Chapter 222

Chapter 222: Are the Honorable Gentlemen Ashamed?

Captain Hai looked at the court official who had hinted at him with a puzzled feeling in his heart.

Was this Great Yan’s court official really the one he had imagined?

Was he implying that he shouldn’t slander Immortal Gate? Even after hearing about the tragedy of the lone city’s remaining army?

Who knew he couldn’t even speak?

He looked around without thinking, feeling a bit confused.

Hai Wuya seemed to notice Captain Hai’s hesitation and spoke up at this moment.

"Si Yuan, keep going, say whatever you want without worries."

Hai Wuya widened his eyes, and the minister who spoke earlier immediately shifted his gaze elsewhere and stopped talking.

Although Hai Wuya had only been out of the heavenly prison for a few months, as a high-ranking official, he still held an important position in the court.

Not to mention that Hai Wuya himself was also a martial artist, even though his rank wasn’t very high and he was aging, he still exuded an imposing aura.

Captain Hai exchanged a glance with his own father, although feeling somewhat confused, he continued speaking:

"It is undoubtedly the Great Dao Sect who created the ‘Hundred-mile Desert’!"

"They turned the fertile land of Zhong Province into a barren desert, blocked the news, and isolated the inside and outside with a great formation, making the outside world, including Jiu Province, believe that our hundred thousand soldiers had been wiped out forty years ago, and it was all their doing."

"In the most difficult and challenging environment, excellent soldiers can be born… Even if we die in a bloody battle, we may not find peace after death. From birth to death, we will be used for its purpose…"

Captain Hai began to tell the tragic history of the isolated city over the past forty years.

From General Li Changge’s breakthrough at the moment of death, slaying inhuman enemies but also sacrificing their own lives, to the gradual decline of the remaining troops, leaving only a few hundred elderly veterans.

In the forty years of fighting, it was not only the former Western Conquering Army, but also the able-bodied young men of this city.

However, later on, these young men in the city continued to die. Now, forty years later, there are only a total of three hundred soldiers able to go to the battlefield. The city is left with only women, children, and the elderly, hardly able to form intact families.

While Captain Hai was speaking, many courtiers wanted to interrupt, but Hai Wuya intentionally or unintentionally suppressed them with his gaze.

Captain Hai spoke with a dry mouth and tears in his eyes. The forty-year history has vanished like smoke, from the past to the present, which is the last year with only three hundred old soldiers left on the city walls.

"Three hundred old soldiers cannot withstand inhuman’s attacks for long, so the destruction of this city was inevitable this year, the only difference was just a matter of time… That’s what we thought until an elder from the Qiao family, named Qiao Shuangsen, entered the isolated city…"

"That would be Elder Lao, a descendant of Qiao Shui’s family." Captain Hai said, pointing to Qiao Mu standing beside him.

Qiao family member? Qiao Shuangsen?

The name instantly made Emperor Yonghe’s heart skip a beat.

At first, he didn’t pay much attention to this old man who entered the palace without bowing. He thought he was just a representative of the lonely city soldiers, like Captain Hai.

The surname Qiao is quite ordinary, a common surname.

But upon hearing this, he vaguely remembered the troublesome Qiao family from before and the "Qiao Zhong" he ordered to be beheaded.

Captain Hai continued. Qiao Shuangsen made a promise to me. He pretends to be a soldier from Great Yan, calling himself part of the Great Yan Immortal Slaying Army, the vanguard of Great Yan’s reinforcements.

"He falsely claims that Great Yan outside still cares about us, the people of the lonely city, and has specially formed an Immortal Slaying Army to rescue us from the desert."

According to Hai Siyuan’s description, a scene began to unfold.

In the lonely city, which was battered by wind and sand, every inch of land soaked with blood and tears, a soldier from Great Yan appeared.

He said Great Yan had not forgotten this city, had not forgotten the deserted city destroyed by inhuman hands, had not forgotten the 100,000 brave soldiers who embarked on the journey regardless of their own safety…

The disabled old soldier in the city couldn’t help but ask the visitor with tears, "When will the reinforcements truly arrive?"

A soldier from Great Yan brought false hope.

But ironically, it was this false hope that swept away the city’s past despair and brought new vitality to the city that was already on the verge of destruction.

And then…

"He died," Captain Hai said slowly.

"Qiao Shuangsen died in the next round of attacks from the inhuman bean soldiers. He led the soldiers and fought bravely till his death, before us old soldiers."

This sudden turn of events startled the courtiers, some of them didn’t react in time.

"But the next Qiao family member arrived one after another," Captain Hai continued.

"Qiao Shuangsen died in battle, his father Qiao Ruosen carried his body like a dead dog and told us that he was the reinforcements from Great Yan!"

"The relentless attacks were like waves, one wave comes and goes, another wave will come tomorrow, repeating endlessly."

"After Qiao Shuangsen died, then came Qiao Ruosen."

"After Qiao Ruosen died, Qiao Zhuosen came next, generations of Qiao family elders passed through the battle lines, always united as one, always willing to sacrifice, telling us that reinforcements were coming, asking us to hold on a little longer, but in the end they were the first to sacrifice themselves before us!"

"They followed the Qiao family motto, following their hearts and beliefs. They believed in doing what they felt was right, regardless of the strength of the enemy or the consequences."

"They were known as the Immortal Slaying Army, true heroes who made us believe that beyond the Great Yan, there were still people like us, soldiers who never forgot to resist the inhumane, even after forty years!"

These words echoed in the palace, leaving all the officials and generals pale-faced.

Qiao family members were already quite famous in Zhong Province, especially after Emperor Yonghe ordered one of them, named Qiao Zhong, to be imprisoned in heavenly prison a few months ago, and later executed at the market square.

The demeanor of Qiao family members mentioned by Captain Hai indeed bore some resemblance to what they had heard about this martial arts family in the past.

"They are all good boys from the Qiao family," Qiao Mu nodded in agreement.

"But the boys from the Qiao family have only taken over the torch from the people of the deserted city, they are the true heroes."

Qiao Mu was not being modest, he just didn’t want to stand out now.

Because he had become Qiao Shui, as gentle as water, benefiting all things without competing.

Volunteering to go to court with Captain Hai was actually a way to protect his life, to avoid death from inhuman pursuit and persecution.

Today, he is not the protagonist, Captain Hai and other unseen veterans are.

If things go smoothly, it’s fine for him to play a supporting role.

Anyway, if he stirs up trouble and ends up dead again, he will have to be isolated for another three to five years, which is not a good life.

Emperor Yonghe sat blankly on the dragon throne, with mixed feelings in his heart.

He was the emperor, although he had to consider the big picture in his actions, and couldn’t act impulsively, he still knew right from wrong.

When the Qiao family member at the Great Yan Imperial Court pretended to be the "Great Yan Immortal Slaying Army" to rescue the besieged city, it truly shook him inside.

Because this was something that the emperor himself should do.

The elderly in the city asked. When will the Six Armies truly arrive?

The one who should answer is the Great Yan Emperor, not the Qiao family member pretending to be a Great Yan soldier…

When he saw Qiao Pifu go to his death in Heyang City, he also felt deeply and hoped that one day the valiant Qiao family could be of use to him.

But then there was the assassination attempt on Emperor Yonghe by Qiao Zhong… that was a different story altogether.

At this moment, one of the court officials seized on the key point in Captain Hai’s words.

"Did the Qiao family member kill someone from the Great Dao Sect?"

The man speaking is the chief minister of the dynasty, his last name is Li, with a fair complexion and a plump body, a round face and a dignified demeanor.

Minister Li frowned, expressing some doubt in his words:

"How can a martial artist kill an inhuman? How can they kill an inhuman? Are you making up a story?"

"Hai Siyuan, let’s leave the past in the past, don’t mix in personal emotions."

"The martial artists of the Qiao family might have a debt of gratitude to you, but this matter is indeed a bit absurd."

Many court officials pondered upon hearing this.

Minister Li is the chief minister of the country, a highly-ranked official. Regardless of the correctness of his words, they all must respond in some way.

"Indeed, it is a bit absurd."

"The immortal path is not one that ordinary people can tread, even with the most basic spiritual roots, only one in a thousand can. That’s why inhumans are the elite of the human race, with exceptional talents among inhumans being the elite of the elite, the cream of the crop."

"Even the best mortal martial artists, the top of the top, can they compare to inhuman beings?"

"Mortal martial artists are limited to the 1st rank. How can they kill inhuman beings when even a group of mortals can defeat them?"

Many courtiers chimed in agreement.

"Your statement is too far-fetched and absurd," he said.

They were discussing the gap between martial arts and immortal cultivation on the surface, talking about the difference between immortals and mortals, but that wasn’t what they really meant to convey.

When the Martial Saint invaded the Immortal Gate in Nan Province and successfully killed a Qingyang immortal, they had naturally heard about it.

Whether a martial artist can kill an immortal is one thing.

But revealing it openly after killing an immortal in court is another matter altogether.

Li Xiang squinted as he listened to the courtiers, narrowing his long eyes and saying slowly:

"The Inhuman War happened forty years ago and is now a distant memory."

"The Nine Immortal Gates have protected our kingdom from the elements for forty years."

"Times have changed, and things are different now."

"Our kingdom is now allied with the Nine Immortal Gates, and Immortal Gate disciples are appointed as deacons to deal with disasters caused by dark magic."

"Hai Siyuan, holding out for forty years has been truly remarkable. I commend your resilience," said Li Xiang earnestly.

"But that’s all in the past. Why bring it up now? Are you suggesting we fabricate a story about a martial artist killing immortals?"

"So many people died forty years ago. Do you want more bloodshed, hoping for Jiu Province to descend into chaos again?"

Captain Hai’s eyes widened, his mouth agape, speechless.

After enduring countless hardships and the sacrifice of tens of thousands, shedding tears and blood for forty years within the solitary city, he finally ventured out of the desert and reached the once-dreamed-of Golden Palace. There, he was able to recount the forgotten stories of the military and civilians to the Emperor over the past forty years under the rule of Great Yan.

He wanted to share his feelings and talk about the past heroic stories of the fallen warriors, including the sacrifice of a Qiao family member who was also a martial artist. He didn’t want his comrades to die in obscurity, so he came to the magnificent palace.

Hearing many rumors in Anxi Town about the Great Yan Dynasty, he felt lucky.

Today, standing in the magnificent palace, he talked about the past in front of the Emperor and his officials, but was wrongly accused. Feeling discouraged, he had nothing else to say.

It’s no wonder people say that after the brutal war, the scholars in the court lost their integrity and the warriors lost their backbone.

Captain Hai looked ashen-faced, feeling like something intangible had collapsed inside him.

The great building had already collapsed.

With no fighting spirit left in their hearts, what’s the use of soldiers fighting to the death?

Emperor Yonghe remained silent, torn between speaking out or staying quiet.

Knowing the value of loyal soldiers in Jiu Province, and the enduring forty-year struggle of the isolated troops, Emperor Yonghe recognized it as a remarkable achievement that would go down in history.

He also knew he couldn’t upset the veteran soldier in front of him… but…

If this veteran soldier only focuses on guarding the city and protecting the people in the city, then naturally there will be harmony between ruler and subjects.

It’s not impossible to mention inhuman… but pointing out the Great Dao Sect in Zhong Province…

"We mustn’t act rashly… we must think carefully before acting." Emperor Yonghe remained silent instead of speaking.

So the entire Golden Palace fell into a brief silence.

Hai Wuya frowned too. He wanted to say something but was pulled back by his companion Li Xiang.

"Hai Wuya, don’t act on impulse," Li Xiang warned.

"If you’re thinking for the greater good, you should act modestly and not offend the Immortal Gate," they continued.

Hai Wuya was slightly taken aback and furrowed his brows, sensing that Li Xiang was hinting at something.

Captain Hai stood in front of the Golden Luan Palace, looking at the officials and generals with a slightly confused look in his eyes. At sixty years old, he was still fighting on the frontline of the isolated city, but now his posture was a bit stooped, lacking his former vigor, showing only signs of aging and weariness.

Qiao Mu stood by Captain Hai’s side, quietly and unobtrusively like a green leaf.

But seeing Captain Hai’s aged appearance, Qiao Mu couldn’t hold back his emotions.

Life in this world ultimately cannot be reckless, actions must consider many factors, and think about the bigger picture…

So even though Qiao Mu saw that Captain Hai’s visit to the imperial palace this time was filled with suppressed indignation, what he really wanted to ask was, "Does the emperor still remember the people of the isolated city?" and "Where are the reinforcements from Great Yan?"

But when it came to speaking out, all he could do was recount the tragic history of the isolated city.

He just wanted to seek justice, to let the court and the world know about the steadfastness of the isolated city’s people over the past forty years, not wanting the heroes of the past to be forgotten.

Living a life of obscurity, forgotten by Jiu Province in his lifetime, isn’t it reasonable to at least seek some posthumous fame?

So this was his compromise.

Without questioning, only seeking justice for our fellow soldiers, seeking a good reputation in the future.

But his compromise didn’t really make a difference.

When Captain Hai talked only about perseverance and sacrifice, everyone in the court praised him generously, saying that such a great achievement would be recorded in history.

Anyway, praising someone doesn’t cost a thing.

But when the topic shifted to Immortal GateGreat Dao Sect…they couldn’t praise enough.

The civil and military ministers of the same generation as Hai Wuya were already a thing of the past, and nowadays, there are only a few tough officials left in the court of Emperor Yonghe.

"You all have your concerns…everyone has to consider the bigger picture…"

Qiao Mu spoke to himself and took two steps forward.

He walked from behind Captain Hai to in front of him, standing up straight.

Though old, still standing straight like a spear.

Captain Hai and Hai Wuya both had some concerns one way or another.

So today, let him play the role of the Hai family father and son.

"Robbers have already robbed your home once, yet you talk about the big picture here, boasting that the robber can come again in the future? The reason is if you anger the thief, he might come back to rob again?"

The officials were slightly surprised and turned their gaze towards the old man who had been silent for a long time.

"Do robbers reason with you? If you are nice, kneel down to them, and serve them kindly, they won’t rob you?"

Kneeling down only makes it easier for robbers to rob you. What makes robbers wary is always a sword that can be used to fight against them.

"Rude martial artist!" scolded one of the court officials.

"Is this childish play what you call a national matter?"

Qiao Mu didn’t speak, he just reached into the storage bag given to him by the old man of the arsenal, took out something, and threw it on the floor in front of the palace.

It was a paper man torn in half, though made of paper, it still had a faint lingering scent, unlike ordinary things.

The old man of the arsenal seemed to be the only one among the old and lonely in the city who had embarked on the path of cultivation. He cherished every move left by the cultivators, even the corpses of Taoist soldiers.

"Don’t y’all believe in using martial arts to defeat immortals?" Qiao Mu shouted:

"Then let me show you the inhuman Taoist soldiers that the old soldiers of the lonely city have dealt with over the years."

Every time he spoke, he kept pulling out new things from the storage bag.

There were broken Paper Man Soldiers, bean soldiers with holes in their bodies, bean generals standing three meters tall…

Finally, even a corpse was thrown out of the storage bag.

It turned out to be the body of Dao Shun, a disciple of the Great Dao Sect, draped in the robes of the Great Dao Sect.

The ministers were about to scold the elderly Qiao family member for bringing a corpse into the palace, causing a disturbance. But upon closer inspection, they were shocked to find that it was actually the body of a disciple from the Great Dao Sect?

Qiao Mu ignored the ministers’ surprise and pointed to the body of Dao Shun, saying:

"The member of the Qiao family who went to the battlefield and died called themselves the Great Yan Immortal Slaying Army, merely carrying on the flame that had not been extinguished for forty years by the lone survivors of the army."

"When Qiao Shuangsen entered the city, the elderly half-city residents wept and asked when the real reinforcements would arrive… This question should have been answered by the true Great Yan reinforcements, not by us, the descendants of the Qiao family. Today, I will pose the question on behalf of the sorrowful elderly residents of the city…"

Qiao Mu looked directly at Emperor Yonghe on the dragon throne and declared loudly:

"The lone survivors of the city have stood firm for forty years without surrendering. How many in the halls of Great Yan still harbor the spirit of resistance?"

"In today’s Great Yan, is there anyone daring to take up the unextinguished flame from the hands of the white-headed soldiers of the lone city?"

"As the soldiers fought to the death over these forty years… where is the Great Yan now? Are the esteemed officials in the halls feeling any shame?"

Qiao Mu, a highly skilled martial artist, appeared elderly but spoke with vigor and strength.

His voice was like ocean waves, with one question after another, echoing in the hall and drowning out all other voices.