King of Creation
Chapter 228 - 225: Ghost Li Has a Treasure

Chapter 228: Chapter 225: Ghost Li Has a Treasure

Someone had the audacity to impersonate him, blatantly deceiving others as part of a racket. Ye Zhen was immediately furious and almost rushed down the stairs to deal with the imposter.

However, after some thought, he suppressed his anger and decided to see what this Ghost Li intended to accomplish by using his name.

After concocting a few lines with the shopkeeper, Ye Zhen hurriedly joined the welcoming party for "Duke Wusan Ye Zhen".

Watching the imposter atop his horse, incessantly bowing with folded hands, Ye Zhen suddenly felt an urge to laugh. What would this Ghost Li’s reaction be if he knew that the real Duke Wusan Ye Zhen was right in front of him?

Despite being an imposter, the fellow pretending to be Ye Zhen possessed some skills.

He emanated a faint aura of the Late-stage Spirit Summoning Realm, was dressed in fine silks and brocades, and was surrounded by an entourage. With every move, he exuded the air of nobility, appearing more genuine than Ye Zhen himself at first glance.

What mattered most was that he responded appropriately to people of different status.

All of this was quite convincing.

But when another group arrived to welcome "Duke Wusan Ye Zhen", Ye Zhen was stunned. The imposter had ambitions that were not small, indeed.

He had caught the attention of Great Wilderness Pass’s Border Army General, Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen.

At that moment, Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen, accompanied by over a dozen military generals, strode forward like a shooting star, and his hearty laughter echoed from afar.

"Hahaha, Duke Wusan is indeed a talent among men, a dragon and phoenix among people! On behalf of the million soldiers and civilians at Great Wilderness Pass, I thank Duke Wusan for retrieving the War Soul Blood Flag, bringing benefits to the people!

It gives my soldiers and these hard-working civilians, who have been toiling here for years, a chance to finally breathe easy."

As he spoke, Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen actually led over a dozen veteran generals as they bowed deeply in respect to the young man impersonating Ye Zhen.

Ye Zhen was stunned once again; this was an honor he couldn’t accept.

Fortunately, the young man impersonating Ye Zhen was quick-witted enough to dismount promptly and, before the veterans could complete their bows, lifted them up, spouting off courteous and grandiose platitudes more eloquently than even Ye Zhen himself could.

"Please!"

"Please!"

Swiftly, Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen led the fake Ye Zhen into the Hundred Battle Tower, and following the entry of the old generals, the Jianghu heroes also followed suite, ascending the tower.

Ye Zhen mingled among the Jianghu heroes and entered the Hundred Battle Tower as well.

There’s no doubt why military generals would attend the same banquet as these Jianghu heroes.

Great Wilderness Pass has been a constant battlefield for many years, and martial artists have been the main force resisting the invading armies. When it comes to military achievements, these Jianghu heroes could easily be appointed as nobles and reach the rank of Myriarch as if it were child’s play.

Especially at Great Wilderness Pass, these martial artists hold high status. In times of war, aside from slaying enemies for rewards, they also assist the military in making surprise attacks.

Therefore, it is quite common to see martial artists mingling with generals here in this place.

Before long, the Hundred Battle Tower, which could seat nearly a hundred people, was nearly full. Those with lower cultivation or insufficient status were barred from entering.

The young man impersonating Ye Zhen was seated at the head of the table, flanked by Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen, several old generals, and the Sect Leader of Sword Annihilation Alliance, Feng Ziping.

Before the dishes were even served, the room was filled with flattery. Some of the flattering remarks made Ye Zhen himself blush, but the imposter seemed to enjoy them immensely.

One after another, guests came forward to toast the fake Ye Zhen, who came off as someone who refused no one, draining each bowl in a spirited manner.

Ye Zhen was not in a rush, sipping his wine and waiting for something substantial to happen.

Impersonating Ye Zhen for the sake of flattery would be absolutely impossible.

It wasn’t long before the substance arrived.

A general surnamed Yu, with a scar on his face, toasted the impostor Ye Zhen and, using the buzz from the alcohol, publicly offered a Storage Bracelet.

"Duke Wusan, you are favored by the Crown Prince, and with His Majesty growing older, the Crown Prince is handling the majority of the state affairs. I won’t beat around the bush—I’ve been guarding Great Wilderness Pass for a full thirteen years.

In these thirteen years, I’ve been through countless fierce battles, and there’s not a single part of my body that hasn’t been wounded. But that’s my duty!

However, all I wish for now is for Duke Wusan to speak on my behalf to the Crown Prince, to have me reassigned away from Great Wilderness Pass!

It’s not that I lack patriotic spirit—I spent thirteen years here when my son was only five years old, and now my grandchild is already running around, but I’ve nearly forgotten what my own son looks like!"

"I beseech Duke Wusan to make this happen!"

As he spoke, the general knelt on one knee before the youth pretending to be Ye Zhen.

Since Third Prince Zhu Kun was killed by Ye Zhen, the struggle for the throne had lost all suspense. Not long ago, Eldest Prince Zhu Xuan became the Crown Prince of Black Water Kingdom!

"Ah, Great Wilderness Pass is indeed a tough place! No one wants to come here, and it’s hard to rotate the guard, but after thirteen years of family and human feelings, it’s time for a change. Upon my return, I will surely fulfill the general’s wishes!"

The fake Ye Zhen readily agreed to the request, smoothly pocketing the Storage Ring that the general had offered into his own bosom.

Using my reputation to swindle treasures?" Ye Zhen’s face immediately grew dark, and just as he was about to act, the fake Ye Zhen suddenly spoke up again.

Seeing that Ye Zhen had agreed to General Yu’s request, the other generals at the table could hardly contain their desires.

One thing was true—Great Wilderness Pass really was a miserable place, and nobody wanted to come here! The rotation of guards was very difficult, and many generals had guarded it for decades. Unfortunately, given its extreme danger, the generals dared not bring their families over, and especially as they aged, life became even harder.

With such a precedent set, the generals who were considering a move started coming forward with Storage Rings in hand, each filled with generous gifts, hoping to ask the impostor Ye Zhen for help.

"My dear generals, there’s no need for this, no need for this! You have worked so hard defending our nation’s gates, it’s only right that you should take a turn elsewhere. Just write down your circumstances in a request and submit it to the Crown Prince; he will consider and handle it accordingly."

As he spoke, the youth impersonating Ye Zhen unexpectedly turned down the opportunity to make a fortune and instead provided a different solution, which slightly surprised Ye Zhen.

After calming the generals, the impostor Ye Zhen suddenly put down his wine bowl and said, "I won’t lie to you, gentlemen. I have come today because there is an important matter to attend to!"

"Marshal Zhou, is the Military Terrain Spirit Map of the Black Dragon Domain at Great Wilderness Pass still intact?"

Once the impostor Ye Zhen uttered these words, the whole audience was shocked.

Even Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen, the Commander of Great Wilderness Pass, was stunned.

No other reason but the extreme importance of the Military Terrain Spirit Map.

Because of the existence of martial artists, Jade Talismans, and Divine Souls, military maps were no longer those very ordinary paper maps available to the public.

Military Terrain Spirit Maps were a special type of map created by Spirit Summoning Realm or even Spirit Transformation Realm martial artists proficient in Talisman Refining, who traversed mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, to record their sights from high above into Jade Talismans.

It was said that for maps of enemy countries, even beings from the Soul Sea Realm would be asked to refine and draw the maps.

Although there would be discrepancies with the naked eye, these maps, detailed down to the slightest feature, were countless times more accurate than the maps circulated among commoners. They were of great military significance to an empire, to say that they were military secrets would almost be an understatement. Only those with the highest distinguished status could access the complete Terrain Spirit Map.

But someone of Ye Zhen’s level would indeed be qualified to view such maps.

For instance, in Ye Zhen’s possession now, there was a Military Spirit Map of the Black Dragon Domain given to him by Sect Leader Guo Qijing, which was extremely clear.

Especially the map within the Black Water Kingdom, even the number of trees in a location was recorded with crystal clarity. Of course, the maps of other countries outside of the Black Water Kingdom were quite ordinary.

The high-altitude visual refinement would only produce an approximation, but even an approximation was more than a dozen times more accurate than maps measured by foot.

"Grand Marshal Zhou, I discovered important military intelligence on my way here, and so I had to..."

Seeing Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen hesitate, the impostor Ye Zhen hurriedly explained.

"Important military intelligence? Could it be that the Sword Origin Empire’s bastards are up to something?"

Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen’s face changed drastically, and he stood up quickly, "Our country’s and Great Wilderness Pass’ maps within a thousand li are very complete; the others, especially those of the Sword Origin Empire and Phantom Divine Empire, are just rough estimates!"

"That’s enough!"

"Lead the way!"

The youth impersonating Ye Zhen commanded with absolute certainty in his tone, standing up, looking utterly urgent. Intimidated by his manner, Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen did not question him further, and was about to lead the way!

"Bastard, not only using my name to swindle money, but even meddling in major military affairs. You have no idea how to spell ’death’!"

In the moment he bowed his head, the True Transformation Technique on Ye Zhen’s face instantly dissipated, and his bones crackled as he swiftly reverted to his original appearance.

"Stand still!"

Barring the way, Ye Zhen immediately intercepted the impostor who was just about to go to the military camp to check the Terrain Spirit Map.

"Who is this?"

"Where did this audacious rascal come from!"

"Be careful!"

Angry shouts rang out one after another.

When the impostor Ye Zhen saw Ye Zhen’s face clearly, a trace of panic flashed in his eyes. Pointing at Ye Zhen, he bellowed, "There’s an assassin, kill him!"

Swish!

A Purple Jade Token suddenly appeared in front of Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen.

"Duke of Ming, take a look at this!"

The moment Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen saw the Jade Talisman, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Duke Wusan..."

"You are..." To be honest, with two Duke Wusan Ye Zhens appearing one after the other, Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen was somewhat at a loss for what to do.

The impostor Ye Zhen, however, was startled, pointing at Ye Zhen and roaring furiously.

"Guards, this man dares to forge Duke Wusan’s Talisman Letter, kill this thief for me!"

"Duke of Ming, can’t you even verify the authenticity of the empire’s ducal Purple Talisman anymore?" Ye Zhen’s voice rose at the same time.

Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen was taken aback, and as he expelled his internal energy, the secret hand technique activated and the Purple Talisman shone brightly.

"Duke Wusan. Ye" The four characters suddenly emerged from the Purple Talisman!

"Damn it, you dared to deceive me!" Duke of Ming Zhou Zhen roared at the impostor youth!

Almost simultaneously, four retainers guarding the stair entrance lunged at Ye Zhen. Even the impostor youth, his sword drawn, also pounced towards Ye Zhen.

This guy had some Cultivation, belonging to the late-stage Spirit Summoning Realm, not too shabby. But in front of the current Ye Zhen, he was nothing.

Sword light flashed like lightning, the agonized cries of the four retainers echoed immediately, and at the same time, Ye Zhen thrust his sword, his Sword Gang tearing apart the imposter’s sword light.

Thud!

Ye Zhen’s sword light, relentless as a bamboo splitter, shattered not just the sword light from Ghost Li’s attack, but also split the youth’s long sword into four pieces.

The sword light, like a venomous snake, thrust directly at the impostor youth’s forehead.

Overcome by terror, the impostor Ye Zhen was beside himself!

He fell to his knees, slumping onto the ground.

"Mercy, Duke Wusan, I beg for mercy! I have a treasure to offer, please, Duke Wusan, spare my life!"

Ye Zhen’s sword light abruptly hovered at the impostor’s brow, a blood pearl slowly oozing out as the youth continued to scream in horror!(To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)