Chapter 1219: Determining Victory
Translator: Lordbluefire
“Who?”
Miao Xian roared. He speedily rolled and rushed to the side of the bed, pulling out his battle blade hanging there. After that, he stared at the door and windows warily.
Creak!
The door was pushed open and Ying Baiwu and Tantai Yutang entered.
Miao Xian’s eyes narrowed violently.
How could he thrive here and had experienced being surrounded many times, but his bandit group was still not fully annihilated? This was because he depended on the complex terrain of this lake.
There were simply too many islands here and it was too difficult for the authorities to surround them fully.
But now, someone actually appeared here unknowingly?
“There must be a traitor!”
This was Miao Xian’s first reaction. But after he saw Ying Baiwu and Tantai Yutang’s appearances clearly, he started to frown.
(Aren’t these two a little too young? They didn’t even bring any weapons. What are they here for? To gift me their heads?)
“Who are you guys?”
Miao Xian’s voice was low.
“Our eldest martial sister is the Great Tang’s Princess, Li Ziqi. We came here this time around because we need your head for the second round of the martial battle, of the Five Empires War Discussion!”
As Tantai Yutang spoke, he tossed the booklet the Qi Emperor gave them over to Miao Xian.
Miao Xian caught it. When he opened and looked, his countenance immediately turned pale.
“Some soldiers have arrived at the nearby town, and you should have received some news with the information network you built, correct? Let me tell you now, the person leading the soldiers is none other than the Chu Crown Prince, Xiang Zhao.”
Tantai Yutang calmly sat down and even poured a cup of tea for himself.
“What do you guys want to do?”
Miao Xian was wary.
“We naturally want to win!”
The sickly invalid’s words caused Miao Xian to grab hold of his weapon hilt tightly as his killing intent surged.
“Don’t be nervous!”
Tantai Yutang laughed. “Honestly speaking, someone like you is like an ant to us. If it wasn’t for the Five Empires War Discussion, we probably would have had no interaction in our entire lifetime.”
Although these words were very humiliating, Miao Xian admitted that there were no mistakes with them.
For descendants of n.o.bility, ordinary people wouldn’t be qualified to glance at them. When they toured the streets, the entire streets had to be cleared. The places they went for their entertainment also weren’t places people like him could go to.
“The compet.i.tion rules state that whoever obtains four heads first will be the winner!”
Tantai Yutang’s lips twitched. “So, I wish to have a transaction with you.”
“Are you not afraid that I might kill you two?”
Miao Xian surveyed Tantai Yutang and Ying Baiwu and discovered that despite the two of them being in his territory, their expressions were still very calm. It was as though they were strolling around the streets to find a breakfast stall. They felt no nervousness at all.
“Hehe, I feel that someone who can build such a foundation and possesses over 5,000 bandit subordinates probably wouldn’t be an idiot, right?”
Tantai Yutang had a hint of praise in his tone.
Miao Xian revealed a satisfied smile. He always felt that if this era was a chaotic one, he could at least become a marquis or king with his own power.
“Leaving aside my eldest martial sister’s ident.i.ty, you should know who my teacher is, correct?”
Tantai Yutang counter-asked.
“Mn!”
Miao Xian nodded. Sun Mo’s fame was truly too great. Leaving aside his other achievements, just the feat of him guiding a ‘trash’ unwanted by a secondary saint into the world’s youngest great teacher was already a ‘miracle’.
This stronghold consisted of many males and females who had formed families. Hence, other than plundering and robbing ‘fat sheeps’, their usual topics of discussion would consist of finding a good teacher for their kids.
Seeing their children becoming a ‘dragon’ (having a good future) was always the most fervent dream of all parents.
And Sun Mo was undoubtedly the shortcut that could allow children to transform into dragons.
“Given my teacher’s might, do you think it is troublesome for him to exterminate this mountain stronghold?”
Tantai Yutang self-confidently laughed. “Oh right, the Qi Emperor also has the intention to betroth the Flying Swallow Princess to my teacher.”
“Just say it straight. What do you guys want to do exactly?”
Miao Xian wasn’t foolish. Since Tantai Yutang had come here to meet with him in this manner, it was clear that he had no intentions to fight.
“Our original goal is to spend heavily to recruit experts and launch a formidable attack here. However, the Chu Crown Prince came too fast. We have no solutions and can only come here to negotiate with you.”
Tantai Yutang had a look of helplessness on his face. “You should have heard of my teacher’s G.o.d Hands before. My plan is for us to use G.o.d’s Hands and change the face of a replacement body before cutting his head off to end our mission. As for you, you have to live in seclusion from now on!”
When Miao Xian heard this, his heart heated up but his face purposely retained a gloomy expression. Anger showed on his face. “I cannot give up my achievements here. The two of you, please return. Let us fight it out and see who is the victor!”
“Miao Xian, do you think you can survive if you become the target of the martial battle? Even if my eldest martial sister and Chu Crown Prince cannot do anything to you, what do you think will happen when the Xia Crown Prince and Princess Flying Swallow arrive here?”
Tantai Yutang mocked. “You only have a path of death.”
“I would rather die than submit!”
Miao Xian coldly snorted.
“Please stop acting in front of me. You just want more benefits, right? Let me tell you this. There’s none!” Tantai Yutang mocked. “Do you know how much money those n.o.ble ladies and female great teachers with ordinary looks are willing to pay our teacher to help them do facial surgery? Now that you can enjoy it, you should already be burning incense to thank your ancestors.”
“…”
Miao Xian’s heart grew chaotic.
“This is the only chance for you to ‘bleach’ your ident.i.ty. After the facial surgery, you can take the wealth you acc.u.mulated for so many years to a brand new place and start over as a tyc.o.o.n. Isn’t that pretty good?”
Tantai Yutang rose. “When we come by during the evening, you better prepare a scapegoat for yourself!”
The sickly invalid and the iron-headed girl prepared to leave.
“What if I don’t agree?”
Miao Xian asked but he only received Tantai Yutang’s mocking laughter as a response. He rushed out only to see the two of them leaving via flying through the air.
This scene deeply stunned Miao Xian.
Let alone the Nine Provinces, even in the modern era, someone being capable of flying would be a major incident that would stun the entire world.
(Great Teacher Sun really does live up to his reputation!)
Miao Xian sank into contemplation and pondered how he could better grab this chance to retreat cleanly and begin a new life.
…
In the Zhishui Lake, on a certain island, the students were currently resting.
“What if Miao Xian doesn’t agree?”
Qin Yaoguang was worried.
“He will. He has no choice!”
Tantai Yutang calmly grilled a wild duck.
This afternoon, Miao Xian would surely send people or even personally head to the town to check the news. After seeing Xiang Zhao there, he would surely choose to compromise.
The only question was what methods he would use for his own self-protection?
…
The mist in the evening faded and night covered the land.
Miao Xian stood before his door and stared at the stars in the sky while feeling vexed in his heart. (Why aren’t Sun Mo’s students here yet? Did they change their mind at the last minute?)
This matter concerned his life and death. Miao Xian had secretly snuck to the town to take a look. That Chu Crown Prince was indeed spending huge amounts of money to hire experts. He even said that whoever could behead Miao Xian’s head would get a reward of 10,000 gold in addition to an official post.
Honestly speaking, after hearing this news, Miao Xian was so scared that he hurried back. Right now, there was even a hint of wariness in his eyes when he looked at his subordinates.
Wealth could move the hearts of men. What if his subordinates beheaded him because they wanted the rewards?
Miao Xian was too anxious. He didn’t feel like sleeping even after dawn arrived.
Bang!
Miao Xian kicked a table.
“Leader Miao seems to be in a bad mood, hmm?”
A teasing voice entered his ears. Miao Xian raised his head and saw that loathsome young brat from this morning.
“Where’s your princess? Why isn’t she here personally?”
Miao Xian questioned.
“Hehe!”
Tantai Yutang laughed. “You are considered a veteran, so can you please not say something so insulting to our intelligence?”
Miao Xian’s countenance stiffened.
However, this arrogant att.i.tude of the sickly invalid made him believe in them more. If the other party spoke nicely to him and told him that the princess would meet him, he would actually not dare to believe them.
“Have you prepared the scapegoat?”
Tantai Yutang went straight to the point. “My mastery of the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands isn’t as high as my teacher, and I cannot do things like shaving the bones. So, it’s best for you to find someone with facial features that bear a resemblance to you!”
“Yes!”
Miao Xian had done his preparations. “Please wait awhile!”
Ten minutes later, Miao Xian returned with a youth following behind him.
“This is my nephew!”
After Miao Xian did the introduction, he turned to his nephew. “This is an expert I hired. He knows a magical technique that can make you even more good-looking!”
“I hope you can get close to the Flying Swallow Princess and capture her heart!”
“Is it true?”
Joy immediately suffused the youth’s features. “Uncle, I will definitely not let your expectations down!”
The youth looked at Tantai Yutang. The sickly invalid purposely struck a pose that looked like an expert and completely ignored him.
“Please!”
Miao Xian indicated that the sickly invalid could begin. After that, he vigilantly took precautions.
This was his territory and the other party had no way to set a trap. Besides, even if there was a problem with the sickly invalid’s Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands, the one who died would be his nephew.
As for why he used his nephew?
Other than his nephew bore a resemblance to him, it was easier for him to gain the trust of these people. If he used a stranger, the other party would doubt his sincerity.
Tantai Yutang started to act.
He majored in the medical arts. In addition to the fact that he had to depend on the ancient ma.s.saging technique to relieve the pain he felt frequently, his technique was even better than Li Ziqi’s.
Naturally, the sickly invalid couldn’t achieve something like completely changing the face of a person. However, the effect of his efforts was already magical and terrifying enough in the eyes of someone like Miao Xian who hadn’t seen the world.
As he watched his nephew’s features gradually become something like his in the hands of Tantai Yutang, Miao Xian felt excited and also afraid.
He was excited because from now onward, he could live with a new ident.i.ty. After all, he chose to become a bandit back then for the sake of earning money. Now that he had a large amount of wealth, he naturally wanted to ‘bleach’ his ident.i.ty.
As for being afraid, it was because he didn’t know if these people would give him a path of survival for sure.
If this wasn’t his own territory, Miao Xian absolutely wouldn’t dare to agree to any of their requests.
Under such feelings of trepidation, another hour pa.s.sed.
All of a sudden, Miao Xian’s head felt heavy and he slumped onto the ground.
His nephew jumped in fright and wanted to resist, but he discovered that his body was no longer able to move.
“Sickly invalid, what’s going on with your secret medicine? Why does it take so long before he is drugged?”
Ying Baiwu waited too long and felt a little impatient.
“When I do things, I always pursue exquisiteness!”
Tantai Yutang’s lips twitched. “This is an expert at the half-step Longevity Realm. If he was so easy to kill, he would have died countless times.”
Miao Xian’s cultivation realm was too high. This was why none of them dared to try an a.s.sa.s.sination. Even if they used poison, there was also a possibility that the other party might discover it.
“There’s only a single opportunity so we definitely have to succeed.”
Tantai Yutang was true to his words. He fed Miao Xian a medical pill first to ensure that he couldn’t move. After that, he used the ancient ma.s.saging technique to seal Miao Xian’s energy channels.
“Let’s go!”
Tantai Yutang called out. When he exited the door, he cut off that nephew’s head in the pa.s.sing while also slas.h.i.+ng the nephew’s face to blur it.
These bandits would do all evil, so they deserved death.
…
After capturing a target, the students immediately headed for the next. However, they were too late. The Flying Swallow Princess had killed the bandit leader. Hence, they decided to continue rus.h.i.+ng to the next city. However, they were still too late.
The other two bandits were already finished off by Xia Taikang.
“Is there something wrong? That fellow acted alone, so can this still be considered a commander battle?”
After learning of Xia Taikang’s attacking process, Helian Beifang was very unhappy.
“Forget it, our methods are also not considered to be a commander battle!”
Li Ziqi sighed.
Ten days later, all of them returned to Western Jing.
Qi Emperor Palace, Taihe Hall.
Xiang Zhao and Wei Wu`an both had awkward looks on their faces because their battle records were zero.
“First round. Xia Taikang beheaded two targets. He is ranked first!”
The Qi Emperor announced. “However, it’s worthy to mention that Ziqi captured her target alive. This is very impressive!”
The high officials on the scene immediately sent their congratulations to Li Ziqi. This was naturally done so because they wanted to give Sun Mo face.
Li Xuan’s expression was extremely unsightly because he, the crown prince of Tang, was completely being disregarded.
“Take a break for two days before the individual battle begins. Both members from the main and secondary team can register for it.”
The Qi Emperor laughed. “I heard that Ziqi’s performance in the individual battle of the 1-star great teacher examination was very dazzling. I hope you can continue to s.h.i.+ne brightly!”
Xiang Zhao bitterly smiled. Since Li Ziqi could fly, she would naturally be very tough to deal with.
Xia Taikang and Wei Wu`an showed no change in their expressions. Clearly, they had some sort of plan.
…
Two days pa.s.sed swiftly and the individual battle began. The event was still held in the Victory Public Square and that place was already flooded from the early morning.
The champion of this year’s war discussion would either be from the Great Xia and the Great Tang. This caused the people of the Qi Empire to feel a little unhappy. But these two were truly outstanding. This was especially so for Li Ziqi. She was simply the incarnation of a perfect G.o.ddess.
Not only was her talent unrivaled, but her appearance was also exquisite and beautiful. Oh right, she was also a princess. In the Nine Provinces, no one was worthy enough to match up to her.
“Ziqi, you must pay close attention to Xia Taikang.”
Sun Mo stared at the stage and reminded her in a low voice.
The opponents one had to face in the individual battle depended on the lots drawn for every round. So, luck was very important. If someone kept drawing weak opponents, they might even be able to enter the finals even if they were not very powerful.
“Eh? Will she lose?”
Lu Zhiruo was astonished.
From her point of view, as long as one could fly, they would automatically be invincible.
“What if they have flying-type equipment or spiritual beasts?”
The sickly invalid rapped the papaya girl’s head.
“This is not the actual reason!”
Sun Mo frowned.
“Mn?” Tantai Yutang started. “What is the reason then?”
“I can’t be sure for now. However, there’s a huge problem with that Xia Taikang!”
Sun Mo didn’t want anything to happen to Li Ziqi. “Remember, your safety is more important than victory.”
In the third round, it was Li Ziqi’s turn to appear. She still used her past ‘tyc.o.o.n’s battle strategy’ and cast numerous s.h.i.+elds for herself before unleas.h.i.+ng lightning ripples and fireb.a.l.l.s.
Her opponent naturally felt reluctant to accept this. However, after Li Ziqi proved that these spirit rune rods were created by herself, no one said anything more.
Since it was her ability, why couldn’t she use them?
On the second day, the individual battle continued.. Li Ziqi encountered her first formidable opponent – the Wei Crown Prince.