Loyalty and Courage Prevail: The Saga of Zhu Bolin and Lady Xiying Ma

Since Jiang Xicheng departed, Wang Shuaiyue had been revelling in his pronounced victory, while Zhu Bolin agonized over the casualties sustained and the trials that lay ahead.

General Yuan Yangzi's suggestion to seek help from Liu Qi was dismissed vehemently by Zhu Bolin. He was unwilling to implicate Liu Qi for failing to fulfil his promise to render assistance when all of a sudden, a great cavalry force was spotted on the horizon. It was the formidable army of Zhu Bolin's courageous wife, Lady Xiying Ma who came charging with 38,000 soldiers to the aid of her husband. Her determined march to the island of the East Ramped Ocean infused strength and courage in the heart of all who followed Zhu Bolin.

Upon the sighting of this incredible army, Zhu Bolin was breathless in appreciation of his wife's valiant effort and grand gesture. Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, he felt an obligate need to thank his beloved for her valiant support.

Gathering his army of wearied men, Zhu Bolin addressed them with a passionate speech expressing his profound admiration and gratitude for her devotion and loyalty. With the additional cavalry and weaponry, the army was able to make great strides against the seemingly undefeatable enemy forces. Knowing that the war was swiftly moving in their favour, Zhu Bolin could feel the strength of his wife's presence occupying his mind and heart with confidence and determination. He was certain that the strength of their union was the key to their ultimate victory.

Wang Shuaiyue, seething with anger upon learning of Lady Xiying Ma's arrival, immediately resolved to put a stop to her devious scheming. Taking no measures to hide his disdain, Wang Jianhong headed off to face Lady Xiying Ma in combat. Unfazed by her reputation for manipulation, Wang Jianhong was not about to bow down without a fight. He was determined to nip her plans in the bud before she could gain a foothold in the city. Little did he know, Lady Xiying Ma had only come to discuss matters with Wang Shuaiyue and not to interweave her web of deceit.

Rage and determination surged through Wang Jianhong as he clashed blades with Lady Xiying Ma. He noticed a flicker of something in her eyes, but it only strengthened his resolve to capture her. With a firm determination, he swung his Shining Saber forward.

On the other hand, Lady Xiying Ma readied herself for a fierce battle. She placed one hand upon the sword hilt and looked down at her foe with the other. Taking a few cleansing breaths, Lady Xiying Ma began to weave the intricate web of her presence manipulation spell.

She visualised a deep, neon blue energy field extending from her body and wrapping around that of her opponent.

Visualising a complex web of energy, she attempted to take over her foe's energetic field to give herself an advantage in the fight. With an internal focus and powerful energy, the energy cocoon extended from Lady Xiying Ma and around her opponent.

Lady Xiying Ma subtly pushed her energy into the energy cocoon to access and control the other's energy field. Immediately, she sensed a shift in Wang Jianhong's energy. Wang Jianhong was suddenly disoriented and the flow of the battle changed. Lady Xiying Ma used this momentary lapse in the fight to charge forward and deliver a deadly strike. By using this presence manipulation spell, she had secured the upper hand in this sword battle.

Lady Xiying Ma pressed her sword firmly against Wang Jianhong's throat, her voice taking on an icy, menacing quality. "The Queen is certainly eager to make you her son-in-law - no wonder, such a desirable body, so beautifully made. The result of your father's fortunate genetics, I'd guess''.

Wang Jianhong couldn't help but stare at the Lady double his age in front of him. This lady was a sight to behold. Her skin was porcelain and flawless, her ink-black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and her amber eyes were bright like stars in the night sky. Her beauty was unrivalled, enhanced even more by her exquisite makeup. A light dusting of powder, rosy blush, and a bold matte blood-red lipstick. Her nails were painted in a glossy purple hue, perfectly matching the flowing purple robes she wore.

The Lady was a master of manipulation techniques, and her beauty coupled with her skilful technique made her tactics even more deadly. Her cunning mind was even more formidable, able to twist any situation to her advantage. She would leave her adversaries in awe, unsure of the future, as she worked her way silently into control.

Wang Shuaiyue was overwhelmed with barely-containable fury upon hearing of his son's capture. Raging with an intensity that would put a hurricane to shame, his rage devoured all other thoughts and feelings, consuming him entirely. The terror of knowing his beloved son had been taken away simmered beneath his seething anger, turning its heat up even further.

He slammed his fist into the wall, the force behind it reverberating throughout the room. His helplessness confronted him with a shock, throwing sharp daggers of agony throughout every corner of his being. Even in the face of such overwhelming emotions, he remained determined to make sure his son was brought back safely. Nothing could stop his unwavering commitment to reuniting his family.

At Wang Shuaiyue's command, the soldiers hastened to devise their defences. Lady Xiying Ma, who had been on her way to meet Wang Shuaiyue, was forced to turn back to her camp.

Due to the former's continued obduracy, the supply lines were secretly cut off at set intervals to prevent the East Ramped Ocean from attaining its needed requirements. This resulted in a ferocious battle of will between the two sides, with neither relenting and the situation becoming more and more dire. Utterly determined to outlast the other, each side fought with ferocious tenacity until, at last, the East Ramped Ocean surrendered in defeat.

As Wang Shuaiyue was presented before Zhu Bolin following his capture, he became grateful for his wife's courtesy and thus took the place of honour.

Zhu Bolin wrote a stern letter to Minister Tan Rougang, declaring that Wang Shuaiyue and his son Wang Jianhong were in custody. He demanded that Tan Rougang make a command for Wang Shuaiyue to surrender his son to the court, or Wang Shuaiyue should face catastrophic consequences for himself and his family.

Wang Shuaiyue was left with no option but to face his final consequence. He implored Jiang Xicheng to intervene on his behalf one last time, yet this time he knew there would be no mercy; he was facing the unavoidable edict from the Queen. He had to abide by her will, or suffer the consequences of forfeiting his family and his standing.

Wang Shuaiyue and Wang Jianhong were freed from their shackles and made their way homeward to ready their belongings for the trek to the Imperial Court.