Joe Di had finally witnessed the true meaning of a routed army—when defeat struck, even the weakest force could sweep in and claim victory.
Joe Di didn’t need to ask; he already knew that cultivators were forbidden from meddling in mortal warfare. Yet he paid it no mind. He had already destroyed the Inferno Sect—why should he worry about interfering in worldly battles now?
For a seasoned general like Frank Fields, a one-sided battle was almost effortless. In less than half a day, the fighting was over.
Aside from those who fled or were slain, there were thirty thousand prisoners alone. West Jue State had underestimated Frank Fields and Jadegate City, encamping just a few miles from the city walls—practically within arm’s reach.
This time, Frank Fields had not only defeated an army of fifty thousand, but also lifted the siege of Jadegate City and seized countless supplies and provisions.
Jadegate City, once shrouded in gloom, was instantly revived by this overwhelming victory.
Sometimes, the line between life and death is just a single word—hope. When West Jue’s army trapped Jadegate City, even food was scarce for its defenders and citizens. With hope lost, despair was inevitable.
Now, with the siege broken, the Di Vanguard victorious, and a bounty of supplies captured, new hope had arisen—and with hope, life returned.
Joe Di waited patiently until Frank Fields finished his duties. Only when Frank returned with his guards did Joe Di approach and call out, “Uncle Frank.”
Surrounded by so many guards, Frank Fields was startled when Joe Di suddenly appeared at his side. But when he saw who it was, joy lit up his face. “Young Master, you’re truly unharmed…!”
After the Di Family was destroyed, he received an anonymous letter, saying that one member, Joe Di, had escaped. He later sent people to search, but never found Joe Di. Unexpectedly, today he finally met him face to face.
He was a retainer of the Di Family, and by rights, Joe Di was his young master.
"I'm fine, Uncle Frank. Leave things here to your men—I have something I need to discuss with you." If Frank Fields was willing, Joe Di intended to take him away.
"Alright. Since Young Master has returned, all this will one day be yours." Frank Fields suddenly recalled the earlier tornado—perhaps Young Master truly was the destined one, for even the heavens seemed to aid him upon his return.
......
An hour later, Frank Fields was left utterly stunned. What Joe Di had told him was nothing short of world-shattering—for all his years in martial arts, he’d never known that beyond martial cultivation lay the path of true cultivation.
"I understand now. The one who killed the General must have been a cultivator." Frank Fields finally realized—Di Shan had nearly reached the rank of Martial King. Who but a cultivator could have killed Di Shan?
Joe Di nodded. "Uncle Frank, your guess is correct. My father and the Di Family were indeed destroyed by a cultivation sect. But I have already wiped out that sect."
Wiped out a cultivation sect? Before learning about cultivation, Frank Fields had no real concept of what a sect even was. But now, hearing that Joe Di had destroyed one, how could he not be shaken to the core?
He immediately understood—no wonder the West Jue army had been swept up by a tornado earlier. It was all because of the Young Master. Clearly, not only had the Young Master stepped onto the path of cultivation, but his strength had already reached an extraordinary level.
"Uncle Frank, I'll be leaving here soon. Are you willing to come with me?"
Frank Fields snapped out of his shock and sighed, "Young Master, I'm just a lonely old retainer, but I'm willing to follow you. Yet the Di Vanguard is all my life's work—if I leave, West Jue State will soon wipe them out."
Frank Fields understood clearly: though they'd won a battle and were now holed up in Jadegate City, it was nothing more than a dying gasp before the end.
Joe Di smiled faintly. "You can leave the Di Vanguard to your most trusted men, then come with me. As for the Di Vanguard, don't worry. Didn't you say that West Jue State's attack was orchestrated by Luyuan Empire? I'll take you and your men to Luyuan Empire first. Jade Nation is gone, but after you leave, your men can establish a new kingdom."
"Young Master, if that's the case, I'm willing to go with you." Frank Fields replied without hesitation.
......
The Yalen Continent was vast beyond compare, with countless empires. Not to mention the empires themselves—even the great empires were far too numerous to count.
In Jade Nation's eyes, Luyuan Empire was an insurmountable giant. Yet across the entire Yalen Continent, Luyuan Empire was hardly worth mentioning.
At this moment, in the imperial court of Luyuan Empire, Emperor Victor Fan's hands trembled slightly—whether from anger or fear, it was hard to say.
He had just received word that cultivators had intervened in a mortal army battle on Jade Nation's border. If cultivators fully involved themselves in worldly warfare, what use was an emperor like him?
"Someone, go invite the Immortal here!" Victor Fan barked, his voice echoing through the hall. Beyond anger, he was truly afraid.
The subordinate states knew nothing of cultivators' existence, but Victor Fan did. If one of those rule-breaking cultivators came to the palace and killed him, he might die without anyone ever knowing how.
No matter how strict the palace guards, they were still only mortals. Cultivators could appear and vanish at will, their powers vast and mysterious. Killing an emperor with only martial artist strength was as easy as slicing vegetables.
"No need to invite me. I already know." A sudden voice rang out as a man in a yellow robe strode in, followed by another.
Before the yellow-robed man could finish speaking, a thunderous crash shook the outer palace—the forbidden guards stationed outside were blasted away, their bodies thrown dozens of meters. Out of the swirling dust stepped a young man with a crimson-bladed longsword, flanked by two men, into the half-ruined grand hall.
It was Joe Di, accompanied by Frank Fields and Gabriel Bowen. Although Frank Fields had a closer bond with Joe Di, it was Gabriel Bowen whom he chose to bring—he knew Frank Fields wasn't suited to be king, so he and Joe Di decided to bring Gabriel Bowen instead.
The yellow-robed man saw Joe Di and threw a punch, but Joe Di moved instantly, landing a kick squarely on his face. The man crashed into Victor Fan, and the two tumbled together like gourds.
Even the Immortal couldn't withstand Joe Di's kick. In the grand hall, everyone was silent as crows—no one dared utter a word.
Joe Di swept his gaze across the hall, letting out a sigh. Many years ago, in the imperial court of Jade Nation, his father, Di Shan, had been similarly humiliated by Victor Fan.
"You are a cultivator from the previous generation. How can you interfere in mortal affairs?" The yellow-robed Immortal crawled up, his voice tinged with fear.
He was certain Joe Di's strength far surpassed his own, but he still had to deliver these words.
Joe Di glanced at him disdainfully and said coldly, "West Jue State can bombard Jadegate City with cannons, but I can't intervene?"
"Victor Fan, did you dare use cannons?" The yellow-robed man glared fiercely at the still-cowering emperor of Luyuan Empire.
Victor Fan was trembling with fear—he never expected such a thing would be exposed.
"I don't know—it was them, themselves..." Victor Fan's words trailed off, unable to finish.
Seeing Joe Di approach, the yellow-robed cultivator quickly cupped his fists. "I am from Springwell Sect, a Five Star sect. Luyuan Empire is a vassal of our sect..."
Joe Di kicked the yellow-robed cultivator aside again. "Springwell Sect? That's nothing. I destroyed the Inferno Sect—do you think your Springwell Sect is stronger than Inferno Sect?"
"Inferno Sect is senior..." The yellow-robed cultivator started to speak but dared not finish.
Though Five Star and Six Star sects differed by only one rank, dozens of Springwell Sects couldn't compare to a single Inferno Sect. The destruction of Inferno Sect was still a mystery among cultivators on Yalen Continent. Now, the one who destroyed it had appeared in public—if he wanted to wipe out Springwell Sect, it would be child's play.
This was a world where only the strong had a voice. In front of this senior, not to mention a mere Golden Core cultivator—even Springwell Sect itself had no right to speak.
Joe Di's gaze fell on the yellow-robed cultivator. "Do you know why I'm not killing you?" he asked calmly.
"Please enlighten me, Senior." The yellow-robed cultivator no longer dared to mention his sect.
Joe Di beckoned Gabriel Bowen forward. Once Gabriel approached, Joe Di said, "This is Gabriel Bowen, the new king of Jade Nation. I want you to help Gabriel stabilize Jade Nation within three months. From now on, Jade Nation is no longer a vassal of Luyuan Empire. Understood?"
"Yes, yes... I understand, Senior."
Joe Di pointed at the still-cowering Victor Fan. "If this man dares utter a single word of nonsense, destroy Luyuan Empire outright. Otherwise, let Inferno Sect be a lesson to Springwell Sect."
Victor Fan hastily knelt. "Immortal, I will do my utmost to help Jade Nation rebuild. From now on, Jade Nation is no longer a vassal of Luyuan Empire."
Gabriel Bowen clenched his fists in excitement. He had been Frank Fields' advisor, but now fate had turned—he was king, something he had never dared to dream.
"Bowen, do your best. Perhaps, years from now, I will return to see you again." Frank Fields patted Gabriel Bowen on the shoulder, having resolved to follow the young master into the world of cultivation once this was done.
(That's all for today's update. Good night, friends!)