Tyrant Sky Martial Sou
Chapter 1040: The Genuine Military Governor

Chapter 1040: Chapter 1040: The Genuine Military Governor

"Lu Chenlong, shut your mouth. This commander knows you have old ties with Ji Ning. Are you speaking up for a rebel now because you want to join him in treason?"

General Saxon barked harshly.

"General Saxon, you may be the Expeditionary General of the North, indeed, but some words should not be spoken carelessly. General Lu is the Deputy Commander of the Imperial City Camp. Even the Emperor places great trust in him. Are you trying to brew dissension?"

Feng Qingyan also spoke up.

"Feng Qingyan, just do your job as the deputy commander. It’s not your place to intervene when I, Saxon, decide to chastise someone."

"Lightning Demon King, you sure have a mighty presumptuous tone. Do you want to stir chaos within our Phoenix God Empire so that your True Demon Empire can invade while we’re vulnerable?"

Suddenly, Ling Xiao, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

Ling Xiao was well aware that reasoning with the old dog Saxon was futile; the only option was to hit where it hurts so he would not dare to act rashly.

Both Lu Chenlong and Feng Qingyan were too upright, their words not striking the heart of the matter.

However, Ling Xiao’s statement set all the soldiers abuzz with discussion.

"Silence! You are but a mere centurion. What gives you the right to speak in front of this commander? It’s utterly preposterous!"

Saxon thundered.

"It’s you who are being preposterous! As a centurion, of course, I do not have the right to speak to you. However, I have a secret edict here from the Hidden Mountain Reserve Monarch."

Ling Xiao stated calmly, "By the order of the Hidden Mountain Reserve Monarch, I am to take the role of supervising general on this mission, coordinating the relationships between the Northern Desert Army and the Expedition Army. The Emperor has agreed as well, and has placed the Imperial Seal on it. Tell me, General Saxon, do I have the right now?"

He had always kept this secret edict to himself, waiting for an opportune moment.

Now was clearly that moment.

What!

Saxon, Lu Chenlong, and Feng Qingyan all took the edict and scrutinized it carefully; indeed, it bore the Emperor’s Imperial Seal and the Crown Prince Feng Yinshan’s mark.

This could not be a forgery.

The position of supervising general could be significant or insignificant.

Insignificant meant it held no power.

Significant meant it could directly suppress the main commander.

Because it was a role directly accountable to the Emperor.

Saxon was shocked inside, knowing the Emperor did not fully trust him either. It seemed the Emperor still planned to make him and Ji Ning check each other, preventing either from becoming too powerful.

Such a cunning old thing, I thought he was just a puppet, but he turned out to be so crafty.

At this point, all the other soldiers looked at Ling Xiao with newfound respect, never having imagined that this humble human was the supervising general sent by the Emperor and Crown Prince Feng Yinshan. This was truly impressive.

"So, if you are the supervising general, then why does Ji Ning refuse to open the city gates? Is he hiding something?"

Saxon asked, barely containing his anger.

"General Saxon, you are mistaken. What if a random military force arrives, claiming to be sent by the imperial court demanding the gates to be opened? What if something goes wrong?"

Ling Xiao responded with a faint smile, "In the 182nd Year of the Divine Phoenix Calendar, in July in the Southern Region, a small nation’s army infiltrated the Empire, disguised as an imperial military, sneaked into a Southern Region city, killed the City Lord, and looted everything they could. This was a bloody lesson. Are you overlooking it, General Saxon?"

"And what do you propose we do? The soldiers have had a tiring journey. Are they to just stand under the Red Sun and bake?"

Saxon demanded.

Feng Qingyan and Lu Chenlong also turned their gaze to Ling Xiao.

After all, what Saxon said was true.

"Leave it to me."

Ling Xiao smiled slightly; these people were still unaware of his relationship with Ji Ning. If not for this relationship, the Emperor would not have consented to Crown Prince Feng Yinshan’s suggestion for Ling Xiao to take on the role of supervising general.

"Leave it to you? Hahaha, Ji Ning won’t even give face to this commander. What do you count for? Even if you are the supervising general, Ji Ning won’t give the Emperor face, much less you!"

Saxon said with disdain.

"That’s not necessarily so!"

Ling Xiao smiled slightly and then walked towards Northern Desert City with Leng Mei and others.

"Brothers on the city tower, listen up, I am Ling Xiao, specially here to visit General Ji Ning. I hope you can open the city gate, thank you!"

In fact, the people on the city tower had recognized Ling Xiao long ago, but since he hadn’t requested to enter the city, they had said nothing.

"It’s Young Master Ling, the man who saved the Great General that day!"

"The Great General said that when Young Master Ling comes to Northern Desert City, the gate must be opened immediately."

After a brief discussion among themselves, the people above the tower said, "Young Master Ling, you may enter, but those people cannot. This matter concerns the safety of the citizens of Northern Desert City, we hope you understand."

"Of course, only eleven of us will enter, the rest will stay outside."

Ling Xiao said with a smile.

He had to go in and talk to Ji Ning about this; after all, they couldn’t really let the Expedition Army stay outside indefinitely. If this went on for too long, it would inevitably be interpreted as a rebellion, and by that time, some would surely have the chance to openly target Ji Ning.

"Wait a moment!"

Just as the city gate was slowly opening and Ling Xiao and his company were preparing to enter, Si Kong Zun suddenly shouted.

"What is it, Supreme Commander Si Kong? Is there anything else?"

Ling Xiao asked, frowning.

"You may enter, but the others must stay here!"

Si Kong Zun said coldly.

"What? You want to take hostages? You lack the ability to make Ji Ning open the gate, and now that I am going to negotiate with Ji Ning, not only do you not appreciate it, but you also treat me like this?"

Ling Xiao said coldly, "What if I refuse?"

"Come on, aim your bows and arrows!"

Si Kong Zun shouted loudly, ordering his archers to aim at Ling Xiao and his people, and coldly said, "Ling Xiao, don’t make this difficult for me!"

Swoosh!

At that moment, from atop the city tower, many crossbows suddenly appeared, aimed at Si Kong Zun and his archers.

"Brothers, someone is trying to kill the Supervisor appointed personally by the Emperor, what should we do?"

Someone on the tower called out.

"Protect the Supervisor, shoot the rebels!"

The sound was thunderous, audible to those below.

"Si Kong Zun, could it be that you truly are a spy sent by the True Demon Empire to harm our Divine Phoenix Empire?" Feng Qingyan suddenly asked coldly.

"You doubt me too?"

Si Kong Zun was momentarily stunned and asked angrily.

"How can I not have doubts? You’re trying to assassinate the Supervisor today, inciting conflict between the Northern Desert Army and the Expedition Army, leading them to slaughter each other. Is this not your purpose?"

Feng Qingyan said coldly.

Following Ling Xiao’s cue, he had learned to be savvy. This statement was made in a loud voice.

Si Kong Zun, who already had little prestige to speak of, now found his archers hesitating after hearing such words.

"Hahaha, the Deputy Commander is overthinking it. Why would I do such a thing? I was only afraid that if all the people went in, they would be harmed by traitors, but if he goes in alone, it might actually be safer."

Si Kong Zun, seeing that he could not control the situation and having offended both Lu Chenlong and Feng Qingyan at the same time, had no choice but to temporarily abandon his plan to attack Ling Xiao.

This guy sure knew how to change his tune fast.

"Hmph, the Supreme Commander Si Kong needn’t worry anymore! All soldiers listen, I will go talk with General Ji Ning, and if he knows the truth, he will certainly let us in, don’t worry."

With a huff, Ling Xiao turned and headed towards Northern Desert City.