"You didn't do anything wrong."
The few words struck like a thunderclap that shook the earth, carrying boundless killing intent and a touch of helplessness.
Chen Yang had braced himself for the backlash, but he never imagined that he would run out of places to stand in the vast Cangyun City so quickly.
Those people, those factionsā¦ the extent of their connections is truly staggering. But so what? An arrow, once loosed, never returns. Even if it means being ground to dust, I will not hesitate. I am a man of honor, tall and proud. As long as my conscience is clear, why should I care about the whispers of the masses? They are nothing more than interest groups trying to strike back and curry favor with the Imperial Family. Every person who steps forward now will be swept away later.
"Boss, I just can't swallow this humiliation!" Liu Wu's eyes turned bloodshot as he clenched his teeth. "We guard the nation's gate with our flesh and blood to protect the peace of this land, not to be watchdogs for some old geezers and their interest groups. For them to slander us, to slander you, Boss... if I do nothing, wouldn't that break the hearts of every Martial Guard? How can our brothers, who died on the charge with their bones buried in the yellow sand, ever rest in peace?"
Liu Wu stomped his foot fiercely. "Now you're trying to purge the rot, and you've been branded a traitor. What are we supposed to think? Boss, let's go back to Hanyun Valley! If worst comes to worst, we'll carve out our own territory, conquer the Barbarians, and establish our own kingdom."
To them, no enemy was too strong and no battle too difficult. They would never complain. The only thing they couldn't stand was injusticeāthe sight of the privileged elite who reaped all the rewards, only to turn around and treat them as less than human.
Why shouldn't we just part ways? We can survive anywhere, so why should we have to put up with their condescension?
"Those people are just venomous tumors festering on this land. Rather than live at their mercy, it would be better toā"
Though these words came from Liu Wu alone, they echoed the sentiments of every Martial Guard in Hanyun Valley. When a man's heart grows completely cold, he has nothing left to fear.
Chen Yang patted Liu Wu's shoulder. "What you're suggesting," he said meaningfully, "is precisely what certain people want me to do. Why would I give them the satisfaction?"
Liu Wu froze. After a moment of reflection, he was overwhelmed with frustration. Carving out our own domain sounds good, but if we really did it, we would be branded criminals of the Tianwu Empire, eternally nailed to a pillar of shame and reviled for generations.
"Don't overthink it. We can solve this," Chen Yang said, his tone final.
Liu Wu nodded emphatically. It wasn't about anything elseāonly his absolute trust in Chen Yang.
But if the day ever comes when disaster befalls the Boss, I will raise an army and lead the eight hundred thousand Martial Guards on a relentless rampage. We'll kill every last one of them!
Han Shaobai, who had been standing nearby, looked at Chen Yang and forced a smile. "The rain seems to be getting heavier. I have internal affairs to attend to, so I'll take my leave."
"Leaving so soon?" Chen Yang grinned. "Didn't you say you wanted to ask me face-to-face if I knew how to lead troops?"
Han Shaobai was speechless.
"And you wanted the Martial Guards of Hanyun Valley to kneel and await your admonishment?" Chen Yang continued, his grin widening.
Han Shaobai was speechless again. "Th-those were just jokes, Commander! Please don't take them seriously," he stammered, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. His heart felt like it was about to explode.
I can't believe this man is so reckless! He just killed a member of the Imperial Family without a second thought! Does he have no regard for the Southern Imperial Clan whatsoever? Faced with such a ruthless and decisive man, I dare not provoke him further. If I anger him, I fear not even my title of Peerage King could save me from being executed. It's better to be diplomatic and get through this.
"Why don't you teach me how to lead the troops first?" Chen Yang asked, his expression pleasant. "It's perfect timing. I'd also like to see what the great Peerage King is capable of."
Han Shaobai's face stiffened.
"Chen Yang, don't get too arrogant!" Han Shaobai's adjutant, Jia Shijie, shouted, pointing a finger at Chen Yang. "Let me be blunt. It won't be long before you're dismissed as Supreme Martial Commander, and the successor will be none other than my master, Han Shaobai! You're being so aggressive now, but have you thought about your future?"
"So, I suggest you fix your attitude and watch your mouth! Surely I don't need to teach you how to speak to the future War God of the State, do I?" The adjutant clearly relished his condescending tone. With a hundred men backing him, Jia Shijie grew even more arrogant. "Still trying to flaunt what little prestige you have left? How pathetic."
Jia Shijie's words were like a sudden enlightenment for Han Shaobai. He immediately straightened his spine, his meekness vanishing as he met Chen Yang's gaze directly. The hundred soldiers they had brought with them took a synchronized step forward, their collective killing aura surging.
That's right. This man is about to be dismissed. I will be the next War God of the State. With that kind of future, why should I fear him? He should be the one trying to curry favor with me! I was truly careless just now.
"Behave yourself. Keep me happy, and maybe when I take over, I'll find it in my heart to grant you the rank of Chiliarch," Han Shaobai crowed, his eyes dancing with delight.
Jia Shijie immediately chimed in, "You're already a pariah, a homeless dog, yet you still dare to flaunt your commander's authority in front of us? To call you reckless would be a compliment!"
His words were dripping with contempt. Jia Shijie stood there, arrogant and wild, looking as if he wanted nothing more than to stomp Chen Yang into the dirt.
"My adjutant has always been one to speak the truth," Han Shaobai said with a smirk. "As the former Supreme Martial Commander, surely you wouldn't be petty enough to hold it against him, would you?" He had no desire to linger. After all, this man had just killed Tang Yunfeng; it was best to quit while he was ahead.
"Adjutant Jia, that's enough. The man had his glory days, let's show some courtesy, shall we?" Han Shaobai said, feigning magnanimity as he waved his hand, signaling a retreat.
Jia Shijie spat contemptuously on the ground. "Tsk! Look at our commanderāso benevolent. Not like some people who just throw their weight around."
Just as they were about to leave, the sharp-tongued Jia Shijie froze. His eyes bulged in shock. A moment later, he regained his senses and scrambled back, hiding motionless behind Han Shaobai. A large contingent of soldiers had rushed onto the scene. The three bold, red characters on their armbands were blindingly conspicuous.
Their leader was none other than Ji Ping. He first saluted Chen Yang, then his eyes darkened, turning sharp as blades as he fixed his glare on Han Shaobai. "Who gave you the audacity to forcibly requisition soldiers from my unit?"
Han Shaobai was silent.
"And I believe I just heard someone," Ji Ping continued, his voice laced with ice, "who is desperate to become the next War God of the State? Someone who was brazenly mocking the current Supreme Martial Commander?"
CLANG!
Ji Ping's sword left its sheath. Its cold gleam reflected the gloomy sky, radiating a piercing sharpness.
He ran two fingers along the blade, making it hum softly. "Insulting the Commander," he declared, "is a crime punishable by death!"
"C-Commander..." Jia Shijie, scared out of his wits, pressed himself against Han Shaobai. He kept his head bowed, not daring to meet anyone's gaze.