Free Web NovelChapter 1137: Chapter 355 Swords and Spears like a Forest
The Yellow River Gathering signified that "when nations contend, one must emerge as the leader."
It bore not only political significance but also more practical considerations.
The powers of the world displayed their "futures" at the Guanhe Platform, and with these "futures," they divided resources.
Warriors of the True Monarch’s rank could not be easily moved, except by life or death, and no one could serve as their "judge."
True Monarchs like Great Qi’s War God Jiang Mengxiong, who frequently intervened and asserted dominance, were indeed rare.
How many nations would dare to send their True Monarch alone to Jianfeng Mountain, to face encirclement within enemy territory?
Without supreme confidence and unparalleled dominance, one should not undertake such a venture.
The fall of a True Monarch would be an unbearable and devastating loss for any nation, a blow that could cripple its very core.
Thus, even knowing how strong Jiang Mengxiong was, the Summer Country could not help but attempt to encircle and kill him on Jianfeng Mountain. If they succeeded, it might mark the beginning of the Summer Country’s counteroffensive into the Eastern Region!
Of course, the outcome was well-known to all.
The Yellow River Gathering only looked at the "future."
For the current positions of the world’s powers were already reflections of their "present" strength.
Another reason was that no matter how fiercely the "futures" fought, it was all within control and limits.
"Jingguo and Mugu share the Northern Territory."
This phrase was virtually etched into the heart of every person from the north.
The two great contemporary powers checked each other, united against the demons.
Perhaps due to having been ravaged by the Demon Tide for too long, the Northern Territory’s landscape was the most peculiar in the world.
That line which divided the boundless desert from the endless grasslands, the "line of life and death," looked different within Jingguo’s borders.
Unlike Mugu, Jingguo did not have sprawling grasslands; what stood against the boundless desert were forts on the plains, angular and beastly.
The "death" of the Border Wilderness was constant.
The "life" of the Human Race, however, was diverse.
In Mugu, it was the endless grasslands, teeming with life.
In Jingguo, this "life" was a "life" amidst swords and spears.
In an empire like Jingguo, where the military held sway, war was a mundane affair.
Battle against demons, against men, without end.
So when Xiahou Lie, the Great Commander of the Valiant Cavalry, set out on an "expedition," many Jingguo residents did not even realize that this force was heading to participate in battle at the Guanhe Platform.
Even though this force was gathered with heroes, including the foster son of the Wei General of the Red Horse Guard Murong Fenwu, the direct grandson of the Great General of the Eagle Soaring Guard Zhongshan Yanwen, and the beloved daughter of the Great General of the Yellow Dragon Guard Huang Fu...
For Jingguo heroes like Murong Longque, Zhongshan Wei Sun, and Yellow Sheri, leading troops on regular expeditions was common.
The troops left Jingguo, marching southward.
Dressed in extravagant garments, Zhongshan Wei Sun tactfully stayed at the back of the line, unwilling to draw Xiahou Lie’s ire.
The Da Jing Empire was a military empire, ruled by a council formed by six Protective Armies and seven Guard Armies. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
Great Generals like the Eagle Soaring Guard’s Zhongshan Yanwen were not just generals but also dukes.
Zhongshan Wei Sun’s status was nearly akin to that of a prince.
Among these six Protective Armies and seven Guard Armies, there were thirteen military forces, each inevitably vying for dominance.
Yet, among those who set out for the Yellow River Gathering, all were heroes from the seven Guard Armies.
Not a single one came from the Protective Armies.
And the Valiant Cavalry led by Xiahou Lie was one of those from the Protective Armies.
The army’s main objective for having the Great Commander of the Valiant Cavalry Xiahou Lie personally lead the team was probably to balance the voices from the Protective Armies...
Sadly, at an event like the Yellow River Gathering, only the individual strength of young heroes mattered. No matter how tumultuous the competition, it could not alter the outcome.
Let’s return to the matter at hand.
The great commander of the Valiant Cavalry, Xiahou Lie, of course, wouldn’t stoop to quibble with these juniors, and even to demonstrate fairness, he would ensure the smooth progress of the Yellow River Gathering with even greater dedication.
But his mood could hardly said to be good.
Zhongshan Wei Sun made sure not to loiter in front of the great commander to avoid trouble for himself.
That fellow Murong Longque, was still there discussing cavalry tactics with Xiahou Lie, really thinking the great commander of the Valiant Cavalry was kind-hearted and benevolent, admiring your talent?
Of course, that’s just sour grapes. Zhongshan Wei Sun knew that at least for now, he wasn’t qualified to discuss cavalry tactics with Xiahou Lie...
Within the Eagle Soaring Guard, the troops under his command were far fewer than those Murong Longque controlled in the Red Horse Guard. His battle experience was also far less.
Although he prided himself on tactics and didn’t consider himself inferior to anyone, without the test of war, others wouldn’t see it that way.
Murong Longque had already proven himself, yet he had not.
"What are you thinking about!"
A fit woman easily maneuvering a war horse came trotting towards the back of the group.
Under her manipulation, the war horse took lively, nimble steps.
This woman had profound features, a different kind of beauty.
Her skin was a healthy bronze color, as smooth as water-polished metal, seemingly unaffected by the harsh environment of the Border Wilderness.
Such a beautiful person, to be given a bald name. That General Huang really was...
Zhongshan Wei Sun silently complained, but his face carried a warm smile: "I was thinking..."
He intentionally raised his chin in the direction of Murong Longque and Xiahou Lie: "I wonder what the two masters of military strategy are discussing?"
"Stop putting on an act, if you really want to know, why don’t you go up there and listen?" Yellow Sheri said bluntly: "First tell me, has the Jiang accepted defeat?"
Zhongshan Wei Sun blinked awkwardly.
Jiang Zhaoyuan had earlier lost the competition for the Inner Mansion Realm’s spot and was feeling rather resentful and aggrieved, claiming things like he hadn’t performed well, he’d encountered a complication in his cultivation a few days ago, otherwise he would have... In short, it was just the usual talk when drinking with friends.
But it just so happened to be overheard by Yellow Sheri, who was also there to drink...
What followed was a complete uproar...
The tavern was thoroughly dismantled.
After losing another round, Jiang Zhaoyuan had no choice but to humbly submit. He stopped talking about being in a bad state.
As Jiang Zhaoyuan’s good friend, Zhongshan Wei Sun really couldn’t say anything about it. Of course, he knew that Jiang Zhaoyuan was just talking big, but being caught by the person involved and taught a lesson, he couldn’t say it was undue.
Yellow Sheri snorted: "It seems he still isn’t convinced."
She turned her horse around, ready to leave.
"Convinced, completely convinced," Zhongshan Wei Sun quickly said.
Seeing the young woman’s manner, it was inevitable that she would give Jiang Zhaoyuan another beating when she got back.
He had to soften the blow on behalf of his friend.
Yellow Sheri then said: "Losing to the number one Inner Mansion in the world, he really has nothing to be dissatisfied with."
Zhongshan Wei Sun sneered inwardly.
What ’number one Inner Mansion in the world’, really long hair but short on experience! I know someone named Dugu Wudi who is far more formidable than you.
Of course, that person might have exploited a loophole in the Taixu Illusion Realm and is not a true Inner Mansion... ƒrēewebnovel.com
Naturally, this sarcasm stayed in his heart; with his cultivation, he need not fear Yellow Sheri. However, General Huang was notoriously protective.
If he upset Yellow Sheri today, the General was capable of bullying the weak.
And Zhongshan Wei Sun’s grandfather was famously strict...
Just thinking about it brings tears to one’s eyes.
Our fates differ.
Zhongshan Wei Sun smiled softly: "It seems to me that besides Miss Huang here, nobody else would have the right to claim the title of the world’s number one Inner Mansion."
It was freer and happier when she was called Zhao Tiezhu...
