novelraw Chapter 443 - 255: The Great Buddha Temple Takes Action!
Chapter 443 - 255: The Great Buddha Temple Takes Action!
Nine Heavens Thunder Dominator!
Li Xuanji unleashed a technique from the Rakshasa Kui Divine Skill. On the Profound Black Treasure Saber, the Sword Gang intensified, suddenly revealing thunder.
Threads of electric light flickered and entwined on the Sword Gang, emitting crackling sounds.
When the saber tip struck against the wall of Gang Qi from Ji Ruchang, the thunder on the blade immediately intensified, shattering the Gang Qi wall to pieces.
Li Xuanji immediately gripped the saber with both hands, stepped forward, and directed the sharp tip towards Ji Ruchang’s neck.
Ji Ruchang’s heart tightened with alarm, and he quickly employed his Lightweight Skill to fly back.
Li Xuanji circulated the Rakshasa Kui Divine Skill, causing the True Qi in his meridians to suddenly surge.
His body technique suddenly accelerated, trailing a remnant shadow.
In an instant, he caught up with the retreating Ji Ruchang.
Ji Ruchang swiftly executed his Palm Technique, conjuring countless palm shadows in the air, with Palm Gangs bursting forth and striking Li Xuanji’s single saber repeatedly.
Li Xuanji constantly switched saber techniques, seeking Ji Ruchang’s flaws.
Sword Gang and Palm Gang clashed violently in the air.
After the collisions, the Sword Gang and Palm Gang dispersed, exploding into winds that swept in all directions.
The spot where Li Xuanji and Ji Ruchang fought was filled with sword and palm shadows, back and forth, with intense fervor.
After about fifty rounds, Li Xuanji noticed a flaw in Ji Ruchang’s Palm Technique.
He held the saber with both hands, arms suddenly straightening, and the sharp tip pierced through Ji Ruchang’s Palm Gang.
The saber tip soared like a Yellow Dragon and then sliced and flicked across Ji Ruchang’s neck.
Ji Ruchang couldn’t evade in time; his neck felt a sharp pain, and his head was sent flying by Li Xuanji.
It spun a few times in the air before falling to the ground.
Li Xuanji sheathed his saber, stood firmly, and coolly glanced at the remaining members of the Demon Alliance.
At the same time, he silently calmed the Rakshasa Kui True Qi within his meridians.
The Rakshasa Kui Divine Skill’s True Qi was exceptionally domineering; if calmed promptly after use, the damage would be less.
This was the experience he gained from cultivating the Rakshasa Kui Divine Skill for many years.
The demons of the Demon Alliance, upon seeing their most formidable member killed by Li Xuanji, felt a chill rise in their hearts.
"Now, who else opposes merging the Demon Alliance under my Heaven-Breaking Army’s command?"
Li Xuanji, gripping the Treasure Saber, said calmly.
Overwhelmed by circumstances, even these demons, who were usually so unbridled, dared not speak.
Li Xuanji cast another glance at them, seeing no one voice opposition, then said, "Very well, now please, Sect Leaders, move to another place, and we shall discuss the next plans in detail."
...
Capital City, Imperial Palace.
The Crown Prince, the Nineteenth Prince, and the Thirty Prince, each leading a troop, hurried towards the large courtyard where Emperor Jing of Liang was in seclusion.
The sound of marching feet and clinking armor merged into one, displaying considerable momentum.
These three half-brothers had been openly and covertly competing for years, and now they finally found themselves temporarily united.
The encroachment of the White Lotus Sect had caused them many defeats.
They had also received intelligence that remnants of the Demon Sect suddenly became active at this time, seemingly seeking to join forces with a faction of the rebel army in the Southern Domain.
Moreover, in recent times, the Earth Evil Guard had been killed, the Dragon Essence was seized, the Chief of the Imperial Household, Lian Jiuying, was killed, and the Patriarch of the Noble Family was slain...
All indicated there was still a mysterious martial artist force within Liang Kingdom, subtly threatening their Xiao family’s rule.
Under such circumstances, they decided to take action.
Ignoring the reprimands of their father, Emperor Jing of Liang, they barged into his training quarters, intending to inform him of the current situation and urge him to come out of seclusion.
As they reached the courtyard’s gate, a shadow flickered suddenly.
Some eunuchs skilled in martial arts blocked their way.
These eunuchs, in shrill voices, declared, "The Emperor decreed before seclusion that without His Majesty’s permission, no one is allowed entry here."
The Crown Prince immediately explained the state of the world to these eunuchs.
These eunuchs, who generally stayed here to focus on their martial practice, were nearly oblivious to the outside world, so they were unaware of the global situation.
After listening, they exchanged glances and then one eunuch said, "Please wait, Crown Prince and Princes, I’ll pass on the message."
The Crown Prince and the two Princes nodded, shaking their heads internally.
This Emperor Jing of Liang was their father, yet when his sons tried to meet him, they needed to have it reported by eunuchs.
After a while, the eunuch who reported came back, demonstrating his Lightweight Skill.
"We conveyed what the Crown Prince said to the palace where His Majesty is cultivating, but there was no response," the eunuch reported.
The Crown Prince, Nineteenth Prince, and Thirty Prince’s faces changed, glancing at each other.
Could it be, as speculated outside, that their father had died during his seclusion?
If so, who would be the Emperor of Liang Kingdom now?
"We must go in and see!"
The Crown Prince, Nineteenth Prince, and Thirty Prince said in unison, eager to check if their father was truly dead.
"No!" the eunuch obstructed, "The Emperor decreed before seclusion that without his command, no one is allowed entry!"
The Crown Prince and the two Princes ignored everything else, each raising a hand, commanding their soldiers to forcibly enter with weapons drawn.
The eunuchs standing guard here cried out, "Do the Crown Prince and two Princes intend to be disloyal and unfilial?"
Saying this, they each deployed their martial arts to obstruct.
Several other eunuchs, hearing the commotion, swiftly performed their Lightweight Skills, leaping over to block the princes’ troops.
Ultimately, the eunuchs were few, while the three princes’ troops were many.
Moreover, with Lian Jiuying gone, the strength of the eunuchs guarding the courtyard had dropped significantly.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, these eunuchs were subdued by the princes’ troops.
Then, the three Princes led their troops deeper into the courtyard, advancing swiftly.
Halfway through, a silhouette flickered.
The three Princes saw it and simultaneously halted.
The person appeared to be a man of about thirty, tall and dressed in simple hemp-yellow attire.
He wore a high crown, his exposed hair as white as snow.
His face also had an unusually pale tone, devoid of any sign of blood.
"Who are you, and why are you here?"
The Crown Prince stared at the man, asking.
The other two Princes also looked on alertly.
Despite being in the Imperial Palace for so long, they had never seen this man.
"I am a guard for His Majesty, usually operating in the shadows, so it’s normal that the Crown Prince and the two Princes have never seen me," the pale-faced man smiled.
"Seize him!"
The Crown Prince waved a hand, prompting the troops behind him to move forward and surround the man.
The Nineteenth Prince and Thirty Prince also waved their hands, directing their troops forward.
Having already subdued the gatekeeping eunuchs, they didn’t consider this one any different.
Besides, they weren’t sure if this pale-faced man was truly a guard for their father.
The martial arts experts under the three Princes surged towards the pale-faced man.
The pale-faced man showed no panic, maintaining a calm demeanor.
He kept his left hand behind his back while only wielding his right hand.
He released a peculiar, gentle force.
Effortlessly, he resolved all the attacking Gang Qi, weaponry, and Divine Intent of the experts.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince and the two Princes were instantly alarmed.
They realized this man’s strength was formidable, thinking that if he wished, he could perhaps break through and kill them on the spot.
"Are you truly the guard of our father?" the Crown Prince halted his subordinates and asked again.
"Indeed, Your Highness," the pale-faced man smiled.
"Is Father well?" the Crown Prince asked again.
"His Majesty is of course well," the pale-faced man smiled in response.
Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince reiterated the current situation to the pale-faced man, then said:
"If Father doesn’t emerge from seclusion soon, Liang Kingdom might..."
As he spoke, he suddenly paused, looking at the pale-faced man: "If you take action, perhaps the tide can be turned!"
The pale-faced man shook his head, "Without the Emperor’s command, I cannot leave this place. Today, had it not been for the Crown Prince and the two Princes forcibly entering, I would not have appeared."
"However, I do have a strategy for the Crown Prince and the two Princes to consider."
"What strategy?" the Crown Prince inquired.
"The Great Buddha Temple is the national religion of Liang Kingdom and has many experts," the pale-faced man said:
"Why not invite the high monks from the Great Buddha Temple for assistance, joining forces with them to quell the rebellion in Liang Kingdom."