Chapter 210: Real Versus Fake
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
At this moment, the only thing left in the World of the Sage was a patch of golden light.
There was no more darkness. The golden light lighted up the entire ground, illuminating the sword-filled ground, as well as people's eyes.
However, everybody's mood and thoughts were completely different.
Nangong Mu stood beside the light pillar, his eyes tightly fixated onto the sword that radiated with a golden light.
Xing Qingsui's gaze was filled with a preparedness for death. From the moment the golden light glowed up, the only thing on his mind was that his death was finally worth it.
Ping Yang's eyes on the other hand was filled with an intense joy. She gripped her two fists tightly in an emotionally moved manner.
Ying Shan looked at the golden light with a somewhat cold look in his eyes. His expression seemed somewhat malevolent. However, he didn't rush towards the golden light immediately. Instead, he stood still on the spot.
As for Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu, they, on the other hand, were fixated upon Ying Shan, as if they had completely missed the golden light.
The expressions of the other examinees at this moment also became immensely complicated. Some were happy, some were devastated. Some cried, while some stood stunned.
Finally, the golden light dissipated.
The entire World of the Sage returned back to its initial calm.
The only thing left was a sword. A sword impaled into the ground that glowed with a faint golden light. The body of the sword shuddered slightly, and the low cry of a dragon seemed to emerge from the blade of the sword.
"Pull the sword!" Xing Qingsui's voice rang out at this moment.
However, Nangong Mu didn't move.
He only gazed silently at that sword, standing completely still on the exact same spot. He seemed to be waiting, and also seemed to be admiring. Nobody knew what he was thinking.
But, he indeed didn't move.
Surprisingly, Ying Shan didn't move as well.
A strange calmness settled over the entire place. Time, on the other hand, continued to flow by.
Nobody knew how long had passed before Nangong Mu finally moved. He didn't pull out the sword. Instead, he slowly turned around and looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was standing not too far away. He seemed to be asking something.
At this moment, Ying Shan also looked towards Fang Zhengzhi. His eyes seemed to be waiting for something.
Fang Zhengzhi could feel the gaze coming from the two of them. He obviously knew the meaning behind Nangong Mu and Yingshan's gaze.
Now, the seal of the sword had been broken.
However, what was unexpected was that the examinees in the World of the Sage didn't disappear immediately. Then, that also meant that the World of the Sage was still out of control.
The reason Nangong Mu persisted in slashing open the sealing chains was naturally to reopen the World of the Sage. As long as the World of the Sage was under control, those swords held against the examinees' necks wouldn't pose a danger anymore.
However, reality was that those swords were still against the necks of the examinees.
The examinees, on the other hand, were still lying on their exact same spots.
Then, the moment Nangong Mu pulled out the sword would be the moment Xing Qingsui and the rest of the examinees perished.
Nangong Mu didn't pull out the sword.
Ying Shan could continue to wait indefinitely.
Fang Zhengzhi definitely could choose to wait as well. However, no matter how long they waited, there was always a limit.
The scene in front of him was undoubtedly a stalemate. Nangong Mu and Ying Shan, on the other hand, had tossed the key to resolving this stalemate to Fang Zhengzhi at the same time. It seemed somewhat unthinkable.
However, both Nangong Mu and Ying Shan didn't think that there was any problem with this decision.
At this moment, the other examinees had also finally understood the intentions of Nangong Mu and Ying Shan. However, the feeling of having their fates held in Fang Zhengzhi's hands was definitely not a very good one.
"Pull out the sword!" Xing Qingsui's hurried voice rang out again. There was a trace of resolution in his voice. Of course, he knew what everybody was waiting for. However, in his mind.
There was only one way, forward.
Then, he would naturally pin his last hopes on pulling out the sword.
Fang Zhengzhi twitched his mouth. He actually didn't really like making such a decision. Because, this required quite a lot of brain cells. However, he had no other choice.
After all, not only did this choice determine the life and death of the few examinees, it similarly also determined the life and death of himself, Yan Xiu and the rest.
It seemed as if pulling out the sword wasn't related to Fang Zhengzhi's life at all. What was reality like?
Now, the last hope of reopening the World of the Sage was pulling out the sword. However, who dared to say for sure that once the sword was pulled out…
The World of the Sage would definitely reopen?
The sword was impaled into the ground. That was a bargaining chip. However, once the sword was pulled out, this represented that the last bargaining chip would be used up. Success and failure depended on this one move.
Nangong Mu had thought of this. Ying Shan had also thought of this.
Hence, the two of them didn't move.
"If I add this sword to the Blazing Qilin Spear, I wonder whether they can defeat you?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the sword and finally spoke.
"Maybe." Ying Shan didn't deny nor confirm.
"If I ask you to let them all go, is there a possibility?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the surrounding examinees. He didn't really like these people. However, at the very least, at this moment, he was in the same camp as these people. Or, it could be said, they were of the same race.
"There is."
"Then, what are the terms of this exchange?"
"A sword."
"So, I'll have to pull out the sword first. Is that right?"
"There is no need."
"Looks like you don't wish for this sword to be pulled out?"
"Of course."
"However, if the sword isn't pulled out, how can we guarantee our lives?" Fang Zhengzhi tossed the problem over to Ying Shan.
"This is your problem."
"You are really naive. Do you really think I care about their lives and deaths?" As he spoke, Fang Zhengzhi walked towards the sword impaled on the ground.
Step by step, Fang Zhengzhi neared the sword.
Ying Shan didn't speak, neither did he move. However, the other examinees on the other hand were on the verge of tears. Because, they could clearly feel that as Fang Zhengzhi neared the sword, the swords on their necks turned a little bit colder.
Nangong Mu looked at Fang Zhengzhi. His expression was calm. All along, he didn't speak.
Fang Zhengzhi walked up to the sword.
Then, his hand grabbed onto the hilt of the sword.
Every movement he made was completely without hesitation. It was as if he was grabbing a very ordinary sword. He didn't even bother to take a single glance at the surrounding examinees.
This caused a sense of despair to fill the hearts of the surrounding examinees.
Only Xing Qingsui's gaze seemed extremely calm, as if in approval of Fang Zhengzhi's actions.
Fang Zhengzhi's hand held onto the sword hilt.
He could clearly feel the intricacies of the carvings into the sword hilt. Moreover, he could even feel the tremendous power that this sword contained within. That, was power as dazzling as the sun.
At this moment, Yan Xiu had also walked to Fang Zhengzhi's side. He looked at Fang Zhengzhi's movements and remained silent.
On the other hand, Ping Yang pouted her tiny mouth.
"Fang Zhengzhi, are you really going to pull out the sword?" Inside her heart, Ping Yang was hoping that Fang Zhengzhi would pull out the sword without hesitation. However, as the princess of the Great Xia Dynasty, she suddenly felt that this seemed somewhat inappropriate.
Fang Zhengzhi didn't reply Ping Yang's question. Instead, he gripped the sword in his hand tightly.
Then, he let go of his hand slowly.
"I believe this sword is fake!" Fang Zhengzhi suddenly turned around and looked at Ying Shan with an extremely serious expression on his face.
"Fake?" Ying Shan was slightly taken aback.
He had thought that Fang Zhengzhi only had two choices, either pull out the sword, or don't. However, he never expected that Fang Zhengzhi would say such a thing at such a time.
Was the sword real or fake?
Ying Shan had no way to determine the answer to this problem.
In the entire World of the Sage, the only person who might be able to answer this question was Fang Zhengzhi alone.
Because, Fang Zhengzhi was the one who defeated the Broken Bridge, the Twin Stone Tablets and the stone house.
However…
Could Ying Shan trust Fang Zhengzhi?
Of course not. Hence, he had no way of determining the authenticity of Fang Zhengzhi's words.
At this moment, Nangong Mu also looked towards Fang Zhengzhi. Similarly, he didn't know whether Fang Zhengzhi's words were true. Fang Zhengzhi might be using this method to trick Ying Shan.
However, what trick could he employ based on the legitimacy of the sword?
When Yan Xiu heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, a slight pondering look appeared on his face. However, he didn't speak.
"Real or fake, you would know once you pull it out. Isn't that right?" When Ping Yang heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, she seemed to have suddenly understood something. Then, she suggested aloud very cooperatively.
"Since it is fake, why is there a need to pull it out?" Fang Zhengzhi shot a disdainful look towards Ping Yang. He didn't even need to wait for Ying Shan to speak.
"You…" Ping Yang was enraged.
She felt as if she was extremely smart. She was able to instantly understand the intentions behind Fang Zhengzhi's words, and act it out with him in such a cooperative manner. However, Fang Zhengzhi seemed to not have accepted this kindness.
This caused her to become somewhat angered.
"If you don't pull out the sword, how do you know whether it is real or fake?" After Ying Shan heard the conversation between the two people, he finally spoke again.
"What is the reason the World of the Sage went out of control?" Fang Zhengzhi didn't directly answer Ying Shan's question. Instead, he asked a question back at him.
"That is naturally due to the consciousness of this sword controlling the World of the Sage. Hence, as long as one possesses this sword, he possesses the ability to control the World of the Sage." Ying Shan replied.
Fang Zhengzhi nodded lightly. When the World of the Sage crumbled and they appeared in his sea of swords, he was naturally filled with doubt. Hence, at first, he had directed this question towards Yan Xiu.
"You are right. However, this sword has no consciousness. Hence, it is naturally a fake." Fang Zhengzhi was very confident of his reply.
"Ha ha ha… Fang Zhengzhi, if this sword was fake, will you be so nice as to tell it to em? Don't tell me you don't know what this represents?" Ying Shan suddenly laughed.
Just as he said, if this sword was fake, that meant that Fang Zhengzhi had lost his last bargaining chip.
"I said just now that their lives and deaths don't matter to me." Fang Zhengzhi smiled lightly.
When the other examinees heard this, they glared at Fang Zhengzhi with menace in their eyes. Even if you don't care about our lives and deaths, you don't have to say it out like that!
That is too insulting.
However, Ying Shan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Fang Zhengzhi's behaviour was too abnormal.
He had no choice but to doubt. If Fang Zhengzhi really didn't care about the lives and deaths of these examinees, it would be impossible for the current situation to be as calm.
However, if Fang Zhengzhi cared about their lives.
Then, it was simply impossible for him to say something such as "the sword is fake".
What is…
His intention?
All of a sudden, Ying Shan's eyes lit up.
He understood.
Fang Zhengzhi was lending him a knife to kill.
First, ensure that these examinees lost all their value to him. Then, using his blade to kill off these examinees.
When that time came, he would pull out the sword and still be able to bear a righteous name.
However, if he pulled out the sword now, even if he lived, he would be hated upon by millions of people.
This was a very perfect plan.
At the same time, it meant that the sword in front of Fang Zhengzhi, was real!
If it was said that Ying Shan had been somewhat confused by Fang Zhengzhi's words previously, now, after having understood everything, Ying Shan's mind was as clear as snow.
"Since you claimed that the sword is fake, why would you continue to hold on to it?" Ying Shan was now very sure of himself. Hence, he obviously wouldn't fall for Fang Zhengzhi's trap as easily.
As long as these examinees were in his hands, Fang Zhengzhi wouldn't pull out the sword.
"You don't me you are willing to use their lives to exchange for this fake sword?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Ying Shan with some shock.
"I only wish for this sword not to be pulled out." Ying Shan nodded.
"Make sure you don't regret, this is really a fake sword." Fang Zhengzhi urged very persistently.
A slight smile formed on the edges of Ying Shan's smile. Once he determined that the sword was a real one, Fang Zhengzhi's actions undoubtedly became nothing but a joke.
"Leave that sword and I will let them go!" Ying Shan said directly.
"Alright, however, there are currently three people standing beside this sword. Hence, you have to let go of people in an order. For each of us that leaves, you must let go of a portion of them. How about that?" Fang Zhengzhi laid out his terms.
"Alright!" Ying Shan nodded.
Ping Yang looked towards Fang Zhengzhi. She really couldn't quite understand what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking. Don't tell me Fang Zhengzhi is really willing to give the sword to Ying Shan?
"Since when did this shameless guy become so righteous?" Ping Yang mumbled.
Of course, Ping Yang wanted to rescue the people.
However, she understood that using the sword to exchange for the people was ultimately only a temporarily relief. Once Ying Shan regained the advantage, whether their people would be worthy of fighting against Ying Shan would remain an unknown variable.
This didn't suit Fang Zhengzhi's usual actions.
If the person who did this was Xing Qingsui, then, Ping Yang wouldn't speak.
However, this was Fang Zhengzhi?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't notice Ping Yang's strange expression. Instead, he only took one look at Yan Xiu, then nodded slightly towards him.
Yan Xiu understood Fang Zhengzhi's intentions. He walked away slowly until he reached Ping Yang's side.
"That sword is real, am I right?" Ping Yang looked at Yan Xiu coming over and asked very softly.
"It is fake." Yan Xiu took one look at Ping Yang and spoke calmly.
"Who is going to believe that? The light is so bright. What kind of fake sword would have such a power?" Ping Yang twitched her mouth. She naturally wouldn't believe Yan Xiu's words.
Ying Shan didn't bother paying any attention to Ping Yang and Yan Xiu.
Instead, his finger moved slightly. The swords against the necks of five examinees dropped to the ground.
As they felt the God of Death leave them, the five examinees breathed out heavily. Then, they hurriedly crawled to Ping Yang and Yan Xiu's side, as if they had long forgotten the heavy injuries on their bodies.
Fang Zhengzhi once again shot his gaze towards Nangong Mu.
Nangong Mu similarly left without the slightest bit of hesitation. However, he didn't walk towards Ping Yang and Yan Xiu. Instead, he walked very quietly to the side.
This scene appeared somewhat strange. After all, it was understandable if Yan Xiu left. However, why would Nangong Mu leave?
Could it be that Nangong Mu had also believed Fang Zhengzhi that the sword was fake?
How could it be fake?