The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

"Protect the King!" The Kheshig soldiers beside him were terrified and rushed forward to block the Marquis of Weiyuan's counterattack.

Luan Di Maodun looked down at the still trembling, dark blue arrow fletching under his arm, then stared in shock and anger at the blurry silver figure on the city wall, his eyes filled with unbelievable resentment and... a chill that went deep into his bones.

It's her again! And that strange arrow again!

He knew he couldn't delay any longer!

With his right arm crippled, Marquis Weiyuan has finally recovered, but he's likely to perish here today!

"Retreat! Retreat north!" With his last breath, Luandi Maodun roared and, under the desperate protection of his personal guards, broke free from the entanglement with Weiyuan Hou and fled north.

With their commander-in-chief seriously wounded and forced to flee, the central army wavered, and the Di army, which had been struggling to hold on, finally collapsed completely!

The army collapsed like a house of cards. Countless Di soldiers abandoned their armor and weapons, wishing they had more legs, and fled for their lives in the north.

"Chase! Don't let Luan Di Maodun escape!" Marquis Weiyuan steadied his blood and qi, brandishing his halberd and shouting.

"Open the city gates! Pursue them!" Yun Jin shouted from the city wall.

With the gates of Tiebi Pass wide open, Zhou Bo led the remaining garrison troops who were still able to fight, joining forces with the army of Marquis Weiyuan. Like a flood bursting its banks, they swept towards the fleeing Di people!

They chased and killed for thirty miles, leaving corpses strewn across the fields and rivers of blood flowing.

Under the desperate protection of the Kheshig army, Luan Di Maodun led less than three thousand surviving cavalry in a sorry state, fleeing into the vast snowfield, his whereabouts unknown.

Thus, the Battle of Tiebi Pass ended with Jiang Qiong's resounding victory.

Of the 50,000 Di troops, more than 30,000 were killed or captured, their supplies and provisions were all lost, and Luandi Modu fled with serious injuries. They were no longer able to invade the south in the short term.

The critical situation in northern Xinjiang was turned around in one fell swoop.

As the blood-red sunset once again illuminated the battered yet towering walls of Iron Wall Pass, and the countless corpses and tattered flags of the Di people scattered across the mountains and plains beyond the pass, the surviving soldiers, whether defenders or reinforcements, collapsed to the ground as if utterly exhausted. Many embraced each other and wept, their cries shaking the heavens, tears of joy and catharsis.

Marquis Zhao Qingcang, supported by his personal guards, ascended the "Zhenbei Tower," which was now in ruins and stained with blood.

He watched as Princess Yun Jin of Jingguo slowly walked upstairs. Her silver armor was almost covered in blood, and her face showed extreme exhaustion, but her eyes were brighter and deeper than ever before.

Zhao Qingcang pushed aside his personal guards, stepped forward, and slowly and solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute and bowed to Yun Jin, a princess who was young enough to be his granddaughter.

"Your Highness," the old general's voice was slightly hoarse, but filled with heartfelt respect and admiration, "This old minister...is convinced. The Iron Wall Pass was held, the Northern Barbarians were defeated—Your Highness deserves the greatest credit! Old Zhao...thanks Your Highness for saving my life, and even more so for guarding this northern border for Jiang Qiong!"

This gift weighed over a thousand pounds.

It's not just an acknowledgment of Yun Jin's merits in this battle, but also an acceptance of her as a person and of the possibility and hope she represents.

Yun Jin quickly stepped aside and offered a hand to support him, saying, "Your Excellency is too kind! Without Your Excellency's timely assistance, brilliant strategy, and the soldiers' valiant efforts, even with my modest contribution, it would have been difficult to turn the tide. The credit for this battle belongs to Your Excellency, to Governor Zhou, and even more so to every soldier who fought valiantly in the Northern Frontier! Yun Jin dares not take credit."

"No," Zhao Qingcang straightened up, his eyes shining brightly, "Your Highness need not be so modest. Luring the enemy, defending the city, assassinating the enemy chieftain, turning the tide of the crisis... Your Highness's actions have far exceeded the duties of a mere 'military observer.' This old minister has fought countless battles throughout his life and has seen countless heroes, but those with Your Highness's courage, strategy, and sense of responsibility are few and far between, let alone Your Highness being a woman. It is truly a blessing for the nation and a boon for His Majesty to have such a daughter!"

He paused, then said in a deep voice, "The war here is over, but the northern frontier has suffered a great calamity and is in dire need of reconstruction. This old minister will immediately submit a memorial to request commendations for Your Highness and the meritorious soldiers. In addition," his gaze deepened, "Your Highness's investigation of the traitors within the pass... those things, this old minister will submit to His Majesty in a secret memorial. Some people, some things, it is time for reckoning."

Yun Jin understood.

The old general has made it clear that he will stand by her side and support her in investigating the Crown Prince's treason.

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Yun Jin bowed again. "The aftermath in the Northern Frontier still requires Your Excellency's leadership. I will soon be returning to the capital to report on my duties. Before I depart, I have a request."

"Your Highness, please speak."

"Commander Zhou Bo is commendable for his loyalty and bravery, and is well-versed in border affairs. His meritorious service in defending the pass this time is outstanding. Could you please recommend him, Your Excellency, to temporarily assume the post of garrison commander of Shuofeng City, so that he can atone for his past mistakes and improve border defenses to defend against future attacks?"

Yun Jin recommended Zhou Bo for commendation. Zhou Bo may not be the most capable, but he is loyal, experienced, and a suitable candidate to stabilize the situation in the northern border region.

Zhao Qingcang stroked his beard and nodded: "That's exactly right. Zhou Bo is indeed a good choice. Leave this matter to this old minister."

"Furthermore," Yun Jin said, looking at Zhao Jianing's troops who were clearing the battlefield outside the city, "Commander Zhao and his righteous men have performed a great service this time. I ask that Your Excellency reward them accordingly. They... are mostly from the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world), not seeking fame but only practical benefits."

Zhao Qingcang understood and smiled, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old minister understands. Rewarding merit and punishing wrongdoing are the fundamental principles of military governance. I have made arrangements for Commander Zhao and the others, and I will ensure that the righteous men are not disheartened."

The two discussed some follow-up details until night had completely fallen.

When Yun Jin dragged her nearly broken body back to her temporary residence, Qing Dai had already prepared hot water and clean clothes.

Immersed in the warm water, exhaustion overwhelmed her like a tidal wave, yet her spirits soared. They won! They really won!

Not only did they defend the Iron Wall Pass and defeat Modu, but they also gained the recognition and support of Marquis Weiyuan, a key military official.

"Mr. Su..." She closed her eyes, and the image of that always calm and composed face, yet seemingly able to see through everything, appeared in her mind. "The path you paved for me, the power you provided for me, I have walked it all and grasped it in my hands. Now, it's time to return to the capital. There, a tough battle awaits us."

She could almost see the towering palace walls of Lin Yuan City, her father's complex and unfathomable gaze, the eldest prince's panicked and resentful face, and the third prince's deep and inscrutable smile.

But so what?

Now, she, Princess Yun Jin of Jingguo, returns to the court with the credit for the great victory in the northern frontier, the assistance of the Marquis of Weiyuan's military, the infallible strategies of Mr. Su, and... the deadly evidence hidden in her sleeve.

Is a storm coming?

No, she will be the one to start the storm.