Understanding the situation with Sheng Long Ying, Liang Xiao's good mood vanished. He could only lead his horse towards Sheng Long Ying, patting Bai Ye Fei Ying, his mount, and sighing for a long time.
"You, like your brother Fei Ying, can understand some human words. In truth, you belong to this land. From now on, you shall remain here, and I will provide for you."
Sheng Long Ying merely whimpered softly, allowing Liang Xiao to lead it without resistance.
As a descendant of Bai Long Ying, it possessed intelligence comparable to Bai Ye Fei Ying and understood that its new master was far gentler than the blond-haired, blue-eyed villains it had encountered before!
"Father, look! He, he speaks so softly to animals, and he actually tamed such a divine steed with such ease!" Yue Wen Xin's eyes sparkled as she spoke to herself.
Zuo Wu Ji sneered, "Wipe the drool from the corner of your mouth before you speak..."
"Ah?" Yue Wen Xin's pretty face flushed. She snapped back to attention, wiped her mouth, and found no drool. Hearing Zuo Wu Ji burst into laughter, she realized she had been tricked. In her embarrassment and anger, she kicked Zuo Wu Ji from her horse.
Zuo Wu Ji pretended nothing had happened, only looking at Sheng Long Ying, his heart bleeding.
Such a fine horse, and it had been emasculated. The one who wielded the knife deserved to die!
If there were more than two descendants of Bai Long Ying in the future, perhaps his two grandsons might have a chance to ride them!
Achilles' body was placed by Liang Xiao onto a spare warhorse that accompanied them. The group, chatting and laughing, headed towards the military camp.
Nan Ji Yun and the others outwardly rejoiced, but inwardly, their grip on the reins still trembled.
They were immensely nervous because Liang Xiao had already mentioned his plans after the victory before the battle.
They were about to witness a day that would surely be recorded in the annals of Da Qian and sung through the ages!
The most perfect conclusion was about to arrive!
"Welcome our Great Qian's Martial God! Thank you, General Tian!"
As Liang Xiao approached the military camp, all the soldiers, save Gongsun Ye, knelt on one knee, their faces filled with fervent admiration and their voices filled with excitement yet brimming with respect.
"My goodness, my heart almost stopped just now!" Gongsun Ye exclaimed involuntarily, handing his command flag to Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao took the command flag, surveyed the crowd, and said loudly, "All soldiers, you may rise."
After expressing their gratitude, the soldiers rose, still gazing at Liang Xiao with fervent admiration.
"Today, this general must also confess something to the people of Great Qian."
"General Tian, please speak! We are at your command, ready to face any danger!" the soldiers pledged, thumping their chests.
But soon, some soldiers with keen ears showed signs of great change.
This voice, how did it sound so familiar?
Under the perplexed gazes of everyone, Liang Xiao finally removed his helmet, revealing his true face.
The crowd almost suffocated!
How could it be him?
"This... Hmm? General Tian often manifested to protect our Marshal An Guo Hou, so it makes sense!" The soldiers quickly recovered, scratching their heads and chuckling sheepishly.
"No."
Liang Xiao shook his head, looking at the eagerly watching soldiers, his voice calm yet unrestrained.
"In truth, General Tian did not perish and ascend to divinity on the battlefield of Yan Province that year, nor did he manifest."
The generals were stunned and spoke in unison, "Even if General Tian is not dead, he is still our Great Qian's Martial God, truly unique!"
Yue Wen Xin beside them covered her mouth and snickered.
How could you not figure out such an obvious answer? You all turned into simpletons!
"Ah! General Tian isn't dead, so..." Finally, a soldier realized the truth and exclaimed in shock.
Under the astonished gazes of everyone, Liang Xiao donned the Marshal's battle robe and the Fu You Sword, handed to him by Yue Qing Tian. Clad in the robe and with the sword at his waist, he looked at the generals.
"After the decisive battle in Yan Province, I was gravely wounded and on the verge of death. By sheer luck, I managed to cling to half my life. I returned home to recover and entered officialdom as a scholar, serving the country."
"That scholar is none other than the current Marshal An Guo Hou of Great Qian, Liang Xiao."
Liang Xiao's voice echoed in the military camp, followed by absolute silence.
The soldiers stared blankly at Liang Xiao, as if witnessing the most unimaginable scene of their lives.
The Martial God of Great Qian, General Tian!
The God of War of Great Qian, Marshal An Guo Hou!
Liang Xiao??
"How is this possible?" "Marshal An Guo Hou is General Tian?"...
Having recovered their senses, the soldiers, despite military discipline, couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves.
"Silence!" Gongsun Ye sternly reprimanded the soldiers.
The military camp fell silent again, everyone filled with excitement.
They could not believe it!
But the facts were right before their eyes, weren't they?
Neither General Tian nor Marshal An Guo Hou had any reason to deceive them.
The two soldiers they respected most in their lives were, in fact, the same person!
After a long pause, the military camp erupted in cheers even louder than before.
"General Tian! Marshal An Guo Hou! Grand Marshal!"
News from the military camp quickly spread to the rear, shocking the entire city's populace.
"Our Marshal An Guo Hou is General Tian! This, this... Oh my heavens!"
"So the legend never ended, and it has been protecting our Great Qian in another form?"
The people of Yuzhang, whether overjoyed, shocked, or grateful... displayed a multitude of emotions, but without exception, all were pleased.
"General Tian has arrived!"
"No, Marshal An Guo Hou has arrived! He said not to kneel to him, absolutely not to kneel!"
The herald outside shouted, waking the excited military and civilians.
"Welcome Marshal An Guo Hou's triumphant return! Welcome General Tian's triumphant return!"
United as one, the masses remembered the herald's instructions and welcomed Liang Xiao into the city.
Liang Xiao was still in General Tian's attire, followed by Gongsun Ye and other generals and marshals, leading Sheng Long Ying, with Achilles' body on the carriage.
The populace knelt in reverence, as if before a deity, expressing boundless gratitude.
"Fellow countrymen of Great Qian, my return home that year was due to a severe injury, making me unable to protect myself. I was forced to lie low and reclaim my original name." Liang Xiao declared loudly.
The crowd nodded dumbly, filled with emotion.
At this moment, everyone rejoiced, accepting this truth.
General Tian was not dead, so wasn't this double happiness?
"The manifestations of General Tian were also to deceive the enemy, to hide in plain sight. The people of Great Qian, not understanding, built temples and offered incense for me. I am deeply ashamed!" Liang Xiao sighed.
"No, no, no! General Tian, you must not blame yourself! We will forever be willing, perfectly happy, and proud of it!"
"General Tian's temples can be completely converted into shrines for General Tian's living memorial!"
The common people spoke one after another, their words consistent, their hearts filled with joy, applauding and cheering.
Countless young men and women raised their arms, shouting the names of General Tian and Marshal An Guo Hou, their excitement lingering long after.
Liang Xiao expressed his solemn gratitude and then declared loudly, "His Majesty has decreed that from now on, all citizens of Great Qian, regardless of where they are, as long as they identify as citizens of Great Qian, will belong to the Great Qian nation. United as one, we shall create an era of peace and prosperity for our descendants. The military spirit of Great Qian is invincible, conquering all! Both individuals and the collective will be unstoppable, and one day, we will exterminate the Tian Ri Clan behind the Hui Chun Sect, avenging the blood feud of our Great Qian's military and people over thousands of years!"
"Great Qian Military Spirit!!"
A single call evoked a hundred responses. The soldiers and civilians of Yuzhang cheered with excitement.
At this moment, they felt a joy they had never known, and a sense of security bloomed in their hearts.
"Our beloved General Tian, Marshal An Guo Hou Liang Xiao, has been leading troops to protect us all along!"
After their excitement subsided, the people spontaneously offered their thanks, their gazes fixed on Liang Xiao as he returned to the military camp.
On this day, Liang Xiao, in the most serene manner, revealed his identity as General Tian to the military and civilians.
Finally, someone had imbued this land, which had endured so much hardship, with an eternal and immortal soul, allowing the people on this land to face foreign races with confidence.
This was a military spirit that shook ancient and modern times, and a national spirit of unity!
In the streets and alleys, regardless of gender or age, people sang praises of Great Qian!
What happened in Yuzhang on this day spread across the land with astonishing speed...