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"Our brothers thrived in chaotic times," Chen Qing squatted down, looking at one of the deputy generals whose eyes brimmed with immense resentment, "Old Wu, do you still remember? The year you were twenty-nine, just a year shy of thirty, we had just pledged loyalty to one of the warlords. Our status wasn’t even comparable to some of the vassal families. Being a defeated general, we were sometimes used as suicide squads. Back then, your biggest wish was just to survive, to earn a position for a vassal family so that your sons and grandsons might have some status, even if they had to be slaves for generations, it wouldn’t be like then, where we were blatantly sent to our deaths. .."

These words left those originally filled with resentment stunned, as memories of those harsh years flooded their minds.

At that time, when warlords clashed, many prominent families collapsed overnight. Chen Qing had led them to pledge allegiance to a warlord, using them as bait to lure the enemy. As the leader of the group, he could have easily sold them out for a favorable position.

But he didn’t. Instead, he was the first to charge forward, leading everyone to complete that life-threatening mission, which eventually won the warlord’s favor and set all the old brothers on the first step of a legitimate path in life.

He remembered being curious and asking about it once.

That was how the boss had replied.

"Because I had you guys, they promised me a favorable position, to betray you. But if I lost you, I wouldn’t even have the chance to be promised that position, so why would I do such a thing? You all...are my assets..."

During the chaotic ten years, everyone trusted each other, always ready to take a blade for someone by their side because they all knew if the weak didn’t stick together, they wouldn’t even have a chance to struggle.

When had they started to deteriorate to this point?

"You’ve changed..." Chen Qing stood up, his expression turning from complex to cold, "changed so much that I don’t recognize you anymore. Old Wu, remember when the court was first established? You were over the moon. Your greatest wish was to have a title that you could pass on to your son, so you could proudly tell your son, ’I haven’t let you down, I earned what I was supposed to! ’"

"Back then, I felt, if I had such a father, even if his actions later led to our entire family being slaughtered, I wouldn’t regret it... So, I lost face, gave up the opportunity to go to the Capital City, and secured a title for each of you!"

The three of them were taken aback, their mouths agape but suddenly finding themselves unable to say anything.

Yes... back then, our boss was so righteous, sacrificing the chance to become one of the eight Dukes of the Capital City for them. Other leaders would betray their brothers on the day of their success, but our boss never forgot his roots...

"But look at what you’ve become now?" Chen Qing walked up to Old Wu, staring intensely at him, "Do you know your son is in Lyuzhou?

Your once cherished son, who brags about you every day to neighbors, standing tall and proud, but what are you doing?

Have you thought about the consequences of your actions? Even if you win..."

Old Wu: "....."

"Yes... now you’ve all become something extraordinary, stepping into the Transcendent realm, with lifespans calculated in tens of thousands of years.

How many sons can you still have? Unlike back then, when you could die miserably on the battlefield any moment, considering your only son as the most precious gem? "

"But back then, although you lived like dogs, you had human decency in your bones. Now, what part of you still resembles a human??"

At the end, Chen Qing almost roared out loud!

At that instant, all the Warrior Army fell silent, including Xuu Hu, who initially didn’t quite approve of Chen Qing because of Chen Qing’s several instances of disloyalty. Now, hearing these genuine emotions, he had a different perspective.

Yes, back then, joining the army... didn’t everyone just want to find a way to survive?

What was there to look down upon?

"Boss...." Old Wu struggled to lift his head, the sanguine color in his eyes slowly receding, he said laboriously, "I’m sorry... I’ve been blinded these past two years..."

Tian Heng said nothing. Life had already left him; whether he was blinded or not didn’t change his fate. As for after death, he didn’t even know if such a betrayer of Chen Qing had the qualifications to go to the Underworld Registrar. Even if he did, he feared that the outcome would not be good.

He couldn’t possibly plead for them. After all, they... had truly nearly caused Jiangnan to fall.

Even if he were to render meritorious service to atone for his crimes, he was at least guilty of negligence. Not being punished was already fortunate, pleading for them... was likely impossible, he also had a family in Lyuzhou.

"Boss... I have one more favor to ask..."

"Your family, I will take care of them, but they might not be able to stay in Lyuzhou," Tian Heng took a deep breath. "This matter can’t be hidden. You wouldn’t want your children to be cursed by others, would you? Moving far overseas is the best solution."

"You still think of everything, Boss..." Old Wu suddenly laughed, and while laughing, he began to choke up, "Tell my son I’m sorry.

I squandered what I earned for him... I lost it in a moment of madness.

From now on... he has to rely on himself.

Damn... how is this damned speech exactly like the one my old man gave me? "

Tian Heng: "....."

The other two slightly lifted their heads but said little. They were Tian Family’s men, and their descendants would likely be spared, but they might also lose their bright futures due to their own misdeeds.

People... sometimes shouldn’t be too greedy.

"Please, Boss." Old Wu smiled, then he closed his eyes and held his breath, shattering his heart meridian. Instantly, his body emitted a sharp scream, and a red light flew out from the burst of blood mist, clearly trying to slip away amid it. But Tian Heng and Xuu Hu wouldn’t let him succeed so easily and captured three red insects with even greater speed.

"Is this thing the mastermind behind this event?

" Xuu Hu frowned. This thing looked very much like the Ancient Worm, even the method of controlling people was similar.

He recalled the living corpses they had killed before had these kinds of insects within them.

Why did it seem like he was now up against the insects?

"Yes... be careful, General Xuu." Tian Heng spoke gravely. "This thing is not simple. My worthless subordinates, within just half a year of being possessed by it, attained their current skills. These things are not on the same level as those Ancient Worms."

Xuu Hu nodded. This thing had almost caused a catastrophe in Jiangnan, so of course, it was not simple.

"We owe you a great deal this time, otherwise... we might have really faced a severe crisis."

"Shameful..." Tian Heng smiled wryly. "If I had not failed to notice the thoughts of my subordinates, this calamity would not have occurred. It seems that what Luming said was right, I’m not really cut out to be a general. When the ruler returns, I’ll immediately resign.

Murong Yunji is more suited for this position. "

"You’re capable of reaching this stage today, so you are qualified." Xuu Hu looked seriously at him. "Now is not the time to discuss this. Are there more people like this within the Western Sea Army?" he asked, lifting the blood worm in his hand.

Tian Heng shook his head. "As far as I know, there aren’t anymore. The high-level Ancient Demons are limited. If it were possible to infest in large numbers, there wouldn’t be need for such sinister plots."

"That makes sense..." Xuu Hu nodded. "The ruler’s trip to Yundu is probably a conspiracy. What do we do now?"

"We must certainly send aid to Yundu, but..." Tian Heng looked toward the city gates, "According to their plan, the Northern Territory might also be in danger..."

"Northern Territory?" Xuu Hu was startled and was about to ask more when suddenly, the horns above Tong Pass sounded. Xuu Hu frowned and exchanged a glance with Tian Heng. Both of them hurriedly leaped onto the city wall and looked towards the North.

In the distance, dust billowed, and within that storm-like dust, were countless pairs of Giant Python’s eyes!