Chapter 218 Kingly Demeanor
Xiang Kui was also dragged back two steps by the sledgehammer that was kicked back, and the sledgehammer crashed into the ground, leaving a deep crater. "This... how is this possible!" He did not expect that Murong Hanchan's casual kick would have such terrifying power.
Before Xiang Kui could regain his footing, Murong Hanchan had already sealed his Qi Sea in a flash, leaving only his two eyes rolling around.
Rebirth swung his axe to attack, but Murong Hanchan countered with her finger strikes. Although Rebirth was invulnerable to blades and spears, Murong Hanchan's domineering power forced him to take a step back with each finger strike.
Murong Hanchan launched a series of attacks, overwhelming Chong Sheng and leaving him defenseless. He kept swinging his double axes to block, secretly thinking: I didn't expect this little girl's cultivation to have improved to this level. It seems that capturing her is now hopeless...
Seeing that Chong Sheng was powerless to resist, Murong Han Chan suddenly raised her cold aura and struck Chong Sheng's back with great force in a flash. In an instant, he was frozen and could no longer move.
Murong Hanchan approached Xiang Kui, waved her hand to relieve his pain, and said, "You two are no match for me. Senior Rebirth, please stay here for now. Go back and tell Lü Zhong that the unification of the world is the inevitable trend of the world. Tell him not to make any futile resistance! Otherwise, the Yongle Gang will perish because of his wrong choice." After saying that, she turned away and ignored Xiang Kui.
"You... sigh!" Xiang Kui gritted his teeth in anger, but he was no match for Murong Hanchan. He turned to look at Chong Sheng, who was frozen in ice, and sighed helplessly, "Fine, fine! I'll go back and deliver the message now. You just wait." With that, he pulled out two iron hammers and ran off.
After Xiang Kui left, Murong Hanchan returned to Chong Sheng's side, channeling the power of her Crimson Dragon Soul to melt the ice in an instant. "Senior Chong Sheng, I had no choice but to do this. I apologize for any offense I may have caused!"
Having been reborn and freed from his predicament, he felt even more guilty seeing how Murong Hanchan treated him. "Little girl, it's because my rebirth skills are inferior to yours that I should thank you for showing mercy."
"Baiyun City is a place I must conquer, and I hope you will not make things difficult for me, senior." Murong Hanchan stated her firm stance.
The reborn voice replied hoarsely, "Since I have already been defeated by you, I naturally have no face to make things difficult for you any further. I will also persuade Lü Zhong to recognize the situation and help you achieve your vision!"
“Very good! Please!” Murong Hanchan returned to her throne and gestured to Long Bailian.
Long Bailian immediately understood and waved his hand, "The army marches forth!"
The flag signalmen waved their flags to give orders, and "buzz buzz buzz..." the bugle sounded through the clouds as the 120,000-strong army marched in a mighty procession toward the Yongle Gang.
After the army marched across the battlefield, Lü Zhong had already vacated the central command tent and led more than four thousand men to surrender.
"Lv Zhong and all the brothers of the Yongle Gang respectfully welcome the leader!" Lv Zhong bowed with his hands clasped.
"Welcome, Master!" The voice resounded throughout the army. Xiang Kui, Ying Qing, Zhang Qi, Feng Ran, Wang Ping, Zhou Cang, and other hall masters all bowed their heads in worship.
Murong Hanchan flicked her blue cloak back, "Very good! Please rise, everyone!"
"Thank you, Master!" The crowd bowed and rose.
Lu Zhong stepped forward and said, "Master, now that my Yongle Gang has submitted to you, and a new envoy has just arrived, he should be dealt with by you." With that, he waved his hand, and two brothers escorted Zhu Zixing forward.
Murong Hanchan glanced at Zhu Zixing, "Who is this person?"
Lu Zhong cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the leader, this person is Zhu Zixing, the eighth son of the Zhu family, who has come to persuade us to form an alliance with him to jointly resist the leader."
"Strategy," Murong Hanchan murmured, then slightly tilted her head. "Right Envoy Chu, how does this person compare to you?"
Chu Xianzhi frowned slightly upon hearing this. "This..." His gaze swept over Zhu Zixing. "This subordinate has not heard of such a thing and has no idea! But perhaps I could ask Young Master Zhu how he interprets the general trend of the world?"
"Oh!? Interesting!" Murong Hanchan smiled, a rare sight that made Zhu Zixing's heart tremble. This smile was the most beautiful he had ever seen.
Murong Hanchan flicked her finger, and a gust of wind shot out, severing the ropes binding Zhu Zixing. "Since our Right Envoy of Chu wishes to have a grand discussion with you, let's settle this on equal footing. Please."
Zhu Zixing stretched his arms and turned his gaze to Chu Xianzhi. "The world, after a long period of unity, tends to divide, and after a long period of division, tends to unite. However, since ancient times, those who command the world should be virtuous, not those who are capable!" After saying this, his gaze swept over Murong Hanchan, his meaning implied.
"Well said, a virtuous person should have this place!" Chu Xianzhi stepped forward, snapping his folding fan shut. "I have heard that the Zhu Family Village once distributed porridge to refugees, but unfortunately, thousands of people were poisoned and killed. The murderer has not yet been caught, and no explanation has been given to the dead refugees. May I ask, Young Master Zhu, is this the work of a virtuous person?"
Every word pierced the heart. Zhu Zixing puffed out his cheeks twice. "My Zhu Family Village was harmed by a villain. The poisoner, Ku Baidiao, is wanted by the entire martial arts world. This is known to all. It is not that my Zhu Family Village is unrighteous or immoral."
Chu Xianzhi replied loudly, "Alright, let's put this matter aside for now. The Zhu Family Village has dominated Baiyun City for decades, and Baiyun City has been the most frequently plagued by war, with the people suffering greatly."
At this point, she bowed respectfully to Murong Hanchan, saying, "Today, the leader of our Jade Goddess Cult, acting in accordance with Heaven's will, intends to raise an army to quell the rebellion and restore peace and prosperity to the world. Lord Xue returned in accordance with the will of Heaven, untainted by bloodshed, and now the Yongle Gang has joined forces with us, also in accordance with the will of Heaven. But your Zhu Family Manor is plotting for personal gain, playing both sides, forming alliances and attempting to reap the benefits. Can such behavior be considered virtuous?"
Zhu Zixing disagreed and immediately retorted, "Mr. Chu, you are mistaken. In Baiyun City, Yin Shenao first dominated, and then his son Yin Qianqiu preyed on the people, who have suffered for a long time. After Yin Qianqiu passed away, all sides rose up and fought for territory, resulting in bloodshed and displacement of the people, who are suffering unspeakably."
He paced halfway around, “My Zhu Family Village could not bear to see the people suffer any longer, so we raised an army to quell the rebellion, which is why Baiyun City is now at peace! However, as soon as the situation was stabilized, you all started another rebellion, disregarding the suffering of the people, and presumptuously claiming to be acting in accordance with the will of Heaven and following the trend. In reality, your desires are insatiable!” After saying this, he glanced at Murong Hanchan and the others.
Just as Chu Xianzhi was about to retort, Murong Hanchan sneered, "What a silver tongue you have!" With that, she used her right index and middle fingers to strike out, and a blast of icy energy was implanted into Zhu Zixing's heart.
Zhu Zixing felt a chill run down his spine and asked with a furrowed brow, "What did you do to me?"
Murong Hanchan turned around with an air of dominance, her blue cloak billowing behind her, and declared in a crisp voice, "Your life is now in my hands!" As she spoke, she raised her right hand, "With just a slight exertion of my power, you could explode and die at any moment!"
"You..." Zhu Zixing stared at Murong Hanchan with uncontrollable rage, never expecting such a beautiful person to be so ruthless.
Murong Hanchan turned to him and said coldly, "I will let you know that the rules are set by the strong! The stories are written by the strong! And this world cannot be obtained by anyone but me, Murong Hanchan!"
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