Behind him, Feng Xin and Mu Qing were both startled and said, "Your Highness!" They hurriedly moved to stand guard by his side.
However, the citizens lining the entire Divine Martial Street had already seen the young man dressed in white appear at the very center of the street. The parade became chaotic for a moment and then re-formed. Thousands of people began to surround Xie Lian. The first person dared to ask uncertainly, "Are you... the Crown Prince?"
Another hesitated, "Didn't they say the Crown Prince ascended to the heavens long ago and was no longer mortal? How could he appear here?"
A third voice rang out confidently, "It's him! During the festival three years ago, I saw him with my own eyes. It’s the Crown Prince!"
More and more people recognized the martial god they worshipped day and night. Xie Lian calmly said, "It is me. I have returned."
And with that, the people went mad.
"A god has descended! This is a living god down here among us!"
"A heavenly being has come down!"
"It must be because His Highness couldn't bear to see us suffer under those evil thieves anymore that he came back!"
Someone eagerly and hopefully asked, "Crown Prince, will you lead us to defeat the Ever-Peace clan? Surely you will, right? It has to be!"
After a moment of silence, Xie Lian spoke quietly, "I have returned to protect the Divine Joy Kingdom, to protect my people."
Feng Xin and Mu Qing, who stood beside him, heard these words and were unable to determine their true meaning. Yet, the fervent citizens, filled with passion, interpreted it in their own hopeful way. Xie Lian had his own thoughts, and his heart pounded harder. Gritting his teeth, he declared, "Trust me!"
He clenched his fist and said, "Your faith gives me greater strength. With this strength, I will vow to protect Divine Joy and defend all living beings. Please trust me!"
This was the moment the people had awaited, the promise they longed for. Immediately, they knelt and prostrated themselves in rings around the Crown Prince in the center, fervently pledging, "We swear to follow you! Follow Your Highness!"
"Defend Divine Joy!"
Hearing rumors of a "god descending to earth," the citizens of the capital surged out from every alley, just to witness this once-in-a-millennium miracle. Even the palace guards, upon hearing the news, did not dare to act rashly and joined in the worship. The three were trapped in the middle of the street, unable to move, and Feng Xin and Mu Qing had to struggle to maintain order, shouting, "Don't push! Everyone, don't push!"
Yet, it had little effect, as everyone wanted to get closest to the Crown Prince, to touch the hem of the celestial being’s robes, feeling as though it could light up their entire being. Eventually, the commotion reached the ruling lord in the Imperial Palace, who dispatched several generals with fully armed soldiers to disperse the frenzied crowd.
After everyone had left, leaving behind a ground littered with chaotic footprints and scattered dust, Xie Lian spotted something on the ground. He stepped over and bent down to pick it up.
It was a flower. Trampled and almost ground into the color of the earth. Only a few tattered petals remained, revealing a glimpse of their original pure white.
The faint fragrance had not lingered for long and soon vanished.
After figuring some things out, when Xie Lian returned to the palace this time, his attitude towards the ruling lord softened considerably. As a result, the lord’s demeanor towards him also eased, and the father and son both took a step back, temporarily reaching a truce. The national teacher seemed to have predicted Xie Lian's return long ago and said nothing.
Xie Lian had previously thought that a country united at heart, with everyone listening to the ruler during major events, was a natural thing. Yet, once he actually sat down and participated, he realized just how much trouble there was in the ruler's position.
Even among the ministers of a single dynasty, there were numerous small factions, each with its own plans. On any major issue, they could argue endlessly for seven days about the right decision to make. Everyone claimed to act in the interest of the country and the people, but in reality, their hearts didn't necessarily carry such intentions.
Regarding the Ever-Peace people encamped outside the city, who officially planned to contest sovereignty, their opinions could not be unified. Some advocated for immediate military suppression, even if it meant making up charges to justify it. Others disagreed.
The chaos of Ever-Peace started with natural disasters and burst from human calamity. The family of three who perished at the gates of the capital served as a terrible catalyst. If General Lang Ying, who cut the rope, had not been squeezed to death, he would have been severely punished upon return.
It was as if the rebellion arose from government oppression. With things having escalated this far, blatantly pinning crimes would only intensify the people's resentment; no cover-up could hide the truth. Should the army be sent for suppression, it would be as a tyrannical sovereign, not a righteous expedition.
They feared leaving a reputation for cruelty, lest nearby states seize the chance to cause unrest claiming to act on behalf of heaven. On the other hand, what was there to fear about the Ever-Peace people? They were hiding in the wilderness with no food or weapons, and how long could they last?
Therefore, the prevailing view was the latter: if the Ever-Peace dared to attack, they'd be defeated as they came; if not, they'd be left to fend for themselves, without exhausting a single soldier from Divine Joy. In the fight, they'd eventually deplete themselves.
As a martial god, having descended to mortal lands, Xie Lian naturally had to make an impact on the battlefield. Thus, the army exuberantly spread the message: the side with the Crown Prince is the side of justice, and the army with the Crown Prince is the divine legion!
Soon, many young men were enthusiastically enlisting, and in a few months, the number of troops in Divine Joy Kingdom doubled. This overwhelming activity seemed to have piqued the interest of Ever-Peace, who quieted their previous activities, perhaps apprehensive while gathering strength, causing nervousness among the Divine Joy soldiers as well. They spared no effort in narrating to Xie Lian how fearsome the Ever-Peace’s General Lang Ying, who always charged at the frontlines, was. Hearing this name, Xie Lian was reminded of those deceased children he'd seen that day and felt a slight complexity in his heart.
Two months later, after a period of calm, the Ever-Peace people launched a fierce attack once more.
This time, Xie Lian led only with a light sword, not even donning armor. In less than half an hour, the battle ended.
Amidst the overwhelming scent of blood, the remaining Ever-Peace warriors discarded their helmets and armor, retreating in a panic. The soldiers of Divine Joy Kingdom had barely comprehended what happened when they saw that all around were fallen figures, not a single enemy standing. Meanwhile, their Crown Prince sheathed his sword without a single speck of dust on his robes.
After a moment, they confirmed their overwhelming victory and jumped up, raising their swords to the sky, shouting in triumph.
That night, the Divine Joy soldiers held a victory feast atop the city walls.
The soldiers had not experienced such a morale boost in a long time, shouting with joy and praising the Crown Prince. Xie Lian, however, declined all the wine and went to a secluded corner of the wall to clear his mind in the night breeze.
Although he hadn't consumed a drop, he felt his face burn and his heart race, his fingertips trembling.
This was Xie Lian's first time killing. On this first occasion, he killed over a thousand people.
Ants.
The word repeated in his mind. Before his power, mortals were like ants; no one could withstand even his lightest grasp. Taking a life was as easy as when that palace servant crushed those ants, making him fear losing reverence for life in his swordplay.
Leaning against the parapet, Xie Lian took a few deep breaths, shook his head to clear away stray thoughts, and gazed out in a daze at the distant flickering lights in the mountains. Soon, two footsteps approached.
Without turning back, he knew who the visitors were. Xie Lian said, "Aren't you going to enjoy a drink and celebrate?"
Mu Qing scoffed, "What's there to celebrate? The situation doesn't look good."
Hearing this, Xie Lian turned, saying, "You noticed too?"
It truly wasn't promising. Although they had won this battle, the attack this time was stronger than any previous attempt by Ever-Peace.
Not only were there more of them, but their formations, weapons, and tactics had all improved significantly. Some even wore armor, simple and shabby as it was. It was a full-fledged army in scale, hard to picture them as mere grassroots rebels.
Mu Qing crossed his arms, frowning, "Extreme hardship indeed hastens growth. But no matter how hard, resources wouldn't appear from thin air. Something's off."
Feng Xin was more direct, succinctly saying, "They must have outside help."
Xie Lian nodded. Mu Qing said, "I don't believe none of the officers noticed, yet they continue celebrating all because they feel certain of victory with you here."
Xie Lian didn't mind, remarking, "Winning the first battle since I came is worth celebrating. Let it boost the morale."
Feng Xin hesitated a moment before speaking, "Your Highness, your face doesn’t look good. Are you still making it rain over at Ever-Peace?"
Xie Lian replied, "Yes."
Mu Qing wasn’t surprised, yet disapproved earnestly, "Apologies if I speak out of turn, but the rain serves no purpose now; it’s a bottomless pit. Your Highness, even if Ever-Peace's drought truly eases, the forces outside the city won’t likely retreat."
Xie Lian said, "I know. But my purpose in bringing rain wasn't to make them retreat, just to ensure those still living in Ever-Peace don’t die of thirst. That’s my original intention, and it won't change due to any circumstance."
Feng Xin still seemed unconvinced, asking, "Can you manage it?"
Xie Lian patted his shoulder, saying, "Relax, I have eight thousand temples, and the followers are more than enough, so there’s nothing to worry about. But—"
He drew Mu Qing in with his other arm, sighed, "Today, I’m really grateful to both of you for your help, for standing by me."
On the battlefield that day, his two attendants were far more exhausted than he, their bodies smeared with blood. Feng Xin said, "You don't need to say that." Mu Qing muttered an indistinct acknowledgment.
With a slight effort, Xie Lian pulled the three of them closer, sincerely saying, "Not just today, but for everything all along, thank you both. I hope our trio fighting side by side can be remembered for the ages."
"…"
"…"
For a moment, Feng Xin laughed heartily. Mu Qing seemed incredulous and remarked, "You have a way of making such... statements with a straight face, truly…" He shook his head, "Forget it."
The corners of Xie Lian's mouth managed to lift slightly. It hadn’t been long before his expression suddenly sharpened, "Who's there?!"
With a clang, Xie Lian's sword was drawn. With a flick, he picked a shadowy figure from the corner of the parapet.
The person hiding there had been so silent and still that he had gone undetected for quite some time. Xie Lian had intended only to scare the intruder by lifting him slightly with the tip of his blade, yet due to the day's intense combat, his arm still trembled slightly, his hand unsteady and overly forceful. The action flipped the person over the wall.
In the moonlight, the three saw this figure clad in the attire of their own soldiers, looking to be a boy of fifteen or sixteen. An instant later, he was falling, vanishing from sight. Realizing someone was about to plummet from the city wall, Xie Lian flew after him, alarmed.
With a toe hooked on the parapet's edge, Xie Lian dangled, swiftly reaching out to grasp the boy's arm. The young soldier dangled in midair, swaying slightly, looked up. In the dim moonlight, Xie Lian saw his face and couldn't help but widen his eyes.