"His Majesty will be here soon. Just thinking about it makes me excited," said the younger of the two veterans who were chatting on the city gate tower.
It had been seven days since Abagua's death. Everyone in Rong City had heard about it. Only then did they know that their great emperor had personally risked his life to prevent the Desolate race from holding the Fire Worship Festival. He had even killed Abagua in one fell swoop, eliminating any future threats.
Everyone who heard the news was extremely excited, shouting "Long live the emperor" on the spot.
After all, everyone living in Rong City, be they commoners or nobles, soldiers or generals, worried day and night. They were afraid that one day, Rong City's gates would be knocked open by the Desolate in their sleep. There were also many people whose friends and family had died in the hands of the Desolate race, so all of them hated Abagua to the core. Now that Abagua was dead, although their hatred had not been completely resolved, the Desolate race was now in charge, and they had signed a covenant with the dynasty that would never be violated.
The covenant might not be violated, but the Desolate race had lost experts like the High Priest and Abagua. Even if they were to go to war, they were definitely not the dynasty's match. Therefore, anyone with a little common sense knew that the war was over.
The war was over. This was a magical word. It meant that they no longer had to fight to the death with the alien races. It meant that they could go home.
Many people burst into tears when they heard the news.
Another old soldier holding a spear also secretly shed tears, but now he had a calm look on his face as he said, "Don't be agitated, it's not the first time you've seen our Majesty create a miracle."
A recruit beside him could not help but say, "I heard that His Majesty's assassination plan failed. The person who saved the situation and killed Abagua was a college student. I think his name is Yan Li?"
The veteran said disdainfully, "Hmph, if not for Lady Huaibi beating Abagua half to death, how could a mere student have the chance to succeed?"
The recruit had not experienced Zhang Huaibi's power, nor did he know Zhang Shi's status in Rong City. He said hesitantly, "But I heard that when Abagua died, he was completely unharmed. He was beheaded by Yan Li."
The slightly younger veteran said, "You don't understand. Lady Huai Bi has always kept a low profile, so she naturally wouldn't stand out to refute the rumors. No matter how much nonsense that brat Yan Li spouts, everyone can only listen to him. Moreover, they're all His Majesty's subjects. Although he killed Abagua, it might have been arranged by His Majesty. Otherwise, how could he have killed an expert on the Asura List? "
"Not bad." The veteran nodded in agreement. "His Majesty is far-sighted and has arranged for him to make the final killing move. This is called knowing people well and making good use of them."
Sometimes, the truth was not important. People always liked to worship things that were related to their own interests as the truth and exclude all dissenters. Even if Zhang Huaibi told him the truth herself, he would definitely think that she was being modest and that she was a senior helping a junior.
Therefore, what was important was not what the truth was, but what the will of the people was.
It was just like when a commoner and a hero both said that they had done a great thing, but people were more willing to believe in the hero because it was more in line with their own interests. Only heroes could do great things. How could a commoner like him do it? If he wanted them to believe in commoners, it would be tantamount to admitting his own incompetence.
It was no easier to make them admit their incompetence than to ask them to die.
"Look, look!" the recruit suddenly shouted in excitement.
The irregular sound of hooves could be heard from below the horizon. The orange setting sun shone down from the right side of the horizon, as if to welcome the arrival, covering the ground in gold. Elongated shadows gradually extended across the golden ground.
The first thing that came out was a flag. On it was the national emblem of the Grand Xia Empire. It was an iris flower.
The iris flower was a symbol of light and freedom. Therefore, the first law that the founding ancestor had set down was that the sale of slaves was not allowed. Throughout the previous dynasties, there had never been a dynasty where the people had more freedom than the current one. All commoners could travel freely between prefectures. Only migration required the approval of the government.
The people carrying the flag were originally slaves. Now, they were walking with their heads held high and their chests puffed out for the sake of their status as citizens of the Grand Xia Empire.
In the middle of the long procession was Ji Zhiyuan, dressed in a plain white robe. She rode on a horse, looking straight ahead. She naturally exuded a kind of peaceful dignity, as well as a constant state of not being happy by material gain or sad by personal gain.
Shen Liuyun and Zhang Huaibi were also riding on their horses, walking on her left and right. They were like her bodyguards.
Yan Li was following behind, lying lazily on the back of the horse with his legs crossed. He was snoring softly, obviously in a good sleep.
Li Rulong walked beside him. Because he felt that he didn't contribute at all in this war, he didn't dare to ride a horse even if he had one. He prevented Yan Li from falling off the horse and said softly, "Benefactor, wake up. We have arrived at Rong City. It's not good for people to see you like this. They will say that you are arrogant and unruly …"
Yan Li turned over and continued to close his eyes. He said lazily, "Will I be promoted and rich if they don't say that?"
Li Rulong smiled bitterly, "You killed Azali and Abagua, and your achievements are unparalleled. It's not a problem for you to become a marquis or a general. But you should also have the self-awareness of a hero and pay attention to your image."
Yan Li sneered, "A bandit will always be a bandit. No one will think of you as a hero. Even if there is, it will only be a small part of the population. This very small part doesn't even have a chance to speak."
Li Rulong sighed and didn't know how to reply.
To convince Yan Li, one must first have more or at least the same experience as him. In some aspects, Yan Li was so experienced that he didn't seem like a young man at all.
"If you don't sit up, I will cook for you every day," Shen Liuyun said lightly.
Yan Li immediately sat up straight and said seriously, "From today onwards, I have decided to learn the skill of fasting from you."
Li Rulong sighed again. It was true that everything had its vanquisher.
Before the procession arrived at the main gate of Rong City, the soldiers and civilians inside had already rushed out cheering. They ran for more than ten miles to see their great emperor.
From the moment the gate opened, the cheers never stopped. It was so noisy that Yan Li wanted to stuff their mouths with stinky socks.
At this time, they arrived at the gate. Zhang Zhidong led dozens of soldiers and personally came out to welcome them. The people who were carrying the flags in front of them immediately split into two sides. Zhang Zhidong led his people to walk in front of Ji Zhiyuan and knelt down on one knee. "Welcome, Your Majesty."
"Welcome, Your Majesty!" The soldiers behind him shouted in unison. Everyone's eyes were filled with respect.
Ji Zhiyuan dismounted from his horse and walked quickly to help Zhang Zhidong up. "Everyone, please get up. We can talk in the city."
Since even she dismounted, Yan Li had no choice but to do the same. He suddenly realized that Ma Guanshan and Lianhai Changjin were also in the procession. They were looking at him with a strange and sad expression.
From their eyes, Yan Li had a premonition that something bad had happened. He didn't know what it was, but it was enough for him to be vigilant.
The fact that the two of them were here meant that the battle in Bing Province was going smoothly. The Western Liang must have received the news and retreated. What exactly happened that made them disobey the imperial edict and come all the way to Rong City?
While he was thinking, he didn't notice that someone was staring at him.
"This must be Brother Yan who killed Aguba. As expected of a rising star on the Heaven's Chosen Roll. We had some misunderstandings earlier. Why don't you come to my humble abode with His Majesty to have some food and wine to resolve the misunderstanding?" Zhang Zhidong stood up and said with a smile.
Yan Li put on a fake smile and said, "I'm sorry. I just decided to learn the skill of fasting from you."
"Yan Li, don't be rude to the Marshal," Shen Liuyun reprimanded him with a frown. He then turned to Zhang Zhidong and said, "Marshal, my student isn't very sensible. Please don't take offense."
Zhang Zhidong smiled warmly and said, "You know that this old man especially admires talented youngsters. Is the wine in this old man's residence not enough to attract Brother Yan? "
Yan Li said in surprise, "Kid, why do I hear that you have a prejudice against cultivators? It's better to meet them in person than to know them by their reputation. Don't you like them very much? There are always some people who like to spread rumors. Those people should really be captured and their tongues cut off. What do you think? "
His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear clearly.
The expression of a general behind Zhang Zhidong changed as he shouted, "What an arrogant kid. The Marshal is giving you some face by treating you to a meal. You're just a mere bandit. Do you really think you're some big shot?"
Yan Li sneered and said, "What? You want to kidnap me?"
"No one can go against the Marshal's will!" the general said coldly.
"Oh?" Yan Li said, "So you're saying that His Majesty can't go even if he doesn't want to?"
The general's face immediately flushed red as he said angrily, "What kind of status does His Majesty have? Of course he can come and go as he pleases!"
Yan Li said, "Then you mean that you're determined to get rid of a worthless minor figure like me?" He looked like he had made up his mind to go all the way. The atmosphere immediately became tense.
Ji Zhiyuan looked on coldly from the sidelines, neither stopping nor participating.
"Brother Yan, long time no see." Just then, Lianhai Changjin and Ma Guanshan suddenly stepped out of the ranks. They first bowed to Ji Zhiyuan before pulling on him, saying, "It's been so long. Why don't we have a drink together?"
Lianhai Changjin shot him a look in secret.
Ma Guanshan said in a low voice, "Yan Li, since we're classmates, you should at least leave some face for my teacher."
Yan Li frowned, then smiled and said, "Fine. Since everyone is going, wouldn't it be disappointing if I don't go?"
"That's good." Zhang Zhidong smiled as he gestured for Ji Zhiyuan to walk in front. He then slowly followed them.
Yan Li followed them while looking at Lianhai Changjin and Ma Guanshan. He said, "Weren't you guys in Bing Province? Why did you suddenly come to Rong City?"
"Ye Qing is dead," Ma Guanshan said.
Yan Li paused for a moment before continuing forward. "How did she die?"
Lianhai Changjin said, "It's said that she was killed by an assassin while protecting the Marshal."
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