Liu Qingmei.
She was about one meter sixty-eight, with a graceful figure, exquisite features, and hair meticulously tied atop her head. Beneath her white clothing, her entire being exuded an ethereal and transcendent aura.
Like a banished immortal from the heavens.
Between her slender fingers, she constantly toyed with a small three-inch knife, its movements agile and sprite-like.
Never mind the others around her; even Chen Yang was dazzled.
"Though I have long since cast aside my martial attire, and even if the world forgets or reviles me, I will never forget my love for my homeland. I will toil until my last breath."
"As expected of someone from my Red Lotus Valley."
Liu Qingmei stood before Chen Yang, pulled him to his feet, and let a smile touch her lips. "Are you all right?"
"I'm not dying anytime soon." Chen Yang took a deep breath and cupped his fists. "Thank you, Cousin."
"We're family. There's no need for such formalities."
Liu Qingmei waved her hand. "Besides, this was our Red Lotus Valley's fault to begin with. If it weren't for a traitor like her, with your skills, you would probably already be at the gates of the Barbarian capital."
"This woman... she thinks she can murder her peers and just walk away?"
Liu Qingmei glanced at Wang Yan and said solemnly, "I will kill you, even if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth."
Wang Yan: "..."
Chen Yang finally understood.
Back during the battle at Qingyuan River, Liu Qingmei had mentioned that she had important matters to attend to. Now, it seemed that she had been hunting this woman named Wang Yan.
To murder one's own sect members was indeed a crime punishable by death.
But to meet his cousin once again, Chen Yang felt exceedingly fortunate.
"I… I…" Wang Yan's expression shifted several times. She considered fleeing but ultimately took a step forward. Just as she was about to defend herself, the small knife dancing between Liu Qingmei's fingers shot directly toward her.
"You…"
Wang Yan's expression changed drastically as she struggled to resist.
SHLICK!
The silver blade tore through the air, sharp and unstoppable, and pierced directly into Wang Yan's heart, followed by a gush of blood.
Wang Yan, a woman who exuded nobility, looked down at the wound in her chest and collapsed stiffly to the ground.
Chen Yang: "..."
Everyone: "..."
Wang Yan's prowess was evident to all; even Chen Yang, wielding the Traveling Dragon Sword, had been utterly overpowered by her.
But now...
HISS.
Everyone drew a sharp breath.
What was this woman's true power?
"Hehe…" Liu Qingmei pulled out a silk handkerchief and wiped her hands as if she had just done something utterly trivial. She smiled at Chen Yang. "You know, if you had grown up in our Red Lotus Valley, with your talent, even I, your cousin, would probably have to admit defeat."
Chen Yang scratched his head. "Cousin, I still have things to attend to. I'll leave you to it."
With that, he dragged his weary body over to Ning Kun.
"He's not fatally wounded. He won't die just yet," Yang Hu, drenched in Ning Kun's blood, said gravely.
"Boss, the flag didn't fall!" Ning Kun, having received some basic first aid, looked up at the command flag he clutched tightly and grinned. "I told you, even if I die, the flag must not fall!"
"You did it." Chen Yang patted his shoulder, his eyes brimming with tears.
This was a true man!
Of course, the same went for all the others.
So what if there were three million elite Barbarians? We will use our flesh and blood to forge a steel wall. If you want to breach our nation's gates, you'll have to step over our corpses first!
"Get some rest," Chen Yang said.
But Ning Kun grabbed Chen Yang's arm. "Boss, I can still fight! I want to personally plant this command flag in the heart of the Barbarian capital and let it fly over this land forever!"
"Good!"
Chen Yang nodded, an understanding smile breaking across his face. "But you must rest first."
"Yes, Commander!" Ning Kun snapped his hand up in a respectful salute.
"Yang Hu, Liu Wu."
"Here, Commander!"
"Rest and reorganize." Chen Yang looked toward the Barbarian capital, his eyes narrowing to slits as a cold light flickered within them. "We march in one hour."
"Yes, Commander!"
Standing to the side, Liu Qingmei watched, entranced. She nodded to herself. "As expected of someone from my Red Lotus Valley."
If Chen Shangwu, the Sovereign of the Chen Family, were here, he would likely argue with her. *This is Chen Yang of the Chen Family. His surname is Chen. What business is it of your Red Lotus Valley?*
"Chen Yang, come here," Liu Qingmei beckoned.
As Chen Yang approached, she continued, "I know a fair bit about the affairs of this mortal world. As the saying goes, great merit can eclipse that of the ruler."
Chen Yang remained silent.
How could he not feel the chill behind those words?
But some things still have to be done by someone, don't they?
Liu Qingmei stuffed a porcelain bottle into Chen Yang's hands. "Throughout the long course of history, of all those who have placed others upon the Dragon Throne and dressed them in the King's brocade robes, how many have met a good end?
"Whoever's military exploits shine the brightest is the one who is doomed to die. It has always been this way. Once the battles subside and things return to normal, a purge will inevitably begin. It's not just for this generation, but to clear away obstacles for the next. How can a ruler tolerate another sleeping soundly beside their own bed?
"Even if you have no such intention, the entire world chants your name. How can you stop their endless chatter? And how can you possibly assuage the suspicion of those in power?
"This coming age of prosperity, destined for millennia, is not something you are fated to see."
With that, Liu Qingmei patted Chen Yang's shoulder and pressed a jade pendant from her waist into his hand. "I think I understand you. There are some things no one can stop you from doing. You take after your mother in that regard."
If only Liu Xu had heeded that advice, she would not have so resolutely stepped into the mortal world to marry an ordinary man, only to meet such a tragic end.
"Keep this jade pendant with you. At a critical moment, it could save your life."
"Thank you, Cousin," Chen Yang said gratefully.
"Sigh…" Liu Qingmei let out a long sigh. She had wanted to persuade him further, to see if the prodigal might turn back, but seeing his resolve, she gave up.
She turned to leave, her final words echoing through the air, "It was right to kill those people from the Biluo Sword Valley.
"By the way, visit Red Lotus Valley when you have time. Your grandmother wants to see you."
"Alright, Cousin."
「Meanwhile」
News of victory from Hanyun Valley swept through the nation like a hurricane.
"We've won! We've finally won this battle!"
"Three million elite Barbarians have been completely annihilated, and the New Sovereign Hei Qi was pinned to Phoenix Water Mountain with a single strike from the Supreme Martial Commander's sword!"
"How satisfying! This is the true spirit of our nation's iron-blooded men."
"Thank you, Supreme Martial Commander Chen Yang!"
The entire country erupted in jubilation.
Everywhere the mountains and rivers reached, wherever the sun and moon shone, all living beings chanted one person's name—
The Former Chief Military Commander, Chen Yang.
At that moment, having finished reorganizing his troops, Chen Yang led his army south. Splitting his forces into six divisions, he charged straight into the Barbarian territories.
This time, the Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon banner would fly eternally over this land.
...