CHAPTER 69: A Storm Ahead, A Familiar Face Returns

Chapter 69: A Storm Ahead, A Familiar Face Returns

Longxing City had been taken. But to reach the heart of the Xingluo Empire, Qin Chuan and his force of one hundred had to cross no fewer than sixteen cities, both great and small.

Since forcibly breaching Longxing City, every city along the route refused them entry.

Small cities, lacking powerful soul masters, chose to bar their gates, forcing Qin Chuan's group to detour. Larger cities, however—fueled by Xingluo's fierce and martial culture—sent troops to intercept them directly.

The results were predictable.

Regardless of their stance—passive denial or active resistance—each city fell, broken open by Qin Chuan alone, then quickly annexed back into Tiandou territory.

In the beginning, Marshal Ge Long, who had been called to receive the team, was shocked beyond belief.

But as the days passed, his astonishment numbed.

By the end, he no longer questioned Qin Chuan's methods. Instead, he followed far behind with his forces, waiting for each city to fall, then arriving to officially claim it in the name of the Tiandou Empire.

It was outrageous—

But it worked.

In just five or six days, most of the cities along their route were under Tiandou's banner once again.

Ge Long's aging face flushed red with excitement.

Watching that tall, solitary figure open yet another city gate with a single stroke of his sword, his gaze brimmed with zealous admiration.

For an old general like him, expanding the borders and carving names onto the Yanran Stele were the highest honors a man could achieve.

And to him now, Qin Chuan—

Was a god.

With the Holy Spirit Sword swirling around him, Qin Chuan's mental command dropped tens of thousands of enemy soldiers to the ground like wheat before the scythe.

Blood pooled in rivers.

As he skewered a Soul Douluo atop the city tower, the sky itself seemed to turn crimson from the slaughter.

"…Did we kill too many people?"

Qin Chuan muttered to himself, his tone unreadable.

Just then, hoofbeats thundered behind him—Ge Long had arrived again with his troops.

"Hahaha! Your Majesty Qin Chuan, press onward! Leave the aftermath to me!"

The old marshal beamed, his excitement almost youthful.

Qin Chuan ignored him, turning instead to the commander of the armored army.

"How long until we reach Xingluo City?"

"Reporting, Your Majesty. Approximately five more days."

The commander's gaze, like everyone else's, was filled with fanaticism.

Too strong. Too fierce. Too invincible.

They were witnessing a living miracle. One man, one sword, and entire armies crumbled.

Qin Chuan's eyes gleamed.

"Then we're nearly halfway there," he murmured. "So—what will the Xingluo Empire do?"

"It should be about time…"

Suddenly, hoofbeats came from the left.

A scout rode back at top speed, face pale.

"Reporting! Xingluo forces sighted, twenty miles ahead to the left!"

Here they come.

Ge Long stepped forward, his expression serious. "How many? What's their strength?"

"About ten people, sir."

"…Ten?"

Ge Long frowned. That didn't make sense. Why would Xingluo send only ten people?

Qin Chuan felt the same.

Sweeping out his spiritual power, he detected a small group approaching swiftly on horseback.

They were fast. And yet—

His brows furrowed, and his expression shifted subtly.

"Your Majesty Qin Chuan, is something wrong?" Ge Long asked, alarmed. He had never seen Qin Chuan frown before. He was always calm, unshakable.

"…Why is she here?" Qin Chuan muttered.

"Should we retreat into the city first?" Ge Long suggested. "No matter who it is, we'll have the advantage behind the walls."

"No need."

Qin Chuan shook his head.

"You go on ahead. I'll wait here. The person approaching… is an acquaintance."

Ge Long hesitated, but obeyed, leading the main army into the city.

Only Qin Chuan and a few hundred armored soldiers remained outside.

He had meant to send them in too—but the armored army commander, thinking a powerful enemy was coming, insisted on staying.

Ye Lingling emerged from her carriage as well, refusing to leave his side.

Qin Chuan had no choice but to let them stay.

Before long, dust rose on the horizon.

Ten riders galloped forward, fast and focused.

At the front rode a woman in black.

She was striking—tall and curvaceous, her face cold and dignified, untouched by travel.

Zhu Zhuqing.

She had rushed here from the Netherworld Zhu Clan overnight.

"Why are you here?" Qin Chuan called from afar.

Zhu Zhuqing dismounted, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, leave. Now."

The riders behind her did not dismount. They merely tightened their reins, staring daggers at Qin Chuan.

Regardless of how close their young miss was with him, they had no goodwill for an invader.

"You came all the way from Xingluo City… just to tell me to leave?" Qin Chuan asked with a touch of amusement.

"Yes," Zhu Zhuqing replied softly.

She raised her eyes—and froze.

She had spotted Ye Lingling standing beside Qin Chuan.

She recognized her instantly. They had fought before.

But why was she here? And standing that close to him?

Qin Chuan noticed Zhu Zhuqing's subtle change in expression.

"You know something," he said sharply. "What is it?"

Zhu Zhuqing composed herself.

"Word of what happened in Longxing City has reached the royal court," she said. "The Emperor is enraged."

"He's sent border troops to reclaim the territory you've taken. He's also sent someone to intercept you from the front—Duanmu Gongfeng, with two hundred Xingluo Guards."

"You must retreat, now."

As her voice fell, Qin Chuan was still processing it when gasps echoed around him.

"Two hundred Xingluo Guards?!"

The armored army commander's face was grim.

"The Xingluo Guards… they're the elite personal guard of the Emperor. Like our Royal Knights—but stronger. Their minimum requirement is Soul King level."

"In other words… two hundred Soul Kings or above."

Qin Chuan's expression shifted.

He had been about to comment on the Xingluo Emperor's ruthlessness—but suddenly, he turned around sharply, his instincts flaring.