chapter 1 Weak crown crowned king

"Old legends say that when the blood moon hangs in the sky, disaster is sure to follow."
"Five hundred years ago, this phenomenon occurred on the same night that the first emperor of the Red Dragon broke his shackles, defied fate, and extended his life by a hundred years. From then on, the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty was established."
"Five hundred years of trials and tribulations, our Red Dragon Martial Dynasty has shattered the rumors and thrived. Although we have not produced another ruler as formidable as the first emperor, countless prodigies and talents have emerged."
"Some are born extraordinary, hailed as leaders among their peers; some break free from their chains, living freely in this world."
"Countless men of talent have faded away in the passage of time. Among the current generation, the 'North King' stands out."
In Greene Town, within the Moonlight Tavern, a lame old man was passionately recounting these tales.
His granddaughter, with her small face cupped in her hands, was listening with wide, sparkling eyes.
The old man, now in his twilight years, had served in the military in his youth. He had seen life and death and his heart was as deep as a still pond. Only when he spoke of the North King would he show a hint of excitement.
In the vast Red Dragon Martial Dynasty, how many could claim the title of king?
Only those with exceptional martial prowess and overwhelming authority could claim such a title.
North King.
A newly crowned king in the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty.
Half a year ago.
The enemy country had stationed five hundred thousand soldiers to launch a surprise attack on the North Stronghold of the Red Dragon.
At the critical moment.
A man emerged from the stronghold, wielding a heavenly blade. He fought until the leaves fell and the sun and moon toppled.
Half of the enemy's five hundred thousand troops were killed or injured, and the rest retreated a hundred miles. The lands of the Red Dragon remained unharmed.
This was the battle that led to his coronation.
The world is like a Bitter Sea. One must cross the Yellow Martial, Black Martial, Earth Martial, and Heaven Martial, the four major realms, and climb thirty-six small steps to reach the other shore and transcend the mortal coil.
From then on, one can fight freely among thousands of soldiers.
Throughout history.
Most people are ordinary, growing old and withering away in the Bitter Sea.
In the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty, with a population of billions, all of whom value martial arts, only a few can transcend the mortal coil.
The kings of the Red Dragon are exceptional in their martial prowess because they have reached the other shore and rank among the Transcendents.
The man who wields the heavenly blade has reached this realm.
Because the battle for his coronation took place in the North, he was dubbed the 'North King' by the current Warlord of the Red Dragon.
The North King rules the North, and his name has swept across the lands of the Red Dragon.
The emergence of the new king was so sudden that countless people dug into his background.
However, the results were chilling.
This new king had joined the battlefield in the North six years ago.
At that time, he was just an unknown soldier in the Yellow Martial Realm, honing himself amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood. He had already made numerous contributions and had gathered a group of soldiers who were devoted to their country under his command.
It was not until the battle for his coronation that his name shook the world.
Six years.
He had crossed the thirty-six small steps of the Four Realms of the Bitter Sea and transformed into a Transcendent Realm Expert.
This was a talent that shocked the world, enough to make any talent or prodigy in the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty pale in comparison.
The new king was only nineteen years old!
At nineteen, he transcended and was crowned king. In the five hundred years since the establishment of the Red Dragon, there had been no precedent for this. He had plenty of time to challenge the level of the first emperor of the Red Dragon.
All these factors made the people of the Red Dragon marvel.
Unfortunately, the real name of the North King has become a top secret.
The power of a king is not something that ordinary people can pry into.
Therefore, the North King is the most mysterious existence among the kings of the Red Dragon.
The tavern was very quiet.
The diners gathered here were engrossed in the words of the lame old man.
"Mr. Jack, you also experienced the coronation battle half a year ago."
Someone respectfully asked, "Have you ever seen the true face of Lord North King?"
The lame old man was named Jack Farnham. He was an old soldier who had given his youth to defend his country. He was a true hero, deserving of everyone's respect.
"No."
Jack looked gloomy and touched his right leg.
If it hadn't been for that battle, if the enemy's army hadn't been so fierce, how could he have been left disabled and forced to retire in regret?
His rightful place should have been on the battlefield.
Even.
He had dreamed of following the North King.
All these expectations had turned into smoke.
"Mr. Jack, don't be sad..."
"You are a master of the Black Martial Realm. If you take good care of your injuries, you may be able to return to the battlefield. You might even become a member of the North King Army and continue to shine."
The tavern owner brought over a pot of aged fine wine.
"No, I can't."
Jack quickly got up, looking a bit awkward.
He had given his best years to the battlefield. Now that he had retired, life was very frugal.
Coming to this tavern, a handful of peanuts and a pot of turbid wine were already a luxury.
This pot of fine wine was not something he could afford.
"Mr. Jack, this is my treat."
"Besides, everyone here enjoys the strange and interesting stories you tell."
The owner said with a smile, but old Jack still insisted.
The owner had no choice but to give up.
"Old man."
"We both have struggled in piles of corpses. Eating and drinking together shouldn't be too much, right?"
A young man came over and sat down, his smile warm.
"Kid, have you been on the battlefield?"
Jack's eyes lit up as he looked at Liam Calvin.
"I have."
Liam ordered some beef and roast chicken, took out his wine bag, and personally poured a drink for the old man.
"Hanmen Pass's unique strong liquor!"
Jack took a sip and tears welled up in his eyes.
This strong liquor was spicy and tasteless, no diner would like it.
But the warriors of the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty liked it very much. Drinking a few sips before going into battle could alleviate the pain of injuries.
"There aren't many young talents in the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty like you who are willing to go to the battlefield at such a young age."
Jack no longer doubted, his goodwill towards Liam increased greatly.
"People have their own ambitions, and they can't be forced."
Liam tore off a chicken leg and handed it to the old man's granddaughter.
The girl, named Chloe, was about seven or eight years old.
Her simple clothes were patched, her cheeks were rosy, and she was quite cute.
Looking at the chicken leg, she swallowed and only started eating with a wide smile after getting the old man's permission.
"Eat slowly, all of this is yours."
Liam served Chloe some food, showing great affection.
"Poor child."
Jack didn't refuse Liam's kindness and felt somewhat guilty.
In his early years, he joined the military. When he came back injured, his family had declined, leaving only his granddaughter.
He had poured all his love into her, but their material life was always not rich.
Liam was silent.
With the old man's cultivation, even if he retired from the battlefield, he could be treated as a guest of honor by some forces.
However, in his twilight years, with old wounds and difficulty walking, it was already good enough to maintain a livelihood.
"Big brother, you and grandpa have both been on the battlefield, have you seen North King?" At this moment, Chloe asked with her mouth full.
"North King?"
Liam chuckled, "Do you want to see him?"
"Of course."
"The youngest king of the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty, possessing a talent that shocks the world, and commanding three hundred thousand lions."
"Half a year ago, with the king's name, he was called the North King Army."
Chloe recited like an inventory: "He's so powerful, I guess he's either from a military family or has received the true teachings of a Great Sect."
After her grandfather came back, the person he mentioned the most was the North King.
Six years ago, when the North King joined the battlefield in the North, he was only thirteen years old.
Being crowned king at the age of majority, such a legendary figure, how could she not admire him.
"I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you."
Liam murmured softly, memories of the past flashing through his mind.
The North King of the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty.
Six years ago, he was just a discarded disciple of the 'Sungarde Sect'.
Passionate youths with dreams in their hearts, who doesn't want to shine and become a dragon or phoenix among people?
The Sungarde Sect is one of the Great Sects of the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty. It produces experts of the Earth Martial and Heaven Martial Realms, and is the aspiration of countless young boys and girls.
After suffering this blow, he felt like he had fallen into an abyss.
The high expectations of his parents, the promises made between him and his lover, all weighed heavily on him.
But he didn't fall into despair.
Feeling indignant, he enlisted at the border.
There are hundreds of paths, and who knows what the outcome will be if you don't walk to the end?
A sharp sword is forged through grinding, and the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold.
In the end, he succeeded.
Through countless trials and tribulations, he finally became the high and mighty North King.
After resolving the crisis in the North, he then disarmed and returned to his hometown.
"These six years, like a dream."
Liam's emotions fluctuated, and when he looked up again, he saw the old man hobbling with Chloe to the entrance of the tavern.
On the table, there were still a few copper coins left.
Liam sighed softly.
The old man's pride was unyielding, unwilling to take advantage of him.
"Old man, you're in the way, move!"
A sudden burst of yelling came, silencing the tavern.
Jack was pushed by someone, stumbled backward while holding Chloe.
Then.
A young man in purple clothes came in, followed by a group of people.
"What bad luck."
The young man in purple glanced at Jack, flicked his sleeve to dust off.
Jack steadied himself, bowed in apology, and was about to leave with Chloe.
"Old man!"
"To apologize to Mr. Quinn, you must perform the ritual of three kneels and nine bows!"
A burly man, seeing the young man's displeasure, immediately pressed on, his large hand pressing on Jack's shoulder.
"That's too overbearing!"
The diners in the tavern were all angry.
For such a trivial matter, they wanted to humiliate an old soldier who had defended his country!