ZL – Chapter 969- Empire’s Betrayal
On the side, the Chief Guard walked over and took two tokens from me. He whispered to my ear, “General Li, the empire has failed you…” My heart shook but I did not say anything. I looked at him deeply with killing intent. …… Lochlan stood up slowly and he looked at me with reddish eyes. “Master Li, what plans do you have in the future?” I slapped the other emblem on my shoulder and said, “I am Dragon City’s Dragon Rider; the world is huge and it has a place for me.” Lochlan said, “Master Li, you don’t have to… You’re still the Suiding Duke and the Master of Fan Shu City. It’s just that the Royal Army can’t continue to guard Fan Shu City. I…”
I waved my hands and said, “Lochlan, there is no need to say anymore. I am not a general of the empire and Fan Shu City is just a land given to me. I understand that, but you…” Lochlan raised his head and looked at me. “Master Li?” I smiled. “Don’t forget how you said that the one hundred thousand troops in my hands are large numbers, but in fact, your father Luo Xun has a two-hundred-thousand-strong army. My achievements were so high it made you feel insecure, but in comparison, your father could cut your head off ten times! “I…” Lochlan gritted his teeth and stood there, not knowing how to reply to me. He could only say, “Sorry, Master Li…” I smiled. “That’s okay. We aren’t related by blood, so even if I tell you that I am not of this world and will leave one day, that the land I have is still yours, you probably won’t believe me.” Lochlan’s eyes were filled with tears and he knelt on both knees. “Master Li, I believe you; I’ve always believed you, but… Please let me pass these tough times. I will personally head to Dragon City and invite you back to Tian Ling City!” “There’s no need to say anymore. I’m going to leave.” I turned around and my purple cape fluttered in the air. As for me, I felt that without a title, I was much more relaxed. At that moment, the Chief Guard shouted, “General Li Xiao Yao, wait!” “What?” He smiled. “Since Li Xiao Yao was removed, a new general must naturally be appointed as the commander. His Highness has given orders that the person chosen is General Xia Ye!” I was stunned and shocked that Lochlan had already decided to remove my powers before this. I was also impressed by how he chose people. Out of the four generals, Han Yuan was the most reckless and brave; that guy could be a general but not a commander. Xiao Lie was careful but not courageous enough. Long Xing was tough but was similar to Han Yuan. Only Xia Ye was calm and decisive.
The veins on Han Yuan’s face swelled up. “General, don’t we slash our way back to Tian Ling City and slice off Lochlan and Luo Xun’s heads? You can become emperor, then won’t that be great?” I raged. “Han Yuan, stop your nonsense! Plus, even if we take down Tian Ling City, we will only cause more war to erupt. Do you think people like Long Zhong, Luo Xun, Les, Baili Ning, Xiahou Ren, and Situ Xin will look on as we kill our way to the throne? Don’t mention such words ever again; if not, you’ll be dealt with harshly!” Han Yuan was furious but Xiao Lie pressed him down. “Sir,” Xiao Lie said solemnly, “what should we do?” “Head out of Fan Shu City. Xia Ye, receive my orders. The commander of the Royal Army is you from today onward!” Although Xia Ye was not willing, he could only receive the badge of Commander in Chief. He knelt on the ground and cried, “I will temporarily keep it for the General. The Royal Army is forever yours!” …… Two hours later, Fire God Mountain was covered in logistics and troops. The Royal Army’s seventy thousand people headed out of Fan Shu City and headed below Fire God Mountain. Han Yuan held his blade and asked, “General, what is your next plan?” I looked at Ba Huang City and said, “Dragon City’s Frost is my teacher. I will find her. Don’t worry as I’ll be fine.” Han Yuan’s eyes opened wide. “You’ll be fine? Sir, don’t you know that Luo Xun, Les, and Louis all want you dead? I don’t care! I’ll go with you. At most, I won’t be a General for this empire!” Han Yuan tossed his Major badge onto the ground. “I’ll head to Dragon City and follow you, General! Even if I become a mercenary or a traitor, I am willing to do so!” Xiao Lie and Long Xing all tossed their badges together. “We are willing to follow the General even if we become traitors!” I shouted, “Preposterous, all of you don’t want to live anymore?!” I bent down and picked up Han Yuan’s badge and rubbed away the dirt on it. “Don’t forget all your roles. All of you are troops and must follow orders. Protecting the country is what all of you should do.” Han Yuan said, “I don’t care. I am following the General to Dragon City. Since the General doesn’t abandon me, I’m naturally willing to be a foot soldier. Anyway, we are unwilling to stay in a Royal Army without you! If the General doesn’t agree, then just slice my head off; this is my show of loyalty toward you!” Xiao Lie sucked in a deep breath and said, “Sir, I have made my mind up. Please don’t say anything.” I sighed. “Okay then, bring some grain and follow me to Dragon City. There… Should have a place for us to survive…” …… In the end, what surprised me was that, besides Han Yuan, Xiao Lie, and Long Xing, a large number of Generals left the Royal Army. Thirty thousand troops followed me out of Fire God Mountain. I felt emotional and touched over their loyalty to me, but I also felt like I had failed them. Xia Ye was forced by me to remain in Fire God Mountain. As for the Dragon Crystal Cannons, we did not take a single one. We just headed to Ba Huang City like that. …… After an hour, we passed through Ziwu Mountain. We lined up as a group and most of us were Cavalrymen. Still, there were many Barbarian Blade Shield Soldiers who left with me. Although we left the Royal Army, this bunch was all laughing. They were not sad that the empire had given up on them. These fellows felt much more optimistic compared to me. “Hu hu…” Xiao Lie looked ahead with his one eye. “Not good. There’s an ambush!” Peng peng peng… Flames exploded within the Royal Army crowd. Those wereㅡ
The Dragon Crystal Cannons! …… “D*mn! They didn’t want us to return alive!” Han Yuan held his blade and covered his eyes to block the shockwaves from the Dragon Crystal Cannons. The robe behind him was shredded by the wind and blood appeared on his skin. He shouted in rage, “This time, the empire has betrayed us!”