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

The five arrows transformed into five golden streaks of light, sealing off all escape routes for the remnant soul of the Imperial Preceptor.

The remnant soul of the Imperial Preceptor roared, unleashing a terrifying black aura from his body.

"Since that's the case... then let's all perish together!"

He made a grasping motion with both hands, and the entire stone chamber began to shake violently.

The rock formations overhead began to collapse.

Chen Xiu rushed out from the corner, his expression changing drastically.

"Damn it! This old bastard is going to self-destruct his soul and destroy the ruins!"

Su Ming narrowed his eyes, but did not stop his attack.

Five arrows pierced through the black aura and struck the body of the remnant soul of the Chinese master simultaneously.

"boom--!"

The explosion was deafening.

The remnant soul of the Imperial Preceptor shattered into countless black fragments and vanished.

But the aftershocks of the explosion continue to spread.

The entire site began to collapse.

"Kid, let's go!" Chen Xiu grabbed Su Ming and rushed out of the stone chamber.

Su Ming shook off his hand.

"Please go ahead, senior. I have other matters to attend to."

He rushed back to the secret chamber and picked up a palm-sized black jade pendant from beside the bronze coffin.

[Ding! Obtained special item: Imperial Preceptor's Remains (can absorb residual soul power, increasing maximum mental power)!]

Su Ming put away the jade pendant and ran away.

Behind them, the stone chamber collapsed completely.

---

Outside Heishan Pass, the Northern Barbarian Camp.

The White Wolf King crawled out of the ruins, gushing blood from his mouth.

"Damn it... what kind of monster is that kid...?"

He looked up toward the ruins, his eyes filled with apprehension.

Just then, a golden stream of light shot out from the ruins.

Su Ming was covered in blood, but the killing intent in his eyes remained undiminished.

He landed in front of the White Wolf King and raised his bow.

"I don't have time to settle your brother's score with you right now."

"But remember this: three months from now, I will personally go to your Northern Barbarian King's Court and take your dog's head."

After saying that, he shot an arrow that pierced the flagpole next to the White Wolf King.

The flagpole snapped in two and crashed to the feet of the White Wolf King.

The White Wolf King's face turned ashen, but he dared not make a move.

Su Ming turned and left, his figure disappearing into the night.

---

Outside the captain's tent in the Jing'an Army camp.

A dozen soldiers dressed in black armor surrounded the tent.

The leader was a middle-aged man in his forties with a face full of fat.

"Li Yueru, if you know what's good for you, come with us and you'll suffer less."

Inside the tent, Li Yueru gripped the dagger tightly, her eyes filled with stubbornness.

"My husband is a captain in the Jing'an Army. If you dare to touch me, he will not let you off."

The middle-aged man sneered, "A captain? He's barely able to protect himself, and he wants to protect you?"

He waved his hand: "Break down the door!"

Two soldiers rushed forward and kicked open the tent door.

Li Yueru raised the dagger, her eyes filled with determination.

"Don't come any closer..."

The middle-aged man chuckled and was about to speak.

Sudden.

"collapse--!"

An arrow fell from the sky and pierced his shoulder.

"ah--!"

The middle-aged man screamed and fell to his knees.

Everyone looked up.

Su Ming stood atop the tent, the great bow in his hand still trembling.

He looked down at the middle-aged man, his eyes filled with icy killing intent.

"You dare touch my people?"

"Then die."

The words fell.

"Boom boom boom boom boom—!"

The arrows rained down like a torrential downpour.

In less than ten breaths, all of the dozen or so Xuanjia soldiers fell into pools of blood.

Su Ming jumped down from the tent and walked up to Li Yueru.

"Yueru, I'm back."

Li Yueru's eyes instantly reddened, and she threw herself into his arms.

"My lord..."

Su Ming hugged her tightly and whispered, "I'm sorry, I scared you."

Li Yueru shook her head, choking back tears, and said, "I'm not afraid... I just knew my husband would come back..."

[Ding! Li Yueru's favorability +20, current favorability: 170!]

[Hidden storyline triggered: Life and death intertwined - Li Yueru will permanently gain the "Resonance" trait, allowing her to share 50% of the damage taken by the host!]

Su Ming was stunned for a moment, then gave a wry smile.

This girl is really...

Just then, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the camp.

Zhang Meng led five hundred elite troops in, and his expression changed drastically when he saw the corpses all over the ground.

"Su Ming! Are you crazy? These are people from the Ministry of War!"

Su Ming released Li Yueru and turned to look at Zhang Meng.

"Sir, these people are trying to kidnap my wife."

He paused, his voice icy.

"So, they all have to die."

Zhang Meng opened his mouth, but finally sighed.

"You little brat...you really aren't afraid of causing a huge uproar..."

Just then, an old voice came from outside the camp.

"To cause a major disturbance? Then I'd like to see whose sky it really is."

Chen Xiu walked in slowly, holding the bloodstained account book in his hand.

"Su Ming, I'll take this to the Censorate for you."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Three days later, Zhao Hong, the Vice Minister of War, and his entire family were executed.

Su Ming's eyes lit up.

"Thank you, senior."

Chen Xiu waved his hand: "No need to thank me, this is what you deserve."

He turned to leave, but stopped abruptly at the door.

"By the way, kid, are you going to the Northern Barbarian King's Court in three months?"

Su Ming nodded: "Yes."

"Alright." Chen Xiu smiled. "I'll accompany you on this trip."

After saying that, his figure disappeared into the night.

Su Ming turned around, picked up Li Yueru, and walked into the tent.

"Yueru, from today onwards, no one will take you away from me."

Li Yueru nestled in his arms, her eyes filled with happiness.

"Um."

Outside the tent, Scarface and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Boss, has he... gotten into trouble again?"

"Of course! If we don't cause trouble, are we still our boss?"

"Too……"

Just then, a streak of blood-red light suddenly appeared on the horizon.

Immediately afterwards, a cold voice rang in everyone's minds.

"The Black Mountain Ruins are now closed, and the ownership of the dragon vein has been determined."

"Three months later, at the Northern Barbarian Royal Court, the battle for survival begins."

"At that time, representatives from all sides can be sent to participate in the war, and the victor will receive the blessing of the previous dynasty's national fortune."

Su Ming looked up at the sky, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"interesting."

"Perfect timing, I also want to see just how much these so-called various forces really amount to."

Inside the captain's tent of the Jing'an Army camp.

Li Yueru nestled in Su Ming's arms, her body still trembling slightly.

Su Ming patted her back gently, his voice very soft: "It's alright, they're all dead."

"Husband..." Li Yueru raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, "Have I caused you any trouble?"

"Don't talk nonsense." Su Ming pinched her cheek. "You're my wife, it's only natural for me to protect you."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Those bastards really think I'm easy to bully."

[Ding! Li Yueru's favorability +5, current favorability: 175!]

[Hidden Quest Triggered: United in Heart and Soul – Li Yueru will break through to the ninth rank within three months, becoming the host's combat support!]

Su Ming's eyes lit up.

This girl can actually fight for me?

He patted Li Yueru's head: "Yueru, starting tomorrow, I'll teach you martial arts."

Li Yueru was taken aback for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Yes! I will definitely practice hard!"

Su Ming smiled and put her on the bed: "You rest first, I have to go out and take care of some things."

Li Yueru nodded obediently, her eyes full of trust.

As Su Ming stepped out of the tent, Scarface and the others immediately surrounded him.