Chapter 1932: A Single Move Is Enough
What the hell?
That was the first reaction of all those present. Had this kid eaten the gallbladder of a leopard or something? He wasn't even giving an earth immortal any face!
Zhao Chen was also a bit stunned. Zu An had just done all this to denounce the Meng clan and King Dai for plotting against the Qin and Murong clans and harming them badly, acting out of anger, right? But then, shouldn't Zhao Chen have been able to state that the Meng clan had made a mistake and that they had already received their due punishment, handing down an order for twenty lashes of corporal punishment to console this young man and bring the situation to a close? After all, his status in the royal family was revered, and now that he had the power of an earth immortal, who would dare to ignore his opinion?
And yet, he could never have expected that this kid wouldn't listen at all! He had just flaunted his own earth immortal rank cultivation a moment before, but this youngster didn’t give him any face. If he didn’t do anything here, what dignity would he have left?
“Very good… Could it be that just because you are a bit young and have had some fortunate encounters, you think that you are unequaled in this world?” Zhao Chen remarked with a scowl.
The fact that this youngster was able to grow to such a ridiculous degree must mean that he's definitely had many miraculous encounters.
But he's looking down on the heroes of this world too much, isn’t he? Does he really think he has the final say in the capital just because he won against Meng Jing?
You have successfully trolled Zhao Chen for +666 +666 +666…
Zu An calmly said, “The human and fiend emperors are no longer with us, so I am, indeed, already unequaled in this world.”
The eight dukes were speechless, as were the experts of the great clans who had been watching.
They had all thought that Zu An would be courteous in this situation and that the eight dukes would give him a chance to stand down, after which the whole situation would pass. How could they have expected that he would be so resolute and not back down an inch? Many people felt their blood boil when they heard his response.
This is how a manly man should act! When will I be able to be like this?
However, the elders of the different clans shook their heads.
He’s too impetuous. If he's going to embarrass Zhao Chen like this, how can Zhao Chen let him go?
Sure enough, Zhao Chen raised his head and laughed out loud. He said, “Fine. It has already been many years since this old one last met such an arrogant young man. I must properly discipline you, so do not blame this old one for bullying the young. You can take the first move. I will give you the first three strikes."
Zu An was a bit surprised. He said, “If I make my move, you might not have a chance to do anything anymore.”
“What?” Zhao Chen exclaimed; he was stunned at first and thought that he had misheard things. Then, he was so angry he actually laughed, asking, “Youngster, are you joking right now?”
You have successfully trolled Zhao Chen for +444 +444 +444…
After some hesitation, Zu An replied, “What if I accidentally end up killing you? What should we do about that then?”
“If you are able to wound me from three strikes, that will only mean that our Great Zhou Dynasty has produced a genius who has surpassed all others of his kind before and since. That would be a blessing for our country, so how could I blame you for that?” Zhao Chen said with a cold sneer.
How does this guy’s mind work? Don’t tell me that he really thinks he can challenge someone so far above his cultivation rank and fight against an earth immortal?
Still, he couldn't blame Zu An. After all, he'd once had similar delusions. He'd long felt as if his fate mortal soul was merely half a step left from the earth immortal rank, and as a stunning genius with countless skills, he would stand a chance against an earth immortal too.
However, only when he truly reached the earth immortal rank had he realized just how ridiculous his previous way of thinking was. Everyone else was an ant to an earth immortal. That wasn’t a mere saying; it was the truth. No matter how powerful a grandmaster was, even if they were unstoppable within that rank, they would be pitifully weak in the eyes of an earth immortal.
Everything had clearly gone too smoothly for this brat; he'd never had to be taught a lesson, which was clearly why he was so arrogant.
Zu An asked with a frown, “What if I accidentally kill you?”
The onlookers erupted into an uproar. This brat was going way too far!
Zhao Chen’s expression also grew cold. He said, “If you can kill this old one, it will only mean that this old one’s skills are lacking. Everyone, listen well; no one is allowed to get revenge for me, whether it is the court, the royal family, or my own children. All of you will serve as witnesses.”
All of the other dukes sighed. It sounded as if Zhao Chen had already decided to end Zu An’s life here.
Taobao Official Yu Rui tried to dissuade him, saying, “Imperial Tutor, there is no need to take things this far.”
Zhao Chen didn’t pay him any attention; instead, he looked at Zu An and asked, “Then what if you end up dying because of me?”
“Of course I would say the same,” Zu An said calmly.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter. Even if there were people who wish to take revenge for you, they could just come at me. This old one is an earth immortal, so what do I have to fear?” Zhao Chen replied with a sneer. “You can start. Since this old one has already said so, you can take your three moves.”
He had already made up his mind that after these three strikes, he would take Zu An's life. He had to show everyone in the capital the consequences of offending an earth immortal. After all, this was his first battle after becoming an earth immortal. Defeating a junior wasn’t all that glorious of an undertaking, but fortunately, the brat just wanted to keep provoking him. This way, even if he killed Zu An, no one else could say too much about it.
Just then, the empress flew over from the distance and said, “Imperial Tutor, please show mercy!”
She had immediately hurried over when she learned of the situation. However, she hadn’t expected things to develop so quickly. One after another, the giant gold dragon, the Dragon King, and even Zhao Chen had appeared. With the appearance of so many mysterious powers, she had been unable to approach for some time. Now that she heard that Zhao Chen and Zu An were making such a bet, though, she couldn't hold herself back anymore and spoke up to plead for mercy. After all, no matter how strong Zu An was, how could he possibly defeat the earth immortal Zhao Chen?
Zhao Chen didn’t even give her a second look. Even Zhao Han had to treat him with respect upon meeting him. What was so important about a woman from the emperor's harem?
An aura overflowing with power spread outward. The empress had just reached the grandmaster rank, so she couldn't get closer at all. She could only nervously watch the familiar figure at the center of it all.
Ah Zu, how could you be this rash? You could have just talked to me if you needed anything, and I would have helped you find a way to solve things!
But how can we smooth things up now? You’ve even offended the Imperial Tutor, and he has already reached the earth immortal rank!
Zu An chuckled and said, “I actually don’t need three moves. A single move is enough.”
‘What you lookin’ at’ was activated!
The Ikuu Experience Card was activated!
The Star Shattering Imprint was activated!
The Grandgale instant movement skill was activated!
…
A resplendent sword strike that flowed like a celestial stream lit up the capital’s skies.
Zhao Chen’s eyes narrowed. He wanted to react, but it was already too late; his head flew high into the sky. His decapitated body shone with golden light as if it had been about to defend itself, and it still carried the power of an earth immortal. But without his head, not even an earth immortal could recover. His body fell heavily to the ground with a muffled thud.
Zu An was stunned. He wondered out loud, “Why were you so weak?”
He had thought that since the opponent was an earth immortal, he couldn’t hold back at all. As such, instead of being as willful and nonchalant as before, he had used many skills in quick succession. And yet, Zhao Chen had instantly been killed without even being able to react at all.