One does not meddle in affairs that are not their responsibility.
But for Chen Yang, no matter how long he had been away from the Martial Department or how disgracefully he had left, the thought of completely letting go was impossible. Over a decade of service on the battlefield, guarding the nation's gates, the oaths and beliefs of old had been deeply etched into his very blood and marrow.
How could he possibly forget or turn a blind eye?
On a grander scale, the rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen. Furthermore, before the Great Elder passed away, he had entrusted Chen Yang with protecting this beloved land one last time.
He recalled the past: the campaigns on the southern mountains, the clash of swords that swept across the lands, the glorious years of galloping on horseback. How could such memories not stir his blood? The resolute faces of those iron-willed men, smeared with blood yet smiling with pride, gradually came into focus in his mind.
There was Yang Hu, who always preferred a straightforward, wide-open fight. There were the four hundred thousand Martial Guards who, to defend their reputation, had dared to march on Cangyun City and slaughter an entire noble clan on their own initiative. There was also Liu Wu, who seemed all smiles and jokes but killed without batting an eye. And then there were all the other brave men whose names Chen Yang never knew, even as they were laid to rest in the verdant hills.
Chen Yang knew better than anyone. His Martial Guard was not just a collection of strong individuals; each man was a formidable warrior capable of fighting several enemies at once.
Scattered, they were stars across the sky; united, they were a blazing fire. A fire potent enough to dispel the darkness shrouding the entire country.
When their swords swept across the eight wastelands and the setting sun ran red as blood, how could such heroes remain unsung and unknown?
I, Chen Yang, have lived an upright life with a clear conscience. I owe this nation nothing. My only debt is to you, my brothers-in-arms—a debt of glory and recognition.
How could these decorated men, who never cared for fame or fortune, be swept aside and erased from history simply because of me? Never! They are heroes. They deserve to be recognized.
「Approaching noon.」
Chen Yang dispatched Yang Hu and Liu Wu to gather the eight hundred thousand men as quickly as possible. After the previous night's probing clash, the Barbarians' morale was surely soaring. As the saying goes, "strike while the iron is hot." They would certainly launch a decisive, all-or-nothing battle in short order.
They'll first take Hanyun Valley, then use it as a springboard to gradually devour our fertile lands.
Chen Yang went to the artificial lake, merely to try his luck. He hadn't expected the old fellow, Sun Ziru, to be there as well, sitting by the lake fishing.
"Happy holidays, kid," Sun Ziru greeted him first. Then, as if struck by a thought, he grinned. "The Xu Family was wiped out. That wouldn't have anything to do with you, would it?"
Seeing Chen Yang's silence, Sun Ziru spat fiercely. "Still, for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country, they deserved what they got. Good riddance!"
Chen Yang stepped forward and offered him a cigarette. "Old Sun, I'm going to be away for a while. I need a favor."
In Nanmen City, he didn't have many friends. Bai Yu, as a former member of the Hanyun Valley group, couldn't be left alone. With her fiery temper, she'd probably fly into a murderous rage. So, that left only Sun Ziru.
This Sun Ziru was a savvy and sophisticated man, a shrewd operator. He undoubtedly guessed what Chen Yang was about to ask. "Don't worry," he said directly. "I'll take good care of your wife."
Sun Ziru patted his chest dramatically, adding with conviction, "Besides, in this Nanmen City, I, Old Sun, am a man of some status."
Chen Yang smiled without a word.
"Sigh…" The old man suddenly heaved a long sigh. "You have no idea how brutal last night's battle was. The situation doesn't look optimistic at all."
Though he remarked it casually, Sun Ziru saw Chen Yang's face darken at a visible rate. That chilling gaze, in particular, made even him, an old man who had seen it all, feel an involuntary shiver in his heart.
What a heavy killing aura.
"The tide of battle can turn in an instant. There's no need to be so pessimistic before the end," Chen Yang said, lighting his cigarette with a detached smile. He turned and left, leaving Sun Ziru with the sight of his tall, imposing back.
Could this guy be a Martial Guard?
Decades of life experience had given him an extraordinary discernment. He called out, "Come back soon! You have a family, you know."
That sentence sent a shudder through Chen Yang's entire body.
"I'm counting on you."
Leaving those words behind, Chen Yang departed from the artificial lake.
Strange, why does that back seem so familiar? Sun Ziru frowned, deep in thought. After a moment, he shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it, and focused intently on his fishing float.
When he returned home, Qin Qiu had already packed his bags.
"This is the second festival we've spent together, and you're already leaving," Qin Qiu said with a smile. "When you come back, let's have a child."
"Okay." Chen Yang nodded seriously and tucked a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "Wait for me."
"Mhm."
Chen Yang picked up his bag, tossed it into the business van, and drove away.
Qin Qiu chased after the van for a short distance. Only when the taillights had completely vanished from sight did tears begin to slide silently down her cheeks.
She knew deep down that this departure was completely different from all the times before.
No matter what, I will wait for you.
「Meanwhile.」
The entire nation was gripped by a somber silence. For many, this was the first time in their lives they had witnessed the defeat of the National Defense. The sense of loss and humiliation was palpable.
According to the announcement from the Elders' Court, the main reason was that the Barbarians were stronger than ever before, almost absurdly so, and had caught them by surprise. In the past year, the Barbarians had swept through ten nations, a vivid display of survival of the fittest. Those who had survived were all elites.
For the time being, people refrained from reckless condemnations, quietly waiting for news of a great victory. But what no one knew was that they were not waiting for victory, but for one crushing defeat after another. The once-invincible National Defense seemed to have lost its luster overnight.
Only then did the people remember the Former Chief Military Commander, who had been gone for nearly half a year.
If he were here, would the outcome have been different?
If only he were here...
On that day, countless people across the nation chanted his name, hoping he would return to fight for this land one more time. It was on that day that everyone understood some people are truly irreplaceable.
But can the past ever be redone?
***
The business van left Nanmen City, heading for a neighboring city. There were some people Chen Yang had to personally invite.
For instance, Ning Kun, who had carried the Anti-General Banner for him in years past. The Anti-General Banner was different from a battle flag; it was the symbol of the army's commander. Since ancient times, those who carried the Anti-General Banner have always been the elite of the elite. They possessed the courage and determination to shield their commander with their own lives, playing a pivotal role in the army.
Having found out Ning Kun's address in advance, Chen Yang headed straight for his destination. Because of what had happened to Chen Yang, these 800,000 men had voluntarily shed their proud martial uniforms. Not only did they fail to receive the pensions they were due, but they also faced the humiliating predicament of having their records sealed. Upon returning home, many of them, including Ning Kun, suffered unfair treatment.
When Chen Yang arrived at Mang Village, which was under the jurisdiction of Qinglu City, he saw Ning Kun working hard in a field at the village entrance. Not yet thirty, his skin was dark and his build was as solid as ever. But the sharp edge he once had was long gone, like gold coated in dust, utterly devoid of luster.
At that moment, he was surrounded by a few idle villagers who were relentlessly mocking and insulting him. They taunted that a good-for-nothing like him had no right to be with Dandan, calling him a toad lusting after a swan's flesh. Their words were so vicious and scathing they left one at a loss.
Yet Ning Kun remained silent.
Passersby watched, enjoying the spectacle and making comments as they pleased.
Chen Yang stood rooted to the spot, his heart filled with a storm of complex emotions.
This was the man who once carried the Anti-General Banner for the Supreme Martial Commander, and now…