A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 40

Volume 44, Chapter 10: Turning Defeat into Victory. The

heavy snorting of warhorses mingled with the thunderous roar of two thousand elite cavalrymen, carrying an aura of desolation and slaughter, crashing into the hastily formed and loosely organized Khitan army ranks like two thousand giant hammers falling from the sky.
The dull thuds of impact and piercing screams instantly merged into a cacophony.
The Liao army's front lines were instantly reduced to chaos. Clad in animal hide armor, they were utterly unable to withstand the charge of the Longxiang and Huyi armies. Long Feiyun, in particular, spurred her Jade Snow Kirin Steed, leading the charge. From afar, she wielded her Heaven-Piercing Halberd, hacking and slashing; up close, she used the Nine Heavens Mysterious Sky Sword, each move imbued with her boundless longing for Ren Xiaoyao, as if offering the blood and heads of her enemies as a sacrifice to her deceased husband in the afterlife.
Wherever Long Feiyun charged, the Liao soldiers were plowed down like weeds in a field!
The leader charged ahead, fighting fiercely. None of the Heavenly Pole Sect's soldiers were to lag behind; they shouted, yelled, roared, and howled, engulfing the enemy like a raging tide.
As the sun set, darkness gradually fell.
The battlefield felt even more oppressively dark!
The world seemed turned upside down; the blood-soaked ground was littered with the corpses of Liao soldiers, trampled underfoot by horses. Hundreds fell simultaneously, turning the area into a horrific slaughterhouse, filled with swirling dust and the dying screams of the victims—a scene of unimaginable horror.
The Liao soldiers, fighting on foot, were no match for the Longxiang and Huyi armies' charge. Instantly, they were killed or wounded, their cries echoing across the battlefield. Any other unit would have collapsed by now, but these were the elite troops of the Liao Dynasty, battle-hardened veterans. After the initial chaos, they quickly regained their composure and fought to the death, repeatedly forming broken ranks to firmly block the Longxiang and Huyi armies' advance!
The Tianji army could cut off their heads, could take their lives, but they could not destroy their will to fight to the death!
Their duty was to protect Xiao Talin's life; until they were all dead, they would not allow any enemy to approach Xiao Talin.
—This was the Khitan, the overlords of the north, the kings of the grasslands.
Zhao Kuangyin, the first emperor of a unified China, who ended the chaos of the Five Dynasties and laid the foundation for the Song Dynasty's enduring prosperity, never managed to reclaim the Northern Han Dynasty even in death because of their obstruction. Zhao Guangyi, a brilliant and ambitious ruler who inherited his brother's legacy, also struggled for twenty years to overcome them, for their innate perseverance and unwavering will made them the Song Dynasty's strongest enemies. Therefore, only the emergence of an unprecedented, unparalleled military genius and leader could truly subdue them and bring peace to the Song Dynasty and the world!
More and more Liao troops gathered. Before Qiong Yaonayan's five thousand men were wiped out, Xiao Talin, relying on his accurate judgment and calm command, quickly assembled and divided into two groups. One group formed a spear formation to block the cavalry's advance, while the other group attempted to encircle and divide Long Feiyun's mere two thousand men.
The deployment was orderly and disciplined.
Xiao Talin truly lived up to his reputation as a renowned general of the Liao Dynasty!
"Boom!"
One of the Longxiang Army's riders was finally tripped up. The massive, heavily armored body, along with the heavily armored knight on horseback, crashed heavily to the ground. With a deafening roar, two Liao infantrymen were instantly crushed into dust.
It was through this fearless and reckless fighting that the Liao soldiers managed to halt the Longxiang and Tiger Wing Army's charge, disrupting Long Feiyun's plan to capture the leader first.
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
"Kill!"
Just then, deafening battle cries rose from both sides, and in the dark night, a large group of cavalry charged in like a tidal wave.
The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!
Yes, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. At this crucial moment, five thousand Tiger and Leopard Cavalry decisively changed their original strategy of flanking and trapping the enemy on both flanks, and rushed back to the center to provide reinforcements.
"Hahaha, kill, kill, wipe them all out for me!" Xiao Talin was energized upon seeing the reinforcements arrive.
Unable to defeat the Liao army, the Longxiang and Huyi armies were thrown into disarray by this sudden turn of events. The renowned general Xiao Talin, seizing this golden opportunity, roared and charged forward, brandishing his treasured sword, aiming directly at Long Feiyun.
Long Feiyun cried out, raising her Heaven-Piercing Halberd high above her head. With her feet firmly planted in the stirrups, she abruptly rose from her horse, unleashing the full force of her Heavenly Dao Divine Art, and slashed down with the ferocity of a mountain crashing down, aiming for Xiao Talin's left shoulder, seemingly intent on cleaving him in two.
Xiao Talin intended to strike first, but the Jade Snow Kirin Steed's speed far exceeded his expectations. He gripped the horse's flanks tightly, preparing to strike with his sword, but Long Feiyun had already risen from her horse! Then, from her elevated position, she swung her halberd down diagonally, the force of the blow terrifying, the chilling killing intent penetrating even before the halberd arrived.
"Clang!"
A clear, resounding clang of metal pierced the sky. The two horses flashed past each other like lightning. Long Feiyun stood firm as a mountain on her horse, while Xiao Talin's body swayed violently, almost falling off his horse.
—He was an invincible general on the battlefield, but how could he withstand the power of the Heavenly Dao Divine Skill?
"Clang!"
"Pfft!"
"Ugh—"
At the same time, the sounds of metal clashing, bones cracking, and screams intertwined once more.
The Longxiang and Tiger Wing armies collided fiercely with the charging Tiger Leopard Cavalry like two torrents, instantly creating a dazzling display of blood. The two cavalry forces merged and separated, then passed each other again, leaving dozens of corpses lying on the ground, and dozens of ownerless warhorses neighing mournfully as they fled in terror.
"Charge! Charge!" Xiao Talin's body was half-numb, but he still retained his general's spirit, commanding the Tiger Leopard Cavalry to charge in all directions.
The Longxiang and Huyi armies numbered only two thousand, and had been fighting for quite some time. His five thousand Tiger and Leopard cavalry, however, were fresh troops. If he could annihilate them all before the eight thousand cavalry on each side could encircle them, turning defeat into victory was not impossible.
His judgment was undeniably accurate, and his planning was undeniably precise, but he overlooked the most crucial point:
the Yang Family Army! The
Yang Family Army, another elite force of the Song Dynasty!
The Yang Family Army, which had been fighting bitterly for many days at the Three Passes, was already exhausted and gradually faltering under the siege of seventy thousand Liao soldiers. Suddenly, the Tianji Army arrived, using the cavalry tactics that the Khitans excelled at to rout them. Their tight formation was instantly shattered, and their morale was naturally greatly boosted.
One man fighting desperately is hard to stop a hundred, let alone the more than ten thousand soldiers of the Yang family army, who were determined to fight to the death in Baoding. These soldiers, who had guarded the border for many years and had fought countless battles... no, thousands, or even more, were all brave and eager to be the first, shouting unified slogans as they charged outwards without regard for anything else.
Although Yang Yanzhao was seriously injured and had not yet recovered, he still took the lead, leading Jiao Zan, Meng Liang, and other generals and soldiers of the Yang family army in a tidal wave towards the enemy.
Although Xiao Talin left 20,000 troops to continue the siege, his own side had been pushed to the brink of defeat by the Longxiang and Huyi armies. His two trusted generals, eager to protect their lord, led their respective troops back to provide reinforcements. The Liao army attacking the city dwindled in number, and the constant sound of their own soldiers' heart-wrenching screams and cries of agony under the iron hooves of the Longxiang and Huyi armies filled them with astonishment and fear. Seeing Xiao Talin's elite troops leave the battle line without warning, they assumed their commander was using them as cannon fodder to preserve the strength of his own forces, and morale immediately collapsed.
With this disparity, how could the remaining mere ten thousand men withstand the Yang family army's fiercely motivated, desperate charge? In an instant, their ranks crumbled, and death and injury piled high.
"
Xiao Talin, prepare to die!"
"Charge!"
"Kill!"
Just as Xiao Talin was feeling smug, a deafening battle cry suddenly erupted from behind.
He abruptly reined in his horse and turned around in shock. In the distance, torches blazed, illuminating the entire sky as if it were daytime. Under the blazing firelight, countless soldiers of the Yang family emerged from the darkness like ghosts, charging towards the unsuspecting rear of the main army in three columns—left, center, and right.
"Liao invaders, don't run! Yue Sheng is here!"
"Liao invaders, don't run! Jiao Zan is here!"
"Liao invaders, don't run! Meng Liang is here!"
Three thunderous shouts rang out from the front of the Yang family army, each accompanied by a general who charged out with imposing
presence. These were none other than Yue Sheng, Jiao Zan, and Meng Liang, generals under Yang Yanzhao. Seeing the Yang family army break through the attacking Liao forces and approach without Xiao Talin's knowledge, their sudden and fierce attack, so overwhelming and awe-inspiring, revealed Yang Yanzhao's exceptional skill in organizing the offensive.
The ten thousand-strong Yang family army, with overwhelming momentum, charged straight into the heart of the enemy's stronghold, routing the Liao troops in a single fell swoop. The enemy could only scatter and flee for their lives, utterly powerless to retaliate. The
already bloodthirsty Longxiang and Huyi armies, their morale soaring, turned and charged madly towards Xiao Talin's central army. Under the pincer attack of the two elite Song armies, the Liao troops could no longer mount an effective counterattack. Even small groups that fought desperately were quickly routed by the relentless onslaught of the Longxiang and Huyi armies.
The defeat was utter!
Xiao Talin realized his plan had completely failed. Not only had he failed to annihilate Long Feiyun's two thousand troops, but he had also lost five thousand elite soldiers in vain!
Forced to retreat to the heart of the central army by the blow from Long Feiyun, he and his generals suddenly found themselves in an unprecedentedly perilous situation. The elite infantry of the Yang family army attacked from the rear, while the Longxiang and Huyi armies launched fierce assaults from all sides. Both forces were unstoppable, closing in on his command flag.
"Retreat—" With no other option, Xiao Talin made a decisive move, turning his horse around and lashing it with his whip. The horse, in pain, galloped northward.
His judgment was correct; retreating now meant saving the remaining troops, while staying meant total annihilation!
Qiong Yaonayan followed closely behind, running and shouting desperately, "Retreat!" The movement of the command flag affected the entire army; their fighting spirit vanished instantly. The Yang family army and the Tianji army roared in unison, fighting bravely.
At this moment, the main forces of the two armies met at the heart of the battlefield, a scene strewn with corpses and rivers of blood.
"Hahaha, Brother Zhang, you've finally made your move! I've been waiting impatiently!" As he spoke, Meng Liang swung his giant axe, cleaving the heads of two Liao soldiers in front of him with a resounding crash.
"The Yang family army is fighting bravely to the death; how can we fall behind?" Zhang Feng thrust his spear forward, instantly creating a bloody hole in the chest of a Liao army lieutenant who charged from the side, sending him crashing to the ground.
"These past few days have been hard on your brothers!" Qin Xiang said, his hands never stopping, and in the blink of an eye, his spear had added several more lives.
"Loyalty to the country knows no bounds! Kill!" Yue Sheng roared, charging into the enemy ranks with his sword.
And so, the generals of the Tianji Army, the Yang family army, and others led their troops forward, relentlessly pursuing and killing the enemy, leaving no one behind, while the Khitan army suffered a crushing defeat.

Volume 44, Chapter 11:

The Battle of the Liao Camp. By this time, both sides had suffered casualties. The Tianji Army, originally numbering 18,000, had dwindled to 16,000, with 2,000 killed in action. The Yang Family Army had suffered over 4,000 casualties. The Khitan army
, with 70,000 troops, was reduced to less than 40,000 remnants, and more were constantly falling.
The war raged on, seemingly staining the dark night crimson!
Long Feiyun and Yang Yanzhao stood on a raised mound, observing the retreating Khitan army.
Both were covered in blood, whether from the enemy or from their own wounds, it was unclear.
The sky was not yet completely dark; by the light of the torches, the distant battle was still faintly visible.
"Well done, Xiao Talin! He truly is a renowned general. Though his army retreated, he remained disciplined, managing to use his elite troops to break through the remaining formation and block our pursuit."
"Indeed, and with those five thousand Tiger and Leopard Cavalry guards on either side, taking his head is impossible."
"And the sixty thousand troops lying in ambush at Xingzilin are the most deadly threat now."
"Yes, once Yelü Guozhen and Yelü Guobao arrive with their troops, our strategist will be exhausted and unable to deal with them as fiercely as before."
"Let's retreat."
"Yes."
"'Feiyu' has grasped the entire situation of the ambush troops and set traps and mechanisms along the way to hinder their return. We can choose another route to avoid the ambush."
Yang Yanzhao waved his hand, and his personal guards quickly unfurled the command flags.
Immediately, smoke and fire rose from the three passes. It turned out that dry firewood had been piled up throughout the city, and after being lit, it burned fiercely, turning this strategic pass on the Song-Liao border into a white wasteland.
Since we can't hold it, then destroy it! We mustn't leave it to the Liao army! "Retreat!" Long Feiyun and Yang Yanzhao gave the order simultaneously, spurring their horses forward at breakneck speed, followed closely by countless soldiers. Only after riding a long distance
did Long Feiyun leisurely turn back, casting a deep, inexplicable glance at the Three Passes disappearing into the night, a profound look flashing in her eyes.
Three Passes, one day, this leader will rebuild you!
×× ... "Useless! Useless!!!" Yelü Changsheng slammed his fist on the table, pointing his halberd and roaring, "Two hundred thousand! Two hundred thousand troops! The two hundred thousand troops I gave you were all the elite of our dynasty, including thirty thousand Tiger and Leopard Cavalry! You lost fifty thousand in one battle, and another fifty thousand were either seriously wounded or incapacitated. You...you...Xiao Talin, you are unworthy of being a renowned general! You are a sinner for all time!" Xiao Talin stood aside, head bowed, silent. This once-renowned general, who had dominated the world, had tasted the most painful and severe defeat of his life at the Three Passes. "Your Majesty, your words are biased!" Xiao Guanyinnu said indignantly. Yao'er Weikang nodded, "Yes, what kind of elite troops are they? They're a bunch of useless trash! The Dragon Soaring and Tiger Wing Armies charged, and over 20,000 men were immediately routed. Luckily, the Prince had the Tiger Guards by his side, otherwise..." Taizhen Xuqing interjected, "That's right. If it weren't for the Prince's direct troops fighting desperately during the retreat, those so-called elite troops... hmph, they would have been completely wiped out long ago, not a single one left!" "The Prince is not wrong; it was the King's poor command that led to this defeat!" Aliqi, Yao'er Weikang, and Yelü Dezhong all clamored. A few mere generals daring to challenge the Southern Court King, who was second only to the Emperor, was something that would be impossible in the Song Dynasty, the Western Xia, the Tubo, or any other country, except in the Liao Dynasty. Why? Because of the power struggle between the Southern and Northern Courts! The Liao Dynasty established four royal courts: the Northern and Southern Courts of the Khitan, the Yishi Court, and the Xi Court. Each court led a major tribe within its territory, namely the Five Courts, Six Courts, Yishi Tribe, and Six Xi Tribes. Among them, the Northern and Southern Courts were the most powerful, with the Yishi Court and the Xi Court each having their own allies, forming two major factions: the Northern and Southern Courts. Formally, the Liao Dynasty adopted a system of "governing the Khitan with the state system and treating the Han people with the Han system." The Northern Court Privy Council was called the Khitan Privy Council, and the Southern Court Privy Council was called the Han Privy Council. The Northern and Southern Kings commanded the Khitan military forces, and the Northern and Southern Privy Councilors participated in state affairs, heard legal cases, and managed Khitan politics and Han affairs respectively. They also established positions such as Chief Privy Councilor, Deputy Chief Privy Councilor, and Deputy Chief Privy Councilor to assist in handling local affairs.

Of course, "treating Han people according to Han system" was only a nominal statement. Twenty-four years ago, when Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Kuangyi, launched a northern expedition, the Han governors of six of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun surrendered, and Youzhou was in danger. It was only thanks to the great general Yelü Xiezhen that the Khitan's southern foundation was not destroyed. At that time, the entire Southern Privy Council, under the instruction of Empress Dowager Xiao and the approval of Emperor Shengzong Yelü Longxu, carried out an unprecedented purge. All officials, except for the lowest-ranking county magistrates and county lieutenants (the officials of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were set up according to the Han system inherited from the Tang Dynasty), were replaced by Khitans.
At that time, Yelü Xiezhen served as the Southern Court King and Han Derang as the Southern Court Privy Councilor, in charge of the southern war against the Song Dynasty; Yelü Xiuge served as the Northern Court King; and Xiao Talin served as the Northern Court Privy Councilor, responsible for dealing with Goguryeo, Jurchen, and Uyghur. From then on, the struggle between the two courts began to sprout. After Yelü Xiezhen was forced to death by Ren Xiaoyao and Yelü Changsheng succeeded his father as the new Southern Court King, the conflict became uncontrollable and was completely ignited.
This is because the Khitans valued military merit above all else. Without experience leading troops in battle and returning victorious, no matter how high one's rank or position, no one would respect you. Although Yelü Changsheng was the son of Yelü Xiezhen, it didn't mean he possessed his father's bravery and skill in battle. In order to "promote" the next military genius, and also because he was a direct descendant of the royal family, Emperor Shengzong Yelü Longxu did not hesitate to transfer the main force of the Southern Court to attack the Uyghurs, Goryeo, and Jurchens in Xizhou, allowing him to repeatedly achieve merits and become famous throughout the land within a few months. Meanwhile, the Northern Court troops were transferred to fight the Yang family army to the death, suffering heavy casualties and losing over ten thousand men in three years, yet they received no credit whatsoever. How could the generals of the Northern Court not harbor resentment?
In terms of military merit, with Yelü Xiuge's death, it should have been Xiao Talin's turn to become the Northern Court King, but he was not a member of the royal family and was not qualified to succeed him. Therefore, he remained in the position of Northern Court Privy Councilor, while Yelü Longxu's seventh brother, Yelü Zongyuan, was promoted. Yelü Zongyuan was a humble and kind man, possessing the talent for governing the world but lacking the ability to command troops. Therefore, all the generals of the Northern Court followed Xiao Talin's lead. Once Yelü Changsheng rebuked Xiao Talin, not only did his direct subordinates Xiao Guanyinnu, Yao'er Weikang, and Taizhen Xuqing stand up to defend him, but Aliqi, Yao'er Weikang, Yelü Dezhong, and others also sided with him.
"We fought bravely, battling the Yang Family Army and the Tianji Army to the death, but the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, with a full 20,000 cavalry and 40,000 troops, couldn't even catch a glimpse of them. I really don't know what they were doing."
"The enemy only had about 30,000 men, and they were already exhausted after the battle. If the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry had successfully intercepted them halfway, capturing Yang Yanzhao and Long Feiyun alive would not have been difficult. How could they have suffered such a great defeat?"
"We..." Yelü Guozhen and Yelü Guobao were speechless.
As generals of the Southern Court faction and commanders of 30,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, they were placed by Yelü Xiezhen in the vanguard to monitor Xiao Talin. Xiao Talin was cunning and calculating. On the one hand, he considered that the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was suitable for pursuing and killing the Longxiang and Huyi armies. On the other hand, he wanted to keep the greatest credit for himself. He directly ordered them to lead 20,000 Tiger and Leopard Cavalry and 40,000 infantry to ambush in Xingzilin and wait to clean up the mess. Unexpectedly, all the arrangements, including the ambush location and marching route, were thoroughly investigated by "Flying Feather". Long Feiyun turned the tables and launched a brilliant counterattack, not only defeating Xiao Talin's troops but also making a perfect flanking retreat. The brothers Yelü Guozhen and Yelü Guobao led their troops back to reinforce, but they didn't even see a single Song soldier.
"Enough!" It was Xiao Talin who cut them off. This veteran general of the Liao Kingdom was now flushed, his lips twitching, clearly furious. "This battle was due to my misjudgment of the enemy. I didn't expect the Tianji Army to return and launch a surprise attack. Furthermore..." He turned abruptly, his tiger-like eyes gleaming, and fixed his gaze on Yelü Changsheng, "I suspect there are Han spies in the Tiger and Leopard Army, and the same goes for the major horse farms."
Yelü Changsheng had remained silent for a long time, letting the generals point and complain. Hearing Xiao Talin's words, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, and he asked coldly. "Oh, what do you mean?"
Xiao Talin said fiercely, "The Longxiang and Huyi armies are indeed the elite forces among the 100,000 troops of the Tianji Sect, but four years ago they would never have dared to confront our Tiger and Leopard Cavalry head-on. But this time... whether it is the ability of individual combat or the coordination of group charges, the Longxiang and Huyi armies are no less than our Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Their main generals' use of cavalry legions for mobility and rapid raids is even more amazing. If there hadn't been a traitor in the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry who leaked our training methods to them, how could we have two such powerful cavalry forces in just four years!"
"Furthermore! Since its founding, the Song Dynasty has lost the horse-breeding areas of the Hetao region and south of the Yanshan Mountains. Zhao Kuangyi's several northern expeditions could only rely on large square formations composed of infantry and crossbowmen to resist the Khitan cavalry. Even when they had horses, they were weak and short, unable to support the heavily armored cavalry, and therefore unusable in actual combat. But why do the Longxiang and Huyi armies have nearly 20,000 fine warhorses, no less than the equipment of our Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!" Upon
hearing this, the generals nodded in agreement.
The reason why the Khitan had been able to gain an absolute advantage in previous battles against the Song Dynasty was because of the high mobility of their cavalry, but now this advantage had vanished before the Tianji Army, and they were instead using infantry to fight against cavalry.
"His Majesty has already ordered me to investigate the traitor's matter in secret, and we've made some progress. I believe the truth will come out soon," Yelü Changsheng's deputy, Yelü Shaxi, said shockingly. "As for the horses, it's not that there's a traitor in our horse farm, but rather that the Tianji Sect is willing to spend money."
"Spend money!?"
"Yes, the warhorses allocated to the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry cost one hundred taels of silver each, but someone at the border market is offering three hundred taels to buy them long-term—three times the price! Even at the risk of their heads, those horse owners would secretly sell them."
"Three hundred taels per horse, nearly twenty thousand horses, six...six million taels!?"
"Nonsense! Although the Tianji Sect's annual income is over a million, they have to support and equip an army of one hundred thousand. Where would they get the extra money to buy horses?"
"Even if they did buy them, such a large transaction wouldn't cross the border!"
Everyone shook their heads, none of them believing it.
Yelü Shaxi slowly said, "It's not the Heavenly Pole Sect, it's Tingyuxuan."
"What!?" "
Tingyuxuan buys warhorses at exorbitant prices and then uses them to carry goods purchased by our Great Liao. The border guards are only concerned with checking whether there are any smuggled or hidden items in the goods, and no one has noticed that the horses used to transport the goods are all fine steeds supplied by our Khitan army." Yelü Shaxi's tone was cold, sending chills down one's spine.
"Tingyuxuan? Isn't Tingyuxuan the richest man in the world, a businessman? How come..."
"Nangong Bubai has no sons, and both of his daughters are married to Ren Xiaoyao. For his son-in-law to achieve lasting fame, let alone six million, he would be willing to go bankrupt if Tingyuxuan were to give up everything!" Everyone looked at each other, speechless.
"Enough!" After a long silence, Yelü Changsheng suddenly waved his hand and said coldly, "I know you are dissatisfied with this defeat. You think that if I had sent the Xuanjia Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, even if it were five thousand against eighteen thousand, we would never have been able to hold out until the ambush troops returned to reinforce us. Today, I can tell you with certainty that unless the Khitan faces a crisis of survival, the thirty thousand Xuanjia Tiger and Leopard Cavalry will not be used. In fact, they are not even by my side!"
"What does Your Majesty mean?"
"With the King personally leading the expedition, the Xuanjia Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, as personal guards, will not be deployed in battle under normal circumstances." A cold expression appeared on his face, his eyes blazing with killing intent, and he said in a deep voice, "However, everyone can rest assured, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry still numbers 70,000, more than enough to deal with the Dragon Soaring Army and the Tiger Wing Army. The Heavenly Extreme Army's prestige is limited to this one at the Three Passes!"
He paused, his voice suddenly rising several decibels, "Given the numerous factions in the North and South Courts, each without unified command, there is a risk that some may disobey orders and refuse to submit to commands during the great battle, causing the southern expedition against the Song Dynasty to fail. Therefore, the Empress Dowager and the King have bestowed this item upon me. After seeing it, anyone who still disagrees may speak openly!" With that, he stood up abruptly, raised his hand, and an object suddenly appeared, dazzling everyone in the tent.
"Ah, the... the Grand Marshal's Order of the Armed Forces of the World!!!"

Volume 44, Chapter 12: What's in My Pocket

The Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces was the highest-ranking official in the Liao Dynasty. He oversaw all military affairs of the four royal courts—the Northern and Southern Courts, the Yishi Court, and the Xi Court—effectively holding all military power in the country. Even the powerful kings of the Northern and Southern Courts were subject to his command. Nominally only one rank below the emperor, in reality, if the emperor was weak and the holder of this position was ambitious, the entire Khitan state was as if controlled by the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces.
Over fifty years ago, Emperor Taizong of Liao, Yelü Deguang, died. His younger brother, Yelü Lihu, then the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces, rebelled, challenging Emperor Shizong of Liao, Yelü Wu, for the throne. This caused widespread chaos and nearly led to the collapse of the kingdom. Fortunately, the minister Yelü Zhiwu intervened and quelled the rebellion, but the kingdom's strength was severely weakened, preventing it from ever again conquering the Central Plains.
From then on, during the reigns of Emperor Shizong, Emperor Muzong, and Emperor Jingzong, the position of Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces was never granted to any general. Unexpectedly, during this campaign against the Song Dynasty, in order to quell the conflict between the Southern and Northern Courts, Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Shengzong actually bestowed this supreme position, which had been sealed for over fifty years, upon Yelü Changsheng!
Yelü Shaxi coldly said, "Before Your Majesty led the 300,000-strong central army on your journey, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor issued an imperial edict, bestowing upon Your Majesty the title of Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces, Grand Master of the Palace, concurrently holding the positions of Minister of State Affairs, Grand Minister of Works, and overseeing the affairs of both the Southern and Northern Courts. You were also granted the title of Meritorious Official of Xinghua, the title of Grand Protector, the title of Grand Chancellor, and the honorary title of 'Yu Yue.' All subjects of our Liao Kingdom, regardless of rank or title, shall obey your orders and shall not disobey."
Xiao Talin's body trembled violently, and he almost collapsed on the spot. "
My God, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor have bestowed so many titles upon Yelü Changsheng! It's simply...it's unprecedented! This...this kid is only twenty-five or twenty-six years old, he...
" "Your Highness, do you understand the Empress Dowager and the Emperor's meaning?" Yelü Changsheng smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with an extremely intimidating light.
"Yes, yes, I am willing to obey your orders." With the Grand Marshal's command before him, how could Xiao Talin dare disobey?
"And what about the generals of the Northern Court?"
"We will obey the Grand Marshal's orders." Even Xiao Talin was convinced; who would dare to disagree?
"Good! With all generals united, the destruction of the Song Dynasty is only a matter of time! Bring the map!" Yelü Changsheng waved his hand, and two lieutenants behind him immediately presented a scroll of sheepskin map.
"Gentlemen, please look!" The map was unfurled in the hall, and Yelü Changsheng drew his sword, pointing it towards the center.
"After the Yang family army abandoned the three passes, our army advanced rapidly, sweeping across the border regions. The Song Dynasty lost all of Hebei, except for Tanzhou, which remained under our control."
"According to reliable sources (provided by Wang Qinruo), the Song Dynasty mobilized its entire national strength, deploying 800,000 imperial guards to the southwest to defend against the armies of Western Xia, Tibet, Dali, and Goryeo. The northern campaign was led by Emperor Zhenzong himself, who led his remaining 30,000 imperial guards, along with 100,000 Tianji troops and 20,000 Yang family soldiers, to resist our million-strong army." "
A personal campaign? Hahaha." The generals exchanged laughter.
Since ancient times, an emperor's personal campaign was a significant event, but the Song Dynasty was different. The founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin, rose from the ranks of the military, having fought alongside Emperor Taizu Guo Wei and Emperor Shizong Chai Rong, accumulating countless merits. Even after becoming emperor, he continued his campaigns, personally commanding numerous battles, making him a man of military prowess.
Although Emperor Taizong of Song, Zhao Guangyi, was twelve years younger than his elder brother, he was already a formidable general before the founding of the Song Dynasty. He assisted Zhao Pu, Shi Shouxin, Wang Shenqi, and others in orchestrating the Chenqiao Mutiny, helping his brother establish his imperial power. After ascending the throne, Zhao Guangyi's prowess remained undiminished. He personally led troops to quell the Northern Han rebellion. Although he was defeated at Gaoliang River in the subsequent campaign against the Liao Dynasty and was wounded by two Liao arrows, he was still an emperor who had faced life and death on the battlefield.
By the time of Emperor Zhenzong of Song, he had truly been raised in the inner palace, never having seen military affairs and possessing an instinctive fear of war. Going
to the front lines? Ha, he'd probably wet his pants in fear.
Xiao Talin sneered, "If Zhao Kuangyin were still alive, we would be wary of him. If Zhao Kuangyi comes, we shouldn't underestimate him either. As for Zhao Heng, that brat, hmph, if he dares to cross the Yellow River, Zhao Kuangyi will be lucky to survive."
"Zhao Heng might not dare to cross the river, but Kou Zhun dares, Zhao Defang (the Eighth Prince) dares, Huyan Zan dares, and Gao Qiong dares!" Yelü Changsheng's voice became serious. "With these people instigating him, Zhao Heng will inevitably end up in Tanyuan City. With the emperor's presence, the Song army's morale will be a hundred times higher, and the price to pay for winning this battle will be much higher."
Xiao Talin said calmly, "That's true, but in other words, as long as our army surrounds Tanzhou and breaks through it in one fell swoop, wouldn't we also have the Song emperor in our hands?"
The generals all agreed.
Yelü Changsheng snorted, his gaze becoming sharp as an arrow: "The Song emperor? Hahaha, do you think that our dynasty mobilized the entire nation's army to conquer the south just for the sake of the Song Dynasty?"
"Isn't that right!?"
The generals looked at each other.
"Of course not, we're after the whole world!"
Upon hearing this, everyone except Yelü Shaxi was stunned.
"We'll capture Chanyuan with minimal losses before the Song emperor arrives in person, then deploy our troops along the Yellow River, making it appear as if we're about to launch a large-scale crossing, forcing the Song emperor to recall the imperial guards to protect the capital. Once the imperial guards withdraw from the western, southern, and eastern fronts, Western Xia, Tibet, and Dali will definitely launch a major offensive, hoping to seize the opportunity. Then…"
Yelü Changsheng's sinister eyes flashed with a strange, regretful light as he chuckled sinisterly, "My spies planted in the Song court will seize the opportunity to falsely issue imperial edicts, ordering them to fight Western Xia, Tibet, and Dali to the death!"
Xiao Talin suddenly understood, exclaiming, "Ah, I understand! The marshal wants these countries to fight to the death, and then our million-strong Liao army will cross the river and wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"
"That's right!" Yelü Changsheng coldly uttered two words, tracing a circle on the map with his sword. "In this way, the Great Song, Western Xia, Tibet, Dali, and Goryeo will all be incorporated into the territory of our Great Liao. A thousand-year legacy will be achieved in no time!!!"
"Marshal is wise!"
Xiao Talin was stunned for a moment, then immediately knelt and prostrated himself on the ground.
This time, this Khitan elder and veteran general of the Great Liao couldn't help but feel a deep sense of admiration for Yelü Changsheng's bold and unconventional, yet nearly perfect, southern invasion plan. The factional struggles between the North and South Courts, and the question of who would be the first tiger general of the Khitan, were all instantly forgotten. Only one belief remained in his heart:
to give his all, to serve the country with utmost loyalty, and to dedicate himself to the Great Liao Dynasty and the eternal foundation of the Khitan people!
"Marshal is wise!" "Marshal is wise
!"
"Marshal is wise!"
The generals in the tent were moved by his words and raised their arms in unison, shouting.
Yelü Changsheng waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet. His expression remained unchanged, revealing no emotion whatsoever, displaying only his calm and collected arrogance.
"Gentlemen," he said
, his voice not loud, yet possessing a penetrating power that went straight to the heart,
"my inside agent within the Song court is doing everything in his power to delay the Song emperor's personal expedition to Tanzhou. Furthermore, under the guise of 'protecting the imperial carriage,' he has also diverted the Heavenly Pole Sect's reinforcements there, ensuring that Tanzhou will not receive any reinforcements within ten days. Our mission is to capture Tanzhou within these ten days and annihilate the city's garrison!"
"Ten days!? This..." Xiao Talin gasped. "Tanzhou City is fortified with wide moats, abundant food supplies, and enough defensive equipment for half a year. Moreover, with the capabilities of the Yang family army, the bravery of the Longxiang and Huyi armies, Yang Yanzhao's extensive combat experience, and Long Feiyun's foresight... how can ten days possibly be enough..."
Yelü Changsheng looked up at him, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, but his expression was calmer and more composed than ever before. He slowly said, "If you, Prince Xiao, were to lead the troops, you certainly wouldn't be able to take it, but this time, it is I, the Prince, who will be in charge of the battle!"
He paused, the murderous look in his eyes growing even colder: "I assure you all, at the latest seven days, at the latest ten days, Tanzhou City will surely be in the hands of our Great Liao!"

Volume 44, Chapter 13: Meeting at the Commander's Office

Inside the city of Tanzhou, at the General's Mansion.
This place was originally the residence of the garrison commander Ji Yanwo, but now it served as the command center for the entire city defense campaign.
Yang Yanzhao, Long Feiyun, and Ji Yanwo sat in a circle.
"Ten days, a full ten days. The Liao army has reinforced its forces to 400,000, and under Xiao Talin's command, their offensive is unprecedentedly fierce." Ji Yanwo took a deep breath, still shaken, and said, "Fortunately, Marshal Yang and Princess Fengwu led from the front, and the Yang Family Army and Tianji Army fought bravely and repelled the Khitan attacks time and time again. I've truly seen something amazing."
"General Ji, you flatter me. From the very beginning of the Liao army's siege, you braved arrows, personally directing operations around the city, leading your troops to throw and roll giant logs, and to pour oil on the crossbows. Tanzhou City remained unmoved. General Ji, your contribution is equally indispensable!"
"Defending the country is a soldier's duty. This humble general dares not claim credit." Ji Yanwo bowed, moved, and said, "On the other hand, the heroes from all over the land who rushed to the front lines, without any official position or salary from the court, have fought alongside the soldiers without hesitation, one after another, risking their lives to fight the Liao army!"
"The rise and fall of a nation is the responsibility of every citizen." Long Feiyun sat down on the table, her eyes slightly red, perhaps thinking of Ren Xiaoyao in the afterlife, her voice choked with emotion. "Now, five nations are attacking Song, and the nation is in peril. Which citizen of our Great Song doesn't want to fight the invaders and protect their homeland? We, the people of the martial world, have always prioritized chivalry. The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people. As long as our Great Song survives and our people live in peace, what does it matter if the martial world of the Central Plains is destroyed!"
"The greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people..." Yang Yanzhao silently repeated these words several times, then suddenly looked up, moved, and said, "Then... the Prince of Wuling protected his country and its people during his lifetime, single-handedly saving the nation from collapse, wasn't that..."
"A saint among heroes!" Ji Yanwo murmured with admiration, "Thinking back to those days, facing the 400,000-strong army led by Yelü Xiezhen, the Khitan war god, Prince Wuling single-handedly charged through a sea of spears and blades, slaughtering his way through the enemy ranks as if they were nothing, achieving victory in a single battle..."
"General Ji!" Yang Yanzhao saw Long Feiyun's shoulders trembling, her eyes misty, on the verge of tears, and quickly interrupted Ji Yanwo's "emotional" words.
"Though Xiaoyao is dead, his loyalty and righteousness remain." Long Feiyun suddenly shouted, her tears fading. "We, the people of the martial world, should take this as our guide, fighting ten against one, defending Tanzhou to the death, shedding our blood and flesh to compose a heroic epic of loyalty, vowing to defend the Song Dynasty's territory to the death, preferring to fight rather than retreat, preferring to die rather than retreat, only in this way can we comfort the spirit of the Prince of Wuling in heaven!"
"Well said! Preferring to fight rather than retreat, preferring to die rather than retreat, we swear to live and die together in Tanzhou!" A clear, vigorous, and bold voice rang out from outside the door.
"Senior Dugu!" The three of them quickly stood up and hurried over to greet him.
Dugu Yu, his face solemn, refrained from pleasantries and stated directly, "The first batch of disciples from Tingyuxuan, Fengmingge, and Shenhuotang, along with disciples from the Taishan, Huashan, and Huangshan sects, and the five major branches of the Beggars' Sect—Jingdong, Jingxi, Hebei, Hedong, and Hubei—have all entered the city. I just received a message from Feifan via carrier pigeon, informing me that four hundred disciples from my Hengshan sect, eight hundred monks led by the four great monks of Shaolin, and disciples from the Songshan sect and Yaoyuelou are already eighty li away."
"They should arrive in three days at the latest. Furthermore, heroes from various strongholds of the Green Forest Alliance in the thirteen provinces are also gradually entering the city. The remaining members of various gangs and sects are rushing to Tanzhou from all over the country, ranging from dozens to hundreds, including many experts and powerful figures." Another person followed in, none other than Zhen Gongji Mina.
"Good, that's wonderful." Ji Yanwo was overjoyed upon hearing this. "The Emperor will arrive in three days, accompanied by 30,000 Imperial Guards, 80,000 Heavenly Army soldiers, and all these fellow martial artists. What is there to fear even if the Liao army has a million men?"
"I'm afraid... we won't live to see that day." Long Feiyun sighed softly.
“Yes, according to ‘Feiyu’s’ reconnaissance, the Asura Cult, the Absolute Kill, the Maitreya Cult, the Tangut Society, and a group of experts from the Dali Kingdom have all arrived at Xiao Talin’s army. Once they come out in full force…” Zhen Gongji Mina leaned against the window frame, her brows furrowed slightly, and said, “The experts from all walks of life in the Central Plains have not yet arrived. With our current strength, I’m afraid we can’t stop them.”
“Not necessarily!” Dugu Yu’s white eyebrows twitched, and he said in a deep voice, “The martial arts of the Central Plains and the surrounding countries are different from the ninjutsu of Japan. They emphasize self-cultivation and physical fitness, unlike the ninjutsu which focuses on practicality and specializes in surprise attacks, assassinations, and escapes. With the proper use of special tools, any chunin or even genin can climb over obstacles that are tens of feet high. Tanzhou City has high walls and deep fortifications, and it’s slippery and difficult to walk on. It’s not easy for the Asura Cult, the Absolute Kill, the Maitreya Cult, and other evil sects to get up here. So as long as we hold the city gate firmly and prevent their large forces from attacking, no matter how many experts they have, it will be in vain.”
"Senior Dugu is absolutely right. As long as we fight with all our might and hold off those few dozen... ah, at most a few dozen people, Tanzhou City can be defended as solid as a rock." Long Feiyun nodded, deeply agreeing, then sighed and slowly said, "Compared to the Ghost Netherworld God Lord and the Hentian Demon Lord, I'm worried about someone else."
"Who!"
“Yelü Changsheng!” Long Feiyun coldly uttered four words, her eyes suddenly turning sharp as blades. “According to intelligence reports, Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Yelü Longxu of Liao have appointed him as the Grand Marshal of the Armed Forces, commanding both the Northern and Southern Courts, and overseeing the attack on Song. To date, the Liao army outside the city has increased to 400,000, yet the vanguard commander, Grand Marshal Xiao Talin, is still leading the attack. Yelü Changsheng… he’s nowhere to be seen.”
Ji Yanwo said in surprise, “That’s normal. Liao has mobilized a million troops; 400,000 are just the vanguard. The remaining 600,000 are the main force attacking our dynasty. As the commander-in-chief, Yelü Changsheng should naturally remain in the central command.”
“No, Yelü Changsheng’s military tactics are different from those of ordinary generals. He personally leads the troops in every battle, big or small, and fights quickly and decisively. When he first became the Southern King, he defeated the Uyghurs, defeated Goguryeo, and annihilated the Jurchens. Each time, he faced enemy forces that were several times, or even more than ten times, and he wiped them out in just a few days or even a dozen days, like autumn leaves being swept away by the wind.”
Long Feiyun still feels shocked when she recalls the battle reports from that year.
"In July, the Uyghurs of Xizhou invaded the Liao border. Yelü Changsheng personally led 8,000 elite cavalry, marching 670 li a day, and decisively defeated the Uyghur coalition of 130,000. Blood flowed like rivers, and cries of grief filled the fields. The entire Uyghur nation was terrified and migrated eastward, daring not to turn westward. In August, he led an expedition against Goguryeo, beheading over 40,000 enemies in the first battle and capturing the general Kang Zhao alive. The Goguryeo crown prince, Li Xuanyun, fled in disarray. In September, the Jurchens rebelled and occupied prefectures. The Liao emperor sent troops to conquer them several times, but all attempts failed. When Yelü Changsheng arrived, he led his elite troops to counterattack north of the Shahe River, utterly defeating the enemy."
Yang Yanzhao read each word carefully, his expression equally solemn.
"Given Yelü Changsheng's character, he would never retreat to the second line during such a major battle, letting the two armies fight on the front while he stayed in the central army waiting for victory. Therefore..."
"Yelü Changsheng must be in the army outside the city!" Long Feiyun uttered softly, but her words carried the weight of thunder.
"What? He...he's outside the city!?" Ji Yanwo's heart skipped a beat.
"Yes, Xiao Talin's attack on the city was just a facade. The real commander of the 400,000-strong army and the one directing the entire battle was Yelü Changsheng!"
"He commanded? Then...then why hide it? Why..." Ji Yanwo was completely bewildered.
"General Ji, do you remember the Battle of Changping?" Long Feiyun suddenly asked.
"Of course I remember. This battle was the longest, largest, and deadliest in the history of the Central Plains. It ended with a great victory for the Qin army, burying alive 450,000 Zhao soldiers. From then on, Qin became the most powerful country in the East, setting the stage for the annihilation of Qi, Chu, Yan, Zhao, Han, and Wei, and the unification of the world."
Long Feiyun nodded and continued, "In the Battle of Changping, the Qin army was nominally commanded by Zuo Shuzhang Wang He, but the real commander was Wu'an Hou, one of the four great generals of the Warring States period." Bai Qi. Zhao Kuo, the commander of the Zhao army, failed to assess the situation and, mistaking his opponent for the experienced and prudent Wang He, rashly led his troops in an attack. Bai Qi launched a surprise cavalry attack, cutting off their supply lines, ultimately leading to a disastrous defeat.
Yang Yanzhao added, "Zhao Kuo, a descendant of a famous general, was well-versed in military strategy, yet, unaware that his opponent was the resourceful and invincible military genius Bai Qi, he used the same strategies against Wang He, resulting in the devastating defeat at Changping. Four hundred and fifty thousand soldiers were buried alive, the Zhao state perished, and Zhao Kuo earned the infamy of being a 'paper strategist.'"
Ji Yanwo suddenly realized, gasped, and patted his helmet, saying, "Yes, yes, I see. Although Xiao Talin is a famous general, he has been fighting against our army on the border for a long time. Marshal Yang, you are very familiar with his strategies and tactics. When defending the city, the troop deployment will naturally follow the habits you have used in your previous battles with him. Once the Liao army changes its tactics and its 400,000 troops attack under the command of Yelü Changsheng, our army will be caught off guard and Tanzhou City will be in danger."
Zhen Gongji Mina exhaled a fragrant breath and said happily, "Fortunately, Sister Long has seen through Yelü Changsheng's trick. In this way, we will be on guard and he will not take advantage of us. I will send more people in a moment and draw two more squads from 'Feiyu' to go out of the city to scout. Report back immediately if there is any news!"
Don't underestimate "Feiyu" just because it is a newly established unit of the Tianji Sect. Of its two thousand members, only five hundred are responsible for carrying out missions. The rest are logistics personnel. However, its role is no less than that of the two ace main forces, Longxiang and Huyi.
The personnel and organizational structure of "Flying Feathers" were modified by Ren Xiaoyao based on the "covert mobile force" and "dark unit" of the Beichen Yidao-ryu school, combined with the actual situation within the Tianji Army. Members were carefully selected from the 100,000 followers of the Tianji Army, prioritizing those with strong will and exceptional intelligence over martial arts prowess. They were all taught several martial arts techniques created by Ren Xiaoyao, incorporating the strengths of the seven major ninjutsu schools and his own unique skills. Their specialties included espionage, assassination, search, and tracking, as well as intelligence gathering.
In the Battle of Sanguankou, "Flying Feathers," on their first battlefield appearance, easily uncovered the deployment of Xiao Talin's main force and the ambush locations and marching routes of Yelü Guozhen and Yelü Guobao's 60,000 troops with just over a hundred men. This led to the great victory achieved by the Tianji Army and the Yang Family Army.
This time, it was again "Flying Feathers" that uncovered many secrets of the Liao army, even finding clues to Yelü Changsheng's carefully planned infiltration of the army.
"Yelü Changsheng tricked us, why don't we turn the tables and trick him back?" Ji Yanwo suddenly smiled.
"What, you have a plan?" Long Feiyun was stunned.
"Yes, a plan that will kill us in one fell swoop!"

Volume 44, Chapter 14 Who Trickers Whom

"How will you trick him?" Long Feiyun asked urgently.
"Since I took office as the commander of Tanzhou, I have been thinking of opening a secret passage to the Three Passes, so that when the Liao army comes south and besieges the Three Passes, they can continuously transport food and weapons there..."
"Is that so? How come I didn't know?" Yang Yanzhao asked in astonishment.
"It's His Majesty's will." Ji Yanwo bowed respectfully to the south, his expression solemn. "When I first conceived this plan, many details were still unclear, so I dared not submit it rashly. However, my sister, who came to the front lines on behalf of His Majesty to comfort the troops, overheard me mentioning it casually, and then told His Majesty after returning."
"Sister... Consort Hui!?"
"Yes, after my sister told His Majesty, he took it very seriously and specially summoned me from the front lines to the palace to discuss the secret passage." Ji Yanwo showed a look of emotion as he recalled, "His Majesty strongly supported my plan and issued an edict to transfer five hundred Imperial Guards and many related craftsmen to my command, to be responsible for the excavation of the tunnel."
"That's not right." Yang Yanzhao was still astonished. "I am the Grand Marshal of Hebei Province, in charge of all military affairs in Hebei Province. Such a big matter as the Imperial Guards entering Tanzhou..."
"It is His Majesty's will," Ji Yanwo said for the second time, his tone more solemn than the first. "His Majesty said there is a Khitan traitor in the court. If we follow the usual procedure, I would first submit a memorial to the Privy Council, which would then review it and present it to His Majesty. Marshal Yang has led troops for many years and naturally knows that our Great Song Dynasty practices a system of separation of powers: the power to hold troops, the power to deploy troops, and the power to command troops. Apart from the Yang Family Army and the Tianji Army, the deployment of other troops requires carrying His Majesty's decree to the Privy Council for filing, and then the Privy Council would issue a certificate, which I would then take to the Grand Commandant to deploy troops. There are simply too many departments involved, and there is always the possibility of information leaking out."
"His Majesty is a wise ruler and knows that this plan is of great importance, concerning the safety of the border and even the entire Great Song Dynasty. Therefore, he has instructed me to keep it strictly confidential and not to disclose the plan to anyone, including General Huyan, the Eighth Prince, Lord Kou, and Marshal Yang. Any problems that arise during the tunnel excavation should be reported directly to His Majesty through a secret decree."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Yang Yanzhao exclaimed, deeply moved. If he didn't know, the Liao people naturally wouldn't know either. Therefore, Ji Yanwo's suggestion of using their own methods against them...
should succeed!
Ji Yanwo continued, "Because the project is so massive, and strict secrecy is required during excavation, we haven't reached the Three Passes yet. However..." He suddenly smiled, "According to 'Flying Feather''s report, the Liao army's command tent should be located directly above a ventilation shaft in the tunnel. If we seize the opportunity, gather all the experts in the city, and launch a surprise attack, killing Yelü Changsheng is not impossible!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Good!" Long Feiyun slammed her hand on the table, making a decisive decision, "Immediately go and invite all the experts to discuss a night raid on the Liao camp to assassinate Yelü Changsheng!"
A quarter of an hour later, in the main hall of the General's Mansion. Dugu
Yu, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei, Meng Lei, Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, Deng Tao, Wang Chongyi, Xu Yinghua, Li Han, Nangong Wushang, Nangong Tiankuo, Yu Ling, Yu Xuan, Yu Feng, Shangguan Qingyun, Situ Changkong, Liu Zhenxin, Huang Wu, Qin Xiang, and Zhang Feng—all the masters of Tanzhou City had gathered here.
Of course, Ren Xiaoyao's seven beloved wives were also present:
Long Feiyun, Zhen Gongji Mina, Shui Furong, Lin Yuxiu, Su Hanbi, Nangong Fengyi, and Nangong Fengzi.
Each of the seven women wore mourning clothes, their eyes filled with worry, their brows furrowed with sorrow, and their pretty faces etched with unconcealed grief.
More than three months had passed since Ren Xiaoyao's departure, and they remained immersed in endless sorrow. Even the resolute Long Feiyun and Zhen Gongji Mina… Nai, and Lin Yuxiu, who was always prone to tears, would burst into sobs whenever Ren Xiaoyao was mentioned, unless it was in public, and no amount of comforting could stop them.
For this assassination attempt on Yelü Changsheng, Zhen Gongji Mina, as the leader of "Flying Feathers," and Long Feiyun, as the commander of the Heavenly Army, were both indispensable. Shui Furong and Nangong Fengyi were also in the running. While Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, and Lin Yuxiu were all skilled in martial arts, they were either gentle and submissive or had weak personalities; killing was a different matter…
But to kill Yelü Changsheng and indirectly avenge Ren Xiaoyao, they all insisted on coming!
Even if it meant death, even if they never returned.
For Ren Xiaoyao, they were selfless!
This was love, the deep and boundless affection between Ren Xiaoyao and the women!
"This plan..." Long Feiyun opened the map and spoke first, "Our target is Yelü Changsheng, the commander-in-chief of the Liao army. We'll officially set off in half an hour. First, we'll use the underground passage to reach the camp where the Liao army's commander-in-chief's tent is located. Mei Nai and Meng Daxia (Meng Fei) will go into the camp first to scout and confirm which tent Yelü Changsheng is in. Then..."
She paused, her tone becoming extremely solemn, "Then everyone will storm the camp and kill him in one fell swoop! Yelü Changsheng possesses the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra, his martial arts are superb, and his strength should be no less than Hentian's. With the country in crisis, we can't care about any chivalrous code. Yelü Changsheng will be killed by Senior Dugu, Senior Yi, Senior Fu, Meng Daxia, Chief Xiong, Headmaster Xiao, and me working together. Master Meng will provide support from the outside. The rest of us are tasked with... stopping the Liao army and any possible reinforcements from the Shura Sect, Juesha, and Maitreya Sect at all costs. We must block any aid from Yelü Changsheng!"
"Understood!" Deng Tao slammed his hand on the table and said in a deep voice, “Senior Dugu, Hero Yi, Hero Fu, and everyone else, rest assured. Even if we are willing to die, we will turn the Liao camp upside down.”
“Yes! To be loyal to the country, to die without regret!” More than twenty people echoed in unison.
They were all powerful figures in the martial arts world, including patriarchs of prestigious families like Shangguan Qingyun and Situ Changkong. Their decision to abandon a life of luxury to fight the Liao on the front lines was already worthy of respect. Knowing full well the extreme danger of this assassination mission, and that they might not return, not one hesitated, not one wavered!
To be loyal to the country, to die without regret!
What bold words, what passionate pronouncements!
Perhaps only one Ren Xiaoyao could be considered a saint among heroes throughout history.
But all of them were the greatest heroes!
The group discussed the details of the raid and assassination, ensuring the entire process was foolproof. Just as they were about to leave the hall, they suddenly heard drums and horns sounding from within the city, accompanied by shouts of battle!
"What's going on?!" Yang Yanzhao rushed to the door and shouted.
"It's the Liao army! They've launched a night attack, targeting the west and east gates."
"A night attack?" Yang Yanzhao smiled rather than reacted. He knew that Tanzhou City was well-fortified, with ample defensive equipment. The Yang family army defending the city was highly experienced, having fought the Liao army for many years. Many of the generals led from the front, and the Longxiang and Huyi armies were stationed nearby. Even if the enemy launched a sudden night attack, they wouldn't be able to breach the city.
"Attacking the city, that's good!" Long Feiyun stepped out and smiled. "When the Liao army attacks a city, the camp's defenses will definitely be lax. If Yelü Changsheng continues to hand over command to Xiao Talin as always, without personally directing the operation, then our chances of a successful assassination will be much higher."
Zhen Gongji Mina's beautiful eyes sparkled, and she chimed in, "Sister Yun is right, General Ji, quickly take us to the secret passage."
Ji Yanwo agreed and led everyone out of the mansion. Just as they stepped outside, they saw a general galloping towards them from afar.
"Imperial Guard!?" Long Feiyun, with her sharp eyes, immediately recognized the gold badge hanging at the general's waist.
"General Ji—" The general rushed forward, dismounted, stumbled, and fell to the ground with a thud.
"What happened, Commander Yang?" Ji Yanwo saw that he was covered in blood and knew something was wrong.
"The secret passage... a large number of Liao soldiers suddenly poured out of the secret passage... no, no, it was martial arts masters from the Liao Kingdom! My soldiers were all killed in the blink of an eye! I risked my life to run back..." Commander Yang cried out in a panic, "General Ji, Marshal Yang, quickly take men to provide support! If we're any later... it will be too late!"

Volume 44, Chapter 15: The Return of the Carefree

"The secret passage... this... this... how is this possible!? How could the Liao army know about it..." Ji Yanwo stood there dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.
"No time to think, take men there immediately! We absolutely cannot let them occupy the secret passage and lead the Liao army into the city." Yang Yanzhao, as expected of a seasoned veteran, immediately calmed down.
"General Ji, where is the secret passage?" Long Feiyun asked urgently.
"The North Gate!"
"Alright, go immediately!" With a command from Dugu Yu, the masters immediately used their lightness skills and rushed towards the North Gate.
"Jiao Zan, Meng Liang, each of you take a thousand elite soldiers and head to the North Gate to reinforce!" Yang Yanzhao quickly issued orders, mobilizing his troops. "All Yang family soldiers, including the three thousand on rest, are to be mobilized. At all costs, hold the East, West, and North Gates, especially the secret passage. Block it at all costs, block it, block it!!!"
"Wait, wait!" Long Feiyun suddenly stopped upon hearing this.
"What's wrong?" Everyone stopped together.
"Something's wrong." Long Feiyun's beautiful face furrowed, and she darted back to Commander Yang's side.
"Commander Yang, please explain the situation clearly."
Commander Yang, pale from blood loss, answered haltingly, "His Majesty decreed that the secret passage... must be kept strictly confidential, and must not be revealed to anyone except General Ji... so the exit has always been guarded by our five hundred brothers... about a quarter of an hour ago, a large number of people suddenly poured out of the tunnel..."
"Ghost Netherworld Lord, Hentian, Xukong, and also Tianjue Dimie, the Four Asura Envoys, and the Five Great Assassins are all there!" Upon hearing Commander Yang's account, Xiong Xiaotian was shocked and said urgently, "Sect Leader Long, there's no time to lose, lead men there immediately! These people are all top-tier masters of the evil path, how can ordinary soldiers withstand them?"
Long Feiyun didn't respond, frowned and thought for a moment, then asked, "Who injured you?"
"It was that... that middle-aged man in blue and white robes, with murderous intent in his eyes."
"Ghost Netherworld Lord!" Xiao Xingchen blurted out.
"Master Long, we must hurry, or else..." Yu Xuan and Yu Feng said in unison.
"Han Bi, come here, check Commander Yang's injuries!"
Su Han Bi rushed over, took Commander Yang's wrist and briefly checked his pulse.
"That's right, it's the power of the Blood Curse of No Return, but..."
"But what!?"
"This person's internal strength isn't deep, the Blood Curse of No Return can only be practiced to the fifth level at most, he shouldn't be... Ghost Netherworld God!"
"Just as I thought." Long Fei Yun breathed a sigh of relief, a fleeting glint of light flashing in her beautiful eyes, she suddenly stood up and said loudly, "Everyone, we must hurry, follow me to the South Gate."
"South, South Gate!?" Everyone was stunned.
"Yes, the 'expert' who infiltrated through the North Gate tunnel was just a decoy set up by the other side, their real target is the South Gate." Long Fei Yun said as she ran, wishing she could sprout wings.
"A feint? You mean they're using a feint?" Xiong Xiao Tian caught up quickly and asked anxiously.
"Yes, General Ji said that considering the great distance between Tanzhou and Sanguankou, the strict secrecy required for the excavation process, and the fact that it was designed for transportation, the width and height of the entire secret passage are very limited, making it unsuitable for large armies. The exit of the secret passage is in a manor north of the city, some distance from the city gate. In addition to the five hundred Imperial Guards, there is a two thousand-strong army stationed nearby, and the city gate is guarded by more than six thousand soldiers. Even if the enemy comes with experts, it is almost impossible for them to rush over and open the city gate in a short time. If we arrive in time, they may be trapped in the city instead.
" "This is purely in terms of the plan, and the enemy's actions also show very obvious flaws." As she moved quickly, Long Feiyun glanced around and found that apart from the impatient Shui Furong, Wang Chongyi, and Nangong Tiankuo, who did not stop after hearing her words and went straight to the north gate, all the other experts were still there, which reassured her somewhat. "
The enemy has gathered all their top-tier experts to launch a surprise attack on the South Gate. The South Gate is being handed over to the second line of defense, while their top experts from various gangs and sects are also rushing to reinforce it. Disciples and members from various factions are also willing to defend the North Gate
." "If Grandmasters like Gui Ming Shen Jun, Hen Tian, and Xu Kong were all present, given their cunning, methods, and martial arts, how could they possibly allow Commander Yang to return alive to report? Clearly, this was a deliberate act by the enemy, intending to lure all the city's limited number of experts there, so that while we are focused on defending the East, West, and North Gates, the real Gui Ming Shen Jun, Hen Tian, and Xu Kong can infiltrate from the South Gate, manage to disperse the defenders, and open the city gate!"
"That's why Sister had Han Bi examine Commander Yang's pulse to confirm whether the injury was caused by Gui Ming Shen Jun."
"Hmm." Long Feiyun nodded slightly, her feet moving even faster. "If I'm not mistaken, the Ghostly Lord that Commander Yang encountered was probably his disciple Chen Yixi in disguise. Hentian, Xukong, and the others were likely the same. They brought all the second-tier experts from the Asura Sect, Absolute Kill, and Maitreya Sect, and with their sudden, unexpected attack, they were able to annihilate Commander Yang's five hundred Imperial Guards in a short time. The real Ghostly Lord, Hentian, Xukong, and their top experts must have used grappling hooks and ropes to infiltrate through the South Gate, intending to launch an attack!"
"Qin Xiang, Zhang Feng, go back and mobilize the Dragon Soaring and Tiger Wing Armies to reinforce the North Gate; seniors, the South Gate... no, Tanzhou City... no, the safety of the Great Song Dynasty rests in our hands!"
Everyone displayed their unique skills, rushing towards the scene, and screams could be heard from afar.
When they turned the corner, the scene was horrific!
Defending the south gate were 5,000 men under Ji Yanwo, the original garrison of Tanzhou City. Compared to the Yang Family Army and the Tianji Army, two elite forces of the Song Dynasty, their combat strength was slightly inferior, but they were still a brave and battle-hardened border army.
However…
When the crowd arrived—in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea—four thousand five or six hundred of the five thousand well-equipped border troops had already perished. The fallen soldiers were either stabbed through the guts by weapons or brutally beaten, their bones and flesh torn apart. Only four hundred or so remained, forming a tattered ranks, desperately holding the city gate.
"Ghostly Lord, prepare to die!"
"Hate Heaven, don't run!"
"Xu Kong Demon Monk, kill you to avenge our soldiers!"
Seeing this horrific scene, everyone's eyes turned bloodshot, and they roared as they charged forward.
Dugu Yu took the lead, relentlessly engaging Hentian; the Meng brothers, Meng Fei and Meng Lei, fearlessly charged towards Guiming Shenjun; Xiong Xiaotian unleashed a combined palm and staff technique, while Xiao Xingchen used the Four Heavenly Annihilation Techniques to fight Xu Kong; Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan fought together against Tianjue and Dimie; Yu Ling, Yu Xuan, Yu Feng, and the arriving Qin Weiliang, Feng Jianxiong, and Ge Hongzhou formed the Heavenly Gate Sword Formation, firmly trapping the Four Asura Envoys; Deng Tao, Xu Yinghua, Li Han, Liu Zhenxin, Huang Wu, and others displayed their life's skills to fend off the five assassins; Nangong Wushang, Shangguan Qingyun, and Situ Changkong joined forces to intercept Xu Ci and Xu Jie.
Ren Xiaoyao's many wives blocked the four masters of the Dangxiang Society (his harem was incredibly powerful).
Long Feiyun, alone with her sword, fought against Li Daolin, the leader of the Tangut people, known as "Nine-Appearance Divine Dragon." Zhen Gongji Mina faced off against the deputy leader, Helian Jue, known as "Martial Fierce Eagle." Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi, wielding their swords together, entangled the third-ranking figure, "Seven-Star Blade Demon" Li Shuhan. Su Hanbi and Lin Yuxiu also joined forces to hold off the last-ranking figure, "Midnight Sword" Li Liangzuo.
On the surface, both sides appeared evenly matched, both in the fights and in terms of the forces not yet deployed.
On the Liao army's side, masters from Guichou Prefecture, Dali Kingdom, and the Liao royal family (besides Yelü Changsheng, several royal relatives had practiced the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra) were absent. On the Song army's side, the four great Shaolin monks, Lin Feifan, Ye Zhi Qiu, Nangong Bubai, Tang Yunhe, and members of the Hengshan Sect, Tingyuxuan, Shuzhong Tangmen, and Songshan Sect were missing.
Oh, and there was also Ren Xiaoyao!
However, judging from the situation, the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance was at a disadvantage.
The brothers Xiong Xiaotian and Xiao Xingchen joined forces to fight Xu Kong. They unleashed a barrage of attacks: the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, the Dog-Beating Staff Technique, and the Four Heavenly Annihilation Forms. While the supreme martial art of the Tibetan Buddhist sect, the Sumeru Mustard Seed Skill, was indeed powerful, it was quickly overwhelmed by the successive blows of the Regretful Dragon, the Dog-Beating Technique, and the Sun-Wheel Breaking the Archer.
This was the only battle in which they held the upper hand, but they lacked the opportunity to capitalize on their advantage.
After all, besides Ren Xiaoyao's innate supreme qi, the Vajra Indestructible Body and the Sumeru Mustard Seed Skill were the two most resilient internal martial arts in the world. Although Xu Kong's cultivation was inferior to Zhi Zhang's, the latter had been one of the top ten martial arts masters in the Central Plains many years ago, and his mastery of the Yi Jin Jing, cultivated in seclusion in the Sutra Pavilion for over eighty years, had already reached a state of perfection. Xu Kong's victory over him was only natural. Against Xiong Xiaotian and Xiao Xingchen, whose martial arts techniques were exceptionally powerful but whose internal strength was slightly inferior, even if they were at a disadvantage, they would not be defeated in a short time, and might even have a chance to turn the tide.
Dugu Yu fought Hentian; Yi Tianhan and Fu Longyuan battled Tianjue and Dimie; Nangong Wushang, Shangguan Qingyun, and Situ Changkong faced Xu Ci and Xu Jie, all essentially evenly matched, with neither gaining the upper hand for over a thousand moves.
The brothers Meng Fei and Meng Lei fought together against Guiming Shenjun, but the situation shifted rapidly, sometimes favoring Guiming Shenjun, sometimes favoring the two of them. This was because Meng Lei's "Meteor from Beyond the Heavens" was too powerful; even someone as skilled as Guiming Shenjun could only retreat and dodge after a single strike. However, if he charged into a crowd, Meng Lei's hidden weapons couldn't be used—at least, "Meteor from Beyond the Heavens" couldn't be used recklessly, otherwise whoever it hit would die.
With no more reservations, Ghost Lord unleashed his "Cataclysmic Fire" to attack Meng Fei. Fortunately, Meng Fei possessed exceptional lightness skills, was adept at using force against force, and had honed his internal strength through over twenty years of rigorous training on Coconut Island, receiving numerous guidance from the Four Sages of Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting. Otherwise, aside from Ren Xiaoyao and Dugu Yu, even Xiao Chen and Yi Tianhan would have struggled against the extremely scorching, fierce, and malevolent power of the poison.
Luckily, there was Meng Lei.
The nickname "Thousand-Handed Gentleman" wasn't for nothing; even when Ghost Lord and Meng Fei were fighting in a crowd, he could accurately throw his hidden weapons (excluding meteors), helping his brother escape danger at crucial moments or posing a significant threat to Ghost Lord.
Therefore, the three fought with extreme tension. At one moment, Meng Fei was nearly struck in a vital spot by Ghost Lord's palm strike; at another, Ghost Lord was almost seriously injured by a hidden weapon.
The remaining battles were far from favorable.
Qin Weiliang, Feng Jianxiong, and Ge Hongzhou were still young. Although they were once ranked among the four disciples of the Taishan Sect along with Xiao Xingchen, the gap in their martial arts skills had widened considerably. Yu Ling, Yu Xuan, and Yu Feng had experience, but their individual strength was still slightly inferior to the Four Envoys of Shura. Moreover, in terms of formations, the Heavenly Gate Sword Formation was inherently inferior to the Wind, Flower, and Moon Dance Formation. Therefore, Yu Ling and Yu Xuan fought very hard and with great difficulty, sustained only by their unwavering belief in serving their country.
Deng Tao, Xu Yinghua, Li Han, Liu Zhenxin, and Huang Wu were also in grave danger. Among them, only Deng Tao, who was holding off the Burning Sun, was of similar skill to his opponent; the others were slightly inferior.
In a short while, Liu Zhenxin and Huang Wu each took a blow, and Xu Yinghua and Li Han were also forced to retreat steadily.
The combined swordplay of Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi, though a testament to their sisterly bond and exquisite coordination, with each move seamless and complementary, was hampered by their female nature and insufficient internal energy. Facing Li Shuhan, who possessed unorthodox internal energy and masterful swordsmanship, maintaining a 50/50 balance and not being temporarily at a disadvantage was already quite remarkable.
The situation for Su Hanbi and Lin Yuxiu was not much better. Although the Seven Absolute Swords of Hengshan and the Nine Dragon Techniques were top-tier martial arts, and their combat experience and martial arts skills had improved daily since their trip to Japan, making them a formidable opponent for both of them against Li Liangzuo in terms of pure skill,
Lin Yuxiu was always timid. With over four thousand corpses piled at her feet, the stench of blood assaulting her nostrils, and every step she took landing on severed limbs and broken bodies, even severed heads, brains and blood splattered everywhere, the young woman had already lost heart after only a few exchanges.
Su Hanbi, a renowned healer, possessed the heart of a parent. She watched helplessly as countless wounded soldiers fell on the battlefield. They could have been saved with timely intervention, but she couldn't spare the time, forced to fight Li Liangzuo. Every moment she lingered with her opponent meant more deaths. How could she not be anxious?
One was fearful, the other anxious; neither was at their best, naturally leading to constant setbacks.
The best performer was Shinguji Mina. Ninjutsu, rare even outside of Japan, could produce unexpected effects with any technique, let alone his secret Hokushin Ittō-ryū style, combined with the unparalleled power of Ryūjin Jakka. Even Helian Jue, a master of Western Xia, was forced to retreat repeatedly.
Long Feiyun's opponent, "Nine Manifestations Divine Dragon" Li Daolin, was the top expert in Western Xia, on par with Guiming Shenjun, Hentian, and Xukong. Long Feiyun was naturally slightly inferior, and from the very first exchange, she was completely overwhelmed. Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao Divine Skill was profound and extensive, and Long Feiyun was intelligent and knowledgeable. Li Daolin tried several times to trick her by deliberately revealing weaknesses to lure her into attacking, but she never fell for it. She could see through Li Daolin's martial arts techniques with just a glance.
Therefore, although Long Feiyun was at a disadvantage, she showed no signs of defeat.
She could persevere, but others could not.
First, Liu Zhenxin screamed and fell to the ground, blood gushing from his chest. Then, Xu Yinghua was stabbed in the left arm, her weapon falling from her hand. The five assassins seized the opportunity to launch a fierce attack. Deng Tao, Li Han, and Huang Wu were forced to retreat. Afterwards, the Heavenly Gate Sword Formation was shattered by the Four Asura Envoys. Except for Yu Ling, who was not unscathed, the rest were all injured.
Dugu Yu, Yi Tianhan, and Fu Longyuan, masters locked in fierce combat, were oblivious to their surroundings, focusing solely on their opponents. Long Feiyun, however, as the commander of the Tianji Army, had to constantly monitor the situation across the battlefield. Seeing several of her own men injured and the situation extremely unfavorable, she was filled with anxiety when suddenly, with a loud "bang," two longswords flew far away, followed by flashes of light. Su Hanbi, carrying Lin Yuxiu, stumbled backward, landing several feet away. Both women coughed up blood, their faces deathly pale; they had suffered internal injuries in an instant.
Deeply moved by their sisterly bond, the other women immediately rushed to their aid.
Long Feiyun had just shifted her body to the side, taking only half a step, when a sudden pain shot through her back—Li Daolin had struck her in the back.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
The same sounds rang out in succession. Zhen Gongji Mina, Nangong Fengyi, and Nangong Fengzi suffered the same fate, all thrown to the ground by the
force of the blade and sword energy. The six women lay almost side-by-side, momentarily powerless to retaliate. Li Daolin, Helian Jue, Li Shuhan, and Li Liangzuo showed no mercy, each raising their weapons to strike down!
The women closed their eyes in despair. They knew…
at this moment, no one could save them.
All their experts were entangled with the enemy, unable to free their hands. Even if they tried to rescue them, they would only suffer the same fate as Long Feiyun, Zhen Gongji Mina, Nangong Fengyi, and Nangong Fengzi—
failing to save them and instead being harmed themselves.
So be it, at least they could reunite with Xiaoyao in the afterlife.
Just as the women gave up all resistance, preparing to face death…
A bolt of lightning suddenly struck down from the sky, hitting Li Daolin heavily in front of him.
"Boom—"
The deafening roar spread outwards, like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, the shockwave reverberating and echoing throughout the land, causing everyone's eardrums to ache.
Thunder!?
With a bright moon and sparse stars, where did this thunder come from!?
The entire arena fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone stopped fighting, even holding their breath, staring in utter astonishment. As
the smoke cleared, everyone finally saw the source of that awe-inspiring power.
It wasn't lightning, nor thunder.
It was a long spear, entirely blood-red, gleaming with a cold light.
Three silver seal characters were engraved on the hilt:
Hao—Long—Gan—
Hao Long Dan!?
Long Feiyun's mind jolted, suddenly remembering the true owner of this divine spear in history.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, amidst the chaos of the Three Kingdoms, a legendary spear master emerged.
At Changban, he single-handedly rescued his lord, regarding Cao Cao's 830,000
troops as mere weeds. On the banks of the Han River, he single-handedly resisted Cao Cao, displaying unparalleled courage. At the foot of Fengming Mountain, he single-handedly faced the enemy, slaying the five
tigers of the Han family as easily as cutting melons and vegetables. Yes, it was this spear,
the Haolongdan, that witnessed his undefeated life and glorious achievements!
Eight hundred years have passed since the Haolongdan fell to the earth with him. Who has brought this divine spear back to the world? Who is worthy to be its second master? Who is it?! Who is it?! Just then, a sharp shout suddenly rang out from the sky: "Li Daolin, are you tired of living or have you eaten the heart of a bear and the gall of a leopard, daring to harm even my woman, Ren Xiaoyao!" The crowd looked up in surprise, seeing a radiant and incomparably handsome face. Yes, it was him. Ren Xiaoyao! Standing firm as a mountain, his imposing figure towered atop the city wall, his naturally languid demeanor exuding a vast and ethereal aura. His attire was rather peculiar; instead of a long robe, he wore silver armor, the renowned Ice Soul Frost Sword slung at his waist, and a massive bow, nearly half his height, slung across his back. The bow shimmered with a green light, illuminating the city wall in the darkness. Ren Xiaoyao, his eyebrows slanted sharply towards his temples, his eyes flashing with a piercing light, gave a cold glance that instantly sent chills down the spines of not only Li Daolin, Helian Jue, Li Shuhan, and Li Liangzuo, but also all the evil cultivators present, including Guiming Shenjun, Hentian, and Xukong. "You…you…you…you're not dead!?" Guiming Shenjun staggered back two steps, staring at him in disbelief. "If I die, who will wipe out you evil heretics? Who will lead the army against the Liao and protect the Song Dynasty!" Ren Xiaoyao sneered, leaping down from the city wall. His body floated like a feather, seemingly riding the wind. The giant bow behind him, made of deep-sea jade, weighed at least two hundred pounds, yet it felt as light as a feather on his back, utterly unbearable. Helian Jue and Li Shuhan shouted, each wielding a sword, and charged from either side, their weapons whistling through the air, their energy surging, trying to stop Ren Xiaoyao while he was unarmed. Ren Xiaoyao spread his fingers wide, his beard held in mid-air, and without anyone knowing how, the Hao Long Dan returned to his hand. Without any further movement, the Hao Long Dan simply moved horizontally across the air. "Clang—" Swords and spears clashed. Helian Jue and Li Shuhan were horrified to discover that this divine spear, which possessed the power of heaven and earth with a single throw and should have weighed over a thousand pounds, had a force that was utterly illusory, containing no real power. Their sword and spear energy vanished without a trace, like mud oxen entering the sea. Helian Jue and Li Shuhan realized something was wrong and were about to withdraw their attacks when Hao Long Dan suddenly unleashed a powerful force like a thousand surging waves, pressing down on them relentlessly. This was something impossible, yet it was an undeniable fact before their eyes. At this critical moment of life and death, Helian Jue and Li Shuhan displayed the profound skill honed over decades of arduous training, their weapons held firmly in front of their chests, stubbornly blocking Ren Xiaoyao's deadly spear strike. "Bang!" "Thud!" Two deep, muffled thunderous sounds of energy clashing echoed throughout the battlefield. Helian Jue and Li Shuhan fell to the ground, rolling away. The two top experts of the Western Xia Kingdom, ranked second and third respectively, couldn't withstand a single spear thrust from Ren Xiaoyao even when they joined forces! "How are you? Are you alright?" Despite being surrounded by powerful figures, Ren Xiaoyao completely ignored them, bending down to inquire about the women's injuries with concern. "It's alright...we're alright." "Yes, as long as you're alright...it's good that you're alright." "Xiaoyao, we've missed you so much." Seeing him unharmed, the women were overjoyed, no longer caring about their minor injuries. Ren Xiaoyao comforted the women while wiping away their tears with his sleeve. Dozens of eyes watched, observing Ren Xiaoyao's return from the ordeal. Instead of immediately fighting the Ghostly Lord and Hentian who nearly killed him, or quickly organizing everyone to fight back, he ignored everything around him, focusing solely on comforting and reassuring his beloved wives. Now, he was the saintly hero protecting his country and people! Or is he a deeply affectionate, unfathomable... romantic hero?! "Ren Xiaoyao!" "Ren Xiaoyao!!" "Ren Xiaoyao!!!" Li Daolin was right next to him, calling out Ren Xiaoyao's name several times, but Ren Xiaoyao ignored him completely. As a member of the Western Xia royal family, with high martial arts skills and an extremely noble status, he had always looked down on those simple martial artists. He had long resented Ren Xiaoyao's meteoric rise—from commoner to marquis, then directly to the Prince of Wuling at the young age of twenty-three—despite only five years in the martial world and having fought only one battle (the Battle of Xunfeng can be considered a single campaign). He believed Ren Xiaoyao's birth and background were unworthy of such a high position. Seeing Ren Xiaoyao's six beautiful wives only fueled Li Daolin's burning jealousy.

He held a high position of power in Western Xia, and amassed a large number of beautiful women, marrying over a hundred wives and concubines. Among them, twelve were the most beautiful and favored, known as the "Twelve Brocade Screens," meaning that when these twelve concubines stood outside, they were like twelve exquisite screens, captivating all who beheld them.
However, compared to Ren Xiaoyao's many beautiful wives, these "Twelve Brocade Screens" suddenly seemed like tattered cloth; their appearance, charm, and allure were far inferior.
Why? Why was he granted the title of king at such a young age, second only to the emperor?
Why? Why were all the beauties in the world his women, his private favorites?
Li Daolin was already furious. He called out to Ren Xiaoyao, wanting to confront him and teach him a "lesson" in martial arts. But Ren Xiaoyao treated him like air, ignoring him for a long time and focusing solely on appeasing his many wives.
Li Daolin, who had always held a high position, had never been looked down upon like this before, especially with experts from the Asura Sect, the Absolute Kill Sect, and the Maitreya Sect present
. This was a truly humiliating defeat. Li Daolin, extremely concerned with his reputation, couldn't bear it any longer. With a roar, his sword trembled, its blade flashing and crackling, aiming straight for Ren Xiaoyao's back.
He attacked in a rage, showing no mercy. By the time Long Feiyun and Zhen Gongji Mina reacted, the sword was already upon Ren Xiaoyao's back.
"Xiaoyao—" the two women cried out in alarm, their faces pale.
Li Daolin's sword strike, with its chilling, crisscrossing light, was incredibly powerful and swift. It could pierce through not just one suit of armor, but five or six!
"Clang!" The sword struck the armor, but instead of shattering as expected, it...
didn't budge!
Didn't budge!?
That's right, it didn't budge!
Li Daolin's "Jade-Cutting Cold" sword, capable of cutting through iron like mud, imbued with the profound power honed over decades of arduous training, struck Ren Xiaoyao's armor without leaving a trace!
What... what kind of armor is this? It's impervious to blades and spears, just like the Cangmang Snow-Treading Armor!?
No, they're different. The Cangmang Snow-Treading Armor is soft armor, only protecting the upper body. This one, however, is designed for battlefield combat, protecting every part of the body from head to toe.
Think about it, even Li Daolin's all-out sword strike couldn't budge it.
So, on the battlefield, what fear is there of a thousand spears, countless blades, and a barrage of arrows and stones!
The spear of the legendary spear master and Tiger General Zhao Zilong, the Haolongdan.
A magnificent bow, astonishingly large, made entirely of jade.
And this armor, protecting the entire body and impervious to blades and spears.
Where did all these things come from?
What exactly happened during the three months Ren Xiaoyao was "dead"?

Volume 45: The Reappearance of the Xiaoyao in the Liao Camp, Chapter 2: The Seven Kills of the Panlong.

"The mighty number one expert of Western Xia, 'Nine Manifestations of the Divine Dragon,' Li Daolin, has actually resorted to such a sneak attack. It seems you're no different from those despicable villains like Guiming Shenjun, Hentian, and Xukong." Ren Xiaoyao sneered, slowly standing up and glancing sideways at Li Daolin. "Do you want me to teach you a lesson right now, so you know that any tricks you play with here will only have one result—I will be fine, but you will die!"
"Xiaoyao…" The women were all shuddering at the sight of him speaking in such a chilling tone for the first time. From Li Daolin's sudden sneak attack to Ren Xiaoyao's unharmed state thanks to his impenetrable armor, only a moment had passed, yet they watched with trepidation, their palms sweating, even the joy of their reunion after death completely overshadowed.
"Come, let me test your 'Dragon Shadow Sword Technique'." Ren Xiaoyao's tiger-like eyes burned as he stared intently at Li Daolin. With a flick of his wrist, the Haolongdan spear unleashed a chilling, icy killing intent that enveloped his opponent and spread throughout the entire arena. Even those in the distance, such as Guiming Shenjun and Hentian, felt a terrifying chill run down their spines.
The Haolongdan spear pointed at his opponent, unleashing an incomparably powerful and chilling aura.
The spear was nine feet seven inches long and weighed eighty-one jin (approximately 440 kg). Its tip was carved with a dragon, the spearhead resembling a dragon's tongue, shaped like a flame. On each side, a thin blade had seven small holes, slightly smaller than the tip of a little finger. The entire spear shimmered with a red light, flashing with a chilling, sharp gleam. The blade tip was incredibly sharp.
The Haolongdan spear trembled faintly in Ren Xiaoyao's hand, and the force of the wind pierced through the holes, emitting a shrill cry like a dragon's roar.
At first, the whistling sound was faint and indistinct, but as the tremors of the Hao Long Dan intensified, it instantly transformed into a piercing whistling sound, like a dragon soaring through the sky and diving into the abyss, extremely ethereal and elusive.
"Retribution... has come!" Ren Xiaoyao shouted coldly, and the Hao Long Dan took the initiative to attack.
What left countless grandmaster-level experts watching dumbfounded and unable to fathom was that the shrill sound and the spear's momentum not only had no coordination, but were completely opposite.
The contradiction was not only hard to accept, but also unbelievable.
The shrill sounds emanating from the seven holes on each side of the spear tip, totaling fourteen, transformed into overlapping dragon roars and tiger howls, covering a space of several dozen feet in radius, as if laying down a net of melodious sounds. The whistling sound repeated like waves pushing and surging, constantly enveloping and entwining, making it difficult to escape, like a labyrinth of whistling sounds from which one could never leave.
In an instant, the Hao Long Dan transformed into a dazzling red lightning bolt, rushing forward with an astonishing and imperceptible high-speed vibration, straight for Li Daolin's chest.
His movements were graceful and elegant. Even in the face of life-or-death struggles, he remained composed and unrestrained, perfectly unifying all contradictions into his unique and masterful style.
Even Li Daolin, with his arrogant and disdainful attitude towards the Western Xia, had to focus his mind and immediately raise his skill to its peak to counter Ren Xiaoyao's unparalleled martial arts.
It is known that in battle, masters utilize all their senses—sight, hearing, and smell—with hearing being the most crucial. Especially for top masters like Guiming Shenjun, Hentian, Xukong, and himself, who have reached the grandmaster level, they often don't need to see; they can discern the opponent's moves, speed, and even subtle changes in position simply from the sound of weapons cutting through the air, footsteps, and even the fluttering of clothing.
However, facing the astonishing power of Hao Longdan, his hearing was completely useless, and he had to completely abandon this sense of perception, or defeat would be inevitable.
Such a breathtaking spear technique, both musically beautiful and terrifyingly powerful, was unprecedented, not only for Li Daolin but also for all the masters from the five nations present.
Li Daolin roared, attempting to suppress the deafening shriek, but to no avail. Helpless, he raised his "Broken Jade Cold," unleashing the full power of his Dragon Shadow Sword Technique's deadly strikes to their limit. The sword light surged like a thousand waves crashing over the earth, instantly engulfing Ren Xiaoyao's figure.
His moves seemed ever-changing, yet possessed the solid force of a single spear thrust; the subtle and profound techniques truly earned him the title of the top master of Western Xia.
Everyone was mesmerized. Both men's swordsmanship and spear techniques were exceptionally skillful, leaving them in awe and their eyes wide open. They were convinced that a fierce battle was about to unfold.
"Clang!"
As the spear and sword clashed, the force from Hao Longdan, like a thousand surging waves, sent Li Daolin flying, nearly causing him to fall.
Ren Xiaoyao sneered, "The number one expert of Western Xia, all talk and no action."
Li Daolin's face flushed red, his right hand holding the sword trembled slightly, and he was speechless for a moment.
The true energy that had just come from the spear tip was scorching hot, incredibly yang, and when it met his true energy, it instantly devoured it without a trace, piercing through his body like an arrow, going straight to his internal organs from his arm. Although he managed to dissipate it, his blood and qi surged, and half of his arm felt sore and numb.
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were fixed on his opponent, his gaze gradually shifting from sharp to indifferent, even revealing disappointment and disdain. After a moment, he shook his head and chuckled, "Ten moves, ten moves. If you can withstand ten of my moves, I'll let you... no, I'll let everyone here go." As he finished speaking, Hao Longdan pointed to the air, making a few sweeping strokes like a master calligrapher expressing his thoughts on paper.
Everyone, including Dugu Yu, Guiming Shenjun, and Hentian, was utterly bewildered, but they all sensed a profound hidden meaning in Ren Xiaoyao's seemingly casual strokes.
Li Daolin was furious.
Ten moves? If he didn't lose within ten moves, he'd let everyone go.
Clearly, he was looking down on him!
Who was he?
A master of Western Xia, a force to be reckoned with in the Southwest, a grandmaster on par with Guiming Shenjun, Hentian, and Xu Kong, just one step away from the pinnacle of martial arts.
Ren Xiaoyao actually boasted that he would defeat him within ten moves!
What did this mean?
Arrogance, conceit!?
Or contempt, disdain!?
Ren Xiaoyao maintained a carefree and composed demeanor. Despite being the one fighting, he was more relaxed than anyone else on or off the field, demonstrating his absolute confidence. Those involved are often blinded
, while bystanders see clearly.
At this moment, all the experts had already seen through Ren Xiaoyao's feints; they were actually the opening moves of his upcoming powerful offensive. Not only had he pushed his speed to the limit, but he had also concentrated all his power into a single strike. His entire being instantly reached the pinnacle of spearmanship, all his killing intent and murderous aura concentrated on the spearhead, exuding a fiery, alluring, and oppressive aura. Its power could determine the outcome of a battle within a single strike.
Such a technique, if executed as effortlessly as Ren Xiaoyao, would likely be beyond even the Ghostly Netherworld Lord's "Heavenly Calamity Fire."
"Whoosh!"
The Hao Long Dan spear swept across the void, following a curved path seemingly pre-placed in space, whistling as it struck Li Daolin, unlike any other martial art in the world.
This spear strike displayed the pinnacle of skill and its most fundamental essence, possessing an unstoppable power.
A shrill cry filled the arena, a stark contrast to its previous grandeur and captivating power, now a clear and unrestrained sound, forming a poetic and picturesque image, both rich and free. The high and low notes were calmly and precisely placed in space, seemingly possessing a defensive and magical quality.
"Clang—"
Ren Xiaoyao leaped, flying above Li Daolin, unleashing a relentless attack on him with Hao Long Dan.
"Clang clang clang!"
The sounds of spear tips clashing rang out incessantly, as Li Daolin exerted all his strength, barely managing to block.
The first move… the second move… the third move… the fourth move…
By the sixth move, Li Daolin's clothes were soaked with sweat, his long hair was disheveled,
blood body was trembling, as if he had been fighting on the battlefield for three days and three nights
straight!
On the seventh move, he could no longer grip his weapon; his tiger's mouth suddenly burst open, and the Broken Jade Cold Sword fell to the ground.
Ren Xiaoyao, his clothes fluttering, used the momentum to retreat with his sword flying without touching the ground, a satisfied smile still lingering on his handsome face, his valiant sword pointing at his opponent, until he returned to his original position.
"Well, without even ten moves, the outcome is already decided."
Li Daolin felt as if he had fallen into hell in an instant. His chest felt as if it had been struck by a thousand-pound boulder. He struggled to breathe, his body trembled violently, and all his strength suddenly vanished. He stumbled and almost fell to the ground, staring at Ren Xiaoyao in disbelief. His voice trembled as he said, "You...you...you...what kind of martial arts did you use?!"
"The Seven Killings Spear of the Coiled Dragon, and..."
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly raised his head, his tiger eyes flashing with a sharp light. He slowly said, word by word, "The simultaneous opening of the nine major acupoints, truly inexhaustible and limitless, reaching the ultimate Yang within Yang, the supreme innate Qi!"

Volume 45: Xiaoyao Reappears in the Liao Camp, Chapter 3: The Beauty Like Snow .

The simultaneous opening of the nine major acupoints!?
Hentian, Guiming Shenjun, and Dugu Yu were all stunned on the spot.
The simultaneous opening of the nine acupoints, the ultimate Yang within Yang.
Yelü Deguang, who was once invincible with his divine skills and single-handedly defeated the ten greatest martial arts masters of the Central Plains,
could only withstand three moves against it.
This is the highest realm of martial arts; throughout history, the number of masters who have reached this level can be counted on one hand.
Ren Xiaoyao is only twenty-four years old, yet he has already…
“You brat, prepare to die!” Ghost Netherworld Lord knew that Ren Xiaoyao had mastered his divine skill, and if he didn’t eliminate him today while his side had the advantage of numbers, he would never have another chance. Disregarding his status as the leader of a sect, he unleashed his Bloodthirsty Soul-Stealing Sword, slashing straight at Ren Xiaoyao. He also drew out a “Shura Divine Light” from both sides, unleashing the full power of his Heavenly Calamity Fire, shooting it at an astonishing speed towards Ren Xiaoyao’s knees.
If it struck, even with his impenetrable armor, the internal force contained within the divine light would be enough to inflict severe damage on Ren Xiaoyao.
At the same time, Hatred Heavenly Karma activated, flashing behind Ren Xiaoyao, his feet leaving the ground as he launched a mid-air attack, his sword aimed at Ren Xiaoyao’s back. This move combined the internal energies of the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra and the Rising Sun Divine Skill, its power fierce and profound, its momentum vast and its influence extending several feet, causing a fierce wind to rise in all directions.
Xu Kong roared and unleashed both palms simultaneously, attacking Ren Xiaoyao's flank with his internal energy alone.
The martial arts of the Maitreya Sect emphasize internal energy. Initially, they seem unremarkable, but the more one practices them, the more powerful they become. Especially now that he has mastered the Sumeru Qizi Skill, the Mahayana Wheel Method, and the Eighteen Seals, his
palm strikes are powerful enough to split mountains and shatter rocks! In an instant, Ren Xiaoyao was trapped between three grandmaster-level experts. The surging internal energies of the three formed a cage around Ren Xiaoyao, leaving him nowhere to hide or evade.
The three attacked fiercely, yet Ren Xiaoyao showed no fear. His steps faltered, his body swaying precariously, seemingly forced off balance by the three powerful strikes. Guiming Shenjun, Hentian, and Xukong were overjoyed, thinking, "Good! With the three of us joining forces, we can surely kill this brat in one move!"
Suddenly, Ren Xiaoyao let out a long laugh, his body spinning and leaping into the air. His toes touched the Asura Divine Light shot by Guiming Shenjun, instantly changing its direction and slashing towards Guiming Shenjun's face with even greater speed. Then, with a swift mid-air flip, his legs flashed towards Xukong, who was lunging to his side.
Guiming Shenjun dodged the incoming divine light, but was ultimately a fraction too slow. Xukong was also hindered by the force, his movements momentarily halted. Although the delay was brief, it undoubtedly meant missing a golden opportunity to join the attack on Ren Xiaoyao.
One-on-one!
Ren Xiaoyao, with his swift reflexes and superb martial arts skills, successfully reversed the disadvantage of being outnumbered, creating a one-on-one situation in a short time.
The Ghostly Lord, eager to kill him, didn't care whether it was one-on-one or three-on-one. With a cold snort, he unleashed his full Heavenly Demon Divine Art, his sword conjuring countless sword shadows that
rained down on Ren Xiaoyao. Ren Xiaoyao immediately felt the space within a ten-foot radius around him suddenly collapse, creating a strange feeling of being unable to gain any foothold.
He smiled coldly, showing no panic or tension. With a slight manipulation of his supreme innate qi, reaching the pinnacle of yang, the seemingly collapsed space suddenly filled up again.
The peerless demonic art that had dominated the martial world was easily neutralized!
"Boom!" Ren Xiaoyao brandished the Haolongdan spear, its tip striking heavily against the edge of the Hentian sword. Initially, the force was contained but not released. Only when the sword energy of Hentian surged towards the core in the opposite direction, like a ripple, did he finally pierce into it like an iron cone, using the highly condensed innate supreme qi of utmost strength and yang.
Hentian's right arm trembled, as if struck hard in the palm by a rapidly spinning drill. His hand felt like it was on fire, and half of his body went numb and sore. He let out a miserable groan and was forced to retreat hastily by the blow.
In terms of skill, Hentian's Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra was already close to the highest level of "Myriad Manifestations of the Universe." Even if he couldn't defeat Ren Xiaoyao's innate supreme qi, he shouldn't have been defeated in one move.
The problem was that before Ren Xiaoyao arrived, Hentian had fought with Dugu Yu for a long time, depleting three or four tenths of his strength, while Ren Xiaoyao was at full strength. Moreover, he had survived a near-death experience, which had affected Hentian's mind to some extent. In addition, this was his first time facing the Panlong Seven Kill Spear (very few people in the martial arts world wield spears), such a supreme technique. It was not surprising that he suffered a loss.
What the hell? Hentian could only block one move!?
The Ghostly Lord watched in horror, letting out a cold shout as the Bloodthirsty Soul-Snatching Sword shot from his hand. He then stopped his momentum, his abdomen arching inward, and sprang off the ground, his right foot tapping the hilt of the sword. He was using his foot instead of his hand to control the sword, attacking Ren Xiaoyao with a technique so bizarre that even Long Feiyun, who had studied all the martial arts in the world, had
never seen anything like it before. Xu Kong also unleashed a fierce attack, chanting the Sanskrit mantra "Namo Samanta Buddha," forming the sixteenth mudra, the Yaksha mudra, and unleashing a devastating palm strike.
"Whoosh—" Hentian adjusted slightly, also charging forward. His sword, with unstoppable force, barely pierced through Ren Xiaoyao's qi spear, which he couldn't fully concentrate due to being distracted by three things, and thrust straight towards his back.
This battle beneath the city was a hundred times more dangerous than any of their previous encounters, not only incredibly swift but also a contest of wits and strength, changing in an instant.
Strangely enough, ordinary armor would hinder normal movement to some extent, let alone dodging, leaping, or traversing high and low, but Ren Xiaoyao seemed completely unaffected, as if he were wearing nothing at all.
"Clang!"
Ren Xiaoyao's figure soared, his kick striking the blade of the Bloodthirsty Soul-Stealing Sword. Ghostly Lord felt a sudden wavering, his foot unable to exert any force as he pushed the sword. As he cried out in alarm, Ren Xiaoyao parried Hentian's furious sword attack with his spear. With a circle, a deflection, a turn, and a pull, the surging wind swept towards Xu Kong, actually borrowing his true energy with the Nine Revolutions Returning to Origin Force.
Xu Kong, who had just attacked, suddenly felt the force of the energy wall increase dramatically, caved inwards like the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra. He knew that a direct confrontation would be tantamount to wrestling with Hentian. Ren Xiaoyao could only push and resist, relying on his exquisite technique of borrowing and shifting force to reverse their power. He forcefully changed his move, retreating and securing himself completely.
Seeing that despite the combined strength of the three, Ren Xiaoyao's masterful technique had turned their attacks into one-on-one duels with him, Ghost Lord was astounded. Regardless of how much the simultaneous activation of his nine acupoints amplified the power of his innate, supreme qi, the fact that they had previously exhausted themselves fighting their opponents for a quick victory meant they were no match for the Ren Xiaoyao they had encountered at the summit of Tianshan, let alone the current Ren Xiaoyao.
Ghost Lord roared in anger, his Bloodthirsty Soul-Stealing Sword shooting upwards like an enraged dragon, unleashing over ten flawless strikes. Each strike was not only powerful but also strangely angled, leaving no opening for counterattack.
Xu Kong swiftly withdrew both palms, using all his strength to break free from the Heavenly Demon Heart Sutra's grasp. His left leg, used for leaping, swiftly retracted, calmly drawing a small circle before delivering a powerful upward kick to Ren Xiaoyao's abdomen.
A master is a master indeed. Before Xu Kong's kick could strike, Hentian's sword instantly changed, transforming from a horizontal slash into a thrust, unleashing a furious attack with extreme speed and force.
This sword strike was Hentian's masterpiece.
It perfectly combined the essence of the unorthodox techniques taught to him by Empress Dowager Xiao Chuo of Liao with the entirety of the Three Forms of Heavenly Annihilation. A fusion of good and evil, every change was ingeniously crafted, blending feints and real attacks, showcasing the utmost human skill in maneuvering, determined to overwhelm Ren Xiaoyao and create an opportunity for Guiming Shenjun and Xu Kong to assassinate him.
Ren Xiaoyao remained fearless, gripping the Haolongdan sword in one hand, calmly deploying a defensive net of spear tips. His left palm blocked Xu Kong's kick.
"Clang!"
The spear and sword clashed, producing a deafening, resounding sound that echoed far and wide.
No matter how numerous or complex Hentian's moves were, they were limited to the senses of sight... at most hearing. They were completely useless against Ren Xiaoyao, who possessed a sixth sense. Ren Xiaoyao seized upon Hentian's weakest point, striking him with the tip of his spear. A torrent of innate, supreme energy surged forth, causing Hentian to groan and fly sideways.
"Boom!"
Xu Kong's foot struck Hentian's left palm, which was making a slight arc in the air. The force was completely neutralized and redirected, shooting at an even greater speed towards the charging Ghost Netherworld Lord.
Ghost Netherworld Lord withdrew his energy in shock. Ren Xiaoyao seized the opportunity, adding a surge of pure, extremely powerful, and incomparably hot innate true energy, mixing it with the energy of the Heavenly Calamity Fire that Ghost Netherworld Lord was retrieving, forcing him to absorb it all.
Xu Kong rushed to his rescue.
"Boom!"
Ren Xiaoyao struck back with his palm, using his true energy to make Xu Kong stagger and fall.
"Clang!"
Hao Long Dan struck the blade of the Hentian sword.
Hentian's arm felt like it was about to split open. Not only was the power of his sword strike redirected, but more importantly, the powerful and fierce innate true energy seized the opportunity to penetrate, directly attacking his seven extraordinary meridians, eight extraordinary vessels, and five internal organs.
His evil art was learned from Xiao Chuo, the only surviving Liao person who had experienced the Battle of Bianliang. No one present knew better than him how powerful and terrifying it was to cultivate the supreme innate qi to the highest level of opening all nine acupoints simultaneously—it was a realm that no human could resist. If they weren't fighting three against one, in their current state, they would be no better off than Li Daolin, who was defeated in seven moves.
At the critical moment, Guiming Shenjun and Xu Kong arrived in time, forcing Ren Xiaoyao to withdraw the force he was attacking.
Guiming Shenjun channeled the Heavenly Calamity Fire to its limit, and with each sword strike, a scorching and fierce vortex of energy emerged, forcefully breaking through Ren Xiaoyao's protective aura, like a streak of crimson lightning striking his left rib.
Xu Kong unleashed the eighteenth mudra, the Universal Offering Mudra, his hands clasped in a Vajra-like gesture, index fingers touching like a precious gem, thumbs joined, a powerful, surging wave about to engulf Ren Xiaoyao.
At this moment, Gui Ming Shen Jun, having firmly planted his feet, channeled all his innate supreme energy, his feet barely touching the wall as he shot back like a cannonball, his Bloodthirsty Soul-Stealing Sword flashing a rainbow of light, aiming straight for Ren Xiaoyao's chest.
In an instant, Ren Xiaoyao was surrounded on three sides.
Long Feiyun and Zhen Gongji Mina were frantic, drawing their weapons to rush forward to help.
"No need, Xiaoyao can handle it," Dugu Yu said confidently.
With palm winds lashing at his face and sword energy piercing his back, Ren Xiaoyao closed his eyes, completely abandoning sight and hearing, relying solely on his "intuition" to deal with the crisis.
"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"
The Dragon's Gallbladder conjured countless fleeting red shadows, making Ren Xiaoyao's image and posture extremely imposing, displaying the domineering style of Bernie, the leader of the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance. The sight of him chilled the hearts of all who beheld him. Although the crowd was large, not a single person shouted or cheered, for they were all dumbfounded, unable to believe that such spear technique existed in the world.
The sounds of clashing energies were incessant.
In an instant, he blocked a kick, then two swords.
Finally, it was Ghostly Netherworld Lord's sword.
As Hentian and Xukong were thrown backward by the Panlong Seven Kill Spear, Ghostly Netherworld Lord's indestructible sword was struck by Ren Xiaoyao's left palm, just slightly off the edge of the blade.
The scorching energy shattered like rocks breaking between his palm and sword.
Ren Xiaoyao used all his strength to parry Hentian's sword moves and block Xu Kong's palm strikes with Haolongdan. However, Guiming Shenjun was slightly superior to the two in terms of the sophistication and ruthlessness of his moves and the power of his Heavenly Calamity Fire. This sword strike was not only the pinnacle of his refined essence and spirit, but also incorporated the deep hatred between him and Ren Qiaocui and Ren Xiaoyao from two generations. It was full of the spirit of going forward without hesitation and dying for success.
But even with that sword strike, Ren Xiaoyao still managed to block it—one reason was that Gui Ming Shenjun's power was insufficient and he wasn't at his best, but more importantly, Ren Xiaoyao's vision and martial arts had reached an unparalleled peak today!
Except…
except for that earth-shattering, ghost-weeping "Eternal Elegance in Laughter."
There was nothing left in the world worth studying!
Tian Jue and Di Mie exchanged a glance, seeing the fear in each other's eyes.
In this battle, it would be very difficult for the sect leader and his group to win; if they lost, none of them would leave alive.
The two exchanged a look and simultaneously reached into their robes, intending to pull out hidden weapons to ambush Ren Xiaoyao.
Everyone was focused on the intense battle and didn't notice their unusual behavior…
just as they were about to act, a flash of red light suddenly appeared before their eyes.
Hao Long Dan!?
The two were startled, thinking that Ren Xiaoyao had discovered them, and quickly retreated.
"Whoosh—" The red shadow flew in like lightning, penetrating the ground a foot deep, but it wasn't the divine spear in Ren Xiaoyao's hand.
It was a sword.
The sword was crimson, its cold light flashing, resembling black iron yet not quite, like fiery jade yet not quite.
"Flame Soul… Flame Soul Crimson Flame Sword!!!"
Tianjue and Dimie cried out in disbelief.
Upon hearing these five words, Guiming Shenjun and Hentian froze.
"Three against one, still not enough? They actually plan to launch hidden weapons, a sneak attack from behind. The Asura Sect has truly disgraced the two protectors."
A cold laugh echoed from the city wall.
As soon as the words were spoken, a graceful figure slowly appeared on the city wall. Clad in white as snow, pure as a lotus in clear water, her gait was elegant and ethereal, like a fairy, a beauty comparable to the legendary beauties of Wushan and Luoshui, slender and captivating, exquisitely beautiful. A sheer veil, as thin as a cicada's wing, accentuated her pure, unapproachable elegance and breathtaking beauty.
The entire crowd was stunned by her beauty, speechless and dumbfounded.
"Qing...Qingqiu!?" After a long while, Long Feiyun finally called out.
"Since our parting at Tianshan, Xiaoyao and I have been away for a long time, causing you sisters to worry." Xuan Qingqiu smiled apologetically, her posture elegant and beautiful, difficult to describe.
"You...this...this sword...where did you get the Flame Soul Crimson Flame Sword!?"
Ghost Underworld God Lord completely forgot about fighting, staring at her in disbelief.
"Naturally, I gave it to my wife." A soft sigh suddenly sounded from behind.
The tone was as gentle as flowing water, completely unintentional, the answer was as natural as could be.
Ghost Underworld God Lord turned around in astonishment, and in an instant, he was as if struck by lightning, frozen on the spot.

Volume 45, Chapter 4: The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden.

Her eyebrows were arched and thick, her hair piled high, her eyes deep and dark, her lips like lotus blossoms. She wore a long, flowing, sheer gauze dress, a sash draped around her waist, her wide sleeves billowing in the breeze. With a gentle smile, her figure was like a blooming lotus, her eyes like the flowing light of the moon…
With her appearance, the vast battlefield was immediately enveloped in a rich, fragrant aura.
The Ghostly Lord of the Underworld stood frozen in shock, as if struck by lightning. His mind went blank, his seven souls and six spirits seemingly flying out of his body. He stood there like a statue, speechless for a long time. Who else could it be but Mei Ruoxue, the woman he had longed for day and night, the one to whom he had devoted his entire life?
“Sister-in-law!?” “Madam Ren!?”
The Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance was stunned.
The members of the Absolute Kill and Asura Sects were also dumbfounded. "
How could this be?!
Twenty-three years ago, wasn't Mei Ruoxue forced to jump off a cliff and die in the Tianshan Mountains?!
Why
is she here today... today?!
You never dreamed that I, who jumped off the cliff to die for my husband, didn't perish at the bottom of the precipice, but instead lived alone for twenty-three years, enduring until today." Mei Ruoxue stood gracefully in the center, possessing a celestial beauty that stood out from the crowd, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes coldly fixed on the Ghost Underworld God.
The merciless years had not left even the slightest trace of aging on her face; her black clothes and white skin only accentuated her icy and jade-like features, her slender waist swaying gracefully in the wind, her figure so beautiful that words could not describe it. Coupled with those beautiful eyes that were no less captivating than Xuan Qingqiu's, eyes that had driven the Ghost Underworld God to fall into a demonic descent, she completely overshadowed all the other women except for Xuan Qingqiu.
This was something impossible, yet it was an undeniable fact before her eyes!
"Junior sister, you...you...for the past twenty-three years, where...where have you been..." Ghost Netherworld Lord's lips trembled as he tried to suppress his nervous emotions, but to no avail.
"I am not your junior sister. Since the death of the haggard one, I have never had a senior brother like you again." Xuan Qingqiu's pretty face was tense, and she coldly glanced sideways, her cherry lips spitting out a few words, "The hatred for killing my father and murdering my husband, all of this will be brought back to you today by my son and daughter-in-law—Xiaoyao, Qingqiu, combine your swords and defend the righteous path to eliminate evil!"
"Swoosh—" Ren Xiaoyao casually swung his hand, and the Haolongdan sword plunged into the ground, all the way to the hilt.
"Swish! Swish!" The Ice Soul Frost Sword and the Flame Soul Crimson Flame Sword were raised together, their red and blue lights reflecting each other, weaving into a dense and boundless sword net, rushing towards the panicked Ghost Netherworld Lord. Hentian
and Xukong saw that the situation was not good, and flew into the fray.
This was a battle with no suspense.
Exhausted from two consecutive battles, how could they possibly be a match for the combined swordsmanship of Ren Xiaoyao and Xuan Qingqiu?
The Lingxiao Sword Technique and the Fengwu Sword Technique were created jointly by Ren Xiaoyao and Mei Ruoxue, a married couple. Each pair of corresponding moves contains a story of love. For example, "Do not let your heart vie with the flowers in spring, for every inch of longing turns to ash," "Meeting is difficult, parting is even more difficult, the east wind is powerless, and the flowers are withered," and "In heaven, we wish to be birds flying wing to wing; on earth, we wish to be trees with intertwined branches"—the first half of these lines refers to moves in the Lingxiao Sword Technique, and the second half to moves in the Fengwu Sword Technique. They either depict the most beautiful scenes of deep affection or reminisce about the bittersweet memories of unrequited love, all shared by men and women, reflecting their mutual affection.
Both the Lingxiao Sword Technique and the Fengwu Sword Technique are top-tier martial arts in the world. The combined power of the two swords amplifies their strength, making them virtually unstoppable. Ren
Xiaoyao had already mastered the Lingxiao Sword Technique, and Xuan Qingqiu, thanks to Mei Ruoxue's meticulous guidance and her greatly improved internal energy, also progressed remarkably quickly in her practice. While she hadn't fully grasped the intricacies of the combined sword technique at first, she became increasingly adept with it.
It's important to understand that if the two wielding this sword technique are not lovers, many of its subtleties are difficult to comprehend. Without mutual understanding, the swordplay becomes overly formal for friends, or overly reliant on elders and juniors.
While it's wonderful when a married couple uses it together, without the years-long, bittersweet love story of Ren Xiaoyao and Xuan Qingqiu, born from hatred turning to love, it's impossible to truly appreciate the tender emotions, shy shyness, elation, and anxieties within it.
At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao and Xuan Qingqiu had already made a vow of eternal love and were deeply attached to each other. However, with the country in peril and the surrounding barbarians in turmoil, how could they have a home? They vaguely sensed that their future was fraught with difficulties, truly experiencing both joy and sorrow, bitterness and sweetness. This feeling was very similar to that of Ren Qiaocui and Mei Ruoxue when they created these two peerless sword techniques and derived the art of combining two swords.
Dugu Yu, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, and others watched the battle from the sidelines. They saw Xuan Qingqiu blushing and blushing, while Ren Xiaoyao would steal glances at her from time to time, showing affection and protection. Although they were fighting against a powerful enemy, they revealed a joyful and loving relationship. They secretly applauded and couldn't help but recall the first battle at Wuyun Mountain, when Ren Xiaoyao and Mei Ruoxue, the couple, defeated Guiming Shenjun and Hentian with their combined swords, causing them to flee in terror.
Ren Xiaoyao and Xuan Qingqiu, their minds in perfect harmony, wielded their swords with even greater ease. On the fifteenth move, Xu Kong let out a bloodcurdling scream, his body staggering as he crashed to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth. Gui Ming Shenjun and Hen Tian also dropped their weapons, their necks seized by Xuan Qingqiu and Ren Xiaoyao's swords. It was over; the tide had turned.
Members of the Shura Sect, Jue Sha, Maitreya Sect, and Dangxiang Society all lay dead, their weapons falling to the ground, their faces ashen. "They've gone mad! Avenge our fallen soldiers!"
"Eliminate evil completely! We don't need to talk about chivalry when dealing with these heretics!"
The crowd roared.
"Qingqiu, are you really going to kill Master?" Gui Ming Shenjun's face was deathly pale, his body trembling uncontrollably, bloodshot eyes.
"I..." Xuan Qingqiu hesitated slightly.
"Do you remember? When you were five, both your parents died of the plague. It was thanks to your master that you, orphaned and alone, were taken in, and you weren't left to wander the streets..." Ghostly Lord stared intently at Xuan Qingqiu, recounting the past in a hoarse, sorrowful voice, seemingly trying to move him with gratitude. "Thirteen years! A full thirteen years! Your master raised you with painstaking care, personally teaching you martial arts, teaching you to read, and even inviting countless masters to teach you music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose. He treated you better than his own daughter, even having the entire sect treat you like a princess, raising you to be..."
"Ghostly Lord, you're being presumptuous..." Long Feiyun, exceptionally clever, saw through Ghostly Lord's trickery and was about to stop him when Ren Xiaoyao gave her a "let him talk" look, forcibly silencing her.
"Master, I...I..."
In a moment, Xuan Qingqiu's eyes reddened from Ghostly Lord's words, tears welling in his eyes.
Ghostly Lord, his inner power subtly shifting, continued speaking without pause: "Do you know how heartbroken Master was when you said you wanted to sever ties with him and die with Ren Xiaoyao? Master hated, hated..."
"Having such an unfilial disciple!" Ghostly Lord's voice suddenly transformed into a fierce roar, causing a dragon's roar to reverberate in everyone's head, like a taut string. The Bloodthirsty Soul-Stealing Sword clattered as it parried the Flame Soul Crimson Flame Sword, thrusting straight at Xuan Qingqiu's chest. The sharp blade undulated and pulsed, like a living azure dragon, ready to cut him down in one fell swoop.
Xuan Qingqiu reacted with lightning speed. With a slight movement, she floated sideways, her sorrow vanishing in an instant. Her left sleeve flicked, and wisps of mist instantly appeared around her, the cuffs frosted with white scales, the soft silk hardening like ice and snow. Her face became the same color as her hands, her pale skin tinged with a frosty blue. She parted her lips slightly, exhaling a sharp, piercing breath towards the nearby Ghost Netherworld Lord.
Before anyone could see clearly, the Ghost Netherworld Lord let out a muffled groan. His Bloodthirsty Soul-Snatching Sword suddenly tilted, the power stored within it redirecting back at him. He gripped his right wrist and flew backward, spitting out a spray of blood.
Ghostly Lord fell heavily to the ground with a thud. He tried to get up, but most of his body was numb and he had lost all feeling. He managed to wipe the large patch of crimson blood from his lips and hissed, "You... what kind of martial art did you use?!"
"Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Art! The true secret art of our sect, the greatest nemesis of the Blood Curse of No Return, the only Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Art in the world that has reached the Yin within Yin realm!"

It

was Mei Ruoxue who spoke, her tone as cold as ice.
"Nine Heavens... Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Art, how... how is this possible?! Wasn't the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Art lost for decades? How could it be..." Ghostly Lord struggled to his feet, his face turning as pale as paper. He stumbled and almost fell to the ground again.
"It was... it was taught to you by your former Holy Maiden, Situ Yanluo?!"
"And then you passed it on to her?!"
Tianjue and Dimie were the two most senior members of the Asura Sect. They immediately understood after hearing Mei Ruoxue's words.
“Yes, it was Master Yanluo who taught me the incantation. She said the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Skill is the only martial art in the world that can counter the Blood Curse of the Unknown. She told me to practice it diligently, just in case, so that the new sect leader wouldn't be of questionable character and violate the sect's principles of 'purity, light, strength, and wisdom.'”
“The reason I didn't practice it was because I married Qiaocui. Together with Qiaocui, we created the Lingxiao Sword Technique and the Phoenix Dance Sword Technique. The combined power of the two swords was more than enough to deal with the Ghost Netherworld God, but I never expected…” Mei Ruoxue’s voice choked, clearly thinking of her husband in the afterlife. Twenty-four years had passed and she still couldn’t let go of the grief. “The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Skill requires a virgin to practice. I had already married Qiaocui, so naturally I couldn’t practice it anymore. Fortunately, Heaven took pity on me and let me wait until Qingqiu…”
The Ghost Netherworld God’s voice trembled as he hoarsely said, “Junior Sister, where have you been all these years? I’ve searched for you at the bottom of the cliff countless times, and every time…”
"You're not my senior brother, you're my enemy, the enemy who killed my husband! You've committed countless evil deeds
and are utterly wicked!" Mei Ruoxue's face was frosty as she coldly snorted, "Xiaoyao, Qingqiu, kill!" Just as Ren Xiaoyao was about to swing his sword, a series of loud "bangs" rang out, and large clouds of purple smoke spread from all directions, rapidly engulfing the entire area and instantly obscuring all light.
"What's going on!"
"What is that?"
"Oh no, someone's using hidden weapons!"
"Get out of the way!"
Amidst the cries of alarm, chaos erupted throughout the area.
Normally, everyone present was a master and shouldn't have reacted so visibly, but this smoke was strange. Not only did it cause dizziness and watery eyes, but it also made it impossible to concentrate one's internal energy. Coupled with the fact that members of the Asura Sect, Juesha, Maitreya Sect, and Dangxiang Society seized the opportunity to release hidden weapons, the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Everyone else was blind and deaf, except for Ren Xiaoyao, who possessed a sixth sense and could still perceive his surroundings. He sensed three figures leaping down from the city wall, rushing towards him at lightning speed.
Ren Xiaoyao knew something was wrong and was about to slash off Hentian's head with his sword when a figure was already behind him, a palm strike whistling as it aimed straight for the back of his head.
"So fast!!!"
Ren Xiaoyao was shocked, unable to even parry with his sword, hastily raising his left hand to deflect the attack.
"Clang!"
The instant the opponent's palms struck the side of the spear tip, Ren Xiaoyao felt a jolt throughout his body. He felt as if his left hand, holding the spear, had been pricked by an extremely fine needle. The sudden pain pierced his heart and lungs, followed by a weak, uneasy feeling as if his arm was about to split open.
The opponent, of course, was also in pain, letting out a muffled groan and retreating.
With just a slight delay, Hentian had already leaped away, simultaneously sensing more people jumping down from the city walls to support the retreat of the Asura Sect, Absolute Kill, Maitreya Sect, and Tangut people.
"Don't go!" Ren Xiaoyao wasn't about to let Hentian escape, shouting as he gave chase, spear in hand.
The man's figure blurred, actually blocking Ren Xiaoyao's path, his speed no less than Ren Xiaoyao's!
It was him!?
Ren Xiaoyao's heart skipped a beat; he had already guessed who the other was.
Gui Jianchou, the master of Gui Jianchou Mansion.
In the world, besides him, no one else possessed such lightness skill!
And only Gui Jianchou could fight him to a draw with his innate supreme qi at seventy percent power.
Ren Xiaoyao focused his mind, expelling all distracting thoughts from his mind, and thrust out his spear with unwavering focus, taking the initiative to attack. The mighty dragon gall pierced through layers of mist, transforming into countless spear shadows that shone brightly in the void, overwhelming and swarming forward.
Gui Jianchou let out a cold shout, his right hand forming a knife with his fingers, and he thrust it forward swiftly. Suddenly, man and knife became one, transforming into a raging torrent of energy that swept across the world, crashing into the deepest part of the spear shadow with lightning speed.
"Bang!"
This time, Ren Xiaoyao used eighty percent of his strength, but when their forces clashed, a seemingly tangible yet intangible chilling energy broke through the protection of his innate supreme qi, directly invading his internal organs, causing him so much pain that he almost dropped his weapon.
"Divine Skill!"
Ren Xiaoyao reacted instantly, realizing that Gui Jianchou had accumulated his chilling inner energy, almost the yin within yin, into a single point, creating a fierce and powerful aura.
His innate supreme qi had reached the highest level of yang within yang, so he couldn't possibly lose even against yin within yin. However, while his yang within yang protected his entire body, Gui Jianchou's yin within yin was condensed as fine as a hair, swift and sharp, difficult to defend against. In addition, Ren Xiaoyao was focused on killing Hentian and hadn't used his full strength, holding back. Fortunately, after forcing Gui Jianchou back, he immediately pounced and stabbed him with his spear, thus giving Gui Jianchou an opportunity.
Although his Yin-within-Yin was only for a moment, the strength of an elephant, though immense, was enough for a woman or child to pierce its skin with a tiny needle. Ren Xiaoyao had not yet fully unleashed his power, which is why the Yin energy broke through his Yang-within-Yang defense. Pure Yang-within-Yang is naturally invincible, but Ren Xiaoyao had fought three masters, and his power was greatly depleted (even if it were inexhaustible, it would be impossible for him to maintain his original strength after fighting Hentian, Guiming Shenjun, and Xukong). Moreover, he was distracted and could only use eighty percent of his current power to achieve a draw with Guijianchou, possessing unparalleled divine skills.
Ren Xiaoyao was shocked. He never expected that the Ghost Axe Divine Skill was not only strangely Yin and cold, but that Guijianchou also possessed this earth-shattering, ghost-weeping, and bizarre technique of condensing energy into needles. He dared not be negligent in the slightest. He raised his Haolongdan high and took three steps forward, launching a full-scale attack that transformed into hundreds of spear shadows, rushing towards Guijianchou like a great river.
Faced with such formidable strength, he had no time to pursue Hentian. He channeled his Yang-within-Yang technique to its fullest extent, his sixth sense amplified exponentially, allowing him to completely grasp Gui Jianchou's every move, down to the slightest pulsation of his pores.
The spear spun, its rotation accelerating, accompanied by a piercing shriek that echoed through the void.
Ren Xiaoyao abandoned the Ice Soul Frost Sword, gripping the spear with both hands. The blood-red, shimmering Dragon Gallbladder, halfway through its thrust, transformed into a swirling vortex of energy, enveloping Gui Jianchou from afar. This was the ultimate move of the Panlong Seven Kill Spear – Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix. Its most terrifying aspect was that it didn't strike in a straight line, but rather appeared straight yet curved, following an arc that aligned with the vastness of the universe, curving towards the opponent. It was a hundred, a thousand times more difficult to block than a direct strike. To
directly parry such a strange and unparalleled spear technique, deflecting and borrowing force, was utterly a fool's dream!
Gui Jianchou didn't dodge. Instead, he leaped forward, his hand blade aimed directly at Ren Xiaoyao's left shoulder. True energy flowed through the blade, emitting a sharp whistling sound that tore through the air, its power astonishing.
Ren Xiaoyao was secretly delighted. His clear sixth sense perfectly grasped the opponent's momentum and speed, without missing a single detail. He was certain that a slight tilt of his spear tip would be enough to strike.
This time, Gui Jianchou would surely lose!
Ren Xiaoyao maintained his original stance, only slightly changing the angle. A loud "boom" resounded…
the energies clashed!
Ren Xiaoyao channeled all his life's power, aiming to kill his enemy in one strike and avenge the two previous losses.
Gui Jianchou grunted, the powerful force from Hao Longdan, like a thousand surging waves, sending him flying. However, the palm blade and spear tip hadn't even touched yet; it was merely a clash of energies from a distance, and the opponent hadn't even used his needle-like energy-condensing technique.
What was going on? How could he be so weak?
Just as Ren Xiaoyao was wondering what was going on, Gui Jianchou suddenly sidestepped, his body turning around and his footwork abruptly changing. He forcefully bypassed Ren Xiaoyao's extremely narrow space before Hao Longdan could turn. His feet moved like flying clouds, his figure flowing, using the true energy contained in Ren Xiaoyao's spear to propel himself into the air. He performed three graceful and light backflips in quick succession, lightly pushing off with his toes, and with three "whoosh" sounds, he shot backward toward the city wall.
Ren Xiaoyao was focused on winning the contest of internal strength, and he used all of his innate supreme qi. Although he could circulate it freely, he instantly switched from the tip of his spear to the soles of his feet, activating the Xiaoyao You Body Technique. However, Gui Jianchou's lightness skill was divine, and in terms of nighttime movement, he was no less capable than Ren Xiaoyao. He was just a moment too late and could only watch helplessly as his opponent disappeared into the darkness.
Upon using his "intuition" again, he realized that the members of the Asura Cult, the Absolute Kill Cult, the Maitreya Cult, and the Tangut Society had all vanished. Not only had Ghostly Lord, Hentian, Xukong, and Li Daolin escaped, but everyone else was gone too!
"Master Ren's divine skills are unparalleled. I, Ghost, have witnessed them. I will surely come back to learn from you again in the future." Ghostly Sorrow's sinister voice came from afar, full of mockery and sarcasm.
"Crack!" Ren Xiaoyao was furious. He threw the Haolongdan spear, its tip deeply embedded in the ground.
Ghostly Sorrow!
Because of you, I have failed at the last moment!!

Volume 45: Xiaoyao Returns to the Liao Camp, Chapter 6: Daughter-in-law and In-laws

At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao could have given chase, but in this world, only he and Ghostly Sorrow could leap onto the tens of feet high city wall without any support. To give chase would mean facing the experts from the Asura Cult, the Absolute Kill Cult, the Maitreya Cult, the Tangut Society, and Ghostly Sorrow's Mansion all at once.
Ghost-Seeing Sorrow was a living force; his sinister technique of condensing energy into needles could only be countered by innate, supreme qi of pure yang. The first to leap from the city wall with him were also experts, at least at the level of the Four Asura Envoys. Furthermore, Ghost Netherworld Lord, Hatred Heaven, Xu Kong, and Li Daolin were all centipedes, still sharp even in death; their combined attack was beyond his capabilities. The battle at the summit of Tianshan had completely changed his former arrogant and disdainful attitude; he would no longer act on mere bravado. As
the smoke cleared, the scene before him was utterly horrifying.
Those present were all top-tier martial arts masters from the Central Plains, but now, apart from Dugu Yu, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei, Meng Lei, Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, Long Feiyun, and Zhen Gongji Mina were all sitting cross-legged, their faces pale. The others, such as the Three Elders of Mount Tai, Di Mie, Yu Ling, Yu Feng, Nangong Wushang, Situ Changkong, and Deng Tao, were all lying on the ground, their lips purple, their bodies trembling and groaning in agony.
"What happened? How could this be!" Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed in shock.
"It's...it's one of the three great poisons of Guichou Mansion, 'Mahapadma'," Long Feiyun replied, her cheeks pale, her hair soaked with sweat, panting heavily.
"Ah, Mahapadma!?" Ren Xiaoyao was stunned.
"It's Sanskrit, translated...it's called the Great Red Lotus," Zhen Gongji Mina intermittently replied.
"The last level of the Eight Cold Hells in Buddhist terminology?" Ren Xiaoyao quickly pressed his palm against the backs of the two women, continuously channeling his scorching, innate supreme qi into them.
With his help, Long Feiyun's pain immediately subsided, and she replied, "Yes, legend has it that after the most heinous criminals die, their souls are thrown into the Eight Cold Hells, where they endure endless suffering, their bodies frozen and blistered like lotus petals. The Eight Cold Hells are built upon the extreme suffering of the beings in hell, and are named according to the size and shape of the blisters: Ebhuta, Nirabhuta, Epata, Hohoba, Huhuba, Patma, and Maha Patma, which means 'Great Red Lotus.' This means that the suffering of the tormented is so intense that their skin and flesh crack from the cold, and their whole body turns red, just like a great red lotus."
"Hitsugaya Toshiro's weapon is called Daiguren Hyōrinmaru. You witnessed the scene in Nara Castle when he faced Nagao Hiroyasu, a high-ranking ninja of the Seiki-ryū school who was holding Kora's sister hostage, and the tip of his blade froze water into ice, instantly killing him from a distance."
"But why did I initially feel heat poison?"
Long Feiyun frowned and sighed, "This is precisely the nature of 'Mahapadma.' It first presents the characteristic of heat, enticing the poisoned to resist the heat poison with methods of resistance, instantly turning into cold poison. No matter how high your martial arts are, you can't defend against it. So, apart from those with internal strength as strong as Senior Dugu, we all..."
Before she could finish speaking, Ren Xiaoyao moved swiftly, his extraordinary agility making him difficult for the two women to discern as he moved back and forth among the crowd. No matter how deep the poisoning was, as long as he struck with his palm, the cold poison would instantly disappear.
"Everyone, please circulate your qi from your dantian, through the 'Shangqu' acupoint, to the 'Shiguan,' 'Yindu,' 'Tonggu,' 'Youmen,' 'Bulang,' 'Shenfeng,' and 'Lingxu' acupoints of the kidney meridian, and gather the supreme innate qi that I have passed on to you. Circulate it continuously for three cycles, breaking through the various blockages and obstructions in the meridians, and the remaining poison will be completely removed." As he spoke, Ren Xiaoyao walked to the seriously injured Liu Zhenxin and Xu Yinghua to check their injuries.
"Alliance Leader, don't worry about us, quickly lead everyone to resist the Liao soldiers!"
"Yes, Ghost Netherworld Lord and the others launched a night attack on the South Gate, there must be Liao troops outside the city to provide support, what if..." Xu Yinghua was halfway through her sentence when she suddenly realized that the fierce battle near the city gate had been going on for so long, yet she hadn't heard any sounds of Liao soldiers attacking the city.
"Don't worry, I've already driven the Liao soldiers back." Ren Xiaoyao smiled faintly.
"Driven back!?"
"Yes, my mother, Qingqiu, and I crossed the river to get here, and we found that 30,000 Liao soldiers were quietly advancing towards the South Gate under the cover of night. The South Gate was less than a mile away, so of course we went up to kill them without hesitation." "30,000!" Long Feiyun was shocked.
The south gate of Tanzhou is right next to the Yellow River, with a depth of less than five li. The area outside the gate is flat and open to the eye. If the Liao army were to launch a night attack, even the slightest light would be clearly visible from within the city. Compared to the danger of attacks on the east, west, and north gates,
the risk was far less. Therefore, the night defense was entrusted to the original Tanzhou garrison under Ji Yanwo. Tonight was neither a dark, moonlit night nor a rainy, foggy night. Yet, the Liao army of 30,000 men had managed to infiltrate the south gate undetected, utilizing the mere five li of depth. Yelü Changsheng's military prowess was truly unpredictable.
"Thirty thousand men! You, Qingqiu, and Mother… Mother… how could this be…" Long Feiyun exclaimed in astonishment.
"To shoot a man, shoot his horse first; to capture a thief, capture his king first. I charged into the enemy lines single-handedly, took down the Liao general and several of his lieutenants, and with no one to command them, the Liao army naturally retreated." Ren Xiaoyao, true to his charming nature, grabbed Long Feiyun's slender waist in front of everyone, his large hand cupping her flushed, shy face, and laughed, "This has delayed things a bit, and almost caused my precious Yun'er to get hurt. You won't blame me, will you?"
Long Feiyun trembled, and murmured, "Of course, of course... no... you're so naughty..." The valiant heroine instantly transformed into a shy, bashful young girl.
Although Ren Xiaoyao spoke lightly, everyone knew that even with his superb marksmanship and martial arts skills, taking the head of a commander from among 30,000 troops would be no easy feat. Yet, he accomplished it, and afterwards spoke of it so casually—partly out of concern for his beloved wives and to avoid their worry, but more importantly, it was his Dragon Gallbladder, his Dragon Spear, his invulnerable armor, his giant jade ornament, and of course, his inherent profound internal strength and supreme martial arts. Combined, he possessed the supernatural ability to take the head of a general from among a million troops as easily as taking candy from a baby.
Now, he was not only a king who reigned supreme in the martial world, but also an invincible hero on the battlefield!
Ren Xiaoyao smiled gently, his fingertips lightly brushing her rounded earlobe, and leaned closer, saying with deep affection, "I swear, from today onwards, I will never leave you again, nor will I let you suffer even the slightest harm."
There were no sweet words, just this simple sentence, and all the women were moved to tears.
Mina Shinguji choked back tears, "Xiaoyao, where have you been all this time? We sisters thought..."
Ren Xiaoyao had already seen the women dressed in mourning clothes, their eyes brimming with tears after the enemy's defeat, gazing at him with tender affection. He was immediately filled with boundless tenderness and comforted them one by one. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard a sweet cry from afar.
"Fool—"
Undoubtedly, it was Shui Furong calling him.
The delicate and charming Shui Furong had clearly lost weight, but it did not diminish her stunning beauty. Instead, it added a touch of endearing vulnerability. Her former arrogance and willfulness had been replaced by deep affection. Her pretty face was filled with tears of joy, and her bright eyes seemed to be veiled by a layer of mist, silently expressing her longing for Ren Xiaoyao.
She and Wang Chongyi arrived at the North Gate, only to discover that the enemy was not the evil masters led by Gui Ming Shen Jun, Hen Tian, and Xu Kong as Commander Yang had claimed. They were merely second-tier members of the Shura Sect, Jue Sha, and Maitreya Sect. Lacking the shrewdness of Long Fei Yun, she inherited Yi Tian Han's fierce courage and ruthlessness; she would never leave if there was a fight.
Once a large number of members from various gangs and sects arrived and joined forces to drive the enemy back, resealing the tunnel exit, she realized that her sisters who had come with her were all missing. Asking around, she learned that Long Fei Yun and the others had gone to the South Gate. Rushing here, she saw Ren Xiaoyao's back from a distance.
In that instant, Shui Furong's body trembled violently, her beautiful eyes flashing with disbelief. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. When the word "idiot" escaped her lips, Ren Xiaoyao turned around and saw his incomparably handsome face. Shui Furong's bewildered expression instantly transformed into overwhelming joy. She cried out and ran towards him, letting out a soft moan as she threw herself into his arms. She passionately wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tightly, and showered him with kisses. The
chaotic battlefield, the corpses scattered everywhere, and all the potential or impending danger vanished instantly. All that remained was the fervent, unwavering love and tenderness between the two lovers. All the pain of longing, the sorrow of separation, the blood, sweat, and tears shed were excessively compensated for in that moment.
At this moment, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly realized that while Shui Furong was inherently rebellious, arrogant, and incredibly jealous, capable of clashing with him in any public setting, once her true feelings were revealed, she would completely open up, allowing him to experience the captivating feeling of her opening her tightly closed heart and letting him in.
Smelling the fragrance of Shui Furong's hair, his nose filled with her healthy youthful energy, and feeling the intoxicating warmth and fragrance in his arms, Ren Xiaoyao felt as if he were in paradise. He couldn't help but reach out and brush a few strands of hair from her pretty face, his fingertips gently tracing her delicate, rosy cheeks. Just as he was about to lean down and kiss her luscious lips, he suddenly heard Shui Furong ask in a sharp voice, "Who is this? Who is this woman?"
Ren Xiaoyao was startled, seeing Shui Furong's eyebrows furrowed, her face flushed with anger, and her slender hands trembling slightly. Pointing at his mother, knowing she had misunderstood again, he was about to explain when Shui Furong's two small fists pounded his chest: "You! You shameless scoundrel, you stupid fool, you stinking fool, you've been gone with Qingqiu for so long... We were so worried about you, crying day and night, shedding countless tears, and you... you were out there having a good time, bringing back another pretty girl, you... you shameless scoundrel..."
He cried and made a scene for a while, but the other women didn't respond, instead only murmurs of laughter escaping his lips. Upon closer inspection, Shui Furong saw Lin Yuxiu and Nangong Fengzi bursting into laughter, even her usually stern master and uncles were covering their mouths, clearly struggling to hold it in. Their faces flushed red, like peach blossoms, and they stamped their feet, scolding, "You...you...Sister Fengyi, Sister Long, why don't you blame the idiot, why don't you talk about him, instead...but instead...boohoo...you stupid idiot...you stinky idiot..."
Ren Xiaoyao's handsome face turned slightly red for the first time, and he looked extremely embarrassed at his mother, who was staring at him with a half-smile. "Mother, this is the Furong I've always told you about. She's actually... pretty good in every way, except... hey, she's jealous, that..."
Shui Furong's body stiffened, and she blurted out uncontrollably, "What? Mother!?"

Volume 45: Xiaoyao Reappears in Liao Camp, Chapter 7: The Mystery of Immortality

"What? The Holy Maiden of the Asura Cult! Qingqiu... Sister Qingqiu, you are... the Holy Maiden of the Asura Cult!?" In the
side hall of the Marshal's Mansion, the women, along with Dugu Yu, Yi Tianhan, Fu Longyuan, Meng Fei, and others, sat together, listening to Xiaoyao recount what happened after the Tianshan disaster.
Not to mention Shui Furong, who was the last to speak and knew nothing, even Long Feiyun and Zhen Gongji Mina, who had heard Guiming Shenjun personally call Xuan Qingqiu "disciple," dared not believe what Xiaoyao was saying.
“Yes, I was raised by the Ghostly Lord, and he even taught me martial arts.” Even after Xuan Qingqiu admitted it himself, Lin Yuxiu was still stunned and couldn’t believe it. She touched her fair and smooth cheek with her slender hand and stammered, “But…but I didn’t realize that Sister Qingqiu knew martial arts. And if you are a saintess, how could you be poisoned by the Five Absolute King Gu…”
Xuan Qingqiu smiled faintly and told her everything about the past without reservation. Only then did the women realize that they had been kept in the dark all along.
Long Feiyun was greatly surprised. She had always considered herself intelligent, but she was completely unaware of this. It seemed that when it came to cunning and strategy, she was not the only one capable by Ren Xiaoyao's side.
Mei Ruoxue interjected, "Don't blame Qingqiu. After all, the debt of gratitude to our master is still with us. If my master were still alive
back then, I'm afraid he wouldn't have been able to bring himself to be an enemy of the Ghostly Lord." "No matter what Qingqiu was like before, at least when I was seriously injured and on the verge of death at the summit of Tianshan Mountain, she chose me and chose to jump off the cliff with me to commit suicide. All the past is gone. The current Qingqiu has nothing to do with the Asura Sect anymore. She is my wife and your sister."
Ren Xiaoyao held Xuan Qingqiu's soft hands, gazing at her tenderly. Xuan Qingqiu also raised her star-like eyes and met her lover's gaze for a moment. Their sincere hearts merged once again, their love was mutual, and everything was understood without words.
"And then what happened after you jumped off the cliff?" Nangong Fengyi asked with concern.
"I'll
tell you, Mother," Mei Ruoxue nodded and sighed, "You might not believe it, but beneath the summit of Tianshan Mountain lies not rock or ice, but a vast ice lake." "An ice lake!?" Zhen Gongji Mina exclaimed in surprise, "That's not right! I used my 'far-seeing' technique; it was clearly a stretch of ice floes, not a lake..."
"When you arrived, it was winter. The frozen lake, combined with the cold, made it impossible to discern. Besides... even if you knew it was an ice lake, even if you managed to reach the bottom of the cliff, you would never discover the secret within." "The secret!?"
“Yes, there’s an ice cave at the bottom of the frozen lake. Inside the cave are rows of sloping ice cellars. Passing through there leads to a valley where ice and snow have solidified, a hidden paradise.” Mei Ruoxue’s beautiful eyes shone with endless sighs and reminiscence as she softly said, “I’ve lived there all these years, spending countless lonely days and nights alone.”
Xuan Qingqiu interjected, “The ice cave is at the bottom of the lake, very, very deep. Without the force of leaping off a sheer cliff, you can’t get there, and you can’t even see the faint light emanating from the ice cave. As far as I know, for over a decade, the Ghost… Ghost Lord has personally led many people to the bottom of the cliff to search for my mother’s remains, but each time they returned empty-handed, and that’s why.”
“A valley… where ice and snow have solidified…” Meng Fei’s expression changed drastically as he exclaimed in shock, “Sister-in-law, twenty-four years, a full twenty-four years, you… you stayed alone in the ice valley, how… how did you endure it all?”
"At that time, I was severely injured, and having used 'Demon's Lament' twice, my veins were almost completely burned away, and I was on the verge of death. Fortunately, the Ice Valley was full of rare flowers and herbs, including holy healing medicines like the Snow Lotus. I picked and consumed them, along with white fish raised in the cold pool. Not only did I escape death, but after my injuries healed, my strength also gradually returned." "I missed Xiaoyao. I wanted to leave the valley to find him and Xiaofei, but the valley was over a hundred feet high, and the surrounding walls were smooth stone walls. I couldn't climb it by myself... I thought about dying, but for Qiaocui, for Xiaoyao, I wanted to avenge Qiaocui, and I wanted to see the day Xiaoyao grew up!"
"And so, day after day, year after year, I unknowingly spent twenty-four years in the Ice Valley. At first, I was unbearably lonely, constantly missing him, missing the days and nights we spent together, tormented by lovesickness until I was emaciated... But later I realized that no matter how much I missed him, no matter how much I longed for him, he wouldn't come back. All I could do was find a way to master martial arts, leave the Ice Valley, and protect our child."
"So I began to abandon all distractions and cultivate the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Skill..."
Long Feiyun exclaimed in surprise, "Wait, didn't Mother just say that the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Skill requires a virgin..."
"Indeed, that's what Saintess Situ instructed me when she passed on this divine skill. It's because if a practitioner of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Skill is not a virgin, they will be consumed by lust and die from qi deviation at the crucial moment of cultivation. But at that time, I had no choice but to grit my teeth and practice in order to leave the valley, and unexpectedly, I easily broke through the first level."
"Why is that!?" All the women were stunned. "I consumed the Heavenly Snow Lotus before practicing!" Mei Ruoxue exhaled a fragrant breath, speaking slowly and deliberately. "The Heavenly Snow Lotus's cold power can suppress the backlash when a non-virgin practices the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique. However, the dosage increases as you progress. If the Heavenly Snow Lotus weren't abundant in the Ice Valley, readily available at any time, even if I figured out the method, I still wouldn't be able to master it."
Su Hanbi exclaimed in surprise, "This... so Mother, you've also reached the Yin within Yin realm, easily defeating the Ghost Netherworld God within three moves!?"
Mei Ruoxue shook her head, a hint of regret flashing in her beautiful eyes: "No..." "The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique is divided into nine levels. One must reach the final level, 'Ice Heart Fairy,' to attain the highest realm of Yin within Yin. I spent a full ten years practicing, only to reach the eighth level, 'Ice Bone Snow Heart,' where I stalled and could make no further progress." "Doesn't that mean there are still thirteen years left?" "As I progressed through the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique, I gradually became less thoughtful, less desirous, and less troubled. By the time I mastered 'Ice Bone Snow Heart,' I was completely devoid of joy and sorrow, carefree and without worry. The next thirteen years didn't feel so difficult. Of course, I never forgot about Xiaoyao and was always trying to find a way to break through the bottleneck of 'Ice Heart Fairy.'"
"Mother, did you find it?" "Yes, by chance, I found a Heavenly Snow Lotus King in a deeper, more hidden cave beneath the frozen lake." Mei Ruoxue's words were astonishing. "That's a Heavenly Snow Lotus that has grown for ten thousand years, gathering the purest spiritual energy of heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of all things. It's incredibly yin and cold, impossible to resist. If I can fully master the 'Ice Bone Snow Heart' technique, it's not impossible to reach the pinnacle of yin after consuming the Heavenly Snow Lotus King!" "
In the days that followed, I diligently practiced the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique, hoping for the impossible to happen, hoping to cultivate the 'Ice Bone Snow Heart'. Just when I was working tirelessly day and night, and it seemed I was about to succeed..."
“Qingqiu and I appeared.” Ren Xiaoyao smiled and continued, “We fell from a cliff into the lake. Because we were holding the Ice Soul Frost Sword, we easily pierced the ice and sank rapidly. Just as I was losing consciousness and about to die, I suddenly saw a cave entrance in the distance. My survival instinct made me hold on, and I swam towards it with Qingqiu, rushing up the sloping ice cave. When we finally broke the surface, we couldn’t hold on any longer and both passed out.”
Mei Ruoxue showed boundless emotion as she recalled, “I was practicing my martial arts by the pool when I heard a strange noise from the other side. I rushed over to check and immediately saw Xiaoyao. Although he was covered in blood, on the verge of death, and had been soaked in the icy lake water, his hair was disheveled and he looked terrible, I felt a strange sense of familiarity. It was a feeling from the bottom of my heart, indescribable, as if the heavens were reminding me—Mei Ruoxue, he is the child you have been longing for!”
"When I saw the Ice Soul Frost Sword tightly gripped in his hand, I became even more certain of this idea. Yes, there is a destiny at work. Back then, two peerless divine weapons created the extraordinary love between me and my beloved, and today, it is this pair of swords, one male and one female, that witnesses my reunion with Xiaoyao after twenty-four years!" Xuan Qingqiu said softly, "Xiaoyao was seriously injured. My mother and I took care of him for three days without changing our clothes, and finally he woke up. Then came the touching scene of our mother-son reunion."
Mei Ruoxue and Ren Xiaoyao gazed at each other with deep affection, and the strong mother-son bond touched everyone present.
"With the help of the Heavenly Snow Lotus, my injuries healed quickly, and my mother made a bold decision—to pass on the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique to Qingqiu, and at the same time, let her take the Heavenly Snow Lotus King!"
"Mother..." Xuan Qingqiu's voice choked with emotion.
Mei Ruoxue let out a poignant, heart-wrenching sigh: "I'm old. Even though I've lived in the Ice Valley for twenty-four years, consuming the Heavenly Snow Lotus to maintain my youthful appearance, I'm still as youthful as I was in my early twenties. But the weariness is gone, and Xiaoyao has mastered a peerless divine skill. There's no longer any motivation for me to master the Yin-within-Yin technique. On the contrary, Qingqiu has lost all her martial arts. For Xiaoyao, she betrayed her master and jumped off a cliff to die for him. How could she not have martial arts to protect herself? Besides, she was originally the Holy Maiden of the Asura Sect, so it's only natural that I pass on the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique to her." "
Isn't the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique only for virgins to practice? Then... then if Sister Qingqiu practices it, wouldn't that mean..." Lin Yuxiu's face flushed red, and she stammered, "Wouldn't that mean she can't marry Big Brother..."
Mei Ruoxue, displaying a loving and tender maternal expression, couldn't help but reach out and pat her adorable face, saying with concern, "According to the rules of the Asura Sect, the Holy Maiden must marry the Sect Leader sooner or later. Therefore, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique no longer has such restrictions after reaching the seventh level. However, progressing to the seventh level usually takes at least twenty or thirty years, and it is fraught with danger. The slightest mistake can lead to annihilation. Therefore, throughout history, the Holy Maidens have only passed down the key techniques orally, and very few people have actually practiced them. Hence, the more it is passed down, the more mysterious it becomes." "Twenty or thirty years, that's not..." "Xiuxiu, have you forgotten about the Heavenly Snow Lotus King?" Ren Xiaoyao smiled casually. "That's a divine object nurtured by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. It has been baptized by ten thousand years of ice and snow in the ice cave. It is extremely yin and cold. Taking it can be equivalent to at least fifty years of internal energy. In addition, my mother has been studying the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden Technique at the bottom of the cliff. She knows all the difficulties and bottlenecks in the cultivation process better than anyone else. Moreover, Qingqiu has undergone the marrow cleansing and tendon-changing treatment by Senior Wu. All her former martial arts skills have disappeared. She is like a blank sheet of paper that can be written on at will. After taking the Heavenly Snow Lotus King, she achieved her goal in one fell swoop under
my mother's guidance. She reached the seventh level of 'Ice Shadow Without a Trace' in just one day. The next day, she even broke through the realm of 'Ice Bone Snow Heart'. She is only one step away from the highest cultivation of yin within yin." "When Qingqiu achieved 'Ice Bone Snow Heart', she also opened all nine acupoints at the same time. She is the second person after Senior Feng Renqiu to reach the supreme realm of yang within yang, right?" Su Hanbi suddenly smiled. "You guessed it?" Ren Xiaoyao was slightly surprised.
"The human body has its limits. Unless it's a vein transformed by innate supreme qi, it's impossible to withstand a sudden increase in power, whether it's extreme yin or extreme yang. Back then, after you took the Blood-Nourishing Vein Pill I refined, you almost suffered a backlash from the raging fire poison and nearly lost your life." "Based on this, you believe that Qingqiu encountered the same situation as me back then after mastering 'Ice Shadow Without a Trace,' and that the solution was similar to what happened back then, is that right?" Ren Xiaoyao spoke cryptically, but all the women knew that back on Chiwei Island, it was only thanks to Su Hanbi's pure yin as a virgin that he was able to escape the fire poison in his body and successfully master innate supreme qi. This time, it was naturally Ren Xiaoyao's turn to "sacrifice himself," to unite in intercourse, harmonize yin and yang, and remove the cold poison from Xuan Qingqiu. Before
Su Hanbi could speak, Xuan Qingqiu's cheeks flushed red, and she scolded, "Alright, you bullied me and then went around telling everyone..." Her charm couldn't hide her shy joy. This book is from: Fantasy S69 Sword V42 Book T43 Alliance Reading Unlimited K92 Winning in the Bull Chinese!
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily and said casually, "That's how Qingqiu mastered 'Ice Bone Snow Heart,' and when I woke up, I found that the ninth acupoint in my body had been opened, truly reaching a state of inexhaustible resources."
Su Hanbi said quietly, "Yang gives rise to Yin, and Yin gives rise to Yang. This is the principle of the Yellow and Red Technique for nourishing life and replenishing the body. The dual cultivation technique derived from this is extremely profound. As long as the nourishment is done properly, even in old age, one can maintain youthful
vitality. Extending this to martial arts, one's power will naturally increase dramatically." "To take it a step further."
Ren Xiaoyao pondered that since there was such a "health-preserving technique" that harmonized Yin and Yang, he must find an opportunity to study it properly with his many wives. However, with his seniors and mother present, it was inconvenient to say too much. So he said, "Qingqiu is still young, and her current limit is 'Ice Bone Snow Heart.' We collected many medicinal herbs in the Ice Valley, and three days later, we left there with Mother. With my Xiaoyao You's lightness skill, and with the two divine weapons, Flame Soul Crimson Flame and Ice Soul Frost, climbing to the top of the cliff will be a piece of cake."
"After leaving the Ice Valley, we returned to the village first. Only after inquiring did we learn that you had left over a month ago. So we rushed towards the Central Plains, constantly receiving news of the five kingdoms' allied invasion along the way."
"Knowing the situation was critical and there was no time to hesitate, I had no intention of informing the followers in various places or notifying the government. I only wanted to quickly return to Xunfeng City to oversee military affairs, but unexpectedly, I encountered Master Zhuge at Dingjun Mountain."
"Ah, what is Master Zhuge doing there?"
"Going to find the Heavenly Book of Marquis Wu!"
"The Heavenly Book of Marquis Wu!?"
"Yes, it's been passed down through generations of the Zhuge family. Our ancestor, Zhuge Kongming, authored a 'Heavenly Book of Marquis Wu,' containing countless military strategies and unfathomable secrets. Whoever obtains this book can turn the tide of battle, become invincible, and become the second Zhuge Wuhou, a master strategist!" At this point, Ren Xiaoyao's voice suddenly turned serious. "However, the tomb of Marquis Wu is riddled with traps and mechanisms. Rushing in would mean certain death. Even descendants of the Zhuge family who know the intricacies must pass five tests—benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and trustworthiness—to successfully obtain the Heavenly Book!"
"Zhuge Liang's abilities are beyond the comprehension of even the gods. To this day, no one in the Zhuge family dares to enter his tomb. It was only because Master Zhuge saw that I had died tragically in a foreign land, that the martial arts world of the Central Plains was leaderless, and that the five-way alliance of Liao, Western Xia, Tubo, Dali, and Goryeo was invading, putting the Song Dynasty in imminent danger, that he was willing to risk his life to retrieve the Heavenly Book of Zhuge Liang." "Since you've stumbled upon me, the responsibility of retrieving the book is naturally yours." Long Feiyun smiled sweetly.
"Well, Mr. Zhuge told me the general layout of the tomb, and I went in alone with my sword." Ren Xiaoyao sighed with lingering fear, muttering, "Speaking of my experience in the Wuhou Tomb, it was the most dangerous I've ever experienced in my life. I won't go into details, but the mechanisms in the corridors... sigh, I always thought my third uncle was an expert in this, that his traps and mechanisms were unparalleled and impossible to break. But compared to what I saw and experienced in the tomb, it was like heaven and earth, completely incomparable."
Meng Lei sighed, "Zhuge Wuhou's learning is beyond compare; how could a mere mortal like me compare?"
Nangong Fengyi said softly, "You've mastered the 'Yang within Yang,' Xiaoyao. What traps and mechanisms could possibly harm you? You possess all five virtues: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and trustworthiness. I imagine you'll pass through without any real danger."
"Benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, and trustworthiness are indeed true, but the one arranged for the final trial..." Ren Xiaoyao's voice lowered until it faded into silence. His eyelids gradually drooped until they closed, and after thinking for a while, he suddenly opened them and said, "The final trial is actually a person. Only by defeating him can you obtain the Martial Marquis's Heavenly Book. Can you guess who this person is?"
"Who!?" everyone asked in unison.
"Zhao Zilong of Changshan, one of the Five Tiger Generals of Shu Han, the number one spearman of the Three Kingdoms, the Tiger General, the Marquis of Shunping, and the owner of the Heroic Dragon's Gall and Phoenix Cry Fighting God Armor!!!"

URL 1:http://localhost:909/htmlBlog/11710.html

URL 2:/Blog.aspx?id=11710&aspx=1

Previous Page : A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 39

Next Page : A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - Chapter 41 (End)

增加

comment Open a new window to view comments

Contact Information

A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 40

comment Open a new window to view comments