Wuju Swordsmanship

Irelia saw me walking towards her, her face filled with unwillingness.

"Not long after you left, Noxus launched their attack. We fought them off as usual, harassing and striking them, but this time Swain brought a monster. It was enormous, its attacks ferocious... and most importantly, it was unkillable!"

"An unkillable monster?"

"Yes, led by the monster, the Noxians quickly broke through our defenses. News kept coming from the rear that many people's homes were under attack, causing our morale to crumble. We had no choice but to retreat inland."

"Where are you planning to retreat to?"

"Prexian. I plan to regroup my forces there. I defeated Swain there last time, and this time I'll make him repeat his failure! Why are you back? Didn't you go back to the Wind Sword Sect?"

"The Wind Sword Sect is gone. I'm the only one left now."

Riven lowered her head guiltily. Irelia looked astonished. "What? The Wind Sword Sect is gone? Then Elder Suma..."

"My master has passed on. I will inherit his will and protect this land. Let's go. It's all in the past now. Grieving serves no purpose."

Irelia still couldn't believe it, but seeing that I didn't want to say more, she didn't press. Riven, at this moment, showed a determined expression.

"This sin is my doing, and I must atone for it. You two go gather the troops first. Zhao Xin and I will go stop the other Noxians attacking the rear. I know where they're going."

"You said with whom?!" Irelia shouted, staring intently at Riven.

At this moment, I suddenly remembered that Zhao Xin was also a Shepherd, and they were comrades in the battle ten years ago. Their relationship seemed very good. I quickly explained, "Don't misunderstand, Irelia. The Zhao Xin she's talking about isn't the Zhao Xin we know. She mistook me for him because I look very similar to him. Just as she said, you go gather the troops first, and we'll take care of this lingering threat!"

"Yeah, the new Shepherd has already been chosen. How could Zhao Xin still be alive?" Irelia handed us two horses and left. If I wasn't mistaken, there was a trace of tears in the corner of her eye.

I reminded Riven again, "Don't call me Brother Zhao Xin anymore. My name is Yasuo now. From now on, regardless of whether anyone else is around, use this name!"

"I understand, Yasuo!"

Riven took out a map from her pocket. It marked three routes, and she told me they were for three surprise attack forces.

The topmost one was the squad she led, which had already been annihilated. The remaining two were led by Talon and Katarina, respectively. The closest to us now was Talon's squad.

Hearing this, I was a bit confused. Talon once single-handedly assassinated Swain to avenge Noxus's invasion. He failed and was captured, learning the truth, and decided to help overthrow the emperor's rule, which was a form of revenge. Why was he now attacking his own homeland?

Katarina also hated Darius and Swain deeply at the time, doing everything she could to kill them. How was she now serving them?

Riven didn't know the details and couldn't answer me. Without further delay, we immediately set off according to the markings on the map.

Over the next few days, we discovered several small sects that had been wiped out. Following the traces of battle, we finally arrived at a lone peak. Fresh bloodstains indicated that Talon's squad was on the lone peak!

Following the mountain path upwards, I noticed that the architectural layout here was very similar to the Wind Sword Sect. It seemed to be an ancient sect as well, but the terrain wasn't as treacherous as the Wind Sword Sect's.

As we reached the dojo halfway up the mountain, I saw a group of Noxian soldiers besieging a white-haired old man.

The old man was covered in blood, and a pile of Noxian soldiers' corpses lay around him. It seemed these soldiers had paid a heavy price to defeat him.

I rushed forward to stop them. Seeing me use Wind Sword Sect martial arts, the old man instantly felt relieved.

The Noxian soldiers were also happy because they saw Riven. This Blood Warrior was an elite of Noxus and an idol to the soldiers.

They had been struggling to defeat the old man in their previous fight. Seeing Riven now was like seeing a savior. However, these soldiers soon discovered: Riven's blade was pointed at them!

At this moment, someone stepped forward and asked in confusion, "Sergeant Riven, aren't you here to help us? Why are you siding with the Ionian?"

Riven didn't answer him. She sternly said, "Leave here, and I won't kill you. " After speaking, she looked back at me, seemingly seeking my opinion.

I wasn't against Riven showing mercy. It showed she hadn't become bloodthirsty, or perhaps she had changed after meeting me. I nodded at her.

The Noxian soldiers didn't understand. "You want to protect the enemy? Have you betrayed Noxus?"

"I have always fought according to my heart and never pledged allegiance to Noxus, so how can it be considered betrayal? I'll say it again, leave quickly, or don't blame me for being impolite!"

These people didn't appreciate her words. The iron laws of Noxus constantly reminded them: never retreat on the battlefield, no matter how powerful the enemy!

Just as the tension was escalating, an agile figure swiftly approached. Riven had said this squad was led by Talon. I had been wondering why I hadn't seen him, and now he finally appeared.

"Is this appropriate, Riven?"

"Talon, actually, this person..."

Riven knew I had gone through thick and thin with Talon. If she revealed my identity, this conflict might be resolved. But I stopped her.

I had already laid my cards on the table with Swain, even telling him LeBlanc's identity, yet it hadn't stopped the war. Revealing myself to Talon now might resolve the immediate conflict, but it wouldn't affect the overall situation.

Besides, I didn't want Zhao Xin's memory to continue in more people's minds, because he was already dead. May the departed rest in peace.

Seeing me wave my hand, Riven changed her words. "Actually, this person... I've fallen for him, so I've changed my previous decision. If you don't want to clash with me, then please go back and tell Lord Swain that I will no longer serve him."

Talon looked at the broken sword in Riven's hand, surprised. "Fallen for him? I'm curious what kind of charm he has that makes our heartless Blood Warrior turn back. Is it because he broke your sword?"

"Yes, he's powerful. So powerful that I admire him. In a one-on-one fight, I might not lose to you, but if we team up, you'll definitely lose!"

"Then let me die by your swords!" Talon said, preparing to attack.

I didn't want things to escalate like this. I could kill these soldiers without mercy, but I couldn't bring myself to attack Talon, as he had saved me once.

Did I really have to reveal Zhao Xin's identity? Just as I was hesitating, a blur of motion flashed past.

The newcomer was also a swordsman, lean and agile, landing like the wind near the old man and bowing respectfully.

"Master, your disciple Yi has returned!"