Now that you're here, don't expect to leave

Although Zhu Yuanzheng's prestige in the military was unrivaled, he still harbored regrets.

Huaxia had not fought a war in more than thirty years.

As a Huaxian, he naturally hoped his homeland would enjoy peace and prosperity.

But as a soldier, he also yearned to accomplish great deeds.

Those conflicting feelings had stayed with Zhu Yuanzheng for decades.

But now, his chance had come!

Today, Huaxia's million descendants of Dayu would settle everything in a single battle!

In all of Huaxia's known history, a battle on this scale was absolutely unprecedented.

What was more, both sides consisted of Awakened!

And although Zhu Yuanzheng had not had the chance to awaken his bloodline this time, he had been involved from beginning to end!

How many people could ever have such an opportunity?

Zhu Yuanzheng felt profoundly fortunate.

Fortunate that he lived in Huaxia.

Fortunate that he had the chance to witness this historic battle.

And even more fortunate that, in their hour of peril, Su Chen had emerged to turn certain defeat around.

After this battle!

Nothing would stop Huaxia's rise!

After this battle!

Huaxia's might would become known across the globe!

Zhu Yuanzheng stood shoulder to shoulder with Su Chen.

Their gazes crossed the turbulent sea, fixed on the curve where sea met sky.

Several hours later.

The sun, once high overhead, had shifted westward.

The dense mangroves had grown a little darker as well.

And just then.

A blue-green light suddenly shone on the distant sea.

Within mere minutes, a mass of dark silhouettes appeared along the horizon.

Jin Dachang and his hundred and thirty thousand Awakened.

They had finally arrived!

Every ship in the Haidong fleet was now enveloped in blue-green light.

Wrapped in Jin Dachang's inherited power, these warships were beyond the threat of conventional weapons.

Jin Dachang stood at the bow of the Mule, gazing into the distance with an imposing air.

"Commander, the forward ships report someone on the shore."

The aide beside him offered a pair of binoculars with a fawning expression.

But Jin Dachang did not even glance at them, raising a hand to push them aside.

With his eyesight, he had already spotted Su Chen on the beach the moment the coastline came into view.

The inherited power within Su Chen was even clearer to Jin Dachang, like a beacon in the night.

One glance was all he needed to confirm Su Chen's identity.

"It seems the intelligence was correct. Huaxia's inheritor really is here."

Jin Dachang gave a cold smile and turned his gaze toward the aide beside him.

"You've earned yourself some credit. Once we've taken Huaxia, I'll reward you handsomely."

A flash of wild delight crossed the aide's eyes, and he bowed his head even lower.

"It was all thanks to your wisdom, Commander!"

"Being allowed to serve at your side is the greatest reward I could ask for."

After saying this, the aide's eyes suddenly shifted, and he added.

"But that Su Chen can't be very smart. Disaster is at his doorstep, yet he hasn't fled."

"Now that you're here, Commander, he couldn't escape even if he wanted to!"

Jin Dachang laughed.

"The brat provoked us himself, giving us a legitimate reason to strike. He clearly isn't very bright."

"Still, he knew he had no chance of winning and deliberately leaked his whereabouts to us. At least he has some courage."

"What do you mean, Commander?"

The aide abruptly raised his head, deliberately putting on a startled expression.

Seeing the aide's expression, Jin Dachang grew even more pleased with himself and spoke slowly.

"The brat hasn't shown his face for days."

"Yet the moment we set sail, word of his whereabouts came in. Don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?"

The aide furrowed his brow, forcing a thoughtful expression onto his face.

"Now that you mention it, Commander, it really does seem too convenient."

Jin Dachang snorted disdainfully, wearing the look of a man who had seen through everything long ago.

"Heh! He might fool you lot, but he can't fool me!"

"The brat knows he sullied King Taejong's reputation, and that I certainly won't let him off."

"Rather than flee all over the world, he'd be better off staking his life on one last fight while he still has some strength!"

"He deliberately leaked his location for one reason: to lure me here, then ambush me!"

With that, Jin Dachang raised his right hand and pointed toward the mangroves along the shore.

"There are at least a million people hiding beneath those trees!"

"I don't know whether the brat is truly stupid or just scared witless! Doesn't he know that with so many people hiding together, there's no way they can escape an inheritor's eyes?"

This time, the aide was genuinely startled.

"A million people?"

"Has he gone mad?"

The expressions of the Haidong Awakened standing nearby also shifted slightly at those words.

Although ordinary people's strength could hardly threaten the Awakened.

Enough ants could kill an elephant.

If Huaxia really had more than a million troops lying in ambush, injuries would probably be unavoidable if they fought to the death.

Taking in everyone's expressions, Jin Dachang could not help bursting into laughter.

"What are you panicking for!"

"Half of those million people have weaker auras."

"In other words, at most half of them are soldiers. The rest are all ordinary civilians!"

"What does that tell us?"

"It tells us Huaxia is already in chaos! Otherwise, with more than three million active-duty troops, why would they use civilians to make up the numbers?"

The more Jin Dachang spoke, the more excited he became, and the deeper his contempt for Su Chen grew.

"Those ordinary civilians must have been forced to come here."

"Believe me, we won't even need to fight. The moment I step ashore, they'll be so terrified they'll turn tail and run!"

Jin Dachang had originally harbored some faint misgivings.

After all, everything had gone far too smoothly.

But everything before his eyes dispelled his last shred of doubt.

As he saw it, Su Chen must have reached the end of his rope if he was dragging ordinary citizens here to die.

There was no need to be so cautious against someone like that.

As soon as Jin Dachang finished speaking, the aide promptly raised a thumb and rushed to respond.

"You truly are our commander! I could have racked my brains forever and never realized this was a trap!"

"But as Huaxia's inheritor, that brat is ruthless indeed, forcing civilians to their deaths!"

"After doing something like this, he must have earned the wrath of heaven and the people alike."

"Killing him would be an act of justice, Commander! Huaxia's people won't resent you. They might even be deeply grateful and submit willingly!"

"Wouldn't that make bringing Huaxia under your command effortless?"

"King Taejong's glory will surely shine over all of Huaxia!"

Jin Dachang laughed aloud, regarding the aide with ever greater approval.

"If a sheep is caught in it, then it truly is a trap."

"But if what it catches is a tiger, then it's nothing but a death wish!"

"Since the brat went to such lengths to lure me here, of course I'll grant his wish!"

"Today, he won't be the only one to die!"

"Anyone who dares resist will join him in the grave!"

At Jin Dachang's command, the entire fleet cut through the waves and advanced at full speed.

On the shore.

Zhu Yuanzheng narrowed his eyes as he watched the approaching fleet, struggling to contain his excitement.

"They're finally here!"

Su Chen nodded slightly.

A cold gleam rose in his previously placid eyes.

"Now that you're here, don't expect to leave!"

His whole body gave a sudden shudder, and dazzling golden light burst forth, surrounding him.

Crushing pressure and an ancient aura surged skyward, sweeping up sand, stones, and waves, striking awe in every direction!

At that moment, the young man who had seemed so relaxed and unruffled vanished.

In his place.

Stood Dayu's inheritor, radiating profound majesty!

Now, he represented an ancient sovereign and the ancestors of Huaxia.

Anyone who dared offend Huaxia before him would never return alive!