Chapter 523: Chapter 523: The Man Going to Collect the Corpses
Bai Xiuyan has many rules; he instructs Chen Guan and Fujimura Reiko not to use other pets, only to ride the black and white unicorn horse.
Moreover, they can only follow behind him, one on each side, without overtaking him or aligning side-by-side, yet they must not fall behind.
Chen Guan doesn’t mind; the custor cos first.
Feeling bored, Chen Guan examines the sword in his hand, which is obviously crafted by humans, asuring roughly four feet long; due to the sword scabbard, the appearance of the blade is unknown.
The sword hilt and scabbard are a light yellow, looking as if carved from jade; the guard of the sword bears its na "Transparent Flash".
Fujimura Reiko’s sword is light green, crystal clear and even prettier, nad "Snake Pattern".
They followed Bai Xiuyan on either side as they advanced, encountering Secret Spirits along the way that did not require their intervention, as Bai Xiuyan’s sword, ard with Thunder Sword Spirit, directly slayed all Secret Spirits blocking their path.
Chen Guan and Fujimura Reiko were spared much trouble, only needing to follow Bai Xiuyan straight to Taishan City.
Just when they thought nothing would happen along the way, a person appeared at the entrance of the mountain ahead.
The person rode a Stone Lion, its entire body like jade, clearly not a common item, likely a well-known World-Defying Secret Spirit, Taishan Jade Lion, from the Pengxuan Secret Realm.
Chen Guan had researched beforehand, knowing Fang Beidou, Chief Steward of the Taishan City Lord’s Mansion, owned a Taishan Jade Lion.
"Could it be that Bai Xiuyan is invited by Taishan City, and Chief Steward Fang Beidou has personally co to et him?" Chen Guan thought to himself.
"Young Master Bai, Taishan City is not a place for you to go, you’d better return." The person’s words shattered Chen Guan’s imagination.
"What if I am determined to go?" Bai Xiuyan asked calmly, seated on his horse.
"None of the ten mansions in Taishan City welco you, why insist on going?" Fang Beidou replied.
"Whether they welco
or not is their business; whether I go or not is mine." Bai Xiuyan said indifferently.
"Where the hosts are unwelcoming, it doesn’t make sense for a guest to force their way. Young Master Bai, you’re a person of status and face; you shouldn’t engage in such face-losing acts." Fang Beidou insisted.
"What if I insist?" Bai Xiuyan said.
"I hope you won’t be stubborn, for no one’s face will be saved." Fang Beidou replied.
"I’ve maintained face for many years; maybe I should lose it just this once." Bai Xiuyan laughed.
"Young Master Bai, your old acquaintance, Madam i Jiuhong, has asked
to tell you she’d rather not see you in Taishan City." Fang Beidou continued.
Bai Xiuyan fell silent for a mont, then shook his head and sighed, "I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint her this ti."
"I’ve said everything and delivered the ssage; how you choose is your own business, Young Master Bai. I bid farewell." Fang Beidou said with a fist salute, then turned and left on the Taishan Jade Lion.
Chen Guan and Fujimura Reiko exchanged glances; things were indeed not that simple.
Nominally, Taishan City is under the City Lord’s Mansion’s jurisdiction, but the City Lord is appointed by the Chief Judge, and in Taishan City, besides the City Lord’s Mansion, there are ten mansions established by the Ten Great Families.
The ten mansions represent the interests of the Ten Great Families in Taishan City. Except for the mansion of the King of Du, which has barely any people, the other nine have Corps Level forces in Taishan City.
In Taishan City, matters aren’t rely dictated by the City Lord; many issues require participation from the ten mansions for decisions.
Now, with the Chief Steward of the City Lord’s Mansion declaring an unwelco stance towards Bai Xiuyan, and claiming the ten mansions share this view, it indicates a deeper issue.
"Am I rely a Sword Boy trying to earn so cash, only to end up in trouble?" Chen Guan realized it’s too late to leave; Taishan City likely knows they’re with Bai Xiuyan, and whether they can explain it clearly later is uncertain.
"You don’t need to worry; you only need to hold your swords, no one will trouble you." Bai Xiuyan, seemingly understanding their concerns, smiled reassuringly.
With no alternative, Chen Guan could only follow Bai Xiuyan.
Just a short distance ahead, they saw ten people line up blocking the mountain path.
"Please turn back, Young Master Bai." The ten shouted in unison.
"Do you represent the ten mansions?" Bai Xiuyan asked.
"Yes." One of them replied.
"What if I don’t turn back?" Bai Xiuyan asked.
"Then please step over our corpses, Young Master Bai." The ten answered.
"Are you soldiers?" Bai Xiuyan queried.
"Taishan Corps." One replied.
"Do you know why I am here?" Bai Xiuyan continued.
"We don’t, only that we are ordered to ask you to return." The man replied.
Bai Xiuyan said, "Three years ago, Demons launched a massive attack on Celestial Yang City. Celestial Yang City’s many soldiers and residents held out for three years, with Taishan City not sending a single soldier to aid, leading to Celestial Yang City’s fall; all humans were slaughtered, and the heads of my close friends, the Black and White Impermanence Couple, were sliced off and hung on the city gates, remaining unclaid. Are you aware of this?"
The ten were imdiately silent; soone clenched ten fingers tightly.
In recent years, the Demons have beco increasingly rampant. In the past, there were dozens of cities north of Taishan City; now, even the nearest Celestial Yang City has been captured by the Demons, making Taishan City the front line.
During the battle for Celestial Yang City, there was originally a chance to hold it. The soldiers and residents within held out for three years, and nearly all perished, yet they never received reinforcents.
Back then, the Taishan Corps had significant internal dissent; so leaders even repeatedly requested to fight, but these were suppressed. Until Celestial Yang City’s fall, not a single troop was sent to aid, watching the three-year defense of Celestial Yang City get slaughtered.
Even within Taishan Corps, many view this as a disgrace.
"Young Master Bai, we are ordered here to ask you to return." Soone said, though their tone lacked its previous resolve.
Bai Xiuyan chuckled and said, "The Black and White Impermanence Couple were close friends of mine; their heads remain hung on Celestial Yang City’s gates. If I don’t go, who will collect their bodies?"
The ten involuntarily avoided Bai Xiuyan’s gaze; having not sent troops before, Taishan Corps is less likely to now; defending Taishan City is the Ancestral Court’s order and the ten mansions’ desire.
"Since no one will collect their bodies, then I’ll have to go myself; please return." Bai Xiuyan said.
"We have military orders; if we cannot return as requested, then you’ll have to step over our corpses." The ten hesitated slightly but did not retreat.
"Then let
see whether Taishan’s soldiers are equipped for battle." Bai Xiuyan stretched out, the Thunder Sword streaking forth like lightning.
Each of the ten displayed their secret techniques, swords and lights resonating.
Boom!
As the lightning passed, all the sword lights and shadows shattered along with their bodies; the ten, struck as if by lightning, fell from their mounts, bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Bai Xiuyan rode past them, with Chen Guan and Fujimura Reiko closely following.
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