【司命】 and the Seventh Giant of the Mo Family waited at the side gate of Guan Yi City.
The fluctuations of the primordial energy in the world crashed against the old man's face like waves. He widened his eyes, staring at the distant sky where the golden wind and crimson flames clashed continuously. Xue Daoyong's martial prowess restrained Yue Qianfeng, yet Yue Qianfeng's Crimson Dragon Dharma Image subtly countered Xue Daoyong's Geng Metal White Tiger.
Both were top-tier martial artists in this world.
Each had their own reasons for fighting, leading to a fierce battle that was hard to distinguish.
The Mo Giant spoke in a deep voice, "司命, can you tell who will win?"
The old man first glanced at the Xuan Gui.
The Xuan Gui shook its head, indicating it could not tell.
Then the old man rolled his eyes and said with conviction, "Such martial artists, their aura like smoke, stirring the heavens and earth, even the starlight in the sky is suppressed by them. My realm is still insufficient to dispel the interference of such high-level martial artists."
The Mo Giant fell silent for a moment and said, "When dragons and tigers clash, there will surely be casualties."
司命 also quieted down.
The two watched the city gate, waiting for the world's foremost calculation master to arrive. Meanwhile, the influential figures in the court had their backup positioned at another city gate, fixated on Yue Qianfeng, completely ignoring the calculation master, Zu Wenyuan.
For the life-loving officials of the world, a crazed Yue Qianfeng was far more dangerous than this calculation master!
The arrival of the calculation master in the court could only potentially free Marshal Yue, risking their own interests.
They spoke with righteous indignation about the collusion between that Marshal Yue and the nation's enemies, endangering the state. The officials were willing to sacrifice their lives to prove this point, truly fearless in the face of death.
But now, the crazed Yue Qianfeng.
He truly had the potential to enter the court and take their heads.
Yue Qianfeng could not single-handedly pacify Jiangzhou. With Jiangzhou City's defenses, this renowned general had no troops, no divine weapons, and no precious armor, and would surely die here. But before he died, how many of the officials would perish?
No one was willing to gamble on whether they would be among the unfortunate few.
【司命】 sighed, "Feigning an attack in one direction while striking at the vital point, Yue Qianfeng, oh Yue Qianfeng, it's truly hard to see that you come from a wild background."
The Mo Giant replied, "Most of the renowned generals in the world are so-called wild talents."
At that moment, a sudden commotion arose. Outside the city, there were few commoners. Yue Qianfeng had shouted in anger ahead of time, causing people to hide early. Since Yue Qianfeng was at the west gate, this gate opened to allow the commoners into the city.
However, even with the threat of Yue Qianfeng, there were still wanted criminals unwilling to confront the main city gates directly. They circumvented the city, attempting to sneak into the city through this only open gate, even going so far as to take commoners hostage.
The city guard gritted his teeth and said, "Close the city gates!"
The other soldiers guarding the city were astonished. "But if we do that, the other commoners..."
The guard's tone was furious, "I said, close the city gates!"
"If we let these fugitives into the city, who will take responsibility for you and me!!"
This was the crux of the matter.
The deaths of commoners and the entry of fugitives into the city; the latter had a far greater impact on his official position.
The Seventh Giant of the Mo Family said calmly, "It is time for us to take action."
"The pass of the Chen Kingdom has no brave men left."
The gates slowly closed. Zu Wenyuan's figure was still outside, and the Mo Giant and 【司命】 had already seen their friend. They were about to take action to intercept the fugitives and bring Zu Wenyuan in. At that moment, the sound of arrows piercing the air was heard, and two arrows spun, piercing through two fugitives attempting to take commoners hostage.
Blood splattered, and the commoners hurriedly rushed toward the city gates.
The qi beneath 司命's feet separated the commoners from the armed criminals, while the Mo Giant calmly swung his sword, opening a path for the people to enter the city. The soldiers on the city’s defenses watched the chaos below, gripping their weapons in anger, wanting to clear a path for the commoners, but the guard refused to take responsibility.
The sound of hooves echoed rapidly on the bluestone slabs.
The fluttering robes seemed to carry the wind.
The Mo Giant sheathed his sword. As he turned, he saw a young man riding a swift horse, a sword at his waist, one hand gripping a bow, and the other holding a badge, shouting loudly:
"Chen Kingdom's Ninth-Rank Martial Disperser, Li Guanyi!"
"Open the gates!"
The soldiers operating the gate mechanism breathed a sigh of relief.
With someone taking responsibility, they were no longer afraid. Then, they quickly released the mechanism, and the gates swung open. The previously anxious commoners rushed inside. Li Guanyi saw the fugitives behind him, not knowing how each of them carried the sins of slaughtering the innocent and committing heinous crimes.
A soldier mistakenly thought Li Guanyi intended to intercept outside and shouted:
"Is the lord going out to intercept them?"
"Heavy cavalry is ineffective against swords."
"Please take the spear!"
The city guard soldiers saw the young martial officer charging into battle, their hearts stirred. They raised their hands and threw their spears into the air. Li Guanyi caught one of the standard long spears of the Chen Kingdom, following the momentum of the horse's charge, and hurled it. The spear, carried by the wind, pierced a fugitive with a scarred face.
This fugitive was lunging at a refined old man.
Eighteen years ago, this brute had passed through a village and, seeing dried meat on the wall of a household, sought lodging. The household offered their daily food, but the brute was indignant that they did not take down the cured meat for him. Thus, he rose at night and killed eighteen people, feasting on the cured meat before leaving.
This spear was fierce, pinning him to the ground.
The refined old man showed no ripple in his gaze as the young man galloped past him, softly saying, "Old sir, hurry into the city!"
As he passed the pinned fugitive, he reached out and grasped the spear.
With the momentum of the horse, he pulled it out.
The spearhead naturally tore a horrifying wound in the fugitive's body.
In the past, Li Guanyi had some difficulty understanding the techniques of ancient strongmen he faced, but now, riding on horseback, those techniques that had felt awkward on foot suddenly flowed like water, naturally, as if it were meant to be.
Throwing the spear, pinning the kill, galloping, pulling the spear, tearing the wound.
Then, the steed charged forward, raising his arm.
That ruthless fugitive, who had been brutal against ordinary people, was directly thrown into the air by this immense force.
He crashed heavily to the ground, clearly not surviving.
The Mo Giant sheathed his sword and said, "The martial arts of a fierce general on the battlefield..."
"Every time I see it, I find it domineering."
"Even if the steed is just an ordinary warhorse, not a mystical beast, its power exceeds that of martial artists of the same realm."
Meanwhile, 【司命】 was dumbfounded.
Huh???
How did this kid charge out?!
No, this wasn't the time to think about that.
His body had already charged out, grabbing the arm of the refined old man whom Li Guanyi had just saved, saying, "Zu Xiaoyou, you finally came!"
"I've been waiting for you here for a long time!"
The Mo Giant slightly nodded. His qi flowed, retracting the sword intent he had just intended to use, watching the young man charge out, shooting down the fugitives, seeing the warhorse carry him out of the city, brushing past the old man named Zu Wenyuan, heading into the distance. The Mo Giant said:
"A single person charging out, the Chen Kingdom still has brave men."
【司命】 grasped Zu Wenyuan's arm, looking up at the direction the young man had gone, muttering helplessly, "I say."
"I really can't understand his fate anymore."
The Xuan Gui did not respond.
【司命】 said, "But one thing I can see clearly is that this kid's fortune is flourishing, both literary and martial energies converge upon him; he will be fine. Zu Xiaoyou, come quickly, the great trends of the world, the literary and martial realms have all come to the table, just waiting for you!"
At that literary meeting, when the young man charged out, there was a long silence.
Xue Shuangtao clenched his fists tightly, staring intently into the distance, his worries heavier than before.
Wang Tong, who needed to maintain the literary qi, spoke up, and the others instinctively turned to look at him. This scholar said:
"The Confucians cultivate oneself, speaking of benevolence, righteousness, and courage, but these are all acquired; true benevolence, true righteousness, and true courage are only realized when facing great matters. Today's discourse on benevolence and righteousness need not be evaluated any further."
Thus, the Confucians see benevolence, the Moists see righteousness, and the brave see courage.
Thus, the literary fortune had reached its peak.
Li Guanyi held the long spear and galloped wildly. Yue Qianfeng, to attract attention, fought not far from Guan Yi City, only a dozen miles away. This road led to the mountains and rivers outside the city. Li Guanyi often traveled this route and was very familiar with it. This warhorse was fierce and had entered the Xue family's stable, so its speed was naturally swift.
Galloping all the way, shadows of trees flickered by, and in the distance, beyond the shadows and mountains.
The roars of the White Tiger and Crimson Dragon brought thunder and flames, illuminating the sky and distorting the shadows of the trees. The closer he got, the more intense the reaction of the bronze cauldron within Li Guanyi became. The literary qi had reached its peak, and now the martial qi was also continuously rising, urging the Dharma Images.
Li Guanyi had plugged the warhorse's ears, removed his headband, and closed the warhorse's eyes to prevent it from being frightened. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly paused, seeing another Dharma Image behind the Dragon and Tiger!
It was a gigantic owl.
Its black wings concealed within the swirling clouds, coldly overlooking the battle between the Dragon and Tiger.
There was a third party's force!
Li Guanyi urged his horse, his heart stirred. He had originally thought the owner of this Dharma Image would join forces with Xue Daoyong to kill Yue Qianfeng, but upon seeing the position of the owl's Dharma Image, he felt a chill in his heart.
The owl's Dharma Image was behind the White Tiger, its cold gaze also locked onto the White Tiger.
Li Guanyi had been taught by General Xue.
He instinctively made a judgment—
The owner of this owl's Dharma Image was not allied with Xue Daoyong; rather, its killing intent was aimed at that old man.
Once the opponent's goal was achieved, it would appear to the outside world that Xue Daoyong had died at the hands of Yue Qianfeng.
With the Xue family's reputation, if the father of the imperial concubine died at the hands of Marshal Yue's general, then that Marshal Yue would likely face severe repercussions, and would surely die; while if Xue Daoyong died in battle, the vast commercial power of the Xue family would be left leaderless, like a piece of fat meat ready to be devoured.
From the perspective of利益.
Even though they were both on the side of the Chen Kingdom.
Allying with Xue Daoyong to defeat Yue Qianfeng was not as beneficial as secretly plotting against Xue Daoyong.
This was a two-birds-with-one-stone strategy, killing with a borrowed knife.
In an instant, Li Guanyi's mind made this judgment. He suddenly understood the ruthlessness of the officials in the court. He needed to warn those two, instinctively picking up the plain rainbow bow in his hand. The White Tiger roared, and the golden wind raged, but this arrow's light was too cold, unable to shoot that far.
Not enough.
Li Guanyi slightly closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and the Crimson Dragon and White Tiger Dharma Images simultaneously appeared behind him. Then, these two Dharma Images were activated by Li Guanyi. The bronze cauldron vibrated violently, and the literary and martial energies were also mobilized. Everything within Li Guanyi seemed to be infused into this arrow.
Essence, qi, spirit!
Gather!
Finally, the power of the White Tiger converged on the bow's body.
While the Crimson Dragon coiled like a giant pillar, slowly wrapping around the arrow.
Li Guanyi raised the bow, and the plain rainbow bow erupted with its strongest cry.
Crimson Dragon, White Tiger.
The Dragon and Tiger converged, and in a moment that even the young man himself was unaware of, a trace of pure power was born, then he released the bowstring. The string trembled like a dragon's roar, and the arrow spun and tore through the air, shooting toward the sky, directly targeting the owl's Dharma Image!
This arrow could not possibly injure the master of the owl.
He didn't even move his hand, easily dissolving the arrow's inherent power, but he never expected that a mere young man could possess the power of the Dragon and Tiger. Moreover, due to the battle between the Dragon and Tiger in the sky, he overlooked the arrow's uniqueness.
The power of the Crimson Dragon on the arrow compressed, suddenly exploding into a ball of flames, the roar of the dragon and the howl of the tiger erupted.
Yue Qianfeng and Xue Daoyong's pupils contracted, simultaneously retracting their moves and turning to see the galloping young man and the location where the arrow exploded—
Both of their thoughts momentarily froze.
The old man felt a hint of disbelief in his heart.
Then, his emotions became complex, sighing with a sense of great relief:
"Is he trying to help me?! Good child..."
Yue Qianfeng recognized the galloping young man and the overwhelming aura of the breaking formation. He suddenly burst into hearty laughter, laughing with abandon. In the moment of giving up everything and fighting alone, how exhilarating was it to have someone he had taught in the past come to assist him? How delightful! How refreshing!
Hahaha! Good!
What a comrade!!
Both men instinctively thought that this young man, disregarding his life, was coming to save them.
Li Guanyi raised his hand with the battle bow, pointing toward the owl.
"Be careful!!!"
The master of the owl's Dharma Image had already revealed his aura, and the killing intent and hostility between the two who had just fought suddenly paused with the insertion of this third party. They were both seasoned veterans, almost immediately understanding what it meant for a hidden expert to suddenly appear in this place.
Xue Daoyong said as usual, "Thief, die!"
The White Tiger roared, while Yue Qianfeng also howled and attacked, the Crimson Dragon soaring into the sky, charging toward the opponent.
Yet just as they were about to strike, they suddenly turned, the Dragon and Tiger converging, countering with a strike, simultaneously attacking the owl.
The deadlock had been broken.
Their killing intent now fell upon the third party that sought to harm both of them.
Li Guanyi realized this.
His earlier arrow had exhausted all his strength, like the first time he fought in the secret realm, overexerting himself, his hand trembling, riding on the horse, gasping heavily, yet he laughed heartily.
Refreshing, refreshing!
Entering the fray, full of vigor.
His state of mind was exhilarating, like the bright moon in the vast sky, no longer a trace of dust remained.
Thus, the Dragon and Tiger converged, the literary and martial energies flowed together.
Finally, they gathered within him, beginning to transform into new power, his cultivation began to break through, and this breakthrough occurred naturally, even without the aid of techniques.
This heart is bright, no need for more words!
Entering the realm.
The highest level!
(End of Chapter)