The man clearly hadn't expected Gu Mu to come up and chase after him.

He recognized Gu Mu at a glance.

However, unlike most people, he looked down on Gu Mu, believing that he only relied on the city lord of the Hidden City.

This man was clearly well aware of Gu Mu's strength.

Upon seeing Gu Mu, he had no intention of fighting him and turned to run in another direction.

In the other direction, there is a back door leading to another street.

If the man gets away with it, wouldn't Lu Xiaoyao lose her easy target?

Gu Mu certainly wouldn't let the man have his way.

He leaped forward, blocking the man's path.

After several battles, the man was forced to the main street below the city lord's mansion.

A sound like bullets whistling through the air.

The bullet grazed the man's arm.

Gu Mu kept his hand in check and had no intention of killing the man directly. He handed the man over to Lu Xiaoyao.

Several bullets pierced through the man's body.

Until the last bullet pierced the man's forehead.

The man stopped breathing completely.

Gu Mu looked at the pervert whose neck was covered with dead men's hand bones without a trace of pity and calmly walked upstairs.

"It works really well." Lu Xiaoyao stared at the pistol, her face full of admiration.

"Your Majesty, I will try to see if I can make it."

Gu Mu nodded. Once this pistol is manufactured, other countries will be directly deterred even without the Southern Kingdom engaging in battle.

Gu Mu, who could unify the world peacefully, was naturally unwilling to lead his people in fighting and killing.

After leaving the hidden city.

Gu Mu ordered the kitchen to prepare a good meal.

As the dishes were served one after another that evening, the soldiers, who had been on edge for days, finally showed smiles.

"Drink today, for tomorrow we die! It's been so long since we've had a proper drink, let's have a toast!"

"Tonight, we're drinking until we drop! Anyone who doesn't drink is a coward!"

Because it was on their own territory, and they had repelled the foreign enemy.

Right now, even if the soldiers get drunk, it won't be too dangerous for them.

They all knew that after tonight, what awaited them might be eternal slumber.

Therefore, I'm being especially unrestrained tonight.

Gu Mu stood not far away, watching all of this, those smiling faces.

Behind them are their families, wives and children, and elderly parents.

But they went alone with him to the distant Fox Kingdom, fought on the battlefield, and gave their lives for the country.

Gu Mu picked up a jar of wine from the side and walked to the center: "Brothers, I toast you all!"

Gu Mu grabbed the wine jar and poured the wine into his mouth.

The soldiers in the camp were also exceptionally bold, and they all raised their glasses and downed them in one gulp.

After drinking to his heart's content, Gu Mu threw down the wine jar and said, "Brothers, I don't know how many of you will survive this battle."

"But... even if we don't fight these battles, others will come knocking on our door. This is all because our Southern Kingdom is not strong enough!"

"But I promise you, as long as you win this battle for me, I will eventually give you a peaceful and prosperous world!"

"Brothers who survived this war, I guarantee you a glorious return home and a peaceful old age!"

Gu Mu did not refer to himself as "朕" (Zhen, the imperial "I").

In the imperial court, he was the supreme emperor.

So now in the military camp

These soldiers were all his brothers; he was merely one of the warriors fighting on the battlefield.

Although Gu Mu was in the military camp, he was very approachable.

However, unlike other emperors who were afraid of death and hid in the back, merely going through the motions or never daring to go to the battlefield, he did not fight.

Gu Mu always rushed to the most dangerous places.

Furthermore, he could kill his enemies seven times in and out, and finally escape unscathed.

Therefore, these soldiers respected him even more.

"What does death matter for the sake of the Southern Kingdom! None of us who dared to come here are afraid of dying!"

"That's right! If His Majesty isn't afraid of death, then we're even less afraid!"

The soldiers said with a smile,

His face showed absolutely no trace of the sorrow of having already faced or about to face separation or death.

There was a hint of emotion in Gu Mu's eyes.

It's amazing that so many people are willing to give their lives for his ideals.

Despite being forced by circumstances

But looking at these people, even though they knew very well what they would face next, they all smiled and faced the future with courage.

It just felt wonderful.

These soldiers were able to be so open-minded probably because they had hope in their hearts.

They have a brighter future for the South.

Gu Mu made a silent decision in his heart.

He hoped that the war against Qi would be the last battle in which the Southern Kingdom would deter the world. After this battle, he was determined to intimidate the entire world and prevent them from daring to offend the Southern Kingdom.

Only in this way can the soldiers rest and recuperate, and live a peaceful life.

It will be soon.

The day of peace and prosperity is surely coming soon.

It's late at night.

The soldiers were still eager for more and lingered outside the tent, unwilling to go in and rest.

Some of them were talking about their children, while others were discussing their current lives.

Watching the smirk on their faces as they talked about these things,

And from time to time, he would sigh, "Life is better now than before. Before, if the kids wanted to eat meat, they had to wait until the New Year. The kids were always hungry and could never get enough, but that was all the family could afford."

"Now it's much better. The kids have more opportunities to eat meat, and they're growing taller. I heard from the government that I'm sending them to school... I also heard that there's a child in the neighborhood who is very intelligent and studious. The private tutor said that he has a good chance of passing the imperial examinations and becoming a high-ranking official. I think my child is just as good."

Gu Mu looked at them and smiled contentedly as they mentioned the present.

The guilt I felt lessened a little.

Their lives, on the battlefield, may have become nothing more than a number.

A number that might be overlooked even with a large base.

But at least for now, they are satisfied with their current life.

We are full of hope for the future.

The only thing Gu Mu could do was to fulfill their expectations for the future.

Leading everyone, let's head towards the tomorrow they desire.

"His Majesty……"

Not far away, Shen Ling stood behind him, smiling sweetly.

Seemingly guessing what Gu Mu was thinking, Shen Ling stepped forward, took Gu Mu's hand, looked earnestly into his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, they are willing to die for you because you are worthy."

“Because I understand their feelings very well.” Shen Ling’s eyes were smiling, her exquisite face momentarily captivating. “If it can make Your Majesty happy, I am willing to do anything, even… give my life.”

"But these are only for His Majesty."

"I don't know why, but... I just feel that Your Majesty is worthy, worthy of everyone's kindness, worthy of everyone's support."

"Therefore, for me, being able to stay by Your Majesty's side is an immense blessing. I can understand that those soldiers may feel that having you as their emperor and being a subject of the Southern Kingdom is also a blessing for them."