283 Captured Alive (1/2)
With Jiang Zhong’s second eruption, his ability mounted once more to Tenth Perfection. With a loud crash, those who were attacking him in a besieging pattern were flung back from the force.
Although the inner palace guards had higher cultivation bases than the military and were not lacking in fighting spirit, they lacked the most basic tactical training. The mass of militants could trap ninth peak experts or even strong Tenth Perfection individuals and lead them to their deaths but when these inner palace guards, who had higher cultivation bases, were launching their attacks, loopholes tore their way through the initially perfect siege once the enemy charged through forcefully.
Yun Yang’s tornado was pushed away by the opposing party’s brute force too; he could not block him in time as well. Seeing the sole chance of survival, Jiang Zhong hurled his body into dozens of illusory silhouettes with a growl and fled in every possible direction.
The Deicide Bow archers stationed around had no idea which silhouette was Jiang Zhong’s genuine form. The bows were pulled yet they could not release the string.
In the next moment, the illusory shadows sprung high into the air. Jiang Zhong was escaping!
Although he knew that the chances of success were terribly low and his real persona would easily be exposed and become the singular target of the Deicide Bow archers, Jiang Zhong decided to risk it.
There was only death for him if he were to stay!
The efficacy of Art of Soul Inducement had reached its limit, it was impossible for him to use it for the third time. If he missed the opportunity again, this day next year would be his death anniversary.
A whirlwind soared; Yun Yang ground his teeth and executed all his mystical Qi!
His saber blade shone before the worldly realm, life and death were decided within a thought; his intention would be known with a glimpse at his blade, this saber shall send you to the Yellow Spring – Destiny’s Second Form!
The first style, Saber Laic!
Jiang Zhong had an abstruse feeling like he had fallen into a strange dream, once the saber light flickered.
In his dream was an odd, ethereal realm.
He worked hard to ignore, it felt so real. However, time in this secular world was extremely temporal; within the blink of an eye, he would go from his childhood to youth, adulthood then old age, and death!
Death, it was the eternal theme of all creatures in this profane world; it was the eternal fate!
The saber light was like a dream, like the worldly realm of the profane world; once one was captured by it, they could not struggle their way out.
Hopelessness flashed in Jiang Zhong’s eyes. He exerted the last of his energy for the ultimate retaliation. In spite of this, gentle saber light caressed his body slowly, leaving slits of bloody wounds.
Each cut was not deep but blood came gushing out like a spluttering spring.
Amidst the wind, a large foot came streaking through the air.
The foot stomped right on Jiang Zhong’s chest.
With a cry, Jiang Zhong fell like a meteor as he flew back uncontrollably. As he was still tumbling through the air, a palm landed solidly on his back. As numbness consumed his body, a punch struck his dantian.
All his mystical Qi disappeared instantly.
The energy and force of dantian he had evaporated under that single punch!
Jiang Zhong deflated like a punctured ball, filled with despair.
The green whirlwind came whizzing as an arm stretched out from within and caught Jiang Zhong. It whirred, rolling Jiang Zhong up in the air.
The consequent turn of events had shocked everyone present. What was Supreme Wind doing?
”Your Majesty, the revenge of the Nine Supremes is an affair of the martial arts world!” A low voice rang out from within the tornado. ”It has nothing to do with the imperial dynasty and it shouldn’t. I shall take this man back for interrogation; Your Majesty will know if I have any news.”
The emperor’s scratchy voice was low, ”I only want to know whose wife Cirrus House’s Yun Zuiyue was.”
The low voice spoke with great grief. ”She was… Supreme Flame’s wife!”
His Majesty sighed, ”I – hope to know the result of Jiang Zhong’s interrogation.”
”It shall be done.”
The tornado soared.
Rising up, the green blast of wind disappeared above the palace instantly and vanished in the sky.
”Gag order!”
His Majesty said after pondering for some time. He understood Supreme Wind’s words immediately after some thought – affair of the martial arts world!
Revenge!
Supreme Wind had decided the absolute nature of this incident. It also meant that Supreme Wind and Nine Heavens Dictum had taken absolute responsibility for this matter all by themselves.
No matter how enraged the Four Seasons Tower was, however much they wanted revenge, their target could only be the Nine Supremes and Nine Heavens Dictum – this was a slaughter perpetrated by the martial arts world’s grudge!
It was not Yutang’s government that had killed the tower’s man.
No doubt this was a mediation for the Empire of Yutang in shielding the nation from the Four Seasons Tower’s anger.
However, an indescribable sense of despair engulfed the emperor.
As the sovereign of an empire, he had to actually resort to such methods to fend off troubles?
How useless was he?
He had never suspected Supreme Wind nor did he even doubt the truth of Jiang Zhong being a Four Seasons Tower’s spy.