Chapter 947: Yao Peng

“Ha—”

Exhaling a breath heavy with the metallic tang of blood, Huang Jue glanced down at his left chest.

The spearhead of the Seven-Pronged Spear had plunged deep into his flesh, leaving only the tail cap visible, as scarlet blood gushed out along the blood groove.

His heart’s hot blood!

Huang Jue’s eyes were clouded with disbelief.

Having ascended to the fifth level of Martial Saint years ago, his Qi was vast and formidable. The protective armor he projected was nearly indestructible; he had once withstood the assault of a city defense heavy crossbow without a scratch.

Additionally, Huang Jue was clad in a refined gold soft armor, further bolstering his Defense.

As the saying goes, ‘He who walks by the river will eventually wet his shoes.’ The more enemies he slew, the more he focused on safeguarding himself, valuing his life all the more.

Just moments ago, in a deadly exchange with Wang Chen, it seemed like mutual destruction was inevitable. Yet, Huang Jue was utterly confident he would strike down Wang Chen first, trusting in the strength of his defenses.

Ironically, it was his most trusted defense that was effortlessly breached by Wang Chen’s spearhead.

The price he paid was nothing less than his life!

This fifth-level martial sect master shook his head. All his resentment, anguish, despair, and fury dissolved into acceptance.

As the saying goes, karma circulates: he had taken many lives, and now his own was taken in return—this was his karma.

With his head bowed, Huang Jue collapsed to his knees, the final spark in his eyes fading away.

“Safe journey.”

Wang Chen offered a respectful salute to his fallen adversary.

This was a gesture of honor towards a formidable foe.

Undoubtedly, Huang Jue was the most powerful opponent Wang Chen had faced since arriving in this world.

In terms of cultivation level alone, Huang Jue undoubtedly surpassed Wang Chen.

However, the outcome of a battle is not always determined by strength alone!

Wang Chen’s victory over Huang Jue was largely due to the Exterminating Demon Spearhead. This formidable weapon from the Haotian Realm, though only a fragment of the Taihao Exterminating Demon Spear, had gained significant destructive power after Wang Chen’s refinement.

Even if Wang Chen could only unleash one percent of the Exterminating Demon Spear’s destructive power, it was still beyond what Huang Jue’s protective armor and refined gold Inner Armor could withstand.

It was indeed a dimensional strike!

Finding nothing of value on Huang Jue, Wang Chen ultimately took only his Soul-Snapping Spear.

This spear was of a higher grade than the Seven-Pronged Spear.

As for the body of this fifth-level martial sect master, Wang Chen naturally took the head to claim his reward—it could be exchanged for merit!

He remounted his yellow steed and continued towards the prefectural city.

Once he left the mountain path and entered the broad, flat official road, the speed of the yellow horse became apparent.

Before the sun had set, Wang Chen arrived at Donglu Prefecture City.

At the Donglu Prefecture Guard Office, he met Protector General Yao Peng. “I am Wang Chen, here to pay my respects, sir!”

The highest official of Donglu Prefecture was slender and sallow, as if he had recently recovered from a severe illness. Yet, the narrow slits of his eyes flickered with a mysterious light, giving him an enigmatic presence.

“Please, no formalities.”

Yao Peng raised his hand gently and smiled, “Isn’t your name Ling Zhiyuan?”

“I have decided to sever all ties!”

Wang Chen spoke in a deep voice, “From now on, I will go by this new name. I hope you will forgive me, sir.”

“It’s of no consequence.”

Yao Peng waved his hand dismissively, “When one devotes oneself to the country, the name matters little. As long as you remain loyal to Daye and the emperor, you may call yourself whatever you wish. Tomorrow, I will have someone reestablish your records!”

Indeed, changing one’s name and surname to join the Blood Guard was not uncommon. Many did so to avoid implicating their families, choosing to live and die under a new identity.

Yao Peng understood Wang Chen’s circumstances and, being quite fond of this rising star, naturally did not dwell on such a trivial matter.

Wang Chen expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, sir!”

“Take a seat and speak.”

Yao Peng gestured for Wang Chen to sit, then ordered a maid to bring tea. He then inquired, “Did you encounter any trouble on your journey?”

Understanding the Protector General’s implication, Wang Chen promptly opened the backpack he carried.

Huang Jue’s head was immediately revealed!

“The Soul-Snapping Spear!”

Yao Peng instantly recognized the lifeless head staring back at him and was so startled that he stood up abruptly, “You’ve actually killed Huang Jue!”

As one of the Twelve Guardians of the Qianlong Society, Huang Jue, known as the Soul-Snapping Spear, had taken the lives of at least a hundred Blood Guards. The Blood Guard harbored a deep hatred for him, and a substantial bounty had been placed on his head.

Yao Peng had never imagined that Wang Chen would present him with such a significant gift!

Overcome with shock, the Protector General impulsively grabbed the head to examine it closely, fearing he might be mistaken.

The records of the Twelve Guardians of the Qianlong Society were well-documented within the Blood Guard, and having met Huang Jue before, Yao Peng confirmed the identity beyond doubt after careful comparison.

It was indeed the Soul-Snapping Spear!

“Excellent!”

Yao Peng couldn’t help but slap the table in approval, his joy evident.

He had no intention of usurping Wang Chen’s credit, but since Wang Chen had delivered Huang Jue’s head to him, a share of this great achievement naturally fell to him as well.

In his delight, Yao Peng also gained a new appreciation for Wang Chen: “Ling Zhiyuan, no, Wang Chen, your martial arts talent surpasses even my expectations!”

When he first received word from Linjiang Wei Hall about a newcomer Xiaoqi who had reached the fifth level of martial sect master by defeating the Bloodthirsty Beast, he had been skeptical.

A sixteen-year-old fifth-level martial sect master—no prodigy could be more formidable!

But the news was soon confirmed, prompting Yao Peng to issue a decree rewarding Wang Chen and summoning him to the Guard Office for duty.

To win over this young martial sect master, Yao Peng had dispatched cavalry to support him after learning of Wang Chen’s background.

This enabled Wang Chen to smoothly resolve the karmic entanglements of his past.

Yet, Yao Peng had never anticipated that Wang Chen’s strength would be sufficient to behead Huang Jue!

It is worth noting that even Yao Peng himself lacked the confidence to face Huang Jue in combat.

Wang Chen replied modestly, “Sir, you flatter me.”

The display of Huang Jue’s head was indeed powerful, instantly altering Yao Peng’s demeanor.

“There’s no need for modesty, nor any place for humility!”

Yao Peng spoke in a deep voice, “I will send a message to Daye and inform the Grand General of your achievement. Perhaps the emperor will look favorably upon you!”

The Blood Guard of Daye had not seen a talent like Wang Chen in a long time.

Currently, the Daye Emperor was ambitious, intent on clearing away old troubles from the court and actively promoting newcomers.

Once the emperor learned of the situation, he would undoubtedly take note of Wang Chen!

Yao Peng was certain of this.

Perhaps he, too, would benefit from it.

The Protector General looked at Wang Chen with a gentler gaze: “Wang Chen, I think my reward for you is still somewhat inadequate.”

“How about this? If you have any requests, feel free to bring them up!”