Ji Xuan had made a name for himself on the Qing Province battlefield, successively destroying the cities of Dongling and Guo County through sheer force, causing the Great Feng garrison troops to scatter completely.
While the Cloud Province army fought on three fronts, with battles at Songshan County and Wanping County proceeding unfavorably, only the forces led by Ji Xuan advanced like an unstoppable force, suppressing what was then the only army in Qing Province that possessed a Third Grade Spirit Master.
For the Great Feng army, this was undoubtedly a massive blow.
Who didn’t fear this newly risen young expert? Some even compared Ji Xuan to Xu Qi’an, as both were superhuman warriors of the younger generation.
Therefore, when the garrison troops recognized Ji Xuan as the lone rider approaching the city, tension immediately gripped them. Emotions of nervousness, panic, and fear surged endlessly.
What does he intend to do?
Break the city alone?
Who… who can stop him?
These thoughts flashed through the minds of the Qing Province garrison troops, bringing tension and fear, along with a touch of despair.
“Fire!”
On the battlements, a commander shouted.
But the artillery troops face pale and expressions tense, seemed not to be heard.
It wasn’t that they deliberately disobeyed, but rather they were so nervous that in their complete focus, they ignored the commotion around them.
That commander kicked the artillery soldier aside and was about to take charge himself when he saw Ji Xuan had stopped, not advancing further.
Ji Xuan reined in his horse, gazed at the battlements, and said flatly:
“Where is Yang Gong? Have him come out to see me.”
Though his tone was calm, his voice reached the ears of every defender.
Zhou Mi, the former Qing Province Commander, gripped his sword hilt while standing by the parapet and said gravely:
“Speak your piece!”
Ji Xuan drew the small knife from his waist, toying with it in his hands, his eyes seeming to look past Zhou Mi:
“You’re not qualified to speak with me.”
Zhou Mi, after all, was the former Qing Province Commander, one of the three highest positions of authority. When had he ever suffered such insult?
Fortunately, years of officialdom had worn down much of his warrior’s arrogance. Taking a deep breath, he turned to his deputy:
“Go invite Provincial Administrator Yang.”
Whatever the case, since the enemy hadn’t immediately attacked, it was at least a good sign. They might as well hear what he had to say.
The deputy cast a fearful glance at the distant Ji Xuan before carrying out his orders.
Shortly after, Yang Gong, wearing a crimson robe, ascended the battlements.
“Provincial Administrator Yang…” Zhou Mi went to meet him, transmitting:
“The Cloud Province rebels have amassed in force at our gates. I fear today bodes ill.”
Without the Director to restrain Cloud Province’s superhuman experts, how could Xun City resist the rebels’ encroachment?
Zhou Mi chose to transmit his thoughts to avoid dampening troop morale, though the garrison’s spirits were already low.
Yang Gong nodded gravely, walked to the parapet, and said in a deep voice:
“I am Yang Gong.”
Only then did Ji Xuan stop toying with his knife. Scanning the defenders on the battlements, he called out:
“In war between armies, envoys are not to be killed.
“The Cloud Province delegation went to the capital to negotiate peace, only to fall victim to a coup by that pair of dogs, Xu Qi’an and the Long Princess. These two conspired together, subverting imperial authority and imprisoning our Cloud Province delegation. You soldiers of Great Feng may be ignorant of the need to cleanse the court, but the dignity of our Cloud Province royal clan cannot be offended.”
He paused, his gaze searching the battlements, and continued:
“Xu Qi’an’s younger cousin Xu Xinnian is in Xun City. Hand him over immediately, and this general will spare you all. Otherwise, I shall raze Xun City today and reduce you all to ashes.”
As he finished speaking, the short knife in Ji Xuan’s hand erupted with a towering blade light. He swept the knife upward, sending an arc of light howling forth, plowing a deep furrow in the ground before striking the city wall with a “boom.”
Crack crack crack… Spider-web cracks spread across the solid wall, and the defenders felt the ground shake beneath their feet.
Such arrogance!
The commanders among the defenders felt both fear and anger, yet there was nothing they could do about it.
The enemy might be arrogant, but his strength was real.
Only a superhuman warrior could deal with another superhuman warrior.
While the commanders could still feel anger, ordinary soldiers didn’t dare even feel that emotion. They trembled inside, chills running down their spines.
The power of just that one knife strike—if it had hit the battlements, hit them directly, ten lives wouldn’t have been enough. No number of men would be sufficient for this terrifying young man to slaughter.
“This kid’s gotten quite arrogant now,” said Miao Youfang, gripping his sword hilt and gritting his teeth. “Back in Yong City, Inspector Xu alone sent them running with their tails between their legs. Now it’s just a case of the monkey calling himself king when the tiger’s away.”
Miao Youfang had a grudge against Ji Xuan.
Back when he still possessed the Dragon Qi, he had been chased by Ji Xuan’s group from Qing Province to Yong Province, eventually being captured in a brothel.
If he hadn’t met Inspector Xu then, how could Miao Youfang have lived to see today?
Xu Xinnian crouched low, keeping his head down to avoid Ji Xuan’s sight, his expression grave:
“That was then. Now this Ji Xuan is also a superhuman warrior.”
Mo Sang snorted:
“My father could defeat him with one hand.”
In the rear, among the Cloud Province army formations, Ge Wenxuan held a telescope, examining the condition of the defenders on the walls, and couldn’t help but smile:
“Young Master Ji has truly made a name for himself with one battle.
“A single man and horse have scared the Great Feng defenders into silence like cicadas in winter. Taking the Central Plains and adding such a feat to the history books—that’s how one leaves their mark in the annals.”
The high-ranking officers of each army corps all held telescopes, closely watching the walls of Xun City.
After delivering his strike, Ji Xuan slowly swept his gaze across the battlements. Seeing no response, he smiled mockingly:
“What’s this? Now that a woman’s become emperor, you’ve all turned into women too?”
“Never! Inspector Xu is honor-bound to heaven and has served the state and the people well. Even if we die in battle, we won’t let you have your way!”
On the battlements, a commander shouted.
Without another word, Ji Xuan flicked his wrist, sending the short knife howling through the air.
That commander’s cultivation wasn’t weak; he sensed the danger in advance and dove to the side.
“Boom!”
That section of the battlements exploded, creating a gap as stone fragments scattered.
The commander had avoided the terrible knife strike but was still severely injured by the aftershock, falling and unable to rise.
“Anyone else who doesn’t know what’s good for them can step forward,” Ji Xuan pressed aggressively.
The Great Feng defenders dared feel anger but not express it, gripping their weapons tightly and clenching their teeth in frustration.
Seeing the defenders still unwilling to cooperate, Ji Xuan’s expression went blank as he drew his sword, a cold smile appearing on his handsome face:
“It seems you’re unwilling to accept this general’s goodwill. Then today, I, Ji Xuan, shall break this city alone, as a coronation gift for your empress.”
If not for the concern that he might accidentally crush Xu Xinnian like an insect, why would he waste his breath talking?
As the long sword left its scabbard, the pressure of a superhuman warrior released, like a tidal wave, like a mountain collapse, descending upon the heart of every defender on the battlements.
It made the ordinary soldiers feel like doomsday had arrived, losing all courage to resist.
Yang Gong was about to employ a Confucian technique to boost “military morale” and help the defenders shake off the pressure of a Third Grade warrior.
Just as the soldiers on the battlements were filled with fear.
Suddenly, the clouds in the sky surged, rapidly changing, and condensing into a giant face that looked down upon Xun City, looked down upon Ji Xuan who seemed as insignificant as an ant.
“Mere Third Grade, yet you dare speak so presumptuously!”
A deep and authoritative voice came from the nine heavens above.
The face formed by the condensed clouds was recognized by many among the defenders.
—Great Feng’s Inspector Xu Qi’an.
…
Qing Province City.
In a tavern two streets away from the Criminal Investigation Commissioner’s Office, Chu Yuanzhen stood by the window, looking down at the main road where pedestrian traffic was sparse.
“When I traveled through Qing Province years ago, this place was flourishing with flowers everywhere and people living in peace and prosperity. I never imagined that in just a few short years, it would become so desolate,” Chu Yuanzhen gripped his wine cup, sighing deeply.
Qing Province City’s current state was half due to natural disasters and half due to war.
Qing Province City was still relatively better off. After the Cloud Province army occupied the city, they only plundered the citizens’ wealth once. Afterward, there were no more acts of looting.
Instead, they took the money and grain seized from the people and used it to provide relief to those same people, taking from the people to use for the people, even earning gratitude and devotion in return.
Li Lingsu asked:
“Brother Yang, is Black Lotus still in the government office?”
Chu Yuanzhen stepped aside, making way.
Yang Qianhuan stepped to the window, his back to everyone, the eyes under his veiled hat glowing with clear light. After careful observation, he closed his eyes, two streams of hot tears rolling down.
“Still there!”
Using his Fourth Grade Spirit Master’s power to observe a Second Grade expert’s fate inevitably caused some backlash.
Yang Qianhuan would be blind for half a quarter-hour.
They were fortunate that shortly after infiltrating Qing Province, they discovered the Cloud Province rebels were amassing in force, preparing to attack Yong Province.
And Black Lotus was in the Criminal Investigation Commissioner’s Office, not joining the military expedition.
This allowed the Heaven and Earth Society to catch him alone.
The Society members took lodging in an inn near the Commissioner’s Office, temporarily holding their positions, waiting for news from Xu Qi’an.
If Xu Pingfeng and the Karura Tree appeared in Yong Province, they would strike immediately, surrounding and killing Black Lotus.
Otherwise, they would continue to lie low or cancel the plan entirely.
However, the Daoist Golden Lotus believed the latter possibility was unlikely, as the Cloud Province army was Xu Pingfeng’s power base. He couldn’t possibly accompany the army on the campaign—otherwise, if they encountered Xu Qi’an or other Great Feng superhuman experts, the army could be destroyed in an instant.
Conversely, it was more logical and reasonable for Karura Tree and Xu Pingfeng to accompany the army while Black Lotus, being slightly weaker, remained in Qing Province to maintain control of the rear.
“There’s one more thing to note—White Emperor’s whereabouts are unknown,” Asura reminded from his seat at the table.
“There is no First Grade expert in Qing Province City,” Yang Qianhuan said flatly, his back still to everyone.
“After the Director was sealed, White Emperor never appeared again,” Daoist Golden Lotus added.
He had secretly entered the dreams of several Cloud Province army commanders and was surprised to discover that after taking Qing Province, they had never seen the White Emperor again.
As they were discussing this, everyone felt a sudden palpitation and instinctively drew out their Book of Earth fragments, seeing Xu Qi’an’s message:
[Three: Strike!]
…
“Inspector Xu, it’s Inspector Xu!”
“I’ve seen Inspector Xu before, that’s him!”
On the battlements, the Great Feng defenders raised their heads, looking at the faces formed from white clouds in the sky, crying out in joy.
“Is it Inspector Xu?”
“Damn it, you better not be lying!”
Soldiers who had never seen Xu Qi’an’s true appearance asked anxiously and nervously.
“It’s him, no mistake. Besides Inspector Xu, who else do we have that’s this powerful?”
“That’s true… Inspector Xu has finally come, finally come.”
Discussion arose all along the battlements, joy flooding every soldier’s face, replacing their previous tension and despair.
Like wolves finding their leader, like an isolated army finding support.
The defeated, low morale vanished completely.
With Inspector Xu appearing on the battlefield, they were reassured. Even if they died in battle, it wouldn’t feel meaningless.
Yang Gong silently exhaled a turbid breath—well, his student had arrived.
Miao Youfang felt relieved, his eyes reddening with excitement:
“He’s here, I knew he would come.”
Speaking thus, Miao Youfang drew his sword, raised it high, and roared:
“Swear to follow Inspector Xu to death, protect Xun City, protect Yong Province!”
With him taking the lead, it immediately triggered a chain reaction. The soldiers on the battlements drew their swords and raised their spears, shouting:
“Swear to follow Inspector Xu to death!”
“Protect Xun City!”
“Protect Yong Province!”
Xu Xinnian looked around, his heart racing, and murmured:
“This is Big Brother’s current prestige in Great Feng—unmatched prestige.”
Amidst the tsunami of shouting, Xu Qi’an burst through the clouds, falling to earth like a meteor.
Boom!
The ground collapsed into a deep crater, and the Cloud Province army five li away felt the tremor.
By this time, Ji Xuan had already retreated over a hundred zhang, leaving behind a warhorse that died on the spot, blood flowing from its seven apertures.
At this moment, strange phenomena suddenly arose from the Cloud Province army’s side as two towering Dharma bodies manifested.
The Dharma body on the left was six zhang tall, as if cast from gold, with rippling muscles and twelve pairs of arms spread like a fan behind its back, a blazing ring of fire burning behind its head.
It seemed to be the embodiment of strength and flame. As soon as it appeared, the temperature in the high air rose sharply, entering the height of summer. Its expanding pressure accompanied waves of qi, sweeping in all directions.
On the right was a pale golden Dharma body sitting cross-legged, head lowered and eyes downcast, hands pressed together in prayer. It symbolized mountain-like stability, and around it, space solidified—not even the slightest breeze stirred.
Between the two Dharma bodies stood an imposing, tall Bodhisattva, looking down coldly.
On the other side, the figure of a white-robed Spirit Master immediately appeared, standing on a circular array, his clothes whiter than snow.
The circular array slowly rotated, with powers of thunder, wind, fire, water, earth, metal, and wood surrounding and embracing him, his bearing majestic and powerful.
The white-robed Spirit Master seemed to disapprove of Xu Qi’an’s arrogance as if specifically appearing to suppress him.
Ji Xuan in front, Karura Tree Bodhisattva on the left, and Xu Pingfeng on the right, forming a pincer position, facing off against the solitary Xu Qi’an.
The shouting of the defenders on the battlements stopped abruptly, the two distant Dharma bodies making their souls tremble.
“Been waiting for you a long time!”
Ji Xuan grinned and said:
“I hear you supported a woman to ascend the throne as emperor. Many say you’re at the end of your rope, making a desperate last stand. I think so too.
“The Director must have left you some trump cards—use what you need to use. Otherwise, when Karura Tree Bodhisattva and the National Preceptor move, you won’t even have the chance to use them.”
For him, this siege was about killing and capturing—with Xu Qi’an’s cousin in hand, he wasn’t afraid of being unable to exchange hostages.
For the National Preceptor, it was a probe to draw out the snake—he must also want to know what kind of confidence allowed Xu Qi’an to make such a desperate gamble.
At this moment, a clear light rose from behind Xu Qi’an, transforming into the floating white-robed figure of Sun Xuanji.
Senior Brother Sun, average in height, appearance, and bearing, took a deep look at Karura Tree and Xu Pingfeng, then suddenly roared with stern voice and manner:
“Come!”
He raised his foot and stomped heavily!
The transmission array suddenly radiated outward. Within the clear light, a figure materialized—hair white as snow, wearing plain clothes, hands behind his back, declaring proudly:
“Martial Arts Alliance, Kou Yangzhou!”
Another figure materialized within the array, wearing feathered robes and a lotus crown, with a vermillion dot between the brows, beauty enough to topple nations, holding a rust-covered iron sword.
“Human Sect, Luo Yuhen!”
Though they came to make a stand.
A third figure materialized, wearing the crown of a Lesser Sage, dressed in Confucian robes, one hand behind his back, the other at his abdomen, smiling:
“Confucian School, Zhao Shou!”
One figure after another materialized, summoned by the transmission array.
“Golden Inspector Yang Yan.”
“Jiang Luzhong.”
“Zhang Kaitai.”
“Chen Ying.”
“Cao Qingyang.”
“Xiao Yuenu.”
“Dai Zong.”
“Elder Qiao.”
“Fu Jingmen.”
“…”
Nearly thirty Fourth Grade experts appeared in the array, including Wei Yuan’s old subordinates, chiefs and masters from the Martial Arts Alliance, and experts recruited and pacified by Huaiying.
They stood behind the superhuman experts, who stood behind Xu Qi’an.
Xu Qi’an’s temples fluttered, his sleeves floating, as he said word by word:
“By order of the Empress, eliminate the rebel army!
“Better to be shattered jade than intact tile!”
On the battlements of Xun City, the soldiers who had been under enormous pressure since losing Qing Province instantly found their eyes brimming with hot tears.
Who said Great Feng had no heroes?