Chapter 2292 - 2281: The True Lianyun Martial God

The jade was identical to the Azure Dragon Order, yet far larger and grander. This token— even for the fat Liu— he had only ever been allowed to touch it once, as a reward, when Liu Jihong was in high spirits.

But this time, Liu Jihong actually handed it to his own shadow— Jiang Xuefeng!

From the very first day Soldiers of the Lianyun Empire join the army, they memorize an iron rule: the words spoken by the one who holds the Azure Dragon Lianyun Order are the very direction their sword points toward! No matter who it is, even a beggar holding the Azure Dragon Lianyun Order can command the entire army of the Lianyun Empire!

In that moment, Jiang Xuefeng stared at the token in his hand, struck speechless. He only felt that the weight in his palm was so heavy, like a mountain pressing down, making it hard for him to breathe.

"Go. The iron cavalry won’t last much longer. If the remaining forty thousand Forbidden Army cannot kill Lin Zifeng, then you take the Azure Dragon Lianyun Order, and have the Forbidden Army chop off my head!"

With the words said to this point, how could Jiang Xuefeng not understand that Liu Jihong was gambling his own throne on Lin Zifeng’s life!

Like this, the words of mercy Jiang Xuefeng had still wanted to say were forced back down by Liu Jihong’s stance.

Looking at the iron cavalry locked in slaughter with Lin Zifeng, their numbers now pitifully few, Jiang Xuefeng’s brows knit tight. He could not help but ponder: of those who faced Lin Zifeng’s Heavenly Painting Halberd today, how many can still be alive?

"Sss..."

Inside the Imperial Palace, the last warhorse was run through by the Heavenly Painting Halberd, dragged its master with it, and unwillingly toppled to the ground. At this moment, only Lin Zifeng remained in the field. Blood dripped steadily from his long robe, and the stone slabs beneath his feet were faintly forming a trickling stream, congealed from fresh blood.

In his hand, the Heavenly Painting Halberd had previously been shrouded by Lin Zifeng’s Elemental Power, glowing with Red Gold. But now, it had once more become as it was at the beginning, wrapped in a mass of scarlet blood mist that swallowed the Dark, burying the Heavenly Painting Halberd within.

Ten thousand men... a full ten thousand men had died upon the Heavenly Painting Halberd in Lin Zifeng’s hand. The baleful aura born of a hundred thousand heroic spirits made Lin Zifeng’s Star-like eyes shrouded in a strange, demonic blood-red. His whole body was blood-soaked. Even separated by a thousand meters, Liu Jihong, feeling the stench of blood and ferocity emanating from Lin Zifeng, could not help but shiver.

Gritting his teeth, Jiang Xuefeng suddenly barked a roar, his figure leaping up. In midair he tore out streak after streak of residual shadow, charging toward the ruins that had once been the Xuanwu Gate.

Outside the Imperial Palace, forty thousand Forbidden Army mixed with commoners had now arrayed themselves into a Formation, standing beyond the ruins. Already many Generals were commanding the Soldiers under their banners to climb the city walls and go forward to reinforce.

"All officers and Soldiers, hear my order! Within one quarter of an hour, clear the ruins. Hunt down the criminal Lin Zifeng. Any who dare to slack off— kill without mercy!"

At this moment, Jiang Xuefeng stood atop the ruins. Just like Lin Zifeng, he gazed down upon the masses. The majesty erupting from his body was in no way inferior to the National Guardian Martial God Dongfang Haoxuan!

In his hand, the Azure Dragon Lianyun Order shone with emerald light under the gentle sunlight, seizing the hearts of men. Seeing this, the Generals standing at the front of the formation all dropped to their knees.

"To see the Azure Dragon Lianyun Order is as to see the Emperor! Third Corps of the Royal City, hear my command: clear the ruins. If you see the traitorous disciple, no need for words— kill on the spot!"

At the head, a General bellowed toward the Soldiers under his command, then set himself as example— leaping up, landing on the ruins, and slowly beginning to move the debris away.

With the General acting thus, how could the Soldiers below not follow suit? They quickly sheathed the Sword in their hands, stepped forward, and began clearing the piled ruins.

For a time, everyone followed by example. The towering, majestic Xuanwu Gate, now a heap of rubble, was cleared to the side. Jiang Xuefeng now stood before Lin Zifeng, gripping a bloodstained Longsword, killing intent surging.

"I truly don’t understand why you all are so desperate to serve that old thing. How the matter truly stands— are you really not clear on that?"

The long slaughter had stirred up the brutality deep in Lin Zifeng’s heart. With the last shred of reason, he sneered and questioned the Jiang Xuefeng before him.

"Hmph. That question— the blood on your hands has already answered it for you, hasn’t it? Why say more? As long as I, Jiang Xuefeng, still stand here today, don’t even dream of touching His Majesty by a single hair!"

As the words fell, Jiang Xuefeng’s figure suddenly shot forward, carrying a biting killing intent as he rushed to strike Lin Zifeng.

The speed of the Sub-Saint Realm, added to the fact that he was heavily wounded, posed absolutely no threat to Lin Zifeng. With a cold snort, the Heavenly Painting Halberd wrapped in blood mist stabbed toward Jiang Xuefeng once more.

"Puff..."

Blood sprayed. A hint of astonishment rose in Lin Zifeng’s eyes. Was this Jiang Xuefeng deliberately seeking death!?

One saw Jiang Xuefeng, facing the howling Heavenly Painting Halberd, shift his body only half a fraction, avoiding the vital heart. His waist, already a mess of blood, was now carved off in a strip of flesh, miserable beyond compare.

Yet even so, the steely look in Jiang Xuefeng’s eyes did not waver in the slightest. The pure, snow-like Elemental Power in his hand slammed fiercely toward Lin Zifeng’s chest.

"Hmph. A dying counterattack? Truly an ant trying to shake a tree."

It was a feeble palm. Lin Zifeng didn’t even bother to dodge. He surged Beast Emperor Xuan Yan’s power to the extreme. He wanted to see just how strong the power of one at death’s door could be!

But in the next second, the cold smile at Lin Zifeng’s lips froze. In its place came boundless shock, tinged with a thread of fear. Jiang Xuefeng, now coughing blood as he sneered, looked extraordinarily Dark and sinister: "Haha... criminal Lin Zifeng, I’ll see you within my Domain restriction!"

As his words fell, a column of white light burst from Jiang Xuefeng’s body, shrouding Lin Zifeng’s figure within.

Domain restriction— a move any expert who has broken into the Seventh Layer Heaven of the Sub-Saint Realm can use. Its power is great, but the price is such that most would not dare to employ it lightly.

Drag the enemy into the Domain one has created. The power contained within can kill the enemy inside. Yet the gap between Lin Zifeng and Jiang Xuefeng was like heaven and earth. Even entering the Domain Jiang Xuefeng had created, it might not be enough to injure Lin Zifeng.

"You deliberately took that strike from me just now so I would relax my guard, so you could drag me into this restriction? Hmph. Truly a loyal minister. Then today, I, Lin Zifeng, will let you die the death you deserve!"

Within the Domain, Lin Zifeng looked up at the sky full of blades and swords and couldn’t help but roar. He knew well that if he wanted to walk out of this Domain, he had to destroy the Domain Jiang Xuefeng had made. Then Jiang Xuefeng would be devoured by this power in turn, at the very least having his meridians all severed and suffering grievous wounds!

New wounds atop old scars— Jiang Xuefeng had hardened his heart to stake his life in this clash with Lin Zifeng, to show his loyalty!

To protect his lord with his death— the greatest form of loyalty...

"Hmph. Brother Dongfang, the world all knows you as the National Guardian Martial God. But how many know that I, Jiang Xuefeng, was once the Lianyun Martial God of years past..."

Within the field, a faint smile actually appeared upon Jiang Xuefeng’s pale face. His murmured words caused a few drops of tears to flash in Liu Jihong’s eyes as he stood to the side.

Back then, amidst the clash of steel and warhorses, it was he who made Jiang Xuefeng bury his future and become the Liu Family’s shadow. Now, with a great foe at the gates, it was he who made Jiang Xuefeng stake his life to protect the Dragon Throne behind him.

At this moment, Lin Zifeng stood upon an open plain. In midair, countless weapons floated densely, all fixing their predatory gaze upon him.

Outside the Domain, Jiang Xuefeng’s eyes hardened. With a single thought, the blades and swords floating in the sky lunged savagely toward Lin Zifeng.