I Am Unaware That I Am the Peerless Martial God Chapter 1372: The Lords Choice

When the name Yi Feng was brought up, the city general momentarily went blank. A flicker of emotion passed over his features, but it vanished instantly, his expression clouding over into absolute silence.

This subtle reaction was almost impossible to catch. Oblivious, the assembly continued their clamor, the volume of their debate rising with every passing second.

"Exactly! If we could only secure the aid of that individual, our Ye City might survive this desperate trial!"

"It is a genuine path to salvation. Rumor holds that Master Yi possesses cultivation levels that defy imagination. If he chose to intervene, our victory would be all but assured!"

"We cannot afford to delay. Send word immediately to invite Master Yi!"

"Lord City Lord, what is your stance on this?"

The heated discussions died down as every gaze shifted to the head of the table, where the leader remained unnervingly quiet.

Facing the total ruin of Ye City, they had shed all reservations. Few had actually encountered Yi Feng, yet they clung to his name like a drowning man to a reed.

Even if the probability of success was thin, the mere suggestion ignited a spark of hope across the hall.

Just as expectations reached their peak.

Before the City Lord could offer an answer, the Eldest Miss interjected with a frigid stare, dousing the room's newfound optimism with a single bucket of cold water.

"Enough."

"Do not waste your efforts pinning hopes on Master Yi. He will not provide us with any help."

He refused to help?

What logic gave the Eldest Miss such certainty?

The room descended into a chilled stillness, the crowd casting looks of profound suspicion at her.

Though doubt and frustration marred their faces, the lure of salvation was too great to abandon so quickly.

Following an awkward, heavy silence.

The murmurs resumed with increased pressure. The assembled magnates pleaded with eyes full of desperation!

"Why would that senior refuse us? Does he have a reason?"

"Alas, a figure of such legendary standing is likely indifferent to our squabbles. Perhaps defending a minor city is simply beneath his immense prestige."

"Regardless, we must make the attempt!"

"Indeed. That Martial Emperor senior is our final lifeline. Whatever cost it demands, we must humble ourselves and beg for his intervention!"

...

The group grew increasingly flustered, their eyes filled with a do-or-die resolve.

In that moment, they would have traded anything for Master Yi's assistance. Grasping at this potential lifeline was the only objective that mattered.

Observing the intense, unyielding gazes of the Ye City elite, Chen Yuxin was rendered speechless.

None knew Master Yi's capabilities better than she did. If he intervened, the tide would certainly turn. Yet, they had offended that senior so thoroughly that the bridge between them had been burnt to the ground.

If they could truly request his aid, would they be cowering here in agony?

They had acted foolishly, bringing ruin upon themselves with no path to retreat.

The more Chen Yuxin pondered, the deeper her regret sank. The ceaseless, desperate chatter in the hall left her mind in chaos, and she felt she had lost the very capacity to speak.

The tension only broke when the City Lord finally broke his silence.

"Everyone."

His deep voice drew every eye back toward him.

Chen Cangyun remained seated with a calm, stoic expression, looking as composed as he had for years. His aura of supreme detachment held the room in a state of controlled dominance, demanding absolute order.

The hall finally drifted into an reluctant, uneasy quiet.

The elites waited with held breath for the City Lord's sage advice.

Yet, when Chen Cangyun continued, his instructions left them bewildered.

"Ye City is currently suffering under the flames of war, resulting in mounting casualties among our people. Maintaining morale is our primary concern. I must ask each of you to contribute your skills to the greater good. While city defense is paramount, our internal affairs cannot be neglected. Effective today, all prominent families are ordered to devote personnel to the logistics of supplies, ensuring our soldiers and citizens are fed. Any damage to infrastructure must be cleared and repaired by your laborers."

"With a final confrontation looming, we must treat our people as the highest priority. Panic must not take root. No matter what occurs, I forbid anyone from abandoning the citizenry to save themselves."

"If I should fall, Chen Cangyun, then Song Hailiang shall succeed me as the Lord of Ye City!"

The declaration sent a wave of shock through the hall.

Facing total annihilation, the City Lord had ignored the question of seeking Master Yi's aid entirely. Instead, he occupied himself with trivial logistics and even declared his successor.

His tone carried an odd, final undertone.

Even Song Hailiang, the Patriarch of the Song Family, was left stunned and confused by the sudden appointment, unable to process the gravity of the announcement.

As the others opened their mouths to protest, Chen Cangyun was already rising to leave.

"Everyone."

"Today’s session is closed. I trust all of you will fulfill your obligations to keep Ye City stable."

Watching the City Lord walk away, the magnates were full of confusion but found no room to voice it. They offered their bows and departed, their minds riddled with suspicion.

The chamber grew unnervingly empty.

Chen Yuxin sat alone in a daze, her brow furrowed with increasing distress.

Something about her father's demeanor felt deeply wrong. Knowing his typically overbearing and assertive personality, his current behavior appeared alien even in hindsight. Back in her private chambers, she struggled to parse the dissonance gnawing at her soul.

Just as she stood up to pace, the door creaked open.

Her father stepped into the room—the same man who had acted so strangely moments before.

His usual aura of majesty was absent, and his imperial entourage had vanished. He entered with quiet steps, holding a mahogany tray.

Chen Yuxin stood frozen.

Was this tranquil man really her stern and regal father?

Before a sound could escape her lips.

Chen Cangyun offered a soft smile and strode forward. He set the tray onto the table, retrieved a small bowl of fragrant soup, and sat down with a gentle gaze.

"Xin'er, sit down and eat."

The tenderness in his voice left Chen Yuxin more bewildered than ever.

She looked down at the bowl of clear, steaming broth and her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Father..."

"Why would you... all of a sudden..."

Chen Cangyun nodded with a faint smile, his eyes filled with a rare, lingering warmth.

"Is this not your preferred Spirit Sturgeon Soup?"

"I distinctly remember your love for this dish during your childhood. Since coming to power, I have been tied down by political duties and lost the luxury of time to stew this soup for you. Reflecting on it now, I have truly neglected my responsibilities to you. You must not harbor resentment toward your father."

Hearing this.

Chen Yuxin felt a sharp pang of grief, a chaotic blend of emotions tearing at her spirit.

Tracing the bowl of clear soup, years of repressed feelings broke through the levees of her composure. Unbidden, moisture welled up in her eyes as she settled into the chair and picked up the silver spoon.

A single bowl of soup outweighed all the honors and titles he had ever bestowed; it bridged the chasm of time, returning her to an era of simple happiness and sincere paternal love.

For a brief moment.

She wasn't the cold Eldest Miss, just a vulnerable girl craving affection.

The broth was as light and delicious as she remembered.

It held the distinct taste of memory, the comforting warmth of ages past.

After only a few mouthfuls, the buried joys of her youth flooded her heart. Every exotic delicacy she had tasted in her adult life felt flavorless compared to the lingering, fragrant depth of this humble soup.

The father and daughter remained sitting in the quiet room, both sharing a long-lost spark of a smile.

Even as the bowl was emptied to the last drop.

Chen Yuxin's face beamed with an emotion that transcended simple joy. Her icy mask had melted entirely, replaced by a radiant warmth. It felt as though this bowl of soup was a priceless treasure, worth more than anything else in existence.

But when she looked up, eyes glistening with tears of gratitude, the chair across the table was empty.

The smiling father who had just been there was gone. Aside from the chilling evening breeze drifting in through the windows, only the distant, mournful wailing of the city could be heard.

Suddenly.

The sound of the crying cut through her heart like a blade. Her hand trembled violently, and the spoon slipped from her grasp!

Crash!

The shattering of the spoon on the floor heralded an overwhelming, crushing sense of dread that smothered her fragile happiness. She sprang to her feet, realizing something was horribly wrong, her face draining of all color!

"Father? Father!"

No matter how desperately she shrieked or searched, her father was nowhere to be found within the estate grounds.

High above the dark night sky.

Chen Cangyun surveyed the burning ruin of Ye City below, a whirlwind of complex emotions crossing his face. Only when the faint sound of his daughter's cries reached his ears did he tighten his jaw, force his eyes away, and turn with absolute resolution. His form surged like a meteor into the clouds!

At the edge of the Luo River.

The moon was obscured by thick clouds, and the gale winds howled. Landing silently, Chen Cangyun waited with hands locked behind his back, his eyes closed. He stood in the biting wind, his face frozen in a mask of iron. A terrifying, overwhelming surge of killing intent radiated from his sword-like brows.

The temperature plunged, and the surrounding wilderness fell into an unnatural, tomb-like stillness.

Until.

Multiple figures descended from the firmament, shattering the night with cackling laughter!

"Hahaha... Chen Cangyun, to think you actually possess the gall to stand against us alone! Are you courting death?!"