The Fatal Blow

Autumn rain blurred the world, falling in fine, silken threads. Cold winds howled, their chill piercing to the bone.

This was the outskirts of a relay station on the border between Jing and Wu.

It was already the dead of night. Dawn was still several moments away. This was the darkest hour before sunrise, and the time when people were most off their guard.

Fang Ming stood tall and solemn, a battalion of Yin Soldiers behind him. They were all veterans who had fought their way through previous battles. The twenty-odd men at the front, however, were living people. They looked like farmers, with honest, simple faces, but wore iron armor from the mortal world. Their eyes brimmed with killing intent. They were all local farmers, possessed by Fang Ming's Yin Soldiers.

This time, Fang Ming had placed the Yin Soldiers inside his Grotto-Heaven, used his divine ability to travel, concealed their whereabouts, and raced through the night to reach this place.

He gazed at the relay station. Red and white energies enveloped it, while golden energy gathered within. There was even a hint of blue. His target was here.

When he looked at the Fortune above his own head, he saw a layer of blue surrounding it. A smile appeared. This was the result of his long labor and more than a hundred thousand units of Divine Power spent. It was also the greatest asset behind his plan!

A fierce grin flashed across his face. "Kill! Leave no one alive!"

The Yin Soldiers behind him took the order and shouted, "Kill!"

Their military energy coalesced and surged toward the relay station. It was an official institution, even under the Ministry of War, and naturally protected by Fortune. In ancient times, attacking a relay station was a grave crime. But Fang Ming now held a seventh-rank divine position. Below ninth-rank officials, even if he killed someone, his own Fortune would only fluctuate a little—let alone for this tiny relay station. He didn't even need to act himself. A single charge of military energy broke through its defenses.

At the same time, inside the relay station.

Su Xia was meditating and refining her qi when a flash of blue light suddenly shone from her bosom, followed by a long cry.

Knowing something was wrong, she took a small seal from her robe. It was only the size of an egg and fit in the palm of her hand. The entire thing was blue and exquisitely beautiful. Now, it was showing strange signs as well.

A grave expression appeared on Su Xia's stunning face. Then the seal trembled again. She sensed that the relay station's Fortune had been breached. Her expression changed. "The Peaceful World Seal has sounded an alarm, and with such urgency. It must be because the enemy's Fortune is flourishing. What audacity—they even dare to storm a relay station. Do they fear neither the law nor the court?"

The relay station now served only to handle the court's official documents and lodge its officials. The Great Qian Empire still had twenty years of dynastic fortune left; the law still held its authority. She had never expected such brazen bandits to dare commit this crime!

Su Xia was the Holy Maiden of the Supreme Dao, and naturally held official status. She had a fifth-rank honorary post in the Ghost-Banishing Bureau. Otherwise, no matter how famous she was, how could she have lodged in the county yamen and received such a warm welcome from Wei Zhun?

Moreover, the world was vast, and there were countless local powers. Su Xia's identity as a member of the Supreme Dao was secret. The local gentry didn't know about it, so why would they show her respect? Her lofty reputation was all thanks to her official status! It was also what gave Su Xia the confidence to travel the realm with only a light entourage and offer performances. The Aristocratic Clans knew of her Supreme Dao connections and didn't dare harass her. Her official status was enough to cow the wealthy local gentry. Now, someone had actually stormed the relay station. They must have come for her—but which faction were they from?

Su Xia stayed calm in the face of danger and sent out orders. Before long, a crowd had gathered inside the room. Little He'er and Hou Bai were among them, along with more than a dozen armed guards. They were more than enough to deal with country bumpkins.

"Bandits are trying to storm the relay station. We mustn't rush out to fight them head-on. We should defend the station instead! Go quickly and take up your positions. Wait for reinforcements!" Su Xia spoke softly, her voice clear and gentle.

The relay station had many corridors and corners. Su Xia's guards were all highly skilled in martial arts; going out to fight head-on would make it easy to fall into an ambush. But defending the station and striking from cover would suit them perfectly. What's more, Su Xia and Little He'er were both versed in the Dao. With their help, they could hold out for a long time even against several hundred elite troops.

That would give the nearby garrison time to get the message and come to their aid!

Her subordinates answered in unison and went to make preparations. In an instant, the whole relay station was in an uproar.

Fang Ming waited outside for a while, but Su Xia didn't come out. Only a few low-ranking clerks and servants emerged. Xie Jin stepped forward and killed them one by one with a single stroke, destroying their souls as well.

He sneered. "As expected of a Holy Maiden—her judgment is sharp. Xie Jin, set the place on fire!"

Xie Jin obeyed. Since he was possessing a farmer, he could handle objects from the mortal world. They had prepared the oil and flint before setting out. But even Xie Jin, a veteran of countless battles, felt a little unsteady. He ordered his men to light torches and burn down the station.

Stories always talked about killing and burning, but in reality, thieves in ancient times generally didn't dare do this. Setting houses on fire caused too much damage, and the flames could spread easily, bringing disaster in their wake.

This was always a major target of the authorities' crackdowns. If you killed someone, at worst you'd be wanted, and the authorities wouldn't necessarily search too hard for you. But if you started a fire, they would turn the whole county upside down, searching high and low until they caught you and brought you to justice. They might even implicate your family!

Burning down a relay station was an even graver provocation against the Great Qian court. It was tantamount to open rebellion!

Xie Jin knew how serious this was, but his lord had given the order, so he steeled himself and carried it out.

Houses in ancient times were mostly made of wood. Though it was raining, the flames were fierce and spread extremely fast. Before long, the entire relay station was burning.

Cries and curses rang out from within the station.

Fang Ming's expression was cold as he gave the order. "Get ready!"

A man stepped forward and shouted, "Nock your bolts!" This was Wang Zhong. Fang Ming had brought all his elites this time—even Wang Zhong, a local earth god, had been summoned to manage the troops.

The Yin Soldiers behind him immediately brought out a weapon: crossbows. These were bows fitted with stocks, consisting mainly of a stock, bow, string, and trigger mechanism. Crossbows took far longer to reload than bows, but their force was immense. They could pierce iron armor and tear through an enemy's muscles and bones. Their bolts also had barbs and blood grooves, making them extremely difficult to pull out. Even a wound that missed a vital spot could cause the victim to bleed to death in a short time.

The Yin Soldiers had already cocked the crossbows. Their arrowheads glinted coldly as they aimed at the main gate. There were five in all, with another five Yin Soldiers beside them holding bows to provide extra fire. These were all objects from the mortal world, contributed by the Four Great Houses. They had provided ten crossbows, as well as iron armor and bows and arrows. This had surprised Fang Ming and given him an even better understanding of the power wielded by the great houses of this world.

Just then, a commotion rose at the station's main gate. A crowd of people rushed out: clerks, servants, and burly guards hidden among them.

Wang Zhong shouted, "Fire!"

Whoosh, whoosh... The crossbow bolts struck with tremendous force. The main gate was narrow, and the bolts pierced several people, spraying blood as screams rang out without end.

Some guards were brave and lucky enough to dodge the first volley, but the archers took aim at them next. One after another, they were struck by arrows. The Yin Soldiers behind them brandished their red-glowing sabers and rushed forward to finish them off. Men and women, old and young—no one was spared.

These weapons had been empowered by Fang Ming beforehand and could harm things in the mortal world.

At the same time, something shattered. A window on one side of the relay station broke, and three figures—two white and one black—flew out. They split into two groups and fled in opposite directions.

Fang Ming sneered. "Just as I expected! Fire!"

The remaining five crossbowmen obeyed, aiming at the three figures and loosing their bolts.

White light flashed, as though one of them was trying to use Dao magic. Xie Jin roared, and military energy surged. A white figure cried out in pain, faltered, and took a bolt.

Xie Jin led a squad of soldiers in pursuit. They were all living bodies from the mortal world, clad in iron armor and seething with killing intent.

The gray figure stopped, revealing a man of exceptional beauty. It was none other than the "Amorous Sword Hero," Hou Bai. With a bitter laugh, he cried, "Miss, I'll serve at your side again in my next life!"

He turned and raised his sword to hold back the Yin Soldiers. Xie Jin grinned savagely and lunged at him. Their figures flashed back and forth. Hou Bai's swordsmanship was superb; he killed two Yin Soldiers, but suffered several wounds himself and could hold out no longer. Xie Jin beheaded him with a single stroke.

The remaining Yin Soldiers surrounded Little He'er. She had been struck by the military energy, suffering a backlash from her Dao magic, and had also taken an arrow. She was at the end of her strength. The Yin Soldiers showed no mercy, bringing their blades down to separate her head from her body.

As expected of someone half a step from True Personhood, Su Xia didn't waver at all when struck by the military energy. A flash of white light, and she suddenly appeared several yards away, dodging the crossbow bolts. Blue light flashed in her hand, and a tiny hummingbird appeared. It gave a clear cry and flew toward the distance.

Wang Zhong drew his bow and nocked an arrow. "Hit!"

The arrow flew straight into the hummingbird, shooting it apart into scattered white light.

Amid a flash of red light, Fang Ming appeared before Su Xia, blocking her path.

"So it was you!" Su Xia's voice remained cool and composed, as though the deaths around her and the danger she herself faced were no more than clouds drifting by or a gentle breeze brushing her face.

Fang Ming shook his head. Suddenly, a blue seal appeared out of thin air and smashed into him. His figure burst apart like a bubble and vanished.

"This Water-Mirror Divine Art really is useful. It's getting late, so allow me to send the Holy Maiden on her way!" Fang Ming let out a long cry. Military energy transformed into a long spear in his hand, its crimson color radiating an overwhelming Killing Intent. It was like a black-and-red beam of light as it slammed toward Su Xia.

Su Xia's expression remained calm. She spoke without hurry or haste. "You're doomed. You dared to provoke the Supreme Dao; no one under heaven or above it can save you!"

She formed a spell with her hand. The blue seal, wrapped in red and yellow energy, met the beam of light.

Bang! The sound was like a strike against rotten leather. The beam shattered. Fang Ming's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood as his divine body trembled.

A blush spread across Su Xia's face. Like an immortal maiden fallen into the mortal world, she looked even more beautiful, moving hearts with her allure.

While this brief clash had stalled them, Fang Ming's subordinates had finished off the stragglers and closed in.

Fang Ming sneered and ordered, "Don't charge in and fight her head-on. Use the bows and crossbows from the mortal world. Loose your arrows!"

He knew that if they tried to fight her with divine abilities and magical power, even he and his subordinates together wouldn't be enough. But no matter how profound Su Xia's cultivation was, she still had a mortal body. If an arrow struck her, she would bleed all the same.

His subordinates obeyed, forming ranks and nocking their arrows.

Su Xia's expression changed. She was about to cast some kind of spell when Fang Ming grinned fiercely. His Divine Power surged. He was willing to risk making his injuries worse if it meant holding Su Xia in place and stopping her from using Dao magic.

With Fang Ming fighting for his life, Su Xia couldn't use her Dao magic for the moment. The Yin Soldiers seized the opportunity to cock their crossbows, aim at her, and fire their deadly weapons!

Wang Zhong held his bow ready but did not shoot, keeping Su Xia pinned in place. A squad stood behind him, sealing off her escape route.

It was a perfect killing trap!

Su Xia was remarkable indeed. Her white dress billowed as she rose like a celestial maiden from the Ninth Heaven, stepping on lotus flowers. In a single instant, she shifted several yards away, dodging most of the crossbow bolts. This wasn't Dao magic, but pure martial cultivation—already at the pinnacle of this world!

But human strength had its limits. An arrow still struck Su Xia's shoulder. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. The sight of the white-robed beauty, blood staining her shoulder, was so pitiful that even Wang Zhong's heart softened, stirring a sense of guilt in him. But his lord's cold gaze fell upon him, instantly clearing his mind. He shouted, "Fire!"

Wang Zhong and the squad behind him were all expert archers. Arrows rained down. Injured, Su Xia couldn't dodge in time, and several more struck her. Blood flowed from her wounds, pooling on the ground.

The autumn rain continued to fall in fine threads. The autumn chill, drizzle, mud, celestial maiden, and blood formed a sinister tableau. Su Xia was smeared with blood and mired in mud, like an immortal cast down into the mortal world and fallen into a pit of filth. She radiated an even more unusual allure. The beauty parted her lips, about to say something.

Fang Ming's expression remained cold. He waved his hand, and Xie Jin led his soldiers in a rush, swinging their blades. A head flew seven or eight meters into the air, and blood sprayed everywhere.