Chapter 102: Flawless, This Conforms to the Rites of Zhou
Chapter 104: Flawless, This Conforms to the Rites of Zhou
Google search TWKAN
Aseran’s order for the entire army to stand by, followed by her own advance towards Chang, caused considerable confusion among the Holy Army.
The Light Forged cannons were aimed at Aseran. If they could have taken out the Dragon Princess with a single shot, the Holy Army would have already fired.
However, the city’s defense cannons, with their obviously long charging times, were easily dodged by any agile high-level Artificer.
Thus, the Light Forged cannons fell silent for the moment, replaced by countless smaller artillery arrays that vigilantly tracked her movements.
When it came to a Dragon Princess, there was no such thing as being too cautious.
As Aseran approached the safe distance, the Holy Army opened fire. The incoming explosive shells detonated before the Dragon Princess, warning her to halt.
Simultaneously, a swarm of drones surged forward. They weren’t there to attack but to intercept.
Each drone carried crystals imbued with jamming Artifice, designed to prevent Aseran from suddenly using some kind of teleportation Artifice to infiltrate Chang’s city proper.
“Heh…”
Aseran chuckled, facing the drones, and raised a hand, saying:
“Good morning, friends of Chang. I trust you know who I am… unless the monks of the Holy Church have managed to completely suppress the news. I am here as per the declaration of war to offer you a proposal.”
The Dragon Princess’s figure was recorded by the drones. Her stunning and proud demeanor was displayed on the projection screen behind them.
“What does she want?”
“Perhaps she intends to demand surrender before the battle. This is common practice for the Dragon Species of the Unified Empire.”
“How utterly boring. Does she really believe we would surrender?”
Master Yingxing, seated securely behind the Holy Church’s core, frowned at the sight. After a moment’s thought, he controlled a drone to descend and berate Aseran:
“What do you wish to say? If it’s a plea for surrender, there’s no need to speak further. As you can see, Chang’s answer to the arrogance and aggression of the Destiny Unified Empire is a resounding ‘no’! We accept no terms other than your retreat and apology!”
Aseran chuckled lightly, “Don’t be so hasty to confirm. I am well aware that the Pillars of the Holy would not surrender as easily as those petty city-states. I intend to take this city by force.”
“However, a direct assault on Chang would spill the blood of my soldiers across this land. I am not a devil, after all. I don’t wish to utterly annihilate Chang, so let us try a different approach.”
“Vmmmmmm—”
Scorching Dragonflame ignited on her spear, and Aseran plunged the shaft into the ground, letting the burning flames billow like a banner.
“Following ancient tradition, I, Aseran Flame-of-the-Sun, challenge you to a duel before the battle! You may send forth anyone, as many as you wish, until I am defeated… or until Chang admits defeat!”
“?!”
On the projection, the Dragon Princess’s face was solemn yet fierce, and her words sent a ripple of shock through everyone in Chang.
Yonglan frowned, “A duel before battle… is it what I think it is?”
Hram, standing behind him with gray hair, nodded, “It must be. But it’s surprising that this Dragon Princess would make such a request. Who even practices this kind of thing anymore in this era?”
A duel before battle, as the name suggests, was a one-on-one combat between generals. It was widely practiced during the Xuntian Dynasty era.
The main conflict of the Xuntian Dynasty was resisting the Fiends, and they discouraged anything that didn’t foster unity. Consequently, they were extremely wary of internal conflict and would not tolerate any potential threat that could tear the dynasty apart.
However, conflicts inevitably arose between different factions, organizations, societies, and Races. These couldn’t be resolved by simply saying, “We are all the First King’s offspring, let’s sit down and talk.”
Thus, the method of resolving disputes became duels before battle. When armies clashed, they wouldn’t necessarily fight to the death. Instead, individuals would fight, and the victorious side would be considered the victor, gaining the right to set terms and compel the other side to comply.
The Xuntian Dynasty used this to avoid the tragedy of internal strife. However, after the dynasty’s collapse, this noble tradition vanished.
Let’s be serious, everyone had already bared their fangs, and the succession wars had devolved into bloody chaos. The grudges accumulated over thousands of years made Massacre a common occurrence. Aside from outright genocide, most other forms of brutality were horrifying.
It was truly a case of the collapse of rites and music.
“That’s truly rich in martial virtue. Excellent.”
Yonglan praised. Aseran’s proposal of a duel before battle at this moment, regardless of her true intentions, at least significantly reduced the scope of the war’s impact. He greatly admired this display of martial virtue.
There was nothing to criticize; this conformed to the Rites of Zhou!
After the Dragon Princess finished speaking, all the Holy Army soldiers and even Saintly monks began to discuss. However, the final decision rested with the presiding Priest of the city-state.
Yonglan looked in Yingxing’s direction and saw that the handsome and elegant Saintly Master was silent, his fingers tapping incessantly on the armrest, occasionally glancing sideways at something.
Time ticked by, and Aseran waited for about ten minutes before letting out a laugh:
“What is it? Are you unwilling to accept this duel invitation? Are you afraid? Or do you disdain it?”
“I am indifferent, but if this is your answer, then let Chang be reduced to scorched earth, and let the blood of millions drown this city!”
The Dragon Princess grabbed her spear and tugged at the outer layer of her moon-white military skirt, preparing to turn and leave when a voice came from the drone:
“Wait!”
“A duel before battle… a virtue of the Xuntian Dynasty era, a method to avoid infighting and needless slaughter. We have no reason to refuse. The conditions for victory and defeat should be discussed, as should the obligations of the victorious and defeated parties…”
“There’s no need for that!”
Aseran waved her hand to interrupt, a smile as confident as the sun blooming on her face.
“Because I will be victorious. The duel I proposed was merely a show of mercy, indulging my dear pet’s feelings. After my victory, Chang will surrender unconditionally, awaiting my decision on your future fate.”
“Crack—”
Yonglan saw Yingxing smash his fist onto the armrest. Even with the Saintly Master’s composure, he couldn’t help but become enraged by Aseran’s words.
“Youngster! You are too arrogant!!”
Before Yingxing could speak, a deep roar echoed directly.
A figure, shrouded in purple Spirit Matter, leaped from the high wall.
Like a star plummeting to Earth, he blazed a crimson trail, tearing through clouds and atmosphere with an aura that could destroy everything, descending towards Aseran.
“BOOM—”
A fierce gale erupted, and the surrounding land was engulfed by a surging heat.
