Eternal Saber

Chapter 581 - 2: The Deal

The old man’s tone was flat, but the young man felt a chill in his heart.

Based on his understanding of the old man, the phrase ’send him on his way’ signified that the old man had murderous intent!

Who did the old man want to kill?

His old acquaintance?

The young man remained calm but vaguely guessed a possibility.

"The General must be joking, I left Jianghu many years ago; I have no old acquaintances."

The young man smiled, pretending to be calm.

"You’ll know when you see it."

After saying this, the old man took the lead, spurring his horse into Lijiang Town.

The young man had no choice but to follow, feeling uneasy and only hoping his guess was wrong.

The night was deep, with the wind and snow whirling.

Except for the two of them, there were no other pedestrians on the street.

Before long, they arrived in front of an inn.

Lijiang Inn, just an ordinary name.

The old man dismounted and paused slightly in front of the inn’s door.

Only after the young man caught up, did he push the door open and enter.

With a creak.

The wooden door was pushed open, and a gust of cold wind howled in.

The few people gathered around the fireplace in the lobby, chatting excitedly, couldn’t help but shiver.

"Guests at this hour."

A bearded man muttered.

A fur-clad burly man looked at the dozing innkeeper at the counter, resting his chin on his hand, and called out, "Boss, there’s business!"

Chen Tang turned his head to look.

Seeing the two people entering, he couldn’t help but be slightly startled and froze in place.

The old man in front was none other than the Commander of the Northern Expedition Army, Uncle Wang, whose name was renowned throughout the Nanxia!

And the young man following him was Song Wu.

These two should have been on the battlefield in the Wu and Jiang Provinces, besieging the Profound Celestial Sect. How could they be here?

Suddenly, Chen Tang seemed to think of something, his heart sank, and his expression changed slightly.

"Greetings, General Wang."

Chen Tang stood up, cupped his hands slightly, and appeared respectful.

But in truth, he was on full alert. Taking advantage of the salute, he shortened the distance between his hand and ’Eternal’ on his back, ensuring he could draw his blade at a moment’s notice to handle any unforeseen events!

Uncle Wang’s sudden appearance here likely pointed to the worst possible outcome!

"Chen Tang, it’s been a while."

Uncle Wang smiled faintly, casually sat on a nearby bench, and said, "I heard you’ve made quite a name for yourself at the Martial Arts Assembly, topping the Sword Pavilion’s three rankings, truly the leading figure among the younger generation."

After this year, Chen Tang was only twenty years old.

At this age, stepping into the Third Grade, from ancient times to the present, few could achieve such accomplishments.

The four by the fireplace weren’t Jianghu people; they had only heard of the Martial Arts Assembly and didn’t know the details.

Upon hearing this old man’s surname was Wang, also a general, they couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.

The innkeeper had long been used to hosting guests from all over, having seen all sorts of people.

But someone like this old man, exuding a powerful aura, commanding respect without anger, whom he dared not even look directly at, he had never encountered before.

On the surface, the old man and the young man seemed to be exchanging pleasantries after a long separation.

But he vaguely sensed that something was off between the two.

Chen Tang remained respectful, "Being at the top of the three rankings is nothing worth mentioning. It is General Wang’s brilliant strategy, personally leading the Northern Expedition Army to capture the Profound Celestial Sect completely in the Capital City battle, that is truly prestigious."

"You’re the Commander of the Northern Expedition Army, General Wang Xiangbo?"

The fur-clad burly man by the fire exclaimed.

The bearded man frowned, "What a coincidence; could he be an impostor?"

At this time, General Wang should be in a fierce battle with the remnants of the Profound Celestial Sect.

They were just talking about Uncle Wang; now Uncle Wang is here?

"Do not be rude!"

Song Wu suddenly stepped forward, with a clang, half of his waist-long blade was exposed, his eyes fierce, glaring at the four by the fireplace, speaking in a killing intent-laden voice, "Get out, quickly!"

The bearded man, inexplicably cursed, felt his temper rise, ready to stand up and argue with Song Wu.

But upon meeting Song Wu’s gaze, his courage faltered.

Not to mention Song Wu’s Third Grade cultivation, even the killing aura honed on the battlefield was something these ordinary people couldn’t withstand.

"Big brother, let it go."

The fur-clad man advised, glancing at his wife and children nearby.

After all, he had family with him, and it was best to avoid conflicts while traveling.

The bearded man snorted softly, muttering under his breath, "We haven’t finished eating; we’re not leaving."

Song Wu’s intention was to drive them away.

Seeing that they were unwilling to leave, he was ready to show some tricks to intimidate them, but he heard a voice from behind, "Song Wu, come back."

"Yes."

Song Wu hesitated slightly, then responded, at the same time facing away from Uncle Wang, giving Chen Tang a glance before turning and walking back.

"I am old after all; the Northern Expedition Army needs someone to take over."

Uncle Wang said with emotion, "Among the younger generation, the two I am most optimistic about are Song Wu, and the other is you."

At this point, Uncle Wang paused and sighed deeply, "It’s just a pity that you’re from Beiqian."

As soon as he finished, the temperature in the lobby seemed to drop instantly!

The four around the fireplace couldn’t help but shiver.

The innkeeper behind the counter swallowed, a bit flustered and at a loss.

"Haha."

Chen Tang suddenly laughed and said, "Even I have no feelings about being a Beiqian person, but I didn’t expect General Wang to mind it so much."

Though originally from Beiqian, Chen Tang really felt no attachment to this identity.

Beiqian never treated him as a person, so how could he be considered a Beiqian?

Moreover, he had only traveled here, so he had even less attachment to Beiqian.

"Of course I mind."

Uncle Wang said, "Since you’re from Beiqian, it makes it hard for me to trust you."

"General Wang is decisive; why be so entangled."

Chen Tang dropped the previously respectful stance, directly unhooking the ’Eternal’ from his back and gripping it tightly in front of Uncle Wang, saying, "Let’s be straightforward and lay it out."

"Is General Wang here to kill me?"

Tired of going in circles with Uncle Wang, Chen Tang got straight to the point.

Uncle Wang chuckled silently, nodded, and said, "Yes."

Song Wu sighed inwardly.

The worst scenario had presented itself.

Ah Li hid her hands in her sleeves, quietly gripping the Shadow Dual Daggers, her gaze becoming cold and disinterested, swiftly returning to the state of Ghost Concealment.

Chen Tang asked, "Did you make a deal with Xia Daozi?"

"Clever."

Uncle Wang praised, a flash of appreciation in his eyes towards Chen Tang, tantamount to admitting it.

At this point, there was no need to hide it.

Chen Tang said, "At the Martial Arts Assembly, I heard about your alliance with Xia Daozi; I was a bit surprised then, but now it makes sense."

Uncle Wang shook his head and said, "In the Capital City battle, he had no choice but to join hands with me; there was no other path to take. But the deal between him and me regarding you wasn’t aimed at dealing with the Profound Celestial Sect."

Chen Tang smiled slightly and raised an eyebrow, "Oh, then what is it for?"

Uncle Wang turned slightly, cupping his hands in the air, and said calmly, "I take your life to avenge his son’s death. And he will voluntarily resign and retire, returning power to His Holiness. Killing you is for His Holiness and the rivers and mountains of the Nanxia!"

"Wow!"

Chen Tang couldn’t help but exclaim, "General Wang is truly the most loyal minister of Great Xia, His Holiness has your undying loyalty, heaven and earth will testify! If there was a loyalty ranking in the Sword Pavilion, I’m sure General Wang would be ranked top."

Of course, Uncle Wang heard the sarcasm in Chen Tang’s tone, but his expression remained unchanged.