Chapter 40 - Arc 4: The Affairs of Chenghuang Kingdom | Chapter 40: Yun Lie Strikes
Translator: Lynn
On a normal day, Xu Ziqing would enjoy sitting and conversing with his friend after leaving the ring, appreciating the serene beauty of the surroundings. It was always a pleasant experience.
However, when Yun Lie emerged, Xu Ziqing’s anxiety surged.
“Brother Yun, return to the ring!” he urgently exclaimed.
Yet, Yun Lie brushed him aside, saying, “We haven’t reached our limit yet, so there’s no need to fight for our lives. You should leave now.”
Xu Ziqing felt an invisible force pushing him backward, causing him to involuntarily take two steps back. Although his limbs and bones were rejuvenated by spiritual energy, eradicating the pain and injuries he had just endured, a hint of impatience welled up in his heart.
“Brother Yun, you…” Xu Ziqing began to speak, fear flickering in his heart. Taking a bold step forward, he tried to enter the frigid area, but the sword pressure hindered him, preventing him from entering the cold domain. Despite his repeated attempts, his blood cooled down, and he couldn’t penetrate the icy field.
Xu Ziqing understood that Yun Lie was an extraordinary and formidable individual, leading a life beyond ordinary realms. Now, with only a sliver of the soul remaining, he took the initiative to protect Xu Ziqing, a dying man… There was no way to repay such a profound friendship, and since Yun Lie didn’t want him to fight alongside him, Xu Ziqing patiently awaited his fate.
Regardless of the outcome, Xu Ziqing was determined to stand by Yun Lie, even in life or death.
However, in the next moment, Xu Ziqing’s passionate resolve turned into astonishment.
The figure in white stood tall, resembling an unbreakable sword—strong and unwavering
“Bzzzzzz—”
Sword qi surged around him, numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. They transformed into slender streams of astral winds, cutting through the air, and leaving white trails in their wake.
Amidst the countless sword qis enveloping him, Yun Lie remained motionless.
Though the sea wind raged like a tornado, not a single strand of his hair or the edge of his clothes stirred. He existed solely amidst the sword qi and an infinite arsenal of killing intent.
It was at this moment that Xu Ziqing realized the profound intensity and concentration of one’s killing intent. The sword qi surrounding his friend didn’t require the aid of a flying sword; it flowed freely as if it were inconsequential, an extension of his own body, controlled solely by his mind.
No wonder his closest friend looked down on Xu Zifeng. The realization struck Xu Ziqing suddenly.
Indeed, while Xu Zifeng’s sword qi possessed a biting quality, it had to be attached to a sword, and its range was limited to a few inches. In contrast, his friend’s sword qi was so ethereal that it extended for miles, producing a continuous crackling sound akin to fireworks slicing through the air.
Wherever the sword qi passed, dozens of water eddies shattered and dispersed into sparkling droplets, disappearing into the sea. The Ying Fish remained atop the wave’s crest, its eyes glinting with bloodlust. However, as it looked down at the white figure, a tinge of horror washed over it.
The countless waves were crushed and ravaged by the sword qi, gradually subsiding. Yet, the more the Ying Fish attempted to conjure waves, the more futile its efforts became in halting the relentless onslaught of the sword qi.
Fear became increasingly apparent in the Ying Fish’s eyes as it leaped upwards to evade the impending strike of sword energy. It succeeded momentarily, but its triumph was short-lived. It soon realized that it could no longer move.
An icy sword intent emanated from below, plunging the creature into an icy abyss, chilling it to the bone. It was immobilized, unable to even sway its tail, resembling a rigid stone statue thrust into a world of swords, shaped by countless killing intents.
Xu Ziqing observed everything from the sidelines, and this awe-inspiring tactic sent shivers down his spine, making his body tremble and his scalp tingle.
However, the moment the Ying Fish stiffened, Xu Ziqing reacted swiftly and called out loudly, “Chonghua—”
In an instant, the eagle that had been soaring at great heights swooped down, its claws as hard as steel, fiercely pecking at the Ying Fish’s body and tearing off its wings!
Devoid of its master’s support, the Ying fish’s inner pellet plummeted from the heights but abruptly halted its descent in front of the man in white.
With each step he took, his sword qi accumulated, and the boundless killing intent surrounding him dissipated instantly, akin to melting ice and snow.
“Collect it,” he spoke with indifference only when he stood three steps away from Xu Ziqing.
The turquoise blue bead, dripping and spinning, hovered between the two of them.
Xu Ziqing breathed steadily, then smiled faintly. “I understand, Brother Yun.”
Yun Lie’s figure vanished, and the sea regained its tranquility.
The countless waves of all sizes and the chilling, unending sword qi vanished completely.
Xu Ziqing gazed at the bead in his palm and, with a gentle squeeze, it entered the storage ring. Simultaneously, a red-faced child materialized beside him.
The Heavy Chinese Eagle circled above the heads of the two men, having already consumed the Ying fish’s carcass entirely.
Silently sighing, Xu Ziqing peered at the serene sea, reminiscing about the cultivators who had been devoured earlier.
Now, they were nowhere to be found… Taking Dong Lizhao’s arm, he whisked him away in the wind.
Before the Heavenly Boundary Seal.
A gentle breeze wafted by, and a young man in a green shirt suddenly materialized in mid-air, clasping a boy’s hand and remaining motionless together.
It was Xu Ziqing and Dongzhao, who had arrived in haste.
A pale golden light flickered, prompting Dong Lizhao to exclaim, “Ahhh!”
Xu Ziqing remarked, “The time has come; the Vajra talisman is no longer effective.”
The sea breeze was relatively mild in this location, and they had ceased moving, so Dong Lizhao only felt a slight chill but wasn’t too uncomfortable.
Xu Ziqing retrieved a long robe from his storage ring and handed it to him. “You’ve just recovered from your injuries. Don’t catch a cold.”
Dong Lizhao gratefully accepted it and put it on. Although it was a cultivator’s garment, it provided insulation against the cold and heat when standing still, albeit being less practical for fast movement.
Once he felt warm enough, Dong Lizhao glanced ahead and inquired, “Sir, is this the Heavenly Boundary Seal?”
Xu Ziqing replied, “It is the Heavenly Boundary Seal.”
Dong Lizhao sucked in a breath of cold air. “How can I traverse such a treacherous place?”
Xu Ziqing was momentarily taken aback and turned to him. “Tell me, what have you observed?”
Dong Lizhao responded, “Countless water columns shooting up from the sky, numbering in the thousands. In the middle, the current is swift, and reefs are scattered everywhere, making it impassable for boats.”
Xu Ziqing nodded. “I see.” What he perceived differed from Dong Lizhao’s description. He didn’t delve further but merely pressed his two fingers together, channeling his spiritual energy into them. He touched Dong Lizhao’s eyes and asked, “What do you see now?”
Dong Lizhao was dumbfounded. “The water columns, the water columns are gone!”
Indeed, if the area Dong Lizhao had observed previously was an extremely perilous stretch of sea, what he saw now was serene and tranquil, devoid of any waves.
Xu Ziqing chuckled and remarked, “This is merely an ancient illusion formation. I’m amazed at the magic employed by the great individual who managed to maintain it for over a million years. While the illusion formation is everlasting, anyone with spiritual power can easily see through it without any fear or danger. However, if you and other southerners were to venture to the opposite side, you would witness the peculiar and perilous scenery projected by the illusion formation.”
All cultivators possess the ability to create illusion formations, but to craft ones so lifelike that they are impregnable is beyond the capabilities of ordinary practitioners. Moreover, there were no visible array flags here. I wonder what extraordinary person utilized seawater as a medium to divide the entire ocean and accomplish such a remarkable feat!
However, Xu Ziqing had no intention of discussing this with Dong Lizhao. He was merely observing and feeling a sense of awe, indulging in speculation and yearning.
Taking Dong Lizhao’s hand, Xu Ziqing leisurely traversed the sealed rift valley. The distance felt like sticky grease, with every movement hindered by an intangible barrier. Finally, upon crossing it, his body suddenly felt lighter, and he experienced a different realm of heaven and earth.
Dong Lizhao glanced back, but his eyes had already dispelled their spiritual energy. When he looked at the Heavenly Boundary Seal again, it remained a sea of malevolence. However, when he turned his gaze forward, the winds and waves were calm.
“Sir, have we reached the Lower Nine Continents now?” He looked up at Xu Ziqing, hope was shining in his eyes.
Xu Ziqing gently smiled. “Indeed, we have arrived at the Lower Nine Continents.”
The aura in the Lower Nine Continents was slightly thinner compared to the Upper Nine Continents, but the sea was a place of steaming water, and the aura of the water element was abundant. Being of the wood element, Xu Ziqing didn’t sense the difference too intensely.
He looked ahead and said, “I’ll guide you from here. We no longer have the Vajra talisman, but the sea here is less fierce than the Upper Nine Continents, so you should be able to endure it. If not, just cover yourself with your shirt.”
Dong Lizhao was highly obedient. He raised the extra garment he wore and wrapped it around the back of his head and face, leaving only his eyes exposed.
Then, Xu Ziqing half-guided him by the shoulders, and in a blink of an eye, they were already ten miles away.
In less than a moment, they reached the shore. Xu Ziqing used a blindfold to prevent them from descending from the sky, and it was only after they landed that he revealed himself.
As Xu Ziqing had mentioned before, the first continent he encountered after crossing the Heavenly Boundary Seal from Upper Qizhou was Lower Qizhou, where the capital city, Hongwu City, was situated.
Dong Lizhao turned to his side and noticed that he had stumbled off the seaside cliff, leaving his eyes bloodshot!
Xu Ziqing patted him on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s head to the town and grab a meal. You must be famished, although your previous indulgence won’t serve you now.”
Dong Lizhao was taken aback by his words, but immediately, his stomach growled, confirming his hunger. He replied, “Sir, I don’t have any money on me…” In his view, monks were akin to immortals who subsisted on air and dewdrops, and gold and silver were worldly possessions that Xu Ziqing shouldn’t possess.
Their first task was to locate a restaurant.
Dong Lizhao placed his trust in Xu Ziqing and took the lead upon hearing his words.
As they entered the county, Dong Lizhao was taken aback.
The roads were devoid of pedestrians, and everything appeared shuttered. Not even the sounds of roosters or dogs could be heard.
Just a few days ago, when he had been here, the place had been bustling with activity. How could it have changed so drastically?
Dong Lizhao clenched his fists. Where were the people? Where had everyone gone?
Regardless of the court’s fluctuations, the people here were still the residents of the Chenghuang Kingdom. But now the entire county wore an air of desolation. They…were in dire straits!
Furrowing his brow, Xu Ziqing concentrated his spiritual energy on his eyes and discovered that the entire county was blanketed with a deathly aura.
This meant that a significant number of people had perished here.
But…why?
Dong Lizhao hurriedly ran forward, finding no one—absolutely no one. It was as if the entire populace had vanished.
Abruptly, he came to a halt and forcefully pushed open the door of a house.
“Creak…” The door swung open.
The interior was in disarray, but once again, not a soul could be found. It didn’t appear to have been looted either; it was just untidy, without any obvious signs of rummaging or missing belongings.
Xu Ziqing followed closely, his feet barely touching the ground, and he observed the same scene.
It was as if the homeowners had departed…or rather, been compelled to leave in great haste.
Feeling increasingly unsettled, the two continued their trek toward the center of the county.
Gradually, Xu Ziqing detected an unusual scent—a faint smoky aroma that couldn’t elude his senses.
The eagle in the sky circled twice, emitted a piercing cry, and flew off in a particular direction.
“Zhao’er, let’s head that way,” Xu Ziqing said, noticing Dong Lizhao’s eyes gradually turning bloodshot. He felt a pang of unease in his heart and gently advised, “Follow Chonghua.”
Dong Lizhao shook his head. “Yes, sir.”
Thus, the two altered their course and proceeded toward the left side of the street.
After walking several hundred steps, Dong Lizhao halted once more.
This time, he stood frozen.
It was an entire street reduced to charred ruins—no longer the prosperous place it had once been. Houses, shops, and stalls had all turned into ashes.
Amongst the crumbling walls, numerous beams remained partially unburned. Grey powder, pressed beneath them, scattered slowly as the wind brushed through, while the remaining wood, pots, and pans turned black.
A weighty expression appeared on Xu Ziqing’s face as well.
“Those are ashes…” Nowadays, he could immediately recognize the grayish-white powder as remnants of burned corpses.
With so many houses in the area, the substantial amount of powder in each room and house indicated one thing.
Dong Lizhao, his voice trembling, already asked, “Sir, were many people here burned to death?”
Xu Ziqing let out a soft sigh. “Yes, many people were driven and locked inside the houses on this street, and then…”
A massive fire was ignited, consuming the street and its inhabitants.
Dong Lizhao fiercely wiped his eyes. “Those treacherous people, they massacred the entire county! Sir, is this because of me? Not only did I jump off a cliff, but even the places I’ve been to, refuse to show mercy!”
Even though Xu Ziqing had always been gentle, at this moment, he couldn’t help but feel the same anger. “Zhao’er, they are heartless.”
Dong Lizhao’s eyes brimmed with hatred once again. “I will make that traitor meet an unkind end!”
Xu Ziqing gazed at the young boy, his heart filled with hatred, and gently caressed his head.
Since no one else was around, Xu Ziqing took Dong Lizhao along and transformed into a breeze, flying toward Hongwu City, the kingdom’s capital, concealed under a blindfold.
After about an hour and a half, they arrived at Hongwu City.
The city sprawled over a vast area, with towering, imposing walls and soldiers stationed at the gates and along the perimeter. Swords, spears, and various weapons glinted coldly.
Upon reaching this place, they sensed the grandeur and majesty unique to the royal family.
Xu Ziqing touched the ground and walked with Dong Lizhao to the side of the city wall, using a technique to pass through the wall together.
Tension permeated the atmosphere within the city. Passersby dared not speak or make any noise, while the patrolling soldiers carried an air of cold solemnity, appearing particularly unwelcoming.
Xu Ziqing gestured toward Dong Lizhao and transformed him into another form, saying, “Zhao’er, this illusion technique will only last for an hour, so be cautious if you want to blend into the palace.”
In Dong Lizhao’s eyes, Xu Ziqing also appeared as an ordinary young man, with a plain appearance and demeanor. However, the softness in his gaze still warmed Dong Lizhao’s heart, despite the hatred within it. “Yes, sir.”
The two of them disguised themselves as commoners and strolled slowly in the direction of the Imperial City.
After approximately thirty minutes, they finally arrived at the outskirts of the heavily guarded Imperial City. Entering through the main gate was not an option due to the tight security.
Xu Ziqing remained outside but refrained from using his wall-piercing technique. Instead, he took a deep breath.
The Imperial City was peculiar!
To a mortal, it might appear grand and majestic, but the eyes of a monk perceived a different world.
Atop the Imperial City perched a long golden dragon, crouched in shape, with indistinct scales and dull whiskers. Though it didn’t appear on the verge of death, it exuded a faint aura of decay.
The golden dragon’s eyes were half-closed, occasionally emitting two dazzling golden rays.
What was even more astonishing was a black dragon situated slightly below the golden dragon. It possessed a single horn on its head, its body shimmering with inky darkness. The black-scaled dragon was peculiar and grotesque, its long tail constantly swaying and occasionally entwining with the golden dragon’s tail, as if gradually climbing upon its body.
Xu Ziqing sighed inwardly, understanding that the golden dragon must be a manifestation of Dong Lixi’s Dragon Qi, the Prince of the Eastern Palace, while the black half-dragon symbolized the Qi of the Great General of the State. It seemed that the Great General was growing in power while the Prince of the Eastern Palace was in decline.
Yet, a golden dragon represented a noble and virtuous ruler, an emblem of wisdom and sanctity. On the other hand, the black half-dragon… signified a tyrannical lord and a traitor.
The time had just reached the evening, with the sky darkening. It might not be an ideal moment to enter the Imperial City.
Xu Ziqing’s primary objective now was to locate Dong Lixi and hand over Dong Lizhao to him, so he could complete his task and find a serene place abundant in wood energy to cultivate.
Inside the imperial city, the soldiers were organized into small groups, rotating regularly, and the guards maintained strict vigilance.
Xu Ziqing held Dong Lizhao close to his chest and, with a gentle flutter in his heart, a breeze lightly brushed past the soldiers’ eyes, rendering the two of them invisible.
Dong Lizhao pointed out the way and said, “Sir, the East Palace is the most splendid area in the east.”
Xu Ziqing nodded and led him to fly swiftly and gracefully.
Before long, they reached a splendid palace, encircled by vigilant soldiers who prevented anyone from entering or leaving.
Xu Ziqing guided Dong Lizhao into the palace, passing through the outer hall and entering a corridor. From a distance, they spotted several eunuchs guarding the palace.
Evading the attention of the eunuchs, the two of them moved into the shadows and continued walking until they reached the chamber of the prince.
At that moment, Dong Lizhao’s ears caught the faint sound of whispers.
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