Castle of Black Iron

When Xuanyuan Fortress appeared in his vision, Zhang Tie could still faintly hear the exclamations of the Hua corps fighters who were receiving new weaponry. As a result, Zhang Tie felt a bit less guilty unconsciously. Perhaps, nobody knew that Zhang Tie disliked war since he was born; neither did he like to see others going for death. Zhang Tie didn’t feel like celebrating it whether the others were dying in a glorious or humble manner.

However, as a male knight in such a damned secular world, he had no other choice but to escape and hide somewhere like a coward or go to the battlefield like a fighter who buried his mercy and sadness in his heart resolutely by turning himself into a scorching piece of steel and faced challenges one after another as well as cleaning up all the demons who wanted to enslave and exterminate humans once again. The more demons he killed, the more comfortable he would be; if he could kill all the demons, he would feel completely satisfied with it.

Because it was wartime, after Zhang Tie escorted the first batch of weaponry to the ground logistic base in Helan Mountain Range, he didn’t stay there too long. After having a short drink with the 7 corps leaders, he had restarted his trip by airboat towards the air territory between Weishui River and Helan Mountain Range where Xuanyuan Fortress was located in before the weaponry was fully transferred.

When he saw Xuanyuan Fortress once again, it was evening while the sky was covered with stars. Xuanyuan Fortress and those surrounding battle fortresses were bathing starlight in the sky.

As Weiji General, Zhang Tie could directly keep his airboat at a berth in Xuanyuan Fortress.

“I might stay in Xuanyuan Fortress for a few days. All the other things would remain unchanged and at your disposal. You could return by this airboat…” Zhang Tie told Lu Yanyu before getting off the airboat.

“Erm…general, this airboat is your private vehicle. Just keep it here. Airboats would come here to provide supplies at regular time from provinces. We could return by one of those airboats…”

“I don’t need to be that luxurious here. It’s a waste for this airboat to stay here. You go back by airboat first. When I need it, you could assign the airboat to pick me up…” Zhang Tie waved his hand to stop Lu Yanyu. After 2 seconds’ silence, Zhang Tie added, “Perhaps…there would be a new Weiji General…”

Zhang Tie’s last words had Lu Yanyu widen his eyes at once as he watched Zhang Tie with an unbelievable expression, “General…general…wants to resign…”

After being in the officialdom of Taixia Country for dozens of years, Lu Yanyu didn’t believe that Zhang Tie could make such a decision in his heyday. After taking office for over half a year, Zhang Tie had successfully met the supply of grains, Fiery Oil and airplanes in the theater of operations. So many official businesses, major clans and commoners had benefited from the grains, Fiery Oil, airplanes and weaponry that Zhang Tie had provided in the Huanzhou Province, Kangzhou Province, Ningzhou Province and Military Province. Everybody appreciated him very much. Weiji General was prevailing in the officialdom and was deeply favored by the people; especially after the bumper harvest when Zhang Tie’s prestige skyrocketed and could almost match that of the commander of the Peacewest Military Region. In that case, as long as Zhang Tie maintained everything in the rear end unchanged without doing anything else for a couple of years, when the rear end’s situation was completely consolidated with a few more times’ bumper harvests, his meritorious deeds on production and supply of Fiery Oil, grains and weaponry would be as great as that of commander of a military region in Taixia Country. When Zhang Tie promoted to a shadow knight, he would easily be elected as the commander of a military region.

Lu Yanyu couldn’t understand why Zhang Tie would resign at this moment. If he resigned at this moment, it was equal to gifting his meritorious deeds to others. ‘Is cultivation so important for a knight?’ Even if Zhang Tie served as Weiji General, he could still cultivate. Take a few days ago as an instance. Although Zhang Tie disappeared for over 2 months, the rear end still ran as usual.

“I indeed have such an idea…”

“General…” Lu Yanyu moved one step forward out of excitement as he bowed towards Zhang Tie deeply, “Although this subordinate is not very familiar with general’s temperament, this subordinate has noticed everything that general has done for the theater of operations over the past half a year and kept it deep in mind. General’s method is too inspiring. Without the general, there would not be such a good situation facing the rear end. General is far-sighted and generous. Gentleman’s morality is fine intoxication and education which glorifies all the 4 provinces. This subordinate really admires the general for what you have done. General, please listen to this subordinate’s sincere words. If you resign at this moment, it would be too pitiful. Please think twice before making a decision…”

Watching Lu Yanyu, Zhang Tie cupped his hands towards him solemnly as he said, “Thanks for your sincere advice, Mr. Lu. I don’t feel regretful hearing your words at this moment!”

“This subordinate expects that the general could continue to be the Weiji General of the theater of operations. If the general resigned at this moment, the subordinates’ morale would decline, the pretty good over situation facing the four provinces would also be weakened. I believe that Military God would never agree with your resignation!” Lu Yanyu said. After being silent for a few seconds, he added, “Even though the prime minister has an unrivaled power, Meng Shidao would not dare offend the general given your status of Weiji General and your great military exploits.”

Zhang Tie shook his head with a smile as he replied, “It’s not because of Meng Shidao. Even though I have a bright future in officialdom and could become one of the top 3 chancellors of Taixia Country in the future, it’s not what I want!”

“I see, it seems that the general has other ambitions…” Lu Yanyu was enlightened suddenly as he watched Zhang Tie with an admirable and sophisticated eye light as if it was his first time to know Zhang Tie. What a strange world! What many people strove for was nothing but a piece of sh*t for others because someone would jettison high position and vanity like abandoning a pair of broken shoes.

Patting Lu Yanyu’s shoulder, Zhang Tie said, “Take care of yourself…”. Closely after that, Zhang Tie left the airboat under the sophisticated gaze of Lu Yanyu.

A knight subordinate of Zuoqiu Mingyue was waiting for Zhang Tie outside the airboat.

Since he left Xuanyuan Fortress as Weiji General, it was Zhang Tie’s first time to return to Xuanyuan Fortress for reporting on his work.

A black sedan was waiting outside the airboat. Zhang Tie became a bit stunned by it. Because no knight would even throw a glance at it on the ground; however, in Xuanyuan Fortress, there were very few sedans and were pretty eye-catching. It’s the traffic tool for important figures in the fortress. Even a heavenly knight would not fly here and there in the air fortress.

After getting in the sedan, Zhang Tie had been transported towards the high tower in the center of the fortress. On the way, all the knights on two sides of the roads moved their eyes onto the passenger in the vehicle…

“What? Is that Qianji Hermit? Qianji Hermit has returned to Xuanyuan Fortress…” Some knights recognized Zhang Tie at once…

“Isn’t Qianji Hermit the Weiji General of the rear end? Why did he come back to Xuanyuan Fortress…”

“Do not make a fuss! Who told you that Weiji General can’t come back? Hillbilly…”

The result was that the news that Zhang Tie had returned to Xuanyuan Fortress had been spread over the air fortress before he met Zuoqiu Mingyue…