Chapter 591: Breaking the Formation!
Chapter 591: Breaking the Formation!
Meng Qianqian, Cui Hu, and Yu Zichuan, carrying Tan'er, emerged from the Miasma Forest and came to a small stream.
Meng Qianqian intended to give Tan'er some water. Just as she took out her water pouch, she felt the ground shake violently.
Cui Hu's body wobbled, and he glared, asking, "What's going on? Is it the Earth Dragon's Turn?"
Meng Qianqian looked at the ripples on the water's surface and felt a sudden pain in her chest.
She clutched her heart.
What was happening to her?
Why did she suddenly feel anxious and distressed?
"Are you going to be sick again?"
Yu Zichuan noticed her unease.
"No."
Meng Qianqian shook her head, filled the water pouch, and gave Tan'er a little to drink.
Tan'er drank a few sips and fell back into a deep sleep, exhausted from the lingering effects of the miasma and the intense hallucinations.
Meng Qianqian felt an increasing sense of unease in her heart and told Yu Zichuan and Cui Hu, "Let's keep moving."
Yu Zichuan thought for a moment and said, "You need to rest."
"I'm not tired", Meng Qianqian replied.
Yu Zichuan hesitated, but Meng Qianqian had already slung the water pouch over her shoulder and set off.
Yu Zichuan stood there, looking serious.
Cui Hu asked curiously, "What are you thinking about? Why aren't you moving?"
Yu Zichuan replied earnestly, "I'm thinking about whether I can overpower her."
Cui Hu: "..."
In the end, Yu Zichuan decided against forcing Meng Qianqian to rest. He could have fought her, but he had fewer insects than she did.
"Madam, where are we going?"
Cui Hu caught up to Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian said, "We're not far from the Black Armor Army's camp. Let's see what's causing all this commotion."
"Alright!"
Cui Hu was also curious.
---
Chen Long, trapped in the North Canyon for twenty-four hours, found that the stone walls, which had been constantly shifting, suddenly froze in place.
This might be his only chance to escape the formation.
However, just as he was about to leave, the entire canyon began to collapse.
Rocks tumbled from the cliffs, crashing down onto the stone walls below, causing the ground to shake violently.
Chen Long was hit and fell into the collapsing crevice.
His longsword was flung away.
He tried to stand up from the crevice, but his right leg was pinned under a massive boulder.
Having already exhausted his inner energy in the formation, he had no strength to move the boulder.
To escape before the place turned into a pile of rubble, he had to...
Cut off his leg.
He lay on the sharp, cold rocks, stretching his right arm to the limit. Just as he was about to tear his arm apart, he finally managed to grasp his sword hilt.
He took a breath.
Where did he have the strength to lift the sword?
Driven by sheer determination, he shouted and raised the heavy sword, mercilessly severing his right leg!
Clang!
A meteor-like arrow, whistling like a dragon's cry, pierced through the falling debris and struck his sword, sending it flying!
He looked up in confusion.
Meng Qianqian, dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothes, stood at the peak of the mountain, holding the Houyi Bow, her expression stern.
The canyon was collapsing.
Without hesitation, she leaped down.
Chen Long: "No..."
A massive boulder was hurtling towards Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian leaped with ease, dodging the attack. In mid-air, she drew the Houyi Bow and fired an arrow straight at Chen Long!
Chen Long did not dodge.
The arrow whizzed past his right ear.
Behind him, the sound of rocks shattering and the click of mechanisms echoed.
The once-chaotic canyon suddenly stilled.
The last rock fell, and everything returned to silence.
---
Xu Zhongping had just returned to camp from the North Canyon when he learned of a visitor.
"A visitor?"
Xu Zhongping frowned.
He was a stern commander, rarely smiling or showing emotion.
His aide, seeing his troubled expression, assumed someone had trespassed into the camp.
Rumors had it that the capital of Great Liang was not peaceful lately, and more factions were seeking the power of the Black Armor Army.
It was unclear which faction this visitor belonged to, but they seemed capable enough to draw the attention of the Great General himself.
"I will not see them."
Xu Zhongping refused.
General Huang lifted the tent flap for him.
As he entered the tent, he met a pair of eyes that held a hint of a smile.
"Brother Han, it's been a while. I trust you've been well."
Duan Mingyue, seated in a wheelchair, greeted him with a smile.
Xu Zhongping's frown deepened.
The soldiers outside the tent quickly explained, "He has the Great General's token. The Great General instructed us to treat anyone with the token with respect."
Xu Zhongping had indeed given that order, but now he regretted it.
He gave a subtle signal to Huang An.
Huang An understood and stood guard outside the tent.
"What brings you here?"
Xu Zhongping sat in his general's chair.
Duan Mingyue smiled and introduced, "My younger brother, Duan Wenliang. Wenliang, quickly pay your respects to the Great General."
Duan Wenliang bowed respectfully to Xu Zhongping, "I have long heard of the Great General's reputation. It is an honor to meet you in person, and you live up to your name."
Xu Zhongping gave Duan Wenliang a brief, cool glance before turning to Duan Mingyue, "You know I hate this kind of formality."
Duan Mingyue laughed, "Very well, I'll be straightforward. I'm here to be a mediator for someone."
Xu Zhongping retorted sarcastically, "Prince Jin or Gongsun Yanming?"
Duan Mingyue replied, "Brother Xu, you haven't completely retired. You're still well-informed about the political climate in Liang."
Xu Zhongping said impatiently, "I have no interest in the affairs of the Great Zhou court. Why would I want to get involved in Great Liang's troubles?"
Duan Mingyue smiled, "You may not want to, but you're already in the mire. Do you think the Black Armor Army has been safe in Huai County all these years just because of the Princess's protection? It's simply because no one has had the idea to challenge you. But times have changed. Great Liang is on the brink of civil war, and the Black Armor Army is a juicy target. Someone will eventually try to take a bite."
Xu Zhongping remained silent.
Duan Mingyue continued, "You understand, don't you?"
Xu Zhongping asked, "So, who are you here to speak for?"
Duan Mingyue replied, "Princess Lu Fengyin."
Xu Zhongping frowned, "Why her?"
Duan Mingyue smiled, "Because she offered me a price I couldn't refuse."
Xu Zhongping said irritably, "Duan Mingyue, you've earned enough to last several lifetimes. What more do you crave?"
This time, Duan Mingyue chose to avoid the question, "The Black Armor Army has received some favors from the Princess over the years. It would be a way to repay her by joining her faction, wouldn't it?"
Xu Zhongping looked deeply at Duan Mingyue, "Duan Mingyue, are you planning to support Lu Fengyin as the Empress?"
Duan Mingyue laughed, "Joining the Princess is the best choice for the Black Armor Army."
Xu Zhongping mused, "I said before..."
Duan Mingyue's smile faded, and he became serious, "The person you're waiting for will never return. You need to think about the future of the Black Armor Army. Even if you don't come out of retirement now, one day the Black Armor Army will either be absorbed or destroyed. Do you really think the Emperor of Liang will tolerate others sleeping beside his bed?"
(End of Chapter)
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