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

Following an evening of fervent exchanges.

Yi Feng, the schoolteacher, had gained widespread fame. From elders in their seventies to infants barely three years old, all had learned of Mr. Yi's remarkable fortune and divine favor from above.

As the proverb states, gossip spreads wilder than tigers, proving its truth once more.

Dawn was just breaking.

Beneath the grand locust tree at Qinghe Town's street corner, several seniors out for a morning walk were weaving stories that escalated in wildness.

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

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

"Heh, you all have no idea! Mr. Yi is the reborn Wenqu Star from the skies. Demonic beasts are trivial; fulfilling every desire comes effortlessly to him!"

"Hiss..."

"Scholars are indeed fearsome!"

"With Mr. Yi's wonders, why not visit to offer our respects one day?!"

The seniors gathered under the tree, murmuring softly. Their tales grew ever more enchanting, told with such certainty as though they'd seen and heard it all firsthand.

Right as their excitement peaked, the distant rumble of thundering hooves rang out.

The elders glanced over.

A serpentine column of riders snaked into view. 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 guarded closely, signaling the presence of someone of high status.

Even more astonishing.

The town mayor and the veteran clan leader stood personally at the corner to greet them. After brief words with the foremost officer, they bowed low and guided the group forward, their demeanor profoundly deferential.

This sight shocked the nearby old women, prompting them to rise and step aside.

In mere moments.

The spectacle roused the locals all around. The once-quiet street soon brimmed with onlookers lining both sides. Young and old alike hurried over, some still half-dressed, buzzing with eager chatter and gazes brimming with wonder.

"Heavens, what great dignitary is this!"

"Whose kid are you, talking so boldly! Can't you spot the Black Armor Army of Ye City?"

"Black Armor Army?"

"Goudan, take a good look. These troops hail from Ye City. Qinghe Town answers to them, and every few years, a high official inspects us. You must never provoke them!"

"I understand! But why inspect little old Qinghe Town? Are they bringing supplies like food and garments?"

"Probably a war's brewing again, and they're scouting sturdy youths for the Black Armor Army!"

Hearing the nearby adults' words, the tanned lad watched with longing. As the grand cavalcade thundered past, his veins surged with fervor!

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

No sooner had he spoken than a nearby elder clamped a hand over the boy's lips.

The lad was naive and youthful. He couldn't grasp that enlisting seemed heroic today but often ended in a shrouded return tomorrow. A slip of the tongue might invite calamity.

The seniors pulled him back, their faces growing somber.

Staring as the column receded into the distance, mixtures of awe and dread flickered in their gazes.

The precise troops advanced along the avenue, halting only before a spacious residence.

The portly town mayor bent in reverence toward the litter.

"We beg your pardon, Eldest Miss."

"Qinghe Town is quite modest in means. We must impose on you to rest briefly in my simple home."

The aged clan leader nodded too, standing firm beside him.

They paused for several breaths.

The litter's bead curtain parted gently. A striking woman in ornate robes emerged with poise. Her crimson lips curved faintly as she surveyed them with icy detachment.

"No need for such fuss."

"My purpose here is only to recruit troops. If nothing urgent detains you, show me the daily lives of Qinghe Town's folk first."

Her voice held stark detachment, laced with undeniable authority.

The town mayor bowed deeper, quickly and meekly complying.

"Your servant complies."

"Eldest Miss, if you would follow this way."

With that, the mayor shifted aside to escort her.

Only after her graceful stride began did he trail respectfully, stooped as he directed them onto the main thoroughfare. Despite his home's rushed preparations now ignored entirely, he harbored no trace of grievance.

After all.

Standing before him was the City Lord's daughter.

In this remote spot, deeming her a princess would be fitting. With such an exalted visitor in their midst, they were compelled to exert every effort to please her.

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

After several dozen paces along the street, they humbly detailed all matters. Whatever Miss Chen inquired about, they responded fully and truthfully.

Though shops like inns and teahouses stayed open, their owners were keen observers. Witnessing this imposing arrival, they all shrank into their establishments, too scared to glance out. The whole town fell unusually hushed, with folks treading carefully.

Chen Yuxin ignored it all.

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

She proceeded with steady steps, scanning the avenue briefly.

It resembled a typical backwater settlement, nowhere near Ye City's vibrancy, and verging on destitute. Even the inn and teahouse facades struck her as drab.

At last.

A trace of fatigue crossed Chen Yuxin's features as she eyed the mayor's affable smile.

"I trust you've gotten word. Prior to my coming, I instructed you to assemble a thousand able-bodied men. Has it been arranged?"

At these words.

The mayor tensed up, his face clouding with unease.

"Er..."

"R-reporting to the Miss, your servant has verified the roster for these thousand men. They consist mainly of Qinghe Town's fit grown males, fully qualifying for military service."

His reply held no errors, yet his voice betrayed tension and hesitation.

Qinghe Town amounted to a humble village. Its longstanding residents had always been few. Despite family expansions over time, the populace scarcely exceeded ten thousand.

To speak bluntly.

These thousand recruits embodied nearly all of Qinghe Town's viable defenders.

Should they all enlist, it would sap the settlement's vital strength. Future demonic beast assaults might fend off small raids, but a major onslaught would overwhelm the elderly, frail, women, and youths, rendering defense impossible.

Even should peace return later and troops come home, after grueling city-wide battles, how many survivors would remain?

By that point.

Mounds of fresh tombs would dot the hillside.

Beyond hollow talk of honor, the town would endure boundless grief. Its numbers would dwindle, never reclaiming past vitality.

This wasn't recruitment; it was dooming Qinghe Town's youth to slaughter!

With this in mind.

The mayor's hands shook as he bowed. Anguish knifed his heart, leaving him unable to voice the rest.

Noting his manner, the chill in Chen Yuxin's lovely eyes intensified as she fixed him with a look.

"What?"

"Is there some issue?"