Chapter 293: Heavenly Spear and Heavenly Sword

Alright, everyone, quiet down a bit!

It was clear that the civil officials and military officers were about to launch into a heated verbal battle.

Xiao Wan Di suddenly shouted, putting an immediate stop to the argument.

The feud between Zhang Yi's and Du Qian's factions had long been brewing.

Although it didn't harm the foundations of the state, on major issues both sides understood the greater good.

But whenever it came to fighting for fame and profit, the two sides were like fire and water, neither yielding to the other.

"I have already decided to recruit the two into Ben Lang Guo Academy, where the teacher will personally instruct them!"

Having said that, Xiao Wan Di pondered a moment and then continued,

"The military's cultivation of the Gu Family Brothers deserves primary credit, and Jiannan Prefecture's uncovering of talent is equally meritorious; I will reward both!"

Upon hearing this, both sides glared at each other like needles against wheat awns, then withdrew their gazes.

In this encounter, neither side managed to gain the upper hand!

Xiao Wan Di fell into contemplation,

"Since you both have earned merit at the frontier passes, I hereby appoint Gu Han as Heavenly Spear General, promoting him three ranks!"

"Gu Chen as Heavenly Sword General, also promoted three ranks!"

Hiss!

Before the officials in the hall could recover from the dispute, they heard Xiao Wan Di's rewards and all gasped in shock.

Heavenly Spear and Heavenly Sword were not original general titles of Ben Lang Guo.

Thus, these titles actually merely represent miscellaneous generals.

Their status is even lower than that of General Guan Zhen, the Mushan General; at best they are just above an ordinary Deputy General.

Compared to a Bijang, they are only two ranks higher!

Nevertheless, the titles Heavenly Spear and Heavenly Sword are too grandiose.

It is inevitable that they spark wild imaginations!

Gu Han is Ben Lang Guo's foremost spear cultivator, so the title Heavenly Spear General is not hard to understand.

Although Ben Lang Guo has no other spear cultivators, the spear remains one of the most suitable weapons for marching and assault.

Generals skilled with the spear are not few!

Resentment is inevitable in their hearts.

However, considering they share a military background and Gu Han's extraordinary talent, the military folk can tolerate it to some extent.

Gu Chen's title of Heavenly Sword General, moreover, is likely to provoke many objections!

Even discounting the military, Ben Lang Guo has as many as seven or eight sword cultivators!

These people may not necessarily be in awe of Gu Chen's talent!

We are all sword cultivators; none is nobler than another!

What gives this fellow the right to be ennobled as Heavenly Sword General?

Even though these sword cultivators are not part of the military establishment.

They will certainly resent Gu Chen's Heavenly Sword title!

As for whether martial stipends violate Ben Lang Guo's rules, no one present cares.

Didn't the Gu Brothers just slay a Martial Venerable?

Anyone who can rise to Martial Venerable surely has some shady deeds on their hands.

Investigate those matters and pin a crime on that Martial Venerable.

The Gu Brothers merely eradicated a heinous villain for the people!

That is a great meritorious servant of the populace!

All they ask for is a general's post and a three‑rank promotion—what's wrong with that?

Is that too much?

"Your Majesty, should we reconsider their titles?"

Chancellor Ye Kai hesitated, then spoke up to advise,

"They are after all young; if this provokes some powerful figures, it could harm their future martial path!"

However, before Xiao Wan Di could reply, Zhang Yi laughed loudly and said,

"This is just you overthinking, Chancellor."

"Our soldiers fear nothing but setbacks!"

"If they can't endure even minor setbacks, how can they become strong?"

The other generals likewise nodded, voicing their agreement with Zhang Yi's view.

They have come this far to become Martial Venerable pinnacles or Martial Kings; who hasn't faced setbacks?

Take Zhang Yi, for instance—he fought his way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Zhang Yi endured his most perilous battle, leading over thirty thousand troops to defend a city.

They faced the relentless round‑the‑clock siege of the Three Kingdoms Allied Army!

Even the attackers, working in shifts, fought without rest!

As the defenders, they endured nearly seven days without a moment's respite!

In the end, of the over thirty thousand troops, only Zhang Yi remained alive, holding out until reinforcements arrived!

Other generals, even lacking Zhang Yi's harrowing experience, are no less resolute!

Precisely because of such experiences, they can become Martial Kings—among the finest strength in the world!

Setbacks?

This is merely a small setback, the most common kind on the martial path.

Ben Lang Guo values martial arts, but even its strong ones are all arrogant people.

Even if they resent the titles given to Gu Han and his companion, they could never strike a killing blow against the two.

"The Chancellor's suggestion, I have already considered it."

Xiao Wandi said calmly,

"Without enduring hardship, one cannot become the strongest."

Ye Kai, upon hearing that, immediately wanted to make another suggestion.

For a heaven‑chosen prodigy, an indomitable will is crucial!

If the first failure comes too early, but one can break through the heart‑knot, then it is naturally a good thing.

But if they fall into that heart‑knot, others cannot help them in the slightest!

But if the time of their first failure is delayed as much as possible, before failure arrives, their progress will remain at a speed ordinary people cannot hope to match!

But it is also possible that constant invincibility breeds arrogance, ultimately leading them into a dead end because of that arrogance.

Each has its pros and cons, but Ye Kai insists that at least they should face those severe challenges only after they have matured!

But before Ye Kai could speak, Xiao Wandi continued,

"Moreover, you all must have seen that, despite their youth, they possess the ability to jointly slay a Martial Venerable!"

"Even if their titles arouse some people's displeasure, what can be done?"

"Martial King‑level strong ones all have magnanimity; they disdain to bully a mere junior."

"And a Martial Venerable—would it really be able to defeat them, even drive them to despair?"

Ye Kai, hearing that, was startled and instinctively retorted,

"Could it be that Your Majesty thinks their joint slaying of a Martial Venerable is not their limit?"

Xiao Wandi shook his head,

"Based on the current information, jointly slaying a Martial Venerable should be the peak of their strength."

"But precisely because they are young, their rate of progress far surpasses that of us old folks."

"Unless another sword cultivator of Martial Venerable rank intervenes, even if other Martial Venerables can suppress them, it will not create a gap large enough to cause despair!"

"On the contrary, it would rather arouse their inner fighting spirit! Drive them to pursue strength!"

Hearing Xiao Wandi's words, the crowd nodded thoughtfully.

Ye Kai also let out a bitter laugh,

"Your Majesty is sage; it seems this old official has become overly pedantic."

"Old Chancellor, you merely worry too much about the younger generation; concern brings chaos."

Xiao Wandi offered a word of comfort, then immediately continued,

"Besides the post of General, I hereby decree that Gu Han and Gu Chen each receive a set of supreme earth‑grade armor!"

"Bestow upon Gu Han the Gold Tiger Splitting Courage Spear, and upon Gu Chen the Ten Thousand Ren Piercing Sky Sword!"