Chapter 57: Heavy Rain on the Path, Standing in Red Armor

Chapter 58: Water Droplets versus Water Armor

The Beacon Fire Playing with the Feudal Lords

The strange figure, clad in a suit of vivid red armor, stood like a divine general. Without a weapon in hand, it firmly blocked the middle of the narrow path. A thick face-plate seemed to cover its entire face. In the torrential rain, mist swirled around the imposing armored figure.

The old Taoist Wei Shuyang, of Nine-Dou Rice, exclaimed in alarm, "The Red-Armored Talisman General of the Southern Kingdom vanished long ago! It's said he tried to assassinate the late emperor and was flayed alive, armor and all, by that powerful eunuch they called 'Human Cat.' His body and armor were hung on a royal banner, and many martial artists who went to see it witnessed the bloody sight. That vivid red armor was unique in the world, and Cao Guanzhi confirmed it was genuine. What is this red-armored figure now?!"

The horse team had halted. Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng galloped up on either side of Lü Qiantang, their expressions tense. The three of them had not easily acquired their secret manuals. Any assassin daring to provoke His Royal Highness the heir apparent was surely formidable. Moreover, this figure stood openly on the road; its sheer audacity alone shamed the three of them. Navigating officialdom required skill in reading people. Surviving in the martial world also demanded discernment of appearances and auras, as misjudging was fatal—even the most powerful figures could stumble and fall. Hadn't Li Chungang, the Sword God, a peerless master of profound and invincible skill, been defeated by Wang Xianzhi, then merely a young upstart? More recently, Wu Liuding, the young swordsman who emerged from the Wu Family Sword Tomb, never announced his name or family to anyone. He simply traveled south, slaying with his sword, and those who fell to his single withered blade were certainly not all just unlucky fools who had "walked too close to the river" (i.e., taken too many risks and gotten caught).

Xu Fengnian remained calm, eyes wide, observing the red-armored talisman figure with interest. He said, "Grandpa Wei, what exactly is this Red-Armored Talisman General? Does wearing red armor make one exceptionally fierce? Then I should get a set to wear."

The old Nine-Dou Rice Taoist gave a wry smile. "Your Highness, this isn't something one can simply wear. The origin of that red armor from back then is obscure. There are only whispers that it was an ancient set of military armor from Longhu Mountain's Celestial Master's Residence. Several generations of Celestial Masters at Longhu Mountain had drawn talismans upon it. Imagine how many alchemical inscriptions and ink talismans must have been carved onto it? It was likely a Taoist divine weapon used to suppress evil spirits. But somehow, it later fell into the martial world. First, the Tianji Tower of Shangyin Academy acquired it and performed various mysterious manipulations. Longhu Mountain almost came to blows with Shangyin Academy over it. When it reappeared in the martial world, a red-armored figure wore it. It was impervious to blades, spears, water, and fire, but the wearer was like a walking corpse. Dying at the hands of the powerful eunuch Han Shengxuan might even have been a release for him. This red-armored talisman figure before us seems slightly different from the legends."

Waving away Qingniao's attempt to hold an umbrella for him, Xu Fengnian beckoned a "Six-Year Phoenix" onto his arm. Though drenched to the bone by the rain, Xu Fengnian was still in the mood to tease, playfully extending a finger to the green and white luan. He joked, "Maybe this is a child of that Red-Armored Talisman General from back then. Since the big one is a Talisman General, this smaller one could be called a Talisman Soldier, right, Grandpa Wei?"

Wei Shuyang's three wispy, ethereal white whiskers had become three small braids after getting wet. Reaching to touch them, he naturally couldn't find any trace of an immortal's demeanor. Withdrawing his hand awkwardly, he slowly said, "Your Highness's idea is truly wild and imaginative."

Xu Fengnian smirked and laughed, "Grandpa Wei, your flattery is truly elusive."

The old man and the young man laughed heartily, invisibly diffusing the immense murderous aura at the end of the narrow path.

Xu Fengnian narrowed his eyes and said softly, "Lü Qiantang's Crimson Glow Sword, Shu Xiu's Embracing Simplicity Art, Yang Qingfeng's Ghost Control Technique. I want to see if these three are truly qualified to survive until Wudi City."

The old Taoist seemed not to have heard this cruel and piercing remark. He rode forward, passing the carriage by a dozen steps. With a flick of both sleeves, the rain above him seemed to hit an iron plate and was forcefully repelled.

After drawing his sword and stopping his horse, Lü Qiantang waited for Shu Xiu and Yang Qingfeng to catch up, then spurred his horse into a furious charge. From the moment he picked up the "Sleeping Dragon Ridge Sword Control Technique" on the fifth floor of the Tide-Listening Pavilion, he had known a day like this, demanding his life, would come. It was just much sooner than expected, but what did it matter? To learn the sword-controlling techniques of a Sword Immortal, one must use powerful opponents as whetstones, refining one's sword-heart to absolute purity. Only then could one hope to grasp the essence of the sword path, ultimately reaching the immortal realm described by the old Sword God Li Chungang: "Open your mouth and breathe, and a swath of prosperous sword qi emerges, carving out a vista of stars low over the vast plains!"

There were well over a hundred thousand young swordsmen and wanderers in the world.

Who wouldn't want to strike with a single sword blow, unmatched even by ghosts, gods, immortals, or Buddhas?!

Lü Qiantang was already a very burly figure, and the steed he rode was exceptionally magnificent. On the narrow path, mud splattered violently under the horse's hooves. Man and horse were unstoppable.

Perhaps roused by Lü Qiantang's murderous intent, even Shu Xiu, who usually seemed like a seductive woman only fit for moans in bed, let out a heavy snort. It was especially sharp amidst the dull drumming of the heavy rain on the narrow path.

Yang Qingfeng, who didn't need to hold the reins, still controlled his horse's speed perfectly. He slowly bent down, placing his pair of pale, snow-like hands on the horse's neck.

The empty-handed Southern Kingdom Red-Armored figure simply stood motionless, letting the three riders and three horses charge and gather momentum.

Through the dense curtain of rain, the great swordsman Lü Qiantang could almost clearly distinguish the cloud-seal script and Sanskrit characters on the red armor. They blended Buddhist and Taoist elements, intricately carved with exquisite artistry. A mere glance made his chest qi stagnate. Suppressing his distracting thoughts, he let out a furious roar, exhaling the turbid qi from his heart. Drawing on the immense momentum of his galloping steed, he unleashed an incomparably majestic sword strike.

The curtain of rain seemed to tear open instantly.

Raindrops unfortunate enough to touch this massive sword hissed like water on hot iron, turning into wisps of smoke.

The giant puppet, similar to the rumored Red-Armored Talisman General, stiffly but swiftly raised a hand. Its five fingers, also encased in red armor like its face, splayed open, attempting to grasp Lü Qiantang's sword, a strike infused with the peak of his spirit, energy, and will from his entire sword-training career.

As it swept past, Lü Qiantang's Crimson Glow Sword, its blade glowing red, violently scraped against the red-armored fingers, sending a shower of sparks flying.

The Red-Armored figure failed to grasp the great sword, but Lü Qiantang, who had already gained renown in the Southern Tang Kingdom by his thirtieth year, also failed to achieve victory with a single strike.

Lü Qiantang had unleashed that strike by fully utilizing the opportune timing and terrain, while the Red-Armored figure merely stood still, foolishly, and subtly lifted its hand, nullifying everything.

Shu Xiu was surprised when Yang Qingfeng accelerated his charge, intending to use his warhorse to brutally collide with the red-armored figure—a crude tactic.

Moments after Lü Qiantang's clash with the Red-Armored figure, Yang Qingfeng, his back bowed and hands pressed tightly to his horse's neck, leaped into the air.

The warhorse, whose eyes seeped thick blood, charged madly towards the red-armored figure.

First, there was a deafening crash.

Then, even Xu Fengnian, from a distance, distinctly heard the shocking sound of bones shattering inch by inch, as if the horse had collided with a mountain.

The red-armored figure remained completely still, while the horse, its head and neck utterly pulverized, instantly died before it.

Regardless of how formidable the red-armored figure was, and ignoring her inner fear, Shu Xiu dismounted. Her movements swift as a startled rabbit, she leaped forward, pressing her pale hands against the monster's chest armor. With a sudden burst of power, countless raindrops exploded outwards, as if she and the figure were the epicenter of a blast.

Shu Xiu, after all, was known for her profound internal energy. The red-armored figure finally swayed slightly.

Whether it moved an inch or a foot, as long as it moved at all—even if far from toppling—it was ten million times better than it remaining still.

Shu Xiu, having landed her strike, used the rebound force to retreat swiftly. Her feet carved a straight line through the mud, and her skirt was caked with mire.

Behind the red-armored figure, Lü Qiantang and his horse continued to charge forward for another ten zhang. He abruptly pulled on the reins, his horse's hooves rearing up, then stomping down heavily, carving two pits in the muddy path.

Lü Qiantang turned his horse around, took a deep breath, his expression exceedingly solemn.

Yang Qingfeng, who had floated between Lü Qiantang and the red-armored figure, remained expressionless. Only his hands were a few shades paler, and the bulging blue veins on their backs were clearly visible, far denser and more numerous than an ordinary person's.

Their combined efforts had only managed to make this strange armored figure sway slightly?

Wei Shuyang muttered to himself, "Thankfully, it can be confirmed this isn't the Red-Armored Talisman General, one of the Four Grandmasters of old. Could His Royal Highness truly have been right, and this is just a later imitation?"

Xu Fengnian called out, "Grandpa Wei, go stop Ning Emei and the Phoenix Camp. This side, leave it to these three."

The old Taoist, who had been at the front preparing to offer assistance, paused for a moment, then assented and departed.

Xu Fengnian lightly squeezed his horse's flanks, riding over to the carriage. Qingniao, who was driving, held up an elegant oil-paper umbrella.

It was the only delicate scene amidst the overwhelming murderous intent on that muddy path.

Xu Fengnian, his face stung by the fierce wind and heavy rain, clicked his tongue and said, "Indeed, only in a life-or-death battle does a true master reveal their nature. Lü Qiantang's sword strike truly reached the peak of sword techniques. Yang Qingfeng's trick was merely visually impressive; it wasn't the same. In fact, I truly underestimated that woman Shu Xiu."

Qingniao nodded, asking a crucial question, "Your Highness, is there only one armored figure? Wouldn't it be improper for the Phoenix Camp not to come?"

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly. "Perhaps there's only one Red-Armored Talisman General puppet. But there might be a second or third one lurking in the dense woods along the path, or even four or five in total. I've calculated: two red-armored figures could easily eliminate Lü Qiantang and the other two. One red-armored figure could take on a hundred Phoenix Camp soldiers, and even with the great halberd-wielding Ning Emei holding the line, it would likely be a mutually destructive outcome. If another one appears, we'd have to step into the fray ourselves, wouldn't we? The person in the carriage is a top-secret individual whose identity even I don't know. I imagine the master of this red armor, no matter how powerful, wouldn't anticipate that. So, if I count on my fingers, the remaining red-armored figure and the lurking mastermind could easily claim my head. If it's truly as I imagine, and without that old man in the sheepskin coat inside, I'd be in deep trouble. Even if you are 'C,' the dedicated assassin painstakingly trained by Xu Xiao, and can fight one puppet to the death, you might not be able to guarantee my survival to Yingchuan."

Qingniao looked at His Royal Highness, whose face was calm, then lowered her head and softly said, "Qingniao is useless."

Xu Fengnian shook his head and laughed. "To me, a useless person isn't someone not skilled enough, but someone unwilling to entrust their life to me. Haha, Qingniao, lift your head. I like seeing you look so cool and aloof—it's exquisitely beautiful, far more captivating than those so-called heroines who don't live up to their names."

Qingniao blushed slightly.

Xu Fengnian looked towards the tense battlefield, shook his arm, releasing the green and white luan to fly away, and placed his hands on Xiudong and Chunlei. A sinister smile on his face, he muttered, "Although this is just the worst-case scenario, given my worth, I suppose it's reasonable for them to treat it with such caution. Damn it, five puppets? Are they planning a performance of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth?"

A corner of the curtain behind Qingniao was lifted, revealing two heads, one high and one low.

Jiang Ni said nothing, merely wide-eyed.

The old man had removed the sandalwood pin from his topknot, and in its place was something Xu Fengnian could never have imagined: a divine talisman!

What in the world were these two rascals doing?!

The old man squinted and chuckled. "Kid, your brain isn't half bad. Those three good-for-nothings under you are facing the Water Armor of the Red-Armored Talisman Generals. Look at this weather; wouldn't it be a shame not to send it out to create a spectacle worthy of your status? Let me kindly warn you, the Earth Armor might just pop out from under your horse's belly and rip you in half. The Fire Armor is standing on the hillside six hundred paces northeast of you. The Wood Armor is crouching in a tree three hundred paces southwest of you. As for the Metal Armor, hmm, did it not come, or has its aura been concealed by some master? Or perhaps it went to trouble your Phoenix Camp cavalry? You're truly giving this old man a headache. How about you give me a straightforward answer? Otherwise, the little girl and I will just go back to Liangzhou. All this fighting and killing is so boring. At most, we'll send someone to collect your corpse."

Xu Fengnian laughed. "Then let me guess again: when Xu Xiao made those three agreements with you, did he ever mention you weren't allowed to touch weapons?"

The old man's eyes widened. He extended his single arm to show his innocence. "Kid, you think this old man has a weapon in his hand?"

Xu Fengnian extended a hand. "Hand over the divine talisman for me to keep."

Jiang Ni protested loudly, "That's mine! Mine!"

Xu Fengnian ignored the innocent and delightful "little mud doll," keeping his gaze fixed on the old man.

The old man shook his head and mumbled, "Alright, alright. Remember, this old man isn't making a move for you this time; it's for the little girl."

Xu Fengnian smiled and withdrew his hand, his meaning perfectly clear. Jiang Ni puffed out her cheeks in anger, wishing she could retrieve the divine talisman and stab that cunning, fox-like face a hundred times.

In a flash, the old man had already bent and arched his back, moving neither quickly nor slowly out of the carriage. He extended a finger and flicked it.

A single droplet of water was flicked, floating away.

Xu Fengnian abruptly turned his head, following the inconspicuous droplet towards the end of the narrow path.

One drop.

Two drops.

Ten drops.

Hundreds of thousands of drops.

Linked into a line.

Converged into a sword.

From Xu Fengnian's side, it pierced directly into the chest of the Red-Armored Talisman General.

The water sword effortlessly pierced through the Water Armor Talisman General, who seemed as indestructible as vajra.

Sword qi exploded and shattered throughout the air.

The puppet crashed down.