Chapter 232: Stepping into an Ambush!
Both the men would never have expected that such a small kitten that looked like it had yet to wean could be this lethal. The twist of events, in addition to their lack of alertness, made capturing the kitten to vent their fury by beating it up impossible as the feline was long gone.
After swearing loudly to let out their frustration, they left it at that.
They were the Four Seasons Tower's men after all; they were no ordinary bumpkins. Han Wufei's accidental death had already happened, but what he left behind might help to determine what had just taken place.
Thinking about it, both men were exploded into action, directing their mystical Qi cultivation base and diving into the sea of flames. It was a pity that they were left irritably angry once more after searching with much effort.
Who was it who did this? How could it be done so thoroughly, like a locust swarm? Everything valuable had been cleared out, not the slightest worthwhile asset was left behind; the clearance was even more thorough than a robbery.
Even the absolute hidden secret chamber within the secret chamber was emptied out!
"We have to report to our lord about this as quickly as possible... Some kind of information must have leaked out," one of the men said urgently.
"Correct. Shen Yushi has just met his doom the other day, so his side carries the most suspicion. The entire Hall of Ninth Month just ended its gathering and this happened right when everything had been passed to him to be consolidated and submitted... Then Han Wufei was met with disaster here as well... If the culprit were to be the same person, not only would they be almighty, they could be moving against the Four Seasons Tower."
"You mean..."
"Head back quickly!"
Both men disappeared at once.
...
On the other end, assassinating Yang Botao was not as easy as tackling Han Wufei as Yang Botao was an influential military general of Yutang.
Purely speaking of position ranking, he was only a step below Tie Zheng - an important figure ranked in the top ten of Yutang's military men. He was also the marshal of the north troop.
If anyone were to lay a finger on this man, the consequences would be immense.
In other words, Yang Botao's existence was on a whole different level compared to Shen Yushi, Han Wufei and the others.
...
Yun Yang and Fang Mofei arrived at the Residence of Yang, concealing their tracks. Following their established plan, Yun Yang slipped into the dark while Fang Mofei who was masked and dressed all in black stepped forward with large strides, raising his foot to land a powerful kick at the general's residence doors without a care for the guards' questioning.
The door was flung into the air with a loud crash. Fang Mofei then charged into the residence with a long cry.
His nearly eighth peak pinnace cultivation base currently was comparable to Mi Kongqun when the latter was at his best, perhaps stronger, even. As he unleashed his potential completely, the damage he dealt was immutably fatal.
As he charged his way inside, his momentum was tremendous - no one could stop him.
Under normal circumstances, a cultivation base of the eighth peak could put one into the position of a solid top-notch expert; it would be more than sufficient to assassin even Tie Zheng, who was not within a troop formation. Therefore, the landslide massacre by Fang Mofei was not entirely surprising.
It was too bad that the momentum could only last until he met with an exceptionally strong obstructing force just as he entered the second courtyard!
A few dark shadows that were not unlike big birds hidden in the dark flew from several directions towards Fang Mofei simultaneously. At the same time, a sharp whistle sounded; the ordinary soldiers and generals within the residence disappeared at once, replacing them were metal armor-clad elites who had emerged from the dark.
These people dispersed then... up to the surrounding walls, the trees, and roof, lining the high surfaces in great numbers.
There was a crackle - hundreds of bows were equipped with arrows, pulled tautly; the black steel gleaming with an icy luster.
The atmosphere was splendid in an imposing manner as much as it was terrifying.
Fang Mofei who had come in with weapons flailing was overwhelmingly outnumbered; not only was he placed in an equally forceful pause, he was targeted by countless of arrows! Like a ferocious beast that fell into a lethal trap, he had turned from predator to prey.
As the plot unfolded with a twist, the main chamber's door opened.
A dozen middle-aged men came walking out with arms behind their backs, each pair of eyes gleaming with a cold, cruel glint as they looked towards where Fang Mofei was battling his enemies.
Two elders came out after the group, one on each side; their strides were slow, their stance calm and composed.
The last one to emerge right at the center was Yang Botao; casual clothes hung on his muscular and tall frame while his eyes on his square face locked onto the same space like a hawk.
"You've come indeed."
"Light the fire!" Yang Botao commanded.
As a boom resounded, the secondary courtyard of the general's residence was suddenly illuminated by thousands of torches; it was bright as day, the place clear to the sight.
Since he had broken past the doors, Fang Mofei, who had only charged less than a thousand feet into the residence, was already blocked as he arrived at the secondary courtyard. In spite of this, the weakest of experts engaged in the battle with him were of the seventh peak!
This was one ridiculously lavish squad in terms of its abilities. Forget Tie Zheng's guard, even Han Sanhe's eight top-level guards were just about the same level - maybe a little weaker. How could a mere Yang Botao possess such a formidable squad?
Fang Mofei was plowing to the left and barreling to the right; his attacks incessant but he could not even push through the current siege, much less assassinate Yang Botao!
Despite landing himself in such a critical situation, there was no fear evident within Fang Mofei. He gave a long howl as the sword in his hand waved, the cold gleam of steel danced. He began attacking and charging with all he could.
Swoosh!
An arrow was released without a warning from the roof, coming towards him like a falling meteor and reaching him instantaneously.
Be it the arrow's timing, direction, or angle, every aspect was delivered in perfection. It was when the surrounding enemies moved, it was when Fang Mofei's frame was shown in the open, it was right when he took a step over. The timing was truly wonderful!
Clang!
Fang Mofei deflected the incoming arrow with his sword yet the weapon in his hand actually trembled before the tremor traveled to his wrist; he could not help exclaiming aloud, "Deicide Bow!"
Not only did the arrow land on an indigenous spot at an excellent angle and timing, its lethality was equally tremendous! It was an arrow released from the Deicide Bow!
Someone among the siege chuckled coldly. "Not bad, knowledgeable you are. It is from the Deicide Bow!"
Deicide Bow - mystical steel arrow!
The legendary Deicide Bow was made entirely from the horn of a Carapace Rhino, a sixth level mystical beast, while its bowstring was made from the tendon of the same creature. As for the mystical steel arrow, the shaft was made from refined steel but its tip was wholly mystical steel!
Having great precision in normal circumstances would only be an unworthy joke to an archer who possessed a Deicide Bow. Ordinary bows and arrows needed only the force of eight stones1 and above before one could be considered a strong archer and was able to dominate the battlefield. However, Deicide Bow needed the strength of at least thirty stones and above just to pull the bowstring taut; such feat was not easy even when one's mystical Qi cultivation was up to the third or fourth level.
Besides, taking aim was a lengthy task in addition to keeping the bow stable and releasing arrows continuously; it was truly a difficult feat!
Yet when a Deicide Bow archer released an arrow, the arrow shot could destroy even rocks. If thousands of the arrows were released simultaneously, a Tenth Perfection master would have to leave their life to the arrows.
If it were not this superior, how could it dare own the title of 'Deicide'?
The original intention of the creator of Deicide Bow was exactly that - to kill even a god that had descended with this bow and arrow!
The material used to make a Deicide Bow was extremely rare. A Carapace Rhino could at most have only two horns and making a Deicide Bow with one horn was merely adequate. Even if there were occasional excess, it could hardly be used. Moreover, there was also the limitation of making the bowstring with the beast's tendon.
Such a bow had always been listed as the military's secret weapon. Unless a formidably strong opponent was met, like Shangguan Wudi, a peerless general back in those years, it would barely be used.
It was believable that no one would have thought that General Yang Botao could actually have more than four hundred of these bows at home!
Furthermore, he had more than four hundred archers who could utilize the Deicide Bows at their own will. Any archer who could use a Deicide Bow would be crème of archers as they must have the composure of ice.
These people were usually the killing machines of war formations. They could move about freely and decide their own shooting timing; their train of thoughts was unusual, randomness their personality. Yet once they released an arrow, a strong militant from the enemy must fall.
After all, the mystical steel arrow that went with a Deicide Bow was also a precious item. Any missed attempt would be a big waste.
Fang Mofei looked unperturbed but he was already bemoaning his fate internally.
To him, he had thought that he could be at the helm of the situation valiantly with the breakthrough of his cultivation base. Who would have known that he had stepped right into the gravest trap just as he entered, putting himself in such an unprecedented state of criticality?
Besides the besieging enemies and the almost insignificant chance of breaking past them, those men positioned at the door who had yet to attack must possess an even more formidable skill.
Just these people could already kill him many times over, but they were not the only people targeting him! There were still four hundred Deicide Bows aimed right at him.
Aren't you fellows regarding me a little too highly? This is tackling me like I'm Ling Xiaozui!
Fang Mofei's regard of the Deicide Bow was above those of the siege. He, who was originally an assassin, knew too well about the terror of a Deicide Bow's mightiness. Once he was struck, he would bear a severe injury even if he was not dead; his capability would be reduced drastically. The Deicide Bow was like a devil's palm that could haul his life at any given time to him; right now, it was barely avoidable and he was helpless against it.
Swoosh!
Another arrow leaped from the bow.
While Fang Mofei dodged with rapt attention, he had exposed his weakness and was slashed with a sword on his back. If it were not for his instinct as an assassin that allowed him to leverage on the force once he was stricken by the sword, he might have already sustained a grave injury. Even so, he almost cried out loud.
The mystical steel arrow that had been dodged by Fang Mofei went straight into the ground alongside the swooshing sound it made. The tip was entirely buried in the floor.
"I might have to die here tonight!"
Translator Note:
1stone (石dàn): a unit of measurement equal to a hundred and twenty catties; government officials during Qin and Han dynasties were paid in grain that was counted in stones.