Chapter 2855 - 2859: Return to Thunder City

Thunder City of the Chen Dynasty.

A middle-aged man walked along the long street, each step like the wind, clearly indicating he was a skilled expert.

Yet no one knew that beneath the facade of this middle-aged appearance lay a sixteen-year-old boy in his first cycle.

His name was Ling Xiao.

"Boss, the Chen Royal Family would never expect that after doing such earth-shattering things in Demon Dragon City, we would be here in Thunder City as soon as the news arrived."

A voice came from within the Beast Ring.

It was Xiao Jin.

Due to Xiao Jin’s conspicuousness, Ling Xiao had to hide him to conceal their identities while heading to the untouchable place of the Imperial Extreme Secret Realm.

Even Ling Xiao himself used the transformation technique of the Yin-Yang Demon King, disguising as a scruffy middle-aged man.

Thunder City was still the same Thunder City, and the people in the streets rejoiced with laughter.

The women in Qinglou still sang with enchanting voices.

It seemed the great defeat in Demon Dragon City hadn’t affected these people.

As the saying goes, commercial women are oblivious to the sorrow of a fallen nation, still singing ’Back Garden Flowers’ across the river.

Ling Xiao came to Thunder City; the first thing was to take a stroll and gather information.

When he saw bounty notices with his name plastered all over the city wall, he couldn’t help but laugh.

The last time he came to Thunder City, he was on edge, afraid of being caught by experts like the Thunder Emperor and Thunder Venerate.

But this time, after completing matters relating to the Imperial Extreme Secret Realm, he planned to execute his scheme to seize Thunder City.

The vengeance for his brother Ling Yan must be exacted.

And his own grudges could not be left unavenged.

"Let’s go, this place hasn’t changed much, but my bounty has skyrocketed to ten billion low-grade Spirit Stones; the Chen Royal Family surely values me."

Ling Xiao chuckled and turned to head out of the city gate.

The route to the Secret Realm Academy was well-known to him, though he had visited only once, his memory ensured no mistakes.

Unexpectedly, just after exiting the gate, he saw a blood-soaked figure rushing toward him.

Ling Xiao, unwilling to stir up trouble for the moment, sidestepped.

However, the person seemed familiar, though he couldn’t immediately recall where they’d met.

With this confusion in mind, he lingered a moment longer.

He saw the person rush to the gate, shouting, "Quick, report to the newly appointed City Defense Camp leader to save the Seventh Prince!"

Seventh Prince? Chen Cangmang?

Ling Xiao frowned; among the Chen Royal Family, the only one he appreciated was Chen Cangmang.

Despite being a royal, he was upright and even faced exclusion by the Thunder Emperor due to issues concerning the Ling Clan, exiled perpetually.

Countless accolades, yet he never received any honors.

No wonder the bloody figure felt so familiar; they must be one of Chen Cangmang’s martial artists.

He hastily activated the Tai Chi Eye and detected murderous intent boiling roughly ten miles from Thunder City.

Without further thought, he transformed into a flickering shadow of a Demon Dragon, speeding into the distance.

Matters of the Imperial Extreme Secret Realm could be attended to at any time; if Chen Cangmang were to perish, he’d lose a good friend, and the Chen Royal Family would lose its sole conscience.

His swiftness was unparalleled; within a bit over ten minutes, he reached the scene of the battle.

Chaos reigned over the battlefield.

The Seventh Prince Chen Cangmang, along with several dozen of his martial artists, were surrounded by hundreds of black-clad fighters.

A fierce skirmish was unfolding.

Though Chen Cangmang’s cultivation level was commendable, Ling Xiao always knew his talent rivaled even Chen Cangxiong.

Sadly, without the Royal Family’s care, his cultivation naturally fell far behind Chen Cangxiong’s.

Now it was merely at the intermediate stage of Twelfth-Level Hell within the First Cycle of Yin-Yang Realm.

Among the assassins attacking him were two martial artists at the late stage of Twelfth-Level Hell within the First Cycle of Yin-Yang Realm.

The rest, too, possessed cultivation levels reaching the Eleventh Layer of Hell within the First Cycle of Yin-Yang Realm.

Given such a formidable lineup, those targeting Chen Cangmang were surely no ordinary foes.

Ling Xiao pondered on the notorious Chen Cangxiong.

With the Chen Dynasty in turmoil, Chen Cangxiong wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate dissent, regardless of kinship with Chen Cangmang; even if they were brothers, Chen Cangxiong would show no mercy.

Yet there’s no point dwelling on such matters now.

With more of Chen Cangmang’s men falling, the odds were growing bleak.

Though they were brave generals, their prowess paled compared to the assassins.

"Who sent you? How dare you attempt to assassinate the Seventh Prince; do you know what you’re doing?"

Amidst the battle, one of Chen Cangmang’s men shouted angrily.

"Hehe, who sent us doesn’t matter; what matters is we take money to eliminate disasters, irrespective of whether you’re a prince or a king.

You must die!"

The assassins continued their relentless attack.

"Leave, they’re here to kill me!"

Chen Cangmang suddenly thrust with his sword, fending off an assassin, then shouted back to his remaining men.

Only about twenty of his loyal soldiers remained.

He wouldn’t let these valiant men perish here.

Each one had earned accolades for the Chen Dynasty and bore scars from battles with enemies.

Some nearly died, yet survived against all odds.

To fall by friendly hands today would be too tragic.

"No way, Your Highness, to us you’re not merely the prince but our commander-in-chief!

If you die, won’t the Zhan Yinɡ Jun become leaderless?"

Loyal warriors remained steadfast; knowing full well they could escape easily because the assassins targeted only Chen Cangmang, they refused to flee.

"Hehehehe, what a touching bond between master and servant, yet alas, you can only discuss sentiment in the Underworld.

If you won’t leave, today you all die here."

The assassin leader sneered, eyes full of mockery: "Chen Cangmang, you’re truly pitiful, a prince who could live in luxury by simply complying!

But instead, you defy the king. The king exterminating the Ling Clan was for the greater good of the Chen Dynasty.

And you, speaking for those traitors, deserve your plight."

"You’re not an assassin; you’re a Chen State Martial Artist sent by that bastard Chen Cangxiong, otherwise you couldn’t know so much."

Chen Cangmang squinted, eyes flaring with hatred.

"Haha, as I’ve said, my identity is irrelevant, what matters is your stupidity.

Your death won’t pain the king; nonetheless, you can reunite with your deceased mother in the Underworld."

The assassin leader laughed coldly, speeding his attacks.

Chen Cangmang retreated step by step, resisting firmly though his strength was insufficient against the foes.

His anger was palpable, yet he felt helpless.

"I, Chen Cangmang, have never regretted my actions!

Alas, I grew up with Ling Yan, akin to brothers, but I couldn’t exonerate him and his clan."

Chen Cangmang sighed deeply, engulfed by endless sorrow.