Even in a large-scale battle, thirty fourth-rank experts could play a decisive role.
As long as they were not targeted by beyond-mortal experts, they could determine the outcome of a battle.
This time, Xu Qi’an had summoned all the fourth-ranks he could mobilise, betting that no one would take the opportunity to disrupt the rear.
Now, in the capital of the Great Feng, there was not even a single beyond-mortal, and the number of fourth-rank experts had drastically decreased.
In the six hundred years since the founding of the Great Feng, the capital had never faced such a vulnerable moment in its defences.
However, the effect was immediate. Upon seeing all those beyond-mortal experts take the field and dozens of fourth-ranks standing in formation, the defending soldiers atop the walls erupted in an unprecedented roar.
A meaningless roar!
Simply to vent their surging emotions.
After Qingzhou fell, the morale of Qingzhou’s original defenders plummeted, and this was followed by the fall of the Jianzheng. There were also rumours that the Great Feng’s beyond-mortal experts could not compete with Yunzhou, and the court’s humiliating decision to sue for peace and endure disgrace.
All of this sent one message to the garrison who had retreated to Yongzhou: You have lost, the Great Feng is on the brink of collapse.
Their dejection and fear were self-evident.
The reason they were able to hold firm in Xunzhou, without a large number of deserters, apart from Yang Gong’s strict discipline, was that the hearts of all the soldiers remained attached to an idea.
That idea was called “Silver Gong Xu”.
The Jianzheng was the guardian deity in the eyes of the nobility; with him present, the court was at peace.
But for the vast majority, the Jianzheng seemed far too distant.
Xu Qi’an was the real protector in the eyes of the commoners and the soldiers; with him here, the Great Feng would not fall.
Now, Silver Gong Xu had arrived!
He did not disappoint, just as he had beheaded two national Dukes in the capital, stood alone against the vast armies of the Church of the Warlock God at Yuyang Pass, and in the capital, in a fit of rage, had struck down the tyrant emperor.
He had never disappointed them.
Yang Gong, dressed in a crimson robe, pressed both hands on the wall and took a deep breath, then shouted in a loud voice:
“Better broken jade than intact tile!”
Then, the disorganised shouts and roars atop the wall transformed into a tidal wave of “Better broken jade than intact tile!”
Xu Erlang listened to the torrential cries, his gaze slowly sweeping around, taking in the expressions of the defenders one by one.
Some of them raised their weapons high, faces red and necks strained in their shouts; some had tears of passion brimming in their eyes, but there was a blazing fighting spirit in their gaze; some were overjoyed, wishing they could immediately charge down from the walls and stand beside their big brother.
At that moment, Xu Xinnian knew, this was an army with no fear.
Emotions could be contagious. When someone could stir the emotions of their troops and set their blood boiling, then even if they knew they were going to die, even if the foe ahead was invincible, under the leadership of the one they saw as their leader, they would charge to their deaths without hesitation.
The leader, in the defenders’ hearts, was his elder brother, Xu Qi’an!
Ji Xuan was a chosen scion of Yunzhou, and among the younger generation, one of only two martial artists who had stepped into the beyond-mortal realm.
But seeing Xu Qi’an single-handedly summon so many powerful figures, with beings of transcendent stature like Luo Yuheng and Kou Yangzhou willingly standing behind him in support,
To witness the once dispirited and meek defenders of the Great Feng suddenly surging with emotion and blinded by idolisation,
It was impossible for Ji Xuan not to feel a fierce surge of jealousy. Hand tightening on his sabre hilt, he cried out:
“Xu Qi’an, in the domain of the beyond-mortal, sheer weight of numbers is never a substitute!”
His shout was filled with power, drowning out the uproar on the walls.
Then, Ji Xuan turned and put his palms together to Agaruka Bodhisattva:
“May the Bodhisattva step in!”
If there were only Xu Qi’an to face, then relying on his own mid-third-rank strength, Ji Xuan could still go head to head with him. Even if he did not quite match, the difference would not be insurmountable.
But now Xu Qi’an was not alone.
With so many beyond-mortal powers assembled, Ji Xuan knew he could not break through alone; the only one capable of that here would be first-rank Agaruka Bodhisattva.
The number one in defence below the Beyond-rank.
Of course, that did not mean Agaruka Bodhisattva lacked offensive means, sometimes, defence and offence went hand in hand.
Did the female Emperor allow Zhao Shou into court after her accession? The Great Feng is about to have a Great Scholar, a second-rank Great scholar. A fine move indeed… Xu Pingfeng narrowed his eyes slightly and, likewise, glanced at Agaruka Bodhisattva.
“May I trouble the Bodhisattva to test their measure,” said Xu Pingfeng with a serious air.
“Amitabha!”
A resounding chant echoed through the sky, drowning out all else.
Agaruka Bodhisattva stepped forward, the world paling, clouds high above surging and turning gold, while golden ripples spread under his feet.
With every step he took came a thunderous “boom”, as though even the void could not bear his weight.
After ten steps, all around fell silent, both the Yunzhou and Great Feng armies were seized by an eerie quiet.
It was not that they did not want to speak, it was that they dared not. The “Immovable Lord Dharma Aspect” symbolised the weight of a great mountain and the vastness of the sea, the “Vajra Dharma Aspect” symbolised power and unyielding force, the emblem of slaughter!
The two Dharma Aspects combined, leaving people as if standing at a precipice, facing a deity.
Before a deity, how could mortals dare speak?
This was the suppression of a higher-order existence, unshaken by mortal will.
So this was the terrifying foe the Jianzheng had faced… The defenders on the wall, facing the two Dharma Aspects, felt intensely the dread of a first-rank Bodhisattva.
They had all heard that Buddha’s Bodhisattvas were peerless in this world, each an invincible existence, but to ordinary soldiers, Bodhisattvas were exceedingly remote, before, it was always the Jianzheng who stood in front.
They knew of Agaruka Bodhisattva’s strength, but not the reason why.
Just now, Ji Xuan’s single presence overawed the whole army, and the power he displayed was something everyone could understand.
Agaruka Bodhisattva, with mere pressure, left all martial artists below the beyond-mortal and common soldiers shaking with fear.
How would Silver Gong Xu respond… Someone looked toward the azure-robed figure below the city.
As if by tacit agreement, gaze after gaze locked unerringly on Xu Qi’an, on the final pillar of the Great Feng.
“Who will go to wear him down?”
Xu Qi’an stood with hands clasped behind his back, smiling.
“I!”
Sun Xuanji replied concisely, and after speaking, used teleportation magic to appear between Agaruka Bodhisattva and Xu Qi’an.
Immediately afterward, Senior Brother Sun demonstrated to all what it meant for the Sitianjian’s formation techniques to be overly flashy.
Circular formations lit up one after another at his feet, flashing like slides in quick succession; small formations composed larger ones, layering their power.
At the same time, he quickly drew twisted array lines in the air with his finger, assembling them into a formation.
Bright rays of clear light flashed and faded, twinkling like a flickering slideshow.
As everyone watched in a dazzled daze, a giant formation six hundred feet in diameter appeared beneath Agaruka Bodhisattva, with the Moon as its core, gathering the quintessence of the five elements from the four directions and revolving counterclockwise.
Above Agaruka Bodhisattva’s head, a similar giant array manifested, with the Sun as its core, gathering gale and thunder, rotating clockwise.
Annihilation!
The two great arrays bore down like millstones, converging the powers of different domains of heaven and earth into blades to grind the Agaruka Bodhisattva trapped within.
The formation was divided into two distinct domains:
Above, gales condensed into tornadoes with lightning flashing within, arcs of electricity flickering amidst the whirlwinds. Below, the five elements of yin and yang swirled in a vortex, spinning opposite to the tornado above.
Right at the meeting point of these two forces stood Agaruka Bodhisattva.
Ji Xuan raised his eyebrows. He had fought Sun Xuanji several times and had gained deep insight into this white-robed arcanist’s strength and character.
Sun Xuanji was one to always hold something in reserve, even against mortal enemies, he rarely risked his life.
But now, this white-robed arcanist had erupted with strength far beyond his usual level, as if staking everything on this fateful battle.
At the front of the Yunzhou army, Qi Guangbo watched the awe-inspiring formation through his monocular, marvelling as he said,
“Worthy of a third rank arcanist, Sun Xuanji may yet ascend to the second rank.
“In time, he might be the second Jianzheng, if there were no National Teacher.”
Ge Wenxuan’s heart pounded wildly. Compared to his teacher, who was out of reach, the power Sun Xuanji was displaying was far more enticing and gave him something he could fix his hopes upon.
“But what’s the use? Before Agaruka Bodhisattva, power at this level does not count for much.”
As if responding to Ge Wenxuan’s words, the Vajra Dharma Aspect above Agaruka Bodhisattva’s head raised its fists and brought them together with a fierce clash.
Boom!
Across the world, a sound like a great bell and mighty drum echoed.
The berserk power raged outwards with both fists at its core, an overwhelming formless force tearing apart thunder, and ripping through both formations.
Throughout the process, Agaruka Bodhisattva did not even pause for a moment.
Sun Xuanji bore the brunt of the force. His body arched abruptly, flung backwards by the berserk surge.
However, he was not harmed. Layers of formations condensed in front of him, offsetting the shockwave.
“Roar!”
At the rear, tens of thousands of Yunzhou soldiers roared in unison, rallying for Agaruka Bodhisattva.
On the city walls, the Great Feng’s defending soldiers watched the beyond-mortal experts, represented by Xu Qi’an, with tension.
Xu Qi’an narrowed his eyes slightly, clicked his tongue, and said,
“The Vajra Dharma Aspect itself is already indestructible, not to mention the Immovable Lord Dharma Aspect, which is purely defensive.
“Even a first rank might not be able to break through his defence.”
Zhao Shou nodded,
“The Jianzheng has never truly managed to seriously injure Agaruka.”
Xu Qi’an turned his head to look at the King of Gua Sha,1 Kou Yangzhou, and smiled,
“Senior, would you like to give it a try? Redeem your shame from last time.”
After breaking through, Kou Yangzhou had stayed in Jianzhou to stabilise his realm and hone his sabre intent, and his overall strength had improved.
But when it came to dealing with the Vajra Dharma Aspect… the old man grimaced,
“Well, let’s give it a go then.”
Shouldn’t that be “give it a go and die trying”? thought Xu Qi’an. He said,
“I think I’ve roughly gauged the standard of the Vajra Dharma Aspect. Senior, National Teacher, Dean, let’s combine our strength, the four of us, to break the Vajra Dharma Aspect.”
To break the Vajra Dharma Aspect, the explosive power of a first rank martial artist was needed, and not one who had just entered first rank.
Luo Yuheng and Kou Yangzhou nodded, floating up simultaneously to line up with Agaruka Bodhisattva.
After five hundred years of seclusion, today I shall let Jiuzhou remember me… The old man’s white hair fluttered as he slowly exhaled a breath of spirit.
Buzz, buzz, buzz… On both city walls and in the distant Yunzhou army, the soldiers all felt their sabres in their sheaths trembling, as if suddenly imbued with spirit and longing to break free from their master’s grip.
“This old man is the current Sabre-lord. Come!”
The old man shouted.
In an instant, sabres flew from their sheaths, shaking off their owners’ control, transforming into an overwhelming torrent of steel, all streaming towards Kou Yangzhou.
The two armies, the Great Feng and the rebels, both sent forth torrents of steel that blotted out the sky.
“Divine magic…”
Miao Youfang stared blankly, muttering to himself.
Among both armies, those martial artists who cultivated sabre intent longed to kneel before the old man.
Elsewhere, Luo Yuheng looked down at Xu Qi’an and spoke in a cold, melodious voice:
“I can unleash only three strikes.”
Once Xu Qi’an nodded, she said calmly,
“The first sword: Heart Sword!”
As her voice fell, a second Luo Yuheng appeared. Unlike her physical body, this incarnation wore layers of a black water spirit gown, fire spirits glowed in her eyes, emitting a sharp, oppressive aura when she blinked.
The earth spirit lifted her up, willingly prostrating at her feet.
The wind spirit lifted her lustrous hair, spreading freely in all directions, each strand distinct.
The Daoist Yang Spirit!
Luo Yuheng’s main body remained still, while her Yang Spirit entered the sword.
In that instant, the rusty iron sword emitted a blazing brilliance, the rust peeling away at speed.
Just as the two second-rank experts unleashed their own techniques, Xu Qi’an stretched out his hand and roared,
“Sword, come!”
A golden radiance flashed across the sky and landed in his palm.
The Great Feng’s number one divine weapon, the Sovereign Sword!
Grasping the sword, Xu Qi’an tapped his brow with his finger.
What lit up was not gold lacquer, but a deep black, unique to the bloodline of the Asura.
The power of Master Shenshu merged into him, so that, originally a second-rank martial artist, in an instant, Xu Qi’an’s qi and blood soared to new heights.
He spoke slowly, “All beings, heed my command!”
Within Yongzhou, the power of all living beings surged towards him, like rivers entering the sea.
This included the thousands of soldiers on the walls of Xunzhou, whose power was even more pure and mighty.
Next, Xu Qi’an collapsed his qi, calmed his emotions, and readied Broken Jade, already a fusion of multiple supreme techniques.
The Sovereign Sword vibrated violently, as if unable to withstand this terrifying power.
Yet Xu Qi’an was still not satisfied. His sword-wielding arm suddenly thickened by two circles, his muscles swelling.
Desire Gu—Berserk!
Xu Pingfeng’s expression flickered, seemingly shocked:
“The power of all living things! You can mobilise the power of all living things?!”
The Jianzheng’s trump card was the power of all living things, which allowed Xu Qi’an to wield that force.
Xu Pingfeng no longer hesitated. The next second, he suppressed all surprise and rage, and slapped the sachet at his waist with one hand.
Bronze components, gleaming with azure light, flew out and swiftly joined together in mid-air. At the same time, the circular formation beneath Xu Pingfeng’s feet expanded, trying to encompass all the beyond-mortal experts from both sides.
There was no need to probe further. Now their trump cards were revealed, it was time to kill Xu Qi’an with overwhelming force.
Seeing his goal was met, Agaruka Bodhisattva ceased testing with slow steps and charged at Xu Qi’an at full speed.
At that moment, Zhao Shou flicked the Lesser Sage’s Confucian cap, invoked Heaven’s Mandate, and intoned in a solemn voice:
“Using formations here is forbidden!”
He did not forbid the use of magic artefacts, as that would affect Xu Qi’an and Luo Yuheng, who were both still gathering their power.
But formations were unique to arcanists.
The bronze disc finished assembling, but without a corresponding formation to activate it, the Master of Heaven’s Mandate could not wield its power to isolate this world.
Luo Yuheng’s iron sword and Kou Yangzhou’s sabre formation struck first in unison, clearing the way for an earth-shattering sabre blow to follow.
“With this sword, we shall sweep through all obstacles!”
Zhao Shou, still unsatisfied, used the power of words-made-reality, further empowering the Sovereign Sword.
Would this sword break the Vajra Dharma Aspect?
…
Qingzhou, at the Provincial Surveillance Commission.
In the damp and chilly dungeon, screams rang out constantly, mingled with women’s shrieks and cries for mercy.
In cell after cell, inhuman torture unfolded: prisoners were bound and flogged, seared with red-hot irons, or had their flesh sliced off piece by piece, exposing white bone.
Every single implement of torture was put to full use for maximum torment.
The women’s screams came from inside the cells, being violated by the demon Daoists of the Earth Sect.
After occupying Qingzhou, the Yunzhou army brutally suppressed any resistance, as well as uncooperative local gentry and roaming martial artists.
Some of these people were killed on the spot, some imprisoned. All the “criminals” captured in Qingzhou City were thrown into the Surveillance Commission, to be dealt with by the demon Daoists of the Earth Sect.
This was a fate even more terrifying than death.
Echoing the screams were the savage, maniacal laughs of the Earth Sect demon Daoists, who freely vented their ugliness and malice, taking pleasure in the prisoners’ agony and dying wails.
a TCM technique, I forget why he’s called that ↩
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