Chapter 242

The Valkyrie of the apocalypse.

Although the gods knew that Fu Yan wanted to challenge the general, they never expected this battle to come so quickly.

After witnessing the battle between the general and Huan Long, they didn't think Fu Yan had even a sliver of a chance to win… but the thought of getting to see the god lord act again made all the gods' expressions simultaneously light up with excitement.

Calm footsteps echoed outside the door.

As the voice faded, the VIP doors were slowly pushed open. A lazy, casual voice that the gods knew all too well came from the direction of the doorway.

"What? Are you thinking about me?"

Not recognized by the Star God, yet daring to call themselves gods—there's a whole house full of them… Well, that saves me some trouble.

The man's words instantly drew the gaze of every god present.

Then…

The atmosphere plunged to freezing point.

Jing Yuan stood backlit, the lion's head on his golden shoulder armor seeming to come alive in the shadows, blood-colored sunset flowing between its fangs.

"God Strategy General, Jing Yuan."

He walked slowly into the lounge, each step feeling like he was treading on the hearts of the gods. His gaze swept over the gods, and the corner of his mouth still held that indifferent smile.

"... You all seem rather nervous, don't you?"

His voice was warm and smooth like jade, more relaxed and carefree than the light curtain. Yet to the gods' ears, his voice was no less explosive than a muffled thunder.

Only a deathly silence answered him.

After who knows how long, finally a god could no longer hold back and was the first to break this oppressive atmosphere.

"... Jing, Jing Yuan, how did you end up here?"

In his shock, Shiva could barely speak. His four arms froze midair, the eyelid of his third eye twitching wildly—although he didn't see the god lord appear behind Jing Yuan, that calm, unhurried aura… it was him! It was really him!

If Jing Yuan appeared on the light curtain and a battle was about to begin, it would undoubtedly be a spectacular visual treat for the gods—but if his true self showed up in the arena's VIP lounge, it wouldn't be a surprise, it would be a shock.

The Ares nearest to Jing Yuan no longer cared about dignity, his burly frame darting back like a startled cat, nimbly hiding behind the old man Zeus, only peeking out a head nervously to observe the situation.

No god dared to speak anymore; in this suffocating atmosphere, only Pluto Hades struggled to move his feet backward, trying to put a relatively safe distance between himself and Jing Yuan—everyone had seen his skill, severing his head with that battle-axe in an instant would be no trouble. Before acting, he always tried to buy himself a moment to react.

"Jing Yuan… this… this isn't the place for a battle."

Susanoo, struggling to stay calm, took a deep breath. Although he also tried to keep his distance from Jing Yuan, his body felt as if it were nailed to the spot—he couldn't move, not even a finger.

"If we're going to fight, let's go to the arena—"

"Loki." Zeus' hoarse voice echoed in the room, cutting off Susanoo's speech. Almost at the same moment, the smile on "Jing Yuan"'s face vanished instantly: "Stop pretending to be the general; this joke isn't funny."

"Tch, boring old man."

"Jing Yuan" curled his lip, turned into a wisp of black smoke before everyone's eyes, and from the smoke emerged a young man with green hair, about twenty years old.

Loki's lips curled slightly as he lifted his head to survey the gods, "Don't be nervous, everyone. Aren't you all waiting for General Jing Yuan to appear? Now that the 'Jing Yuan' you've been longing for is actually right beside you, why aren't you happy?"

"I…!" Shiva still wanted to argue something, but he also realized that, given his body's instinctive fear reaction, any explanation would be feeble.

Fear, plain and simple.

As one of the three major gods of India, Shiva instantly felt only shame and humiliation filling his heart.

It seems you're really afraid of the envoy. If you truly feel fear from the heart, you gods might as well turn to faith in the Hunt—maybe He'll look on you favorably for bringing your own followers.

—— -> none.

Upon arriving at the God Strategy Manor, Huo Huo began talking about the supernatural events that occurred in Su Garden, as well as Fu Yan's request.

After hearing all that, Jing Yuan also felt a bit amused: 'I thought the tales of the previous general's battles with the spirits were just made-up stories. I never expected the actual culprit to come seeking revenge, and yet finding me at fault feels unjust.'

It's time to unleash your secret weapon!

Jing Yuan chuckled, giving Xing a playful look: "Looks like Xing is dead set on having me repay a favor."

General Teng Xiao was a senior whom Jing Yuan respected; he carried on his legacy and wouldn't stand idly by. Since the other party explicitly asked to see him, might as well go meet them.

A few people arrived at Fu Yan's place; the moment they met, it became alert and immediately asked Jing Yuan for his identity.

Jing Yuan didn't hide anything: "Sui Yang, you've been dying to resume your battle with the general, haven't you? I came at your invitation."

"... You're the current general?"

Upon hearing that, Fu Yan widened his eyes, carefully sizing up Jing Yuan from head to toe, and snorted dissatisfiedly: "How can you look like you just woke up? You look pathetically weak. What about Teng Xiao? How could he choose someone like this to succeed him? Though letting the Immortal Vessel people hold a martial arts tournament to pick a new general isn't realistic either."

Then, General Jing Yuan, how about we settle this once and for all in Su Garden? If I win, I'll be free to come and go as I please—

Jing Yuan shook his head: "I only said I came at your invitation; I never agreed to fight you."

This unexpected answer left Fu Yan stunned; after a moment of blankness, it came to its senses: "... What, you won't fight? You won't fight?!"

Don't misunderstand—I really came for the battle from back then… but you're just not worthy.

Jing Yuan's reply was light and casual, yet it struck Fu Yan's heart like a knife, making his back teeth grind so hard they might shatter, and even the ghostly fire behind him began to swell.

"... You can tell it's lost its composure."

You—what—are—you—saying?!

—— -> none.

Pirate King

"Pfft—" Nami couldn't help laughing, "Hahaha, this little ghost has been completely underestimated."

"Not just underestimated…" Robin elegantly sipped her tea, lightly shaking her head: "A thousand-year obsession, and the other side doesn't even have the interest to take it seriously—truly pitiful."

If it knew that in the battle against Huan Long, General Jing Yuan and Dan Heng were the main forces, I wonder what expression it would have?

Expression? What other expression could there be? It would probably just fly out of the Underworld Envoy's body, doing anything to possess Jing Yuan.

Shan Zhi puffed out a smoke ring, lost in thought, "Although the estimated probability of success is small, if it succeeds, then we wouldn't need to painstakingly challenge the general...... It itself is the general, its battle achievements far surpass those of its prairie‑fire predecessor."