Chapter 547: Chapter 538: Murong Bo! Xiao Yuanshan
Murong Bo, with greying temples, appeared aged, but his face, sharply chiseled like a knife’s edge and eyebrows as if painted with ink, projected an imposing presence, still resembling a graceful middle-aged man, handsome as ever.
Ding Chunqiu had long, flowing hair, with rosy lips and white teeth, holding a feathered fan in hand.
Their temperaments and appearances were distinct from each other.
However, without exception, their contours were deep, with defined features, faintly revealing the unparalleled grace of their youth.
At this moment, the two donned armor and rode their horses to the outskirts of the city.
A glance revealed it all.
Indeed, the Western Xia army galloped towards them like a surging tide, with an overwhelming and majestic aura.
The two exchanged a glance, able to see the unwavering battle spirit in each other’s eyes.
They led the Great Song army, easily subduing and defeating the Western Xia forces several times, yet still held Helian Tieshu in low regard.
Murong Bo thought further:
"If I, Murong Bo, could seize power, who among the great generals of the world could be my match? By then, sweeping across the world, restoring the nation and ascending the throne, wouldn’t it be as easy as turning my hand? Alas, alas, to completely control the military power of Great Song is extremely challenging.
I have laid low for decades across Great Song and Great Liao, developing countless spies.
But merely relying on spies isn’t enough to form a climate.
We must let Western Xia and Great Song engage in a thorough war, so I can seize a good opportunity within.
It would be best to drag Great Liao into it as well."
While pondering how to stir up a multi-nation war to seize military power for the restoration of his country,
Suddenly, Ding Chunqiu’s face drastically changed. He leaped off his horse, turned around, and fled.
Murong Bo was stunned, instinctively looking forward. Upon seeing the figure at the forefront, he couldn’t help but take a deep breath and then spun around to run wildly, even faster than Ding Chunqiu.
"Ding Ling, as an emperor of a nation, instead of being a good emperor, is obsessed with beauties in the harem. Why has he suddenly appeared at the border from far away?"
Murong Bo couldn’t understand it at all.
It had only been a few months since Ding Ling became emperor.
He must be dealing with a myriad of issues every day!
Why would he suddenly appear at the border without apparent reason?
This was one thing, but more importantly, wasn’t Ding Ling supposed to be far away in the Tian Mountain region?!
If he had known Ding Ling would come, Murong Bo would never have publicly appeared. He was forced by Xiao Yuanshan and the Western Xia troops, having no other choice but to seek the help of Great Song to counter Xiao Yuanshan and the Western Xia army.
Though he was very strong, he couldn’t withstand the various assassination, poisoning, and ambush attempts by the Western Xia First-Grade Hall.
He was no Ding Ling!
Although Western Xia First-Grade Hall was destroyed by Ding Ling, under Ding Ling’s support, it selected the best and became powerful again. This Western Xia First-Grade Hall recruited many martial arts practitioners, who, along with Western Xia’s elite soldiers, conducted archery killings, assassinations, etc., extremely skillfully.
Even though Murong Bo and Ding Chunqiu were formidable, they were often ambushed and poisoned, which left them apprehensive, knowing that continuing like this would inevitably lead to death, hence they took the risk of a desperate struggle.
In retrospect, it was indeed a risky endeavor!
They had unknowingly brought out Ding Ling!
Was it worth it?!
It was just a small-scale conflict!
He hadn’t even brought Great Liao’s troops into the fray, yet suddenly, a great rush ensued, leaving Murong Bo very panic-stricken.
"Why didn’t the spies report any information on Ding Ling?!"
Murong Bo sprinted into the city, glancing sideways at Ding Chunqiu.
"I’m puzzled too."
Ding Chunqiu shook his head, turned his head for a glance, saw that Ding Ling wasn’t chasing, and heaved a sigh of relief even as he ran faster:
"I’ve deployed a large number of spies and secret agents around the Western Xia Imperial City, especially near the Imperial Palace. These people don’t have to do anything else, just watch Ding Ling.
I also heard from them that Ding Ling had gone to Lingjiu Palace on Illusory Peak of Tian Mountain.
That was the only reason I dared to venture out so openly.
Logically speaking.
The Tian Mountain is at least over a thousand miles from the Imperial City, even riding horses, it would take several days. After all, the mountains are tall, waters long, many mountain ranges along this route, horses can’t climb mountains and ridges, some terrains can only be traversed by foot.
Considering all this, a round trip of a month was plausible.
But for Ding Ling’s round trip?
It took only less than a day or two?! How fast was that?! Simply unbelievable!"
Murong Bo agreed deeply.
He also knew the great distance between the Imperial City and Celestial Mountain Piaomiao Peak, and the numerous tough mountain roads. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken advantage of Ding Ling’s distant travel, hurriedly to emerge and proceed with his plans.
However, despite all calculations.
What he did not expect was that Ding Ling would unexpectedly appear on the battlefield, frightening him to the core!
"Murong Bo!"
Murong Bo and Ding Chunqiu quickly exchanged various intelligence, gaining clarity about the situation, yet feeling increasingly bewildered and confused. Just as they ran out from the heavily stationed border town and were preparing to delve into the Great Song territory, a robust man towering at eight chi, with thick brows and big eyes, a high nose, and a wide mouth, charged in from the side, rushing towards Murong Bo:
"Prepare to die!"
"Xiao Yuanshan!"
Upon seeing the intruder, Murong Bo’s face changed slightly, anger surged:
"Enough already! My son was killed by your son. Yet, you still pursue me relentlessly, isn’t that going too far!!"
"The enmity for killing my wife is irreconcilable. Murong Bo, you old thief, I, Xiao Yuanshan, will not rest until you’re dead. Prepare to die!"
Xiao Yuanshan bolted near, violently striking, slamming a palm towards Murong Bo’s chest.
Ding Chunqiu, eyes rolling, turned away from Murong Bo, detouring and running rapidly.
"Ding Chunqiu!"
Murong Bo’s pupils contracted, a fury erupted within him:
"Weren’t we supposed to face the enemy together? How can you just flee like that?"
"Murong Bo, my apologies. Ding Ling’s martial arts are far beyond my reach, I’m a bit afraid of him. Our roads will cross again with the flow of time and distance!"
Swoosh!
With those words, Ding Chunqiu was already leaping into a vast forest nearby, disappearing without a trace within a few leaps.
Murong Bo was so angry his face turned red and his neck swelled, yet he knew now wasn’t the time for distractions, immediately gathered his spirit, and confronted Xiao Yuanshan.
Both were peerless masters.
A punch, a palm.
Both carried infinite might. The ongoing explosions echoed without cease, wildly displaying the tenfold exploding power of their Fusion Qi.
Clear to see.
Both had mastered the Breathing Technique!
Boom!
Both simultaneously used a move of Great Vajra Palm, upon hearing the massive explosion, both were blown uncontrollably backward more than ten zhang.
Seizing the chance, Murong Bo turned and dashed into the Thorn Ridge on one side, fleeing wildly.
"Murong Bo, stop!"
Xiao Yuanshan quickly pursued.
He didn’t have the same connections as Murong Bo, nor had he developed so many spies, thus couldn’t approach the higher echelons of Great Song’s military, naturally not daring to enter this stronghold, to avoid being caught in a trap.
Opting to wait outside, seeking an opportunity.
To his surprise, he originally thought he would have to wait for a long time, but within a mere day or two, Murong Bo had suddenly fled out of the stronghold in panic.
