Chapter 296: One Attack, Six Hundred Armor

(Book No. 35058) Alone to Beimang

Xu Fengnian ascended the mountain, wanting only to emulate Li Chungang and single-handedly slaughter thousands of soldiers.

Although Chunlei was not with him, he continued to cultivate his inner essence.

Xu Fengnian himself had already sensed that he harbored too much murderous intent and malevolence, and if he continued like this, he would eventually succumb to inner demons. By then, Beiliang would lose a hereditary King of Beiliang, but Beimang would gain a new, merciless demon.

Roughly inquiring about the wealth of Shenmen Caotang, he learned that besides two elderly masters who maintained a detached demeanor and firmly held the second rank, there were four or five "experts" with strength comparable to Zhongli Handan. For Juzi Province, which was dotted with military garrisons, this indicated a significant display of ambition after surviving in a difficult environment. Beimang governed the martial arts world with an iron fist. Among the Five Great Sects, Tibing Mountain, which functioned much like a military garrison, ranked third, while Qijian Leyun was at the bottom. Due to Hong Jingyan, who was listed on the martial arts evaluation, raising their banner, and several reclusive masters like the Master of Jianfu, Jianqi Jin, supporting them, no one dared to underestimate them. With these five behemoths, which absorbed martial arts resources like whales, there was an insurmountable chasm between the top-tier and first-rate sects. Xu Fengnian was not surprised by this; Beimang only employed such tactics to quickly gather martial arts strength during wartime, integrate it into the army, and deliver a significant blow to the Liyang Dynasty. From this perspective, Xu Xiao's original campaign, which shattered the martial arts world, had both advantages and disadvantages. Knights using martial arts to violate prohibitions and arbitrarily killing gentry and officials was a headache for the court. However, once their spirit was crushed and their backbone broken by iron cavalry, the martial arts world lost its vitality.

Xu Fengnian glanced at Han Fang, the cudgel-wielding hero who held the top position in Zhongyi Village. He came from a prestigious family; the Han family had been a century-long pillar of Jizhou, a crucial border region, withstanding countless waves of nomadic raids from Beimang. The elder of the Han family once performed the heroic feat of leading eight hundred elite household cavalry to charge into a Beimang army of sixty to seventy thousand, aiming directly for the royal banner and fighting with remarkable success. This was not an exaggeration from unofficial histories but was consistently acknowledged and extensively documented by the rigorous imperial historians.

The Han family controlled several vital passes in Jizhou, causing Beimang's cavalry to suffer painful losses and eventually detour when moving south for the first forty years. The Han family's private army was therefore always regarded by the Beimang imperial court as a major threat to be eliminated quickly. The Han family was known for its complete loyalty. Interestingly, for the past hundred years, regardless of the emperor's surname, as long as one occupied the Dragon Throne and wore the Dragon Robe, the Han family remained utterly devoted, tirelessly guarding the border. Han family descendants willingly sacrificed themselves, with countless direct lineage members dying on the battlefield. This continued until ten years ago, when Zhang Julu and Gu Jiantang initiated a border garrison rotation. The starting point of the Beiliang army, Liangliao, especially Jinzhou, experienced the most violent resistance, almost leading to the first military mutiny after the Great Peace of Spring and Autumn. Next was the Han family in Jizhou. Although the Han family did not express any discontent and even began relocating their entire clan, Jizhou inexplicably mutinied overnight. This led to Zhang Julu's famous saying, "The emperor isn't worried, but the eunuchs are." The emperor? This effectively condemned the turmoil in Jizhou. A hundred members of the Han family were implicated and executed, their heads even displayed to the border army. Han Fang was listed as a rebel and traitor in the Han family's genealogy. However, the Liyang Dynasty's reach was limited; it was unlikely they could come deep into Juzi Province to capture or execute this imperial fugitive. Years ago, when discussing the world with Xu Xiao and his second sister Xu Weixiong over wine by the fire on a snowy night, when the unjustly accused and hopeless Han family of Jizhou was mentioned, Xu Xiao only remarked, "In the end, Elder Han simply didn't have enough soldiers." His second sister lightly added, "The court was certain the Han family, burdened by their loyalty and righteousness, wouldn't rebel, which is precisely why they deserved to die even more."

One remark hit the mark; two pierced to the bone.

Xu Fengnian once curiously asked Xu Xiao if he had interfered, deliberately diverting the trouble from Beiliang and Liangliao towards Jizhou. Xu Xiao retorted, "Guess?" Xu Fengnian, whose temper at the time was as fiery as the underfloor heating pipes in the royal palace, cursed, "Guess your grandpa!"

Xu Xiao, who only showed good temper to his children, still replied with a chuckle, "Aren't I your father? Guess again." The young Xu Fengnian was left completely speechless.

His second sister, who had not yet gone to study at Shangyin Academy, burst into an unprecedented fit of laughter.

Finally, they approached Shenmen Caotang. One of Shen's servants was kicked to death, another stabbed to death with a sword. The survivors had lost all their arrogance from when they had descended the mountain and entered the village. Even as they neared their own territory, they dared not show any emotion, still riding with grim faces behind the sword-carrying scholar.

On Changle Peak, bamboo and wooden buildings were arranged like fish scales. Thousands of large red lanterns hung high. The archway bore the four characters "Six Yi Heavenly Zenith." Its two pillars were made of incredibly expensive golden nanmu, large enough to embrace. Nanmu was originally timber procured by the imperial court for royal use; major halls and tomb pillars were all made of top-grade zhennan, and golden nanmu was the finest among zhennan. During the Spring and Autumn Period, in states like Zhongyuan, Xishu, and Nantang, every few years, one or two corruption cases involving the transport of nanmu would surface, leading to dozens of heads rolling. The current Zhao family emperor was even rumored to have been involved in a comical scandal where he stole precious nanmu under the guise of renovating the Western Chu Imperial Tombs. Golden nanmu itself naturally possessed a "glowing cloud sea" effect, especially large pieces, which were mesmerizing even without carving. As Xu Fengnian rode past the archway, his gaze lingered on the golden nanmu pillars, and he tutted, "Truly a wealthy family."

Han Fang and Zhang Xiucheng were visiting Shenmen Caotang for the first time. While their eyes were opened, they were both deeply worried. Every increment of wealth the Shen family accumulated, their own likelihood of being buried with them increased. How could they possibly smile?

Xu Fengnian watched the two torrents of people surging out from both sides of the main building and muttered to himself, "Xu Fengnian, remember, don't underestimate the second-rank junior grandmasters."

Xu Fengnian turned and extended his hand calmly, saying, "Give it to me."

A Caotang attendant quickly tossed over a blood-soaked package. As Xu Fengnian rode forward, his horse's hooves clattered loudly on the white jade plaza. At a distance of a hundred paces, Xu Fengnian casually threw the package containing Zhongli Handan's two head-halves, fixing his gaze on an elderly man with a white beard reaching his chest, leaning on a staff.

Not everyone could make the Master of Shen's Residence get out of bed in the middle of the night to personally greet them. However, with the concept of "building from a high vantage point," living high up naturally had its advantages. The Shenmen disciples on night watch had already relayed the news, escalating it layer by layer, which finally alerted the old man who had not concerned himself with worldly affairs for many years. Zhongli Handan was his illegitimate son. After being confirmed to have the potential to reach the second-rank realm in his prime, he was gradually given high hopes and greatly valued by Caotang. Many resources originally belonging to the legitimate eldest branch began to be diverted to Zhongli Handan. Even his poisoning of a concubine who had killed his biological mother was simply glossed over by Caotang. Later, he strangled another with white silk, only then being punished to seclude himself in the Zongjianzhai in the back mountains for a year, though in reality, it was merely to curb his arrogance and quietly practice martial arts and study secret manuals. Tonight, a distinguished guest had just visited the residence, and shortly after, Zhongli Handan had privately descended the mountain by carriage. This wasn't surprising, but the startling fact was his disappearance upon return. How could Caotang, which had invested so much financial and emotional resources in him, remain at ease?

The two sides confronted each other.

A Shen disciple, wearing a slender bronze sword, received a glance and scurried to open the package, gaping as if he had seen a ghost. Well, not quite a ghost, but the severed head of a dead man.

The swordsman, with his back to the assembled family members, had a complex expression. After turning, he concealed a deeply hidden hint of wild joy in his eyes, his face filled with sorrow as he choked out, "Master, Zhongli Handan... he's dead!"

The staff-wielding Master was enraged. His long beard fluttered across his chest. He lifted his hundred-jin fine iron staff and slammed it heavily into the jade ground, creating a crater. "Who are you?!" he roared.

Xu Fengnian, without holding the reins, hands tucked into his sleeves, sat motionless as a mountain on his horse with the Spring and Autumn Sword on his back. In a calm, even voice, he said, "To be frank, it was my first time meeting this Caotang swordsman who called himself Zhongli Handan. We had no grievances. However, he uttered the words 'Sword, come!' claiming he wanted to emulate the grandeur of Sword God Li on Daxueping. But though he said 'Sword, come,' I saw no thousand or so swords flying. He merely had a sword-holding attendant toss over a broken sword. I truly couldn't bear to listen or watch any longer, and coincidentally, I was itching to kill. So, I slapped his head off. If your Shenmen Caotang also cannot bear to listen or watch, then by all means, send your people in waves. I, with one person and one sword, will take on all comers."

The long-bearded Master's face was so grim that the nearby Shen disciples trembled, not daring to look directly at him. The old man, who had certainly been in the second-rank realm longer than the young swordsman high on his horse, gripped his staff, radiating killing intent, and squinted, asking, "From which school do you hail?"

Xu Fengnian looked surprised and said, "I've already killed your son, and you're still pestering me? Am I not your father?"

Han Fang and Zhang Xiucheng exchanged glances.

They were seasoned veterans of the martial arts world, but they had genuinely never seen such a master who behaved like a common ruffian.

"Good, good, good!" The Master, laughing in extreme rage, repeated "good" three times, pressing his hands onto the large luminous pearl held in the dragon's mouth at the top of his dragon-headed staff.

There were over sixty people present, whether sheltered by Caotang or direct descendants of the Shen family, including thirteen archers and crossbowmen on both sides. However, people were continuously entering the scene. The family's estate was so vast that an ordinary person would get lost navigating it, so news inevitably lagged, like a pebble dropped into a lake—it takes time for the ripples to reach the shore.

Xu Fengnian silently recited to himself: "If you want to kill me, bear the consequences of life and death."

Xu Fengnian dismounted gracefully, his demeanor refined and ethereal.

The first volley of crossbow bolts, like a torrent, came rushing. Xu Fengnian glided several zhang, easily dodging the feathered arrows. The poor tall horse was instantly riddled with arrows, collapsing like a porcupine and unable to rise.

A broadsword-wielding strongman charged forward, giving him no chance to act. Xu Fengnian suddenly accelerated. As they passed each other, he flicked a sleeve, and the strongman's massive body was sent flying sideways. The sound of his shoulder shattering was utterly shocking.

The three Caotang swordsmen who followed knew things were going badly. In an instant, they set up the relatively common San Cai Sword Formation, their sword tips dazzling as they moved. Xu Fengnian spread his hands, twisted two sword tips, flipped backward to avoid the middle sword. The two sharp swords between his fingers immediately twisted. A more clever and nimble swordsman followed with a roll, preventing his sword from being dislodged. Another, slower one, had his tiger's mouth split open, blood gushing out. Just as the swordsman who barely saved face secretly felt lucky, a force surged from the sword tip to his wrist, and his body was fiercely pulled forward by the qi. As he considered abandoning his sword and retreating, Xu Fengnian lifted the sword, shifted sideways like a fish swimming, and slammed the back of his hand onto the unsuspecting swordsman's chest. A cloud of scarlet blood mist sprayed out. As the swordsman staggered backward, Xu Fengnian raised his foot no higher than his knee, delivering a kick full of immense inch-force to the swordsman's calf, sending him flying forward. Immediately after, he delivered a knee strike to the man's forehead.

His head burst open.

The swordsman collapsed onto the white jade slab, twitching symbolically only twice before swiftly dying, carrying with him the ups and downs of his entire life's honor and disgrace.

Xu Fengnian's sleeves fluttered, and the second volley of arrows from the crossbows were caught in two strange whirlpools, ultimately redirected back. Only those who dodged quickly escaped, while three crossbowmen still died.

Shenmen Caotang had many swordsmen. Seven men unleashed seven swords in an instant. Each sword carried a momentum that disregarded life and death; it seemed these martial arts experts were also spurred by surging bloodlust, every sword targeting a vital acupoint. Xu Fengnian was not in a hurry to kill or break the formation. He glided like a fish, as if strolling leisurely through a courtyard. His slender, sword-carrying figure elegantly evaded attacks. Except for a few thrusts to his lower body that caused him to shift, dozens of sword strikes unleashed within seven or eight breaths failed to make his feet leave the ground. The refined, scholar-like young man's body swayed back and forth, like the ebb and flow of tides, yet he simply would not fall.

Let thousands of swords assail you; my feet are rooted to the ground.

A calm, gold-crowned man in purple robes stood beside the Master. Seeing his father nod, he drew his sword with a dragon-like cry. Sword qi faintly swirled as he thrust a vicious sword strike at Xu Fengnian's chest through a gap in the seven swords.

Xu Fengnian cupped his hands, encircling the long sword. The faint green sword light, mere inches from his chest, could not advance an inch. He again circled his hands, and the sword body flowed with it. The purple-robed man, who bore a five or six-tenths resemblance to Zhongli Handan, furrowed his brow slightly. Instead of gripping the sword forcefully, he pushed on the hilt with his palm, finally forcing it forward a few inches.

Xu Fengnian drifted backward, dodging both this thrust and the seven swords simultaneously.

The archers and crossbowmen, constantly observing the situation, immediately unleashed a third volley of arrows, not aiming to kill but merely to deny the swordsman any chance to catch his breath.

The moment between one breath and the next was as crucial as the interval between Yin and Yang.

In evenly matched life-and-death struggles, the competition lay in the finesse of breathing and, naturally, the abundance of qi. Both sides engaged in a fierce entanglement, like air bladders being pricked, seeing who would leak qi slower.

Back by the riverbank.

An old man in a sheepskin coat, maintaining his qi for eight hundred li in an instant, slew six hundred armored soldiers!

Xu Fengnian, having entered the initial stage of the Great Vajra realm, retreated instead of advancing, once again causing the arrow rain to miss. The purple-robed man's expression slightly changed. Controlling his sword with qi, he turned and retreated with it.

His Mirage technique surged, resisting six swords. His five fingers formed a hook, seizing a head, and the immense qi from his fingertips caused it to explode.

His sleeves billowed as he wove silken threads with his hands.

The remaining six swords completely lost their accuracy, thrashing about in a chaotic frenzy, no longer exhibiting their initial orderly and fierce precision.

Using the partially learned "Eighteen Beats of Hu Jia" he had secretly picked up, Xu Fengnian, in the blink of an eye, killed six swordsmen who died with unseeing eyes.

Standing amidst the corpses, Xu Fengnian raised his hands in the Kunlun stance, closed his eyes, and whispered, "Old Li, why don't you open your eyes and see how many I can kill in one breath?"