Chapter 3354
Meanwhile, in the federation!
A federation member entered the Council Hall and approached Guan Yue, who sat in the chief seat, "Reporting to the hall master, the War Gods who went to the Douling Empire have returned!"
Guan Yue stopped what he was doing, slightly surprised, "Returned? They've come back faster than I anticipated!"
In his view, War God Ao Rui and others would have needed at least several weeks to return from the Douling Empire!
He then asked, "Were there any casualties this time?"
With evil Soul Masters scattered throughout the Douling Empire, it was impossible to say there were no casualties!
However, as long as there was no reduction in the high-end combat power, it was acceptable!
The former hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head...
Seeing this, Guan Yue, sensing trouble, intensified his tone, "Speak!"
The federation member took a deep breath, mentally prepared himself, and said, "Rep... Reporting to the hall master, although most federation members safely returned from the rescue mission to the Douling Empire, still... two War Gods unfortunately perished in battle!"
Guan Yue slammed the table forcefully, stood up, and shouted angrily, "What? Two War Gods perished??"
The War God Hall had spent untold efforts to cultivate two War Gods...
And now, losing two at once was a tremendous blow to the overall strength of the federation!
The former trembled with fear and hurriedly bowed his head, "Hall master, please calm your anger!"
However, these words did not calm Guan Yue down but fueled his anger even more...
"Calm my anger? How can I calm my anger? Those were two War Gods, who could be considered the backbone of the federation and the War God Hall, and now they have suddenly fallen!"
"Even all the federation members in the Douling Empire combined cannot compare!"
The former didn't dare to make a sound and chose to remain silent with his mouth shut...
Guan Yue clenched his fists and ordered once more, "You, go immediately and call Ao Rui here!"
Upon hearing this, the federation member answered softly, "But hall master, War God Ao Rui also sustained significant injuries in battle, he is currently..."
Guan Yue stared fiercely at the former and commanded, in no uncertain terms, "If he's not dead, call him here immediately!"
Ao Rui, as the principal person responsible for this operation, had a great deal of responsibility for such heavy casualties!
The former naturally didn't dare say anything more and responded immediately, "Yes, hall master!"
...
Not long after, Ao Rui, wrapped in bandages and appearing somewhat weak, entered the Council Hall...
Upon seeing Guan Yue, he took the initiative and said, "Hall master!"
However, the former showed no expression and just stared at him coldly...
After a long moment, he finally spoke, "Ao Rui, do you know why I called you here?"
Ao Rui shook his head, "I'm uncertain, please enlighten me, hall master!"
He had been treating his injuries, but when he heard that the other party wanted to see him, he rushed over immediately...
Guan Yue's expression remained incredibly stern, "Uncertain, are you really uncertain or pretending to be?"
Ao Rui's expression was still somewhat puzzled, clearly not fully understanding...
Guan Yue did not waste words with him and went straight to the point...
"Ao Rui, I appointed you as the leader for this rescue mission, so why did two War Gods perish under your watch??"
With these words, Ao Rui suddenly understood everything...
Immediately, with a look of shame, he said, "I apologize, hall master, I failed your trust!"
"The reason those two War Gods perished is entirely due to flaws in my decision-making!!"
He had not lied about that!
If it hadn't been for his insistence on rescuing the trapped Federation Members, they would not have attracted the attention of the evil Soul Master...
They would not have died because of it!
Guan Yue took a deep breath, "Is that all? Are you just going to use these two sentences to cover up your own responsibility?"
It was the first time he had felt such disappointment towards him!
Ao Rui immediately looked up and said word by word, "Hall Master, I am not trying to hide my responsibility. On the contrary, I am willing to bear all the consequences of this action!"
"No matter what punishment you give me, I have no complaints!"
He had already mentally prepared himself when he returned to the federation!
Guan Yue sneered, "Punishment? Will the Sacrificed War Gods come back to life if I punish you?"
Hearing this, Ao Rui chose to remain silent...
This question was undoubtedly impossible!
Even if he were executed, the two Sacrificed War Gods could not be brought back to life!
But if he were not punished, he could not in good conscience continue to serve as the first War God!
Thinking this, he made a decision, "Hall Master, given the situation, I am ashamed to be the first War God of the War God Hall, and I am not qualified to continue!"
"Therefore, please remove my title as War God!"
Guan Yue narrowed his eyes, "Ao Rui, are you serious about what you just said?"
Without a second thought Ao Rui replied, "Yes, Hall Master, I, who am incompetent, no longer deserve this position!"
Guan Yue coldly "hmphed" once, seemingly also a bit frustrated with him...
"Well, since this is your request, I will grant it!"
"As the Battle God Hall's hall master, acting Chairman of the Federation, I hereby declare, revoke your..."
However, just then, the War Gods who had been eavesdropping outside suddenly burst through the door, all of them speaking out to stop him...
"Hall Master, no, aside from Ao Rui, no one else is qualified to serve as the first War God!"
"That's right, if there is to be punishment, then punish me, War God Ao Rui is not at fault!"
"Hall Master, the fact that two War Gods were sacrificed in our mission to support the Douling Empire has nothing to do with you directly, it was all because of the evil Soul Master!"
"Mmm hmm... We had just infiltrated the Douling Empire and met up with the trapped Federation Members when we were immediately attacked by many evil Soul Master powerhouses. It was clearly a trap set by the Holy Spirit Cult!"
Yet, Ao Rui rebuked, "All of you shut up! I was talking to the Hall Master; who allowed you in, everyone out!"
"Besides, regardless of the process, the result is indeed that two War Gods were sacrificed because of it, and I am unequivocally responsible!"
He did not need the other War Gods to plead for him, as that would only increase his guilt!
After all, these War Gods had trusted him so much, yet because of his decision, they almost perished in the Douling Empire!
Guan Yue then glanced at the other War Gods and coldly commanded, "Who allowed you to barge in here? Do you still see me as the hall master?"
"Or do you think the title of War God is too dazzling?"
It seemed, this issue was not just about Ao Rui; there likely was more to the story!
Understanding his intent, the War Gods knew what he meant, but not a single one turned to leave...
For them, the title of War God meant nothing compared to their comrades!
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