Chapter 162: Returning with the Banner, Warmly Welcoming My King

Outside the Wuhou Shrine.

Ancient Street.

Deathly silence.

The Light Curtain had long since dissipated.

The oppressive pressure it could bring still weighed heavily on everyone's heart.

In the air, a mountain‑rain‑about‑to‑come chill!

The three factions were as clear as water and mud.

【Tuidu Ji】 Chen Beixuan said nothing, smoking one cigarette after another, with butts littering the ground.

On that face full of arrogance, there was only solemnity, and still solemnity.

The members of the 【Break Army】 squad behind him were all fully armed, their palms slick with cold sweat.

They are usually wild, each refusing to submit to the other!

But now, making them face that…

They truly lost their confidence!

West side.

Those few oddballs now seemed to have lost interest in watching the spectacle.

The young man playing with copper coins no longer flicked them at his fingertips.

Even the languidly poised qipao woman now sat upright and solemn.

Like a group of statues merged into the shadows!

South side.

The elderly steward, always dignified in his Tang attire, still wore a pale complexion.

He even dared not lift his head to look toward the Wuhou Shrine!

And at the very front of everyone.

The women of the Qiang Wei Squad stood solemnly in a line, blocking the street entrance.

Behind them lay the quiet stone bridge leading to the Wuhou Shrine.

Meng Die stood at the very center.

She knew.

Her king was about to return!

Jing Zhe stood beside her, still surrounded by that faint, ethereal black aura.

Her eyes fixed rigidly on the crimson temple Gate, her breath burning like a pilgrim's.

Others saw divine might, a miracle.

But what she saw…

The end of the martial path, the door that opened to her!

Time passed, minute by minute, second by second.

The oppressive atmosphere tightened everyone's nerves to the limit.

Creak—!

Finally.

A faint sound broke the deathly silence.

That crimson temple Gate, weathered by a thousand years of wind and frost and bearing the final resting place of the Han heroes' souls, slowly opened!

Swish!

In an instant, the eyes of everyone present…

Regardless of strength or camp, all converged on the deep darkness behind that Gate.

It came!

The next second.

A figure stepped out of the darkness.

His garments were tattered, as if he had just emerged from the cruelest inferno of battle.

Yet his posture was as upright as a spear.

A head of black hair moved without wind; in his eyes seemed stars flicker, gods and demons bowing.

Most striking was the great banner he bore on his shoulder!

Black background, white edges, blood‑stained patterns entwined.

Upon the banner, a robust ancient "Han" character glowed with a faint red divine light under the cool moon.

One step.

Two steps.

He slowly descended the steps, passed through the courtyard, and stepped onto the stone bridge.

Each footfall made no sound at all.

Yet it sounded like a massive hammer heavier than mountains and seas, striking their Heavenly Spirit Cover!

Thump—!

Thump—!

The women of the Qiang Wei Squad were the first to react.

Led by Meng Die, at the moment Su Ming stepped onto the stone bridge, they all dropped to one knee, right hand over chest, heads bowed deeply!

"Welcome my king… reign!"

At the forefront, 【Dream Butterfly】's voice trembled, eyes frenzied.

Su Ming nodded at them, gesturing for them to rise.

Afterwards, he turned his gaze to the three forces at the street corner, the corners of his mouth growing more amused.

He stopped his steps.

He grabbed the 【Han Soul Unquiet Flag】 on his shoulder and slammed it heavily onto the ground.

Boom!!!

A muffled bang!

The bluestone slabs of the entire ancient street shuddered violently.

【Han】 flag wrapped around Su Ming's aura, instantly sweeping!

In an instant!

Behind Chen Beixuan, the 【Breaking Army】 squad let out a muffled grunt.

They were actually forced by this aura to retreat half a step in unison, faces flushing red!

The 【Golden House】's Tang-dressed butler, moreover, went weak in the knees and could no longer support himself.

He collapsed directly onto the ground, his eyes holding only the fear of being overwhelmed.

It's over……

They and this person…… are actually standing on opposing sides!

Only a few of the 【Western Shu Fanatics】, together with 【Bulldozer】 Chen Beixuan, barely managed to keep their footing.

The expressions on their faces were no better either.

Suddenly.

The 【Western Shu Fanatics】 side.

The leader wearing a blank mask appeared at some point, facing Su Ming from afar and giving a deep bow.

His posture was strange, yet extremely solemn.

"This pool of dead water has been turbid for a thousand years."

His voice was indistinguishable between male and female.

"Today, I have finally awaited the true dragon capable of stirring up heaven‑shaking waves."

"After this matter is settled, we will prepare a modest gift and then formally meet you."

Having said that, he wasted no time, waving his hand at the few people behind him.

Turning around, he melted into the shadows at the street corner and vanished.

He came quickly and left just as quickly!

Su Ming raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised.

This bunch of fun‑loving people……

But they are even more mysterious than I imagined!

And they also understand the situation better!

Afterwards, his gaze shifted.

It fell upon the Tang‑dressed butler sitting collapsed on the ground.

"【Gambler】, didn't you come?"

The plain question made the butler's whole body shudder violently, his teeth chattering.

"Rep… report… sir… master… he… he's unwell……"

"Hah!"

Su Ming let out a light laugh, too lazy to expose it.

"What he owes me, when does he plan to repay it?"

The butler's face drained of color, trembling and unable to utter a word.

The amusement in Su Ming's eyes gradually faded, leaving only icy indifference.

"Not ready? Then get lost."

"Stay here…… waiting for me to treat you to a meal?"

Hearing that, the butler felt as if pardoned, yet also a deep‑to‑the‑bone humiliation.

But under Su Ming's icy gaze……

He dared not utter a single complaint!

"This is what the master had me prepare for you; please accept it!"

He endured the numbness in his scalp, stepped forward, and handed the gold card in his hand to Su Ming!

Afterward, he scrambled away, rolling and crawling.

Taking the 【Golden House】's personnel with him, he fled in utter disgrace, disappearing at the street's end.

A bereaved dog!

The scene.

Only the official personnel led by Chen Beixuan remained.

Chen Beixuan fell silent for a full ten‑odd seconds.

On that stiff‑lined face, his usual domineering arrogance had long vanished.

His expression was complex, mingling apprehension and deep contemplation.

Finally, he stepped forward and walked alone toward Su Ming.

He released no aura and carried no hostility.

At a place three steps away, he stopped, reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

He skillfully shook out a cigarette and handed it to Su Ming.

"Brother, want a smoke?"

Su Ming glanced at it indifferently.

"I don't like it."

Simple, direct.

Chen Beixuan's motion froze.

He then gave a self‑mocking smile and withdrew his hand.

He turned to look at his tense subordinates and shrugged.

"It's fine, everyone fall back."

Having said that, he looked at Su Ming again, his smile deepening.

"Just passing by, taking a look, joining the fun."

"Hope we meet again sometime!"

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Su Ming bore the flag, his gaze sweeping past Chen Beixuan's back to the distant glittering myriad lights, his eyes calm and unwavering.

"You're all right."

He paused, his tone devoid of any inflection.

Yet it caused Chen Beixuan's cigarette‑holding finger to twitch suddenly.

"I have something to do."