Chapter 120: A Peaceful Resolution

"How is this even possible?" Wang Yuanfeng watched in disbelief as the tortoise used the mid-air momentum, gathering the energy scattered by the Golden Dragon to propel itself forward.

The Golden Dragon, frustrated that its strike had failed, felt its face flush with embarrassment. In a fit of vexation, it thrashed about in the water and delivered a powerful tail whip directly toward the tortoise shell.

*Boom!*

A muffled impact echoed through the water, as if an explosive had been detonated. The surrounding water was churned into a vast, white sphere of foam about thirty feet in diameter. As the Golden Dragon continued to thrash, the sphere slowly began to settle. The dragon bared its fangs and claws, looking quite pleased with itself.

Wang Yuanfeng’s eyes narrowed, a glint of sword light flashing within them. He scanned his surroundings and spotted a circular tortoise shell darting rapidly through the water, moving with uncanny precision toward the areas of least resistance.

He couldn't help but admire the creature's technique. The tortoise had managed this entire feat without using a shred of magical power, relying solely on absolute control over its own body and the application of physical force.

Wang Yuanfeng shot upward, merging his body with his blade to transform into a streak of sword light. Thousands of rays of light converged toward the sword in his hand as he closed in on the tortoise.

Prime Minister Tortoise sensed a lethal threat. He poked his head out of his shell, glanced back calmly, and saw a ten-foot-long beam of sword light barreling toward him, radiating a Geng metal energy sharp enough to sever anything in existence.

The Prime Minister was terrified. He calculated that if that blade struck his shell, he would be severely wounded; even if he managed to escape, he would not recover for a hundred years. Sensing that these two had no intention of letting him go, especially the Golden Dragon now lunging at him again, the Prime Minister groaned inwardly. Realizing there was no easy way out, he spun his body, transformed his shell into a shield marked with a glowing Bagua, and planted it firmly before him.

Wang Yuanfeng arrived just as the tortoise revealed its artifact. He swung his sword at the shield.

*Skreeee!*

The sound of metal scraping against stone rang out, dimming the light on the Bagua shield significantly. The Prime Minister winced in pain as a gouge appeared on his precious artifact. Seeing the Golden Dragon thrashing toward him again, the Prime Minister felt a sense of impending doom and began looking for an escape route.

Wang Yuanfeng anticipated his move and circled behind him in a flash.

*Boom!* The Golden Dragon swooped in, its claws enlarging instantly. It unleashed a "Golden Dragon Grasping Claw" technique, slamming into the shield. The Bagua light flared brilliantly, struggling to resist the blow. After a thunderous crash, the light dimmed further, flickering as if it were about to shatter.

With Wang Yuanfeng blocking the retreat and the Golden Dragon—now in human form—blocking the front, the Prime Minister was completely cornered.

The tortoise scanned the two young men. Both were poised for battle, and the golden-clad youth had magical energy swirling around his hands. The Prime Minister felt his heart sink. He had managed to deflect the golden youth's attacks, but only through a specific, reflexive state. As for the youth with the sword, though he hadn't yet struck, the oppressive sword energy radiating from him made the Prime Minister feel as if he could be sliced in two at any moment.

He looked at Wang Yuanfeng, whose sword was held horizontally at his side, eyes cold and locked firmly onto him. The Prime Minister’s face wrinkled into a look of utter misery, as if he had been suffering for decades.

Wang Yuanfeng and the Golden Dragon felt a pang of guilt at the sight of the tortoise’s wretched expression. Wang Yuanfeng, accustomed to the deceptions of the world, remained cautious, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they were bullying the weak. The Golden Dragon, however, was struck by a sense of remorse, feeling as though they were acting like tyrannical thugs.

"Old Tortoise," the Golden Dragon said, "put away your artifact and surrender. We only need to clarify the situation. If you come quietly, I will ask the Divine Venerable to release you once the matters at Dongting Lake are resolved."

The Prime Minister hesitated. He wanted to put the artifact away but dared not, yet he couldn't escape either. Although these two youths appeared young, their cultivation levels were unfathomable. Furthermore, they carried the aura of nobility, so he dared not risk injuring them, lest he lose his only refuge.

He realized the golden-clad youth had stopped attacking, and his expression seemed kind. The golden light surrounding him was clearly the mark of a righteous path. As for the youth with the sword, his presence was vast and grand; his sword energy was sharp but upright, and he possessed a calm, unreadable demeanor that suggested he was the one in charge. His aura, though subtle, felt more majestic than even the Dragon Lord’s.

The Prime Minister looked toward Wang Yuanfeng with a pained expression, hoping for a word from him.

Wang Yuanfeng realized that this tortoise was not a fighter; there was no killing intent, and his fortune was unremarkable. However, his features suggested a man of integrity and scholarly tradition. Dropping his aggressive stance, Wang Yuanfeng said, "Sir Tortoise, we only have questions for you. We have no desire to kill you. Answer us, and we shall decide when to release you based on the situation."

"Phew," the Prime Minister exhaled, relieved that his life was spared. He waved his hand, shrinking the shield back into a palm-sized, ancient-looking tortoise shell. He straightened his robes and bowed to the two youths. "Young masters, I, Gui Qiannian, offer my greetings."

Wang Yuanfeng nodded to himself. His guess was correct; this was an official accustomed to court protocol. He was a man who understood etiquette and did not rely on his seniority to bully others.

After the greeting, the Prime Minister added, "This is not the place to speak. The shrimp soldiers and crab generals from the Water Mansion will arrive soon. Please, follow me to another location, and I will explain everything in detail."

The Golden Dragon looked at Wang Yuanfeng for guidance, worried about a potential ambush. Wang Yuanfeng thought for a moment. Despite meeting Gui Qiannian only now, the tortoise’s behavior was entirely natural and unforced. Those with deep, hidden desires often had a shallow spirit; their actions would feel contrived. A person of such rigid, artificial character could never achieve the unity of thought and action that the tortoise displayed so effortlessly.

Concluding that they needed to leave before the Water Mansion guards arrived, Wang Yuanfeng nodded at the Golden Dragon.

The Golden Dragon understood and said to Gui Qiannian, "Very well. Lead the way."