Chapter 621: The Liang Emperor Returns
Chapter 621: The Liang Emperor Returns
The Black Armor Army surged forward like a dark flood, their momentum unstoppable as they mercilessly charged toward Hu Lie's forces.
On one side, black armor; on the other, silver armor. The vanguards of both sides clashed in a sky-filling melee.
King against king, general against general.
Hu Lie remained still, as did Meng Qianqian.
They stared at each other coldly.
Behind Hu Lie stood his three formidable generals: Cui Ping, Liu Yuan, and Yang Yonghe.
These three, along with the now-dead Wang Yong, were known as Hu Lie's Four Heavenly Kings.
Liu Yuan and Yang Yonghe had once greatly admired Lu Yuan after the Qilin Tournament.
Thus, Meng Qianqian noticed a fleeting complexity in their eyes.
But it was only a moment, and they quickly returned to their loyalty to Hu Lie.
Lu Yuan also noticed their scrutiny and hesitated before speaking, "Liu Yuan, Yang Yonghe, are you willing to fight for this traitor?"
Liu Yuan clenched his fist, "Changsun, I once thought you would become a wise ruler, but you should never have conspired with the King of the Miao and murdered the Liang Emperor!"
Lu Yuan said sternly, "Open your eyes and see clearly—the true Liang Emperor is on my back!"
Hu Lie sneered, "Still trying to argue? No more nonsense, take them down!"
Liu Yuan mounted his horse and raised his spear.
Yun Chaomu, astride his horse, drew his longsword, "I'll take you on!"
Meng Qianqian reminded, "His spearhead has a mechanism, be careful."
Yun Chaomu smiled, "I won't disappoint you, Grand Marshal."
Meng Qianqian's heart trembled.
Yun Chaomu charged forward from her side.
Next was Song Yingzhong, wielding a greatsword, "I am Song Yingzhong, the Duke of En under the Grand Marshal. Who will fight me?"
Yang Yonghe swung his warhammer, "I, Yang Yonghe, will accept your challenge!"
Meng Qianqian gripped the reins, her gaze fixed on their backs.
Huo Ting asked, "Which one is Cui Ping?"
Cui Ping and Huo Ting both wielded crimson tassel spears.
Cui Ping said coldly, "Cui Ping, the First Cavalry Captain under the Grand Marshal, I see you are nothing special!"
Huo Ting replied calmly, "I may be nothing special, but I'm enough to beat you."
The battles between the trusted generals intensified, making the fight at the palace gate even more fierce.
Meng Qianqian could sense the formidable strength of Hu Lie's silver-armored army; this was no ordinary force.
Unfortunately for them, they had met the Black Armor Army.
Meng Qianqian said, "The Black Armor Army's strength has increased even further, Han Qi, you are impressive."
Xu Zhongping said seriously, "Leave the battlefield to me, go do what you need to do."
Meng Qianqian: "Alright."
Without hesitation or formalities, this was the trust of the Black Armor Army.
Just as she was about to spur her horse forward, Xu Zhongping's voice came from behind, "I've been waiting for years, waiting for the day my name would be restored. After today, I can be Han Qi again, right?"
Meng Qianqian nodded.
"Ah! So many people! Can't kill them all! Just can't kill them all!"
The King of the Miao moved through Hu Lie's army, seemingly without a pattern, but he was actually clearing a path.
Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan seized the opportunity and charged forward.
Meng Qianqian positioned herself on the outer side of Lu Yuan and the Liang Emperor.
Seeing this, Hu Lie grabbed a long spear and threw it forcefully at Meng Qianqian!
Thwack!
A large hand firmly grasped the spear and hurled it back at Hu Lie.
Hu Lie leaped into the air, stepping on the spear, and drew his sword, slashing down at Meng Qianqian's horse.
Clang!
A longsword blocked his attack.
Xu Zhongping's eyes flashed with intensity, "Your opponent is me."
After Meng Qianqian, Lu Yuan, and the Liang Emperor entered the palace, Hu Lie immediately ordered a pursuit.
The King of the Miao stood with his hands on his hips, blocking the way.
One man can hold the pass, ten thousand cannot force it!
Hu Lie's original plan was not to kill the Black Armor Army here; he only needed to hold the palace gate and stall until Prince Jin ascended the throne.
But he never expected the Black Armor Army to be so formidable.
Despite his well-trained forces, they were evenly matched.
It was important to note that the Black Armor Army had traveled a long distance, while his army was well-rested.
Even with such a physical disadvantage, the Black Armor Army remained unbeaten.
"What kind of army is this?"
"Distraction is a deadly mistake!"
Xu Zhongping slashed at Hu Lie's arm.
Hu Lie managed to dodge, but a cut from the sword's qi grazed his cheek, drawing a trail of blood.
"Come on, come on! All of you, come at me!"
The tide of battle had turned.
Now, the King of the Miao was the one guarding the palace gate.
Hu Lie narrowed his eyes.
Hmph, no matter.
Once they enter, they will have no grave to bury the dead!
Meng Qianqian spurred her horse, turning to Lu Yuan, "Going to the Golden Throne Hall won't be easy. No matter what happens, I will cover you. You take the Liang Emperor and go, don't worry about me!"
Lu Yuan decided immediately, "Alright."
Meng Qianqian: "Grand Commander."
Lu Yuan: "Call for me when you return, remember to call me husband."
Meng Qianqian: "Alright."
The horses galloped, and Meng Qianqian saw a flash of light, faint but present.
"Stop!"
She shouted fiercely.
Both of them grabbed the reins and quickly turned their horses around. The two horses reared up on their hind legs, neighing angrily.
When the hooves landed heavily on the ground, they were just an inch away from the Heavenly Silkworm Silk that could have sliced them into pieces.
"There’s a mechanism. We need to get off the horses."
Meng Qianqian dismounted.
Lu Yuan nodded and jumped off the horse, carrying the Liang Emperor on his back: "Grandfather Emperor."
The Liang Emperor weakly opened his mouth: "I’m fine, be careful."
As he spoke, a long spear flew toward them.
Meng Qianqian leaped into the air and kicked the spear back!
"Ugh—"
With a muffled groan, someone fell off the eaves ten yards away.
However, in the blink of an eye, over a dozen spears were flying toward them.
Meng Qianqian, wielding the Azure Roc Sword, fended off the spears while leading the way forward.
Lu Yuan, carrying the Liang Emperor, closely followed her.
There was an undeniable understanding between them.
It was a bond forged through life and death, a camaraderie of shared battle, and a trust that transcended words.
At that moment, a loud bang echoed from behind them.
The Palace Gate had been shut.
Outside, the Black Armor Army was engaged in fierce combat with Hu Lie’s forces.
The sounds of battle were relentless.
Inside the palace, however, it was eerily quiet, as if they were in a different world.
The sound of the spears also ceased.
Meng Qianqian looked around and said calmly, "Stop pretending. Come out, Gongsun Yanming!"
The Liang Emperor, who was on Lu Yuan’s back, weakly lifted his eyes.
On the azure stone steps, Gongsun Yanming appeared, walking with a composed stride.
He stared at Meng Qianqian without blinking, as if looking at an old acquaintance.
However, he barely glanced at the Liang Emperor on Lu Yuan’s back.
It seemed that, compared to the rebellion, he was more concerned with the thorn in his heart.
"You go on ahead. I’ll deal with him."
Meng Qianqian said to Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan glanced deeply at Gongsun Yanming.
"Go quickly."
Meng Qianqian said.
"Be careful."
Lu Yuan carried the Liang Emperor and left.
Gongsun Yanming did not stop them.
He stood on the steps, while Meng Qianqian stood below, facing each other from a distance.
The thorn in his heart, which he thought had been removed years ago, was now throbbing with pain.
Meng Qianqian said coldly, "Gongsun Yanming, it’s time to settle our accounts. Will you fight me alone, or will you call all your men?"
Gongsun Yanming remained silent.
Meng Qianqian mocked, "What are you proud of? You were just a defeated opponent of my father. Do you really think you’re that great?"
Gongsun Yanming’s eyes flickered with a subtle change.
Indeed, mentioning her father made him lose his composure.
As for whether Gongsun Yanming knew that she was Shang Jiu, Meng Qianqian no longer cared.
She continued, "You wanted to marry my mother, but she didn’t want you. Of course, she didn’t. How could you compare to my father? He was a man of great integrity, more skilled in martial arts, more learned in poetry and books, and more eloquent than you. Even your master, the old Pavilion Lord, favored him more."
Gongsun Yanming’s eyes turned cold.
Meng Qianqian sneered, "You resort to any means and do all sorts of evil deeds, but in the end, hearing my father’s name still makes you tremble, doesn’t it?"
Gongsun Yanming clenched his fists, and a powerful surge of internal energy radiated out, forcing Meng Qianqian to block with her sword. She still slid back a dozen steps.
Meng Qianqian steadied her breath and smirked, "With such weak skills, no wonder you lost to my father back then!"
His mind was in chaos!
Now was the time!
Meng Qianqian raised her sword.
However, just as her Azure Roc Sword was about to pierce Gongsun Yanming’s heart, a rope wrapped around her waist from behind, pulling her back to the ground.
She performed a backbend, using her sword to stabilize herself, avoiding a humiliating fall on her rear.
She slashed the rope with a reverse grip.
When she looked up, she found herself trapped in an array controlled by the experts of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.
The Five Elements Trigram Formation.
This was... the formation from Mount Wu.
In the Goddess Hall, Meng Qianqian had read many medical books and occasionally some miscellaneous books and notes.
Among them were records of formations.
However, this formation was slightly different from what was recorded in the books.
It must have been modified by Gongsun Yanming.
Though she despised him, Meng Qianqian had to admit that Gongsun Yanming was indeed clever.
Meng Qianqian didn’t rush to break out of the formation. Instead, she sat cross-legged on the spot.
She had been injured by Gongsun Yanming’s attack and needed to recover.
She closed her eyes, focusing on her cultivation while remaining alert to the movements of the formation.
Stillness over motion.
If you have the skill, make your move.
Every move has a weakness.
Finally, the opponent grew impatient.
A disciple of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, shield in his left hand and blade in his right, lunged at Meng Qianqian from behind.
Meng Qianqian’s ears twitched, and she quickly donned her silver-thread gauntlets.
She caught the sword with a reverse grip, used the momentum to leap, and straddled her opponent’s neck. Then, she twisted her legs, slamming him to the ground.
The brilliance of Gongsun Yanming’s Five Elements Trigram Formation lay in its ability to seamlessly replace fallen combatants.
However, Meng Qianqian was no pushover.
She had noticed the pattern.
Her previous attack had targeted the Wound Gate.
Located in the northeast, it was a malevolent gate.
The Birth Gate, on the other hand, was located in the northeast, within the Gen Palace.
"Ah, so it’s here."
Meng Qianqian wiped a drop of blood from her mouth, her eyes gleaming with excitement, like a wolf who had found its prey.
She cleaved through the Birth Gate with a single sword strike.
"Break the formation!"
The disciples of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion were flung backward, their shields scattering across the ground.
Under the clear sky, she stood with her sword, a stubborn and powerful figure that gradually overlapped with the image in Gongsun Yanming’s memory.
"Bring out your best moves, quickly!"
"Bring out your best moves, now!"
One was said by Shang Jue.
The other was said by Meng Qianqian.
The two voices echoed in Gongsun Yanming’s mind, as if invoking the Dragon’s Roar.
Gongsun Yanming’s robe fluttered without a breeze.
His eyes were cold and calm.
Suddenly, he leaped forward, and no one could see his movements. In an instant, he was in front of Meng Qianqian.
He grabbed her by the throat, his movements so swift they left only a blur, and slammed her into a stone pillar.
Meng Qianqian’s back throbbed with pain, and a bitter taste rose in her throat.
She swallowed it down and sneered at Gongsun Yanming, "Compared to my father, you’re pathetic."
Fury flashed in Gongsun Yanming’s eyes.
"Can’t stand to hear that? I have more. Do you want to know what my mother said about you? She said—go to hell—"
Meng Qianqian’s left hand twisted, and a dagger slipped into her palm.
But when the dagger struck Gongsun Yanming, it didn’t penetrate his chest.
Meng Qianqian was taken aback.
Gongsun Yanming tightened his grip on her neck.
Boom!
A sharp sword qi surged from his side.
Gongsun Yanming glanced over, grabbed Meng Qianqian, and hurled her toward the sword qi.
"Coward!"
Meng Qianqian gritted her teeth.
A tall figure soared through the air, catching Meng Qianqian and evading the sword qi he had unleashed.
He landed lightly on the ground, kneeling on one knee, "Are you alright?"
Meng Qianqian relaxed, "With Grandmother’s Heavenly Silkworm Silk Armor, I won’t die."
Chen Long gently placed his sister to the side, "Stay here."
Meng Qianqian replied, "No, we go together."
Chen Long paused, "Alright, we will avenge the Shang clan together!"
---
In the Golden Throne Hall.
Prince Jin, draped in his dragon robe, was about to ascend the steps to his dragon throne.
Suddenly, a young eunuch entered and whispered something in his ear.
Prince Jin raised an eyebrow, "You mean Huang Changsun and his group have invaded the palace?"
The eunuch replied, "Yes."
"Has the Imperial Tutor stopped them?"
Prince Jin asked.
The eunuch said, "Only two were stopped. Huang Changsun... escaped and seems to be heading toward the Golden Throne Hall."
Prince Jin showed no sign of panic, "He’s heading here? Good. Does he really think the Imperial Tutor couldn’t stop him?"
The Golden Throne Hall was already surrounded by multiple layers of ambush.
If Lu Yuan dared to approach, he would have no way out!
"At the palace gate... the fighting continues."
The eunuch continued.
Prince Jin said coldly, "The general will take care of everything."
His uncle had promised that today’s plan would be foolproof!
"Please ascend the throne, Prince Jin!"
Zhang Qufeng bowed.
"Please ascend the throne, Prince Jin!"
"Please ascend the throne, Prince Jin!"
With the officials’ calls, Prince Jin ascended the steps and stood before the dragon throne.
Finally, the day had come.
His heart raced as he lifted the yellow robe to sit on the throne.
Suddenly, the doors of the Golden Throne Hall were kicked open with a loud bang.
The officials were startled and turned around.
They saw Lu Qi, disheveled and dirty, standing there.
"Prince of the Commandery!"
Zhang Qufeng exclaimed.
Prince Jin’s expression relaxed, and he extended his hand, "You’re back, come to Father Emperor’s side."
Lu Qi didn’t move.
In the next moment, the Liang Emperor, wearing a hat, emerged from behind him, his presence stern and imposing.
(End of Chapter)
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