Chapter 27

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Chapter 27: The Return of the Snow Guards

With Zhang Yang’s firm insistence—and the Wolf King Spear practically begging not to be discarded—Li Kunhai finally accepted that Zhang Yang would be the Wolf King.

As a result, the Grand Respected Guard Squad was immediately elevated to the Wolf King Guard Squad.

Since it was already composed of the elite forces, there was no need to replace anyone.

As for the more than thirty spiritual weapons Zhang Yang had retrieved, some would be distributed, while the rest would be taken back for safekeeping.

Not everyone was qualified to wield a spiritual weapon. According to Li Kunhai’s recommendation, warriors had to prove their worth through significant achievements before being rewarded with one. Otherwise, chaos could arise.

Zhang Yang strongly agreed and praised Li Kunhai, remarking that he truly deserved the position of palace master for his meticulous planning.

Noticing how Li Kunhai kept giving him a thumbs-up at every opportunity, Zhang Yang felt a bit speechless. It was as if the man was desperately trying to prove his value, afraid that Zhang Yang might reconsider and take the palace master title himself.

The Howling Wolf Palace having a new Wolf King was a momentous occasion—one that called for celebration.

Li Kunhai immediately dispatched messengers to announce the news and arrange for festivities.

They chatted as they made their way back.

Partway through their journey, a member of the Howling Wolf Palace rushed over with a report.

"A woman has arrived, searching for Zhang Yang. She brought several people with her."

The Wolf King’s Ascent

Since Zhang Yang had agreed to become the Grand Respected, Li Kunhai had arranged for people to constantly monitor the situation outside. In just one day, Zhang Yang had gone from the Grand Respected to the Wolf King, leaving Li Kunhai in disbelief.

Upon hearing a description of the newcomers, Zhang Yang’s face lit up with joy, and he urged the Ironback Blue Bull to hurry forward.

Lang Xiaotian, Li Yuheng, and others from the Wolf King Guard Squad followed closely behind. Fortunately, the Ironback Blue Bull was a bit clumsy and slowed down, allowing Lang Xiaotian, who was familiar with the terrain, to guide them without getting lost.

With a general direction confirmed, the five hundred Wolf King Guards spread out and quickly located the group.

"Yuluan!"

Zhang Yang spotted the graceful figure leading them from afar.

The newcomers were indeed Yuluan and the Snow Guards.

Upon seeing Zhang Yang again, tears streamed down Yuluan’s face. She leaped onto the back of the Ironback Blue Bull and hugged him tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"The general is gone."

"Wuu wuu wuu… She was such a good person. That bastard Seventh Prince is despicable—I want to kill him and avenge the general!"

Zhang Yang held her close, feeling her pain.

The memory of Xue Feishuang taking her own life before him still lingered in his mind. Even though she had come back to life, the pain of that moment had not faded.

After comforting Yuluan, he asked, "Why are there so few Snow Guards?"

The Snow Guards originally numbered one hundred.

Now, there were only about sixty or seventy left.

Wiping her tears, Yuluan said sadly, "Twenty-nine refused to come to the Vast Forest. They laid down their armor and returned home. Only these seventy-one remained loyal and chose to stay."

Zhang Yang understood. Everyone had a home and responsibilities. Their decision to follow Xue Feishuang had already been an act of defiance, and many must have hesitated. The fact that seventy-one had stayed was already a testament to their unwavering loyalty—even after her supposed death, they still sought to avenge her.

"Who are they?" Yuluan asked, noticing the Wolf King Guard Squad. Each member radiated a powerful aura, and the weakest among them was at the Touching Heaven realm. This was an elite force. Yuluan herself was only at the Touching Heaven realm, so she understood how formidable they were.

Zhang Yang briefly recounted what had transpired.

Yuluan listened in shock. She could hardly believe that Zhang Yang had become the Wolf King of the Howling Wolf Palace.

Lang Xiaotian and Li Yuheng exchanged strange glances. They both knew that Xue Feishuang was alive, yet Zhang Yang had chosen not to mention it.

With that, everyone returned to the Howling Wolf Palace.

A Celebration and a Reunion

The palace was already preparing for a grand celebration to welcome the new Wolf King.

It had been three generations since the last Wolf King, and the sudden appearance of one filled the palace with excitement.

Under Lang Xiaotian and Li Yuheng’s guidance, the Snow Guards integrated seamlessly with the Wolf King Guard Squad.

Even the Ironback Blue Bull helped by bringing together the Snow Guards’ horses, the Wolf King Guard Squad’s wolves, and the golden apes, creating a lively scene.

Only Yuluan was taken away by Zhang Yang.

"Are we going to see the general’s belongings? Where is she buried? I want to pay my respects," Yuluan asked, tears welling in her eyes. Though she had a fiery temperament, she had a soft heart.

Zhang Yang remained silent, leading her to a small palace in the inner courtyard.

He pushed open the door and gestured for her to enter. As soon as she stepped inside, he quietly closed it behind her.

A moment later, a sharp scream erupted from within, followed by laughter and more sobs.

Outside, Zhang Yang exhaled deeply and murmured, "It’s good to be alive."

Soon, the palace doors swung open, and a tearful yet furious Yuluan stormed out. She grabbed Zhang Yang’s ear, glaring at him.

"You monster! Get in here!"

Inside the palace, Zhang Yang’s protests and Yuluan’s playful scolding echoed, accompanied by Xue Feishuang’s laughter.

After the chaos subsided, the three of them sat together, embracing warmly.

They had all lost their families and loved ones. Now, they only had each other.

That night, the Howling Wolf Palace’s celebration was lively and joyous, continuing late into the night.

A Looming Threat

At dawn, Yuluan burst into Zhang Yang’s room and twisted his ear, pulling him out of bed.

Having barely slept all night, she grew angrier the more she thought about how he had deceived her. Teaching him a lesson was necessary.

The members of the Wolf King Guard Squad standing outside witnessed the scene.

Their fearless Wolf King—who had dared to challenge the Seventh Prince and provoke the Great Xia Empire—was completely at Yuluan’s mercy. They watched as she dragged him out to apologize, only stopping when she felt satisfied.

Despite the playful scolding, Yuluan quickly got down to business.

She informed Zhang Yang that the Seventh Prince’s Demon Slayer Team had mobilized a considerable force.

The Great Xia Empire and the two major holy lands had granted the Demon Slayer Team far too much authority, drawing many eager volunteers—including informal members—which allowed it to grow into an even more formidable army.

Furthermore, the Great Xia Martial Lord Seal had remained intact since the nation’s founding. Now that it had been lost under the current emperor’s rule, his authority had suffered a severe blow. Retaliation was inevitable.

After discussing the situation with Xue Feishuang, Yuluan took the initiative to coordinate the Howling Wolf Palace’s current forces and improve their training.

Though the Vast Forest provided a natural advantage against powerful enemies, they could not withstand an army of ten thousand without proper preparation. Strengthening their defenses was crucial.

Zhang Yang wasted no time and immediately put plans into motion.

The Howling Wolf Palace fully supported his directives, knowing that war was on the horizon.

Zhang Yang also had his own concerns—he was still in the Returning to Origin realm and needed to refine his cultivation to reach perfection.

The only element he lacked was the earth element.

Palace Master Li Kunhai informed him that the place with the most concentrated earth energy was Wolf God Mountain.

Thus, Zhang Yang set out for Wolf God Mountain.

The Ascent of Wolf God Mountain

Even though both Zhang Yang and the Ironback Blue Bull were somewhat directionally challenged, they did not get lost this time. Wolf God Mountain was nearby and so tall that it remained visible from the Howling Wolf Palace.

As they began their ascent, they had only climbed thirty meters when the Ironback Blue Bull could no longer continue.

An invisible pressure emanated from Wolf God Mountain, spreading like a powerful wave of energy. Without sufficient strength, further ascent was impossible.

For the past five hundred years, no one from the Howling Wolf Palace had managed to climb higher than two hundred meters.

Determined, Zhang Yang decided to continue alone.

At one hundred fifty meters, he activated Cang Wolf Power.

At two hundred meters, he invoked Giant Elephant Power.

At two hundred fifty meters, he applied Demon Elephant Power.

At two hundred eighty meters, he used Diamond Dragon Strength.

At three hundred meters, he summoned Ant King Power.

At three hundred thirty meters, he unleashed Baxiang Power.

Finally, he came to a stop at three hundred seventy meters.

This height was not even halfway up the mountain. Looking up, the peak remained shrouded in floating white clouds.

However, the earth energy at this altitude was exceptionally rich.

Deciding it was the ideal place to cultivate, Zhang Yang began his training.