Chapter 291: Heinous Sins Find No Absolution in Heaven, Penance Is Earned by Death on the Battlefield!

"Before I, Fu Baoguo, was manipulated by the Art of Soul Shifting, I saw myself as a patriotic man; I've always been loyal to Yutang, loyal to my homeland! If it weren't against my will, I wouldn't have betrayed my country, even if I died with shattered bones! How much of these would you have known? I didn't want to speak of these, what's done is done. No matter what my genuine intention was, what my sincere motive was, the truth remains that the Nine Supremes have fallen because of me. I have to pay for it, I'm willing to, I deserve it. Why does Lord Supreme Wind want to take away even my last bit of dignity? Isn't that uncalled for?"

Yun Yang asked brusquely, "Uncalled for? You said that you were manipulated with the Art of Soul Shifting, it was without your consent. Let me assume you speak the truth, but your first time may have been involuntary. What have you done after that? Have you spoken of your tribulation, of your lack of consent? Old Sir Fang and Old Sir Qiu are people you could've gone to explain what you've done and how you were tricked. Have you told them?"

"The first time came and went. When the second time passed, you spoke no words of it! You allowed your involuntary actions to continue to harm Yutang's warriors. Your so-called coercion is only an excuse for your lack of action!"

"Moreover, when Yang Botao asked around for information from you, you weren't controlled by the Art of Soul Shifting then, were you? Still, you leaked the information anyway! Did the Four Seasons Tower coerce you then?"

"Until my brothers were stricken with calamity - you knew full well what you've done before and after that. Were you really forced against your will?"

"Have you redeemed yourself?"

"Did you even think of redeeming yourself?"

"After the Nine Supremes had fallen, hundreds of thousands of Yutang's warriors retreated in the battlefield. Countless brothers succumbed to the enemy's blades. What have you done then?"

"You met Jiang Zhong in secret plenty of times throughout this incident and within this one year, you've met up to eight times. Were these meetings involuntary too?"

"There were only a total of three times when He Hanqing executed the Art of Soul Shifting to manipulate your mind - only three times. The experience of these three times could prove that your initial motive wasn't to rebel but what about afterward? How do you explain it? Are you blaming it again on involuntariness?"

"Fu Baoguo!"

"All said and done, you are simply a coward!"

Yun Yang continued sharply, "When the elders of Fu Family gave you the name Fu Baoguo (to serve the country), what is it for? Fu Baoguo, you say it is uncalled for, that I am stringent on even a piece of armor. Then let me ask you if you die right now, what dignity do you have to face your ancestors with? Can you really look at your own name with a clear conscience? Just by saying that everything was done against your own will, do you think it omits all the wrongdoings you've committed?"

"You're an Empire of Yutang's man, you're Yutang's militant, you're the authority of the military, the appointed successor to being the Grand Marshal. Ask yourself with your palm against your heart, who have you not let down with your actions in these past two years?"

"The nation, your family, others, yourself - which of these can you face with a clear conscience?"

"Should you give up on yourself upon being deceived by others? Should you sink yourself deeper and submit to degradation after being hauled into the mud by others? Don't you have even the courage to dig yourself out?"

"Watching the warriors perish in war and their families bawl their hearts out, you sell your assets in secret to send silver taels over. Can this really redress the guilt in your heart?"

"While you help the Four Seasons Tower relay information, you sell your assets to compensate the families of the fallen soldiers. Fu Baoguo, don't you think that your actions are contradictory?"

"You've said it yourself just now. Fu Family is also a family of generals but you, how can you face the patriotic souls of your ancestors?!"

Fu Baoguo trembled.

The killing intent within Yun Yang spiked but he remained hesitant to make the ultimate decision. Although his words indicated how much he despised Fu Baoguo's actions, putting him down to unworthiness, Fu Baoguo's most initial motive was truly against his own will.

From being controlled by He Hanqing using the Art of Soul Shifting to continuously doing deeds defying his intentions, things had slowly escalated to the point where he was forced to turn to the dark side; his situation was worthy of sympathy.

What was key was that other than indirectly participating in the accident regarding the Nine Supremes, Fu Baoguo had indeed done nothing else. He had never leaked any of the military intel of Yutang. Otherwise, with his status and title, Fu Baoguo could have easily made copies of Yutang's warfare tactics without anyone knowing...

It would be somehow a pity to really kill him. Besides, Yutang's military could not afford any more losses. Yutang's military morale, too, could not afford the setback of their pillar being a traitor!

The green shadow spun, Yun Yang's voice came out slowly, "Fu Baoguo, you know full well of your sin. I shall not kill you today, but I hope you meet your end on the battlefield. This would ensure the generations of reputation and patriotism in your family as well as be a penance for your sins!"

"Your family shall all return to the Residence of Fu safely tomorrow morning."

"Fu Baoguo, conduct yourself well!"

"Yutang's military can no longer take the loss of a great general..."

Yun Yang's voice faded, the green whirlwind leaving the ground and shooting into the firmament like an enraged dragon before dissipating into nothingness.

He had left without further preamble.

"I shall confess my crimes tomorrow!" Fu Baoguo murmured, "And await the sentence of His Majesty!"

Words came from the sky, "Nobody is asking you to confess your crimes! Too much turmoil has occurred within the empire recently, too many traitors. The military morale is already wavering, so are the people's spirits. If even you, Fu Baoguo, became a spy... it is not a good thing towards Yutang's morale."

"I hope you redeem your wrongs, not atone it with death. Your end cannot be a rushed slaughter, use the remainder of your life to guard Yutang's border!"

"Since you're sincere to make amends, then... think of how you should compensate and make up for it!"

Supreme Wind's voice slowly flowed into Fu Baoguo's ears.

For a moment, Fu Baoguo was overwhelmed with emotions. He stood trembling there, the same guilt painted his face but his expression was changing. A while later, he collapsed onto the ground; with arms hugging his head, he sobbed before it gave way to a loud wailing.

This great general, who had been going to war his entire life, who had been through so many wars - would not have turned a hair if he were to be executed, but was sobbing like a child now.

...

In the assembly the next morning. Fu Baoguo filed his application to be deployed to the eastern border.

Tie Zheng had gone to the north out of responsibility. After all, Yang Botao had just died and the northern troop needed to be pacified by a capable general. In spite of this, the Empire of Yutang's greatest enemy and the most dangerous opponent was still Dongxuan!

The Empire of Dongxuan had never lacked capable generals and was even fortified by the God of War, Han Sanhe. Dongxuan's garrison could actually be considered as the Empire of Yutang's riskiest garrison!

The entire imperial court had been suffering from a headache about the talent appointment in this case. Now that Fu Baoguo volunteered himself, both civil and military officials were stunned.

Not only was Fu Baoguo capable, his reputation, achievement, and merit technically surpassed Tie Zheng and paralleled the three military old folks. It was due to this that he was appointed as the military successor, becoming the Grand Marshal after the current Grand Commandant retired and the military authority in the imperial court.

Yet it was also due to Fu Baoguo's extremely commendable reputation, achievement, and merit that if he were to only become one of the four borders' marshal, there would easily be a suspicion that he was being oppressed. Besides, the old Grand Commandant could not hold on for long now; he could not leave this successor at all!

Therefore, everyone could think of Fu Baoguo as a candidate but no one could nominate him to be stationed at the eastern border.

Now that he had volunteered, the situation was different.

His Majesty applauded Fu Baoguo's request and had approved it swiftly.

Fu Baoguo was quick to act too, reorganizing his troops and departing on the third morning. The Old Grand Commandant and Old Marshal Qiu and Leng went out of the city to send him off personally.

Looking at Fu Baoguo clad in his military uniform, the three old sirs were awash with emotion.

"Take good care!"

Old Grand Commandant Fang had always been fond of his disciple, his most prized successor. Disregarding the fact that Marshals Qiu and Leng were by his side, he uttered word by word, "Baoguo, it is an extremely dangerous feat to face Han Sanhe. You must plan well, remember these nine words!"

"Please enlighten me, teacher."

"Aim not for great accomplishments!" Old Grand Commandant Fang enunciated each word, "But to not err! To not make any mistakes before Han Sanhe is already a great achievement in itself; never advance recklessly over the greed for merit!"

"Yes!" Fu Baoguo promised with a bow.

Old Marshal Qiu took a step forward, his eyes glimmering as he watched Fu Baoguo.

The materials that Yun Yang presented to the emperor had taken the entire chapter about Fu Baoguo off but none of it was concealed from Qiu Jianhan; all the details were carefully documented.

There were only three people in the entire nation who knew that Fu Baoguo had been manipulated - Yun Yang, Shui Wuyin, and Qiu Jianhan.

"Does Old Marshal Qiu have a word of advice?" Fu Baoguo asked in a collected manner.

Qiu Jianhan inhaled deeply before speaking, "Baoguo, sometimes, being alive is harder than being dead! Some things can be done only by being alive! I hope you remember this old man's words - Yutang's eastern border is in your care now!"

Fu Baoguo felt a sharp pain inside, almost tearing up; he nodded profusely. "Old Marshal, I shall remember it! Even if I die, I will make sure the eastern border stays safe!"

The flags fluttered, the army departed.

Suddenly, wind billowed in the air.

The flags flapped harshly in unison, fluttering noises filled the ear; the army's spirit was boosted immediately as they raised their heads.

Fu Baoguo suppressed the emotional rollercoaster within him as well as he could and lifted his head as well.

A large tornado emerged high in the air once more, the silhouette of a person stood vaguely within the wind. "Marshal Fu, take care! This deployment must be dangerous. On behalf of my eight brothers, Wind is here to send the troops off!"

"Thank you, Lord Supreme Wind!"

Fu Baoguo teared up then, giving a low bow of respect and said determinedly, "Even if Fu Baoguo dies with crushed bones, I shall keep the empire's eastern border! As long as I still have a single breath left in me, Dongxuan's army shall be stopped before the empire's border!"

"This heart and this body are devoted to serving the country; the will shall never waver, only upon death shall it rest!"