35: Useless Son-in-Law (Sixteen)

Downstream of the Yixiantian Canyon, the river suddenly widened, and the current rushed like a galloping horse.

Several warships, flying military banners with the character "Qin", were like giant black iron beasts, sailing against the current, cutting through white waves as they patrolled.

On the deck, a woman in silver light armor stood by the railing. The light armor clung to her body, clearly outlining her figure.

Her name was Princess Qin Yinuo, and she was the commander of this border patrol army.

"Roar!"

The river water suddenly exploded, and a group of huge Iron-Backed Crocodile Yao Beasts burst out of the water, charging straight towards the fleet.

These were all Spirit Transformation Realm Yao Beasts, with thick skin and flesh, making them extremely difficult to deal with.

Several Lieutenant General immediately took action, their spiritual power shining, engaging the Crocodile Yao Beasts in battle, but they were unable to defeat them quickly.

Princess Qin Yinuo didn't even frown.

She casually took down the huge spiritual bow from her back, which was completely out of proportion to her slender figure, her movements fluid and graceful.

She drew the bow and nocked an arrow.

Three spiritual energy arrows instantly formed on the bowstring, their light reflecting on the river surface.

"Puff! Puff! Puff!"

Three dull sounds of flesh being pierced rang out almost simultaneously.

The three fierce Iron-Backed Crocodile Yao Beasts had their massive heads precisely pierced, staining a section of the water red.

Killed in one blow.

The soldiers on the ship let out a cheer.

"Princess's archery is divine!" a Lieutenant General stepped forward to flatter her.

Princess Qin Yinuo put away her bow indifferently, her expression calm.

Just then, a soldier responsible for salvaging the Yao Beast corpses let out a terrified shriek.

"Princess! Look! In that crocodile Yao Beast's mouth... it seems... it seems there's a person!"

Everyone was startled and immediately gathered around.

Princess Qin Yinuo ordered: "Drag the corpse up!"

The soldiers worked together to drag the huge crocodile Yao Beast corpse onto the deck. Several people used all their strength to pry open its massive, fanged mouth.

Indeed, a person was curled up within the foul-smelling mucus.

The person was covered in blood, their battle armor shattered beyond recognition, their face pale, and they had long since fainted.

It was Su Yun.

Princess Qin Yinuo crouched down and extended two fair fingers to feel Su Yun's neck.

A moment later, her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

This person's Meridians were completely severed, and multiple bones were fractured. His injuries were so severe that there was almost no chance of survival.

Her gaze fell upon his shattered battle armor again. Judging from the material and the remaining runes, this was definitely no ordinary item... One month later.

Great Qin Kingdom, Blackwater Camp.

Inside the main tent of the central army, Princess Qin Yinuo stood with her hands behind her back in front of a huge sand table map.

On the map, the vast territory of the Shenwu Empire was marked with flags of various colors. Black flags representing rebellious Sects and yellow flags representing the imperial Family's power were entangled in several prefectures, forming a complex, interlocked situation.

Along the border of the Shenwu Empire, flags representing several surrounding kingdoms were planted. Among them, a large red flag from the Tianhuo Empire was the largest and most deeply entrenched, presenting a dangerous situation where multiple parties were encircling and about to carve up the territory.

"Princess."

A dusty scout entered the tent and knelt on one knee.

"Speak."

"The civil strife in the Shenwu Empire has intensified. Rebellious Sects and the imperial Family are engaged in bloody battles in Qingzhou, Yunzhou, and other places. Both sides have suffered heavy losses and are in a stalemate."

"The Tianhuo Empire has deployed 200,000 troops to the Shenwu border, claiming to 'suppress the remnants of the rebel army,' but in reality, they have already occupied several border cities with the intention of annexation."

Princess Qin Yinuo listened quietly, her eyes showing no ripple. All of this was within her expectations.

The scout paused, then added something that seemed less important.

"Additionally, our scouts report that the Tianhuo Empire recently underwent a major purge.

Its Third Marshal Su Yun was accused of 'colluding with the enemy and betraying the country,' and it is rumored that he died in Yixiantian.

She waved her hand, dismissing the scout, and calmly said to the Lieutenant General beside her, "It seems everyone wants a bite of this fatty meat that is Shenwu."

...In an independent tent in the infirmary.

Su Yun suddenly opened his eyes.

Excruciating, bone-deep pain emanated from every part of his body.

He immediately checked himself, his heart sinking. The injuries were too severe; his Meridians were almost completely destroyed, but thankfully, his Foundation was not damaged.

The betrayal at Yixiantian, the protection of the Dragon Xi Jade Pendant, the coldness of falling into the great river... scene after scene flashed through his mind.

"You're awake?"

A military doctor discovered he had opened his eyes, overjoyed, and quickly ran out to report.

Soon, the tent flap was lifted, and Princess Qin Yinuo walked in.

Su Yun immediately looked at this unfamiliar yet impressive female general with alert.

"Where... where is this?" His voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing. "Did you save me?"

"Great Qin Kingdom, Blackwater Camp."

Princess Qin Yinuo's answer was concise.

"You were unconscious for a month. My people found you in the mouth of a crocodile Yao Beast."

Su Yun was shocked, never expecting to be in a Great Qin military camp.

"Who are you?" Princess Qin Yinuo asked.

Su Yun's mind raced. In his current situation, he absolutely could not reveal his true identity.

"I... I am just a merchant who encountered bandits and fortunately escaped."

Princess Qin Yinuo listened, then smiled noncommittally, her smile carrying a hint of playfulness.

She didn't press further and turned to walk out of the tent.

Just then, the conversation between two patrolling soldiers outside the tent clearly drifted in.

Soldier A: "Have you heard? That Su Family in the Tianhuo Empire is really tragic. A generational Family, gone just like that."

Soldier B: "Indeed! It's all because of that Marshal named Su Yun, who colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country. His entire Family was raided and exterminated overnight, not even sparing infants in swaddling clothes! I heard the Eight Great Families are still hunting down any remaining members of the Su Family!"

Boom—!

These words exploded in Su Yun's mind.

Even though Su Yun had lived four lives and his emotions were almost numb, at this moment, a monstrous wave surged in his heart.

The Tianhuo imperial Family... what ruthless methods!

Time flowed, and another three months passed.

Relying on his powerful life Foundation, Su Yun's injuries had mostly recovered.

During these three months, the border situation grew increasingly tense, with continuous small-scale military skirmishes. Princess Qin Yinuo's reconnaissance team also began to carry out various dangerous missions.

One day, they ventured deep into the Shenwu Empire to investigate some intelligence, but on their way back, they encountered an ambush.

The news, it seemed, had long since leaked.

"Protect the Princess!"

The Lieutenant General's roar echoed through the forest.

The number of ambushers was several times their own, and they had already set up a net, clearly prepared.

Their goal was clear.

To capture the Great Qin's most beloved Princess, Princess Qin Yinuo!

This Great Qin army was indeed elite, each soldier fighting against ten, but facing enemies several times their number and a carefully arranged killing formation, they gradually fell into a disadvantage, with casualties continuously increasing.

Even more terrifying, three Spirit King Realm experts appeared in the enemy ranks!

"Boom!"

A Great Qin Spirit King secretly protecting Princess Qin Yinuo was sent flying by the combined attack of two experts of the same rank, spitting blood, clearly unable to hold on any longer.

The remaining enemy Spirit King, with a sinister smile, broke through all defenses. His massive spiritual power hand directly grabbed towards Princess Qin Yinuo, who was tightly surrounded by her guards.

Princess Qin Yinuo's face turned pale. She was only in the Spirit Transformation Realm, and under the pressure of a Spirit King Realm expert, even moving a finger was incredibly difficult.

Just as that hand of death was about to descend.

A figure appeared like a ghost not far behind her.

It was Su Yun.

He just stood there quietly, looking at the pouncing Spirit King, his eyes cold.

Through the enemy's standard armor, he recognized them.

They were the army of the Tianhuo Empire.

And, they were from the Zhao Family, one of the Eight Great Families!