Chapter 83: The Capture of Yang Jian!

I've never seen someone so arrogant in my entire life! Jiang Yuan thought to himself.

"Indeed, I intend to speak a few words on Nezha's behalf. First, you are fellow disciples under the Twelve Golden Immortals, both cherished students. Though I do not know why Nezha has angered you..."

"But I believe this must be a misunderstanding..."

Jiang Yuan was about to continue, but at that moment Yang Jian's face was already twisted with rage, his expression almost ferocious. Seeing Yang Jian like this, Jiang Yuan was puzzled. Young man, don't be like this—it's not handsome at all.

"Young hero, let me finish—"

"Enough! This is outrageous!" Yang Jian roared, brandishing his three-pointed, double-edged spear as he charged at Jiang Yuan.

"Prepare to die by Yang's hand!"

Damn it... What did I say to make you want to kill me?

Jiang Yuan suddenly recalled Ma Chao, but he himself wasn't Cao Cao, though in his previous life he shared similar tastes...

"How dare you! To lay hands on the King—Zhang will see who is truly courting death!"

Zhang Kui would never allow Jiang Yuan to be harmed. He immediately drew his Thunderblade and confronted Yang Jian.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang! Clang!

The sound of blades clashing rang out again and again.

Jiang Yuan watched with ease, thinking how wonderful it was to have a loyal and powerful follower by his side!

"Zhang Kui, don't kill him. If you can avoid injuring him, that's best," Jiang Yuan instructed from the side.

"Your servant obeys!" Zhang Kui replied amid the fight.

"Hmph! Do you think that by saying this Yang will simply forgive and forget?" Yang Jian roared, showing not a hint of gratitude.

Perhaps this was the pride of geniuses, Jiang Yuan mused. Yet, considering Yang Jian's future status in the Heavenly Court, such arrogance was hardly surprising.

Jiang Yuan looked at Yang Jian's information panel:

Character: Yang Jian
Titles: Third generation disciple of the Chan Sect, Erlang True Lord
Realm: Perfected True Immortal
Possessions: Three-pointed, double-edged spear; Mountain-cleaving Axe; Silver Bullet; Mountain-whipping Whip

Cultivation Technique: Eight-Nine Mysterious Arts
Mount: Howling Celestial Dog
Loyalty: 00
Favorability: 00
Potential Tyrant Value: 450

So he’s worth this much Tyrant Value? Even an average Golden Immortal is about the same. It seems Tyrant Value isn’t just determined by realm—Yang Jian carries great destiny, so his Tyrant Value rises accordingly.

But has he been brainwashed by the Chan Sect? If he’s been instilled with anti-Shang ideology like Nezha, then there’s no hope.

Yang Jian is no child like Nezha; he’s not so easily swayed. Yet precisely because he’s not a child, he’s not so readily brainwashed.

At the True Immortal level, Yang Jian was no match for Zhang Kui, who had long since reached the Golden Immortal realm. After only a few exchanges, Yang Jian began to fall behind.

This only made him more furious. No wonder Nezha had come here—it was because there was a Golden Immortal master present. Damn it, if not for Nezha, he might already be a Golden Immortal himself!

The more Yang Jian thought, the angrier he became; a crack appeared on his forehead. Jiang Yuan immediately realized that Yang Jian was about to unleash his powers.

"General Zhang, be careful—he has a Heavenly Eye like the Grand Tutor; he might spot your weaknesses," Jiang Yuan warned.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I know what to do," Zhang Kui replied gratefully.

He no longer hesitated. The King had only forbidden killing Yang Jian—whether he would harm him was no longer a concern.

Both fought in earnest, collisions inevitable, but surely the King would understand.

Zhang Kui wondered: are all Chan Sect disciples of Nezha's generation raised to be this hot-tempered?

"Black Dragon’s Tail!"

Zhang Kui shouted, his Thunderblade twisting like a dragon and striking at Yang Jian from a cunning angle. A black, lightning-charged dragon, conjured by magic, shot from the Thunderblade.

"Battle Aura of the Heavenly Gang!"

Yang Jian refused to be outdone. The eye on his forehead snapped open, a golden aura enveloping him, thick and impenetrable.

"Break!"

Zhang Kui slashed; though Yang Jian's aura held for a moment, his strength ultimately could not match Zhang Kui. Zhang Kui, leveraging his superior realm, steadily drained Yang Jian’s magic.

Without the aura, Yang Jian's defenses dropped sharply; soon, he was utterly overwhelmed.

Nezha clapped enthusiastically from the side—in the past, he had been bullied by Yang Jian just like this!

"What are you doing?" Jiang Yuan asked Nezha.

Nezha replied solemnly, "What else? Yang Jian's about to lose; of course I’m clapping for him!"

"You’d best shut your mouth and stop that. Who knows—Yang Jian’s position here may soon match yours, and then no one will be able to control you," Jiang Yuan said calmly.

"What? Old Jiang, you’re planning to subdue Yang Jian?" Nezha asked in shock.

"Why not?" Jiang Yuan retorted.

"Come on, Old Jiang, you can’t even subdue me, and you want to subdue Yang Jian?" Nezha scoffed.

"How about I have Zhang Kui withdraw?" Jiang Yuan said with a smile.

"Old Jiang, I believe you can subdue Yang Jian—go for it!" Nezha instantly switched attitudes, cheering Jiang Yuan on.

Jiang Yuan turned away, ignoring Nezha. This kid’s brain was a muddle; talking to him was sometimes amusing, sometimes utterly pointless—a real exercise in futility.

The battle between Zhang Kui and Yang Jian had reached its climax. Of course, the fight was now nearly one-sided. Zhang Kui pressed Yang Jian hard; given the difference in power, Yang Jian’s defeat was only a matter of time.

When Yang Jian was finally subdued, his face still showed defiance.

Jiang Yuan slowly approached, Nezha following smugly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Are you ready to listen to me properly now?" Jiang Yuan asked with a gentle smile.

"Your Majesty? You’re the infamous tyrant King Zhou?" Yang Jian finally realized that the man before him was the ruler of Shang.

Hearing the accusation, Jiang Yuan thought, This can’t be good—has Yang Jian been brainwashed too?

"I’m a tyrant? Did your master tell you that?" Jiang Yuan asked, puzzled.

"Hmph! Do I need my master to tell me? Isn’t it obvious? The Star-reach Tower stands in the capital—you have nothing to say in your defense."

"If my power were greater, I would rid the people of you, tyrant!" Yang Jian declared firmly.

"Do you really think the world’s troubles are solely because of me?" Jiang Yuan countered.

Since it wasn’t Chan Sect brainwashing, Jiang Yuan relaxed a little; there was still hope.

"Are you suggesting it’s because of me?" Yang Jian scoffed.

Jiang Yuan no longer argued with Yang Jian; in time, the truth would reveal itself. Such accusations meant little to Jiang Yuan.

The more they called him a tyrant, the more firmly he played the role, and the more Tyrant Value he'd earn. Already, he noticed his system panel’s Tyrant Value was mysteriously rising.

It seemed his reputation as a tyrant was spreading.