The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: The Protagonist Must Die

"Rumors have it that you're valiant and skilled in battles, capable of taking on a hundred foes, is that so?" Nie Jia leaned casually against the steps, nonchalantly smiling while holding a wine glass.

Sikong Han modestly responded, "Your Majesty has overpraised. These are just borderland rumors, not worthy of belief."

"Brother Wang, the Left Vanguard is not only valiant but also wise. I personally witnessed it at the border. With one sword, the Left Vanguard can claim a hundred lives. His martial skills are unparalleled, and he strategically defends the frontline, making it difficult for the enemy to advance. With the Left Vanguard and the other generals, Brother Wang can rest assured even while far away in Zhuolu City," Jun Changyue took the opportunity to speak to the throne.

The implication in his words was evident, praising Sikong Han as if he were a remarkable military genius comparable to other generals. In the original world, Jun Changyue had similarly spoken to Jun Changsheng, and as a result, Jun Changsheng elevated Du Yuxian to the rank of Guide General, holding power over the Northwest Army. This indirectly led to his own downfall.

The small sovereign on the throne was now Nie Jia, who lazily glanced at Jun Changyue, not bothering to respond. He then hummed lazily and asked, "You're skilled with the sword?"

Sikong Han, kneeling before the throne, replied, "Your Majesty, I have some proficiency."

Nie Jia smiled and immediately tossed a soft sword in front of Sikong Han.

The small sovereign spoke with enthusiasm, "Show me what you've got."

Sikong Han's spine stiffened, lowering his head. No one could see the fiery hatred and humiliation in his eyes at this moment. Despite being just a Left Vanguard, he felt insulted. How could the sovereign treat a border warrior as mere entertainment? What had become of the soldiers on the frontline?

Understanding Sikong Han's feelings as a fellow military officer, General Yunhui frowned slightly but refrained from intervening. After all, it was the sovereign's command, and others might feel honored to showcase their skills in front of him.

Sikong Han, proud and humiliated, with eyes reddened, hesitated to pick up the sword. Surprisingly, a light applause echoed at this moment. Looking up, Sikong Han saw Jun Changyue applauding enthusiastically, eagerly watching him.

Sikong Han felt a lump in his heart, as if he had been publicly slapped. Nie Jia nearly burst into laughter when he saw Sikong Han's bitter expression. In order to let Sikong Han perform well before him, Nie Jia treated him like a puppet, completely disregarding his dignity as a military officer.

With the lead of the Crown Prince, the courtiers also clapped their hands, anticipating the performance of this rising star. Finally, Sikong Han, under the applause, reluctantly picked up the fallen sword and bowed, saying, "I present my humble skills."

Without comparing it to Xuanjia, Sikong Han was indeed exceptionally skilled. The cold sword in his hands moved like a live dragon, emitting a flawless silver light. His moves were sharp and intimidating, carrying a silent but overwhelming presence.

The military officers at the banquet couldn't help but feel ashamed in comparison. This Left Vanguard had achieved outstanding results in the recent victory in the Northwest, demonstrating remarkable prowess. If anyone were to challenge him, it was likely they would be defeated in just three rounds. Soon, Sikong Han would become a prominent figure akin to a General.

However, the question remained about the comparison with the Commander of the Xuanjia stationed beside the sovereign. If Sikong Han could defeat the Xuanjia commander, he would truly surpass all.

Observing this, Duke Qingguo stroked his graying beard thoughtfully.

Sikong Han, feeling the humiliation, brandished his sword, wishing to intimidate. His eyes burned with hatred and resentment, yet he pretended to perform a sword dance for the sovereign's amusement. What kind of ruler treated a military officer as a performer during such a grand occasion?

As Sikong Han's sword was about to reach the sovereign's face, he abruptly stopped. The sword's tip was only a fist's distance from the sovereign's eyes before halting.

It seemed as if Sikong Han intended to assassinate the sovereign. The guards tightened their grip on their weapons, and the courtiers nervously held their breath. Only the small sovereign remained composed, raising an eyebrow as if unbothered by the lethal weapon before him.

Sikong Han had no intention of assassinating, but he wanted to use the sword dance to display his displeasure. He knew that even if he disregarded the consequences at this moment, he wouldn't be able to kill the sovereign. If he moved the sword half an inch forward, the loyal guard by the sovereign's side would swiftly intervene.

However, Sikong Han had overestimated the guard's tolerance. The sword tip hovered in front of the sovereign's eyes for a moment before being deflected by a wine cup. Sikong Han, still unaware, saw a shadow flashing towards him, and suddenly, his chest experienced intense pain as he was kicked off the throne by Shi Chen.

Sikong Han managed to avoid falling but staggered back several steps, clutching his chest and feeling a sweet taste in his throat.

"You seek death," Shi Chen stood in front of Nie Jia's table, looking down at Sikong Han on his knees with evident killing intent. Nie Jia, protected by Shi Chen, couldn't help but smile at the warning.≡思≡兔≡網≡文≡檔≡共≡享≡與≡在≡線≡閱≡讀≡

"I acted recklessly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty," Sikong Han knelt with a sword and bowed, lowering his head to apologize.

His hands trembled slightly. Even though he understood that he was now Du Yuxian, and neither the sovereign nor the Xuanjia knew he was Sikong Han, the deeply rooted fear made it impossible for him to face his archenemy squarely.

"Brother Wang, the Left Vanguard didn't mean to offend you!" Jun Changyue hastily explained, cautious not to say too much for fear of arousing suspicion, offering only a dry explanation.

Being a general promoted by General Yunhui, Sikong Han's fall from the throne made General Yunhui quickly plead for mercy, fearing the cruel sovereign might order Sikong Han's execution without hesitation.

The courtiers whispered among themselves, pleading on behalf of this Northwestern hero. With the death of the War God, the hearts of the Northwest Army were already cold. If another relied-upon figure were to be killed at the victory banquet, the Northwest Army might rebel before the imminent threat from Daqi.

"Are you provoking this king? Did this king ask you to dance with the sword just to amuse this king?" Nie Jia, ignoring the pleas of the courtiers, calmly put down his wine glass, smiling as he looked at Sikong Han.

"I dare not," Sikong Han stiffly replied.

Nie Jia smirked, "You're quite proud."

Sikong Han remained silent while still kneeling. Nie Jia coldly continued, "Guards!"

As soon as the words fell, Jun Changyue disregarded everything and ran out, kneeling angrily under the throne, saying, "Brother Wang wants to see the Left Vanguard dance with a sword. He has done it. What are you doing now? If something happens to the Left Vanguard here, what would the Northwest Army stationed outside Zhuolu City think? Brother Wang, think it through!"

The courtiers were immediately led astray by Prince Jing, thinking that the king was about to kill someone. They knelt behind the dining table, pleading for the Left Vanguard.

As Prince Jing mentioned, the Northwest Army was still stationed outside Zhuolu City. Although Du Yuxian was just the Left Vanguard, he held the military's loyalty. These matters were unseen by the small sovereigns who resided in the palace, but the civil and military courtiers saw it clearly. If the Left Vanguard's body lay in the palace tonight, the Northwest Army would undoubtedly attack.

Although it was a scene that the courtiers enjoyed hearing about, Daqi still had its eyes on Yan Country. With Xuanjia's presence in the palace, even if the Northwest Army bloodily swept through the palace, it would surely suffer significant losses. Who would then resist Qi Country in the future? It was truly not worth the risk.

General Yunhui was even more infuriated, his face turning red. He would often kill those who contributed, and when would he ever know the leisure of sitting on the throne, drinking wine, all thanks to the soldiers sacrificing themselves at the border?

The dissatisfaction of the courtiers with the small sovereign reached its peak, collectively kneeling to plead, appearing more like coercion, using the Northwest Army stationed outside the city as a threat.

Sikong Han remained silent, quite satisfied with the situation.

What was the loss of public support? This was it. With his disabled status, he would only tie himself up if he continued to struggle.

Nie Jia coldly laughed, "When did I say I wanted to kill him? Just wanted to exchange a few moves." He raised his hand, and Shi Chen immediately drew the blood-stained sword from his waist.

In the astonished eyes of the crowd, the disabled small sovereign, who was not good at anything, stood up, stepped down from the throne like bamboo, and stood in front of Sikong Han, holding the sword in a sinister manner. He smiled wickedly, "If you can win, I won't punish you for your disrespect in front of me."

The entire Nine Dragon Hall fell silent, with palace maids, guards, courtiers, Sikong Han, Jun Changyue, all looking at the king in front of them in shock.

He, his legs healed?

How was that possible!

Sikong Han was so shocked that his heart almost stopped beating. Five years ago, he personally witnessed the rupture of Jun Changsheng's leg tendons and bones. That kind of injury was impossible to heal! Just half a year ago, he had to crawl to come and kill him. In a short half year, he could walk on the ground?

Really... the heavens were blind!

Sikong Han almost spat out the blood he had just swallowed due to hatred.

The most shocked person was Jun Changyue. As a healer, he knew best whether his brother's legs could heal. The answer was, of course, impossible. Even with his best efforts, he could only barely save his legs from being amputated... Could it be that his brother encountered a doctor with even more superb medical skills after he left? No, it was impossible! Even if immortals descended, they couldn't heal his brother's legs!

Jun Changyue's breathing became rapid, associating it with the purpose of his return with the Northwest Army. He felt a bit desperate; his brother's legs had actually healed...

"Aren't you brave?" Nie Jia sneered at Sikong Han.

Sikong Han, holding the sword, stood up with a dazed expression. With a crisp sound, the sword in his hand was lightly flicked away by the small sovereign, and he calmly said, "Pick it up."

Sikong Han was instantly angered. The flames of hatred burned in his chest, and he thought of his family being tortured and the cold arrow piercing through his throat. Unable to suppress the intense and majestic emotions, he lost control and sent out a deadly strike! He wanted to kill this tyrant!

Kill him!

This sword was sharp and powerful, carrying the killing intent of Yan Country's War God.

Nie Jia stood still, raising his knife, and with a small sound, the blood-stained blade hit the tip of the sword, instantly breaking the move. Sikong Han, as if hitting a wall, was forcibly blocked. The sword in his hand trembled violently, almost slipping away!

It was a simple piece of physical knowledge. Nie Jia did not possess the internal strength that martial artists in this world had, but he wasn't afraid at all.

After Sikong Han's move was blocked, the killing intent in his heart was diluted by surprise. He quickly retreated two steps, just stabilizing his figure. The small sovereign followed with the knife, sharp and oppressive!

This knife was extremely fast, and there was no pattern—perhaps Sikong Han's knife technique was unseen even by Sikong Han himself. There was no way to defend against it, only continuous retreat. As Nie Jia took the initiative, he almost suppressed Sikong Han, with the blade flying and leaving one small wound after another on Sikong Han's body.

After a failed move, Sikong Han, holding the sword in his hand, was barely able to defend himself, but his sword technique could not gain momentum, scattered like a flame resisting in the face of a storm.

Nie Jia looked into Sikong Han's bottom, greatly disappointed. With no interest in continuing the fight, he casually picked the sword.

Everyone saw the Left Vanguard shorty cry out in pain. The cold sword fell to the ground, and a trace of blood flowed down his trembling hand. Jun Changyue couldn't bear it any longer and rushed forward to check. Not only was he shocked, but he also took a cold breath. The tendons of his lover's hand were ruthlessly picked apart by him!

"You really came to show off." Nie Jia sneered indifferently.

Sikong Han was at a loss... The dry bones of Quwei Slope belonged to the Sikong family?

"Bold! How dare you bury the corpses of the Sikong family at Quwei Slope!" Nie Jia coldly snorted.

General Yunhui was dumbfounded... The bones on Quwei Slope, the Sikong family's?

"Good courage. You dare to collect the corpses for the Sikong family." Nie Jia said with a gloomy tone.

General Yunhui was stunned... The bones on Quwei Slope belonged to the Sikong family?!

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