Reunion

(P. S.: The chapter is back! Everyone, please come back soon, I've missed you all so much!)

Lingxu didn't know the specifics either; he was simply the Grand Preceptor of the Da Qian Kingdom, who had received a preemptive Technique Method message from a Daoist Temple.

Around the time Qin Yi left the Ten Thousand Dao Immortal Palace for the Great Qian Dynasty, trouble had already broken out in Southern Li. Li Qingjun was protecting her little niece as they fled north, without even an army by their side. At this time, they had just crossed the border of the Great Qian Dynasty and were probably on their way to Dragon Abyss City. Lingxu knew nothing else about the situation.

The Great Qian Dynasty is vast, and it's unknown how long it will take for them to arrive here. Qin Yi couldn't wait any longer, so he hurriedly grabbed his handkerchief and rushed off to meet them.

This turn of events was truly unexpected.

I left Southern Li at the end of December, and it's now the end of July, so it's only been a little over half a year. Before I left, Southern Li was exhausted, but the external enemies had been eliminated, Li Qingjun held firm to his military power, and everyone obeyed him; there were no internal problems. After conquering the Western Wasteland, we seized a large amount of stored grain and wealth, which alleviated Southern Li's dire situation of running out of ammunition and food. Afterwards, Daqian, as the suzerain state, generously rewarded us with many artisans and superior livestock breeds.

Li Qingjun was full of responsibility and worked hard to carry on her brother's legacy. This seemed like a sign that the country was about to recover. How could she have ended up fleeing alone after only half a year?

Moreover, this happened so suddenly. The Great Qian side didn't receive any news at all, not even a request for help. It just happened like this all of a sudden.

This is utterly baffling!

"Bang bang, can you guess what's going on?"

"I don't know," Liusu said calmly. "I think you should be happy, not anxious."

Qin Yi pursed his lips. He knew that Liusu had never hidden his Demonic Nature thoughts from him, and theoretically he should be secretly pleased. But he couldn't really be so cold-blooded as to truly cheer for it.

Regardless, that was the country that Li Qingjun had tried her best to protect; it's unimaginable how much pain she must be in right now. Moreover, her escape doesn't mean she's out of danger; she's most likely still in grave peril. How could she not be anxious?

"Anyway, being anxious won't help," Liusu continued. "Your current strength far surpasses that of the mere Southern Li. Whether someone usurps the throne or the old inhabitants of the Western Wasteland rebel, it's all a matter you can resolve with a flick of your finger. Helping her restore her kingdom will be a piece of cake. What you need to consider is—whether or not you should try to resolve it."

Qin Yi said, "No matter what, I need to make sure she's safe before we talk about anything else."

The Daqian border army dispatched a troop to escort Li Qingjun and the Little King northward. The general secretly glanced at Li Qingjun on horseback beside him, his heart pounding and his mouth dry.

Several thousand troops who had marched south returned, boasting that the "Regent Queen of Southern Li, Zhaoyang Grand Princess," was only a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, and as beautiful as a fairy. But the entire border town thought they were just exaggerating. They'd seen plenty of refined ladies; how many beautiful women could a mere, Savage Wilderness little country, with only a few counties, possibly produce? Besides, they'd heard the Regent Queen was a military commander—she'd be lucky to escape being burly; how could she possibly be beautiful?

Even if it's not bragging, it's because of her status that she has an aura of beauty. An ordinary-looking person sitting in that position would probably be considered as beautiful as an angel.

This is a consensus among the people of Daqian.

This firsthand experience completely overturned the border troops' impressions.

Li Qingjun, clad in soft armor and wielding a silver spear, cradling a child, rode forth, her body covered in blood. She wore no helmet, her simple high ponytail neat and tidy, the blood staining her fair skin only adding to her poignant beauty. Behind her, the setting sun blazed like blood, the sound of hooves echoing, and countless plumes of dust followed, a poignant reminder of a nation's demise. That tragic scene is deeply etched in my heart, an image that lingers to this day.

Upon entering the border town and wiping away the bloodstains, the entire town seemed to Mingliang up. They truly hadn't imagined that the Princess was so beautiful. Her soft armor couldn't conceal her graceful figure and long legs, and her piercing eyes were full of sharpness. It was a youthful and heroic beauty, the kind of temperament that soldiers loved most.

Holding her child, she looked down, and in that instant, her fierce and ruthless demeanor transformed into a sorrowful and melancholic feeling that could break the hearts of thousands of soldiers.

Several generals nearly came to blows over who would escort them north.

This timely rescue might just win over the goddess's heart.

However, it seems unlikely. If she wants to restore her kingdom, she will have to rely on the power of the Great Qian Dynasty, and might even have to submit herself to a prince...

The general sighed with regret as he thought of this.

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard Li Qingjun shout, and her silver spear shot straight into the sky like lightning.

Looking up, they saw a dark mass of strange birds swooping down. All the birds had four eyes and their voices were like broken gongs, piercing their eardrums.

The spear's sharp edge pierced through the demonic wind, striking the wing of one of the strange birds and sending up a flurry of feathers.

The general finally realized what was happening and shouted, "Fire the arrows!"

A sudden rain of arrows was scattered by the demonic wind, and the strange birds swooped down, causing people and horses to fall instantly.

Li Qingjun solemnly protected the child, charging left and right, her spear flashing everywhere. The swooping monsters were all knocked to the ground, bringing with them a shower of Blood Rain.

The general discovered that the strongest member of this "escort" Princess was the Princess herself...

Is she still a Princess?

But even her once-spirited eyes now betrayed deep weariness; the spear's edge hadn't displayed its full power. She was too exhausted.

They protected the child day and night as they fled, and before that, they had to deal not only with these strange birds, but also with virtually nowhere to land, whether in the sky or on the ground. Fortunately, after a long and arduous struggle to break into the Great Qian Dynasty, the land monsters were kept out by the border cities of the Great Qian, and the only ones who could chase after them were these strange birds.

What's comforting is that the baby in her arms doesn't cry or fuss; his big eyes are quietly watching her, which is her greatest source of motivation.

She didn't want to stay in the border town; otherwise, the monsters would recklessly attack, harming others in vain. As long as she escaped, the monsters outside wouldn't launch a full-scale attack; they would only send these strange birds in to chase her, their target being only her.

Even now, she remains kind and doesn't want to burden others.

"Chirp!" Li Qingjun spurred his horse forward, his silver spear piercing through the chest and abdomen of a strange bird, dragging it for dozens of feet before slamming it heavily against a roadside tree.

Borrowing horsepower means that her True Qi has been exhausted.

The strange bird behind them shook off the army, its chaotic, whistling sound chasing after them.

Li Qingjun reined in her horse and turned back, her jade-like hand tightening the grip on the gun, preparing to deliver another stab.

Suddenly, a surge of violent Gang Qi rushed into the air, a huge rod-shaped Gang Qi so solid it was visible to the naked eye, like a giant mountain falling from the sky, suppressing the center of the battlefield.

The large flock of strange birds that had been chasing them didn't even have a chance to make a sound before being crushed into dust by this enormous Gang Qi.

A familiar figure suddenly appeared before her, grabbing a stray bird that had escaped the net and snapping its neck with a twist. Even from behind, Li Qingjun could feel the man's overwhelming rage.

"Die!"

A figure flashed by, and several strange birds that were trying to escape were easily caught up and smashed into mincemeat with a single blow.

The battlefield fell silent; even the Da Qian Army was stunned by the man's outburst of rage.

Li Qingjun stared blankly at his retreating figure, all the strength she had mustered dissipating, almost causing her to drop her gun. An overwhelming joy and peace bloomed within her, a thousand words rising in her throat, but ultimately only a soft murmur escaped her lips, "Qin Yi..."