Chapter 460
/*unedited*/
The Si kingdom is the border kingdom of the Xi Empire. The Si kingdom might be in the border but they have the largest land area among all the kingdoms of the empire. And like the Mu kingdom which is also the border kingdom to the east, the kingdom of Si is facing the great body of water to the west.
The kingdom of Si is resilient to changes because of the way their monarchy is established. When the empire was formed thousands of years ago, the kingdom of Si was the first one to stand against the emperor.
A heavy battle that killed millions of cultivators and mortals rocked the whole cultivation land at that time. But the kingdom of Si never fell.
But one day, the king of the Si suddenly fell ill and died. When the emperor heard of this, he immediately seized the moment and conquered the kingdom. Hence, that was the time that the empire was truly formed.
The emperor didn't bother to change the style of ruling in the kingdom as it was to his advantage. The main body of law of the kingdom of Si is ruled only by their king holding the supreme and only power throughout the kingdom.
So if the king is corrupt everyone suffers and war and fighting would once again ensue.
However, for more than 100 years now, the current monarch of the kingdom seems to have made progress and has led the kingdom of Si to prosperity.
He began to appoint ministers and judges as part of his governing law and didn't monopolize the power. Hence the kingdom of Si has tasted peace.
However, there are still those who are not satisfied with this and wanted to usurp the throne. They think that the kingdom has been too cowardly in its ruling and the king is being too soft.
The city of Si, the capital city of Si kingdom
Inside a dark room, masked men are currently gathering.
"How was the implementation of the plans? Did we succeed?"
"Yes, we are at 80%... we have destroyed most of the portals except for those in the Daemon forest border town of Jewel and the capital city of Si."
"Good, hahaha… let's see how King Rui Murong that bastard gets out of this predicament."
"Haha… you are right young master. If we are successful you will replace that stupid king and rule this land like your father before you."
"You are right… He thinks that because he spares my life I would be grateful towards him. He just insulted the true monarchs of this kingdom. My father was the absolute ruler, that stupid king was just a low cultivator… a commoner. How could he rule this kingdom properly?"
"Hail to the new king!"
"The new king!"
The man whom the group is calling the new king is Linque Ding. He is the youngest son of the former tyrant king, Bodian Ding.
Due to him being at the young age of 8 at that time of rebellion, his life was spared by Rui Murong who is leading a group of ragtag cultivators and mortal soldiers.
The tyranny of the Dings ended with the death of the monarch and his sons in battle. However, Rui Murong didn't want to wipe the monarch's family at that time, but his generals and aides did end the Dings because of their tyrannical ways.
But he just saved the boy prince from this fate. He took the little prince into his fold and raised him like his own. King Murong is truly a benevolent king, but unknown to him, a part of the Ding family has escaped. They lay low and began their plan of revenge. They could not accept the loss of their power and authority.
They cannot even accept that the commoners are living a good life within the kingdom. As nobles, they wanted to exert dominance, hence they are unhappy.
Unknown to Shin Jiao, he has accidentally meddled in a huge mess and an upcoming great battle for the throne.
As of now, he is currently running while following the huge number of people in front of him. The students of the academies and their teachers have now reached their rendezvous point.
Shin Jiao is currently observing the surroundings. He can already hear the rumbling of the forest which signifies that a large number of beasts are coming their way.
"Master Ji, do you think we can escape if we follow this path?" suddenly Jobei Bai asked as he slowed down to match Shin Jiao's pace who is following behind.
"What do you mean?" Shin Jiao asked in confusion.
"Teacher Lan told us that there is something wrong with the path that we are following. This is going towards the hanging bridge… that path is too narrow for us. If we go there would be problems."
Upon hearing this, Shin Jiao knew that there will be troubles ahead.
So he immediately speeds up and approached Cao Lan.
"Greetings, Master Ji…"
Upon hearing Cao Lan's greeting him, Shin Jiao just nodded his head.
"Miss Lan, is what student Bai said to me is true? We are running towards a hanging bridge?"
Hearing Shin Jiao's words, Cao Lan nodded.
"This is not good… Please inform the other students to take another path… and please lead them." Shin Jiao said as he suddenly stops running.
He immediately took out some materials inside his ring.
"Master Ji, what are you doing?" Cao Lan asked as she and some of the other students stopped.
"Buying us time… Go and inform the students now. If they don't want to follow you let them be. Save as many as you can. Go now!"
With Shin Jiao's words, Cao Lan hesitated a bit but nods her head in agreement.
"Let's go! Spread the word!" Cao Lan shouted.
Meanwhile, Shin Jiao began to make a wide range of trap and illusion array. With his current cultivation level, his speed is too fast that he was able to make 5 arrays in just a couple of minutes.
Suddenly, he immediately noticed the presence of the people chasing after him. And it seems that they entered an illusion array.
"Fools…" he smirked as he continues running to chase after the group.
It didn't take him long as he was able to catch up to the large body of students. However, it seems that there is something going on.
Cao Lan is arguing with a male teacher.
"Miss Lan how dare you to confuse the students… We should go this way…" the man shouted while pointing to a direction.
"Shut up! I will take those who would follow me and leave the other way. They have the right to choose." Cao Lan shouted.
She turns around and was about to walk when a sharp sword suddenly pointed towards her back.
"Watch out Miss Lan!" cried one of the students.
Cao Lan is not a weak cultivator, hence she was able to detect the sword and immediately dodge. With a turn of her body, she sent that teacher flying with his chest caving in.
When the teacher fell to the ground, he was already dead.
"Get her!" shouted another teacher.
"It seems that these people are traitors." Shin Jiao muttered while taking out two handguns.
These people are infant soul realm cultivators and are very strong. If they fight near the students, there might be a chance that they might kill someone.
Hence he decided to stop the fuss and intervene. However, right at this moment a large beast suddenly pounces behind him.
Shin Jiao was a bit surprised. But he was still quick enough as he pointed the gun on his hand and fires a couple of shots. The beast's head was blasted open and Shin Jiao saw that it was a flying snake. Then he also turns to look at Cao Lan's situation and saw that they too are attacked by flying serpents.
Shin Jiao saw that Cao Lan grabs this opportunity to run towards the other direction while being followed by more than half of the students.
"I guess that they trusted her this much." Shin Jiao muttered while looking at their fleeing figures.
He then saw the other teachers and students fending against a large number of flying serpents. Then suddenly, he heard a teacher shouted.
"Kill those people… remember, no survivor. Everyone should be dealt with."
Shin Jiao was now a bit confused as to why do they need to kill the students? How could this scheme be so devious and brutal?
"It's just a portal right?" he thought.
But he didn't have time to muse as he is now being siege by another flying creature. Shin Jiao easily disposes of his attackers and followed behind the figures running towards the bridge.
Taking out his sniper rifle, he immediately marked those chasing after Cao Lan's group and fired six shots.
Each of his bullets shattered the heads of the teachers who wanted to silent all the students and Miss Lan.
Feeling content of what he did, he turns his gaze towards the other teachers. He knew that would kill those students who foolishly followed them.
Though he is not close to those youngsters, he could not let them die. Plus he needed to interrogate one of these traitorous teachers to find out the truth.
And so, with quick steps, he has already reached the bridge area, where a number of scared students are strapped. He found that the bridge is gone and that there are some flying serpents waiting on the cliffside.
If anyone flies, then they would become food for those beasts in waiting.
He gazes at the group of teachers who is showing some sinister gaze on their expression.
He shook his head and once again took out his sniper rifle.