Chapter 139

Two days later, support teams from the other three cities arrived, accelerating the cleanup efforts.

Five days later, all the corpses of the Hellblood Vine flowers were buried.

Jian Renhao gathered over twenty thousand civilians and a thousand or more Beast Tamer from Dacheng.

Then, outside Dacheng, Jian Renhao assembled all the civilians and Beast Tamers of Dacheng for a public meeting.

The Beast Tamer contingents from Qixing City, Xin'an City, and Lingyuncheng also attended in full.

Jian Renhao stood on the podium, his face gaunt, and announced his resignation and the decision to abandon Dacheng.

Many civilians and Beast Tamers of Dacheng covered their faces and wept.

Next, Jian Renhao said in a solemn voice: "This time, we were able to eradicate those blood-colored vines and avenge the countless civilians of Dacheng who died—we must thank a young Beast Tamer…"

The civilians and Beast Tamers of Dacheng all turned their gaze toward Jian Renhao on the podium.

Su Yang stood below the podium, staring in shock at Jian Renhao on the stage.

Jian Renhao looked at him too; in his pained eyes there was admiration and encouragement.

"This Beast Tamer is from Qixing City. It was he who first deduced that the blood-colored vine beasts responsible for Dacheng's fall were merely clones; it was he who deduced that the blood-colored vines had only one mother body; it was he who deduced that those vine clones existed solely to nourish the mother body…"

"Without this intelligence, we might still be unable to find the true culprit behind Dacheng's destruction!"

"Without this intelligence, we could never have avenged our dead loved ones and friends!"

"Without this intelligence, the blood-colored vines might have spread further and destroyed more cities!"

"This young hero is the Beast Tamer from Qixing City—Su Yang!"

"Su Yang, come up here!"

All over a thousand Beast Tamers from Qixing City turned to look at Su Yang!

Su Yang stared blankly at Jian Renhao.

Because Jian Renhao had never warned him beforehand—he was completely unprepared!

Su Su Liqun patted Su Yang's shoulder and said: "Don't be nervous, go up!"

"Mm!"

Su Yang took a deep breath, enduring the gazes of the crowd, slowly stepped out of formation, leapt onto the podium, and stood beside Jian Renhao.

Bathed in sunlight, Su Yang's military uniform was torn and dirty, yet his outstanding bearing and handsome features made everyone below feel that this impossibly young Beast Tamer was glowing.

"After unanimous decision by the Dacheng Military Headquarters, I will, for the last time, as Dacheng's City Master, award Su Yang the Dacheng First-Class Hero Medal, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Dacheng and the peace and stability of the surrounding cities during this campaign!"

Below, thunderous applause erupted!

The City First-Class Hero Medal is the highest honor unique to cities across the Huaxia Federation.

It is awarded exclusively to soldiers who made exceptional contributions in city defense battles—extremely rare!

In Qixing City, only one soldier has received this medal in the past century…

In all major cities of the Huaxia Federation, soldiers awarded this medal receive military honors and free lodging in military guesthouses.

Many merchant guilds offer special discounts to soldiers who hold this medal!

It is a symbol of glory!

Soldiers who possess this City First-Class Hero Medal enjoy privileges equal to those of the City Master within that city, including preferential policies and exemption from taxes on business activities…

Of course, Dacheng no longer exists.

Su Yang will not be able to enjoy these benefits.

But it also means this is likely the last Dacheng First-Class Hero Medal ever made.

A soldier from Dacheng climbed onto the podium holding a box.

Jian Renhao took from the box a golden medal and pinned it to Su Yang's left chest.

Jian Renhao saluted Su Yang; Su Yang, moved, returned the salute.

"This is your reward!"

Jian Renhao handed him a small bag.

"Thank you, my lord!"

"Keep pushing forward—you young people are indispensable to this world!"

"Mm!"

Su Yang stepped down from the podium.

All the Beast Tamers from Qixing City stared at him with burning eyes, fixed on the First-Class Hero Medal on his left chest.

The Dacheng First-Class Hero Medal is made of metal alloy, shaped like an inverted triangle.

It is engraved with "Dacheng First-Class Hero Medal," Su Yang's name, and the date of award.

In the sunlight, it shimmered with golden light.

"Brother Su, Old Brother Su, you're absolutely incredible!"

Sang Sang Yue gave Su Yang a thumbs-up.

Su Yang touched the hard medal, feeling both joy and regret.

Dacheng, after all, could not be saved.

Jian Renhao said solemnly: "The City Masters of Qixing City, Xin'an City, and Lingyuncheng have agreed to accept over twenty-three thousand Dacheng civilians, assist you in reclaiming new land, and provide one year's food supply; the remaining eleven hundred Beast Tamers will join the Qixing City military directly, and their families will also be integrated into Qixing City."