Chapter 1350: Counterattack (Fourth Watch)

The Two-Star Giant King quickly retracted the punch he had just thrown. He looked astonished. "How do you have Princess Zijiang in your hands?" he asked. "What's going on here?"

Jiang Fan squinted slightly. He glanced at Luzhu and asked, "Do you know Princess Zijiang?" Luzhu shook her head. "I've never heard of her," she replied.

Jiang Fan looked at the Two-Star Giant King, a puzzled expression on his face. They both belonged to the Black Sun Royal Court, so why did this Two-Star Giant King recognize Princess Zijiang at first glance? He had been prepared to introduce her. However, it was even better that the giant recognized her, as it strengthened his leverage.

"Good that you know!" Jiang Fan declared. "Go ahead and try to attack. I'll make sure your princess bleeds right here, right now. Then let's see how you explain that to the Giant Emperor!"

The Two-Star Giant King immediately became apprehensive. He stared at the trapped Princess Zijiang, feeling both anxious and enraged. "You insignificant ant, how dare you treat our Princess Zijiang like this!" he roared. "Release her, or we'll bathe your Tai Cang Grand Province in blood!"

Jiang Fan said coldly, "There's no need for such useless words. Whether the ancient giants bathe Tai Cang Grand Province in blood is not something a Two-Star Giant King like you can decide or change. The only thing you can decide is whether Princess Zijiang continues to live, or if she perishes with me!"

The Two-Star Giant King asked in a deep voice, "What do you want?"

Jiang Fan replied, "It's simple: go back to your Celestial Realm! Also, keep Luzhu's secret. Let's pretend none of this ever happened!"

The fierce glint in the Two-Star Giant King's eyes flickered. Jiang Fan tightened his grip on the mirror and said, "You're just following orders. Is it worth risking your life for this? If Princess Zijiang dies because of you, will you still be alive? Is your job more important, or your own life? Is that a difficult choice?"

The Two-Star Giant King fell silent in thought. He had to admit, Jiang Fan's words weren't unreasonable. If he pretended he hadn't seen anything, he would be safe. If he forcibly intervened and caused Princess Zijiang's death, he would face a tragic end. "The more you do, the more mistakes you make; the less you do, the fewer mistakes; do nothing, make no mistakes." This principle applied everywhere.

Luzhu's eyes flashed. "Exactly," she said. "Is it worth sacrificing your life? Besides, you're likely not even from the Black Sun Royal Court, so there's even less reason for you to risk your life for their Five-Star Giant King."

True Word Venerable and the Demoness saw an opportunity and swiftly brought out their spirit artifacts. True Word Venerable threatened, "Though I am no match for you, I can hold you off for a moment, gaining Jiang Fan enough time to execute Princess Zijiang." The Demoness added, "With me as well, it will be more than enough!"

Their combined efforts put the Two-Star Giant King in a difficult position. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Fine! I'll let you go this time! But don't get too excited; we'll be descending soon. None of you will escape death in the end!" He scoffed.

With a furious expression, he turned and leaped onto the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar, ascending rapidly. He quickly vanished without a trace, his aura completely gone.

The group, who had been on high alert for a long time, gradually relaxed. The Demoness looked at Princess Zijiang with astonishment. "Young master, you've captured the Giant Emperor's daughter?" she exclaimed. "That's like the ancient giants seizing several of the Young Sages from Tianzhou. It's a world-shattering event. How did you do it?"

Hearing this, True Word Venerable felt a touch of pride. "Jiang Fan snatched her from a Five-Star Giant King and the Immaculate Grand Venerable," she explained. "The process was incredibly perilous; you wouldn't believe it if I told you." As soon as she finished speaking, she realized her attitude was inappropriate. She quickly shut her mouth. Jiang Fan wasn't her man, so why was she feeling proud for him?

Luzhu, however, remained much calmer. Having witnessed Jiang Fan's actions in the Black Sun Royal Court firsthand, she found whatever he did acceptable. "We owe you a lot again this time," Luzhu said with an embarrassed expression, grateful.

Jiang Fan chuckled playfully. "So, were you moved again just now, enough to want to be my real wife?"

Luzhu blushed, and with a shy, playful glare, she punched him lightly with her small fist. "Who wants to be your real wife!" she retorted. "Stop dreaming!" "Let's quickly leave this pl—"

Her words were cut short as she instinctively looked toward the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar, her face suddenly changing. "Watch out!" she cried.

A monkey-sized black shadow was clinging to the back of the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar. It was the Two-Star Giant King, who had shrunk himself considerably! He hadn't left at all! Instead, he had reduced his size and hidden behind the pillar. Taking advantage of everyone's relaxed state, he struck decisively! His arm instantly elongated to ten zhang, giving the group no time to react as he snatched the mirror from Jiang Fan's hand!

"Oh no!" True Word Venerable's face paled. The mirror was their protective artifact. If it were taken, the Two-Star Giant King could attack them without restraint! She decisively activated her Phoenix Feather Nine Flame Fan. The Demoness was also alarmed and immediately channeled her Seven Rings. Luzhu was startled too. Ignoring her injuries, she unleashed her Yin energy to furiously strike at the rapidly retracting arm.

The three Venerables attacked simultaneously, unleashing world-shaking power. Even the Two-Star Giant King cried out in pain, letting loose a ferocious roar. Under their assault, his arm was mangled and nearly severed! At the elbow, only a few tendons remained connected. But with immense willpower, the Two-Star Giant King endured the intense pain, retracted his forearm, and with his other hand, quickly grabbed the mirror from his severed one.

Seeing Princess Zijiang unharmed inside, he showed a look of triumph. He immediately leaped down from the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar. The ground shook violently as his savage aura swept across the area.

His golden eyes, filled with ferocity, fixed on Jiang Fan. "Heh heh heh, you didn't expect me to double back, did you?" he snarled. "Threatening me with Princess Zijiang? You truly deserve to die!"

True Word Venerable and the Demoness's faces changed drastically, and they quickly shielded Jiang Fan behind them.

The Two-Star Giant King laughed coldly. "It's useless! No one can save him now! Moving the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar and capturing Princess Zijiang—for these two offenses, the Giant Emperor himself would be compelled to personally strike him down! I'll take his head back for a reward! Hahahahaha!"

At that moment, Princess Zijiang, still inside the mirror, did not feel safe. She had once been returned to the Five-Star Giant King's hands only to be snatched away by Jiang Fan, let alone a Two-Star Giant King. She quickly warned, "First, check the mirror for traps! That Jiang Fan wouldn't fall for a trick so easily!"

The Two-Star Giant King paused, then immediately looked at the back of the mirror. He hadn't realized until he looked, and when he did, he was nearly scared out of his wits! Attached to the back of the mirror was an ethereal demonic liquid, sticking his palm to the mirror! It wasn't just the ethereal demonic liquid, though. There was something else inside! His palm was rotting at a visible rate! The Two-Star Giant King's pupils contracted sharply. "It's the venom of the Dark Night Black Serpent!" he exclaimed in horror.