Chapter 116: Victory and Defeat

“Half a move?”

When Wang Changgeng heard the faint note of doubt in Feng Yewu’s question, his expression remained grim, yet the corner of his mouth curled into a cold sneer.

“If the late Emperor had not spoken, Xiao Han would have lost his life.”

Wang Changgeng paid no heed to the Wolf Head’s reckless provocation.

That battle from years ago was to be the two men’s final performance today.

The Wolf Head’s taunt was meant to crush his opponent psychologically.

Back then, both men had only just entered the Grandmaster realm, and neither had yet settled his mind. After that battle, a seed had been planted in Xiao Han’s heart.

Today, the Wolf Head’s taunting chant was intended to strike first from within—to attack the prey as a wolf would. That overwhelming pressure was often what determined life and death in a duel between experts.

If he had once been able to use his own weakness to overcome his opponent’s strength, then today he could still achieve what he desired.

…

Outside the city, the soldiers of the Divine Strategy Camp had already clashed with the members of Wolf Fang.

Though there were few Grandmasters among the Divine Strategy soldiers, their formations were orderly. The squads coordinated their attacks and defenses with discipline, advancing and retreating at will.

The members of Wolf Fang, on the other hand, were all Grandmasters, yet against the Divine Strategy Camp’s stern military formation, they found themselves constrained, unable to unleash their full strength.

For a time, the two sides fell into a stalemate, evenly matched.

“If others had not interrupted the match back then, you would have long since become a dead soul beneath my blade. If I had the chance to kill you once, I would have the chance to do it a second time!”

The Wolf Head drew his blade and flipped backward, landing half-crouched on the ground. With both hands gripping the weapon and its tip braced against the earth, he resembled a crawling beast. His eyes were filled with sinister malice as he bared his teeth and sneered at Xiao Han.

In the night, Xiao Han stood with his spear behind him and his head lowered. The weapon lay horizontally across his back, while the cold wind stirred the long strands of hair falling over his forehead. Shadows concealed his eyes, and the corner of his mouth twitched coldly. Clearly, the Wolf Head’s words had struck deeply at his pride.

“Enough nonsense. Fight again!”

His voice carried the chill of the wind as Xiao Han flicked his hand, raising his spear. He twisted to one side and charged straight at the Wolf Head.

Beneath the moonlight, the spearhead gleamed coldly as it pointed directly at the Wolf Head’s face.

“Azure Dragon Surges from the Sea!”

The chilling spear carried the murderous aura erupting from Xiao Han’s body. It grew faster and faster, while visible currents of air flickered around its tip. Humming amid the howl of the wind, the spear truly seemed like an azure dragon, uttering a deep and muffled roar.

“The same move again?”

A trace of contempt appeared in the Wolf Head’s eyes. He seemed to see the Xiao Han of years ago, when this very technique had nearly decided which of them would live or die.

“Then I’ll see who can save you this time. Wolf Fang Cleave!”

The Wolf Head charged straight into Xiao Han’s spear without the slightest fear of its biting killing intent. Beneath the moonlight, his frenzied expression suggested that he had already witnessed Xiao Han’s fate.

The flesh of a Grandmaster was far more tender than that of an ordinary person.

For years, the members of Wolf Fang had been confined to the ancient temple by order of the Prince of Peaceful Pacification. They had nearly forgotten the exquisite taste of human flesh.

Just as the two men were about to collide, the Wolf Head suddenly leapt into the air. Raising both curved blades high above his head, he pointed their tips downward and drove them toward Xiao Han as his body descended.

The violent wind and the collision of their forces instantly sent the scattered members of Wolf Fang and the Divine Strategy Camp reeling backward in all directions.

“You…”

When everything had settled, the Wolf Head stared incredulously at the short blade protruding from his chest. Blood flowed from his mouth as his lips gradually closed without another sound, soaking the front of his clothes.

Xiao Han stood behind him with his back to Wolf Fang. One of the curved blades was embedded in his right shoulder, and blood was slowly trickling down as well.

Without turning around, he raised his head slightly. His eyes were deep as ink, and he spoke softly to the air.

“You are not worthy of speaking of my life.”

This time, Xiao Han had traded his arm for the Wolf Head’s life.

…

Outside the residence of the Prince of Peaceful Pacification, Feng Yewu and Lu Jue leaned quietly against the wall. After confirming that no one was nearby, they sprang onto the roof, then stepped over the wall and dropped into the courtyard.

“Has everything been arranged outside?”

As Feng Yewu and Lu Jue gradually approached the brightly lit main hall, they heard Wang Changgeng’s question.

The two immediately stopped.

A moment later, Zhao Xiyan approached from the other side, lowered her head, and replied,

“I have stationed every Grandmaster from Penglai Pavilion around the prince’s residence. The instant anything unusual occurs, we will detect it.”

Penglai Pavilion?

When Lu Jue and Feng Yewu heard Zhao Xiyan mention the very Penglai Pavilion they had been searching for, their eyes lit up at once. They exchanged a glance.

“Your Highness, why not leave the residence first? The envoys from the Eastern Barbarians also said that, should Your Highness be willing, their kingdom could offer you a place in the world.”

Zhao Xiyan raised her head slightly and urged him in a soft voice. After all, so long as Wang Changgeng remained alive, they still had hope of rising again.

“The Eastern Barbarians? Hmph. Even if I were truly driven into a dead end, I would never bargain with a bunch of island savages, much less submit to them.”

Wang Changgeng gave a cold laugh, his eyes full of disdain.

He had schemed throughout his life and fought countless battles against the Eastern Barbarians. He was a peerless warlord of his generation. Had it been anyone else negotiating with him, there might have been room for discussion—but the Eastern Barbarians had once been defeated by his hand. Even in death, he would never cast away his pride.

“It’s her!”

The instant Zhao Xiyan raised her head, Feng Yewu, hiding in the shadows, finally saw her face clearly. He was astonished. Was she not the dancer who had performed before him at his birthday banquet, presented by the Chancellor’s residence?

He had just heard her casually command so many experts from Penglai Pavilion. She was clearly a figure of considerable importance within the organization. Unable to restrain himself, Feng Yewu let out a soft cry of surprise.

“Who’s there?”

Zhao Xiyan’s hearing was exceptionally keen. The instant Feng Yewu spoke, she noticed him. She swiftly stepped in front of Wang Changgeng, narrowed her sharp eyes, and shouted coldly toward the shadows where Feng Yewu and Lu Jue were concealed.

Now that they had been exposed, Feng Yewu simply led Lu Jue out of hiding and entered the open, smiling as he looked at Wang Changgeng.

“It’s you two!”

The moment Zhao Xiyan saw Lu Jue and Feng Yewu, she immediately adopted a guarded stance. The dagger in her hand shimmered beneath the lamplight.

Unlike Zhao Xiyan’s tension, Wang Changgeng appeared remarkably calm. He quietly watched the two men enter the hall, his gaze cold and his deep eyes glimmering faintly with an icy light.

“Your Majesty truly possesses extraordinary courage, daring to enter this prince’s residence alone in the dead of night.”

“Your Highness jests. Am I not here as well?”

The moment Wang Changgeng finished speaking, Lu Jue smiled leisurely and spoke up from Feng Yewu’s side.

“Lady, you once danced before me. Why did you not strike then? It would have spared us today’s trouble.”

Feng Yewu calmly swept his gaze over Wang Changgeng’s face before turning to Zhao Xiyan, who stood tense, and asking in an indifferent tone.

Zhao Xiyan knew from his question that her identity had been exposed. Her pupils contracted, but she merely gave a cold snort and did not answer.

Seeing that Feng Yewu had ignored his question, Wang Changgeng instead felt much more at ease.