The battlefield finally fell silent.
Golden embers drifted through the night like fireflies, slowly fading into the snow-covered darkness. The once-frozen border road was now a black scar across the earth, covered with ash, broken armour, and melted steel.
At my feet lay Zhao Ming's corpse.
The arrogant vice commander who had come to kill me was now nothing more than a lifeless body.
I looked down at my torn prisoner robes, stained with blood, mud, and soot.
Then, at Zhao Ming's black fur-lined commander's cloak.
I clicked my tongue.
"Well, a dead man won't be needing this."
Feng Yuehuang stood nearby, arms folded beneath her chest, her golden eyes watching me with calm amusement.
I crouched down and pulled the outer robe off Zhao Ming's body.
The cloth was thick and warm, far better than the rags hanging from my body.
I quickly changed into the commander's outer cloak and belt.
Much better.
At least now I looked like someone with dignity.
Still…
I sniffed my sleeve and frowned.
The smell nearly made me grimace.
Blood.
Smoke.
Sweat.
And days of dirt.
I sighed deeply.
"I need a bath."
Feng Yuehuang raised one elegant brow.
"A bath?"
"Yes."
I stretched my shoulders and winced slightly.
"I haven't bathed in several days, and these clothes are filthy."
As if answering my words, the faint sound of flowing water drifted through the forest.
I turned.
Not far from the battlefield, moonlight shimmered across a narrow river.
A slow smile appeared on my face.
Perfect.
I began walking toward it.
Behind me, Feng Yuehuang followed at a leisurely pace, flames lightly dancing beneath her feet.
The river was crystal clear, reflecting the moon and stars above.
Steam rose faintly where her residual flames had warmed the air.
I loosened Zhao Ming's cloak and stepped closer to the riverbank.
Then I glanced back at her.
She was still watching me.
I smirked.
"What?"
For the first time, a teasing smile appeared on her usually cold face.
"Why?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Are you interested in bathing together?"
I almost laughed.
This woman was learning fast.
I stepped closer, smiling.
"And if I am?"
Her golden eyes gleamed under the moonlight.
Her voice dropped into that calm, dangerous tone.
"When you defeat me…"
She slowly stepped closer until we were only an arm's length apart.
"…you can do anything to me."
For a moment, even I was stunned.
Then I chuckled softly.
"That confident?"
She crossed her arms.
"Master."
Her lips curved.
"You are body tempering level 8."
A faint phantom of her flaming wings flickered behind her.
"I am Divine Monarch Realm."
Then she leaned slightly closer.
"So yes."
I laughed.
Fair enough.
Then I looked back toward the ruined battlefield.
A thought crossed my mind.
"Feng Yuehuang."
Her eyes shifted to me.
"You killed the whole army."
I pointed toward the scorched road.
"Now what happens to the border?"
Her expression turned thoughtful.
"The Northern Border Watch will soon discover the disappearance of Zhao Ming and his men."
She looked toward the north.
"By sunrise, either another force will come…"
Her eyes narrowed.
"…or the border will fall into chaos."
I nodded.
Exactly.
That was the problem.
Then I smiled.
"What if I had my own army?"
For the first time, genuine curiosity flickered in her golden eyes.
"Your own army?"
I grinned.
"Yes."
I took a step closer and lowered my voice.
"What would you do?"
Her gaze remained calm.
"If you truly command an army…"
A faint smile appeared.
"…then perhaps I will acknowledge that you are no longer just a prince in chains."
I laughed.
"Oh?"
Then I decided to push further.
"If my army comes…"
I leant closer, teasing.
"…will you kiss me?"
For a moment—
silence.
The cold night wind blew through the trees.
Feng Yuehuang looked at me.
Really looked at me.
Then, to my surprise, she actually seemed to think about it.
Several breaths passed.
Then—
She nodded once.
"If your army truly answers your call…"
Her golden eyes locked onto mine.
"…I agree."
I blinked.
Then smiled slowly.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
I stepped away from the river and opened the system interface.
Myth System
Summon Cards Available:
Army Summon Card ×1 Divine Summon Card ×2 Random Reward Token ×1
A grin spread across my face.
Perfect.
"Use all summon cards."
The night trembled.
A massive crimson formation spread across the riverbank.
Ancient runes lit up one after another, illuminating the forest in red-gold light.
The air shook.
The river surface rippled violently.
Then—
heavy footsteps.
BOOM.
A line of armoured soldiers marched out from the flames.
Crimson armour.
Golden spears.
Phoenix engravings on every chest plate.
At their front stood a tall woman in battle armour with a blazing spear.
Her black hair was tied high, and her red eyes were sharp as blades.
She dropped to one knee.
"Commander Yue Lian greets the Fifth Prince."
Behind her—
Fifty soldiers knelt.
Their spears struck the ground in perfect unison.
BOOM.
The earth shook.
Then the two Divine Summon Cards ignited.
The heavens trembled.
Two more formations appeared.
The first glowed silver-blue.
A woman stepped out.
Long silver hair.
Blue eyes cold as moonlight.
A sword hung at her waist.
The pressure around her was sharp and elegant.
Name: Lin Xue
Title: Frost Sword Fairy
Realm: Spirit Core Level 3
The second glowed violet.
A playful laugh echoed through the flames.
Then another woman emerged.
Fox ears.
Long purple hair.
Eyes full of teasing charm.
A dangerous smile curved on her lips.
Name: Hu Mei
Title: Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit
Realm: Spirit Core Level 2
The moment they appeared—
Both women knelt.
Commander Yue Lian and the fifty soldiers bowed even lower.
The entire riverbank thundered with one voice.
"We greet our Master!"
For a moment, even Feng Yuehuang fell silent.
Her golden eyes widened ever so slightly.
Then she looked at me.
In the army.
At the two new summons kneeling before me.
A slow, amused smile appeared on her face.
"So…"
Her voice was soft.
"You truly summoned an army."
I smiled.
Then slowly stepped toward her.
The moonlight reflected in her golden eyes.
"Well?"
I said with a grin.
"A promise is a promise."