Why is the Phoenix flag of the Chu Kingdom appearing here?

Xiang Rong didn’t know, but there was no need to speculate about such matters. After all, back then, the Chu Kingdom was powerful and respected all around, and fierce generals were as numerous as clouds. Such things as the Phoenix flag were indeed preserved in abundance. After the fall of the Chu Kingdom, such old weaponry would often be sealed in various armories, just in case one day the weapons run out, they could be brought out to make up the numbers.

Of course, this is just an instinctive habit of people to reserve, most of the time, these old weapons are not actually taken out and equipped. Firstly, since everyone has new weapons to use, old weapons are not Divine Soldiers or magical artifacts, naturally, the new ones are slightly better.

Moreover, why use the Chu Kingdom’s old goods instead of the weapons of the Chen Dynasty? What’s the meaning of this?

"So, what does this mean?"

Xiang Rong became even more confused.

Since the opponent raised the Phoenix flag of the Chu Kingdom, does that mean...they’re allies?

But if there really are other remnants of the Chu Kingdom, how could he, the last royal heir of Chu, not know about it?

"I..."

For a moment, Xiang Rong was indecisive, not even knowing if he should go forward to pursue them.

But soon, he regained his composure.

It’s fake, must be fake. That monster must have just happened to find this flag in the armory, so it plans to use this flag against him... Of course, there’s a one-in-a-million chance that maybe the opponent really is another remnant of the Chu people, but for Xiang Rong at this moment, it doesn’t matter anymore.

Even if they really are remnants of the Chu Kingdom, it doesn’t matter, he will kill them all the same.

If they are Chu people, how can they not shed blood for the restoration of the Chu Kingdom? Moreover, this monster has already opposed him.

Opposing him, the last heir of the Chu Kingdom, is rebellion against the Chu Kingdom. As the last heir of the Chu royal family, he must quell this traitor!

"Kill!!!"

With renewed determination, Xiang Rong fought with even more intensity.

More, he needed to kill even more. Since that monster has already started to raise flags and gather troops and even spared those grassland warriors, he could pretty much guess the monster’s intentions—it undoubtedly discovered the true use of the Phoenix flag and plans to gather the warriors’ Evil Qi beneath the flag to unite their strengths and strike back fiercely.

This resembled something that old friend of his would teach, after all, compared to largescale slaughter to strengthen oneself, using the Phoenix battle flag to unite everyone’s power doesn’t necessarily require killing.

Is this what’s called the way of benevolence and justice?

"Interesting idea, but still foolish."

This was Xiang Rong’s evaluation of this strategy.

The so-called way of benevolence and justice is ultimately just something that makes people good and kind. This set of principles can teach obedient sheep, if lucky, perhaps teach hardworking oxen to follow it, but those who adhere to these principles could never become true apex predators—because when they want to take a step further, when they are truly about to transform into a strong force, this so-called benevolence will block them at the start.

Just like that old friend of his, clearly a talented genius with an unprecedented and powerful capability, yet due to these two words, benevolence and justice, he stifled himself in Ziyang Mountain.

Clearly a tiger descending from the mountain, yet forced to be tamed into a farm ox, whenever thinking of his old friend’s plight, Xiang Rong feels quite regretful.

And now, that pupil of his old friend, the wild and untamable monster, finally showed this tamed aspect.

Clearly a monster that feeds on tigers and wolves, yet taught as cattle and sheep by Ruan Shantao.

Cattle and sheep want to gather more comrades, perhaps the sheer number might provide them with courage, making them believe they possess some strength—indeed, eventually a group of cattle or sheep might defeat one or two normal tigers or wolves, but they can only achieve this extent.

"State Preceptor! What exactly are you doing!"

Looking at the widespread corpses, the fierce grassland warrior raised his large blade against Xiang Rong instantly.

"Have you betrayed us already! How dare you betray the Great Khan! Betray Northern Desert!"

As he spoke, the heavy blade in the grassland warrior’s hand emanated a thick beam of Evil Qi. Even the ground was plowed into deep trenches by its unparalleled sharpness, with fallen bodies being swept into the air by the blade light, detached limbs flying everywhere as if hell descended!

But facing such a terrifying strike, Xiang Rong only shook his head.

"What do you mean by betrayal, I’m not a Northern Desert person... Also, I’m contemplating a matter, you’re too noisy."

The spear pierced directly, its sharp point like a sword, pierced through the oncoming blade light.

Along with the grassland warrior’s head.

"This level is decent."

Looking at the increasingly luminous appearance of the spear in his hand, Xiang Rong nodded with satisfaction.

Indeed, tigers and wolves are distinct from cattle and sheep. Just one tiger or wolf life nourishes the spear a hundred times more than those cattle and sheep.

"So..."

Chewing on the dry military rations, Xiang Rong continued searching for more living beings to serve as bait.

Unlike that monster, he never attempted to conceal his tracks. Even knowing that monster waits in ambush ready to strike, it is of no concern to him.

Packs of cattle or sheep might frighten a fierce tiger, but with the spear in hand, he became the apex predator feeding on tigers and wolves.

No matter how many cattle or sheep come, it has no significance.

-------------------

In an underground armory in Yanzhou, Du Chengfeng continued to feast with the grassland people.

During this period, the grassland people he brought back have gathered to over two hundred, naturally, making it impossible for them to fit into the deepest room of the armory—so Du Chengfeng simply opened a few warehouse rooms to house the extra grassland warriors.

This further puzzled the grassland warriors, perplexed at what this warrior with a Qingyang dialect intends to do.

"Could it be you plan to use that battle flag?"

A knowledgeable grassland general vaguely deduced an answer.

"That red battle flag, are you planning to use that?"

"Ah? You mean this?"

Du Chengfeng momentarily didn’t understand what the grassland general was referring to.

But after the grassland general explained, Du Chengfeng understood. It turns out similar Phoenix flag things exist on the grasslands—they call it Sulutin trident battle spear. Rather than weapons, it’s more like military ceremonial pieces used to direct battle arrays. Although these arms are generally not used in battle to kill, they have special effectiveness in regulating Evil Qi conflicts and merging fighting spirits.

Just like when Du Chengfeng first encountered the Phoenix flag, all the weaponry’s Evil Qi in the Ji North armory merged under the flag, almost causing an Evil Qi explosion, a testament to its function.

"Ah, this..."

Listening to the grassland general, Du Chengfeng scratched his head.

He didn’t witness this when grinding this flag, clearly, the Chu Kingdom general back then was unfortunate, unable to manifest the flag’s remarkable skill until death on the battlefield—instead, after the general’s death, as the flag wandered and gathered dust in the armory, that’s when it began to flaunt its prowess.

Using the battle flag to unite everyone’s strength for a single strike...

"I hadn’t thought about that."

Ending his scratch, Du Chengfeng candidly replied.

This is truthful, considering he previously didn’t know how to use the flag appropriately.

"Then why did you bring us back?"

The grassland warriors grew increasingly confused.

"Neither for our lives nor our assistance, then why bring us back?"

"If you must have a reason... Sorry, I don’t know either."

Du Chengfeng shook his head.

"Honestly, I truly don’t know, nor have I ever considered it."