Chapter 381: Bloody Battle (1/2)
[Volume 5 – A Distance Within Reach]
Zhang Boqian stood with his hands behind his back. His gaze returned to and swept past Lin Xitang like a flash of lightning. “Do you really want me up there? I won’t pay you back if I accidentally smash your beloved ‘Bluebird.’”
Lin Xitang remained unmoved in the face of Zhang Boqian’s overbearing attitude and said, “Brother Boqian, now is probably not the time to settle whatever matters there are between us, don’t you think?”
“Are we supposed to wait until after the bloody battle if not now?” Zhang Boqian said indifferently, “It’s all fine that the empire wants to step in after the Iron Curtain’s appearance, but why did it become a bloody battle? Even if they want to engage in a bloody battle, why aren’t those four old fellows not coming out? Do you think you can stay in control on your own and snatch that thing under the iron curtain?”
Li Xitang’s brows knitted together ever so slightly as he slowly said, “This time, the imperial family truly intends to give up on that item in exchange for a bloody battle.”
Zhang Boqian’s gaze suddenly turned sharp. “They’re giving up just like that? Whose idea is it?”
Lin Xitang pondered momentarily and said, “It’s the Sky Demon at the center of this Iron Curtain.”
The present matter was a top-secret military intelligence. All of the army’s mobilization orders came from the emperor himself. This also meant that even the marshals only figured out the details after their units were mobilized. Secret orders for the major clans would only be dispatched several days later.
Zhang Boqian was also quite surprised. It was almost as though dark clouds were flitting across his countenance. “Why him?”
At the ends of the void dwelled several of the most mysterious and terrifying beasts, and Sky Demon was one of them. This name originated from the dark race records because they had dealings with him before the Thousand-Year War. However, no one knew its true appearance up until this day. Sky Demon would take on a different external appearance every time it appeared, albeit with identical origin power auras. It could even appear in multiple places at once and could be said to possess countless incarnations.
It was precisely because of such an ability that Sky Demon could bring out its full combat potential in any given environment. That was to say that there was no specific method to restrain him—the only option was a painstaking fight to the death.
Moreover, a void-entity like Sky Demon was different from the beast kings that lived on the various continents. The objects it took a fancy to were perhaps incomparably rare and invaluable, but there was also a good chance that the item was only significant for itself—it might be completely useless to humans and dark races.
Lin Xitang continued, “The Iron Curtain this time has a special rule: champions ranked thirteen and below on our side and warriors below third-rank viscounts on the dark race side are unaffected and allowed to move freely within. But those above that level will suffer the attack of Sky Demon’s incarnations. I’m only here to serve as a restraining force and boost morale. I neither have the intention to snatch the item nor take part in the battle.”
Zhang Boqian sneered, “It’s unlikely those old fellows from Evernight will have the same thought. Will they be willing to sit by and watch you take advantage from the side?”
“I’m quite capable of running away even if there’s danger,” Lin Xitang said calmly. His Art of Heaven’s Mystery was undoubtedly number one in terms of self-preservation ability.
Zhang Boqian realized after some thought. “You’re referring to the bloody battle?”
Lin Xitang replied slowly, “It’s indeed a bloody battle! But this time, it’ll be one between Evernight and the empire. Three out of the empire’s ten elite army corps will take part in this battle. Additionally, large military contribution rewards will be established, and the elites of all the major clans will be made to participate. The strength of our Great Qin Empire’s younger generation and that of the Evernight Council will be made clear under this Iron Curtain!”
Zhang Boqian sneered after hearing this. “A flock of sheep will never give birth to a lion no matter how much they train or fight.”
Lin Xitang smiled indifferently. Their difference in opinion wasn’t a matter of one or two days—there was little meaning in debating.
Zhang Boqian glared at him and said, “Such a large-scale business even involving the rising clan descendants, this doesn’t look like something you’re capable of doing alone.”
Lin Xitang lowered his eyes. “This plan not only mobilized the elites of the army, but even involved the nobility and bigwigs. It’s naturally His Majesty’s wise decision.”
A trace of gloominess flashed across Zhang Boqian’s face as he said indifferently, “But who doesn’t know that His Majesty takes your advice.”
Lin Xitang looked up, his gaze as deep and clear as a secluded pond. “Don’t tell me a stately Prince Green Sun believes such street talk?”
The imperial family had just conferred Zhang Boqian the title of Prince Green Sun. Although those of different surname couldn’t inherit their titles since Emperor Wu’s reign, this could be considered the emperor’s recognition of his strength as a heavenly monarch. With that, the Zhang clan was restored to its former glory, one that was comparable to the midday sun during the days of the Empire's founding.
Zhang Boqian snorted. “Lin Xitang, you understand very clearly whether this is your idea or His Majesty’s.”
Lin Xitang replied softly, “What difference is there? I’m fully devoted to His Majesty and the Empire.”
Zhang Boqian’s killing intent flared up, but he retracted it soon afterward and said indifferently, “I’ll be in Evernight for a period of time. I must see what exactly is within that Iron Curtain and what kind of people are coming from the Dark Races. You can lead your big plans and observe from atop the wall, but I just hope you and His Highness don’t trip over from being too smart.”
Lin Xitang said in a meaningful tone, “That’ll depend on how the bloody battle goes.”
On a certain nameless mountain peak stood an odd, elderly man. His long hair was disheveled and knotted—no one knew when he had last washed it. The clothes on him were also torn, tattered, and no different from that of a scavenger.
He was as thin as a match, and his eyes appeared muddled. This person looked through and through like he belonged to the lowest rungs of society, but a knowledgeable expert would find the darkness origin power boiling around him was so strong that it was almost tangible.
The old man stood atop the mountain peak and glanced up at the sky. The Iron Curtain had just reached the peak, and its grey-black line was exceptionally distinct.