My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult-Chapter 273 - : The Five Qi Grandmaster Shakes the World
Chapter 273: Chapter 273: The Five Qi Grandmaster Shakes the World
Zhao Qingmei’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Her surname was Zhao, and she was even pursued by the Taiping Human Emperor…
Looking into Jiang Shang’s calm eyes, Zhao Qingmei let out a cold laugh and transmitted her voice, “Speak your mind.”
Jiang Shang was not one for beating around the bush, and neither was she.
“Very well, I shall tell you about the events that took place back then.”
Jiang Shang did not hold back and straightforwardly said, “Your father was called Zhao Shizai, the grandson of Li Ping, the Human Emperor. You are the orphan of the former Crown Prince’s lineage.”
Jiang Shang’s words struck Zhao Qingmei like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky.
Her father was the son of the former Crown Prince!?
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Jiang Shang continued, “The temples and martial world of Yan Country were inseparable. The Crown Prince had his own followers within Jianghu, and Outer Heaven belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction. Alas, the Crown Prince was weak, incompetent, and lacked the resolve. He did not heed my advice, resulting in Zhao Zhiwu collaborating with the Zhenyi Sect to launch a coup in the Heavenly Book Pavilion. In the end, it was stained with blood. The Crown Prince tragically died on the spot, and my master and Jun Qinglin arrived at the East Palace in time to rescue your father…”
Even though Zhao Qingmei was very composed, at this moment, she couldn’t help but step backwards, her eyes filled with disbelief.
It was like a dream, surreal in its improbability.
She, Zhao Qingmei, was actually a noble of the Yan Royal Family. And she was originally a princess, with the world of Yan Country rightfully hers?
An Jing steadied Zhao Qingmei’s body and whispered, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Zhao Qingmei replied in a low voice and hastily looked at Jiang Shang, saying, “What happened next?”
Jiang Shang spoke indifferently, “After that, Zhao Zhiwu ascended the throne. Knowing that there was no chance for revenge and no ability to contend for the throne, your father hid himself within Yu State City, intending to live out his life in obscurity. However, while your father gave up, I did not. I launched several coups in your father’s name, but unfortunately, all ended in failure. Due to this, Zhao Zhiwu grew paranoid, continuously crushing Outer Heaven in retaliation. Eventually, Zhao Zhiwu discovered your father’s hiding place.”
He did not purposely avoid anything, as if recounting an insignificant matter that had nothing to do with himself.
Zhao Qingmei’s eyes held a frosty chill as she clenched her fists and said, “So in the end, you’re also to blame?”
If it wasn’t for Jiang Shang’s insistence on continuing the rebellion, perhaps the tragedies that followed wouldn’t have happened?
“My disciple, why are you so naive?”
Jiang Shang looked at Zhao Qingmei with amusement and said, “Emperors are ruthless, especially Zhao Zhiwu, an emperor as cold-hearted and ambitious as they come. He would certainly eliminate any source of instability, and had he discovered the remnants of the Crown Prince’s lineage, he would’ve eradicated them sooner or later.”
“Now you have two choices. The first is to stand with us and head south. When we strike Yujing City, you can avenge the deep blood feud. The second choice is to perish alongside the Great Yan Dynasty, to become but a speck of dust in history.”
Zhao Qingmei brandished her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades and said coldly, “I don’t need your choices. I only want my own.”
Working with the barbarians from the plains was out of the question. Regardless of whether the Great Snow Mountain could accommodate the Demon Sect, even if it were possible, she would not make such a choice.
“It seems you’re as stubborn as your father.”
Jiang Shang looked at Zhao Qingmei, a chill rising in his eyes, “They’re still buying time. Let’s take them down now.”
As he spoke, Jiang Shang slowly raised his palm, and the eerie white True Qi also began to rise.
Seeing Jiang Shang ready to make a move, An Jing transmitted, “Li Fuzhou and the others must be close to the Great Yan Border by now. Let’s hold them off for the time of an incense stick and then we leave.”
The combined force of three Four Qi Grandmasters, with the current cultivation of An Jing and Zhao Qingmei, made it somewhat impossible to defeat them all, plus Jiang Shang’s strength was unfathomable. He had not used all his strength, and no one knew how deep his abilities truly were.
Now was not the time for a life-and-death struggle with him, especially given the tens of thousands of Houjin Army at his back.
They were delaying on purpose, not only to buy time for Li Fuzhou and Lin Tianhai to retreat, but also to prevent the Black Armored Army at Sanfeng Pass and Dao Pass from being sandwiched by Houjin from both sides, giving them enough time to pull back.
“Alright, husband, I will follow your lead,”
Zhao Qingmei responded.
The two of them faced the three Four Qi Grandmasters and tightened their grip on their swords and blades.
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King was the first to act, aiming not for An Jing, who wielded the Evil Suppressing Sword, but Zhao Qingmei.
Zhao Qingmei raised her Mandarin Duck Twin Blades to meet the attack head-on. Beneath her feet, black lotuses appeared, and her movements were as fast as the wind.
“Clang!”
At the moment of the collision between the huge blade and the Mandarin Duck Twin Blades, a terrifying metallic storm emanated from the blades.
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King felt a force surging through the giant blade, nearly causing him to lose his grip.
The Nine Nether Purgatory Demon Scripture, the Demon Sect’s treasured cultivation, did not have its reputation for nothing. The vast Demonic Qi surged from the Dantian, incredibly fierce and violent.
However, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King specialized in Body Refining Martial Arts, having explored the Body Refining Martial Arts of Xuanwu, True Martial, and Heavenly Martial Levels. He possessed a depth of body technique mastery rare in this world, and had he reached the step of Heavenly Human Communication, his power would rival the peak of the Four Qi Grandmasters.
An Jing leaped into action, intercepting both Jiang Shang and the Snow Mountain tribe chieftain.
The chieftain of the Snow Mountain relied on Finger Techniques but did not dare to meet An Jing’s Sword Skill and the sharpness of the Evil Suppressing Sword head-on.
His True Qi gathered at his fingertips, transforming into a sharp ray, and he shot it towards An Jing.
Meteoric firebolt! Earth Splitting Heavens Smashing!
This was the overwhelming power of the Snow Mountain tribe leader’s single finger.
An Jing’s pupils reflected the brilliance of that finger, as the light grew larger within his eyes.
Whoosh!
The Evil Suppressing Sword in An Jing’s hand angrily struck out, slicing through the air and leaving trails of light akin to flowing silk.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Neither showed any intention of avoiding the sharp edge, as they fiercely collided. The Snow Mountain tribe leader took steps back again and again.
Jiang Shang advanced a step forward, his wrist twisting, as surging True Qi flowed forth, and then he hurled a palm strike towards An Jing.
An Jing’s eyebrows slightly raised, and the Evil Suppressing Sword in his grasp flickered with a powerful cold fierceness as it pierced through the oncoming handprint.
Then, recalling the insight from just before, with a slap of the Evil Suppressing Sword, he saw six streams of Sword Light split off and heavily plunge downward.
At this moment, Jiang Shang’s heart began to beat uncontrollably.
Around the whole of Dongluo Pass, True Qi rapidly circulated as though forming a colossal restraint.
An Jing’s wrist rotated, commanding the Heaven and Earth True Qi as if it were an extension of his arm.
Boom, boom, boom!
The raging True Qi flowed in the air as if some terribly fearsome entity was being nurtured into existence.
It wasn’t just Jiang Shang who felt it, but also many Houjin soldiers behind him sensed a despair-inducing oppression, retreating carefully toward the rear.
The Snow Mountain tribe leader’s heart pounded erratically, seemingly beyond his control.
And this was only the beginning!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Heaven and Earth changed once more, numerous streams of True Qi converged again, forming an invisible Sword Net that enveloped dozens of yards in front of Dongluo Pass.
The sun and moon changed color, and the sky roared with a fierce wind!
Jiang Shang stood amidst the storm, with white strands of hair dancing in the turbulent air.
That profound and mighty sword momentum was even vaster than the unfathomable sky.
“Hmm?”
Jiang Shang’s expression also grew solemn, before his palm rotated, channeling nearly all his True Qi into his arm, surging like a reversing torrent.
Simultaneously, Jiang Shang’s blood turned red and through the skin, one could faintly see the blood coursing through his veins.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The surging True Qi spread in all directions, and behind Jiang Shang, an image with three heads and six arms emerged.
The image, seemingly from an ancient vastness, bore crimson bloodlust in its eyes, and its hands wielded various ritual implements, emanating a cold killing intent that shook one’s spirit.
The ferocious manifestation stood behind Jiang Shang, its formidable might radiating outward.
Heavenly Demon!
Recorded within the Demon Sect scriptures, this was the human form manifested by a Heavenly Demon.
The Heavenly Demon Phase after Unity.
Only by cultivating the Heavenly Demon Technique to its highest realm, the Tenth Layer, could one conjure the Heavenly Demon Phase.
To reach the Tenth Layer of Heavenly Martial-level martial arts before attaining the Five Qi Realm was the mark of a genius among geniuses, a monster among monsters.
Xiao Qianqiu was one, and so was Jiang Shang.
Instantly, Jiang Shang formed a seal with one hand, and a dazzling True Qi pillar as vast as dozens of yards rose to the sky, which was then devoured by the Heavenly Demon Phase in one gulp.
Heavenly Demon Technique! Heavenly Demon Eye!
Roar, roar!
After devouring such vast True Qi, the phantom’s body swelled further, eerie demonic patterns surfaced on its body, and a deafening roar echoed between heaven and earth.
The forehead of the Heavenly Demon slowly split open, revealing a fissure that appeared to contain an eye, a Demonic Eye pulsing with a fearsome and shocking power, which shot out with a sizzle.
Whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz!
Several streaks of black light burst forth from the Demon Eye within the phantom’s brow, merging and converging into a ray of profound dark light that pierced the air, aiming straight for An Jing.
The pitch-black ultimate radiance descended from the sky, seemingly piercing through the air, and in almost the blink of an eye, the black beam had already appeared just above An Jing’s head.
Black light spread out, even True Qi was turned into annihilation, such destructive power was unimaginably terrifying.
An Jing’s expression also became extremely grave at this moment, the black light brought an intense sense of threat that made his skin ache all over.
Whoosh!
Boom boom boom!
Between heaven and earth, the wind and clouds raged, terrifying might filled the air, and An Jing, caught in the midst of it all, felt an endless pressure, his face extremely solemn.
Jiang Shang stood proudly between heaven and earth, the wind howled, and his gaze imperiously fixed on An Jing.
Boom!
Above Jiang Shang, vast clouds rolled and converged crazily, eventually forming a black tornado storm. Within the storm, destructive black lightning rampaged, turning everything it passed into obliteration.
The ground below was torn apart at this moment.
An Jing took a deep breath, focusing his whole heart and mind on controlling the six bodies of the Evil Suppressing Swords.
The Heaven and Earth True Qi trembled wildly, and then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, a huge sword array emerged, with numerous sharp streams of Qi shooting through heaven and earth.
Boom boom! Boom boom!
The moment the sword array appeared, the surrounding area of Dongluo Pass trembled.
An Jing’s eyes held a hint of determination, and then with a move of his hand, he heavily struck down toward the front.
The six giant swords within the sword array fiercely stabbed towards the black lightning in front.
Splash splash! Splash splash!
True Qi surged like waves, overwhelming and unstoppable.
The six giant swords collided with the black lightning powerfully; the violent True Qi was like the water of the Four Seas, endlessly spreading outwards in all directions.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The surrounding land was immediately engulfed by the tide of True Qi.
The spreading True Qi battered the riddled land, and after who knows how long, the tide of True Qi finally slowed down a bit.
Columns of dust rose into the sky, enveloping the entirety of Dongluo Pass.
Jiang Shang’s gaze suddenly narrowed, a chill running up his spine and straight to his heavenly spirit cover.
Could there be such a terrifying sword technique in this world!?
“Great opportunity!”
The leader of the Snow Mountain clan saw this, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.
Cold!
Extreme cold!
With a flick of his finger toward the front, a roaring white light shot through, seemingly freezing the dust in its tracks.
Taking advantage of the clash between An Jing and Jiang Shang, he planned to directly slay the Ghost Swordsman, accomplish this world-shocking feat, and take the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence inside the Ghost Swordsman’s body.
Just as the Snow Mountain clan’s leader dashed into the dust, his heart suddenly clenched, instinctively feeling a great crisis approaching.
All they saw was the surging sword light coming from within the rising dust clouds.
Cold!
The extreme cold of ice!
“Not good!”
The leader of the Snow Mountain clan did not expect there to be countless remaining waves of sword Qi within the dust, and a trace of astonishment appeared in his eyes, but it was already too late to retreat.
The Snow Mountain clan was overwhelmed by the terrifying tide of sword Qi, the sky filled with snow and ice directly scattered, then flesh and blood seemed to be scoured away; the True Qi tide was like a bone-scraping knife, and in an instant, the leader of the Snow Mountain clan turned into a pile of white bones.
The leader of the Snow Mountain clan was dead!
As the leader of the Snow Mountain clan of a generation, and also a giant among the forces of the world, he died under the astonishing and horrifying tide of sword Qi.
Even he, a master of such caliber, was annihilated under the overwhelming rolling trend.
An Jing grabbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left on the body of the Snow Mountain clan’s leader, and at that moment, a hand also reached out, each taking away two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence.
And the owner of this hand was none other than Jiang Shang.
An Jing quickly absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence into his own body.
The sword array that the six bodies of the Evil Suppressing Sword had just formed had completely emptied the True Qi in his Dantian, and this was the first time it happened, proving how terrifying the sword array formed by the Evil Suppressing Sword truly was.
Jiang Shang, although at the peak of the Four Qi Grandmaster realm, was also nearly depleted of his True Qi, which he then absorbed into his Dantian.
This scene unfolded like lightning striking flint, in merely the span of a few blinks, the Snow Mountain Clan Chief, a Four Qi Grandmaster, completely vanished amidst the surging tide of Sword Qi.
“This…..”
Jin Lu was stunned at this sight, as if struck by a thunderbolt.
That was a Four Qi Grandmaster!
A Four Qi Grandmaster had just died like that!
The Ghost Swordsman was truly terrifying!
“Go!”
An Jing brandished the Evil Suppressing Sword and slashed toward Mu Yuan Great Dharma King. Seeing the death of the Snow Mountain Clan Chief, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King’s mind was perturbed, and his steps receded continuously to avoid the streak of Sword Light.
Zhao Qingmei glanced at Dongluo Pass and, clenching her silver teeth, stepped onto the back of the Black Flood Dragon.
An Jing also executed the Soaring Nine Heavens Body Technique and soared away.
Time was almost up, and there was no need to continue the entanglement with Jiang Shang.
“Sect Hierarch Jiang, we can’t let them go!”
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King saw the two trying to leave and shouted.
Jiang Shang was merely absorbing the two strands of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence as if he hadn’t heard Mu Yuan Great Dharma King at all.
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King thought of the Snow Mountain Clan Chief’s death, his face fluctuating between light and shadow, and did not make a move to stop them alone.
With his power alone, it was uncertain whether he could overcome the Ghost Swordsman, not to mention the formidable female demon at his side.
“Kill!”
Jin Lu saw this and immediately commanded.
“Kill—!”
The Houjin soldiers charged toward Dongluo Pass, now in ruins and collapsed.
Dongluo Pass had long been emptied, leaving behind only a ghost town.
Thus, Dongluo Pass had completely fallen.
After a while, the True Qi within Jiang Shang gradually recovered.
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, somewhat displeased, said, “Sect Hierarch Jiang, why didn’t you pursue them earlier and let the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei escape?”
Jiang Shang glanced at Mu Yuan Great Dharma King and said, “With the Ghost Swordsman’s extremely high swordsmanship, are you his match?”
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King’s eyebrows raised, “With Sect Hierarch Jiang’s profound and unfathomable strength, why hold back?”
His intuition told him that this old fox Jiang Shang must still have cards up his sleeve. If pushed to the end, with the wrap of tens of thousands of troops, it was impossible for the Ghost Swordsman and Zhao Qingmei to escape even with wings.
Jiang Shang indifferently said, “Just now, I used the final move of the Heavenly Demon Technique and am completely drained. Where am I holding back?”
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King did not speak, but his brow remained deeply furrowed.
The corners of Jiang Shang’s mouth lifted with a hint of a cold smile, “I’m confident that even if we had captured the two of them, one of us might have died in the fight, and the other would have been gravely injured and skinned. Who would want to end up dead or skinned?”
“Our goal is Yujing City. As long as we take Dongluo Pass, our army can head south. Besides, I’ve planted a seed of vengeance in Zhao Qingmei’s heart. Upon her return to Yan Country, she may not wholeheartedly aid Zhao Zhiwu and may even provoke internal strife among them.”
Mu Yuan Great Dharma King took a deep sigh, always feeling that releasing the two today would lead to future troubles.
Jiang Shang eyed the distant Snow Mountain direction and murmured, “Now that the Snow Mountain Clan Chief is dead, the rear is stabilized, and we can use the Snow Mountain Clan’s hatred to assist our southward advance. That is what needs to be done now.”
Hearing this, a chill ran through Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, and he glanced at the kindly-looking old man before him.
Was it Jiang Shang’s intention to let the Snow Mountain Clan Chief die at the hands of the Ghost Swordsman?
If that were true, it was truly terrifying.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shang calmly absorbed the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence left behind by the Snow Mountain Clan Chief.
……
Sanfeng Pass.
After a day and a night of bloody battle, Sanfeng Pass was now a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
From the original force of over forty thousand Black Armored Army, now reduced to less than ten thousand, and the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly Spirit Banner had also suffered heavy losses. But with the advantage in troop strength, Houjin could continue launching attacks, which was the most lethal aspect for the Demon Sect.
Qin Bin, at this moment, was covered in a broken and bloodied armor, with even two wounds still oozing blood.
He quickly approached Duanmu Xinghua and Jun Qinglin, “Great Elder, Sect Master Duanmu.”
Even for someone as fastidious about cleanliness as Jun Qinglin, his white clothes were stained with blood.
Duanmu Xinghua took a deep breath and stated directly, “We received a message from Dongluo Pass, it’s time for us to retreat.”
Qin Bin asked, “Retreat to Dongluo Pass?”
Duanmu Xinghua shook her head, “Let’s head back to Yan Country directly.”
Yan Country!?
Qin Bin understood without further inquiry and said in a grave voice, “I understand. The Great Elder and Sect Master Duanmu should go first, I’ll lead the remaining Black Armored Army to cover our rear.”
With the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly English Banner forces still numbering in the hundreds of thousands and evidently holding the upper hand, a safe retreat clearly seemed impossible.
Duanmu Xinghua said, “After this bloody battle, the Black Armored Army has grown; they can become the elite within the sect in the future. You take the Great Elder and leave this place, I will hold the rear.”
Qin Bin quickly objected, “But that can’t be….”
Duanmu Xinghua waved her hand and said, “I, along with the Heavenly Sect experts, will create chaos. Once you have fully departed, we can then withdraw….”
“There’s no need for you two to argue.”
Jun Qinglin, who had remained silent till now, cut off Duanmu Xinghua’s words, his eyes fixed on the endless ranks of the Houjin army, and he spoke, “I alone am enough.”
“Great Elder!”
“Great Elder!”
Both were taken aback upon hearing this, Jun Qinglin intended to resist the tens of thousands of the Houjin army by himself?
Even though the Flying Horse Banner and the Heavenly English Banner were heavily damaged, they still amounted to an army of two hundred thousand!
“Don’t worry.”
Jun Qinglin was very calm.
Duanmu Xinghua, sensing the firm resolution in Jun Qinglin’s words, said, “Great Elder, please do not take unnecessary risks. Outer Heaven still needs the Great Elder, and both the Sect Hierarch and An Tributor need the Great Elder’s care.”
“Hahaha.”
Jun Qinglin burst into laughter, “Sect Master Duanmu, you seem to underestimate that young girl Qingmei and the lad.”
After the battle at Blue Sky Island, An Jing had already witnessed the strength of a Five Qi Grandmaster like Qi Xuan Dao and had also obtained a large amount of Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence. His cultivation might have already reached the Three Qi Realm.
They have grown up now; they no longer need this old bone of mine.
Duanmu Xinghua saluted with a fist, “In any case, Great Elder, please be cautious.”
Given the urgency of the situation, there was no time for further delay.
Jun Qinglin nodded slightly without speaking.
“Let’s go.”
Duanmu Xinghua said to Qin Bin.
Qin Bin took a deep breath and began directing the Black Armored Army to withdraw towards the rear.
…
Meanwhile, on a distant high ground, the flag bearers of the Heavenly English Banner and Flying Horse Banner were mounted on their warhorses, observing the battle situation.
The sounds of the melee were still extremely fierce, the ground completely obscured from view, revealing only the bodies one after another, and the fresh blood that flowed like streams.
The flag bearer of the Heavenly English Banner had a hint of solemnity in his brow as he said, “This Black Armored Army is indeed the elite of the Demon Sect.”
It must be acknowledged that Dongluo Pass, with its ability to train such soldiers on behalf of a city and a sect, is quite impressive.
The Flying Horse Banner flag bearer sneered, “Today, all these elites will die.”
The Heavenly English Banner flag bearer nodded, “Against our far greater numbers, these Black Armored soldiers are now undoubtedly fighting a losing battle.”
The fall of Dongluo Pass was just a matter of time.
Suddenly, the Black Armored Army and the Demon Sect experts, who had been fighting fiercely until now, began retreating to the rear.
“What’s happening, why are the Demon Sect people retreating?”
The Heavenly English Banner flag bearer said with surprise, “Could it be that Jin Lv has succeeded?”
Jin Lv, Mu Yuan Great Dharma King, Jiang Shang, and the Snow Mountain tribe chief taking the side paths to assault Dongluo Pass was something they were well aware of.
Seeing this, the Flying Horse Banner flag bearer urgently shouted, “Kill them! Don’t let a single member of the Demon Sect escape.”
Just as the Houjin soldiers bravely surged forward, a mighty wave of True Qi erupted from the distance.
Boom! Boom!
The violent True Qi slammed down upon the mountain like a heavy hammer, instantly causing the mountain to crumble. Countless massive rocks tumbled down, striking the pursuing Houjin soldiers who cried out in agony.
“Kill–!”
Seeing this, the ferocity in the Houjin soldiers’ blood seemed to be ignited. Once the falling rocks had stabilized, they continued their charge forward.
The dust settled to reveal an elderly figure with white hair.
A master of the Demon Sect!
Upon seeing this, the Houjin soldiers knew in their hearts that this was a master of the Demon Sect. In the rewards for military achievements offered by Houjin, killing a Demon Sect master was rewarded with ten sheep, and killing a top Demon Sect master could fetch a reward of a thousand sheep.
If one could say that those in power sought the world and supreme authority, and the generals sought to loyally serve their king and leave their names in history, then the soldiers’ objectives were simple: they were driven by money, women, and all the most basic human desires.
At this moment, the Houjin soldiers roared lowly and surged forward.
Jun Qinglin eyed the oncoming Houjin soldiers, a cold light flickering in his gaze, before stepping towards them.
“Boom!”
With a palm strike, the tremendous True Qi repelled the frontmost Houjin soldiers, the force of the blow impacting several troops behind them as well.
The sounds of bones cracking and cries of pain echoed around.
He then picked up a long spear from the ground and hurled it forward.
“Pffft pffft pffft pffft pffft pffft!”
The spear, thrown with fierce might, pierced through the bodies of seven or eight Houjin soldiers before it finally stopped.
“Kill! Kill! Kill!”
Sighting only Jun Qinglin, the eyes of the Houjin soldiers turned bloodshot with murder, recklessly charging at him.
If a Grandmaster was a leading expert of the age, then a Five Qi Grandmaster was an expert among experts, one who truly stood at the summit of the world.
Each of Jun Qinglin’s strikes felled several Houjin soldiers, leaving behind a mountain-like pile of corpses in no time.
Blood ran like rivers; a mountain of bones was formed.
Seeing this scene from afar, both the flag bearers of the Heavenly Elite Banner and the Flying Horse Banner went pale.
The Heavenly Elite Banner’s bearer pulled at the reins and said softly, “Is that Jun Qinglin, the top expert of the Demon Sect, once feared throughout the world?”
However, a cruel light danced in the eyes of the Flying Horse Banner’s bearer, “If we kill him…”
A Five Qi Grandmaster, felling such an expert would not only potentially grant one access to the Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence within their body to cultivate to a Grandmaster Realm but consider the tremendous military achievement it would represent.
Even the Sect Hierarch of the Demon Sect couldn’t compare to the Five Qi Grandmaster before them, could he?
After all, how many Five Qi Grandmasters were there in the world?
The Flying Horse Banner’s bearer bellowed with a voice deep from his Dantian, “Kill that man, and you will be rewarded ten thousand sheep, ten Yan Country women!”
Boom!
Upon hearing the words of the Flying Horse Banner’s bearer, every soldier, as if injected with adrenaline, charged even more frenziedly towards Jun Qinglin.
With the promise of such a reward, brave men would surely step forth.
The allure of ten thousand sheep and ten Yan Country women simply ignited the innermost desires of the Houjin soldiers.
All Houjin soldiers rushed forward, even as they watched their fellows fall in pools of blood, some even burst by True Qi into blood mist; yet they charged ahead with reckless abandon.
What if, just what if this renowned expert of Jianghu were to fall by their hand? They would never have to worry for the rest of their lives.
In just the time it takes two sticks of incense to burn.
Jun Qinglin’s hands, face, and clothes were drenched in blood, having claimed the lives of hundreds of Houjin soldiers.
But what was this handful of men against an army of over two hundred thousand? What did it matter in the grand scheme of things?
Gazing into the distance, there was still a ceaseless tide of humanity converging on this spot.
With a palm strike from Jun Qinglin, his True Qi howled through the air, leaving behind nothing but a blood-soaked ground and scattered corpses.
His body soared forward, rushing towards the frontline.
“So what if he’s a Five Qi Grandmaster?”
The Flying Horse Banner’s bearer watched the god-like slaughterer Jun Qinglin and said coldly, “Being enveloped by our vast Houjin army, Jun Qinglin will meet his death here.”
The thought of taking the head of that world-famous Five Qi Grandmaster set his heart ablaze with excitement.
He believed, this battle would be the one to make his name legendary.
Tens of thousands of Houjin soldiers fought for Jun Qinglin’s head and the rewards, but he did not have to compete, for the glory would undoubtedly be his.
The flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner furrowed his brows tightly, his heart not as optimistic as the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner. He was always filled with an inexplicable unease, but then he suddenly realized, “He’s coming towards us, quick, leave.”
The battle horse beneath the flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner also leapt up high, then neighed loudly.
Jun Qinglin was slaughtering his way out from the midst of tens of thousands of soldiers, steadily closing in on them.
The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner let out a sneer, “What’s there to fear, even if he is a Grandmaster, he’s still human, and every human eventually runs out of energy. Today is the day we make a name for ourselves…”
“But that’s a Five Qi Grandmaster! A master who’s half a step into the Land Immortal Realm.”
The flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner glanced at the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner and then hurriedly shouted, “Block him for me!”
The soldiers of the Houjin swarmed over, and even though Jun Qinglin carved a path with blood and bodies, it was quickly blocked off.
“Boom!”
Jun Qinglin suddenly kicked out, sending vigorous True Qi surging forward, and then leapt towards the two flag bearers.
His movements were extremely fast; his body had already broken free from the constraints of heaven and earth. In the blink of an eye, he rushed forward several meters, and his True Qi continued to gather in his palms.
Thin streams of black and white qi began to seep out from the pores in his palms. In just an instant, Jun Qinglin’s hands radiated an ancient, vast aura.
Jun Qinglin’s hands seemed to turn into towering Blood Hands, as if they had just emerged from purgatory, a thick scent of blood emanating from his palms, turning the whole sky crimson.
In a moment, Jun Qinglin began to call upon all of the True Qi within his body.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
With Jun Qinglin at the center, True Qi exploded, as if the entire air was twisting severely.
The exploding True Qi surged violently, the terrifying waves of True Qi spreading far and wide.
The moment the handprint fell!
Boom!
An explosive sound filled the sky; the normally dim Outer Heaven instantly brightened as if it were broad daylight, dazzling to the extreme.
Boom!
The air between heaven and earth crazily converged, and then a massive handprint, several meters in size, descended with a terrifying True Qi fluctuation that felt like a mountain crushing down from above.
This single palm annihilated countless lives, and in an instant, the ground turned blood red.
“It’s… it’s terrifying!”
The Houjin soldiers, seeing this, seemed to have their minds instantly cleared by the shock, fear visible in their eyes.
Is this old man in front of them human or ghost?
Just one palm!
With just a single palm, nearly eight hundred people died within it—what kind of terrifying might was this?
“Run!”
The flag bearer of the Heavenly Eagle Banner, seeing this, felt a cold shiver running from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, subconsciously tightening the reins and rushing into the distance.
The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner, seeing this, had his mind go blank, as if he lost all consciousness. When he came to his senses, the blood-soaked old man had already arrived before him.
“Block… block him for me.”
The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner was quivering as if he saw a demon crawling out from hell, his lips trembling as he spoke.
At this moment, he had awoken from the beautiful dream he’d been in, his heart pounding in fear.
“Protect the flag bearer!”
“Protect the flag bearer!”
…..
The soldiers surrounding him hurriedly shielded the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner behind them.
The moment Jun Qinglin’s True Qi surged, several soldiers were engulfed by its wave. He sped through their ranks, quickly reaching the flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner.
“You useless bunch, stop him for me!”
The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner was so frightened he lost all composure, screaming hysterically.
He simply could not comprehend how tens of thousands of soldiers could not stop one man—why on earth was this!?
His personal guards and the other soldiers were no different, engulfed by the waves of True Qi.
“Swish!”
The flag bearer of the Flying Horse Banner quickly drew his long knife from his waist, but in the next moment, his movements came to a halt.
“Pfft!”
As a spurt of blood shot out from the neck, a promising head flew into the air, and blood gushed out like a fountain.
Then the corpse fell heavily to the ground.
The man who had just boasted that he would take the heads of the Five Qi Sect and become famous throughout the world, the leader of the Flying Horse Banner, now lay dead in a pool of blood. His blood was still warm, as if his bold words were still echoing around.
Whoosh!
The surroundings instantly fell silent. The soldiers who had been charging at him were stunned, their hearts pounding so fiercely they almost leapt out of their mouths.
This was the true act of taking the enemy general’s head amidst millions!
How terrifying was a Five Qi Grandmaster!?
“Stop him for me!”
The leader of the Heavenly Eagle Banner urged his horse to run, turning his head back to see Jun Qinglin charging towards him, and cried out desperately.
In his heart, he even regretted not heading towards the main camp when he first saw Jun Qinglin; however, in this world, regrets could not be revisited.
If there were a chance for do-overs, Jun Qinglin would wish for it more than anyone else.
Countless Houjin soldiers swarmed like ants, and Jun Qinglin’s figure was completely engulfed by them.
From midday to dusk, many would say it lasted three hours, but today it was just over five thousand Houjin soldiers who saw their lives snuffed out.
The sun was bound to set into darkness. What used to be golden light now turned into dark red, like blood, and the clouds that drifted too close now glowed a fiery red.
A hazy smoke rose from the ground, crows perched on withered branches, occasionally emitting a lonely cry.
Under the orange glow, blood flowed like trickling streams.
Sanfeng Pass was engulfed in silence, a silence as profound as death.
Countless Houjin soldiers stood at the ready, their eyes long having lost the wildness and cruelty, only filled with an instinctive fear, numb.
“Rustle rustle! Rustle rustle!”
Suddenly, Houjin soldiers up front saw something terrifying approaching, and they retreated desperately towards the back, even when the blades of their comrades pierced their bodies, they felt nothing.
As the Houjin soldiers fell back, Jun Qinglin stepped out, unhurried.
His hair and clothes were drenched in bright red blood. In each hand, he held a terrifying head, those of the leaders of the Heavenly Eagle Banner and Flying Horse Banner.
Under the orange light, his pace was slow, accompanied only by the sound of his steps crushing through the blood-soaked ground.
All the Houjin soldiers didn’t dare to breathe, their eyes fixed on the figure that seemed to have stepped out from Fengdu Hell, people in the front madly pushing towards the back, and those in the back instinctively retreating even further.
The scene was like the ebbing of a tide.
Jun Qinglin’s heart was at its most tranquil, the most peaceful day he had in decades. Even when his cultivation had advanced to Five Qi, his heart had never been as calm and light as now.
Looking at the slowly setting sun, his mind unwittingly returned to a sunset from years past, with white sky-blue petals dancing in the air. A slight smile unfurled on his lips as he thought again of that chivalrous young woman, who seemed to be watching him from atop a steed.
“That year when the sky-blue flowers were in full bloom, how does this year compare?”
He walked out of the encirclement of Houjin soldiers, his back facing tens of thousands of them, and then felt a wave of weakness, letting the heads in his hands slip to the ground, rolling in a pool of blood.
His gall shuddered, his soul nearly scattering.
The Houjin soldiers behind him madly retreated, looking at the blood-soaked figure, they had lost all their fighting spirit.
Jun Qinglin gazed at the yellow light, feeling his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
Others could leave this land, but he couldn’t.
Alone in this world, he was too lonely.
But this was the last time he would be lonely.
In his dantian, the spiritual lamp flickered faintly, shimmering with a faint light, until it seemed as if a breeze passed by, and the lamp’s flame extinguished completely.
Jun Qinglin finally closed his eyes.
After thirty thousand hours, the body would turn to dust, become part of the earth, and those who died would finally be together.
All Houjin soldiers quietly watched that figure. Even as time passed, not a single one dared to come forward.
In the fifteenth year of the Taiping era, on the fifth day of the first month, that was the day.
Jun Qinglin took the heads of the leaders of the Heavenly Eagle Banner and Flying Horse Banner amidst two hundred thousand troops, killing five thousand three hundred armoured Houjin soldiers, shocking the world.
……..
