The improved female villains regained their memories.

She fought a bloody battle against the barbarian army for two years, but unbeknownst to her, a rebellion was also starting.

The one leading them was Su Murong.

She issued a decree to slaughter the barbarians, calling on the brave warriors of the North to join forces to kill the barbarian thieves, and personally led her troops to fight the barbarians.

The popularity-based talisman system truly created a brand-new system. Under this system, Su Murong's troops were invincible. While Guan Hongyi and Bargu were locked in a stalemate, Su Murong's troops crossed the northern border, went straight into the grasslands, and raided the barbarian royal court.

Upon receiving the intelligence, Bargu was stunned. No one had expected that the little girl would become his greatest threat. However, because Guan Hongyi was relentlessly pursuing him, he had no choice but to send his subordinates with a force to return and provide reinforcements.

Then, they were all wiped out.

After slaughtering the barbarian tribes, Su Murong and her teacher Gui Jianchou each led two armies to block Balgu's retreat.

The northern border became the graveyard of the Bargut.

Two years later, Bargut committed suicide in the Beiluo River, the place where he had once won a great victory, which now became the final chapter of his great defeat.

Ironically, the person who brought him both great victory and great defeat was the same person.

Su Murong, for his meritorious service in protecting the country, was bestowed the title of "General of Loyalty and Martial Valor" by the emperor, and was granted the title of "Marquis of Champion." He was formally incorporated into the royal army, with a reserved army, and was given the full authority to name his army.

At the victory banquet, Su Murong wept bitterly, holding Guan Hongyi's hand tightly and refusing to let go, saying, "I have always admired the loyalty and righteousness of the Guan family. At that time, I was forced to be among the barbarians. I know that you must hate me in your heart, General Guan, but I still want to say that if you are willing, I am willing to become sworn brothers with you. From now on, your mother will be my mother, and your father will be my father. I do not ask to be born on the same day, month, and year as General Guan, but I ask to die on the same day, month, and year as General Guan."

The wailing was heartbreaking to hear, and there was no doubt that the person crying might faint at any moment.

Guan Hongyi didn't believe it, but firstly, the other party looked like a child; secondly, it was a time for celebration, and the other party had just been granted a title by the Emperor; and thirdly, many people were pleading for Su Murong. Guan Hongyi naturally softened and didn't say anything for a moment.

After the victory celebration ended, Su Murong returned to his unit. The soldiers, adorned with [Courage Talisman] and [Slave Talisman], stood in a dark, silent mass on the training ground.

Su Murong watched from his tall horse, his face calm.

"The Rong in Su Murong is the Rong of honor, not the Rong of wealth and glory."

She murmured to herself, a cold wind ruffling the ends of her hair, concealing her tear stains.

"Mother, I did what you said."

At the young age of sixteen, Su Murong was granted the title of Marquis and appointed General, receiving unparalleled honors.

----

Inside the wooden prison cart, the cold wind seeped in through the cracks, penetrating to the bone. Yang Pingsheng's gaze followed it in, and Su Murong felt as if he were being attacked by swords and spears, as if he were in the deepest hell.

Her back was slightly bent, her whole body trembled, and sweat and tears mingled on her forehead, blurring her vision. She struggled to shrink herself, wishing she could disappear into a crack, and lowered her head, not daring to look at the person in front of her.

"Let's go, let's go, doctor, what are you doing here..."

She said it almost pleadingly.

"Don't come any closer, don't look at me..."

The system is right, the opportunity has indeed arrived.

Yang Pingsheng leaned closer, reached into the prison van, and slowly took her hand. Sweat and tears soaked her clothes, and in the instant of their touch, he could only sense her panic.

"No."

She fled in increasing terror. Yang Pingsheng paused, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, and carefully wiped Su Murong's forehead.

"Doctor, please get me some medicine, okay? Please, please..."

She spoke through trembling lips, her gaze darting away from him. These words were uttered out of desire, the intensifying addiction making her completely unable to control herself.

The pain of not taking the medicine climbed to her heart; she clutched it, her face contorted in agony.

"Xiao Rong".

Kneeling outside the prison cart, his eyes filled with the woman inside, Yang Pingsheng gently reached out, a tender smile on his face, and then tremblingly took out candy from his pocket.

"Give."

Two pieces of candy were placed in the palm of his hand and handed to Su Murong. She was stunned, looked up, and saw only gentle eyes.

Memories, like the snowstorm of that year, fill my heart.

"what?"

"Didn't you say you wanted candy? Does your heart still hurt?"

"Are you fucking crazy?! I said I was lying to you, I was lying! Don't you understand?!"

"You're kidding me?"

"Yes, I was lying to you! And I was the one who stole your package at the city gate. Doesn't your head hurt anymore?!"

"It hurts quite a bit."

"Then you still believe me!?"

The memory stopped at the moment when the little girl roared.

Yang Pingsheng chuckled softly: "I believe you."

"I believe in you, you will overcome your addiction."

"I believe in you, and I'm sure you'll achieve your goals."

"I believe in you. You are definitely not the kind of person who covets fame and fortune."

"Xiao Rong, I believe in you."

Yang Pingsheng said:

"I have always believed in you."

That year, amidst the snow and the blooming fireworks, the little girl's hopes were ignited.

As she watched the fireworks, she spoke of her grandest ambition.

Hey.

Tears dripped onto the ground.

as always.

Su Murong had cried before; she had cried many times. But each time, she would wipe away her tears and put on a smiling face.

After the death of Liuyun City, all she wanted was to survive, and she truly gave it her all to stay alive.

But now...

Su Murong said in a hoarse voice, "Save me, doctor, save me..."

She got sick; she got a very serious illness.

She didn't know what disease she had, nor how to treat it.

So, she helplessly reached out for help once again.

"Save me... my life..."

But this time, she got a response.

"I will save you."

Yang Pingsheng took her hand.

Ink-black clouds rolled and filled the azure night sky. A gale swept through the air and gathered above the capital city not far away. In an instant, the weather changed color, and a divine light shot straight into the sky, causing the earth to tremble.

However, the boy ignored this strange occurrence, his eyes only on the helpless girl.

"Don't worry, Xiao Rong, no matter what you're like, I will save you."

The firelight in the boy's eyes shone with unwavering determination.

"Definitely."

Chapter 161 A Madman Suddenly Sharpens His Knife at Night

The capital of the Yan Kingdom was divided into three layers: the outer city, the inner city, and the imperial city.

The outer city was for ordinary people to live in, but these people were not ordinary people from other places. Their ancestors had either distinguished themselves in the military or served in the imperial court, so their families and descendants lived there. Every inch of land in the outer city was well-maintained and the security was excellent. Officials' families also lived there, and as far as the eye could see, it was a bustling and prosperous place.

The inner city is within the spiritual energy range of the Spirit Spring. It is mainly for the families of cultivators or meritorious officials and important ministers with significant military achievements. Entry and exit require a token, and unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter or exit at will. All food and daily necessities are ordered daily from personnel dispatched by the imperial palace. The inner city consists of rows of mansions. Compared to the outer city, it is less bustling and more solemn.

As for the imperial city, needless to say, it is the center of the spiritual spring's radiation, where all the spiritual energy in the world gathers. It is inhabited by royalty and nobles, and within its unfathomable palace walls lie countless powerful cultivators.

The eagle lives in the inner city.

It was a powerful demon, and after falling into the hands of the Yan Kingdom, it was imprisoned in a mansion in the inner city. The mansion was filled with secluded bamboo forests, and the sound of a zither lingered endlessly. It did not sound like it was played by an ordinary person; it seemed to resonate with the Great Dao.

The eagle transformed into human form, dressed in black, and slowly soothed the music, sighing softly as it raised its eyes to stare at the uninvited guest.

"You seem to be in a good mood." Guan Hongyi, standing at the door, neither dodged nor avoided him, looking directly into his eyes.

The eagle stared coldly at her, its demonic aura about to erupt, but it was suppressed by some mysterious force. So it sneered and said to Guan Hongyi, "I wonder what brings General Guan here?"

The eagle's tone was indifferent, but Guan Hongyi didn't care and went straight to the point: "What benefits did Su Murong give you that made you risk your life to set foot in this imperial city for her?"

The eagle was shocked, never expecting that its connection with Su Murong would still be discovered.

How could this be? Could there be a traitor who betrayed us?

The eagle, trying to discern Guan Hongyi's purpose in coming, straightened up slightly and replied, "I don't understand what General Guan is talking about."

"You met with Su Murong on May 14th, and stormed into the capital on the 15th. The next day, Su Murong submitted a memorial claiming that the Southern Demon Alliance had rebelled, and that you were instructed by them to infiltrate the capital to gather intelligence." Guan Hongyi stepped forward and shouted, "Su Murong's schemes may deceive His Majesty, but they cannot deceive me. When you were discovered, that was when Su Murong was ordered to go to the Southern. Now, she has completely rebelled, killed the Southern general, released demons, and is about to attack the capital! And you, as her inside man, are lying in wait here, waiting for your opportunity. I think that the body you are in now is actually just an incarnation, isn't it? Your true self is hiding elsewhere in this city!"

The eagle was astonished. Everyone said that Guan Hongyi was unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness, and had the same style as his father. But he never expected that Guan Hongyi was also proficient in both literature and military strategy. Now that they had met in person, he realized that what they said was true.

The truth was revealed, and the eagle was under immense pressure.

Guan Hongyi suddenly laughed, then changed the subject and said, "Why don't you surrender to me and tell me everything you know? That way, you might save your life."

"What?" The eagle's eyes widened. "I am a demon, and you actually want to recruit me?"

Guan Hongyi chuckled: "She, Su Murong, is just a twenty-year-old brat, yet she can disregard the difference between humans and demons and boldly appoint you. What's wrong with me, Guan Hongyi, serving the country? Besides, the demon race lives in the southern part of Nanjun, and they are originally considered citizens of Yan. I, Guan Hongyi, naturally don't want to see my citizens of Yan killing each other and going to the Yellow Springs with Su Murong."

The eagle looked Guan Hongyi up and down, then laughed inexplicably and said, "What good would it do me to surrender to you?"

“First, your life.” Guan Hongyi raised a finger. “I will guarantee with my reputation and life that the Yan Kingdom will not hold your actions against you. You will not only receive a reward from the Yan Kingdom court, but also a token to enter and exit the inner city. You must have felt it these past few days. You can use spiritual energy to nourish demonic energy, which will benefit your cultivation.”

The eagle listened, remaining silent.

“Second,” Guan Hongyi held up another finger, “I know that a great demon like you who can transform into a human must have a clan in the South. If you are willing to surrender to me, I will do my best to protect your clan and, after the matter is accomplished, bring them all to the inner city so that your clan can enjoy peace and happiness for generations to come. How about it?”

The eagle's expression changed; he hadn't expected Guan Hongyi to offer such a condition.