Your Lord Has A Screw Loose?
Chapter 678 - 680: Overjoyed, Invited as a Fellow Seeker

Chapter 678 -680: Overjoyed, Invited as a Fellow Seeker

“Today, upon meeting you both, I am beyond delighted and would like to invite you to join me as allies as we head to the Imperial City together!” Chen Liuhuan’s face beamed with a smile, having not expected the recruitment to be a success. He had assumed there would be some friction, but in just a few words, both Duanmu Yan and Yan Ling pledged their allegiance.

This scene left members of the Alien Clan completely dumbfounded; they had never anticipated such a turn of events.

Previously, when Chen Liuhuan sent word of wanting to negotiate a ceasefire, proposing a three-way talk, the various members of the Alien Clan thought it a fine opportunity. As long as the three forces directed their Power towards one goal, a little competition would not matter.

But the situation defied their expectations. Chen Liuhuan had managed to bring the other two under his wing, indeed uniting their strength, but this was not the development they wished to see.

The three parties quickly consolidated into one, transferring a great deal of forces. The Alien Clan realized the situation was utterly out of control and hastened to report back.

Chen Liuhuan had achieved his goal before they could undermine him.

As for actually entering the Imperial City, what difference would there be between establishing a new dynasty and the current Qian Dynasty when the time came?

Their aim was to annihilate the Qian Dynasty and prevent the rise of any new dynasty, occupying their dwellings, not genuinely desiring a revolution.

If it was merely for the sake of changing dynasties, why bother with all the complexity?

“Brothers, let us enter the tent and drink our fill. Today, we will not return until we are drunk.”

After the merging of the three parties, Chen Liuhuan naturally began to make his moves with Duanmu Yan and Yan Ling in tow.

Once inside the tent, where all sorts of food and drink were prepared, amidst the clinking of glasses and laughter, Chen Liuhuan suddenly said, “Brothers, do you realize that your end is near?”

No sooner had he finished speaking than the two men sprang up and made a dash for the exit.

Who wouldn’t think Chen Liuhuan intended to kill them and usurp power with such words? Certainly, they couldn’t just wait to be killed.

But in the next moment, a tremendous force bore down on their shoulders, and they were captured in an instant.

“You misunderstand, brothers. I do not wish to kill you, but our line of work is one that indeed could get our heads chopped off,” Chen Liuhuan said as he forcibly seated them back down.

The two were filled with terror, never expecting Chen Liuhuan to possess such supernatural strength.

“Big brother, what do you mean by that? Rebellion is precisely this trade,” Duanmu Yan said, regaining his composure and speaking up first.

“You fail to recognize the will of heaven and are being used by the Alien Clan. His Majesty is now reconstructing the lands. At this moment, allegiance offers the chance to be knighted or appointed as a minister. Resistance only dooms one to be a forgotten skeleton in a grave,” Chen Liuhuan retorted bluntly.

Duanmu Yan and Yan Ling were flabbergasted, wanting to say that Chen Liuhuan himself was the leader of the rebellion, but now it seemed he had become a representative of the Court in the blink of an eye.

“The Court is unjust, not only neglecting relief during continuous droughts and floods but also deftly introducing levies under the pretense of donations. Now, it has no regard for the people while digging the Grand Canal. How could such a Court be worthy of our loyalty!” Yan Ling, having come to his senses, spoke up indignantly.

“You are not aware of the full picture, which is a long story. If you, brothers, are willing, I am ready to explain,” Chen Liuhuan said, feigning consideration for their willingness, but in reality, he began his explanation without waiting for their consent: “This all started on the day…”

He quickly finished recounting the whole sequence of events, and the other two fell silent, unable to refute.

“Big brother Chen, is the Martial Arts Technique ‘Military Strategy’ real?”

The matters of the Alien Clan and puppetry muddled Duanmu Yan’s mind, but he quickly pushed them aside and focused on what was important.

Chen Liuhuan pointed a finger, and Gang Qi erupted forth, piercing through a nearby piece of Armor with a quiet yet powerful force.

“If the… Emperor possesses such formidable power, why not cleanse the world himself? Why endure this ordeal?” Now convinced, Yan Ling believed in Chen Liuhuan, especially after witnessing that display of power.

“There’s no one to trust. The Alien Clan dictates matters in the Court, while below, as you have seen, are those corrupt officials, all former students and lackeys, each one incompetent and immoral, only skilled in extortion and oppression. Tell me, who can His Majesty rely on?” spoke Chen Liuhuan, not mincing his words.

Yan Ling and Duanmu Yan also kept silent, and then Duanmu Yan finally spoke, “Chen Liuhuan, what you just said is true? As long as we are willing to join His Majesty, we can be taught the ‘Military Strategy’?”

Such formidable power, who wouldn’t want it? And Yan Ling was looking at the other party with an obvious intent: if you provide it, they have no reason not to support you, or even join your Iron Blood Army to combat the Alien Clan.

“I have already copied it, brothers, take a look,” Chen Liuhuan said as he took out two scrolls of silk, densely covered with tiny characters.

After taking them over, they quickly read through.

“Not hiding anything from you, big brother Chen, we don’t understand the martial arts technique on the upper scroll,” Yan Ling said after reading, exchanging a glance with Duanmu Yan. It was a bit embarrassing.

“This ‘Military Strategy’ martial arts technique is profound and unfathomable. I only understand some of its basics. However, I can still help the two of you brothers with the entry-level knowledge.” Chen Liuhuan benefited from being conferred with Divine Power and Innate Energy, allowing him to progress swiftly—it’s like the first joiner’s benefit.

Latecomers would definitely not have this advantage; instead, they would have to learn and practice step by step at a gradual pace.

Fortunately, entry is not difficult. The First Realm mainly relies on nourishment and endurance, which requires some time.

Under Chen Liuhuan’s guidance, Yan Ling and Duanmu Yan also made rapid progress. After all, even though he was only a Third Realm martial artist, with a significant gap from the Fourth Realm, he was more than capable of teaching them.

“Indeed wondrous. At most two days, and I could enter the first stage of the First Realm,” Yan Ling marveled. Now that they had gained prominence, they certainly weren’t lacking various supplements and food. As long as this was maintained, there wouldn’t be any major issues.

“Although the martial arts technique is marvelous, we must also study the strategy on the latter half of the scroll—that’s the real foundation of our power,” reminded Chen Liuhuan.

“Thank you for the reminder, big brother. But can we share this martial arts technique with the close guards in the army?” Duanmu Yan asked.

“You can, but not now. We must first clear out those who have been planted in the army by alien clans. That’s right, the ones wrestling for power with you. If you don’t believe it, once you have been initiated, you will be able to sense the difference between our Human Clan and the Alien Clan.”

The techniques could naturally be taught to others, something that Chen Liuhuan and the Shadow Guard had confirmed, and it was precisely because of this assurance that he could completely win over these two people to join the Iron Blood Army.

“Understood, understood. It’s just that this is going to be difficult. Some days ago, Yu Qian from Brother Chen’s ranks came over to join me, and I foolishly accepted him. He hasn’t become my aid, but instead… sigh.” Yan Ling mentioned with a tinge of embarrassment, and then he sighed. His own Yu Qian had initially intended to probe Chen Liuhuan, but unexpectedly, he became an obstacle for Yan Ling.

“Yu Qian, that fish man with a fish head and human body, covered in scales, has always been of the ill-intentioned kind. It’s normal for you to have been schemed against by him, young brother Yan. I, too, have been tricked by him several times. If it weren’t for good luck and the Emperor’s help, perhaps I would have been completely devoured by them right now. These Alien Clan members are truly man-eaters.”

Chen Liuhuan casually brushed over the subject. After all, they were now on the same side. Dwelling on the past issue could lead to grudges, and now was the time to win people over, not the time to intimidate or suppress them.

Hearing the words “man-eaters,” both of them felt a chill. So many aliens had infiltrated their surroundings; it was not easy for them to have survived to this point.

If real trouble broke out, these Alien Clan members could quietly come to their bedsides and devour them without them even knowing.

Having said that, there was still a shred of doubt, as they could not trust everything completely. Although the ‘Military Strategy’ seemed magical, they had not witnessed its effects first-hand.

Therefore, they had to wait until they themselves had entered the path before personally conducting an investigation of its authenticity. Regardless of true or false, they were now tied to Chen Liuhuan.

“May I ask, big brother, what are your plans next?” Duanmu Yan inquired about the next crucial step.

“Once the two brothers have started on the ‘Military Strategy,’ and after we’ve dealt with the alien faction in the army, we will head north to enter the Imperial City and purify the royal side!” Chen Liuhuan did not speak of immediate action. He planned to act jointly once these two had discerned the differences between the Human and Alien Clans after entry initiation. Only after internal issues were cleared could a campaign be launched.

Otherwise, if the Alien Clan became too powerful and something went wrong mid-way, previous efforts could be wasted.

Of course, this approach was also to eradicate any doubts they might have; once they confirmed the reality of the Alien Clan, they could work together wholeheartedly, without harboring internal reservations.

The pair, of course, had no objections and felt that Chen Liuhuan’s handling of the matter was very thorough, letting them confirm first before taking action. Thus, they could act without any sense of discomfort.

After discussing some minor details, the two left, eager to attempt the mysteries of the ‘Military Strategy’.