Triumphant Return

A month later, Heaven Dou City.

The citizens crowded along both sides of Heaven Dou City's main road.

Amid deafening cheers, flowers and ribbons were thrown at the marching army like raindrops.

At the very front of the procession, Commander Qin Yue sat tall and straight, accepting the reverence of the masses.

Yet the curious, fervent, and even slightly fearful gazes fell more heavily on the youth riding side by side with him.

The youth sat tall and straight, his silver armor glittering beneath the sunlight.

His face still held a trace of childishness, but his pair of dark eyes seemed bottomless, as though they concealed the years of snow and wind, the Sea of Corpses and Blood, of the Northern Border.

Simply sitting calmly on his horse, he naturally radiated a heart-pounding pressure.

"Look! That's the Heavenly Wolf General of the Northern Border, Lin Jin!"

"Good heavens, he looks so young!"

"It was because of him that Gray Rock City was conquered, the Star Luo supply route was severed, and the pattern of the Northern Border over the past Fifty Years was shattered."

"I heard that before he was Twelve Years Old, he was already a Soul Elder. He even personally slew a Soul King and assisted General Qin in killing a Soul Douluo!"

"Hero of the Empire! Young God of War!"

"Now that's a true man! This is how a man ought to be!"

Countless praises and exclamations surged toward Lin Jin like a tide.

The deeds Lin Jin had accomplished three years earlier had already been compiled into stories and widely circulated among taverns and teahouses.

Later, Xue Ye the Great bestowed upon Lin Jin the title of Heavenly Wolf General.

As the Crown Prince, Qian Renxue had been specially instructed by Xue Ye to welcome the returning Northern Border army at the plaza outside the Imperial Palace.

Qian Renxue watched Lin Jin slowly approach amid the cheers of the masses, and a complex, unreadable light flashed through her eyes.

Lin Jin's performance in the Northern Border had far exceeded her expectations.

At first, Qian Renxue had felt that Lin Jin was worth cultivating and that his Martial Soul's characteristics suited the battlefield, so she had sent him to the Northern Border.

Now, the childish Six Years Old child from back then was long gone. In his place stood a king who had returned in triumph.

His eyes... have changed. Qian Renxue's heart turned cold.

It was the gaze of someone possessing absolute confidence, one that even faintly carried a trace of... looking down upon All beings.

Eight Years was enough to completely change a person.

Qian Renxue could not determine whether this unfathomable Young God of War before her still remembered and would abide by the promise made back then, one based on a "transaction."

However, all those thoughts flashed by in the time it took for a spark to fly.

An impeccable, warm smile instantly bloomed across Qian Renxue's face, like a Spring Breeze brushing against one's face, as she stepped forward to greet him.

"Welcome back in triumph, heroes of the Empire! Heaven Dou's glory shines even more brilliantly because of you!" His clear voice spread throughout the plaza.

"This subordinate Lin Jin (Qin Yue) pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince." Lin Jin and Qin Yue simultaneously dismounted and bowed, their movements standard and crisp, carrying a soldier's decisiveness.

"There is no need for such formalities, Generals. Please rise." Qian Renxue personally extended a hand as if to help them up, her bearing modest. "Father Emperor has been waiting in the hall for quite some time, impatient to personally reward the pillars supporting Heaven Dou's sky."

He turned sideways and made an inviting gesture. "Please!"

Lin Jin raised his Eyes, and his gaze briefly met Qian Renxue's. It was calm and undisturbed, as if it were merely the ordinary respect a subject showed the Heir Apparent.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Upon entering the lofty palace hall, the Officials stood solemnly in two rows on either side.

Above the Imperial Steps, Xue Ye the Great sat upright on the Dragon Throne. Though his face bore the pallor of illness, satisfaction and scrutiny showed in his eyes.

Qin Yue and Lin Jin strode inside, the clanging of their armor echoing through the silent hall.

"Your servant Qin Yue (Lin Jin) pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long, long live Your Majesty!"

"Rise, my loyal subjects!" Xue Ye the Great's voice was loud and clear, filled with undisguised praise. "You fought bloody battles in the Northern Border, raised our National Prestige, and expanded our territory. You are truly pillars of the Empire! Today, I shall reward you handsomely!"

According to procedure, Commander Qin Yue stepped forward first, reporting the general situation of the three years of warfare in the Northern Border and presenting a detailed military report.

Xue Ye the Great promoted him and bestowed upon him numerous rewards, while also granting him a more important military post to guard the Empire's northern gateway.

Then it was Lin Jin's turn.

Everyone's gaze once again focused on this excessively young meritorious official.

"General Lin," Xue Ye the Great stared at him with blazing eyes. "You joined the army at a young age, offered brilliant stratagems, severed the enemy's spine, and breached fortified cities. You even assisted in slaying the enemy leader, Dugu Xiong, amid ten thousand troops. Your merit is unparalleled! I am deeply gratified! Given your achievements, making you a marquis and appointing you a general would not be excessive!"

The hall fell utterly silent as everyone awaited the final decision concerning this rising noble.

Lin Jin showed no excitement or anticipation. He merely bowed slightly. "Serving the nation is this subject's duty."

Xue Ye the Great was even more satisfied with his composure and said loudly, "Good! Only one who is neither arrogant nor impatient possesses the makings of a great general! Today, I shall reward you according to your merits!"

"Lin Jin, hear your appointment!"

"This subject is present."

Xue Ye the Great was overjoyed, and his booming voice rang throughout the hall. "I appoint Lin Jin as the Empire's Heavenly Wolf General and grant him the title of Count. He shall command Heaven Dou City's City Defense Force and the Royal Knights' Tenth Squad. I bestow upon him a Count's Mansion and one million Gold Soul Coins. He shall serve as Corps Commander of Heaven Dou City's City Defense Force and Captain of the Royal Knights' Tenth Squad."

"Imperial Brother, you must not!" At that moment, a Middle-aged Man who closely resembled Xue Ye stepped out from below him. "I have no objection to making General Lin a Count, but is it truly appropriate for him to command the City Defense Force and the Royal Knights' Tenth Squad?"

These were genuine positions of power. Heaven Dou City's City Defense Force numbered no fewer than fifty thousand, while the Royal Knights were even more formidable.

They were essentially the Imperial Palace's guards. There were only ten thousand of them in total, divided into ten squads, meaning that Lin Jin would effectively control one-tenth of their forces.

This meant that in Heaven Dou City, the lives of quite a few nobles would lie in Lin Jin's hands.

As soon as Prince Xue Xing said this, a faint stir immediately arose within the originally solemn hall.

Many officials whispered among themselves, and their gazes toward Lin Jin gained several shades of scrutiny and doubt.

Xue Ye the Great's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he did not immediately rebuke Xue Xing. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Lin Jin, wanting to see how this young meritorious official would respond to the sudden challenge.

Qian Renxue stood below the Imperial Steps, her expression unchanged, but she gave a cold laugh inwardly.

Prince Xue Xing's move was nothing more than fear of Lin Jin rising to a high position at such a young age while holding real power, which might disrupt his influence within the military and the Imperial Court.

The City Defense Force and the Royal Knights were especially crucial positions.

"Your Majesty, what the Prince says is not without reason."

His opening instead left everyone stunned.

Even Prince Xue Xing was somewhat surprised. He had thought Lin Jin would argue his case.

Lin Jin continued, "This subject is young and inexperienced. Though I rendered a minor service in the Northern Border, I truly have no experience with Heaven Dou City's defenses or the rituals of the Royal Knights."

"But having received Your Majesty's trust, this subordinate is willing to begin as a private in the City Defense Force and will not fail Your Majesty's expectations."

"My beloved general, you are too modest." Xue Ye the Great immediately smiled. "How about this? I appoint you captain of the Fifth Detachment of the City Defense Force. Would that be acceptable?"

"Lin Jin thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"

After the rewards were bestowed, the Victory Banquet to welcome the returning troops began.

"General Lin, you are truly modest. I thought you would argue with my Imperial Uncle for a while." Qian Renxue approached Lin Jin with a wine cup in hand.

"Your Highness is joking. I was merely stating the facts." After replying courteously, Lin Jin's gaze shifted slightly. "Where is my Younger Sister, Xiao Xue?"