Qian Yuanshan scanned his surroundings and said calmly, "As far as I know... Bai Zihe is only in his early twenties."
His words startled all the elders.
A Grandmaster in his early twenties...
What were his limits? What heights would his future achievements reach?
No one could say for sure.
Such talent...
It was truly astounding.
Seeing their silence, Qian Yuanshan continued, "Moreover, from his perspective, his actions are not entirely without merit."
Although Bai Zihe was powerful and had killed many,
They were all individuals who deserved to die.
"Therefore..."
Qian Yuanshan withdrew his gaze and focused on the personal letter Bai Zihe had sent via Ji Xueyun. He said softly, "Bai Zihe possesses exceptional talent and a defiant spirit, which can be understood."
"Given time, he will undoubtedly become one of the pillars of our Great Xia."
"As long as we leverage this, what is there to fear even if we go to war with the Ying people?"
"Besides..."
"Do you all truly wish to continue living under such constraints?"
Qian Yuanshan's words undoubtedly struck a chord with them.
Every normal Great Xia citizen harbored no goodwill towards the Ying people; it was an instinct deeply ingrained in their very being.
Being suppressed by the Ying people was an even greater disgrace.
And Bai Zihe's emergence...
Might just upset the balance.
"Even so..."
The aged elder said slowly, "Bai Zihe cannot transcend the War Department and dictate our arrangements."
"He desires the appointment of a Domain Lord..."
"Then he must follow the rules of the War Department!"
The rules of the War Department...
Might makes right, meaning a trial by combat!
If Bai Zihe wanted to arrange this, he would have to defeat their chosen fighters.
With no other recourse, Qian Yuanshan immediately agreed, "I will write a letter to Bai Zihe and let him make his choice."
The next day.
In the provincial capital of Jiangdong Province, at the War God Camp.
The people sent by Qian Yuanshan found the camp early in the morning.
"Where is Bai Zihe? Have him come out to receive us."
Zhang Xun, the head of the delegation, shouted arrogantly, his nose in the air.
They were envoys from the War Department, akin to imperial envoys of old visiting a region, and naturally held no one in particular esteem.
However, Zhan Tianlong was not a meek individual.
He had once been a peerless presence in the Wolf Army.
Zhan Tianlong immediately snorted, "Who are you people, and why are you making such a racket here?"
Zhang Xun seemed prepared for this question and arrogantly declared, "Kid, listen up!"
"My name is Zhang Xun, and I am the leader of a delegation dispatched by the War Department!"
"Acting under the orders of the War Department, I am here to summon Bai Zihe to the capital."
"If you know what's good for you..."
He glared down at Zhan Tianlong with his nose in the air. "You'd better call Bai Zihe out immediately, or if you delay the War Department's important affairs..."
"No one can bear the responsibility for that."
In the past,
He only needed to mention the name of the War Department, and anyone, god or mortal, would show him respect and politeness.
They would comply without question, showing no sign of defiance.
But this time...
He had miscalculated.
Zhan Tianlong's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, "The Young Master is still sleeping. You can wait."
In fact, it wasn't just Bai Zihe who was sleeping.
Ji Xueyun and Yue Rushuang were also still asleep, otherwise, they would have come out to greet them.
"You want me to wait?"
Zhang Xun's nostrils flared with rage.
In all his missions representing the War Department, this was the first time he had been kept waiting.
But Zhan Tianlong had already entered the camp after speaking, giving him no chance to refuse.
This was outrageous.
Zhang Xun paced back and forth outside the entrance.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
"Let's go, follow me inside!"
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he immediately signaled the members of his delegation, preparing to force their way in.
With that, the group strode in aggressively.
"Swish!"
"Swish!"
As they reached the entrance, two figures blocked their path.
It was Zhan Tianlong and Xue'er.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Zhan Tianlong stared at Zhang Xun and asked sternly.
Zhang Xun narrowed his eyes, his expression equally unfriendly. "I can't wait any longer!"
"Either..."
"You call Bai Zihe out now."
"Or..."
"I will break in and wake Bai Zihe up!"
His words were incredibly brazen.
Zhan Tianlong immediately flew into a rage and retorted, "Then come and try!"
"Try it is!"
Zhang Xun roared and charged forward.
The War Department envoys behind him also surged forward.
The situation quickly devolved into a confrontation, with Zhang Xun and the War Department group surrounding Zhan Tianlong and Xue'er.
Both Zhan Tianlong and Xue'er were not weak.
Having been around experts like Bai Zihe for so long, they had improved rapidly through constant exposure.
But Zhang Xun and his companions, hailing from the War Department, were also skilled fighters.
Coupled with the numerical advantage of the War Department delegation, the two soon found themselves at a disadvantage.
"Bang!"
"Bang bang!"
Zhang Xun seized an opportunity and landed a punch on Zhan Tianlong.
In pain, Zhan Tianlong retreated step by step, and several other members of the War Department pressed their advantage, eager to capitalize on his weakened state.
For a moment, Zhan Tianlong's situation became precarious.
Xue'er tried to come to his aid, but she was held back by several War Department envoys, unable to break free.
A fierce glint flashed in Zhang Xun's eyes.
This person before him...
He actually dared to disregard the War Department. He had to teach him a harsh lesson.
Immediately.
Zhang Xun leaped up and kicked towards Zhan Tianlong's head.
If that kick landed, it would at least give him a concussion and cerebral hemorrhage!
"Whoosh!"
Just then.
A white figure suddenly appeared in front of Zhan Tianlong.
With a raise of a hand.
Effortlessly, he caught Zhang Xun's ankle.
While the other party was still in a daze, he gently twisted it and then flung him away.
It was Bai Zihe.