The Human Emperor Chapter 404: Wang Chong's Counterattack!

Chapter 404: Wang Chong's Counterattack!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
The spirit vein gradually fell quiet. Old Eagle stared at Wang Chong, his brows tightly furrowed.
He was only skilled in taming eagles and other birds, but this had interfered with his cultivation on the martial path. With his True Martial realm Tier 9 cultivation, even if he was only half a step from the Profound Martial realm, he was still no match for Black Dragon Zhao.
And Black Dragon Zhao still had many bandits and brigands under his command.
These problems caused Old Eagle's brow to furrow in thought.
"It would be fine if Brother Ma and the others were here!"
Old Eagle had begun to think of Ma Yinlong. After finishing off King Sosurim, Ma Yinlong had left. Solitary Wolf had been dispatched to Jiannan while Steel Arms had been sent on a secret mission by Wang Chong. None of them would be able to return in the short term.
If the three of them were here, although they would still be no match for the Profound Martial Tier 7 expert that was Black Dragon Zhao, they would at least have some methods of response and wouldn't be so powerless.
"…It seems that I can only call him!"
Wang Chong gave a long sigh.
"Who is Young Master speaking of?"
Old Eagle suddenly began to shiver all over. At this moment, he truly couldn't think of anyone who could resolve the current situation.
Wang Chong only laughed in reply.
……
Eight hours later, the travel-stained Li Siye arrived from the Deflecting Blade Manor to appear in front of Wang Chong.
As he gazed at the over-two-meter-tall giant that was Li Siye, even burlier than a bear and bursting with explosive strength and an oppressive aura, Wang Chong couldn't help but internally sigh. He was truly somewhat reluctant.
Wang Chong had originally intended to think of a way to keep Li Siye until the start of next year, perhaps even until the war broke out in the south.
But in the current situation, with fire at his doorstep, he could no longer care about such plans.
This one thousand jun of Hyderabad ore was the most important component of Wang Chong's plan. Without this ore to forge Wootz Steel swords, when the time came, he would not be able to fully utilize his abilities.
All the thought and time he had put in beforehand would be useless.
And as the future Invincible Great General, a valiant existence who could singlehandedly change the tides of battle, Li Siye was Wang Chong's only candidate.
"You better have thought this over. You only get one opportunity!"
Li Siye towered over him, a faint smile on his face. His voice rumbled like thunder.
After he had waited for so long, Wang Chong had finally come to ask him for help. As long as he finished this mission, he could truly and openly return to the Western Regions.
"Of course!" Wang Chong said without hesitation.
Surveying those around him, Wang Chong had to admit that probably only Li Siye had the ability to pull off this mission.
"Good! That's exactly what I've been waiting for!"
Li Siye looked up to the sky and roared with laughter. Without another word, he turned around to leave. What Black Dragon Zhao, what Dragon Bandits? His goal was to subjugate the Western Regions and pacify all the kingdoms.
How could a trifling bandit block his path?
"Wait a moment!" Wang Chong suddenly shouted.
"What? Youngster, are you going back on your word?"
Li Siye turned around like a quaking mountain, his eyes fixed on Wang Chong.
"You've got the wrong idea. Give me three days. I feel that you're still missing a suitable weapon!" Wang Chong earnestly said.
"Oh?"
Li Siye hesitated for a moment. He had originally planned to refuse, but after thinking some more, he still nodded, even though he didn't need any special tricks to deal with some group of bandits.
However, lacking a weapon suitable for his physique truly was his weakness. Ever since he had become an officer, he had never found a suitable weapon.
"Fine!"
Li Siye finally nodded.
Leaving the mountain, Wang Chong went home. It had been a long time since Wang Chong had diligently and personally forged a weapon.
Wang Chong took up a ruler and personally measured Li Siye's height, the width of his palms, the proportions of his upper body and lower body, and the thickness of his shoulders. He then spent another day drawing blueprints, after which he entered his cave.
Unlike any other time, Wang Chong entered the cave this time with four pieces of Hyderabad ore.
This scale surpassed that of his previous forgings. Even the previously unconcerned Li Siye's interest was piqued.
Though how could he not care about his first weapon?
Dingdang! Dingdang!
The cave echoed with the constant hammering of metal. Sparks sprayed while thick smoke poured out from within.
From night to dawn and from dawn to night, Wang Chong worked without rest, putting all his energy into the process. This mission involved all his plans and failure could not be permitted.
So Wang Chong treated it with unprecedented importance!
"Take out a million taels of gold and find me the best inscription masters in the capital, the strongest! In one day, I want this sword to be covered in sharpness, toughness, and dexterity inscriptions until it can't take anymore!"
After two days, Wang Chong had finally walked out of the cave, his face exhausted and blackened from smoke.
"One million taels?!"
Old Eagle's face was covered in shock and even Li Siye couldn't help but blink.
"There's no time. This matter has to be resolved as quickly as possible. The situation could change at any time. The more we delay, the worse it will get," Wang Chong tiredly said.
Although a million taels was a massive sum, a thousand jun of Hyderabad ore was worth even more. Abnormal times called for abnormal measures, as it would be too late otherwise.
Moreover, a million taels of gold spent would result in something worth a million taels of gold.
This sword was forged from four pieces of Hyderabad ore, even more than the amount he had used to forge 'Death's Abyss'.
Solely in terms of weight, this sword already weighed more than 130, bordering on 140 jin!
Even a True Martial realm expert would find it difficult to use this sword.
Being able to raise it did not mean that one could freely use it.
This sword had been forged by Wang Chong specifically for Li Siye. In short, it was unique. Even spending a million taels of gold on it would only increase its value, not lower it.
Wang Chong could be sure that the strength of this sword would surpass any that he had forged before.
"Understood!"
Hearing the resolve in Wang Chong's voice, Old Eagle immediately walked in. In the cave was an incredibly heavy bundle wrapped in black cloth.
Old Eagle took the bundle and left.
One day later, Old Eagle finally returned with the bundle.
"Young Master, it's all finished. Three inscription masters in total attached various kinds and sizes of inscriptions—seventy-two in total. No more can be added," Old Eagle sternly said.
A million taels of gold had not been spent in vain. The number of inscriptions on this weapon left all others in the dust.
Wang Chong said nothing, only rapped on the anvil in the cave.
"Yes!"
Old Eagle nodded and swiftly retreated. He even released ten-some eagles, falcons, and nightingales to keep watch on the surroundings.
No one had ever been allowed to observe the last few steps of Wang Chong's forging process, and this naturally included Old Eagle.
This was a secret only Wang Chong was allowed to know, the greatest and most expensive secret in the entire Wang Clan.
The cave was frighteningly quiet. Only at dawn did the sound of hammering begin to come from the cave, each blow like a peal of thunder.
"It's enough!"
When the sun was three poles high1, Wang Chong finally walked out of the cave. He carried with him a giant longsword, two meters long, wrapped in shark skin.
The black sheath was not embedded with jewels. It was pitch-black with a few simple lines of gold filigree.
Though it had not been extravagantly decorated, it seemed to exude an extreme magnificence!
"Don't lightly open this sword. Only open it when you truly need it!" Wang Chong advised as he placed the sword in Li Siye's hands.
Li Siye had been standing guard at the entrance of the cave. He did not immediately take the sword, instead looking at Wang Chong with a rather strange look.
"Okay!"
Solemnly taking the sword from Wang Chong, Li Siye weighed it in his hands. A hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. He then turned around, waiting no longer, and strode away.
His heroic figure swiftly vanished into the distance.
"Old Eagle, help me send a message to Big Uncle to have him and King Song mobilize as many troops as possible. In the name of suppression, transfer troops from Beiting, Qixi, and Longxi and, in a joint operation, have them head toward where the Dragon Bandits are located. Also… do as much as possible to avoid alarming Fumeng Lingcha!" Wang Chong ordered.
The Dragon Bandits did not consist of Black Dragon Zhao alone. He also had several thousand powerful bandits at his side. Wang Chong would not place his hopes solely on Li Siye.
One person's strength could not possibly deal with several thousand men and horses! But things were different with the army of the Imperial Court.
The only problem was that Qixi was Fumeng Lingcha's territory. If things were done improperly, it would attract his notice.
"Also, go to the King Song Residence and find the old butler. Although it should be very difficult to borrow peak Profound Martial experts, borrowing Profound Martial Tier 1, 2, or 3 experts shouldn't be a problem. Have them go and help Li Siye.
"In addition, you should go as well. I need to know what's happening at all times. Use carrier pigeons and falcons to keep in touch," Wang Chong ordered.
"Yes, Young Master!" Old Eagle immediately answered. Although he wasn't very strong, as his strength was still paused at the peak of the True Martial realm, his skill in taming eagles and other birds allowed him to send information as quickly as possible.
"Also, Young Master… do we need to call over Steel Arms?"
"There's no need!"
Wang Chong had been attracted by the idea, but he ultimately chose to shake his head. Steel Arms had his own mission, and even if he were here, he wouldn't be able to deal with Black Dragon Zhao.
This tyrant of the western roads could probably only be dealt with by Li Siye.
"Yes, Young Master."
Old Eagle deferentially nodded and swiftly departed.
"…I hope that everything will go smoothly, that they will succeed."
He had done everything he could do. As he watched Old Eagle, a hint of concern flashed through Wang Chong's eyes.
Li Siye was still far from the Invincible Great General of his past life. Wang Chong had no idea if he could succeed.
And with the Yao Clan and King Qi involved, even if he did succeed, he might not be able to find the location of the Hyderabad ore easily.
"No, I still have to go and see Yang Zhao. If he steps forward, not even King Qi will dare object. Moreover, his suspicion won't be attracted this way."
With this thought, Wang Chong quickly began walking toward the palace.
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1. The Chinese expression 'The sun is three poles high' does not refer to any particular time. It literally refers to when the sun is higher than the height of three bamboo poles; that is, it's pretty late in the morning.