"General Ning Kun, requesting to join the battle!"
Several thunderous voices in succession not only deafened the ears but also made the blood of everyone present surge with excitement, especially for the villagers.
Even disregarding Ning Kun's previous ruthlessness, the aura emanating from him at this moment left no trace of cowardice or worthlessness. Without a doubt, this was a veritable iron-blooded War God. As fellow villagers, every single one of them felt immense pride.
SWOOSH!
The war blade moved horizontally, pointing obliquely toward the southern sky.
"Boss," Ning Kun called out, "if the country is no more, how can we have a home?"
In yesterday's battle, the National Defense had suffered a major defeat, casting a somber silence across the nation. The Barbarians would surely seize the opportunity, their morale soaring, to launch another attack, determined to settle matters in one fell swoop. The border had already been pushed back by nearly a hundred miles. If they suffered another defeat, the nation's gates would be lost, and all of Hanyun Valley would be trampled by the Barbarians' iron hooves.
What would become of the tens of millions of people in Hanyun Valley?
If...
If the former Martial Guards of Hanyun Valley were to regroup and march forth once more, led by the Former Chief Military Commander himself...
As for the internal effects, it was best not to consider them for now. But for the Barbarians, it would undoubtedly create tremendous psychological pressure.
Chen Yang halted.
"Boss, I want to carry the commander's flag once more!" Ning Kun said, his head held high and his gaze as intense as a blazing torch.
Chen Yang's gaze swept over him, eventually settling on Dandan.
Ning Kun was taken aback, but he understood Chen Yang's implication. He scratched his head before reaching out for Dandan's small hand.
Dandan took Ning Kun's hand proactively and smiled calmly. "There's no need to ask my opinion on matters between men. I only have one request."
She looked at Ning Kun. "I want to register our marriage."
"The wedding doesn't matter," she continued. "I just want to be your lawful wife."
A pang of guilt struck Ning Kun.
"How can the wedding not matter?"
Dandan's mother suddenly spoke up. "You can owe us for now, but you must make it up to her when you come back."
Everyone understood what she truly meant. She wasn't concerned with the ceremony itself, but was solemnly telling Ning Kun that he must come back alive.
Ning Shan and Hu Yun nodded in succession.
"Yang Hu and Liu Wu have already gone to gather the others, and I will inform the Elders' Court."
Chen Yang didn't stay any longer and turned to leave.
"Thank you, my lord."
Li Yang bowed respectfully. The instant he straightened his back, his tiger-like eyes blazed with a fierce, resolute spirit.
What outsiders didn't know was that millions of passionate young men were all waiting for him to stride forward with a song, to don his armor once more, and to return as a conqueror. It was to show the Barbarians, and this entire era, that with him present, his power to dominate all heroes was no empty boast.
Leaving the small town, Chen Yang headed straight for Nanmen City.
The most gripping news was, without a doubt, the war in Hanyun Valley. Compared to Chen Yang's battle against the four great clans by the Qingyuan River, this conflict had truly captured the nation's attention, with almost everyone watching in silence.
As a national war loomed, who could remain unaffected?
As the sky dimmed, Chen Yang returned to Nanmen City. Qin Qiu was sitting by the door, supporting her chin with one hand, her gaze never leaving the courtyard gate.
Upon seeing the familiar figure, the corners of her mouth lifted into a tender smile as she stood up. "The food is still warm."
Chen Yang embraced Qin Qiu without a word.
Having been together for so long, their understanding was unspoken. He didn't wish to say much, and she didn't ask. For Qin Qiu, simply having him by her side was enough.
To have someone to love, to be loved in return, and to have companionship. Happiness was nothing more than this.
γThe following day.γ
When Chen Yang arrived at the artificial lake, Sun Ziru had already caught several fish. His mouth split into a smile as he said, "Lad, you're back?"
At his age, it was a rare blessing to find a kindred spirit and a friend who transcended the generational gap.
Chen Yang nodded with a smile and sat down beside him.
"Rumor has it that the battle resumed at dawn today, on an even larger scale than the last time," Sun Ziru said somberly. "I don't know what the outcome will be this time."
The fact that he received news of the battle in advance spoke to his influence in Nanmen City.
Chen Yang's eyebrows shot up. The Barbarians were moving faster than he'd expected.
Seeing Chen Yang frown deeply, Sun Ziru subconsciously asked, "Kid, what do you think?"
Chen Yang cast his line into the lake. "I'll sit here and watch."
Sun Ziru was left speechless.
This damn kid, what kind of attitude is that?
"You brat, can't you be serious? Are you messing with me?" Sun Ziru fumed, his beard bristling with annoyance.
Chen Yang muttered to himself, "If I'm not on the front lines, how else can I watch?"
Hm?
Sun Ziru seemed to sense something and was about to inquire when he saw his grandson, Sun Jing, hurrying over with what looked like urgent news.
"What is it?" Sun Ziru asked, puzzled.
"Defeat! We've been defeated!"
Sun Jing passed over a newspaper, shaking his head and sighing. "We've lost another hundred miles at the border! With that, the one hundred and eighty miles of territory secured by the Former Chief Military Commander have been completely lost."
"The Barbarians are pointing their swords straight at Hanyun Valley."
Sun Ziru's expression faltered, and he quickly snatched the newspaper. Beside him, the hand Chen Yang used to grip his fishing rod visibly shook.
"It's all over, it's all over..." Sun Ziru muttered nonstop as he flipped through the newspaper. "This new Supreme Martial Commander isn't up to the task. Two defeats in a row, and now the Barbarians are at our doorstep."
He subconsciously turned to Chen Yang. "Kid, what's your take on this?"
But he saw that Chen Yang had already reeled in his line and was preparing to leave.
"Grandpa, take a look at the back," Sun Jing prompted.
Sun Ziru lowered his head and flipped the newspaper over.
What met his eyes was an account of the Former Chief Military Commander's past achievements. It started from his first campaign at the age of eighteen, meticulously detailing every event right up until he was forced to resign a year ago.
"We plead for the Former Chief Military Commander, the War God of the State, to fight for this land once more."
The article ended with this sentence.
"Grandpa, right now, everywhere from the internet to the streets, everyone is talking about the Former Chief Military Commander, Chen Yang," Sun Jing said. "They hope that he and the former 800,000 Martial Guards of Hanyun Valley can return to once again defend the nation's gates at Hanyun Valley."
"Some people have even started a joint petition to be submitted to the Elders' Court, urging them to issue a call to arms."
Sun Jing continued, "As of this moment, five million people have signed it."
"Sigh." Sun Ziru let out a long sigh. "So now they remember him. Where were they before?"
He said this, but hadn't he himself been indifferent before the war even started? When he wasn't needed, his fate didn't matter. But now that he was, they wanted him to return and fight for this land once more. Heh... The term "human nature" was on full display.
"Grandpa, I have a rumor, though I don't know if it's true," Sun Jing added.
Sun Ziru waved his hand, signaling for him to continue.
"There's a rumor that the former 800,000 Martial Guards of Hanyun Valley are already gathering..."
Before he could finish, Sun Ziru's expression jolted, his eyes shimmering. "Is it... has he returned?"
"I don't know." Sun Jing shook his head. "It's just a rumor. It's unclear if it's true or just a wishful fabrication."
γThat day.γ
A long-absent yet imposing, dark-green banner edged with shimmering gold fluttered loudly in the fierce winds.
Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon.
The former Martial Guards of Hanyun Valley had returned!
Blue seas and clear skies stretched over vast lands and rivers.
That banner, flying against the wind, was like an epic tableau, stirring the souls of all who saw it and evoking memories of its countless glorious campaigns.
If there is a war, the call will be answered!
Under the summons of that legendary figure, this army of fierce warriors reconvened at the gates of Hanyun Valley.
...