Chapter 995 - 993: Earning Their Conviction
"No, no, no, I dare not offend anyone. This Commander’s Seal was promised by me personally to be handed over to you. I don’t want to lose credibility with others. You are now the boss of North City. As for whether you want to unite or not, that’s your business." Fang Yan said indifferently.
"Also, right now the Fang Family is just a big family doing business in North City, not some City Lord. Don’t see us as so noble." Fang Yan seemed a bit angry, truly sighing over the loss of the Fang Family’s power.
However, Fang Yan had more faith in Chen Tianlong. Although giving up the Fang Family Army that he had personally built was a bit reluctant, this was the best outcome.
"Are you saying, with military power in my hand, I can decide the merger relationship between North City and the Ice Hall?" Chen Tianlong finally understood.
"You could say that." Fang Yan nodded.
"Alright, I announce...."
"Wait, wait, wait, why are you announcing it to an old man like me? You should issue a notice, let the people of North City know. The most critical point is to make the North City army obey you. Although you have military power, earning their respect is not easy, you need to visit the military camp." Fang Yan suggested.
"Ah? It’s that complicated?" Chen Tianlong smiled bitterly, realizing that management isn’t that easy, having to give speeches and all.
"What did you think?" Fang Yan gave Chen Tianlong a glance and then said, "I can get the Fang Family to help you with the notice. As for the military, that’s up to you. Whether they respect you is another matter."
"Thank you, Master!"
Chen Tianlong said, then set off with Bing Ruxue towards the Fang Family military camp.
About twenty minutes later, accompanied by Xiaoli, Chen Tianlong and Bing Ruxue arrived at the Fang Family’s camp. At this moment, Xiaoli was very respectful towards Chen Tianlong. Grandpa Fang Yan had explained that Chen Tianlong would be the master of the Fang Family Army in the future. If they wanted to maintain their position in North City, it was best to maintain a good relationship with Chen Tianlong, or things would be bad.
Fang Dali’s injuries had not yet healed, and as for his strength, it was basically exhausted. Now he couldn’t even beat Xiaoli, clearly meaning Chen Tianlong had nothing to worry about.
"Chen Tianlong, please follow me." Xiaoli, trying to please Chen Tianlong, had already let go of past enmities. Initially, there wasn’t any deep hatred between him and Chen Tianlong, and now that the latter had greater strength and military power, if Xiaoli wasn’t sensible, there would only be one path left for him, and that was death.
Chen Tianlong smiled faintly, realizing that there’s no hatred that can’t be overcome, only oneself not being strong enough to intimidate others.
Soon after, Chen Tianlong and Bing Ruxue stood in front of the remaining forty thousand troops of North City. He then took out a Token, held it high over his head, and shouted loudly, "North City Army, all soldiers heed my command! I am Chen Tianlong, leader of the North City Army. I come today to inspect the camp and hope that, in the future, we can call each other brothers and build our peaceful home together."
"Wow~"
As soon as Chen Tianlong’s words fell, everyone began to discuss amongst themselves. They had handed over military power to a young man whom they had heard of, and most knew about the great battle that day. But many were dissatisfied, feeling that Chen Tianlong’s military power wasn’t obtained through his own ability, but rather relied on that Ghost-faced Man.
If it weren’t for the Ghost-faced Man, he might not have even been able to defeat them.
"Everyone quiet down. As the Grand Commander, if anyone is not convinced, they can step forward and speak." Chen Tianlong had already heard many voices of discontent. If they were forced into a merger with the Ice Hall under such circumstances, it would only be a superficial union, without any meaning.
The crowd quieted down slightly.
A minute later, suddenly a few people stepped out from the front row, and more gradually followed, until finally, nearly seventy percent were unconvinced.
"Those in the front row who are not convinced, listen up. I am now the Grand Commander. You may not be convinced, but you must obey orders. Form into ten rows, in formation!" Chen Tianlong suddenly stepped forward and shouted.
The sound was like an ancient bell outside the city, suddenly ringing in the middle of the night, very impactful.
The unconvinced soldiers quickly formed ranks. After all, Chen Tianlong held military power, which meant he could take lives at any time. This is power.
You can be unconvinced, but you cannot disobey orders, that’s the rule in the military.
"Count off!" Chen Tianlong took a deep breath and shouted again.
The soldiers were a bit apprehensive, not knowing what Chen Tianlong was planning. They knew he was a ruthless person, but daring to take on so many of them seemed unlikely.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6..."
In an instant, the sound of counting echoed, very loud, shaking the sky above the entire camp.
After about three minutes, the counting stopped, and the final total number reached more than twenty-six thousand.
"Very well, twenty-six thousand are unconvinced, huh. Alright, let’s cut the chatter. If you’re men, speak out why you’re not convinced." Chen Tianlong stood imposingly before them, exuding a strong presence.
At this moment, a few leaders stepped forward. These were Fang Dali’s trusted subordinates, who had followed for many years, and now suddenly receiving orders to hand over military power to Chen Tianlong was not pleasing to them.
The reason was simple, they feared they wouldn’t be valued in the future, and also believed that Chen Tianlong’s capabilities weren’t sufficient to lead their forty thousand troops as the Grand Commander.
"I think you can’t do it!" This Profound Dao seven-star soldier stepped forward with a very unconvinced expression, staring at Chen Tianlong.
"Oh? Which aspect are you referring to?" Chen Tianlong smiled mischievously, making Bing Ruxue blush after hearing it, knowing what he meant.
"Hmph, it doesn’t matter which aspect, you’re not good enough in any of them!" The man was already at odds with Chen Tianlong, and his words grew more unpleasant.
"Oh, is that so?"
As soon as Chen Tianlong’s words fell, he flashed behind the man, then quickly lifted his right leg, "Taste my rocket-exploding leg."
"Boom!"
There was a muffled sound, and the man was kicked in the buttocks by Chen Tianlong, causing him to fall face-first into the dirt.
Seeing such a brutal scene, those who were unconvinced began to feel apprehensive.
"Hmph, what’s the big deal? You’re the Grand Commander, and he’s just a small soldier. Defeating him is normal, nothing impressive, and it doesn’t prove your capability." Another of Fang Dali’s loyal subordinates stepped out to say a fair word.
"Then how many people do you think it would take to prove my capability?" Chen Tianlong sneered coldly, asking directly.
"According to the old rules, one against a hundred, we choose the people. No weapons, if you can defeat us empty-handed, then we admit you’re the victor and we’ll all respect you!" That man believed that the ones he’d choose would all be elites from the military. If a hundred of these elites attacked and couldn’t deal with Chen Tianlong, perhaps then they would be convinced.
"A hundred?" Chen Tianlong was stunned, thinking they would send more, but a hundred was just like scratching an itch to him.
"What? Are you scared?" The young soldier saw Chen Tianlong’s surprised expression and sneered disdainfully.