Internal Strife
Internal Strife
Then, there was a "BANG!"… Jun Moxie had thrown his cup down. His body appeared tall and lofty as he sat atop his horse, and declared, "It's needless to say that the families of you three-hundred men will be taken care of by the Jun Family from now. Whether in their old age… or their marriage… they can count on our family as long as a Jun still lives! I—Jun Moxie—won't allow a single one of them to be wronged!"
"Many thanks, Young Master Jun! We will return this favor from the Jun Family in the next life!" The faces of all the three-hundred men were grateful. They had steeled themselves for the decisive battle. But, not only because of the lofty and heroic Jun Wuyi… but because of martial law as well! Their parents, their children, their wives… their entire families would suffer from the stigma of their cowardly reputation if they became scared in face of battle. So, they had to keep their head up. The situation was extremely difficult, but they simply couldn't refute.
However, they were afraid of dying in the end. The great and towering heroes may have met their fates with dignity… and without any complaints since ancient times. But, they hadn't necessarily desired to die. And, it was the same for those ordinary men at this moment.
However, they felt like they were going to die for a "bosom friend" when they heard Jun Moxie speak! They knew that they would die in the decisive battle ahead. And, they couldn't help but wonder about their families in this moment. However, the person they had looked at with the most dislike had become the source of their comfort. And, his solemn promise had left them to feel relieved.
What does a man live his life for? For whose sake does he toil and labor so hard? What does he fight those bloody battles for? He does it for his parents, wife and children. The thoughts of glory and wealth take a back seat… especially before a final battle to the death.
The only thing they felt anxious about was the family they were leaving behind. But, Jun Moxie had promised to deal with the issue. They were unaware that he had made that decision due to the feeling of guilt. But, they still felt assured.
They would face death with a peaceful mind!
The three-hundred men then took a knee, and drained their cups. Then, they gave Jun Moxie a profound look before they got up to their feet. They then went their way… without turning… or even looking back.
"This is just the plot of the deceased from the past. The Kings of Hell beheads many a banners!" Jun Wuyi laughed and continued, "This is a good poem. There are indeed countless of my good brothers there!"
Then, he ordered in a low voice, "Move!"
Twenty-thousand cavalry men dismounted, kneeled, and spoke in unison, "We pay great respects to the commander! May he return safely, and with glory!"
"May he return safely, and with glory!" these words made Jun Wuyi's body stiff. But, he didn't turn to look. The three Dongfang brothers' bodies were straight as a ramrod as they slowly pushed his wheelchair forward…
Faint sobs could be heard behind them. The twenty-thousand kneeling soldiers couldn't get up.
The Southern Heaven City's war banners fluttered.
A force of four-thousand was silently waiting at the city gates in formation. Jun Wuyi was on his wheelchair; he looked tranquil. Whether he would live or died… was irrelevant. He had already disregarded the thoughts of his life and death.
Xiao Han and the others also stood in formation. They gave Jun Wuyi a meaningful look. Their clever trick had succeeded. So, they looked complacent at the moment. That thorn in the back wouldn't be so lucky that day… no matter what! They needn't act themselves since this plot had worked in the coy of the most legitimate excuse. He would now be forced to go into danger, and wouldn't return from this road!
Li Juetian, Solitary Eagle, Lei Wubei, Shi Changxiao, Feng Juanyun stood not too far from there. Those five men looked into the distant from their side. Li Tengyun and the others from every powerful family stood behind them as spectators of the battle. Each individual had a differed expression on their face. They obviously had different thoughts going through their minds.
"Are the odds of today's battle genuinely unknown?" Feng Juanyun graced black clothes, black hair and black scabbard on his body. He stood as straight as a javelin as he looked at the tranquil Jun Wuyi who was at the head of the formation. He felt sorry in his heart. [Such an excellent man of his generation will die before my eyes, and I still can't do a thing to help!]
"There's no scope of any odds!" Solitary Eagle's face was gloomy. And, his eyes had hint of anger that was already teetering on the edge of fury. He was on the verge of exploding. He had never harbored an iota of respect for Li Juetian. But, his resentment towards that man had reached a point of extremity at this juncture. That day was the first time that these two men who had been rivals for half their lives—Solitary Eagle and Feng Juanyun—were of the same opinion.
Shi Changxiao stood on the side. He also had an expression of eventuality on his face. Lei Wubei stood stoned face. And, Li Juetian stood with his hands behind his back. His expression was tranquil. But, he was brimming with the arrogance. This showed his belief that only he reigned unbridled and supreme.
Li Juetian regarded himself as impervious; other people's point of view didn't matter to him. [I will decide whether my way of handling things is brilliant or dishonorable! I will take out anyone who refuses me! Even if you're a Great Master of equal fame… it doesn't matter to me! I'll fix you the moment you dare open your mouth! The clenched fist is the strongest argument!]
Feng Juanyun sighed.
He suddenly became determined to become the strongest Great Master. The man couldn't understand this strange feeling. But, he was sick of Li Juetian's conduct. [In what way is his bearing that of the second strongest man in the world? He's overbearing when he hides his flaws, and acts in a tyrannical manner! There isn't a single good thing about him… except for his earth-shattering strength!]
Moreover, Feng Juanyun couldn't tolerate the collaboration between the Xue Hun Manor and the Silver Blizzard City in this matter. [How could they decide to settle personal grudges at such a critical point of time?]
[You are aware that this battle will decide the future interactions between the Mystic experts of this continent and the Heavenly Punishment forest! Yet… you're conspiring at such an important juncture to entrap that man into leading the troops. Moreover, you're even rushing to save your own high-ranking members! Where is your conscience? Where's your morality?]
[Moreover, Li Juetian and the Silver Blizzard City have enough power to individually retreat to safety if the Mystic Beasts win this war against the humans. But, the lives of millions of the general public will be in grave danger if this uprising makes its way to the inland!]
[It will be a huge calamity! This Li Juetian and the other Spirit Mystic experts can't see it? The Silver Blizzard City may retreat to the top of the mountains, and distance itself from everything. But, it can't hope to stay away from the outside world eternally!]
Feng Juanyun was a lone and free swordsman. But, his cold exterior hid a warm heart, and a chivalrous personality. He didn't indulge in crafty plots. Nor did he use his strength to bully the weak. Such lowly tricks and schemes weren't fit for a hero in his mind. He couldn't tolerate them at all.
[What's the point of being a Great Master if one has such a temperament? Wouldn't the name of the Great Masters be blackened if we lose this war, and this catastrophe travels thousands of miles inland? How will we shed this infamy off? How will the Great Master rise to fame after this?]
"How would I know the odds of life and death in this battle? Oh…. just let those four-thousand go fight, and risk their lives? What can we do, right? So, let's just look at the drama, right?"
Feng Juanyun sneered and continued, "I came from afar to help in the fight for the Southern Heaven City! Even the common folk around the world have lent their strength. And, the Xue Hun Manor has only sent its henchmen. Why don't you send me to fight? You have only sent some Sky and Earth Mystic experts. What's the use of that?"
He was a proud man, and had already endured a lot. But, he couldn't endure it any longer at that point. In fact, this man would've spoken candidly even if he were in front of the Emperor.
"What is the use… I'm afraid that isn't for you to decide, Feng Juanyun. And, my Xue Hun Manor can't use a high-level expert like yourself in place of a lackey!"
Li Juetian crossed his hands behind his back. He didn't even turn as he softly spoke, "Brother Feng can voluntarily leave if he finds this unpleasant or wrong. And, he's wholly welcome if he feels that I have been mistaken, and feels like teaching me a lesson for it!"
"I don't have the capability to teach Great Master Tian. I know this." Feng Juanyun replied coldly, "I don't wish to teach you a lesson." His meaning had been clearly implied in his words… 'I will have to go looking for my teeth if I attacked you.'
"Feng Juanyun, I respect you as a Great Master! But, you're still not happy with what you've got! Who do you think you are? Who do you think this is? Since when did you have the guts to be so unreasonable in front of my father?" Li Tengyun stomped his foot, and shouted from behind.
Feng Juanyun's expression became as cold as ice.
"Bang!" Li Tengyun went flying, and somersaulting. His face had swollen.
"You impudent bastard! Are you calling Feng Juanyun's name into question?" Two figures had flitted into action. But, the attack had been the Solitary Eagle's doing. He was the only one who could catch up to Feng Juanyun's speed in that gathering.
He had seen Feng Juanyun's hand move, and had understood the discouraging outcome of it. Therefore, he rushed to slap Li Tengyun first. In fact, he had already struck Li Tengyun by the time Feng Juanyun's hand reached the top his sword's hilt.
Who was Feng Juanyun? Was he someone Li Tengyun could insult? Li Tengyun was the son of the second Great Master. But, he was like an ant in Feng Juanyun's eyes. Jun Moxie would've perhaps used an ancient poem to describe Feng Juanyun, "Kill a man every ten steps. And, no one will be left after a thousand miles."
No one in this world would've been able to save Li Tengyun if Feng Juanyun's hand had reached his sword's hilt unless the Solitary Eagle hadn't moved into action. Even Li Juetian couldn't have helped his own son! Feng Juanyun had the strength of a Great Master once he had his sword in his hand. No other sword could've saved Li Tengyun if he had attacked.
Solitary Eagle took action, and taught Li Tengyun a lesson. He not only saved the boy's life in doing so, but he also saved Feng Juanyun's life. After all, Li Juetian would've chased him around to kill him if he had killed Li Tengyun. Then, Feng Juanyun's life would've ended as well.
The trade would've ended with Feng Juanyun life for Li Tengyun's. But, that lowlife scoundrel wasn't worth it!
Solitary Eagle and Feng Juanyun had been fighting each other for decades, but had slowly recognized each other's worth over the years. They had become natural friends as a result; despite the fact that they were rivals. Therefore, it was only natural for Solitary Eagle to diffuse the situation in his stead.
The other person who had moved into action was Shi Changxiao; contrary to what everyone would've expected. He had thought of the same thing that the Solitary Eagle had. In fact, he had gone one step further. The alliance would've collapsed if two Great Masters were to start fighting against each other. It wouldn't bode well for the mainland's sake if the allied forces were to witness an internal strife, and collapse as a result. It was just that Shi Changxiao was a step behind the Solitary Eagle in terms of speed.