Chapter 392: The Greatest Hero (Grand Finale)

On the walls of Nanzheng City, night fell over the battlefield as a rain of arrows poured down like a black curtain. The Commandant's roar echoed through the darkness, ordering the new recruits to raise their shields and meet the charge of the One Da Jiang soldiers.

Li Goudan and others charged through the arrow storm, seemingly unafraid of death. At the Commandant's order, the Nanzheng new recruits raised their shields, attempting to block the flying arrows. Yet, the arrow storm was too dense, and many One Da Jiang soldiers still fell amidst the barrage.

Many One Da Jiang soldiers, lightly wounded but not dead, struggled desperately to rise, only to be pinned to the ground by the next wave of arrows. This bloody scene made the new recruits on the walls tremble uncontrollably, with some even beginning to vomit.

Realizing the danger, the Commandant on the wall shouted loudly to release arrows, hoping to stop the One Da Jiang charge. However, Li Goudan and the others showed no fear, instead charging toward the wall with even greater ferocity.

"Raise your shields, charge up, set up the siege ladders!" the Commandant issued the order again. The new recruits raised their shields, yet many One Da Jiang soldiers were still shot down by arrows.

Li Goudan decisively abandoned his warhorse, lifted a siege ladder, and led the warriors charging toward the wall. His fearless spirit inspired the One Da Jiang soldiers; they worked together to assault the wall. New recruits fell in the arrow storm, but their formation remained firm.

Facing such a brutal battlefield, the Nanzheng new recruits were already panicked and disordered. Seeing the situation turn dire, Jiang Jiang Mingyu below the city waved the King's Sword in his hand, ordering an arrow volley to try and create an opportunity for Li Goudan and the others to scale the wall.

"Release arrows, suppress the arrow storm on the wall, create a moment for Goudan and the others to climb!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command reached the archers on the tower. The arrow storm descended upon the wall like a swarm of locusts.

The Commandant on the wall roared at a new recruit, ordering them to hold their ground and release arrows. The Nanzheng new recruits trembled in this perilous battle, yet they struggled to maintain the defense line on the wall.

Amidst the war, the West Gate had already been captured by One Da Jiang soldiers, making the situation increasingly unfavorable for Nanzheng. E Bu took the opportunity to boost the morale of the One Da Jiang troops, shouting with great authority: "The West Gate has been captured by our army! We must not fall behind! Charge into the city to establish merit for Your Majesty!"

These words both ignited the fighting spirit of the One Da Jiang soldiers and severely damaged the morale of the Nanzheng new recruits. Chaos and fire within the city had not yet subsided, yet the One Da Jiang soldiers had already broken through the city gates, making the situation even more critical.

Seeing the tide turn against them, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised the King's Sword in his hand and ordered another volley of arrows, attempting to suppress the momentum of the One Da Jiang charge.

"Climb the wall quickly! We absolutely cannot let the One Da Jiang people rush up!" Gao Ren finally arrived at the battlefield, having stopped Nanzheng soldiers fleeing the city along the way. Looking up at the situation on the wall, he shouted loudly, ordering the Nanzheng new recruits to hold the wall and buy time for the city.

The arrow storm gradually slowed, while Li Goudan and E Bu had already led the One Da Jiang soldiers across the moat. The number of new recruits on the wall decreased. Seeing the moment had arrived, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised the King's Sword to launch a new round of arrows.

The Commandant on the wall roared at the Nanzheng new recruits, demanding they hold their positions and resist the One Da Jiang attack once more. But by now, the defense line on the wall was already crumbling, and the arrow storm could no longer completely stop the advance of the One Da Jiang soldiers.

Li Goudan climbed onto the wall, raised his blade, and shouted: "Set up the siege ladders! Climb up with me, quickly!" The One Da Jiang soldiers climbed the ladders onto the wall one after another, while the defenders on the wall fought to the death.

At that moment, a strange voice suddenly rang out: "Climb the wall quickly! We absolutely cannot let the One Da Jiang people rush up!" Gao Ren had arrived at the battlefield and, seeing the scene, immediately picked up a stone in his hand and threw it at the One Da Jiang soldiers on the ladders.

"Smash them! Smash them to death!"

Gao Ren's voice echoed through the night sky like thunder. The new recruits on the wall were awed by his authority and began throwing the stones in their hands. The One Da Jiang soldiers struggled on the ladders, subjected to a dense hail of stones. Some were smashed until their heads bled; others were knocked off the wall. Screams and crashing sounds intertwined into a scene of chaos.

Li Goudan's expression shifted from anger to anxiety. He hurriedly ordered his soldiers to set up siege ladders. The arrow storm continued to pour down, but the new recruits on the wall could no longer think clearly; they desperately used their shields to block themselves and threw stones to repel the enemy.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood on the wall, his bow constantly releasing arrows, striving to suppress the advance of the One Da Jiang soldiers. His gaze swept over the battlefield; his heart was anxious yet resolute. He knew this battle determined the survival or destruction of Nanzheng.

Che Gang smiled coldly, holding a bow in one hand and watching with cold eyes. His eyes were filled with killing intent; regarding the grudge between Nanzheng and One Da Jiang, he had long harbored hatred. In his view, this battle was revenge for Wei Wei Yangyao, retribution against all the masterminds behind the avalanche.

"Your Majesty, watch as this subordinate shoots him through the heart with a single arrow." Che Gang's voice was as piercing as the cold wind. He drew the bowstring, and an arrow broke through the wind, heading straight for Gao Ren's heart.

The smile on Gao Ren's face instantly froze. After a few choked sounds of unwillingness from his throat, he fell down with a thud. Che Gang smiled coldly, his tone ruthless: "Those who aid the wicked must all die." In his view, when the avalanche occurred, no single snowflake was innocent. These were all Wei Wei Yangyao's claws and fangs; Wei Wei Yangyao had killed his entire family, so all these people deserved to die. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, looking at Che Gang's eyes that seemed ready to swallow everything, silently redetermined his resolve: the truth must never be revealed to Che Gang. This was also why he had not allowed Che Gang to lead the army to attack the city; once the truth was exposed, the one who would suffer would be him, Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Gao Ren, who had just arrived, fell so quickly that the morale of the Nanzheng soldiers on the wall instantly collapsed. "No good, Commander Lin is dead." "The One Da Jiang soldiers are so fierce; what shall we do?" "What else can we do? If we don't run now, it will be too late." "..." Unlike Wei Wei Yangyao and the others, they were merely ordinary common soldiers. Even if the One Da Jiang soldiers breached the city, they could simply surrender. Would Jiang Jiang Mingyu, no matter how vicious, kill all two hundred thousand new recruits?

Thinking this, the several hundred Nanzheng new recruits who had been threatened into coming by Gao Ren fled toward the bottom of the city without looking back. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, seized this precious opportunity, waved the King's Sword, and ordered the archers to release a volley of ten thousand arrows once more. The Commandant, hiding behind a shield and enduring severe pain, screamed hoarsely: "Come back! All of you, come back!" Come back? If they didn't run now, they would lose their lives. Returning at this moment was simply seeking death! The crowd not only did not stop their steps but moved even more urgently. Seeing this, the panicked Commandant, disregarding everything else, stood up to try and block those fleeing new recruits. Hold on a little longer; once the fire in the city was extinguished, Huo Zhun would arrive with veteran soldiers, and there would still be hope of holding Ge Bao City.

Just then, Che Gang, with a gloomy face beside Jiang Jiang Mingyu, drew his long bow again. With a "puchi" sound, the Commandant, who had just escaped disaster, was struck by an arrow just like Gao Ren and collapsed, filled with intense unwillingness. Seeing the Commandant was also finished, the fleeing steps of the One Da Jiang new recruits clearly quickened. The number of living people on the wall grew fewer and fewer. Li Goudan threw away the shield in his hand. "Go up!" As he spoke, dense masses of One Da Jiang soldiers climbed onto the wall of Ge Bao City like ants. With the obstruction from above gone, Li Goudan and E Bu led their men up the wall effortlessly. After cutting down a few isolated One Da Jiang soldiers, E Bu shouted: "Occupy the wall! Hold the high ground for me! Cover the advance of Your Majesty's army into the city!"

The number of living people on the wall grew fewer and fewer. Li Goudan threw away the shield in his hand. "Go up!" As he spoke, dense masses of One Da Jiang soldiers climbed onto the wall of Ge Bao City like ants. With the obstruction from above gone, Li Goudan and E Bu led their men up the wall effortlessly. After cutting down a few isolated One Da Jiang soldiers, E Bu shouted: "Occupy the wall! Hold the high ground for me! Cover the advance of Your Majesty's army into the city!"

At the same time, looking down from a high vantage point, he saw that everywhere within the city was a sea of fire. Scattered Nanzheng soldiers fleeing in all directions were screaming as they were swallowed by the great fire, leaving not even a scrap behind. The smell of burning rose to the sky, terrifying and nauseating to smell. Thinking of the various obstacles encountered since entering Nanzheng, from Jia Fu to Wei Wei Yangyao, Li Goudan spat hard. "Damn it, they have their day too. Satisfying, truly satisfying." "Daring to make moves against my One Da Jiang? Hmph, self-destruction." At almost the same time, Che Gang spoke to Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "Your Majesty, the fire is nearly out; we can launch the general attack now."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu hummed in agreement, raising the King's Sword high in his hand. "Listen to the order: All troops charge! Smash open the city gates! Kill your way in!" Che Gang took the lead, leading soldiers carrying round logs, charging toward the city wall. "Smash! Smash hard! Quickly!" The One Da Jiang soldiers, already seeing the hope of victory, shouted loudly as they carried the logs toward the city gates.

Muffled crashing sounds rose and fell. The East Gate, originally tightly closed, was blasted open by this surging force, opening wide like an embracing embrace. What Jiang Jiang Mingyu met was Li Goudan, who had already cleared the remaining enemies on the wall. They met at the city gate, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly issued orders: "Goudan, E Bu, take your troops to flank toward the main camp and eliminate the remaining enemies."

At the same time, Che Gang and Feng Feng Xiwei followed Jiang Jiang Mingyu, leading their men to rush toward the Imperial Palace. Tens of thousands of troops surrounded the palace completely; the surrendered soldiers scattered among corpses obviously could no longer resist. The surrounding fires had been extinguished. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's steps were firm, never pausing.

"Enter the palace." At Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command, the soldiers followed closely behind, entering the main gate of the Imperial Palace. The scene inside the palace was shocking: burned buildings and bodies strewn everywhere. The former glory of the palace was now a mess.

Che Gang coldly observed the surroundings; there was not a shred of pity in his eyes, only ruthlessness toward the enemy. Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath, a deep exhaustion rising in his heart. His gaze swept over the ruined palace, thinking of the responsibility he bore, his mood grew heavier.

"Your Majesty, with Huo Zhun dead, Ge Bao City has finally been captured." Che Gang reported to Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, then looked at the soldier presenting Huo Zhun's severed head.

"Your Majesty, this is Huo Zhun's head. The Prince ordered me to bring it; please accept it with a smile." The soldier respectfully handed over Huo Zhun's head.

Che Gang stepped forward to carefully identify it, nodded after confirming: "Correct, Your Majesty, it is indeed Huo Zhun."

The corners of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mouth curled up slightly. He took a deep breath, gazing at the scene before him. After a brutal battle, Ge Bao City was finally secured. The victory for Nanzheng had come so arduously. He understood in his heart that behind this success lay the steadfastness and sacrifice of countless nameless warriors. They had defended their homeland and guarded their territory with their lives.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, He Jing, and Sui Min have made invaluable contributions. Goudan, E Bu, go clean the battlefield and ensure there are no remaining enemies." Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked deeply at his subordinate generals.

"Che Gang, Feng Feng Xiwei, come with me to handle the situation inside the palace. We absolutely cannot let Wei Wei Yangyao escape." Jiang Jiang Mingyu reminded them of the urgent task.

The generals all accepted the orders and began their respective actions. Nanzheng finally welcomed the dawn of victory; however, even more difficult tasks and unknown challenges still awaited Jiang Jiang Mingyu and his ministers.

When Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Che Gang arrived at the palace, E Bu had already led troops to clear the path ahead. Tens of thousands of troops surrounded the palace completely; the remaining surrendered soldiers knelt on the ground, and the surrounding fires had been extinguished. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, with unceasing steps, issued the command: "Enter the palace."

The palace was a mess; the former glory had been completely destroyed. Precious potted plants and strange rocks were scattered everywhere, as if looted. Palace maids and eunuchs fled in all directions, fearing discovery by Jiang Jiang Mingyu, risking their lives to avoid a fatal strike.

Che Gang snorted coldly, grabbed an eunuch hiding in a corner by the collar, and asked: "Where is Wei Wei Yangyao?" The eunuch trembled and pointed toward a distant hall. "In... the Zhengli Hall."

Che Gang threw the eunuch aside and mocked: "Thinking of Zhengli only now? Isn't that a bit late?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu signaled E Bu and Che Gang, then walked straight in the direction indicated by the eunuch.

Inside the Zhengli Hall, chaos reigned. Documents flew everywhere, and a dragon-carved desk lay tilted on the ground, a scene of utter mess. The ruined sight made Che Gang grind his teeth, thinking: "Serves him right!" He unceremoniously grabbed an eunuch lying on the ground.

"Where is Wei Wei Yangyao?" Che Gang's voice was full of threat.

The eunuch trembled for a long time, his voice shaking: "In... the Zhengli Hall."

Che Gang threw the eunuch aside, sneered: "Thinking of Zhengli only now? Truly too late." He waved his hand to signal E Bu, then followed Jiang Jiang Mingyu's steps toward the Zhengli Hall.

In the Zhengli Hall, documents were scattered everywhere, and the dragon-carved desk lay tilted. Wei Wei Yangyao sat slumped on the wide dragon throne, his hair disheveled, his dragon robe twisted and askew. Jiang Jiang Mingyu pointed and asked: "Is that Wei Wei Yangyao?"

Che Gang watched with cold eyes, grinding his teeth. Wei Wei Yangyao looked utterly destitute, his pale face staring blankly ahead with lifeless eyes.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stepped forward, examining as he spoke: "Wei Wei Yangyao, Emperor of Nanzheng, we finally meet."

Wei Wei Yangyao said nothing. Che Gang drew his waist knife and, without a word, rushed straight toward Wei Wei Yangyao. "You dog thief, give back the lives of my family..."

E Bu blocked Che Gang and said sternly: "Che Gang, Your Majesty is here; how can you act recklessly? Your Majesty promised to avenge your entire family and will never break his word. Just endure for a moment."

Che Gang's eyes seemed ready to burst, but after looking at Jiang Jiang Mingyu's back, he unwillingly threw his knife to the ground. The sound of breaking shattered the silence. Wei Wei Yangyao woke from his chaotic thoughts, his lifeless eyes looking at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, offering a pale smile.

"You are Jiang Jiang Mingyu?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled calmly: "Didn't expect it?"

His smile gradually faded: "When you used troops against Guizhou, you should have expected this day. To be an enemy of my One Da Jiang is destined to end badly."

Wei Wei Yangyao sneered: "What are you saying? Begging for mercy?" He laughed loudly, then forcibly stopped his laughter. "I am the ruler of Nanzheng! How can I beg for mercy from a rat born of a county magistrate? What a joke!"

He turned and cursed: "Che Gang, a traitor who betrays his master to seek glory, you are here too. Don't you want to kill me? Come on! I knew you were less than a beast; I should have chopped up your family and fed them to dogs. What are you glaring at? Want to avenge your family of dozens? Come on! You don't fear betraying your ancestors; do you fear regicide?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could finally bear it no longer; after ordering E Bu to cut off Wei Wei Yangyao's tongue, he handed him over to Che Gang. Without a tongue, the secrets of Che Gang's family would remain forever safe.

After Che Gang tortured Wei Wei Yangyao a bit, then dug out his heart to offer it to his family, dawn broke. Gazing at the azure sky, Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed in relief. Having endured so many twists and turns, he had finally become the hegemon of this continent.

Of the troops in the city, aside from eighty thousand veteran soldiers and a few new recruits who were killed, the rest all submitted to Jiang Jiang Mingyu. He did not stand on ceremony, immediately ordering Tu Tu Kesiluo, who had rendered great service,

to carry out a ruthless purge against the Wei family and the traitorous ministers. In just half a month, blood washed every corner of Gebao City, and the common people clapped their hands in joy at this sudden turn of events.

After Gebao City was stabilized, Jiang Jiang Mingyu decided to return to Jincheng. Gazing at the azure sky, a sense of fulfillment rose within him; yet, in this moment of victory, he also felt a touch of regret.

Liu Liu Yifei was not by his side, unable to witness the establishment of this hegemony together. This regret was like a gentle breeze brushing against Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart, making him feel a wave of loneliness.

Turning back to look at Gebao City, the One Da Jiang flag fluttering on the city walls stood proudly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu led his generals and soldiers from the palace toward the city gate, preparing to embark on the journey home.

Che Gang stood beside Jiang Jiang Mingyu, a hint of unwillingness in his gaze. He stared blankly at the scene within the city, as if recalling a past that could never be regained.

"Your Majesty, are we returning to Jincheng?" Che Gang's voice carried a touch of sorrow.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu turned his head, smiled, and nodded: "Yes, we have completed our mission; Gebao City is now territory of One Da Jiang."

Che Gang nodded silently; he understood in his heart that although this journey ended in victory, it had also brought too many sacrifices. His heart swelled with guilt over the loss of his family and loyalty toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked back at the city once more, his gaze profound. On this land filled with war, he had left the footprints of a victor, yet his heart was full of deep reflection on war.

"Che Gang, we must ensure the stability of Gebao City. Afterwards, I will return to Jincheng to straighten out the overall situation."

Che Gang understood Jiang Jiang Mingyu's intent and nodded solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured; Gebao City will continue to stand upon the territory of One Da Jiang."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and walked forward. The city gate stood wide open; sunlight streamed through the gate onto him, casting a magnificent shadow.

He led his vast army out of Gebao City, solemn and majestic. In this moment, he felt an unparalleled sense of achievement and responsibility.

Looking back at the arduous journey he had traveled, a determined light flickered in his eyes. Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew that a new journey had begun, and he would continue to write a legend belonging to himself.

One month later, in Jincheng, the biting cold wind blew; the red flags on the city walls snapped loudly in the wind. Jincheng had long since warmed, yet at this moment it was still covered in silver, like a kingdom of snow. Before the troop-leading Jiang Jiang Mingyu even reached the city gate, he could already see from afar that Zhu Ge Yu, accompanied by a hundred officials, was waiting outside the gate. The cold wind was fierce, yet the officials maintained solemn expressions, standing rigidly in respectful attendance.

As Jiang Jiang Mingyu approached, Zhu Ge Yu led the crowd in bowing deeply: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on achieving a merit unmatched in history, on establishing a magnificent imperial legacy. Your Majesty has unified the continent; may One Da Jiang be revered for ten thousand generations."

Even as Jiang Jiang Mingyu departed, Zhang Zhang Jiani, who had been sitting at home observing the postpartum confinement, returned with him, accompanied by the delicate Liu Liu Yifei. Liu Liu Yifei's business had grown ever larger; her slender waist was now slightly rounded, the rhythm of life leaping within her body.

Before long, everyone returned; Zhu Ge Yu hurriedly led the way in kneeling: "Congratulations, Your Majesty, on achieving a merit unmatched in history, on establishing a magnificent imperial legacy. Your Majesty has unified the continent; may One Da Jiang be revered for ten thousand generations."

Back in the palace, Jiang Jiang Mingyu changed into a dragon robe; the joy of a prosperous age flickered in his eyes. Gazing at the crowd, his voice resonated melodiously: "The hegemony is achieved, the continent is unified; now is the time to reward merit according to achievement."

His gaze swept across and settled on Zhu Ge Yu: "Zhu Ge Yu, since the founding of the nation, you have toiled in the rear; without you, there would be no unification today. You are the foremost merit-maker of our One Da Jiang. I hereby confer upon you the title of King Zuokai, serving as Chancellor, with hereditary succession without reduction."

Zhu Ge Yu hurriedly kowtowed to express gratitude. Jiang Jiang Mingyu then turned to look at Tu Tu Kesiluo: "From the time Shang Mu raised the army, we brothers have shared glory and shame; through how many storms have we walked to reach today. I hereby add to your title: Great One Da Jiang, National Pacifier, the single-character title of Wuwei, and King of the Shoulder, with hereditary succession without reduction, sharing wealth and honor with me for generations."

Next came a series of conferrals; one by one, the generals were granted noble titles, their merits illustrious. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze turned to Zhang Zhang Jiani, a layer of warmth rising in his heart: "Zhang Zhang Jiani, while you were at home observing the postpartum confinement, you too were a merit-maker of One Da Jiang. I hereby confer upon you the title of Wang Fei Zhenyi, and grant you a thousand bolts of gold and silk."

Amidst the crowd's rejoicing, Zhang Zhang Jiani suddenly spoke: "Big Brother, after conferring titles on so many people, how could you forget the greatest merit-maker?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at her with some confusion; she pointed at Liu Liu Yifei's slightly rounded belly: "Look."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes suddenly brightened; he immediately understood her meaning. He let out a resounding laugh that reverberated throughout the entire palace: "I have a son! One Da Jiang has an heir! I have a son! One Da Jiang has an heir!"

Cheers erupted within the palace; a joyful atmosphere filled the air. Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed at Liu Liu Yifei, his eyes full of tenderness and joy. He reached out, drew her shoulders, and brought her before the crowd: "This is the Imperial Princess of our One Da Jiang, and the mother of the Imperial Prince of One Da Jiang."

On Liu Liu Yifei's pretty face was pure happiness; she exchanged a glance with Jiang Jiang Mingyu, conveying joy and expectation deep within their souls.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu swept his gaze over the crowd once more, announcing the conferrals: "Our One Da Jiang is unified; merit-makers shall surely be rewarded. Dog Egg, Feng Feng Xiwei, Che Gang, E Bu, He Jing, Sui Min, and others each have their conferrals; the imperial edicts will be issued shortly."

The generals were filled with mixed emotions, sighing at the glorious moment of unifying the continent. Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Liu Liu Yifei stood together, watching with satisfaction the united and powerful One Da Jiang, its future brimming with hope.