After Wen Yuesheng arrived in Fuzhou, she quickly quelled the rebellion, killed the rebel leaders, and suppressed the Fuzhou army with overwhelming force.

The ministers in the court were both shocked and delighted.

Although some had thought Wen Yuesheng might win, no one expected her to do so so quickly and so decisively.

From one perspective, this showed her exceptional skill in training soldiers, which made her commanders extremely formidable, with Zhang Yulin able to fight hundreds alone.

With the rebellion suppressed, the dark cloud over the imperial court was lifted, and many officials breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as this relief spread, news arrived that the new Emperor of Haozhou had led an army to Fuzhou’s borders.

The situation at Fuzhou’s border was complex, but it was still adjacent to Haozhou’s territory.

Haozhou’s forces had never crossed the difficult peaks of their own land into Fuzhou before.

Upon hearing this news, the emperor was furious.

Haozhou had another 300,000 troops on the frontier, making it difficult to mobilize forces for Fuzhou.

After some consideration, the emperor had to send the loyal and brave Marquis to the capital to lead 50,000 troops, along with Yan Ling, to Fuzhou.

Before the reinforcement army could arrive, Haozhou’s forces had already gathered at Fuzhou’s borders.

Outside Fuzhou’s defensive line stood the Qiong Mountain Pass.

From the direction of Yu Shun and Haozhou’s soldiers, only the tightly closed gates could be seen, making it impossible to gauge the situation inside Fuzhou.

Tai Lan stood by Yu Shun’s side and whispered, “…The one sent by the Great Wei to quell the rebellion is Princess Si Ning.”

At the mention of this name, he couldn’t help but glance at Yu Shun’s expression.

Seeing that the young emperor remained indifferent, as if unaffected, Tai Lan continued, “It has been a long time since the message from Governor Han of Fuzhou reached us.”

“Now, the Qiong Mountain Pass is tightly shut, and we still don’t know what’s going on inside Fuzhou or the strength of their forces.”

His companion, Nulie, asked, “Should we attack directly and test the situation?”

Even the strongest border army of Great Wei would not be their match, let alone Fuzhou.

Nu Lie guessed that the military strength within Fuzhou, even if there was any, would not be much.

At the same time, with the internal chaos in the Great Hui Empire, if they acted now, they might have a real chance of seizing the opportunity.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he saw a figure slowly climbing up the city tower of Qiongshan Pass.

They were positioned on a slope to the side, and from Yu Shun’s position, he could clearly see the scene atop the Qiongshan Pass city tower.

Therefore, when Wen Yuesheng, dressed in a dark black robe, holding white jade Buddhist beads, stood atop the tower and looked toward them, everyone present froze.

A light snowfall had fallen earlier this morning, covering the mountaintops, turning the entire Qiongshan Pass, the continuous mountain range behind it, and the natural Great Hui border defense line into a light coating of snow.

Wen Yuesheng, dressed in black, stood against the soft, pale snow, making her stand out even more.

The cold wind lifted her robes, and her dark hair flew about.

She did nothing, simply standing there, yet her presence sent an overwhelming murderous aura through the entire group of Hao Zhou soldiers on the slope.

Her cold, indifferent gaze fell on them, and it felt like being plunged into an ice cellar, causing their hearts to shiver.

In front of them, the mighty Qiongshan Pass was reduced to just Wen Yuesheng’s figure, standing alone, a stark contrast to the thousands of soldiers behind them.

Yu Shun raised his eyes, his gaze deep.

He stood still, facing Wen Yuesheng’s overwhelming murderous aura.

The huge mountain range behind her seemed to transform into a ferocious beast, as though it might pounce on them at any moment.

After a brief pause, he suddenly said, “Send someone down to call for a contest.”

Nu Lie was slightly taken aback and asked, “How should we call for a contest?”

“Let the Great Hui general face off against me in the contest.”

Once this was said, the few military officers behind him changed their expressions.

Tai Lan and Nu Lie exchanged glances, and without further words, they followed Yu Shun’s orders.

Outside Qiongshan Pass, Hao Zhou’s soldiers rode horses, their voices loud as they called for a contest outside the gate.

Inside Qiongshan Pass, upon hearing the request, the border defense soldiers’ expressions subtly changed.

After suppressing the Fuzhou army that day, Yan Wei had interrogated those around Han Ke and learned that Han Ke had indeed planned to betray them and had even prepared to open Qiongshan Pass to let the Hao Zhou troops enter the Great Hui.

Yan Wei’s face turned pale, and without waiting to report the matter to the court, he immediately informed Wen Yuesheng.

She arrived with him, Zhang Yulin, and half of the soldiers, rushing to Qiongshan Pass.

They had only arrived yesterday, and today, the Hao Zhou army appeared outside Qiongshan Pass.

The situation was tense, and even the soldiers originally guarding the border line had changed their expressions.

Among the border defense soldiers, some were loyal to Han Ke.

Wen Yuesheng had dealt with a few of them, but not all were under her control.

Apart from the border troops, they had no more than ten thousand soldiers they could deploy.

If Hao Zhou truly intended to attack from here, they had almost no chance of resisting or winning.

One thing in their favor was that they were unaware of the full strength of Hao Zhou’s army, and Hao Zhou was equally unaware of the situation inside Fuzhou.

Earlier, when Wen Yuesheng stood alone on the city tower, the message she conveyed was that the internal chaos of the Great Hui had been resolved.

However, the specifics were unknown to Hao Zhou.

Hao Zhou’s side was led by the new emperor personally, and they were unlikely to withdraw easily.

After seeing Wen Yuesheng, they immediately called for a contest.

Within the border defense line, a general who had not been involved with Han Ke or others, and had previously transmitted messages to Zhou Yuandu, said, “The contest is too dangerous. If the princess goes out of Qiongshan Pass, there is a high chance she may not return.”

After all, for a contest to take place, Wen Yuesheng would have to leave the gate, while the enemy’s leader, the emperor of Hao Zhou, would never enter the gate without weapons.

To go out directly was equivalent to walking into the tiger’s den.

Though the soldiers at Qiongshan Pass were few, because of the favorable geographical location, it was not easy for the enemy to break through.

General Chen said, “If the princess refuses to fight, Qiongshan Pass can still hold out for some time. We can wait for reinforcements from the army before negotiating further.”

Hao Zhou would have to cross dangerous terrain, while behind Qiongshan Pass was all of Fuzhou, with advantages in terms of troop organization and supplies.

Even with a disparity in military strength, Qiongshan Pass could still hold for a few days.

Li Qingyuan, however, said in a deep voice, “But if Qiongshan Pass falls, the entire Fuzhou will be in peril.”

Not only Fuzhou, but several surrounding provinces would also be in danger.

Given the current situation, they could not afford to lose Qiongshan Pass.

Moreover, the contest, though meant to test each other’s strength, would also indicate which side had more confidence.

If they refused the contest, Hao Zhou might deduce the true situation in Fuzhou from their reactions.

If they showed fear, the enemy would likely seize the opportunity and attack without mercy.

If Qiongshan Pass fell, it would just be a matter of time.

The situation was critical, and every decision now determined the survival of Fuzhou.

Yan Wei stood aside, remaining silent while everyone discussed.

As the discussion quieted, all eyes turned to Wen Yuesheng.

Wen Yuesheng’s voice was cold and indifferent as she said, “Open the gate.”

This meant she was going out to face the contest.

Everyone’s expression changed.

But because Wen Yuesheng was the commander, her orders were military orders.

Though the generals expressed concern, they followed her orders in silence.

The soldiers began running.

General Chen Hao immediately gathered all the forces and positioned them outside the gate.

Li Qingyuan led all the crossbowmen to the city tower and set up crossbows under the cover of the walls.

Everyone was tense, including Zhang Yulin, who was preparing to follow Wen Yue Sheng into the contest.

Before Wen Yuesheng left, Yan Wei spoke to her in a low voice.

After she responded softly, he stepped back.

From the city tower, a soldier loudly announced, “The Great Hui general, Princess Xining, has come out to contest!”

The announcement was repeated three times, and the words echoed throughout the battlefield.

Upon hearing Wen Yuesheng had truly come out to contest, the Hao Zhou side was momentarily stunned.

When they recovered, they saw Yu Shun dismounting.

Tai Lan hesitated.

As the ruler of a country, if any accidents occurred in the contest today, they would all bear the consequences.

But Nu Lie spoke directly, “If Princess Xining is not afraid, then what do we have to fear?”

Tai Lan paused, realizing this, and gritted his teeth before following Nu Lie, walking toward the open space in front of Qiongshan Pass.

The light snowfall from earlier had already stopped, leaving only a thin layer of snow on the ground.

With a loud creak, Yu Shun looked up to see the heavy gates of Qiongshan Pass opening.

From inside, a familiar slender figure stepped out slowly.

Against the snowy backdrop, she wore a black robe embroidered with red-gold Buddhist scriptures, holding white jade Buddhist beads, just as she had when they first met.

Yu Shun’s eyes moved slightly.

After many days, he felt an unexpected heaviness in his heart.

This time, their roles were completely different.

He was the new emperor of Hao Zhou, while she was a general of the Great Hui.

She was still accompanied by Zhang Yulin, who was as sturdy as a small mountain.

Boom!

The heavy gates of Qiongshan Pass closed behind her.

The tall, dark gates looked like a dark hole.

Tai Lan and Nu Lie beside Yu Shun both changed expressions.

Wen Yuesheng had indeed come out to face the contest with only one person by her side.

In the distance, about fifty paces away, stood nearly a hundred thousand fierce Hao Zhou soldiers.

Tai Lan couldn’t help but glance at Yu Shun, seeing admiration in his eyes.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

The court of Hao Zhou was also in turmoil.

After Yu Shun ascended the throne, the imperial harem was still vacant, and many forces were in motion.

But among all these people, perhaps only he understood that Yu Shun’s chosen empress was from the enemy nation.

Now, she stood on the same battlefield as him.

“The last time in the martial contest, the princess did not take action,” Yu Shun said as he took the Green Dragon Halberd from Nu Lie’s hands, raising his gaze to Wen Yuesheng.

His eyes were like a vast ocean of stars, shining brightly in the snow.

“Today, I hope Princess Sining will give me some guidance.”

Several months after Yu Shun ascended the throne, he had dealt with numerous powerful ministers, including Yang Gu, and had personally led troops to defeat the remnants of Yang Gu’s forces.

But he had never used the Green Dragon Halberd until today.

This would be his first time.

Wen Yuesheng, standing before him, wore only thin robes, with nothing but the Buddhist beads in her hand—no weapons.

Though Tai Lan could sense her strength from Yu Shun’s attitude, he couldn’t imagine how she could win under such circumstances.

Though curious, he focused all his attention on Zhang Yulin, standing beside Wen Yuesheng.

Their figures stretched long in the snowy field.

On their side stood only a few people, while hidden behind the gates of Qiongshan Pass were Yu Shun’s soldiers, all holding their breath in anticipation.

Yu Shun raised his Green Dragon Halberd slightly, his posture relaxed, and the weapon cut through the air with a thunderous roar as it shot straight toward Wen Yue Sheng.

His attack left no room for mercy, and the sharp sound of the Green Dragon Halberd cutting through the air made Zhang Yulin’s face change.

It was completely different from the last time they fought in the Great Hui.

This time, Yu Shun was using all his strength from the start.

The howling winter wind was no match for the violent sound of the Green Dragon Halberd, and the thin snow on the ground was swept up by the force of the attack.

Under this fierce assault, Wen Yuesheng only slightly dodged her head.

Yu Shun’s Green Dragon Halberd pressed forward like a raging tide, targeting her face, but she swiftly turned, moving just enough to avoid the attack.

Each of her movements was small, but they were just enough to avoid his strikes.

Everyone, including Tai Lan and others, thought she would dodge again.

However, Wen Yuesheng stepped forward.

Her cold, expressionless eyes briefly swept across Yu Shun before everyone had time to react.

She actually raised her hand and pulled out a short sword from Yu Shun’s waist.

The short sword, forged from cold iron, could cut through steel like mud.

It was a gift from the old emperor of Hao Zhou to Yu Shun when he came of age.

The short sword was drawn with a crisp sound.

Amidst the power of the Green Dragon Halberd striking the air, Wen Yuesheng stepped forward, deflecting all of Yu Shun’s attacks.

Standing just a breath away, she pressed the short sword against his throat.

The short sword, bearing immense force, severed a strand of his hair, its sharp edge stopping just before his throat.

He looked up and saw her cold, ink-black eyes.

She said softly, “You’ve lost again.”