A faint smile appeared on Chen Fan's face. He seemed not to have taken Budo's words to heart at all. "If you had dealt with the minister and those corrupt officials sooner, the rebels would never have surrounded the city. You bear some responsibility for causing all this. If things hadn't come to this, you wouldn't even have considered dealing with them. So no matter how much we say now, it's useless. Let's settle this with victory or defeat. Once I defeat you, the country behind you can collapse as well. If rotten things aren't removed, they'll only rot further. Rather than stubbornly cling on, it would be better to rebuild. You should fall."
Hearing Chen Fan's words, Budo said no more. He would not waver. Since his will could not influence the other side, he naturally had to hold fast to his own. He was already the Empire's final line of defense. He absolutely could not fall.
Chen Fan placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. His previous one had broken, so Nadjeshda had obtained an even better one for him. Both its materials and craftsmanship were first-rate, and it would not break easily.
Budo also crouched slightly and assumed a fighting stance. The metal pillars at either side of his arms continuously pumped up and down, seemingly compressing power. This was the moment to build momentum; once it erupted, its power would surely be astonishing.
Even the Revolutionary Army far away on the other side could feel the shocking aura emanating from Budo. They had never felt such a terrifying presence before.
In contrast, Chen Fan gave off almost no aura at all. He stood there casually, like an ordinary person who knew nothing. Many in the Revolutionary Army did not know Chen Fan. Only some