I become stronger by sacrificing my lifespan, becoming invincible in the world.

It felt like being gripped tightly by an invisible hand and then thrown into an ice cellar.

A chilling coldness instantly spread throughout his body, followed by a surging, magma-like killing intent that exploded from the deepest part of his heart and shot straight to the top of his head!

The hand gripping the knife was so tight that the knuckles were white and the veins were bulging.

His teeth clenched so hard they crunched, and the taste of blood filled his mouth.

kill her.

Now rush over there, use this knife, use these wolf claws, tear open that magnificent carriage, rip apart that dazzling white robe, and pull out that hypocritical face, along with that wicked heart!

Devour her lifespan! Let her die screaming in extreme pain and aging!

Violent thoughts, like wildly growing thorns, instantly entangled reason.

The divine jade on his chest seemed to sense his violently fluctuating emotions, its temperature rising slightly, conveying a hint of bloodthirsty desire.

"Lin Chen".

Zhao Tiegu's deep voice rang in my ears, carrying a warning.

At the same time, a rough and powerful hand pressed heavily on his taut forearm.

It was very powerful, carrying an undeniable suppressive force.

Lin Chen was suddenly jolted.

The boiling killing intent, like a raging wave crashing against an iceberg, suddenly came to a halt.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of the chilling air.

When I opened my eyes again, the crimson torrent in my eyes had been forcibly suppressed and frozen back into a bottomless pool of cold water.

But deep within that pool of water, undercurrents still surged, powerful enough to devour everything.

He loosened his grip on the knife, and his knuckles slowly regained their color.

Then, he made a move that surprised even Zhao Tiegu—

He hunched his back slightly, and the sharpness on his face that belonged to a martial artist and "Corporal Lin" quickly faded.

He adopted a numb, tired, and even somewhat weak and injured expression.

He reached up and covered his left shoulder (where an old wound hadn't healed), letting out two suppressed coughs, and his whole demeanor instantly dimmed.

The "Breath Concealing Technique" operates quietly, not only concealing one's breath but also refining one's external essence, energy, and spirit.

From a distance, he looked like an ordinary soldier, wounded and worn down by the hardships of the frontier.

The procession from the capital is getting closer and closer.

The sound of horses' hooves and the dull thud of wheels rolling over frozen ground.

The sound of metal armor plates scraping against each other, along with the scent of perfume and incense that belonged to the prosperous capital and was completely out of place in the rough north, wafted over.

The border soldiers guarding the gate were already lined up and standing at attention, their clothes worn and tattered, but they tried their best to straighten their backs.

The generals and officers from within the pass, including Liu Zhenshan and Zhang Heng, also came out to greet them from outside the pass.

The Third Prince, Lin Jing, rode ahead on horseback, his face gentle, talking to Liu Zhenshan and the others. His every move exuded the air of a nobleman.

Occasionally, his gaze would sweep over the soldiers standing solemnly before the pass, with a condescending scrutiny, as if looking at a group of ants.

The purple carriage stood quietly in the center of the ceremonial procession.

The gold gauze curtains on the car windows remained hanging down and were never lifted.

But Lin Chen could sense it.

One gaze, fleetingly, swept over this group of "border barbarians".

There seemed to be a slight pause in his gaze.

There was no murderous intent, no hatred, not even much emotion. It was like seeing a stone or a patch of withered grass by the roadside—indifferent, and... insignificant.

Then, it was moved away.

It was as if he really was just an insignificant, dying border soldier.

Lin Chen lowered his head, looking at the tips of his boots covered in mud and snow, and a cold smile slowly curled up at the corner of his mouth.

well.

Su Qingxue.

You will continue to maintain your nobility, your coldness, and your indifference.

Treat me like the mud under your feet, or the grass by the roadside.

When I crawl out of this northern hell, tear off all your pretenses, drag you down from those clouds, and step into the mud even more filthy than what I'm standing under now...

I hope you can still look at me with that kind of gaze.

The distinguished entourage quickly entered the specially prepared camp, where they were solemnly invited in by Liu Zhenshan and other high-ranking generals.

At this moment, the border soldiers who had been standing solemnly in front of the gate finally relaxed, and gradually, low murmurs and curses began to rise.

"Pah, what's with the airs!"

"Is that the legendary Fairy Su in the carriage? She really does look like she stepped out of a painting..."

"A fairy? I've heard she's ruthless. Otherwise, why would she send her fiancé to this freezing, godforsaken place?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you crazy?!"

Lin Chen straightened up, all pretense on his face receding like the tide, returning to his usual calm.

But those eyes were colder than the deepest ice in the North.

"Keep training." His voice wasn't loud, but it silenced the murmurs abruptly.

The squad resumed its movements, and the sound of blades slicing through the air rang out once more, faster and more intense than before.

Zhao Tiegu walked to his side, remained silent for a moment, and then whispered, "You saw it?"

"Mm," Lin Chen replied.

"Keep calm," Zhao Tiegu said, only three words.

He knew Lin Chen's past quite well, and their relationship had evolved from initial cooperation to partnership and comradeship!

"I know." Lin Chen looked in the direction of the guests' accommodations, his face grim.

He knew better than anyone that going there now would be suicide.

He needs strength.

Power is needed.

We need... a suitable time.

into the night.

Ghost Cry Pass, General's Mansion.

The usually austere and simple hall was unusually bright tonight, with dozens of tallow candles lit up as if it were daytime.

The air was filled with the aroma of wine and meat, mixed with the musty and rusty smells that were common in the interior, creating a strange and oppressive atmosphere.

In the main seat, the Third Prince Lin Jing sat upright, dressed in a moon-white brocade robe with a black fox fur coat over it. His expression was gentle, and he casually toyed with a white jade wine cup with his fingertips.

The garrison commander of the pass, Liu Zhenshan, sat to the side, wearing an old, faded military robe, his back straight as a spear, a stark contrast to the splendid attire of the entire room.

The two rows of seats at the bottom were occupied by high-ranking generals and captains from within the Great Wall, as well as some of the accompanying officials of the delegation from the capital.

Chen Hong was among them, wearing brand-new light armor for a captain, his chest specially polished to a shine, but his eyes were darting around, his posture was stiff, and sweat was faintly visible on his forehead in the candlelight.

His gaze kept darting quickly to the figure sitting alone next to the main seat.

Su Qingxue.

She was still dressed in white, but the fabric was "Snow Shadow Gauze" from the capital, light and thin as mist, shimmering faintly in the candlelight.

Her black hair was simply tied up, with a white jade hairpin inserted at an angle, and she wore no other ornaments.

She sat there quietly, her eyes slightly lowered, her fingertips lightly tracing the edge of the porcelain cup in front of her, seemingly oblivious to the noisy toasts and the deliberate flattery and ingratiation from the generals.

She was aloof and solitary, like a jade goddess who happened to sit at this crude border banquet.

But cold sweat kept seeping out of Chen Hong's back.

He knew that the "goddess" concealed a knife in her sleeve that could easily decide his life or death.