On the thirty-first day of the twelfth month in the second year of the Great Han, merely one day before the auspicious occasion of the Great Han’s ascension to an Imperial Dynasty, people stood atop the city walls of Chang'an. Gazing into the distance, they saw an endless, dense sea of humanity, stretching like a series of long dragons, converging towards Chang'an.
Chang'an, already grand and vast, was now overcrowded. The streets and taverns teemed with martial artists from all corners of the Great Han, each excitedly discussing the impending promotion.
While the citizens of the Great Han were overjoyed at their empire's elevation, those from the newly incorporated southwestern territories were not celebrating the ascension itself, but rather the unification of the human lands in the southwest.
Since the fall of the Emperor Dynasty, the human lands of the southwest had been fragmented. Ten great Imperial Dynasties had persisted for over a hundred thousand years. Despite being of the same human race, they had all endured untold suffering, their people unable to voice their woes. For a hundred thousand years, these dynasties had been embroiled in constant conflict, mostly internal strife.
But now, things were different. All human lands were now under the Great Han's dominion, and after ten millennia of division, humanity was once again united.
Now, they had only one identity: citizens of the Great Han!
"The commanders of the various legions have returned!"
"The commanders of the various legions have returned!"
"The commanders of the various legions have returned!"
...
The entire city of Chang'an erupted in a clamor, countless figures shouting amidst the throngs.
"What?"
"The commanders of the Great Han's various legions have returned!"
"Quick, quick!!"
"The main generals of the Great Han's various legions, each skilled in leading troops, are undefeated and triumphant!"
"Hehe, sister, I like the Taotie Legion more. I heard that in the battle north of Cangmu Prefecture, the entire forces of the Blazing Flame Rhinoceros and Blood Python tribes were annihilated. A million soldiers, led by General Gao Ying, commander of the Taotie Legion!"
"Sister, which legion commander do you prefer?"
"Me!"
"I... I prefer Commander Qi Jiguang of the Kui Niu Legion!"
"Why?"
"Oh, you! Commander Qi Jiguang's art of warfare is simply divine. What I love most is the battle of the Imperial Dynasties a few months ago. General Qi Jiguang led the Kui Niu Legion out of the Great Cloud Imperial Dynasty and toyed with all the princes and generals of the Great Cloud, reaching their capital within days and annihilating them!"
"Ah! Sister, after hearing you say that, I'm starting to like General Qi Jiguang too!"
"Pfft! You're so indecisive!"
"No, ladies, I beg to differ!"
A man clad in tight black clothing, a long sword wrapped in cloth on his back, shook his head. "In my opinion, the Great Han's current Imperial Tutor, Wang Yue, and the Green Lotus Sword Immortal, Li Bai, are the greatest!"
"With a sword that spans a hundred million miles, he reigns supreme over the thirteen prefectures!"
"You! You!"
The woman became furious. "We're talking about the main generals of the legions! What does that have to do with Imperial Tutor Wang Yue or Sword Immortal Li Bai!"
"Exactly! It’s like comparing apples and oranges! Miss, let's ignore him!"
Just then, three bell tolls echoed through Chang'an!
"Dong~~"
"Dong~~"
"Dong~~"
...
"The main generals of the various legions have returned!"
"This is the King's will, to congratulate the victorious army!"
"Let's hurry! If we're late, we won't get a good spot to behold the iron-blooded majesty of the commanders!"
"Quick, quick!"
The already crowded Chang'an city suddenly became a dense, black mass, surging madly towards the plains outside the city. Imperial Guards patrolled the city walls, guarding their designated areas. Citizens of the Great Han were not allowed to ascend the walls; they could only witness the army's might from outside the city!
Not long after, the vast plains outside Chang'an were packed with people, leaving only a wide avenue leading directly into the city.
About half an hour later, a streak of emerald light appeared at the edge of the horizon, accompanied by a faint sound of dragon roars. Slowly, figures materialized, not many, only a hundred cavalry!
"Roar!"
A green military banner vibrated in the wind, and a green dragon seemed to surge above the hundred riders.
"It's the Azure Dragon Legion!"
"It's the Azure Dragon Legion!"
The crowd became excited. As the hundred cavalry drew nearer, everyone gasped. The Azure Dragon Legion was one of the Great Han's veteran legions, known for its formidable fighting strength, and it had made significant contributions to the empire's dominion.
"Look over there!"
Someone exclaimed, drawing many gazes. To the right and rear of the Azure Dragon Legion, red flames appeared. A thousand-zhang red Qilin, engulfed in roaring flames, gazed proudly at the sky!
Commander Qin Qiong led the hundred cavalry. As the Great Han was about to ascend to an Imperial Dynasty, the King ordered only the commanders of the various legions to return, to guard against the Ancient Desolation Army.
"General Qin!"
Several miles to the left of the Qilin Legion, a hearty voice called out. Following the sound, one saw the air swirling with yellow and dark hues. The armors of the Great Han's various legions were all different, but these two legions together comprised the Great Han's Qiong Qi Legion and Lie Tian Si Legion.
"General Meng!"
At this moment, the warriors on both sides dared not speak, their hearts filled with excitement as they gazed upon the Great Han's formidable army. This was the human army that had swept through the Ancient Desolation Army, a testament to the Ancient Desolation's power! For ten thousand years, the ten great Imperial Dynasties had been suppressed. Now, with this single battle, the Great Han had shown humanity's resolve. From this day forward, this army would be their guardian, defending their borders and striking fear into all races!
"Roar!"
A deafening roar echoed for a thousand miles, scattering the white clouds in the sky. A single-legged Kui Niu stood in the heavens!
"It's the Kui Niu Legion!"
Everyone gasped. They looked at Qi Jiguang, who led the hundred cavalry. Especially the martial artists from the Great Cloud Prefecture, who swallowed hard. Qi Jiguang had instilled immense shock in the Great Cloud, a feat unmatched by other legions.
"Roar!"
Not long after the Kui Niu's roar, another sound emerged, though less powerful. It stirred up dark clouds in the sky. A hundred cavalrymen in black armor escorted a war chariot pulled by a three-headed beast at the Rongtian realm. On the military banner, a monstrous beast with a gaping maw, as if about to devour everything, represented the Taotie Legion. Commander Gao Ying, the strategist of the Cangmu front, stood on the war chariot, a long sword in hand, surveying the surroundings!
"Whoosh~~"
Suddenly, the wind howled. A Vermilion Bird, clad in crimson flames, soared through the heavens. Zhang Liao, leading only a hundred cavalry, all elite troops from Xiaoyao Jin, each with formidable combat power.
"The Vermilion Bird Legion, the Lie Tian Si Legion, the Azure Dragon Legion, the Kui Niu Legion, the Qilin Legion, the Qiong Qi Legion, and the Taotie Legion... Whoosh... All seven major legions of the Great Han have arrived!"
Countless citizens, gazing upon the seven major legions that exuded power over the Ancient Desolation, knelt on one knee. "Your humble subjects welcome all legion commanders back in triumph!"
The main generals of the Great Han's various legions had all returned to Chang'an, awaiting the auspicious day of their empire's promotion tomorrow!
Zhang Liao, Gao Ying... and a host of other commanders and generals dismounted their horses tens of zhang from the gates of Chang'an and proceeded on foot towards the city.
ps: The Great Han is about to be promoted to an Imperial Dynasty.