Old Wu

Fifty miles outside the city.

In the military camp under the morning sun, fifty thousand troops formed a square formation. The well-trained regular army stared straight ahead, the atmosphere solemn.

Opposite the camp, banners belonging to martial arts sects stood tall. Disciples in various sect uniforms stood ready, their eyes filled with disdain.

Two hours before the great battle began in Mengzhou City, these two forces had already clashed.

Their objectives were simple.

To prevent the other side from reaching Mengzhou City.

At this moment, inside the general's tent in the military camp, General Sikong, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, held his sword, his face full of worry.

"Your Highness, this is not what we agreed upon. Besides the Golden Saber Sect and the Sword Worship Sect, three more of Mengzhou's top ten sects are involved in this rebellion. This situation is very unfavorable for us."

Beside General Sikong was the Ninth Princess, who had changed into military attire.

Her expression was also extremely grim.

"I thought the situation in Mengzhou wasn't this bad, but it's even more absurd than I imagined. If this tumor isn't removed soon, the consequences are unimaginable."

"This is no longer about removing a tumor, but whether we can retreat safely. There are at least five Innate experts on the other side. How can we defeat them with just us?"

General Sikong paced back and forth in the tent, his panic visible.

After all, his army was only large in numbers; their overall strength was insufficient.

Although he himself was an Innate expert, he had no other Innate experts under his command.

With such a vast disparity in high-end combat power, how could they fight?

At this moment, the Ninth Princess stood up and said, "General, I have secretly contacted five other major sects. They have always been loyal to the Imperial Court and have promised to send experts to assist us."

"Where are they!" General Sikong suddenly roared.

"So much time has passed! Where are the experts? None have arrived!"

The Ninth Princess remained silent.

She didn't blame General Sikong for his rudeness, as she had indeed miscalculated.

She hadn't expected that those neutral sects would directly side with the Rebel Faction.

And those sects that had promised her had also remained silent.

Just then, a soldier outside the tent shouted an order.

"Reporting, General! Fairy Hongfu is here to see you!"

Upon hearing this, General Sikong and the Ninth Princess rejoiced simultaneously.

"Quick, invite her in!"

Fairy Hongfu was an expert from the Rainbow Sword Sect, which was one of the five pro-Imperial Court sects.

Since she had arrived, it was likely that the experts promised by the five major sects had arrived.

The two immediately rushed out to greet her.

They saw a woman dressed entirely in red, with a cinnabar mark on her forehead, walking towards them with a sword.

Upon seeing the Ninth Princess, she slightly cupped her hands and said coldly.

"Your Highness, Fairy Hongfu is here on behalf of the sect leaders of the five major sects to offer an apology. We are afraid we cannot fulfill our promise to assist you. Please take care of yourself."

After speaking, Fairy Hongfu left without any intention of explaining, giving them no face at all.

The Ninth Princess stood frozen on the spot.

The slap in the face came too quickly, making her cheeks burn.

General Sikong's face also turned pale, and he roared furiously, "Scoundrels! You don't keep your word! What renowned righteous sects, they are clearly a bunch of cowardly rats!"

At this moment, Old Wu suddenly reached out and patted the Ninth Princess's shoulder.

"Your Highness, what are you thinking now?"

The Ninth Princess gave a bitter smile.

"Old Wu, I was too young. I thought half a year of effort had secured these allies, but I didn't expect..."

"Your Highness, there's no need to dwell on it. This is your first time undertaking such a task, and failure is normal. You simply underestimated the petty squabbles among these martial arts sects; it's not your fault."

"But Old Wu..."

"Your Highness, rest assured. I am your last trump card. With me here, what are five Innate experts?"

Old Wu smiled kindly and then released a wave of aura.

Instantly.

General Sikong, who was still shouting, felt the aura and his legs went weak, almost collapsing.

"Third... Third-Rank Innate!"

At the same time, the martial arts coalition on the opposite side was also taken aback.

Countless experts simultaneously looked towards the opposing military camp.

"What's going on! This soaring aura!"

"It can't be wrong! It's the aura only a Third-Rank Innate possesses!"

"Who is it? Sikong Wuhen definitely doesn't have this kind of strength!"

In an instant, experts from all paths emerged, their gazes complex.

There was fervor, fear, and also thoughts of retreat.

"Mister Plainclothes, you didn't tell us the Imperial Court sent a Third-Rank Innate. We can't help with this."

At the forefront of the martial arts allied army, the experts from five rebellious sects looked behind them.

Mister Plainclothes, holding copper coins and divination slips, slowly walked out.

Sensing Old Wu's aura, Mister Plainclothes smiled faintly.

"Everyone, rest assured, I didn't inform you because this senior doesn't need your help to deal with them. You only need to kill Sikong Wuhen and capture the Ninth Princess alive."

Upon hearing this, the elder from the Sword Worship Sect asked doubtfully.

"What do you mean? Mister Plainclothes, have you invited another expert we don't know about?"

"You will know soon enough."

The few exchanged glances and said no more.

The Old Man in Blue from the Sword Worship Sect chuckled, "It seems Brother Pei from the Golden Saber Sect already knew the news. No wonder he chose to go to Mengzhou City to kill that unknown minor Innate."

Everyone burst into laughter at this.

A middle-aged woman in white even teased, "Brother Pei is truly getting old. He hasn't returned in so long. Anyone who didn't know would think he went to Mengzhou City to enjoy himself first."

The others were all joking, only Mister Plainclothes remained silent.

For some reason, he vaguely felt something was wrong.

But with Pei Wanchun's strength, there shouldn't be any mistakes.

Ultimately, he still chose to trust Pei Wanchun and turned to the elder from the Sword Worship Sect.

"Since Brother Pei has not yet returned, please have Sect Leader Ouyang lead everyone in his stead."

The Old Man in Blue stroked his white beard and confidently stepped to the front of the battle formation.

"Sikong Wuhen, we are old friends. There's no need for more words. Hand over the Ninth Princess and retreat. Your martial arts shouldn't end here."

The Old Man in Blue's resonant voice reached General Sikong.

Although he was very displeased with the Ninth Princess, General Sikong unhesitatingly donned his armor, picked up his spear, and mounted his horse.

He emerged, his face full of rage, and said, "Old man Ouyang, you traitors, what right do you have to bellow! For what you have done today, I, Sikong Wuhen, will lead my army to flatten your mountain gates!"

The Old Man in Blue sneered.

"As expected of the Imperial Court's loyal dog, so devoted. Fine, since you don't appreciate it, then die."

With that, two Innate experts behind him simultaneously attacked, a man and a woman, each wielding different weapons, flying towards Sikong Wuhen from both sides.

The latter also let out a roar, raising his long spear to counterattack.

At the same time, a horn sounded, and the two sides no longer hesitated, engaging directly.

Instantly, the battlefield was filled with flashing blades and flying arrows, the personal combat power of the martial artists clashing with the battle formations of the soldiers.

In moments, there were countless casualties.

Mister Plainclothes looked at the remaining two Innate experts.

"You two, follow me to capture the Ninth Princess!"

Swish, swish, swish!

The three immediately flew towards the opposing central army. Just then, a violent aura suddenly surged into the sky.

It directly sent the three flying back.

They stabilized themselves, still shaken, and saw Old Wu emitting purple True Qi, walking out step by step.

"Those who harm the Princess shall die."

Instantly, Old Wu vanished from her spot. The next second, she was already holding her staff and had sent an Innate expert flying with a single blow.

The difference of merely one rank felt like a complete crushing, leaving no room for resistance.

The Old Man in Blue's heart skipped a beat, and he retreated repeatedly.

He was afraid he would be the next one to be hit.

At this moment, Mister Plainclothes, completely unaffected by the oppressive aura, slowly walked forward.

"As expected of Senior Purple Demon, who was renowned in Mengzhou fifty years ago. This junior, Plainclothes, requests your guidance."