"I am already the chief strategist of the soul engineer corps I belong to, and I'm also the captain of a soul engineer squad."
Juzi replied softly, a faint trace of confidence in her voice.
None of this had been obtained because of her status. She had climbed up from the bottom step by step through military achievements. Before this, no one knew about her identity as the Crown Prince's consort.
Even this time, when she led a squad and ventured out alone into danger, it was merely to climb the ranks faster. Because within a few years, war would begin. She needed to have sufficient military authority in her hands—only then could she personally avenge her enemies with blood!
But the confidence in Juzi vanished in an instant. In front of Jiang Jue, what did these achievements even amount to?
Fortunately, they were allies for now, so there was no need to draw swords against each other. But in the future… that might not necessarily remain the case.
Jiang Jue's gaze shifted slightly. The reason he had saved Juzi was not merely because he coveted those ten thousand souls.
Juzi was Xu Tianran's most trusted confidant. If she could be used by him, she would become the Sword of Damocles hanging over Xu Tianran's head.
In the future, Juzi would become the War Goddess Empress of the Sun Moon Empire. Her reputation would be no weaker than that of Emperor Xu Tianran himself. In the end, she would even persuade Kong Deming and, with his approval, have Xu Tianran—the emperor—killed.
If he invested in her now, she would certainly bring him enormous returns in the future. Because he clearly knew what Juzi cared about most.
Thinking of this, Jiang Jue looked at Juzi and secretly transmitted his voice.
"Senior Sister Juzi, do you want to personally kill the White Tiger Duke and avenge your father?"
"What?!"
Juzi froze, staring at Jiang Jue in shock.
"How does he know about this? Could Xu Tianran have told him?"
The matter of her seeking revenge for her father was known only to Xu Tianran. It had also been the one hope that kept her alive all these years.
"Holy Son Jiang… is what you said true?"
Juzi's voice trembled as she replied through voice transmission. Her nose twitched involuntarily, and excitement surged in her heart. After everything that had just happened, she believed Jiang Jue's words even more.
She had struggled for so long just to become a strategist in a soul engineer corps. As for how far she could climb in the military in the future, that was still unknown.
But now, a shortcut lay right before her.
She couldn't help but be tempted.
"It's true. But Senior Sister, there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. I think you understand what I mean, right?"
Jiang Jue looked at her expression and already knew the answer. For someone trapped in darkness, giving them even a sliver of hope was enough to make them chase it relentlessly.
After all, Juzi was still just a young girl at heart. Her mentality and schemes were far from the terrifying level she would reach in the future.
Besides, the White Tiger Duke Dai Hao was nothing more than a passerby to Jiang Jue.
"I understand. Just now, Holy Son Jiang saved me when I was in danger. I will not repay kindness with betrayal. If you truly allow me to personally kill the White Tiger Duke, I am willing to offer everything… including myself."
Juzi bit her red lip with her pearly teeth. A resolute light flashed in her eyes as she spoke solemnly.
"Very good. You've made a wise choice."
Jiang Jue nodded slightly. Then a Necromantic Contract appeared in his hand and drifted into Juzi's grasp.
"Sign the contract. In the future, I will naturally fulfill my promise. And so will you."
Juzi nodded heavily upon hearing this.
Ke Ke, although curious, asked nothing. She simply watched quietly. While her personality was carefree, she wasn't foolish.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
At that moment, a squad of several dozen people flew over from the distance. Every one of them had the cultivation of a Soul Emperor, and the leader was a Soul Sage. They were members of the Huanglong Soul Engineer Corps.
Seeing that there were no corpses around the hill, astonishment filled their eyes.
Where had the army of more than ten thousand gone? Where were all those people?
They had clearly watched those enemy forces being lured into their trap. How could they have disappeared? Could they have suddenly grown wings and flown away?
Soon after, they sensed a lingering aura of evil, and their hearts instantly leapt into their throats. They had not participated in this operation; they had merely been temporarily assigned to protect the Crown Princess.
However, when they saw that Juzi was completely unharmed, they finally relaxed. If Juzi had died, none of them would have escaped punishment.
"Your Highness, this subordinate arrived late and caused you to be frightened."
The Soul Sage descended from the sky, came before Juzi, and bowed respectfully.
"It's fine."
When Juzi saw the squad, her expression instantly returned to its usual coldness. During her time in the military, her once fair skin had turned wheat-colored, but she had gained a heroic aura.
Jiang Jue noticed the Purple Dragon insignia on the squad and his thoughts stirred.
The Huanglong Soul Engineer Corps was the strongest among the Four Beast King Soul Engineer Corps, and its commander had always been a member of the Sun Moon royal family.
"So it's a soul engineer corps controlled by the Sun Moon royal family… It seems you people cannot be allowed to remain in the future."
Jiang Jue thought to himself.
"Your Highness, where did those enemy troops go?"
The Soul Sage suddenly felt a chill down his spine. After hesitating for a moment, he still asked the question.
"This time, we were fortunate to be saved by Holy Son Jiang. Those enemy troops were also all dealt with by him."
Juzi glanced at Jiang Jue as she spoke.
"Holy Son?"
Just as the Soul Sage looked puzzled, a dark-skinned figure arrived atop the hill. The aura he emitted had already reached the level of a Soul Douluo.
"This subordinate is the deputy commander of the Huanglong Soul Engineer Corps. I greet Holy Son Jiang."
Jiang Jue raised his eyes and glanced at him, nodding slightly. The skin tone matched—indeed a member of the Sun Moon royal family.
"Many thanks to Holy Son Jiang for saving her. When I return, I will certainly report this to His Highness."
The Huanglong deputy commander spoke solemnly.
His soldiers might not recognize Jiang Jue, but he certainly did. Wasn't this the Holy Son of those evil soul masters?
But hadn't Jiang Jue been taken away by the Body Sect? Why was he here—and why had he saved the Crown Princess?
Moreover, he couldn't see through Jiang Jue's aura at all. Combined with the evil energy lingering in the surroundings, the deputy commander felt a chill in his heart.
That army of more than ten thousand had certainly met a miserable fate.
"Good. When you go back, tell Brother Tianran that this Holy Son has taken very good care of his Crown Princess for him, so he need not worry."
Jiang Jue said calmly.
The deputy commander thought of Xu Tianran sitting in his wheelchair and the corner of his mouth twitched. Still, he nodded in agreement.
"This Holy Son still has matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first. Crown Princess, take care."
Jiang Jue smiled slightly at Juzi. The Wings of the Evil God spread out behind him, wind and thunder rising. In an instant, he soared into the sky and disappeared into the distance.
His goal had already been achieved.
Next, it was time to handle real business.
"Ah… Junior Brother Jiang left again. Will we ever meet again in the future?"
Watching Jiang Jue disappear, the light in Ke Ke's eyes slowly faded as she sighed.
"Ke Ke…"
Juzi patted Ke Ke's shoulder, but didn't know what to say. She knew that these two people were simply not walking on the same path. Their worlds would never intersect.
"But it's fine. As long as I can see him, this senior sister is already very happy."
Ke Ke laughed carefree and murmured softly.
Juzi, standing beside her, was momentarily stunned.