There are too many ruthless, domineering women who are considered "losers"!

The carriage sped along the road.

Lu Chang'an sat there, examining the token in his hand.

Gu Wushuang, who was standing to the side, placed her long sword across her lap and frowned, saying, "This belongs to that demon queen?"

"Indeed, this is the Phoenix Token. Don't underestimate it. This small token can mobilize the Black Cloud Commandery."

When Gu Wushuang heard about this organization, she became dazed.

Lu Chang'an muttered to himself, "I've long heard that a hundred years ago, the Song Dynasty in the Central Plains had an intelligence organization. Its members all wore long robes with black cloud patterns, carried sharp swords, and hid behind the scenes, traveling between various countries. They were all warriors who could take on a hundred men."

"Later, when the Song Dynasty fell, this group of warriors became a powerful tool for maintaining the rule of the imperial family."

Lu Chang'an believed that the Black Cloud Commander was equivalent in status to the Embroidered Uniform Guard in his previous life.

Although there is no longer the Embroidered Uniform Guard, there is the Black Cloud Commandery, which has greater functions and the authority to assassinate generals and infiltrate enemy countries.

Noticing the strange expression on the face of the person beside him, Lu Chang'an couldn't help but ask, "Are you very familiar with the Black Cloud Commandery?"

Gu Wushuang glanced at him and said, "Back when I was trapped on the grasslands, it was the Black Cloud Commander who escorted me back to my country."

I never knew you had such a past.

Lu Chang'an nodded.

Although he knew some fragments of Gu Wushuang's experiences, there were some details that he certainly didn't know as well as the person involved.

Gu Wushuang shook her head and said, "The Black Cloud Commandery of today is no longer what it used to be. The Black Cloud Commandery of the Great Song Dynasty was dedicated to protecting the country and benefiting the people, but now it has become a tool in the hands of the Great Yuan royal family."

She sensed a figure approaching on horseback not far away and asked curiously, "Since you already have the Black Cloud Commandery, why did you summon Xuan Yuan Qingfeng? He is merely an envoy from Western Shu. With your current strength and resources, you are not qualified to win him over."

Lu Chang'an smiled gently: "Guess."

Seeing him being so secretive and playing the mystery card, Gu Wushuang snorted coldly and stopped talking.

"Xuanyuan Qingfeng greets Your Majesty."

Outside the carriage, a middle-aged man in a blue robe had already arrived, dismounted, and bowed.

"Senior Xuanyuan, you are truly a national hero."

Lu Chang'an personally dismounted from his carriage to greet him with a smile.

Given the cultivation level of this Western Shu swordsman, there was no need for him to do this.

He could have ignored all the rules of the world and done whatever he wanted.

But Xuan Yuan Qingfeng did not do that. He still adhered to his bottom line and upheld that insignificant justice.

Lu Chang'an seemed to understand why everyone called him the Gentleman Sword Saint.

Such a person truly deserves to be called a national hero.

"Your Majesty flatters me. What brings you here today?"

Even though Xuan Yuan Qingfeng already had a guess in his mind, he couldn't help but get straight to the point.

Lu Chang'an explained gently, "Previously, you mentioned that there were eight hundred armored soldiers to prepare for the demons' attack on the city. Now, I am here on the orders of the Empress Dowager to muster the troops, and I need to rely on the eight hundred armored soldiers you brought."

Xuanyuan Qingfeng nodded: "Your Majesty may order them at will."

Lu Chang'an added, "Senior, rest assured, I will not separate and reorganize the soldiers of Western Shu, much less let them take the lead in fighting against demons. They will definitely be reserved for the last line of defense."

To prevent any rift from developing between the two, it's best to make things clear.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng nodded slightly.

Your Majesty's willingness to do this shows how much you value Western Shu.

In this way, his purpose in going to the capital was fulfilled.

Winning the favor of this new emperor is naturally of paramount importance.

As for the Empress Dowager, Xuan Yuan Qingfeng believed that this emperor was definitely not one to remain in the background and would surely rise to power in the future.

A timely act of kindness is far better than adding to someone's already good fortune.

Lu Chang'an led the Sword Saint to the military camp, and his confidence increased considerably.

Upon arriving at the military camp, one can see countless tents and tents set up in the distance.

The watchtower at the entrance was tightly shut, preventing anyone from passing through.

Two guards stood watch on the tower.

Lu Chang'an immediately looked up and shouted, "Who is on duty this morning, the Imperial Guards and Tiger Guards? I am the Emperor! Open the gates of the stronghold at once!"

Upon hearing the call, the commander on duty rushed forward and glanced down, where a dense crowd of people was gathered.

Naturally, they dared not open the camp.

"Without the Empress Dowager's edict, I will not see anyone, not even His Majesty."

Lu Chang'an knew this would be the outcome, but he still gave it a try nonetheless.

The title of Emperor is not as effective as that of Empress Dowager.

Lu Chang'an held up the Phoenix Token and reprimanded, "The Phoenix Token is here. It's as if the Empress Dowager herself is here. Why haven't you opened the camp yet!"

"We only recognize the imperial edicts and military tallies from the Empress Dowager's palace; we recognize nothing else."

"Besides, the Empress Dowager never interferes in military affairs, so why would she send someone to such a place in person? If there is nothing else, you should return as soon as possible."

Seeing the garrison commander so stubborn, Gu Wushuang, holding her sword, revealed a mocking smile.

Lu Chang'an was also inexplicably furious, only then realizing that this was the first lesson Murong Yuyan had taught him.

He immediately gave himself a hard time.

The empress is teaching him.

Once he leaves the palace, he is nothing.

Xuanyuan Qingfeng, however, was extremely optimistic. He laughed and said, "I never expected that a mere gatekeeper would be so dedicated to his duty."

Lu Chang'an had to admit that this was indeed the case.

"Your Majesty, do you need my help?"

Lu Chang'an waved his hand in response to Xuan Yuan Qingfeng's offer of help.

I chose to refuse.

If he can't even break down a single gate, what face does he have to be the emperor?

What ability do they have to rule over the people, let alone secure their position?

Lu Chang'an continued loudly, "I have the military tally and the Empress Dowager's token. Your Excellency may as well let me go up alone so that I can see clearly and avoid delaying military affairs and jeopardizing important matters."

On the watchtower, the commander and soldiers were discussing the matter animatedly.

"Have you heard of the Phoenix Token he just mentioned?"

"I haven't heard of it, but he said he brought a military tally."

"It seems there's no word from the imperial court. They said they'd send someone down to inspect the area?"

The garrison commander thought for a moment and said, "If we delay important matters, it will indeed be difficult for us. The captain will probably blame us. Why don't we let him come up alone?"

"Lower the hanging basket!"

A bamboo basket with a hemp rope attached was thrown down from above.

Lu Chang'an sat in the basket and arrived at the watchtower.

He handed over the military tally and the Phoenix Token.

"It really is a military tally!"

The garrison commander asked in surprise.

"This Phoenix Token is equivalent to the Empress Dowager's edict. If you don't believe me, take it to your general to see." Lu Chang'an didn't immediately fly into a rage, but said calmly.

It has a kind of imposing presence without being angry.

These soldiers immediately dared not delay and took the Phoenix Token to their superiors for review.

Not long after.

A slightly overweight middle-aged man, his clothes disheveled as if he had just gotten up, rushed to the gate of the village and shouted:

"Pass on my order: Open the gates!"

Accompanied by a "creak".

The gate of the village finally opened, and the slightly overweight man knelt down before Lu Chang'an with a thud, prostrating himself in worship.

"This humble general, Zhang Ze, First Commander of the Tiger Guard Army, greets Your Majesty!"

......