Chapter 710 – Two Kites (I) (2/2)

……

……

Zhou Tong was not there.

Naturally, then, Chen Changsheng's sword had missed.

All his preparations, all the sword techniques concealed behind him, all his strategies, had missed the mark.

Most importantly, his mind, will, and resolve had all completely missed.

With a howl of cold wind, the crabapple tree shook, and Xiao De tore through the air, his fist flying.

Chen Changsheng had thrust his sword with all he had, so it was naturally not possible for him to return it very quickly.

The gale stirred by the fist caused his clothes to dance, making his movements seem very slow.

But this sort of slow speed had a very stable tempo.

He turned his wrist and lightly shook his hand. The Yellow Paper Umbrella in his left hand unfurled itself on his shoulder.

This set of actions was very clean and efficient.

Xiao De's fist once more smashed against the Yellow Paper Umbrella, its boundless might falling against it.

Like a loose kite, Chen Changsheng was tossed into the air, falling into the hall that had just been rebuilt a few weeks ago.

With a heavy thud, his body smashed through several hardy stone walls and then crashed to the floor.

Dust plumed and buildings slowly collapsed.

He stood up from the debris-littered floor.

The blood-covered Xiao De seemed like a real monster as he came from behind.

Expert after expert tore through the air, appearing on walls and trees as they surrounded the courtyard.

Even the weakest of these experts had reached the Star Condensation Realm.

They came from the various ministries of the Imperial Court, the army, the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, and some of them belonged to this place, assassins of the Department for Purging Officials.

Zhou Tong was not there.

He had used his Great Crimson Gown technique to create a massive deception.

Today was clearly a trap.

Chen Changsheng had stepped into this trap.

Before this reality, many people would be deeply perplexed, their minds confused.

Even if they weren't perplexed or confused, they would still feel a sense of defeat.

Even if one's will was extraordinarily resolute, falling into an opponent's trap would cause one to be somewhat wary.

Even if one's Dao heart was brightly lit and could completely drive these negative emotions away, one would at least feel regretful, and would at least want to know the whereabouts of Zhou Tong, since he wasn't here.

Chen Changsheng did not feel any of these things.

He put away the Yellow Paper Umbrella, placed the hilt of his dagger in his sheath, and then turned to face Xiao De and those experts that surrounded him.

His actions were not panicked or confused, and his expression was very calm. His face did not contain any hint of defeat, nor did it show any wariness for the traps and schemes of his enemy.

He had certainly not imagined that the Zhou Tong within the courtyard was fake, or else he would not have used such a thunderous strike.

Why now was he so unperturbed as if he had already predicted all this?

Xiao De found it impossible to understand his composure and grew wary. ”You guessed it?”

Chen Changsheng replied, ”I had thought of this possibility, but it's not easy to get into this place. If I wanted to kill my way in, I couldn't think about that possibility, so I stopped thinking about it.”

This was a rather winding explanation, but Xiao De understood.

If Chen Changsheng really did think that Zhou Tong was not here, even if just an outside chance, he would not have been able to press forward so courageously.

And if he were unable to press forward, he would have never been able to reach this courtyard and stab his sword at the Great Crimson Gown sitting on the palace armchair.

Xiao De asked, ”Then how can you still be so calm?”

Chen Changsheng explained, ”I've already done my best and there's nothing to be ashamed about, so naturally, I'm calm.”

Xiao De mocked, ”It's still that tired phrase.”

”I wasn't speaking of my heart, I was saying that I already accomplished my objective.”

After saying this, Chen Changsheng gave a few painful coughs.

Even with the protection of the Yellow Paper Umbrella, a few of his bones had been broken by Xiao De's two fists.

There was no blood visible because he had grown accustomed to hiding such things in his battles. In reality, however, the true essence in his meridians was already beginning to slow.

Xiao De slowly narrowed his eyes and said, ”You don't even know where Zhou Tong is, and you dare say that you've accomplished your objective?”

”No one knows where a loose kite will land, but he's no kite. He's just a dog that's been frightened away from here by me.

”And just how long can a stray dog live?” Chen Changsheng asked.