On the city walls, with Xu Qi An’s departure, the Yunzhou army fell into chaos.

Ji Xuan, who had been invincible in their eyes, the war god who had shown extraordinary prowess from Qing Province to Yong Province – his head had just been held in Silver Constable Xu’s hand.

In an instant, despair exploded in the hearts of Yunzhou’s army and mid-level commanders. As excited as they had been thinking the Empress had been beheaded, they were now equally desperate.

And besides Ji Xuan, whom they had praised as a war god, even the Imperial Tutor had fled…

“General Ji has been killed. Silver Constable Xu is invincible – he must be a deity descended from heaven.”

In the crowd, a Yunzhou soldier spoke with trembling lips, his face filled with despair.

Despair and panic fermented in the hearts of the Yunzhou army. The rebel troops became restless, holding their swords while looking around bewilderedly, not knowing what to do.

After seeing Ji Xuan’s head, they had lost all will to fight.

As people from the Central Plains, they had all heard of Silver Constable Xu’s great name – how he had single-handedly slain the Witch God Sect’s army of 300,000, how he had driven back 20,000 rebel troops alone when he came to Yunzhou, and so on.

Such ingrained impressions would be suppressed in their hearts when the situation was favorable, but once they encountered an insurmountable obstacle, the fear suppressed in their hearts would furiously counterattack, making them lose their fighting spirit.

A fierce light flashed in Yang Chuan Nan’s eyes as he shouted:

“Yunzhou’s army would rather die than surrender. All troops, listen to my command – kill!”

Beside him, over a dozen trusted subordinates gripped their weapons, their faces filled with determination.

“Clang!”

At this moment, a soldier’s blade fell to the ground as he stammered:

“I… I surrender… I said rebellion had no way out, we can’t defeat Silver Constable Xu.”

After several seconds of silence, a second person surrendered:

“I surrender too, I… I just want to live.”

“I surrender too…”

Then, as if triggering a chain reaction, more and more Yunzhou soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered, shouting “surrender” in various regional dialects.

“Rebellion is a capital offense, surrendering won’t save you either!”

Yang Chuan Nan shouted: “Follow me in one last fight…”

He knew he would certainly die and refused to surrender, trying to incite the Yunzhou army to perish together with Great Feng, to make them pay a heavy price even in death.

But before he could finish speaking, one of his trusted aids behind him quietly dropped his sword and called out:

“I surrender.”

Yang Chuan Nan’s voice stopped abruptly.

The dozen or so trusted subordinates around him dropped their weapons one after another, shouting their surrender.

Yang Chuan Nan’s facial muscles twitched violently, his gaze filled with defeat.

In the distance, watching Yunzhou soldiers continuously laying down their weapons and surrendering both on the city walls and below, Qi Guang Bo slowly closed his eyes, pressing one hand on the sword at his waist.

In general, one should die with dignity.

His face was filled with desolation. He hadn’t been able to face Wei Yuan on the battlefield back then, and today he still had no chance.

The three words “Xu Qi An” were like an uncrossable abyss between him and Wei Yuan, impossible to overcome, making one despair.

Qi Guang Bo steeled himself and was about to draw his sword for suicide when his hands suddenly became uncontrollable.

He opened his eyes in surprise to see a figure in white standing before him – ordinary features, ordinary bearing, ordinary height.

“Why won’t you let me die?” Qi Guang Bo asked in a deep voice.

As Yunzhou’s commander-in-chief, death wouldn’t come so cheaply… Sun Xuan Ji silently finished in his heart, but what came out of his mouth was just one word:

“Heh!”

Under their leaders’ guidance, Great Feng’s garrison troops bound the surrendered soldiers one by one, wielding scabbards and wooden clubs, scolding and beating them, venting their pent-up anger.

These rebels who didn’t know better had dared to attack the capital – who had given them such courage? Didn’t they know Silver Constable Xu was Great Feng’s guardian deity?

Among Silver Constable Xu’s legendary deeds, when had he ever been defeated?

It was the same this time – when he finally made his move, he immediately slew the enemy leader.

This was the war god in their hearts.

Ge Wen Xuan, Yang Chuan Nan, and over ten other core figures were quickly subdued by Zhao Shou, Sun Xuan Ji, and Kou Yang Zhou. With these transcendent experts watching, even attempting suicide would be difficult.

…

Imperial Palace, Hall of Golden Chimes.

The Empress sat high on her throne. Besides the officials, the hall contained commanders of the Imperial Guard and the capital’s twelve garrison forces, as well as martial arts alliance experts like Second Young Master Xu, Zhang Shen, Chu Yuan Zhen, and Cao Qing Yang.

The latter group had been allowed into the hall to see the emperor as an exception due to their meritorious service in protecting Great Feng, to be rewarded according to their contributions.

“A total of 28,361 rebel troops were captured. Rebel leaders including Qi Guang Bo and Yang Chuan Nan have all been controlled. In this battle, 8,343 soldiers died, 12,000 were wounded. Over 800 civilians in the outer city were killed or wounded.”

“Captured over 200 artillery pieces, 120 vehicle-mounted crossbows, armor, and weapons…”

“Of the four city gates, the South Gate has been destroyed with large sections of wall collapsed; the other three gates have varying degrees of damage requiring extensive repairs.”

“…”

The casualties were quite heavy, but joy radiated from the officials’ faces, with a sense of relief like seeing sunlight breaking through clouds.

This battle ended the Yunzhou rebellion. The dark clouds hanging over Great Feng’s court had finally completely dispersed – dawn had arrived.

Huai Qing listened silently before slowly saying:

“The losses in this battle were quite heavy. What suggestions do my loyal officials have regarding post-war handling and the disposal of rebel prisoners?”

First Minister Qian Qing Shu stepped forward and said:

“We can use the surrendered Yunzhou soldiers as laborers, responsible for repairing city walls and other matters. Further arrangements can be made after the aftermath is dealt with.”

The greatest use of these surrendered soldiers at present was as free labor.

First Minister Qian Qing Shu continued:

“As for rebel leaders like Qi Guang Bo, they should be quickly beheaded publicly to demonstrate the court’s authority. The cabinet has already drafted an announcement: Silver Constable Xu’s mighty slaying of rebel leader Ji Xuan shocked the entire army and quelled the rebellion.

“This will quickly pacify the people’s hearts.”

Huai Qing nodded: “Agreed!”

Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong stepped forward and said:

“There is one thing this official still doesn’t understand – it seems the Northern Border tribulation battle was a great victory. Where are Bodhisattva Kalpa Tree and White Emperor now?”

Liu Hong’s confusion was shared by all the officials.

The Yunzhou rebellion had ended, but to the officials, it had ended somewhat inexplicably.

Because among transcendent forces, Yunzhou had relied on White Emperor and Kalpa Tree, but from beginning to end, they hadn’t seen these two First-Rank experts appear.

Huai Qing spoke with a majestic tone:

“The Imperial Tutor and Silver Constable Xu both advanced to First-Rank and had already destroyed White Emperor’s physical body at the Northern Border. Kalpa Tree couldn’t fight alone and was driven back by Silver Constable Xu, fleeing to the Western Regions.”

！！！

In the hall, faces that had been lowered suddenly lifted, showing expressions of shock and bewilderment.

First-rank martial artist… The officials’ minds buzzed, almost wanting to say to the Empress:

Stop joking!

This simple statement instantly raised huge waves in the officials’ hearts.

Even Zhang Shen and Li Mu Bai, who had learned the situation from Zhao Shou, felt indescribable shock hearing this news again.

The guild leaders and sect masters of the martial arts alliance were dumbstruck, unable to control their expressions.

A First-Rank martial artist had emerged.

Since Emperor Wu Zong, the Central Plains martial world hadn’t seen a First-Rank martial artist for five hundred years.

Today, five hundred years later, Xu Qi An has advanced to First-Rank martial artist.

Without realizing it, he had become truly invincible… The officials felt a sense of how things had changed, like seas turning to mulberry fields.

Was I only in the military garrison for five months?… Nan Gong Qian Rou asked herself, somewhat doubting her perception was wrong. She still couldn’t accept that the Fifth-Rank Energy Consolidation Silver Constable had become a figure at the peak of martial arts after just five months.

What did First-Rank mean?

This was reaching the end of the martial arts system.

Throughout history, besides those above ranks, whose battle prowess could compare to a First-Rank martial artist?

The ancestor had closed himself off for five hundred years just to advance to Second – this was already an extraordinary figure destined to be recorded in history. Yet Silver Constable Xu, in his early twenties, had already completed the martial path… The martial arts alliance members felt complicated emotions, suddenly feeling that their ancestor’s talent seemed, perhaps, just mediocre.

As this thought flashed through their minds, they nervously glanced around, and seeing that Guardian Yuan wasn’t in the hall, they immediately felt relieved.

“Good, excellent! From this point, Great Feng will have eternal peace. No country in all directions will dare to offend us!”

Liu Hong’s hands trembled with excitement as tears streamed down his face:

“This is a blessing for the Central Plains people, a blessing for Your Majesty, a blessing for the state and society.”

At this moment, the officials felt emotional, recalling the various events Great Feng had endured since the year of the Imperial Examination – from Emperor Zhen De’s chaos destroying the ancestors’ foundation to the Yunzhou rebellion, leaving the Central Plains people destitute.

In the past year, there had been too many disasters, and the court had long been overwhelmed.

Now they had finally made it through – Wei Yuan had returned to life, and Xu Qi An had advanced to first rank. They had the former for leading armies in battle and the latter for transcendent combat power. One could imagine that in the long years to come, Great Feng would have favorable weather and the country and people would be at peace.

History records that during the reigns of Founding Emperor and Emperor Wu Zong, the Western Regions, Northern Border, Witch God Sect, and Southern Frontier all submitted, never daring to invade Great Feng’s territory or rashly take up arms.

…

After the battle ended, the martial law in the inner city was lifted. Defense troops ran through the streets and alleys beating drums and gongs, shouting that the rebellion had been quelled and peace restored to the realm.

Hearing this, citizens opened their doors and windows in surprise, finding that indeed there were no more patrolling soldiers on the streets.

“The battle’s over? I was scared to death, thought the capital was finished.”

“The cannon fire stopped a while ago. I thought the rebels had retreated, who knew the rebellion had been quelled.”

“Let’s go, let’s go see what’s happening at the announcement wall.”

Citizens gradually left their homes and took to the streets, instinctively heading toward the announcement walls near the city gates and various government offices.

Sure enough, they could see from afar that new announcements had been posted.

“What does it say?”

“Does it say the rebellion is quelled? The rebels’ base is in Yunzhou – even though this rebellion is over, they might return.”

“Nothing we can do about that. It’s already impressive that our capital could repel the rebels so quickly.”

“The Empress truly has the Mandate of Heaven, and the officials aren’t as muddle-headed as we thought.”

Most people couldn’t read, so they discussed while waiting for literate ones to share the announcement’s contents.

Suddenly, someone exclaimed joyfully:

“The announcement says Silver Constable Xu killed the rebel leader and intimidated their entire army!”

A wave of voices rose immediately, with citizens gathered around the announcement board discussing enthusiastically, constantly questioning if it was true.

After getting confirmation, the citizens suddenly understood – no wonder the rebellion was quelled so quickly, it was because Silver Constable Xu had finally taken action.

“Think about it, weren’t these rebels just seeking death? Coming to the capital only to be crushed by Silver Constable Xu before they could make waves.”

“I thought it was the Empress’s brilliant leadership and the soldiers’ good training, but it turns out Silver Constable Xu alone intimidated the rebels.”

“Of course! Silver Constable Xu once single-handedly drove back the Witch God Sect’s army of 500,000 at Yu Yang Pass.”

Now that he had personally slain the rebel leader and intimidated their army, the citizens felt this was exactly the kind of feat they expected from Silver Constable Xu.

“Eh, wasn’t it 200,000?”

Someone questioned the number’s accuracy, but their voice was quickly drowned in the sea of praise.

The capital’s citizens had unconsciously developed a kind of “pride” – not the pride of privileged people living under the Son of Heaven, but the pride of sharing a city with Silver Constable Xu.

While various regions of the Central Plains suffered constant disasters, with Qing Province and Yong Province even being occupied by rebels, their capital wasn’t afraid – because they had Silver Constable Xu.

…

Wang Manor.

Wang Si Mu rode in a carriage with her mother and two sisters-in-law, returning to their residence.

Her two elder brothers rushed out anxiously to meet them, urgently asking:

“The servants say the battle outside the city is over?”

Madam Wang nodded, her expression relaxed as she smiled:

“Palace people say Silver Constable Xu killed the rebel leader and intimidated the rebel army from the city walls, quelling the rebellion.

“Ah, when the master initially planned to form marriage ties with the Xu family, I was unwilling. Now I understand the master’s careful consideration.”

With the relationship between the Wang and Xu families, even though the master had stepped down from his position as First Minister, they could still live in great wealth and prosperity in the capital, blessing future generations.

The Wang family’s eldest son breathed a sigh of relief, showing joy:

“Father is still waiting for news in his room, I’ll tell him immediately.”

Madam Wang nodded:

“The master can rest easy now and focus on recovering.”

Wang Si Mu smiled:

“I’ll go tell father.”

No one dared object.

Wang Si Mu made her way to her father’s bedroom and knocked on the door:

“Father.”

The door opened immediately, with a maid respectfully saying: “First Young Miss.”

Wang Si Mu responded with an “mm” and stepped across the threshold into the room, seeing First Minister Wang leaning against soft pillows, looking toward her.

“How was the battle?” Wang Zhen Wen’s expression and tone were calm, but his gaze was fixed intently on Wang Si Mu.

Wang Si Mu understood her father’s meaning. She sat by the bed, held her father’s hand, and said gently:

“Silver Constable Xu has returned. It’s over, Father, it’s all over.”

First Minister Wang nodded, having already heard this from his two sons, but now getting confirmation, his heartfelt unburdened.

“The Northern Border tribulation battle is also over…”

Wang Zhen Wen had another question but knew his daughter couldn’t answer.

How did he win?

Wang Si Mu said:

“On the way here, I met Second Young Master. He was going to the palace to see Her Majesty and told me something.”

Wang Zhen Wen looked at his daughter.

Wang Si Mu pressed her lips together before revealing the truth:

“Silver Constable Xu has advanced to First Rank.”

“First-rank martial artist…” Wang Zhen Wen murmured: “A First-Rank martial artist.”

He suddenly felt a new force sprouting and growing strong within his body, the weariness leaving his face.

…

Yunzhou, offshore.

On the vast blue ocean, a fleet of ships anchored in the rolling waves, flags embroidered with azure dragons fluttering fiercely in the strong wind.

The Azure Dragon Fleet!

A middle-aged man in purple robes stood by the ship’s rail, his gaze fixed on Yunzhou, his expression deep and unreadable.

After Hidden Dragon City was attacked, he realized their forces couldn’t match the enemy’s. Making a quick decision, he crushed a transmission talisman to reach White Emperor City, then led five hundred trusted troops to the coast, boarding the Azure Dragon Fleet to flee overseas.

This location was dozens of li from Yunzhou, safe enough.

He was waiting here for news from the Imperial Tutor.

The Azure Dragon Fleet existed not for battle, but to give Yunzhou an escape route.

When they chose to establish roots in Yunzhou years ago, it was because the region backed onto the ocean – even in the direst circumstances, they would still have a way out.

“Since the Imperial Tutor hasn’t returned to support Yunzhou, it means he’s confident in taking the capital. Once the capital is taken, Yunzhou’s losses won’t matter.”

Having held a high position for many years, the purple-robed middle-aged man maintained his composure, showing no panic.

At this moment, he saw a white flash before him, and the Imperial Tutor’s back appeared.