Chapter 853: Surround the City
Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
Zhang Ruochen held his chin. “According to what you said, the Empress will die if someone forces her to attack?”
Han Qiu smiled. “Technically, yes, but what I said was a rumor. Who knows if it’s true or not? Maybe the imperial court spread it to lure the arrogantly brave people onto a suicide mission.”
“Plus, there are only a few in the entire Kunlun’s Field that can force the Empress to attack personally. They’re all ancient creatures who’ve cultivated for hundreds or even thousands of years. They all treasure their lives and won’t risk it. If they lose, they’ll die and the loss is too great.”
“Everyone fears her,” Zhang Ruochen said. “She has accumulated might for so many years. Even if she sits there without moving, people will still kneel in fear.”
Han Qiu nodded. “Actually, this rumor is quite believable.”
“Oh?”
“Think about it. The passage to the netherworld opening this time caused such great losses to the Eastern Region, but the Empress didn’t even appear. Isn’t that strange?”
“With her iron rule before, she would definitely be furious and kill all the Ghost Kings and Saints of the Death Zen Sect and Immortal Vampire Race. She wouldn’t let them ruin Kunlun’s Field.”
“The Empress has worked tirelessly for centuries to create this prosperous empire. If she isn’t restricted by something, how could she let someone destroy it?”
Zhang Ruochen’s eyes narrowed. He nodded and sank into deep thought. Han Qiu’s words made sense.
Next, Han Qiu told Zhang Ruochen some other things. For example, after Shao Lin’s death, Huang Yanchen, being the first King, took his place as one of the nine Heirs. Zhang Ruochen was happy for Huang Yanchen after hearing this news. If she became an Heir, she would definitely be trained well. This was a rare chance and would have endless benefits for her.
That was not all. Han Qiu also told him that Huang Yanchen had brought Zhang Ruochen’s mother to the Central Region. Zhang Ruochen had planned on visiting the Sacred City of the Eastern Region to help his mother settle down. Since Huang Yanchen had brought her to the Central Region, this took away one worry.
Zhang Ruochen was most worried that his enemies would try to hurt his mother after learning that he was still alive. Being with Huang Yanchen was definitely safer for her than being with Zhang Ruochen.
…
Around 300 miles from Shentai City, soldiers riding fiery red leopards appeared at the top of a mountain in a straight line. Immediately afterward, four Fire Dragon-Leopards appeared at the horizon, pulling a chariot. The ground within 100 meters started burning.
Wan Ji sat in the chariot. He carried the Octagon Mirror in his hands. The Octagon Mirror was the size of one’s face. It had eight sides, each side as smooth as a mercury mirror.
However, it wasn’t just an eight-sided mirror. Instead, it was a treasure created by the Ministry of Divinity to spy on the enemy. If one put a beam of the enemy’s Saintly Qi into the Octagon Mirror, then the mirror would be able to find the enemy if he was within 1,000 miles.
Right now, Zhang Ruochen’s image appeared in one side of the Octagon Mirror.
Wan Ji gazed at the Octagon Mirror and a smile appeared across his chiseled features. “As expected, Zhang Ruochen really did come to the Yin and Yang Sect.”
“Sir, you are so wise.” Cao Feng bowed, seemingly impressed.
On the other side, Cao Gu asked, perplexed, “I am very curious as to how you guessed that Zhang Ruochen would go to the Yin and Yang Sect.”
Wan Ji huffed coldly. “The Ministry of War’s intelligence network has already analyzed all types of information and deduced that Zhang Ruochen might be Lin Yue, pride of the Yin and Yang Sect. Now, Zhang Ruochen has appeared outside the Yin and Yang Sect. He’s proved it.”
“What? Zhang Ruochen is Lin Yue?”” Cao Gu asked. “Lin Yue made a show at the Heir Banquet and helped Huang Yanchen to secure a spot as an Heir. Many people say that his talent isn’t any lower than Xue Wuye, descendant of the Sword Emperor.”
“Isn’t Huang Yanchen the fiancée of Zhang Ruochen?” Wan Ji asked. “And why didn’t Lin Yue dare to become an Heir? Isn’t it because he doesn’t dare to meet the Empress? His disguise can fool others, but he can’t fool the Empress.”
Whoosh.
The Holy Qi inside Cao Feng started operating crazily. A saint soul rushed out of him, unfolding behind him. “Since Zhang Ruochen is inside that city of rubble, let’s go capture him now so he doesn’t escape again.”
“Wait.” Expression serious, Wan Ji seemed cautious. “The Yin and Yang Sect is still the head of all sects in the Eastern Region. There are countless strong cultivators there. How could no one see through Lin Yue’s disguise?”
“Are you worried that the Yin and Yang Sect is purposefully protecting Zhang Ruochen?” Cao Feng asked. “Where do they get the guts to protect the criminal the Empress wants?”
“Better safe than sorry. We shouldn’t alert the Yin and Yang Sect. No matter what, we can’t let Zhang Ruochen escape again.” Wan Ji’s eyes were as cold as ice. He immediately ordered, “Leopard Qian, Leopard Kun, Leopard Dragon, Leopard Tiger, you four each take a battalion. Set up a White Mist Invisible Formation on all four sides of the city. Cao Feng, Cao Gu, you two take the Earth Martial Saint Light Cannon and set it up in the east and west. I will personally enter the city to arrest Zhang Ruochen, the criminal wanted by the imperial court.”
All the soldiers that Wan Ji had brought this time were the elites of the Leopard Army. They were all at least in the Fish-Dragon Realm.
The soldiers of the Leopard Army quickly separated into four groups and scattered.
Shentai City
Zhang Ruochen’s Spiritual Power was now at the 46th level. His sensitivity had naturally surpassed Mu Lingxi and Han Qiu. He quickly sensed that something was wrong.
Seeing the change in his expression, Mu Lingxi asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhang Ruochen furrowed his brow. He quickly walked out of the tower. Standing in the center of the street, he looked up.
Smoky white fog surged in from all directions, covering the sun. Soon, all of Shentai City was shrouded in fog.
“Where did the fog come from?” Han Qiu widened her eyes in shock.
Shentai City had high elevation and it was rare to have this fog even in the morning, let alone at noon. This strange fog really made one feel unsettled.
“There must be a problem,” Zhang Ruochen said. “We must leave immediately.”
Just then, powerful Holy Qi waves appeared amongst the white fog. One could vaguely see a towering figure standing there.
“Zhang Ruochen, there is no place for you in the world. Where do you think you can go?”
Tap, tap. Crisp footsteps sounded. It was the sound of metal boots hitting the ground.
The towering figure walked out of the fog. He wore heavy armor and radiated with freezing, domineering Holy Qi.
Wan Ji’s cold face appeared. He had long and narrow eyes, a hooked nose, and a thick beard. Bloody murderous Qi surrounded him.
Standing before someone like him, even Han Qiu felt pressure. It was like a huge mountain towering before her. It became difficult to breathe.
Oh no! she cried inwardly. She realized immediately that he was someone important from the Ministry of War. If someone so powerful had come to capture Zhang Ruochen, how could he escape with his Fish-Dragon Realm cultivation?
She looked over but found that Zhang Ruochen didn’t show any fear. He looked very composed.
“Sir Wan Ji, your nose is a bit too sensitive. You chased over here so quickly. Can you tell me how you found me?”
As Zhang Ruochen spoke, he cast his Spiritual Power out. He quickly found that, other than Wan Ji, there were two other Half-Saints in Shentai City. They were Cao Feng and Cao Gu.
Cao Feng and Cao Gu were both second level Half-Saints. Technically, they shouldn’t pose a threat to Zhang Ruochen. However, he still sensed something dangerous from their bodies. Could they be carrying some powerful weapon?
Wan Ji sneered. “Does a prisoner qualify to ask me questions? Zhang Ruochen, you can’t escape no matter what now. If you don’t wish to die, surrender now. Otherwise, if we start fighting, I might accidentally…kill you.”
“Such confidence,” Mu Lingxi said with attitude. “Wan Ji, don’t you know that Zhang Ruochen’s master, Sword Saint Xuanji, came back to life? Aren’t you afraid of angering him?”
Wan Ji gave Mu Lingxi a look of disdain. “Witch, you think you can threaten me? Cao Feng, kill her so she’s out of the way.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cao Feng was standing at the top of the west city wall. He raised his hand and used his saint soul to control the Spiritual Qi within a 100 mile radius. He formed a white river of Holy Qi and poured it into the Earth Martial Saint Light Cannon.
The Earth Martial Saint Light Cannon quickly accumulated enough energy. A ten-foot-wide beam of light shot out of the cannon, streaking toward Zhang Ruochen, Mu Lingxi, and Han Qiu.
The Earth Martial Saint Light Cannon was an extremely powerful banned weapon. It was created by the imperial court and only the Ministry of War could use it. It was used specifically against Half-Saints.
The stronger the Holy Qi gathered inside the Earth Martial Saint Light Cannon, the stronger its explosion.