Hongdu Prefecture, Ning King'S fief, is also the main camp of Zhu Chenhao, who instigated the rebellion.
Pei Xuanjing, clad in a Taoist robe and clutching the Shenxiao Sword, silently stands on a must-pass route out of Hongdu City, awaiting the arrival of Ning King, Zhu Chenhao.
According to information from Bai Xiaosheng's men, the imminent attack on Hongdu Prefecture is at hand. If Zhu Chenhao doesn't want to die with his army here, he would unquestionably leave via this route.
"Who would've thought that such an invincible rebel army would be annihilated like this, it'S truly breathtaking, " sighed Pei Xuanjing internally.
He could never have imagined that even in a new world, Wang Boan remains Zhu Chenhao's nemesis, destined to defeat him.
Despite amassing a million-strong army, seizing countless cities along the river, and seemingly being on the cusp of great success, Zhu Chenhao, King of Ning, met defeat at the hands of the previously low-profile Wang Boan.
With merely a hundred thousand soldiers, Wang Boan manages to rout Zhu's million-strong army, forcing him to flee the city.
According to information obtained by Pei Xuanjing, Wang Boan manages to collapse Ning King's army in just three major battles.
Firstly, while Zhu Chenhao was leading the army to capture city after city, his hometown, Hongdu City, was attacked by Wang Boan who managed to defeat the defending army.
Secondly, outside Hongdu City, Zhu's rearguard force of five hundred thousand soldiers unexpectedly encountered Wang Boan's hundred thousand-strong army. In the ensuing battle, Wangs smaller force trumps.
Afterwards, Zhu Chenhao adopts a plot by the white-robed monk Liu Yangzheng, enlisting the underworld's top fighters to assassinate Wang Boan before preparing for a high-scale counterattack.
Unexpectedly, Wang Boan counters the assassins, two first-grade martial artists, and several second and third-grade experts sent by the underworld's Central Ghost Emperor.
With his unrivaled martial arts prowess, Wang Boan takes the initiative and crushes the Ning King'S army with fire. The city's fall is imminent.
Clip- clop Clip-clop…
Pei Xuanjing, who was resting his eyes, senses the vibrations of the earth, and slowly opens his eyes to see dust swirling at a distance from where a platoon of soldiers was advancing along the road.
A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth as he watches the spectacle unfold before him.
"Who would dare block our way? Move aside!"
Upon approaching Pei Xuanjing, the hundred men in the cavalry are fast, and when they see Pei standing in the middle of the road, they yell angrily.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing remain still, the knight leading the cavalry spurs his horse towards Pei, while raising his horsewhip high in the air.
Before the whip strikes, Pei Xuanjing sneers, flicks his sleeve, and sends out a gust of wind directly at the knight.
Bang!
The knight, along with his horse, is knocked to the ground by Pei'S attack. The knight spits out a mouthful of fresh blood and dies instantly.
"Enemy attack! Kill him! "
Seeing Pei's actions, the knights immediately draw their swords and charge towards him.
Cling!
Sword Drawing Skill!
A flash of sword light sweeps past. The knights, still bewildered about what has happened, find themselves beheaded and falling from their horses.
Sigh…
The other knights in the back pull their reins and halt in shock, watching Pei Xuanjing with astonishment still evident on their faces.
"Your Highness, our path is blocked by a powerful figure for unknown reasons, " the white-robed monk Liu Yangzheng rides closer to Zhu Chenhao, who was hidden amongst the cavalry, and whispers.
For the moment, Zhu Chenhao is dressed as a common soldier, purposefully wearing his hair messily to blend in amongst the cavalrymen.
Ning King Residence's loyal martial experts are likewise disguised as ordinary cavalrymen, subtly surrounding and guarding him, while the underworld's experts are stationed on the outer ring.
Hearing Liu Yangzheng's words, Zhu Chenhao's brow furrows. At this point, his army of several tens of thousands of soldiers has been routed by the detestable Wang Boan and he's lost control of his base, Hongdu city. Nevertheless, he hasn't given up yet.
He still has a force of half a million soldiers in the field. As long as he can leave this dangerous place unscathed, he can regroup and launch a comeback.
However, he didn't expect to be waylaid by a high-level martial artist of unknown origin soon after leaving
He was about to speak when he heard King Chujiang, who was not far away, say with a sense of alarm, "This is bad, it's the star of death".
Seeing that King Chujiang seems to know their obstacle, Zhu Chenhao and Liu Yangzheng both look his way.
"Do you know him?" Liu Yangzheng questions.
King Chujiang takes a deep breath, calms his shocked heart, then grits his teeth and says: "To say the least, I do. This man and the underworld have significant grievances."
He speaks grimly: "Speaking of this man's title, I'm sure your Highness has heard of him. He is the Remnants of Shenxiao who the Great Ming imperial court has placed a heavy bounty on – Pei
Xuanjing!"
"Pei Xuanjing? It's him!"
The two exchange glances, confusion apparent in their eyes.
The news of someone like Pei Xuanjing, a powerhouse who suddenly become well-known and caused countless storms in recent days, is of interest to all powers, be it the court or the martial world. Of course, Zhu Chenhao who was planning an uprising would definitely pay closer attention to such a pinnacle of the martial arts world.
At one point, Liu Yangzheng even suggested that they try to persuade him to join their ranks.
However, it was dropped later due to concerns about the attitudes of the underworld and the Mire Sect.
Nonetheless, he searched his heart and decided there was no connection between them, so why would Pei Xuanjing stand in their way now?
Liu Yangzheng gives Zhu Chenhao a meaningful look towards King Chujiang. Zhu suddenly understands that Pei Xuanjing may be trying to intercept someone from the underworld.
The underworld has sent a substantial number of high-level fighters, including two first-grade martial artists, for this operation. This alone should have been enough to protect the underworld's interests.
Yet, who could have imagined that Wang Boan would be so formidable? When two warriors of the first-grade went after him, they failed to succeed, and instead, all of them, including the two first-grade warriors, were defeated.
Seeing the doubt in the others' eyes, Chujiang knows what they're thinking. He even has a dark suspicion that they might betray him and his team to save themselves.
He says gravely: "Your Highness, no matter what, now we are being blocked. If we don't find a way out, we won't be able to escape once the pursuers catch up."
He heavily emphasizes the 'we' and signals subtly to an elder from the Mire Sect beside him.
This elder of the Mire Sect quicldy grasps Chujiang's meaning. After all, both parties bear long-standing grudges with Pei Xuanjing. If the King is willing to betray the underworld, he is likely to betray them too.
Zhu Chenhao admits he had once thought of betraying the two sides. However, seeing these two groups stand together now, he has to abandon his plan.
He says to Liu Yangzheng: "Strategist, go and test the waters to see what he wants.."
Liu Yangzheng spurred his horse to the front and asked Pei Xuanjing, "Dare I ask if you are Grandmaster Pei?"
Pei Xuanjing had already observed the hushed whispers of the group. Their concentration confirmed his identification of Zhu Chenhao as Ning King.
Despite having received an early portrait of Zhu Chenhao from Bai Xiaosheng, Pei Xuanjing wasn't entirely sure of the identification until Liu Yangzheng started speaking.
Pei Xuanjing asked coldly, "Who are you?"
Despite Pei Xuanjing's rudeness, Liu Yangzheng didn't get angry, but saluted and said, "I am Liu Yangzheng, the military adviser to Ning King. What brings you here?"
He continued, "I heard that you have a misunderstanding with the people of the Underworld and Mire
Sect. As it happens, I have a relationship with both of them. Could you give me face and we…"
Liu Yangzheng and Zhu Chenhao inferred that Pei Xuanjing was here for the people of the
Underworld and Mire Sect. After all, there was no reason for him to target them personally.
Thus, to test Pei Xuanjing, he mentioned the Underworld and Mire Sect hoping to mislead him…
However, Pei Xuanjing curtly interrupted him before he could finish his statement, "Who the hell do you think you are, asking me to give you face?"
Swept with such a rude remark, the insincere smile on Liu Yangzhengs face was abruptly replaced with a cold and angry expression.
Since he joined Ning King, though he had no official position, the mere status of a staff officer to Ning King made many people welcome him with smile.
Even with some first-grade martial artists, he had often had a friendly chat, never having encountered someone as rude as Pei Xuanjing.
Before he could even get angry, he heard Pei Xuanjing's cold voice, "I am here to take Zhu Chenhao's life!"
Followed by the completion of the sentence, he pulled out his sword and pointed it directly at Liu Yangzheng.
Seeing Pei Xuanjing act so decisively, and feeling the biting sword Qi, Liu Yangzheng almost tasted death.
Believing in his strength like never before, he leapt from his horse, making desperate efforts to dodge Pei Xuanjing's strike.
Here, second-class martial artist like him showcased an explosive power that could rival some first-grade martial artists.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain.
In the face of Pei Xuanjing's sword, no matter how he twisted and dodged, he was inevitably struck with the sense that he was locked in and there was nowhere to hide.
With a swoosh!
Countless blades of light pierced through him, leaving countless holes in his body. His muscles shattered, and blood gushed from his mouth.
His eyes were filled with disbelief as he fell from a great height.
With his heart full of ambition, Liu Yangzheng never imagined that he would die here or die in such a way.
His goal was the demon monk Yao Guangxiao. He vowed to accomplish a great career.
He had thought that if one day he failed to assist Ning King in treason, he might die with Ning King in the chaos of the battlefield.
But he never imagined this kind of death.
He didn't understand why Pei Xuanjing acted so decisively, without any warning or any sense of martial decency.
If Pei Xuanjing knew Liu Yangzheng's last thoughts, he would have snorted with contempt.
Such are the rantings of wildly ambitious people. They aspire to disturb the world, so they must be prepared to face the awe of swords.
As for these people, Pei Xuanjing couldn't be bothered to talk further, he didn't feel they were worth his valuable breath.
"Military Adviser!"
Zhu Chenhao cried out in sorrow.
He hadn't expected Liu Yangzheng to die so suddenly, killed by Pei Xuanjing with a single stroke.
Liu Yangzheng was his confidant, a friend.
For Zhu Chenhao, who had a strong ambition and wielded power, he may suspect many people, but that certainly didn't include Liu Yangzheng, who had spent more than a decade with him.
Zhu Chenhao trusted Liu Yangzheng more than anyone else, even his wife and children.
"Be careful, my lord! " One of the guards standing beside Zhu Chenhao warned as he noticed the grieving king.
In the meantime, after striking down Liu Yangzheng, Peiji Xuanjing did not hold back. He leaped forward, slayed the cavalrymen that blocked his way with several swift strikes, and moved swiftly toward Zhu Chenhao.
Clang!
Just as Pei Xuanjing's sword was about to strike Zhu Chenhao, the four ordinary-looking horsemen beside him suddenly exploded with a powerful aura. They launched a joint offence, blocking Pei Xuanjing's blow.
Pei Xuanjing wasn't surprised that his blow wasn't successful, it was within his expectations.
If Ning King Zhu Chenhao was able to amass such a large force, it would have been odd if he didn't have any high-level fighters protecting him.
According to the information he received from Bai Xiaosheng, Ning King had four high-grade fighters serving and protecting him.
"Are you the four great fighters; The Wind, The Flower, The Snow, The Moon?" Instead of rushing into an attack, Pei Xuanjing surveyed the four fighters with a critical eye and calmly spoke.
The four main fighters under Ning King each wield a different weapon; a Imife, a sword, a spear, and a ring, respectively known as the Wind Knife, the Flower Sword, the Snow Spear, the Moon Ring.
Hence they were referred to as the Four Great Fighters: Wind, Flower, Snow, Moon by the Jianghu.
"Correct!" The knife-wielding Wind Knife replied coldly.
He said to Pei Xuanjing, "Pei Xuanjing, as long as we four are here today, you won't be able to lay a finger on Ning King."
The four of them were close siblings, and after years of camaraderie, their tacit understanding was absolute. They feared not even a powerful figure like Pei Xuanjing.
A smile crept onto Pei Xuanjing's face, "Really? I doubt it?"
Snow Spear glanced at the devastated King, then turned to Pei Xuanjing, half-threateningly said, "If I were you, I'd leave now. Otherwise, prepare to lose your life here."
If not for the worry about the king's safety and the imminent arrival of reinforcements, they would never back down so easily.
Unfortunately for them, Pei Xuanjing didn't care about their threats.
His smile vanished, replaced by a cold voice, "Zhu Chenhao is destined to die today, no one can save him, mark my words."
As soon as his voice fell, Pei Xuanjing formed a giant palm with his five fingers, his True Qi gathering into a giant palm print, pressing down on them.
Giant Spirit Surpasses Mountains!
The might of one palm, was of a world-shattering scale.
"Bold!"
"Pei Xuanjing, you're courting death!"
"Such a wild and arrogant beast, we must join hands…"
"Kill him!"
Pei Xuanjing's palm encapsulated all, including King Chujiang and the elder of the Mire Sect.
Having previously met Chujiang King in Xuanfu City through Qian Ning, the Brocade Guards Commander, he was vaguely suspicious of the man.
Seeing him now by Zhu Chenhao's side, and recalling Bai Xiaosheng•s information about the Underworld's involvement, he made an educated guess about Chujiang King's identity.
Watching Pei Xuanjing attack so recklessly, the four great fighters and Chujiang King jointly launched a counterattack without any hesitation.
Since Pei Xuanjing was insistent on not leaving, they needed to kill him as quickly as possible to avoid being attacked from both sides when the reinforcements arrived.
A flurry of knife light, sword aura, and spear intent blasted towards Pei Xuanjing's giant palm..