Flowers Before the Butcher's Blade Fell!

At the city gates, two rows of Imperial Guards stood on either side, their armor gleaming and their halberd tips flashing with a stark, cold light in the sun.

Seeing Qin Yao approach, the Imperial Guards dropped to one knee in unison, their armor plates scraping together with a crisp clatter.

"Neigh!!"

The moment Qin Yao charged through the gates, he hauled on the reins. Before the Flamefire Black Steed had even stopped, he scrambled off its back.

From atop the walls, the voice of Yan Qinyu, ruler of the Great Yan Kingdom, rang through the air, carried by the true qi of the fifth layer of the Innate Realm. "Minister Qin, slow down, slow down! There's no need to rush!"

As that voice reached Qin Yao's ears, his steps faltered slightly. The fifth layer of the Innate Realm?

The last time I saw this old emperor in the scripture pavilion, he was still at the peak fourth layer of the Innate Realm.

He broke through in just a dozen days?

But the thought only flashed through his mind before Qin Yao pushed it aside.

What mattered most right now was confirming that his grandfather and sister were safe!

As Qin Yao strode forward, the assembled civil and military officials atop the walls also followed the ruler of Great Yan down from the gate tower in single file, ordered by rank.

They formed two rows in the open space just inside the gates. The instant they saw Qin Yao, they bowed in unison, their sleeves billowing and armor scraping in a rustling clamor. "Congratulations on your triumphant return, Upper Army Grand General!"

"General Qin, your display of might at the Northern Frontier was truly a blessing for our Great Yan!"

"Upper Army Grand General, so young and accomplished, with achievements