Castle of Black Iron

‘Would a person who’s ambitious about power refuse such a rare chance?’

‘Of course not!’

‘Is this young man cheating me?’

Zuoqiu Mingyue denied the second thought immediately at the sight of Zhang Tie’s pure eyes. Based on Zuoqiu Mingyue’s rich experience, no trick could cheat his eyes. As a sage-level knight, his could see through all the ruses.

Zhang Tie’s bright and pure eyes caused Zuoqiu Mingyue to sigh with emotions. In Zuoqiu Mingyue’s opinion, this young knight was consummate in all aspects except being too soft-hearted sometimes and lacking interest in power. What others gagged for was nothing but sh*t for him.

If not, how could he leave those poetic lines of “The Beloved Ones” and get the essence of sword song by reciting a poem on the battlefield?

Because he was sentimental, he could get the truth.

“If so, you could be a guerrilla general…” Zuoqiu Mingyue let out a sigh as he added, “From today on, you, as a guerrilla general, don’t have to follow anyone’s decree. Guerrilla general could fight demons wherever he wants at his discretion, above the ground or beneath the ground. When you encounter enemies, you could launch a strike whenever you want. As the proverb goes, being far away from Xuanyuan Hill, you could not follow His Majesty’s decree…”

When Zuoqiu Mingyue said these words, a bizarre token appeared in his hand. Closely after that, he gave it to Zhang Tie.

“Guerrilla general…” Zhang Tie was a bit curious about that. Holding the token, he started to observe it carefully. The token looked very delicate being similar to his Xuanyuan token. However, this one was apparently more senior. A line of words was engraved on one side of the token——Guerrilla General of Taixia Country; while “Being free from His Majesty’s decree” were on the other side. The entire token was covered with secret grains. The token also carried some special rune effects. Additionally, a top quality remote-sensing crystal was embedded in the center of the token. The token looked very distinctive.

“The position of the guerrilla general is definitely special. Because it is specially prepared for heavenly knights of the top 6 sects in Taixia Country on the battlefield. With this token, you could even access to the emperor’s city in Xuanyuan Hill and the camps of armies in Taixia Country. In emergencies, you could even assign all the soldiers and mounts under the affiliation of Cheji General of a province. In Lion Fortress of Earth Element Realm, you could even enter heavenly knight’s tower for cultivation by showing this token…”

Zhang Tie’s heart pounded as he finally understood that this token was the exclusive result when the imperial court gave compromise to the top 6 sects in Taixia Country. When in a holy war, the top 6 sects might fear that the imperial court would curtail the power of them by assigning their heavenly knights to fight demon heavenly knights. Therefore, the imperial court set guerrilla generals so that both parties thought it was fair-minded. Nominally, those heavenly knights of top 6 sects followed the leadership of His Majesty; actually, both parties could counter with each other when it was involved with their lives. No matter how powerful Xuanyuan Emperor was, he could not order a heavenly knight of a top clan to die for him.

Although guerrilla general was not well-known around the country, he enjoyed an exceptional position.

This token was appropriate for Zhang Tie well.

Although Zhang Tie didn’t fully agree with what the imperial court and Zuoqiu Mingyue did in the theater of operations and what he did might not satisfy everyone, he shared the general orientation with Zuoqiu Mingyue and imperial court of Taixia Country. With this new identity, he might cooperate with and maintain a distance with the imperial court of Taixia Country.

“Thanks, commander-in-chief…” Zhang Tie stood up as he bowed deeply towards Zuoqiu Mingyue sincerely.

“Perhaps others might be unsuitable to take this token, but I opine that you’re qualified to own it. Your strength is indeed not in using people and commanding the army. Perhaps you could perform better if you’re given greater freedom. With the identity of guerrilla general, you could leave the theater of operations whenever you want without any concern…”

“Commander-in-chief, do you want me to leave the theater of operations?”

“Demons have already assigned a heavenly knight to kill you. Unless you leave Xuanyuan Fortress, you would be killed for sure even with the help of the mutated thunder hawk!” Zuoqiu Mingyue told Zhang Tie sincerely as he looked into Zhang Tie’s eyes, “There’s still a long way to go before the end of this holy war. You’re still too young. You should have a bit insight. Based on your quality, you would definitely have a bright future after promoting to a heavenly knight. The demon army’s attack is still strong with great potential. Taixia Country has also just spared one hand to deal with the crisis facing the Western Theater of Operations. Neither party has fully exerted their efforts. The four provinces in the Western Theater of Operations might also be collapsed in the future. If Taixia Country could win the holy war in the end, it would be acceptable for us to lose the four provinces!”

‘It depends even if I encounter a heavenly knight!’

Zhang Tie muttered inside. However, he still appreciated Zuoqiu Mingyue’s good intention. Additionally, Zuoqiu Mingyue’s insight and judgment about the general trend of the holy war enlightened Zhang Tie well, “Thanks, commander-in-chief. I will consider whether to leave or not. As there are still so many things to enjoy, I treasure my own life very much!”

“Glad you think that way. With body changing immortal bloodline, as long as you don’t want demon heavenly knight to discover you, they would never be able to find you no matter how many heavenly knights do they have!” Zuoqiu Mingyue said as he looked straight into Zhang Tie’s eyes, ” Who do you think could take the office of Weiji General after you?”

“I opine that commander-in-chief must have your own consideration about that. I don’t think it’s proper for me to say too much about that. However, given the situation facing the rear end of the theater of operations, everything has already been on the right track. As long as Lu Yanyu is there, the rear end would run normally as usual even if this position is vacant. In this way, it could indicate that commander-in-chief prefers to make people reassured than having a new Weiji General disrupt the existing order of the rear end for meritorious services in case of the internal disorder…”

Zhang Tie suggested as Zuoqiu Mingyue nodded slowly and sighed with feeling, “You’re indeed experienced, talented and considerate. After you leave, it’s indeed a way for adjustment by leaving that position in vacancy. With this suggestion, you don’t live up to be my assistant over the past year…”

Zuoqiu Mingyue’s words revealed his favor and pity about Zhang Tie.

“I’m so sorry about that…” Zhang Tie was indeed sorry about that. Over the past one year, being nominally Zuoqiu Mingyue’s secretary and assistant, he didn’t even fulfill his responsibility at all. Not only that, he even quarreled with Zuoqiu Mingyue, causing the latter to smash his desk. What an audacious assistant of commander-in-chief…

“Have the last cup of tea with me…” Zuoqiu Mingyue made another cup of tea for Zhang Tie.

…

After finishing the last cup of tea with Zuoqiu Mingyue, Zhang Tie left. When he exited the highest tower in the center of Xuanyuan Fortress, he felt pretty relaxed all over and regained his freedom like a dragon returning to the ocean. Although the identity guerrilla general was not well-known or powerful, it was much more valuable than being a Weiji General for Zhang Tie. Its value could be manifested based on the identity of those who could get this token.

In some sense, this token could be his amulet in Taixia Country. With this amulet, he could basically avoid from being suppressed and taken as cannon fodder by someone in name of righteousness.

To date, it’s self-evident that nobody in Taixia Country could suppress him in name of righteousness. Zuoqiu Mingyue didn’t put it straight; however, Zhang Tie still owed to Zuoqiu Mingyue.

As the adage went, one felt carefree when he was relieved of official duties. Zhang Tie had the same feeling at this moment. However, when he realized that 200 million innocent Hua civilians would be killed by his incendiary mines and incendiary bombs whose corpses would spread over the west bank of Weishui River, Zhang Tie felt an extremely heavy burden once again, causing a heavy frown…

“I got you. Do you know how much I worry about you…” A figure threw into Zhang Tie’s arms like a baby swallow returning to its nest as she put her arms tightly around Zhang Tie…

Of course, it was Bai Suxian.

In Zhang Tie’s arms, Bai Suxian’s shoulder was quivering out of fear. She just put her arms around Zhang Tie tightly as if she was afraid of losing him all of a sudden. Zhang Tie’s chest soon turned wet by her tears.

Zhang Tie didn’t know Bai Suxian’s response when she heard about his assassination. However, given her current look, Zhang Tie knew that Bai Suxian must have been scared too much by that news.

After quite a long while, Bai Suxian separated with Zhang Tie. Raising her tearful eyes, she looked into Zhang Tie’s eyes affectionately.

“If something bad happened to you, I would have died…”

Bai Suxian’s voice sounded resolute yet weak, causing Zhang Tie’s heart to pound. Being silent, Zhang Tie just wiped off her tears tenderly as he kissed her forehead slightly…

Feng Cangwu also appeared in front of Zhang Tie. As he walked towards Zhang Tie slowly on the street, he checked Zhang Tie all over carefully. Closely after that, he pursed his lips and punched Zhang Tie’s shoulder.

“You disappointed me. I guessed that you lack an arm or a leg. How could you enjoy such a beauty here? That’s too preposterous…”

Zhang Tie also punched Feng Cangwu’s shoulder as they laughed at each other.

At this moment, another person appeared. It was Mountain Lifting Hermit whom Zhang Tie had not seen for a long time. At the sight of Zhang Tie, Mountain Lifting Hermit let out a deep sigh…

“Let’s go for a drink…” Zhang Tie waved his arm as he burst out into laughter, “No drunk, no return!”

…