Chapter 198: Chapter 177: The Towering Tree

The Burly Man, or rather South Chen Taizu, had no intention of fighting back.

Even with Du Chengfeng’s blade at his neck, South Chen Taizu remained disinterested in combat, instead examining Du Chengfeng’s saber with curiosity, clicking his tongue in wonder as he looked.

"You’re carrying something incredible, you know. Someone is willing to sacrifice their life for you... But why not sit for a bit? I have another appointment today."

As he spoke, South Chen Taizu pointed to the box of pastries on the table.

"Don’t waste good food; it’s made with care by the shopkeeper."

"You’re meeting someone?"

Du Chengfeng furrowed his brows.

"Who?"

"A young person. Young to me, but probably older than you."

South Chen Taizu was still as talkative as ever, not showing an ounce of a master fighter’s demeanor.

"No need to rush. Once that duel’s done, I’ll fight you... But can you tell me why? Over the years, few have come to challenge me, and I don’t know you. Why do we have to fight?"

"I need to draw some blood from you."

Du Chengfeng’s answer was straightforward.

"The fight is incidental. Mainly, I want the invincible power. If you’re willing to give me the blood, theoretically, the fight isn’t necessary..."

"That’s all?"

South Chen Taizu paused.

His face showed undisguised disappointment.

"Is that all you want?"

"... Is it not possible?"

Du Chengfeng frowned.

He expected this result. No one would agree to having their blood drawn without reason, but awkwardly enough, it had to be done.

So he brought a saber and a gift.

The saber was for drawing blood, the gift as an apology. He knew it wasn’t right, but even so, he had to do it.

But South Chen Taizu still shook his head.

"In theory, if you brought a gift, giving you a drop of blood wouldn’t be a problem."

As he spoke, South Chen Taizu appraised Du Chengfeng from top to bottom.

"But since we know each other, and I’ve seen your skills, it won’t work—not for you... Since you know about the invincibility, the young emperor must have sent you, right?"

Seeing Du Chengfeng about to raise his saber again, South Chen Taizu shook his head.

"Hold on, don’t be hasty. Let’s put it this way... How about I tell you a story?"

So beneath the fiery blade’s light, eating his pastries, South Chen Taizu began.

"Once upon a time, there was a great tree..."

"A useless tree, right? Are you going to talk about the spirit turtle next?"

Du Chengfeng interrupted immediately.

He had heard too many stories about great trees.

"Oh, you’ve heard it?"

South Chen Taizu looked a bit embarrassed.

"But I wasn’t going to talk about a useless tree; I meant a useful one..."

"I know that one too."

Du Chengfeng sighed.

By now, he understood what South Chen Taizu wanted to say—essentially that a useful tree is taken advantage of. Clearly, South Chen Taizu was comparing himself to a tree, seeking sympathy or subtly warning him that possessing invincible power would make him a targeted tree.

But it didn’t matter.

Such stories couldn’t deceive him anymore. He wasn’t a tree; he was human. Humans find solutions and know how to solve problems.

"If you don’t agree..."

Du Chengfeng raised his saber.

But South Chen Taizu continued to shake his head.

"I refuse."

"I figured."

The heavy great saber swung down.

"So, a fight it is..."

The sharp saber halted in mid-air.

A large hand had gripped the back of the blade, rendering it immobile.

"I won’t give you this blood for your own good."

South Chen Taizu sighed.

"I understand your desire for power. Once you accept this blood, you’ll attain non-human strength, becoming powerful... But you don’t understand, young man, you’re unaware of what you’re giving up."

"I know."

Du Chengfeng clenched the hilt tightly.

The heavy saber blazed with flames.

He knew that after receiving the blood, he’d likely become inhuman, and he understood what he’d be giving up—just some formalities for something more tangible, like invulnerability and formidable strength.

To protect the peaceful life he desired, he had to do things contrary to that goal.

He had long realized this in his heart.

"No, you don’t know, you know nothing."

"You don’t know anything."

As he spoke, South Chen Taizu’s form grew large once again. His massive body tore through his clothes, the palpable, dark Evil Qi sweeping over everything around.

Until the ten-meter-tall giant reappeared within the grand imperial tomb.

And the dark Evil Qi gradually solidified, forming an ancient armor draped over South Chen Taizu.

This made Du Chengfeng narrow his eyes.

"After all that talk, you’re still going to fight?"

"Not because of you."

The colossal South Chen Taizu simply shook his head, then returned to the equally massive throne.

It was at that moment Du Chengfeng suddenly felt a chilling killing intent.

The malice was violent, heavy, and quite pure, accompanied by a tangible cold wind—but Du Chengfeng could clearly sense that this intent wasn’t aimed at him.

He only felt the ripples of that intent.

And the true target of the killing intent was...

"Has your southern blockade fallen this far?"

From the shadows of the distance, a large man in furs stepped out, holding a trident-like spear.

The trident emitted a heavy aura, pointing directly at the giant South Chen Taizu on the throne.

"Then again, with someone like you in the capital, how could they care about a defense line?"

"Are you the new Khan of the prairie?"

The enormous giant lowered his gaze.

"Do you think you can kill me?"

"Killing you would be the true start of the war."

The large man, known as the prairie Khan, chuckled.

"You don’t think you’re truly invincible, do you?"

"One wants my life; the other wants my blood... It’s always like that, you always have been."

The enormous giant sighed.

Then he pointed a finger at the saber-wielding Du Chengfeng.

"Since you both want something from me, you two duke it out first, and I’ll grant the victor’s wish."

"We fight first?"

The large man’s gaze shifted to Du Chengfeng.

Four eyes met.

"Why fight? We attack together!"