Shenying Marquis Manor

In the heart of Zhenyou City, the most prosperous area in all of Youzhou.

At the end of the main street, a striking mansion appeared before them. In front of the mansion's grand gate stood a group of guards clad in black armor, holding long spears, their expressions solemn.

Looking up, they saw a plaque above the mansion's gate, where four golden characters were emblazoned: "Shenying Marquis Manor." The calligraphy was vigorous and sharp, exuding an air of authority and a hint of arrogance.

Within the courtyard of Shenying Marquis Manor, a woman stood alone in an area resembling a training ground. She wore a black, form-fitting outfit that showcased her free spirit, and several silver strands were clearly visible among her coiled hair.

Beside her stood a silver-white spear. Its tip gleamed coldly under the sunlight, radiating a chilling killing intent.

Yuan Tiangang's figure appeared behind the woman. He made no move, simply watching her quietly.

Shenying Marquis Wang Hanying. This was the primary reason Yuan Tiangang had come to Youzhou. If this person submitted, then ninety percent of the Youzhou situation would be settled.

She rose to prominence eighty years ago during the Battle of Yunzhou. She had fought sixty-four battles, large and small, on horseback with her spear, suffering not a single defeat. After the Battle of Yunzhou concluded, her meritorious service was exceptional, and she was granted the title of Shenying Marquis.

Fifty years ago, by the grace of the previous emperor, she was further appointed Great General of Zhenyou and came to Youzhou. She took command of the Youzhou Grand Camp, one of Dagan's six great camps, leading forty thousand Youzhou border troops to defend Youzhou against Great Feng.

More than thirty years ago, the Battle of Youzhou commenced, and Dagan achieved a great victory.

At that time, the previous emperor had passed away, and the new Emperor Gan, Chu Tianxiong, had just ascended the throne. Wang Hanying, already renowned for her military achievements and having just won the Battle of Youzhou, was specially granted the Shenying Marquis Manor with hereditary succession for three generations.

The name Shenying Marquis Wang Hanying once again shook the world. As a woman, she held the rank of Marquis, with hereditary succession for three generations. Two great battles forged her legend, inspiring countless women to yearn and emulate her.

They wished they could be the next woman like the Shenying Marquis, but how many Wang Hanyings were there in this world?

During the Battle of Youzhou, Wang Hanying was also severely wounded. She subsequently abdicated her marquisate, and her son, Wang Long, became the current Shenying Marquis.

Although she had rarely appeared in recent decades, her reputation and prestige in Youzhou were immense. Even extending across Dagan, in terms of military command alone, Wang Hanying ranked highly.

With her intervention, controlling the Youzhou border army would be effortless. Without her, Yuan Tiangang would have to find and deal with everyone below one by one, which would be too troublesome.

Hmm, the Shenying Marquis herself wasn't that important. Dagan had many marquises, but few caught his eye. What mattered was the Great General of Zhenyou, the authority over the commander of the forty thousand Youzhou border troops in the Youzhou Grand Camp.

Her hand caressed the spear tip, and a trace of reminiscence flashed in the woman's weathered eyes, as if the past were still before her.

After watching for a while, she turned, and her expression changed. She took several steps back, twirled her long spear, and pointed its tip directly at Yuan Tiangang.

"Who are you?"

Looking at the masked figure before her, Wang Hanying was astonished. Although she was injured, she was still a Mid Ascension Realm expert. How had this person appeared behind her so easily?

Without the slightest hint of movement or any trace of aura.

Yuan Tiangang took out a token and tossed it to Wang Hanying.

As she took the token and looked at it, Wang Hanying's pupils contracted.

Made of profound gold, engraved with dragon patterns, with a dragon head at the center, suppressing the world.

Looking at the numerous secret patterns on it, Wang Hanying knew very well that this was a token from the Dagan Imperial Clan. The dragon head at the center indicated it belonged to a prince.

If it were a collateral branch of the Imperial Clan, it would be a dragon tail or body, arranged in sequence.

The Emperor's token would have nine dragons coiling around the center, with the heavens engraved behind.

On the back of this token, a flamboyant character, "Ao," was inscribed.

Wang Hanying sighed inwardly, understanding. The Prince of Qin. This esteemed individual had sent someone this early.

The Prince of Qin's mansion in Hanshan Prefecture City was under construction. News of this person had spread throughout Youzhou. No, his fame had already spread throughout Youzhou.

The saying, "To die under the peony flowers, and be a romantic ghost," had long been spread throughout the land by scholars and poets.

At the age of eleven, he frequented brothels and wrote such lines. This person must be famous in all the states. In terms of fame, he was no less than Wang Hanying.

Of course, everyone with eyes knew that his widespread fame wasn't solely due to his own actions; there was undoubtedly a lot of behind-the-scenes promotion from various factions.

But to say he had nothing to do with it would be impossible!

Since the news of his enfeoffment in Hanshan Prefecture spread, this elegant region of Hanshan Prefecture had seen a considerable increase in establishments in recent days. Their numbers were comparable to those in the strategically important Zhenyou City.

The person before her was definitely a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert. Judging from the aura he exuded, he was even stronger than the one from Duke Fu's Mansion she had met before.

However, she didn't know about the current situation. The snowstorm that had engulfed Tiandu City had dissipated because of one person, and the news had spread far and wide.

Ordinary people only felt that the heavens had changed, and celestial phenomena were unusual.

But within the highest echelons of power, everyone knew that the Celestial Phenomenon Realm ancestor of Duke Fu's Mansion had made further progress. Even though she was in Youzhou, the news had reached her.

Hearing Wang Hanying's words, Yuan Tiangang paid no mind to her assessment of him being in the Celestial Phenomenon Realm. It's normal for them to think that way, he thought.

He had only revealed a wisp of his aura and hadn't truly exerted himself.

Moreover, the gap between their realms was too vast. Those who hadn't reached the Heavenly Realm couldn't distinguish or differentiate between the power of the Celestial Phenomenon Realm and the Heavenly Being Realm.

They could only feel that it was the power of heaven and earth, something beyond mortals.

With a wave of his hand, the True Qi in Yuan Tiangang's palm dissipated.

Looking at the masked man before her, his eyes were deep and cold, yet also majestic and overbearing, making it impossible to look directly at him.

Wang Hanying was stunned for a moment, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

A Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert! I'm seeing one again.

But this time it was different. This Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert had come looking for her.

The Prince of Qin...

Isn't he just a dissolute prince who only knows how to enjoy himself?

Doesn't he only have a few Ascension Realm experts in his manor?

The difference in realms is so vast.

The Celestial Phenomenon Realm was enough to establish one at the pinnacle of the martial world. Even across the land, they could roam freely and unchallenged. As long as no Heavenly Beings appeared, they were invincible.

And yet, this expert was taking orders from the Prince of Qin and had come to find her for his matters.

"So, Shenying Marquis, have you made a decision?"

Hearing Yuan Tiangang's voice, Wang Hanying snapped back to reality. A wry smile appeared on her face. The Prince of Qin sending a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert to find her made his intentions very clear.

Wang Hanying twisted her hands, and a mechanical whirring sound came from her long spear. With a "click," the silver spear in her hand transformed into a short rod about twenty centimeters long and was placed into her sleeve.

She raised her right hand, pointing towards the main hall. She slightly lowered her head and bent her waist, making a gesture to invite him in. She said respectfully, "Senior, please move to the main hall. I will brew you a pot of good tea and we can discuss in detail?"

Yuan Tiangang looked at Wang Hanying, then strode towards the main hall in the courtyard with powerful steps.