Chapter 120: Arrival of the Imperial Court
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
March 30, 1229 of the Ziyun Era. Deep in the night.
Whoos.h.!.+
A huge creature swept through the night like a gust of wind into the skies above the Chu royal city, directly above the Chu royal household. As the huge creature paused in the sky, a forceful order came from above its back, “Down!”
Immediately, the creature broke through the clouds, going straight down towards the Chu royal household. As the clouds spread, a majestic condor appeared, its wings spreading to more than eight meters wide. The bird’s body was a pale green, its eyes ashen grey. Soon. it had landed in the open courtyard of the Chu royal household.
“Who?!”
“Who is it?!”
…
The sound of the condor landing was loud enough for the patrolling guards to be alarmed. They shouted and came from all directions, holding onto weapons that glinted in the moonlight. But when they saw the ma.s.sive creature before them, their expression changed, “A flying… flying beast?!”
The condor was more than two-meters tall, as huge as a small hill, giving one a sense of overbearing.
“It’s me.” As an old voice rung out, an old man leaped out from the bird’s back and appeared in front of the guards. As the moon lit up his face, all the guards stood at attention and bowed, “Second Elder.”
Clearly, the old man was the second elder of the Chu royal household, Xiang Donghua.
However, when he landed, he did not pay any attention to the guard, but turned around to face the bird and bowed deeply. “Commander Xiao, I’ll bring you to see our king.”
“Alright,” came the response from the back of the bird. A burly figure leaped off the bird, his actions as graceful as flowing water, much more at ease than Xiang Donghua.
The man was in a body of golden armor and looked almost sixty years old. Half his hair was white, but his fearsome eyes were terrifying.
“This is the commander of the Yunyang imperial guard, Xiao Jiancheng, Commander Xiao.” Xiang Donghua introduced him to the guards as if afraid they would offend him.
The guards were momentarily stunned before bowing in unison, “Greetings, Commander Xiao!”
“Mm,” responded Xiang Donghua before he immediately led to the way to the king’s residence.
After the two men had left, the guards then regained their composure.
“My goodness! That man… is the commander of the imperial guard, Xiao Jiancheng? I heard that he achieved Great Consummation ten years ago, and he is one of the strongest Great Consummate adepts in the imperial household,” said one of the guards softly.
“That Commander Xiao came to our Western Chu Ridge four years ago, but he did not enter the city but went right into the Lost Forest… he was here to hunt the two golden-crowned eagles.”
“Yes, I know about that too. Apparently, although he was a Great Consummate adept, he was severely defeated by the two golden-crowned eagles, and most of his party died.”
“The golden-crowned eagles can fly, so even though they are just Petty Consummate demons, they do not fear Great Consummate adepts.”
“Looks like Commander Xiao is here to make up for his mistake.”
“If he is not confident, he definitely wouldn’t have come.”
“If I am not wrong, this condor is the tamed Petty Consummate demon from the Yunyang imperial court, the Cloud Condor!”
…
The guards in the Chu royal household were well-read and knew of the Cloud Condor of the imperial court.
“If even the Cloud Condor has been activated, looks like the imperial court is not messing around this time!”
“Four years ago, if Commander Xiao had come with the Cloud Condors, the two golden-crowned eagles would not be around today.”
“A well-established Great Consummate adept paired with a Petty Consummate demon against two golden-crowned eagles, wouldn’t that be easy?”
…
By now, Xiang Donghua had brought Commander Xiao to the king’s residence.
“Your Highness.” As he stood in the courtyard, Xiang Donghua called into the rooms.
Although it was late in the night, the light was still lit in the room. The man inside was clearly still awake.
“Second Elder, you are back so quickly?” came the shocked response from inside the room.
Not long later, the door opened as the Chu king, Xiang Xiong, stepped out. He was in a sleeping gown and was evidently about to go to bed.
“Commander Xue?” Just as he walked out of the door, Xiang Xiong noticed Xiao Jiancheng standing beside Xiang Donghua. He would never have thought that the imperial court would send someone here.
Four years ago, this man had come to the Western Chu Ridge once to hunt the two golden-crowned eagles but had returned unsuccessfully after suffering a heavy defeat. In his eyes, although four years had pa.s.sed, the man may still be unable to defeat the two golden-crowned eagles.
“Chu king, it’s been long.” Xiao Jiancheng nodded to Xiang Xiong. Although Xiang Xiong was the king of the whole ridge, his position in Yunyang country was still not any higher than his, and his strength was far less than his own, so there was no need for Xiao Jiancheng to be respectful.
On the other hand, Xiang Xiong hurriedly bowed as he greeted, “Xiang Xiong of the Chu royal household of the Western Chu Ridge pays his respects to Commander Xiao.” Although Xiang Xiong doubted that Xiao Jiancheng could defeat the two golden-crowned eagles, with the man’s position and power, he still did not dare to be disrespectful.
“Looks like the king has no confidence in me.” Xiao Jiancheng easily saw through Xiang Xiong.
“Commander Xiao must be joking; I wouldn’t dare think that.” Xiang Xiong laughed awkwardly.
“Your Highness,” said Xiang Donghua, who was standing at the side. “Commander Xiao has been training with the bow since his defeat four years ago and even spent a huge amount to learn the ‘Guanhong Arrow’ technique from the second elder of the Valley of Medicine Masters. Commander Xiao has been so ashamed by his defeat that he has been working tirelessly since to make up for it.”
Xiang Xiong’s eyes lit up. “Trained in the bow technique for four years? The second-grade technique ‘Guanhong Arrow?’” If he had lacked confidence in Commander Xiao previously, he was now fully confident. Based on his martial arts achievements, Commander Xiao was definitely a talented man and would surely have mastered the bow technique in four years. With the second-grade ‘Guanhong arrow’ technique and his Great Consummation power, it would not be difficult for him to kill the two golden-crowned eagles.
“The most important thing is…” continued Xiang Donghua, “Commander Xiao came with the Cloud Condor of the imperial court.”
Xiang Xiong’s eyes narrowed. “Cloud… Cloud Condor?!” Now, he finally understood why Second Elder had been able to return in such a short time. Usually, on the Lightning Leopard, it would take almost four months to go between Chu royal city and the Yunyang imperial city. But now, he had returned in just two months. Looks like he had flown back together with Commander Xiao on the Cloud Condor.
“Haha…” Xiang Xiong began laughing hysterically. Finally, once he stopped his laughter, he turned to look at Commander Xiao, his eyes br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence. “Commander Xiao, with the Cloud Condor… this time, you will definitely be able to easily kill those two golden-crowned eagles! Commander Xiao, when are you planning to strike?” asked Xiang Xiong seriously.
“It has been a long journey, I want to wash up and take a good rest before we attack tomorrow morning,” Xiao Jiancheng said flatly. “Before that, I hope that you can send someone to watch that young man and don’t let him escape. If he tries to run, wake me immediately!”
“Yes,” answered Xiang Xiong respectfully. He got Xiang Donghua to arrange a room for Xiao Jiancheng, before returning to his own room to change.
“Your Highness.” In the room, the beautiful Fan Ji helped Xiang Xiong to change. She asked, “That Commander Xiao and the Cloud Condor should be more than enough to deal with the young man and the two golden-crowned eagles?”
“As long as that young man does not escape, it will definitely be a success.” Xiang Xiong changed his clothes and rushed out of the door. “Now, I will look for Xue Meng to send someone to watch Chuxiu Inn to prevent anyone from tipping the young man off. My lady, tomorrow, Commander Xiao and the Cloud Condor will definitely be able to help you avenge your Fan family! Tonight, you just have a good rest.”
As Xiang Xiong left, some of the guards who had just changed s.h.i.+ft had already spread the word that Commander Xiao and the Cloud Condor of the imperial court had arrived.