Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

The group rested by the creek for three hours before setting off at dawn.

After a night's rest, Chen Long's injuries had recovered quite a bit, and he could walk freely.

As for Tan'er, she was back to her lively self after waking up last night.

"Great General! Great General!"

She hopped and skipped at the very front.

"Southward."

At the fork in the road, Huo Ting reminded her.

Tan'er shifted her steps, "Great General! Great General!"

Huo Ting walked ahead of the others.

Following him were not Ji Li, Chen Long, or Si Snake, but Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan.

From time to time, he glanced back at the two, always meeting Lu Yuan's seemingly smiling eyes.

Meng Qianqian was quiet, continuously observing the surrounding terrain.

He withdrew his gaze and tightly held the Gu Flute hanging at his waist.

On the way to find Xu Zhongping, the group encountered Song Yingzhong and Yun Chaomu, with Lu Qi and Lan Yeyue respectively by their sides.

As she glimpsed Lan Yeyue, Shang Wuyou suddenly acted like a startled rabbit, hiding behind Meng Qianqian.

Such a move is only seen in children.

Lan Yeyue also noticed him, and her cold face suddenly displayed a charming smile: "Oh, I wondered who it was, turns out to be little Wuyou. That day you left without a word, made sister search high and low for you."

Yun Chaomu wasn't envious of a half-grown child, but as he turned his gaze to Shang Wuyou, he caught sight of the woman in front of him.

Clad in a Mystic Robe, her brows and eyes were cold, holding a treasure sword.

Though he had someone in his heart, and wouldn't typically linger on other women's appearances, there was an invisible aura about her, making it momentarily impossible to look away.

Lan Yeyue glanced at Yun Chaomu and continued teasing Shang Wuyou: "You little heartless thing, which part of sister did you find displeasing? You just left sister without a word! Heartbreaker!"

Shang Wuyou, a child indeed, had never stood such a situation, his youthful handsome face turning red.

Everyone knew of Mao Tu's nature, so they didn't take it to heart. While she teased Shang Wuyou, Song Yingzhong and Lu Qi looked toward Chen Long across from them.

Chen Long was no longer the one bringing up the rear, decisively stepping forward to block everyone's "inappropriate" gaze toward his sister.

Especially Yun Chaomu, who had looked at Meng Qianqian for too long, receiving Chen Long's angry glare.

Song Yingzhong was a bit puzzled.

Lu Qi had watched Chen Long head north, and soon after heard someone breaking into the Trapped Dragon Formation.

He speculated that the person should be Chen Long.

But Chen Long was still alive—

Could the one breaking into the formation not be him?

Then, his gaze passed over Lu Yuan, Si Snake and Ji Li, finally landing on Huo Ting: "Is this your choice? You should understand, it's not about who has more Twelve Guards that will determine victory; the Black Armor Army never listens to Twelve Guards' command."

This statement, unclear if it was intended for Huo Ting or Yun Chaomu.

Before Huo Ting could speak, Ji Li started with insults: "Song Yingzhong, Yun Chaomu, you two untrustworthy scoundrels, owed me a favor and stabbed me in the back! I'm going to settle the score with you today!"

"Oh, long time no see, Rooster Guard is still so fierce."

Lan Yeyue smiled radiantly, leaping to block Ji Li.

Ji Li rudely said: "You wicked bunny, get out of my way for Commander Guard! Or I'll beat you too!"

Lan Yeyue coquettishly replied: "We'll see if you have the ability."

The two began to fight.

Meng Qianqian emerged from behind Chen Long, gazing deeply at Song Yingzhong and Yun Chaomu.

Song Yingzhong gave her a long look: "You're Li Haiya's disciple, right? I expected a formidable young figure. Li Haiya is just grabbing at straws in desperation, finding a random young girl to pass on the Yin Hu Guard, truly foolish."

Lu Yuan smiled: "You're not foolish, grabbing someone who can't even beat a little girl."

Lu Qi's face sank.

Tan'er puffed out her little chest: "Exactly!"

Song Yingzhong looked at the strange group, a weak woman is manageable, but even a thirteen or fourteen-year-old maid was included for good measure.

Meng Qianqian: "Song Yingzhong."

Song Yingzhong's expression paused, almost involuntarily straightening his spine.

Such a reaction only appears when the Grand Marshal calls him.

Ridiculous, a weak woman giving him the pressure of the Grand Marshal.

Song Yingzhong looked again at Meng Qianqian's unfamiliar yet youthful face, secretly thought he was overthinking.

Yun Chaomu spoke: "Everyone must be here for the Black Armor Army, since no one concedes, why not rely on each other's skills to see who the Black Armor Army eventually belongs to."

He said to Lan Yeyue, "Yue'er, it's time to go, meet the Great General."

"Understood, Yun brother."

Lan Yeyue swiftly ended her move, using Qinggong back to Yun Chaomu's side.

"Don't run!"

Ji Li exclaimed.

Meng Qianqian said: "Fight later."

Ji Li arrogantly replied: "Why should I listen to you? That trick won't work on me!"

Meng Qianqi stated calmly: "Si Snake, send him back to Great Zhou as Prince Consort."

Ji Li: "…!!!"

Yun Chaomu was stopped by Chen Long's sword: "Did anyone say you could leave first?"

Despite her fighting attitude with Ji Li, in front of Chen Long, Lan Yeyue didn't have the nerve.

Even though Chen Long was injured now, she understood just how terrifying his strength was.

She held onto Yun Chaomu's arm: "No worries, Yun brother, since they are eager, let them leave first."

Yun Chaomu did not object.

Chen Long sheathed his sword, waiting for his sister and the others to pass before joining the group.

Song Yingzhong walked next to Yun Chaomu: "Don't you think they are strange?"

Yun Chaomu asked: "You're referring to Li Haiya's apprentice, right?"

Song Yingzhong nodded: "For some reason, facing her gives a feeling hard to describe."

Lu Qi was quite surprised.

He was aware of Yan Xiaojiu's true identity, although only recently.

In his view, a newly appointed Yin Hu is far less important than Lu Yuan and Chen Long.

He looked at Lan Yeyue, who usually talked a lot but was unusually silent.

Lan Yeyue smiled sweetly: "Why is the Commandery Prince looking at me? Could it be... you want to compete with Yun brother for someone?"

Yun Chaomu coldly glared at Lu Qi.

Lan Yeyue teasing Shang Wuyou didn't bother him, but Lu Qi, a fully grown adult, he minded very much.

Lu Qi had no desire to associate with Lan Yeyue, he indifferently shifted his gaze, walking to the other side of Song Yingzhong.

When Huo Ting led the group to Xu Zhongping's tent, he happened to not be there.

He had gone to train troops.

Huo Ting asked them to wait here while he fetched the Great General.

As soon as he left, a servant hurried over: "May I ask, where are the Grand Commander and Miss Meng?"

Grand Commander, Miss Meng.

It's rare to hear people in Liang Country addressing them like this.

Lu Yuan asked: "What's the matter?"

The servant pointed to a nearby tent: "My master invites you."

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian went to that tent.

"Young Master Duan?"

Meng Qianqian was surprised but felt it was expected.

She said to Lu Yuan, "Duan Mingyue, I've mentioned him to you, the workshop owner."

Duan Mingyue sat in the wheelchair with a smile, slowly saying: "We've met again."

We?

Meng Qianqian furrowed her brows.

She indeed had encounters with Duan Mingyue, but for Lu Yuan, this should be the first time seeing him.

Could this comment be directed at her alone?

However, as she looked at Duan Mingyue, his gaze clearly fell on Lu Yuan's face.

And Lu Yuan was continuously looking at him, an intriguing flash in his eyes:

"Long time no see, Young Master Duan, or should I call you... Xun Yi."