Chapter 40 - Arc 4: The Affairs of Chenghuang Kingdom | Chapter 40: Yun Lie Strikes

Chapter 40 - Arc 4: The Affairs of Chenghuang Kingdom | Chapter 40: Yun Lie Strikes

Translator: Lynn

On a normal day, Xu Ziqing would enjoy sitting and conversing with his friend after leaving the ring, appreciating the serene beauty of the surroundings. It was always a pleasant experience.

However, when Yun Lie emerged, Xu Ziqing’s anxiety surged.

“Brother Yun, return to the ring!” he urgently exclaimed.

Yet, Yun Lie brushed him aside, saying, “We haven’t reached our limit yet, so there’s no need to fight for our lives. You should leave now.”

Xu Ziqing felt an invisible force pushing him backward, causing him to involuntarily take two steps back. Although his limbs and bones were rejuvenated by spiritual energy, eradicating the pain and injuries he had just endured, a hint of impatience welled up in his heart.

“Brother Yun, you...” Xu Ziqing began to speak, fear flickering in his heart. Taking a bold step forward, he tried to enter the frigid area, but the sword pressure hindered him, preventing him from entering the cold domain. Despite his repeated attempts, his blood cooled down, and he couldn’t penetrate the icy field. ÚpTodated novels on no(v)el()bin(.)com

Xu Ziqing understood that Yun Lie was an extraordinary and formidable individual, leading a life beyond ordinary realms. Now, with only a sliver of the soul remaining, he took the initiative to protect Xu Ziqing, a dying man... There was no way to repay such a profound friendship, and since Yun Lie didn’t want him to fight alongside him, Xu Ziqing patiently awaited his fate.

Regardless of the outcome, Xu Ziqing was determined to stand by Yun Lie, even in life or death.

However, in the next moment, Xu Ziqing’s passionate resolve turned into astonishment.

The figure in white stood tall, resembling an unbreakable sword—strong and unwavering

“Bzzzzzz—”

Sword qi surged around him, numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. They transformed into slender streams of astral winds, cutting through the air, and leaving white trails in their wake.

Amidst the countless sword qis enveloping him, Yun Lie remained motionless.

Though the sea wind raged like a tornado, not a single strand of his hair or the edge of his clothes stirred. He existed solely amidst the sword qi and an infinite arsenal of killing intent.

It was at this moment that Xu Ziqing realized the profound intensity and concentration of one’s killing intent. The sword qi surrounding his friend didn’t require the aid of a flying sword; it flowed freely as if it were inconsequential, an extension of his own body, controlled solely by his mind.

No wonder his closest friend looked down on Xu Zifeng. The realization struck Xu Ziqing suddenly.

Indeed, while Xu Zifeng’s sword qi possessed a biting quality, it had to be attached to a sword, and its range was limited to a few inches. In contrast, his friend’s sword qi was so ethereal that it extended for miles, producing a continuous crackling sound akin to fireworks slicing through the air.

Wherever the sword qi passed, dozens of water eddies shattered and dispersed into sparkling droplets, disappearing into the sea. The Ying Fish remained atop the wave’s crest, its eyes glinting with bloodlust. However, as it looked down at the white figure, a tinge of horror washed over it.

The countless waves were crushed and ravaged by the sword qi, gradually subsiding. Yet, the more the Ying Fish attempted to conjure waves, the more futile its efforts became in halting the relentless onslaught of the sword qi.

Fear became increasingly apparent in the Ying Fish’s eyes as it leaped upwards to evade the impending strike of sword energy. It succeeded momentarily, but its triumph was short-lived. It soon realized that it could no longer move.

An icy sword intent emanated from below, plunging the creature into an icy abyss, chilling it to the bone. It was immobilized, unable to even sway its tail, resembling a rigid stone statue thrust into a world of swords, shaped by countless killing intents.

Xu Ziqing observed everything from the sidelines, and this awe-inspiring tactic sent shivers down his spine, making his body tremble and his scalp tingle.

However, the moment the Ying Fish stiffened, Xu Ziqing reacted swiftly and called out loudly, “Chonghua—”

In an instant, the eagle that had been soaring at great heights swooped down, its claws as hard as steel, fiercely pecking at the Ying Fish’s body and tearing off its wings!

Devoid of its master’s support, the Ying fish’s inner pellet plummeted from the heights but abruptly halted its descent in front of the man in white.

With each step he took, his sword qi accumulated, and the boundless killing intent surrounding him dissipated instantly, akin to melting ice and snow.

“Collect it,” he spoke with indifference only when he stood three steps away from Xu Ziqing.

The turquoise blue bead, dripping and spinning, hovered between the two of them.

Xu Ziqing breathed steadily, then smiled faintly. “I understand, Brother Yun.”

Yun Lie’s figure vanished, and the sea regained its tranquility.

The countless waves of all sizes and the chilling, unending sword qi vanished completely.

Xu Ziqing gazed at the bead in his palm and, with a gentle squeeze, it entered the storage ring. Simultaneously, a red-faced child materialized beside him.

The Heavy Chinese Eagle circled above the heads of the two men, having already consumed the Ying fish’s carcass entirely.

Silently sighing, Xu Ziqing peered at the serene sea, reminiscing about the cultivators who had been devoured earlier.

Now, they were nowhere to be found... Taking Dong Lizhao’s arm, he whisked him away in the wind.

Before the Heavenly Boundary Seal.

A gentle breeze wafted by, and a young man in a green shirt suddenly materialized in mid-air, clasping a boy’s hand and remaining motionless together.

It was Xu Ziqing and Dongzhao, who had arrived in haste.

A pale golden light flickered, prompting Dong Lizhao to exclaim, “Ahhh!”

Xu Ziqing remarked, “The time has come; the Vajra talisman is no longer effective.”

The sea breeze was relatively mild in this location, and they had ceased moving, so Dong Lizhao only felt a slight chill but wasn’t too uncomfortable.

Xu Ziqing retrieved a long robe from his storage ring and handed it to him. “You’ve just recovered from your injuries. Don’t catch a cold.”

Thus, the two altered their course and proceeded toward the left side of the street.

After walking several hundred steps, Dong Lizhao halted once more.

This time, he stood frozen.

It was an entire street reduced to charred ruins—no longer the prosperous place it had once been. Houses, shops, and stalls had all turned into ashes.

Amongst the crumbling walls, numerous beams remained partially unburned. Grey powder, pressed beneath them, scattered slowly as the wind brushed through, while the remaining wood, pots, and pans turned black.

A weighty expression appeared on Xu Ziqing’s face as well.

“Those are ashes...” Nowadays, he could immediately recognize the grayish-white powder as remnants of burned corpses.

With so many houses in the area, the substantial amount of powder in each room and house indicated one thing.

Dong Lizhao, his voice trembling, already asked, “Sir, were many people here burned to death?”

Xu Ziqing let out a soft sigh. “Yes, many people were driven and locked inside the houses on this street, and then...”

A massive fire was ignited, consuming the street and its inhabitants.

Dong Lizhao fiercely wiped his eyes. “Those treacherous people, they massacred the entire county! Sir, is this because of me? Not only did I jump off a cliff, but even the places I’ve been to, refuse to show mercy!”

Even though Xu Ziqing had always been gentle, at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel the same anger. “Zhao’er, they are heartless.”

Dong Lizhao’s eyes brimmed with hatred once again. “I will make that traitor meet an unkind end!”

Xu Ziqing gazed at the young boy, his heart filled with hatred, and gently caressed his head.

Since no one else was around, Xu Ziqing took Dong Lizhao along and transformed into a breeze, flying toward Hongwu City, the kingdom’s capital, concealed under a blindfold.

After about an hour and a half, they arrived at Hongwu City.

The city sprawled over a vast area, with towering, imposing walls and soldiers stationed at the gates and along the perimeter. Swords, spears, and various weapons glinted coldly.

Upon reaching this place, they sensed the grandeur and majesty unique to the royal family.

Xu Ziqing touched the ground and walked with Dong Lizhao to the side of the city wall, using a technique to pass through the wall together.

Tension permeated the atmosphere within the city. Passersby dared not speak or make any noise, while the patrolling soldiers carried an air of cold solemnity, appearing particularly unwelcoming.

Xu Ziqing gestured toward Dong Lizhao and transformed him into another form, saying, “Zhao’er, this illusion technique will only last for an hour, so be cautious if you want to blend into the palace.”

In Dong Lizhao’s eyes, Xu Ziqing also appeared as an ordinary young man, with a plain appearance and demeanor. However, the softness in his gaze still warmed Dong Lizhao’s heart, despite the hatred within it. “Yes, sir.”

The two of them disguised themselves as commoners and strolled slowly in the direction of the Imperial City.

After approximately thirty minutes, they finally arrived at the outskirts of the heavily guarded Imperial City. Entering through the main gate was not an option due to the tight security.

Xu Ziqing remained outside but refrained from using his wall-piercing technique. Instead, he took a deep breath.

The Imperial City was peculiar!

To a mortal, it might appear grand and majestic, but the eyes of a monk perceived a different world.

Atop the Imperial City perched a long golden dragon, crouched in shape, with indistinct scales and dull whiskers. Though it didn’t appear on the verge of death, it exuded a faint aura of decay.

The golden dragon’s eyes were half-closed, occasionally emitting two dazzling golden rays.

What was even more astonishing was a black dragon situated slightly below the golden dragon. It possessed a single horn on its head, its body shimmering with inky darkness. The black-scaled dragon was peculiar and grotesque, its long tail constantly swaying and occasionally entwining with the golden dragon’s tail, as if gradually climbing upon its body.

Xu Ziqing sighed inwardly, understanding that the golden dragon must be a manifestation of Dong Lixi’s Dragon Qi, the Prince of the Eastern Palace, while the black half-dragon symbolized the Qi of the Great General of the State. It seemed that the Great General was growing in power while the Prince of the Eastern Palace was in decline.

Yet, a golden dragon represented a noble and virtuous ruler, an emblem of wisdom and sanctity. On the other hand, the black half-dragon... signified a tyrannical lord and a traitor.

The time had just reached the evening, with the sky darkening. It might not be an ideal moment to enter the Imperial City.

Xu Ziqing’s primary objective now was to locate Dong Lixi and hand over Dong Lizhao to him, so he could complete his task and find a serene place abundant in wood energy to cultivate.

Inside the imperial city, the soldiers were organized into small groups, rotating regularly, and the guards maintained strict vigilance.

Xu Ziqing held Dong Lizhao close to his chest and, with a gentle flutter in his heart, a breeze lightly brushed past the soldiers’ eyes, rendering the two of them invisible.

Dong Lizhao pointed out the way and said, “Sir, the East Palace is the most splendid area in the east.”

Xu Ziqing nodded and led him to fly swiftly and gracefully.

Before long, they reached a splendid palace, encircled by vigilant soldiers who prevented anyone from entering or leaving.

Xu Ziqing guided Dong Lizhao into the palace, passing through the outer hall and entering a corridor. From a distance, they spotted several eunuchs guarding the palace.

Evading the attention of the eunuchs, the two of them moved into the shadows and continued walking until they reached the chamber of the prince.

At that moment, Dong Lizhao’s ears caught the faint sound of whispers.

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