Chapter 414: Killing the Prince, the Heavenly Venerable Murong

By the Guangling River.

The group of Beikui Army soldiers, led by Zhang Erbao, stood frozen, their eyes vacant, feeling only as if a giant boulder were pressing down on their hearts, making it difficult to breathe.

At the same time, a thought echoed incessantly in their minds, lingering without end.

"He is dead, the Prince is dead."

That was the Guangling Heir Zhao Biao, the future Guangling King, and he had just died like this.

If this matter were to spread, it is feared the entire Liyang Dynasty would be shaken. And that Guangling King, with his perverse and volatile temperament, would never let them off.

Who told them to fail in their duty and not save the Heir?

"So my younger brother has such a violent side, after all."

Murong Wuzhu murmured to herself, but apart from a trace of surprise at the beginning, she felt not the slightest bit of disgust or fear; instead, she felt it should have been this way.

Or rather, as long as it was Murong Tonghuang, no matter what he looked like, he was the most perfect in her heart.

"Form ranks!"

Zhang Erbao's eyes were blood-red, filled with cruel killing intent. Things having reached this point, the only way to possibly have a path to survival before the Prince was to capture these few people alive.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!!

The hoofbeats that had originally quieted down suddenly erupted, like a volcano, like a mountain torrent, like a tsunami, overwhelming and all-encompassing; the entire earth hummed and trembled.

In the blink of an eye, three thousand iron cavalry surrounded Yu Liancheng and the others in dense, overlapping layers, leaving not the slightest gap.

Immediately following was the uniform drawing of weapons, all pointed in unison at Yu Liancheng and the others.

The three thousand iron cavalry were divided into several teams, arranged in an interlocking pattern. They only awaited the order to charge back and forth in teams, exhausting the Qi of Yu Liancheng and the others, before finally trapping them like fish in a barrel.

"Kill!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The shouts of "kill" were thunderous, and a cold, intimidating killing intent dispersed, as if instantly freezing the area for hundreds of feet around.

In such a situation, even the "Peach Blossom Sword God" Deng Taie, First of Finger Profound and Third in the World, could not help but restrain his smile, his face showing a grave expression. His gaze flickered, his fingers tapping lightly on his Sword Box, contemplating how to strike and how to escape.

For a martial artist like him, every strike consumed a massive amount of Qi, and his recovery of Qi was far from keeping pace with the consumption. If he really let three thousand iron cavalry charge at will, even he would not fare well.

What's more, there were still five thousand Beikui Army soldiers standing by on this bank of the Guangling River, and ten thousand naval troops could provide support at any time.

Therefore, the best method was to tear a hole in the battle formation and retreat while fighting.

Nangong Pushe pressed her fair hands against the two blades, Xiudong and Chunlei, her expression solemn. She was ready at any moment to draw her blades and carve out a bloody path.

"Your death date has arrived."

Zhang Erbao's horse spear pointed at Yu Liancheng, his killing intent chilling.

"Oh, is that so?"

Yu Liancheng remained calm and composed. Surrounded by three thousand iron cavalry, his demeanor and bearing possessed an indescribable ease and detachment.

"It seems you still want to put up a desperate struggle." Zhang Erbao's brows furrowed slightly, his face gloomy. Seeing the opponent so composed, a faint, ominous premonition arose in his heart.

Yu Liancheng said, "I clearly saw your three thousand iron cavalry rushing over, and I clearly could have finished off that fat pig of an Heir before you arrived and then left at my leisure, yet I chose to stay here instead. Have you considered the reason why?"

Zhang Erbao felt a chill in his heart, and that ominous premonition grew even stronger.

Before he could answer, he heard Yu Liancheng say leisurely, "Because even a thousand armies and ten thousand horses are not worth mentioning in the face of true, great power. As it happens, I possess such power."

The leisurely words echoed along the riverbank, and even the crashing waves could not muffle them in the slightest.

Such arrogant words, no matter who heard them, would feel they were incomparably absurd.

No matter how high one's martial arts are trained, even a First Grade Land Immortal will eventually be injured, will bleed, and will have weaknesses. Throughout history, countless experts have been buried in the ranks of armies.

If someone could truly contend against a thousand armies and ten thousand horses with their own strength, charging and deciding the outcome, they would likely be immediately revered as a Martial Arts Myth.

On this point, perhaps only that person in Wudi City in the whole world could possibly do it.

And that is only a possibility.

Zhang Erbao was about to mock his opponent, but the words were still in his throat when he swallowed them back down.

A tangible yet intangible aura seemed to descend from the sky, filled with a solemn, grand, grave, and majestic quality, as if a Fotu had descended into the mortal world. It sought to transform this blood-soaked killing field into a Pure Land.

And this aura merged with Yu Liancheng, instantly making his figure seem to tower infinitely, becoming an unscalable, towering mountain, looming over everyone's heart, giving people a feeling of being unable to breathe.

That sacred, immortal-like aura permeated the air, causing many cavalrymen to calm their killing intent, and even feel an urge to prostrate themselves in worship.

"Bastards! All of you, wake up!"

Zhang Erbao and the other commanders were worthy of being battle-hardened generals; after a moment of confusion, they suddenly snapped awake and let out roars and bellows.

"Kill, kill, kill!"

"Charge! Charge!!"

Zhang Erbao issued one command after another, and the cruel killing intent belonging to the battlefield immediately permeated the air, causing the cavalrymen present to wake up one after another.

Hoofbeats sounded like thunder as they launched a charge at Yu Liancheng and the others. However, many cavalrymen were still immersed in the aura, and the power of the original battle formation was only at eighty percent. But even so, looking across the world, those who could withstand this charge were few and far between.

"Amitabha, it seems this Venerable One can only ferry you all to the Western Heaven."

Yu Liancheng showed a compassionate expression and sighed lightly, his hands forming a lotus seal, and a Swastika Fotu-light bloomed in his palms, sacred and brilliant.

A Fotu rose from the ground behind Yu Liancheng, reaching a height of over a hundred feet amidst a "Boom—" sound, filling the heavens and earth. Its hands were pressed together, golden light shining brilliantly, encompassing the four poles of the universe; mortals were as small as ants before it.

Thousands of arms manifested behind the Fotu, some holding flowers, some pinching fingers, some supporting the void... each different, with varying postures.

"Wanfo Chaozong!!"

A sound like thunder rang out, and countless arms pushed outward in unison, as if to prop up a piece of heaven and earth, setting off a golden ripple that expanded in all directions.

As the ninth form of the Tathagata Palm, this palm strike was immensely powerful, profound and mysterious; it was Yu Liancheng's trump card.

The irresistible, great power instantly sent the oncoming cavalry flying, and for a time, the sky turned dark, sand and stones flew, as if the world had turned into chaos.

……

On the Yueshi Platform.

The Guangling King and his party were reviewing the naval drill, occasionally laughing and chatting, discussing which naval unit was strong and which lad had great skills in riding the waves.

As for Yu Liancheng's side, they were quite at ease.

Three thousand Beikui Army soldiers were already enough to deal with any expert in the world; they were just waiting for the report of victory to arrive.

But just at this moment, a burst of Fotu chants rang out from afar. Looking into the distance, one could vaguely see a great Fotu standing between heaven and earth, its Fotu light awe-inspiring, as if it wanted to punish all the sins in the world.

It was just that the great Fotu came quickly and went quickly; in the blink of an eye, it vanished without a trace, making people suspect it was just an illusion.

And at the very moment the great Fotu disappeared, the gentle breeze on the river suddenly turned into a howling gale. The world was filled with sounds like ghosts wailing and wolves howling, and the clouds were stained with a thick, ink-like color, with black clouds rolling and covering the sky, as if gestating a great rainstorm.

Boom!

The world suddenly turned deathly pale, a bolt of lightning tore through the long sky, and the world was filled with terror. Immediately following, a bolt of lightning exploded with a roar, shaking people's hearts with fear.

The next moment, bean-sized raindrops pelted down, and in an instant, it turned into a torrential downpour, with the entire Guangling River being shrouded in a curtain of rain.

"Why has this weather changed so quickly?" The Guangling King raised his fat head, looked at the horizon, and frowned deeply.

The civil and military officials and patrolling soldiers on the reviewing stand were trembling with fear.

A mass of thick black clouds drifted over, shrouding the top of the reviewing stand, with thunder rolling, as if boundless lightning were about to pour down at any moment.

"It truly is 'black clouds pressing on the city, the city about to be destroyed,' it's just that the Heavenly Phenomenon has changed a bit too quickly." Although Lu Shengxiang was a general who led troops in battle, he also had some ink in his belly.

The rat-whiskered aide twisted his beard and laughed: "A summer rainstorm is just like that business between Lao Zhang and his wife; it comes quickly and goes quickly."

"You scoundrel, having suffered a loss at Grandmaster Chai's place, you come to make fun of me," another old man shook his head and said.

"Heavenly Human resonance, the human heart and Heavenly Phenomenon..." Sword Technique Grandmaster Chai Qingshan suddenly opened his eyes, shooting out a look of unbelievable astonishment. Immediately, his expression changed, and he leaped to the side of the Guangling King: "Your Highness, come with me quickly!!"

"Guest Minister Chai, what is it?" The Guangling King frowned, but he stood up his meat-mountain-like body.

This Guest Minister Chai was a rare expert in the world, who usually did not show his emotions on his face, but this time he was so panicked, something extraordinary must have happened.

"Guangling King, your son Zhao Biao is dead; I have come to send you down to reunite with him." A voice suddenly rang out in the firmament, like the might of God, like purgatory, echoing endlessly throughout the entire reviewing stand.

The black clouds in the sky rolled, hanging down in strands until they reached the reviewing stand.

The black clouds parted, and a human figure was revealed.

One could see that the newcomer's black hair flowed down like a waterfall, his black clothes rustled, unstained by dust, and his appearance possessed a handsomeness that no pen or ink could describe. The corners of his lips curled slightly, revealing a mocking smile.

The Guangling King's face turned deathly pale in a flash; he stumbled back two steps and shouted: "How dare you be presumptuous in front of this King!? Someone, protect the King, protect the King."

He was also a person with deep thoughts who had seen the great world.

But having recognized the identity of this person before him, and vaguely guessing that his three thousand iron cavalry had likely been wiped out.

And since the other party had come with ill intent, wanting to take his life, how could he remain calm?

"Protect the King!"

"Protect the King!"

The Guangling King cherished his own little life extremely, and coupled with his poor reputation among the people, there were countless experts around him, and even more than a thousand elite soldiers who could be mobilized at any time.

Then came the sound of dull footsteps, and squads of guards had already surged over, guarding the front of the Guangling King.

But even so, the Guangling King still had no sense of security, only feeling that he could be pierced and killed by the other party's sword at any moment, and could not help but move his fat body and retreat further.

"Recently I have been practicing the Flying Sword, and it just so happens I will use it today." Yu Liancheng flipped his palm, and two small swords appeared in his palm.

"Go!"

He blew a light breath onto the two swords.

Swish!!

The two small swords carried sharp, peerless Sword Qi, turning into two streaks of startling rainbow sword light and flying out.

The sword light swept across; the thick armor and weapons were as vulnerable as tofu under the sweep of the sword light, crashing into slag. The rat-whiskered aide following beside the Guangling King was swept by the Sword Qi and cut in half at the waist.

One soldier after another was hit by the Sword Qi and flew off in all directions.

If not for Yu Liancheng holding back, I fear it would have been flesh and blood flying and limbs breaking in an instant.

This group of so-called elite guards was simply vulnerable before the Flying Sword.

Seeing that the two small swords were about to pierce the Guangling King, two streaks of sword light suddenly struck.

Ding! Ding!

Only two crisp sounds were heard, and the two small swords were knocked away, returning to Yu Liancheng's palm. He rolled his sleeves, and the small swords disappeared, his gaze examining the two people blocking in front of the Guangling King.

They were none other than the cavalry commander Lu Shengxiang and the Sword Dao Grandmaster Chai Qingshan.

Both Lu Shengxiang and Chai Qingshan revealed grave expressions; the strength of the person before them greatly exceeded their expectations. If they were the least bit careless, the Guangling King would fall here.

"Your sword technique is not bad, but it is still lacking if you want to stop me." Yu Liancheng's expression was indifferent.

The Guangling King hurriedly said: "Young Master Murong, it's a misunderstanding, this is all a misunderstanding..."

By this time, this fat pig had not yet lost his composure.

As long as he could delay for a moment and let the five thousand Beikui Army arrive, then all problems would naturally be solved; he immediately promised gold, silver, jewelry, glory, and wealth.

"Forget it, I'll send you and your son to reunite."

Yu Liancheng stepped forward with a large stride; it was clearly just one step, but he instantly appeared in front of Lu Shengxiang and Chai Qingshan.

The two were immediately shocked, but their reactions were not slow at all.

Lu Shengxiang gave a sharp shout, pouring his entire body's energy into his sword; the bright sword light was like a bolt of silk, slashing down from the air, open and close, filled with a tragic intent of slaughter.

Chai Qingshan shook his hand back, the sword made a dragon's hum, and the sword light was like a flying swan's silk.

This Sword Dao Grandmaster's sword technique had already returned to simplicity and was natural.

A simple sword strike became infinitely complex in an instant, the sword light turning into a vast ocean, surging toward Yu Liancheng in waves.

Amidst the two's sword light, Yu Liancheng turned into a wisp of gentle breeze, moving freely and easily within the sword net.

"Your sword looks domineering, but there are too many flaws in your sword technique; it needs to be polished well." Yu Liancheng suddenly pinched with two fingers, applied a little force, and turned Lu Shengxiang's long sword into two pieces: "Compared to using a sword, you are more suited to the saber; it is not too late to change from a sword to a saber now."

After the words were spoken, his sleeves flicked, and Lu Shengxiang had already flown out like a rag doll, splashing into the Guangling River.

"Your sword technique is quite worth seeing, almost worthy of the four words 'Sword Dao Grandmaster,' it's just a pity..." Yu Liancheng stood still, as if he hadn't moved at all, yet he neutralized Chai Qingshan's sword technique into nothingness, which was extremely miraculous.

"Pity what?" Chai Qingshan could not help but ask.

"It is a pity that you have grown accustomed to being a dog; the natural elegance of your sword art is only two or three parts remaining. If you cannot break free from the dog chain and violate the original intent of learning the sword, wanting to advance any further will be as difficult as ascending to heaven."

Yu Liancheng flicked his finger against the tip of the sword, and Chai Qingshan was instantly struck as if by lightning, his figure staggering as he half-knelt on the ground. A fishy sweetness surged up, and he barely managed to support his body with his sword to keep from collapsing to the ground.

Immediately following this, Yu Liancheng's figure flickered again, appearing before the Guangling King who wanted to flee, and smiled, "Guangling King, do you have anything else to say?"

The Guangling King's face turned deathly pale, his legs trembling. He took a deep breath, his gaze becoming sharp, and a tremendous majesty emerged from thin air.

"Murong Tonghuang, I am the Guangling King Zhao Yi, the Feudatory King most valued by the current Emperor. If you dare to do me harm, there will be no place for you in Liyang."

"Is this your last word? Then you can die."

Yu Liancheng slashed his finger through the air, and a head flew up into the sky, then rolled along the ground with a rumble, its face still bearing astonishment and fear.

When the five thousand Beikui Army arrived, they only saw the chaotic parade platform, the decapitated Guangling King, and seven large characters carved into the rock on the shore.

"The one who killed the King, Heavenly Venerable Murong."