Chapter 155: Destiny

Wei Xiaoping stroked Boss Ma's back while thinking to himself that he never expected Boss Ma and Niu Dahua to be so broad-minded as to utter such magnanimous words. Indeed, in all matters, one must first consider the greater picture, prioritizing the collective interest above all else, and only then think of the individual and oneself. Since everyone lives within the same realm, this realm provides various securities for safety and livelihood. This greater picture, this realm, is composed of countless individuals. Only when countless individuals unite can this greater picture form an irresistible, destructive force, which in turn protects the safety and livelihood of the countless individuals.

"Master, today when we first arrived at the military camp, as we prepared to go in to see you, we were blocked and attacked by two soldiers and a strange beast. Is that strange beast also your subordinate?" After a moment, Boss Ma suddenly remembered what had happened when they returned in the early hours of the morning and asked.

"Indeed, the monster you spoke of is named Dahuang. He has been with me for a dozen years, serving as my mount and my assistant. He has gone through countless wars with me and helped me achieve numerous merits. Right now, he and I are as close as younger and older brothers. Although I am a human and a general, sometimes I still have to listen to his advice! In the future, you too will follow him, accompanying me on expeditions and to the battlefield to kill the enemy and contribute to our Qingfeng Realm in defeating our foes! You must get along well with him, unite with one another, and harbor no private grievances. Because his seniority is greater, whenever you encounter disagreements in the future, you should defer to him as much as possible," Wei Xiaoping said.

"Rest assured, General! When we saw him, he looked extremely fierce. What species is he? From our birth until now, having experienced hundreds of years and several past lives, we have never seen such a ferocious species!" Boss Ma said.

Wei Xiaoping then briefly recounted how he had gone out to gather herbs years ago, how he encountered Dahuang, and how he came to take him in.

Boss Ma said, "General, since the Qiongqi is a strange ancient divine creature with such a peculiar temperament, the fact that he can get along so well with you proves that you and Brother Dahuang are truly destined. It seems Heaven has predestined you and Dahuang to be together!"

Niu Dahua also chimed in, "General, your meeting with Dahuang was arranged by the heavens, just as King Yama arranged for us to meet you—it is also a predestined affinity!"

Wei Xiaoping thought deeply for a moment and said, "Indeed! Therefore, we must cherish our affinity. Your meeting with Dahuang is also a predestined bond, so you and Dahuang must respect and help one another!"

"We will, General, because both we and Dahuang have come here to assist the General's cause! Our bond with Dahuang also stems from you, so we will certainly respect Dahuang!" Boss Ma said.

Niu Dahua asked, "General, when we came out just now, why didn't you bring Dahuang along? If we had brought him with us, we could have spoken with him, communicated, and deepened our mutual understanding and affection!"

Wei Xiaoping replied, "Originally, I thought of that as well, but considering that during the past few days when I was injured and unconscious, Dahuang guarded my bedside without rest, I decided to let him rest in the military camp! There is no rush; in the future, all three of you will stay by my side. Wherever I go, you will follow. There will be plenty of time!"

At this moment, Wei Xiaoping and the two netherworld dogs had arrived outside the gates of the royal palace!

The six guards stationed at the gate were quite surprised to see Wei Xiaoping arrive.

Because they had long known that Wei Xiaoping was injured, and quite seriously at that, having had his heart pierced by a divine artifact, they never expected him to recover completely so soon and report to the palace so quickly.

Seeing that Wei Xiaoping had also brought along two three-headed monsters that looked neither like dogs nor wolves, they assumed these were creatures Wei Xiaoping had captured from somewhere.

"General Wei, weren't you injured just a few days ago? Have you recovered already? Congratulations, congratulations! Why didn't you rest a bit longer before reporting in? And what are these two fierce beasts you've dragged back?" one of the guard soldiers asked.

"Thank you! My body has fully recovered. I have matters to report to the King, so I hurried here!" Wei Xiaoping cupped his fists in return.

"These two monsters are so ugly and look so ferocious. Where did you catch them? What kind of fierce beasts are they? Why didn't General Wei tie them up? Aren't you afraid they might hurt someone or run away?" another soldier chimed in.

Wei Xiaoping said, "They are my newly acquired assistants, not some fierce beasts! Thank you for your concern. I have matters to report to the King. Could one of you please go inside and inform His Majesty that General Wei has urgent business to report?"

A soldier immediately walked briskly into the royal palace.

Wei Xiaoping led the two netherworld dogs to a tree not far from the gate and said, "Boss Ma, the two of you wait for me under this tree. Do not wander around, lest you frighten others!"

Boss Ma replied, "Understood, General! To give everyone a sense of security, General, you can fasten the chains on our necks to the tree roots. That way, when people see we are chained to the tree, they won't be so afraid!"

Niu Dahua also said, "General, please tie us up so that people won't be frightened, cause trouble, and delay the General's affairs!"

Hearing this, Wei Xiaoping thought to himself that Boss Ma and Niu Dahua made a valid point. It was truly rare for them to consider others in this manner. It was just that if he were to tie them up, it felt internally as though he distrusted them! However, since they themselves had suggested it, he would tie them beneath the tree for the time being. Having just returned from the netherworld to the mortal realm, they were interacting with few people at present. Once others became accustomed to them and understood them in the future, tying them up would no longer be necessary!

Wei Xiaoping then chanted the canine-restraining incantation. The arm-thick chains around the necks of the two netherworld dogs suddenly lifted automatically, lengthened, drifted toward the tree roots below, and then automatically interlocked, wrapping and tangling around the roots.

"Boss Ma, Niu Dahua, to accommodate the feelings of others, you will have to suffer this slight grievance for now!" Wei Xiaoping said after securing the chains.

The two netherworld dogs let out low whimpers in response to Wei Xiaoping's words.

The five soldiers on either side watched as Wei Xiaoping merely muttered an incantation, causing the iron chains on the monsters' necks to thicken, lengthen, and automatically bind the creatures beneath the tree. They all clapped in wonder, praising General Wei's magical arts as truly formidable!

Seeing that the soldier who went in to report had not yet emerged, the five soldiers wanted to strike up a conversation with Wei Xiaoping, eager to know how he had captured these two monsters and tamed them into his assistants.

Wei Xiaoping looked at them sternly and said, "Everyone, be serious. During working hours, talking is strictly forbidden, and leaving your posts without authorization is even more so, lest outsiders slip into the royal palace!"

Upon hearing this, the five soldiers immediately returned to their positions at the gate and stood at attention with grave expressions!

Before long, the soldier who had gone inside to report came out and said, "General Wei, please go right in. When the King heard that you had recovered, he was overjoyed and has immediately summoned you to enter!"

Hearing the reporting soldier's words, Wei Xiaoping turned back to say a few words to the two netherworld dogs under the tree, cupped his fists in salute to the six soldiers, and then strode quickly toward the royal palace.