Everyone took a second look, and truly, the blood coming from Zhao Fengchen’s wounds was much lighter than the blood coming from his mouth.
“The poison in Zhao Fengchen’s body has nothing to do with Duan Zhuyan. It was buried in him from the very start. What did he eat this morning? Didn’t I say that he needed to personally handle everything he ate or drank before today’s match and was not to take in any outside food?”
Wang Chong continued to press a hand against Zhao Fengchen’s chest, constantly sending in Stellar Energy. As he spoke, his expression grew harsh.
With the precedents of the Setting Sun Villa incident and the Big Dipper City incident, just who could say what trickery was afoot amongst Zhao Fengchen’s loyal subordinates? Wang Chong had even specifically warned him, but in the end, Zhao Fengchen had still fallen prey to the enemy’s plot. The poison in his body was fierce to the extreme, and not even someone as strong as Zhao Fengchen had been able to do anything about it.
“Your Highness, we didn’t!”
“This morning, we ate only the food of the Imperial Army, and Marshal has been extremely cautious these last few days, ordering us not to eat anything from outside!”
“That’s right! We’ve spent the last few days eating and sleeping together, and there was nothing different from usual!”
“But if it has to do with food, we ate whatever the Marshal ate, so why is the Marshal poisoned while the rest of us are fine?!”
This realization made the soldiers look at each other in speechless shock.
“That’s right. If Zhao Fengchen was poisoned, why is it that they’re fine while Zhao Fengchen has fallen unconscious from poison, even though they ate the same things?”
Wang Chong’s brows furrowed even more tightly as he realized this.
There was no question that Zhao Fengchen had consumed poison, but if it really had come in through the food, all the soldiers should have suffered from it, not just Zhao Fengchen.
“I… I know.” At this moment, a timid voice spoke up, and everyone, Wang Chong included, turned to the speaker.
“Third Uncle’s match was today, so I sent Third Uncle a box of his favorite plum flower cakes, and today, Third Uncle ate them.”
Nearby, Zhao Fengchen’s niece Zhao Miqiu was kneeling on the ground, tears running down her face as she uneasily and timidly looked at Wang Chong and the surrounding Xuanwu Army soldiers.
“This competition was extremely important, and if Third Uncle won, he would become a Grand Marshal. Third Uncle has always treated me well, so I brought his favorite snacks to cheer him on. Those cakes, those cakes… could it really be the cakes I gave to Third Uncle?”
The girl began to wail, her eyes both anxious and worried.
Wang Chong’s heart sank upon hearing this, and the Xuanwu Army soldiers understood as well. Everyone had eaten the same things this morning, but Zhao Fengchen had also eaten the cakes from his niece.
If this was really related to food, then it could only be blamed on Zhao Miqiu’s plum flower cakes. But how could Zhao Fengchen’s beloved niece ever betray him?
“Let me ask you, where did you get these plum flower cakes from? Did you make them yourself or buy them?” Wang Chong sternly said. He had planned together with Zhao Fengchen for so long, but their preparations had been ruined by a single Zhao Miqiu. If Zhao Fengchen knew the truth, he would probably find it impossible to accept.
“I… This morning, when I said that I was going to the palace to support Third Uncle, the patriarch suddenly stopped me and gave me a box of plum flower cakes, saying that they were for Third Uncle to eat. Your Highness, it’s not a problem with the cakes, right?”
Zhao Miqiu pulled on Wang Chong’s hand, her expression both worried and ashamed, the tears running even faster.
She had grown up with no mother or father, and her third uncle was the person she respected the most. If her third uncle was poisoned by consuming the cakes, then she would truly never be able to forgive herself.
Wang Chong’s heart sank even further. The truth was now obvious. He had known some time ago that Zhao Fengchen was at odds with his clan, but Wang Chong had never expected that the Zhao Clan would go so far for the sake of the clan’s prosperity.
They had even used Zhao Fengchen’s beloved niece so that he would eat the poisoned plum flower cakes.
Chapter 1731 - Curing the Poison!
Chapter 1731: Curing the Poison!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
“Did the Zhao Clan Patriarch come?” Wang Chong asked.“No!” a Xuanwu Army soldier declared. If the Zhao Clan patriarch had come, they would have been one of the first to know.Wang Chong said nothing. There was no question that the Zhao Clan had thrown its lot in with the First Prince, and Zhao Fengchen had been the weight dragging them down.When it came to the welfare of the clan, individual loss, even the loss of a life, was irrelevant. Such was the cruelty and callousness of the great clans!“Don’t be anxious. Now is not the time to talk about plum flower cakes, but to think of a way to save Zhao Fengchen!” Wang Chong said. Zhao Miqiu was the most innocent person in this entire incident, and now was not the time to blame her.“Your Highness, how is our lord? Can he be saved?” a Xuanwu Army soldier asked.“Your Highness, please, you must save Third Uncle!” Zhao Miqiu tearfully implored, prostrate on the ground.Wang Chong said nothing as his mind rapidly worked. This poison was extremely strange. It was already absurd that it had been consumed in the morning and only begun to work now, and it was even stranger that the Origin Immortal Art was unable to nullify it. Moreover, while he had managed to protect the heart and vital organs, the ferocity of the poison was unabated.If he couldn’t solve this, Zhao Fengchen would still find it hard to avoid death. Zhao Fengchen was weakening by the second, and it didn’t seem like he could last for long.Let’s see if that will work!A thought suddenly occurred to Wang Chong, and he quickly communicated with the Stone of Destiny.“Stone of Destiny, exchange for Blood Reformation!”A moment later, Wang Chong heard the Stone of Destiny respond, “Exchange successful!”A vast energy flowed through Wang Chong’s body and into Zhao Fengchen.Before anyone could understand what was going on, there was a red flash of light in Zhao Fengchen’s body, and then black dust began to burst out of his pores, pushed out by Wang Chong’s Stellar Energy.With the Blood Reformation power of the Stone of Destiny, Wang Chong had managed to stabilize Zhao Fengchen, but completely removing the poison was another matter entirely. The poison wasn’t simply flowing through his blood. It had seeped into his nerves and his cells. However, the Blood Reformation had still been helpful in significantly reducing the poison.Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Chong took out a white box. Within was a white pill the size of a pigeon egg, exuding a pure fragrance.The Nine Revolutions Great Renewal Pill!When Wang Chong first began to cultivate martial arts, he had obtained a great many pills from the alchemists of the Imperial Palace through Six-Fingered Zhang. Though he was a King and a Subtle realm martial artist, he still maintained his connection with the alchemists of the palace.The Nine Revolutions Great Renewal Pill was a pill Wang Chong had obtained from a top-class alchemist.This pill alone had cost Wang Chong one million taels of gold, and while it wasn’t so impressive that it could revive the dead or regrow limbs, it would be extremely effective for Zhao Fengchen.Once Zhao Fengchen swallowed the pill, his complexion immediately improved.Whoosh!After some time, Zhao Fengchen let out a breath of foul air and slowly awoke. While his aura was still weak, his injuries had been stabilized.“Third Uncle, I’m sorry!”Upon seeing Zhao Fengchen awake, Zhao Miqiu immediately began to weep, rushing into his chest as she sobbed.“Little Qiu, your third uncle is fine. No one is blaming you for this!” Zhao Fengchen softly comforted.Although he had been unconscious for some time and had no idea what had happened, the weeping Zhao Miqiu and the reactions of Wang Chong and the Xuanwu Army soldiers gave him a rough idea of what had transpired.In the end, the welfare of the clan had overcome the wel
l-being of the empire. This thought made Zhao Fengchen’s eyes dim.“Lord Zhao, are you okay?”At this moment, the tapping of footsteps and a soft and surreptitious voice could be heard.For some reason, everyone had a strange feeling like they had been stung by a scorpion when hearing this voice, and they couldn’t help but shiver.Swoosh!A few moments later, the crowd parted, allowing a thin eunuch with sinister eyes to come through.There was nothing astonishing about this old eunuch’s face, but as he walked past, everyone couldn’t help but back away in fear.Even those hardy Xuanwu Army soldiers who had been tempered on the battlefield looked away and fell back when the eunuch glanced at them.“Eunuch Yin!”Wang Chong’s eyes went cold as he recognized the man.Only the First Prince’s mysterious chief eunuch could cow everyone simply with a glance.“King of Foreign Lands, this minor one pays his respects! The First Prince has sent this one to see how Lord Zhao is doing!”Eunuch Yin walked over, glanced at Wang Chong, and then looked at Zhao Fengchen.“To think that someone would dare to strike at Lord Zhao! How audacious! Lord Zhao, be at ease; after this incident, His Highness will do everything possible to find the truth! If the culprit who dared to disturb the Imperial Army competition is found, His Highness will immediately order their execution!” Eunuch Yin sternly said.Zhao Miqiu’s face went pale, and she began to shiver. If the First Prince really did investigate the matter, the Zhao Clan would probably come out fine while she would be given the death sentence.“Eunuch Yin, please report to His Highness that Zhao Fengchen is fine. It was merely an accidental backlash of energy and is of little concern!”Zhao Fengchen opened his eyes and managed to smile at Eunuch Yin as he spoke.“Is that so?”Eunuch Yin slightly frowned, but he did not pursue the point.“Since that is the case, Lord Zhao should rest while this lowly one reports to the First Prince.”After saying this, Eunuch Yin restored his cold and inflexible expression. Turning around and hiding his hands in his sleeves, he quickly departed.Wang Chong had remained silent throughout the conversation.“The Eastern Palace certainly didn’t send him out of concern, but to see if you were dead,” Wang Chong indifferently said as he watched Eunuch Yin leave.“Yes! But it seems I disappointed them!” Zhao Fengchen said.Wang Chong chuckled and quickly turned around.“The contest isn’t over. Can you still go on?”He had to admit that Zhao Fengchen’s performance had taken him somewhat by surprise.Although the Xuan-Huang Link Formation could borrow the energy of others, Zhao Fengchen’s swift reaction of blocking Duan Zhuyan’s attack and then using it to throw him to the ground had nothing to do with the Xuan-Huang Link Formation. This was a consequence of Zhao Fengchen’s own ability and quick-wittedness.“Mm!”Zhao Fengchen nodded. His current condition was extremely poor, and he was in no state to participate in another battle of the same level.But fortunately, he had already defeated Duan Zhuyan, accomplishing the objective of the original plan. Duan Zhuyan was eliminated now that he had been defeated by Zhao Fengchen, leaving only Lu Qiongji.“We just need to see who he challenges now!”As Wang Chong poured in more Origin Immortal Stellar Energy, Zhao Fengchen slowly began to recover. With the help of his men, he slowly sat up and began to turn his attention toward Lu Qiongji.As time passed, while Zhao Fengchen remained in a weak condition, the crowd began to quiet down.“In the first match, Zhao Fengchen wins! Now, Lu Qiongji, prepare to step onto the field!” the presiding eunuch loudly announced.The mood on the drilling ground became tense, and countless eyes focused on Lu Qiongji.Gallop!The hooves of his horse thudded against the ground as the armored man slowly came forward. For a moment, all was still, and even Zhao Fengchen suppressed his pain to look up at Lu Qiongji, his eyes grave.Right now, he could challenge Huang Tianzhao, Li Xuanyi, Bai Hanzhou, or Zhao Fengchen.Huang Tianzhao had already joined the First Prince, and while Bai Hanzhou was injured, Li Xuanyi had the worst injuries. As for Zhao Fengchen, while he had defeated Duan Zhuyan and still had a chance to challenge one of the three Grand Marshals, his injuries meant that he didn’t have much strength left to fight.From Lu Qiongji’s point of view, the most logical choice was to eliminate the heavily injured Zhao Fengchen and then defeat Li Xuanyi, thus becoming the Grand Marshal with command of the Xuanwu Army.This way, even if the First Prince couldn’t control the entire Imperial Army, he would still have two-thirds of it.At my current level of strength, there’s no way I can beat Lu Qiongji. All I can do now is do my best to wear out Lu Qiongji and his Imperial Forest Army so that Grand Marshal Li Xuanyi has a chance, Zhao Fengchen quietly said to himself.Li Xuanyi was in dire condition, but he was still one of the three Grand Marshals. Even while injured, he still had the strength to fight a bout.If Zhao Fengchen could exhaust Lu Qiongji’s mental and physical strength, Li Xuanyi would have a greater chance of defeating Lu Qiongji and stymieing the First Prince’s ambitions.“Help me up!”With these thoughts in mind, Zhao Fengchen immediately began to stand back up. Even though he was greatly exhausted, he could still use the Xuan-Huang Link Formation. By borrowing the power of the Xuanwu Army soldiers with this formation, he still had the strength to fight.
Chapter 1732 - Reversal! Bai Hanzhou’s Choice!
Chapter 1732
: Reversal! Bai Hanzhou’s Choice!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
Zhao Fengchen had barely risen when a young and forceful hand pressed onto his shoulder.
“How long can you go on in your current condition?” Wang Chong asked. Although this plan had been worked out between him and Zhao Fengchen, Zhao Fengchen was in no state to fight.
“Relax; I can still go on! Despite how fierce and grim the Battle of Talas was, I was still able to endure at your side. Do you think that I can’t even last through this Imperial Army competition?”
Zhao Fengchen shook his head, and he looked toward the drilling ground with determination.
Lu Qiongji had already reached the center of the drilling ground, and the match was about to begin.
The same eunuch looked toward the distant Lu Qiongji and asked, “Lu Qiongji, have you decided who you will challenge?”
All was quiet as everyone watched Lu Qiongji and waited for his decision.
Lu Qiongji’s face was obscured by his armor, and one could only see his eyes slowly sweep across the drilling ground, examining Huang Tianzhao, Bai Hanzhou, Li Xuanyi… and the still-seated Zhao Fengchen.
As Lu Qiongji’s eyes moved around, everyone on the western end of the drilling ground felt their hearts tense as they nervously awaited the decision.
Finally, Lu Qiongji began to speak.
“For this last match, I wish to challenge…”
“Wait!”
Just when Lu Qiongji was about to announce the name of his last opponent, a cold and aloof voice interrupted him.
This resounding voice instantly captured everyone’s attention.
On the eastern end of the drilling ground, a white-armored man with a dignified expression slowly trotted forward on his horse.
Bai Hanzhou!
Everyone was flabbergasted by the emergence of this individual.
For this last match, it was Lu Qiongji’s right to challenge one of the three Grand Marshals, but to everyone’s surprise, Bai Hanzhou had come forward.
“This… What is Grand Marshal Bai thinking?”
The other generals around the drilling ground looked at each other in consternation.
When Wang Chong saw that youthful figure, his eyebrows shot straight up. He instinctively sensed that things were about to get out of control.
The presiding eunuch took several steps forward and said, “Grand Marshal Bai, what are you doing? Please follow the rules of the competition and return to your place. This is the last round, and as a Grand Marshal, you can only wait to see if the challenger will choose you!”
“Heh, is that so?”
Bai Hanzhou’s hair drifted about in the wind as he sat upon his snow-white stallion and glanced at the eunuch.
His eyes were as cold as the edge of a blade.
“If this one re
members correctly, there is a rule that has rarely come up in past Imperial Army competitions.
“When one of the three Grand Marshals feels that one of the challengers lacks the strength, character, and ability to challenge the Grand Marshal, or that to be challenged by one would be a disgrace to a Grand Marshal, they may make an exception and challenge that individual to eliminate them.”
Buzz!
The crowd buzzed with chatter upon hearing Bai Hanzhou’s words.
“What is Grand Marshal Bai up to?”
“I have no idea. Does the Imperial Army competition really have this rule?”
“Grand Marshal Li Xuanyi is badly injured. Does he want to help Grand Marshal Li by challenging Lu Qiongji and eliminating him?!”
Bai Hanzhou and Li Xuanyi were both Grand Marshals, but Li Xuanyi was clearly in much worse condition. If Bai Hanzhou challenged Lu Qiongji, he truly could stop the First Prince, as the chances of Lu Qiongji occupying one of the three Grand Marshal posts would become incredibly slim.
Bai Hanzhou’s appearance had instantly caused a massive shift in this competition.
“Correct! The Imperial Army competition truly does have such a rule. This is a privilege enjoyed by the Grand Marshals!”
The eunuch’s reply provoked another round of chatter in the crowd. At this moment, Bai Hanzhou became the center of attention, and everyone wanted to see what he would do.
Bai Hanzhou’s cold eyes flitted across more than half of the drilling ground before eventually settling on an unexpected figure.
“For this match, this one wishes to challenge… Xuanwu Army Marshal Zhao Fengchen!”
Bang!
Bai Hanzhou announcing that name was the equivalent of a meteor slamming down from the heavens, sending massive shockwaves through the crowd that struck all of them dumb.
The Human Emperor c1-2382 Page 1063