Matters concerning cultivation and prospects required careful consideration from everyone. No one could make decisions based solely on momentary impulses.

The man sighed and nodded: “I want to kill more Yan people.” Having said that, he stood behind Yun Ya.

With the Xi Kingdom freshly deceased, the hearts of those from the fallen nation were filled with hatred toward their enemy. These words were highly inflammatory, and several people subsequently moved to Yun Ya’s side. From now on, they would serve under the Wei Kingdom’s State Preceptor, striving to continue the fight against the Kingdom of Yan.

At this moment, however, a cultivator walked directly to Yu Haizhen’s side and sincerely said: “I will follow State Preceptor Yu. Wherever State Preceptor Yu goes, I will go.”

The gazes of the remaining people lingered between Yu Haizhen and Feng Miaojun.

At this critical juncture, why had Yu Haizhen accepted Feng Miaojun’s invitation to New Xia? The most likely possibility was that she planned to put down roots and develop there. She had always treated her subordinates well, and in a new place, she would probably be even more willing to look after her old subordinates.

New Xia’s foundation was still shallow, but it had developed rapidly in recent years, completely different from the Xi Kingdom whose fortunes had run out. Moreover, it was located in the middle section of the Northern Continent, with the vast Wei Kingdom separating it from the Kingdom of Yan. It also had the Wei-Xia Agreement guaranteeing its safety. Developing there meant that, at least for several years, they wouldn’t need to worry about war.

For Xi Kingdom cultivators who had suffered enough from war, this was also very attractive.

With this mindset, more people came to stand by Yu Haizhen’s side.

People gradually lined up on both sides. In the end, only two remained in place.

Feng Miaojun smiled: “Are you two planning to fly solo?”

These two were brothers. They exchanged a glance and said in unison: “We want to go to the Peach Blossom Realm.”

Indeed, cultivators also had the Peach Blossom Realm as an option. It was a stronghold for cultivators unwilling to join any national registry. Although they wouldn’t have elemental power at their disposal, they wouldn’t be bound by any country and could live freely. This was certainly a viable path.

Yu Haizhen said to the little monkey: “Hu Tian, inform the others of this matter. Let them decide their paths.” With that, she lightly patted its arm.

This released the seal, and Hu Tian immediately transformed into a giant ape, growling once before plunging into the ground.

It went to notify the other Xi Kingdom cultivators.

Feng Miaojun looked at the sky: “Everyone rests for a while. We’ll depart tomorrow morning.” Regardless, this area now belonged to Yan territory and wasn’t too far from the Prince of Yan. They needed to guard against Yan people tracking them down.

Yun Ya had just gained many new cultivators, and it was foreseeable that more would come seeking refuge with the Wei Kingdom once they received the news. So now he needed to establish rapport with the newcomers.

Others gathered around Yu Haizhen, whispering incessantly.

Knowing both sides were busy, Feng Miaojun called Chen Dachang to the stream. Seeing that no one was around, she asked for the full story of what had happened.

Chen Dachang recounted everything in detail.

After listening, Feng Miaojun patted his shoulder firmly: “You truly are my lucky general!” She had thought the lead to Yu Haizhen was lost, never expecting that Chen Dachang would find her and, through twists and turns, bring her back. This was an unexpected delight.

Chen Dachang lowered his head and smiled shyly, missing the gleam that flashed in her eyes. “You saved Yu Haizhen for me and convinced her to return to New Xia with me. You’ve rendered a great service. Tell me, what reward do you want?”

Chen Dachang was startled, not understanding what Yu Haizhen’s agreement to go to New Xia had to do with him, but since the Queen offered a reward, he had no reason to decline. After some thought, he said: “After this mission is completed, please grant me a three-month leave.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“I want to return to Wei to visit my family,” Chen Dachang said softly. “It’s been several years since I returned to my hometown. I still have a grand-aunt living in the countryside of the Wei Kingdom who is advanced in years. She is my only living relative…”

Feng Miaojun, however, rejected without a second thought: “Not possible.”

Chen Dachang was slightly shocked, not expecting the Queen to deny his leave request. What happened to the promised reward?

“I have important tasks for you to handle,” Feng Miaojun tilted her head. “How about this: if you complete the next assignment for me, I’ll grant you a six-month leave. How does that sound?”

Chen Dachang, of course, could only agree.

Feng Miaojun smiled: “Are you annoyed?”

“…I wouldn’t dare.” He truly didn’t dare, nor would he.

“Don’t worry, this will be a good assignment,” she smiled radiantly. “By the way, Libationer Xie Changhe thinks highly of you and wants to betroth his youngest daughter to you. Before we left for Yao Kingdom, he asked me twice. The Xie family’s youngest daughter is both talented and beautiful. I met her once—that slender waist, tsk tsk, she walks like a willow swaying in the breeze. What do you think?”

Chen Dachang was stunned by her sudden transformation into a matchmaker: “This…”

With a troublesome master, his life was either busy with travel or exerting himself in battles. Any free time was used for cultivation. As for taking a wife, he had never considered it.

Feng Miaojun’s lips curled slightly: “You’re a favored one by my side. You don’t know how many officials want to form marriage alliances with you.”

Chen Dachang nodded slightly. Although he wasn’t from a prestigious family, he had followed her north and south, fighting to establish the kingdom. Despite his young age, his experience was substantial. Just seeing that the Queen took him everywhere, everyone in the royal court knew his importance. Young yet highly valued, there were indeed many officials who wanted to establish connections with him.

On this point, he was well aware.

Feng Miaojun looked at him: “If you’re not in a hurry, you can choose carefully.”

Chen Dachang’s face grew hot, and he uncomfortably cleared his throat: “I leave it entirely to Your Majesty’s decision.” He only handled court affairs; he had never even seen the Xie family’s daughter.

Feng Miaojun laughed: “Aren’t you afraid I might randomly pick a shrew for you?”

“Your Majesty would never…”

She asked curiously: “Would never what?”

Chen Dachang forced himself to say: “Would never trap me like that.”

Then he heard the Queen’s laughter, clear as silver bells.

Chen Dachang could hardly remember how long it had been since she had laughed so heartily. While he was still in a daze, the laughter had already carried far with the wind.

Compared to before, the Queen seemed somewhat different. Yet, at the moment, he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was different.

Feng Miaojun said “good” three times in succession before gradually stopping her laughter. Looking at him, she said: “Rest assured, I guarantee your satisfaction.”

Chen Dachang didn’t know what would constitute satisfaction.

Just as the words fell, a clear voice came from behind: “What’s so amusing that you’re laughing like this?”

Feng Miaojun didn’t need to turn around to know that Yun Ya had arrived.

Chen Dachang immediately showed his perceptiveness by taking his leave.

As soon as his figure disappeared, a pair of hands encircled Feng Miaojun’s waist, drawing her into a warm and solid embrace. The person whispered in her ear: “Even your wooden subordinate can now make you laugh so joyfully?”

Such a strong flavor of jealousy. Feng Miaojun reasoned with him: “If not for Chen Dachang’s efficient work, where would I find and retrieve Yu Haizhen?”