The battle outside Hanyun Valley shook the entire empire, stirring up massive waves and demonstrating its national might.
「One day later.」
The War God of the State led the Martial Guard back, stopping at the unilaterally defined national border, 180 miles away.
When asked why they had retreated after planting the war flag in the enemy's capital, Chen Yang answered, "We are not bandits, nor are we arrogant invaders. We do not seek trouble, but we also do not fear it."
This battle, which showcased both martial prowess and righteous virtue, firmly established the position and dignity of the War God of the State.
Across the five major divisions—east, south, west, north, and center—all were silently and completely convinced. This was especially true after the reason for Jiang Hong's execution was revealed, causing public opinion to shift overwhelmingly.
Using 50,000 people as bait?
"That damn Jiang Hong, was he even human?"
"He deserved to be executed! Leaving soone like that alive would have been a disaster!"
Everyone who heard the news cursed Jiang Hong to the bone, dragging his family back eighteen generations into their insults. This rage spread far and wide, though the one least affected was, naturally, Ye Kuan, who had previously been the most vocal critic. For a ti, both Ye Kuan and his Chenlong Martial District fell completely silent, a stark contrast to their previous uproar.
「That day.」
The sky was clear for thousands of miles, the weather neither too cool nor too dry. At an exit in Cangyun City, Forbidden Guards stood on both sides of the road, flanking a dozen cars arranged neatly in two rows. The three Great Elders of the Elders' Court, who rarely appeared in public, were now standing by the cars, occasionally glancing at their wristwatches and then toward the highway exit.
Lining both sides of the route from the highway exit to the Elders' Court, a welcoming crowd of over 100,000 spontaneously gathered citizens of Cangyun City waited. In just a few short kiloters, a massive crowd had assembled, everyone holding banners, waiting in eager anticipation.
Half an hour later, a van approached. The dozen or so cars slowly started moving, enclosing the van in their midst as they proceeded leisurely toward the Elders' Court.
"War God of the State!"
"Welco back, War God!"
All along the way, the crowd shouted in unison.
Chen Yang watched the people outside the window, a faint smile touching his lips. Qin Qiu rested her chin in her hand, gazing at the man beside her. Only at this mont did I truly understand that this man didn't belong only to . He is a hero, and this land needs him! To be by his side is an imnse honor.
Yang Hu, who was driving, laughed heartily. "This is quite a scene. I've never seen anything like it." A warmth spread through his chest.
「The Elders' Court.」
"Kid, that was a formidable performance in battle!" The typically taciturn Wu Xing threw an arm around Chen Yang's shoulder and gave him a thumbs-up, his face wreathed in smiles.
"When has this child ever not been formidable?" the Great Elder said, smiling so broadly his eyes nearly disappeared. He stared at Chen Yang with a look of extre admiration and satisfaction. To be honest, when the adverse public opinion was rampant, he too had been under trendous pressure. After all, his opponents truly had a pretext to act. If the clamor had continued, Chen Yang's position as War God of the State would have been in jeopardy.
"The Barbarians won't be a threat for at least ten years," Chen Yang stated.
The three Elders exchanged a look. They knew Chen Yang must have employed ruthless asures. Involuntarily, they felt a pang of pity for those Barbarians.
「During the luncheon.」
The Great Elder detailed the situation with Ye Kuan and concluded, "That old fellow has powerful backers and an imnse reputation. He can rally support with a single call, so it's unlikely he'll let this go."
Although Wu Xing and Jin Zheng said nothing, their expressions were grim. So people were extrely thorny to deal with, even for them.
"I've always enjoyed dealing with prestigious seniors," Chen Yang said coldly. It's best if I handle this myself.
"We bleed and sweat on the battlefield while that damn Ye Kuan sches to take the Boss down, daring to say the Boss isn't worthy of his position?" Yang Hu didn't have Chen Yang's composure. After downing a cup of wine, he cursed aloud, "That social-climbing old bastard, where does he get the nerve? Damn it! They all say he's as clean as a whistle, but I'm going to dig into his background."
"Since we've decided to pay him a visit, there's no need for further discussion," Chen Yang stated flatly.
Ye Kuan dared to be so audacious because, in addition to his backers, he was relying on his seniority, the connections he had built over the years, his nurous protégés spread across the land, and his imnse prestige. People like him were old foxes, masters of political maneuvering who almost always got their way.
But Chen Yang's style was to disregard such things entirely. He had always been one to kill when necessary, settling matters swiftly and decisively.
Chen Yang raised his cup and gazed toward Hanyun Valley. "This cup, we toast to the soldiers who fell in this battle."
"Loyal bones are fortunate to lie beneath the green hills!"
"To the fallen!"
The group rose, clinked their cups, and poured the wine onto the ground. Only they knew how much blood had been shed and how many bones were buried behind the great victory everyone was celebrating. A single general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand. It has always been so.
"May the empire prosper and see no more war!" Chen Yang declared.
"May the empire prosper and see no more war!" the others echoed in unison.
Then, they poured a second cup of wine onto the ground.
"May you journey well."
Three cups of wine for this mortal realm, a pot of tea for a thousand years of great endeavors. You built this magnificent era with your blood and bone; we are responsible for guarding it.
As the luncheon drew to a close, Jin Zheng, who had quit smoking for decades, unexpectedly lit a cigarette. Squinting, he said, "In half a month, the Martial Association will hold its tenth-anniversary celebration. It seems they plan to use this opportunity to reassert their authority, showcase their strength to the world, and launch another wave of recruitnt."
"Moreover, the newly appointed Association President is no simple character. At the very least, he's not soone Guo Xinli could ever compare to," Wu Xing added.
The Great Elder said nothing, but he, Jin Zheng, and Wu Xing all turned their gazes to Chen Yang. They had said all they needed to say. The next move was up to this young man.
"The vow I once made... it's ti to fulfill it," Chen Yang said lightly, tapping the ash from his cigarette.
The three Great Elders were speechless. Is he going to annihilate the Martial Association?
Having reached this point, Chen Yang saw no reason to overthink it. I'll just annihilate the Martial Association first and worry about the rest later. As for the aftermath, I'll cross that bridge when I co to it. What is there to fear?
"What's your plan?" Jin Zheng asked in a grave voice. "We three old n might still be able to..."
Chen Yang gestured for him to stop. "This is between and the Martial Association. It has nothing to do with you."
"As for the plan..." A smile tugged at the corner of Chen Yang's mouth. "Naturally, it's to utterly annihilate them."
Jin Zheng was stunned into silence. So was everyone else.
His words were unbelievably domineering, yet he followed them up casually. "Alright, it's ti for us to head back." Finishing his cigarette, Chen Yang took Qin Qiu's hand and walked slowly out of the Elders' Court.
The war had just ended, but a storm involving the Martial Association was already beginning to brew.
And it wouldn't be until the Martial Association was utterly crushed that people would truly understand that the War God of the State always ant what he said.
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