Northwest General Henry Yu commands the military of the three northwestern commanderies, holding one hundred thousand troops. He has repelled numerous invasions from the steppe tribes and earned countless battlefield merits for the Great Qin Empire, making his reputation in the northwest unshakable.
The Northwest General's Residence covers an enormous area. Its grand double doors are studded with gleaming bronze nails, exuding a sense of majesty and authority.
Outside the gate, two squads of elite soldiers stand as rigid as spears, emanating a chilling aura of death. It's clear at a glance that these are veteran warriors, so ordinary people don't dare approach the general's residence lightly.
Yet at this moment, a gentle-looking middle-aged man and a stunningly beautiful young woman are walking toward the residence.
A northwest soldier steps forward, raising his eyebrows and sweeping a cold gaze over the pair. But when he sees the young woman's face, his eyes flash with surprise and doubt: "Are you the Third Miss?"
Lena Yu's flawless face broke into a faint smile. "Brother Jacob Yu, it's only been a few months—have you forgotten me already?"
Both squads of gate guards are Henry Yu's personal soldiers, each one fierce and able to take on ten men alone. Captain Jacob Yu, a distant relative of the Yu family with many merits to his name, was promoted by Henry Yu to lead these elite guards.
"You really are the Third Miss! But... weren't you in the palace? How did you come back?" Jacob Yu is even more surprised, his eyes now tinged with confusion.
Lena Yu replied, "It's a bit complicated, Brother Jacob. Please go inside and inform my father for me."
"Then please wait a moment, Third Miss." Jacob Yu nodded and hurried inside to report to Henry Yu.
Hearing that his youngest daughter had actually returned, Henry Yu was shocked—especially since she came back with a middle-aged man. He was even more alarmed; if this wasn't handled properly, it could invite deadly imperial punishment, since a consort can't return home without the emperor's permission.
Even if a consort does return home, the family is always notified in advance so they can prepare. But he hadn't received any word that his daughter would be coming back.
Soon, Henry Yu appeared at the gate with two personal guards. Seeing that it was indeed his daughter, his face darkened instantly: "Lena, why have you come back?"
"Father, let's go inside and talk!" Lena Yu said.
Just inside the entrance of the Northwest General's Residence is a massive drill ground, with all kinds of weapons on display.
A short while later.
Reception hall of the general's residence.
Henry Yu stared gravely at Lena Yu and asked, "Lena, what on earth is going on? And who is this gentleman?"
Lena Yu smiled and said, "Father, let me introduce you—this is Mr. Song Yan, the world-shaking hero you've often told me stories about."
"What?"
Henry Yu cried out in shock, but immediately his eyes flashed coldly. He stepped forward, unleashing a powerful battlefield aura that pressed straight toward Song Yan, demanding, "Who are you? How dare you impersonate the Grand General of the previous dynasty?"
"Father, don't misunderstand—he really is the Grand General!" Lena Yu hurriedly explained.
"Silence! Even if the Grand General of Qi were still alive, he'd be over eighty by now—how could he look so young?" Henry Yu sneered, continuing to press Song Yan: "Confess honestly and I'll spare your life. Otherwise, I'll make you regret ever coming into this world!"
"Father, he—!" Lena Yu tried to speak again.
"Lena, step aside. Leave this to me!" Henry Yu interrupted his daughter again.
"Miss Yu, don't worry." Song Yan smiled indifferently at Lena Yu. "Your father's little bit of skill can't do anything to me."
"Such arrogance!"
Henry Yu roared angrily, his callused right hand falling onto the saber hilt. Instantly, the killing aura around him grew even stronger.
Lena Yu nodded, looking worried. "Mr. Song, my father doesn't mean you any harm—please don't hurt him, okay?"
Hearing Lena Yu's words, Henry Yu froze. His own daughter was actually underestimating him! He'd become Northwest General partly for his brilliant command, but also for his martial prowess—his cultivation had reached Earth Realm Eighth Layer, making him the top expert in the Great Qin army.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt him." Song Yan nodded matter-of-factly, having sensed that Henry Yu was cultivating the lower dantian—his true qi was clearly from the Wolf Cavalry method Song Yan had once passed down. In other words, Henry Yu was a descendant of the Wolf Cavalry, which explained how he knew about Song Yan's past deeds.
Seeing how casually Song Yan agreed, Henry Yu couldn't help but laugh in exasperation.
"Hmph! Since you're so arrogant, try taking a few of my saber strikes!"
As soon as he finished speaking—
Clang!
The military saber flashed from its sheath, slashing toward Song Yan like lightning.
The saber strike wasn't sophisticated, nor did it change much, but it was crisp and decisive—a clear product of battlefield training. Though it looked simple, it carried a soul-shaking power; any martial artist with an unstable mind would find themselves unable to resist.
The saber light vanished in a flash, but Song Yan stood motionless.
Seeing this, Henry Yu was puzzled. This man acted so arrogantly, yet was so unimpressive—truly disappointing.
Just as he had this thought—
Song Yan moved—or rather, his hand moved. He slowly extended two fingers toward the blade of Henry Yu's saber.
"Courting death!"
Seeing this, Henry Yu couldn't help but laugh again in disbelief. This man actually thought he could pinch the saber with just two fingers.
But in the very next instant, his expression froze.
Because those slow-moving two fingers actually clamped down on the blade.
"Th-this... how is this possible?" Henry Yu was stunned, pouring more true qi into the blade.
But no matter how much true qi he poured in, those two fingers remained immovable as a mountain—his saber couldn't budge at all.
"Let go!"
The next moment, Henry Yu's aura surged as he forcefully twisted the saber hilt.
But at that instant, the true qi he'd poured into the blade rebounded, forcing his body to stagger back seven or eight steps before he could steady himself.
For a moment, Henry Yu's face flushed blue and red.
"Well, well! No wonder you dare impersonate the Grand General of Qi—you really do have some skill! Try a few more saber strikes!"
As he spoke, Henry Yu swung his saber again.
"You really don't know what's good for you!"
Song Yan's expression turned cold; with a casual wave of his hand, Henry Yu was knocked back by a powerful force just as he charged forward.
"If you weren't using the qi technique I once taught the Wolf Cavalry, even if I didn't kill you, I'd still punish you for your insolence!"
At these words, Henry Yu's face changed again. He really was a descendant of the Wolf Cavalry—a secret only he knew, not even his wife and children. How could this man know? Could he truly be the legendary Grand General?
"Who... who are you, really?"
"I have no patience for such foolish questions. Tell me—which Wolf Cavalryman are you descended from? Don't lie, and don't try to hide it!" As he spoke, a vast and overwhelming aura enveloped Henry Yu.
Under the weight of this aura, Henry Yu was horrified to find he couldn't move at all. He was certain—if the other man wanted to kill him, it would be even easier than crushing an ant.