The sky was already breaking into dawn, he normally woke at this time every day.

If he did not return soon, it would inevitably arouse the suspicion of those hidden guards.

Although with his current strength he was unafraid of exposing his true cultivation, he was not someone who liked to stir up unnecessary trouble.

Was it not nice to just lay low in Inkwood Academy? Why expose his strength and attract fear? There were still some rather thorny figures hidden within the Silver Willow Imperial Palace.

Casually swiping his hand to tear through the void, Adam stepped in.

In less time than it takes an incense stick to burn, he traveled from the Misty Ghost Forest straight back to his room in the Vernal Manor.

He changed his clothes, boiled some porridge, and after eating breakfast, headed to Inkwood Academy for duty.

"Reporting to Your Highness! Commander Oswin has returned!"

Inside the South-Subduing King’s mansion, a tall, majestic, square-faced man sat upon a royal throne. Outside the grand hall, a subordinate soldier ran in to report.

Oswin has returned!

A fierce glint flashed through the South-Subduing King’s eyes, but his expression was quickly replaced by overwhelming joy.

He could not help but laugh heartily. "Excellent! Excellent! My good brother truly has the heavens looking out for him, surviving this ordeal means he is destined for great fortune!"

The South-Subduing King’s laughter echoed throughout the royal hall.

The expressions of the officials varied, some looked genuinely happy, while others looked disappointed, but they all stepped forward to offer flattery.

"Congratulations to the South-Subduing King. With Commander Oswin surviving this disaster, our Alliance Army will definitely rise to a higher level."

The South-Subduing King nodded. "Indeed. Our ability to capture dozens of cities in a row is largely due to Commander Oswin’s brilliant strategizing."

"Ever since Commander Oswin went missing, I have been unable to eat or sleep in peace. Now that I have heard news of his return, I can finally rest."

"Right, where is my Brother Oswin? Quickly, bring him to see me!" the South-Subduing King demanded of the kneeling soldier.

"Your Highness, this humble soldier ran here to report the moment I saw Commander Oswin at the city gates. By now, he should have arrived outside the royal palace!"

The South-Subduing King let out a long sigh, a trace of grief and indignation on his face. "This time, Brother Oswin lured the enemy deep into a trap. For the victory of our Alliance Army, he nearly lost his life, this King truly wronged him!"

"Men! Quickly prepare the royal carriage! I will personally welcome Brother Oswin into the palace."

Arriving outside the palace gates, the South-Subduing King bumped right into Oswin, who was preparing to enter.

Without a second word, he grabbed Oswin and pulled him onto the royal carriage.

"Your Highness, this is absolutely improper!"

"Brother Oswin, our Alliance Army’s ability to achieve such a great victory is inseparable from your help. This time, for our sake, you used your own body to lure the enemy and almost died surrounded by the Silver Willow Trap Camp."

"What is a mere royal carriage in comparison? I am gifting this carriage to you."

"From now on, I permit you to ride it directly into the royal palace."

After saying that, leaving no room for refusal, he forcefully pulled Oswin onto the carriage.

Arriving at the discussion hall, the South-Subduing King pulled Oswin to sit alongside him on the throne, displaying a posture of absolute harmony and brotherhood.

"Brother Oswin, how did you manage to escape this time? I almost thought you had perished."

Oswin glanced at the South-Subduing King, his expression unchanging. "Thanks to Your Highness’s immense fortune, I was lucky enough to receive the assistance of a Senior, which is how I barely survived."

"A Senior?"

The South-Subduing King kept a straight face and continued probing. "Brother Oswin, I heard the Silver Willow dynasty mobilized a Mortal Supreme that day. Just what kind of strength does this Senior possess?"

Oswin shot a calm but meaningful glance at the South-Subduing King, conveying a subtle warning.

"Does Your Highness remember the three sword talismans this subordinate keeps by his chest day and night? I was rescued precisely by the Senior who made them."

"That Senior also gifted me another sword talisman. If I encounter danger again, as long as I crush the talisman, he will come to my rescue."

Hearing the underlying threat, the South-Subduing King smiled awkwardly and said nothing more.

After court ended, Oswin returned to his private residence, with Jasper Auric following closely behind.

Jasper Auric was the patriarch of the Auric Family from the South. The Auric Clan held a pivotal position among the prominent families of the region.

Numerous influential families followed the lead of the Auric Family.

It was precisely because of Jasper’s help that Oswin was able to so easily bring the massive power of the South families under his command.

Since pledging his allegiance to Oswin, Jasper had always been his trusted confidant.

Only after returning to the private residence did Oswin speak. "Uncle Jasper, after court ended, you said you had an important matter to discuss."

"We are now in my private residence, there are no ears on the walls here. Whatever important matter you have, please speak bluntly."

Jasper Auric said with a heavy expression, "May I boldly ask, Commander, was what you said in the royal palace today true? Did a peerless powerhouse truly intervene to help you?"

"Uncle Jasper, what I said in the royal palace was not entirely true."

Jasper had always been his confidant. Toward him, Oswin no longer hid anything and spoke the truth.

"Exactly what part is true, and what part is false?"

Jasper Auric’s tone carried a hint of urgency.

Oswin glanced at him in astonishment. "Uncle Jasper, why are you so anxious?"

"Commander, it is not that this old man is anxious, but that your near-death experience is far too suspicious."

"According to our original plan, you were to use yourself as bait to lure the enemy, then escape, thereby dealing a devastating blow to the Silver Willow Royal Army in one fell swoop."

"This plan should have been flawless. I never expected that your tracks would be exposed, leading you to be pursued by the Silver Willow Royal Army and nearly losing your life."