Chapter 679: Ask the Hero—Who Is a Hero?
On the wide streets paved with polished bluestone, horse hooves clattered, and the marching troops thundered like a storm.
Jiang Dali rode atop a sweat-blooded horse with shining mane, akin to a triumphant Great General returning from victory, surrounded by a thousand soldiers entering through the outer city gate, his bald head glaring conspicuously under the sunlight.
A wave of fervent popularity surged forward.
The street, already bustling with people, constantly buzzing with discussions, suddenly erupted in a wave of sound.
"He's here!"
"The hero has returned triumphant!"
Under the escort of numerous soldiers, Jiang Dali's robust figure rode slowly into the city.
The noisy clamor instantly began to recede like a tide, gradually quieting down until it was utterly silent.
Jiang Dali's gaze was calm and confident, scanning the endless streets filled with black masses of people, his eyes meeting worshipful, curious, awestruck, and fervent stares, gently tugging the reins to continue moving forward.
Following behind him, also riding a horse and wearing face veils, were Wang Yuyan and Murong Qingqing, both feeling rather uneasy, being intensely watched by so many people, with sweat slightly breaking out on their backs.
Countless pairs of fervent eyes lined the path, intertwining and falling upon Jiang Dali, seeing his robust and sturdy physique and his rugged masculine appearance, many natives quietly praised him in their hearts as a vigorous and handsome strong man.
Some young women with romantic notions had eyes shimmering, unexpectedly covering their faces with embroidered handkerchiefs, their eyes evasive, whispering to one another, praising in astonishment.
"I never thought the Black Wind Village Chief would turn out to be quite handsome; there was a storyteller in the city who said he looked like a black-faced demon with eyes like brass bells and fang-like teeth, making me have nightmares for several nights, dreaming of being kidnapped on the mountain to become the village chief's wife."
"Miss Ying, you also had a good dream. Now, if you were kidnapped on the mountain by this hero akin to a Heavenly God descended to earth, it would truly be a great honor for your family."
"Actually, it might be alright; if the Black Wind Village Chief had a more lush head of hair and a bit more handsome beard, he would be an extraordinary and beautiful man."
A group of players from the Black Wind Village, mixed within the crowd, heard these whispered comments from the young ladies and couldn't help but laugh.
They all said that now their village chief had become a great hero, even his charm seemed to have elevated quite a bit. So many young ladies inside the capital city seemed to admire their village chief immensely, appearing like fangirls.
This scene was recorded on the Jianghu Forum, causing much playful discussion among the onlooking players.
In the comment section below the live post, a large group of onlooking players created an uproar.
"These young ladies all look so delicate, with modest mouths but big hearts. Can their small bodies endure the weight of the Black Wind Village Chief?"
"If one can't endure, then have several take turns to serve him. Alas, our village chief practices Child Training, being unfazed by any women except for the familiar candidates for the three Great Village Chief's wives."
"It's four candidates for village chief's wives! First place, Sister Dongfang; second place, Miss Wang; third place, Wan Wan; fourth place, Qin Mo Murong Qingqing."
"The brother upstairs, you're young, inexperienced, and don't understand; this matter runs deep, the position of village chief's wife, it's beyond your grasp. Take uncle's advice and delete this comment. Let uncle manage the ranking order."
Cannon fire roared inside and outside the city, drums and gongs sounded, and the Jianghu Forum was bustling.
Jiang Dali passed by on his procession, seeing numerous fanatically worshipping citizens, some bowing to the ground in worship.
There were also some uninhibited geisha from the Art House boldly throwing embroidered balls, nearly offering themselves.
Messages frequently appeared on the panel.
"XXX's affection for you increased..."
"XX's affection for you increased..."
"Your reputation in Song Country increased..."
This kind of heroic treatment was indeed Jiang Dali's first time experiencing it, and he also felt it was somewhat excessive.
It now appeared that Song Country truly wanted to shape him as a hero to boost national confidence and spirit.
This hero image, in the hearts of others, as a mental support in chaotic times, was indeed very important, possibly serving as many people's hope to persevere.
Yet Jiang Dali felt—it was excessive.
All his actions had been for himself, for his power, never reaching the height of worrying for the nation and its people.
He hadn't planned to become a great hero, bearing Song Country through chaos.
Those deserving such heroic treatment should be Yue Fei, Zong Ze, and Han Shizong.
However, since things had come to this, he wouldn't be insincere, calmly and readily accepting it, after all, he had indeed accomplished some deeds, better than harmful flatterers.
Meanwhile, within the crowd, two unusual groups mingled, their eyes cold and angry as they stared at Jiang Dali, welcomed back as a hero.
Though the groups were far apart, wearing common Song people's attire and blending into the crowd with no discernable traits.
Yet now, they were using a secret skill only martial arts experts could perform to discreetly communicate horrifying content, quietly moving within the crowd, always following Jiang Dali's route.
"Rumor has it that this man has strength above the Heavenly Human 4th Realm, but he's proficient in two secret techniques and one extremely powerful Cross Training Divine Skill.
Therefore, if we want to severely injure or even kill him, we must catch him off guard before he can deploy various divine skills and secret techniques, delivering a fatal blow."
"I, the second warrior of Great Liao, along with fellow brothers, have united to assassinate this man. Even if the Black Wind Village Chief is truly as formidable as rumors suggest, surely he will pay the price."
"Still, let's not be careless; if the Black Wind Village Chief deploys his Cross Training Divine Skill, we must immediately retreat, avoid engaging in prolonged combat, and focus on creating chaos and killing some people."
The two groups discreetly conversed, moving low-key through the crowd, their eyes cold, ready to erupt and harm at any moment.
But soon, both groups felt a chill in their bodies, their scalps tightened, sensing as if a fierce primordial beast was eyeing them, feeling extremely uneasy.
"Have we been discovered?"
Both groups of people felt Jiang Dali's distant gaze sweeping over them. While they were still unsure, Jiang Dali's gaze had already moved on, as if he had just glanced over casually, with no other meaning.
Both groups breathed a sigh of relief, though their hearts were filled with awe, minds tense and silently exclaiming at his prowess.
"These two groups... it seems they are the experts from the Jin and Liao embassies left in the Song State Embassy. A bunch of mice; I wonder if they'll manage to excite me even a little later..."
Jiang Dali calmly withdrew his gaze, no longer focusing on the two conspicuously hidden enemies in the crowd, to prevent scaring off these pitiable little creatures.
Their hostility towards him was so obvious, with vivid red light emanating from them, that no matter how they tried to hide within the crowd, they had nowhere to conceal themselves.
At the same time.
On the streets near the Inner City, the Emperor of Song wore a golden crown and a dragon robe, seated high on the dragon chariot, having long awaited here.
The dragon chariot was pulled by eight fine steeds, with its body inlaid with gold, silver, jade, gemstones, and pearls. The chariot epitomized luxury, with carved dragons and phoenixes, inlaid with gold and jade, displaying the majestic aura of royalty.
All the civil and military officials gathered around the dragon chariot, standing respectfully as they waited.
An honor guard of over three hundred people lined up on both sides, with strict security, showing an impressive formation.
The Emperor of Song personally led the civil and military officials outside the Inner City gate to welcome Jiang Dali's triumphant return, enough to show how much the Emperor valued and cherished Jiang Dali, this Song Country hero, granting him the honor and respect he deserved.
However, at this moment, the Emperor of Song glanced at the triumphant procession not more than a hundred feet away and looked to his sides, discontentedly asking, "For such an important event today, how come Prime Minister Qin and General Zhang are not present on-site?"
This question caused an instant silence, with the officials looking at each other in confusion.
Wang Ciweng immediately stepped out and respectfully knelt with a troubled expression, saying, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report. Prime Minister Qin and General Zhang should have gone to properly handle this, hence their absence now."
"Hmm?" The Emperor was displeased and coldly snorted. "Explain quickly; I wish to see what matter made them brave enough to neglect our Song Country hero so, while even I am waiting in person here, yet they have not arrived? What a disgrace!!"
"Please calm your anger, your Majesty!"
All the officials were shocked and knelt.
Wang Ciweng further knelt with both hands on the ground, fearfully saying, "Your Majesty, this matter is rather shocking... In truth, I received intelligence last night that the Jin and Liao envoys secretly met with the Black Wind Village Chief, Jiang Dali, in an attempt to win over our Song Country hero."
This statement instantly caused an uproar among the officials, with the Emperor of Song looking even more troubled, his brows furrowed.
Wang Ciweng continued, "Though I trust our Song Country hero's integrity and character, given the gravity of the situation, I immediately informed Prime Minister Qin of the intelligence.
Prime Minister Qin then ordered me to invite General Zhang and the Fourth Prince to the agreed-upon location to monitor every move of both parties.
Unexpectedly, at the end of the talks, the Black Wind Village Chief was suddenly enraged and killed, with the Jin and Liao envoys dying at the hands of the Black Wind Village Chief."
"What!?"
The Emperor of Song nearly stood up from the dragon chariot.
The civil and military officials were astonished and in shock, finding it unbelievable.
Both the Peace Faction and the War Faction were left buzzing with confusion.
In times of war between two countries, envoys were not to be harmed.
Envoys represent the dignity of a nation.
Now, the envoys of Jin and Liao had been outright killed by Song Country's hero.
If this were to spread, it would cause a tremendous upheaval.
At this point, the Fourth Prince also stepped forward with difficulty and bowed to the shocked Emperor, saying, "Father, this matter is indeed true, and as it occurred last night, I had not yet had time to report to you."
Wang Ciweng said, "Prime Minister Qin and General Zhang were worried that the warriors from Jin and Liao, remaining in the city, would cause a scene upon finding their envoys missing for a night, hence they were dealing with this matter all night.
However, this morning, the warriors of the two countries have already vanished from the embassy..."
"Wang Ciweng!!"
The Emperor of Song, enraged, stood with his eyebrows raised, "Such a serious matter, and you choose now to inform me!?"
The Emperor's fury made the officials fall silent instantly.
Yet at this moment, shrieks and commotion suddenly erupted from over fifty feet down the street.
A dozen shadows leaped out from both ends of the street, shouting furiously and attacking Jiang Dali, who was riding a sweat-blooded horse.
In an instant, the air was filled with the glint of swords and the shadows of sabers.
"Assassins!!"
Numerous guards near the dragon chariot reacted swiftly, moving to protect, while the Emperor of Song and the officials were stricken with horror.
At the same time, several loud, explosive sounds rang out in succession.
Arrows flew out suddenly from several different angles, cutting through the air at high speed, with the arrow tips glowing faintly with red light, aiming at the terrified Emperor of Song.
"Protect His Majesty!!"
"Quickly, protect His Majesty!"...
...
...
(Asking for monthly and recommendation tickets! Only a little bit more to reach a whole number, and there's a new fan title event in the book review section.)