510 - 517
Chapter 510: Miraculous Jade Pendant
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: Rock, DavidT
Ling Tian revealed a satisfied smile and suddenly applied some pressure towards her other hand still clasped in front of her chest. The next moment, his offending hand had already followed the curves of her body to slip down south, ultimately landing on her soft and pert buttocks. As he applied some force in kneading, he grinned evilly, "How do you want me to look at you?"
"What do you mean… how to look?" Xiao YanXue was lost in dreamland, her brain already unable to process any rational thoughts. She was originally an innocent little girl who had not experienced any matters in this area, and to be mercilessly teased by Ling Tian in this way, all that was left in her mind was simply to fulfill all the desires of this person asking. There were no other thoughts that could be formed in her head.
Ling Tian took the chance to strike while the iron was hot. Blowing a stream of warm air into her ear, Xiao YanXue felt her entire body shiver, her legs immediately tensing up while her supple waist wriggled within Ling Tian's embrace like a sinuous snake, inciting the desires of all who saw. She then heard Ling Tian whisper into her ear once again, "How would you want to let me look?"
Unable to resist Ling Tian's teasing, she incoherently sputtered out in the midst of her moans, "You… you can look however you wish to look…"
Lowering his head, Ling Tian suddenly clasped his mouth onto one of her supple mounds, speaking in a muffled voice, "I would like to see you… with your clothes off!"
Xiao YanXue let out a shrill cry, as her body stiffened. Shortly after that, she threw herself to Ling Tian, hugging him tightly and biting onto his shoulder as she panted, "Up… up to you!"
As the two of them tumbled around, looking as though the deed could be done at any moment, there was a 'putong' sound as they fell into the river. Unbeknownst to them, they had rolled to the riverbank and fell into the river together. With the shocking cold of the mountain spring water, Xiao YanXue was immediately woken from her reverie. Upon recalling her previous shameful actions, she screamed and immediately pushed away from Ling Tian's embrace, jumping out of the water like lightning and jumping straight into the tent, refusing to show her face.
Having had his fantasy rejected, Ling Tian ruthlessly smacked the surface of the water, cursing with clenched teeth, "Darned mountain spring! Darned pond!" He let out a long breath, feeling extremely depressed.
Looking at his clothes, wet for the third time today, Ling Tian could only let out a bitter laugh, reluctantly casting his eyes towards the tent flap in the distance before sighing. Having been c*ckblocked, he could only helplessly draw out the Heaven's Heart Jade in his bosom to scrutinize. Looking at it, he was unknowingly reminded of Yu BingYan and Ling Chen. If only they were here… how good would it be? At least they would be able to comfort this young master, who had been suppressed non-stop for the past few days!
The corners of Ling Tian's mouth curled into a hint of a smile. Before this, he had not accepted Xiao YanXue, and thus was not moved by her flirting or actions, controlling his desires and thoughts. However, after he was injured, upon knowing how Xiao YanXue had taken care of him despite him being incapacitated, his heartstrings were unknowingly tugged at!
Since the heartstrings had already been plucked, for them to soothe back now was a truly difficult task.
However, why did he have to do so?!
Ling Tian was deeply aware of how bad his wounds actually were when he sank into unconsciousness! This was added on to the fact that he was filthy from rolling on the mud after he landed back on the ground. Furthermore, there were also impurities which had been purged out from his meridians, and they were unbearably disgusting! However, Xiao YanXue did not even think twice, choosing to care for his wounds without the slightest shred of hesitation. Furthermore, in order to lessen his pain to the minimum, she had chosen to use her own mouth, slowly clearing off all the dirt and filth on his body, then applying the medicine. This whole process had taken her more than four hours!
The adorable her never knew that Ling Tian's body had already been diagnosed and treated by Justice, and the remaining injuries, while terrifying, were actually superficial wounds not capable of lasting harm to him. However, it could have been that his superficial wounds were too frightening, resulting in Xiao YanXue taking action. Ling Tian had even gone to the trouble of counting while he was 'unconscious', the number of times Xiao YanXue could not bear the filth and vomited, but each time she still doggedly returned to continue her task. Such patience, such tenderness! There was no thought of giving up coming from her!
Just how many women in the whole wide world would be able to carry out such a task for their loved ones? Maybe Ling Chen would have done it, but other than her and a sparse few others, who would still be willing to do so? Ling Tian had even asked himself honestly, when faced with this sort of woman with this sort of deep love for him, could he actually be so heartless as to forsake her? If he did so, then Xiao YanXue would be destroyed emotionally and mentally!
Could it be that he, Ling Tian, with the ambition to be above the heavens, would actually stumble and fail to protect a lady that loved him so? If it was about family feuds, then what about Yu BingYan? Wasn't he enemies with her entire family? Was there any difference now? Was it just because she wanted to annul the betrothal when they were 5 years old? At that time, she was just a little lass who was unaware of anything! Furthermore, wasn't that whole operation part of his manipulation from the start?
So long as there was the prerequisite that he would accept her and that she had affirmed her feelings for him, then Xiao YanXue would no longer be the little princess of the Xiao Family but rather another identity, that of Ling Tian's woman! As for the Xiao Family, what else could they do? Could it be that Ling Tian himself could not even give his woman the minimum for her happiness?
As such, Ling Tian had come to this conclusion and did not bother to be so guarded around Xiao YanXue anymore. This was because, within his eyes, she was already considered his woman, someone whom he approved off wholeheartedly!
A thousand reasons, ten thousand excuses, all of them were not important! The previous one sentence was enough to explain everything!
As such, Ling Tian was clear in his conscience!
Thinking up to this point, Ling Tian suddenly felt immensely carefree.
What has the muddled and confused world got to do with me? So long as my heart is stable and anchored, let the waves come towards me!
With unrestrained laughter, Ling Tian plunged into the mountain spring, sinking down as he activated his cultivation, simulating the internal breathing of the XianTian realm. Nestled at the bottom of the creek, his entire bearing let out a contented aura.
With a flip of his hand, the Heaven's Heart Jade from Yu BingYan was brought in front of his eyes. In the bottom of the creek, with the rays of light shining down from above, Ling Tian suddenly discovered that his surroundings had taken on a hue similar to that of the jade pendant in his hands. It was as though the water had become crystalline and pure without flaws, just like jade itself!
It was truly deserving of its name as the Heaven's Heart Jade!
What a mystical treasure jade this was!
Ling Tian had once heard the saying that for the highest grade of jades, they would turn the bowl of water the same color if submerged and if light was shone on it. However, this small piece of jade could actually turn more than ten feet of its surroundings into a jade-like color?! How many bowls of water was that? Such a piece of jade, could it really be the legendary jade heart, only found in the depths of water after tens of thousands of years?
Ling Tian secretly exclaimed to himself, What a priceless treasure! He began to feel the heartache over shattering the other piece of jade. Suddenly, he sensed the sunlight on top of him fading, and looked up to see two tiny black dots situated in the middle of the Heaven's Heart Jade. However, they did nothing to impair the flawless beauty of the jade.
Upon bringing the jade closer to him, Ling Tian found out that surprisingly, the two black dots would disappear. However, placing it further away from him, the dots would mysteriously reappear… Could it be that this was the heaven shaking secret behind the jades? The reason why the Yu and the Shui Family waged their millennium-long war?
Ling Tian's expression grew grave as he started to ponder furiously. After a long while, he finally clenched his teeth and decided to test it out. No matter how precious a treasure was, if it did not serve a purpose, it was no better than just a mere plaything! Ling Tian brought the jade to the crown of his head, and revolving his internal energy, sent a needle-like strand to infuse slowly into the jade.
Surprisingly, the moment the energy touched the surface of the jade, it was sucked in without obstruction by the jade itself, as though a thirsty traveler in the desert might do when he saw water. The jade itself remained warm to the touch, unchanged, without any signs of shattering.
With this encouragement, Ling Tian began to increase his output, first by two times, then double, and double again… The entire jade pendant began to release rays of light underwater, turning more than thirty to forty feet of the pool into an emerald green color, the color of the jade! Furthermore, this color seemed to be on the verge of increasing in density...
Ling Tian's eyes were trained directly on the jade, as his fingers that were clasped onto it continuously fed energy to it. The brilliance of the jade pendant grew ever brighter, to the point that even gazing at it brought pain to one's eyes.
He could finally observe, that within the central location of the jade, the two hexagonal shaped black dots were actually slowly moving, as though trying to meet each other. Their speed was agonizingly slow, to the point that if one did not open their eyes wide and stare, they would have missed out on this tiny action done by them.
However, one of the black dots gave him a sense of deja vu...
Ling Tian snapped out of his reverie, realizing that one of the black dots was, in fact, the exact same one that flew out when he had shattered the jade pendant belonging to the Shui Family! It was no wonder that he could not find it, for it had already burrowed into this jade. The only question he had unanswered was about how could this dot actually burrow its way into the jade, without leaving any flaws of any sort?
Was this not too strange and magical?!
By now, Ling Tian had already spent an hour sitting inside the creek, infusing his internal energy into the jade. Sixty whole minutes! No matter how deep and profound Ling Tian's internal energy was, he was beginning to be unable to withstand this drain. However, he did not dare to let go, nor did he dare to go out. Who knew if the jade would only showcase such a scene during certain special circumstances? If he floated back up, and the jade regained its original self, then would it not be a waste of his efforts?
This was in the best case scenario. What would happen if this was a serendipitous chance, that would not happen anymore even if he tried? As such, Ling Tian could only grin and bear it.
Time slowly slipped by, and the two black dots began to shift ever so close to each other. The expenditure of Ling Tian's internal energy naturally increased, and the color of the jade deepened without end, already dyeing the entire waters around it in a deep emerald green. Without any wind or movement inside the water, it resembled a flawless jade from afar, refracting off rays of light when the sun shone down on it. What an imposing spectacle!
Chapter 511: Thousand Year Mystery
Translator: DavidT Editor: Rock, DavidT
Xiao YanXue hid in the tent in embarrassment and was waiting for Ling Tian to come in to comfort her. However, she never expected that after waiting for a long time, Ling Tian was still nowhere to be seen! She could not help but be filled with anxiousness as she cursed in her heart, Unromantic pig head! Darn pig head! Stinky lecher! Idiotic Ling Tian! Why don't you understand the thoughts of a lady? See if this lady here will still bother about you in the future!
Just when she was stomping her feet and cursing Ling Tian, she suddenly felt the color of the sunlight shining into her tent changing color and her surroundings turning cold. She could not help but raise her head in shock and realized that the sunlight had turned into a jade green color. She was completely astounded and could not be bothered about the embarrassment she felt and rushed out of the tent.
At this moment, the little pond that she and Ling Tian previously fell into had been completely transformed. The originally clear spring water had turned dark green like it was a gigantic piece of jade. In fact, the surrounding forest had also turned dark green in color and the sun's rays that were reflected from the forest had also turned green. At this moment, Xiao YanXue felt as though she was in a dreamlike realm and everything around her felt completely unreal.
Being unable to find Ling Tian, Xiao YanXue grew anxious and looked at the empty mountains around her, unable to find another person besides herself. With the strange scene in front of her, Xiao YanXue suddenly felt an unknown sense of fear as her heart began thumping rapidly. At the same time, tears began welling up in her eyes and she was about to burst out wailing again.
As she took a look at the jade green pond, Xiao YanXue realized that there seemed to be a figure lying in the pond and almost shouted out in surprise. Upon taking a careful look, she realized that the person in the pond was Ling Tian! The shock which she felt was not to be underestimated! Could it be that something untoward happened to him as a result of falling into the pond before his injuries were recovered? Xiao YanXue burned with anxiety and was about to immediately jump right into the pond.
Right at this moment, Xiao YanXue saw that Ling Tian's arm was raised in the pond as though he was holding onto something and studying it carefully. At the same time, Ling Tian's eyes were also opened with his eyeballs darting around. At the same time, the unknown object in Ling Tian's hand was also glowing with a brilliant green splendor. Xiao YanXue immediately understood that this strange scene in front of her was a result of Ling Tian and heaved a sigh of relief.
Xiao YanXue knew that Ling Tian was definitely doing something important at the moment, and as a reasonable lady, she would naturally not disturb him at this moment. Thus, she sat down by the pool instead and with a change in mental state, she suddenly felt the previously eerie scene in front of her to be incredibly enchanting instead. A mesmerizing smile surfaced on her lips as she hugged her knees and admired the beautiful scenery in front of her. Thinking about how this amazing scene was created by her beloved man and that she was the only one here to witness it, her heart was immediately overwhelmed with sweetness. From time to time, she would turn her head to look at Ling Tian with a smile full of bliss.
Ling Tian, who was underwater, was trying his best to hang in there. While he still had plenty of inner qi leftover, he was running out of breath. After holding his breath in for a long time, Ling Tian's face was already turning red. After all, even Ling Tian did not imagine that investigating a piece of jade pendant would take such a long time!
Despite it just being a short moment, Ling Tian felt as though a full year had passed! Finally, the two hexagonal black dots from the jade pendants gradually combined together. At the moment both the black dots merged together successfully, an intense whirlpool was gathered at the jade pendant and the jade pendant flashed with a brilliant splendor for a single instant before the two black dots disappeared completely!
Replacing the two black dots instead was the shape of a longsword. It was slender and narrow, and was the exact mini replica of the Heaven Splitter! Following that, a few rows of words began appearing below the body of the sword. The stroke of the words was thin like hair and each word was only the size of a sesame seed.
It seems that the thousand-year-old mystery will be solved at this moment!
Ling Tian suppressed the agitation in his heart and the discomfort in his body. Keeping his eyes wide open, he refused to let go of any word.
A short sixteen words written in two rows entered Ling Tian's mind, "Vacant in the East, Heaven and Earth Essence; Sharpness of Heaven Splitter, It Can Be Fought!"
Ling Tian muttered these sixteen words under his breath over and over again and felt completely confused. Before he could have an idea of what those words meant, he felt the jade pendant in his hands explode silently as though it had melted into the spring water and disappeared without a trace!
The spring water which was dark green to the point it was almost black had suddenly regained its clarity! It was as though nothing had happened in the first place at all. Ling Tian could not help but be dumbfounded. At the same time, the sixteen words were imprinted deeply in his mind and he would never forget them!
Just when Xiao YanXue was admiring the beautiful scenery in front of her, the scenery suddenly disappeared and she could not help but be startled. Before she had the chance to turn around, she heard a splashing sound from the pond behind her and Ling Tian dashed out from the pool to a full fifty feet above the water. Following that, he landed beside Xiao YanXue and began panting heavily. However, not a single sign of fatigue could be seen in his face.
Just what was going on?!
However, the wise Xiao YanXue had always known that she should not interfere in the affairs of men and would thus not take the initiative to ask. She would only give Ling Tian care and concern at the appropriate time and it was the best way to show support for him!
Ling Tian looked at the pond water in a daze and rubbed his right finger with his thumb with an indescribable feeling in his heart. The originally solid jade pendant that was in his hand just a while ago and absorbing his inner qi had suddenly exploded… Err, no. It didn't explode but melted in his hand instead. Perhaps it wouldn't be accurate to say that it melted either. It was as though it was a snowball being thrown into a hot furnace, disappearing into nothingness in just an instant without a drop of water being left behind.
The instant before it disappeared, Ling Tian could clearly feel his fingers trembling slightly. Ling Tian originally thought that this mysterious event had evolved and the jade pendant had melted into his body. But after thinking about it carefully, that was definitely not the case.
Just what was going on with the jade pendant? Why did it not react to anyone else's inner qi but react to mine? Just what was that black dot? What is with the words inside the jade pendant? Was it engraved by someone? Isn't this whole incident just too puzzling?
Is this the thousand-year-old mystery?!
Ling Tian shook his head violently. Even with the technology of his previous life, it was impossible to perform such a feat. Engraving words within a jade pendant without damaging the body of the jade. Furthermore, the words even disappeared after being engraved without a single trace being left behind. On top of that, both the jade pendants had reacted like they were a pair of lovers…
It was just too mystical!
All of a sudden, Ling Tian's eyes widened, Could it be… to be able to perform what humans are unable to do so… a celestial? Ling Tian shook his head with a self-mocking smile. How could it be possible? This world does not even have a temple or any celestial legends. Even the level of martial arts in this world was far from the level of martial arts in his previous life. If there were celestials in this world, how could there be no legends about them?
You have to know, even celestials had to be human once and they would naturally not be willing to stay lonely. Ling Tian suddenly began laughing at this own thoughts. Since he could not figure out an answer, he decided to not think about it anymore. Very quickly, Ling Tian's attention was drawn to the sixteen words in the jade pendant again. The first thing Ling Tian felt when seeing the words was that those words were completely irrelevant to ruling over the world but describing a treasure chest instead.
'Vacant in the East' probably described the Mount Vacant Sky in the east of Heavenly Star. But what did 'Heaven and Earth Essence' mean? The essence energy of heaven and earth? If that was the case, could it mean that there was a treasure which contained the essence energy of the heaven and earth in Mount Vacant Sky? However, 'Sharpness of Heaven Splitter, It Can Be Fought' was completely irrelevant to that.
Just what was kind of a special meaning was there behind describing the sharpness of a sword?
From whatever which had just happened, it was obvious that there was a huge relationship between the two Heaven's Heart Jades and the Heaven Splitter. It was as though there was an inseparable relationship between the three items…
With a flick of his wrist, the Heaven Splitter was unsheathed from its sheath and the body of the sword shone brightly, reflecting the clear spring water. The sword lay silently in Ling Tian's hand and Ling Tian observed it silently with a smile. "Brother, are you feeling lonely? Don't worry, you can follow me from today on. The only reason why a treasured sword can be called a treasured sword is because it requires endless slaughter and pools of blood to nurture. After being hidden for so many years, you must be unwilling to stay silent any further. Being in Justice's hands, you are completely useless with his unparalleled martial arts and you must be thirsty for action."
The Heaven Splitter suddenly began glowing brightly but yet silently. It was as though the Heaven Splitter was a lonely king proudly facing the world, desolate and unyielding.
Ling Tian laughed out loud and crazily imbued his inner qi into the body of the sword. With a loud keening sound, the body of the sword lit up and a bloody fishy smell of slaughter filled the place! A sharp sword qi shot towards the heavens with killing intent shooting out in all directions! The clouds in the surrounding dispersed in all directions as though a slumbering demon dragon had escaped from depths of the ravine. Facing the boundless wilderness, vast mountains and millions of living beings, the demonic dragon revealed its malevolent teeth.
"Good sword! Good partner!" Ling Tian praised, "Ambition to will the heavens, sword to split the heavens! The both of us are a match made in heaven! Hahaha…"
"You you you…" Xiao YanXue was dazzled by her beloved's man heroic disposition and could not help but be intoxicated. At the same time, she realized that Ling Tian's scabs began breaking off like a turtle shell and began dropping onto the ground. Ling Tian's smooth and clean arm was then revealed as though it was never injured before… Xiao YanXue's eyes almost bulged out as she speechlessly pointed at Ling Tian.
Chapter 512: Sword Offering
Translator: DavidT Editor: Rock, DavidT
Ling Tian followed Xiao YanXue's gaze and even with his outstanding mental strength, he could not help but be dumbfounded. The scab falling from Ling Tian's arm was as though it was a layer of extremely dry soil cracking up and it actually dropped off from Ling Tian's body without needing Ling Tian to do anything. At the same time, Ling Tian felt his body beginning to itch all over. Looking at Xiao YanXue, Ling Tian smiled sneakily and with a 'shua' sound, he stripped down naked leaving behind a pair of shorts, displaying his wonderful figure in front of the young maiden in front of him.
Xiao YanXue let out a gasp and was embarrassed to the point her face flushed red, "You… why are you so shameless?!" Just when she was about to cover her eyes, she suddenly let out a gasp of incredulity. She stared at Ling Tian's naked body and stammered, "This… this… just what is going on? You… you have actually recovered fully?!"
In the eyes of this kind lady, the recovery of Ling Tian's injuries was far more important than her shyness or apprehensions! As long as her beloved man's injuries could recover, it wouldn't matter if he was wearing less. In any case, she had already seen and even touched all of him!
Ling Tian was like a snake shedding its skin, with his old layer of skin peeling and falling off his body and the new layer smooth and soft. Any lady who saw his soft and silky skin would definitely be extremely envious.
As Ling Tian circulated his inner qi, the scabs and dry skin on his body fell off quicker and quicker. It was as though Ling Tian had previously fallen into a puddle of mud and was completely drenched in mud but had all of the mud flaking off his body at this moment. With a final jerk of his body, all the remaining scabs fell off without a single bit left on his body.
In just a single breath, Ling Tian's body was like a smooth rock and not a since scar could be seen.
Xiao YanXue's mouth was wide opened with shock and as she thought about a story that her grandfather told her, she began stuttering, "Strip… strip…"
Ling Tian was stunned for a moment. Just what does this lass mean? She actually wants me to continue stripping? But I am wearing nothing but my pants at this moment. If I continue stripping, wouldn't it mean that… but since a beauty asked me to take it off, it would be inexcusable for me to not comply. Since she has already seen it before, seeing it once more wouldn't matter. I have to fulfill the request of the crowd… As such, young noble Ling pulled down his pants without hesitation.
At this moment, Xiao YanXue finally composed herself from her previous shock and finished her incomplete sentence, "...stripping off the old to achieve a miraculous change?!"
After Xiao YanXue's words left her mouth, the last piece of Ling Tian's clothes also left his body and little young noble Ling stood up proudly in front of Xiao YanXue. After being restrained for so many days, little young noble Ling was naturally extremely robust…
"You… go and die! Who asked you to take that off? You are just too despicable!" Xiao YanXue covered her face in embarrassment, "Darn scoundrel. Darn baddie! Darn lecher!!!"
Knowing that he had misunderstood Xiao YanXue, Ling Tian attempted to quibble, "I wasn't willing to strip down naked but you were the one who asked me to strip… but right after I stripped, you are acting in such a manner. Sigh, women are truly unreasonable creatures…"
"I asked you to strip?! I am going to ask you to die right now! Why aren't you going to die?!" Xiao YanXue sent a flying kick towards Ling Tian's butt and sent the naked Ling Tian right into the pond with a loud splashing sound. She then stomped her feet angrily and dashed back to the tent.
In the entire world, Miss Xiao was probably the only person capable of sending Ling Tian flying with a single kick! Even Justice would probably be incapable of performing such a feat!
Ling Tian supported himself up in the water and wiped off the water on his face with a depressed feeling. "Women are truly incomprehensible creatures."
All of a sudden, Ling Tian's expression turned serious and he jumped out of the pond, dashing into the tent like a gust of wind. Amidst Xiao YanXue's embarrassed shrieks, Ling Tian quickly fished for his clothes and put them on swiftly.
He could clearly hear that there were countless troops surrounding him from all directions. It was as though the whole mountain had already been surrounded by troops…
Why are all of these men here? Could they have found my whereabouts? However, this place is extremely well concealed and apart from Justice, there shouldn't be anyone in the world capable of locating me with such accuracy. Even Justice would only be able to locate me if he uses his 'Heavenly Vision, Boundless Hearing' skill! If I have the intention of concealing myself, I believe that even Justice wouldn't be able to find me.
Why are these men here?
As Ling Tian put on his clothes, he went through all the different possibilities in his head. All of a sudden, he came to a realization. It must have been because of the strange glow that was given out by the jade pendant. It dyed the pond into a jade green color and under the reflection of the sun, a mystical scene must have been formed and many of them were probably drawn here by that. It was definitely comparable to the abnormal phenomenon of a treasure being born in the world and together with the sword qi of the Heaven Splitter shooting towards the sky, it wouldn't be surprising for so many people to have been attracted.
It seems that there must be a few unlucky souls who are gathered here in search of a treasure. It wouldn't matter if they are ordinary individuals but if they are enemies… I will have to apologize to them! Facing the baleful Ling Tian, it can be said that they were only walking into their own demise. With the two of them presently being in the Eastern Zhao territory, it wouldn't be surprising for the incoming men to be from the Eastern Zhao army.
After all, they were less than a hundred miles from the capital of Eastern Zhao, the Eastern Sun City. According to Ling Tian's intelligence, ever since DongFang JingLei returned to Eastern Zhao, he should have been lingering around in this area. He did not exit the Eastern Zhao territory and enter the Xiao Family's territory, or return to his home. He was like a floating ghost, floating around the wilderness without a place to take root.
Only Ling Tian knew that DongFang JingLei was actually waiting for him and the promise which he gave to DongFang JingLei. It seems that Ling Twenty-two had already delivered his word to DongFang JingLei. Thus, Ling Tian's motive for appearing here was actually for the DongFang Family!
A sharp killing intent flashed past Ling Tian's eyes!
From the movements in the surroundings, Ling Tian was able to deduce that the people surrounding the mountain were extremely well organized and densely gathered. They were surrounding the mountain densely to prevent anyone or anything from escaping the mountain! If they had only approached Ling Tian from a single direction, it would suggest that they were only curious individuals. But by surrounding Ling Tian from all directions, it showed their intense desire to possess the 'treasure' in the mountain! At the same time, their killing intent was unconcealed!
They only had a single motive: a treasure was born and they wanted to possess it! Regardless of whether or not the treasure had an owner or anyone who saw and knew about it, they would definitely be within these premises. Thus, the DongFang army would approach in such a manner with the intention of killing everyone on this mountain to snatch the treasure and prevent news of it from spreading out!
Thus, Ling Tian was enraged! Even if he knew that the treasure was no longer present or rather that it had never existed and that these men would only return empty handed! Their current actions were no different from being a joke.
However, Ling Tian did not want to turn them into jokes; he wanted to turn them into corpses!
The only thing that these men deserved was death! This was because they treated their own personal gains far above the lives of everyone else! How would Ling Tian be able to let off these men who viewed life as dirt?
Feeling the dense killing intent flowing out of Ling Tian's body, Xiao YanXue could not help but ask, "What's the matter? Did something happen?"
Ling Tian smiled in an expressionless manner. "Nothing's wrong. There are some people who are here to offer themselves to my sword. Their timing is perfect!" That's right, just when the Heaven Splitter landed in Ling Tian's hands, these men had gathered over before Ling Tian had a chance to even use it. It was akin to giving Ling Tian a chance to have a red and prosperous beginning with his sword!
"Offer themselves to your sword?" Xiao YanXue was puzzled. Before she could react to what Ling Tian had said, Ling Tian covered his face with a mask and disappeared from the tent leaving behind a single phrase, "Hide yourself well and don't let anyone find you."
Ling Tian's figure drifted tens of feet out and watched dozens of men approaching him. He could even hear someone mumbling, "Strange, we should be approaching the treasure already but why did it suddenly disappear? Could it be that the treasure can only be seen by the fated one?"
"Just continue walking forward. We should be near and there shouldn't be any mistakes," another voice sounded.
"The crown prince has instructed us to kill anyone we see. Fated individual? Ha! The fated individual would only become a dead individual! However, there doesn't seem to be anyone around here."
"If there isn't the so-called fated individual, won't our lives be easier? Haha…"
Crown prince? Could it be the Eastern Zhao crown prince, DongFang XingChen?! Ling Tian was immediately energized. He originally thought that he would only be fishing for some small shrimps or fishes but never expected it to be a huge fish. Perhaps he should make some adjustments to his plan…
Ling Tian began to think about just what he should do to obtain the greatest benefits.
"Look, there is a tent over there! Let's go and take a look and we may find something." On the other side, a sound of surprise could be heard.
A glow flashed past Ling Tian's eyes and the Heaven Splitter left its sheath without a single sound. With an illusory and indistinct carefree motion it followed Ling Tian's figure. At the same time, seven men clutched onto their necks that were already spewing out blood… They collapsed onto the ground with multiple soft thuds.
A dense bloody smell swiftly spread across the place.
Chapter 513: A Big Fish
Translator: DavidT Editor: DavidT, Rock
Before the final person could even blink his eyes, his seven comrades had already all died and he was frightened to the point he went blank. Before he could let out a shriek, the cold metal of a blade touched his neck and a chilly voice sounded by his ears, "Where is DongFang XingChen?"
With eyes wide open in shock and fear, the person stammered, "Crown… crown pri...ince is… cham…" He was afraid to the point he could not even speak properly.
"Point me in a direction! I promise to spare your life!" Ling Tian coldly said.
With a pale countenance, that person pointed towards a direction while trembling and felt a warmth in his crotch. He had actually lost control of both front and back from extreme shock. Ling Tian frowned with disgust and with a light chop, that person went unconscious. He then lay on the ground like a fallen pillar with a pair of soiled pants.
The instant he fell down, Ling Tian's figure sped away swiftly with his whereabouts unknown.
DongFang XingChen felt that his luck was truly fantastic.
The recently idle crown prince was tired of the 'boring' and 'depressing' life of bantering with his little maids in the palace. After pleading to his imperial father again and again, he finally got the permission to come out hunting. However, his imperial father had given him a curfew and didn't allow him to go too far away…
But how could these rules truly restrict the crown prince? The moment he left the palace, he was like a little bird set free from his cage. After entering the forest, he had actually met with such a miraculous encounter!
Fated individual? For him to meet with such a miraculous encounter after leaving the palace, how could he not be the fated individual?!
Seeing the jade green light shooting to the sky, the almost two hundred guards who were following the crown prince were dumbfounded. A group of experienced and knowledgeable experts had also come to the conclusion that there certainly must have been a mystical treasure being born into the world. They all praised the crown prince for being blessed by the heavens that he was able to obtain such a mystical treasure just by coming out for a spin. He was truly the heavenly son of a dragon and had a limitless future…
After a round of flattery from his subordinates, DongFang XingChen was flattered to the point he went dizzy. However, this did not prevent him from coming up with an intricate plan to obtain the treasure. He immediately ordered his troops to split themselves up into ten groups and surround the mountain from all directions before marching their way up the mountain in unison. Not a single suspicious individual could be allowed to leave. DongFang XingChen would rather kill the innocent than allow the news of him obtaining the treasure to spread out…
However, the old and wise leader of the guards, DongFang Hen, felt that there was something fishy about the matter and tried to stop DongFang XingChen, only to be mercilessly reprimanded by DongFang XingChen. Thus, he had no choice but to shut his mouth and obediently follow orders.
Finally, this crown prince had actually become a foot soldier himself, and under the protection of numerous experts, he excitedly charged up the mountain. As he got closer and closer to the final destination, DongFang XingChen's heart began pounding faster and faster.
"Stop!" DongFang Hen who was in the lead waved his hands with a solemn look on his face, "Protect the crown prince! There is a bloody smell coming from nearby! There must definitely be casualties."
The surrounding experts spread out in all directions. Every individual took care of a single direction and surrounded DongFang XingChen in the middle.
There was indeed a thick bloody smell!
Furthermore, it wasn't coming from a single direction. While the bloody smell was extremely light in the beginning, it grew thicker and thicker and was coming from all directions. At the very end, the whole atmosphere was filled with a thick and dense bloody smell as though they had entered a slaughterhouse! However, from the beginning to the end, not a single cry or miserable moan sounded and everything happened without a single sound.
Isn't the situation too weird?! A noiseless silence!
However, such a silence placed everyone on edge.
"DongFang Hen… err no, uncle, could our men have been killed?" DongFang XingChen's face turned pale and his body curled up into a ball. His originally arrogant eyes were now cowering in fear. As the crown prince of an empire, even a small open wound would be an extremely huge affair. How would the usually pampered crown prince experience the bloody smell of a battlefield?
The leader of his guards, DongFang Hen, was also the personal guard of his imperial father. He originally intended to call DongFang Hen by his name but after realizing that his own life is probably going to be dependant on DongFang Hen's protection, he quickly changed the way he addressed DongFang Hen and called him 'uncle' instead.
DongFang Hen's expression remained unchanged and completely did not look like he was overwhelmed by favor. In fact, he did not even give a glance to DongFang XingChen. As a martial arts expert, he could instinctively feel that they had already entered into an extremely dangerous situation! It was as though the other party's target was their crown prince!
"We really should not have come out today." DongFang Hen sighed, "Crown Prince your highness, if we are able to return alive, it is best for you to not be so willful in the future."
DongFang XingChen was immediately displeased and frowned, "Commander DongFang Hen, what do you mean by that? Do you think that I wanted to be trapped in such a dangerous situation?"
DongFang Hen looked at the crown prince calmly before shaking his head and replying with a sigh, "Crown Prince your highness, I have visited this mountain many times before and such an oddity had never happened before. In fact, normally not even animals can be seen. However, why would such an odd occurrence appear the moment crown prince your highness came out hunting? Isn't it too much of a coincidence? Shouldn't we think through things carefully? This subordinate has previously warned your highness already but…"
DongFang XingChen was stunned for a moment and asked doubtfully, "You are trying to say that this is a trap the enemy has set to target me?"
"Perhaps it may not be an enemy." DongFang Hen replied slowly, "Crown Prince coming out hunting is something that was only decided at the very last minute and not many people were aware of it. Apart from the few people in the palace who has contact with the crown prince residence, there aren't any other outsiders who know about Crown Prince's excursion. Thus, the ones laying the trap may not be an enemy but perhaps… someone from the family."
"My imperial father only has a single son and there shouldn't be any internal strife for my title. Who could it be?" DongFang XingChen fell into deep thought and suddenly grew violent, "Regardless of who he is, I will definitely execute his whole family the moment I investigate who the culprit is!"
"Haiz!" DongFang Hen let out a sigh without saying anything. After going to such lengths to plan out such an elaborate scheme, how would they allow failure and allow you to return alive?
Why?!
"Family Head JingTian is in the same camp as my imperial father, but the fractures in the family have been getting more and more severe over the years. DongFang JingLei's strength has been growing over the years and he seems to have the intention of taking over as Family Head. In the past few years, both imperial father and Family Head JingTian have been suppressing him severely and he would definitely have hatred in his heart. Could it be that… this whole event was engineered by DongFang JingLei? Could it be that he wants to revolt?" DongFang XingChen muttered.
"It still isn't certain if he is the one behind the scenes." DongFang JingLei was naturally loyal to the imperial family and Family Head JingTian. Regardless of the reason, this reclusive expert of the DongFang Family chose to add fuel to the fire. "It is said that second master DongFang has recently returned from Western Han but never returned home and chose to linger around here instead. Of course, this isn't sufficient to prove that he is the person behind all of this and we will have to investigate the matter further."
"What is there to investigate?!" DongFang XingChen cursed, "We are in Eastern Zhao! Apart from DongFang JingLei, who else will have the ability to set up such an elaborate scheme? Who else would be able to plant spies within the imperial palace and crown prince residence to keep track of my whereabouts? Even within the group that we have brought out this time, one of his spies must definitely be present. If not, how would he be able to grasp such accurate information about my route? DongFang JingLei! If I am able to return alive, I will definitely wipe out your whole family and rip you into shreds!"
Coincidentally or not, Ling Tian who was hiding nearby could not help but be stupefied. In truth, he had only arrived recently and did not hear the whole conversation. He only heard the last segment of their conversation and almost burst out into laughter upon hearing it. Just when he was being frustrated about how he could frame DongFang JingLei, this crown prince had already come to a conclusion on his own and he did not even have to do anything. To think that this pail of sh*t had been poured accurately on DongFang JingLei's head. Even if DongFang JingLei wanted to prove his innocence after this, it would be an almost impossible task. However, it seems like I must still add some fire to this event. Ling Tian rubbed his cheeks and snickered in his heart…
Previously, Ling Tian had used his speed to wipe out more than six enemy teams and more than a hundred people must have died under his Heaven Splitter. The reason why he placed DongFang XingChen's team at the very end was because this team was the most careful, moved the slowest and was also the strongest. In order to prevent anyone from escaping and alerting the enemy, Ling Tian naturally had to leave this scrumptious meal until the very end.
After this round of fighting, Ling Tian was surprised to realize that his speed had increased even further and he was almost able to come and go like an undetectable shadow. As compared to before he was injured, while his speed did not truly double, it increased greatly. At Ling Tian's level, it was extremely difficult for him to increase his speed by even a little bit. While Ling Tian's swift improvement in his strength and speed may be exceeded in future, it was definitely unprecedented! Especially with the Heaven Splitter in his hands, it was akin to adding wings to a tiger! Despite his injuries being only 80% recovered, the strength that he had now was no less than his prime in the past! This was an unbelievable miracle!
While Ling Tian didn't know why this was the case, he knew that the mysterious energy of the jade pendant must have definitely caused a huge effect on his body!
"Who? Come out!" From not too far away, a scream could be heard from the pond.
Chapter 514: White Robed Assassin
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
DongFang Hen's eyes lit up as he said, "There has been some movement over there. Let's all gather and move towards there, our chances of survival will be higher as well." With a group of people protecting DongFang XingChen, they rushed in the direction pointed. Hidden in the shadows, Ling Tian's figure also flashed as he vanished from his spot.
The ten or so of them walked with swords drawn towards a certain direction in an orderly manner. Standing in their way was a group of dirty tents. With a shuffling sound, a group consisting of around seventy to eighty people came out from the surrounding area and walked to surround the entire campsite. Steeling their nerves, they began to methodically search the entire area, but ended up without any benefits to speak of!
Seeing his subordinates walk out empty handed, DongFang XingChen began to feel shivers over his entire body, and he started to tremble… A great sense of fear suddenly gripped his soul tightly. Forcing his weakness down, he shouted, "Where are the rest of the people? Where did they go? Why aren't they back?"
His men in question faced each other with looks of dismay, they could not understand why their Crown Prince spoke such words. Wasn't he the one who had arranged them into groups of ten odd each? Maybe the other teams had not arrived or had not sent a reply, so why was he in such a panic? Naturally, no one would speak out in such a manner. However, seeing the bodyguards surrounding their Crown Prince sharing the same pensive look, and with the top expert of their group DongFang Hen having a worried expression, everyone immediately realized something. Did an accident happen?
"A few of you from that group split up and search around our surroundings. Scrutinize the area and maintain contact at all times. Once there's an accident, you guys are to holler immediately! As for the rest, maintain your formations and do not separate. Search in that direction. Since the tents are there, there are bound to be people nearby! Everyone must watch out, we might have already been surrounded. This is a dangerous situation." DongFang Hen's face was incredibly serious and he barked out orders non-stop. He himself stuck even closer to DongFang XingChen, his sword in hand, his hawk-like eyes scanning the surrounding areas without stopping.
At this moment, it should have been the Crown Prince giving the commands, but everyone could see that their Crown Prince had turned pasty in the face, so scared that he was unable to act as the commander any longer. As such, DongFang Hen could only step up. Even if he would end up being berated when they got back, so long as they were able to get back, he would gladly receive any punishment.
Right now, DongFang Hen could feel in his heart after sensing the reeking smell of bloodshed. He estimated that the other six teams were probably lost in the forest forever. This smell of blood was not present before when they had walked into the forest, and the air had been fresh and pleasant. It was only after they had entered the place that the smell of bloodshed spread all over the area. However, the plot of land they were on was evidently free of any traces of battle, so where had the bloodshed spread from? This point left him baffled.
But while there might seem like nothing was amiss, having his men scout the area was still a necessity, moreover, they might accidentally come across traces of their enemies. It would be better than being overly cautious and getting alarmed at every single gust of wind.
He had to consider the fact that for the opponent to swallow six groups of their elite troops, the personal guard of their crown prince, without sight nor sound, how good must their martial skills be? Even if he personally took action, he could not guarantee such a success! This point caused DongFang Hen to feel even more nervous, and he became extremely careful, as he was aware that a slight moment of carelessness would cause him to pay with his life!
To that point, he even had a horrifying thought that the six teams were actually done in at the same time. This meant that the opponent had six top-tier exponents on hand, and if his conjectures were right, they had no way of surviving!
If a nest is destroyed, how could there be any eggs left over?
Since the opponent was able to get rid of so many people within so short a time, this already displayed their insane might. How could it be possible for them to miss a few stragglers? It seemed like today's matters would not bode well for them!
Lost in his own thoughts, DongFang Hen suddenly heard the rustling sounds of hasty footsteps. Six totally pale guards stumbled out of the shrubbery, almost running into each other as they collapsed on the ground. One of them trembled as he spoke, "Dead, all of them are dead… blood, blood was splattered everywhere… it has become a forest of blood… no one was spared…"
DongFang XingChen's face turned ashen, and he nearly toppled over. Luckily he was supported by DongFang Hen. With the reports coming from the other five, everyone present grew pale. Out of the hundred and twenty men sent out in the six teams, not one remained alive!
DongFang XingChen groaned, almost passing out. This crown prince of the DongFang family revealed a look of fright and fear at this point, and even before the mysterious enemy had shown themselves, his courage had already fallen in the gutter!
Taking advantage of this small window of time, Ling Tian flashed back to where Xiao YanXue was hiding. This peerless beauty was staring with a look of worry at the seventy to eighty men with a worried face. Upon seeing Ling Tian return, she heaved a sigh of relief, as she began to question, "How was it? Do you know who those people are now?"
Ling Tian laughed, replying in an amused tone, "We're indeed linked by fate. If you look where I'm pointing now at that handsome looking noble there, that's the fiance your house had chosen for you, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Zhao, DongFang XingChen. How is it, he's not too bad eh? They say that it takes ten lifetimes to calibrate boats to travel together, and a hundred lifetimes to share a pillow with someone else. You haven't lived for a hundred lifetimes yet, but you're actually able to obtain such a handsome and extraordinary future monarch! Are you a thousand-year empress in disguise?"
Xiao YanXue snorted as she looked that way, a look of disgust on her face. "Bah, who would live for a hundred lifetimes to obtain that sort of guy? He's a 10 out of 10 useless bum. Just how did my family allow such a trash to ally with them? This is really throwing away the face of the Xiao Family! Let's not talk about being some empress, even if he recognizes me as his godmother, it would be a humiliation!"
One could not blame Xiao YanXue for turning up her nose in disdain. Right now, the great Crown Prince of Eastern Zhao was shaking like a leaf, going soft in his knees as though he did not have a bone remaining in his body. Seeing his bedraggled look, Ling Tian calling him a tree in a greenhouse was not without reason. His look now resembled a tiny sapling tree who was facing an imminent typhoon of magnitude ten… His outstanding demeanor had completely dissipated at this point.
Ling Tian laughed softly before instructing, "Hurry and leave towards our back. Use your fastest speed, and remember, do not turn back. I'll settle everything here in a few breaths and catch up with you."
Xiao YanXue stared at him dumbly for a while, before obediently nodding her head, "I understand, my presence here will only complicate matters for you. However, you… must be careful! Better to let them go, then to slip up and fall into danger. Promise me!"
Ling Tian chuckled as he reached out a hand to dab her little nose, sneering, "Relax, with my capabilities, how could these little worms even hurt me? Danger? What sort of danger can there be? Don't tell me you don't even have the slightest bit of confidence in your husband? This man here is the husband that you've prayed half a millennium for! I can't be considered on the same page as the rest of this riff-raff!"
Xiao YanXue's face turned red as she huffed, "Whose husband are you? I never prayed for anything, do I look like I care about it? We haven't even... yet." The last part of her words was lost to Ling Tian, even with his enhanced senses of hearing.
Seeing her embarrassed and lovable look, Ling Tian laughed, "That's right, when I'm done with my business here, I'll... with you." Ling Tian also muffled the same part, but the ambiguity in the sentence made Xiao YanXue turn red like a tomato.
He then lightly patted her head. "Go, there's time for you to be shy later. We have more than enough time as it is."
"You baddie!" Xiao YanXue could take it no longer, scolding him in a low voice while rolling her eyes at him. She no longer cared about him but rather sped off away from him.
"Who?!" The moment Xiao YanXue activated her movement technique, DongFang Hen immediately picked up the energy and spied a person flying off towards the darkness of the forest far ahead. He loudly cried out, attracting all gazes towards the indicated direction. Everyone prepared to encircle that person.
At the same instant, a blinding flash of light came from the place where everyone's sight was trained towards. It flashed out like lightning, and a white shadow shot forward seven to eighty feet in one breath, appearing like a specter in front of everyone. The blade flashed, and one of the guards let out an agonized howl as he collapsed on the ground.
"Protect the Crown Prince!" DongFang Hen was still a martial arts exponent and immediately realized that the person fleeing did not have the skills to kill all his men before, so his awareness had been heightened. Now, seeing that the grim reaper had come knocking on their door, he immediately bellowed out loudly, choosing to engage the assailant instead.
The two of them weaved swords, exchanging numerous blows akin to that of a torrential downpour. The ring of metal resounded continuously, and the two shadows finally split apart, with DongFang Hen staggering back a few steps, his breathing heavy. However, the white dressed assailant soared upwards instead like an eagle, and his sword drew out an enchanting semicircle. Following his descent, the seven to eight people near him spewed out blood and dropped down without a sound.
Even before the bodies had dropped onto the ground, the latter had already exerted force the moment the tips of his toes touched the ground, shooting towards DongFang XingChen much like a meteor or a bolt of lightning!
His target was clear, to kill the Crown Prince of Eastern Zhao, DongFang XingChen!
Chapter 515: Wonderful Acting
Translator: DavidT Editor: DavidT, Rock
DongFang Hen received the sword and felt relief in his heart. It seems like the martial arts of this assassin isn't much, but could there be other experts hiding in the vicinity? All of a sudden, DongFang Hen charged forward and instructed with confidence, "Leave three people behind to cover the crown prince's retreat. The rest of you are to spread out and form a large circle. We must not let this fellow get away!" He then lifted up his sword and charged forward into battle.
Three guards hugged DongFang XingChen and retreated while the others coordinated with DongFang Hen's attack and surrounded the white-robed man. The assassin was already surrounded by almost a hundred men, and it was impossible for him to escape!
DongFang XingChen regained his composure and roared, "Catch him! This crown prince will rip him into shreds! If anyone lets him off, he will be punished for the same crime as the assassin!"
DongFang Hen cursed in his heart. This crown prince is truly foolish to the extreme! Can't he take a good look at the current situation? Is he trying to force the assassin to escape? From my first exchange with him, his movement technique definitely isn't any weaker than mine. If he truly wants to escape, this situation would only take a turn for the worse and they would definitely have to pay a heavy price! The thing that they should be doing now is to demoralize their enemy and try to capture him without exchanging any blows. However, this crown prince of theirs had actually done the complete opposite! To think that their wise emperor would give birth to such a foolish son! How unfortunate!
With two clanging sounds, DongFang Hen had exchanged two sword blows with the white-robed man. All of a sudden, he looked at the white-robed man and said in a mellow tone, "Friend, it seems like you are here on orders from someone. Why do you have to throw your life away? If you can tell me who the mastermind is, this old man can help plead to the crown prince to spare your life. What do you think about that?"
As he said that, DongFang Hen observed the surroundings. This white-robed man is already trapped in such a perilous situation, but his comrades have not rushed out to rescue him. Could it be that he… doesn't have any comrades?
The eyes that were revealed blinked with hesitation, and a trace of fear could be seen. However, he did not stop in the slightest and tried charging out of the encirclement. Seven to eight guards immediately brandished their swords to force him back into the encirclement.
The actions of the white-robed man had confirmed DongFang Hen's guess and he was immediately relieved. Seeing the other party's pathetic appearance, he had the feeling that victory was within his grasp.
Victory was determined!
The next step…
DongFang Hen was extremely pleased with himself as he enticed the white-robed man while fighting, "Friend, can't you read the current situation? You no longer have any hope of escaping. Even if you were to grow a pair of wings now, it would be impossible for you to escape. It is best for you to wise up lest you suffer from endless physical pain."
The white-robed man sneered and suddenly said, "Alright, let me tell you."
DongFang Hen was elated and his sword slowed down, "Speak."
"The mastermind behind me is Family Head DongFang JingTian of the DongFang Family!" The white-robed man sneered before avoiding two sword strikes from the rear.
"Bullsh*t!" DongFang XingChen roared, "Darn b*stard, even if you want to frame someone, you should find the right target! D*mmit, even if you do not say anything, do you think that I won't know that DongFang JingLei was the one who sent you?"
Hearing what DongFang XingChen had said, the white-robed man seemed to have been mentally shocked and his footwork was disrupted slightly, resulting in his white robe being slashed apart in a few different areas. Thankfully, he was not wounded in the slightest and he cursed coldly, "Nonsense! This daddy here was indeed sent by DongFang JingTian!" The white-robed man then blocked a few sword strikes and stumbled back pitifully with his breathing becoming heavy.
"Were you really sent by Second Master?" DongFang Hen's sword slowed down again and he asked with some doubt.
"No! The one who sent me here was First Master DongFang!" The white-robed man avoided a few more sword strikes and continued denying what DongFang Hen had said. However, a hole was still stabbed in his shirt but despite things being so dangerous, the white-robed man was still not injured! How could this white-robed man be so lucky?
"Darn b*stard!" DongFang Hen cursed and did not continue questioning the white-robed man. Like a cat chasing after a mouse, his sword was brandished around the white-robed man but he grew weary after a while. At the same time, he cursed in his heart, It turns out that this fellow's movement technique is so exceptional. However, he only specializes in assassination and is utterly incapable in a frontal battle.
The white-robed man clenched his teeth but did not say another word. Like a crazed tiger in a cage, he charged towards the left and right but was unable to charge out of the encirclement.
However, DongFang Hen and DongFang XingChen had already come to a conclusion upon seeing the white-robed man's reaction! The mastermind behind the assassin was undoubtedly DongFang JingLei! Furthermore, DongFang JingLei actually wanted to frame his own elder brother, DongFang JingTian! It was only that his means were far too clumsy. Could it be that they thought that this crown prince was an idiot?
With a plan in his heart, DongFang Hen no longer showed any mercy and roared, "Go all out! It would be best to capture him alive but if you can't, kill him on the spot and shred him into smithereens!"
The dozens of guards roared out together in unison and brandished their weapons! Being caught off guard, the white-robed man tried his best to avoid the attacks and his white robe seemed to have turned into white butterflies, flying out in all directions. At the same time, a few bloody wounds also appeared and the white-robed man was finally injured!
DongFang Hen raised his sword and charged forward aggressively with a powerful gust of wind whooshing behind him. His sword then slashed down mercilessly towards the white-robed man like the rushing winds in a thunderstorm and rapid currents of a river. The attack was loud like thunder but yet silent like a virgin. Every single action he took was filled with a carefree heroism, and he had the demeanor of an unparalleled expert.
The guards by the side were also unwilling to be outdone. How would they give up the opportunity to beat the white-robed man when he was down? They charged forward with valor and their battlecry shot through the clouds with the atmosphere of victory in the midst!
This was killing an assassin and the huge merit of saving their crown prince! It was as though a pile of gold had appeared in all of their eyes.
The white-robed man shouted out flusteredly and spat out a mouthful of blood. All of a sudden, a powerful sword qi shot out from the white-robed man's sword and after brandishing his sword three times, three guards cried out miserably and fell down onto the ground. The white-robed man's inner qi seemed to have been raised to a whole different level at this moment and he was like a crazed tiger trying to break out of the encirclement.
"Trap him! He used a forbidden art to forcefully raise his inner qi, and it will not last for long! He doesn't have much strength left! Try to drag on the battle and avoid frontal confrontations! Tire him to death!" Being a top notch expert of the DongFang Family, how could DongFang Hen not recognize the symptoms of the white-robed man's actions? He was immediately elated and began roaring out commands to his subordinates.
Afraid that something might go amiss, DongFang Hen dashed forward and chased behind the white-robed man. Being blocked from the left and right, the white-robed man suddenly shot towards the sky and tried charging out in an almost suicidal manner.
"Where do you think you're going?" DongFang Hen burst out into laughter and gave chase immediately. In just an instant, he appeared in front of the white-robed man and slashed down fiercely! At the same time, he gathered his inner qi in his left palm and struck out without hesitation. He was certain that the white-robed man would lose the ability to resist after this sword and palm strike!
Indeed, the white-robed man hurriedly blocked the sword strike with his sword and after a loud clang, DongFang Hen's left palm smashed onto the white-robed man's chest, sending him flying with a grunt.
The white-robed man then shouted out miserably and another mouthful of blood shot out from his mouth. All of a sudden, he spun around in the sky and after lifting his left hand up, a rope shot out from his sleeves and coiled onto the branch of a tree forty feet away. Tugging hard on the rope, the white-robed man borrowed the force from the rope and shot away like a shooting star. The moment he reached the tree, the white-robed man snapped the tree branch and with a 'kacha' sound, and the white-robed man disappeared into the dense forest with the falling branch!
No one imagined that the assassin would have such a trump card left, and the sudden event had stunned them all into silence.
"Give chase! He is injured already and can't run far!" They never imagined the roasted duck to fly away under their very eyes! DongFang Hen's countenance was ashen as he let out an exasperated roar. At the same time, he shot off in the direction that the white-robed man disappeared and gave chase.
If he didn't intentionally try to act cool, perhaps the assassin would have been caught by now. Thinking about that, DongFang Hen was both enraged and embarrassed.
The white-robed man, Ling Tian, appeared behind the rushing Xiao YanXue like a gust of wind. Amidst Xiao YanXue's shriek, he said softly, "It's me." Xiao YanXue immediately went silent and Ling Tian picked her up before speeding up to a speed three times his previous speed. He then disappeared into the dense forest like a puff of green smoke.
As for the guards giving chase to him from behind, even if they chased after him with their fastest possible speed, they were still forty to fifty feet away from Ling Tian when he picked Xiao YanXue up. This resulted in them rummaging around the jungle like headless flies trying to find a buried corpse. Upon thinking about the hilarious scene of them doing so, Ling Tian could not help but snicker evilly.
The previous battle made Ling Tian frustrated to the point he felt like dying. It was like a burly grown man accompanying a bunch of preschoolers in a fighting game. Furthermore, he had to act as though he couldn't win against his opponents. Despite having ten portions of strength, he was only allowed to use one to two portions of it. Even though he was able to defeat his opponent in a few blows, he had to act as though he wasn't a match for them… such a thing made Ling Tian feel speechless.
However, Ling Tian was extremely pleased with his acting and was sure that he deserved a trophy if he was in his previous life. While the mission was tough, he had finally completed it beautifully. After this event, it would probably be useless for DongFang JingLei to quibble his way out of this mess and he would definitely become DongFang JingTian and the DongFang imperial family's common enemy! Regardless of how eloquent DongFang JingLei was, he wouldn't be wiggling out of this mess for sure! However, all of this wasn't enough yet. Ling Tian will still have to root for DongFang JingLei and set Eastern Zhao on fire before he made a leisurely trip back to Sky Bearing. If he rushed back, he would probably be able to enjoy the show in Southern Zheng as well.
Furthermore, he missed Ling Chen, Yu BingYan and the rest. Of course, he also missed his parents and family members…
At that time, he could command his army into battle with one eye and watch the internal struggle of Eastern Zhao with his other eye. It was truly turning the rivers and mountains into painting with his words, watching a beautiful show silently from the side. Isn't it enjoyable to lead such a life?!
Chapter 516: JingLei Requests Aid
Translator: chuchutrain Editor: DavidT, Rock
At that time, he only needed an eye to observe the proceedings of the battle, using the gaze of a detached observer to witness the battle of Eastern Zhao. This was really the case of giving pointers on the various rivers and mountains, which resembled paintings, and looking down coldly on the play that was brilliant and varied. Was this not life itself, to proceed at such a fast pace?
Since his biggest problem of Justice himself had been temporarily solved, Ling Tian could now be said to be able to look down upon the world in disdain! It would be that sort of arrogant attitude of one being at the top of the world since time immemorial.
From today onward, look at me, Ling Tian, violently warring against all under the heavens!
Yu ManLou, our five-year agreement, as well as the bet we made, let us gamble against the rising winds of change, betting to our fill!
Peach Blossom Hollow.
This place was without a doubt a little ravine shrouded in extreme secrecy.
"DongFang… what the f**k!" Having taken great pains to discover the hiding place of DongFang JingLei, the moment Ling Tian met up with him, he instead was stunned silly. This was because of the former's appearance, which was completely out of Ling Tian's expectations!
"What is going on?" It took Ling Tian a long while to regain his composure.
Was this even DongFang JingLei? From appearance, this person did resemble him, that heroic and handsome man with an unrestrained aura. Few people could actually compare to the bearing he exuded at that time.
However, this man in front of him currently, not only did he took totally disheveled, malicious and full of hate, the clothes he wore were ripped, and his suave face was now decorated with two new bloody scars. Every once in a while, he would cough repeatedly, resembling an old man on his last breath.
The last time Ling Tian saw him, he was still surrounded by thousands of his followers, but right now, there were less than 300! And a lot of them were even injured, with faces full of despair and helplessness.
"Brother Ling, you've finally arrived." DongFang JingLei coughed twice. "If you still did not turn up, you might have ended up never seeing me ever again. The heavens are really giving me the last chance of survival!"
Ling Tian quickly walked up, putting a hand on JingLei's wrist as he spoke, "What exactly happened? Why are all of you in such a state?"
DongFang JingLei let out a sad bark of laughter, "According to our promise, I had begun to slowly consolidate my forces, waiting for your arrival. I don't know how the news leaked out, but we suddenly received a huge ambush, with great casualties. Even as we retreated, we were continuously attacked six to seven times! After many deaths, we finally managed to reach here to hide, struggling at death's door! If it wasn't for you being our last hope, I would have really…"
"Sudden ambush? Another six assaults as you escaped?" Ling Tian glanced at Xiao YanXue beside him, "Whose side sent the people after you?"
DongFang JingLei let out a crazed look of hatred as he gnashed his teeth, "Which group? Do I still need to say more?! To think that my own blood brother would ignore our familial ties and brotherhood! Hng, since he doesn't want to be benevolent, then he can forget about me showing righteousness! Since we can't live under the same skies, then let's compare to see who is better!"
An expression of revenge warped DongFang JingLei's eyes. "That bunch of b*st*rds, all hiding their faces! They rushed out from the darkness, till the third time where we finally repelled them through some stroke of luck. After this, we searched their corpses, and we found some people that we're really familiar with!" DongFang JingLei's body trembled at this, his voice cracking as though about to cry. "They were actually my elder brother's personal guards!"
Ling Tian only let out a sigh and stopped talking. However, he was extremely aware that the attack against JingLei likely had little to do with the DongFang Family and the Eastern Zhao Imperial Court. There was something fishy about this!
He himself had just come face to face with the Crown Prince of Eastern Zhao, DongFang XingChen. If not for the fact that the latter was totally down on his luck, having met Ling Tian, the guy would still have been frolicking around, having fun with his hunting trip! If the attack on DongFang JingLei was orchestrated by Eastern Zhao, then how could the Crown Prince still have the liberty to go out to have fun? Besides, such a treacherous act was not something DongFang JingTian as well as the emperor of Eastern Zhao, DongFang MingRi could actually perform.
Furthermore, Shen RuHu, possessing a grand hundred thousand troops, was covetously eyeing the boundary line of Sky Bearing and Eastern Zhao. Now that the clouds of war were beginning to coalesce, any rash movements made by the DongFang family would only lead to war! They were no fools, so why would they choose such a time to strike out at DongFang JingLei? This would only result in internal trouble and external aggression. Whether they could handle DongFang JingLei quickly or not, with his prowess, they were bound to suffer from a great loss of strength and vitality. This would just lead to the entire kingdom falling apart from the inside!
If that was the case, then the culprit behind this would more or less be confirmed. In this world, only those nearing the Xiao Family in influence and power... as Ling Tian's mind spun, he suddenly focused towards the neighbors of the DongFang, the Xiao Family! He could guarantee with 80% assurance that this matter was orchestrated by the Xiao Family! As for those personal bodyguards of the DongFang family, that was actually easier to pull off than expected!
All they needed was to find a few experts to capture those bodyguards and divert the attention of the rest, that would be all! Furthermore, they need not be alive, for they could just change their clothes and throw them all in the heap later for DongFang JingLei to discover...
And also….
Looking at the available manpower DongFang JingLei still had left, Ling Tian let out a smile secretly. After six assaults, DongFang JingLei looked immensely injured, with his followers having dwindled, but his core strength was still mostly present! It was as though the battle was just to weed out the weaker people, sharpening the rest present into the best fighting force! What a precise calculation by the enemy!
Why did they do so?
The answer went without saying!
This whole ploy was meant to drive DongFang JingLei to become a desperate and crazed tiger, whose fangs and claws would be put to face the Eastern Zhao Imperial Family, causing their internal state of affairs to be destroyed! Eastern Zhao would have to pay a huge price, even if they managed to protect their stability!
However, the DongFang JingLei right now did not notice this point at all, because he was severely injured, and because he witnessed with his own eyes over 800 of his men laying down their lives in front of him. In his ears, he could still constantly hear their final screams of death! He definitely would not be merciful towards his opponents.
"Since that's the case, what do you want to do next?" Ling Tian only smiled. Since Xiao YanXue was by his side, there were some words that Ling Tian did not want to say, nor could he. Besides, the purpose of the Xiao Family was the same as Ling Tian's goal, which was to create a rift between the DongFang family and DongFang JingLei himself! The only difference in the way they went about doing it was that Ling Tian threw a huge fire by sending his army over to the Eastern Zhao imperial court, and the Xiao Family instead carved a bloody line inside DongFang JingLei's heart!
No matter the method, both would lead to the same ending!
Based on Ling Tian's point of view, this method was perfectly done! Not only was the wound exquisitely cut, it was also perfectly done so! Right now, Ling Tian initially was thinking how to utilize his fire, but now with his bloody scar, he could just scatter some salt inside, and allow DongFang JingLei to take the final step of no return!
To think there would come a day where I would work together with Xiao FengHan!
Nature messes with Man, Heaven makes a fool of Man!
As the person observing from outside the situation, he immediately saw that such a plan could only be orchestrated by Xiao FengYang, the strategist of the Xiao Family. Furthermore, once the Eastern Zhao boiled with internal strife, the Xiao Family could take advantage of this matter to swallow the country whole!
Earlier on, they were still discussing a marriage alliance, but now that the Ling and Yu Families have made a move, the Xiao Family immediately came to this conclusion! This made Ling Tian's heart feel slightly cold.
But Ling Tian was confident that with him around, while the Eastern Zhao might still fall into a mess, the Xiao Family would not be able to obtain anything in return!
"Brother Ling! I require your aid! Only you can help me now!" DongFang JingLei panted roughly, his expression one of extreme agitation! "I cannot allow my loyal brothers who chose to follow me to all die one by one for nothing! I wish to turn his situation around. If you weren't around, I might be indecisive, but with your help, what can I not accomplish?!"
"Turn this situation around? How do you want to turn it? What are your ideas?" Ling Tian grabbed DongFang JingLei's right hand, lightly sending out a stream of thick true energy, relieving the clots in his meridians.
"I've decided, that I want to be the Family Head of the DongFang Family! Only by having the entire DongFang family within the palm of a person's hand can all this be prevented. If not, this situation will spiral downwards and out of control! I have a responsibility to be worthy of my brothers!" DongFang JingLei glanced at him with a look of gratitude, with saying in a steely voice.
"But right now, your ability and strength cannot match up to DongFang JingTian! So what if I aid you, and why should I even help you? Do not think that I'm being arrogant here. I need a reason, a reason to fully support you!" Ling Tian coldly replied. "You do not even possess the power to talk on the same level as your elder brother right now, not to mention fighting for Family Head! If you need my assistance, then you need to provide me a reason!"
DongFang JingLei furiously replied, "In the capital, inside our family, there are definitely people who are still loyal to me! Of course, I might not have as much as my brother does, but they're by no means weak! If I want to go for a life and death struggle, even my brother will have to take me seriously! As such, he can only resort of killing me in the dark when I'm outside, and not face me in the open! With your strength, I believe…"
"Wrong!" Ling Tian immediately disrupted his words, interrupting in an indifferent voice, "If it was purely about your family, the matters would be so much simpler! Now your family has already been muddled with the Eastern Zhao Imperial Court, and your brother has surely allied with the Eastern Zhao Imperial Court. Comparing both, your strength is in the definite losing end, almost to the point that it can be overlooked! At the crucial fight, the Eastern Zhao Imperial Court would definitely participate. Can you fend them off? And will those forces loyal to you inside help you in resisting against the very Kingdom?!"
Chapter 517: Coming to an Agreement
Translator: DavidT Editor: DavidT, Rock
"Then what should I do? Am I supposed to wait for my death without doing anything? I am not resigned!" DongFang JingLei grew anxious as he looked at Ling Tian with a burning gaze. "Brother Ling, even if their forces are strong, it is impossible for them to be stronger than you. As long as you are willing to help me, my situation will not be completely hopeless! As long as you help me today to tide through this difficult time, anything can be discussed!"
Ling Tian stood up and paced around slowly with a frown. Currently, DongFang JingLei was no longer in the right state of mind and had laid out all of his cards! If DongFang JingLei could become the Family Head of the DongFang Family, just what would happen? Would such an outcome be a good or bad thing for him? Furthermore, were there any other benefits he could get out of this matter?
After a few rounds, he unknowingly noticed Xiao YanXue looking at him with a frown, and his eyes shone with an idea.
Ling Tian quickly returned to his seat and looked at DongFang JingLei, "I long had the intention to form an alliance with you and I am not a despicable individual who would go back on my word. Even if you are in dire straits now, my words are still valid! I can promise you that I will help you ascend to the position of the DongFang Family Head!"
DongFang Jing Lei exclaimed and thanked Ling Tian profusely. Today, he was almost at his wit's end, and Ling Tian was basically his last hope. If Ling Tian were to reject him, DongFang JingLei would have no choice but to live in seclusion for the rest of his life! Furthermore, that is provided that he could ensure that he wasn't discovered by the DongFang Family!
"Then what do you need me to do? The forces under my command currently are extremely limited!" After a wave of agitation, DongFang JingLei finally regained his cool and wisdom. Based on what he knew about Ling Tian, DongFang JingLei was certain that Ling Tian was definitely not a helpful and selfless individual. DongFang JingLei was certain that Ling Tian would only give him aid if there were benefits! But it was also because he knew that Ling Tian was such a person that DongFang JingLei was extremely assured. In DongFang JingLei's heart, regardless of how good a comrade was, the moment one loses his worth, there wouldn't be a point to form an alliance anymore. In fact, DongFang JingLei was extremely thankful that he was of some worth to Ling Tian thus resulting in this cooperation. In any case, it would be much better than escaping for the rest of his life.
"What do I need you to do?" Ling Tian smiled profoundly, "My future DongFang Family Head, what do you think you can do with your current strength?! Before the situation stabilizes, there isn't a need for you to do anything. However, I hope that you will not hesitate when it is time for you to do something. Do you understand? Not a single shred of hesitation!"
DongFang JingLei fell silent. He could naturally understand the hidden meaning behind Ling Tian's words. This person obviously had a huge ambition towards Eastern Zhao and the DongFang Family! DongFang JingLei pondered in his heart if it was worth for him to make such a decision.
Ling Tian sat by the side in a leisure manner and was not anxious in the slightest. After all, the one who needed to be anxious now was DongFang JingLei. Thus, Ling Tian gave him ample time to consider the matter.
A long while later, DongFang JingLei said with difficulty, "DongFang… Fa...mily…"
"The DongFang Family will not perish!" Ling Tian interrupted, "Brother DongFang, you should know that even if I do not have a chess piece like you, it wouldn't be difficult for me to achieve my goal. I would only need to spend a little bit more time. At the same time, time is something that I am not lacking at the moment!"
"You are right! I promise you!" DongFang JingLei clenched his teeth, and the look on his face was that of a gambling addict going all-in. At this moment, the look on DongFang JingLei's face seemed slightly malevolent.
Ling Tian went silent for a moment before bursting out laughing, "Brother DongFang, we are only having a conversation and not fighting for our lives. For you to have such an expression, it looks as though I am trying to bully you! I am trying to help you here!"
"Young noble must be joking," DongFang JingLei said with a bitter laugh as he thought in his heart, Isn't this considered bullying me? You have bullied me to the point I cannot fend for myself anymore! After taking this step today, I can no longer turn back and will have to walk with you down this path all the way! But even though he knew all of these in his heart, DongFang JingLei still changed the way he addressed Ling Tian and no longer dared to address Ling Tian as an equal. From the moment I change the way I address him, I will be serving under a lord and no longer have the right to speak to him as an equal. If I want to have authority in my hands, I will definitely have to pay a huge and heavy price.
Hearing the way DongFang JingLei addressed him, Ling Tian's eyes glowed and a trace of elation could be seen in his eyes. He knew that DongFang JingLei was still unresigned in his heart despite already being at his wit's end. However, Ling Tian was certain that he was capable of making DongFang JingLei submit to him completely in future! He was confident that he would be able to show DongFang JingLei how worthless he was without him!
However, this was not the right time to subdue DongFang JingLei.
After pondering for a moment, Ling Tian said slowly, "I will command Shen RuHu to coordinate with you and put up a show. But before that, you have to enter the headquarters of the DongFang Family secretly and stand out when there is a change!" His calm eyes suddenly seemed to have transformed into a piercing dagger as he stared at DongFang JingLei with a threatening glare.
"Changes?" DongFang JingLei asked with a depressed tone before suddenly gasping with shock, "Young noble, are you thinking of…"
Ling Tian nodded his head, "Why, do you have any questions? Since you have already decided to plant your carrots on this plot of land, we must first uproot the original radishes. If not, where would you find the space to plant your crops?"
"But he is still my older brother…" DongFang JingLei said with a hint of apprehension.
Ling Tian looked at DongFang JingLei silently before laughing in an eccentric manner. He then glared at DongFang JingLei coldly causing DongFang JingLei to feel a wave of discomfort.
A short while later, Ling Tian said coldly, "DongFang JingLei, you can save this show for DongFang JingTian's funeral! Putting on such a show in front of me is akin to winking to a blind man! You are truly not a good actor at all!"
DongFang JingLei's face flushed red.
Ling Tian snorted, "Your big brother? Since when did you treat him like a big brother? You are probably hoping for his death at this very moment! You are just helpless at this moment! For you to act as though you care dearly for your brother at this moment, aren't you only trying to make it seem as though you are extremely loyal and compassionate to give yourself more chips in the future? Do you think that such tricks of yours are meaningful?"
Ling Tian flicked his sleeves, "Let me give you a warning. Don't play these little tricks in front of me! Since you are going to become a prostitute, you better erect a huge signboard and be open about it! Don't try and act as though you are still a chaste virgin! It is best for you to not erect a chastity arch. Right, this little act of yours is still useful. You should put up this show at your brother's funeral!"
Ling Tian's words were extremely barbed, and DongFang JingLei simmered with anger. After forcefully suppressing his anger, DongFang JingLei lowered his head and said, "Young noble's teachings are right."
Ling Tian went silent for a moment before saying, "I shall be leaving now. After this matter is settled, I will return to Sky Bearing and will not return anymore. In future, Eastern Zhao will be in your hands. If there isn't a need, I will not find you in the future. You will still be you, the future DongFang Family Head and only spokesperson of the DongFang Family."
After standing up, Ling Tian let out a long breath and said without turning back, "DongFang JingLei, you are extremely intelligent and scheming. Your foundation isn't weak, and you are pretty talented. I do not have anyone else capable in Eastern Zhao and so I can only benefit you. Thus, you are actually pretty lucky!"
"But if you want to protect the DongFang Family, then let me give you a warning: Do not make me fearful of you! You should know that what accompanies my fear would be your death!" Ling Tian said with undisguised killing intent, "You must understand that killing you is as easy as flipping over my palms!"
DongFang JingLei burst out in a cold sweat and acknowledged Ling Tian's words repeatedly. He then suddenly remembered what Ling Tian said and could not help but ask, "Young noble will return to Sky Bearing immediately?" He should not have asked this question but still ended up asking it! This was because Ling Tian's bet with Justice still had two more months to go. At the same time, the outcome of this bet was extremely important to DongFang JingLei!
He was longing for Ling Tian's death a while ago, but he was now praying for Ling Tian's survival. At the very least, Ling Tian must not die before he could unite the DongFang Family! At this moment, Justice was the biggest variable.
Ling Tian revealed a trace of a smile. He had been intentionally avoiding this question because he was waiting for DongFang JingLei to bring it up. Indeed, DongFang JingLei did not disappoint him.
Ling Tian responded with an 'oh' before saying calmly, "Yes, back to Sky Bearing."
DongFang JingLei asked with incredulity, "Then young noble's bet…"
"It is already invalid!" Ling Tian replied calmly, "Justice has given up on the bet! He gave it up willingly!"
AH?! DongFang JingLei was flabbergasted! Justice had given up the bet willingly? What did this mean? Could it be that Justice didn't have the strength to kill Ling Tian? Or could it be that Ling Tian's strength was already at Justice's realm? Thus, Justice would give up willingly?
If that was the case, wouldn't that mean that Ling Tian was invincible? Could it be that there wasn't anyone capable of killing him?!
DongFang JingLei's heart was thrown into a mess as he looked at Ling Tian speechlessly with his mouth wide opened.
Ling Tian knew that DongFang JingLei was thinking about and did not bother explaining anything. This was the effect he wanted and thus intentionally replied DongFang JingLei with ambiguity. With such a shock, DongFang JingLei would not dare to have any malicious thoughts!
At the same time, Ling Tian could not help but snicker in his heart, Justice's reputation is still the best! Is this considered borrowing his prestige?
Ling Tian nodded his head before holding onto Xiao YanXue's hand and walking out.
"Young noble have a safe trip. JingLei sends young noble off." Behind Ling Tian, DongFang JingLei's tone was completely different. It was now filled with fear, respect, and even reverence!
Ling Tian placed his hand on Xiao YanXue lips and with a gasp, the two of them disappeared from DongFang JingLei's sight!