523: Chapter 77: Expose the Lies 523: Chapter 77: Expose the Lies “Cough!”
Blood spilled over the chessboard.
Both the black and white pieces were dyed a ghastly, vivid red.
“Miss Nalan, are you alright?”
The deep and gentle voice rose from across the chessboard; the middle-aged man in a black robe with golden cloud patterns, pinching a chess piece between his fingers, was full of concern: “Shall we call it quits on this game of chess?”
“I…
am uninjured.”
Nalan Qiutong extended her palm, wiping her lip corner.
Her expression darkened as she stared at the blood spilled on the chessboard, her gaze fixing on the back of her hand.
The String Skill had been severed.
The Divine Thought shattered.
The final image that reached her Divine Sea was merely a streak of cold light—
Xie Zhen’s Sword Qi, deadlier than any hand-to-hand combat skill!
“In this world, flesh wounds can be easily mended.
But if one’s Divine Sea is pierced by Sword Qi, damaging the Primordial Energy, one needs to properly meditate and heal.”
From within his robe, the man in black and gold took out a bottle of elixir, placed it by the side of the chessboard, and spoke gently: “This is a ‘Soul-shaping Pill,’ a Ninth-grade Elixir.
Consuming it can heal the wounds of the Divine Soul…
Originally, there were two of these pills, but unfortunately one was taken forcefully by someone.”
Even through the bottle, one could smell the thick fragrance of the elixir.
“Oh?”
Nalan Qiutong’s expression subtly changed.
Even as a disciple from Xuanwei Island, with her Master as the Da Li National Master, she had never taken such a precious elixir as the “Soul-shaping Pill.”
“…No work, no reward.”
Nalan Qiutong looked for a moment, then averted her eyes.
She calmly said, “This elixir is too valuable; it’s hot to the touch.
A mere injury to the Divine Soul does not harm the source, I shall rest and recover.”
“Treasures belong with those who are extraordinary.”
The man in the black and gold robe shook his head, insisting, “After all, this injury from the ‘String Skill’…
in the end, arose because of me.
Miss Nalan, please do not refuse and accept it.”
“…”
Nalan Qiutong wanted to decline, but at that moment, the Token at her waist trembled slightly.
A strand of Divine Thought entered her Heart Lake.
After a moment of silence, she chose to accept the Soul-shaping Pill.
Seeing this, the man revealed a pleased smile.
“My master is tied up with affairs and cannot appear in person; I ask for the Prince’s understanding…
He has just sent a message, asked me to send his regards to you, and also to convey his gratitude.
Thanks to the Prince, Da Li Fang Yuan’s business is thriving in Jiangnan.”
Nalan Qiutong sat straight, speaking earnestly, “Today, I should have played a game of chess with you on behalf of my Master…
Unfortunately, some accidents have occurred, and it’s likely that this game cannot proceed.”
As her voice landed.
Outside the small pavilion where the two were playing chess, the mist dispersed, and suddenly, a figure appeared.
The newcomer was wearing blue-green armor, tall and sturdy, with a bearish back and a tigerish waist, holding a long spear, his eyes swirling with a fierce aura, exuding an intimidating killing intent.
“Nalan Qiutong.”
The man in the blue-green iron armor cut to the chase: “…
The Great General invites you to watch a good show at Qixia Mountain, please come with me.”
In terms of status,
Nalan Qiutong was a disciple of the State Preceptor!
Within Da Li, whoever she met would have to salute and show respect.
Yet the newcomer called her by name without any honorifics, too lazy to even offer them.
Nalan Qiutong was not annoyed in the slightest; she smiled and said, “Wait a moment, don’t rush, General Du…”
“Is this ‘Du Yunzhong’?”
At this moment, the man in the black and gold robe smiled, praising, “Truly the right hand of Chen Chong, a natural-born fierce star, living up to his reputation.”
“…”
Du Yunzhong looked at the man expressionlessly.
He furrowed his brows and eyed the robe of the man, confirming the embroidered cloud pattern belonging to the Imperial Family of Chu Country, then Du Yunzhong grabbed his long spear and thrust out fiercely.
With a tearing sound,
Space shattered!
A streak of fierce energy pierced through the spear tip, racing out extremely fast with a heavy force!
That was a strike from the Yin God Realm, the fierce energy tearing apart space, almost instantly arriving before the man in the black and gold robe.
The man remained unfazed.
In the next moment, amidst the mist of the pavilion, a white figure suddenly emerged, throwing himself in the path of the fierce energy, raising both hands and forcibly deflecting the energy…
Only a Yin God
Could stop another Yin God!
This was a Yin God Guardian hidden nearby the pavilion!
With a boom,
The fierce energy was deflected, but the pavilion’s eaves shattered.
The tyrannical force of the fierce energy was, although deflected, real and explosive, turning the interior of the pavilion into ruins, sending dust and debris flying.
Nalan Qiutong lifted her sleeve to cover her mouth and nose, dispersing the dust while sternly scolding, “Didn’t I say to wait a moment?
Why the rudeness?
Such a temperament really should change!
If you have injured my esteemed guest from Da Li, how will you explain to the superiors!”
“…Esteemed guest?”
Du Yunzhong frowned, a trace of confusion flashing in his eyes.
It was difficult for him to associate the man before him with the words “esteemed guest of Da Li.”
“Prince, are you alright?”
The venerable white figure that intercepted the strike quickly spoke out.
He was shaken by the strike, feeling blood and energy churning, but still immediately checked on his master’s injuries.
“I am unharmed.”
The man in the grand robe seated in the pavilion, unconcerned, shifted and smiled lightly: “Miss Nalan, there’s no need for anger…
A ‘Tiger General’ should indeed be like this.”
Du Yunzhong’s frown deepened.
Because he had recognized the identity of the man before him…
Among the princes of Great Chu, there are just so few, each with a distinctive image.
This fellow, is one of the only two remaining Aliased Princes.
Prince Jiangning, Xie Zhisu!
Du Yunzhong was even more puzzled.
How could Great Chu’s Prince Jiangning possibly become an esteemed guest of Da Li?
And on such a “serious” occasion today, why were Nalan Qiutong and Xie Zhisu sitting together, peacefully playing chess?