The Three-Foot Green Peak Sword trembled slightly, emitting flashes of cold light.
THUD!
Jiang Hong staggered back again, his entire body crashing against the wall. His gaze narrowed to a single point, his nerves stretched taut.
So this god of war intends to execute a general upon his arrival? Such imnse killing intent!
Before today, Jiang Hong had never t Chen Yang. He didn't even know that this War God of the State was the forr Nine Gates Admiral. After the Elders' Court posted the notice, he and his fellow commanders had unanimously believed that this War God of the State must be so seasoned old general with substantial prestige.
But the result... Looking at him, he can't be more than thirty years old at most! Was this an overnight rise to power? Or had he simply remained silent, only to shock the world with a single move?
"My lord is asking if you have any last words," Yang Hu sneered.
Before Jiang Hong could speak, a Chief of Staff beside him took a bold step forward and said gravely, "Lord, watch your words! We are brothers in arms. Moreover, we hold the high rank of Upper Eighth Grade. Do you think you can execute us at will?"
BOOM!
Yang Hu's eyes blazed like torches. With a palm strike from afar, he sent the Chief of Staff crashing to his knees. "What is your status? Who gave you the right to interrupt?"
"Insolent."
A spray of blood misted the air. The Chief of Staff's knees shattered, and he collapsed, blood streaming down his head like a waterfall as he wailed miserably.
The others, trembling with fear, knelt one after another.
"Greetings, War God of the State!"
Only Jiang Hong remained standing, staring fixedly at Chen Yang. "You… you can't kill !"
He had rely followed orders. Besides, the situation hadn't developed in the worst way possible. To demand his execution so brazenly was simply outrageous.
"I have my reasons for the decisions I make," Chen Yang stated calmly.
Jiang Hong feigned calmness as he argued, "Those fifty thousand were bait to lure the enemy. Once they charged, my main force from the rear would have encircled and annihilated them."
"Yet you, without understanding the situation, imdiately resort to killing. How can you expect to command respect?"
Chen Yang nodded slightly. "I have just one question: are the lives of those fifty thousand n not lives?"
Jiang Hong was speechless. This retort left him with no coback.
Using fifty thousand n as bait... if word of this got out, he would be cursed and condemned by all.
"Hmph!" Jiang Hong said stubbornly, "You question , but could you do any better? To bring permanent peace to Hanyun Valley, sacrificing fifty thousand n is not too great a price."
"Report!"
One of Jiang Hong's subordinates ran in. Sensing the atmosphere, he hesitated.
"Speak!" Jiang Hong barked.
"Sir, a flag has been raised one hundred li beyond the border!"
Jiang Hong was visibly stunned. "What flag?"
"The Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon battle flag."
Jiang Hong fell silent. Everyone fell silent. By now, who didn't know that the Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon battle flag belonged exclusively to the War God of the State?
This... All eyes suddenly turned to Chen Yang. Has he single-handedly pushed the border out again, this ti by a full one hundred li?
"What about the Barbarians' one million Martial Guards?" Jiang Hong blurted out.
"Over half were killed or wounded. They fled in a panic," the reporting soldier continued. "It's said that it was the work of the eight hundred thousand Martial Guards from Hanyun Valley."
BUZZ!
The news seed to suck all the strength from Jiang Hong's body. If he hadn't been leaning against the wall, he would have collapsed.
So, it was the Zhennan Prince all along! First, the Battle of Great River Bay expanded the border by eighty li. Now, he's pushed it forward another one hundred li. Who else could possibly compare to such a man?
"So?" Chen Yang asked.
Jiang Hong was silent. Recalling his earlier words, his face turned crimson with sha, and he wished the ground would swallow him whole.
What a fool, trying to teach an expert his own trade. He even dared to ask if the man could do better? This was soone who had spent ten years on the battlefield, dyeing the land with blood, carrying a coffin into the fray, and remaining undefeated through dozens of battles—a true Ever-victorious General. And him? What a joke...
THUD.
Jiang Hong dropped to his knees, his head bowed. "I'm sorry," he begged desperately. "I was confused. Please, just relieve of my post."
"I'm not taking your post. I'm taking your head."
Jiang Hong: "..."
SWISH!
Outside Hanyun Valley, where the grass grew tall and orioles flew, blood stained the sky as a general was executed on the battlefield.
"The four divisions of Hanyun Valley are to return to their original garrisons imdiately." Tossing the bloodied Green Peak Sword to Yang Hu, Chen Yang issued his first order since taking command.
Hanyun Valley is best left to those eight hundred thousand brave n. Chen Yang gazed into the distance at the battle flag snapping in the wind, a faint smile touching his lips. "If you dare invade again, my flag will be planted in your Barbarian Capital."
"Boss, anyone connected to this has been executed."
Chen Yang nodded. "Sound the retreat."
"Yes, sir!"
「Half an hour later.」
Cangyun City was shaken.
"Qin Zhiming has taken his own life on the battlefield!"
"That's only part of it! I heard our battle flag was pushed another one hundred li beyond the previous eighty-li line!"
"Tsk, tsk. The War God of the State truly lives up to his na!"
「Twenty minutes later.」
The news of Jiang Hong's execution swept across the empire like a whirlwind, spreading through all its ranks.
"How domineering, executing a general right on the battlefield! That has to be a first in history, right?"
"His thods are indeed quite ruthless, though."
Soon, public opinion polarized. One faction staunchly supported the War God of the State, while the other relentlessly criticized the newly appointed War God for his overwhelming bloodlust and use of extrajudicial punishnt to execute his own Military Generals. It was clear to any discerning eye that soone was fanning the flas from behind the scenes.
Sure enough, Ye Kuan, the leading general of the eastern command, was the first to speak out. "He is impulsive and blind, driven by a deep-seated desire to kill! He completely disregards the Elders' Court and is trying to establish a one-man rule in the Martial Departnt."
For soone in such a high position to act so recklessly—if this set a precedent, how could the Martial Departnt be managed in the future? This Ye Kuan was one of the most respected senior generals in the Martial Departnt, with deep connections. If not for his advanced age, the title of War God of the State would likely have been his.
With him taking the lead, mbers from various other divisions began to speak out in condemnation. In an instant, a dark cloud of conspiracy began to gather over the head of the newly appointed War God of the State, suggesting his resignation was imminent.
「A week later.」
Ye Kuan gathered thirteen people from the major divisions and went to the Elders' Court. The ssage was clear: Chen Yang must resign and offer an explanation. Otherwise, it would be impossible to unite the people's hearts again.
"A palace coup?" In the council hall, the Great Elder tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop. He scanned the dozen or so people before him, his gaze finally landing on Ye Kuan.
"Great Elder, you must be mistaken. We simply require an explanation." With powerful backers, Ye Kuan was unafraid and t the Great Elder's gaze directly. "Moreover, we are all in agreent that he is too young and lacks the capability to hold this position."
"You've seen his recklessness for yourself. Is he worthy?"
「anwhile.」
The Barbarians rallied all their forces, determined to reclaim the one hundred li they had lost. Chen Yang personally led the eight hundred thousand Hanyun Valley defenders to et the enemy head-on.
The ensuing battle was apocalyptic. Mountains crumbled, rivers reversed their course, and bodies piled up like mountains. In the end, they annihilated 350,000 enemy soldiers and captured another 100,000 alive. The victorious Hanyun Valley Martial Guards pursued their victory, planting their battle flag atop the Barbarian Capital.
"Incredible! They pushed straight through and took the capital?"
"The War God of the State truly lives up to his title!"
At once, the entire empire erupted in an uproar.
SLAP.
The Great Elder slapped the battle report down in front of Ye Kuan. "Now you tell , is he worthy?"
Ye Kuan was already silent, his face pale with disbelief.
This battle wasn't just earth-shattering—it tore straight through an entire nation! What in the world...
"Answer . Is he worthy or not?" the Great Elder demanded, his eyes narrowing.
Ye Kuan: "..."
"Ah, well, I've taken up enough of your ti today. I still have official duties to attend to, so I'll take my leave." Ye Kuan wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and turned to leave, feigning ignorance.
The Great Elder didn't stop him, rely stating coolly, "I will report today's events to him faithfully."
Ye Kuan froze.
"I imagine that young man would be more than happy to pay a visit to you, his esteed senior."
Ye Kuan: "..."
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