The Demon Lords-Chapter 697 - 141: Like a Person_1

On his horse, swaying leisurely, General Zheng didn't appear particularly grand or imposing at the moment; instead, he looked a bit lackadaisical.

Within the city, he had to maintain his image before his soldiers. But now, out here, there was no need. After all, he had no intention of cozying up to the Wildman general opposite him. This wasn't a matchmaking session where he needed to make a good first impression.

The best outcome would be for the Sword Saint to make a swift move, lopping off the Wildman commander's head. Then, they'd shout, "Time to bolt!" give their warhorses a sharp crack of the whip, and beat a hasty retreat.

Looking back at Snow Sea Pass behind him, Zheng Fan suddenly felt a little lost, unsure of what he was currently so busy with.

Even though it's winter, the weather today is truly lovely. A picnic in the wilderness with a few good friends, a ride on horseback, and then returning home to try out some new needle techniques with Siniang. Isn't this a happy life?

But occasional idleness could only serve as life's seasoning, not its main course. Zheng Fan knew that if he entertained thoughts of retiring from the world, his life would become like a gilded cage, watched over by the Demon Kings, where his daily routine would consist of nothing but cultivation.

At least for now, everyone has the "Dynastic Hegemony" instance to keep them occupied, diverting a good deal of their energy, right?

Thinking this, Zheng Fan couldn't help but chuckle.

Lifting his head, he could now see two mounted figures in the distance.

Perhaps it was his guilty conscience, but Zheng Fan only gave Geremu a cursory glance from afar. Most of his attention was fixed on the figure beside Geremu, the one carrying the Wildman banner.

The Yan State had its national flag, the Black Dragon Flag, under which a general would fly his own standard. The Wildmen, however, clearly hadn't achieved this level of unification; virtually every Ten Thousand Households Chief had his own tribal totem banner.

Geremu was an outsider and thus had no tribe to belong to. But, determined to restore his family's glory in the snow field, he had "designed" one for himself.

The banner depicted a red falcon.

The standard-bearer appeared unremarkable, but one could guess with half a brain that since each side was limited to a single attendant, Geremu wouldn't have randomly chosen an ordinary Wildman warrior unless he thought himself Tian Wujing.

"He looks familiar," the Sword Saint said.

"Hmm?"

Zheng Fan's heart gave a sudden lurch.

We have a true master on our side; surely they don't have one too? What General Zheng worried about most right now was his own decapitation plan failing, only for the enemy to turn the tables and decapitate him instead.

But Geremu probably wasn't that foolish. If Zheng Fan were killed, it would be terrible news for the Wildmen outside the city attempting to attack Snow Sea Pass. The Shengle army within would undoubtedly defend the city with even greater, death-defying determination.

You kill the envoy sent for negotiations? Why would anyone believe a word you say and surrender then? Behind them lies the snow field; there's no retreat. They'd fight to the last man!

"Do you know him?" Zheng Fan asked cautiously.

The Sword Saint shook his head slightly and said, "I must have seen him before."

Just seen, not truly known. The Sword Saint had encountered too many people in his life. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

In his earlier days, when practicing martial arts and swordsmanship, he had traveled far and wide seeking challenges to improve.

After gaining fame, both for reputation and to achieve even greater heights, he sought out opponents with even more audacity.

So, he had certainly seen his share of masters.

"Is it a big problem?" Zheng Fan asked.

"There shouldn't be any problem," the Sword Saint replied. "If it were a major problem, I would know him, not just feel like I've seen him before."

Those he had defeated were merely 'seen'; only those he found somewhat interesting did he 'know.'

For example, the Sword Saint knew Li Liangshen.

And, for another example, the Sword Saint would never, in his entire life, forget a man named Tian Wujing.

Hearing this, Zheng Fan felt considerably more at ease.

What did a player using cheats fear most? Wasn't it that the opponent's cheats were even more formidable than their own?

The two parties could now see each other clearly. Zheng Fan reined in his horse, waiting.

Every bit of extra distance he could gain was a bonus; it would allow him to reach the city a few seconds earlier during his retreat.

Over there, Geremu, acting like an honest fellow, continued to ride slowly towards them with his standard-bearer.

"Their standard-bearer must be formidable too," Zheng Fan reminded him.

"It matters not."

The Sword Saint didn't care who Geremu's standard-bearer was. As a swordsman facing a single target at close range, such supreme confidence was essential.

"Why does their commander look like a Jin person?"

Geremu's features, indeed, were indistinguishable from those of a Jin person. It had only been three generations since his ancestors moved to the snow field, and they hadn't yet intermarried with the Wildmen.

"Looks like a collaborator," the Sword Saint remarked.

He hadn't heard the term "collaborator" before, but a moment's thought made its meaning clear.

General Zheng knew exactly what kind of person the Sword Saint, with his upright morals and strong sense of national identity, despised the most: traitors!

That was why the Sword Saint had been willing to risk his life, single-handedly holding back thousands of rebel soldiers with his sword, to help Zheng Fan capture Fengxin City, solely to execute Situ Yi.

Even now, General Zheng didn't miss the chance to stoke the Sword Saint's killing intent a little further.

「Atop the walls of Snow Sea Pass」

Liang Cheng, Xue Three, Fanli, and A Ming were all waiting, intently watching the situation unfold below. Two hundred cavalrymen were also ready to charge out of the city gates at any moment.

They weren't worried about the outcome of the negotiations, as they were bound to fail and end in bloodshed. Their primary concern was the safety of their lord.

A Ming took a sip of blood and said, "I suddenly remembered something. When the Ottoman Empire first rose, it swept through Eastern Europe, virtually unopposed. When they attempted to conquer Serbia, the Serbian nobles feigned surrender and invited Murad I to a banquet, where they assassinated him."

Hearing this, Xue Three said, "That does sound a bit like our current situation, doesn't it? The Serbians had guts too. What happened later? Did they defeat the Ottomans?"

"They were defeated by the Ottomans and ruled for several hundred years."

Xue Three punched A Ming's knee, grumbling, "Just drink your blood and cut the crap!"

「Meanwhile, approaching Zheng Fan」

"Of the four great eastern nations, the Jin State no longer exists, but there are still quite a few talents from the Jin land. That Sword Saint is one of them," Geremu said to Hasi, his standard-bearer, as they rode towards the waiting Zheng Fan.

"So, is that why the King is specifically recruiting Jin people? But, Geremu, you know it's difficult for Jin people to make a name for themselves in the snow field. Not all Jin people can be like you."

"But outstanding individuals in the snow field are still too few. For the Holy Clan to continue to prosper, we must absorb talent from all peoples to serve our King."

"Hmph, I don't want to discuss this with you. In my view, those who do not respect the Star Spirit are not our kind."

"Sang Hu's true identity—I don't believe you're unaware of it."

Hasi remained silent.

"You know I don't believe in the Star Spirit. The Star Spirit is for the warriors and clansmen below to believe in, not for us. The Holy Clan kowtowed and worshipped the Star Spirit for hundreds of years, yet we couldn't even touch the borders of Snow Sea Pass. What use is this Star Spirit?"

"Geremu, that Yan general is right ahead. Are you trying to pick a fight with me here first?"

You can't say the Star Spirit is useless. Even though I don't really believe in it myself, it's how I make my living.

"Hahaha," Geremu laughed heartily. "No, Hasi. What I mean is, after we break through the pass this time, you should also have the chance to encounter other faiths and deities. While the Star Spirit can certainly continue to be worshipped, we can also add some other elements to it, so that more people will come to believe."

"Is this your idea, or the King's?"

"It is my idea, and also the King's."

"I understand."

"It's impossible to rely on Sang Hu to get things done. Before long, the position of Grand Invoker will be returned to you. All you need to do is offer your loyalty to the King."

"I will."

"For this siege, we'll need you and the Invokers under your command to put in extra effort. You know as well as I do, the warriors of the Holy Clan are not very good at siege warfare."

"If I'd known, back when they wanted to demolish Snow Sea Pass, we shouldn't have stopped them. Without Snow Sea Pass, our return journey would be much easier."

"Yes, and it would also be much more convenient for the Yan people when they invade the snow field."

"You..."

"Don't underestimate the Yan people. In reality, although we defeated tens of thousands of Yan soldiers at the Wang River, driving them into the river to feed the bastard tortoises, that was only Yan's Left Army. And the Left Army is not even considered Yan's elite. The tens of thousands of cavalry led by Yan's Southern Marquis into the snow field last time—they are Yan's true elite iron cavalry.

Alright, we're very close now, Hasi. Grant me the protection of the Star Spirit."

"Didn't you say you don't believe in the Star Spirit?"

"I believe now."

Hasi began to chant. A faint blue light appeared around him and started to transfer and spread onto Geremu's body.

After the protective blessing was complete, Hasi looked up ahead and said confidently, "For over a decade, the only person who could break my protection single-handedly was that Sword Saint from the Jin State. No one else has managed it."

"Heh, alright. I, Geremu, am no powerless scholar from Jin land either. I truly did want to witness the caliber of this Yan general during this meeting."

"Is this what you Jin people call 'mutual admiration between kindred spirits'?"

"I suppose so."

"That Yan general looks quite ordinary. Common armor, an average warhorse, and an ordinary saber. There's no mistake, right?"

"My falcon has confirmed it. It's him. The Jin people also have a saying: 'Don't judge a book by its cover.'"

"Huh?"

"What is it now?"

"Why does the standard-bearer beside that Yan general look somewhat familiar?"

"Familiar?"

Hasi, holding the banner in his right hand, turned his head to look at Geremu and said, "Geremu, isn't it funny? That standard-bearer over there, he actually looks a bit like Yu Huaping."

Geremu froze.

The next moment, he wrenched his horse's head around and galloped back the way he came.

At the same instant, the Sword Saint beside Zheng Fan, who had been acting as his standard-bearer, dropped the banner, his sword flashing out as he shot forward, man and blade as one.

Immediately after, Hasi voluntarily moved forward to block the Sword Saint.

Then, Zheng Fan, clutching the Mo Wan in his left hand and holding the reins in his right, wheeled his horse around and galloped madly towards Snow Sea Pass, yelling, "Open the gates!"