The Regular Army Arrives

Two days.

For two full days, North-Rejecting City didn't receive another attack from the Di People, but instead, another army arrived.

On the third day, at dawn, a dense military formation appeared on the southern horizon.

Fifty thousand troops.

Banners obscured the sun, armor formed a forest, and the thunder of hooves shook the earth.

On the city walls, the surviving defenders huddled behind the battlements, watching the mighty army slowly approach, their eyes filled with complex emotions—excitement, anticipation, and a hint of inexplicable unease.

That was the army from the Capital City.

Great Zhou's most elite border troops, well-equipped and highly trained, with every soldier at least at Body Forging fifth layer. Leading them were over a dozen generals, each with a profound aura, the weakest being late Inner Strength.

But what truly made hearts pound were the five figures at the very front.

Their presence was overwhelming!

Pulse-Opening Realm.

Five Pulse-Opening Realm cultivators.

At the head was a woman, in her early thirties, dressed in a purple palace gown, her hair styled in a high bun, her skin as white as snow, and her features exquisitely drawn. She was stunningly beautiful, but her eyes were as cold as winter ice. As she swept her gaze over the blood-stained defenders on the city wall, undisguised disdain flickered in her eyes.

She raised her hand, covering her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief, as if the very air here was foul.

"Is this North-Rejecting City?" Her voice was clear and cold, neither high nor low, yet every word pierced everyone's ears clearly. "Such a stench of blood, utterly filthy."

Behind her were four men, of varying ages, the youngest in his late twenties, the oldest in his early forties. Each was clad in luxurious robes, their auras contained, but their condescending demeanor was impossible to hide.

One of the middle-aged men stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the city wall and landing on the wounded Zhao Zheng.

"You are Zhao Zheng? The Governor of North-Rejecting City?"

Zhao Zheng cupped his fists in greeting, his attitude respectful. "It is this subordinate. May I ask who you are—"

The middle-aged man waved his hand, interrupting him. "Retainers of the Seventh Prince. This is Lady Yun Ruoxi, and she leads the five of us."

Yun Ruoxi.

The woman in purple didn't even lift her eyelids, merely using her handkerchief to delicately wipe her fingers, as if she had touched something dirty.

The middle-aged man continued, "From this moment on, all military affairs within the city will be decided by the five of us. Governor Zhao, you may return and rest."

Zhao Zheng was stunned.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but saw another young retainer behind the middle-aged man step forward, looking at him with a half-smile.

"Governor Zhao, please."

This was not a request, but an order.

Zhao Zheng was silent for a breath, then nodded and turned to walk down the wall.

After a few steps, he looked back at Li Jinshui, his eyes carrying a complex meaning—helplessness, apology, and a hint of worry.

Li Jinshui watched his retreating figure disappear below the city wall, a strange feeling welling up in his heart.

The Governor had been placed under house arrest.

The others in the Personal Guard Battalion had also been taken away, ostensibly to "cooperate with the investigation."

He stood rooted to the spot, gazing at the five figures of high status, motionless.

Yun Ruoxi's gaze finally shifted from her handkerchief, sweeping over the defenders on the city wall.

Her gaze was like a knife, scraping across every face.

"You should all have heard about the incident where the Seventh Prince was attacked," she began, her voice still so clear and cold. "His Highness was gravely injured and remains unconscious. And his whereabouts were known only to a select few in North-Rejecting City and the Imperial Court."

She paused, her gaze growing colder.

"In other words, someone colluded with the enemy."

Silence fell upon the city wall.

The soldiers who had just survived the bloody battle lowered their heads, not daring to breathe.

Yun Ruoxi continued, "From today onwards, no one is allowed to leave their barracks without permission. Anyone who dares to disobey will be treated as a traitor and executed without mercy."

She waved her hand, as if shooing away flies. "Disperse."

The defenders silently began to walk down the wall.

Li Jinshui also turned, following the crowd downwards.

But after only a few steps, a voice called out from behind him:

"Stop."

Li Jinshui halted.

He turned around and saw Yun Ruoxi staring at him.

Her eyes were as cold as ice, appraising him from head to toe, as if looking at an object.

"Are you from the Personal Guard Battalion?"

Li Jinshui nodded: "Yes."

Yun Ruoxi's lips curved slightly, but the smile was chillingly cold: "The people from the Personal Guard Battalion must be investigated even more thoroughly. After all, you are closest to the Governor."

She paused, her gaze falling on Li Jinshui's face, and suddenly asked: "What's your name?"

"Li Jinshui."

"Li Jinshui..." Yun Ruoxi repeated, then chuckled lightly, "I've noted it down."

Li Jinshui stood there, his face expressionless.

He simply watched Yun Ruoxi, his gaze as calm as a winter lake.

Yun Ruoxi was slightly taken aback by his stare, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes.

"What, you're not convinced?"

Li Jinshui shook his head: "No."

Yun Ruoxi stared at him for two breaths, then smiled.

That smile was condescending, like looking at an ant.

"It's good that you're not," she said. "You can go back. Remember, you're not allowed to leave the camp. Otherwise—"

She didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

Li Jinshui nodded and turned, continuing down the city wall.

After walking a dozen steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back.

Yun Ruoxi had already turned away, talking to those guest officials, and wasn't looking at him anymore.

He withdrew his gaze and continued forward.

Descending the city wall, Monkey and Er Gou came to meet him.

"Jinshui!" Monkey lowered his voice, his face full of worry. "How was it? Did that woman give you any trouble?"

Li Jinshui shook his head and continued walking.

Er Gou followed behind him, muttering softly: "What kind of people are these from the Capital City! We're risking our lives to defend the city, and they come here to throw their weight around, even talking about colluding with the enemy... colluding with the damn enemy!"

"Shut up!" Monkey glared at him. "Do you want to die?"

Er Gou sullenly shut his mouth.

The three walked back to the camp in silence.

At the entrance to the camp, there were several unfamiliar guards. They were soldiers from the Capital City, wearing gleaming armor and standing ramrod straight. Seeing Li Jinshui and the others, their eyes held scrutiny and vigilance.

Li Jinshui walked into the camp gate and looked back.

Those guards were staring at him, their gazes unwavering.

He withdrew his gaze and continued inside.

Back in the barracks, he closed the door and sat on the bed, motionless.

Monkey and Er Gou followed him in and stood beside him, unsure of what to say.

After a long time, Li Jinshui suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint and light, yet it made Monkey and Er Gou shiver simultaneously.

"Jinshui... are you... are you alright?" Monkey asked cautiously.

Li Jinshui shook his head.

Then he raised his head and looked out the window.

Outside the window, the guards from the Capital City were patrolling back and forth, their armor glinting dazzlingly in the sunlight.

He recalled Yun Ruoxi's icy eyes, her words "I've noted it down," her condescending smile.

"Jinshui?" Monkey called out again.

Li Jinshui finally spoke, his voice very soft:

"I'm fine."

He lay down and closed his eyes.

He heard the sound of Monkey's footsteps leaving, Er Gou's soft muttering, the footsteps of the patrolling guards outside the window, and the faint laughter of those guest officials from the Capital City in the distance.

He listened to those sounds, motionless.

In his mind, a name was slowly being etched.

Yun Ruoxi.

He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling.

The Origin-Opening Realm was high above, and the Pulse-Opening Realm was also high above.

But he was only at the middle stage of Inner Strength.

It was still a long way off.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

Because he had the system panel, he had points, and he had endless enemies to kill.

One day, he would stand before those people.

At that time, he hoped that Yun Ruoxi would still be able to smile.

Outside the window, the sun slowly slanted westward.

The third day in North-Rejecting City passed in suppression and gloom.

The camp was filled with sighs.

The soldiers who had just survived the bloody battle thought they would receive commendations, rest, and at least respect.

But what they received was house arrest, suspicion, and the disdain of the important figures from the Capital City.

Some were cursing, some were crying, and more were just silent.

Li Jinshui lay in the barracks, his eyes closed, his breathing steady.

But his hand was clenched around the bag of fifty taels of silver.

That was the blood money Li Houde had sent.

He had accepted it.

But the score was not yet settled.

He closed his eyes, a slight smile curving his lips.

No rush.