Chapter 116 - Grand Champion, We Meet Again
Chapter 116: Grand Champion, We Meet Again
Changan City, heavy snowfall.
Taiji Palace.
White Jade Square.
The commotion grew louder.
The Thousand-Mile Mirror showed the scene at the Resource Station right. The hundreds of demon hearts revealed by Fang Lang as well as the shocking image of Lin Muzhe’s decapitated head.
The third prince stared at the Thousand-Mile Mirror. His eyes seemed to flash with shock.
After some time, he turned his head. His eyes were a little crazed and grotesque as he stared at the sect leaders who were all looking at Donglu’s God of Blades, Nan Yehuo, with shock, horror and sorrow.
Lin Muzhe, the prince remembered who she was. She was Lin Yun’s older sister who was also naturally gifted and a bringer of misfortune. Donglu’s God of Blades, Nan Yehuo, had pinned great hopes and expectations upon her.
The third prince had even harbored feelings for her in the past. Lin Muzhe was dead.
Fang Lang was the one who decapitated her. She died in such a pitiful manner.
This also meant Lin Muzhe’s connection with the demon swarm was not dismissable and meant trouble for the third prince.
The third prince was closely linked with the Donglu’s Sword League, which inadvertently meant Lin Muzhe was working under the third prince’s orders.
Of course, the moment Lin Muzhe’s head appeared in the Thousand-Mile Mirror, the evidence against the third prince only became more solid. It was a stench that he could not wash off!
An unsolvable problem!
There was animosity between the third prince and Fang Lang. He had previously attacked Fang Lang.
The third prince had a Beast Dispelling Pearl in his palace.
The third prince’s lackey was beheaded by Fang Lang.
He was linked to a person present in the situation, there was physical evidence and motive…
Everything seemed to point to the third prince, Li Liancheng. The evidence seemed to proclaim that he was the audacious person who had meddled in this year’s Resource Battle that coincided with the Tang Dynasty Emperor’s birthday celebration!
Hundreds of officials were debating the issue! Countless imperial censors wailed with bitter hatred as their faces were flushed with anger. They rushed straight to the Taiji Palace and knelt, petitioning for the impeachment of the third prince, Li Liancheng.
Li Liancheng had never liked this group of imperial censors. If the slightest thing went wrong, they were like a pack of cats who jumped on anything fishy. Their call for his impeachment was such an example.
This time, Li Liancheng was filled to the brim with hatred for this group of imperial censors!
The third prince, Li Liancheng, stood in front of Taiji Palace. His eyes darkened.
Nan Yehuo had betrayed him!
The whole world knew that Donglu’s Sword League was aligned with him, Li Liancheng. Even he thought so himself.
Yet, this happened…
The God of Blades, Nan Yehuo, had pledged fealty to him only to stab him in the back!
…
Youzhou Demon Portal.
It was deadly silent in the station. The only sound heard was the storm beating down on the forest, tree leaves and ground.
This was accompanied by the thunder and lightning booming and the billowing of the bloodstained robes. Inside the station, all the disciples were in a daze as they watched the scene.
The demon hearts continued to rain down chaotically, splashing into the muddy puddles on the ground. Each heart was like a heavy hammer, falling heavily onto the heart of every disciple.
Of course, the beautiful head of Lin Muzhe that fell abruptly amidst the raining hearts was like the thunder that came with the gray clouds, shocking everyone. They gasped in horror!
Lin Muzhe—the genius sword disciple of the Donglu’s Sword League. The disciple who had inherited the teachings of a deceased blade lord!
This woman was actually dead!
She was beheaded by Fang Lang and her head was tossed in among the multitude of demon hearts.
The reality was too shocking to handle!
It struck the disciples to the core!
This was especially true for the Donglu’s Sword League disciples—they cried out in horror!
When Lin Muzhe’s head rolled out into the rain, it felt like a sharp knife to their chest, causing them to feel a deep sense of horror.
“You… You killed Senior L-Lin!”
“How dare you kill Senior Lin!?”
“The Resource Battle… Killing is not allowed in the f-first round! It’s forbidden!”
All the Donglu’s Sword League disciples had pale complexions and quivering lips.
However, Fang Lang continued to smile brightly. He looked at the Donglu’s Sword League disciples with a kind face and said, “Don’t be mistaken. I was a mere passerby and saw that Senior Lin of the Donglu’s Sword League was being surrounded by the demon swarm. She bravely fought hundreds of demons and sustained grave injuries. Her body was badly disfigured. When I asked her if she had any last words, she said she wanted to see you all one last time.
“All I did was fulfill her last wish. There’s no need to thank me. It’s only right for me to help others,” said Fang Lang with a smile.
His words lingered in the rain.
The Donglu’s Sword League disciples became even paler. Instead of deflecting suspicion, Fang Lang’s words had the opposite effect! He was clearly the murderer!
However, his words indicated they had no proof!
Inside the Resource Station, the Main Path Guild, the Meridian Guild, the All-Seeing Buddha Sect and the other disciples of various sects fixed their gaze on the scene.
The leaders paid special attention. Even if they wanted to, they did not have the confidence to kill Lin Muzhe. However, she was killed by… Fang Lang?
That was impossible!
This was everyone’s first reaction. Lin Muzhe was not an ordinary ninth-grade sword intent realm disciple. She was a true genius to have received the favor of the God of Blades and be chosen to inherit the blade lord’s skills!
How could Fang Lang, a new champion who had just advanced to the third-class sword wave realm, kill her?
Was it Huang Ying from the Sword Guild who had killed her?
That was impossible! Even though Huang Ying was talented, she was indecisive. It was possible she did it in self-defense but that was unlikely. She did not have the intention to kill Lin Muzhe.
On the contrary, It was pretty impressive Huang Ying was not killed by Lin Muzhe.
Fang Lang did not look at the demon hearts that covered the ground or Lin Muzhe’s head.
He led the disciples of the Sword Guild into the station. The Sword Guild disciples said nothing. After all, Fang Lang’s shocking bloodstained clothes were terrifying enough.
Fang Lang swept an eye over the whole place and noticed many familiar faces. He greeted them with a smile before he took out their resource tokens and began collecting resources, filling up the token to the brim.
They could only fill up one token at the first station. However, Fang Lang filled six tokens under the watchful eyes of every disciple.
Fang Lang smiled warmly.
There were ripples in the eyes of the surrounding disciples. Lin Muzhe was dead, perhaps something big might happen soon.
These disciples were not idiots. They were all geniuses of their respective sects and could sense that something was different.
After that, the Main Path Guild, the Meridian Guild, the Immortal Martial Association, the All-Seeing Buddha Sect and the other ten great sect team leaders took out all the tokens they possessed and quickly filled them up with resources.
The first Resource Station was quickly emptied.
A couple of disciples from the first- or second-class sects began to protest in dissatisfaction one after another. They had not fully grasped the situation.
Of course, the disciples from the ten great sects paid no heed to them.
In the distance, Geshu Yuehua entered the station in high spirits after giving the Donglu’s Sword League disciples a good beating.
Her eyes were sparkling. As she stared at Fang Lang, her heart throbbed with admiration. Battling side by side made Geshu Yuehua see Fang Lang in a different light.
This new Imperial Examination grand champion did not have any flaws apart from having a slightly vicious tongue and a flamboyant battle style.
Donglu’s Sword League disciples all had swollen faces and were covered in bruises, looking extremely heartbroken and pitiful. Geshu Yuehua showed no hint of mercy when she attacked because she had been extremely frightened by the demon swarm.
She thought she was going to die in her first Resource Batlle. All the fear and anger she felt needed to be vented and her target was naturally the disciples of the Donglu’s Sword League.
All of a sudden, a blast rang out in the air.
Outside the station, the stormy skies were torn apart.
Imperial Court of Judicial Review warriors wearing bamboo hats were rushing toward them.
“An abnormality has occurred in the Resource Battle. Please stop the contest as ordered.”
As soon as the words echoed, there was an uproar at the station.
The Imperial Court of Judicial Review warriors had powerful auras. Their auras were so oppressive that some of the disciples within the station were struggling to breathe.
An Fan, the team leader of the Main Path Guild smiled as he spoke, “Sir, can I ask why the Resource Battle has to be stopped?”
Many people turned to look at him.
The Main Path Guild was one of the ten great sects and the team leader, An Fan, was an extraordinary genius. Since he had asked a question, they should give him an answer, right?
However, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review warrior merely looked at him and did not respond.
It was an embarrassment to An Fan but his expression did not falter. He merely frowned.
After he had spoken, the Imperial Court of Judicial Review warriors looked towards Fang Lang in his blood-covered robes.
“The Minister of Rites has received an order. Since a demon swarm appeared in the Youzhou Demon Portal and was encountered by the Sword Guild disciples, the first prince has personally come with the Imperial Court of Judicial Review to investigate the matter. We need to take you away for some questioning.”
The Imperial Court of Judicial Review warrior who was speaking had his features concealed under the bamboo hat.
His words lingered in the station, causing a commotion to erupt once again.
This was because the news that Fang Lang and the others had truly fought a demon swarm head-on was revealed. The impact of this news was extremely ground-breaking and powerful.
Even An Fan from the Main Path Guild narrowed his eyes at the news.
Huang Ying stood up wearing a frown. “Sir, could you allow us a moment’s respite?”
Fang Lang and the others had battled a demon swarm head-on, slaughtering numerous demons. Their bodies and minds were exhausted.
At that moment, it was only natural that they were given a moment to rest.
“No, the first prince has received orders to immediately take you in for questioning.”
That Imperial Court of Judicial Review firmly turned down her request.
Huang Ying’s expression changed slightly.
Fang Lang and Jiang Linglong looked over with frowns.
“Sir… Is rest an outrageous request?” asked Jiang Linglong with eyes that sparkled like the stars. Her eyes shone with a cold brilliance.
“I’m merely following my orders.”
Jiang Linglong was about to speak up again but she was stopped by Fang Lang. He smiled warmly and said, “Perhaps the first prince can’t wait to see us.”
Several of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review warriors sandwiched the disciples of the Sword Guild between their own men and left the Resource Station. Some of them prepared a specialized flight sword. After they boarded the flight sword, the flight rune was activated and they shot out, tearing through the rain.
…
The heavy rain washed over everything in the forest, Pei Liao wore a bamboo hat and had a long saber hidden at his waist. There were numerous warriors of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review behind him.
They descended from the tree with a single leap and looked at the demon carcasses that covered the entire ground. Even the cool features of Pei Liao seemed to be visibly moved.
“This is truly a small demon swarm.”
“This group of kids… They actually fought a small demon swarm head-on. Even if it was a demon swarm formed of second- and third-class demons, it is enough to make many cultivators give up hope,” said the Imperial Court of Judicial Review official behind Pei Liao with a sigh.
Pei Liao was focused on investigating. He knelt down and grabbed a handful of mud. The mud was stained with a white powder. He brought it up to his nose and sniffed it. His cool features moved slightly.
“It’s the powdered remnants of the Beast Dispelling Pearl. It’s made of the demon pill obtained from the seventh-class great demon, the Three-Eyed Red Tiger.
“The Three-Eyed Red Tiger originated from the western region of the Tang Dynasty. The demons there are under the jurisdiction of Asi Luoshan…
“Hence, we can deduce that this Beast Dispelling Pearl is likely the one General Asi Luoshan gave to the third prince.
“This is one piece of physical evidence.” Pei Liao stood up and kept the handful of dirt.
“Where is the first prince?” asked Pei Liao.
“The first prince has gone to confront the Minister of Rites. He has also sent men to apprehend the Sword Guild disciples,” replied an Imperial Court of Judicial Review official behind him.
Pei Liao’s gaze suddenly became sharper. He turned around and glared at the office. “Why didn’t you say so earlier? Apprehend the kids? Those kids are innocent, why does he have to apprehend them?”
Pei Liao was as cold as ice.
“Continue searching for clues. Hurry before the storm washes it away. However, many clues are resistant to the rain. I need you all to make sure we can catch the culprit who orchestrated this.
“We need to be certain about the involved party!” shouted Pei Liao. Two of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review officials rushed to respond.
After that, Pei Liao rushed off into the sky. With a gust of sword energy, he cut through the night sky, rushing toward the depths of the demon portal.
Pei Liao wore a cold expression as his eyes flashed. What was the first prince up to? Besides that, was this really done by the third prince? It was all too obvious.
Even though the third prince was reckless, even though he was domineering, he was not stupid…
To do such a thing as the Emperor’s birthday celebration was about to begin would leave the third prince with no leg to stand on once he was exposed.
In other words, this might not have been done by the third prince. Instead, the Donglu’s Sword League might have betrayed the third prince and framed him.
The people supporting the third prince were numerous great foreign generals. Among them included General Asi Luoshan, the top-class warrior who dominated the western region.
If the third prince was forced into a desperate situation…
What would happen?
Perhaps… was this the real motive?
The biggest test of the Tang Dynasty Emperor!?
Pei Liao let out a sigh. He could almost sense the turmoil that was about to befall the Tang Dynasty.
…
Deep within the Youzhou Demon Portal.
The Minister of Rites, Zhou Yiyuan, walked with his hands behind his back. His gold armor gleamed brightly under the heavy rain.
Beside him, the leaders of the various sects all wore complicated expressions.
An official of the Imperial Court of Judicial Review wearing a bamboo hat specially used a teleportation spell to deliver a message. This made everyone feel as though something was not right.
“Minister of Rites, Zhou Yiyuan, you are responsible for this year’s Resource Battle. You have neglected your duties, resulting in the sudden formation of a small demon swarm on the outer boundary of the Youzhou Demon Portal. The Sword Guild disciples had encountered said demon swarm and a severe accident had happened in the competition. This has also resulted in the death of a genius disciple. This is a grave issue and the Emperor has given an order. Can Master Zhou please come forward?”
The Imperial Court of Judicial Review official took out a token. It was the Emperor’s token!
The surrounding warriors were in an uproar! A demon swarm!? A genius disciple had died!?
Wen Ting, who was in the midst of drinking wolfberry tea from his gourd canteen, suddenly looked up. His complexion was a little pale.
What happened? The disciples of the Sword Guild were cornered by a demon swarm and a genius disciple had been killed!?
Why was there no distress signal?
He suddenly thought about something.
Wen Ting turned his head to look at Zhou Yiyuan. “I never expected you to be this bold, Master Zhou.”
However, Zhou Yiyuan did not notice Wen Ting’s words. He coolly nodded at the Imperial Court of Judicial Review official. “The demon swarm was a result of my negligence. I plead guilty.”
After that, Zhou Yiyuan was taken away by the Imperial Court of Judicial Review official, leaving behind the group of people to exchange looks.
Wen Ting’s plain robe was drenched. He took a sip of the wolfberry tea in his gourd canteen and carefully closed it with a stopper.
His thumb rubbed against the handle of his sword.
After that, he stepped out of the station and disappeared into the curtain of rain.
…
The heavy rain continued to pour. Whenever the two forces under the heavens were unbalanced, a storm would result.
This storm went on for a long time, even extending into the demon portal. The rain would only stop once the other force was washed clean.
In the miles and miles of dense forest.
The little hut that was the fourth Resource Station stood peacefully in the midst of the rain, enduring the washing of the heavy rainfall.
A flight sword sliced through the rain curtain.
The Imperial Court of Judicial Review officials brought the Sword Guild disciples there.
Huang Ying, Fang Lang, Jiang Linglong and the others got down from the sword. They wore the bamboo hats provided by the Imperial Court of Judicial Review officials to shield them from the rain.
The rain beat down on the bamboo hats, transforming into a water curtain that fell from the edges of the bamboo hat.
Fang Lang, in his blood-soaked robes, looked toward the fourth Resource Station through the rain curtain dripping from the bamboo hat.
Under the eaves of the station sat a slender figure in a white cloak with a tea tray—hot tea was brewing.
The figure slowly raised their head and picked up a tea cup. The tea rippled slightly when the tea cup was raised. The person’s gaze seemed to pierce through the endless downpour and landed upon Fang Lang.
“Grand champion, we meet again.”