The great saber, flashing with the brilliance of the scorching midday sun, descended abruptly. The swirling blade light instantly expanded, enveloping the four peak experts of the Tenth Level of Inner Strength before them.

The four men, locked in combat, were suddenly seized by an intensely strange sensation.

Under the sun's glare, while's massive saber shone with dazzling, blinding light, this intense radiance imparted upon them a feeling as light as wind and clouds.

This strike seemed far less fierce and imposing than they had imagined.

In their perception, this blow appeared to transform into a vast sea of clouds—layers upon layers of cloud waves, cloud rolling into cloud, cloud wrapping cloud, cloud embracing cloud, merging into an ocean of mist shrouding the towering mountains.

Cloud Rain Flying Technique. This innate cultivation method was something comprehended while watching mountain rain and the swirling mists among the peaks, drawing inspiration from the Cloud Rain Seal and the elusive, ethereal innate lightness skills displayed by the family brothers.

When he first grasped this technique, it merely formed a method for swift movement.

However, after this long journey, facing those two hundred death-squad members whose wills were like mountains and whose momentum was like tigers, he was suddenly struck with the sensation of standing once more upon a mountain summit.

In that moment, he seemed to re-enter a state of sudden enlightenment, re-comprehending the omnipresent mountain rain and the boundless sea of clouds and fog.

It was under these circumstances that he finally managed to integrate this feeling into his saber art, executing the fearsome great saber in a manner that evoked clouds, mist, and rain. After sweeping across the powerful formation of two hundred men, it surged toward the two peak experts of the Post-Natal realm at the Tenth Level of Inner Strength once more.

If, previously, the two old men intended to keep and entangled, the situation completely reversed upon ’s arrival. The two bandits now exerted themselves fully to counter-entangle the elders, their every move desperate, utterly disregarding their own safety, binding the two elders tightly to their sides.

Having witnessed 's strike, they dared not face him directly for anything. Even remaining beside two experts of the same caliber was preferable to experiencing the flavor of being sliced into pieces by chaotic blades or cleaved in half at the waist.

However, once 's saber art unfolded, the four men engaged in combat simultaneously froze.

They suddenly realized their opponents had vanished. Not only their direct adversaries but also their comrades fighting alongside them were gone.

All around them were patches of cloud and mist, fog and cloud, forming a labyrinth from which it seemed impossible to escape, leaving them utterly lost.

and were lightly touched by a force—not heavy, but definitely present—and found themselves involuntarily retreating three steps.

In those brief three steps, their vision returned to normal.

Flashes of saber light danced before their eyes. That feeling of cloud and mist from moments before was like a fleeting dream, instantly receding, leaving behind only a peculiar sensation in their memories, one that seemed indelible.

Suddenly, the blade light vanished completely. stood with his feet planted wide in a stable stance, his saber held across his body.

A few paces away, and , the First and Second Leaders of the Red Turban bandits and the masterminds behind the raid on County, stumbled. They staggered unsteadily a few times, as if drunk, before finally collapsing, unable to support themselves.

In their eyes, there was no burning hatred or bitter grief, only bewilderment and disbelief.

It seemed they had never conceived that they would meet their end in such a manner.

"Kill... Kill for me... Break out, kill!"

Three earth-shattering battle cries erupted from an elder on the battlements.

Old Master had completely shed his usual composed demeanor. He opened his mouth wide, looking utterly frantic, his Ninth Level Inner Strength bursting forth to its absolute limit.

Pointing toward the multitude of fleeing bandits scattered across the hills, his voice, loud enough to be clearly heard inside and outside , even by those hiding in caves, he shouted madly: ", , , are dead! The bandits are routed! Everyone fight bravely, kill one enemy, receive thirty taels of silver reward!"

Instantly, those on and below the city walls flushed, their eyes blazing. No further mobilization was needed. Everyone who could still move charged out without hesitation. They rushed forward, each vying to be first, as if afraid the immense glory would be snatched away by the comrade next to them.

and exchanged glances. They first showed surprise, then a flash of understanding crossed their eyes. They both felt a profound sentiment in their hearts: the Old Fox of truly was the Old Fox of ; even under such circumstances, he remained so calm. His cunning and changeable nature were indeed far beyond their reach.

Their gaze shifted to , standing there holding his saber with both hands. Under the rising sunlight, the young man stood peacefully, possessing an aura as majestic and grand as the towering mountains and sweeping rivers.

Recalling the power he just wielded—the power to grant life or death—the two elders experienced a rare flicker of awe.

In the rear courtyard of , the dozens of people gathered before the rockery exchanged uneasy glances.

After hearing that long, heaven-and-earth-shattering howl, they vaguely sensed that something unexpected had occurred outside.

Yet, no matter how much they guessed, none could imagine that ’s Sixth Son, , had arrived in the night and instantly rewritten the course of the battle.

However, every one of them held a silent hope for a miracle to occur. Their movements slowed, and the eyes of all the younger generation focused on those among the second generation leaders.

But , , and hesitated. While they longed for a miracle, they were even more reluctant to gamble with the last hope of their families' resurgence.

suddenly stomped his foot. "I will go to the front to check. Brother , Brother , please take them and leave quickly."

"No, I'll go. You all leave," said without hesitation.

frowned slightly. "Brother , our family still has Eldest Brother . Even if I am missing, it won't be a major blow. But can the Xu and Cheng families do without you two?"

and instantly fell silent. They were not fools and naturally understood the meaning of the words.

Although the three great clans had suffered grievous losses, relatively speaking, the family, having the smallest estate, was not as vast as the other two, so their losses were the smallest, not crippling their foundation. Moreover, , , and leaving beforehand had preserved the hope of family revival.

But the losses to the Xu and Cheng families were immense. While these two families had deep roots and external support, ensuring their eventual recovery, lacking the two core figures, and , would inevitably lead to countless twists and turns on the path to future resurgence.

"Second Brother, I should go," suddenly chuckled. "Have you forgotten what Father instructed you? You must bring and out safely. I entrust my sister-in-law and my two nieces to you in the future."

As soon as he finished speaking, he darted out like a gust of wind.

reached out but failed to catch him. His expression immediately turned exceptionally grim.

This departure was fraught with extreme danger. They all knew that if they reached the outside and found the city walls breached and the enemy pouring in, the only option would be to fight where they stood or to lure the enemy elsewhere; returning the way they came to lead the enemy back here would be impossible.

sighed softly. "Go."

He reached out and pushed , one of the most outstanding figures among the third generation of the Xu family, who stood at the forefront. His face was ashen, but he turned without a word, lifted the torch he had prepared long ago, and stepped onto the dark staircase leading into the cavern.

However, just as his first foot landed on the step, he heard a deafening roar, like a ghost crying and a wolf howling, screaming with all his might: ", , , are dead! The bandits are routed! Everyone fight bravely, kill one enemy, receive thirty taels of silver reward."

His foot seemed instantly locked by chains of a thousand pounds, refusing to move downward even half an inch.

Simultaneously, he turned, his eyes shining with infinite hope, looking toward the people gathered above him.

On every face was an expression of disbelief, but one thing was common: every face showed unconcealable, wild elation.

"That's my father's voice, no doubt," said excitedly.

The current head of the Cheng family completely lacked his usual composure; his eyes gleamed faintly, like stars in the heavens, shining with brilliant light.

"How is this possible?" muttered.

's body suddenly trembled. Even with his Ninth Level Inner Strength, he could not conceal his excited expression at this moment.

"Old Ancestor, it must be the Old Ancestor who has come," he managed to say in an almost trembling voice. This single sentence seemed to drain all his strength, making his body sway precariously.

and paused, then asked with mingled joy and surprise, "Which elder is it?"

took a deep breath. "Besides that Old Ancestor, who else could let out such a roar? Besides that Old Ancestor, who else could slay the four main leaders so quickly?" He lifted his head proudly, "The Old Ancestor must have learned of the great peril facing my Xu family and came personally."

and simultaneously recalled that magnificent long cry, filled with infinite pressure, and their hearts immediately believed him.

Among their three families, only the legendary Old Ancestor of the Xu family could possess such superhuman power.

's expression suddenly changed. "Not good."

and looked at him in surprise, wondering why his reaction was so contrary to expectation.

It was understandable for , but ’s face immediately darkened. He inwardly grumbled, We are relatives, after all; does he really wish to watch Xu family Fort perish before he is satisfied?

But as soon as this thought surfaced, he saw turn around and say, "Listen carefully, everyone. The matter of the secret passage in the back mountain of the Xu family must never get out. And the fact that you intended to flee tonight must also remain absolutely secret. Now, all of you, go out and fight the enemy! Kill as many as you can; you must not tarnish the reputation of the Three Great Clans."

and ’s expressions immediately changed; they understood simultaneously.

No wonder Old Master had issued that shout, disregarding his image. It turned out he wasn't merely overcome with excitement; he was trying to notify them...

The enemy leaders are dead and fleeing. You shouldn't flee either; hurry out and fight! Don't let anyone know you planned to escape.

When the fortress was on the verge of falling, leaving all the retainers and household servants behind while the masters fled—though not an unprecedented event—if word got out, it would deal a tremendous blow to the future efforts of the three great clans to restore their standing.

At the very least, the retainers and servants who fought alongside them that day would be deeply disheartened by their actions.

Thus, as soon as recovered his senses, he sent out the notification immediately, and , worthy of being the son of , grasped the meaning in a moment and swiftly enacted a remedy.

The disciples shouted in response and then scrambled out with their feet flying, rushing out in a frenzy.

Being at the vigorous age of youth, they naturally were unwilling to act as deserters. Since they had a chance to counterattack, they were naturally overjoyed, each trying to be first. At the very least, none of them wished to be regarded as cowards among the young experts of County.

bowed to and with clasped hands. "Gentlemen, please seal the secret passage entrance. I will go ahead." With that, he lagged slightly behind but moved faster than the younger generation, rushing straight out of the courtyard.

and could only manage wry smiles, helplessly resealing the secret passage entrance. They exchanged a glance, both thinking inwardly: Cheng family's middle-aged fox truly lives up to his name as the Old Fox of 's direct heir—a fox lineage, a fox family.

After they dealt with the passage and hurried to the city wall, they happened to see the bandits.

Contrary to their expectations, they did not see any white-haired, flowing, Daoist-featured elder. They only saw their own fathers and , who had somehow arrived at , holding the great saber.

Their eyes scanned the surroundings for a long time, still finding nothing.

suddenly asked, "Why are those bandits fleeing to the sides? The main road in the middle is empty—do they have no eyes?"

The words were spoken unintentionally, but they struck a chord.

The gazes of the three elders simultaneously turned forward. In the very center of the main road lay a mass of mangled corpses and a river of blood, a horrifying sight.

Only then did they realize that among the thousands of bandits, every single one had chosen to flee along the uneven, difficult mountain paths on either side. But from beginning to end, not a single one dared to cross back over that river of gore, fleeing down the smooth road they had used to arrive.

The three exchanged glances, and their regard for shifted slightly once more.

The bandits scattered chaotically across the hills, their fighting spirit entirely gone. No one dared to turn back and fight anymore.

Even though the pursuers were not experts of Inner Strength, but merely ordinary retainers and family guards whose Inner Strength was inferior to theirs, the bandits dared not entertain any thought of resistance.

Flee, flee, flee...

When an army collapses, it crumbles like a mountain. At this moment, even an immortal appearing could not save the situation or stop their rout.

The paths on either side were rugged, reduced to narrow goat tracks. The bandits trampled one another, causing countless casualties.

But at this moment, no one cared about that. Their sole thought was not to be the last one, allowing their former comrades to hold off the pursuers for them.

This was the unspoken desire of all, and it was what almost everyone acted upon.

In the middle of all the fleeing bandits was one group—perhaps the only contingent among all the thieves that maintained a semblance of formation.

This group was not large, numbering only a little over thirty people, insignificant amidst four thousand bandits.

However, the lowest Inner Strength cultivation among these thirty-plus individuals was the Seventh Level, and the two people they surrounded were none other than and his wife, the only survivors among the five peak experts of the Tenth Level of Inner Strength.

Their initial speed was not fast; they merely drifted along with the flow of the fleeing bandits. But once they cleared the most rugged section of the mountain path and escaped the sight of the city walls, reaching the open road through the hills, their speed suddenly increased dramatically. They instantly left all the other bandits far behind, fleeing like startled birds, unwilling to rest for even a moment, until they had long escaped the borders of County.

"Madam, thank goodness for your shout. Otherwise, we might not have escaped so smoothly."

Once they reached safety, took a deep breath and said with a bitter smile.

It turned out that the shout which startled countless people was uttered by , though she had altered her voice so that no one recognized it.

The couple were, after all, among the foremost figures among the bandits. Had it not been for the sudden eruption of chaos, they would certainly have become the primary targets. If that terrifying young man had fixed his eyes on them, the chance of escaping easily would have been minuscule.

Looking at the completely ordinary clothes he now wore, felt thankful. If it hadn't been for his wife's foresight, he might truly have left his life there.

Thinking of the fate of the other four famous leaders, a chilling sensation arose within him that he could not control.

sighed softly. She glanced back in the direction they had come and suddenly said, "Husband, this defeat may not be a bad thing for us."

's heart stirred slightly. "You mean?"

nodded slightly. "Life as a bandit, while offering freedom to pursue grudges and pleasure, is not a sustainable path. This major defeat, though unexpected, might be an excellent opportunity to withdraw."

’s lips moved slightly, suggesting reluctance.

snapped, "Husband, you saw the fate of and the others. What if that person is not satisfied and comes looking for us in County?"

shuddered and quickly agreed, "Fine, we'll follow your suggestion; we won't go back."

Only then did soften her tone. "We have amassed enough wealth over the years; let's leave now."

nodded slightly, looking back at the road they had traveled. A sudden chill surged, extinguishing the last vestige of in his heart.

P.S.: Another chapter in two minutes ^_^