Chapter 09: A Mad Decision

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In the heart of the battlefield, the spear launched from the Houyi Bow tore through the giant dragon’s left eye and burst out from its forehead in a spray of blood. The fatal shot ended the beast’s life instantly.

The Dragon Knight plummeted alongside his mount. Though the dragon’s massive corpse cushioned his fall and spared him from immediate death, the impact left him gravely wounded and unconscious.

The spectators stood frozen for a heartbeat, then erupted into thunderous cheers that shook the heavens.

While the crowd celebrated, deep within the imperial palace, the Emperor’s great-grandfather—an elder over a hundred and seventy years old—gazed skyward and let out a long sigh. “Just as I predicted… yet still utterly unbelievable.”

The news of Chen Nan’s feat spread like wildfire. Within days, word swept across the entire continent. Most cultivators now knew the name of the young man from Chu who had drawn the divine bow and slain a dragon in a single shot. Chen Nan had become famous overnight.

For several days afterward, a steady stream of visitors poured into the Hall of Eccentrics. Court-martial officers, elite military experts, and even matchmakers seeking betrothals all came to pay their respects.

After Chen Nan’s overwhelming victory over the Dragon Knight, the Hall of Eccentrics rose even higher in prestige. Every eccentric within its walls was now treated with utmost respect, and the martial cultivation atmosphere in Chu surged to new heights.

Inside the royal palace, Emperor Chu Han and the Eldest Princess Chu Yue held a private discussion.

“Have the three Dragon Knights already returned to the Kingdom of Tianyang?” the Emperor asked.

“Yes, Father. They are currently on their way back,” Chu Yue replied.

Chu Han sighed. “All three are outstanding young talents, rare geniuses in their own right. It is a pity they are not citizens of Chu. We cannot simply let them leave. In twenty years, Tianyang may gain three formidable experts.”

Chu Yue smiled faintly. “Your Majesty’s concerns are well-founded. I have already sent a message by carrier pigeon. The moment they reach Tianyang’s border, it will be their last.”

The Emperor nodded. “They are all heavily injured, so that matter should be simple enough. What worries me more is Chen Nan.”

Chu Yue’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Father, was it perhaps too hasty to betroth Nalan Ruoshui to Sima Lingkong right before the birthday banquet? If Chen Nan learns of this, he will surely harbor deep resentment.”

“I thought he could only draw the Houyi Bow,” Chu Han said with a sigh. “Who could have imagined he was already a third-tier martial artist capable of manifesting sword qi outside his body?”

“Yesterday I asked the high-ranking eccentrics in the Hall,” Chu Yue replied. “They say Chen Nan possesses extraordinary potential. Given time, he may even surpass the senior expert Zhuge Chengfeng.”

Chu Han exhaled heavily. “In just a few more days, it will be Sima Lingkong’s wedding. If Chen Nan cannot withstand the blow… it would be disastrous. He might defect to another nation. Not only would Chu lose a rare talent, we would also become the laughingstock of the continent.”

“Perhaps we should retrieve the Houyi Bow immediately,” Chu Yue suggested. “If he truly turns against us and takes the divine bow with him, it would be a catastrophe.”

“If we do that, we are essentially forcing him to rebel,” the Emperor said, shaking his head. “Let the storm pass first. I doubt anything serious will happen.”

Chu Yue pondered for a moment. “Actually, Father’s decision is not without reason. No matter how exceptional his talent, he is still only a lone cultivator. He cannot compare to a powerful noble clan with deep foundations.”

Soon afterward, the Emperor dispatched envoys to the Hall of Eccentrics with lavish rewards for Chen Nan: fifty thousand gold coins, a hundred bolts of fine silk, and the exalted title of Protector of the Nation Eccentric. It was an immense honor. An eccentric already commanded respect; adding the prefix “Protector of the Nation” elevated his status even further.

All the eccentrics came to offer congratulations. Old Poison laughed heartily and teased, “Kid, you’re really something! One spear, one staff, one arrow—and you’ve earned yourself the title of Protector of the Nation. Truly impressive!”

The old witch pushed through the crowd and warned him solemnly, “Young man, let me remind you of something. If you ever travel to the Western Continent, you must be extremely careful. The black dragon you slew in the palace arena was the mount of the Western Dragon Knight, Old Ghost Jason. That man is eccentric and antisocial, with almost no friends. But he cherished that black dragon like his own life. Now that you’ve killed it, he will come for you sooner or later.”

Chen Nan nodded. He had already suspected the black dragon did not belong to the young Dragon Knight he had fought.

For days, Chen Nan basked in glory, which only fueled Sima Lingkong’s jealousy and hatred. Though Sima had also received generous rewards, they paled in comparison. In the end, unable to endure it any longer, he moved out of the Hall of Eccentrics and returned home to recuperate.

On the fifth day after the palace battle, a shocking piece of news reached Chen Nan’s ears.

“The Emperor has bestowed a marriage between Sima Lingkong and Nalan Ruoshui. The wedding is set for five days from now.”

When Old Poison delivered the message, Chen Nan’s expression changed drastically. Ruoshui was still being pushed into the fire pit after all. He had assumed that even if the Emperor refused to marry her to him, he would at least delay any match with Sima Lingkong for some time.

But reality was far crueler.

He had rendered such a monumental service to the royal family, yet they had shown not the slightest regard for his feelings and made their decision so swiftly. Chen Nan had never expected such an outcome. A violent aura flickered in his eyes, and a trace of savage fury surfaced on his face.

Old Poison jumped in fright. “Kid… what’s wrong with you?”

“Ahhh!” Chen Nan let out a furious roar. The sound wave rolled like thunder across the Hall of Eccentrics, audible for ten li in every direction. His hair stood on end, his face twisted with rage, and golden light erupted from his body like blazing flames.

Terrified, Old Poison fled from the room into the courtyard.

Whoosh!

A golden sword qi pierced straight through the roof.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Countless beams of sword qi burst through the walls in every direction, dazzling and crisscrossing like lightning. With a deafening rumble, the entire house collapsed into ruins.

Chen Nan stood atop the debris, silent for a long time.

Old Poison approached cautiously. “Chen Nan… are you alright?”

Chen Nan gradually calmed the fury in his chest, his expression returning to normal.

“Sigh… saying I’m fine would be a lie. I never imagined the Emperor would treat me this way. It truly chills the heart.”

“Five days ago, when His Majesty granted you the title of Protector of the Nation, he never once mentioned Nalan Ruoshui,” Old Poison said. “His intention was already clear.”

At that moment, the other eccentrics of the Hall gathered in the courtyard. Seeing the pile of rubble, none of them seemed surprised. They all knew why Chen Nan had erupted in anger. They had long been aware of the complicated ties between Chen Nan, Nalan Ruoshui, and Sima Lingkong. Upon hearing that the Emperor had betrothed Ruoshui to Sima, they felt deep injustice on Chen Nan’s behalf.

“Sigh… Chen Nan has just rendered great service to Chu, yet…”

“Life is full of disappointments…”

“Young man, try to think positively.”

Everyone offered words of comfort.

Princess Chu Yue also received the report. She frowned slightly. “I hope he doesn’t cause any trouble.”

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Only two days remained until the wedding. Sima Lingkong’s injuries had fully healed. Although he had not enjoyed Chen Nan’s recent glory, he would soon claim the beauty as his bride. Believing Chen Nan also harbored feelings for Nalan Ruoshui, he imagined the other man must be consumed by grief and rage. The thought brought a cold smile to his lips, and he decided to pay a visit to the Hall of Eccentrics.

Sima Lingkong walked with a spring in his step, greeting everyone he met. After a few turns, he arrived outside Chen Nan’s courtyard—just as Chen Nan stepped out and the two came face to face.

“Well, if it isn’t the esteemed Protector of the Nation! Where are you headed, Senior Brother? This humble one was just coming to pay his respects.” Sima Lingkong deliberately emphasized the words “Protector of the Nation,” his face full of mockery.

Rage surged through Chen Nan, cold light flashing in his eyes. Although he no longer felt romantic love for Nalan Ruoshui, he had developed genuine goodwill toward her. Moreover, she carried a trace of him in her heart. He could not tolerate letting this kind and gracious woman fall into misfortune.

“Sima Lingkong, stop gloating. The Emperor may have granted you this marriage, but what he values is not you—it is your father and your powerful clan. You are nothing but a spoiled second-generation heir!”

Sima Lingkong sneered. “No matter what you say, one fact remains unchanged: in two days, Ruoshui will become my wife. The groom will not be you. Heh heh.”

“Sima Lingkong, get lost. I don’t want to see your face.”

“Very well. Since the great Protector of the Nation has spoken, I shall take my leave. But you must come to my wedding in two days, understood? You’re more than welcome to join the bridal chamber festivities. Heh heh.”

Chen Nan’s face turned ashen. He watched Sima Lingkong walk away, then slammed his palm against the courtyard gate, shattering it into pieces.

When Chen Nan appeared before Old Poison, the old man nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Hey, kid, why do you look so terrible? Are you sick?”

“Old pervert, tell me—where does Ruoshui’s family live?”

“You… what are you planning? Kid, don’t do anything reckless! If you’re thinking of crashing the wedding and stealing the bride, I advise you to forget it. The Eldest Princess has already dispatched a large group of high-level martial artists to guard the Left Prime Minister’s residence these past two days. You don’t stand a chance.”

Chen Nan’s expression darkened. He inwardly sighed. The princess was truly formidable—she had already anticipated his possible move.

The night was as calm as still water, and silence blanketed the world. It was destined to be a sleepless night.

Chen Nan tossed and turned, his mind in turmoil. “What should I do? Am I really supposed to watch Ruoshui marry that bastard with my own eyes?” In the end, a sharp light flashed in his eyes as he murmured to himself, “Ruoshui has shown me great kindness, and a trace of me already exists in her heart. I cannot give her any promises, but I absolutely refuse to stand by and watch her leap into a pit of fire. I must stop this wedding. I will not allow any regrets to remain!”

Though he had made his decision, a thread of unease still lingered in his chest.

“So many unexpected things have happened in less than three months. Once this matter is resolved, I must leave this place as soon as possible.” With that thought, he finally drifted into sleep.

Early the next morning, Chen Nan hurried to Old Poison’s courtyard.

Seeing the bright smile on his face, Old Poison looked suspicious. “Kid, you’ve had a dark expression for days. Why the sudden change to sunny skies?”

“Let’s talk inside,” Chen Nan said.

Once they were in the room, he swiftly sealed more than a dozen major acupoints on Old Poison’s body. Although the old man’s skills were decent, they were far from enough to resist someone of Chen Nan’s level.

“Kid, what are you doing? You…”

“Shh, keep your voice down. I just want to have a proper talk with you.”

“If you want to talk, there’s no need to seal my acupoints, is there?”

“Because what I’m about to say is too shocking. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to discuss it, so I had to resort to this.”

“Alright, spit it out. What is it?”

“I know your poison arts are unmatched in Chu. I’d like to ask for a certain medicine from you.”

“What kind of medicine?”

“One that won’t harm anyone’s life. After taking it, a person’s entire cultivation will temporarily vanish.”

The moment Old Poison heard this, he cried out in alarm. “Kid, what exactly are you planning? Are you really going to cause a huge commotion?”

“Exactly. Do you have such a medicine or not?”

Old Poison broke into a cold sweat. “Chen Nan, stop this madness! The imperial capital is filled with experts. You can’t possibly succeed.”

Chen Nan stared into the old man’s eyes. “There may be many experts, but I have the Houyi Bow. No one can stop me.”

Old Poison’s voice trembled. “If you cause chaos in the capital, even if you manage to escape, Chu will hunt you down without end.”

“The world is vast, and I possess decent martial skills. Avoiding Chu’s pursuit shouldn’t be too difficult. Old pervert, do you have the medicine or not?”

“I… I don’t.”

“You’re lying. One look at your face tells me you’re not telling the truth. With our relationship, you wouldn’t be that stingy, would you?”

“It’s not that I’m stingy. I simply cannot bear to watch you jump into a pit of fire.”

“I already told you not to worry about me. I am in no danger. Just give me the medicine.”

Old Poison’s face twisted in distress. “You may not be in danger, but I certainly will be. When things go wrong, you’ll slip away, but what about me? They’ll definitely trace it back to me.”

Chen Nan thought for a moment. “No problem. After you give me the medicine, I’ll knock you unconscious. You can say I took it by force.”

“No way!” Old Poison glared. “That plan is too clumsy. If they find out, I won’t even have a chance to run.”

“Then what do you suggest? Tomorrow is Ruoshui’s wedding day. If I cannot rescue her during the ceremony, her entire life will be ruined.”

“Are you really set on taking such a risk? Can’t you just…” He wanted to say “give up,” but the words refused to leave his mouth. Looking at the resolute expression on Chen Nan’s face, he finally sighed. “Fine. I’ll risk it all. You once gave me a precious poison scripture—that was an enormous favor. Even if it costs me my life, I will repay you. Today, I’ll pay with my life.”

Chen Nan looked at him with a half-smile. “You really want to repay with your life? Alright then. After you give me the medicine, I’ll kill you outright so you won’t suffer under torture later.”

“You heartless brat! You really are ruthless and have zero sympathy!” Old Poison cried. “Sigh… looks like I can’t stay in the capital any longer. Once I give you the medicine, I’ll flee the imperial city tonight and head to another country.”

After his acupoints were unsealed, Old Poison asked, “So, how exactly do you plan to act?”

“I intend to make my move during tomorrow’s wedding,” Chen Nan replied.

“You… you’ve gone mad! Great General Sima Changfeng and Left Prime Minister Nalan Wencheng are both pillars of Chu. Once their families become in-laws, they will surely invite the Emperor to the wedding. The Sima residence will be as impenetrable as iron walls and bronze ramparts. Choosing that moment to act is simply… suicidal! Why not just storm the Left Prime Minister’s residence right now instead?”

“Heh heh…” Chen Nan gave a cold laugh. “If I’m going to cause trouble, I’ll cause a big one. Not only will I rescue Ruoshui, but I’ll also do it right in front of the Emperor and all the civil and military officials. I’ll turn their grand ceremony into chaos. I want Chu to lose all face. What the three Dragon Knights of Tianyang failed to accomplish, I will complete for them. I will slap Chu hard across the face!”

Old Poison stared in stunned silence, muttering, “Madman… you’re a complete madman! If this news spreads to other nations, Chu’s reputation will be utterly destroyed. You will face insane retaliation. You really are insane!”

Chen Nan sneered. “That day in the palace, I fought two Dragon Knights in succession. It looked easy, but it was extremely dangerous. I risked my life to protect Chu’s dignity. And what was the result?”

Old Poison sighed. “His Majesty did indeed handle the matter poorly. Granting Nalan Ruoshui to another right after your great service… it truly chills the heart.”

Chen Nan snorted coldly. “Among the experts in the capital, the ones I fear most are the eccentrics in the Hall who have reached the ranked realm. If I can render them temporarily powerless, my burden will be much lighter.”

Old Poison shook his head. “When you first entered the Hall, you seemed so honest and well-behaved. Who could have guessed that in just a few days you’d change into a completely different person? Not only did you suddenly gain terrifying cultivation, but you’ve also become this crazy. What rotten luck—how did I end up meeting you?” He sighed again. “To repay your kindness, I’ll add some special seasoning to the kitchen tonight. It should take effect around noon tomorrow.”

“Old pervert, I can’t thank you enough.”

“Sigh… I’ve lived in the capital for several years. It’s hard to leave.” Old Poison looked at him. “Kid, what’s your plan after causing chaos at the Sima residence? Where will you take Nalan Ruoshui?”

“I don’t know yet. As long as we escape Chu, anywhere is fine.”

“You foolish boy. If you flee to one of Chu’s vassal states, you’ll still face deadly pursuit. Let me point you toward a proper path. Have you heard of the City of Freedom?”

The name sounded familiar. After thinking for a moment, Chen Nan remembered. In the past month, he had read countless books in the royal archives. Although his knowledge of the continent’s geography was not perfectly detailed, he had a general understanding.

When the Immortal Illusion Continent and the Magic Illusion Continent were once connected, their border had risen into an endless chain of towering mountains, leaving hundreds of thousands of li uninhabited. Within those vast ranges, although humans were scarce, ferocious beasts and birds roamed everywhere. Western dragons, ancient giants, countless unknown, powerful demonic beasts, and even legendary spirits were said to dwell there.

Later, as contact between East and West grew, people braved the dangers and carved out a road connecting the two continents. Unfortunately, large-scale wars soon erupted, turning that road into a path of slaughter. Rivers of blood flowed and mountains of bones piled up; countless heroic souls perished there.

After the East-West wars ended, the road lay abandoned for a long time before traffic slowly resumed. Because the journey was long and perilous, inns gradually appeared along the way for travelers to rest and resupply. As exchanges between East and West increased, some areas developed into villages. After thousands of years of growth, a prosperous major city emerged along that road—the City of Freedom.

The City of Freedom belonged to no single nation; it was an independent city-state. Due to its strategic location as the most vital hub connecting East and West, its prosperity rivaled even Chu’s imperial capital, Pingyang City.

It was also known as the City of Sin. Being independent and beyond any nation’s control, many wanted criminals from across the continent fled there, making the population a chaotic mix of all kinds. However, those who escaped to the city dared not act recklessly, for powerful experts resided there, suppressing any who might cause trouble. Thus, although called the City of Sin, the city was actually crime-free, and residents had to obey the city’s strict rules.

Despite being only a single city, the City of Freedom housed many powerful cultivators, giving it a strong martial atmosphere. Moreover, it was home to the renowned Divine Wind Academy, an institution as ancient as the city itself, dating back a thousand years. Few academies on the continent could compare with it, and peerless experts emerged from the Divine Wind generation after generation.

For all these reasons, the City of Freedom was famous across the land—a shining pearl among the continent’s great cities.

In an instant, Chen Nan understood exactly what kind of place the City of Freedom was.

“I know of that famous city. It is indeed an excellent destination.”

Old Poison’s eyes lit up. “Excellent? It’s practically paradise! You have no idea how prosperous it is—gambling dens, pleasure quarters… ah, how I miss it. It’s been ten years since I last set foot there.”

“You old lecher,” Chen Nan scolded with a laugh. “Your beard is already white, yet your mind is still filled with those dirty thoughts.”

“Because my heart remains forever young, heh heh…” Old Poison grinned proudly. “You know, gold is everywhere in the City of Freedom. As long as you have strength, making money is easy. You can hunt powerful demonic beasts in the nearby mountains and trade their precious magic crystal cores for huge sums. Or you can become a bounty hunter and capture wanted criminals for handsome rewards… Still, if you flee there, it’s best to keep a low profile. After all, you’ll be a fugitive yourself.”

Chen Nan knew that demonic beasts were native to the original Magic Illusion Continent and possessed innate magic abilities from birth. Low-level demonic beasts could only cast simple spells—snow rabbits spat ice arrows, fire foxes breathed flames. Only high-level demonic beasts could unleash powerful magic, such as the lightning bolts of thunder beasts. Every demonic beast contained a magic crystal core within its body. The higher the beast’s rank, the more valuable its core. These cores were essential materials for mages researching magic and, therefore, fetched extremely high prices.

Old Poison wore a lecherous expression. “The City of Freedom is filled with beautiful women, especially the female students of Divine Wind Academy—they are the cream of the crop.”

“You perverted old man, you really have no shame,” Chen Nan muttered.

Old Poison continued enthusiastically, “Very few people can become official students of Divine Wind Academy because the requirements are extremely strict—only young powerhouses who have reached the ranked realm are accepted. However, there are many unofficial students. Since the academy is renowned across the continent, nobles and royalty from many nations use their connections to send their children there. It’s perfectly normal to run into a prince or princess. Just imagine—how exciting! So many princesses, countesses, and noble daughters… if you could get inside, you’d die of happiness.”

Chen Nan rapped the old man hard on the head. “You old pervert, stop daydreaming and focus on the matter at hand.”

Old Poison deflated like a punctured ball, his face turning gloomy. “Fine, fine. I’ll add the seasoning in the kitchen shortly, then slip out of the capital tonight. I won’t say goodbye when I leave. I hope I’ll see you in the City of Freedom.”

“Old pervert, thank you!” Chen Nan turned and walked out.

As night fell, Old Poison fled the imperial capital.

A bright moon hung high in the sky. Beneath its gentle, watery light, Chen Nan felt a rare calm in his heart. He was fully prepared for the great battle to come.