Chapter 108

【Everyone's hearts were stained with tension.】

【It was clearly midday, yet it felt extremely stifling.】

【Only the sound of hoofbeats, roaring like thunder, like a thunderstorm in the firmament, suddenly poured onto the long street, every strike shaking the soul and making one's heart palpitate.】

【"Getting closer and closer!"】

【This thought swirled in everyone's minds.】

【At the final moment, that long and suffocating wait came to an abrupt end.】

【Looking again!】

【Xie Linghao and his party's eyes shrank; at the turn of the street corner, an iron torrent slowly revealed its true face.】

【The knights sat on tall horses, their armor black as night, their faces cold and stern, exuding a chilling aura.】

【Zhang Lin, a tough man known for his ruthlessness under the Second Prince, had also seen plenty of blood on his blade; at this moment, facing this torrent of iron cavalry, he couldn't help but feel an indescribable fear.】

【He swallowed his saliva, knowing that this was no ordinary army, but "veterans" who had truly experienced mountains of corpses and seas of blood.】

【Above the army, a "mist" of blood-red murderous intent seemed to be quietly gathering.】

【Ready to devour people!】

【As the great army slowly approached, the commander's flag hung high, with a large "Lu" on it.】

【Zhang Lin finally couldn't hold back the shock in his heart and exclaimed: "The Lu Family Army... has entered the city!"】

【Deng Ping's gaze shifted among the leading generals; several familiar faces came into view—Feng Haiping, Dou Gu, they had actually led the army themselves.】

【In an instant!】

【The sense of oppression struck like a tidal wave; the soldiers of the Five Northern Schools all gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes locked on the approaching heroic army, secretly feeling awe in their hearts.】

【The surroundings were filled with an indescribable tension!】

【Behind the screen, the three women quietly stepped out from the cover of the curtains and slowly walked to the threshold of the Imperial City Department.】

【Tao Jiamin's gaze fell on the shocking scene ahead, and she couldn't help but exclaim:】

【"Is this the world-renowned Lu Family Army?"】

【Her eyes flashed with shock and awe that could not be concealed.】

【Seeing that the subsequent troops were endless, by estimation, there were at least ten thousand people; that extraordinary sense of oppression.】

【Made it hard for her to imagine that when facing the enemy, with such a magnificent army, would the opponent still have the confidence to fight?】

【Dai Zhong's face, however, blossomed with a smile again.】

【On the other side!】

【Jiao and the two great eunuchs happened to walk out of the Imperial City Department, and what they faced was this overwhelming torrent of iron armor.】

【They were panicked for a moment, unable to calm down; the two looked at each other, and without needing to say more, they understood the current situation.】

【"The Lu Family Army has entered the city; this is no small matter and must be reported to the master immediately." Eunuch Jiao said with a solemn expression, the two lowering their voices.】

【"The most important thing now is how to drive away the enemy and protect the country; let's put aside the grievances and entanglements for now."】

【After speaking!】

【The two dared not delay in the slightest and hurriedly turned around, heading toward the palace, their hearts full of trepidation and unease.】

【Especially Jiao He, who had come to the Imperial City Department full of confidence, but in just half a day, the Eastern Depot had fallen, imperial power was in danger, and everything had changed!】

【Dai Zhong watched the retreating figures of the two great eunuchs silently, without showing the slightest intention of stopping them.】

【From the moment the Lu Family Army headed south, the outcome had already been determined.】

【He whispered to himself: "Under the peerless edge, all calculations and struggles are merely icing on the cake and cannot change the overall situation."】

【Now, the overall situation is settled.】

【In front of the Imperial City Department, the Lu Family Army lined up like a forest, like a jungle of steel, without a whisper, their discipline so strict it was suffocating.】

【Deng Ping, as the Commander of the Five Northern Schools and commander of the Black Armor Army, couldn't help but grip the hilt of his sword to feel some sense of security as he stared at the powerful army opposite him.】

【The surrounding soldiers felt the same; they gripped their weapons tightly, their fingertips turning white from the force, their faces tense.】

【Everyone could feel the powerful pressure from the Lu Family Army, as if even the atmosphere had become heavy.】

【No one in the Imperial City Department dared to breathe, and even the Dali Temple guards holding sabers were extremely nervous.】

【At this moment!】

【Every iron-clad warrior dismounted in unison; their movements were tacit, revealing the combat literacy forged by long-term training.】

【The clanging sound of iron armor rubbing together was deafening!】

【Yet not a single order was issued from within the Lu Family Army!】

【Every warrior's gaze converged into a sharp edge that could not be looked at directly, piercing the heart and making one not dare to be the slightest bit negligent.】

【Feng Haiping and the others dismounted and walked out slowly.】

【This scene added a few more points of solemnity and dignity to the already tense atmosphere.】

【The Lu Family Army all looked toward the imperial city, or rather, toward the person on the steps.】

【Zhang Lin and Xie Linghao stood to the side, and although they tried hard to remain calm, they couldn't conceal a hint of tension in their eyes.】

【Facing these "beasts" of the Lu Family Army that seemed capable of tearing everything apart easily, they had to admit the insignificance and fragility of life.】

【It would be a lie to say they weren't worried!】

【You looked calmly at the Lu Family Army; these were all familiar people.】

【It seemed just like fifteen years ago, when you were reviewing the troops.】

【It's just that these people seem to have aged a bit and have more signs of weathering!】

【You walked out from under the eaves of the Imperial City Department; perhaps the sun was too bright, so you put your bamboo hat back on your head.】

【Lu Yu followed closely behind.】

【The three women on the threshold were all watching this scene.】

【Xie Lingxuan's eyes were fixed tightly; everyone only saw you slowly walking toward this "unrivaled" Lu Family Army.】

【In her eyes, you were just wearing a plain cloth garment; never mind armor, you didn't even have an official uniform, and you were wearing that bamboo hat you had worn in the ruined temple.】

【Zou Shuning's breathing involuntarily deepened; she pursed her lips tightly, her gaze filled with both worry and expectation.】

【Tao Jiamin was also watching intently, the light in her eyes becoming brighter and brighter.】

【Deng Ping's eyes narrowed slightly, the hilt of the sword in his hand gripped tighter and tighter, his heart churning with unknown thoughts.】

【Xie Linghao and Zhang Lin stood to the side, deeply shocked by the scene before them; they were silent as cicadas in winter, not even daring to breathe, only seeing the burning eyes of the Lu Family Army.】

【All gazes followed you tightly, only seeing you slowly walking toward the Lu Family Army step by step.】

【At this time, Feng Haiping slowly knelt on one knee, his voice excited as he said:】

【"Feng Haiping, pays respects to the Young Protector."】

【"Dou Gu, pays respects to the Young Protector."】

【"Jia Fu, pays respects to the Young Protector."】

【The whole group knelt and bowed their heads.】

【Resounding through the clouds!】

【"Pay respects to the Young Protector!"】

【"Pay respects to the Young Protector!"】

【Lu Yu smiled lightly, as if it had returned to fifteen years ago.】

【Imperial City Department, ten thousand people see the Young Protector, not one remains standing!】

【Xie Linghao and Zhang Lin, seeing the scene before them, had trembling eyes.】

【Deng Ping's hand gripping the sword hilt slowly relaxed!】

【Xie Lingxuan supported the door frame, her beautiful eyes slowly becoming dazed.】

【Zou Shuning looked at the Lu Family Army bowing at your feet.】

【And you didn't make any move, as if it should be so; she couldn't help but think:】

【"This invincible Lu Family Army has once again welcomed its true commander!"】

(End of chapter)