Chapter 87: Chapter 83: I am the Champion Marquis

「The Sixty-Eighth Year of Yong’an.」

「July. The Minor Heat.」

The sun blazed high in the sky over Beihai County.

Crimson and Black Qilin Armor glinted darkly under the sun. Tens of thousands of troops were stationed outside a valley, and not far in the distance, a towering city could be seen.

A tall man with handsome features sat atop his horse. A sparse beard lined his jaw. He was no older than his early thirties, yet still looked young, the beard adding a touch of rugged manliness to his appearance.

He was clad in Heavy Armor forged from Hundred-refined Steel, a red cloak draped over his shoulders. His eyes were exceptionally sharp. Astride a Dragon-Scale Horse, his presence was imposing and extraordinary, possessing both the keen edge of a Military General honed on the battlefield and the stately pride of the Celestial Royal Family. He seemed born to be a Marquis.

The handsome man gazed at the battlefield, a longing in his eyes as if for a long-lost reunion, yet it was tempered by a newfound, steady gravitas.

He had commanded troops since the age of fifteen. At eighteen, he was undefeated among the younger generation of the Capital City’s Military General Families and was granted the rank of Captain. He went on an expedition against the Holy Netherworld, and by twenty, he was appointed as a General, garrisoned to oversee a state.

His most glorious moment came fourteen years ago. He had followed Emperor Yong’an on a campaign, serving as Deputy General. Wielding a Sword Tomb Divine Weapon bestowed by the Great Yan Emperor, he slew countless masters from the Demon Country. He led his troops on a strategic detour, crushed the main force of the Demon Country’s army, and pursued them into the heart of Nether Mountain. There, he performed a sacrificial rite to Heaven and Earth to announce their victory. He helped Great Yan expand its borders by a thousand li, his achievements surpassing all others in the army. The historical records acclaimed him as the greatest contributor to the Nether Mountain campaign. Amidst the tens of thousands of soldiers, the Emperor enfeoffed him as a Marquis on the spot.

That was why, as the Qilin Guard made camp, every one of the surrounding Qilin Soldiers looked upon this Main Battle General with reverence.

This man had achieved fame at a young age and was made a Marquis while still young. For years, his story had been used as propaganda by Great Yan, passed down through the generations of soldiers.

Whether they were border garrisons or the Great Yan Imperial Guard, all who joined the army would inevitably hear an old veteran say: “A soldier should have soaring ambitions, to earn merits that surpass the entire army and be made a Marquis. To achieve even a fraction of what the Champion Marquis once did would be a life without regret.”

And now, this living legend stood right before them, causing everyone’s morale to surge.

At that moment, a scout rode forward and reported respectfully, “General, as of today, tens of thousands of soldiers have successively surrendered to our banners under the cover of night.”

“Very good. Do not mistreat the surrendering officers and soldiers. After disarming them, place them under house arrest in the valley. Post guards to watch over them and prevent any incidents,” the handsome man ordered calmly.

“Yes, sir!”

The handsome man looked toward the city, his eyes narrowing slightly.

’The Court handed me such a mess. This is not supposed to be an easy situation to handle.’

’They have three hundred thousand troops, after all. The primary goal is pacification, with elimination as a secondary resort. It sounds simple, but the execution is fraught with obstacles.’

’I came in person with rewards from the Court to appease them. If they were truly just upset about the withheld rewards, they should have come out of the city to welcome me long ago. Yet, several days have passed, and only tens of thousands of soldiers have defected. The numbers are dwindling. It means the other side has tightened military discipline and is preventing soldiers from leaving the city. They’re determined to rebel; demanding rewards was just a pretext. Their real goal is to prop up the Third Prince as the Crown Prince, or even as a Vassal King ruling over several states.’

’Confidants from the various Marquis Mansions are spread throughout their army. A strong network of regional ties makes the army difficult to break apart.’

He had been a common soldier once; he knew this well.

When new recruits joined the army, they were all alone. The first thing they did was seek patronage, finding a veteran from their own home region to act as a backer. It was a very common practice.

New soldiers pledged themselves to veterans, veterans to Captains, Captains to Deputy Generals, and so on up the chain of command.

This had always been a problem within the army, but it was also a source of stable relationships among the troops. It had its pros and cons.

’But to break these ties, you have to dismantle them from the top down.’

Thinking this, he turned to a Personal Guard by his side and asked, “This Third Prince, what is his personality like?”

The Personal Guard cupped his fist and replied, “The Third Prince was previously the Commander of the Tiger Camp. I served under him for a time.”

“He is valiant in battle and highly skilled in combat. He is loyal, righteous, and enthusiastic. He enforces military discipline strictly, but he’s also generous, often paying out of his own pocket to treat the officers and soldiers to drinks. During wartime, however, alcohol is forbidden in the camp. The brothers all admire him greatly and have no complaints.”

Seeing the expression on his Personal Guard’s face, the man thought to himself, ’So Lu Guangyao’s prestige in the army is quite high. No wonder.’

’He’s very skilled at winning people over. But in the Capital City, there are rumors that the Third Prince is honest and simple-minded. I wonder which is true. It’s worth testing him.’

With that thought, his voice boomed as he commanded:

“The army will withdraw several li! Ten riders will be chosen to accompany this Marquis to the city walls.”

…

「Atop the city walls.」

A group of scions from the Marquis Mansions, along with Marquis Weiyuan and Marquis Wuan, all wore ugly expressions.

“Another thirty to forty thousand soldiers deserted last night. We must lock the city gates and keep them sealed all day. Replace the night watch with men from our Marquis Mansions.”

Marquis Weiyuan gave the order, then looked toward his man, Zhang Rucheng, and asked, “How is His Highness?”

Zhang Rucheng shook his head. “His Highness is still unwilling to show his face or coordinate with the Government Office. If this goes on, and we don’t occupy the various States and Counties, the army will collapse sooner or later.”

Marquis Wuan frowned, sensing something was wrong. “What’s going on? Can it be that His Highness doesn’t actually want to contend for the position of Crown Prince?”

Marquis Weiyuan’s face darkened. “Whether he wants to or not, we have to see this through. We’re in a position where we can’t back down now. Even if His Highness is unwilling, there’s nothing to be done!”

’The one who hinted at this in the first place was the Third Prince. And now the one who is unwilling is also the Third Prince. No matter what, he gets to be the good guy, while we’re stuck being villains on all sides. This is a truly difficult situation.’

“Even if His Highness steps forward, those Prefects won’t necessarily let us in.”

“If they don’t, we’ll fight our way in!”

“Wouldn’t that be outright rebellion?”

The expressions of many present changed at that.

They never truly wanted to rebel; they just wanted to use the Third Prince’s status to further their own interests.

If it was rebellion, the crime would be punishable by beheading.

Defying military orders was not a capital offense.

They hadn’t reached the point of open rebellion yet.

Marquis Weiyuan looked at them and sneered, “Weren’t you all crazy with the desire to be kings before? Now you encounter the slightest resistance and you’re already backing down?”

“Reporting to the General! The enemy general outside the city requests an audience with the Third Prince.”

Just then, a city guard Deputy General stepped forward to report.

Hearing this, Marquis Weiyuan said flatly, “Tell them he is not available.”

“The other party says they were sent by the Court. If we refuse an audience, it will be considered treason.”

When Marquis Weiyuan heard this, his gaze turned cold as he looked down from the city walls. He gathered Martial Dao Primordial Qi in his eyes and saw ten riders galloping toward them from a distance. The man in the lead was exceptionally handsome, wore a red cloak, and looked familiar. His status must be high.

“Who goes there?”

He channeled his Primordial Qi and questioned them in a booming voice.

“I am the Champion Marquis, Huo Qing.”

The Champion Marquis’s voice was full and powerful, rolling forward to resound across the city walls. The echoes reverberated, and it could be heard clearly throughout all of Beihai County.

Many soldiers on the walls cast curious glances his way.

It seemed they held great reverence and curiosity for this Champion Marquis, a figure they had heard about constantly since joining the army.

“So, it’s the Champion Marquis.”

Marquis Weiyuan showed a smile on the surface, but inwardly, he was filled with apprehension.

’I never expected the Champion Marquis to come in person. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. To deal with us, the Court even managed to get him out of seclusion. If that’s the case, what good end could possibly await us if we return?’

Atop his Dragon-Scale Horse, the Champion Marquis smiled faintly. “This Marquis wishes to see the Third Prince to discuss the matter of the rewards. Please pass on the message.”

Marquis Weiyuan immediately refused. “His Highness has no time to see you.”

’The Third Prince is currently under house arrest in his tent. How could he possibly come out to meet the Champion Marquis?’

“No time?”

Hearing this, the Champion Marquis’s brow furrowed and then relaxed. He gave a meaningful smile.

“The war is over. I wonder what matters His Highness could be so busy with.”

“Managing and consoling the three hundred thousand brothers in our army. Does that count?”

“Alright. In that case, this Marquis won’t impose.”

The conversation ended.

The Champion Marquis had already figured something out.

’Why has this army been causing a commotion for so long, yet has made no real move? Why are they just camped here, completely inactive?’ He suddenly thought of a method that might just break the stalemate.

…

「A few nights later.」

“BOOM!”

A massive sound echoed through all of Beihai County.

Torches illuminated the dark, sturdy city walls, revealing a large hole that had been blasted through the ten-foot-thick iron gate. The gate and the surrounding stonework had been completely shattered. It was impossible to tell what strange force could have pierced the city’s defenses.

When the gate-keeping General saw who had come, his eyes widened in disbelief.

The visitor was a white-browed old man hovering in the void. His arms were extremely long and thick, reaching down to his knees. His aura was unfathomably deep. The white beard on his chin and temples floated around him. With the might of a single man, he flew toward the military camp.

An intruder! The sound of alarm gongs and bells rang out ceaselessly.

Marquis Weiyuan had not yet removed his armor to rest; he had only been taking a short nap and was startled awake by the tremor.

He found soldiers rushing to report that a terrifying old man had broken into the city, his presence menacing.

Marquis Weiyuan was enraged. He grabbed the Long Halberd by his side and was about to attack.

But when he stepped outside and saw the person hovering in the void, his face went slack with shock.

He immediately stood down.

It wasn’t just him; the other Marquis Wu also wore grave expressions.

Marquis Wuan’s gaze was sharp. “The Long-armed Old Monster. He is the Sect Master of Chiyang Mountain, an Eleventh Realm Feathered Martial Artist. He has achieved mastery, capable of crossing the void. He is not someone to be trifled with.”

“He should be on Chiyang Mountain. Why would he come here?”

Ascension to Immortality is a term from the Immortal Families. The Martial Dao adopted the name Feathered Transformation to draw a comparison to Nascent Soul Qi Cultivators. A Martial Artist’s Flesh Body at this realm can hover in the void and fly on the wind. From a thousand li away, they can shatter a city with a remote strike. The abundant Primordial Qi in their Acupoints makes them immune to all evils and capable of scattering an entire army.

The strength of their Flesh Body is in no way inferior to the Golden Body of the Buddhist Family; it may even surpass it.

“This old man has come looking for his disciple,”

the Long-armed Old Monster said, his tone indifferent.

He had received a message from the Court that the Third Prince’s life was in danger and that he was trapped in North Sea. How could he tolerate that? Anxious for his beloved disciple, he had rushed here immediately to investigate.

“His Highness is busy with official matters and is currently in his tent.”

Although the several Marquis Wu were all Middle Fifth-Grade Martial Artists, they were still a considerable distance from the Eleventh Realm. They did not dare to offend this old man too greatly.

A Sect Leader Level existence like him was usually treated as a Tributor by the Dynasty. It was rare to see one in person.

The Long-armed Old Monster’s Primordial Qi Perception quickly swept over the area. He must have detected something, for he snorted through his nose.

With him at the center, a wave of Qi erupted, sweeping out for several li and sending numerous soldiers flying.

It exposed the tent at the center of the camp.

The Third Prince, Lu Guangyao, was shackled by his thick limbs. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed in meditation.

Hearing the commotion, he opened his eyes. When he saw the white-browed old man in the void, his face lit up with joy.

“Master?”

The fact that he had been able to reach the rank of Grandmaster and glimpse the Sea Viewing realm by the age of thirty was due in no small part to this master’s efforts.

’I can’t believe he actually came.’ Generally speaking, Sect forces did not interfere in the affairs of the Dynasty. His master never took the initiative to interfere in his affairs unless he specifically asked for help.

For example, half a year ago, when the Eldest Prince led troops to stage a coup, he had requested his master’s intervention.

’Master usually remains at the Sect. Why would he come to this mundane world?’

The Long-armed Old Monster extended two fingers. With a flick in the air, a thick Astral Qi shot out.

The shackles on Lu Guangyao’s body all shattered, and he was free.

“Someone informed me that you were in peril, so I came,” the Long-armed Old Monster said softly.

“Someone? Who was it?”

Lu Guangyao was extremely puzzled.

Just as everyone was still trying to process what had happened,

figures clad in Beast-faced Qilin Armor streaked through the darkness.

“It’s the Qilin Iron Cavalry!”

Many Generals recognized them at a glance and shouted instinctively.

The various Marquis Wu all grew tense. Marquis Weiyuan cursed angrily,

“Damn it!”

A sea of heads rolled past, and a deep, powerful voice boomed from within the army:

“The Champion Marquis is here! You traitors, cease your insolence!”

“By imperial decree, lay down your weapons and you may be spared death.”

Upon hearing the Champion Marquis’s name, many soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, seeming to hesitate.

When Lu Guangyao heard it was the Champion Marquis, sent by the Court, he immediately ordered, “Everyone, lay down your weapons!”

One soldier complied, then a second.

It started a chain reaction.

With a great CLATTER, all of Great Yan’s elite troops gave up their resistance and chose to surrender.

In the end, the mutiny concluded with an unceremonious whimper.

But the name of the Champion Marquis once again thundered through the army, as famous and revered as ever.

…

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