The world was shaken, countless people were horrified, and even more were filled with doubt.
For twenty to thirty years, the King of Yan had not left the Zhenbei Army camp. The moment he appeared, a shocking battle erupted, causing countless hearts to tremble.
The battle at Jiash Luobashan had raged for three days and three nights without an end. Who could have made the King of Yan venture outside the Dragon Country's borders?
And who could contend with the King of Yan for three days and three nights without a clear victor?
Jiash Luobashan actually harbored such a terrifying figure in seclusion.
This battle had razed and destroyed dozens of mountains over a thousand meters high, with the single combat zone spanning a vast thirty kilometers.
It left many speechless, and countless martial artists in a frenzy: "Is this the battle between top kings!"
Some elders received the news, their eyes gleaming: "The King of Yan... is about to take that step..."
In the midst of wind and snow, time had marched forward for a year, arriving at the first day of January, the New Year's Day of the Jiazi year.
On this day, the continuous battles of several days finally drew to a close. The terrifying momentum vanished, leaving countless people in bewilderment. Who had won this battle?
Some individuals repeatedly inquired about the battlefield's whereabouts. While the Dragon Country's King of Yan was nowhere to be found, fragments of his gilded phoenix-patterned armor were scattered across the battlefield.
Could it be that the King of Yan had been defeated?
"Investigate! Investigate further!"
Daixu Luo roared with bloodshot eyes within his city, his expression frenzied, his face contorted, his eyes filled with excitement, anticipation, unease, and fear!
If the King of Yan had fallen at Jiash Luobashan, then he could lead his army to attack City 318, destroy the Zhenxi Army, and avenge the death of his brother at the hands of King Gong!
It wasn't just Daixu Luo who thought this; countless people on Earth hoped for the King of Yan's demise.
However, even more people worried about the King of Yan's safety.
On this day, the King of Yan's whereabouts were unknown. There were movements along the Dragon Country's border near City 318, Japanese ninjas were frequently sighted along the Dragon Country's eastern border, martial artists were also active along the southern border, and American aircraft carriers were approaching on the Dragon Country's seas.
The sea surface was calm, but beneath the waves, undercurrents surged, capable of changing the world once they erupted!
...
Within City 318.
The Zhenxi Army's patrol and enforcement teams had increased eightfold. All thirty thousand soldiers of the Zhenxi Army were on three shifts, leaving no gaps, patrolling the streets of City 318 fully armed.
The entire City 318 was filled with a heavy,肅殺 (sù shā - solemn and murderous) atmosphere.
In the hotel where Chen Jiuyang was staying, Chen Jiuyang, the old monk Zuokong, and the old Daoist Wuwei were in a hotel room.
"Amitabha!" The old monk Zuokong's expression was slightly somber as he said, "The peace and tranquility of City 318 may be shattered."
"When one carries a sharp weapon, the intent to kill arises spontaneously, in a single thought," the old Daoist Wuwei remarked. "Before news of the King of Yan emerged, Daixu Luo would not have dared to act against City 318."
"Back then, King Gong forcefully killed King Oubiluo and established City 318. Twenty years ago, when King Gong was severely injured and fell unconscious, Daixu Luo built a city thirty kilometers away from the border. His ambition was self-evident."
"Amitabha, this Daixu Luo inherited the throne from his elder brother, and his strength has also reached the Heavenly Realm. He has been engaged in militaristic expansion for twenty years. His sole goal in life is to destroy City 318 and take King Gong's life, to avenge the death of his brother."
"King Qian, if Daixu Luo were to attack City 318, what would you do?"
Chen Jiuyang was slowly wiping the blade of his Yan Sheng saber, his eyes deep, his expression calm, and he spoke unhurriedly:
"The Son of Heaven guards the nation's gate, and princes die for the state."
"As the King of Qian of the Dragon Country, I shall guard the border and slay any foreign enemies!"
His calm words contained a profound killing intent and a resolute will.
When Zhang Jialong died, and he pursued the Japanese princess in Suhang, the small team that followed him was annihilated.
He had found his answer when facing his inner demons: if the country called, he would fight, regardless of life or death.
Although the Chen family patriarch and Elder Han were patriotic, they ultimately came from noble families and only considered the greatest interests.
They tried to persuade Chen Jiuyang to protect himself and focus on his future martial arts path.
They might understand patriotism, but they did not understand Chen Jiuyang.
On this matter, Chen Jiuyang had long since found his answer.
In this world, there is no such thing as peaceful times. It is merely that in places you cannot see, people fight with their lives, shedding blood and refusing to yield an inch, defending their homes and country!
"Well said," the old Daoist Wuwei exclaimed. "Though this old Daoist is advanced in years, I still possess some strength and can kill a few people."
"I am a citizen of the Dragon Country, and before I am a member of the Taoist faith, I am the Heavenly Master of Longhu Mountain's Taoism."
"Amitabha!" The old monk Zuokong's expression was benevolent. "Age does not diminish one's strength, and my Buddha's teachings are compassionate."
"Everyone will die eventually. This old monk does not have many days left. Before I die, it would be good to take a few people with me to see the Buddha."
The three exchanged glances, then burst into hearty laughter.
Defending the country and ensuring its territory remains intact, we shall not shirk our duty!
A surge of heroic spirit erupted from Chen Jiuyang. He slowly sheathed his saber and looked out the window:
"The snow has stopped, but the wind has not. Masters, please accompany me."
"Wuliang Tianzun, good."
"Amitabha, greatly good."
...
Within City 318.
The continuous heavy snowfall of several days suddenly stopped, which many found peculiar.
In the past two days, foreign martial artists in the city had become even more brazen than before.
In just two days, there had been over a hundred conflicts between foreign martial artists and Zhenxi Army soldiers.
"Bang—"
A Zhenxi Army soldier, whose cultivation was below the Yellow Realm, was sent flying back dozens of steps by a punch from a warrior from the Yinshen Kingdom. He spat out a mouthful of blood. The remaining five soldiers in the squad quickly raised their shields, protecting the injured behind them. The squad leader held his firearm and sternly rebuked the dozens of assembled Yinshen Kingdom warriors before them:
"Do not be too arrogant. If you force us to use firearms and modern weapons, you will only die in City 318!"
"Hahahaha!" The leading Yinshen Kingdom warrior laughed maniacally. "Your Dragon Country's First King and Second King have already fallen. There is nothing to fear from the Dragon Country. Furthermore,"
"Your Dragon Country's Zhenxi Army has only thirty thousand men, while the warriors King Daixu Luo sent into City 318 number one hundred thousand!"
"Thirty kilometers away, in the city controlled by King Daixu Luo, there are another one hundred thousand men!"
"With what will your Zhenxi Army defend City 318?"
The squad leader's expression immediately darkened. The entire City 318 had close to three hundred thousand martial artists. Among them, forty to fifty thousand were Dragon Country martial artists, one hundred thousand were Yinshen Kingdom martial artists, and the rest were from other Middle Eastern countries doing trade here.
From those below the Yellow Realm, still refining their Qi and blood, to Grandmasters of the Earth Realm, City 318 had them all. It was a chaotic mix.
"It seems my words are still not taken seriously."
"Those who bully my Dragon Country's Zhenxi Army soldiers shall die!"
A cold, indifferent voice suddenly rang out, followed by a terrifying saber energy cleaving through the air.
"Ch—"
The Yinshen Kingdom warrior who had just arrogantly injured the Zhenxi Army soldier was instantly split in two by Chen Jiuyang's saber. Gushing blood poured out, his corpse divided, falling to the ground.