Demon Lord Tang Dynasty

On the bed, a man clad in iron armor lay there quietly.

The bloodstains on the armor had long since congealed into black lumps.

A pungent, fishy stench emanated from the man.

But the man seemed completely oblivious.

He just lay there motionless, staring blankly upwards.

His pupils were lifeless, and he looked like a soulless shell.

"Second...Second Brother."

Outside the tent, Zhang Ziyan looked at Xue Liang on the bed, her body trembling.

The last time we met was when Xue Liang led several thousand remaining soldiers in a swearing-in ceremony before setting off for war.

At that time, Xue Liang was still full of vigor and ambition, brimming with longing for the future.

But after only a month or so, the fierce general from the battlefield had turned into this.

"Well, I didn't do anything to him. He's been like this ever since he came back. Maybe he got injured or hit his head?"

The White Protector began to explain.

He certainly didn't feel any guilt, but he wouldn't take the blame for things that had nothing to do with him.

Zhang Ziyan seemed oblivious, staring intently at the figure inside the tent, tears welling in her eyes.

Yang Lin's many adopted sons and daughters have always had a very close relationship with each other.

Especially her, as the only daughter and adopted sister, was loved very much not only by Yang Lin, but also by her twelve brothers.

Of course, Zhang Ziyan could also sense the feelings in Xue Liang's heart.

She was only pretending not to know because she didn't have the same private affair.

Even if there was no romantic love between them, the other party was her sworn brother who loved and protected her. How could Zhang Ziyan remain unmoved when she saw such a scene?

Inside the tent, Xue Liang, who seemed lifeless, appeared to hear Zhang Ziyan's voice as well.

His eyes suddenly contracted, and his previously lifeless pupils were instantly filled with blood.

"Roar~~~"

A sound that was like a sob or a roar came from Xue Liang's mouth.

"Second Brother~~~"

Zhang Ziyan's expression changed, and she immediately tried to rush inside.

But Protector Bai blocked her way first.

"Miss Zhang, you mustn't go in there. Besides, your second brother's condition is currently unknown. It would be terrible if he hurt you."

Indeed, Xue Liang in the tent suddenly became agitated.

It kept making unconscious whimpering sounds.

However, soon, two people rushed into the tent. One of them struck Xue Liang's pressure points, while the other pried open Xue Liang's mouth and poured in a large bowl of unknown liquid.

"What...what did you feed my second brother?" Zhang Ziyan asked anxiously.

"It's just a calming medicine." Protector Bai waved his hand. "You know your second brother's condition; the only thing we can do is try to control it."

"Alright, you've seen it all. Let me escort the young lady home."

Zhang Ziyan gritted her teeth and stood motionless in place.

The White Protector's expression changed slightly upon seeing this.

"Miss Zhang, I have already done everything I could. Please don't make things difficult for me."

If it weren't for Zhang Ziyan's somewhat mysterious identity, he probably would have already started cursing.

After all, what is his status? He is the Left Protector of the Divine Temple.

Besides the World Honored One, who else has Bai Yue'er suffered grievances in front of?

"I would like to meet your religious leader."

Zhang Ziyan took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

"Um?"

Protector Bai was stunned for a moment.

"this……"

He certainly wouldn't agree to any other request, after all, he wasn't one to take advantage of someone's kindness, and he, Lao Bai, wasn't exactly known for his good temper.

After all, she's the cult leader's wife, not the cult leader himself.

Moreover, the person in front of her is far from being at the level of the cult leader's wife.

But I just want to see the leader.

Within the cult, the leader's identity is undoubtedly the most important, and it is extremely difficult for ordinary people to even request an audience.

However, things need to be considered separately.

In some cases, it's not so absolute.

Anyway, that's what Protector Bai thinks.

"Alright, I'll help you one more time. Go and report it."

……

"Venerable Sir, your servant, Youzhi, requests an audience."

"Come in."

Upon hearing Protector Bai's voice, Gao Yi did not refuse and responded.

Soon, the figure of Protector Bai entered through the door.

But another figure followed him into the tent at the same time.

Zhang Ziyan didn't wait where she was; instead, she took the opportunity and barged in.

"you……"

The White Protector's eyes widened in surprise, and anger flashed across his face, but he dared not be presumptuous in front of Gao Yi.

Gao Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the two of them before lingering on Zhang Ziyan for a moment.

In just a moment, he roughly understood the whole story.

"Venerable One, I..."

Protector Bai swallowed hard, wanting to explain.

But Gao Yi didn't give him that chance, coldly waving his hand: "Get lost."

The White Protector's heart turned cold instantly, and he didn't even have time to hate Zhang Ziyan, the instigator.

He had only one thought in his mind: It's over. The Buddha is angry. I may lose all my status, honor, and position as the first protector. My future career is bleak.

"What did you do to my Second Brother Xue?"

As Protector Bai left dejectedly, Zhang Ziyan immediately questioned him.

"Xue Liang? I didn't do anything to him!"

Gao Yi shook his head.

He wasn't lying; Xue Liang's situation...

It originates purely from itself.

The previous war.

At first, Xue Liang might have believed him.

But as time went on, they fought one tribe after another.

Xue Liang wasn't stupid; how could he not see the problem?

However, by then, Xue Liang had no other choice.

Having absorbed the gains Xue Liang had made, Gao Yi's strength rapidly expanded, far surpassing Xue Liang's.

Moreover, Gao Yi also holds the card of Zhang Ziyan in his hand.

If Xue Liang dares to turn back, not only will his entire army be wiped out, but Zhang Ziyan will also die without a burial place.

Therefore, Xue Liang could only follow the straight line drawn by Gao Yi and fight his way down.

Not only do they not gain the freedom they imagined, but they also have to watch their subordinates fall one by one, allowing the enemy to seize victory.

This is the reason why Xue Liang has become the way he is today.

My heart is dead as ashes, my faith in the Way is shattered.

Zhang Ziyan fell silent for a long time before speaking again.

"I want you to release my second brother. He is no longer of any use to you in his current condition."

Gao Yi didn't even look up, continuing to look at the map on the table.

"I'm willing to stay in your tribe in place of my second brother," Zhang Ziyan said through gritted teeth.

Gao Yi gently raised his head, shook his head, and chuckled softly:

"Miss Zhang, you seem to have forgotten that you are also my prisoner and spoils of war."

"As for your usefulness, you think Xue Liang is no longer of any value, so what value can you, Miss Zhang, bring to me?"

Zhang Ziyan lowered her head, remaining silent for a long time. After an unknown period of time, she finally opened her mouth and uttered a single word: "Me!"

Gao Yi narrowed his eyes, looking at Zhang Ziyan with a half-smile:

"Interesting. Such affection truly moves me."

"In that case, then..."

Gao Yi's lips curled slightly, and he said softly:

"Remove your armor..."

Zhang Ziyan's legs involuntarily straightened, and she felt as if she were falling from a great height, experiencing a state of weightlessness.

But under Gao Yi's cold gaze, those trembling hands still rose inch by inch, reaching towards her collar.