570 Assassination (2/2)
”Alright!”
The red fire on the War God Chi's body was suddenly extinguished and he assumed the appearance of a heroic middle-aged man once more. With a wave of his hand, he sent a brilliant golden ray of light towards the Shang army camp.
”Prince Pan will be going through a tribulation any moment now. Whether he can overcome it will depend on what you can do!”
Chi stared hard at Fang Yuan for a moment before disappearing into thin air.
The battlefield surrounding Fang Yuan suddenly fell apart and was replaced by the silent forest from before. It was like everything that had transpired was merely an illusion.
Still, Fang Yuan was more than aware that it had all been real.
The creation of the third divine sword in the real dream world was a key indicator.
Through the mental connection that he shared with the swords of fire and water, he could see the drama taking place in the Shang camp at that very moment.
...
”Great, Gentleman Lian has done very well in crushing the front lines of the Dongyi army! Er, who led the charge, has done well too!”
The tent had become a lively place.
Prince Pan raised his wine vessel and offered a toast.
”Gentleman Lian, I will recommend a promotion for you to the King when we return!”
”Thank you, my Prince!”
Lian drained his wine vessel with a look of elation on his face.
He was already a gentleman-bureaucrat of the first class. A promotion of one grade would make him a gentleman-minister, a member of the upper nobility.
A feudal lordship was just above the rank of gentleman-minister. They no longer just owned townships and farmlands, but feudal states. ”Gentleman Lian, drink up!”
The revelry in the atmosphere had reached its peak. Hei Zhong and Ge Nie stood by in a corner and watched on coldly.
Suddenly, the two swords of water and fire let out a reverberating sound and flew out of their arms. The two men were alarmed.
”Sizzle!”
The two swords of water and fire released auras that interacted with each other like Yin and Yang before they shot out of the tent.
”Bang!”
The tent had been torn apart. As the tattered pieces of cloth floated about in the air, a figure holding a sword slowly approached.
”Who intends to kill me?”
Prince Pan held his wine vessel with a steady hand and looked at the approaching man with interest.
Prince Pan had been used to becoming master over life and death and commanding thousands of soldiers. Thus, he exuded an effortless majesty.
Still, his pupils constricted when he saw who it was.
”It's you! The Sword Sage Cao Qiu!”
”Greetings to you, my Prince!”
Cao Qiu walked into what was left of the tent slowly and brandished his ancient sword. The surrounding warriors immediately screamed and flew backwards. Their suits of armour cracked and burst open, discharging torrents of blood from their bodies.
”Crack!”
The faces of the nobles remaining in the tent had turned pale and they dropped their wine vessels to the floor.
The power of this person and his sword was enough to take down an entire army!
”Sword Sage Cao Qiu...you actually dared to barge into this camp and make an attempt on our Prince's life?”
A courageous gentleman-bureaucrat stood up and spoke.
”Are you not afraid of the Shang Dynasty destroying your school of swordsmanship? Spare a thought for your disciples in Shangyi...”
”Swish!”
Cao Qiu barely glanced at the speaker and thrust out his sword.
The gentleman-bureaucrat shuddered as the wound on his forehead pooled with blood and fell face-down onto the floor.
”Boom!”
The whole banquet descended into chaos as the officials gazed fearfully at this demon-like figure.
”I don't think the Dongyi tribes have anything to offer you. Do you serve someone from Western Zhou?”
Prince Pan adjusted his clothing and spoke in a calm voice.
”Well... as the saying goes, a gentleman meets his doom with nonchalance. Prince Pan, you are an extraordinary person indeed!”
Cao Qiu nodded.
”Unfortunately...do forgive me for not being able to reveal who my employer is!”
”How dare you!”
Er roared as he lifted the wine table and hurled it towards Cao Qiu.
Cao Qiu waved his sword casually and cut the table into pieces. A metallic sound rang out as Er flew backwards and his clothes split open.
”Huh?”
Cao Qiu looked at the reckless Er with surprise. Nevertheless, he strode towards Prince Pan purposefully.
”Halt!”
Hei Zhong and Ge Nie stepped forward with their swords of water and fire in hand.
”Are you two going to stop me?”
Cao Qiu glared at them and shook his head.
”If your Master was here, I would probably leave immediately. However, with the likes of you two...”
”All talk!”
Ge Nie and Hei Zhong brandished their swords of water and fire furiously.
”Swoosh!”
The swords danced about and utilised the combined strength of fire and water to form a sword array that enveloped them.
”Hmm?”
Cao Qiu's face changed.
”The Thunder Sword!”
”Kaboom!”
The thrust of Cao Qiu's sword carried with it the powers of the wind and thunder. There was an ear-splitting screech as these powers came into contact with the sword auras of fire and water.
In the next moment, a crisp sound rang out from the battle's epicentre!