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

The north wind, carrying the frost from beyond the pass, fiercely swept across the gate of the Yan army's central tent, causing the military flags to flutter and crackle in the air.

Xiao Jinghuan and Li Fuquan were taken to the army's main tent.

At this moment, Tian Cheng had already ordered the captains to gather all the soldiers on the training ground.

Inside the army's main tent.

Murong Di was clad in heavy black iron armor, his shoulder armor was menacing, and the sword at his waist was drawn half an inch from its sheath, its cold light gleaming.

He stood quietly, looking down at the Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty and his attendant eunuchs, his contempt and smugness almost undisguised.

After a long silence, Murong Di's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. He spoke first, his tone sharp and arrogant.

"The Emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty, the supreme ruler, possesses a vast empire..."

"You lived a life of unparalleled glory, looking down upon all living beings and holding the power of life, death, honor, and disgrace over your countless subjects."

"Did you ever imagine that one day you would become a prisoner of the Yan Kingdom, ending up in such a wretched state as you are today?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Murong Di's gaze became increasingly mocking and sarcastic. Countless cold gazes enveloped Xiao Jinghuan, as if he were examining a canary trapped in a cage, whose former nobility had vanished.

Even in dire straits, Xiao Jinghuan showed no sign of distress or cowardice.

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: ①⓪①ⓚⓚⓢ.ⓒⓞⓜ]

Facing Murong Di's mocking gaze, Xiao Jinghuan neither flinched nor avoided it. He calmly raised his eyes, let out a cold snort that dispersed the surrounding whispers of wind, and spoke with a steady and dignified tone, exuding the aura of an emperor.

"General Murong, you have achieved success at a young age and are too sharp-tongued. I advise you to quickly send a message to the Prince of Yan to withdraw your troops immediately and cancel the war with Daqian."

He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Murong Di and his two companions from the Yan army. His words were firm and resounding:

"The mere Yan Kingdom, confined to a corner outside the pass, even with its strong army and iron cavalry, will only face total annihilation if it insists on waging war against the Great Qian."

"Your capture of me today does not change the vast disparity in national strength between our two countries. In a direct confrontation, Yan is no match for our Great Qian."

These words were spoken calmly and without any hint of pleading or showing weakness. On the contrary, they carried an air of superiority and intimidation, as if he were not the one trapped in the encirclement and a prisoner, but still the Great Qian Emperor who sat in the capital and ruled the world.

Upon hearing this, the tent fell silent for a moment.

The next instant, Murong Di suddenly threw his head back and burst into a loud, unrestrained laugh. His laughter was rough and arrogant, full of mockery and disdain, and it echoed throughout the camp.

"Hahaha! What an utterly ridiculous joke! It's a complete farce!"

He took a step forward, his heavy iron boots slamming into the frozen ground with a dull thud. A powerful sense of oppression pressed down on Xiao Jinghuan, and a fierce glint appeared in his eyes.

"Xiao Jinghuan, you've been blinded by imperial power and wealth; you're utterly incompetent!"

"Now that things have come to this, you are like fish on a chopping block in the Yan Kingdom, a prisoner who has surrendered without resistance. Your life is entirely in my hands!"

"You yourself are barely able to protect yourself, having become a prisoner of our army, yet you still dare to speak so arrogantly, boasting that you will raze my Yan Kingdom to the ground?"

Murong Di stared intently at the emperor before him, his brows furrowed with an arrogant and domineering air.

Do you think the Yan state of today is still the same timid, cowardly border state it was fifteen years ago, fearing the might of the Great Qian?

"The Great Qian Dynasty is now in turmoil, beset by internal and external troubles, and is no longer the powerful state it once was. What makes you think you can contend with my Yan Kingdom? Who gave you the audacity to spout such nonsense here!"

The chilling question, carried by a cold wind, intensified Murong Di's murderous aura.

But Xiao Jinghuan's expression remained unchanged. Facing Murong Di's mockery and murderous intent, he suddenly chuckled.

"Young people, being young and arrogant, and looking down on others, is the biggest taboo."

"You only know that the Yan Kingdom has grown stronger over the past fifteen years, but your vision is narrow. You have never thought that the accumulation and rise of my Great Qian over the years has far exceeded your imagination."

"Do you think my Great Qian is weak and vulnerable due to internal strife?" Xiao Jinghuan raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone filled with undeniable certainty. "Then do you know about the Eastern Yi? The Eastern Yi have been established for a hundred years, dominating the seas, with a navy that is unparalleled in the surrounding area, ample military strength, and a powerful nation. They are by no means a weak and small country, and their strength is in no way inferior to the current Yan Kingdom."

He paused, his gaze suddenly sharpening like a knife, striking directly into Murong Di's eyes.

"Our Great Qian dispatched an army of 300,000, marching a thousand miles in a thunderous attack. In just one month, we swept across the entire territory of the Eastern Barbarians, captured their capital, annihilated the centuries-old Eastern Barbarians, seized their land, and took their people under our control. In one battle, we settled the fate of the world!"

"You keep saying that the Yan Kingdom is no longer what it used to be, and is now incredibly powerful. Then why don't you carefully consider whether the Eastern Yi at their peak were stronger or weaker than the Yan Kingdom?"

"Today, your Yan state has launched an invasion, pressing forward relentlessly. If you insist on fighting to the death, you will one day repeat the fate of the Eastern Yi, who were destroyed!"

Each word landed with a resounding force, carrying immense weight.

Murong Di, who had been laughing wildly and exuding arrogance, suddenly froze on his face.

The war that destroyed the Eastern Yi kingdom is known throughout the world. In just one month, a powerful nation that had lasted for a century was destroyed. The reputation of the Great Qian Iron Army has spread to all the countries in the world, and it has intimidated all the forces on the border.

Although Murong Di already knew about this matter, he was unwilling to admit the strength of the Great Qian Dynasty, and thought it was just an exaggeration or a coincidence.

But now, hearing it spoken by Xiao Jinghuan himself, every word was true and every sentence was sincere, like a heavy hammer hitting his heart, instantly shattering his arrogance and pride.

An uncontrollable rage surged from the depths of his heart and rushed straight to the top of his head!

Murong Di's eyes turned bloodshot, his ferocity surged, his chest heaved violently, and his killing intent exploded all around him.

He could no longer contain his rage. He suddenly bent down and reached out with his large hand, grabbing Xiao Jinghuan's shirt tightly!

The immense force instantly pulled Xiao Jinghuan close, the two inches apart. Murong Di's ferocious face was almost pressed against his, his teeth clenched, his voice like a low growl, filled with boundless rage.

"You dog emperor! Even now you dare to be so arrogant! You still dare to spread rumors and mislead the public!"

"Open your eyes and look carefully! At this very moment, you are trapped in my Yan Kingdom's camp, surrounded by our iron cavalry on all sides. You have no soldiers, no generals, no help, and no support. You are a complete prisoner!"

"Your life and your kingdom are entirely in the hands of the Yan Kingdom! What right do you have to compare the Eastern Barbarians with our Great Yan! What right do you have to spout such nonsense!"

His clothes were gripped tightly, so tightly that Xiao Jinghuan's breathing became slightly labored, and his clothes became taut and wrinkled.

Yet he remained unfazed, his expression calm, without a trace of fear in his eyes. He stared directly at the enraged Murong Di, a cold smile curving his lips, his tone indifferent yet sharp: "A prisoner? I've never thought of you as such."

"My being trapped in the enemy camp is due to my poor judgment of people and my momentary carelessness, not because the Great Qian is no match for the Yan Kingdom." Xiao Jinghuan's voice was clear, cold, and steady, with a penetrating power. "You think that by capturing me you can control the Great Qian and intimidate our soldiers? That's wishful thinking."

"Our Great Qian has the War God Su Mu guarding the country, and hundreds of thousands of iron-blooded soldiers fighting to defend the border."

"I hereby declare that within a few months, the iron cavalry of my Great Qian will surely crush the Yan Kingdom's court, sweep across the lands beyond the Great Wall, and personally welcome me back to the capital!"

His gaze suddenly turned cold, seeing right through Murong Di's bravado and guilty conscience, each word clear and distinct.

"And you, Murong Di, are young and arrogant, relying on your martial prowess and showing no regard for the foundation of a great nation."

"After this battle, you will surely die on the battlefield, your body forgotten!"

These words were like a sharp blade piercing the heart, precisely striking at Murong Di's most prized and most feared weakness!

As a young and famous general of the Yan state, Murong Di was invincible in battle throughout his life. He was most proud of his own bravery and military career, and most afraid of being defeated and dying on the battlefield.

Xiao Jinghuan's confident yet harsh prediction completely ignited all the anger and resentment in his heart!

"You're asking for it!"

A furious shout echoed throughout the military camp!

A flash of cold light!

Murong Di swiftly drew his sword from his waist with his right hand. The sharp, narrow blade, gleaming with a chilling light, was instantly drawn, its sharp light and menacing aura overwhelming.

The next instant, the cold blade pressed firmly against Xiao Jinghuan's neck!

The blade was piercingly cold, and the icy touch spread throughout his body along his neck. With just a slight exertion of his fingertips, Murong Di could instantly slit his throat and end the life of this Great Qian Emperor!