Chapter 226: For the Country and the People
"Your father is Yang Guofeng?!"
Ye Ling stared intently at Yang Mianli as he asked in a deep voice.
Yang Mianli's eyebrows raised slightly as he indifferently said, "Of course, why would I lie to you about this sort of thing?"
"But wasn't there news of Elder Yang's death after that battle?"
Chen Dao immediately asked.
Yet Yang Mianli had no intention of explaining this matter and simply fell silent.
Seeing his reaction, Ye Ling's brow furrowed slightly, then he said solemnly, "Where is Elder Yang? I am Ye Ling, the Northern Liao King. I ask that Elder Yang show himself!"
Ye Ling's voice echoed throughout the entire Yang family courtyard, alarming everyone within.
"The Northern Liao King! You are the Northern Liao King!"
Yang Mianli said with a look of terror on his face.
At this moment, he seemed to understand why Wang Kaoshan, with only Grandmaster-level skills and no background, had been able to secure the position of the East Sea Martial Alliance Hierarch.
Ye Ling, however, paid him no heed and turned his gaze toward the depths of the Yang family courtyard.
There, he sensed the aura of a war king approaching at an incredibly fast pace.
Ye Ling knew that this was Yang Guofeng's presence! Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire
The national warrior who had fought for the Dragon Nation and the East Sea was about to appear before him!
Soon after, an elder appeared within everyone's sight.
"Who here is the Northern Liao King?"
The elder immediately inquired upon his arrival, his words carrying a hint of urgency.
Seeing the elder, a look of shock flashed through Ye Ling's eyes as he said excitedly, "Elder Yang Guofeng! You really aren't dead?"
"It seems you are the Northern Liao King?"
Yang Guofeng's gaze settled on Ye Ling and then, with a light laugh, he said, "After that battle, someone concealed the news that I was still alive."
"What about you, what's happened with Zhan Wuya? Has he retired or..."
Ye Ling's expression changed slightly, and he sighed before saying, "My master fought for his country for many years, falling ill from it, and has long since passed away..."
Upon hearing this, Yang Guofeng's gaze hardened slightly before he, too, let out a sigh.
He then said solemnly, "Zhan Wuya has passed away, that is indeed regrettable..."
"Elder Yang, my master once lamented that he could not drink with the three national warriors of the East Sea and considered it a lifetime's regret."
Ye Ling subdued his emotions before speaking up.
Yang Guofeng's eyebrows raised, and he said with a hint of lament, "What national warriors are we compared to Zhan Wuya?"
"The old Northern Liao King guarded Northern Liao, battling for the Dragon Nation. His achievements are not something we could compare to."
"Not having the chance to drink with the old Northern Liao King is also my regret, but unfortunately, my two brothers also died in that battle..."
A simple exchange between the two encapsulated the tales of countless heroes of the Dragon Nation.
To protect the land of the Dragon Nation and defend its dignity, over the years, countless individuals have sacrificed their lives on the battlefield.
And many heroes who died on the battlefield did not even have their names remembered by the world.
"May I ask what brings the Northern Liao King to the Yang residence today?"
Yang Guofeng calmed his emotions and looked at Ye Ling as he asked.
Ye Ling glanced at Yang Mianli and said, "This matter would be better if you asked him yourself, Elder Yang."
Upon hearing this, Yang Guofeng felt a jolt in his heart and immediately turned to look at Yang Mianli, saying coldly, "Explain yourself honestly. If even half a word doesn't match the truth, I will disown you as my son!"
In the heart of a man like Yang Guofeng, the Dragon Nation is above everything, even his own son!
And since Ye Ling has succeeded as the Northern Liao King, he must be a man who fights for his country. In dealing with such a person, Yang Guofeng's fondness for Ye Ling even exceeds that for his own son.
Sometimes, the greater good of the country and the people must come before the bonds of blood and family.
The greatest virtue of a hero is to serve the country and its people, not selfish desires!
"I want to become the Alliance Hierarch of the East Sea Martial Alliance!"
"Wang Kaoshan is but a mere Grandmaster, why should he be able to hold the position of Alliance Hierarch, while I, a mid-stage Great Grandmaster, cannot!"
"Yesterday, I sent someone to threaten him at the headquarters of the Martial Alliance!"
Yang Mianli stiffened his neck and directly stated his intentions and actions.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger flashed across Yang Guofeng's weathered face.
Perhaps due to overwhelming anger, Yang Guofeng's body even trembled slightly.
He looked at Yang Mianli with cold eyes, which held a trace of indifference that was hard to imagine in a father's gaze upon his son.
"Northern Liao King, our family is unfortunate to have produced such a thing!"
"You may deal with this son as you please, to kill or to flay him, I shall not utter another word!"
Ignoring Yang Mianli, Yang Guofeng turned to speak to Ye Ling.
Upon his words, the expressions of Chen Dao and others present changed subtly.
At this moment, they seemed to understand what kind of man Yang Guofeng was.
This was a man who, for the benefit of the Dragon Nation, would abandon his own son!
Such a character deserves the respect of all.
"Yang Mianli, I will give you an opportunity."
"Support Wang Kaoshan to secure his position as the Alliance Hierarch of the East Sea Martial Alliance within two years. After two years, come to the capital, and I will offer you a path even more glorious and turbulent."
But Ye Ling had no intentions of killing Yang Mianli; instead, he looked at Yang Mianli and said.
Hearing this, a shade of guilt flashed in Yang Guofeng's eyes.
He knew that as the Northern Liao King, Ye Ling must be a man capable of swift and decisive actions.
For someone like Yang Mianli, who dared to disrupt the Dragon Nation with his own ambitions, the usual verdict would be a merciless death.
But now, Ye Ling not only spared Yang Mianli's life but was even willing to offer him a greater future. Could this change be due to anything other than the presence of this old man here?
"Northern Liao King, are you serious?"
Yang Mianli suddenly looked up at Ye Ling, asking incredulously.
Ye Ling nodded slightly and said, "Killing you would be as easy as lifting a hand, why would I deceive you?"
"You have only two years to help Wang Kaoshan secure his position as Alliance Hierarch. Can you do it?"
After a moment's thought, Yang Mianli quickly nodded and said, "Of course I can. With my strength, plus my father's presence to deter other strong competitors, securing the position of Alliance Hierarch for Wang Kaoshan in the East Sea Martial Alliance will be easy."
If one can live, who would genuinely wish to die?
As for what Yang Guofeng said just now, Yang Mianli did not hold much grudge in his heart.
Being the son of Yang Guofeng, Yang Mianli understood better than anyone what kind of person his father was.
For the Dragon Nation, Yang Guofeng wouldn't blink an eye at sacrificing not just one son but the entire Yang family if need be.
In the heart of Yang Guofeng, it is the Dragon Nation that truly holds utmost value, worthy of every sacrifice he is prepared to make to protect it!
To him, compared to the unparalleled Dragon Nation, the Yang family counts for nothing.
Without a nation, where would a family even be?