Read Gate of God - Chapter 458: The last Fruit of Dao online free - Light Novel Full
Chapter 458: The last Fruit of Dao
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Coming out of the Light of the Sage alive...
This was something unfathomable, but Fang Zhengzhi had done it. He was standing on a huge branch, his body covered in blood.
"How painful!" Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched. He was being honest, the pain had cut deep to his bones.
He felt like every inch of his body was burning.
Other than pain...
He also felt bloated. All of the energies in his body were swirling around and clashing with each other. He felt as though his body was going to explode.
He wondered if this was the after effects of what he had just done...
"I see!" Canyang's voice echoed out as the golden light disappeared and morphed into a single figure.
The golden symbol continued to glow on Canyang's head.
His eyes were lifeless and he was pale. However, in comparison to Fang Zhengzhi, he had fared much better.
At least his blue robe was still intact.
Below...
Countless eyes were fixated on the human and demon in the sky. They were all trying to guess what Canyang meant.
I see?
Could it be...
A thought flashed past the minds of everyone present. When they looked at Fang Zhengzhi again, their gazes were conflicted.
Gone was the shock...
It was replaced with a myriad of feelings, including respect, hurt, joy, amidst others...
"Sister Yan, could it be..." Ping Yang's lips quivered as she looked at the bloody figure in the sky.
"Yes, he did it!" Chi Guyan replied before Ping Yang could finish her sentence. She was also trembling...
Yun Qingwu did not speak, but she gripped her dress tightly, so much so that her knuckles whitened.
Her dress flapped in the wind.
It was a beautiful sight, but it was strangely tragic as well.
Fang Zhengzhi clenched his fist.
He did not want to die. That was why he resorted to this. He had no idea what the consequences were.
But he knew one thing...
If he didn't do this, there was only one fate that awaited him. Death.
Canyang would never let him off.
He would fight to the bitter end!
The demons could drain their demonic eye of power to give themselves a boost of energy. Fang Zhengzhi was doing the same thing now.
He did not have a demonic eye...
But...
He had Fruits of Dao.
Each of the fruits on the tree contained a vast amount of energy. As such, he decided to eat them all!
"You may die." Canyang 'looked' at Fang Zhengzhi, his voice flat and calm.
"Yes, but like you said, it's only a possibility. Who knows how it would end?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"Mm, you are correct." Canyang nodded after some hesitation.
Fang Zhengzhi did not speak.
Neither did he wait.
He couldn't afford to wait.
From the moment he had swallowed that first fruit, he knew that the clock was ticking.
He clenched his fists.
"Bang!"
That was the sonic boom created by his fist flying through the air past the speed of sound.
At the same time, a multitude of colors glowed on his body. The blood on his body clotted and the deep wounds began to heal at a rate that the naked eye could see.
The next moment...
Fang Zhengzhi had arrived in front of Canyang. He punched with all his might, his body bathing in the multi-colored light.
This was an unstable light...
It looked extremely radiant, but each ray of light was tugging at and crashing into each other.
Canyang was not surprised by Fang Zhengzhi's sudden attack. When Fang Zhengzhi raised his fist, Canyang used his right fist to match the attack. He had already calculated Fang Zhengzhi's speed.
"Boom!"
The golden light was bright.
A domineering wave of force crashed towards Fang Zhengzhi. This was complete domination.
The fists parted.
Then, a figure came crashing down from the sky.
Columns of dust and rock were sent flying skyward.
At the same time, the tree began to shake as countless leaves fell to the ground, exploding as they hit the floor.
"No, the difference in power is too great!"
"No matter how many Fruits of Dao he eats to increase his power, he cannot possibly win."
"Yes... his opponent is a Sage. This isn't even a fair fight to begin with!"
The Dragon Protection Squad, Mountain Breaking Army, and Southern Region soldiers sighed as they watched the battle unfold.
The difference...
This was domination like they've never seen before.
It was something that Fang Zhengzhi could not possibly overcome.
"He's definitely dead this time..."
The demon soldiers looked at the crater in the ground as well as the trembling tree with joy.
However...
Before they could rejoice.
The ground trembled...
An arm could be seen from the ground. It was bloodied and covered with wounds that cut to the bone.
"Ouch..." A voice could be heard.
Then, his other arm grabbed a rock as he tried to pull himself up. His arm was trembling and it took an immense amount of willpower...
But he did it...
With the help of the rock, he managed to pull himself out of the crater. His eyes were still filled with a myriad of colors, but they were significantly dimmer.
The light around his body had also disappeared.
"He's not dead yet?!"
The demon soldiers could not believe their eyes when they saw the bloodied figure crawling out. How did Fang Zhengzhi survive a hit like that?
Canyang 'looked' at Fang Zhengzhi with his lifeless eyes. He was also slightly surprised, but he recovered quickly.
"I never expected his potential to be this great!" Canyang murmured to himself.
As a demon...
He understood what Fang Zhengzhi was doing.
Under normal circumstances, neither humans nor demons could maximize their potential.
However, by draining their source of energy, they could maximize their power for a limited period of time.
The more energy stored in the demonic eye, the greater the boost.
Even though Fang Zhengzhi did not have a demonic eye, he had a pocket dimension and Fruits of Dao. The concept was similar.
Right now...
Fang Zhengzhi's abilities had already exceeded those of a normal demon who had drained his demonic eye.
Even Canyang was stunned.
As for Fang Zhengzhi...
He did not care about any of this. All he knew was that the explosive power he felt before was disappearing.
It was almost as if he had been emptied.
"It's gone?" Fang Zhengzhi had no idea if this was a good or bad thing, but when he looked at Canyang bathing in golden light...
He knew...
He had no other choice...
He had to eat more!
Fang Zhengzhi really liked the number 108. It was a number that represented an otherworldly power in his previous world. Even though the number didn't have any meaning in this world...
He still subconsciously stopped eating at 108.
However, it was clear that the number wasn't doing anything for him.
F*ck the number!
He'll eat as much as he could!
Fruits began flying off the tree and into Fang Zhengzhi's hands.
This was the only advantage he had by being in control of The Vast World.
This was something Fang Zhengzhi took comfort in.
Perhaps combining his pocket dimension with The Vast World wasn't such a bad idea after all.
"Again?!"
Everyone on the field was stunned when they saw Fang Zhengzhi swallow more fruits.
They were not surprised...
They knew what Fang Zhengzhi was trying to do...
However...
They also knew what the consequences were...
Fang Zhengzhi knew the consequences too, but he had no other choice. He was about to be killed!
He had to eat for power!
However, Canyang had no intention of letting Fang Zhengzhi eat any more fruits.
His body turned into a ray of golden light as he shot down from the sky, the symbol on his forehead glowing radiantly.
Canyang was fast...
But there was another ray of light which arrived before him.
This was a ray of light that shot out from the walls of the Iron Hill Settlement. It was not as fast as Canyang, but the person was much nearer.
As such...
It managed to block Canyang's attack.
"Boom!"
The radiant purple light crashed into the ground after the impact.
However...
The purple light recovered and shot skyward in the blink of an eye.
"Canyang, even if you are a Sage, I must stop you!"
He straightened his back. One of his hand was covered in blood and his purplish golden robe had been shredded. However, he still glared at Canyang.
He showed no signs of backing down.
He was Xing Yuanguo.
"My lord!"
"Charge, save the lord!"
"Buy time for Fang Zhengzhi!"
Their voices rang out as soldiers began leaping onto the battlefield. These were soldiers from the Dragon Protection Squad and the Mountain Breakin Army.
Shan Ling clenched his fists.
The settlement chiefs looked at Shan Ling, their faces flushed and their mouths agape.
"Crown Prince, the people of the Great Xia have struck! How can we stand back?!"
"Yes, even Fang Zhengzhi is fighting. Your Highness, please give the order!"
"Your Highness, it is almost daybreak. For the survival of the Southern Region, we must buy time for Fang Zhengzhi!"
The settlement chiefs could not hold back any longer.
"Fang Zhengzhi, Fang Zhengzhi... go, go on! Buy Fang Zhengzhi time. He must be able to finish all the fruits!" Shan Ling grit his teeth.
"Yes, your highness!" The settlement chiefs replied in unison.
The soldiers charged out of the Iron Hill Settlement and towards Canyang. They were really like moths to a flame.
"Shameless humans, using their numbers against us! We..."
The Demon Domain Chiefs wanted to respond to the charge, but when they looked at Yun Qingwu...
They hesitated.
However, this hesitation did not last very long...
Because...
They saw the figures in black appear above them. They were descending from the heavens once again.
"Fang Zhengzhi!" The Demon Domain Chiefs knew what these figures were.
They wanted to curse and swear.
But could they?
Actually, they could...
But that wouldn't solve anything. They would still have to fight the figures with everything they got! That was until Canyang came to their rescue.
The golden light glowed radiantly.
Countless golden spots of light flew towards the figures in black.
However, at the same time, the joint forces were also charging at Canyang. Leading the charge was a ray of purple light...
"Die!"
"Die!"
The sounds of killing reverberated through the air.
It was an awe-inspiring sight.
Below the battle was a person who was constantly shoving fruit after fruit into his mouth. With each fruit he swallowed, another color was added to the rainbow that enveloped him.
"I'll eat!" Fang Zhengzhi exclaimed as he gobbled down the fruits.
He knew that Xing Yuanguo and the others were no match for Canyang. They could not hold Canyang off for very long. He had to eat as fast as he could.
He gobbled down the fruits constantly.
Alas...
He was stuck.
The fruit in his hand was different... this fruit was at least 10 times larger than the other fruits he had eaten...
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Chapter 459: Weird way to die
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
There was purple light flowing across the skin of the fruit.
It looked like a crystal...
Most importantly, other than the patterns on its skin, the fruit looked like it contained something inside.
That being said, none of this concerned Fang Zhengzhi.
What he was most concerned about was how he was going to eat it!
The previous fruits were the size of a fist, but this was 10 times that!
His mouth wasn't wide enough.
That was the biggest problem.
He couldn't possibly cut it into 10.
Even without considering whether he could split it open...
Even if he could, he wouldn't dare.
He still remembered what happened when Canyang destroyed two of his Fruits of Dao.
The shattering of the fruit released all the energy inside. The Fruits of Dao could not be cut open.
He realized that he did not have many Fruits of Dao left. He had consumed his fruits at a much faster rate this time.
Chew?
He couldn't possibly do that.
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea if his teeth would break if he chewed the fruit. He decided to swallow the others first.
"Eat, I'll eat!"
Fang Zhengzhi willed himself to finish all the fruits.
The battle in the sky intensified as soldiers charged at Canyang only to be beaten back down.
The bodies piled up...
But no one stopped.
They were like moths drawn to a flame. Even they know death awaited them, they didn't think twice.
The Southern Region was the homeland of warriors.
Fang Zhengzhi was not a fan of war. He found it much too brutal...
But war was the only constant in history.
War between countries, states, races, people. So long as there were disagreements, battles were bound to erupt.
The only way to solve it all...
Was win.
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to win. He knew that if he lost, then he would die...
No one wanted to die.
Least of all Fang Zhengzhi. He stood up and held the last fruit in his hand. That was the glowing purple fruit.
He opened his mouth as wide as he could.
What if he couldn't swallow?
Then he would force it down!
Fang Zhengzhi knew how powerful Canyang was.
Canyang would never give him any chance. He would split his lips if he had to! After all, he could heal his lips back since he was in the Supernatural State!
Swallow!
This needed courage...
Fang Zhengzhi did it.
He regretted it almost instantly.
When he forced the purple fruit into his mouth, he truly understood the meaning of torturous...
"Kacha!"
His teeth shattered.
His lips were torn open...
It was a tragic sight.
All of the Southern Region soldiers who were preparing to charge at Canyang were shocked by what they saw.
The looked at the fruit and Fang Zhengzhi's broken jaw.
They couldn't believe what was happening.
What was he doing?!
They weren't the only ones who were stunned. The demon soldiers, as well as the Great Xia soldiers, were equally stunned.
At that moment, they felt that their sacrifice was meaningless.
Because...
They had a feeling...
That Fang Zhengzhi would choke to death!
If that was true...
Then what were they fighting so hard for? For Fang Zhengzhi to choke himself to death?
What the f*ck?!
At that moment, the battle stopped.
It was a brief respite, but it was enough to emphasize the feelings of everyone present.
Ping Yang's eyes widened and her face turned red as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi. If she could move, she would definitely help Fang Zhengzhi.
She would step on the fruit and give Fang Zhengzhi a quicker end.
Chi Guyan smiled bitterly. She never thought that she would feel that meeting Fang Zhengzhi was a mistake, but she felt that it was now.
Yun Qingwu was also slightly bitter.
She wasn't looking at Fang Zhengzhi. Instead, she was looking at Canyang, who was bathing in the golden Light of the Sage.
She had a feeling that...
Canyang didn't have to do what he was doing...
This fella would have died even without external intervention...
This was a great example of it.
The golden symbol on Canyang's forehead glowed as he stopped moving. Previously, he wanted to stop Fang Zhengzhi from eating the fruits.
But now...
He didn't really care.
He rarely saw someone choke to death.
Fang Zhengzhi's face was completely red. He looked like an apple, but the redness came from blood. All of the blood vessels in his face had burst.
He was regretting his decision.
What was he going to do?
Spit it out?
No...
That was too embarrassing...
If he were to spit it out now, all of his hard work would have gone to waste. Furthermore, when he stuffed the fruit in his mouth, he felt as though the energies in his body were in balance.
It was a strange feeling...
It was almost as if a bickering herd of sheep had run into a ferocious, ravenous wolf.
Without a leader, the ranks would be in disarray.
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea if the energy contained within this purple fruit was the answer, but he knew that the purple fruit was more powerful than any of the others.
So...
He had to give it a go!
He was already past the point of no return.
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to encourage himself, but he could not find the words to. His mouth was filled with the fruit.
His face was red as he raised his fist.
Punch!
He punched the purple fruit.
"Get in!" Fang Zhengzhi yelled to himself.
Then...
He felt the purple fruit enter his mouth a little more. The crack in his mouth widened.
Pain!
Fang Zhengzhi couldn't find the words to describe the pain he was feeling.
He was suffocating...
Tears were rolling down his cheeks.
He was crying...
He rarely cried...
But right now, he was crying. It was a result of the pain and sadness he was feeling.
Countless eyes were on Fang Zhengzhi.
They watched him suffocate and writhe on the ground. Everyone gulped down the saliva in their mouth.
They could only imagine the suffering Fang Zhengzhi was going through.
"Is he really going to choke?"
At that moment, the same thought flashed through the minds of everyone present. They couldn't bring themselves to believe it, but...
It looked like that was exactly what was happening.
Fang Zhengzhi was despairing. He wanted to kill himself. The pain was unbearable!
The fruit was stuck... he could neither push it in nor spit it out...
Only those who had experienced it...
Could know how painful it was!
There was a saying, never bite off more than you can chew...
This was meant to teach people not to be too greedy. Right now, Fang Zhengzhi was feeling the literal consequence of biting off more than he could chew!
It was hellish!
But did he have any other choice?
No!
He had to hang in there!
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the looks of those around him as he held his breath. Then, he punched the fruit.
"Bang bang bang..."
The hits constantly echoed...
With each impact, the purple fruit inched into Fang Zhengzhi's mouth...
Finally...
After almost 100 punches...
The fruit was inside his mouth.
Then, Fang Zhengzhi was faced with a new problem. His throat was blocked... the fruit was stuck in his throat!
It wasn't going down!
What was he to do?
There was no need to answer that question.
Because...
There was only one solution, force it down.
He was past the point of no return.
"Bang!"
Fang Zhengzhi punched the fruit with all his strength.
At that moment, Fang Zhengzhi felt as though his throat was exploding. It was almost as though his throat was on fire after swallowing a gallon of hot oil.
"Urgh!"
Fang Zhengzhi's body began to spasm and writhe in pain...
Then, his legs turned to jelly.
He crumpled to the floor.
"He... choked to death?"
The demons thought to themselves as they watched the lifeless Fang Zhengzhi...
Xing Yuanguo's face turned purple...
It wasn't because of his weakening glow or his injuries... It was that his heart...
His heart just shattered.
What did he charge out for?
Why did he pin all his hopes on one person?
His heart!!!
He couldn't believe it.
The hearts of all the joint forces soldiers shattered as well.
They all looked at Fang Zhengzhi in disbelief... how did this man go from battling Canyang to choking to death?!
But...
That was the reality...
Reality was brutal!
There were two figures on the wall of the Iron Hill Settlement.
One of them was in a white academic robe whilst the other wore luxurious leather covered in blood.
Nangong Hao and Shan Ling.
Neither of them jumped onto the battlefield.
"What are you waiting for?" Shan Ling smirked as he looked at the prone Fang Zhengzhi.
"Nothing." Nangong Hao shook his head.
"I never expected that even Nangong Hao would be afraid of death!" Shan Ling mocked.
"Someone has to stay." Nangong Hao added.
"Stay?" Shan Ling's expression froze as he turned to look at Nangong Hao. He tightened the grip on his hilt when he saw how calm Nangong Hao was.
"I have a treaty in my hands. If there is no issue, sign it." Nangong Hao retrieved a golden parchment.
He threw it at Shan Ling...
"Treaty?!" Shan Ling's expression changed, his knuckles whitening, "So... you are the real ambassador!"
"Yes." Nangong Hao nodded.
"What if I don't sign it?" Shan Ling's gaze was icy.
"Crown Prince, what do you think I'm staying behind for?" Nangong Hao replied calmly.
"Nangong Hao, I must admit that you are a talent. You have managed to attain powers equivalent to that of a Rebirth State cultivator. However, do you really think you can kill me?" Shan Ling pressed.
"Why don't you try and find out?" Nangong Hao turned to look at Shan Ling, his grip tightening around his sword.
Shan Ling's expression changed.
He looked at Nangong Hao, then at the demon soldiers and the joint forces on the field.
He grit his teeth.
"Five years! We will be a vassal for five years!" Shan Ling was shaking in his spot.
"10 years, that is the bottom line." Nangong Hao shook his head.
"Okay, 10 years it shall be, but I have one condition..." Shan Ling hesitated as he watched Fang Zhengzhi lying lifelessly on the ground, "We only pay half the tithes!"
"This is already inside the treaty, please sign." Nangong Hao nodded.
"It's already written?!" Shan Ling was in disbelief.
He picked up the parchment, his expression changing as he unfurled it.
Nangong Hao was right...
It was already included inside.
Furthermore, the 10-year duration was also explicitly stated. Most importantly, there was a red seal at the bottom.
This was the seal of the Emperor!
"I never expected that... this had all been calculated by the Great Xia. Not bad, haha, not bad!" Shan Ling guffawed.
Then, he bit his finger...
And...
Placed his print on the parchment.
Shan Ling did not speak as he gripped the parchment. After a moment of hesitation, he threw it back to Nangong Hao.
Nangong Hao nodded but did not say anything. He kept the parchment and gripped his sword.
In a swift motion.
He leapt off the wall and shot towards the sky.
Shan Ling bit his lip as he watched Nangong Hao disappear. A trickle of blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, his aura unstable.
Fury...
Deep-seated fury...
However, his anger was quickly replaced by shock.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed something about the lifeless body on the ground...
He saw...
The body twitch...
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Chapter 460: How unsightly
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"Am I hallucinating?" Shan Ling blinked as he took a second look at the person lying prone on the ground.
Was he...
Really dead?
As Shan Ling was thinking about it, Nangong Hao's sword had already reached Canyang.
It was a transparent sword.
It was named Standstill.
The tip of the blade exuded an icy chill. A thick mist enveloped Nangong Hao, almost as if he was being wrapped by an icy wind.
Everyone looked at Nangong Hao.
Including Canyang.
Even though he couldn't see, he was still calm as a mountain. He was the all-powerful Canyang. Nothing could beat him.
The golden Light of the Sage glowed radiantly.
Canyang's action was simple. It wasn't fancy but Nangong Hao's sword stopped in mid-air, almost as though it had been caught by the Light of the Sage.
It wasn't anything unexpected...
But Nangong Hao's expression changed, almost as though a giant rock had been thrown into a calm lake.
A multitude of emotions could be seen on his face.
The next moment, Standstill hummed...
Then, Nangong Hao sprang into action...
It was almost as if he forcefully extracted the sword from the Light of the Sage. To be precise, it felt as though the sword had done so independently.
It was a strange feeling...
But those were the facts, the transparent Standstill sword was removed from the Light of the Sage.
A sword within a sword!
What was even stranger was that Nangong Hao's Standstill Sword seemed to be dragging countless shadows with it.
As he moved back, countless copies of the Standstill Sword appeared.
Each one as transparent as the original.
"Hum!" The blade hummed.
The swords began to twirl manically, almost like a tornado around Canyang. At the same time, Nangong Hao disappeared from sight.
The blade's humming intensified.
The golden Light of the Sage exploded outwards at the tornado.
Everyone tensed up. They knew how powerful the Light of the Sage was. They had witnessed it with their own eyes.
However, the countless Standstill Swords all expanded with the Light of the Sage.
Even though...
Half were shattered by the light, the remaining half returned to their original state, twirling into a tornado.
This was an even more intense tornado.
The golden Light of the Sage receded.
The tornado followed suit...
This was a shocking sight. What was even more shocking was that when the tornado receded, there was an opening on Canyang's robe.
It had been sliced open...
The opening was small!
But it was clear for all to see.
"Wow!"
The Dragon Protection Squad and the Mountain Breaking Army were excited. After Canyang became a Sage, Nangong Hao was the first person to injure him...
Or at the very least slice open his clothing!
The fire in the soldiers of the joint forces was reignited.
Shan Ling felt a chill down his spine as beads of sweat formed on his forehead.
He finally understood why Nangong Hao had dared to stay behind... he also understood what Nangong Hao meant when he challenged him.
"Nangong Hao!"
"Good, what a strike! Using Standstill to bend the rules!" Xing Yuanguo looked on approvingly.
"Using Standstill to bend the rules?" The Dragon Protection Squad and Mountain Breaking Army knew that Xing Yuanguo was describing Nangong Hao's technique...
But they couldn't understand what that statement meant...
That being said...
This was clearly not the right time to ask...
Chi Guyan was also looking at the sky. She seemed to be thinking of something as she watched the tornado of blades.
Few people knew how powerful Nangong Hao was.
It was rare that someone could force Nangong Hao to use everything in his arsenal.
Chi Guyan was one of them.
When Chi Guyan had taken the top spot on the Double Dragon Honor Rolls, Nangong Hao had tried his best but failed.
He had been defeated by Chi Guyan.
"One achieves success not by standing still, but by playing by the rules... even so, I do not have confidence!" Chi Guyan murmured to herself.
"What is Sister Yan saying?" Ping Yang couldn't understand.
"Nothing much." Chi Guyan shook her head.
In the sky...
The sword continued to hum in the sky. The sound and waves in the air were completely controlled by the tornado formed by the Standstill Swords.
Canyang did not move. He stood quietly in his original spot.
At that moment...
A ray of light shot past...
Opening another hole in Canyang's robe.
The previous damage had been to his sleeve. But this time, the sword had sliced just below his chest, and it seemed to have drawn blood.
The Dragon Protection Squad and Mountain Breaking Army rejoiced.
"Nangong Hao!"
"Nangong Hao!"
The demons reacted differently.
The demon soldiers were all furious. They knew what tactic Nangong Hao was employing.
Canyang was a sage...
But he was still Canyang.
He was different from other sages. He could only determine location based on sound and the waves from his surroundings. Right now, Nangong Hao was disrupting both.
In other words...
Nangong Hao had caused himself and his sword to disappear in front of Canyang's 'eyes'.
What was even stranger was that the blades could expand and contract with the Light of the Sage.
Even though they didn't know how Nangong Hao was doing it, they weren't happy about it.
"Despicable!"
Their eyes were on the verge of popping out of their sockets.
They wanted to curse and swear, but they knew that Nangong Hao was fighting intelligently.
The only thing that mattered in battle.
Was the outcome...
Was the process important?
No one bothered about the process.
"Not bad, the disciple of the Nangong family doesn't disappoint..." Canyang's voice rang out as he retracted the Light of the Sage.
The symbol on his forehead continued to glow.
All of the demons were shocked to see this. Their jaws dropped, unable to understand why Canyang was doing this.
Wasn't this equivalent to dropping his defences?
He was blind...
Why would he forgo the protection offered by the Light of the Sage?
None of the demons could understand.
Yun Qingwu clenched her fists anxiously as she watched Canyang hover in mid-air.
Just at that moment...
A figure appeared in the middle of the tornado.
This was a figure who had melded completely into the tornado. He held a sword in his hand.
It was a sword that was mere inches from Canyang's forehead.
There were no disturbances in the air to announce its arrival.
It was silent and deadly.
It had one name...
The Dragon Combat Plan!
Everyone's eyes were locked on the sword. They wanted to shout, but they couldn't. The sword was too fast! They didn't even have the time to make a sound.
"Clang!" A soft sound echoed out.
It seemed rather insignificant during the chaos of the battle, but after this clash, all of the humming stopped.
Two hands...
Clasped together...
In between was a sword, a transparent, silent, deadly sword.
Nangong Hao's expression changed.
"Senior, you..." Nangong Hao was in disbelief. He had tried the attack twice and didn't fail.
"Do you have any other choice other than to target my forehead?" Canyang's expression was calm as he held the blade of the sword in his hand.
"I see." Nangong Hao nodded.
Everyone was silent.
The demons smiled because their hope had been restored.
The Dragon Protection Squad, Mountain Breaking Army, and Southern Region soldiers despaired. Their hopes had been quashed once again.
Was it...
All in vain?
Was the war going to end here?
"He may not have a choice, but I do!"
A voice interrupted the silence. The voice had strangely come from the sky.
There were only two figures in the sky.
Canyang and Nangong Hao.
There was no third person.
Yet, the voice had come from the sky. To be precise, it had come from behind Canyang. It was sudden and unexpected.
Canyang's expression changed instantly.
He paled.
Just as that voice rang out, he felt an unbearable pain below. He had never felt such pain in his life.
"He doesn't have a choice, but I do!"
The voice echoed in Canyang's mind.
He was extremely bitter.
He had always known that he had an Achilles heel. That was his forehead... and he would stop at nothing to protect him.
That was his only weakness.
But now...
He realized that he had another weak spot.
That was a spot that no one could possibly know about.
Canyang rarely writhed in pain, but right now, his face was contorted.
"Fang Zhengzhi!" Canyang bellowed in embarrassment and anger.
As a Sage...
He never thought that he would be injured in that area.
But Fang Zhengzhi...
Fang Zhengzhi had aimed for it twice now. More importantly, he had hit his mark this time.
Rage and embarrassment!
Canyang's body shot skyward before he crashed into the ground with a shudder.
Silence...
The silence previously was a result of joy and sorrow respectively...
But this time, it was a result of shock an awe...
Because...
Everyone knew what had just happened.
They saw a figure standing behind Canyang. That was a naked, bloodied figure.
However, the figure's posture sent chills down everyone's spine.
He held his hands together...
It was similar to how Canyang had captured Nangong Hao's sword, but he had clasped two fingers together.
In a single move...
He struck upwards...
Fang Zhengzhi had used it once and wasn't going to hesitate to use it again. This time, he poured every ounce of energy he had into it.
"Attack!"
He knew that it was bound to work...
Everyone was stunned as they stared at Fang Zhengzhi. They couldn't figure out how someone they had left for dead...
Could reappear...
How did he manage to pull that off?!
"He's not dead!"
"Fang Zhengzhi is alive!"
"He didn't die?"
No one could believe their eyes... how did Fang Zhengzhi survive that?
That was a gigantic Fruit of Dao.
How did he manage to swallow it?
They were even more shocked by Fang Zhengzhi's audacity and lack of manners.
That was a Sage!
He actually used such despicable tactics against a sage - twice! How audacious could this man be?
The soldiers of the joint forces concluded that only a man standing on the borders of death would dare to do such a thing.
However, the demons did not think so.
"Shameless!"
"Immensely audacious!"
"How dare he?!"
The soldiers were furious! Their Sage, the most powerful and revered person in their hearts... had just been stabbed!
In the privates!
Most importantly, Canyang fell to the ground?
He crashed!
How embarrassing!
This was unbearable!
All of the demon soldiers pulled their bows taut. They decided to shoot Fang Zhengzhi off the face of the earth.
However, they never released their arrows.
Because...
They saw a pair of eyes.
It was a strange pair of eyes. One of Fang Zhengzhi's eyes was a deep purple. His other eye was filled with a myriad of colors.
Red, yellow, blue, green...
Never in their wildest imaginations did they think that someone's eyes could look like that.
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Chapter 461: Ouch ouch ouch
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The demons looked at Fang Zhengzhi, their hands shaking. They couldn't even stabilize their hands to fire their arrows.
"Is he even human?"
The same thought flashed through the minds of all the demons.
There was also another question in their minds.
Was that attack...
Coincidence?
Or power?!
If that was power, then that would mean that Fang Zhengzhi was able to...
No way!
They all dismissed that thought instantly.
It had to be a coincidence...
But it was too much of a coincidence...
Firstly, Nangong Hao had disrupted Canyang's senses using his sword. Then, he forced Canyang to retract the Light of the Sage at the crucial moment.
This had baited Nangong Hao into striking. As such, Canyang had focused completely on the symbol on his head.
That...
Was when tragedy struck.
"Shameless! Absolutely shameless!"
The demons knew that this was opportunistic of Fang Zhengzhi. They hated to admit it, but how many people would be able to recognize such an opportunity?
And of those people, how many would be capable of capitalizing?
That was a Sage!
In order to sneak up on a Sage and capitalize on such an opportunity... He had to time his advance with the Standstill Sword's strike...
How terrifying!
On the ground...
Canyang knelt on the ground, his face pale. He bit his lip...
He was in pain, indescribable pain.
He wanted to stand up, but anyone who had experienced it before knew how difficult it was to stand amidst such pain.
The only thing that he could do was make sure that his posture wasn't too unglamorous.
However, that only served to exacerbate the pain. Even as a Sage, he felt himself breaking out in cold sweat.
"Master!" Yun Qingwu was shocked to see Fang Zhengzhi in his current state, but she turned her attention to Canyang...
This was a man that she respected even more than her own father...
And now...
This man was in immense pain...
Yun Qingwu did wonder to herself how good it would be if she could help Canyang bear the pain...
However, the moment she thought about it...
She shuddered.
Even she did not want to experience that sort of pain.
She felt rather guilty. As a disciple, she should want to bear the pain on behalf of her master, yet, she was unwilling to do so now.
This was difficult to reconcile
Canyang didn't respond to Yun Qingwu. He even turned away from Yun Qingwu.
He did not want Yun Qingwu to see his expression.
He clenched his fists.
A vein on his arm throbbed.
Two figures faced off in the sky.
One of them was in a white academic robe, his sleeves flapping in the wind.
The other...
Was a naked man who was bloodied from head to toe. A dense killing aura surrounded him, almost as if he was a death god sent from hell.
Fang Zhengzhi was nowhere near as dabber as Nangong Hao.
However, Fang Zhengzhi had an animalistic, domineering aura about him.
His eyes were the most important.
His eyes were completely different. To call it unbelievable would be an understatement.
As for Fang Zhengzhi...
He wasn't thinking of much...
In fact, he was in a lot of discomfort. He felt like his body was on fire. This was a fire that burned from inside and spread to his skin.
It was hot...
So hot that he wanted to strip off all his clothes.
That being said, he had no clothes right now. He was covered in blood. Right now, the world he saw was strange.
It was red, blue, green, purple...
Most importantly, he felt a strong wave of killing intent building up inside his heart.
This killing intent seemed to cause him to lose his rationality, yet, apart from this killing intent, there was an odd calmness.
There was clarity...
This seemed to balance off the killing intent in his heart.
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea what state he was in right now, neither did he know how long he could keep this up.
However, he did know one thing...
He had to keep up the pressure.
Rest on his laurels?
That was something that he couldn't afford to do.
He shot to the ground like an eagle swooping in on its prey. He lunged at thee half-kneeling Canyang.
He wanted to take advantage of the situation.
Fang Zhengzhi was fast. He stared at Canyang's lifeless eyes.
A strange iciness in his eyes...
His purple eye was especially strange.
"Boom!"
There was a loud explosion as Fang Zhengzhi crashed to the ground. He was so fast that his body was a blur.
"How fast!"
The demon soldiers watched columns of sand and dust shoot skyward as they exclaimed to themselves.
Fang Zhengzhi must be courting death!
Doesn't he know that his previous strike was a lucky one?
Ordinarily...
It was wise to strike while the iron was hot and take advantage of the situation. However, Canyang was a Sage.
The all-powerful Sage!
Without Nangong Hao to run interference, Fang Zhengzhi's strike would be futile.
They waited for Canyang to incapacitate Fang Zhengzhi once again. This time, Fang Zhengzhi had no more Fruits of Dao. He would not be able to recover!
Moments later...
The dust dispersed...
A bloodied figure could be seen...
Not far away from him was a figure in a blue robe. His palms were on the ground and he looked rather haggard.
"He dodged?!"
The demon soldiers were in disbelief. They knew that Canyang was capable of dodging the attack, but they didn't expect him to dodge!
Why should he dodge?
Canyang was a Sage! Why would a Sage need to dodge away from an attack from a human?!
The demon soldiers looked at Canyang, who was drenched from head to toe. They couldn't understand what they were seeing.
Until...
A spearhead appeared in Canyang's hand.
It was a broken spearhead. The tip was bloodied and drops of blood dripped from the point.
"Clang!"
The spearhead fell to the ground.
Canyang's body seemed to turn to jelly at that moment as he crumpled to the ground, sweating profusely.
"Spearhead? Where did that come from?"
"Why does Canyang have a spearhead in his hand? And why is it broken?"
"Why is the spearhead bloodied. Whose... whose blood is that?"
A thought flashed through the minds of all the demon soldiers. Their expressions were contorted...
Of course...
There was rage as well.
They finally understood why Canyang couldn't stand, and they also understood why Canyang had no choice but to dodge.
"This fella actually..."
The demon soldiers looked at Canyang and the figure standing in front of them. They felt a chill at their privates.
More than half of the demon soldiers reacted in the same way.
How could...
How could a person be that shameless?!
How audacious must someone be to be capable of such despicable tactics?!
Shouldn't he leave some dignity?
The demon soldiers simply couldn't believe their eyes.
Yun Qingwu was stunned.
She was utterly floored. Ever since the age of five, her mind had never stopped working, but right now, her mind was blank...
"He... he... he actually used a spearhead?!"
The demons were not the only ones who were stunned. The soldiers of the joint forces were equally floored when they realized what had happened.
"Spearhead? He actually..."
"That's... vicious!"
The soldiers of the Dragon Protection Squad, Mountain Breaking Army, and Southern Region were rendered speechless.
Chi Guyan, Ping Yang, Xing Yuanguo, Xing Qingsui, even Nangong Hao couldn't find words to express their feelings.
"Erm..."
Fang Zhengzhi didn't hear the discussions around him, but he could guess what they were thinking from the looks on their faces.
In his mind, he was forced into it!
What else was he to do?
Just using his fingers alone would not be powerful enough!
This opportunity...
It was a rare one...
This might be his only chance to get close to Canyang. He had thought of stabbing Canyang in the back.
However, he didn't dare to try it.
Canyang was a Sage.
He didn't know how hard a Sage's body was since every attack of his had been blocked by the Light of the Sage.
As such...
He didn't want to take any risks.
Most importantly, he didn't know if stabbing Canyang in the back would be of any use. He didn't have much of a choice.
There were only a few places he could strike and only one which was guaranteed to 'incapacitate' Canyang for an extended period of time.
The demons thought about it...
If Fang Zhengzhi's attack was not lethal, then the battle was decided.
Canyang would eventually emerge victorious.
However, Fang Zhengzhi still had to give his best.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't hesitate as he lunged at Canyang once again. He wanted to take advantage of Canyang's injury.
"Boom!"
Yet another explosion echoed out.
Canyang rolled to the side, his blue robe in shreds and his face pale. There were blood stains on the ground.
"What are you waiting for? Charge!" Fang Zhengzhi glared at Nangong Hao and the soldiers of the joint forces.
He couldn't take it any longer.
Time was of the essence.
Yet, these people were still watching from the sidelines?
Canyang was already injured! This was the time to attack! What were they waiting for?
Nangong Hao's expression changed.
As a member of the Nangong Family, he had a set of morals that he guarded fiercely. Even though Canyang was the enemy, he still respected Canyang as a senior.
That being said...
He also knew that this wasn't the time to consider all those factors. This concerned the survival of the Southern Region and the Great Xia.
His Standstill Sword whirred.
Nangong Hao didn't hesitate as he melted into the sea of swords, charging towards Canyang in a tornado.
Just as Nangong Hao moved...
A ray of purple light shot out. Xing Yuanguo had attacked too.
Victory was paramount!
In war, everything was fair game.
Given the same opportunity, Xing Yuanguo may even make the same decision as Fang Zhengzhi, provided that...
He could even think of it in the first place!
The swords hummed around Canyang, enveloping Canyang completely.
"Bend the rules!"
There was a purple ray of light filled with battle intent. It shot towards Canyang's forehead.
Apart from the light...
There was one man...
This was a man covered in blood from head to toe, his eyes unrelenting. One of his eyes was purple while the other was multi-colored.
Time seemed to freeze.
Everyone, demon and humans alike, stared at one point.
That was the point where three figures converged on a half-kneeling youth.
His silver hair danced in the wind, his eyes devoid of any life.
Yet, he grit his teeth.
He grit his teeth so hard that you could see the veins throbbing on his face.
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Chapter 462: Fight to the death
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
It was about to end...
Everyone was tense. They knew that the result of the battle hinged on this clash.
The three figures were extremely quick.
They surrounded Canyang in the blink of an eye.
However, Canyang didn't move. He simply stared ahead with those blind, lifeless eyes.
Then, the three figures melded into one.
A sword, a palm, and a fist.
The blade was aimed at Canyang's forehead but ended up hitting Canyang's shoulder, drawing blood.
The palm...
Came from the side.
This was the attack of the battle-hardened Xing Yuanguo. He didn't aim for the back, thighs, or butt...
He went straight for the jugular.
However, he ended up hitting Canyang's chest. "Kacha," there was a dull sound of bones breaking.
As for the punch...
That was from Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi's attack was significantly less lethal, but it promised severe pain.
Fang Zhengzhi targeted Canyang's face.
This attack...
Was meant to put Canyang in even more pain.
Preferably, he wanted to knock out a few of Canyang's teeth too.
However...
His punch was blocked by Canyang's palm.
Did it hit the mark?
No...
"This is targeted! He is targeting me!" Fang Zhengzhi thought to himself when his attack was blocked.
He was the fastest...
Yet...
His attack was the only one which had been blocked.
More importantly, he saw that Canyang's other palm was headed for his privates at lightning speed.
Fang Zhengzhi's heart shuddered.
Canyang was clearly out for revenge. He was willing to take the hits from Nangong Hao and Xing Yuanguo just to hurt Fang Zhengzhi.
This was not a fight Fang Zhengzhi wanted.
He snapped his legs shut.
Fang Zhengzhi would never let Canyang's attack hit. He would rather die than be hit in that spot.
Because...
This was his move.
"Watch out!"
Just at that moment, Xing Yuanguo's voice rang out by his side. It was so loud that it caused Fang Zhengzhi's ears to ring.
Fang Zhengzhi knew that Xing Yuanguo was warning him, but he had already seen Canyang's attack.
He...
Should be in the clear?
At that very moment, a radiant ray of golden light shot out in front of him. It was like a sun ray...
It was much brighter than the Light of the Sage from before. It stained the entire sky golden.
"Fang Zhengzhi!"
A voice filled with rage echoed through the air.
Fang Zhengzhi felt that something was amiss. He hesitated and prepared to escape. After all, Canyang was targeting him.
But it was too late...
Fang Zhengzhi felt something pressing on his chest.
The chest...
Was to humans like the demonic eye was to the demons.
He lowered his head and saw a palm at that position. He was shocked. This palm should not be there...
Could it be that Canyang's attack...
Was just a feint?!
A bead of sweat rolled down Fang Zhengzhi's forehead. He finally understood what Canyang kept dodging...
Experience counts...
Fang Zhengzhi knew exactly what the meant, but he never expected that a Sage had to resort to such tactics.
Especially not a Sage who had been humiliated.
How could a Sage possibly tolerate it?
Fang Zhengzhi had underestimated Canyang's tolerance...
Canyang...
He had hidden in the shadows for countless years before Yun Qingwu found him. His tolerance was something that an ordinary person would never understand.
"Boom!"
A loud explosion rang out.
A golden column of light shot skyward, shattering the tornado.
"Sh*t!" Nangong Hao spat out a mouthful of blood. He continued to have a hold on his sword, but he had been thrown to the side.
Everyone was blown away...
Including Xing Yuanguo.
He had retreated very quickly, but the golden light had still hit him in the chest. The sound of bones breaking caused him to pale.
Canyang...
A Sage...
He had been able to keep his cool despite the humiliation! He had managed to find a way to take all the hits before finding a method to defeat them all.
This was something that Fang Zhengzhi had not calculated.
Xing Yuanguo was forced back...
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to retreat as well...
However, Canyang had a firm grasp on his fist, the lifeless eyes staring straight into his soul.
At that moment...
Countless thoughts flashed through the mind of Fang Zhengzhi.
Back when he had been restrained by Canyang, his life had flashed before his eyes. He had one foot in the grave then.
Now, his death warrant had been signed.
"He wants to kill us both?!" Fang Zhengzhi felt a powerful force at his chest.
He had no other choice.
If he did not strike back now, he would be accepting his death.
He had to fight!
He grit his teeth and ignored the palm at his chest. He raised his other fist and threw a punch at Canyang.
There was only one thought going through his mind.
Hit Canyang!
"Bang!"
The strike was solid and clean. It landed on Canyang's chest, causing multiple bones to break, but Canyang did not move.
He continued to stare at Fang Zhengzhi.
He allowed Fang Zhengzhi to pummel him.
The Light of the Sage was bright.
It was almost as bright and hot as the sun at noon. It stained the sky golden...
Fang Zhengzhi squinted.
He could feel the golden Light of the Sage closing on him, almost as if it wanted to absorb him.
The burning sensation around his body intensified. He felt like he was more powerful than ever before.
But...
At that moment, he felt a sense of danger...
This was a danger that he had never experienced before.
Sage.
Is this the power of a Sage?
Despite all the Fruits of Dao he had eaten, despite being in control of The Vast World... he couldn't defeat a Sage.
He wasn't willing to accept this!
No matter what the result was going to be...
Fang Zhengzhi decided to lay out all his chips. He had no more tricks up his sleeves. He had already used The Vast World and the Fruits of Dao.
Right now, he was only moments from victory.
He had to give it his all!
Fang Zhengzhi clenched his fists. He was ready for his last stand. He would use up every last ounce of his energy.
"Ah! Go to hell!"
He bellowed.
Then, a strange ray of purple light shot to the sky. It could be seen clearly through the Light of the Sage. This column of purple light was surrounded by rays of light of other colors.
Red, blue, green, yellow...
"Kaboom!"
At that moment, the ground split open as spider web-like cracks began to spread in all directions.
The heavens also began to shudder.
The cracks also began to spread in the sky, the darkness swallowing much of the light.
"What's happening?!"
"What is this?!"
"Could it be..."
The demons were all shocked by what was happening.
Even the soldiers of the joint forces were stunned. Everything had happened too quickly.
They didn't even have a chance to recover.
What happened?
What was the result?
No one knew...
They only saw the purple column of light inside the golden Light of the Sage.
Right now...
The ground had begun to shake as columns of dust and rock were sent flying into the sky. The trees, walls, and bodies began to rise...
"Could it be..."
"The Vast World has crumbled?!"
"Not good!"
When the soldiers of the joint forces realized what was happening, they turned to look at the two battling figures.
However... the two figures had disappeared.
To be more precise...
They were surrounded by a cloud of dust.
The golden Light of the Sage and that strange purple light had disappeared.
A ray of silver light shone at where the two figures were standing. Then, there was an explosion of light.
The tree became transparent...
Then disappeared...
This was followed by an earthquake...
There was a tsunami made of sand at the epicenter of the silver light. It spread in all directions like a ravenous monster swallowing everything in its way...
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Chapter 463: Live or die
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The sky darkened.
There was no light in the sky. All that was left as sand and dust, spreading in all directions.
Yun Qingwu didn't move, allowing the dust to envelop her.
Chi Guyan and Ping Yang did not move either.
Xing Yuanguo was on the ground, his face completely ashen. Xing Qingsui knelt next to him.
"Father!" Xing Qingsui held Xing Yuanguo in his hand as he shielded his father with his body.
Blood trickled from the edge of Nangong Hao's mouth, his sword stabbed into the ground for stability. However, his shaking body and ashen face were clear signs...
He was injured...
Seriously injured!
Shan Ling watched quietly from the side as the dust crashed towards him. The Southern Region soldiers and settlement chiefs disappeared in front of his eyes.
After a long time...
The cracks in the ground also started to disappear and the trees began to grow. The sun also shone through the clouds.
Figures began to appear...
Demons, soldiers of the joint forces...
The black walls of the Iron Hill Settlement also rose from the ground. It was significantly more scarred than before.
The humans and items were still the same...
However, both humans and demons felt vastly different...
"The Young Master is back!"
"The Vast World has been broken!"
"Thank the Demon Gods!"
The demon soldiers whooped and cheered.
However, Yun Qingwu's expression showed no joy. The soldiers who were in The Vast World and Yun Qingwu were all looking at the middle of the field.
Over there...
Were two figures...
A light breeze blew past, blowing up a tattered blue robe and silver hair. It caressed the haggard but youthful face of Canyang.
"Could it be..."
The demon soldiers in the distance looked on in disbelief. Canyang's appearance said it all.
Most importantly...
There was someone else in front of Canyang.
That was a man covered in blood from head to toe. He was naked and his hair was in a mess. There were no words to describe how forlorn he looked.
Most importantly, his palm was on Canyang's face.
To be exact...
It was on Canyang's forehead!
The golden symbol!
"How is that possible?!"
"How did he manage to..."
The demons who were spared from The Vast World were shocked to witness this. They couldn't imagine what had happened in The Vast World.
Even so, there was no one willing to answer their questions.
Everyone who had escaped from The Vast World fell silent...
They had seen it all, but they never imagined that it would end like this.
Was Canyang dead? Or was Fang Zhengzhi dead?
The Vast World had been broken!
This would usually mean only one thing - Fang Zhengzhi's death. However, the scene in front of them made them doubt their conclusions.
Neither Canyang nor Fang Zhengzhi had any glow surrounding them.
The golden Light of the Sage had disappeared...
Along with the strange purple light...
"Life or death? Who lived? Who died?"
Ordinarily, they would have known the answer in a heartbeat, but the scene in front of them made it impossible to guess.
Xing Yuanguo's face was devoid of color, but he continued to stare at Fang Zhengzhi and Canyang anxiously.
Nangong Hao had sheathed his sword, but he did not close his eyes. He was also looking at the two figures.
Shan Ling was significantly less anxious. He simply leaned on the city walls and waited patiently.
Yun Qingwu's white dress danced in the breeze.
"Master..." Yun Qingwu murmured, her eyes filled with sorrow and despair.
There were two figures standing beside her.
Chi Guyan's pink dress was still as clean as ever, but she did not look well. She stared at the figure with his back to her.
She knew what the destruction of The Vast World meant.
"Shameless fella, you... you can't die..." Chi Guyan murmured to herself.
"Ah! Let me go! Shameless fella, you better not..." Ping Yang's voice cut through the silence.
However, she stopped shouting almost immediately...
Because...
She realized something was amiss...
When she was struggling, she realized that she was able to move! The restraints had disappeared!
Wasn't she being restrained by the Heavenly Dao?
Was Canyang dead?
This was the thought that flashed through her mind. She was extremely excited. Ordinarily, she would be celebrating.
However, for some inexplicable reason, she wasn't in the mood for celebration.
"Oi, Fang Zhengzhi, you shameless fella! This is your last chance! Come and protect me, your princess! Oi... did you hear me? Fang Zhengzhi!" Ping Yang's voice rang out.
It was rather aloof but also filled with anticipation.
However...
There was no answer.
Silence.
A strange silence...
The only sound was that of the light breeze caressing their faces. It was daybreak, and the sun was gentle.
After a long pause...
The silence was broken again...
It was a light cough. The sound was frail and raspy. The person sounded weak.
"Ahem..."
When the cough was heard...
The expressions of all the demons changed! They were in disbelief, but they were also happy!
Tears welled up in Yun Qingwu's eyes.
Two teardrops rolled down her cheeks like dewdrops on a flower...
"Master, you..."
"Ahem!" A cough rang out once again.
A figure began to move, his tattered blue robe shaking unsteadily from side to side.
"Not good, the blind old man isn't dead!" Ping Yang stared in shock.
However...
Other than shock, there was also a mixture of other complicated emotions.
Her emotions were inexplicable - even Ping Yang herself did not know what she was thinking. However, when she saw Canyang move...
She charged out!
No one knew what Ping Yang was thinking...
Even she herself didn't know, but she still charged out anyways. She was not fast, but the Blazing Qilin Spear in her hand was rather eye-catching.
Columns of flame shot skyward.
There was a flickering golden light at the tip of her spear.
"No!"
"Ping Yang!"
Just as Ping Yang rushed out, two voices pierced through the air. These were the voices of Yun Qingwu and Chi Guyan.
Yun Qingwu was not fast...
As such, she could not possibly stop Ping Yang.
Chi Guyan was faster than Ping Yang and could stand in her way. However, when she saw Yun Qingwu charge out, she slowed down.
"Ping Yang, don't go!" Chi Guyan put herself in front of Yun Qingwu, but her eyes were on Ping Yang.
Yun Qingwu stopped.
She looked at Canyang's body, tears rolling down her cheeks as she shuddered.
As for Ping Yang...
She showed no signs of stopping.
She had always listened to Chi Guyan. No matter what Chi Guyan said, she would listen to her unconditionally.
The reason was simple.
She thought that Chi Guyan was right...
But now, she didn't stop.
Ping Yang didn't know why. Perhaps it was because she had been trapped for so long she longed for this freedom...
Perhaps she just wanted to vent her frustrations on Canyang...
After all, as a princess of the Great Xia, she was quite pissed off about being trapped for that long.
Of course...
She also thought that she was doing the right thing.
Ping Yang didn't stop.
She thrust her Blazing Qilin Spear, the flickering golden light headed straight for the shaking figure of Canyang...
Columns of flame shot skyward.
Then...
They disappeared...
Even the flickering golden glow disappeared.
Ping Yang's attack was fast and powerful, but the way her attack was stopped was even quicker...
There wasn't much commotion.
She stopped in her tracks, her eyes staring at the tip of her spear.
There was a hand which grabbed the tip of her spear.
This hand had stopped the Blazing Qilin Spear, one of the ten greatest treasures of the Great Xia Dynasty, in its tracks.
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Chapter 464: A sage is still a sage
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Ping Yang's eyes widened. She was in disbelief... this was an expression that was rarely seen on Ping Yang...
She was trying to stab Canyang.
No matter how confident she was, she would never expect that her attack would hit.
Even though Canyang was injured, Ping Yang was only in the Star Conglomerate State...
However, Ping Yang was shocked...
Her clear eyes were wide as coins, her jaw dropped so wide you could fit a fist in it...
"You..." Ping Yang wanted to say something, but every time she opened her mouth, she couldn't find the words to express her shock.
Ping Yang wasn't the only one who was shocked.
In fact, Chi Guyan, Yun Qingwu, even Xing Yuanguo and Nangong Hao were also stunned.
The person who had grabbed Ping Yang's Blazing Qilin Spear was not Canyang...
It was...
Fang Zhengzhi!
His bloodied hand seemed unaffected by the most powerful offensive weapon in the Great Xia. He was able to hold it by the tip.
"How is that possible?!"
"He's not dead..."
"Even if he's not dead, where is he getting the strength from? Hasn't his pocket dimension been crushed? He has no more Fruits of Dao, how is he able to..."
All of the demon soldiers who were inside The Vast World couldn't believe their eyes. They had no idea what was going on...
Fang Zhengzhi didn't die...
That was shocking enough on its own. Not only did he survive, he had enough energy to stop an attack from the Blazing Qilin Spear!
What the hell?
Those soldiers were shocked...
The soldiers of the joint forces were floored by what they were witnessing as well.
"What is happening?"
"Didn't Fang Zhengzhi link his pocket dimension with The Vast World? Now that The Vast World has been broken, how does he still possess such power?!"
"What is happening?"
All of the soldiers looked at each other for answers but found nothing but confusion...
This was not bad for them...
However...
It defied all logic...
A human's energy came from the pocket dimension. Fang Zhengzhi had linked his pocket dimension with The Vast World. Now that The Vast World has been destroyed...
Fang Zhengzhi should have suffered serious injuries.
His cultivation future was in question. No one expected him to be able to stop the Blazing Qilin Spear. Most importantly, he had eaten all his Fruits of Dao.
What was happening?
No one could understand.
A light breeze blew past and Ping Yang's fiery armor flowed in the sun. It was a beautiful sight, but no one was looking at her.
They were all looking at the bloodied figure standing in front of her.
The figure moved.
With a light tug...
He took the Blazing Qilin Spear in his hands.
Then, he brought the Blazing Qilin Spear to his chest. He stopped himself...
His expression said it all...
He hesitated before smiling bitterly.
"I forgot..." Fang Zhengzhi said in exasperation. His eyes had reverted to their normal state.
The purple glow had vanished.
The multi-colored glow had also vanished.
All that was left was black and white.
His pupils were dark as ink and the rest of his eye was white as snow.
Ping Yang was stunned when she saw Fang Zhengzhi's eyes. Then, she remembered something...
Hang on...
This shameless fella was trying to...
Take her Blazing Qilin Spear?
Ping Yang knew exactly what Fang Zhengzhi was trying to do. A wave of rage came over her...
If not for the fact that the Heart Protection Mirror had been destroyed...
The Blazing Qilin Spear would have been kept by Fang Zhengzhi...
"How audacious! You dare to snatch my Blazing Qilin Spear?" Ping Yang was fuming. She wanted to snatch it back.
However, when she looked at Canyang...
She calmed down...
The Blazing Qilin Spear would be more effective in the hands of Fang Zhengzhi.
Just as she was thinking about it, a fiery red glow flashed past her eyes and she felt something in her palms.
"Forget it, I'll return it to you." Fang Zhengzhi's voice echoed out.
"Return it to me?" Ping Yang blinked, visibly stunned. She could not understand why Fang Zhengzhi would hand the spear back at this time...
Shouldn't he be dealing with Canyang?
Speaking of Canyang...
Ping Yang looked at him subconsciously.
She looked at those lifeless eyes and that youthful face. The golden symbol on his head had dimmed significantly.
Even though it had dimmed, the golden symbol still remained and there was still a faint glow. That meant that Canyang...
Was still a Sage!
A Sage was still a powerful existence.
What about Fang Zhengzhi?
Ping Yang looked at Fang Zhengzhi, realizing that she may have jumped the gun. She was too close to Fang Zhengzhi and Canyang...
Because...
Their battle hadn't ended!
Ping Yang wanted to run.
But at that moment, Fang Zhengzhi spoke.
"Oi, do you have a fresh set of clothes?"
"Clothes?" Ping Yang was stunned. Then, she looked at Fang Zhengzhi, blushing as she did so, "Shameless... erm... I have a dress..."
"Dress? Then you can keep it for yourself." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head as he began searching around.
Before long, he found something that caught his eye.
He walked towards a demon corpse nearby.
Ping Yang could tell that this was a high ranking demon. The demon's armor and helmet were clearly different from the others.
It was brighter and tougher...
But...
That wasn't the point...
Why did Fang Zhengzhi dare to walk to that corpse so openly?
Was he not afraid that Canyang would catch him?
Ping Yang felt the world crumbling around her. As Fang Zhengzhi walked towards the corpse, Canyang also moved.
He began walking towards Ping Yang.
"Stop right there! Don't think that I will let you do as you wish simply because you're a Sage!" Ping Yang bellowed.
She knew that Canyang wouldn't bother with her...
Her intention was not for Canyang to listen to her, she wanted to remind Fang Zhengzhi that she was in danger.
However...
What she didn't expect was that...
Fang Zhengzhi ignored her cries. He simply walked over to the body and removed the armor. Then, he tried it on for himself.
Sweat rolled down Ping Yang's forehead.
She didn't want to die here. If she could, she would definitely haunt Fang Zhengzhi for the rest of his life.
Canyang was closing in.
Ping Yang couldn't take it any longer.
She tightened her grip around the Blazing Qilin Spear, grit her teeth, and thrust it at Canyang's throat.
"Clang!"
The Blazing Qilin Spear fell to the ground.
It felt as though Ping Yang had not held the spear tightly. However, Ping Yang knew the truth... she had been forced to drop the spear by an overwhelming force.
Canyang was next to Ping Yang.
Their shoulders were almost touching.
Ping Yang didn't move.
However, Canyang continued to walk forward. He brushed past Ping Yang, his silver hair dancing in the wind.
As for Fang Zhengzhi...
He continued to hum a little tune nearby, adjusting his armor, visibly satisfied.
Ping Yang was furious.
What the hell was this guy doing?
Doesn't he know the consequences of ignoring me? How can he be so sure Canyang won't attack?
More importantly...
Where did he get all that power from? What happened between him and Canyang just now?
Ping Yang had too many questions...
In fact, these were the questions that were flashing through the minds of all the soldiers. They looked at Fang Zhengzhi and Ping Yang with confusion...
They couldn't understand what was happening.
Even the demons couldn't understand what was happening.
Right now...
Yun Qingwu was with Chi Guyan and Canyang had Ping Yang. Why wouldn't Canyang capture Ping Yang to trade for Yun Qingwu?
All of the demons looked at Canyang with confusion in their eyes.
At that moment, Canyang walked to Chi Guyan, his hollow eyes staring straight ahead, the golden symbol on his forehead dull...
"Exchange hostages." Canyang's voice rang out.
The entire field was silent...
Everyone had expected Canyang to say something different. This was the last thing everyone expected Canyang to say.
"Exchange hostages?"
"Is this the time to discuss the exchange of hostages?!"
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Chapter 465: Outstanding results
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Everyone was stunned when they heard what Canyang said.
It was obvious...
Neither Canyang nor Fang Zhengzhi was dead. Ordinarily, the two of them should continue fighting!
What was happening?
One went to try on armor from a corpse whilst the other is talking about exchanging hostages?
All of the soldiers looked at each other and saw nothing but confusion in each other's eyes.
The only explanation they could come up with was...
The two of them must be crazy...
How else could you explain what was happening?
No one could understand.
Countless eyes stared at Canyang.
They could only wait for the answer to be revealed.
Perhaps the answer would lie in Canyang's next move or Chi Guyan's answer.
Chi Guyan's hair and pink dress danced in the wind.
"Okay." Chi Guyan nodded without hesitation. She proposed no terms of her own, almost as if she had already expected this.
"Mm." Canyang nodded.
There were no unnecessary words or emotions. Chi Guyan looked as calm as ever.
All of the soldiers couldn't believe their eyes.
"What is happening?"
"It's done?!"
"That's all?"
Every soldier on the battlefield, regardless of demon or human, were utterly confused.
This was unbelievable!
If things were that simple, what was the point of the battle just now? Countless humans and demons had died for nothing!
They couldn't understand it...
Until...
They heard a ruckus behind them.
It was definitely from some distance away. It came from the direction of the Iron Hill Settlement, and the noises were approaching quickly.
However, when the soldiers heard the noises, their expressions changed.
The demons tensed up.
The soldiers of the joint forces heaved a sigh of relief, a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.
One could see joy and relief in their eyes. Victory was assured.
After an entire day of grueling battle...
The reinforcements had arrived.
Even though this was only the vanguard, the arrival of these soldiers meant that the battle was over.
At this point...
Everyone finally understood why Canyang would propose the idea of exchanging hostages to Chi Guyan.
They also understood why the exchange went so smoothly.
Because...
The battle was meaningless at this point.
The result was clear.
Any battle now would result in heavy losses on all sides. This was something that no one wanted to partake in.
In a battle to the death between two powerhouses...
There will be one who will emerge victorious.
However, if one was not significantly stronger than the other, then any victory would be pyrrhic and would not last very long.
In fact...
It was rare for armies to fight battles that they knew would result in pyrrhic victories.
One of the rare examples was the battle outside the Great Xia's capital.
It was a brutal battle.
A battle which neither the demons nor the humans wanted to think about. They didn't want history to repeat itself.
"Master, you..." Yun Qingwu could hear the noises from afar, but she chose to ignore them. She didn't give the withdrawal order either.
She looked at Canyang. There were no tears in her eyes, but she was slightly worried.
Canyang didn't advice Yun Qingwu to give the order for withdrawal either. He extended his hand and ruffled Yun Qingwu's hair.
The demons stayed in their positions.
The soldiers of the joint forces gripped their weapons in anticipation.
This was the final defence.
They could not let down their guard until the reinforcements arrived.
The tension in the air was thick...
Shan Ling was extremely nervous. He could hear the reinforcements coming, but he didn't know if they were Southern Region soldiers or Great Xia soldiers!
There was only one person who didn't seem nervous.
That person was Fang Zhengzhi.
After donning his armor, Fang Zhengzhi tidied his hair, wiggled his hips, then walked over to Ping Yang.
"Let's go." Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched.
"Go? Where?" Ping Yang asked doubtfully.
"Rubbish! I've had a long night of fighting! I'm famished, aren't you?" Fang Zhengzhi chided.
Ping Yang stared blankly at Fang Zhengzhi. She knew that this fella had just eaten.
"You... you're not full?" Ping Yang asked doubtfully.
"Idiot!" Fang Zhengzhi couldn't be bothered to entertain her with an answer.
"Idiot!"
Fang Zhengzhi's voice echoed throughout the entire battlefield.
The Dragon Protection Squad and Mountain Breaking Army knew some of the history between Ping Yang and Fang Zhengzhi. As such, they weren't too surprised by Fang Zhengzhi's tone.
However, the Southern Region soldiers were completely floored.
Disrespect...
Disrespecting a Princess?
Hang on...
He disrespected Princess Shan Yu before as well!
All of the Southern Region soldiers shook their heads disapprovingly.
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the reactions of the soldiers. He turned to look at Chi Guyan.
"Are you eating?" Fang Zhengzhi asked impatiently.
"I will eat if you're cooking." Chi Guyan nodded after some thought.
"Me? I don't even have the ingredients to cook." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head, pointing to his chest as he did so.
"I got some from the last time I was at your house." Chi Guyan produced a small, exquisite wooden box.
There were more than 10 compartments inside, each one containing a different colored powder.
All of the soldiers were stunned when they saw Chi Guyan take out that small wooden box.
They weren't surprised by the box...
They were stunned by her words.
His house?
What was she saying?
Of course...
That wasn't the main point. The current situation was still tense... why was Fang Zhengzhi talking about food?
Why did he drag Chi Guyan into the conversation?
They were still at war! How could the two of them talk about food whilst they were at war?
Most importantly...
Canyang didn't seem to be angered by it. It was almost as if he didn't hear the conversation between Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan.
Did he forget what Fang Zhengzhi did to him in The Vast World? Even though he could heal very quickly as a Sage, could he really tolerate being humiliated in that way?
Definitely not!
What had happened at that moment? What happened in The Vast World?
"Girls are so annoying..."
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the gazes of those around him. His eyes glittered when he saw Chi Guyan's box of spices, but he tried to play it off.
"Then I want some too!" Ping Yang couldn't resist the temptation. Her eyes glowed in anticipation.
"None for you." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"Humph, why not? The ingredients are Sister Yan's and you are using her ingredients to cook! Half of it is hers, if I, as a princess..."
"I told you before, don't use your rank with me. That belongs in the palace. When you speak to me, address yourself as 'I'." Fang Zhengzhi interrupted.
"I want some!" Ping Yang replied.
"Fine." Fang Zhengzhi waved her off, then began walking towards the gates of the Iron Hill Settlement.
Chi Guyan and Ping Yang followed behind.
The Southern Region soldiers couldn't believe what was happening. They never expected Canyang to let Fang Zhengzhi go.
However...
The fact was that Canyang had no intention of stopping Fang Zhengzhi.
"Oi, shameless fella, why didn't that blind old man come over? Why isn't he trying to kill you? What secret did you two share?" Ping Yang kept watching Canyang as she walked to the Iron Hill Settlement, but Canyang didn't move.
Ping Yang couldn't resist it any longer.
"Idiot." Fang Zhengzhi replied with disdain.
"You scold me again? Don't think that you're a big shot just because you did something great! Aiya... to be honest, you did save us all this time. Even though you couldn't defeat Canyang, you managed to hold out until the reinforcements arrived. Your feat was witnessed by so many people. I think the Emperor will come to the city gates to welcome you back this time. Do you believe me?"
Ping Yang pouted initially, but when she recalled what Fang Zhengzhi did, she beamed radiantly.
It was almost as if she had done it herself.
"Welcome me at the gates? What use is that? I would rather he give me some gems, oh, no, some treasures would be good. I lost so much blood..."
"What do you know? Ordinarily, only the victorious commander gets welcomed by the Emperor. That usually happens at the gates of the palace! To have him welcome you at the gates to the city is a huge honor! How dare you ask for treasure?" Ping Yang replied scornfully.
"Honor is meaningless, treasure is the way to go." Fang Zhengzhi retorted.
"What about a promotion? If I am not wrong, you will definitely be promoted. Let me see... it wouldn't be too much to make you a rank one minister. However, since you lack experience, rank one... may be too much. Rank two should be no problem though. You could be a nobleman, and a hereditary one at that!" Ping Yang said excitedly.
"Hereditary nobility?" Fang Zhengzhi's heart fluttered.
He didn't care much for the promotion, but hereditary nobility was a different story altogether.
It was equivalent to becoming a member of the noble elite.
If he was a night, he could give his mother a position as well. His father... it was quite good.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't care how high those positions were.
They would all be paid for their jobs.
In other words, he would be handed a golden rice bowl. All they had to do was collect their salary every month, even if they did nothing.
How wonderful!
He salivated just thinking about it.
If he returned to the village with a hereditary nobility, all of the villagers would wet themselves.
Fang Zhengzhi smiled radiantly when he thought about this.
When Ping Yang saw this.
Her excitement turned into scorn.
"What's the big deal about it? Isn't it just a knighthood?" Ping Yang retorted. Then, she added, "Oi, shameless fella, you haven't told me. What happened between you and Canyang? Why didn't he kill you?"
"If I am correct, Canyang did what he did for Yun Qingwu." Chi Guyan's voice rang out as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
"Yun Qingwu? What has sparing Fang Zhengzhi got to do with Yun Qingwu?" Ping Yang was confused.
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Chapter 466: Altering Fate
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"It's better to teach a man to fish than to give a man to fish. Have you heard this expression before?" Chi Guyan asked Ping Yang.
"Of course. Giving a man a fish may solve his immediate problem, but it's not a lasting solution. In order to feed him for life, it's better to teach him to fish. Am I right?" Ping Yang replied.
"Yes." Chi Guyan nodded.
"But... I still don't understand. What has this got to do with Canyang sparing Fang Zhengzhi?" Ping Yang blinked in confusion.
"There is another meaning to that story, it is the story of a master laying the path for his disciple."
"A path?"
"Canyang is a great master. He is so good that he is willing to give up a chance for revenge for Yun Qingwu." Chi Guyan explained.
"Give up a chance for revenge for Yun Qingwu? What you're saying is..."
"Yes, Canyang is doing the groundwork for Yun Qingwu."
"Groundwork?" Ping Yang was increasingly confused.
"If I am right, Canyang probably has very little time left." Chi Guyan watched the two figures in the distance.
One was dressed in blue, the other in white.
The two figures stood quietly in the middle of the field. One looked extremely calm, whilst the other had an expression of care and unwillingness.
"Sister Yan, you're saying that the blind man is about to die? That's not very possible, is it? He is a Sage! Shouldn't his lifespan be extended as a result?" Ping Yang queried.
"Normally, that would be the case." Chi Guyan nodded.
"Normally? Are you saying that he didn't truly enter the Sage State but instead forced a breakthrough?" Ping Yang was in shock.
"There are six Daos in the Rebirth State. Once you grasp the Heavenly Dao, then you are a mere step away from attaining Sage. Canyang had wielded the Heavenly Dao for over a decade. There can be only one possibility why he didn't attain Sage earlier."
"What is it?"
"He only cultivated one Dao!"
"Only one Dao? Erm... you mean he entered the Heavenly Rebirth State without going through the Star Conglomerate, Heavenly Reflection, and Supernatural States? How is that possible?" Ping Yang couldn't believe this even though it had come from Chi Guyan.
"It is extremely difficult for humans, but it is not impossible for a demon. They have accessed Dao from the moment of birth." Chi Guyan explained patiently.
"That... that is unbelievable!"
"Canyang was relatively unknown for most of his life. He only showcased his abilities over the past decade. Such great improvement may only be possible for someone like Canyang. Of course, this is just my guess." Chi Guyan continued.
"Even the Emperor buys into your guesses and postulations. However, I still don't understand. Since he knew that he couldn't be a Sage, why would he waste his life and breakthrough forcefully?" Ping Yang pressed.
"Maybe he didn't have much time left anyway."
"Oh..." Ping Yang was silent. If what Chi Guyan said was true, then there may be a reason for the demons linking up with the Southern Region now.
Canyang was out of time...
Was that the driving force behind this plan?
If that was so, was Canyang breaking through to Sage also part of the plan? Ping Yang's face was filled with shock.
No wonder...
Yun Qingwu was the Young Master of the demons.
She was known for her ability to predict the future.
However...
She had failed to calculate Fang Zhengzhi into the equation. Even if she did, she didn't know that Fang Zhengzhi had The Vast World, nor could she have known that Fang Zhengzhi could face up against Canyang.
This was Heaven's will.
It had nothing to do with Yun Qingwu's plan.
"I understand now. Canyang was worried that this failure would affect Yun Qingwu's standing amongst the demons. Since he won't be able to be by Yun Qingwu's side for long, he decided to take this course of action." Ping Yang finally saw the light.
"Mm." Chi Guyan nodded.
By leaving behind a 'threat' that only Yun Qingwu knew well, he could ensure that Yun Qingwu was still valued in the Demon community.
However...
There had to be another reason why Canyang was willing to let Fang Zhengzhi live.
In his mind, he was sure that Fang Zhengzhi could not harm the demons anymore.
In other words, Fang Zhengzhi was...
Chi Guyan looked at Fang Zhengzhi, her eyes glittering. Her mouth twitched, but no words came out.
Fang Zhengzhi knew what Chi Guyan was thinking.
However...
Even he didn't have the answers.
What was the aftermath of eating his Fruits of Dao?
No one knew.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't bother thinking about it. There was no use anyways. All he knew was that when Canyang pressed on his chest, he had stared death in the face.
However...
Canyang didn't kill him.
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea if it was because of Yun Qingwu, but he couldn't be bothered. All he knew was that if Canyang didn't kill him then...
He wouldn't kill him now.
That was enough. The rest was up to him.
"How about we talk about the hereditary nobility? After I get it, would I be getting any land? Would I have my own guard?" Fang Zhengzhi spoke up as he walked towards the gates of the settlement.
Marry someone?
That was a must.
Else, who will inherit the knighthood? Who was he going to marry? Chi Guyan was out of the question. Yun Qingwu? Pui, that was even worse...
He would have to go on a blind date...
With his qualities, he should be able to land a good lady.
Hang on, those ladies from noble families tend to be aloof and unable to work. He should find someone who is capable of doing chores.
Yes!
That was something important!
Just as Fang Zhengzhi was busy planning his life...
Ping Yang looked at him with disdain. She was concerned about his safety, but all he cared about was land and a squad of guards?
"Can you show some appreciation? Why do you only think of land and a squad of guards?" Ping Yang pouted as she looked at Yun Qingwu and Canyang.
Behind Yun Qingwu and Canyang...
There were hundreds of thousands of demon soldiers, their armor glistening in the sun. This was a terrifying army to face off against.
"Hahaha, what do you know? This is my reward for surviving that catastrophe." Fang Zhengzhi couldn't be bothered to debate with Ping Yang.
Now was his time to celebrate.
Everything else...
Could be pushed to the side for now.
Of course, there was one other thing he had to take care of. That was Yan Xiu.
Fang Zhengzhi turned to look at Chi Guyan and Ping Yang, "Do either of you know how Yan Xiu is?"
"Yan Xiu? He went back to Western Liang." Ping Yang replied without hesitation.
"He returned to Western Liang? Okay then..." Fang Zhengzhi nodded. He had heard from Teng Shisheng that Yan Xiu suffered serious injuries at the battle at the Icy Monkey Settlement.
It was normal that he would return to Western Liang to recuperate.
That being said, he would have to find time to visit Yan Xiu. The only problem was he may not live to see that day...
Fang Zhengzhi shook his head and walked into the Iron Hill Settlement.
When the Southern Region soldiers guarding the gate saw the three of them approach, they stepped aside.
The three of them disappeared into the settlement.
Nangong Hao also stood up as he looked at the pink figure. He clenched his fists.
Then unclenched them almost as quickly.
"My lord, I need to make a trip back."
"Make a trip back?" Xing Yuanguo knew that Nangong Hao meant the Nangong Family's residence.
"Yes, my brother is waiting for me at the gates. This is the treaty signed by the Southern Region. Please hand it to the Emperor for me. I will visit the Emperor in the capital in a month's time with my brother." Nangong Hao handed the treaty to Xing Yuanguo.
"I understand." Xing Yuanguo nodded as he took the treaty in his hands.
Time flew by.
Before long, the vanguard of the reinforcements arrived. This was the Great Xia's army garrisoned at the Icy Monkey Settlement. Shan Ling was not happy to see this.
Four hours later...
The rest of the reinforcements arrived.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers marched into the settlement. Their morale and confidence were high
Then...
When they saw the demon army outside the city, all of their expressions changed.
They simply couldn't imagine what had happened here...
How did the army hold out in the face of such a domineering onslaught?
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince of the Great Xia is here!" One of the settlement chiefs whispered to Shan Ling.
"Mm." Shan Ling nodded.
At that very moment, Ling Tianrong, dressed in a silver robe, walked over with Xing Yuanguo.
"I am the Crown Prince of the Southern Region, Shan Ling. Greetings, your highness!" Shan Ling was pale, but he still accorded Lin Tianrong with the appropriate respect.
"Crown Prince, you can do away with the formalities. The Demons are a troublesome bunch, waging war on Great Xia lands. You must have been through a lot. When I return, I will request for a garrison to be permanently stationed here!" Lin Tianrong's eyes were filled with concern as he looked at Shan Ling's wounds.
Shan Ling squinted.
The Great Xia's lands?
A garrison?!
He knew what the Crown Prince was referring to. He also knew what Lin Tianrong had done since stepping foot in the Southern Region.
However...
He could not afford to antagonize Lin Tianrong.
His chest heaved as he smiled. However, his attention had already turned to the demon army on the field.
"Even though they cannot take the Iron Hill Settlement, they aren't withdrawing. What is their motive? Crown Prince, do you have any intention to withdraw?" Shan Ling spoke.
"Haha..." Lin Tianrong chuckled. He did not show any signs of unhappiness at the question as he looked at the demon army.
"There are two reasons why they are not withdrawing. The first is posturing! Even though they have lost the battle, they have not lost the momentum. If they withdraw immediately, they will lose morale. Furthermore, it takes time to prepare for such a large-scale withdrawal. Yun Qingwu is smart not to give the order immediately!" Xing Yuanguo's voice rang out.
"You are right. Since Yun Qingwu is merely posturing, Shan Ling, you need not worry. Just increase the defences a little just in case." Lin Tianrong nodded.
When Shan Ling heard this, his eyes glittered but he maintained his smile.
"Lord, you said that there were two reasons. What is the second?" Shan Ling asked sincerely.
"Robbery! The demons must have used up many resources in this campaign. They had intended to take the capital. Now that the capital is off the table, they will definitely look for secondary rewards." Xing Yuanguo added.
"Robbery?! Are they going to ransack Nan Ling?" Shan Ling's expression turned to shock.
However, he did not ask for help.
He knew that Lin Tianrong was waiting for him to do so.
However, if he asked for help...
The price that he would have to pay would definitely be greater than Nan Ling Settlement. More importantly, the demon army was a force to be reckoned with.
Even if the Great Xia was willing to help, they would not risk their lives for some gold.
As a result...
Any request for help would be meaningless.
Shan Ling didn't speak.
After a moment of silence, Crown Prince Lin TIanrong chuckled, his eyes glittering.
"Since the lord has spelled it all out, let's just guard the Iron Hill Settlement for three days. Is that okay?"
"Yes, thank you for your assistance!"
Shan Ling nodded and left the wall.
"Your Highness, we will be taking our leave too!" The settlement chiefs followed Shan Ling's lead.
"Okay, it has been tough on all of you. I will take over the defense." Lin Tianrong smiled and bowed.
Shan Ling and the settlement chiefs returned to the settlement.
Lin Tianrong turned back and looked at the sea of demon soldiers in black, his gaze icy.
Nightfall.
Inside a huge stone house in the Iron Hill Settlement...
The house's interior was beautiful. It was adorned with leather on the walls as well as leather carpets.
Gems also hung from the ceiling, lighting up the entire room.
Lin Tianrong wore a white robe and he lay down on an exquisite piece of leather. He squinted, his eyes icy.
Having arrived here...
He had heard about the battle and the events in The Vast World.
"Fang Zhengzhi! I never expected... that the battle here would shoot you to fame!" Lin Tianrong's chest heaved but he calmed himself down.
"Your Highness, Official Su is here!"
At that moment, the voice of one of his servants rang out.
Then, Official Su, donning a black robe, entered the room.
"Official Su, what great timing." Lin Tianrong glanced at Official Su. He didn't give Official Su the permission to sit.
Su Qing wasn't surprised by this. He knew exactly how Lin Tianrong was feeling.
Lin Tianrong wasn't alone in his shock.
When he heard about the events here, he was stunned as well.
"Your Highness, are you worried about Fang Zhengzhi?" Su Qing asked softly as he bowed.
"Fang Zhengzhi? Haha... Official Su, I have known you to be a great reader, but I must disappoint you this time. No matter how much Fang Zhengzhi achieved here, he is of no threat to me. Furthermore, he has been rendered useless." Lin Tianrong replied disdainfully.
"You are right, Fang Zhengzhi cannot threaten you, but..." Su Qing stopped himself.
"But what? Spill it!"
"Your Highness, did you forget about the messenger you sent to the Icy Monkey Settlement?"
"I have already made arrangements and there is no evidence the order came from me. Even if Fang Zhengzhi complained to the Emperor, it will not link back to me."
"There is no evidence, but this doesn't mean that Fang Zhengzhi will not hate you for it." Su Qing nodded.
"So what?" Lin Tianrong replied dismissively.
"With his contributions this time, Fang Zhengzhi may be accorded a title and his family may be promoted to noble status. Do you know that the Minister Of Rites is dead? If I am correct, the Emperor had tried to push Fang Zhengzhi to that ministry. Now, with his achievements, it is only a matter of time before he becomes the minister." Su Qing added.
"Continue." Lin Tianrong's interest had been piqued.
Ministry of Rites!
One of the six ministries, in charge of rites and diplomacy. It was one of the most important domestic ministries. He had control of the ministry in the past.
Of course...
That was not the most important point.
Most importantly, Lin Tianrong knew that the Emperor had been meaning to combine the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Rites. If that were to happen...
The influence of the Ministry of Rites would be gargantuan.
"Your Highness, I'm sure you haven't forgotten that Fang Zhengzhi and Chi Guyan have a wager that could result in their marriage. Previously, the possibility of this was close to none. But what if he is the Minister of Rites?" Su Qing smirked.
"Are you talking about the Divine Constabulary?" Lin Tianrong's gaze was icy.
"That's right. Chi Hou has always been King Duan's strategist. Even though Fang Zhengzhi and King Duan have a bit of history, if Chi Guyan and Fang Zhengzhi wed, what would his attitude be?"
"Carry on."
"If Fang Zhengzhi is the Minister of Rites and a son-in-law to the Divine Constabulary... taking into account Xing Yuanguo's attitude towards him today... do you think the 13 constabularies... will still remain silent?"
"Impossible! The Stabilization Constabulary has never taken part in the battle for the throne. This is something that will never happen!" Lin Tianrong replied assertively.
"Theoretically, that is true, but what if it happens? If the 13 Constabularies are linked to King Duan... together with the Yan Family of Western Liang... you may not be able to hold your position."
"Smack!"
A crack appeared in Lin Tianrong's bed.
Lin Tianrong finally sat up, his eyes squinted and filled with iciness.
"What is your plan?"
"I have a plan that will help take care of all these concerns and will also give you all the credit here. If it works, no one will be able to contest your position!" Su Qing's eyes glittered.
"It'll give me all the credit? Haha... you must be joking. Fang Zhengzhi's exploits here are clear for all to see, how can I take that away?" Lin Tianrong couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Stealing is the lowest of all methods. This plan of mine will not steal anything, but it could change the course of events!" Su Qing shook his head.
"Haha... you plan to help me take all the credit without stealing? That is ridiculous. Why don't you tell me how confident you are of this plan succeeding?" Lin Tianrong chuckled.
"10%!" Su Qing replied without any hesitation.
10%? You must be joking." Lin Tianrong froze as he stared at Su Qing.
"If it doesn't work, I am willing to die for my actions!" Su Qing fell to his knees.
"Okay then, tell me what your plan is!" Lin Tianrong stood up and walked over to Su Qing to help him up.
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Chapter 467: Making Babies
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Two figures say under the moonlight. It was dim, but the two figures glittered in the light.
After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Zhengzhi changed into a fresh set of clothes. The only thing left to do was get a good night's rest.
However...
He still chose to sit down with Chi Guyan.
There was no special reason. Perhaps it was because Chi Guyan was leaving at daybreak and Fang Zhengzhi wanted to repay her for saving him.
There was no harm in listening to the roar of beasts whilst snacking on some nuts. They could enjoy watching the moon whilst being surrounded by an army of demons.
The night was best for admiring the moon.
He leaned against the backrest of the stone chair and placed his feet on the table. He held a handful of nuts in his hand.
This was his reward after the battle.
"What are your plans after you return to the capital?" Chi Guyan wasn't surprised to see Fang Zhengzhi so relaxed.
"I'll visit the Northern Mountain Village first." Fang Zhengzhi turned to look at Chi Guyan.
Chi Guyan was wearing a blue dress and had a white flower pinned to her chest. A white belt around her waist accentuated her great figure.
Fang Zhengzhi had to admit that Chi Guyan's eyes were especially alluring, and she had an attractive aura about her.
It was a pity that she was a little too arrogant.
"And then what?" Chi Guyan pressed.
"I'll build a big house."
"And?"
"Marry... erm, find 100 servants."
"100?"
"Yes."
"Is 100 enough?"
"Haha... yes it is, any more and the expenses would be too great."
"Mm, that's true." Chi Guyan nodded but didn't say more.
Fang Zhengzhi was silent as well. He continued eating the nuts in his hand, but he found that they weren't as tasty as before.
The night was chilly.
It was almost winter. Nights in the Southern Region were already cold, and the chill cooled the stone seats even further.
After some time...
Chi Guyan spoked once again.
"Once you return to the capital, I think the Emperor would make you acting minister of the Ministry of Rites. What... do you think of that?"
"Then I'll just take it up." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"The Heaven Dao Pavillion selections are in a month's time, will you be participating?" Chi Guyan's voice was calm, but her eyes were filled with anticipation.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't speak.
He knew why Chi Guyan had come to find him, and he also knew that he had promised her that he would go to the selections.
The only problem was...
Could he still do it?
Time seemed to crawl...
The night deepened.
Fang Zhengzhi raised his head and closed his eyes.
Chi Guyan did not press further. She simply sat quietly, her eyes glittering like the stars in the sky.
It was a calm night...
Some distance away, there was another calm figure...
This figure was clad in black leather, her beige skin glowing.
She watched the two figures sitting under the moonlight.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince and the Settlement Chiefs are waiting for you." Someone whispered respectfully beside her.
"I got it. Are there any movements from the demons?"
"Not yet."
"Okay, pass down my orders. The Silver Horned Wolves are to help reinforce the defences. There must be no points of weakness! Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with by court-martial!"
"Yes, ma'am!" The voice replied and took his leave.
She continued to watch the two figures under the moonlight for a while. Her eyes glittered momentarily, then she took her leave.
At daybreak, Chi Guyan left and brought a begrudging Ping Yang with her.
The demon army was still camped outside the Iron Hill Settlement. They exercised and practiced formations, but never launched an attack.
When Fang Zhengzhi was free, he would go and sit on the settlement walls.
There was always one figure standing at the front of the demon camp. That was a figure in a white dress.
Three days later, the demon army withdrew.
The Southern Region war was finally over.
As the commander, Xing Yuanguo headed straight back to the capital after the war was over. Xing Qingsui, the Dragon Protection Squad, the Mountain Breaking Army and the 100,000 Great Xia soldiers returned with him.
However...
The Crown Prince did not return immediately.
All of the candidates who had participated in the court examinations stayed behind with the Crown Prince to participate in the celebratory dinner.
As the one with the greatest contribution to this victory...
Fang Zhengzhi stayed behind as well. He followed the Southern Region soldiers back to the Sagely Mountain City and basked in the festivities.
At that very moment, the capital of the Great Xia was also in a celebratory mood.
News of the battle had already reached the capital. The events of the Southern Region sent everyone in the capital into a frenzy.
"Did you hear? Fang Zhengzhi dueled a Sage!"
"Of course I heard about it. I am sure he would be handsomely rewarded."
"It is a pity that this is the end of the road for his cultivation."
"So what? His contributions to the battle would definitely mean that the Emperor will reward him handsomely! His cultivation may have been ruined, but it was for the country! Even if he was crippled, it would be worth it!"
Everyone was talking about the war, and everyone was talking about Fang Zhengzhi...
In the throne room...
The officials stood on both sides whilst Emperor Lin Mubai took his seat on the throne. He was smiling radiantly.
This was a difficult battle.
However...
It had gone even better than he had expected. Even though they had suffered some losses, they managed to quell the unrest in the Southern Region. The Emperor was delighted.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince had been a key factor in our victory. Now, he is negotiating with the Southern Region on behalf of the Great Xia. In my modest opinion..."
"When is Xing Hou expected to arrive?" Emperor Lin Mubai interrupted and waved the official off.
"Your Highness, we have reports that he has left the Southern Region. He should be back within the next five days." Another official stepped forward, smirking at the other embarrassed official.
The Crown Prince?
That's jumping the gun.
They had won the Southern Region war. As the chief invigilator of the court examination, he did have a part to play in the victory, but...
In comparison to some others... his contributions were negligible.
"Okay, my orders are as follows. Tell Xing Hou not to rush and to take care of himself. Have all the cities and provinces along the way prepare feasts as a reward for our army." Emperor Lin Mubai nodded.
"Yes, your highness!"
"Oh yes, Fang Zhengzhi is still in the Southern Regions, yes?" Emperor Lin Mubai seemed to remember something.
"Your Highness, Fang Zhengzhi is participating in the celebratory feast in the Southern Region. He should be there for another week. He will return with the Crown Prince..." The official replied.
All of the other officials looked at each other. They knew what was coming...
Discussing Fang Zhengzhi right after Xing Hou...
That meant that he was valued far more than just a rank four official.
However, none of them raised any objections because they knew that there will be a youth in the courts very soon.
A sixteen-year-old...
This was a teenager who they had to listen to and value his opinions. This man was the main reason why they were victorious.
A duel against Canyang in The Vast World.
This would make him famous throughout all the lands...
Even if he was no longer a talent...
"Okay, here are my orders. Fang Zhengzhi is to be made assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites. He will temporarily be a rank three official. He will represent the ministry and assist in negotiations with the Southern Region." Emperor Lin Mubai ordered.
"Yes, your highness!" All of the officials replied.
No one dared to bring up the fact that Fang Zhengzhi's cultivation had been ruined. Even Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping closed his eyes and remained calm.
They all heard the word "temporarily".
Rank three official? Temporarily?
He had already received a double promotion despite not having returned to the capital. One could only imagine what rewards awaited him when he returned.
The Sagely Mountain City was in a festive mood.
From the foot of the hill all the way to the peak, ladies in rattan lined the sides of the road, dancing to welcome the victorious army. There were bonfires all along the path...
Beasts roasted on each bonfire, the fragrance wafting into the noses of the soldiers.
This was how the Southern Region welcomed their warriors. Each bonfire represented a settlement. The ladies danced to welcome their warriors back.
When the warriors passed by the bonfire of their settlement, they could stop and enjoy the food.
Of course...
If they wanted to, they could interact with the ladies dancing by the bonfire. If the ladies were willing, they could form even deeper connections.
The Southern Region was a land of warriors.
It was also a very liberal place.
Countless warriors stopped in their tracks and joined in the festivities, eating and drinking their fill.
At the peak of the Sagely Mountain City...
The festivities were at their greatest inside the royal palace.
A myriad of leather pieces hung from the walls of the palace. There were also pictures fashioned from dyed rattan and gems.
Each picture represented something different.
It was an honor.
It was also a faith...
A faith that belonged to the major settlements of the Southern Region.
The bigger and more intricate the picture, the more space it took. The six largest pictures hung from the main door.
There was a golden picture in the middle of the six.
This belonged to the royal family.
Inside the throne room, the King of the Southern Region, dressed in exquisite leather, sat next to the Crown Prince.
Just below them were Shan Ling and Princess Shan Yu, as well as the settlement chiefs and Great Xia candidates.
"Drink!" The King of the Southern Region raised his glass.
"Drink!" The settlement chiefs echoed.
The candidates from the Great Xia raised their glasses as well. They were all flushed; the wine in the Southern Region was much stronger than they were used to.
However, they weren't about to concede.
As such...
They raised their glasses and gulped it down.
With everyone high and tipsy, the poetry composition began.
The brushes of the Great Xia candidates were stained black with ink.
The Southern Region settlement chiefs found friends amongst the generals and music began to fill the room.
Fang Zhengzhi had little interest in all of this.
However, there was too much attention on him. Even the King of the Southern Region and Crown Prince Lin Tianrong came over to toast him.
Then, there were the settlement chiefs and generals...
All this while, Fang Zhengzhi had been a bit of a recluse during such events. However, today, he was the center of attraction.
No one tried to challenge him to poetry.
After the candidates finished their composition, they would turn to look at Fang Zhengzhi with excitement and anticipation.
"Official Fang, please critique!"
"Good!" Fang Zhengzhi replied casually.
"Thank you, Official Fang!" The candidate would smile and bow before he turned to ask for comments from the others.
Watching this...
Fang Zhengzhi felt rather exasperated.
Being so popular isn't such a great thing after all. That being said... he could probably start taking bribes in the near future.
After he received his titles and land and servants... he couldn't possibly reject all the gifts offered to him...
Right?
Fang Zhengzhi smiled to himself. After so many toasts, he was beginning to feel a little tipsy.
After a few more rounds, he felt rather groggy.
At that moment, the King of the Southern Region stood up, his face flushed as he surveyed the candidates below.
"The people of the Great Xia are knowledgeable and cultured. I am truly in awe! It is a pity that age is catching up with me. I will have to leave the cultural exchange and learning to the next generation."
"Your Highness, you are still young." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong stood up and smiled.
"Hahaha... there is no point in denying that I am old. However, my age is of little concern. I am simply handing over the responsibilities to the next generation a little earlier." The King of the Southern Region chuckled.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong squinted when he heard this. His eyes glittered icily as he looked at Shan Ling.
However, they reverted to normal very quickly.
"In my modest opinion, you still have more than a decade of ruling in you!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong added.
"Ten years? Hahaha... you must be joking. I know my body well. I wouldn't even last a year longer, much less ten. However, there's something that I've been unable to put to rest." The Southern Region King lamented.
"What is it?"
"This requires your help, Crown Prince." The King of the Southern Region added.
"Your Highness, you are too kind. If I have the honor of assisting you, I will definitely do my best without any hesitation!" Lin Tianrong squinted.
"Hahaha... that's great! Let me thank you on behalf of Princess Shan Yu in advance!" The King of the Southern Region laughed.
"Princess?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was taken aback.
"Yes, this daughter of mine has been pampered since young. She doesn't like any of our brave warriors. However, she has taken an interest in the candidates..." The King of the Southern Region looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi was slightly tipsy...
However, this did not affect his judgment.
He was shocked to see the King of the Southern Region look at him. "F*ck me, is he trying to get me to marry his daughter?"
Then...
Should he accept or reject?
At that very moment, Fang Zhengzhi felt another pair of eyes looking at him. This figure was wearing a luxurious piece of leather.
Her eyes were as black as ink and glittered in the light.
Her body exuded an animalistic aura that radiated all over her skin. She also had thin, pen-like legs.
Princess Shan Yu.
She was a lady with many suitors.
Fang Zhengzhi never expected that he would be the center of attraction today.
Much less the subject of an arranged marriage.
This request came from the King himself?
Shouldn't this be requested by the guy?
If this was the case...
Could he save on the dowry?
After all, Princess Shan Yu was a princess. He was at an advantage here! She was more influential than most girls he could find.
More importantly, she was capable!
So... should he marry this person and make babies with her? Fang Zhengzhi thought to himself as he looked at Shan Yu and the King.
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Chapter 468: Where is the trust between people?
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
This was a serious question.
Just as Fang Zhengzhi was thinking about it, the other candidates became increasingly excited.
They knew what the King of the Southern Region meant.
He was looking for a suitor!
The question was, would he pick someone based on intellect or combat skill?
All of the candidates looked at Princess Shan Yu, their eyes glittering. She was a beauty...
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong also knew what the King of the Southern Region was getting at. He smiled, almost as if he knew this was coming.
"Are you trying to use this event to find someone for your daughter?"
"Indeed." The King of the Southern Region nodded as he looked away from Fang Zhengzhi and back at Lin Tianrong.
"That's great! That's great indeed! How would you like to go about choosing?"
"No, no I will not be the one choosing. I want my daughter to choose for herself." The King of the Southern Region looked at Princess Shan Yu.
"Have the Princess choose for herself?" Lin Tianrong was taken aback.
Generally, royal weddings were decided by the Emperors. This made Lin Tianrong think that this would be the case here as well.
However, it would seem that...
This was not the case.
"We have our own customs, would you mind indulging us?" The King smiled.
"I would love to." Lin Tianrong replied.
"Have someone light a bonfire!" The King smiled when he saw Lin Tianrong nod.
"Yes, your highness!" A few of the servants replied before taking their leave.
Then, a few heavily armored soldiers entered and placed a pile of wood in the middle of the room.
There was a live Blue Horned Lamb on it.
All of the candidates were shocked. In their minds, they were expecting a stage.
A pile of wood and a lamb...
Were they planning to roast it?
Just as they were thinking about it, Princess Shan Yu stood up and looked at the candidates, then at Fang Zhengzhi.
She walked over to the bonfire.
Then...
Two daggers appeared in her hands.
And then...
The candidates were all stunned by what they saw.
Princess Shan Yu began slaughtering the lamb... her movements were so smooth it was as though she had been doing this her whole life.
The lamb was prepared within moments.
Princess Shan Yu placed the lamb on the bonfire and sheathed her daggers.
Every movement was smooth, clean, and animalistic.
However, all of the candidates were still confused. They had no idea what was coming.
"We have a tradition here in the Southern Region. All returning warriors can enjoy a sumptuous meal. They can choose which fire to go to, and the ladies can choose whether to let the males eat from her bonfire!" The King chuckled as he explained.
All of the candidates looked at each other when they heard this.
They understood almost instantly.
How simple was that?
This was a great representation of Southern Region culture. There were little formalities and they emphasized freedom.
The warriors showed their admiration and liking of a girl by eating at their bonfire. The ladies could choose which males they allowed to eat from their bonfire.
This was all about freedom of choice.
It was simple.
No one would be forced to do something against their will. At the same time, they were spreading the culture of their food.
In order to impress the warriors, the Southern Region ladies learnt to cook from a young age. That was how they supported the family.
When he heard this...
Fang Zhengzhi couldn't help but exclaim in his heart, "Great tradition!"
The lamb was placed on the fire and a few servants stood around it. At that moment, Princess Shan Yu moved.
The red cloud patterns appeared on her body.
They extended down her arms and her eyes also began to turn red, almost as if there were two balls of fire dancing in them.
All of the candidates whooped and cheered.
"All the best, your highness!"
"How beautiful! I have never seen anything so red and bright in my 20 years of life!"
"Indeed, she looks like a rising sun, her eyes are so beautiful..."
All of the candidates couldn't hold back their praises as they tried to find words to express their feelings.
Fang Zhengzhi looked at the candidates scornfully.
Pretty?
A sun?
Is that even a fitting description?
The first time he had seen Princess Shan Yu like that, he had almost mistaken her for a ghost.
That being said, he had to admit that she did give off an attractive animalistic aura.
The only question was...
What are the cloud patterns?
No one bothered to find out what Fang Zhengzhi's question was. No one planned on answering it either. They were all engrossed with what Princess Shan Yu was doing.
Princess Shan Yu was dancing.
Her slender long legs flew across the floor as she twirled, sparks dancing on her hands. As she twirled, the sparks landed on the lamb, giving off sizzling sounds.
After a few rounds of twirling, Princess Shan Yu took out a few tubes. Each tube contained a certain spice.
Grinding and spreading...
Princess Shan Yu twirled around the flame as she seasoned the meat with her spices. The fragrance wafted into the noses of everyone around.
"You can roast meats this way?" Fang Zhengzhi was slightly shocked. He had heard that you could roast meats using all kinds of herbs and spices.
However, it was a very difficult method.
Because...
The ratios had to be perfect. If you used too many herbs and spices, the natural flavor of the meat would be masked.
If you used too little, then the blend would be suboptimal and both flavor and texture may be compromised.
One could only perfect the ratios through many rounds of trial and error.
Of course, as the Princess of the Southern Region...
Fang Zhengzhi knew that Princess Shan Yu's standards would not be low. In fact, when he smelt the fragrance...
He knew that her standard was better than he had expected!
There wasn't any overpowering herb smell!
In fact, it was fresh and inviting.
How did she do it?
Could it be...
That she used the meat's fragrance to mask that of the herbs?
"Fantastic!" Fang Zhengzhi had always loved to eat. To him, eating was one of the greatest enjoyments in life.
Gulp...
Fang Zhengzhi swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
This was heard by Princess Shan Yu. Her eyes brightened when she heard it as a red glow brightened her face.
All of the other candidates were mesmerized when they smelt the aroma of the meat.
Then, Princess Shan Yu stopped.
A golden lamb sat atop the bonfire. There was no charring. The entire lamb was a decadent golden color.
All of the candidates gulped down a mouthful of saliva.
Even Lin Tianrong was tempted...
"The Princess's abilities... even I..." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong wanted to say that he wanted to taste some, but he stopped himself.
"Hahaha, I have to say that my daughter is probably the best around when it comes to roasting lamb!" The King chuckled.
He knew what the Crown Prince was saying.
As the Crown Prince of an empire, he could not request for a tasting. The King had to offer it.
However...
The King had no intention of letting the Crown Prince have a try. This was the Southern Region culture! Only someone sincere, whom the lady liked, had the right to taste it.
Anything else...
Would be an insult to their culture!
Seeing that the King of the Southern Region didn't say anything else, Lin Tianrong cleared his throat. This told the candidates that they could begin.
All of the candidates leapt at the opportunity.
"Your Highness, could I please try a bite?" A youth in green stood up first. He had a gentlemanly demeanor.
"Have you been promised to someone?" The Princess glanced at the candidate.
"Erm... yes I do, but if I could be with your highness..." The youth was stammered.
"Scram!" Princess Shan Yu ordered.
"Erm..." The youth wasn't expecting this...
The King of the Southern Region had said that they could try the food if they were attracted to the Princess...
Yet, things were not playing out that way.
He didn't want to return to his position...
However, a few heavily armored soldiers had already lowered their spears at his throat.
"Hahaha... she can be quite wilful..." The King of the Southern Region chuckled.
When the other candidates heard the words of the King, they seemed to understand...
This was the tradition of the Southern Region...
However, Shan Yu was a Princess.
She wouldn't let any random person try her food.
Her willfulness...
Was reason enough.
The youth in green decided to return to his spot, slightly depressed. However, he did not dare to say anything.
At that moment, another candidate stepped forward.
He was dressed in black.
He held a paper and pen.
"Your Highness, I have a short poem that I wrote for you. Perhaps you could take a look at it?" The candidate prepared to present his work.
"Scram!" Princess Shan Yu's voice rang out.
"Erm, your highness, I have not been promised..."
"You are too ugly!"
"..." The candidate withdrew, visibly embarrassed, tears in his eyes. His appearance was no fault of his... why couldn't she just look at his work?
After two candidates had failed...
The candidates realized that Princess Shan Yu was extremely willful. If she didn't like you, she would send you packing.
However, the candidates weren't about to give up.
So...
They tried their luck!
"Scram!"
"Scram!:
"Your Highness, I want to challenge you to a duel!"
After Princess Shan Yu had rejected a few candidates, a brave soul stood up and challenged her to a duel.
In the end...
He was defeated handily.
Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched as he saw the pool of blood. He sighed to himself, "Not every lady succumbs to the hard way!"
"Scram!"
"Scram!"
And then, many of the candidates were sent packing. Some of them even lay on the ground, bawling their eyes out.
They could neither win her over nor defeat her!
What were they supposed to do?
Some were too short... others were too tall...
She sent another guy packing simply because his eyes were too small...
Somethings were out of their control!
The candidates' hearts were all shattered by Princess Shan Yu...
The tales were all lies...
Weren't they supposed to be able to try as long as they were sincere?
Where was the trust?
"Princess, my princess!"
All of the candidates screamed in their hearts.
However, it was to no avail.
Because...
Princess Shan Yu had no intention of letting up.
The lamb continued to sizzle on the pile of wood, the fragrance causing everyone in the room to salivate...
However, that was all they could do.
Almost every candidate had been sent back.
Except for one man...
That man was Fang Zhengzhi!
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Chapter 469: Acting skills
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi didn't move.
Why didn't he move?
The reason was simple.
The look on the face of the Southern Region King said it all. Princess Shan Yu's actions couldn't have made things clearer.
They clearly wanted him to be a suitor.
Did they really think that he was dumb?
Fang Zhengzhi was sure that if he stepped forward, he would definitely be able to get a taste. Things would all fall into place from that moment on...
All Fang Zhengzhi could say was...
"Naive!"
How dumb did they think he was?
Marry Princess Shan Yu?
This was something that many people dreamed of. Those with neither name nor fortune all dreamed to be part of a royal family.
But the truth was...
Marrying a princess was not as glorious as people thought.
If one really married a princess, one would know how tough life could get.
If he married a Southern Region Princess, that difficulty would only increase.
Princess Shan Yu would never return to the Great Xia with him. In other words, he would have to stay here.
He wouldn't even have any control over the surname of his kids.
Furthermore...
The Southern Region was Princess Shan Yu's territory. Even though Fang Zhengzhi would never bully her, who was to say that she wouldn't bully him?
There was something that he still remembered to this day.
He had slapped Princess Shan Yu at the foot of the Sagely Mountain City. He didn't do it on purpose...
But did anyone hear his explanation?
No...
They just tried to kill him.
Princess Shan Yu lost her mind and Shan Ling was volcanic.
There was still a long way to go. Heaven knows what conflicts may arise in the future...
Even though Princess Shan Yu seemed very attractive and cultured now, Fang Zhengzhi knew her 'true colors'.
She had a bad temper.
She was far from demure...
She was capable...
But...
Perhaps she was overly capable.
He had to reject her.
Fang Zhengzhi's body didn't move, but his eyes kept darting towards the roasted lamb.
"Gulp!"
He swallowed another mouthful of saliva. The temptation was overwhelming.
He wondered how tasty the lamb would be. Would the skin be crispy? The lamb must be really young. The meat must be extremely tender! Shan Yu's roast meat might even be better than his!
Furthermore, the ingredients used were some of the best in the world.
Could he just try it for free?
Fang Zhengzhi really wanted to ask that question, but he stopped himself from doing so. He knew that the possibility of that was near to none.
He must not give in to temptation!
But...
It was really good... why was it so good? What could he do that would allow him to taste it without taking responsibility?
Fang Zhengzhi could not think of any possible methods. After all, there were so many people watching. If he stepped forward...
He would be walking right into the trap!
He grit his teeth and bit on the piece of meat at his table. It was okay, but it was a far cry from the lamb that was on offer.
The more he ate the meat at his table, the more he listed for the lamb.
If this was not the throne room but Princess Shan Yu's camp, then he would have many ways of tasting that lamb.
"Ah... I can't do this!"
I have to resist!
He had to resist the temptation! If not, he would be signing on for decades of torture just for one moment of enjoyment...
Hang on!
Could he even live for another decade?
Fang Zhengzhi had no idea. After all, there was no precedent in history. There was every chance that he could die tomorrow.
Should he just live in the moment?
No!
It wouldn't be fair to Princess Shan Yu.
If he died, Princess Shan Yu would be a widow! She would not be able to remarry!
That would be most unfair!
Hang on...
Oh yes!
If even he found it unacceptable, what would the King of the Southern Region think? What about Shan Ling? They loved Shan Yu...
Would they allow something like that to happen?
"Genius! This plan is genius!"
Fang Zhengzhi's eyes glittered as he looked at the King of the Southern Region.
He held a flask of wine in his hand as he stood up.
The crowd was silent as they watched him...
This was the respect that he commanded.
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the jealous gazes of the candidates around him. He gulped down the entire flask.
"Good!"
"Official Fang can handle his alcohol!"
"I never thought that Official Fang was so good! He is definitely no worse than our warriors! No, he is even better than our warriors!"
"Hahaha... indeed!"
The settlement chiefs and generals began to cheer as they watched Fang Zhengzhi down the flask of wine.
All of the candidates turned to look at each other.
So...
This was how to get to Princess Shan Yu?
Oh gosh, what a mistake!
All of the candidates regretted their actions. They had thought of impressing Princess Shan Yu with their brains or brawns... but Fang Zhengzhi was way ahead of them.
This simple act had already put him in the lead.
The candidates were jealous, but they had to admire Fang Zhengzhi's methods.
The King of the Southern Region beamed when he saw this.
To the people of the Southern Region...
Being able to handle one's alcohol was a skill!
Furthermore, they were a culture which prided themselves on courage and showmanship. Fang Zhengzhi's actions were representative of both these qualities.
Of course...
Most importantly, the King of the Southern Region knew what Princess Shan Yu was thinking.
"It's him!" The King of the Southern Region thought to himself as he looked at Princess Shan Yu. His eyes said it all.
Don't be wilful any longer!
Fang Zhengzhi saw the look on the King's face. He smiled, then began to hobble over tipsily. He shook from side to side as he walked towards Princess Shan Yu.
"It is good wine... but I don't have any good meat to complement it!" Fang Zhengzhi sighed as he walked up.
"Is he really going to try?"
"I guess he is trying to use his drunkenness as an excuse to absolve himself from any responsibility later..."
"How shameless!"
All of the candidates began to discuss amongst themselves.
Princess Shan Yu's eyes glittered as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi. She bit her lip, but it wasn't clear if it was out of surprise or hate.
But one thing was for sure...
She didn't ask him to scram...
"This meat..." Fang Zhengzhi pointed to the lamb on the fire, licking the remnants of the wine at the edges of his lips. He squinted, almost as though he was drunk.
"Do you think that this fella would claim that he was drunk and not take responsibility for his actions later?" One of the candidates asked.
"Oh? That's a real possibility!" Another candidate echoed.
All of the candidates looked on in scorn.
"Do you think that the Southern Region is stupid? If Fang Zhengzhi dared to do such a thing, he won't even be able to live past dawn!"
"That's true!"
"But... would he want to marry Princess Shan Yu?"
All of the candidates thought to themselves...
By this time, Fang Zhengzhi was within arm's reach of the lamb.
The entire throne room was silent.
Because...
Princess Shan Yu had not spoken.
In other words, Princess Shan Yu wasn't going to stop Fang Zhengzhi from eating... in other words... Fang Zhengzhi was moments away from becoming Princess Shan Yu's husband...
"Is Fang Zhengzhi really going to do it?"
Everyone from the candidates to the King of the Southern Region held their breaths.
Fang Zhengzhi was equally anxious. This had nothing to do with whether he could eat the lamb. He was nervous because the success of this plan...
Depended on this moment.
He looked at everyone. Then, he focused on one hulking, calm man sitting below the King.
Crown Prince Shan Ling!
"Why is he so calm?" Fang Zhengzhi was slightly suspicious. The King may like him, but Shan Ling should be making things difficult for him.
He had already accounted for it.
But the fact was...
Shan Ling never said anything.
Come on!
Come and make things difficult for me!
Damn it, I already thought of a response, yet you aren't doing your part? Fang Zhengzhi had already tried to slow down, but...
It was all to no avail. Shan Ling's silence was embarrassing him.
It was a strange feeling. He had prepared himself for a great obstacle ahead only to realize that...
The door was wide open for him!
Okay then...
Fang Zhengzhi looked away from Shan Ling. He extended his hand and took the leg...
It was all going much too smoothly.
"He got it!"
"He actually got it?"
"Who would have thought that he would be so lucky? Aish... she is out of my reach..."
All of the candidates were shocked to see Fang Zhengzhi hold that lamb leg in his hand. However, after all that he had done, they could see why...
Fang Zhengzhi had a leg of lamb...
Princess Shan Yu had not said anything. She showed no intention of stopping Fang Zhengzhi. Even an idiot knew that this was her way of giving him permission to eat.
That meant that...
If Fang Zhengzhi bit down on this leg of lamb... he would have the spot firmly in his grasp.
Would he eat it? That was the question in everyone's mind.
The King of the Southern Region looked at Fang Zhengzhi and smiled encouragingly.
Time seemed to freeze...
Princess Shan Yu clenched her fists, blushing as she did so. She looked at Fang Zhengzhi...
Almost as though she was making a tough decision.
"Are you guys all... pigs? Eating this is so simple, yet none of you managed to do it? You need me to do this?!"
A voice rang out.
It shattered the silence in the throne room. Everyone's eyes were on the verge of popping out of their sockets.
"What did he say?"
"He was... scolding us?"
"Just because he is on the verge of getting Shan Yu's hand in marriage doesn't give him the right to scold us!"
All of the candidates reacted instantly. They knew that it was Fang Zhengzhi's voice, and they knew what he was insinuating.
He was mocking them...
Plain and simple.
"Why? Are you all mad? Why bother with all the fanciful stuff? It's all of no use! What's the point of writing so much? Useless!" Fang Zhengzhi continued to ramble on.
He waved the leg of lamb as he berated the candidates.
"Fang Zhengzhi! Even though you were an important factor in our victory, that doesn't give you the right to humiliate us!"
"Yes, you aren't even married to her yet! Maybe Princess Shan Yu just pities you. Maybe she just wants to reward you for your valiant efforts!"
"Exactly! If she doesn't choose you, all you will have is a taste!"
All of the candidates couldn't take it lying down any longer.
Fang Zhengzhi smiled.
He was ecstatic. He had been waiting for this moment.
Fang Zhengzhi's initial plan was to act as though he was the victim after Shan Ling made things difficult for him.
However, Shan Ling's silence had made things more difficult.
He didn't want to get the leg of lamb so easily...
Since Shan Ling wasn't going to act according to the script...
Fang Zhengzhi had no choice but to change the script!
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Chapter 470: Caught between a rock and a hard place
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The mocking wasn't the key here.
What Fang Zhengzhi wanted to hear was, "Even if you eat the meat and she doesn't choose you, it'll all amount to nothing."
That was the key.
This was something that everyone knew in their hearts. However, saying it and knowing it was two different things altogether.
"Do you think that the Princess won't choose me?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled at the crowd.
"Everything is possible until she chooses!"
"Don't think that you've secured your place just because you got a taste of the meat!"
"Exactly!"
The candidates replied without hesitation.
"Is that so?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he turned to look at Princess Shan Yu.
"Are you really so confident that I will like you?" Princess Shan Yu felt a wave of pride and wanted to rebut Fang Zhengzhi.
However, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
She recalled what Shan Ling said to her before the start of the banquet.
"Sister, you are not young anymore. You will need to take some responsibility for matters concerning the Southern Region. Fang Zhengzhi's cultivation may have been ruined, but he was the main factor in our victory. I also heard that you promised him ten gold mines. If we let him return, won't we be giving the gold mines to the Great Xia?"
"But brother, that fella and Chi Guyan..."
"As long as you agree, I will arrange everything. I know that this is unfair towards you, but we can't let him have the ten gold mines!"
"Erm..."
"Feelings can be developed over time. Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi is proficient in the Law of Dao. If he stays here, it could be good for our development."
"Brother, do you think that Fang Zhengzhi... will be willing to stay in the Southern Region for me?"
"Didn't you spend some time with him in the camp? Do you know what he likes?"
"He... likes to eat..."
"Eat?"
"Yes... he loves meat..."
"Hahaha, then things are simple. Even the King loves the things that you cook. I will discuss it with father, then the rest is up to you."
Princess Shan Yu recalled what Shan Ling had told her. She bit her lip and blushed as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
The words were at the tip of her tongue but she couldn't bring herself to say them.
Fang Zhengzhi was shocked to see Princess Shan Yu like that. Ordinarily, Princess Shan Yu would not tolerate this.
Even though he was very confident of himself...
But...
It was quite impossible for Princess Shan Yu to fall for him.
He felt that this was a plan by the Southern Region King. Princess Shan Yu only agreed to go along with it because she didn't want to disappoint him.
But it didn't matter...
Once she agreed, everything else wouldn't matter.
Ordinarily, as long as he gave Princess Shan Yu an out... she should have jumped on it. By antagonizing everyone...
Princess Shan Yu could 'reject' him and appease the crowd.
That would be the perfect ending.
Princess Shan Yu wouldn't have to marry him and he could enjoy the leg of lamb. They would both get what they wanted.
But...
She didn't say anything!
Did she really want to marry Fang Zhengzhi?
Fang Zhengzhi started to have doubts. He had interacted with Princess Shan Yu before, but none of those interactions would have resulted in her falling for him.
There must be some other factors at play here.
But what were they?
Fang Zhengzhi wasn't sure, but he didn't think too much about it. He knew that there was one thing that the King of the Southern Region would never be able to tolerate.
"Actually, it is only natural that you doubt the princess would choose me. After all, my body... haish... it's..." Fang Zhengzhi's tone changed instantly. His expression was pained...
All of the infuriated candidates were confused.
In their hearts, they knew that Fang Zhengzhi was shameless and loved agitating the crowd. They weren't surprised that he would mock them.
But what was with the sudden change in tone?
That was completely unexpected...
Could it be...
That he realized that he made a mistake?
No way!
He wasn't someone who would change his attitude so easily! There could be only one possibility. There really was something wrong with his body...
The candidates had not witnessed what happened in The Vast World. Everything they knew was made known to them through word of mouth.
However, this did not dull their curiosity.
They weren't alone. The settlement chiefs, generals, the King, and even the Crown Prince were equally curious.
Swallowing Fruits of Dao!
This was something that no one had ever done and would have never thought of doing. This was equivalent to suicide.
No one would play around with something like that.
But Fang Zhengzhi did...
Most importantly, Fang Zhengzhi was still sitting here, eating and drinking like nothing was wrong.
Even though...
Everyone guessed that Fang Zhengzhi's cultivation was ruined...
It was just a guess. The scene after Fang Zhengzhi exited The Vast World and stopped Ping Yang's Blazing Qilin Spear was still etched in the minds of all the settlement chiefs.
This had thrown some doubts into their guesses.
Was Fang Zhengzhi's cultivation truly ruined?
This was a question which everyone wanted to know the answer to.
The throne room was silent.
Everyone wanted to know how Fang Zhengzhi was doing.
Fang Zhengzhi surveyed his surroundings, smirking as he did so. He knew what they were all thinking and he had control of the room.
Human nature was an interesting thing.
Sometimes, minute changes to one's methods could elicit a completely different reaction.
If Fang Zhengzhi had started off depressed and told everyone his condition, they may not have believed him.
After all...
This was his trump card.
No one revealed their trump card unless it was absolutely necessary.
The candidates did not ask Fang Zhengzhi privately because they had no confidence Fang Zhengzhi would tell the truth.
Asking him would be meaningless...
But now...
After Fang Zhengzhi had mocked them so openly and gotten rebutted... the sadness he showed...
Had a whole other meaning to it.
A painter may have painted a horrible piece of work, but he would always be confident of his art and defend his work.
Fang Zhengzhi had mocked them...
They had retaliated...
But their retaliation had hit a sore spot. Fang Zhengzhi was 'deeply saddened' by it.
That was all very natural.
Most people would buy it.
At the very least, the candidates had bought it. Once a group of them believed it, they would influence the others to believe it as well.
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to act this out when Shan Ling made things difficult for him.
But Shan Ling didn't play along...
As such, he had to make use of the candidates to manufacture such a scenario. Even though the results weren't as good, he would have to make do.
In fact, there were elements in this entire scene that made it seem a little forced. However, these would be overlooked when Fang Zhengzhi talked about his body.
That was the reason why Fang Zhengzhi had brought it up.
"Speaking of my body, aish... I've felt as though there has been a hole in my body the past few days. It's almost as if something is missing..." Fang Zhengzhi wasn't going to keep them in suspense.
"Hole?"
"Something is missing?"
"Is his cultivation ruined?"
The candidates immediately got the 'gist' of it. They looked at each other. Their expressions were like mirror images...
Fang Zhengzhi looked like he was depressed.
But in fact, he was quite satisfied with this result.
Talent? He had loved the sound of it before the war. But now... his views about that term had changed...
Bai Xing had targeted him...
Canyang had also targeted him...
This all served to prove one point.
Being a talent was tough.
Furthermore, he had antagonized the entire demon race during this war. If he continued to be that proud and aloof, there may be a second sage coming for him.
What was he going to do then?
He would just reap the rewards from this war and live out the rest of his life peacefully.
The other thing he valued was his freedom.
He wanted to live a carefree life.
Fang Zhengzhi had already gotten their attention. He also had control of the room. His words had given them much to think about.
Just as they were all thinking about the implications of Fang Zhengzhi's words...
Fang Zhengzhi glanced at the King.
Would the King let his daughter marry an individual with no cultivation prospects?
The result...
Was clear...
The King of the Southern Region seemed a little disappointed but had seen it coming. He still had a faint smile on his face.
"He's really going to tolerate it? But... there is one thing that he definitely can't take lying down." Fang Zhengzhi wasn't too surprised. He knew that the King would have considered this possibility before making a decision.
Hearing the guesses of the candidates...
Made Fang Zhengzhi rather depressed.
The candidates' curiosity was piqued. Could there be anything worse than having one's cultivation future go up in smoke?
Just as they were thinking about it.
Fang Zhengzhi spoke up.
"Other than the hole in my heart, I have had many dreams. Recently, my dreams have become increasingly weird. I feel like I'm floating in the sky, and I always see a bridge... and there are words on that bridge..."
"What words?" One of the candidates couldn't hold back any longer.
"I can't really see the words clearly, but I believe it is "Naihe". Furthermore, there is a fire burning under the bridge!" Fang Zhengzhi recalled.
"It's Naihe Bridge!"
"My god... does Hell really exist?"
"This... this..."
All of the candidates were stunned when they heard this. They looked at Fang Zhengzhi awkwardly.
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the candidates.
His gaze never left the King of the Southern Region. The King's expression had changed from smiles to pain.
"I guess he can't tolerate that!" Fang Zhengzhi smiled, then continued, "I don't know if this is true, and I couldn't see it clearly in my dreams. I vaguely recall an old lady waving towards me, telling me that time is almost up. She keeps asking me to hurry..."
"Fang Zhengzhi, are you serious?!" The King of the Southern Region stood up and glared at Fang Zhengzhi.
"How can one take dreams seriously?" Fang Zhengzhi replied respectfully as he bowed to the King.
"Mm... Official Fang is right. Dreams cannot be believed." The King of the Southern Region reacted quickly. Realizing that he had lost his composure before, he changed the way he addressed Fang Zhengzhi to the more appropriate "Official Fang".
Fang Zhengzhi did not speak.
He knew that he had already done his job. There were believers and naysayers in every world.
However...
For a religious place like the Southern Region, there were definitely many people who believed in heaven and hell.
It was clear that the King of the Southern Region was one of them.
Even though he had his doubts, it was enough...
"I am tired, Shan Yu, come and help me!" The King of the Southern Region spoke up.
"Yes!" Princess Shan Yu nodded.
Then...
Just as Fang Zhengzhi had predicted, the King used the excuse that he was 'tired' to pause the ceremony.
As for the lamb...
It was left behind.
"Yum!" Fang Zhengzhi licked his lips and bit down on the leg of lamb. It melted in his mouth.
Damn, it was good!
Fang Zhengzhi loved eating such great food. He picked up a flask of wine and took a gulp. This was enjoyment at its finest.
He was very satisfied with the result.
All of the candidates were extremely jealous of what they were seeing. They too wanted to try the lamb, but they had been rejected by Princess Shan Yu.
They couldn't possibly go up now.
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the gazes of the candidates as he enjoyed his lamb. He finished the leg in his hand and took another one.
His mouth was filled with the taste of that delicious lamb.
It was out of this world!
Then, he began to feel dizzy, almost as if all the energy went out from his body.
It was dark...
Why was the room spinning?
Fang Zhengzhi felt like he was floating. Were all his lies coming true? That didn't seem very possible...
No!
This meat...
Fang Zhengzhi recalled that no one went to check the food that Princess Shan Yu had prepared. She had used all kinds of herbs and spices...
For the banquet...
Every dish was tested for poison. However, no one tested Princess Shan Yu's lamb. No one, bar Fang Zhengzhi, had even managed to go near it.
"Damn it, it's a trap!" Fang Zhengzhi felt the world around him go dark.
"Get someone to help! Official Fang is drunk! Help Official Fang to his room to rest!" Shan Ling's voice rang out as Fang Zhengzhi fell to the ground.
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Chapter 471: Pants are off
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi had played the King to a tee. Even though the King had said that he would let Princess Shan Yu choose her mate...
But...
No father would watch his daughter jump into a pit.
He would never let his daughter marry Fang Zhengzhi knowing that Fang Zhengzhi could die at any time. As such, Fang Zhengzhi was in control the whole time.
But...
What was with the poison in the lamb?
Drunk?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't feel like he was drunk. He could still hear what was going on around him and his brain was working fine.
However, his head was heavy and he felt as though his body was floating. He had lost control of his body.
It was almost as if his bones had turned to jelly.
Damn, why would they poison the lamb?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't know, but he could hear the sounds around him.
"Be careful!"
"Official Fang is really drunk!"
"I guess that's normal after the amount of alcohol he had."
"Official Fang, your room has been prepared. I am helping you to it right now."
Voices rang out next to him. There were female and male ones. Then, Fang Zhengzhi was lifted up by someone.
The touch was soft...
Fang Zhengzhi could tell that it was probably two ladies, one on each side. He could smell the fragrance...
"This guy must be acting like he's drunk!"
"How do you know that he's not actually drunk?"
"Just look at where his hand is."
"Wow! He lusts for servants as well. I have never seen someone this shameless before!"
Fang Zhengzhi heard the voices of the candidates around him.
"Acting drunk? F*ck you!" Fang Zhengzhi felt an urge to scream but he wasn't even in control of his body.
Then, the voices became softer and softer.
If he was right, he had already been carried out of the throne room and was heading towards his room to rest.
Is it possible...
That someone would kill him here?
That was a little anticlimactic...
If he had known this would happen...
He would have just married Princess Shan Yu. If he had done that, he may still have a chance to live.
The two servants were very stable.
Before long, Fang Zhengzhi heard the sound of doors opening. He was at the entrance to the bedroom, but there was no assassination.
What was happening?
He was defenseless.
Wasn't there supposed to be an assassin?
What was happening?
Fang Zhengzhi was lost. He thought that they had gone through all that trouble of poisoning the lamb just so that they could kill him whilst he was defenseless.
However... there were no signs of any hard objects piercing his body from start to finish.
What was happening?
Was there no assassination?
Fang Zhengzhi was extremely confused. Why would someone poison him just to let him rest? That didn't seem very likely.
Did they use the wrong poison?
Or...
Did they target the wrong person? Did they abort the mission?
Fang Zhengzhi felt that the possibility of that was close to none. Everything from start to finish was targeted at him.
He had to be the target.
But nothing was happening...
Just as he was thinking to himself, something happened. A pair of hands belonging to a lady...
Seemed to be undressing him.
Servant?
Probably just taking off his coat...
Fang Zhengzhi didn't think much of it. However, he quickly realized that something was amiss. After taking off his clothes, the hands showed no signs of stopping.
Hang on!
What were they trying to do?
He didn't want to sleep naked!
Stop!
F*ck, why aren't they stopping?!
This can't be! The servants couldn't possibly be lusting for him. Even though the people of the Southern Region were liberal, this was completely ridiculous.
No way!
A servant would never dare to do something like that. They must have been ordered to do so by their master.
Could it be...
Was he about to sleep with a servant?
Fang Zhengzhi knew that in some of the Royal circles, people would sleep with the servants. This was sometimes seen as a reward.
However...
In this case... Fang Zhengzhi had no idea if he was extremely lucky or extremely unlucky.
He was still a virgin!
Was he really going to lose his virginity to a servant?
At the very least, he should be able to see what she looks like! He should know if she had a good figure! But right now, he couldn't see anything!
He didn't want to be raped!
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to resist.
He didn't hate the tradition of sleeping with servants, but one had to be willing! Raping was out of the question.
No!
It can't be that simple.
There were definitely greater powers at play here!
Could it be...
Shan Ling must have been the one who poisoned the meat. His aim was to make Fang Zhengzhi look guilty.
Then have a servant rape him?
Let Princess Shan Yu witness it and break her heart?
Possible!
But that would make him a sacrificial lamb! What was the meaning of that? Shan Ling could have simply objected!
He didn't want to marry Princess Shan Yu anyways!
Fang Zhengzhi scorned at such matters. Why did they have to resort to such underhand tactics?
Is the innocence of the servant worth so little?
Fang Zhengzhi was furious.
However, his fury was quickly overwhelmed by a chill. All of his clothes had been stripped.
The pair of hands moved quickly.
Fang Zhengzhi could tell that these were an old pair of hands.
What the hell?
At the very least, they could have given him someone younger and more beautiful.
There is no way he was going to lose his virginity to an old lady! This was his virginity!
No, no sex, please!
No sex!
AH...
Not the pants as well!
Fang Zhengzhi was embarrassed and furious. He never thought that he would be undressed by a servant.
Then...
Was she going to hop on?
Just as he was thinking about it, he felt a soft feeling on his body.
Okay...
It's just a leather blanket.
Then, Fang Zhengzhi heard footsteps approaching the door.
Then, the doors closed.
Now that the door was closed...
The room was silent. There were no footsteps. There was no assassination. It felt as though nothing had happened. The blanket and bed were both extremely comfortable.
Is that it?
Fang Zhengzhi felt like something was wrong.
He had thought that the servant had gone to close the door, but in fact, she had left! What was happening? She even took off his pants!
What was this about?
Damn it, this was confusing.
Time passed slowly.
15 minutes...
One hour...
Fang Zhengzhi lay silently on the bed. There were no sounds around him. It was strange...
The fact was...
Nothing was happening.
This was rather awkward... something was wrong. Why would they do nothing after poisoning him?
How queer...
Fang Zhengzhi knew that 'queer' was probably not an apt word to use, but that was how he felt.
He stopped thinking about it anymore.
After all, he had had too much alcohol and it wouldn't hurt to rest a little. He was quite tired.
He began to dream...
In his dream, he was back in the north, back home in the Northern Mountain Village. It was now linked by huge roads and traffic was heavy.
His academy was already up and running with many teachers roaming the grounds.
"Learn well!"
"Stop being so lazy! Laziness will get you nowhere!"
"Role model. You must learn from Fang Zhengzhi. He is your role model! Learn the Law of Dao and be as successful as him!"
"Yes, teacher!"
The entire Northern Mountain Village was extremely vibrant with the sounds of kids and teachers and traders.
Zhang Yangping sat in the middle of the square, his face lit up by the sun. Fang Houde, Qin Xuelian, as well as other villagers were standing around him.
"I heard that Zhengzhi did great work this time! I wonder when he will be back?"
"Soon soon! I hear he is on his way!"
"That's great! Our village would prosper when he is back!"
"Naturally so! Zhengzhi is a high ranking official now. I heard that the Emperor rewarded him with some land. I wonder if it is our Northern Mountain Village?"
"It'll be great if it is! Then we won't have to pay taxes!"
"What are you saying? This village is not enough! Zhengzhi did so much work this time! Maybe he'll be given the entire Huai An County!"
"Won't he be a king then?"
"Hahaha... Zhengzhi is doing well. It is great..."
Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian nodded in satisfaction as they listened to the opinions of the villagers.
Fang Zhengzhi smiled when he saw the happiness on his parents' faces.
At that very moment...
A voice rang out next to him.
"Greetings, Princess!"
"Princess? What princess?" Fang Zhengzhi was shocked to hear the sound of the door opening.
Then, he heard footsteps.
The footsteps were closing in on him.
Hang on!
Where did the Princess come from? Why was she walking towards him? Wasn't he in the Northern Mountain Village?
No!
He was still in the Southern Region!
Southern Region...
Princess?!
F*ck, could it be Shan Yu?
What was she coming into his room for? Doesn't she know that he is sleeping? Most importantly...
He was naked!
What was she doing?
No way...
Could it be that she wanted to rape him?
Fang Zhengzhi recalled that he had only lost control of his body after eating the lamb Princess Shan Yu cooked...
The one who was most likely to poison him was Princess Shan Yu.
But why would she do such a thing? What did she want?
Hang on...
Could it be that she knew that he had no intention of marrying her? Was this her way of forcing him to marry her?
That'll be shameless!
How could she think of such a despicable plan?
No, no...
Even though Princess Shan Yu was capable and pretty, she was definitely not the one for him. She may just turn on him one day...
Should he just do it and forget about it?
What kind of position would Princess Shan Yu like?
The lady on top?
Mm... that's very likely...
But...
That's not something Fang Zhengzhi liked. Fang Zhengzhi wanted his wife to be a demure person.
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard noises coming from beside him as the footsteps neared.
The noises sounded like... someone undressing!
"No way! Is she really stripping?" Fang Zhengzhi's emotions were conflicted. He had known that they were liberal, but this was over the top.
How could a princess poison and rape him?!
What kind of place was this?!
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Chapter 472: Something was wrong
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
What was he going to do? What was he going to do now?
Was he going to f*ck her? Or was he going to f*ck her...
Fang Zhengzhi struggled internally as the footsteps came closer...
Then, the footsteps stopped and the blanket covering him was lifted. Then, he felt a shake...
It was clear...
Princess Shan Yu was on the bed!
"She's gotten in! She's really gotten in bed!" Fang Zhengzhi screamed in his mind. He felt like Princess Shan Yu was mad.
At the very least, she should have said a few comforting words...
At the very least, she could have assured him that she would be gentle...
However, Princess Shan Yu had slid under the covers without a single word.
"Is it beginning?" Fang Zhengzhi thought to himself nervously.
He had no idea what Princess Shan Yu would do to him, or what position she would do it in. Most importantly...
He had no idea when Princess Shan Yu was going to start.
In fact, Fang Zhengzhi wanted to sit up and get out of there...
However, his body was still jelly and he couldn't move. All he could do was wait and let Princess Shan Yu do as she pleased.
Something was wrong...
Wait!
After a long pause, Fang Zhengzhi realized that Princess Shan Yu made no contact with him.
In fact, it was almost as though she was...
Sleeping?
Oh? What is happening?
Fang Zhengzhi was confused. He expected Princess Shan Yu to pounce on him like a ravenous wolf.
Why...
Was she sleeping?
Fang Zhengzhi couldn't open his eyes. He couldn't see the light in the room nor Princess Shan Yu. All he could do was wait.
He was like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
However, he could hear the breathing next to him. Princess Shan Yu was sleeping soundly.
Her unique fragrance was intoxicating.
Fang Zhengzhi was familiar with this fragrance. He had smelt it many times from his interactions with Princess Shan Yu.
But...
If Princess Shan Yu wanted to bed him, what was she waiting for?
Doesn't she know that you can only have a baby through sex? Was she that dumb? Did she think that merely sleeping together would get her pregnant?
Fang Zhengzhi did not want to be raped.
However, if that wasn't the point, then why was he stripped naked?!
Just as he was thinking about it, he felt Princess Shan Yu roll over. Her leg was now resting on his body.
It was a great feeling...
It was almost as if he was being wrapped by a warm cushion.
"Calm down, calm down... if you can resist the temptation and control yourself, she can't do anything about it!"
Fang Zhengzhi tried to convince himself. At that very moment, a hand pressed on his chest.
Then, a body leaned in...
Fang Zhengzhi knew Princess Shan Yu's body quite well. When the body pressed against his, he confirmed that this person was Princess Shan Yu!
"Is she doing it now? What a despicable move!" Fang Zhengzhi fumed. He had thought that she just wanted to sleep peacefully...
But he didn't expect that...
She really wanted to rape him.
What was he going to do now?
What could he do?
Just as Fang Zhengzhi thought about it, the limb began to feel his body. It started at his chest, then slowly extended downwards...
Then it stopped!
It stopped for more than five minutes!
Fang Zhengzhi felt like he was about to explode. At that very moment, a scream pierced through the air.
"Ah!!"
The only way to describe this scream was ear-piercing.
Fang Zhengzhi's ears rang...
He never expected that someone could scream that loudly. Most importantly, he didn't expect his rapist to scream.
What was she screaming about?
Why would Princess Shan Yu scream?
Shouldn't he be the one screaming?
This b*tch wanted to rape him, but still screamed for help? Fang Zhengzhi couldn't understand what was happening.
Hang on...
Something was wrong...
Didn't this b*tch want to make a baby? Why would she scream before it was done...
Furthermore, based on her character, she wouldn't scream this way unless she was truly shocked...
What was happening?
Fang Zhengzhi had yet to figure out what was happening when the doors opened. Then, the voices of the servants rang out.
"Protect the Princess!"
"The Princess is in shock, catch the assassin!"
"Quick, lockdown the palace!"
The servants were extremely well trained. The people giving the orders were all servants.
However...
Fang Zhengzhi felt like something was amiss...
The voices of these servants were foreign to him. They were different from the people who had helped him in here.
Why would there be two groups of people?
Something was wrong!
Ordinarily, servants did not change.
Hang on...
If the servants had changed, there were only two possibilities. The first one was that the servants who had helped him had been chased away.
But the possibility of that was low.
Because...
Princess Shan Yu screamed.
And she screamed very loudly.
That meant that Princess Shan Yu wasn't afraid to let others know that she was about to rape him. As such, why would she chase those servants away?
That was unnecessary!
That left only the second possibility.
That was...
This room wasn't his!
A chill radiated down his spine. Then, it rose all the way to his head, causing him to shudder.
If this wasn't his room and Princess Shan Yu was inside here... the only possible explanation was that... this was Princess Shan Yu's room!
F*ck!
He was innocent!
He was the one that was about to be raped... he was the victim here. How did he become the suspect?
This...
Was a setup!
Fang Zhengzhi finally understood why Princess Shan Yu didn't notice him. One of the reasons may have been the lighting...
More importantly, Princess Shan Yu never thought that someone would be daring enough to barge into her room and sleep on her bed.
This would explain why Princess Shan Yu fell asleep.
However...
This was not good for him!
Fang Zhengzhi finally understood the plot against him. However, even he didn't predict just how vicious the perpetrators were.
Not only did they kick him into Princess Shan Yu's room, they sacrificed Princess Shan Yu's innocence as well.
Who?
Who was it?!
Fang Zhengzhi initially thought that it could be the King. But that was impossible! Crown Prince Lin Tianrong? Possible... but unlikely!
This was the Southern Region palace...
Who could have him sent to Princess Shan Yu's room by servants... and not be found out by Princess Shan Yu's servants...
There was only one man...
That was...
Shan Ling!
"It's Shan Ling! But why would he do such a thing?" Fang Zhengzhi didn't know what Shan Ling's motives were, but he knew he was in trouble.
He had slept with the Princess of the Southern Region!
This was a huge sin!
Even though he didn't move, it didn't mean that nothing had transpired. Furthermore, all the evidence was against him.
And then...
Everything seemed to play out according to a script.
He felt a light in front of his eyes. It was red, and it was closing in on him. A heat wave crashed towards him.
He could only imagine the cloud patterns on Princess Shan Yu's body.
However, the heat dissipated almost instantly. He heard a curious voice next to him.
"Oh? Why is it..." Princess Shan Yu's tone was filled with surprise. She made no attempts to hide her shock.
"Your Highness, it's Official Fang. Why... why..."
"It's Official Fang! I heard that he got drunk at the banquet, why would he appear here?"
"Who cares who he is? Anyone who dares to barge into the Princess's room and... and strip naked... deserves to die..."
The voices of the servants rang out behind Princess Shan Yu. Their voices were filled with shock and surprise.
"Shut up!" Princess Shan Yu ordered.
Then, the room went silent as the light disappeared. Everything seemed to return to normal.
However, Fang Zhengzhi's heart was in turmoil.
Would she...
Really think that I barged in on my own?
Just as he was thinking about it, Fang Zhengzhi felt a hand on his forehead and a finger at his nose checking for signs of breathing.
Then, his eyelids were forced open.
This gave Fang Zhengzhi a chance to see what was happening.
All he saw was darkness.
Other than the darkness, he saw a single figure, her silky black hair resting on her shoulders. Her beige skin glowed dimly in the dark room. She was gorgeous.
"It is Princess Shan Yu!" Fang Zhengzhi recognized the person in front of him instantly.
Then, his world was plunged into darkness.
His eyelids were closed.
"He has been poisoned!" Princess Shan Yu affirmed as she released his eyelids.
"Poisoned?"
"Wasn't he drunk?"
"Who poisoned Official Fang?"
All of the servants began to question the diagnosis.
As for Fang Zhengzhi...
He was moved...
It was almost as though he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. He was glad that Princess Shan Yu was a smart person.
How clever.
She knew that he had been poisoned.
This girl was great!
"Quick, close the doors and stop anyone from coming in!" Princess Shan Yu ordered as she turned around.
The moment the servants heard this, they rushed to help Princess Shan Yu dress.
"Close the doors, don't let news of this get out!" Fang Zhengzhi wanted to scream. However, he couldn't move his lips. Even though he wasn't a high ranking official, Shan Yu was a princess...
If news of this got out...
It would...
Shock the Southern Region and possibly the Great Xia.
They had to keep this under wraps!
"Sister, what is wrong? Why were you screaming?" Just as Fang Zhengzhi thought about it to himself, a male voice could be heard outside the door.
"Close the door!" Princess Shan Yu ordered.
"Your Highness, the Princess is resting, please do not..." The servants rushed to stop Shan Ling when they heard the orders.
"Scram!" Shan Ling bellowed.
Then, two dull thuds rang out...
It was clear...
The servants blocking Shan Ling had been knocked unconscious.
"Brother, why did you hurt my servants?" Princess Shan Yu's voice was icy.
"Sister, do not panic, I am in control of everything!" Shan Ling didn't reply. He simply commented reassuringly before turning around, "What are you looking at? Seal all the exits!"
"Yes!" The response came...
From the response, one could tell that there were hundreds of people outside...
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Chapter 473: You're not fit!
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"It was Shan Ling all along!" Fang Zhengzhi never believed in coincidences. There was no way Shan Ling rushed over on such short notice...
Definitely not with hundreds of man in tow.
The only explanation was that Shan Ling was nearby.
However...
That was quite the despicable method.
If Fang Zhengzhi was in his position, he would definitely not have planned something like this. It was much too despicable and boring.
It was equivalent to seducing someone with a pretty lady before having a group catch them in the act and extort the man thereafter.
How lame...
But Fang Zhengzhi had fallen for it...
Shan Ling had not seduced Fang Zhengzhi using Princess Shan Yu. Shan Ling exploited Fang Zhengzhi's weakness - his love for good food...
There was no way Fang Zhengzhi could have thought of it.
Fang Zhengzhi never expected that Princess Shan Yu would poison him, much less poison the lamb that so many would want to taste.
But now, he could be sure that Shan Ling had slipped in the poison into the spices when Princess Shan Yu wasn't looking...
Okay then...
There was only one way out of this...
Ordinarily, the man being extorted would cave in to any requests in order to protect his reputation.
However, Fang Zhengzhi wasn't afraid of that.
Shan Ling could spread this everywhere!
Fang Zhengzhi couldn't be bothered.
However, this was a different scenario altogether. In this case, he could simply charge Fang Zhengzhi with a crime.
Barging into Princess Shan Yu's room!
That was punishable by death!
Fang Zhengzhi knew what Shan Ling was about to do.
Shan Ling had already ordered the remaining servants and soldiers to wait outside.
Then...
He entered the room.
Was he about to strike?
If Shan Ling struck now, he could say that he lost control when he saw Fang Zhengzhi and killed him on the spot.
Would the Great Xia pursue the matter?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't know.
But the fact was that the Great Xia would not go to war with the Southern Region because of this. His death would be meaningless...
At the very most, they would compensate the Great Xia with some jewels and gold.
"Sister, I made a mistake. I didn't expect that this shameless fella would come here after failing to win you over at the banquet. I will now..."
"Brother, are you trying to kill him?" Princess Shan Yu interrupted Shan Ling with icy words.
"Should he not be killed?" Shan Ling asked, visibly shocked.
"Brother, if you want to kill him, you will have to do so over my dead body!" Princess Shan Yu stood in Shan Ling's way.
"Haha... I don't really understand what you mean." Shan Ling stopped in his tracks.
Fang Zhengzhi heaved a sigh of relief. It was a good thing Princess Shan Yu was smart.
However...
Even with her protection, Fang Zhengzhi wasn't confident that he could survive.
Shan Ling was much more powerful than Princess Shan Yu.
"You want to kill him to void the contract of the 10 gold mines, am I right? However, you are willing to sacrifice my innocence for those mines. Brother... you are vicious!" Princess Shan Yu also heaved a sigh of relief when she saw Shan Ling stop.
"Sister, that is simply not true! You have misunderstood me!"
"Hmph!"
"Okay then, since you have been so blunt, I will be honest with you! We cannot give control of the gold mines to an outsider!" Shan Ling spoke up after some hesitation.
"Is that so? Then let me make this clear to you. As long as I am here, no one can harm him!" Princess Shan Yu asserted.
"Are you really going to be at odds with me over an outsider?" Shan Ling's tone was filled with fury.
"You? You are not fit to be my brother!" Shan Yu's voice was filled with anger as well.
"Aish... sister, you know that I have loved you since you were a little girl. You are my closest family member. You may not understand my actions now, but I am doing this all for the good of the Southern Region. With Fang Zhengzhi's reputation, we cannot possibly reclaim the 10 gold mines. Without those gold mines, how will we ever grow? Sister, what would you do if you were in my shoes?" Shan Ling sighed.
"At least I won't do something so despicable! I can't believe you are willing to sacrifice me for those 10 gold mines!"
"Despicable? Did you forget who signed that deal? It was you! The Princess of the Southern Region!"
"You..." Princess Shan Yu could not find the words to express herself.
"As your brother, I helped you to correct your errors and stem the bleeding. I am trying to build up the Southern Region! What have I done wrong?" Shan Ling added.
"No matter what you say, you can forget about hurting him today!" Shan Yu asserted.
"Are you really going to protect him with your life?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
"Because there would be no Southern Region without him!"
"Okay then, I will kill all the soldiers at the door!"
"Shan Ling, those are our citizens, what are you trying to do?"
"Sister, you are a smart girl. You should know what I am doing? There is a stranger in your room at night. If news of this got out, how will we still maintain our standing?"
"But this..."
"Enough, now that things are at this stage, we either kill Fang Zhengzhi or the soldiers outside. There is no other choice!" Shan Ling repeated.
Princess Shan Yu was silent.
She knew what Shan Ling was saying. However, she had to choose between innocent citizens and Fang Zhengzhi.
There was no good option here.
But Shan Ling was right...
It didn't matter how it happened. The fact was that it happened. The reputation of the royal family couldn't be sacrificed. She had to make a decision.
"What if... he's not an outsider?" Princess Shan Yu bit her lips as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
"Are you really going to marry him? You should be able to tell that he doesn't like you! Furthermore, he is a dead man walking!" Shan Ling's tone was icy.
"I don't mind. I am willing to marry him even if he can only live for a day!"
"Just because of what he did in the war?"
"No, because... because I like him!"
"Sister, this is not the time for jokes! How can you possibly like this shameless fella?" Shan Ling couldn't believe his ears.
"I also thought that I would never like him, but you know me well. If I didn't like him, then based on what happened today, he would be dead!" Princess Shan Yu said with determination.
"Sister, you..." Shan Ling's expression changed.
As someone who had watched Princess Shan Yu grow up, Shan Ling could tell that Princess Shan Yu was serious.
With her character, she would never have let Fang Zhengzhi live if she didn't like him.
And just now...
When he tried to enter...
Princess Shan Yu's first reaction was to close the door.
The only possible explanation was that Princess Shan Yu liked Fang Zhengzhi.
"What do you have to say?"
"This is a serious matter. If you are to marry him, then you will have to get the King's approval!" Shan Ling responded after some hesitation.
"Okay then, we will let father decide!"
"Carry Fang Zhengzhi to the throne room! The King will deal with him!"
The throne room was lit up...
The King, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, as well as the settlement chiefs, generals, and Great Xia candidates were gathered there.
However, in comparison to the banquet before...
It was significantly more somber. There were no food or drinks, much less music. Two rows of soldiers lined the sides of the room.
In the middle of the throne room...
Fang Zhengzhi lay 'comatose'.
Shan Ling was quite barbaric in his handling of the situation. He didn't even dress Fang Zhengzhi...
This was to 'preserve the evidence'.
"Crown Prince, how do you think we should deal with this?" The King of the Southern Region asked solemnly.
No one could blame him.
No father could smile and laugh when his daughter's room had been broken into in the middle of the night.
Furthermore, Princess Shan Yu was his favorite daughter.
"Father..." Princess Shan Yu spoke up.
"Sister, you can rest assured that father would make the right decision. Don't you think so?" Shan Ling interrupted.
"You... Father!" Princess Shan Yu appealed.
"Shan Yu, you can say your piece later, but let's listen to Crown Prince Lin Tianrong first!" The King of the Southern Region waved Shan Yu off.
Princess Shan Yu's mouth twitched but she didn't speak.
All of the other candidates stared at the comatose Fang Zhengzhi, their eyes about to pop out from their sockets.
Who would be that audacious?
How dare he barge into Princess Shan Yu's room and get in her bed? How could someone be that shameless?
That was ridiculous!
I wonder...
If he succeeded?
This was the question that flew through the minds of the candidates. The settlement chiefs and generals felt conflicted.
They knew how important Fang Zhengzhi's contributions to the war were.
If not for the fact that Fang Zhengzhi could die anytime, they would have accepted him as a Prince even if his cultivation was ruined.
But now...
What was this?
"Ahem... I never expected something like this to happen. Ordinarily, we would execute him and all his relatives, but..." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was in a difficult position.
The throne room was silent.
Everyone looked at Lin Tianrong, waiting for him to continue.
"However... Fang Zhengzhi's contributions to this war... even though they're undeniable, but..." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong hesitated as he looked at the King.
"I understand what you're saying. Without Fang Zhengzhi, I couldn't possibly be sitting here today. Since that is the case, let's forget it!" The King of the Southern Region hesitated before speaking.
"Forget it?!"
The candidates of the Great Xia looked at each other in shock when they heard this.
All of the settlement chiefs and generals were in shock as well.
However, there were also traces of exasperation and humiliation. It was almost as if they had been slapped in the face.
"The King is mistaken, that wasn't what I meant." Lin Tianrong explained.
"Then what do you mean?" The King of the Southern Region asked.
"By barging into Princess Shan Yu's room, he had committed an unforgivable sin. However, I just received orders that he is now the assistant minister of the Minister of Rites. He is the acting Minister of Rites as well. As such, the punishment cannot be decided by me." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong explained.
"Assistant minister?!"
"Rank three official? Acting Minister of Rites?!"
"My god... this has never happened before! How old is Fang Zhengzhi? He is already a rank three official! Furthermore... the Minister of Rites is a rank two post!
All of the candidates were shocked to hear this.
They knew that Fang Zhengzhi would be handsomely rewarded, but this bordered on the ridiculous.
A promotion was definitely warranted.
But Acting Minister of Rites was too big a jump.
The Six Ministries!
That was a powerful position!
He had just been promoted from a rank four Sword Envoy to Minister of Rites. This had never happened in the history of the Great Xia.
This only meant one thing. The Emperor valued Fang Zhengzhi greatly!
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Chapter 474: The blade falls
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi heard what Crown Prince Lin Tianrong said.
Rank three official? Acting Minister of Rites? Isn't that a little underwhelming? I thought I was going to be a rank two official?
Perhaps Ping Yang's words were exaggerated.
Would I still be given land?
Fang Zhengzhi really wanted to ask someone to give him an antidote! He didn't want to stay silent on this matter.
However...
No one could hear him.
Shan Ling would never offer up the antidote because that would implicate him.
He would never admit to his actions!
Even though he had come clean back in Princess Shan Yu's room, he would never confess to them here.
Most importantly, he did not want to let Fang Zhengzhi speak.
When the settlement chiefs and generals heard Lin Tianrong, they finally understood how thorny this issue promised to be.
Fang Zhengzhi's actions were known to everyone.
If they executed Fang Zhengzhi now, they would be hard-pressed to explain it to the Great Xia and their citizens.
Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi had just been promoted.
This was a man who was highly valued by the Emperor. They could not sentence him to death so easily.
As such...
The only way was to let the Emperor handle it.
But how would the Emperor handle it?
The King of the Southern Region frowned. He had to balance his options. Ordinarily, Fang Zhengzhi would not be able to escape the death sentence.
However, to be honest, he didn't want to kill Fang Zhengzhi...
After all, Fang Zhengzhi was a key factor in their victory. If he killed him just to preserve the royal family's reputation
It would be slightly too vicious.
But if he didn't kill Fang Zhengzhi...
How could the Shan Family hold their head up high?
If Fang Zhengzhi was a dead man walking, then it wouldn't matter. But what if he wasn't? How was Princess Shan Yu going to find a mate in the future?
Anyone who married her would have to live with this fact.
As Fang Zhengzhi progressed up the ranks in the Great Xia, this would only become more and more embarrassing.
To kill or not to kill?
The King of the Southern Region frowned.
"Father!" Princess Shan Yu's voice interrupted his train of thought.
"Shan Yu... speak your mind." The King shuddered as he looked at Princess Shan Yu, his eyes filled with guilt.
As a father...
As a King, he could not possibly let his daughter be humiliated in this manner and do nothing about it.
"Sister, just let father..." Shan Ling wanted to interrupt.
"Father, according to Southern Region traditions, you held this banquet to find me a partner. Fang Zhengzhi had eaten the meat I prepared. Normally, that would mean that I can now make a choice, right?" Princess Shan Yu interrupted.
"Erm..." The King's expression changed.
He could tell where Princess Shan Yu was going with this. To be completely honest, having Fang Zhengzhi marry Shan Yu...
Was the best solution to all these...
But...
When he recalled that Fang Zhengzhi could die at any moment, he became extremely conflicted. He didn't want his daughter to be a widow.
The King of the Southern Region hesitated.
Shan Ling noticed the hesitation.
"Father, since this issue concerns a rank three official of the Great Xia, the Great Xia court would have jurisdiction. Why don't we have the Crown Prince bring Fang Zhengzhi back and have the Emperor himself decide!" Shan Ling suggested.
"Mm, what you say is reasonable, but..." The King of the Southern Region nodded. He still did not like this idea. He valued peace above all else.
As such...
Even if Fang Zhengzhi was about to die, he could still accept Princess Shan Yu's suggestion. Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi's lifespan was still up in the air.
Furthermore, Fang Zhengzhi could very well give him a grandchild before he passed on. That would not be a bad thing.
"Father, rest assured. I will accompany the Crown Prince to the Great Xia and I will ensure that your opinions are heard!" Shan Ling added.
"You want to go to Yan Capital?" The King of the Southern Region was tempted.
Shan Ling, the Crown Prince of the Southern Region, knew his influence and position well. The King also knew what Shan Ling meant.
Since Fang Zhengzhi was a key factor in this victory...
Without this incident, he would be fast-tracked through the courts of the Great Xia.
If he were to be forced to stay in the Southern Region, his heart may not be in the right place.
However, if the Great Xia had given him a grave punishment...
Then...
They could come in and provide a better offer. They could offer Fang Zhengzhi Shan Yu's hand in marriage. Fang Zhengzhi would be grateful for such an offer.
"Yes, this concerns the reputation of the Shan Family. Now that we are in the midst of rebuilding after the war, you will be busy with domestic affairs. I think it is appropriate that I tag along." Shan Ling added.
Princess Shan Yu pursed her lips. She wanted to speak, but she saw her father shake her head at her.
"Okay then, it is great that you are willing to go to the Great Xia for this. Crown Prince, what do you think?" The King of the Southern Region nodded. He didn't know what Shan Yu was thinking, but he knew that he couldn't send her.
Shan Ling was his best option.
"No problem at all!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded.
"Since that is the case, I will have to trouble you to take care of my son!" The King of the Southern Region replied.
"You are too kind. The Crown Prince's abilities are clear for all to see. He would be the one taking care of me." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong smiled.
The atmosphere in the throne room relaxed.
Yet, it was also slightly awkward.
The settlement chiefs and generals didn't speak. After the battle they had just been through, they were not willing to start another one anytime soon.
The candidates of the Great Xia wanted to say something as well. However, when they felt the atmosphere in the room, they swallowed the words at the tip of their tongue.
However...
When they looked at the 'comatose' Fang Zhengzhi, their eyes were filled with envy and jealousy.
How could he possibly be sleeping so soundly after climbing into Princess Shan Yu's bed?!
Before dawn...
The convoy heading to the Great Xia set out. After something like that happened, there was no point in carrying on the celebrations.
The candidates of the Great Xia were in the vanguard. They rode their horses and cleared a path with their Southern Region soldier guides.
Crown Princes Lin Tianrong and Shan Ling were in the back.
As Crown Princes of their respective regions, they had a squad of guards protecting them. The squad was eight strong.
These were not soldiers, they were hangers-on.
Hangers-on.
This was a common thing amongst the noble households of the Great Xia. Every family would have a few hangers-on.
Each of these people had special abilities. They had no official position, but they could do many things for the family.
The courts had rules governing the hangers-on.
Different families could have different numbers of hangers-on. However, even the most influential families did not have many hangers-on.
Furthermore, each one had to be registered with the courts.
The reason...
Was security...
The eight of them were in their fifties. These were the guards for the two Crown Princes. Furthermore, Shan Ling was already in the advanced Rebirth State.
Su Qing followed behind Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
So long as they did not go up against the lord of the beasts, there should be nothing that could stand in their way.
As such...
Bringing along a 'comatose' Fang Zhengzhi was no problem at all.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong closed his eyes throughout the entire journey, completely relaxed.
Shan Ling seemed to be thinking about something.
They traveled for hours before stopping for lunch. By sunset, they were already some distance from the Sagely Mountain City.
The setting sun was a beautiful sight to behold.
It went through the flaps of the carriage and stained Fang Zhengzhi's face red.
At that moment, the convoy stopped. Shan Ling reined in his horse and Lin Tianrong followed suit.
"Your Highness, do you still remember our deal?" Shan Ling asked.
"Of course I do." Lin Tianrong nodded as he looked at the figure inside the carriage.
"Okay then, we will hold to our agreement and maintain peace for 10 years. However, I have one condition!" Shan Ling continued.
"How do you want to deal with Fang Zhengzhi?" Lin Tianrong smirked.
"Kill him. I will not let my sister marry someone like that!" Shan Ling's voice was icy.
"If so... please go ahead." Crown Prince Lin Tianrong smiled. He had expected this to happen.
"If I kill Fang Zhengzhi, how will you report to the Emperor?"
"Fang Zhengzhi was unwilling to return to the capital because he knew he couldn't escape the death sentence. He kidnapped you so I had no choice but to agree to let him stay. Then, he took the chance to escape. However, because his cultivation was ruined, he was killed by beasts. By the time I got there, it was too late... what do you think?" Lin Tianrong replied.
"That's great!" Shan Ling nodded.
"If that is so, then it should occur in the bushes, not on the road, am I right?" Lin Tianrong looked at the forests by the side of the road.
"That's right!" Shan Ling nodded.
"Please." Lin Tianrong pointed to the forest.
"Okay, let me clear a path for you." Shan Ling walked into the forest.
Lin Tianrong and his eight hangers-on followed behind. Su Qing led the carriage carrying Fang Zhengzhi into the forest as well.
The sun was setting.
Darkness fell...
The candidates were already some distance away. Seeing that night was approaching, they stopped and set up a camp, waiting for Lin Tianrong to join them.
Safety...
Was already taken care of.
What they didn't know was that there were more than 10 figures and a carriage in the woods around them.
The flaps were opened.
Fang Zhengzhi could be seen...
He was dressed, his expression calm. However, his body was still paralyzed.
"What a great move." Lin Tianrong commended.
"You too!" Shan Ling nodded.
"Are you not going to let him die a more honorable death?" Lin Tianrong smiled as he looked at the comatose Fang Zhengzhi.
"I never drag my feet when I work. Furthermore, the medicine that I gave him allows him to remain conscious despite his paralysis. He heard everything from the beginning." Shan Ling shook his head.
"I see." Lin Tianrong stiffened.
Shan Ling didn't say anything else.
He walked forward and stepped onto the carriage. He unsheathed his sword.
"Fang Zhengzhi, you can only blame yourself for being too greedy. When you asked for 10 gold mines, you should have seen this coming!" Shan Ling pursed his lips.
His voice was not loud and his arms were stable. His blade radiated an icy aura as he glared at Fang Zhengzhi like a ravenous predator.
He raised his sword...
Blood...
Blood splattered all over the carriage in that instant...
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Chapter 475: Accident!
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Shan Ling looked at the blood and the blade in his hand in disbelief.
"Why?" Shan Ling looked behind him. He knew that this was a stupid question because the blade that pierced his chest told him all he needed to know.
But...
He asked the question anyway.
He simply couldn't understand why someone would do this! Furthermore, they had the audacity to attack him in the Southern Region!
"Can't you figure out what's happening?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong squinted as he looked at Shan Ling.
He loved Shan Ling's expression.
The greater the disbelief in his opponents face, the greater his satisfaction.
Shan Ling looked at Lin Tianrong.
Shan Ling had never felt such rage in his life. Not even when he felt threatened by Fang Zhengzhi in The Vast World.
"Why? Could it be that you don't want him to die? That's impossible. I am very sure that you want him dead!" Shan Ling's face was flushed.
He knew for a fact that Lin Tianrong wanted Fang Zhengzhi dead.
There are no eternal enemies, only eternal benefits. When their goals were the same, they could work together.
That was why he believed Lin Tianrong.
However...
He never expected that Lin Tianrong would try and save Fang Zhengzhi by stabbing him in the back when he was trying to kill Fang Zhengzhi.
He needed a reason.
"Crown Prince, you are right. I do want Fang Zhengzhi dead, but I also want you dead!" Lin Tianrong chuckled icily. His body was shaking with joy. He pulled his sword out.
Blood splattered everywhere.
The eight hangers-on rushed to Lin Tianrong's side. Their robes flapped in the wind.
"You want me dead?" Shan Ling shuddered, blood flowing from the open wound in his chest. He glared at Lin TIanrong.
"To be honest, there was a small detail that I left out from the story... when Fang Zhengzhi had kidnapped you, he killed you!" Lin Tianrong explained.
"Haha, you expect that useless person to be able to kill me? Do you think the King will believe that story?" Shan Ling's eyes were icy, blood trickling from the edge of his mouth.
"Does it matter? Fang Zhengzhi and yourself would both be dead by then. Whatever I say, goes." Lin Tianrong chuckled.
Shan Ling remained silent.
Lin Tianrong was right. Dead men couldn't speak. They would have no choice but to believe Lin Tianrong.
Even if...
The King didn't buy it... he couldn't do anything about it.
Wage war with the Great Xia?
Demand that the Great Xia hand over the Crown Prince to be tried for murder?
Both of those options were impossible!
"Give me a reason why you have to kill me!" Shan Ling didn't want to debate this issue. All he wanted was a reason.
"If you don't die, there will be no peace!" Lin Tianrong added.
"I see." Shan Ling stopped shuddering. He calmed down, realizing that death was about to come.
He finally understood.
He had told Fang Zhengzhi something just now.
He had blamed Fang Zhengzhi's fate on his...
Greed!
Right now, the Crown Prince was giving him a taste of his own medicine.
His greed, his lust for the throne was the cause of his death!
How ironic.
He had thought that he was punishing others for their greed, never once realizing that he was even greedier.
The irony was clear.
That being said, he had to admit that Lin Tianrong was right. As long as he was alive, the Southern Region would always be a cause for worry for the Great Xia.
Shan Ling had no other questions.
He turned to look at Lin Tianrong and Su Qing, smirking as he did so.
"I am sure Official Su had already predicted this when you came to find me that day. What a great plan!" Shan Ling chuckled.
He knew whose plan this was.
It was Su Qing's.
By convincing Shan Ling, they had secured Shan Ling's attendance on this journey.
"You are too kind!" Su Qing replied as he bowed to Shan Ling. He instinctively took a step backward.
"Boom!"
A crack appeared beneath Su Qing's feet, almost as if the ground had been sliced open.
It was extremely sudden.
But Su Qing managed to dodge away.
"It is no wonder you are the Crown Prince. Your attacks are swift and powerful despite your injuries. I am in awe!" Su Qing retreated even further as he saw the crack.
"Settle this within 15 minutes!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong looked at the crack, his gaze icy. He lowered his sword and ordered the eight hangers-on to strike.
"Yes!" The eight hangers-on nodded.
"I never expected that Official Su would be this powerful. Haha... the Great Xia is saturated with talents. Today, I will like to see how powerful the Crown Prince's hangers-on are!" Shan Ling chuckled as he radiated an icy aura.
This was a piercing aura.
The blood flowing out of Shan Ling's wound froze. It glistened like a ruby...
"Die!"
"Go to hell!"
The shouts echoed through the air.
The eight hangers-on sprang into action like specters in the night. They were within striking distance in the blink of an eye.
Shan Ling leapt into action.
He swung his blade as he charged the group of eight.
His sword glistened.
The icy aura enveloped the area and caused a layer of ice to form over the grass. The leaves also began to freeze over.
Within moments, all eight hangers-on were injured. One of them even had a limb amputated. Blood spattered from the open wound, but their gazes were determined.
Advanced Rebirth State...
Despite his injuries, Shan Ling was still a force to be reckoned with.
Shan Ling was the top cultivator amongst the Southern Region youths.
However, this battle didn't last very long. The eight hangers-on seemed to have no regard for their lives. They were willing to die just to inflict damage!
Broken branches and leaves mixed with the ice and blood. There were cracks all over the floor. This was a bloody battlefield.
After 15 minutes...
The battle was over.
Shan Ling leaned on the carriage, his sword broken. He looked at the stars in the sky.
He wasn't willing to accept this end. He had worked so hard to get the position of Crown Prince. His plan to work with the demons, and then the Crown Prince was almost perfect.
Yet, his last two plans had failed completely. He thought that he was the smart one but in truth...
He wasn't.
It might be Yun Qingwu, or even Chi Guyan and Fang Zhengzhi. Now, there was one more contender - Crown Prince Lin Tianrong.
Shan Ling didn't want to die.
However, he showed no trace of fear. He simply accepted his fate. This was something that he couldn't fight.
When the death god came to claim him, he would not be scared. He would simply look into the sky and allow the blood to stain his feet...
"Congratulations, your highness!" Su Qing spoke up after some pause. He fell to his knees.
"Oh? What are you congratulating me for?" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong glanced at Shan Ling in scorn.
As the Crown Prince of the Great Xia.
He had been revered by many.
However, since he entered the Southern Region, he had to tolerate Shan Ling's temper. He had always wanted to take his revenge.
This was the perfect time to do so. He could eliminate a threat to the Great Xia whilst taking revenge.
"Outsiders may think that Fang Zhengzhi killed Shan Ling. However, the Emperor would be smart enough to know that you did it to eliminate a threat to the Great Xia! Your efforts will be rewarded." Su Qing explained.
"Rewarded? What do you think the Emperor would do?" Lin Tianrong asked.
"Since Fang Zhengzhi is dead, the credit for the victory cannot go to him. Even though you killed Shan Ling, he cannot reward you explicitly for the assassination..."
"So what?"
"He will give you all the credit for the victory!"
"Hahaha... well said, well said!" Lin Tianrong chuckled.
When Su Qing had told him that he would secure all the credit for the victory, he did not believe it.
But...
After Su Qing explained the plan to him, he bought into it.
A dead man couldn't fight for credit.
"Based on your position in the palace and the work you have done here, you would have secured your position on the throne! King Duan would cease to be a threat!" Su Qing smirked.
"Cease to be a threat? I won't be so sure of that." Lin Tianrong squinted and shook his head.
"Do you think that King Duan still has a chance to recover after all these?" Su Qing asked.
"The capital is firmly in my control. Furthermore, I did quell the unrest here. It would be impossible for sixth brother to fight me in the courts. However, that is not where his strength lies!"
"Are you referring to the Northern Five Constabularies?" Su Qing seemed to understand.
"Exactly, the Northern Five Constabularies are controlled by the Divine Constabulary. Chi Hou has been a close friend of King Duan for a long time now. Without the Divine Constabulary's support, King Duan would never have had control over the army!"
"What you're saying is..."
"With your abilities and status, it would be a waste if you went to the Ministry of Rites!"
"Your Highness, are you planning to have me go to the Divine Constabulary?"
"Divine Constabulary? You won't be able to go there, but you can fight for the leadership of the Northern Five Constabularies! What do you think?" Lin Tianrong looked at Su Qing.
"Leader of the Northern Five Constabularies?! That... would be an honor!" Su Qing shuddered as he smiled uncontrollably.
"Haha... you shouldn't thank me so early. It is not easy to be the leader of the Northern Five Constabularies. Why don't you consider heading up one of the constabularies first?"
"Your wish is my command!" Su Qing nodded.
The night was cold.
Lin Tianrong looked at the carriage, ignoring Shan Ling, who was breathing raspily.
There was one more loose end to tie.
That was...
The man inside the carriage.
This man was a dead man walking.
"If this plan is successful, your place in the Great Xia would be impossible to challenge!" Shan Ling's voice rang out from behind Lin Tianrong.
Lin Tianrong ignored Shan Ling. He couldn't be bothered with a defeated opponent.
"Your Highness, should I take care of this?" Su Qing looked at Lin Tianrong. He wasn't trying to take credit...
He simply wanted to vent his anger!
"Okay." Lin Tianrong nodded.
"Thank you, your highness!" Su Qing stood up and swept the dust off his pants. He walked towards the carriage.
Each step was slow and deliberate.
He was in control.
As such...
He wanted to savor every moment.
He was close...
When Su Qing neared the carriage, he smirked. He could hear his own breathing...
"I will make sure you die a painful death!" Su Qing chuckled. His body shuddered as he opened the flaps to the carriage.
Then...
His smile froze.
"Actually, I didn't get to finish my sentence. Even the most perfect plan isn't immune to hiccups! Am I right? Crown Prince? Official Su?" Shan Ling's voice rang out.
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Chapter 476: Die, he has to die
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The voice...
Shan Ling was not loud. In fact, he was almost out of breath, but his voice sent a chill down Su Qing's breath.
"Actually, I didn't get to finish my sentence. Even the most perfect plan isn't immune to hiccups! Am I right? Crown Prince? Official Su?"
His words echoed through Su Qing's mind.
The smile on his face had all but disappeared. His hand froze in mid-air.
He held the flap open...
But he didn't move.
What was happening? How could this possibly happen?
Su Qing was in disbelief. He refused to accept that this perfect plan of his could go awry.
In fact, the plan seemed to be going even smoother than he had expected.
Fang Zhengzhi's crime had been witnessed by everyone! This, compounded with his usual demeanor...
For him to kill Shan Ling in a moment of panic...
Was definitely possible!
It wouldn't matter even if others didn't believe it.
The dead couldn't speak. As long as he and Lin Tianrong continued to assert that this was the truth, then it would be so.
But...
What if Fang Zhengzhi didn't die?!
Su Qing's body was stiff. He turned slowly to look at Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, who was nearby.
As the Crown Prince of the Great Xia, Lin Tianrong didn't want to entertain his defeated adversary.
However...
When he heard what Shan Ling said, his expression changed completely.
He could tell from Su Qing's expression that something was wrong. Furthermore, he could see inside the carriage.
All this while, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had been calm and composed. As the Crown Prince, he would never do anything unless he was absolutely certain that it would work.
But this time, he had acted even though the odds weren't overwhelmingly in his favor.
The temptation was too great!
All the credit!
By doing this, he could stabilize his position in the courts! His work here would secure the throne for himself.
However...
The key to this plan was that Fang Zhengzhi had to die! His death was a necessity for this operation to succeed!
"You... you let him escape?!" Lin Tianrong's stammered. He never expected that Fang Zhengzhi could escape.
He was poisoned and comatose!
Killing him would have been a piece of cake!
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had eight hangers-on to help him! Even that was quite the overkill. Even an ordinary soldier could have done the job.
But now...
The carriage was empty!
There could only be one possibility! Shan Ling had let Fang Zhengzhi go. Only Shan Ling had the antidote.
"Hahaha, what do you think?" Shan Ling chuckled maniacally. He was paralyzed, blood flowing from his open wound. However, he was extremely happy at the result of his actions.
"Die!" Lin Tianrong lunged.
The blade in his hand morphed into a ray of light as it shot towards Shan Ling.
Shan Ling didn't move.
He watched the blade pierce his throat, beaming radiantly even till his dying breath.
Then, the world in front of him went dark.
He was dead...
Lin Tianrong glared at Shan Ling, his heart filled with hatred. In all honesty, he could have waited for Shan Ling to kill Fang Zhengzhi before he killed Shan Ling...
But he didn't wait.
Fang Zhengzhi was a poisoned, paralyzed individual. What was there to worry about?
He struck...
But now...
"Chase! Hunt Fang Zhengzhi down and end his life!" Lin Tianrong bellowed.
"Yes, sir!" The eight hangers-on sprung into action the moment they heard the Crown Prince. They shot off in eight different directions.
Nightfall...
The blood was stained with white snow.
"Woosh!"
The blade in Shan Ling's throat was removed and the blood dripped onto the snow. The night was chilly.
Crown Prince Lin Tianrong's expression was dark and solemn.
He would not allow for any room for error when it came to the fight for the throne.
He also knew how difficult it was to track someone down in these dense forests.
He looked into the dark, dense forests, then back at his bloodied blade.
"Woosh!"
He struck again.
Blood splattered everywhere!
But this time, he was not striking at Shan Ling or Su Qing. He stabbed himself in the chest.
"Your Highness!" Su Qing shuddered as he fell to his knees.
"He didn't die? Hahaha... he didn't die! Good... very good! I would like to see if you still dare to show your face in the Great Xia!" Crown Prince Lin Tianrong spat out a mouthful of blood.
"With such determination, the throne would definitely be yours. I am willing to die for your cause as well!" Su Qing understood what Lin Tianrong was doing.
He may have taken advantage of the Princess of the Southern Region!
But with his contributions in the war, he would not be executed. However, if he killed the Crown Prince of the Southern Region and injured the Crown Prince of the Great Xia...
He would not be able to escape death!
In the morning, the Southern Region welcomed their first snowfall of this winter.
The morning was cold and the snow added an icy silver layer on the ground.
The Sagely Mountain City was completely covered in snow.
However, there was a squad in rattan armor amidst the snow. All of them rode two-meter tall beasts.
These beasts were like wolves, and they had a single silver horn on their heads. Yet, they were at least two to three times larger than conventional wolves.
The Silver Horned Wolves Squad!
The creme de la creme of the Southern Region Army.
Ordinarily, the Silver Horned Wolves were incredibly quick. They could run on snow almost as quickly as they could run on the plains.
However, these Silver Horned Wolves were not particularly quick.
They trudged through the snow, each step deliberate and pained. They left behind deep footprints.
They were walking towards the throne room.
It was snowing heavily.
The sky was dark.
The throne room was pristine and visible in the distance. However, none of the members of the Silver Horned Wolves were excited to see it.
Their expressions were solemn.
None of them spoke. All one could hear in the air were the footsteps and snorting of the Silver Horned Wolves.
Finally...
They stopped in front of the palace.
No guards came forward to question them. Everyone watched the Silver Horned Wolves Squad patiently and quietly.
Then the doors opened.
"Creak, creak!"
The doors were heavy from the snow and the hinges were frozen, but they still creaked open.
"Aroo!"
The moment the doors opened, the Silver Horned Wolves let out a howl. The sound echoed through the city.
However, the Silver Horned Wolves didn't move.
There was someone standing in the middle of the doors.
This was a man in a snow white leather hat and a snow white leather robe. There was a thick layer of snow over his robe. He had been standing in the snow for some time.
Behind this man...
There was a lady. She too wore a snow white leather robe which was caked in snow. She had beige skin, dark eyes, slender legs, and two daggers sheathed at her thighs.
Princess Shan Yu!
As such...
The person in front of her was the King of the Southern Region.
The Silver Horned Wolves Squad spotted the King, the Princess, as well as the settlement chiefs and generals standing behind them.
However, they did not step forward to bow, nor did they fall to their knees. They remained silent and mounted.
It was a strange sight.
At that moment, the King of the Southern Region shuddered, then fell to his knees.
"My son!"
The King of the Southern Region howled, his hair dancing in the wind, tears rolling down his cheeks.
This was an old man who had lived through many wars. He never cried, even when faced with terrifying enemies.
But right now...
Tears rolled freely from his cheeks.
"Kaboom!"
Princess Shan Yu, as well as the settlement chiefs and generals, fell to her knees. This caused the ground to shake, and snow to be sent flying in all directions.
"Woooooooo!" A solemn ring could be heard from the walls.
At that moment, the Silver Horned Wolves lay prone on the ground. However, the soldiers riding them didn't move.
They remained still despite the wind and snow.
Because...
They carried a large black plank of wood on their shoulders.
This was a plank of wood cut down from an ancient tree. There were intricate carvings on the surface of the wood.
It was identical to the pictures on the walls of the palace.
The snow on the wood made it heavier by the second.
Most importantly, there was someone lying on the plank of wood. This man was covered by a white sheet of leather, but the blood stain was clear for all to see.
It was Shan Ling.
The Crown Prince of the Southern Region, next in line to the throne. But now, he was dead.
"Where is the Crown Prince of the Great Xia? Where is he?! Why didn't he come back? Is he afraid that I would kill him?!" The King of the Southern Region bellowed.
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince was severely injured. He is now comatose and on the way to the Great Xia!" One of the members of the Silver Horned Wolves Squad replied.
"Injured? Comatose? What injuries did he suffer? Why is he comatose?" The King's expression changed.
"He took a blade to the chest! It missed his heart by just a single thumb width!" The Silver Horned Wolves Squad member replied.
"A thumb width?! Hahaha... missed by the width of a thumb... hahaha..." The King laughed. He was laughing out of anger. He clenched his fists and began to tremble.
Then, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Sh*t!"
The blood splattered all over the snow, staining it red.
"Father!" Princess Shan Yu lunged forward and hugged the King. She was trembling as well, her eyes filled with hatred.
She did not say anything after hugging her father.
She knew what the situation was. She also knew that there were things that could be said, and things that were better left unsaid.
"My daughter, your eldest brother and second brother are both gone. Now, even your third brother..." The King looked at Princess Shan Yu, his wrinkles getting deeper by the second.
"Father, you still have a daughter!" Princess Shan Yu's hands were covered by a thick layer of snow. No one could tell that she had balled her fists...
"Yes... I still have a daughter, a daughter who is capable of ruling the Southern Region!" The King's eyes glittered as he stood up.
His body radiated rays of red light and the snow on his body melted away. Steam could be seen rising from his body.
"From today onwards, Princess Shan Yu will govern the Southern Region!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Father, I am still too young, and you..." Princess Shan Yu shuddered, her eyes widening.
As a Princess of the Southern Region...
She may be part of the Shan Family, but she never thought that she would have to govern the Southern Region. This was a job for the King.
"Enough has been said. I have made my decision. Where is Fiery Crow?" The King shook his head as he ruffled Princess Shan Yu's hair.
"Your Highness, I am here!" A skinny man walked out from the crowd.
This was the settlement chief of the Fiery Crow Settlement.
"Mm, you will make a trip to the capital on my behalf. Request a gift for Princess Shan Yu as she is about to take the throne. Ask for 80,000 tons of rations, 10,000 taels of gold, silver..." The King scribbled in the snow as he spoke.
"Your Highness... we are a vassal state to the Great Xia. We have been paying them in exchange for some books. I think... they may give us the gold, but would they really give us the rations?" Fiery Crow was stunned by the numbers he saw.
He knew exactly how scary those numbers were. They were enough to build an army.
Fiery Crow was not alone. The settlement chiefs and generals behind them were equally shocked. This was unprecedented.
"Yes, they will definitely give it to us!" The King asserted as he looked at the settlement chiefs and generals.
"I understand!" Fiery Crow nodded.
"Father, you're asking for a ton of resources from the Great Xia. Are you planning to..." Princess Shan Yu's expression changed.
"No! My daughter, this is my gift to you as you ascend the throne. You are a lady taking the throne. You need to use these gifts to buy over the hearts of some people. The Emperor knows this, so he will definitely give these to you! However, you will still have control over how you wish to use these resources. You are the future ruler!"
The King turned to look at the settlement chiefs and generals, his body glowing red.
"We will serve Princess Shan Yu to our last breath!" The settlement chiefs and generals fell to their knees.
Princess Shan Yu shuddered. She did not kneel this time. She knew that she had a huge responsibility on her shoulders.
She had to govern the Southern Region.
She did not speak as she looked at the kneeling settlement chiefs and generals. Then, she turned to look into the distance.
The ground was covered by a thick layer of snow. The trees were slightly bent due to the wind and the weight of the snow. She was looking in the direction of the Great Xia.
Of course, there was something other than the Great Xia in that direction.
There was a major settlement in that direction. That was the Icy Monkey Settlement. There was a sword...
A sword that was embedded on the Feng Su Cliff...
More than half of the sword had been driven into the ground. The snow fell on it and the wind blew around it.
This was undoubtedly the coldest part of the Southern Region. There was a layer of ice around the blade. Yet, there was still a strange purple glow flowing across the blade...
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Chapter 477: The results of the Court Examination!
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Three weeks later...
Winter had arrived in the Great Xia.
The snow covered the ancient city, leaving behind a silver, glistening layer.
The wind was strong.
Countless citizens stood at the gates to the palace. They wore many layers of thick clothing as they waited in anticipation.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping stood at the front, the officials standing at the side. All of the candidates looked at them.
Snow continued to fall from the sky, landing on their shoulders. However, they did not move.
They were all waiting...
They were waiting for the results of the court examinations!
Ordinarily, only the results of the theory examinations carried such unknowns. After all, the results of the combat examination were clear for all to see.
However...
This was an exception.
No one knew what the results of the court examinations were. No one knew who would take home the top spot.
Then, the doors opened.
A warm gust of air gushed out from inside as the officials and candidates tensed. They straightened their backs and lowered their heads. However, they all glanced at the doors.
There was no Minister of Rites nor a Chief Imperial Messenger. This would mean that the Emperor or the Left Prime Minister would announce the results.
However, despite the doors opening, Emperor Lin Mubai was nowhere to be seen.
At the very moment, eight soldiers in golden armor stood by the door.
Each one of them had a solemn expression as they carried a huge tablet in their hands. This was the results tablet.
"Are they just going to present the results?"
The candidates and officials looked at each other without speaking. However, the same thought was going through their minds.
The Imperial Decree Hall was where the Emperor's held their ceremonies when they ascended the throne.
Similarly, it was the location for the announcement of the court examination results. After every announcement, there would be a tablet with the names of the candidates inscribed in gold.
This was the emphasis placed on the court examinations.
However...
Usually, the court examination results would be announced before the tablet was revealed to the masses. However, this time seemed to be different.
The tablet was being carried out.
Neither the officials nor the candidates spoke. The icy wind sent a chill down all their spines.
The eight guards' footsteps were steady as they trudged through the snow. The snow was thick, but they didn't wobble.
They came to a halt.
They stopped at the gates of the hall and placed the tablet on the ground.
"Reveal!"
A crisp voice rang out from inside the Imperial Decree Hall. It was not loud, but everyone could hear it clearly.
The message was relayed all the way to the entrance.
"Reveal!"
"Reveal!"
The voices echoed all the way to the entrance of the palace. Then, the message was passed all the way to the walls.
The city was bustling with activity.
Everyone, from businessmen to soldiers, stopped what they were doing and looked towards the Imperial Decree Hall.
The golden parchment was removed from the tablet.
The golden names were revealed. There were only 10 names on the tablet.
"I'm on the tablet!" An excited voice rang out.
"Me too!" Yet another candidate screamed. To be ranked on the tablet was a great honor.
Then, there was a third voice, then a fourth...
"Nangong Hao is first!"
"Indeed. Nangong Hao did great work in the Southern Region, signing a peace treaty with the Southern Region for 10 years. It is only right that he is in first place."
"Yes, but... why is Yan Xiu third?"
The candidates looked at the top few rows of the tablet. Nangong Hao's name was clearly inscribed at the top.
"No, there are only nine names here!"
"Nine?!"
"Look, Nangong Hao's name is not in the center!"
"Not in the center?!"
"Yes, based on the position of his name, there is someone else to his right..."
"You're saying that Fang Zhengzhi..."
When the candidates noticed Yan Xiu's ranking, they also realized that there was something wrong with the tablet. However, when they spoke of Fang Zhengzhi, they all went quiet.
"The results are out. The top three candidates have the opportunity to participate in the Heavenly Dao Pavillion selections seven days from now. Nangong Hao, will you be participating?" Another voice rang out. This voice ignored the discussions happening below.
"I will!" A figure in white stood out from the crowd. His blade glistened in the sun.
"Mm, it is the Great Xia and Nangong Family's honor to have you represent us at the selection!" The figure replied approvingly.
All of the other candidates were envious at such an opportunity. The Heavenly Dao Pavillion was the best place to cultivate.
"Young Master Nangong, you will definitely make it through!"
"That is a given. You had the abilities to participate in the selections four years ago. It will be a piece of cake for you now."
"Congratulations!"
All of the candidates sent their well wishes to Nangong Hao.
Nangong Hao bowed to them, then turned and returned to the crowd, just as calm as before.
The person at the door of the Imperial Decree Hall looked out at the crowd, his gaze finally resting on an icy face.
"Yan Xiu, will you be participating in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion selections?" The voice rang out.
"Why isn't Fang Zhengzhi on the tablet?!" A figure walked out from the crowd, his face pale. He was clearly still recovering from severe injuries.
However, his back was straight despite the chill and wind. His robe flapped in the wind.
His name...
Yan Xiu!
"Yan Xiu, he is asking you if you will be participating in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion selections! We can discuss any other matters after the selections are over!" One of the officials hollered.
"I asked why Fang Zhengzhi's name isn't on the tablet!" Yan Xiu ignored the official as he stared into the Imperial Decree Hall.
His gaze had never left the Imperial Decree Hall.
"Yan Xiu, this is the Imperial Decree Hall, behave yourself!" The Minister of Law's voice rang out. He was not going to tolerate such behavior here.
"Why isn't Fang Zhengzhi's name on the tablet?!" Yan Xiu showed no intention of backing down.
"Yan Xiu!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's voice cut through the air, his red official robes flapping in the wind.
"According to the rules of the court examination, the combat examinations ended before the battle of the Southern Region. That is at the Icy Monkey Settlement. At that time, Fang Zhengzhi was in command of nearly 50,000 soldiers. The only candidates left were Nangong Hao, Fang Zhengzhi, and I. Why is his name not on the tablet?!" Yan Xiu ignored Yu Yiping as he bellowed.
"Does a traitor deserve to be on the roll?"
"He violated the Princess of the Southern Region! That is an undeniable fact! How can he still be honored? Furthermore, he rebelled and killed Shan Ling and injured the Crown Prince. He is lucky that the Emperor hasn't executed his entire family. What else do you want?"
"Yan Xiu, you are different from Fang Zhengzhi. You come from a noble family. Now that you have a chance at the Heavenly Dao Pavilion, you should focus on that, not stand up for a rebel!"
All of the officials were fuming.
"Innocent until proven guilty! I only have one question, why is Fang Zhengzhi's name not on the tablet?!" Yan Xiu clenched his fists.
"Yan Xiu, you..." All of the officials couldn't find words to express their anger.
All of the eyes of the candidates were on the verge of popping out of their sockets. They never expected that Yan Xiu would debate with all the officials.
All because...
Of Fang Zhengzhi...
"Kacha!" At that moment, the scrunching sound of shoes trudging in snow rang out.
The sound was soft.
However, all of the candidates and officials fell to their knees.
"Long live the Emperor!" They replied in unison.
Emperor Lin Mubai looked at the only youth standing. His golden robe danced in the wind.
"You asked me why Fang Zhengzhi's name isn't on the tablet?" Emperor Lin Mubai was calm, but everyone knew that his tone was dangerously icy.
His iciness was different from the snow and the wind. If the wind chilled one's bones, Lin Mubai sent shivers down one's spine and penetrated one's heart.
"Yes!" Yan Xiu nodded, his voice equally cold.
"Okay, let me tell you this. I have already left space on the tablet for him. As long as he can prove that he had nothing to do with the crimes he was being accused of, then I will personally inscribe his name on the tablet. Is that a satisfactory answer?" Emperor Lin Mubai frowned.
"Your Highness, please calm down!"
The officials all kowtowed when they heard this.
Yan Xiu didn't speak. He bit his lip as he looked at Emperor Lin Mubai and the empty space next to Nangong Hao's name.
The snow was intensifying...
"Yan Xiu, the Emperor has answered your question. It is time for you to answer ours. Will you be participating in the selection?" Eunuch Wei's voice rang out.
As the Emperor's servant, he knew what to say and when to say it.
"I will take part when the Emperor inscribes Fang Zhengzhi's name on the tablet!" Yan Xiu fell to his knees.
However, he stood up just as quickly. Then, he turned around and walked to the exit without hesitation.
"This..."
"This is ridiculous!"
"Your Highness, should we..."
All of the officials turned to look at Emperor Lin Mubai.
"Let him be!" Emperor Lin Mubai waved the officials off as he looked at the snow before returning to the Imperial Decree Hall.
Spring, one year later.
In a quiet residence inside the Great Xia...
Flowers were blooming and their fragrance filled the residence.
There was a lady on the swing in the yard, her white skin glistening in the sun. Her eyebrows were thin and sharp.
In the middle of her forehead was a red mark, like a red spot in a sea of white. She was gorgeous.
She kept looking at a clear lake nearby as she swung on the swing.
The lake was filled with fallen petals. There were a few tarps in the pond, making ripples as the swum around.
"Why aren't they out yet? Could they be... stuck at the door?" The lady's voice had traces of anger.
At that moment...
There was movement in the lake. The movement became more vigorous by the moment, forming waves on the surface of the lake. Then, a black circular rock rose to the surface.
"Oh? They're out!" The lady's eyes glistened as the frustration on her face was replaced with calm.
A crack appeared on the black rock. It looked as though a door was being opened from the inside.
The lady grabbed the rope on the swing and the swing came to a stop. She stared at the black crack.
The crack began to widen...
Then...
A figure walked out...
This was a bearded, aged man. He was barefoot and wore a baggy white robe. He seemed calm and unassuming. The only unique feature about him was his long, silver beard. His beard extended all the way to his waist.
"Master!" The lady jumped off the swing when she saw him. Then, she looked behind the man.
"Oh, you were waiting for me?" The old man smiled as he brushed his beard.
"Where is he?" The lady ignored the old man's question.
"Who?" The old man asked, visibly confused.
"That fella! Why isn't he out? Is he stuck at the door like the previous time?"
The lady smirked when she said it.
She was thinking about a previous incident.
"So you weren't waiting for me?" The old man seemed disappointed.
"Of course I was, but where is that fella? Is he still inside?" The lady asked.
"Nope." The old man shook his head.
"No? How could that be? Did he turn into a Fire Plume Chicken and fly away?" The lady was shocked.
"Indeed." The old man nodded solemnly.
"Master, enough with the jokes. Without your guidance, he won't be able to walk out of this 'Water Demon Realm'." The lady didn't buy it.
"Yes, how did he exit the 'Water Demon Realm'?" The old man nodded in agreement.
"Master, you... no way? That guy really made his way out by himself?"
"Probably!"
"Ah? Where did he go? He better not be going to the capital! I... I haven't even finished my preparations. If we go now..."
"No, he didn't go to the capital."
"He didn't? Then where did he go?"
"He said that he was inside for too long. It was suffocating. He wanted to enjoy the scenery."
"Enjoy the scenery? Where?"
"He said he wanted to go to the Blood Shadow City!"
"Blood Shadow City? Oh... as long as it is not Yan Capital... hang on... did you say Blood Shadow City?! Isn't that the Demon's capital?!" The lady's expression changed.
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Chapter 478: Purple Demonic Eye
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
The Blood Shadow City was aptly named. It was given this name because of its layout and infrastructure.
Ordinarily, a city would have four gates, one in each direction. Each one would be linked by walls that allowed for better defense.
However, the Blood Shadow City was an exception.
This was a fortress. It should only be viewed from a distance. Anyone foreign and close to it would likely die.
Yet...
There was a youth standing on the walls of the Blood Shadow City. He seemed out of place, looking around in his blue long sleeved shirt.
He was clearly in awe.
To be honest, anyone who could see such an ancient city would be in awe. This ancient fortress covered the entire mountain.
Circular...
A circular wall at the foot of the mountain was the first layer of protection. It surrounded the entire city.
One mile in was another circular wall. However, this wall was more than two meters higher than the one on the perimeter.
The wall was as high as a tree.
But that was not all...
Layers of circular walls continued to surround the city, each one spaced one mile apart. Every layer was two meters higher than the previous one.
"Grand!" The youth looked at the layers of walls behind him and gasped in admiration.
It was no wonder it was known as the Blood Shadow City.
The youth looked at the red flags in the middle of the trees. He really felt like he was surrounded by a sea of red.
Of course, the grandest thing was the 'scar' that he was standing on...
This was a scar that extended from the outermost wall all the way to the center.
The youth was slightly confused as he looked at the scar.
It had clearly been repaired, but...
It seemed to have been done rather half-heartedly. It was not difficult to fully repair the cracks...
Yet, the crack was still visible.
It was extremely attention-grabbing.
"I guess it's a warning to the younger generations..." The youth thought to himself. He could confirm a few things.
First, the Blood Shadow City is built on a mountain. It was not a tall one, but it covered a great amount of space. There were four gates at the outermost wall.
The second layer also had four gates.
However...
They were not aligned with the gates at the first wall. This greatly increased the time required for people to walk into the city.
It was extremely inconvenient.
However, it made for great defense!
There were only two ways this place was defended. First, the people entering could be separated by race. Every race would face different rules when entering the city.
Of course, they could also be separated by castes.
The second possibility was that there were magical formations embedded within the walls.
It could even be a combination of the two.
This would make entry extremely difficult. Not only did you have to follow the 'rules', you had to get past all the guards.
It was no wonder...
The easiest way was to just split the entire city. It would take ages to gain entry via conventional methods.
More importantly, one would find it even more difficult to get out than to get in.
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard a voice behind him. This voice was filled with shock.
"Freeze, turn around slowly!"
The demon soldiers on guard duty at the perimeter walls were completely shocked to see a youth standing on the wall, admiring the scenery.
Which rural clan was this person from? Is he here to visit?
Doesn't he know the rules of the Blood Shadow City?
The demon soldier gripped his spear tightly. He didn't strike immediately because this person seemed too relaxed, almost as if he was at home here on the wall.
This caused him to take extra precaution.
At that moment, the youth turned around, his lips twitching in displeasure.
The demon soldier loosened his grip on the spear.
He saw that there was a glittering demonic eye on the youth's forehead. That meant that this youth was definitely a demon.
However...
His demonic eye was weird.
Hang on...
Purple... purple demonic eye?!
The soldier was stunned. He had been stationed here for decades and seen many strange things.
However, he never felt like vomiting blood as much as he did today.
"Spy, spy! Catch... catch the intruder!" The demon soldier stammered. He didn't feel any satisfaction when he recognized this youth as an intruder.
After all, there was no such thing as a purple demonic eye.
As such, this intruder...
Was plain dumb!
That was the first thought that flashed through his mind. Then, he felt the world spinning, almost as if he had been knocked in the back of the head.
He turned around and saw a figure standing behind him.
This was a man in black clothes. His jaw was sharp and he had a demonic eye on his forehead, a red one.
Most importantly, he held a black metal pole in his hand.
"How dare this guy... impersonate a Rebirth State..." The demon soldier was furious, but he crumpled to the ground as the world around him turned black.
"Ah Jiu, what's the count?" The youth shook his head as he turned away from the demon soldier frothing at the mouth.
"Master, he is the third one today. We are left with the Northern Gate, do you want to continue?" The servant replied.
As a lowly servant...
Su Jiu had enjoyed life the past two years. He had gone from Huai An County all the way to the River of Trust Province.
Right now...
He was following his master to enjoy the 'scenery'.
He also painted a red demonic eye on his forehead to try to blend in.
"I've seen most of the things outside. It is time for us to go inside." The youth took a deep breath as he closed his eyes.
"Okay." Su Jiu nodded, unsurprised by the youth's words. His lips twitched, almost as though he wanted to say something.
"What else is there?" The youth spotted this.
"Master, are you going to continue sporting the purple demonic eye? As far as I know, there is no purple demonic eye amongst the demons..."
"Do you think that the color is a problem?"
"No... not at all!"
"I didn't think so. Don't you think that this color is more noticeable than others?" The youth nodded.
"Yes, indeed... it is attention-grabbing..." Su Jiu nodded as his mouth twitched. He didn't dare to finish his sentence.
Attention-grabbing!
Everywhere they went, they would be recognized as spies and intruders! This was the Blood Shadow City!
Shouldn't they be keeping a low profile?!
"Okay then, let's go inside and have a look." The youth began his descent, using a wooden ladder that was pre-positioned.
"Yes, master!" Su Jiu followed behind the youth.
Bai Xing didn't think that he would be able to lead a proper life after the war. However, there was nothing out of the ordinary ever since he returned.
He was still the Domain Chief of the Star Domain.
Furthermore, Yun Qingwu had given him a few more deputies to command.
Bai Xing was initially unsettled by this, but after a year, his position as Domain Chief was still secure.
Yun Qingwu was still herself and Bai Xing was still himself.
As one of the Domain Chiefs, his standing amongst the demons was naturally high. The demons had kept a relatively low profile after the war.
Other than the usual military exercises, Bai Xing spent most of his time in his residence, enjoying music whilst practicing his techniques and researching formations.
He was not relaxed...
But it was a stable and regular life.
However, this routine had just been broken in the strangest of fashions.
The person who broke this year-long routine was a youth.
This was a youth in a blue long-sleeved shirt. Bai Xing was familiar with this shirt, and he even dreamt about it sometimes.
However...
He never expected that this youth would show up on his doorstep, especially not in broad daylight.
How was this possible?
Bai Xing couldn't figure it out.
Was the Blood Shadow City breached?
If it hadn't, how did this youth manage to walk into his residence in broad daylight?!
His residence was located within the third layer of walls in the Blood Shadow City.
The only reason why he was so far out was that he had to train with the demon soldiers frequently
Even so...
It should not be so easily accessed by an outsider.
Most importantly, this fella had a demonic eye on his forehead. This demonic eye was purple.
What the hell?!
Bai Xing thought that he was facing a ghost. He knew that this youth had been under the radar for the past year.
It was almost as if he had disappeared from the face of the earth.
How could a youth who had disappeared for over a year appear in his residence all of a sudden? Furthermore, what was with the purple demonic eye?
Bai Xing rubbed his eyes...
When he opened them, he realized that the youth was still standing in the same position as before. To make things worse, the youth was smiling radiantly at him.
"Fang Zhengzhi?!" Bai Xing was rarely shocker. However, he could not hide his shock when he saw this youth.
"Mm, it's me." The youth nodded calmly.
"You... why are you in the Blood Shadow City? And why are you in my residence?" Bai Xing knew that his questions were dumb...
When a human entered his residence, he should have gathered his guards and captured this man.
However...
He didn't do so...
He was still curious about what had happened to Fang Zhengzhi over the past year.
Even though it was a dangerous choice...
He decided to spare some time to talk to Fang Zhengzhi.
"Would you believe me if I said I came here to admire the scenery?" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled as he found himself a seat.
"Admire the scenery? Here at the Blood Shadow City?" Bai Xing's eyes glimmered but he forced himself to calm down.
"I had wanted to make my way to the center of the Blood Shadow City. However, when I saw the sign reading "Bai Residence" on your doorstep, I couldn't help but stop. Could it be Domain Chief Bai? As such, I decided to come in and take a look. It is you!" Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"I see." Bai Xing nodded and squinted. He could tell that Fang Zhengzhi had entered through the main door.
However...
How did this fella do it? Were all his guards blind? Could they not see the purple demonic eye on his forehead?
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Chapter 479: Trick that was impossible to fall for
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Bai Xing raised his fingers and rapped them on the table. He looked around solemnly.
He didn't believe Fang Zhengzhi's excuse of 'admiring the scenery'.
No one would believe that Fang Zhengzhi had stumbled upon his residence and spontaneously decided to enter.
Bai Xing didn't believe it, but he didn't bother asking additional questions.
He simply hollered...
"Serve tea!"
Someone dressed as a servant entered holding a teapot and two exquisite teacups.
Bai Xing frowned.
He had called for tea not because he was a gracious host. He was in the Blood Shadow City, the capital of the Demons. He was in control here. The longer he dragged this out...
The more advantageous it was for him...
If Fang Zhengzhi wasn't in a rush, why should he be?
There was an even more important reason. He wanted to know if the demon soldiers in his residence were truly 'blind'.
It would seem that the demon soldiers in his residence were blind beyond belief.
The tea came too quickly.
It was so quick that it felt like the tea had been prepared in advance. More importantly, Fang Zhengzhi had prepared two cups.
"He came prepared?" Bai Xing wasn't too surprised by this. He didn't act immediately, choosing to wait for the man to bring the tea over.
When dealing with Fang Zhengzhi...
He couldn't possibly attack him from the get-go. However, he could definitely take action against someone who was trying to pose as one of his servants.
He would kill this imposter in front of Fang Zhengzhi and scare Fang Zhengzhi off.
He hid a ray of silver light in his palm.
He was waiting. He wanted to wait till this man was closer.
The servant carrying the pot of tea didn't seem to notice the killing intent Bai Xing emanated. He walked over steadily...
He was getting close!
Bai Xing's finger moved and his eyes glittered. Just as he was about to strike, he froze.
Because...
He saw a demonic eye. There was a red demonic eye pasted on the forehead of the servant. It was a stark contrast from the greenery in the yard.
"Domain Chief, sir, please enjoy the tea!" The man looked at Bai Xing calmly as he bowed and poured Bai Xing a cup of tea.
The fragrance of the tea filled the garden.
Bai Xing looked at the man and the cup of tea in front of him. His lips twitched.
This was ridiculous!
Fang Zhengzhi had waltzed into his residence with a purple demonic eye! And now there was someone with a fake red demonic eye serving him!
Bai Xing thought that he had managed to call their bluff...
But in fact...
They were simply mocking him. Purple demonic eye? Red demonic eye? Could this be any more ridiculous?
Bai Xing subconsciously clenched his fists.
"Bang!"
This was the sound of the silver light exploding in his hands. It was also a manifestation of the anger he was feeling. However, Bai Xing was still Bai Xing. After some hesitation, he took the teacup in his hand and took a whiff. He smiled.
"Great tea!" Bai Xing looked away from the man and back at the calm Fang Zhengzhi.
"Domain Chief Bai is in for a treat. I feel obliged to tell you that the tea you hold in your hand is the best spring tea this year. I have personally brewed it with my recipe and techniques. If you say that it isn't good, then I'll have to fault you for not knowing your tea." Fang Zhengzhi chuckled.
Then, he waved to the man.
The man turned around and walked over to Fang Zhengzhi. He poured a cup of tea for Fang Zhengzhi, left the teapot behind, then left.
Bai Xing's lips twitched when he saw this.
To be told that you were in for a treat in your own backyard felt like being slapped in the face.
However, Bai Xing tolerated it.
"I've been meaning to ask you, do you really think that by controlling the servants in my residence, you can exit the Blood Shadow City safely?" Bai Xing asked.
"Domain Chief Bai, can we have some tea first?" Fang Zhengzhi ignored Bai Xing's question as he raised his glass and took a sip, savoring it.
"Hmph!" Bai Xing snorted in derision.
He was curious about what happened to Fang Zhengzhi over the past year, but that was about it.
He could suppress it for a moment...
But he couldn't suppress it forever.
As for drinking the tea...
The tea was brought by Fang Zhengzhi's man. He was not stupid enough to taste it.
"Haha, I can see that you are running out of patience. This is some of the best tea around, are you really not going to taste it?" Fang Zhengzhi advised sincerely, ignoring the iciness on Bai Xing's face.
"Fang Zhengzhi, are you really that stupid? Do you not know where you are?" Bai Xing squinted, a silver glow flashing through his eyes.
"Let me think... if I recall correctly, I should be in the Bai Residence inside the third layer of the Blood Shadow City's defenses. Am I right?" Fang Zhengzhi replied innocently.
"So you do know that you are inside the Blood Shadow City!" Bai Xing felt a wave of rage. He smashed the teacup into the ground.
The cup shattered.
"It is a pity... that was a good cup. I hope Domain Chief Bai isn't trying to chase me away? I haven't even finished exploring the Blood Shadow City! Why don't you accompany me?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the cup with traces of regret in his eyes.
"Accompany you? Hahaha... sure, I will accompany you!" Bai Xing chuckled out of rage.
"Thank you in advance, and sorry for taking up your time." Fang Zhengzhi nodded enthusiastically.
"No need to thank me. However, I think you should explore this place a little differently!"
"How so?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"We could tie you up first, then have the soldiers gather and stand in front of you! You could take your time to see them all!" Bai Xing chuckled icily.
"Wouldn't that be too much of a disturbance?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"Not at all!"
"Really?"
"I can swear on my ancestors that it is no trouble at all!"
"Since you have sworn it, please go ahead." Fang Zhengzhi hesitated for a moment before nodding. Then, he extended his arms.
"Hahaha, Fang... hmm?!" Bai Xing chuckled as he prepared to stand up. At that moment, his smile froze.
His expression was filled with shock!
"Domain Chief Bai, what are you waiting for? I am ready." Fang Zhengzhi urged.
"You... what did you do to me?" Bai Xing's expression changed when he realized that he couldn't move.
His legs felt like they had been nailed in place.
He was completely immobilized.
He was shocked when he realized this. He didn't know what happened to him.
How is that possible?!
How could Fang Zhengzhi's abilities have improved this much in a year?!
No!
That's impossible!
Fang Zhengzhi's cultivation had been ruined after the war with the Southern Region. Even if he wasn't rendered useless, his abilities couldn't improve this much in a year.
He had just stepped into the Supernatural State a year ago!
When he dueled Cang Yang, he had relied on the power from The Vast World, not his own abilities.
Impossible!
This was unfathomable!
Was it the tea?!
Was there something wrong with the tea?
But he didn't drink the tea! What could have possibly gone wrong?
"What did you do to me?!" Bai Xing questioned agitatedly. He felt like he was in real danger.
"Domain Chief Bai, why don't you make a guess." Fang Zhengzhi smirked.
"You poisoned me?" Bai Xing queried.
"Domain Chief Bai, you are indeed a smart man! I asked you to drink the tea and you didn't. Now you are in trouble! There is a saying... you should never waste food!" Fang Zhengzhi walked towards Bai Xing.
"What do you mean?" Bai Xing's eyes were on the verge of popping out of their sockets.
"Do you remember the events a year ago? You were in a bad mood and didn't like everything around you. You had a few contractors renovate your place. Do you remember that?" Fang Zhengzhi replied calmly.
"You... knew about that? Those contractors..."
"Yes, I sent them!"
"But... I checked everything after the renovation was completed. There was nothing out of place. Furthermore, nothing has happened the past year. What did you do?" Bai Xing paid a great deal of attention to his renovation
"Flowers!" Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"Flowers? What flowers?"
"A kind of flower that only blooms in spring."
"A flower that only blooms in spring, what... what does that have to do with me now?" Bai Xing was confused.
"Domain Chief Bai is knowledgeable. You should know that some poisons are transmitted through smell!" Fang Zhengzhi explained patiently.
"You planted poisonous flowers in my garden? That's... that's impossible! I am not the only one who has been here and you didn't..."
"Domain Chief Bai, I am sure you know that some scents are not poisonous on their own. However, they become poisonous after mixing with other fragrances." Fang Zhengzhi reminded.
"Mixed with other fragrances... the tea!" Bai Xing had a revelation.
If it was only poisonous after mixing with other fragrances...
The only factor would be Fang Zhengzhi's pot of tea.
"Yes, I reminded Domain Chief Bai that I had brewed this tea myself. I am sure you remember that." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"But you are here as well. You even drank the tea. Why are you okay?" Bai Xing couldn't understand where he had gone wrong.
"Yes, I am in the garden, and I drank the tea. However, if I recall correctly, Domain Chief Bai... didn't drink the tea. Am I right?" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled.
"Didn't drink the tea? You... are you saying... the tea is the antidote?" Bai Xing felt a chill down his spine.
If this was true...
This was a method that he had never imagined was possible.
The tea's fragrance would mix with that of the flower to form a poisonous substance. Yet, the tea was the antidote. Who would bother researching such a pointless poison?
Furthermore...
Who would be poisoned by such a ridiculous poison?
Bai Xing wanted to ask why someone would research such a pointless poison, but he stopped himself.
Because... he had been poisoned!
"I did remind you to drink the tea... it is a pity that it is too late now. You have already smashed the cup." Fang Zhengzhi said regretfully.
"Fang Zhengzhi, how dare you poison me?! Have you been researching such underhand tactics for the past year?" Bai Xing was frustrated.
He never expected that a Domain Chief like him would be poisoned by such a pointless poison.
Was it hubris?
Or did Fang Zhengzhi read him like a book?!
Bai Xing was furious.
He didn't like the feeling of being read like a book. He felt like he was facing Yun Qingwu.
That's right!
Yun Qingwu!
Why did he feel like he was facing Yun Qingwu when he faced Fang Zhengzhi?
One year!
It was a short time...
Yet, this fella had already become an unpredictable, highly intelligent figure. Was it possible that he could now match up to the Young Master of the Demons?
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Chapter 480: He's back!
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
He wasn't scared of talents.
There were so many talents in the world. However, when a talent was also scheming, then that talent was truly terrifying.
"I will not hide anything from you. I did spend quite a bit of time researching this over the past year. I think you're feeling the effects now. Do you feel like you're unable to move your legs?" Fang Zhengzhi asked caringly.
"You..." Bai Xing wanted to scream for help. Even though it would be humiliating for him to scream for help in his own residence, he still opened his mouth.
However...
The moment he did, he felt something heavy knock against his head.
When he turned around...
Bai Xing saw a pole, a metal pole which had been bent out of shape.
"What a tough head!" The man looked at Bai Xing and the metal pole in his hand, shocked at the result.
"..." Bai Xing turned to look at the man and that glowing red demonic eye on his forehead. He didn't believe that someone would be able to sneak up behind him.
How did it happen?
Did Fang Zhengzhi distract him?
Even so, as an Intermediate Rebirth State cultivator, he should have been able to sense it if someone was creeping up on him.
Furthermore...
Why was he knocked in the head with a metal pole?
Did this man really think that he could be knocked out by a metal pole? How naive...
Bai Xing found everything a little strange. What was even stranger was that he felt as though his head had been pricked my needles.
It hurt so bad that he felt his world spinning.
"Bong!" Bai Xing froze and crumpled to the ground. Just before he hit the ground, a thought flashed through his mind.
No!
He wasn't poisoned... to be precise, he wasn't just poisoned...
"Hahaha, this will be a story for the ages! I knocked out a Demon Domain Chief!" Su Jiu couldn't suppress his excitement as he looked at Bai Xing.
"So, coming to the Blood Shadow City to enjoy the scenery was your idea right?" Fang Zhengzhi replied calmly.
"Erm..." Su Jiu froze.
An hour later...
At the highest point of the Blood Shadow City, nine men in shining armor waited at the entrance to a black palace.
The palace was clearly aged.
Ten black pillars supported the entire palace. Each pillar was surrounded by demon soldiers in different armor.
Before long, a demon soldier walked out of the palace.
"The Young Master invites you in!"
"Okay!" The nine males nodded and entered the palace.
Before long, the nine males were in a room inside the palace.
There was a lady in the middle of the room. She wore a snow white dress, her black, silky hair falling to her waist, her eyes calm.
The lady didn't move. She looked out the window at the rising sun. She held a yellowish piece of paper in her hand.
The paper was small.
There were few words on it.
It was just a single sentence.
"Have you eaten?"
There were no other words on that piece of paper. There was no indication as to who the author was.
The lady was Yun Qingwu.
As the Young Master of the Demons, Yun Qingwu has many things to do during the day. Such a piece of paper should not have appeared in her hands.
Yet, this was passed from soldier to soldier, all the way until it made its way to Yun Qingwu.
The reason was simple...
This was the only thing left behind in the Bai Residence.
"Greetings, Young Master!" The nine men fell to one knee when they entered the room.
"Mm, save the formalities, Domain Chiefs." Yun Qingwu nodded as she looked down at the piece of paper.
"Young Master, about that..."
"Young Master, what are your orders?"
"There is no one in the Southern Region capable of sneaking into the Blood Shadow City and kidnapping Domain Chief Bai. Only those few people in the Great Xia..."
The nine men waited for Yun Qingwu to make her decision.
News that one of the 10 Domain Chiefs had been abducted from the Blood Shadow City had shocked the entire Demon World.
Most importantly...
The most terrifying part of it was...
This person had done it in broad daylight and without triggering any alarms! This was about sending a message! The Blood Shadow City was not as safe as they thought!
"He's back after more than a year!" Yun Qingwu murmured to herself, ignoring the questions of the nine men.
"Him? Young Master, who are you referring to?" One of the men asked, confused by Yun Qingwu's cryptic words.
After all, they had all seen the note. There was no indication of who the author was.
If not for the fact that it was the only clue left in the Bai Residence...
They would have thrown it away without a second thought.
"Someone who has disappeared for more than a year." Yun Qingwu replied calmly after some thought.
"Disappeared for more than a year?!"
The men looked at each other in confusion when they heard this.
"Young Master, are you talking about Fang Zhengzhi?"
"What a joke. How is that even possible? Fang Zhengzhi may have disappeared for more than a year, but he is a crippled man. Furthermore, both the Great Xia and the Southern Region are hunting for him! He may be dead for all we know!"
"Mm, the Great Xia could have executed Fang Zhengzhi without announcement!"
The nine men guessed as they looked at Yun Qingwu.
However...
Yun Qingwu didn't respond. She knew that even if she said it, no one would believe her.
There was no point in saying it then.
"Ying Feng."
"Yes, Young Master!" A man stepped forward from the crowd. He was thin and unassuming.
However, when this man stepped forward, those around him instinctively took a step back.
Because...
This was Ying Feng.
He was the current Domain Chief of the Dark Domain. He was the younger brother of Ying Shan and was once promoted to Vice Domain Chief after just a single sentence from Yun Qingwu.
Just a year later, he took over as Domain Chief.
However, that was not the most important point.
Most importantly, the Dark Domain had already taken over the position of the Star Domain. It had gone from being the weakest domain to the most powerful one.
No one knew how Ying Feng had done it.
But the fact was...
He had done so without being propped up by Yun Qingwu.
"Mm, I want to make a trip to the Great Xia. Make the necessary arrangements." Yun Qingwu replied calmly.
"Young Master, you want to go to the Great Xia?!"
"No, that must not happen! Young Master, the Great Xia already knows who you are! How can you take such a risk?"
"Yes, this matter is of great importance. Young Master, please do not act rashly. I think we should discuss this with the Demon Lord..."
The men were shocked by Yun Qingwu's orders.
"Do you all think that I, Ying Feng, am not powerful enough to ensure the Young Master's safety?" Ying Feng's voice rang out.
At that moment...
The expressions of the eight men changed.
However, no one stepped forward to rebut him.
"As long as I am alive, I swear that the Young Master will be safe. Young Master, when do we leave?"
"Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Okay, I will make the necessary arrangements now!"
Five days later... in the Southern Region's Icy Monkey Settlement...
Even though a chilly breeze continued to caress Feng Su cliff, the stench of blood had been wiped clean after more than a year.
Grass covered the plains outside the Icy Monkey Settlement as a myriad of flowers bloomed amongst the grass, their fragrance filling the air.
Of course, to say that there were no traces of the battle left behind...
Would be an exaggeration.
Because...
There was still a sword on the cliff. It was embedded deep in the ground and covered with ice.
The sun beat down on the ice, but the ice didn't melt despite the heat.
It was a strange sight.
What was even stranger was that there was a figure standing next to the sword. His blue long sleeved shirt flapped in the wind.
To the people of the Southern Region...
They had gotten used to seeing that blade on the cliff.
Over the past year, many courageous soldiers had come to the sword...
They had tried to pluck it out of the ground...
However...
The sword refused to budge. It remained embedded deep in the ground, encased by a thick layer of snow and ice.
It was almost as if the sword was saying, "I won't even let you touch!"
Of course, the Southern Region warriors didn't think that way. They were just curious why the ice around the sword had yet to melt.
Good sword!
That was their only conclusion.
Then, they began to forget about the sword. Over the past year, too many had tried and failed.
But now...
There was one man on the cliff.
He was here for the sword. He extended his hand towards the hilt, which was encased by snow and ice.
Then, a strange thing happened.
The ice began to melt at a rate visible to the naked eye. It disappeared into a white mist.
Then, his hand closed around the hilt.
He lifted the sword out of the ground!
The sword turned into a ray of purple light and landed in his hand.
"It's been a long time." The figure whispered as he grabbed the hilt with one hand and stroked the blade with his other hand.
"Hum!" The blade hummed.
It felt like the blade was truly happy to see this man. It was almost as though a hibernating dragon had woken up and seen the sun. Its excitement was palpable.
"I will bring you to admire different sceneries. We will walk further and climb higher than before."
"Hum!" The blade hummed excitedly.
The Southern Region. Sagely Mountain City. The Palace.
Icy Monkey, the settlement chief of the Icy Monkey Settlement, passed by layers of guards and walked to the throne room.
"Your Highness!" Icy Monkey fell to one knee respectfully as he entered the throne room.
There was a lady seated on the throne. She wore snow white leather and her beige skin glowed under the light.
Her silky black hair rested on her shoulders.
She had a golden crown on her head. The crown was adorned with three feathers and three gems of different colors.
She was Shan Yu.
The Queen of the Southern Region!
After hearing what Icy Monkey had to say, she unfurled the parchment in her hand and looked at him.
"Uncle Monkey, what is the hurry?"
"The sword, the sword is missing!" Icy Monkey replied anxiously, his voice shaking.
"Sword? What sword?" Shan Yu was slightly confused.
"The... the sword on Feng Su... it's... it's missing!" Icy Monkey's expression was complicated.
"What did you say? The sword on Feng Su cliff is missing?!" Shan Yu's expression changed as the parchment dropped to the floor.
"Yes!" Icy Monkey nodded in confirmation.
He knew exactly why Princess Shan Yu was so shocked. He also knew what the disappearance of that sword meant.
Over the past year, countless Southern Region warriors had tried their luck but to no avail.
The sword had become a badge of honor.
Anyone who could get it out of the ground would be revered by his peers.
However...
The sword had disappeared.
It had disappeared without a trace. No warrior had stepped forward and announced that he had succeeded.
This sword was no longer just a badge of honor. It signified something different altogether.
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Chapter 481: Things are different now
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Shan Yu's face was flushed.
Her mind was blank. She didn't know if she should be excited or furious. She had been waiting for this moment for far too long.
He was back...
After more than a year, he had returned to the Southern Region to reclaim the sword he lost.
But...
Why didn't he come to see me?
What happened here a year ago? Shouldn't he come and tell me the truth? Why didn't he come and find me? Is he afraid? Or does he not want to?
"Your Highness, I have already sent people to lock down the exits to the Great Xia. Should we inform the Great Xia..." Icy Monkey advised.
"No need!" Shan Yu replied without hesitation as her eyes glowed. "Uncle Monkey, do you trust me?"
"Your Highness... of course I trust you!" Icy Monkey replied.
"Then please give the order for all our soldiers at the border to stand down." Shan Yu's eyes were filled with determination.
"Stand down? Why? Your Highness, don't you want to know the truth about Shan Ling's death?" Icy Monkey didn't understand.
"I do." Shan Yu replied.
"Then why... I know that you trust Fang Zhengzhi. Even if he didn't do it, it must have been linked to him somehow! He still owes the Southern Region an explanation. We cannot let the Crown Prince..."
"Uncle Monkey!"
"Okay, your highness, what are your thoughts?"
"Please have someone plant a similar sword on Feng Su cliff!" Shan Yu replied after some thought.
"Plant a similar sword?" Icy Monkey was shocked.
"Yes!"
"Your Highness, are you planning to cover this up for him? But since he chose to retrieve his sword, he probably plans on announcing it soon!" Icy Monkey didn't understand.
"I don't know if he wants to hide it, but I don't want news of this to get out before I reach the Great Xia!" Shan Yu replied.
"Your Highness, you're going to Yan Capital?"
"Mm... do you think that we can capture him if we set up an ambush at the entrance?" Shan Yu queried.
"Erm..." Icy Monkey's lips twitched but he didn't answer.
"It's been more than a year since I took the throne. It is about time I made a trip there." Shan Yu continued.
"Okay then, since your mind is made up, I will make the necessary arrangements. How would you like to travel?" Icy Monkey nodded.
"The grander the better!"
"Okay then, I will have someone send a message to the Great Xia announcing your visit!" Icy Monkey bowed.
"Thank you for your help."
At the foot of the Sagely Mountain City...
A figure in blue stood at the foot of the mountain. He looked up at the clouds and the fog that surrounded the Sagely Mountain City.
"Master, are you going to the Sagely Mountain City? If you are, I will make the necessary arrangements right away!" A voice rang out behind this man.
"No need for that." The figure in blue shook his head.
"Actually, the leader told me to pass a message. I was to pass this message to you if you ever stepped foot in the Southern Region.
"Go ahead."
"When you were set up to take the rap for killing the Crown Prince a year ago... the leader believes that the Queen doesn't believe the story the Great Xia provided!"
"Mm, continue."
"Furthermore, the leader had the eight hangers-on who participated in that assassination followed. However, they disappeared the moment they returned to the capital. The leader believes that the Crown Prince had them silenced, so..."
"So the only person who can testify is Su Qing."
"Yes, but Su Qing was one of the conspirators. Furthermore, he is favored by the Crown Prince. It would be impossible to have him testify against Lin Tianrong."
"Mm."
"The leader feels that if you can find someone in the Southern Region to testify for you... even if the testimony was false..."
"I know."
"So will you make a trip to the Sagely Mountain City?" The voice was filled with anticipation.
"No, I won't."
"Okay... okay then. Where will you be going, master?"
"The Northern Mountain Village."
"The Northern Mountain Village?! Erm... erm, that is just not possible! The Crown Prince has had people spying on it for the past year. You will be spotted the moment you enter. And then..." The voice was filled with fear.
"What about it?"
"The leader told me repeatedly that you can go anywhere but two places!"
"The Northern Mountain Village and the Capital, am I right?"
"Why do you insist on going to the Northern Mountain Village then?"
"Because I want to. Is that reason enough?"
"Yes, it is!"
"Will you send her a message in secret?" The figure in blue asked.
"I... I wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, why not?"
"Even though I belong to the Shadow Sect, I only managed to get where I am today because of you. As such, I will never betray you..."
"So you will betray Wu Yuer, am I right?"
"Erm..."
"You say you are loyal to me in front of me and you pledge loyalty to Wu Yuer in front of her. That's a good thing too. I will pass your message to her without changing a word."
"..." The person was speechless.
"Is there a problem?" The figure in blue smiled as she looked at the figure behind him.
"No problem at all. Master, please tell the leader what I said, word for word!" The voice was about to break.
"Since you have pleaded with me so sincerely, I will fulfill your request. Go on, use Wu Yuer's name to have the nine people wait for me in Huai An County."
"Master, you want me to forge the orders of the leader?" The voice was trembling.
"Is there a problem?"
"Nope, no problem at all. The leader is used to it."
"Then what are you waiting for?"
"Yes, sir!"
Five days later...
In a quiet residence inside the Great Xia, Wu Yuer sat in the middle of her garden, visibly affected by the letter she had in front of her.
"Damn!" Wu Yuer raised her hand and shredded the letter in her hand. Her eyebrows were raised...
"Oh? Who are you mad at, Yuer?" An old man appeared next to Wu Yuer, his white robe free from any traces of dirt.
"Who else could it be?"
"Fang Zhengzhi?"
"Master, do you think that he is going overboard with this? He is just a member of the Shadow Sect. How can he summon our Shadow Sect... to Huai An County... isn't he afraid..." Wu Yuer's rage was clear.
"Yes, how did he manage to get all the members of the Shadow Sect to gather at Huai An County?" The old man asked.
"He didn't! He lied to them and fooled them all into going there! He must have used my name to get them to go!" Wu Yuer asserted.
"Mm, you are correct. However, I do not understand one thing. Why do they all trust him so much? They didn't even double check with you, aish..." The old man replied.
"Master, what do you mean?" Wu Yuer's eyelids twitched when she saw the old man's expression. She sensed something.
"After a year, the Shadow Sect is no longer the same. Did you not realize that?" The old man hinted.
"Master!" Wu Yuer didn't like being talked to this way. She looked at the shredded letter.
"Go to hell!"
Wu Yuer bit her lip and stood up from her chair. She walked towards the garden.
The old man didn't say anything as he watched Wu Yuer disappear into the garden. He smirked, almost as if he was thinking of something.
The River of Trust Province, Huai An County...
Everyone was in a festive mood. They were all celebrating spring with music and poetry.
It was relaxed and fun.
Of course, such enjoyment was for the poorer students.
They didn't have enough silvers in their pockets but still wanted to enjoy themselves. As such, they simply hung around a lake and played music whilst composing poetry.
Speaking of enjoyment...
They didn't go to the Southern Mountains. Ferocious beasts roamed the mountains and anyone who hadn't accessed Dao would never set foot in them.
As such, the River of Trust was the best spot.
It was nearby and quiet enough. Most importantly, many ships passed through it.
Where there were yachts, there were ladies.
Where there were ladies, there were talents.
Especially...
Show-offs!
There was one such talent on the River of Trust. He wore a gold robe and had a jade green sword sheathed at his waist.
He was the number one bully in Huai An County.
Meng Yushu of the Meng Family.
It was unfortunate that he met Fang Zhengzhi in the Dao Examinations. In the end, he was accused of cheating in the Theory Examination and schooled in the Combat Examinations.
He seemed to have hit rock-bottom.
It was a good thing Meng Yushu was a determined individual.
He wasn't going to let failure get to him!
As long as he climbed back up, he was still the master of his own fate.
In the recent Dao Examinations, he topped the Huai An County combat examinations. It was one of the best times of his life.
As such...
He decided to relax a little and show-off his skills at the River of Trust.
He was on a small but exquisitely designed boat. Golden threads adorned the boat's body. There was a huge 'Meng' on the flag of the boat. This was how others could identify him.
With this small boat, Meng Yushu was confident that he could definitely board any of the passing yachts.
Of course, he was someone of influence.
No ordinary yacht could catch his eye.
Furthermore, with his reputation now, his name would stun anyone in Huai An County.
"This is the one!" Meng Yushu gripped the hilt of his sword as he looked up at the golden yacht steaming towards him.
He leapt into the sky.
Then, the small boat began to move forward with the wind. It was a gorgeous sight, and it attracted the attention of the ladies and other talents on the shore.
If the other yachts on the River of Trust were fish.
Then this yacht was a dragon! A dragon making its way through a school of fish. Intricate carvings covered its entire body and its flags were multi-colored.
Its flags danced in the wind.
Countless talents watched the yacht steam towards that small boat. They were all waiting for Meng Yushu to board it.
It was getting close...
As the yacht approached, Meng Yushu bowed and squinted his eyes. His eyes were filled with confidence.
"Huai An County, eldest son of the Meng Family, Meng Yushu! I request to come aboard your craft!" Meng Yushu had earned the right to be this confident.
After all, there was no one in Huai An County who was more influential than him right now.
Furthermore...
The people on a yacht would not be a powerful cultivator waiting to strike.
Generally, they would be ladies or rich men.
Either was good!
Meng Yushu was confident.
He was confident that they would know him since they were here in Huai An County. They would stop for him!
Haha!
Meng Yushu smirked as he thought to himself.
However, he quickly realized that something was wrong. His smile froze...
"Hey, stop, stop... stop!"
"Bong!"
With a crowd as witness, the large yacht crashed into Meng Yushu's boat. Then, Meng Yushu fell into the river with a splash.
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Chapter 482: I am Fang Zhengzhi
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
It wasn't that Meng Yushu wasn't agile enough... however, when the huge yacht came crashing into his boat, there was no way he could maintain his balance.
Because...
His craft was simply too small.
The yacht crashed into his craft and split it in two. His craft was instantly swallowed by the water, almost like a watermelon smashed by a punch.
All of the ladies and talents watching in admiration were stunned. They simply couldn't react in time to Meng Yushu crashing into the water.
"He capsized?"
"Oh, no, it was a crash!"
Even Meng Yushu couldn't react in time to this. Was this some act of piracy?!
Meng Yushu wanted to tell the perpetrators to stop.
After all, his boat was rather valuable despite its size. He wasn't going to let them go without getting compensated. Then, a faint voice rang out.
"Meng Yushu? This name is familiar... where have I heard it before?"
Then...
There was nothing else...
The yacht showed no signs of stopping as it continued to steam ahead, almost as if the people on board didn't see Meng Yushu nor the boat they just crashed into.
However, Meng Yushu knew that...
He knew for a fact that they must have seen him! Else, they would not have found his name familiar.
Hang on!
That sounded like a male voice!
There's a man on the yacht?
"Stop right there! I am the eldest son of the Meng Family! How dare you crash into me and try to run! You can forget about leaving Huai An County!" Meng Yushu hollered. He could tolerate being rammed by a lady, but definitely not by a man.
Furthermore, he had been embarrassed in front of a group of people.
During this time, Meng Yushu's abilities had improved greatly.
When he participated in the Dao Examinations, he was merely in the Divine Seal State. But now, he was already in the Star Conglomerate State.
Furthermore, he had topped the Huai An County combat examinations.
He could not walk on water, but he could manipulate the wind to surf the waves.
The yacht was quick, but it was not quicker than Meng Yushu.
He jumped...
Using a piece of his shattered boat as a platform, he leapt into the air. Then, he took a step in the air and grabbed onto the tail end of the yacht.
Even though he didn't manage to jump onto the deck, simply being able to grab the end of the yacht was enough to elicit cheers and screams from the ladies.
"Wa, Young Master Meng is powerful!"
"No wonder he topped the Huai An County combat examinations!"
"Is this the power of the Star Conglomerate State?"
The screams of admiration from the ladies were accompanied by the jealousy of the candidates. However, none of them had the abilities or money that Meng Yushu had.
At the stern...
Meng Yushu held onto a plank of wood and grit his teeth.
He was not in a good position. Even though he had managed to get a hold on a plank of wood, the yacht was travelling too fast. He ended up dangling in the air.
However, he wanted to give the people on this boat a piece of his mind.
He wasn't prepared to take this lying down. No matter how hard it would be, he would board this craft! If he fell into the water now, his reputation would be ruined!
He bit his lip.
"Up!" Meng Yushu bellowed as he pushed himself onto the deck with all the power he had in his arms.
Everyone on the shore cheered.
Meng Yushu was happy about this.
However, his expression froze almost immediately after. He saw a sword... a sword which radiated an icy aura...
The sword was lowered at his throat.
Silent and deadly...
He felt a chill down his spine.
He knew for a fact that there was no sword at his throat even before he had boarded the ship.
The only explanation was that at the moment he flipped onto the deck, the sword had been lowered at his throat. The accuracy of his attacker was impeccable.
As for the person wielding the sword...
Meng Yushu didn't recognize that person, nor could he see the appearance of that person.
That person wore a black cloak and a black veil. The veil extended to the person's neck.
A veiled sword bearer?
A female veiled sword bearer?
Meng Yushu couldn't see his opponent clearly, but he could tell that this was a lady by her black dress. This lady had a pretty good figure too.
"I am the eldest son of the Meng..." Meng Yushu was about to announce his identity when he felt pain at his throat. He shut up instantly.
He could feel the sharp tip of the sword and the trickle of blood flowing down his neck.
Was he going to be killed?
This was Huai An County! There were countless witnesses. Who had the audacity to kill with so many eyes on them?
Were these pirates?
But this was a river! Why would there be pirates on a river?? That didn't make sense!
"Do we have a problem?" The lady's voice was bone-chilling.
"No... no problem at all..." Meng Yushu wanted them to compensate him. But right now, all he cared about was staying alive.
This was not the time to talk about money.
Naturally, he would say that there wasn't a problem.
"Get off!" The lady's voice rang out.
"Ah? Off... okay, I'll go down now!" Meng Yushu was stunned, but he recovered quickly and leapt off the ship.
Was it embarrassing?
Definitely!
However, it was a small price to pay in exchange for his life.
Meng Yushu looked at the shore.
Countless eyes were staring at him. They had all seen the confrontation on the boat.
Everyone was stunned.
However, they did understand the situation that Meng Yushu was in.
Meng Yushu looked away from the shore and into the sky. He was looking forward to a fun day! He wanted to enjoy himself and bask in the atmosphere of spring.
Yet...
He was about to be sent into the water again...
Meng Yushu was embarrassed. However, at that moment, a male voice rang out. It was not as calm as before. This voice seemed like he had just had a revelation.
"I remember now, Meng Yushu! It's him!"
Was there light at the end of the tunnel?
Was he about to be saved?
Meng Yushu's hopes were up!
He froze as tears began to well up in his eyes! Did someone know him? The timing couldn't be better!
The compensation for his boat was irrelevant!
His reputation!
His reputation was on the line.
He completely tossed the issue with the money to the back of his mind. Anyone who could get such a ship was definitely someone powerful.
If he could stay on deck, that would be the best! He wanted to find a less embarrassing way to escape.
Meng Yushu turned around to look at the veiled lady.
The unspoken question was obvious.
Do I still need to jump?
The answer was equally simple.
The lady didn't respond with any words. She didn't lower her sword, but her attitude seemed much more amicable.
Furthermore, she stepped aside and opened a path for Meng Yushu...
"Hahaha, I see that it was all just a misunderstanding. May I know which friend this is?" Meng Yushu chuckled loudly, loud enough for everyone else to hear.
"Young Master Meng, it's been a long time." The male voice rang out once again as a figure walked out from the cabin. He wore a blue long-sleeved shirt.
This man's attitude seemed sincere.
He smiled widely at Meng Yushu.
However...
Meng Yushu froze. He couldn't believe his eyes. He felt completely paralyzed at that moment.
In fact...
It was almost as if...
He had seen a ghost!
Meng Yushu had thought of many possibilities as to who this man might be. It could have been an official or a scion of a noble family. He even thought of people he barely knew.
However, he never expected this man to show up.
This wasn't because he lacked imagination... it was simply because this was the last person anyone would have expected to show up.
In fact, this person shouldn't even be here!
To be more precise, this person should not be showing himself in Huai An County! Most definitely not in broad daylight!
He should at least disguise himself!
Wear a hat?
Or even a veil?
Meng Yushu could have understood it if he had bothered to disguise himself even a little. However, he didn't do anything to hide! He was the most wanted person in the entire Great Xia!
"Fang... Fang... Fang Zhengzhi?!" Meng Yushu felt like he had just been struck by lightning. He stared at the youth in front of him in confusion.
This guy...
Why would he appear here?
Meng Yushu was not the only one who couldn't understand what he was seeing.
All of the other talents and ladies couldn't understand it either. Not all of them knew what Fang Zhengzhi looked like.
However, when they heard Meng Yushu call his name, they all felt the same way.
"Fang Zhengzhi?!"
"That guy is Fang Zhengzhi?!"
"He... he is in Huai An County! Ah!!! Fang Zhengzhi is in Huai An County!"
"How is that possible? Fang Zhengzhi is a wanted man!"
All of the talents were stunned to hear this. They all stared at the youth in the blue long-sleeved shirt.
Just like Meng Yushu...
None of them could figure it out.
Where did Fang Zhengzhi find the courage to appear in broad daylight on the River of Trust?!
They could not shake their suspicions.
However...
Their instincts kicked in.
As citizens of the Great Xia, they had a responsibility and a right to alert others when they saw a criminal.
"Get the authorities!"
"Go, quickly!"
"It's Fang Zhengzhi! Fang Zhengzhi is in Huai An County!"
"He is on that boat!"
Their voices echoed through the air and figures began running to the city gates and the guards there.
Meng Yushu heard these noises.
His jaw dropped when he heard the shouts and sounds coming from the shore. He felt a chill run down his spine.
He realized that there was a problem.
It was him!
It was him who made Fang Zhengzhi walk out of the cabin!
He was also the one who had recognized Fang Zhengzhi. Now, he was standing on the deck... there was no way he was going to live.
"Oh, no, I... I was mistaken, hahaha... Fang... no, Young Master Li, hahaha... it's been a long time." Meng Yushu chuckled.
He knew that the candidates on the shore would not believe him. If he had a chance to rewind time, he would never choose to board this ship. He would also not have tried to ask them for compensation.
Fang Zhengzhi!
This was a man who was hunted by hundreds of thousands of demons in the Southern Region. He was the man who had dueled Canyang.
Of course...
That was not the most important point.
This was a man who had violated the then Princess of the Southern Region, the current Queen of the Southern Region. He then killed Shan Ling and injured the Crown Prince.
Even though he was rumored to have been crippled.
It didn't matter...
Meng Yushu looked at the veiled lady as well as the sword she had in his hand. He regretted his decisions...
He shouldn't have looked back.
He should have jumped.
Reputation?
His reputation meant nothing!
His life was the most important thing. Most importantly, he didn't want to be embroiled in this...
Even the entire Meng Family couldn't afford to be embroiled in this!
"Young Master Meng, you didn't make a mistake. I am Fang Zhengzhi!" The youth smirked, almost as if he didn't hear the noises coming from the shore.
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Chapter 483: Come get me if you can
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"Young Master Meng, you didn't make a mistake! I am Fang Zhengzhi!" The youth smirked, ignoring the sounds on the shore.
He was extremely calm.
However...
Meng Yushu was stunned to hear this.
Did he admit to it?
Furthermore, he had admitted it in front of countless other talents and ladies! What was he trying to do? What was happening? Was he not afraid?
Doesn't he know that he is a wanted man?
Meng Yushu couldn't figure it out. He really wanted Fang Zhengzhi to be caught and executed. However, he could not say so.
He had to keep calm and think.
"Is he planning to silence me?!" Meng Yushu shuddered as he felt a chill down his spine.
He was sure that there was no one who would dare to kill him in Huai An County, especially not in front of so many witnesses.
However...
Fang Zhengzhi was an exception.
This was a man who dared to kill the Crown Prince of the Southern Region and wound the Crown Prince of the Great Xia. His position as the eldest son of the Meng Family meant nothing.
"Young Master Meng, you don't look too well. Do you want to come to the cabin for a cup of tea? We can catch up and reminisce. I do have very good tea on board." Fang Zhengzhi smiled.
"Ah... no, no thanks, I... I still have something else I have to get to. Yes, I have an appointment, let's meet another day..." Meng Yushu took a step back.
He didn't dare to move in any other direction.
Stepping forward would be equivalent to signing his own death warrant.
"Okay then, I wanted to reminisce our time together but it would seem that you don't want to. Bye then." Fang Zhengzhi waved.
"Bye?" Meng Yushu was stunned.
"Would you rather take a seat in the cabin?"
"Haha... no need, I'll be on my way. Haha... bye bye!" Meng Yushu turned and jumped without hesitation.
"Plonk!"
There was a huge splash.
Countless people watched as Meng Yushu leapt into the river. However, they couldn't understand how Meng Yushu managed that.
They let him jump into the river?
What was happening?
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the gazes from the banks as he watched Meng Yushu. He asked politely, "Young Master Meng, are you sure you don't want to wait till we dock to disembark?"
"No need, no need. The water is very cooling, haha... I love such cooling water, hahaha..." Meng Yushu's expression changed as he began to swim towards the shore. He didn't even look back a single time.
"Since that is the case, I won't see you off." Fang Zhengzhi nodded as he walked back to the cabin.
At the entrance to the cabin...
Su Jiu paled.
"Master, are we... are we still going to the Northern Mountain Village?" Su Jiu asked cautiously.
"Of course." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"But the commotion here would have alerted everyone to your arrival. Within the next couple of days, the entire Northern Region, even the entire Great Xia..." Su Jiu was hesitant.
"Yes, so... are you all scared?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded as he looked at the veiled lady and other figures in the shadows.
"Nope!" They replied in unison.
"Mm, Su Jiu, are you scared?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Su Jiu.
"I would follow you through the depths of hell! I will do as you say, regardless of how dangerous it is. Why would I be afraid?" Su Jiu pounded his chest.
"Since no one is scared, what is the problem?"
"No problem at all!" Su Jiu shook his head.
Fang Zhengzhi smiled but didn't re-enter the cabin. He turned to look at Meng Yushu, who was swimming desperately towards the shore. Then, he looked at the fear in the eyes of those on the banks.
He knew what they were thinking.
None of them could understand why a wanted man would show himself in broad daylight.
This was something that defied all logic.
Even Su Jiu couldn't understand it.
If Fang Zhengzhi wanted to return to the Northern Mountain Village, he could have done so in many ways. He could have disguised himself as a businessman, a trader...
There were many ways for him to return safely and inconspicuously.
As long as he could avoid the eyes in the Northern Mountain Village, everything would have been fine.
Fang Zhengzhi knew this.
But did he want that?
No!
Fang Zhengzhi's thought process was simple. He wanted to return to his hometown. That was where he grew up.
There was no meaning in returning home if he had to dress up and disguise himself just to avoid being recognized.
The Northern Mountain Village was his home!
He wanted to go back.
And he wanted to do so openly! He wanted the whole world to know that he had returned to the Northern Mountain Village.
"I am back, catch me if you can!"
It wasn't that Fang Zhengzhi wasn't scared of dying, neither did he think that he could antagonize the Great Xia simply because he was being supported by the Shadow Sect.
However...
He would never accept having to return home in a disguise!
Countless people started to run away as rows of soldiers came running towards the river.
As the most wanted felon, Fang Zhengzhi's name attracted more attention than the royal family.
Even though Fang Zhengzhi's name was pretty much a taboo over the past year...
It did not diminish the impact or influence his name carried.
The battle of the Southern Region...
His exploits in the Dao examinations...
When people talked about the war or the recent court examinations, they would be careful to avoid mentioning a name...
However...
Everyone knew that one person had a huge role in both those events.
That person was Fang Zhengzhi!
Without Fang Zhengzhi, they would not have been victorious in the Southern Region. Without Fang Zhengzhi, there would have been no historical tie for first in the court examinations!
Every examination that he took...
He had topped...
Even though his name was missing from the court examination result tablet...
Everyone knew that he would have been tied for first with Nangong Hao.
Fang Zhengzhi watched the soldiers on the riverbank. He watched the crowd run in all directions. However, he showed no intention of retreating.
"Come on! Let's see who can stop me!"
The spring breeze was light and the first drops of rain fell on the River of Trust. They created little ripples in the water.
"Master, it's raining!" Su Jiu frowned as he sheltered Fang Zhengzhi with an umbrella.
"Indeed." Fang Zhengzhi nodded as he waved Su Jiu off and walked confidently to the bow of the ship.
"Springtime clouds shroud the walls of the Imperial Garden. The darkening sky brings the blossoming to a halt."
"Petals fall as the rain assaults the flowers whilst grass is tugged by the wind."
Fang Zhengzhi paused as he turned to look at the soldiers and talents chasing behind. He smiled.
All of the people on the riverbank were stunned to hear his voice.
"He's reciting a poem?!"
"He's in the mood to recite a poem?"
"Doesn't he know that he can forget about leaving Huai An County?"
No one could understand why a dead man walking could have the mood to recite poems.
"Mighty imperial guards protect the palace whilst incense fills the Lotus Side Palace."
"When will the meeting be held? With women drinking by their zithers..."
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the candidates as he continued reciting the poem.
"Good poem! A really good poem!"
One of the talents hollered.
"Springtime clouds shroud the walls of the Imperial Garden. The darkening sky brings the blossoming to a halt."
"Petals fall as the rain assaults the flowers whilst grass is tugged by the wind."
"Mighty imperial guards protect the palace whilst incense fills the Lotus Side Palace."
"When will the meeting be held? With women drinking by their zithers..."
"It is a great poem indeed. I heard that Fang Zhengzhi never challenged people to poetry. I never expected that he could compose such a great poem!" The person continued to compliment Fang Zhengzhi.
As that voice echoed through the air.
The other candidates finally understood the gist of Fang Zhengzhi's poem.
"It is a great poem indeed!"
"This is an exemplary poem! This is the creme de la creme of poems!"
"Even though Fang Zhengzhi is a wanted felon, but his talent is undeniable! It is no wonder he tied for first place in the court examinations!"
"Yes, that is something that has never happened before!"
All of the candidates continued to exclaim as they ran. However, they didn't realize that the distance between them and Fang Zhengzhi was widening.
"Quick, follow closely behind! We must catch Fang Zhengzhi! We cannot let him get away!" One of the leaders of the soldiers ordered.
He didn't care about the poem.
Capturing Fang Zhengzhi would mean a great reward for him.
After all, Fang Zhengzhi was rumored to be a crippled man. There was nothing to fear!
He wasn't going to let this golden opportunity slip by!
"Give the order to set up a blockade further down the river!"
"Don't let him get out of the city!"
"Yes, sir!"
All of the leaders bellowed orders to their troops.
On the yacht...
Fang Zhengzhi stood at the front and looked up at the sky. He ignored the noises on the riverbank.
"Master, if we manage to pass through the next stretch, we will be out of the city!" Su Jiu didn't manage to appreciate the full gist of Fang Zhengzhi's poem.
To him...
Getting out of Huai An County safely was of utmost importance.
"Mm, I haven't seen the Huai An County gates in a long time. I wonder if it has changed?" Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"The gate?" Su Jiu was stunned.
"Master, are you saying that you want to exit the city on foot?" The veiled lady spoke up.
"Mm." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"Dock!" The veiled lady gave the order without hesitation.
"Yes!" The workers nodded.
Su Jiu was stumped.
They were about to get out of the city. Why was Fang Zhengzhi choosing to exit on foot? He was just making life harder for himself! Su Jiu didn't understand it, but he didn't question it.
Because... over the past year... Fang Zhengzhi had always gotten it right.
The huge yacht began to approach the riverbank. Then, it stopped in full view of the soldiers and spectators.
"What's happening?"
"Fang Zhengzhi's yacht stopped and docked?"
"Am I hallucinating?"
The soldiers were all stunned.
Everyone else reacted in the same way. Meng Yushu, who had just made it onto dry land, couldn't understand what was happening either.
Why would Fang Zhengzhi stop?
Could it be...
Does he want to stay in the city?
Just as they were thinking about it, they saw someone disembarking. Then, they spotted a second figure, then a third... and a fourth...
"They are disembarking?!"
"Quick, capture Fang Zhengzhi!"
The leaders of the soldiers quickly recovered from their shock. They didn't care about why Fang Zhengzhi was disembarking. All they cared about was capturing him.
"Master, please go ahead. I can hold them off!" The veiled lady looked at the charging soldiers, her eyes glittering icily.
"Mm, I am returning home. I do not wish for anyone to be killed." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"Master, rest assured. I know my limits." The veiled lady turned around and walked towards the soldiers.
Her blade glowed.
At that moment, the rain turned into snow and fell onto the legs of the soldiers. The River of Trust froze over.
Everyone's jaw dropped. Meng Yushu's jaw was on the verge of falling to the ground.
At that moment...
All of them finally understood one thing.
Outnumbering your opponent does not guarantee victory.
When they have people whose abilities supersede those of the soldiers, then they can take whatever path they choose.
This was a fact of life.
"Master, is the city gate still the same?"
"Mm, more or less."
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Chapter 484: It's all an illusion!
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi looked at the road leading out of Huai An County, a wave of emotions coming over him.
After all, he had funded the construction of this road.
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir!"
The Northern Mountain Village had changed drastically over the past year. Even though Fang Zhengzhi was a wanted criminal, it had not affected the growth of the Northern Mountain Village.
The Northern Mountain Village had roads and an academy with 50 of the best teachers in the Northern Region.
It was so good that even the noble families of the Northern Region sent their kids here. As such, the Northern Mountain Village had moved away from hunting as their way of life.
Just by size alone...
The Northern Mountain Village had more than doubled in size.
Each house had been extensively renovated. The gardens were bigger and the houses were taller.
However, one thing did not change.
They continued to farm.
It was in their nature to do so. They may be more affluent now, but they were still frugal.
As such, there were still plenty of crops around, from vegetables to fruits.
Spring was the time for harvesting.
This was something that was never going to change.
The villagers started bright and early, working in the fields despite the hot sun.
They started before dawn and ended after sunset.
The sun was about to set. The rays of light stained the ground a golden reddish color.
The villagers began to pack up and got ready to return home for dinner.
At that moment...
Figures appeared on the road to the village. It was a figure in a black cloak. They could not make out his appearance because the veil underneath the hood blocked their vision.
There were more than 10 people.
It was clear that these people were special. They wore good quality clothes and they had weapons in their hands.
Swords, knives, spears...
Every weapon had an icy glow to it. Even those who didn't know their weapons could tell that these were high-quality weapons.
These people had to be quite special.
The villagers stopped what they were doing. Over the past year, many influential figures had come here. The noble families of Huai An County and the River of Trust Province had all come to visit.
They had seen their fair share.
However, they stopped what they were doing. For starters, this was not the first or last day of school. Secondly, they could see that...
These people were not from any of those noble families.
Because...
All of them traveled on foot.
None of them rode horses and they traveled light. There was no cart of luggage nor did they carry any bags. They looked clean and tidy, without any traces of dust on their clothes. They were not here to deliver things to the sons of those noble families studying here.
The villagers stood in the field and stared.
They wanted to figure out who these men were and what they were here for. However, based on what they saw, they couldn't figure anything out.
Then, they were shocked by what they saw.
Their eyes were on the verge of popping out of their sockets.
They couldn't believe their eyes.
They saw a figure inside this group. This was a youth who was dressed in a blue long-sleeved shirt.
He was skinny, had fair skin, and smiled widely.
"Uncle Li, Auntie Zhang, how are you?" The youth noticed the villagers and waved to them as he walked past.
"Ah..." The couple who had been greeted watched in amazement as the youth walked past them. Their jaws dropped...
The youth smiled, unsurprised by their reaction. He then greeted some of the other villagers.
"Uncle Wang, you are still as young as ever. Auntie Liu, your complexion is getting better, is Brother Zhao married yet? Haha... when you're free, come over to my house for a meal..."
The youth greeted every villager heartedly as he walked by.
However...
All of the villagers reacted with dropped jaws and stunned looks. No one returned the greetings. They all felt like they had just seen a ghost.
"F*ck me, did... did I just see a ghost?!"
"Me too..."
"You saw it too?"
"Yes... yes..."
"Don't tell me that you saw Zhengzhi as well?!"
"Yes, I... I saw Zhengzhi... in fact, he even greeted me like he usually does. He does seem a little taller though!"
"Ghost!"
The villagers of the Northern Mountain Village were law-abiding. Fang Zhengzhi was the most wanted criminal in the entire Great Xia.
As such...
They couldn't believe that Fang Zhengzhi would walk towards them and greet them in broad daylight.
Fang Zhengzhi had no intention of explaining his actions to them.
He took a deep breath and enjoyed the fresh mountain air as he watched the sunset. He loved the calm and serenity of the mountains.
The river at the entrance to the village was clear. The fishes swam around in the clear water, creating little ripples wherever they went.
Fang Zhengzhi was not walking particularly quickly.
However, he arrived at the entrance very quickly. He looked at the new signboard and tablet at the entrance.
The person who had done the inscription was quite a skilled man.
This must have been a result of the increased traffic.
With the academy, the culture in the village had improved greatly and people showed a greater appreciation of calligraphy and the other arts.
There were all sorts of art forms, from statues to wood carvings. Fang Zhengzhi guessed that these were the works of the teachers.
Based on Village Elder Zhang Yangping's skill levels, these things would have crumbled before they even took root.
He entered the village.
It was bustling.
All the villagers smiled and chatted amongst themselves. Many of the families had a signboard on their house.
However, the entire village quietened down quickly.
All of them saw Fang Zhengzhi entering the city and heard the greetings from afar.
They were all stunned.
Even though Fang Zhengzhi had already left the Northern Mountain Village for more than a year, he was still once the pride of the Northern Mountain Village.
They would never forget him.
Even if Fang Zhengzhi left for five or ten years, they will still be able to recognize him on sight.
In fact...
Everyone had wondered if Fang Zhengzhi would return to the village one day.
But it was just a thought.
After all, the crimes Fang Zhengzhi was accused of were too heinous. Killing the Crown Prince of the Southern Region, violating the current Queen of the Southern Region, and injuring the Crown Prince.
Pardon?
With such heinous crimes, a pardon was out of the question.
Of course, they still entertained the thought that Fang Zhengzhi would return. However, they expected him to sneak in in the middle of the night.
All of the villagers looked up at the sky.
The sun was about to set, but enough light shone on that smiling face.
"Zheng... Zhengzhi?!"
A voice stammered.
Then, all the villagers looked at each other with excitement, fear, and worry.
As villagers, they knew everyone inside the village.
That meant that they knew that there were...
"Zhengzhi, why did you come back?! Go!"
"Where is my mom?"
"Ah?!"
"Is she at home? Uncle Chen, if you have time tonight, come and have a meal at my house!" Fang Zhengzhi waved to Uncle Chen.
"Have... have a meal? Zhengzhi asked me to go have a meal... at his house?" Uncle Chen was stunned as he watched Fang Zhengzhi and the cloaked figures around him.
In the Fang Family garden.
Qin Xuelian was watering the plants. She already had traces of grey hair and there were wrinkles on her face.
Even though Qin Xuelian was still very beautiful, she did seem to age a lot over the past year.
On the balcony on the second floor of the stone house, they planted nuts in a small yard.
Fang Houde stood there, tending to the plants.
He had a teapot and teacup in front of him. Steam emanated from the teacup, spreading the fragrance of the tea contained within it.
"Father of our child, if you're tired, you should rest." Qin Xuelian hollered as she saw sweat pouring down Fang Houde's face.
Her expression darkened when she said this.
She hadn't called him the father of their children for a long time. She usually cold him by name...
Or by Old Fang...
Yet, she would end up reverting to calling him that every now and then.
"Mother... Xue Lian ah, you should rest as well. Let me cook dinner tonight." Fang Houde stopped himself.
His expression was dark as well.
However, he cheered up almost just as quickly as he brushed the dirt off his hands and raised his glass.
He took a whiff.
For some reason, a teardrop landed inside this teacup, causing rippled.
"Let me do it." Qin Xuelian shook her head, her body trembling. Her eyes became slightly watery. She had cried too many times over the past year.
Spring, summer, autumn, winter.
She sat in the garden, watching the passing figures. All she wanted was to see her son.
But there was nothing!
She wasn't disappointed. Not seeing him was a good thing!
Then, drops of 'water' landed in her pail of water. There were more and more ripples by the second. She felt her energy rush out of her body and she grabbed the pail to stabilize herself.
"My son, I... miss you!"
Qin Xuelian screamed in her heart. She screamed it repeatedly, but never out loud.
The pail was shaking.
The water reflected a wrinkled and pale face.
At that very moment, a figure appeared in the water. It was a figure standing at the door, wearing a blue long-sleeved shirt.
"My son! It's Zhengzhi!"
Qin Xuelian wanted to shout it out loud but she dismissed the thought. She had seen this figure too many times.
She knew that this figure should not appear here.
He should not be here!
"Zhengzhi, my son..." Qin Xuelian looked at the reflection, staring quietly. She knew that the figure would disappear after some time.
She wanted to stop time and savor the moment.
But it was wishful thinking.
Yet, this was the only thing that kept her going. This was the only way she could keep waiting for someone who was never going to return.
"Mother!" At that moment, a voice rang out at the gate. It was so clear and familiar.
Qin Xuelian shuddered.
She looked at the pail in her hands. The figure's reflection was still there. It was almost real.
"My son, Zhengzhi is back!"
Qin Xuelian wanted to look at the gate. However, she knew that once she did that, she would lose sight of the reflection.
She didn't know what to do...
Her instincts took over and she turned back. She wanted to see who was at the gate.
Time seemed to stop...
Qin Xuelian's body froze as she looked at the gate. There was a familiar figure there smiling at her.
"Mother!" The voice rang out once again.
"Zheng... Zhengzhi, is... is that you?" Qin Xuelian felt a wave of emotions overwhelm her and she dropped the pail on the floor.
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Chapter 485: Coming
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Qin Xuelian had dreamt of this many times over the past year. However, she never believed that this day would come.
"Zheng, Zhengzhi..." Qin Xuelian murmured to herself as she stood rooted to the ground.
On the second floor, Fang Houde couldn't believe his eyes either. His face was contorted.
He too was rooted to his spot.
This was impossible.
"Zhengzhi is back?" Fang Houde clenched his fists instinctively, "No, you are not my son! My son does not look like this! Who are you? How dare you impersonate my son? Go, go away!"
Fang Houde roared.
Fang Zhengzhi watched Fang Houde quietly. His father had aged a lot over the past year.
"Father!"
"Go away!"
"Yes, go away! You are not our son, our son would never come back... please, just leave!" Qin Xuelian's body was shaking. Her legs turned to jelly and she crumpled to the ground.
At that moment, a figure appeared in front of Qin Xuelian and helped her up. She couldn't hold back any longer.
"Zhengzhi, my son!" Qin Xuelian hollered as she threw herself into that figure's embrace, tears rolling freely down her cheeks.
"Where were you the past year? I missed you, I missed you so much..."
"Have you been eating well? Have you been hunted?"
"Zhengzhi, my son... you have come to visit me at last..."
She couldn't hold back any longer. She hugged the figure tightly, not wanting to lose him ever again.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't move, savoring every moment of that warmth. Tears welled up in his eyes. He had been waiting for this moment for far too long.
"Xuelian, let go of Zhengzhi! He still has time to leave, or else... or else..." Fang Houde's tears rolled down his cheeks. However, he also knew that there were spies in the Northern Mountain Village.
"Father, mother, it's fine! Nothing is going to happen!" Fang Zhengzhi raised his head. He knew what his father was thinking.
"What do you mean? How can it be fine? You are a wanted criminal! Everyone is looking for you! There are wanted posters all over Huai An County..."
"Dad, I know."
"Then why aren't you leaving? Go now! Right away! I will hold them back! Uncle Yang Ping will help me hold them back as well!"
"Father, I have already removed the eyes they placed here in the Northern Mountain Village!"
"What?! Even so... you can't stay! They would have sent a message to Huai An County! You can't stay here any longer! You have to go." Fang Houde ignored Fang Zhengzhi's words.
Fang Zhengzhi wanted to tell him that he had already shown himself in Huai An County. However, he knew that it would only cause Fang Houde to worry even more.
It was difficult for him to explain everything to Fang Houde.
"Mom, I'm hungry." Fang Zhengzhi looked at Qin Xuelian.
"Okay, I will make something for you." Qin Xuelian wiped the tears from her cheeks and prepared to lead Fang Zhengzhi inside.
"Xuelian!"
"Houde, I, I..."
"Xuelian, you can't do this! You will only harm him!"
"Can't we just have one meal together?" Qin Xuelian looked at Fang Houde, her eyes begging.
"Aish..." Fang Houde sighed but didn't say anything.
He knew that Fang Zhengzhi must have eliminated all of the spies in the village. Else, they would have been here a long time ago.
Just as he thought about that, over 10 figures appeared at their gate.
They all wore black coats and had veils to cover their faces. Most importantly, they held an array of weapons in their hands.
"Uh oh! Son, go now!" Fang Houde's expression changed.
"Father, these are my friends."
"Friends?"
"Greetings Mr. and Mrs. Fang!" The figure bowed to Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde in unison.
"Erm..." Fang Houde and Qin Xuelian looked at each other. Then, they straightened their clothes. "Haha, since you are all Zhengzhi's friends, please come in and have a seat. We don't have much here but I hope it will be to your liking."
"Uncle Fang, Auntie Fang, you are too kind. We will stand guard outside." Su Jiu stepped forward and replied respectfully.
"Stand guard? No, we can't accept that! Our guests will not stand outside, this..." Qin Xuelian began rambling.
"Eat with us." Fang Zhengzhi looked at Su Jiu. He was not an arrogant person, and he knew his parents' characters well.
"Thank you, Master!" The reply came in unison.
"Master?" Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde couldn't believe their ears as they looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
Isn't he a wanted criminal?
Wasn't he crippled?
Why would he be their master?
"..." Fang Zhengzhi found it difficult to explain it to his parents. It was a good thing they didn't ask any questions.
News of Fang Zhengzhi's arrival spread like wildfire.
Zhang Yangping entered the house, huffing and puffing, the moment Fang Zhengzhi stepped through the door. "Zhengzhi, run, run quickly..."
There were countless other villagers who came in behind Zhang Yangping. Even the teachers and the students from the academy came over.
The only thing Fang Zhengzhi could say was, there wasn't enough rice at home...
The Northern Mountain Village was bustling at night. Zhong Yangping has dozens of tables set up at the square.
However, what piqued the curiosity of the villagers was that none of the strangers showed up today.
It was a strange sight.
However, they knew that their absence was temporary.
They would be back.
"Zhengzhi, I have some silvers here. Bring it with you!"
"Yes Zhengzhi, we have some homegrown produce here. It's pretty good! You can bring some with you and share them with your friends."
"I have some silvers too."
"Me too!"
All of the villagers came over to Zhengzhi after they finished their meal and offered him what they had.
"Uncle Li, Auntie Zhang, I don't need them!"
"What do you mean? Zhengzhi, things are different now. You can use these things outside. You can't just come back as and when you please. It is expensive to live outside! Just take it! Things are different now!" Zhang Yangping insisted.
"Yes yes, please take it!" The villagers urged.
"Uncle Yangping, I'm not leaving just yet, and I am not short on money." Fang Zhengzhi smiled bitterly. He knew what they were thinking.
But he was really not short on money.
"You're not leaving? What do you mean? You should leave now whilst it's dark! You can leave via the road on Cang Ling Mountain! Don't go by the main road!"
"I'm really not leaving!"
"Zhengzhi, don't be willful. I know that you are powerful, but the Great Xia soldiers are a formidable force!"
"Exactly, Yangping is correct. We are all one family and we are not afraid to die. However, you have a lot of potential! You cannot just die like that!" The villagers advised.
Fang Zhengzhi was speechless.
He knew that there was no way of explaining the situation to them. To the villagers, the imperial courts were like heaven.
There was no way Fang Zhengzhi could survive!
"Go, go!"
"I'm not leaving!"
"Don't be willful, go!"
"I'm not leaving!"
Fang Zhengzhi reiterated it multiple times. He didn't know when the villagers left, but by the end of it, all he wanted to do was sleep.
Convincing the villagers was harder than fighting a war.
Nightfall.
The stars glittered in the sky.
Qin Xuelian sat next to Fang Zhengzhi and adjusted his blanket. Fang Houde stood behind her.
"Xuelian, how about we tie him up?"
"How dare you?! He is our son. If you lay a finger on him, I will fight it out with you!" Qin Xuelian retorted.
"But..."
"I will ask him to leave tomorrow morning! I will personally convince him to go!" Tears welled up in Qin Xuelian's eyes.
She had waited for this day for more than a year. She had dreamt of it multiple times.
Her son was back. However, as a mother, she had no choice but to advise him to leave. No one could understand the pain she felt.
The night quietened down in the Northern Mountain Village.
However, Huai An County, the Five Northern Constabularies, and even Yan Capital were shocked by the news they received.
News of Fang Zhengzhi's appearance in Huai An County had spread like wildfire.
Inside the Crown Prince's residence, countless vases had been smashed. Then, countless hangers-on galloped out of the residence on their stallions.
Other than the Crown Prince...
King Duan, the Left Prime Minister, and the Stabilization Constabulary, all received the news at the same time.
"Fang Zhengzhi returned to Huai An County!"
"He went back to the Northern Mountain Village!"
This was powerful and unbelievable news. However, the whole Huai An County had witnessed Fang Zhengzhi's return.
There was no way this news could be falsified.
"How dare he?!"
"Catch him!"
"We must not let him get away this time!"
Voices echoed through the capital.
Over the past year, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had been able to consolidate his power. No one even came close.
Even King Duan had to step aside.
After all, the victory in the Southern Region and the death of Shan Ling had quelled the unrest there.
This credit, compounded by his position in court, ensured that countless officials declared their loyalty to him.
Lin Tianrong was more than happy to see this happen.
Everyone was certain that the Crown Prince was well on his way to becoming the Emperor one day!
Fang Zhengzhi didn't leave the Northern Mountain Village despite all the ruckus. Despite all the advice he got from his parents and the villagers, he continued to enjoy himself.
He was at home here.
"I will leave after lunch!"
"Okay, I will leave after dinner. I promise."
"It's late. I'll leave tomorrow morning, it's fine, it's fine..."
Fang Zhengzhi knew that there was no point in explaining. He would just procrastinate.
Dawn, three days later...
Zhang Yangping appeared at the gates of the Fang Residence. However, he was in much more of a hurry this time.
Fear and terror filled his face!
"Oh no, Zhengzhi, run quickly! There are many people here! They are from the army! The army is here! Leave via Cang Ling Mountain!" Zhang Yangping yelled as he panted.
The moment Zhang Yangping's voice cut through the air...
A figure appeared in front of him. That was a lady in a black cloak and her body radiated an icy aura.
"Master is resting." The lady looked at Zhang Yangping, her voice icy.
"I know, but... there are people hunting for him outside! I had people watching the area around the village, and I just received news that they are less than three miles out!" Zhang Yangping wanted to go around the lady, but there was no way he could do so.
"Mm, I got it." The lady nodded.
"Then why aren't you telling Zhengzhi to run?" Zhang Yangping was nervous.
"Master is resting." The lady replied flatly.
"..." Zhang Yangping was speechless. He rolled his eyes, realizing that no amount of explanation was going to do any good. He took a step back, "Zhengzhi, there is an army coming for you! Run! Houde, Xuelian, wake him up! Do you want him to die?"
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Chapter 486: Chaos
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"What?! The army is coming to capture Zhengzhi?"
"Look at what you did! Tell Zhengzhi to leave!"
Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde's voices rang out in quick succession. Then, there was the sound of someone getting dressed.
A figure appeared in the yard.
It was Fang Zhengzhi.
He wore a blue long-sleeved shirt and yawned as he walked out. His hair was combed nicely, but it was clear that he had just woken up.
"Good morning Uncle Yangping." Fang Zhengzhi greeted Zhang Yangping.
"Morning? It's getting late! The army is approaching! Follow me, I have people waiting at the road on Cang Ling Mountain. We have prepared everything for you, now..."
"Uncle Yangping, I'm not leaving!" Fang Zhengzhi shook his head an interrupted Zhang Yangping.
"You're not leaving?!" Zhang Yangping's expression changed.
He had heard how anxious Qin Xuelian and Fang Houde were.
They had thought that Fang Zhengzhi refused to leave because he didn't want to leave their side.
But...
The army was closing in...
Was he courting death?
Or was he going to turn himself in?
"No, my son, you are my only child. I will not let you go to jail! If anything were to happen to you..."
"Mother!" Fang Zhengzhi grabbed Qin Xuelian's arm.
He knew that there was no use in explaining to the villagers. To them, he was a criminal.
The best way was for them to witness it themselves.
They had to see it.
Fang Zhengzhi squinted as he looked at the veiled lady in Zhang Yangping's way.
"Qingyi, where are they?"
"15 minutes out." The veiled lady replied icily.
"Mm, carry on as planned."
"Yes!" The veiled lady nodded and walked towards the entrance of the village.
Zhang Yangping, Qin Xuelian, and Fang Houde were all terrified when they heard this.
"Zhengzhi, are you trying to fight the army?" Zhang Yangping guessed.
It had happened before.
"Zhengzhi, things are different now. Last time, you were a rank four official and the Princess and Chi Guyan were both here. Now... now you have nothing!" Qin Xuelian was worried.
"Son, I would stand will stand with you, but the Northern Mountain Village..."
"Brother Houde, without Zhengzhi, there would be no Northern Mountain Village. If Zhengzhi wants to fight, we will find the people to fight alongside him!" Zhang Yangping interrupted Fang Houde.
"You don't need to, we are already here!"
"We came over when we heard that the army was coming after Zhengzhi."
"Just tell us what we need to do."
A group of villagers wielding bows and spears came rushing out. It was almost as though they had prepared for this in advance.
"Erm, I..."
Fang Zhengzhi was touched to see this. However, the villagers' actions left him speechless.
After all, there were not many people in the world who would show such loyalty.
"Zhengzhi, you don't owe us anything at all. When you came here 10 years ago, you helped us get out of the crisis we had. Even though the surrounding villages suffered during the drought, we still had enough to eat and keep ourselves warm at night! We will always support you!"
"Yes, I will fight them to the end! Even if I lose my life in the process!"
"Fight them to the end!"
"Since you are all ready to help Zhengzhi, let's go to the entrance and buy Zhengzhi some time!" Zhang Yangping had an idea.
"Yes yes yes, let's go to the entrance!"
All of the villagers waved their weapons in the air. They didn't even give Fang Zhengzhi a chance to respond.
Then...
All of them ran to the gate under Zhang Yangping's leadership.
Fang Zhengzhi's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe his eyes. Were they really going to rebel just to try and buy him some time?
Before he could stop them, Zhang Yangping and the villagers had already disappeared from sight.
More importantly, Fang Houde rushed out of the house and took out a hunting knife that he had kept hidden under his bed.
Fang Zhengzhi had seen this knife before.
Fang Houde would bring it along with him every time he went hunting. However, since he hadn't gone hunting in the mountains for so many years, the blade was left under his bed.
However, it did not rust.
Fang Houde would take time to polish it every day.
"Father, why did you take out your knife?" Fang Zhengzhi's eyelids twitched when he saw Fang Houde rush out with the knife.
"They are all rushing to the gate because of you! How can I let them go without me?! Don't try and stop me! Just do what you need to do!" Fang Houde bellowed.
Then, he went around Fang Zhengzhi and sprinted towards the gate.
He left Fang Zhengzhi and Qin Xuelian in the garden.
"Mother, my dearest mother!"
The water from the stream trickled outside the Northern Mountain Village.
The veiled lady stood at the entrance holding a sheathed sword in her hands. The sword sheath was adorned with cloud patterns.
The villagers stood behind her.
Qingyi didn't show any intention of stopping the villagers. She stood quietly in her spot like a statue.
Then, the booming sounds announced the arrival of the army.
The villagers tightened their grips around their weapons. They had never fought the soldiers of the Great Xia before.
Plumes of dust were sent skyward as black figures appeared on the horizon.
They traveled quickly.
These were calvary in shining army. They rode black armored stallions!
"The Snow Treading Dragon Stallion!"
"It's... it's the Divine Constabulary's Red Pinion Squad!"
"There must be at least 2000 of them!"
"2000 members of the Great Pinion Squad... oh no! Go... go warn Fang Zhengzhi. Tell him to escape now! The Red Pinion Squad is coming for him!"
The villagers instinctively took a step back when they saw the red triangle on the chests of the approaching soldiers.
If these were just city guards or soldiers of the constabulary, they would have gone forward to stop them.
However...
This was the Red Pinion Squad!
They were the most elite squad in the entire Northern Region, maybe even one of the most elite squads in the entire Great Xia! How could the villagers possibly stand up to them?
The villagers panicked.
Their hands shook, but they did not break. They grit their teeth and held their ground.
"Halt!" The leader commanded.
The 2000 of them stopped. Each one of them towered over the villagers and the Snow Treading Dragon Stallions snorted and growled.
The killing aura was palpable. Everyone could feel the thirst for blood in the eyes of the soldiers. They were terrified.
"Where is Fang Zhengzhi?" The leader didn't waste any time when he saw the armed villagers.
"In the village," Qingyi replied without hesitation.
"No, he's not, Fang Zhengzhi didn't return!"
"Yes, he didn't come back at all! General, are you mistaken?"
The villagers all jumped when they heard this. They immediately denied Fang Zhengzhi's presence in the village.
"Have him come out since he is in the village." The squad leader ignored the villagers and looked at Qingyi. His eyes fell on her sword.
"You can go in if you want to find him. However, only one of you can enter!" Qingyi shook her head and replied flatly.
The other villagers could no longer remain calm when they heard this.
This was the Divine Constabulary's Red Pinion Squad. Furthermore, there were over 2000 of them! Why did Qingyi dare to restrict their access to only one person?"
"How dare you?! Do you know who you are speaking with?" The leader's expression changed as he exuded a domineering aura.
At that moment, the villagers felt a mountainous pressure crash down on their heads. They began to tremble and sweat profusely.
"Uh oh, we have angered the Red Pinion Squad!"
"This is the end of the Northern Mountain Village."
"I don't know if Zhengzhi managed to escape..."
All of the villagers were terrified. Having spent all their time in the Northern Region, the Red Pinion Squad were like gods to them.
They were untouchable.
They would never even dream of talking to the Red Pinion Squad in the same tone Qingyi just did.
"The leader of the Red Pinion Squad, Li Jingfeng." Qingyi ignored the opinions of the villagers behind her. She replied calmly as she glanced at the leader.
"Oh? Who are you?" Li Jingfeng's eyelids twitched.
As the leader of the Red Pinion Squad, he wasn't surprised that this lady knew him. However, he knew that there was something else about this lady.
She was powerful!
Even Li Jingfeng couldn't suppress her.
"Qingyi," Qingyi replied casually.
"And where do you come from?"
"I am Qingyi."
"Mm... Qingyi, what if I have the squad force their way through?" Li Jingfeng nodded.
"You can try." Qingyi didn't move.
"Okay then, let me find out for myself!" Li Jingfeng lowered his spear at Qingyi. The tip of his spear glowed with a blue light.
"Jingfeng, stand down."
At that moment, a voice rang out from behind him.
"Yes, my lord!" Li Jingfeng lowered his spear without any hesitation. Then, he stepped to the side.
A middle-aged man stepped forward. He wore a dark purple official robe embroidered with a beast. There was a red triangle on the beast's forehead.
The killing aura he exuded was palpable.
"Lord?!"
"Could it be..."
All of the villagers thought of one man when they heard what Li Jingfeng said.
The leader of the Northern Five Constabularies.
A truly legendary figure who they never expected to see. One of the leaders of the 13 Constabularies, Chi Hou!
"I am Zhang Yangping, the village elder here. Greetings, my lord, please forgive us!"
If the Red Pinion Squad had struck terror in the hearts of the villagers, seeing Chi Hou in person had taken the fight out of them.
Everyone still remembered how Chi Hou and the Northern Five Constabularies had repelled the barbarians.
All of the villagers fell to their knees.
"My villagers, please rise. I am only here to find Fang Zhengzhi." Chi Hou withdrew his killing aura when he saw the villagers.
"My Lord, please let Zhengzhi off, he is being wrongly accused!"
"My Lord, please let him live!"
All of the villagers paled when they saw Chi Hou. If Chi Hou had come personally, then Fang Zhengzhi had no chance of survival.
"My dear villagers, the crimes Fang Zhengzhi are being accused of are heinous. It is out of my hands now. Please trust the courts. If he is truly innocent, the courts will acquit him!"
Chi Hou's eyes glowed when he saw the villagers plead with him. This proved that Fang Zhengzhi had deep ties here.
However...
Why did he send someone to stop them here? And why did he only want one person to enter the village?
Chi Hou was infuriated just about this.
"Fang Zhengzhi, I am your elder! I have personally come to the Northern Mountain Village to find you! How dare you not come out and greet me?! Do you want me to come greet you?"
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Chapter 487: Only choice
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"Elder?!"
"Come out and greet me?!"
Zhang Yangping and the villagers were shocked to hear this. Chi Hou's tone was rather strange.
Weren't they here to capture Fang Zhengzhi?
To the villagers, the presence of the Red Pinion Squad meant that they were here to catch Fang Zhengzhi.
Why would they ask the person they wanted to catch to come out and greet them?!
What was happening?!
Could it be...
Was the Divine Constabulary giving Fang Zhengzhi time to escape?
Zhang Yangping and the villagers became increasingly hopeful. Even though they had no idea why Chi Hou would cut Fang Zhengzhi any slack, they were just happy that he was.
Just as they were about to express their gratitude...
They heard a voice from behind them.
"My Lord, since you are visiting as an elder, why are you letting my relatives kneel before you?" The voice came from within the village, but one could tell that it was getting nearer with each passing moment.
"Relatives?" Chi Hou squinted, then turned to look at the kneeling villagers. He smiled...
Zhang Yangping and the other villagers were stumped.
They knew that the voice belonged to Fang Zhengzhi, but they could not understand what was happening. Chi Hou seemed prepared to let Fang Zhengzhi escape...
Why would Fang Zhengzhi step forward?
Why would Fang Zhengzhi call them relatives and call Chi Hou his elder?
They were just villagers, how could they possibly be compared to the Divine Constabulary's leader?
Kneel?
They were lucky that they weren't killed!
Zhang Yangping and the villagers were anxious. They knew that Fang Zhengzhi was very smart, but they couldn't help but feel that Fang Zhengzhi was acting stupidly!
Just as they were thinking it, a voice rang out.
"Since you are all Fang Zhengzhi's relatives, you are my relatives as well. Please rise!" The voice was not loud, but it was clear enough for all to hear.
"Relatives?"
"Rise?"
Zhang Yangping and the villagers looked at each other in confusion. Nobody stood up. None of them knew what was happening.
All of them were stunned.
Did Chi Hou, the leader of the Divine Constabulary, just call them his relatives?
"Are all of you going to continue kneeling? Do you want me to kneel as well?" Chi Hou began to take a knee.
"No, we would not dare. The Divine Constabulary fought against the barbarians. We are just ordinary villagers, how can we be compared with you?"
"Indeed indeed."
"Everyone, rise."
Zhang Yangping and the villagers panicked. They scrambled to their feet.
Chi Hou nodded when he saw this. Then, he straightened his back and scanned the Northern Mountain Village. His gaze rested on a wooden statue.
"Rascal, aren't you going to welcome me?" There was rage in Chi Hou's voice.
At that moment, a figure walked out from behind the statue. This figure walked slowly and deliberately.
Chi Hou looked at this figure as he walked towards the gate. He didn't speak, waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to approach.
Qingyi tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword. She was waiting as well, however, she wasn't waiting for Fang Zhengzhi.
Zhang Yangping and the villagers were anxious as well. They never expected this to happen. The Red Pinion Squad, the Divine Constabulary...
Never in their wildest dreams would they have expected this to happen.
Most importantly, Chi Hou's attitude was a surprise. Elder? Relatives? What was happening?
Fang Zhengzhi stopped in front of Chi Hou.
"Greetings, my lord!" The figure bowed towards Chi Hou.
"That's better!" Chi Hou spoke after Fang Zhengzhi bowed. Then, he turned to look at the 2000 Red Pinion Squad soldiers, "Jingfeng!"
"Here!"
"Have the Red Pinion Squad wait outside the village. If there is nothing important, do not enter and disturb us!" Chi Hou ordered.
"Yes, sir!" Jingfeng nodded as he turned to face the Red Pinion Squad, "Red Pinion Squad, set up camp here!"
"Yes, sir!" The soldiers dismounted and got to work.
Zhang Yangping and the villagers were all stunned when they saw this. The Divine Constabulary really wasn't going to enter the village?
How was that possible?
This was the Red Pinion Squad, the elite squad of the Northern Five Constabularies! Yet, they were going to stay outside the village?
"Rascal, I came on your rules, shouldn't you be showing me some gesture of friendship?" Chi Hou looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
"What would you like to eat?"
"I heard from Chi Guyan that the meat you grill is very nice. Since I am here today, I must eat my fill."
"The meat I grill is expensive." Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched.
"Price is not a concern to me. I didn't bring any money with me."
"..." Fang Zhengzhi finally understood why people said Chi Hou was a difficult man to deal with. Chi Guyan was much easier to deal with.
It was impossible that he left home without bringing some silvers with him?
Unbelievable!
The 2000 Red Pinion Squad soldiers were still camped outside the village. The villagers couldn't possibly ignore the most elite squad in the Northern Region.
The villagers began to cook for the soldiers.
Li Jingfeng didn't stop them. He thanked them briefly, then shoved a few silvers into Zhang Yangping's hand.
"No wine!" He remarked.
"Okay, okay!" Zhang Yangping knew that the 'no drinking whilst on duty' rule. He told the villagers to keep the alcohol.
In the Fang Residence...
Qin Xuelian was stunned.
Fang Zhengzhi had told her before he left that he would have someone home for dinner.
However...
Qin Xuelian never expected that the guest would be Chi Hou!
Why would the leader of the Divine Constabulary dine here?!
She couldn't believe it, but she had no other choice. He was standing in front of her. Fang Houde was equally shocked.
Fang Houde had seen Chi Hou at the gates of the village. He also heard Chi Hou say that he wanted to eat the meat that Fang Zhengzhi grilled.
For free!
Since grilling the meat would take some time, they had some food to manage their hunger.
There was an animal being roasted on a rack.
Chi Hou and Fang Zhengzhi sat by the fire.
"Thank you for looking after the Northern Mountain Village over the past year." Fang Zhengzhi remarked.
"That was something Chi Guyan wanted to do. It had nothing to do with me." Chi Hou shook his head.
"I see, no thanks given then." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"No thanks? You rascal, even though taking care of the village was Chi Guyan's idea, she has been in the Heavenly Dao Pavilion for the past year. Who do you think carried out her wishes?" Chi Hou squinted.
"It wouldn't have been you either way."
"..." Chi Hou was stunned. Then, he chuckled, "Okay then, you don't have to thank me for that, but you must thank me for what I'm about to say next!"
"I'm guessing that your visit has nothing to do with Chi Guyan." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"Hahaha, I see that you've already seen through my motive for coming. Since that is the case, I will not beat around the bush. I came on my own accord." Chi Hou chuckled.
"Not King Duan?"
"Oh? You have matured much in the past year!" Chi Hou's eyes glittered as he nodded, "King Duan did send a letter to me!"
"Spare me if I align myself with you, kill me if I say otherwise?" Fang Zhengzhi added.
"Exactly!"
"What if I choose not to comply? Will you kill me now?"
"Kill you? I never considered that. If you choose not to take this offer, then I will catch you and bring you back to stand trial!" Chi Hou shook his head.
"So I should just count my lucky stars and accept your offer?"
'"Yes, because you don't have a choice!" Chi Hou asserted.
"Okay then, please arrest me."
"You rascal, do you really want that to happen? Me, King Duan, and yourself know the truth about what happened in the Southern Region. However, what we know is of little importance. You should know what this is about!" Chi Hou's eyes glittered.
"The fight for the throne?"
"That is just one side to it. There is also diplomacy! The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne! If our Crown Prince killed the Crown Prince of one of our vassals, it would cause an international incident! The Emperor would never let this happen, unless..."
"The Crown Prince was disposed of." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"Exactly. The Emperor would not touch this case until he decides to get rid of the Crown Prince. He would not investigate this incident either. As such, you will have to wait if you want to live." Chi Hou nodded.
"Wait for the Crown Prince to be disposed of?"
"Yes."
"But I have already shown myself. How can I still live?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"The purpose of my trip is to give you a chance to escape. Once you escape, you will be given a new identity and appearance. King Duan and I will personally arrange for you to enter the courts!"
"Enter the courts? Are you trying to send me to the slaughter?"
"Haha, of course not! Fang Zhengzhi, you should know that the Emperor is a smart man, much smarter than I ever thought." Chi Hou chuckled.
"What you're saying is... the Emperor wouldn't kill me even if he knows who I am?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled.
"Exactly. If he wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have been able to live until now. The Emperor will spare you and will place great value on you. You may even become a minister in the future!" Chi Hou asserted.
"What makes you so sure?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"Rascal, aren't you a smart person? I think you can tell!" Chi Hou raised his teacup.
"Because I am the only one who can keep the Crown Prince in check?"
"Exactly. The Crown Prince has allies in the courts and the constabularies. The balance in the courts has been broken over the past year. The Emperor isn't against a united front, but he does not want the Crown Prince to go unchecked!"
"So the Emperor wants someone who is willing to go against the Crown Prince?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"Yes, as long as you appear in the courts, you will become a hindrance to the Crown Prince. He will not let you remain, so he will do everything in his power to get rid of you. That means that he will be distracted from consolidating his power..." Chi Hou nodded.
"And I won't be hunted?"
"Rest assured. I will personally accompany you into the capital. With King Duan at the helm of the army, your safety is assured!"
"Is your excuse to enter the capital to ask for forgiveness for your inability to capture me?"
"Hahaha... you have really matured over the past year. Yes, I will go there to apologize for failing to capture you."
"Aren't you afraid that this will cause you to lose power over the Northern Five Constabularies? Aren't you afraid that Su Qing will capitalize and take over your territory?"
"Do I look afraid to you?" Chi Hou asked.
"You come here to help me escape. Then, you plan to go to the capital to apologize for the same reason. You are using that as an excuse to smuggle me into the capital just to destabilize the Crown Prince's hold on the courts. This is a good plan. I wonder who is the mastermind?" Fang Zhengzhi was impressed.
"Haha, that is not important. The important point here is that there is no downside here for you. Your cultivation has been wrecked and you cannot possibly go down that path anymore. The courts are your only choice now!" Chi Hou replied solemnly.
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Chapter 488: Chi Guyan as a bedwarmer?
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"Do you really think that my cultivation has been ruined?" Fang Zhengzhi smirked as he looked at Chi Hou.
"Am I… mistaken?" Chi Hou hesitated as he stared at Fang Zhengzhi, a faint glow in his eyes.
He suddenly realized that no one had verified this information. After his duel with Canyang, the consensus was that his cultivation was likely to be ruined…
But…
Since no one had verified it, Fang Zhengzhi may still have his powers!
He was stunned when he thought about this.
Still had his cultivation?
If he could duel Canyang over a year ago, how powerful would he be now if he could still cultivate?
Terrifying!
That was the only way Chi Hou could describe it. Of course, the even more terrifying thing was that Fang Zhengzhi was still below 18.
He wasn't 18 yet…
The Double Dragon Roll Champion would shock the world!
"Haha, I was just kidding. I'm sure you didn't take me seriously!" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled and began butchering the beast on the rack.
He cut through it slowly because of the toughness of the hide. This seemed to require a lot of effort and he didn't use any powers to help him butcher the beast.
Then, he placed the meat in pre-prepared bowls and handed one to Chi Hou.
"Please try it."
"Sure, I heard from Chi Guyan that your skills are excellent! I will not hold back now!" Chi Hou nodded and looked away from Fang Zhengzhi. He was extremely excited. However, in his excitement, his hands shuddered and a piece of meat fell out of his chopsticks…
And onto the floor.
At the same time, Chi Hou looked at Fang Zhengzhi.
Fang Zhengzhi's hands moved.
They moved the moment the meat fell to the ground. He thrust his knife at the piece of meat, his movements fluid.
Chi Hou's eyes glimmered and he flicked his fingers.
"Clang!" The knife hit the meat, but it was almost as if it had clashed with a resistive force.
Then…
The meat fell to the ground and became contaminated by dirt.
Fang Zhengzhi shook his head when he saw the piece of meat on the ground. However, he didn't say anything. He simply passed Chi Hou another piece of meat.
Chi Hou didn't say anything when he received it. He held it with his chopsticks. He didn't drop it this time.
He bit into it.
His mouth was filled with that intense flavor.
"Hahaha… Chi Guyan was right! This meat is exquisite! It is one of the best I've ever eaten!" Chi Hou chuckled.
"It is a pity that we wasted one piece." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head lightly as he looked at the piece of meat on the floor.
"Waste?" Chi Hou squinted as he looked at that piece of meat. Then, he smiled, "When I was fighting the barbarians, I ate everything, including tree bark! What is a little bit of dirt?"
Chi Hou extended his hand.
The piece of meat on the floor appeared between his chopsticks. He put it in his mouth without hesitation. He didn't even wipe the dirt off the meat.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't stop Chi Hou. All he cared about was cutting off another piece of meat for himself.
"Actually, we can't finish so much meat either. Even if we drop one piece on the ground, it's not much of a waste." Fang Zhengzhi explained.
"You rascal. Enough of your nonsense. When do we return to the capital?" Chi Hou didn't wait for Fang Zhengzhi to carve out another piece for him. He simply tore a chunk of meat away with his hands.
"My lord, if you are in a hurry, you can leave first."
"Leave first? You rascal… what do you mean by that?" Chi Hou hesitated.
"I do not plan on returning to the capital with you." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"You don't plan on returning to the capital with me? According to my intel, the Crown Prince's men are already on their way. Without me, you will not be able to get to the capital! The people around you are not enough!" Chi Hou asserted.
"That might be the case, but I have no intention of pledging allegiance to King Duan. How can I have you escort me in that case?" Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"You… rascal! Other then the Crown Prince, King Duan is the only person you can pledge allegiance to. Are you really going to align yourself with the Crown Prince?" Chi Hou's expression changed.
"Can I choose neither?" Fang Zhengzhi asked.
"No!"
"Okay then… if that is the case, I have a condition of my own." Fang Zhengzhi waved his hands when he saw Chi Hou's expression.
"I knew that you would have some conditions. Tell me, what do you want? Money or treasure? I will give you whatever you need within my abilities." Chi Hou replied.
If Fang Zhengzhi didn't take this opportunity to get something for himself, he wouldn't believe that Fang Zhengzhi was going to be loyal to King Duan.
"Let Chi Guyan be my bed warmer." Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"What?! You rascal… that's impossible! I wouldn't even let her marry you, much less be a bed warmer! I can't make decisions for her! Ask me for something else!"
Chi Hou nearly dropped the piece of meat in his hands when he heard this request.
"I don't have any other conditions." Fang Zhengzhi shook his head in disappointment.
"Fang Zhengzhi, I am a rank one official and general of the Great Xia! I marched for 48 hours straight to get here when I heard you returned. I have given you more than you deserve! Don't push your limits!" Chi Hou fumed.
"Are you going to flip out on me?" Fang Zhengzhi seemed to panic when he saw this.
"Aish… even though we got off on the wrong foot when we first met in the Divine Constabulary, I do not hate you. Furthermore, with all that you had done for the Great Xia in the war, I do not want you to die!" Chi Hou sighed and shook his head.
"I chose the path myself, and I will keep walking it. Since you can't make Chi Guyan my bed warmer, I will have to do it myself." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"You are telling me that you can make Chi Guyan your bed warmer?" Chi Hou was stunned to hear this.
"Mm." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"You rascal, don't bite off more than you can chew!" Chi Hou squinted as he exuded a domineering aura.
"Three months. Three months from now, I will have her tell the whole world that she will be my bed warmer!" Fang Zhengzhi replied casually.
"Are you for real?" Chi Hou's eyes were on the verge of popping out of their sockets.
"Of course!"
"And if you can't do it?"
"Then I will do as you say and stay in the courts for three to five years. I will get back my rank three post." Fang Zhengzhi waved him off.
"Okay, I will give you three months!"
"And if I manage to do it?"
"Hahaha… then I will follow you! I will listen to you and follow your orders!" Chi Hou chuckled scornfully.
"Follow my orders? What if I asked you to rebel?"
"Rubbish! How dare you speak of such things?!"
"Haha… I was just kidding."
"You rascal, if you can really make Chi Guyan your bed warmer, I will follow any of your orders as long as they don't involve rebellion!" Chi Hou replied.
"It's a deal!"
"Okay, I will give you three months. I will protect you in the meantime. If you try to play me, I will not show you any mercy."
"Thank you, my lord." Fang Zhengzhi nodded.
"Mm, since everything is out in the open, when do you plan to return to the capital?"
"Soon. I am just waiting for a friend."
"A friend?"
"Did you really think that I grilled such a huge beast for the two of us?" Fang Zhengzhi's lips twitched as he looked at the roasted beast.
"Oh? I heard that the leader of the Shadow Sect is a female. However… I've never seen her in person. Maybe it's a good thing for me to meet her today." Chi Hou responded.
"Haha…" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled but didn't say anything else.
At that moment, two figures appeared in the distance. They traveled quickly, and they exchanged blows as they ran over.
The glow of the swords was clear for all to see…
A wave of iciness clashed with a pale blue glow. The duel sent plumes of dust skyward, almost like two ravenous wolves fighting it out.
This was Qingyi and Li Jingfeng.
Chi Hou frowned. He knew that Li Jingfeng would not fight with Qingyi unless he had a good reason to. Li Jingfeng was a soldier.
A soldier follows orders.
Even a verbal exchange could not cause Li Jingfeng to go against direct orders and enter the village.
There was only one possibility.
There was something urgent that even Li Jingfeng didn't dare to handle himself.
"What's happening?" Chi Hou waved his arm and a thin aura flew in between Li Jingfeng and Qingyi.
The fighting stopped.
"My lord, there is a squad of soldiers two miles away and heading towards the village. Intel puts their numbers at about 3000. They are traveling quickly and in formation. They must be a trained force!"
"An army? A trained one? Do we know who they are?" Chi Hou was stunned.
This was the Northern Region! The only trained army here was his!
"No, they are all wearing veils and their armor is being covered by black cloaks! Furthermore, they are quite aggressive and feel powerful! However, we can't tell who they are by their appearance!"
"Aggressive and powerful? Are they the barbarians?"
"Probably not. Their aura is similar, but the barbarians cannot possibly be this well trained. Intel tells us that this squad is even faster than the Red Pinion Squad. They are also able to maintain formation throughout. My guess is that they are not weaker than the Red Pinion Squad!" Li Jingfeng shook his head.
"Not weaker than the Red Pinion Squad?" Chi Hou's expression changed.
He trusted Li Jingfeng's judgment. However, there were few squads that were on par with the Red Pinion Squad. The Mountain Breaking Army was one of them, as well as a couple of other elite squads in the constabularies.
Or maybe some of the larger noble families.
But…
None of them should have been able to come up to the Northern Regions!
Who is it? The Stabilization Constabulary?
Impossible.
Chi Hou rejected that idea almost immediately. Even though the Stabilization Constabulary had interacted with Fang Zhengzhi during the war…
They wouldn't come up here to find him.
Xing Yuanguo was a principled man. If he planned to enter the Northern Regions, he would have sent a letter to Chi Hou.
Even if time was of the essence…
He would not bother to disguise himself and hide his identity. The Stabilization Constabulary didn't need to mask themselves!
This was definitely not the Stabilization Constabulary!
The fact that they were veiled meant that they didn't want to be recognized.
Were they trying to hide their movements?
Definitely not!
The movements of 3000 soldiers traveling in formation were impossible to hide! The only reason must be that they wanted to conceal their identity!
The Crown Prince?!
How did they get here so quickly?
Chi Hou turned to Fang Zhengzhi when he thought about this.
Then, he realized that Fang Zhengzhi's expression didn't change when he heard what Li Jingfeng said. In fact, there were traces of surprise on his face.
Could it be…
Chi Hou squinted, "I never thought that the Shadow Sect had grown to become such a formidable force in the past year! I have underestimated Wu Yuer!"
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Chapter 489: Yan Cloud Cavalry
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"My Lord, Wu Yuer is not in the Northern Region." Fang Zhengzhi knew that Chi Hou had misunderstood. However, he was not surprised that Chi Hou thought that it was Wu Yuer.
After all, if the leader of the Divine Constabulary didn't know who the leader of the Shadow Sect was, then he wasn't fit to lead the Divine Constabulary.
"It's not Wu Yuer?" Chi Hou's heart fluttered. If it wasn't Wu Yuer, then it had to be the Crown Prince's men.
3000 trained soldiers…
The audacity of the Crown Prince…
Was he really that confident?
"Qingyi, help me tend to the fire. I will greet them myself." Fang Zhengzhi didn't explain further. He could hear the sounds in the distance.
The squad was approaching.
"Yes, master!" Qingyi nodded.
"Haha, since that is the case, I will accompany you." Chi Hou wiped his hands clean and stood up.
"My Lord, this way please." Li Jingfeng prepared to lead the way.
Fang Zhengzhi showed no intention of stopping him. This was the Northern Region, Chi Hou's territory.
No one could stop him from going anywhere he pleased.
The 2000 soldiers of the Red Pinion Squad mounted their rides and stood in formation, their spears pointing towards the approaching noises.
Zhang Yangping and the other villagers looked on anxiously behind the Red Pinion Squad. The incoming army was a powerful one.
"Are they really going to fight?"
"If they fight, it will be the end of the Northern Mountain Village. Should we tell the teachers and students to take cover?"
"I don't think they are really going to fight. Chi Hou is still in the village. Who would dare to antagonize him here in the Northern Region?"
"But what if they do fight?"
The villagers began to discuss the possibilities amongst themselves. They generally hunted for a living and such situations were foreign to them.
At that moment, Chi Hou and Fang Zhengzhi came out of the gates. They were accompanied by Li Jingfeng.
The three of them approached the Red Pinion Squad.
"My Lord!" The villagers greeted.
"Mm." Chi Hou nodded but didn't say anything else. He looked at the plumes of dust some distance away as he walked forward.
The Red Pinion Squad opened a path for him.
Their movements were disciplined and synchronized.
Fang Zhengzhi was in awe. The Red Pinion Squad was one the most elite forces in the Great Xia. Training was rigorous.
Chi Hou was a military genius to be able to train such a powerful army.
The three people passed through the Red Pinion Squad and watched the approaching army. Just as Li Jingfeng had said…
This was a squad of veiled soldiers.
Each one of them wore a black cloak which stuck to their bodies as they sprinted towards the village. This also revealed that all 3000 of them wore the same armor.
"Not bad!" Chi Hou exclaimed when he saw this. For a seasoned commander like himself, he could tell within moments that this was a well-trained army.
They traveled quickly but were able to maintain their formation. Their formation was that of a spear.
Behind them, there were ranks of soldiers five abreast.
Anyone who knew their military tactics could tell that this was a charging formation. The fact that they could maintain this formation over such long distances…
This was proof of their training and discipline.
"Not bad indeed." Fang Zhengzhi expressed his agreement.
Chi Hou didn't say anything else. He frowned and stared at the approaching 'spear'.
Chi Hou rarely looked like that.
In fact, he didn't frown even when he was battling the 50,000 barbarian cavalries on the plains.
Yet, when faced with this army of 3000 soldiers, he frowned.
The reason was simple.
He had a village behind him, a village which housed the Northern Region's most promising children.
If these men were from the Crown Prince.
Then this would be a capturing mission.
Without the Red Pinion Squad.
These men would simply come to capture Fang Zhengzhi. However, if the Red Pinion Squad intervened, then this would turn into a massacre. The Crown Prince would never let an asset like Fang Zhengzhi fall into the Divine Constabulary's hands.
They were closing in…
"Ready!" Chi Hou raised his hand.
"Woosh!" The soldiers of the Red Pinion Squad raised their spears and pointed them at the opposing force. A domineering aura filled the air.
"Halt!"
At that moment, the 'spear' at the point position of the formation stopped in its tracks.
The 3000 soldiers behind them halted as well.
The formation was still intact!
"I am the leader of the Red Pinion Squad, Li Jingfeng from the Divine Constabulary! I have orders from Chi Hou to capture the criminal here! Who are you, and how dare you barge into the Northern Regions?!" Li Jingfeng bellowed.
As someone who had been serving Chi Hou for more than a decade, he knew that he should not reveal Chi Hou's presence from the get-go.
A light breeze brushed past.
The fragrance of the flowers filled the air.
The 3000 veiled soldiers stood in their spots. They didn't leave because of what Li Jingfeng said. In fact, it was almost as though they didn't hear what Li Jingfeng said.
They were waiting.
They were waiting for orders.
At that moment, a blood red flag was raised. There were neither patterns nor symbols on the flag.
However, when Li Jingfeng saw this flag, his expression changed.
The 3000 veiled soldiers moved when the flag went up.
"Woosh!" They moved in unison. When the sound had died down, each one of them had a metal bow in their hands.
They latched an arrow on the bows and pulled the string taut. They aimed at the Red Pinion Squad without hesitation.
"How dare you?!" Li Jingfeng raised his spear.
He was quite shocked to see this. They were in the Northern Region. He might not have told them that Chi Hou was present, but the Red Pinion Squad should have been enough to cause them to reconsider.
The Divine Constabulary was the most powerful force in the Northern Region!
"Chi Hou, we want the young man next to you. If you are willing to hand him over, we will be on our way!" A voice rang out from within the ranks.
"Oh? What if I refuse?" Chi Hou squinted.
He knew why Li Jingfeng had not used his name from the get-go. He wanted to give this army a chance to turn back.
However, they didn't seem to care. They called him out by name and asked him to hand over Fang Zhengzhi.
Who was this?
Who dared to declare war on the Divine Constabulary in the Northern Region?!
"If you refuse, then please accept our apologies in advance!" The voice rang out once again and the red flag was raised.
"Rubbish!" Chi Hou raged when he saw the red flag being raised. He had given them an out even though they were trespassing.
He was already showing them mercy and respect.
That also had to do with the fact that he thought this army was related to the Crown Prince. He did not want to go to war with the Crown Prince's men unless it was absolutely necessary.
However, this didn't mean that he was afraid of fighting.
"Die!" The soldiers of the Red Pinion Squad hollered when they heard Chi Hou's rage. Their killing intent filled the air.
Fang Zhengzhi was stunned.
What was happening?
Didn't he make it clear from the start?
He told Chi Hou that he was waiting for a friend. Why did both sides start fighting they moment they met outside the village?
They want me…
Why don't you just let me go over?
Fang Zhengzhi smiled bitterly as he looked at Chi Hou. He knew the opposing force, but he couldn't tell Chi Hou in front of the Red Pinion Squad.
After all…
This was the Northern Region.
"My Lord, you can just hand me over." Fang Zhengzhi whispered a reminder when he saw Chi Hou rage.
"What nonsense?! Do you really think I will hand you over?" Chi Hou replied without hesitation.
"My Lord, you should. In fact, I don't mind. Let me go with them." Fang Zhengzhi wasn't about to give up.
"You don't mind? But I do!" Chi Hou rejected the proposal.
Hand over Fang Zhengzhi?
Was that meant to be a joke?
How dare they ask Chi Hou to hand someone over n the Northern Region! Chi Hou wouldn't hand Fang Zhengzhi over even if he was outnumbered 10 to one!
"My Lord, I really am willing to go with them."
"Shut up!"
"…" Fang Zhengzhi was rendered speechless. He had already told Chi Hou that these were friendlies.
He had wanted to welcome them more subtly after they got closer.
However, Li Jingfeng had announced himself.
Then, the other force drew their bows.
Before they even exchanged any formalities, things had escalated to this point. Fang Zhengzhi didn't even have a chance to interrupt.
"Die!"
"Die!"
The Red Pinion Squad's voices grew louder by the moment. They were ready to fight.
The 3000 veiled soldiers were equally fearless. They simply pointed their arrows at the Red Pinion Squad, ready to fire at a moment's notice
As for Zhang Yangping and the other villagers…
Their jaws were virtually on the floor.
"Zhengzhi, get back!"
"If they fight, we will take cover in the mountains!"
"Yes, Zhengzhi, come over quickly!"
The villagers hollered at the top of their voices. The Red Pinion Squad stood between them and Zhengzhi, and Zhengzhi was in the middle of the two forces.
It was too dangerous.
Fang Zhengzhi really didn't mind finding a place to hide but he knew he had to deal with this. He stepped forward.
"Hang on, lower your weapons!"
Fang Zhengzhi's voice was so loud that every soldier on the field could hear him. However, the Red Pinion Squad didn't follow his orders.
It was virtually useless.
However, the 3000 veiled soldiers stopped in their tracks. Then, a yellow flag was raised from within their ranks.
"Woosh, woosh woosh!"
Within moments…
The bows returned to their holders on the backs of the soldiers.
Li Jingfeng was stunned.
The Red Pinion Squad stopped screaming for blood. They too didn't understand what was happening.
Why would they listen to Fang Zhengzhi?
Chi Hou's jaw dropped in surprise. However, he quickly wiped the surprise off his face and squinted his eyes.
He examined the 3000 veiled soldiers, the armor they wore under the black cloaks and the bows in their hands.
His eyes widened.
Then, a green light appeared in his hands. This was a jade green glow. It flew towards the soldiers.
At the same time, the expression of one of the vanguards of the veiled soldiers changed. His body was enveloped by green light.
"Shhhhh!"
His clothes were ripped apart.
The black cloak around him was shredded, almost as if there were countless knives around him.
The black, palm-sized shreds were blown away by the wind.
As they fell to the ground, a radiant armor shone through. It was a silver armor adorned with all kinds of patterns.
Most importantly, the armor was adorned with six clouds. These clouds were blood red in color. They formed a hexagon starting from the shoulder pads.
Almost like a fan!
"The Yan Cloud Cavalry!"
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