“Alright, I’ll stay here and let Grand General Ji Ning go back. That should settle it, right?”
This was the best solution Ling Xiao could think of.
“No, you can go back. He must stay!”
The commander shook his head.
“Ling Xiao, you go. I, Ji Ning, act without shame in my heart. I did not injure Sikong Zun, so I have no need to flee.”
At this point, Ji Ning spoke up too.
“Grand General, you are usually sharp. How can you be so muddled at a critical moment? Clear conscience? But in this world, too many generals with clear consciences have been killed! Listen to me. With your strength, no one can stop you from leaving here. I’ll stay.”
Ling Xiao shook his head. “My life, Ling Xiao’s, is cheap. If I die, so be it. It means nothing. But you are different.”
“Nonsense! Do you expect me, Ji Ning, to let you die senselessly for my sake?”
Ji Ning was truly stubborn at this moment.
As the two argued endlessly, suddenly a sword thrust toward them.
The attacker wore an iron helmet, face obscured, but his skill was no weak thing.
Ling Xiao dared not underestimate him. He stabbed directly. His long sword struck the opponent’s armour, the sharp blade tearing through the metal.
“Get lost! I do not want to kill you!”
Ling Xiao knew he could not kill recklessly now, or the situation would worsen.
Yet the opponent cared not at all. Risking Ling Xiao’s sword, his blade still lunged at Ji Ning.
“Do not blame me!”
Ling Xiao would never let anyone kill Ji Ning. He withdrew his sword and kicked the man’s chest, trying to send him flying.
But the instant he kicked, he realised his miscalculation.
This person was merely a decoy.
While he tangled with the man, a sharp feathered arrow had already pierced Ji Ning’s body.
Fortunately, Ji Ning instinctively dodged, avoiding vital spots.
But the wound was already turning black.
“This arrow is poisoned!”
Ling Xiao stared at Ji Ning in shock. “And this is no ordinary toxin. It is Black Sever Powder!”
Black Sever Powder, a deadly poison the Black Crow Empire excelled at using. It could injure even Yin-Yang Realm martial artists. Even if it did not kill, it could paralyse them for a short time.
“Grand General, hurry and go. It is too late. There must be Black Crow dog spies in this crowd!”
Ling Xiao panicked. His strength was insufficient after all, and this person who shot Ji Ning silently was likely no weaker than Ji Ning.
Ling Xiao even suspected it was Timur Mutu.
Had Sikong Zun truly colluded with the Black Crow Empire?
Or was this arranged by the emperor himself?
The more he thought, the more terrifying it seemed.
Those who played politics had endless vicious methods, beyond imagination.
“He is done for. Kill him quickly. Do not let him escape!”
Instigated by Jia Yun, the Divine Phoenix Academy people finally drew bows and loosed a volley at Ji Ning.
Ling Xiao’s sword light swept out, blocking most arrows, but a few still struck.
Black Sever Powder’s effect was too terrifying. Ji Ning could barely resist now. Several arrows hit him, blood flowing endlessly, all black.
“Get out of my way! Anyone who blocks me today dies!”
Ling Xiao had no choice. If Ji Ning died here today, Northern Desert City and the Imperial City Camp would become irreconcilable enemies. War here would only benefit the Black Crow Empire.
“Big words! This is the Imperial City Camp, not a place for you to run wild!”
Jia Yun blocked Ling Xiao’s path with a cold laugh.
“I said, get out of my way!”
Ling Xiao thrust his sword. Scarlet Sun Cone tore through the void. Jia Yun was clearly startled.
But the strike was ultimately blocked by the Ten Directions Heaven commander.
“Inspector Ling, stay. Grand General Ji Ning is poisoned and cannot leave anyway. Rest assured, if you stay, I can guarantee your safety.”
“You can guarantee our safety? If Sikong Zun colluded with the Black Crow Empire to frame Grand General Ji Ning deliberately, can you protect us? Do not overestimate yourself. If something happens, you will be a sinner of the state!”
Ling Xiao had no mood for reason now. The facts were clear.
Today’s banquet was a trap.
Neither Ling Xiao nor Ji Ning expected Sikong Zun to injure himself gravely just to frame them.
Ruthless enough.
“Let them go. Perhaps this truly is not their fault. The blame lies with me, Sikong Zun, for trusting others too much.”
Sikong Zun lay on the ground, military doctors treating him. His acting had reached its peak.
Anyone seeing his frail appearance and hearing these words would feel deep admiration.
What a great man. It seemed we had wronged him. He was truly noble, great, admirable.
Ling Xiao watched Sikong Zun’s performance coldly. He could say nothing. Anything he said now would be seen as shameless, villainous.
So as long as they could leave, that was enough. Truth could not stay buried forever.
“No, General Sikong is magnanimous, but we cannot let the culprit escape!”
Jia Yun jumped out again at the perfect moment.
Sikong Zun sighed. “Listen to me. Do you want to see the Divine Phoenix Empire’s armies turn on each other?”
Boom!
At that moment, a thunderous explosion rang from atop Northern Desert Pass.
“Bad news, General Sikong! The Northern Desert City lot have attacked. They say we plan to harm their grand general, so they give us one incense stick’s time. Hand over the man, or it is fish die, net breaks!”
Ling Xiao was stunned. How could Li Ruguang and Zhang Yufei be so stupid?
Li Ruguang was principled, but Zhang Yufei was rough yet shrewd. Zhuge Ming was even a wise general. They would never do something only a pig teammate would.
Was there truly an emperor’s or Black Crow Empire’s spy in Northern Desert City?
And this spy likely held high rank and strength.
At least a thousand-man commander.
Strange memories surfaced in Ling Xiao’s mind, all about the fates of these loyal generals.
When enemies could not defeat, conquer, or persuade them, the final tactic was sowing discord.
He now roughly understood what the Black Crow Empire planned.
“Detestable. I do not wish to quibble with them, yet they want to kill our men. Do they truly intend rebellion?”
Sikong Zun struggled to his feet and ordered, “Tell them their grand general will return soon. Have them withdraw to Northern Desert City first, lest the Black Crow Empire suddenly attacks!”
“Yes, General!”
“Ah—!”
The messenger had barely left when a scream rang out, followed by arrows whistling through the air.
No one knew why, not even Ling Xiao was baffled.
