As night fell, the 200,000 n from Hanyun Valley, personally led by Chen Yang, were ambushed by an enemy encirclent 40 miles from the Barbarian Capital. The two armies clashed directly. They slaughtered 150,000 enemy soldiers and pursued the survivors.
Fifteen miles from the capital, they caught up to the enemy's Heavy Armored Cavalry Guard. Chen Yang imdiately divided his forces into four columns to reduce their density. Arming them with Horse-Slaying Sabers, he launched a pincer attack from the east, south, and west, with three vertical and three horizontal charges that tore through the battlefield.
All six Martial Guard divisions reported victory.
By noon the next day, they had convened at the Barbarian Capital. Under Ning Kun's command, the Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon battle flag was planted firmly in the city.
The battle report thus concluded, and the entire nation erupted in celebration. The sound of drums and gongs filled the air, and fireworks thundered. The festivities were many tis livelier than any festival.
「Lingjin City」
In the Qin Corporation's Sales Departnt, Hou Qiang stood on a chair and passionately declared, spittle flying, "Listen up, you newcors! The Supre Martial Commander is my brother! Back in the day, we..."
「Qiyun Road, the Qin Royal Family」
Old King Qin, Qin Lie, stood by the banks of the Lingjin River, head held high and chest puffed out, boisterously proclaiming, "A golden scale is no creature of the pond; it transforms into a dragon upon eting the wind and clouds."
「A pharmaceutical sales company in Cangyun City」
Zhou Yufei, dressed in professional attire, stood before the office's floor-to-ceiling window and grinned. "You are my hero, and the hero of this land."
「An elentary school in Hanyun Valley」
Li Si, dressed in simple cloth, stood at the front of the classroom. After a mont lost in thought, he smiled. "Today, I will tell you all a story about a hero."
「Nann City, a certain residential complex」
"I always knew this kid wouldn't let us down!" Jin Zheng's old face was flushed red as he laughed heartily.
Wu Xing agreed, "When has he ever disappointed us?"
"It's ti to redraw the Map of Mountains and Rivers."
Qin Qiu stood quietly at her front gate, gazing toward Hanyun Valley. Caressing her stomach, she murmured, "Do you see? Your father is a great hero."
「Seven days later」
The Barbarians were completely pacified.
Inside the Hanyun Valley garrison, Chen Yang personally took up his brush and wrote countless spirit tablets.
"Boss, you haven't slept in days. Let do it."
"Go get so rest. Let us handle it," Liu Wu and Yang Hu urged from the side.
This was their countless attempt to persuade him over the past seven days. But the man—his eyes bloodshot, his face a ghastly pale, his lips so dry they had cracked, and the hand holding the brush trembling slightly—only responded by shaking his head.
"Cough, cough." A violent coughing fit brought up flecks of blood, which he casually wiped away with the back of his hand. "I'm almost finished. Arrange for them to be delivered to each family, door to door."
"Yes, sir!"
Yang Hu, a man who would bleed before he'd cry, turned away. His eyes, however, were now brimming with tears, and he choked back a sob.
「The next morning」
The tablets, personally inscribed by Chen Yang, were escorted from Hanyun Valley by a special detail and delivered to the family of each fallen hero.
In addition to the official stipends, Chen Yang, Yang Hu, and Liu Wu pooled all of their personal savings, adding every last penny they had.
Dark clouds lood overhead, and the wind howled like a blade.
Chen Yang went alone to the vast wasteland near Phoenix Water Mountain, where dark, dried blood had stained the earth a deep brown, completely changing its color.
THUMP.
Chen Yang fell to his knees, his head bowed low. He didn't speak a word. He just knelt there.
A torrential rain began to pour.
Chen Yang remained as still as a statue, unmoving as the wind and rain battered him.
"You... you shouldn't have co..."
So many of them had already built their own lives. People like Ning Kun, who had family, a lover, and dreams. Simple and ordinary. This, in essence, was happiness.
And yet, a war for the nation, a single call to arms, had made them resolutely abandon everything they had to throw themselves fearlessly onto the battlefield.
Who among them didn't know that their chances of survival were next to none?
But no one hesitated.
On the charge, no one showed fear. There was only killing intent for the enemy and the fervent pulse of their own blood.
"You are the true heroes of this land."
THUD.
Chen Yang slamd his forehead into the ground.
"My boys will not have died in vain. Your nas will be engraved on the Monunt of Heroic Spirit in every city, for future generations to admire."
The Yi River runs cold under the west wind's chill. Their robes were white as snow, the heroes' tragic song yet unfinished. Do you not see the million valiant spirits who slumber here? They are the ones who, with flesh, blood, and bone, guarded these thousands of miles of rivers and mountains.
CRACK.
Chen Yang picked up a jar of wine and broke the clay seal. He poured out bowl after bowl of strong liquor.
Young faces flickered through his mind like slides in a projector, one after another. They were all so young, all in their pri.
"Brothers, I toast to you!"
Through the endless cycles of ti, the sun remains unchanged. You shall live on for eternity.
"I once swore that for the rest of my life, even if I must make an enemy of the world, I would see your nas honored! How can heroes remain unsung?"
Whether they are the top aristocrats or the self-proclaid royals, I will drag down every last one who dares to erase your existence from their divine altars. We conquered this Myriad Mile Territory, yet there is no place for us to stand? That makes no sense.
"A man's promise is beyond the reach of ten thousand horses."
SHIING!
Chen Yang shot to his feet. The mont he looked up, it was as if a blade had been unsheathed, tearing through the gloomy sky as the dark clouds churned.
The business that was left unfinished a year ago... will now be settled!
「Three days later」
The Martial Guards dispersed, each returning to their original post. So, however, removed their uniforms for good and returned to their hotowns. Soldiers co and go, but the barracks remain. It was a normal part of military life.
Of the Hanyun Valley Martial Guard, 200,000 chose to leave. The rest were tasked with defending the new territory of the Barbarians. Before long, with a constant influx of new recruits, this army of dragons and tigers would return to its forr peak.
Chen Yang also prepared to leave.
However...
Yang Hu hurried over, his expression grim. He gave Liu Wu a aningful look, and Liu Wu raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
"Sothing's co up," Yang Hu said, getting straight to the point. "Luo Yunhai has been dismissed. A new candidate has been put forward."
"The details are still unclear, but they say this person's title is the Falcon Master."
The Falcon Master? Is he specifically ant to counter the Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon? Not even a month has passed since the war, yet they're already pushing such a figure forward. Isn't the targeting a little too obvious? How could people not read into this?
"There are also rumors that he will give the Boss a 'warm welco'."
Seeing Chen Yang's silence, Liu Wu couldn't contain his fury and scoffed, "Is that bastard planning to play out a 'banquet to relieve us of our command'?"
"I'm just a commoner. What military power do I have to be relieved of?" Chen Yang said.
"But he..." Liu Wu started.
Chen Yang waved his hand to cut him off. He stood before the barracks with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing in the direction of Cangyun City. "I was planning to make a trip to the Elders' Court anyway."
"There are so people who, even if they've retired, I will drag out and demand an explanation!"
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