Intent!
An illusory realm, yet it truly exists.
There are many types of intent in this world—sword intent, spear intent, fist intent, killing intent, battle intent, and more. Each type of intent is extremely difficult to comprehend. For example, in the entire Jiang Kingdom, there is only one swordmaster, meaning only one person has comprehended sword intent.
The reason these intents are so difficult to grasp is that there is no specific method for cultivating them. Whether or not one can comprehend an intent depends entirely on oneself!
But once comprehended, it means one's combat power will increase significantly, and they will step into a higher realm.
At this moment, Ye Xuan was filled with an endless desire to fight. This battle intent was not for himself, nor for his sister—he couldn't exactly say why. He just knew that even if there were tens of thousands of cavalry in front of him, he would not retreat!
Fight!
Ye Xuan's pace quickened, and as he moved, his battle intent swept forward like a gale, kicking up dust that formed a massive sandstorm around him.
However, the charging force of the thousands of Black Armored Cavalry was far more terrifying than Ye Xuan's momentum.
Yet Ye Xuan's eyes held no fear. On the contrary, his speed only increased.
Behind Ye Xuan, Ah Yu watched the young man rushing towards the cavalry. She became entranced.
When Ye Xuan was still a hundred meters away from the Black Armored Cavalry, a middle-aged man leading them suddenly raised his right hand. In an instant, the entire cavalry halted in unison.
They stopped in perfect synchronization without the slightest disorder!
The middle-aged man's gaze fell a hundred meters to the right of Ye Xuan. There, a woman on horseback approached slowly.
She wore a silver suit of light armor, her long hair tied in a ponytail, and at her waist hung a golden curved blade. She wasn't a stunning beauty, but her eyes were sharp as a blade. She rode towards them at a leisurely pace.
Silver armor, golden blade!
The expressions of the thousands of Black Armored Cavalry changed.
In the entire Jiang Kingdom, there was only one person who wore silver armor and carried a golden blade—the Ninth Princess, known as a strategic genius!
She was also one of the most feared figures by the Tang Kingdom.
Not just Tang—all neighboring nations were wary of her!
The Ninth Princess of Jiang, along with An Lanxiu, was known as one of Jiang Kingdom's Twin Beauties, and both were legends!
In front of the cavalry, the middle-aged leader withdrew his gaze and took one last deep look at Ye Xuan before turning to lead the thousands of cavalrymen away, disappearing into the distance.
They came quickly and left just as swiftly!
Ye Xuan was stunned.
Did I scare them away?
He couldn't help but feel a little proud. Just then, the mysterious woman's voice echoed in his mind, "I just realized that someone's face is thicker than the earth!"
Ye Xuan: "..."
At that moment, the woman in silver armor reached Ye Xuan, her eyes fixed on him. Ye Xuan wasn't stupid; he knew by now that the cavalry's retreat was likely due to her.
He curiously looked her over. Unlike An Lanxiu's stunning beauty, this woman possessed a unique aura that he had never encountered before. Her eyes, in particular, were as sharp as blades—even he found it hard to meet her gaze directly. However, that feeling quickly passed!
In his life, Ye Xuan respected people, but feared no one!
Ye Xuan met the gaze of the silver-armored woman without any fear.
Their gazes differed; hers was sharp and aggressive, intimidating those who looked into her eyes, while his was calm, like a mountain enduring a gentle breeze.
The silver-armored woman withdrew her gaze, "Follow me into the city."
With that, she turned and walked towards the city gate.
Ye Xuan shrugged and looked at Ah Yu, "Let's go!"
Ah Yu nodded slightly and followed closely beside him.
Led by the silver-armored woman, the three arrived at the tightly closed city gate. She glanced at the gate, and in an instant, several shadows appeared before it. In the blink of an eye, the gate shattered into pieces, and those shadows silently retreated behind her.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan's expression grew serious!
Such terrifying strength!
The individuals who just acted were at least in the Soaring Realm or above!
Ye Xuan glanced at the silver-armored woman again, his eyes filled with curiosity—just who was this woman?
The silver-armored woman led Ye Xuan and Ah Yu into the city. At that moment, the city lord and his soldiers rushed over, the obese city lord angrily pointing at her, "Who are you—"
His gaze fell on the golden blade at her waist.
Seeing the blade, the city lord froze.
The next moment, his entire body began to tremble violently. Under everyone's shocked eyes, the city lord slowly knelt, his voice shaking, "Gr-greetings, Ninth Princess!"
Ninth Princess!
Everyone around was instantly stunned!
The Ninth Princess!
The youngest commander in Jiang Kingdom's history, another legend alongside An Lanxiu!
On the other side, Han Xiangmeng was also stunned for a moment, then quickly led the old man towards the silver-armored woman. Lu Xiaoran, after a brief daze, also hurried over, bowing respectfully, "Lu Xiaoran, city lord of Qianshan City, greets the Ninth Princess!"
The silver-armored woman glanced at Lu Xiaoran, "City Lord Lu, though Twin Boundaries City isn't under your jurisdiction, you are still a citizen of Jiang. When Tang soldiers attacked, you turned a blind eye—you deserve punishment. I hereby strip you of five years of salary, and you will take full responsibility for the families of those who died in the city."
Lu Xiaoran bowed deeply, "I willingly accept the punishment!"
Han Xiangmeng gave a slight bow as she approached, "Han Xiangmeng of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion greets the Ninth Princess."
The silver-armored woman gave her a cold look, "If you had stood up for the people of this city earlier, I would have ensured you rose smoothly within the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. But you, a citizen of Jiang, showed not a trace of patriotism. What right do you have to call yourself one of us? From this moment, you are no longer a citizen of Jiang. If the Drunken Immortal Pavilion dares to put you in charge of its affairs in Jiang, I will be the first to deal with you!"
Hearing this, Han Xiangmeng's face turned ashen!
She had still harbored a glimmer of hope—the Third Pavilion Master had sent her back to the imperial capital, which was an opportunity for her. But now, with one word from this woman, all her chances were gone!
The Drunken Immortal Pavilion wouldn't offend such a powerful figure for her sake—she wasn't worth it!
The Ninth Princess turned her gaze to the kneeling city lord and soldiers nearby, "Tang soldiers invaded, and the city lord of Twin Boundaries City cowered in fear, allowing citizens to be slaughtered. His crime is unforgivable and warrants execution by a thousand cuts. As for the soldiers, each will be flogged fifty times, then assigned to the suicide squad. If they make meritorious contributions in future battles against Tang, today's punishment will be forgiven. Take them away!"
Upon hearing this, the city lord fainted.
As the Ninth Princess spoke, several men in black quietly appeared, taking the soldiers and city lord away.
The Ninth Princess turned her gaze to Ye Xuan, "No one else in the city dared to fight, yet you did. Why?"
Ye Xuan met her gaze, "I'm not from Twin Boundaries City, but I am a citizen of Jiang. Seeing my people humiliated like that—I couldn't stand it, so I acted."
The Ninth Princess nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in her eyes, "If all Jiang men were like you, what would we have to fear from Tang? Join my army as a lieutenant—what do you say?"
Hearing this, both Han Xiangmeng and Lu Xiaoran's expressions changed!
The Ninth Princess clearly valued Ye Xuan!
And to enter the military as a lieutenant right away—that was a high honor!
After all, a lieutenant could command a hundred soldiers!
Join the army?
Ye Xuan paused, then shook his head.
A refusal!
Lu Xiaoran hesitated. If Ye Xuan accepted, it would mean he had the Ninth Princess behind him—an incredible opportunity!
Han Xiangmeng was also surprised, but remembering that Ye Xuan had a Sword Immortal behind him, she understood.
How could someone like him care about a mere lieutenant position?
Seeing Ye Xuan's refusal, the Ninth Princess asked, "You are unwilling?"
Ye Xuan nodded, "I still have many things to do—joining the army isn't in my plans right now."
The Ninth Princess nodded, "I won't force you. However, in recognition of your service today, that position will remain open for you. Should you change your mind, you're welcome to join my army anytime."
With that, she turned to leave.
Just then, Ah Yu suddenly knelt before the Ninth Princess, "I wish to join the army."
The Ninth Princess looked at her, "Do you know the hardships of being a soldier?"
Ah Yu clenched her fists, "No matter how hard it is, I won't be afraid."
The Ninth Princess looked at her for a long while, then nodded, "Come with me."
With that, she rode away.
Ah Yu stood up, looked at Ye Xuan, "Remember, my name is Ah Yu."
With that, she quickly chased after the Ninth Princess.
"Brother!"
Ye Ling ran over, hugging Ye Xuan's arm tightly, as if afraid he'd disappear.
Ye Xuan gently patted her hand, smiling, "It's okay. I won't let anything happen to me!"
He looked at Lu Xiaoran, "Senior Lu, was that the Ninth Princess of our Jiang Kingdom?"
Lu Xiaoran nodded, "Indeed, it was her."
Hearing this, Ye Xuan turned to look towards the distant street.
The Ninth Princess!
He had heard of her, a legend alongside An Lanxiu.
Seeming to remember something, Ye Xuan asked, "Senior Lu, this city is crucial. Why don't we station a large force here?"
Beside Ye Xuan, Lu Xiaoran said softly, "There was a truce between our kingdom and Tang. To avoid escalating tensions, no large forces were stationed here. Sending troops would imply readiness for war. But our concessions have only emboldened Tang. Now that the Ninth Princess is here, war may be imminent."
War?
Ye Xuan had never experienced war, but he knew one thing: if war broke out, many would die.
If possible, it was better to avoid war.
Half an hour later, everyone boarded the cloud ship. As the ship set off, Twin Boundaries City grew smaller and smaller...
While the imperial capital drew nearer and nearer!
…