Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"When did you, Jiang Ze, also become so sentimental? It's not like you at all. Since we're reunited, let me treat you to a pot of wine," Xu Ziming laughed, untying the wine gourd hanging from his waist and tossing it to Jiang Ze.

Jiang Ze caught the wine gourd and smiled wryly, "Haha, I didn't expect I'd be less free-spirited than you. Your state of mind alone is worth a drink." After finishing his words, he opened the gourd and took a swig of the strong liquor, then gently exhaled and uttered, "Refreshing."

"The two of you haven't seen each other for twenty years, yet now it seems you cherish each other's company." At that moment, a cold voice rang out from a distance as a woman dressed in white slowly approached. She was beautiful, with a heroic spirit between her brows, holding a long sword in her hand.

"Xu Hui! How did you get here?" Xu Ziming stared blankly at the woman in front of him, overwhelmed with emotions. Ever since he had wasted his years, he had always been afraid to meet her, and he clearly hadn't invited her this time.

"What, you've avoided me for twenty years and still want to keep hiding? You're just a coward; no wonder you never achieved Heavenly Gate Foundation Establishment," Xu Hui's words were like knives, directly piercing Xu Ziming's heart.

"You well know I don't care, not about your cultivation, not about your realm, and even less about who you are. I've always cared only about you! So why keep hiding, why keep running?" Xu Hui questioned Xu Ziming, seemingly venting years of resentment.

"I…" Xu Ziming was speechless, questioning himself. He claimed to be free-spirited, but deep down, he still harbored misgivings. Seeing those around him who were once inferior making breakthroughs one after another while he still saw no hope, how could he dare accept her?

"Maybe you're right, I am just a useless coward, and perhaps that's why I can't overcome the threshold!"

Xu Hui said no more, just stared at Xu Ziming with wide eyes, the temperature of the surrounding air seeming to drop a few degrees. Jiang Ze stood by, not daring to make a sound; he certainly didn't want to provoke this lady.

At that moment, voices gradually emerged from the darkness, and soon another two men arrived.

"Xu Ziming, is the news you spoke of true?" The two men, who looked identical, immediately questioned upon their arrival, their language filled with disdain.

As soon as they finished speaking, a burst of Sword Qi tore through the sky, and the two hurriedly dodged only to see a sword mark where they had just been standing, overflowing with coldness, with white frost faintly visible.

"You'd better speak politely!" Xu Hui seemed to have found an outlet for her anger.

"Cold Frost Sword Energy, is it Xu Hui with the Bai Shuang Sword?" The two men were startled, surprised to find this lady here.

"Xu Hui, don't mess around, we brothers have some serious business here," their tone of disdain had now vanished, especially since the gossip involving Xu Hui and Xu Ziming was well-known throughout Great Chen.

"Xu Hui, stop!" Now that things had escalated, Xu Ziming naturally rushed to intervene.

Seeing this, Xu Hui snorted coldly, turned her head away as if unwilling to engage with Xu Ziming, but obediently sheathed her treasured sword back into its scabbard.

The brothers sighed in relief at this scene, casting admiring glances at Xu Ziming. It was indeed rare to see this 'tigress' behave so tamely.

"The news I spoke of is indeed true; this Black Armored Army general, Xu Jianglin, is certainly a demon. I stake my life on it," Xu Ziming declared.

"Hmph, a Demon dares to masquerade as a great general of the Imperial Court, truly treating us as if we were nothing. Today, we brothers must eradicate this menace and proclaim it to the world!" Although they spoke with grandeur, everyone knew that these two brothers were most eager for fame. If they could subdue such a hidden Demon in Great Chen, their reputation would certainly skyrocket.

"That's good. At midnight, we will sneak into the main tent and slay the Demon." Xu Ziming declared with finality.

"I think you'd better not go, given your current Realm of cultivation. If you go, you'll just be delivering yourself to the Demon!" The brothers fell back into their old habits. They wanted to tease more, but a sudden sound of a sword cry frightened them, and they choked back their words.

"That's none of your concern. I have reasons I must go." Xu Ziming's eyes were firm.

"Count me in!" Xu Hui said bluntly, not asking but merely informing them. No one dared to object, and all kept their mouths shut.

"Since that's the case, let's all conserve our energy for action at midnight."

After the twin brothers left, Xu Ziming said to Xu Hui, "You don't need to get involved in this messy business. Jiang Lin is no ordinary mortal. I have no guarantee of success on this trip."

"This is my own decision. You don't need to worry about it!" Xu Hui didn't give him any face, saying this before her figure flashed and she disappeared into the darkness.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Sigh! I really am somewhat superfluous!" Watching the awkward exchange between the two, Jiang Ze couldn't help but sigh.

"Stop with your sarcasm. If things go wrong later, take Xu Hui and get out first."

Xu Ziming's earnest tone surprised Jiang Ze, who questioned, "You think we're not his match? Could it be that the hardships of these years have ground away the boldness in your heart? Why would you think that?"

Jiang Ze couldn't believe it. In terms of cultivation, he and Xu Hui were only a step away from the Primordial Spirit Realm, considered renowned experts within Great Chen. Coupled with the Chen brothers, Xu Ziming actually thought they might fail. Read exclusive chapters at empire

"You don't understand. Jiang Lin isn't like the ordinary Demons. I don't know what his current situation is, but he's definitely not an easy foe. Tonight, if we are not careful, we all might end up dead," Xu Ziming said gravely.

Only then did Jiang Ze realize that the situation was far more complex than he had imagined. Xu Ziming seemed to know some inside information but was reluctant to disclose it. However, this realization made him more cautious.

At midnight, dark clouds covered the sky, and Zhongzhou was now a living hell. All the edible things on the ground had been completely consumed by the starving survivors.

All the leaves and bark of trees, or anything that was edible, were nowhere to be found.

On the ground, piles of white bones accumulated. Some died in the war between the Black Armored Army and the White Lotus Sect, while others starved to death.

A few hoarse cries from crows echoed through the sky. Trees stripped of their bark swayed in the wind, like lonely lost souls. Underneath one such tree was a military tent, glowing with light inside. A young man sat under the lamp, engrossed in a book of military strategy. He wore a black robe, had a handsome appearance, but his eyes flashed a bloodthirsty red.

It was Jiang Lin, the leader of the Black Armored Army.

A streak of white Sword light split the sky and divided the military tent in two.