King of Creation
Chapter 458 - 452: A True Man Cannot Be Without Power for a Single Day

Chapter 458: Chapter 452: A True Man Cannot Be Without Power for a Single Day

"General Chu, this person harbors the Military Officer’s Token and has come to report to the Military Department upon summons," the clerk replied cautiously.

"A Military Officer?"

Chu River snorted coldly from his nose, sizing up Ye Zhen from head to toe with a look of disbelief that Ye Zhen could be a Military Officer. Still, he chose to say no more as he was well aware that the clerk would never deceive anyone in such matters. If there were any problems, heads could roll.

"General Chu, hold on!" Just as Chu River was about to leave, Ye Zhen suddenly spoke.

"What is it?"

Chu River slightly lifted his chin with an air of a lion poised to attack, his gaze fixed on Ye Zhen.

"General Chu, could I implore you to grant me a favor and spare Liu Datong’s son, Liu Hu?"

"I am Ye Zhen!" Ye Zhen added, revealing his identity.

On the way to the Military Department, Ye Zhen had considered many ways to resolve the trouble with Liu Datong. There were many methods, but all circled back to one issue.

No matter what, Liu Datong’s son was making a living in the army. If Ye Zhen seriously offended his colleagues this time, even if Ye Zhen could suppress this matter now,

what about when Ye Zhen wasn’t around?

The retaliation could come back even fiercer.

Having matured a lot over the years, Ye Zhen was cautious. It was because of this concern that he lowered his stance, planning to ask for a favor for Liu Datong and his son to facilitate their future wellbeing.

When Chu River heard Ye Zhen declare his identity, his expression briefly froze, as he certainly didn’t expect this young man to be Ye Zhen, the Duke Wusan who had gained fame in the world years ago.

But the surprise lasted only a moment before Chu River’s lips curled into a sneer.

"Grant you a favor?"

"What are you, exactly?"

"Duke Wusan, Ye Zhen? Merely a Martial Artist who got lucky with the War Soul Blood Flag. Do you really think you’re somebody? Bah!"

Spitting out a glob of phlegm, Chu River strode away. After a few steps, he turned swiftly, "Ye, oh, Officer Ye, I’d advise you to promptly have the Liu Family deliver the Three Treasures Pearl to me. If I have to reveal who needs this pearl, it’ll scare you to death!"

Leaving these harsh words behind, Chu River proudly returned to the Inner Hall of the Military Department, while the clerk beside Ye Zhen bowed his head even lower. Such grudges between senior military officers were none of Ye Zhen’s concern to overhear.

Ye Zhen’s faint smile disappeared instantly as his gaze landed on that lump of thick phlegm on the ground, turning icy cold.

The world is truly pragmatic.

Since becoming Duke Wusan, Ye Zhen had always acted unassumingly, immersed in the pursuit of Martial Arts, indifferent to power plays, and rarely showed his face in the Black Water Kingdom. Yet Ye Zhen did not expect not only to fail in receiving the slightest respect but to be openly humiliated.

This was rather ironic...

It had always been Ye Zhen who slapped others’ faces, and yet today, someone slapped his in broad daylight!

It seemed that making a big fuss over this matter was unavoidable...

"Lead the way...."

When Ye Zhen raised his head, his face showed not a trace of anger, as if the scene just now had never happened.

"Please!"

The clerk quickly led the way with his head bowed.

Along the way, Ye Zhen did not engage in any conversation with the clerk, and he didn’t even inquire about Chu River’s exact military rank or background.

It’s true that knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle.

But on the other hand, with Ye Zhen’s current strength and status, if he were committed to dealing with anyone within the Black Water Kingdom, even if that person were the current Emperor, he could force them to bow.

Provided that Ye Zhen was willing to escalate the matter endlessly.

Of course, such a state of chaos in the Empire was not something Ye Zhen desired to see.

Deep down, Ye Zhen still had quite a protective streak for the interests of the Black Water Empire.

"Officer Ye, the one clad in the purple general’s attire ahead is General Gu Zhaoge, the Grand Marshal!"

Following the direction pointed by the clerk, Ye Zhen saw about seventeen or eighteen generals clad in variously colored uniforms gathered around a massive sand table, earnestly discussing, apparently considering strategies.

To Ye Zhen’s surprise, Chu River was also in the group, indicating his high status in the military.

Approaching the gathering of senior military officers, the clerk bowed even lower, especially under the watchful eyes of the four Soul Sea Realm guards in each corner, his tension palpable.

Ye Zhen, however, was undaunted, striding confidently to the front of the sand table and gently nudging Chu River, who was blocking his way.

"Excuse me!"

While it was a gentle push, under Ye Zhen’s incredible arm strength, even with restraint, Chu River couldn’t help stumbling, almost tumbling to the ground.

"Who is this? What do you want?"

Chu River’s softly angered shout drew the attention of all the generals around the massive sand table to Ye Zhen, particularly several veteran generals who frowned in displeasure at Ye Zhen’s reckless behavior.

"Ye Zhen from Qiyun Sect, here to report!"

Ye Zhen slightly bowed toward Gu Zhaoge, the Grand Marshal across the sand table.

There are three Grand Marshals in the Black Water Kingdom, each independent and usually maintaining checks and balances. However, with the preparations for the Eastern Expedition underway, Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge, designated as the Supreme Commander of the Eastern Expedition, seemed to be wielding more power.

"You are Ye Zhen?"

Gu Zhaoge’s brow furrowed slightly, clearly displeased with Ye Zhen, and the casual salute from a young man. Not to mention kneeling, there wasn’t even a deep bow, which was quite....

Suddenly, Ye Zhen saw a familiar old face among the surrounding generals— Duke Zhou Zhen.

Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen, with the help of Ye Zhen, was reassigned back to the Imperial Capital two years ago and was now also listed among those on the Eastern Expedition. When he saw Ye Zhen, his face was full of smiles.

"Marshal Zhou, how do you fare!" Ye Zhen greeted Zhou Zhen.

Zhou Zhen was startled, not expecting Ye Zhen to greet him before answering the Grand Marshal’s question. In his surprise, Zhou Zhen gave Ye Zhen a distant bow, "Duke Wusan, it has been more than two years, and you still look resplendent as ever!"

Ye Zhen smiled, then turned to answer Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge’s question, "Indeed!"

Seeing this, a flicker of anger appeared on Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge’s face. Ye Zhen actually ignored his question, which was really....

However, considering the bigger picture, Gu Zhaoge refrained from showing his anger for the moment.

"Hehe, I didn’t expect that Duke Wusan is indeed an outstanding individual. Duke Wusan, I wonder if you have brought the War Soul Blood Flag?" Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge inquired.

"I have brought it!"

"May I have a look?"

Ye Zhen didn’t mind this request at all, as a mere look was not a big deal.

He took out the palm-sized War Soul Blood Flag from his chest, and with a thought of his Divine Sense, the flag responded to the wind, growing to its full size, and Ye Zhen was about to hand it over to Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge.

Just at this moment, Ye Zhen saw Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen blink rapidly at him three times, his expression somewhat odd, as if there was another meaning behind it.

Ye Zhen was puzzled and didn’t quite understand the meaning behind Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen’s blinking. Following the moment, he handed the War Soul Blood Flag to a general who came to take it.

Upon seeing this, the expression on Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen’s face suddenly darkened.

Only then did Ye Zhen realize what Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen’s blinks meant; he was signaling Ye Zhen not to hand over the War Soul Blood Flag to Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge.

Ye Zhen understood that complications were likely to arise.

The situation within the Black Water Kingdom was like the internal politics of the Empire, where the sectarian forces clashed fiercely with the governmental authorities.

However, Ye Zhen was not afraid of any trouble that might come up. What was it but a covetous plot for the War Soul Blood Flag?

Somehow, seeing Ye Zhen obediently handing over the War Soul Blood Flag, a look of joy appeared in the eyes of all the commanders present, and some of them looked at Ye Zhen as if he were a fool.

Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge gave the War Soul Blood Flag a flick, and it sounded crisply.

"Excellent flag!"

After carefully inspecting it, Gu Zhaoge showed no intention of returning it to Ye Zhen but slowly said, "The Dao of Man teaches us to understand the greater good. Meeting you today, Duke Wusan, I see that this is indeed the case!"

"Since Duke Wusan has entrusted the War Soul Blood Flag to the military faction, we shall ensure that it does not gather dust and will let it drink deeply of the enemy’s blood!"

"Chu River, the War Soul Blood Flag will be in your custody for now. Within a few days, you may let the Tiger Vanguard Army adapt to the augmentation of the War Soul Blood Flag. Additionally, to ensure its safety, I will assign two Soul Sea Realm Tributors to protect you closely!"

Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge’s arrangements were meticulously planned, but Ye Zhen was utterly astonished.

Without asking for his opinion, the Grand Marshal directly seized the War Soul Blood Flag, inciting a sense of outrage within Ye Zhen, finding the Marshal’s actions utterly shameless as anger welled up inside him.

However, Ye Zhen’s face bore more of a sardonic smile, thick with mockery.

It seemed that they were unaware of the secret agreement between the Royal Family and the Qiyun Sect made right after the War Soul Blood Flag was reclaimed, and they did not know that the War Soul Blood Flag could only be wielded by Ye Zhen alone.

Otherwise, they would not have shamelessly and disgracefully deceived to get their hands on the War Soul Blood Flag.

By his side, Chu River, who just got his hands on the War Soul Blood Flag, could not let go of it. To a certain extent, the flag was a guarantee of military achievements.

With the War Soul Blood Flag in possession, he would definitely claim the top merit in this Eastern Expedition.

Almost instinctually, or out of eagerness, Chu River concentrated his Divine Soul Power, attempting to claim the flag as his.

In the next instant, Chu River was dumbfounded.

After several attempts, his Divine Soul Power elicited no response from the War Soul Blood Flag, which acted as though it were an inanimate object!

"Hmph!"

Ye Zhen chuckled lightly, and with a thought, the War Soul Blood Flag, which had been in Chu River’s grasp, suddenly transformed into a streak of Blood Light shooting towards Ye Zhen. The flag instantly shrank to palm-size and was tucked into Ye Zhen’s chest once more.

"You...."

"Hasn’t anyone told you that the War Soul Blood Flag has already been completely subdued by me, Ye Zhen? That it can only be activated and controlled by me!" Ye Zhen laughed derisively.

In an instant, including Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge, the faces of many officers turned sour, especially Gu Zhaoge’s wrinkled face, which turned dark red like a ripe apple, with extreme annoyance.

This was an utterly loss of face....

They had acted shamelessly, disgracefully tricking the War Soul Blood Flag out of Ye Zhen’s hands, only to have it taken back with a simple gesture.

Calling Ye Zhen a fool when they were the ones acting like utter fools, losing all face!

"Humph, why didn’t you say so earlier!"

Gu Zhaoge snorted angrily, trying to save face for himself.

"Duke Wusan, since the War Soul Blood Flag can only be activated by you, you shall serve as the Special Envoy Military Officer calmly and listen to the military’s orders at all times. Additionally, I will arrange for a hundred-man squad to serve as your personal guard...."

"Wait!" Ye Zhen suddenly spoke, interrupting Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge’s arrangements.

"What is it?"

"I’ve changed my mind! I will no longer serve as the Special Envoy Military Officer!" Everything that had happened, including the encounter with Chu River, had made Ye Zhen suddenly realize something—no man of stature should be without power for even a single day!

"What do you mean?" Grand Marshal Gu Zhaoge’s brows furrowed. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes, monthly tickets, and support. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)