Chapter 1515: Kill Those Who Won't Serve!

Chapter 1515: Kill Those Who Won’t Serve!

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

He followed Braydon Neal into the bright hall.

“I’m Collin Cagle, commander of the Central Hansworth Main Team. Greetings, Lord Northern King,” Collin promptly rose and bowed respectfully.

“How does it feel to be a commander?” Braydon gestured for him to take a seat and discuss.

“I’ve spent a long time in the capital,” Collin remarked with a bitter smile. “But coming down to assume command, I’ve realized how different the outside world is from the capital.”

“In what ways?” Braydon motioned for Maddox Johnstone to pour some tea.

“In the capital, under the Martial Emperor’s rule, powerful families and aristocratic families may exist, but they seldom dare to overstep. Even if they engage in covert activities, there’s a certain restraint. However, below that level, some families openly challenge the authority of the Central Hansworth Main Team,” Collin explained frankly. “The people are fierce and disobedient. They act rashly and without regard for orders.”

...

“When dealing with these powerful and aristocratic families, if you concede an inch, they’ll take a mile, pressing forward relentlessly. The special operations team and the Dark Division serve as checks and balances against martial artists worldwide. If you’re unable to rein in these aristocratic heirs, it’s the common people who suffer most,” Braydon cautioned, seated at the head of the table, shaking his head lightly.

The ones going through the most weren’t Collin and his comrades, but the rogue cultivators.

For too long, the descendants of aristocratic families had bullied wandering cultivators and ordinary folk.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. Take it one step at a time,” Heather Sage reassured Collin with compassion.

“How long have you held the position of commander?” Braydon inquired.

“It’s been over two years,” Collin replied honestly.

“If I were to transfer you to the capital, would you be willing?” Braydon nodded subtly. Heather glanced at Braydon, but remained silent, while Maddox, with his stoic demeanor, stood by.

Maddox understood the commander’s temperament.

If Braydon decided to transfer Collin, he wouldn’t engage in discussion but simply issue the order.

Even the capital would acquiesce to Braydon’s decisions.

This knowledge made Collin hesitate.

Despite his pale complexion, he remained resolute. “I don’t wish to return to the capital,” he asserted.

“But you’re struggling to rein in the aristocratic families in the Central Plains,” Braydon pointed out the crux of the matter.

Clutching his fists tightly, Collin realized that even given another two years, he wouldn’t be able to alter this reality.

He couldn’t control the aristocratic families; they couldn’t be suppressed.

Observing him, Braydon sensed Collin’s profound sense of humiliation.

Those who recognized their humiliation still had a chance for redemption.

Simultaneously, Braydon concluded that Collin wasn’t colluding with the aristocratic families; his issue lay in his gentle nature.

Perhaps the other five commanders faced a similar challenge.

The individual chosen by the daughter of the civil arts fate differed vastly from Braydon, the son destined for martial prowess.

Heather’s choice leaned toward scholarly inclinations, possessing some talent.

What kind of individuals did Braydon select? Bandits? Iron-fisted enforcers? Ruffians? None of these labels quite fit.

The five commanders chosen by Braydon were all exceptionally skilled in combat.

From Gordon Lowe to Bryan Goldman, then to Carl Mason and the others.

There was also Luke Yates, who had once single-handedly dispatched tens of thousands of enemies in the northern desert.

These commanders wielded significant authority and held immense power.

Their ability to intimidate the various aristocratic families stemmed from their ruthless nature.

None of the aristocratic families dared to openly challenge them.

With personalities like Gordon and the others, any directive from the aristocratic families to defy the commanders was akin to offering them a massive target.

Upon uncovering any resistance from the aristocrats, the commanders didn’t bother reporting to the capital.

Instead, they would swiftly lead their teams to dismantle these families without hesitation.

No one required their actions to be pre-approved or reported afterward.

Even if they caused considerable chaos and vanished into the northern desert overnight, no one could hold them accountable.

In the past, the Northern Army was a formidable force in the northern desert, impervious to infiltration.

Moreover, without Braydon’s authorization, who would dare to attempt changing the appointed commanders?

These five commanders were the pillars of the Northern Army.

If anyone attempted to uproot them, it would be tantamount to declaring war on the Northern Army.

Such an act would incite the entire northern region to mobilize southward, a consequence no one wished to bear.

The five commanders of the older generation stood in stark contrast to their newer counterparts.

Braydon fixed his gaze on Collin, rising from his seat and speaking softly with his hands clasped behind his back.

“Your former commanders were Sammy Dudley and, above him, Zayn Ziegler. Both hailed from the Northern Army. The men of the Northern Army possess a distinctive trait, and that is their unwavering killing intent,” Braydon remarked, fixing his gaze on Collin.

In essence, Collin lacked this very trait.

A commander devoid of killing intent would struggle to assert authority over unruly martial artists.

Collin lifted his head, hesitating.

He glanced at Heather before speaking in a hushed tone, “Her Highness Sage previously emphasized the importance of guiding martial artists and utilizing them for the nation’s benefit.”

“While there are individuals tasked with guiding the main teams, as a commander, your duty isn’t guidance but rather guarding, maintaining order, and ensuring the peace of our lands,” Braydon interjected firmly. “Martial artists who defy the law must be swiftly dealt with, without leniency. Those guilty of egregious crimes warrant the extermination of their entire lineage, sparing no one.

“You’re lacking 70% in killing intent and 30% in ruthlessness,” he pointed out, highlighting Collin’s deficiencies.

…

Braydon continued, “Heather instructed you to recruit offspring from aristocratic families for the nation’s service. Those deemed useful must be elevated to positions of importance. But if they prove unfit for service, show no hesitation in eliminating them.”

A cold glint flashed in Braydon’s narrowed eyes, catching Collin off guard.

These directives diverged sharply from what Heather had conveyed earlier.

While Maddox and the others seemed accustomed to such directives, Collin was taken aback.

Braydon’s gaze softened as he continued, “If the aristocratic families display any hint of defiance, crush them. If they refuse to abide by the rules, execute them on the spot. A single purge could secure a decade of peace; with decisive action, peace could endure for three to five decades.”

Collin was stunned, not expecting such stark advice during his visit to Braydon.

He fell silent, processing Braydon’s words.

“Consider what I’ve said. If you feel incapable, I’ll take the decision to transfer you back to the capital,” Braydon stated calmly.

“No, I won’t return to the capital!” Collin’s resolve hardened, his eyes glinting with a chilling killing intent.

As a martial artist, he was never lacking in such resolve.

Braydon nodded. “Maddox, assign a few individuals from the army to support the five commanders in overseeing the various headquarters. As for Collin, bring Lucian Cross back to assist him.”

“Yes, sir!” Maddox promptly turned to carry out Braydon’s directive.

Collin hesitated. “Your Royal Highness, the martial artists from the aristocratic families are incredibly formidable. I’m concerned that the strength of the main team alone may not be sufficient to quell the unrest.”

“If Bryan were here, he wouldn’t hesitate,” Braydon remarked with a chuckle.

“Bryan Goldman!” Collin recognized the name. He was Bryan’s predecessor.

Braydon continued to offer guidance.

“Even if the Central Hansworth Headquarters lacks sufficient strength, I’m not asking you to eradicate the aristocratic families entirely. During the cleansing, which aristocratic family would dare to oppose you openly? To confront the Central Hansworth Headquarters openly is tantamount to treason and rebellion.”

“They wouldn’t dare to bear such labels,” Braydon’s tone remained light.

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