Chapter 45: Thirty-Six Heavens – The Falling Sky

“Captain, it’s getting late. We should rest early,” Yin Hai gently reminded Shen Yian, who was drawing circles on the map.

In the inn, the six of them had booked three double rooms, two per room.

Shen Yian folded the map and put it away: “Yin Hai, you should rest too.”

This trip wasn’t in vain; they had gathered quite a bit of intelligence about the Barbarian troop movements.

“Captain, let me take the night watch.”

“No need, someone will keep watch for us,” Shen Yian smiled mysteriously, lying down on the bed fully clothed.

Yin Hai was slightly stunned, not quite understanding his lord’s meaning.

Thunderous snoring could already be heard from the adjacent room.

Xuanwu helplessly held his head in his hands, looking at E Lai snoring loudly on the opposite bed.

To sleep so soundly in enemy territory, there probably weren’t many people in the world who could do that.

With the long night ahead and nothing to do, Xuanwu leaned against the headboard and began polishing his black, shiny four-edged Xuan meteorite whip with a handkerchief.

Barring the unexpected, there would be a fierce battle tomorrow. He wondered if he would be able to return.

His good disciple probably wasn’t quite ready to inherit his position yet. Sigh~

He hoped the young lord and these four fellows would give their all. Even if he died in battle, at least they should bring his body back to Great Qing. He didn’t want to die in a foreign land, especially on Barbarian soil.

Putting away the handkerchief, Xuanwu took out a small notebook and, licking the dry ink brush, began to write.

“Lastly, my good disciple, your master has borrowed another fifty taels of silver from His Highness the King of Chu. If you see this notebook, please repay it on my behalf.” Xuanwu mumbled, closing the notebook with a sigh and a wry smile.

The next day, at the crack of dawn, just as Jia Lan’s city gates opened, six magnificent horses galloped out one after another, kicking up dust that provoked a barrage of curses from the Barbarian soldiers at the gate.

Barbarian Nation – Divine City.

Today, the Divine City was especially lively. Several princes had received summons from His Eminence and rushed back from their respective territories.

With the sun high in the sky, a squad of golden-armored cavalry and a squad of heavy-armored cavalry were blocking the city gate.

“My dear brother, haven’t you learned etiquette yet? Can’t you even show basic courtesy?” The strikingly handsome Fourth Prince with flowing golden hair coldly mocked the muscular man before him.

The Third Prince, encased in heavy armor, coldly replied: “Gamil, your mouth and taste are still as foul as ever.”

The Fourth Prince’s beautiful face instantly contorted: “Is that so? Still better than someone’s body odor that can make people nauseous from hundreds of meters away.”

Boom!

Two distinctly colored battle auras began to surge around the two, kicking up waves of energy.

As the golden-armored and heavy-armored cavalry began to grow restless, both sides were on the verge of battle.

“Roar!”

Suddenly, a purple wolf, twice the size of a warhorse, leapt forward, startling the Third and Fourth Princes into hurriedly reining in their horses to avoid it.

Behind the wolf, a massive carriage drawn by eight warhorses slowly approached, purple and gold banners fluttering in the wind.

The purple-gold knights guarding the sides of the carriage swept their cold gazes over the crowd, shouting in unison: “Stand back!”

For some reason, the people blocking the city gate obediently retreated as if enchanted.

When the Third and Fourth Princes saw the man in the carriage, they both clenched their fists involuntarily.

The Second Prince – Purple-Gold Grand Duke – Leon Hagen!

“Are my two younger brothers reminiscing about the past at the city gate instead of entering?” 

The carriage halted, and the Second Prince’s cool voice drifted out.

“Second Brother jests,” the Third Prince lowered his head.

“Father misses everyone. Don’t linger any longer.”

“Of course, I miss you all too.”

The Third and Fourth Princes were both stunned.

With that, the carriage continued forward. The long procession was like victorious conquerors returning, with residents along the streets cheering at the sight of the banners.

“Hmph.” After a moment, the Fourth Prince snorted coldly, leading his golden-armored knights into the city behind the purple-gold knights.

The Third Prince’s brown eyes flickered before he finally led his heavy-armored knights into the city.

At the Flame Temple, one of the four great divine temples.

The High Priests of the four great temples gathered together.

“Zi Yue, I heard you were injured?” Yao Xing, the High Priest of the Star Temple, asked gently.

Zi Yue frowned slightly: “I suffered some internal injuries. Thank you for your concern, High Priest Yao Xing.”

“Hmph, isn’t it just a backlash from divining His Eminence’s fate? Why be so secretive about it?” The High Priest Hong Jue of the Fiery Sun Temple snorted bluntly.

Zi Yue’s expression changed slightly, but she didn’t refute.

“Alright everyone, let’s not forget why we’ve gathered here,” 

The High Priest Fansai of the Judgment Temple, interrupted.

Hong Jue twisted his neck: “I have already called back most of the priests to ensure that HIs Majesty will be safe tonight!”

Yao Xing pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, smiling awkwardly but politely: “My divine officials aren’t skilled in combat, but they’re setting up defensive magic arrays.”

Fansai nodded: “All of my divine officials are in position.”

“Zi Yue, can you divine for His Eminence once more? We need to know the assassins’ specific strength.”

“I need to rest a bit longer, but rest assured, I’ll inform you all before the banquet begins!” Zi Yue said seriously.

“Zi Yue, keep your divine officials in the temple. Be careful the assassins don’t target you,” Fansai said somewhat meaningfully.

Zi Yue nodded without refusing.

Hong Jue asked coldly: “Fansai, what do you mean? Do you think one of us would harm Zi Yue or His Eminence?!”

“Hong Jue, you’re being too sensitive!”

“I’m sensitive? Hah, how many times have you hidden meanings in your words, you old coot?”

“You!” Fansai’s face reddened with anger.

“You red-haired gorilla!”

“F**k you, you old bald donkey!”

Yao Xing quickly acted as a peacemaker and said with an awkward smile: “Please stop arguing, both of you.”

Zi Yue stood to the side, unconsciously clutching her chest. For some reason, the closer that time approached, the more anxious she felt.

No good, she needed to return to the temple to rest properly and prepare for the divination ritual.

His Eminence couldn’t come to harm, and neither could the empire!

Night fell silently. In the vast Golden Temple, a long dining table was filled with fine wines and delicacies.

The Barbarian Lord left his eternal throne to dine joyfully with his children.

In the New Moon Temple, twelve moon wheels revolved around Zi Yue, emitting a holy radiance. The divination ritual had begun.

The twelve moon wheels rose, and a new moon began to coalesce in the center.

Zi Yue raised her snow-white swan-like neck, gazing devoutly at the new moon.

“Great Messenger of the Moon, please tell your devout follower…”

The new moon slowly descended. Zi Yue stood and reached out to touch it. In that instant, the world spun, and her surroundings rapidly changed.

When she opened her eyes again, she stood on a sea of black stars, with a bright full moon before her.

Thousands of miles away.

Tianwu City – the Heavenly Gate Pavilion!

Lu Wenxuan gazed at the myriad stars, lightly shaking his whisk as he smiled: “Little girl, your skills are still too shallow. If it were your master, this old Taoist would have to be more serious!”

He pointed at the void.

“Break!”

Zi Yue had barely taken a step when cracks suddenly filled her surroundings. The next second, everything collapsed with a boom.

“How is this possible!”

“Puff!!!” Zi Yue’s pupils constricted. When she came to her senses, blood gushed from her mouth, spraying nearly ten feet. She collapsed to the ground, immediately falling unconscious.

Outside the Divine City.

The six riders gazed at the city walls, even more majestic than those of Tianwu City, feeling somewhat moved. So this was the Barbarian capital?

Long Yuan!

Shen Yian flicked his wrist, and Long Yuan in his hand emitted a series of dragon roars.

“Captain, aren’t we entering the city?” Xuanwu asked, puzzled.

He had imagined a scenario where the six of them would charge into the enemy’s palace and strike at their heart.

Shen Yian didn’t answer. He raised Long Yuan high above his head.

He had a sword that could swallow mountains and rivers, challenge the world, pluck stars, and subdue gods and demons.

True qi swirled around his robes as Shen Yian’s sword intent soared to the clouds.

The sword rose!

Long Yuan left his hand.

One sword strike shattered the sky, disappearing into the stars.

In an instant, clouds three thousand li thick were torn apart, and the distant Milky Way fell from the nine heavens.

This sword strike was called – Thirty-Six Heavens – The Falling Sky!