Chapter 352 - 214: Moving the Mountain

Chapter 352: Chapter 214: Moving the Mountain

Niu Zhong’s claw was less than a foot away from the rope.

The cold glint on his claw promised to easily sever the thin rope in the next moment.

But his movement suddenly froze in mid-air.

Tushan Hanyu’s breathing almost stopped.

It screamed internally, ’Sever it! Sever it!’

In the corner of its eye, Lv Lake saw Su Mu slowly raising his longbow on the opposite bank.

A human’s Profound Weapon, the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow.

It could kill a Tier Three Demon as easily as swatting a fly.

Although the Eighteenth Crown Prince was a peak Tier Three Demon, it was hard to say if he could withstand the Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow.

’I definitely can’t take a hit from that. Better to stay far away.’

Lv Lake silently retreated several more yards.

Anyone else might have thought Su Mu wouldn’t dare to shoot and kill the Demon Court’s Eighteenth Crown Prince right at the Demon Court’s gates.

But Lv Lake didn’t think so at all.

’This was supposed to be a fair challenge. If you dare to play dirty, Su Mu will really kill you.’

Niu Zhong’s claw hovered in mid-air as he watched the last Taiping Captain get closer and closer to the other side.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared on his forehead, dripping onto the ground. DRIP. DROP.

But his claw, as if held in place by an invisible force, just wouldn’t fall.

"Eighteenth Crown Prince, do it! If you don’t act now, the Da Xuan Envoy will win!"

Tushan Hanyu finally couldn’t hold back and called out in a low voice.

It didn’t dare to speak too loudly, afraid that Su Mu on the opposite bank would hear.

The Five Flames Heaven-Shaking Bow could kill the Eighteenth Crown Prince, and it could also kill Tushan Hanyu.

"Shut up!"

Niu Zhong roared.

’Don’t I know that?’

But he suddenly remembered the slash from Su Mu that had severed his arm.

A severed arm could be reattached afterward with a Secret Technique, but if his head was cut off, he wouldn’t be coming back to life.

Judging by the aura Su Mu had displayed before, he might not have been a match for him even at his peak, let alone now with a missing arm.

’It’s easy to imagine that if I sever this rope, Su Mu will absolutely not let me off the hook.’

’This is only the first trial. Do I really have to fight him to the death?’

’So what if I let the Da Xuan Envoy win the first round?’

’All they get is a useless corpse anyway.’

’As for Da Xuan’s territory, I never expected to actually get Three States’ Land.’

’If I can secure A State’s Land in the end, my mission will be complete.’

After weighing his options, Niu Zhong finally, slowly lowered his claw, not cutting the rope.

’It’s only the first trial. There’s no need for a mutually destructive fight.’

’There’ll be more chances later!’

Niu Zhong told himself.

Seeing Niu Zhong give up, Lv Lake let out a long sigh of relief.

Tushan Hanyu, on the other hand, looked disappointed. However, it quickly concealed its disappointment and let out a deliberate sigh.

"That’s fair. Su Mu’s strength is extraordinary. It’s only natural for you to be afraid, Eighteenth Crown Prince."

Tushan Hanyu said, "After all, the Eighteenth Crown Prince is just the Eighteenth Crown Prince."

"What do you mean by that?"

Niu Zhong’s expression darkened. He looked at Tushan Hanyu and said coldly.

"I don’t mean anything."

Tushan Hanyu said, "I was just remembering my master’s evaluation of you, Eighteenth Crown Prince."

"The National Preceptor?"

Niu Zhong’s face changed. "What was the National Preceptor’s evaluation of me?" he asked in a low voice.

"’Insufficiently brave and martial.’"

Tushan Hanyu calmly added, "’Unfit for a great purpose.’"

Niu Zhong’s face instantly became incredibly grim.

Those four words were a near-total repudiation of Niu Zhong.

The National Preceptor was no ordinary person. In the Demon Court, he was second only to the Saint Venerable. His evaluation could directly affect a demon’s future in the Court.

"Did the National Preceptor really say that?"

Niu Zhong asked gravely. ℯℯ𝑙.

"If you don’t believe me, Eighteenth Crown Prince, you can go ask my master."

Tushan Hanyu said.

Niu Zhong snorted coldly. ’Dare I go and ask the National Preceptor?’

’Of course not!’

"However, my master also said that the Eighteenth Crown Prince’s strong suit is loyalty."

Tushan Hanyu continued, "The Saint Venerable and my master value your loyalty above all, Eighteenth Crown Prince.

Presumably, that is why they entrusted you with the task of defending the three trials.

If you were to botch such a simple assignment, then I’m afraid—"

Tushan Hanyu shook its head, its tone grave and earnest.

Niu Zhong’s eyes narrowed slightly, a chill running through his heart.

’So that’s how it is. It seems this task of defending the three trials is a test from my adoptive father and the National Preceptor.’

’If I can successfully defend all three trials, it will prove I am still fit for a great purpose.’

’But if I fail, wouldn’t that just prove the National Preceptor’s assessment was right? That I, Niu Zhong, am truly unfit for a great purpose?’

’No wonder the target the National Preceptor gave me was just to secure A State’s Land.’

’I originally thought he was being considerate, but now I see he was looking down on me!’

’Oh, National Preceptor, do you really believe that I, Niu Zhong, can only defend one trial?’

’Do you really think I’ll let the Da Xuan Envoy win two rounds?’

"Damn it, why didn’t you remind me sooner?"

Niu Zhong stared at Tushan Hanyu, his face filled with rage.

"I did remind you."

Tushan Hanyu said with a wronged expression, "You were the one who didn’t dare to act. Who can you blame for that?"

"You—"

Niu Zhong’s eyes spat fire.

’If this Tushan Hanyu weren’t the National Preceptor’s disciple, I’d definitely teach it a lesson!’

’You just wait. I’ll remember what happened today.’

Niu Zhong vowed to himself, ’Once you, Tushan Hanyu, take human form, I’ll have my adoptive father betroth you to me. Then we’ll see how I deal with you!’

......

"Eighteenth Crown Prince, we have passed the first trial. Now it is time for you to fulfill your promise."

After Niu Zhong, Tushan Hanyu, and Lv Lake had crossed to the other side, Xu Chongyuan stepped forward to meet them and spoke.

"We agreed on three trials. This was only the first one. What’s your hurry?"