The Strongest War God

“I’m not like you, Teacher!”

Braydon Neal let out a sigh, and there was a brief silence from Finley Yanagi.

He understood exactly what this student was trying to convey.

After all, Finley, known as the Devil King, was infamous for his mix of good and evil deeds.

His methods were ruthless, and to him, everyone was a mere pawn on the chessboard of his grand schemes.

Sometimes, he didn’t shy away from employing unscrupulous means, even if it meant involving innocent lives.

Finley’s generation, including himself, held a ruthless perspective.

They believed that achieving greatness often required sacrificing even their loved ones.

The collateral damage of innocent lives was just a part of the process.

In Devil King Finley’s eyes, Wilder Jansky had a limited lifespan, yet he still had some utility left—Finley intended to exploit that until the very end.

“I don’t want to owe you any more favors,” Braydon stated softly.

Finley responded, “Dead favors are hard to repay. Let it be.”

Finley didn’t press the matter, adopting a serious tone as he explained, “The 16th ruin is a true chaos. There’s no order to speak of, spirit beasts run rampant, and the aborigines are indiscriminate killers. It’s vastly different from the 14th ruin under my control. Do you get the picture?”

Braydon posed a crucial question, “Is the 14th ruin different from the 16th ruin, or is the 14th ruin different from all the other ruins?”

His suspicion arose from rumors he’d heard and interactions with influential figures in the 14th ancient city.

This meant that the aborigines were cooperating with the outsiders.

The aborigines wanted to know who it was.

Likewise, the people in the South Pole also wanted to know which of the giants was working with the aborigines.

Both sides wanted blood.

The South Pole martial artists all knew about the wild ambitions of the aborigines.

They had made it clear that they wanted to return to the outside world.

The martial artists from the outside world wanted to use the various cultivation resources in the ruins.

Both sides had their own goals.

However, they were collaborating with each other, crossing a clear red line.

To Braydon, his teacher Finley was bold enough to form such an alliance. Finley, unafraid of notoriety, even practiced the Supreme Forbidden Technique.

Finley dared to do what no one in the world dared to do.

Even if he were to be notorious for ten thousand years, he was not afraid of being criticized by others.

Finley calmly explained, “The 14th ruin stands out. Aborigines live peacefully there, coexisting in separate territories without disturbing one another. Spirit beasts don’t recklessly attack the ancient city either.”

Braydon, already anticipating the answer, asked directly, “Are you working with the aborigines?”

He believed that Finley’s cooperation was the key to the harmony in the 14th ruin.

Braydon’s assumption led to a realization, a thin layer of sweat appearing on the tip of his nose.

He said sharply, “Are you leveraging the entry quota for the bronze door as a bargaining chip with the aborigines?”

Fidel Camacho, standing at the side, felt a tingling sensation on his scalp at the mere thought of an aborigine venturing into the outside world.

If it was true, it would be enough to cause a huge uproar around the world.

Facing away, Finley, unfazed, redirected the conversation, “I’m here because I don’t agree with you going into the 16th ruin alone. There’s something else I need to tell you. Heather is pregnant.”

“What?”

Though Braydon sensed his teacher’s attempt to change the subject, the news still caught him off guard.

He was pleasantly surprised—Heather Sage was pregnant?

Memories of that night in the capital flooded back, where Heather had shielded him from the supreme pinnacle, nearly sacrificing herself.

It was Braydon who had unleashed the power of roots, ultimately saving her.

Six months had passed since that incident, and he had no inkling of Heather’s pregnancy until now.

Becoming a father was not something Braydon had expected.

As he composed himself, he gazed at his teacher, Finley, who seemed puzzled.

Finley questioned, and the corner of his mouth twitched, his expression darkening. “I raised you, and we’re like father and son. Don’t you trust me anymore?” he added.

Braydon acknowledged the debt he owed his teacher for his current standing.

Yet, certain things were precious to him.

Despite the gratitude, Braydon would not allow Finley to use any Northern Army sons or younger brothers as mere pawns in his schemes.

He was determined not to let them become abandoned pieces, knowing the tragic fate often awaiting such individuals.

Old Devil Yanagi dodged the question and bluntly stated, “Brother told me that Heather is pregnant.”

The brother referred to Martial Emperor Yanagi, Finley’s elder brother.

Braydon frowned. “Why didn’t he tell me? And Luther’s hidden agents didn’t receive any news either.”

Old Devil Yanagi explained, “Your hidden agents do not dare to spy on your future wife. In the Northern Army, spying on your wife is the same as spying on you—overstepping boundaries. They wouldn’t have the audacity to do so.”

Finley shook his head gently. He felt that Braydon was confused because it was related to Heater.

Who amongst the hidden agents would dare to monitor Heather?

Luther Carden would likely eradicate anyone daring to spy on her.

Just like the ten lieutenant commanders of the Northern Army; who would dare to spy on them?

If Cole Colbie and the others were to find out that they were being monitored by the hidden agents, they would join forces to beat the crap of out Luther.

Finley continued, “The capital has sealed off the news. You all came to the South Pole together, and Heather, alone, wields the heavenly sword. If she gets pregnant, her power will be reduced by 90%. You understand why the capital has sealed off the news, right?”

This left Braydon in silent contemplation.

Feeling skeptical, Braydon questioned her secrecy about the pregnancy.

He couldn’t fathom why she would hide the news from him, the child’s father.

Did she think he would harm his own child?

Heather definitely had some plan in mind.

As Finley observed the situation as Braydon’s mood turned somber. Finley too became dejected.

Braydon was just about to spill the beans about what happened between him and the aborigines!

This pair of teacher and student were not honest people.

“I can’t stay by Heather’s side for long. I think she blames me for that.” Braydon said resignedly.

Without looking back, Braydon entered the 16th ruin.

Old Devil Yanagi had assumed he might return to the capital to see Heather.

However, to everyone’s surprise, Braydon entered the 16th ruin without a second glance.

Fidel, standing by the bronze door, felt cold sweat dripping down his forehead.

He had heard too much today.

Finley glanced at him with a hint of killing intent, revealing his desire to eliminate Fidel.