Chapter 6, The Art of Intelligent Theft

Princess Liqing let out a cold snort, and I, being behind her, naturally heard it clearly, realizing that Princess Liqing and Ge Zhan were competing for the imperial succession rights

I felt no tremor throughout my body, and continued to advance towards Wu Yuanshen as if nothing had happened, softly murmuring as I swung my long sword at the same speed as before, striking towards Wu Yuanshen.

In a moment of excitement, I lifted her up by the waist and stumbled towards the place where the lights appeared. Hua Xi tightly clung to my neck, her delicate face buried in my shoulder. In this selfish world that only seeks personal gain, my reckless action, disregarding life and death, deeply moved her.

With a soft sound, I shifted from a sideways stance to a forward stance. As I slowly took three heavy steps, I was only about ten feet away from Wu Yuanshen. My long sword gradually rose from a lowered position to a horizontal level in front of my chest

The Grand Marshal chuckled and said: "As you wish!" "Clang!" The long sword was drawn from its sheath

In the center of the underground chamber, there was a table, and on the table lay an iron-cast box. My heart began to race as I approached the table and opened the lid of the box. The six large characters "Wisdom Manuscript" came into view.

Upon hearing my name mentioned, I could not help but focus intently, observing the reactions of those around me. The supreme leader remained oblivious to the truth, yet two gazes drifted towards me: one from the Black Widow and the other surprisingly from Huaxie beside me. In that moment, I could not help but feel distressed, for not only the Black Widow but even Huaxie was doubting my identity

Images of my father, who suffered cruel torture, of Qi Bei, who was killed, and of Xi Qi, who was murdered before she could even experience her youth, flashed through my mind. Strength surged into my exhausted body from an unknown source. I let out a wild shout and suddenly accelerated, covering nearly a hundred feet in the blink of an eye. At that moment, the large ship was just leaving the shore

This time, it was Gozhan and several of his trusted generals who changed their expressions. Although the words seemed polite and tactful on the surface, they were actually a direct accusation of Gozhan's incompetence, unable to handle even one person, let alone the entire Witch Kingdom

The two individuals harbored deep-seated grievances. Inside the grand hall, tensions were palpable, as if a storm was brewing. The Supreme Leader let out a long laugh, drawing the attention of the opposing factions back to himself

The capital of Ge Zhan lies in the hope of marrying the princess, thus allowing him to stand on equal footing with Princess Liqing

But the large ship continued to accelerate, and I felt a sense of relief in my heart, unable to hold on any longer, and fainted.

Ge Zhan has expressed his confidence and loyalty, and Gu Pan proudly took a seat, yet his gaze was directed towards Princess Liqing

Hua Qian said, "What is it that you are carrying on your back, Young Master Lante?" I suppressed the shock and surprise within me, calmly looking at Hua Qian. Her sword remained sheathed, and it seemed she was alone. Of course, if she screamed, the guards would surely rush here like a tide.

The earth rapidly recedes before us, as we traverse through forests and navigate the wilderness interspersed with shrubs and trees, advancing at the highest speed we can achieve

The downstream was dark and oppressive. Where is the boat that the lily flower mentioned to take me across the river? "Crack!" The sturdy horse finally could not hold on any longer, its front hooves knelt down, and it threw both of us into the air.

Clang! Clang! Two swords were drawn simultaneously. I noticed that Wu Yuanshen had no expression on his face, and I thought to myself that this was not a good sign. His bravery was both his strength and his weakness; if he could not secure victory in the first round with a swift attack, his courage would soon wane, marking the beginning of his decline. Wu Yuanshen was precisely the type of cold-blooded and ruthless swordsman, yet he possessed remarkable resilience and a long-lasting strength. In the selection phase, Ge Zhan revealed his intentions.

Ling Bai said with trepidation: "I am Ling Bai, the deputy commander of the Red Camp." The Grand Commander exclaimed: "Good! If you can win this match, I will grant you one hundred gold coins"

My father told me that under the instruction of the Grand Marshal, he struck his protective armor with great force. However, with my father's strength, not only did he fail to damage the armor, but the Grand Marshal merely swayed slightly during the strike, demonstrating his strength far beyond that of ordinary people

I pondered as expected, asking: "What has the Supreme Leader done?" Huaxian avoided my gaze and said: "Quick! We must leave immediately." I replied: "Do you know where I am going?"

The pursuing soldiers were getting closer and closer. I shouted in my heart, just one hundred feet more, I must rally myself. A large ship, over a hundred feet long, with its sails fully unfurled, had already begun to cast off from the shore

His gaze shifted back and forth on me, then slid towards Huaxian's face, followed by a sweeping glance at her strong and graceful figure. Huaxian immediately lowered her head. I turned my gaze towards her and happened to see her fists tightly clenched, trembling slightly. A thought crossed my mind, and I speculated that the Führer might have committed some disgraceful acts against Huaxian, for the Führer is known to be a notoriously cruel and depraved tyrant

The six volumes of the Book of Wisdom lie quietly in the box. A wave of excitement washes over me, for it was the original six volumes of the Book of Wisdom that caused my father and Qi Bei to become enemies. It is also these six volumes that led to the prosperity of the Witch Kingdom and the Empire in succession, imparting invaluable knowledge to the people of the earth, including countless subjects such as architecture, cast iron, papermaking, mathematics, and linguistics. They are the source of civilization for the entire world and the realm of literature.

Moreover, the wizard is dead. Apart from the Supreme Leader and Princess Liqing, he is the most powerful person in the empire. Just now, he expressed his willingness to eradicate the Witch Kingdom, which was intended to highlight the situation that Princess Liqing is unable to deal with the Witch Kingdom. The Seven Colors Commander and the people from Wangyue City all displayed expressions of displeasure. However, the Supreme Leader, hidden within his helmet, remains enigmatic and difficult to discern.

I accurately assessed the true hidden angle and speed of his swordsmanship, which was both real and illusory. I slightly tilted my body, and the long sword suddenly accelerated in its movement, transforming from a slash to a cut, and then from a cut to a thrust, attacking him.

The elite forces of the entire empire are concentrated here, indeed a gathering of fierce generals. I cannot help but feel fortunate for having killed the sorcerer, severing the most important support of the Grand Leader. Apart from the Grand Leader, this person is the most formidable. Thus, I also realize that I have become the Grand Leader's number one enemy, second only to the witch.

Princess Liqing is certainly not an easy person to provoke, and her silver bell-like laughter once again draws everyone's attention to her

Upon hearing my name, the princess's eyes flashed with resentment, for I had once been her fiancé

Princess Liqing casually remarked: "I have heard that Lanling's son, Lante, has escaped from the City of Sunrise, and to this day, Commander Gezhan has yet to capture him. Even the sorcerer lost his life in assisting you. I wonder what the situation is now? If Commander Gezhan requires assistance, please do not hesitate to speak up; this princess will certainly do her utmost to help."

The crowd drank heartily. I walked towards Princess Liqing. With a look of concern, Princess Liqing said, "You should leave first, bandage yourself up and then return." I was more than happy to hear this; in fact, I had intentionally injured myself to find an excuse to leave, so I could execute my grand scheme. Both the Black Widow and Huaxi had likely already discerned my identity. Although I did not know why they had not exposed me, to avoid any prolonged complications, I had to seize this rare opportunity while all the key figures were gathered here to steal the Book of Wisdom, then find a way to stealthily leave the princess's palace and escape to the Witch Kingdom. I accepted the order and headed straight out of the main hall. The Black Widow and Huaxi had likely already discerned my identity. Although I did not know why they had not exposed me, to avoid any prolonged complications, I had to seize this rare opportunity while all the key figures were gathered here to steal the Book of Wisdom, then find a way to stealthily leave the princess's palace and escape to the Witch Kingdom. I accepted the order and headed straight out of the main hall. The Seven-Colored Commander cast a respectful glance at me, and my prowess in battle made me a favored figure at that moment. I stepped out of the palace doors, weaving through more than a hundred imposing black-helmeted warriors.

I cautiously leaped in, swiftly advancing between two walls that could only accommodate one person. Before long, I emerged from the exit on the other side, entering the deserted Hall of Wisdom. Under the flickering light of the mutton tallow lamp, an indescribable sense of loneliness and desolation enveloped me. When I first arrived at this hall, I had carefully observed the arrangement within, and the most likely hidden location of the treasured wisdom texts should be the bed of Princess Liqing, covered with animal skins, which extended over an area of more than ten square feet beside the bed. Lifting the animal skins, I could not help but let out a cheer; a stone staircase led downwards. I descended and arrived at a vast underground chamber. When I first arrived at this hall, I had carefully observed the arrangement within, and the most likely hidden location of the treasured wisdom texts should be the bed of Princess Liqing, covered with animal skins, which extended over an area of more than ten square feet beside the bed. Lifting the animal skins, I could not help but let out a cheer; a stone staircase led downwards. I descended and arrived at a vast underground chamber.

Wu Yuanshen did not pursue, but instead raised his sword in salute towards the Grand Chancellor. At that moment, someone rushed out to escort Ling Bai out of the hall. I felt a surge of anger towards Wu Yuanshen's ruthlessness; this seemingly light strike had actually severed the tendons in Ling Bai's right arm, rendering this valiant young man unable to wield a sword with his right hand in the future. This also illustrates the merciless struggle between Ge Zhan and the Lord of Li Qing Shao. The followers of Ge Zhan erupted in deafening cheers. This also illustrates the merciless struggle between Ge Zhan and the Lord of Li Qing Shao. The followers of Ge Zhan erupted in deafening cheers.

The palace gate remained as it had always been, heavily guarded. After evading two squads of patrolling warriors, I stealthily made my way to the back of the palace. When I first met Princess Liqing, I was deeply impressed by her personal guard exiting through a hidden passage at the back of the palace. If I could find that secret path, I would surely be able to avoid the guards at the palace gate and infiltrate the palace.

The warhorse foams at the mouth, its stamina nearing the limits of exhaustion, ready to collapse and perish at any moment; that would also signify the arrival of our apocalypse

I stood before her, gazing into her bright, large eyes, and gently asked, "When did you see through my identity?"

On both sides of the direct road to the palace, there is a black-helmeted warrior holding a torch every ten steps, illuminating the avenue with a blaze like two fire dragons.

I followed closely behind Hua Qian, striding confidently out of the palace gates, while the guards respectfully saluted us

Hua Xi called out: "Look!" A flicker of light was swaying hundreds of feet downstream. I rushed ahead, while Hua Xi, lacking in stamina, was trailing behind, panting. "Oh dear!"

The long sword rang with a "ding" as it struck the tip of Wu Yuanshen's sword, which was imbued with immense momentum. Wu Yuanshen's entire body trembled, and he staggered backward. Suddenly, the entire hall fell into complete silence.

The Grand Marshal said to the young man standing in the field: "Young man, what is your name?"

He coldly surveyed the crowd, and when his gaze fell upon a certain person's face, that individual could not help but lower their head in fear. Even Ge Zhan and Princess Liqing averted their eyes, not daring to meet his gaze intentionally. Under the oppressive power of the Grand Leader, everyone could only live in humility and disgrace

I let out a sigh, suddenly lunging forward, my longsword aimed at her throat. She remained completely still, not even blinking, and my sword stopped just an inch away from her throat, unable to pierce any further

Princess Liqing's expression indeed turned cold, her eyes shooting out a fierce light as she fixed her gaze on Ge Zhan from a distance. Ge Zhan coldly returned her stare, showing no sign of retreat.

Everyone is a bit nervous, as the autocratic decree of the Great Leader that those who oppose him shall die has already reached the ears of every individual

Over three hundred warriors, including Hua Qian and myself, stood in formation in the princess's hall, awaiting the arrival of the person whose mere stamp of a foot could shake the world

Bai readily agreed, stating that a single gold coin could purchase three female slaves, which was a considerable fortune. I was secretly astonished; with such a casual remark, this great leader had effortlessly resolved the previously tense stalemate, truly a figure of great ambition.

I have discovered the secret passage leading to the Hall of Wisdom. I carefully examined the grassland and noticed two circular rings within it. As I reached out to grasp them, a thought crossed my mind: Is this perhaps too easy? I am already very close to the stage of success and cannot afford to fail at this final moment

I was able to escape from his hands largely because Qi Bei was more experienced than him, but unfortunately, he is already dead. Then there is Xi Qi, a pure and innocent girl whom I have already regarded as my wife.

Leaving the princess's palace, I immediately proceeded towards the Hall of Wisdom, where the guards along the way treated me with utmost respect. The Hall of Wisdom is located to the west of the princess's palace, far from the two main gates to the east and south. Even if one were to steal the tome of wisdom, escaping from the palace would be quite a challenge.

With a surge of momentum, I leaped across the gap between the shore and the sailboat, landing on the deck

I picked up the six booklets, placed them in the bag I had prepared earlier, and strapped it to my back. I vowed that as long as I had breath in me, I would not allow anyone to take them from me.

The crowd responded with a roar, each taking a drink. The atmosphere became lively. Princess Liqing raised her cup and said: "Liqing here wishes for the empire to achieve victory and to completely eradicate the Witch Kingdom."

Wu Yuanshen assumed a stance, and under the pressure of my imposing demeanor and presence, he had fallen into a state of complete passivity. What troubled him the most was his utter ignorance of my true intentions and capabilities, which is a significant taboo in a duel between swordsmen

Princess Liqing, in a position of power, raised her cup and said: "I toast to the Great Leader for achieving unprecedented accomplishments and conquering the world"

Princess Liqing, surrounded by the seven-colored leaders, shouted loudly in a state of intoxication and ecstasy, rallying support for her side's Ling Bai.

The clash of swords resounded as the two swords struck together. Suddenly, the light of the white sword surged, sweeping towards Wu Yuanshen like a tempest. It seemed that defeat was imminent for Wu Yuanshen, who struggled to hold on and kept retreating. However, I knew that he was defending without attacking, retreating without losing his composure, precisely to exhaust the stamina of this valiant warrior, Ling Bai.

When anyone gazes directly at the Grand Leader, they see only an ironclad exterior. He is entirely enveloped in thick, gleaming golden armor, wearing a helmet that reveals only his eyes, which flash like lightning. The iron branches intersecting at his mouth and nose reveal a place for breathing. Draped over him is a large red cloak that reaches down to his knees, and his majestic figure makes him at least half a head taller than others, resembling a demon emerging from hell

The sound of music resounded at the palace gate, informing us that the procession of the Grand Leader was majestically entering the palace gates on their way here

Hua Qian said: "The moment you defeated Namin, I recognized you. Your eyes were filled with rage and hatred, a sight that is hard to forget once seen." Her tone was surprisingly calm, which made me feel even more perplexed.

I said: "What do you intend to do? Princess Liqing has treated you quite well." Hua Qian lowered her head and replied: "That cannot compensate for the harm caused to me by the Grand Chancellor. I have been waiting for this day for three years now."

With the assistance of the moonlight, I noticed a slight difference in color at the bottom of the ring compared to other parts, likely caused by friction. This must be the mark left by the ring rubbing against the iron plate at the entrance during its rotation. Observing the scratches, the one on the right appears to have been made by a leftward turn to the right, while the one on the left seems to have been made by a rightward turn to the left. Without delay, I immediately began to rotate the ring according to my observations. After a grinding sound, there was a subsequent "click". The door to the secret passage opened. I was unaware of the consequences of opening the door incorrectly, but it certainly would not be a good thing. I pulled hard, rotating the iron plate at the entrance upwards, revealing the mouth of the secret passage. A faint light emanated from the tunnel, and I silently praised it, as this indicated that the tunnel had a well-functioning ventilation system; otherwise, the light would not be able to burn for long.

As soon as the foot touched the deck, both individuals fell to the ground together. Ma Yuan's voice shouted: "Full speed ahead." The sound of hooves thundered along the shore.

I, Hua Qian, and twelve guards stood behind Princess Liqing, forming her entourage. Beautiful palace maids gracefully presented various delicacies and then withdrew. Following the sound of music, a troupe of over a hundred dancers floated in like colorful butterflies, singing and dancing lightly to the melody. Beneath their semi-transparent garments, each enchanting figure struck various alluring poses, causing all the men to drool with desire. My gaze quickly turned to the Grand Chancellor, who, although appreciating the captivating female forms before him, maintained a clear and composed expression, unlike the lustful looks of the others. The gaze of Ge Zhan, however, frequently shifted towards the princess, revealing that his object of desire was her and not anyone else. Ge Zhan was an ambitious man; by winning the princess, he would secure the right to inherit the empire.

The crowd shouted until their voices were hoarse. My attention was focused solely on Wu Yuanshen, as if he were the only person left in the world.

A wave of emotion surged within me; with Huaxian, the chance of escaping the princess's palace is one hundred percent

The force propelled the entire body forward, and while I was still tumbling in the air, I already knew that the horse would collapse instantly under the strain.

At this moment, Wu Yuanshen had already been assisted to receive treatment for his injuries. My sword is very precise, and his arm is like that of a white crane; in this lifetime, he can no longer hope to wield a sword.

We clumsily got up from the ground as the pursuers drew closer, and we could hear the rapid sound of hooves, like thunder caught in a storm, incessantly pounding into our anxious hearts

The Supreme Leader said: "Brother, please take a seat first. I already have a complete plan in mind that is about to be implemented; otherwise, you and I would not have come to Wangyue City now."

I silently admire Princess Liqing, who truly deserves the title of a heroine among women. This is because I suddenly spoke up to request a battle, which has already created a certain momentum. If I were to wait for Princess Liqing's approval before seeking the Grand Leader's consent, it would weaken the cohesive force of the momentum. Now, with Princess Liqing seeking permission from the Grand Leader on my behalf, as soon as the Grand Leader gives his approval, I can immediately launch an attack against the arrogant Wu Yuanshen.

As the bell tolled, the gates of the princess's residence swung open, and the Grand Duke finally appeared before us, accompanied by Princess Liqing

Hua Qian raised her head, her gaze unwavering, and said in a deep voice: "No matter where you go, my only request is to stay by your side"

Everyone continued to drink. Ge Zhan stood up and said loudly, "As long as the Supreme Leader provides me with four legions, I guarantee that I can breach the Witch City and flatten the Witch Kingdom within ten days." The Supreme Leader commands a total of ten legions, with the first legion under his command having a strength of 100,000 troops, while the other legions each have a strength ranging between 50,000 troops. The combined strength of four legions exceeds the total military strength of the Witch Kingdom. Typically, the attacking side must outnumber the defending side in terms of military strength. Therefore, Ge Zhan's bold claim is not mere empty words, and I am also very curious about how the Supreme Leader will respond to him.

Assuming Princess Liqing cannot restore her dignity, she will no longer be able to hold her head high in front of Ge Zhan. The eyes behind the mask of the Grand Chancellor gleamed with a cruel and excited light, showing no concern for the mutual slaughter among his subordinates.

Finally arrived by the Witch River. The rushing waters flow incessantly, while the distant opposite bank is shrouded in darkness, devoid of any vitality

Everyone took their seats at the banquet table. Surrounding the center of the hall, there were twenty-four banquet tables arranged, with the Grand Leader positioned directly opposite the main entrance, accompanied by eight consorts and the red-ringed guards standing behind them.

A group that has been subjected to great humiliation on the part of Princess Liqing erupted with deafening cheers and encouragement.

As my gaze shifted from the princess to the Black Widow, I happened to meet her beautiful eyes. I was so frightened that I almost turned to flee. I thought she had recognized who I was; even though I could change my appearance, I could not alter my eyes, physique, and demeanor. But why had she not exposed me yet? Did she truly intend to toy with me like a cat with a mouse?

What a cunning and shrewd person Ge is, knowing that there is no point in arguing against this ironclad fact. He chuckled and said, "If the need arises, I will certainly seek the assistance of the princess. The princess has been training swordsmen in Wangyue City, and over the years, there must have been many outstanding talents. Could we perhaps have the opportunity to broaden our horizons?"

Each palace in the Princess's residence has its own independent garden, and the Wisdom Palace is no exception. The moon tonight is large and round, casting its light down, where the tender green grass glimmers with a bluish hue, and the shadows of the trees are projected onto the ground. The entire world of the back garden is unified by the interplay of light and color

The Grand Chancellor said lightly: "If you win, you will also receive one hundred gold coins." Wu Yuanshen responded with a sound of agreement, stood up, and assumed a stance facing the distant Ling Bai.

His only weakness might be his eyes, but even without armor, how easy is it to strike at his dual pupils? Thinking of this, I couldn't help but wonder why such an invincible demon god would still be wary of the Witch Kingdom, refraining from acting recklessly. The Grand Leader's sharp gaze swept over the two of us, Hua Qian and I, who stood at the forefront of the formation welcoming him. In that moment, my heart trembled, as his gaze seemed capable of piercing through my innermost thoughts

A pair of stern eyes stared at me. Huaxi stood about ten feet away, fixated on me. A chill ran through my heart

Princess Liqing certainly would not back down, saying: "Lingbai, why don't you step forward and experience the prowess of Commander Gezhan?" She specifically named her subordinate to challenge Gezhan, both to belittle his status and genuinely hoping that Gezhan would personally take action, leading to a humiliating defeat. Lingbai stepped out from behind the red commander in response; this man was robust in stature, a typical fearless warrior. Being singled out for a challenge by Princess Liqing, he was naturally one of the top figures in Wangyue City, but how did he compare to Naming?

A tremor ran through my heart as I retracted the long sword. Although Hua Qian appeared strong and indifferent on the outside, her inner self was surging with boundless passion.

The entire venue was silent, with hundreds of people present. Wu Yuanshen stood motionless, his eyes radiating fierce light, staring at me from a distance, his long sword held horizontally in front of his chest, slightly tilted upwards, trembling. Suddenly, blood gushed out wildly from his right arm, flowing down his armor to his arm and body. Wu Yuanshen's face turned pale, the long sword fell to the ground, and his body swayed as if about to collapse. This time, it was the cheers and applause that filled Princess Liqing's side, while the faces of Ge Zhan's people turned ashen; unless Ge Zhan personally intervened, the opponent had no chance of winning back a round. I bowed to the Grand Chancellor and Princess Liqing. The joy in Princess Liqing's eyes sparkled as she said happily, "You are also injured." I glanced at the wound on my left elbow, where my clothing had burst open, oozing a little blood, and without furrowing my brow, I replied, "It is just a flesh wound, nothing serious." I secretly thought that if I had not intentionally gotten injured, Wu Yuanshen's sword would not have touched my skin at all.

As the dance concluded, the dancer, like colorful clouds, gracefully exited. The Grand Leader raised his wine cup and, with his deep and magnetic voice, said: "Princess Liqing established Wangyue City, creating today's momentum, and deserves great credit. Let us toast to her."

Hua Qian stood beside me, her charming gaze occasionally drifting to my face, but I feigned ignorance.

The hall fell silent in an instant, which was nothing short of a subtle challenge from Ge Zhan to Princess Liqing. If Princess Liqing were to refuse, it would give the impression of being weak and timid, and Ge Zhan could be considered as cunning as a fox.

Assuming that Wu Yuanshen is cunning enough, the best course of action from the bottom is to abandon the sword and admit defeat. Therefore, I cannot kill him, nor can I injure him. However, for a swordsman, reputation is of utmost importance, while life is secondary. Wu Yuanshen indeed let out a fierce shout, and the sword's edge transformed into a hundred points of brilliance, showering towards me.

As I look back towards the direction of Moon City, I see a flicker of red flames moving, and the pursuers may number over one thousand, a force that is difficult for us to resist

After I paid my respects to the Grand Leader, I cast a sidelong glance at Wu Yuanshen, the tip of the long sword in my hand slowly pointing towards him, a strong aura of killing intent permeating the hall

The rumbling of the rushing water grew louder and louder. Hua Qian suddenly exclaimed, "They are coming after us." I listened carefully, and indeed, amidst the wind blowing from Wangyue City, there was the sound of galloping warhorses. I was alarmed, not only surprised that the enemy had discovered the theft of the Wisdom Classic so quickly, but also curious about how they could pursue us so swiftly, indicating an efficient method of communication. The memory of Lily explaining to me the escape route taken by the thieves of the Wisdom Classic flashed in my mind, and I shouted, "Follow me!" Leading the way, I spurred my horse into a wild gallop.

Instead, Princess Liqing and Hua Qian both frowned, sensing something amiss. Indeed, when Wu Yuanshen retreated to the twenty-third step, Ling Bai's sword momentum faltered. Taking advantage of this shift, Wu Yuanshen let out a loud roar, and the sword light erupted, launching a series of four strikes that forced Ling Bai into a defensive position, retreating step by step. When Wu Yuanshen executed his seventeenth strike, Ling Bai let out a cry of agony, his long sword clattering to the ground, his left hand clutching his right arm, and he staggered backward.

Another sharp gaze pierced my face. It came from the Black Widow, whose lover, the sorcerer, I had killed just over a month ago. I quickly composed myself; with just one careless move, if I revealed a flaw, I would not be able to leave this hall alive tonight

Looking back, I saw Hua Qian collapse to the ground, exhausted. I rushed to her side. Hua Qian gasped, "You should leave quickly! Don't worry about me." Her beautiful eyes shed two tears, reminding me of the deceased Xi Qi; they both loved me so deeply.

As I thought of this, a stirring arose in my heart. If Princess Liqing wishes to select the strongest individual to fight, she should choose me, the false God of Strength who has defeated the foremost swordsman of Wangyue City, Namings. Could it be that she truly harbors favoritism and compassion for me? Ge Zhan's ugly laughter echoed as he said, "Unless the princess personally takes the field, I suggest that Ge Zhan let his subordinates entertain your troops instead."

The Grand Leader led the army to the outskirts of the city in the afternoon, but it was not until nightfall that he entered the palace amidst the cheers of the citizens lining the streets.

The Grand Duke chuckled and said: "One victory after another, my empire is brimming with talent, and the recovery of the Witch Kingdom is a matter of days."

The great river that separates the Witch Kingdom from the Empire is referred to as "Wangyue River" by the people of the Empire, while those from the Witch Kingdom call it "Witch River." It flows ahead with a thunderous roar. In the upper right, a massive fleet from the Empire can be faintly seen, with flags fluttering, creating a magnificent sight. Hua Qian and I raced downstream.

In contrast, the people around Princess Liqing all displayed expressions of humiliation from their defeat. Ge Zhanyao arrogantly declared, "Princess, among your subordinates, is there anyone else interested in competing with Wu Yuanshen in a match?"

In the haze, only the hand of strength pulls me away from the deck, followed by the sound of arrows piercing through the air

The Black Widow's gaze was tightly fixed on me, as if she had discovered something. I relaxed my entire body, striving to forget my tension, until she walked past me. But I already knew that the Black Widow, with some peculiar feminine intuition, sensed that I was the person she was looking for. Perhaps she was still not entirely certain, but I was already on the brink of danger. Behind me were the striding warriors and the formidable elite guards of the Grand Leader, distinguished from other black-helmeted warriors by a blood-red ring atop their helmets. There were about thirty of them, each a master swordsman among thousands, and they alone were enough to give me a headache. Behind me were the striding warriors and the formidable elite guards of the Grand Leader, distinguished from other black-helmeted warriors by a blood-red ring atop their helmets. There were about thirty of them, each a master swordsman among thousands, and they alone were enough to give me a headache.

The Grand Duke walked past us, heading towards the specially arranged extra-long table at the palace, followed by eight beautiful women wrapped in soft red robes, who were his most favored concubines

As soon as they exited the palace gates, two fine steeds galloped northward, their hooves thundering along the way. They occasionally encountered patrolling guards in black helmets, but upon seeing the favored attendant, Hua Qian, beside the princess, who would dare to stop them? Upon reaching the northern part of the city, Hua Qian commanded the city gates to be opened and boldly crossed over the military camp stationed outside the city, quickly entering the desolate wilderness.

Wu Yuanshen shouted loudly, deviating from his previous strategy against Ling Bai, and took the initiative to launch an attack. The tip of his sword buzzed and trembled as it lunged towards my throat like a venomous dragon. I secretly admired him; he was indeed a master, having realized that he could no longer allow me to gather my sword momentum, thus shifting from defense to offense. However, it was unfortunate for him that his opponent was the son trained by the most renowned swordsman in the empire, Lanling. Especially after my experience escaping from the City of Sunrise, I had been honed into one of the most cunning and formidable swordsmen outside of Lanling and Qibei. Otherwise, the wizard would not have perished at my hands, and Ge Zhan would not have suffered a great loss, nor would I have been able to infiltrate this place, openly flaunting my prowess before those who wished to take my life. My sword momentum neither accelerated nor decelerated in the slightest, as if I had already foreseen that my opponent would launch an attack.

I swiftly yet meticulously examined and calculated the possible locations revealed by the secret passage, ultimately arriving at a clearing in the woods. What attracted me to this place was the open grassy area within the dense forest, which seemed somewhat out of place in the overall layout of the garden. As I trod upon the grass, I finally noticed a square area measuring four feet on each side, which had a hollow sensation within it

I returned to the Palace of Wisdom from the stone steps, and as I crawled out from the exit, I suddenly felt something was amiss

Under the pressure of the sword energy, the air in the great hall became heavy and cold. "Clang! Clang!"

The aristocrats of the empire, from top to bottom, are bloodthirsty individuals. The practice of martial contests before banquets is a common occurrence. Ge Zhan's insistence on this not only diverts everyone's attention but also serves to humiliate Princess Liqing through the competition, achieving two goals with one action, demonstrating remarkable cunning.

At that moment, I shouted, "Let me do it!" Every gaze in the grand hall was focused on me. I dared not meet the eyes of the princess and the Black Widow. Stepping out from behind Princess Liqing into the open space of the hall, I turned back to bow and seek permission from Princess Liqing, who exclaimed, "Supreme Leader, please grant permission for my subordinate, the Guardian of Divine Power, to go into battle."

On the left hand, in order from top to bottom, are Princess Liqing, the Seven-Colored Commander, and several nobles from Wangyue City; on the right hand are the beautiful princess, the Black Widow, Ge Zhan, and more than ten important commanders of the Black Helmet Warriors

Hua Qian rode up from behind, reaching out to pull me. I grasped her hand, using a slight leverage to leap onto the horse's back. Her horse was exceptionally spirited, galloping fiercely along the downstream, but judging by the white foam spewing from the animal's mouth, it could not sustain this pace for long

I swiftly moved backward, in an instant increasing the distance between Wu Yuanshen and myself to over twenty feet, creating a stark contrast to my previous steady movement

I was greatly astonished, given the great leader's past achievements in conquering the south and the north, why there is such caution towards the Witch Kingdom; there must be some unknown reason behind it.

Suddenly, my whole body trembled as I stared blankly at the two beautiful women entering the hall. The girl on the left was enchanting and captivating, her eyes filled with emotion; she was none other than the princess of the empire, the only daughter of the Supreme Leader. Dressed in a tight-fitting warrior's outfit, she showcased her alluring figure and irresistible charm. She had once been my fiancée, but now she must hate me to the core. In her presence, I always felt somewhat diminished.

The atmosphere in the grand hall was filled with a noisy commotion. At this moment, it was the turn of the Ge Zhan faction to select a participant. After scanning the crowd with fierce eyes, Ge Zhan clapped his hands twice. A tall and slender warrior, with a straight back and approximately in his thirties, stepped forward into the open space in the center of the hall. He knelt before the Supreme Leader and respectfully said, "I am Wu Yuanshen, the team leader of the Third Army of the Black Helmet Warriors. I request the Supreme Leader to approve the battle order."

Princess Liqing gritted her teeth and looked at the generals and warriors on her side. She noticed that everyone was intentionally or unintentionally avoiding her gaze, clearly indicating that no one was willing to engage in this uncertain battle, and the fate of Bai made them feel alarmed and fearful.

Hua Qian had seen my true appearance before when I disguised myself as the God of Strength. As long as she compares it to the hand-drawn wanted poster, she should know that I am already in Wangyue City. But why does she not speak up?

I said coldly, "Why do you neither call out nor resist?" Hua Qian's charming eyes fixed intently on me, a tumult of complex emotions swirling within her, and she softly said, "Do you still not understand my feelings for you?"