章節 62: Father! Are You Watching?
As the Cloud Chaser descended, the people below couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. It was as if a dark cloud had descended upon them, heralding something ominous. Commander Li Jian emerged from the main ship, and his imposing aura seemed to fill the entire valley. His massive sword, resembling a cross, hung at his side, and the glinting metal seemed to reflect the fear in the people's eyes.
Li Jian stood before them, his voice echoing throughout the valley. "People of the Forbidden Valley," he declared, his tone cold and menacing. "I, Commander Li Jian, of the 8th squad, have come to claim this land and all that is within it as the property of the 8th squad of the empire. We are given the rights to build our new base here."
The people murmured in fear and confusion, unsure of what to do. Alchemist Li stepped forward, hovering in the air to address the commander. "Commander Li Jian, we mean no harm. Let's talk about this peacefully" he said. Alchemist Li has talked to Mao Wenlin and the others to suppress their cultivation to prevent escalating the situation into a full-blown battle.
But Li Jian simply gave a menacing smile in response. "Who are you to make demands here. If a commander tells you to go, then you should go." He wasn't able to recognize Alchemist Li due to his change in appearance. He would be surprised if Alchemist Li will introduce himself.
Alchemist Li stepped forward and looked at Commander Li Jian with a stern expression. "You must be mistaken, Commander. This land is not yours to claim. This land belongs to no one since it has been a place deemed unfit for living. If we are only talking about rights, then the Hao clan should own it? After all, they are responsible for clearing the poison from a portion of the Valley."
Commander Li Jian stepped closer to Alchemist Li, his imposing aura making everyone tense up. "I am saying that this land is now the property of the 8th squad empire. Do you have a problem with that?"
Alchemist Li scoffed. "Perhaps it is you who has a problem, Commander. Show us the seal of the Emperor, otherwise, I'm afraid you are just spouting nonsense."
General Wu Chen chimed in. "What seal of the emperor are you talking about? Is it not enough that we are here? We are the proof that we are sequestering this land."
Ding Gen, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke up. "You speak of the empire, but I sense that you are acting on your own. Perhaps you are using your position to seize this land for personal gain. That is not what the empire stands for."
Commander Li Jian's smile turned menacing as he drew his sword. "You speak of personal gain, but what about you? Is this not your own personal fiefdom? You should be grateful that we are only taking what rightfully belongs to us."
Alchemist Li drew himself up to his full height, his eyes flashing with anger. "I will not stand by and watch you trample on the rights of the people of the Valley of Hope. If you want this land, you will have to take it by force."
The tension in the air was palpable as the two sides faced off, swords drawn and ready for battle. It was clear that the conflict over the Valley of Hope was far from over.
General He Xia noticed the accuracy of Ding Gen's hypothesis based only on a few exchanges of words. She was alarmed and moved closer to Commander Li Jian, whispering, "We should act immediately. Otherwise, we might attract unwanted attention."
Commander Li Jian nodded in agreement and turned to the people of the Valley. "We are not heartless here. Except for the land that has been cleared from poison, any other places here in the Forbidden Valley is yours."
Madam Zhang Ai tried to reason out. "Our Young Master is currently away. If you want something from here, you will have to return."
Commander Li Jian's tone turned serious. "This is not up for negotiation. If you don't vacate this area, we will fire the cannon of the cloud chaser."
As the tension between the two parties escalated, Siyi couldn't stand idly by any longer. Her gaze was sharp and cold like the sharpness of the blade she held in her hand. Stepping forward, she spoke up with a confidence beyond her years:
"If you may, Master Alchemist. I have something to propose. I would like to propose a duel. If they win against me, we will leave, but if not, then they will have to listen to our terms."
Commander Li Jian was taken aback by Siyi's boldness. A child not older than 12 or 13 years old was asking for a duel? It was almost too easy, like handing over the meal in a silver platter. A smile crept onto his face as he nodded in agreement.
"That doesn't seem to be a bad idea," he replied. "Let me introduce you to one of our new members." He called on a young neophyte not older than 19 years old. However, this one has a cultivation way beyond his years.
But Siyi brushed him aside, refusing to have a novice as her opponent. Instead, she pointed to General Xu Chen, one of the most skilled warriors among Commander Li Jian's troops.
"I want him," she declared with a firm tone.
General Xu Chen raised an eyebrow, surprised that a young girl like Siyi would have the audacity to challenge him. He felt like this girl is somehow familiar. "I wonder where I've seen this girl?"
Commander Li Jian couldn't hold back his laughter and chuckled, "You must be joking, child. Do you really think you can defeat one of my generals?"
Siyi's gaze was unwavering, her cold expression reflecting the sharpness of her sword. "I'm not joking. I want to propose a duel. If your general wins, we'll leave. But if I win, then you have to listen to our terms."
Li Jian raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the young girl's determination. "And what makes you think you have the authority to make such demands?"
"I am Hao Siyi, the last remaining member of the Hao clan present in the Valley. Their blood running through my veins should be enough to convince you. Right?" Siyi replied, her voice firm.
Alchemist Li interjected, "Perhaps we should discuss this further. We don't want to escalate this into a violent confrontation."
But Siyi stood her ground, "My mind is made up, Alchemist Li. I only have one request - to take the highest grade healing potion with me."
Li Jian burst into laughter once again, "Of course you can. You can take as many bottles of potion you may need."
Alchemist Li handed over the three vials of the Instant Healing Potion to Siyi, cautioning her to control her anger. This is a newly developed alchemical product of the Old Ways. As she accepted them, Siyi's eyes shone with determination.
He Xia watched the exchange with a growing sense of unease. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something about the situation felt off. Despite the fact that General Xu Chen was on a comma, he had regained his full strength after weeks of healing. It was impossible for a young girl like Siyi to overpower him. She probed her cultivation, but found it to be solid and pure - 6th rank of the Expert class. She wondered for a moment if she was somehow suppressing her cultivation, but dismissed the thought as impossible since it takes years to larn that skill.
Li Jian instructed Xu Chen, "Be gentle on our young miss," but everyone sensed that the real meaning behind his words was to end the battle as quickly as possible. Siyi stood up, her hair blowing wildly in the wind. She looked up to the sky as if searching for someone.
"Father, are you watching?" she murmured. "I shall deliver a glorious moment for you in a while. Watch this good show,"
Xu Chen's eyes widened as he recognized the young girl standing before him.
"Ah! I remember you," he said with a smirk. "You were there back when I killed Tengyang. I saw the look on your face back then. To reach the 6th rank of the expert class is already commendable. You should be thankful to me, if it wasn't for me, you would not have the drive to improve your cultivation. See? Everything has its cause and effect. I am in a good mood right now, and you should return to your people, otherwise, you will suffer as the same fate as Tengyang. Who is he to you?"
Siyi's expression remained unchanged as she listened to his words. She simply asked, "Are you done?"
Xu Chen was taken aback by her calm demeanor. "What?" he asked, slightly annoyed.
"Tell you what. Before this day ends, you will wish for death, but no one will grant that. Not even your comrades," Siyi declared, her eyes shining with determination.
Xu Chen laughed loudly in response, the sound almost deafening. "And who will make me wish for death? You?" he taunted, before unleashing his power, the six stage of the General class. He was almost stepping into the Master Swordsman rank. It was not surprising that Hao Tengyang was defeated.
Siyi remained unfazed. "I will start with your fingers, one by one, I will cut them," she said, unsheathing her almost transparent red blade, which she named the Ultima. "Then I will cut your hand, starting with the left, and then your right hand. Then I will sever your left arm, followed by your right arm, your left leg, and then your right leg. I will gouge out your eyeballs, cut your tongue, destroy your eardrums, and damage your vocal cords. And then I will pour these three high-grade potions on your body to let you live."
Xu Chen's laughter died down, replaced by shock and fear.
Siyi's expression remained unchanged. "You have taken everything from me," she said. "My mother, my father, my clan, my home. It's time for you to pay for your sins."
Xu Chen's hair stood on end as Siyi's narration filled the air, each word carrying the weight of her anger and determination. As she finished speaking, Xu Chen couldn't help but retaliate by drawing his threads, the same ones he had used against Hao Jiming. The threads coiled and twisted, forming a massive scythe, his aura taking on the shape of a death knight.
But before he could even make a move, Xu Chen felt a sharp pain shoot through his hand. Looking down, he realized that he had lost his thumb. He couldn't even see how Siyi had moved, it was as if she had disappeared and reappeared in an instant.
Suddenly, Xu Chen felt a cold shiver run down his spine. It was as if the Grim Reaper's scythe was already pointed at his neck, ready to strike at any moment. If only he knew. After this duel, Siyi will earn her first alias- The Little Demoness.
Some of the Generals who were watching from afar grew anxious and felt the need to intervene. However, their actions were quickly halted when Mao Wenlin, waved her fan and cut a long straight line on the ground.
"Anyone who crosses this line shall die," she declared, her powerful cultivation on full display. The other Generals knew better than to cross her, her aura makes it difficult for them to breathe.
Meanwhile, Du Hong, stood at the rear of the group and blocked their path of retreat. He was riding his tamed beast, a towering elephant known as Erawan which is now as big as a Mountain, blocking the light and making it appear midnight. Du Hong's aura was menacing and his eyes flashing with a dangerous glint.
"Emperor ranks!" Commander Li Jian was trembling.
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