This declaration was absolutely soul-shaking.
It was a known fact that Chen Yang, by pushing forward eighty miles, had already completely settled a century-old debate.
And now, he wanted to push outward another hundred miles on top of those eighty?
Even the three Elders of the Elders' Court felt their mouths go dry. This… such confidence was nothing short of world-shaking!
Facing the shocked gazes from everyone around him, Chen Yang raised his hand and pointed to the Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon War Flag. "Since this flag has replaced the original Azure Dragon War Banner, I will naturally see to it that it stands proudly outside the borders of Hanyun Valley!"
GULP.
Jin Zheng swallowed hard. This kid is as domineering as ever, but a hundred miles is truly frightening. After all, the Barbarians' capital is no more than five hundred miles from the border. Making this push will not be easy.
"We should be more cautious about this matter," Jin Zheng said.
The usually reticent Wu Xing, however, waved his hand to stop Jin Zheng. He asked Chen Yang, "Are you confident?"
"When two armies clash, there is only victory or defeat. I have never been defeated, and I never will be," Chen Yang said coolly, withdrawing his gaze from Hanyun Valley to look directly at Wu Xing.
Everyone: "..."
"Now that's what I like to hear!"
The Great Elder had spoken, and his words were clearly his answer to Chen Yang.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving. We set out for Hanyun Valley tomorrow," Chen Yang said, taking Qin Qiu by the hand and turning to leave.
...
Not long after, the much-anticipated announcent from the Elders' Court was finally posted.
But it was just a photograph.
It showed the back of a figure dressed in a Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon robe, hands clasped behind him. He stood beside the fluttering war flag, head slightly raised, gazing toward the horizon.
There was no lengthy introduction, only a note stating that the Enshrinent Ceremony was in its preparatory phase.
"It must be Xue Dingshan! He truly deserves it!"
"Deserves it, my foot! If the previous one hadn't stepped down, would it have been his turn?"
"I hear war has broken out again beyond the Hanyun Valley border. One can only hope that this first War God of the State can live up to everyone's expectations."
A fierce debate erupted, spreading like wildfire.
Almost everyone was certain that the new War God of the State was none other than Xue Dingshan.
At the sa ti, they all anxiously awaited the final outco of the battle outside Hanyun Valley.
「In the anti.」
「Extre Sea Villa.」
BANG!!
Zhou Yanqing, with his two prominent white eyebrows, slamd his palm down, and the stone table that had just been replaced exploded once again.
With his hands behind his back, Zhou Yanqing paced for a mont before laughing, his fury boiling over. "Heh heh... Can you believe it? Those three bastards from the Elders' Court actually played us for fools."
"Since when could we be played like monkeys?"
"It must have been that old fox, the Great Elder!"
"Temper, temper."
Ji Wenping, however, did not share Zhou Yanqing's rage and frustration. He was leisurely teasing a Hwai bird in a cage, even whistling contentedly at it.
"No matter how capable the Great Elder is, he couldn't have pulled this off without a nod from above," Ji Wenping said slowly. "So, the root of the problem isn't here, Old Zhou."
"Hmph!" Zhou Yanqing snorted and fell silent.
"With the influence we still wield, if we kill this War God of the State, the higher-ups would at most bellow angrily a few tis, right?" Ji Wenping mused, picking up the birdcage. He gestured with it and said, "No matter how much they flail, they're just little birds in this cage. Once you're tired of playing with them, do you keep them around?"
BANG!
As soon as he finished speaking, the Hwai bird, which had been hopping around the cage a second before, suddenly exploded, leaving only a sar of blood in its wake.
"My dear friends, you're not young n anymore. Why are you still so violent?" an old man said from a nearby rattan chair. He wore gold-rimd reading glasses and had a scholarly air about him. He slowly turned a page in his book and spoke in a asured tone, "Killing is, after all, the lowest form of strategy."
At his words, both Zhou Yanqing and Ji Wenping turned to look at their companion.
This old man might look benevolent and kindly, but those who knew him understood he was the truly ruthless one—the kind who could kill without blinking and would devour a man, bones and all.
Moreover, he was a master of stratagem, a crafty old fox through and through.
"The battle at Hanyun Valley is the talk of the town, isn't it? So, what happens to public opinion if we let the Barbarians reclaim those eighty miles?" the bespectacled elder continued, his eyes still fixed on his book. "Wouldn't that make this War God of the State seem utterly incompetent? Unworthy of his station?"
"Then, with our influence stoking the flas, the Elders' Court would be implicated and condemned by thousands. Could they still protect him then?"
"The new War God of the State, crushingly defeated in his very first battle and then swiftly stripped of his title. I imagine that would make for quite an amusing tale, wouldn't it?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yanqing and Ji Wenping glanced at each other, and a smile spread across both their faces.
"When it cos to being a cunning old fox, we must bow to you."
"Haha, we'll do it your way!"
The man reading the book ignored their banter. "When we orchestrated the incident with the Hanyun Valley Martial Guard last ti, many of our people were involved. Remind them to be sharp. If they can't even handle a small task like this, they can answer to with their heads."
...
Back in the driver's seat, Yang Hu kept glancing at Chen Yang in the rearview mirror, grinning. "Boss, that new outfit of yours is seriously badass!"
"Where have you been all this ti?" Chen Yang asked, ignoring the complint.
"I was living a heavenly life."
A smile crept onto Yang Hu's lips as his thoughts drifted back to the small village and the girl nad Shi Qinghan. In all his years, he had never been so happy.
After hearing Yang Hu's detailed account, Chen Yang teased him with a smile, "Why don't you just retire for good? Settle down with your girlfriend, live the simple life?"
"No way!" Yang Hu said in a panic. "I want to learn from you, Boss—how to have it all, career and love."
"Find so ti to bring the young lady over. Don't let her heart grow cold," Chen Yang said.
"Got it, Boss!" Yang Hu nodded, then grinned cheekily. "So, about you officiating our wedding..."
"Could I refuse?" Chen Yang asked, spreading his hands.
Yang Hu laughed with delight. The War God of the State officiating my wedding... Just thinking about it is thrilling!
But soon, the smile on Yang Hu's face faded, his expression turning grim.
Up ahead, Su Ling's vehicle was cut off by several bulky off-road vehicles.
Su Ling had just drawn his Traveling Dragon Sword, but before he could attack, an elder seized him by the neck and pinned him against the hood of the car. He struggled, but couldn't break the elder's grip.
After a brief exchange, the elder and the middle-aged man leading the group both turned to look back at their car.
As they drew closer, Su Ling's angry voice carried over. "Li Teng, your son brought his death upon himself! Besides, do you have any idea who is in that car? You're courting death!"
SMACK!
The middle-aged man nad Li Teng slapped Su Ling across the face. "I don't care if it's the Heavenly King himself!" he sneered. "Anyone who dares to kill my son dies today!"
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