Chapter 43: The Grand Master of the Mohist School

Soon, the two groups halted ten meters apart—a distance close enough for Yan Dan and the other experts to counter any ambush, even from a powerful crossbow.

At first glance, the three beauties atop the carriage immediately caught Yan Dan’s eye. His gaze brightened with surprise; he had not expected to encounter four such exceptional beauties on this northern journey.

All three women wore veils, but the translucent fabric could not hide their allure, nor could their flowing robes and long skirts conceal their enticing figures. The onlookers couldn’t help but stare at the three women, momentarily ignoring the ordinary man at the head of their group.

The young woman in the pale yellow dress purposely lowered her head, but Lin Shu recognized her in an instant! That unique silhouette and proportion—he had observed them long enough to know without a doubt.

“That bastard! Was he watching me?” The young heroine wanted to lift her head and confirm, but dared not.

Glancing back at the flustered and indignant heroine, Yan Dan understood at once—so this so-called king was indeed a lustful scoundrel! What a pity these three beauties had fallen into the hands of a pig!

Looking to the man before her, Jing Ni couldn’t help but chuckle softly. To meet with Yan Dan, the king had donned a wig and a full beard—anyone unfamiliar would never recognize him.

Yan Fei couldn’t resist glancing up; this scoundrel had not only disguised himself, but was even wearing a pair of shimmering, silvery spectacles!

Just from his stance and gaze, Dongjun had already made her judgment.

Six-Fingered Dark Hero frowned, coughed lightly, and snapped Yan Dan back to his senses.

Ah, still too young! Six-Fingered Dark Hero had high hopes for Yan Dan, but at his spirited age, there was much yet to learn.

The man before them, ordinary in appearance as he was, was still the king of an army over a hundred thousand strong.

Putting aside any trace of contempt, Yan Dan was the first to salute with clasped fists.

“Greetings, King Lin of the North. I have long heard of your renown, and am honored to finally meet you today.”

Seeing that Dongjun was not riding in the same chariot as Yan Dan, Lin Shu’s mood lightened; it seemed the two had not yet become a couple.

“Ha! The Crown Prince of Yan is indeed a talented youth, with a most unique hairstyle.”

Yan Dan frowned—the King of the North had not looked at him once as he spoke, and was even mocking the little fringe he considered most attractive to women.

“King of the North, since you have come with such a great host, why not send word ahead? Though the state of Yan is vast and populous, preparing to receive so many guests properly still requires at least half a day.”

Yan boasted a population of three million and an army of three hundred thousand—that was the source of his confidence. However, Yan’s core interests lay to the south; he had no desire to be entangled indefinitely with the northern barbarians.

What Yan Dan meant was that Yan, with its land and people, had no fear of another visit, and that dealing with the northern army would only cost some effort.

Lin Shu merely smiled and shook his head.

“Crown Prince Yan, you are mistaken. I am not here as a guest, but to reclaim lost territories! Yan has occupied Liaodong and Liaoxi—lands of the Yanhuang Empire—for many years. Now is the time for their return.”

Return? Wuyang Jing’s face grew cold with anger—this King of the North was truly outrageous!

Taking a steadying breath, Yan Dan too shook his head and smiled.

“King Lin, Liaodong and Liaoxi were once wild and barren; they are lands my people of Yan have cultivated with their own hands. How can you speak of occupation and return? The northern walls of Yan are as mighty as mountains, our fortified cities can withstand a million barbarian horsemen! Why must we fill the fields with corpses? Why not call back your soldiers, let our nations join hands, savor fine wine, and enjoy the company of beauties? Would that not be wonderful?”

Yan Dan possessed the patience of a tortoise, but the warriors behind him all wore expressions of anger.

The middle-aged man in a black hat lowered his gaze, and the power of the Mohists rolled toward the carriage like a growing tidal wave.

“King of the North, I see that you too are of central blood, but you are unworthy of the name Yanhuang! I suggest you change your title at once, or misfortune will surely follow!”

As the Mohist’s might pressed forth, Jing Ni and the Moon Goddess quietly gathered their strength in preparation for battle.

This so-called tidal force—Lin Shu neither saw nor sensed it. Such spiritual energy would not even fill his dragon stallion’s belly.

“Sire, that is the Mohist Leader, the veteran grandmaster Six-Fingered Dark Hero! Who would have thought the Mohists would appear! The siege will face many twists now!”

The Yin-Yang Clan’s sworn enemy—the Moon Goddess recognized him immediately. While the Mohists were not renowned for martial might, their ingenious mechanisms were unmatched in the world.

Wherever the Mohists appeared, their cities became the most impregnable fortresses.

Yan Dan was to be the next Mohist Leader—Lin Shu realized this at once. No wonder these faces seemed so familiar; he hadn’t expected to face the Mohists so soon.

“Xuan Jian.”

Six-Fingered Dark Hero posed as the invincible master, but Xuan Jian could barely suppress the urge to draw his sword before Lin Shu called him back.

The king had yet to make his grand display; he could not let Xuan Jian steal the moment.

“At your command.”

Xuan Jian nodded, sheathing his swords.

Though the Moon Goddess and the Young Priestess had not acted, the moment their energies stirred, Six-Fingered Dark Hero took note.

“Well! The Yin-Yang Clan dares extend its hand northward! Are you not afraid to be burned by the fire you ignite? There are many schools beneath heaven—not yours alone!”

Matters had grown difficult. Realizing this was the work of the Yin-Yang Clan, the Dark Hero grew graver still. He had only stopped by in passing, and had little support at hand. Yet perhaps not all the Yin-Yang Clan’s experts were present either.

“The Yin-Yang Clan? What are they up to?” Yan Dan’s smile faded to anger. Did they not fear the wrath of the Seven States descending upon them?

Damn it! Yan Fei clenched her fists—Six-Fingered Dark Hero was trying to bring disaster upon them!

The Yin-Yang Clan was strong, but not so bold as to support the barbarians in an assault on the Central Plains—and even if they did, they could never let it be known!

Jing Ni chuckled and shook her head. “Six-Fingered Dark Hero, my king was once of the Web as well. Are you saying we are their pawns too?”

With no way to deal with the Web for now, Jing Ni was happy to muddy the waters.

“Haha, indeed! I am Xuan Jian, once of the Web—Black and White Swords.”

Smiling inwardly, Xuan Jian revealed his twin blades.

Heaven's Net, earth’s web—inescapable.

“You?” The Web and the Yin-Yang Clan, working together? Six-Fingered Dark Hero could scarcely believe it, though he was certain that, despite their presence, these few from the Yin-Yang Clan and the Web were hardly a match for him.

The joke had gone on long enough; Lin Shu was done with empty talk.

“Yan Dan, I will forge an alliance with Yan, but only after Liaodong and Liaoxi are returned.”

Not a chance—Yan Dan shook his head at once.

“I must refuse!”

“King Lin, I urge you—do not act rashly. Once war is unleashed, there is no calling it back!” Yan Dan’s anger flared—regardless of the forces behind this Northern King, his shameless ambition had thoroughly enraged the people of Yan.

“The Mohists and the schools of the Hundred Sages will not let you lay hands upon the realm!”

Six-Fingered Dark Hero’s grip tightened on his sword, clearly itching for a test.

If he could kill a few leaders, especially the Northern King, the northern army would collapse. The world would return to peace, and the people of Yan be spared the flames of war.

With their leader so imposing, Yan Dan turned to nod, and the assembled warriors rejoiced.

At last, they could act—Gao Jianli and the others could hardly restrain their hands.

[The commander’s killing intent has appeared.]

If Shadow Heart had a mouth, it would be laughing gleefully.

Though Six-Fingered Dark Hero’s spiritual power reached 3,500, Mohist individual combat strength was never their forte; overall, he was about on par with Xuan Jian.

“Shadow Heart, don’t harm our Yan Fei.” Now that battle was imminent, Lin Shu glanced at Dongjun.

[At your command, Commander.]

Yan Fei looked up, knowing at once things were about to go awry again! She had finally begun to gain Yan Dan’s trust, but now it would all be for nothing.

Damn it! And you still lust after Feiyan! Yan Dan was waiting for King Lin’s final word—peace would have been preferable.

The warriors’ eyes were fierce, ready to draw at any provocation.

“Yan Dan, I will have Liaodong and Liaoxi today. Agree or not, you have no choice. Six-Fingered Dark Hero, you’d best be gone—your Mohists cannot bear the wrath of the Empire.”

With that, Lin Shu turned to Jing Ni and the Moon Goddess—he had no desire for his women to take unnecessary risks, since even Six-Fingered Dark Hero was no pushover.

Furious, the Dark Hero was nearly speechless with rage.

Such contempt only stoked the Yan warriors’ fury.

“Yan Yun Iron Cavalry—kill!”

With united resolve, Yan Dan roared and drew his sword—he himself a congenital master.

“Kill—!”

“Kill—!”

A hundred armored riders surged forth, their long halberds all aimed at the carriage.

It was not that the heroes feared death, but that sending the cavalry in first would wear down the enemy’s strength, paving the way for a swift victory.