Gate of God

by Stayrr

This is a strange and inexplicable world…Mountains, water, stones, flowers, grass, trees, wood, the Sun, moonlight, stars… All creation under the Heavens and Earths are sources of energy. In this world, there are all the classics from his previous world, but there is a new addition: The Law of Dao. Fang Zhengzhi was conflicted. I can obtain power from reading books? Should I read T

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Read Gate of God - Chapter 237: Bathing deep inside Cang Ling Mountain online free - Light Novel Full

Chapter 237: Bathing deep inside Cang Ling Mountain

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Almost a hundred soldiers drew their swords as they stared down Fang Zhengzhi. They were all intent on killing him, and they were extremely overbearing.

All of the villagers began to plead upon seeing this.

"Commander sir, please no, please don't kill Zhengzhi..."

"Zhengzhi, apologize to the commander, tell him that you have no intention to rebel!"

As villagers who had never been out, the Great Xia Dynasty Army was a godlike entity. No one thought that Fang Zhengzhi could go up against that.

The entire scene erupted in chaos.

Elderlies, ladies, kids, were all nervous. Some were on the verge of tears, some others tried to use their bodies to block the path of the soldiers.

No matter what Fang Zhengzhi just did, they all treated him as their family. No one wanted to see anything untoward happen to him.

Chi Guyan looked at the fallen soldier calmly. She did not seem surprised, neither did she try to stop Fang Zhengzhi.

"Kill!" The commander lowered his sword and bellowed. He prepared to kill this audacious teen in front of him.

But...

At this point, a figure suddenly appeared in front of him. This figure was dressed in a blue long sleeved shirt which flapped in the wind. His expression was icy. He ignored the commander.

The commander could not believe his eyes.

He knew that his opponent was fast, but he did not expect him to be that fast. More importantly, he felt a strong suppressive force on his body.

This was not an aura.

This was actual suppression. He could feel and see the mountains and trees moving to suppress his every movement.

"Area of control!"

"Mountains and vines!"

"He's... he's in the Heavenly Reflection State?! How can this be? He can't be more than 15 years old. Zhengzhi... they call him Zhengzhi... he, he's Fang Zhengzhi?! The second person after Chi Guyan to attain the Heavenly Reflection State below the age of 18! He's the top performing candidate at the River of Trust Province Examinations!"

In an instant, the commander finally knew who was the youth standing in front of him.

He had received the order to enter the Northern Mountain Village over a month ago. Even though he did not know how Fang Zhengzhi did in the imperial examinations, Fang Zhengzhi's breakthrough at the Divine Constabulary was common knowledge.

When combined with what the villagers called him, it was not difficult to deduce who this youth was.

It was a pity...

He realized it too late.

He began to sweat profusely.

He may be the leader of over a hundred soldiers, but he was just a commander in charge of logistics. He was not even finished with the Divine Seal State.

As for the soldiers around him, they were just strong individuals. There were less than three cultivators amongst them.

A hundred ordinary soldiers against a Heavenly Reflection State powerhouse.

There was only one way this ended...

Death!

"Oh my god!" The commander screamed and fell to his knees. He was being forced downwards by the pressure from the mountains. In that instant, he felt all his energy dissipate.

His heart had been pierced.

"Plonk!"

The commander fell to the ground, still in disbelief.

How can a commander like myself die here? He could not believe that the Northern Mountain Village talent was Fang Zhengzhi.

If he had known this earlier, he would never have allowed his subordinates to do what they did.

However, there were no second chances.

This may be Heaven's will.

When someone is of poor character, karma would eventually catch up with him. It was just like how one's shoes would get wet if they always walked by the river.

All of the other soldiers were also rooted to the ground. They too were being surrounded by Fang Zhengzhi's area of control.

"Heavenly... Heavenly Reflection?!"

As soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty, they were trained to not fear death. However, that did not mean that they would willingly send themselves to their own deaths.

Furthermore, their commander had already died.

None of them dared to act without direct orders.

All of them looked at Fang Zhengzhi in fear.

At this moment, all of the soldiers looked to each other, all of them trembling in their spots.

"Clang!"

A crisp clang rang out as a blade was dropped on the floor.

Then another one, and another one...

Before long, all of the hundred soldiers had laid down their weapons.

The villagers were in shock and awe. They were shocked by Fang Zhengzhi's speed and ability. Furthermore, they were in awe at the commander's lack of fight when Fang Zhengzhi appeared next to him.

More importantly, all of the surrounding soldiers did not move.

It felt like they were cemented to the ground. It was a little strange...

"How... how powerful?! Is that really Zhengzhi? Why is he so powerful..." All of the villagers were in shock.

This youth had lived with them for eight years.

However, he had demonstrated abilities that none of them had ever seen before.

"Zheng Er..." Qin Xuelian was happily surprised. Even so, she was worried for her son.

Fang Houde was also in awe. He knew that his son was strong, but he did not know exactly how powerful Fang Zhengzhi was. Fang Zhengzhi rarely showed his powers in public.

He finally knew today.

But he was at a loss after seeing the results.

"How long have you all been in the Northern Mountain Village?" Fang Zhengzhi did not move anymore, staring calmly at the trembling soldiers.

"We... we have been here... one... one month..." One of the soldiers stammered.

"One month!" Fang Zhengzhi's gaze turned icy, "So, you have had one months worth of meat and wine whilst my villagers have eaten one month of vegetables and drank plain water?"

"Yes, yes... this was the command given to us, we... we..." All of the soldiers paled.

"Young master Fang, please have mercy!"

"Young master Fang, we... we may have eaten well this one month, but we did not commit any heinous crimes... we don't deserve to die! Oh yes, and we gave the villagers the token for them to move freely in an out of Huai An County!"

All of the soldiers fell to their knees.

"Zhengzhi, what they said is true. Now that the commander is dead, show them some mercy!" Zhang Yangping ran to Fang Zhengzhi's side and advised upon seeing the situation.

Fang Zhengzhi knew what Zhang Yangping was thinking. The villagers have always been simple people.

If he killed all the soldiers and ran the rivers red with their blood, it would cast a shadow over all of the villagers' hearts.

He had killed the commander precisely for that reason. By killing the commander, he could prevent a massacre.

"Scram!"

The hundred strong army got out of the village overnight. They lugged the two bodies along. Each one of them was pale, almost as if they had just experienced a catastrophe.

"Brother Zhang... what... what are we going to do now?"

"I never expected that the person in the Northern Mountain Village was actually Fang Zhengzhi! And he is so audacious! We had been ordered to set up camp at the Northern Mountain Village to provide logistical support for the army. Now that Fang Zhengzhi has chased us out and killed our commander, we have to report this to General Liu!"

"There are over ten thousand soldiers on Cang Ling Mountain alone. I don't think he can defeat us all, even with his powers.

"Rest assured. Even if Fang Zhengzhi dares to kill us all, the army will never let him off!"

"Let's go!"

The Northern Mountain Village was calm once again.

However, a shadow was still cast over them. It felt like a large mountain was pressing down on the Northern Mountain Village. The villagers felt that it was slightly difficult to breathe.

The Snow Treading Dragon Stallion and the Scarlet Flame Snow Cloud were grazing on grass in the courtyard.

Inside the room, four lamps were lit, instantly brightening up the entire room.

Qin Xuelian stroked Fang Zhengzhi's face, her eyes filled with motherly care.

Fang Houde sat by the side, his expression complicated.

Zhang Yangping was also extremely worried. He paced up and down, sighing intermittently.

"Zhengzhi, you were too rash this time. They were ordered by the military to be here. Now that you have chased them out of the village, the army will definitely know about this."

"Oh? Uncle Yangping, you know about the army?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Zhang Yangping in surprise.

"You... aish! Why aren't you worried?" Zhang Yangping was taken aback by Fang Zhengzhi's question. If he wasn't this worried, he may have laughed in exasperation.

"Father, mother, I have already passed the imperial examinations. I also topped the theory examinations. Aren't I good?" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Zhang Yangping and turned to Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian.

"Don't try to console us. If you've passed the imperial examinations, why is there no announcer with you?" Zhang Yangping interrupted.

"There was a problem during the combat examinations, so there will be a retest. The announcement would probably come after the retest!" Fang Zhengzhi explained.

"Zhengzhi, I have watched you grow up. I know what you're thinking. You must be saying this to allay our fears? Are you going to tell us that you've been made an official? Are you going to become the governor of Huai An County next month?"

"Uncle Yangping, I can tell that you know me very well. I have been made an official, but I am not the governor of Huai An County. I am the Sword Envoy... I even have the official seal to prove it!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and retrieved an exquisitely carved rosewood box.

The rosewood box had a carving of a sword on the top side. On each of the four sides of the rosewood box were the words Great Xia Dynasty.

"You have the audacity to forge an official seal?!" Zhang Yangping was shocked when he saw the rosewood box.

Fang Zhengzhi smiled bitterly as he saw the looks of horror on Zhang Yangping, Qin Xuelian, and Fang Houde.

"Dad, mom... do you all not believe me too?"

"Of course we don't believe you! Zheng Er... even though we will miss you, you should run away whilst is dark. When the army gets here and can't find you, they can't do anything to us either.

Fang Zhengzhi was speechless. Where is the trust between humans? My own parents don't believe me? I guess I can't tell the truth!

"I heard that Cang Ling Mountain has been sealed?" Fang Zhengzhi decided to change the topic.

"Yes, every village in an 18 mile radius has been affected. The Southern Mountain Village, the Western River Village... they have all become bases for the army. Our village has had it easy. Even though we have to help out with carrying some things here and there, we have it much better than the other villages."

The moment he heard about the sealing of the mountain, Zhang Yangping frowned. The village had suffered huge losses from the sealing of the mountain.

"Does Uncle Yangping know why the mountain has been sealed?" Fang Zhengzhi pressed.

"I heard that it is to catch a ferocious beast. Now the entire mountain is swarming with soldiers. There is a blockade at every mile, and a sentry every ten steps. The seal is extremely tight."

"Are there any weak spots?"

"We have gone through the mountain roads two times each day to get to Huai An County. It seems like the area where we have set up our traps is slightly less tight." Zhang Yangping replied after some thought. Then, his eyes glimmered, "Why don't you hide out there for a couple of days? Sometimes the most dangerous places are the safest. Didn't you tell us that?"

Fang Zhengzhi was speechless.

"Uncle Yangping, I have some ideas to better our village. However, we need to discuss the building of such infrastructure with all the other villages. Furthermore, I need Cang Ling Mountain as a base. I would like to go see the situation there." Fang Zhengzhi decided to tell the truth once again.

"Okay okay, go ahead. You can go right now!" Zhang Yangping seemed to understand. Then, he reminded, "Remember to hide at the area where we set up our traps. As for your meals, I will personally send them to you!"

For the first time, Fang Zhengzhi found it difficult to talk to Zhang Yangping. However, he could understand what Zhang Yangping, Fang Houde, and Qin Xuelian were feeling.

"I'm tired!" Fang Zhengzhi sighed and prepared to change.

"I've already changed, when are we leaving?" A voice rang out from inside the house.

Fang Zhengzhi was surprised when he heard this voice. He knew that it was Chi Guyan, but, why would Chi Guyan want to follow him into the mountains?

Ever since he sparred with Chi Guyan eight years ago...

He had not seen Chi Guyan reveal her abilities. Little did he think that he could see them again today.

Eight years...

She was the leader on two of the dragon rolls. She was also the top talent of the Great Xia Dynasty and his opponent two years from now. How powerful was she now? Fang Zhengzhi smirked.

"We can leave once I've changed!"

"Mm." Came the reply from inside the house.

Then, a figure walked out. Chi Guyan had changed.

She wore a body hugging black leather suit. It covered Chi Guyan from top to bottom. There were tough scales on the black leather. An expensive belt wrapped around her waist and a leather hat adorned her head.

Fang Zhengzhi had seen Chi Guyan dress up in many ways before.

But, he had never seen such an animalistic side of her.

Her animalistic dressing and her starry eyes seemed to dim down the ridiculously bright room instantly.

Is this the leather black suit?

As the heir to the Divine Constabulary, one could only wonder what hide this suit was made of. It looked quite tough.

Hang on...

Something was amiss.

Chi Guyan had specially followed him all the way to the Northern Lands and the Northern Mountain Village. Now, she is offering to follow him to Cang Ling Mountain, and had prepared the suit for the expedition way in advance.

Chi Guyan had planned for this all along.

Cang Ling Mountain?!

Her aim was Cang Ling Mountain.

Fang Zhengzhi's heart fluttered. Cang Ling Mountain had been sealed and the entire Huai An County was swarming with soldiers. All of the villages have been used as supply points.

Is it really just for a beast?

What kind of beast required such manpower and resources? Even if it was a powerful beast, a single elite from the empire would be much better than an entire army.

Why did they have to seal Cang Ling Mountain.

Why did Chi Guyan have to come personally?

Something is definitely amiss.

There's definitely something that I don't know.

Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he thought about this.

"You're... unfamiliar with Cang Ling Mountain, right?"

"Hmm?" Chi Guyan's eyes glimmered as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi. She instantly knew what Fang Zhengzhi meant. "I am unfamiliar with Cang Ling Mountain, but this does not mean I can't get in."

"Yes, you can definitely enter Cang Ling Mountain, but... can you get to the center?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled.

"And you can?" Chi Guyan's eyes glowed even brighter as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi.

"Would you believe me if I told you that I took a bath there every month for six years?"

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Chapter 238: Chi Guyan's abilities

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi said confidently and with a slight challenge in his voice.

Chi Guyan was solemn when she saw Fang Zhengzhi's expression.

Cang Ling Mountain was one of the ancient mountains of the Great Xia Dynasty. It had almost 10,000 years of history, and was more ancient than the Great Xia Dynasty.

Just because they had conquered the land did not mean that they had finished exploring every part of it.

Cang Ling Mountain was something like this. It was a mystery, an unexplored mystery. No one knew what kind of beasts were in there, or how many there were.

Humans had trained some ferocious beasts to boost the army. However, the truly ferocious ones were all intelligent, why would they be subservient to humans?

These beasts stayed in deep inside the mountains, eating the treasures of the land as they strengthened themselves and understood the Dao of their surroundings. Frequent battle built their cruelty and savagery. They were incredibly powerful and even the Emperor, the Four Sages, and the 13 Constabularies would not go up against them willfully.

Normally...

These most ferocious beasts would stay at the pinnacle of the mountain. Much like their human counterparts, they liked the high ground.

As such, the danger levels there were obvious.

Cang Ling Mountain had existed for many years. As such, the beasts who ruled the land were powerful beyond imagination. Some of them may even be heritage worthy.

Chi Guyan did not believe that a sane human would dare to venture into the center of Cang Ling Mountain. Furthermore, why would he dare to do something so audacious as taking a bath...

But, this was Fang Zhengzhi.

This made her think, Could it be possible that this shameless boy had a way to sneak into the center of the Mountain? How does he do it?

"Can you really get to the middle of Cang Ling Mountain?" Chi Guyan spoke again after a moment of silence.

"I just asked you if you believe me!" Fang Zhengzhi replied flatly.

"I believe you!" Chi Guyan's heart fluttered.

"Aish... I never thought that you could be so naive. I guess I must have overestimated you. Get to the center of Cang Ling Mountain? You believe a statement that we use to bluff three year olds?" Fang Zhengzhi smirked, then bolted into this room.

He left Chi Guyan rooted to the spot, staring at his silhouette...

"Shameless!"

Inside an ancient residence in Huai An County.

A lady in green was pacing about frantically. She passed through a door and arrived at a loft.

"Master!"

"What's up?" A crisp voice came from inside the loft.

"We have finished setting up at Cang Ling Mountain. "The Vast World" can be activated at any time!" The lady in green was visibly excited when she said "The Vast World".

"Is there any news about Fang Zhengzhi?"

"To reply master, Fang Zhengzhi arrived in the city today. He left after a quick meal. He should be at the Northern Mountain Village by now." The lady in green replied promptly.

"Mm, if he is going back to find his relatives, he should be going to pray to his ancestors tomorrow morning. Send the order, activate "The Vast World" tonight!"

"Yes!"

The lady in green disappeared in a flash.

A lady stood by the window of the loft. Her gaze was locked on the mountains in the distance.

"Everything will be a done deal after tonight. The Stabilisation Constabulary is in shackles. The only variable is Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan... if you all can't even get into the Vast World, how are you going to save the Stabilisation Constabulary?"

There was a path from the Northern Mountain Village that led straight to Cang Ling Mountain.

This was a path chosen by hunters for many years. Just a couple of hours ago, this path was guarded by four soldiers.

But now, they were gone.

In order to enter Cang Ling Mountain, Fang Zhengzhi had to change his dress up. He could no longer wear that tiger hat. He chose a black leather one instead.

He also wore a tight fitting beast hide suit.

All these years, Fang Zhengzhi had roamed the mountains. He had never stopped training, and he was relatively fit.

However, his suit had significant wear and tear. The fur was gone in some portions, revealing some ugly spots. There were also spots that had been mended with cloth.

It was a far cry from Chi Guyan's top grade suit.

However, Fang Zhengzhi was not bothered by this.

The dragon could not suppress a snake. Even if Chi Guyan was a dragon, this was his territory. All she could do was follow his instructions.

"Do you know that you should walk on the left?"

"Not the right?"

"The right side is for outsiders. If you don't think it is of too much inconvenience, you can walk on the right. However, you must be prepared to face pitfalls every 10 steps."

"Setting up traps based on the habits of others. This method is crude, but effective."

"The village people are actually quite ingenious. There are frequent battles amongst villages here. However, you will never understand this."

Chi Guyan did not rebut. She may be a Heaven's Pride Talent and the most precious girl in the Divine Constabulary. She may have studied the "Law of Dao" since a young age. She may be familiar with various military strategies.

However, this did not mean that she understood human nature.

This had nothing to do with intellect and ability.

This was experience.

Only those who grew up in the mountains would have this kind of experience. She did not have any of that. She was lucky that Fang Zhengzhi had such experience. However, that was also a curse.

However, this internal conflict was easily resolved.

Fang Zhengzhi's experience allowed him to understand the battles of the villages, and also allowed him to know the area. As such, he walked quickly, like a leopard prowling its territory for prey.

Fang Zhengzhi was surprised to see that Chi Guyan matched his speed, her eyes glimmering brighter with each step.

Fang Zhengzhi could not understand this.

He walked quickly because he knew the area well. He knew where there were rocks in the way, or vines on the ground. He knew where to take small steps, where to take large strides, where to duck, where to jump...

But... Chi Guyan did not.

Despite this, Chi Guyan matched Fang Zhengzhi's speed, following closely behind.

The two of them navigated the mountain paths, hidden amongst the trees.

When he was young, Fang Zhengzhi followed the hunters up the hill. The journey would take over four hours to get to the outskirts of the mountain. Now that he was unrestrained, the journey took less than an hour.

Fang Zhengzhi finally stopped.

When he stopped, he turned to look behind him.

He saw that Chi Guyan was still behind him, her eyes glimmering as brightly as before, her suit still without a speck of dust.

Her expression was as calm as a lake, her skin glowing subtly. She was not panting, neither was she sweating. It was almost as if she had just taken a walk in the park.

Fang Zhengzhi only took a single glance at Chi Guyan.

His ego had been damaged slightly. He was running the entire time, why is Chi Guyan able to follow?

So easily at that!

This was his territory!

Is the difference in our abilities really so great?

This girl...

Is he even human?

Fang Zhengzhi could not believe his eyes. If this was Yan Xiu, he would definitely have questioned him.

But, this was Chi Guyan.

Fang Zhengzhi chose not to ask. One of the reasons why was because he saw a fire nearby. The sparks lit up the night sky.

In the middle of the light was an armored soldier. He paced around solemnly with a spear in his hand.

This was clearly a military camp.

This was also a reason why Fang Zhengzhi had stopped. From what he saw, it looked like Cang Ling Mountain had been surrounded by a large army.

However, based on the direction and layout of their camp...

There was something visibly wrong.

If they were just here to capture a beast, then the movements would be more frequent and the camp would be a temporary one. Its layout may be orderly, but definitely nowhere near as ordered as the one in front of his eyes.

Furthermore, there was a two meter high barricade around it.

This was clearly a permanent camp.

"Let's go around it?" Fang Zhengzhi asked. He was not too afraid of this army camp. However, according to Zhang Yangping, the mountain was surrounded. This was definitely not the only camp.

The moment they were spotted by one camp, they would trigger a chain reaction. All of the soldiers would start treating him as an assassin. That would not be good.

"The army camp is 537 meters wide and 425 meters deep. Based on the coverage of the fire and the seven hidden guards, it would take us at least 15 minutes to go around it." Chi Guyan murmured.

Fang Zhengzhi did not bother asking Chi Guyan why.

This was not difficult. Each pole that made up the barricade was of similar length, and it was just estimation as to how many there were.

He could have just as easily calculated the area of the camp. However, he had never measures the poles in this world, making his calculation significantly less accurate than Chi Guyan's.

"And so?" Fang Zhengzhi pressed.

"We will take less than five minutes if we went right through." Chi Guyan was not surprised that Fang Zhengzhi did not ask her how she did it. This was mutual understanding between people of similar intellect.

This may also be a reason why Chi Guyan was so arrogant.

She could figure out so many things whilst the people around her could not. In such situations, choosing not to explain may be easier than explaining.

This ego massage would make someone more arrogant.

Fang Zhengzhi knew what Chi Guyan meant. They would take much less than five minutes to cover that distance.

Her five minutes included breaking through the door, knocking out the guards, and breaking out the other side...

Amongst other complicated procedures.

"Ladies first!" Fang Zhengzhi invited Chi Guyan to take point.

"Do you believe me if I my estimate of five minutes was for you?" Chi Guyan looked at Fang Zhengzhi calmly.

"No!" Fang Zhengzhi was not falling for it. He had used this trick so many times. Do you think you're going to get me with the same trick?

He would never reply yes.

"Then follow closely." Chi Guyan was not surprised by Fang Zhengzhi's response. She smiled faintly.

Fang Zhengzhi was just about to reply "how close" when his eyes widened. For the first time, he was made to swallow his words.

What he was witnessing was utterly breathtaking.

Under the light of the fires, a smirking Chi Guyan shot towards the army camp, her eyes glimmering like stars in the night sky

Her speed was so quick it was terrifying.

It felt like a meteor had brushed past Fang Zhengzhi and was headed straight for the camp.

If even Fang Zhengzhi could not react in time, how could the two ordinary guards react in time?

"Smack smack!" Two soft smacks rang out. The two soldiers stood rooted to the ground, stunned by what the just experienced. They looked like two statues in front of the camp.

It was ridiculously fast.

Fang Zhengzhi had seen Nangong Mu's speed in the World of the Sage. He was at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State. However, Nangong Mu was like a kid in the face of Chi Guyan.

Why is Chi Guyan so fast? They are in the same realm, why is there such a huge difference in their abilities?

Fang Zhengzhi had a feeling that Chi Guyan was even slightly faster than Ying Shan.

It did not seem very possible, but the truth was laid out for him to see.

Even so...

This was not the most stunning thing. Fang Zhengzhi was stunned to see that Chi Guyan's feet had not moved at all.

She was not walking, or jumping, or floating. She was moving...

She had moved from Fang Zhengzhi's side to the entrance of the camp.

"F*ck... me! A flying goddess... does she need to be this ridiculous?"

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Chapter 239: Overtake

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi was shocked by this.

The Dao of all Creation was extremely cryptic and embodied the constant changes in the world. However, there were still rules that governed it. For example, for one to ride the wind, one had to go in the direction of the winds.

One could not simply fly in a desired direction.

That was simply ridiculous.

All this while, Fang Zhengzhi had thought that he was already quite powerful. He had topped both the County and Provincial Examinations easily.

He also topped the theory portion of the imperial examinations.

After seeing Xing Qingsui's and Nangong Mu's abilities in the combat examination, he knew that it would be difficult to top the combat examinations.

Even so, he had confidence to rank in the top three.

With such a smooth sailing journey, it was inevitable that he would be a little arrogant. However, after seeing Chi Guyan's strange powers...

He finally understood why all of the officials in the Divine Constabulary and the capital were in disbelief when he said that he would defeat Chi Guyan in two years.

The top ranked individual on two dragon rolls.

Just a year ago, Chi Guyan had attained the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State at 13, surpassing all the other talents under 18.

There were no less than 15 pinnacle Heavenly Reflection cultivators on the Rising Dragon Roll.

They were all in the same cultivation state, but their abilities were vastly different.

Furthermore, this was a year ago. Over the past year, Chi Guyan had not involved herself in the affairs of the world. She had focused on cultivating all this time. How powerful was she now?

No one knew.

He was slightly exasperated and heartbroken.

However, Fang Zhengzhi would not give up so easily. A battle did not depend solely on abilities. Plan, strategy, technique, all played an important role.

For example, if he could not beat her with just his hands, he would use his feet, or secret weapons, powder, etc. He could use them at the most critical moments. If all else fails...

He could use his teeth!

This was scientifically proven. In his previous world, one of the fighting champions had used this method to great effect. Imagine this, two people are fighting when all of a sudden, one of them opens his mouth wide. This would surprise his opponent and render him unable to defend in time.

In actual fact, Fang Zhengzhi wanted to ask Chi Guyan how she did it. But, he had to keep up first...

Follow closely.

Chi Guyan was already through the main door of the camp. She was already about to disappear.

Fang Zhengzhi charged towards the camp like an agile leopard. Even though he was nowhere near as quick as Chi Guyan, he did not lag far behind.

Furthermore, Chi Guyan had to despatch the sentries as she went along. This slowed her down and gave Fang Zhengzhi a chance to catch up.

Before long.

He saw Chi Guyan once again.

Chi Guyan rushing through an army camp was the soldiers' worst nightmare. Before they could react, they were suppressed by her.

In the moment Chi Guyan passed them, they froze in their positions, just like what happened with the two guards at the main gate.

"Dead? Or suppressed?"

Fang Zhengzhi did not take a close look. His main objective was to follow closely behind Chi Guyan.

"Quickly! Just a little quicker!" Fang Zhengzhi muttered encouragement to himself. He controlled the wind under his feet and swept through the camp.

He was close!

Fang Zhengzhi could see that he was closing in on Chi Guyan. His lips twitched in disdain. She isn't that fast after all...

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi did not have to go through the hassle of despatching all those soldiers. He completely ignored that fact at this point.

"What if I overtake her? She would be so embarrassed..." Just as Fang Zhengzhi was thinking about that, he smirked, "Just before I overtake her, I should smile and pat her on the shoulder. Then, I should give her a friendly greeting! That would drive the point home!"

He began to think of Chi Guyan's reaction, making him smile even more radiantly than before.

"I will make sure you will be... embarrassed!"

He was getting close...

He was getting really close!

Fang Zhengzhi was so close to Chi Guyan that he could smell the fragrance she wore. His eyes glowed, almost like a wolf who had spotted its prey.

"Okay, let's start with a greeting!"

Fang Zhengzhi extended his hand and reached for Chi Guyan's shoulder.

"Haish, why are you so slow? I'll be on my way... f*ck... me!" Before Fang Zhengzhi could finish, he felt himself crash against her.

He finally reached her!

Fang Zhengzhi never expected that to happen, neither did he expect Chi Guyan to stop all of a sudden.

But it happened.

Chi Guyan had stopped all of a sudden. She had stopped with no warning or greeting.

She was speeding away one moment, and completely stationary the next.

She looked like she was floating away elegantly one moment, and then it was almost as if time froze.

Fang Zhengzhi was definitely not as elegant.

He had calculated Chi Guyan's speed. He knew that he did not have to slow down when approaching her.

Even if he went at full speed, he would require at least three seconds before he could slowly overtake Chi Guyan.

What was even more shocking was that the moment Chi Guyan stopped, her aura seemed to completely vanish.

If Chi Guyan was like an unsheathed sword previously, then she was like a bamboo shoot in the forest when she stopped.

Fang Zhengzhi crashed right into her, pushing her into the ground.

She did not even resist.

He felt like he was lying on a soft sponge. She was soft and warm, but Fang Zhengzhi could not enjoy it. Chi Guyan turned around and stared at him.

Her eyes continued to glimmer like stars in the sky, her gaze stilled filled with her congenital arrogance.

But this was not the most important point.

There was a trickle of red by Chi Guyan's mouth, and it stood out from her pale complexion. It was like a rose petal in a bed of snow.

"She's injured?!"

Fang Zhengzhi could not believe that Chi Guyan was injured. Did she injure herself? Or was it from the fall I caused?

This did not seem quite possible. No matter how fast or powerful he was, Chi Guyan's abilities should have been sufficient to prevent her from getting injured.

In the end...

Before Fang Zhengzhi could come to a conclusion, he heard Chi Guyan's voice.

"What are you doing here?"

The question was quite queer. Fang Zhengzhi was certain that Chi Guyan did not direct the question to him, but, who was she directing it to?

He subconsciously raised his head.

He suddenly realized that there was someone in front of Chi Guyan.

This person was dressed in ordinary armor and wore the helmet of a Great Xia Dynasty soldier. This person did not look any different from any other soldier.

However, this person had crystal clear eyes.

Eyes as clear and pure as water.

Fang Zhengzhi recognized these eyes. He had only seen one person in the Great Xia Dynasty with such clear eyes.

That person was Ping Yang.

"Sister Yan!" The crisp voice rang out, confirming Fang Zhengzhi's suspicions. However, it also piqued his curiosity.

Ping Yang?!

"What are you doing here?" Fang Zhengzhi repeated Chi Guyan's question.

What would a princess of the Great Xia Dynasty be doing in an ordinary army camp in Cang Ling Mountain?

There was nothing more surprising than this.

Fang Zhengzhi could not think of something more unbelievable.

Why would Ping Yang, who was supposed to be in the capital, appear in the Northern Territories? Furthermore, why would she be in an army camp, and one that they were passing through?

The probability of this happening was so incredibly slim it was almost negligible.

"Oh? It is you? The shameless one?! Oh my god... why are you lying on Sister Yan, get up!" Ping Yang's voice rang out again in displeasure.

Fang Zhengzhi could hear what Ping Yang was driving at.

Indeed.

Even though what Ping Yang said was simple, it revealed that she had expected to see Chi Guyan here.

How did Ping Yang know that he and Chi Guyan would be on Cang Ling Mountain today?

That was impossible.

This was a last minute decision. How could Ping Yang possibly have known about it? How could she have planned to be here beforehand?

Fang Zhengzhi wanted to ask why.

But now was clearly not the right time. They were still in an army camp.

Furthermore...

This was an army camp on high alert.

If Chi Guyan had continued on at her speed, she could have shut each soldier up before they had the chance to speak.

However, Chi Guyan was squashed underneath Fang Zhengzhi.

The result was well within expectations.

"We're under attack!"

"Someone has sneaked up the mountain, lock the gates!"

"If you see the intruder, kill him!"

Voices rang out from all around them. In an instant, the entire camp sprang to life as soldiers rushed out from their tents.

"Outrageous!" Ping Yang looked on haughtily, her arms akimbo.

At this point, Fang Zhengzhi felt a powerful wave of force from beneath him. Then, his body was carried by this wave of force.

"Let's go!"

Chi Guyan carried Fang Zhengzhi as she left. Surprisingly, she did not blame Fang Zhengzhi, instead, she carried him and Ping Yang and rushed out of the army camp.

Fang Zhengzhi began to get a little suspicious.

Why would a small army camp make Chi Guyan so nervous?

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Chapter 240: Sage

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi had many questions that he wanted to ask. However, there somethings were more important than others.

Whilst finding out why Ping Yang was in the camp and why Chi Guyan was so nervous was important, getting out of the camp was even more pressing.

Fang Zhengzhi felt that he had the responsibility to clear the path now that Chi Guyan was injured.

However, Ping Yang didn't plan to give him that chance. Even though a Star Conglomerate cultivator was not powerful in the imperial examinations, she was like a death god inside the army camp.

"Hahaha... who dares to stand in my way!"

Ping Yang was much less refined than Chi Guyan.

She chuckled as she barged through the camp.

Before long, Fang Zhengzhi, Chi Guyan, and Ping Yang had broken through the gates of the camp and dashed into the darkness...

Night time on Cang Ling Mountain was not as serene as one would expect. People worked in the day whilst beasts roamed the night. Most of the carnivores were nocturnal creatures.

Ever so often, one could hear the howls and roars of beasts, even the cries of prey. There were clearly some intense battles under the shroud of night.

Fang Zhengzhi had hunted in these lands since he was seven. He knew it like the back of his hand.

He was probably the most knowledgeable about this place amongst everyone in all the surrounding villages. He knew where the beasts were and where it was safe.

As a result, the three of them had a pretty smooth journey.

The beasts that they met were all herbivorous. They only ones of concern were a large green horned goat. A visibly excited Ping Yang lunged and grabbed the goat, kicking it viciously...

Before long, the green horned goat was knocked unconscious.

Ping Yang was still uncontented.

"The beasts on this mountain are too gentle. Are there no powerful ones?" Ping Yang was still unsatisfied as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi.

Fang Zhengzhi just gave her the middle finger.

"Is your brain damaged?"

"What do you mean?" Ping Yang fumed.

Fang Zhengzhi simply looked at Ping Yang condescendingly, not bothering to explain it to her.

Ping Yang pouted and readied herself to hit Fang Zhengzhi. However, upon seeing the paling Chi Guyan, she stopped herself.

After barging through the army camp, they continued walking, almost to the edges of Cang Ling Mountain. During this time, Chi Guyan swallowed a green pill.

Color rushed back to her face, but it was still much paler than before.

Fang Zhengzhi could tell from this that Chi Guyan had probably not entered the Supernatural State. If she had, why would she need the help of pills to heal?

Even so, what had happened just now? Why was Chi Guyan injured all of a sudden? Furthermore, the injury looked quite severe...

"Sister Yan, it's my fault. If not for the fact that I appeared all of a sudden and forced you to hold back, you would not have been injured." Ping Yang felt extremely guilty as she looked at the paling Chi Guyan.

"It has nothing to do with you." Chi Guyan shook her head.

"Why not we descend the mountain first? We can rest at the Northern Mountain Village or Huai An County. Afterall, the issue with the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet is not pressing!" Ping Yang suggested.

Fang Zhengzhi was stunned when he heard what Ping Yang said

Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?

What is that?

"Since we are here, we should take a look before descending." Chi Guyan shook her head lightly as she glanced at Ping Yang and Fang Zhengzhi.

"Shall we find a place to rest first then?" Ping Yang pointed to a huge rock up ahead as she supported Chi Guyan by her arms.

"Mm..." Chi Guyan hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Sister Yan, just focus on resting. There are no ferocious beasts here. Even if there are, I will finish them off easily." Ping Yang pounded her chest after Chi Guyan agreed to take a break.

Fang Zhengzhi looked on in disdain. Will that make you stronger? Obviously you don't know your place.

However, he began to ge a little more suspicious when Chi Guyan agreed to take a break. With her arrogant character, she would not agree to rest so easily. This could only mean that her injuries were extremely severe.

Chi Guyan quickly arrived at the side of the limestone, supported by Ping Yang.

Then, she closed her eyes and lay on it. Her great figure was accentuated by her sleeping posture, but traces of weariness were clear on her face.

Chi Guyan rested as Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang found a place to sit nearby. They stared at each other.

"What are you looking at!" Ping Yang fumed after five minutes.

"How would you know I was looking at you if you weren't looking at me?"

"Humph! That's because you were looking at me!"

"Forget it, I am in no mood to argue with you. Tell me, what were you doing in an army camp on Cang Ling Mountain. Furthermore, what's up with the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?" Fang Zhengzhi wanted to glean information from Ping Yang.

"Hahaha... you want to know? I'm not telling you!"

"It's okay. I am going to make a trip to Huai An County tomorrow. When I am there, I will go to the restaurant and tell them about how Princess Ping Yang made her way into an army camp, filled with men..."

"You... you won't dare!"

"Why don't you wager me a few thousand silvers?"

"Please, I am a princess, why would I place a bet with you? Since you want to know it so badly, I will tell me my heroic story." Ping Yang said haughtily even whilst her eyes revealed traces of fury.

Fang Zhengzhi smiled. He knew that Ping Yang just wanted to maintain her reputation.

"I need to first tell you about the Purple Lightning Dragon Stallion that I got recently. You know..." Ping Yang hesitated, then coughed, "I can't possibly be riding such a great stallion around the city in circles, right?"

"Mm, so you decided to ride towards the Northern Lands?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and asked.

"Yes, I rode for days and finally arrived at the Northern Lands. I arrived at the Northern Mountain Village, but it was occupied by soldiers. Furthermore, those soldiers were occupying the rooms of the villagers. I didn't like what I saw, so I came up the hill alone." Ping Yang snuck a look at Fang Zhengzhi's expression.

Fang Zhengzhi did not believe that Ping Yang would ride to the Northern Mountain Village 'by accident'. Furthermore, Ping Yang had mentioned a Heaven Dao Sage Tablet.

Ping Yang definitely had a motive for coming here.

As to why she chose the Northern Mountain Village...

That was still a huge question mark. After all, it would be easy for Ping Yang to know that he had left with Chi Guyan.

Furthermore, he had toured around during this time and had not rushed for home. As such, Ping Yang could have easily overtook them and waited for him on Cang Ling Mountain...

No!

Ping Yang was waiting for Chi Guyan!

She had guessed that Chi Guyan would scale Cang Ling Mountain, likely from the Northern Mountain Village. As such, she lay in wait in the army camp.

Ping Yang seemed to know why Chi Guyan was here.

"Tell me about the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet." Fang Zhengzhi felt that the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet was the key to solving this mystery.

"You don't know?" Ping Yang was slightly surprised by Fang Zhengzhi's question.

"Should I know?"

"I guess not. This is what of the greatest treasures of the Great Xia Dynasty. You would naturally not know about it. However, if you don't know about the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, why are you at Cang Ling Mountain?"

Fang Zhengzhi knew that the answer to the question was simple but with far reaching ramifications.

"Just out for a walk!" Fang Zhengzhi decided to shut Ping Yang up with this reply.

"Oh please, who will believe that?" Ping Yang pouted. Then, her eyes glimmered uncontrollably, "The Heaven Sage Dao Tablet is something that everyone wants to get their hands on! The Great Xia Dynasty, the Northern Barbarians, even the demons view it as a treasure. It can make someone a sage immediately!"

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Chapter 241: Earthquake

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi's mouth twitched when he heard that.

He did not know what Ping Yang meant when she said sage, but she knew that there was a saying in the Great Xia Dynasty that went 'one pavilion, four sages, 13 constabularies.'

The pavillion referred to the Heaven Dao Pavilion, whereas the 13 constabularies referred to the 13 pillars of support in the founding of the Great Xia Dynasty.

These were all powers in their own right.

However, the four sages were four individuals.

The fact that the four of them stood above the 13 constabularies was testament to the power they had.

Fang Zhengzhi did not like to be restrained, but he knew that someone of lesser power and ability would always be restrained. Only when he was at the level of the four sages could he roam the empire without restraint.

"The Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?"

Fang Zhengzhi looked into the depths of Cang Ling Mountain. He smiled as he looked past the tall dense forest and the night mist.

Cang Ling Mountain...

This was his territory!

"Oh yes, I saw you kill some people just now?" Fang Zhengzhi asked as he recalled Ping Yang's brazzen charge through the army camp.

"Is there a problem?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi doubtfully.

"Killing is against the law. Furthermore, you killed quite a few soldiers. That's akin to rebelling!" Fang Zhengzhi reminded Ping Yang helpfully.

"Law? I am the law! Rebel? They attacked me, they are the rebels!" Ping Yang said arrogantly, completely ignoring Fang Zhengzhi's reminder.

"Everyone is born equal. Their job is to guard the camp. How can you call them a rebel just because they are of lower rank?" Fang Zhengzhi continued.

"What's the problem? I am the princess!"

"Princess is just a title, just like my Sword Envoy post. I can't possibly charge them simply because they raised their voice at a higher official, can I?"

"Why can't you?"

"I can?"

"Of course!"

"Oh I see, thank you your highness!" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled.

"How stupid. How can you not know this? How did you manage to become a rank four sword envoy?!" Ping Yang replied haughtily when she saw Fang Zhengzhi's expression of gratitude.

Chi Guyan could not help but open her eyes when she heard this. Her eyes glimmered like stars in the night sky.

"You're getting more and more shameless!"

"Sister Yan, you're awake?" Ping Yang rushed over when she saw Chi Guyan open her eyes.

"Mm, let's go."

"Sure!"

The deeper into Cang Ling Mountain they went, the thicker the mist was, almost as if there was a layer of dust and ash intent on blocking one's line of vision.

The mist was extremely heavy near the center.

This made it the perfect hunting ground for the ferocious beasts. They had superhuman olfactory senses and night vision. They became the masters of the mountain with these talents.

"Roar!"

An earth shaking roar rang out from deep inside the forest.

The ordinary soldiers would never wander this deep into the mountain. They were just in charge of holding the perimeter. The depths of the mountain were not a place they should be in.

Ping Yang was not as calm as before. She clinged onto Chi Guyan's arm tightly. She even took some time to don her Red Flame Flower Armor.

However, the moment Ping Yang finished wearing her armor, Fang Zhengzhi covered her with a black cloth.

What a joke.

This was the depths of Cang Ling Mountain.

The gaudiness of the Red Flame Flower Armor was like a shining beacon for ferocious predators to flock towards.

"Didn't you want to find a few powerful beasts to play with? Now you're scared? Actually, there's no need to be scared. This is my territory. Just follow behind me and you'll be safe. Just remember to tip me afterwards!" Fang Zhengzhi 'comforted' Ping Yang.

"Oh please, like I'll ever believe you!" Ping Yang was put off by Fang Zhengzhi's actions. However, after Chi Guyan advised her, she swallowed her pride and put on a black cloak, pouting as she did so.

Fang Zhengzhi was way more calm and composed than Fang Zhengzhi. He sauntered, almost as if he was taking a walk in the park.

Surprisingly, even though they heard the roars of beasts as they went along, they never actually ran into any powerful ones.

Chi Guyan kept staring at Fang Zhengzhi's leisurely expression, her eyes revealing traces of surprise. She knew that their safety was all due to Fang Zhengzhi's abilities.

"You know the territories of all the beasts?" Chi Guyan guessed.

"Of course." Fang Zhengzhi replied without hesitation.

"However, even if you know their territories, you can't possibly know how they will move or where they will be. The hungry beasts will still infiltrate other territories to hunt. Furthermore, there are so many overlaps. After some beasts die, their territories will be taken over by others, how do you..." Ping Yang was discontented with Fang Zhengzhi's reply.

"Do you know how to judge position by sound?" Fang Zhengzhi replied condescendingly.

"Judge position by sound?" Ping Yang said in surprise.

"You won't understand it with your intellect." Fang Zhengzhi replied.

"Isn't it just judging position by sound? What's the big deal? I thought that you were doing something special, but you're just hiding!" Ping Yang huffed.

"I see." Chi Guyan nodded. She finally understood why they had yet to be attacked by any beasts.

After understanding the territories of the beasts, Fang Zhengzhi had planned the best possible route. Along the way, he pinpointed the locations of the beasts through the sounds they made.

That way, their journey through Cang Ling Mountain would be much safer.

Fang Zhengzhi led the group on a four hour journey towards the depths of Cang Ling Mountain.

The mist around them got thicker as the roars also got fewer and far between.

At this point, Fang Zhengzhi stopped all of a sudden. Even Ping Yang and Chi Guyan stopped at the same time.

In the middle of the fog was a faint glow.

"Is there a fire?" Ping Yang looked at the light doubtfully.

"No, I think we are here." Chi Guyan looked at the faint light, her tone calm, almost as if she had known it all along.

"It's a bit different from what I expected." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head as he looked at the light.

"What were you expecting?" Ping Yang asked curiously.

"The location of the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet should be well lit, immaculately clean, and there should be lightning, thunder, and tremors! That is the only way to match its power!" Fang Zhengzhi lamented.

"Your imagination is quite vivid!" Ping Yang said disapprovingly.

"Boom!"

A loud sound echoed out just as PIng Yang finished.

It was almost like a thunder clap in response to Fang Zhengzhi's comment.

"Is it about to rain?" Fang Zhengzhi raised his head and looked to the sky.

The light glowed weakly above them. The moon was also shining brightly on the land, but most of its light was blocked by the foliage.

"It doesn't look like it's about to rain..." Fang Zhengzhi murmured.

At this point, the earth shook, almost as if something had tunneled from underneath.

"Kaboom!"

The intense tremor and the subsequent boom caused Ping Yang's expression to change as she jerked her head towards Fang Zhengzhi.

"Is it really an earthquake?!"

"Boom!"

A loud boom echoed throughout Cang Ling Mountain.

However, there was no accompanying lightning.

A ray of light shot skyward. The intense boom was caused by the ray of light when it exploded from the surface.

"Is that the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?" Ping Yang asked.

"No!" Chi Guyan shook her head, her eyes glimmering like stars in the sky as she stared intently at the ray of light.

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Chapter 242: The Vast World

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi looked at the sky.

He had thought that the light was from a firework. However, it did not explode into various patterns in the sky, it simply spread outwards and downwards.

It was almost like the moonlight before, covering the entire land below it.

In the blink of an eye, it had enveloped the entire Cang Ling Mountain, including Fang Zhengzhi, Chi Guyan, and Ping Yang.

Soon after, the entire area began to shake and the earth began to crack. Black crack lines began to form, and the entire area threatened to collapse.

This was a familiar feeling.

Fang Zhengzhi had felt this way in the World of the Sage once before. The entire world had collapsed, sending him crashing into a sea of swords below.

But this time...

Cang Ling Mountain was collapsing.

"What's going on?" Fang Zhengzhi was confused.

"The collapse of the World of the Sage was understandable since it was a pocket dimension. However, Cang Ling Mountain existed in the real world. Why would it collapse?

Was this the apocalypse?

Questions flew by in Fang Zhengzhi's mind.

Chi Guyan's expression became increasingly solemn. Her eyes glowed icily as her posture became more and more aggressive.

However, she waited and did not move.

Ping Yang had also experienced the same thing in the World of the Sage. Even so, she was still taken aback by what was unfolding. She clearly did not know what was happening either.

"Boom!"

A loud sound echoed out.

The cracks in the ground began to disappear, healing as quickly as they formed. In the blink of an eye, everything returned to normal, the stars and the moon shining brightly on the land.

The mist was heavy inside the woods. It was almost as if nothing had happened.

Fang Zhengzhi was getting increasingly suspicious. He quickly scanned his surroundings. The flora and the sky were completely unchanged...

It seemed like a happy ending. The worst was finally over. However, he still had a bad feeling in his gut.

What just happened? Why did it disappear so quickly?

If it had truly blown over, it would be so underwhelming.

It was just thunder and light showers...

"Sister Yan... what's going on?" Ping Yang looked at Chi Guyan.

"If my guess is right, I think we are trapped!" Chi Guyan looked around her and frowned, deep in thought.

"Trapped? But we didn't step on any traps, why would we be trapped?" Ping Yang was still confused. However, she did not mention that what she just saw was quite similar to what had happened in the World of the Sage.

This was Cang Ling Mountain, in the real world.

Such a scene did not make any sense.

Fang Zhengzhi was also at a loss. As such, he did not interrupt Chi Guyan. He listened intently by the side.

"If the entire Cang Ling Mountain is a trap, then we stepped right into it from the moment we entered." Chi Guyan looked up at the night sky.

"The entire Cang Ling Mountain? How can this be? Cang Ling Mountain has existed for aeons, yet no one has ever said that it was a trap. Furthermore, to make the entire mountain a trap..." Ping Yang was in disbelief.

"Is impossible right?"

"Yes." Ping Yang nodded.

"Normally, yes. That would be impossible due to the sheer size of Cang Ling Mountain. No one in the world would have the ability to incorporate Cang Ling Mountain into their pocket dimension. However... all that just happened meant that we have entered a whole new world!" Chi Guyan explained.

"A new world... does Sister Yan mean that someone transported the entire Cang Ling Mountain to a different... space?" Ping Yang said hesitantly.

"Mm." Chi Guyan nodded.

"But didn't Sister Yan just say that no one could possibly do such a thing?"

"No one can do it, but a treasure that exists in our legends can."

"What treasure?"

"The Vast World!"

"The Vast World?! What is that?"

"It was something that was destroyed centuries ago. I never expected it to resurface."

"It was destroyed?"

"Yes, it should not exist anymore. However, there is no other item in the world that could possibly turn the entire Cang Ling Mountain into a giant trap."

"What does The Vast World do?" Ping Yang was curious.

"The Vast World is one of the nine Divine Equipment. However, it is not like the others. The others are able to change the forces of battle in the blink of an eye. However, The Vast World is unable to do much in battle. The way to use it is extremely specific, however, it is still a Divine Equipment because... it can make a huge world a drop in the ocean!"

Chi Guyan paused.

"A drop in the ocean?" Fang Zhengzhi knew what that meant.

This term had originated from the Su's "First Visit to the Red Cliff". It represented a drop in the ocean, and was used to describe something incredibly minute and insignificant.

But, what did that have to do with the current situation?

Could it be...

Fang Zhengzhi thought of something all of a sudden.

The entire Cang Ling Mountain could be made into a drop in the ocean.

"What Sister Yan is saying is that someone has used The Vast World to morph Cang Ling Mountain into a drop in the ocean and absorbed it?" Ping Yang seemed to understand now, her eyes glimmering in disbelief.

"I doubt that it is that simple. If Cang Ling Mountain was merely absorbed into The Vast World, it could not be termed as one of the nine Divine Equipment.

"What else could there be?"

"I don't know either. The books do not describe it in detail, but there is one sentence which lucidly summarizes its prowess."

"What is it?"

"No one who enters The Vast World comes out alive!" Chi Guyan did not elaborate further, a conflicted look in her eyes.

She was slightly lost and depressed, but there was a hint of steely determination and excitement in her eyes.

It was impossible to know what Chi Guyan was thinking.

Fang Zhengzhi's thoughts were a lot simpler.

"That's it, we've been trapped... if we can't get back to the Northern Mountain Village by morning, what would happen... if the army came back?"

That was the top concern on Fang Zhengzhi's mind.

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Chapter 243: Altar

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

One could not blame Fang Zhengzhi for worrying to much. After All, his appointment as Sword Envoy in the throne room had only spread within the capital.

Even if it had spread to Huai An County, it could not possibly have reached the army.

If he was still in the Northern Mountain Village, then the issue would be easily resolved. But what if he wasn't? Could the villagers stand up to the wrath and fury of the army?

Fang Zhengzhi became increasingly worried.

At this point, the fire ahead seemed to become brighter and brighter, almost as if it was being fueled. There were also soft sounds of killing...

"Sister Yan?" Ping Yang looked to Chi Guyan for advice.

"Can we advance?" Chi Guyan did not reply instantly. She turned to Fang Zhengzhi, asking him if there were any dangers up ahead.

"Walk by the left." Fang Zhengzhi was getting worried about the Northern Mountain Village. He was determined to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible...

At the base of Cang Ling Mountain was a small stone cottage hidden deep inside the woods. It was surrounded by ancient trees, giving it a lonely and isolated aura.

A black altar was right in the middle of the stone house.

There was a faint silver glow on the altar.

The glow originated from a whitish silver square gem. It was clear, but there was an extremely complicated rune that flickered on its surface.

Around the altar were nine men dressed in black. They knelt in a circle around the altar, a green jade like pearl on each of their heads.

This was the demon eye. A green one meant that they were in the Supernatural State.

"It has begun, let's go!"

A voice rang out behind the nine men. Then, a previously seated figure stood up. This figure was dressed in a black cloak, and wore a hat.

If any of the surviving soldiers from the incident at the capital's gates were here, they would recognize this man as the one who had killed quite a number of guards without reason.

"Okay!"

Another voice rang out.

This man was wrapped around by green rattan. He was steely, and a dense beard covered his throat. He wore no armor.

He looked like an aborigine.

He did not have a demon eye on his forehead. This man was human.

There was one strange thing about this man. Despite his barbaric aura, he held a jade green flute in his hand.

This was something for the cultured and civilised. For someone as barbaric as him, a wolf canine may have been a much better fit. However, he was indeed holding a flute, very carefully at that.

The cloaked male glanced at his barbaric counterpart, looking at the flute in his hand. Then, he quickly looked away and walked towards the altar.

He disappeared in an instant.

After the barbaric man saw the cloaked figure disappear, a hint of unwillingness appeared in his eyes. He murmured something before finally stepping into the altar five minutes later.

The mist on Cang Ling Mountain became thicker and thicker.

Fang Zhengzhi led the group through the dense forest and closer towards the spark. The roars around them became louder and more chaotic.

The air was heavy with the smell of blood.

It took the three of them quite a while before they finally got to the edges of the flame.

Fang Zhengzhi's expression changed when he saw it.

He could clearly make out an army camp under the light of the flame. This camp was better built and guarded than the one before.

The perimeter was not built with wood, but with tall stone pillars. They formed a huge circle, making the camp look like a castle.

But now, the castle had been breached.

It had been breached from all directions. There were large cavities everywhere, and bodies littered the surroundings.

Having read his fair share of history, Fang Zhengzhi knew how cruel and savage the battlefield was. However, seeing it in person was a completely different experience.

This was a massacre, a complete and utter massacre...

"It's the Mountain Breaking Army, the Mountain Breaking Army of the Stabilisation Constabulary, and..." Ping Yang's voice rang out. Her eyes were filled with disbelief. She was keenly aware of how powerful the Mountain Breaking Army was.

They were the pillar of the Stabilisation Constabulary and by extension, the Great Xia Dynasty.

Each member of the Mountain Breaking Army was an elite handpicked from tens of thousands of soldiers. Each one of them was a cultivator. Just like the Red Pinion Squad of the Divine Constabulary, they were one of the four ace armied of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Chi Guyan did not look well either.

Even though Ping Yang did not say it, she had seen bodies of Red Pinion Squad members amongst the mountain of Mountain Breaking Army bodies.

More importantly, there were no other bodies in the pile...

No other bodies?!

How were the defences breached? How did so many members of the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad die? What is the origin of all the killing noises to their side?

This was quite the strange sight.

Even Chi Guyan looked lost for the first time. If they weren't being attacked, where was that noise coming from?

"Sister Yan, come and take a look!" Ping Yang's voice rang out again, her eyes filled with shock as she pointed to a location with her right hand.

If one followed the direction of Ping Yang's finger...

Fang Zhengzhi quickly realized that there was a higher concentration of bodies to the right of the camp. There seemed to be signs of digging in the middle of the bodies.

It looked like an entrance to a tunnel.

"If I am correct, that should be the entrance to the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. The Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad must have retreated there." Chi Guyan's eyes glimmered as she spoke.

"Then let's go quickly!" Ping Yang said hurriedly.

"What do you think?" Chi Guyan looked at Fang Zhengzhi.

"I think it could be a trap." Fang Zhengzhi said as he looked at the bodies. He hesitated for a moment, "However, even if it is a trap, we must go in. We can't just stay out here and wait."

"Oh? I thought you would choose to stay outside... I didn't expect you to say go in?" Ping Yang was slightly surprised by Fang Zhengzhi's response.

"How did you know I meant that you all would enter whilst I wait outside?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Ping Yang in surprise.

"You... humph, I knew that we couldn't rely on you!" Ping Yang pouted.

"You will have to find out for yourself how reliable I am."

"How do we find out?"

"Yes, how do we find out?" Fang Zhengzhi mocked as he looked at Ping Yang's puffed chest, sneering as he did so.

Ping Yang became a little suspicious as she heard Fang Zhengzhi's words. She realized that Fang Zhengzhi was looking at her...

"Shameless!" Ping Yang fumed.

In the end, Fang Zhengzhi still went through the tunnel. As to why he would lead the entire group when he initially wanted to stay outside...

That was a long story...

Fang Zhengzhi entered happily whereas Ping Yang's face was completely flushed. She pouted as she gave the death stare to Fang Zhengzhi.

If looks could kill, Fang Zhengzhi would have been dead many times over.

The tunnel was lit by stones which glowed white. As such, it was not as dark as expected. It was not large, about five people abreast at most.

With the carnage outside the tunnel, Fang Zhengzhi expected bodies to litter the tunnel. To his surprise, the inside of the tunnel was clean.

There were no bodies. More surprisingly, there were no signs of a battle.

However, the sounds of killing continued to echo out. From the direction of the sounds, it sounded like it was coming from within the tunnel.

Why would there be killing sounds when there are no signs of battle?

What is going on?

Fang Zhengzhi was beginning to get suspicious.

Chi Guyan was silent, deep in thought.

The angry Ping Yang ignored Fang Zhengzhi. She simmered by the side, waving her fist at Fang Zhengzhi's back every now and then.

She had completely forgot to consider the fact that there were no bodies in the tunnel.

The tunnel extended downwards. The further they went, the more precipitous it got. Fang Zhengzhi felt that they were almost there.

Just as he was thinking about it, the killing sounds became clearer and clearer.

Very quickly, there was a ray of light up ahead. It felt like the first ray of sunshine at sunrise, lighting up the entire tunnel in an instant.

Fang Zhengzhi subconsciously quickened his pace.

Ping Yang's anger was also replaced by excitement. However, it was still laced with anxiety. Every now and then, she would grab onto the edges of Fang Zhengzhi's clothes whilst her other hand gripped onto Chi Guyan.

Chi Guyan was much calmer, her eyes glowing brighter by the second.

"Kill!"

"Oh oh..."

"Go to hell!"

The group of three exited the tunnel completely just as the killing sounds got clearer.

Light shone down on them. It was so bright Fang Zhengzhi found it difficult to open his eyes. It was almost as if there was an intense sun beating down on them.

But this was underground.

How could there be a sun?

Furthermore, it's nighttime now, where is the sun coming from?

Fang Zhengzhi grew increasingly suspicious. However, his questions were quickly answered by a breathtaking scene.

There was an intense source of light above him.

It was not a sun, but a ball of fire. A golden ball of fire.

A tall golden stone pillar supported this ball of flame. There were various carvings on the pillar. Some were of flora and fauna, others were of scenery and ferocious beasts.

It was at least a hundred meters tall and ten meters thick.

Why would such a large golden stone pillar be constructed underground? This was a strange sight.

Other than the golden stone pillar, there was yet another strange sight. There were eight statues kneeling around the golden stone pillar.

Each statue was carved with pure white stone.

Their expressions were solemn, and they were covered in armor from head to toe. They held blades, spears, swords, poles, axes...

More importantly, each of the eight statues were the same height as the golden stone pillar.

An ancient, divine aura emanated from these eight stone statues. It made people want to pray to it upon looking at it.

The killing sounds originated from these eight stone statues. However, there were no soldiers or bodies in sight.

"This is?"

"An altar! The Heaven Dao Sage Tablet was borne from the Dao of Heaven. When it appears, it would always be accompanied by an altar, used to offer sacrifice to the Heavenly Dao!" Chi Guyan seemed to be murmuring to herself, whilst explaining to Fang Zhengzhi at the same time.

"Offer sacrifice to the Heavenly Dao?"

"Yes, only the sincere would be chosen by Heaven, and will be given the opportunity to peep at the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet through the altar." Chi Guyan replied.

"Where do we pray?" Fang Zhengzhi had no objection if he simply had to pray.

One could kneel to the heavens, to hell, and to one's parents...

Now that he was kneeling to the Heavenly Dao, he may get lucky and be enlightened immediately. He could become a sage and get his freedom.

"The door to the altar has already been opened!" Chi Guyan did not know what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking. She pointed towards the golden stone pillar.

"Door to the altar?" Fang Zhengzhi followed Chi Guyan's hand and realized that there was a half opened door at the base of the pillar.

Half opened?

Someone had already entered? He had better not be enlightened, or we would be in trouble.

Fang Zhengzhi wanted to leave this damned place and return to the Northern Mountain Village. However, he had no way to do so.

The only way he could think of was to get the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. That should be his way out of this place.

Even though Fang Zhengzhi had never gotten any of these storylines right...

Since he was here, he would try his luck at getting a look at this Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. He was already one step closer to it.

Furthermore, after seeing Chi Guyan's abilities, Fang Zhengzhi's curiosity about the Dao of All Creation was piqued.

Someone in the pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State...

Could travel at a faster speed than someone in the Supernatural State?

If Chi Guyan can do it, why can't I?

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Chapter 244: Red Demon Eye

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi decided to try his luck. He did not expect that someone else was even more tempted to try it out than him.

Naturally, that person was Ping Yang.

Before Fang Zhengzhi could run, Ping Yang took off.

In an instant, she was headed straight for the for the half opened stone door. She did not even say anything to Fang Zhengzhi as she bounded towards the door like a lamb in an open pasture.

"Hahaha, off I go..." As she ran, Ping Yang laughed maniacally.

This made Fang Zhengzhi slightly suspicious.

Ping Yang is a princess! Does she need to be in this much of a rush? Isn't it just the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet? Hasn't she seen it before?

Can't she show a little more class?

Fang Zhengzhi looked to Chi Guyan.

Chi Guyan seemed to understand Fang Zhengzhi's doubts from his look, "Actually, Ping Yang has never seen the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet before."

"And you?"

"I have." Chi Guyan nodded.

Fang Zhengzhi had questions again.

Ping Yang was the most loved and pampered princess to date. If Chi Guyan had seen it before, Ping Yang definitely had a chance to see it.

Is there something going on here?

Hang on...

Chi Guyan has seen the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet before? Then why isn't she a sage?

"You've already become..."

"No!"

"You didn't understand it?"

"..." Chi Guyan was silent for a moment. Then, she shook her head, "The Heaven Dao Sage Tablet is not what you think it is. It is not really a tablet. If you're lucky enough to see it, you will understand what I mean."

"The Heaven Dao Sage Tablet is not a tablet?" Fang Zhengzhi wanted to accuse Chi Guyan of lying to him.

However, it was more important that he chase up to Ping Yang. Ping Yang was already at the entrance.

Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan rushed towards the stone door without hesitation.

The moment they stepped through the doors, Fang Zhengzhi felt like he was detached from the world. It did not feel like he had stepped through the door, it felt like he was sucked in by an unknown force.

The scene that unfolded before his eyes was even stranger.

The golden stone pillar was only ten meters wide at most. However, there was a huge magnificent throne room in front of him. The pillars were intricately carved.

In the middle of the throne room was a huge black cauldron.

Flames burned strongly inside the cauldron.

Underneath the cauldron were many soldiers dressed in glowing armor. There were thousands of them.

Ping Yang was standing in front of Fang Zhengzhi, her gaze sweeping over all of the soldiers. She seemed to be slightly excited, her mouth opening slightly in awe.

"Uncle Xing!"

"Yes... princess, your highness. Your highness, what... what are you doing here?!" A purple armored male in his forties with phoenix like eyes was shocked when he saw Ping Yang.

Then, the middle aged man noticed Fang Zhengzhi and frowned. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze froze.

Chi Guyan walked over.

"Guyan!"

"Uncle Xing, Guyan is honored to see you." Chi Guyan calmly bowed towards the middle aged man.

"Your highness, Guyan, why... why are you here?!" The middle aged man appeared next to them in an instant.

Fang Zhengzhi was shocked when he saw the man in front of him.

If Chi Guyan's speed was stunning to him, then this middle aged man's speed was supernatural.

He is Ping Yang's father's younger brother? And Chi Guyan's father's elder brother?

Fang Zhengzhi's heart fluttered. Is this man Xing Yuanguo? The leader of the 13 Constabularies and Xing Qingsui's dad?

Fang Zhengzhi had a good impression of the Stabilisation Constabulary.

He admired them for their determination and nerver. Furthermore, Xing Qingsui had helped him in the throne room.

However, Xing Yuanguo only had eyes for Chi Guyan and Ping Yang.

Fang Zhengzhi decided not to interrupt them and greet Xing Yuanguo, potentially drawing his ire in the process.

"It's a long story about how we got here. Is Uncle Xing trapped?" Chi Guyan glanced at the thousands of soldiers behind him.

"Nothing escapes Guyan's eyes. I shall not hide it from you any longer. This battle is the hardest that I've ever fought in decades. However, I will not let the demons continue unchecked, even if I will die in the process!" Xing Yuanguo exuded an aura of determination and battle spirit.

Fang Zhengzhi had felt a similar battle spirit from Xing Qingsui. However, if Xing Qingsui's was a creek, Xing Yuanguo's was a vast ocean.

An endless ocean.

The hardest thing for any general was to maintain his spirit after a setback. However, despite a devastating loss, Xing Yuanguo still had great battle spirit.

Perhaps this was what made the Stabilisation Constabulary the leader of the 13, and the pillar of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"Uncle Xing, what happened in the army camp?" Chi Guyan pressed.

"You've been there?"

"Yes."

"Mm, it was a massacre, but... it was a battle between the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army!" Xing Yuanguo's eyes glowed the color of blood as he spoke.

Chi Guyan frowned when she heard this, but she did not interrupt.

Ping Yang also fell silent at this point.

After a brief hesitation, Xing Yuanguo spoke again.

"An hour ago, the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad realized that there was an attack on us. As such, they quickly came together to build the defences."

"Your father had given me command of the Red Pinion Squad for this battle. I considered the tactics and strengths of each army. I gave the east and south gates to the Mountain Breaking Army and the west and north gates to the Red Pinion Squad."

Xing Yuanguo paused for a moment.

Chi Guyan nodded lightly. If she was in command, she would have done the same thing. The Mountain Breaking Army were skilled in the spear and great at offence, whilst the Red Pinion Squad were mostly cavalry.

This was largely due to where the armies were situated.

The Red Pinion Squad was generally used to suppress and defend against the barbarians. As such, they needed to be quick and agile if they were to match up against the barbarians.

They would beat the barbarians at their own game.

As for the Mountain Breaking Army, they were mainly used to conquer other cities. As such, offence was the main focus of their training.

Since they had different philosophies, putting them together would greatly lower their effectiveness.

Xing Yuanguo had been a general for decades. He knew this and arranged his troops in the most logical fashion.

"However, I never expected that this... would cause the internal massacre!" Xing Yuanguo grit his teeth and clenched his fists, his knuckles whitening.

"Internal massacre?!"

"Yes, the Mountain Breaking Army killed members of the Red Pinion Squad, and the Red Pinion Squad killed members of the Mountain Breaking Army. When I finally reacted, it was too late..."

"The intruders were the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad. They... may have forcefully changed the entire layout to cause chaos?" CHi Guyan guessed.

"I think that this is only one of the reasons. When the attack happened, the Mountain Breaking Army did not see the Red Pinion Squad. They saw black robed, masked men. It was the same for the Red Pinion Squad." Xing Yuanguo shook his head.

"Black robed masked men... Uncle Xing, are you saying that these men don't exist?" Chi Guyan frowned.

"According to my preliminary analysis, these black robed masked men should be members of the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad. However, their appearances have been changed. When a Red Pinion Squad member pierces the hallucination, he is actually stabbing a Mountain Breaking Army member." Xing Yuanguo continued.

"If that was the case, why didn't you call off the attack?"

"I did give the order, however, when the attack was stopped, those black robed masked men..." Xing Yuanguo's expression was pained. "When I gave the order to stop the attack, the massacre was just beginning!"

Chi Guyan could guess what had happened.

The mountain of bodies in the army camp explained everything. The trap had been near perfect, and the armies had fallen right into it.

"Has Uncle Xing heard of The Vast World?" Chi Guyan asked suddenly.

"The Vast World?! Of course... what you're saying is... we are trapped in The Vast World?" Xing Yuanguo's expression changed immediately.

"This is just my guess, but, when the incident happened at the camp, I was still quite some distance away. Only The Vast World is capable of turning the entire Cang Ling Mountain into a trap!"

"The entire Cang Ling Mountain! What a trap... I never expected the demons to be able to find the destroyed 'The Vast World'. Furthermore, they managed to restore it? There are only three people in this world who are able to restore The Vast World... but, why would someone go and serve the demons?" Fire danced in Xing Yuanguo's eyes.

"That is a very good question, it's a pity you will never know the answer in this life." Just as they were speaking, a voice rang out from the stone door.

Then, a black robed figure appeared at the door. He wore a hat on his head, and his body was completely covered by a black cloak.

There were nine other black robed men around him.

Each one of the nine had a jade green pearl like object on their forehead.

That was the demon eye.

Furthermore, a green one represented a demon in the Supernatural State.

"Demons, Supernatural State Demons! Nine of them?"

Xing Yuanguo was slightly surprised to see the cloaked figures, but he quickly recovered.

"I thought that you would surprise me, but it is always the same few people. I am disappointed!" Xing Yuanguo shook his head as he looked at the cloaked man.

"You have battled with us for so many years. Now that you are about to die, it is only right that you are sent off by an old friend! Furthermore, I, Bai Xing, am the only one in the 10 domains who can match up to you!" The cloaked man took off his har deliberately.

Then, a picturesque face could be seen. He looked to be in his thirties, his face white and clean.

He looked like an academic who had never experienced battle.

However, anyone who looked at this man would suppress any such thoughts. His eyes were like daggers.

More importantly.

His demon eye was blood red!

"As the leader of the demon's Star Domain, you have only brought along nine followers... isn't that insufficient?" Xing Yuanguo clenched his fists tightly when he saw the red demon eye.

"Of course it isn't, so I wanted to give you a surprise! However, I didn't expect you to have an even bigger surprise for me. The top talent of the Great Xia Dynasty Chi Guyan, Princess Ping Yang, and if my guess is correct, the newly appointed Sword Envoy?" Bai Xing smiled as he looked towards Fang Zhengzhi.

"Sword Envoy?!" All of the soldiers looked to Fang Zhengzhi when they heard what Bai Xing said.

Some of them recognized Fang Zhengzhi.

But why did Bai Xing call him the Sword Envoy?

"Normally, when humans talk about newly appointed, they would give... some precious gifts and pair it with congratulations. I wonder if the leader of the demon Star Domain knows his manners?" Fang Zhengzhi spoke, emphasizing the word 'precious."

"Haha, the Sword Envoy is right. This is the first time we are meeting, and it is your first promotion. I should do the above two things. However, humans are also known for reciprocating. If I give you a gift today, will you reciprocate?" Bai Xing mocked.

"Of course I will. We are men of our word, and we will do what we say. I will make sure I give you a gift if you give me one!" Fang Zhengzhi replied sincerely.

"How interesting!" Bai Xing's smile became more radiant as he looked at Fang Zhengzhi's innocent expression.

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Chapter 245: Kneel and thank me

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi was smiling too. He was smiling even more radiantly than Bai Xing. Furthermore, his expression of anticipation caused the soldiers under the cauldron to doubt his intentions.

"Is he testing the waters?"

"I think there is a 90% chance Fang Zhengzhi would surrender!"

All of the soldiers looked on disdainfully at Fang Zhengzhi. They were about to fight, yet Fang Zhengzhi asked the demons for a gift? How audacious.

Xing Yuanguo also stared at Fang Zhengzhi. He did not know what this young man was thinking. After all, what he knew of Fang Zhengzhi came from the stories he heard.

This was the first time they had met.

He had no idea whether Fang Zhengzhi was a loyal and righteous man, or a two faced, benefit-driven individual.

If Fang Zhengzhi was a loyal man, then by the fact that he could still joke around when a battle was imminent meant that Xing Yuanguo had to take him seriously in the future.

However, the enemy was much stronger now. Furthermore, they were trapped in The Vast World, their lives in danger. It seemed more probable that Fang Zhengzhi would surrender.

Kill?

Or leave him be?

This was the question Xing Yuanguo had to answer. As the general, he had to be very sure before taking any actions. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was by Ping Yang's side.

An unsuspecting Ping Yang.

If Fang Zhengzhi decided to take Ping Yang hostage, then it would be a death sentence for his force.

Xing Yuanguo's eyes glowed icily. He did not stop Fang Zhengzhi, neither did he attack Fang Zhengzhi. He promised himself, If he takes the gift, I will kill him!

Then, things began to unravel.

After laughing, Bai Xing thought for a moment before retrieving a gemstone. Then, he stroked it lightly a couple of times.

"I heard that your honor is incredibly resourceful and intelligent. You attained the Heavenly Reflection State at 15, but have never managed to learn in an academy. You had no teacher to guide you, and have been stymied along the way. I have always been frustrated with the humans. They only look at the contributions of a family, but never realize the talents that surround them. It is a waste that you are with them. Now that I have met you, I hope that you will accept this gift. This gemstone contains the first part of our premier technique... the "Infinite Star Sword Technique!"

Bai Xing's intentions were clear. He was sowing discord whilst trying to recruit Fang Zhengzhi. He even offered half of the demonic premier sword technique as a token of goodwill.

After he finished, he placed the gemstone in his right palm and extended it. If you want it, come and take it.

"Infinite Star Sword Technique?!"

"Isn't that the technique Bai Xing trains with?"

All of the soldiers were stunned when they heard it.

Xing Yuanguo squinted. He knew that Bai Xing was up to no good. He had not offered jewels, armor, or weapons. He had offered up a technique scroll, half of it to be exact.

If Fang Zhengzhi trained with it, he would naturally ask for the second half.

It was only logical.

What would Fang Zhengzhi's choice be? Take the technique stone and repay Bai Xing with his loyalty? Or reject it entirely...

Xing Yuanguo did not have to think for long.

The answer was for all to see.

Fang Zhengzhi walked over without hesitation the moment Bai Xing extended his hand.

Then, he took the gemstone.

He bowed sincerely to Bai Xing, then shouted, "Thank you!"

His voice reverberated throughout the throne room.

However, all the soldiers' expressions darkened.

Xing Yuanguo's hand was pressed against his waist. He did not know if it was a mere coincidence, but Chi Guyan moved slightly when Fang Zhengzhi did.

She placed herself in between Xing Yuanguo and Fang Zhengzhi.

Xing Yuanguo looked at Chi Guyan and realized that her eyes were just as bright as before. Her expression was as calm as a lake in spring.

Xing Yuanguo released his grip on his waist.

It seemed rather unbelievable. Just a moment ago, he had promised himself that he would kill Fang Zhengzhi if Fang Zhengzhi took the gift. Now, even though Fang Zhengzhi accepted the gift, he was not going to kill him.

But this was the truth.

After saying thank you, Fang Zhengzhi sauntered back.

This was rather confusing.

Why would he walk back after showing where his allegiance lay?

"Could it be..."

A thought appeared in the minds of the soldiers. Fang Zhengzhi had taken up a position next to Ping Yang. He was less than an inch from her.

Bai Xing's smile became even more radiant.

Fang Zhengzhi was also smiling radiantly.

This smiling contest continued for almost five minutes. Finally, Bai Xing could not take it any longer.

"Your honor, where is the gift you promised?" Bai Xing did not want to remind Fang Zhengzhi, but he did not want to wait any longer.

"Haven't I already given it?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Bai Xing quizzically.

"You have? What... what did you give me?" Bai Xing was even more confused.

"Didn't I thank you just now? That was my 'gift' to you!" Fang Zhengzhi replied.

"The 'thank you' was your gift to me?!" Bai Xing was taken aback.

After the thousands of soldiers heard what Fang Zhengzhi said, they all looked at each other in confusion.

Isn't Fang Zhengzhi defecting?

Why...

"My Great Xia Dynasty is such a powerful empire with such a dense population. The demon race are hermits with a few isolated cities. As a rank four official and the Sword Envoy of the Great Xia Dynasty, it is a great honor for you that I've thanked you so sincerely. After all, I've only taken a small gemstone from you. Don't you think you should kneel and thank me for my generosity?" Fang Zhengzhi's voice rang out once again as he played with the stone in his hand.

When Bai Xing heard this, his expression darkened. Sword Envoy? Rank four official?

As the domain chief of one of the demonic domains and the commander of the demonic ten domain elite army, he was at least a rank two official in the demon world.

A measly rank four official with no soldiers under his command wanted him to kneel down after saying thanks?

This was humiliation! Complete, unadulterated humiliation!

All of the soldiers looked at the calm Fang Zhengzhi and the angered Bai Xing. If they still did not know what was happening, their brains were probably nonexistent.

Defect?

F*ck that!

How can someone who dares to insult the opposing commander in such a blatant fashion be accused of defecting? Fang Zhengzhi's actions had made his stand very clear.

He would fight the demons to the bitter end!

"Well said! The Great Xia Dynasty is such a powerful empire with such a dense population. Why would we surrender to the hermit demons with a few isolated cities!"

"You must be dreaming! Our rank four official would not be bought over with a measly stone!"

"Yes, kill the demons, make the Great Xia Dynasty great again!"

The morale of the soldiers swelled. This had little to do with what Fang Zhengzhi had done or said.

This was pride!

If an untested 15 year old youth dared to humiliate the domain chief of the demons, then how could they, as the elite soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty, back down?

As soldiers, they were ready to die, but they would never give up their pride. They were the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad, the pillars of the Great Xia Dynasty.

In an instant, the shadow of their previous failure was lifted. They only had one aim - to defeat the demons and retain their standing and pride

Xing Yuanguo stared at Fang Zhengzhi.

He did not know if Fang Zhengzhi's actions were planned or merely a happy coincidence. However, he knew that Fang Zhengzhi had used the simplest of methods to reinvigorate the depressed army.

Morale was the most important in any army.

With good morale, anything was possible.

Fang Zhengzhi, and untested and inexperienced youth who had not even finished the imperial examinations, had done something that a seasoned commander like him could not.

He had given the thousands of soldiers a morale boost, and a cause to fight for.

Ping Yang did not know much about troop management. However, she could feel the changes in the emotions of the thousands of soldiers. Was it because of Fang Zhengzhi?

This shameless boy had managed to scam the demons of half of the "Infinite Star Sword Technique" and raise the morale of the soldiers at the same time? How unbelievable.

"Shameless fella. It must be luck!" Ping Yang's mouth twitched, her head held high.

Chi Guyan was different from Ping Yang. She had grown up in a military family and was familiar with military tactics. She knew that Fang Zhengzhi had potentially turned the tide of the battle.

If they could win this battle...

Fang Zhengzhi would have played a huge role in it.

Raising the morale of soldiers may seem simple, but is actually incredibly difficult. Someone who can encourage the soldiers is the rarest of all military geniuses.

"This shameless thief... actually did it?" Chi Guyan's expression changed for the first time. She was here with Fang Zhengzhi.

She had seen the expressions of the soldiers before. She knew that they were a beaten force. However, they were rejuvenated and given a new lease of life. They were now a strong army ready to fight for their pride.

His methods may be shameless.

But one could not argue with his results.

Bai Xing's expression was ugly. He glanced at the soldiers under the cauldron, finally stopping at Fang Zhengzhi.

"Master had warned me that Fang Zhengzhi is an unpredictable man. Master told me to be careful when dealing with him. I had ignored the advice then, but now, I must say that what master said was an understatement! It's alright though, Fang Zhengzhi's name will disappear from the world after tonight. The Vast World will be your burying ground!"

Bai Xings body began to glow silver as he spoke. He looked like he was bathing in stars as a strong killing aura exploded outwards.

It crashed towards Fang Zhengzhi.

The red demon eye meant that Bai Xing was one state higher than Ying Shan.

Fang Zhengzhi had killed Ying Shan...

However, he had done so because the Traceless Sword was in control of the World of the Sage. He could not match Ying Shan based purely on ability. Now that he was up against Bai Xing...

He was not masochistic.

"It would be a waste to not properly admire such a magnificent throne room!" Fang Zhengzhi murmured, then paced quickly to the side.

A battle between two powerhouses was not a place he wanted to be. He would just be a cheerleader by the side. Only an idiot would get in the middle of those two.

Xing Yuanguo stared at Fang Zhengzhi.

He was confused when he saw Fang Zhengzhi moved, then, he heard what Fang Zhengzhi mumured.

Admire?

This child was not one for the refined arts.

Clearly, Fang Zhengzhi was trying to use this time to run. Xing Yuanguo had always punished deserters, but he was not surprised that Fang Zhengzhi wanted to run.

He was not even angered.

Fang Zhengzhi had already done the most important thing. As the commander, he should be the one fighting this battle.

But...

Didn't he run a little too fast?

At the very least, shouldn't he bring the princess along with him?

Just as he was thinking about it, Fang Zhengzhi turned back and appeared beside Ping Yang and Chi Guyan. "Follow me, I found a lead on the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, come on over!"

Xing Yuanguo was taken aback by Fang Zhengzhi's expression.

Isn't that excuse a little too ridiculous?

Thousands of soldiers had not found any trace of the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet after searching repeatedly. How can you find it without even walking to the edges of the throne room?

However, with the impending battle, Fang Zhengzhi was offering to take Ping Yang and Chi Guyan along with him. This reassured Xing Yuanguo.

Neither Ping Yang nor Chi Guyan could be endangered.

"Your highness, Guyan, the emperor has decreed that we must find the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. In the name of the emperor, I command you to follow Fang Zhengzhi and find it!" Xing Yuanguo found the excuse a little ridiculous, but he decided to "fall for it'.

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Chapter 246: Shan Jia

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Chi Guyan, being as smart as she was, knew exactly what Xing Yuanguo meant. However, since he had used the emperor's name, that meant that he had made up his mind.

Ping Yang knew that Xing Yuanguo wanted her to hide for now. It was a good thing she was a bully, and she did not like being bullied.

As such...

She ran off with Fang Zhengzhi without putting up a fight.

"Kill!" The morale of the soldiers under the cauldron hit a high as their roar echoed throughout the throne room.

"Are you trying to bully us with numbers?" Bai Xing looked at the thousands of soldiers before glancing back at his nine companions. His gaze finally locked onto Xing Yuanguo as he sneered.

Being humiliated by a 15 year old boy was incredibly infuriating.

However, when faced with a powerful enemy, he could not let his emotions get the better of him. Furthermore, now that the morale of the soldiers was at an all time high, he had to find a way to calm himself down.

"Time and space are both in your favor. The only thing I have is the people." Xing Yuanguo replied coldly.

"People? Hahaha... what a joke. I do not dare comment about the others, but I must say I have some confidence if I had to compete with your people!" Bai Xing chuckled.

Xing Yuanguo's expression darkened. He had battled Bai Xing many times over the years. He knew that Bai Xing was a difficult man to deal with. Bai Xing never fought a losing battle.

Is there an ambush?

Just as he was thinking about it, the lyrical music from a flute rang out from the stone door. It felt like rain in the desert - incredibly soothing and hypnotising.

When Xing Yuanguo heard the flute, his expression changed instantly.

"You all actually..." Even the battle hardened Xing Yuanguo could not keep his cool.

At this point, he was sure that this was all a set up. When the Dragon Protection Squad had passed the message to the capital, they had fallen into the trap.

He also knew why the demons chose Cang Ling Mountain. They could only set up this trap on Cang Ling Mountain.

"Hahaha, Xing Hou, please put your hands together to welcome a good friend of the demons, "Shan Jia"!" Bai Xing pointed flamboyantly towards the stone door as he spoke.

Xing Yuanguo ignored Bai Xing.

His gaze was trained on the middle aged man standing at the entrance.

That man was covered from head to toe in green rattan. He had a thick beard and wore no armor. He had a green flute in his hand.

He looked like a barbarian.

However, Xing Yuanguo did not underestimate him. His eyes glimmered; he was even more solemn than when he saw Bai Xing appear.

The male also looked at Xing Yuanguo. However, it was no more than a glance. He did not speak as he sauntered over to Bai Xing's side.

All of the soldiers were in disbelief when they saw that man.

"His... surname is Shan!"

"Shan Jia!"

"Exactly, only people from that area will use rattan for clothing. But... why is his surname Shan?!"

The thousands of soldiers were in disbelief when they realized the identity of the man. Their disbelief was quickly replaced with fury.

"Ever since the Great Xia Dynasty was founded, we have protected the Southern Mountain Range. As a Shan, you should know this better than anyone else! Why would you ally yourself with the demons?!" Xing Yuanguo's tone was dangerous, his arm at his waist.

Shan Jia was silent. However, when Xing Yuanguo said "as a Shan" his tiger like eyes flashed with pain.

"Shan Jia, do you know the consequences of your actions? Do you know what this means for the citizens of the Southern Mountain Range?" Xing Yuanguo continued.

Shan Jia did not speak, almost as if he didn't hear Xing Yuanguo at all.

"Come on Shan Jia, you have spent more than 20 years in Cang Ling Mountain, it is time for you to show them your abilities!" Bai Xing glanced at Shan Jia and sneered.

Shan Jia nodded but still remained silent.

He was not as respectful as the other nine black robed men nor as disciplined as the soldiers. He did not even greet Bai Xing. He merely nodded, then placed the flute to his lips.

In an instant, a melodious tune filled the room.

However, this time, the music was clearly more rushed. It's hypnotic nature was a lot more intense this time.

"Kaboom!"

A loud sound echoed out from the stone door.

"Roar!"

A beast's roar reverberated throughout the throne room.

At the stone door was a beast with steel like blue fur. It's sharp black claws glowed icily. More uniquely, there was a fiery red line of fur that extended from its forehead all the way to its tail...

"Blue Fire Wolf!"

"No, it's the Blue Fire Wolf King!"

Before the soldiers could finish, additional figures came through the door. A second, a third...

Within moments, nearly a thousand Blue Fire Wolves had made their way inside.

Apart from the Blue Fire Wolves, there were various other ferocious beasts. There were the Steel Limb Golden Apes, the Tri-horn White Rhinoceros, and the sharp fanged Torrential Thunder Lions...

They packed the entire room.

However, they were all quite disciplined. It looked like a trained beast army There were 1000 Blue Fire Wolves on the perimeter whilst no less than 500 Tri-horn White Rhinoceroses took point. The Steel Limb Golden Apes rode the Rhinoceroses whilst the Lions guarded the back.

Xing Yuanguo frowned deeply.

From the moment Shan Jia entered through the stone doors, he had expected to face such an army. However, he did not expect Shan Jia to have trained them to such an extent.

These were all different species of beasts.

More importantly, they were all beasts which lived in herds!

They valued cooperation more than anything else in the world.

However, they only cooperated with their own species. Shan Jia's feat of making them cooperate with different species could not be over exaggerated.

"It is no wonder you're the top clan of the Southern Mountain Range!" Xing Yuanguo waved, his two handed sword in his hand.

His sword was pure black and ancient. Its sharp blade was inscribed with complicated runes, each one shining elegantly.

"Kill! For our pride!"

"Kill!"

The army charged under the leadership of Xing Yuanguo. None of them fled in the face of the beast army.

They were the elite soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty.

For pride and glory!

At the back of the throne room, Ping Yang grabbed onto Chi Guyan's arm tightly. She looked on unwillingly as she saw the army clash with the beasts.

"Fang Zhengzhi, you said you found a lead towards the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, where is it?" Ping Yang pouted.

Chi Guyan did not speak. She knew that Fang Zhengzhi had made up an excuse to drag them both away. She had no reason to shame him now.

Fang Zhengzhi did not speak. He did not even hear what Ping Yang said. His gaze was fixed onto the herd of Blue Fire Wolves.

"Worked for 20 years?!"

"20 years ago..."

Eight years ago, when he was seven, he had killed a Blue Fire Wolf at the edges of Cang Ling Mountain. It was a lone wolf, but it was much larger than those he saw now.

In the moment that it died, it had looked back into the depths of Cang Ling Mountain. It's eyes seemed relieved, but also unwilling.

At that time, the Blue Fire Wolf had already spent about three to four years at the edges of Cang Ling Mountain.

No one knew why there was a lone wolf on the edges of Cang Ling Mountain. Despite its loneliness, it never stepped into the depths of Cang Ling Mountain, choosing to roam the perimeter.

12 years...

Fang Zhengzhi clenched his fists tightly.

That Blue Fire Wolf was the king of these thousand wolves, it was a king!

Until now, Fang Zhengzhi could still keenly remember the gaze of the Blue Fire Wolf as it died, as well as its lonely last howl.

"Aroo!"

Fang Zhengzhi subconsciously made a noise as he recalled that scene.

A lonely and bright howl reverberated throughout the throne room.

It interrupted that hypnotic flute music.

All of the thousand Blue Fire Wolves stopped immediately. A thousand pair of eyes stared at Fang Zhengzhi, their eyes filled with disbelief.

This was the intelligence of the beasts.

Fang Zhengzhi knew how smart these beasts were. Since he was capable of discerning their location by sound, he was equally adept at imitating the sounds they made.

As such, he howled once again. "Aroo!"

In that instant, all of the thousand Blue Fire Wolves were moved.

It was not just the Blue Fire Wolves, even the other beasts subconsciously looked towards the 15 year old youth at the back of the throne room.

"12 years ago, he chased your king off Cang Ling Mountain!"

"At that time, he promised your king freedom. He promised that he would let your king go!"

"In fact, he didn't!"

"He killed your king and dumped the body at the base of Cang Ling Mountain. He skinned your king!"

Fang Zhengzhi stood at his original position, completely absorbed in his storytelling. His actions were even slightly comical.

Strangely, all of the beasts were completely engrossed in his comical actions.

"Rubbish! I, Shan Jia, descend from the top family of the Southern Mountain Range. I have been vegetarian my whole life. I never wear fur or leather. I drink only water from the spring! I am friends with the trees and partners with the beasts! How dare you accuse me of such atrocities?!" Shan Jia's expression changed when he heard Fang Zhengzhi.

As the top family of the Southern Mountain Range, they had their own methods of cultivating. They too believed in the Dao of All Creation. However, they were more focused on using their body to connect with nature.

They lived in the woods and lived off the land. As such, only the top family of the Southern Mountain Range could have the surname Shan. They revered nature and everything it represented.

They were partners with the beasts. They drew on the powers of the beasts to protect their homeland. In return, they never ate meat or wore fur or leather!

Shan Jia was infuriated. What Fang Zhengzhi had said went completely against everything he believed in.

It was almost as if someone told a monk that he had impregnated a woman. Even the most refined monk would protest vehemently against such an accusation.

When Xing Yuanguo had interrogated and even threatened Shan Jia, he did not even reply.

However, the moment Fang Zhengzhi said a few cryptic words and made a few comical actions, Shan Jia was completely infuriated.

This stunned the thousands of soldiers.

Even the nine robed men behind Bai Xing were stunned. Having known Shan Jia for so many years, they knew that Shan Jia was a man of extremely few words.

His only replies have either been a nod or a shake of the head.

Yet now...

This introvert was speaking up?!

Chi Guyan looked at Fang Zhengzhi. She knew what Fang Zhengzhi was saying, but, How did Fang Zhengzhi manage to deduce that Shan Jia chased their king out twelve years ago?

After all, this was the first time Fang Zhengzhi had seen Shan Jia. 12 years ago...

Fang Zhengzhi could not have been more than three years old?

"I'm falsely accusing you? What if I have evidence?" Fang Zhengzhi could not be sure. However, his gut told him that Shan Jia had chased out the Blue Fire Wolf King.

But what did this have to do with anything? Speaking rubbish was not a crime. If he got it right, the benefits could be immense. If he got it wrong, it would not matter anyways.

"What evidence could you possibly have?" Shan Jia was in disbelief. He had never done such a thing, what evidence could this boy possibly have?

"Of course I do!" Fang Zhengzhi produced the hide of a huge Blue Fire Wolf with a wave of his hand.

Eight years ago, when he had killed the Blue Fire Wolf, he had brought the hide back, wanting to sell it for some silver. However, because Chi Guyan had gone to the Southern Mountain Village, he had no choice but to guard against her coming to the Northern Mountain Village.

As a result, he did not get a chance to sell the Blue Fire Wolf hide.

As his family became richer, Fang Zhengzhi dismissed the idea of selling the hide. He decided to keep it as a memento of his first kill.

It was being put to good use now.

Shan Jia's gaze was fixed on the hide of the Blue Fire Wolf. All of the other Blue Fire Wolves also concentrated on that hide.

That was the hide of their king.

"Aroo!" In an instant, the thousand Blue Fire Wolves howled in despair. Their howls rocked the throne room, almost like an offering to their fallen king

Shan Jia's expression darkened.

"It's you! You killed their king, you bloody villager!"

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Chapter 247: Turn of events

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"You're lying! 12 years ago, I was only three years old. Saying that I killed their king is an insult to their king! Or... do you have a guilty conscience?" Fang Zhengzhi's gaze became sharp and icy.

He had expected Shan Jia's response.

It was only reasonable for Shan Jia to respond that way. Shan Jia was actually not the guilty party. However, who cared about that? Fang Zhengzhi was just waiting for that response.

"Aroo!" The one thousand Blue Fire Wolves howled after hearing what Fang Zhengzhi said. This time, their howls were filled with fury.

As beasts who lived in a herd, their intelligence was much greater than those of other beasts. They had quickly come to a decision on who was lying.

"Imagine if i had killed their king, wouldn't I have even less incentive to show his hide and speak out about the incident? Do you really think that these are mindless wolves who will be controlled by you?" Fang Zhengzhi said deliberately as he saw the raging pack.

The eyes of the 1000 Blue Fire Wolves turned red in that instant.

Shan Jia's expression also changed.

He had no idea that the Blue Fire Wolf King was killed. He also did not expect that Fang Zhengzhi would use its hide to frame him.

He felt incredibly wronged.

He felt like the monk who knew that the kid in the lady's womb was not his. However, after the baby was born, a blood test revealed that it was a match to his.

Was there anything more ridiculous than this?

F*ck!"

This is ludicrous!

Shan Jia wanted to explain himself, but he did not know how.

The thousands of soldiers were stunned by this turn of events. All of them looked towards Fang Zhengzhi.

"Did Shan Jia really kill the Blue Fire Wolf King?"

"If that is so, this is a great chance for us!"

The soldiers did not know if Fang Zhengzhi was telling the truth. However, they were inclined to believe him. After all, like what Fang Zhengzhi said, he was only three years old 12 years ago.

Killing the Blue Fire Wolf King at three?

Is that possible?

Of course not.

Fang Zhengzhi ignored the surprise of the soldiers. He continued to motion with his limbs. He wanted to strike whilst the iron was hot.

He would keep going, suffocating Shan Jia until he had gotten what he wanted.

"I still have other evidence, would you like to see it? It has to do with the Tri-horn White Rhinoceros, the Steel Limb Golden Ape, and the Torrential Thunder Lions. Which one would you like to see first?" Fang Zhengzhi continued before Shan Jia could reply.

"That's impossible!" Shan Jia's eyes turned red. He had chased all four of the kings away in four different directions.

His sole intent was to prevent them from interacting with each other.

Even if Fang Zhengzhi could get his hands on the Blue Fire Wolf King hide, how could he possibly have those of the other three?

Shan Jia did not believe it.

However, if Fang Zhengzhi clearly did not have it, why would he announce it so loudly? Is he not afraid that his lies will be torn apart?

Or...

"Not good!"

Shan Jia suddenly remembered something. He subconsciously tried to run, but it was too late. A purple light had hit his body, and there was a ray of black light hidden within it.

That was a lethal strike.

"Sh*t!"

Before he could say anything, a large black sword had already pierced his heart, sending blood splattering everywhere.

Shan Jia's eyes widened as the life slipped from him.

He finally understood what Fang Zhengzhi was trying to do, but it was too late. He could feel the energy exit his body in that instant.

"Oh... I see... ahem..." Shan Jia coughed up a mouthful of blood as he glared at Xing Yuanguo. His eyes were filled with pain and unwillingness. However, there was also a subtle glint of relief, almost as if a load had been taken off his shoulders.

"Shan Jia, aren't you going to say anything before you die?" Xing Yuanguo's eyes glimmered.

It was not difficult for someone as powerful as him to sneak an attack on Shan Jia. Furthermore, Shan Jia was flustered, his concentration fully on Fang Zhengzhi.

Xing Yuanguo would never let an opportunity like that slip by.

"Haha, you want to know the Southern Mountain Range's... attitude towards the Great Xia Dynasty? If you want to know... go... go take a look for your... yourself..." Shan Jia's eyes closed before he could finish.

Even at the point of death, he still did not know why his plan had failed.

He had put in so much effort to set up Cang Ling Mountain and absorb it into The Vast World. He had also made all of the beasts his subordinates.

Each of the 1000 Blue Fire Wolves were at the Divine Seal State. The Steel Limb Golden Ape were incredibly agile, the Tri-horn White Rhinoceros were powerful, and the Torrential Thunder Lions were ferocious...

More importantly, with his training, these beasts could form powerful magical formations. Even if there were many times the number of soldiers, they would still die.

What had gone wrong?

The Blue Fire Wolf King...

How could he have been killed by a three year old kid 12 years ago? Why? All of the villages at the foot of Cang Ling Mountain were all ordinary villagers. No matter how many of them there were, it would be impossible for them to kill a Blue Fire Wolf King!"

"Dong!" Shan Jia's head hit the ground.

"Aroo!"

"Aroo!"

"Roar!"

"Aroo!"

All of the beasts, from the Blue Fire Wolves to the Torrential Thunder Lions, were in chaos. Each of them howled and roared continuously.

They seemed to be honoring their dead kings, as well as praying after Shan Jia's death.

Those were sounds of sadness and anger.

What would a raging army of beasts do? Xing Yuanguo, Bai Xiang, even every member of the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army knew.

Fang Zhengzhi did not.

Shan Jia had trained these beasts for 12 years. If they would turn against him simply because of what Fang Zhengzhi said, then those 12 years would have been a waste.

He had never intended to turn the army of beasts just by pinning the murder of the Blue Fire Wolf King on Shan Jia. He was just using it to create chaos.

And...

Give Xing Yuanguo a chance to attack.

Just because Shan Jia was dead did not mean that the army of beasts would be commanded by Fang Zhengzhi. However, if Shan Jia was alive, Fang Zhengzhi would have no chance of commanding the army of beasts.

There was absolutely no reason to let Shan Jia live.

Fang Zhengzhi's idea was simple. He would create an opportunity for Xing Yuanguo to kill Shan Jia. Everything else was not his problem. All he had to do was find a safe place to hide.

Shan Jia's death resulted in chaos within the ranks of the beasts. He could not possibly predict what would happen next. They could tear Shan Jia apart, turn and attack the demons, or even scatter from the scene.

However, he was sure that without Shan Jia's leadership, this army of beasts would be untamed.

They would simply run riot!

After the music stopped and the beasts finished their prayers, their eyes glowed with ferocity as they roared.

They did not leave. They glared at everyone in the throne room, including Bai Xing and the black robed men. At this point, everyone was the enemy.

"Fang Zhengzhi!" A raging voice called out his name. This voice naturally originated from Bai Xing. He was furious.

However, Fang Zhengzhi did not care.

Bai Xing's opponent was Xing Yuanguo.

Xing Yuanguo was quite the match for him. At the very least, Bai Xing had to concentrate fully if he wanted a chance to defeat Xing Yuanguo.

"Kill!" The nine black robed men behind Bai Xing leapt into action.

"Kill!" The morale of the thousands of soldiers rose to an all time high. With the army of beasts left without a commander, it felt like their fighting spirit had been ignited.

The battle finally started. Everyone was inside the bloodbath, and the beasts attacked manically, regardless human or demon.

"Ah!"

"Go to hell!"

The battle in the throne room was intense and savage.

Fang Zhengzhi stood by the side of the battle, calm and serene. He was flanked by two ladies.

"Where did you get the hide of the Blue Fire Wolf King?" Ping Yang did not understand what just happened. She could not suppress her curiosity any longer.

"I killed it." Fang Zhengzhi's mouth twitched as he replied disdainfully.

"You killed it?! Don't lie to me. How old were you 12 years ago, three? You could kill the Blue Fire Wolf then?" Ping Yang did not believe it.

"Did I say I killed it 12 years ago?" Fang Zhengzhi replied.

"He did kill the Blue Fire Wolf King. However, he didn't kill it 12 years ago. He killed it eight years ago. He was seven years old then!" Chi Guyan's voice interrupted the conversation.

"Sister Yan knows about this?"

"Mm."

"Okay then, since Sister Yan says that he killed it, I will believe him. But... he killed it eight years ago?! But he said 12! Fang Zhengzhi, you... you liar!" Ping Yang finally understood.

"Aish... I thought that they were slightly dumb, but I never expected you to be like them... how did you not see through something so obvious?" Fang Zhengzhi mocked.

"How dare you call me dumb? I will complain about this to the emperor and have him strip you of your post!" Ping Yang raged.

She could not possibly tolerate being called dumb in front of Chi Guyan.

"You need to be able to get out first." Fang Zhengzhi ignored Ping Yang's fury. He was used to it, she was just a pampered princess.

"Get out? Then... then why aren't you thinking of a method?"

"I already thought of it. Didn't I just say? I already found a lead!" Fang Zhengzhi said calmly.

"You meant it when you said you found a lead?" Ping Yang said in disbelief.

Chi Guyan was taken aback. She guessed that Fang Zhengzhi was just finding an excuse to get them out of the battle. How could he have possibly found a lead?

"Of course it's real. Why else would I go back for you two? I am not sick..." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

"Then tell us!" Ping Yang said anxiously.

"Oh please, if I say it now, you will go to the emperor to complain and strip me of my Sword Envoy position. And then you'll throw me in jail? I'm not so dumb!" Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.

"You... you are now a rank four official, the Sword Envoy of the Great Xia Dynasty. How dare you disobey my direct order?" Ping Yang said haughtily, her arms akimbo.

"I'm about to be fired anyways, what's the difference?" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Ping Yang.

"You, you... argh... Sister Yan, he's bullying me!"

"Fang Zhengzhi, you should just tell us your lead. Maybe we can think of a solution together. I'm sure time is of the essence for you too?" Chi Guyan finally said exasperatingly.

Fang Zhengzhi was slightly taken aback. Just as Chi Guyan had said, time was of the essence. He had to get back to the Northern Mountain Village by sunrise. Else, the damage could be irreversible.

However, he wasn't too happy about being so submissive towards Chi Guyan.

"I was just lying to her, you actually believed me?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Chi Guyan.

"..." Chi Guyan was stunned. Her lips parted, but words eluded her.

Ping Yang's face flushed instantly. Her head was held high as a bright red spear appeared in her hand.

It was the Blazing Qilin Spear.

"I will kill you!"

A column of flame shot skyward as Ping Yang bellowed. It crashed towards Fang Zhengzhi, its aura intimidating and powerful.

"You were all talking about the scene at the army camp. The Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army were fighting illusions, but ended up fighting themselves. Afterwards, they were massacred by the black robed masked men. Think about this, if the demons had such a powerful army, why bother training an army of beasts for 12 years?"

Fang Zhengzhi's mouth twitched as he looked at the column of flames.

Ping Yang's spear froze in its spot, the flames and the golden glow not able to advance any further.

"Yes! Why?" Ping Yang asked curiously.

Chi Guyan's eyes glowed as she thought about it. Then, she seemed to have a revelation.

"What you're saying is..."

"I think that we will have an answer very soon!" Fang Zhengzhi looked thoughtfully at the nine black robed men standing behind Bai Xing.

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Chapter 248: The real face of The Vast World

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

The nine black robed men were standing in a protective circle around Bai Xing. Their bodies glowed as they beat the attacking beasts backwards.

The pale green light continued to flicker on their foreheads.

Based on their Supernatural cultivation state, they would easily defeat any of the beasts.

However, a swarm of beasts was a different story. They were limited by their limbs and speed.

There were too many beasts in the throne room. There were over 1000 Blue Fire Wolves alone. Including the Steel Limb Golden Apes, Tri-horn White Rhinoceroses, and Torrential Thunder Lions, there were over 4000 beasts.

Xing Yuanguo's motive was to find the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. Cang Ling Mountain was part of the Great Xia Dynasty's territory. Even though it was dangerous, the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army should have been sufficient. Furthermore, they had reinforcements from the the five northern constabularies.

He had left the capital in a hurry and only brought two Supernatural State deputies with him.

As such, he commanded the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army to avoid clashing with the beasts. He made them rush Bai Xing and the nine black robed men.

This way, they could press the nine black robed men hard.

They all looked hard pressed to fend off the attacks.

They had to battle over 4000 beasts and 2000 elite soldiers from the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army. The tide of the battle had shifted.

"Domain Chief!" One of the black robed men looked at Bai Xing anxiously.

"I really never expected that master's efforts to set up such a flawless trap would be... would be destroyed by a small little Fang Zhengzhi!" Bai Xing was unwilling to give up.

"Domain Chief sir, you cannot hesitate any longer. If our deaths can destroy the Stabilisation Constabulary, we would die a hundred times over!"

"Yes, we would!"

"Domain Chief sir, you cannot let the Stabilisation Constabulary out of The Vast World. Else, the grand plan of the demon race would be destroyed!"

Each of the black robed males pleaded with Bai Xing as they struggled to repel the attacks. Their expressions were determined.

"Okay then, begin!" Bai Xing grit his teeth as he retrieved a silver colored longsword, his red demon eye shining brightly.

At this point, all nine of the males looked relieved.

"Hum!"

A weird sound rang out.

Then, the entire throne room began to shake. Black crack lines appeared in the air, almost like a spider web. It looked like the space itself was being torn apart...

"F*ck, I think I guessed wrong!" Fang Zhengzhi's voice rang out, a wave of awe rising in his heart.

"You guessed wrong?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi in confusion.

"It's over, it's over... we are so dead!" Fang Zhengzhi was worried.

"What's going on?" Ping Yang was getting worried as well.

"Why is everyone so set in their ways? Why must everyone die together? This way, no one will get out!" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Ping Yang and continued lamenting.

"Oh I see!" Chi Guyan finally understood what was going on.

Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan. She was lost, but she heard Fang Zhengzhi say 'die together'.

She did not like that phrase... no one in this world would like that phrase.

When Xing Yuanguo saw this scene unfold before his eyes, his phoenix like eyes also flashed with awe.

"I understand now!"

"It's a pity you understood too late!" Bai Xing's voice rang out. He was protected by the nine black robed men, his sword lowered towards Xing Yuanguo. His voice was calm.

"I have never been afraid of death. I am glad to be accompanied by the domain chief of the demon Star Domain!" Xing Yuanguo was calm.

"Hahaha... let's have ourselves a great battle today!" Bai Xing's blades moved as he entered the stars.

The nine men guarding Bai Xing saw his actions. However, they did not stop him. The stage was set - everyone in The Vast World would die.

Demons, humans, and beasts alike.

They were all condemned to death!

"Woosh!" A silver ray of light shot through the air. It pierced through the foreheads of three beasts and a stream of blood flowed from the open wound.

Then, the three beasts fell to the ground, dead.

Bai Xing stepped firmly on the body of one of the fallen beasts.

He held the blade in his right hand as he stepped on the beast with his left foot. He raised his head slightly, his attitude arrogant as his eyes glistened like lightning bolts.

He did not speak, wielding the sword in his hand as he looked at the beasts around him.

However, in that moment, the world became immensely quiet. No one knew if it was because Bai Xing was too quick, or because he was too powerful. All of the beasts stopped moving.

There was a strange moment of quiet in the throne room.

However, it only lasted for a moment.

"Boom!"

At this point, a loud explosion rang out in everyone's ears.

Then, there were more than 2000 black robed masked men in the throne room. Each one of them held a long spear, just like those that the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army wielded.

However, their faces were all covered. One could not even see their eyes. It was almost as if they were mummified.

When the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army saw this, they all stopped moving.

They knew what the black robed masked men represented. Death, absolute death, no chance at life.

Whether they chose to battle or not.

There was only one end, death!

Xing Yuanguo's gaze scanned the 2000 masked black robed men, his eyes filling with rage. These were the men who had massacred the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army aboveground.

Of the remaining 2000 members of both armies, almost 500 of them were severely injured.

This was the worst losses Xing Yuanguo's had suffered to date, and his most painful loss.

And now...

He knew that the remaining 2000 soldiers in the throne room would not live. However, he could not stand idly by and watch the elite soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty die.

"They're finally here! I'm sure you recognize these things!"

"Yes!" The 2000 soldiers replied in unison.

"Okay, since you all recognize them, let me ask you this. You know that you will die whether you fight or not. Will you fight?" Xing Yuanguo asked.

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

They all answered in unison, their voices reverberating throughout the throne room.

Then, the 2000 strong Red Pinion Squad and Mountain Breaking Army moved like the waves, shouting as they charged the 2000 masked black robed men.

"Okay, let's battle!" Xing Yuanguo said solemnly when he saw this.

Just as he finished, his figure disappeared from his previous location. A purple ray of light shot towards Bai Xing.

"Bai Xing, let's have ourselves a battle to remember!"

"Come on!" Bai Xing stepped on the body of the beast with one leg, his other leg bent. He stared intently at the purple light, the light beneath him getting brighter by the moment. It was almost as if there was a galaxy behind him.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

The sounds of killing seemed to ring out at the same time.

A silver ray of light clashed with the purple.

"Boom!"

"Boom boom boom..."

The explosions rang out as the silver light and the purple meteor clashed together. It felt as if an infinite number of silver light rays were clashing with a ball of purple fire.

Remnants of each clash filled the sky.

The ferocity of the beasts in the throne room reached a high. Roars echoed out as they began biting manically. For some beasts, they even attacked members of their own species.

A Steel Limb Golden Ape smashed its arm on the head of a Tri-horn White Rhinoceros, causing it to crumple to the ground.

At that moment, another Tri-horn White Rhinoceros fumed as it stabbed the Steel Limb Golden Ape in the back.

"Kacha!"

It's horn pierced through the body of the ape, coming out through its chest...

The battle in the throne room had reached its peak. The black robed masked men, the beasts, the soldiers of the Red Pinion Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army, and the demons, all killed without hesitation.

There was nothing to be said.

Ping Yang's eyes became watery as she continued to watch the battle unfold from the corner of the throne room.

"Why is Uncle Xing going into a duel with that Bai Xing?" Ping Yang said tearfully, still unable to understand.

"Bai Xing has sealed the only way out..." Chi Guyan stroked Ping Yang's face gently.

"The only way out?" Ping Yang still did not understand.

"Do you remember what Fang Zhengzhi said just now?" Chi Guyan subconsciously glanced at Fang Zhengzhi.

Fang Zhengzhi frowned slightly, almost as if he did not hear the conversation going on just beside him.

"Sister Yan is referring to why the demons would need to spend 12 years training an army of beasts when they had such a strange army already?" Ping Yang asked.

"Yes, think about it... those black robed masked men, should be an army belonging to The Vast World!" Chi Guyan stared at the 2000 strong army in the throne room.

"Belong to The Vast World?!" Ping Yang was even more confused.

"Initially, I had the same conjecture as Fang Zhengzhi. I thought the problem lay with the nine black robed men. I thought that the ones who had massacred our elite soldiers were the illusions of the nine men. But now..." Chi Guyan hesitated.

"Was it not?"

"No! Their illusions were of the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad. Actually, they're illusions of every living soul in The Vast World!" Chi Guyan pointed at the 2000 black robed masked men.

If one followed Chi Guyan's finger...

A ray of purple light shot out from one of the black robed masked men. It was an exact replica of Xing Yuanguo's attack. It shot towards a Red Pinion Squad member.

At the same time, another black robed masked man began to glow, almost as if he was bathing in a galaxy. A silver light flickered around him...

"How... how is this possible?!" Ping Yang looked at the two black robed masked men in disbelief.

"Actually, this is genuinely "The Vast World"! Chi Guyan's tone was conflicted. No one could tell what she was thinking.

"Genuinely "The Vast World"?" Ping Yang said in awe.

"When we take an illusion as reality, reality becomes an illusion. When we think we have something we don't actually have, we end up losing what we have." Fang Zhengzhi seemed to be replying to Ping Yang and talking to himself at the same time.

"When we take an illusion as reality, reality becomes an illusion. When we think we have something we don't actually have, we end up losing what we have? This is quite apt, did you think of it yourself?" Chi Guyan looked at Fang Zhengzhi curiously when she heard it.

"Have you read "Dream of the Red Chamber"?" Fang Zhengzhi asked curiously.

"What is "Dream of the Red Chamber"?" Chi Guyan asked.

"The "Dream of the Red Chamber"... is a dream that someone had in a red colored chamber!" Fang Zhengzhi explained.

His heart skipped a beat. He had forgotten that there was no "Dream of the Red Chamber" in this world.

"What has dreaming... got to do with what you said?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi.

"Did I say it had any link? Mm, I thought of that phrase myself. Aren't I smart?" Fang Zhengzhi had no qualms about claiming the credit for himself.

"Oh please!" Ping Yang did not want to let Fang Zhengzhi win so easily. Even though what Fang Zhengzhi said seemed simple, it seemed to have much larger implications.

When we take an illusion as reality, reality becomes an illusion. When we think we have something we don't actually have, we end up losing what we have.

Is that very applicable to the current situation?

Ping Yang kept repeating this phrase to herself. Then, her eyes brightened up, almost as if she had a revelation.

"What you're saying is, even though these masked men are fake, they are drawing on real energies?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan excitedly.

"Aish... your intelligence needs a lot of work!" Fang Zhengzhi replied rudely when he saw Ping Yang's expression.

"You chide me again?! Argh... tell me... where... where have I gone wrong?" Ping Yang pouted, then asked weakly.

"Even though what you're saying is not completely wrong, you did miss it by a little bit!" Fang Zhengzhi watched the intense battle between Xing Yuanguo and Bai Xing unfold as he spoke.

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Chapter 249: Door within the Throne Room

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

When powerhouses met, the battle was constantly evolving.

Fang Zhengzhi did not know how powerful Xing Yuanguo and Bai Xing were. However, in the short span of a few sentences, they had clashed more than a dozen times.

Fang Zhengzhi finally understood what 'offence is the best defence' meant.

Xing Yuanguo attacked constantly, going for the kill with every hit. He pressed hard, going for lethal blows with each hand, his blade swinging viciously.

More importantly, he chained his techniques perfectly. The first technique transited smoothly into the second, and then the third...

It looked simple, but anyone with a discerning eye knew that this was impossible to replicate.

When Xing Yuanguo first started, his first stroke basically determined all of his remaining techniques. However, in the face of an enemy, who knew what the first stroke would be?

Furthermore, the battlefield was constantly evolving. Different opponents used different techniques. One could not use the same set of techniques to suppress all potential opponents.

As such...

Xing Yuanguo adopted the concept of "adaptation".

He constantly switched his techniques and strokes about. He trained to be ambidextrous so that he could adapt to any situation on the battlefield.

He had learnt every possible technique, then changed it to make it uniquely his.

"What did I miss out?!" Ping Yang said discontentedly.

"Let's use Xing Hou as an example. The masked black man may have gotten Xing Hou's power, but can he get his experience?" Fang Zhengzhi pointed at the masked black man firing purple rays of light.

Ping Yang did not understand at first. However, when she looked at the masked black man, she had a revelation.

Even though the masked black man had Xing Yuanguo's abilities, his techniques were nowhere near as good.

"I know what you want to say, but this is just one of the points you missed. There is something more important!" Fang Zhengzhi waved Ping Yang off, asking her to listen instead of speaking.

Ping Yang swallowed the words at the tip of her tongue, her face flushed. She wanted to rebut, but she did not know what to say. Her mouth opened slightly.

"Tell me!" Ping Yang fumed.

"You said that the black robed masked men were fake whilst the soldiers were real. This is a fatal mistake. However, the explanation for this is a lot more complicated. I don't think you would understand it. It is said that you can have the same attitude towards wealth and poverty, a good or bad harvest, and a long or short lifespan." Fang Zhengzhi said.

"What do you mean?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi.

"I'm saying that one can face each of these scenarios with the same attitude and mentality." Fang Zhengzhi explained.

"These are clearly different, how can you have the same mentality towards them? Poverty is poverty, wealth is wealth... do you think you're on the same level as the emperor?" Ping Yang asked in confusion.

"This is why I say it is very difficult to explain it to you. Let me give you an example. Many would say that one's wealth and lifespan is decided by fate."

"You can't say that he is totally wrong. If someone had been a saint in their previous life, they may be rewarded with wealth and longevity. If they did evil in their previous life, they may be punished with poverty and a short life."

"This is the classical view. However, the other viewpoint is that we are the masters of our own fate."

"If one was blessed with wealth and longevity but did a ton of evil in his life, he may get his retribution in this life. Another man could have been cursed with poverty and a short life, but did something saintly in his life. He may not need to wait till the next life to reap the rewards of his actions."

"In conclusion, one's fate may have been predetermined, but we cannot be restrained by it. We must create our own destiny."

Fang Zhengzhi did not elaborate. Ping Yang's status made it difficult for her to understand equality and change.

"I can understand a little... but, what has this got to do with our current situation?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi conflictingly. Even though she did not fully understand what Fang Zheng had said, she could feel that there was a lesson in morality behind it. However, she still did not know how it linked to The Vast World.

"If I recall correctly, The Vast World got its name for its ability to make the sea a drop in the ocean!" Fang Zhengzhi looked to Chi Guyan.

Chi Guyan nodded slightly. Fang Zhengzhi was right, The Vast World had the ability to make a sea a drop in an ocean.

"What is the opposite of that? Making a drop in the ocean into a sea! It is just like our current situation now. If reality can be made into an illusion, illusion can be made into a reality!" Fang Zhengzhi explained.

"Reality and illusion... how to we break it?" Ping Yang asked.

"We can't." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.

"We can't?! Then what's the point of saying all that?" Ping Yang said condescendingly.

"In The Vast World, everything real is fake and everything fake is real. We can't break that, but, what if The Vast World didn't exist?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.

"Didn't exist? You're saying..."

"There is a law known as the law of conservation of energy. No item in the world can exist by itself. In order to support something as energy consuming as The Vast World, there must be something equally powerful."

"You're referring to the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?!" Ping Yang did not know what the law of conservation of energy was. However, when Fang Zhengzhi said 'something equally powerful', she reacted immediately.

"That's right. If we can find the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, we can break The Vast World!" Fang Zhengzhi asserted.

"That's equivalent to not saying anything. Uncle Xing and the soldiers must have searched the entire throne room. If they could find it, this wouldn't be happening!" Ping Yang said depressingly.

"I just said that what's real is fake. Since the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet is integrated with The Vast World, it must follow the same rule!"

"What you're saying is..."

"There are two possibilities. One, there is another throne room within this one. However, you said that this place had already been searched. If it was here, they would have found it. So, only the second possibility..."

"What is it?"

"What's real is fake and what's fake is real! The altar is the throne room and the throne room is the altar! What that means is that the altar is the real throne room!"

"Ah?!" Ping Yang's jaw dropped in disbelief. However, her eyes glimmered brightly.

"I see!" Chi Guyan nodded slightly when she heard this.

"Then let's get out of here!" Ping Yang did not really trust Fang Zhengzhi, but she trusted Chi Guyan with her life. Once Chi Guyan nodded, she did not hesitate at all.

"Where do we go out from?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.

"Through the stone door of course!" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi innocently.

"I think your intelligence really needs work! Do you really think you can come out the way you came in?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Ping Yang condescendingly.

"Erm... we can't?" Ping Yang asked doubtfully. Then, she became anxious, "What now?"

"If I guessed correctly, that should be the door!" Fang Zhengzhi pointed to his back.

Fang Zhengzhi was pointing towards a closed stone door. This door was carved on the wall and it was flanked by eight solemn and intimidating statues.

It looked like the altar outside.

There were many similar engravings on the wall of the throne room. There were also many engravings of walls and statues. A quick glance revealed no less than a dozen.

But Fang Zhengzhi specifically chose this one.

"Why there?" Ping Yang was confused.

"Real and fake are direct opposites. The doors should also be the same!" Fang Zhengzhi pointed out that the engraving was directly opposite the stone door.

"You... aren't lying to me right?" Ping Yang still did not believe him.

"Try and you'll find out!" Fang Zhengzhi replied.

"How do I try?" Ping Yang asked.

"If you believe me, you can try barging it with your head and see if it'll give!" Fang Zhengzhi said seriously.

"Use my head... to barge it?!" Ping Yang paled. She hesitated, then grit her teeth. She shouted to the nearest Mountain Breaking Army soldier, "Hey... you! Come and protect the princess!"

"Yes!" One of the soldiers who was having second thoughts immediately rushed over happily.

Fang Zhengzhi looked at the expression of happiness on the soldier's face and sighed. Even the elite armies accepted a couple which simply did not make the cut.

This was an undeniable fact repeated throughout history.

"What is your name?" Ping Yang asked as she looked at the soldier.

"In reply to your highness, my name is Wen Daobao, my father is Wen Qinghe. I will guard your highness with my life!" The soldier puffed his chest and walked confidently to Ping Yang.

"Oh so you are the son of one of the law ministers? Good. Now, I order you to barge through that door!" Ping Yang pointed at the door.

"Ah?!" Wen Dabao paled upon hearing that.

He had only joined the Mountain Breaking Army for the honour and glory. The Mountain Breaking Army was famed throughout the empire. As long as he served three years with them, he would be respected for the rest of his life.

He may even be able to take over his father's post in the future with the help of the Stabilisation Constabulary.

In fact, Wen Dabao did not want to join this expedition to excavate the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet.

He simply wanted to serve in the army for three years.

Of course, the Mountain Breaking Army did not really bother much about his presence. The deputy general initially had no intention of having Wen Dabao participate. However, Wen Dabao's father heard of the expedition and thought that it was a good opportunity for Wen Dabao to do something great.

Afterall, an ordinary honorable discharge could not compare to an honorable discharge after doing something great for the dynasty.

This was an understandable thought. Xing Yuanguo was leading the expedition, what could possibly go wrong?

In the end, heaven knows best.

Wen Dabao had used his talents at 'cruising' in order to survive till now. Who else could understand the pain that he had went through?

And now...

He thought that he would have an excuse to leave the carnage and laze around beside the princess. He never expected to be caught between a rock and a hard place.

This was hard for him to swallow.

"Why? You dare to disobey a direct order?" Ping Yang stared at him, her arms akimbo.

Wen Dabao began to sweat profusely when he saw that. A shiver went down his spine and he felt as if his head was going to explode.

When Ping Yang raged, the entire capital trembled.

Afterall, not everyone was Fang Zhengzhi. Ping Yang was a devilish girl in the capital who no one dared to antagonize. Even her father would sweat if he saw Ping Yang as she was now.

If the emperor wanted his official to die, his official had to die.

Ping Yang was not the emperor, but she was the master. As the most pampered princess in the empire, her wish was a command.

"No... no... I... I wouldn't dare!" Wen Dabao stammered as he lowered his head.

"Then why aren't you doing it?" Ping Yang bellowed.

"Yes, yes..." Wen Dabao nodded repeatedly, but he was still rooted to the ground.

When Ping Yang saw this, she glared at Wen Dabao. Just as she was about to rage, Fang Zhengzhi walked over and patted Wen Dabao on the shoulder. Then, he whispered something in Wen Dabao's ear.

Wen Dabao immediately raised his head, his eyes glowing.

"Plonk!" He fell to his knees.

"Thank you your highness, thank you princess! I will follow your orders!" Wen Dabao clenched his fists tightly, clearly reinvigorated.

Ping Yang could not understand what was going on. Wen Dabao was clearly hesitant despite the order coming from me. Why is it that he is so motivated after Fang Zhengzhi spoke to him?

What is going on?

"Ah!"

Before Ping Yang could question him, Wen Dabao charged, his eyes glowing as his body shot out like an arrow.

He did not dodge or hesitate.

"Dong!" A huge sound echoed out as Wen Dabao crashed against that door.

Then...

His eyes went black as he fell to the ground, unconscious.

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Chapter 250: What are you doing?

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Wen Dabao had charged against the door with all his might. He struck the door with such speed and accuracy.

This could be seen from the trickle of blood from his forehead.

Even though Wen Dabao was just planning to ride his time out in the Mountain Breaking Army, he was not weak. After all, he was the heir to a ministerial post.

If not, he would not have bled from the impact.

Ping Yang looked at the unconscious Wen Dabao suspiciously, then back at Fang Zhengzhi

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing much. I just told him truthfully that the door was the exit. As long as he charged it, he would be doing something great for the empire!" Fang Zhengzhi said truthfully.

"He believed you?" Ping Yang asked incredulously.

"Of course not, but what if she had said it?" Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Chi Guyan.

"You're... really shameless!"

"Thank you!"

"What now?" Ping Yang pointed at the unconscious Wen Dabao and the blood stained stone door. She was clearly saying that the path was wrong.

"What do you mean?"

"The stone door is a fake!"

"What do you mean by fake? I just made a tiny calculation error." Fang Zhengzhi said calmly.

"Tiny error?!" Ping Yang was doubtful. You call this a tiny error? It nearly cost someone his life! Although I don't really care about that guy's life...

"The door is the real one." Chi Guyan spoke up.

"Why is Sister Yan taking his side?" Ping Yang said unwillingly.

"Look at the bloodstain on the door." Chi Guyan pointed to the spot where Wen Dabao's head had crashed against the door.

Ping Yang's eyes widened. Then, her expression of suspicion turned into one of joy, almost as if she had just been fed honey.

She saw a crack, a crack which was hidden by the blood.

The crack was small.

However, this was a crack that wasn't there before. No matter how intense the battle got, the throne room did not give.

However, Wen Dabao had cracked the wall.

The result was obvious.

"In order to break the stone door, one must be powerful enough. This is simple logic. Sometimes, smart people like me miss out the simplest of details." Fang Zhengzhi lamented.

"Humph!" Ping Yang snorted, but her hands did not stop.

The Blazing Qilin Spear trembled as its flame shot skyward, a golden light flickering in the air.

Ability wise, Ping Yang may not be Fang Zhengzhi's match. However, with the Blazing Qiling Spear in hand, there were few who could match her offensive prowess.

"Boom!" A loud sound echoed out.

In the sea of fire, a golden light homed in on the stone door. Then, it exploded, sending light flooding in from outside.

It shone on the ground, revealing a black tunnel.

"Oh, it doesn't lead straight out?" Ping Yang was shocked to see the black tunnel.

"I said that there are two possibilities. The first is that there is another throne room within this one. The second one is that the altar is the throne room." Fang Zhengzhi replied.

"I thought you said the first option was impossible?"

"Stop harping on the small details. All roads lead to Rome. Do not be too concerned with the insignificant details." Fang Zhengzhi waved Ping Yang off.

"Oh please!" Ping Yang huffed, then looked at the pitch black tunnel. "Now that we have found the door, should we send someone to scout ahead?"

"Isn't there someone already?"

"Really? You?"

"Of course not!" Fang Zhengzhi shook his head and glanced at Wen Dabao. "The path is clear for you to see. If you continue to play dead, you will not have the chance to make your contribution!"

When the prone Wen Dabao heard Fang Zhengzhi, he shot up immediately, almost like a monkey.

Ping Yang was in disbelief.

Chi Guyan was calm and composed, almost as if she had expected this from the start.

"I had a dream just now. I dreamt that a golden armored heavenly general descended from the heavens. He said that I was a deputy, and that I was to protect princess Ping Yang and princess Guyan. He ordered me..." Wen Dabao began to narrate.

"Enough rubbish! The color of blood in the blood bag on your forehead is a little faded. When you get back, make sure to make it a little darker. That would make it a little more believable. Understand?" Fang Zhengzhi waved him off.

Wen Dabao was stunned, but he quickly recovered, smiling sheepishly. "Your honor, it is no wonder you are the top scorer in the imperial examinations. Your keen eye and mental acuity..."

"Get down!"

"Yes yes yes, I am on my way!" Wen Dabao leapt into the tunnel before his voice had travelled to the group.

"How dare you scam me? I am a princess! You should be killed! The Mountain Breaking Army is an army of courageous soldiers. Why do we have to find such a timid guy?" Ping Yang raged as she stared down at Wen Dabao.

"Everyone has their strengths. Wen Dabao is afraid of death. As such, he will be much more cautious and observant than a courageous man!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled.

"As if!" Ping Yang cocked her head to one side.

When Chi Guyan heard what Fang Zhengzhi said, her eyes brightened. This was something that her father had taught her.

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses.

The best general is not one who can lead an elite army, but one who can best accentuate the strengths of everyone that he had.

How does someone who grew up in a mountain village understand this concept?

Is this really Heaven's will?

"Your highness, princess, Sword Envoy, it is safe down here!" Wen Daobao's voice rang out from inside the tunnel.

This time, Wen Dabao specially addressed the Sword Envoy as well.

"Take Ping Yang with you first. Uncle Xing and I will be closely behind!" Chi Guyan's figure disappeared as she shot towards Xing Yuanguo.

"Sister Yan!" Ping Yang looked at Chi Guyan anxiously.

"Chi Guyan?!" Fang Zhengzhi stared at Chi Guyan's back. He did not care for her elegance as she killed her way towards Xing Yuanguo.

Why would the princess of the Divine Constabulary, the top ranked youth in the empire rush out at this time?

The exit was right in front of her.

If what Ping Yang said was true, and the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet could really make one a sage, then why did Chi Guyan not seem to care? Did she not care, or was she doing this for the country...

Fang Zhengzhi did not say much. He had seen too many people in the previous world who were fiercely loyal to the country and incredibly filial.

These people rarely died of natural causes.

Were they right or wrong?

Fang Zhengzhi was in no position to judge. He simply led his life the way he wanted to. He would eat what he wanted, do what he wanted, and played with whatever he wanted.

"Let's go!" Fang Zhengzhi picked Ping Yang up and entered the tunnel...

The sun rose slowly at the break of dawn. The sky turned white and dew hung from the blades of grass.

This was good weather. It was not too hot or cold; perfect weather for the villagers who started laboring early in the day.

However, no one from the Northern Mountain Village went to the fields today.

All of the villagers were gathered on the square. Zhang Yangping stood right at the front, his wrinkled face expressionless. However, it was clear that he was waiting on something.

Clouds of dust could be seen at the entrance of the Northern Mountain Village.

That was a thousand men strong army. Each soldier wore gleaming armor, their expressions solemn. Their spears shone in the son.

"General, we are here!"

"Mm! Deputy General Li!"

"Yes sir!"

"Pass the order, seal all the entrances and exits to the Northern Mountain Village! Not even a bird should be able to fly out!"

"Yes sir!"

"Deputy Zhang, Deputy Chen, Deputy Wang, follow me into the village!"

"General, if the intelligence is to be believed, Fang Zhengzhi is in the Heavenly Reflection State. If only three of us enter the village, will we..." One of the deputy generals was clearly worried.

"What are you afraid of? Do you really think Fang Zhengzhi is rebelling? Will he ignore the lives of the hundred of families here? I have been authorized by the military to do this. Fang Zhengzhi has no other choice but to surrender!"

"Yes sir!"

"Enter the village!"

The tunnel was much longer than they had expected. Fang Zhengzhi, Ping Yang, and Wen Dabao took almost 15 minutes to get out.

Fang Zhengzhi was stunned by what he saw.

The Heaven Dao Sage Tablet... was not a tablet!

Fang Zhengzhi finally understood what that meant. However, he could not describe what the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet was. He was in a utopia.

The place was spotless, even the ground was impeccably cleaned.

The entire world was way too clean. The grass was jade green, the woods were luscious, and there was a lake.

The lake was so clear one could see the bottom.

One would expect to see fishes in the lake, but there were none to be seen.

A field, woods, lake...

Other than these, there were only four words, "Heaven Dao Sage Tablet".

These four words were not imprinted on the ground or in the woods. They were not floating on the water or engraved into a rock. There wasn't even a rock to be seen.

Fang Zhengzhi did not know why he thought of the four words, but he knew that this was it from the moment he stepped onto the field.

The field, the woods, the lake... this was the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet.

"Have you seen it?" Ping Yang asked after recovering from her shock.

"Clean!" Fang Zhengzhi said.

"Silence?" [1]

"No I said clean!"

"Oh, so what are we supposed to do now?" Ping Yang continued.

"Break the cleanliness!"

"You want to destroy the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?" Ping Yang was stunned when she heard Fang Zhengzhi's plan.

"If we don't break the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, how do we break The Vast World?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.

"But this is utopia. Can you really bring yourself to... and, and... the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet is a gift from heaven. There are only 36 of them, how can you destroy them?" Ping Yang said fearfully.

"There are so many? 36?" Fang Zhengzhi was taken aback.

"Yes, there are 36 Heaven Dao Sage Tablets. Each one contains and embodies a Heavenly Dao. Anyone who can understand it will become a saint!"

"Has anyone done so?" Fang Zhengzhi pressed.

"Of course! The "Spiritual Sage" understood the 20th one which represented the Dao of constant change. The "Heavenly Barbarian Sage" understood the 28th one which represented the Dao of adversity..."

"And how many more do we have?" Fang Zhengzhi interrupted Ping Yang.

"You're not wrong, but we can excavate this clean space and bring it back to the capital. That way..."

"How are you going to bring it away if you can't get out?" Fang Zhengzhi reiterated.

"You still can't destroy it! I... I don't agree!" Ping Yang pouted adamantly.

"Don't accuse me of bullying you. We will decide this in a fair manner. There are three of us here, majority wins. Any objection?" Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Wen Dabao.

When Wen Dabao heard this, he began to sweat profusely. Fang Zhengzhi was not bullying Ping Yang, he was bullying Wen Dabao!

"Okay!" Ping Yang grit her teeth and nodded. She turned to Wen Dabao, "Tell us, whose side will you take? Mine, or this shameless fella!"

"In reply to your highness. I am just a lowly soldier, I will follow your orders!" Wen Dabao replied instantly.

"Did you hear that?" Ping Yang raised her head haughtily when she heard Wen Dabao's reply.

"However..." Wen Dabao spoke up once again, "However, because I know that you're the princess, you cannot remain trapped here. It would be horrible for the lands. As such... I... I have to side with the Sword Envoy. This Heaven Dao Sage Tablet must be destroyed!"

"You..." Ping Yang's expression darkened.

"Okay then, since majority agree to destroy the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, I shall begin!" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Ping Yang and began to undress.

"Ah! You... you shameless b*stard, what are you doing?!" Ping Yang's jaw dropped when Fang Zhengzhi began to undress.

[1] In Mandarin, the words 'silence' and 'clean' have similar pronunciations.

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Chapter 251: Heaven is watching

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"I'm destroying the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?" Fang Zhengzhi replied flatly.

"If you're destroying the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, why... why are you undressing?" Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi's beast hide t-shirt on the floor, her face flushed.

"Don't you need to take of your clothes when you shower?" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Ping Yang as he continued to strip. His Heart Protection Mirror was quickly came into view. It was held to his chest by a leather strap.

Other than this, he only wore a pair of black undergarments.

"Ba... bathe!" Ping Yang was completely stunned. Just as she was about to accuse him of being shameless and barbaric, she saw the Heart Protection Mirror on Fang Zhengzhi's chest.

That was a silver colored Heart Protection Mirror, and it shone faintly in the light.

"This Heart Protection Mirror looks familiar... why does it look just like Sister Yan's "Watertight Mirror"? Could it be..."

Ping Yang immediately thought of something, but dismissed it just as quickly. The Watertight Mirror is one of the Divine Constabulary's seven greatest treasures. Why would it be in this shameless fella's possessions.

"Plonk!"

Before Ping Yang could think of anything else, Fang Zhengzhi leapt into the lake. He began swimming around like a fish taking to water.

Wen Dabao was wide-eyed with awe as he looked at Fang Zhengzhi. "The Sword Envoy is really a hero. You are bathing in the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet and in front of the princess? No one else in this world has your courage!"

After swimming around in the lake, Fang Zhengzhi found that the temperature was perfect. It was not where as good as a hot spring, but it was quite comfortable.

He found it rather calming and enjoyable.

He called out to Wen Dabao to join him.

Wen Dabao paled when he heard it. Stripping in front of Ping Yang was unimaginable. Furthermore, he could not take the responsibility of breaking the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet.

He refused to go into the lake.

Without any other option, Fang Zhengzhi asked Ping Yang to join him.

"Ew! Shameless!" Ping Yang rolled her eyes at Fang Zhengzhi, then ran off into the woods to enjoy the 'scenery'.

After being rejected by both people, Fang Zhengzhi could only smile resignedly. The view was great and the water was comfortable. It was a pity they didn't know how to enjoy it.

"I shall wash off all the dust from this trip!" After swimming around happily, he began to scrub his back, humming as he did so.

It was just the tune that he was humming when he met Chi Guyan in the woods.

"Hit the drums and the gongs, stop the beat and hear me sing. All gossip can be made into song, hear me sing the 18..."

His emotions began to go a little out of control. He was being hugged by the water, soothed by the warmth, and his voice grew louder and louder.

His voice reverberated throughout the entire Heaven Dao Sage Tablet

Ping Yang kept humming to herself, "Shameless, shameless, shameless..."

Wen Dabao's eyes were glimmering. He wanted to kneel down to Fang Zhengzhi. He had always thought of himself as a lawless rebel. However, now that he had seen Fang Zhengzhi, he knew that he was still a far cry from Fang Zhengzhi.

This man was peerlessly shameless.

There was a saying, shameless people would be dealt with by heaven!

Fang Zhengzhi was humming away happily, scrubbing and splashing around in the lake. He caused ripples in the otherwise calm lake...

But he forgot...

He forgot that this was the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. It represented the Dao of Heaven and was incredibly powerful. The heavens were closest to humans here.

Fang Zhengzhi never believed any of this.

He had always dismissed talk of ghosts and gods. However, today... at this moment! He had no other choice but to believe it.

He felt the water beginning to act strangely.

None of this was the result of his own actions. It had happened autonomously. In an instant, the tiny ripples on the surface became a terrifying whirlpool.

With the lake as its epicenter, the waves picked up the humming Fang Zhengzhi, still in his underpants.

"Boom!"

Fang Zhengzhi was in shock. He did not even have a chance to react.

He had never expected that the initially calm Heaven Dao Sage Tablet would become so ferocious in the blink of an eye. It was going for his life!

Lightning!

Ordinarily, lightning was simply static discharge. However, this lightning was different. It looked like a black crack, and it was headed straight for Fang Zhengzhi's head.

"What the f*ck?!"

Fang Zhengzhi only managed to say these three words before being sucked into the crack by an immense force.

"Could it be that I solved the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?"

Fang Zhengzhi was not a pessimist. Even if he was, he could not be right now. If he was pessimistic, being dragged into a different space could only mean one thing - death...

His only option was to remain optimistic.

"I am going to become a sage!"

Wen Dabao, who was standing on the banks of the lake, saw Fang Zhengzhi being sucked in by the black crack. However, he did not move.

Firstly, he was too far away.

Secondly, he did not have a death wish.

"Sword Envoy, your honor!" Wen Dabao knelt to the ground, tears flowing from his eyes as he pounded the ground with his fists.

Ping Yang, who was enjoying the 'scenery', also saw the scene unfold before her eyes.

Her crystal clear eyes filled with shock, then fear, complete, spirit sucking fear. She experienced it all within the blink of an eye.

"Shameless... b*stard... don't... don't die!"

Inside the throne room, the battle was almost white hot.

Xing Yuanguo had stopped attacking as ferociously. However, the purple glow continued to flicker around his body, almost as if it was locking his life within him.

Bai Xing had paled considerably. If not for the fact that he had used the silver thread to protect himself constantly, he would have lost his life by now.

The Stabilisation Constabulary rose to its position through its battle spirit. Their people had boundless battle spirit, and Xing Yuanguo was the living embodiment of that.

Xing Yuanguo was by far the most powerful leader of any of the 13 constabularies.

Even Chi Hou of the Divine Constabulary would not dare face off against Xing Yuanguo.

Even though Xing Yuanguo was holding back now, that maniacal battle spirit continued to crash towards Bai Xing like a wave. It caused Bai Xing to sweat profusely, drenching his clothes. His arms were injured in no less than five different places, and each gash was deep.

The worst wound was at the back of his waist.

That wound had injured his internal organs. A strike that could injure the organs from the back of the waist had to be incredibly deep and vicious.

The nine black robed men were also thoroughly exhausted.

They were all Supernatural State cultivators and could heal themselves every time they got injured. However, the energy required to do so was an astronomical amount.

The deeper wounds required both effort and time.

All the nine of them made a unified decision. Each of their green demon eyes turned black.

They absorbed all the energy from their demon eye, determined to fight to the bitter end.

In actual fact, from the moment the masked black robed men appeared in the throne room, everyone's fate was decided.

The throne room was the final path of retreat from The Vast World. As long as it wasn't affected by The Vast World, they could still escape.

The initial plan was to have the army of beasts destroy the Stabilisation Constabulary if they ever entered the throne room.

When Bai Xing absorbed the energy of The Vast World into the throne room, the masked black robed men descended. This represented the demons will to massacre the Red Pinion Squad and Mountain Breaking Army.

This also represented them sealing the only escape path.

Everyone would die.

Since there was no way out, they saw no point in preserving the energy in their demon eyes. They would go down fighting!

"Uncle Xing!" A ray of light appeared beside Xing Yuanguo just as a crisp voice rang out.

"Guyan, what are you doing here? Our only hope is if you solve the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet! You... should go find it, quickly!"

"Uncle Xing, I know what you're thinking. You want to kill as many of them as possible, leaving a few of us to find the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet." Chi Guyan looked at Xing Yuanguo.

As compared to Bai Xing, Xing Yuanguo looked a lot healthier. However, he was still injured in many places. Bai Xing's techniques were strange and unpredictable.

It was impossible for Xing Yuanguo to dodge them all. He too had no less than five wounds on his body. Each wound was thin, but they cut to the bone.

"..." Xing Yuanguo did not speak. Silence was his admittance.

"But how can I watch on as you battle yourself to death? Furthermore, you know that even I am not guaranteed to solve the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet!"

"The future of the Great Xia Dynasty cannot end here!"

"What if it's not me?"

"Guyan, don't be silly! I knew you would say this. However, whether it is you or not is not up to you to decide. This is heaven's will. If you have such thoughts, you are going against heaven's will! You are showing complete and utter disregard for the future of the Great Xia Dynasty and the human race!"

"Uncle Xing!"

"Enough, I know about what happened in the Heaven Dao Pavillion. I also know what you're going to do after you descend the mountain. Furthermore, I know that you've been suppressing your powers. Since I am about to die, why don't you let me see your powers?"

"Your niece... will obey your orders!" Chi Guyan did not say anything else. She nodded lightly. The Divine Constabulary and the Stabilisation Constabulary had the closest relationship amongst the 13.

This was something known to everyone.

However, even though they were incredibly close, there was never a marriage between the two constabularies.

No one knew why.

The truth was, even without a marriage, the two constabularies remained incredibly close, never once clashing with one another.

On the square of the Northern Mountain Village.

The four men rode leisurely into the village. Dust was kicked up by their stallions as they moved. The man on point glared, his face dark as charcoal.

"General, it seems like they are waiting for us?" One of the deputies was shocked to see the gathered villagers.

"Mm, I guess our mission will be easily completed!" The leading middle aged man nodded slightly, his gaze icy.

"When you say mission, you mean?" The deputy was slightly confused.

"Do you think that killing two soldiers is a grave crime?"

"About that..."

"Just tell me the truth!"

"Yes, killing two soldiers in an audacious act. However, according to my investigations, these soldiers took money from the army's coffers but never paid it out to the villagers. They forced the villagers to provide them food and alcohol. Fang Zhengzhi's actions are borderline martial law, but, Fang Zhengzhi is not in the army, so his actions..."

"What if the soldiers had insulted Fang Zhengzhi's parents?"

"According to martial law, bullying and abuse of one's power are punishable by death!"

"It's good that you know that. I have no feud with Fang Zhengzhi. Why would I antagonize him over two useless b*stards who deserved to die anyways?"

"I understand now!"

"If my guess is correct, Fang Zhengzhi should be in hiding!"

"Do you want to search the village?"

"If I did, would I only bring three of you along?"

"Sir, are you going to..."

"He can hide, but there's someone who cannot hide!" The general's glare settled on Zhang Yangping.

There were two figures behind Zhang Yangping. One was Fang Houde, the other was Qin Xuelian.

"Fang Zhengzhi, you can only blame yourself for antagonizing someone you shouldn't have. Now, you have destroyed your bright future!"

The general looked in the direction of the capital, his right hand gripping the black military token. His expression turned icy.

The morning breeze released a few dead leaves from their branches, sending them tossing and turning as they fell to the ground.

Zhang Yangping stood quietly on the square. His gaze scanned the four riding men, then he shivered.

He had been hunting for dozens of years.

Even though Zhang Yangping was not extremely adept at reading expressions, he knew what a killing aura felt like. In his dealings with beasts, this feeling was no stranger to him.

He felt that aura from the four men.

Even though they were only four strong, Zhang Yangping felt that they were even more scary than a thousand men. Four of them meant that whatever they did here would not be known by anyone else..

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Chapter 252: Growth and life

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi had a dream to view the mountains and rivers from a height. Then, he would break through the air and leave behind a wonderful legacy.

Right now...

His dream seemed to be coming true.

Fang Zhengzhi looked down and saw luscious green woods. It was a mountain, and there were tall trees, large rocks, creeks, flora, and fauna...

He could see the valley.

He did not know if he was seeing it all in one glance, but he could feel the life in every flower, every blade of grass, and every beast.

The flowers were in full bloom, the grass was growing healthily, and the beasts roamed the woods.

"Cang Ling Mountain?!"

Fang Zhengzhi knew that this was definitely Cang Ling Mountain. Even though he had never viewed it from such a height, he recognized the layout.

Furthermore, he felt things that he had never felt before. He could feel the entire lives of the living things below him. He felt the lives of the flowers, the grass, and the beasts.

This was a strange feeling. It felt as if everything was being returned to its original state.

He felt a little empty inside.

Fang Zhengzhi was intoxicated. He couldn't believe his eyes. Was he really going to become a sage? He wasn't ready yet, isn't this all a little too fast?

Just as he was thinking about it, Fang Zhengzhi saw a pair of eyes.

The eyes slowly, almost as if waking up from a deep sleep. However, when they looked towards Fang Zhengzhi...

Fang Zhengzhi felt impending danger. His heart trembled for the first time as he felt an overwhelming sense of loss.

Iciness, arrogance, power, master...

Fang Zhengzhi had no idea why these phrases were popping up in his mind, but there they were.

He thought about those words when that pair of golden eyes stared at him.

"Kaboom!"

A loud boom caused the entire mountain to tremble.

A peerlessly large figure rose from the ground following the tremors. He could not see the appearance of the figure. It was constantly shrouded by a black screen.

The only thing he could see were the pair of golden eyes. There was a faint glow around the eyes, almost like the reflection from one's armor.

Then, a bolt of black lightning shot down from the sky, hitting Fang Zhengzhi on the head. It did not give him any chance to resist.

"F*ck... me! Again?!"

Fang Zhengzhi's patience was wearing thin. How can you strike me with lightning so many times?

I thought I was supposed to be a sage?

Everything should revolve around me and blossom in my presence.

Why am I being struck by lightning twice?

Just as Fang Zhengzhi was about to curse, he swallowed his words. Once again, he felt as if he was in the air once again. However, this time, there was nothing supporting him.

Gravity caused his body to plummet downwards.

"There is no lake below?!"

Fang Zhengzhi was trying to figure out what was happening. However, there was no lake below, there were only rocks on a mountain.

"Boom!"

Ordinarily, free falling from such a height would cause one to break their limbs at the very least.

However, this was no ordinary incident.

"Liar!" Fang Zhengzhi rubbed his buttocks as he looked at the crater he had created. He was infuriated.

He had clearly been travelling in the air. He had clearly seen the mountains and the rivers. However, when he opened his eyes, he realized that he was back at the same spot.

No one could have accepted that!

Where was the trust between people? How was he going to make friends in the future?

"I think I have improved?" Fang Zhengzhi recalled his connection to the myriad of items during his travel. That was a mysterious feeling, almost as if he had touched something.

However, once he fell, the only feeling he felt was pain. He had completely forgotten about the connection.

"Oh?"

Fang Zhengzhi suddenly saw a small stone house by the side. If not for the fact that he had landed here, he would not have seen it.

A stone house.

It was all too common in the mountains.

All of the villages around here lived off the land. Each village had their own hunting squad, and these squads scaled the mountain frequently. A simple stone house was a necessity.

It was used as a resting spot for the hunters. After all, no one could guarantee that the hunting squad would not meet with any difficulties. There could be torrential rain, snow, landslides...

Ordinarily, each village would only use the stone houses they constructed. They would only enter another stone house under some extenuating circumstances.

That was the tacit understanding between villages.

However, this was clearly not the time to honor such an understanding. Even if Fang Zhengzhi had left the lake, he should still be in The Vast World.

The Vast World had absorbed Cang Ling Mountain.

This position...

Was clearly at the base of Cang Ling Mountain!

"I've come out of The Vast World?"

"Or is this just another place?"

Fang Zhengzhi was not too sure of where he was. As such, he decided to investigate.

The stone house ahead was naturally his first objective. After all, maybe he could find some ointment inside the house to treat his aches after the fall!

"Is there anyone home?"

"If you're doing unspeakable things inside, just call out!"

Fang Zhengzhi politely announced his presence. The villagers may be backward, but some of them still engaged in activities that would be better unsaid.

For example, outdoor sex, cheating...

The stone houses in the mountains were the perfect place for an escapade like that.

Fang Zhengzhi knew this all too well. In order to prevent an embarrassing scenario, he had better announce his presence. There was no reply.

He pushed the door and tried to enter.

When he did push it...

He realized that the door was locked.

"There's someone inside?" Fang Zhengzhi was stunned. He was sure that someone was inside. If not, why would the door be bolted?

But if there was someone, why didn't they reply? Were they really doing unspeakable things inside?

Furthermore...

If this was still The Vast World, why would there be other people?

Fang Zhengzhi did not have the patience to think so much. He decided to give the occupants some time to put on their clothes. He was sure they would come out after.

He waited by the door for a few moments. However, there was no movement inside the stone house.

What is going on?

Fang Zhengzhi was infuriated. Even if you're wearing your clothes, there should be some reply! You can't simply ignore me! Do you really want to act like you're not inside?

"If you don't come out, I'm coming in!"

"Aiya? You really think that I won't come in?"

"Boom!" A loud sound echoed out.

Fang Zhengzhi did not care about destroying the property. He kicked down the wooden door and sauntered in.

"Oh?" Fang Zhengzhi's eyes glimmered the moment he entered the stone house. It was empty.

Furthermore, it was well furbished. There was a small bed and quite a few chairs. Of course, that was not the most important thing.

Most importantly, there was a black altar in the middle of the stone house.

A silver white square gemstone sat in the middle of the altar. It was crystal clear, but there were peerlessly complicated runes glowing inside the gemstone.

"What a treasure!" Fang Zhengzhi felt that he was in luck. He never expected to find such a treasure upon entering the stone house.

He did not know what it was.

However, he was sure that based on its appearance alone, it would fetch at least a few hundred silvers.

"I guess even heaven can't prevent me from getting rich!" Fang Zhengzhi forgot all about his fall. He reached for the gemstone on the altar.

It was warm, almost as if he was grabbing onto a piece of jade.

But...

It was heavy.

It was so heavy that Fang Zhengzhi could not lift it up. It was almost as if it was being locked into place at the altar by a thousand kilogram weight. Fang Zhengzhi could not lift it despite his best efforts.

"What the hell is this? Why is it so heavy?" Fang Zhengzhi was stunned. This palm sized gemstone was as heavy as a mountain.

Fang Zhengzhi was the strongest person in a ten mile radius around Cang Ling Mountain.

If he couldn't life up such a stone, who had put it here in the first place?

Fang Zhengzhi was getting suspicious.

More importantly, Fang Zhengzhi was discontented at his inability to take the gemstone away. It felt like he couldn't get an erection even though there was a naked beauty on his bed.

How could he ever accept that?

Fang Zhengzhi had no idea what others would think, but he was not going to accept this result.

As such, he began to circle the altar. Success depended on the details. There must be a trick to lifting such a heavy gemstone.

If the hint could not be found on the gemstone, then the altar was his best bet.

Fang Zhengzhi was disappointed after circling the altar. After he felt everything there was to feel, he still did not find any catch.

Was it really the gemstone?

Fang Zhengzhi waltzed next to the gemstone and began examining it.

He quickly realized that... he didn't recognize those runes.

They were not words, or pictures, or ancient scriptures. Each rune was incredibly complicated and tiny.

There did not seem to be any order.

"What the hell is this?" Fang Zhengzhi's curiosity was piqued. He had tried finding a hint but to no avail.

Under such a circumstance, he had to try going head to head with it.

He was not going to take a blade to it. That was not going head to head. That was defacing an item of heaven.

Fang Zhengzhi's method was simple. He grabbed onto the gemstone and forced it into his Heart Protection Mirror.

No matter how heavy it was, it would be his the moment he grabbed onto it.

Fang Zhengzhi consciously moved the gemstone into his Heart Protection Mirror.

He had done this many times before without incident. He had felt incredibly good each time, and the item was stored smoothly.

But this time...

It was clearly not as easy.

"Kaboom!" A loud sound echoed out. The gemstone seemed to roar as a result of Fang Zhengzhi's efforts. It felt like something was going to pop out from the stone.

"Aiya, I can't subdue you?" Fang Zhengzhi ignored the strange movement. He thought that some movement was better than no movement. He tried again.

"Kaboom!" An explosion rang out.

A third time!

A fourth time!

A fifth time...

Fang Zhengzhi was a principled man. He had always held on to one key principle - never waste anything! As such, he decided to try again.

On his ninth try.

The gemstone finally moved.

"Hum!"

The silver white gemstone glowed brightly, almost as if it had been encouraged by someone. The runes inside it began twirling like a small whirlpool.

Fang Zhengzhi was captivated by the gemstone. At this point, he had a very weird feeling. The gemstone was captivating.

This was a ridiculous attraction, but it did not affect him much.

The feeling was strange, but real.

Just as Fang Zhengzhi was preparing to pull again, the silver white gemstone dimmed, the runes disappearing completely.

The original silver white glow also disappeared.

The entire gemstone turned black.

It looked just like any ordinary stone.

"F*ck... me! Have I spoilt it?!" Fang Zhengzhi was getting worried. He unconsciously grabbed at the stone. Then, something strange happened.

The gemstone was lifted off the altar.

It felt like he was holding onto an ordinary stone. Its weight was almost negligible.

"Oh man! Wasn't this supposed to be a gemstone? Why did it become an ordinary stone in the blink of an eye? How can it be just like that? At least it should give me some sort of benefit?" Fang Zhengzhi shook the stone vigorously.

He realized...

That it was useless.

The stone had become just an ordinary rock, losing all of its shine and glow. No one would be able to discern it from any other rock in the woods.

"What the hell?!" Fang Zhengzhi threw the rock away. It sailed through the air, crashed into the wall, and landed in the corner.

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Chapter 253: Breaking The Vast World

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Nothing earth-shaking happened. There was no heavy impact. There was just a small mark from the impact of the stone.

Fang Zhengzhi circled the interior and found nothing special.

He was preparing to leave.

Just as he was about to get to the entrance, Fang Zhengzhi eyed the black stone on the floor. He thought about it, then kept it in his Heart Protection Mirror.

"I'll use it as one of my secret weapons!"

Xing Yuanguo and Bai Xing were both shocked by what happened. Anyone would have been equally stunned by what happened.

How could they all have exited the world in the middle of the battle?

The throne room and altar had disappeared. The masked black robed men had followed suit. The entire space around them underwent a massive transformation in the blink of an eye.

They were back on Cang Ling Mountain in the blink of an eye.

An army camp was in front of them, a mountain of bodies at its entrance.

This was the army camp Xing Yuanguo was based at. Returning to it sent chills down his spine.

Bai Xing was lost.

However, he quickly recovered. His loss turned into awe, then fear. He realized that something impossible had just happened.

"The Vast World has been broken?!"

He had never expected this to happen. He knew that entering The Vast World was a one way trip.

He could not have done it. Xing Yuanguo could not have done it. Even the most powerful sages could not have achieved this.

There was only one possibility...

Someone moved the "energy stone" powering The Vast World.

However, how could the stone be moved? It was deep inside Cang Ling Mountain! Who had the power to move mountains within a hundred mile radius of this place?

"What just happened?" Bai Xing did not understand. However, he knew that there was a more pressing issue at hand. He took off.

His body turned into a ray of silver light as he summoned all his residual energy and fled the scene maniacally. He charged into the depths of Cang Ling Mountain.

Xing Yuanguo was equally confused.

However, he had a feeling that he had been released from The Vast World. This was not just because the masked black robed men had disappeared.

More importantly, the fiercely determined Bai Xing had just taken off.

Xing Yuanguo did not give chase. He did not know if this was just another one of Bai Xing's ploys. Furthermore, his first order of business was to ensure the survival of his 2000 wounded soldiers.

Bai Xing may have ran, but the army of beasts had not.

"Hold your ground!"

The 2000 soldiers leapt into action upon hearing the command. They formed a humongous three layered protective circle, their spears pointed outwards. They looked like an enormous porcupine.

"Roar!"

"Aroo!"

The fury of the 4000 beasts turned completely on the 2000 soldiers. However, without a leader, these beasts could not break the defences of the soldiers.

The intense battle raged on, but it was clear that the end was near.

These beasts were all intelligent creatures. After realizing that they could not break the defences, they decided to give up. After all, they did not have an unresolvable feud with these soldiers.

Chi Guyan stood in the middle of the circle, her eyes scanning the area. She spotted a soldier guarding Ping Yang.

"Your highness, I, Wen Dabao is here to protect you! Any beast intent on harming you will only do so over my dead body!" Wen Daobao hollered, his spear lowered. He beat back an advancing beast.

"Where is that shameless one? Is he dead? Where did he go..." Ping Yang kept murmuring to herself, ignoring Wen Dabao.

Furthermore, she was wielding the Blazing Qilin Spear and wore the Red Flame Flower Armor. She was in no danger whatsoever.

"Ping Yang!" Chi Guyan's body turned into a ray of light and she appeared right next to Ping Yang.

"Sister Yan... that... that shameless guy... is dead... dead!" Ping Yang's eyes turned misty when she saw Chi Guyan.

"Don't speak rubbish. That shameless thief is so lucky... how can he possibly be dead?!" Chi Guyan's expression changed even whilst she comforted Ping Yang.

"He really is dead, I saw it myself! He was struck to death!"

"How... how is this possible?!" The initially calm Chi Guyan became increasingly anxious when she heard Ping Yang's assertion.

She knew that Ping Yang would never lie to her.

A light mist covered the Northern Mountain Village at dawn. The villagers watched the four riding men anxiously. They could guess what was going to happen next.

However, none of their eyes showed any trace of fear.

The Northern Mountain Village was small, with only about 100 families. They had spent decades together. Even though their were small squabbles every now and then, they were always united when facing a foreign enemy.

They were all a family.

Furthermore, the enemy was looking for Fang Zhengzhi.

Eight years ago, when Zhang Pingyang brought Fang Zhengzhi into the village, the poor village had gone through tumultous changes. They were now one of the more influential villages.

In the past few years, the hunting squad had suffered no casualties. This was something unprecedented for the villagers.

All of them were extremely grateful towards Fang Zhengzhi and the Fang family. Even though Fang Zhengzhi was only 15 years old, Zhang Yangping wanted to make him the village elder.

Zhang Yangping knew that no one would object even though Fang Zhengzhi was only 15 years old!

Without Fang Zhengzhi, the Northern Mountain Village would not enjoy the successes it had. Who would ever agree to someone taking Fang Zhengzhi away?

The four men approached, the killing aura thick in the air.

"Good day villagers. Our general has heard that Young Master Fang is back in the village. We have come to pay him a visit, may we know where he is?" One of the deputies dismounted and looked at the villagers, smiling warmly as he did so.

"You four generals are here to see Zhengzhi?" Zhang Yangping stepped out upon hearing the deputies.

"Yes!" The deputy nodded.

"Since you're here to find Zhengzhi, you are a guest of the Northern Mountain Village. We do not have much delicacies in the village. However, we do have some meat, and I have a wine that has been aged for 30 years. Would you like to come in and have a seat?" Zhang Yangping motioned to the villagers, asking them to prepare the tables.

"Hold on!" The general spoke up, "You are the village elder here?"

"Yes, my name is Zhang Yangping. I am the elder here. Please tell me any requests you have!" Zhang Yangping bowed.

"We have come to meet with Young Master Fang with regard to some military matters. Since you are the leader here, please ask him to come out." The general waved Zhang Yangping away.

"General, you have come at the wrong time. He has already travelled towards the capital. You know that he is currently participating in the imperial examinations, so..."

"Smack!"

Before Zhang Yangping could finish, he was whipped. Even though he was tough, the 50 year old Zhang Yangping still fell to the ground.

"Don't try any tricks with me! I have orders to find Fang Zhengzhi, anyone who tries to stymie me shall be dealt with severely!" The general held his whip in one hand as he flashed the black military token. He glared at every villager, almost like a death god.

The villagers who were all preparing to lay out the food and wine stopped. They all stared at the general with hatred.

Villagers are troublemakers.

Even though they may fear the might of the army, they would not simply look the other way if their leader was humiliated so blatantly.

"What are you looking at! Are you all really going to go against a military order? Stand out and let me see how tough you are!" One of the deputies hollered. He knew what he had to do.

He dismounted and strode towards the villager.

He wanted to antagonize and infuriate them. So long as one of them fought back, they had an excuse to punish them according to martial law.

By then, wouldn't Fang Zhengzhi come out of hiding?

"General, Zhengzhi is young and immature. He may have antagonized the military, but it is my fault. I did not discipline him well enough. Why don't you punish me instead, I will confess to all the charges!" Zhang Pingyang leapt up and walked to the deputy.

"Scram!" The deputy kicked Zhang Pingyang back on the floor.

Zhang Pingyang may be tough, but he was just an ordinary man. After being whipped and kicked, he paled and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Sh*t!"

"Old man, old man, are you okay?!" A woman immediately fell to the ground and picked Zhang Pingyang up.

That was Zhang Pingyang's wife.

Behind her stood a tall, hulking youth. He looked to be in his twenties, and he wore a shirt made from striped hide.

Upon seeing Zhang Pingyang pale, he fell to his knees.

"What a useless bunch of scum!" The deputy cursed as he saw Zhang Pingyang vomit blood. His expression changed as he glanced at the general.

The general was calm. He did not even look at Zhang Pingyang. He mounted his horse and slammed his whip. The crisp sound echoed out.

"Your leader has defied a direct order and is harboring a criminal! This is the consequence of his actions! If you all hand over Fang Zhengzhi, I will spare all of you. Else, you will all... die!"

"Die!"

His last word echoed throughout the entire village. The expressions of all the villagers changed instantly as they retreated.

The deputy realized that things were going to take a turn for the worse. He no longer held back.

Furthermore, they were under direct orders.

The general had only brought along three deputies. His motive was simple. There was only one thing left to do, kill!

They would kill one to scare the others. This was the way the military did things.

These were just a bunch of villagers, insignificant when compared to the might of the army. Whilst they could not massacre an entire village, they could definitely kill one or two.

"Hand over Fang Zhengzhi!" The deputy strode forward and prepared to kick Zhang Yangping's wife away. Just as his leg extended, it was grabbed by a pair of arms.

"What?" The deputy was stunned. He shifted his weight about and kicked with all his might. A figure tumbled to the side.

"Don't harm my father!" The figure quickly rose. He knelt on the grass. This was Zhang Pingyang's son, Zhang Li.

"Brother Li, don't do it!"

"Li, come back quickly!"

All of the villagers were getting anxious.

"Oh, you aren't afraid to die. Okay then, I shall break a rule and accept your challenge. I will have my way with you!" The deputy smiled. He had found his target.

"Stop!" At this point, a voice rang out from the crowd.

A haggardly dressed man stepped out from the ground. He was determined, and furious.

One of this man's arms was made completely from a white metal.

There was a lady standing next to him. She was not dressed very well, but she had an elegance about her.

"Uncle Houde! Auntie Xuelian!" Zhang Li was slightly nervous when he saw the couple. They were Fang Zhengzhi's parents.

If this only affected the other villagers, it would not be as bad. However, if it implicated Fang Zhengzhi's parents, this was going to get very ugly.

They knew Fang Zhengzhi's character.

He would never let the attackers off.

But...

They were under direct orders from the military! How could one man go against the army?

"I will answer for my son's crimes! Come at me!" Fang Houde looked at the general fearlessly.

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Chapter 254: Purple Blood

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Qin Xuelian did not speak, but she stood by Fang Houde's side. This was her way of supporting her husband, and her willingness to take responsibility for her son's actions.

The general squinted as he scanned the two figures. He looked at them condescendingly.

Even though he knew that Fang Zhengzhi's parents were villagers, he expected them to have some special background. They should at least look well read, but these two were just normal villagers.

How could these two people nurture a talent which could stun the Great Xia Dynasty.

Even though the black faced general did not believe it, he knew that he had nothing to worry about. These two were just ordinary villagers.

"You are Fang Zhengzhi's parents?" The general queried.

"Yes!" Fang Houde replied.

"Take them!" The general commanded.

The moment the three deputies heard the command, their expressions changed. They hesitated - they had heard about how Fang Zhengzhi killed off two soldiers.

Those two soldiers had been killed because they insulted his parents.

Fang Zhengzhi's parents were his greatest weakness, but they were also the most likely to cause Fang Zhengzhi to go berserk.

"General, I think we should..."

"Why? Do you want me to do it myself?" The general would not want to antagonize Fang Zhengzhi if he had the choice. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was quite the popular person.

The top scorer in both the provincial and state examinations.

He was already in the Heavenly Reflection State at 15 years old. Furthermore, his relationship with that Divine Constabulary talent was unknown.

Even though the results of the imperial examinations were not out yet, Fang Zhengzhi's potential was clear for all to see.

But, did he have a choice?

From the moment he accepted this mission and entered the Northern Mountain Village, he knew that there was only one way this would end.

Either he or Fang Zhengzhi had to die.

So what if he was a talent? Unrealized potential was meaningless. Even the person with the most potential was nothing compared to someone who had already made it.

Why did he have to go an antagonize someone he couldn't?

"Yes sir!" All three deputies grit their teeth when they heard the command. They may have hesitated, but they knew that there was no retreat from the moment they accepted this mission.

Capturing these two people was the only way to stop Fang Zhengzhi from resisting.

The moment Fang Zhengzhi was restrained, they would kill him. All they had to do was pin a charge on him and the higher ups would support it.

"You can forget about harming uncle Houde!" Zhang Li stood between the deputies and the two figures.

"Scram!" The deputy advanced.

The other two deputies also dismounted. They drew their blades, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"Over my dead body!"

"Then go to hell!" The deputy swung his sword quickly. His sword tip glowed icily as it flew towards Zhang Li's throat.

Zhang Li had experienced battle during his hunting trips. Even though he was not as powerful as the deputy, he was not completely incompetent.

The moment he saw the blade, he tumbled to the side. However, the deputy's blade was too quick and it still nicked his shoulder.

"Fight it out with them!"

"Without the Fang family, we would not have what we have today!"

"Zhengzhi had got into trouble because of our village. We should take responsibility for it! Fight it out with them!"

"Exactly, nothing can happen to the Fang family. If not, we will be letting Zhengzhi down!"

When the villagers saw the deputies spring into action, they exploded. They all began to attack with everything they had.

They threw spades, pickaxes, forkes, poles, stones...

The three deputies were in disbelief. How dare an entire village rebel?

"Are you all trying to rebel? I would like to see who here dares to do it!" The deputy who injured Zhang Li fumed. He swung his blade and cut a one meter hole in the ground.

"His power was stunning."

"Smack!"

Just as all the villagers were recovering from the shock, a crisp sound rang out as a reply to him.

The deputy looked down in disbelief. There was a splatter of mud on his chest. Someone had just thrown mud at him.

The villagers actually dare to go against the army?!

The deputy was infuriated. He looked at the crowd and realized that their gazes were concentrated at a corner.

"Tian Wazi!"

"It's... Tian Wazi!"

There was a three year old kid holding a wooden bow glaring at the deputy. She wore a pair of loose pants and snot was dripping from her nose.

"Baddie!" The three year old kid bellowed. She was fearless as she waved the wooden slingshot in her hand contentedly.

"I hit him, I hit him!"

All of the villagers went silent when they heard Tian Wazi's excited screams.

Even though there were only four opponents, the hundreds of villagers were no match for them.

They were just acting it out. No one had actually thought of attacking the generals.

"Hit him!"

"Hit them!"

However, Tian Wazi's hit had invigorated the other kids. Within moments, a storm of mud and rocks were hurled towards the furious deputy.

Many of the kids in the villages played with slingshots. The youngest was not even two years old and the oldest were just seven.

"Pitter patter!" The sounds continued to ring out on the square.

Stones were aimed at the three deputies.

The infuriated generals could not take it any longer. The villagers' resistance was sufficient for them to accuse the villagers of rebelling.

"Kill!" The black faced general commanded. The only way to quell the riot was to begin killing.

The moment he finished giving the command, two black swords appeared in his hand. One was humongous whilst the other one was fine. They gave him both power and precision.

"Woosh!" He swung his blade at the crowd.

In an instant, four to five villagers were injured.

As the general guarding the perimeter of Cang Ling Mountain, the general was already in the advanced Heavenly Reflection State. Of his three deputies, one was in the nascent Heavenly Reflection State whilst the other two were in the Star Conglomerate State. The villagers were simply no match for them.

"Ah! It hurts!"

"They're killing us!"

"Fight it out with them!"

The villagers did not run. It may have been a stupid decision, but their resolve was strengthened.

If they ran now, there was no turning back.

"Such dumb scum!" The black faced general's face darkened. He had planned on using a single strike to suppress the villagers. Little did he expect it to rile them up.

Some of the villagers drew their hunting bows.

"Fire!"

The hunting party always had their bows on hand. Within moments, over 30 sharp arrows rained down on the four generals.

"How audacious!" The black faced general bellowed when he saw the rain of arrows. A wave of red exploded from his body, turning into a sea of fire as it reached the villagers.

Territory of Fire.

The arrows burned and cracked as they went through the fire. The fins were incinerated, causing the arrows to fall limply to the ground.

"I will massacre every last one of you audacious scum!" The black faced general began to swing his sword as he used the fire to suppress the villagers. Many were caught in the sea of fire.

"Ah ah ah..."

"Extinguish it, quickly!"

"Water, water..."

The frantic villagers had never experienced such a battle before. They knew that the black faced general was powerful, but they never expected him to be this powerful.

Is this the power of an influential person?

"He is a cultivator!"

"Is this the power of the Dao of All Creation?!"

The villagers had all heard of it, but few had ever seen it in action.

"Stop!" Just as the villagers were panicking, a voice rang out. Then, an academic stepped out.

"General, you are in the Heavenly Reflection State, how dare you bully untrained villagers?!"

"Who are you?" The black faced general was wary when he saw the middle aged man.

"I am Wang Anhua, a teacher in the school of Dao here. I am under orders from the Divine Constabulary!" The middle aged man replied solemnly.

"Under orders from the Divine Constabulary?"

"Yes!"

"Kill!" The black faced general was solemn. He would not be afraid of the other villagers. However, he had to be cautious around a teacher reporting to the Divine Constabulary.

The other three deputies rushed towards Wang Anhua, understanding the general's intentions instantly.

"You are a bully!" Wang Anhua's expression changed. He had no intention of courting trouble, but he could not stand by and watch the villagers be bullied.

"Scum! Aren't you just trying to capture us to threaten our son? I will make sure you do not have the chance!" Fang Houde was loyal, but he was being pushed to the brink.

He put a sword to his throat.

A stream of blood flowed from his throat. He had already pierced the skin.

Qin Xuelian also held a dagger in her hand. The tip was pointed straight at her heart. All she had to do was press down on it.

"You two... hold on!" The black faced general was worried.

If he could capture them both, he could definitely apprehend Fang Zhengzhi. But, what if they were dead?

Capturing Fang Zhengzhi would no longer be as easy.

What if Fang Zhengzhi decided not to show up? What if he went back to the capital and announced their deeds here? The consequences could be dire. He had to get rid of Fang Zhengzhi here before such a talent was let loose.

"Uncle Houde, don't do it!"

"Brother Houde, please don't!"

"Fang family, don't do anything stupid. If Zhengzhi sees this, none of us will be able to face him!"

Zhang Yangping and Zhang Li hollered when they saw Fang Houde raise the blade to his neck. The other villagers echoed the sentiments. Some of them who had been saved by Fang Zhengzhi before knelt down and pleaded.

"Today, you all came for Zhengzhi. I am Zhengzhi's father. I will take responsibility for it. I cannot let you all suffer!" Fang Houde prepared to take his own life.

"You won't dare! You know that I am going to use you to threaten Fang Zhengzhi. If you die, no one will walk out alive!" The black faced general added.

"You..." Fang Houde's expression changed.

"Put down the sword and I can consider letting this go. I will personally go to my higher ups and plead his case. He may have killed two soldiers, but he does not deserve to die. As long as he surrenders himself, everything will be left to the military courts!" The black faced general reassured. The last thing he wanted was for Fang Houde to take his own life.

"Brother Houde, did you hear that? Zhengzhi will not die! He may just have to take a beating!"

"Yes, please put down the blade!"

"Uncle Houde, if you do this, Zhengzhi will blame us for life!"

All of the villagers advised Fang Houde against taking his own life.

"I, Fang Houde, have let you all down!" Fang Houde bellowed, dropping his sword to the ground, crumpling to his knees as he did so.

"Husband!" Qin Xuelian was heartbroken to see Fang Houde this way.

"Subdue them, quickly!" The black faced general commanded urgently when he saw the couple drop the blades.

The deputy bounded over to the couple and kicked the blades aside.

Then, he tied them both up with string before finally heaving a sigh of relief.

"Kill him!" The black faced general felt a load off his shoulders. He turned to look at Wang Anhua and gave the command to execute him.

"You... why are you soldiers so dishonest?!" Fang Houde was stunned to hear what the general said.

"Fang Zhengzhi had the audacity to kill soldiers! That is an unpardonable crime! Wang Anhua has an intention to rebel! We have come here with orders from the highest in the land, and we intend to execute those orders!" The black faced general chuckled as he looked at Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian.

Now that things were this way, how could he possibly leave a teacher from the Divine Constabulary alive!

Even Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde had to be killed once their usefulness was up!

"You soldiers are scum. You bully the citizens. If I have a chance at life, I will make sure you are all taken to task!" Even though Wang Anhua was a teacher, he was not a cultivator.

When he heard what the black faced general said, he knew that his time had come. However, he wanted to die with dignity.

"Well, you must first be alive to report it!" The black faced general snorted. He paid no attention to Wang Anhua as he swung his blade, the sea of fire roaring towards Wang Anhua.

Wang Anhua did not dodge. The blade was too quick. He shut his eyes, his expression pained as the blade neared.

"Boom!" A huge explosion echoed out.

A column of flames soared skyward, sending dust plumes flying in all directions.

"Am I dead? Where... where is this?" Wang Anhua opened his eyes. He had no idea if he was alive, but he felt no pain.

Was the blade too fast?

He had heard that a quick blade delivered death painlessly.

When the dust cleared, Wang Anhua was still seated on the ground. His gaze froze. He realized that he was not dead.

All of the villagers were staring at him.

The black faced general's gaze also turned icy. The jaws of the three deputies dropped. The general's swing was blocked?

"How fast!"

The three deputies did not get a clear view of what just happened. The ray of light which blocked the black faced general's sword was too quick.

It was at least three times quicker than the black faced general.

"Who is it?!"

All three deputies were fearful and awed.

The black faced general was silent. He glanced coldly at a point about one meter from Wang Anhua. There was a sword there.

That sword had a purple stain!

A strange purple glow emanated from the blade, almost like a drop of purple blood oscillating on it. The drop of blood seemed to extend quickly down the length of the blade.

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Chapter 255: Dismounted with a single blow

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

In the blink of an eye, the entire blade was covered in purple.

It was a strange sight.

At this point, a sound could be heard from the air. Soon after, a figure descended from the sky.

Within an instant, the Traceless Sword began to move, almost as if it had a connection with something in the surroundings. It began to hum...

Then, it flew towards the figure.

"Die!" A low, solemn voice could be heard from the figure. Then, a silver waterfall seemed to link up with the sky.

In the middle of the silver waterfall was a purple glow.

Mountains and rivers.

The deputy had just secured Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian. He paled when he saw what was crashing towards him.

He could feel how sharp that strange purple glow was. It felt as if that purple glow could penetrate anything in the world. He felt a shiver down his spine.

Subconsciously, he wanted to retreat...

However, he felt as if there was something strangling his movements. There was also a terrifying, powerful suppressive force above him, rooting him in place. It was almost as if he was standing underneath a humongous waterfall.

"Oh god!" The deputy screamed. Then, he felt his forehead being pierced by something.

The world around him began to turn blurry.

He seemed to see a youth dressed in hide walk over. The youth was holding a sword in his hand, a completely purple sword.

"Fang... Fang Zhengzhi?!"

Fang Zhengzhi stopped beside the deputy. He ignored the deputy's last words as he fell to his knees.

He faced Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde, "Dad, mom... I have let you down!"

Dawn broke over the Northern Mountain Village. It tinted the entire village gold, but there were splashes of red spread throughout.

That was blood, blood stained mud.

All of the villagers were stunned when they saw Fang Zhengzhi fall to his knees. Everything had happened too quickly.

From the moment the black faced general drew his sword...

To the block, and the waterfall, and a fallen deputy with a deep gash in his forehead.

"He's dead?!"

All of the villagers, including Zhang Yangping, were in disbelief. They had fought with this deputy, and this was the deputy which created the cavity in the ground.

Such a powerful person was dead?

Awe, loss...

The emotions quickly changed to surprise, joy, and anxiety.

They were surprised that Fang Zhengzhi could kill such a powerful person. However, they were anxious to see how much more Fang Zhengzhi could achieve.

They really wanted the best for him.

That was the family spirit within the Northern Mountain Village!

"Zhengzhi, go! They have set up an ambush!"

"There are many soldiers outside! They have surrounded the entire village."

"Zhengzhi, don't bother about us! We are okay with dying! You are immensely outnumbered, run!"

When all of the villagers recovered, they began to holler out their concerns. In their minds, Zhengzhi's return was less favorable.

Wang Anhua's expression darkened.

He still remembered his first meeting with Fang Zhengzhi eight years ago. At that time, Fang Zhengzhi was still a willful child, but Wang Anhua knew that this child had a bright future.

However, he began to see less of Fang Zhengzhi after Fang Zhengzhi was given the boot from the Southern Mountain Village. His loyalties laid there, so he could not leave.

However, he heard about many of Fang Zhengzhi's hunting exploits.

At that time, Wang Anhua sighed to himself. He felt that such a talent was wasted in the woods. It was a pity he would never learn the "Law of Dao".

That was until Fang Zhengzhi stunned the world by topping the Huai An County examinations.

Then, he proceeded to destroy his competition at the River of Trust Province Examinations.

Wang Anhua was stunned and envious. How could a person who spent his time in the woods be so powerful? How talented is this child?

As times changed, Wang Anhua's school was moved to the Northern Mountain Village.

When he was finally reunited with Fang Zhengzhi eight years later, he realized that the youth standing in front of him was a soaring eagle.

He was determined to settle down here and teach. He would be part of the Northern Mountain Village family and spread word about the pride of the village.

Afterwards, news of Fang Zhengzhi's breakthrough into the Heavenly Reflection State reached his ears.

On that day, Wang Anhua was over the moon. He drank a lot that night, stumbling as he walked around the village announcing the news to anyone he saw.

It was a pity...

The Northern Mountain villagers had no idea what a 15 year old Heavenly Reflection State cultivator meant. They looked at him, lost.

"Sensei, what is Heavenly Reflection?"

"Sensei, can you show us what Heavenly Reflection is like?"

Wang Anhua could only smile bitterly. Show you? I have not even entered Dao despite studying all my life. How can I possibly demonstrate Heavenly Reflection to you?

Today, Wang Anhua finally saw what Heavenly Reflection meant.

That powerful waterfall and its aura was like a masterpiece. Even so, Wang Anhua was rather saddened. Fang Zhengzhi had intervened because of him.

"Zhengzhi, run! That black faced general is also in the Heavenly Reflection State!" Wang Anhua lunged himself at the black faced general mid-sentence.

He would be willing to give up his life if it bought Fang Zhengzhi time to save his parents and run.

Wang Anhua thought to himself, Even if Fang Zhengzhi is in the Heavenly Reflection State, he should only be in the nascent stages. How can he possibly match up to a battle hardened general?

The black faced general's expression darkened.

He had never expected Fang Zhengzhi to kill his deputy in such a blatant and swift way.

More importantly, he wasn't running away?

And now...

An academic is trying to challenge his authority? He could not possibly allow himself to be humiliated this way. His grip on his sword tightened and a column of flames shot skyward. It morphed into a lion, its jaw wide open.

"Go to hell!" The black faced general knew that Fang Zhengzhi had managed to kill his deputy because of the difference in their cultivation levels and the element of surprise.

Now, he was going to use his own abilities to teach Fang Zhengzhi a lesson.

The lion made from fire was powerful, its red fangs targeted at Wang Anhua's throat.

At this point, a bright moon appeared in the sky as a silver white blade stopped the lion in its tracks.

There was a strange tint of purple as it penetrated the lion.

It struck first despite being launched later.

It flew straight at the black faced general without losing any momentum.

The general was stunned. His reflexes used the find blade to defend himself.

"Boom!" A huge crash echoed out, accompanied by the whinnying of a horse. Then, a large figure crashed to the ground.

Dismounted with one strike!

The black faced general was in disbelief. He stared at his broken sword, fury building in his chest as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"How... how is this possible?!" The black faced general was in disbelief.

He knew that Fang Zhengzhi was in the Heavenly Reflection State, but he did not know about Fang Zhengzhi's exploits at the imperial examinations. He also did not know that Fang Zhengzhi was wielding the Traceless Sword, Meng Tian's sword.

No matter how talented Fang Zhengzhi was, he was still in the nascent stages of the Heavenly Reflection State. As an advanced Heavenly Reflection State cultivator, he should be able to defeat Fang Zhengzhi easily.

But now...

Everything that was happening seemed to be telling him that this was not just a student. His opponent was a ferocious tiger, with icy sharp fangs.

He had not expected this.

The top scorer of the examinations!

He really does live up to his name!

No one had expected this to happen. The other two deputies and the entire Northern Mountain Village were stunned when they saw the battle unfold.

"What's going on?!"

"Is that man not a general?"

"How can a general be dismounted with a single hit from Fang Zhengzhi? This... this is unbelievable!"

"How powerful!"

All of the villagers struggled to regain their senses. They were happy to see Fang Zhengzhi improve and be powerful. But, isn't this kind of power a little too ridiculous?

How can a kid defeat a battle hardened general?

Wang Anhua was rooted to the ground. He was prepared to die, but what he just saw gave him a sliver of hope.

It was a surprise, but he simply could not understand how this was possible.

"My son!"

"Son, you..."

Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian stared blankly at Fang Zhengzhi. Even as parents, they had no idea that their son was this powerful.

"Dad, mom!" Fang Zhengzhi ignored the black faced general and walked quickly towards Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian. He knelt down and placed the Traceless Sword on the ground. Then, he kowtowed.

He did not use the blade to remove the rope tying them down. He carefully undid each knot with his hand.

At this very moment...

All of the villagers were touched by what they saw.

With a son like that, what more could one ask for?

The black faced general did not disturb Fang Zhengzhi. He quickly glanced at the two remaining deputies. The Star Conglomerate State deputy saw the glance and instantly understood what it meant.

He turned and ran out of the village.

The Heavenly Reflection State deputy strode to the side of the general. He helped him up, tightening the grip on his blade as he did so.

"Son, go quickly! They still have an army, you... you can't beat them. Furthermore, the army is at their back, don't do something stupid!" Qin Xuelian released herself from the ropes. She wanted to hug Fang Zhengzhi, but Fang Houde held her back.

"Mom!" Fang Zhengzhi fell to his knees. He saw the crow feet at the edges of his mom's eyes and the tears in her eyes. For the first time, he could see age catching up with her.

He knew what his parents were thinking. However, if he left today, every achievement of his would mean nothing.

His stellar showing at the exams, the talent he was supposed to have, the Sword Envoy position he was conferred. If he couldn't save his parents, nothing else mattered!

"Today, anyone who has the audacity to step on a blade of grass in my village and harm my people will die!" Fang Zhengzhi raised his sword, glaring at the general as he did so.

The strange purple blood like stain began to spread across the blade. It soon covered the entire blade.

At the same time, there was a subtle purple glow in Fang Zhengzhi's eyes.

It was the same shade of purple.

After leaving the stone house, he had no idea if he had escaped The Vast World. Nonetheless, he rushed in the direction of the Northern Mountain Village.

It was already dawn.

He had no mood to explore Cang Ling Mountain. His biggest worry was his village. He rushed over as quickly as he could.

Even so, he was still greeted by a stunning sight.

The entire village was surrounded by soldiers.

He knew what this meant. He rushed inside without hesitation.

When he entered the village, his fury became uncontainable.

The square was bloody with villagers howling from their wounds. He saw a general bullying his villagers.

More importantly, he saw his parents tied up and Zhang Yangping in a foetal position, his clothes stained with blood.

He could feel Fang Houde's helplessness, Qin Xuelian's fury, and Zhang Yangping's exasperation.

As such...

He had no reason not to kill!

"Kaboom!" A thunderous explosion echoed out.

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Chapter 256: Monstrous killing aura

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"Fang Zhengzhi, since you have showed yourself, you will die today!" THe black faced general's voice turned icy.

He knew that he had passed the point of no return.

Activating his troops was his last resort.

However, it was either his life or Fang Zhengzhi's. What choice did he have?

Right now, he had a few deputies and a thousand soldiers behind him. No matter how powerful Fang Zhengzhi was, he could not go up against an army.

The result was final!

When the villagers heard the 'boom', their expression changed. They knew that this was from the soldiers surrounding the village.

How could one man face off against an army?

"Zhengzhi, bring Houde and Xuelian with you. Leave the rest to us!" Zhang Yangping stood up and straightened his back.

There was no retreat for them.

"Leave them to us!"

"And me!"

"Me too!"

All of the villagers were riled up after hearing Zhang Yangping's words. They gripped their homemade weapons tightly.

This time, they were all prepared to shed blood.

The black faced general squinted as he felt increasingly unsettled.

The deputy next to him was all the more nervous. Even though the army was strong, that did not mean that they could do whatever they wanted. The Great Xia Dynasty was a lawful society.

Massacre an entire village?!

That was something that was completely unheard of.

Even the robbers who roamed the woods would not dare to commit such a heinous act. Massacring a village would alert the highest in the land. By then, even their backer will not be able to save them.

"General, this..." The deputy retreated subconsciously when he saw the riled up villagers.

"With things as they are, only the death of Fang Zhengzhi can quell this rebellion!" The general knew that this all started with Fang Zhengzhi, and it had to end with him.

"Yes sir!" The deputy nodded. He had been trained to follow orders, and the general had just given him one. Furthermore, he had no better option.

The black faced general wanted to kill Fang Zhengzhi as quickly as possible. Fang Zhengzhi wanted to do the same. He would never let the villagers get hurt.

Fang Zhengzhi leapt into action.

There was some distance between the square and the entrance. This distance was his best chance.

He lifted the traceless sword, its purple light glowing radiantly. A tsunami appeared above Fang Zhengzhi's head, converging on the Traceless Blade.

Hum!

The sword began to hum constantly.

"Watch the Yellow River descend from heaven. It converges with the vast sea and never returns!" Fang Zhengzhi murmured as he swung the Traceless Sword.

This was the second move he had learnt on the ice wall.

"Unending Flow!"

The first technique concentrated all his power into a single point, and was ideal for a sneak attack. On the other hand, his second technique was continuous.

It was perfect for this scenario.

"Together!" The black faced general was still reeling from his previous engagement with Fang Zhengzhi. He threw chivalry aside as he commanded his deputy to join forces with him.

The deputy was stunned to hear that. Even though the general had gotten the shorter end of the stick previously, he had attributed it to Fang Zhengzhi's sudden burst of power.

Even if the advanced Heavenly Reflection State general could not wreck Fang Zhengzhi, he should not need to combine forces to subdue him.

He may have been taken aback, but he did not hesitate. Neither did he underestimate his opponent.

Every battle hardened soldier knew the dangers of a battle.

He raised his sword and a humongous mountain appeared in mid air. He was the only deputy to be in the Heavenly Reflection State.

Since Fang Zhengzhi had used the water element, he decided to use the mountains. As wood, he could ensure stability and aid fire.

The black faced general had partnered with this deputy for many years. He knew exactly what his deputy was trying to do. He planned to combine their attacks.

He had been using the fire lion on the battlefield for many years.

For the deputy, choosing wood was the natural choice.

"Woosh!"

His blade swept through the air and a column of flames shot skyward. As it interacted with the mountains, its intensity and power was augmented. It grew to a size many times larger than when it had faced Fang Zhengzhi before.

"Go to hell!" The black faced general chopped down. The lion roared maniacally and lunged towards the tsunami.

All the villagers were captivated as they watched the battle unfold. Where else could they watch such an intense battle? It looked like two ferocious beasts engaging in a duel to the death. In fact, it was probably even more intense and terrifying.

All of the villagers were anxious to see the result.

No one knew who would emerge victorious.

Their eyes were fixated on that tsunami and the ferocious fire lion. Then, the two attacks clashed.

"Boom!"

Within moments, the lion was absorbed by the tsunami. It struggled in the water, its flames on the brink of being extinguished.

The black faced general flushed. He felt as if he had been hit in the chest by a tsunami. He spat out a mouthful of blood uncontrollably.

The deputy suffered a worse fate. He looked like a broken kite as he was sent flying by the impact. He paled as blood spewed from his mouth. He simply could not control his body anymore.

"Plonk!" The deputy fell to the ground, making a huge crater as he did so.

A ray of purple light shot out from Fang Zhengzhi's eyes. The Traceless Sword's purple aura rose, morphing into a dragon like creature. It danced on the tip of the sword.

A powerful force gushed out from the blade and entered Fang Zhengzhi's body. The hatred within him grew as his killing intent was augmented. The world was now purple through his eyes.

"Kill!"

He chopped down and the purple glow morphed into a white crashing wave as it approached the general.

The general was paralyzed by fear. He had expected Fang Zhengzhi to be powerful, but he never thought that Fang Zhengzhi would be this ridiculously powerful.

How can this man be a nascent stage Heavenly Reflection cultivator?

He is clearly a death god sent to reap our souls...

The black faced general felt that Fang Zhengzhi was just like the devil. Fang Zhengzhi's attacks were too powerful, almost ridiculously powerful.

"Run!" Without any hesitation, the black faced general ran towards the exit of the village. A sea of flames enveloped him. In this crucial moment, he no longer held back.

All he had to do was survive till his army came. There was no way Fang Zhengzhi could defeat an army.

The purple glow still managed to catch up with him.

It split the sea of fire in two and the radiant purple light sliced through the general's body.

"Ah!" The general screamed in pain as one of his limbs was sent flying. Blood spewed from the open wound as the color drained from his face.

All of the villagers were stunned.

"How powerful!"

"Oh my god... he's too good!"

"I had no idea Zhengzhi was so powerful! He is much more powerful than the general! He beat them both using a couple of attacks!"

All of the villagers got excited as they unconsciously tightened the grips on their weapons. They had a sliver of hope to cling onto now.

Even though it was just a sliver of hope, it made a huge difference to their morale and attitude.

Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian looked at each other. They were comforted and impressed by their son's abilities.

Zhang Pingyang was also overjoyed. Fang Zhengzhi's power had instilled hope in his heart.

"They may just survive after all!"

Wang Anhua's jaw dropped so much that one could possibly stuff two ducks into it at this point. He knew that this was a battle between two Heavenly Reflection State cultivators. He also knew that Fang Zhengzhi had just broken through a few months ago.

How did he become so powerful in such a short time?

He had taken on the two men so effortlessly, defeating one of them within the first round and chopping of the limb of the general in the next!

This was no duel, this was suppression!

Wang Anhua could not believe his eyes.

In fact, Fang Zhengzhi himself could not believe it. He gripped the Traceless Sword tightly. He could still feel waves of power rushing into his body.

He could even feel the Traceless Sword's excitement. It was excited to draw blood, excited to kill.

He had no idea what was happening.

However, when he thought of what these men had done to his family and the helplessness he saw in his parents' eyes, the hate inside his heart became unsuppressable. It exploded outwards in an instant.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

The voices rang inside his ears. The world around him turned from faint purple to deep purple. There were also flickerings of red.

Everyone who bullied a Northern Mountain villager must die!

Dad, mom, I will take revenge for you! I will kill them all, every last one of them!

"Ah!" Fang Zhengzhi screamed in rage, his voice echoing throughout the village and beyond.

"Die, you must all die! None of you will be spared!" Fang Zhengzhi repeated to himself, the purple glow from his sword radiating outwards.

The circling purple gas doubled, almost like two intertwined dragons, circling and dancing at the tip of the blade...

"General!"

A fearful shout rang out. There were traces of disbelief mashed into the fear.

Then, the approach of the thousand strong army could be heard. Plumes of dust were kicked up as they charged, spears lowered.

This was the general's elite squad.

Even though they were no match for the Red Pinion Squad, they were still the elites of the army. About 20% of them were cultivators, and they knew how to fight as a unit.

There were more than 20,000 troops stationed in various camps around Cang Ling Mountain. In order to ensure the quickest response times, the general had handpicked this squad to be by his side.

This ensured that he could respond to every eventuality.

And now...

This elite squad was about to taste their first battle in a month. However, they were going up against poorly equipped villagers.

Of course, there was a youth taking point on the opposing side.

The strange purple glow continued to shine from the youth's sword as his killing aura spread outwards. His eyes glowed a strange shade of purple.

"Fang Zhengzhi is intent on rebelling and the villagers have rioted! Kill them all!" The general looked at Fang Zhengzhi in aghast.

This was the first time he had felt such fear after decades on the battlefield. He felt a chill down his spine, but, he could not stop now.

If Fang Zhengzhi did not die, he would die.

"General, we came to capture Fang Zhengzhi, these villagers..." One of the deputies said in aghast when he heard the order.

He was not shocked by Fang Zhengzhi. He was taken aback by the general's orders.

"Kill them! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!" The general flashed his black military token. It represented his authority.

"All of you listen up. Get in formation and charge!" The deputy grit his teeth when he saw the token. He hollered the command to his men.

"Yes sir!" The army responded in unison.

They got into formation within moments.

They set up a phalanx, with five riders on point. Cavalry guarded the flanks whilst spearmen held the center.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Their voices echoed throughout the mountain.

All of the villagers subconsciously retreated when they saw this. Fear consumed them all.

These were truly the elites of the army. They could feel the killing aura keenly.

"Anyone who dares invade the Northern Mountain Village shall die!" An icy voice that sounded like it came right out of hell rang out. Then, a figure charged the phalanx.

All of the soldiers were stunned by what they saw.

They never expected Fang Zhengzhi to strike first in the face of an army!

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Chapter 257: Dao of Massacre

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi had attacked without any hesitation whatsoever. It felt like Fang Zhengzhi was a lone wolf attacking a herd of sheep.

But...

Were soldiers helpless lambs?

Of course not! They were the elites of the Great Xia Dynasty, brave warriors who charged into battle. How could they possibly stand being belittled by a youth?

"Kill!" Came the thunderous reply. 1000 soldiers moved in synchronisation as they charged towards Fang Zhengzhi. The first 500 lowered their spears, the sharp tips glimmering in the sun.

"Go to hell!" Fang Zhengzhi swung his sword. A crescent shaped purple glow crashed into the advancing soldiers, sending blood spewing skywards.

The five horsemen taking point immediately fell to the ground.

All of the soldiers froze in their spots.

They had heard of Fang Zhengzhi and knew that he was in the Heavenly Reflection State. However, they did not expect him to be this powerful.

Blood stained the ground.

Fang Zhengzhi's eyes turned a deep maroon color, the glow of blood flickering in his eyes. His hate was reaching a maniacal level.

"Die! Die! All of you invaders must die!"

Fang Zhengzhi only had one thought on his mind. All those who had bullief the villagers must be killed. All of the scum within the army must be eradicated.

Even so, none of the soldiers stopped their charge despite the prowess Fang Zhengzhi just displayed. After taking in a deep breath, they extended their line.

Within moments, Fang Zhengzhi was surrounded.

"Kill!" Another round of shouting rang out. More than a dozen horses whinnied and their riders lowered their spears.

They would trample and stab him to death.

This was clearly a well trained army. All of the horses charged towards Fang Zhengzhi and there was not a single spear out of place.

Fang Zhengzhi's gaze turned icy as he waved the Traceless Sword high above his head. The tsunami rushed out from his body, a purple glow flickering within it.

"Die!" He hollered. The purple glow morphed into a dozen swords and clashed with the cavalry and spearmen.

Within moments, the cavalry were dismounted.

However, the moment he defeated one wave, a second wave of men took their place. They charged in the same manner.

This was a similar concept to the tactics adopted by the maniples of the Roman Empire.

This was the benefit of outnumbering one's opponents. Even though they were significantly weaker, they kept charging with fresh troops in an attempt to tire Fang Zhengzhi out.

They wanted him to spend all his energy repelling each wave of soldiers. When he was sufficiently tired out, they would go in for the kill.

Little did they expect...

Fang Zhengzhi's sword was much too sharp. Each wave of soldiers was sent crashing to the ground, never to rise again.

This was absolute carnage.

No matter how well trained they were, fear eventually consumed them all. Fang Zhengzhi was too powerful, more powerful than they had ever imagined.

"Die!"

"Go to hell!"

"All of you can go meet your maker!"

He bellowed repeatedly, almost as if he was possessed by the devil. With each battle cry, dozens of lives were taken. Even their stallions were not spared.

The purple light killed indiscriminately.

All of the fallen stallions whinnied pitifully.

Fang Zhengzhi stood in the middle of the soldiers but his expression revealed no fear. He was consumed by a boundless intention to kill.

Wave after wave of soldiers gave up their lives. This caused the others to feel chills down their spines.

They may be brave, but they still feared death. Their advance slowed to a crawl in the face of Fang Zhengzhi's blade of death.

Despite this, Fang Zhengzhi's sword seemed to get sharper with every moment. He showed no signs of slowing down. Instead, with every fallen soldier, the purple glow became more radiant.

More importantly, Fang Zhengzhi's eyes were completely purple.

It was a strange tint of purple, and it was stained subtly with red.

Fang Zhengzhi swung the Traceless Sword continuously. He had no idea how many people he had killed. With every life he took, the hate and rage in his heart was fuelled and he showed no signs of slowing down.

He was growing more and more powerful by the second. He was in the zone, and nothing was going to break him out of it.

In that instant, Fang Zhengzhi felt something strange happening. Inside his pocket dimension, there seemed to be another fruit forming on the large tree.

It was a purple fruit, and it was marked with red lines.

He was slightly taken aback. Fruits had stopped forming in his pocket dimension for quite some time now. What was this fruit?

The Dao of Massacre?

Fang Zhengzhi had no idea. However, as he continued to take lives, he felt that fruit become stronger and stronger.

The hate and fury in his heart had also reached a maniacal stage.

The purple gas at the tip of the Traceless Blade also began to swirl around Fang Zhengzhi. It crept up his arm and began to circle his body.

"Go to hell, all of you!"

Fang Zhengzhi's tone was icy as he glared at the black faced general, who was clutching his wound.

The general looked at Fang Zhengzhi ferociously, but it was laced with traces of fear.

The general had never felt such pure, unadulterated killing aura in his decades on the battlefield. He felt as if his entire army was going to be swallowed by it.

He was on the verge of panicking. However, he could not stop now. As such, he continued to command his soldiers forward.

"Kill!" Fang Zhengzhi's voice rang out once again. This time, his target was the general.

The Traceless Blade morphed into a ray of purple light, flying out of his hands and towards the general.

The general, who was supervising the battle, was stunned. Fang Zhengzhi would throw his weapon in the heat of battle?!

He instinctively used his large blade to block the blow.

Then, something strange happened. The Traceless Sword, which was aimed at his chest, stopped in the air. Then, it accelerated towards his throat.

"Sh*t!" Blood spewed from the open wound in his throat.

The general's eyes widened in disbelief. He could not believe that he would die to Fang Zhengzhi despite being guarded by a thousand soldiers.

He wanted to say something, but his time was up.

His energy left his body in an instant.

"He... he is not... not human..." That was the parting thoughts of the general. He simply could not believe that a nascent Heavenly Reflection State cultivator could have such abilities.

This was not even the power of a pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State cultivator. Even cultivators in the Supernatural State would not be guaranteed victory.

Fang Zhengzhi is in the Supernatural State?!

No!

No way!

That's impossible!

The general glared at Fang Zhengzhi. However, as the life slipped from him, his body crumpled to the ground.

Dead!

In that moment, the intense battle halted and a silence consumed the battlefield.

A gust of wind blew past, bringing with it the stench of blood.

All of the soldiers looked at Fang Zhengzhi in fear. The sword returned to his hand. By now, the entire blade was purple.

All of the soldiers who were getting ready to charge halted. Their horses also stopped in their tracks. They could all feel Fang Zhengzhi's killing aura.

Even the horses sensed danger.

The villagers looked on, mouths agape and eyes widened. They could feel the power coming from Fang Zhengzhi, who was enveloped by the purple gas.

They all felt a wave of emotion come over them.

Even though Fang Zhengzhi's killing aura was so dense, they did not feel any fear. No matter what happened, Fang Zhengzhi was trying to protect them.

This was the boy they had taken care of since young.

"Is this Zhengzhi's power?!"

"He's so powerful!"

"This is bordering on ridiculous! It is no wonder he aced the River of Trust Province Examinations. I would not be surprised if he tops the imperial examinations as well!"

"Exactly, as long as Zhengzhi is around, the Northern Mountain Village would not be bullied ever again!"

In that instant, all of the villagers felt a sense of security. They had no idea how powerful some of the best in the empire were. They only knew that Fang Zhengzhi was so powerful that he could stop a thousand strong army in its tracks.

They did not care that Fang Zhengzhi's eyes were glowing a strange shade of purple.

Fang Zhengzhi scanned the soldiers surrounding him. Then, his gaze rested on the deputy who had gave the orders. The purple glow flickered.

"Kill!"

"Fight to the bitter end. Our general gave his life to quell this rebellion! Capture the rebel!" The deputy felt the iciness in Fang Zhengzhi's gaze. He panicked when he felt that devilish aura.

"Hiss!" A horse whinnied.

A ray of purple had arrived in front of him.

He could not even react.

"Ah!" The deputy screamed in pain as he fell of his horse. Blood spewed upwards like a geyser from the open wound in his heart.

He had taken out both the leaders despite being surrounded by a thousand men.

This was the crowning achievement.

The soldiers in the army felt helpless in the face of Fang Zhengzhi. If they gave it their all, they may win a pyrrhic victory.

But...

Who would want to do that?

There were courageous ones in the group. However, that did not mean that all of them were courageous. A significant number panicked when they saw the general and the deputy fall.

Some of the other deputies were also panicking.

They knew that they should step up to the plate at this moment. However, after seeing the fate of the general and that deputy, who dared to step up?

No one wanted to die, and no one was willing to take the lead.

None of them were willing to try defending against Fang Zhengzhi's attacks. They did not speak, subconsciously looking in the direction of the village's exit.

"Die, all of you must die!"

Even after the soldiers stopped attacking, Fang Zhengzhi did not. His blade swung once again as it swept through the ranks, cutting swathes of red.

"Ah!"

"Ah..."

Pitiful screams echoed out as the soldiers looked at Fang Zhengzhi fearfully. The battle horses ran amok within the ranks.

The disciplined army had been routed.

"Die! All of you must die!"

"No!"

Just as Fang Zhengzhi prepared to swing once again, a scream pierced through the air. A figure lunged towards Fang Zhengzhi.

Fang Zhengzhi instinctively raised his blade.

"Die!" An icy voice rang out from his mouth. Just as he prepared to strike, he realized that the approaching figure was familiar.

The figure looked purple and blurry through his eyes.

However, he knew that it was someone precious to him.

He felt pain in his heart, almost as if someone had stabbed him. He hesitated and did not strike.

Just at that moment, he was overwhelmed by a wave of warmth. He felt a strange sense of calm as he was hugged by this figure.

All of the hate gushed out of his body in that instant.

His vision cleared and he finally realized who was hugging him.

"Mother!"

"Don't kill anymore. Son, you are my son, not a mass murderer. They have retreated, stop killing!" Qin Xuelian hugged her son tightly, tears flowing down her cheeks.

Fang Zhengzhi shuddered.

Kill?

Not a mass murderer...

Have I killed people?

"Son, put down the sword. Listen to me please, put it down and stop killin!" Qin Xuelian grabbed at Fang Zhengzhi's sword as she spoke.

"Hum!" The Traceless Sword hummed and glowed purple.

"What are you doing!" Fang Zhengzhi was stunned as he bellowed.

The glow of the Traceless Blade dimmed and it calmed down.

"Clang!" Fang Zhengzhi's grip on the sword released and it fell straight to the ground.

In that moment, Fang Zhengzhi's vision cleared. All of the purple disappeared and the hate and fury disappeared from his heart.

"He dropped his blade! Kill him! Kill him! Spearmen, launch your spears!" Just at this moment, a voice rang out. Then, a rain of spears blocked out the sun.

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Chapter 258: Execute them all

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

All of the villagers were stunned.

They had thought that the army had been defeated. The deputies were all wetting themselves after the battle. Little did they expect that the army would take advantage of the situation when they saw Fang Zhengzhi drop his sword.

The villagers simply could not understand.

However, Fang Zhengzhi understood. This was a last ditch attempt by the deputies. If he did not die, they would still be dealt with harshly by the military even if they lived.

Furthermore, soldiers lived and died by the orders they got.

Even though they were afraid of Fang Zhengzhi, they had to respect and obey the orders of their superiors. Soldiers still launched their spears.

Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi had killed many of their comrades. These were their brothers in arms, people that they had a real connection with.

After all, they had shared a camp for many years.

Qin Xuelian paled as she saw the rain of spears. In that instant, she wanted to shield Fang Zhengzhi with her body.

Fang Zhengzhi could guess what Qin Xuelian would try to do. From the moment he saw the spears launch, he knew exactly what she would think.

Because...

Qin Xuelian was his mother.

Even before Qin Xuelian could stand in front of him, he already took Qin Xuelian into his arms.

Qin Xuelian's fear was unrestrained. Sweat poured from her forehead. She realized that she had made a mistake. She should have never rushed out like that. No matter how many soldiers he killed, Fang Zhengzhi was still her son.

Her only son.

Fang Zhengzhi looked at Qin Xuelian, his back towards the rain of spears. Waves crashed overhead - that was his shield.

He knew that in the face of a thousand spears, a stone wall would be best. But, here was he going to find sand to make into stone in such a hurry?

As such, he could only try to use the water to slow down the spears. Even so, it was unlikely that the spears would miss their mark.

Was he going to die?!

Fang Zhengzhi was quite sad to leave this all behind. The villagers here cared for him, and he had a warm family.

"Boom boom boom..."

Sounds echoed from behind him.

Fang Zhengzhi felt that the spears should have already landed. However, his area of control had not been hit. Where were the sounds coming from?

Just as he was thinking about it...

He turned around subconsciously.

He saw something stunning. There was a green sword ray in the middle of the rain of spears...

No.

It was countless sword rays.

The sword rays intertwined with each other like a spider web. The rays moved quickly, defending him from the spears.

The moment the spears hit the web of light, the sword rays would explode into smaller and finer sword rays. Those rays would intertwine once again.

"Dao is endless and constantly changing. The rules governing the world are Dao!" A crisp voice rang out next to him. Then, a figure dressed in black shot through the air like a meteor.

Within moments, the figure landed next to Fang Zhengzhi.

She wore a tight fitting leather suit and had a branded belt around her waist. This accentuated her great figure. She also wore a leather cap which covered her forehead.

Under the cap, a pair of bright starry eyes stared at the soldiers and the bloody bodies of the fallen. She frowned.

"Chi Guyan?" Fang Zhengzhi was shocked to see the figure next to him. He had not figured out how he escaped The Vast World, but he knew it had something to do with the black crack.

How did Chi Guyan manage to escape?

"Dao is endless and constantly changing. The rules governing the world are Dao!"

Fang Zhengzhi knew what this cryptic sentence meant.

This was an interpretation of Dao. It stated that Dao was represented by constant changes in physical properties. This change was known as 'gasification'. It also said that the gasification was not random. It followed a strict set of rules, and these rules are Dao.

The physical properties referred to Ying and Yang, as well as the five elements (gold, wood, water, fire, earth). Everything was formed from these basic building blocks, and were just representations of Dao.

But, why would she say something like this now?

Fang Zhengzhi glanced at the green web of sword lights above his head. He suddenly understood what Chi Guyan meant!

Dao would give rise to one. One would become two, two becomes three, and it would keep going on!

He finally understood!

Chi Guyan could produce an infinite amount of sword rays with a single one. Whenever one was shattered, it would reproduce itself. This was a cycle that would continue unbroken.

It was one of the most powerful defensive techniques around.

"Is the difference between our abilities really that great?" Fang Zhengzhi had a strong understanding of the theories. However, he did not have the practical experience.

Chi Guyan was far more well versed in that aspect.

She had managed to defend against the storm of spears effortlessly. All of the soldiers were stunned by what they saw.

This was clearly the work of a Heavenly Reflection State individual. However, there were only a few who had such control over their territories.

As for ladies...

A name appeared in the minds of the soldiers. They simply could not believe it. That's impossible! Why would she appear in such a tiny village?

All of the deputies paled instantly.

Their eyes widened as they looked at the figure who had defended against their attacks so effortlessly. They were at a loss.

At this point, a young voice could be heard from afar.

"Sister Yan, you're walking too quickly, Ping Yang can't catch up!" Before long, a flaming red figure jumped from the top of a house.

Her Red Flame Flower Armor glowed in the sun and she held a bright red spear in her hand. There was a flickering golden light at the tip of the spear.

When the soldiers saw this figure and heard the name Ping Yang, shivers were sent straight down their spines.

"Ping Yang!"

"The most favored princess of the empire, Ping Yang!"

All of the soldiers did not want to believe that this was happening. However, the Red Flame Flower Armor was clear for all to see. Furthermore, that spear...

My god...

That was the Blazing Qilin Spear, one of the ten greatest treasures of the Great Xia Dynasty.

"Sister Yan?"

"Ping Yang called this lady Sister Yan?!"

"There is only one person who Ping Yang calls Sister Yan. That is the top ranking individual on two of the dragon rolls. She is the heir to the Divine Constabulary. She only answers to one person, and even the emperor has to accord her due respect! She is none other than Chi Guyan!"

"It really is Chi Guyan!"

In that instant, all of the soldiers retreated. Then, they all fell to their knees, the deputies included.

"Greetings your highness, greetings princess Chi!"

"Your highness?!"

"Princess?!"

All of the villagers looked at each other, unable to figure out what was going on. However, the soldiers had already dropped to their knees.

"We the commoners extend our greetings to your highness and the princess!"

"Greetings your highness, greetings princess Chi!"

After some chaotic chatters, all of the villagers fell to their knees. When they saw Chi Guyan stand next to Fang Zhengzhi, they were all stunned.

They all remembered.

This girl was Guyan, the Guyan who had spent almost a month in the Northern Mountain Village.

She was a princess?!

"I, teacher Wang Anhua, extend my greetings to your highness and the princess!" Wang Anhua also rushed over and fell to his knees.

He did not attend the feast the previous night. Furthermore, he had not seen Chi Guyan in eight years. As such, he did not recognize her when she appeared.

When Chi Guyan had stayed in the Northern Mountain Village for a month, the school had yet to be moved over. As such, he was in the dark about that.

However, upon hearing the soldiers and taking a closer look, he realized that this was his master, the daughter of the Divine Constabulary, Chi Guyan.

All of them fell to their knees.

Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian felt their legs turn to jelly. All this while, they had thought of Chi Guyan as their daughter-in-law.

Now that they heard that she was a princess, how could they possibly still think about that?

"Son, kneel down quickly! Greet the two princesses!" Qin Xuelian pulled Fang Zhengzhi as she prepared to kneel. She had thought that Fang Zhengzhi did not know about this. Afterall, when Fang Zhengzhi had brought Chi Guyan back, they had met at the entrance to the village.

"Mom, get up! Dad, don't kneel!" Fang Zhengzhi pulled Qin Xuelian upwards.

At this point, Chi Guyan also walked over and bent down. She held Qin Xuelian's arms respectfully.

"Uncle, Auntie, please get up. I do not need you to kneel!" Chi Guyan made use of an invisible force to prevent Fang Houde from kneeling.

"Get up! Uncle Yang Ping, get everyone to recover! What's there to kneel?" Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Ping Yang.

Ping Yang pouted instantly.

"Humph! I am a princess, why shouldn't they kneel?" However, she immediately saw Fang Zhengzhi's expression change. She added quickly, "All Northern Mountain villagers, please rise!"

Her intentions were simple. The soldiers were to keep on kneeling.

Upon hearing her words, all of the villagers looked at each other before standing up, their eyes filled with fear.

Ping Yang walked over to Fang Zhengzhi.

"Shameless fella, I... I thought you were dead! If not for the fact that Sister Yan insisted that you would come back here, I..." Ping Yang noticed the pile of spears on the ground. Her gaze turned icy as she looked at the soldiers.

"How dare you attack a rank four official of the imperial courts!"

All of the soldiers were stunned by what they heard. Rank four official? Who was a rank four official?

Could it be...

How is that possible?!

According to the dates, the imperial examinations would have just ended. Even if Fang Zhengzhi had passed, he could not possibly have been made an official. Even if he had, how could he be a rank four official?

Rank four?!

This was completely unprecedented.

When the deputies heard what Ping Yang said, they froze. They knew how difficult it was to climb the ranks in the courts.

When has there ever been someone who was promoted to rank four immediately after passing the imperial examinations?

However, this was said by Ping Yang. Ping Yang was the most favored princess of the empire! How could anything she said possibly be fake?

In an instant, the deputies felt that their worlds were turned upside down. They could not even stabilize themselves despite being on their knees.

All of the Northern Mountain villagers were wide eyed.

"Rank four official?!"

"Is she saying... that Zhengzhi is a rank four official?!"

"Zhengzhi is a rank four official?!"

The same thought flashed through all of the villagers' minds. Their faces flushed in excitement. Afterall, Fang Zhengzhi was the only academic in their midst.

As such, Ping Yang had to be referring to Fang Zhengzhi.

All of the humiliation the villagers had endured were instantly forgotten when they heard the news. Tears of joy flowed down their cheeks.

Zhang Yangping's eyes turned red. He murmured to himself, "Zhengzhi is a rank four official? Really a rank four official? The River of Trust Province Governor is only a rank five official. Zhengzhi is rank four?"

He was in disbelief.

The ones most in shock were Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian.

Fang Zhengzhi had told them about it. Furthermore, he even showed them the official seal of a rank four official. That being said, would they believe him then?

Definitely not.

However, now that Ping Yang said it herself, there was no way they could not believe it.

"My son is a rank four official! Hahaha... my son has made it!" Fang Houde hollered. He was overwhelmed by the news and momentarily forgot the presence of Ping Yang and Chi Guyan.

As for Qin Xuelian, she hugged Fang Zhengzhi tightly, tears of joy rolling down her cheeks and falling to the ground.

She did not say a single word. She hugged Fang Zhengzhi tightly. In all honesty, she did not want to let go.

"Sister Yan, these people have blatantly attacked an official of the imperial courts. That is akin to treason! Should we execute them all?" Ping Yang glanced at Fang Zhengzhi and Qin Xuelian. Then, her unrestrained icy gaze turned on the soldiers.

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Chapter 259: Still as shameless

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"Treason?"

"Executed?!"

The soldiers paled when they heard Ping Yang's words. They feared for their lives. Ironically, they had planned to pin such crimes on Fang Zhengzhi less than 15 minutes ago.

But now...

These crimes were being pinned on them.

Treason!

This was a crime that would result in the execution of nine relations! [1]

All of the soldiers did not want to die. More importantly, they did not want to implicate their families. However, they were mere soldiers, and they were no longer masters of their fates.

"Mercy, your highness!"

"Your highness, please have mercy on us, we had no idea!"

"General Wang used the power and authority of the military token to command us to kill Fang Zhengzhi. We were just following orders! Please do not execute us and our families!"

All of the soldiers kowtowed and pleaded for mercy. Not a single one dared to look up at Ping Yang.

After all, this was Ping Yang, the most favored princess in the empire. She was the unofficial master of the capital. None of the officials, even the rank one officials, dared to antagonize her.

Chi Guyan saw the scene unfold before her eyes.

She did not answer Ping Yang's question, neither did she stop the soldiers from pleading. Instead, she walked over to Zhang Yangping.

"Greetings village elder!"

"Ah... prince... princess! I hope you are well!" Zhang Yangping was nervous to see Chi Guyan.

As a northerner, how could he not know Chi Guyan? If Fang Zhengzhi was the pride of the Northern Mountain Village, Chi Guyan was the pride of the five northern constabularies.

"I would like to thank you for taking care of Zhengzhi all these years. I came a little late today and do not know what happened. Could you explain it to me?"

"Yes, yes I will!" Zhang Yangping nodded without hesitation.

Then, he began to recount the story. He told Chi Guyan about the general's arrival and subsequent clashes.

Chi Guyan listened quietly without interrupting.

Fang Zhengzhi had helped Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian to the side. Then, he quickly arranged for the injured villagers to receive treatment. The rest of the soldiers continued to kneel anxiously on the ground.

When they heard of the general's heinous deeds in the village, they were all taken aback. They never expected the general to harm innocent villagers so indiscriminately.

Zhang Yangping finished the story in moments.

Chi Guyan nodded and looked at the kneeling soldiers. Her mouth twitched as she contemplated.

"Military token?"

Chi Guyan was there when Fang Zhengzhi had killed the soldiers the night before. She did not stop him because it was within his power to do so.

The soldiers had bullied the villagers. As an official, he had a responsibility to guard their rights. He may be charged for killing people in the process, but it was not a death sentence.

However, if you add in the fact that the soldiers had insulted his parents, then the charge against them would be increased.

As a rank four official in the imperial courts, it was well within his rights to have the two soldiers executed.

However, today was different.

Almost a thousand soldiers had surrounded the village, harming the villagers in the process. Furthermore, they had a military token with them.

This was no small matter.

Last night, Fang Zhengzhi had already declared his position and status. Even if the army did not know his rank, they should have checked it out before charging into the village.

Even if they really wanted to activate the troops, they would only aim to capture Fang Zhengzhi. There was no reason for them to harm the villagers and attempt to massacre an entire village.

This was a path of no return.

Someone must have directed this. The order could not have possibly come from General Wang.

So, who gave the order?

King Duan?

Chi Guyan found that rather unlikely. King Duan had control over the military. He would be the prime suspect whenever something like this happened.

For that same reason, he would never do such a thing.

King Duan was not that stupid. He would not send people to follow Fang Zhengzhi back in an attempt to kill Zhengzhi. Furthermore, he was not one to use such blunt force to achieve such a fine intent.

So...

Could it have been the Crown Prince?

He could potentially kill two birds with one stone. He would get rid of Fang Zhengzhi and pin it on King Duan?

It sounded like a good plan, but it had many problems. Firstly, this would be akin to declaring war with King Duan. King Duan had been in control of the military for so many years. This is not something that the arrival of Fang Zhengzhi could affect. Furthermore, if she could think of this, the emperor himself could too!

Not only would the crown prince fail to rock King Duan's position in the army, he would risk the emperor's displeasure. The crown prince loved stability.

He had to seem generous and forgiving.

Furthermore, the empire required balance. Even though he was of a higher rank than King Duan, he would not interfere in the affairs of the military unless King Duan made a grave mistake.

He would be the eventual winner as long as he did not make any unforced errors.

Else, his life would be in danger.

Furthermore, King Duan was carrying himself well in front of the Emperor.

It would not be likely that the crown prince would risk a direct conflict with him right now.

So, who was it?

"Who had given the orders?" Chi Guyan spoke after a long pause.

"We... we do not know. The messenger was dressed in black. He arrived at General Wang's tent five days ago. At that time, the sky was dark and we could not see well. Then, he never left the camp. Last night, a soldier came to report that the garrison was chased out, with two soldiers killed in the process. General Wang immediately ordered us to come over at arrest the culprit." One of the deputies replied slowly and deliberately.

"Five days ago?" Chi Guyan frowned slightly. They had chosen to set up a garrison at the Northern Mountain Village in advance. This could only mean one of two things. One, they were afraid that they would be spotted during the railing process. Two, there were other co-conspirators.

Arresting Fang Zhengzhi may have been an on-the-fly decision.

The situation was even more complicated now. If this was a last minute decision, how did they know that something like this would happen in the Northern Mountain Village?

Unless...

This was all pre planned. Were the soldiers ordered to take advantage of the villagers? This was one possibility. The other was that the person had other motives.

Was it for the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet?

If it was for the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, why didn't they enter Cang Ling Mountain? Did they have links to the demons? Who had the power to command the entire army?

Questions flew by in Chi Guyan's mind.

However, Chi Guyan did not ask any of them. The general was dead.

With the commotion at the Northern Mountain Village, the black robed man was likely to have left the camp. There was only one way to get to the bottom of this.

Bait him out.

In order to do so, they had to capture all of the soldiers and interrogate them individually.

That was the only way they could lure out the opponent.

"Even though you were under orders, you have harrassed the villagers. We will have to investigate the details! From this moment on, you are not to have any interactions with others. You are to await further orders here. Anyone who runs will be executed, along with all nine groups of your family!"

"Yes ma'am!" None of the soldiers dared to protest. Even though Chi Guyan did not have control of the military, she was being groomed to be the commander in chief.

Who in their right mind would protest?

"Sister Yan, they have done so much evil, why don't we kill them all?" Ping Yang said unwillingly.

"The mastermind has yet to reveal himself! We will be helping him silence them if we execute them." Chi Guyan explained patiently.

"I see. Then we will spare them for now! Sister Yan, how will we deal with them?"

"We will punish them lawfully!"

"So we are going to hand them over to the military courts?"

"No, at least not right now!" Chi Guyan shook her head.

"Then are we just going to make them kneel here all day?" Ping Yang sneered as she glanced at the kneeling soldiers.

"Yes, let them kneel! Someone will come and bring them away later!"

"Where will Sister Yan take them?"

"The Divine Constabulary!"

Within fifteen minutes, a grey armored middle aged man arrived by Chi Guyan's side.

Fang Zhengzhi knew this man.

This was General Li, the same man who had accompanied Chi Guyan to the Southern Mountain Village. However, he had much more white hair than before.

"Greetings my lady! I have already brought 2000 men to the gates of the village. These are the medicine you asked for."

"Good, leave the medicine here. Bring these men back to the Divine Constabulary. Ensure that they to not communicate with anyone along the way. Take them back separately and make sure they are well guarded. Interrogate them all individually back at the Divine Constabulary!"

"Yes ma'am!" General Li replied respectfully before leaving.

Within moments, all 1000 soldiers and the deputies were led away.

Fang Zhengzhi did not stay at the square. The moment Chi Guyan gave the orders, he already began leading his parents back to their home.

Ping Yang looked at the leaving General Li, as well as the thankful villagers. She smiled.

"Sister Yan, where are we going next?"

"We're staying here!"

"But we haven't had anything good to eat in so many days! You have no idea how horrible rations are. Why don't we go to Huai An County? What's there to eat here?"

"Oh, that's where you are wrong. How can the food in Huai An County ever match up to the food here?" Chi Guyan ruffled Ping Yang's hair. Then, she looked anxiously in the direction of Fang Zhengzhi's house.

"There are delicacies here? Where at?"

"The shameless fella's house."

"What? What delicacy could he possibly offer us?"

"You will find out later! However, it will take some effort if you want to eat something yummy today!" Chi Guyan frowned slightly. Today's events had already derailed her plans slightly.

An event as major as this would spread quickly throughout the empire. An investigator from the law ministry would be sent over very soon.

Massacring the soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Even a rank one official did not have that much power, much less a rank four official.

Even though Fang Zhengzhi's actions were not unreasonable, killing nearly a hundred soldiers bordered on the ridiculous.

"What happened?" Chi Guyan was confused. Based on what she knew about Fang Zhengzhi, he would never have killed this many people even if he was just guarding his village.

She didn't think much about it. All her questions would be answered when she saw Fang Zhengzhi. She guided Ping Yang towards Fang Zhengzhi's residence.

"Sister Yan, do you think that he seems a little strange today?" Ping Yang asked as they walked.

"Why do you say so?"

"I feel like his gaze is much icier than before. Furthermore, he did not have an opinion as to how we should deal with the soldiers. Don't you think that it's slightly out of character?"

"Why don't you ask him later?"

"Never! That being said, did he really grow up in this village? It's so run down here! Furthermore, none of these villagers seemed to have entered Dao. How did he become so powerful?"

"Why don't you ask him?"

"Not again! Sister Yan, you're bullying me!"

Before long, they arrived at Fang Zhengzhi's house.

Fang House and Qin Xuelian were sitting in the living room. When they saw Chi Guyan and Ping Yang, the welcomed them at the door.

"Greetings your highness and princess!"

"Uncle, auntie, I've said this before. Just take me as the Guyan you know. Else, I will not feel comfortable." Chi Guyan immediately helped them up.

"So where will you stay..."

"We will have to trouble uncle and auntie!"

"No way!" Just at this moment, a voice rang out from inside the room. Then, a figure in a blue robe appeared at the door.

It was Fang Zhengzhi.

When Ping Yang heard it, she pouted and eyed Fang Zhengzhi discontentedly. "Fang Zhengzhi, you should be honored that I want to stay here! Furthermore, I saved your life today, shouldn't you be grateful?"

"You can stay here, but you have to pay 100 silvers a night!" Fang Zhengzhi wagged his finger at Ping Yang.

"Sister Yan, I take back what I said just now. He is just as shameless as before!" Ping Yang raged.

"As for you, the treasured daughter of the Divine Constabulary, you should find someplace else to stay! I won't accept any amount from you!" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Ping Yang and said to Chi Guyan assertively.

"Is that right? What if I offered you 10,000 silvers a night?" Chi Guyan smiled, not shocked by Fang Zhengzhi's attitude at all.

[1] The punishment involved the execution of all relatives of an individual, which were categorized into nine groups

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Chapter 260: Fang Zhengzhi's problem

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"10,000 silvers... for one night?!" Ping Yang could not believe her ears. Chi Guyan was the most intelligent person she knew.

When did Chi Guyan ever do anything stupid?

However, Chi Guyan was clearly doing something stupid right now.

How could this delapidated house be worth 10,000 silvers a night? Then wouldn't her residence be worth millions a night? 10,000 silvers would be more than sufficient to buy the entire village.

"Do you think money can buy you everything?" Fang Zhengzhi replied apathetically.

"15,000." Chi Guyan made a counter offer.

"Mom, lay out a mattress for this lady! I want to see how long she can stay here!" Fang Zhengzhi turned and entered the house.

Ping Yang was stunned.

Where did his pride and determination go to? Didn't he say money could not buy everything? Why did he change his mind? He did not change at all! He was still as shameless.

Fang Zhengzhi would never reject a large offer of silver!

He turned and entered the house.

Qin Xuelian was still recovering from what just happened.

Fang Zhengzhi had become a celebrity in the village ever since he killed the Blue Fire Wolf on Cang Ling Mountain. In the years after that, his name reverberated throughout all the nearby villages.

Many people had came to the Fang Family asking for an engagement.

Qin Xuelian had never agreed to any of them.

Her son was meant for great things. He was meant to go to the major cities one day! How could any of these girls be a match for him?

However, Qin Xuelian had taken a liking to Chi Guyan ever since she saw her. She was knowledgeable and carried herself well.

Ever since that time, Qin Xuelian had wanted Chi Guyan to be her daughter in law.

Why would her otherwise intelligent son do something so stupid today?

This lady was not just a lady from a rich and influential family. She was the daughter of the Divine Constabulary, the top talent in the Great Xia Dynasty. All of the princes and princesses had to treat her with respect.

She had countless admirers.

Why would her son turn down such a great girl?

More importantly...

Chi Guyan was not angered by it! She even offered to pay a large amount of silver! What was going on? Is she really in love with Fang Zhengzhi?"

"It is our honor to host the princess. Please stay as many days as you like! Don't mention anything about the silvers. Both of you, please come in!" Qin Xuelian disregarded Fang Zhengzhi's wishes completely.

As a mother, she had to make a decision on the spot.

Even though the chances of anything materializing were low, she would still give it a go.

As long as there was a sliver of hope, she would try.

"Thank you auntie!" Chi Guyan smiled, then held Qin Xuelian's arm. She glanced at the unhappy Ping Yang and walked leisurely through the door.

"Son, go grill some meat! The princess loves it!" Qin Xuelian was ecstatic when Chi Guyan held her arm.

She had completely forgotten about the troubles of the day.

To be supported by the pride of the Northern five constabularies, the daughter of the Divine Constabulary was something that she did not even dare dream about.

"If she wants to eat, she can do it herself!" Fang Zhengzhi said dismissively.

"What is with that attitude. Your mom told you to go grill some meat. Grill more and send some to Uncle Yangping. He is injured and needs the meat!" Fang Houde bellowed when he heard Zhengzhi's reply.

Are you becoming rebellious?

Ping Yang smiled when she heard this, "Uncle, auntie, I like grilled rabbit!"

"Son, did you hear that, grill two green furred rabbits!" Fang Houde chuckled, then hollered to the unhappy Fang Zhengzhi.

"Dad, Mom, I have a question for you." Fang Zhengzhi's voice came floating out of the kitchen.

"What is it?"

"Am I your son?"

"Bloody hell! If you don't do it now, I will break your legs!"

"That's great! Uncle, do it now, I have the medicine to help him recover! This is a medicine specially made for the royal family! It can heal broken bones!" Ping Yang continued to add fuel to the flames as she waved a white jade bottle in the air.

Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian looked at each other. They were at a loss. Was this really a princess?

Should we act on it?

Just as Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian were at a loss, a figure rushed out from inside the house. It brushed past Ping Yang like a gust of wind.

"Not bad at all!"

Before Ping Yang could react, the white jade bottle had been snatched by Fang Zhengzhi. Then, he kept it in his pocket.

Before she could chide him...

Fang Zhengzhi shot out the door, "I'm going to grill the meat!"

Ping Yang was not going to let Fang Zhengzhi off so easily. Just as she prepared to give chase, Chi Guyan held her back.

"The meat he grills is the best thing in the entire Northern Mountain Village."

Ping Yang looked at Chi Guyan in disbelief. However, she was famished and tired of eating rations. She had no choice but to swallow her pride.

"Humph! I will settle the score with you after you're done grilling the meet!" Ping Yang stomped her feet as she watched Fang Zhengzhi leave.

The meal was quite enjoyable.

Ping Yang's eyes glimmered when she saw the spread. She looked like a ravenous wolf salivating at a herd of lamb.

She threw her royal demeanor away.

She began to take in large chunks of meat and drank wine by the bowls. Her mouth was stained with grease. Despite her petite size, she managed to finish an entire rabbit and a leg of lamb!

As night fell, a familiar calm returned to the Northern Mountain Village. The moon shone brightly in the sky, lighting up the courtyard of the house.

Fang Zhengzhi lay on the bench in the courtyard, enjoying the peace. He had a plate of melon seeds and a flask of fruit wine by his side.

A figure appeared in the courtyard. Under the light of the moon, a shadow of her petite and shapely body was cast on the ground. She wore a pink dress, looking like a blooming flower in the night.

Chi Guyan had changed out of her disguise.

She stopped to Fang Zhengzhi's right. However, she did not speak, choosing to stand quietly by his side.

Anyone who saw this scene would not believe their eyes. A villager lying on his side whilst the treasured daughter of the Divine Constabulary stood by his side.

But this was the scene in a courtyard inside the Northern Mountain Village.

Fang Zhengzhi's eyes were closed, almost as if he did not see Chi Guyan arrive. He reached for the fruit wine and took a gulp.

Chi Guyan watched as Fang Zhengzhi put the flask back down.

She extended her hand and the flask flew into her hands. Then, shockingly, she also took a sip of the wine.

Afterwards, she put the flask back in its original position.

Fang Zhengzhi's eyes twitched but he did not open them. He rolled and switched to an even more comfortable position.

Chi Guyan still did not speak.

This stalemate continued for a long time. The moon eventually reached its peak as the temperature dipped. It was so late that almost all life on the Mountain was asleep.

"Now that you've completed what you wanted to do, what are you still doing here?" Fang Zhengzhi finally broke the silence, his eyes still shut.

"If the issues were resolved, I would definitely leave. The fact that I'm still here means that I have unfinished business." Chi Guyan replied.

"You have already handed the matters regarding Cang Ling Mountain to Xing Hou. What else is left for someone of your standing to do?"

"There is!"

"Life is like chess. Is it worth it to give up the game just to save a single piece?"

"No."

"Then why aren't you leaving?"

"I still have unfinished business."

Fang Zhengzhi was silent for a moment. Then, he spoke up. "Cang Ling Mountain was a trap set up by the demons. They wanted to sink the Stabilisation Constabulary. You also set up a ploy here on Cang Ling Mountain. If I am correct, you already have troops stationed here."

"Yes, I had arranged for 1000 Red Pinion Squad members and 500 Divine Constabulary special forces members to hide at the base of Cang Ling Mountain." Chi Guyan replied honestly.

"Yet you didn't tell me anything during our journey."

"So what if I did?"

"If I had known about it earlier, I would not have toured and enjoyed myself. I would have rushed back here to chase those soldiers away!"

"Would the result be any different?"

"Of course! For everyday earlier that I could have arrived, the villagers would have suffered for one less day."

"Could it be any less than what they've already suffered? Droughts, landslides, and a lack of game are already affecting them. What changes have you made in the past eight years?"

"Changes?" Fang Zhengzhi was stumped. He could not bring himself to say that he had made any significant changes to the village.

The lives that they led were only better when compared with the other villages.

In actual fact, the villagers were still leading tough lives. They barely managed to fill their stomachs. Most did not have any stores or savings.

Almost all of the silver he had earned over the years had gone into subsidizing village expenses.

How much could one person, a nameless person at that, do to change an entire village?

"If my guess is correct, you want to stay here and never enter the courts. You do not want to partake in the combat examinations and the subsequent court examinations." Chi Guyan continued.

Fang Zhengzhi did not respond. He did think this way. He was afraid that a similar incident would occur. He was afraid of possible vengeance.

He wanted to stay in the Northern Mountain Village. He wanted to protect his parents and all of the other members of this 'family".

"Based on your current abilities, you may be able to protect the village right now. But can you protect it forever?" Chi Guyan's voice rang out.

"I have my methods." Fang Zhengzhi replied flatly.

"Yes, I am sure that you can do it, but you can't do it as quickly as me! Only when you are influential can you change the fate of a village! With a single command, I could make the Northern Mountain Village the most prosperous village in the north!"

Fang Zhengzhi did not deny it. It was all true. As the most talented youth in the empire, she could drastically change the fate of the village.

Furthermore, she was no living off the glory and status of the Divine Constabulary. The constabulary lived and died by her.

She was not famous just because she was the second generation of an influential family. After all, the family was now basking in her glory.

"It is a pity though. I may be able to change a village, a city, or even a province. However, I cannot change a dynasty or the fate of humanity!" Chi Guyan's tone became very solemn, however, her expression was just as calm as before.

"I heard that the Double Dragon Roll Champion would shock the world, and bring peace to the world!" Fang Zhengzhi said cryptically.

"Do you believe it?"

"No."

"But I do. The Heavenly Prophecy cannot be wrong! You may think that I am not taking care of the Northern Mountain Village, but I am more concerned with the fate of humanity. Someone has to do it. If you don't do it, I'll have to do it. This world will always need a hero."

"Do you think you're a hero?"

"No, I am just a chess piece. A chess piece in someone's plan."

"If you are just a chess piece, then so am I. Furthermore, I am an even weaker chess piece than you." Fang Zhengzhi chuckled.

"I have a few questions that have been bugging me for quite some time." Chi Guyan did not respond directly, choosing instead to broach a new topic.

"There's something that you don't know?"

"Yes, for example: How do you learn other people's techniques so quickly? How did you manage to solve the Illustration of All Creation? Why are you even more powerful than an advanced state Heavenly Reflection cultivator even though you just broke through?"

"I can answer your first question. I do not want to answer the second one. As for the third question, I do not know the answer." Fang Zhengzhi replied seriously.

Chi Guyan was silent. Her eyes glimmered in anticipation as she awaited Fang Zhengzhi's reply.

"I successfully accessed Dao eight years ago. I attained the Star Conglomerate State a year later. I did not know about the various states, so I spent seven years accumulating stars..."

"What you're saying is, you managed to understand many of the Daos?"

"I do not know if its is a lot. I estimate at least two to three hundred?" Fang Zhengzhi responded casually.

"Two to three hundred..." Chi Guyan was in awe. This was the first time she had lost her composure in front of Fang Zhengzhi.

However, she recovered quickly, her awe turning into joy. In that moment, she smiled.

She looked as beautiful as a flower in full bloom.

Fang Zhengzhi, whose eyes were still shut, was slightly moved. However, he had always seen Chi Guyan and himself as people from different worlds.

She fought for the country whilst he fought for his home. How could they ever mix?

"I know where your problem is!"

Just as Fang Zhengzhi was thinking about it, Chi Guyan spoke up. Her eyes glimmered with excitement.

This was a rare sight.

This was the first time Fang Zhengzhi had seen this kind of glimmer in Chi Guyan's eyes.

"What problem do I have?"

"If I am correct, your pocket dimension has a huge tree filled with many fruits. Each fruit is about the same size!" Chi Guyan asserted.

This stunned Fang Zhengzhi.

Everyone's pocket dimension was different. It would differ based on one's cultivation process and techniques. For example, the first pocket dimension hs had came into contact with was a world made of rocks.

As such...

How could Chi Guyan guess what his pocket dimension looked like?

This was not science!

Fang Zhengzhi did not understand it. However, Chi Guyan's expression and words had piqued his curiosity.

"What about it?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.

"Do... do you one to be the one playing chess?" Chi Guyan smiled as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi.

"A chess player?" Fang Zhengzhi wanted to chide Chi Guyan for jumping between topics too quickly. They were talking about chess when she changed the topic to cultivation. Now that they were talking about cultivation, she wanted to talk about chess?

"Yes, didn't you say that you were an even weaker chess piece than me? If you don't want to be a chess piece, you have to be chess player. You would be the master of others' destinies."

"I do not want to be a chess player." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head, then continued. "In fact, I do not want to be either. There is another type of person, the spectator! There is an ancient saying, the spectator sees the most clearly!"

"The spectator sees the most clearly..." Chi Guyan murmured to herself. After a moment of silence, she spoke up. "Actually, that was something that I tried working towards before. However, I never managed to do it. I never expected you..."

Chi Guyan paused. She raised her head and looked at the bright moon, "Do you want to defeat me?"

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Chapter 261: The top talent

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Chi Guyan's hair danced in the wind, almost like the splashes from a waterfall crashing against the rocks.

Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched.

Defeat Chi Guyan?

He had thought about it before. This had nothing to do with the deal he had with Chi Guyan. As a man, he had to protect his pride. He would not be bullied by a girl!

The first time he had seen Chi Guyan...

Fang Zhengzhi was floored by her abilities. He had a completely new understanding of this world. He had thought that he had closed the gap after eight years of hard work.

However, when he saw Chi Guyan in action he last two days...

He could only exclaim to himself.

Why is this girl so powerful?

Isn't it a little too ridiculous?

However, despite Chi Guyan's power, Fang Zhengzhi did not think that he would lose. Regardless, he still had a chance at winning. After all, there were many ways to defeat someone.

He could defeat her mentally, verbally, intellectually...

Of course, Chi Guyan was referring to defeating her in a duel.

"Can I interpret your question as you wanting to marry me?" Fang Zhengzhi chose to answer the question with a question.

"Don't you want to marry me?"

"I actually want you to be my servant!" Fang Zhengzhi added additional phrases in his heart. You would warm my bed for me, sing for me, dance for me...

"Servant?" Chi Guyan's expression froze. She was the treasured daughter of the Divine Constabulary and the number one talent in the empire. Anyone in that position would be fuming if a guy wanted her to be his servant.

However, Chi Guyan was calm.

She contemplated this question for a moment. Then, she smiled, "Your idea is not bad, but you must defeat me fairly first!"

Fang Zhengzhi noted that she emphasized the word 'fairly'. Her intentions were clear.

What did she mean by fairly?

He had to defeat her using his power, his techniques, his cultivation level...

Furthermore, he could not have any tricks up his sleeve. He also could not rely on weapons or treasures. This was a pure contest of ability.

This was clearly not a battle he was suited for.

"If I defeat you fairly, you will be my servant?" Fang Zhengzhi needed to verify the terms of the wager first.

"I will do it for a month." Chi Guyan replied.

"Will you swear on it?"

"Not only will I swear on it, I will announce it to the whole world!"

Fang Zhengzhi's eyes shot open. Imagine if the treasured daughter of the Divine Constabulary, a princess, the top talent of the empire, and the prospective commander in chief would be his servant for a month...

"Not only must you serve me food and drinks, you must obey my commands, sing, and dance. Can you do it?" Fang Zhengzhi challenged.

"I can." Chi Guyan nodded seriously.

"Okay then, deal!"

"Haha, what a vivid imagination you have. What if you lose?"

"What do you want?"

"I want you to be my servant for a month. If I'm sitting, you must stand. If I'm lying down, you must stand. If I'm asleep, you have to guard the door, standing!" Chi Guyan returned the challenge.

Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Chi Guyan. He seemed to understand why Chi Guyan would emphasize the word 'standing'.

Isn't it just standing?

Fine, I'll do it!

"Okay!" Fang Zhengzhi grit his teeth.

"In addition, you must tell me a joke everyday. If I don't laugh on any given day, you will be beaten 50 times and forced to kneel and repent at my door!" Chi Guyan added.

"Do you have to make it so serious?"

"Are you scared?"

"Me, scared? What a joke!" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled icily. Then, he stood up from the chair. "However, I have no interest in taking up such a lopsided wager!"

"Why don't you think about it? Other than singing and dancing, I know how to play the Guzheng, the drums, , solve riddles, etc. Don't forget that I grew up in a military family! I am familiar with what guys like!" Chi Guyan blinked at Fang Zhengzhi.

This was an open challenge to Fang Zhengzhi.

F*ck!

Fang Zhengzhi stopped in his tracks.

He had honestly forgotten that Chi Guyan grew up in a military family. She had interacted with soldiers all her life, and she wasn't the usual, embroidery loving girl.

Playing the Guzheng, the drums...

Damn.

These were things that guys knew how to do. However, it was rare for a lady to know how to do these things! Chi Guyan was a rare talent indeed.

For the first time, Fang Zhengzhi felt his determination waver.

However...

He did not take the bait.

After all, his opponent was Chi Guyan, the number one talent in the empire. He was just like a lead in a storm when compared to Chi Guyan - utterly insignificant.

"If you can promise me one thing, I will consider taking up the wager." Fang Zhengzhi's expression was solemn.

"Tell me what it is."

"Give me 50 teachers like Wang Anhua."

"You don't want to open up a stable?"

"I would much rather teach a man how to fish than to give a man a fish. If the villagers want to stand on their own feet, they would have to do it themselves. I can make the village prosperous, but I cannot make it powerful."

"Okay, I will bring over 50 of the best teachers from the top 10 schools in the Northern Territories. They will stay here for three years. After which, they can choose to stay or leave. I will replace those who leave with new teachers."

"Will you participate in the court examinations?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

"I participated two years ago, so I cannot participate this time. However, those who pass the court examinations have the privilege of attending the "Heaven Dao Pavillion disciple selection. I will be waiting for you there. I will also accept your challenge there! But, are you sure you want to challenge me so soon?" Chi Guyan knew what Fang Zhengzhi was getting at.

"Since we are going to duel anyways, there is no point pushing it backwards. We are both constantly improving. That being said, I have a question. Why must I go to the Heaven Dao Pavillion?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to be a spectator? Only the disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavillion are free from the restraints of the laws of the empire!"

"What else?"

"The imperial courts are highly political. Influence and authority rule there. The Heaven Dao Pavillion is the closest to 'Dao' in the entire empire. You will be able to access significantly more resources there."

"How many disciples do they take in every year?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded. "One pavilion, four sages, thirteen constabularies" was the representation of power in the empire.

The Heaven Dao Pavillion was right at the top of the food chain.

They were the only ones who were peers with the Great Xia Dynasty. In the eyes of the cultivators, the Heaven Dao Pavillion was even more attractive than the imperial courts.

However, such a well endowed place was not open to everyone.

"They only take in three disciples every two years. During the selection, the Northern Barbarians and the Southern Mountain Range people will all be attending. The Heaven Dao Pavillion and the Great Xia Dynasty have a standing agreement that at least one of the disciples will be from the Great Xia Dynasty." Chi Guyan explained.

"Three?!" Fang Zhengzhi had expected the selection to be difficult, but he never expected it to be this difficult.

Three disciples every two years?

How many disciples did they have?

"Are you thinking that they run the risk of not having any successors by having such a stringent selection?" Chi Guyan guessed Fang Zhengzhi's thoughts.

"I would like to think of it as a break in the line." Fang Zhengzhi did not deny it.

"Haha, you don't have to worry about that. The Heaven Dao Pavilion has a tradition. At any point in time, they will have 3000 disciples inside."

"3000 disciples?" Fang Zhengzhi was confused.

If they accepted three every two years, 3000 disciples...

That did not make any sense!

"As to why they have 3000 disciples, you would understand once you enter. I think you should focus on passing the court examinations!"

"Is it very difficult?"

"Well, if you thought the imperial examinations were difficult, the court examinations would make them look like a piece of cake!" Chi Guyan explained.

"Why so?"

"Normally, people would be given the posts of officials once they pass the imperial examinations. Promotions would be given afterwards based on their contributions. However, the court examinations are the final Dao examinations. The final name list is strictly guarded. They will only select nine people, and there is no top three."

"No top three?"

"No top three. The top ranking individual in the court examinations would be given the title 'Ringleader'.

"Ringleader?" Fang Zhengzhi knew what it meant. This phrase was used to describe the leader in a particular field.

This term could also be used to describe someone who was peerless.

"Yes, ringleader is the special title conferred to the top scorer at the court examinations. The commoners would confer him the title of 'Top talent'!" Chi Guyan said calmly.

"Top talent?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Chi Guyan, "You are also a top talent?"

"Yes, but why didn't you specify my gender in the title like what others do?"

"Are there any in the Supernatural State at the court examinations?"

"It differs from year to year. There were two in the edition I participated in."

"Two Supernatural State? Why didn't they pass the court examinations?"

"The Great Xia Dynasty uses the "Law of Dao" as the foundation for our cultivation. Many things can happen in the short span of two years. For example, who would have expected you to top both the county and provincial examinations?"

Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

The road of cultivation was constantly changing. It all depended on one's understanding. Who was to say that he couldn't breakthrough to the Supernatural State in two years?

"I get it now."

"Actually, a Heavenly Reflection State cultivator may not necessarily lose to a Supernatural State one. Even though the difference is significant, some who are at the pinnacle of the previous state can push through and breach the gap."

"Like you?"

"There is one other person!"

"Who?"

Chi Guyan did not answer Fang Zhengzhi immediately. A name flashed across her mind.

This was a name which reverberated throughout the entire Great Xia Dynasty.

Nangong Hao!

Four years ago, Nangong Hao had participated in the examinations, taking home the top spot at the imperial examinations. Everyone favored him to take home the title of 'top talent'.

The Heaven Dao Pavilion also announced that Nangong Hao would definitely be selected as a disciple if he could pass the court examinations and attend the selection.

However, he unexpectedly gave up that opportunity, claiming that his foundation was not stable. He chose to return to the Nangong Family to continue his cultivation.

This had caused an uproar.

He had managed to defeat Supernatural State cultivators as a Heavenly Reflection State cultivator. How could his foundation not be stable?

No one knew what he was thinking.

No one knew why he would give up such a golden opportunity.

Two years ago, when the examinations were held once again, everyone expected that Nangong Hao would return to claim the title and enter the Heaven Dao Pavilion. However, the attendee was Nangong Mu.

In the end, Nangong Mu also gave up before the imperial examinations, choosing to return to the Nangong family.

However, this time, no one was surprised.

Chi Guyan had burst onto the scene. She destroyed all the competition in her way, taking home the title of 'ringleader' and entered the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

One year later, she challenged Nangong Hao.

She topped the two Dragon Rolls and became the top talent of the generation.

Nangong Hao's name slowly faded into obscurity. People were now raving over Chi Guyan, the one who they thought was going to fulfill the heavenly prophecy.

However...

Chi Guyan knew one thing.

The Heaven Dao Pavilion has an age restriction on the disciples they recruit. A quick calculation told her that this would be Nangong Hao's last chance to be recruited.

This meant that...

Nangong Hao would definitely participate in this edition of the court examinations.

"I think that you will meet him very soon. He will also participate in the court examinations!" Chi Guyan sat down next to Fang Zhengzhi without saying more.

Fang Zhengzhi took in the aroma from her clothes. Then, he remembered something, "15,000 silvers a night, are you serious?"

Chi Guyan's body moved slightly.

"Make a guess!"

Fang Zhengzhi's expression changed. I have studied so much, don't try to trick me. If you do, I will make sure I make you something worse than a servant.

"If I give you a way to instantly make yourself stronger, do you still want the silvers?" Chi Guyan continued before Fang Zhengzhi could respond.

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Chapter 262: New door

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"Of course... I do!" Fang Zhengzhi replied after a brief moment of hesitation.

Chi Guyan chuckled and leaned back, seemingly unsurprised by Fang Zhengzhi's answer. She turned to look at a row of trees in the village.

"Shameless Thief, we've known each other for eight years right?"

"Probably..." Fang Zhengzhi replied flatly.

"Do you think that each and every tree would grow the same way over eight years?" Chi Guyan's eyes glowed faintly.

"Of course not. They each receive different amounts of sunlight and grow in different soil. These will all affect their growth." Fang Zhengzhi replied without hesitation.

"Now, what if the sunlight, soil, nutrition, weather, and every other environmental factor were the same?" Chi Guyan pressed.

Fang Zhengzhi was thrown off. He had never thought about it that way. There was no wa this hypothetical scenario could ever come true. How could two trees ever receive the same coverage of sunlight?

"Even if that was the case, they'll still be different!"

"Oh? Why?" Chi Guyan's eyes glowed.

Fang Zhengzhi did not mention the greenhouses from his previous world. Even though the plants in a greenhouse all received similar care, there were still differences.

"Each seed is inherently different. Some may be of better quality. Humans are the same, there can never be two completely identical persons. Even identical twins have minute differences." Fang Zhengzhi continued to think. I guess you don't know "genetics"?

"I really don't know how someone like you exists. You have never been to an academy. You self taught the Law Of Dao, but you keep coming up with fresh perspectives." Chi Guyan exclaimed. Then, after a moment of hesitation, she continued. "Every tree, mountain, and river may be different. However, one can understand the Dao from any tree, mountain or river. The differences lie in the quality. The better the care, the better the flower..."

Chi Guyan stood up and sauntered back into the house.

Fang Zhengzhi's eyes glimmered. He understood such a simple concept, yet, he had failed to apply it.

I see!

Over the past eight years, I have focused on collecting stars. Every time I collected one, I moved on to others.

In the end, I collected many stars, but each one was about the same size.

In other words, they were all in the nascent stage.

Fang Zhengzhi finally understood it. There was one other reason that made him believe it. His largest fruit was the purple one with red stains.

The Dao of Massacre?!

Fang Zhengzhi had no idea what these fruits would become once they were grown. However, this had opened up a door for him. Previously, he had wanted to breakthrough into the Supernatural state.

But now, he wanted something different.

If 300 nascent stage fruits made him this powerful, what if they doubled in size?

Or even tripled, quadrupled...

What would happen?

He still had much to do!

Fang Zhengzhi became increasingly excited, subconsciously grabbing the fruit wine and gulped it down. About half way through, he suddenly felt that something was amiss.

F*ck!

Chi Guyan had drank from this?!

Chi Guyan had no idea if Fang Zhengzhi had understood her words, but she knew that he would one day.

She did not spoon feed him because she knew that the best way for him to learn was for him to infer and understand it for himself.

Furthermore, she wanted to preserve his ego.

Fang Zhengzhi may be shameless, but Chi Guyan knew that he valued pride above all else.

"He has already collected two to three hundred stars... I wonder how terrifying he will be if he "waters the tree"..." Chi Guyan paused at the door. People like Yu Yiping May think that Fang Zhengzhi was wasting his time becoming a jack of all trades.

Chi Guyan did not think so. Someone may be planting on one acre of land. He may be giving it the best fertilizer, but his production will always be limited. What if this man planted on 10 acres?

100 acres?

Even though this man would be off to a slower start, with effort and time, the production of the 100 acres of land will exceed that of one. And it would exceed by many, many times...

The next day, Fang Zhengzhi and Fang Houde went to visit Zhang Yangping.

Color had returned to Zhang Yangping's face. The superior medicine from the Divine Constabulary had played a huge role in his recovery. Furthermore, having grown up in the mountains, his body was tough.

Many elderly villagers sat in a circle around Zhang Yangping.

"Zhengzhi and Fang Houde are here!" The villagers stood up to welcome them.

"Zhengzhi, you're just on time. We were just discussing your return to the village. We have never produced a rank four official. However, I have already asked Ah Nan to rush out the tablet. We have used the ancestral rosewood for this tablet. What do you think? Also, I thought of having a few tablets made at the entrance..." Zhang Yangping said excitedly.

"Uncle Yangping, I actually came to discuss some things with you." Fang Zhengzhi knew that erecting a tablet was a tradition. It represented the highest honor and respect the village could confer. He would show his official seal and it would be followed by a series of celebrations.

However...

He felt that the tablet was like a gravestone... however, Zhang Yangping had already rushed it out. Fang Zhengzhi had to admit that the speed at which he worked was quite stunning.

He knew the origins of that piece of rosewood.

That was wood that their ancestors had harvested. It was superior rosewood and the most valuable item in the village. Yet, it was now made into a tablet?

"Sure, please tell us if you think that we've missed out anything else!" Zhang Yangping smiled radiantly, showing no signs of his injury the previous day.

"Actually, I wanted to discuss the school." Fang Zhengzhi realized that Zhang Yangping had misunderstood.

"School? Yes, Sensei Wang had suffered quite a bit. We should definitely take care of him. I will make the necessary arrangements to ensure he is contented."

"I'm talking about expanding the school..."

"Expanding the school? Sure thing. With your reputation and links to the Divine Constabulary, I am sure that we can take in a few more students. We can probably produce a couple more hopefuls."

"Uncle Yangping, I'm talking about making it into an academy."

"Academy? I think that's a good idea! If it's an academy, we can... hang on, Zhengzhi, did you say academy?!" Just as Zhang Yangping was about to nod his approval, he hesitated.

"Yes, I have already made a deal with Chi Guyan. She has agreed to send 50 of the best sensei to teach here. They will stay here for three years. That's why I want to make it an academy." Fang Zhengzhi explained.

"This is great news, but..." Zhang Yangping's joy was dampened significantly.

"Zhengzhi, we know that you mean well. However, the Northern Mountain Village is extremely poor. Can they come? Furthermore, we can't house so many people." One of the village elders smiled bitterly.

"That's why we will need to renovate and rebuild. Furthermore, we must ensure that the village becomes prosperous soon." Fang Zhengzhi answered.

"Zhengzhi... you should know the situation now. Even though we are richer than any of the other villages, we can barely scrape together enough to build another school. How can we possibly accommodate 50 sensei? Furthermore, building their accommodation would cost hundreds of silvers!"

"I'm not done... I'm planning to build an arena which can accommodate thousands. I would also like to build accommodation for students, a library, hunting ground..." Fang Zhengzhi rattled off a list.

The expressions of Zhang Yangping and the village elders changed. This was a full fledged academy, and it was much better than the mega school in Huai An County.

I'm guessing that there is no school like it in the Northern Territories?

"Zhengzhi, silver! All these cost silver!" Zhang Yangping reminded.

"Yes. Based on my preliminary calculations, the land around the village should be enough. However, in order to complete construction of the academy, we would require 200,000 silvers!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

"Two... 200,000 silvers?!" Zhang Yangping nearly fell off his chair. 200,000 silvers was an astronomical price. He was sure even the River of Trust Province did not collect that much in taxes annually.

"Yes, in order to make the villager prosper, we have to do something else. If one wants to be rich, have less children and plant more trees..." Fang Zhengzhi added.

"What?!" Zhang Yangping was stunned. What did that even mean? The entire Cang Ling Mountain is filled with trees, but our village is not rich at all!

"Hang on, I may have made a mistake. If we want to get rich, we must first build roads! I plan to build a road to Huai An County, it will be..." Fang Zhengzhi reacted almost immediately.

"Zhengzhi, it is quite a distance to Huai An County. My estimate is that it would take at least a few thousand silvers?" Zhang Yangping reminded.

"That is a gross underestimate. I plan to expand it to four lanes. However, a cement road is too expensive. Asphalt is an even better alternative, but we lack the equipment to make it happen. Let's start with gravel. We have an abundance of stone anyways. I estimate that it would cost about 30,000 silvers!"

"30...30,000 silvers?!" Zhang Yangping could not believe his ears.

The other villagers were scared out of their wits. They could barely scrap together a single zero, where were they going to find 5 zeroes?

"Zhengzhi... your ideas are good, but... we don't have the silvers!" Zhang Yangping grit his teeth.

"We do!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled.

"We really don't!" Zhang Yangping was on the verge of crying.

"We really do!" Fang Zhengzhi retrieved a stack of cheques and placed them in front of Zhang Yangping.

He was not done.

He began looking inside his storage.

He took out box after box of silvers and placed them haphazardly on the table.

Zhang Yangping and the other elders were completely stunned.

This...

Is so much silver!

They could see the value on the cheques. Each one was for 1000 silvers. Based on its thickness, it was worth at least tens of thousands of silvers.

They could not believe their eyes when they saw the boxes of silvers.

Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi was not done. After retrieving the boxes of silver, he began taking out ingots of gold.

The golden glow filled the entire room quickly.

"Uncle Yangping, just take a look. We have cheques, silvers, and even gold!" Fang Zhengzhi continued to pull out even more currency as he blinked.

All of the others in the room were stunned. They rubbed their eyes vigorously to ensure that they weren't being tricked. Those with teeth picked up the gold and bit it.

The toothmark was instantly printed on the gold.

"Yup, but we are still missing a little bit even after all these. No worries though, I have ways to get around this. Let's start with the necessities and the more critical projects. The entire school is a long term project. We could start with the accommodation and arena. Once we are done, the money for the rest of the projects will be in!"

Fang Zhengzhi smiled. It was all too easy to develop a school. Furthermore, if they became the premier school in the Northern Territories, it would be even easier.

Just the reputation of the senseis would be enough to attract students and resources..

Three years!

They may not even need three years to make the Northern Mountain Village the promised land. He would have the most modern teaching methods here as well!

Fang Zhengzhi became more and more excited. All of the academies were controlled by the courts and the number of slots were limited. Once they got in, they coasted.

There were so many students who hoped to simply coast by. They just wanted the title of being a student in an academy. This made them feel superior.

Fang Zhengzhi decided to break this tradition and start a private institution.

At the same time...

He would create the term "school fees"!

Just as Fang Zhengzhi was planning the development of the academy in his mind, a whisper rang out beside him.

"Zhengzhi, tell Uncle Yangping the truth. Did you kidnap the princess?"

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Chapter 263: The killing blow

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Fang Zhengzhi found it difficult to tell Zhang Yangping the origins of these silver. After all, a significant amount had come from the sale of Ping Yang's Snow Jade stallion.

As such, he simply reiterated that these silvers were all earned legitimately.

Even though Zhang Yangping was not fully convinced, he ended up buying the story. After all, if Fang Zhengzhi could become a rank four official, what couldn't he do?

Then, Zhang Yangping had Zhang Li father all the villagers at the square. He wanted to formally welcome Fang Zhengzhi back and announce Fang Zhengzhi's plans to build the academy and highway.

After a whole afternoon, red silk hung from the top of the shrine. The shrine was cleaned and new cushions were placed in front of it.

Fang Zhengzhi did not want to have the red silk. After all, the events of yesterday were still fresh in his mind.

However, Zhang Yangping insisted on it, all of the other villagers were also of the opinion that the events of yesterday should not dampen the festive spirit.

Furthermore, some of the villagers wanted to use this joyous occasion to rid the village of the 'bad omens'.

Fang Zhengzhi did not say anything else. He arranged for those injured villagers and their families to sit at the top table.

Ping Yang and Chi Guyan arrived on scene. The entire area seemed to brighten up, energizing all the villagers. Just as they were about to kneel, Fang Zhengzhi stopped them.

Then, Fang Zhengzhi placed Ping Yang on one of the tables next to the main table.

Ping Yang immediately pouted.

As the beloved princess of the empire, she had never been treated this way. However, just as she was about to flare up, she realized that Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde were also at this table.

Fang Zhengzhi also took his seat here.

Ping Yang's eyes glimmered when she saw this. She stopped pouting almost immediately.

Chi Guyan was calm and composed from start to finish.

After a round of prayers to the shrine, the rosewood tablet was placed next to the ancestral one. They were placed on the same level, representing similar status.

Once most of the ceremonial events were finished, Zhang Yangping cleared his throat and motioned for silence. Then, he glanced at Fang Zhengzhi, wanting him to announce the news.

Fang Zhengzhi shook his head and insisted on staying where he was.

Zhang Yangping had no other choice. He stood on stage and began announcing the plans for the renovation and rebuilding of the school. He also mentioned the building of the new road to Huai An County.

All of the villagers were stunned when they heard what Zhang Yangping proposed.

"Where would we get so much silver?"

"We barely have enough to feed ourselves."

Zhang Yangping fully understood the thinking of the villagers. He motioned to Zhang Li and a few other youths. They began lugging the boxes of silver up on stage.

All of the villagers could not believe their eyes. They looked at each other in disbelief when they saw the boxes of silver, the ingots of gold, and the stack of cheques.

They had never seen such fortune in all their lives.

Zhang Yangping saw the suspicion in their eyes. He began to reassure everyone that this money was donated by Fang Zhengzhi. Zhengzhi had used purely legitimate means to get this money.

All of the villagers whooped and cheered Fang Zhengzhi's name when they heard this.

Ping Yang could not believe her ears.

"How is that legitimate? He got it from the sale of my Snow Jade stallion! He had gotten the rest of it by scamming me!" Ping Yang said in discontent.

However, she was surprised to hear that Fang Zhengzhi was going to use the money to build a school and roads.

All this while, she had thought that Fang Zhengzhi valued money as much as his life. She never expected him to invest his entire fortune in the future of his village.

He was actually doing something to better the society.

In that moment, she felt like she did not understand Fang Zhengzhi as well as she thought she did. Just as she was about to compliment him, she saw Fang Zhengzhi offer her a cup of tea.

"Erm... as a princess, would you like to make a donation? This school is for the betterment of the empire after all. How about 80,000 silvers?"

"Go to hell!" Ping Yang rejected him unequivocally. This guy was just as greedy and shameless as before! 80,000?! That was daylight robbery!

"Are you really going to make the school that big?" Chi Guyan asked.

"Of course! If I want to do something, I'll make sure it is the best!" Fang Zhengzhi asserted.

"However, the funds required to run this school will be immense. The Divine Constabulary can cover the expenses of the teachers. However, the empire simply cannot fund the maintenance of such a school. You need silver to maintain the library and hunting grounds. The Qingfeng Academy in Huai An County is funded by the empire and other large families. However, the Northern Mountain Village..."

Chi Guyan had made her point very clear.

With the Qingfeng Academy in Huai An County, the empire could not possibly build a second one here, and definitely not one on such a scale.

If it was just a small one, Chi Guyan may have some methods to keep it running. However, a school of such scale would require at least 100,000 silvers to run annually.

"I have my methods for finding the funds." Fang Zhengzhi said confidently.

The best fields for money making were education, healthcare, property, food beverages... basically, anything that was a necessity.

Of course, in this world, property, healthcare, and FB were not too suitable.

As such...

Education was his best bet.

The families funding Qingfeng Academy were doing so in order to guarantee their sons a place in there. This was the same concept he was going to use here.

He would have 50 of the best sensei in all the North.

He had already solved the most pressing issue, quality of teachers. All roads lead to Rome. With a few "little tricks", all of the problems would be resolved in due time...

Inside a quiet residence in Huai An County.

Bai Xing looked extremely haggard. He was the commanding officer for this plot on Cang ling Mountain. However, he was the only demon who made it back.

More importantly, he had lost both The Vast World and the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet.

"Please punish me!"

"Domain Chief Bai, you said that The Vast World had already been taken when you returned?" A crisp voice could be heard from behind a curtain. There was a figure in a white dress sitting behind it.

It was Yun Qingwu.

"Yes, after The Vast World had absorbed Cang Ling Mountain, its weight was not something a normal person could move. One would need the power to move mountains and fill oceans. I believe that there are only two possibilities. One, the Four Sages had intervened. Two, our opponent had a treasure which countered The Vast World."

"Which do you think is more likely?"

"The former. The chances of the latter happening are negligible."

"Mm, I can't blame you entirely for this. I had forgotten to account for two people. I never expected Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan to appear in The Vast World at the same time."

"Master, what is our next course of action?"

"Xing Qingguo has seen Shan Jia. This may not be a bad thing. Shan Jia comes from the top family in the Southern Mountain Range. They are highly valued by the Great Xia Dynasty. Take this opportunity to take over the Southern Mountain Range. That will be your task!"

"But, master... Fang Zhengzhi, he..."

"Fang Zhengzhi? I received news that he killed nearly 100 soldiers in the Northern Mountain Village. Even with Chi Guyan supporting him, he will not have a good life in the capital. I think it is time for me to meet him as well. You don't have to worry about him!"

"Yes master!"

In the days after that, Fang Zhengzhi began his road of cultivation. Understanding the different Daos was the most difficult step, cultivating them was the easy part.

They were like snowballs. One just needed to make a small one and roll it down a hill. When it reached the bottom, it would have naturally grown in size.

Fang Zhengzhi was basically trying to roll all two to three hundred of his snowballs. His biggest question was whether he should roll them one at a time, or all at once.

The answer was simple.

He would roll them all at the same time.

It did not seem very rational.

However, Fang Zhengzhi like the feeling of rolling them all. That was reason enough for him. After all, he had many snowballs to play around with.

As Fang Zhengzhi was cultivating, the Northern Mountain Village was busy.

After hearing that the Northern Mountain Village was going to build an academy, the surrounding villages sent people to check out the validity of the information. This was earth shaking news.

Did the Northern Mountain Village have this much silver?

No one believed it.

However, when Zhang Yangping showed them the "mountain of silver", they bought it.

All of the strongest in the villages congregated here. They claimed that they would want to play a part in the building of the academy, even if they were not being paid!

This was the innocence of the villagers, and it was the unity between villages when they saw a glimmer of hope. After all, once the academy was built, the most important phase would commence.

Recruitment!

They all had a reason to help out in this project. The thinking was, the more one contributed, the higher the chances of being recruited.

In the east, an entire hill was flattened as soil and timber were lugged to the Northern Mountain Village for the construction of the academy.

The building of the road to Huai An County was also moving in tandem.

It was quite a distance to Huai An County, and the road would pass through many villages. When everyone heard that the road was being renovated, they rushed to contribute. When they heard that there was a pay for builders, even those who worked the fields dropped everything to come and help.

Fang Zhengzhi explained the building concepts, then handed the project to Zhang Li to run. After all, Zhang Li was young, and could easily handle the project.

Yan Capital was in chaos at this moment in time.

In the throne room, letters streamed onto the emperor's table. They all reported Fang Zhengzhi's massacre of the soldiers.

"Emperor, Fang Zhengzhi has complete disregard for the law. If we do not punish him severely, how can we maintain the reputation of our army?"

"Fang Zhengzhi has muddled up his personal affairs with his official ones. Even if the army had committed transgressions, they did so under direct orders. How can Fang Zhengzhi kill the soldiers?

"One of our generals and many of the deputies died horrible deaths there. The army has been affected by this incident. I hope that the emperor will have the law ministry investigate this!"

All of the officials were unified in their opinions and suggestions.

If not for the fact that Fang Zhengzhi was the Sword Envoy, a rank four official, the law ministry would have already issued an arrest warrant without consulting the emperor.

"Your highness, I know that you care for such a talent. Fang Zhengzhi had just been promoted recently. You're concerned that arresting him now may affect him adversely. However, he has gone overboard this time!" Minister Wan Chong said in fury.

Emperor Lin Mubai frowned.

The army had sent news of the massacre to him. Then, he received a letter from Chi Guyan. Chi Guyan had detailed everything to him.

It was clear who was in the wrong here.

However...

The army had to maintain their standing.

If anyone could just massacre the soldiers, albeit with good reason, then the laws of the country would not be respected. More importantly, the number of soldiers he had killed were too many.

He had killed nearly a hundred, and injured hundreds more. He was not just protecting his village and stopping the army from invading. This was a massacre.

There were too many dead soldiers.

The army's reputation would be destroyed if there wasn't even an investigation.

However, should he let Fang Zhengzhi be investigated by the Law Ministry?

Emperor Lin Mubai hesitated. In the letter, Chi Guyan had described the entire process and explained that Fang Zhengzhi was infuriated as a result of his filial piety, and killed to protect his family.

"Your highness, I think that Fang Zhengzhi should not take all the blame for this!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping stood out.

"Oh, what does Minister Yu think?" Lin Mubai was slightly shocked to hear Yu Yiping's words. After all, Yu Yiping had a run in with Fang Zhengzhi previously.

How could he not have seen it?

"According to my own investigations, the army had bullief the villagers, eating and drinking like kings whilst in the villages. Then, they were ordered to massacre an entire village. That general even injured quite a few villagers. They are a disgrace to the army and should be dealt with!" Yu Yiping glanced at King Duan as he spoke.

"Minister Yu has a point. Sixth brother, you have done wonders with the army, and your achievements are there for all to see. However, their discipline... still needs some work. This could have been prevented!" The Crown Prince added.

King Duan's expression darkened. He knew what Yu Yiping and the Crown Prince were getting at. However, the army was at fault here, and he could not possibly deny that.

"Thank you for the reminder. I will definitely tighten my grip on their discipline. I will also account for their actions in due course!" King Duan did not push the blame away.

He would admit his mistake.

This was much better than trying to argue his way out. After all, everyone knew that the army was humongous. It was only natural for mistakes to occur from time to time.

This was just a small one. Taking responsibility for it would not harm him in any way.

"With King Duan at the helm, I am sure that their discipline will improve!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping answered immediately.

One of the officials behind King Duan was about to step out. However, upon hearing Yu Yiping's words, he stepped back in line, visibly confused.

Yu Yiping stepped forward once again.

"Plonk!" He fell to his knees.

The emperor gestured for Yu Yiping to recover. "Minister Yu, what did you do that for?"

"Your highness, as the left prime minister, I should be virtuous and help you solve your problems. However, I have something on my mind that I would like to say, but it is not something an official should say!"

"Please go ahead!"

"Yes your highness. I don't think that it is important to determine if the army was in the wrong first, or if Fang Zhengzhi's massacre came first. The Law Ministry is in charge of finding that out. My opinion today does not concern any law, it concerns loyalty, moral and values. Fang Zhengzhi tends to overreact and kills without hesitation. He had completely ignored the army and this is not a good sign! I hope that your highness will be careful when using him in the future!"

Yu Yiping kowtowed one more time, tears welling up in his eyes. He looked as loyal and sincere as humanly possible.

All of the officials were stunned by Yu Yiping's words.

Then, they were in awe.

Yu Yiping first helped get Fang Zhengzhi out of trouble, attributing it to the lack of discipline in the army. Then, he resolved that issue easily.

His position was well considered and measured. Furthermore, he had helped the emperor solve the problem.

This was a near perfect act.

Then, he had dealt the killing blow.

He did not talk about any law. He simply talked about loyalty, moral, and values. These seemingly irrelevant points were his method of sealing Fang Zhengzhi's fate.

Loyalty was always the more important. Even when filial piety and loyalty were at conflict, loyalty was always meant to come first.

Yu Yiping had condemned Fang Zhengzhi, claiming that he had no regard for the army or for power.

He was simply calling Fang Zhengzhi disloyal!

With such a passionate plea and a well measured position, the emperor was bound to give it some thought!

Experience does count!

"Your highness, Xing Hou has requested an audience with you!" Just as everyone was admiring Yu Yiping's act, a voice rang out from outside the throne room.

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Chapter 264: Prophecy of the four sages

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

"Xing Hou is back?!"

"How fast!"

All of the officials were stunned when they heard the voice. After all, news of the events on Cang Ling Mountain had just reached the capital recently.

"Have him come in quickly!" Emperor Lin Mubai did not step out of the throne room to welcome him, but he stood up from the throne excitedly.

Before long, Xing Hou, dressed in purple official robes, entered the throne room.

"I have failed your highness, please punish me accordingly!" Xing Yuanguo fell to his knees.

"Official Xing, please rise. I know all about the events on Cang Ling mountain. You have already preserved the pillars of our empire. Where have you failed?" Emperor Lin Mubai comforted.

"Exactly, Xing Hou has suffered so much this time!"

"It is a blessing to the empire that you can return."

All of the officials chimed in. The Stabilisation Constabulary was the pillar of the empire with vast contributions throughout the years. Who dared to say anything against them?

"The main reason why I could save the Mountain Breaking Army and Red Pinion Squad from annihilation is because of Sword Envoy's wit and bravery, as well as Chi Guyan's assistance in the battle. Even though I am guilty, I hope that your highness can reward Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan for their contributions!" Xing Yuanguo continued to kneel.

"Fang Zhengzhi?!"

"He was also on Cang Ling Mountain?"

"What could a nascent Heavenly Reflection State cultivator do?"

All of the officials began discussing Xing Yuanguo's words. His letter had reached the capital two days earlier.

However, he did not go into the details of the happenings on Cang Ling Mountain.

As such, the officials had no idea that Fang Zhengzhi was involved. Little did they expect that Fang Zhengzhi would have made any contributions of note there. What could he have done that would warrant the Stabilisation Constabulary's leader to come request for a reward for him?

Xing Yuanguo rarely involved himself in politics, and had never requested for an official to be rewarded!

Emperor Lin Mubai frowned slightly. He knew Xing Yuanguo's character very well. He would never come asking for a reward for a junior. Now that he did, this man must have done something very important.

"Official Xing, you have weathered much to rush back. I would like to close the discussion on this until tomorrow!" Emperor Lin Mubai waved his hand.

"Yes!"

"Withdraw!"

"Xing Hou, the emperor invites you to the library."

"Yes, your highness!"

Yu Yiping looked at Xing Yuanguo, his eyes glimmering with despair. His near perfect plan was almost complete.

Yet, Xing Yuanguo had come along at just the right time to destroy it.

How could he ever accept it?

"Xing Yuanguo of the Stabilisation Constabulary?! Why would these people who never involved themselves politically speak up for Fang Zhengzhi? King Liqin did so once, now the Stabilisation Constabulary has done so, the Yan Family and the Nangong Family as well... hang on, Nangong Family! If there are no surprises, the top talent who has been in seclusion for four years should reappear soon!"

"Nangong Hao! Four years ago, he managed to defeat Supernatural State cultivators as a Heavenly Reflection State cultivator. Four years later... his potential and abilities promise to excite!"

Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping definitely knew the importance of 'power' in the courts.

Fang Zhengzhi was at his peak. He had broken through all the barriers from the provincial examinations all the way to the imperial one. This was his moment of power.

It was only natural for the neutral parties to ride the wave.

However, once this 'power' was broken, the consequences would be unimaginable. All of the 'backlash' would be enough to paralyze him.

"The court examinations would be where he loses his power!"

Seven days later, the Northern Mountain Village welcomed a very special squad.

They were the best teachers in the Northern Territories. They were proud and haughty. They should have been teaching in the best schools in the land, but they had all been sent to this dilapidated village.

How exasperating.

However, their exasperation did not last for long.

Within half a day, Fang Zhengzhi was able to make these sensei beam like a sun. They walked around the village, spreading happiness to the busy villagers.

This change was confusing for Ping Yang. She simply could not understand what Fang Zhengzhi had done to these teachers.

Their attitudes seemed to have changed completely!

Fang Zhengzhi never told Ping Yang what had transpired when he met the teachers.

Upon meeting them, he gave them one piece of gold each.

All of the sensei were stunned. As teachers, the empire gave them remuneration. How could they accept gold from other sources?

Fang Zhengzhi was not surprised by the sensei reactions. He told them flatly, "From today onwards, I will quadruple your salary. The extra will come from my own pocket, as an incentive!"

All of the sensei looked at each other in confusion. However, when they felt the gold ingot in their hands, they chuckled.

No one here was dumb.

This extra cash was a reimbursement for the hardship they may face when moving to such a village.

Fang Zhengzhi knew exactly what these teachers were thinking. The silver was only able to buy over them temporarily. In order for them to be fully bought over, he had to give them 'hope'.

Then, Fang Zhengzhi made them feel a sense of 'hope' that they had never felt before.

This hope was not something he fluffed up on the spot.

He simply told them about the education model he had in mind. He explained the recruitment of students, to the development of the school and its curriculum. He also told them about splitting up the students into various grades, subjects, and levels.

Initially, the sensei were just moved by the gesture. Then, their thinking began to change. By the end, they were all on the verge of whooping and clapping their approval.

This entire process took four hours.

Then, Fang Zhengzhi played his trump card. He would ensure that this partnership would benefit all parties involved.

Fang Zhengzhi would give the 50 sensei 20% of the profits of the school. However, only those who stayed past the three years would qualify.

This was not harsh. Even without the silvers, they would have to stay here for three years.

Fang Zhengzhi knew that it was impossible for the 50 of them to be completely bought over by his new methods. However, as long as they taught according to his plan, the results would speak for themselves.

He had even introduced the idea of 'stocks' to them.

Three years later...

When they saw the results, he was sure that at least some would stay.

Even if his education method had failed, the education these 50 sensei would provide over the three years would benefit all the students anyways.

This was sufficient for him.

Construction in the Northern Mountain Village continued fervently.

Two days later.

Chi Guyan and Ping Yang left together. When they left, Chi Guyan told Fang Zhengzhi one thing, "Xing Hou has returned to the capital!"

Fang Zhengzhi did not probe. If it was going to rain, he could not do anything to stop it. All he could do was spend some money to buy an umbrella.

Furthermore, he was too busy 'rolling his snowballs'. During his free time, he also had to explain the rules and operation of the school to the sensei.

Wang Anhua was the mediator in these discussions.

Everything was proceeding according to plan. However, Fang Zhengzhi was waiting on one person, a very well informed person.

He had thought that Su Jiu would come, but Wu Yuer was the one who turned up.

A black sedan chair stopped at Fang Zhengzhi's door. Then, more than 10 masked men following behind the sedan chair began bringing silver into Fang Zhengzhi's house.

No one said anything.

Boxes of silver began filling up Fang Zhengzhi's home.

All of the villagers could not believe their eyes.

"Is silver... really that easy to earn?"

Fang Zhengzhi did not speak, nor did he stop them. His lips twitched as he murmured to himself, "This could have been easily done with cheques... the reason for changing them to silver is too obvious."

When the transport of the silvers was done, the door opened from the inside.

However, no one walked out. As such, Fang Zhengzhi had no other choice but to go in.

The moment he entered, he smelled the faint aroma of tea.

"I hear that you are building a school?" A voice rang out.

"It may just be a rumor, why take it so seriously?" Fang Zhengzhi walked to a rosewood table inside the sedan.

There was a lady on the other side of the table.

She wore a blue blouse, a black skirt with golden embroidery and had a scarf on her shoulders. Her eyebrows were a work of art, her skin was white, and there was a red cinnabar in the middle of her forehead.

She was exquisite. Her posture and demeanor were flawless.

Wu Yuer's beauty was undeniable. Her charm was clear for all to see

"What if I saw it for myself?"

"Since you saw it, I can't hide it from you anymore..." Fang Zhengzhi lifted up the glass of tea on the table. He sniffed it, said it was acceptable, then drank it in a single gulp.

"A cup of superior Nine Dragon Red Robe Tea is just acceptable?" Wu Yuer said discontentedly.

"The standard seems to have been raised significantly since our past meetings. What is the reason for that?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled and asked.

"Now that you are a rank four official, and you have grand plans to set up an academy, you have the potential for greatness. The bar has to be raised."

"And then?"

"When news of what happened here reached the capital, all of the officials called for an investigation by the Law Ministry. However, after Xing Hou returned, the emperor quelled all discussion on it. He also did not order you to return."

"I never expected you to have ears in the court as well."

"My guess it that there will be a resolution on this incident when you return to the capital. Your fate would have been decided by then."

"You came all the way here to tell me this?" Fang Zhengzhi served himself another cup of tea.

"In other words, as long as you don't return to the capital, this incident will never be resolved. The law ministry cannot arrest you without a warrant, and you can continue being the Sword Envoy and run your school. Two years later..." Wu Yuer continued.

"What will happen in two years?"

"When the court examinations begin in two years, you can return to partake in them. Your school will also be up and running. I am sure you can take home the top spot and become the top talent." Wu Yuer raised her glass, closed her eyes, and sipped.

"This all sounds good, but your reason for having me wait two years seems a little weak. You said that the issue would be resolved once I return to the capital. Why shouldn't I resolve it earlier rather than later?" Fang Zhengzhi put down his glass, picked up a melon seed and crunched.

"What if I told you that I have intelligence which says that you will have great misfortune if you return to the capital now? Your life might be in danger as well. Is that reason enough?" Wu Yuer placed the cup down, her eyes glowing in anticipation.

"Yes it is." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

Wu Yuer smiled and reached for a melon seed. Just as she prepared to bite down on it...

Fang Zhengzhi spoke.

"However, when I left the capital, I made a promise to a friend. I promised to meet him at the court examinations. I will keep my promises."

"Is a small deal worth more than your life?" Wu Yuer did not seem to understand. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was not known for being an honorable man.

"The deal is not important, the person I made the deal with is important."

"Is it Yan Xiu?"

"Yes."

Wu Yuer was silent. She put back the melon seed on the plate. Then, she poured herself another cup of tea slightly disorientedly.

The steam floated out of the cup, climbing into the air like a dragon.

"If you are destined not to top the court examinations this time, will you participate?" After some time, Wu Yuer spoke again.

"Yes." Fang Zhengzhi asserted.

"Okay then, I hope you can change your fate."

"I have always believed that I am the master of my own fate. Oh yes, who were the people you consulted this time? They aren't some scammers are they?"

"Haha..." Wu Yuer chuckled lightly and did not say anymore. Only this man would dare call the four sages scammers.

"You have travelled such a long way. Why don't you come inside for a rest?" Fang Zhengzhi invited her inside as he admired her figure.

"Ew! I'm off." Wu Yuer rolled her eyes at Fang Zhengzhi.

"I guess being kind isn't appreciated nowadays. Oh yes, please help me with the marketing for my new school. Here is a silver for your troubles!" Fang Zhengzhi stood up to leave, then left behind a silver.

Wu Yuer picked up the silver and placed it in her pocket. She stared at Fang Zhengzhi's back... "This guy is really shameless. However, a silver is still money. It's better than nothing!"

Three months later, the newly renovated academy took its first step towards success. A three storey high school and a two storey high accomodation block was finished. The hunting ground was almost complete, and books were filling up the library.

The road from the village to Huai An County was also complete.

Recruitment was going extremely well. News that the top 50 sensei in the north were here spread quickly.

Furthermore, with the wide road leading to the village, students from everywhere came to the village in search for a spot.

However...

The date of the court examinations was also nearing.

He knew that it was about time he set off for the capital. His only question was... Has Yan Xiu gotten stronger after so long?

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Chapter 265: Top ten

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

It was less than a month to the preliminary examinations of the court examinations. It would take about two weeks to reach the capital.

Fang Zhengzhi did not waste anymore time in the village. After making sure everything was in place, he went to pray at the shrine, accompanied by Zhang Yangping and his parents.

After everything was done, he began the journey back to the capital.

Just as he left the village, he heard of some shocking news. Chi Guyan did not return to the Divine Constabulary, choosing instead to go straight to the Heaven Dao Pavillion.

She also made an oath there.

She would accept Fang Zhengzhi's challenge. However, Fang Zhengzhi had to qualify as a Heaven Dao Pavilion disciple. Furthermore, the duel would be held in public.

The loser would be a slave for a month.

When the news was broken, it swept across the entire empire like a tornado. In the camps, in the restaurants, in the alleys, even at schools and in homes, everyone was talking about it.

Is Fang Zhengzhi insane?

He actually challenged Chi Guyan!

If Fang Zhengzhi had just kept to their deal eight years ago and waited another two years, he could just lose quietly.

However, Fang Zhengzhi had no plans to do that.

Not only had he reminded the world of the challenge, he had brought it forward by two years?!

Someone could overestimate themselves, but they shouldn't use their shamelessness and overconfidence to insult the top talent of the empire.

This was akin to someone announcing their scorn for a well respected god, denouncing the god and splashing the god with dirty water.

Who could ever accept that?

Even if the challenge was to be held two years later, everyone thought that it was impossible for Fang Zhengzhi to win this duel.

"That is ridiculous!"

"You would expect him to know himself better than that!"

"How overconfident!"

"Yes, someone who doesn't even know where he stands is worse than scum!"

Intense discussions were held in every residence across the Great Xia Dynasty. The news was like a spark which ignited a pile of dry tinder.

In actual fact, any other duel would not have riled up the public this much.

However, the duel was between Chi Guyan and a villager. Furthermore, this villager had just broken through into the Heavenly Reflection State.

This had resulted in a very different reaction.

Everyone felt that their goddess was being insulted. They could not help but want to stand up for her.

Furthermore, the difference in their status and the stakes of the challenge fueled the fire in many hearts.

A servant!

Chi Guyan was the treasured daughter of the Divine Constabulary, the top talent of the empire, the future commander-in-chief, and the dream girl of the public. How could she ever be the servant of such a shameless person?!

No one would accept it, even if it was just for a day!

In fact...

It was unimaginable!

Chi Guyan was innocent, generous and classy. She could accept Fang Zhengzhi's challenge calmly, but the public could not.

In times like this, there were people just waiting to fuel the flames.

Ping Yang was one of them.

Ping Yang had no idea that Chi Guyan had accepted Fang Zhengzhi's challenge. When it had happened, she was sleeping soundly.

However, after knowing about it, Ping Yang 'gladly' took advantage of it.

"This shameless fella is also a bully. When we stayed there, he demanded that Sister Yan pay him 15,000 silvers a night!"

Ping Yang began to use this story to defame Fang Zhengzhi.

She successfully enraged the entire community. She then said that Chi Guyan probably only accepted this challenge out of fury.

"Fang Zhengzhi has to atone for his sins at the Heaven Dao Pavilion!"

"He has to start kowtowing from the foot of the pavilion all the way to the pinnacle!"

"He is incredibly shameless!"

Words of fury continued to spread in the capital.

Everyone was condemning Fang Zhengzhi for using such shameless methods to 'force' Chi Guyan into accepting his challenge.

Ping Yang was extremely happy with this result. She saw it as revenge for Fang Zhengzhi's unwillingness to tell her about how he had managed to turn those 50 sensei. Fang Zhengzhi had it coming.

"When he is in the sh*t, I will 'generously' get him out of that sticky situation, hahaha..."

She smiled radiantly as she imagined Fang Zhengzhi's expression when pleading with her to explain the situation to everyone. She couldn't wait for that day.

Is this love and hate?

Ew!

Who would ever fall in love with that shameless guy?!

Ping Yang's words began to gain traction. Many of the disciples of the most influential families discussed about gathering in the capital, preparing to 'welcome' Fang Zhengzhi.

Some of them were the top ten ranking youths in both the Hidden Dragon and Rising Dragon rolls.

Those on the Hidden Dragon Roll were furious, however, they knew that Fang Zhengzhi was already in the Heavenly Reflection State. As such, they could only speak, but they did not take any actions.

However, the Rising Dragon Roll was a different story.

Which of the top 10 on the Rising Dragon Roll was not at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State?

Anyone of them would easily defeat Su Donglin, who Fang Zhengzhi defeated in a 4v1 scenario. It was extremely difficult to climb the upper echelons of the Rising Dragon Roll.

This represented the differences in power even within the same state. Anyone in the top 10 was definitely a talent.

Each of this talents began to announce their participation in the court examinations and the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciple selection.

After all, some of them had already passed the court examinations and qualified for the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciple selection.

It was a pity...

The most highly anticipated piece of news failed to arrive.

The Rising Dragon Roll's second ranked talent, Nangong Hao, never announced any intention to participate in this edition of the court examinations.

Whether Nangong Hao would be participating was something that everyone was concerned about.

After all, as long as Nangong Hao participated in the court examinations, he would definitely challenge Fang Zhengzhi.

The reason was obvious.

As long as Nangong Hao challenged Fang Zhengzhi, Fang Zhengzhi would not have a chance to participate in the Heaven Dao Pavillion disciple selection.

If he could not attend that, how could he challenge Chi Guyan?

Everything would just be a joke.

Fang Zhengzhi had calculated the time required to reach the capital carefully. It did not require much brain power. He simply needed to know his speed.

Even so, he failed to account for the inconveniences he would meet along the way.

The last time, he had travelled with Yan Xiu. They rode the Snow Treading Dragon Stallion, so no one dared to antagonize them along the way. They reached the capital in record time.

This time however...

His entire path seemed to be lit brightly. There were groups of people pointing at him wherever he went.

As such, a curious Fang Zhengzhi spent some silvers to have some tea in a teahouse. He wanted to understand what the commotion was about.

He quickly understood.

Chi Guyan had indeed announced the terms of the challenge to the public. His Snow Treading Stallion became a signpost.

As such, he decided to go by the smaller roads instead.

He would tour the area.

Fang Zhengzhi had nice dreams, but reality was rarely so nice. He did not know why, but all of the bridges he wanted to cross were broken. Furthermore, he kept running into mudslides, torrential rain...

"What the f*ck is going on?" Fang Zhengzhi saw yet another broken bridge. He cursed, dismounted, and took off his clothes.

He had to swim across.

Not far from the bridge, a barefooted all man in a white robe observed Fang Zhengzhi as he swam across the river whilst leading the Snow Treading Dragon Stallion.

He was expressionless.

He watched as Fang Zhengzhi changed into new clothes and remounted his stallion. Then, he began walking towards the bridge. His steps were slow and small, but strangely...

He reached the bridge in no time.

Even more strangely, he did not swim across the river. He simply stepped on it. The moment his feet landed on the wood, the broken bridge seem to come to life, returning to its original state.

There was something formed in chaos before Heaven and Earth existed. It stands unchanging in silence and solitude. It may be the Mother of the world. I do not know its name, so I can only term it Dao. Its greatness is far-reaching... Humans should strive to understand nature, and respect it."

"If your fate is as such, you should accept it! Going against it will only result in tragedy!"

The elderly man continued to chant as his figure disappeared from sight. Within moments, the bridge had disappeared and everything returned to normal.

It was no exaggeration to say that Fang Zhengzhi's journey was filled with problems at every turn. As such, when he arrived at the border city of Dong Lin, he decided to change his appearance.

"Now that I have changed to a lady's disguise, I would like to see who can recognize me!"

Being envied by others showed that he was not mediocre. Fang Zhengzhi had never felt that he was mediocre, so he was not too angered by the trials. After all, he was prepared for those.

However, he was a little short on time.

If he had to go through so many barriers, he may not make it in time for the court examinations.

However...

He had underestimated the influence of Chi Guyan. He had also underestimated the number of admirers Chi Guyan had.

When he stepped into Dong Lin City with his Snow Treading Dragon Stallion, he was stopped.

"Fang Zhengzhi, I think that you should go back to your village. You should not partake in the court examinations. You might break your limbs if you participate!"

A young man stepped out from amidst the raucous laughter.

He was about 26 years old, slightly tanned, had thick eyebrows, but donned a pristine white robe.

"Aish... I'm in a rush, you can all come at me together!" Fang Zhengzhi sighed. He had lost count of the number of people he had to defeat along the way. It was getting boring.

"All together?! Hahaha... Fang Zhengzhi, open your eyes wide! This is Yu Wengu, ranked 10 on the Rising Dragon Roll. He is at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State!" One of the youths standing next to the white robed man nearly burst out laughing.

"Ranked 10 on the Rising Dragon Roll?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he looked at Yu Wengu.

"Fang Zhengzhi, I do not know if I am the unlucky one, or you are. I had already announced that I will participate in the court examinations and defeat you there. I never expected to meet you here." Yu Wengu beamed.

"And so?" Fang Zhengzhi asked curiously.

"I am exasperated too, but I guess it is Heaven's will that you don't make it to the capital!"

"Why?"

"How can someone with a broken leg participate in the court examinations? Don't you agree? Oh... I almost forgot, you're a rank four official now. I can't just break your leg like that. It would be an insult to you. Let me change my clothes."

As Yu Wengu spoke, someone presented him a set of official robes and put it on him. He beamed as he put his arms through the sleeves, "I may not be as high ranking as you, but that's no problem, I can just add my hereditary knighthood. That's about right isn't it? Sword Envoy, your honor!"

"I think... what you say makes sense!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded his approval.

Nothing in this world ever went according to plan.

Countless talents were making their way into the capital, trying to have a go at Fang Zhengzhi. They all wanted to be the one to defeat him.

Just as the discussions were reaching a peak, a piece of shocking news rocked the capital. Many of the talents were rooted in their places.

The reason was...

Yu Wengu, ranked 10 on the Rising Dragon Roll, met Fang Zhengzhi in Dong Lin City. Yu Wengu's legs had been broken and he exasperatingly announced his withdrawal from the court examinations.

Fang Zhengzhi rose from rank 53 to rank 10 on the Rising Dragon Roll.

He became the first person in the history of the Great Xia Dynasty to rank amongst the top 10 on the Rising Dragon Roll within six months of breaking through into the Heavenly Reflection State.

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Chapter 266: Four birds with one stone

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

This was quite the plot twist.

Initially, no one had thought much about Fang Zhengzhi's challenge against Chi Guyan. After all, the difference between rank 1 and 53 was too great.

However...

Now that he was in the top 10... things were slightly different.

Furthermore, according to eyewitnesses, the battle was not as intense as imagined. After a few rounds, Yu Wengu was defeated.

Many of those who were not as powerful as Yu Wengu began to worry.

They had no qualms about schooling someone of lower ability than them. However, if this man was powerful enough to rank in the top 10 of the Rising Dragon Roll...

Who would be this masochistic?

No one was a fool.

Inside the capital, carriages stopped in front of the Crown Prince's residence every so often.

Inside the residence, all of the officials sat around drinking tea. They discussed various political issues, but no one discussed Fang Zhengzhi.

Before long, the Crown Prince walked out from the throne room, accompanied by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.

"Forget the pleasantries, just tell me what you think of the court examinations!" The Crown Prince began toying with a piece of jade as he took his seat.

His gaze scanned across all of the gathered officials. His expression was gentle, but his eyes glimmered subtly.

Yu Yiping took his seat right at the front, but he did not speak.

"Your highness, I have an insignificant opinion." A rank four official, about 28 years old, stood up and walked to the middle of the room.

"Go ahead." The Crown Prince glanced at him, then commanded.

In the imperial courts, any 28 year old who could make it to a rank four official was quite the powerful individual. However, in the residence of the Crown Prince, he was just a plankton.

There were other higher ranked officials ahead of him. Some of them were even rank one...

As such, when this youth stepped out, all of the officials glanced at him with disdain. Some other even shook their heads and sighed.

"Young man, know your place!"

"Forget it, give the young man a chance."

Many of the officials sighed under their breaths. Then, they looked around and discussed some political matters.

"The emperor traditionally sets the questions for the imperial examinations. He will also be the chief examiner for them. History tells us that the emperor's questions tend to be more practical in nature. As such, I was thinking... why don't we take this chance to kill four birds with one stone."

The youth's gaze was calm. He bowed and said every word deliberately and slowly, ignoring the gazes of those around him.

"Oh? Four birds with one stone? Please elaborate!" The Crown Prince was slightly moved and he adjusted himself in his seat.

All of the other officials looked on in scorn. It was good for a young man to have confidence, but promising four birds with one stone was a little overboard.

"Yes your highness. The first one is to help allay the worry of the emperor. The emperor worries about country, citizens, and his empire. Even though the court examinations are important, it is nowhere near as important as any of those other concerns. Ever since Xing Hou's return from Cang Ling Mountain, the emperor is most concerned with the border territories!" The youth elaborated.

"What is your name? What is your current position?" The Crown Prince began to take this man seriously.

This was not a good question to ask, and it should never have been asked by the Crown Prince. Even though the youth was quite low ranking, he was one of the Crown Prince's officials.

To not know the name of one's officials was nothing to be proud of.

However, the Crown Prince asked it anyways. Furthermore, when the youth heard the question, he beamed.

When the scornful officials heard the Crown Prince's question, their eyes revealed shades of jealousy.

The mind of the emperor.

It did not matter if he knew your name right now.

It mattered if he would remember your name in the future. Since the Crown Prince had asked for his name in the presence of so many officials, he would not ask ever again.

In other words, this man's name will be etched in the Crown Prince's mind from this day on.

Similarly, this youth's name will be remembered by all of the officials.

"Your highness, I am Su Qing. I am currently a messenger in the Imperial Academy, and I pen letters!" Su Qing bowed once again.

"Su Qing? You do surpass your teacher, mm, not bad!" The Crown Prince nodded.

"Your highness, official Su was ranked second in the imperial examinations four years ago!" One of the aides by the Crown Prince's side whispered.

"Oh? And you were ranked second four years ago... wasn't that the year Nangong Hao participated?" The Crown Prince's eyes glowed.

"Yes your highness. I was not as good as him, and he defeated me four years ago. However, Nangong Hao is incredibly talented, I am not ashamed to have lost to him!" Su Qing replied respectfully.

"Mm, losing to Nangong Hao really isn't much of a loss. You mentioned some concerns about the border territories. Are you talking about the Southern Mountain Range?" The Crown Prince nodded and queried.

"Exactly, the Stabilisation Constabulary's expedition to Cang Ling Mountain should be known by all. This incident was caused by an ambush started by the demons. More importantly, Shan Jia from the premier family in the Southern Mountain Range had a role to play in it. As such, the problem there is the main thing on the emperor's mind!" Su Qing replied.

"You are right. This is what my father is most concerned about. However, how does this link to the court examinations?" The Crown Prince acknowledged Su Qing's point.

"Your highness, after I passed the imperial examinations, I have examined the questions for the past 10 editions of the court examinations. The combat examinations eventually determine the top spot. As for the theory examinations, there are questions on politics, military, cultivation etc., there are also questions on the six ministries - Personnel, Revenue, Law, Rites, War, and Work! The emperor has always placed a huge emphasis on the court examinations, especially since it is the last exam. Based on the current dynamic of the courts, he will aim to use this to appease the four vassals and allay the fears of the public!"

"Appease the four vassals and allay the fears of the public?" All of the officials were stunned by what they heard. For an imperial messenger to know the past year court examination questions was not unexpected. However, for someone like that to have such foresight was rare.

"Yes, the emperor lacks people who can appease the four vassal states! As such, my guess is that the emperor will set questions on that!" Su Qing said confidently.

"Official Su, your analysis is thorough. You are concerned about the people and have shown a great appreciation for the intent of the emperor! Since you can guess what the emperor wants, why didn't you participate in the court examinations four years ago?" The Crown Prince asked doubtfully.

"I hope to serve the nation, not become a sage. I have already spent over 20 years studying the Law of Dao. Since I passed the imperial examinations, why waste more time attending the court examinations?"

"Hahaha... Official Su, you are quite the maverick! There are many in the courts who chose this path because the couldn't make it in the cultivation world. However, you chose to give up cultivation!" The Crown Prince chuckled.

"My ambitions are small, your highness!" Su Qing replied respectfully.

"It does not matter. Everyone has different dreams. Official Su, you have a heart for politics, and your future is bright! Tell us more about your plan." The Crown Prince waved.

"Yes, firstly, you will be able to allay the concerns of the emperor. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a son. Secondly, you can strengthen ties with the vassal states. That is a duty that you will fulfill as a leader of this empire. As for the third and fourth, these were results that I did not plan for. However, with things as they are, we have no other choice!"

"Tell me about it!"

"In the courts, the Crown Prince controls the politics and King Duan controls the army. This is the will of the emperor. However, should you ascend the throne one day, you have no one in the army... This is not good for the public. As such, for the stability of the empire, you must plan ahead!"

"My father does not like me to meddle in the affairs of the military."

"That is the case if you participate directly. However, you could influence it in a way that comes under your jurisdiction!"

"Oh? How would I do that?"

"I hear that the annual exercise is about to happen soon. If... if this exercise is linked to the court examinations in some way, then it is only right that you have a say in it!"

"Link the exercise with the court examinations? Good plan, good plan! Quickly, tell me what the fourth benefit is!" The Crown Prince was getting excited.

This man was mature well beyond his age. Furthermore, he had a mind of an experienced politician. Most importantly, he was committed to politics!

All of the other officials were captivated. They no longer talked amongst themselves, their gazes fixed firmly on Su Qing.

Even Yu Yiping glanced at Su Qing. However, he did not take a second glance.

"The fourth benefit concerns Fang Zhengzhi."

"Fang Zhengzhi? I see... what does Official Su think of Fang Zhengzhi?" The Crown Prince was taken aback. He leaned forward in anticipation.

"I believe that you should stabilize the Eastern Palace. However, Fang Zhengzhi is the biggest variable here. It would be best to eliminate him, but..."

"But what?"

"Fang Zhengzhi is already in the system. In order to convict a rank four official of a crime, the emperor has to make the final decision. Right now, Fang Zhengzhi is at his peak, and there are many unknowns standing behind him. Chi Guyan, King Liqin, Xing Hou, the Yan Family... are just some of them. They may not have made their stands clear, but we cannot put them out of the equation!"

"You are correct."

"As such, I do not think that this is the right time to kill Fang Zhengzhi. Even though the time is not right, you should focus on stabilizing the Eastern Palace. When things take a turn for the better, you can use someone else to do the killing for you!" Su Qing's eyes glimmered without any killing intent.

His eyes were calm like a lake. It seemed like killing was not something that bothered him at all.

"Have someone else kill him for me? I see... you have told me the four benefits. So, what is the plan?" The Crown Prince gripped the jade in his hand tightly.

"Yes, my method is simple. The Crown Prince can just observe the theory examinations. However, for the combat examinations, you can pitch the Southern Mountain Range as the location for it. Even though we have traditionally used pocket dimensions for these examinations, recent events can be a chance for you to convince the emperor otherwise!" Su Qing said solemnly.

"What? Hold the combat examinations in the Southern Mountain Range?!"

"Official Su, this may not be wise for the Crown Prince. The Southern Mountain Range is not stable right now, why would the emperor agree to hold the combat examination there?"

All of the officials stepped forward when they heard that.

"Your honors, that's where you are all wrong. The emperor is likely to agree to it precisely because the Southern Mountain Range is not stable!" Su Qing shook his head confidently.

Just as an official was about to rebut, he was pulled back by yet another official. When the official saw the Crown Prince's expression, he swallowed his words.

"Official Su, you make a lot of sense. However, how will holding the combat examinations there help me get these four benefits?" The Crown Prince asked appreciatively.

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Chapter 267: The Court Examinations begin

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

Yu Yiping put down the cup of tea in his hand. Even though he did not look at Su Qing, he was clearly impressed with him.

Su Qing bowed to the Crown Prince once again.

"Your highness, the court examinations are one of the most important events in the empire. By holding the examinations there, we show that we trust and value the Southern Mountain Range. Furthermore, we can use this opportunity to find out their attitude towards the Great Xia Dynasty. Even if they are opposed to it, they will not rebel openly. This will serve our first purpose." After bowing, Su Qing elaborated without delay.

The Crown Prince nodded as Su Qing explained.

"The court examination is also the best time for us to showcase our power. Countless talents and elites will be there. This will serve the purpose of deterrence and intimidation. After seeing our power, they will think twice before trying anything! This serves our second purpose, quelling the unrest in the vassal states!" Su Qing added.

"Well said! The plan will achieve the above two aims. How will we achieve the final two though?" The Crown Prince could barely contain his excitement.

"The second and third benefits are linked. The candidates alone are insufficient to stun and awe the Southern Mountain Range. As such, we have to combine it with the annual military exercise. This will ensure that we have a strong military presence there. When that happens, there is no way they can object!"

"That is indeed the case. If we had just held the military exercise there, they would not object, but it would be a blatant intimidation technique. However, the rules of the court examinations dictate that the candidates can bring the soldiers over the border. This is a much more friendly approach!" The Crown Prince nodded his approval.

"I am impressed by your highness' foresight. Furthermore, as part of the rules of the examination, you can oversee the examination on behalf of the emperor. The emperor needs to govern the country from the capital. As such, he cannot go to the Southern Mountain Range personally. Then, you can become the chief examiner for the court examinations as well. On the contrary, King Duan will only be a supporting cast member. You will also be able to helm the military exercise as a result..."

"Good, very good! Tell me about the last one!"

"The last one is for someone else to do the killing for you. King Duan has a rocky relationship with Fang Zhengzhi. I am sure that with some help from you, King Duan would not relinquish such a golden opportunity." Su Qing knelt.

"Official Su, please rise! You are right! Holding the combat examinations at the Southern Mountain Range is a stroke of genius! We will also have a military presence. When I am invigilating, all I have to do is have a moment of 'lapse'. I am sure sixth brother would not give up such an opportunity, hahaha... okay then, any other opinions?" The Crown Prince asked contentedly.

"Official Su has great foresight. I do not have any other opinions!" Yu Yiping stood up from his chair and bowed to the crown prince.

All of the other officials looked at each other and nodded. They were not stupid. Su Qing's plan was good and had the approval of both the Crown Prince and Yu Yiping. They were not going to express any differing opinions.

"Good, then let's get to work!"

Deep in the night.

Inside a secret chamber in King Duan's residence.

A youth wearing the armor of the guards stood in the middle. King Duan sat in front of him on a raised platform.

Next to King Duan were Mr Hua in the robes of an academic and Elder Wen in black and white.

"Your highness, I have acted in accordance to your instructions and presented the plan to the Crown Prince. From his expression, he seems to agree!" The youth raised his head slightly.

This was the rank four official Su Qing.

"Good, well done!" King Duan smiled when he heard what Su QIng said.

"Your highness, Su Qing has done a great service by presenting the Crown Prince with such a plan!" Mr Hua stood up and helped Su Qing to his seat.

"Thank you Mr Hua. However, it is not over yet. It is still a little too early to ask for a reward. I have brought over the reward the Crown Prince sent me. Your highness, please take it!" Su Qing bowed to Mr Hua, then to King Duan.

"Hahaha... Official Su has risked much this time. You have also managed to fool the Left Prime Minister. You can keep the reward from the Crown Prince. Also, I have a pearl of the east, and it is something our vassal state gave me. It is now yours!" King Duan flicked his hand and the starry pearl was thrown out.

"Thank you your highness!" Su Qing kowtowed.

"Your highness, everything is now in place. We just await the commencement of the court examinations. I will now rush to the Southern Mountain Range to prepare!" Elder Wen stepped out.

"Good, thank you. Only you can control the Southern Mountain Range. The success of our plan hinges on you!? King Duan stood up and bowed to Elder Wen.

"Your highness, you're too kind! I will take my leave first!"

"Elder Wen, it is getting dark, let me see you out!" Mr Hua walked to Elder Wen's side.

"Okay!" Elder Wen nodded to Mr Hua.

The Chung Yeung Festival, also known as the Double Nine Festival, was one of the four biggest festivals in the dynasty. There were always a myriad of activities on this day.

This year's Chung Yeung Festival was particularly meaningful.

The sun was high.

The aura of autumn was dense at the Eastern Gate. Golden chrysanthemums were placed around the square. In the middle was a grand, festive stage draped in red silk.

Rows of guards in golden armor stood around the square. Their expressions were solemn. The public stretched their necks and jumped to get a better look of the square.

On the stage.

Emperor Lin Mubai led the ceremony.

As one of the biggest festivals, the Chung Yeung Festival had a myriad of traditions and ceremonies. After almost two hours, they were just about done with all of them.

After emperor Lin Mubai poured a glass of wine on the ground, the ceremony was officially over.

The heat was building as the sun shone overhead.

However, none of the officials left. There was another important event today - the opening ceremony of the imperial examinations and the preliminary court examinations.

They had chosen this date for a particular reason. Firstly, they were honoring the contributions of the ancestors and this could inspire the candidates to contribute to the empire. Furthermore, the imperial combat examinations were stopped due to unforeseen circumstances before. It was not to convenient to simply hold a retest.

As a result, they named the retest the preliminary court examination. They also set it on this day so that it could be a Chung Yeung Festival activity.

This would also allow the candidates to showcase their talents to the ancestors as a form of respect.

The gong rang out.

The preliminary court examinations were underway.

As a result of the accident previously, there were only about a dozen survivors. This was not going to be too difficult.

The rules were simple. They would draw lots to set up the bracket.

Their names began to appear on the board. Fang Zhengzhi, Yan Xiu, Xing Qingsui, Nangong Mu were all on it.

However...

There was no Qing Yang.

Ping Yang sat to the right of the emperor, dressed in a reddish golden robe. She pouted in discontent.

All of the officials were not shocked by this.

Everyone knew that Qing Yang was Ping yang.

However, more importantly, Ping Yang had gone behind the emperor's back and ran out of the capital. Not scolding her was already pampering her.

How could he possibly let Ping Yang continue to make trouble at the court examinations?

The bracket was based on the last known result in the World of the Sage. Most of the candidates had only entered the third round.

Nangong Mu, Xing Qingsui, and Fang Zhengzhi were the only ones who had entered the fourth round.

As such, these three names were taken out of the draw and placed into the second round to ensure fairness.

All of the candidates waited in anticipation.

However...

The officials were shocked to see that Fang Zhengzhi was not there.

Ten days ago, news that Fang Zhengzhi had defeated Yu Wengu in Dong Lin City spread like wildfire. That journey should ordinarily only take seven days.

However, Fang Zhengzhi did not appear. Furthermore, there was no news that he had even made it to the city.

He was late?!

This was something that all the officials refused to believe. This was the preliminary court examinations. The court examinations were one of the most important events, and something that the talents valued immensely.

When was anyone ever late?

"This is an insult to everyone!"

"This is not just an insult! I think that Fang Zhengzhi is so wildly confident he has no regard for the court examinations!"

"The people in the court examinations are quite powerful. I guess Fang Zhengzhi decided to give up? Forget about it. If he doesn't appear by the time he needs to compete, his opponent will be given a walkover!"

"Even though he will still pass the preliminary court examinations even if he doesn't turn up, he will not make the top three."

"I guess the top three will be a contest between Xing Qingsui, Nangong Mu, and Yan Xiu."

"Yan Xiu just entered the Heavenly Reflection State recently. Even though he managed to rank second in the Theory Examinations, he would need quite a bit of luck to rank high in the combat examinations."

"I'm afraid his luck isn't good!"

Discussions began to break out below.

Yan Xiu's luck was really not very good. Even though he did not have to face Xing Qingsui or Nangong Mu, he had to fight one of the most powerful remaining candidates.

He was a forty year old man who had broken through to the Heavenly Reflection State many years ago.

"The third round, Yan Xiu vs Chen Yuanfang!"

After two rounds of competition, a voice reverberated throughout the square.

All eyes turned on Yan Xiu, whose eyes were closed. Today, he wore a white robe and white leather shoes.

Over the past few months, he did not look much different.

However, he was clearly more tired. Furthermore, his face was considerably slimmer than before.

"I heard that Yan Xiu had stayed home the past few months. I wonder what he has been up to?"

"Who cares. It is almost impossible for him to go from the nascent stage to the intermediate stage in that short period of time. Furthermore, his opponent has been in the intermediate stage for five years."

"Even though it will be difficult, I think that Yan Xiu has a chance at winning. After all, he has the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan, one of the five treasures of the Yan Family."

"This will be exciting. I heard that Yan Xiu was powerful, now I get to see it for myself!"

Yan Xiu ignored all the chatter around him. He stood up from his chair and squinted as he walked towards the stage.

He arrive in the blink of an eye.

His opponent was decked out in armor from head to toe. He held a flaming red axe in his hand.

An aura of head radiated from that man's body as subtle wafts of red smoke twirled above his head.

The weapon gave away what kind of fighting technique he used.

People who used axes generally relied on strength.

Chen Yuanfang was the representation of strength.

"Begin!"

The invigilator's voice rang out and Chen Yuanfang sprang into action. He swung his axe, an aura of intimidation and power radiating from it.

He was almost 40 years old.

Even though he did not make much headway in the courts, he was famed in the army. He was reputed to be even more terrifying than a charging wild beast.

His long career in the military gave him much invaluable experience.

He knew that Yan Xiu had the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan. As such, he had to strike even before Yan Xiu could activate the Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan.

"You're from the Yan Family? Yan Xiu, you are a talent! It is a pity you are too young! I have seen your Mountain and River, Heaven and Earth Fan before. However, you have never seen my Flaming Buffalo!" Chen Yuanfang's eyes widened as he stared at Yan Xiu. His axe was lowered as flames burnt brightly around his body. He looked just like a raging buffalo.

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Chapter 268: Yan Xiu's abilities

Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations

He had made his territory into the shape of a ferocious beast.

This was one of the most common techniques in the military. It was the most direct and effective method of increasing one's attack power.

It was domineering and simple.

Columns of flame shot skyward. Chen Yuanfang was not holding back. He could not have possibly held back anyways. He wanted to finish Yan Xiu off quickly, so he put everything he had into his first attack.

All of the officials nodded their approval when they saw that.

"As one of the core disciples of the Yan Family, Yan Xiu has the advantage in technique. However, Chen Yuanfang is smart to not let him use that advantage!"

"Suppressing Yan Xiu using his strength and power is the best option!"

"Being slightly weaker, I think Yan Xiu will choose a skirmish battle. Yan Xiu can use the Wind Shadow Technique to dodge around. I think it will be difficult for Chen Yuanfang to suppress him completely."

All of the officials nodded along and guessed how the fight would develop.

Predicting and commentating on the battle was one of the hobbies of the officials. During the discussion, they could showcase their foresight.

It was akin to attending an art exhibition. It was insufficient to say that the art was nice. One had to compliment it on particular areas and show an appreciation for the techniques used. This was the only way to showcase one's understanding.

This was politics.

There were too little opportunities to showcase one's abilities in public. As such, commentating was the only way they showed the others that they knew how to 'fight'.

The officials used their own experiences to judge each action.

However...

They had forgot to account for one problem. The person facing off against Chen Yuanfang was not just the heir to the Yan Family. He was only the third person, after Fang Zhengzhi, to attain the Heavenly Reflection State before 18.

His name was Yan Xiu!

In that moment, the jaws of all the officials dropped as they looked on in disbelief.

Yan Xiu did not choose to skirmish with the Wind Shadow Technique.

Instead, he charged.

"So reckless?!"

This was something that no one had expected. Everyone didn't think that it was possible. It was simply not rational to recklessly go up against such a powerful intermediate Heavenly Reflection State cultivator as a nascent Heavenly Reflection State cultivator.

However, that was exactly what Yan Xiu did.

Furthermore, when he charged, his body did not undergo any changes or radiate any power. There was no fire, no ice, not even a gust of wind.

"You're insane!" Chen Yuanfang's eyes widened. He could not believe that Yan Xiu would charge him so recklessly. Yan Xiu was clearly scorning him.

He was underestimating his opponent even though he was weaker.

That was courting death!

Chen Yuanfang would not let such a great opportunity slip by. He raised the axe in his hand and the flames shot skyward. The flames morphed into a three layered tsunami and crashed towards Yan Xiu.

If Yan Xiu underestimated him, he would teach Yan Xiu a lesson in blood.

However, in that moment, he saw a red slow glow rise from the ground.

Chen Yuanfang's gaze froze instantly.

When he saw the sword glow, it meant that the sword was already inches from his face. This blade had broke his three layered fire tsunami in an instant.

"Boom!"

His body was thrown into the air and he landed below the stage.

The duel was over.

A light breeze could be felt from afar as it caressed the shocked faces of the officials.

"Yan Xiu won?!"

"He won in a single round?"

"How is that possible? How can an intermediate stage Heavenly Reflection State cultivator lose to a nascent stage one in a single round? And they fought head on!"

"What the hell has Yan Xiu been doing the past month?"

All of the officials were stunned. They knew that Yan Xiu was a talent, but that did not mean that they would accept this fact. After all, a experience and ability were of more value in a duel

"Did Yan Xiu enter that place?"

"Are you talking about the area protected by the Yan Family... I don't think that's possible? Yan Xiu just broke through recently, how can the Yan Family risk his life?"

"I don't think they would. Even the pinnacle Heavenly Reflection State cultivators have less than 30% chance of survival. As a nascent stage Heavenly Reflection cultivator, his chances of survival would not exceed 1%!"

"If he didn't come out from that place, how could he have improved this much over the course of just a few months?"

"The Yan Family of Western Liang... if Yan Xiu really went there, then this court examinations would really be exciting!"

All of the officials discussed the duel fervently. When they finished, they looked at Yan Xiu differently.

Their gazes were filled with respect and appreciation.

However, Yan Xiu did not bother about these things. He raised his head and looked towards the city gates. He recalled the scene from a few months ago.

"I will defeat you when we meet in the court examinations!"

"Haha... stop bragging, I am very strong now!"

Subconsciously, he began to smile. That was a smile from his heart. However, it quickly disappeared, replaced by a calm and cold expression.

"I am here, where are you?"

Fang Zhengzhi was getting quite depressed.

He had thought that he would face less troubles after defeating Yu Wengu and dressing up as a lady. In actual fact, the number of challengers had decreased.

However, he kept being stymied along the way by environmental factors. They seemed to be increasing in frequency.

In order to cross the rivers, he had to strip and re wear his clothes. Furthermore, his current ride was a far cry from his Snow Treading Dragon Stallion. It had to 'rest' every hundred miles, else, it would start foaming.

He kept being slowed down along the way.

Even the gods would fume if they faced such problems, much less a human.

Fang Zhengzhi stared at the rocks blocking the small road ahead. He dismounted in exasperation and climbed the rocks, lugging his stallion behind.

"If I find out which b*stard did something so f*cked up, I will go after your sister!"

"Sister? My sister is a little old... do you really want to do that?" A weak voice rang out from within the mountain.

The first round of the court examinations were over quickly.

The second round bracket was drawn. Fang Zhengzhi's name was naturally inside, but he did not have the luck of the draw.

His opponent was...

Nangong Mu!

Is that Nangong Mu of the Nangong family?"

"Fang Zhengzhi is really out of luck. To think that he would meet Nangong Mu in his first duel!"

"Nangong Mu is at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State. Furthermore, he has learnt the Green and Blue Secret Art, one of the premier techniques of the Nangong Family. He is no weaker than Yu Wengu!"

"Speaking of Yu Wengu, I wonder how Fang Zhengzhi managed to defeat him?"

"Is he not here yet?"

Voices began to ring out as the crowd grew restless. According to the rules of the examination, failure to turn up was akin to withdrawing.

"I guess he really is hiding!"

"If it was anyone else, Fang Zhengzhi's absence would be surprising. However, since it is Nangong Mu, it isn't all that weird."

"That's true!"

On the stage, Nangong Mu went silent as he scanned the restless crowd.

He was calm, choosing not to speak.

The Green and Blue Swords in his hand continued to glow subtly.

Time crept...

After five minutes, Fang Zhengzhi still did not show up.

The invigilator was growing impatient. After all, the emperor and all of the officials were present.

He subconsciously glanced in King Duan's direction.

This was also the retest of the imperial examinations. Since the chief examiner, Han Zhangfeng, was being held by the law ministry, King Duan was the one in charge.

"Announce it!" King Duan nodded.

"Sixth brother, I heard that Fang Zhengzhi arrived in Dong Lin City 10 days ago. I am sure he is in the vicinity. This court examination concerns their future, why don't..." The Ninth Prince advised.

"Should we just let the emperor and all the officials continue waiting? Ninth brother, as a prince, can you not weigh the importance of the two?" King Duan asked solemnly.

"What I mean is we can have the other duels fought first, that way..."

"Push this duel back? Ninth brother, I have to chide you now. I do not care for you usual laziness, but do note where we are right now! The emperor and all the officials are watching! If we delay the duel for everyone who is late, what are the rules for? Without respect for the rules, who will respect the law? How can a country run without laws?" King Duan chided.

"Yes... sixth brother is right!"

"Okay then, announce the results according to the rules!" King Duan waved his hand, signalling to the invigilator to announce the results.

"Yes, sir!" The invigilator nodded when he saw the sign.

However, at that very moment, Nangong Mu fell to his knees. He paled and looked to be in extreme pain.

All of the officials looked on doubtfully.

"What is happening to Nangong Mu?"

"He was just fine moments ago, why does he look like he's dying now?"

Emperor Lin Mubai glanced at Nangong Mu's pained expression and stood up from his throne. Nangong Mu was kneeling at him.

"Call the doctor!"

"Yes!"

"I am here!" A voice rang out from the crowd. Then, a middle aged man sprinted onto the stage.

All of the officials were getting anxious.

However, the expressions of Yu Yuping, Lin Tianrong, and King Duan all turned ugly.

They could tell that Nangong Mu was just buying time.

However, with the doctor around, they had to suppress what they felt. After all, if Nangong Mu was faking it, the doctor could definitely tell.

Before long, the middle aged doctor stood up.

"Your highness, Nangong Mu's pulse is unsteady and he looks like he is having a panic attack. Even though it is not major, I think he needs to rest for a while!"

"Since that is the case, let's delay this duel!" Lin Mubai nodded and returned to his seat.

"Yes, your highness!" The invigilator nodded and announced, "Due to Nangong My's panic attack, this duel with Fang Zhengzhi is postponed to round 5."

"Thank you your highness!" Nangong Mu forced himself to his knees to thank the emperor.

"A panic attack at this time? Isn't it too much of a coincidence? If he had just controlled it for a moment longer, he would have won and been able to rest!"

"Official Li, do you see it?"

"Yes!"

"Do you think anyone doesn't know what he's doing?"

"Nangong Mu had spoken up for Fang Zhengzhi in the throne room. I have heard that he is an introvert and a recluse. I never expected him to be friends with Fang Zhengzhi."

"I don't think that's very possible. It's probably just because Fang Zhengzhi saved him in the World of the Sage!"

The duels continued despite the discussions below.

The second duel was between Xing Qingsui and a nascent Heavenly Reflection State candidate. The candidate had already suffered some injuries from his first round.

When he saw that his opponent was Xing Qingsui, he wanted to concede.

However, Xing Qingsui did not want to let that happen.

He shouted at the top of his lungs, "A man never retreats!" Then, he kicked that pitiful candidate onto the stage. After some brutal hits, Xing Qingsui kicked him off.

The candidate cried as he rolled in the dust. He swore to serve the country loyally and never retreat.

All of the officials were stunned by what they saw. They could only exclaim, "The Stabilisation Constabulary's determination and spirit is admirable! It is no wonder they are so powerful!"

The third duel was between two middle aged nascent Heavenly Reflection candidates. It was a tough fight, and one of them eventually won a pyrrhic victory.

Yan Xiu was up next.

Just as all of the officials were expecting Yan Xiu to showcase his technique, something dumbfounding happened...

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