At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

The road was long and bumpy, and the journey was tiring for both the driver and passengers.

The dust of the northern wilderness, carried by the bleak autumn wind, swept across the boundless, withered yellow fields. Two simple yet heavily guarded carriages, escorted by more than ten elite soldiers in black, slowly made their way to the front of the Yan Kingdom's army camp.

Sigh...

A long, drawn-out neighing sounded, and the driver steadily tightened the reins, bringing the carriage, which had been speeding along, to a sudden stop. The days of wandering and hardship came to an end at that moment.

Just a hundred feet away from the military camp, the Yan army's 150,000-strong camp stretched like a sea, with banners obscuring the sun and armor gleaming in the air. The chilling aura of battle was palpable, even the surrounding autumn wind carried a hint of deadly coldness.

Inside the exquisite carriage at the very front, the atmosphere was so quiet it was almost deathly still.

The carriage was covered with soft velvet cushions, which isolated most of the noise and wind from the outside world, but could not dispel the deep melancholy and sorrow in my heart.

Emperor Xiao Jinghuan of the Great Qian Dynasty sat upright in the center of the carriage. Although his casual clothes were still neat, they could not hide the fatigue of being on the run and captured for several days.

His temples were streaked with gray, and the imperial aura he once possessed, so high above the nine heavens and commanding the world, had been worn away by the hardships of his journey. Only his eyes remained deep and calm, showing no trace of the panic and cowardice of an ordinary prisoner.

The moment the carriage came to a sudden stop, he slowly opened his slightly closed eyes, his gaze calm and unwavering. He spoke softly, his voice slightly hoarse, yet still carrying the composure of an emperor: "Old eunuch, look, where are we?"

Upon hearing this, Li Fuquan immediately stepped forward, bowed his head respectfully, and replied, "Yes, sir."

After saying that, he carefully raised his hand and gently lifted a corner of the heavy carriage curtain, his eyes quickly scanning the outside.

The first thing that came into view was the dark, imposing Yan army camp. The black Yan banners fluttered wildly in the wind, and armored soldiers patrolled the camp like shuttles. Their swords and spears reflected the sunlight, and the air was chilling. The endless military formation showed the Yan army's formidable strength.

Upon seeing the whole scene, Li Fuquan's heart sank, a chill running down his spine. Yet, he dared not show the slightest fear. He gently lowered the carriage curtain, turned around, bowed his head, and whispered, "Your Majesty, ahead lies the main camp of the Yan army. We... have arrived outside the Yan army camp."

"We've finally arrived." Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghuan showed no surprise, fear, or panic. He simply uttered four words, as if he had already foreseen the outcome and was fully prepared.

From the moment he was caught in a scheme, forced into the Yan people's trap, and imprisoned, he knew that he would eventually be brought to the front lines of the Yan army and become a pawn to hold back the borders of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Along the way, he had long since become indifferent to honor and disgrace, life and death, and had seen through the treacherous nature of the game.

After a moment of silence, Xiao Jinghuan turned to look at the old servant who had accompanied him all the way, a barely perceptible hint of gentleness flashing in his eyes. He asked softly with a smile, "Old eunuch, the journey has been fraught with danger, a living hell at every turn. Now we're trapped in enemy territory, our fate uncertain. Are you afraid?"

Upon hearing this, a peaceful smile slowly spread across Li Fuquan's aged face. He bowed slightly, his back still straight, his gaze sincere and loyal.

"This servant entered the palace at a young age and has served Your Majesty for decades. All my honors and disgraces, gains and losses in this life are tied to Your Majesty."

"This old servant has lived long enough, and has long since become indifferent to life and death. What is there to fear in dying?"

He paused slightly, a deep worry flashing across his eyes, and his tone grew heavier: "The only thing this servant fears is death, and the only thing he worries about is the wolfish ambition of the Yan people."

"They've taken His Majesty to their army; they certainly won't give up easily. They'll likely use His Majesty's life as leverage to blackmail the garrison at Duan Yun Pass and coerce the Third Prince, forcing our Great Qian soldiers to surrender without a fight!"

This was his deepest fear, and also the deepest apprehension of all the officials of the Great Qian Dynasty.

When the king is taken hostage, he becomes the weakness of the entire nation and a shackle on the army.

After listening, Xiao Jinghuan remained silent for a moment, his smile still indifferent, his tone calm to the point of being detached, carrying a resolute understanding of the world.

"If that day ever comes, the weight of the nation and my life is self-evident."

"When we are truly in dire straits, you will accompany me to the underworld and to the ends of the earth. In the next life, we, ruler and subject, will be together again."

There was no imperial authority or coercion, only a steadfast entrustment in dire straits.

Li Fuquan's eyes welled up with tears, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions, yet he still bowed steadily, smiling as he kowtowed: "This old servant obeys! I will follow Your Majesty in this life, in life I will follow the Emperor, and in death I will follow the Emperor, without regret!"

Inside the carriage, the emperor and his minister faced each other calmly, unafraid of the enemy camp's countless swords and spears, their only remaining expression of loyalty and composure.

At that moment, outside the military camp, the sound of horses' hooves approached from afar, urgent yet steady.

Da da da!

Three fine horses galloped in, shattering the autumn wind in front of the camp. Murong Di, Gongsun Yu, and Tian Cheng rode swiftly and arrived in front of the carriage in an instant.

The three dismounted, their eyes fixed on the two unfamiliar carriages and the group of black-clad guards before them, their expressions filled with surprise and curiosity.

Just now, the captain reported that the agents had brought the Emperor of Daqian to the camp. The three hurriedly went out of the camp to greet him, all of them filled with doubts.

Duan Yun Pass is now heavily guarded. Xiao Yunche is stationed inside the pass, keeping a close watch on spies and instigators day and night. The patrols outside the pass are also extremely thorough and meticulous.

This group of people, carrying such an extraordinary and powerful figure as the Emperor of Daqian, were able to cross the border defense line of Daqian and arrive at the Yan army camp in a grand and unimpeded manner. They were not surrounded or intercepted by any Daqian garrison, nor did they encounter any interception or investigation. Such methods are too strange and incomprehensible!

Amazing!

Weird!

Murong Di's sharp gaze swept over the group of black-clad guards, his aura imposing, and doubts arose in his heart.

Just as the three were speculating, the curtain of the carriage behind them moved slightly, and a tall, slender figure stepped down slowly.

This man was dressed in a black, close-fitting outfit. He had a tall and straight posture, a cold and sharp temperament, and was surrounded by a chilling aura of someone who had spent years wandering in the darkness and killing countless people.

Most noticeably, a plain white gauze was hanging on his left arm. The gauze was thickly wrapped and faintly revealed a faint blood color, indicating that his left arm was still seriously injured and he was still wounded.

The moment that face came into view, Murong Di and Gongsun Yu, who were secretly surprised and suspicious, suddenly trembled, their pupils contracted sharply, and the surprise and suspicion on their faces instantly turned into extreme astonishment and shock!

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes.

Fang Xingye!

It turned out to be him!

Fang Xingye, Deputy Commander of the Dark Night Guard of the Yan Kingdom!

Everyone knows that the Yan Kingdom's Dark Night Guard is a top-secret force that the royal family has been secretly cultivating for fifteen years. It does not belong to the court or the army, and it only obeys the Yan Emperor.

This is a top-tier assassin and spy organization that operates outside the secular world. They are secretive and elusive, often hiding in the shadows. They carry out top-secret missions for the Yan Emperor, including assassination, espionage, kidnapping, and plotting. They are mysterious and unpredictable, and their influence is felt throughout the court and the country.

Fang Xingye is the number two figure in the Dark Night Guard. He is highly skilled in martial arts, ruthless, and elusive, rarely appearing in public in the court or military camps.

No one could have imagined that this extraordinary feat of penetrating deep into the heart of the Great Qian Dynasty, setting up a grand scheme, and successfully kidnapping the Great Qian Emperor was actually accomplished by the Dark Night Guard Deputy Commander, who had been hiding in the shadows for many years!

Gongsun Yu's heart sank suddenly, and his thoughts surged instantly as he understood the Yan Emperor's deep scheme.

Fifteen years of forbearance, fifteen years of lying low, the Dark Night Guards have infiltrated various parts of the Great Qian Dynasty, laying a net that stretches to the heavens and the earth. This game is far deeper, bigger, and more ruthless than anyone imagined!

After a moment of shock, the three quickly composed themselves and stepped forward to meet him.

Fang Xingye showed no arrogance or pride on his face, only a faint smile. He calmly stepped forward, raised his hand and bowed to Murong Di, the Yan general in front of him, displaying impeccable manners.

"Fang Xingye, a member of the Dark Night Guard, pays his respects to General Murong."

Murong Di quickly composed himself, helped him up, and his gaze fell on the bandaged left arm. He frowned slightly and asked, "Commander Fang, it's been many years since we last met. How have you been? I wonder how you managed to injure your left arm so badly?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xingye chuckled softly, his tone nonchalant, as if the serious injury was nothing more than a common scratch: "This time, while infiltrating Jingzhou City, I happened to meet an old acquaintance. I sparred with one of his experts and was injured in the process, nothing to mention."

These few words, seemingly casual, conceal a terrifying and perilous truth.

A hint of amazement flashed in Murong Di's eyes, and he exclaimed sincerely, "It seems that the Great Qian Dynasty truly has hidden talents and hidden dangers."

"Everyone thought that the military preparedness of the Great Qian Dynasty was lax and that the number of generals was dwindling, but no one expected that someone would be able to injure Commander Fang, who came from the Dark Night Guard and was a top martial artist. It is truly surprising."

As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Di got to the point, his sharp gaze meeting the other man's directly: "I wonder what brings the Commander here with his men to our camp, carrying out His Majesty's secret orders?"

Fang Xingye's smile deepened, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, his tone carrying a hint of deeper meaning.

"This humble general has traveled thousands of miles, traversing the Qian realm, just to deliver a tremendous congratulatory gift to General Murong."

A congratulatory gift!

The three of them stared at each other, instantly understanding what the gift was.

Fang Xingye stopped keeping him in suspense, slightly turned his body, raised his hand, and ordered the black-clad guards behind him in a deep voice, "Bring out the gifts so that General Murong and the other officials can see them!"

"yes!"

Two elite Night Guards stepped forward upon hearing the sound and gently lifted the heavy curtain of the carriage in front.

The carriage curtain was slowly pulled back, revealing the scene inside the carriage to everyone without any obstruction.

The person seated in the center, dressed in a neat imperial robe, exuded a dignified and composed air. Despite being trapped in the enemy camp, he remained steadfast and imposing. Beside him stood a eunuch, bowing deeply with his head bowed, his expression one of unwavering loyalty.

At a glance, I could see the identities of the two people clearly, and I could see that they were wearing dragon-patterned robes that only the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty could wear!

Murong Di, Gongsun Yu, and Tian Cheng all gasped for breath, their eyes snapped open, their minds went blank for a moment, and an extreme shock swept over them!

It's really him!

It really is Xiao Jinghuan, the reigning emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty!

The rumors that were rampant and difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction have now become completely true!

The Emperor of Daqian was indeed captured by Yan and became a prisoner!

Seeing the three people's shocked and stunned expressions, Fang Xingye's smile widened, and he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of certainty and smugness:

"General Murong, Military Advisor Gongsun, I wonder if this gift I've brought is to your liking?"

"Is this enough for my Yan Kingdom to pacify the northern border and conquer Qian Pass?"

After a long period of stunned silence, Murong Di slowly came to his senses. His mind was still reeling, and he hurriedly asked in a deep voice, "Is it His Majesty's will to capture the Emperor of Daqian and send him to our army's front lines?"

"nature."

Fang Xingye nodded slightly, his tone resolute: "Under the whole world, only His Majesty of Great Yan could orchestrate such a grand scheme and mobilize the entire Dark Night Guard."

"His Majesty's decree ordered me to capture the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty alive and send him to General Murong's Northern Expedition Camp as soon as possible."

He looked solemnly at Murong Di, each word clear and distinct.

"His Majesty's intention is to present the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty as a hostage before the three armies, to demonstrate the might of our 150,000 Yan troops, to crush the morale of the Yun Pass garrison, and to intimidate the hearts of the people of the Great Qian court! General Murong, please accept this great gift!"

At this moment, Murong Di's heart was still churning with excitement, a mixture of surprise, shock, and disbelief. His mind was in turmoil, and for a moment he had not fully grasped the Yan Emperor's deeper intentions. He only knew that this was a peerless bargaining chip that could overturn the course of the war.

However, Gongsun Yu, who was meticulous and well-versed in imperial psychology and political maneuvering, instantly understood the Yan Emperor's true intentions.

The Yan Emperor endured fifteen years of forbearance and made far-reaching plans; his intentions were never simply to kidnap an emperor.

The purpose of sending Xiao Jinghuan to the Northern Expeditionary Army camp instead of escorting him back to the capital is all too clear...

The goal is to make the frontline army take the Emperor of Daqian as the greatest deterrent, boost the Yan army's fighting spirit, and break through the bottom line of Daqian's morale!

When the two armies faced off in the future, at Duanyun Pass, Xiao Yunche used the emperor as a hostage to coerce the three armies. Xiao Yunche was hesitant to act, and the morale of the Daqian soldiers collapsed, causing them to crumble without a fight!

In an instant, Gongsun Yu understood the entire plan. His eyes gleamed, and he immediately stepped forward with a smile, cupped his hands, and solemnly spoke:

"We understand now, thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

"Our army will certainly receive this generous gift securely and use it wisely! We have already grasped His Majesty's profound intentions and will certainly live up to His Majesty's expectations!"

Fang Xingye saw that Gongsun Yu had revealed the secret in one sentence, and a look of approval flashed in his eyes. Then he raised his hand and waved it, suppressing his smile. His tone became more serious as he spoke up to remind him.

"The strategist is intelligent; he understands things immediately."

"However, let me make it clear from the beginning that this man is only temporarily staying in the military camp to serve as a tool for the general to boost morale and terrify the enemy."

"Once the situation at the front becomes clear and the war is initially settled, I will need to personally escort the Emperor of Daqian back to the capital and hand him over to His Majesty for his own disposal."

"You all need to be careful in handling this matter and in determining the appropriate measure, so as not to ruin His Majesty's overall plan."

Gongsun Yu nodded slightly, his smile calm and confident, and replied appropriately: "Thank you for the kind reminder, Deputy Commander. We know our limits and will absolutely not overstep them or jeopardize the Holy Lord's great cause."

After speaking, Fang Xingye said no more, raising his hand to signal the guards behind him: "Men, bring the hostages into the camp! Settle them properly, guard them closely, and do not relax your vigilance for even a moment!"

The elite Dark Night Guards responded immediately, moving forward in an orderly fashion to escort the carriage steadily toward the depths of the Yan army camp.

Sunlight streamed down in front of the camp, while the autumn wind whistled and bleak.

As he watched the carriage slowly drive into the military camp, and the tiny carriage that carried the glory and disgrace of the emperors of the Great Qian Dynasty, Murong Di's eyes blazed with fighting spirit and boundless ambition.

Holding the emperor hostage, they control the weakest link in the universe!

At this moment, he was finally completely certain...

The Yan state will surely win this battle!

"Captain Tian, ​​prepare yourselves! Gather the soldiers! This general wishes to share this great gift with all of you brothers!"

Tian Cheng naturally understood Murong Di's meaning. A smile played on his lips as he cupped his hands and replied, "This subordinate will take care of it immediately!"