Hmm?
Upon hearing Wang Tuo's words and seeing his actions, Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, An Lutou, the Vanguard soldiers behind them, as well as Jiang Wuming and Wu Yong, were all taken aback. None of them had expected Wang Tuo to act this way.
Who exactly is this Jiang Wuming?
Could he be a relative of the Legion Commander?
After a brief moment of stunned silence, apart from Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, and An Lutou, the other soldiers of the Vanguard were filled with questions.
They speculated that Jiang Wuming might be related to Jiang Zhan, but they never considered that Jiang Wuming was Jiang Zhan's son!
This was because, before they arrived, Jiang Wuming had not yet been born. According to the information they had received, Jiang Zhan's son had died in infancy years ago!
"Brothers, this is the hero of our Dragon Country, the eternal Legion Commander of the Loulan Legion – the son of Jiang Zhan! Let us welcome his arrival!"
The next moment, before the Vanguard soldiers could even make sense of their thoughts, Wang Tuo spoke again, announcing Jiang Wuming's identity.
As his voice fell, he was the first to salute Jiang Wuming in the martial arts manner!
Swish, swish, swish...
Seeing Wang Tuo's action, Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, and An Lutou were shocked for a moment, then instantly understood something. They, along with the other Vanguard soldiers, also saluted Jiang Wuming to welcome him.
Upon seeing this scene, Wu Yong's eyes gleamed.
If even Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, and An Lutou had guessed Wang Tuo's intentions, how could he, the Loulan Legion's chief strategist, not?
While Wang Tuo was ostensibly welcoming Jiang Wuming, he was in fact conveying a message to Jiang Wuming – although you are Jiang Zhan's son, here, I am the host, and you are the guest!
"Thank you."
Jiang Wuming, of course, understood Wang Tuo's subtle implication instantly, but he didn't mind. Instead, he very solemnly returned Wang Tuo's martial arts salute.
"Commander, I will take the soldiers to dine and rest."
Wang Tuo lowered his arm and cast his gaze towards Wu Yong, asking for instructions.
"Go ahead." Wu Yong nodded.
"All present, continue forward!"
Wang Tuo commanded in a deep voice. The three hundred soldiers of the Vanguard stepped forward almost simultaneously, the sound of their synchronized footsteps echoing once more.
But this time, except for Wang Tuo, all the other Vanguard soldiers, including Mo Ling, Lin Xiao, and An Lutou, continued to look at Jiang Wuming.
Under their gaze, Jiang Wuming walked forward with Wu Yong.
Hmm?
The next moment, as Wang Tuo brushed past Jiang Wuming, he caught sight of the God Slayer Blade on Jiang Wuming's back with his peripheral vision. His pupils instantly constricted, and his steps paused!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
At the same time, the expressions of Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, and An Lutou changed drastically!
Although they had speculated that Jiang Wuming might join the Loulan Legion, and even take charge of it in the future, after seeing him earlier, it was merely speculation!
But now, seeing Jiang Wuming carrying the God Slayer Blade directly confirmed their guesses – the God Slayer Blade was Jiang Zhan's weapon in his lifetime, and moreover, it was the Dragon Country's Blade of National Defense!
Although Wang Tuo was deeply shaken, he, with his powerful mental will, managed to control his emotions and did not stop, continuing to walk forward.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, and An Lutou also followed suit.
Swish, swish, swish...
Subsequently, the Vanguard soldiers behind them also saw Jiang Wuming carrying the God Slayer Blade. Each of them looked as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight, their eyes wide open, and their hearts churning like stormy seas!
As second-generation members of the Military Department, they were not foolish. They knew very well the significance of Jiang Zhan's son appearing in the ancient Loulan city carrying the God Slayer Blade!
After the shock, they all turned their gaze to Wang Tuo's retreating back, feeling that the atmosphere of the entire contingent had suddenly become somewhat somber and murderous.
"Damn it, what right does Jiang Wuming have to possess the God Slayer Blade?!"
A moment later, after the contingent had moved further away, Lin Xiao was the first to break the silence in the group, his tone filled with indignation.
"Although he is Jiang Zhan's son, he is not worthy of the God Slayer Blade, nor does he have the right to take over the Loulan Legion – if he intends to take over, I will be the first to object!"
An Lutou, with his straightforward and blunt personality, immediately followed up, his words simple and crude, showing no hidden thoughts.
"Shut up!"
As soon as An Lutou finished speaking, Wang Tuo coldly reprimanded him.
The Vanguard soldiers, who had also intended to voice their agreement, swallowed the words they were about to speak upon hearing Wang Tuo's command.
The contingent regained its silence and continued to walk forward.
On the other side, Jiang Wuming, with his keen hearing, overheard Lin Xiao and An Lutou's words but paid no mind. He walked along, observing everything in the ancient city as if he were completely unconcerned.
"Wuming, your status is special, and you are carrying the God Slayer Blade, so it's inevitable that they will have some thoughts."
Wu Yong observed Jiang Wuming for a few seconds before tentatively speaking.
With his intelligence, he could naturally guess the intentions of Zhuge Lingjun in handing the God Slayer Blade to Jiang Wuming and Qi Wufu in arranging for Jiang Wuming to come to the ancient Loulan city – to have Jiang Wuming join the Loulan Legion and become its future leader!
Besides, he also believed that Jiang Wuming understood the intentions of Zhuge Lingjun and Qi Wufu.
And Jiang Wuming had been concealing his aura all along the way, and he appeared indifferent to Wang Tuo's subtle challenge and the dissatisfaction expressed by Lin Xiao and An Lutou.
This left Wu Yong somewhat confused, as he could not fathom Jiang Wuming's thoughts.
"Uncle Wu, I know."
Jiang Wuming smiled, offering no further explanation.
Wu Yong heard this and said nothing more.
Ten minutes later, they arrived at the Loulan Legion's office location, situated in the northeastern corner of the ancient city. It was a large courtyard with many buildings.
Wu Yong led Jiang Wuming to one of the buildings, where they met Zheng Yuandong, the leader of the Loulan Legion.
"Wuming, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Upon seeing Wu Yong and Jiang Wuming enter, Zheng Yuandong immediately stood up and walked towards Jiang Wuming.
"Uncle Zheng."
Jiang Wuming greeted Zheng Yuandong, omitting his title.
This detail caused Zheng Yuandong's heart to stir. He then smiled and said,
"Wuming, in the past half a year, I've often heard news of you. Your name is practically ringing in my ears.
Especially your performance in the Global Martial Arts Competition this time, which brought great honor to our Dragon Country and helped our Military Department win the civil war in the Temple of War God. You are truly a hero of the Dragon Country!
Like father, like son, you have surpassed your predecessor!"
"Uncle Zheng is too kind. You and the three thousand soldiers of the Loulan Legion are the true heroes. It is precisely because you guard this place that the Dragon Country remains peaceful!" Jiang Wuming said sincerely.
"You two don't need to be so polite. It's getting late, shall we eat and chat?"
Wu Yong said with a wry smile upon hearing the conversation between Jiang Wuming and Zheng Yuandong.
"Uncle Wu, Uncle Zheng, I won't be eating. I'll go see my parents directly." Jiang Wuming shook his head.
"Alright."
Wu Yong was slightly taken aback by this, then exchanged a look with Zheng Yuandong and agreed to Jiang Wuming's request, saying, "I'll arrange for someone to escort you."
"Uncle Wu, no need. I can find my way. Also, you don't have to wait for me for dinner. I should be back tomorrow morning."
Jiang Wuming shook his head and refused again, knowing that his parents' grave was located outside the ancient city to the northeast.
"Then go take care of your matters today. After you're done, we'll have a good chat tomorrow," Zheng Yuandong said.
"Okay."
Jiang Wuming nodded, then bid farewell to Zheng Yuandong and Wu Yong, walked out of the room, left the Loulan Legion's office, and headed alone to the cemetery of Jiang Zhan and Ye Jinmei.
"Originally, I planned to lead the entire legion to hold a welcome ceremony for Wuming, but you asked me to keep it a secret. Why?"
After Jiang Wuming left, Zheng Yuandong could not help but ask Wu Yong the question that had been troubling him.
"The Marshal's intention in sending Wuming here with the God Slayer Blade is self-evident."
Wu Yong sighed softly and said, "But you should also know that apart from you and me, other Loulan soldiers will welcome and respect him because he is Jiang Zhan's son, but they will not truly accept him! Even if he is the strongest martial arts genius in the world!"
"That makes sense. If he wants to be accepted by the Loulan soldiers, he must join and integrate into the Loulan Legion."
Zheng Yuandong suddenly understood and then smiled, "However, with his strength and everything he has done for the Dragon Country, he will achieve this very soon!"
"If he wishes, not only could he lead the Loulan Legion, but he could even lead the Dragon Country's Military Department. The only fear is that he might not want to!"
Wu Yong's words were astonishing, and his eyes gleamed.
Zheng Yuandong was taken aback, his smile freezing on his face.
At the same time.
The young man walked out of the east gate of the ancient city and stopped, looking back at the city walls.
The sun was setting.
On the city walls.
A battle banner fluttered in the wind.
A war drum remained silent.
The God Slayer Blade the young man carried had once been planted on the city walls, guarding the nation for twelve years!
...