"The Crown Prince just crushed the rebellion of the Southern Guardian Prince's palace. His strength must indeed be great."
General Meng said.
"You really believe a ten-year-old child could suppress a vassal prince's rebellion?"
The woman replied, "Everyone knows the Marquis Champion was in Chanzhou at that time. That was clearly his merit. He just feared overshadowing the emperor, so he let the Crown Prince take the credit."
"But there are rumors that the Crown Prince killed the otherworldly genius, Martial Saint-level expert Chu Chen, with only three swords."
General Meng said.
The woman couldn't help laughing. "General Meng, you really are too honest, believing such nonsense."
"I myself am considered a genius, but at ten I was only a Martial Grandmaster. Even now at twenty, I've only barely reached peak Martial King."
"Saying the Crown Prince is already a Martial Emperor at ten, that I can believe. After all, the royal family has endless heaven-defying resources. But combat strength isn't something you can pile up with resources."
"Even if he really is a Martial Emperor at ten, saying he could kill a Martial Saint—I don't care what you think, but I don't believe it."
General Meng let out a sigh.
"General Meng, you don't believe it either, do you?"
The woman pressed.
"Does it matter whether we believe or not?"
General Meng replied, "This is a sacred decree. Not just us—even the Marshal himself couldn't refuse."
While the two were speaking, a golden dragon chariot rolled out of the palace gates.
"He's here."
General Meng's expression straightened.
The golden chariot stopped before them.
A young boy with jade-like features and noble bearing lifted the curtain and stepped down.
"No doubt he looks the part of a Crown Prince—handsome and regal. But from the look of him, he doesn't seem like someone skilled in battle."
The woman sneered inwardly.
Still, both she and General Meng bowed respectfully and saluted. "We pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."
This was the palace gate.
Even if they felt dissatisfaction, they didn't dare show it. Otherwise, if not beaten to death on the spot, they would certainly suffer severe punishment.
"You two are generals of the Dragon Spear Army?"
Yang Cheng asked.
"Yes, Your Highness."
They both answered respectfully.
Just then, after finishing her salute, the woman spoke again. "Your Highness, this general is Miao Shuangshuang. I've heard your martial prowess is extraordinary."
"Might I have the honor of exchanging a few moves with Your Highness?"
"General Miao, you—"
General Meng realized what she was about to say, but it was already too late.
His heart clenched in unease, terrified that the Crown Prince might take offense.
Miao Shuangshuang was still too young. She didn't understand how terrifying imperial power was.
Did she not see? The Southern Guardian Prince's palace had stood for two thousand years, yet the royal family destroyed it in an instant.
Commander Sun of the Dragon Spear Army, once so high in rank, had also been dismissed at a word.
If she angered the Crown Prince, she wouldn't even know how she died.
Fortunately, the Crown Prince wasn't angry. Instead, he looked slightly surprised. "Exchange moves with me?"
Miao Shuangshuang said, "Your Highness, you're about to take the post of Commander Instructor. Surely I must be convinced…"
"Silence."
General Meng cut her off, hastily addressing Yang Cheng. "Your Highness, General Miao grew up in the army. She is straightforward by nature. She meant no disrespect."
"I'm not that petty."
Yang Cheng waved it off, then turned to Miao Shuangshuang. "General Miao, you seem to be mistaken. I am here to serve as Commander Instructor, not to be your subordinate."
"I am the superior officer, you are the subordinate. So it is you who must gain my approval, not the other way around."
Miao Shuangshuang's face flushed red. "But we are not only officers, we are also martial artists."
"In the army, there is only rank. No talk of martial artists."
Yang Cheng said calmly, "Even if I couldn't lift a chicken, as long as I am your superior, you must obey me."
"Miao Shuangshuang, I now give you my first order. On the road to Mozhou, you will serve as my carriage driver."
"You…"
Miao Shuangshuang felt deeply wronged, but didn't dare say more. She could only bite her lip and say, "This general obeys."
In her heart, her dislike for the Crown Prince grew stronger.
General Meng quietly let out a breath of relief.
On the journey ahead, Yang Cheng lay back in comfort inside the carriage.
After nine years, he had grown truly used to being served. Life without attendants felt incomplete.
So Shen Muxue also followed along, personally serving him on the way.
This sight made General Meng secretly uneasy.
From the Crown Prince's manner, it was clear he was long used to luxury and ease. Could someone like this really adapt to life in the barracks?
He no longer even hoped the Crown Prince could be a good Commander Instructor. He only hoped the Crown Prince wouldn't bring too much trouble to the Dragon Spear Army.
People like Miao Shuangshuang were not rare in the army. Most were straightforward roughnecks. At any moment, someone might offend the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince couldn't suppress them, he would surely be looked down upon.
As she drove the carriage, Miao Shuangshuang grew more and more resentful. "Just wait. Once we're in the army, I don't care if you're the Crown Prince. Without real skill, you'll definitely lose face."
The Dragon Spear Army was, after all, part of Great Zhou's military.
Those arrogant, battle-hardened soldiers wouldn't dare truly harm the Crown Prince, but making him lose face? That was no problem at all.
To the west of Mozhou stood a towering mountain with molten lava rolling down its slopes.
This was Fire Dragon Mountain.
The mountain rose a thousand zhang high.
Only the summit had lakes and flat land. The rest of the mountain was covered in flowing magma.
Legend said this mountain was once a fire dragon that transformed into stone, which was why it was like this.
At the summit was the famous Dragon Spear Army's main camp.
The camp didn't actually hold that many soldiers.
The largest army in Mozhou was the Western Army.
The Dragon Spear Army was the elite corps within the Western Army, numbering only a few thousand.
At this moment, many Dragon Spear Army soldiers were gathered on the training grounds, waiting.
"I heard the new Commander Instructor coming today is His Highness the Crown Prince."
"The Crown Prince is only ten years old. At that age in my family, boys are still playing in the mud. And now he's supposed to be our Commander Instructor?"
"Hmph. Commander Sun was over sixty, a Martial Saint, before he was qualified to teach us. And now they send a ten-year-old brat who still smells of milk? What right does he have to earn our respect?"
The soldiers muttered among themselves.
Each of them had piled up countless battlefield merits, so they truly were an arrogant, battle-hardened lot.
"Aren't you afraid of death? That's the Crown Prince you're talking about!"
Someone warned.
"Afraid of what?"
A burly officer scoffed. "We've all bled for Great Zhou. If we can be punished just for speaking, then who would ever dare fight for Zhou again?"
"That's right."
"The emperor himself does things that aren't right, and we're not allowed to say so?"
"Better to have the Little Miss take the post than the Crown Prince. At least she's one of our own."
Many of the soldiers chimed in agreement.
"Silence."
At that moment, a thick-browed man spoke coldly. "Whoever dares slander the Crown Prince again will be punished by military law."
Instantly, the camp fell silent.
That thick-browed man was Zhao Fengyue, Left Wing General of the Dragon Spear Army.
His merits were among the greatest in the army, and his strength was that of a Martial Saint.
If the Crown Prince hadn't been appointed, Zhao Fengyue would have been the strongest candidate for Commander Instructor—his chances even higher than General Meng's.
Among the soldiers stood a young man, thoughtful.
"The Crown Prince? My younger brother mentioned him in a letter. He seemed to have offended the Crown Prince once. I want to see whether the Crown Prince can really suppress a pack of beasts like those in the Dragon Spear Army."
This man was Zhou Zheng, elder brother of Zhou Chong.
He had joined the Dragon Spear Army three years ago.
The atmosphere in the army was fierce and brutal. For two years he suffered plenty of torment.
Only in his third year did he begin to fit in, becoming one of the veterans.
From what he knew of the Dragon Spear Army, no matter how noble the Crown Prince's status, once he entered, he likely wouldn't last long and might end up slinking away in humiliation.
After his brief warning, Zhao Fengyue soon left.
As soon as he was gone, the veterans and old soldiers loosened up again, turning into a band of rowdy ruffians.
The thick-browed officer let out a sly laugh. "Brothers, how do you say we should welcome the Crown Prince when he arrives?"