activa-t Chapter 61 Tian Guang
Chapter 61 Tian Guang
Chapter 61 Tian Guang
Wu Ji trembled violently.
She was struck as if by lightning, her eyes widening instantly, her pupils shrinking to the size of pinpoints, staring at Zhao Heng in disbelief.
Her expression suggested that she was getting to know the boy in front of her for the first time, or rather, that she was realizing for the first time what kind of boy she was facing.
Before she could argue, Zhao Heng pressed her further, his tone growing increasingly indifferent: "Her deceased husband's family was merely a distant branch of the Zhao royal family. How could they compare to the status of my uncle, Prince Yan?"
Even if Zhao Yan doesn't inherit the throne, he'll still be granted a noble title. For her, this deal is undoubtedly extremely worthwhile.
"Moreover," Zhao Heng sneered, "she now sees Zhao Yan's potential to seize the throne. If she can overthrow Zhao Yan's wife and take the throne herself, she will become the future Queen of Zhao. As long as she has even a shred of ambition, she will spare no effort to help Zhao Yan seize the throne, while at the same time consolidating her position in Zhao Yan's heart and vying for his favor."
"So she seized the opportunity, or rather, she believed she had finally gotten her chance—"
'
"She saw me as one of the biggest obstacles to Zhao Yan's usurpation of the throne. Therefore, she sent Xue Nu to my side."
Zhao Heng stared at Wu Ji's pale face and slowly asked the last question: "Yes, or no?"
Wu Ji felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, as if her whole body had fallen into an ice cave, and her blood seemed to freeze. Her eyes widened, but she couldn't utter a single word, so she could only shake her head desperately, the movements becoming more and more exaggerated, as if trying to shake off something terrifying.
Zhao Heng straightened up, looking down at the trembling woman slumped on the mat, his tone chilling: "What is her intention in sending the Snow Maiden to approach me? Is she looking for an opportunity to assassinate me? Or is she lying in wait by my side, gathering intelligence on my words and actions, the strength and weakness of my household, as a long-term plan, to be used as a pawn for blackmail or manipulation at a crucial moment in the future?"
Wu Ji continued to shake her head desperately, tears streaming down her face, mingling with cold sweat. "My lord, please understand, I truly don't understand what you're saying—I really don't understand—"
Ji Cheng, who was standing to the side, had already glared angrily.
He was impatient and couldn't stand such denials. Unable to contain himself any longer, he stepped forward and said to Zhao Heng, "Young master, why bother arguing with this woman? Let me ask her, and I guarantee she'll tell the truth!" As he spoke, he reached out to grab Wu Ji's arm.
Zhao Heng glanced back at him, his gaze not sharp, but Ji Cheng still subconsciously withdrew his hand, took two steps back, and said no more.
Zhao Heng looked at the trembling Wu Ji again and said to her, "I know you have concerns. Perhaps you are thinking of our past relationship, or you are being coerced, or both. If I were in your shoes, I would also hesitate and be afraid."
Wu Ji quickly raised her tearful eyes and looked at him with a glimmer of hope.
"But I don't believe it either," Zhao Heng said in a low voice, "You've raised Xue Nu for so many years, watched her grow up, and you really have the heart to watch her be used as a pawn by that woman, ruining her life like this?"
Wu Ji's body trembled, and her tears flowed even more fiercely. She bit her lower lip, turned her face away, her shoulders shaking violently as she let out suppressed sobs.
Zhao Heng's tone softened slightly: "I can give you a choice. I've said I intend to take Xue Nu as a concubine, and that's true. If you cooperate, once I'm two years older, I can rightfully bring Xue Nu into my household and ensure her safety. As for you, as her aunt," I can also find a way to restore your status, allowing you and Xue Nu to live peacefully from now on, without having to live in fear or be at the mercy of others. You don't even need to do anything; just tell me the truth. I'll handle the rest."
The room fell silent again.
Wu Ji bit her lip so hard it almost bled.
Time passed little by little.
Ji Cheng impatiently shifted his feet, only to see Wu Ji finally shake her head vigorously, wiping away her tears as she said, "Young master, there's no need to use the Snow Maiden to blackmail me."
Zhao Heng's eyes turned cold.
"I know nothing."
Wu Ji avoided Zhao Heng's gaze, her voice growing softer yet more composed: "I will pretend I never heard what you said today, sir. If you will let me go back, I swear I will never mention today's events to anyone—let's pretend nothing happened, okay?"
Ji Cheng was furious and put his hand on the hilt of his sword again.
Zhao Heng chuckled for a moment. He crossed his arms, looked Wu Ji up and down again, then took a step back, his tone turning indifferent once more. He shook his head and said, "Madam Wu, do you really think that after all this, you can pretend nothing happened and return to Zuiyue Tower unscathed?"
Wu Ji abruptly looked up, her face drained of color: "You dare to kill me to silence me? Even if you kill me, you won't escape responsibility. Xue Nu is still in your residence. If I disappear, how could she not suspect anything? And the music hall—and, and her—they won't let you go!"
Zhao remained unmoved, simply watching her quietly. Seeing that Wu Ji seemed truly determined not to cooperate and had even begun to threaten him, the last vestige of warmth in his eyes vanished.
He raised his hand, held up two fingers, and waved them lightly at Ji Cheng, while saying indifferently, "Madam Wu, things have come to this. Why don't you think again about whether there are any unfulfilled wishes or people you want to see?"
.
Wu Ji's pupils suddenly contracted.
Upon seeing Zhao Heng's gesture, Ji Cheng's face immediately turned ruthless. He strode forward, drew his long sword, and was about to grab the woman's shoulder.
Wu Ji screamed in fright and instinctively shrank back, but her body crashed into the wall, leaving her with nowhere to retreat.
Just then, Zhao Heng's ear tip twitched slightly.
This was the extraordinary hearing that came from practicing the Guigu breathing technique to a high level. Amidst the sounds of rain, wind, and Wu Ji's screams, he instantly caught a whistling sound that was almost completely masked, rapidly approaching from a certain direction.
"Ji Cheng! Watch out!"
Ji Cheng was startled by the sound and subconsciously turned to look at Zhao, his hand movements slowing down by half a beat.
However, in the blink of an eye, several pebbles, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound, shot into the window through the gap in the wooden slats!
The first pebble was the fastest, striking at a tricky angle, heading straight for Ji Cheng's outstretched wrist.
Although Zhao Heng warned Ji Cheng, the pebble came too fast. He only had time to slightly turn his body before it struck his right wrist bone. He let out a muffled groan, and his entire right arm immediately went numb and tingling.
Several more pebbles followed, aimed at Ji Cheng's face and chest at extremely tricky angles, instantly sealing off all possible escape routes for him!
Ji Cheng endured the excruciating pain in his wrist. He didn't have time to switch hands and could only use his still-functioning left hand to swing wildly and forcefully knock away two pebbles. However, he was still hit near his chest by two other pebbles, causing his blood to surge and him to stagger backward. His long sword fell from his hand.
At the same time, two faint cracking sounds came from the roof, clearly indicating that someone was stomping on the roof at an extremely fast speed.
Although the newcomer moved with extreme lightness, Zhao Heng could hear him clearly.
Clearly, someone is trying to break through the top or break in from the side!
Zhao Heng reacted quickly as well. The moment Ji Chengzhong stumbled backward and his sword slipped from his hand, Zhao Heng caught the falling sword with his left hand.
Without hesitation, he pushed off with his feet, twisted his waist, and his longsword transformed into a streak of cold light, thrusting straight upwards. The blade was aimed precisely at the spot where the sound of cracking roof had come from!
Just then—
The person on the roof burst down, a figure swooping down like an eagle pouncing on a rabbit, amidst broken tiles and dust, his target none other than Zhao Heng, who was holding a sword!
Clearly, upon hearing Zhao Heng's warning to "be careful," the newcomer instantly identified the most threatening person in the room. Therefore, in this swift and decisive attack, they disregarded the already injured Ji Cheng and instead focused on subduing the young man.
The tip of the sword and the palm collided in mid-air!
The newcomer let out a soft "Eh," seemingly surprised that Zhao Heng, at such a young age, could react so quickly and with such decisive and precise swordsmanship, directly targeting the path he was destined to take to break through the top. Suddenly, the palm retracted, changing from a slap to a flick, and the body twisted in mid-air in an incredible way, the palm and the sword separating the instant they touched.
"Ding!"
With a soft sound, it sounded like metal clashing, and the newcomer's palm seemed to be wrapped in iron!
Using the force of this touch, the newcomer's figure nimbly flipped in the air, like a weightless leaf, drifting backward and landing steadily in the center of the room, without disturbing a speck of dust.
As the opponent's palm strike reached him, Zhao Heng used the momentum to slide backward, dissipating the force. At the same time, he hooked his toe and kicked up a pebble that had previously been shot at Ji Cheng but missed, sending it flying suddenly towards where Ji Cheng had landed, forcing him to dodge.
The newcomer seemed slightly surprised by Zhao Heng's series of reactions, tilting his head slightly as a pebble grazed his ear.
But Zhao Heng's goal was not to injure this person.
Without stopping, as the pebbles shot out, he slid to the stunned Wu Ji's side, then stretched out his arm, suddenly grabbed Wu Ji's shoulder, pulled her in front of him, and held his long sword horizontally against Wu Ji's neck.
"Meng Ben, Luan Ding! Don't come in, stay outside!"
Startled by the sudden sounds of fighting inside, Meng Ben and Luan Ding, who were outside the door, had already drawn their weapons and were about to rush in when they heard Zhao Heng's command and stopped abruptly. However, they remained on high alert, guarding the door and windows, their sword tips trembling slightly, their eyes flashing as they scanned for any possible movement in the rain.
The newcomer was once again surprised by Zhao Heng's calm and decisive action in the face of danger, but he only gave a light chuckle, which seemed to be both praise and mockery.
Then, he moved again!
This time, he was so fast that he was just a blurry shadow, his steps almost invisible. In an instant, he had covered several steps, and his two palms struck out at the same time. His target was not Zhao Heng, who was holding a hostage, but the door.
Although Meng Ben and Luan Ding were on guard, the palm strike came too fast and too fiercely. Before the palm strike arrived, the wind came first, making their clothes flutter and their faces sting!
The two were terrified. Without thinking, they quickly held their swords to their chests and used all their strength to block.
"Bang! Bang!"
Two muffled thuds exploded almost simultaneously.
Meng Ben and Luan Dingru were struck by the heavy hammer, their chests churning with blood and qi, their arms trembling violently, and their tiger's mouths going numb. They were actually forced to stagger backward by the seemingly casual palm strikes, their feet slipping and falling directly from the doorway back into the muddy corridor outside.
Mud splashed up, and the two rolled around covered in filth. Although they gritted their teeth and jumped up immediately, their breathing became disordered and they couldn't muster any strength.
The newcomer repelled the two powerful guests with a single move, yet he didn't pause at all, as if he had only done something insignificant. With a mere turn of his body, creating a gust of wind, he was already ghost-like in front of Ji Cheng, who had just knelt and propped himself up.
Ji Cheng roared, ignoring the excruciating pain in his right wrist and the tightness in his chest. He clenched his left fist and, with all his remaining strength, punched his unsuspecting opponent in the abdomen. The wind from his punch was howling, a desperate move.
But the newcomer didn't even look at him. With a casual flick of his left hand, like brushing aside a fallen leaf, he easily deflected Ji Cheng's fist. Then, his right leg lashed out like a whip, striking Ji Cheng squarely in the ribs.
Ji Cheng let out a miserable groan as he was kicked and sent flying, crashing heavily into the opposite wall before sliding to the ground. Blood and foam spilled from the corners of his mouth, his vision blurred, and he was unable to move for a moment, only able to groan in pain.
The newcomer showed no mercy, taking a step forward and intending to stomp hard on Ji Cheng's neck.
If that kick landed solidly, with the force of his blow, Ji Cheng's neck would surely be shattered, and he would have no chance of survival.
"stop!"
A cold shout suddenly rang out.
The newcomer paused mid-air, no more than an inch from Ji Cheng's throat. He then turned his head to look at the source of the sound.
Zhao Heng was seen standing behind Wu Ji, who was slumped over with one hand on her shoulder.
Wu Ji was deathly pale and almost collapsed, only supported by Zhao Heng's hand gripping her shoulder. Zhao Heng's long sword was firmly held in front of Wu Ji's throat, and even slightly indented due to Wu Ji's trembling, leaving a light red mark on her fair neck. If it went in any further, it would draw blood.
Zhao Heng coldly stared at the newcomer and repeated, "Stop. Otherwise, I'll kill her first."
Only then were the people inside and outside the house, still in shock, able to see the newcomer's appearance clearly.
A thick beard, growing wildly like weeds, almost covered half his face. His hair was casually tied into a small braid at the back of his head. With his rugged features and slightly prominent cheekbones, he resembled a down-on-his-luck wandering knight.
But at this moment, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and his aura was powerful and refined. He showed no sign of being down on his luck.
The strangest thing was that although it was raining heavily outside, his clothes were only slightly damp, with only a little mud on the soles of his shoes. Clearly, his internal energy had reached a state of perfection, making him impervious to rain.
The bearded man glanced at Wu Ji, who was being held hostage by a sword, and then at Zhao Heng, who calmly wielded the sword and whose imposing presence was in no way weak despite his youth. His lips twitched slightly, and he finally slowly lowered his foot, which had been hovering in mid-air, without stepping on the already seriously injured Ji Cheng.
But he didn't back down; he simply stood there, facing Zhao Heng. The two were only a few feet apart, separated by the unconscious Ji Cheng and the dust and broken tiles scattered on the ground.
The rain pattered down from the leaky roof, forming a small puddle on the ground.
In her extreme fear and confusion, Wu Ji finally saw the faces of the newcomers, just like Zhao Heng.
Her pupils suddenly contracted, her shoulders trembled violently, and then her eyes widened as she stared intently at the face hidden by a thick beard. Her lips trembled and moved several times, as if she wanted to call out a name, but she forcibly suppressed it.
But Zhao Heng stared coldly at the man's rugged face, lingering for a moment on the distinctive short braid at the back of his head, before suddenly narrowing his eyes and asking in a deep voice, "Sir—could you be Tian Guang, a farmer?"
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