Chapter 119: A Clash With A Grandmaster (3)

Chapter 119: A Clash With A Grandmaster (3)

With both its commanding major general and inspector general dead, three out of five brigadier generals fallen, and heavy casualties among the soldiers, the 10,000-strong division was plunged into chaos. Yet, amidst the turmoil, the two remaining brigadier generals strove to restore order, gradually bringing some semblance of order to the disoriented army.

As dawn was just about to break, the sound of galloping horses echoed outside the large encampment. The group of riders rapidly closed in.

"The ninth prince has arrived in person, where is Wang Xiaohe? Tell him to hurry up and welcome the prince!" A booming voice called out.

Even after a long pause, there was no response, prompting the group to storm angrily into the camp.

...

"What? Wang Xiaohe has perished just this night? Assassinated by a fearsome expert?" The group of experts clustered protectively around a young man in black robes, shocked to receive such a bolt out of the blue.

"How can this be? A month ago, General Wang was still in perfect health when he bid me farewell at Linjiang City!" The black-robed young man around twenty years old seemed to be in denial. His eyes were red, and his facial muscles twitched spasmodically as he held back his tears.

"I refuse to believe it. I must see Major General Wang's body," He declared, marching straight towards the collapsed central tent.

"Your Highness." A lieutenant intercepted his path, attempting to dissuade him, "General Wang's body has already..."

"Scram!" the black-robed young man roared, kicking him away. Though both were first-rate Adepts, the lieutenant was sent hurtling through the air, spewing blood as he landed nearly ten meters away.

Without hesitation, the black-robed youth pressed forward, arriving at the central tent with his retinue in tow.

The scene that awaited them was a macabre picture of carnage, with blood staining every inch of the area. Arrayed in a grim row were over a hundred lifeless bodies. The metallic tang of blood permeated the air, its pungent odor assaulting their senses. However, all of them were battle-hardened martial artists. This bit of gore wasn’t enough to rattle their minds.

The young black-robed man darted forth, coming to a halt before a lifeless body lying on a white cloth. It was Wang Xiaohe's corpse. His body was split in two, barely held together, and his face was disfigured, almost beyond recognition.

"Senior Brother! Senior Brother!" The young man could no longer hold back his emotions, collapsing to his knees beside the body. He let out a guttural howl, a mournful wail of despair.

Silent and somber, the dozen or so experts stood behind him. They all knew that despite the nearly two-decade age difference between the ninth prince and Wang Xiaohe, both had been disciples under the same Grandmaster.

In their early years, before the ninth prince had revealed his talent, it was Wang Xiaohe, his Senior Brother, who had guided and mentored him in lieu of their master. Over time, they grew inseparable.

Later on, one ascended to the ranks of a major general while the other unexpectedly rose in prominence among the princes, securing a favorable position within Emperor Jin's heart. He was now a strong contender for the throne!

After a moment of silence, the ninth prince suddenly looked up, his cheeks streaked with dried tears. His visage twisted with unyielding hatred and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance.

"You, come here!" The ninth prince pointed at the lieutenant he had just kicked.

"Your Highness," the lieutenant quivered in fear, his voice barely above a whisper.

Right before their eyes, the insect egg devoured the blood in the jade vial, rapidly hatching. In a matter of moments, a crimson flying insect, no bigger than a thumb, emerged from the shell. Everyone watched it intently.

The insect began circling the pile of corpses. After a while, it seemed to make up its mind. It buzzed, flying off in a specific direction.

"Your Highness." The middle-aged black-robed man caught the spirit insect excitedly, "The spirit insect has detected a familiar scent of blood. It's in the southwest."

"Southwest?" The ninth prince's gaze swept across his subordinates, a glint of cold determination flickering in his eyes. "Uncle Jin, Instructor Li, Huo Ling, Nan Wei, the four of you shall accompany me. Together, we will hunt down this killer."

"Your Highness, you mustn’t!" The white-robed elderly man known as Uncle Jin, immediately interjected, attempting to dissuade him. "How can we allow Your Highness to endanger your life? This vile man dared to assassinate a major general of Great Jin and deserves to be eliminated, but we can take care of it. There's no need for Your Highness to personally take the risk."

"Exactly! Your Highness, you should remain in the army, we'll go."

"Your Highness." The others chimed in. Their futures rested on the ninth prince’s shoulders. Naturally, they didn't wish for him to jeopardize his life.

"My father spent over ten years on the battlefields of the Xi Continent, constantly flirting with death. Only then did he become a Grandmaster, leading his victorious army into the capital." The ninth prince looked at his followers, "Unless one reaches the Grandmaster level, one cannot become an emperor! This is a rule passed down by our ancestors."

"Today, with Instructor Li and all of you by my side, how can I hope to become a Grandmaster if I shrink from pursuing a single assassin? How can I aspire to be an emperor?"

"Moreover, I must personally kill him!" The ninth prince growled.

"But..." The white-robed elderly man was still reluctant.

"There's nothing more to discuss." The ninth prince said coldly, "Uncle Jin, if you're afraid, then you may remain here."

"Nan Wei, release the spirit insect."

"Yes." Nan Wei didn't dare to argue and quickly let go of the spirit insect in his hand.

The spirit insect flew into the air, its speed not particularly impressive.

"Instructor Li, Nanwei, Huo Ling, let's go." The ninth prince commanded, following the spirit insect. The experts hastily followed suit.

The white-robed elderly man sighed softly, turning to a black-robed burly man among the retinue. "Wu Xi."

"Master Jin." The black-robed burly man responded.

"Immediately inform Grandmaster Chen Luo about this. I will leave markings along our path. Tell the Grandmaster to hurry," the white-robed elderly man urged. "Don't delay. Go now!"

"Understood." The black-robed burly man nodded, quickly heading back the way they came.

After issuing the order, the white-robed elderly man leaped several meters, chasing after the ninth prince and his party.

1. Not the same Jin as Emperor Jin ?