—“No wonder the unparalleled mechanisms of the Murong family in Jiangnan, the experts of Jin Shi Hall, and the thousands of elite soldiers of the Xiang Yang Prince’s estate could not stop him from escaping Chong Xiao Tower. Even the Copper Net Spiral Array couldn’t trap him!”
—“I just didn’t expect that such martial skill and brilliance could exist in this world!”
The Iron Blood Guard leader, visibly impatient, stepped forward again and said anxiously, “Master, Zhan Zhao is already locked in battle with the Jin Shi Hall experts, leaving him barely able to hold his ground. Why not take this opportunity to escape? We, your subordinates, are ready to lay down our lives to hold him off and cover your retreat!”
Zhong Xiong glanced at him and gently shook his head. “The Ding family of Song Jiang Prefecture rose to become the greatest martial family precisely because of their supreme technique, Crane Ascends to the Heavens. For over a century, no one has ever been able to counter it. The profundity of this technique is beyond what you or I can fathom. Though Zhan Zhao holds me under his control, as long as the force of his Crane Ascends to the Heavens remains unwithdrawn, I will never be able to escape.”
The leader of the Iron Blood Guard furrowed his brows deeply and asked, “If that’s the case, Master, how long must you remain under his control?”
Zhong Xiong smiled.
The wind whipped around him, sending his robes billowing dramatically. He spoke slowly and deliberately, “I won’t have to wait for long!”
His words were abruptly interrupted by Mo Dao’s harsh, rasping voice.
“Chief Zhong, even if you’re under the control of Crane Ascends to the Heavens, how can your men simply stand by and do nothing? If the prince’s plans are ruined and this Zhan escapes, how will you answer to the prince?”
Despite his arrogance, the proud Daoist elder couldn’t suppress his desperation and finally sought assistance.
However, upon hearing these words, the Iron Blood Guard leader’s face darkened with anger. He cast a glance at Zhong Xiong but dared not vent his frustration in front of his master. The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back down.
Behind him, the Iron Blood Guards instinctively tightened their grips on their swords and blades. In that instant, the sound of steel clashing seemed to fill the air.
—How could they not be enraged? The elder of the Cult of Asura, crude and ignorant of proper conduct, dared to shout orders at their revered master. These seasoned warriors, who had fought countless battles under Zhong Xiong’s leadership, would never tolerate such disrespect toward the man they held in the highest esteem.
Zhong Xiong, however, stood unmoved, as though he hadn’t heard Mo Dao’s outburst at all.
Under the sunlight, Zhong Xiong’s face bore an air of calm composure, as if it weren’t he who had been subdued by Zhan Zhao. His deep, resonant voice rang out:
“The Iron Blood Guards of Jun Mountain, hear my command: The troops of Jun Mountain have always been vanguard forces under the Xiang Yang Prince’s direct command. Among the directives of Jun Mountain, there is one clear rule—those who kill innocents shall face death. This is for the sake of the prince’s grand ambitions. Moreover, without the prince’s golden decree, not even the commander of Jin Shi Hall, Shao Dutong, has the authority to command the forces of Jun Mountain. Thus, the Iron Blood Guards of Jun Mountain are not to interfere with the actions of the prince’s royal guards.”
Behind him, the Iron Blood Guards responded in unison, their thunderous “Yes, sir!” instantly drowning out the sound of the rushing river and the cries of the young and old.
Mo Dao’s face hardened, becoming as rigid as stone. His eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire.
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke. His words were deliberate, slow, as though he weighed each one carefully, holding himself accountable for every syllable.
“So, Chief Zhong, it seems you’ve decided to stand by and simply watch Jin Shi Hall’s performance?”
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