Chapter 65: Human Clarity

He Chunhua looked down and saw that beneath the Thunder Array, another set of runes had lit up. Unlike the Thunder Array, every line of this new array was a vivid blood-red. Most importantly, this array was not profound but sufficiently ancient; many of its characters were old symbols no longer used in later eras.

Situ Han noticed that Commander He's eyes were wide with shock as he stared at the new array on the ground, his pupils greatly constricted. Situ Han also grew tense. "Wha—what's wrong?"

"This is a Blood Sacrifice Array! Sun Fuping is going to use us as offerings!" He Chunhua spat the words through clenched teeth.

***

Unnoticed by anyone, just after Sun Fuping took out the ivory carving, a demonic bird descended from the sky and landed in front of He Lingchuan. The kicked-up dust startled both him and his companion. Maotao reached for his knife again, and Zeng Feixiong immediately stepped in front of He Lingchuan. Fortunately, the Black Dragon's voice then echoed, "They are preparing for a divine descent ritual. Your companions outside will soon be killed as sacrifices. Are you not coming to help stop them?"

He Lingchuan and Zeng Feixiong were greatly alarmed. "What did you say?"

Maotao also exclaimed in surprise, "You're talking nonsense!"

"The Thunder Summoning Array outside has a nested Sacrifice Array beneath it. Once these two succeed in their prayer, the array will drain your companions' lives and vital essence as the price for the divine descent! Such pain is absolutely unbearable for humans."

"Nonsense!" Sun Fuping's voice suddenly rang in He Lingchuan's ear. They turned to look and saw that he still had his eyes tightly closed, his lips still murmuring incantations. He must have used some other method to transmit his voice to them; his techniques truly were diverse. "The Thunder Summoning Array is only used to summon divine thunder and protect the Blackwater City army. Without it, your father would have been swallowed by vengeful spirits long ago! This spirit artifact is trying to disrupt your mind; you absolutely must not fall for it!"

The Black Dragon, however, countered, "By hiding here, you are not aligned with them. They won't hesitate to sacrifice others' lives! Think carefully: why are others outside intercepting the heroic spirits, yet only you were able to enter?" It added ominously, "If I'm not mistaken, these two originally intended to sacrifice *you*, as that would be the most effortless."

A chill ran through He Lingchuan. He knew these two had been scheming against his father and him, and against the Blackwater City army, but he hadn't known what methods they would use. If the Black Dragon's words were true, his decision not to go to the South City Wall had indeed saved him from disaster. However, while he had escaped, Sun Fuping, who had been planning for a long time, would not give up. He might very well use He Chunhua and the Blackwater City army as replacements. With both accounts corroborating, the Black Dragon's words did hold some truth.

Maotao was also bewildered. "Young Master, this... this..." Which side was telling the truth? Whom should they believe?

Perhaps seeing his wavering, Sun Fuping urgently shouted, "He Lingchuan, do not fall for its trick! If we cannot subdue the Black Dragon, both you and I will die here, and He Chunhua and the Blackwater City army will all perish with you!" He immediately added, "Zeng Feixiong, stop him quickly! If the He family commits treason, you will also be implicated!"

The Great Kite dynasty stipulated that traitors would have their nine familial groups exterminated, and one of those 'groups' included their retainers and followers. If the He family rebelled, Zeng Feixiong would indeed face certain death. This threat usually worked on anyone. Zeng Feixiong was already inclined to persuade the Young Master to make a calm choice, as He Lingchuan's usual impulsive and reckless image was deeply ingrained. But upon hearing Sun Fuping's words, the hand he had extended to stop He Lingchuan actually retracted. "Young Master, I'll follow your lead!"

Even Sun Fuping, usually perceptive about human nature, was stunned, not understanding how this counterproductive effect came about. In fact, that word "death" reminded Zeng Feixiong that he had led his troops into the Coiling Dragon Desert with a resolve to die, as long as the He family treated his elderly father well and cared for him in his old age. What did it matter if the two in front of him were a Grand Tutor and a Commandant? The most important thing was to carry out Commander He's mission.

He Lingchuan had no time to consider Zeng Feixiong's thoughts. He had to make a decision then, immediately, right away. In a brief instant, countless thoughts flashed through He Lingchuan's mind. Then, he suddenly looked up at the demonic bird beside him and asked, "If I help, can you help us safely get out of the Coiling Dragon Desert?"

The demonic bird immediately nodded, without any hesitation. Everyone rejoiced. This was indeed what they had hoped for! The Young Master was truly clear-headed. The anomalies in the Coiling Dragon Desert were all orchestrated by the Grand Square Flask. If it wished to give them a way out, it would be incredibly easy.

They could only trust it. He Lingchuan no longer hesitated. "Take us to the city wall!" Immediately, several more demonic birds descended, grabbed their shoulders, and flapped their wings, flying upwards.

They had only ascended ten zhang when a cold glint flashed from behind. The demonic bird holding Maotao suddenly had its right side severed and fell down with a loud shriek. It was Nian Songyu, who, in his busy state, had shot out a long saber to prevent them from reaching the wall. He had originally aimed for He Lingchuan, but the demonic bird holding Maotao unexpectedly swooped in to block the saber. Fortunately, another demonic bird promptly filled the gap and caught Maotao in mid-air.

The group leaped onto the city wall. He Lingchuan pointed at the military equipment and said, "Load arrows, load ammunition!" Zeng Feixiong led his subordinates and complied without a word. Maotao, however, was a bit uncertain. "Are you really going to help the Black Dragon?" He Lingchuan quickly shoved two nail-darts into a cannon barrel, casting a sidelong glance at him. "What, Nian Songyu's saber didn't make you comfortable?"

Nian Songyu's saber had sliced the demonic bird in half, and Maotao had almost died on the spot. Hearing He Lingchuan's words, Maotao gave up his hesitation and quickly and skillfully placed the over four-foot-long fine iron arrow onto the crossbow.

Earlier, the military equipment on the city wall had already fired a round automatically, naturally under the Black Dragon's control. But its control over this place was clearly not flawless; at the very least, it couldn't manage more precise tasks, like automatic loading of ammunition or arrows. It still required human hands. Coincidentally, all the demonic apes had been wiped out, and it would take some time for them to revive. If it weren't for the lack of available personnel, why would it seek out these few small "fleas" who were also uninvited guests?

He Lingchuan had initially thought of drawing his bow and firing a few shots at Sun Fuping. But he held no rank or position, lacked the protection of providence, and arrows shot by him alone would not possess the power of specialized military equipment. Since he had made up his mind, he had to see this through to the end and do it properly.

Nian Songyu was furious, his face flushed as red as the berserk giant behind him. "He Lingchuan, how dare you switch sides in battle! I will surely tear you limb from limb and grind your bones to dust!"

"Asking for help requires the right attitude. You, sigh!" He Lingchuan carried the last rolling stone to the launch slot, then turned to the demonic bird and said, "Now!"

Flames suddenly erupted from the rolling stones and arrowheads. With a series of booming sounds, over ten pieces of military equipment opened fire simultaneously. The loudest, of course, were the nail-darts, which vibrated so powerfully that both of their ears went numb. Frankly, firing cannonballs was by no means that simple. He Lingchuan still didn't understand the firing mechanism of Coiling Dragon City's weaponry—whether it was a fuse or flintlock ignition. But none of that mattered; Coiling Dragon City, controlled by the Black Dragon, took care of the rest.