Eternal God Emperor: Only I Am Emperor One

Chapter 38: Loyalty is Unspeakable
"Guanchao City is the largest city in the western part of Yunwu County and serves as its gateway. It borders two counties and is a strategic location that the Black Market cannot easily give up. In addition to sending a message back to the Underworld Gate, I have also sent people to contact the Poison Spider Merchant Guild and the Vermilion Bird Gate. As long as one of the forces is willing to lend a helping hand, the White Horse Gang's crisis can be resolved immediately."

Although Ziqian came from the Underworld Sect, she felt more at ease with the White Horse Gang, which had a rough and unruly atmosphere, than with that cold-blooded den that trained assassins.

Song Jingang had no sons, and only one daughter in his life, who married the leader of the Underworld Gate as a concubine.

The leader of the Underworld Sect has hundreds of wives and concubines and thousands of children. How could he possibly remember her, a daughter born to a concubine? Ziqian didn't know what fatherly love was. Only when she was with the White Horse Gang could she briefly feel the rare warmth of an elder.

Song Zhongdao said, "Xiaoqian is right. But I think that while we need to ask for help in matters of life and death, we also need to rely on ourselves. The medicine in the pottery jar is almost ready. If everyone drinks some, it will help alleviate some of our injuries."

The medicinal soup in the earthenware jars was poured out and distributed to everyone, with more being those with more serious injuries and less being those with minor injuries.

After drinking the medicinal soup, everyone sat down to sleep on the ground, resting near the statues of Empress Chi Yao and the Twelve Heavenly Kings who founded the dynasty.

Ziqian drank half a bowl of herbal soup, and the hidden injuries in her meridians were somewhat relieved. Looking at the Fish Intestine Short Sword in her hand, her eyes were a little blurry.

This sword was made from a piece of strange iron that Song Jingang bought from the black market at a huge cost when she was fourteen. He then sent it to the gates of the underworld to be forged into a standard-issue Fish Intestine Sword and gave it to her as a gift.

Within the Underworld Sect, the strong are respected. Even though she was the sect leader's daughter, she never received any preferential treatment and lived in endless darkness and slaughter from a young age.

Apart from a half-brother who occasionally takes care of her, everyone else is like a devil to her.

Within the White Horse Gang, her maternal grandfather, Song Jingang, treated her like a precious jewel, and her other grandfathers also treated her like their own granddaughter. Within the White Horse Gang, she enjoyed treatment even better than that of the princess of Yunwu County.

In just one night, everything was gone.

"Uncle Zhong, I've never dared to ask you, how exactly did Grandpa die that day? Who killed him?"

Song Zhong recalled the tragic scene of that day, which seemed to touch upon the deep sorrow in his heart, and he burst into tears.

"My godfather was seriously injured by a skilled swordsman in the army. With the Snow Steed, he could have escaped in the chaos, but when he saw his uncles being besieged by the people of the Crimson Cloud Sect, he rushed back."

"After that... Shan Baihu launched a sneak attack, piercing his adoptive father's chest with the Crimson Cloud Soul-Severing Spear, severing the meridians of his adoptive father's limbs, and finally... Shan Baihu personally beheaded his adoptive father."

Ziqian imagined the cruel scene in her mind, and even in the height of summer, she couldn't stop her body from trembling.

Suddenly remembering something, she asked, "Uncle Zhong, how did you escape back then?"

The rain outside intensified, accompanied by strong winds and thunder.

The statues of Empress Chi Yao and the Twelve Heavenly Kings inside the temple are majestic and awe-inspiring, exuding power over the entire universe.

"It's a long story."

Song Zhong stood up, the grief on his face fading, replaced by a rather strange expression.

"At that time, Seventh Uncle was able to break through the encirclement. Seeing that I was surrounded, he risked serious injury to save me from the swords of the Red Cloud Sect masters. However, he himself was exhausted and could no longer fight."

"He wanted me to help him escape, but he had exhausted his inner energy and his meridians were severed. Even if he escaped, he would be a cripple. So I sent him on his way."

Ziqian and Lei Kaishan's expressions changed upon hearing this, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Not only Seventh Uncle, but Fourth Uncle and Ninth Uncle also died by my blade. Now, do you know how I escaped?"

"You bastard, how dare you betray the White Horse Gang!"

Lei Kaishan suddenly stood up and reached for the giant axe of the daylily standing to the side, but suddenly his legs went weak and his internal energy became stagnant like mud, making it difficult to mobilize.

"Stop struggling. I've added a muscle-softening powder to the medicine. This was bought by the Crimson Cloud Sect from an alchemist at the Martial Market Bank. It's colorless and odorless. Even a martial arts legend at the Heavenly Realm will need an hour to recover their martial arts true energy after taking it."

“It wouldn’t have been so easy for the Crimson Cloud Sect to storm the mountain gate. I secretly provided support and also added muscle-weakening powder to my godfather’s and several uncles’ drinks beforehand.”

A twisted smile appeared on Song Zhong's face as he looked at the gang members who had collapsed to the ground under the effects of the drug. He felt a strange mix of emotions. "Why? Uncle Zhong, why did you betray the White Horse Gang?" Zi Qian's eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage.

"Why? You still have the nerve to ask me why? Blame that old man for being too biased towards you. I am clearly his only adopted son and the young leader of the gang. By right, I should be the successor to the White Horse Gang leader."

"But because of you, the old man actually wants to lead the entire White Horse Gang into the black market and become a dog for the underworld."

"Unfortunately, the Underworld Sect doesn't even consider him worthy of being a dog."

Song Zhong's face gradually became distorted and ferocious.

"So, because of this, you betrayed the White Horse Gang and joined the Crimson Cloud Sect?"

"No, I did not join the Crimson Cloud Sect. It was the owner of the Martial Market Bank in Yunwu County who approached me and promised to send me to the Martial Market Bank in the Eastern Divine Land to cultivate after the matter was settled."

"How can fighting to the death in Yunwu County compare to cultivating in the Eastern Divine Land? Given time, I might become a martial arts legend and surpass all of them."

As Song Zhong spoke, he leaned closer to Zi Qian, his nostrils twitching slightly, revealing a look of intoxication.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you. A beauty like you is enough to please a big shot at the Martial Market Bank when we take you to the Eastern Divine Land."

Ziqian uttered two words: "Beast!"

Song Zhong seemed not to hear, and reached out to stroke the face of his nominal niece. Her skin was as white as snow and as smooth as a mirror, as if it could be broken with a touch, which was truly mesmerizing.

“My mind has suddenly changed. A beauty like you shouldn’t be given to someone else. It’s best to enjoy you yourself.”

Song Zhong's gaze grew increasingly intense as he reached out towards Zi Qian's two towering breasts.

"You bastard, go to hell."

Suddenly, Lei Kaishan sprang up and unleashed a tremendous punch, smashing it toward Song Zhong's head.

Song Zhong's expression changed drastically. He rolled away and looked at Lei Kaishan, who was struggling to stand up and panting heavily, with great surprise.

"I forgot that Third Uncle is a half-human, half-human race with innate superhuman strength. Even if he can't mobilize his true energy, he still has some fighting power."

"Miss Sun, hurry up! I'll hold this beast back." Lei Kaishan picked up the Xuanhua Giant Axe and swung it with only his physical strength.

Song Zhong drew his battle sword. His martial arts cultivation had reached the Great Perfection of the Profound Realm. His true qi activated the True Martial Treasure in his hand, and the power he unleashed could not be resisted by his innate divine strength alone.

Lei Kaishan was already determined to die, and he wanted to create an opportunity for Ziqian to escape.

The dozens of gang members who had been poisoned by the muscle-softening powder all got up. Even without martial arts true energy, they were willing to risk their lives to block Song Zhong and buy enough time for Zi Qian to escape.

"What a bunch of idiots." Song Zhong's face was gloomy. He knocked Lei Kaishan back with a single slash, and his gaze toward Zi Qian was filled with killing intent.

"None of you are leaving today."

"Miss Sun, hurry up and leave! Don't let our brothers die here in vain, so they can avenge us in the future!" Lei Kaishan shouted.

Ziqian's hand holding the Fish Intestine Sword trembled uncontrollably, and tears streamed down her face.

Staying means certain death, but leaving alone means living a life of endless guilt.

Just as they were facing this life-or-death parting, a voice suddenly rang out outside the temple gate.

"Wow, it seems I arrived just in time!"

(End of this chapter)