In the afternoon, Luo Shangyu led the Kingdom of Yiyong’s forces back onto the road, escorting Qin Yu.
Even though Qin Yu was a prisoner, she was treated almost exactly the same as Luo Shangyu.
At that moment, she was sitting inside Luo Shangyu’s exclusive war carriage.
The carriage, protected by heavy armor, was pulled by several magic-enhanced horses that allowed it to gallop at extreme speeds.
The vehicle also boasted a substantial mana reserve, capable of maintaining a full defensive barrier — strong enough to withstand a full-power strike from a Seventh-rank Quasi-god — for three hours.
Simultaneously, it could fire nearly 300 fireballs with power comparable to the attacks of a Fifth-rank Grand Archmage.
The interior of the carriage was incredibly spacious and luxuriously decorated.
The oak flooring was corrosion-resistant and gave the interior an elegant, grand feel.
There was a wooden table covered with a tablecloth and comfortable sofas, making Qin Yu wonder for a moment if she was in a luxury sedan rather than a war carriage.
“The attack and defense mechanisms of this vehicle are mostly engraved onto the hull in the form of magic arrays, which is why there is so much space inside. As my command vehicle, it doesn’t need large-scale magical artifacts to increase its offensive power. It just needs to provide me with a comfortable environment,” Luo Shangyu introduced proudly while sitting on the sofa.
Qin Yu sat opposite Luo Shangyu, feeling slightly cramped as she looked around the interior.
Through the large windows, she could clearly see the soldiers marching in formation and the green mountains receding in the distance.
“This isn’t the road back to the Yiyong Capital, is it?” Qin Yu asked.
Although Qin Yu was not from Yiyong, as a Crown Prince, she had some understanding of the geography of the Chengji Empire’s vassal states.
The carriage was traveling north; it would never reach the capital located to the east.
“Yes, you’re right,” Luo Shangyu nodded, “We are going to rendezvous with an army stationed in the north. They were originally meant to reinforce the battlefield, but since the fighting is over, we are following the King’s orders to join them before returning to the capital.”
“That makes sense.” Qin Yu turned her gaze back to the window, watching the scenery.
The previous battlefield had been on the border of the Kingdom of Yiyong, but they were now heading deeper into its heartland.
This was the first time Qin Yu had ever entered the interior of Yiyong.
***
The autumn wind was bleak.
Lu Han stood in the military camp, his eyes full of violence as he watched the soldiers idling around.
Following the orders of his brother — King Lu Yun — Lu Han had led 100,000 troops, including the Imperial Guard from the capital and nearly all the forces from various counties, to reinforce Luo Shangyu at the front.
It was called reinforcement, but Lu Han knew that Lu Yun really wanted him to monitor Luo Shangyu.
They needed to prevent her from using the war to increase her own influence and solidify her control over the military, which could threaten Lu Yun’s rule.
However, what Lu Han hadn’t expected was that Lu Yun would give him the Shangfang Sword before his departure.
Lu Han had been ecstatic when he received the sword.
This gave him the authority to act as he saw fit, granting him the power to execute first and report later!
Like his brother Lu Yun, Lu Han despised Luo Shangyu.
She was a figure their father had personally sought out, and because of that, the former King had treated her with immense respect.
Luo Shangyu used the experience accumulated over her long lifespan to handle everything perfectly, earning the deep appreciation of the previous King — and the deep jealousy of Lu Han and Lu Yun.
This time, Lu Han thought he would reach the front lines and find an excuse, such as ‘fearing the enemy,’ to behead Luo Shangyu immediately.
To his fury, Luo Shangyu had managed to repel the enemy just as he was about to arrive.
The thought of losing his chance to kill her made Lu Han’s blood boil.
‘This time… I will definitely have Luo Shangyu’s head!’
Lu Han repeatedly calculated his plan, a cruel expression crossing his face.
***
As night fell, they reached the military camp where Lu Han was stationed.
Luo Shangyu began to set up camp and prepare meals for her troops next to Lu Han’s camp.
Luo Shangyu’s Central Army Tent benefited from Space Attribute magic; despite its luxurious interior, it looked no different from a normal tent when it was being set up.
Soon after the tent was ready, Qin Yu couldn’t wait to duck inside.
At that moment, a report came from the camp gates saying that Lu Han had come to visit.
Luo Shangyu nodded and told the guard to bring him in.
“What should I do?” Qin Yu asked, “Should I hide or…”
“It’s useless,” Luo Shangyu shook her head and said, “Lu Han planted his cronies in my army long ago. He knows our every move.”
A moment later, Lu Han entered the Central Army Tent.
He sat down across from Luo Shangyu, staring directly at her.
Luo Shangyu looked at him with disdain.
What she despised most was Lu Han and Lu Yun’s mediocrity and their obsession with pleasure.
They were easily swayed by sycophants, leaving the entire Yiyong court in a mess.
“General Luo, it seems your campaign was quite unsuccessful?” Lu Han said with an arrogant sneer, “I already told His Majesty that a reckless rebellion against the Chengji Empire would inevitably lead to an invasion by their grand army. Although the Empire’s power is declining, their combat strength is still not something we can match.”
“So, you’re questioning His Majesty’s decision?”
“As a subject, it is my duty to advise the King. You, on the other hand, are a Prince, yet you encouraged the King to make a mistake.”
Seeing that his words hadn’t gained him an advantage, Lu Han dropped the subject.
He shifted forward and then leaned back, settling into his chair in a comfortable posture.
“I heard you captured a special prisoner, hmm?”
“Yes.”
Luo Shangyu knew that Lu Han’s spies had already reported Qin Yu’s status to him, so there was no point in hiding it.
“Bring her out so I can see her,” Lu Han demanded overbearingly.
“…”
Luo Shangyu wanted to refuse, but she was afraid Lu Han would cause trouble in her camp if she did.
‘With my strength, there’s no way he can do anything to Qin Yu…’
With that thought, Luo Shangyu called Qin Yu out from the sleeping quarters.
“Oh? A prisoner gets to stay in your room?” Lu Han said with an exaggerated expression, “You aren’t planning to keep her for yourself and refuse to hand her over to the court, are you?”
“Hmph. Men and women should be separated. Where else could she stay in this camp besides with me?” Luo Shangyu countered sharply.
Qin Yu stood to the side with her head down, staring at the tips of Luo Shangyu’s shoes.
Occasionally, she cast a terrified glance at Lu Han.
“Who is she?”
“Her? She is a maidservant of the Chengji Empire’s Crown Prince, Qin Yu,” Luo Shangyu said.
“Hmm…” Lu Han calculated in his head.
‘This maid… she might know the Crown Prince’s secrets. She must be someone important. If I can take her for myself and claim I captured her… wouldn’t my reputation soar?’
Thinking this, Lu Han stood up, walked over to Qin Yu, and reached out.
“Come with me. From now on, you are my prisoner.”
“No, don’t…” Qin Yu stared at Lu Han in horror.
She took two steps back, nearly tripping.
Luo Shangyu flashed in front of Qin Yu and asked, “Lu Han, are you trying to steal my credit?”
Lu Han glared at Luo Shangyu with a sinister look.
He slowly drew the Shangfang Sword from his waist and pointed it straight at her and asked, “Do you recognize… what this is?”
“…”
Luo Shangyu naturally knew what it was.
The Shangfang Sword allowed its holder to execute first and report later, granting supreme authority.
Luo Shangyu slowly backed away.
She knew that Lu Han and Lu Yun hated her, but she hadn’t expected them to go this far.
Lu Han approached with the sword and said, “Good, very good! Now, step aside…”
However, Luo Shangyu stood her ground.
She drew her staff and struck the blade in Lu Han’s hand with force and said, “Lu Han, I said she is my prisoner. Now, get out.”
In an instant, Luo Shangyu’s aura as a Seventh-rank Quasi-god erupted completely.
Lu Han watched as the Shangfang Sword was knocked to the ground, then he leaned over to pick it up.
He gave Luo Shangyu a look full of resentment before turning and leaving the Central Army Tent.