Zhong Xiong’s long fork hung poised but unmoving. His voice turned chillingly cold:
“Now that you’re under my control, escaping will be as difficult as climbing to the heavens. Why not save us all the trouble and come back to Xiang Yang with me? As for your friend, let me be honest—this matter is far too significant. No matter how far he runs, even to the ends of the earth, he will not escape the prince’s grasp.”
Though subdued, Zhan Zhao’s expression remained composed. His brows lifted slightly, and a faint smile appeared on his pale lips.
“Chief Zhong, as a man of great renown, you must know that the world is unpredictable, and fate is ever-changing—”
He stopped mid-sentence.
His words broke off because a faint wind seemed to stir within the granary.
—Was it the wind that moved, or was it a shift in someone’s heart?
How long does a heart’s hesitation last?
Is it like a single speck of dust adrift in the sands of time? A fleeting grain in the vastness of the cosmos?
Or is it the span of an eternity, a transformation as profound as the rise and fall of empires, the instant a youthful face turns to white-haired wisdom, or the distance of a step that spans the ends of the earth?
Had time frozen?
Because when time resumed its flow, everything had changed.
Zhan Zhao’s sword was now at Zhong Xiong’s throat.
Zhan Zhao himself stood behind Zhong Xiong.
Zhong Xiong’s Flying Fork had flown out of the granary entirely!
At that moment, Huo Xiao Di finally caught sight of a flash of icy swordlight slicing through the granary.
No words could describe the speed of that strike. No words could capture its brilliance.
The speed of the strike was like sunlight spilling through a door. As soon as the door opens, the light instantly floods every corner.
The brilliance of the strike was like a divine masterpiece, untouched by the smoke and fire of the mortal world.
The beauty of the strike was like the fiery rebirth of a phoenix or the triumphant song of the thorn bird as it is reborn.
The sheer awe of the moment rendered Huo Xiao Di breathless. He could hardly believe his eyes.
—What a move: “Twin Blood Soars, Crane Ascends to the Heavens!”
In an instant, everything became as clear and transparent as crystal.
The peculiar rhythm of Zhan Zhao’s breathing, the sharp and resonant whistle of his sword during the initial clash with Zhong Xiong—
—It had all been part of Crane Ascends to the Heavens!
* * *
Both Zhong Xiong in the granary and Huo Xiao Di on the beam were momentarily stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Zhong Xiong’s back shuddered involuntarily, as if preparing to retaliate, but the icy aura of Zhan Zhao’s Zhan Lu Sword had already seeped into his very pores, as unrelenting as nails driven into his flesh. Any movement on his part would undoubtedly result in the sword piercing straight through his throat. His body sagged, drained of all strength.
In the blink of an eye, the tables had turned. The subdued became the subduer, and the one who had held control was now at another’s mercy.
Zhong Xiong suddenly let out a hearty laugh. “What a move, Crane Ascends to the Heavens! To witness such peerless martial skill—my life has not been in vain! If Protector Zhan wishes to take my life, why not act quickly?”
Zhan Zhao remained calm, his demeanor as composed as ever. With a faint smile, he said, “Chief Zhong is a pillar of strength for the Xiang Yang Prince. Your composure in the face of calamity is truly admirable. I have nothing but respect. Since I have taken advantage of the situation to subdue you, how could I bring myself to strike you down?”
Zhong Xiong narrowed his eyes. “Then what is it you want?”
Zhan Zhao replied, “To be candid, just ahead lies a small town and beyond it, the West Bridge Crossing. At this point, the river narrows to its slimmest width. Crossing that river would take us out of the Xiang Yang Prince’s domain and into territory directly governed by the Song court. Even better, not far from the landing on the other side is an imperial relay station, used for urgent correspondence. Once fresh horses are secured there, it would take only two days to reach the capital.”
Hearing this, Huo Xiao Di felt a jolt of realization. It seemed Zhan Zhao’s words carried a subtle message for him.
Zhong Xiong’s expression turned grim. “Protector Zhan, are you planning to take me hostage?”
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