After that long-ago parting, Chen Yang had gone to the Elders' Court to chat and drink tea with the three elders. He had particularly urged the Great Elder to smoke less, or better yet, quit altogether, promising to check on him upon his return.
Who could have known that farewell would be their last?
Looking back on his life, beyond Ren Tong's guidance and cultivation, the Great Elder's steadfast support from behind the scenes had also played a crucial role. It was their boldness, their willingness to trust the youth, that had shaped the Zhennan Prince and the War God of the State. It was because of them that the Zhennan Prince had forcefully pushed the nation's borders and the War God of the State had planted the battle flag in the Barbarian Capital. A single battle that forged Tianwu's martial spirit and established its awe-inspiring authority.
Yet, the Great Elder had departed so silently, and Chen Yang had not even been there to see him one last ti.
As the saying goes, a new king brings new ministers. But his body was not yet cold, and the funeral had yet to be held. Yet, so people couldn't wait to extend their greedy claws for power. This was not only a profound disrespect to the deceased but also a great disruption to the rare stability of the present. The struggle for power is always accompanied by a storm of blood and mountains of bones.
...
Within the vast Cangyun City, beneath a superficial atmosphere of sorrow, treacherous undercurrents surged, strange and unpredictable. Ordinary people might not have felt a thing, but for the ambitious and the powerful noble families, expressions varied as they scurried about, discussing the arrangents for the Great Elder's funeral tomorrow.
A great storm was brewing.
「In the Qingteng Martial Zone, at the residence of the old general, Tian Ling.」
This was the sa old general Chen Yang had rescued years ago, the one who had sided with him during the crisis at the Eight Hundred Li of the Hongzhi River. He was now pacing back and forth in his courtyard, contemplating how to handle tomorrow's funeral. Now, with the Forr Supre Martial Commander also gone, this battle-hardened veteran was genuinely at a loss in the face of such a dramatic shift. Loyalty and righteousness have always been difficult to reconcile.
"Master, there is soone outside asking to see you," reported a retired Martial Guard from the Qingteng Martial Zone who now served as his butler.
Tian Ling frowned. "Who is it?"
Could it be soone trying to persuade him to take a side?
The old butler looked uneasy and hesitated before saying, "It's dark, so I couldn't see clearly, but it seed to be that..."
"Who?"
"It appeared to be... the Forr Supre Martial Commander."
WHOOSH.
Tian Ling's expression froze, his eyes sparkling brilliantly. He imdiately instructed the butler, "Lock down the entire residence. No one is to co near without my permission."
After speaking, the old general straightened his clothes and strode toward the entrance, his breathing unsteady and his expression slightly tense.
Nearly a year had passed. Has he finally co back? Did he return because he had to, or...?
Tian Ling took a deep breath, pushing the thoughts aside and quickening his pace.
Soon, in the front courtyard, he saw a young man dressed in coarse clothes with a full beard.
This... Tian Ling barely recognized him, but there was no doubt it was Chen Yang, the Forr Supre Martial Commander. What has he been doing all this ti to end up looking like this?
"Commander, you... you've returned."
Despite being much older than Chen Yang, the previous gap in their status and his deep admiration for the man made Tian Ling adopt a humble posture, exactly like a subordinate reporting to his superior. However, his deference was tinged with an irrepressible excitent.
Rumors had long been circulating that the proud Chen Yang, in his pursuit of so-called dignity, had crippled his own Chen Family bloodline and had surely beco a useless wreck. So even speculated that he had already died sowhere out in the wilderness.
But now... not only was he alive, but one could see sothing extraordinary in his brilliant, shining eyes.
Chen Yang smiled. "Old Tian, my apologies for disturbing you at such a late hour."
"You're being too formal, Commander. But I must admit, your visit is a delightful surprise," Tian Ling laughed heartily, his face flushed and his hands fidgeting awkwardly.
Chen Yang waved a hand, correcting him. "I'm no longer a commander. I've co today purely for personal matters."
"Just speak your mind," Tian Ling assured him, patting his chest, though his heart was a swirl of complex emotions.
This young man bore far too many responsibilities; otherwise, how could he have fallen into such dire straits? What a lantable fate.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Chen Yang spoke gravely. "The Martial Departnt is in turmoil. If you help , it will likely affect which side you take and your future prospects. You don't need to answer so quickly."
How could Tian Ling not understand these things? In fact, from the mont he first saw Chen Yang, he knew why the young man had co. Tomorrow's funeral for the Great Elder was likely to unleash a bloody storm. That being the case, there was no longer any need for him to waver.
"Just tell what you need," Tian Ling said succinctly. "Although at my age, I should know better than to get involved, I refuse to go against my conscience or live with regret."
"Help contact Ji Ping," Chen Yang said with a nod, getting straight to the point.
In the past, Yang Hu handled such matters. Now that Yang Hu was back in his hotown with his girlfriend, had he already received the news too?
Ji Ping. The Commander of the third division of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards. As one of the most powerful Martial Guard units in Cangyun City, they possessed the authority to act first and report later.
"This..." Tian Ling was montarily taken aback. What is this young man planning to do?
However, seeing that brief hesitation, Chen Yang simply waved his hand and said, "If it's too much trouble, then forget it."
Tian Ling was speechless. This decisive, sharp style of his is exactly like the rumors say.
"It's no trouble at all! I'll contact him right now!" Tian Ling said hurriedly, imdiately pulling out his phone to make the call.
Since he had to choose a side and couldn't remain neutral, he'd rather cast his lot with the Forr Supre Martial Commander than seek a fragile peace from those blinded by their lust for power. There was nothing left to agonize over.
CLICK.
Chen Yang lit a cigarette, his gaze drifting toward the star-filled sky. "Truth be told, he was my teacher. He taught so much. Although he was strict, his bark was worse than his bite. No matter what beca of , all he ever wanted was for to be happy."
"I owe him."
At this, his eyes narrowed to slits, a cold light bursting from within. "Now that he's gone, if anyone dares cause trouble at his funeral, I, Chen Yang, will take up my sword and slaughter every last one who cos!"
The corners of Chen Yang's mouth twitched, his killing intent chilling the air.
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