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

"Boss, what should we do with those corpses?" the tall, thin man asked in a low voice.

"Throw them outside the city to feed the wolves," Su Ming said coldly. "Remember this, anyone who dares to touch our people in the future will suffer the same fate."

Scarface grinned: "Alright!"

Su Ming glanced at the ten people and suddenly said, "You've followed me for so long, I can't treat you unfairly."

He took out ten small porcelain bottles from his spatial storage and gave one to each person.

"What's this?" Scarface asked curiously as he took it.

"Spiritual Spring Water," Su Ming explained. "Drinking it can improve one's physique, and breaking through to the ninth rank within three months is not a problem."

The eyes of all ten people lit up instantly.

A ninth-rank martial artist!

That's a threshold that ordinary soldiers can never reach in their entire lives!

"Boss, this...this is too valuable..." The tall, thin man's voice trembled.

"Enough nonsense, drink it." Su Ming waved his hand impatiently. "I'm taking you to the Northern Barbarian King's Court. How can we do that without some strength?"

Without saying a word, Scarface tilted his head back and poured the liquor down his throat.

The others also drank it.

Instantly, everyone's face flushed red, and a surge of scorching heat rose within them.

[Ding! Host detected using spiritual spring water to modify soldiers!]

The Daoist Soldier Training System is now activated!

[Current number of Daoist soldiers that can be trained: 10/100]

[Dao Soldier Rank: Unranked → Ninth Rank (Estimated three months)]

Su Ming nodded in satisfaction.

Three months later, he went to the Northern Barbarian King's Court; these ten people were his trump cards.

Just then, Zhang Meng rushed over, his face grave.

"Su Ming, something's happened."

Su Ming raised an eyebrow: "What is it?"

"News has come from the capital." Zhang Meng lowered his voice. "The Vice Minister of War, Zhao Hong, committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and his entire family was executed. But before he died, he left a secret letter saying that you colluded with the Northern Barbarians and embezzled the Dragon Vein."

Su Ming sneered: "This bastard, even in death he still wants to disgust me."

"That's not all," Zhang Meng continued. "The imperial court has already sent people from the Censorate to investigate you; they'll arrive in three days."

Su Ming narrowed his eyes: "Let them investigate. I haven't done anything wrong."

Zhang Meng sighed: "You kid... you're really fearless like a newborn calf."

He paused, then suddenly said, "Oh, right, there's one more thing. News has come from the Northern Barbarians that the White Wolf King has said he'll be waiting for you at the royal court in three months."

Su Ming's lips curled into a cold smile.

"Perfect timing, I'd like to meet him too."

Zhang Meng shook his head: "You little brat... never mind, I can't stop you."

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

"Su Ming, be careful. Those people in the imperial court are not to be trifled with."

Su Ming smiled: "Don't worry, sir, I know what I'm doing."

---

three days later.

Outside the Jing'an Army camp, a troop of cavalrymen clad in black armor slowly approached.

The leader was a man in his early thirties, with a square face, thick eyebrows like swords, and a long knife hanging at his waist.

It was Wang An, the supervising censor of the Censorate.

He dismounted and looked at the young man leaning lazily against the door frame at the entrance of the camp.

"You're Su Ming?"

Su Ming yawned: "It's me."

Wang An frowned: "Do you know why the imperial court sent me here?"

"I know," Su Ming said, picking his ear. "Isn't it just checking if I'm colluding with the Northern Barbarians?"

A look of surprise flashed in Wang An's eyes.

This kid is quite frank.

"Since you know, then cooperate with the investigation," Wang An said in a deep voice. "Hand over everything you brought back from Black Mountain Pass."

Su Ming laughed: "Lord Wang, the way you say that makes it sound like I've really done something shameful."

He took out the black jade pendant from his pocket and waved it in front of Wang An.

"These are the remains of the former dynasty's imperial advisor. I found them in the ruins. If you want them, take them."

Wang An took the jade pendant, his brows furrowing even deeper.

"This is it?"

"This is it." Su Ming shrugged. "The dragon vein has already merged into my body. If you want it, you'll have to chop me up."

Wang An stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

"interesting."

He returned the jade pendant to Su Ming: "Keep this. I'm not interested in these things."

Su Ming raised an eyebrow: "Lord Wang, what is this...?"

"I'm just here to go through the motions," Wang An said calmly. "As for whether you've colluded with the Northern Barbarians, I know the answer to that."

He paused, then lowered his voice.

"I have already burned that bastard Zhao Hong's secret letter."

Su Ming was taken aback for a moment, then smiled.

"Thank you, Lord Wang."

"No need to thank me," Wang An waved his hand. "The evidence you have has been a great help to the court. His Majesty said you are a meritorious official."

He turned and mounted his horse, then suddenly looked back before leaving.

"By the way, are you going to the Northern Barbarian Royal Court in three months?"

Su Ming nodded: "Yes."

"Good." A hint of admiration flashed in Wang An's eyes. "I'll be waiting for your triumphant return."

After saying that, he rode away.

Su Ming stood there, watching Wang An's back, a smile playing on his lips.

This imperial court isn't entirely composed of fools.

---

That night.

Su Ming returned to his tent; Li Yueru was already asleep.

He quietly climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his arms.

Li Yueru woke up groggily, saw it was him, and closed her eyes again.

"My lord..."

"Um?"

"I practiced martial arts today," Li Yueru whispered. "Lord Zhang said I have talent."

Su Ming laughed: "Of course, how bad could my wife be?"

Li Yueru blushed slightly and buried her head in his chest.

"My lord, are you really going to the Northern Barbarians in three months?"

"Um."

"Then... can I come with you?"

Su Ming paused for a moment, then shook his head: "No, it's too dangerous."

Li Yueru bit her lip, her eyes instantly reddening.

"I...I don't want to be a burden to you..."

"Silly girl." Su Ming pinched her cheek. "It's not that I'm afraid you'll be a burden, it's that I'm afraid something will happen to you."

He paused, then softened his voice.

"Yueru, wait for me at the camp. When I return, I'll take you to the capital and buy you the biggest house and the best jewelry."

Li Yueru's tears fell in a steady stream.

"My husband, you must come back..."

"Don't worry." Su Ming hugged her tightly. "I never break my promises to you."

[Ding! Li Yueru's favorability +10, current favorability: 185!]

[Hidden storyline triggered: The Wife's Waiting - Li Yueru will break through to the ninth rank within three months and prepare a "surprise" for the host!]

Su Ming's eyes lit up.

surprise?

What surprise?

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

Su Ming took it out and saw a line of small, blood-red characters appear on it.

"Countdown to the life-or-death battle of the Northern Barbarian King's Court: 89 days and 23 hours."

"Participants: Su Ming (Great Zhou), White Wolf King (Northern Barbarians), and 3 unknown forces."

"Winner's reward: Blessing of the previous dynasty's national fortune, Divine Weapon x1, Heavenly Rank Cultivation Technique x1."

Su Ming narrowed his eyes.

There are three other unknown forces?

interesting.

He put away the jade pendant and closed his eyes.

Three months later, at the Northern Barbarian King's Court.

I want to see just how much these so-called various forces really amount to.