Free Web NovelChapter 1143: Chapter 360 Fengcheng
Ji Zhaonan still sat there with the posture of a soldier, as straight as a gun or a pine tree, yet his tone was very ordinary, saying, "So I came back from the front line just for the sake of our soldiers from Daqi, for them to claim a few good pieces of territory beyond The Gate of All Demons. To lose fewer lives and gain more resources."
"To lose fewer lives, to gain more resources."
What a straightforward, yet profoundly weighty statement it was.
The smile at the corners of Zhongxuan Zun’s mouth, barely noticeable, had completely vanished at this moment.
As a result, he no longer seemed approachable. His elegance, his pride, could create a palpable distance,
and now, he was extremely serious.
Jiang Wang’s mood had also changed.
Although Jiang Wang had said he only needed to know one thing at the Yellow River Gathering, that he wanted to claim the title of number one in the world. Knowing just that was enough.
Nothing would sway his resolve.
He was doing it for his position in Qi Country, to be able to better assist Zhongxuan Sheng, and also to stabilize sooner so he could take good care of his sister.
Therefore, he would give his all to claim that title.
But it was only after listening to Cao Jie and Ji Zhaonan’s accounts that he truly understood the significance of the Yellow River Gathering.
He felt the weight of the Yellow River Gathering.
At the Guanhe Platform, what they were competing for was not just being the first under the heavens, nor just national honor.
It was also about tangible national interests.
It was about the innumerable resources and incalculable human lives after victory or defeat.
No wonder all the nations in the world placed so much importance on this.
No wonder all the prodigies were competing to outdo one another!
Jiang Wang had always said he would exert his utmost effort, and indeed he would.
But there was one condition: to preserve his Deviant Path Technique.
Once the Deviant Path Technique was revealed, it would inevitably be countered by his peers, those prodigies of similar ability. With their talents and backgrounds, at the very least, they would find ways to resist.
This was unavoidable.
But at this moment, Jiang Wang was even considering whether, for the immense stakes behind this battle, he should be willing to sacrifice more when necessary?
For instance... not holding back his Deviant Path Technique.
"We will raise the flag for our country," Jiang Wang said earnestly.
"Raise three flags," Zhongxuan Zun added.
Ji Zhaonan laughed, "Of course."
Between these three men, there was no such thing as a good relationship.
What existed instead were various conflicts.
Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Zun were at odds due to Zhongxuan Sheng.
Zhongxuan Zun and Ji Zhaonan due to Wang Yiwu.
With Jiang Wang and Wang Yiwu fighting to the death, and as Wang Yiwu’s senior, Ji Zhaonan’s stance was clear.
But, in this moment, due to the same heavy burden they all carried, they had a common goal. For a time, the underlying discomfort and awkwardness between them seemed to have vanished without a trace.
And this was exactly why Cao Jie had gathered them together, to talk about the Yellow River Gathering.
Although the three participated in battles of different levels, before the decisive battle, it was only natural for the three armies to be united in heart. This was military strategy at its most basic.
Among those who are adept in warfare, Cao Jie was also one.
As the capital city of Fertility Country, compared to the capitals of many smaller countries, Fengcheng could be considered quite prosperous.
At least from Jiang Wang’s perspective, there were not many places that could compare.
There was a Cangfeng City in the Yang Region, a name similar to that of Fengcheng. But the abundance of Fertility Country’s Fengcheng was not limited to simply "cang" (storage).
Entering the city, he saw the bustling crowd and the clamorous, steamy atmosphere, almost making Jiang Wang believe he was in some city in Qi Country.
The sight encompassed a myriad of buildings and a variety of styles. The harmonious blend of different national features surely inspired admiration.
Although the city could not compare to Linzi, it was indeed a rare, bustling place.
Of course, for Yuwen Ze, it was not the same...
"What’s this, it’s far inferior to our Royal Court!" Yuwen Ze grumbled as he walked, "They call it the land of scholars and gentlemen, saying we’re some kind of barbarians or savages. Tsk tsk."
There was quite a bit of resentment in his tone.
He had grown up on the grasslands, and later guarded the line between life and death, so it was true he hadn’t seen much of the various countries’ landscapes.
He had always heard that the people of the Central Region looked down on grassland folk.
But when he came to see Fertility Country, it turned out to be nothing special, claiming to be the Capital City!
Although he admitted the place was quite nice, it obviously couldn’t outshine the Supreme Royal Court. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Wearing a bronze mask, Zhao Rucheng said helplessly, "The power of Fertility Country might not even match your Yuwen tribe, how can you compare it with the Supreme Royal Court?"
This grassland brother’s sense of national honor and disgrace was indeed formidable.
"Anyway, just look at this petty atmosphere. How dare the people from the Central Region look down on us?" Yuwen Ze snorted through his nose, "Truly, they are frogs at the bottom of a well!"
He treated Zhao Rucheng like one of his own grassland people, constantly using "we" as if Zhao Rucheng shared the same honor and grudge as he did.
"You misunderstand. It’s not that the Central Region people look down on grassland people," Zhao Rucheng explained, "They look down on all directions, east, south, west, north..."
Yuwen Ze was speechless...
"We’ll show the people of Jing on the Guanhe Platform; my Mugu warriors will make them watch out!" he suddenly burst out in anger.
Then his tone shifted to one of grievance, "Alas! It’s a pity that Jinge lacks strength, yet insists on taking a spot, while those who are capable refuse to step up..."
Well, now he’s learned to be circuitous.
Jinge was also chosen as the number one in the Inner Mansion Realm after fighting across the grasslands. How could he lack strength?
With Yuwen Ze talking like this, he made it seem as if Jinge got in through the back door.
One word, "sour."
Zhao Rucheng didn’t bother to respond, continuing to look at the buildings along the road. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
Yuwen Ze, having achieved no reaction, had to put away his obnoxious demeanor. After walking a few steps, he grew impatient again, "You never leave home in the Royal Court, what’s so interesting here that made you come out?"
Zhao Rucheng sighed, "I didn’t ask you to follow."
How come he never noticed how talkative this guy was before? Those days of simply exchanging Yin Demon heads for soul stones were truly missed... Back then it was so clear-cut and straightforward.
"Hehe." Yuwen Ze was not the least bit embarrassed, "I’m just worried you wouldn’t know the way."
Zhao Rucheng couldn’t be bothered to argue, for he had arrived at his destination for the day.
After stopping to look quietly for a while, he asked, "Is that the Qi Pavilion?"
Yuwen Ze looked over, glancing only briefly before sneering, "Yes, the people of Qi arrived before us. They sure are eager!"
Naturally, the journey from Mugu to Fertility Country was closer than from Qi Country to Fertility Country.
Given that the people of Qi took such a detour and still arrived in Fengcheng first, he commented that they were overly eager.
Being two Overlord Countries with some overlapping areas of influence, the relationship between Mugu and Qi Country was naturally not very amicable. The former always wanted to stretch its legs into the Eastern Region, while the latter often looked to sightsee in the Northern Territory. Each supported some smaller nations; on the surface, they coexisted harmoniously, but there were plenty of fights in the shadows.
Of course, when it came to targeting Jing Nation, Qi Country and Mugu had a considerable understanding.
Thus, Yuwen Ze harbored relatively more resentment toward the people of Jing.
Zhao Rucheng couldn’t help but glare at him, "How come I find you disliking everything and everyone? You’re annoyed with the Jing people and the Qi people. You might as well stay at home and not go out to save yourself the trouble!"
He reproached with righteous indignation, but Yuwen Ze didn’t take it to heart. Suddenly, he raised his right hand and flamboyantly called out, "Over here! This way!"
His voice was so bold it made passersby look around.
And Zhao Rucheng, with a quick glance, saw the approaching Helian Yuyun, with a radiant smile.
A sense of absurdity rose in his heart—
"Did I just get sold out by this blockhead Yuwen Ze?"
