Kong Rui shook her head and said, "My Lady, no need to speak further, we won’t leave. We will fight for you. Our lives were given by you, and it is only right to die in battle for you."
Her expression was resolute, never before had she felt, like today, such a lack of fear toward death.
Glancing at Kong Rui, Lady Houtu sighed and said, "Why must you do this?"
However, she ultimately did not refuse further.
The entire Houtu Palace was on the verge of a storm.
Across the Three Realms, the demolition of the temples of the Ancient Gods provoked their dissatisfaction.
Some Ancient Gods manifested and took action, punishing several people.
This caused the common people to become even more resentful toward the Ancient Gods.
Members of the Thunder Department, in their effort to protect the common people, also clashed with some Ancient Gods, igniting fierce battles, with Ao Zhan entering the fray numerous times.
"Ao Zhan, being an Ancient God yourself, why do you insist on adding to the tyranny?"
One of the Ancient Gods asked this question, carrying a strong dissatisfaction.
That Ancient God was powerful, also a Great Heavenly Venerate.
But, he wasn’t among the top-ranked Great Heavenly Venerates, and could not be compared to the Queen Mother of the West.
Presently suppressed by Ao Zhan, naturally, he was dissatisfied.
"The Heavenly Court represents the common people of the Three Realms. I, Ao Zhan, as the Heavenly Venerate of the Thunder Department, and revered by the common people, naturally must protect them. Whoever dares oppress the common people, I surely disagree. According to cosmic rules, anyone harming living beings innocently must be punished according to heavenly laws," he said.
"Ha, to bring up cosmic rules with me, you make me laugh, Ao Zhan. In my eyes, the cosmic rules are nothing," the Ancient God sneered with disdain.
He was a transformed Nine-Colored Deer, known as the Ancestor Deer, and had always kept a low profile.
He also presided over a landscape and was worshipped by the locals.
However, once the Ancient Gods advocated sacrificing future living beings, the people ceased their worship.
Ancestor Deer then manifested some divine skills, unleashing disasters.
As a result, his temple was directly toppled, and those living beings that worshipped him discarded him like a worn-out sandal.
This enraged him immensely, leading him to directly kill several living beings, which attracted the attention of the Thunder Department.
Divine Generals of the Thunder Department took action but couldn’t capture Ancestor Deer, so they reported it up to the Heavenly Venerate of the Thunder Department.
Ao Zhan personally took action, intending to capture the opponent.
This led to this scene.
"You dare to scorn the cosmic rules?"
A cold voice sounded as Yang Jian, clad in a battle robe, descended.
Ao Zhan bowed his hands in salute; the two exchanged courtesies.
Seeing Yang Jian arrive, Ancestor Deer sneered. He coldly chuckled and said, "And here I thought who it was. It turns out to be Erlang of the Yang Family. You have the nerve to speak of cosmic rules? You yourself are a product of defying the cosmic rules. How dare you speak about others? What are you called in the mortal realm again? Ah yes, a bastard. Ha, that’s right, bastard."
Ancestor Deer laughed loudly, full of disdain.
He believed himself to be a Great Heavenly Venerate. Even if he couldn’t defeat Ao Zhan and the others, fleeing was still an option.
After all, he was just one Ancient God, not part of the Heavenly Court’s power struggles. He believed the Heavenly Court would not wage a significant battle over him.
As long as he escaped this battle, no matter how viciously he had cursed, Yang Jian and the others would have to endure it.
What he didn’t notice was the look in Ao Zhan’s eyes, which seemed to regard him as a dead man.
How powerful was Yang Jian?
Ao Zhan was well aware that Yang Jian’s strength was not much less than his own.
Though he appeared to be just a Heavenly Venerate, he was a match for many Great Heavenly Venerates.
The name War God was not given lightly.
"Judicial Deity, how should this man be handled?" Ao Zhan asked, his original intention being not to kill the opponent, at most to teach him a lesson.
Unexpectedly, Ancestor Deer insulted Yang Jian, and now the decision was no longer in his hands.
Yang Jian spoke indifferently, "He has killed innocents and harmed many of the common people. According to the cosmic rules, he should be executed. Go ahead."
Ao Zhan nodded. He looked at Ancestor Deer with pity and said, "You really brought this on yourself."
Ancestor Deer, with a cold smirk, disdainfully said, "Just the two of you and you think you can kill me? Ridiculous."
He turned to leave, having no intention of fighting.
He couldn’t defeat Ao Zhan alone, let alone when faced with an almost invincible Heavenly Venerate like Yang Jian.
He had played his part, hurled his insults; now it was time to retreat.
Staying any longer would truly be a dead end.
Ancestor Deer was clever, at least that’s what he thought.
So, Ancestor Deer prepared to escape, to leave this place.
As soon as he moved, Yang Jian appeared right in front of him.
The next moment, a flash of blade light came racing toward him, causing Ancestor Deer to hastily retreat.
He looked at Yang Jian in horror. Just now, Yang Jian had anticipated his intentions and had acted first, blocking his path.
Ancestor Deer stared coldly at Yang Jian and spoke harshly, "Yang Jian, don’t push me too hard. Do you really think I can’t handle you?"
Yang Jian smiled faintly and said, "Then make your move and try to defeat me."
Hearing Yang Jian’s words, Ancestor Deer’s face turned livid.
He scoffed and said, "You think I’m afraid of you? That’s a joke. I’m not Ao Zhan’s match, but if he doesn’t make a move, killing you would be as easy as squashing an ant."
Ao Zhan laughed lightly and said, "I can stay out of it. You two fight, Ancestor Deer. If you win, you can leave."
Ancestor Deer’s eyes lit up and he asked, "Is that true?"
Ancestor Deer laughed, looking at Yang Jian, and said, "Come on, junior. Let me see how formidable you, the Judicial Deity, are. Do you want me to handicap myself by using just one hand?"
His expression was full of disdain and condescension, not taking Yang Jian seriously at all.
Yang Jian laughed; without another word, he attacked.