"Commander Shen, it has been three hours."

The Xuanjia general stood with Shen Zhao for a full hour.

The weather worsened further, with wind and snow intensifying.

However, the soldiers standing on the drill ground remained motionless, as if nothing in the world could attract their attention.

"Such an army is unprecedented."

Su Yunying couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

Yu Xiyan bit her lip lightly, feeling utterly ashamed.

Because in her previous life, as an empress, she had never once inspected this iron-blooded elite force that had expanded the territory of the Yintian Dynasty and made the Nine Realms tremble with fear.

At this moment, she recalled once again what Shen Zhao had said to her in Biyun Palace, every word of which shattered her heart.

"Assemble!"

"Beep~~"

Suddenly, Shen Zhao gave an order, and the 100,000 Iron Flame Army moved in perfect unison, their iron-netted boots landing with a resounding thud, moving heaven and earth.

Shen Zhao scanned the training ground, then took a deep breath and shouted, "Those who are only children, unmarried, childless, or have parents to support independently, step forward!"

In an instant, as many as 30,000 soldiers stepped forward and stood on the right side.

They always obeyed Shen Zhao's orders unconditionally and from the depths of their souls.

They would not hesitate to let them die.

Looking at the 30,000 soldiers who had stepped forward, a rare hint of warmth appeared in Shen Zhao's icy eyes.

"You will remain to guard the Po Jun Mansion; the rest of the soldiers will receive three years' worth of military pay."

After a three-day holiday to say goodbye to family, we will regroup and head to the Yellow Springs Pass in three days. Then, we will withdraw!

After Shen Zhao finished speaking, he turned to leave.

"Commander Chen!"

Suddenly, a young general wearing a feathered hat stepped out from the crowd, rushed to the reviewing stand, knelt on one knee, and bowed.

"Commander Shen, I, Qin Ling, have followed you in your campaigns for four years, experiencing countless battles large and small, and have never retreated even a step."

Now that we have achieved such a great feat, why does Commander Shen insist that I remain behind? I implore Commander Shen to rescind his order.

Let us join the army on the expedition!

"Please, Commander Shen, rescind your order!"

Thirty thousand soldiers knelt on one knee, shouting in unison to beg Shen Zhao to rescind his order.

Shen Zhao frowned, looking at the endless line of soldiers, then jumped down from the reviewing stand and walked to Qin Ling's side.

"You dare disobey military orders?"

"This humble general dares not presume, but only begs that Commander Shen may take this humble general with him!"

"stand up!"

"Unless Commander Shen retracts his order, this humble general will remain kneeling!"

Shen Zhao sighed softly, her tone softening slightly, and said to Qin Ling, "This time is different from before. You are unmarried and an only child. If something happens to you, what will happen to your elderly parents?"

"If my parents knew that I had died fighting for the common people, they would be proud of me."

"Fool, don't you know the pain of a parent outliving their child?"

You are the pillar of your family. If you were gone, who would take care of your parents?

"Over the years, I have followed Commander Shen in battle, and the rewards he has bestowed upon me have been so numerous that my hands are sore from receiving them."

My parents are already living a comfortable life. Even if I die in battle, they will have no worries. Please, General Shen, grant them their request!

Shen Zhao remained silent.

"Please grant our request, Commander Shen, to go into battle and fight the enemy, and protect all living beings in the Nine Realms!"

The 30,000 soldiers shouted in unison once again.

Shen Zhao looked up and saw that most of the soldiers were still very young, the youngest being only fifteen years old.

However, there were no new recruits in the Iron Flame Army.

They all joined the Po Jun Mansion after undergoing rigorous tests of life and death. From the moment they became members of the Iron Flame Army, each of them was an outstanding veteran.

"Are you trying to force my hand?" Shen Zhao's expression was cold. "To tell you the truth, this time, even I am not confident that I will come back alive."

We're letting you stay to preserve the seeds for the Iron Flame Army. If we fail to stop the Nine Netherworld invasion this time, you will shoulder the heavy responsibility of resisting evil spirits.

The fate of all beings in the Nine Realms may very well be in your hands. Do you understand what I mean?

Qin Ling immediately replied, "Commander Shen is the soul of the Iron Flame Army. Without Commander Shen, the Iron Flame Army would not be what it is today."

We have no such lofty ambitions; we only wish to follow Commander Chen into battle and kill that son of a bitch, tearing him to pieces!

"Please, Commander Shen, lead us into battle!"

Then, 100,000 people in the drill ground recited the poem in unison!

"Long clouds over Qinghai darken the snow-capped mountains!"

"From this lonely city, I gaze afar towards the Jade Gate Pass!"

"The general has fought a hundred battles, his golden armor still gleaming!"

"We will not return until Loulan is conquered!"

"Conquest! Conquest! Conquest!"

One hundred thousand soldiers raised their arms and shouted once more!

Sigh~

Shen Zhao finally let out a long sigh.

"Return to the unit. We'll set off in three days!"

...

Su Yunying covered her mouth at that moment, and two lines of clear tears slid down her cheeks.

The spirit of these soldiers left a deep impression on her heart.

"Is this my Iron Flame Army? The iron-blooded army my husband forged? Why... why did I..."

Yu Xiyan was unable to say another word. At this moment, besides being shocked, she felt only deep self-blame and guilt.

The scene shifts again in the next moment.

"Shen Shuai is unacceptable!"

Inside the Po Jun Mansion, Bai Qi roared and tried to snatch the scroll from Shen Zhao's hand.

But Shen Zhao skillfully dodged it.

"General Bai Qi, why are you doing this?"

Bai Qi pointed at the scroll in Shen Zhao's hand and pleaded desperately, "General Shen, you absolutely cannot cultivate this Heart Demon Seed!"

This technique not only devours the mind, but also, with the slightest carelessness, can lead to qi deviation, ruptured meridians, and death. It must never be practiced.

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