The Ultimate Dare

No one said anything. The faces of all the guards had become red. They were breathless; it seemed as if they were suffocating. They were feeling extremely ashamed of themselves, and were deeply humiliated.

[Why did it happen? Why can't we do it if others can? They could break through to the next level… but we couldn't. Why? They had once fought with us. But now, they're holding positions of authority… and are looking down upon us. Why can't we do the same?]

Jun Xie said, "A few of you may think that the people who became generals were lucky… and the ones who managed to advance higher in terms of Mystic Qi cultivation were more talented than you… that you weren't selected as the selectors couldn't recognize your potential. You know what I think about this? I think that all these are petty arguments. If those people were lucky… then why didn't you grab on to the same luck? The ones who think that they aren't as talented as those people have already considered themselves to be a piece of garbage… And for the ones who think that the selectors couldn't recognize their talent… how stupid is that?! What would an employer choose – talent or a piece of garbage?"

Still, no one said anything. The eyes of the guards had become redder. They were breathing more heavily than before.

"Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying these things to humiliate you… or to scratch your old wounds. I'm saying this to bring it to your notice that you people have become used to a comfortable life; so much so that you've even lost your courage. It isn't scary to be in the wrong. What's scary is to not know that one's in the wrong. It's unforgivable to be proud of one's own accomplishments. You people didn't consider this ever before. You wouldn't have been here today if this thought had crossed your mind earlier.

"People can be motivated through various means. But, insult is the most important of them. Now tell me – do you people want to continue your existence as a piece of garbage? Do you want to continue your existence as useless people who are just waiting for the death's call? Do you want to continue to be insulted and stepped over by others? Do you want to continue listening to these rude words from me until you're unable to lift-up your heads in pride again?"

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, "NO!" A few voices could be heard in the beginning in a disorderly manner. However, they continued to rise, and became so loud that they could topple over the mountains. The guards' emotions had been incited. They were shouting so loudly that their throats were hurting. It seemed as if the blood had surged-up in their heads.

Jun Xie walked two steps forward. He then titled his head to one side and said, "Very good! It seems that there's still hope." He paused for a moment and added, "Did anyone of you ever thought that what if you're a bunch of useless people… you're still better than a debauchee like me? Is it right? You people know that you're bound to follow all my orders as per Third Uncle's instructions, but you hold me in contempt. Is that correct?"

Several of the guards raised their heads and looked at Jun Xie. They didn't say anything. But, it was clear that they were indeed feeling this way.

Jun Xie stretched out his hands and said, "But, you people are wrong. This mind set is a big mistake on your part. I'm a known debauchee… while you people are survivors of a hundred wars. You're all iron-blooded men. But still, you worth isn't as much as mine. And why's that? It's simple. I've a great grandfather and a good uncle… and had a good father and two good brothers. These people sacrificed everything they had in order to make the Jun family reach the position it has today. You people don't have all these things. I – Jun Moxie is a debauchee. But still, there'll always be someone to save me when I do something wrong or even kill innocents. There'll always be someone to make my life a success. But again, none of you have these things. So, my worth is more than yours. The Laws of Heaven has its own balance. One has to let go of something in order to gain something. Even a debauchee has to pay a price to be a debauchee. Don't think of it as a small price. In fact, there's no such thing as a debauchee. The one who can't fulfil the conditions of being a debauchee is the one whose parents couldn't afford the price for this. So, none of them could be called a debauchee. That's the reason they'll never be called a debauchee.

"There isn't any need for you to look far for an example. You can find an example right in front of your eyes. My grandfather – Jun Zhantian – was born as an ordinary person. He entered the military… and shed his blood in more than a hundred battles in order to bring the Jun family to this place. Do you think that my grandfather was stronger than anyone of you when he started out?"

The story of Jun Zhantian's struggles and rise to fame was a well-known story in the Heavenly Scent Kingdom. All these people had heard about his story several times. The eyes of several guards started to emit a spark as they heard these words. The hearts of a few of them had been stirred to such an extent that they started to tremble.

[Can we also reach to such a height?]

Jun Xie continued to speak, "I've said enough. I think you people have got the gist behind my words. You people are lucky enough to survive several wars and make enough contributions to lead this kind of a peaceful life. In fact, you guys have the liberty to treat your training as a game. But, the price that you're paying is enough to get through life in this manner; nothing more, nothing less."

Suddenly, he stopped walking back-and-forth. He then turned around to face the guards and said in an impactful manner, "Now, I've only one question for you… Do you people want to get out of your comfort zone and become first-class experts? Do you people want to leave behind the people who had once left you behind? Do you people want to handle greater responsibilities than just being guards to the residences of the Jun family? And…"

Jun Xie paused for a while and continued, "… do you want to let your children enjoy the same privileges as I do? If you become successful… then your children can afford to become a useless debauchee as me whom no one can bully. Your success will put your children in a powerful position. Do you realize that your success will enable your children to climb to the top of the ladder without making any effort? Your family can even become as influential as the Jun family, the Li family and the Dugu family. Your efforts and hard work can help transform the luck of your children and grandchildren."

Everyone became excited as they thought of the colorful picture of their bright future painted by Jun Xie. They clenched their fists tightly, and their eyes became red.

Suddenly, Jun Xie shouted out, "Do you want it or not? Say yes or no!"

"Yes!" the guards shouted in unison. Their voice was so loud that even the sky shook. It seemed as if the Heaven and the earth had shook together.

Jun Xie looked at them coldly and said, "Alright! Now, listen to me carefully. No one's allowed to complain during my training sessions. You can be assured that your efforts and sacrifices will reap you the greatest profits under my guidance. But, you must also remember this very important fact. A few of you may die under my training… and a few may end-up getting disabled. You may have to pay this price. So, I'm giving you a chance to reconsider my leadership. Think carefully. Then, who so ever is interested in training under me can take a step forward. The rest of you may remain standing at your place. I'm warning you people again. You can't quit my leadership once you accept it – until and unless you die. So, you should make your choice after a careful consideration."

Then, Jun Xie shouted, "I'll count up to three. You must make up your mind before that."

All the three-hundred men stepped forward with a firm expression on their faces with the count of one. They had moved their feet with such force that the dust on the ground had been raised to the sky; even the ground had seemed to tremble under their strength.

Jun Wuyi had been watching all this from the side. He looked at all the people with eyes full of admiration and veneration.

Jun Xie had lifted the morale of all the three-hundred men through the means of provocation; so much so that they wouldn't question even if they were ordered to march to their deaths. Jun Xie's words had brought out the blood-thirsty aspect of these people's nature. Jun Wuyi was himself a general. He was used to build-up the morale of his soldiers. Jun Xie's words had even provoked him; so much so that his blood was boiling and he was breathing heavily. He felt as if he was looking over a blazing battlefield with smoky air, piles of corpses and a sea of blood.

A long howl rose from within his soul. He could see a thousand soldiers marching up to their deaths with fire in their hearts. They seemed ready to charge through a hundred wars and live their lives without any regrets.

Jun Wuyi and the three-hundred guards shared the same amount of excitement, and were exuding wild sparks from their eyes.

All the three-hundred people had a same thought in their minds – they would rather embrace death in place of living a humiliating life.

Even Jun Xie hadn't imagined that his speech would create a strong team of capable men who were ready to shake the entire world. This team would be god-like. These people would fill fear into the hearts of their enemies, and would force them to retreat in the battlefield.

Jun Xie named this team as the Heavenly Destroyer and Spirit Devourer!

The Evil Monarch's first team of invincible warriors had been born. A god-like team had been born out of utter humiliation. No one knew what this team had in store for the world…