Chapter 194: Fratricidal Strife

Chapter 194: Fratricidal Strife

Qimu did not respond, but instead lowered his gaze to scan the battle formation below. The cold glint of the armor struck fear into his heart, and he realized the Easterners' intent. Feeling a sense of emptiness, he looked around, unsure of how many were hidden in the mist.

"The ancestor of the Li Family is said to have reached the eighth heavenly layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm and is skilled in swordsmanship, nourished by pure spiritual qi of heaven and earth... If I were to flee now, I probably wouldn't get far..."

"My king! Allow me to deal with this Shamoli."

A few Qi Cultivators around him who were unaware of the dangers, eagerly volunteered, stepping forward with cupped fists. Only Zhong Yudai, an old minister left by his father Mu Jiaoman, remained silent, his hands trembling as he stared down at the troops below. Filled with fear, he lifted his head to look at Qimu but could not utter a single word.

"You... and you, go and test him together."

Qimu gave him a deep and meaningful look before calmly selecting two people, watching as two eager clan members stepped forward. He then called the old minister, Zhong Yudai, closer to him and transmitted his voice through mana.

"Shaman, Shamoli has colluded with the Easterners... and this time, they most likely want me dead. Take a troop westward and escort my son and two daughters out of the city. Find a place for them to live their lives and leave a legacy for me. Also, don't let them strive for more..."

Zhong Yudai's eyes reddened as he let out a shaky sigh, and descended. The two individuals beside Qimu exchanged glances, sensing that something was amiss. They wanted to ask out loud, but Qimu was staring at the skies with a grim expression, leaving them no room to speak.

Shamoli, seeing the two approaching, one a second heavenly layer and the other a third heavenly layer Qi Cultivator—both superior to him in cultivation— felt no fear, instead he was feeling triumphant. He raised his twin hammers and swung fiercely at one of them.

The Mount Yue Qi Cultivator, clad in animal bones and jade that rattled with a clinking sound, laughed heartily. However, he wore a fierce expression. Holding a bone spear imbued with mixed true essence, he thrust it toward Shamoli's hammers.

Shamoli's body surged with purple true essence with lightning flashing, which spread from his hands to his hammers. When the hammers collided with the bone spear, their true essences violently clashed, exploding into fine sparks of electricity.

The Mount Yue Qi Cultivator's smile immediately faded as he was struck by the heavy hammer. He retreated in shock, half of his body numbed by the impact. Fortunately, the stronger Qi Cultivator beside him stepped forward with a staff, blocking Shamoli's offense.

This gave him a moment to catch his breath, clashing with Shamoli a few times back and forth. Observing Samoli's formidable true essence, he quickly shouted, "My king, this man's techniques are strange... the two of us might not be able to hold him off!"

Seeing the true essence around Shamoli, Qimu grew even more certain of his speculation, silently gesturing with his hand. The remaining two people took to the wind, pressing together towards the enemy. Qimu remained still, caught in his own thoughts.

Shamoli must have received proper technique from the Easterners, serving as their lackey... Now, all I can do is delay and drag on this fight as long as possible to buy some time for my children.

The four Mount Yue Qi Cultivators pressed together, greatly increasing the pressure on Shamoli. Although his hammers swung fiercely, repelling and causing any bone spear or knife that touched them to explode, the four Qi Cultivators took turns engaging him in battle. This gave them time to dissipate the force of the lightning, and they seemed to be able to manage it without much difficulty.

Shamoli clashed with him in several exchanges, each move forceful and heavy, causing Qimu to retreat. His body went numb, and his true essence flowed unevenly, leaving him no match for Shamoli.

Upon hearing Qimu's words, Shamoli's sneer grew fiercer as he responded, "You dare mention him? What right did Mu Jiaoman have?! You were made the ruler, while I was left to face execution... You, as the eldest, had everything your way. Have you ever felt what I have endured?"

Qimu managed to hold his ground for the time it took an incense stick to burn, but it did not take long before he was drained of his true essence, his limbs growing powerless. At Shamoli's words, he paused, before bursting out into laughter.

"Now I understand, Shamoli! So, you care that much about Mu Jiaoman... Listen well..."

"No matter how glorious your future will be, no matter how well you govern Mount Yue, you'll always just be a dog to the Easterners!" Qimu growled as he stepped back several paces.

Without warning, he then twisted his sword to position it at his own neck. The sharp blade slid across his throat, drawing a line of blood. With a fierce look and a cold laugh, he held eye contact with his brother once more.

"In the underworld, my father and I will scorn you for your despicableness, mock your incompetence, ridicule you for being a lackey, deride you for deceiving yourself and others... and last of all, for not acting like how a son should!"

Shamoli trembled all over, feeling both shocked and furious.

"SILENCE!" he yelled.

Qimu, however, sneered coldly and closed his eyes. With a swift motion of the blade, his head quickly separated from his body. His head swung loosely as he fell, like a chicken being slaughtered.

Shamoli, looking as though he had been slapped, caught the head like a defeated dog. He merely glanced at it before the sight scorched his eyes, compelling him to look away. He lifted Qimu's head despondently and made a loud declaration with feigned pride.

"Qimu is dead... Those who surrender will not be killed."

The four Mount Yue Qi Cultivators looked at each other, before briefly hesitating and stopping their actions. Below them, the military formation descended into chaos, cries and screams mingling with the damp morning breeze.

Shamoli did not realize that his cheeks were slightly wet as he gazed at the majestic mountains and rivers shrouded in the pale white morning mist, muttering to himself, "His words... Should I have just resigned myself to death..? Should I have fled and lived a life in exile? Why... Why should I..."

Chen Donghe, riding the wind, approached and was slightly startled to see Shamoli holding Qimu's head in a daze, sprayed with blood yet seemingly oblivious to what was happening around him. He just stood there with tears streaming down his face.

Chen Donghe sighed softly and congratulated him.

"Congratulations... Great King!"