The Battle of Bayun Valley had cost the Black Moon Kingdom's grand army two-thirds of its men in dead and wounded, and its commander, Ren Feilong, had been shot and killed by Jiang Chen right on the battlefield.
This battle had dealt a devastating blow to the Black Moon Kingdom's national strength, severely diminishing its power.
Bayun Valley, henceforth, became an accursed place for the Black Moon Kingdom, permanently forbidden.
On the other side, the Eastern Kingdom had achieved a sweeping victory. All the warriors who had participated in this battle were awarded the title of Dragon-Slayer Heroes.
This battle was destined to go down in history. Yet in the annals of each respective nation, its tale would be told in two completely different tones.
When they learned of the Black Moon Kingdom's defeat, the people of the Eastern Kingdom were still somewhat bewildered. After all, the various lords of the Eastern Kingdom had assembled their armies and massed their troops, but the fighting hadn't even begun. They hadn't even laid eyes on the enemy before word arrived that the battle was over, and the enemy commander Ren Feilong had been shot dead.
This battle had spread Jiang Chen's renown far and wide among the neighboring nations. His name had finally entered the vision of the higher echelons of the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance.
Even the Black Moon Kingdom's First Star General, Ren Feilong, had died at this young man's hand. This forced the high-ranking officials of the Alliance's member states to look upon Jiang Chen in a new light.
Though the Black Moon Kingdom wasn't considered a top-tier power within the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance, Ren Feilong's genius for warfare was universally acknowledged among all the nations.
Who would have thought that this universally recognized War God would perish in such a pathetic, ignoble manner?
A lifetime of glory and renown, all destroyed in his final, fatal battle.
...
Half a month after the great battle at Bayun Valley, Bojiang City gradually returned to normal. The squad of True Qi Realm martial artists dispatched by the Black Moon Kingdom, who had originally planned a sneak attack on Bojiang City, had only just infiltrated the Jiang Han territory when they received the terrible news: the battle was over, and Ren Feilong had been shot dead.
This group, serving as the Black Moon Kingdom's trump card, had no fighting spirit left upon hearing of their commander's demise. Crestfallen and humiliated, they retreated back to the Black Moon Kingdom.
They knew that making a move at a time like this would be tantamount to seeking their own deaths.
On this day, Jiang Chen summoned all the members of the Jiang clan for a frank discussion.
"Everyone, our Jiang family has been rooted in the Jiang Han territory for several hundred years. Today, I, Jiang Chen, have decided to leave. Those of you who wish to stay, I support your choice. Those who wish to follow me, I will not oppose."
"Young Marquis, you're leaving? Where will you go? Will you ever return?"
"Return?" Jiang Chen chuckled. "The world is vast, and the Eastern Kingdom is but a small corner of it. Whether I return or not... that's hard to say."
"Chen'er, Third Uncle and Little Yu will definitely go with you." Jiang Tong declared his stance.
The other clan elders, however, hesitated. While they knew Jiang Feng and his son were powerful and that following them would surely lead to greater prospects, they had their own considerations. Moreover, they felt that rather than leaving, it might be better to remain here in the Jiang Han territory and continue enjoying their wealth and status.
Most importantly, if Jiang Feng and his son left, the kingdom's rewards and titles would fall upon their heads. Who knew? Perhaps they could even have a taste of being a First-Rank Lord.
Though they were all clansmen from a single lineage, as the blood ties thinned over generations, the natural distinctions of closeness and distance inevitably emerged.
Jiang Tong was Jiang Feng's younger brother, born of the same mother, so of course he would follow Jiang Feng.
Jiang Yu was Jiang Chen's cousin—technically a brother—and he had always relied on Jiang Chen. It wasn't surprising he wanted to leave with them.
As for the others, their blood relation to Jiang Feng and his son wasn't that close anymore. They were merely members of the same clan. Asking them to wholeheartedly follow Jiang Chen on a wandering journey? They weren't necessarily keen on that.
In the end, everyone had their own aspirations.
Seeing their expressions, Jiang Chen understood their thoughts. Honestly, he hadn't intended to take all the clansmen with him anyway.
These people were clansmen in name, but he had little emotional attachment to them. Since every one of them had their own selfish motives, Jiang Chen didn't press the matter. He couldn't force them, after all.
"Elder Xi, once my father and I leave, you will hold the highest status in the Jiang family. Our Jiang family has made considerable contributions to both the kingdom and the royal house. If there are rewards, you may divide them amongst yourselves. But remember one thing: do not turn against each other, do not harm your own kin. Otherwise, I will inform the royal house and have them strip away all honors and wealth. You would do better to live as a idle, prestigious clan."
Elder Xi chuckled. "With this old man here, they wouldn't dare cause trouble. Turn against each other? Perish the thought!"
Hearing Jiang Chen's promise, Elder Xi beamed. Who would have thought that in his old age, he might get to experience being a marquis?
"Since that is settled, we will be leaving in a few days. From now on, the Jiang family is in your hands."
Elder Xi sighed. "Is it truly necessary for you to leave?"
This was merely a formality, of course. In truth, he could hardly wait for Jiang Feng and his son to depart. Only if Jiang Feng, his son, and Jiang Tong's family left would he have the qualification to inherit the Lord's seal!
Though they were all clansmen, a bit of selfishness like this was universal.
Seeing Elder Xi's attitude, and noting the lack of any particular reaction from the other clansmen, Jiang Chen secretly shook his head. These clansmen truly were cold and calculating. Hearing that he and his father were leaving, they seemed to be itching for them to depart immediately so they could claim the wealth and status for themselves.
With such a mindset, even if they wanted to come with him, he wouldn't have taken them.