The epic battle taking place on the city wall should have drawn countless martial artists to observe. But at Flying Swan Pass now, no one had the luxury to pay attention to such things. Whether it was the Western Ling troops desperately trying to breach the pass or the Mo Family soldiers fighting to the death to resist them, none had the heart to watch this great battle. In everyone’s hearts and eyes, there was only one target – the enemy.

The city gate was finally breached by heavy battering rams, and Mo Family soldiers used their bodies to block the gateway, fighting the enemy. On the city wall, in the streets, and everywhere one could see soldiers of both armies locked in combat. Whether it was the Marquis of Pacifying the South’s impending death or the Prince’s Consort’s willingness to share the fate of the defending soldiers, both greatly inspired the morale of their respective forces. Neither side was willing to yield a single step as they fought in this blood-soaked battle.

No one knew how long this bloody battle lasted. When everyone, including Ye Li, was covered in blood and completely exhausted, they finally heard the sound of hoofbeats from beyond the pass. Feng Zhi Yao’s spirit suddenly lifted as he leaped up, shouting, “The Black Cloud Cavalry has arrived! His Highness has returned!” Instantly, all surviving soldiers were energized. Especially upon hearing the approaching hoofbeats, an irrepressible joy welled up in everyone’s hearts. His Highness had finally returned, and reinforcements had finally arrived. They… had finally held Flying Swan Pass!

With the Black Cloud Cavalry’s arrival, the pressure on the gate defenders immediately lessened considerably. The Western Ling army still outside the city was thrown into confusion by this sudden change, and the Black Cloud Cavalry seized the opportunity to charge straight through, successfully entering the city. At the front of the Black Cloud Cavalry was a rider in white clothes with white hair, his bearing majestic. “Close both the front and rear city gates!”

Though Flying Swan Pass was named a pass, there was a small city within it. However, this city wasn’t large, and most of its inhabitants were garrison soldiers, with very few ordinary civilians. Because of the impending battle, civilians had already withdrawn to the rear, so now the city was almost filled with Mo Family soldiers. Once the gates were closed, the Western Ling soldiers who hadn’t entered would have to expend effort attacking again, while those already inside would be trapped to die within the city.

“A’Li…”

“A’Li…” Mo Xiu Yao galloped his horse through the streets, his whip sending several careless Western Ling soldiers who tried to ambush him flying dozens of zhang away. Finally, at a corner street, he saw that slender figure. Her originally white clothes had been dyed red with blood, and even from far away, he could see that her beautiful face was also spattered with blood. In that instant, Mo Xiu Yao felt as if his heart had been viciously lashed, splitting with pain.

“Xiu Yao?” Suddenly hearing Mo Xiu Yao’s voice, Ye Li was momentarily dazed. She had killed countless people that day. Her whole being seemed to emanate a thick smell of blood. Now suddenly hearing Mo Xiu Yao’s voice, for a moment it seemed both real and illusory.

“Look out!” Han Ming Yue called out sternly, throwing his sword at a Western Ling soldier quietly preparing to ambush from behind Ye Li. At the same time, Mo Xiu Yao leaped from his horse like a startled swan crossing the water, landing before Ye Li and pulling her into his embrace with one motion.

“Xiu Yao?” Ye Li was stunned for a moment before recognizing who held her.

“A’Li.” Mo Xiu Yao held the person in his arms tightly, feeling truly afraid for the first time in his life. He, Mo Xiu Yao, who calculated everything perfectly and could manipulate anyone in the world at will, had truly miscalculated this time. He couldn’t imagine what he would do if something had happened to Ye Li.

Mo Xiu Yao held Ye Li with one arm while wielding his horsewhip with the other, sending waves of energy like poisoned arrows in all directions. In an instant, no Western Ling soldier within ten zhang of them survived, while those further away didn’t dare approach, deterred by the Prince’s reputation.

Han Ming Yue retrieved his sword from the fallen Western Ling soldier and approached, saying, “You finally returned.” Mo Xiu Yao nodded, looking at Han Ming Yue with unprecedented solemnity, and said deeply, “Thank you.” Like Ye Li, Han Ming Yue was also covered in blood, his former image as an elegant gentleman completely gone. Moreover, Han Ming Yue bore numerous wounds, clearly showing he had been protecting Ye Li by her side the whole time.

Han Ming Yue smiled faintly, and though his face was still stained with enemy blood, the smile in his eyes carried some of the warmth of clear moonlight and the bearing of the once world-famous Young Master Ming Yue.

Han Ming Yue knew that their many years of estrangement might finally be resolved after this battle. He understood Mo Xiu Yao’s character well enough to know that Mo Xiu Yao wouldn’t hate him – he would simply ignore him forever, acting as if he had never had such a friend and brother. Having emerged from the fog of his former infatuation, Han Ming Yue finally realized what he had lost for the sake of that hopeless feeling.

Mo Xiu Yao’s return naturally caused quite a stir, and before long Feng Zhi Yao and others rushed over. Feng Zhi Yao didn’t bother with pleasantries, urgently asking Mo Xiu Yao, “How many men did you bring back?!” Mo Xiu Yao replied, “Thirty thousand.”

Feng Zhi Yao’s expression instantly turned extremely ugly – against several hundred thousand Western Ling soldiers, what use were thirty thousand men!

Mo Xiu Yao calmly said, “Don’t worry, Leng Huai will arrive with troops soon. We just need to delay the Western Ling forces as much as possible, keeping them trapped in Flying Swan Pass and the small city.”

At this point, there was nothing more to say. Feng Zhi Yao simply turned around, “Understood, though I don’t know how long we can delay them. If someone breaks through…”

Mo Xiu Yao frowned and said, “Every prefecture and county has garrison troops. Though not many, they’re enough to stop some scattered soldiers.”

Ye Li said quietly, “I’ve already ordered all civilians within a hundred li of Flying Swan Pass to evacuate.”

Hearing this, everyone was delighted. Apart from Ye Li, none of them had thought of this solution. Though evacuating all civilians wasn’t easy, with the Prince’s Manor’s prestige, at least eighty percent of civilians would withdraw on the Princess Consort’s direct order. Having resolved their greatest concern, everyone relaxed somewhat. Feng Zhi Yao smiled and said, “In that case, we’ll focus all our efforts on stopping the Western Ling army. We can hold until General Leng arrives. Your Highnesses, this subordinate takes his leave!” As long as civilians didn’t suffer major casualties, even the destruction of some houses and crops wouldn’t be too great a loss for the Mo Family army. Although there had been years of continuous warfare, with these years of planning and development, the entire Northwest hadn’t been damaged fundamentally.

“We take our leave!” everyone said in unison, turning to rush to their respective battlefields.

“Oh right, Lei Zhen Ting and Master Ling are still on the city wall,” Ye Li suddenly remembered, though, after this fierce battle, she wasn’t sure exactly how much time had passed. But Lei Zhen Ting hadn’t appeared again – if the two weren’t still dueling, either Lei Zhen Ting had died in battle or they had perished together.

Regarding Ling Tie Han, whom he had tricked into helping, Mo Xiu Yao wasn’t concerned at all. After all, Ling Tie Han just wanted revenge on Lei Zhen Ting; he had merely provided an opportunity for him to save his subordinates along the way. Although by coincidence this had led to Ling Tie Han saving Ye Li, Mo Xiu Yao wouldn’t feel guilty even if Ling Tie Han died because of it.

Taking off his cloak and draping it over Ye Li, Mo Xiu Yao said softly, “A’Li, go change your clothes first.” Ye Li gave him an exasperated look and turned toward the city wall.

The great battle on the city wall was continuing. Lei Zhen Ting’s reverse cultivation technique was truly astounding. Originally, even if Lei Zhen Ting hadn’t been injured, he would have had difficulty matching Ling Tie Han’s martial arts. But when Ye Li and the others arrived, it was Ling Tie Han who was covered in wounds. However, having devoted his life to martial arts and possessing an unyielding character, Ling Tie Han showed no intention of stopping despite his numerous injuries.

Hearing Mo Xiu Yao and the others come up to the city wall, Lei Zhen Ting was the first to leap back.

“Mo Xiu Yao, it’s you again.” Lei Zhen Ting narrowed his eyes at Mo Xiu Yao, his originally deep and desolate eyes somewhat bloodshot, perhaps from the great battle, or perhaps from seeing his plans ruined by Mo Xiu Yao’s early return.

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow indifferently, but only Ye Li, whose hand he held, could understand that his current mood wasn’t as calm as he appeared. Mo Xiu Yao smiled and said, “Of course, it’s this prince. Though this prince is somewhat surprised… how are you not dead yet?”

Lei Zhen Ting laughed coldly and said, “You’re not dead yet, so how could this king die?” With that, Lei Zhen Ting no longer paid attention to Ling Tie Han at the side, leaping toward Mo Xiu Yao. But his sword pointed straight at Ye Li beside Mo Xiu Yao. Mo Xiu Yao’s expression changed as he sent Ye Li behind Han Ming Yue with one palm strike, while drawing his Burning Extinction sword with a ring, swinging it mercilessly at Lei Zhen Ting.

“Lei Zhen Ting, this prince will ensure you die miserably!” Mo Xiu Yao said with a cold smile. In an instant, the two began fighting, with Lei Zhen Ting showing no weakness as he smiled and said, “Who dies miserably remains to be seen.”

The heaven-defying effects of the reverse cultivation technique that even people like Han Ming Yue and Ling Tie Han spoke of with reverence were undeniable. After his great battle with Ling Tie Han, Lei Zhen Ting seemed as if he hadn’t consumed much energy at all. Fighting Mo Xiu Yao, his moves were still as fast as lightning, giving Mo Xiu Yao an almost nostalgic feeling of their first duel when he had just entered the martial world over a decade ago. At that time, his martial arts had indeed been slightly inferior to Lei Zhen Ting’s. But now Mo Xiu Yao was in his prime, while Lei Zhen Ting had gradually begun to age. Mo Xiu Yao was confident that his current martial arts surpassed Lei Zhen Ting’s, but even so, fighting Lei Zhen Ting now, Mo Xiu Yao still felt some pressure.

Seeing this situation, Ling Tie Han joined the battle without hesitation. Under these circumstances, there was no question of it being unfair odds. Lei Zhen Ting had used the reverse cultivation technique and was already certain to die; those present did not need to accompany him to the grave. More importantly, Mo Xiu Yao couldn’t withdraw now. Given that, Ling Tie Han didn’t mind making it two against one.

With the pressure from two supreme masters, Lei Zhen Ting finally began to falter. But even so, Ling Tie Han and Mo Xiu Yao had also acquired many new wounds. This battle continued from daylight into night. Ye Li and Han Ming Yue couldn’t intervene at all, yet neither dared to leave for even a moment. They could only watch the three combatants intently.

At the most thrilling moment, Han Ming Yue finally couldn’t help but let out a long cry, laughing loudly. Ye Li stood to the side watching, a faint smile also appearing on her lips. Watching this battle between the three greatest masters in the world, Han Ming Yue had achieved a breakthrough in his mental state. His martial arts, which had stagnated for many years, advanced to a new level. No doubt in a few years, the name of Young Master Ming Yue would certainly be counted among the world’s four greatest masters.

In the night, all of Flying Swan Pass remained brightly lit. In the small city, countless soldiers fought in every street and alley, the smell of blood permeating the entire city. On the rear city wall, Old General Yuan Pei led his few remaining soldiers in guarding the tower. Below the tower was a gate only one-third the width of Flying Swan Pass’s main gate, but behind this gate lay the flat plains of half the Northwest region. Though all the soldiers’ faces showed exhaustion, they gripped their weapons tightly, cutting down enemies who charged forward again and again. Behind them were the civilians and land they had to protect; they had nowhere to retreat. They had no choice but to kill the enemy within the city gates.

Another wave of Western Ling soldiers evaded the interception of Mo Family troops in the streets and charged up. Yuan Pei’s expression was solemn as he called out loudly, “Archers, fire!” Arrows shot out like a sudden rain. A group of enemies fell, but more quickly charged forward. The soldiers guarding below the gate rushed forward to engage in close combat with enemies who had survived the arrow storm.

Just when everyone thought such days would never end, heavy hoofbeats finally sounded again in the distance. Even from far away, one could feel the earth trembling – the sound of thousands of horses galloping forward. At this moment, everyone knew who was coming. Light returned to the exhausted faces of the Mo Family soldiers. “Reinforcements have arrived!”

“Reinforcements have arrived! Brothers, kill! Stop the Western Ling forces!”

“Reinforcements have arrived!” Cheers from Mo Family soldiers could be heard throughout the small city, and the battle grew even more intense.

When Leng Huai led his million-strong army into Flying Swan Pass, the Western Ling force of several hundred thousand immediately collapsed completely. Originally, several hundred thousand troops had been held within the city for an entire day by just over a hundred thousand Mo Family soldiers, suffering heavy casualties, and their morale had already begun to waver. Now with the sudden appearance of a million troops, even the most strong-willed Western Ling soldiers couldn’t help but break. By the time dawn approached, the battle in the small city was reaching its end. Of the Western Ling forces in the city, some died and some surrendered. When Leng Huai led his men to the rear gate, he arrived just in time to catch the swaying Yuan Pei.

The old general was over seventy years old – this day and night of fighting would have been exhausting even for young men, let alone an elderly man like Yuan Pei. Seeing Leng Huai, Yuan Pei also breathed a sigh of relief. If Leng Huai had come any later, they truly couldn’t have held on. “General… General Leng…”

Leng Huai said apologetically, “Old General Yuan, I… we came late. You have worked hard.”

“You came… that’s good…” Yuan Pei said repeatedly. Then his vision darkened and he collapsed. Leng Huai, quick of eye and hand, hurriedly supported him. “Old General Yuan… Old General Yuan… Doctor!”

Feng San had just come this way and, hearing Leng Huai’s voice, quickly darted over. He took Yuan Pei’s hand to check his pulse before sighing in relief, “Nothing serious, probably just exhaustion. Have someone send Old General Yuan back first. Later we can have Master Shen examine him.”

Seeing Yuan Pei was alright, Leng Huai finally relaxed. Yuan Pei was the oldest surviving general of the Mo Family army. If anything had happened to him here, it would have been an enormous loss for the Mo Family forces.

After arranging for people to escort Yuan Pei back to the general’s mansion, Leng Huai and Feng Zhi Yao ordered the newly arrived troops to search every street and alley for any remaining Western Ling soldiers. By the time they finished arranging all this, it was already broad daylight, and the two finally relaxed. They looked at each other, and Feng Zhi Yao suddenly called out, “His Highness and the Princess Consort are still on the city wall!” If Mo Xiu Yao had finished dealing with Lei Zhen Ting, he would certainly have appeared with Ye Li to take charge of the situation. The reason they hadn’t seen the two until now must be that the battle on the city wall hadn’t ended.

When the two hurriedly arrived at the front city wall of Flying Swan Pass, Qin Feng and the others were already there. Though all were covered in wounds, leaning or sitting on the city wall with no strength left, everyone’s expression was extremely relaxed. Feng Zhi Yao couldn’t help but smile, shrugging as he walked to a stairway and helped Qin Feng sit down against the wall. After this battle, there probably wouldn’t be any need to fight for a long time – shouldn’t they be relaxed? For a soldier, never having the chance to go to battle in one’s lifetime might be a tragedy. But for a country, if it spent its entire existence in war, it would be better to perish early.

Seeing Feng Zhi Yao, Leng Huai, and others appear one after another, Lei Zhen Ting finally understood he had once again been defeated by the Mo Family army. His attacks became even more fierce. But after this day and night of intense fighting, Lei Zhen Ting’s exhaustion far exceeded that of Ling Tie Han and Mo Xiu Yao. No matter how powerful the reverse cultivation technique was, it couldn’t guarantee Lei Zhen Ting would be invincible for these twenty-four hours. Even being so formidable, under the combined assault of Ling Tie Han and Mo Xiu Yao, two of the current world’s highest masters, he was also seriously wounded. As a human, even having consumed all one’s life force in advance, there were still limits. So after several fierce attacks, Mo Xiu Yao and Ling Tie Han felt Lei Zhen Ting’s change.

The two exchanged a glance. Ling Tie Han’s sword traced an arc like a rainbow, heading straight for Lei Zhen Ting’s chest. Behind him, Mo Xiu Yao leaped into the air, his sword stabbing down toward Lei Zhen Ting’s head from above.

Lei Zhen Ting laughed coldly, dodging Mo Xiu Yao’s sword from above while forcefully grabbing Ling Tie Han’s sword with one hand. Then, following the momentum of Ling Tie Han’s sword, he rushed forward and struck Ling Tie Han’s chest with his palm.

Mo Xiu Yao had been waiting precisely for this moment – his original strike toward the head had been a feint. Such a vital point as the crown of the head, unless Lei Zhen Ting was immobilized, how could he easily let someone stab it? Mo Xiu Yao changed his sword’s direction, his Burning Extinction sword flashing with cold light, instantly piercing Lei Zhen Ting’s right shoulder. Lei Zhen Ting’s palm strike toward Ling Tie Han faltered. Ling Tie Han twisted his sword, pulling it from Lei Zhen Ting’s grip, then crouched and swung as he and Mo Xiu Yao slashed at Lei Zhen Ting’s legs from left and right.

Suddenly wounded by Mo Xiu Yao’s sword, Lei Zhen Ting leaped back quickly in pain. He dodged the following two sword strikes from Mo Xiu Yao and Ling Tie Han, though his left leg was still cut by Ling Tie Han’s sword.

Lei Zhen Ting retreated to the edge of the city wall before steadying his stance. Looking down at the wound on his right shoulder, he frowned. This sword wound wasn’t serious, but his right shoulder had just been wounded by Ye Li’s gun days ago, and that injury hadn’t healed. Now with Mo Xiu Yao’s sword wound on top of it, it was naturally adding frost to the snow. Moreover, the reverse cultivation technique couldn’t make him completely ignore pain. Countless wounds and pain inflicted on his body once again greatly reduced his fighting power.

Mo Xiu Yao and Ling Tie Han weren’t in a hurry. Each gripped their swords, watching Lei Zhen Ting with indifferent expressions. At this point, given Lei Zhen Ting’s character, he absolutely wouldn’t flee. The only fear was that in dying, he might try to take someone with him.

Lei Zhen Ting smiled calmly and said, “To have fought with the Prince and Master of the King of Hell’s Palace, this king has not lived in vain.”

Ling Tie Han remained expressionless and silent, but Mo Xiu Yao laughed coldly and said, “This prince never intended to fight with you. This prince only wanted one thing: you dead, me alive.”

Lei Zhen Ting was stunned for a moment, then couldn’t help but laugh to the heavens, “Ha ha… the Prince truly lives up to being the Prince, Mo Liu Fang’s good son! Mo Xiu Yao… today if Ling Tie Han weren’t here, the one dying by this king’s hand would be you!” The most unpredictable thing in this world is people, yet Mo Xiu Yao could precisely calculate human hearts. Even a master like Ling Tie Han could be moved at his will. Perhaps Ye Li was right – the Prince’s Manor had nearly been destroyed by human treachery years ago, and Mo Xiu Yao, having learned from that bitter experience, had come to understand all the desires and schemes of human hearts. That was why he had been defeated at Mo Xiu Yao’s hands.

Mo Xiu Yao paid no attention to Lei Zhen Ting’s mockery, saying calmly, “If Master Ling weren’t here, you wouldn’t die here. This prince naturally would have other ways to make you die.”

Lei Zhen Ting laughed heartily. Those present looked at each other in confusion, none understanding what he was laughing about. Perhaps even he didn’t understand. When he finally finished laughing, Lei Zhen Ting stood up again, pointing his sword at Mo Xiu Yao and saying, “Good! Good… this king will see just how the Prince can make me die!”

A cruel smile curved Mo Xiu Yao’s lips. “This prince will make you… wish… you… were… dead!”

The atmosphere on the city wall tensed again, everyone holding their breath as they watched the three men facing off. The life-and-death battle between the three people of the highest martial achievement in the world was about to reach its conclusion. At the same time, it also represented that in this years-long struggle for power, the final victor was about to emerge. Even though… many people already knew to whom the world would belong, they still couldn’t help but be completely captivated, unable to look away.