Chapter 28
C28 – Zhou Jibo Killed Zheng Huai!
As Zhou Jibo spoke, Lang Shen, the castellan, barked sharply.
“Not only will the Shrine of Astral Radiance not spare you, but I will be the first to show you no mercy!”
Zhou Jibo challenged, “So if I concede now, will anyone spare the Zhou family? Will you all refrain from meddling?”
Lang Shen gave him a frosty stare but offered no reply.
Goodman Yu, the Yu family patriarch, said with a grin, “Zhou Jibo, if you surrender now and await your fate, perhaps the Shrine of Astral Radiance will only execute you, sparing the rest of the Zhou family. But if you continue to resist, not one of you will survive.”
“Don’t you understand the wisdom of sacrificing the few for the many?”
Zhou Jibo smiled faintly. “No, I don’t.”
The smile vanished from Goodman Yu’s face.
Was Zhou Jibo being unreasonable?
“Lord Lang, this young fool is oblivious to the consequences. There’s no need for further talk; we should just take him down!” he declared.
Lord Lang nodded in agreement, “Zheng family head, just a moment. I’ll dispatch this youngster and soothe your anger.”
At that moment, Zheng Huai, seeing the tide had turned, was visibly elated. “Lord Lang, Goodman Yu, I will never forget the favor you’ve done for me today.”
He then glared at Zhou Jibo with a chilling gaze. “Zhou Jibo, by now you should realize that neither the Shrine of Astral Radiance nor the Zheng family are forces you can provoke. You ought to lay down your sword and plead for mercy.”
Yet, in his heart, he was resolute in his intent to torment Zhou Jibo beyond the brink of endurance.
Zhou Jibo’s voice remained even as he said, “It seems my earlier words fell on deaf ears. So, I’ll just proceed with my actions to make my stance clear.”
With a swift motion, he flipped the Blood Stripe Sword and made a diagonal cut, a spray of blood arching through the air.
Zheng Huai’s eyes widened in disbelief before his head tumbled to the ground.
“You’ve got some nerve!”
Both Castellan Lang Shen and Goodman Yu cried out, reaching out with their hands.
Castellan Lang Shen extended his hand, channeling his true essence toward Zhou Jibo, ready to strike him down. His avarice had been unshakable ever since the Glorious House learned of Zhou Jibo’s valuable treasure days earlier.
The Yu family patriarch extended his hand in an attempt to prevent Zhou Jibo from executing Zheng Huai. His visit was intended to curry favor with both the Zheng family and the Shrine of Astral Radiance.
Who else in the Zheng family could take up the mantle of leadership if Zhou Jibo were to slay their head?
With Zheng Huai’s head already severed and lying on the ground, the situation was irreparable. Goodman Yu sighed in resignation and withdrew his hand.
Lang Shen, on the other hand, showed no signs of relenting. His true essence surged relentlessly towards Zhou Jibo.
Zhou Jibo sprang from his spot, his sword slashing behind him.
As the true essence met Zhou Jibo’s Blood Stripe Sword, it dissipated a fraction of the icy vitality clinging to the blade.
Zhou Jibo’s mental cultivation method was of Earth Rank, his icy vitality nearly supreme within the Acquired Stage, yet it was effortlessly diminished by the overwhelming true essence of the Innate Stage. The dominance of Innate Stage true essence over Acquired Stage vitality was starkly evident.
Had it been ordinary vitality struck by true essence, it would have shattered into nothingness on impact.
This disparity was precisely why victory seemed unattainable. The inherent nature of true essence and vitality dictated one’s strength, making reversal of fortunes a daunting challenge.
The residual true essence from Zhou Jibo settled on the Blood Stripe Sword, scattering what was left of the icy Six Yin vitality. By the time Zhou Jibo regained his footing, not a trace of vitality remained on his sword.
Vitality flowed anew onto the Blood Stripe Sword, its blade once again exuding a chilling presence. With a grave look, Zhou Jibo confronted Lord Lang, “Are you determined to stand against me today?”
“Is it I who opposes you?” retorted Lang Shen with a cold scoff. “Do you truly believe you’re worthy of my deliberate attention?”
He then unleashed two successive waves of true essence, aiming them directly at Zhou Jibo.
Lang Shen’s body coiled like a spring, muscles swelling as he infused his fists with true essence, poised to deliver a lethal strike to Zhou Jibo.
Witnessing the unfolding drama, Goodman Yu mused to himself, ‘Lord Lang is going to great lengths; he must be after the advantages Zhou Jibo holds. It seems my intervention is unnecessary.’
However, in the blink of an eye, he couldn’t help but show a hint of surprise.
Zhou Jibo evaded a blast of true essence, then caught another.
Lang Shen lunged at him, fists flying toward Zhou Jibo. Yet, Zhou Jibo’s sword, etched with crimson patterns, parried the blows.
Zhou Jibo was forced back several steps, but he had successfully fended off the assault. This clearly indicated that Lang Shen would struggle to defeat Zhou Jibo quickly on his own.
With his exceptional swordsmanship and a first-grade weapon, Zhou Jibo could just about hold his own against an Innate master.
It must be acknowledged that the Myriad Treasure Auction House had keen insight. Had Zhou Jibo survived, he was destined to become a Soul Separation Stage Warrior, perhaps even advancing further on the martial path.
Regrettably, his destiny was cruel. He had crossed the Shrine of Astral Radiance before he had the chance to mature.
Goodman Yu’s legs surged with true essence as he prepared to employ the Yu family’s low-grade Yellow Rank leg technique to swiftly eliminate Zhou Jibo.
At that moment, Zhou Jibo sheathed his sword and stood firm, a cold laugh escaping him.
“So, the Yu family patriarch is ready to join the fray? I’m curious, what do you stand to gain by killing me and wiping out the Zhou family?”
Lang Shen held his tongue, though his thoughts were clear: ‘Why not? Your treasures will be mine.’
The Yu family patriarch shared the sentiment.
Still, he had his pride. Seeing Zhou Jibo cease his attack, neither he nor Lang Shen made a move. He spoke up, “Maybe there’s no direct benefit to us, but it spares us from a disadvantage. We have no desire to inexplicably provoke the Shrine of Astral Radiance.”
“You fear the Holy Land, but do you not fear me?” Zhou Jibo asked, a smirk on his face.
Lang Shen scoffed, “Why should we fear you?”
Zhou Jibo met their gaze steadily, “Have you considered how I acquired these weapons and the cultivation techniques I wield? Does Icefair City possess such things? What makes me stand out to the Myriad Treasure Auction House?”
“Have you both really thought this through? Can you truly kill me, appease the Holy Land, and then just split the spoils without consequence?”
The Zheng family’s courtyard fell into an abrupt hush.
Lang Shen and Goodman Yu simultaneously wore expressions of alarm.
In their eagerness to consider the advantages and the Shrine of Astral Radiance, they had overlooked the peculiarities afflicting Zhou Jibo!
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