Chapter 925: You Brought This Upon Yourselves!
"Who says it's too late?"
"It's not too late yet!"
"Only one of the thirty fortresses has been taken so far. Even if our child missed the first merit, Ling Zhan will definitely lead the assaults on the remaining twenty-nine, and he'll likely be at the frontlines again!"
"Quick, get our child to rejoin the corps!"
The noble family head listened to his wife's words and turned to his son, whose face was filled with regret.
Hmm…
It was obvious.
His son was now deeply regretting his decision.
"Son, stop spacing out. I'll contact the top officers of the Dragon Kingdom's legion—I still have some connections there. Don't worry, I'll get you back into the Demon-Slaying Corps!"
The noble family head gritted his teeth as he spoke.
He had once feared for his son's life following a non-specialist like Ling Zhan. But now, seeing Ling Zhan's overwhelming power, he was eager to send his son back.
Following Ling Zhan was practically a guaranteed merit harvest!
It was like picking up achievements from the ground!
According to the latest notice, the assault on Lemoris Fortress resulted in zero casualties!
That's right!
Zero casualty rate!
Can you believe it?
In past years, the combined forces of various Kingdom legions tried taking Lemoris Fortress with countless casualties and many powerful Professionals lost.
Yet Ling Zhan took it without a single injury!
Doesn't that speak volumes about this non-specialist's terrifying power?
With that in mind.
The noble family head hastily dialed his contacts.
But all he got was a busy signal.
He tried several more times—still busy.
"What the…"
He was dumbfounded.
His wife rolled her eyes. "You think you're the only one with this idea? Don't you think other families are trying to do the same? Your contacts are probably flooded with calls by now. It's not your turn anymore…"
The noble named Zhang nodded in agreement.
"Then what if we visit them in person?"
"Of course! Not only should we visit, but we need to bring generous gifts!"
"Alright! I'll prepare right away!"
"..."
As it turned out.
The Zhang family wasn't the only one who thought of this.
The original Demon-Slaying Corps had 7,200 members.
Only just over 2,000 remained.
That meant at least 5,000 had quit.
Now those 5,000 deeply regretted it.
Not just them, but their families too!
They missed a once-in-a-lifetime chance for monumental merit!
Filled with regret, they scrambled to use every connection they had to get their kids back into the corps.
In no time.
The top generals of the Dragon Kingdom were bewildered.
Their estates were suddenly filled with noble family heads bearing lavish gifts!
"What's the meaning of this?"
Old General Su, especially, was flooded—almost every noble head came to him!
Everyone knew that Old Su was one of the ten veteran god-generals of the Dragon Kingdom, highly respected and influential.
It was he who had first recommended Ling Zhan to lead the Demon-Slaying Corps.
He also proposed that Ling Zhan lead the assault on Lemoris Fortress.
Simply put, he had played a huge role in Ling Zhan's rise.
So they figured that if he spoke on their behalf, Ling Zhan would surely listen.
Thus, they all flocked to visit Old Su.
Seeing the swarm of nobles arriving in a grand procession, Old Su nearly burst out laughing in anger!
Now they shamelessly returned seeking favors.
Their sudden change of face was almost laughable.
The other high-ranking generals present with Old Su didn't even bother looking at the nobles.
They knew these nobles only acted when there was profit to be made.
And the moment they arrived, the generals instantly guessed their motives.
Obviously, they wanted their children back in the Demon-Slaying Corps!
But had they considered…
Would their words actually sway Ling Zhan?
"Alright, don't crowd around. I'll host a banquet tonight. Just show up—don't bring gifts. Any gifts will be refused and returned. Just bring yourselves."
"I'll give you an answer then."
Old Su smiled faintly as he spoke.
The noble heads could only leave, looking rather embarrassed.
The banquet was scheduled for 7 PM.
But by 5 PM, the noble heads were already gathering.
Clearly, this was of utmost importance to them.
The banquet began right on time at 7.
Old Su stood before the noble heads, and his first words changed their expressions drastically.
His voice was calm as he said:
"I know why you're all here. But I must say something disappointing: I'm afraid I can't grant your request."
As soon as he finished.
Whoa!!
The nobles all jumped up in panic.
"Old General Su, could you tell us why?"
One family head asked respectfully, trying to contain his anxiety.
"Why, you ask?"
Old Su chuckled, then looked at them seriously and said, "Let me ask you something—did you read the agreement your kids signed when they quit the corps?"
The nobles looked at each other in confusion.
Uh, that…
Back then, they were in a hurry to make their kids quit.
Who had time to read the agreement?
"Sigh! As I thought, none of you read it carefully!"
"The agreement clearly states that once someone quits the corps, they can never rejoin the Demon-Slaying Corps!"
"Go check it for yourselves!"
Old Su's words dropped like a bomb!
Whoa!!
This time.
It truly was a stone causing a thousand ripples!
The noble heads' expressions all changed.
"What…"
"Impossible!"
"When was that clause added?"
"I didn't read it—was that really in the agreement?"
Their faces were full of shock and disappointment.
If that clause really existed, their children would never be able to rejoin the Demon-Slaying Corps!
"Have someone check for yourselves!"
"Why else do you think Ling Zhan let them quit without any conditions?"
"By military law, quitting right before a mission is considered desertion!"
"You all know how severe the punishment for desertion is, right?"
"Ling Zhan waived that punishment, but he added one clause: anyone who quits will never be allowed to rejoin!"
Old Su gave a heavy snort. "You brought this upon yourselves!"