Rebirth of a Stunning Beauty (Complete) - 23

~Chapter Two: One Against a Thousand, Section Three~

"Zuo Yuanfang?" Third Young Master frowned, saying, "Didn't Zuo Yuanfang disappear back then? How come he's reappeared here?"

Back then, Tie Kongshan, Xue Kuangtu, and Luo Xiaotian joined forces to fight Zuo Yuanfang. Tie Kongshan was severely injured, Xue Kuangtu and Luo Xiaotian were defeated and killed, and Zuo Yuanfang was also seriously injured.

Later, Qin Xiaoyao, along with the three killing gods Liu Duanhun, Nu Hengmei, and Xiao Tianci, helped Tie Kongshan attack the Baiyue Sect's headquarters, reducing it from the number one gang in the world to a second-rate one. Zuo Yuanfang, however, vanished without a trace at the headquarters, not appearing in the martial world for over twenty years.

Now, Zuo Yuanfang has appeared here, slaughtering the entire Chen County town, displaying absolute and overwhelming strength with a single move. This greatly surprised Third Young Master and the others.

Where exactly has Zuo Yuanfang been hiding for the past twenty years? And why has he reappeared in the martial world now?

"Heh heh... I never imagined that after more than twenty years of not venturing into the martial world, there would still be someone in the martial world who remembers my name!" Zuo Yuanfang, trapped within the city wall, let out a hoarse, chilling laugh. He slightly raised his head, and two beams of light, each over a foot long, shone from his normally dim old eyes, as if the light had solidified into a tangible substance.

With a swift movement, he slipped through the hole in the wall and landed on the ground, casually brushing the dust off his clothes.

Qiao Wei stared at Zuo Yuanfang and said in a deep voice, "Lord Yuanfang, you haven't set foot in the martial world for over twenty years, yet you've returned, indiscriminately killing innocent people. Can you tell us your reason?"

Zuo Yuanfang, carrying a bell hammer in one hand, slowly walked towards the Third Young Master and his group, saying slowly as he walked, "Reason? Does killing need a reason? If I have no reason, are you going to kill me to avenge those I've killed in this small county?"

Qiao Wei snorted coldly and said, "Whether there's a reason or not, we will fight Lord Yuanfang today! I've killed countless people in my life, but none have ever done what Lord Yuanfang has done, not even sparing ordinary people! Those I've killed are all..." "He has a skill to rely on, and he thinks he can fight me, Qiao!"

Zuo Yuanfang said. "'Time

waits for no man,' Qiao Qitian, one of the four great demons of yesteryear, committed countless evil deeds, yet he speaks of killing with such righteous indignation..." Qiao Wei said, "I, Qiao, have always believed that I will not offend others unless they offend me. If they offend me, I will not forgive them!"

The Third Young Master continued, "As the sage said, 'Repay evil with kindness, but how then to repay kindness? Repay evil with justice, and repay kindness with kindness!' Although Qiao Qitian is a notorious demon, he is very clear about right and wrong!"

Zuo Yuanfang snorted coldly and said, "You are all sharp-tongued; I cannot argue with you."

The Third Young Master laughed, "It's not about being sharp-tongued, but about having the right to speak!"

"So what if you're right? Even with reason... without strength, you're still doomed. Liu Duanhun, Nu Hengmei, Xiao Tianci," Zuo Yuanfang's gaze swept over the three killing gods, "all three of you will die today." His gaze then locked onto the Third Young Master, asking, "Your surname is Qin?"

The Third Young Master replied, "I am Qin Xiaoyao's son."

Zuo Yuanfang slowly nodded: "Very well, you will also die here."

The Third Young Master sneered, "In your prime, Master Yuanfang was invincible. Even the combined might of the three masters—Northern Iron Hand, Eastern Madman, and Western Howling Sky—could not defeat you. But Master Yuanfang, haven't you heard of the saying 'the new generation surpasses the old, the old generation dies on the beach'?"

Zuo Yuanfang nodded, saying, "The son of Blood Hand Asura Covering the Sky Hand, you do have some of your father's former arrogance! Unfortunately, the Zuo Yuanfang of today is not the Zuo Yuanfang of the past... To make this old man be pushed to his death by you, the new generation, hmph... I'll see if you have the ability!"

Before he finished speaking, Zuo Yuanfang attacked again!

"Crashing Waves!" With a deep, resounding shout, the two-zhang-long bell hammer swept horizontally, the howling wind of the staff like a storm-raging ocean, layer upon layer, wave after wave, crashing towards the Third Young Master and his companions.

Even before the bell hammer arrived, the biting wind of the staff made it difficult to breathe, and the air was filled with flying sand and stones!

"Illusory Demon Hand!" With a clear whistle, Uncle Li's crystal-clear hands, like a dream, tore through the space in front of him, instantly striking the tip of the bell hammer, colliding head-on with its top.

A clear, bell-like sound of impact rang out, and a surge of surging energy suddenly erupted, the overflowing force blasting countless bowl-sized craters into the ground. A trickle of blood spilled from Uncle Li's mouth as he flew backward.

Zuo Yuanfang was also slightly stunned by the blow, and as his staff momentum slowed, Liu Duanhun and Nu Hengmei broke through the staff's shadow to meet him!

"Thunderous Roar from the Nine Heavens!" The fist of the furiously browed man, imbued with explosive, thunderous force, slammed towards Zuo Yuanfang. Meanwhile, Liu Duanhun's entire body became supple and boneless, coiling like a serpent towards Zuo Yuanfang's vital joints with his strongest technique, "Deadly Entanglement"!

If Liu Duanhun touched a person, he could instantly break every joint, relentlessly twisting them into a mangled mess—hence his nickname, "Deadly Entanglement"!

Facing the combined attack of two masters, Zuo Yuanfang coldly snorted, neither dodging nor evading, but instead taking a deep breath.

The instant he exhaled, Liu Duanhun coiled around him, and the furiously browed man's fist slammed into his chest.

"Crack! Crack! Crack..." A series of clear, melodious sounds, like firecrackers, rang out, but it wasn't the sound of Zuo Yuanfang's bones cracking!

As Nu Hengmei's fist struck Zuo Yuanfang's chest, an unbelievable bulge suddenly appeared in Zuo Yuanfang's chest. Nu Hengmei's fist, barely touching Zuo Yuanfang's chest, was deflected three feet away, its force completely neutralized, creating a crater over three feet deep beside Zuo Yuanfang.

Although Liu Duanhun had entangled Zuo Yuanfang's body, just as he was about to unleash his power to break Zuo Yuanfang's joints, he was horrified to discover that Zuo Yuanfang's body was like a solid iron plate. Even the joints, which should be the most vulnerable parts of the human body, were as hard as steel, indestructible!

However, Liu Duanhun's power should be enough to break even refined iron!

This situation could only mean one thing: Zuo Yuanfang's current power was more than three levels higher than Liu Duanhun's!

Realizing this, Liu Duanhun immediately decided to retreat, but Zuo Yuanfang had no intention of giving him the chance!

Zuo Yuanfang's left hand formed a claw, clawing down towards Liu Duanhun's back. The sharp claw easily pierced through Liu Duanhun's protective inner energy and stabbed into his back. Without a sound, Zuo Yuanfang's hand emerged from Liu Duanhun's chest, a still-beating heart between his fingers!

Zuo Yuanfang calmly closed his fingers, crushing the heart to pieces, and Liu Duanhun instantly died.

"Old Liu!" The Third Young Master and the others roared in unison. The furious man closest to Zuo Yuanfang, with his eyes blazing with fury, unleashed nine consecutive punches at Zuo Yuanfang.

Zuo Yuanfang casually flicked his wrist, sending Liu Duanhun's corpse flying towards the furious man, who was forced to withdraw his fist to catch the body. With a cold laugh, Zuo Yuanfang seized the moment when the furious man was wide open and thrust a bell-hammer straight at his chest!

"Godslayer!" Xiao Tianci roared, his silver bow drawn wide, arrows nocked, his movements incredibly fast. A series of afterimages appeared as countless golden arrows of varying lengths shot from his bow like meteors!

Ninety-nine golden arrows wove a vast net shimmering with deathly golden light, descending upon Zuo Yuanfang. Even with his formidable strength, Zuo Yuanfang had to abandon his attack on Nu Hengmei and swung his bell hammer to parry the arrows.

Just as he swung the bell hammer like a windmill, creating an impenetrable barrier around himself, Qiao Wei silently appeared beside him.

"Time waits for no man..." In a dreamlike murmur, Qiao Wei extended both hands forward, fingers spread wide, from which threads of internal energy, radiating an indescribable luster, flowed, weaving a vast net that enveloped Zuo Yuanfang.

Zuo Yuanfang's movements suddenly slowed, as if time itself were coming to a standstill. His previously impenetrable hammer-wielding technique had unknowingly revealed countless openings!

In that instant, golden arrows rained down from the sky, threatening to turn Zuo Yuanfang into a shimmering golden hedgehog!

At this critical moment, Zuo Yuanfang took another deep breath, and his body suddenly and incredibly expanded, instantly transforming from a hunched, withered old man into a giant standing a full eighteen feet tall! In the instant

his body swelled, he radiated a golden light like the rising sun, rendering Qiao Wei's "Time Waits for No Man" technique ineffective. Not only that, the golden light also reversed the true force of "Time Waits for No Man," striking back at Qiao Wei! Startled, Qiao Wei swiftly retreated, exclaiming as he did so: "An ancient profound technique, the 'Golden Crow Profound Technique' of Ji Xuanyuan, the founding emperor of the previous dynasty!"
The Golden Crow represents the sun. The Golden Crow Mystic Art is said to be an ancient and extraordinary skill bestowed upon Emperor Ji Xuanyuan of the previous dynasty in a dream by a divine being. When activated, the user's body doubles in size, radiating golden light, as majestic and awe-inspiring

as the sun god, impervious to blades and spears, with no fatal weaknesses. Furthermore, the user possesses boundless strength, with the power to shatter mountains with every movement! This extraordinary skill should not exist in the world, and thus, after the death of Emperor Ji, it was lost. Even someone as learned as Qiao Wei had only encountered it in ancient texts; he never expected to witness Zuo Yuanfang use it firsthand!

In the blink of an eye, the ninety-nine golden arrows, like a torrential rain, struck Zuo Yuanfang with incredible speed, producing a crisp sound like pearls falling onto a jade plate. Zuo Yuanfang's upper garments had already been torn to shreds by his own surging size, leaving him completely naked. However, despite being struck by golden arrows, he only emitted brilliant sparks, his skin completely unharmed, as the arrows were deflected!

At this moment, the Third Young Master, who had been waiting in the wings, finally made his move!

"Overlord's Decree!" A low, authoritative shout rang out, and the Third Young Master's palm pierced through the barrier of space, appearing like a dream directly in front of Zuo Yuanfang, pressing his palm against Zuo Yuanfang's chest. Nine kinds of true energy formed a turbulent, chaotic vortex in his palm, forcefully breaking through the golden light surrounding Zuo Yuanfang and surging into his body!

With a muffled thud, Zuo Yuanfang's chest caved in, while a large bulge appeared on his back. A mouthful of scalding blood spurted from Zuo Yuanfang's mouth, splattering the Third Young Master's face and head.

Although the Third Young Master had injured Zuo Yuanfang with his palm strike, Zuo Yuanfang's counterattack with protective true energy shattered the sleeve of his right arm. The supposedly invulnerable robe, impervious to swords and spears, fire and water, shredded like paper under Zuo Yuanfang's protective true energy, tearing from the sleeves all the way to the shoulders.

Several large gashes burst open on the Third Young Master's bare right arm, blood spurting out and staining his entire arm crimson. But the Third Young Master didn't retreat. He struck again with his left palm, this time landing a blow on the spot where Zuo Yuanfang had been struck earlier!

Boom! Zuo Yuanfang's mountain-like body finally flew backward, crashing heavily into the city wall once more, embedding itself deeply.

The Third Young Master, also sent flying by Zuo Yuanfang's counterattack, slid back more than ten feet before finally regaining his footing.

"Ugh..." A trickle of blood escaped from the Third Young Master's mouth. He slowly wiped it away, his eyes fixed on Zuo Yuanfang, trapped within the city wall. Although Zuo Yuanfang had been struck twice and coughed up blood, the golden light emanating from his body had not dimmed in the slightest; it remained as dazzling as ever.

"Third Young Master, how are you?" Qiao Wei and Uncle Li rushed to his side, supporting him and asking.

The Third Young Master slowly shook his head and said in a deep voice, "It's nothing serious. Uncle Li, how are you?"

Uncle Li replied, "I'm fine too."

Nu Hengmei, carrying Liu Duanhun's corpse, came to the Third Young Master's side and said, "Third Young Master, Old Man Liu is dead!"

Xiao Tianci, his eyes bloodshot, stared at Liu Duanhun's body, panting heavily.

Nu Hengmei and Xiao Tianci had been guests of the Xiaoyao Qin family for decades, their bond as deep as that of blood brothers. Although it was said that those in the martial world died in battle, and dying at the hands of others was their fate, no one could accept watching their brother be so cruelly murdered!

The Third Young Master nodded and said in a deep voice, "I will cripple Zuo Yuanfang and let you avenge Elder Liu with your own hands!"

Nu Hengmei and Xiao Tianci nodded. Although the two elders were powerful, Zuo Yuanfang was stronger than them. The Third Young Master's two "Overlord's Decree" strikes hit vital points in the chest, yet failed to kill Zuo Yuanfang. Nu Hengmei and Xiao Tianci naturally knew that they alone could not avenge him. Even if Qiao Wei and Uncle Li joined forces, they might not be able to defeat Zuo Yuanfang!

Qiao Wei looked at Zuo Yuanfang's imposing figure, which, though trapped within the city walls, still stood as majestic as the sun god, and said, "Third Young Master, don't be careless! The Golden Crow Mystic Art is a martial art bestowed by a deity, and should not exist in this world. The previous emperor, Ji, used this art to conquer the south and north without ever suffering a defeat. The only thing that can counter this art is Taigong Wang's 'Sunflower Water Divine Thunder'!"

The Third Young Master sneered, "Unfortunately, Taigong Wang's art has long been lost! Although I don't know the 'Sunflower Water Divine Thunder,' I do have the Heavenly Soldier's 'Dragon Roar'! I won't use Taigong Wang's art, but I'll use what Taigong Wang left behind..." "I refuse to believe I can't defeat Zuo Yuanfang's Heavenly Soldiers!"

After a long silence, Zuo Yuanfang suddenly said, "Oh? The Heavenly Soldiers' Dragon Roar is in your hands? Hmm, Ximen Wudi didn't mention this to me! I understand, he's afraid of my strength, so he didn't give me any hints, hoping I'd fight you both to the death... However, I really want to try and see if I can defeat the Heavenly Soldiers' Dragon Roar with just the 'Golden Crow Mystic Art'!" As he spoke, he stepped out of the hole in the wall again. With his current size, carrying that thick bell hammer didn't seem exaggerated at all.

The Third Young Master took a deep breath and said, "Brother Wei, you all step back, Zuo Yuanfang is mine!"

Qiao Wei and the others knew they couldn't interfere with the battle between the two at this point, so they all stepped back as instructed.

The Third Young Master took off the "Heavenly Seal" from his back, held it in his hands, and shouted, "Dragon Roar!" With the shout, the Heavenly Seal opened, and a high-pitched and passionate dragon roar resounded through the sky. A golden light shot out from the Heavenly Seal and hovered above the Third Young Master's head.

As the golden light swirled, Qiao Wei and the others seemed to see an enormous five-clawed golden dragon coiled above the Third Young Master's head, roaring towards the sky. Then, they saw the dragon open its massive jaws and devour the Third Young Master. In the flash of golden light, the Third Young Master was instantly enveloped in it.

When the golden light dissipated, the Dragon Roar Armor reappeared on the Third Young Master's body. However, this time, the cloak behind the Third Young Master had turned golden, and the weapon in his hand had changed from a golden spear to a horse-slaying saber.

In fact, for the Third Young Master now, any weapon was the same; no matter what kind of weapon it was, it could unleash its greatest power in his hands!

Zuo Yuanfang watched this scene and muttered to himself, "Truly a heavenly weapon that seizes the very essence of heaven and earth! Even if I am defeated and die, I will have no regrets in fighting against a heavenly weapon!"

The Third Young Master raised the ten-foot-long horse-slaying saber, pointed it at Zuo Yuanfang, and shouted, "Zuo Yuanfang, come on!" His voice contained a faint metallic scraping sound, sounding terrifyingly majestic and fierce.

Zuo Yuanfang laughed heartily and said, "This old man will experience the power of the Heavenly Soldiers!"

As he spoke, Zuo Yuanfang shot towards the Third Young Master like a giant golden arrow, while the Third Young Master simultaneously leaped towards Zuo Yuanfang!

Zuo Yuanfang swung his bell hammer and roared, "Overwhelming Force!" The bell hammer instantly conjured images of towering mountains, with towering waves rising between them!

The Third Young Master raised his horse-slaying saber high and roared, "Raging Lightning and Thunder!"

With a soft "hum," a ten-zhang-long golden blade of light erupted from the saber, wrapped with strands of lightning-like true energy, transforming into a ten-zhang-long giant saber that slashed straight down at the mountain-like, wave-like energy.

With a deafening roar, the energy on Zuo Yuanfang's staff was split in two by the Third Young Master's saber, revealing the bell hammer hidden behind the energy.

With a soft clang, the horse-slaying saber and the bell hammer collided, instantly slicing the bell hammer in two like tofu.

The saber plunged forward, aiming straight for Zuo Yuanfang. Zuo Yuanfang roared and unleashed two palm strikes. The Third Young Master neither dodged nor parried, continuing his attack!

With two sharp "sizzles," Zuo Yuanfang's palms struck the Third Young Master's collarbones, but Zuo Yuanfang's hands were severed!

The instant his palms touched the Third Young Master's collarbones, two curved blades suddenly sprang from the Dragon Roar Armor, blocking Zuo Yuanfang's hands. The supposedly indestructible "Golden Crow Mystic Art" was easily pierced by those two blades, slicing his palms in half! At the same time, the Third Young Master's horse-slaying saber had already cleaved past Zuo Yuanfang's left shoulder!

The two brushed past each other in an instant, blood splattering on Zuo Yuanfang's body as the Third Young Master's saber cleaved his left arm from the shoulder!

After the two regained their footing, the Third Young Master suddenly swayed twice, nearly falling to the ground. Fortunately, he used his broadsword to support himself and barely managed to stand. He opened his mouth and coughed up a mouthful of blood, his face turning ashen.

Although Zuo Yuanfang's two palm strikes hadn't landed directly on him, the true force from Zuo Yuanfang's broken palm, transmitted through the spurting blood, had struck the Dragon Roar Armor. The neck area of the Dragon Roar Armor wasn't completely impenetrable; there were still several gaps, and blood, however, was everywhere, penetrating through those gaps and striking the Third Young Master's neck. Fortunately, the Third Young Master's protective true energy was strong; otherwise, his carotid artery would likely have been pierced by now!

"Third Young Master!" Qiao Wei and the others cried out in alarm upon seeing the Third Young Master injured, all rushing to his side to check his wounds. Qiao Wei even pulled out a handful of internal wound medicine and was about to stuff it into the Third Young Master's mouth, but the Third Young Master stopped him.

The Third Young Master shook his head and said, "I never thought... even the Heavenly Soldiers' Dragon Roar could have a slip-up..."

Zuo Yuanfang looked at his remaining right arm and his right hand, which was now half gone, and said with a bitter smile, "No wonder that back then, Emperor Ji possessed the 'Golden Crow Mystic Art,' yet still had to rely on the Heavenly Soldiers' 'Tiger Roar' to conquer the world. It turns out... the 'Golden Crow Mystic Art,' which even divine weapons couldn't harm, couldn't withstand a single blow from the Heavenly Soldiers..."

The Third Young Master took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice, "Zuo Yuanfang, your mystic art is broken, why don't you surrender?" "I can give you a quick death... If you still want to resist, I'll cut off your hands and feet, making you wish you were dead!"

Zuo Yuanfang laughed and said, "Third Young Master, you underestimate me! Even knowing I'm doomed, I'll fight to the death! To die under the heavenly soldiers would be a blessing in this life!" With that, Zuo Yuanfang lunged at the Third Young Master. Although his hands were crippled, he still launched a flying kick, his leg like a dragon stirring the sea, his true energy like a tidal wave, looking incredibly powerful.

The Third Young Master mustered his true energy, raised his sword to meet him, and with a single stroke, he broke through Zuo Yuanfang's true energy. With a flick of his wrist, he slashed twice at Zuo Yuanfang's legs, severing them at the root!

Zuo Yuanfang grunted, his body flipping in the air as he crashed headfirst into the Third Young Master. The Third Young Master turned and flicked his cloak, pulling Zuo Yuanfang into it.

The cloak, also part of the Dragon's Roar, was incredibly supernatural. As it engulfed Zuo Yuanfang, it also shredded his last remaining right arm into a bloody pulp.

The Third Young Master flicked the cloak, throwing Zuo Yuanfang to the ground. At this moment, Zuo Yuanfang was devoid of any golden light, his form returned to normal, covered in blood, his limbs gone, a truly gruesome sight.

Zuo Yuanfang gave a bitter laugh, saying, "Heavenly soldiers are indeed not...flesh and blood...able to contend with...but...my Golden Crow Mystic Art...is only half-mastered...while my disciple...has completely mastered...the Golden Crow Mystic Art...not only that...he also possesses...the Kui Water Divine Thunder...he will definitely...defeat your...Dragon's Roar..."

With that, his eyes widened suddenly, and with a snap, he chewed his tongue and committed suicide!

~Chapter Two, One Against a Thousand, Section Four~

As Zuo Yuanfang chewed his tongue and committed suicide, the Third Young Master finally couldn't help but sway twice, about to fall forward, when Qiao Wei and Uncle Li hurriedly caught him.

The Third Young Master's internal injuries were already severe, and his forced use of true energy to break through Zuo Yuanfang's dying attack only worsened his condition. At this point, he could no longer hold on.

The Dragon's Roar, having lost the Third Young Master's support, detached from his body, reverting to its original form and flying into the Heavenly Seal.

Nu Hengmei and Xiao Tianci, seeing Zuo Yuanfang's emaciated, handless and footless corpse, were surprisingly unable to muster the urge to tear him to pieces to vent their anger. They could only silently weep over Liu Duanhun's corpse.

Supported by Qiao Wei and Uncle Li, the Third Young Master looked at Nu Hengmei and Uncle Xiao, filled with immense regret. He hated himself for being too arrogant, for not activating the Dragon's Roar from the beginning to use it against Zuo Yuanfang. At the same time, he was secretly alarmed by Zuo Yuanfang's dying words. The "Golden Crow Mystic Art," only half-mastered, already possesses such power. Zuo Yuanfang's disciple, not only having fully mastered it, but also wielding the "Sunflower Water Divine Thunder," is likely even more formidable than Ximen Wudi! What's

most troubling is that, even now, the Third Young Master and his companions still don't know who Zuo Yuanfang's disciple is!

The Third Young Master isn't afraid of open enemies; no matter how strong they are, he can always find a way to deal with them. But enemies lurking in the shadows could be anyone, and with such unpredictable martial arts skills, they are virtually impossible to defend against and the most difficult to handle!

※ ※ ※ ※

Night had fallen.

Under the stars and moon, Qin Feng rolled up his sleeves and, wielding a hoe, worked alongside Imperial Guards on a gentle slope beside Lu Pingye Avenue, digging a ditch.

Below the slope, tens of thousands of able-bodied civilians and Imperial Guards toiled through the night, digging trenches, securing horses with ropes, scattering caltrops, and driving in barricades.

The thirty-six Heavenly Generals of Xiaoyao Manor and the two thousand elite disciples of the "Iron-Blooded Youth Corps" of Iron-Blooded Howling Sky Fortress were not involved in this work.

They had a more important task: to intercept and ambush the scouts of the Hu barbarians and the Northern Frontier Iron Army ahead, ensuring that the attacking enemy would not know what they were doing in Lupingye.

Time was running out. Although none of the beacon towers along the route from the Northern Frontier to the capital had lit smoke signals, and none of the counties or passes along the way had sent messengers to report the Hu barbarian invasion, all of this was just a facade.

The Demonic Sect had completely blocked the roads and captured all the beacon towers. The Northern Frontier Iron Army and the Hu barbarian cavalry were advancing south unimpeded and could arrive at any moment.

Therefore, every moment was extremely precious, and there could be no slackening. They had to seize every opportunity to set up a battle line that could at least offer some resistance to the enemy army before the Hu barbarian army arrived.

A two-zhang-high and five-chi-thick earthen wall was already taking shape. This earthen wall stretched across the middle of the main road, extending to the earthen slopes on both sides, blocking the road. Thick, pointed tree trunks, over three zhang long and as thick as a bowl, were nailed into the wall. The densely packed trunks resembled the quills of a hedgehog.

Such an earthen wall posed little threat to infantry, but for cavalry, it was an insurmountable obstacle of death.

Before and after the wall were crisscrossing trenches, filled with countless tripwires, chevaux-de-frise, and caltrops—a trap extremely difficult for both cavalry and infantry to cross.

The work was in full swing; no one was idle. Everyone knew that this was a critical moment of life and death; every additional tripwire laid, every additional trench dug, could increase the hope of saving the capital.

※ ※ ※ ※

A similar scene of bustling activity was unfolding at Yesanguan.

While working tirelessly, Qin Lei used his uniquely loud voice to encourage the soldiers and civilians. Under his influence, everyone gave full play to their potential and built traps at the fastest speed.

The traps and trenches at Yesanguan were similar in scale to those at Lu Pingye's side. The traps were also constructed on the narrowest section of the road between two slopes, utilizing the narrowest part of the terrain to build the most effective defenses in the shortest time.

Qin Lei also dispatched his two thousand elite disciples from Xiaoyao Manor to intercept and kill enemy scouts.

As long as the enemy was unaware of the defenses at Yesanguan, their delaying plan would succeed. Otherwise, if the enemy learned of the situation and instead of splitting into three or two groups, they combined their forces to attack one of the three interception points, then the Qin brothers' plan would fail.

※ ※ ※ ※

In Chen County, the men brought by the Third Young Master quickly cleared away the thousands of corpses in the county and began setting up defenses on the north city wall.

Reinforcing the city wall and setting up defenses were all personally directed by Song Qing on-site. The Third Young Master, meanwhile, focused on healing his injuries, hoping to recover his strength before the enemy's attack.

While the Third Young Master was away, Song Qing displayed exceptional ability, arranging everything meticulously. She ordered the Imperial Guards to search the town's residences extensively for jars, pots, oil, and other fuel, producing thousands of incendiary bombs. She

also dispatched two thousand Imperial Guards to the cliffs on either side of the town to cut down trees and quarry stone for ammunition. These soldiers carried a large quantity of arrows and all the incendiary bombs; firing down from the mountains, the enemy would be easy targets.

Song Qing ordered the moat in front of the town, three zhang wide and four zhang deep, drained, and filled with sharpened wooden stakes two zhang long. Then, she poured oil up to the middle of the stakes into the moat.

All of Song Qing's arrangements took into account the enemy's troop types, strength, and other factors, minimizing contact between her soldiers and the enemy, and maximizing long-range sniping using bows, arrows, and stones.

Considering that Zuo Yuanfang had already captured Chen County, the enemy might have known this and therefore hadn't taken any appropriate countermeasures. Song Qing also dispatched the 72 Earthly Fiends of Xiaoyao Manor out of Chen County to advance and ambush enemy scouts and demonic sect agents along the way.

Keeping the enemy in the dark, when their cavalry swarmed to the walls of Chen County and saw the impenetrable city walls, the effect of this on demoralizing the enemy and reducing their morale was self-evident.

Even if the enemy used demonic sect experts as their vanguard to attack Chen County, the Third Young Master's side had enough experts to handle any unexpected situation. Even if Ximen Wudi personally led the attack with Tiger Roar, with the Third Young Master and Long Yin present, they should be able to hold the city.

Zuo Yuanfang's appearance was an accident, and for the Third Young Master and his companions, it was this accident that taught the Third Young Master an extremely painful lesson. Liu Duanhun didn't have to die, but he did. The Third Young Master wouldn't have been so seriously injured, but he was also severely wounded by this accident.

Similarly, Zuo Yuanfang's death was also an unexpected event for the Demonic Sect. No one in the Demonic Sect could have predicted that Zuo Yuanfang would die in Chen County. This unexpected event was enough to inflict considerable losses on the Demonic Sect, the Northern Frontier Iron Army, and the Hu barbarian reinforcements—if they had indeed chosen to focus their main force on the Chen County route.

In the Chen County government office, which had already been thoroughly ravaged by Zuo Yuanfang's bloodshed, the Third Young Master forced out the last mouthful of blood, took out a few pills, and swallowed them. His injuries had finally healed by about 70-80%.

He stepped outside, looking at the star-studded sky, where the crescent moon had thinned to a mere golden hook.

Qiao Wei and Uncle Li stood guard outside the Third Young Master's door like two loyal protectors. Upon seeing him emerge, they immediately asked with concern, "Third Young Master, how are your injuries?"

The Third Young Master, with his hands behind his back, gazed at the starry sky and said calmly, "I've almost recovered. Although my strength hasn't fully recovered, I should have no problem fighting in Dragon's Roar."

Qiao Wei asked, "Third Young Master seems troubled. Are you blaming yourself for Elder Liu's death?"

The Third Young Master remained silent for a long while, then nodded and said, "If I had activated Dragon's Roar earlier, Elder Liu would have..." "No need to die,"

Qiao Wei said. "Third Young Master, there's no need to blame yourself too much. After all, none of us expected Zuo Yuanfang to know the 'Golden Crow Mystic Art.' Under the combined attack of Elder Liu and Elder Nu, anyone, even if they didn't die, would be seriously injured. But the 'Golden Crow Mystic Art' is an indestructible skill, and it's been lost for nearly a thousand years. Who would have known that Zuo Yuanfang could actually learn this technique?"

After pondering for a while, the Third Young Master slowly said, "What exactly is so special about the 'Sunflower Water Divine Thunder'? Compared to the 'Golden Crow Mystic Art,' which is superior?"

Qiao Wei thought for a moment and said, "The Golden Crow Profound Art is extremely Yang and strong. When practiced, it can double one's size, making the whole body indestructible, and granting overwhelming power with every move. The Sunflower Water Divine Thunder, on the other hand, is extremely Yin and soft. When practiced, the body can change shape a thousand times, and all acupoints and vital points become unpredictable, making it difficult to strike the vital points. Furthermore, since water generates thunder, the Sunflower Water Divine Thunder's divine thunder force is said to be able to penetrate all defenses. Even the Golden Bell Cover, Iron Shirt, and Vajra Indestructible Body, when practiced to their extremes, will be penetrated by the divine thunder force. Originally, these two extraordinary techniques..." The skills are mutually restraining, with no inherent superiority or inferiority. Moreover, because these two skills clash, it's unlikely anyone could practice both simultaneously. However, as the saying goes, yin gives rise to yang, and yang gives rise to yin; it's not impossible for Zuo Yuanfang's disciple to achieve a balance of yin and yang and practice both skills at the same time.

The Third Young Master nodded and said, "In that case, Zuo Yuanfang's disciple is even more powerful than Ximen Wudi! But... in this world, individual martial prowess is sometimes not the absolute condition for determining victory or defeat!"

※ ※ ※ ※

On the morning of July 28th, Prince Su and the Hu tribe's High Priest Amenglihu led 100,000 light cavalry and 200,000 infantry to a fork in the road only 300 li from the capital.

"There are three roads ahead," said Prince Su, pointing to the middle one. "This road passes through Chen County and leads to the capital. It's the shortest route and an official road, suitable for cavalry raids. However, Chen County is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If the Qin Dynasty is prepared, our army's advance will be delayed. The two roads on the left and right pass through Lupingye and Yesanguan respectively. Although they are more than thirty li further and the road conditions are not as good as the official road, there are no natural defenses along the way. Even if the Qin Dynasty is prepared, they will definitely not be able to stop our army."

Amon Lihu, speaking in broken Central Plains Mandarin, said, "According to..." "What do you think, Prince Su? Which route should we take?"

Prince Su thought for a moment and said, "We should divide our forces into three routes and advance simultaneously. However, the main force should be placed on the middle route."

Amon Lihu asked curiously, "Oh? Didn't Prince Su say that Chen County is easy to defend and difficult to attack, making the journey quite difficult?"

Prince Su smiled and said, "Precisely because Chen County is easy to defend and difficult to attack, even if the Qin Dynasty receives the news, they probably won't send a large force to guard Chen County. However, they will station a large number of troops at Lupingye and Yesanguan. In this case, if we take Lupingye or Yesanguan alone, we may suffer heavy losses." Moreover, we have already blocked all the post stations along the route to Tianjing City and captured all the beacon towers. It's impossible for Great Qin to know of our advance. Therefore, going through Chen County is the most advantageous option.”

Amonlihu asked, “Then, according to Prince Su, who should lead the troops along the Chen County route?”

Prince Su pondered for a moment and said, “Going through Chen County would be a great achievement, while the other two routes might lead to fierce battles. Ying Su is willing to give this credit to the High Priest!”

Amonlihu sneered, “Prince Su, you underestimate Amonlihu! My people’s men have always been known for their ability to overcome the strong.” "Strong, valiant and despising cowardice. If we let Ameng go through Chen County, a smooth road without a single battle, how will Ameng explain this to my people?"

He paused, then continued, "My people yearn most to drink the blood of the Central Plains people, so let Ameng lead my people to march on Lu Pingye and Ye Sanguan!"

Gongzi Su smiled slightly and said, "Since the High Priest is so eager for battle, then Ying Su will not force you! High Priest, let us split into three groups here. I will lead my troops through Chen County, and you will lead your troops through Lu Pingye and Ye Sanguan, and we will reunite in Tianjing City!"

Amonlihu chuckled, raised his whip, and spoke a string of words in the Hu language before spurring his horse to gallop off towards the left road leading to Lupingye, followed by 40,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry. Another route, led by a Hu commander of 10,000 men, headed towards Yesanguan.

Gongzi Su watched the billowing dust rising from the two roads, a cold smile playing on his lips. He muttered to himself, "What 'valuing bravery and despising cowardice'? They clearly just don't want their own troops to suffer losses and are trying to preserve their strength! But Chen County has already been captured by Yuan Fanggong, and there aren't any Qin soldiers left. And people in Tianjing City already know about our southward advance; Lupingye and Yesanguan are undefended… Hmph, impossible! Amonlihu, just wait and see what happens!"

With that, he raised his whip high, flicked it forward, and led his 20,000 cavalry and 150,000 infantry towards Chen County!

~Chapter Two: One Against a Thousand, Section Five~

On the morning of July 29th, the high priest of the Hu tribe, Amenglihu, led 40,000 Hu cavalry and 20,000 Hu infantry to a point less than ten li from the plains.

Along the way, none of the Hu scouts sent out had returned to report on the road conditions ahead; only now had a scout come galloping back with news.

"High Priest!" The scout rode up to Amonlihu, dismounted, and knelt, saying, "High Priest, the Central Plains people have already built an earthen and wooden wall ahead! All the warriors our tribe sent out to scout have been killed by them, their bodies hanging high on the wooden poles erected in front of that wall!"

Amonlihu roared, "How despicable those Central Plains people! Killing our warriors is one thing, but to desecrate the dead is another! Hmph, do they think a mere earthen and wooden wall can stop our iron cavalry? My men, charge with me!"

With that command, Amonlihu charged ahead, brandishing a white bone staff, followed closely by the Hu tribe's cavalry, raising a cloud of dust that blotted out the sky.

Qin Feng, riding a stationary horse, stood bare-handed in the middle of the road, coldly watching the rising dust ahead.

The thirty-six Heavenly Generals, wielding long weapons, rode behind Qin Feng like thirty-six majestic gods.

Two thousand young experts from the Iron-Blooded Howling Sky Fortress's "Iron-Blooded Youth Corps" stood on foot behind the thirty-six Heavenly Generals, arranged in four large plum blossom formations: five in a small formation and five hundred in a large formation.

Behind them lay a crisscrossing network of trenches and traps, tripwires like spiderwebs, chevaux-de-frise like wolf fangs, and caltrops blooming everywhere.

The ground trembled, and the distant rumble of hooves echoed like rolling thunder in the sky. The dust raised by tens of thousands of cavalrymen resembled a giant dragon writhing and turning in the air.

Qin Feng narrowed his eyes, watching the reflection of sabers ahead. The banners of the Hu tribe had already come into view, and the cavalrymen in black leather armor at the forefront were vaguely visible.

Qin Feng stretched out his hand, and the Heavenly General closest to him drew an ordinary steel sword and handed it to him.

Qin Feng flicked his finger at the sword's edge, and the steel blade rang out with a clear, melodious sound like a dragon's roar. "Soldiers! The Hu tribe has come a long way, weary and exhausted, their fighting strength limited! Our army is rested and ready, and aided by traps, giving us a great advantage! Soldiers, watch as I, Qin Feng, will secure the first victory for you!"

With that, Qin Feng spurred his horse and galloped off, the thirty-six Heavenly Generals following closely behind. The young masters of the Iron-Blooded Youth Group drew their longswords, and with a shout, used their lightness skills to leap forward, their speed no slower than the horses!

Behind the earthen wall, the Imperial Guards carried out thirty-six large drums, beating them to cheer on the troops. The Imperial Guards shouted in unison, their battle cries shaking the heavens. Even the laborers who were preparing to retreat couldn't help but stop when they saw Qin Feng leading a smaller force to a counterattack against a stronger enemy. They waved their hoes and other farm tools, roaring in support.

On the other side, Amonlihu was leading his troops in a fierce charge when he saw a force of only thirty-seven riders approaching, the rest being infantry. He sneered, "I've never seen infantry charge cavalry before! Temujin, Nurhala, you two each take a thousand of your men and go get the heads of those madmen for me!"

Among the Hu generals following closely behind Amonlihu, two Hu centurions whistled and sped out of the ranks, each followed by a thousand cavalry. Amonlihu, however, slowed his horse and ordered his remaining men to slow down, preparing to watch a good show.

Qin Feng saw two groups of men emerge from the enemy's main force ahead. The two leading generals were both burly, with dark faces and large beards, one wielding a spiked club and the other a steel spear. He immediately sneered, "You think you can take me down with just this few men? You underestimate me, Qin Feng!"

As the two groups clashed, the distance between them rapidly shortened. Seeing that the two generals were less than ten feet away from him, and both had raised their weapons, Qin Feng coldly snorted and swept his steel sword horizontally from left to right. A bright arc of light flashed, and the sword energy extended ten feet away, cleaving the two enemy generals in two at the waist as easily as cutting tofu.

Qin Feng's sword was so fast that the two enemy generals, though cut in half at the waist, did not feel the slightest pain until their upper bodies fell off their horses. Only then did they realize that they had been killed!

Qin Feng's sword strike was a success, and the imperial guards and laborers watching the battle immediately became excited, their eyes shining red, and their shouts almost shattered the clouds. The drums beat continuously, and morale soared.

The two thousand barbarian cavalry, seeing their commander inexplicably cut in two before even reaching the enemy generals, were all panicked. How could they recognize such a powerful sword energy? Everyone assumed Qin Feng was using terrifying magic, and morale plummeted. Some even cried out in the Hu language, "Heavens! He's not human, he's a demon!"

Qin Feng sneered and shouted in the Hu language, "You're right! I am a demon from the Nine Netherworld, here to take your lives!" As he spoke, Qin Feng charged into the Hu cavalry formation, his steel sword slashing left and right, unleashing sword energy that spread out in a ten-zhang radius. Within ten zhang of him, Hu cavalrymen fell from their horses, all cut in half by the sword energy. Not one could withstand a single, seemingly effortless strike!

Blood spurted, limbs flew everywhere, and screams filled the air. In an instant, the area within ten zhang of Qin Feng's passage became a vacuum, leaving only stray warhorses fleeing in all directions.

Qin Feng never liked to shed blood when killing, and he was unwilling to use overly violent and cruel methods. But now, on the battlefield, Qin Feng had to be as cruel and violent as possible. This not only boosted the morale of their own troops but also dealt a heavy blow to the enemy's morale, creating an indelible psychological shock!

The Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals followed closely behind Qin Feng, charging into the enemy ranks. Thirty-six long weapons swept in like a typhoon: maces, sabers, steel spears, halberds, brass lances, and long spears—all powerful weapons in the hands of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals were like dragons stirring up the sea, creating a bloodbath among the Hu cavalry.

Although the Hu cavalry were elite, how could they compare to the martial arts masters of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals? While sabers were sharp, they lacked range. Once the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals swung their long weapons, no one within a three-zhang radius could get close. Hu cavalrymen who were touched died instantly; every now and then, Hu cavalrymen screamed as they were thrown from their horses, landing as mangled corpses.

The young warriors of the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps joined the battle, wielding steel swords.

Their coordination was seamless; in their five-man plum blossom formation, two specialized in cutting down horses' hooves, two in killing Hu cavalrymen who fell from their horses, and the last

one protected their comrades. With this close cooperation, the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps' plum blossom formation became a highly efficient killing machine; any Hu cavalryman caught in its grasp had no chance of survival! Two thousand Hu cavalrymen were slaughtered in an instant. Amon Lihu and the Hu generals behind him watched in horror and disbelief.

A Hu commander pointed at Qin Feng, his voice hoarse, "High Priest, that man… is he even human? His sword was so far from our warriors, how could he have cut them all in half? Could he really be using demonic magic?"

Amonlihu, worthy of his high priesthood, was knowledgeable and experienced. He said in a deep voice, "That's not magic, but a martial art called 'Sword Qi' from the Central Plains. The martial arts of the Central Plains are profound and have a long history, with countless hidden masters. And the invisible Sword Qi is the highest level of swordsmanship. That Central Plains sword qi is invisible and silent, taking lives from ten feet away. It seems he is the strongest swordsman in the Central Plains!"

The commander said, "High Priest, no one in our army can defeat such a master. I'm afraid even our strongest warrior, Huang Taiji, is no match for him..."

Amonlihu slowly shook his head and said, "Not afraid, but certain! Huang..." "Taiji is born with superhuman strength, but he doesn't recognize such exquisite martial arts. If Huang Taiji were to fight these Central Plains people, he would be cut down from his horse in the first exchange!"

The commander said, "Then what should we do? How can our men eliminate such a terrifying enemy?"

Ali Lihu sneered, "What are you afraid of? No matter how strong his martial arts are, can his internal energy be inexhaustible? Among these Central Plains people, he is the most powerful and the leader. As long as we kill him, these Central Plains people will no longer be able to cause trouble! Issue my order! All troops, charge and kill those Central Plains masters!"

At Ali Lihu's command, the generals behind him shouted in unison and rushed forward. Tens of thousands of Hu cavalrymen spurred their horses and galloped forward at the same time, sweeping towards Qin Feng and his group like black torrents.

Ali Lihu, meanwhile, waved his white bone staff, drawing incomprehensible symbols in the air, and loudly sang an extremely unpleasant song in Hu language.

Qin Feng and his men had already annihilated the two thousand cavalrymen. Seeing the enemy's full-scale attack, Qin Feng immediately shouted, "The Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals and the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps, retreat into our ranks and prepare to intercept the enemy!"

One of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals cried out, "Young Master, what will you do?"

Qin Feng shouted back, "I'll charge in for a while longer and then return! You all go back quickly, don't worry about me! These chickens and dogs are no match for my Qin Feng!"

The Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals and the Iron-Blooded Youth Corps immediately withdrew. They knew Qin Feng's abilities; even if he couldn't defeat the Hu tribe's army, he could still move freely within their ranks.

Seeing Qin Feng's men retreat, leaving only Qin Feng to face the surging army alone with his sword, Li Mengli sneered. He finished chanting the last note, then pointed his bone staff at Qin Feng. A plume of black smoke shot from the staff's tip, disappearing and reappearing as a massive black mist the size of a palace, enveloping Qin Feng. Enveloped in

the black mist, Qin Feng felt a chilling wind and a foul stench around him, accompanied by the occasional wailing of ghosts. He was surrounded by complete darkness, unable to see anything.

Qin Feng sneered, "Hu tribe witchcraft? Hmph, such ghostly tricks think they can trap me, Qin Feng? With righteous spirit in my heart, what fear is there of a hundred evils invading my body? Heavenly Sword, appear, all evils will be repelled!" With a

clear whistle, Qin Feng flung his steel sword, flicking his finger, and a three-zhang-long pale golden sword light bloomed from his fingertip. The sword's edge flashed, like the sun illuminating snow, dispelling the black mist surrounding him.

When the mist cleared, Qin Feng realized the Hu cavalry had closed in to within a zhang (approximately 3.3 meters) of him, several Hu riders' sabers already slashing down towards his head!

Unperturbed, Qin Feng casually flicked his sword, and in a flash, the Hu riders fell silently from their horses, blood gushing from their throats.

Qin Feng leaped off his horse, striding through the air like a celestial being. His long hair flowing, his clothes billowing, Qin Feng moved with an indescribable grace, like a celestial being descended to earth. His two fingers flashed, sword energy raining down on the enemy ranks, causing chaos and screams as men and horses fell, blood spurting like fountains.

As his inner energy was exhausted, Qin Feng lightly landed on the ground. Hu cavalrymen were already waiting for him, hurling dozens of sabers at him simultaneously.

Qin Feng pointed with his long sleeve, and the sabers spun around, then shot back into the Hu cavalry formation with ten times the force of their attack, pulverizing the Hu cavalrymen who had blocked his landing point.

Qin Feng landed safely, and with a flick of his sleeve, the energy swirled up the fallen sabers, nearly a thousand of them, forming a swirling, metallic net that tumbled around him. Qin Feng smiled

slightly, put his hands behind his back, and transformed into the wind, drifting deeper into the Hu army formation. The nearly one thousand sabers protecting him were like a ferocious meat grinder; wherever they passed, any Hu cavalrymen caught in the forest of blades were ground into mincemeat, man and horse alike!

After charging forward for over forty paces, Qin Feng suddenly pushed outwards with both palms, and nearly a thousand sabers instantly spun and shot out in all directions. A series of clean, slicing sounds rang out as thousands of Hu cavalrymen were cleaved from their horses by the spinning scimitars; nearly half were dead, and the other half had either lost an arm or a leg, rendering them incapable of fighting.

After his attack, Qin Feng withdrew, weaving through the Hu tribe's formation like a gust of wind, occasionally striking down one or two Hu cavalrymen. Just as he was about to break free of the Hu tribe's formation, Qin Feng leaped into the air, looking back at Amenglihu. In a flash, two invisible sword energies shot from his eyes, silently attacking Amenglihu.

Ammon Li, still reeling from Qin Feng's dispelling of his sorcery, suddenly noticed Qin Feng giving him a deep look. A sudden, instinctive reaction sent him reeling back, his back pressed against the horse's saddle, barely dodging the two sword strikes. Only two shallow cuts appeared on his face from the sword energy!

~Chapter Two: One Against a Thousand, Section Six~

Seeing this, Qin Feng shook his head with deep regret and sighed before leaping back into his own ranks.

After a series of fierce battles, he had single-handedly killed and wounded nearly four thousand enemy soldiers, but his own strength was nearly exhausted, forcing him to return to camp to rest.

Suddenly deprived of their enemy, the valiant Hu cavalry kicked up clouds of dust, relentlessly pursuing Qin Feng, preparing to use this momentum to break through their formation.

Seeing the Central Plains troops arrayed in full battle formation, with countless traps and mechanisms, Amonlihu knew that charging forward would only lead to certain death. He immediately roared, "Withdraw! Reorganize the troops! No charging! Disobeyers will be executed!"

His piercing cry pierced through the tidal wave of hoofbeats and the earth-shattering battle cries, reaching the ears of every Hu warrior. Although the Hu warriors were fierce and untamed, their discipline was remarkably strict. At Amonlihu's command, the leading Hu generals simultaneously reined in their horses and turned back. Almost simultaneously, the Hu cavalry behind them also reined in their runaway horses, cleanly and deftly turning them around – their horsemanship was nothing short of masterful.

After Qin Feng returned to his own ranks, he glanced back at the Hu army that had all turned their horses around, a cold smile playing on his lips. He muttered to himself, "Looks like... you have a good commander..." He then gave Amenglihu a deep look. Although the invisible sword energy in his eyes could no longer be emitted, Amenglihu couldn't help but shiver when their eyes met; the seed of fear was deeply planted in his heart.

※ ※ ※ ※

At Yesan Pass, Qin Lei stood alone at the front of the battle line.

Behind him lay the battle line, painstakingly constructed by 30,000 laborers and 10,000 imperial guards over a period of two days and nights.

Ahead of Qin Lei, banners fluttered, dust billowed, and the sound of hooves shook the heavens and the earth.

The Hu army of 40,000 light cavalry and 30,000 infantry had arrived.

Qin Lei, holding the reins in his left hand and a sword in his right, roared as he looked at the swirling sabers ahead, "Hold the line! Watch me, Qin Lei, slay generals and capture flags for my brothers!"

With that, he spurred his horse and galloped off like lightning.

From the opposing Hu army, a general wielding a broadsword charged forward, shouting in Mandarin, "I am Xi Yu Dao Lang, the number one warrior of the Wolf Clan! State your name, for my blade does not fall to nameless brutes!"

Qin Lei laughed and roared, "Hey, how dare you, a dying man, know your grandfather's name? Take this!"

The two were more than ten feet apart, yet Qin Lei had already unleashed a slash. The gleaming blade light blurred into an endless expanse, like a streak of aurora across the vast universe, striking Xi Yu Dao Lang with incredible speed.

Xi Yu Dao Lang was startled; the power of this strike was unlike anything he had ever seen. However, as the number one warrior of the Hu wolf clan, he possessed considerable skill and reacted swiftly. He immediately raised his horse-slaying saber to block Qin Lei's blade light.

With a soft "swoosh," Xi Yu Dao Lang's saber was severed in two. The streak of light, undiminished, fell directly from above his head, piercing his warhorse.

With a whoosh, Xi Yu Dao Lang and his horse were split in two, blood and entrails spilling onto the ground like a torrent.

"General, you are invincible!" The imperial guards and laborers watching from the battlefield roared in unison, the dense drumbeats tearing through the air, making their blood boil!

Qin Lei laughed wildly and charged straight into the ranks of the Hu tribesmen, shouting as he charged, "Those who stand in my way shall die!"

His thunderous roar echoed through the enemy ranks, like a string of rolling thunderclaps exploding above the Hu army. The Hu soldiers were fierce and brave, and they were not afraid, but their warhorses were terrified of Qin Lei, their natural enemy. Most of them had their hooves go weak, neighing mournfully, and dared not gallop forward. No matter how the Hu soldiers whipped and scolded them, they dared not advance.

In an instant, Qin Lei had used the momentum of his galloping horse to reach the front of the Hu army.

He gripped his sword with both hands, and with a single sweep from left to right, the gleaming blade flashed, and nearly a hundred cavalrymen in the front row were cut in two by his single stroke! Then, Qin Lei pushed off his horse with both legs, leaping into the air. Gripping his sword high above his head, he brought it down in a single, powerful slash!

"Raging Lightning Thunder Slash!" With a roar, the Raging Lightning Thunder Slash unleashed a dazzling blade of light fifteen zhang long, wreathed in wisps of lightning-like true energy that crackled in the air.

The sound of the blade tearing through the air was like the wailing of ghosts. The blade cleaved into the enemy ranks, unleashing a storm of blood and gore. Blood spurted, screams filled the air; every Hu cavalryman within the range of this slash was cleaved in two, horse and rider. The lightning-like true energy swirling around the blade shot into the surrounding enemy ranks, creating a series of dense explosions. Any Hu cavalryman struck by this electric energy were blasted to pieces, horse and rider!

The power of Qin Lei's single strike cleared out all the Hu cavalry within a fifteen-zhang radius in front of him; over eight hundred men had perished by his blade!

Qin Lei landed on his warhorse with a wild laugh, urging it forward with his true energy. The horse, as if injected with a stimulant, let out a beastly neigh and charged forward like a whirlwind along the bloody path Qin Lei had cleaved.

Qin Feng, on horseback, unleashed a barrage of attacks in all directions, the lightning-fast blades weaving a terrifying net of death. Any barbarian cavalry caught in its grasp were instantly reduced to dust! With his true energy unleashed, not a single person remained within a fifteen-zhang radius. The blood that shot into the sky formed crimson curtains before raining down, staining Qin Lei's body countless times.

He laughed loudly amidst the blood rain, his killing intent growing even more ferocious. The scattered limbs around him seemed like the most beautiful flowers to him, and the unseeing heads were, to him, medals of honor for men who had fought on the battlefield!

He unleashed a frenzied slaughter, charging straight ahead. No one could withstand a single blow from his blade, and no general dared to hinder him even a step!

In an instant, Qin Lei had reached the central banner of the Hu tribe's army.

Beneath the banner stood the commander of this Hu army, the ten-thousand-man army leader, Wugu Tu, wielding an eighteen-foot steel spear, surrounded by three hundred of his tribe's most valiant warriors, prepared to defend the banner to the death.

However, faced with Qin Lei, a born killer, even the strongest resolve could not stop him.

In this world, many things are not subject to human will; strength is the most crucial factor that determines everything!

Wugu Tu was beheaded by Qin Lei with a single stroke, and his three hundred warriors were beheaded by Qin Lei with ten strokes.

Qin Lei severed the Hu tribe's banner with a single strike, using it to wrap Wugu Tu's head, then swiftly returned along the same path.

After his relentless slaughter, his entire body was stained with blood, his face and body covered in pieces of Hu soldiers' flesh, resembling a demon. Now, as he returned, the Hu soldiers dared not offer the slightest resistance, forced to watch helplessly as he rode away.

In this battle, Qin Lei had slain generals and captured flags, single-handedly killing over three thousand Hu cavalry, severely demoralizing the Hu while greatly boosting the morale of his own troops.

The Hu soldiers were unaware that although Qin Lei had been as fierce as thunder throughout, he had actually suffered considerable losses. If the Hu soldiers had recklessly charged forward, Qin Lei could have killed at most another three thousand before collapsing from exhaustion. Unfortunately, Qin Lei's image of unparalleled bravery was deeply ingrained in their minds, and the Hu soldiers dared not make a move against him!

Qin Lei's desperate actions were naturally aimed at boosting his own morale and crushing the enemy's arrogance, utterly destroying their belief in victory before the final battle. For this purpose, Qin Lei had no choice but to risk his life alone!

After Qin Lei returned to his own lines, he handed Wugu Tu's severed head, along with the blood-stained banner, to several Imperial Guard soldiers. The soldiers, praising Qin Lei profusely, used their spears to lift Wugu Tu's head and display it at the front of their lines. Then they threw the banner to the ground and trampled on it, spitting on it, throwing mud at it, and even laughing maniacally while urinating on it.

The Hu soldiers, seeing their commander's body and banner so desecrated by the Central Plains people, were enraged. But then they saw their blood-soaked, devilish general standing alone at the front, carrying his enormous sword, and their spirits deflated.

At this point, no one dared to oppose Qin Lei!

Hua Linglong and Qin Lei's external executor, "Big Knife" Wang Mazi, rode slowly up behind Qin Lei. Hua Linglong asked softly, "Brother Lei, how are you? Are you injured? I see you're covered in blood, I'm very worried..."

Qin Lei smiled and said in a low voice, "Don't worry, this blood is all from the enemy. They don't have the ability to make me bleed."

Wang Mazi said, "Second Young Master's skills are unparalleled, I admire you. But Second Young Master, you charged into the enemy's camp alone, and the fierce battle must have been exhausting. Why not return to camp and rest?"

Qin Lei shook his head and said, "My strength has been greatly depleted, and I can't recover in a short time. If the enemy launches a major attack now, although our position can cause them to suffer heavy losses, it will be difficult to stop them." "Staying here is still impossible. If I don't garrison this place, the enemy will lose their deterrent and might take desperate measures. The purpose of our formation here is to intercept the enemy and delay them as much as possible. It would be best if we could annihilate them all, but if not, stopping them here for two or three days would be a great achievement."

Wang Mazi looked up at the sky and said, "There will be a shower in the afternoon. Most of the enemy are cavalry, and a rain shower can slow them down for a while. Second Young Master, how about we go and rest when the rain stops?"

Qin Lei thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright, I'll go and rest when the rain starts. If the enemy launches a surprise attack in the rain, hmph, the traps here will be much more effective, and they'll have a hard time then!"

※ ※ ※ ※

Young Master Su squinted, staring intently at Chen County town ahead.

The city gates of Chen County town, nestled between two mountains, were wide open, and there wasn't a single soldier on the city walls; it looked eerily quiet.

Young Master Su asked a general from the Northern Frontier Iron Army beside him, "Have the scouts sent to the county town returned?"

The general replied, "Reporting to you, my lord, I have sent out seven groups of scouts into Chen County, but so far, not a single one has reported back!"

Young Master Su remained silent for a long while, then said, "Generals, in your opinion, is there anything strange about this county town?"

A lieutenant general said, "Reporting to you, my lord, in my opinion, there are definitely troops lying in ambush in Chen County, but the number cannot be large."

Gongzi Su asked with a smile, "Oh? General Zhang, why do you judge that there aren't many troops in Chen County?"

General Zhang replied, "Chen County is a small county town, usually garrisoned by only a thousand soldiers. The population is no more than three thousand. Such a small county town can only hold a maximum of ten thousand troops."

Gongzi Su nodded and said, "That's right, Chen County can indeed hold a maximum of ten thousand troops. But if the enemy has so few people, why is the city gate wide open, and why are there no soldiers guarding the city walls?"

General Zhang said, "There's a saying in military strategy: 'Make the enemy appear strong when they are weak, and vice versa.' In my humble opinion, the enemy generals in Chen County must know that our army is powerful. If they try to resist head-on, it's like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; they will be crushed by our army." "Therefore, they opened the city gates wide, creating a diversion in an attempt to buy time!"

Young Master Su nodded and said, "That makes sense. Where is Gu Changkong?"

Gu Changkong, the Demonic Sect protector "Wind Blade Frost Sword," dressed in black armor, rode out of the ranks, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Young Master Su, saying, "

Your subordinate is here!" Young Master Su looked at Gu Changkong and slowly said, "General Gu, take a thousand elite troops to probe the enemy. If the enemy is weak, take Chen County. If they are strong, do not linger."

Gu Changkong respectfully replied, "Your subordinate obeys!"

After speaking, he picked up a large ghost-headed saber, mustered a thousand soldiers from the Demonic Sect's "Bewitching Heaven Sect" who were composed of fast swordsmen, and slowly marched towards Chen County.

The Demonic Sect, led by Hua Rong, had already made contact with Young Master Su when he and the Hu tribe's army first arrived. Gongzi Su's true identity was actually a disciple of Ximen Wudi, while Hua Rong was the Nine Yin Saintess of the Demonic Sect, Ximen Wudi's adopted daughter, and acting sect leader. Therefore, once Hua Rong joined the army, Gongzi Su acknowledged her as his master. On the surface, the army was still under Gongzi Su's control, but in reality, military power had fallen into Hua Rong's hands.

Elite disciples from the three sects and five halls of the Demonic Sect also joined the army, forming eight major camps. Gu Changkong and the four "heinous" Demon Envoys naturally obtained positions of deputy general or higher, commanding the eight major camps.

Gu Changkong rode his warhorse, followed by a thousand foot soldiers from the Mitian Sect, gradually approaching Chen County. When he reached the moat, Gu Changkong looked around and found that the moat that should have surrounded the county wall was gone; its original location had been replaced by flat land.

Looking at the noticeably loose soil, Gu Changkong sneered, "Turning the moat into a trap and filling it with loose soil, thinking you can lure us in? Too naive!" He immediately ordered the swift swordsmen of the Mitian Sect to mark the location of the moat to warn those who came later.

After marking the spot, Gu Changkong led his team across the drawbridge, over the moat now covered with a thin layer of loose soil, and cautiously approached the wide-open city gate.

Looking through the gate, Gu Changkong saw an eerie silence; not a soul was in sight. However, an instinctive sense of danger kept him on his toes. He commanded in a deep voice, "First squad, search two hundred feet ahead. Second squad, search two hundred feet to the left. Third squad, search two hundred feet to the right. Each squad shall search in a fan shape, ensuring there are no enemy troops within the search area!"

Following Gu Changkong's order, three hundred fast swordsmen from the Mitian Sect unleashed their movement techniques and swiftly entered the city gate. As instructed by Gu Changkong, they split into three squads and searched forward, to the left, and to the right in a fan shape.

Gu Changkong led the remaining seven hundred disciples slowly into the city. Once everyone was inside, the Mitian Sect disciples who had gone to search had already disappeared from their sight.

Chen County, though small, was complete in every way. There was only a fifty-foot-wide open area behind the city gate. Beyond that fifty feet were low-lying houses and winding streets. After the three hundred Mitian Sect disciples who had gone to search crossed that fifty-foot-wide open area, they were swallowed up by the houses.

An incense stick's time passed, and not a single person reported anything. Gu Changkong frowned slightly. The swift swordsmen of the Misty Heaven Sect were all top-tier experts. Even if they searched every house within a two-hundred-zhang radius, they shouldn't still be missing by now.

Two incense sticks' worth of time had passed, and Gu Changkong's face had turned somewhat pale, his lips dry. He had a vague feeling that the three hundred Misty Heaven Sect disciples wouldn't be returning. But this situation shouldn't have happened. With the strength and numbers of the Misty Heaven Sect disciples, they should at least be able to put up a fight. If they could fight, there should be sounds of battle. Even if they were killed, there should be screams!

But now, there wasn't a sound at all. Where had those disciples gone? How could they not make a sound at all?

Just as Gu Changkong was lost in thought, a disciple of the Mitian Sect, dressed in the uniform of the "Surprise Attack Battalion," emerged from behind a house, sword held upside down, and ran quickly toward Gu Changkong, shouting as he ran, "Protector Gu, things are bad! We've been ambushed!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Changkong immediately asked, "Ambushed? How many enemies are there? How many of our brothers have been killed? Why is there no sound of fighting?"

As he spoke, the Mitian Sect disciple who reported the news had already reached Gu Changkong's horse. He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist, and bowed his head, lamenting, "Reporting to the Protector, all my brothers are dead! The enemy... the enemy numbered less than a hundred, but each one was several times stronger than us... My brothers had no chance to fight back at all, let alone retaliate, they didn't even have time to send a signal before they died..."

Gu Changkong was shocked and said, "A force of less than a hundred wiped out three hundred of my Mitian Sect's first-class disciples? How is that possible? Since the enemy was so powerful, how did you escape?"

The Mitian Sect disciple said, "Because of me..." As he spoke, he slowly raised his head, grinned at Gu Changkong, and said, "My name is Qiao Qitian!"

Gu Changkong was startled and before he could react, the Mitian Sect disciple disguised as Qiao Wei had already launched himself at incredible speed towards Gu Changkong. Time stopped the moment Qiao Wei moved, Gu Changkong's expression froze in that moment of surprise, and the seven hundred Mitian Sect disciples behind Gu Changkong also froze. The only one who could move in the world was Qiao Wei, who was manipulating time!

~Chapter Three, Unrivaled, Section One~

Qiao Wei's palm pressed against Gu Changkong's chest. In that instant, the city gate slowly slammed shut with a thunderous roar.

The sound of the city gate did not disrupt time within the space where Qiao Wei was located; time remained frozen, and Gu Changkong and the seven hundred disciples of the Misty Heaven Sect remained immobilized.

Qiao Wei withdrew his hand from Gu Changkong and plunged into the group of seven hundred Misty Heaven Sect disciples. His speed was not particularly fast, but when time had frozen and he was the only one who could move, even if he strolled around leisurely, he would be as fast as lightning to the Misty Heaven Sect disciples who were now enveloped by Qiao Wei's power.

Qiao Wei passed through the group of seven hundred Misty Heaven Sect disciples, touching each one with every part of his body he could use—his clothes, sleeves, palms, elbows, knees, and so on.

After touching the last Misty Heaven Sect disciple, he quickly retreated from the crowd and sprang into the residential area.

After Qiao Wei disappeared, time began to flow again.

Gu Changkong and the seven hundred disciples of the Mitian Sect aged at a visible rate. All of them stared at their bodies in terror, watching their skin and clothes age along with them, as if time itself were weathering them away. They opened their mouths, wanting to scream, but only heard a hissing sound from their throats.

Gu Changkong collapsed from his horse.

The seven hundred Mitian Sect disciples fell to the ground.

Their bodies aged rapidly, weathering away, turning into piles of snow-white skeletons. The skeletons then became dull and lifeless, gradually turning grayish-white, quickly dissolving into piles of bone dust. A

gentle breeze rose, and the bone dust scattered everywhere was carried away by the wind, finally dissipating completely.

Before the city gate, only a masterless warhorse remained, standing alone on the open ground.

This was "Time Without a Trace."

The city gates slowly opened again, and Young Master Su stared in utter astonishment at the empty space beyond. He only saw a listless warhorse, which looked around after the gates opened, then slowly spurred its horse and trotted back towards them.

Young Master Su frowned.

The moment the city gates closed, he knew things were going to go wrong. But he never expected that in just the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, when the gates reopened, Gu Changkong and the others would have vanished without a trace.

They had disappeared so completely—no blood, no corpses—as if they had evaporated.

Even more terrifying was that the disappearance of one thousand and one experts had been done without a sound, which sent a chill down Young Master Su's spine. He understood that an absolutely terrifying expert was lurking within Chen County!

General Zhang, standing beside Prince Su, exclaimed in horror, "My lord, although there aren't many enemy troops lurking in Chen County, they are incredibly formidable! This county town will likely be difficult to capture!"

Prince Su waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "If a thousand men aren't enough, then send ten thousand! First, seize the city gates and walls, then advance steadily and cautiously, step by step. I refuse to believe that my Northern Frontier Iron Army cannot conquer a small Chen County! Vanguard, attack!"

At Prince Su's command, a lieutenant general immediately led ten thousand infantrymen to advance.

These ten thousand infantrymen carried no siege equipment; each carried a shield in one hand and a short spear in the other, with a large sword hanging at their waist. Their black armor reflected the sunlight, forming a black sea of steel.

The lieutenant general led his soldiers to the foot of the county town and saw a circle of small red flags planted around the moat. Knowing the danger, he was just about to order his soldiers to form ranks and cross the moat via the drawbridge when a gong sounded from the mountains on both sides, followed by a rain of arrows.

On each of the two mountains flanking the county town, a thousand imperial guards lay in ambush, unleashing a total of two thousand powerful bows and crossbows, including repeating crossbows capable of firing twenty-seven bolts in succession. A rain of arrows blanketed the Northern Frontier Iron Army below the town, catching them completely off guard and felling many of their soldiers.

However, the Northern Frontier Iron Army, seasoned veterans, reacted with astonishing speed. After the first wave of arrows proved effective, they immediately raised their shields overhead, while those along the flanks stood their shields upright, forming a massive steel curtain. The second wave of arrows struck the shields with a series of clanging sounds. Although some arrows pierced through the gaps between the shields and wounded some Northern Frontier Iron Army soldiers, the effect was minimal; less than a hundred men felled in the initial volley.

Arrows proved ineffective, so the Imperial Guards on both sides of the mountain pushed rolling stones and logs down the slope. With a deafening roar, thousands of stones and logs rained down. The height of the cliffs combined with the weight of the stones and logs meant that even the heavily fortified shield formations of the Northern Frontier Army couldn't withstand the onslaught. With each thud, Northern Frontier soldiers were smashed to pieces , shield

and all. Some soldiers were forced by the stones and logs to move closer to the city wall, but the narrow drawbridge could only accommodate five men side-by-side. The rest, carelessly stepping onto the loose soil at the moat, tumbled in with a thud and fell silent.

The loose soil on the moat was very thin, just a thin film covered with a little mud. The Northern Frontier soldiers knew it was a trap, yet they had no choice but to step on it, falling one after another into the moat, their sharp wooden stakes piercing their hearts.

Seeing this, the deputy commander knew that if they charged into the city, the drawbridge was too narrow, and perhaps no more than a thousand of the ten thousand soldiers would make it across. He roared at the top of his lungs, "Maintain formation! Retreat slowly! Don't lose your footing!"

The ten thousand Northern Frontier Iron Army soldiers had already suffered over two thousand casualties, but they were well-trained and disciplined. Despite the heavy losses, there was hardly a sound of screams, and their formation remained perfectly intact. Whenever a hole was punched by a boulder, someone would immediately fill it, doing everything possible to maintain the shield formation's integrity.

Now, at the deputy commander's command, the remaining soldiers immediately and orderly retreated, showing no fear of the arrows and stones overhead. Even as their comrades were smashed to pieces right beside them, their faces remained unchanged!

Seeing the vanguard battalion stalled, Prince Su immediately waved his command flag and shouted, "Divine Archer Battalion, fire! Suppress the enemy on both sides of the mountain! Assault Battalion, prepare to advance and support the vanguard!"

Upon Prince Su's command, ten thousand archers from the Divine Archer Battalion stepped forward, dividing into two groups of five thousand each. Ten thousand powerful black iron bows were simultaneously drawn, the sound of the bowstrings sending chills down one's spine.

Thick iron arrows were nocked, and after Prince Su gave another command, ten thousand bows fired simultaneously. With a deafening roar, ten thousand iron arrows flew in two waves towards the mountains on both sides of the county town.

The sound of the arrows piercing the air was like the wailing of ghosts, forming a dark curtain that almost completely obscured the sky.

The two thousand Imperial Guards soldiers who were joyfully throwing stones and logs on the mountains on both sides of the county town, seeing the approaching arrow rain, hurriedly abandoned their work and sought cover.

In an instant, the arrows fell, followed by a continuous, resounding clang. The iron arrows pierced deep into trees and rocks, some even penetrating the shields and armor of the Imperial Guards, embedding themselves directly in their bodies. Even those Imperial Guards who had taken cover in fortifications couldn't escape their fate. The arrows of the Divine Bow Battalion could pierce even stones. Those hiding in earthen or wooden fortifications, if lucky, managed to avoid the arrowheads; if unlucky, they were firmly pinned to their positions by the iron arrows. Screams

echoed from both sides of the mountain. The first volley of arrows from the Northern Frontier Divine Bow Battalion had already killed or wounded nearly a thousand Imperial Guards.

The Divine Bow Battalion nocked another arrow, but they did not draw their bows to fire. Although these archers of the Divine Bow Battalion were skilled, their strength was ultimately limited. Drawing their powerful black iron bows to their full extent was extremely strenuous, requiring rest. Otherwise, drawing the bow three times in a row without rest would break their tendons, crippling them forever.

While the Divine Archer Battalion was firing their arrows, the 10,000 soldiers of the Assault Battalion, led by a deputy general, had already charged up the

city walls with 50 siege ladders. Although the city gates were wide open, it would still take considerable time for the more than 17,000 men from both battalions to squeeze through just one gate. Therefore, the Assault Battalion had brought siege ladders and planned to advance from both ends of the city walls.

Seeing that the enemy forces on the mountains on both sides had been suppressed, the Vanguard Battalion immediately changed their strategy from retreat to advance and charged towards the city walls. Many soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion carried stones, logs, and even the corpses of their comrades thrown down from the mountains on both sides during the charge, preparing to use these materials to fill the traps in the moat.

The Assault Battalion quickly joined forces with the Vanguard Battalion. Just as the Vanguard Battalion soldiers were about to fill the moat, a drum sounded, and the remaining Imperial Guards on both sides, including the wounded but not yet dead, shouted in unison and lit the cloth blocking the mouths of the oil cans filled with kerosene, desperately throwing it down the mountain.

The oil canisters shattered upon impact, spilling their contents, which were then ignited by the cloth covering their openings. Over a thousand canisters were thrown simultaneously, some hitting people, others striking the ground, instantly turning the mountain roads into a sea of fire. More than a thousand soldiers from the vanguard and assault battalions were engulfed in flames, writhing in agony.

But the Imperial Guards on both sides of the mountain didn't stop; they had prepared over six thousand incendiary bombs, and oil canisters were continuously hurled down, intensifying the fire and filling the air with the aroma of roasting meat.

The vanguard and assault battalions could no longer withstand the onslaught. They desperately rushed to the moat, throwing stones and logs into it, intending to fill the trap. Some soldiers even jumped in, using their bodies to pave the way for their comrades.

Meanwhile, the northern frontier soldiers, their bodies ablaze, writhed in agony as they struggled to crawl towards the edge of the lines, trying to prevent their flames from spreading to their fallen comrades. Some even deliberately climbed onto the most intense parts of the fire, trying to smother the flames with their own bodies.

In a secluded corner of the county town wall, the Third Young Master, witnessing this scene, was deeply moved and muttered to himself, "What a fearless and indomitable army! It's a pity... this army is now our enemy..."

Uncle Li whispered beside the Third Young Master, "Third Young Master, if the Northern Frontier Divine Bow Battalion fires another arrow, the brothers on both sides of the mountain won't make it. Should we send some more men up the mountain to support them?"

The Third Young Master shook his head and said, "We've almost run out of ammunition on both sides of the mountain. Even if we send more men up, it won't make much difference. The Northern Frontier Iron Army has strong shields and armor; simply firing arrows from both sides of the mountain won't stop them. Rather than sending our soldiers up the mountain for the Northern Frontier Divine

Bow Battalion to practice their archery, we'd be better off guarding this city wall and fighting them head-on." Uncle Li said, "But if the brothers go up the city wall, won't the Northern Frontier Divine Bow Battalion be able to shoot even more recklessly?"

The Third Young Master smiled and said, "Not necessarily... What if the Northern Frontier Iron Army's own soldiers come in? Would the Divine Bow Battalion still dare to fire arrows? Hmm, the moat is almost filled in. Let's set one last fire, then let a squad of Northern Frontier soldiers in, and then we'll trap them!"

Uncle Li nodded, took out a bronze mirror, and waved it twice in the town. Qiao Wei, along with Nu Hengmei and Xiao Tianci, led the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends out of the houses in the town and quickly ran towards the city gate.

By this time, the area below Chen County was engulfed in flames. The Imperial Guards on both sides of the hill had run out of oil canisters and began throwing rolling stones and logs, and firing crossbows.

More than half of the 17,000 vanguard and assault troops were killed or wounded in the inferno, and all fifty of their siege ladders were destroyed. However, the moat was now almost completely filled in, and the oil at the bottom of the moat had overflowed due to the stones, logs, and corpses used to fill it.

Just as the remaining vanguard and assault troops were preparing to cross the moat and rush towards the city gate, a rocket suddenly shot from the city wall, striking the moat. The overflowing oil was immediately ignited by the rocket and burst into flames.

The corpses and logs at the bottom of the moat became fuel, and a wall of fire more than three zhang wide shot into the sky below the county city wall. The Northern Frontier soldiers within the moat area were instantly burned alive, while the more than 5,000 vanguard and assault troops outside the moat were stopped outside the wall of fire.

By this time, nearly three thousand soldiers from the vanguard and assault battalions had crossed the moat. Seeing no way to retreat, they resolved to fight to the death. Under the command of two lieutenants, they charged through the city gates with shouts, rushing into the city.

As soon as the nearly three thousand northern frontier soldiers entered the city, the city gates slammed shut. Qiao Wei, Uncle Li, Nu Hengmei, Xiao Tianci, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends leaped from the city walls, blocking the gates.

Meanwhile, three thousand Imperial Guards armed with powerful bows and crossbows poured out from the houses fifty zhang away, forming neat ranks and unleashing a furious barrage of arrows at the northern frontier soldiers.

One of the lieutenants led a squad of soldiers in a counterattack against the city gates, attempting to seize control. But how could Qiao Wei and the others allow them to succeed? The lieutenant had barely reached halfway when Xiao Tianci shot an arrow through his forehead. Then, the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends swarmed in, and after a frenzied slaughter, the lieutenant and his three hundred-plus men were instantly hacked to pieces.

Another lieutenant led over two thousand men in a frenzied charge against the three thousand Imperial Guards. Arrows rained down from the sky. Although nearly half of the two thousand-plus Northern Frontier soldiers had shields for protection, the open ground of over fifty zhang (approximately 33 meters) was an insurmountable death zone.

Xiao Tianci unleashed a frenzy of arrows at the city gate. His hand had become a blur, and ninety-nine golden arrows shot out like meteors, each capable of piercing at least three people. Each arrow had a nearly completely transparent silkworm thread wrapped around its fletching, allowing it to be retrieved after being fired. Xiao Tianci fired the ninety-nine arrows repeatedly, killing countless Northern Frontier soldiers.

Meanwhile, Qiao Wei, Uncle Li, Nu Hengmei, and the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends charged into the Northern Frontier soldiers' ranks from the rear, braving their own arrow rain to carve up a bloody mess.

Caught in a pincer attack, the more than two thousand Northern Frontier Iron Army soldiers were annihilated in no time. The deputy general who charged the fastest died five zhang in front of the Imperial Guards, his body riddled with at least a hundred arrows.

The Third Young Master squatted on the city wall, smoking forlornly and muttering to himself, "If I had enough arrows and archers, I could hold off an attack of two hundred thousand with ten thousand men. Heh, too bad, the enemy seems to have more arrows than us, and their archers seem stronger..."

"Release the arrows!" Young Master Su commanded slowly, his face grim.

The archers of the Divine Bow Battalion, who had rested for a while, unleashed a volley of arrows. After a burst of arrows, almost all the Imperial Guards on both sides of the mountain were wiped out, leaving only a hundred or so unharmed soldiers and several hundred wounded.

Hearing the scattered groans and cries coming from the mountaintop, Qiao Wei looked at the Third Young Master and said, "Third Young Master, almost everyone on the mountain is dead."

The Third Young Master was silent for a long time before saying, "They did a good job, killing and wounding over ten thousand Northern Frontier Iron Army soldiers who were several times stronger than them. They have no regrets even in death..."

Qiao Wei nodded and said, "Third Young Master, of the eight thousand Imperial Guards in the county town, I'm afraid not a single one will make it back alive. You need to be mentally prepared."

The Third Young Master pondered and said, "War always results in death. They dared to come here with me, which means they were already prepared to sacrifice themselves. One general's success is built on the bones of countless others..."

Outside the city, the more than five thousand vanguard and assault battalion soldiers who were blocked outside the firewalls roared in unwilling anger. Only when Young Master Su ordered the retreat did they reluctantly withdraw.

Looking at the sea of fire ahead, then at the sky, Young Master Su slowly said, "This fire will burn for at least another hour. Even after it's extinguished, the ground will be scorching hot, making it impossible for troops to pass. However… the enemy's ambush troops on both sides of the mountain have been wiped out. If they want to hold the city to the death, my Divine Bow Battalion can slaughter them without leaving a single one alive! Hmph… there will be a shower this afternoon . I want to see if your fire attack will still work after the rain! Issue the order to cook on the spot, have a hearty meal, and then prepare to attack the city!"

Inside the county town, the Third Young Master and his men stood beneath the city walls, watching the Imperial Guards clear the battlefield.

Arrows that had hit the enemy were carefully pulled out and reused. Arrows with broken shafts were also removed, their arrowheads reattached, and they became good arrows again.

The enemy's weapons and armor were of extremely high quality. Although the Imperial Guards' weapons and armor were not inferior to those of the Northern Frontier soldiers, the newly recruited militia in Tianjing City could not gather enough weapons and armor in a short time. Naturally, this equipment had to be stripped and transported to Tianjing City.

"Two thousand men for fifteen thousand men..." the Third Young Master muttered to himself, "If this ratio can be maintained, my ten thousand Imperial Guards could wipe out more than seventy thousand Northern Frontier Iron Army soldiers. It's a win-win situation no matter how you look at it... But it's about to rain, so the fire attack won't work!"

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