But before An Yaluoshan and the others could react, crash! Yet another wall collapsed, this time to the west.
"Young Master Chong, we've come to help you!"
In a flash, the Huang Clan's patriarch led a group of elites charging into the Youzhou soldiers.
But this was still not over.
Suddenly, an elderly and vigorous voice roared out like a lion. "Young Master, don't worry; we've come to help you!"
From the back of the courtyard, a stalwart figure, old yet hearty, led a group of experts charging through the rear wall.
"Elder Ye!"
Wang Chong was once more elated. The newcomers were actually his grandfather's old subordinates, Elder Ye, Elder Zhao, and the others.
Wang Chong had not expected that his order would even move them.
"Young Master, who do you want to kill! I'll help you!"
Elder Ye's voice was peerlessly tyrannical, ringing out like a great bell.
In the middle of the courtyard, An Yaluoshan's forces were given another shock. In just a short time, their opponents had once more mobilized so many people.
These two white-haired elders exuded a despotic energy and gave off the thick aura of military veterans. This was not even an aura that old generals who had experienced a hundred battles could have.
"Damn it! Just who is this person?"
These constant assaults caused even Ashina Sugan, who was still attempting to capture Wang Chong, to pale. They had originally believed their forces to be on par with Wang Chong's.
But now that Elder Ye and the others had entered, the Youzhou soldiers were now in a terrible state.
"Withdraw! Complete defense! Turtle Shell Formation! Hurry!"
A panicked voice cut through the rain, and was even repeated twice in both Hu and Han. Tian Chengsi, the field officer of Lulong, was from a family of field officers. He was extremely rigorous in managing his troops, unrivaled in the world in this aspect. In the future, he would be an influential existence.
But at this moment, he wore an expression of panic.
The forces against them were no longer something they could deal with. They were enough to completely crush them.
Moreover, these forces weren't coming from one direction, but all sides at once.
This meant that no matter how powerful, elite, or brave his Youzhou soldiers were, they would also have to endure attacks from three other sides.
On the battlefield, such circumstances would result in absolute defeat!
Rumble!
A massive, exquisite, and complicated Halo of Great Thorns vibrated under Elder Ye's feet. This halo was like countless thorn bushes tinged with streaks of gold. All in all, it exuded an aura of supreme power.
Roar! A giant fist exploded forward, not from Elder Ye's body, but from midair. In this moment, Wang Chong felt like he could see the image of a bronze mountain god behind Elder Ye.
This was Wang Chong's first time seeing Elder Ye strike.
Crsssh! Countless Youzhou soldiers were sent flying. Tian Chengsi's Turtle Shell Formation had been completely incapable of blocking Elder Ye's fist.
And at the same time, armored horsemen thundered in from the other sides, plunging into the Youzhou troops.
"Congratulations to user! For killing 1 Youzhou rebel, you are awarded 1 point of Destiny Energy!"
"Congratulations to user! For killing 2 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 2 points of Destiny Energy!"
"Congratulations to user! For killing 3 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 3 points of Destiny Energy!"
……
"Congratulations to user! For killing 7 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 7 points of Destiny Energy!"
"Congratulations to user! For killing 8 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 8 points of Destiny Energy!"
"Congratulations to user! For killing 9 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 9 points of Destiny Energy!"
……
"Congratulations to user! For killing 13 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 13 points of Destiny Energy!"
"Congratulations to user! For killing 14 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 14 points of Destiny Energy!"
"Congratulations to user! For killing 15 Youzhou rebels, you are awarded 15 points of Destiny Energy!"
……
A chain of messages poured into Wang Chong's mind. In just a few short moments, 17 Youzhou soldiers had been killed, immediately granting Wang Chong 17 points of Destiny Energy, an amount which was rapidly increasing.
The faces of An Yaluoshan, Ashina Sugan, and Tian Chengsi paled, and even Cui Qianyou and Tian Qianzhen, still battling with Li Siye, were visibly affected.
They could barely deal with one Li Siye, but against all these people… this pair, even working together, would probably die here.
"Stop! Who are you all?"
"We're the Youzhou army, from the Andong Protectorate! Haven't you got the wrong people!"
The Hu amongst these soldiers were still fighting, but the Han soldiers mixed in with them couldn't help but yell. Yet all these yells could not surpass this one shout:
"Commander!"
There was a massive thunderclap above that even managed to scatter away the torrential rains.
An enormous pressure came down. Even Cui Qianyou, who was still in the middle of fighting Li Siye, couldn't help but shout.
This resounding voice could be heard all over the capital. Wang Chong felt a jolt in his heart as he suddenly thought of something.
"Quickly, forget everyone else. Li Siye, Elder Ye, Elder Zhao, Elder Zhang, kill him for me!" Wang Chong pointed a figure at the distant An Yaluoshan.
An Yaluoshan was far craftier than imagined. At the start, he had still been standing at the front of the Youzhou troops, but once things started to go wrong and Wang Chong's side began to hold the advantage, he had immediately retreated to the back, where he was protected by the ranks of the Youzhou soldiers.
"Young Master, I'll seize him for you!"
An old but energetic voice echoed across the sky. Energy surged around Elder Zhao's body as he transformed into a rainbow and shot into the sky. At the same time, Li Siye and Zhang Jian also jumped out and toward An Yaluoshan.
"Cui Qianyou, Tian Qianzhen, save me!"
In a flash, An Yaluoshan's complexion turned ghastly pale and he screamed in fear. He was only at the True Martial realm. One Li Siye was already enough to put him on pins and needles, and now he had to deal with three such individuals.
In this moment, An Yaluoshan felt the thick aura of death and an intense unwillingness welled up.
All of this had been completely unreasonable. He hadn't even done anything, so why did he have to be killed!
Did he have to die here today without knowing a single thing?
No! No! No!
Before he even knew it, Li Siye, Elder Zhao, and Elder Ye, three Profound Martial realm experts, had rushed over to him like eagles descending upon their prey. Suddenly, to the north, a light exploded, as blinding as the sun. It was vigorous, majestic, supreme. This awe-inspiring energy swept through the courtyard, instantly making its presence known.
"Halt!"
This word was spoken flatly, yet it hung up high like the moon or sun. It was imbued with a supreme majesty that made everyone inadvertently lower their heads in submission and reverence.
Chapter 451: Zhang Shougui!
Chapter 451: Zhang Shougui!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
At present, Li Siye could be described as the most powerful person at Wang Chong's side. As he would become the Invincible Great General in the future, his strength could be easily imagined.
But even the high-tier Profound Martial expert who had killed Black Dragon Zhao was insignificant before that sudden and majestic energy.
In this moment, Li Siye, Elder Ye, Elder Zhao, Wang Chong, Marchioness Yi, and all the rest felt a fierce unease.
"Forget him. Li Siye, Elder Ye, kill An Yaluoshan!" Wang Chong suddenl
y yelled.
For this operation, he had mobilized almost all the strength of his clan and didn't mind paying any price. And just a moment ago, everything seemed to be going smoothly. Although he had let An Yaluoshan escape from Drunken Sparrow restaurant, he hadn't been able to completely escape. He had quickly surrounded the Youzhou soldiers, so now, An Yaluoshan couldn't escape like he had at the restaurant.
But right when he was about to succeed, Wang Chong suddenly felt a fierce danger. And in that moment, Wang Chong suddenly understood something.
The reason An Yaluoshan and those Youzhou soldiers had not attacked first was not merely that they were intimidated by Li Siye's strength. While Wang Chong had been buying time for his forces to arrive, An Yaluoshan had also been buying time for someone to arrive.
And now, that person was here.
Whoosh!
Li Siye, Elder Ye, and Elder Zhao, three Profound Martial realm experts working together, had come with a momentum that could overturn the world, could topple mountains. The three had hesitated a little, but Wang Chong's voice caused them to hasten their assault.
"Impudent!"
A shout thundered over the world. That voice seemed to arise from several dozen li away, but it took only a blink of an eye to reach the courtyard.
Boom!
It was like a boot had slammed down, and for a moment, the earth shook, seemingly causing the entire capital to sway.
Under everyone's eyes, a flood of golden Stellar Energy surged out from beneath An Yaluoshan's feet. This Stellar Energy was wild and domineering, yet it was also imbued with supreme majesty. It completely dispersed the attacks of Li Siye, Elder Zhao, and Elder Ye.
And the rest of the energy sent the trio flying.
"!!!"
At this sight, much less Wang Chong, Zhao Jingdian, or Marchioness Yi, even Li Siye, Elder Zhao, and Elder Ye were flabbergasted.
Li Siye had singlehandedly destroyed the Dragon Bandits while Elder Ye and Elder Zhao were distinguished generals of the older generation. Though old, their strength somewhat diminished, they were still formidable. No ordinary person could deal with them.
Only an extremely rare existence could singlehandedly send the three of them flying.
And no mediocre person could possibly reach this level.
In the space of a second, countless thoughts flashed through the minds of the trio. But they were not given much time to think. The winds howled as a golden figure dropped down from the heavens, crashing into the courtyard.
Upon seeing this golden figure, all the Youzhou soldiers cheered. Wang Chong's side, on the other hand, was dealt a severe shock.
"Not good!"
Wang Chong's complexion instantly turned nasty. Although he had never met that person, hearing the cheers of the Youzhou soldiers was enough for him to immediately guess at the man's identity.
And it was at this moment that Wang Chong suddenly realized that he had made a massive mistake.
From the moment he had heard An Yaluoshan's name and found out his location, Wang Chong had only one thought. At any cost, he wanted to kill this future calamity, the chief culprit behind the destruction of the Central Plains. Before he had even begun to mature, he would resolve this danger.
But it was also at that moment that Wang Chong had forgotten about someone: Zhang Shougui!
The Andong Protector-General, one of the supreme Great Generals of the empire!
……
Besides An Yaluoshan, the only people in Drunken Sparrow restaurant had been An Wenzhen and An Xiaojie, so he had always believed that An Yaluoshan had come to the capital alone.
Even when he came to this courtyard and saw Cui Qianyou and Tian Qianzhen, Wang Chong had remained undeterred. At most, his objective now included these Youzhou soldiers.
With his strength and the Wang Clan's power, he could easily wipe them out in the capital.
But from start to finish, this had just been his wishful thinking.
An Yaluoshan had not at all come to the capital alone. As a member of the Youzhou army, An Yaluoshan was not so bold or capable as to desert his garrison and travel to the distant capital.
There could be only one reason for his appearance.
The one who wanted to come to the capital was not him, but the empire's Andong Protector-General, Zhang Shougui. An Yaluoshan had just followed him.
As for why Zhang Shougui would appear here…
As Wang Chong looked through the memories of his last life, he suddenly understood.
Zhangchou Jianqiong!
Zhang Shougui had only appeared in the capital because of Zhangchou Jianqiong.
As the Annan Protector-General, Zhangchou Jianqiong, for the first time, had relied on military status to enter the court. He had succeeded in becoming Minister of War and he now outranked Zhang Shougui.
This 'unexpected' success had dragged in Zhang Shougui.
Zhang Shougui was also an Imperial Protector-General, a Great General, and in terms of seniority, achievements and prestige, he was above Zhangchou Jianqiong.
If even Zhangchou Jianqiong could use his status in the military to enter the court and become Minister of War, why couldn't he?
In his daze, Wang Chong suddenly understood.
Zhang Shougui wanted to become the Prime Minister!
Wang Chong knew this, the world knew this, and the Sage Emperor also knew this. Twenty years ago, Zhang Shougui dealt a mighty blow to Ü-Tsang, giving him some hope of being appointed Prime Minister. Alas, he ran into Wang Chong's grandfather.
His grandfather was far more senior than Zhang Shougui, and he also had greater prestige in the military. And in terms of achievements, they weren't even comparable.
At the time, his grandfather had stated1, "Zhang Shougui is still very young. He has just defeated Ü-Tsang. In the future, while he is in Youzhou and achieves even more, what will Your Majesty reward him with then?"
These words had been spoken in a private conversation in the Four Quarters Embassy, but because they concerned Imperial Great General Zhang Shougui and the position of Prime Minister, they had been leaked to outsiders.
But Wang Chong knew that this was not the true reason.
However, Zhang Shougui had still developed a grudge against the Wang Clan over this matter.
Annan Protector-General Zhangchou Jianqiong's entering the Bureau of Military Personnel had also affected Zhang Shougui. Thus, in his last life, not long after Zhangchou Jianqiong became Minister of War, Zhang Shougui entered the capital.
This had happened in his last life, and in this life… it was clear that it had happened again. And it was happening right in front of his eyes.
It was for this reason that An Yaluoshan and the other Youzhou soldiers had entered the capital.
As these thoughts came to the surface of his mind, Wang Chong finally understood everything.
But understanding did not give Wang Chong relief. On the contrary, it only made his heart sink further.
Because Zhang Shougui had clearly come to stop him!
"Everyone stop! Anyone who dares to move will die!"
Zhang Shougui, his hands held behind him, seemed to shake the world with his voice. In a flash, Zhao Yatong, Bai Siling, Xu Gan, Chen Burang, Sun Zhiming, and Fang Xuanling all seemed to have their breath taken away by Zhang Shougui's pressure, and none of them dared to move.
The intense battle suddenly transformed into deathly stillness. Both the Youzhou soldiers and Wang Chong's forces did not dare move an inch. They were all awed by the renown of this mighty and famous Andong Protector-General.
A man's name was like the shade of a tree2!
In the Central Plains, in the Great Tang Empire, Zhang Shougui's reputation was second only to the Crown Prince's Junior Guardian, Wang Zhongsi. He was a cornerstone of the empire and wielded considerable influence.
And as Wang Zhongsi retreated into the palace and gradually took leave of the border, passing on his authority to the Big Dipper Great General Geshu H
an, Zhang Shougui seemed to be trending toward becoming the supreme figure in the military!
In terms of authority and status, he was even above Hu Great Generals like Gao Xianzhi and Fumeng Lingcha!
______________
1. Historically, Zhang Jiuling, who Wang Jiuling, Wang Chong's grandfather is based on, urged Emperor Xuanzong to not appoint Zhang Shougui as Prime Minister because Zhang Shougui had only defeated the Khitans, so "what will you reward him with when he destroys the Xi and the Turks?"↩
2. This is a Chinese saying that means that a man's reputation can protect the people under him, just like how the shade of a tree can shelter others.
Chapter 452: Almost Within His Grasp!
Chapter 452: Almost Within His Grasp!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
No one had expected the situation to reach this state.
Zhao Yatong, Bai Siling, and the others had never expected Wang Chong's operation to drag in an Imperial Protector-General, and it was Zhang Shougui, one of the most influential and powerful of Protector-Generals.
The situation had already exceeded the bounds of a normal private grudge.
This made the crowd somewhat uneasy.
As for Wang Chong, Zhang Shougui's existence was like a mountain pressing down on his head, so heavy that he found it hard to breathe.
To kill An Yaluoshan in front of a pillar of the empire like Zhang Shougui was even more difficult than ascending into the heavens. Not even someone of Li Siye's caliber could do it, so how could he?
And what An Yaluoshan did next dashed the last sliver of hope in Wang Chong's heart to pieces.
"Foster Father, save me!"
An Yaluoshan, who had originally been planning to break out of the encirclement, suddenly lunged forward and kneeled in fear before the feet of this pillar of the empire.
And those two words that came out of his mouth made everyone tremble in fear. It wasn't 'Milord' or 'Commander'. It was 'Foster Father'!
This slightly plump Hu that Wang Chong had tenaciously chased down from Drunken Sparrow restaurant to this remote courtyard was actually the adopted son of the mighty Andong Protector-General!
"Bastard!"
Wang Chong stared ahead of him, his eyes bloodshot.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 317