Chapter 282: Seize Him!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The emperor was in better shape after Yun Yang’s care and ministrations; otherwise, such a contrast of joy and grief, such turbulence of emotions, would be enough to trigger the worst attack of what was in his body and cause death instantly!
In spite of this, His Majesty was not exempted from staggering and having the color drain from his face!
This… was it…
The younger ones among the Nine Supremes were not much older. Those who could have a family would be the few ranked in front.
Was she my son’s… family?
The emperor's thoughts instinctively headed in that direction.
In the air, the wind rustled with a voice that was terribly resentful.
"Someone must pay the price for this! Jiang Zhong shall be the first among those! Jiang Zhong, a remnant of the Four Seasons Tower’s vices!"
Once the words were uttered, the emperor was shaken to the core once more. He raised his head abruptly, iciness frosted his eyes that were staring at Jiang Zhong.
"Your Majesty… Don’t believe him… This old servant is wrongly accused…" Jiang Zhong cried out anxiously.
The emperor spoke softly, "Jiang Zhong, if you give up defending yourself at once and allow yourself to be arrested without a fight, I promise you justice! How about that?"
It seemed that there was a turning point with the emperor’s words but truthfully, it was akin to another impasse being added onto Jiang Zhong.
How dare Jiang Zhong give up defending himself now?
Others might not know Yun Yang’s thoughts but how could he not know? If he lowered his defenses, he would be doomed.
"Your Majesty!" Jiang Zhong was holding onto his life with all his might as he sounded absolutely aggrieved, "This old servant has been wrongly accused!"
The emperor remained stoic in his expression but an icy glint flashed across his eyes. "If you’re truly wronged, I guarantee your safety as long as you stop putting up a fight. Supreme Wind won’t kill the innocent recklessly."
"Justice prevails; there’s no arguing over black and white. Everything will be cleared once it has been explained well. Why put up such a fight?"
His Majesty said unhurriedly, "I’ve spoken and have given you a chance. If you’re innocent, no one can harm you. You’re still my Minister of Imperial Household! On the other hand, if you’re guilty as charged, no one shall safeguard you!"
He lifted his head to watch the whizzing silhouette of wind in the air. "Supreme Wind, can my guarantee be considered?"
Supreme Wind’s voice could be heard amidst the hurling wind, "Your Majesty is the leader of a nation. Your Majesty’s promise is naturally words of faith, a promise that weighs heftily indeed!"
The emperor felt his heart sink deeper. Supreme Wind’s words showed complete trust towards him.
If so, did that not mean that Jiang Zhong was truly controversial – that there was no doubt he was a Four Seasons Tower’s spy?
Jiang Zhong was still racing about, silhouette after silhouette emerging and dissipating as he avoided Yun Yang’s consecutive thrusts of saber energy. He hissed, "Your Majesty, it’s not that this old servant doesn’t trust you… Supreme Wind has truly been brutal in his attack, this old servant cannot stop shielding himself… I really can’t…"
His Majesty’s face turned utterly cold. His chilling gaze stared at Jiang Zhong who was still twirling and moving in the air as he hollered, "Guards, seize Jiang Zhong!"
Jiang Zhong cried, "Your Majesty, this old servant has served you loyally for dozens of years; there should at least be an appreciation for hard work if there aren’t merits? Don’t you consider our past at all? Are you putting aside this old servant’s lifetime of hard work just for somebody’s words?"
His Majesty replied coldly, "I’ve given you a chance, I’ve given you a promise. What did you do though? What you’ve done is in the eyes of others, are you still going to argue?"
Jiang Zhong suddenly laughed in misery, facing the sky, "So this is how it is. A person who’s served Your Majesty for his lifetime can’t obtain even the slightest sympathy from Your Majesty. If so, what hope is there for us? Forget it, we have followed such a master blindly; death is justifiable indeed. Then, why does it matter if I die?"
Before the last of his words echoed, Jiang Zong’s rapidly moving physique halted suddenly and landed. He stretched both his arms out, looking like he was ready to be arrested and prepared to submit to whatever that would come his way.
He looked thoroughly aggrieved, the disappointment and will to die apparent.
Everyone there was surprised – was… was he surrendering himself?
Jiang Zhong’s arms were extended while he glanced towards His Majesty in despair, speaking with a raspy voice, "Your Majesty, master for a day, master for life. This old servant is going now, you must take care in the future!"
As his words tumbled out, the sound of whizzing wind and lightning emanated from his hand. Jiang Zhong gritted his teeth and pounded his head harshly into his open palm.
It was at this moment that His Majesty, who witnessed Jiang Zhong committing suicide, jolted in violence. The specter of having wrongly accused an innocent man rose within his mind.
Jiang Zhong’s palm struck his own head; there was a soft cracking sound before his five sensory organs and seven orifices spurted blood. Stumbling, he slowly fell to the ground.
The jolt within His Majesty grew even more violent. He could not help taking two steps forward. Even the guards under orders to seize Jiang Zhong halted their steps in unison.
Everyone’s gaze fell onto Jiang Zhong’s dead body who laid within the pool of blood; all of them were indescribably muddled.
Proving his innocence with death?
Could it be that His Majesty has really accused him wrongly?
Perhaps it was Lord Supreme Wind who was wrong in his accusations?
Like Jiang Zhong had said, he had served the emperor so loyally all these years; how could he acquire such an end to his aged life?
It was truly distressing.
Suddenly, a shout came from the sky, "Careful!"
Accompanying the warning, a sharp howl arose. Jiang Zhong, who had collapsed onto the ground, suddenly turned into a stream of light as he charged through the barricade of eight guards at a lightning towards where the emperor stood.
His palms extended furiously, like an enormous rock that was about to split the mountain!
Jiang Zhong was self-aware that he would never be able to escape with his own strength. Even when he was adeptly skilled, there was still only death facing the mass of inner palace guards and the siege they had formed.
That was why he had put up the tragic suicide drama; to aim for a chance at going for the emperor!
It was his only way out.
Only when he held the emperor hostage would he have the trump card to be entirely safe!
As for what happened after, he would think of it after the trump card was in his hands!
This sudden turn of events was honestly out of everyone’s expectation. Someone who had just died, someone who the crowd had just witnessed committing suicide, he was actually springing up to attack!
This in itself was already an extremely dramatic twist although the attacker’s speed had even largely exceeded what was known to them!
Jiang Zhong’s suicide attempt just now was not entirely an act; the bleeding of seven orifices upon being struck was him activating his mystique skill that temporarily enhanced his ability to the level above the maximum of his original capability. Moreover, Jiang Zhong was already a cultivator of ninth peak pinnacle; the breakthrough now took him escalating to Tenth Perfection. The formidability of his capability was adequately above everyone else on the spot!
He was already approaching His Majesty. It was only a matter of timing before he could manipulate the emperor as he wished.
Swoosh!
A green shadow of wind landed from the sky abruptly like a falling meteor.
Everyone had been careless in this incident but not Yun Yang! He had always known that the Seasons Tower’s men would never seek death so easily – especially when this old one was so powerful and he had not even reached an impasse. Why would he kill himself so readily?
Therefore, Yun Yang had long been on guard, wary of his hidden tricks.
When Jiang Zhong had moved, Yun Yang had taken action at the same time.
Despite Jiang Zhong activating his mystique skill, despite his cultivation base accelerating to Tenth Perfection temporarily, his speed was still slower compared to the wind – compared to Yun Yang!
A green tornado blocked the emperor from the incoming Jiang Zhong, a surreal sight. At the same time, a saber light akin to thunderous lightning gushed forward like a surging tide!
Boom!
Jiang Zhong’s palms launched themselves in a toppling momentum at Yun Yang’s intricate web of sabers – the green tornado shattered immediately.
Yun Yang’s cultivation base paled immensely in comparison to Jiang Zong; what was more, the latter was in Tenth Perfection as of now. The force of such a brute attack depended solely on the strength – how could Yun Yang not lose?
However, what Yun Yang was fighting for was but a sliver of a gap. Although his saber web was completely destroyed, Jiang Zhong had taken a step back from the collision. It was just a step’s difference but Jiang Zhong had already lost his edge!
Knowing that the situation was no longer dandy as his plan failed, Jiang Zhong roared in rage, "Supreme Wind! You should’ve died long ago! Why? Why?"
The guards and experts of the emperor had rushed out during this slim gap, all of them were aghast with shame.
They had so many of them here, it was already an advantage but still, they were almost deceived by this old eunuch!
Fueled by the fury from their embarrassment, the mass’ momentum was heaved. Everyone was murderous towards a certain Jiang; how could their disgust be vented if they did not kill this despicable one? How could their humiliation be sated?
The wind that had diminished swirled in urgently once more. The green light was gathering from each direction rapidly.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…
Countless Deicide Bow’s bowstrings were crackling, their target aimed straight at Old Eunuch Jiang.
Jiang Zhong who was surrounded by dense counterattacks struggled with his might, retaliating and bolting left and right; it was an impetus.
However, the mistake just now had shamed the guards. They were infuriated, thus going all out as well.
Even when body after body was flung from his strikes, more people jumped forth boldly.
Bam!
Jiang Zhong’s chest was struck harshly by the head of the guards. As he staggered back, the wind whistled as a chilling gleam flashed.
Yun Yang’s saber struck.
Merciless Blade!
The style of Destiny Blade greeted the world once again; even Venerable Lord Saber had to bleed when the form of God’s will struck; what more, Jiang Zhong?
Seeing the launch of a saber style was propelling him to grandeur; Jiang Zhong roared and erupted his mystical Qi.
Slash, slash, slash…
A dozen gashes were added to his body as blood sprayed like fine strings.
Merciless Dao!
Yun Yang’s saber light blinked, landing again amidst the raging green wind.
Jiang Zhong wanted to avoid the attack but sabers and swords were all that surrounded him. There was no room for him to move. With a determined clench of his teeth, he dropped himself down.
With a piercing shout, Jiang Zhong spat another mouthful of blood. His vital force that was eventually diminishing from the siege soared again!
He was using the Art of Soul Inducement, forcing his maximum capability for the second time.