Chapter 12: Dealing with Wu Yong (Request for Favorites and Votes)

Yang Tian raised his hand, signaling for everyone to stand down.

This man likely had something wrong with his head. With that sort of manner, he must have some extraordinary family background to have survived and even become a leader in the Wild City. Yet, to call him cowardly and timid was a peculiar way of thinking.

Yang Tian was certain that, even if no one praised his method of self-preservation, no one would ever think of him in such a manner.

Wu Yong, instead of admitting fault or restraining himself, continued to mock Yang He, saying, “You must be one of the Yang Family Generals, right? No, you’re not—without being on the battlefield, you don’t count. All the real Yang Family Generals fought and died alongside the Marquis Champion, becoming models for all soldiers. What a pity you follow such a master.”

Yang He and his two companions were furious. To claim they were unworthy of the Yang Family Generals, and to keep insulting the young lord—it was unbearable.

“Why are you still standing here? Why not rush into the Northern Barbarians’ lands and kill the enemy? Why not fight the savage beasts? Turns out, you’re just another coward who clings to life,” Yang Tian said calmly, without a trace of agitation.

Cowardice was not a crime.

Truth be told, Yang Tian truly did not wish to die.

Why should he foolishly declare he would seek justice and vengeance, then follow the Marquis Champion to the grave? Even if he really were the Marquis’s son—not just a transmigrator—he would choose to live, and then seek revenge in his own time.

Chen Qinglin quietly gave his approval.

Yang Tian truly deserved his reputation as someone who could survive in desperate situations. This counterattack was sharp and decisive.

He showed none of a youth’s restlessness or anger, nor did he rush to argue. He responded with calm composure.

That ability to control his emotions, to keep an unchanging face—Chen Qinglin, already past fifty, could only admire it.

When he learned how Yang Tian became lord of the Wild City, he once suspected there might be a wise master guiding him from the shadows. Now, he was certain—Yang Tian was no ordinary youth, and needed no one to guide him.

“Nonsense! How could I be like you, clinging to life? I have to think of the Wild City. If I die, no one will lead the soldiers to defend the walls—the city will fall!” Wu Yong shouted, full of unshakable self-confidence, as if Yang Tian had gravely insulted him.

Chen Qinglin rolled his eyes and fell silent, no longer willing to speak up for him.

Yang Tian was left speechless.

He saw no sign of guilt in Wu Yong; he seemed to believe every word he said.

Wu Yong’s mind was surely muddled, and yet he seemed blissfully unaware.

Yang Tian never considered himself a tolerant man. Just for Wu Yong’s insults and mockery, he was unfit to be under his command.

“Well said. But now that I am here, the safety of the Wild City is my concern. If you truly care for the city, then go hunt savage beasts. Kill two hundred lesser beasts, or fifty of the mid-rank variety, and I’ll pardon your grave disrespect. Otherwise, prepare for execution.”

“My lord, isn’t that a bit much…” Chen Qinglin said, his heart pounding, but couldn’t help but try to plead.

Yang Tian shot him a cold look, and he fell silent at once.

A chill ran from the top of Chen Qinglin’s head through his whole body. Yang Tian’s gaze was filled with authority and indifference.

Terrifying!

He now understood Yang Tian, the new city lord, more deeply.

Calm and clever, ruthless and decisive, swift in meting out punishment—already, at such a young age, he commanded the presence of a king.

The Qin Kingdom would surely become even more turbulent.

“Fine! I’ll kill savage beasts—not for fear of losing my head, but to gather meat for our soldiers. The Wild City is yours to defend. If you fail, I won’t care if you’re the lord or the Marquis’s son—I’ll kill you myself,” Wu Yong said, giving Yang Tian a deep look and agreeing without hesitation, even issuing his own brazen threat.

Everyone was stunned.

Wu Yong was certainly a unique character.

No wonder he acted so recklessly—perhaps that was simply how his mind worked.

Everyone understood: Yang Tian did not want Wu Yong to live. Sending him to hunt beasts was just a pretext.

Though Wu Yong was of the seventh rank in martial arts and seemed more than capable of slaying lesser beasts—two hundred didn’t seem life-threatening—it was a grave mistake to think so.

Lesser savage beasts, by martial rank, included the first, second, and third tiers—far below Wu Yong’s seventh rank.

One on one, he could dispatch them with ease.

However, savage beasts were pack animals, living together in territories of dozens or even hundreds. Kill one, and you stir up a hornet’s nest. The whole pack would swarm, and even a seventh-rank martial artist couldn’t withstand them.

To kill two hundred, one by one, would take a long time.

With Wu Yong’s temperament, he would likely attempt it seriously—and his chances of dying were high.

If he failed, he’d die anyway upon returning.

Wu Yong left the city alone, heading for the Thorn Ridge.

His solitary figure was bleak and poignant, almost stirring sympathy.

He was not a hypocrite—he truly acted according to his nature.

But Yang Tian did not regret his decision.

Every word and deed must bear its price.

If Wu Yong died, he deserved it.

If he truly met the demand, Yang Tian would not pursue it further.

Sending him to hunt beasts, rather than killing him outright, was simply to make the most of his abilities.

Savage beasts were valuable.

They could bring resources to the Wild City—a thought Yang Tian never lost sight of.

“Yang He, the border defense is yours. Don’t let me down,” Yang Tian instructed, appointing him in Wu Yong’s place to command the city’s defenses.

“Yes, young lord,” Yang He replied without wasteful words. All that mattered was loyal obedience.

Yang Tian considered, then said, “From now on, address me as city lord.”

“Yes, city lord.”

Yang He was more than capable of commanding the border defenses.

Though only sixth rank in martial arts, not as strong as Wu Yong, he could certainly lead two thousand men to defend the city.

The Marquis Champion had trained them well in many ways.

Tens or hundreds of thousands would be beyond Yang He’s skill, but two thousand, especially just for defense—not for leading a charge—was well within his ability.

After a meal in the barracks, Yang Tian again lamented the harsh conditions.

Imperial supplies were mainly for the border soldiers.

Even so, their daily fare was only steamed buns and thin porridge—barely enough to fill the belly.

Even a fat man would waste away over time.

As for the common folk, they could hardly hope to have enough to eat.

He must quickly find a way to develop the Wild City, or hard times would persist.

Later, after accompanying Yang He in taking charge of the outer defenses, Yang Tian returned to the city lord’s residence with Chen Qinglin.

It was already evening.

Chen Qinglin wanted to host a welcoming banquet.

Yang Tian refused.

With so little in the Wild City, there was no point.

He didn’t need a banquet to get to know the officials; there were only a dozen or so—he could see through them at a glance.

If there were no major problems, they would stay on.

Yang Tian entered his quarters—the buildings were, naturally, decrepit.

Still, the place was much cleaner and tidier, having been thoroughly swept.

“Young master, the main hall has been prepared for you. The rest will take more time to put in order, since it’s been abandoned for years,” Wang Fu greeted him.

“Arrange it as you see fit. Everyone has a place to stay, I assume?” Yang Tian asked.

“The estate is large enough—accommodations are no problem,” Wang Fu replied.

Thinking of Wu Yong, Yang Tian added, “By the way, Uncle Fu, are you familiar with the Earl of Huai’an? He has a son, Wu Yong. Today…”