Hurt my loved ones? I'm not guarding this country's borders anymore!

The sky over Cangcheng was just beginning to brighten when it was completely awakened by a series of uniform hoofbeats that seemed capable of crushing hearts.

The sound came from the official road.

Countless people, awakened by the shock, peered cautiously through the cracks in the door and gasped in horror.

It was a guard of honor they had never seen before.

The soldiers' golden armor gleamed with a cold yet noble light in the morning sun, far superior to the standard armor of the military command.

They were guarding a magnificent phoenix carriage drawn by eight magnificent white horses. The carriage was made of sandalwood, carved with dragons and phoenixes, and adorned with pearls at the four corners. The beaded curtains swayed slightly with the carriage, emitting a seven-colored halo.

Above the honor guard, a flag embroidered with a golden phoenix fluttered in the wind.

Royal procession!!!

People from the capital have arrived!

Moreover, judging from this entourage, it's definitely not the same eunuch envoy whose face was swollen from the last beating.

Sima Nantian, the general of Cangcheng, had long since taken off his armor and put on a brand-new official uniform. He was leading all the officers of the rank of captain and above in the military command, waiting respectfully at the city gate.

His expression was more solemn than ever before.

Just last night, he received an urgent secret order from the capital.

Princess Huimin has come in person!

Princess... What is she doing here?

Was it to bring Shen Jinglong to justice, or was there another motive?

Sima Nantian's mind was in complete turmoil. He only hoped that Commander Long wouldn't do anything impulsive again.

The phoenix carriage slowly came to a stop at the city gate.

Sima Nantian immediately stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and shouted in a loud voice.

"General Sima Nantian of Cangcheng, leading all the soldiers of the Military Command, respectfully welcomes Princess Huimin!"

The beaded curtain was casually parted by one fair hand after another.

One after another, stunningly beautiful faces appeared before the crowd.

She wore a phoenix hairpin and palace attire, with exquisite features, yet possessed an innate nobility and heroic spirit that was incomparable to the delicate noble ladies of the capital.

She is Princess Huimin.

She didn't even look at Sima Nantian kneeling on the ground. Her gaze swept past him, surveying the city that had just been ravaged by bloodshed, and a playful smile appeared on her lips.

"Where is Shen Jinglong?"

Her voice was cold, yet authoritative.

Sima Nantian's heart sank suddenly.

Oh no, the princess really did come for Commander Long!

"Reporting to...Reporting to the Princess, Commander Long..."

"lead the way."

Princess Huimin, too lazy to listen to his explanation, interrupted him directly.

"This princess will not stay at the post station, but will go and see where Marshal Shen is staying."

Upon hearing this, Sima Nantian and the group of officers behind him all changed their expressions.

Why not stay at the post station arranged by the government, and instead go directly to find Shen Jinglong?

What... what does this mean?

~~~

Zheng Family Courtyard.

Shen Jinglong had already heard the commotion outside.

He stood in the yard with his hands behind his back, his face expressionless, as if nothing concerned him.

Princess Huimin?

What is she doing here?

No matter who she is, she won't stop me from taking my revenge.

Soon, the grand royal procession came to a stop at the entrance of this dilapidated villa.

The magnificent phoenix carriage stood in stark and ironic contrast to the overgrown, musty courtyard.

Princess Huimin, supported by a group of maids, stepped down from the imperial carriage.

She looked at the man standing in the middle of the courtyard, facing the royal guard of honor but not even bothering to bend his waist, and a hint of curiosity and inquiry flashed in her beautiful eyes.

She waved her hand, signaling all the ceremonial guards and soldiers to remain where they were.

Then, she walked into the courtyard alone.

The embroidered high-heeled shoes made a soft sound as they stepped on the muddy moss.

She walked step by step to Shen Jinglong and stopped.

The two of them just stared at each other.

One was a powerful and influential princess, born into a wealthy and noble family.

One was the Northern War God, who struck fear into the hearts of the four great families and even dared to attack the king's special envoy.

A subtle tension permeated the air.

After a long while, Princess Huimin spoke first.

Her voice betrayed no emotion.

"You're Shen Jinglong?"

Shen Jinglong did not answer.

Princess Huimin didn't mind. She walked around Shen Jinglong as if she were examining an interesting object.

"I am very curious, what gave you the courage to refuse the marriage decree from the King and my father in front of 300,000 soldiers?"

She walked back to Shen Jinglong and, without waiting for his reply, laughed to herself.

"However, I understand a little now."

Her smile held a hint of appreciation.

"He'd risk everything for a woman, he'd slaughter an entire city for his family. That's far better than those spineless cowards in the capital who only know how to scheme and plot."

"Therefore, this princess admires you."

Do you admire me?

Shen Jinglong sneered inwardly.

They probably chose this knife because it's sharp enough.

None of these powerful and influential people in the capital are good people.

"I know that your sister and your daughter are both seriously injured."

Princess Huimin, as if by magic, took out a crystal-clear jade bottle from her sleeve.

"This is my father's treasured Nine-Turn Jade Dew Pill, a sacred medicine for healing in the palace. It can bring the dead back to life and heal flesh and bones. It has miraculous effects."

She handed over the jade bottle.

"Consider this a small gift from me, the princess, to you as we first meet."

Shen Jinglong's gaze finally moved.

He glanced at the jade bottle, then at Princess Huimin.

He knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.

"condition?"

He uttered two words.

"clever."

Princess Huimin smiled even more happily.

Talking to smart people is effortless.

Her smile slowly faded, and her tone became serious.

"Shen Jinglong, you've caused a huge disturbance in Cangcheng this time."

"As far as I know, there are already quite a few people in the capital who hate you to the core and are determined to punish you."

"No matter how great your achievements in the North are, they can't withstand this kind of torment. You've become everyone's target, and your situation is very dangerous."

This is a warning.

This is also a reminder.

Shen Jinglong accepted the jade bottle expressionlessly.

"I'll take the medicine."

His voice was cold, neither humble nor arrogant.

"I'll remember this favor."

"But that doesn't mean anything."

Princess Huimin raised an eyebrow.

Shen Jinglong continued, "My sister's grudge and my daughter's suffering are all inextricably linked to those people in the capital."

"Everything I did was for revenge."

"Anyone who dares to stand in my way is my enemy."

"Even the king is no exception."

His voice was calm, but the madness and determination in his words sent a chill down Princess Huimin's spine.

This man... is serious.

He actually dares to oppose the imperial power of the entire Dragon Kingdom!!!

interesting.

Just as rumored, it was an unruly and fierce tiger.

Princess Huimin was not angry at all; on the contrary, her interest in her eyes grew even stronger.

Such a person can either be recruited for your own use, or... you can only destroy them.

She gave Shen Jinglong a meaningful look.

"it is good."

"This princess wants to see how you plan to turn this world upside down."

She left behind a meaningful remark, turned around, and walked out of the courtyard.

"Issue my order: I, the princess, will temporarily reside in the Military Commandery. I will personally take over all defenses of Cangcheng."

She sat on the phoenix carriage, and the beaded curtain was drawn, blocking everyone's view.

The grand honor guard started up again and set off towards Bingmasi.

Her arrival was like a gust of wind, shattering the brief peace in Cangcheng after the bloodshed.

Everyone knew in their hearts that the world in Cangcheng was about to change again.

Shen Jinglong held the jade bottle in his hand, feeling the pure medicinal power emanating from it, but his gaze grew colder and colder.

The eyes of the entire capital are now fixed on this place.

His time is running out.

The Zhou family, the Wang family...

We must speed things up!!!