The Emperor raised his wine cup high. The clouds above his head spun rapidly, emitting a faint roar of thunder.
Suddenly, there was a commotion below the towering Altar. The Crown Prince turned around and was stunned.
Queen Wu rushed up the jade stairs. She felt a strong wind behind her, but she did not stop. Shan Chao suddenly turned around and swung his halberd. "Ding!"
A loud sound of sparks flying in all directions rang in Queen Wu's ears. Then, the Dark Clan warriors cried out in pain as heavy objects rolled down the jade stairs.
Queen Wu shouted, "Shan Chao, be careful!"
Shan Chao did not say a word. He turned around and pressed on her shoulder. When he landed, he had already climbed dozens of stairs.
Empress Wu glanced at the bloodstains on the side of his upper arm and immediately cried out involuntarily, "What happened?
How did you get hurt? "
Shan Chao only said, "It's nothing."
"Do you know what's the situation with Xie Yun?"
"I don't know."
Queen Wu felt that Shan Chao had a faint hostility towards her, but she could not describe it. She immediately suspected that he knew something. However, when she looked at his expression carefully, she could not see anything. She could only nod and say, "There's no time to lose. We have to go up as soon as possible."
"Your Highness?"
The Crown Prince hurried down from the top of the jade stairs. Before he could ask, he saw the aggressive pursuers behind him. His expression changed, "What's going on?
Why is Brother Shan Chao here? "
"Get out of the way!"
Queen Wu lifted her dress and stepped up two or three stairs. Suddenly, Helan Min's hoarse voice came from behind, "Your Highness, the Empress is carrying a weapon and is planning to assassinate you!
Quickly stop her! "
The Crown Prince was shocked. Before he could react, Shan Chao had already thrown the halberd without turning his head.
The halberd split the cold wind and flew over everyone's heads like a meteor.
However, just as Helan Minzhi's head was about to be separated from his body, several Dark Clan warriors pounced at him at the same time and pushed him away. The halberd stuck close to Helan Minzhi's face and sank deep into the ground.
"Plot, plot to assassinate you?!" The Crown Prince no longer cared about his fear. He hurriedly stood in front of Queen Wu, "Your Highness!
The Emperor is offering three toasts. Please stop! "
Queen Wu said sternly, "The Emperor has been controlled by a villain. Why don't you get out of the way?!"
"What villain?
The Emperor's mind, Your Highness, please be careful with your words! "
Empress Wu stopped in her tracks. She seemed to have noticed something unusual about the Crown Prince as she sized up her son.
The Crown Prince pursed his lips tightly. If one observed carefully, there was actually a trace of weakness in his eyes. That was because his mother had accumulated a lot of power over the years.
In the past, the Crown Prince who was alone would have been forced to give in. He might not even have the courage to question the Queen. Today, however, he stood in front of his mother without moving. It seemed that he would not compromise.
Her fourteen-year-old eldest son was as tall as her now. He was wearing a golden Eastern Palace ceremonial robe with a dragon embroidered on it. The golden curtain from the jade crown on his head swayed slightly with the frequency of his trembling shoulders.
Queen Wu took a deep breath. Her sharp gaze was fixed on the Crown Prince's eyes, "Hong 'er, you've decided to break up with me today, haven't you?"
The Crown Prince trembled, "Mother, haven't you always seen me as a thorn in your side and would rather kill me?"
More and more of the Dark Clan's warriors were running toward them. Their weapons were clashing, heavy objects were falling, and sharp screams could be heard all over the place.
The smell of rust mixed with the cold wind. It was hard to tell whether it was from the halberd or blood. It fluttered the corners of the mother and son's luxurious clothes.
"When I gave birth to you, I should have known that this day would come …" Queen Wu said slowly, "… It's really fate."
She suddenly lifted her foot and walked forward. The Crown Prince was shocked and wanted to stop her, but he didn't expect the Empress to lift her foot and ruthlessly kick him to the ground!
"Mother!"
The Crown Prince struggled to hold onto the Queen's leg and refused to let her go. The Queen slapped him again. It was chaos in the stalemate.
At this moment, Dan Chao, who was not far away, sent a few warriors from the Dark Clan flying. The Longyuan Sword Aura turned into an arc of light and suddenly dissipated in the air after rushing for several feet. Dan Chao turned around and walked over to her. He said sternly, "Your Highness!"
Queen Wu and the Crown Prince looked up at the same time.
"Give me the Spirit Needles!"
At that moment, Queen Wu was in disbelief. She did not expect the young man in front of her to be so decisive and ruthless. However, a sense of relief rose from the bottom of her soul, "Catch!"
Shan Chao caught the golden needle in the air. The Crown Prince screamed, "Brother Shan Chao!
What are you doing?! "As he shouted, he jumped onto the altar without looking back.
On the altar, the Emperor trembled as he poured the wine on the ground. He turned around and asked hoarsely, "What's going on?
Who's making a ruckus?
You … Shan Chao? "
The Emperor still had a good impression of this young and handsome imperial guard, so his tense expression slightly relaxed. But before he could completely relax, he immediately saw the golden needle in Dan Chao's hand. He immediately turned pale with fright, "Wait, what are you doing!
Guards, guards! "
Shan Chao strode forward and clasped his hands, "Your Majesty, please forgive me." Then he pierced the Spirit Needles into the Emperor's temple!
This stab was done cleanly and swiftly. The Emperor didn't even have time to cry out before his entire body trembled violently and he fell to his knees with a plop.
Dan Chao forcibly helped the Emperor up. He saw a line of blood slowly flowing down from the Emperor's temple. His entire face was convulsing, and his complexion became frighteningly pale. His throat kept making gurgling sounds. The whole scene became abnormally frightening.
Shan Chao suddenly thought of another possibility. What if the Emperor was not affected by the Puppet Spell?
If he was not affected, then he was definitely killing the Emperor. Even if he did not have nine generations to kill, he would not be able to escape the torture of being torn apart.
Shan Chao's face was as calm as water. However, there was a trace of mockery in his eyes. That mockery was directed at himself.
When all the worst possibilities came to him, the first thing that appeared in his mind was not the fear of death or the hatred of fate. Instead, it was worry.
He was worried about Xie Yun's safety. Could he still defeat Yin Kaiyang?
He was worried about Xie Yun's future. Without his help, could he still achieve what he wanted?
Shan Chao lowered his head and looked at his wrist. His red hair band was fluttering in the wind.
He thought that running back to the Feng Gao Xingyun Palace from the Ci 'en Temple in Chang' an was already very lowly. He thought that risking his life to fight against Yin Kaiyang was already extremely lowly. However, every time he was faced with a choice, he would discover that he could be even more humble, even wagging his tail and begging for mercy.
"… Ah … Ah …" The Emperor's throat was blocked by thick phlegm. His unfocused eyes gradually focused and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of turbid blood!
Shan Chao dodged to the side. The Emperor raised his trembling hands and grabbed him. After a long while, he forced out a sentence in a hoarse voice, "I … Why … Why am I here?"
Shan Chao felt relieved. At this moment, the Empress hurriedly ran up to the altar. A few Dark Clan warriors rushed up and saw the scene in front of them. Their expressions changed drastically, "Your Majesty!"
Queen Wu shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, listen to me first!"
The Emperor's dazed gaze drifted in the air for a moment before finally landing on Shan Chao, "… You … You tell me, what happened to me?
… "
"Your Majesty's mind was confused by Yin Kaiyang's Puppet Technique. Commander Xie ordered me to insert the Spirit Needles into Your Majesty's skull to help you regain your consciousness."
Shan Chao explained the situation concisely. He stood up and said, "I have to rush to help Commander Xie. I'll take my leave first."
The Emperor cried out, "Wait!"
Empress Wu took a step forward, but stopped herself. Now was the best time to complain about grievances. She only needed to instigate a little discord and the Emperor would definitely treat the Dark Clan badly. She would also be able to consolidate Dan Chao's merit.
However, Shan Chao did not care at all. He turned around and bowed. He did not have the slightest bit of patience.
"Your Majesty, Commander Xie is in a fierce battle. This matter should not be delayed. Please allow me to come back and ask for forgiveness."
The Emperor was stunned. Before he could say, "My beloved subject, stay and protect me", Shan Chao had already strode away without looking back. When he passed by Queen Wu, he did not even glance at her.
Behind him, Queen Wu turned around. The expression in her eyes was indescribable.
She, who had experienced countless court conflicts and struggles, suddenly felt something unsettling at that moment. However, she held her trembling fingertips and did not say anything.
·
North of Sheshou Mountain, in the deep stream.
The thick and long body of the Xuanwu snake was broken into several pieces. Its tortoise shell was completely torn apart. Only the tortoise body was left lying in a pool of black blood.
The Azure Dragon bit the tortoise shell that was as big as a house in its mouth and tore it apart with vengeance. The tortoise shell suddenly became a tattered leather armor.
Suddenly, the Azure Dragon stopped moving. Its head and neck were frozen in place. A low and terrifying roar came from its throat.
— — Clang!
The Tai Ah Sword flew out a few feet. Thud!
It was heavily nailed into a rock not far away.
Xie Yun suddenly turned around. Before she could take a step, Yin Kaiyang blocked her path with his sword.
"Stop," Yin Kaiyang said lightly.
Xie Yun's left eye was fine, but her right eye was soaked with blood. It slowly flowed down her pale and almost transparent cheeks to the tip of her chin. The contrast of fresh blood was shocking.
However, his expression was as cold as ice. He raised his hand and grabbed Xin Ting's slender sword. The tattoo on his palm shone brightly. The sword trembled in fear under the dazzling light.
Pa!
Yin Kaiyang pressed down on Xie Yun's wrist and forced her away from the sword bit by bit. "You can't do it anymore, Ah Yun.
After so many years of careful planning, you should be alive to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Even if you can protect the Emperor Star and return it to its rightful position … "
Xie Yun suddenly looked up. "Shan Chao!"
Yin Kaiyang suddenly turned around.
At that moment, Xie Yun suddenly pulled away and rushed towards the Tai Ah Sword.
Yin Kaiyang immediately realized that he had been tricked. He reacted quickly and slashed down with his sword. Xie Yun had already rolled on the ground and pulled out the Tai Ah Sword. With a turn of her hand, she blocked Xin Ting's attack.
Yin Kaiyang frowned. Just as he was about to use his strength, he suddenly felt an intense and cold killing intent.
— — Not good.
In the nick of time, Yin Kaiyang only had time to turn his head. He felt a cold and then a hot feeling in his left arm.
Blood gushed out like a broken dam and exploded everywhere. Yin Kaiyang's left arm had been cut off at the elbow!
Shan Chao moved his sword and slashed through the turbulent air.
In a flash, Yin Kaiyang pulled back his sword. The tattoos on his body suddenly expanded. Before the Long Yuan cut his throat, he finally managed to block the attack by a hair's breadth!
Thump!
The sword and the sword confronted each other in mid-air. Blood splattered everywhere. His left hand and the broken arm fell beside his feet.
"Why did you come back?!"
Shan Chao was stunned. He heard Xie Yun yell again. "Why did you come back?!"
Yin Kaiyang burst out laughing. He pulled back his sword and staggered back. Under Shan Chao's astonished gaze, he suddenly raised his broken arm!
A gust of wind blew in from all directions, converging into a dark grey whirlpool that rushed toward the wound on his left arm.
The white light in the center of the whirlpool was changing. The shape of the Xuanwu Totem appeared faintly. The circles wrapped around his upper arm and wrapped around his shoulder.
"This is the last arena of the World Martial Arts Tournament …" Yin Kaiyang's mouth was foaming with blood. He coughed and laughed. "Although I lost, you came up here. That means you want to challenge me."
"You have to fight with Xie Yun. You have to fight to the death. Only then can we decide who will be the new leader of the World Martial Arts Alliance who defeated the evil cult of the Shengui Sect …"
Shan Chao heard the words "fight to the death" and said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Then he glanced at Xie Yun, only to see him painfully backing up. He held onto a rock and panted slightly. His expression was changing constantly.
"Let me give you a big gift," Yin Kaiyang said intermittently. He revealed a playful smile. "You came from the North of the Desert to the Capital. You chased after me the whole way, but you couldn't get what you wanted …"
Suddenly, a silvery arm appeared out of thin air and slowly connected with his broken arm. Xuanwu's tattoo was completely submerged into his skin.
Yin Kaiyang let out a long whistle and suddenly raised his hand. Countless ghosts were pulled in by the chilly wind. They were all sucked into his powerful palm amidst the cries and wails.
Shan Chao stood against the wind and pinned the Seven Star Long Yuan under his feet. He used the force to stabilize his body. Suddenly, he felt a chill on the back of his neck.
A few golden needles that were so thin that they were almost invisible slid out from his meridians. They flashed in the air and were caught by Yin Kaiyang.
Spirit Needles!
Shan Chao's pupils contracted and then rapidly widened.
He subconsciously turned around to look at Xie Yun. However, Xie Yun was leaning over and gasping for breath. She missed this fleeting moment.
"… Memories."
Yin Kaiyang finally spat out the last two words. He smiled at Shan Chao. A strange light flashed in his eyes.
Shan Chao suddenly raised his hand and pressed on the space between his eyebrows. He used so much force that his veins bulged. All of his consciousness was instantly covered by the fragments of memories that fell from the sky.
"— — Why do you want to kill me?!"
"Why do you want to force me to die?!"
"You saved me, raised me, and taught me martial arts. Did you do all this just to kill me with your own hands today?!"
In the middle of a boundless desert under the moonlight, the sharp tip of a sword was pressed against the bloody forehead of a teenager.
The teenager trembled as he raised his eyes and looked at the cold light emitted by the sword. He saw his own pathetic reflection in the familiar and beautiful eyes that looked down at him.
"You shouldn't have been born in this world. I raised you and taught you. Shouldn't I ask for anything in return?
… … "
"… … Even if I tell you the truth now … … how are you going to repay me?"
At the edge of the cliff, Shan Chao let out a violent roar. He pinched the space between his eyebrows tightly. His eyes were sometimes clear and sometimes in a trance.
His consciousness was constantly struggling between his memories and reality. All the scenes in the illusion were intertwined, causing his mind to become extremely irritable. He couldn't even tell where he was.
Yin Kaiyang politely bowed and smiled, "I'll leave the rest to you." Then he jumped up. Xuanwu's distant roar could be heard from the void. His figure silently disappeared into the air.
Shan Chao trembled violently. He raised his head blankly and saw Xie Yun holding the Tai-Ah Sword and walking towards him.