chapter 16 What's the use of staying if you don't protect the country's borders?

Ten days passed in a flash.
Sungarde County had become the center of attention within the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty, making one marvel at the influence of a split territory and enfeoffment of kings.
The king himself was inconspicuous.
Yet Kate alone could command the attention of the world and steer its trends.
As the morning sun rose, a massive crowd gathered near the Sungarde Sect, creating a buzzing atmosphere.
Kate had already declared that the Red Dragon Martial Gathering was a grand event for the heroes, open only to cultivators of the Black Martial Realm or high-ranking officials, yet it still attracted commoners.
Even just a distant view of the Red Dragon's heroes was worth the trip.
In front of the Sungarde Sect's gates, the crowd was dense.
"The Great Sect of the Martial Dynasty, Watermoon Sect, presents three volumes of earth techniques, congratulating Mr. Farran on reaching Transcendence!"
"The Great Sect of the Martial Dynasty, Crouching Dragon Mountain, presents ten boxes of treasures, congratulating Mr. Farran on reaching Transcendence!"
"Governor Ryan Lane presents various Earth Martial elixirs, totaling ninety-nine, congratulating the Sungarde Sect on making its mark in the Red Dragon!"
...
Eight elders with their disciples were receiving these congratulatory gifts, feeling elated.
Isaac had broken free from his shackles, crossing the Bitter Sea.
Among the disciples of the sect, another Kate had emerged.
It was a double celebration, with even sects comparable to the Sungarde Sect coming to offer congratulations.
Such a glorious scene made the shadow cast by Liam's actions seem nonexistent.
Isaac, with a youthful appearance despite his age and flowing sleeves, stroked his beard and smiled.
"We must not neglect these guests."
"Prince Marshall, in particular, must be well entertained!"
Isaac looked towards the Sungarde Sect and spoke.
A Transcendence with limited lifespan had limited influence.
The guests came to offer congratulations largely due to Prince Marshall's face.
"Sect Master, don't worry. Miss Maya is taking care of Prince Marshall, so we needn't bother," Grand Elder Caleb said with a smile.
"Good."
Isaac nodded, a wild light shining in his murky eyes.
After Benjamin's death, it would take time to cultivate another Young Sect Leader.
His lifespan was short; he couldn't protect the Sungarde Sect for much longer.
King Charles had been splitting territories and enfeoffing kings for a long time. If they could align with him, the Sungarde Sect would surely thrive.
"Mr. Farran, congratulations."
At this moment, a bald elder strides forward, causing a stir among the onlookers.
The reason for the commotion is the arrival of Old Eagle Man, long renowned and ranked second in the Heaven Ranking.
"Brother Flying Eagle is too kind."
"Our strengths were comparable in the past. Since I've made a breakthrough, you have hope too."
Isaac modestly clasps his hands in greeting.
"Heh heh!"
"In the practice of martial arts, one must have a heart of bravery and diligence." M..
Old Eagle Man smiles bitterly, "My state of mind is damaged, I fear I may never break through."
"Is it because of the challenge ten days ago?"
Isaac's expression changes slightly, "Brother Flying Eagle, who was your opponent?"
Ten days earlier.
Old Eagle Man was challenged by a Black Robe Swordsman, a fact he too had heard about.
It's hard for him to imagine.
At the level of the Heaven Martial Realm, who could possibly defeat Old Eagle Man?
In response to Isaac's query, Old Eagle Man waves his hand dismissively and enters the mountain gate.
Such a shameful matter, he is reluctant to discuss further.
"Sect Master, Liam has arrived!"
At this moment, a disciple suddenly announces.
On the mountain path ahead, a group of people appears.
Liam, dressed in flowing white robes, is accompanied by over twenty clan members.
James and William, one on each side, act as guards.
"This genius of the Calvin family is indeed arrogant."
"It's said that he and Kate have a history."
The people at the mountain gate turn their heads in surprise, not expecting Liam to come.
Ten days earlier.
Liam had stormed the Sungarde Sect.
To return ten days later with so many clan members, isn't he afraid of complications from the Sungarde Sect?
"Kate has decreed, the Red Dragon Martial Gathering, non-essential persons should stay outside the mountain gate!"
A Sungarde Sect disciple shouts, "Members of the Calvin family, only Liam may enter!"
"Boy, let's see your performance!"
James's eyes flicker towards William.
Liam's last intrusion was as a member of the Calvin family.
This time, he returned as the North King.
Who could stop the North King's majestic presence?
"Good!"
William nods.
His body strengthened by blood cultivation, a Level 5 Black Martial Cultivator, he rushes forward in a blur, quickly repelling the disciple after a brief exchange.
"How audacious!"
"Today is the grand occasion of the Red Dragon, and yet a mere Black Martial dares to be so insolent!"
Ten Sungarde Sect disciples draw their swords, ready to fight William.
"Touch him, and this place will be flooded with blood."
James looks on with a cold gaze.
Since the North King has allowed William to follow, William is now part of the North.
Instantly, the ten disciples freeze, as if rooted to the spot.
Ten days earlier.
James accompanied Liam on his mountain incursion, a memory still fresh in their minds.
"Heh heh, such audacity for a renegade of the Sungarde Sect."
"You defy Kate's orders and confront Prince Marshall himself. Be careful, your life is at risk!"
A loud voice rings out, changing the expressions of everyone present.
Prince Marshall himself has come to the Sungarde Sect.
The speaker, mentioning Prince Marshall, clearly intends to provoke a dispute with malicious intent.
As expected.
An oppressive aura suddenly sweeps over from a distance.
A thousand heavily armored warriors appear, stationed in front of the mountain gate.
"The King Charles Army!"
Seeing these warriors, everyone shows a look of fear.
The Red Dragon Martial Dynasty's princes, with immense power, command formidable armies, known as the King's Armies.
With Prince Marshall's arrival at the Sungarde Sect, the King Charles Army is his guard.
"Such vigorous vitality, all are Black Martial Realm Cultivators!"
William feels somewhat intimidated.
The city guards of various counties pale in comparison to the royal forces.
The King Charles Army is the sword in King Charles' hand, capable of pacifying the lands. Who dares to oppose the royal forces?
However.
Liam remained calm, leading his clan towards the mountain gate.
At the same time, a cold voice transmitted, "Find the one who spoke out, kill them!"
No sooner had the word 'kill' been spoken.
James had already transformed into a blur, crashing into the crowd.
Immediately following.
A short-statured old man was dragged out by James.
He was one of the elders of the Sungarde Sect, named 'David Wakefield'.
Liam's killing of Benjamin had humiliated the Sungarde Sect, so they sought to use the King Charles Army to give Liam a lesson.
They did not expect Liam to dare such reckless action.
The elder, at Level 1 of the Heaven Martial Realm, had no power to resist against James and had his neck snapped.
"Hiss!"
As David's body fell, a series of gasps resounded.
Let alone today being the grand event of the Red Dragon Martial Dynasty.
Even on a normal day.
Shedding blood at the front of a Great Sect was a grave disrespect.
The crowd's eyes turned to see Isaac with a gloomy expression, standing aside.
If it weren't for Maya valuing Liam's talent and wanting to introduce him to Prince Marshall, Isaac would have acted that day.
Now, there was no need.
Because a thousand soldiers of the King Charles Army were already marching forward.
Ignoring the might of the King Charles Army, he only needed to watch the drama unfold.
"Surrender or be killed without mercy!"
The thousand warriors shouted in unison.
Bearing the name of King Charles, even a Heaven Ranking Expert would have to surrender!
"A mighty royal army, not guarding the borders, what use is it to keep them?"
Liam's eyes turned cold.
This thousand-strong force was indeed mighty.
Why, in the year of peril in the North, did they not appear on the battlefield to defend the borders, and now they stand out just to show off their might? This truly chilled his heart.
As Liam's words fell, James attacked like a whirlwind.