All Chapters of SWORD OF FLAME: Chapter 611
- Chapter 620
642 chapters
Extortion
Sidharta deliberately did not take the two of them straight to the provincial palace, choosing instead to find a place to stay for the night where they could observe the local people’s daily lives without drawing attention. After inquiring with a passerby, he led Fang An and A Long to a modest inn called The Traveler’s Rest, its wooden sign creaking gently in the evening breeze. The inn was clean and well-kept, with a small courtyard where they could stable their horses and a common room filled with the warm glow of oil lamps.Inside their shared room, the three of them took a short rest, easing the stiffness in their muscles after the long journey on horseback. The day had been hot and dusty, and the rough roads of Luman Province had left them weary. Fang An stretched his arms overhead, feeling the tension in his shoulders release, while A Long poured himself a cup of cool water from the jug on the table. Sidharta sat by the window, gazing out at the bustling street below as he massa
Uninvited Guests
“If I’m the one paying, is that not allowed?” Fang An retorted, his voice steady and clear as he stepped forward to stand beside the innkeeper. His eyes met the soldiers’ gaze without flinching, and though he wore simple traveling clothes that looked worn from the journey, there was an air of authority about him that made the burly men pause for a moment.The innkeeper was startled by the offer, his eyes widening in shock. He quickly reached out to grab Fang An’s arm, trying to stop him from getting involved. “Don’t, Sir. Please—you’ve already done enough by staying here. Just let them tear this inn down. I can’t bear the situation in this province anymore—it’s been getting quieter by the day, and I don’t have the strength to fight this anymore.” His voice was heavy with exhaustion and despair, the weight of months of harassment finally taking its toll.Fang An smiled gently at the innkeeper, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “I understand the situation, Uncle. I’ve seen how
Greedy Soldier
The oil lamp in the corner of the room flickered weakly, casting dancing shadows across the wooden walls as A Long and Sun Zu lay fast asleep in their cots. Their breathing was deep and steady, so neither of them noticed the faint creak of the door hinges or the soft scrape of boots against the straw-covered floor as someone slipped inside.Two figures moved through the dimness, their dark cloaks blending into the shadows. They paused near the entrance, eyes adjusting to the low light as they scanned the room. When their gazes finally settled on Fang An, who lay on the farthest bed with his arms folded behind his head, they exchanged a quick, almost imperceptible nod—silently confirming he was their target.One intruder, taller and broader than his companion, began to creep forward. Every muscle in his body was taut with caution; he’d trained for years to move without making a sound, his steps light enough that even dry leaves underfoot would have stayed quiet. To an ordinary traveler
Confession
The four soldiers jolted awake as cold water streamed down their faces, breaking through the fog of unconsciousness. Their eyes snapped open wide with shock, and they immediately tried to thrash against the thick ropes binding their wrists and ankles. But the knots were tight and secure—even the smallest shift of their bodies was nearly impossible. Slowly, their gazes fell to the corner of the courtyard where their comrade lay covered by canvas, and fear washed over them like a wave. They hung their heads low, trembling at the thought of sharing the same fate.Fang An and Sun Zu stood over them, their expressions hard as stone. Their eyes were sharp and intense, cutting through the morning air as if they could peel away every layer of deception. Under that piercing stare, the soldiers shook even more violently—their teeth chattered slightly, and beads of sweat rolled down their foreheads, making their clothes cling to their skin."Strange," Fang An said, his voice low and steady. "As
Surrender or Die
"I would never dare to lie, My Lord. What I saw earlier was Lord Sun Zu with two young men, and one of them had hair as white as snow—so bright it stood out even from a distance, impossible to miss," the official spoke with a trembling voice, keeping his head bowed low as he addressed the man seated at the grand wooden desk.Duke Tsu Yun furrowed his brow deeply, his thick eyebrows knitting together into a sharp line. Luman Province was his domain, his stronghold where he had ruled for nearly a decade, and he wondered what business the Emperor’s most trusted advisor could possibly have wandering through his lands unannounced. The very thought sent a cold shiver down his spine.Deep inside, a familiar sense of dread began to creep over him. He feared that the same kind of damning report made against him to Emperor Siu Wen nearly a year ago might happen again—reports of embezzled taxes, seized lands, and unjust executions of those who dared to oppose him. Fortunately, back then Prime Mi
Capturing Tsu Yun
Thirty soldiers immediately stormed through the palace gates with boots thundering against the stone courtyard, their armor clanking in unison as they fanned out in disciplined formations. Some raced toward the eastern wing where the Duke’s private chambers were located, while others searched the armory, stables, and hidden corridors—leaving no corner unchecked in their hunt for Duke Tsu Yun."Fang An, A Long, let’s head to the main hall! That’s where he’ll likely make his last stand if he hasn’t already fled," Sun Zu urged, his voice carrying urgency as he adjusted the imperial medallion at his chest. His weathered hands gripped the hilt of his sword, ready for whatever they might face inside.Fang An and A Long nodded in silent agreement, following close behind him with steady steps. Fang An’s white hair caught the afternoon sun streaming over the palace walls, and his sharp eyes scanned every shadow as they moved through the grand corridors lined with carved wooden pillars and tape
Arrest Order
Sun Zu exited Emperor Siu Wen’s private chamber after paying his deep respects, his face grave with purpose. The heavy wooden doors of the chamber swung closed behind him, and he turned to face the six elite imperial soldiers stationed outside—their armor polished to a mirror shine, their expressions unwavering. Without hesitation, he issued his command in a clear, firm voice that left no room for delay.“By order of His Majesty Emperor Siu Wen, you are to arrest Chancellor Sung Wei immediately. He is charged with conspiracy to rebel against the throne, embezzlement of imperial funds, and brainwashing citizens to build an illegal army. Do not harm him unless he resists—but ensure he is brought to the palace dungeons without fail.”The six soldiers saluted in unison, their hands slamming against their chest plates with a resounding clang. “As you command, Lord Advisor!”Escorted by the six soldiers, Sun Zu walked steadily through the palace corridors toward the main hall, where Duke Ts
Stubborn
To avoid any misunderstanding during their meeting with the royal family, Fang An had already told Sun Zu earlier—while they were preparing for their audience with Emperor Siu Wen—that A Long was not just a traveler from the mainland, but the Crown Prince of the Yuan Dynasty, heir to Emperor Xiao Yu’s throne. Sun Zu had been surprised by the revelation, but he had kept the information to himself until the right moment to introduce him properly.“Our respects, Your Majesty,” Fang An said with a polite bow, his white hair catching the soft moonlight as he lowered his head. A Long followed suit, though his eyes kept drifting toward the princess standing beside the queen.The Queen, who still looked stunning despite her years—her dark hair adorned with delicate gold pins and her skin smooth as silk—smiled warmly, waving a hand to dismiss the formality. “No need to be so formal, Prince. The Shang Dynasty is far greater than the Tong Dynasty in both size and influence, so it is not fitting
Shadow Illusion Technique
“Be careful! If he can see through the Shadow Illusion Technique, then we’ll have to fight hard to defeat him,” said one of the five figures, his voice low and urgent as he pressed himself against the trunk of an ancient oak tree. The dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above did little to pierce the strange, shifting darkness that still clung to the air around them—remnants of the illusion they had woven to conceal their presence, now shattered by their target’s keen perception.“You’re right. He’s coming this way, get ready!” replied his companion, a woman whose form seemed to ripple and blur even as she stood perfectly still. She adjusted the grip on the sword at her back, her eyes narrowing as she tracked the sound of approaching footsteps—steady, deliberate, and utterly unafraid. The ground beneath their feet carried the weight of each step like a small tremor, a clear sign that the warrior they sought to waylay possessed both strength and control beyond the ordinary.“
The Appearance of A Fu
The five black-clad figures who had been thrown far back earlier had now regrouped behind the old man, their forms hunched and unsteady as they leaned on their swords for support. Though badly injured from the recent clash—their robes torn and stained with blood, cuts crisscrossing their arms and faces—they still managed to stay alive, their eyes burning with a mixture of respect and shame as they looked toward their master.“Master…!” they called out in unison, their voices hoarse and strained. Each one made a small effort to straighten their posture, determined not to show weakness before the one who had trained them in the ways of combat and magic.The old man turned to face his disciples, his expression gentle yet stern as he surveyed their wounds. “What were you doing to this young warrior, my disciples?” he asked, his voice carrying none of the anger they had expected—only a quiet sadness that cut deeper than any rebuke could have done.“We only tried to stop him from going deep