Free Web NovelChapter 1315: Chapter 8: Offering Ritual at The Imperial Ancestral Temple
When the three hundred li Linzi City came into view, the entire returning Qi troop became solemn.
The rotating capital-defense Rain-slicing Army, came out for five li to welcome them.
This was indeed an extremely high honor.
Great Qi’s nine elite troops, the finest in the world.
And the vigorous and brave soldiers stood in formation here, with blades and spears aloft like a forest.
"This is the ritual of a triumphant return." Zhongxuan Zun remarked as such.
Jiang Wang nodded, indicating his understanding.
At this moment, they were riding tall horses, riding side by side, with a troop of Sky-covering Soldiers opening the way ahead, and a troop of Soldiers guarding from behind.
The accompanying spectators, long before approaching Linzi, had already dispersed, each returning to their own homes, unable to accompany the expeditionary force at this time.
Scattered petals were strewn on the Official Way, the fiery "Flame Reflection" stepped on them, as if flowers were burning.
And the pure white "Snow Night", seemed like clouds drifting over flowers.
On both sides of the Official Way, the Cut-rain Army Soldiers stood, each holding blades and spears, with serious expressions.
Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Zun, walked on this path of blades and flowers.
This was the warriors’ road of honor, a respect from comrades-at-arms.
Flags fluttered atop the Guanhe Platform, marking a hearty and thorough victory. Sweeping away the resignation of many years!
For this leading name, how many people have fought to death. For this leading name, how many have died unable to close their eyes.
The Direct Disciple of the Great Qi’s God of War, also perished at the Gate of All Demons because he couldn’t accept the missed title of leader.
So many people strove for this.
Qi Country must have a status that matches its national power, must have glory that befits its status, and must let the whole world see and know that Qi Country is an unquestionable Overlord Country, one of the greatest and most powerful empires under this sky!
The Purple Micro Middle Heaven Emperor Flag waved on the ancient Guanhe Platform, standing side by side with those great empires in history...
The time has arrived.
Generals die in a hundred battles, warriors return after ten years, all for this moment.
The expeditionary force passed through this long and solemn five li road in silence, and finally arrived under the magnificent and majestic Linyi City.
Both departure and return, were through the ’ritual’ gate.
Leaving with ’ritual’, returning with ’ritual’.
Flame Reflection and Snow Night stepped through the massive city gate, as if suddenly entering a bustling world!
On both sides of the streets, the Long awaited, jam-packed Linzi citizens, let out cheers and applause in unison.
"Mighty!"
"Mighty!"
"Mighty!"
Their faces reddened with excitement, jubilant and elated.
The soldiers tasked with maintaining order, in the surging tide of people, seemed not so firm, with a somewhat tottering feeling.
Riding atop a tall horse, clad in green and bearing a sword, Jiang Wang’s gaze swept over a throng of people as dense as a crush.
Countless people tiptoed to see him.
Every face, was cheering towards him, all crazed for him.
Along the way, he had already received the warm welcome of the Qi Territory’s citizens. And now, this great country, completely opened its arms to him!
"Jiang Wang!"
"Jiang Wang!"
"Jiang Wang!"
The calling shook the heavens.
It was he who brought back the leading title for Qi Country.
It was he who defeated one brilliant rival after another, placing Great Qi’s flag on the Guanhe Platform.
A single cry ushered in thousands and tens of thousands of cries, which coalesced into one voice.
The sound arrested the birds in flight, stayed the moving clouds, like a tidal wave!
The entire Linyi was chanting his name.
Wherever Jiang Wang’s gaze landed, there erupted an overwhelming wave of cheers.
In this moment, even the stunningly brilliant Zhongxuan Zun at his side dimmed by comparison!
Second among the Yellow River Gathering leaders, Jiang Wang claimed one spot!
At this time, he even dared not activate the Voice Broadcast Immortal State, as in such a situation, the Immortal State simply couldn’t process so much information. Everyone was calling out, everyone was expressing.
People were nearly frenetic!
The expeditionary force continued along the main thoroughfare, moving forward amid the cheers of the people on both sides.
People shouted the hero’s name, shouted for the Great Qi Empire, many shouting themselves hoarse.
An elderly man with white hair was held aloft by two young people, presumably his grandchildren.
As the elder was elevated in the air, his right hand raised in a fist, he shouted with all his might, his face wrinkled as if it were about to split open.
He was wearing a military uniform washed white with age, his voice blending into the roar of the crowd, difficult to discern clearly. But his flushed face, brimming with hot tears, was profoundly memorable.
On his left arm was an empty sleeve, flapping in the wind like a flag!
Jiang Wang didn’t know his story, nor did he know what this retired soldier had gone through. Had he ever charged into battle on the Qi Xia battlefield? Had he ever galloped through Daqi’s conquests in the Eastern Region?
Jiang Wang knew nothing of this.
All he saw was an old soldier, left behind by the years, here and now.
But he was struck by this scene.
Plunging into a profound shock.
What is a nation?
A home for the multitude!
He went to the Yellow River Gathering in order to secure a more stable and protective life in Qi Country, to better guard his sister. To make a name for himself under the heavens, to see how far he had come, to test his mettle. It was also to compete with Zhongxuan Zun, to alleviate the pressure on Zhongxuan Sheng...
There were too many reasons, most of them self-based.
It was not until Cao Jie mentioned The Gate of All Demons that he began to think, maybe he should do something more for the honor of Qi Country.
All along, he actually lacked a sense of belonging. freёwebnovel.com
Were it not for close friends like Zhongxuan Sheng, Qi Country would be no different from other countries, even though he held titles, authority, and lands here.
He could go wherever was best suited for his development.
The ideals of his youth had been buried along with Maple Forest City Region.
The homeland that raised him was abandoned without hesitation. His concept of a "nation" was, in fact, nebulous.
But now, looking at the animated and uncontrollable one-armed old soldier, he felt for the first time that there was indeed a connection between him and this country.
"Imperial... Ancestral... Temple... Tribute!"
The Ritual Officer’s voice rose high, spreading far and wide with the help of Dao Technique.
The expedition team continued forward in a solemn atmosphere.
Moving through the great Linyi City.
The entire city was abuzz for this event!
They had left Linyi with their heads held high and now they’ve returned in triumph!
If one were to look down from high above, they would see waves of people rolling from the "Li" character gate in the west of the city to The Imperial Ancestral Temple in the Imperial City.
The team from Guanhe Platform was winding their way through this sea of people.
There will be times when the wind breaks the waves.
Jiang Wang suddenly remembered his first visit to Linyi, how he was impressed by this majestic city, and how the crowds of people had inspired him, enriching his Human Dao Sword Style at that time.
Back then, he traveled thousands of miles and conceived the Sword Style of the Vast Crowd, the Sword of Rivers and Mountains, and the Sword of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Looking back with his current perspective, they were certainly flawed. Those three sword styles had form without substance, hollow on the inside.
Therefore, he later set aside these overly "grand" sword styles, and based on the Sword Style of the Vast Crowd, he began to develop the Human Dao Sword Style.
Leaving behind the vast crowd, he explored each individual within it.
Combining his experiences and reflections along the journey, he eventually evolved the Sword Styles of The Aging General, The Forsaken Scholar, Involuntary, Youthful Recklessness, and the Sword of Yearning.
Finally, on Guanhe Platform, in the state of Sword Immortal, he integrated all the Human Dao Sword Styles, culminating in the "Human" Character Sword.
From the beginning to now, creating a wondrous cycle.
Seeing this scene of "sea of people" once more, he had a feeling of déjà vu, which further imprinted on his heart, and also added depth to his sword.
The one word "human" embodies the myriad states of all beings.
This one sword should be explored for a lifetime, and even a lifetime may not be enough to exhaust it.
The team stopped in front of The Imperial Ancestral Temple, and Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Zun dismounted their horses.
Naturally, no one dared to ride into The Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the Heavenly Cover Soldiers guarding them could only stop at this point.
Cao Jie, with Jiang Wang and Zhongxuan Zun, continued to walk forward.
Upon the solemn and hallowed grounds of The Imperial Ancestral Temple, the three of them walked slowly.
At this moment, the sun was high in the sky, casting their long shadows across the square.
The Emperor of Da Qi still sat high behind the cinnabar steps.
The princes and princesses were also seated in front.
On both sides of the elevated platforms were the literary and military officials, a random selection of civilians, and centenarians blessed with good fortune and longevity.
Everything was the same as on the day of the "Master’s Tribute."
Yet everything had changed.
That day it was an oath-taking.
Today is a triumphant return.
