The Demon Swordsman 2
Ch. 331 - Chess Board
Tea cups were placed in front of them, the man threw his gaze at the crowd in such a vast field. This district could be said to be quite peaceful. Almost all operating districts select new soldiers to be deployed on the battlefield. Their ways are different, more are dead than survivors.
But if it has been placed in the center of government later, all soldiers are guaranteed to live well. In contrast to those who are ordinary residents who suffer more from hunger and poverty.
For the first time in this hundred years, they would wage a great war involving two empires. Emperor Yin was really serious about destroying his sworn enemy. In a few months this bloody agreement will be completed. And from there, the destruction will begin.
"Yan Xue."
He turned to where Xin Chen was, reading the look on his silent face. His eyes were closed as usual. Yan Xue lowered her head, looking at that face more clearly.
"Are you blind?"
Xin Chen did not know if the man named Yan Xue had ever seen his eyes when it opened. But if he answered himself he could still see, his fear of Yan Xue forced him to open his eyes.
He chose not to answer and switched the conversation. "What do you really want to know about me? If it's about last night I've said everything without anything covered up."
Yan Xue couldn't blame Xin Chen's somewhat disrespectful reaction. Especially with such an important figure.
"I know you're offended. Did my question make you angry?"
"No."
"Want to?"
"Ask the eyes isn't important."
Yan Xue shook her head even though Xin Chen did not see her, she silently smiled.
"I saw your cheating." Yan Xue sipped the tea in front of her without letting go of Xin Chen's gaze. This time, he could see that face change.
"Every part of this district has eyes and ears, if you can survive those two things, then you're just lucky."
"What fraud?" Xin Chen confirmed his voice, he realized Yan Xue was testing him. Either the man knew the truth or not from last night's events.
"You don't want to admit it? Or waiting for me to say it?"
"If you have evidence and good reason. Please say."
"Ohoho, you're a very brave young man." Yan Xue laughed fiercely. "Alright, if you're pressing. The afternoon of the first selection, why are you waiting for the last second to take aim? And I saw you use three arrows at once."
Xin Chen remembered it. He did realize there was another presence looking at them. That day was already so dark. There was no lighting around. Xin Chen had considered it carefully, such a way did have a high risk. However there was no other way to save Yu Xiong.
"You really want to save your friend, huh?"
Yan Xue started to corner him. Xin Chen could not stay silent.
"You said something that didn't make sense. He was my friend. But how do I shoot three arrows at once with two different shots?"
"Good excuse." He held his two hands together on the table. "Honestly, I don't have any evidence to put you as a fraud. Besides letting one life survive won't affect anything either."
Yan Xue finished her drink at once. "But if you wish to be part of the seat of government, I will open the way for you."
"I can't trust you."
Being answered instantly so unceremoniously made Yan Xue fall silent. "Try repeating?"
Yan Xue cursed him, considering the incident last night his head was again made dizzy. "We saw a long crime record of the hired man."
"What do you mean, hired man?"
"I told you before. The number of survivors was much greater than desired. If until the third selection the number does not match the one to be handed over to the center, then there will be ten to thirty people who must be killed."
"How many people do they really want?"
Yan Xue actually did not want to answer, she thought for quite a while. "Each district only handed over a hundred. Looks like the number of soldiers set is enough so they don't need any more new soldiers."
"How many people?"
"You seem so curious." Yan Xue furrowed her brows. Xin Chen explained. "I just want to know how many people they've sacrificed for this war. Everyone loses a lot of things."
"No need to think about it. Speaking of which your face is, which clan are you descended from?"
"What's wrong with my face?"
"Like not a Qing Empire person."
"I live on the border."
"That means you do have blood there. Want to play chess while you wait for them?"
Xin Chen asserted it, while looking behind the tree where Wei Feng, Youji and Yu Xiong eavesdropped on their chatter. The chessboard had been provided, Yan Xue immediately arranged for his pawns. Still so early, Yan Xue launched several attacks. Seizing some of Xin Chen's pawns while laughing in satisfaction. It seemed like he was indeed the type of person who when angry was more terrifying than demons. But when he was happy, his nature changed very friendly.
"What do you think of the Empire?"
"Why suddenly ask that?" Xin Chen turned the question around.
"I just want to know what your mindset is. Remember, about that archery selection I still strongly believe that you did something fraudulent. I think people like you are valuable in government."
"Empire or government, how much do you have loyalty to those two things?"
"Price for my life."
Xin Chen started to turn things around. He put away the pieces of Yan Xue. Putting the king of his enemies in a precarious position. The man changed his sitting position uneasily. He did not know since when, yet Xin Chen did start seriously to defeat him.
Unknowingly time passed by an hour and the two were still struggling with the chessboard. The man ignored some of the people who called him. His breath sounded angry
"Who did you learn chess from?"
"My father."
"It's been a long time?"
"Yes." Yeah." Xin Chen had no idea when was the last time he, Xin Zhan and his father played chess. For sure at that time he was only taught the role and how to play chess. There are so many things that he has forgotten. Yet at least Xin Chen was able to survive Yan Xue's attack. The man managed to defeat him.
"You lost too, hahahah. Shit, I've never been this happy just for playing chess." Yan Xue spread a happy smile. Seeing Xin Chen could only accept his defeat.
"I see your potential, Zu Chen. Most likely after this selection, I will recommend you to the superiors. Next time I have time to fight again." Yan Xue put on her head protection again. Then go down to the crowded field traversed by armored soldiers.
Xin Chen looked at Yan Xue who had just passed by. If the man knew that he was an enemy, Yan Xue would never trust him again.