The ghost officer stared at Bai Hanyun, but didn’t receive any responses, so he added, "This lowly one is familiar with every corner of Ghost City. If you wish, this lowly one can serve as your guide."

Hearing this, Bai Hanyun lowered her gaze to the white jade stone, then raised her hand in refusal.

Understanding her intention, the ghost officer bowed respectfully. "Since Fairy does not require this lowly one’s service, then this lowly one wishes you a pleasant stay."

Afterward, he personally informed the other ghost officers at the city gate about Bai Hanyun’s arrival. With his assistance, Bai Hanyun and her team entered Ghost City without any obstacles.

After entering Ghost City, Bai Hanyun and her team did not stop to look around. Instead, they continued following the golden line.

For some reason, they soon realized that aside from them, no one else could see the golden light extending from the white jade stone.

As they moved toward their unknown destination, ten days passed in the Ancient World.

Sitting on top of his majestic warhorse, Feng Xiyan looked up at the general standing on the city wall.

After a moment of silence, he spoke, "Open the gate, and you will live. Block our path, and you will die under our blades."

As his cold voice echoed through the silent surroundings, the generals and soldiers on the wall shuddered instinctively.

In the past ten days, news of the Feng Army’s complete victory over the Yu Empire’s army had already spread.

Now, seeing one hundred thousand elite soldiers gathered below, the general guarding the border pass felt his legs weaken.

Standing beside him, one of his vice-generals said in a trembling voice, "General, these are the renowned elite troops of the Feng Army. It is said that five hundred of them can easily defeat five thousand skilled warriors of the Yuezhi Tribe."

He swallowed hard before continuing, "We... We only have twenty thousand soldiers here. We won’t be able to hold the pass. Perhaps... we should surrender and open the gates for them."

The general had already considered this option. However, he could not say it outright. Fortunately, the vice-general had given him an excuse.

Hearing those words, the general immediately replied, "The vice-general is right. Rather than sacrificing the lives of our soldiers and the common people, we should allow Great General Feng and his army to pass."

The other vice-generals quietly breathed sighs of relief when he said that.

Although they nominally served the Yu Empire, the true empire had already fallen with Yu Fu’s death. With Wen Kang now on the throne, none of them were willing to risk their lives for the imperial court anymore.

After all, it was a public secret that the generals hate the Wen Clan to the bones.

Seeing that no one objected, the general turned to Feng Xiyan and said, "Great General Feng, this general is willing to open the gate. However, may this general ask for one promise?"

Feng Xiyan looked at him calmly. "Speak."

Clenching his fists, the general said, "Please spare the soldiers and civilians. We are willing to surrender as long as the innocent are not harmed."

When his words fell, Feng Xiyan replied without hesitation, "You have this general’s word."

Hearing this, the general let out a long breath, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his chest.

Turning to his men, he ordered, "Open the gate!"

"Yes, General!" The soldiers quickly moved to carry out the command. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Below, the citizens had already gathered along the roadside after hearing the news. When the gates finally opened, they looked out and saw the black-armored army in the distance.

Seeing the open gate, Feng Xiyan lightly kicked his warhorse. Leading the army forward, the Feng Army entered the border city majestically.

The moment the common people saw Feng Xiyan in the front, they did not show fear. Instead, they cheered and wept at the same time.

"It’s the Feng Army! They come to save us!"

"Look! He is the Great General Feng!"

Kneeling on the ground, the common people kowtowed and shouted, "Long live Great General Feng! Long live the Feng Army!"

Watching from the city wall, the general let out a long sigh of relief and thought, ’If nobody blocks their way, the Feng Army should be able to reach the imperial capital city within days.’

As they passed through the main street lined with kneeling citizens, Feng Xiyan remained silent. Only after leaving the city did he speak.

"Speed up."

At his command, the elite soldiers urged their warhorses forward, and the army surged ahead like a black tide.

Watching them disappear into the distance, the general looked up at the sky and murmured, "The sky of the Yu Empire has changed."

Feng Xiyan and his army traveled for more than twenty hours each day. Every time they arrived at a city or a town, the general guarding the place would open the gate and let them pass without hesitation.

Five days later, Feng Xiyan and his army finally arrived outside the imperial capital city of the Yu Empire.

Looking at the towering city walls ahead, Feng Xiyan’s gaze turned cold, though a trace of relief flickered within it.

Raising his hand, he ordered, "Set up camp. Prepare dinner and rest."

"Yes, Great General!"

While the army built its camp, news of their arrival quickly reached the imperial palace.

Riding at full speed, a messenger approached the side gate of the imperial palace while shouting, "Emergency military report! Open the gate!"

Hearing this, the imperial guards immediately opened the side gate and allowed him to pass.

Normally, only the Emperor and Empress could ride in palanquins or carriages within the imperial palace grounds. However, urgent military messengers were granted the same privilege.

Without slowing down, the messenger rode straight into the imperial palace and soon arrived outside the Yang Xin Palace.

Jumping off his horse, he ran toward the main entrance while shouting, "Urgent military report!"