I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1338: The Young Lady

Following an evening filled with fervent talks.

Yi Feng's fame as the local schoolteacher had spread far and wide. From elders in their seventies to children as young as three, all were aware that Mr. Yi enjoyed heaven-sent fortune and divine favor.

As the proverb states, gossip spreads wildly like ferocious tigers, proving its wisdom once again.

Dawn was barely breaking.

Beneath the massive locust tree on Qinghe Town's street corner, several old folks out for a morning walk were weaving stories that escalated into absurdity.

"Old Man Liu, did you hear? The fresh schoolteacher in our town is favored by the gods. Every hunt he undertakes yields success, and snatching demonic beasts is as simple as raising a hand!"

"That's not all! Word is, Mr. Yi carries an exceptional presence, drawing demonic beasts to him willingly!"

"Hehe, you lot have no clue! Mr. Yi is the reborn Wenqu Star from above. Demonic beasts are trivial; fulfilling every desire is effortless for him!"

"Hiss..."

"Scholars are indeed fearsome!"

"With Mr. Yi being so wondrous, why not visit to honor him one day?!"

The seniors gathered under the tree, murmuring softly. Their yarns turned ever more enchanting, recounted with utter certainty, as though they had seen and heard it all firsthand.

Right as their excitement peaked, the distant thunder of horse hooves resounded suddenly.

The elders glanced over.

A serpentine column of riders appeared. More than a hundred guards in dark armor paved the path ahead, their disciplined ranks radiating formidable might. At the center, a cushioned litter was protected, signaling the presence of someone of high status.

To their greater astonishment.

The town leader and the elderly clan head stood personally at the corner to receive them. After brief words with the front commander, they deferentially stepped aside to show the route, their manner profoundly respectful.

This sight promptly shocked the nearby old ladies, prompting them to rise and yield space.

In mere moments.

The spectacle roused the locals. The previously quiet avenue swiftly filled with onlookers lining both sides. Among them were seniors and kids, some even stumbling out half-dressed, buzzing with chatter and gazes brimming with wonder.

"Heavens, what important personage is this!"

"Whose kid are you, talking so rudely! Can't you spot Ye City's Black Armor Army?"

"Black Armor Army?"

"Goudan, take a good look. These troops hail from Ye City. Qinghe Town is under their domain, and every few years, a high official arrives for checks. You must never provoke them!"

"I understand! But why inspect little Qinghe Town? Bringing supplies and garments perhaps?"

"Probably another war brewing, coming to pick sturdy youths for the Black Armor Army!"

Hearing the nearby adults' clarifications, the tanned lad watched eagerly. As the grand cavalcade trotted past, his veins surged with thrill!

"The Black Armor Army looks so grand; I wish to enlist as well!"

No sooner said, a nearby elder clapped a hand over the boy's lips.

This lad was naive and unlearned. He failed to grasp that enlisting seemed heroic today, yet tomorrow he might come back shrouded in a mat. A slip of the tongue could spell ruin.

The grown-ups pulled him behind, their faces growing somber.

As the cortege faded into the horizon, a mix of admiration and dread flickered in their stares.

The precise troop line proceeded along the avenue, halting finally before a spacious estate.

The somewhat rotund town head bent low in salute to the litter.

"Pardon our shortcomings, Eldest Miss."

"Qinghe Town is quite poor. We must impose on the Eldest Miss to stay briefly in my modest home."

The veteran clan leader nodded too, positioning himself nearby, his face composed.

They lingered a few moments.

The litter's bead curtain parted gently. A stunning lady in ornate robes emerged gracefully. Her scarlet lips curved faintly as she surveyed them with icy detachment.

"No need to fuss."

"My purpose here is only to recruit soldiers. If nothing urgent, lead me first to view the townsfolk's conditions in Qinghe Town."

Her voice held stark aloofness, laced with irresistible command.

The town head bowed deeper, quickly and obediently agreeing.

"As you command."

"Eldest Miss, this way if you please."

With that, he pivoted to escort her.

Only after her delicate stride did he trail attentively, stooped as he directed her to the central thoroughfare. Despite his home's rushed readiness now ignored, he harbored no trace of grievance.

After all.

She was the City Lord's daughter.

In such a remote spot, deeming her a royal wouldn't overstate. With her exalted visit, they were bound to exert every effort to please her.

Though Miss Chen hadn't summoned her forces, retaining just a handful of attendants, the town head and clan leader still sensed crushing weight. They refrained from any oversight on the walk.

After tens of paces along the road, they meekly detailed all. To every query from Miss Chen, they replied fully with their knowledge.

Though street-side inns and cafes stayed ajar, these vendors were keen observers. Witnessing such pomp, they all cowered within, afraid to glance. The whole hamlet quieted notably, folks treading warily.

Chen Yuxin ignored it entirely.

As Ye City's premier daughter, she was accustomed to awed looks. To her, this was utterly expected.

She advanced with poise, scanning the avenue briefly.

It resembled a typical backwater settlement, nowhere near Ye City's vibrancy, verging on destitution. Even the inn and cafe facades seemed drab to her.

At length.

A trace of fatigue showed in Chen Yuxin's gaze as she eyed the beaming town head askance.

"I trust the notice reached you. Prior to my coming, I instructed preparation of a thousand robust men. Is it ready?"

At these words.

The town head tensed, his face twisting in distress.

"Er..."

"R-reporting to the Miss, your servant has finalized the roster for these thousand. They comprise mostly the fit grown males of Qinghe Town, fully qualifying for military service."

His phrasing was impeccable, yet his voice wavered uneasily.

Qinghe Town was merely a destitute hamlet. Its longstanding residents had always been few. Despite family expansions over time, the populace totaled scarcely ten thousand.

To speak bluntly.

These thousand able-bodied men embodied nearly all of Qinghe Town's defensive strength.

Should they all enlist, it would sap the settlement's vitality. Future demonic beast assaults might be fended off in small clashes, but a major incursion would overwhelm the remaining elderly, frail, females, and youths, rendering defense futile.

Even should peace return and troops survive to reclaim Qinghe Town, after inter-city carnage, how many would endure?

Come that time.

Mountain bases would teem with fresh tombs.

Beyond hollow lauds of glory, the locale would drown in grief. Its numbers would dwindle irreparably, prosperity lost forever.

This wasn't drafting; it was dooming Qinghe Town's youth!

With this in mind.

The town head prostrated shakily. His chest ached like a blade's torment, unable to voice the rest.

Noting his bearing, the chill in Chen Yuxin's lovely eyes intensified as she regarded him.

"What?"

"Is there an issue?"