Chapter 72

In the Nanli Valley, a luxurious carriage pulled by a savage bull beast slowly moved forward, surrounded by over a dozen guards who escorted it along the way.

Just as they were moving, the carriage suddenly stopped. Xia Changfeng, frowning inside the carriage, asked unhappily, "Why have we stopped?"

Xia Changfeng's return to the Great Xia was for two reasons: one was to prepare for the marriage to Princess Fengming, and the other was a more important task assigned to him by the white-robed man.

Therefore, Xia Changfeng ordered everyone to travel day and night, and they reached the Nanli Valley in just one day and one night.

After passing through the valley and walking for half a day, they would enter the territory of the Great Xia. Originally, riding a flying beast would have been faster.

However, with so many people, it was impossible for everyone to travel together. Additionally, flying beasts were too conspicuous, and if they attracted a more powerful group of flying beasts, they would be doomed, with no chance of escape.

"Your Highness, someone is blocking the road," a person outside the carriage said.

"Who is it?" Xia Changfeng was taken aback.

"An acquaintance of yours."

Xia Changfeng frowned and stepped out of the carriage. He saw a narrow valley entrance ahead, and their carriage had to pass through it.

At the narrow entrance, two figures stood quietly. When Xia Changfeng saw the figure in front, he smiled, but a hint of darkness flashed in his eyes.

"Long Chen, are you waiting here to bid me farewell?" Xia Changfeng waved his hand, and the dozen or so guards around him quickly spread out, forming a half-circle around Long Chen and Ah Man.

Long Chen looked at Xia Changfeng and nodded, saying, "Yes, seeing how difficult your journey is, I thought I'd send you off properly."

"Don't tell me you two are here to assassinate me?" Xia Changfeng narrowed his eyes and sneered.

"Your Majesty? That title suits you well, but the word 'assassinate' is inappropriate. We're here to kill you."

Long Chen shrugged, but his face immediately turned cold as he pointed at Xia Changfeng.

"Xia Changfeng, I won't play word games with you. You bastard, did you do something to Chu Yao's limbs?"

Thinking of Chu Yao's plight, Long Chen's eyes were filled with murderous intent. Chu Yao was now like his own woman, and he couldn't tolerate such treatment.

Chu Yao's plight also made him think of himself. If this matter was related to Xia Changfeng, then he had found the best breakthrough to find the culprit.

Xia Changfeng's face changed slightly, clearly surprised by Long Chen's words. Then his gaze turned cold, and he said, "It seems you know quite a bit, but it doesn't matter. After all, a dead man can know as much as he wants."

Xia Changfeng's words were ambiguous and didn't give Long Chen the answer he wanted, but one thing was certain: Xia Changfeng knew a lot.

Long Chen looked at Xia Changfeng and smiled, a happy smile. Perhaps from Xia Changfeng's mouth, he could learn all the secrets.

"Long Chen, I thought you were smart. Today I realize I was wrong, but I'm happy to be wrong. Just the two of you dare to assassinate me. I don't know whether to praise your courage or mock your foolishness.

It seems that after killing Huang Shang, your ambition has swollen, making you think you're invincible?

Wang Mang, you've always complained that I didn't give you a chance to show yourself. Now your chance has come. Go and cut off this arrogant brat's head."

Xia Changfeng's last words were directed at a person beside him. The one called Wang Mang was extremely tall and had a face as black as charcoal.

Hearing Xia Changfeng's order, he grinned, revealing a mouth full of white teeth, like a bloodthirsty beast.

Wang Mang, like Huang Shang, was one of Xia Changfeng's secret weapons. Huang Shang was known, but no one knew about this black-skinned guard.

"Rest assured, Master, I'll turn him into minced meat in ten moves."

Wang Mang laughed and took a step forward.

*Clang!*

The sound of a blade being drawn, and Wang Mang now held a broadsword, causing Long Chen's eyes to narrow.

A broadsword is usually only slightly wider than a regular longsword, about four fingers wide. Because of the increased width, it is much heavier than a regular longsword.

Those who can wield a broadsword are usually extremely strong, with incredible wrist strength. The broadsword in Wang Mang's hand was astonishingly seven inches wide.

Seven inches wide and nearly three inches thick, the broadsword was incredibly heavy. Before it even reached its target, a terrifying wind rushed toward Long Chen, making the air swirl as it came down on him.

"You're mine."

Long Chen didn't move, but Ah Man behind him shouted and swung his massive battle axe, which cut through the air with a golden glow, meeting Wang Mang's broadsword.

*Clang!*

Sparks flew, and everyone's ears rang. Some of the guards felt a sharp pain in their ears, and blood slowly trickled out, leaving them unable to hear anything for a moment.

After the explosion, both figures retreated. Ah Man took three steps back before stabilizing himself.

Wang Mang, despite his efforts to maintain his stance, was pushed back over ten feet, leaving two deep grooves in the ground.

After the impact, the people on Xia Changfeng's side looked at the giant-like Ah Man with shock.

Seeing the massive battle axe in Ah Man's hands, Xia Changfeng's pupils constricted. He recognized the axe, which he had seen at an auction, weighing over 3,000 pounds.

Looking at Ah Man's size and his large hands, the massive battle axe seemed tailor-made for him, not at all cumbersome in his hands.

Xia Changfeng was shocked, and Wang Mang was even more shocked. He had been born with incredible strength, and his broadsword weighed over 2,000 pounds. Since acquiring this heavy weapon, few people of the same rank could last more than three moves against him.

Although both were called secret weapons, even Huang Shang, after transforming, couldn't last more than ten moves against Wang Mang.

But today, he was pushed back by a giant who showed no signs of cultivation. Shocked and enraged, Wang Mang roared, "Die!"

Wang Mang's entire body was enveloped in blood energy. Initially, he didn't want to reveal too much of his strength against Long Chen, as Xia Changfeng preferred to keep his strength hidden, a habit he and Huang Shang had developed.

But seeing someone who was even stronger than him, he was enraged and refused to allow such a person to exist.

*Buzz!*

Wang Mang's broadsword vibrated, and the air around it hummed. The wind from the broadsword was even more fierce, like the sound of death.

Such a fierce attack was terrifying, and while Long Chen was shocked, he was also relieved.

Wang Mang was a strength-based warrior who didn't like complex combat techniques. His moves were simple and direct but incredibly powerful.

However, such attacks were perfect for the simple-minded Ah Man, who didn't understand techniques.

*Boom!*

Another intense collision sent a powerful shockwave that scattered dry grass and mud everywhere.

If it were just grass and mud, it wouldn't be a problem, but there were also many small rocks on the ground. The flying rocks were incredibly powerful.

One of the guards, no longer sensitive to sound due to the previous collisions, was hit in the head by a flying rock. The force of the impact created a bloody hole in his forehead, and he fell silently to the ground.

The others quickly retreated, as the battle was too terrifying. Dying without understanding why was too frustrating.

*Boom!*

*Boom!*

*Boom!*

Explosions continued, and shouts filled the air. The broadsword and the giant axe clashed repeatedly, sparks flying, the ground trembling.

Seeing Ah Man, who seemed possessed by a war god, Long Chen felt a surge of excitement. Ah Man was finally showing his power.

Although his current strength was far from his full potential, Long Chen's efforts had not been in vain.

However, it was fortunate that they faced Wang Mang. If it were Huang Shang, Ah Man might not have lasted long.

First, Ah Man had little combat experience, all of which he had gained from hunting with Long Chen in recent days.

Second, Ah Man didn't know how to attack. He had been blocking Wang Mang's attacks all along.

If Ah Man attacked, he would expose his fatal weakness, but Wang Mang's relentless attacks actually concealed Ah Man's weakness.

If it were someone like Huang Shang, he would have probed for Ah Man's weakness and struck a fatal blow.

But Wang Mang didn't know Ah Man's background. Otherwise, even if Ah Man were stronger, his lack of combat experience would have led to his defeat in a few moves.

Seeing Ah Man only defend and not attack, Wang Mang grew angry, thinking Ah Man was toying with him. His attacks became even more fierce.

In a moment, they had exchanged dozens of blows. To Long Chen's surprise, Ah Man's axe skills became more proficient, no longer as clumsy as before.

Long Chen had never taught Ah Man axe techniques, and even if he had, Ah Man might not have learned. Most importantly, Long Chen himself didn't know how to use an axe.

Ah Man seemed to have a natural combat instinct, improving as the battle progressed.

Like his body, which could absorb spiritual energy without cultivation, he was a monster.

Seeing Ah Man withstand Wang Mang's fierce attacks, Long Chen felt fortunate.

Wang Mang's luck was bad, as his broadsword, which relied on brute force, posed the least threat to Ah Man.

If it were a technique-based expert, Ah Man would have fallen quickly. The world was indeed strange, and bringing Ah Man along this time was a good decision.

Seeing that Ah Man was temporarily safe, Long Chen didn't waste time. While they were distracted by Ah Man, he had to act quickly.

Looking at the shocked Xia Changfeng, Long Chen moved and struck with a punch.