Ning Zhongze in Danger

Just as Lin Xuan had described on the sand table, the terrain here was treacherous. Sheer cliffs flanked the valley, rising like blades straight into the clouds. Ancient trees towered within, strange rocks jutted everywhere, and dense thorns covered the ground. A desolate, murderous air hung over every inch of the place.

The valley entrance was fairly wide, but the farther in one went, the narrower the valley became, until only a few horses could ride abreast. It was like the gaping maw of a beast, waiting for its prey to walk right into the trap.

"Take cover where you are. Conceal your presence!" Lin Xuan raised a hand and made a simple gesture.

In an instant, over a hundred experts blended into their surroundings like chameleons, silently hiding behind rocks and shrubs until they disappeared completely into the night. Unless someone saw them with their own eyes, no one could have guessed that so many killers lay in wait there.

Lin Xuan did not stop. Taking Yue Buqun, Ning Zhongze, Daoist Wuchen, Luo Bing, and the other key members with him, he leaped up the cliffs like an agile ape to make one final inspection of the prepared ambush points.

"Sect Leader Yue, Heroine Ning." Lin Xuan pointed to a narrow pass below, wide enough for only three horses to ride abreast. "This is the enemy's only route through the valley. It's also the point where their formation is most likely to fall into disarray. Please lead the Mount Hua Sect's disciples into the rocky outcrop on either side of the pass and lie in wait."

The area he indicated was filled with strangely shaped rocks, making it easy to hide. Its elevated position also meant that, once they struck, their sword energy could cover the entire pass.

"Our goal isn't to kill ordinary soldiers on a large scale. We're going to pick off the enemy's centurions and commanders, along with any shamans who might use secret arts!" Lin Xuan's tone was calm and decisive. "Once their chain of command falls into chaos, their fighting strength will plummet."

Yue Buqun nodded, a trace of approval in his eyes. Lin Xuan's tactics were precise and ruthless, making the most of the martial artists' strengths.

"Heroine Luo," Lin Xuan said, turning his gaze toward Luo Bing. His deep, tranquil eyes seemed to gleam in the darkness. "Your mission is the most crucial—and the most dangerous. You could even say the success of this battle depends on it!"

He pointed toward an area deeper in the valley. It was relatively flat and looked safe. "According to our intelligence, the Wolf Riders' commander will set up his main tent there. You'll lead the Red Flower Society's brothers and the Lightness Skill experts around the other side of the cliff and lie in wait."

"Once the ambush at the valley entrance begins and the enemy falls into chaos, your task is simple—cut off their commander's head, whatever the cost!"

Far from showing any fear, Luo Bing's bright eyes burned with excitement. She licked her vivid lips and spoke in a crisp voice, her tone bold and carefree. "Don't worry, Young Master Lin. My throwing knives have never missed. Even if I have to risk my life, I'll bring you the Mongolian commander's head with my own hands!"

Lin Xuan nodded, then gave Daoist Wuchen and the others a series of orders: set the oil alight, sow confusion, block off the retreat, and more. His arrangements were meticulous and tightly linked, making the most of everyone's strengths and ensuring each person knew exactly what to do. It was enough to win everyone's confidence.

Once the arrangements were complete, everyone took their positions. Yan Hui Valley fell silent once more, like an ancient tomb waiting for its offerings.

The wait made time drag unbearably. A cold wind swept across the cliffs, shrieking like wailing ghosts and howling wolves, testing everyone's nerves.

At last, a faint but heavy tremor came from the distant horizon. It grew nearer and clearer, until it became the thunderous roar of ten thousand galloping horses.

They were here!

Lin Xuan lay hidden atop the highest cliff, motionless as a statue fused with the rock. Through a gap in the leaves, he watched the valley below with a cold gaze.

A black tide surged in through the valley entrance. It was the Mongolian Wolf Riders' vanguard. Their bodies were clad in heavy black iron armor, and they wore fearsome wolf-head helmets. Their horses were all magnificent steeds.

They moved without a sound, save for the muffled clank of armor and the thunder of hooves—sounds that filled the air with a murderous, oppressive force.

The discipline and ferocity of this force far surpassed those of ordinary Mongolian troops. With the arrogance and confidence of hardened veterans, they rode into this valley of death without a care.

A thousand men formed a long serpent, slowly winding forward until they filled the entire narrow valley floor.

Like a hawk, Lin Xuan's gaze fixed precisely on the middle of the formation, where a chariot pulled by eight fine horses stood out as far more lavish than the others. Dozens of fierce-looking guards surrounded it. The Wolf Riders' vanguard commander had to be among them.

Now!

Lin Xuan slowly raised his right hand, then slashed it down. There was no deafening horn, nor a sky filled with flying arrows.

Rumble—!

The moment the signal was given, hundreds of boulders that the hidden martial artists had prepared on both sides of Yan Hui Valley came crashing down. With tremendous force, they rolled like moving mountains, tearing through the air as they slammed into the Wolf Riders below.

"Ah—!"

Screams rang out at once. The Mongolian soldiers barely had time to react before the boulders smashed into them, sending men and horses tumbling in a bloody heap. Startled horses shrieked and charged wildly through the narrow pass, throwing the formation into chaos.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Next, countless prepared fire arrows shot from hiding places on both sides of the cliffs. Like a shower of flame, they landed precisely among the grass and shrubs that had been soaked with oil.

Whoosh—!

Flames surged into the sky! Two roaring dragons of fire burst to life on either side of the pass. The blazing infernos leaped several yards high, transforming the already narrow valley into a landscape straight out of the underworld. Flames and smoke swallowed the Wolf Riders' routes forward and back, sealing them inside a veritable cage of fire.

"Ambush! Form ranks! Form ranks!" a Mongolian centurion shouted hoarsely, trying to restore order.

But his voice was soon drowned out by a new wave of killing intent.

"Attack!"

Yue Buqun's clear shout rang out, setting off the hidden killers like a fuse. The Mount Hua Sect's disciples and swordsmen from across the martial world, who had been lying in wait, shot down from above like lightning. Their sword light poured down in a shimmering cascade, gleaming coldly in the firelight. They targeted the Mongolian officers trying to rally their troops, each strike precise and deadly.

Ning Zhongze moved through the chaos like a streak of flowing light. Her swordplay was graceful and nimble, her blade flashing in every direction. Though it seemed soft and effortless, each strike held extraordinary finesse, finding its way to an enemy's vitals from an angle no one would expect. Her usually gentle face now held only a resolute determination to kill.

At the same time, deep in the valley, Luo Bing's assault squad made its move!

Like leopards in the night, they silently attacked from the Mongolian rear. Luo Bing flicked her wrist, and several flashes of cold light streaked through the air. The guards beside the commander's chariot fell one after another. Her throwing knives were faster than lightning and never missed their mark—the messengers of death themselves!

In a matter of moments, Yan Hui Valley had gone from a silent tomb to a hellish slaughterhouse.

Flames, falling rocks, sword energy, screams, and the clash of battle intertwined in a symphony of death.

The Mongolian Wolf Riders, so arrogant moments before, were utterly overwhelmed by the sudden, all-encompassing assault. Their cavalry advantage was useless in the narrow pass, while their fine equipment offered little protection from boulders tumbling from above. The ferocity they prided themselves on seemed laughable against these elusive, highly skilled martial artists.

Lin Xuan remained atop the highest cliff, coldly watching everything below. His face showed no joy or excitement, only the stillness and chill of the deep sea.

He knew this was only the beginning. The Wolf Riders' vanguard was trapped, but the real battle still lay ahead.

He slowly drew the sword at his waist. In the firelight, its blade gleamed with a chilling sheen, reflecting his deep-set eyes, in which fierce ambition burned.

Chapter 41: Ning Zhongze in Danger

The night sky above Yan Hui Valley was torn in two by the blazing inferno.

One half was hellish crimson; the other, a deathly black.

The rumble of falling boulders and the roar of the flames intertwined, composing a frenzied, bloody battle song. Trapped like beasts in an iron cage, the Mongolian Wolf Riders on the valley floor were slaughtered mercilessly amid fear and chaos.

Yet the Wolf Riders had earned their fearsome reputation across the northern steppe through more than fine equipment and strict discipline. They possessed a ferocity and resilience rooted in their blood, like wolves themselves.

Amid the shrieks and howls, a force of around fifty Mongolian veterans, led by an exceptionally burly officer, forced their way through the falling rocks and arrow storm and carved a path through the carnage.

Abandoning their horses, they took up curved sabers and shields, pressing close to the cliffs like a swarm of bloodthirsty leeches as they launched a desperate counterattack against the Mount Hua Sect's ambush position.

Their leader was Batu, the Wolf Riders' deputy commander.

He stood a full nine feet tall, his muscles bulging like knotted ropes, his body resembling a moving iron tower. He wore three layers of heavy armor, enough to turn aside ordinary blades.

His curved saber was thick and fearsome. Every swing split the air with a shrill whistle, cleaving an approaching martial artist in two, man and sword alike. His brutality made the blood run cold.

"Kill every Southern dog! Avenge our warriors!"

Batu's roar rang across the chaotic battlefield like thunder. Mad fury and a thirst for vengeance blazed in his eyes.

He had quickly realized that the pass where the Mount Hua Sect was stationed was one of the ambush network's most critical points. If they could break through there, they might yet escape this valley of death.

"Junior Brothers and Sisters, form the sword formation! Hold the pass!"

Yue Buqun stood on a boulder, his robes fluttering and his expression grave, carrying himself like a grandmaster. Sword energy poured from his blade as he repeatedly struck down Mongolian soldiers trying to climb the cliffs.

At his command, the Mount Hua Sect's disciples swiftly formed a sophisticated sword formation.

Their sword light wove together into a net, like an unbreakable silver barrier sealing off the path up the mountain.

But Batu and his guards were hardened veterans who had survived countless battles. Their skill far surpassed that of ordinary soldiers.

They showed no fear of death, using their comrades' bodies as shields as they forced their way forward against the sword net, step by step.

Yue Buqun's brows drew tightly together.

He could tell that Batu was a formidable foe. His martial arts and profound Internal Energy were likely no weaker than Yue Buqun's own. To defeat him, Yue Buqun would have to give everything he had and might even have to pay a price.

As he considered this, a barely perceptible thought slipped into his mind.

The Mount Hua Sect had been gravely weakened after the conflict between the Sword and Qi Sects. Only recently had it begun to recover. The disciples he had brought with him were the future foundation of the sect. Losing them here would be a terrible waste.

Besides, Guo Jing and Huang Rong were the main figures in this battle for Xiangyang, along with Lin Xuan, the rising young talent. Yue Buqun had come only to "lend his support."

Risking his sect's resources for someone else's achievement made no sense, however he looked at it.

Once the thought took root, it grew like a creeping vine, quietly influencing every move he made.

Clang!

Yue Buqun's sword slammed into Batu's curved saber, sending sparks flying. A tremendous force traveled up the blade, numbing Yue Buqun's arm.

He drifted backward several yards with the momentum, his posture still graceful. "That's some strength for a Mongolian Tartar!"

On the surface, he traded blows with Batu in a dazzling display of exquisite swordsmanship, earning cheers from the onlookers. Driven by the Purple Cloud Divine Skill, his sword energy flashed in every direction, seeming incredibly fierce.

But only Yue Buqun knew that he held back three parts of his strength with every move. His swordplay favored defense over offense, serving more to keep Batu occupied than to fight to the death.

His plan was to hold the fierce commander off until the battle on the valley floor ended and reinforcements arrived. There was no need to risk injury in a head-on fight.

Most people would never notice the subtle shift, but Ning Zhongze, caught up in the battle herself, sensed something was wrong.

After all those years of marriage, she knew every one of Yue Buqun's moves by heart.

She could tell that his swordsmanship lacked some of its usual decisiveness and sharpness today, and carried a touch more caution and calculation.

Her heart sank. She knew his old habit had resurfaced. She understood his concerns, but on a battlefield where life and death hung in the balance, even a moment's hesitation or restraint could bring disastrous consequences.

"Senior Brother, finish this quickly! Don't let those Tartars break through!"

Ning Zhongze cried out. Her sword flicked forward like a serpent darting from its hole, thrusting at Batu's flank from a tricky angle in an attempt to create an opening for her husband.

Ning Zhongze's swordsmanship was light and swift, complementing Yue Buqun's steady, imposing style. Though she was a woman, her martial arts were undeniably those of a master. Every move carried the bearing of a true heroine.

But the battlefield changed in an instant.

As Batu fought Yue Buqun, he seemed to be under pressure, but he had been watching the entire battle all along.

His beastlike eyes had already marked Ning Zhongze, whose spirited bearing made her a serious threat. He had also noticed the hint of restraint hidden beneath Yue Buqun's seemingly fierce attacks.

Opportunity often came in a single instant!

"Ha!"

Batu suddenly unleashed a thunderous roar. The sound struck like a physical shock wave, making the Mount Hua Sect disciples' eardrums ring and their minds falter.

Instead of blocking Yue Buqun's sword, he swung his curved saber at Yue Buqun's chest in a move that would leave them both injured!

It was a desperate, all-or-nothing attack!

Yue Buqun's pupils contracted sharply. His gentlemanly instincts made him avoid the blow rather than trade wounds.

He pushed off with the tip of his foot and drifted backward like a falling leaf, perfectly evading the deadly strike.

But that was exactly what Batu wanted!

The moment Yue Buqun retreated, Batu twisted his massive body with an eerie agility that seemed impossible for his size.

He took a sword thrust from a Mount Hua Sect disciple at his flank, letting the blade pierce his shoulder. Blood sprayed, but he did not even furrow his brow.

By accepting an injury, he had created a precious opening!

His left hand darted to his waist, drawing a black metal claw of a grotesque design. The tips of its five fingers glinted with a sinister blue light. They were clearly poisoned.

"Bitch, die!"

Batu's target had never been Yue Buqun. It was Ning Zhongze, who had just intervened and was now between moves, with her old strength spent and her new strength not yet gathered!

It all happened in the blink of an eye!

The poisoned claw, like a ghostly hand reaching out from hell, ripped through the air with a sharp whistle. It traced a deadly arc straight toward Ning Zhongze's pale neck!

"Junior Sister, look out!"

Yue Buqun's heart nearly stopped. He cried out in alarm. He tried to turn and rush to her aid, but it was already too late. Batu's massive body stood between them. Though they were only a few steps apart, they were worlds away!

Ning Zhongze's face turned pale with shock. She had never encountered an enemy so utterly unafraid of death, nor had she ever imagined he would target her.

The intense sense of danger made every hair on her body stand on end. She summoned all her strength and raised her sword across her chest, trying to block the attack.

Clang!

The claw struck the blade with a jarring metallic scrape. The force shook Ning Zhongze's hand, and her sword nearly slipped from her grasp.

But the claw had not finished its attack.

Batu flicked his wrist. The chain attached to the claw coiled around the sword like a venomous snake, slipping past her block as its sharp talons slashed toward her arm.

Riiip—

Cloth tore. The sleeve on Ning Zhongze's left arm split open in a long gash.

Though she dodged with all her might at the last moment, the sharp claw still left a wound deep enough to expose bone on her smooth, pale arm.

Five blackened streaks of blood appeared around the wound at once.

"Ah!"

An indescribable pain and icy chill surged from the wound in her arm, flooding into her meridians like a rising tide.