Cangyun City.

On the banks of Weiyang Lake, rows of immense, moss-covered ancient camphor trees stood tall. Between them, mottled red walls were faintly visible, exuding an aura of endless ages past.

Very few people knew that within these red walls lay the nerve center of the Martial Department: the Elders' Court.

Several quaint courtyards were tastefully arranged, and every inch of the air was filled with a solemn atmosphere.

In the center was the main council hall.

Before a massive desk, three men, all well past the age of seventy but showing no hint of decrepitude, stood or sat in silence with varied expressions.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

The Elder seated at the head of the table tapped the desk with his knuckles. "Some things are best decided without personal feelings involved. The matter is settled."

"Wu Xing, you will draft the document. The eight hundred thousand Martial Guards of Hanyun Valley will be reorganized into four divisions, each led by a commander. The eight-hundred-li border of Hanyun Valley will be divided among them, with each man responsible for two hundred li."

"And what about Chen Yang?" asked Wu Xing, the man in black brocade who stood beside him, his eyes fixed on the territorial map on the wall.

The head Elder, the Great Elder of the Elders' Court, stated flatly, "As has been made perfectly clear, his status is pending. Further arrangements will be made at a later date."

Pending... This is undoubtedly a dismissal!

The rank of Nine Gates Admiral was already the highest military position. Even if another appointment came later, how could it possibly be higher? After this, Chen Yang's current status and power were destined to vanish, reducing him to a mere commoner.

"So you're stripping him of his post?" Wu Xing shook his head. "Great Elder, you tell us not to involve personal feelings, but I ask you to look into your heart and ask yourself if that is not exactly what you are doing."

"If you dismiss him, have you considered how you will explain it to the public?"

"Hmph!" The Great Elder rested one hand on the back of his chair while his other hand lay flat, his fingers tapping slowly on the desk. "We need not explain our actions to anyone."

"Furthermore, we have no need for heroes. A hero is a very dangerous thing."

"For him, stepping down at this moment is also for the best."

"How sanctimonious!" Wu Xing stormed out with a flick of his sleeves. "Find someone else to draft this document!"

The Great Elder was unfazed, his gaze shifting to the white-robed Elder.

The white-robed Elder disassembled a pistol into a pile of parts, then slowly began to reassemble it without looking up. "I've already issued a document," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "It states that the incident on the river in Lingjin City was merely a training exercise, and it extends our sincere gratitude and regards to all participating parties. He used to be the one solving our big problems. Now, we finally have a chance to clean up his mess."

"Jin Zheng, I know what you are thinking, but you should also understand why I am doing this," the Great Elder said, his composure as placid as an old well.

The man called Jin Zheng chuckled. "You are the Great Elder. You have the final say."

"However, the Martial Association is truly scum. Chen Yang was not in the wrong in this matter."

Having reassembled the pistol, Jin Zheng slowly rose to his feet and gazed out the window. "Setting all status aside, there are two things a person can never abandon: righteousness and conscience."

"I believe you also know that no matter how high he rises, Chen Yang will never become a danger."

"He once told me that even after reaching the highest echelons, he still missed the days of being a simple Martial Guard, charging into battle on the front lines."

Jin Zheng withdrew his gaze and chuckled softly. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked away, murmuring, "Are the common people of this world truly as insignificant as dust and weeds?"

The reason this era was so magnificent was that every living soul had contributed. From the elites and nobles above to the merchants and laborers below, everyone used their own skills to weave the fabric of this splendid nation.

Who, then, was the true master?

And who was merely dust?

The Great Elder remained silent, his eyes flickering with thought.

Just as Jin Zheng reached the doorway, the Great Elder finally stood up. "You should be well aware of how deep the Martial Association's connections run. If Chen Yang truly destroys it, how many people's interests will be harmed?"

"The four major Royal Families are only what's on the surface. The truly terrifying ones are those who lie dormant in the shadows. I think you know as well as I that Chen Yang's real targets are those hidden figures."

"But..." The Great Elder clasped his hands behind his back, his deep eyes fixed on the window. "How could it possibly be that simple to set things right?"

"Boss, you must also understand that some things must eventually be done by someone," Jin Zheng said, pausing at the threshold. "Since that boy, Chen Yang, has made his decision, do you truly think he hasn't considered the consequences? Or do you believe he acts only for himself?"

"One last thing: a one-thousand-li dike can be destroyed by a single anthill."

With that, Jin Zheng departed from the council hall.

"The plan remains unchanged!" the Great Elder declared resolutely. "I will draft the document myself!"

Outside the hall, Jin Zheng's body trembled slightly. He slowly lifted his head, his eyes narrowed to slits as he watched the birds soaring freely among the treetops.

No matter how the world changes, I will stand with you.

「...」

「Qiyun Road. The Qin Residence.」

The thunderous drums of war had long fallen silent. For the Qin Royal Family, however, this sudden quiet was like the calm before a storm, with dark clouds pressing down from all sides.

At the main gate, a group of Qin Family descendants stood in neat rows. The oppressive atmosphere was so heavy it was difficult to breathe.

Soon, two figures emerged from a side path.

Hmm?

Upon seeing them clearly, Qin Lie and the rest of the Qin Family raised their eyebrows in surprise.

Lord Yang? Why... why is he here?

Qin Lie hesitated for a moment before giving a slight bow. "Lord Yang."

"I told you I would pay a personal visit," Chen Yang said calmly as he approached, his cape billowing behind him. "There is something I need to discuss with you."

Instantly, wary expressions appeared on the faces of many Qin descendants.

Is this guy here to take advantage of our misfortune?

"Chen Yang!" Qin Qiu ran over and, ignoring the tense situation, clung to his arm, her delicate face alight with joy. As long as you are safe, my world is bright.

"Elder Qin, I've brought Qin Qiu and Qin Mo back to you," Chen Yang said.

Luo Sulan, however, walked straight toward Qin Lie, a fawning look on her face. "I never would have guessed that Elder Qin had such a close relationship with the Zhennan Prince! I heard the Prince is single, you know. You should really try to set him up with our Qin Qiu."

On the way over, Luo Sulan had gotten the gist of the situation from her phone. In her view, the Zhennan Prince must have personally stepped in to back Qin Lie. Given this connection, a match between Qin Qiu and the Prince wasn't impossible at all.

As for the Chen Yang standing right next to her...

Heh... Compared to the Zhennan Prince, what is a little Lord Yang worth? To put it bluntly, he's not even fit to carry the Prince's shoes!

Qin Lie's brow furrowed. What is she talking about? And with Lord Yang standing right here...

Luo Sulan, of course, knew what he was thinking and continued with a smile, "My Qin Qiu is so outstanding. Certain people are simply not worthy of her. Besides, his character is questionable—he even tried to lay a hand on me the other day."

"Just think, if Qin Qiu gets together with the Zhennan Prince, it would be an enormous benefit for our entire Qin Family, wouldn't it?"

THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.

From the end of the road, a phalanx, a sea of black, began to advance toward them. The rhythmic sound of military boots striking the ground reverberated through the air, striking fear into everyone's hearts.

They were here.

In an instant, every head snapped up, pupils constricting sharply. The entire Qin Family, including Qin Lie, held their breath, their tension at its absolute peak.

Only Luo Sulan wore a look of joyful anticipation.

"HALT!"

At the commander's shout, the disciplined formation stopped less than three meters from the Qin family's gate. The air crackled with a solemn, iron-blooded aura, creating an overwhelming visual and psychological impact.

The leading officer strode up to Chen Yang, saluted sharply, and declared, "Governor, awaiting your orders!"

Luo Sulan's fawning smile froze on her face.

Qin Lie stood dumbfounded.

The entire Qin Family was rendered utterly speechless.

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