Killing Blow

The autumn rain was hazy, falling in wisps. The cold wind howled, chilling to the bone.

This was outside a post station on the border of Jing and Wu.

It was already past midnight, still a few moments before sunrise, the darkest time before dawn, and when people's hearts were most lax.

Fang Ming stood solemnly, followed by a camp of Yin Soldiers, all veterans from previous battles. The first twenty or so were living men, appearing to be farmers, with honest faces but clad in mortal iron armor. Their eyes were filled with killing intent; these were farmers from the nearby villages, possessed by Fang Ming's Yin Soldiers.

This time, Fang Ming had loaded the Yin Soldiers into his Grotto-Heaven, using his divine power to travel, concealing his presence, and rushing through the night to arrive here.

Looking at the post station, it was enveloped in red and white qi, and within it, golden qi was also gathered. It even carried a cyan hue, indicating the target was here.

Looking at himself, a layer of cyan enveloped his fortune, and a smile appeared. This was the result of his long and arduous efforts, consuming over a hundred thousand points of divine power, and it was his greatest asset for planning this operation!

A sinister smile flashed across his face as he said, "Kill! Leave no one alive!"

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

Military Qi condensed and surged towards the post station. This post station was an official institution, even belonging to the Ministry of War, and naturally had fortune guarding it. In ancient times, attacking a post station was a grave offense. But Fang Ming was now a seventh-rank divine position; below the ninth-rank officials, even if he killed someone, his fortune would only fluctuate slightly. How much less could this small post station withstand him? Without Fang Ming needing to act, the Military Qi alone would suffice to break through.

At the same time, inside the post station.

Su Xia was meditating and cultivating qi when suddenly, a cyan light flashed in her embrace, emitting a long cry.

Sensing that something was wrong, she took out a small seal from her embrace. This seal was only the size of an egg, fitting in the palm of her hand, entirely cyan, and extremely exquisite. Now, it was showing an unusual phenomenon.

A solemn expression appeared on Su Xia's stunningly beautiful face. Then, she felt another jolt – this was the sensation from the post station's fortune being broken. Su Xia's expression changed as she said, "The Taiping Seal has warned me with such urgency. It must be because the enemy's fortune is greatly flourishing. They truly have the audacity to even storm a post station, are they not afraid of the King's law?"

Currently, the post station was only for the transit of imperial documents and the accommodation of officials. Great Gan still had twenty years left in its reign, and the King's law was still held in awe. She didn't expect such fierce bandits to dare commit such an act!

Su Xia was the Saintess of the Supreme Dao and naturally held an official position, holding a fifth-rank scattered official post in the Ghost Suppression Department. Otherwise, no matter how famous she was, how could she have stayed at the county yamen and received such warm hospitality from Wei Zhun?

Moreover, the world was vast, and there were many local heroes. Su Xia's Supreme Dao identity was also secret. Local gentry did not know about it, so why would they give her face? This noble image was all thanks to this official skin! This was also Su Xia's reliance for daring to perform across the land with only a small entourage! The Great Clans knew her Supreme Dao background and dared not offend her. The local gentry and powerful families were deterred by this official status! Now, someone had brazenly stormed the post station. They must be after her, but she didn't know which faction it was?

Su Xia remained calm in the face of danger and passed down the word. Before long, a group of people gathered in the room, including Xiao He'er and Hou Bai. There were also about ten guards, all armed, who would be enough to deal with common bandits.

"There are villains attempting to storm the post station. We cannot go out to fight them head-on. We must defend from within! You all quickly assign your posts and await rescue!" Su Xia's voice was gentle and clear, spoken softly.

The interior of the post station had many attics and corners, and Su Xia's guards were skilled in martial arts. If they went out to fight head-on, they would easily fall into an ambush. But fighting a guerrilla war from within the post station would be like a fish in water. Not to mention, both Su Xia and Xiao He'er were proficient in Daoist magic. With their assistance, even several hundred elite soldiers could be held off for a long time.

With this time, the nearby garrison could receive the news and come to their rescue!

The subordinates acknowledged with a roar and went to prepare, causing the entire post station to be in an uproar.

Fang Ming waited outside for a moment, but Su Xia did not rush out. Only a few servants and attendants came out, all of whom were met by Xie Jin, who killed them one by one with a single saber, destroying even their souls.

He sneered and said, "As expected of a Saintess, she is indeed insightful. Xie Jin, set it on fire!"

Xie Jin received the order. He was currently possessing a farmer and could naturally manipulate mortal objects. The kerosene and flint had been prepared before they came. However, even though Xie Jin had been through many battles, he still trembled slightly. He ordered his subordinates to light torches and set fire to the station.

Novels always talk about killing and arson, but in reality, ancient bandits generally dared not do this. This was because setting fire to houses had too great a destructive power and could easily spread, causing a catastrophe.

This had always been a strict crackdown area for the authorities. Even if you killed someone, you'd at most be wanted, and the authorities' pursuit wouldn't be that intense. Once you set a fire, they would search the entire county from top to bottom, heaven and earth, to bring you to justice, and you might even bring disaster upon your family!

Burning this post station was an even more serious provocation to the Great Gan dynasty, tantamount to direct rebellion!

Xie Jin knew the severity of the situation, but with his lord's command, he gritted his teeth and carried out the military order.

Ancient houses were mostly made of wood. Although it was raining, the fire spread extremely quickly due to its intensity. Before long, it had spread throughout the entire post station.

Inside the post station, cries of anguish and curses continued to erupt.

Fang Ming's expression was cold as he commanded, "Prepare!"

A person stepped out and shouted, "Nock arrows!" This person was Wang Zhong. Fang Ming had brought out his elites for this operation, even summoning Wang Zhong, the Earth God, to temporarily manage the army.

The Yin Soldiers behind them immediately took out an object – it was a crossbow, a bow equipped with an arm, mainly composed of the bow arm, bow, bowstring, and crossbow mechanism. The loading time for a crossbow was much longer than that of a bow, but its power was immense, capable of piercing iron armor and tearing through enemy muscles and bones. The arrowheads were also barbed and grooved, making them extremely difficult to remove once hit. Even if not a vital spot, one would bleed to death within a short time.

These crossbows were already strung by the Yin Soldiers, their arrowheads glinting coldly, aimed at the main entrance. There were five of them, with five more Yin Soldiers beside them holding bows and arrows for replenishment. These were all mortal objects contributed by the Four Great Families, totaling ten sets of crossbows, as well as iron armor and arrows, which surprised Fang Ming and gave him a deeper understanding of the strength of the world's great clans.

At this moment, a commotion erupted from the main entrance of the post station, and a group of people rushed out, a motley crew of officials, servants, and well-trained guards hidden among them.

Wang Zhong shouted, "Fire!"

"Whoosh..." The sound rang out. The crossbow bolts were incredibly powerful, and the main entrance was narrow. Several people were pierced, blood splattering, and screams were endless.

Some brave guards who were lucky enough to dodge the first volley of crossbow bolts were then targeted by archers and hit by arrows. The Yin Soldiers behind them swung their long sabers, which glowed red, and moved forward to finish them off, leaving no one alive, regardless of age or gender.

These were weapons Fang Ming had previously enchanted, capable of harming mortal beings.

At the same time, a shattering sound echoed. On one side of the post station, a window cracked, and three figures, two white and one black, flew out, splitting into two groups and fleeing in different directions.

Fang Ming sneered, "I was waiting for this! Fire!"

The remaining five crossbowmen obeyed the order and aimed at the three figures, shooting crossbow bolts.

A white light flashed, as if trying to use Daoist magic. Xie Jin let out a roar, and Military Qi surged. A white figure let out a pained cry, its movement paused, and it was hit by an arrow.

Xie Jin led a squad of soldiers forward, all in mortal bodies with iron armor, exuding a murderous aura.

The gray shadow stopped, revealing an exceptionally handsome person – it was the "Amorous Swordsman," Hou Bai. Hou Bai let out a tragic laugh and said, "Young Lady, Hou Bai will serve you again in the next life!"

He turned back and blocked the Yin Soldiers with his sword. Xie Jin grinned sinisterly and lunged forward. Figures flashed as Hou Bai's swordsmanship was superb. He killed two Yin Soldiers consecutively but also sustained several wounds himself. He could no longer hold on and was beheaded by Xie Jin's saber.

The remaining Yin Soldiers surrounded Xiao He'er. The young woman had been impacted by the Military Qi, her Daoist magic had backfired, and she had been hit by an arrow. She was at the end of her strength. The Yin Soldiers showed no mercy, swinging their sabers down, separating her head from her body.

Su Xia, worthy of being a half-step True Person, was unfazed by the impact of the Military Qi. A white light flashed, and her figure suddenly appeared several yards away, dodging the crossbow bolt. A cyan light flashed in her hand, and a small hummingbird appeared, chirping and flying into the distance.

Wang Zhong drew his bow and arrow, saying, "Hit!"

Arrows shot out, striking the hummingbird and causing it to dissipate into white light.

With a flash of red light, Fang Ming appeared in front of Su Xia, blocking her path.

"It's you!" Su Xia's voice was still cool and clear, as if the previous casualties and her own danger were mere floating clouds, a gentle breeze brushing past her face.

Fang Ming shook his head. Suddenly, a cyan seal appeared from the void and struck Fang Ming, his figure scattering like bubbles and disappearing.

"This Water Mirror Divine Ability is indeed useful. It's getting late, so allow me to send the Saintess on her way!" Fang Ming let out a long roar, Military Qi transforming into a spear in his hand, glowing crimson and exuding a killing aura. It shot like a black and red pillar of light towards Su Xia.

Su Xia's expression was calm as she spoke unhurriedly, "You're dead. How dare you provoke my Supreme Dao? No one, in heaven or on earth, can save you!"

She formed a hand seal, and the cyan seal, carrying red and yellow energy, met the pillar of light.

With a "bang," like hitting rotten leather, the pillar of light shattered. Fang Ming's face turned pale, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, his divine body fluctuating.

A faint blush appeared on Su Xia's face, like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm, making her even more alluring and captivating.

During this delay, Fang Ming's subordinates had cleared out the remaining enemies and surrounded them.

Fang Ming sneered and ordered, "Don't engage them head-on. Use your worldly crossbows and fire!"

He knew that if it came down to a battle of divine abilities and magical power, even with his subordinates, they would still be outmatched. However, no matter how profound Su Xia's cultivation was, she was still a mortal. An arrow would still draw blood.

His subordinates received the order, formed ranks, and nocked their arrows.

Su Xia's expression changed, and she was about to perform a technique. Fang Ming grinned savagely, his divine power surging. He was willing to risk serious injury to restrain Su Xia, preventing her from using her Daoist arts.

With him desperately holding her back, Su Xia couldn't use her Daoist arts for a moment. The Yin Soldiers had time to load their crossbows and aimed them at Su Xia, firing their deadly weapons!

Wang Zhong held his bow and arrow, drawing but not releasing, keeping Su Xia in check. Behind him, a squad locked down Su Xia's escape route.

This was a kill formation!

Good heavens, Su Xia! Her white skirt billowed, and she moved like a celestial maiden from the ninth heaven, stepping on lotuses. In an instant, she shifted several yards, dodging most of the crossbow bolts. This wasn't a Daoist art, but pure martial cultivation, the pinnacle of this world!

But human strength has its limits. Su Xia was still hit in the shoulder by an arrow. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. This beautiful woman, with blood on her shoulder, presented a pitiable scene that even made Wang Zhong's heart soften, filling him with a sense of guilt. However, when his Lord's cold gaze fell upon him, his mind cleared instantly, and he shouted, "Fire!"

Wang Zhong and the squad behind him, all skilled archers, unleashed a rain of arrows. Su Xia, injured, couldn't dodge in time and was hit by several more arrows. Blood flowed, pooling on the ground.

The autumn rain continued to drizzle. The autumn mood, the fine rain, the muddy ground, the celestial maiden, and the blood formed an eerie picture. Su Xia, covered in mud and blood, looked like a fallen angel, more captivating than ever. The beauty parted her lips, about to say something.

However, Fang Ming's expression was stern. He waved his hand, and Xie Jin led his troops to charge. Their sabers flashed, and heads flew several meters high, blood spraying.