Chapter 675: Returning Home in Glory to a Hero's Welcome, Nationwide Amazement at the Triumphant Return! (25th Bonus for Monthly Ticket)
May 6th.
Avoid: Entering a coffin and raising beams.
Suitable for: Bathing, sacrificing, netting fish.
Early morning.
The news of the imminent arrival of the Black Wind Village Chief at the Song State Capital had been confirmed three days earlier through successive messages from the postal stations.
The return ceremony was immediately being organized intensively.
Several city gates of the entire capital had already been sealed.
Flags fluttered over the city walls, and the people inside the city were even more excited and moved upon hearing the news.
Meanwhile, at the military camp twenty miles outside the capital, numerous soldiers stood upright under the blazing sun, sweating profusely, looking solemn as they waited.
A red carpet laid from the gate all the way into the VIP Building within the military tent, where Zhang Xian and several subordinates waited together inside the tent, frequently looking towards the sky.
Because the Black Wind Village Chief, Jiang Dali, was to be the first not to come from the Song State's military yet he had achieved the merit of protecting the country, and was set to receive the honorable title of Non-royal Prince.
Therefore, the Ministry of Rites proposed to change the traditional rules of the return ceremony.
On the day before the return, the Black Wind Village Chief was only required to temporarily stay outside the military tent, warding off bad luck, bathing, and changing clothes.
Then, on the following day, he could enter the capital, flanked by many generals.
At that time, even the Emperor of Song would personally lead officials outside the Inner City's Vermilion Bird Gate to greet him, showing high regard and favor.
At this moment, even being a general, Zhang Xian couldn't help but feel a bit excited and nervous as he waited, sweat beading on his forehead.
Whether facing the current Emperor, he thought he might not be as anxious as he was now.
But the person he was about to see was different.
This was the most powerful Green Forest Dominator in the history of Song, the number one person in the Martial World, the greatest expert of Song, a Song State Great Hero, too many titles and halos...
He alone thwarted the Ying Country's plan to deploy troops against Song, making countless Song Country people now revere and worship him.
He himself had been worshiped once, also called the hero warrior against Jin.
But he knew that compared to the great events and merits brought by this person, he fell too far short.
More importantly, this person was now the last straw grasped by the War Faction, a new hope, and the savior of General Yue.
This was also the reason he had been arranged here to personally greet him.
There were also generals from the Peace Faction arranged here.
At this time, the confidant of Qin Gui, Wang Ciweng, was also waiting in the military camp, surrounded by a few subordinates, but these people were sitting inside the tent, drinking iced sour plum soup to avoid the scorching sun, occasionally glancing out the tent towards the sky, appearing expectant in waiting.
"General Zhang, here he comes!"
Suddenly, a Deputy General alerted.
Zhang Xian's heart shook, immediately looking up at the heavenly vault.
Instantly, a fist-sized black dot rapidly enlarged in front of him, gliding over in this direction.
A mysterious sense of intimidation seemed to spread like an invisible aura.
Instantly, it made the whole military camp quieter and more solemn, one pair of radiant eyes focused on that flying black dot in the air, moving in concert like an attentive salute.
The extraordinarily rare giant Demon Hawk, extraordinarily rare Green Forest giant.
Ordinary Martial World people locked by the gaze of this 30,000-strong army might immediately have weakened legs and faltering steps.
However, Jiang Dali's majestic figure sat poised on the Ice Soul Jade Stone chair, calmly gazing at the many soldiers looking up at him from below, composed and confident, cold and stern, truly like a mountain, pressing down on everyone's heads, as the Demon Hawk circled and descended slowly.
The next moment, he stood up.
The Black Cloak, sewn by Wang Yuyan herself, unfolded behind him, swinging like wings in the wind, flapping loudly.
Drawing nearer and attracting more gazes and attention toward the descending Jiang Dali.
The Demon Hawk's double wings whipped up wind, kicking up dust and raising ash, two giant talons thudding into the ground.
Zhang Xian immediately assumed a serious expression, leading several subordinates to greet him quickly.
Inside the tent, Wang Ciweng also hastily spat out the tea used to clear his mouth, instructing his aides to carry the treasure sword and jade jades and other gifts, rushing out of the tent.
Jiang Dali moved his feet and leaped down from the Demon Hawk, followed by Wang Yuyan and Murong Qingqing, each taking graceful steps and leaping down, closely following half a step behind him.
But at this moment, seeing the situation with many soldiers staring solemnly, even though both women had experienced grand occasions, they could not help feeling rather tense, their hearts racing.
It wasn't until they saw Jiang Dali's calm and confident demeanor that the two women slightly relaxed, feeling a sense of pride and admiration in their hearts.
Children of the Martial World often admire heroes.
No need to discuss Wang Yuyan's inner thoughts any further.
Even Murong Qingqing, who considered her heart long settled, when she personally encountered this battle array, found that the usually hot-tempered and somewhat devious and cold Jiang Dali had become towering and imposing, righteous and awe-inspiring, a heroic figure full of charm.
Jiang Dali walked on the red carpet with his arms crossed under the gaze of tens of thousands of eyes, stepping firmly with his black war boots, each step leaving a mark, as steady as old trees rooting, as an elephant stomping.
Such a battle array, for him who is now a leader of a force of over eighty thousand people, is merely a small scene.
He had once fought in and out of Ying Country's over a hundred thousand military camps, so this present array is of no consequence.
Many soldiers saw a towering big man over nine feet tall stride onto the red carpet, entering the military camp.
His head was bald, his neck thick, his shoulders broad, the muscles on his arms knotted like iron bars, and the black cloak fluttered behind him. The iron nail bracelet brimmed with the beauty of sinister sharpness and power, glancing around like an invincible lion, completely disregarding others.
As they watched this imposing figure stride and push his chest out, countless soldiers involuntarily sucked in a breath.
Only feeling that this Black Wind Village Chief truly lived up to his name, powerful like his reputation, the mere aura he exuded in his every move was oppressive, domineering, and strong.
Some soldiers who were close by usually felt good about themselves, thinking they were physically exceptional and fierce in battle.
Yet now each of them had the illusion of becoming a little white rabbit, fearing they would be captured anytime by this person.
"Subordinate Zhang Xian, greets Master Jiang."
At this moment, Zhang Xian quickly moved forward, clasped his fists and solemnly bowed respectfully to Jiang Dali, solemnly saying, "Subordinate was once a deputy under General Yue, having heard numerous times about Master Jiang from General Yue. The General eagerly desires to meet Master Jiang soon, but unfortunately has military duties keeping him, frequently inconvenienced, so I extend greetings on his behalf!"
As he spoke, he subtly glanced at Jiang Dali, only seeing Jiang Dali's bronze skin under the sunlight appear as if cast from steel, astonishingly mighty, as though his whole body was filled with explosive strength, swallowing nervously, feeling timid inside.
"Hello. General Zhang."
Jiang Dali looked down at Zhang Xian, who was shorter than him by a head, grinned revealing a mouthful of white teeth, and said, "Although I haven't met General Yue, I have been mystically connected for a long time. This time returning to the Song Capital, I have business concerning General Yue, and I expect to meet him in due time."
Zhang Xian was overjoyed to hear this, so excited that he was speechless, his face flushing red.
Jiang Dali could tell at a glance that Zhang Xian was also a person of straightforward and honest nature, and even though he tried to appear eager and humble in front of him, he was unable to say anything suitable due to his not so smooth character.
For such people, Jiang Dali rather has quite a fondness for them, always better than those who are deceitful.
Wang Ciweng, rushing quickly from the side upon hearing what Jiang Dali said, instantly felt troubled inside, hurriedly took a few steps forward and clasped his fists in an eager salute.
"This humble official Wang Ciweng, pays respects to the Great Hero Jiang, did not expect the Great Hero to appear so young, truly youthful and promising, a pillar of talent to invigorate our Song Country."
Wang Ciweng said as he continuously bowed deeply, flattering and fawning to the utmost degree, "For a long time, I have admired the Great Hero Jiang.
This time, Prime Minister Qin specially sent me to greet and welcome the General's triumphant return, for several nights I have been too excited to sleep.
Now seeing the hero in person, I wish nothing more than to bow at your feet, the immense merits you have achieved are a blessing for our Song people."
These exaggerated flattering words immediately made Zhang Xian and other speechless generals look displeased.
They disliked Wang Ciweng's behavior yet worried the Black Wind Village Chief might actually eat this up and turn towards the Peace Faction.
"Well, Wang Ciweng!"
Jiang Dali chuckled lightly, scrutinizing the overly smooth Wang Ciweng, with a smile on his face and the corners of his mouth lifted, "Since you say you wish to bow at my feet, why not try bowing down now, let me see if you are truly sincere."
Wang Ciweng shouted "Ah," the rest of his words stuck in his throat, his eyes widened like walnuts, his mouth opened like a cracked papaya, unable to close for half a day, his half-bowed posture stiff, looking very comical.
"Why?"
Jiang Dali's eyelids drooped slightly, "Could it be that your respectful words just now for this General were false, spoken to make me laugh?"
Saying the last part, Jiang Dali snorted coldly, his voice turning frigid.
In an instant, everyone felt like the air temperature dropped significantly, cold like falling into an ice cellar.
Wang Ciweng was bitter and embarrassed, somewhat caught between a rock and a hard place...
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(Request for monthly ticket recommendation! This chapter is a supplement for yesterday, delayed by ten minutes, sorry. Yesterday there were more than ten thousand words in the third period of night, requesting monthly ticket)