Chapter 408: Ouyang Family

Among the allied forces, a leader of one faction stood out like a crane among chickens, especially eye-catching.

He was a young man of noble visage, his brow revealing an extraordinary temperament.

Clad in a brocade robe, luxurious yet graceful, as if the innate kingly bearing had been perfectly manifested upon him.

His eyes were deep and firm, as if able to perceive all worldly turmoil.

By his side closely followed a rebellious, untamed warrior.

That man was stalwart in build, his visage stern, like an immovable mountain.

His armor gleamed with a cold light, as if able to withstand all worldly sharpness.

The halberd in his hand was like a silver giant dragon, shining brightly in the morning light, as if ready to soar at any moment and devour all enemies.

Qiao Shefei gazed at the two commanders from afar, his heart involuntarily surging with strong curiosity.

"The two generals seem to be new faces; I don't know how to address them."

He rode forward, came before the two, and greeted them with a smile.

"General Qiao, you're being courteous; this general has recently been trampling over the corpses of Da Qian's generals on the battlefield, his fame shaking the four directions—we too have long heard of his name."

"I am of the double surname Ouyang, given name Jing. This is my personal guard, named Qian Xiuyuan."

The young man smiled slightly, returning the salute with clasped hands.

Qiao Shefei nodded in return, at the same time fixing his gaze on the halberd in Qian Xiuyuan's hand.

The halberd's shaft was carved with exquisite dragon patterns, each line seeming to contain endless power.

And Qian Xiuyuan's armor was even more distinctive, its plates inlaid with mysterious runes that flickered with strange light, as if whispering unknown secrets.

"Young Master Ouyang, General Qian, your equipment is truly awe-inspiring."

Qiao Shefei praised sincerely.

"General Qiao, you overpraise me. These were specially prepared by my father for us, hoping they'd be useful in this battle."

"As for the source of this equipment, I make no secret: it is all the savings accumulated by my family over generations."

Ouyang Jing smiled faintly, somewhat self-mockingly.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Shefei couldn't help but develop a strong interest in Ouyang Jing's family.

To possess such fine equipment, their family's power must be extraordinary.

At that moment, the troops behind Ouyang Jing arrived one after another, wearing uniform brocade battle armor, holding various fine weapons and shields, standing in neat, orderly ranks.

Qiao Shefei noticed that these soldiers' equipment was equally luxurious and exquisite, each weapon flashing with a cold light, as if ready to meet the arrival of battle.

At the same time, a small portion of Qian Xiuyuan's personal guards behind him each held different war devices, such as repeating crossbows and great bows—small supernatural implements—and also some mysterious weapons Qiao Shefei had never seen before.

These guards were all spirited, their eyes bright, like a pack of tigers poised to strike.

Gazing at these splendid equipments and various war implements, Qiao Shefei couldn't help but feel envy.

Qiao became more curious about Ouyang Jing's background.

To be able to possess such luxurious equipment and implements, their family's power can be glimpsed.

As the three were chatting and laughing, the splendidly armored commander from last night also came over.

"Young Master Ouyang, you have arrived. With you here, our operation this time will surely achieve a complete victory."

His attitude now was completely different from last night, a fawning smile piled on his face.

Ouyang Jing glanced at him, smiling noncommittally.

The splendidly armored commander, seeing this, felt a bit embarrassed, yet dared not say more.

Qiao Shefei saw this in his eyes, inwardly chuckling.

This splendidly armored commander had been arrogant last night, yet now he is so respectful toward Ouyang Jing, showing how high Ouyang Jing's status and position are.

"However, Ouyang?"

Qiao Shefei's heart stirred slightly, his gaze involuntarily wandering between Ouyang Jing and the legion behind him.

That army, its equipment luxurious, its morale high, is not something ordinarily seen.

"Young Master Ouyang, your army is truly well-trained and superbly equipped; surely your family must be a prominent clan to have such a foundation."

He rode closer, a faint smile on his face, trying to glean more information from the conversation.

"General Qiao, you overpraise me; our family indeed has some roots in the Da Qian dynasty, but these are all the hard-won achievements of our ancestors."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Jing merely smiled faintly, that smile revealing a hint of pride not easily noticed.

After hearing this, Qiao Shefei's curiosity grew even stronger.

He had long heard that in the Da Qian dynasty there was a prominent family, the double surname Ouyang, who were current court nobles, a family with three dukes, generation after generation wearing the cap and ribbon.

"The surname Ouyang is indeed renowned in the Da Qian dynasty."

"It is said that the Ouyang family once produced three dukes; I do not know how the young master is related to this Ouyang family."

He could not help but probe indirectly.

"General Qiao is truly erudite and knowledgeable."

"However, given the urgent situation, we should first discuss strategies against the enemy."

Ouyang Jing's eyes flickered slightly, but he did not directly answer, instead lightly shifting the topic.

Seeing this, Qiao Shefei felt even more convinced.

This Ouyang Jing must certainly have countless ties to that prominent Ouyang family.

The Ouyang family, a household whose name bears a weighty history.

Their status lies not only in power and wealth, but also in their contributions to the Da Qian dynasty.

The Ouyang family, with three dukes in one line, each having outstanding merit, having laid down sweat and blood for the stability and prosperity of the Da Qian dynasty.

Such honor is also rare in the history of the Da Qian dynasty.

Qiao Shefei had once heard that the Ouyang family's ancestor had previously been the predecessor of Gu Changqing as the state pillar of the Da Qian dynasty.

It influences the fate of the entire Da Qian dynasty, causing enemies to tremble at the mere mention.

And this legendary figure is none other than the current patriarch of Ouyang Jing.

The influence of the Ouyang family permeates every corner of the Da Qian dynasty, with its descendants spread throughout the court and the military.

Its reputation is not only renowned in Da Qian, but also enjoys prestige in neighboring countries.

Of course, the most important thing for the Ouyang family is.

With three dukes of the state, after generations of accumulation and utilization of the Da Qian dynasty and other connections of the Ouyang family, etc.

Following the three great kings of different surnames such as the Yun King, the Ouyang family likewise succeeded in recent years in forming a Dao Soldiers unit bearing the Ouyang mark—Heaven Dawn Battle Martial!

With the rise of the Yun King and the other two great kings of different surnames, the Ouyang family realized that relying solely on personal valor and ordinary Da Qian troops was no longer sufficient to cope with the increasingly complex situation.

Thus, after careful consideration, the Ouyang family decided to emulate the kings of different surnames, forming a unit of extraordinary Dao Soldiers of their own to meet the various challenges that might arise in the future.

This Dao Soldiers unit later became the renowned Heaven Dawn Battle Martial that shook the world.

Their birth was not achieved overnight, but rather came after meticulous planning and preparation by generations of the Ouyang family.

(End of chapter)