Chen Ping's Sword

Chapter 293: Chapter 156: Breaking the Haoran Sword, Acquiring the Exorcism Book

"This person indeed bears the traits of a Bright Lord, but unfortunately, there lacks wise strategists under his command, planting a seed of defeat — truly regrettable." Xiao Chengyun’s face was full of regret. Even though he harbored a subtle animosity in his heart, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for the other’s actions.

"Is Military Advisor Xiao referring to the gathering of gunpowder to trigger an explosion?"

Xiongba turned his head in surprise.

In his view, Chen Ping’s strategy of using his plan and force against him was as effortless as moving clouds and flowing water, easily annihilating most of the opposing forces in one fell swoop.

Even those of them secretly watching, ready to seize the opportunity to act, didn’t sense anything amiss and almost got trapped as well.

Thinking back, if they had ambushed a little closer and hidden inside the Primordial Martial Arts Hall, they might have been blown sky-high with the fireworks.

Even if they weren’t blown up right then and there, they’d likely have been as badly injured as Pei Zixing and the others.

This move was ruthless, crucially giving no sign beforehand, leaving no room for defense.

Turning palm to conjure clouds, reversing hands to produce rain.

With a flick of the wrist, the Pei Family and the Brocade Guard experts were toyed with as if they were nothing.

Did such a well-crafted strategy, foreseen every step ahead, driving the opponents into a corner, truly have shortcomings in Xiao Chengyun’s eyes?

Xiongba secretly smirked, dismissive, though it didn’t show in his tone; instead, he asked with a light laugh, "Where lies the seed of defeat?"

Xiao Chengyun, as if seeing through human hearts, shook his head with a cold smile. "If the old me were in charge, the Primordial Martial Arts Hall should have left one or two experts, instead of igniting from afar, giving people a chance to retreat. Sacrifice and gain go hand in hand."

"Whew..."

This crafty old man.

Xiongba took a deep breath and silently retreated three more steps, distancing himself from Xiao Chengyun.

He noticed his fifth brother, Du Jingyun, hadn’t come nearer, and General Huwei Xu Yanzong had also inadvertently turned his body slightly, being more wary of Xiao Chengyun.

If Chen Ping’s strategy was indeed as Xiao Chengyun said, it would have been a dead-end trap, utterly inescapable.

Setting up a large amount of gunpowder as a trap might work on true experts, but it wouldn’t be highly effective.

At least, in that split second before the crisis hit, those who reached the Heaven-Human Sensing level could keenly detect the incoming threat from Heaven and Earth.

As long as they reacted quickly and acted swiftly, they could always find a way to evade it.

Just like Liang Qi earlier, and Pei Ziwen, Pei Fangsheng, and the others.

These people were all at the peak of Late-Stage Innate, with their Innate Martial Intent nearly perfected, and the explosion couldn’t kill them...

Even for Pei Zixing in the Early-Stage Innate, it couldn’t actually kill him — at most, he reacted slightly slower and lost a leg in the blast.

But if before the plan was executed, they created layers of illusions, misleading others into thinking Han Wushang and the others were in the Primordial Martial Arts Hall, and used counter-schemes to mislead from the side...

Then have Han Wushang or Sima Rou stay in the Martial Hall to hold back, instead of leaving the underground passage a moment early...

If any Innate expert launched a counterattack in the courtyard, attracting the attention of other Innate experts,

And drew the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, confusing the sense, it would likely completely blind the Spiritual Sense of several Innate experts.

At that moment, when the flames surged, any Innate experts rushing inside would be lucky to emerge alive. frёeωebɳovel.com

Understanding this, when they looked at Xiao Chengyun again, their gaze carried a lot more vigilance.

It was not that his plans were bad, but that they were too good.

So good that they neither wanted to be his enemy nor his friend.

Xu Yanzong squinted his eyes, looking at Xiao Chengyun, and couldn’t help but speak in a deep voice, "This is the difference between General Chen and you, Military Advisor Xiao. Leave a shred of vitality for others and also a sliver of hope for oneself..."

At this point, Xu Yanzong suddenly didn’t want to continue.

Xiao Chengyun saw flaws in Chen Ping’s plan, while Xu Yanzong saw benevolence in it.

As it is said, ’destined by Heaven, benevolence is invincible’, if the Azure Dragon Seal fell into his hands, could it be truly fated by the heavens?

Although the strategy was one point inferior, the heart of the people leaned towards it, which is priceless.

Precisely because Chen Ping treats his companions as people, treating the subjects under his rule as people, he could achieve help from all sides...

In the balance of gains and losses, who can say for sure?

Just like now.

Even for them, they didn’t harbor much hostility towards him. Instead, they tacitly approved of the Azure Dragon Seal landing in his hands, thinking it might be a good thing.

This shift in mindset.

Who knows if it wasn’t due to his cunning deeds, favoring benevolence?

...

"Father, should we go to help? They’re preparing to attack in groups, and if something happens to our junior brother..."

Han Xiaoru stood at a distance, holding a broadsword, nearly squeezing water out of it.

"No need. Earlier, when I offered to stay in the courtyard to restrain the Pei Family experts, he outright refused, nearly turning his face with me. Surely, he’s very confident in himself.

We just need to guard against those people, once defeated, storming into the city to kill and vent their anger..."

Han Wushang said this, with a slightly embarrassed look, as if feeling somewhat disgraced.

While speaking, his face was again filled with smiles: "This kid, he just likes to shoulder everything himself, unwilling to let us take even a bit of risk. It’s not good this way...

But, Xiaoru, you don’t have to worry too much, look at your mother, she doesn’t overthink unnecessary things.

Don’t you see it? Your junior brother has hidden golden light within, with golden patterns forming dense lines on his skin, akin to real armor.

This is the Primordial Golden Body Perfection, with Gang Qi permeating every limb, nearly unbreakable by any method."