Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The Xu Zhen plunged her long sword into the giant rock, and this display immediately shocked the entire audience. The Rouran People felt a chill in their hearts, their eyes betraying an unmasked greed for the Xu Zhen's precious blade.
Looking at the Xu Zhen's tall and slender figure, one could estimate that her physical strength was not extraordinary. The sword's ability to penetrate stone must rely on its sharpness, indicating just how valuable this sword truly was.
Li Deqian had already been secretly sweating for the Xu Zhen when he saw Gao He Shu riding towards them. However, when he witnessed the Xu Zhen drive her treasured sword into the stone, shaking the Rouran People to their core, his heart did not ease; instead, it was filled with profound respect for her.
His fingers were wrapped in cloth, a result of accidentally burning himself while handling the pouch that the Xu Zhen had given him. Even though he was skilled in craftsmanship, he never expected such a terrifying liquid to be inside.
Long before, in the mysterious tomb of the Heavenly Strategy Army, he had noticed the Xu Zhen secretly taking this pouch from within a coffin. However, he had no idea what was inside until today when she shared an incredibly clever idea with him, leaving him in awe.
He had never imagined creating mechanisms inside a stone because it seemed unrealistic. At that moment, he genuinely felt that the Xu Zhen's mind was as vast as the starry sky, capable of holding an entire ocean; otherwise, such creativity would be unimaginable.
What astonished him even more was that when the Xu Zhen obtained the pouch in the tomb, it should have been impossible for her to think so far ahead. She could not have foreseen that Caesar's kin would be the unruly Rouran People, nor could she have predicted how events would unfold tonight.
One could only say that opportunities are always reserved for those who are prepared.
Without the liquid inside this pouch, even if the Xu Zhen's sword were razor-sharp, it would not have been able to penetrate stone or allow Li Deqian to hollow out the giant rock and create mechanisms within it.
For this mechanism, he had expended considerable effort and even dismantled the stirrups and saddle from his horse. Now should be the time to assess their results.
At least Li Deqian was very happy because the Xu Zhen shared such a secret with him, which indicated that she truly regarded him as a brother bound by life and death.
The Xu Zhen naturally trusted Li Deqian's character and craftsmanship; otherwise, she would not have revealed this magical idea to him. However, she also understood that in this world, he could easily complete this device. But in the Tang Dynasty, without powerful craftsmen to assist him, it would be impossible for him to accomplish it.
Although there were no doubts in his heart, whether they would drink soup or eat meat in the future depended largely on Li Deqian's hard work from most of the night.
He noticed the bandage on Li Deqian's hand and felt a bit guilty for not having instructed him more, but now he couldn't afford to be distracted by those thoughts, as Gao He Shu had already leaped off his horse and strode confidently toward the giant rock.
Xu Zhen slightly turned to the side, making a gesture of invitation. Gao He Shu sneered, gripping the hilt of the sword tightly, imagining that with a gentle pull, he could draw the treasured blade and become Elipha, using this sword as a symbol of his identity and a bright future.
However, his expression quickly froze. His arm began to tremble lightly; the biceps on his arm bulged prominently, yet the sword remained completely still!
He suddenly looked at Xu Zhen, whose half face was shrouded in shadow, adding an air of mystery to her presence.
The Rouran People could no longer laugh, for Gao He Shu was their most valiant and powerful warrior. If he couldn't draw the treasured sword, then this wager was utterly lost.
Gao He Shu clearly wasn't willing to give up easily. He used his left hand as well, gripping the hilt with both hands tightly, but no matter how hard he tried, the sword remained unmoved!
It wasn't until his face turned a deep shade of red that he cursed and gave up trying. He kicked the giant rock in frustration, filled with resentment. However, when he glanced at Xu Zhen, he dared not meet her gaze. For the first time, he saw the aura and shadow of Rock Master in this tall and slender Tang person!
He returned to his ranks, forgetting to lead away his steed. His clansmen patted him on the shoulder as if encouraging him, but their attention quickly shifted back to Xu Zhen because they were curious whether she could pull the sword from the stone!
Xu Zhen sneered lightly, exerting force through her legs as she leaped onto the giant rock and gently rested her left hand on the hilt.
Gao He Shu and the Rouran People began to shout in anger. If he had jumped onto the rock like Xu Zhen and used his legs for leverage while pulling straight up with both hands, he should have been able to easily draw the treasured sword!
Gao He Shu was filled with regret as he repeatedly knocked his own head in frustration. Yet Xu Zhen did not attempt to draw the sword; she simply pressed her left hand lightly on the hilt before slowly retracting her left foot and then her right foot, sitting cross-legged while floating above the giant rock with the help of the treasured sword!
"Boom!"
The Rouran People became restless!
This is the divine skill of the Rock Master! How could this Tang Person possibly understand it! Not only the Rouran People, but even Caesar, Zhou Cang, and the brothers were all left astonished and speechless!
Li Deqian felt as if an invisible hand had tightly grasped his heart; he had set up the beginning but could not predict the outcome! Among everyone present, only the Rock Master and Zhang Jiunian remained calm, exchanging knowing glances like old foxes, with a tacit smile appearing at the corners of their mouths.
Gao He Shu and the others were completely stunned. Under the night sky illuminated by firelight, the Xu Zhen donned in Red Armor stood with her sword, hovering above a giant rock, resembling a blood-soaked war god emerging from ancient times!
Moya stepped forward at the right moment, instructing her people in Turkic. However, to everyone else, given the situation, there was no need for instruction anymore!
Leading the way, Gao He Shu and all the Rouran People simultaneously placed their hands on their chests and bowed to the Xu Zhen!
Caesar's fingers trembled slightly; she stood beside the Xu Zhen and could genuinely feel the unique charm emanating from this man in his twenties. She wanted to scold him for being cunning, but unknowingly, this habit was gradually worn away by his demeanor.
The Xu Zhen slowly lowered her feet while still leaning on her sword atop the high stone. She was about to have Caesar translate and give these Rouran People a good scolding when she suddenly felt her treasured sword gently tremble in her hand!
The rumbling of hoofbeats came from the grasslands behind them. A flicker of firelight appeared on the horizon under the night sky, growing larger and longer until it transformed into fiery dragons!
"It's Cavalry!"
Everyone was jolted awake by the hoofbeats and the approaching army. The Xu Zhen turned to look back; torches were densely packed together, and while she couldn't determine their exact number, they were definitely enough to crush their two or three hundred people!
"Clang!"
Without making a sound, she twisted her treasured sword and easily pulled it from the giant rock, raising it high in her hand. Without shouting or raising her arm in triumph, her cold gaze ignited the flames of battle within the hearts of the Rouran Warriors!
"Elipha! Elipha!"
The Rouran People cheered as they struck their weapons, but this time the cheers were not for Zhou Cang and Gao He Shu, but for their new leader, Xu Zhen!
"There's no need to alarm anyone. The cavalry is approaching from the rear; it must be the Tang army. The Tuguhun Barbarians' camp is still burning, and their deserters couldn't possibly return with information so quickly, nor could they encircle us that fast," Zhang Jiunian calmly and meticulously analyzed.
Xu Zhen, however, winked at him and whispered, "I know, but I just wanted to liven up the atmosphere for these Rouran People. As a lord, one must have a bit of authority, right?"
Zhang Jiunian: "... ..."
With her face saved and her imposing demeanor established, Xu Zhen then instructed Caesar to have the Rouran People remain on standby. Soon after, dozens of scouts began to circle around, attempting to get closer.
Li Deqian, being in the military, was familiar with military signals. He immediately directed Zhou Cang and his brothers to use torches to signal the Tang army's code. The scouts hesitated and signaled back with another set of fire signals. Li Deqian responded according to military protocol, allowing them to approach cautiously.
"Who dares to challenge the flag of the Tang army ahead?"
Li Deqian raised his torch and replied loudly, "This is Craftsman Li Deqian of the Tang dynasty, fourth rank!"
Xu Zhenxin was taken aback; he did not expect Li Deqian's rank to be so high. Although Craftsman was only a lower fourth rank position, it was equivalent to that of a Deputy Commander of the Central Office!
After all, being a Duke's descendant made it relatively easy to attain an official position. However, Xu Zhen did not quite understand why Li Deqian tolerated someone like Hou Polu jumping around in front of him. Was it really just because he had a timid personality?
The others were clearly intimidated by Li Deqian's status. One rider hurriedly reported back while the remaining dozens rode forward wanting to dismount and pay their respects. However, upon seeing Xu Zhen and the two or three hundred Rouran People behind her, they turned pale with fear.
Li Deqian couldn't be bothered to explain; he simply reassured them not to panic. Not long after, a thundering group of about three hundred people arrived. Leading them was Central Military Deputy Du Wei, the eldest son of Duke of Bao Duan Zhi Xuan!
Although he held real power, he was only a sixth rank official and had always respected Duke Wei Li Jing greatly. Upon seeing Li Deqian, he immediately dismounted to greet him. Li Deqian also took a few steps down the slope for a warm exchange while completely ignoring Xu Zhen.
Xu Zhen was not annoyed until Duan Zan slightly tilted his head and noticed the Red Armor on Xu Zhen and the uniquely shaped long sword in her hand. Only then did he show a serious expression and politely ask, "You must be Xu Zhen Captain, right?"
Xu Zhen replied respectfully, "Xu has met Colonel Murong Xiao."
This made Duan Zan even more surprised by Xu Zhen's demeanor, but upon seeing the thirteen people behind her, all clad in Red Armor, with expressions full of valor, he quickly asked, "Have you comrades been harmed by the Barbarians? We are here on orders to escort you back to camp."
Xu Zhen lightly laughed and pointed with her long sword, boldly asking, "The Barbarians that Colonel Murong Xiao mentioned, they should be over there..."
Duan Zan took a few steps forward and climbed to the peak of the High Slope. He saw flames shooting up from a low-lying basin, with charred corpses piled on wooden pillars, which was quite horrifying!
Duan Zan: "This... this group of Murong Clan Barbarians... did you slay them?!!!"
Xu Zhen slightly opened her arms and looked around at her brothers and the Rouran Warriors, then nodded slightly and said, "It is all thanks to our heavenly might and relying on the bravery of the Rouran Foreigners. I dare not take too much credit."
Duan Zan composed himself and looked at Xu Zhen with newfound respect, saying, "You have all done a great service in slaying the enemies. Please return to camp quickly; I will personally request merit for you!"
Comment 0 Comment Count