Triumphant Return! Zhu Zhuqing: Dai Mubai, you're mud that can't be plastered on a wall!

Zhu Zhuqing's fingertips turned white from gripping the letter too hard, her chest heaving violently as she found herself completely unable to accept this reality.

The nation had fallen, and her family had sold her without a moment's hesitation to an enemy general she had never even met.

All the strength in her body seemed to drain away in an instant, and she slumped limply against the back of the stone chair.

Those eyes, usually so stubborn, were now filled with bewilderment; where was she supposed to go from here?

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace of the Heaven Dou Empire.

Within the towering and expansive audience hall, the officials stood with their heads bowed in solemn silence.

A messenger, covered from head to toe in dust and blood, stumbled into the hall and collapsed onto the cold gold bricks with a heavy thud.

"Report—! A great victory!"

The messenger's voice was hoarse, yet it carried an intense, irrepressible excitement.

"The Marquis of Wuyang has broken ten of Star Luo's mighty cities in the southern territory!"

"The Star Luo army has been routed across the entire front, and their emperor has personally signed a letter of surrender, submitting to our nation!"

These words were like a massive boulder crashing into a calm lake.

Great Emperor Xue Ye, sitting high upon the dragon throne, stood up abruptly, his hands gripping the imperial desk before him, his eyes filled with utter shock.

The hall erupted in an instant; the civil and military officials looked at one another, a roar of uncontrollable commotion breaking out.

How old was the Marquis of Wuyang, Tang Yu, that he could rely on the strength of one man and one army to force the Star Luo Empire to surrender?

Such an unprecedented military achievement was surely that of the greatest peerless genius in history.

The First Prince, Xue Qinghe, standing at the head of the officials, was also filled with shock, though a look of undisguised, fanatical worship quickly surged in the depths of his eyes.

He was truly the man she had set her sights on.

Great Emperor Xue Ye took a deep breath, suppressing the raging waves in his heart, and announced in a loud voice.

"Pass on my decree!"

"Prepare the highest-spec welcoming ceremony immediately; I shall personally receive the Marquis of Wuyang."

"Let the entire Heaven Dou Imperial City be decorated with lanterns and streamers, and let us celebrate for a month!"

The officials shouted "Long live" in unison, their voices shaking the hall.

However, after announcing this reward, Great Emperor Xue Ye slowly sat back down on the dragon throne.

In those deep, aged eyes, a flicker of extreme unease and wariness quietly passed.

A few days later, outside the Heaven Dou Imperial City.

The heavy city gates were thrown wide open, and the roadsides were already packed solid with commoners who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Deafening cheers soared into the clouds as countless people waved their arms frantically, shouting the name of the Marquis of Wuyang in unison.

A stern and imposing elite cavalry force slowly rode into the city, an aura of slaughter washing over the crowd.

Tang Yu rode a pure black steed without a single stray hair, leading the army at the very front of the procession.

His posture was as straight as a sword, his sword-like brows slanted toward his temples, and his appearance was handsome.

On the second floors of the teahouses and taverns lining the road, countless young ladies leaned out, gazing infatuatedly at the young man on horseback.

When Tang Yu's gaze swept casually across them, a series of deafening screams erupted from the crowd, and countless women flushed red with excitement.

Tang Yu's expression was indifferent as he rode all the way to the main gate of the imperial palace.

He vaulted off his horse and strode into the imperial city with his head held high.

The fully armed Imperial Guards along the way knelt on one knee one after another, and the civil and military officials retreated to the sides with extreme respect.

They had carved out a wide path for him.

Great Emperor Xue Ye personally led several princes out of the hall, walking quickly to meet him.

"The Marquis of Wuyang's triumphant return is truly the fortune of our Heaven Dou!" Great Emperor Xue Ye said, his face full of smiles.

Tang Yu only nodded slightly, his expression as calm as ever.

He flipped his hand and took out an exquisite purple sandalwood box, handing it directly over.

"Your Majesty, Star Luo has surrendered; this is their Imperial Jade Seal."

Great Emperor Xue Ye's hands trembled as he took the box, and after opening it to see the seal inside, he was so shocked that his breathing stopped for a moment.

He forced himself to steady his mind and immediately issued a loud order, bestowing upon Tang Yu the five most prosperous cities in the south as a fief, along with countless riches.

Facing this staggering reward, Tang Yu merely raised his eyelids slightly and accepted it with composure.

Seeing this, Xue Qinghe hurried forward, his eyes filled with undisguised worship, and whispered his congratulations.

Meanwhile, Great Emperor Xue Ye, who had retreated to the side, watched Tang Yu's posture of having everything under control, his gaze becoming increasingly complex and heavy.

That night, the imperial palace was brightly lit, and a grand banquet was held.

Countless high-ranking officials and nobles held their wine glasses, lining up to congratulate Tang Yu, exhausting their ability to flatter him with endless, nauseating sycophancy.

Xue Qinghe had specially arranged a seat, sitting right next to Tang Yu.

"Marquis of Wuyang, facing the Star Luo Empire that was once so arrogant, you personally trampled it into the ground. How does that actually feel?"

Tang Yu took a sip of strong liquor, his tone cold and devoid of any fluctuation.

"Nothing special."

This domineering aura that viewed the heroes of the world as mere blades of grass only made the excited glint in Xue Qinghe's eyes grow more intense.

A faint flush appeared on Xue Qinghe's fair cheeks as he asked with a hint of shyness.

"I wonder if you have any time coming up?"

"No time." Tang Yu interrupted him directly, setting down his wine cup. "I am setting off tomorrow to find someone from Shrek Academy."

Xue Qinghe was slightly stunned, his face full of confusion.

Just what kind of big shot could be worth him making a trip personally?

Thinking rapidly in his mind, Xue Qinghe suddenly remembered something and spoke up quickly.

"I heard there is a Soul Fighting tournament recently. This Shrek Academy should also be wanting a spot, so they will likely come to Heaven Dou Imperial City."

Between his words, every line of Xue Qinghe's speech revealed his affection for Tang Yu.

Hearing this news, Tang Yu's heart stirred, thinking that this worked out perfectly.

The next morning, Tang Yu packed up simply and stepped out the door.

In a bustling plaza within Heaven Dou Imperial City.

Zhu Zhuqing sat alone on a stone step, looking at the passing crowds before her with a dazed expression.

The tight black outfit she wore still outlined her proud, towering peaks with extreme visual impact.

Her long legs, encased in black high boots, were pressed together, exuding a lethal allure.

The Star Luo Empire had fallen, so what meaning was there left in the bitter training she had endured day and night all these years?

Just as she was mired in pain, a highly discordant voice drifted over.

Dai Mubai walked over, holding a large bouquet of flowers with that familiar, cynical smirk on his face.

"Zhuqing, what are you thinking about sitting here all by yourself?"

Zhu Zhuqing raised her head, her tone as cold as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

"The country has already fallen; how can you still act like nothing happened?"

"..."

Dai Mubai forcefully shoved the bouquet in front of her and spread his hands with a look of complete indifference.

"I never wanted to go back to that Star Luo Empire anyway. It's better that it's defeated now."

Hearing such shameless words, the disgust in the depths of Zhu Zhuqing's eyes could not be hidden at all.

She was disappointed in this fiancé; he truly was a coward who couldn't be helped.

She mocked herself inwardly, wondering how she could have ever held expectations for such a piece of trash.