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Chapter 596: The New Master of the Black Armor Army
Chapter 596: The New Master of the Black Armor Army
Xu Zhongping had his men build a tall platform, similar to the arena where Lu Yuan and Lu Qi had competed for the Houyi Bow in the final round of the Grand Tournament. However, this one was even taller and more dangerous.
Only one person could climb the platform at a time, meaning the four of them would have to fight each other to the bitter end to earn the right to ascend.
From his vantage point on the platform, Xu Zhongping could not only rest and conserve his energy but also carefully observe each contestant's fighting style and weaknesses as they battled below.
Ji Li, fanning himself, said, "Hey, this is way too simple. What if someone stops fighting halfway? Can they come down for a snack and then continue?"
Xu Zhongping thought for a moment and then agreed, "That's a fair point. So, let's add a rule: anyone who touches the ground is out."
He looked around at everyone. "If there are no objections, we can proceed."
"I'm in", Chen Long said.
Si She objected, "You were injured in the Dragon Trapping Formation. They might not see it, but you know how serious it is."
Ji Li quickly chimed in, "Yeah, Han Qi is stubborn. This concerns the Black Armor Army, so I think I should fight."
Si She glanced at the opposite side. "You're no match for Rabbit of the Year."
Ji Li bristled, "A She! You're underestimating me!"
Si She replied, "Xu Zhongping didn't say we can't use underhanded tactics. You won't be able to handle the Pharmaceutical King Valley's methods."
Ji Li rolled his eyes, "So, who should go? Not this kid, right? He has no connection to the Black Armor Army!"
He pointed at Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan smiled lightly, "I'm not going."
Ji Li growled, "Hey!"
Meng Qianqian stepped forward, "I'll go."
Ji Li was speechless, "Little Tiger, you..."
Si She didn't object.
Chen Long wanted to say something but held back at the last moment.
When Meng Qianqian arrived at the arena, Xu Zhongping was already on the platform.
Her three opponents were Lan Yeyue, Lu Qi, and Duan Wenliang.
Duan Wenliang said to Meng Qianqian, "Little Tiger, I hope your martial arts are as good as your gambling skills."
Meng Qianqian replied, "Thank you for your good wishes."
Duan Wenliang huffed.
Xu Zhongping struck the copper gong.
The contest began.
Lan Yeyue was the first to dash up the platform. Her movements were so swift that she was halfway up in the blink of an eye.
Lu Qi, not to be outdone, used his lightness skills to catch up.
"What are you doing here? The Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion and Prince Jin's Palace are on the same team!"
Lan Yeyue chuckled, "I feel like it!"
Duan Wenliang quickly joined in, "Don't let him fool you! She's taking the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion's money, but she doesn't intend to work for them. She wants the Black Armor Army for the Pharmaceutical King Valley!"
Meng Qianqian asked, "What does the Pharmaceutical King want with the Black Armor Army?"
Si She explained, "The Pharmaceutical King Valley is no longer content with being a small, reclusive sect."
Ji Li mocked, "A whole army of Black Armor soldiers? Can the Pharmaceutical King handle that?"
Realizing something, he turned to Meng Qianqian, "Why aren't you climbing yet?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "He didn't specify when we had to go up."
She looked up and began observing the three contestants' fighting styles. She was familiar with Rabbit of the Year, so she focused on whether he had learned any new skills in recent years.
When Lu Qi and Ji Li had clashed, Meng Qianqian had already observed them once. Now, she was mainly watching Duan Wenliang.
"How is it? Is my brother's martial arts decent enough?"
Duan Mingyue, sitting in a wheelchair, was pushed by a servant to Lu Yuan's side.
Lu Yuan replied, "Decent enough to get by, but not much more."
Duan Mingyue smiled, "Is that so? We'll see."
Lan Yeyue was the first to reach the platform. Meng Qianqian could tell that Lu Qi and Duan Wenliang were holding back. Lu Qi was the first to do so, and once Duan Wenliang noticed, he also started conserving his strength.
Both were trying to let Rabbit of the Year tire out Xu Zhongping.
Meng Qianqian waited for her moment.
She tapped her foot and climbed the ladder, catching up to Lu Qi and Duan Wenliang with lightning speed.
The two were startled.
"Did you really think Xu Zhongping was no match for Rabbit of the Year?"
Meng Qianqian threw out the question and immediately chased after Lan Yeyue.
The delicate balance between the two was broken as they both attacked Lan Yeyue simultaneously.
Lu Qi used the Thousand Mechanisms Pavilion's concealed weapons, while Duan Wenliang wielded the Deadly Boomerang.
Lan Yeyue was caught off guard and was forced off the platform's railing. Fortunately, she reacted quickly and grabbed a bamboo pole, preventing her from falling to the ground.
Meng Qianqian, who had thoroughly disrupted their plans, hid her skills and remained motionless halfway up.
Song Yingzhong and Yun Chaomu were slightly surprised.
Even Duan Mingyue clapped, "Good move."
Lu Qi pushed off the railing and began fighting Xu Zhongping.
Duan Wenliang gritted his teeth and looked at Duan Mingyue, "Fourth Brother, which side are you on?"
Duan Mingyue smiled and said, "Hit him, don't get distracted."
The rule was that only one person could be on the high platform at a time, so he had to wait for Lu Qi to come out, which was driving him crazy.
Ji Li shouted, "It didn't say weapons can't enter! Take him down! Where's your boomerang? Use them all!"
Duan Wenliang suddenly snapped out of his daze.
Lu Qi's mouth twitched with anger, wishing he could kill this chicken.
Lu Qi was now under a pincer attack from Xu Zhongping and Duan Wenliang.
Lan Yeyue climbed near Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian asked, "Do you want to fight me?"
Lan Yeyue gave a seductive smile, "I don't want to fight you; I'm afraid your poison insects will bite me to death."
Meng Qianqian countered, "People from the Pharmaceutical King Valley are afraid of poison insects? I don't believe it."
"Ha ha ha..."
Lan Yeyue let out a tinkling laugh.
Duan Mingyue said seriously, "Focus your mind!"
Duan Wenliang snapped back to reality, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, "Is... is it enchantment?"
Lan Yeyue said irritably, "So boring!"
Meng Qianqian said, "You see, whoever goes up will be attacked by both Xu Zhongping and their opponent. How about we team up and take them down first?"
Lan Yeyue laughed, "Then you'll get rid of me?"
Meng Qianqian said earnestly, "I might not be able to get rid of you, but the Black Armor Army in the hands of the Pharmaceutical King Valley is better than in the hands of the Grand Princess and the Jin Wang Palace."
Lan Yeyue's eyes twinkled, "That's true. Alright, I agree. How do you want to cooperate?"
"Let me distract them... Watch out!"
Meng Qianqian looked up and suddenly stepped back.
Lan Yeyue looked up.
Meng Qianqian kicked her, sending her flying!
The angle was perfect, and Lan Yeyue couldn't grab the ladder in time, crashing to the ground with a thud.
Lan Yeyue was fuming, "Meng Xiaojiu!!!"
Song Yingzhong and Yun Chaomu drew a sharp breath.
Both of them looked at Meng Qianqian on the ladder.
Only now did they realize she wasn't just hiding; she was waiting for the Rabbit of the Year.
If the Rabbit of the Year wanted to get close, they had to stand on the outermost bamboo pole.
And she had anticipated that the Rabbit of the Year would come for her.
This move...
Both of their pupils dilated in shock!
"Doesn't she remind you of someone?"
Yun Chaomu asked.
Song Yingzhong took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of blood in his heart, "The Grand Marshal."
Yun Chaomu's heart was pounding wildly, "Old Song, do you think she... could be the Grand Marshal's apprentice? Or... his sister?"
Song Yingzhong said, "The Grand Marshal's family is long gone; where would he get a sister? With Chen Long... they were just sworn siblings."
In fact, the relationship between Chen Long and the Grand Marshal was something they only learned after the Grand Marshal's death.
"An apprentice?"
Yun Chaomu asked.
Song Yingzhong walked to Huoting, "Who is she?"
-
The most skilled Rabbit of the Year was eliminated, and Meng Qianqian's first plan was complete. Next, she had to deal with Lu Qi and Duan Wenliang.
Lu Qi was injured under the combined attacks of Xu Zhongping and Duan Wenliang, and Duan Wenliang seized the opportunity to drag him off the high platform.
Meng Qianqian leaped into the air and delivered a powerful kick to Lu Qi's chest!
Lu Qi hit the ground, creating a human-sized crater, "......!!"
"Good hit! Good hit!"
Tan'er was excited, squealing.
Ji Li shook his fan, "Not bad, not bad. Not disgracing Li Haiya."
Next was Duan Wenliang.
Meng Qianqian didn't want to waste her energy, so she directly used poison insects on him.
"You..."
Duan Wenliang's face changed, and he instantly collapsed like a limp shrimp.
His descent was far from graceful.
Meng Qianqian stood in front of Xu Zhongping.
"Speak, Huoting! Who is she?"
Song Yingzhong grabbed Huoting's armor, "You couldn't have just brought someone to see the General for no reason, especially someone we've never met before. The Twelve Guards were appointed by the Grand Marshal, not by Li Haiya! What right does Li Haiya have to appoint her as the Tiger of the Year?"
Yun Chaomu also walked over and said to Song Yingzhong, "Old Song, calm down."
He then looked at Huoting, "Huoting, tell us."
Huoting looked at the woman on the high platform, "She is the new owner of the Black Armor Army."
Xu Zhongping and Meng Qianqian began their battle on the high platform.
Xu Zhongping held nothing back, using almost all of his strength.
Ji Li, watching Meng Qianqian struggle, puzzled, "Snake, Xu Zhongping has been practicing a lot these past few years."
In his memory, Xu Zhongping couldn't beat the Twelve Guards.
But the strength Xu Zhongping displayed now made him reconsider.
Meng Qianqian was constantly pushed to the brink during their battle, but every time everyone thought she was doomed, she would miraculously turn the tide.
"I can't help but feel... something's off."
Ji Li frowned, "The Tiger of the Year's moves aren't fluent. Why wait until the last moment to counter?"
Meng Qianqian wanted to counter earlier, but she was also recalling the moves as they fought.
Xu Zhongping swung his sword at Meng Qianqian's right shoulder.
Meng Qianqian gripped the hilt and pulled out the Phoenix Lady Sword, slicing through Xu Zhongping's greatsword in one swift motion.
At the same time, she turned and gripped the broken blade, pressing it against Xu Zhongping's throat.
Her lips curved into a slight smile. "Han Qi, you lose."
---
In the Imperial Study.
Prince Jin was reviewing memorials.
Eunuch Yu was attending to him.
Xiao Dezhi had been reassigned to the Inner Treasury.
The other capable young eunuch in the Imperial Study was now Xiao Dengzi.
Xiao Dengzi was grinding ink for Prince Jin.
Prince Jin said, "Eunuch Yu, Xiao Dengzi isn't grinding the ink well. Could you do it for me?"
Eunuch Yu knelt down in terror. "Your Highness, you flatter me. It is my honor to serve you, and I dare not receive such formal treatment from you. Please, just give me your commands!"
Prince Jin smiled gently and helped him up. "Eunuch Yu has served Father Emperor for many years and watched us brothers grow up. In my heart, you are like an elder."
Eunuch Yu managed to stand up but then fell to his knees again. "I dare not!"
Prince Jin said, "Get up quickly."
Eunuch Yu remained on the ground.
Prince Jin turned to Xiao Dengzi. "Why don't you help Eunuch Yu up?"
His tone was stern and cold when he spoke to Xiao Dengzi.
Xiao Dengzi hurried to assist Eunuch Yu.
Eunuch Yu wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Prince Jin said earnestly, "Father Emperor has been missing for so long, and I am very anxious. Sometimes I wonder if my second brother is innocent. Could he have been deceived by the Miao King?"
"This..."
Eunuch Yu looked embarrassed.
Prince Jin sighed. "My second brother is the most honest among us and Father Emperor's favorite son. We all have been beaten by Father Emperor, but he never beat my second brother."
Eunuch Yu thought to himself, His Majesty doesn't beat the Crown Prince because he is weaker...
Everyone understood this, but now, from Prince Jin's mouth, it sounded like the Liang Emperor's favoritism.
The more the Liang Emperor favored the Crown Prince, the less forgivable his betrayal became.
"Eunuch Yu, what should I do?"
"Your servant... dares not presume."
"You also believe my second brother is innocent, don't you?"
Prince Jin's eyes were sincere, filled with concern for his brother.
Eunuch Yu lowered his head. "If His Majesty were here, he would also hope his son is innocent. But all the evidence points to the Crown Prince's residence... Your servant... Your servant really..."
Prince Jin said, "Eunuch Yu, I will investigate this matter. If, by any chance... it comes to that, you will support me, just as you supported Father Emperor, won't you?"
Eunuch Yu's eyes flickered, and he knelt on both knees. "Your servant is willing to serve you to the death!"
Prince Jin smiled in satisfaction. "Very well. Pass my orders down to have the Crown Prince imprisoned. I will personally interrogate him!"
Eunuch Yu was in a panic.
Your Majesty, where are you?
If you don't return soon, the Crown Prince will be tortured in prison...
---
In the dark, narrow passage.
Two burly men almost came to blows over who would lead the way.
"What's the rush?"
The Miao King said irritably.
"If you're not in a hurry, fine. Stay here. The chaos outside isn't just about my son being trapped!"
The Liang Emperor's words immediately put the Miao King in his place.
The Miao King choked. "That doesn't mean you can go first!"
The Liang Emperor didn't argue.
The Miao King went ahead, and the Liang Emperor followed.
After walking for a while, they emerged from the passage into a spacious secret chamber.
"Where are we now?"
The Miao King held up a night pearl.
"The underground palace."
The Liang Emperor said.
The Miao King touched the dust on the stone wall. "It's been a while. What did you dig this place for? You trapped me here!"
The Liang Emperor said coldly, "Trapped you? I could still have you executed for trespassing into the capital and deceiving the emperor!"
The Miao King placed his hands on his hips. "As if you could do anything! Come on! I'm here, come and kill me!"
The Liang Emperor slapped the stone wall, and a mechanism box extended out, revealing a sword.
The Liang Emperor drew the sword and pointed it at the Miao King.
Tension filled the air!
At that moment, a small, round head poked out from his embrace, asking cutely, "Grandpa, are you playing hide and seek?"
(End of Chapter)
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