Chapter 327: Seven Stars
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"I don’t know." Wu Yuer shook her head.
"Didn’t you say that you saw it with your own eyes? How do you not know now?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at Wu Yuer speechlessly.
"Yes, I ran the moment I saw that things were taking a turn for the worse!" Wu Yuer shook her head, her hair flapping in the wind.
"..." Fang Zhengzhi was speechless. She was the leader of the Shadow Sect, yet she ran the moment she saw things were turning bad?
However, if Nangong Hao was going for Yun Qingwu, why would Wu Yuer run?
It did not make sense.
Of course, Wu Yuer did not go into details and Fang Zhengzhi did not press further. However, he was certain Wu Yuer did not have any relation to Nangong Hao.
"That offer..."
Wu Yuer began to speak when she saw Fang Zhengzhi become silent. Just as she was about to try convincing him, Fang Zhengzhi waved her off.
"I will think about it. Let me out first."
"You want to go even though you know you can’t win?"
"How would you know if you don’t try?"
"What if I told you that the Southern Mountain Range is virtually under the control of demons. Few will survive the combat examinations this time! You will..." Wu Yuer could not bring herself to say anymore.
"If what you say is true, then I must go."
"Why?"
"Because he is there."
"Who?"
"Yan Xiu!"
"Yan Xiu again. Are you willing to give up your life for Yan Xiu?" Wu Yuer knew that they had a good relationship, but she did not know that Fang Zhengzhi was willing to sacrifice this much for Yan Xiu.
"Yes." Fang Zhengzhi affirmed.
"I always thought that you were shameless, so shameless that you never thought of anyone else... okay then, what if I promised to bring Yan Xiu back safely?" Wu Yuer sighed.
"Then, all the more I must go."
"Why is that so?"
"Because if you have the confidence to bring Yan Xiu back safely, then you should have the same confidence for me right?" Fang Zhengzhi bit a melon seed as he spoke.
"..." Wu Yuer’s lips twitched as her jaw dropped. She shook her head, "You and Yan Xiu are different. Yan Xiu has people around him, you don’t..."
"Don’t I have you?"
"Me?" Wu Yuer looked at Fang Zhengzhi awkwardly, her face flushing.
"Yes, is there a problem?"
"No problem at all. If you really want to go, bring this with you." Wu Yuer nodded solemnly and retrieved an item made from leather.
"What is this?" Fang Zhengzhi took the leather in his hands and unfurled it. He saw a few dots scattered around it.
"A map of the Southern Mountain Range."
"Map? This can be called a map?"
"What do you know? The Southern Mountain Range is covered by woods and mountains. It is vast and outsiders will never be able to construct a detailed map. The one that I’m giving you now is the most detailed one there is." Wu Yuer said with pride.
"This is detailed?" Fang Zhengzhi looked at the dots on the leather as well as the specks and lines. He did not understand how this could be called detailed.
"Let me introduce it to you. The Southern Mountain Range is different from the Great Xia Dynasty. It is made up of settlements. There are over 1000 settlements, but only seven large ones!"
"Seven?"
"Yes, other than the ruling Shan Family Settlement, the six other settlements are,Yan Ya Settlement, Shi Zun Settlement, Icy Monkey Settlement, Thunderous Lion Settlement, Iron Hill Settlement, and Nan Ling Settlement! As the ruling family, the Shan Family Settlement is in the Sagely Mountain City. The other six are scattered around it.
"Sagely Mountain City?"
"Yes, the Sagely Mountain City. I heard that the combat examinations are held at Yan Ya, Shi Zun, Thunderous Lion, and Icy Monkey. Actually, if you look at the Southern Mountain Range from above, it is the same as the Big Dipper Constellation.
Big Dipper?
Fang Zhengzhi unfurled the leather in his hands and realized that there were indeed seven large spots on it.
It was in the shape of the Big Dipper.
The Sagely Mountain City was right in the middle of the constellation, taking the position of Alioth. Yan Ya, Shi Zun, Thunderous Lion and Icy Monkey took the position of Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, and Megrez respectively.
Put simply, if the Big Dipper was seen as a spoon, Yan Ya, Shi Zun, Thunderous Lion, and Icy Monkey would form the ladle.
Sagely Mountain City, Iron Hill Settlement and Nan Ling Settlement were the handle.
"I see!" Fang Zhengzhi nodded. Then, he looked at Wu Yuer, his mouth curling upwards into a smile.
"What are you looking at?" Wu Yuer asked suspiciously.
"You specially told me that the Southern Mountain Range was being controlled by the demons. Then, you told me about Nangong Hao’s abilities and passed me this map. These can’t all be coincidences?"
"This... this is just in case."
"Just in case of what?"
"Why should I tell you?"
"Okay then, I’m leaving now."
"You are so confident that I will release you now?"
"If you had no intention of letting me go, why would you waste so much time telling me so much?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he looked at Wu Yuer.
"You... are really going?"
"Of course!"
"Okay then, you should go."
"Oh? Just like that? Aren’t you going to place some of your best men under my command to protect me?" Fang Zhengzhi was slightly surprised.
"Wishful thinking. You are not part of the Shadow Sect yet, why should I protect you?" Wu Yuer’s lips twitched in scorn.
"Open the door." Fang Zhengzhi was getting annoyed.
"Hang on, I have one more question for you."
"What is it?"
"Who... do you think is the prettiest? Chi Guyan, Yun Qingwu, or Ping Yang?" Wu Yuer hesitated before asking.
"Why aren’t you included in the question?" Fang Zhengzhi chuckled.
"Include me? Then... amongst the four of us... who is the prettiest?" Wu Yuer’s volume dropped as she blushed.
"My mother is the prettiest!" Fang Zhengzhi replied triumphantly.
"You... you shameless fella! I have changed my mind, you can forget about leaving!" Wu Yuer disappeared from where she stood.
"No way? She ran away?!" Fang Zhengzhi was speechless. How could she leave like that?
Where was the trust between people?
...
The Southern Mountain Range was boundless. Dense forests were scattered throughout the range. The ‘Stable Mountain Gate’ was the boundary. Everything within it was the Great Xia Dynasty’s. Everything outside belonged to the Southern Mountain Range.
Even though relationships were cordial...
As the boundary, the Stable Mountain Gate was well constructed. It was constructed from limestone and stood over 10 meters high.
However, there were few battles here, so the walls were barely scratched. This was also testament to the cordial relationship between the Southern Mountain Range and the Great Xia Dynasty.
After the 100,000 strong army rested for a night, they were welcomed by the diplomatic mission from the Southern Mountain Range. At the gates, Crown Prince Lin Tian Rong reiterated the rules of the combat examinations.
Then, the candidates led their armies into the territories.
How big was the Southern Mountain Range?
This was a question which few people knew the answer to. However, from territory alone, it was almost half the size of the Great Xia Dynasty. That being said, its population was much lower.
The place was dangerous and ferocious beasts roamed everywhere.
"It’s difficult to even walk in this bloody place. When will we be able to see a village?" One of the candidates whined as he saw the dense forests.
"Brother Li, you made a mistake. There are no villages here, they are settlements. When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Another candidate chuckled.
"You and I are both of noble blood. If not for the combat examinations, we would not even be here! I... quick, there is movement up ahead, into your formations!"
"Brother Li, no need to be this tense. It is just a few scattered beasts. We have 4000 men under our command. As long as we don’t run into a herd, it should be of no problem."
"Hahaha... Brother Wang is right. Come on, let’s show them our skills and hunt some beasts to feed our men!"
"If Brother Li would humor me, why don’t we have a hunting competition?"
"Okay!" The candidate smiled and nodded. Then, he turned his horse around and shouted to his troops, "Rest here, Brother Wang and I will return shortly!"
"Gen... General Li, this place is teeming with dangerous beasts. Shouldn’t we send some men to protect you?" One of the lieutenants raised a concern.
"Hahaha... I am already at the pinnacle of the Heavenly Reflection State. Do I need your protection?" The candidate said dismissively.
"I was just..."
"Enough, just wait and enjoy the game I will bring back!"
"Yes general!"
"Brother Wang, we were played by Fang Zhengzhi in the hunting and racing competition. Let’s have a good one today!" The talent turned to look at his friend.
"Since we want to compete, we must have some reward. I... will use my piece of jade as a wager. How about it?" The youth chuckled.
"Since you’ve wagered that, I shall match you. I will wager my jade plank!"
"Okay then, let us begin!"
"Jia!"
"Jia!"
...
After 15 minutes, at a spot two miles from where the troops were resting, two bodies crashed into the ground. Eight masked men in black stood around the bodies.
"Humans... are really dumb sometimes!"