Chapter 147: The Tragic Fate of the Foolishly Loyal!

Unlike what he had imagined, Fang Xu originally thought that as the ruler of Fushan Kingdom, Xia Mukuan would surely mobilize a large army to seal off the imperial palace, coming once to block their approach.

Only when the Ascension Immortal Society members stormed into the imperial palace did they realize that, aside from the imperial guard encountered at the palace gate, there were hardly any troops defending inside the palace.

"Senior Brother Kuang Ju, how many troops does Fushan Kingdom have?" As they approached the target palace, Fang Xu asked Kuang Ju beside him.

"An army?" Kuang Ju stared for a moment and said: "About eight hundred thousand, and it's said there is also a Divine Sky Guard composed purely of martial artists, numbering several ten thousand."

Eight hundred thousand troops, several ten thousand martial artists forming the Divine Sky Guard……Where did these people go?

Why is it only the imperial palace's imperial guard that is blocking us?

Thinking of this, Fang Xu's brows furrowed involuntarily.

Before he could fully figure it out, the scene that appeared before him directly gave him the answer.

"Cough cough!"

"General!"

Cui Hou bowed his hands in shame: "I am incapable, gravely injured, and no longer have the strength to fight."

"General!"

Seeing this, several deputy commanders of the Divine Sky Guard hurriedly supported Cui Hou; noticing his spirit was listless, as if he had suffered a serious injury, two of them who were Warrior Master Level Five deputy commanders immediately drew their waist weapons, preparing to rush forward and fight Fang Xu to the death.

"Clang!"

The phantom of the bronze great cauldron appeared again, blocking Cui Hou's violent strike while Fang Xu seized the opportunity to launch a counterattack, directly slamming his palm onto the hilt of the horse-slaying sabre!

Seeing the opponent unwilling to take advantage of him, preferring to discard the broadsword he excelled at, Fang Xu couldn't help but laugh.

Watching Cui Hou's aura grow increasingly overbearing, Gong Wanrong shook her head, walked slowly toward Fang Xu and said: "In this state, he's not something you can handle; let me take care of it."

Seeing that he only had the strength of a Warrior Master Level One, a deep sense of shame welled up in his heart.

Gong Wanrong glanced at him and said lightly: "This person is named Cui Hou, a Warrior Master Level Nine, the leader of the Fushan Kingdom Divine Sky Guard, and also a veteran general; you go try him."

"Chief, this little guy really is a monster."

A flash of approval passed through Gong Wanrong's beautiful eyes.

But Fang Xu was not worried at all.

Across from him, Cui Hou was also sizing up Fang Xu at this moment.

"Someone as cautious as Cui Hou would surely not underestimate the enemy; this little guy repelled him with a single strike, it seems he truly deserves to spare his life."

To let a Warrior Master Level One little guy challenge a veteran Warrior Master Level Nine general, and still say they want to spare his opponent's life?

The disciples of the Fushan Kingdom Ascension Immortal Society Branch all felt somewhat surprised.

"Take revenge for the old general!"

"Good, let this old man see what talents the Ascension Immortal Society has."

Xia Yan smiled faintly and said contemptuously: "Do you lot want to rebel?"

These deputy commanders have all been Cui Hou's long-time subordinates for decades, their relationship already as close as father and son.

After suffering repeated blows, Cui Hou let out an inhuman roar, his killing intent erupting again, he directly halted his retreat and slashed a blade at Fang Xu in midair!

But the problem is, if they slaughter all these Divine Sky Guard, what's the difference between them and those lunatics of the Expansion God Sect?

"Palace Elder..."

Or is it a secret technique?

Behind him, a Martial Venerable Steward of the Fushan Kingdom Ascension Immortal Society stared at the changes in Cui Hou's body and turned to Gong Wanrong, saying: "Chief, what Cui Hou is using is……"

Seeing the Ascension Immortal Society's people coming to kill, that old general shouted loudly:

"I know I cannot block the Palace Elder!"

"Not bad, I thought I'd still need to step in to save you." Gong Wanrong said with a light smile, then looked at Cui Hou and said: "Let your Divine Sky Guard retreat; this has nothing to do with you."

"Roar!"

A tiger phantom emerged from his body's surface; Fang Xu threw a punch, like a tiger pouncing for food, leaving that Cui Hou somewhat dazed!

But just as the two sides were deadlocked, a voice suddenly came from the main hall behind the Divine Sky Guard.

"What strong power!"

Zhong Zhou's face slowly split into a grin, revealing a mouthful of missing big yellow teeth as he chuckled: "Hehe…… I already told Your Majesty earlier, don't be soft-hearted; with these several ten thousand martial artists, the sacrificial energy will be even stronger."

Although the Ascension Immortal Society numbers only a few hundred, wiping out the Divine Sky Guard before them is by no means difficult.

"Divine Sky Guard!?"

Having said that, he slowly walked up to Gong Wanrong.

"Unbelievable! Too unbelievable!"

"It should be that Cui Hou intends to fuse the killing intent he has accumulated over years as a commander with his own qi and blood, sacrificing part of his reason as a price to enhance his own strength."

In her view, being in midair with no point of leverage, Fang Xu would find it hard to dodge this blade.

"Elder!"

"Since there's no strength left to fight, keeping him around is useless."

Otherwise, I would definitely have become a corpse by now.

Fang Xu's body did not retreat; the moment he shattered the blade's light, his body surged straight toward Cui Hou!

Cui Hou still wanted to say something.

Across from him, Cui Hou shook his arms, which were nearly unconscious, and with a solemn expression glanced at Fang Xu and said:

"I have already estimated you as highly as I could, yet I never expected you to be this strong."

"Take revenge for the old general!"

And what was that bronze great cauldron that flashed by just now?

Sensing Fang Xu's strangeness, he immediately dared not think further, gathered his spirit, and responded with full force.

Cui Hou struggled to his feet, looked at the two people, and said: "Come back……"

This scarlet mist seemed to be some kind of extremely potent poison; the moment the Divine Sky Guard's martial artists were enveloped by the mist, they all showed expressions of pain.

"How is Old General Cui's injury?"

Finally, that suit of gleaming armor was directly smashed to pieces by Fang Xu's fierce blow, and all of Cui Hou's killing intent dissipated at that moment.

Pfft!

Cui Hou spat out a large spray of blood as he flew backward, heavily landing in front of the Divine Sky Guard.

It is precisely because the battle‑scarred old general Cui Hou is cautious; if any other Martial Master Ninth Realm martial artist had even a hint of contempt for Fang Xu, taking this strike would not kill them but would leave them seriously injured.

Seeing Fang Xu's fist approaching, he immediately decided to ignore those exposed openings, first block it, then see this kid's strength before saying more.

Fang Xu's strike looked simple, but it was extremely sharp.

"Fist and foot techniques, I'm also skilled in them—come on!"

"The position of ruler of the tiny Fu Shan Kingdom? Not to mention me, even several elders of my Ascendant Immortal Society wouldn't take it seriously."

Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Old general, I've said it—I excel at fist and foot techniques, so you needn't feel embarrassed; pick up your weapon."

In the depths of the imperial palace, before a hall that was obviously just repaired, countless soldiers wearing gleaming armor, holding sharp long spears, and emanating a faint killing aura appeared before everyone.

"The elder told me to spare this little brat's life, but I won't show mercy."

Although he had just used a secret technique and lost most of his rationality, Cui Hou could feel that Fang Xu had indeed held back at the end.

In an instant, all the Divine Sky Guard's soldiers responded to his call, raising their weapons and surrounding Xia Yan and his father.

Cui Hou waved his Horse‑Cutting Saber, using the weapon's length advantage to keep them from daring to approach.

As she spoke, the terrifying aura unique to a Martial Sovereign Seventh Realm burst from her body, making the Divine Sky Guard present tremble involuntarily.

Seeing this, Gong Wanrong frowned slightly, momentarily at a loss for what to do.

Fang Xu slowly approached and said: "Elder."

But Xia Yan, his face twisted with ferocity, twisted the dagger in a circle, completely shredding Cui Hou's heart; watching him spit out a large amount of fresh blood, Xia Yan slowly withdrew the dagger, stared at the bright red stain, and smiled faintly: "The dagger Old General gave me is really sharp."

Gong Wanrong glanced at Cui Hou with some pity, shook her head slightly, and said: "Cui Hou, Cui Hou, I have always respected your loyalty to the state, but now it seems your loyalty is not to Fu Shan Kingdom, but to Xia Mukuan, to the royal family."

With the help of a few people, Cui Hou stood up, looked at Fang Xu with a complex expression, and said: "I have lost; thank you, Young Hero Fang, for showing mercy."

Seizing the opportunity, Fang Xu rushed forward, unleashing a series of rapid punches at Cui Hou's retreating body.

The fists, carrying terrifying force, made Cui Hou's armor resound with bangs!

"If you knew what Xia Mukuan was doing, you probably wouldn't be so stubborn."

……

Gong Wanrong glanced at Cui Hou and said lightly: "It's a secret technique, just not yet perfected."

Beside Gong Wanrong, several elders and stewards whose strength had reached Martial Sovereign couldn't help but praise the sight.

"This dagger is a fourth‑grade treasure, probably a gift I gave him when Xia Yan was born, right?"

"You……"

……

Fang Xu lowered his fists, smiling, and said to Cui Hou: "No need to be formal, General."

Approaching Cui Hou, Crown Prince Xia Yan hurriedly supported his body and said anxiously.

Clang!

As his words fell, tens of thousands of Divine Sky Guard behind him simultaneously drew their weapons, faces set with resolve.

They knew Fang Xu came from Yu State, and his visit seemed to be carrying out a task to advance to inner‑door disciple.

"Such power is practically comparable to a ferocious beast; Junior Brother Fang, could you possibly be a demon?"

"Your Majesty!"

As soon as the two sides made contact, Fang Xu sensed that the killing intent emanating from Cui Hou's body was invading his own body in a subtle, unseen way, affecting his rationality.

Their cultivation levels are generally at Martial Apprentice Fifth Realm or above; some of the captains of a thousand might reach Martial Master level, making their strength comparable to the prefecture troops of a Yu State prefecture.

Gong Wanrong ignored them, merely staring coldly at the Divine Sky Guard and Cui Hou and said: "Three breaths—those who do not retreat will die!"

Gong Wanrong's words were not soft; naturally, the Ascendant Immortal Society disciples behind her and Cui Hou opposite heard them clearly.

……

Watching Cui Hou undergo such a change, Fang Xu furrowed his brow slightly.

In a martial artist's eyes, launching straight for the vital point right from the start is undoubtedly full of flaws; Fang Xu's opening move was exactly that, and Cui Hou thought he must not have experienced much combat.

Cui Hou's eyes widened, looking at the dagger lodged in his chest, hardly able to believe it.

"Fang Xu."

"Old General Cui is mighty; indeed he is the one I trust most!"

Xia Yan smiled faintly: "Like this……"

If it were anyone else, facing such a move they might already be helpless.

"Cui Hou, do you think I would be that bored?"

"This movement technique—at least it must be fourth‑grade!"

Seeing this, all the Divine Sky Guard behind him retreated tens of zhang in unison, their eyes showing a hint of fear but mostly fervor.

As for Fang Xu's realm, everyone present could clearly see it was only Martial Master First Realm.

Fang Xu clasped his hands, took no weapon, and calmly walked straight toward the tens of thousands of Divine Sky Guard.

"That Elder Gong, leading the Ascendant Immortal Society's whole sect to storm my Fu Shan Kingdom's imperial palace—what is your purpose?" Cui Hou asked.

Having used a half‑finished secret technique, Cui Hou's aura became wildly violent; seeing Fang Xu rush forward, he threw his head back and let out a roar, then gripped his Horse‑Cutting Saber and charged forward as well!

A terrifying bear‑pillared phantom appeared; the already berserk Cui Hou was knocked back two steps by that palm, and Fang Xu seized the moment to leap up, kicking the dagger's hilt pressed against his chest twice with bangs!

Cui Hou's figure retreated once more.

"Ah!"

Cui Hou's corpse, eyes unclosed in death, fell to the ground.

All the disciples of the Fushan State Ascension Society were stunned by the strength Fang Xu displayed.

Fang Xu saw Cui Hou reach to grab his fist, the corner of his mouth slightly rose; his forward‑charging body suddenly stalled, the next moment his foot stomped the ground and his elbow bent upward!

Single Goat Top!

His body, strengthened by the primordial energy of the Stone Gate World, had already reached the limit of a Martial Master, to which was added over two thousand extra force and the force‑usage techniques learned in the Divine Weapon Hall.

He snatched the upright horse‑cutting sabre beside him; Cui Hou's aura instantly peaked, and he slashed a blade at Fang Xu!

"Stop……"

Seeing him killed, several vice‑generals eyed him with tears, their hearts full of rage as they looked toward Xia Yan.

A bunch of vice‑generals swarmed forward!

"General!"

Pfft!

A sharp dagger stabbed straight into Cui Hou's chest.

The two glanced at Fang Xu, then turned back to look at Cui Hou, reluctantly returning to his side.

"National Preceptor……"

Thereafter, each Divine Thunder Guard's face was covered, at visible speed, with eerie and ferocious black markings!

At that moment, every eye turned scarlet, and mouths emitted beast‑like howls.

"Wield……"

……

A pair of large hands reached out to catch Fang Xu's oncoming punch; though this move looked conservative, it was one that could advance to attack or retreat to defend.

After rising, the Martial Venerable stewards and elders of Fushan State also grew anxious; as people of Fushan State, they naturally did not want to raise their blades against their own compatriots, fearing Gong Wanrong would fly into a rage and order an attack.

Fang Xu also noticed these soldiers on the square before the hall.

On Cui Hou's side, seeing that no matter how he attacked he could hardly stop Fang Xu's approach, he sternly gripped his long blade sideways; the next moment, terrifying killing intent burst across his body!

That terrifying killing intent slowly merged with Cui Hou's own vital energy, gradually filling his originally black‑and‑white clear eyes with black.

The old general known as Cui Hou clasped his hands, stared fixedly at Gong Wanrong, and said, "Is the Ascension Society intending to exterminate my Fushan State's imperial clan and replace it?"

Under Fang Xu's strike, Cui Hou's body was blown backward several zhang, and only with the support of a few vice‑generals could he barely stay on his feet.

"Elder, I'll try again." Fang Xu slowly clenched his fist and shot forward!

Gong Wanrong blinked slightly, then paid it no mind; her whole body's energy quietly stirred, ready to strike at any moment to save Fang Xu.

The power contained in Fang Xu's Single Goat Top absolutely surpassed anything before.

No matter how densely Cui Hou wielded his broadsword or how sharp the blade‑light, Fang Xu's figure remained as agile as a monkey, weaving through the sword‑lights and rapidly closing in on Cui Hou.

Fang Xu excels at fists and feet, while I am skilled with the blade; naturally I cannot give him a chance to close in.

Hearing that, Cui Hou immediately planted his broadsword into the ground and walked over bare‑handed.

"Only Xia Mukuan treats it as a treasure."

"Palace Elder!"

Gong Wanrong also couldn't be bothered to waste words on that old stubborn fool, and simply shouted.

"Old General Cui, I am Fang Xu, here to seek instruction."

"But I just want an explanation from the Palace Elder!"

"Roar!"

"If you can defeat him, spare his life."

"Plop!"

The disciples of the Fushan State Ascension Society gaped open‑mouthed.

……

Amid the howls of the Divine Thunder Guard like mountains and seas, Xia Mukuan, Xia Yan, Lotus Mountain Granny, and Zhong Zhou walked slowly from the direction of the hall.

That blade descended, its terrifying blade‑light spanning several zhang, directly slashing at Fang Xu's body!

Faced with such a terrifying blade, Fang Xu's eyes flashed with excitement, and he immediately threw a punch!

Clang!

His fist reached mid‑air, and the phantom of a bronze cauldron appeared!

That sound rang out, and the Divine Thunder Guard hurriedly cleared the way.

"Not only his movement—did you notice that the phantom appearing on Junior Brother Fang's body when he rushed forward just now, and the phantom that occasionally appears on his body now, seem to come from a ferocious beast?"

Both sides took stance; Fang Xu took the lead in a counter‑attack, swinging his fist and charging at Cui Hou!

Meeting Gong Wanrong's gaze, Cui Hou shook his head slightly and said, "I eat the sovereign's stipend; as a subject I must share the ruler's worries. No matter what the sovereign wishes, as a minister I and the Divine Thunder Guard would lay down our lives rather than let the elders and you all pass."

"Your Majesty!"

Moreover, after those killing intentions just invaded his body, Fang Xu felt a surge of heat in his chest; the beast‑skin of the Divine Extension Canon fused into his body obviously countered those killing intentions very well.

Yet before she could move, the avian phantom on Fang Xu's body in mid‑air vanished instantly, and his whole body plummeted swiftly to the ground!

Fang Xu smiled faintly: "Young man, your skill with fists and feet is certainly not a sign of looking down on the old general."

He glanced at Zhong Zhou beside him, and Xia Mukuan waved his hand.

As his words fell, his form flickered suddenly!

The next moment!

Strands of scarlet mist suddenly spread over the heads of tens of thousands of Divine Thunder Guards!

Before the Divine Thunder Guards could figure out what was happening, the scarlet mist had already enveloped them.

The leader of the Divine Thunder Guards possessed the cultivation of a Martial Master at the ninth level, and was an elderly‑looking general.

Too strong! Although I have the strength of a seventh-stage Martial Master, I definitely can't block that strike from Junior Brother Fang!

I may be old, but my great sword in hand remains sharp!

Father Emperor, I've long said that these rebellious ministers and traitorous sons see only Lord Cui, and have no regard for the imperial house.

Destroy the imperial clan and take its place?

Hearing this, Gong Wanrong smiled.

After landing, Fang Xu rolled and threw a punch at Lord Cui's chest!

A fist wrapped in red light, like the head of a ferocious tiger with its bloody maw wide open, slammed directly into Lord Cui's chest!

Bang!

Lord Cui's body was blasted away, and the killing intent on him dissipated considerably in an instant.

The Yu State Ascension Society branch is considerably stronger than the Fu Shan State branch, but an outer disciple shouldn't be this monstrous, right?

Old General!

Gong Wanrong ignored him, glanced at Fang Xu, and said, "Go."

Huh?

Seeing Fang Xu suddenly change his attack style, Lord Cui reacted swiftly, immediately crossing his arms in front of his body to block Fang Xu's strike!

Boom!

The point of the elbow collided with Lord Cui's arms, which were clad in shin armor!

The terrifying force directly shattered the fine shin armor on Lord Cui's arms, and even the sleeves of his arms tore into ragged strips.

Lord Cui heard the words, a hint of embarrassment flashed across his old face, but he also realized that if he truly stubbornly refused to take up a weapon, he would indeed not fare well in their hands.

Why did Gong Wanrong personally summon him to deal with me, and even say she wanted to spare my life?

Lord Cui is a veteran general who has endured a hundred battles; the moment contempt rose in his heart, he was swiftly suppressed by him.

After saying that, he forced himself to stand upright, looked at the Shenxiao Guards behind him, and roared, "Shenxiao Guards, prepare to die!"

A straight punch shot toward Lord Cui's chest, its momentum appearing formidable, yet a hint of contempt flickered in Lord Cui's eyes.

There...... poison!

Save......

In this state, the longer I drag it out, the more killing intent invades me; ultimately, my reason may be completely corrupted by killing intent, leaving me utterly unable to make basic judgments about things.

Gong Wanrong walked over slowly, looked at the old man, and said indifferently, "Lord Cui, I give you a chance—ask."

The Shenxiao Guards' loyalty is commendable, worthy of my solitary effort to cultivate them with the nation's strength!

The next moment, a terrifying blade-light slashed directly onto the great cauldron, emitting a low, resonant clang of metal!

Lord Cui's horizontal slash swept past, grazing his scalp!

Seeing this, the Ascension Society disciples behind Gong Wanrong all went dumbfounded.

He's just a bit muddle-headed, foolishly loyal.

He, a ninth-stage Martial Master, is already highly adept at releasing his vigor outward.

What a pity.

"The ruler and the state are one; I, old and feeble, am loyal to the imperial house, and thus naturally loyal to the myriad commoners of Fu Shan State!" Lord Cui's voice rang out strong and forceful, as if he still did not believe he had done anything wrong even now.

What is this?

Martial technique?

"With such dense blade-light, I thought he would temporarily dodge and seek another opportunity, but I never expected……"

Ah!

When he was in Liangzhou, he once followed Ku Lun in cultivating the Bitter Path; his soul power was very tenacious, and he paid no heed to these.

Although he is an enemy, this old man is also someone worthy of respect.

Seeing this scene before him, Kuang Ju expressed some astonishment.

Several deputy commanders stared, then one of them suddenly drew his weapon and shouted angrily, "The old general devoted his life to the wars of Fu Shan State, loyal and steadfast, yet now he has come to this end—what if we rebel?"

"Only a vast, resource-rich Yu State with a huge population could give birth to such a monstrous genius."

If this strike could block Fang Xu's fist, he could in an instant follow up with the remaining moves and inflict heavy damage on Fang Xu!

Roar!

Hearing this, Xia Mukuan looked at the Shenxiao Guards with a face full of regret and said, "Your actions make me feel great sorrow."

What martial technique is this?

"Palace Elder, a scholar may be killed but not humiliated!"

It is obvious that Lord Cui before us, and even his Shenxiao Guards under his command, may still not know what Xia Mukuan is scheming.

Not far away, upon seeing this scene, Gong Wanrong immediately prepared to act.

But a Martial Master at the first stage, in his twenties, wouldn't count for much among the Ascension Society, a force teeming with geniuses, would he?

"General Lord Cui's strength among Martial Masters is enough to rank in the second tier, yet he was knocked back several zhang by a single strike from Junior Brother Fang, and even his arm armor was shattered!"

Old General!

Seeing that Fang Xu had no weapon in hand, Lord Cui's expression grew even uglier, and he coldly said, "Kid, aren't you being too arrogant?"

Fang Xu leapt into midair with a successive jump, his body like a soaring bird, his fist like a fierce tiger, and threw a punch at Lord Cui's head!

Roar!

……

Opposite her, Gong Wanrong saw that the scarlet mist was so eerily strange; naturally she dared not let the mist approach the Ascension Society members, and with a fierce sweep of her sleeve she rolled up gusts of wind to blow the mist away.

"Palace Elder, please you and the various members of the Ascension Society test the strength of these trial products for me." Zhong Zhou's figure once again came to Xia Mukuan's side, and with a strange smile on his face he said.

(End of chapter)