I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1038 Submission, Triumphant Return, and Conferment of Titles (6K4)

"Samira! You are the Queen!"

Abkhaya finally couldn't hold back and shouted, "Don't do this! It was my fault, I deserve to die!"

Seeing Samira kneeling in the blood and mud, begging for mercy from the outsider for his sake, the iron-blooded general was immediately moved to tears. He struggled to stand up, but Su Yao stepped on him.

"Quiet down." Su Yao said coldly. "It seems our Queen does indeed have some courage."

He looked around at the kneeling Southern soldiers: "Do you all see this? This is the queen you were supposed to kill!"

The soldiers looked at each other, and many of them lowered their heads in shame.

Su Yao withdrew his gaze and looked at Samira: "Get up. The Queen should not kneel before anyone."

“Holy Lord.” Samira shook her head.

"Alright, for your sake, I'll give them two choices—"

With a loud "Duang!", Su Yao planted Indra's Wrath into the ground and shouted to the soldiers:

"Now, you either continue to resist and die here, or lay down your weapons immediately and swear allegiance to Queen Samira!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the sound of weapons hitting the ground rang out on the battlefield. Countless southern soldiers knelt on the ground, shouting "Long live the Queen!"

Seeing this, Abkhaya finally broke down completely.

He struggled to crawl toward Samira: "Your Majesty...I...I was so foolish!"

Samira quickly helped him up: "Uncle Abkhaya, get up."

Su Yao brandished Indra's Wrath and pointed it at Abuhaya: "Abuhaya, for your niece's sake, I'll spare your life. But you'll be spared the death penalty, though—"

"Effective immediately, you are stripped of all military ranks and titles, reduced to a commoner, and forbidden from ever stepping out of the capital again. If you dare to harbor any disloyal thoughts again, I will exterminate your entire clan!"

Abhaiya trembled and kowtowed heavily: "Your Majesty, I am guilty and accept punishment. I thank you for sparing my life!"

"Take your troops back to camp!"

Su Yao snorted coldly, turned around and walked towards the crowd, not even glancing back at the person behind him:
Samira watched Su Yao's retreating figure and whispered, "Thank you for your forgiveness, Holy Lord."

"Remember, this is what you owe me."

Su Yao waved his hand without turning his head: "Your Majesty, the rest is up to you."

Samira wiped away her tears, but a slight smile played on her lips as she whispered, "I...I will definitely repay you."

Having said that, she finally stood up, took Abkhaya's hand, turned to the surrounding soldiers, took a deep breath, and shouted:
"Soldiers, the war is over!"

"From this day forward, the Kushan Empire will no longer distinguish between North and South! All are my subjects. Under the protection of our Holy Lord, let us join hands to build a better kingdom!"

"Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the Holy Lord!"

A deafening roar erupted on the battlefield as soldiers raised their weapons, their shouts like a tidal wave. Samira stood out in the crowd, her figure particularly striking.

At the same time, Su Yao, who was slowly disappearing into the crowd, quietly put on a smile.

And so, this war, which should have been a bloodbath, quickly came to an end with minimal casualties.

Of the 40,000 Southern Army soldiers under Abhaiya, all but 2,000 who died in the chaos surrendered.

Queen Samira's performance in this battle solidified her position in the hearts of these soldiers.

"You did a good job today, Your Majesty."

That night, inside the military camp tent, Su Yao looked back at Samira, who had just finished bathing and changed into an elegant long dress, a playful smile on his lips.

Samira blushed slightly and lowered her head, whispering, "Thanks to the Holy Lord's intervention, otherwise countless people would have died today."

"Ah."

Su Yao chuckled lightly: "You certainly know how to say nice things. But it's true, if I hadn't shown mercy, your little tricks wouldn't have saved anyone."

Samira trembled, bit her lip, and suddenly fell silent.

Su Yao stood up, walked slowly to her, and reached out to lift her chin: "What's wrong? Are you feeling wronged?"

“No,” Samira shook her head. “I just didn’t expect the Holy Lord to see through my thoughts.”

"Your little schemes are no match for me." Su Yao released his hand, turned and walked to the window. "However, I do admire your courage and wisdom."

Moonlight streamed through the tent, illuminating Su Yao's tall, straight back. Samira gazed at his profile and suddenly asked, "Holy Lord, why are you willing to cooperate with me in this charade?"

"Acting?" Su Yao raised an eyebrow.

“It was… a deliberate attempt to give me a chance to prove myself on the battlefield,” Samira whispered. “You could have easily killed Abkhaya, but you deliberately waited for me to rush over and plead for him.”

Su Yao laughed: "It seems that our Queen is not all just a pretty face."

Su Yao turned around, walked back to Samira's side, and looked directly into her eyes: "Then why don't you guess why I did this?"

Samira took a deep breath and mustered her courage to meet Su Yao's gaze: "Because... you need a real queen, not just an incompetent puppet?"

"Intelligent." Su Yao nodded approvingly. "A puppet in the hands of a powerful figure is nothing without its master's control. But a queen who dares to plead for her people on the battlefield and protect them..."

He reached out and gently stroked Samira's cheek: "This is the kind of image that makes soldiers worthy of their sworn loyalty."

Samira's eyes welled up with tears: "So you're helping me establish my authority?"

It's simply a win-win situation.

Su Yao withdrew his hand and turned around: "Just like I said, an incompetent puppet will be overthrown sooner or later, while a true queen can manage this land for me when I am not around."

Samira's eyes suddenly widened: "You're leaving?!"

“Of course.” Su Yao walked to the map. “The Kushan Empire is just one stop on my westward expedition, not the end. Parthia, India, Rome, and a wider world await my conquest.”

Samira watched Su Yao's retreating figure, a sudden surge of inexplicable loss and panic welling up inside her.

She bit her lower lip lightly, tugged at Su Yao's sleeve, and whispered, "Will you come back?"

Su Yao turned around, looking at her with a half-smile: "What, you don't want me to leave?"

Samira's face flushed crimson instantly, but her grip tightened involuntarily: "I...I just..."

"Don't worry." Su Yao walked back to her side and gently patted her shoulder. "Before I leave, I will make sure your throne is secure. And..."

Su Yao glanced at the map again and said, "The Kushan Empire is a passage connecting the Han Dynasty with the Western world. We will have many more opportunities to meet in the future."

Samira's eyes held a complex and unreadable expression upon hearing this.

She wasn't sure if it was true or false, whether this man would really fight his way west to the ends of the earth, or if he was just giving her a perfunctory answer and then returning to his old home in the east after a while, never to look west again.
This immense uncertainty left Samira feeling anxious, knowing full well that everything she had was built upon the will and immense power of the man before her.

If this premise disappears, can this crumbling kingdom really be maintained by its own strength?
Thinking of this, Samira unconsciously clenched Su Yao's sleeve, as if she could keep him there.

Su Yao noticed her unease and chuckled, "What, worried you can't handle it?"

Samira bit her lip and nodded honestly: "I...I'm afraid of letting you down."

"Do not worry."

Su Yao gently patted Samira's head: "I will not abandon my allies. Since I have supported you, I will fulfill my responsibilities to the end."

"Even if you don't believe in yourself, you should trust my judgment. You are beautiful, intelligent, and brave, and you will surely become the greatest queen in the history of this land."

Samira nestled gently in Su Yao's arms, tightly embracing the man's strong waist. After a moment, as if she had made a decision, she raised her head, tilted her face upward, and said:

"I believe that God will grant me your blessing and leave me a gift."

"What do you want?" Su Yao asked thoughtfully.

Samira took a deep breath, her cheeks flushed like the sunset, and whispered, biting her lip, "Please grant me your bloodline."

Su Yao was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter: "My Queen, do you know what you're saying?"

Samira's face turned as red as a ripe apple. She nestled in Su Yao's arms and whispered, "I understand, I know."

"Even before you helped me ascend the throne, I said I would serve you for the rest of my life."

"Now, I am ready."

Samira's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible, but her eyes remained firm and fervent.

Su Yao gazed at her, his fingers gently tracing her flushed cheeks: "Are you sure? Once you have my child, you..."

"He will become the most honorable prince in this land, ruling the world in the name of the Son of God, becoming the strongest link between East and West, and no one will dare to question his legitimacy."

Samira looked up and took Su Yao's hand: "There is no better blessing than this, and this child will be my most loyal promise to you."

Su Yao remained silent for a moment, staring at Samira, and slowly said, "Very good, remember your words. Tonight, I will give you a night you will never forget."

Before he could finish speaking, Su Yao had already swept Samira up in his arms and strode toward the bed.

The bright moonlight shone into the tent, and the candlelight outlined the intertwined shadows of the two people.

Is this your first time? Tell me if it hurts.

"Please don't be shy, brand me with your mark. Samira, you will always be mine."

“What a bold girl. Very well, so be it, Your Majesty.”

Soon, a fierce storm broke out in the tent, the man's panting and the girl's cries echoing through the silent military camp.

The soldiers outside the tent discreetly dispersed, and by the next morning, the news of their relationship had spread throughout the military camp.

In the early morning, when Samira woke up in Su Yao's arms and saw Su Yao's mischievous smile, she immediately pulled the blanket over her face like a startled fawn.

"Now you know how to be shy?" Su Yao pinched her reddened earlobe. "Who was it that hugged me and said—"

"Don't say it!" Samira hurriedly covered his mouth, and the silk quilt slid down his smooth shoulders, revealing bright red spots on the girl's snow-white neck and collarbone.

"Oh my god."

"How am I supposed to go out and face people like this?"

"What are you afraid of? Isn't this the mark you wanted?"

Su Yao pulled her into his arms: "Don't worry, my woman, let's see who dares to say anything against me."

And just as Su Yao said, when the two left the tent hand in hand, Samira saw, for the first time, a hint of awe in the eyes of the soldiers.

Following the military briefing, Generals Abuhaya and Rahman sent various rare gifts to express their loyalty to the Queen.

Samira understood that it was all because of the man beside her.

She stole a glance at Su Yao's profile, feeling a mix of sweet pride and bitterness—she had gotten the security she wanted, but had also completely fallen into this complicated relationship.

Three days later, the army returned in triumph, and the city of Fulousha was deserted as everyone flocked to the streets.

Saintess Dina and the Grand Preceptor Tipo organized a large number of people to flood the streets and cheer in celebration of Su Yao and the Queen's return.

"Long live the Holy Lord!"

"Long live the Queen!!"

Amid cheers, Samira sat regally on her chariot, clad in a magnificent gown and wearing a jeweled crown. Beside her stood Su Yao, impeccably dressed in military attire, exuding extraordinary valor.

Dina led the temple priests to greet Samira in front of the palace. When she saw the faint red mark on Samira's neck, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Welcome back in triumph, Your Majesty!" Dina bowed deeply.

Samira smiled and extended her hand to her: "Dina, you've had a hard time these past few days."

Upon entering the palace, Su Yao immediately convened a meeting of his senior officials. Abhayya was escorted into the palace and, in full view of everyone, apologized to the Queen.

"This subject was foolish and nearly caused a great disaster," the former Southern Commander knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the earth. "Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Samira looked at Su Yao, and after receiving his tacit approval, she slowly stepped forward to help Abhayya up: "Uncle, please get up. Let bygones be bygones. I hope you can assist me in the future."

Abkhad responded with tears in his eyes, declaring that the southern factions would unite closely around the Queen and pledge their loyalty to the death.

At the same time, the nobles from the Northern faction also responded by expressing their loyalty to the Queen and their willingness to serve the country.

This scene moved everyone present. The once irreconcilable North and South forces had now reached a reconciliation under the Queen's command.

After the meeting, Su Yao kept Dina behind alone.

"Does Your Excellency seem to have something on your mind?" Su Yao asked with a half-smile.

Dina bowed her head and replied, "Your Majesty, I am simply pleased with Her Majesty's growth."

"Is that so?" Su Yao took a step closer, looking down at her. "Then why don't you dare look me in the eye?"

Dina was forced to look up, her lips trembling slightly beneath the veil: "I..."

"Is it because of this?" Su Yao suddenly reached out and gently stroked her fair neck, where there was a still clear crimson handprint—a scar left by Vasubandhu.

Dina's breathing quickened, and a flicker of fear crossed her eyes.

"Don't be afraid." Su Yao's voice suddenly softened. "The person who hurt you is gone forever."

As he spoke, a faint golden light emanated from Su Yao's hand, and then the bloodstain on Dina's neck gradually faded away.

"What is the Holy Lord doing?"

Dina touched her skin, which had recovered completely, in amazement, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Su Yao withdrew his hand and said with a faint smile, "Just a little trick."

After becoming familiar with the feel of releasing Indra's Wrath energy, Su Yao was also able to guide the surging power within his body to a certain extent.

Now, Su Yao used that power to dispel the scars that Vesudeva had left on Dina.

“Holy Lord.” Dina’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. She trembled as she clasped her hands together and knelt deeply on the ground. “Your kindness will never be forgotten by Dina.”

"It doesn't have to be this way."

Su Yao pulled Dina up: "If you want to express your gratitude, then wholeheartedly assist Samira. This land needs your strength."

Dina's breath hitched for a moment, then she slowly nodded: "Yes, Dina understands."

"You," Su Yao said, noticing Dina's slightly strange behavior, "now, tell me your true thoughts. What do you think of the relationship between the Queen and me?"

Dina took a deep breath and said as calmly as possible, "The union of the Holy Lord and the Queen is a blessing bestowed upon the Kushan by Brahma."

"Is it."

Su Yao chuckled and said, "I'm not asking for the official opinion, but for your own thoughts."

"Don't lie. I clearly saw how panicked you looked when you saw the red marks on Samira's neck."

"Do you regret it? You gave her to me."

"?!"

Dina's body trembled violently, and she swallowed hard before asking, "Holy Lord, what does this mean?"

Su Yao leaned down slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Dina's eyes: "You know very well that from Samira's first visit to me, to her ascension to the throne and her departure for war, you played a crucial role in every step of the way."

"I admire intelligent women, but that doesn't mean I enjoy being constantly schemed against."

Dina's veil trembled slightly, and she instinctively took a step back: "I...I was just following the oracle."

"A divine oracle?" Su Yao chuckled, then suddenly reached out and lifted Dina's veil. "Or is it your own selfish motive?"

The veil fell away, revealing Dina's stunningly beautiful face. Unlike Samira's youthful radiance, Dina's beauty possessed a sanctity and mystery, which appeared all the more vivid in her moment of panic.

"Your Majesty, please see the truth!" Dina hurriedly knelt down. "I truly, truly wish to use Your Majesty's power to save the Kushan Empire, but I have absolutely no selfish motives!"

Su Yao stared at Dina's flustered face and suddenly smiled: "Get up, I didn't mean to blame you."

He reached out and helped Dina up, his fingertips gently stroking her smooth chin: "On the contrary, I admire your wisdom and courage. After all, without your planning, the Kushan Empire wouldn't have stabilized so quickly, and Samira wouldn't have been able to grow so rapidly."

“Holy Lord.” A complex emotion flashed in Dina’s eyes.

“However,” Su Yao changed the subject, “from now on, I hope you can be more honest with me. After all, we still have a lot to accomplish together.”

Dina stared blankly at Su Yao's retreating figure, her heart pounding.

“Yes, Holy Lord.” Dina bowed deeply. “Dina will remember your teachings.”

"Furthermore," Su Yao turned his head and asked with a smile, "I'm very curious, since your oracle foresaw my arrival and the great battle with Vasudeva, what else did it foresee?"

For example, what will your marriage prospects be like?

Dina suddenly coughed violently, not expecting Su Yao to change the subject so abruptly. Her face, hidden beneath the veil, flushed instantly: "I...I am a saintess serving the gods."

"According to tradition, one must remain unmarried for life?" Su Yao asked, picking up the conversation.

Dina remained silent.

That's obviously not true.

In fact, compared to the ascetic nuns in some religious works, Brahmanical saints were actually a fairly open group.

They grew up in the temple from childhood, where they were taught various etiquettes, dances, and music. Although they were said to serve the gods, their actual responsibility was to attract noble donations to the temple and maintain its influence.

Some of these saintesses were lucky enough to marry into powerful families and become part of political marriages, while others were unlucky enough to spend their lives as slaves serving priests and elders.
That's right, this is the truth about the Brahmin saintess beneath the land of India.

Beneath that glamorous facade, this group actually does such despicable things; what kind of saintly women are they? They are nothing more than holy prostitutes for the powerful and wealthy.

Dina, however, is quite different from those ordinary saintesses.

As the daughter of the high priest, she did not need to serve the elders, but the temple's painstaking cultivation of her was not without reward. They were only doing it for a greater purpose, which was to marry into the royal family and secure greater benefits for the Brahmins.

They were almost successful, if it weren't for Su Yao.
All of this is Dina's deepest scar and her most unbearable secret.

Faced with Su Yao's question, she was momentarily stunned and didn't know how to answer.

With Vasudeva dead, her father's power was shattered by the absolute strength of the man before him, forcing him to retreat into the background.

On the contrary, she, a mere tool, unexpectedly gained the favor of the Holy Lord and became the master of the temple.
Where should my future path lead?
Seeing her silence, Su Yao didn't press her, but gently patted her shoulder: "If you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. But if one day you get tired of it and want a different kind of life, you can come to me anytime."

Dina looked up abruptly, a hint of surprise and complexity flashing in her eyes.

Su Yao had already turned and left, leaving behind only a meaningful sentence:

"Oracles may provide guidance, but the final choice of destiny is always in your own hands."

Time flies, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

The capital of Fulousha gradually returned to its former prosperity.

However, unlike in the past, many Han Chinese from the distant East have recently appeared here.

Eight thousand Han soldiers, summoned by Su Yao, came to the Kushan capital to be stationed. They were all single men handpicked by Su Yao, and each of them enjoyed the generous allowances they received for official overseas service.

During their days off from the military camp, they would stroll in small groups through the streets of Phu Lou Sha, exchanging gleaming silver coins and silk for goods from local merchants, or visiting taverns and brothels, injecting new vitality into this ancient city.

In Su Yao's plan, these people will become pioneers in East-West exchanges, settle here permanently, intermarry and reproduce with the locals, lay the foundation for future expansion, and infuse this place with the martial virtues of the Han Dynasty.

At the same time, Su Yao also received an envoy from the Han Dynasty—an envoy sent by the imperial court, who arrived in Fulousha with the Empress's edict and gifts.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Samira, a daughter of the Kushan Empire, is virtuous and kind, which greatly pleases me. I hereby bestow upon her the title of 'Queen of the Kushan Empire' and betroth her to King Su Yao of Tang, thus forever forging an alliance between our two nations."

The voice of the messenger reading the imperial edict echoed in the court. Samira knelt on the ground, received the edict with both hands, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you for your grace."

Su Yao stood to the side, a slight smile playing on his lips. This edict had come at just the right time, both consolidating Samira's position and formally establishing the Han Dynasty's suzerainty over the Kushan Empire.

After the court meeting concluded, Su Yao summoned the Han envoy privately.

"Are Your Majesty and the Crown Prince well?" he asked.

The messenger respectfully replied, "Your Highness, His Majesty is in good health, and the Crown Prince is very intelligent and lively. Both of them miss Your Highness very much."

Su Yao nodded and took out a pre-prepared letter from his bosom: "Take this letter to His Majesty and tell him that I am well and will return in triumph after the western expedition is over."

The messenger accepted the document with both hands and carefully put it away: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will personally deliver it."

“There is one more thing,” the messenger said cautiously.

"Please speak, envoy," Su Yao said solemnly.

The envoy took a deep breath, looked around, and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness has not returned to the country for a long time, and there are many rumors circulating in the court, especially about Parthia. I wonder what Your Highness's plans are?"

(End of this chapter)