This Show of Strength, I'm Taking It

Jun Tianxiao hadn't expected this strongman to be so uncooperative with his plan to make an example of someone.

He cursed inwardly but could only explain, "I am Marquis Anle, Jun Tianxiao. The one beside me is your Commander Zhao!"

After he finished speaking, Old Qi simply replied, "Wait!" and descended the gate tower.

Jun Tianxiao was both pleased and angered by this scene.

He was angry that this strongman was a troublemaker among troublemakers, completely disregarding him. Now, he was even blocking the commander outside – it was sheer audacity, utterly lawless.

He was pleased because this matter surely wasn't something one person dared to do alone; there must be many generals supporting it. Once these generals were dealt with and his own people were installed, he could directly control the entire Left Wei Guard.

At that time...

Before he could finish his daydreaming, the barracks gate opened, and a troop of soldiers marched out, forming two lines.

Old Qi rode his horse to Zhao Yun and cupped his hands, saying, "Your subordinate, Qi Dekai, salutes Commander Zhao."

Zhao Yun naturally knew what his Lord was thinking. Making an example was indeed a good way to quickly gain control of the army. However, the person before him, though crude in his actions, had acted and spoken entirely within the bounds of the rules. Fundamentally, he hadn't made any mistakes and there was nothing to criticize. If he were to punish a soldier without cause in front of everyone, he would find himself unable to move freely within the barracks.

Thus, he could only reply calmly, "You are dismissed. Let's go inside."

Qi Dekai didn't mind Zhao Yun's indifferent attitude. Although he looked rough, he wasn't an impulsive or brainless person. He took such matters lightly. This fellow was going to be dead in a month anyway, so who would bother arguing with a dead man!

"Yes, please follow me, Commander Zhao."

As Zhao Yun drew closer, the soldiers in the two lines lowered their heads slightly and shouted in unison, "Salute Commander Zhao!"

Zhao Yun looked at the imposing and mighty Left Wei Guard before him and nodded inwardly. These soldiers were all Golden Core Stage cultivators, and their armor seemed to be Xuan Grade Magic Treasures. They could indeed be called an elite force. If there were ten thousand such Left Wei Guards, led by their generals and forming a military formation to surround him, he might not be able to escape unscathed. If the Left Wei Guards were like this, and even the entire Two Hundred Thousand Imperial City Imperial Guard were the same, it was no wonder the Empress tolerated the Wei State Duke Mansion so much.

"Clang!"

Just as Zhao Yun was inwardly startled, the sound of weapons clashing came from behind them. It was followed by Jun Tianxiao's furious roar:

"What are you doing? Do you know what order and hierarchy mean? Don't you know I am Commander Zhao's Lord?"

"How dare you block my path! Are you tired of living!"

Hearing this voice, Zhao Yun's mouth twitched. He felt a sense of helplessness, truly not understanding what his Lord was thinking. Sometimes, he even suspected his Lord suffered from a severe brain ailment. Otherwise, why would he start acting so presumptuously before even fully taking control of the army?

However, in the end, he was still his Lord. If his Lord was in trouble, it would be wrong for him not to help.

Zhao Yun looked at Qi Dekai and asked, "May I know what General Qi means by this?"

As he spoke, a pressure emanated from Zhao Yun. Although it wasn't directed at anyone in particular, all the soldiers present felt a faint sense of oppression. But for Qi Dekai, also at Peak Nascent Soul, it was nothing. However, the spiritual energy fluctuations caused by this pressure made him look at this pretty boy with newfound seriousness for the first time.

"Commander Zhao, according to the regulations of the Left Wei Guard Barracks, unauthorized personnel are strictly forbidden from entering."

"Although Marquis Anle is your Lord, he is not the Lord of the Left Wei Guard. Please understand."

Seeing Qi Dekai's casual demeanor, Zhao Yun felt a bit angry, but the military rules were the rules, and he couldn't say much. However, the Left Wei Guard would be under his command from now on. If he couldn't even bring someone in, then his control over the barracks would be a mere joke.

Thinking this, Zhao Yun gathered the pressure he was naturally emitting, forming an imposing aura. He stared sternly at Qi Dekai and said in a deep voice, "Are you saying I, as the commander, cannot even bring one person in?"

Seeing Zhao Yun's restrained but potent aura, Qi Dekai's mouth twitched. He cursed inwardly: This little brat is just like me, not playing by the rules. He's going straight for the big move without any preamble. Does he even know the rules?

"Sigh!" Qi Dekai sighed and reluctantly cupped his hands, "Since it is Commander Zhao's wish, then let him in."

"However, this is a military stronghold. I still hope Commander Zhao will not let him run around."

Qi Dekai's attitude left Zhao Yun feeling uncertain. From beginning to end, he hadn't detected any resistance from the Left Wei Guard towards him as their commander. His plan to make an example had no opportunity to be used, leaving him with a sense of powerlessness, like punching cotton.

At this moment, Qi Dekai turned his horse around and waved to the soldiers. The long halberds raised by the soldiers were lowered.

They parted to the sides, clearing a path to the barracks gate.

Jun Tianxiao rode his horse closer to the two, his gaze sweeping over Qi Dekai with a cold snort.

Though he said nothing, anyone could see the dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Qi Dekai naturally saw it too, but he had always disdained trash like Jun Tianxiao.

If not for the Empress, the Left Wei Guard alone would be enough to hang his Anle Marquis Manor and torment it ten times over.

He really didn't understand what made Jun Tianxiao so arrogant.

Zhao Yun gave Qi Dekai an apologetic smile and said no more, following Jun Tianxiao into the barracks.

When the three arrived at the Left Wei Guard's Council Hall, the other generals had already received the news and were seated in their respective positions.

Qi Dekai entered the Council Hall and took his seat first.

Aside from a main seat, there were no other seats in the entire Council Hall.

Seeing this, Zhao Yun and Jun Tianxiao both frowned in unison.

They exchanged a glance, and Zhao Yun turned his gaze to Qi Dekai, who had just sat down, and asked:

"General Qi, is there a seat missing here?"

Qi Dekai's mouth twitched. Good heavens, with so many people here, you're picking on me? What do I owe you!

However, with so many people present, he couldn't openly defy the Duke of Wei's orders and give Zhao Yun a hard time.

He reluctantly opened his eyes and pretended to be serious, saying:

"Commander Zhao, the Council Hall is arranged according to the actual number of generals present, so there is no shortage of seats."

"Furthermore, you are the only one in the Left Wei Guard who has not yet taken a seat. Please do so quickly."

Receiving such a stiff refusal, Zhao Yun scanned the expressions of the surrounding generals.

A small portion had their eyes closed, seemingly indifferent to everything.

The majority, however, were watching them with keen interest, as if eager to see how things would unfold.

Seeing this, Zhao Yun knew that if they didn't want to fall out with all the generals, they would have to endure this show of dominance today.