Chapter 87

Chapter 86: The Fall

Dulong and Wei Xiaobao had planned everything out, expecting that if Jiumozhi and Song Qingshu won two matches, it wouldn't matter if he lost. But who knew Jiumozhi would have an accident, making this match crucial for the entire mission!

In the entire Qing dynasty's bureaucracy, if there was one person who struck fear into the hearts of all officials, it was the Golden Snake King of Shandong. Over the past few years, the Qing army's high-ranking generals and imperial officials who had fallen to Yuan Chengzhi's Golden Snake Sword numbered no less than eighty, if not a hundred. Combined with his multiple victories over the Qing army, the Golden Snake Camp in Shandong had grown in power, becoming one of Emperor Kangxi's three major concerns. The other two were the unpredictable Pingxi King Wu Sangui at Shanhaiguan and the ambitious Prince Hongli, who held significant military power in Shengjing and coveted the throne.

Dulong thought to himself that if it didn't affect the big picture, it wouldn't matter if he lost. But knowing the importance of the matter, if he didn't even try and directly conceded to the great rebel Yuan Chengzhi, the Emperor would certainly not let him off easily. His life would be over...

He wanted to give it a try, but he knew his martial arts were far inferior to Yuan Chengzhi's. Moreover, Yuan Chengzhi hated the Manchus to the core and was notoriously ruthless towards Manchu officials. If he went on stage, he might lose his life on this Jade Emperor Peak... Dulong was caught in a dilemma.

Jiumozhi was busy regulating the chaotic true qi within his body and had no time to pay attention to the scene. Song Qingshu sighed, knowing that the situation was hopeless. He turned back and said, "Supervisor Dulong, you can just concede. After all, life is more important. The Emperor and I will explain the situation to him. After all, this time, it was due to unforeseen circumstances, and I was overconfident, not considering the match with Chongxu..."

"Are you two whispering? Have you made up your mind? If you're not going to fight, just concede. Otherwise, we'll keep waiting," a Taoist of the Jade Word generation from the Mount Tai Sect mocked.

Song Qingshu was angry but knew they were in the wrong and couldn't refute it. Seeing Dulong's face turn pale, he knew Dulong wanted to give it a try, but as a modern person, Song Qingshu didn't value human life so cheaply. He was about to concede, "We concede the third match..."

At that moment, a clear and cold voice came from behind, "The third match is mine."

Song Qingshu turned around in surprise and saw a young man in red, who looked like a woman, standing behind him. Who else could it be but Dongfang Bubai?

"Who is this cross-dressing person?"

"Who knows? He looks so frail, he's definitely no match for the Golden Snake King."

...

Hearing the disciples' doubts, the various sect leaders exchanged glances. Even the most knowledgeable Fangzheng Master couldn't identify this suddenly appearing handsome young man.

After all, Dongfang Bubai hadn't left Blackwood Cliff for decades, so it was understandable that few people in the martial world knew his true appearance.

Unlike the others, Yuan Chengzhi's internal and external martial arts were already at a masterful level, making him particularly sensitive to danger. When Dongfang Bubai appeared, he felt his hair stand on end, and a sense of foreboding filled his heart.

"Why did you suddenly change the third person? It was that Tartar officer," Zuo Lengchan, who had finally caught his breath after the long wait, said, sensing the danger from Dongfang Bubai and instinctively trying to prevent any surprises.

Seeing that Dongfang Bubai ignored him, his face expressionless, Song Qingshu smiled bitterly and defended, "We never said who the third person would be. Besides, didn't you also hide the Golden Snake King in the shadows?"

Zuo Lengchan was speechless and could only coldly snort, turning to sit down and start treating his internal injuries.

Dongfang Bubai smiled faintly and slowly walked up to the stage.

Yuan Chengzhi felt his heart tremble with each step Dongfang Bubai took. When Dongfang Bubai stepped onto the stage, he realized his internal energy was already disrupted by the other's footsteps. In shock, he instinctively drew his Golden Snake Sword. Feeling the unique and familiar touch of the sword, his heart slowly calmed down.

Dongfang Bubai looked at him with approval and asked, "Are you the Golden Snake King, who has been called the best martial artist in Central Plains in recent years?"

"Heaven is above, and there are always better people. I, Yuan Chengzhi, am unworthy of such a title," Yuan Chengzhi replied, fully focused and on guard. He didn't know why, but despite the other's frail appearance, his intuition told him that the person was extremely dangerous.

"Unworthy?" Dongfang Bubai sneered, "Let me test your mettle." As he spoke, he appeared in front of Yuan Chengzhi, and several silver needles pierced several major acupoints on his body.

"Ah?" Dongfang Bubai exclaimed, seeing a flash of gold and retreating to his original position.

Yuan Chengzhi was drenched in cold sweat. He had been fully focused, but he hadn't expected the other's speed to be like lightning. He knew that if not for his golden-threaded vest, he would have been subdued in one move, if not killed.

"You have some skill. Your reaction is good, and your sword technique is quite unique," Dongfang Bubai said, looking at a small cut on his sleeve made by the Golden Snake Sword, and smiled.

The experts on Jade Emperor Peak were all shocked. In the blink of an eye, no one had seen the red-clad man's movements.

Even the likes of Fangzheng could only barely see a red blur. Song Qingshu's face also turned grim. Although he had seen Dongfang Bubai and the old Huahua master's battle before, he knew that if he were in Yuan Chengzhi's place, he would be killed in one move without the protective vest.

"Who are you?" Yuan Chengzhi was terrified and on high alert.

Dongfang Bubai didn't answer, and a red blur flashed past, attacking Yuan Chengzhi again.

With the experience from the previous encounter, Yuan Chengzhi was not as flustered this time. He quickly used the Divine Transformation Lightness Skill to dodge and engage the opponent.

The Divine Transformation Lightness Skill was one of the best dodging techniques in the world. In the past, when Yuan Chengzhi used it, no one could even touch his clothes. But this time, it was like a child's play against the red-clad man.

The crowd on Mount Tai saw a bright golden light in the center of the field, as Yuan Chengzhi pushed his Golden Snake Sword technique to its limits, protecting his vital points.

When the golden light flashed, the red figure suddenly appeared several yards away. Everyone saw a cold smile on his lips, and he turned into a red blur, attacking the golden light again.

On Jade Emperor Peak, only a few people could barely see the two figures' movements. The rest could only see a golden light floating and moving around, with a red blur appearing and disappearing, sometimes above the golden light, sometimes to the side, attacking from all directions.

The two figures often touched and then separated, but with each touch, the golden light dimmed... The people who understood what was happening were already changing their expressions.

With a metallic clang, the two finally separated.

Seeing Yuan Chengzhi standing in the center of the field, a red dot on his forehead, and his eyes gradually losing their luster, Song Qingshu sighed: "Lady Youyou will likely become a widow."

The people on the Mount Tai side slowly realized what had happened, looking at the scene in disbelief, unable to say a word. The scene was dead silent.

"How could the Golden Snake King die?"

"Our leader is clearly a master of great power..."

Yuan Chengzhi's subordinates were pale, feeling as if the sky had fallen.

Seeing Dongfang Bubai turn to leave, the Mount Tai crowd was both shocked and angry, but no one dared to stop him, considering his godlike martial arts.

Finally, Fangzheng asked, "Who are you?"

Dongfang Bubai paused, not answering, and a red blur flashed, disappearing into the distance like smoke, leaving behind a long laugh: "The world's storms arise from our generation; once in the martial world, time flies; empires and ambitions are but a laugh; life is but a drunken dream."

Seeing the Mount Tai sect's mournful faces, Song Qingshu stepped forward and said, "According to our agreement, the best of three, you have lost. According to the agreement, the Mount Tai Sect must accept the imperial decree."

The Mount Tai Sect leader, Tianmen Daoist, looked dazed, muttering, "Even the Golden Snake King is dead. Could the Mount Tai Sect really be destroyed in my hands?"

Song Qingshu knew the crowd on the mountain was agitated and didn't dare to provoke them further. If they attacked him, he would have to flee, even though they couldn't stop him, it would damage his heroic image.

"Tomorrow, we will send an envoy to read the decree. Today, we will take our leave." Song Qingshu said, then called Jiumozhi and Dulong to leave the mountain.

"What! Yuan Dada is dead?" Hearing the news from the mountain, Wei Xiaobao stood up in surprise and excitement, pacing back and forth, thinking: Now that Yuan Chengzhi is dead, the Golden Snake Camp will be leaderless. If I lead the army to attack now, they will be utterly defeated. What reward will I get from Little Xuanzi? A viscount is a sure thing, and a marquis is not impossible...

Deciding, Wei Xiaobao stood up, "Notify the brothers of the Cavalry Camp to prepare immediately. Our target is the rebel camp thirty miles away."

Dulong's face was strange, and he suddenly stood up, "The Emperor has an imperial edict. Wei Xiaobao, receive the edict."

"What the hell is Little Xuanzi up to?" Wei Xiaobao was startled and quickly knelt to receive the edict.

"Xiaogui, listen. Once the Lord Dongfang appears, you must immediately retreat with the Cavalry Camp. No other thoughts. If you act rashly, you will be sent to guard Ningguta," Dulong's face twitched, remembering the secret edict from Kangxi before they left.

Wei Xiaobao, however, was unconvinced, feeling that this was a golden opportunity, and not pursuing it would be a waste. He said, "As the saying goes, a general far from the capital has some leeway with the emperor's orders..."

Chapter 87: Kangxi's Calculations

The people on the Mount Tai side slowly realized what had happened, looking at the scene in disbelief, unable to say a word. The scene was dead silent.

"How could the Golden Snake King die?"

"Our leader is clearly a master of great power..."

Yuan Chengzhi's subordinates were pale, feeling as if the sky had fallen.

Seeing Dongfang Bubai turn to leave, the Mount Tai crowd was both shocked and angry, but no one dared to stop him, considering his godlike martial arts.

Finally, Fangzheng asked, "Who are you?"

Dongfang Bubai paused, not answering, and a red blur flashed, disappearing into the distance like smoke, leaving behind a long laugh: "The world's storms arise from our generation; once in the martial world, time flies; empires and ambitions are but a laugh; life is but a drunken dream."

Seeing the Mount Tai sect's mournful faces, Song Qingshu stepped forward and said, "According to our agreement, the best of three, you have lost. According to the agreement, the Mount Tai Sect must accept the imperial decree."

The Mount Tai Sect leader, Tianmen Daoist, looked dazed, muttering, "Even the Golden Snake King is dead. Could the Mount Tai Sect really be destroyed in my hands?"

Song Qingshu knew the crowd on the mountain was agitated and didn't dare to provoke them further. If they attacked him, he would have to flee, even though they couldn't stop him, it would damage his heroic image.

"Tomorrow, we will send an envoy to read the decree. Today, we will take our leave." Song Qingshu said, then called Jiumozhi and Dulong to leave the mountain.

"What! Yuan Dada is dead?" Hearing the news from the mountain, Wei Xiaobao stood up in surprise and excitement, pacing back and forth, thinking: Now that Yuan Chengzhi is dead, the Golden Snake Camp will be leaderless. If I lead the army to attack now, they will be utterly defeated. What reward will I get from Little Xuanzi? A viscount is a surething, and a marquis is not impossible...

Deciding, Wei Xiaobao stood up, "Notify the brothers of the Cavalry Camp to prepare immediately. Our target is the rebel camp thirty miles away."

Dulong's face was strange, and he suddenly stood up, "The Emperor has an imperial edict. Wei Xiaobao, receive the edict."

"What the hell is Little Xuanzi up to?" Wei Xiaobao was startled and quickly knelt to receive the edict.

"Xiaogui, listen. Once the Lord Dongfang appears, you must immediately retreat with the Cavalry Camp. No other thoughts. If you act rashly, you will be sent to guard Ningguta," Dulong's face twitched, remembering the secret edict from Kangxi before they left.

Wei Xiaobao, however, was unconvinced, feeling that this was a golden opportunity, and not pursuing it would be a waste. He said, "As the saying goes, a general far from the capital has some leeway with the emperor's orders..."

Chapter 87: Kangxi's Calculations

The people on the Mount Tai side slowly realized what had happened, looking at the scene in disbelief, unable to