Ye Longyi ignored the scarred man’s words and the struggling soldiers trying to get up. Instead, he looked toward Ye Jingyu’s position, wanting to see who had managed to send one of his innate Martial Masters flying so easily…
But upon seeing Ye Jingyu, his expression twisted drastically, and a look of intense excitement washed over his face. His body trembled uncontrollably…
“General Ye, it’s this fellow! Not only is his brute strength immense, but he’s also impervious to blades and spears. None of the brothers could match him! General Ye, you must avenge us…” One of the soldiers, seeing Ye Longyi staring at Ye Jingyu and completely missing the change in his General’s demeanor, blurted out.
As for Ye Jingyu, seeing Ye Longyi caused the smile on his lips to bloom even brighter…
“General… is that you?” Ye Longyi ignored the soldier’s rambling, speaking with immense agitation, his eyes suddenly welling up with moisture…
The scarred man, along with the other three soldiers, froze. What was wrong with their General today? Why was he addressing this pretty-boy general?
“En…” Ye Jingyu nodded with a light chuckle. The smile on his face was incredibly warm, yet tears still glistened in his eyes. It had been over a year—nearly two years since he left Yunjing. So much had happened in those two years…
Yet, this man before him, this man who once swore absolute loyalty, still upheld his original vow and remained faithful to him…
From Ye Longyi’s eyes, Ye Jingyu saw loyalty, longing, and the most sincere affection…
He felt deeply gratified to possess such a subordinate; he was overjoyed that after all this time, he was still remembered…
That simple ‘En’ carried the weight of all seven hundred days and nights.
“General… you have finally returned… Ye Longyi is here, paying respects to General Ye…” Upon receiving Ye Jingyu’s confirmation, Ye Longyi fought back his tears and stepped forward, moving to kneel before Ye Jingyu…
“Heh heh, I’ve told you before, I dislike such formalities…” Ye Jingyu reached out a single hand, and an immensely powerful force materialized from the void, preventing Ye Longyi from kneeling.
“You lot, why aren’t you coming to pay respects to the General?” Ye Longyi shot an embarrassed look back before turning and roaring at the scarred man and the others behind him…
The scarred man and the three soldiers exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock—a shock far greater than when Ye Jingyu had crushed the scarred man’s blade with a single punch just moments ago.
There was only one person in the entire Iron Army whom Ye Longyi referred to as ‘General’: that legendary supreme talent who had vanished for a year and a half, the myth who led the Iron Army to countless victories—Ye Jingyu…
The traditions and ethos of the Iron Army were forged entirely by him. The realization that they had just dared to offend this legendary tyrant made beads of cold sweat spring forth on the foreheads of the four men. Hearing Ye Longyi’s command now, they quickly rushed forward to kneel before Ye Jingyu…
“No need to kneel. I am not a General anymore either. Longyi, tell me about your situation over this past year or so…” Ye Jingyu waved his hand lightly, and a potent force appeared out of thin air, directly stopping the men from kneeling. Such mastery sent another wave of astonishment through them…
So, Ye Longyi ordered another table of dishes and personally recounted every detail of what had transpired during the last eighteen months to Ye Jingyu.
A year and a half ago, Ye Jingyu was taken away by Dugu Bachen. After Dugu Qian relayed this news, the Iron Army nearly collapsed. Fortunately, Luo Ruofeng and Zhuge Yi Shi employed singular tactics to bring the army back under control. They then crushed Sima Xuan’s conspiracy, seized control of Lingyan City, and used it as a base to sweep through Flaming City, achieving great merits…
From then on, the Iron Army became one of the most famous armies in the Shu Yun Kingdom. In the subsequent wars of conquest, under Zhuge Yi Shi’s command, and led by Chen Qi, Ye Longyi, Bieli, and Ying Xiaoxiao, the Iron Army advanced triumphantly, contributing enormously to the establishment of the Southern Cloud Empire. Their glory even surpassed that of the Four Legions of Wind, Cloud, Thunder, and Lightning, making them the strongest legion in the Shu Yun Kingdom at the time…
It wasn't until the Southern Cloud Empire was founded, and Luo Xiaofeng ascended the throne, naming Luo Haitian the Crown Prince, that the Iron Army’s prominence was suppressed by the Cloud Army, led by Xiao Geng, who had pledged allegiance to the Crown Prince…
It could be said that for the past six months, the Iron Army had been continuously suppressed. They were assigned all the most dangerous missions, yet they were never given missions with significant merit but little risk…
In half a year, the Iron Army’s numbers drastically declined. Now, although the total strength had been expanded to one hundred thousand, fewer than one thousand of the original eight thousand elites who followed Ye Jingyu remained…
The other thousands had perished in various battles, big and small…
Furthermore, Chen Qi had died in battle two months prior while serving the nation…
Upon hearing that Chen Qi was gone, Ye Jingyu’s face instantly darkened. The image of that gentle-looking, meticulous man involuntarily surfaced in his mind…
He had once promised him high office and wealth; he did indeed become a Great General, but in the end, he lost his life. What a tragedy that was!
“General, you must avenge General Chen Qi…” Seeing Ye Jingyu’s melancholic expression, Ye Longyi suddenly lowered his voice…
“En?” Ye Jingyu frowned. Could there be some hidden story behind this?
“Two months ago, our Iron Army was tasked with cooperating with the Flame Army to attack Xining City in Lanzhou. Once Xining City fell, General Chen Qi and the Flame Army Commander, Qin Yunxiao, were jointly responsible for pursuing the Tian Yuan Empire’s forces. In the end, only Qin Yunxiao returned. He claimed they were ambushed, and that General Chen Qi sacrificed himself to cover his retreat…”
Hearing this, Ye Jingyu’s expression shifted instantly. If it had been himself, Chen Qi would undoubtedly sacrifice his life to cover his retreat. But it was common knowledge that Ye Jingyu harbored deep hatred for Qin Yunxiao. How could Chen Qi possibly die protecting his retreat? There had to be something hidden…
“Stop talking. I understand…” Ye Jingyu stated calmly, yet the powerful killing intent radiating from his body caused the ambient temperature to drop sharply. The four soldiers shuddered.
“Oh… isn’t this Ye Longyi, the great General Ye? What brings you to Yunman Tower for leisure today…” Just then, a sharp voice echoed from the staircase landing.
They turned to see an ordinary-looking man with an arrogant face leading a group of soldiers clad in ornate armor up the stairs.
“This is Miao Tie, one of Qin Yunxiao’s men. He’s quite skilled with the Miao Saber, but he’s arrogant. Relying on Qin Yunxiao’s backing, he frequently causes trouble for our Iron Army,” Ye Longyi whispered quietly into Ye Jingyu’s ear upon seeing the newcomer.
To break through iron shoes and find nothing, only to have it delivered right to the door… Who could blame fate for this?
Ye Jingyu’s eyes suddenly grew hot.