Chapter 504: Captured Alive
Chapter 504: Captured Alive (Happy New Year)
The water god is coming!
Inside the sea of fire, when "Zhao Duan" held up the Black Turtle Seal with his hand, the powerful aura, with the help of Pei Niannu's possessed hand, turned into magic power, which moved this amulet which also had an extraordinary origin.
On the "seal button" part of the Black Turtle Seal, the turtle and snake eyes carved from black jade suddenly became lively.
The talisman originated from the belief in the "water god" and connects heaven and earth.
Zhao Duan clearly felt that a coolness quickly spread in all directions with the Black Turtle Seal as the core, and the heat filling his mouth and nose was effectively suppressed.
at the same time.
Not far away, King Heng, who was suspended above the sea of fire, his entire body covered in illusory flames, his eyebrows and hair all red like the "God of Fire", had a stiff smile on his face, his pupils suddenly narrowed, and he instinctively sensed a great sense of uneasiness.
"what is that?"
In a flash, without giving him any time to think, King Heng's body subconsciously took action first.
He stopped the action of grasping the flaming spear and throwing it forward, and instead pushed Zhao Duan heavily with both palms!
The sea of fire in front of him was shaken, like layers of waves, blown up by the strong wind.
As the waves of flames swept across, "fire crows" flew out from them, flapping their wings at an even faster speed, making sharp, hoarse, strange bird calls, and crashing towards Zhao Duan!
Danger!
Zhao Duan's hair stood on end. He also had no time to think. He felt the other half of his body being controlled by Pei Niannu, who was casting the Black Turtle Seal.
His heart sank, his clear and bright eyes suddenly became firm, he abruptly raised his right arm that still belonged to the "warrior", and suddenly slashed at the air in front of him!
As he chopped it off, gemstones of different colors on the scabbard stuck in the ground in the distance lit up one by one.
A thin line of dark gold flashed by.
The magical effect of [Suppressing Sword] was activated, and the densely packed fire crows, numbering more than a hundred, were annihilated at the same time, breaking into sparks all over the sky, floating in all directions.
This is a unique method hidden within the sword.
On the day when Li Yanfu launched the coup, the girl trained by the Li family used a knife to repel several female court attendants at the same time.
In this brief moment of time gained by the sword, Pei Niannu's cold and arrogant voice came from Zhao Duan's sea of consciousness:
"alright."
Alright? What's alright?
When Zhao Duan was stunned, the Black Turtle Seal rose up by itself, as if tearing a hole in the air, and from the hole, endless clear water gushed out like a dam bursting!
The clear water quickly extinguished the sea of fire in the area under Zhao Duan's feet, forming a swamp.
In just a few breaths, the area of the swamp expanded rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, it almost covered half of the "sea of fire".
If you look down from the sky, the circular fire and water on the ground are in the shape of a Tai Chi fish, each occupying half and clearly separated.
Zhao Duan and King Heng stood at the "fish eyes" of the two halves of the Tai Chi fish respectively.
"How is this possible?" King Heng was so shocked that he lost his voice. As the holder of the Red Flame Holy Armor, he clearly sensed the fading of the force field he controlled.
The power from the God of Fire was suppressed, but the situation could still be maintained even with the help of the magic power stored in this ancient armor.
However, the area under his control was reduced by half in just an instant!
No, it's not over yet!
"Boom!"
A low thunder suddenly sounded, and Zhao Duan and King Heng raised their heads at the same time.
The latter was shocked to see a small dark cloud condensing out of thin air above their heads, with electric snakes visible in the cloud. If one looked closely, the shape of the dark cloud resembled a "giant turtle" lying in mid-air.
The soldiers of the Shenji Camp who were isolated on the periphery were surprised to find that the air began to become dry, and the water bags hanging around their waists became lighter at the same time!
At this moment, the mysterious "water god" drained all the water vapor within a radius of several miles and gathered it into clouds.
"It's raining!" a soldier exclaimed.
In full view of everyone, above the sea of fire and water, there was a crackling sound from the dark clouds and raindrops as big as beans fell.
A small-scale rainstorm suddenly came, and water drops hit the water at Zhao Duan's feet, creating ripples.
When the water drops hit the sea of fire, they turned into wisps of white steam.
The pattern is being broken!
The area belonging to the "Water God" is expanding rapidly, while the area controlled by the "Fire God" is shrinking rapidly!
This does not mean that Zhao Duan is more powerful, but that the rules of the five elements of heaven and earth and their mutual generation and mutual restraint are at work.
When both parties are in the "worldly" realm, the difference in magic power is eliminated by attributes.
"No——" King Heng no longer had his confidence and composure. Panic was evident on his face. His body, standing in the sea of fire, was soaked by the rain, fading and disappearing bit by bit.
And in a corner of the sea of fire, a figure that did not exist originally and was in an "invisible" state gradually became clear.
"Got you!"
Zhao Duan's eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he gathered the power of the sword in his hand and threw it out suddenly. The sword was wrapped in turbulent energy and pierced into the blurry figure with a whistling sound.
"what!"
With a scream, the figure fell down, and the "King Heng" in the air disappeared completely. The flames covering the ground shrank rapidly, and disappeared in a few breaths.
Zhao Duan also put away the Black Turtle Seal with his backhand, and his figure flashed as he arrived nearby.
As the flames faded, King Heng's true body appeared on the ground, lying on his back.
His eyes were closed and his face was pale, as if he had fainted due to the defeat. He was wearing a scarlet half-body armor with a black human face mark on the front.
At this moment, the sword on the half-body armor pierced straight into the ground, nailing King Heng to the ground.
Wisps of flames, as if they had life, quickly penetrated into the Scarlet Flame Holy Armor.
Without the maintenance of the Black Turtle Seal, the water on the ground quickly seeped into the soil, leaving only large patches of white water vapor that enveloped the entire area and blocked the view.
"This thing can't block the Suppressing Sword?" Zhao Duan was stunned for a moment, with an expression of surprise. He pulled out the Suppressing Sword cautiously, and the wound on the Red Flame Holy Armor that was pierced by it slowly healed.
Ah, this... So, the ability of this red armor is not in defense, but in the use of the fire god's magic? Yes, if the defense is strong, there is no need to use fire escape to hide, and it will not be unable to block my sword...
Zhao Duan's eyes showed a hint of understanding, and he took the Red Flame Holy Armor off the unconscious King Heng with numb hands and feet.
Held in the hand, the armor was incredibly light, like a feather, and smooth to the touch. The dark red armor was covered with fine lines, and the black human face imprint was outlined like thick ink, revealing majesty and holiness in its weirdness.
"Senior Pei, do you recognize this thing?" Zhao Duan asked the old man in the ring in his heart, no, the old lady.
Pei Niannu's voice echoed: "Zoroastrianism, holy object, Red Flame Holy Armor."
After saying this, Zhao Duan's silver eyes returned to normal, and his scarlet clothes returned to their original appearance. The old lady was very dissatisfied with him, so she left after beating him and didn't want to stay for half a second longer.
Woman, your name is Ruthless...
Red Flame Holy Armor? It sounds familiar. I seem to have seen it before when I was looking through the materials in the government office, but I don’t have a deep impression of it. I can go back and check it carefully...
Zhao Duan seemed to be thinking about something, his eyes were burning:
Obviously, this armor is not inferior to the Black Turtle Seal, and is even more powerful in killing. Once it is opened, it can spread out a flame field, hide the real body, and burn the enemy to death...
If I didn't have the "Water God" talisman on me that could restrain it, I would have been able to escape at best, but would never have been able to capture King Heng alive. I might even have accidentally capsized and died in the hands of Xu Heng...
The background of old-time dignitaries such as Li Yanfu and King Heng cannot be underestimated...
Zhao Duan put the Red Flame Holy Armor into the Taixu Scroll. Suddenly, his ears moved slightly. He raised his head and looked into the distance through the white "fog" around him.
……
……
On the official road, cavalry came roaring.
Yuan Feng, the square-faced commander of the Fifth Army Battalion, dismounted, holding a sword in one hand and the scabbard in the other, and rushed to the white fog that stretched across the entire official road in front of him. His sharp eyes were fixed on the corner of the carriage that was visible in the fog.
Without hesitation, Yuan Feng strode forward and used his sword to open the curtain of the carriage, only to see that the carriage was empty.
On the ground, the horse pulling the cart was lying on its side. There were marks of burns on its hair, blood was oozing from its nose, and it had no breath. It was dead.
Behind them, Young Master Tang Ping and other military officers also looked grimly at the burnt mud in the gradually dispersing fog. Suddenly, everyone noticed that a human-shaped black figure was slowly walking out of the fog.
Instantly, everyone took up a fighting stance.
"it's me."
A somewhat tired voice was heard, and Zhao Duan pinched his brow with one hand to relieve the fatigue and pain caused by excessive consumption of Qi.
Every time I fight with all my strength, I feel like my kidneys have been drained afterwards... It's terrible...
"Master Zhao?"
"Zhao Shaobao? I'm glad you're okay!"
Yuan Feng, Tang Ping and others were shocked at first, but after they were sure that Zhao Du was safe and sound, the heavy stone in their hearts suddenly fell to the ground.
Especially the former, after Yuan Feng learned from Xu Zudi's confession that King Heng had a trump card that was enough to kill Shijiejing, he chased out worriedly.
Seeing this, Tang Ping stopped fighting and followed with a team of people.
Then they followed the traces all the way back, and now that they had confirmed that the emperor's husband was safe, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
"General, have you chased King Heng here? Have you already fought with him?" the young master in silver helmet and armor asked anxiously.
"Yes, we had a fight." Zhao Duan nodded: "Xu Heng is much more treacherous than the rumors say. He escaped this time, maybe he deliberately led me to chase him, hoping to capture me in return."
What? Everyone was shocked. Yuan Feng frowned and asked, "Did the person escape?"
Zhao Duan shook his head and pointed at the mist behind him: "It's right behind."
Seeing a group of people holding their breath and being on high alert, Zhao Duan said with a bit of amusement in a nonchalant tone:
"Relax, the rebel King Heng has been captured alive by me and is about to be brought back to the camp."
Capture alive? Yuan Feng could hardly maintain his attitude of facing a formidable enemy, and looked at Zhao Duan in astonishment.
The young master was also stunned, with a hint of uncertainty on his young and handsome face.
"Da da da……"
At this time, the mist condensed from water vapor dissipated rapidly, and more people walked out of the fog.
The team of musketeer cavalry under Zhao Duan marched out, all of them with their clothes intact and without any signs of fighting.
The two war horses in the front were freed and their reins were held by walking soldiers.
On a warhorse, lying unconscious and tied with cowhide ropes, was the disguised King of Qingzhou, Xu Heng.
On another horse, there was also a woman with a graceful figure that looked like she had been through many years. She was Xiao Dong'er, who was also unconscious. The ropes on her body had been cut, but for the sake of stability, another rope was tied around her waist and fixed to the saddle.
Before the fight began, King Heng threw the carriage that Xiao Dong'er was in into the sea of fire.
Even though the fire spread and accidentally affected people, under Xu Heng's deliberate control, Mrs. Xiao in the carriage was not burned to death, but was suffocated by the heat wave.
"Xu Heng was stabbed by me, but the injury is not fatal. He will not die. Take him back and ask the military physician to bandage him. I need to escort the father and son back to the capital and report to His Majesty."
Zhao Duan said casually:
"The female head of the Xiao family in Donghu was kidnapped by Prince Heng. The Xiao family is the imperial merchant of the court and should be treated with favor. She needs to be taken back for recuperation. Now that Prince Heng has been arrested, the Qingzhou rebels have lost their master and it is difficult for them to make any progress."
Was King Heng really captured alive? And was the first widow of the Yu State rescued as rumored by the people?
Yuan Feng, Tang Ping, and the other military officers were all shocked. They looked at each other and suddenly doubted the information Xu Zudi had given them.
If it was really that dangerous, why did Zhao Duan handle it so easily? Without even a scratch?
But then, everyone thought about how it had only been a few hours since Zhao Duan led his troops to the front line, but he had already captured the rebel king alive and defeated the Qingzhou army...
This speed of suppressing the rebellion is simply inhumane...
Is this the legendary King Zhao? He is even better than us at leading troops in battle? Is there no area in which he is not good at? How on earth could Your Majesty have dug out such a monster?
Yuan Feng and other generals from the five military camps were in a trance, looking towards Zhao Duan with a mixture of respect and fear, and a bold idea came to their minds:
With this method of leading troops in battle, I’m afraid he is far inferior to even the “God of War” Xue Shence, right?
But immediately, everyone put this ridiculous idea behind them:
If you think about it carefully, the reason why Zhao Duan was able to win a great victory was that he relied on the advantage of firearms. The enemy lacked understanding and preparation, which led to their complete defeat.
Secondly, as everyone knows, the Qingzhou rebels are not good at fighting. Without the evil chariots and the command of Wei Xianzong, they would pose no threat.
"What are you still standing there for? Why don't you go back? I'm still waiting to see the results of this battle." Zhao Duan said calmly.
Everyone just came back to their senses. Yes, the fight is not over yet.
……
However, when Zhao Duan and his group returned to the front line in a hurry, they found, as expected, that the confrontation between the two armies had ended.
The Qingzhou army was defeated, and the military flag in the camp was cut down and replaced with the flag of the Shenji Camp.
Old acquaintances such as Chen Gui, the head of the Firearms Bureau, were leading soldiers to capture prisoners of war and take over the results of the battle in the Qingzhou military camp.
Upon learning that Zhao Duan had captured King Heng alive, the soldiers of the two camps were overjoyed:
In just one battle, not only was the rebel army defeated, but even the leader was captured. This was the greatest victory the State of Yu had achieved in decades.
"Where is Shi Meng? Can't see him?" Zhao Duan looked around and asked.
Chen Gui cupped his hands and smiled:
"Although the Qingzhou army was defeated, Wei Xianzong still led a group of elite soldiers, fighting and retreating, and retreated to the back. Commander Shi led his troops to pursue them, but they have not returned yet."
Is that so... Zhao Duan nodded, but had no intention of going to help. With Shi Meng's combat power and manpower, plus their high morale, no accidents would happen at all.
The only uncertainty is the final outcome of the battle, such as whether the rebel commander Wei Xianzong can be captured alive.
"The entire Qingzhou rebel army is a bunch of mediocre people, but this Wei Xianzong seems to be an exception." Zhao Duan asked curiously: "Why was he not well-known before?"
Although he didn't know much about leading troops in battle, he had basic vision and judgment.
Whether it was the three defeats of the Five Army Camps or the battle that just ended, Wei Xianzong's meticulous and cautious arrangements, as well as his decisive and swift on-the-spot reactions, were all remarkable.
If it weren't for the internal power struggles and disunity among the Qingzhou rebels, it would have been almost impossible to defeat the rebels in one battle.
"It's like this..." Yuan Feng explained.
Zhao Duan raised his hand to interrupt him: "Let's talk in the tent."
……
Soon, he brought a group of people and sat in the Qingzhou Army's tent, in the position that originally belonged to King Heng.
"Go ahead." Zhao Duan leaned back in his chair, relaxed physically and mentally, and ordered to continue.
Yuan Feng then said:
"The reason why Wei Xianzong is not well-known is that he served in Qingzhou, which ranks second to last among all the military governments, only stronger than Lingnan.
The other reason is that he was promoted to the post not long ago. In fact, the reason why he was able to serve as the commander-in-chief was because of the recommendation of the Qingliu faction in the court. "
"Is this Wei Xianzong a member of the Qingliu Party?" Zhao Duan was stunned.
The latter nodded carefully, hesitated and said:
"In the beginning, it was the Imperial Censor Yuan Li who recommended this man to the position."
Yuan Li's people? Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows.
-
Happy New Year's Eve. Well, considering it's almost midnight, it should be Happy New Year. I wish you and myself all the best.
(End of this chapter)