The Strongest War God

The fear instilled by the Oracle Palace ran deep in the bones of the aborigines.

None dared to disobey its commands.

Killing the bearer of the divine decree was tantamount to challenging the might of the Oracle Palace itself.

It was a risk no one dared to take lightly.

The Oracle Palace’s prestige was unassailable.

Sensing Xetsa Yeza’s predicament, evident in her delicate touch to adjust her hair, Braydon Neal watched her depart.

“I’ll deliver the items before dawn. Don’t attempt to flee!” she cautioned, though Braydon had no intention of doing so.

Once Xetsa had left, the Northern Army Army’s regimental commanders exchanged puzzled glances, bewildered by their commander’s association with the woman.

Braydon addressed them softly, “You all understand the sacrifices made to secure Machusa today. Now, a golden opportunity lies before us. The territory of the Zunde Royal Dynasty is on the verge of falling into our hands. I see no reason to decline without shedding more blood.”

“But once you depart, returning won’t be easy,” Luther Carden reminded him gently, his tone laced with concern.

“What if the Oracle Palace poses a threat?” Cole Colbie inquired quietly.

“They wouldn’t dare,” Braydon responded with a faint smile.

The death of a martial arts adept like the Young Divine Lord, who had mastered the martial arts, within the Oracle Palace would have dire repercussions.

It would incite the fury of martial artists across the realms, heralding a new era of martial arts dominance.

Such an eventuality would be untenable even for the 16th Great Divine Priest.

“I’ve heard from Xetsa that the leaders of the South Pole and the aborigines’ higher-ups have been colluding for the past century,” Braydon disclosed softly.

“They may even have been in league with some Oracle Palace dignitaries. Certain descendants of the gods have crossed over to the outside world through the bronze door.”

“What?” Skylar Neal and the others exclaimed in shock and indignation.

The soldiers at the front lines had waged bloody battles, defending the country gate against the aborigine martial artists, ensuring they didn’t breach the bronze gate’s defenses.

To learn that someone of influence had colluded with the enemy was a betrayal of the highest order—a treasonous act that would rock the martial arts world if exposed.

Braydon, however, remained composed. “Over the years, many descendants of the gods from the outside world have likely assimilated into our society. We must be vigilant and safeguard ourselves against potential harm,” he advised calmly.

“At the same time, I suspect the Oracle Palace may already have access to our personal information,” Braydon continued, drawing conclusions from Xetsa’s intelligence.

Descendants of the gods in the outside world were likely relaying information back to the ruins periodically.

But the Oracle Palace, aware of the outside world’s martial weakness, wass cautious.

Why hadn’t they attacked the Bronze Gate?

Unless there’s a force in the outside world that could intimidate them, compelling them to adhere to the emperor’s decree.

Even martial artists at the emperor level would hesitate to engage in full-scale warfare.

Braydon elaborated further, “It’s not difficult for the Oracle Palace to gather information about me. They perceive me as a descendant of the Divine Lord due to my mastery of the martial arts banished immortal. They’ll go to great lengths to bring me to the Oracle Palace, perhaps aiming to influence my allegiance and instill their divine doctrines upon me.”

“Understood. The Oracle Palace will never allow the Young Divine Lord, as they perceive him, to align with the outside world or ancient martial arts,” Yuri Qualls remarked, his eyes alight with understanding.

With that, everyone grasped the Oracle Palace’s motives—to sever Braydon’s ties with the outside world, as he held a unique connection with the vitality martial arts path in the outside world.

The Oracle Palace deemed this association unacceptable, as Braydon was the vessel for the martial arts civilization’s most promising legacy—the Young Divine Lord, the future leader of all martial artists.

It was evident why the Oracle Palace sought to take Braydon away.

As dawn broke, the invigorating air refreshed everyone’s spirits.

Xetsa’s graceful figure appeared at the door, and with a flick of her hand, she placed 37 scrolls on the table.

The golden scrolls exuded a subtle allure.

“Thirty-seven divine decrees, not a single one missing. Is that sufficient?”

Xetsa inquired, confirming she had delivered as promised.

Braydon approached her with a nod of gratitude.

“Thank you for your trouble. Let’s depart.”

“Commander!” The ten lieutenant commanders and hundred regimental commanders rose as one, eager to accompany them.

“Your children are about to be born. Give them names,” Luther interjected with a sigh.

“I’ll name the boy. Let Heather choose for the girl,” Braydon decided, pausing to consider.

“Heather surely hopes for our children to lead peaceful lives. Even if they’re ordinary, it’s enough. Let’s name him Peace Neal.”

“That could be a nickname, not a given name,” Yuri Qualls interjected, shaking his head.

“Once the child is born, he’ll be the young master of the Northern Army, inheriting his father’s legacy. He’ll be crowned king in the northern territory and eventually ascend to the throne on Mount Tanish at twenty. This is the destiny of the Neal family.”

“We’ve endured much in our generation. If we bear these hardships, our future children won’t have to endure as much as we did in our youth,” Braydon added, expressing his hopes for his offspring.

With Xetsa, Braydon departed, uncertain when they would meet again.

As he boarded the ancient bronze ship, he bid farewell to the Northern Army sons, promising to return.

“Brother!” The Northern Army sons watched, their eyes misty with emotion, as the ancient vessel took off.

Braydon’s voice echoed from afar, “Let Heather, or the children’s grandparents, name the two children. I, Braydon, have honored my duty to Hansworth and its people, but I’ve also honored my obligations to Heather and my parents. Since our reunion, we’ve been apart. I will repay what I owe Heather in this life or the next.”

And with that, Braydon embarked on his journey, leaving behind the legacy of the Ning family.

…

Braydon’s voice grew softer and softer until the ancient bronze ship dwindled into a mere black dot and vanished from sight.

Frediano Jadanza, who had been stationed at Jaa’ku, stealthily made his way to the foot of Machusa.

From a distance, he observed Braydon boarding the ancient vessel.

“I’m still too weak,” Frediano muttered hoarsely. “If I were an emperor, I could overrun the Zunde Royal Dynasty. Braydon, why settle for just 5,000 miles of land?”

“If Braydon desires territory, I’ll seize it for him!” Frediano felt a profound sense of humiliation. Today marked a grave dishonor for the Northern Army—a day of great shame.

“If we had all become emperors, the Oracle Palace wouldn’t dare to take my brother away!” Westley Hader exclaimed fiercely.

“Without an emperor, the Northern Army shall not rest peacefully in my lifetime!” Luther declared with determination.

“If we don’t slaughter the Oracle Palace, I will never be at ease!” Yuri clenched his teeth, his eyes tinged with redness.

Today, they bore witness to their brother, who had shielded them since childhood, being snatched away by outsiders.

Braydon had been their protector in their formative years.