In this chaotic world of vying for power, I can become stronger by marrying a wife.

Wang An frowned:

Are you questioning the imperial court?

"I'm not questioning the imperial court, I'm questioning certain scoundrels who wear the imperial court's skin." Su Ming turned and walked out. "I'll give you the evidence, but my wife has to come with me."

"Where to?"

"Black Mountain Pass".

Wang An's expression changed drastically:

"Are you crazy? That's where the Northern Barbarian army is gathering!"

Su Ming didn't even turn his head:

"I have my own business to attend to. The evidence is in my possession. If you trust me, send someone to follow me. Once I return from Heishankou, these things will naturally be handed over to the Censorate."

He walked to the door, then suddenly stopped, turned back, and added:

"By the way, Lord Wang, if my wife were to lose even a single hair, I'd use your imperial sword to chop vegetables."

After saying that, he pushed open the door and went out.

Wang An stood there, staring at Su Ming's back, and remained silent for a long time.

A moment later, an aged voice suddenly came from behind him:

"This kid is quite a character."

Wang An turned around and knelt on one knee:

"teacher."

In the corner of the study, an old man in a gray robe slowly walked out. His face was full of wrinkles, but his eyes were frighteningly bright.

"Get up." The old man sat down, stroked his beard, and said, "What do you think of this lad?"

"Unruly and disrespectful of the court, but... he is indeed a talented man." Wang An hesitated for a moment. "Teacher, are you really going to send him to Black Mountain Pass? That place is..."

"But what?" the old man chuckled. "Is it the northern barbarian army pressing in? Is it the imminent opening of the ruins of the previous dynasty?"

Wang An's pupils contracted:

"Teacher, you already knew?"

"Nonsense." The old man snorted. "That bastard Zhao Hong colluded with the Northern Barbarians for the things in those ruins. His Majesty sent me to keep an eye on things in secret, just to see who dares to step forward."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes:

"That kid Su Ming is just the right amount of troublemaker."

Wang An frowned:

"But he's only an eighth-rank martial artist..."

"So what if I'm an eighth-rank official?" The old man stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked out. "Back when I was his age, I hadn't even reached the ninth rank, but I still slaughtered the northern barbarians on the border until they ran for their lives."

"This kid is ruthless, courageous, and most importantly—" the old man glanced back at Wang An, "he's protective of his own."

"Only those who protect their own are reliable."

---

The Jing'an Army camp, the captain's tent.

Su Ming pushed open the door, and Li Yueru immediately rushed over.

"My lord!"

Su Ming hugged her and patted her back:

"It's alright now."

Li Yueru raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed:

"I heard from people outside that you went to Jing'an City and killed the garrison commander..."

"Yes, I killed him." Su Ming rubbed her head. "But it's alright. That bastard was a traitor. Killing him is a meritorious act."

Li Yueru bit her lip and suddenly hugged him tightly:

"My lord, I'm scared."

Su Ming was stunned for a moment, then he understood.

She wasn't afraid of Liu Cang, but rather that one day she would leave him.

He sighed, picked her up, sat her on the bed, and took out a palm-sized talisman from his pocket.

"What is this?" Li Yueru asked curiously as she took it.

"A Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman," Su Ming explained. "I'm going to Black Mountain Pass, and it's not safe for you to stay at the camp. Take this; if you encounter danger, crush it, and no matter where I am, I'll be able to hear your voice."

Li Yueru gripped the talisman tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance:

"My lord, you must be careful."

"Don't worry." Su Ming smiled, leaned down and kissed her forehead. "When I come back, I'll take you to the capital and buy you the best house and the best jewelry."

[Ding! Li Yueru's favorability +10, current favorability: 145!]

[Hidden Quest Triggered: United in Heart and Soul – Li Yueru will provide intelligence support to the host at crucial moments via a teleportation talisman!]

Su Ming's eyes lit up.

What is this? A long-range assist?

Just then, Scarface's voice came from outside the tent:

"Boss, Lord Zhang is here. He says it's urgent."

Su Ming got up and walked out of the tent.

Zhang Meng's expression was solemn as he handed over a letter.

"Just received military intelligence: 30,000 troops from the Northern Barbarians have assembled at Black Mountain Pass, led by the Red Wolf King's younger brother—the White Wolf King."

Su Ming took the letter, glanced at it, and raised an eyebrow.

"Thirty thousand people?"

"Yes." Zhang Meng lowered his voice, "And the intelligence also says that the White Wolf King's southward journey this time is not for fighting, but for..."

"Remains of the previous dynasty," Su Ming replied directly.

Zhang Meng was stunned:

How did you know?

Su Ming took out the jade pendant and waved it in front of him:

"Because this thing is the key to the ruins."

Zhang Meng gasped.

Su Ming put away the jade pendant and patted him on the shoulder:

"Sir, please do me a favor and take good care of my wife."

Zhang Meng was silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"You're really going, kid?"

"We have to go."

"Fine." Zhang Meng gritted his teeth. "I'll give you five hundred elite troops!"

Su Ming shook his head:

"No need, too many people would only be a burden. Ten brothers are enough for me."

He turned to look at Scarface and the others:

"Those willing to come with me to their deaths, stand on the left. Those unwilling, stand on the right. I won't blame you."

The words fell.

Ten people stood in unison on the left.

Scarface grinned:

"Boss, you gave us our lives, so we'd rather die before you."

Su Ming smiled.

"Alright, let's get ready to go."

Just then, the jade pendant in his arms became hot again.

This time, a line of small, blood-red text appeared above:

"Countdown to the opening of the ruins: five days and twenty-three hours. Those who fail to do so will be forever barred from entering."

Su Ming narrowed his eyes.

It seems we need to speed things up.

The Jing'an Army camp, the captain's tent.

Su Ming woke up before dawn.

Li Yueru was curled up in his arms, sleeping soundly, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she were having a nightmare.

Su Ming gently smoothed her brow, his movements very light, afraid of waking her.

He was too rough with her last night, and she cried and begged for mercy several times. In the end, he held her until she fell asleep.

"Husband..." Li Yueru murmured, instinctively hugging him tightly.

Su Ming sighed and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Yueru, wake up."

Li Yueru opened her eyes and saw that Su Ming was already dressed and had that exaggerated large bow hanging at his waist. She immediately woke up.

"Husband, are you leaving?"

"Okay." Su Ming helped her put on her coat. "We have to leave before dawn, or we won't make it."

Li Yueru bit her lip, her eyes instantly reddening.

"Don't cry." Su Ming pinched her cheek. "I'm not going to my death. I'm just going to take a trip to Black Mountain Pass. I'll be back soon."

"But..." Li Yueru grabbed his hand, "I heard from people outside that there are 30,000 Northern Barbarian troops at Black Mountain Pass now..."

"So what if it's 30,000?" Su Ming laughed. "If I wanted to run, 300,000 wouldn't be able to stop me."

He took out an oil paper package from his pocket and stuffed it into Li Yueru's hand.

"What is this?"