Twilight Boundary-Chapter 827 - 808: Making a Great Vow, Bestowing the Title of Ming King (6000 Words)_3
"In this way, you have two choices."
He paused slightly here and said, "One is to venture into the wide world as you please."
"With the resources you currently hold, the elite soldiers, and capable generals, it's not difficult to achieve something significant. Even if you encounter a formidable opponent in the future and suffer a major defeat, or meet an enlightened ruler, you can still surrender and pledge allegiance, securing a prosperous future."
Yang Gong asked directly, "And the other choice?"
Hu Ma was silent for a moment before saying, "The other choice is for me to use your battle formation to eliminate the grasshead king, gather destiny, eradicate the evil dharma, and suppress evil spirits and ghostly gods. I want to refine my altar, my Magic."
"If you are willing to help me, you can still walk the path of vying for the throne, and you will gain my assistance. However, you will also face even more formidable opponents and more sinister characters because of me."
"The risks would increase tenfold, and the difficulties would also be tenfold."
"Moreover, there will no longer be a chance to bow to others in allegiance; it's a one-way path, either to the end or to death."
Listening to this, Yang Gong had already fallen silent, his eyes wide open as he looked at Hu Ma.
"Furthermore..."
Hu Ma also looked at him and slowly said, "Not only will I help you, but more people will be willing to help you as well. However, they are all proud in nature, and the reason they are willing to lend a hand to us is also because of the most precious, the most sincere things in their hearts."
"Therefore, as a return, you cannot forget the content of the Heavenly Book that I passed on to you, nor forget your original intention. Although I do not require you to forge a Heavenly Army, there are some principles that you must always remember!"
"..."
Having spoken up to this point, Hu Ma paused, seriously watching Yang Gong, waiting for him to make his own choice.
To engage in a duel with the ten surnames, such an army is necessary. Although Hu Ma could choose not to tell Yang Gong and not let him choose, he still felt that directly speaking out forthrightly was better.
Yet Yang Gong, in his silence, suddenly began to slowly smile at Hu Ma.
It was as if he had already become somewhat inebriated, suddenly saying, "Brother, do you still remember when Mingzhou was troubled by bandits, and I led people down from the mountains to eliminate them?"
"That time, it was you who saved me and gave me this knife. Actually, at that moment, it was as if I saw something, that my life was too cheap, and I should have died by the hands of those bandits then, with no one to remember."
"You changed my fate, allowing me to have today, something that the former me wouldn't have dared to dream of, so if you ask me if I dare to think about becoming an Emperor?"
"I certainly wouldn't dare to think about it; it's too grand."
"But, sincerely speaking, if there were truly an Emperor's seat placed in front of me, I would fight desperately to seize it. Given my background, even if I only briefly seized the throne, it would be as if my ancestral tomb emitted smoke for several years..."
"..."
Smiling, he turned and looked at Hu Ma, saying, "Besides, I actually know what you're worried about."
"Having a thousand fields makes you want ten thousand; becoming an Emperor makes you want to become immortal. There is a hole in the human heart that can never be filled; even brothers speaking of dividing family property will eventually have to tear each other's faces and fight."
"You don't want that day to come, so you always talk a lot of principles to me, and I'm also afraid of that day, so I speak a few heartfelt words to you."
"The Yang Gong of today values brotherhood more than the throne, but I also want to strive for the throne."
"However, I know my skills are not sufficient, so I can only exchange sincerity, so I want to make a grand wish here:"
"I, Yang Gong, will never forget my origins, will always remember the hardships I've suffered, will never wrong the people, and will never forget why I raised my army in the first place."
"I am also prepared to emerge from Mingzhou and meet the heroes of this world, so I wish for the protection of the gods and for assistance from various strange people. If there truly comes a day when incense burns high atop my ancestral tomb, but I become dissatisfied and change into another person..."
"Then, brother, you can come and cut off my head!"
"..."
As he spoke these words, he actually laughed happily; usually, he was enthusiastic, but he always showed some reverence for Hu Ma. Now, he boldly patted Hu Ma on the shoulder and said, "This is what I ask you to do."
"Let heaven and the ghostly gods bear witness; if you kill me, it won't be counted as betraying brotherly affection."
"..."
Looking into his eyes, clear and devoid of a trace of drunkenness, Hu Ma suddenly realized that this young man from a humble background had grown no slower than himself...
After a long while, he gently nodded, picked up a bowl of wine, and slowly drank it down.
It was also at this moment that far beyond the city walls, firelight surged, illuminating a part of the night sky. The troops causing unrest outside the city had already been reorganized and prepared, and the generals had lit charcoals, sending signals to the Food Protection Army inside the city.
At the same time, in the distant night sky, red lanterns emerged from the depths of the night.
Er Guotou, riding on his horse with a lantern in hand, was followed by the overwhelming Food Protection Army. As they slowly emerged from the night, it seemed as if this part of the world grew even heavier as a result.
In his eagerness, Er Guotou quickened his pace, finally bringing the Food Protection Army back to this Mingzhou Prefecture before the city.
"Brother, you have ample troops and abundant supplies; your reputation is far-reaching. This time, the Food Protection Army has also brought back enough Blood Food for you, ensuring that you have the confidence to conquer the world."
Hu Ma smiled and nodded at Yang Gong, saying, "Now, you should confer titles and commands, and march out of Mingzhou."
Yang Gong also looked at him and slowly nodded. The Mingzhou Food Protection Army had long been well-prepared; he was originally waiting for Hu Ma to return to discuss this matter. Seeing Hu Ma brought it up proactively, he knew the time had come.
