Spellcasting Gods

Undoubtedly, as the rider's legs, the horse plays a crucial role in lance competitions. Especially for someone like "The Mountain," who is much heavier than the average rider, any minor problem with the horse could cause him to fall off.

Zhang Cheng was going to repeat his old trick, the only difference being that he didn't choose a mare in heat, but instead planned to use a more subtle and less noticeable trick...

As the trumpeter sounded his horn, Gregor Clegane, who could no longer contain his violent emotions, immediately snatched the lance from his squire, narrowed his cruel and bloodthirsty eyes, and stared intently at his opponent.

As a butcher with extensive combat experience, if he finds someone who hasn't properly fastened their throat guard, he will deliberately raise the tip of his gun and pierce the person's throat to satisfy his morbid desires.

"Heh, what a fine stepping stone. I believe that after today, all the nobles in King's Landing will know my name." Zhang Cheng pursed his lips, muttering to himself in a voice only he could hear, as he rode his horse to the railing, waiting for the second round of horns to sound.

No one noticed that he silently poured a small bottle of medicine into the mouth of his warhorse.

Seeing that both contestants were ready, King Robert immediately nodded to the trumpeter.

Without saying a word, the latter immediately sounded the second bugle call.

In an instant!

Both contestants simultaneously gave their warhorses the command to charge!

In just a few seconds, they increased their speed to the maximum, constantly adjusting the angle of their spears, attempting to kill their opponent with a single blow.

Without hesitation, Zhang Cheng activated his double-layered armor during the sprint and simultaneously channeled arcane energy into his warhorse.

Due to the effects of a certain drug it had previously consumed, the horse's eyes immediately turned blood red after being stimulated, and the blood vessels on its body swelled rapidly, resembling thick earthworms, looking both ferocious and terrifying. It also kept drooling, like a maddened beast.

Just as the two were about to collide, the horse suddenly burst forth with incredible speed, leaping forward and biting the other horse's neck hard.

The glaringly bright red liquid gushed out immediately!

Before Gregor Clegane could react, Zhang Cheng thrust a spear into his neck, in the same spot he had used to kill Hugh in the previous match.

Unfortunately, his armor was much thicker than it had been repaired, so he narrowly escaped death. The spear only knocked off his helmet, and a splinter pierced his left cheek.

"Aaaaaaahh ...

The intense pain caused him, whose temper had already been bad for days, to roar wildly. He turned around, ran to his attendant, drew his greatsword, and slashed straight at Zhang Cheng's location.

“That’s right! That’s right! That’s exactly it!” Zhang Cheng sneered with a sarcastic expression, threw the remaining half of the spear in his hand away, and then drew his sword, meeting the attack head-on without showing any weakness.

Just as all the audience members were stunned and watching the situation begin to spiral out of control, a bizarre scene unfolded.

clang!

With a crisp clang from the metal colliding, the previously furious "Mountain" suddenly seemed to be frozen in place, his whole body trembling slightly.

next second...

With lightning speed, Zhang Cheng flicked his wrist, stabbing the other man's left eye with a soft "plop," and then violently pulled out a bloody eyeball.

But that wasn't all. Taking advantage of his opponent's paralysis and inability to move, he mercilessly cut off his nose, lips, and ears, completely disfiguring Gregor Clegane's face. He also cut off his right thumb, rendering him unable to use a weapon.

After doing all this, he raised his gloved fist and slammed it into his bloodied left eye socket.

boom!

After a muffled thud, "Mountain" fell straight down, plunging into a coma caused by excruciating pain.

Zhang Cheng, unhurriedly, took out a snow-white handkerchief and, in full view of everyone, wiped the bloodstains off his longsword and gloves. He then tossed it gently to Gregor Clegane, smiled, and bowed to the King, Queen, Prince, and the two young Stark sisters in the stands before slowly leading his warhorse off the field.

There was no cheering!

There was no applause!

All that remained was a deathly silence!

Only after he had gone far away did Robert finally come to his senses, and he shouted with ecstatic joy, "Men! Go! Bring Sir Mason back to me immediately! I want him to be my knight!"

Before the servant could react, Renly immediately stood up and stopped him, saying, "Wait! My dear brother, Sir Mason is my man, you can't take him away from me."

"Your people? When?" Robert was clearly taken aback.

“Your Majesty, Lord Renly just invited Sir Mason before the match,” Loras added, standing up to chime in.

But whether it was Renly or the Knight of Flowers, they both undoubtedly concealed the fact that they had been rejected.

Just as Robert was about to say something, Queen Cersei suddenly interrupted, "Didn't you notice how cruelly he harmed Ser Gregor Clegane? Shouldn't such an act be punished?"

"Punishment? Cruelty? Hahahaha! Excuse me, Your Majesty, but I don't think scum like Gregor deserves any sympathy. Don't forget, he attacked Ser Mason first." Renly, who had never gotten along with Cersei, revealed a sarcastic smile...

Chapter 0107 The Old Mercenary's Loyalty

Gently removing the cold iron helmet, Zhang Cheng took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze caress his face. He then jumped off the raging warhorse, bent down, and scooped up a handful of clear river water to wash his face.

Just as he was about to stand up, Blanco suddenly emerged from the shadows, placed one hand on his chest, and bowed deeply and respectfully: "Congratulations, Sir. I believe that after today, your name will resound throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Before long, those high and mighty nobles will flock to you, offering irresistible and tempting terms. All you have to do is choose the most suitable one from among all the visitors..."

"How long have you been waiting here?" Zhang Cheng asked without turning his head.

“Not long, just a few minutes.” Blanco chuckled and shrugged. “Although I’m not entirely sure how you rendered the Mountain incapacitated, I knew the battle was over the moment the sword pierced his eye. He may be an incredibly brave warrior, but before your wisdom, he was as vulnerable as an infant.”

"Oh? Is it that obvious?" Zhang Cheng stood up, turned around, and stared at the old mercenary.

The latter nodded first, then shook his head, explaining in a deep voice, "Well, the reason I can see this so clearly is based on my understanding of your martial arts. With your strength and reaction speed, theoretically, it's impossible for you to withstand a full-force attack from a power-type warrior like the Mountain. However, to outsiders, they'll probably just think you're exceptionally strong. Also, I'm a little curious about your armor. It withstood several impacts, yet there's not even a dent?"

"Hahahaha! Blanco, before I answer these questions, please tell me first, are you trustworthy?" Zhang Cheng asked with a loud laugh.

He could sense that the other party's presence here was not merely to congratulate him, but rather that they had other motives.

"Sir, I am but a lowly mercenary, a mercenary looked down upon by nobles, a mercenary who barely earns his living by killing with his sword. Do you really think someone like me would be a spy trained by some powerful figure? Besides, I am old, so old that in five or six years I will no longer be able to wield a weapon. I long for stability, for a place where I can retire, and if circumstances allow, I would like to marry a wife and have children. If you promise to grant me these, I am willing to offer my loyalty."

As he spoke, Blanco knelt on one knee, drew his sword, held it up with both hands, and bowed his head with a very serious attitude.

Zhang Cheng picked up the weapon, stained with countless drops of blood, and draped it over the old mercenary's shoulder. His face was expressionless as he said, "In the name of Mason Aspen, I accept your loyalty. But let me make this clear: if I discover any act of betrayal on your part, what follows will be horrific, far exceeding even death itself."

“I swear, I will never betray you,” Blanco assured him without hesitation.

"Very good!" Zhang Cheng casually sheathed his sword at the other man's waist, then pointed to the restless warhorse behind him. "Here's a task for you: get rid of this horse. Remember, I want it completely cleaned up, leaving no trace whatsoever, understand?"

"As you wish..." The old mercenary quickly realized that this was a small test, so he immediately agreed.

In the blink of an eye, he dragged the extremely uncooperative horse and disappeared from the martial arts tournament venue.

About half an hour later, he returned to the spot, soaking wet, and reported in an exhausted tone: "Sir, I sank your horse and a small boat into the deep sea. In a few days at most, its body will be eaten clean by fish and shrimp, and no one will be able to find any trace of it."

"Sinking it into the sea? While not the best solution, it's still a decent handling of the situation." A satisfied expression appeared on Zhang Cheng's face. He then drew the longsword he had personally enchanted and handed it to the other party. "Take this. Take off your leather gloves, and you'll soon understand why Shregor Clegane failed."

Blanco wiped the seawater off his beard, took the longsword without a word, and carefully touched the blade with his fingers.

In an instant!

A strong electric current traveled through his skin into his body, causing him to tremble violently. He then collapsed heavily to the ground with a thud and was unable to get up for a long time.

Zhang Cheng bent down to pick up his sword, and said with a smile, "How about that? Can you feel it? This is power! A power that most people can't understand—magic. I can tell you that this longsword, that mad horse, and the armor I'm wearing are all extraordinary."

After a full three to five minutes, the terrifying numbness gradually disappeared, and the old mercenary struggled to his feet, his eyes revealing a hint of fear and awe.

After composing himself slightly, he asked, "You mean, you can forge and manufacture these weapons and armor that possess immense power?"

“Making weapons and armor? No, no, no, I’m not a blacksmith. Crafting weapons and armor is not my area of ​​expertise. Alright, let’s leave the topic of getting to know each other here. We have plenty of time later, don’t we? Now, go and deliver a message for me.” Zhang Cheng clearly didn’t quite trust the old mercenary and decisively ended the conversation.

As someone with a deep understanding of the world of A Song of Ice and Fire, he didn't believe in things like oaths of loyalty. The only thing that could truly drive someone to serve wholeheartedly was self-interest.

He will never give a person his true trust until he has confirmed what they truly desire in their heart.

"Send a letter? To whom?" Blanco's eyes widened in slight surprise.

“Give this to Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer, and tell him I’ll be waiting for him on the beach outside the city before sunset tonight.” Zhang Cheng casually slipped the seal ring, a symbol of noble status, into the other man’s palm and turned to walk toward his residence.

Blanco stood there stunned for a few seconds, then quickly came to his senses and muttered to himself, "Sending a message to the Lannisters? Is there some hidden story behind this?"

Filled with questions and confusion, he quickly tidied his clothes, strode into the arena, and stealthily approached the Kingslayer who was preparing to enter the game when no one was paying attention.

But before he could even get within twenty paces, James immediately drew his weapon and shouted, "Who? Who are you?"

“I’m very sorry to bother you, Sir, but my master has asked me to give you a message: come to the seaside outside the city before sunset today, where he will be waiting for you.”

After saying this, the old mercenary placed the ring on the ground, bowed slightly, and then slowly retreated, eventually disappearing around the corner of the tent...

Chapter 0108 Contact

"Mason Aspen?"

James picked up the signet ring and immediately recognized the family represented by the signet pattern.

Although the Asspring family was just an extremely insignificant minor noble family, after Zhang Cheng defeated the "Knight of Flowers" in a perfect manner, someone investigated his background thoroughly.

Just as the "Kingslayer" was hesitating about whether to keep the appointment, Queen Cersei suddenly barged in with a frosty expression.

When she saw the ring on her brother's hand, she immediately questioned, "What are you holding?"

“It’s nothing, just a signet ring. A fellow just delivered an invitation on behalf of his master, saying he’d like to talk to me at the beach before sunset.” Jaime Lannister shrugged indifferently, then tossed the ring to his sister.

“Mason Aspen? This guy actually dares to send someone to contact you?” Cersei’s already unpleasant expression turned even more gloomy.

As a woman with an exceptionally strong desire for revenge, she would never forget the humiliation she suffered during the previous argument, and now she wished she could grab Zhang Cheng and tear him to pieces.

James clearly noticed his sister's strong reaction and immediately joked with a smile, "What, did Mason offend you? It's alright, as long as I win this match, I might face him next. I'll teach him a lesson for you then and show him what happens when you offend our beautiful Queen."

“Idiot! Don’t you know? He almost killed Gregor Clegane! To be precise, Gregor Clegane was completely helpless against him! Not only was his face ruined, but his right thumb was also severed. Although the maester said he wasn’t in mortal danger, he’ll basically be a cripple for the rest of his life. Do you think you’re more powerful than the Mountain?” Cersei shouted angrily.

"What?! How is this possible?" James was stunned and stood there in shock.

Others may not fully understand Gregor Clegane's true terror, but as a direct descendant of the Lannister family, he had the privilege of witnessing the Mountain's madness firsthand, where he could almost cleave a person in two with a single sword strike.

Especially their innate superhuman strength, which most people simply cannot withstand, and would be instantly overturned to the ground.

He simply couldn't imagine who could render such a terrifying monster completely helpless.

Cersei took a deep breath and explained, “The facts are right before your eyes, whether you believe it or not, it has happened. My foolish husband, the king, is even discussing with his idiot brother what nickname to give this Mason. You know what? Right now, half the nobles of King's Landing are starting to make moves to recruit him.”

“Hearing you say that, I’m actually looking forward to this meeting, and to hearing how he plans to explain everything he’s done. Don’t forget, dear sister, we are Lannisters who always pay our debts. Although Gregor Clegane is a despicable mad dog, he’s still one of us.” With that, Jaime stood up, put on his helmet, and headed outside.

As the resounding bugle call echoed once again over the stadium, he needed to face his next opponent.

“Wait! If you really intend to go to this appointment, you’d better bring more guards. I’m not sure if he’s after us. You should understand that these are extraordinary times, and anything can happen,” Cersei warned seriously.

"Don't worry, I'm not stupid."

……

As evening fell and the sun slowly set along the horizon, a small squad of fully armed soldiers ran out of the city gate and surrounded a secluded beach.

The leader of the team was none other than the infamous "Kingslayer" Jaime Lannister.

"Good evening, Sir James. You're a little later than I expected. But that's alright, the sun hasn't completely set yet, has it?" Zhang Cheng greeted him with a smile as he sat on the smooth rock, flipping through the book in his hands.