Gate of God
Page 245Chapter 245: Kneel and thank me
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi was smiling too. He was smiling even more radiantly than Bai Xing. Furthermore, his expression of anticipation caused the soldiers under the cauldron to doubt his intentions.
"Is he testing the waters?"
"I think there is a 90% chance Fang Zhengzhi would surrender!"
All of the soldiers looked on disdainfully at Fang Zhengzhi. They were about to fight, yet Fang Zhengzhi asked the demons for a gift? How audacious.
Xing Yuanguo also stared at Fang Zhengzhi. He did not know what this young man was thinking. After all, what he knew of Fang Zhengzhi came from the stories he heard.
This was the first time they had met.
He had no idea whether Fang Zhengzhi was a loyal and righteous man, or a two faced, benefit-driven individual.
If Fang Zhengzhi was a loyal man, then by the fact that he could still joke around when a battle was imminent meant that Xing Yuanguo had to take him seriously in the future.
However, the enemy was much stronger now. Furthermore, they were trapped in The Vast World, their lives in danger. It seemed more probable that Fang Zhengzhi would surrender.
Kill?
Or leave him be?
This was the question Xing Yuanguo had to answer. As the general, he had to be very sure before taking any actions. After all, Fang Zhengzhi was by Ping Yang's side.
An unsuspecting Ping Yang.
If Fang Zhengzhi decided to take Ping Yang hostage, then it would be a death sentence for his force.
Xing Yuanguo's eyes glowed icily. He did not stop Fang Zhengzhi, neither did he attack Fang Zhengzhi. He promised himself, If he takes the gift, I will kill him!
Then, things began to unravel.
After laughing, Bai Xing thought for a moment before retrieving a gemstone. Then, he stroked it lightly a couple of times.
"I heard that your honor is incredibly resourceful and intelligent. You attained the Heavenly Reflection State at 15, but have never managed to learn in an academy. You had no teacher to guide you, and have been stymied along the way. I have always been frustrated with the humans. They only look at the contributions of a family, but never realize the talents that surround them. It is a waste that you are with them. Now that I have met you, I hope that you will accept this gift. This gemstone contains the first part of our premier technique... the "Infinite Star Sword Technique!"
Bai Xing's intentions were clear. He was sowing discord whilst trying to recruit Fang Zhengzhi. He even offered half of the demonic premier sword technique as a token of goodwill.
After he finished, he placed the gemstone in his right palm and extended it. If you want it, come and take it.
"Infinite Star Sword Technique?!"
"Isn't that the technique Bai Xing trains with?"
All of the soldiers were stunned when they heard it.
Xing Yuanguo squinted. He knew that Bai Xing was up to no good. He had not offered jewels, armor, or weapons. He had offered up a technique scroll, half of it to be exact.
If Fang Zhengzhi trained with it, he would naturally ask for the second half.
It was only logical.
What would Fang Zhengzhi's choice be? Take the technique stone and repay Bai Xing with his loyalty? Or reject it entirely...
Xing Yuanguo did not have to think for long.
Fang Zhengzhi walked over without hesitation the moment Bai Xing extended his hand.
Then, he took the gemstone.
He bowed sincerely to Bai Xing, then shouted, "Thank you!"
His voice reverberated throughout the throne room.
However, all the soldiers' expressions darkened.
Xing Yuanguo's hand was pressed against his waist. He did not know if it was a mere coincidence, but Chi Guyan moved slightly when Fang Zhengzhi did.
She placed herself in between Xing Yuanguo and Fang Zhengzhi.
Xing Yuanguo looked at Chi Guyan and realized that her eyes were just as bright as before. Her expression was as calm as a lake in spring.
Xing Yuanguo released his grip on his waist.
It seemed rather unbelievable. Just a moment ago, he had promised himself that he would kill Fang Zhengzhi if Fang Zhengzhi took the gift. Now, even though Fang Zhengzhi accepted the gift, he was not going to kill him.
But this was the truth.
After saying thank you, Fang Zhengzhi sauntered back.
This was rather confusing.
Why would he walk back after showing where his allegiance lay?
"Could it be..."
A thought appeared in the minds of the soldiers. Fang Zhengzhi had taken up a position next to Ping Yang. He was less than an inch from her.
Bai Xing's smile became even more radiant.
Fang Zhengzhi was also smiling radiantly.
This smiling contest continued for almost five minutes. Finally, Bai Xing could not take it any longer.
"Your honor, where is the gift you promised?" Bai Xing did not want to remind Fang Zhengzhi, but he did not want to wait any longer.
"Haven't I already given it?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Bai Xing quizzically.
"You have? What... what did you give me?" Bai Xing was even more confused.
"Didn't I thank you just now? That was my 'gift' to you!" Fang Zhengzhi replied.
"The 'thank you' was your gift to me?!" Bai Xing was taken aback.
After the thousands of soldiers heard what Fang Zhengzhi said, they all looked at each other in confusion.
Isn't Fang Zhengzhi defecting?
Why...
"My Great Xia Dynasty is such a powerful empire with such a dense population. The demon race are hermits with a few isolated cities. As a rank four official and the Sword Envoy of the Great Xia Dynasty, it is a great honor for you that I've thanked you so sincerely. After all, I've only taken a small gemstone from you. Don't you think you should kneel and thank me for my generosity?" Fang Zhengzhi's voice rang out once again as he played with the stone in his hand.
When Bai Xing heard this, his expression darkened. Sword Envoy? Rank four official?
A measly rank four official with no soldiers under his command wanted him to kneel down after saying thanks?
This was humiliation! Complete, unadulterated humiliation!
All of the soldiers looked at the calm Fang Zhengzhi and the angered Bai Xing. If they still did not know what was happening, their brains were probably nonexistent.
Defect?
F*ck that!
How can someone who dares to insult the opposing commander in such a blatant fashion be accused of defecting? Fang Zhengzhi's actions had made his stand very clear.
He would fight the demons to the bitter end!
"Well said! The Great Xia Dynasty is such a powerful empire with such a dense population. Why would we surrender to the hermit demons with a few isolated cities!"
"You must be dreaming! Our rank four official would not be bought over with a measly stone!"
"Yes, kill the demons, make the Great Xia Dynasty great again!"
The morale of the soldiers swelled. This had little to do with what Fang Zhengzhi had done or said.
This was pride!
If an untested 15 year old youth dared to humiliate the domain chief of the demons, then how could they, as the elite soldiers of the Great Xia Dynasty, back down?
As soldiers, they were ready to die, but they would never give up their pride. They were the Mountain Breaking Army and the Red Pinion Squad, the pillars of the Great Xia Dynasty.
In an instant, the shadow of their previous failure was lifted. They only had one aim - to defeat the demons and retain their standing and pride
Xing Yuanguo stared at Fang Zhengzhi.
He did not know if Fang Zhengzhi's actions were planned or merely a happy coincidence. However, he knew that Fang Zhengzhi had used the simplest of methods to reinvigorate the depressed army.
Morale was the most important in any army.
With good morale, anything was possible.
Fang Zhengzhi, and untested and inexperienced youth who had not even finished the imperial examinations, had done something that a seasoned commander like him could not.
He had given the thousands of soldiers a morale boost, and a cause to fight for.
Ping Yang did not know much about troop management. However, she could feel the changes in the emotions of the thousands of soldiers. Was it because of Fang Zhengzhi?
This shameless boy had managed to scam the demons of half of the "Infinite Star Sword Technique" and raise the morale of the soldiers at the same time? How unbelievable.
"Shameless fella. It must be luck!" Ping Yang's mouth twitched, her head held high.
Chi Guyan was different from Ping Yang. She had grown up in a military family and was familiar with military tactics. She knew that Fang Zhengzhi had potentially turned the tide of the battle.
If they could win this battle...
Fang Zhengzhi would have played a huge role in it.
Raising the morale of soldiers may seem simple, but is actually incredibly difficult. Someone who can encourage the soldiers is the rarest of all military geniuses.
"This shameless thief... actually did it?" Chi Guyan's expression changed for the first time. She was here with Fang Zhengzhi.
His methods may be shameless.
But one could not argue with his results.
Bai Xing's expression was ugly. He glanced at the soldiers under the cauldron, finally stopping at Fang Zhengzhi.
"Master had warned me that Fang Zhengzhi is an unpredictable man. Master told me to be careful when dealing with him. I had ignored the advice then, but now, I must say that what master said was an understatement! It's alright though, Fang Zhengzhi's name will disappear from the world after tonight. The Vast World will be your burying ground!"
Bai Xings body began to glow silver as he spoke. He looked like he was bathing in stars as a strong killing aura exploded outwards.
It crashed towards Fang Zhengzhi.
The red demon eye meant that Bai Xing was one state higher than Ying Shan.
Fang Zhengzhi had killed Ying Shan...
However, he had done so because the Traceless Sword was in control of the World of the Sage. He could not match Ying Shan based purely on ability. Now that he was up against Bai Xing...
He was not masochistic.
"It would be a waste to not properly admire such a magnificent throne room!" Fang Zhengzhi murmured, then paced quickly to the side.
A battle between two powerhouses was not a place he wanted to be. He would just be a cheerleader by the side. Only an idiot would get in the middle of those two.
Xing Yuanguo stared at Fang Zhengzhi.
He was confused when he saw Fang Zhengzhi moved, then, he heard what Fang Zhengzhi mumured.
Admire?
This child was not one for the refined arts.
Clearly, Fang Zhengzhi was trying to use this time to run. Xing Yuanguo had always punished deserters, but he was not surprised that Fang Zhengzhi wanted to run.
He was not even angered.
Fang Zhengzhi had already done the most important thing. As the commander, he should be the one fighting this battle.
But...
Didn't he run a little too fast?
At the very least, shouldn't he bring the princess along with him?
Just as he was thinking about it, Fang Zhengzhi turned back and appeared beside Ping Yang and Chi Guyan. "Follow me, I found a lead on the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet, come on over!"
Xing Yuanguo was taken aback by Fang Zhengzhi's expression.
Isn't that excuse a little too ridiculous?
Thousands of soldiers had not found any trace of the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet after searching repeatedly. How can you find it without even walking to the edges of the throne room?
However, with the impending battle, Fang Zhengzhi was offering to take Ping Yang and Chi Guyan along with him. This reassured Xing Yuanguo.
Neither Ping Yang nor Chi Guyan could be endangered.
"Your highness, Guyan, the emperor has decreed that we must find the Heaven Dao Sage Tablet. In the name of the emperor, I command you to follow Fang Zhengzhi and find it!" Xing Yuanguo found the excuse a little ridiculous, but he decided to "fall for it'.