Daqin Zhentiansi

Chapter 569 The Sky Over Donghan County Is About to Change
Smoke and dust surged from the end of the official road, and five hundred black-clad riders lined up on both sides like an inky torrent.

Chen Wu's knuckles turned white as he gripped the hilt of his sword. Gazing at the approaching armored cavalry through the dust, he vaguely saw again the black-clad youth who taught him the cloak-wearing sword technique in the martial arts training ground of the Luyang Prefecture Martial Guard.

The howling wind, carrying the dull thud of horses' hooves, swept in. The five hundred black-clad riders simultaneously drew their swords and took three steps back. The ferocious golden python that pierced the dust on the black banner.

"The Heavenly Guardian! It's the Heavenly Guardian's dragon flag!" In a caravan not far away, a merchant with a gray turban suddenly pointed tremblingly at the sky.

The eighteen green flags, each about ten feet tall, fluttered in the wind, and the character "Zhang" embroidered in gold thread on the flags shimmered with a blood-red light under the rising sun.

The old bodyguard, holding a rough porcelain bowl in the teahouse, suddenly stood up, spilling the murky wine in the bowl onto half of his robe: "The Azure Sword hangs with azure cloud patterns, the Black Armor reflects the sun, suppressing mountains and rivers..."

"It really is Marquis Qingyang in person!"

His scarred face flushed: "Last month, I escorted a caravan through Yuncang City and witnessed with my own eyes the Demon-Suppressing Pillar that the Marquis set up on the city wall pierced through three Cave Heaven Realm cultivators of Eastern Wei!"

A commotion suddenly erupted along the main road.

As the army drew near, everyone finally saw the wooden carriage pulled by four dragon-blooded steeds.

“Marquis Qingyang…” Cao Jiada, the magistrate of Yushui County, stared blankly at the carriage that had stopped, a look of bewilderment on his face.

He knew that Marquis Qingyang had led his army to sweep across the eastern border, captured Yuncang City, and then exchanged the city for the return of Ji Yuntang, the Confucian and Taoist master.

The powerful figures of the Heavenly Guard mobilized an army of three million to besiege and kill the Grandmaster of Eastern Wei, shattering the myth of the Grandmaster's invincibility.

There are many rumors about Marquis Qingyang in the martial arts world and officialdom, but Cao Jiada never expected that Marquis Qingyang would come to Donghan County.

What brings the Marquis of Qingyang here?
The wooden curtain of the carriage was lifted by a pair of well-defined hands, and the moment the black python-patterned war boots stepped onto the carriage shaft, five hundred black-clad riders simultaneously struck their breastplates with their scabbards.

Five hundred black-clad riders pounded their armor in unison, the clanging of metal startling birds roosting in the forest.

Amidst the clanging of metal, Chen Wu's goose-feather saber was drawn three inches from its sheath with a clang, the blade revealing a sharper silhouette than it had three years ago.

"This humble general—" Wen Liu lifted his mask, and this valiant general who had fought alongside Zhang Yuan in the Liangyuan Domain shouted, "Greetings, Lord Marquis!"

Amidst the crisp sound of the Autumn Frost Blade scabbard striking the black armor, Zhang Yuan raised his hand and pressed down on Wen Liu's trembling shoulder armor.

He stroked the cloud pattern on the hilt of the Autumn Frost Blade with his fingers, his aura gradually calming down, his gaze sweeping over the familiar figures of Chen Wu, Feng Cheng, and others by the roadside.

His dark python-patterned cloak billowed in the wind, and Zhang Yuan's eyes revealed a rare gentleness: "The old brothers of Zhengyang County have all become the pillars of the Eastern Territory."

These words made Wen Liu, whose body was tense, show excitement.

Chen Wu's eyes welled up with tears; the days when he trained with Brother Yuan in the Martial Guard Office seemed like yesterday.

Not only him, but also Feng Cheng and others standing beside him showed excitement and emotion on their faces.

Unbeknownst to them, the minor officials and military officers of Zhengyang County and Luyang Prefecture back then have all become capable leaders in the Eastern Border government.

Who could have imagined what we see today?

Zhang Yuan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the army formation. Seeing that Chen Wu's blood and qi had reached the level of a half-step grandmaster, he chuckled and said, "When we have the chance, I'll take you back to Dingjia Lane in Luyang Prefecture to drink Old Wu's osmanthus wine."

These words drew laughter from the crowd, and the solemn military formation was surprisingly lively, just like the days when they used to fight over drinks in the guardhouse.

Lu Changwu and the other young men from prominent families in Donghan County held their breath as they watched the Marquis of Qingyang chatting and laughing with his former subordinates. Suddenly, Zhang Yuan turned around and looked at them, his eyes reflecting the black armor of the riders as deep as the sea: "Young Master Lu, it has been quite some time since we parted ways in Zhengyang County."

These words made Lu Changwu, who was usually calm and composed, swallow hard and his face flush red.

Just from that one sentence, all the scions of prominent families around him showed envy and clenched their fists.

This is the Marquis of Qingyang.

Marquis Qingyang still remembers Lu Changwu.

This friendship alone would allow Lu Changwu to act with impunity in Donghan County.

Before the five hundred black-clad riders, the dust stirred up by their blood and qi was filled with a bloody, murderous aura. Zhang Yuan stood with his hand on his sword.

Zhang Yuan's dark python robe billowed in the wind, his chin slightly raised, and his left palm pressed against Chen Wu's shoulder armor, producing a dull metallic sound: "Brothers—"

His gaze swept over the black-armored warhorses in front of him, and a smile appeared on his face: "Zhang Yuan can fight alongside you again."

A blood-red cloud of smoke suddenly billowed up in front of the black-armored cavalry formation, and Chen Wu and Huang Sanliang's knuckles turned white from gripping their fists so tightly.

Wen Liu's blood and qi surged violently, causing the warhorse behind him to spit out white mist restlessly.

Fighting side by side! Zhang Yuan's words instantly ignited the passion of all his comrades-in-arms who had fought alongside him in the past, rampaging through the Northwest!

Zhang Yuan looked at everyone, his expression slowly turning solemn.

“I, Zhang Yuan, come from the Armed Police Department. From the time I can remember, I have understood one thing.”

"Practicing martial arts and cultivating oneself is to wield the goose feather in one's hand, to protect the Great Qin, and to protect the people of the Great Qin."

Zhang Yuan stood still, his gaze sweeping over the merchants who dared not utter a sound along the roadside on the distant hill.

When Zhang Yuan saw Cao Jiada, the magistrate of Yushui County, standing in front of the carriage, he trembled.

Zhang Yuan gripped the long sword at his waist and slowly raised the Autumn Frost Blade.

A dense aura of malevolence suddenly surged up from his body.

"The Black Ice Platform is the sword in His Majesty's hand, and I, Zhang Yuan, am the sharpest sword in His Majesty's hand."

“I’ve come to Donghan County to kill people. Anyone who doesn’t dare to kill can leave.”

Zhang Yuan withdrew his gaze, looking at the black-armored warhorses standing silently before him, his voice booming like thunder: "Now, for those brothers who no longer wish to fight and want to enjoy a peaceful life—"

"Pass me a note! I'll arrange an easy job for you, so you can live the life of a wealthy man with your daughter!"

brother.

This Marquis.

When Lu Changwu saw the array of black armor reflected in Qingyang Hou's eyes, resembling a forest of swords and halberds, his back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

The warm atmosphere of the reminiscing and pleasantries just now was because Marquis Qingyang treated everyone as his own brothers who had risked their lives for him.

If it weren't for the camaraderie forged in battle back then, would any of the people present be qualified to stand before Marquis Qingyang?

If we cannot continue on this path, then when we meet again after today, the person before us will be the high and mighty Marquis Qingyang!
Cao Xuan stepped forward in front of Zhang Yuan, bowed, and clasped his hands in a fist salute: "I will die for you, my lord!"

"To die for the Marquis—"

Five hundred black riders knelt down with a thud, and the blood-red aura in the sky condensed into a crimson dragon that coiled around them. Even the dragon-patterned fish talisman on Cao Xuan's waist emitted a dragon's roar.

This is the condensation of fighting spirit, the foundation of the Qin army.

Only comrades who have shared life and death can have such a fighting spirit of sacrificing their lives.

Zhang Yuan raised his hand and pressed down, instantly silencing the boiling military formation.

"We have survived countless battles, honing our skills to this level, and now we have the authority to command troops," his gaze swept over everyone, his eyes gleaming with a light that was impossible to look directly at, "What are you talking about, death?"

The voice suddenly rose three degrees, startling the mane of the warhorse behind Onryo.

The veins on his left hand, which was resting on the hilt of the sword, bulged as sparks flew from the collision between the Autumn Frost scabbard and the black armor.

Zhang Yuan raised his right hand, and the kneeling black riders seemed to be supported by an invisible force, straightening their backs in unison.

This action caused Chen Wu's pupils to shrink sharply—

He was very familiar with this move.

Ironclad Fist, Iron Chains Across the River.

Back then, at the Yulin Academy in Luyang Prefecture, Zhang Yuan personally taught them boxing techniques.

"Zhang has come to Donghan County and is serving as the garrison commander of Donghan County and the deputy commander of the Eastern Border Campaign. He has been in charge of the training of the three armies and the planning of border affairs.

"Gentlemen, now is the time for a man to make achievements, establish his career, and bring honor to his wife and children."

Zhang Yuan's loud voice rang out, instantly causing everyone in front of him to look up, their eyes filled with an almost tangible fervor.

"The Garrison Commander of Donghan County..."

Standing in front of the car rack by the roadside, Cao Jiada stared wide-eyed, muttering in disbelief.

"The situation in Donghan County is about to change."

(End of this chapter)