HSSB84: Life is like a stage, fully dependent on one’s acting skills!
Watching the Ah Hu who appeared as though he had bitten his tongue, Yan Zhaoge laughed, shaking his head, "What are you so tensed up about?"
"You just need to report the information we currently have on hand as well as my conjecture. The final plan as well as decision-we can just wait for their notification."
"If they want to start a big show, we'll just continue acting the rest of it out."
"If they want to be conservative, we'll just immediately hide wherever's safe. After all, this isn't the Fire Domain. Even if the Sacred Sun Clan's people want to dig a few metres deep into the ground in order to search us out, it also won't be that easy."
Listening to Yan Zhaoge's words, Ah Hu grimaced as though his teeth hurt a little, "Young Master, we're really playing a little too big this time. Under normal circumstances, this wouldn't be something that someone at our level could stick a hand in."
"If we are even slightly careless, even if the general victory goes to our Broad Creed Mountain, you yourself could also be sacrificed in the process."
Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge laughed, "Whether or not the effort is worth it, depends on whether or not the potential gains are huge enough."
Retracting his smile, he said slowly, "No matter how many times he comes, I would also slaughter that Xiao Shen, never ever going soft on him."
"However, in terms of the clan's overall power, we are indeed a step behind the Sacred Sun Clan. If we don't think of a way to make up for this gap and just go on as usual, we would be lagging behind with every step."
"After all, the Sacred Sun Clan is also progressing, and will not just stand still waiting for us. Conversely, they will make use of their lead to try to weaken us as much as possible."
Yan Zhaoge looked at Ah Hu, "It is actually you who shouldn't take the risk with me, lest you be inadvertently harmed in the process."
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, "I'll definitely be following you, Young Master."
"Anyway, if there were to be no one at all by your side, that would be too abnormal."
"Our immediately leaving the Spirit Wind Canyon could still be attributed to us being concerned about the situation over at the Eastern Tang; our enemy might not suspect anything. However, if you move alone, they will immediately know that their plan has already been exposed.
Yan Zhaoge patted his shoulders, "Go and relay the news first; we'll make further plans then."
Ah Hu nodded, "Yes, Young Master."
The group from Broad Creed Mountain moved stealthily, making many twists and turns to avoid the notice of the Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners.
The Sacred Sun Clan mostly had a clear idea of whatever industries their side possessed in the Eastern Tang. Now, there was strict monitoring going on everywhere, especially on the road back to Jingyang City.
However, Broad Creed Mountain had after all operated here for many years, also possessing the support of the King of the Eastern Tang Kingdom, Zhao Shicheng. A few secret industries as well as gathering points were something that the Sacred Sun Clan was not privy to.
As Yan Zhaoge had thought, if they devoted all their efforts to hiding in the Heaven Domain, the Sacred Sun Clan would be hard-pressed to find them within a short period of time.
This was unless the Eastern Tang completely fell under their control, allowing them to completely search through the entire area with the patience of plowing land.
A few days later, Xu Chuan came to find Yan Zhaoge, "Young Master Yan, King Zhao and the others went to Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie's fief!"
Yan Zhaoge smiled, "Good move."
"Our concealing ourselves and not returning to Jingyang City could still be understood, but as the head of a kingdom, if Uncle Zhao did not return to his own capital, it would inevitably raise suspicion."
"However, if he instead made a trip to Zhao Shilie's fief, going there and back, he would have bought much time cleanly and without leaving any traces behind."
"Zhao Shilie was injured by Uncle, his connection with the Jingyang Grand Formation completely severed."
"Without the Jingyang Grand Formation, remaining in Jingyang City would be like waiting for Uncle to come back, close the doors and beat the dog. His only option would be to retreat to his own fief and wait for an opportunity to arise once more-awaiting that moment when the battle between the East Rising Lord and Elder Qin is finally decided."
Yan Zhaoge stroked his lower chin, "The Sacred Sun Clan must have supported Zhao Shilie with a considerable amount of resources."
"Uncle raiding his old nest and getting whatever he requires from it, he would then be able to use it to fix whatever was damaged."
Hearing his words, Xu Chuan nodded, "Having failed to obtain the Jingyang Grand Formation, the role that Zhao Shilie will be able to play in this war has fallen to a very limited one."
"The Sacred Sun Clan's peak experts having their fair share of problems to deal with, they most likely don't have the time to care about him. Zhao Shilie can only hole up and peacefully await the moment where everything has been settled before emerging once again."
"If the East Rising Lord and the other experts of the Sacred Sun Clan obtain victory, Jingyang City would still find it hard to defend itself. Zhao Shilie could naturally then rise back up behind the East Rising Lord and the others."
"If the East Rising Lord's side is defeated, Zhao Shilie will decisively retreat into the Fire Domain, requesting the protection of the Sacred Sun Clan."
Xu Chuan looked at Yan Zhaoge somewhat hesitantly, "However, if as Young Master Yan predicted, the Sacred Sun Clan has experts other than what we had predicted earlier lying hidden in wait, also having some sort of scheme, over at Zhao Shilie's fief…"
Yan Zhaoge shook his head, "They already don't see anything in Zhao Shilie's bunch."
"Moreover…" Yan Zhaoge narrowed his eyes, "Moreover, I having killed Xiao Shen, their primary target should now be me."
Saying thus, he turned to look at Xu Chuan, "I have troubled Elder Xu and my fellow Broad Creed Mountain disciples in accompanying me in taking this risk."
Xu Chuan smiled, "Young Master Yan is being too serious; I believe that Young Master Yan will definitely prosper despite facing danger."
Yan Zhaoge glanced at him, "Why do you say that?"
Xu Chuan sent over a sound transmission, "While the Sacred Sun Clan has experts present, Young Master Yan should also have something that you are leaning on, isn't it?"
"Young Master Yan killing Xiao Shen should only have been an accident; perhaps the original target you were aiming for wasn't the Sacred Sun Clan. I suspect that it's…"
Xu Chuan's finger traced out a 'Yan' character in the air[1].
Yan Zhaoge slowly shook his head, "This matter concerns some confidential information; even I myself am not too sure on the exact details of the situation."
"However, you had best not be too optimistic. Travelling together with me, the situation that you lot will face might very possibly be worse than the worst case scenario you have pictured."
Hearing his words, Xu Chuan was slightly taken aback.
However, he didn't go further to question Yan Zhaoge, instead answering with a stern expression on his face, "As one of the clan's Acting Elders in the Eastern Tang, with outside enemies having invaded, I am duty-bound to stand on the frontlines. Even if I die as a result, it would be because it was in my fate to face this tribulation."
Yan Zhaoge waved his hands, "While it is said that way, sometimes, when temporarily giving up would be a wise choice, the sin of not having battled should not be pursued."
"As for me, I was born in Broad Creed Mountain, my father being one of the most important Elders of the clan. I share the clan's honour and glory and have enjoyed the clan's resources as well as granted privileges, with the clan protecting me from the wind and the rain."
"Thus, when I am required to stand out to do something for the clan, I definitely won't shrink back."
"Dying pointlessly in doing something with no value at all is something that I definitely won't do. However, taking risks-I'm fine with that."
Yan Zhaoge looked at Xu Chuan, "However, the lot of you have no need to accompany me in doing so."
Xu Chuan answered solemnly, "Young Master Yan can rest easy. I know the rules. What shouldn't be asked, I won't question."
"As for the others, whether or not they are willing, I will also not force them. At the same time, I will also make the appropriate preparations, guaranteeing that no suspicions will be raised."
"As long as I don't end up being a burden instead, I myself, am willing to take this risk alongside Young Master Yan."
Yan Zhaoge smiled, "You definitely won't be a burden, Elder Xu. As a Xiantian Martial Scholar, your cultivation base is even stronger than mine."
"However, the crux of the matter this time doesn't lie with the level of our cultivation bases," Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the distance, saying in a light tone, "The crux of the matter this time lies with keeping an accurate grasp on information, as well as the concealing of our true goal."
"Life is like a stage, fully dependent on one's acting skills ah!"
The last two sentences were said softly and in an obscured manner. Xu Chuan was unable to hear it clearly, as he could only look towards Yan Zhaoge with a blur expression on his face.
[1] Yan Xu's 'Yan'
HSSB85: Broad Creed Mountain's pain
As they switched their hiding place once more, Ah Hu turned back and gazed into the distance.
This was the direction of the Spirit Wind Canyon, although it had long since gone out of sight.
Ah Hu said a little sorrily, "The surface installations of the Spirit Wind Canyon have all been destroyed. Still, fortunately, the various mining resources located underground, the Cloud-Veined Crystals included, were not damaged."
Standing by the side, Xu Chuan was not really disturbed by this, "Even while the Sacred Sun Clan has gained control of that area, they also won't go around causing wanton destruction. If they want to let out their anger, it isn't to the point where they would let it all out on the little, unimportant Spirit Wind Canyon. Damaging some of the structures left behind by our clan and leaving some marks behind would already be about it."
"As long as the secret of the Jade Essence is not leaked out, even if they occupy the Spirit Wind Canyon, it would also be for the ordinary mining of resources."
Xu Chuan looked towards Yan Zhaoge, sighing as he said some words of praise, "Everyone under the heavens, previously all underestimated Young Master Yan."
"Even not mentioning his important contributions like the Internal Crystal Furnace and the Cloud-Veined Crystals, his personal strength alone is something that the entire current younger generation would have to bow down before."
Ah Hu gave a simple and honest laugh, "It is laughable how before, they were still doubting my Young Master's position as one of the current era's Four Young Masters."
"The Radiant Prince Huang Jie is but ranked alongside Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong as one of the Four Rising Suns, but while at the same cultivation level as Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong, my Young Master defeated them as easily as retrieving an object from his bag."
Xu Chuan pondered as he said, "If it is the Radiant Prince Huang Jie, other than the fleeting news of him becoming a Martial Scholar that year, little information about him has been heard these past few years."
"Be it as one of the Sacred Sun Clan's Four Rising Suns or one of the current era's Four Young Masters, the Radiant Prince is also the most secretive one. It is indeed a little hard to determine his current level of power."
"Not counting the Radiant Prince, out of the Sacred Sun Clan's Four Rising Suns, there is only the Shining Sword Tang Yonghao who might be able to contend with Young Master Yan a little, I guess."
"But even if it is Tang Yonghao, it would probably be impossible for him to be like Young Master Yan, easily defeating Xiao Shen and Chao Yuanlong whilst at the same cultivation level."
The Shining Sword Tang Yonghao, publicly recognised as the head of the Four Rising Suns, the oldest amongst the four.
At the same time, he was also the most famous genius of the Sacred Sun Clan's younger generation.
The Radiant Prince Huang Jie keeping too much of a low profile, if not for the fact that he was the son of the current Clan Chief, his radiance would have been completely obscured by Tang Yonghao.
In the lands where the Sacred Sun Clan sat supreme, there were many who hailed Tang Yonghao as the current younger generation's number one figure in the entire Eight Extremities World.
Not counting the Maidens of Extreme Yin whose situation was unique, not factoring anything else but only looking at a martial practitioner's personal strength, Tang Yonghao towered over the younger generation of the Eight Extremities World.
Of course, were it in the Domains ruled by the other Sacred Grounds, this point definitely wouldn't be admitted.
But everyone agreed that at the very least, Tang Yonghao was one of the strongest contenders for the younger generation's number one figure.
Yan Zhaoge smiled, "Tang Yonghao has some real ability. However, as I see it, what's harder to come by is that he does things in a somewhat open and aboveboard manner."
"Still, if he wants to compete for the position of the younger generation's number one figure, he'll first have to be able to defeat our clan's senior apprentice-brother Xu."
Xu Chuan smiled, nodding.
The 'Heavenly Roc' Xu Fei of Broad Creed Mountain, of the same age as Tang Yonghao, the two having contested with each other ever since their youth all the way till they had become the outstanding geniuses of today. He was one of the leading figures of Broad Creed Mountain's younger generation.
Yan Zhaoge shook his head as he broke out smiling as well. Thinking about it, Broad Creed Mountain and the Sacred Sun Clan, with the rivalry between their respective younger generations, could be described as neither being willing to give an inch to the other.
Xu Fei vs Tang Yonghao, Lu Wen vs Xiao Shen, the Yan Zhaoge of the past vs Chao Yuanlong, etcetera.
Continuing to look at those who were even younger, of their representative-type figures, Sikong Qing also bore the heavy responsibility of matching up against Meng Wan.
Looking up the age ladder, the enmities and rivalry also continued unceasingly.
Both sides either both had victories or defeats, or were always locked in a stalemate.
It was really 'You are the wind and I am the sand, entangling entangling until the end'.
All these years, other than Yan Zhaoge's father Yan Di who had completely suppressed all his peers, both sides had always been contesting on such terms.
Strictly speaking, not counting Yan Di's batch, the Sacred Sun Clan had always still been holding the advantage.
This was the result of the Sacred Sun Clan's advantage of being stronger overall.
Xu Chuan sighed, "I've heard that the old Clan Chief has the intention of going into death seclusion, just that it is unknown whether or not he will be able to become a Martial Saint."
Hearing his words, Yan Zhaoge did not speak.
Not counting that Sacred Sun Saint of the legends who had gone missing, whether he was dead or alive a total mystery, what Broad Creed Mountain lacked in comparison to the Sacred Sun Clan was a Martial Saint.
That year, having resisted the invasion of the Flame Devil World, Broad Creed Mountain had suffered catastrophic losses.
Luckily, with the grace of their ancestors, with a Sacred Artifact guarding their clan, Broad Creed Mountain's guardian formation, through the efforts of numerous generations, was impregnable.
One had to thank the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou, who, though having died, in the years that he had been in power, had helped Broad Creed Mountain to preserve the last of its original vitality.
Over the years, having built up and accumulated its strength, disciples had finally began coming in an endless stream again as Broad Creed Mountain gradually developed, at least not having devalued the name of the Sacred Grounds.
However, Broad Creed Mountain's greatest pain was that after the Heaven Diviner Zhan Xilou had fallen, it had yet to produce even a single Martial Saint.
Transcending the impure and entering Sainthood-this was an extremely difficult task.
Even within the entire Eight Extremities World, the number of Martial Saints there currently were could be counted with one's fingers.
Yan Zhaoge slowly said, "The injuries Grand Master received that year did still eventually leave behind some hidden problems for him, causing him to not be able to tread that very last step even after such a long time."
Xu Chuan face was also filled with sympathy and regret.
Yan Zhaoge's Grand Master, Broad Creed Mountain's number one expert as well as its current Clan Chief, Heaven Equalling Yuan Zhengfeng.
He was publicly regarded as the first person below the Martial Saint realm in the entire Eight Extremities World, at the peak of the Martial Grandmaster realm, a longtime Transcending Impurity Martial Grandmaster.
With his excellent talent as well as fearsome martial prowess, becoming a Martial Saint would originally have been a minor issue for him.
However, in his younger years, he had been fundamentally damaged and had always been unable to remedy this, such that even after having entered the Transcending Impurity stage for many years, he had always been unable to take that final step and tread into the Martial Saint realm.
Even martial practitioners outside of Broad Creed Mountain often sighed in pity at how the old Clan Chief was just a paper-thin distance away from the Martial Saint realm, yet for him, taking that final step had the difficulty of crossing a lake of lightning.
Meanwhile, the Sacred Sun Clan had its former Clan Chief, the current Grand Elder 'The Sun Comes East' Huang Guanglie, also known as the East Coming Martial Saint.
The father of the Radiant Prince Huang Jie, the old Clan Chief Huang Guanglie's son Huang Xu, was the current Chief of the Sacred Sun Clan, also a longtime Martial Grandmaster expert.
The Sacred Sun Clan was similarly protected by a Sacred Artifact. The combination of the Martial Saint Huang Guanglie and that Sacred Artifact together with Huang Xu and the other numerous experts of the Sacred Sun Clan who were constantly surfacing together gave the Sacred Sun Clan the power and authority of the current era's top Sacred Ground.
Broad Creed Mountain was also unwilling to start a full-blown war with the Sacred Sun Clan as long as it wasn't absolutely necessary due to very this reason.
The Sacred Sun Clan similarly kept Broad Creed Mountain's development in their eyes, having constantly redoubled their efforts in keeping them in check all these years.
The two Sacred Ground's current contest in the Eastern Tang this time was only a rather more intense clash of theirs.
Many years ago, Huang Guanglie had gone into secluded cultivation once again. When he emerged, it was unknown what changes would have come on him and hard to estimate how much his strength would have progressed.
Broad Creed Mountain's Clan Chief Yuan Zhengfeng's current intention to go into death seclusion in an attempt to break through into the Martial Saint realm was also due to the fact that the pressure the Sacred Sun Clan was exerting on them had been getting greater and greater in recent years.
Therefore, although Xiao Shen had first made a killing move, when Yan Zhaoge had really killed him, Xu Chuan and the others naturally had had complicated, unsettled feelings well up within their hearts.
Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the distant horizon, in the direction of Broad Creed Mountain.
"The preparations are almost complete; after everything is in position, I can open the furnace and begin attempting to concoct the pill."
HSSB86: Lacking most in time
For no matter what reason, Yan Zhaoge's Grand Master, the Heaven Equalling Yuan Zhengfeng, was currently still only a Martial Grandmaster.
Under him, Broad Creed Mountain's three most outstanding Martial Grandmasters were hailed as the Broad Creed Three Heroes.
First was Yan Zhaoge's eldest apprentice-uncle, the First Seat Elder of Broad Creed Mountain's Disciplinary Hall, the 'Iron Lion King' Shi Tie.
Next was Yan Zhaoge's second apprentice-uncle, the First Seat Elder of Broad Creed Mountain's Assignment Hall, 'Hidden Dragon' Fang Zhun.
Finally, there was Yan Zhaoge's father, Yuan Zhengfeng's Final Disciple, the current First Seat Elder of Broad Creed Mountain's Martial Inheritance Hall, Yan Di.
The four of them, coupled with the other experts of Broad Creed Mountain, meant that Broad Creed Mountain was actually superior to the Sacred Sun Clan in terms of the strength of their Martial Grandmasters.
Even excluding Yuan Zhengfeng, in the area of Martial Grandmasters, Broad Creed Mountain was in no way inferior to the Sacred Sun Clan.
But, sigh. There was still the Martial Saint Huang Guanglie above them.
Causing Broad Creed Mountain's martial practitioners to be even more worried was the fact that Yuan Zhengfeng was gradually getting older.
Under normal circumstances, Yuan Zhengfeng could actually only be considered to be at his prime, rather than being old.
However, with the injuries he suffered that year having injured his very fundamentals, what was affected was not just merely whether or not he could become a Martial Saint. His unrecovered injuries had also been affecting his longevity.
As time passed and dragged on, hopes of Yuan Zhengfeng achieving his breakthrough into the Martial Saint realm correspondingly decreased.
Of Broad Creed Mountain's other experts, within the elder generation, he himself was already the one with the most hope of succeeding in that breakthrough.
As for the senior generation with Yan Di at their head, there were also some who had hope of becoming a Martial Saint.
But even more so than Yuan Zhengfeng, they required more time as well as opportunities.
However, what Broad Creed Mountain currently lacked the most was just that-time.
First, they were facing the pressure of the Sacred Sun Clan. Next, there was also his own body to worry about. Due to these, the old Clan Chief Yuan Zhengfeng had no choice but to resolve himself.
He would try to step into the Martial Saint realm within a short period of time, and he would either succeed, or perish in the attempt.
As Yan Di's son, Yan Zhaoge was completely clear on the situation within the clan.
He naturally knew what Broad Creed Mountain currently needed the most.
Yan Zhaoge's store of knowledge grew as he increased in strength and carried out some analysis and research, making use of what he learnt as he combined pure theory with actual practicality.
How to create a Martial Saint was something that Yan Zhaoge was currently still in the process of researching.
Transcending impurities and achieving Sainthood-the difficulty of that was immense.
Even if there was a way, in the current Eight Extremities World, the required resources as well as environmental conditions were also very hard to fulfil.
However, treating the problem by its root.
Ever since Yan Zhaoge had arrived in this world and came to understand the environment he had been placed in, the area of research he had given the most priority to was how to treat the old Clan Chief, Yuan Zhengfeng's old injuries.
He had spent far more time and effort on this than on the Internal Crystal Furnace and such, just that the difficulty of this matter was also higher.
If he succeeded, it would not just be about Yuan Zhengfeng having his injuries healed. He would also be able to attempt his breakthrough into the Martial Saint realm with a greater assurance of success.
The pressure brought about by Huang Guanglie having gone into secluded cultivation once more caused Yuan Zhengfeng and Broad Creed Mountain to reveal their keen edge as they advanced, no longer continuing to move like they normally did.
Ah Hu grinned from the side, "On this matter, the Radiant Prince Huang Jie is often nowhere to be seen. Could it be that that old Clan Chief of the Sacred Sun Clan is teaching and grooming him personally?"
Hearing his words, Xu Chuan smiled, "This possibility does exist. However, even if it is true, he should only be giving some simple pointers. Teaching him thoroughly-Huang Guanglie doesn't have so much time for that."
Yan Zhaoge's eyes narrowed, "The Radiant Prince Huang Jie…interesting."
Now, Xu Chuan received a message sent over by one of his subordinates, his expression instantly turning grave.
"Young Master Yan, there are unusual movements by the border. The Sacred Sun Clan has dispatched even more of its experts into Eastern Tang territory. Their cultivation and number are unknown."
Yan Zhaoge nodded, "As to our positions, release some fake news to bewilder our enemies."
"Keep in contact with the clan; we will need people to meet and guide us as well as help conceal our movements."
Xu Chuan answered, "I understand."
Yan Zhaoge gazed towards the defensive line of the Eastern Tang capital Jingyang City, his gaze distant.
Continually shifting their locations, they did encounter search parties of the Sacred Sun Clan in the process, but very quickly killed their way out and escaped.
Just having switched their hiding place once more, Yan Zhaoge and the other suddenly received news.
The Eastern Tang's First Prince, Zhao Yuan, was currently being surrounded by martial practitioners of the Sacred Sun Clan.
Yan Zhaoge looked like he was smiling but also somewhat not as he raised his brows slightly, "While Brother Zhao Yuan does not actually hold the title of the Supervising Crown Prince, at this time, we should grab hold of this chance to put on a good performance in front of him."
"With Uncle Zhao on conquest abroad, what is he doing here, outside of Jingyang City?"
"Giving the chance to the Third Prince Zhao Sheng just like that?"
Xu Chuan answered, seemingly somewhat vexed, "When Prince Jin, Zhao Shilie retreated, he destroyed a number of the spirit patterns of the Jingyang Grand Formation along the way."
"With the other Martial Grandmaster of the Eastern Tang sitting over Jingyang City, Zhao Yuan and Zhao Sheng were both ordered to repair the spirit patterns."
He looked at Yan Zhaoge, saying in a low tone, "Our clan's Elder Yan, meanwhile, brought some martial practitioners of our clan out of the city to clean up the remnants of the Sacred Sun Clan and Zhao Shilie's gang."
"Originally, they had still thought that it would very safe, but because of Xiao Shen's death, the Sacred Sun Clan sent more troops in. That's why they encountered the enemy so easily."
Yan Zhaoge asked, "In that case, what about Yan Xu? He doesn't care?"
Xu Chuan said drily, "The Third Prince Zhao Sheng was the first to meet danger, and Elder Yan went over to assist him. Within a short period of time, he probably won't be able to make it in time to assist the First Prince."
Yan Zhaoge smiled, not saying anything as he lowered his head to look at the map, "It is not far from our current location ah."
Xu Chuan frowned, looking at him, "Young Master Yan, we…"
"Under the circumstances that we are able to do so, we naturally have to help him out a bit," Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers, promptly striding out.
Xu Chuan gave a wry smile, "Young Master, it'll be whatever you say. Regardless, this Xu will be risking his life to accompany the lord today."
Yan Zhaoge's party climbed over hills and passed through ravines, very soon coming to feel a quaking of the earth ahead of them.
Before them, the very air itself felt somewhat like it was on fire, releasing waves of roiling heat which grew more and more intense as they neared.
"This is a characteristic of the Sacred Sun Clan's martial arts," Yan Zhaoge and the others all well knew this within their hearts as they continued moving along speedily. Indeed, they soon saw that in the distance at the foot of a mountain, two groups of martial practitioners were currently locked in an intense battle.
One side was precisely formed of Eastern Tang martial practitioners with their First Prince, Zhao Yuan, at their head.
And the other side, naturally consisted of martial practitioners of the Sacred Sun Clan.
The Sacred Sun Clan had the numerical advantage, its people also possessing a stronger individual power. Zhao Yuan and the others looked already to be in a very precarious situation indeed.
Not saying anything, Yan Zhaoge immediately led Xu Chuan and the others in killing into the battlefield from the enemy's flank.
With the situation as urgent as a fire that had to be extinguished, Yan Zhaoge held nothing back as the Jade Dragon Sword danced and coiled, instantly killing till the enemy troops fell apart like a mountain collapsing.
The group from Broad Creed Mountain killed their way to in front of Zhao Yuan, who smiled bitterly, "Having heard that the Sacred Sun Clan had sent in more troops, we had already been retreating as at fast as speed as was possible. Who knew that we would still be surrounded and trapped."
Yan Zhaoge thought, "My return path to Jingyang City was a key focus of the enemy's interception strategy. This was you guys going and colliding into it head on."
"Brother, this time, I have implicated you. It will be hard returning to Jingyang City; we should probably go somewhere else instead."
As he said this, the Broad Creed Mountain and Eastern Tang Kingdom forces met, together ripping apart the encirclement of the Sacred Sun Clan martial practitioners and breaking through to the outside.
After having lost their pursuers, both sides finally had the time for some idle talk.
Zhao Yuan shook his head as he walked, "Zhaoge, your killing Xiao Shen might have caused your name to resound throughout the entire world, but you should still be mindful of the Sacred Sun Clan's revenge."
Implicated by me- this was not merely referring to the Sacred Sun Clan…
As Yan Zhaoge was pondering about this, his heart suddenly jumped.
Ah Hu and Xu Chuan, the two Xiantian Martial Scholars, both gazed into the distance.
There, a massive golden sun slowly and gradually rose up from amongst the numerous mountains.
Within the massive golden sun, a figure gradually materialised. It was a one-eyed Elder with a square face and big ears, wearing a golden robe on his body.
A Martial Grandmaster expert!
HSSB87: Was this within your predictions?
Gazing over, Yan Zhaoge saw that one-eyed Elder tread on the air, walking over from amongst the numerous mountains.
Looking downwards, his gaze swept the area before finally landing on Yan Zhaoge, "You've indeed come. I would like to see-where can you run to this time?"
"Yan Zhaoge, what a great dog courage you have."
"First, you sheltered a traitor of my Sacred Sun Clan in escaping. Now, you've actually even dared to kill a disciple of my Sacred Sun Clan."
"You must pay with your life for what you did to Xiao Shen!"
With the enemy's gaze fixed upon him, Yan Zhaoge's entire body heated up as he felt as though his insides were about to be incinerated, like his entire body was about to ignite and catch fire on its own.
Yan Zhaoge's expression did not change, "You mean then that I should have obediently stretched out my neck and let Xiao Shen kill me, huh?"
"Xiao Shen wanted to kill me. Therefore, I killed him. It's as simple as that."
The one-eyed Elder's eyebrows stood on end, a fierce light within his eyes.
From that expression of his, it was as though the person before him was not Yan Zhaoge born of Broad Creed Mountain, but any martial practitioner born of a random clan or sect. Dying at the hands of his Sacred Sun Clan's people would, conversely, even be an honour.
He stared coldly at Yan Zhaoge, "Oh?"
"Well, this old man also wants to kill you now. I'd like to see what you can do about it; maybe kill this old man instead?"
Yan Zhaoge laughed, but did not speak.
A voice now resounded from behind him, "You can't kill him."
As the winds and the clouds surged, a strong aura appeared.
A figure arrived soaring through the air. When he had just opened his mouth to speak, he had still been a considerable distance away, but before his voice had landed, he had already neared.
It was an old, emaciated Elder, his hands behind his back, his feet moving neither quickly nor slowly.
Smiling, Yan Zhaoge said, "Elder, thank you for your trouble."
The emaciated Elder waved his hands dismissively, "It's fine."
He came in front of that one-eyed Elder, saying mildly, "This old man also wants to see how you can kill my Broad Creed Mountain disciple in front of this old man."
Seeing this emaciated Elder appear, Xu Chuan immediately let out a sigh of relief, "Our clan's reinforcements have also arrived."
"As expected, Young Master Yan wouldn't place himself at such risk so easily. Whatever he does, he also has well thought out."
The Sacred Sun Clan had sent in some experts as reinforcements, entering the Eastern Tang Kingdom.
Naturally, after having received the news of Yan Zhaoge's killing of Xiao Shen, Broad Creed Mountain also didn't sit back and do nothing.
It was just that both sides had needed some time to react.
In comparison, while the Eastern Tang was rather remote, at the end of the day, it was still located within the Heaven Domain. It would definitely be easier for Broad Creed Mountain experts to reinforce.
However, the battlefields of the two sides were diffused haphazardly over a wide area, not easy to discern.
How accurately they could predict the movements as well as the positions of the other side would have to look at the power and influence that they possessed here in the Eastern Tang itself.
Looking at it this way, Zhao Yuan having met danger and Yan Zhaoge having been ambushed meant that Yan Xu had at least committed the professional error of failing in his duties and not confirming their enemy's situation clearly.
Xu Chuan's felt a slight chill within his heart, "Is Yan Xu really doing this on purpose?"
"He's gone mad; even if he argues that it was just a mistake on his part, he will still be held somewhat responsible for it!”
However, what made Xu Chuan let out a sign of relief was the fact that Yan Zhaoge had indeed long been prepared as expected. In having taken the risk of coming with him, he had gambled right.
That Sacred Sun Clan Elder looked at the Broad Creed Mountain Martial Grandmaster before him, saying coldly, "Our cultivation levels are similar-you think you can protect him?"
Between his words, he lifted up his palm, the golden sunlight that illuminated the surrounding area agglomerating into a single mass, converging within it.
Next, as though lifting the sun itself, he smashed downwards with his palm!
The Heaven Striking Palm that was displayed by him, compared to that other Martial Grandmaster of the Sacred Sun Clan in the Spirit Wind Canyon, was even stronger!
Zhao Yuan and the others who were present all fell into nervousness.
As the one-eyed Elder had said, when two sides possessed close to the same level of strength, if one of them wanted to kill someone, while the other wanted to protect him, the defending party would be placed at an absolute disadvantage, with the initiative mostly having fallen to the enemy.
It was even to the point where perhaps being too concerned with the target of his protection, the defending party might instead reveal some flaws in his own defence which could easily be taken advantage of by the enemy, causing himself too to be sacrificed.
At that point, the guardian and the guarded could only become fresh meat on the chopping board at the hands of their enemy, unable to do anything but wallow in hatred.
Still, that emaciated Elder was still completely at ease, neither hurried nor impatient, "Having appeared here today, this old man naturally has the confidence to protect the disciples of my clan with my own power."
"If there's more of you, I still wouldn't dare to say it; but if there's only you, then, of course."
As he said this, he crossed his palms, both of their surfaces turning a faint gold.
Countless palm shadows began spreading outwards to envelop all directions, golden streams of light intertwining high in mid-air as they resembled numerous golden ropes, trapping the heavens and imprisoning the earth.
As the Heaven Striking Palm of that Sacred Sun Clan Elder descended, it was surrounded and trapped by those numerous golden ropes.
The power of the extremely fierce and unyielding palm strike was constantly whittled down by that extremely soft and gentle yet also extremely tough power, temporarily unable to break free.
"Golden Curtain Palm?" the one-eyed Elder's eyebrows instantly stood on end.
The martial art his opponent was currently displaying was precisely Broad Creed Mountain's direct lineage martial art, the Golden Curtain Palm of the Eight Extreme Arts.
Looking on from the side, Yan Zhaoge also nodded his head, thinking, "It's almost reached the point of perfection."
While in the Sealing Dragon Abyss, Yan Zhaoge had also seen Elder Kong unleash this martial art, and in an even more profound and unpredictable manner at that. However, that should mostly be attributed to him being at a higher level of cultivation.
In terms of attainment in the Golden Curtain Palm, this emaciated Elder should already at the peak amongst those at the same cultivation level.
Just after the emaciated Elder unleashed the Golden Curtain Palm, his figure abruptly shook, turning ethereal as he began moving quickly and agilely like the wind.
This was actually yet another of the Eight Extreme Arts, the Wind Fire Calamities.
Exerting power with the calamity of fire, moving about like the calamity of wind.
At this moment, the emaciated Elder had even completely sealed off all the routes through which his opponent could launch a sneak attack with a Leap of the Rising Sun.
That Sacred Sun Clan Elder was angered to the point of steam rising up from his forehead.
Although the other party's strength was similar to his, his way of fighting was soft and flexible to the extreme, causing him to have strength but be unable to exert it.
It would be difficult for the emaciated Elder to defeat him, but similarly, he too had no way to break through his defences.
Let alone securing a victory, even if he wanted to go deal with Yan Zhaoge and the others, he could only stare at them helplessly for now.
"Zhaoge, all of you leave this place first," the emaciated Elder said mildly whilst also in the midst of breaking up his opponent's attacks.
Yan Zhaoge and the others immediately retreated. When two Martial Grandmasters did not hold back and fought with all their might, just the resultant shockwaves alone would be able to sweep over and destroy the entire surrounding area.
But they had not gone far when a hot-tempered voice suddenly resounded, shocking the ears to the point of them wanting to go deaf, "You're going nowhere!"
Hearing this voice, Yan Zhaoge instinctively raised his brows.
"The Ghost Hatchet Elder, Han Sheng!"
"Even with this kind of situation, he still actually dares to show himself?"
As the black fog swirled, an old man, his hair and beard bristling, suddenly appeared.
His entire body emanated a terrifying atmosphere, not inferior to the two Martial Grandmasters currently clashing right here in the least.
It was precisely the Ghost Hatchet Elder, Han Sheng, who had made a brief, fleeting appearance previously at the Sealing Dragon Abyss and also had some ties with Ye Jing.
As the Ghost Hatchet Elder appeared, his gaze came to fall on Yan Zhaoge.
Looking over, Yan Zhaoge saw that within the other party's gaze, other than violence, there also existed some greed as well as a desire to probe out something.
"He wants a certain something of mine," Yan Zhaoge's mind flashed quickly, as he instantly came up with this guess.
But before he could consider carefully what that thing was, with a furious roar, Han Sheng had already extended his palms, a black qi having converged within as a gigantic hand that obscured the heavens and concealed the sun grabbed down towards Yan Zhaoge's head.
Frowning, the emaciated Elder immediately executed the Wind Fire Calamities, his figure turning as he came to block before Han Sheng.
The power of his Golden Curtain Palm spread out, instantly drawing Han Sheng within.
But with this, the pressure on the Sacred Sun Clan Elder over on the other side had instantly decreased greatly.
He executed the Leap of the Rising Sun, forcefully breaking past the obstruction of the emaciated Elder's Golden Curtain Palm, lunging towards Yan Zhaoge!
Xu Chuan's heart nearly jumped out of his chest as he looked towards Yan Zhaoge, his face having turned terribly pale.
"Young Master Yan, please don't tell me that this was within your predictions too ah!"