Chapter 2588: Unarmored

What Zhao Ru Cheng said was Du Ye Hu.

When the crowd heard it, they all understood it as the word "also."

Du Ye Hu would do this, and Jiang Wang would do it even more.

He Lian Zhao Tu's gold shimmered brightly like fierce sunlight on snow. He raised his head and looked at the sky, extending one hand as if to catch the snowflakes falling from above.

"Being here alone now, desiring great power, is certainly to accomplish one thing and be remembered by all people."

He clenched his five fingers. This hand was clearly gripping nothing, but it also seemed to be gripping everything. Withdrawing his gaze, he looked at Zhao Ru Cheng. "Not just one Du Ye Hu. Or who else."

Zhao Ru Cheng was silent for a moment. "...You're right."

He let out a "ha": "Now we husband and wife have become the villains in those storybooks and novels, unable to defeat a destined protagonist like you, only able to slink back home to call for help... If we were a bit more arrogant, we'd be even more hated."

He finally raised his head and shouted: "Third brother! Save me!"

At first, there was only a single cold star.

Then the clouds parted to reveal the nine heavens.

The wind and snow all fell silent.

Just moments ago, the white-haired wind howled for ten thousand li, covering the sky and rolling across the ground. Now it became as obedient and gentle as silk velvet.

The gentle breeze brushing against his face still carried warmth, and the snowflakes falling on his shoulders felt quite tender!

Jiang Wang, in his green shirt with sword hanging, descended from the sky.

Hu Yan Jing Xuan instinctively stepped forward to protect He Lian Zhao Tu. Quan Yan Qing Shuang also tightly gripped his long sword.

Jiang Wang's gaze didn't even fall on them; he only looked at He Lian Zhao Tu. "The grasslands are Yun Yun's hometown, and for me, it's also an old place. Just now, waiting in the sky, seeing the wind and snow raging and the cattle and sheep wailing, I truly couldn't sit or stand still. So, I casually chopped two hundred and ninety-seven cold night wind eyes..."

A wisp of cold frost was between his fingers, and he lightly brushed it off just like that.

"I hope His Highness doesn't feel I'm meddling in idle matters."

Hu Yan Jing Xuan had exhausted all his effort, nearly creating a war record with his dying body, and that was exactly the number of cold night wind eyes. Not one more, not one less.

In other words, whether he was there or not made no difference.

Many cultivation records he left in E Er De had already been broken by Zhao Ru Cheng.

The limits of the cave true realm he created in the Cang Tu Mirror Wall were long ago raised to an unreachable level by Jiang Wang.

If Jiang Wang willed it, this strong person honored as the "First True of the Pasture Country" could have left no trace at all.

He Lian Zhao Tu laughed: "Shouldn't I say something this time? Good heavens, Zhen River True Monarch, you actually use such vicious means as disaster relief to deal with me?"

He restrained his smile and bowed to Jiang Wang with extreme seriousness. "I, on behalf of the common people of the grasslands, thank True Monarch Jiang for your assistance."

Jiang Wang returned the bow, acknowledging that he could represent the grasslands.

He then turned his head towards Zhu Xie Mu Yu, who was still waving his knife to kill, and said: "Why doesn't this general stop first? Let's have a quiet chat."

He Lian Zhao Tu looked at Jiang Wang with a warm smile, not speaking.

Zhu Xie Mu Yu acted as if he hadn't heard. The long knife in his hand moved faster, and the soldier evil in the formation surged! Every single knife went towards He Lian Yun Yun's vital points.

Jiang Wang's face was expressionless as he turned his body. "I said... Stop."

With two fingers together as a sword finger, as he turned, he slashed downwards.

At this moment, the armored soldiers gathered in the cloud realm long corridor already numbered ten thousand. Under the control of a seasoned veteran like Zhu Xie Mu Yu, the soldier evil rolled and mixed like one body.

"Those who block me die!"

Zhu Xie Mu Yu saw himself as a weapon of war that completely and utterly realized He Lian Zhao Tu's will. He was not unaware of Jiang Wang's terror, but the more he knew, the more he wanted to perform. If He Lian Zhao Tu told him to kill the emperor, he would dare to raise his knife!

At this moment, he drummed up the soldier evil, and the ten thousand armies all advanced!

Swish—

Then it was like moonlight breaking through the clouds.

Next was the sound of armor smashing the ground, ten thousand sounds merging into one.

Zhu Xie Mu Yu only felt a coolness on his body, his hand empty, and his head light—

His helmet had been cut off, his long knife had left his hand, his war armor fell to the ground, and his entire person was left with only a single layer of clothes, a single pair of pants, and a pair of complete military boots.

Just as He Lian Yun Yun had run out into the snowy night in thin clothing, he also stood here thinly dressed.

Behind and in front of him were armored soldiers, without exception, all wearing only single layers of clothing, each empty-handed and at a loss for what to do.

The rolling soldier evil scattered back into blood qi, diffusing in the air like silk threads.

One sword to remove the armor of ten thousand armies!

The battlefield immediately fell silent.

He Lian Yun Yun, who held a horse whip in the ten thousand armies, was already on the verge of defeat, still instinctively attacking and killing, when she was hugged into the embrace of the blood-covered Zhao Ru Cheng.

She raised her whip, still wanting to fight again, yet seemed to sense something. At once, she let both hands droop, just like that, her spirit faint.

Zhu Xie Mu Yu's hand was without a knife, but he clenched his fist and looked at Jiang Wang with a cold stare.

Behind him, the ten thousand soldiers who had their armor removed also clenched their fists and gathered their strength, following his gaze.

Facing the Zhen River True Monarch at this moment, who could be turned into dust with one sword, not a single one of these soldiers retreated.

Indeed, they were elite troops, picked one in ten thousand li!

He Lian Zhao Tu's smile did not change in the slightest. He still looked at Jiang Wang, appearing very composed. "Are you intending to intervene in our Great Pasture's succession?"

"The Great Pasture is a powerful and heroic nation in the world, the overlord of the northern border. Which outsider is so audacious as to dare intervene in this country's succession?!" Jiang Wang pressed his sword and said: "If there truly is such an ignorant person, why not tell me their name, and I will reject them for His Highness!"

He Lian Zhao Tu lowered his gaze. "So, it means I have misunderstood?"

"A great misunderstanding! The last time I came to the grasslands, His Highness even invited me to a banquet!" Jiang Wang said: "I came north now, nothing more than to see my little fifth brother, to see Yun Yun."

He looked at the couple hugging each other and slowly said: "Perhaps my fate is not good. Walking this path, I have constantly lost and said goodbye, leaving only a few family members. I can't help but think about it and often worry. I have walked to today with the determination to fight for life, and I don't want to lose anyone again."

"This is also a common human emotion!" He Lian Zhao Tu said firmly: "What happens next? What arrangements does Zhen River True Monarch have for them?"

"If His Highness allows it, I would like to bring them back to Star Moon Plain." Jiang Wang's voice was warm and slow: "The White Jade Capital wine house's business is not bad; adding two pairs of chopsticks won't be a problem. My An An... also misses her fifth brother and fifth sister-in-law very much."

He Lian Zhao Tu looked at him: "Speaking of which, although I have repeatedly invited Gentleman Jiang, Gentleman Jiang has never attended a single banquet."

"Before, I was still young and didn't understand much... Or perhaps I was too busy!" Jiang Wang had a hint of apology: "In the future, we will have opportunities to get along well."

Even with He Lian Zhao Tu's deep composure, he blinked several times at once, finding it difficult to fix his expression.

Jiang Wang's position and influence today often made people ignore his age. He is only thirty years old this year, and indeed he can say, "before, I was still young"!

But this position is already that of a major figure often mentioned alongside the Southern Heavenly Master Ying Jiang Hong and the Great Qi military god Jiang Meng Xiong!

He sighed lightly: "Gentleman Jiang and the consort's emotions make me feel touched. Ha, speaking of which, there's also a bit of bitterness in my heart. I was just thinking— If I lose today, or more directly, if the consort's strength was a little stronger, and he had directly broken through Hu Yan Jing Xuan and chopped me down from the formation."

He stared into Jiang Wang's eyes: "Would anyone actually stand out and say they want to bring me home?"

This Great Pasture Prince sighed somewhat: "I can understand Zhen River True Monarch's feelings. Can you sympathize with my feelings?"

"His Highness sees the world as his home." Jiang Wang said seriously: "This vast grassland, under the shining sky, where is not your homeland?"

He actually drew his sword, bowed deeply in front of everyone, and bowed low to He Lian Zhao Tu. "My little fifth brother indeed acted rashly. He was anxious about Yun Yun and didn't consider the consequences. How could he know His Highness's magnanimity and tolerance? Please allow me to apologize to His Highness on his behalf!"

Zhao Ru Cheng's hand, which was hugging He Lian Yun Yun, trembled, and he bit his lip at once.

He Lian Zhao Tu turned to avoid the bow: "Gentleman Jiang, there's no need! Contending and killing on the battlefield is a common matter of life and death. I am not so lacking in this awareness. The consort and Yun Yun have such good feelings, and I am also very pleased."

Zhao Ru Cheng restrained the redness in his eyes and said in a low voice: "I am also willing to apologize to the imperial brother— Or perhaps I shouldn't call you imperial brother, but rather His Highness."

He was a proud person who valued his face, but even his third brother had bowed his head. How could he still keep his neck stiff?

He Lian Zhao Tu glanced at him faintly: "First treat Yun Yun's injuries. She is also my family."

Saying that, he took out a bright gold pill and said to Jiang Wang: "My sister has her own aspirations. Regardless of whether it is Gentleman Jiang or the consort, neither is good at making decisions for her. It would be better to wake her up."

Jiang Wang, however, turned his body at this moment—

Just then, two figures broke through the sky curtain and instantly landed in the field.

One wore a grassland king's robe with long hair hidden in a fur hat. His body was quite thin, and his features were deep. One was covered in iron armor, even his face hidden inside the helmet, only revealing a pair of fierce eyes.

King Su Qin, He Lian Liang Guo!

Iron Floating Slaughter Lord, Jin Tan Du!

He Lian Liang Guo was a member of the Great Pasture's imperial family. Regardless of whether He Lian Yun Yun or He Lian Zhao Tu ascended the throne, it would not affect his status.

Jin Tan Du also had sufficient reasons to remain neutral.

When the two imperial heirs contended with each other, as long as the degree of contention remained within a certain range, they would only watch who won or lost.

But if someone from outside the pasture country wanted to interfere, that would not be acceptable.

The pasture country was not without people! How could it allow others to interfere in the imperial succession?

Their appearance at this moment was already an attempt to maintain fairness and also to exert invisible pressure on Jiang Wang.

Jiang Wang lowered his head slightly, then bowed.

Regardless of whether it was He Lian Liang Guo or Jin Tan Du, both immediately returned the bow.

Jiang Wang then lightly stepped forward, walked to the side of Zhao Ru Cheng and He Lian Yun Yun, placed a hand on each of them, and directly irrigated them with the power of the heavenly dao to wash away their injuries, saying: "These are minor injuries, not yet needing precious medicine."

The injuries were naturally not minor injuries, but for now, it was good to keep them alive and conscious, and then they could go to the Benevolence Heart Hall for proper treatment later. The medicine given by the Great Pasture Prince now, he did not dare let He Lian Yun Yun take.

He Lian Zhao Tu did not force the issue either and put the precious medicine away in his palm.

Soon, He Lian Yun Yun's eyes cleared, her already fuzzy consciousness slowly gathered, and she finally came to.

An endless exhaustion swept through her dao body. But she refused Zhao Ru Cheng's support and stood there steadily.

She already knew Zhao Ru Cheng had returned and had completely thought through the situation.

There was only a slight trace of sadness in her eyes, then it was all swept away.

"Imperial brother!" She said: "I thought I would be surrounded by ten thousand armies and have my corpse wrapped in horsehide, which is how grassland children return. I am actually still alive."

He Lian Zhao Tu looked at her calmly: "Yun Yun, let our game stop today. Swear by the name of He Lian that you will never contend for the position with your imperial brother."

He Lian Yun Yun lightly raised her head: "What if I don't?"

"Otherwise today, I really don't want to say this—" He Lian Zhao Tu's face was expressionless: "You will die, Zhao Ru Cheng will die, and your third brother... it seems he will also die."

Jiang Wang stood behind this couple, not speaking a word.

Zhao Ru Cheng tightly gripped He Lian Yun Yun's hand.

He Lian Yun Yun was silent for a moment.

Dying here today would be her biggest counterattack against He Lian Zhao Tu!

Originally, the pasture country's siblings from the same mother contending with each other in a benign manner was a rare side of warm emotion within the imperial families of various countries.

Now, He Lian Zhao Tu suddenly broke the former agreement and launched a bloody coup at a time when the emperor was on a distant expedition and the country was in a critical state. He Lian Zhao Tu would never be able to erase the bad name of fighting his own family, and he would also never receive the forgiveness of the identity of the Great Pasture's Son of Heaven being born of that mother.

But just as He Lian Zhao Tu said.

Zhao Ru Cheng would share life and death with her.

And Jiang third brother... would risk his life for Zhao Ru Cheng.

Although grassland children can take life and death lightly, how can they involve the people who truly care about them?

This Great Pasture imperial daughter raised her head. In her beautiful eyes, there was finally a touch of unremovable bitterness. She asked: "What about Yu Wen Duo?"

He Lian Zhao Tu said in a faint voice: "He is tied at home and his mouth and tongue are sealed."

He added: "Not many people in the entire Yi Yang Palace will die. They are all loyal ministers of our Great Pasture empire. Protecting Princess Yun Yun is also their duty. They have not committed half a sin. I will not kill a single person."

He Lian Yun Yun turned her head and looked at Jiang Wang, just like a long time ago, with a sweet smile: "I heard Ru Cheng say a long time ago that Jiang third brother prepared a room for us at the White Jade Capital wine house, but it was never convenient to go over... I wonder if it is still available?"

Jiang Wang only said: "Where third brother is, it will always be your home."

"Third brother is really good!" He Lian Yun Yun smiled widely and praised him.

Then she punched Zhao Ru Cheng's chest: "Now that everyone is free, maybe we should put having a baby on the agenda— You can't say you don't have time anymore."

Zhao Ru Cheng's handsome face turned red: "So many people..."

He Lian Yun Yun sighed very, very lightly, almost imperceptibly, then raised her eyes.

The dark sky suddenly appeared a sky blue vortex, like a giant vertical pupil opening to overlook the human world!

She raised her hand towards the sky and said: "I, He Lian Yun Yun! Swear by the name of He Lian to never contend for the position with my brother, He Lian Zhao Tu!"

That vertical pupil slowly closed, and He Lian Yun Yun's blue eyes gradually faded to ordinary black and white.

In the solemn expressions of others, she instead seemed to have put down a burden, looking much brighter. She patted her hands: "Okay, husband! Let's go home with Jiang third brother!"

From Jiang Wang's deep, quiet eyes, endless lines of light flew out, weaving into a pure white boat, which then carried the three of them, wishing to return to Star Moon Plain.

"Sister!" He Lian Zhao Tu suddenly called out.

He Lian Yun Yun stood on the immortal boat, turned her head to look at him: "Is there anything else?"

"Today should actually be good weather. I had someone calculate it."

He Lian Zhao Tu said these inexplicable words and then looked up... at the sky!

The sky blue vortex in the sky reappeared, this time even outlined with a layer of gold!

During this process, He Lian Zhao Tu's power rose incredibly fast.

This speed was terrifying, coming and going in the blink of an eye.

The vast wind and snow covering the sky cleared in an instant.

Indeed, it was a clear and vast night for ten thousand li, with brilliant stars and moon.

Heaven and earth sensing!

Heavenly phenomenon change!

The Great Pasture Prince, actually at the peak!

"Sister." In that moment of blazing light and shaking heaven and earth, He Lian Zhao Tu's voice was still very calm: "When can you reach the peak?"

He Lian Yun Yun's expression dimmed almost visibly, but she stated the fact: "Five years at the fastest, slow then... hard to say."

"You know, there won't be five years for you." He Lian Zhao Tu said.

Being forced out of the country, forced to swear, is still not enough? Do you still want to brand the shadow of never being able to defeat?

He Lian Yun Yun finally calmed down: "Brother is right."

Zhao Ru Cheng pursed his lips and only said: "Let's go, third brother."

Jiang Wang patted his shoulder: "We are going back, but before that, I suddenly thought... there is still one matter."

Everyone looked at him.

He said: "Not a very important matter. It only concerns my personal mood— I have been very annoyed these days."

He shook his head and gave a bitter laugh: "I don't know why, I inexplicably... want to hit people. My fists are itchy, my sword... is not peaceful."

His gaze swept over Hu Yan Jing Xuan: "You are not qualified enough."

He then looked at He Lian Zhao Tu: "Although His Highness has proven to be at the peak, it is not enough yet."

"Furthermore, the Pasture Son of Heaven has always been kind to me. How can I draw my sword against the Great Pasture's heir?"

The sky, which was shaking with clouds and illusory due to He Lian Zhao Tu's ascent to the top, recovered its peace in front of Jiang Wang's deep and quiet gaze.

It seemed as if nothing had ever happened.

Jiang Wang's gaze fell on He Lian Liang Guo's body: "King Su Qin, I respect you. When I returned from the demon world in the past, I relied on the human race's peak power. You were one of them."

Finally, he looked towards Jin Tan Du.

He stepped off the immortal boat, one step at a time.

With every step he took, a dharmakaya flew from outside the sky, turning into light and entering his body.

Finally, various bodies and phases gathered. His green shirt drifted like clouds. He opened that pair of calm eyes: "Great Commander is already old and finds it hard to wear armor. Now please— Let me remove your armor!"

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