Jing Yi, I hope you don't force my hand, otherwise..." The Blind Sword Saint's heart burned with towering rage, so intense that the surrounding space subtly flickered with the ephemeral rise and fall of black, flowing light.
"Grand Master, what is it?" Gu Yong asked, startled.
The other three generals were equally alarmed in their hearts.
The Blind Sword Saint coldly commanded, "General Wu, go issue the challenge."
"Yes." A man clad in dark crimson armor responded respectfully, then swiftly charged toward the front of the massive army.
...
With the forces of Qinghu Island arrayed at the city gates, the entire Jiangning Commandery City fell into unrest. After all, few within the Guiyuan Sect knew of 'Jing Yi's' existence, and apprehension gripped everyone.
On the city wall.
Zhuge Yuanhong and Teng Qingshan stood together. Beside Zhuge Yuanhong were Elder Ni, Elder Yan, and even 'Teng Qinghu,' the First Commander of the Black Armored Army responsible for the East City Wall, as well as Zhuge Yuanhong's son, 'Zhuge Yun.'
"Who is this person? He's actually standing beside my father?" Zhuge Yun inquired quietly to Teng Qinghu beside him, confusion etched on his face.
"I don't recognize him either," Teng Qinghu replied, equally puzzled. "Even Elder Yan and the others don't dare stand as his equal."
Suddenly, the two Enforcement Elders standing near Teng Qingshan and Zhuge Yuanhong turned their heads almost simultaneously, glaring at the pair.
"This is a senior expert, show some respect," Elder Ni hissed softly.
Zhuge Yun and Teng Qinghu immediately clamped their mouths shut. At this moment, Teng Qingshan turned, offered a faint smile towards the two, and then resumed his low-voiced conversation with Zhuge Yuanhong.
"Hmm, look, someone has reached the front of the formation," Zhuge Yuanhong murmured.
Teng Qingshan looked down. He saw a man wearing dark crimson battle armor speeding through the ranks of the army, quickly reaching the very front, standing alone before the main force, conspicuously visible.
"All those belonging to the Guiyuan Sect, listen well."
General Wu stood before the vast army of Qinghu Island, gazing up at the Jiangning Commandery City wall and shouting loudly. His voice boomed, reaching almost every corner of the city.
"My great army from Qinghu Island has arrived! We await only the order to trample your Guiyuan Sect flat. You should open your gates and surrender obediently, and Qinghu Island can avoid further slaughter, saving the lives of many within your Guiyuan Sect. Should you resist... today, Qinghu Island will turn your Guiyuan Sect into scorched earth!"
"Surrender, or resist. Choose now," General Wu thundered.
As his voice faded, a slight tremor ran through the Jiangning Commandery City walls.
Just then—
Teng Qingshan, carrying an Aotian Divine Axe strapped to his back, stepped forward, leaned against the city wall, faced the countless troops below, and offered a slight smile. He then transmitted his voice: "Brother Tie Wu, the Guiyuan Sect has long kept to itself; why must you force them? In my view, why don't we sit down and discuss this, and let the matter rest? How about that?"
...
Within the Qinghu Island military camp.
The Blind Sword Saint, standing coldly, frowned and transmitted his voice back: "Brother Jing Yi, this is a matter between my Qinghu Island and the Guiyuan Sect. I suggest you don't involve yourself in this meddling... If you refrain from interfering, Qinghu Island will certainly remember this favor from you, Brother Jing Yi."
A voice transmitted back: "Tie Wu, the Guiyuan Sect once showed me great kindness. Even though many years have passed, I am not one to forget my roots. I absolutely cannot watch the Guiyuan Sect perish like this."
The Blind Sword Saint's expression darkened. He transmitted: "Jing Yi, what is the meaning of your words? Are you intending to fight me to the death for this Guiyuan Sect?"
"I wouldn't dare, Brother Tie Wu, you are a powerhouse at the peak of the Void Realm. How could I dare fight you to the death?" Teng Qingshan’s voice returned. "However, Brother Tie Wu, when you can afford to be merciful, be so. As far as I know, you have already killed a Void Realm expert from the Guiyuan Sect. The current Guiyuan Sect poses no threat to your Qinghu Island; let it go now."
"Hmph, if you don't cut the weeds at the roots, future troubles are endless!" the Blind Sword Saint transmitted.
At this moment, General Wu had already rushed back into the army formation and immediately inquired, "Grand Elder, the Guiyuan Sect refuses to surrender. Should we attack now?"
"Don't rush."
The Blind Sword Saint snorted coldly.
"Brother Tie Wu, your Qinghu Island wants to destroy the Guiyuan Sect, primarily because you worry... that when the Heavenly God Palace attacks Yangzhou, the Guiyuan Sect might collude with them? I vouch for them here, guaranteeing that the Guiyuan Sect will obediently remain in Jiangning Commandery at that time and absolutely will not drag Qinghu Island down. If the Guiyuan Sect dares to act otherwise, you won't need to lift a finger; I will personally execute the Sect Master and Enforcement Elders of the Guiyuan Sect. How about that?"
The Blind Sword Saint's brow furrowed, and he transmitted sharply: "Jing Yi! This is not a negotiation. The Guiyuan Sect and my Qinghu Island have a deep-seated feud. This time, Qinghu Island is sworn to annihilate the entire Guiyuan Sect. If you step in... if you wish to save a specific person, I will grant you face and agree to that. But if you expect me to retreat my troops, that is absolutely impossible!"
"Hmph, Tie Wu!"
"I, Jing Yi, am one who repays kindness. The great kindness the Guiyuan Sect showed me back then, even my body being crushed to dust cannot repay! I'll tell you this too: this time, I am protecting the Guiyuan Sect! If you insist on attacking and destroying the Guiyuan Sect, I guarantee... within a few months, I will turn your Qinghu Island into ruins and plunge Yangzhou into war."
These words enraged the Blind Sword Saint, his brow twitching violently.
"Jing Yi! Are you threatening me? To turn my Qinghu Island into ruins? Based on what you have?" The Blind Sword Saint was absolutely furious, his face visibly flushing red.
"Hmph, Tie Wu, I'll tell you the truth as well, I am not affiliated with any minor sect..."
The Blind Sword Saint was startled by this.
"I am a member of the Heavenly God Palace." This statement truly caused the Blind Sword Saint, who had been boiling with rage, to calm down completely. In fact, when Teng Qingshan previously caused havoc on Qinghu Island, the Blind Sword Saint had already suspected that this Void Realm expert named 'Jing Yi' might be connected to the Heavenly God Palace, given his complete lack of prior traceable history.
After all, the Heavenly God Palace was known for its great mystery. Hearing this confirmation now, after having suspected it back then, the Blind Sword Saint's mind raced through numerous possibilities.
"What, you don't believe me? Hmph... Tie Wu, at the same time your Qinghu Island dispatched troops, I also ordered my own great army to move. By now, I fear my Heavenly God Palace army has already crossed the border between Yangzhou and Qingzhou and entered your Yangzhou territory... Destroying the Carefree Palace was effortless; it will not be difficult for my Heavenly God Palace to destroy your Qinghu Island."
These words genuinely frightened the Blind Sword Saint. Compared to the Heavenly God Palace, destroying the Guiyuan Sect was indeed a minor matter.
"The Heavenly God Palace army has already entered my Yangzhou territory?" the Blind Sword Saint transmitted, his voice tight.
"Don't doubt it. By my estimation, your Qinghu Island forces should have discovered this already. You will likely receive an urgent coded message shortly," Teng Qingshan transmitted.
...
On the city wall.
Teng Qingshan looked down at the vast army below, a slight smile gracing his lips. He sensed that the Blind Sword Saint was now significantly unsettled. He continued transmitting: "Either destroy the Guiyuan Sect and bring great disaster upon Qinghu Island, or spare the Guiyuan Sect, which doesn't even possess Void Realm experts... two paths, you choose."
For a long time, no sound came from the Blind Sword Saint's end.
The great army of Qinghu Island and the Guiyuan Sect forces on the city walls were confused. Qinghu Island had been issuing challenges, but why were they not giving the order to attack after such a long silence?
"What's going on? Strange," Zhuge Yun muttered.
"No movement. What kind of scheme is Qinghu Island pulling?" Teng Qinghu also looked surprised, then laughed, "Perhaps just like last time, they'll be scared off and retreat on their own soon."
Zhuge Yuanhong, Elder Yan, and Elder Ni all turned to look at Teng Qingshan. Teng Qingshan offered them a faint smile: "Qinghu Island is hesitating on whether to start the war... We will know soon enough."
Suddenly—
"Vanguard Battalion, maintain vigilance. Everyone else, rest." Voices sounded throughout the Qinghu Island army. The soldiers, who had been tense, one by one plopped down onto the ground, resting and chatting amongst themselves. The Qinghu Island forces below the northern and western walls were similarly resting.
Temporary rest, a cessation of hostilities.
Seeing this scene, the tens of thousands of disciples and soldiers of the Guiyuan Sect on the city wall erupted in cheers.
Clearly, Qinghu Island had been issuing threats and forcing the Guiyuan Sect to choose moments ago, yet now they were resting. This indicated a sudden change of circumstances.
...
In distant Youzhou.
In a pavilion, Pei San lay back casually, while Meng Dujuan gently massaged his shoulders behind him. A stern-faced man with black robes, black hair, and white eyebrows stood to one side.
"A Chao," Pei San said with a light smile, "You have seen the letter. Since this was personally written by that young Miss Li Jun, it seems our honored guest, 'Hu He,' holds the Guiyuan Sect in high regard... Hmm, A Chao, make a trip to the Guiyuan Sect and simply drive away the Qinghu Island army."
"Yes, Master." The stern-faced man responded respectfully.
Immediately, the black-robed, white-browed man transformed into a streak of sword light, cutting across the sky before vanishing.
"This Hu He was not yet in the Void Realm a few years ago, and now it is said he has grasped more than one path," Pei San smiled faintly. "Once we settle the matter of Hongtian City, it will be time to visit our honored guest... Dujuan, do you think we should go?"
"Yes, we should go," Meng Dujuan agreed with a smile.
"Hongtian City certainly has some capability," Pei San remarked lightly. "Hmm, it seems I will have to reveal the Heavenly God Mountain base to quickly conquer Hongtian City."
The Qinghu Island army camped outside Jiangning Commandery City for over an hour. Many of the formerly tense Guiyuan Sect soldiers had relaxed somewhat; the sun was already quite high.
In the Qinghu Island camp.
The three generals and Gu Yong sat quietly beside the Blind Sword Saint; they had been waiting for over an hour.
"General, General, urgent coded message!" A voice sounded, causing the five present to spring to their feet instantly.
"From where?" the Blind Sword Saint demanded.
"From Chu Commandery in the north," the soldier replied respectfully, presenting the letter. Chu Commandery was located in the northernmost part of Yangzhou, bordering Qingzhou.
Gu Yong took the letter, unfolded it, and his expression changed drastically.
"Grand Master," Gu Yong hurried to say, "The letter states... near the border, nearly two hundred thousand Heavenly God Palace troops have entered our Yangzhou territory and are advancing toward Chu Commandery City."
"It's true."
The Blind Sword Saint's face grew grim. He had initially doubted 'Jing Yi's' words, but now, confirming this news, he knew: "This Jing Yi truly is from the Heavenly God Palace." No matter how composed the Blind Sword Saint was, he felt a surge of panic now.
"Grand Elder? The Heavenly God Palace is attacking our Yangzhou?" The three generals beside him paled with fright.
That was the Heavenly God Palace that had effortlessly crushed the Carefree Palace.
"Grand Master, should we attack this Guiyuan Sect now?" Gu Yong couldn't help but ask.