CHAPTER 176: CHAPTER 174: ANOTHER BATTLE_1

"An Imperial Edict: ’King of War, for your valiant defense against the Scarab Tribe, return immediately to the Holy City to receive your reward. By Imperial Command!’"

At the border of the great desert, a Black Emissary descended from the sky. His powerful, resonant voice echoed between heaven and earth, lingering long after the words faded.

Within the city, Nie Feng walked onto the city wall, his expression calm, unsurprised by the Black Emissary’s arrival.

"Relay this message to His Majesty: the Scarab Tribe crisis has not yet been resolved. I cannot return at this time!" Nie Feng stated平淡地.

Is returning now not simply walking into a trap?

From the very beginning, he had been aware of his true situation. After being adopted by the previous Divine Emperor, he had stumbled upon the complete Yin-Yang Scripture in the scripture repository and understood what his future held. He offered no resistance, knowing it would be futile and would likely cost him his life. So, feigning ignorance, he focused on his cultivation, joined the army in his youth, and fought on numerous battlefields, earning glorious merits for the Divine Court and becoming the renowned King of War. Behind this splendid facade lay his endurance of humiliation for a greater purpose.

"General Nie, do you dare defy an Imperial Edict?" the Black Emissary questioned coldly, his eyes fixed on Nie Feng, glinting with a dangerous light. As the Divine Emperor’s loyal hound, he would not permit anyone to disobey a sacred command. Not even if that person was the King of War, Nie Feng!

"The Scarab Tribe could attack at any moment. This general regrets he cannot depart!" Nie Feng replied fearlessly. If he weren’t trying to hide his cultivation, he could crush a mere Black Emissary with a single finger.

"That is not for you to decide!" the Black Emissary retorted, murderous intent flaring in his eyes. With a beat of his wings, a dagger, emanating a dark, chilling light, appeared in his hand. He lunged at Nie Feng, and the aura of a peak Saint expert swept through Changkong.

"Audacious!"

"Black Emissary, you dare to attack the Divine Court’s King of War?"

"Stop him!"

Facing the Black Emissary’s sudden assault, the Divine Army soldiers were in an uproar. They drew their weapons, and many officers shouted, moving to shield Nie Feng, their formidable strength erupting.

They recognized only their general, not the Emperor!

This was the current state of the Divine Army; in their hearts, there was only one master: Nie Feng!

"You all..." The Black Emissary halted his attack, glaring furiously but not daring to advance recklessly. If his actions provoked an army mutiny, he wouldn’t be able to account for it upon his return; moreover, he couldn’t defeat the Divine Army.

"Everyone, stand aside!" Nie Feng said calmly, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

The officers slowly parted, clearing a path.

"Fight!" Nie Feng stepped forward, drawing his sword.

"If you’re seeking death, don’t blame me!" The Black Emissary was overjoyed. He had been wondering how to engage Nie Feng, and now the man had stepped forward willingly.

BANG!

His figure flickered, and countless illusory phantoms appeared in the Void. Each phantom exuded a terrifying aura, appearing so real it was impossible to distinguish the true body.

Nie Feng’s eyes narrowed slightly. His hand moved, his sword shot out, and he thrust forcefully towards one of the phantoms.

A spray of blood dyed Changkong crimson!

All the phantoms vanished.

"You... How did you find me?" the Black Emissary stammered, looking down in disbelief at the war sword piercing his chest.

"Get lost!" Nie Feng ignored his question and kicked the Black Emissary away. He crashed to the ground several thousand zhang distant, gouging out a massive crater and sending dust billowing.

A few moments later, the Black Emissary staggered into the air, hovering and roaring in fury, "Nie Feng, I will return to His Majesty at once! You are finished!"

Before Nie Feng could reply, he flew into the distance, vanishing into a black speck.

With this, the Divine Emperor can confirm I’ve broken through to the Saint King Realm. It seems I need to contact the Qin Empire! Nie Feng mused silently. He commanded several of his subordinate officers, "You are to garrison this position. I have an important matter to attend to. Remember, during this time, ignore any summons from His Majesty!"

The officers exchanged glances but, without hesitation, clasped their fists and accepted the order.

Nie Feng nodded and flew towards the capital city of the Qin Empire.

A Saint King expert’s speed was immense; in less than a quarter of an hour, he arrived outside the Imperial Capital.

When Qin Wudao heard Nie Feng sought an audience, he was momentarily surprised. However, considering Nie Feng’s contributions to defending the northwest, he decided to meet him.

「In the Imperial Study, figures moved about.」

Qin Wudao, Jia Xu, Li Si, Wang Yangming, and others fixed their gazes on Nie Feng, their eyes filled with curiosity. This was, after all, a legendary figure from the Divine Court.

"Your Majesty!" Nie Feng bowed respectfully, without a trace of arrogance.

"Rise, King of War!" Qin Wudao said politely, carefully observing Nie Feng. Dressed in white robes, he was handsome and bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Yun.

"I wonder if Your Majesty has ever considered conquering the Great Light Domain and elevating the Qin Empire to a kingdom-level power?" Nie Feng’s opening words were explosive, stunning everyone present in the hall. Their breathing quickened, and their expressions changed drastically.

Conquer the Great Light Domain!

Become a kingdom-level power!

For everyone there, the temptation was immense!

Becoming a kingdom-level power meant gaining access to the power of Fortune, which would significantly enhance the nation’s strength.

"You are the King of War of the Divine Court. Why would you help me?" Qin Wudao quickly regained his composure and asked gravely. He wouldn’t believe in such a fortuitous event simply falling into his lap.

"Because... I want to live!" Nie Feng replied solemnly.

His explanation, however, did not dispel Qin Wudao’s wariness.

"Alright!" Nie Feng conceded. "To tell you the truth, the cultivation technique I practice is called the Yin-Yang Scripture. Once I break through to the Saint King Realm, the Divine Emperor will devour me, and I will be utterly destroyed, body and soul..."

After hearing this explanation, Qin Wudao’s vigilance lessened somewhat. He glanced at Jia Xu beside him and gave a slight nod.

Receiving the signal, Jia Xu stepped forward with a smile. His smile, however, was bone-chilling, sending shivers down one’s spine. "General," he said, "have you perhaps heard of a Great Dao Oath?"

Nie Feng’s expression flickered, a storm of emotions crossing his face.

A Great Dao Oath is one a Martial Artist swears to the Great Dao. Only by fulfilling the oath can one remain unharmed. Failure to complete it can lead to damage to one’s Dao Heart at best, or utter annihilation—body and soul—at worst!

"Very well!" After a moment’s thought, Nie Feng, seeing no other choice, gritted his teeth and swore, "Great Dao above, I, Nie Feng, swear today: so long as the Qin Empire slays the Divine Emperor, I will help the Qin Empire obtain the Great Light Domain and ascend to a kingdom-level power!"

BOOM!

The Great Dao responded. Clouds churned in the Nine Heavens, and a beam of white light shot down, striking Nie Feng between the brows. A mark of the Heavenly Dao appeared, merged into his skin, and slowly faded.

"Your Majesty, it is done!" Jia Xu bowed to Qin Wudao and returned to his original position.

This resolved the matter in the most direct and brutal way.

Qin Wudao nodded and said to Nie Feng, "General Nie, you may now speak of your plan!"

"Your Majesty, from my understanding of the Divine Emperor, he will set out immediately upon receiving the Dark Emissary’s message. At that time, Your Majesty need only slay the Divine Emperor, and I will be free from the constraints of my cultivation technique!" Nie Feng said with excitement, his eyes shining, filled with eager anticipation.

Hearing this, Qin Wudao could not help but frown.

Kill the Divine Emperor? That was overestimating the Qin Empire’s strength by far!