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

Just then, Wei Lang arrived with the Shenji Battalion soldiers.

"Sir, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Su Ming shook his head. "Send the order down to the entire army to be on high alert to prevent any more assassins."

"Yes."

Just as Wei Lang was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back, saying, "By the way, sir, someone just delivered a letter, saying it's from the capital."

"The capital?" Su Ming frowned and took the envelope.

The envelope was unsigned, with only a blood-red stamp on it.

Su Ming opened the envelope; inside was only a single sheet of paper with a line of text written on it.

"Meet me at the Meridian Gate in three days. Don't be late."

The inscription was stamped with the emperor's jade seal.

Su Ming's pupils contracted. "His Majesty summoned me to the capital?"

Chen Xiu leaned over for a look, and his expression changed slightly.

"This is His Majesty's own letter; it seems he already knows what the Crown Prince has done."

"Then I must go." Su Ming put the letter away. "His Majesty has summoned me. If I don't go, wouldn't that be disobeying the imperial decree?"

"But--"

"There's no 'but' about it." Su Ming interrupted Chen Xiu. "Wei Lang, get ready. We'll set off for the capital tomorrow."

"yes!"

After Wei Lang left, Chen Xiu looked at Su Ming and sighed.

"Kid, are you going to fight the Crown Prince to the death?"

"It's not that I want to fight him to the death, it's that he wants me dead," Su Ming said calmly. "In that case, let's see who dies first."

Chen Xiu shook his head and said nothing more.

……

Meanwhile, in the capital, at the Crown Prince's residence.

Crown Prince Zhou Qian sat in his study, toying with a jade pendant in his hand, a faint smile on his face.

"Your Highness, the man in black robes has failed."

The voice of a guard came from outside the door.

"Failed?" Zhou Qian put down the jade pendant, frowning. "How did it fail?"

"Chen Xiu made his move; the man in black robes was killed."

"Chen Xiu?" A cold glint flashed in Zhou Qian's eyes. "That old bastard is really persistent."

"Your Highness, Su Ming has the High Priest's letter. If His Majesty sees it—"

"So what if I saw it?" Zhou Qian sneered. "That letter is just the high priest's word. Without concrete evidence, Father won't believe it."

"But……"

"That's enough." Zhou Qian waved his hand. "Since Su Ming dared to come to the capital, let him never leave here."

He pulled a black token from his pocket, on which was engraved the character for "demon".

"Go, give this token to the Demonic Sect Protector, and tell him to wait at the mass grave outside the capital in three days. As soon as Su Ming arrives, take action immediately."

"Yes."

The guard took the token and turned to leave.

Zhou Qian looked out the window, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

"Su Ming, you think you've won?"

"The capital city is where you will be buried."

……

The next morning, outside Jing'an City.

Su Ming rode on his warhorse, followed by Wei Lang and fifty elite Shenji Battalion soldiers.

Li Yueru stood at the city gate, her eyes filled with worry.

"Ming-ge, you must be careful."

"Don't worry, I'll come back alive." Su Ming smiled. "Wait for me in Jing'an City."

"Mm." Li Yueru nodded, her eyes slightly red.

Su Ming didn't say anything more, spurred his horse, and led the team away from Jing'an City.

Chen Xiu rode alongside him on horseback, glanced at him, and said, "Boy, are you really that comfortable leaving Li Yueru in Jing'an City?"

"What can I do if I'm worried?" Su Ming said calmly. "It would be more dangerous to take her to the capital."

"That's true." Chen Xiu nodded. "But you're quite good at hiding it, kid. Li Yueru probably has a pretty high opinion of you, right?"

Su Ming did not answer, but a smile appeared on his lips.

A system notification sounded.

[Ding! Host detected that he/she is about to enter the capital city area!]

[Warning: There are several experts of rank 5 or above in the capital. Please proceed with caution!]

[Mission prompt: Proceed to the Meridian Gate and meet the Emperor!]

Su Ming's eyes sharpened.

"It seems the capital is more dangerous than I imagined."

"Nonsense." Chen Xiu sneered. "The capital is the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, a place teeming with hidden talents. Fifth-rank experts are as common as dogs, and fourth-rank experts are everywhere. Do you think it's some small place like Jing'an City?"

"Then what realm are you at, Elder Chen?" Su Ming suddenly asked.

Chen Xiu was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"You little rascal, you really dare to ask anything."

"Never mind, I'll tell you sooner or later anyway." He paused, "I am a mid-stage fourth-rank cultivator."

"Mid-stage fourth rank?" Su Ming's pupils contracted.

The fourth rank is a legendary realm, and there are no more than ten people in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty who hold that title.

"Old Chen, you're so capable, why do you choose to stay in a small place like Jing'an City?"

"Because I owe Your Majesty a life," Chen Xiu said calmly. "If it weren't for Your Majesty's intervention back then, I would have died at the hands of the Demonic Sect long ago."

"So His Majesty ordered me to go to Jing'an City, and I went."

"I see." Su Ming nodded.

The two traveled swiftly and, three days later, finally arrived outside the capital.

From afar, the city walls of the capital city stand ten zhang high, exuding a magnificent aura.

People came and went at the city gate, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.

Su Ming reined in his horse, looking at the capital city before him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"We've finally arrived."

"Let's go." Chen Xiu patted his shoulder. "His Majesty is waiting for you outside the Meridian Gate."

Su Ming nodded and led his team into the capital.

As soon as I entered the city gate, I felt countless eyes on me.

Some were curious, some were hostile, and some even harbored murderous intent.

Su Ming remained expressionless and walked straight towards the Meridian Gate.

Outside the Meridian Gate, a middle-aged man dressed in a python robe stood there, followed by dozens of Imperial Guards.

"General Su, His Majesty requests your presence."

The middle-aged man smiled slightly and gestured for them to proceed.

Su Ming glanced at him, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.

A system notification sounded.

[Ding! Target detected—Li An, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!]

[Cultivation Level: Early Stage of Fifth Rank!]

[Affection Level: Neutral!]

Su Ming felt a chill run down his spine.

The commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard was His Majesty's confidant, second only to the Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet.

"Thank you for your trouble, Lord Li." Su Ming dismounted and followed Li An into the Meridian Gate.

Inside the Meridian Gate was a straight imperial road, lined with imperial guards on both sides, each clad in heavy armor, wielding long spears, exuding a murderous aura.

As Su Ming walked on the imperial road, he felt countless gazes upon him, like thorns in his back.

"General Su, there's no need to be nervous," Li An said with a smile. "His Majesty simply wants to see you and won't make things difficult for you."

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Li."

The two continued on their way and soon arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Your Majesty, Su Ming has arrived," Li An said, bowing.

"Let him in."

A majestic voice echoed from inside the hall.

Su Ming took a deep breath and stepped into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Inside the palace, a middle-aged man dressed in a dragon robe sat on the dragon throne; he was none other than the current emperor.

The emperor appeared to be in his forties, with a dignified face, piercing eyes, and an aura of authority about him.

Su Ming knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your subject Su Ming pays respects to Your Majesty."