Chapter 485 - The Covenant of Kingship
Chapter 485 of "Red Heart Patrols the Sky" begins revealing surprises: Jiang Wang entered the Heavenly Pivot star as before, not perceiving how he transitioned through... Read on to find out!
Jiang Wang entered the Heavenly Pivot star as before, not perceiving how he transitioned through space.By the time he regained his senses, he was already enveloped in roaring flames.
The fire was just ordinary fire.
For Jiang Wang, who specialized in the Dao Techniques of fire and wood, this wasnât even a nuisance; with a mere gesture, he extinguished it effortlessly.
And outside the extinguished flames knelt a group of people.
Those kneeling all wore animal skin garments.
The most eye-catching feature was on their faces, with several fire-red diagonal lines on both sides.
The most anyone had was eight lines, belonging to a sturdy, tall adult man kneeling before everyone else.
The least was only two lines.
In front of all the kneelers was someone incessantly rising and bowing, a fellow wearing an exaggerated mask.
His attire also differed from the others, as he wore a fiery red robe woven from some material, quite resembling burlap.
âVisitor from the Celestial Sky!â some of the kneeling people shouted.
Then another voice cried out, âItâs burning, itâs burning!â
âIf itâs going to burn, itâs reached the Star General!â
âWhat the hell are you burning?
Shut your mouths!â the man with eight red lines on his face scolded, âLet the great Wu Zhu speak!â
Silence fell instantly.
Qinghuo Qiming finally managed to suppress the immense shock within his heart, halting his instinctual praying movements.
He stepped forward to grab Jiang Wangâs hand, âEhâŚ
Star General sir!â
Jiang Wang took a step back, maintaining distance from this masked, odd figure.
Normally, those who entered this world would receive information on âappointing the Star Generalâ, âGame of Life and Deathâ, and the like, and would have ample time to choose a tribe.
But he was a late arrival to this world and didnât receive such courtesies.
Apart from knowing that this was the Floating Land and that there were major tribes here, he knew nothing else.
However, having experienced the worlds of Jade Balance and Hidden Star one after the other, Jiang Wang had some insights into what it meant to arrive.
He directly asked, âTell me, where is this place, and what are your intentions?â
The language of these people was very close to that of Jinguo, so communication wasnât difficult.
âUm, thisâŚâ Qinghuo Qiming, due to lack of experience, looked back at Qinghuo Gaozhi for help, fearing he couldnât properly answer the question from a visitor from beyond the sky.
âCongratulations!â
Seeing the young Wu Zhu wasnât quite capable, Qinghuo Gaozhi quickly scrambled up and approached Jiang Wang with enthusiasm, âYou have been chosen by our fire race to be the Game Master of this Game of Life and Death, to undertake a high and mighty duty, and to receive supreme honor!
Our tribeâs great Wu Zhu will personally bestow upon you the noble Totem of Fire, granting you the purest and most righteous Totem Power!â
A look that clearly said, âIâm giving you a bargain; wonât you hurry up and agree?â
Jiang Wang was, in fact, somewhat tempted.
Fire is the righteous path among the five elements, and this tribeâs name bore fire; presumably, they possessed some skills.
Moreover, having just arrived, he didnât really have much choice.
Unless he went to another tribe and competed with those who arrived earlier.
But he still asked, âI am new to this place, and have some information in my heart that I cannot comprehend deeply at once.
Could you explain what a Star General is, and what the Game of Life and Death is?â
Qinghuo Gaozhi glanced at the young Wu Zhu, the meaning clearâspeak up.
âOh.â Qinghuo Qiming realized and said, âThis is the territory of the fire clan, and I am the tribeâs Wu Zhu, Qinghuo Qiming.â
Then he began to ramble and explain what the Game of Life and Death was, what a Star General was, and what the Game Master wasâŚ
His explanation was disjointed and messy, but thankfully, Jiang Wang was systematic and able to categorize the information by himself, fully understanding it.
âSo, our goal is to fight for first place in the Game of Life and Death?
Against other people from beyond the sky?â Jiang Wang asked.
âErr, to fight for first place, yes, thatâs it.â Qinghuo Gaozhi replied without much confidence.
From his expression, Jiang Wang could tell that the so-called supreme honor and the pure and correct Totem Power werenât very reliable.
But Jiang Wang didnât expose this.
As a latecomer, he was naturally at a disadvantage.
There werenât many choices for cooperation.
But there was also an advantage; other people probably wouldnât have noticed him by now.
To now choose a stronger tribe and struggle for the Game Master position might indeed yield a better start in the Game of Life and Death, but it could also forfeit the advantage of going unnoticed.
Qinghuo Gaozhi somehow produced a yellow silk scroll, âSince the Celestial visitor is apprised of the situation, then please sign your name on the Treaty of Royal Power!â
He urged, âHurry up and sign it.
Letâs make the most of our time and immediately grant you the purest and most righteous Totem Power!â
He looked exactly like a swindler about to fleece a fat sheep.
Jiang Wang watched him with an amused, noncommittal glance.
In the midst of Qinghuo Gaozhiâs sudden apprehension, he asked with a smile, âHow do I sign?â
âJust cut your finger and write, thatâs fine.â Qinghuo Gaozhi, anxious and flustered, took out a small knife and offered it to him.
Due to excessive excitement, the knifeâs point jabbed toward Jiang Wangâs face.
Jiang Wang, with a look of disdain, pinched the tip of the knife and pushed it back.
âI have my own sword.â
âThat works, that works,â Qinghuo Gaozhi said sheepishly as he took back the knife.
To âdeceiveâ this chess master for the tribe, he, a chief of a tribe, was truly going all out.
Shame and dignity were all cast aside, as he eagerly leaned forward again with the knife, âJust scribble a couple of strokes, itâll take effect as soon as blood is drawn.â
The âPact of Sovereigntyââs name sounded grand, but its appearance was quite simple.
It looked like any ordinary silk manuscript, bright yellow throughout.
Itâs just that it seemed to be of some age, exuding a sense of antiquity.
Jiang Wangâs finger lightly grazed the outside of his sword scabbard, Longing held back just enough sharpness that, without being unsheathed, Jiang Wangâs finger was cut open.
On the yellow silk, he carelessly wrote, Zhang Linchuan.
âDone!â Qinghuo Gaozhi happily stowed away the silk manuscript.
With the Pact of Sovereignty signed, he was no longer afraid that this guy named Zhang Linchuan would run away.
As long as he wasnât killed or had not signed a new Pact of Sovereignty, he could only represent the Qinghuo Tribe in the life-and-death chess game.
âThat, uhâŚ
Wu Zhu sir.
The rest is up to you.â
Having said this, Qinghuo Gaozhi packed up the silk manuscript and strode away with a majestic bearing.
On his way out, he even took the opportunity to shout at the tribesmen in front of the altar, âWhat are you standing around for, courting death?
Donât you have work to do?â
Immediately, the members of the Qinghuo Tribe scattered.
Jiang Wang watched his retreating figure and blinked.
Although he had known he was âdupedâ even before signing, the feeling of having been âdupedâ was still very strong at that moment.
This uncle with eight red stripes on his face had changed his attitude much too quickly!
At least put on a show, make a pretense!
Donât the deceived deserve a little sympathy?
Jiang Wang also noticed that not a single person paid respects to the Wu Zhu as they left, clearly indicating that the status of the young Wu Zhu of the Qinghuo Tribe was concerning.
As he was taking notice of Qinghuo Qiming, Qinghuo Qiming was also taking note of him.
âActually.â He said somewhat sheepishly, âIt doesnât necessarily have to be the first place, being within the top tenâŚ
would also be okay.â
According to historical records, those Transcendents who arrived later on were generally not as strong as the very first arrivals.
Having someone within the top ten or fifteen ranks would already be a huge win for the Qinghuo Tribe.
They really couldnât demand more.
âSpecifically, top what?â Jiang Wang inquired.
âIt might be the sixteenth, or possibly the seventeenth, eighteenth, depending on the circumstancesâŚâ Qinghuo Qiming answered subconsciously, and seeing Jiang Wangâs somewhat speechless expression, he embarrassingly added, âSorry for the follyâŚâ
So sixteen, or maybe seventeen, eighteenâŚ
it meant that their goal was entirely dependent on the number of Transcendents.
Those tribes without a Transcendent chess master could only send a group of non-Transcendents to participate in the life-and-death chess game, who could easily be defeated by any Transcendent.
Meaning Iâm the very last, right?
Jiang Wang was slightly annoyed, but he asked, âYour tribe is named after fire; it should be a major tribe, right?
How come it lacks such ambition?â
The embarrassment of Qinghuo Qiming was palpable even through his mask.
âWell, among the thirty-six Fire Divisions, we are but one.â
âOne?â Jiang Wang immediately felt a headache upon hearing that, âWhere exactly do you rank in terms of strength?â
âUh, within the top thirty,â came the reply.
Jiang Wang understood.
So they were ranked thirtieth.