Without needing anyone to answer, Nurhaci already knew the identity of the young man who controlled the “flying sword” to destroy the siege towers.

The cheering soldiers on the city walls had given him the answer.

Xu Yinluo!

Xu Qi’an!

The rising star of the Imperial Examination year, the most dazzling new talent of Great Feng. No, calling him a new talent wasn’t quite appropriate. Given his achievements and influence, calling him a prominent figure wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Nurhaci scoffed, “It’s said that this Xu Qi’an is Wei Yuan’s top confidant. His current achievements are all thanks to Wei Yuan’s support. Unfortunately, he was stripped of his official position in the Chu Province massacre case.”

“I didn’t expect that after Wei Yuan’s death, he would personally come to Yuyang Pass. Tsk tsk, truly a deep bond of friendship with Wei Yuan.”

Su Gudu Red Bear narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the young man on the city walls: “This lad’s cultivation is not bad. It’s said his Golden Body Technique surpasses even Fourth-rank martial artists.”

As they spoke, both sensed the Great Feng defenders’ morale soaring and their fighting spirit igniting.

This young man actually has such prestige… Nurhaci frowned slightly, raising his sword high and shouting, “Attack the city!”

The third wave of ten thousand infantry charged forward, swarming towards Yuyang Pass like ants.

“Red Bear, follow me up to the city walls to meet this Great Feng’s Xu Yinluo,” Nurhaci called out.

Su Gudu Red Bear knew he intended to try and kill the Great Feng constable, crushing the newly kindled morale and fighting spirit of the Great Feng soldiers.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking!” the one-eyed Red Bear laughed loudly.

Two riders broke from the formation, leaving a trail of dust behind them.

Following the two leaders were over thirty martial artists of varying cultivation levels. However, even the weakest among them was at the Sixth-rank Bronze Skin Iron Bones level, capable of rolling through tens of thousands of troops relying on their physical bodies alone.

Those who hadn’t reached the Bronze Skin Iron Bones realm weren’t qualified to charge into battle.

On the city walls, the defending commanders’ hearts tightened. The ordinary soldiers’ assault was still manageable, but the attack of high-rank martial artists was the most troublesome, especially given the disparity in numbers between the enemy and friendly high-rank fighters.

If high-rank martial artists broke through to the top of the walls and went on a killing spree, even if their experts could block and repel them, half of the surrounding defenders would be dead or wounded after a major battle.

A commander shouted, “Prepare the Divine Mechanism Crossbows!”

Soldiers who had been ready pushed out strange-looking vehicle-mounted crossbows. These crossbows were different from ordinary bed crossbows, with exaggeratedly large firing barrels covered in rows of launch holes.

These were specifically designed to counter high-rank martial artists. Their attack power was no less than that of bed crossbows, but their coverage area was incomparable to bed crossbows.

The blanket-style attack was aimed at high-rank martial artists’ crisis warning ability.

The cost of manufacturing these Divine Mechanism Crossbows was ten times that of bed crossbows and cannons.

“Fire!”

In an instant, not only the Divine Mechanism Crossbows but also the cannons and bed crossbows opened fire, targeting the rapidly approaching enemy experts led by Nurhaci.

Nurhaci leaped up from his horse, unleashing a series of fist energies to scatter the arrows raining down on him.

The experts behind him were suddenly free from worry and charged forward bravely.

A black shadow descended from the sky, grabbing Nurhaci’s shoulders. It was a blurry, winged giant bird.

Nurhaci dispersed the first wave of cannon fire and arrows, looked towards the city walls, and sneered, “Is this all the firepower Great Feng has? Why not come at me more fiercely?”

The morale of the Yan soldiers soared, and their battle cries suddenly intensified as they attacked the city regardless of the consequences.

The faces of the defending commanders darkened as they saw fear appearing in the eyes of the soldiers around them.

At that moment, a loud “boom” echoed from the top of the wall, and a golden light struck Nurhaci, sending him tumbling awkwardly through the air before he barely managed to stabilize himself at a distance.

Li Miaozheng summoned her flying sword, letting it float beneath Xu Qi’an’s feet, supporting him in mid-air.

Xu Qi’an, holding the Taiping Blade, called out in response: “The number one expert of Yan? Is this all the strength you have?”

This time it was the Great Feng soldiers’ turn to erupt in cheers, shouting Xu Yinluo’s name.

The commanders breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Xu Yinluo was present, the Great Feng soldiers would not lack morale.

Nurhaci patted his chest and said, “Fifth-rank…”

The giant bird’s shadow flapped its wings, carrying him down from the sky, pouncing towards Xu Qi’an.

“Miaozheng!”

Unable to fly and certain to lose in an aerial battle, Xu Qi’an shouted.

Li Miaozheng understood immediately, manipulating her flying sword to send him back to the top of the wall.

On the other side, Su Gudu Red Bear leaped into the air, ascending the city wall in one breath. The other experts climbed the wall with their bare hands, in the blind spot of the cannons and bed crossbows.

Li Miaozheng’s pupils lost their color, turning to a glassy hue. She raised her hand, palm facing Su Gudu Red Bear.

In the next moment, Su Gudu Red Bear’s sword betrayed him, turning its blade towards its master’s throat.

His armor rebelled, making clanking noises as it tried to strangle Su Gudu Red Bear.

Su Gudu Red Bear’s qi surged, shattering the armor into pieces. With a series of hisses, metal fragments embedded themselves into the city wall and the bodies of nearby defending soldiers.

He charged wildly towards the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Maiden, knocking aside all soldiers in his path.

Li Miaozheng leaped gracefully, stepping on her flying sword, whistling like the wind.

She raised her sword finger, using her spirit to control magical weapons, summoning two massive waves of steel from the scattered weapons on the city walls.

Su Gudu Red Bear sneered, sinking to his knees before suddenly leaping up. With the physique of a Fourth-rank martial artist, he faced the two converging steel torrents head-on, steadily pouncing toward Li Miaozheng amidst a shower of sparks.

A black shadow rushed in from the side, diagonally colliding with Su Gudu Red Bear.

It was Zhang Kaitai.

The two became entangled as they flew out, creating crater after crater on the city wall.

Su Gudu Red Bear gripped Zhang Kaitai’s throat, his right fist condensing Fourth-rank fist intent, thunderously smashing into his face.

Clang!

Blood flowed from Zhang Kaitai’s seven orifices.

“Son of a bitch barbarian!”

Zhang Kaitai’s usually expressionless face suddenly contorted. His sword finger pointed at Su Gudu Red Bear’s chest, unleashing a magnificent sword intent.

Su Gudu Red Bear was knocked off the city wall by this unparalleled sword intent, crushing a circle of his troops. His chest was a bloody mess, his face twisted in pain.

With a fierce leap, he charged up again.

……

“Cling!”

Xu Qi’an drew the Taiping Blade, cutting through Nurhaci’s sword, while simultaneously raising his foot and kicking Nurhaci hard in the abdomen.

The Yan Lord inevitably retreated, his left hand grasping Xu Qi’an’s ankle, his right elbow aimed at the knee, striking down hard.

Clang!

A sound like a great bell echoed through heaven and earth.

The brilliant golden light remained unmoved. Xu Qi’an followed through with a high kick, making his opponent stagger backward. He grinned, “Not quite enough.”

“Is that so!”

Blood light swirled around Nurhaci’s body. Already a peak Fourth-rank expert, his aura rose to another level.

In the next moment, Xu Qi’an flew out like a cannonball, scattering many defending soldiers along the way.

His feet slid on the ground for more than ten meters before he barely stabilized himself.

Nurhaci let out a light whistle, and the surrounding corpses responded to his summons, rising up and frantically attacking the defending soldiers.

He disappeared again, suddenly appearing in front of Xu Qi’an, throwing a punch at his face.

Xu Qi’an seemed to have anticipated this, lightly tilting his head to avoid it. The Taiping Blade’s light burst forth, slashing a bloody gash on the arm of this peak Fourth-rank expert.

The power of the Heart Sword erupted, shaking the opponent’s spirit.

“Good blade!”

Nurhaci was completely unaffected, his gaze fixed on the Taiping Blade, full of fervor. Then, he headbutted Xu Qi’an, causing him to fly back again with a splitting headache.

That headbutt had combined the powerful spirit force of a Fourth-rank shaman.

Clang clang clang…

Nurhaci’s fists fell like a violent rainstorm, forcing Xu Qi’an to retreat step by step, making waves of golden light ripple.

“Indeed a rock from a latrine, both stinking and hard,” Nurhaci frowned.

Xu Qi’an charged forward with his blade.

Nurhaci calmly opened his hand, which held a piece of Xu Qi’an’s clothing: “Die!”

Death Curse!

The paper burned, and an illusory golden pill rose from the top of Xu Qi’an’s head.

One golden pill breaks all spells!

The Taoist Golden Core.

Knowing the opponent was a high-rank shaman, Xu Qi’an naturally was prepared for his Death Curse.

The two crossed paths. Xu Qi’an turned back, shaking the blood off his blade.

Nurhaci looked down to see an exaggerated wound on his abdomen, with intestines vaguely hanging out. He lightly wiped it, and amidst a flash of blood light, the wound healed seven or eight-tenths.

He seemed to have been angered. With a light whistle from his mouth, the dead soldiers around Xu Qi’an suddenly came to life, pouncing and biting at him without restraint.

Nurhaci seized the opportunity to charge, successfully closing in on Xu Qi’an in that brief moment.

The two martial artists, both masters of the Transmutation realm, engaged in rapid close combat. Their bodies sometimes twisted into bizarre postures to avoid attacks, sometimes ignoring inertia to throw continuous punches.

Outsiders couldn’t see their techniques clearly, couldn’t see their movements clearly, only hearing the loud sounds of flesh colliding.

At a certain moment, Xu Qi’an, after all only at the Fifth-rank Transmutation realm, had his energy stagnate. His forehead took a punch from the Yan Lord, followed immediately by a terrifying, unrelenting series of strikes.

When a high-rank martial artist seizes the initiative, they can kill practitioners of other systems in one combo.

They simply don’t give their opponent a chance to breathe, because their mastery of the Transmutation realm allows them to ignore inertia, perfectly linking their techniques.

Two sword lights rose, two commanders attacking Nurhaci from left and right, interrupting his storm of iron fists.

Huff, huff…

Xu Qi’an was breathing heavily, feeling pain all over his body, a sweet taste in his throat. In terms of strength and qi, he was far behind a peak fourth rank.

Moreover, the opponent was dual-cultivated.

What to do? A dual-cultivated peak fourth rank was the strongest below the third rank. With no weaknesses in physical body or spirit, able to fly, to manipulate, with strong defense, terrifying in close combat, and with a shaman’s blood spirit techniques to heal injuries.

How should I fight, how should I fight to kill him…

As the thought arose, a black shadow was smashed over – it was the commander who had just come to Xu Qi’an’s aid.

Xu Qi’an reached out to catch him, using skillful force to dissipate the energy and found that this commander’s bones were completely shattered, no longer able to fight.

The middle-aged commander grinned, his mouth full of bloody foam, gasping, “Xu Yinluo, I, I did my best. This bastard is too strong…”

Xu Qi’an nodded, “Don’t speak, rest now. Leave the rest to me.”

At this time, the battle on the city wall was fierce. With Nurhaci leading the experts to breach the city, the pressure on the attacking enemy troops below was greatly reduced. Enemy soldiers continuously climbed up the city wall, engaging in fierce combat with the Great Feng troops.

Especially Su Gudu Red Bear, relying on his peak Fourth-rank physique, endured the attacks of Li Miaozheng and Zhang Kaitai, wreaking havoc on the city wall at will.

Even though he was constantly injured, for him, causing destruction first and escaping if he couldn’t win was the way to go.

Destroying Great Feng’s defensive magical tools was the key.

This won’t do, can’t let them keep killing like this. The losses are too heavy, it’s a huge blow to the soldiers’ morale. In marching and fighting, what’s most feared is negativity…

We must repel them, we must repel them…

I have Luo Yuhen’s talisman sword, I can kill him with it, but it’s in the Book of Earth fragment. To take it out, the movement would be too obvious. Nurhaci is a peak Fourth-rank martial artist, he would be on guard.

Thinking this, Xu Qi’an still blatantly reached into his bosom, lightly touching the back of the small jade mirror, and taking out a sheet of paper.

“When Lord Wei attacked your Yan capital and killed so many people, how many soldiers does Yan have left? This city attack, you’ve called up all the remaining fighters, haven’t you?”

Xu Qi’an tried to divert attention with words: “Nurhaci, are you betting the fate of Yan on this?”

Nurhaci snorted coldly, not refuting, because this was the truth.

In fact, among the eighty thousand troops, most were from the Kang nation, with Yan soldiers accounting for less than thirty percent.

Because there weren’t that many soldiers left, Wei Yuan had almost crippled Yan. On the contrary, Kang, being coastal, had not been trampled by Wei Yuan’s iron cavalry, and its military strength was still relatively intact.

After this battle, it would take at least fifty years for Yan to recover its national strength. If they lost this siege, they would almost certainly never recover.

For this siege, Nurhaci had not mobilized the flying beast army. The emperor was not a gambler; he wanted to leave a trump card force for Yan, to leave some seeds, although this force was not large in number.

Nurhaci’s heart ached terribly, then he stared at his hand, “What are you holding in your hand?”

Xu Qi’an casually shook the paper: “You’ve already seen it, haven’t you?”

Nurhaci shook his head: “No, I’m talking about your other hand. What did you just hide there?”

Damn it… Xu Qi’an cursed silently, quickly burning the second page of the paper, and said in a deep voice: “Forbid killing!”

A Buddhist precept.

At that moment, an illusory black shadow descended on Nurhaci’s head, vaguely resembling a monk.

Nurhaci said gravely: “Ineffective.”

During the Shanhai Pass battle years ago, Nurhaci had killed more than one monk. His ability to summon monks’ heroic spirits was much quicker and more convenient than Xu Qi’an’s.

But after countering the move, Nurhaci quickly retreated. However, he had misjudged – Xu Qi’an wasn’t planning to use his trump card on him at all. Instead, Xu Qi’an turned and ran wildly, then leaped off the city wall, shouting as he went:

“Miaozheng, take me over there!”

The flying sword whistled through the air. Xu Qi’an rode it over the top of the wall, his target being Su Gudu Red Bear.

“Red Bear!”

Nurhaci’s face changed.

He didn’t know what methods Xu Qi’an had, but the moment that kid grasped that object, he felt uneasy. A warrior’s intuition for danger was exceptionally keen.

If he felt this way, how much more so for Su Gudu Red Bear?

Su Gudu Red Bear was in the midst of a killing frenzy, continuously slaughtering Great Feng soldiers and destroying cannons and bed crossbows when a strong sense of danger arose in his heart. Hearing Nurhaci’s warning, he instinctively wanted to leap off the city wall without hesitation.

But the Heavenly Sect’s Holy Maiden was a step faster. While manipulating her flying sword to receive Xu Qi’an, her spirit had already left her body, emitting a silent scream.

Including Zhang Kaitai, the surrounding warriors and soldiers’ minds buzzed, momentarily dazed.

Just for a moment.

“Roar!”

An ear-splitting lion’s roar erupted, seamlessly continuing.

Riding the flying sword, Xu Qi’an approached and threw the talisman sword at Su Gudu Red Bear.

Magnificent sword energy floated between heaven and earth. In Su Gudu Red Bear’s eyes, the sword light was reflected, and his gaze, his expression, revealed deep despair.

The next moment, all thoughts vanished.

Luo Yuhen’s sword energy directly took away half of his body, with the chest and above still relatively intact.

Xu Qi’an leaped down, standing on the wall top, seizing Su Gudu Red Bear’s head and holding it high.

He took a deep breath and let out a thunderous roar: “The enemy chief is dead! Soldiers, kill the enemy!”

The top of the wall erupted in cheers like a tidal wave.

The Great Feng defenders, from commanders to soldiers, at this moment, were boiling with passion.

Below, the enemy army was in chaos, especially the Kang nation infantry. Seeing their leader beheaded, some wept bitterly, and some began to retreat, fleeing in panic.

Earlier they had been unstoppable, now they were like beaten dogs.

“Xu Qi’an!”

Nurhaci’s face was as dark as water, squeezing these three words out through clenched teeth.

In the first round of the siege, the highest leader of the Kang army had died on the city wall. This was undoubtedly a huge loss, but what was truly terrible was the dissipating morale.

The morale that the two allied armies had built up was largely crushed by Xu Qi’an’s one sword strike.

In battlefield warfare, soldiers rely entirely on morale to keep going. “Defeat is like a collapsing mountain” refers to when this spirit is lost.

“Let’s see how many more trump cards you have!” he said through gritted teeth.

“Come at me all you want, I’ve got plenty more tricks up my sleeve,” Xu Qi’an taunted from afar.

Nurhaci said no more, leaping down from the wall top, summoning the giant bird shadow to carry him back to his camp.

The Kang soldiers’ morale was already in disarray. Continuing the siege would only be sending them to their deaths. He had to go back first to stabilize morale and regroup.

Fortunately, his reputation and martial prowess as the Yan Lord far surpassed Su Gudu Red Bear’s. With him there, the army could be stabilized.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The drum sounds were like thunder as the enemy army retreated on a large scale, leaving behind nearly five thousand soldiers.

……

The setting sun was like blood.

In the blood-red twilight, the Great Feng defenders silently cleared away the bodies of enemies and comrades, clearing away severed limbs.

Militiamen carried military supplies up to the wall top, replenishing crossbow arrows and cannons, and repairing the damaged walls.

The first round of the siege had been so fierce.

Blood stained the top of the wall.

But there was light in the soldiers’ eyes because they had faith, they had a pillar of support.

Luo Yuhen’s talisman sword is used up, my few trump cards are exhausted… Xu Qi’an’s mood was somewhat heavy as he silently watched this scene.

He asked, “How many brothers did we lose?”

Zhang Kaitai beside him grinned, revealing an ugly smile:

“One thousand three hundred men. Those sons of bitches, it’s only the first round of the siege, and I’ve lost so many brothers. But the biggest loss is the cannons and bed crossbows. These things need sorcerers to repair, and they can’t be fixed overnight.”

He sighed, “I’m afraid more people will die tomorrow. Fortunately, we have you. Otherwise, in this battle, even more would have died.”

After finishing, Zhang Kaitai caught sight of Xu Qi’an’s convulsing hand, and his smile gradually disappeared: “How are your injuries?”

Xu Qi’an was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: “My injuries are fine, I’ll be okay after a night’s rest. It’s just…”

He paused, not continuing.

Zhang Kaitai frowned: “On the battlefield, concealing information is most taboo.”

Xu Qi’an hesitated: “I’m out of trump cards.”

Then he fell into silence.

After a long while, Zhang Kaitai sighed: “You should go.”

This swordsman, who usually never smiled, laughed bitterly: “I almost forgot you’re still Fifth-rank. The brothers all think you’re a top expert, the kind stronger than all of us.”

“I won’t tell anyone this secret. Well, I’ll say you’ve gone to request reinforcements. Since you’re out of trump cards, it’s not suitable for you to stay anymore. Tomorrow, Nurhaci will focus on killing you, whether for revenge or to boost morale.”

He walked to the edge of the wall, one hand on the parapet, the other pointing at the distant enemy camp where bonfires were rising, grinning:

“Look, now their morale has stabilized. With Nurhaci there, the Kang army’s spirit won’t be in disarray. Maybe tomorrow they’ll attack the city with vengeance, even more, ready to sacrifice their lives.”

“If I leave, the morale we’ve just built up will dissipate again,” Xu Qi’an shook his head.

“Of course, you have to go request reinforcements, go notify the court. Taoist Li can fly on her sword, she’s very fast. Before the reinforcements arrive, I’ll try my best to hold on.”

“I’m not leaving. Lord Wei stayed here, my brothers stayed here, and I should stay here too. If we leave, what about the civilians behind us? Forty years ago, the Shaman Religion once massacred three provinces – Xiang, Jing, and Yu. We can’t let history repeat itself.”

This man spoke calmly and peacefully.

Pottery jars inevitably break at the well’s edge, and generals inevitably die on the battlefield.

Both are good ends.

There are no reinforcements coming, there won’t be any reinforcements, at least, you won’t see them… Xu Qi’an opened his mouth, but in the end, couldn’t bear to tell him this truth.

At this time, he saw a commander, one hand on his sword, slowly walking along the city wall, shouting as he went:

“Outside Yuyang Pass are the civilians of Xiang Province. We have nowhere left to retreat. This is the Shaman Religion’s final counterattack. As long as we endure this siege, we can secure victory. We still have the court’s reinforcements. We must hold on until the reinforcements arrive.”

The commander then saw Xu Qi’an and said excitedly: “With Xu Yinluo here, the Shaman Religion has no hope of taking the city. If Nurhaci comes again tomorrow, we’ll make sure he never leaves!”

The surrounding soldiers’ eyes suddenly lit up.

Today, everyone had witnessed Xu Qi’an fiercely battling Nurhaci, killing Su Gudu Red Bear, and repelling the enemy army.

As expected of Xu Yinluo, that sword strike was truly beautiful.

With Xu Yinluo here, the Shaman Religion was nothing to worry about.

He always made people feel at ease, he always managed to do things perfectly.

He had never let the people of Great Feng down.

Under the hopeful gazes, Xu Qi’an walked silently. He came to a corner where no one was around, overlooking the enemy army setting up camp in the distance, lost in thought.

The admiring looks from those soldiers just now made him feel somewhat ashamed.

“Are you leaving? If you don’t leave, you might die,”

Behind him, Li Miaozheng appeared in her dashing Taoist robe.

Xu Qi’an was silent for a long time, then responded with a smile: “Do I seem like the kind of person who would leave?”

“You hesitated!”

Li Miaozheng shook her head: “You didn’t refuse Zhang Kaitai just now, did you?”

A book was thrown in front of her.

Li Miaozheng looked down to see a thin book, almost only the cover left.

“It’s gone, only one page left,” Xu Qi’an said softly, looking into the distance:

“I don’t want to leave, but I’m out of trump cards. One has to acknowledge one’s shortcomings, and my biggest shortcoming is that I’m not strong enough.”

The spell book given to him by Zhao Shou was nearly exhausted.

Only one page remained, the Confucian “Words Become Reality” spell.

Even the most useful things eventually run out. Since rushing to Chu Province, although he had been very frugal, after using it for so long, it was almost depleted.

“When you beheaded two dukes at Caishi Gate, I didn’t see you feeling you weren’t strong enough?”

Li Miaozheng saw the man’s shoulders tremble.

She looked at him, her gaze filled with pity and sorrow:

“After Wei Yuan died, your backbone seemed to break. Although you pretend nothing’s wrong, I can feel that you’re panicking. Without this support, you’ve lost confidence in everything you do.”

The night wind howled, carrying a biting chill.

Xu Qi’an said softly: “You’re right. In the past, I could be high-spirited because I had so many things to rely on. Lord Wei always helped me handle pressure from the court, shielded me from the overt and covert schemes in officialdom, and gave me the best resources.”

“Whatever questions, difficulties, or confusions I had, he was the first one I thought of. Including when Purple Lotus Taoist locked onto me…

“Lord Wei took care of everything for me. With him around, I could act without worries. After beheading the dukes, the emperor tolerated me again and again. Thinking about it now, it wasn’t just because of the Imperial Censor, but also because Lord Wei was shielding me. He wasn’t a helpless scholar – everyone in the capital knew I was his trusted confidant. Even the emperor had to be wary of him.

“But he suddenly left without warning. I… I’m heartbroken, confused…”

That figure still stood straight, but in Li Miaozheng’s eyes, he seemed lonely.

Counting them up, at first glance he seemed to have many advantages and supporters, but in reality, the only one he could truly rely on was Wei Yuan.

The Imperial Censor’s motives were unclear and untrustworthy. Shen Shu borrowed his body to nurture his severed arm, falling into slumber at will. Only Wei Yuan would respond to his every request without expecting anything in return, shielding him from troubles.

His glory, his reputation, his high spirits – all were built on the premise of someone deflecting pressure for him.

Li Miaozheng bit her lip.

After a pause, he continued in a hoarse voice:

“There won’t be any reinforcements at all. The former emperor will obstruct it, delaying it again and again. Even if reinforcements finally arrive, these people won’t see it. But I dare not say it. If I do, morale will completely crumble.

“But I really can’t defeat Nurhaci. Those ordinary soldiers don’t understand anything, naively thinking I’m invincible… You should go. I want to be alone for a while.”

So that man was really that important to him, so important that losing him made him collapse instantly.

He was the faith and support of the defending soldiers, but what about his support?

His support had crumbled, and he became panicked, fearful, and lacking confidence.

No longer the same high-spirited person as before.

Li Miaozheng left, feeling gloomy and disappointed.

Xu Qi’an sat on the city wall, gazing at the distant night sky.

In the distance, bonfires blazed, scattered like stars.

In the firelight lurked numerous executioners.

He stood silently in the cold night for a long time, then took out Wei Yuan’s letter.

Wei Yuan was dead. His last glimmer of hope extinguished, and he could finally read the last words.

……

“Xu Qi’an, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this is my last letter. Remember I once told you that this world is far crueler than you imagine.

“This military expedition is to seal the Shaman God. The Confucian Saint’s sealing of the Shaman God involved a secret about transcendent ranks. I can’t tell you too much in this letter. After the Confucian Saint passed away, for over a thousand years, the Shaman God accumulated power and initially broke through the seal.

“This is a disaster for the Central Plains, for humanity, even for the Nine Provinces. The Confucian school has weakened to this day and no longer has the power to seal the Shaman God. Since the Shanhai Pass battle, the Imperial Censor has withdrawn from worldly affairs. I still can’t understand what he wants to do.

“Great Feng’s national strength has weakened to this day. Who else but me can seal the Shaman God? We scholars should establish the heart for heaven and earth, establish life for the people, continue the lost teachings of past sages, and open up peace for all ages… This is what you said. Zhao Shou took me to the Temple of the Second Sage.

“Well said, truly worthy of being my chosen successor.

“After this battle, the Shaman Religion may counterattack with all its might. I seem to foresee blood flowing like rivers in the three provinces of Xiang, Jing, and Yu. They aim to shake Great Feng’s fortune, colluding with the former emperor to disperse Great Feng’s last bit of luck.

“With your ability, you probably already know this secret, right? You are someone I value highly. I have always held the highest expectations for you.

“Turmoil in the Central Plains is now inevitable. You are Great Feng’s last hope, with half of Great Feng’s fortune on your shoulders. If you’ve made a certain decision in your heart, go find Zhao Shou. I have something with him for you.”

Xu Qi’an’s vision seemed to blur. He turned over this page of the letter and looked at the second page.

……

“You’ve always wanted to know about my past, haven’t you? In life, eight or nine out of ten things don’t go as wished. Those that can be spoken of are but two or three. Let me tell you about these two or three.

“My ancestral home is in Yu Province. My father was the prefect of Yu Province. Forty years ago, the Shaman Religion attacked and occupied the three provinces of Xiang, Jing, and Yu, massacring day and night without cease. My entire family died in that massacre.

“My mother pushed me into a dry well, allowing me to escape. I ate moss and insects in the well, hiding for seven days before I dared to come out. The Shaman Religion had withdrawn, leaving behind a devastated land and corpses. I buried my family with my own hands.

“At that time, I was in a daze, not knowing how to go on with life, even having thoughts of suicide. But the flames of hatred supported me to grit my teeth and carry on. I walked thousands of miles on foot to the capital to seek refuge with the Shangguan family.

“Shangguan Pei was my father’s closest friend and classmate. In their youth, they traveled and studied together, once encountering mountain bandits. It was my father who saved his life at the risk of his own.

“On the first day, I arrived at the Shangguan house, I met the love of my life. It was a beautiful spring, with flowers blooming all over the garden, and the air filled with a comforting fragrance.

“Under the tree shadows, there was a girl picking flowers and smiling… At that moment, I was struck as if by lightning. This would be the girl I would protect and cherish for life.

“Her name was Shangguan Xixue, who later became the empress. At the time, I didn’t know she was the woman I would desire but never obtain in this life.

“Perhaps my fate was already decided from the moment I saw her.

“The few years at the Shangguan house were the happiest times of my life.

“Shangguan Pei treated me like a son, no, even better than his own son. I studied with him day and night, hoping to pass the imperial examinations in the future and marry her.

“In the 30th year of Zhende, Emperor Zhende passed away, and Yuanjing succeeded to the throne. The emperor was selecting consorts.

“Shangguan Pei had been waiting for this day for a long time. At that time, he was just a small censor, eager to climb up. The stunningly beautiful Xixue was his important bargaining chip. He planned to send Xixue into the palace.

“In desperation, she and I tried to elope, to leave the capital and go somewhere no one could find us. I was willing to give up my future, and she was willing to give up wealth and glory.

“But at that time, I was just a scholar. We didn’t get far before we were caught and brought back.

“I will never forget that day. Shangguan Pei, the man my father had once saved at the risk of his life, my father’s closest friend, the man who kept saying I was the only seedling of the Wei family – he had me castrated.

“‘You love her, don’t you? Then I’ll let you accompany her forever. The back palace is dangerous, with killing intent at every step. If you truly love her, then guard her…’ These were Shangguan Pei’s last words to me.

“The utmost shame and humiliation, nothing more than this.

“I wasn’t willing to accept my fate. After intense pain and reflection, I began to study martial arts diligently, hoping to become a complete man again, hoping to become strong enough to take her away from the palace.

“In the 6th year of Yuanjing, someone told Yuanjing about our past, slandering that we had committed adultery. Yuanjing was furious and wanted to depose the empress and kill people. Coincidentally at that time, General Dugu in the north had passed away, and barbarians invaded, throwing the northern border into chaos.

“So I made a military pledge: no return without victory. That was the beginning of my rise…

“After that, my cultivation became higher and higher, and Yuanjing held her firmly in his grasp. After the victory at Shanhai Pass, I was already unrivaled in the country. Yuanjing secretly hid her away and summoned me, threatening her life to force me to cripple my cultivation.

“I agreed. The Imperial Censor scolded me for being blinded by love and short-sighted. I didn’t argue. In the darkest time of my life, it was she who illuminated my world. She was my light.

“In the following twenty years, I killed Shangguan Pei with my own hands, used the Consort Fu case to kill the empress’s brother, and cut off the Shangguan family’s bloodline. The past was wiped clean. As my power increased, I gradually began to think about doing things for Great Feng, for the people.

“As a eunuch, I endured twenty years in the court, trying to save this declining country. Gradually, I stopped looking at her… A husband who can dedicate himself to the country is fortunate.

“Come to think of it, I’ve ultimately let her down.

“I originally thought I would be alone for life, until the year of the Imperial Examination when your appearance delighted me. I was finally not alone. How joyful!

“The only regret is that in the end, I still couldn’t hear you sing that song. It was an interesting song. But my life has had too many regrets, so I won’t dwell on these.

“I hope that after Wei Yuan, Great Feng will still have a Xu Qi’an.

“Wei Yuan!”

Whoosh… The letter burned, and Xu Qi’an opened his hand, letting the wind carry it away.

He sat motionless on the city wall all night.

……

At dawn, the first ray of morning light shone on the desolate plain, on the blood-stained city wall.

Boom boom boom…

The muffled yet loud drum sounds echoed, and the desolate horn blew. The infantry of Yan and Kang attacked the city again, black and dense like a swarm of ants.

Nurhaci sat on horseback.

The Great Feng defenders woke up startled, grabbing their weapons and rushing to the city wall.

The soldiers resting against the wall, still gripping their swords in sleep, now awoke, their faces weary but eyes burning with killing intent.

In the barbican, Zhang Kaitai, holding his sword, strode out with vigorous steps.

He immediately saw a figure in green standing on the wall.

At this moment, he almost cried out in surprise, thinking the green-robed figure from his memory had come to life.

“Xu Qi’an, you…” Zhang Kaitai’s expression was complex.

“We can’t let Nurhaci and the others climb the city wall again. We’re losing too much that way. We won’t be able to hold out for long,” Xu Qi’an said without turning around.

Zhang Kaitai of course knew this principle, but if not defending, should they fight to the death at the foot of the wall?

Seventy thousand elite troops would tire of killing, let alone with experts like Nurhaci. Leaving the city wall was a road to certain death.

At this time, he heard Xu Qi’an say: “I’ll go. I’ll break their formation. This way we can reduce the pressure on our soldiers.”

Zhang Kaitai was furious: “Are you crazy?”

Xu Qi’an shook his head: “I’m not crazy. Not only can it reduce the pressure on our soldiers, but it can also boost morale. If possible, I will kill Nurhaci.”

Kill Nurhaci?

Zhang Kaitai felt he had truly gone mad.

“Behind us is Lord Wei’s hometown.”

He immediately added this sentence, leaving Zhang Kaitai speechless.

Li Miaozheng rode her flying sword to the top of the wall, her face expressionless, her eyes gloomy. She first looked down at the enemy troops charging forward with deafening battle cries.

Then, as if sensing something, she turned her head to look at the green-robed figure standing on the wall.

“Miaozheng, lend me your golden core.”

His gaze was clear, his temperament composed, the spirited air between his brows reappearing.

Li Miaozheng’s eyes widened.

With her Heavenly Sect heart method, she felt that this man had subtly transformed.

Li Miaozheng said in a daze: “You…”

He smiled brilliantly: “I’ve reached the Fourth Rank.”

How many roads must a boy walk down before he grows up? Perhaps a lifetime, or maybe, in just one night.

Reaching the Fourth Rank in one night.

How powerful was a Fourth Rank Xu Qi’an? No one knew.

Li Miaozheng’s vision blurred for a moment: “Alright!”

Losing the golden core meant temporarily losing one’s foundation and cultivation for a Taoist cultivator.

No amount of golden cores could match his radiant smile.

On the city wall, a spirited roar erupted:

“Great Feng warrior Xu Qi’an, here to break the formation!”

In Great Feng folklore, Constable Xu Qi’an single-handedly held off tens of thousands of rebel troops in Yun Province, quelling the rebellion by himself.

How could he let the people down?

Between heaven and earth, a figure in green swallowed the golden core and leaped down from the city wall.