Chapter 535: This Can Kill

Chapter 535: This Can Kill

Luo Xiaoxue’s response truly astonished Zhao Lei.

Aren’t you even resisting a bit? Generally, those involved in negotiations would at least put up a fight, making declarations of defiance, even if they were clearly lacking in strength. They would feign bravado.

But now, Luo Xiaoxue simply agreed, with no hint of resistance or attempt to negotiate. She offered up the city just like that.

Has she realized that the soldiers within Huan Tian City can’t compete with their rebel forces? Is she just handing over the city willingly?

It’s hard to believe a leader could be so weak. Moreover, according to some rumors brought by the earlier rebels, Luo Xiaoxue had been rather strong-willed, and there hadn’t been any precedent for her to surrender so readily.

This sudden offer to surrender is indeed strange—strangely absurd.

These circumstances only heightened Zhao Lei’s wariness.

Can we trust this? There’s bound to be a trick here, right?

At this moment, he turned his gaze to the attendants flanking Luo Xiaoxue.

He noticed two of them wore subtle, sinister smiles at the corners of their mouths—he was sharp enough to catch the hint.

What are you two snickering about? Don’t think I won’t notice your little gestures just because they’re not obvious!

Is there really a trick behind this?

“Can you really do this?” Zhao Lei continued to inquire.

“Yes, we can. We can offer Huan Tian City, and we won’t go back on our word,” Luo Xiaoxue replied, following Lin Nuo’s instructions, with no intention to negotiate anything with the rebel leader Zhao Lei.

Her firm attitude only made Zhao Lei more anxious.

He exchanged glances with Hu Shu and then spoke to Luo Xiaoxue:

“Let’s discuss this further for a moment; please wait a bit.”

With that, Zhao Lei and Hu Shu stepped out of the tent to discuss among themselves.

This surprised Lin Nuo and the Dongwei people—they all assumed the rebels would immediately agree, not that they would take time to deliberate.

However, for Luo Xiaoxue, this was only to be expected.

After all, this was Knight Lin’s strategy; he had said the rebels would surely harbor suspicions, and it turned out to be true.

She felt she had succeeded halfway already, and as long as she maintained her poise, there shouldn’t be much trouble ahead.

【What the heck are you guys discussing? Just say yes already! Are you stupid? They’re handing it over to you, and you’re still hesitating?】

Lin Nuo was feeling frustrated as he cursed the two of them in his heart, wondering why they were hesitating when they came to seize the city? Now it’s being offered, and they don’t want it.

Could they really be concocting some elaborate story like he did earlier to fool Luo Yi?

That seemed unlikely; they were probably just being overly cautious, aiming for flawless execution.

At this time, Zhao Lei and Hu Shu were in conversation.

“Hu Shu, what do you think about Luo Xiaoxue suddenly offering the city?” Zhao Lei asked.

“Sir, Luo Xiaoxue’s behavior seems quite unusual and must be harboring ill intentions. We should proceed with caution,” Hu Shu replied.

“Yes, I think so too. Moreover, I noticed that two of her attendants had insincere smiles, as if they were plotting something,” Zhao Lei added.

“Which two?”

“One young man and the one marked as a Dongwei soldier. They both seem suspicious.”

“Hmm? That does sound plausible. But it could also just be a performance for us, designed to sow doubt.”

Hu Shu stroked his beard and said, “Sir, I have an idea. Since they’re willing to surrender the city, it indicates that they’re the vulnerable party, which gives us the right to impose demands on them. We both harbor a grudge against Dongwei, and given that Dongwei possesses significant power and strength, even the royal family doesn’t dare provoke them. If they’re genuine, why not let them execute the Dongwei soldiers present here as a demonstration of sincerity?”

“Hmm? The Dongwei soldiers are quite powerful; she probably can’t kill them, nor would she dare to.”

“If she can’t dare to kill them, it means this princess is still merely a puppet; the real power lies with Dongwei. If she had the guts to kill, it would show she has gained substantial power. For now, let’s trust she will surrender the city. But we need to take her captive until Huan Tian City is ours.”

“Hmm? That sounds good—first eliminate the Dongwei soldiers, thereby alleviating our grudge. The Dongwei soldiers have been utterly arrogant and deserve punishment.”

Zhao Lei agreed with Hu Shu’s suggestion, and the two returned to the tent.

“How did your discussion go, my lords?” Luo Xiaoxue asked.

Zhao Lei responded, “Princess Luo, I presume there are Dongwei people among your attendants, correct?”

“Yes.”

Luo Xiaoxue nodded; she could indeed recognize the Dongwei soldier among others—it was clear they had the air of confidence, marked differently in attire.

“Alright, then. Princess Luo, given that Dongwei has caused great trouble for our rebel forces, I’m glad you can surrender the city. I only hope you can execute your Dongwei attendants to prove your sincerity.”

As soon as Zhao Lei’s words left his mouth, the Dongwei soldiers exploded in outrage, quickly shouting:

“Sir, you’re invading our Pu Han city! Naturally, we must retaliate! This is reasonable. Moreover, I hold no grudges against you; I am innocent. Is it not improper to execute me?”

“The Dongwei have killed many of our brothers; they too have no grudges against Dongwei. Is it too much to kill one Dongwei soldier? What do you say, Princess Luo?”

Zhao Lei then put Luo Xiaoxue on the spot for her opinion, and she replied firmly, “Yes, you can kill.”

Upon hearing this, the Dongwei soldiers erupted in fury. How dare she say such a thing?

How could a fake princess execute them? What power does she hold to do this? Isn’t it the power given to her by Dongwei?

This is a rebellion, an outright rebellion! How dare she act like this!

The Dongwei soldier shouted, “What? Kill me? On what grounds?! Do you have the ability? The royal family is nothing before Dongwei—not that you are anything! If anyone dares to execute me, just come! Let’s see if you have the capability.”

He ripped off the facade, declaring openly that this fake princess rebelled. Keeping her around is pointless; she came to negotiate but already stated her intention to surrender the city. When the generals and soldiers present left to verify, she’d be guilty—she’d be branded a traitor!

Since she’s rebelling, her life is no longer worth preserving. Lord Sun had instructed that if she dared rebel, she should be killed outright.

The Dongwei soldier prepared to resolve this fake princess right then and there, drawing a longsword to slash down at Luo Xiaoxue.

The speed was blistering; Luo Xiaoxue didn’t react in time, and there was no way to dodge.

The speed of the Dongwei soldier was fast but still felt slow to Lin Nuo.

However, Lin Nuo didn’t intervene to save Luo Xiaoxue; instead, he silently mourned for the Dongwei soldier.

Goodbye.

As the blade was about to descend upon her, a flash of gold light erupted, blinding everyone’s eyes momentarily, and then a powerful force surged forth, sending the Dongwei soldier flying.

That energy not only knocked the Dongwei soldier away but also sent the table flying, with both Hu Shu and Zhao Lei being thrown back a good distance by the force.

This force…

They were astonished. What kind of Spirit Technique was Luo Xiaoxue using to generate such astonishing energy? It seemed like she hadn’t done anything yet could unleash such powerful energy?

Lin Nuo was also pushed back a bit; looking around, the scene was chaotic, evoking the sense of tables being overturned and a scene of destruction.

He nearly forgot that her Great威天龙 technique was not directional but area-wide, causing chaos all around.