From the misty region, the figure of Zhao Jiandu slowly emerged. He slightly squinted, seemingly unaccustomed to the bright sunlight of Qinland, and then exhaled a breath, casting a glance at the garrison in the fortress.
That one glance was not taken lightly; every soldier in the garrison felt a tightness in their hearts as if grasped by an invisible hand, causing an unbearable discomfort. Instantly, many soldiers collapsed on the city walls. An old general, his face pale, clutched his chest and muttered, “This pressure, it must be comparable to that of a Heavenly King!”
Zhao Jiandu reined in some of his murderous aura, but a thick, dark green force still coiled around him, like a raging fire. This primordial force was extremely domineering, creating a dead zone within dozens of meters, making it impossible for anyone to approach.
Zhao Jiandu looked up, staring at the fortress, and said, “I have injuries, and I need to suppress them with primordial force.”
An elderly man with white hair and beard on the main tower of the fortress responded, “No worries! Lord Jiandu is a pillar of the nation, and you should take care of yourself.”
Zhao Jiandu nodded without a word, then took to the air, disappearing into the horizon in an instant, leaving behind a thick, dark green trail.
On the main tower, a middle-aged general watched the fading trail in the sky and whispered, “Commander Zhang, do you think… Zhao Jiandu has practiced dark primordial force?”
The old man snorted and said, “Nonsense! He practices the Way of Tempering True Gold, aiming to defy fate, which is known to all.”
“But look, this Tempering True Gold method seems awfully like black magic. Moreover, what’s this Tempering True Gold? Isn’t it just something the Zhao Clan claims? And, judging by his demeanor, it doesn’t seem like he’s suppressing his injuries; it feels more like a show of force!”
The corner of the old man’s eye twitched imperceptibly, and he said, “If you keep talking so recklessly, and it gets to the Zhao Clan, I won’t be able to protect you.”
The middle-aged man quickly replied, “I’m only saying this in front of you!”
In the capital, the gates of the Zhao Mansion were tightly shut, and the mansion was deathly silent. Suddenly, a thunderclap echoed in the sky, and the mansion dimmed. The servants, accustomed to this, continued with their tasks unperturbed.
Zhao Jiandu appeared at the door of his study, pushed it open, and sat down at the desk. Immediately, an attendant brought tea and a clean robe, saying, “My lord, the medicinal bath is ready. Would you like to bathe and change first?”
“Very well. What news do we have recently?”
“There’s a letter from Yonglu.”
Zhao Jiandu, who had already headed towards the bath, stopped and said, “Bring the letter here.”
The attendant rushed off, returned swiftly, and presented the envelope. Zhao Jiandu opened it, and the more he read, the darker his expression grew. After finishing, he huffed and said, “Prepare my armor. I need to go to the military department.”
The attendant dared not disobey and was about to go when a person emerged from the corner of the corridor, calmly saying, “What are you going to the military department for?”
It was the Duke of Yōu, Zhao Xuanji. Zhao Jiandu first bowed, then said, “Naturally, to see who is plotting against our Zhao Clan after the Longevity King.”
Zhao Xuanji frowned, looking at the dark aura surrounding Zhao Jiandu, and said, “Is your Tempering True Gold method too aggressive?”
Zhao Jiandu replied, “My mind is a bit agitated, but I can still control it.”
Zhao Xuanji pointed at the dark aura and said, “And what is this? Our Zhao Clan’s techniques do not involve such things.”
Zhao Jiandu said calmly, “Purple gives birth to blue, and what comes after the extreme of blue? Any color, when taken to the extreme, becomes black.”
“Does this contain dark primordial force?”
“Not just dark primordial force, but also malice, killing intent, and the essence of flesh and blood. All mixed together, combined with my blue aura, it forms this.”
Zhao Xuanji gave him a deep look and said slowly, “This is not the right path.”
“The right path is already closed.”
Zhao Jiandu’s words carried a double meaning. Zhao Xuanji sighed and said, “In your current state, it’s better not to go to the military department.”
A slight smile played on Zhao Jiandu’s lips, and he said, “I have killed too many dark races to become like this. What, someone finds it objectionable?”
Zhao Xuanji sighed again, “Follow me. It’s been a long time since we, the old and the young, have had tea together.”
“Never happened before.”
Zhao Xuanji shook his head helplessly, “Everyone in the Cheng En Gong Mansion has the same temperament. No wonder it’s always Gaoyi who has to clean up the mess.”
Hearing the mention of his mother’s name, the dark aura around Zhao Jiandu receded somewhat as he followed Zhao Xuanji into the tea room. Zhao Xuanji took out a small wooden box, carefully poured out a few tea leaves, and began to brew the tea with great focus.
Zhao Jiandu remained silent and still, waiting quietly. Looking at the dark aura jumping around him, it was clear that staying still was no easy task.
After a while, Zhao Xuanji finally brewed a cup of tea and handed it to him. Zhao Jiandu took it and drank it all, and the dark aura around him instantly dissipated like snow under the sun.
Zhao Jiandu bowed deeply and thanked him.
Zhao Xuanji waved his hand, “Although we are of different generations, our statuses are now equivalent. Besides, our Zhao Clan does not fuss over formalities. No need for such courtesy.”
With the dark aura gone, blood began to seep through Zhao Jiandu’s robe. He looked down, applied a bit of primordial force, and stopped the bleeding, saying, “Actually, these impurities enhance my killing power.”
“Small gains, great harm. Not worth it.” Zhao Xuanji’s expression turned serious, “Are you going to the military department because of the tax on exporting military supplies?”
“What else could it be?”
“This is a precedent from the past. Otherwise, during wartime, if the prices of supplies skyrocket and the major clans secretly export and sell them, how could we manage?”
Zhao Jiandu said, “I understand the logic, but besides Yonglu, where are there large-scale exports of supplies? Why would the Imperial Guard Fleet choose to guard the route to Yonglu instead of other places? Do I need to spell it out?”
Zhao Xuanji remained composed, “But they have the moral high ground.”
“There are many ways to argue logic.” Zhao Jiandu sneered.
Zhao Xuanji stroked his beard, “Logic has already been laid out.”
“Oh, really? How so?”
Zhao Xuanji said slowly, “In a few days, an edict will come down, bestowing the title of Duke of Rong upon you.”
Zhao Jiandu raised his eyebrows, “This title is quite unexpected!”
The title of Duke of Rong was a great honor, evident from the character “Rong” itself. Comparing it to Zhao Wei Huang’s title made it even clearer.
According to tradition, any title with “Duke” in it was usually hereditary, as long as the family could maintain its territory, even if their military achievements were slightly inferior. Duke of Weilu, Song Zhongnian, was a good example.
If the title of Duke of Rong truly matched the status, it would mean the Zhao Clan would have four dukes, similar to the Zhang Clan. The only difference would be Zhang Boqian, the Prince of Qingyang.
Though Zhao Jiandu had advanced to the rank of Divine General, he had suffered a blow to his foundation, and it was generally believed that his future was bleak. In such a situation, the Empire’s usual practice was to bestow a non-hereditary duke title or, as currently, a marshal rank, leading the army in battle. By the time he aged, his descendants could inherit a marquis title.
This was the normal treatment for a Divine General with no bright future.
Zhao Jiandu, being very astute, thought for a moment and sneered, “So, it’s this trade-off! Has the meat of Yonglu become so rich?”
Zhao Xuanji sighed, “Not trading was not an option. They invoked morality and ancestral precedent, making a strong case both emotionally and logically.”
“Whose emotion and logic? Qian Ye alone held back the entire Morass werewolves in the New World. Isn’t that a significant contribution?”
“The Morass werewolves are right next to Qian Ye. He has no choice but to hold them back. That’s not a condition for negotiation.”
“Are they not afraid that Qian Ye will cut off their supply? Without his continuous supply of tree sap, we would never have been able to gather an army to match the dark races, and we wouldn’t have the situation we have today!”
Zhao Xuanji sighed, “Gathering the army is one thing, and your and Zining’s command in battle is another. Even I believe that your and Zining’s contributions are more important.”
“I…”
Before Zhao Jiandu could finish, Zhao Xuanji shook his head, “Regardless of what they do, you and Zining will fight for the Empire. So, that’s not a condition for negotiation.”
Zhao Jiandu huffed and said coldly, “They sure know how to read people’s minds! But have they calculated whether they can have a good ending after this war?”
“What do you think?” Zhao Xuanji asked in return.
“Who exactly are they?”
Zhao Xuanji said, “Before the decision was made, the case was sent to the Extreme Pole Prince’s Mansion. His Highness reviewed it and said eight words: ‘Beneficial to the country, the greater good prevails.'”
Zhao Jiandu was greatly surprised, “The Extreme Pole Prince? Why would he…”
Zhao Xuanji explained, “Many people know about Qian Ye’s special relationship with the old prince. Perhaps that’s why they sent the case to him for a decision.”
Zhao Jiandu pondered in silence for a long time before saying, “Do you think this might be the old prince’s idea?”
“Strong branches and weak trunk, that’s not the way either,” Zhao Xuanji said meaningfully.
Zhao Jiandu’s aura slowly subsided, and he said, “If that’s the case, I won’t go to the military department.”
With that, he stood up. Zhao Xuanji asked, “Where are you going?”
“Back to the New World. I won’t be able to swallow this anger until I destroy the demonic clan’s fortress.”
Zhao Xuanji did not stop him and said, “Very well, I’ll send someone to the Extreme Pole Prince’s Mansion to inform them.”
Shortly after, Zhao Jiandu, dressed in his armor, boarded the aerial ship and set off for the New World.
At that moment, the Extreme Pole Prince was sipping tea and reading. Upon hearing the attendant’s report, he thought for a moment and muttered, “This young fellow, perhaps he has guessed something, and that’s why he’s so unforgiving. Very well, my old bones have been idle for too long. It’s time to meet an old friend.”
He stood up, gave a few instructions, and left the mansion, floating away.
Several days later, a piece of news spread like a thunderbolt, shocking the entire Empire.
Zhao Jiandu and Song Zining led their troops straight into battle, decisively defeating the demonic clan and capturing the Mesfield Fortress, completely expelling this noble demonic clan from the New World. Meanwhile, the Mesfield patriarch, in a desperate attempt to turn the tide, engaged the Extreme Pole Prince.
Two of the world’s top powerhouses clashed in the New World, marking the first duel between a Heavenly King and a Great Monarch. The result was a fierce backlash from the malevolent forces of the New World, leaving both injured.
Though the Extreme Pole Prince and the Mesfield patriarch did not determine a winner, the demonic clan was expelled from the New World, a complete and utter defeat.
After this battle, Zhao Jiandu once again became famous throughout the Empire, unmatched in his glory.
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