MMORPG: War God, You are Invincible Again
Chapter 358 - One Hundred and Thirteen: The Road to Death

Chapter 358: Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen: The Road to Death

With Lu Hong’s duel coming to an end, the top four of the Eagle Alliance’s expedition were officially announced, and for a time, the titles of the four young Second Transition experts echoed through the skies of the Eagle Alliance.

The four individuals were King of Scores Lu Hong, Hunter Deng Kong from the Nuoshan family, Female War God Qing Yuechu from the Holy Academy, and Luck King Fan Wuyi from the Chen Hui family.

The title of Luck King was entirely a mockery from the people towards the Chen Hui family, but don’t underestimate the top four. The contest among these four signified the birth of the Commanders under the Champion Marquis from the four major armies.

Being drawn into the top four without a fight, Fan Wuyi was always the target of criticism. What these people never considered was the fact that as a Baron from an enemy country, he had now become one of the intended Great Commanders set to attack the Empire. This joke was a bit too much. If the people were made aware, the faces of the four Dukes would undoubtedly be unable to hold up. It wouldn’t be infamous for eternity, but it would start at thirty years for sure. This smear was something they wouldn’t be able to shake off.

Therefore... the four Dukes once again gathered within the seventh realm’s meeting place, each wearing a bit of discontent on their faces.

The Xinlei family was unhappy with the loss and so was Lei Shan. As for the Chen Hui family, their chagrin stemmed from being weighed down by the so-called Luck King’s infamy. And Duke Nuoshan... Well... If the three were unhappy and he was content, wouldn’t that just incite everyone’s anger? He might as well pretend. Old Nuoshan was in good spirits. The scandal with Cheng Hai had brought shame to the Nuoshan family, yet he quickly overcame it without much concern, and even took to discussing it casually for amusement, like the citizens.

"Now what do we do about this?" Duke Lei Shan spread his hands. "Qing Yuechu and the Imperial Baron have both freaking made it into the top four. Do you know what the people are calling me now? I can’t even bear to listen."

"What are they calling you?" asked Nuoshan curiously. "How come I haven’t heard?"

"It’s nothing, I’m just worried... worried that there might be some kind of outcry," Lei Shan replied with a curl of his lips, just stirring up trouble for the sake of it.

Duke Xinlei slapped the table and said, "Gentlemen, the progress of the Eagle Alliance’s campaign has completely deviated from our plan, but this is not the most important matter."

"The most important is this Baron!" Duke Chen Hui took up the conversation. "I really didn’t expect a mere Imperial Baron to become our prospective Commander in the campaign against the Empire."

"Hey!" Lei Shan looked towards Duke Xinlei. "I’ve heard that Zun Long discovered some unsportsmanlike tactics in his duel, why didn’t you step in to stop it?"

Lu Hong had made it into the top four, and no one could avoid responsibility, but it was possible to minimize one’s own.

Duke Xinlei was clear about Lei Shan’s thoughts and let out a cold chuckle. "The Holy Court’s archbishop was overseeing the fight, and he didn’t stop the match. What grounds do we have to question it? Clearly, with Jin Fu and his group, if you say he cheated and Jin Fu retorts, who do you think the people will listen to?"

"Tch," Lei Shan curled his lips. "Why are you all such cowards? What’s the big deal with the Holy Court? They’ve only just quelled internal strife. We should be taking this opportunity to completely eradicate them. In that case, the entire alliance would be left with one voice, and that would be the voice of us four Dukes!"

"You’re thinking too wishfully," Duke Chen Hui voiced his dissatisfaction. "The Holy Court has great popular support. We can only first take control and understand their hold over the hearts of the populace, and dig out their roots, before we peacefully resolve this. If a war were to break out, aside from the elite forces of our families, I fear many of the regular troops would likely follow the call of the Holy Court and desert."

"That’s because you don’t recruit properly. My people wouldn’t," Lei Shan huffed, though of course, this was just him posturing—what Chen Hui had said he knew all too well also.

Duke Chen Hui couldn’t be bothered to argue with Lei Shan’s stubbornness and said no more.

"Gentlemen!" Duke Xinlei was slightly vexed. Whenever there was a serious matter to discuss, Lei Shan always derailed the topic once, damn SSB!

"So speak, then," Lei Shan leaned back with his legs crossed, looking indifferent.

Xinlei held in her breath. She swore that if time could be reversed, she’d never give the Lei Shan family a chance to grow. Without exterminating his entire family, her anger would remain unquenched.

"I am speaking!" Xinlei took a breath and continued. "Now an Imperial Baron has become the prospective Commander of our great army. In three days time, the ennoblement ceremony will be held. Are we truly to place this title into the hands of an outsider?"

"It’s just a title. What’s the harm in giving it to him? As long as he doesn’t hold any real power, it won’t make much difference," Lei Shan stated frankly. "Let’s talk about the Holy Light Realm instead and share the progress with each other."

"Let’s discuss the matter of the ennoblement ceremony first," Duke Chen Hui also spoke, pulling back the topic the Lei Shan had shifted away from.

Duke Nuoshan pondered for a moment before saying, "I think Lei Shan is right, but appointing just one Commander is already the limit of what we can offer and my bottom line. Have any of you considered what would happen if Baron Yitian won the seat of the Marquis Champion?"

At these words, the other three were taken aback. They had always believed that Baron Yitian could only be average in strength if he could not activate that ’Holy Light’ Skill. However, in reality, judging from several bouts, the strength of this legendary figure was so formidable that he had no equals. The possibility of Lu Hong winning the final championship was also very high.

The position of Commander could still be an empty title, devoid of real power, but for the Marquis Champion who commands the entire army, no matter how you arrange it, he always has the qualifications to get involved in battle arrangements.

Or, moreover, the wish after becoming champion...

At this thought, a shiver suddenly ran down the spines of the four Dukes, followed by a cold chill on their backs.

"Perhaps we have all guessed wrong. Konstantin’s purpose in sending him here is none other than this Eagle expedition!" Duke Xinlei declared somberly.

Lei Shan, too, furrowed his brow and said, "If his wish is to make the Eagle Alliance retreat three feet upon encountering the imperial army henceforth, how should we proceed?"

"At this point, there is only one option left: to kill!" A cold gleam flashed in Duke Chen Hui’s eyes. Indeed, to stop Lu Hong, there were only two methods: one was to crush him on the arena, breaking his path to victory, and the second was to assassinate or detain him on the rest days of the competition. As long as he was absent from the venue, he would automatically forfeit.

"It’s difficult," Duke Nuoshan shook his head, "He seems to have some connection with the Judge Knight, and now his residence is secretly protected by the Judge Knight, almost as if the Holy Court is deliberately offering him protection."

"That means the Holy Court harbors rebellious intentions. The seal on the Great Bright Realm and talking about old demons within, it’s all a false narrative. They’ve orchestrated this whole act, successfully diverted our attention, so that the imperial baron could advance smoothly and seize the championship seat!" Lei Shan spoke up, "Given the circumstances, we must make a decision swiftly. First, send someone to kill Lu Hong. Second, expedite the deciphering of the Great Bright Realm and figure out what game Nong Hua is playing."

"The matter of killing Lu Hong requires a joint effort from all of us, and I hope for it to be successful in one strike, as a large-scale Mecha fight event in the Seven-Floating World would have a very bad impact," suggested Duke Nuoshan. "We must make arrangements beforehand, taking into account the strength of the Holy Court."

"I will handle this matter," Duke Xinlei took on the task, his hatred for Lu Hong ran deep, his family had invested heavily in building an army, only to have it annihilated by his foe; this grudge must be avenged!

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

Nuoshan’s plan was perfectly in place, and there were no dissenting voices. After the decision was made, the four stood up and left the room. Duke Xinlei returned to his family and immediately summoned Zun Long.

"I need you to handle someone for me."

Zun Long smiled and said, "I will follow the lady’s arrangements."

Duke Xinlei nodded, "Find an opportunity to kill Lu Hong; the four Dukes do not wish for him to continue appearing in the arena."

Zun Long was taken aback and then asked, "If we are to kill him, shouldn’t we have acted earlier? Why wait until today?"

Duke Xinlei gave him a look. If she had thought of it earlier, she would have killed him already; wasn’t it because she hadn’t thought of it? Can such a thing even be said aloud?

"Don’t ask so many questions, just do it," Duke Xinlei instructed, then dismissed Zun Long, finding no point in further discussion.