Free Web NovelChapter 1229: Chapter 409: Seeking Guidance (Extra update for the Alliance Hierarch, doing bad things without divine punishment!)
Lin Zhengren sat in the preparation seat, hands resting on his knees, sitting upright.
Among the many rising talents leaving their seats, he seemed even more composed and tranquil, as if undisturbed by the eight winds.
But his hands on his knees were almost digging into the bones.
His legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, unable to move.
This was the Yellow River Gathering, a time of converging winds and clouds, where the heroes of Various Countries contend and stars dazzle the sky.
He, Lin Zhengren, was also in his prime, how could he not wish to display his prowess before all and earn widespread acknowledgment?
Setting those aside, shining at an occasion like the Yellow River Gathering would bring immeasurable benefits for the future.
Regardless of how much more support Zhuang Country could offer, even the host of the main match of the Yellow River Gathering was a True Monarch from Jade Capital Mountain!
Fighting under the watchful eyes of Yu Xi, if he could showcase a stunning performance and display his talent, would there be any lack of opportunities to cultivate at Jade Capital Mountain later on?
For this, he was certainly willing to fight with all his might.
The entire Lin’s Clan died in Wangjiang City on that night, wasn’t it all for a moment like today?
Every day when he came to Guanhe Platform, he studied his opponents.
Last night, discussing strategies with Du Ruhui went on without any rest the entire night.
He had put forth his utmost efforts.
So of course he wanted to perform!
But...
But Jiang Wang...
Lin Zhengren several times thought to stand up, but pressed himself back down.
Echoing in his ears were the sound transmission from State Minister Du Ruhui—
"If anything goes amiss, concede the match immediately, your safety is more important than victory or defeat."
Even at times like this, you still don’t forget to perform, State Minister.
Lin Zhengren remained silent.
He was very clear, with Du Ruhui’s wisdom, any matter he could think of, Du Ruhui would surely have considered as well. The man probably thought that Jiang Wang’s resolute killing intent was merely targeting Zhuang Country?
But he himself could not be ignorant, he and Jiang Wang held a deadly vengeance. He’d laid the blood debt of the entire Lin Family upon Jiang Wang’s shoulders, thus between him and Jiang Wang, one must die.
The question is... who dies?
"To concede at the first sign of trouble."
Of course, that’s a sound strategy.
But could Jiang Wang fail to consider this?
Lin Zhengren repeatedly asked himself internally.
He, as a chosen hero representing Qi Country in battle, gave up putting effort into battling Summer Country and Shen Country, instead specifically targeting me, what was the price he paid for that?
Does he think I would not prioritize survival on the field?
He knows I will prioritize survival, he knows True Monarch Yu Xi will do his utmost to protect the lives of the main match heroes, yet he still chose this!
He is certain he can kill me!
"The heroes from the Inner Mansion Realm of the Various Countries, please enter the arena."
The voice of True Monarch Yu Xi reached every person present.
But in actuality, the fifteen heroes had already left their seats and approached the Arena, leaving only Lin Zhengren still sitting in the preparation seat, making it seem like he was intentionally making everyone wait for him.
"Is this small country’s genius being a bit too disrespectful?"
Lin Zhengren also heard someone complaining like this.
He did not pursue whose voice it was, any country that could come to Guanhe Platform would not fear Zhuang Country.
He was just...
He was just constantly asking himself—
What does Jiang Wang have to rely on? Can I withstand it?
He found that he had no answer.
Being able to become the foremost hero of the Inner Mansion Realm representing an Overlord Country like Qi, what means he could possess, was something he could not accurately assess with his vision!
Lin Zhengren once again clearly recognized the limitations of his small country origins.
The strongest Inner Mansion Realm hero he had come to know closely was none other than Jiang Limeng of Sheng Country. He couldn’t even imagine what a hero of the Inner Mansion Realm from an Overlord Country would be like.
Originally, he could have gained some understanding in the first round of the main match, but his opponent in the first round was Qi’s Jiang Wang!
He had no answer.
Lin Zhengren was unwilling to admit it, but had to accept that the unknown deepened his fear. freёwebnovel.com
He was not afraid to fight desperately, but he did not want to walk into an ending designed by someone else!
How hard he had toiled and strived to get to this point. The only reason that could make him fight to the death was himself, not some national honor or any damned grace of the emperor or teacher.
"Zhengren."
Du Ruhui’s voice echoed in the ears.
This State Minister of Zhuang Country had already sensed that something was amiss. The several opponents he had painstakingly researched the night before, he hadn’t encountered even one. Naturally, he could tell from the match-up list Jiang Wang’s murderous intent toward Lin Zhengren.
He could also understand Lin Zhengren’s fear. He supported Lin Zhengren going on stage and then surrendering after giving his strongest performance.
But he absolutely must not avoid ascending the Arena!
In the history of the main competition at the Yellow River Gathering, there had never been anyone who conceded before the fight.
At least Du Ruhui had never heard of such a case.
All had battled until the last moment, burning all their talent and displaying all their efforts before accepting the results of victory or defeat.
If one doesn’t even dare to stand on the stage.
Then Zhuang Country’s dignity would be utterly lost!
Lost in front of these more than one hundred countries present, impossible to retrieve!
His utterance at this moment.
Was both a consolation and an urge.
Consoling Lin Zhengren not to be afraid, with True Monarch Yu Xi to protect him. Urging Lin Zhengren not to bring disgrace to their country.
Lin Zhengren did not respond.
His gaze turned to Jiang Wang.
At this moment, Jiang Wang had already stepped onto the Arena marked with the letter ’Geng’. Clad in green, holding his sword high, he stood proudly among the fifteen exceptional youths who took to the stage, bearing a unique elegance.
Those clear, calm eyes just casually cast his look over.
"Let me learn from you."
The guy named Jiang Wang said so with a smile.
Composed, resolute, confident.
"Puh!"
In the fighters’ preparation area, Lin Zhengren spat out a mouthful of fresh blood with his face turned upwards!
Jiang Wang’s smile...
It shattered his last thread of struggling courage.
"State Minister!" Lin Zhengren exclaimed in horror: "I’ve been struck by Blood Ghoul Backlash!"
Before the words fell, he let out a scream and fainted, blood flowing from all seven orifices!
With so many powerhouses and clever minds present, pretending to be injured would fool no one.
So, he was truly struck by the Blood Ghoul Backlash!
He released all control over the Blood Ghost, aggravating its wild instinct, causing the Blood Ghost to backlash against its master instantly.
That meant...
He was giving up the Blood Ghost that he had painstakingly nurtured for so long!
The resources consumed to cultivate this Blood Ghost to this point were beyond calculation.
Using such a painful cost, to achieve this act of "performance".
His only desire was to survive!
On the basis of survival, to minimize the negative impact as much as possible.
Injury and backlash itself had already led to unconsciousness, so it couldn’t be considered as being cowardly in combat.
This was the best solution he could think of in a short time.
Du Ruhui pressed a palm on Lin Zhengren’s head, instantly destroying the rampaging Blood Ghost.
Holding the "critically injured and fainted" Lin Zhengren with one hand, he seemed to have aged a lot, wearily looking at True Monarch Yu Xi: "Please forgive us, Lin Zhengren of Zhuang Country has been struck by Blood Ghoul Backlash, is powerless to fight and must withdraw from the contest!"
There was a moment just now when he almost wanted to crush Lin Zhengren to death with his palm. He had originally held high hopes for this young man and had not expected that at a critical moment, he would be so cowardly and spineless.
He of course knew that there was no possibility of the Blood Ghost backlashing, as last night he had discussed the entire night’s battle plan with Lin Zhengren!
But how could he willingly let Zhuang Country become the laughingstock of the world?
Perhaps it already was.
But at any cost, he had to recover some face.
So, he cooperated at the first opportunity!
Yu Xi didn’t even look towards Zhuang Country’s side, offering no comment.
Du Ruhui and Lin Zhengren’s act might fool others, but it sure couldn’t fool a True Monarch.
However, though he did not express any opinion, another voice rang out—
"Since that’s the case. You take him away to recuperate."
The voice carried no emotion, very flat.
But this voice was grand, vast, as if conveying a great will to the entire world.
The voice of the Jing Emperor!
Du Ruhui’s heart sank to the abyss!
