It’s been three months since the mass disappearance of hundreds of Martial Kings outside Photon City. The Western Battle Zone has remained calm during this ti, and Qin Hong has also received orders from the Military Departnt to return and withdraw from the Western Battle Zone.
Grand Marshal Long Lin watched Qin Hong and his group prepare to depart for Photon City, looking quite hesitant.
Qin Hong smiled and said, "Grand Marshal Long Lin, do you have sothing to say?"
"Qin Hong, I think it’s better for you to stay in Hua’an City. After all, the Tianlang Domain could invade again at any mont. If you have to rush back from Photon City by then, it will take a considerable amount of ti on the road. During your stay in Hua’an City, I’ve prepared every resource you might need. Whatever your Qin Long Guards lack, I’ll provide for you. You might as well cultivate here; it won’t be much different from returning to Photon City, right?"
Hearing this, Qin Hong bowed and thanked him, "I understand your good intentions, Grand Marshal, but I haven’t seen my master for a long ti and inevitably miss him. Moreover, my brothers under my command all have their families in Photon City, so they’re also missing ho. Even if the Tianlang Domain attacks again in the future, we’ll return to the battlefield and fight the enemy together. I can assure you of this, Grand Marshal."
Despite Qin Hong’s assurance, Grand Marshal Long Lin remained hesitant. After considering for a long ti, he asked again, "Can’t you stay?"
Qin Hong shook his head, "Grand Marshal, farewell, I still need to return to report to my master."
With that, Qin Hong led his force of thirty thousand soldiers, leaving Hua’an City, embarking on the journey back to their holand.
Grand Marshal Long Lin stood atop the city wall, watching this solitary force depart, feeling a mix of emotions.
He was well aware of the recent undercurrents within the Rongtian Domain.
He knew so things but couldn’t speak them out loud. The Military Departnt had ordered all supporting troops from the cities to choose autonomously when to return. But why did all these supporting armies choose different tis to return than Photon City? Can’t you see the reason?
I’ve asked you to stay twice. Haven’t you noticed anything?
Grand Marshal Long Lin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. From his interactions with Qin Hong, he realized that Qin Hong was a good talent. If Qin Hong hadn’t been the apprentice of Lu Hong, the Photon City Lord and a Martial King-level figure, Grand Marshal Long Lin would have tried to recruit him.
During this ti, Grand Marshal Long Lin also endured trendous pressure. The Long Family was one of the top aristocratic families in the Rongtian Domain and was determined to obtain Qin Long Guard’s Training thod.
Grand Marshal Long Lin, with his fondness for talent, went to great lengths to protect Lu Hong in Hua’an City. As long as Lu Hong remained there under his protection, he would be safe. But once he left Long Lin’s control, things would beco unpredictable.
A party of thirty thousand marched through the icy terrain, with Lu Kang and Qin Hong riding side by side, followed by a long line of soldiers. Their steps were steady, military discipline was strict, and they didn’t fear the biting cold wind at all.
"Young City Lord, returning to Photon City this ti, there might be unexpected events along the way," Lu Kang, although without much source of information, had so speculations and thus reminded Qin Hong.
Upon hearing this, Qin Hong nodded, "I know. So ti ago, my master sent soone to inform of so matters. The Training thod of my Qin Long Guards has beco a treasure in the eyes of many. So next, you and I will part ways. I’ll take the Qin Long Guards separately from you. Their target is my Qin Long Guards, so they won’t trouble your ordinary soldiers."
"What?!" Lu Kang expected so incidents but didn’t imagine anyone would target the Qin Long Guards, imdiately speaking anxiously, "Then... why are we returning to Photon City? The road is long, and enemies could strike Mr. Qin at any point, making it impossible to guard against. I think we should remain in Hua’an City; at least Grand Marshal Long Lin is there, and no villain would dare to act recklessly."
To this, Qin Hong shook his head with a bitter smile, "How long do you think Grand Marshal Long Lin can protect us? It’s already very challenging for him to hold on until now. Those seeking the Qin Long Guards’ Training thod are the top aristocrats in the Rongtian Domain. Grand Marshal Long Lin doesn’t even have a higher status than them. He commands the entire Western Battle Zone and everyone must obey his orders, preventing anyone from acting against us here. But if they’re pushed too hard, they could settle with the Tianlang Domain at a cost. Once the Western War crisis is resolved, Grand Marshal Long Lin will have to retire. Without the highest command, how could he protect us?"
During his ti in Hua’an City, Qin Hong learned many useful things from Grand Marshal Long Lin. At least, his thinking and perspective have greatly improved compared to before.
Upon hearing Qin Hong’s explanation, Lu Kang fell silent, finally saying, "Then... maybe we should dispatch scouts to have the City Lord et us? With the City Lord present, no villain would dare act recklessly."
"No, my master is still just one person. Photon City’s location near the center of the Rongtian Domain, unbordered by outsiders, is hard to invade. But if he cos to the Western Battle Zone, near the border with the Tianlang Domain, the top experts of both Domains might join forces to eliminate him to obtain the Qin Long Guards’ Training thod."
"Then..."
Before Lu Kang could speak again, Qin Hong said, "No need for more words; we’ll split outside the valley ahead. You go around to Liao’an City on the left and return to Photon City, while I lead the Qin Long Guards on the other route."
Seeing Qin Hong’s determined attitude, Lu Kang couldn’t argue further. Should he stay and accompany Qin Hong to their deaths?
It wasn’t that Lu Kang couldn’t do it, but if the villains were determined to get them, his thirty thousand soldiers would be lambs to the slaughter. Even in death, it would be aningless. Most soldiers have family far away in Photon City, and Lu Kang was responsible for taking them back alive.
Unfortunately, just as they were about to leave the valley.
They found their way blocked.
The valley is an ideal place for ambushing and killing.
As the horses moved quietly, three distinct figures gradually appeared in Qin Hong’s view.
They were three middle-aged powerful figures standing there, like towering mountains, exuding an oppressive and heavy aura.
Recognizing the hostile intention, Qin Hong asked sternly, "Are the three of you here specifically waiting for ?"
At Qin Hong’s words, the man in the middle grinned, "You’re quite clever, kid. Since you’re not naive, let’s make this simple. Bring your Qin Long Guards and co with us!"
"Since you’re here specifically for my Qin Long Guards, you should know how formidable my master is. Aren’t you afraid of him finding out?"
Hearing Qin Hong’s question, the man chuckled again, "We acknowledge the might of Photon City’s City Lord Lu Hong, but he’s just one person. The Rongtian Domain is vast, and he alone can’t overturn it."
After the middle-aged man’s response, Qin Hong fell silent for a mont before saying, "I’ll go with you, but I hope you’ll spare the thirty thousand ordinary soldiers behind . They know nothing about the Qin Long Guards. Let them leave in peace."
"Sure, as long as you cooperate, we won’t trouble them. We’re only interested in the Qin Long Guards’ Training thod."
Relieved by the promise, Qin Hong turned to the Qin Long Guards behind him and said, "Brothers, we might not be able to return this ti."
Despite this, the Qin Long Guards remained calm, waiting for Qin Hong’s orders.
"Lay down your weapons."
As Qin Hong surrendered, groups of n in black erged from the valley’s sides, swiftly moving through the rugged terrain and surrounding the Qin Long Guards.
In no ti, the Qin Long Guards were all tied up, though Qin Hong wasn’t bound. Instead, he was flanked by two Martial King-level experts and taken out of the valley.
As they exited the valley, the middle-aged man suddenly raised his hand, making a throat-slitting gesture.
Reviews
All reviews (0)