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Chapter 5I
Long Xiang didn’t move an inch until that soldier was less than two metres from him, that sword looking like it was about to stab him. With a swing of his long halberd, the two weapons clashed together loudly in midair, sparks flying.
That soldiers expression shifted, arm shaking.
Long Xiang’s body was pushed back by the horse’s forward momentum. His feet carved two metres long lines in the dirt, yet his upper body was absolutely still, receiving the blow forcibly.
After one move, the soldier no longer dared underestimate Long Xiang because of his age and spun around once on his horse: “You’re not summoning your spirit beast?”
Long Xiang said coldly: “Against you? Unnecessary.”
The soldier was angered slightly and jumped off the horse. He swung his broadsword around twice in his hands and walked towards Long Xiang step by step.
Zui You had his arms crossed over his chest, watching full of interest at one side. He elbowed Tian Rong and said proudly: “Look how cool my little Xiang is.”
Tian Rong humphed: “He’s just a child.”
“He’s a pretty child.” Zui You licked his lips, a bewitching light escaping from his gaze, “If only he could grow up quicker. No, growing up slower is also good.”
Jiang Chao Ge looked at him with raised eyebrows: “What do you want to do?”
Zui You threw flirty glance at Jiang Chao Ge: “My spirit weapon user is mine. What do you think?”
Zhi Xuan blinked: “ That’s right. My spirit weapon user is also mine.”
Zui You Halberd swung swiftly in midair, stabbing towards the soldier. The soldier blocked with his sword. The two were once again fighting at close quarters, murderous intent overflowing. Long Xiang lifted the long Halberd, body flashing. He forced the soldier to retreat step by step, obviously gaining the advantage.
That horse riding soldier was humiliated in public by a youth and was extremely angered. His sword skills became even more ruthless, each move aimed at vital points.
In the middle of battle, Long Xiang’s head scarf dropped to the ground carelessly, revealing a head of short red hair. Even the darkness before dawn couldn’t conceal that flaming colour.
“Foreign race! This brat is Long Xiang!”
Long Xiang’s gaze darkened. With a spin of his body, Zui You Halberd flew through the air, ruthlessly stabbing towards the soldier. That soldier was caught without an escape route and could only lie on the ground in haste, trying to avoid it in vain. Yet Long Xiang didn’t give him an opportunity to escape, springing to his feet and jumping onto the soldiers body to the point he spat blood. Zui You Halberd pierced the ground by his face ferociously. A few more inches to the left and his eye would be gone.
The whole scene became silent.
Jiang Chao Ge said: “That’s right he’s Long Xiang. There are two Heaven grade spirit beasts here. Even if we can’t escape today, we’ll definitely fight to the point no one wins. Stop us or allow us to meet the clan leader. You better think carefully about this.”
A soldier broke through the encirclement and walked over. This person’s clothing was exquisite and his manner was out of the ordinary. One could tell he wasn’t normal at a glance. He looked down at Jiang Chao Ge: “Why do you want to meet the clan leader?”
“I have important matters I must discuss.”
“There’s Third Prince. It’s not up to you.”
Jiang Chao Ge laughed coldly: “Did you really invite Third Prince over to ‘discuss’?”
“I can guarantee that Third Prince and that woman are being treated respectfully. Without orders from the clan leader, you can’t leave the inn. If you continue to persist, then don’t blame us for being discourteous.”
Jiang Chao Ge narrowed his eyes: “Dare I ask who you are?”
“I am the vice captain of the Fan Clan soldiers.”
Jiang Chao Ge took a step forward, “Have you heard about a rumour?”
That person was motionless, only looking coldly at Jiang Chao Ge.
Jiang Chao Ge could only say: “Have you heard rumours of Da Liang City?”
That person didn’t have much of an expression but his eyebrows twitched slightly. Jiang Chao Ge had spent years on the streets and was the best at observing body language and expressions. Even that slight twitch was caught by his eyes. There was no wall in the world that could block wind. No matter how Qi Ling Feng blocked off news of the north, he couldn’t possibly conceal the matter of Da Liang City without leakage. He was certain this person had at least heard of rumours and was only unable to confirm.
That person paused and said: “What rumours?”
“Sir must have some idea.” Jiang Chao Ge said unflinchingly: “You should know we just came from the north and saw for ourselves, Da Liang City’s current situation. Ying City could very possibly become the next Da Liang City. For the sake of one hundred and sixty thousand lives, I must see the clan leader.”
That person’s expression changed slightly: “Speak properly.”
“I will speak properly to the clan leader.”
That person hesitated for a long while then grabbed a subordinate and whispered a few words. After the subordinate received the order, he rode away on a horse. He glared at Jiang Chao Ge: “If you’re speaking even half a word of nonsense, wait for your head to roll.”
Jiang Chao Ge hadn’t reacted yet Zhi Xuan was angered by those words. He glared ferociously at that person, revealing a row of canine teeth, a dangerous growl emitting from the back of his throat.
That person was shocked by the murderous intent pouring from Zhi Xuan and took a step back, a cold sweat immediately breaking out over his body.
Jiang Chao Ge stroked Zhi Xuan’s head: “Don’t be vicious.”
Zhi Xuan humphed: “He’s looking to die. Anyone who wants to kill you are all looking to die.”
“Doesn’t mean he can kill just because he wants to. How can there be such an easy thing? Stop scaring people all the time, you’ll easily ruin my affairs.”
Zhi Xuan opened his mouth, bit into his collar and began to chew it in dissatisfaction. He had the appearance of a small angered animal.
Everyone waited till dawn, when the black armoured knight that took Yu Ren Shu away came. That black armoured knight whispered a few words to the vice captain and pointed the tip of his sword at Jiang Chao Ge: “You, come with me.”
Jiang Chao Ge said: “I want to bring this child. He can’t leave me.”
“He is a Heaven grade spirit beast. You can’t bring him.”
Zhi Xuan released Jiang Chao Ge’s collar and was about to roar when Jiang Chao Ge covered his mouth and said loudly: “My spiritual power is weak. I can’t even summon his true form and am not a threat to you. Fan clan doesn’t have even this little bit of courage?”
The black armoured knight looked at little child making threatening gestures in his lap, hesitated briefly then nodded.
Jiang Chao Ge told Long Xiang to wait for him at the inn and got onto a horse, following the black armoured knight towards the eastern side of Ying City.
Zhi Xuan sat in front of him, and seemed in very good spirits: “Jiang Chao Ge.”
“Mn?”
“Next time you can’t say I can’t leave you. It should be you can’t leave me.”
“Oh? Really?”
“What do you mean? Only I don’t care that you’re so trash.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled: “Yes yes. I said it in the wrong order. It’s me that can’t leave you.”
Zhi Xuan smiled proudly: “I know.”
The black armoured knight brought Jiang Chao Ge into Fu Mansion. Around the entrance of the mansion, there was a strange array made from yuhua pebbles. Jiang Chao Ge was somewhat fearful of that array and forced himself to enter. The architecture of the west was very different from the central plains or the north. The central plains had a stylish and dignified architectural style. In order to keep out the cold, the north used a lot of heavy stones which seemed very rough and unrestrained. Yet architecture in the west had quite the foreign air to it. From the floor tiles to the ornaments and decorations, there was an air of deceitful charm permeating the whole mansion. Even the shape of the flowerbed seemed as if it was hiding some mysterious principles, making one extremely uncomfortable.
The black armoured knight saw him looking around and said coldly: “Fu Mansion is full of mechanisms. One wrong step and I can’t guarantee your life.”
Jiang Chao Ge smiled lightly: “Then I must follow closely.”
Zhi Xuan looked around curiously, eyes perfectly round, small delicate face preoccupied. When he wasn’t speaking, it was easy to be deceived by outer appearances alone.
The black armoured knight lead them through a long hallway. It suddenly opened up, revealing a spacious courtyard. Three circles of guards stood both inside and out of the courtyard, each standing at attention, guarding one room.
Upon seeing the black armoured knight, they automatically made a path. Jiang Chao Ge strutted in confidently. Zhi Xuan threw a lot of glares on the way.
Both Yu Ren Shu and Ruan Qian Xiu were in the room along with a few strangers. An old lady with white hair and eyebrows sat on the main seat. She had a roman nose and thin colourless lips. Although she appeared at least seventy or eighty, her gaze was extremely sharp and fierce, back perfectly straight. She didn’t appear aged at all.
Jiang Chao Ge didn’t expect that Fan clan’s leader, Fan Feng, was actually female. He looked towards Yu Ren Shu and Ruan Qian Xiu and discovered that the Ruan Qian Xiu’s sleeve had been ripped open with obvious traces of blood.
Ruan Qian Xiu said: “Wound is already healed.”
Jiang Chao Ge let loose a breath
“Zheng Cheng?” She asked.
“At the inn with Long Xiang and the others. It’s fine.”
The black armoured knight said loudly: “Hurry and greet clan leader.”
Jiang Chao Ge faced the old lady with cupped hands: “This young one greets clan leader.”
Fan Feng looked him up and down once and waved her hand: “Everyone else get out.”
The black armoured knight said: “Madame, this person hasn’t removed their weapons yet.”
“Spiritual power too weak, no need to fear.”
Jiang Chao Ge felt somewhat embarrassed.
The black armoured knight could only retreat.
Fan Feng looked left and right at the servants: “You all get out.”
“Grandmother, how could you talk to him alone?”
“I said get out.” That old lady’s voice was aged and quiet yet still carried an air of dignity.
They had no choice but to retreat and even close the door the behind them. Only Fan Feng and their party was left. Fan Feng humphed lightly: “I’d already heard the news of Da Liang city’s destruction before you come. Though I only found out today that it was related to you.”
Yu Ren Shu said: “This matter isn’t only related to us. You could say it was because of us that Da Liang City was met with such a disaster. We don’t want Ying City to become a second Da Liang City.”
“Yin City won’t become a second Da Liang City.” Fan Feng looked at them darkly.
Yu Ren Shu narrowed his eyes: “Where does your confidence come from?”
Jiang Chao Ge frowned: “Could clan leader have dealings with Min Ying Association?”
Fan Feng gave Jiang Chao Ge a fake smile, “If you have the courage to enter the city, I have the courage to let you enter.”
Jiang Chao Ge’s eyes shifted and he said sharply: “You were long since collaborating with Min Ying Association. You’re delaying us!”
Yu Ren Shu stood up abruptly, “Fan Feng, as one of the officials of Tian Ling, you’re actually conversing with the enemy!”
“So what if your highness knows. Do you think you are still the third prince? You are only a wanted criminal across all of Tian Ling.” Fan Feng smiled darkly: “The maiden and Xiao Xue from Min Ying Association are currently on the way. You definitely can’t outrun them.”
“You’ve gone absolutely insane! You clearly knew ancient rare beasts have appeared and will throw the world into turmoil, yet you’re actually colluding with the enemy. Aren’t you afraid of bringing destruction to the west?”
Fan Feng said sharply: “What would a naive little prince that’s only lived for twenty years or so know? The appearance of the twelve ancient rare beasts is fate. No one can prevent it. If you take advantage of the opportunity, you may even be able to protect yourself. If you fight against the powerful, you will inevitably meet a tragic end. What you are doing right now, is fighting against the powerful!”
“I would rather fight against the powerful than watch on helplessly as Tian Ling sinks into hell.”
“From the moment the first ancient rare beast awakened, Tian Ling’s fate was already set in stone. Twelve ancient rare beasts appearing, the reappearance of Origin of Heaven and Earth, a disaster is unavoidable. This is the terrible secret that handful of people in Tian Ling know about. However, from today onwards it’ll be a secret no longer. Soon, the flames ignited by conflicting ancient rare beasts will burn through all of Tian Ling. In order to save a nation, a city, a blade of grass, a tree one can only side with the powerful. Your highness, you can only blame the fact you were born in the wrong era, otherwise you would’ve been an emperor that goes down in history.”
Jiang Chao Ge pulled out Zhi Xuan sword, the tip of the blade pointing at Fan Feng. He said coldly: “Shu, Qian Xiu lets go.”
Fan Feng laughed coldly: “You? You won’t even be able to leave this room.” She tapped the pitch black cane in her hands heavily. A wave of spiritual power surged forth. That was the spiritual power of a Heaven grade beast.
Jiang Chao Ge said heavily: “You attracted Xiao Xue. If that maiden can’t control him and he goes on a massacre in the city, you’ll become condemned by history.”
The flesh on Fan Feng’s face trembled: “Teaming up with a tiger, advantages and disadvantages are equally divided.”
Jiang Chao Ge gave a cold laugh: “Do you know why Xiao Xue is hunting us?”
Fan Feng shook her head: “I don’t know.”
“Why do you think?”
Fan Feng narrowed her eyes, gaze drifting towards Yu Ren Shu.
“If it was to kill third prince, why would they make such a big fuss out of it?”
“What do you mean?”
Yu Ren Shu said coldly: “Xiao Xue has never taken notice of me. He’s too big, big to the point that the only thing he can see is someone close to his size.”
Fan Feng’s eyes widened, gaze whipping towards Jiang Chao Ge.
Jiang Chao Ge grabbed the sword, driving it heavily into the ground. The hard granite cracked from the force: “That’s right. Xiao Xue is hunting me. The spirit weapon user who formed a contract with the ancient rare beast the Qilin!”
Fan Feng shot up and said with a shrill voice: “Impossible! You haven’t formed a contract at all.”
“Indeed I haven’t formed a contract with him. But as long as I form a contract on the spot, destroying Fan mansion is easy. With my current spiritual power, I truly cannot beat Xiao Xue.” Jiang Chao Ge pointed the sword at Fan Feng, “But I have more than enough time to eradicated Fan clan before Xiao Xue gets here!” He held Zhi Xuan’s hand and pinched Zhi Xuan’s waist.
Zhi Xuan understood his idea, baring his teeth at Fan Feng, golden pupils frighteningly bright, flames igniting in his small hands.
As expected Fan Feng was frightened. Looking at Zhi Xuan’s threatening appearance, especially those ignited flames, it was hard not to believe it.
Yu Ren Shu said at the right moment: “Let us to now, or else we’ll destroy indiscriminately.”
Fan Feng’s pupils rolled and with a strike of her cane: “Alright!”