Chapter 143 - General Lexus' Promise

General Lexus eyed Cale sharply which made the latter somewhat apprehensive in his heart. 

The old man in front of him was after all someone at the mid stage of the Immortal-Class level.

Cale could not do anything to him even if he equip the full set of his Void Wolf Immortal set equipment.

"What did you say, young sir?" General Lexus glanced coldly at Cale. 

"Old man, I already told you. If you let the emperor who is at his death's door consume this Holy Nourishing Crystal, then you will only quicken his death." Cale calmly answered while staring at the old general solemnly.

Seira and the two deputies who were not far away were covered in cold sweat. Cale actually dared to casually call General Lexus as 'old man'? The good thing was that they didn't see the general swatting the young man away in anger.

Where did he have the guts to casually call a top expert who was at the mid stage of the Immortal-Class level as 'old man' as if they were long lost friends?

"Then can you explain to me why?" General Lexus restrained himself from swatting away the young man on account for buying some time for his soldiers to escape and also for helping them acquire the Holy Nourishing Crystal.

Cale pointed at the green crystal in the hands of the general before he spoke in a calm tone.

"That crystal contains the energy of the Heavenly Winged Guardian that we had killed. Although it looked pure and abundant of elemental energy, it contains large amounts of impurities. These impurities are the remnant bestial energy from that beast, so what would happen to someone who had almost extinguished his life if he consumes that crystal which contains these impurities?"

The old general was stunned and realization suddenly dawned on him after hearing Cale's answer. He then looked at Cale as if he had seen a rare treasure, his old eyes glistening.

"Then do you have a way to extract the remnant bestial energy out of this crystal?" General Lexus used his free hand to hold Cale's shoulder tightly, looking very expectant.

Cale shook his head and replied.

"No, I don't know how to extract it, but I have a way of saving the emperor. Of course, I will still need that crystal if I want to help the emperor to continue living." 

General Lexus was initially disheartened after hearing that Cale didn't know how to extract the remnant bestial energy from the crystal, but after hearing the latter part of his words, the general's eyes flashed with joy. 

He was excited, but he still held the excitement in his heart and glanced seriously at the masked young man in front of him who was still looking calmly at him. Inwardly, he admired the young man's composure. Few could remain calm in his presence, even the old ministers would be respectful at the sight of him.

"How certain are you on saving the emperor?" General Lexus asked carefully. 

Cale thought for a brief moment before giving a reply.

"I'm not sure, but with the Holy Nourishing Crystal, the chances of saving him will be multiplied by many folds." 

"Just make sure that you are not lying to me. If you fail to save the emperor, then this old man will personally kill you."

Cale was a bit fearful in his heart, but he did not show any hint of fear outwardly. He merely showed the old man a warm smile, albeit a little forced.

"Old man, if I can't save the emperor, then you don't have to do anything since I will kill myself. But what if I was able to save him, what can you give me in return?" 

Cale's eyes turned sharp, even the old general felt a bit uncomfortable after seeing his gaze. 

'This young lad isn't as simple as he seems to be.' General Lexus thought to himself, but he still smiled at Cale.

"If that is indeed the case and you are able to save his majesty's life, then I will personally speak with the emperor to confer you the title of marquess. After all, saving his life means saving all the citizens of the Celestial Sword Empire. How does that sound, young lad?" 

Cale glanced calmly at the old general for a brief moment before giving him a faint smile. He then did a fist-palm salute to the old general as a form of respect.

"I will do my best to save his majesty, the emperor." 

General Lexus grinned widely after hearing Cale's sincere words. He then did a fist-palm salute to show mutual respect. 

"Let's return home soldiers of the Celestial Sword Empire!"

The soldiers' eyes moistened after hearing the emotional voice of their general. 

They had experienced a tough journey just to get the Holy Nourishing Crystal. Many of their comrades died inside the Cave of Endless Grievance. Furthermore, all of them had various wounds all over their bodies.

They raised their fists in midair and issued deafening shouts.

The several hundred soldiers departed... Their destination: The Celestial Sword Empire.

* * *

Booming sounds resounded above the sky as the fight between five experts at the late stage of the Immortal-Class level continued. All sorts of elemental attacks were thrown by the five experts, brightly lightening up the crimson red sky.

Duke Shutra eyed the four old men warily, his body was enveloped by thick pale yellow flames. 

'These four old fogies are indeed strong. I can certainly defeat them one on one, but with them joining hands like this, it will be harder to defeat them.

He then glanced at the soldiers down below. He frowned after sensing the movement from the second prince's camp. 

'That bastard of a prince is finally going to make a move! Shit!' 

"When you are fighting, focus your sights on your opponents! How dare you be distracted when fighting against us?!" The hall master of the Rising Sun Supreme Hall snarled angrily as he conjured multiple bronze chains that threatened to wrap around Duke Shutra's body.

The latter hastily deflected the chains coming his way with his burning sword.

"These f_u_c_k_i_n_g old dogs!" Duke Shutra roared in madness. His whole body was engulfed by raging flames which made him look like a fire god. 

He slashed his sword vertically. It cut the bronze chains as if it was a hot knife cutting through tofu.

The five peerless figures then collided once again, producing earth-shattering sounds as their attacks collided against each other fiercely.

Meanwhile, the battle down below was still on even terms.

That was until the second prince moved together with his own army. 

With their appearance on the battlefield, the empire's soldiers were forced to retreat.

The crown prince swept his gaze on the ferocious army behind the second prince. Their strength was similar to that of their empire's Dual Sword Army!

'How was he able to train this many elite soldiers without us knowing?!'

"Retreat back to the city! Reinforce the defenses atop the walls! Tell the garrison commander to let their archers prepare!" The crown prince urged his horse to turn around and shouted loudly towards his soldiers.

The rest of the soldiers passed the crown prince's command towards the rest and retreated back inside the city. 

The city's huge iron doors slowly opened, allowing the crown prince and the empire's soldiers to retreat back inside.

The second prince smirked derisively while ordering his soldiers to slaughter the remaining enemies.

He then glanced at the ongoing battle from above. 

'Tsk! That shitty duke was actually able to hold his ground against those four old fogies!' Second Prince Titus frowned after seeing Duke Shutra majestically fighting against the four old men.

'But it's fine. Without the emperor, who within the empire can block my army's advance?' The second prince smiled before ordering his soldiers to rest.

It wasn't a good move to hastily rush forward. Especially because the soldiers from the outside forces were already tired. 

* * *

In a luxurious villa, multiple silhouettes dr_a_p_ed in tight black clothes came. 

"Your highness, the people we sent to the treasury are back." A man dressed in black clothes spoke respectfully at the man who was sitting on his chair with a faint smile.

The third prince did not glance at the man in black robes, but anyone can see that his smile broadened by many folds.

"Oh, they're finally here? Go get them for me and reward our men handsomely." The third prince spoke generously. 

"Yes, your highness!" The man in black clothes answered before he disappeared.

After sensing that the man was gone, the third prince spoke in an eerie tone, his eyes flashed with obvious scorn.

"My two foolish brothers, no matter who wins among the both of you in this war, the winner would still be me, your little brother." 

A burst of familiar laughter followed after that.