For a mont, everyone's hearts trembled violently.
Who could have imagined that the man who had already stepped down still wielded such imnse influence?
This…
Instantaneously, the previously boisterous voices, filled with mockery and insults for Chen Yang, faded away significantly.
This was terrifying!
BANG!
Luo Yunhai was the first to receive the news. He couldn't hold onto his teacup; it fell to the ground and shattered, splattering tea and leaves everywhere. He then imdiately convened Jin Zheng and Wu Xing to openly call them to account.
"Luo Yunhai, do I, Wu Xing, need to explain to you again why these people have co and for whom? How dare you slander Chen Yang and trample on the honor of this once-illustrious general, thinking everyone will just turn a blind eye?"
"Not everyone born on this beloved land is devoid of conscience! Many people here are passionate and fiercely loyal!"
"Since you've acted so recklessly, you had better be prepared to face the backlash!"
Luo Yunhai was rendered speechless. Regardless of past or present, and no matter Chen Yang's current status, his immortal rits could never be erased. They certainly couldn't be casually insulted or used as a stepping stone. As Jin Zheng and Wu Xing departed in anger, Luo Yunhai's expression shifted several tis, but he couldn't find a single word to say.
The situation had developed to a stage he hadn't anticipated.
But, so what? A disorganized mob dreaming of starting a major storm? Wishful thinking!
Luo Yunhai snorted with disdain and then dialed the Commander of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards.
He had only two words:
"Suppress them!"
Dark clouds hung over the vast Cangyun City, filling the people with anxiety.
Ji Ping, Commander of the Third Division of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards, stood in his courtyard, hands clasped behind his back. He gazed up at the sky, his resolute face filled with a complex mix of emotions and profound disappointnt.
Ever since the forr Commander had resigned and the Great Elder had passed away, everything had changed. It had beco so unfamiliar that it left him feeling alienated and even fearful. He even began to suspect that this world would soon collapse under the corrosion of those parasites. This fear was not unfounded; various signs indicated that this possibility was growing ever more likely.
Adding to that was the powerful rise of the Barbarians. It was truly a case of trouble from within and without.
"My lord!"
While Ji Ping was lost in thought, a subordinate ca to report, "My lord, the Commander is here."
Ji Ping frowned but dared not delay, quickly walking toward the front courtyard. In the front courtyard stood a middle-aged man with a sharp, expressionless face and a tall, imposing posture.
"Commander." Ji Ping approached, greeting his superior respectfully.
"I was feeling a bit stifled, so I ca over for a chat," the middle-aged man, whose na was Jiang Yun, said with a smile as he waved his hand.
"Please have a seat, Commander."
A pot of clear tea was served, giving off a gentle fragrance.
Though he said he had co for a chat, Jiang Yun remained silent until he had finished a cup. Only then did he suddenly speak. "Ji Ping, you were quite close to the Forr Chief Military Commander. Could you tell what kind of person he really was?"
"Him…" Ji Ping said with reverence, "He was fiercely loyal and righteous, dedicated to the country and its people, willing to serve until his last breath."
"He never spoke to of his ambitions, but I understood them clearly. He sought neither glory nor fa, only to restore justice to this world."
Jiang Yun nodded, a look of reverence gradually appearing on his face. "And that is why he has ended up in his current predicant."
His next words startled Ji Ping so much he almost jumped.
"The Great Elder has already issued an order for the Ten Thousand Martial Guards to mobilize en masse and suppress those brave n among the four hundred thousand forr Hanyun Valley Martial Guards. But we all know why they have co."
"Besides, war on the Hanyun Valley border is imminent. The Ten Thousand Martial Guards have been burdened with heavy training drills recently. It would be quite difficult to assemble them all in a short ti, wouldn't it?"
With him having said so much, how could I not understand what my superior is implying? He's telling to feign compliance—to obey the order in form but not in substance!
"But it is, after all, a command from the Elders' Court," Jiang Yun continued. "You take your n to maintain order. Don't let any chaos break out, and keep a low profile."
Jiang Yun put down his teacup and slowly rose. "I, Jiang Yun, cannot compare to his lofty vision, nor do I possess his iron fist. But as soone born and raised on this beloved land, how can I turn a blind eye to certain things?"
"Regrettably, this is all I can do."
As Jiang Yun turned to leave, Ji Ping clasped his fist and declared, "The entirety of the Ten Thousand Martial Guards will see you as our pride!"
So people only care for their own little patch of land. Whether that's right or wrong isn't the point. But to be able to take this step demonstrated a noble character that inspired admiration. To put it grandly, every man has a duty to his country. To put it simply, it was nothing more than a clear grasp of what is right on a matter of great importance.
Shortly thereafter, Ji Ping donned his military uniform. Standing before the mirror, he looked at the familiar attire, yet a sense of pride and valor he had never felt before surged within him.
They have always belonged to this land, not to any single person or faction. He hadn't thought about the consequences, but he was determined to carry out this duty well today.
***
anwhile, Chen Yang had already arrived at the Xiao Family's residence. Just before getting out of the car, he suddenly glanced toward the distant horizon—in the direction of the Eight Hundred Li Hongzhi River—and then stepped out.
"Boss, what's wrong?" Yang Hu approached and asked.
Chen Yang shook his head and looked at the Xiao Family's estate ahead. "Nothing."
As the top-ranked of the eight great families, the Xiao Family was well aware that the nail that sticks out gets hamred down. Therefore, during the recent turmoil, they had maintained as low a profile as possible. If not for their chance contact with the Steward from Biluo Sword Valley, they likely would have continued to lay low until the storm enveloping the land had completely passed.
However, a low-key approach had nothing to do with their character or virtue. The Xiao Family's Young Master publicly jumping out to criticize Chen Yang yesterday had fully revealed the family's true colors.
As Chen Yang entered, the once-buzzing, laughter-filled halls of the Xiao Family fell suddenly silent. All eyes converged on him, sizing him up. Then, a torrent of pointing and whispering erupted. The crowd looked at him as if he were a monkey in a cage.
The Steward from Biluo Sword Valley was not present. The people here, aside from the core mbers of the Xiao Family, were all guests who had co to visit the Steward. Of course, they were also here to watch the show.
"Looks like you're pretty sensible after all," said Xiao Ziquan, a man in his early thirties lounging on a Taishi Chair. He pointed a finger at Chen Yang. "Steward Fan is still having his morning tea. Kneel here and wait."
"Hurry up and kneel! If you please Steward Fan, he might just grant you a quick death."
"Who would've thought a big shot like you would have a day where you grovel? I thought you'd resist to the end, but it turns out you're just a coward. No wonder the Barbaric New Sovereign scared you witless."
A chorus of agreent and mocking laughter rippled through the crowd.
Chen Yang ignored them completely. He pulled over a chair, sat down, and lit a cigarette. Then, he pointed at the man who had just spoken so brazenly. "You. Step forward and repeat what you just said."
The crowd fell silent.
What… Not only is he not kneeling, but he doesn't even show a hint of apology?
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