The fact that King Daixuluo had plotted for twenty years to attack 318 City to avenge his brother was something many could see.
However, the crux of the matter was who would dare fire the first shot, to shatter the nominal 'peace', for whoever did so would face terrible retribution regardless of the outcome.
After a moment of stunned disbelief, King Daixuluo burst into laughter: "Hahahahaha!"
"Is that so-called Dragon Kingdom's pseudo-king truly a fool to strike first?"
"He probably wants to die sooner. Since that's the case, this king will grant his wish and dispatch troops!"
"I will not wait for news from King Yan. The day to attack 318 City and avenge my royal brother is today!"
"I will personally breach 318 City, take King Gong's life, and offer it to my brother!"
"Yes, my King!"
...
King Yan's suspected fall outside the Dragon Kingdom's borders had already caused surrounding nations to mobilize their troops for probing, exerting pressure.
As for the matter of 318 City, five minutes after Chen Jiuyang issued his command, Longjing learned of it. Half an hour later, all Asian countries knew. An hour later, the entire world was aware of the news.
The sixty years of peace in the Dragon Kingdom were thus shattered. However, to the surprise of other nations, Longjing showed no reaction whatsoever to the events at 318 City, remaining remarkably calm.
They did not intervene to stop the actions of King Qian, Chen Jiuyang, but rather tacitly approved.
The name of Chen Jiuyang, the Sixth King of the Dragon Kingdom, was also revealed to other countries for the first time.
"A pseudo-king, at the fourth level of the Earth realm, can withstand King Daixuluo's attack?"
"Are those old fellows in Longjing out of their minds?"
Not only was Longjing calm, but the other Kings of the Dragon Kingdom also appeared very composed. 318 City did not even call for reinforcements.
...
Feng Province.
Qingzhu Village.
"Slap—"
The patriarch of the Chen family's blood pressure surged, veins popping on his forehead, his face flushed red as he paced back and forth anxiously: "Weren't we supposed to just treat King Gong's injuries? How did such a huge incident occur?"
How long had Chen Jiuyang been quiet? Now he was causing trouble again. He recalled that each time Chen Jiuyang caused trouble, it escalated, and this time it had become known to the entire world.
Elder Han smiled and said, "Since Longjing hasn't made a statement, why are you, Brother Chen, so flustered?"
"Jiuyang is now our Dragon Kingdom's Sixth King, and his new army is being established. Moreover, the Year of Jiazi has arrived, and for the Martial Ranking World Competition in six months, Jiuyang will need to represent the Dragon Kingdom. Longjing will not let Jiuyang fall into danger."
"Indeed," Yao Qianhe nodded and said, "With Jiuyang's talent and aptitude, he should also be the captain of the Dragon Kingdom's national team for the Martial Ranking. Longjing would never let anything happen to him."
Lin Buwen calmly sipped his tea: "Brother Chen, do not panic. Jiuyang is King Qian, representing the dignity of our Dragon Kingdom. If foreign martial artists dare to offend our Dragon Kingdom, they should be repaid in kind, with double the retaliation."
"Everything in our Dragon Kingdom was fought for and earned by our ancestors with their blood. Jiuyang, as King Qian, is responsible for defending the country and not yielding an inch of territory. It is his duty."
"But!" The patriarch of the Chen family frowned, "Although the Martial Ranking and national destiny can help him break through to the Heaven realm, and he will bring glory to the Dragon Kingdom in the Martial Ranking World Competition in six months, I told him not to get involved in these matters and focus solely on martial arts."
Elder Han said, "Brother Chen, you are being stubborn. Jiuyang is King Qian, and he has his own choices. We cannot control them."
"Old woman was just thinking, although many have helped Jiuyang along the way, his path has essentially been forged by himself. Why worry so much?"
The patriarch of the Chen family glared, but he couldn't say anything. It was indeed as Elder Han had said.
Marquis Fenghan said, "Brother Chen, my disciple is the Dragon Kingdom's King Qian. Killing foreign enemies is a glorious matter. Think about it, didn't Shu Mountain make such great sacrifices sixty years ago to achieve the grandeur it possesses today? The Dragon Kingdom has never suppressed Shu Mountain's martial arts influence. For every effort, there is a reward."
The patriarch of the Chen family sighed, his eyes somewhat vacant, and slowly said, "Precisely because my Shu Mountain paid so much sixty years ago, my Shu Mountain has a clear conscience towards the Dragon Kingdom and only wishes for the descendants of Shu Mountain to grow up peacefully."
Sixty years ago, every household in Shu Mountain mourned, and the sound of wailing continued for half a year.
Yao Zixuan said, "Jiuyang fighting for the country and killing enemies, achieving merit as soon as he is crowned king, is a matter of bringing glory to the ancestors!"
Lin Yuexian said, "Zixuan is right. Achieving merit upon being crowned king represents Brother Chen's deep patriotism. His royal position will be more stable, and he will not be looked down upon or suppressed by the older generation of kings. The lack of action from Longjing and the other kings is giving Jiuyang an opportunity to prove himself."
Ji Lengyue said, "By doing so, Jiuyang truly lives up to the royal title bestowed by the Dragon Kingdom and the privileges granted to him within the Dragon Kingdom."
Qiu Yihan said, "My Dao companion should be like this, brave and invincible, surpassing his peers, commanding respect. After several near-death experiences, Jiuyang's reputation in the Demonic Path is formidable, and the younger generation all respects him."
"A royal title is important, but a king's authority is built upon the corpses of enemies; it is indispensable."
"If one is timid and hesitant, they are not worthy of being my Dao companion."
"..." The patriarch of the Chen family sighed, truly speechless.
As everyone had said, what if the sixty years of peace were broken? The Dragon Kingdom's status, dignity, and pride were all earned by the people of the Dragon Kingdom with their own hands.
...
Within 318 City.
The heavy snow had stopped, and a cold wind howled, whipping fiercely.
The entire city was filled with the sounds of combat, and blood could be seen everywhere.
With the Zhenxi Army present, and tens of thousands of Dragon Kingdom martial artists united in their attack, the martial artists of the Yin Shen Kingdom were like clay chickens and pottery dogs, utterly incapable of resisting.
At this moment, 318 City was thick with the smell of blood.
Upon receiving King Daixuluo's orders, the Yin Shen Kingdom martial artists within the city divided into several groups to fight.
The weaker cannon fodder were sent to die first, while those with some strength were tasked with delaying the enemy and probing the movements of the Zhenxi Army. The stronger ones were concentrated on attacking the city gates.
Although the snow had stopped within the city, the weather outside remained dozens of degrees below zero. Even with aircraft, they could not fly over, and the anti-aircraft guns on the city walls were not for show. Therefore, for King Daixuluo to successfully breach 318 City, he first had to capture its gates!
However, he had overestimated this group of Yin Shen Kingdom martial artists and underestimated the combat power of Chen Jiuyang, Gong Luoque, Gong Liexian, and the Sword Bearer!
Even if the Earth realm martial artists among this group were encountered by these individuals, they would be killed in a single move.
"Ch—"
With a single saber strike, Chen Jiuyang reaped the life of a Grandmaster of the Earth realm from the Yin Shen Kingdom. He stood alone, facing hundreds of Yin Shen Kingdom martial artists, but these hundreds of martial artists were already terrified.
"This is not human, he is a devil! He is a devil!"
"Dragon Kingdom's King Qian, kill us if you will, but our King Daixuluo will arrive soon. You are merely a pseudo-king. When my King arrives, you will surely die... undoubtedly..."
"Ch!"
Another saber strike, and the head separated from the body, ending his life.
"Oh, I'll be waiting."
Chen Jiuyang's cold and indifferent voice rang out.
"As for you, it's time for you to hit the road."