Chapter 685: Chapter 7: Laughter
The faces of those in the encampment changed.
This was the voice of the Commander of the Black Water Kingdom Guard, coming so quickly!
The camp of One Plum was in chaos, with many soldiers clutching their weapons, glancing around nervously.
The sound of footsteps grew closer through the swaying trees, and many were already sweating profusely, their faces ashen.
The long journey of escape had left everyone exhausted, barely able to hold on.
Now, with pursuers arriving and surrounded by enemies, the camp filled with injured, a wave of despair welled up in everyone’s hearts.
Mei Yingxue and the others exchanged heavy glances.
Though no one spoke, they all knew deep down that escape might be impossible today.
The sound of breaking branches and friction noises approached, indicating the area was surrounded by the Black Water Kingdom Guard.
With Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi’s Third Grade strength, lacking firearms, escaping beneath the watchful eyes of a First Grade Grandmaster was almost impossible, let alone for others?
With the situation as dire as it was, there was no way backward!
Mei Yingxue took a deep breath and stepped out of the encampment first.
Zong Zhulan, Yan Qi, Meng Liangyu, Wei Qun, and Mei Zhenyu followed suit.
Feeling compelled to look up.
On a towering ancient tree not far away stood a man in a cyan robe, his elegant and scholarly demeanor complemented by a sword at his waist, observing everyone in the camp from above.
The Cyan Dragon Lord!
Silhouettes flickered in the forest.
The Black Water Kingdom Guard had taken over the forest, encircling the area completely.
A group emerged with cold expressions, all with their hair unkempt and wearing coats with reversed fronts.
The leader was tall and robust, clad in pitch-black heavy armor, embroidered with silver patterns, gleaming coldly in the sunlight, a saber hung at his waist, his gaze fierce—Commander Han Hui of the Black Water Kingdom Guard.
"Brother Meng, thanks for the trouble."
Han Hui glanced at the Cyan Dragon Lord standing above.
"It’s a mere trifle."
The Cyan Dragon Lord smiled slightly and said, "Being able to quickly trace the whereabouts of One Plum was greatly aided by Marshal Jin from the White Tiger Bureau."
"You flatter me, merely performing my duty."
A hundred Cyan Dragon Guards emerged from the woods, among them was someone looking plain and unremarkable, unlike the surrounding Cyan Dragon Guards.
Jin Bai of the White Tiger Bureau, Third Grade Meridian Passage.
The White Tiger Bureau oversees Jianghu affairs and is highly adept at tracking.
The Cyan Dragon Lord specifically invited a Marshal from the White Tiger Bureau to assist this time.
The hundred Cyan Dragon Guards present were elite from the Capital City’s Cyan Dragon Bureau, the lowest cultivation of them was Fifth Grade, having developed Inner Qi.
When assigned to various states and counties, they could at least be appointed to Guard Captain.
"Li the traitor!"
Chi Yun glared at the foremost person among the Cyan Dragon Guards, tightening his grip on his longsword, gritting his teeth, "You killed Brother Tan!"
This Li Xuan was a Marshal of the Cyan Dragon Guards, the right-hand of the Cyan Dragon Lord, with a cultivation of Second Grade Innate.
Wei Qun and the others also showed cold expressions, glaring angrily.
However, regarding their highest cultivation, only Wei Qun and Wang Yanli were Fifth Grade Inner Core.
The others like Chi Yun and Yue Shou were merely Sixth Grade Bone Marrow Cutting Realm, lacking Inner Qi cultivation.
Even if they all advanced together, avenging Tan Wujiu seemed unlikely.
"The traitors of the Cyan Dragon Bureau deserve death!"
Li Xuan sneered slightly, saying, "All of you too, will die here today!"
The Cyan Dragon Lord stated calmly, "Commander Han, my men will handle the traitors of the Cyan Dragon Bureau and Vermilion Bird Bureau, the rest are yours to deal with."
"Not an issue."
Han Hui nodded.
The Cyan Dragon Lord descended smoothly from the branches, speaking indifferently, "Strike now, kill those Cyan Dragon Bureau traitors directly."
"The two from the Vermilion Bird Bureau need to be captured alive; I’m curious how the Eldest Princess will explain this to His Holiness."
Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi inwardly shuddered.
Mei Yingxue indeed guessed correctly!
The Cyan Dragon Lord planned to use them against the Eldest Princess!
"Who will slay the traitors!"
Li Xuan pointed at Wei Qun, Wang Yanli, and the others, asking solemnly.
"I will!"
"Me too!"
A dozen Cyan Dragon Guards were eager to step forward.
"Nine of you go, test out your former colleagues; don’t hold back."
Li Xuan glanced at Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi, saying, "As for you two, I’ll deal with personally!"
Before his voice faded, Li Xuan leaped forward, drawing his longsword from his waist, and slashed towards Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi mid-air.
A streak of cyan Sword Qi shattered through the air!
Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi shook their sleeves, clutching the Phoenix Beak Saber to block the Sword Qi.
Clang!
Their bodies shook, involuntarily stepping back half a step, feeling secretly alarmed.
The other party is, after all, an Innate Expert, one realm higher than them. Just one strike of sword energy, and the two almost couldn’t resist.
Li Xuan gave them no chance to catch their breath, following the sword closely, he had already come close, the sword light icy and severe, enveloping both Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi completely!
The Vermilion Bird Bureau is responsible for intelligence gathering for Daqian, mostly not involved in direct combat.
Among the same rank, the Vermilion Bird Guard is already at a disadvantage in combat compared to the other three bureaus.
Firearms were exhausted in the last breakout. Without the support of firearms, and with a realm difference between the parties, Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi fell into a disadvantage as soon as they clashed.
Li Xuan fought two opponents alone with ease.
If it weren’t for the need to capture them alive, he would have been more restrained in his moves, not daring to unleash full power; otherwise, Zong Zhulan and Yan Qi wouldn’t last even ten moves!
The situation on Wei Qun and Wang Yanli’s side was quite dangerous.
Although it was one-on-one, without any reservations, they fought fiercely.
Both sides fought to the death, a slight mistake could result in dying on the spot!
Commander of the Black Water Kingdom Guard, Han Hui, turned his gaze to Mei Yingxue and suddenly said: "You’re so young, where do you get the courage to target the Black Water Kingdom’s royal family?"
Recently, One Plum has been looting within the Black Water Kingdom, specifically targeting the Black Water Kingdom’s royal trade caravans.
In the past two years, several royal members with the surname Xiao have been killed!
"A few years ago, your Black Water Kingdom operated a Black Water Gang in Pingzhou, colluding with the Daqian government, committing all sorts of crimes. The gang leader’s surname was Xiao."
Mei Yingxue, knowing that escape was impossible today, did not hide the truth, saying: "My father was killed by your Black Water Gang!"
Han Hui frowned and said: "As far as I know, Gang Leader Xiao has been missing for years, he is probably dead by now."
Mei Yingxue said: "The establishment of the Black Water Gang was at the behest of the Black Water King."
"Ha!"
Han Hui suddenly laughed and said: "What a delusion, you and this bunch of minions, thinking you can kill the monarch of my Black Water Kingdom?"
"Why not?"
Mei Yingxue’s expression remained calm, saying: "I know a friend who was slashed over thirty times by your gang’s Young Leader, his tendons and bones broken, almost becoming a cripple. But he not only survived, he also killed the county magistrate and the chief constable who harmed his family, wiped out your Black Water Gang, and drove them out of Pingzhou!"
"He personally severed the head of the Black Water Gang’s Young Leader, avenging his deep grievance!"
"You’re talking about Chen Tang, aren’t you."
Han Hui’s face darkened, letting out a cold snort, squinting his eyes, he said slowly: "I have heard of this event. If it weren’t for that man being buried in the East Sea, my Black Water Kingdom would’ve already sent people to tear him to pieces!"
The Cyan Dragon Lord suddenly said: "As far as I know, not only is this kid not dead, but in the past two years, he’s been doing very well in Nanxia, gaining great fame, stirring up the Jianghu of Nanxia, winning first place in the Sword Pavilion’s three rankings at the Martial Arts Assembly, unprecedented."
"Rumor has it that the downfall of the Profound Celestial Sect in Nanxia and the decline of the Drunken Immortal Tower are both related to this kid."
This information hasn’t reached the Extreme North Cold Domain, but the Cyan Dragon Bureau has grasped the gist.
Han Hui frowned deeply, somewhat disbelief, saying: "He’s only about twenty years old, with not much cultivation, can he really accomplish so much?"
The Cyan Dragon Lord said: "According to the information I have, this kid had already cultivated to the Fourth Grade Extreme Realm at the Martial Arts Assembly, it’s been more than half a year, he might have already stepped into the Third Grade."
Han Hui felt a chill in his heart, instantly realizing the gravity of the situation.
A twenty-year-old Third Grade!
Such talent and potential are truly astounding.
If left to grow, he would inevitably become a dire threat!
"What does Brother Meng say?"
Han Hui’s eyes flashed with icy light, saying: "This kid cannot be left unchecked, action must be taken quickly."
The two discussed these matters openly in front of everyone, without any concerns about leaks.
After all, One Plum was nothing more than lambs waiting for slaughter in their eyes.
The Cyan Dragon Lord nodded slightly, saying: "The Sect Leader and His Holiness are also considering this matter, still gathering information, preparing to nip this kid in the bud. However, after the Martial Arts Assembly, this kid suddenly disappeared, with no trace, it’s unclear what’s going on."
"Our side currently has a quite tricky issue, the Sect Leader’s attention is entirely focused on this, with no mind to spare for this kid."
Han Hui’s mind was stirred, asking: "Is it concerning the rumor about Emperor Wu?"
"Yes."
The Cyan Dragon Lord pondered, saying: "It is said that this Chen Tang is a disciple of Emperor Wu, having obtained Emperor Wu’s true legacy. I suspect his disappearance might be related to Emperor Wu."
"Is it true that Emperor Wu is not dead?"
Han Hui couldn’t help but ask.
"I don’t know, it could also be a rumor."
The Cyan Dragon Lord shook his head slightly.
Even if it’s a rumor, no one dares to ignore it.
With that man not dead, countless people would be restless and uneasy!
Han Hui clasped his hands, saying: "If Brother Meng hears any news about Chen Tang, remember to send a message. This kid has a blood feud with my Black Water Kingdom; if the king knows he is not dead, no matter where he hides, my Black Water Kingdom will not spare him."
The Extreme North Cold Domain originally had a great opportunity to join forces with He Yeqian to swallow the land of Pingzhou.
Unexpectedly, they suffered a major loss in Wu’an County.
Not only was their strategy exposed, but He Yeqian fled from Pingzhou City, and Black Water’s troop was ineffective, crippled by the Stolen Talisman Robbery Order, unable to provide support.
Even the Black Water Gang, established in Pingzhou for many years, was wiped out overnight.
Black Water King’s brother, Xiao Zhengyuan, has been missing for years, his status unknown.
Black Water King’s nephew was killed by that Chen Tang in one strike.
These events are all closely linked with that Chen Tang!
"Of course."
The Cyan Dragon Lord nodded in agreement.
"Hehe."
At this time, a light chuckle rang out suddenly around the camp, filled with disdain and mockery, erratically flitting from east to west.
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