Snow Burial Valley had never felt so alive.
Which was deeply concerning, considering most of the army behind me had technically been dead for decades.
Ten thousand ghost soldiers stood beneath the black cliffs like an ocean of ancient war.
Blue soul flames burned in the darkness.
Silent.
Still.
Terrifying.
And directly in front of them—
Three hundred cavalry from the Third Prince.
Very alive.
Very nervous.
Their commander sat frozen on his horse, staring at General Bai Wuchen like a man realising his career choices had been terrible.
Honestly—
fair reaction.
The young noble swallowed hard.
His voice lost most of its arrogance.
"You… you are using evil arts."
I smiled politely.
"No."
I stepped forward.
"I'm using better employees."
Hu Mei laughed so hard she nearly fell off a rock.
Even Mo Jianli looked impressed.
The noble's face turned red.
He pointed his spear at me.
"You dare rebel against the imperial family?!"
I looked behind me at ten thousand ghost soldiers betrayed by the imperial family.
Then back at him.
"Yes."
Simple.
Clean.
Honest.
He hated that.
Good.
He shouted,
"Archers!"
The cavalry behind him immediately moved.
Bows raised.
Arrows aimed.
Very dramatic.
I yawned.
"General."
Bai Wuchen stepped forward.
His voice shook the valley.
"Ghost Legion."
Ten thousand ancient soldiers raised their weapons at once.
The pressure alone made several enemy horses panic.
"Formation."
The ground beneath us lit up.
Massive military runes spread across the snow like a living battlefield.
Ghost flames rose.
The entire valley became a formation array.
Even Feng Yuehuang's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
Strong.
Very strong.
The enemy commander panicked.
"Fire!"
Hundreds of arrows flew through the night.
And died.
Not metaphorically.
Actually died.
The moment they entered the formation—
Blue ghost flames swallowed them whole.
Ash.
Nothing left.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The noble looked like his soul had already submitted resignation papers.
Excellent.
Bai Wuchen lowered his sword.
"Advance."
And hell politely opened its front door.
The Ghost Legion moved.
No battle cries.
No wasted movement.
Just ten thousand soldiers walking like death had finally become impatient.
The enemy cavalry broke instantly.
Some charged.
Some fled.
Most regretted being born.
Reasonable.
Very reasonable.
The first cavalry line slammed into the ghost formation—
and vanished.
Ghost spears pierced through armour like paper.
Soul flames spread from horse to rider.
Screams filled the valley.
Blue fire reflected in the snow.
Beautiful.
Terrifying.
Very good for morale.
I stood with my hands behind my back like a responsible ruler supervising supernatural murder.
Yue Lian stood beside me.
"This is not a battle."
I nodded.
"It's customer feedback."
She chose not to ask.
Professional.
A group of enemy riders tried to break toward my position.
Cute.
Before I could move, Ye Shura stepped forward.
Her black spear spun once.
Underworld flames erupted.
Five cavalrymen flew off their horses like fate had personally rejected them.
She looked disappointed.
"Weaker than expected."
Mo Jianli pointed his demonic blade at another group.
One slash.
A straight line of destroyed snow, broken armour, and poor life decisions.
He yawned.
"Still weaker."
Honestly, my summonses were becoming spoiled.
I was proud.
At the centre of the battlefield, the young noble commander tried to retreat.
Of course he did.
Unfortunately for him—
Hu Mei appeared on his horse.
Sitting behind him.
Smiling.
The poor man screamed so loudly I almost respected it.
She whispered sweetly,
"Leaving already?"
His horse chose survival and threw him off.
Smart horse.
He landed in the snow and scrambled backwards like dignity had become optional.
I walked toward him slowly.
Sword in hand.
The battlefield burned blue around us.
Ghosts.
Fire.
Screams.
Honestly, it was a very romantic atmosphere.
He looked up at me, terrified.
"I—I am from the Zhao noble house!"
I nodded.
"Congratulations."
His voice shook.
"If you kill me, the Third Prince will—"
I crouched in front of him.
"The Third Prince already sent people to kill me before breakfast."
I tilted my head.
"You are not special."
That hurt him emotionally.
Good.
He tried one final desperate move—
a hidden dagger from his sleeve.
Honestly, people needed new hobbies.
I caught his wrist.
Snapped it.
He screamed.
Then I smiled.
"Tell Chen Lie something for me."
His breathing turned ragged.
I leaned closer.
"Every soldier he sends north…"
I looked around at the ghost legion.
"…becomes part of my recruitment plan."
His face turned white.
Excellent.
Then I hit him.
Hard.
He collapsed unconscious.
Alive.
This one would be useful.
Information was expensive.
Prisoners were discounted.
Behind me, the battle was already over.
Three hundred cavalry.
Gone.
Snow Burial Valley returned to silence.
Only now—
It belonged to ghosts.
Bai Wuchen approached and knelt slightly.
"The valley is secure, my lord."
I looked over the battlefield.
In the ancient army.
At the broken pride of the capital.
At the path opening before me.
Yesterday—
I had been a discarded prince.
Today—
I commanded ten thousand ghost soldiers.
Tomorrow—
Who knew?
Maybe I would finally get a proper kiss.
Ambition requires balance.
I smiled.
"General."
Bai Wuchen straightened.
"Yes, my lord."
"Prepare the legion."
His blue eyes burned brighter.
"For war?"
I looked south.
Toward the capital.
Toward Chen Lie.
Toward the throne.
And smiled.
"No."
I let the cold wind carry the words.
"For inheritance collection."
Because the throne?
That had always belonged to me.
I was simply being polite enough to take it slowly.