"Before I, Fu Baoguo, was ambushed by the Art of Soul Shifting, I, Fu Baoguo, was an iron-blooded man, loyal to Yutang, loyal to my motherland! If it wasn't out of my control, I, Fu Baoguo, wouldn't betray my country even if I were to be crushed into pieces! How much do you know about all this? I didn't want to say all this initially. What's done is done. No matter what my original intention was, what my true intentions were, the reality is that the Nine Supremes are in danger because of me. I'm willing to pay the price for it, it's reasonable. However, Lord Supreme Wind wants to strip away even the last bit of my dignity. Isn't this too much? "
Yun Yang asked sharply, "Too much? Is it really too much? You said that you were ambushed by the Art of Soul Shifting and you had no choice. I'll assume that you're telling the truth. However, the first time can be involuntary, but what did you do after that? Did you tell them about what happened to you, about how you had no choice? Old Sir Fang, Old Sir Qiu, you can talk to these people, explain what you've done, how you were persecuted. Did you tell them? "
"Once or twice, you didn't tell them! You allowed your uncontrollable words and actions to harm Yutang's warriors. Your so-called involuntary act isn't an excuse for your inaction! "
"Also, when Yang Botao asked you for information, you weren't controlled by the Art of Soul Shifting then, were you? But you still leaked the information! Was that also forced by the Four Seasons Tower? "
"Until my brothers were killed, you know very well what you've done before and after. Was it really involuntary?"
"Have you ever made up for it?"
"Have you ever thought of making up for it?"
"After the Nine Supremes were killed, the millions of Empire of Yutang's warriors retreated on the battlefield, countless of our brothers died under the blades. What have you done?"
"You and Jiang Zhong have met secretly many times. In the past year, you've met as many as eight times. Were these meetings involuntarily?"
"He Hanqing had only used the Art of Soul Shifting to control your mind three times, only three times. These experiences of the Art of Soul Shifting can prove that you didn't intend to be rebellious, but how do you explain what happened after that? Do you still want to say that it was involuntary? "
"Fu Baoguo!"
"No matter what you say, you're just a coward!"
Yun Yang said sharply, "Why did the elders of the Fu Family give you the name Fu Baoguo back then? Fu Baoguo, you say that I'm too much, that I'm stingy with a piece of clothing. Let me ask you, if you die now, how will you face your ancestors? Can you really look at your own name with a clear conscience?! Just one sentence is enough to erase all the charges?! "
"You're a citizen of Yutang, a soldier of Yutang, a general of the military, the next appointed successor of the Grand Commandant. Ask yourself, who have you let down for what you've done these two years?"
"For the country, for the family, for others, and for yourself, which one are you worthy of?!"
"Should I give up on myself after falling into someone's trap? After being dragged into the quagmire, would he willingly dive deeper into the quagmire and sink? Don't you even have the courage to come out? "
"Watching the warriors die in battle, their families wailing in anguish, you sell your family's assets and send silver taels over secretly. Can it really make up for the guilt in your heart?"
"You've been helping the Four Seasons Tower to pass on information, but at the same time, you sell your family's assets to compensate the families of the fallen warriors. Fu Baoguo, don't you think that your actions are strange?"
"You've said it yourself just now, that the Fu Family is a family of generals, but how can you let down the loyal souls of your ancestors?"
Fu Baoguo trembled.
The murderous intent in Yun Yang's heart grew, but he was still hesitant, unable to make up his mind.
Although Yun Yang's words were filled with disdain towards Fu Baoguo's actions, belittling him to the point that he was worthless, Fu Baoguo was truly helpless in the beginning. He had been controlled by He Hanqing's Art of Soul Shifting from the beginning to the end, doing things that went against his will time and time again. Gradually, he had no choice but to act as the enemy's accomplice. It was pitiful.
Most importantly, other than Fu Baoguo's indirect participation in the Nine Supremes' matter, he really did not do anything else, especially the information regarding Yutang's military. He had never leaked any of it. Otherwise, with Fu Baoguo's identity and status, he would not have to worry about being discovered even if he had secretly made a copy of Yutang's war strategy.
If he were to be killed, it would more or less be a pity.
Besides, Yutang's military could no longer afford to lose him. The morale of Yutang's military could not take the blow of knowing that such a pillar of support was actually a spy!
The green shadow of the wind swirled as Yun Yang's voice drifted over, "Fu Baoguo, you know your sins very well. I won't kill you today, but I hope that your final destination is to die in the battlefield. This can preserve your family's reputation and loyalty for generations, and it can also be considered as paying for your sins! "
"Your family will return safely to the Residence of Fu tomorrow morning."
"Fu Baoguo, take care!"
"Yutang's military can no longer afford to lose a great general …"
As Yun Yang's voice drifted away, the green whirlwind rose from the ground and soared into the sky like a raging dragon, dissipating into thin air.
He had left, just like that!
He had left, just like that.
"I'll confess my crimes tomorrow!" Fu Baoguo murmured, "I'll wait for His Majesty's punishment!"
A voice drifted over from the sky, "No one is asking you to confess your crimes! There have been too many troubles in the country during this period of time, too many traitors. The military's morale is already unstable and the people are anxious. If even you, Fu Baoguo, become a spy … then it's not a good thing for Yutang's people. "
"I hope that you're going to make up for it and not die. Your final destination can't be a hasty slaughter, use the rest of your life to defend Yutang's border!"
"Since you've sincerely repented, then … you should think of how to make up for it, to make it up to you!"
Supreme Wind's voice drifted into Fu Baoguo's ears once again.
Fu Baoguo was overwhelmed with emotions. He stood there, trembling, his face filled with guilt. His expression kept changing; after a while, he suddenly sat down on the ground, hugging his head with both hands, choking with sobs that gradually turned into wailing.
This great general who had been through hundreds of battles for his entire life, even if he were to be beheaded, it might not make his expression change. However, at this moment, he was wailing like a child.
…
The morning assembly of the next day.
Fu Baoguo submitted a petition, requesting to be sent out to guard the eastern border.
Tie Zheng going to the north was an expedient move. After all, Yang Botao had just passed away and the northern troop needed a capable general to hold the fort. However, the Empire of Yutang's biggest enemy and the most dangerous opponent was still Dongxuan!
The Empire of Dongxuan had produced many famous generals and was even guarded by the God of War, Han Sanhe. Dongxuan's defense line could be said to be the most dangerous in the Empire of Yutang!
The civil and military officials in the imperial court had been having a headache over this candidate.
When Fu Baoguo took the initiative to suggest it, the eyes of the civil and military officials in the imperial court brightened.
Fu Baoguo's ability was not only sufficient. Strictly speaking, his prestige, battle achievements, and military merit were even higher than Tie Zheng's, close to the three military elders. It was because of this that he was the appointed successor of the military, the person who would take over the position of Grand Commandant after the old Grand Commandant and take charge of the imperial court.
However, it was also because of Fu Baoguo's high merit, military merit, and prestige in the military that if he were to be only a marshal, there would inevitably be the suspicion of being suppressed. In addition, the old Grand Commandant would not be able to hold on much longer; he could not do without this successor!
Therefore, everyone wanted to choose Fu Baoguo, but no one would suggest for him to be stationed at the northern border.
However, now that Fu Baoguo had suggested it himself, the situation was vastly different.
His Majesty rewarded Fu Baoguo's request and approved the petition immediately.
Fu Baoguo's actions were swift and decisive. On the morning of the third day, he ordered for the army to set off and set off.
Old Grand Commandant and Old Marshal Qiu and Old Marshal Leng came out of the city to send him off personally.
Looking at Fu Baoguo in his military attire, the three elders sighed with emotion.
"Take care!"
Old Grand Commandant Fang had always favored this personal disciple, the successor of his legacy. Ignoring Marshal Qiu and Leng who were beside him, he uttered word by word, "Baoguo, facing Han Sanhe is an extremely dangerous matter. You must plan well and remember these words!"
"Please instruct me, teacher."
"Don't ask for meritorious service!" Old Grand Commandant Fang enunciated each word clearly, "Only ask for no mistakes! It's already a great merit to be able to protect Han Sanhe from harm. Don't be greedy and advance recklessly! "
"Yes!"
Fu Baoguo bowed in agreement.
Old Marshal Qiu took a step forward, his eyes gleaming as he looked at Fu Baoguo.
In Yun Yang's report, he had directly deleted the part about Fu Baoguo from His Majesty's side, but he did not hide it from Qiu Jianhan, telling him everything.
In spite of this, there were only three people in the entire empire who knew that Fu Baoguo was once controlled – Yun Yang, Shui Wuyin, and Qiu Jianhan.
"Does Old Marshal Qiu have anything else to say?" Fu Baoguo asked calmly.
Qiu Jianhan sucked in a deep breath. "Baoguo, sometimes, it's harder to be alive than dead! Some things can only be done when you're alive! I hope you remember this old man's words. Yutang's eastern border is entrusted to you! "
Fu Baoguo's heart skipped a beat, almost tearing up. He nodded repeatedly. "Old Marshal, I will remember! Even if I die, I will ensure that the eastern border is not lost! "
The banners fluttered.
The army departed.
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind howled in the air. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh …
All the flags fluttered in the wind at the same time!
The soldiers of the three armies were energized, lifting their heads in unison.
Fu Baoguo suppressed the churning emotions in his heart and looked up.
High up in the sky, a giant tornado that connected heaven and earth reappeared. A silhouette appeared vaguely amidst the wind. "Marshal Fu, take care! This is a dangerous journey. On behalf of the eight brothers, Feng is here to send the army off! "
"Thank you, Lord Supreme Wind!"
Fu Baoguo's tears streamed down his cheeks as he bowed deeply and said sonorously, "Even if Fu Baoguo's body is crushed, I will defend the empire's eastern border! As long as I have a breath left, I will stop Dongxuan's iron hooves outside the empire's territory! "
"With this heart and this body, I serve the country with utter loyalty. My vow is unwavering until death!"
… …
I've hesitated for a long, long time on this chapter.
If it were to be a straightforward web novel, it should be killed. However, I've thought about it for a long time and finally scrapped the completed chapter at around six o 'clock this afternoon, changing it to what it is now.
It's tiring, and I don't know if you'll accept it.
If you accept it, cast a few monthly votes. If you don't, don't cast a monthly vote.
I'll see the increase in votes tomorrow and I'll know what you think.
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