The continuous stream of good news, especially with the arrival of the Ranger Corps, served to massively boost the morale of the Black Flag Army. In response to this excellent turn of events, Yinshuang, Jidu, and the others had already finalized detailed battle plans.

As for Jiuyao Shenzhen, the supreme commander, his daily routine could be summarized as utterly idle, save for making a couple of passes along the city walls to show his face and lift the troops' spirits.

This left generals like Yinhe and Yinshuang with expressions of indescribable strangeness and profound emotion whenever they saw him.

Among the Black Flag Legion, whether it was Yinshuang, Yinhe, or Yinxi, every single one of them was utterly swamped by the sheer administrative load of commanding an army group exceeding two million soldiers.

Especially with the arrival of the Ranger Corps, the Black Flag Army's numbers had soared to an astonishing eight million nine hundred thousand!

This sudden surge in personnel necessitated massive revisions to the existing operational plans, bringing with it a host of unforeseen complications.

Matters of military supplies, grain provisioning, and the organization of troop movements—these issues kept Yinhe and Yinshuang rushing about, fully occupied from dawn till dusk.

Eight million nine hundred thousand!

Just contemplating that terrifying number was enough to cause a splitting headache. But alas, they were saddled with me, a commander who was an utter simpleton when it came to military affairs, internal governance, or logistics! They could only count themselves unlucky.

Whenever I thought of this, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. It seemed my role as commander had truly devolved into a superfluous ornament.

In fact, right from the initial formation of the Black Flag Army, I had established the primary leaders for the military's three core systems.

Military strategy was entrusted entirely to the Department of Strategy; Yinhe took absolute charge of internal affairs and logistics. For direct decisions in the heat of battle, command and dispatch fell to Yinshuang. Jidu served as the general coordinator linking these three sectors. As for me? I became the hands-off boss who managed nothing! Regarding my bold management style of decentralization, the father-daughter duo of Yinhe and Yinshuang expressed immense admiration. To them, my delegation was the ultimate expression of trust and affirmation, ensuring they never slackened in their respective duties.

Only Jidu, who knew my true capabilities, understood that my approach was a strategy born purely out of necessity. Jidu was equally impressed by how I managed to frame even my laziness so legitimately.

To be honest, every time I saw Jidu and Yinshuang frantic over upcoming marches and battles, I felt a fresh wave of guilt and awkwardness; after all, I was an awfully irresponsible Marshal.

Yet, I was quite self-aware of my own limitations: if I truly offered help, it would only create more trouble! Thinking of this, I could only sigh in resignation and look up at the sky!

Just like now!

Ah! What fine weather! The warm, gentle sunlight induced a profound laziness, causing the Mammoth King following behind me to open its terrifying maw in a satisfied yawn. It promptly settled onto the ramparts, refusing to budge an inch further.

Its mountain-like bulk rose and fell slightly, soon emitting deep, resonant snores that drew the astonished glances of passing patrol soldiers.

Within the army, the Mammoth King was an utterly unique and exceptional entity. Unlike other mounts, it was not confined to designated stables but allowed free movement throughout the city.

It could roam wherever it pleased, making it the freest being in the ranks. This wasn't mere indulgence; it was because, apart from me, any unauthorized approach to it was extremely perilous.

However, the Mammoth King did not attack others without reason.

Thus, having spent this time in the army without causing any major incidents, people gradually grew accustomed to its presence.

Even so, the soldiers remained deeply awed by the colossal beast. After the Battle of Mancheng, the Mammoth King's ferocity was already renowned across the continent. A mount capable of slaying the steed of a heavy armored general—surely the Mammoth King was the sole aberration on the entire Mafa Continent.

Glancing at the soundly sleeping Mammoth King behind him, Jidu felt a certain sting.

"Truly leisurely, aren't we?"

"Ha!" I was momentarily startled, but quickly grasped Jidu's meaning: I was as bored and idle as the creature now! Thinking again of Yinshuang and Yinhe, who had been running themselves ragged these past few days, my sense of responsibility deepened.

"Well, it can't be helped," I admitted awkwardly. "It’s not laziness; it's just that I genuinely can’t offer any useful assistance."

"Heh, Your Highness misunderstands," Jidu replied with a faint smile. "It was just a fleeting observation."

"A fleeting observation?" I grew quite curious.

"Precisely." Jidu looked at me with a rather strange expression. "In all of history, what commander was not proficient in both scholarly arts and military strategy? Masterful in strategic planning, logistical deployment, and internal administration, living under constant, minute caution in their high positions." Here, Jidu chuckled. "A commander as relaxed and easygoing as Your Highness—truly, one cannot find another like you in all of history."

"That old General," I said, sweating slightly. "I know my role as commander-in-chief is somewhat undeserved, but who made you shove me onto this Marshal’s seat?"

"Undeserved!" Jidu retorted with mock exasperation. "If Your Highness said that to Mo Luo Yinfeng, he’d probably choke on his own blood from sheer rage!" Jidu then resumed his peculiar smile. "But to command an army of this magnitude in such a manner—perhaps only Your Highness could achieve it. It’s still quite unbelievable. Right now, Your Highness commands the strongest army on the continent, comprising eight million heavy troops!" Jidu continued with deep emotion, "Although I have witnessed every development from the Black Flag Army’s inception to its current state, it all feels like a dream. Your Highness has only been on the Demon Sealing Continent for five short months, yet the Black Flag Army has expanded to over eight million personnel."

"Don't talk to me about it," I admitted, somewhat bewildered. "I feel the same way. None of this seems plausible."

"Well, since it’s happening around Your Highness," Jidu sighed, "we shouldn't be surprised if something even more exaggerated occurs in the future."

"........" I was utterly speechless; what kind of twisted logic was that?

As I drifted off in thought, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from behind.

Following the sound, I saw a young man named Byron, about my age.

"Ah, it's Mo Hui."

Jidu and Yinshuang had told me that it was this boy who discovered Cangyue Qianyu’s assassination plot against me and reported it to Yinshuang. The subsequent series of feigned retreats and staged deaths, designed to lure the enemy in, were all based on that accurate piece of intelligence. This kid was undoubtedly the chief hero in the capture of Mancheng.

Yet, this boy gave up his comfortable position as a captain of a thousand-man unit, demanding instead to become my personal guard—a strange request that made everyone look at him anew.

Unfortunately, the fellow seemed to possess no sense of duty as a personal guard, being nowhere to be seen most days.

I never expected him to show up right at this moment.

"Marshal, hurry back to the Marshal's Estate," Mo Hui urged. "The Ranger Corps has arrived."

"The Ranger Corps?" I was slightly stunned, then quickly realized. "Could it be Yunxi and the others?"

"I don't know about that," Mo Hui grumbled with dissatisfaction. "But Chief Yinshuang asked me to tell the Marshal that your Master has arrived."

"Ah, Master? Could it be Master Jianli?" Filled with delight, I immediately rushed back to the Marshal's Estate.

The atmosphere in the main hall was exceedingly strange!

The moment I stepped into the hall, every pair of eyes instantly fixed upon me. Besides the assembled Black Flag generals, dozens of figures dressed as Rangers were seated in the hall!

The figure seated centrally had a face as flawless as jade, sharp sword-like brows, and starry eyes; a few strands of beard drifted beneath his jaw, exuding an indescribable air of elegance and freedom. If not Master Jianli, who else could it be?

Yinshuang and the other Black Flag generals were accompanying him, but what struck me as odd was that Yinshuang seemed quite tense, while Yinhe and Jianli were chatting with obvious ease and enjoyment.

To Jianli’s left sat Lu Tong, his white beard and white hair framing eyes that shone brightly. It seemed that with the destruction of the Scarlet Blood Demon Sword, Lu Tong’s inner turmoil had finally subsided. Lu Tong now appeared free of his former obsession and isolation, replaced by a disposition of cheerfulness and ease.

But the figure who drew my attention most in the crowd was another, gracefully elegant silhouette!

Yan Luo!

For a moment, I felt my entire being pulled toward an invisible black hole. Even now, I clearly recalled every word spoken in the side chamber on the night before I left Moon Sect.

Though I never returned to Bitchi afterward, I remained meticulously attentive to all information concerning Moon Sect, and particularly concerning Yan Luo.

I knew that two years after my departure, Yan Luo had become the presiding Sect Master, leading the entirety of Moon Sect. In essence, Yan Luo had fulfilled the promise she once made, for Moon Sect had since developed into a massive Dragon-rank guild.

Furthermore, Moon Sect had launched four expeditions into the Crimson Moon Canyon, penetrating deep into the Land of Choice. If not for limitations in strength, Yan Luo might have already led the sect into the Altar of Demons.

No one knew why Yan Luo pursued these seemingly near-mad adventures.

But I knew Yan Luo was enacting the promises she made through her actions.

Compared to three years ago, the current Yan Luo possessed less cold arrogance and more composure and competence! Beneath her golden bangs, her eyes remained indifferent and calm, yet I sensed a faint ripple flicker across that previously still surface the moment her gaze met mine. Then, a faint smile touched her lips.

I suppressed the excitement surging within me and looked around.

Beside Yan Luo were Long Xin, Long Zhan, Long Qi, Jin Hong, and Dong Guan—all looking at me with undisguised excitement. However, with so many people present, they could only watch on the sidelines. My current status was vastly different, and they dared not approach casually.

As for the Cangyue delegation, the representatives sent were Feng Qing, Han Yunzhen, Xia Yatiane, along with Bai Ling, with whom we shared a deep friendship, and the three Fang brothers, who were also conspicuously present.

All of them struggled to hide their visible excitement! And several others!

The representatives from the Demon Dragon Continent included the Yun family and the current leaders of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise factions.

And from Bitchi, besides key figures of the Star Moon Alliance like Jianli and Yan Luo, there were four other young faces: Long Yuan Feixue, Eagle Zhen Kuangren, Bear Ba Tianxia, and Tiger Howl Shanye—the five young masters once mentioned alongside me—as well as Li Xie, the representative from Shabak!

Upon seeing me, every single one of them unconsciously widened their eyes, staring at me dumbfounded. Each one instinctively wanted to say something, but the words caught in their throats, unable to be spoken!

How to describe it? This feeling was truly overwhelming and deeply moving!

For a moment, time seemed to rewind three years—to the scenes in Death Coffin, Zumar Temple, and the Lord's Residence—familiar yet hazy images flashing rapidly through my mind!

Back then, if I hadn't been fleeing the manhunt ordered by the Four Great Clans and Shabak, I never would have traveled to Cangyue. And naturally, I never would have encountered Shenyin, the power that changed the course of my entire life!

Looking back now, it felt as if everything had been governed by some mysterious fate and predestined connection.

Gazing at the array of familiar faces, I felt an overwhelming torrent sweep through my heart.

Everything is ephemeral! Everything changes! What inspires the most emotion is this very fact.

After a long pause, I finally composed myself.

I then walked toward Li Xie and his group!

Li Xie and Long Yuan Feixue's faces paled instantly, and they stared at me apprehensively!

It wasn't just them; even the Black Flag generals standing nearby had their eyes wide open!

The history of the enmity between me and Shabak and the Four Great Clans was already common knowledge throughout the Ranger world on the Mafa Continent.

Past enemies stood before me, and no one could predict what might happen next!

The atmosphere in the hall grew intensely heavy.

And Long Yuan Feixue and the others subconsciously reached for the weapons at their waists!

"Whatever grudges we might hold from the past, I believe that by coming here, you have all laid aside those old grievances. We are no longer enemies, but comrades fighting side-by-side." I walked slowly up to Li Xie, picking up a wine cup from the table.

Only then did Li Xie and the others exhale in relief and stated seriously, "With great righteousness before us, what do personal grudges matter!"

"Grudges, righteousness." I couldn't help but be overcome with emotion. At that very moment, I suddenly recalled a poem written by the great literary master, Lu Xun, and recited loudly:

Rushing thunder and flying flames destroy human souls, Ruined wells and broken walls remain for starving crows. By chance, a great spirit leaves the burning house, Finally leaving behind the high tower, thinking of Yingzhou. The exquisite bird dreams awake, still clutching a stone; The determined fighter resolutely resists the current. Having passed through tribulations, brothers remain; Meeting, we smile and bury the enmity.

With that, I downed the wine in the cup, looking with a smile toward Li Xie, Long Yuan Feixue, and the leaders of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise factions with whom I had past conflicts.

In the hall, everyone seemed deeply moved by this powerful poetry, staring at me dazedly.

"Well said, 'Meeting, we smile and bury the enmity!'" After a moment, everyone snapped out of it, and several people couldn't help but cheer loudly.

"'Having passed through tribulations, brothers remain,'" Li Xie’s bell-like eyes flashed with an unusual light. "'Meeting, we smile and bury the enmity!' A fine poem, a noble spirit!"

"As expected of Xingchen," Tiger Howl Shanye declared. "With that one line—'Meeting, we smile and bury the enmity'—I find I can't hold a grudge even if I wanted to! Hahaha!" After speaking, Tiger Howl Shanye also raised his wine cup and drank it all down.

"........" Long Yuan Feixue and the others also raised the cups on the table and drank deeply.

Everyone seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief, looked at each other, and then burst into simultaneous, hearty laughter.

"Hahahaha!" Jianli and the others couldn't help but laugh heartily. "Let’s all drink! May all past enmities go to hell!"

"Hahahaha!" The hall was once again filled with thunderous laughter.