Chapter 192: The New Commander of Dingyuan

"Sister, Commander Zhou and you have no grudges, yet you strike so cruelly; isn't that a bit too ruthless?" Ye Huanhuan's tone was unusually angry, and the look she gave Ye Qingran was full of reproach.

Dongfang Xuan frowned and shouted, his tone full of accusation, "Ye Qingran, Commander Zhou has already suppressed the Mysterious Force and challenged you, and you still crippled his arm—are you even human?"

Hearing Ye Huanhuan and Dongfang Xuan speak, many members of the Dingyuan Army also began to denounce Ye Qingran's methods as excessively bloody.

"Not convinced? Then come take revenge on him yourselves."

The girl stood lazily, her slender, graceful figure like a delicate orchid swaying in the wind—truly enchanting, elegant, and uniquely cool.

"You are simply unreasonable!" Dongfang Ling'er snorted coldly.

Ye Li stepped forward, his gaze cool, "Your words are mistaken! If A Ran had been at a disadvantage just now, would Zhou Meng have let her go?"

The remark left Ye Huanhuan and the others momentarily speechless. Especially the Dingyuan soldiers, who glanced at Ye Qingran and then at Zhou Meng on the ground. Considering Zhou Meng's disdain for Ye Qingran, they thought that if Ye Qingran had been at a disadvantage, her fate would have been even worse.

"Commander Zhou is injured so severely; quickly summon the army doctor to treat him."

Ye Qingran flicked her sleeve, assuming a dignified posture befitting someone long accustomed to authority, causing the soldiers to stare in astonishment.

Soon the army doctor arrived and declared that his hand bones were shattered, rendering it useless.

"Commander Zhou is gravely wounded; as the young master, I feel deep sorrow. However, with his arm crippled, the command may have to pass to someone else…"

Zhou Meng, whose arm was already crippled, heard this and, despite his dying condition, sprang up in shock, his gaze at Ye Qingran filled with fury.

This damned Ye Qingran actually wants to strip him of his position!

No wonder she said she'd gamble an arm with him; it turns out everything was premeditated!

The commander of the Old Dingyuan Units may not be a high official, but any role bearing the name "Dingyuan" carries so much honor that others can only envy.

The position of Dingyuan Army commander has brought him plenty of profit over the years; how could he watch it be snatched from his hands?

"Young master, I only injured an arm; it will heal in a few months, no need to go to such extremes, right?" Zhou Meng's eyes brimmed with hatred.

"Your arm is already useless; you, a waste, have any right to be commander of the Dingyuan Army?"

Ye Li sneered, "A Ran, you are repaying her in kind."

"Young master, I've been diligent these years, contributing so much to the Dingyuan Army; your actions are truly disheartening. How can you expect everyone to continue to give their utmost loyalty?"

Ye Qingran glared coldly at Zhou Meng, a speckled smile flashing in her beautiful eyes, "Do you think I didn't notice your profiteering through your position over the years?"

Zhou Meng's whole body stiffened.

His gaze froze.

How did she know?

Ye Qingran lifted the corner of her mouth, wicked and arrogant.

Though she seemed indifferent to the Dingyuan Army's affairs, she had already ordered her subordinates to investigate its situation thoroughly over the years.

How could Zhou Meng's petty moves escape her keen, fiery eyes?

"I have no idea what nonsense you're talking about!" Zhou Meng retorted outright.

"It doesn't matter if you won't admit it," Ye Qingran said, not arguing further, "Considering you once marched with your mother in countless campaigns, I'll spare you this time. Bring him down!"

The soldiers, no longer showing contempt, hurriedly obeyed Ye Qingran's order and carried Zhou Meng away.

"Sister, I wrongly blamed you earlier. Still, congratulations—you've finally become the new commander of the Dingyuan Army, fulfilling your long‑held wish!"

Ye Huanhuan approached Ye Qingran, and despite the jealousy burning inside, she forced it down, wearing a false smile.

The wish you've held all this time?

Hearing this, Qing Xuan furrowed his brow.

Has Ye Qingran always wanted to become the new commander of the Dingyuan Army? So she truly is an extremely ambitious person!

He mistakenly thought she was non‑competitive, pure and naive.

Qing Xuan felt a deep aversion toward Ye Qingran welling up inside him.

"Heh, it's just a lucky win; even if you become the new commander of the Dingyuan Army, it won't change the fact that you're a waste!" Dongfang Xuan sneered.

"Ye Qingran, in this world strength matters; without a Spiritual Root, relying on shortcuts won't get you far!" Dongfang Ling'er dismissed.

Ye Qingran looked at these leaping clowns and ignored them.

Li Qing approached Ye Qingran, a faint hope in his eyes. Ye Qingran's performance today shattered his long‑held perception; the useless waste he remembered seemed different.

Then, could he perhaps have some expectations?

"Young master, if you agree, I will immediately petition His Majesty to issue an edict appointing you as the new commander of the Dingyuan Army."

The eyes of many Dingyuan soldiers hardened with resolve at that moment.

Ye Qingran's earlier display also gave them a sense of hope.

Ye Qingran merely raised an eyebrow, her gaze wandering among the Old Dingyuan Units' soldiers before finally settling on Li Qing's face.

"Who said I'm going to become the new commander of the Dingyuan Army?"

The words left everyone stunned.

What did Ye Qingran say? She doesn't want to be the new commander of the Dingyuan Army?

Though the Dingyuan Army is not what it once was, gaining unanimous approval from the old troops and becoming its commander remains an honor.

Ye Li was also taken aback.

A Ran doesn't want to become Dingyuan's new commander?

It seems he still doesn't understand A Ran! Ye Li thought this, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"Young master?!" Li Qing's face was shocked.

Ye Qingran curled her lip, whistled, and a silver figure leapt from the high wall outside the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion, sprinting toward them.

The onlookers focused and saw a wolf covered in silver fur—a Xuan Yue Yinlang—instantly putting everyone on high alert as if facing a great enemy.

Yet the Xuan Yue Yinlang charged straight at Ye Qingran, halted before her amid the soldiers' horrified gazes, and nudged its head against her arm.

"I'm tired of standing; let me sit."

The little silver one obediently crouched; its massive body, like a sturdy horse, allowed Ye Qingran to leap and perch on its broad back.

She wore a white dress, her bearing simple and elegant, as if a Mystical Maiden riding a Divine Beast had descended to the mortal world.

The Dingyuan Army were all stunned; this Xuan Yue Yinlang, is it the young master's mount?!

"The Dingyuan Army has only one commander, that is my mother Yun Sui Feng! Therefore, I will not become your new commander, but if anyone dares to target the Dingyuan Army, I will not stand by and do nothing."