18: Chapter 18 Cao Yun and Jin Rong became remnants of the previous dynasty!

Zhao Zilong entered the ruined temple and peered inside. Despite the moonlight, the interior remained shrouded in darkness. He stepped closer and looked again.

By the faint moonlight, he could just make out two figures standing in the center of the temple. Zhao Zilong confirmed their identities; his judgment had been correct.

"It really was Cao Yun who kidnapped Xiaotian. And that venomous woman Jin Rong—she's actually involved too. Today, I, Zhao Zilong, will not let them go. I must make them pay the price."

Zhao Zilong gripped his blade and continued further inside.

The closer he got, the clearer the situation inside the ruined temple became.

By now, he could see Zhao Xiaotian tied to a central pillar, his mouth gagged.

Besides Cao Yun and Jin Rong, there were six other people in the temple.

All six of them were holding blades.

Among them, a middle-aged man standing near Cao Yun emitted a somewhat strong fluctuation of blood-qi. Zhao Zilong vaguely sensed that this man's rank was likely above his own.

However, he didn't seem to be significantly stronger.

Zhao Zilong wasn't worried. Xu Wei was following with his men. Regardless of the others' strength, Xu Wei himself was a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist; dealing with these people in the temple would be no problem at all.

The most critical task now was how to rescue Zhao Xiaotian without letting him come to any harm.

"Zhao Lao Si really did come. Jin Rong, you've done a great service. Once I am recovered, I will surely reward you well."

Cao Yun laughed heartily, looking extremely smug at this moment.

Jin Rong feigned shyness and gave Cao Yun a flirtatious, reproachful look. "Oh, Young Master Cao, what are you saying? There are so many people here."

Cao Yun gave an indifferent smile.

Jin Rong's expression turned cold as she spoke. "Young Master Cao, no matter what happens today, we absolutely cannot let Zhao Zilong leave this place alive. Otherwise, we'll be in trouble."

"Don't worry. Since he's come, he must die here. Wang Tu, if Zhao Zilong doesn't behave later, step in and kill him. There's no need for mercy."

Cao Yun gave the cold command.

The middle-aged man beside Cao Yun, whose blood-qi fluctuated strongly, replied, "Rest assured, Young Master Cao. That Zhao Zilong is merely a First-Grade Martial Artist, while I, Wang Tu, am already a Second-Grade Martial Artist. Killing him will be as easy as turning over my hand."

"Mm."

Cao Yun nodded slightly and gave a signal with his eyes. The five men other than Wang Tu drew their blades and ran out of the temple, surrounding Zhao Zilong just as he reached the entrance, each watching him like a hawk.

Seeing this, Zhao Zilong felt no fear; these five were not his match.

He shouted loudly, "Bold rebels, release my son!"

His voice was very loud, and Xu Wei's group, who had quietly reached the outside of the temple courtyard, heard him clearly.

Xu Wei immediately ordered, "The Princess instructed that no matter what, we must bring Mr. Zhao and his son Zhao Xiaotian back safely. Remember, we must not fail."

The guards all nodded.

Xu Wei then gave another signal, and a guard handed him a large bow and a quiver of arrows.

Taking the bow and quiver, Xu Wei leaped onto the wall, arrow notched on the string, waiting for the right moment to act.

Zhao Zilong's shout of 'rebels' gave Cao Yun and Jin Rong a start. When had they become rebels? What was Zhao Zilong yelling about? Fortunately, this ruined temple was extremely remote and deserted, so it didn't matter if he was loud.

"Zhao Zilong, you finally showed up. You've got some nerve,"

Cao Yun shouted coldly.

Zhao Zilong said, "Bold rebels, kidnapping the family of an official is a capital offense. If you know what's good for you, release him now. Otherwise, death will be inevitable."

"Hahaha, death? Zhao Zilong, there is no one here but us. Do you think you can kill us all by yourself?"

Cao Yun sneered with disdain.

Jin Rong spoke up then, her tone equally contemptuous. "Zhao Zilong, you wouldn't have had to die, but unfortunately, your heart was too cruel. You brought this all on yourself."

There were some things Jin Rong couldn't say plainly in front of Cao Yun.

Zhao Zilong had the potential to make something of himself in the future, yet he had divorced her. This was something she could not accept. Since that was the case, then Zhao Zilong should just die.

She felt this wasn't her fault; it was only because Zhao Zilong was too heartless and had no regard for their past as husband and wife.

"Enough nonsense. The one you want to deal with is me. Release Xiaotian immediately!"

Zhao Zilong barked harshly.

"Zhao Zilong, you're dreaming. We never intended to let Zhao Xiaotian go. Luring you here was also to finish you off."

Cao Yun's face was icy cold.

"You won't even spare a child? Are you even human?"

Zhao Zilong truly hadn't expected Cao Yun and Jin Rong to be so ruthless. He had thought they only wanted to deal with him, but in the end, they intended to kill Zhao Xiaotian as well.

Killing intent instantly boiled within his heart.

"These rebels are ruthless enough to kill even a child. Today, I, the Commander, shall embark on a slaughter."

Lying low on the wall, Xu Wei also felt killing intent rising within him.

His arrow was aimed at Cao Yun inside the temple. Once he found an opening, he would loose the arrow and shoot the rogue dead. As for survivors, he would capture them if he could; if not, killing them would still earn him merit.

"Young Master Cao, don't talk too much with him to avoid any complications. Let's act."

Wang Tu spoke up to remind him. Cao Yun nodded and glanced at Zhao Zilong. "Zhao Zilong, will you kill yourself, or shall I have my men help you?"

Jin Rong said, "Zhao Zilong, I advise you to take your own life. Otherwise, if we have to act, I'm afraid you'll suffer quite a bit."

Zhao Zilong said, "Even if you intend to kill Xiaotian and me, shouldn't you at least let us father and son see each other properly before we die?"

"Zhao Zilong, do you think that's possible? I won't give you any chance to play tricks. You'd better kill yourself right now, or I'll have someone help you."

Cao Yun was not careless and did not agree to Zhao Zilong's request.

Zhao Zilong hadn't expected Cao Yun to be so cautious. However, he couldn't act rashly now, or Zhao Xiaotian would be in danger.

But as for killing himself, that was something he could never do.

Zhao Zilong said, "Then I, Zhao, would like to see what kind of skill your men have to kill me."

"Damn it, a mere First-Grade Martial Artist dares to be so arrogant? Lord Tu will kill you!"

Wang Tu was enraged by Zhao Zilong. With a loud shout, he raised his blade and walked toward Zhao Zilong, his eyes full of killing intent.

As Wang Tu approached, Zhao Zilong's expression grew tense, and he went on full alert.

Although Wang Tu was a Second-Grade Martial Artist, he exerted a considerable amount of pressure on Zhao Zilong.

His hand tightly gripped the hilt of the Official Blade Xu Wei had given him.

Cao Yun and Jin Rong looked at each other, their eyes filled with smugness and coldness.

Zhao Xiaotian struggled desperately, whimpering, his eyes brimming with tears.

He had never imagined that his father, Zhao Zilong, would risk his life for him.

"Commander, act now, or Mr. Zhao will be in danger,"

Xu Wei's subordinate, also lying on the wall, whispered a reminder as he saw Wang Tu closing in on Zhao Zilong.

Xu Wei said, "It's not time yet. If we startle the rebels, Zhao Xiaotian will be in danger."

"Then what should we do?"

The guard asked urgently.

Xu Wei said, "Everything will proceed according to the plan Mr. Zhao laid out before. He will distract them, and you all will find an opportunity to move in and rescue Zhao Xiaotian and Mr. Zhao. If any rebel dares to get close to Zhao Xiaotian, I will shoot them dead myself."

Before coming to the ruined temple, Zhao Zilong had already arranged the plan of action. It was even Zhao Zilong who had reminded Xu Wei to have someone bring this large bow.

In case a close-range attack was inconvenient, they could still strike from a distance.

"You have quite an aura, but I wonder if you have any real skill."

Zhao Zilong was not being careless, but his words were full of disdain.

"You dare look down on Lord Tu? Damn it, die!"

Wang Tu roared and swung his blade at Zhao Zilong.

The others stepped back but remained in a circle around Zhao Zilong to prevent him from escaping.

Wang Tu's blade strike was fierce and full of power.

Zhao Zilong raised his blade to parry the move and felt that there was indeed a gap between them. However, it only made him feel a surge of excitement.

"Why do I feel like this guy isn't that much stronger than me? I might actually have a chance against him. Perfect, I'll test out the new Saber Technique I've learned."

Zhao Zilong realized the opponent was not an invincible force, and his battle intent instantly ignited.