The man facing off against Ji Ping, who wanted to take Shen Ling away, was sent by the Great Elder, Luo Yunhai. He was the new Commander of the Imperial Guard, Huo Chuan.
The original commander, Qiu Yu, had been removed by Luo Yunhai on his first day in office. This Huo Chuan, hailing from the Chenlong Martial District, had long been responsible for Luo Yunhai's personal security and was considered the most trusted subordinate of the newly appointed Great Elder.
He was already an Eighth Rank Military General, but after becoming the Commander of the Imperial Guard, his status and influence soared. He didn't take Ji Ping seriously in the slightest. If Chen Yang hadn't appeared just in ti, Huo Chuan was already prepared to make his move.
A light rain began to fall silently. Just as Huo Chuan was preparing to act, he turned. Like the sudden downpour, he fell silent as an eerie, oppressive atmosphere began to brew.
This… Impaled on the spearhead is none other than Chen Junhua of the Chen Family? Most crucially, if he could walk out so openly, then what happened to Fan Qingfeng, the Steward of the Biluo Sword Valley?
Just then, a casually taken photograph was transmitted at the speed of light to every corner of Cangyun City. In the photograph, Fan Qingfeng and the entire Xiao Family lay in pools of their own blood.
They… they're all dead? Wiped out!
Previously, this Steward of the Biluo Sword Valley had been outrageously arrogant, demanding that Chen Yang either commit suicide or kneel before him, but now…
The crowd fell silent. It's often said that a sudden silence is the most terrifying thing of all.
Just what is the extent of this Forr Chief Military Commander's power?
The rain pattered down. After seeing the photograph, Huo Chuan was utterly disconcerted. The killing intent he radiated just monts ago vanished, his pupils constricted, and his face turned ashen. Looking at the scene before him, his fingers trembled violently.
When he finally ca to his senses, he instinctively took a few steps back, managed a forced smile, and stamred, "L-Lord Chen, I was just following the Great Elder's orders."
"You have a problem?"
Chen Yang's voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion, yet those three simple words made Huo Chuan's hair stand on end.
"I… I…" Cold sweat dripped down Huo Chuan's face. He wanted to say sothing, but his throat had constricted.
"Tell Luo Yunhai to act within his station. Otherwise, I'll eradicate him as well!"
Huo Chuan stood there, speechless.
After speaking, Chen Yang walked up to Shen Ling and patted him on the shoulder.
"Commander!" Shen Ling knew he was at fault. He bowed his head and clenched his teeth. "Everyone is slandering you, humiliating you, and we will not stand for it. When we ca out this ti, none of us planned on going back alive."
"We just want to kill all those selfish, self-serving bastards who don't see us as human. They insult you like that, and we of Hanyun Valley cannot bear it!"
Shen Ling's words, like a clap of thunder, were filled with rage, but also with profound unwillingness and deep helplessness. In this vast land, there was no longer a place for their commander. And this magnificent man before them, who once stood guard over Hanyun Valley, who had shielded this cherished land from countless wars, shedding so much blood and tears… Why did everyone turn a blind eye to his sacrifices? Why did they kick him while he was down, hoping to stomp him into an abyss from which he could never return?
"It's all right." Chen Yang straightened Shen Ling's collar and smiled.
A true man should stand tall and proud, seeking only a clear conscience. re verbal attacks from the fickle masses were hardly worth a second thought. Besides, this whole convincing-looking fiasco was rely being stoked by soone behind the scenes. The common people were just being led by the nose; they were innocent. Even those who could distinguish right from wrong understood the truth, but they had no voice and were simply drowned out by the storm.
"Commander, we..."
Chen Yang raised a hand to stop him, knowing full well that Shen Ling wanted to persuade him to carve out his own territory and declare himself king. He could not commit such a historic treason.
"Go back," Chen Yang said.
Filled with reluctance, Shen Ling still didn't dare to defy Chen Yang and strode away.
"One more thing," Chen Yang suddenly added. "Should war co..."
Shen Ling halted, standing ramrod straight. His voice thundered, rolling across the sky. "I will answer the call!"
"Salute!"
At Ji Ping's command, tens of millions of Martial Guards saluted Shen Ling respectfully.
Even the Imperial Guard did the sa.
They could not forget the oath they once swore. Blood may flow, and n may die, but the mountains and rivers must not be broken.
Should war co, we will answer the call!
The onlookers, tears brimming in their eyes, were deeply shaken.
These are the true stars of our country, its unbreakable backbone.
Thus, the civilians also began to salute, one after another.
Huo Chuan stood to the side with a complicated expression, his heart filled with a whirlwind of emotions. He had never felt such an atmosphere in the Chenlong Martial District. At this mont, it was as if he had returned to his first day in the Martial Departnt.
How could he have forgotten the oath he first took?
Then, he too raised his hand and took a step back. He might be Luo Yunhai's man, but he was a Martial Guard first and foremost.
Shen Ling left, and the four hundred thousand people by the banks of the Hongzhi River outside the city dispersed. The next ti they gathered, they would no longer be a unit without a na, no longer an army without a cause, and no longer a source of fear for their countryn. Instead, they would bring hope. After that one battle, countless among them would be buried in the green hills, never to return to their families. But it was that sa battle in which they once again defended this beautiful land from the trampling of iron hooves, displaying the might of Tianwu. From then on, no one would dare to covet this cherished land again.
They had fought for peace.
When warriors are enraged, a valiant spirit arises. Oh, to wield a heavenly sword and, astride the seas, slay the mighty whale.
「From then on.」
The heroic spirit of heaven and earth would remain awe-inspiring for a thousand autumns.
Chen Yang glanced at Huo Chuan, then turned and walked down the street, his spear still impaling Chen Junhua.
"Commander..." Ji Ping called out.
"Go back. Train diligently and prepare for the coming war," Chen Yang said without looking back, leaving only those faint words behind.
"Ji Ping obeys!"
In his heart, Chen Yang would always be the Supre Martial Commander. No one else was worthy.
Huo Chuan was shaken once more, and a brilliant light began to shine in his eyes.
Perhaps this is what a Martial Guard should truly be.
TAP. TAP. TAP.
Chen Yang strode through the streets, heading toward the ancient city gate. On both sides of the road, countless people stopped to watch in dead silence.
"By the looks of it, the Supre Martial Commander is going to have a final showdown with the Chen Family!"
"Did you hear? The Xia Family was wiped out. All those recent rumors about Chen Yang were cooked up by them."
"Serves them right."
"..."
Walking amidst the endless discussion, Chen Yang ascended the city gate tower. Adjacent to the Qingyuan River, the view was magnificent. Moreover, from the top of the tower, one could see the entire Chen Family Ancestral Mansion.
"Chen Yang!" Chen Junhua, with a hemp rope already around his neck, knew he was going to die. Throwing caution to the wind, he roared, "You are disowning your ancestors! You will be nailed to the Chen Family's pillar of sha!"
"From the mont I severed my ties to the Chen Family's bloodline, I have had nothing more to do with them. What ancestors are there to disown?"
"You..."
THUMP.
Chen Yang kicked out, sending Chen Junhua plumting from the city gate tower to hang suspended in midair. He held his spear, pointing it diagonally toward the southern sky.
His cold eyes stared down impassively at the Chen Family Ancestral Mansion, which had been thrown into utter chaos.
"Mother, your son has co to avenge you."
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