I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield Chapter 749 - 533: Toward Loyalty
Previously on I Pick Up Talents on the Interstellar Battlefield...
Da da da—
The rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed, akin to heavy hammers striking the core of every Beastman present.
Towards the fallen Unol, Qin Tian advanced deliberately, his pace unhurried yet exuding an oppressive aura that seemed to chill the very atmosphere.
Witnessing this, the Beastman guards positioned near Unol felt an immediate sense of dread, akin to confronting a peerless adversary. They surged forward, utilizing their formidable physiques to erect a shield before Unol, their gazes alight with apprehension and alarm.
They had already been privy to Qin Tian’s awe-inspiring might; a mere flick of his hand could freeze the entire vicinity, and a single, decisive blow had left the powerful Unol grievously wounded.
In a true confrontation, they knew they would be utterly incapable of repelling him.
Yet, despite this stark realization, they could not surrender even an inch of ground.
Unol was their revered master, and safeguarding his well-being was paramount, even at the cost of their own lives!
Protected by his guards, Unol gazed upward at the approaching Qin Tian, his heart hammering uncontrollably, overwhelmed by an unprecedented wave of dread.
For the very first time in his existence, he experienced the bitter taste of fear.
Pa—
Qin Tian abruptly halted his advance, positioned merely meters from the Beastman guards, and declared with placid composure, "Fear not, my intention is not to end your lives."
Upon hearing these words, the tense Beastman guards instantly perceived a lessening of the dire threat, breathing a collective sigh of relief. However, Unol’s heart, far from finding solace, was consumed by a profound and unyielding shame!
Who was he, truly?
A member of the esteemed Eternal Ice Silkworm clan, one of the nine prestigious Royal Families within the Beastman Empire – a heritage of immense nobility!
And yet, here he was, compelled to accept a mere "merciful" reprieve from a human whom he had previously dismissed as a mere "villain"?
This deeply felt humiliation seared within his chest like an inferno, causing his Qi and blood to surge violently. With a soft "puff," another stream of crimson blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, painting a stark splash of color upon the frigid ground, marring the crystalline ice.
"Your Highness!"
"Your Highness!"
The Beastman guards reacted with sudden concern, swiftly turning their attention to Unol to assess his injuries.
Disregarding their consternation, Qin Tian’s gaze bypassed the guards, fixing instead upon Unol as he stated, "I harbor a personal grievance against Inzaghi Luoho."
At this declaration, Unol’s eyes widened in surprise; he struggled to comprehend the relevance of Qin Tian’s remark.
Before he could fully process the query, Qin Tian continued, "The individual lying incapacitated on the ground – he is one of Inzaghi Luoho’s subordinates, is he not? I surmise he was instrumental in orchestrating your presence here."
Unol’s eyes narrowed sharply, his mind rapidly replaying the preceding events – Inzaghi Luoho’s suggestion for his entourage to escort Unol to visit Mingwang Planet, the unforeseen blizzard that necessitated an abrupt course alteration, leading them to this very location… These incidents, which had previously seemed like mere chance occurrences, now coalesced into a meticulously designed ambush!
From the outset, he had unwittingly been manipulated into becoming Inzaghi Luoho's pawn in a scheme against Qin Tian?
A surge of incandescent fury erupted from the depths of his being, a cold glint flashing within Unol’s eyes.
Inzaghi Luoho!
How dare you presume to treat me as a mere pawn!
He harbored no doubt regarding the veracity of Qin Tian’s statement.
By this juncture, Qin Tian possessed absolutely no motive to deceive him.
The other human individuals accompanying Unol, upon hearing the name "Inzaghi Luoho" and observing the palpable rage in Unol’s eyes, experienced a sudden shift in their demeanor. They exchanged alarmed glances, reflecting the shared terror that flickered within their gazes.
Noticing the nascent flames of anger igniting in Unol’s eyes, Qin Tian ceased speaking. With a casual gesture of his hand, he announced, "Very well, you are permitted to depart."
With that, he assumed a stance with his hands clasped behind his back, observing the Beastmen before him with an air of detached indifference.
Under Qin Tian’s steady observation, the Beastmen dared not hesitate. They carefully assisted the weakened Unol, bowed their heads, and made a swift retreat from the satellite city, refraining from any utterance.
Meanwhile, the humans who had been with Unol, as if granted a reprieve, hastily gathered the unconscious Li Jingzhong and scuttled away in a different direction, avoiding any interaction with Unol and his retinue.
As the spectacle of Unol’s dejected party staggering away under a pall of dread unfolded, the vast expanse of the square erupted in a thunderous wave of cheers!
The once-imperious and overbearing Beastman Royal Family had been reduced to the status of vanquished curs, thoroughly subjugated and crushed, forced to retreat with their grievously wounded bodies.
This triumphant scene invigorated the spirits of all present, dispelling the oppressive atmosphere and leaving in its wake an unbounded sense of exhilaration!
Within the throng, Xue Wuyang and Kane wore smiles of satisfaction, while Zhou Ziming’s gaze remained intently fixed upon Qin Tian, a subtle hint of contemplation in his eyes.
At that precise moment, Qin Tian raised his hand slightly, and the cacophony of cheers instantly subsided, every individual present holding their breath, their attention solely focused on him.
His gaze swept across the assembly, cataloging each gleeful countenance, a smile of approval gracing his lips as he proclaimed, "I have observed all of your contributions during this engagement. Each of you is hereby awarded third-class merit!"
Although the warriors couldn't repel the invaders with their own strength and some were even injured during the recent battle, the consequences would have been unthinkable had he not arrived in time. But Qin Tian's rewards were never contingent on victory or defeat; instead, they recognized the courage to confront vastly superior enemies and the unwavering determination to defend their territory with their lives. Only the soldiers who dared to fight, who struggled against all odds and refused to retreat, could be called true Royal Soldiers, forming the strongest foundation of Ice Extreme Pass. As soon as these words were spoken, the scene erupted! "Thank you, Military Lord!" The deafening shouts echoed once more, each face filled with irrepressible excitement and joy. This third-class merit was not merely a token award but the highest form of acknowledgment for their bravery and resolve, a profound honor bestowed by the Military Lord.