"Have some, you should all have some."
"Young man, you're still bleeding! Stop now, let me bandage your wound. Don't go anywhere."
"My lads of the Po Jun Manor, take a break and rest. You've all worked hard these past three years!"
The Iron Flame Army withdrew from Huangquankou and headed towards Chang'an.
In the Battle of Jiuyou, the Iron Flame Army suffered 50,000 casualties, and almost everyone who remained was wounded.
In addition, the oppressive and terrifying blood moon atmosphere of the Nine Netherworld had already utterly ravaged their spirits.
The people they encountered along the way all begged them to stay and rest for a while, and have a bowl of hot soup noodles.
They were extremely proud that this indomitable army had won a battle that seemed impossible to win.
However, the Iron Flame Army did not stop for a moment, mechanically and slowly advancing towards Chang'an.
Their faces showed only visible fatigue, with no trace of the pride and joy of victors.
Wrapped in a cotton blanket, Shen Zhao sat in the bumpy carriage, looking blankly through the window at the cheering crowds on both sides of the street.
Since the withdrawal of troops from Huangquankou, his face has been expressionless, as calm as a stagnant pool, no longer capable of stirring the slightest ripple.
The army weaved through the crowded streets and slowly made its way towards the bustling city of Chang'an.
...
"Boss, Brother Shen!"
Su Yunying felt her heart break as she looked at Shen Zhao's desolate expression on the screen, which resembled that of a dead person.
Why would someone as good as him be tormented like this?
He really suffered so much.
Yu Xiyan gazed silently at Shen Zhao, her heart aching unbearably.
What a great man, what a great husband, why have I never cherished him even once?
This time, the two women, unusually, did not argue and continued to quietly watch the Kunlun Mirror's images change.
...
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony in Chang'an.
Yu Xiyan is holding a grand banquet today to celebrate the alliance between the Yintian Dynasty and Jiuyou.
Yes, you read that right. It was a banquet held to form an alliance with Jiuyou, not for the triumphant Iron Flame Army soldiers.
The battle in the Nine Netherworlds shook the world and trembled throughout the Nine Realms.
Nations from all walks of life sent envoys to Chang'an to offer their congratulations. In addition, the various sects of Xuanmen also submitted to Empress Yu Xiyan.
The Yintian Dynasty ushered in its most prosperous and glorious period.
Witnessing the magnificent scene of all nations paying tribute, Yu Xiyan was overjoyed and held a grand imperial banquet to warmly entertain these friendly nations and sects.
However, this time, perhaps out of guilt for ignoring Shen Zhao for the past three years, a seat was specially set up for him.
However, Shen Zhao did not appear for a long time, and his familiar figure was not seen at his seat until the banquet began.
Yu Xiyan didn't pay too much attention to this and directly announced the start of the banquet, personally raising a glass with all the civil and military officials and envoys from all walks of life to celebrate this glorious and sacred moment.
While the Imperial Palace was filled with peace and tranquility, Shen Zhao's Iron Flame Army lingered outside Chang'an City for a long time.
It was winter, and heavy snowfall blanketed the earth in a stunning white, frosty landscape.
"Commander Shen, I'm truly sorry, but the Iron Flame Army is not allowed to enter the city."
The guards stopped the Iron Flame Army and said with a troubled expression.
"Didn't His Majesty order us to return to the capital to report? Why won't we be allowed to enter the city?"
"His Majesty has decreed that only Commander Shen be summoned to the palace, while the rest of the soldiers shall temporarily set up camp outside the city and be rewarded at a later date."
Upon hearing this, Shen Zhao frowned, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his senses as an emperor were fully revealed.
Then, he sneered, "Is the palace holding a victory celebration banquet for the soldiers?"
"No, this is not the case. Rather, His Majesty is celebrating becoming the leader of the Nine Netherworld Kingdom and is hosting a banquet to entertain envoys and Xuanmen masters from various countries who have come to offer their congratulations."
"Okay, I understand."
After saying that, he turned around and left.
"General Shen, where are you going? His Majesty is still waiting for you in the palace."
"Go back and tell His Majesty that I am unwell and have returned to the Po Jun Mansion first."
"Commander Shen, this might not be appropriate!"
However, Shen Zhao ignored the guard's words and went straight into the carriage.
"Commander Shen."
"Return to the Po Jun Mansion!"
At Shen Zhao's command, the Iron Flame Army soldiers did not hesitate and set off towards the Broken Army Mansion.
The scene shifts to the Po Jun Mansion.
Shen Zhao was intently carving a stone tablet. In front of him were thousands of tablets inscribed with the names of the soldiers who died in the Nine Netherworld in this battle.
"Shen Zhao!"
Suddenly, a stern rebuke came from behind him.
Shen Zhao paused for a moment while chiseling the stone tablet, but then immediately resumed his work.
Yu Xiyan walked straight to his side with a face full of anger.
"Why don't you come out to greet me when you see me?"
Faced with the questioning, Shen Zhao remained silent, continuing to concentrate on carving the names of the fallen soldiers onto the stone tablet.
This action surprised Yu Xiyan, because in the past, Shen Zhao would always be very respectful and composed whenever she appeared, regardless of the occasion.
But now, he doesn't even have the desire to look at himself?
This infuriated Yu Xiyan, who flung the chisel from his hand.
"What are you doing with all this junk? I ask you, why didn't you come to the palace to see me at yesterday's banquet? Answer me!"
Shen Zhao didn't even glance at her. He silently picked up the chisel that had been knocked down and continued to engrave the names of the deceased loyal martyrs on the stone tablet.
"Speak up! What? Do you think that just because you defeated Jiuyou, you can be arrogant and disregard even me?"
"Shen Zhao, let me tell you, everything you have was given to you by me, and I can take it all back at any time. Do you understand?"
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