Chapter 123: Chapter 113: Fallen Phoenix Slope

Outside Yanzhou City, Xiang Rong, covered in blood, galloped wildly on horseback.

As the last descendant of the Chu people, although he didn’t have the stunning talent of Ruan Shantao, he relied solely on the precious learning left behind by the former Chu royal family, which allowed him to be nearly on par with Ruan Shantao—after all, it was the genuine essence left from the former great Chu dynasty, containing various techniques that were indeed beyond imagination.

Just like now, the method of corpse transformation, that monster could absolutely never have imagined that after transforming into the Phoenix form, he could actually revert back.

But all of this came with a price.

Although the method of corpse transformation granted him a chance to escape, he paid far too much for it; to restore his human form from the large Phoenix husk was akin to dying once more, and his formidable power was thereby reduced to zero—but the thing Xiang Rong found most unacceptable was that he couldn’t take the Overlord Spear with him.

He had tried; when the half Phoenix husk fell to the ground, he, having escaped using the method of corpse transformation, was the closest to that spear.

But the spear refused him.

The spear refused him, wouldn’t even allow him to touch it.

He tried three times but was repelled each time, no matter how steadfast his will, no matter how much he manifested his determination to revive Chu and even to kill all under heaven, that spear remained unmoved—heaven knows what exactly happened, for the spear actually denied his dominance and rejected his tyrannical thoughts.

Thus, upon hearing the sound of footsteps approaching from afar, Xiang Rong could only seize the time and flee.

As long as he is alive, it is good; as long as he can still survive, there will always be hope.

Indeed, he lost this time; the monster left by Ruan Shantao used some unfathomable reason, directly interrupting all plans just as his revival of Chu was beginning, as if crushing him disgustingly—but at least he wasn’t completely dead, he, the last remnant of great Chu, is still alive.

It’s not just being alive, he even gradually understood why he wasn’t acknowledged by the spear.

If earlier, he was unclear about how the monster won, now, amid the flight, he gradually understood.

Unlike himself, who waited decades for the opportunity to start reviving Chu, that monster risked his life to trample him entirely with disdain. While rationally speaking, it is obvious the former was more reasonable, if discussing tyranny, it was clear the latter was more unreasonable.

However, this world just doesn’t adhere to reason.

Indeed, when flipping through the notes left by the Chu people, he should have realized that this world indeed lacks reason—or perhaps lack of reason is normal. Back in the days when the Chu people subdued the world, when did they ever speak of reason? When the great Chen ancestors dominated all, when did they ever concede reason to anyone? Even not too long ago, when he attempted the assassination of Ruan Shantao, did he ever speak of reason with Ruan Shantao?

In the end, reasoning is meant for the weak to hear, only the weak need to delve into rules, familiarize themselves with patterns, and glean the beneficial part within the rules to act accordingly.

As for the strong... the strong don’t need to delve into any rules and reason, after all, they themselves are the greatest reason.

"Ah..."

Thinking of this, Xiang Rong couldn’t help but sigh while riding the horse.

At this moment, he also felt why his old friend, after turning into a monster, repented so intensely—just because, at this moment, his heart was also filled with regret.

If only he had understood this earlier, the plan to revive Chu wouldn’t have been interrupted; if he had realized this earlier, he wouldn’t have gone to the grassland at all—during his travels around the world, he could have chosen an agreeable place to set up camp. When he was young until now, these decades, Ruan Shantao was able to climb from a common folk to hold the office of Situ, wielding great power.

Then, in those decades, could he not have conquered several cities and hoisted the banner of Chu?

To think, back then, he and Ruan Shantao were indeed evenly matched.

If that were the case, the Overlord Spear might have acknowledged him long ago, with the help of the Overlord Spear, he might have sparked a prairie fire, and then as the king of Chu, formally persuade his old friend, united in purpose to establish a new dynasty, it would have been a wonderful tale.

Sadly, no ifs.

In the end, he never made such a choice back then, and his old friend, having blocked his path, was slain by his own hand.

He used to mock and scorn, deriding his old friend for painstakingly maneuvering all his life, ultimately falling to a court decree, not daring to directly crush the young emperor of Southern Chen—but now thinking back, was he himself any different in fearing Southern Chen’s military might, not daring to raise Chu’s banner, and even borrowing troops from the grassland for battle?

In the end, he and Ruan Shantao are not so different.

"No, there is one slight difference."

Xiang Rong squinted his eyes.

Yes, there is a difference.

That is, he is still alive.

He is still alive, he still has a chance, moreover, he is utterly different from the person he once was—now he has fully comprehended what true dominion means, now he possesses the will to change reality. Even though he is aged, just give him some time, a bit more time...

"Master! Why are you here?"

Just as Xiang Rong was feeling tenacious, ready to find a place to make a comeback, he was suddenly interrupted by a voice.

"Master, how come you’re not wearing many clothes?"

"...Hmm?"

Xiang Rong looked up, realizing the figure atop the distant hill seemed familiar.

Indeed, isn’t this his good disciple?

Things are truly looking up; who would have thought, in this dire moment, he would encounter such good luck—the cat and dog he once sheltered now have grown into reliable guards. With someone like this beside him, his chances of success have significantly increased!

"I left hastily and forgot,"

As he stopped his horse, Xiang Rong cheerfully greeted Cui Yuan.

"But what about you, why have you come?"

"Came for something, to find someone."

Saying so, Cui Yuan dismounted.

"However, seeing Master, there’s something I need to ask... Master, I have a confusion in the way of swordsmanship."

"Now isn’t the time to talk about such things."

Xiang Rong waved his hand repeatedly.

Who knows when the pursuers might catch up, now isn’t the time to discuss swordsmanship.

"Let’s keep moving, if there’s anything, we’ll talk once we’re somewhere safe."

Indeed, finding a safe place is necessary, the Northern Desert Grassland can’t be returned to, the Khan who lost twenty thousand vanguard troops would likely devour him alive. Comparatively, Southern Chen is a decent place to turn to, with Jigzhou and Yanzhou in such a state, Northern Mountain Dao nearly obliterated, next Southern Chen will likely deploy troops northward to defend against grassland invasions—which implies he can cross the mountains, head to Southern Mountain Dao, to Yizhou or Haizhou, or even farther to Yangzhou.

They say the true recluse is found in the city, no one would expect the last descendant of the Chu people to dare venture close to the Capital City of Jiankang.

And the bustling Yangzhou is certainly a great place for recovery.

"So what did you say earlier?"

Having decided his destination, Xiang Rong realized his disciple seemed to be muttering something.

"Is there something wrong?"

"I was right... oh, nothing."

Cui Yuan awkwardly scratched his head.

"Master, I just wanted to say..."

Speaking thus, a broken sword, missing its tip, suddenly rested against Xiang Rong’s throat.

Looking at the broken sword at his neck, then at Cui Yuan’s serious face, Xiang Rong couldn’t help but laugh.

Indeed, this is why he never brought this cheap disciple along for his deeds. This disciple of his isn’t bad per se, has perseverance, wit, just somewhat obstinate, always preferring to act unexpectedly.

Just like now, this sword’s tip is gone, yet insists on communicating this way.

"It’s no matter, it was a cheap sword bought casually in Jigzhou back then."

Xiang Rong shook his head, too lazy to even push the broken sword away.

"Alright, just get rid of this thing, its tip is gone, it can’t kill anyone..."

Clang—

The Five-foot Sword Aura suddenly flashed.

Xiang Rong’s broad head fell on cue.

"...Master?"

Staring at the head, still displaying a smile, rolling down the slope, Cui Yuan was dumbfounded.

How could the master, who seemed omnipotent in his eyes, fail to block this?