"You once fought blood-soaked battles against the Eternal Night Demons on the Divine-Demon Battlefield. Your character is exceptional, your cultivation and combat power outstanding—you are a model among the military ranks. Today, I confer upon you the title of Commander of the Slaughter Demon Legion, with command over 500,000 troops of various unit types. You are hereby granted the Slaughter Demon Command Token."
Yi Tianxing's voice rang out with authority as he issued the conferment.
He had never doubted Cheng Yaojin's ability. Back then, on the Divine-Demon Battlefield, Cheng had fearlessly stood up for Yao Yue and Lian Xing. That moment was forever etched in his memory. Now that Cheng had joined Great Yi, it was only natural not to mistreat him. The reason Yi hadn't immediately appointed him was to give him time to familiarize himself with the troops.
"Thank you, my king, for this great honor. Cheng Yaojin accepts the command."
Cheng replied respectfully, his voice full of sincere gratitude.
For the first time, he felt a true sense of belonging to Great Yi. Joy radiated from his face.
During his time in the military camps, he had quickly built camaraderie with the soldiers. The atmosphere was warm and invigorating. Cultivation in the army advanced by leaps and bounds, and the men were all passionate warriors—just his kind of people. He had long hoped for a day when he could be entrusted with heavy responsibilities, to lead troops for Great Yi and expand its territory.
Yi Tianxing raised his hand, a gleam of light flashed, and a command token appeared. It split in two—one half remained with Yi Tianxing, the other floated toward Cheng Yaojin. This was the Military Command Token—an inviolable law within the Great Yi Dynasty.
Without a command token, no one could mobilize the army, regardless of rank or verbal orders. It was deeply ingrained in the hearts of all Great Yi soldiers.
Cheng Yaojin beamed as he received the token and carefully stored it away.
"Where is Guan Yu?"
Yi Tianxing called out again.
"Guan Yu is here," came the solemn reply as Guan Yu stepped forward.
"How has your time in Great Yi felt so far?" Yi Tianxing asked calmly.
"Great Yi is truly a sanctuary for the human race on the Eternal Continent. Few human settlements across the continent can compare. The human towns I've seen in the past pale in comparison."
Guan Yu's face was solemn, but his words carried deep sincerity. With Yi Tianxing's permission, he had traveled through Great Yi and witnessed the livelihoods of its people. He saw the vitality on every citizen's face—the unyielding spirit, the fearless drive. There was no terror of the chaotic world, no dread of beasts or alien races. On the contrary, they welcomed battle. Bounty hunters ventured into the wilderness to fight ferocious beasts and foreign invaders.
Compared to them, humans elsewhere lived like dogs. In Great Yi, they lived with dignity.
To Guan Yu, this was what it meant to truly live.
The shock he had felt since arriving had never faded. After repeatedly visiting the military camps and witnessing the strength of Great Yi's troops firsthand, his thoughts had started to shift.
"Searching for elder brother is an endless road. This world is vast and unknowable. Now that I've found third brother, and Great Yi is a sanctuary for mankind, why not stay and defend it with him?"
This thought lingered more often in his mind. Especially when Zhang Fei urged him to stay—reminding him that there was still no trace of Liu Bei. Should he continue wandering the world aimlessly while human lives suffered?
It was clear from his tone that Guan Yu no longer resisted the idea of staying in Great Yi.
"General Guan, would you be willing to take up command in Great Yi?"
Yi Tianxing asked without euphemism or roundabout phrases. His status gave him the authority to speak directly.
Guan Yu paused in contemplation.
"Second brother, stay with us! We can fight side by side again, expand Great Yi's borders, and carve out a future for our people!" Zhang Fei couldn't help but interject, his expression full of hope.
He desperately wanted Guan Yu to remain, so the brothers could ride to war together again—feasting heartily and drinking deep. That would be true joy.
"Your Majesty, Guan Yu is willing to stay."
Zhang Fei's words seemed to be the final push that shattered the last barrier in Guan Yu's heart. He inhaled deeply and finally gave his respectful response.
"Excellent! With General Guan's aid, Great Yi shall be like a tiger with wings."
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed with joy.
"Guan Yu, receive your command."
"Guan Yu is here."
"You once fought bravely on the Divine-Demon Battlefield against Eternal Night Demons, and at the Rare Fruit Banquet, you battled foreign races, never shaming the human name. With outstanding character and the strength of ten thousand men, today I confer upon you the title of Commander of the God-Slaying Legion, with command over 500,000 troops. You are hereby granted the God-Slaying Command Token. This legion is one of the Four Supreme Legions, fitting your brotherhood with Yide."
Yi Tianxing issued the decree.
"Thank you, my king. Guan Yu accepts. I pledge my life in service to Great Yi!"
Emotion surged in Guan Yu's heart. To be immediately given such a position—he could not help but feel deeply moved.
Yi Tianxing produced a glowing command token once more. It split in two, half to Yi Tianxing, half to Guan Yu—the God-Slaying Command Token.
"Second brother, we'll ride together again!" Zhang Fei grinned from ear to ear.
"Indeed, third brother. We shall fight to keep this land peaceful."
The Four Supreme Legions were:
Slaughter Demon (戮妖) – Now led by Cheng Yaojin
God-Slaying (诛神) – Now led by Guan Yu
Demon-Breaking (破魔) – Under Zhang Fei
Immortal-Trapping (陷仙) – Yet to be assigned
Only one remained to complete the quartet.
"Nine Lives!"
Yi Tianxing called.
"Present!"
Nine Lives, clad in light armor, stepped forward.
"The Sky Cavalry Legion will be split into two: the Golden Scale Legion and the Divine Raven Legion. You may choose which to lead."
The current Sky Cavalry comprised both Golden Scale Birds and Fire Ravens. But combining them limited their full potential. Only by separating them could they unleash maximum power.
Among the spoils from the Divine-Demon Battlefield were precious military battle formation diagrams. One was the Divine Raven Incineration Formation, which required pure Fire Ravens to be effective. Mixing other birds weakened it.
Thus, the split was necessary.
"I choose to remain with the Golden Scale Legion."
Nine Lives responded without hesitation.
He had grown alongside the Golden Scale Birds; they were like brothers. He would not abandon them.
"Very well. Nine Lives, receive your command."
"Present!"
"Today I appoint you as Commander of the Golden Scale Legion, in charge of the Sky Cavalry's Golden Scale division. The size of your forces will grow with the number of Golden Scale Birds. Though small now, their numbers will soon grow."
Yi Tianxing nodded approvingly. In the Hongmeng Heavenly Emperor Tower, time flowed differently due to a time-based treasure. The birds could lay and hatch eggs rapidly, allowing a quick expansion of forces.
With their strength, the Golden Scale Legion would rival or even surpass the Fire Ravens.
"Thank you, my king."
A command token landed in Nine Lives' hand—his symbol of command.
"What about the Fire Raven troops?" Zhuge Liang inquired.
Yi Tianxing answered with action.
"Mù Guiying, step forward."
"Present!"
Mu Guiying, clad in armor, stepped forward, her expression heroic.
She had been serving in the Hundred Flowers Legion, forming a sisterly bond with Hua Mulan, and had fully immersed herself in military life.
"Are you willing to command the Fire Ravens as head of the Divine Raven Legion?"
Yi Tianxing asked, his gaze unwavering despite her being a woman.
"Of course!"
Mu Guiying trembled with excitement. Though already part of the Hundred Flowers Legion, no warrior could resist the chance to command their own legion.