Chapter 696: Chapter 18: Who Said You Could Leave?
As a Grandmaster, Qifu Qin had keen eyesight and immediately saw that Xue Tuan’Er and the White Ape were not ordinary creatures.
"Where did these two exotic beasts come from?"
Qifu Qin suddenly asked.
Chen Tang replied, "I brought them."
At this moment, Xue Tuan’Er and the White Ape were waiting outside the mountain stronghold.
Qifu Qin arrived at the gate of the mountain stronghold, paused his steps, and his sturdy figure moved quickly, suddenly appearing before Xue Tuan’Er.
Xue Tuan’Er sensed the hostility from this person and reacted swiftly, growling and striking a paw towards Qifu Qin.
Qifu Qin’s eyes shone brightly and before Xue Tuan’Er’s paw touched him, he suddenly extended a big hand, pressing on Xue Tuan’Er’s forehead, exerting force, causing Qi and Blood to surge, instantly pressing Xue Tuan’Er to the ground!
Xue Tuan’Er’s hind legs continued to struggle, trying to break free from Qifu Qin’s control, but its upper body remained immobile.
"Oh oh!"
The White Ape beside them grew furious, reversed its hand and drew the Great Sword from its back, aiming to strike at Qifu Qin’s head.
"Even knows swordsmanship?"
Qifu Qin glanced slightly to the side, returned with a punch, hitting just the spine of the Great Sword, and the explosive force immediately sent the White Ape’s Great Sword flying.
He extended his arm forward, displaying Dragon Capturing Technique, and in the blink of an eye pinched several joints of the White Ape’s arm, causing it to cry out in pain.
Mei Yingxue, Meng Liangyu, and others’ faces changed color.
They had all witnessed the terrifying combat power of the White Ape and Xue Tuan’Er, not expecting that just a brief exchange would render them helpless!
Several people instinctively looked toward Chen Tang.
Chen Tang showed no expression.
As one of the Immortal Slayers, Qifu Qin was once the most valued person by Emperor Wu, and in his heart was akin to Ming Yue Wanderer, considered as a senior.
They had just exchanged a few words, and without warning, this Dragon Tiger Dominator played such a hand.
In the blink of an eye, the White Ape and Xue Tuan’Er were already subdued by Qifu Qin, too late for him to act.
Chen Tang’s expression gradually cooled.
With the White Ape and Xue Tuan’Er in this person’s hands, he dared not make rash moves, fearing for the lives of the two beasts.
However, Qifu Qin’s daughter was right behind him, within easy reach!
The atmosphere inside and outside the mountain stronghold suddenly grew tense.
"Hahahahaha!"
Qifu Qin suddenly laughed out loud, releasing Xue Tuan’Er and the White Ape, and entered the mountain stronghold.
"Roar!"
Xue Tuan’Er growled, wanting to chase after, but Chen Tang waved his hand.
Xue Tuan’Er panted heavily, full of reluctance, and this was its first major loss in the mountains.
The White Ape also clutched its arm, hissing and drawing cold gasps.
"Little brother, just joking."
Qifu Qin came next to Chen Tang, patting his shoulder, looked around, and said, "Everyone need not be tense, I was merely curious, testing the strength of these two animals, indeed they are extraordinary."
Kou Zhenshan hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying, "Grand General, this is Brother Chen Tang, rumors in Jianghu say he received Your Majesty’s teachings in Tiger Subduing Fist, Dragon Capturing Technique, and Burning Wood Saber, among other skills."
"Little brother, this is our Wu Dynasty’s Grand General, Dragon Tiger Dominator, formerly one of the Four Great Immortal Slayers."
Kou Zhenshan noticed Chen Tang with a solemn face saying nothing, quickly threw him a look.
If it were before, Chen Tang would have stepped forward, clasped his fist in salute, and called him senior.
At this moment, Chen Tang stood still, expressionless.
The joke earlier was not funny at all.
He did not immediately act out, only because he considered this person once followed Emperor Wu, not wanting things to become too strained.
"There is nothing extraordinary about Tiger Subduing Fist, Dragon Capturing Technique, all thousand Dragon Tiger Guards of the Wu Dynasty know these two martial arts."
Qifu Qin said, "As for Burning Wood Saber, it is indeed outstanding, but this is not considered Your Majesty’s most adept skill."
After a brief pause, Qifu Qin suddenly stared at Chen Tang, his gaze intense, asking solemnly, "Where is Your Majesty?"
"I don’t know."
Chen Tang replied simply.
With this question from Qifu Qin, he could tell that Emperor Wu was certainly not on the mountain.
Qifu Qin looked Chen Tang up and down, saying, "I heard you are into Body Refining, have you learned Your Majesty’s Dragon and Tiger Pill Scripture?"
"Haven’t learned."
Chen Tang’s tone was indifferent.
"Hehe."
Qifu Qin chuckled, saying, "Your Majesty created this Body Refining martial art but never mastered it himself, hardly considered a true disciple of Your Majesty, I have cultivated Dragon and Tiger Pill Scripture for decades, dare not claim this title."
The Young Madam laughed and said, "Father, Jianghu people, all love to exaggerate, mutually praise each other, have three parts skills, eager to boast as ten, it’s nothing much."
Mei Yingxue and others all heard the sarcasm from the Young Madam but frowned secretly.
Chen Tang remained indifferent, without displaying emotions.
"This matter cannot be taken lightly."
Qifu Qin said solemnly, "To be considered a true disciple of Emperor Wu is such an honor? If lacking in strength and losing face outside, it’s not much to him, wouldn’t it damage Your Majesty’s reputation."
"What father-in-law says is absolutely correct."
Qin Xi nodded.
Kou Zhenshan hesitated, then smiled, "Grand General, this young brother was once called ’Lion-Tiger Arhat,’ surviving the Flood Dragon slaying in Qingzhou, heard later made quite a name in Nanxia, seized the top position of the three Sword Pavilion lists, considered promising among the young."
"Oh? Seems he has some skills."
Qifu Qin’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, slightly nodded, looked at Qin Xi, asking, "Young Master, what position should we arrange for him?"
"How about arranging an Assistant General?"
Qin Xi proposed.
Qifu Qin shook his head, saying, "He’s only mingling in Jianghu, hasn’t trained in the army. Moreover, he is too young, just came up the mountain, assigning him as an Assistant General might hard to convince the masses."
"In my view, start him as a Centurion, if truly capable, promote him later."
Kou Zhenshan saw that Chen Tang still had no reaction and hurriedly smiled, "Little brother, come up and give thanks. With your abilities, after training as a centurion for a while, you’ll soon move up, no need to worry."
Lu Qing pouted, whispered, "Who cares!"
"I believe everyone has misunderstood."
Chen Tang said calmly, "I came to the mountain this time just to convey a message to Your Majesty."
"Oh?"
Qin Xi asked, "What is it?"
"Should I say it here?"
Chen Tang glanced around.
Inside and outside the mountain stronghold, many people were stationed.
Qin Xi hesitated a bit, looked at Qifu Qin beside him, and said, "There are no outsiders here, feel free to speak."
Chen Tang said, "I have a message regarding Madam Lu."
"My mother?"
Lu Qing trembled all over, instinctively grabbed Chen Tang’s arm, somewhat agitated.
Qin Xi’s expression turned awkward upon hearing ’Madam Lu’, he subconsciously glanced at the young madam beside him.
"Do you know where my mother is, she’s not dead, is she?"
Lu Qing hurriedly asked.
Chen Tang said, "Madam Lu might be detained in Daqian Capital City."
"Really?"
Lu Qing’s eyes lit up, she turned and looked at Qin Xi, "Father, mother is also in the capital!"
"Hehe, might be detained in Daqian Capital City?"
The young madam suddenly sneered coldly, "This is likely an attempt to trick us into going to the capital to rescue that Prince Wei who’s about to be executed!"
"Father, what if it’s true?"
Lu Qing said, "We might as well go to the capital early to have a look."
"Humph!"
Qin Xi’s face turned sour, he said, "Qing’Er, this matter is non-negotiable. Over ten thousand former subordinates of the Wu Dynasty, how can they be sacrificed for a friend of yours!"
"Moreover, your friend has the surname Yuan, a member of the Daqian Royal Family, having a deep-seated enmity with my Qin Family. That slap I gave you was too light!"
Lu Qing argued loudly, "Heigou is different."
"There’s no difference."
Qin Xi sneered slightly, said, "Back then, just because my surname is Qin, I had to live incognito, even got my arm severed, trapped in a village teaching as a school master."
"Now, I’m free, becoming the Young Master of Wu Dynasty’s former subordinates, everything must take the big picture into account. How could I sacrifice my loyal former dynasty soldiers for a member of the Daqian Royal Family!"
Lu Qing’Er said, "But mother she..."
Qin Xi said indifferently, "If the news is false, there’s no need for me to take the risk; if it’s true, instead of asking me, you might as well have the Evil Emperor come out."
"Right, right!"
Qifu Qin’s eyes lit up, said, "If the Evil Emperor is willing to come out, he could surely rescue your mother."
If the Evil Emperor acts, it will surely stir up a bloody storm, resulting in countless casualties.
It’s best if the Grandmasters of Transformation Realm fight each other to mutual devastation.
The more chaos in Daqian, the more it benefits them.
Lu Qing silently lowered her head, stood quietly without speaking.
Weighing pros and cons, perhaps her father was right.
At the same time, she realized her father was no longer that dispassionate, content with poverty, schoolmaster from Mist Rain Village.
Her father is now the Young Master of Wu Dynasty’s former subordinates, and could never return.
Chen Tang silently thought to himself.
Actually, he had seen far too many similar people in his previous life.
Not to mention Qin Xi, whose status and identity had undergone a tremendous change, from a schoolmaster to a Young Master of Wu Dynasty’s subordinates whom everyone rallies around.
Even if someone suddenly gains a bit of power or wealth, they may become completely different.
Perhaps the Demon Venerable was right.
This is human nature.
As people’s environment, status, and identity change, without the restraints of rules, without the limits of power, people inevitably change.
Thus, always maintaining sincerity, always being courageous and fearless, always holding on to one’s inner sense of justice, never compromising, never retreating—this is truly commendable.
After a while, Lu Qing finally said, "I only have one question left."
After a brief pause, she looked up at Qin Xi, asked, "If mother were rescued, would you still be willing to see her?"
Qin Xi’s expression fluctuated uncertainly, he said nothing.
"I understand."
Lu Qing gave a bitter smile, nodded.
She then turned to Chen Tang, after much hesitation, she mustered up the courage to ask, "Haitang, are you going to stay on the mountain and become a big official?"
Chen Tang smiled and said, "I’m definitely following Big Sister around! Wherever you say to go, I’ll go!"
Lu Qing’s lips quivered, her nose tingled, her eyes turned red all at once.
Mei Yingxue watched quietly from the side, somewhat curious.
This Miss Lu and Chen Tang, it’s not a romantic affair, but extremely pure.
"You’re loyal!"
Lu Qing choked, said, she forcibly held back her tears, waved her little hand vigorously, said, "Let’s go, let’s descend the mountain, and someday venture to the capital!"
"Alright!"
Chen Tang nodded.
"Wait!"
At this moment, someone suddenly spoke, in an icy tone: "Who said you could leave?"
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