"This subordinate greets you, War God of the State!"
Amidst the verdant spring scenery by the riverbank, a warm breeze carried the rolling sound wave, letting it ripple far into the distance.
Over a hundred Forbidden Guards, their expressions solemn, stared intently at the figure sitting and fishing by the river.
"Draw swords!"
CLANG!
One after another, the Three-Foot Green Peak Swords were unsheathed, held aloft in one hand, pointing straight to the heavens.
"We welco the War God of the State!"
Following the middle-aged man's shout, the rest of the Forbidden Guards echoed, "We welco the War God of the State!"
Chen Yang remained in his fishing pose, perfectly still.
But in truth, the hand gripping his fishing rod trembled slightly, and a ripple disturbed the calm in his seemingly indifferent eyes.
More than a decade spent in the army. From a Martial Guard on the front lines to the Commander-in-chief, and then to the Nine Gates Admiral. How much blood and tears had he shed over these years? No one but him could ever understand the bitterness and hardships he had endured. He had thought this dismissal ant a final farewell to the Martial Departnt, to the battlefield, and to his good brothers-in-arms. He thought he had truly let go, that no matter how things changed, they would no longer concern him. In the end, he still couldn't let go of his country, the responsibilities he had shouldered for over a decade, or the eight hundred thousand brothers who had faced life and death with him.
Perhaps without these things, I'm no longer myself?
"My lord, have you made a mistake?" After a long silence, Xue Dingshan took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the turmoil in his heart. His throat felt dry as he stared at the middle-aged man from the Bureau of Secrets and asked his question.
"For such an important matter, how could I make a mistake?" the middle-aged man nad Chen Feng retorted, his gaze shifting to lock directly onto Xue Dingshan's eyes. "General Xue, why would you have such a doubt?"
"I... I..." Xue Dingshan was at a loss for words, his face flushing crimson. He knew full well that such earth-shattering news couldn't possibly be a mistake, but... he couldn't just admit that he was the one rumored to be the next War God of the State, could he?
Gritting his teeth against his extre unwillingness, Xue Dingshan spoke again. "I an, he has already been dismissed by the Martial Departnt. He is not one of us. How can a position as important as the War God of the State be given to an outsider?"
"Truth and falsehood... so things are best not taken so seriously, General Xue," Chen Feng said indifferently. "The revocation of the Zhennan Prince title was announced out of necessity, but his military rank has always been preserved within the systems of our Bureau of Secrets."
"If you still have doubts, General Xue, you are more than welco to visit the Bureau of Secrets to verify it."
Xue Dingshan was speechless.
"By the way, I am aware of the recent rumors," Chen Feng continued, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile that wasn't quite a smile. "It's likely soone with ulterior motives has been stirring the pot, aiming to build you up only for a greater fall, General Xue. You didn't actually believe it, did you?"
Xue Dingshan was speechless.
"General Xue, what brings you here anyway?" Chen Feng finally asked, feigning puzzlent.
Xue Dingshan's face was as black as thunder. He had indeed believed it. The key was that he had received covert backing from so influential figures who had sworn to him that the position of War God of the State was his for the taking. If not for that, why would he, the great General Xue, have co to show off in front of Chen Yang like a greenhorn?
But now... this wasn't how the script was supposed to unfold.
Xue Dingshan didn't state his purpose for being there, but soone else was happy to do it for him.
Nearby, Su Ling snapped out of his daze. Flushed with excitent, his fingers trembling, he abruptly stood up, pointed at Xue Dingshan, and then bowed respectfully to Chen Feng.
"My lord, this General Xue ca here specifically to find my boss—no, the War God of the State—to boast about his impending appointnt and to belittle the War God as worthless. He even had the audacity to tell us to prepare to kneel before him!
"Not only that, but he also mocked the War God of the State for his lack of social grace, claiming his dismissal as Zhennan Prince was simply what he deserved, a decision that made him a laughingstock."
Su Ling recounted everything, adding at the end, "Before, we were furious but dared not speak. Now that the truth is out, we hope you will uphold justice, my lord."
Xue Dingshan was speechless.
He whirled around, his bloodshot eyes flashing with a cold light, stabbing toward Su Ling like sharp knives.
"Look, my lord, he's threatening with his eyes," Su Ling said with an air of perfect sincerity, while secretly giving Xue Dingshan the middle finger.
Xue Dingshan was speechless.
Where the hell did this guy co from? Is he trying to rip away the last shred of dignity I have left? Damn it!
"Hmph!" Chen Feng barked suddenly. "Insulting the War God of the State is a capital offense!"
"I-I'm sorry." Xue Dingshan's soul nearly scattered. Cold sweat stread down his pale face as he stamred, "I... I truly didn't know beforehand. I was out of my mind. I apologize."
Chen Feng said nothing, rely staring at him.
How could Xue Dingshan not understand the aning behind the official's silence? Clenching his teeth, his fists balled tightly, he bent his knees and lowered his head. "I apologize. I was wrong."
Xue Dingshan's eyes were bloodshot, filled with unwillingness and venomous resentnt.
The one kneeling here should have been the Zhennan Prince! Why? I was given assurances! Why did it turn out like this?! He couldn't understand.
Only then did Chen Feng withdraw his gaze. He looked toward the riverbank at Chen Yang, who was still holding the fishing rod with his back to them, showing no reaction at all.
"Lord Chen, my apologies for the grievances you have endured recently," Chen Feng said as he took two steps forward, a wry smile on his face. "But surely you know that even the Elders' Court isn't a one-man show run by the three Elders. For this matter, the three of them truly racked their brains."
"You will need to visit the Elders' Court for the specifics. The three Elders will explain everything to you in person."
Chen Yang still showed no sign of moving.
Her heart pounding, Qin Qiu took two deep breaths before taking Chen Yang's hand. Her own was still trembling as she said softly, "There must be a reason for everything. Go and listen to what they have to say."
"Besides, this is what you rightfully deserve."
Chen Yang patted the back of her hand and gave her a knowing smile. "It's just that deep down, I'm still resentful!"
They dismiss without a reason, and now they order back with a single docunt. What do they take for? They might have their reasons, but it's only human for to be angry, isn't it?
Then, Chen Yang stood up, turned, and faced Chen Feng. "I, Chen Yang, accept this appointnt."
Chen Feng let out a huge sigh of relief. If the War God had continued to ignore him, he truly wouldn't have known what to do.
"Present the battle robes!"
At Chen Feng's command, a Forbidden Guard carrying a neatly folded uniform stepped briskly forward. Chen Feng took the uniform by the shoulders and gave it a sharp shake.
WHOOSH.
The Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon embroidery glinted in the light.
Chen Yang opened his arms, and Chen Feng personally draped it over his shoulders.
Qin Qiu walked over and carefully fastened the buttons one by one, tears streaming down her face. "Chen Yang, congratulations. You've finally seen this day."
Only she, who was closest to him, truly knew the psychological tornt Chen Yang had endured recently. Now, it felt as if the clouds had finally parted to reveal the sun.
He put on the martial cap.
Instantly, Chen Yang's entire aura changed, as if he had beco a different person.
He smiled at Qin Qiu, then turned to face Xue Dingshan, who had just staggered to his feet.
He said nothing. He just stared.
Xue Dingshan stumbled backward several steps. The sheer force of his presence, the power in that gaze, was more than he could withstand.
"You see the War God of the State! Why are you not on your knees?" Chen Feng roared.
BOOM!
Xue Dingshan collapsed to his knees. "This subordinate, Xue Dingshan, pays his respects to the War God of the State!"
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