Chapter 886: Doomsday for the Karluks! (1/2)

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Boom!

When he heard that there were still nine more chests packed with so many treasures, even Cheng Qianli couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock. One chest could be explained, but not even if the Karluk Tribe fasted for ten-some years would it have been able to accrue ten chests of such enormous wealth.

Only a fool would believe that there was nothing suspicious about such chests appearing in the Karluk Tribe.

Doubtful glances began to fall upon the Karluk Chief Wanhe Peiluo.

”Wang Chong, don't go slandering others!” Wanhe Peiluo angrily shouted. ”I've never seen these things before and have no idea what's going on with them. And besides, we Karluks are a mercenary tribe. Do we need to tell you everything that we do? The Western Regions is home to the ruins of many ancient kingdoms that left behind vast treasuries, and there are many legends about treasure maps. Even now, quite a few tribes are seeking out these treasures. Do I even need to report to you about things like this?”

Wanhe Peiluo had never felt so threatened by a single person before. Wang Chong's entire body seemed to be a sharp sword, its overbearing aura forcing Wanhe Peiluo into desperate circumstances. He had never encountered such an opponent in his life.

Damn it, just what's going on here? We did our utmost to keep this secret, so how did he find out?

Wanhe Peiluo felt like he was seeing a ghost. He had carried out the entire matter smoothly, without the smallest mistake. During battle, Wanhe Peiluo bravely fought against the enemy, showing no chink or flaw in his performance. Once the Great Tang was defeated, Wanhe Peiluo was ready to borrow the strength of the Arabs to rule over the Western Regions.

But who could have expected that on the night before Wanhe Peiluo planned to defect and open the gates for the Arabs, he would suddenly receive a letter? All of his plans had been ruined, but even now, Wanhe Peiluo had no idea where the mistake was. How could a young Protector-General in distant Qixi know what was going on in the Western Regions, particularly such a secretive deal as this?

Wanhe Peiluo could only think that ghosts and devils were at work.

Wanhe Peiluo's excuse quickly proved effective. Although this excuse of treasure maps seemed a little abrupt, it sounded more plausible than the Karluks betraying the Great Tang and colluding with the Arabs. A subtle change occurred in the atmosphere, with the gazes aimed at Wanhe Peiluo turning much gentler.

”Hahaha, treasure map?”

Wang Chong gave a derisive smile, apparently long predicting this kind of excuse.

”So, you also found these by following a treasure map?”

Wang Chong pushed a palm at the chest, sending out a wave of energy. All the pearls, agate, jade, and jewels in the chest were sent floating into the air by invisible streams of energy. Though everyone was at first mystified by Wang Chong's actions, they quickly noticed the dazzling golden light emitting from the chest and began to pale.

”Arabian gold coins!”

At the very bottom of all those precious pearls, jewels, and other objects was a dense layer of round golden coins. Unlike the gold and silver currency of the Great Tang, these gold coins were exquisitely crafted, the image of a man with billowing hair protruding from the surface.

This figure appeared to be an Arab, and on the back of the coins…

Ding!

There was a clattering of armor as an Anxi officer strode over, took a coin from the chest, and flipped it over.

”It's an Arabian coin!”

The gleaming back of the coin clearly depicted the Arab flag1.

Everything was now obvious. This was no treasure left behind by some ancient kingdom of the Western Regions and discovered using a treasure map, but riches from the Arabian Empire. In order to bribe the Karluks, the Arabs had gifted them enormous wealth.

”Wanhe Peiluo, you bastard!”

All the eyes focused on Wanhe Peiluo now seethed with killing intent, and one of the nearby Anxi generals even bellowed and pulled out his sword, slashing it at Wanhe Peiluo.

Bang!

A shockwave exploded outward as a stream of Stellar Energy and the Barbaric God Axe rose to block this furious blow.