

"Bastard!"

Murong Chui angrily rebuked him and immediately drew his sword to stab at Murong Ke.