Chapter 14: A Meeting of Strengths
In the Dusi Mansion and Blackwater Prison, Lin Feng immersed himself in the study of Sword Techniques, demonstrating remarkable comprehension. He strived to execute his movements with rigorous precision, ensuring that the flow of Vital Energy was smooth and that each strike was powerful.
After several hours, Lin Feng said, "Senior, I have made some progress in my understanding. Would you allow me to demonstrate?"
"Sure," Qi Si replied, looking at Lin Feng with an approving expression. Among the younger generation, few were as grounded in their practice and possessed such strong comprehension abilities.
Lin Feng swung the straw in his hand, preparing to unleash the Cloud Sword technique. When the Vital Energy had coalesced to its peak strength, he thrust forward with his sword and then drew it back while adopting a defensive stance known as Hugging the Sword.
Qi Si observed Lin Feng's sword movements intently and began to notice some subtleties.
The intricate sword strikes intertwined, forming fleeting characters in the air.
"Forced into this situation, intending to extract information."
As Lin Feng executed these eight words, he paused. He believed that with Qi Si's exceptional swordsmanship, he would surely recognize them. Lin Feng turned to Qi Si and asked, "Senior, how was my demonstration just now?"
Lin Feng felt a sense of guilt for deceiving Qi Si after receiving such enthusiastic guidance in his sword practice.
"Almost there; watch me," Qi Si replied with a smile, growing even more appreciative of Lin Feng. He had harbored some doubts about Lin Feng's identity; if Lin Feng continued to play along, could he truly deceive him? Yet at this moment, Lin Feng revealed his thoughts openly, displaying a candid heart.
The grand sword energy required such openness of spirit.
Qi Si gathered his strength with the Cloud Sword, thrusting the blade forward before spinning around and returning to a defensive stance, Hugging the Sword. Although his movements seemed similar to Lin Feng's, the trajectory of his sword was already intricate and ever-changing, each fleeting moment revealing a different nuance.
Qi Si wrote, "How is your memory?"
Lin Feng paused slightly, unsure of what the senior meant. He replied while wielding his sword, "It's decent."
Qi Si continued writing, "I have an illustration and text. Remember it and pass it on to my senior sister."
Lin Feng responded, "Alright."
With a problem that had troubled him for days finally resolved, Qi Si laughed heartily, "Brother, you have considerable talent. Today I will demonstrate a segment of my Qijian Pavilion's Sword Technique. Watch closely."
In Qi Si's hand was a piece of straw. As he moved, the straw became as pliable as willow branches, twisting and weaving through the Void in various strange ways; at times it was as rigid as a spear, exuding an overwhelming force that seemed to pierce the clouds.
What Qi Si showcased was not merely swordsmanship but rather a masterful blend of numerous complex Sword Techniques. Lin Feng was left in awe, finding it immensely beneficial.
Of course, Lin Feng also noticed intricate patterns that others could not see. These patterns were peculiar and seemed incomplete, making them difficult to remember.
After finishing his demonstration, Qi Si waved his sword and asked, "Did you remember?"
Lin Feng nodded and said, "I remember. I'll practice it for you."
Qi Si immediately waved his sword to stop him, saying, "No, that would leave traces."
Lin Feng inquired again, "How do I deliver it to your senior sister?"
"I have planted a Sword Technique within your Sea of Consciousness. Your senior sister will be able to sense its presence and will naturally come to find you. Just in case—if you were to deceive me with your words and actions not aligning, this Sword Technique will explode within your Sea of Consciousness. I need not elaborate on the consequences. However, if you successfully deliver this illustration to my senior sister, this Sword Technique will dissipate on its own," Qi Si explained.
Lin Feng sat quietly, observing. He discovered that within the Sea of Consciousness, there was indeed a sword. This sword emitted a chilling aura, making Lin Feng feel the presence of death.
Qi Si spoke again, "This matter is of great importance, and I must be cautious. Brother, please do not take offense. When I leave Blackwater Prison in the future, I will certainly repay you handsomely."
Seeing the sword made Lin Feng feel somewhat displeased, as if he had been used. However, recalling how Qi Si had sincerely taught him swordsmanship eased his feelings.
Lin Feng replied, "I will naturally handle this matter. The swordsmanship you taught me is already a form of repayment. After we part ways this time, we will be even."
Qi Si sensed the anger in Lin Feng's words, but instead of being upset, he felt more at ease. He said, "The history of swordsmanship in the Jiuzhou Continent is vast; in the future, your legacy will surely be known."
Since they were being open with each other, Lin Feng did not hold back and asked, "Please tell me your purpose for coming to Gaojing; otherwise, I won't be able to leave."
"Shishu," Qi Si said with a look of reverence.
Lin Feng asked in confusion, "Who is Shishu?"
"You don't even know who Shishu is?" Qi Si countered.
"Please enlighten me."
"Just tell Cold Rain these three words."
Lin Feng thought for a moment and said, "I have one question. How do I get her to talk about this?"
"That is indeed a question; let me think." Qi Si fell into contemplation.
Cold Rain was no ordinary person; without a reasonable explanation, it would be impossible to deceive her keen perception.
In the Eastern Suburbs of Gaojing, a great commotion erupted. Thousands of Armored Soldiers surged into the area, as if a national war had broken out.
After the coachman had slain several men, a White Shadow emerged from the carriage. Her expression was as cold as the moon, gazing at the countless Armored Soldiers rushing in from miles away.
"We are of the royal lineage, destined to unify this realm."
"Friends are as venomous as snakes, betraying trust and loyalty."
"They seize our lands and homes, exterminating our women and children."
"…"
"Having long dwelled in perilous lands, today we shall achieve something."
"When the nation falls and mountains and seas perish, every man bears responsibility."
"Though we are weak, we resolutely risk our lives."
"Today we fight in Gaojing; tomorrow we will slay the Martial Emperor."
This figure, clad in flowing white garments, exuded an air of pride. With each step and each word, she gathered Vital Energy Power. Her voice reached the ranks of Armored Soldiers miles away. Those who encountered her were shattered, both body and spirit obliterated.
Over ten thousand Armored Soldiers fell before they could even form a defensive line, with more than half perishing instantly.
The glint of blades surrounded her, obscuring her figure. She walked through the skies above the Eastern Suburbs with an air of leisure, unstoppable by anyone.
"It is the Second Demon General, Xiao Mi."
Upon learning this identity, everyone in the Dusi Mansion and the Military Command was taken aback, trembling with fear. Who would dare to step forward?
More Armored Soldiers rushed in from other parts of Gaojing. The military even deployed the Mysterious War Chariot, equipped with devastating firepower.
The sound of rebellious songs echoed ominously, carrying with it a terrifying destructive power. Before the Mysterious War Chariot and the Armored Soldiers could form their ranks and unleash their combined might, nothing could obstruct the White Shadow and the carriage beneath her.
Watching his brothers fall one after another, God of War Xie could no longer hold back: "Send the order down, all Soldiers cease interception. Retreat a hundred miles and regroup."
An elder from Dusi Mansion was slightly startled upon hearing this. If the Armored Soldiers retreated, the Second Demon General would undoubtedly escape through the Current beyond the eastern outskirts.
Such arrogance from the Second Demon General, if allowed to break free, would undoubtedly be a significant insult to the Great Zhou Empire.
The elder immediately replied, "General, retreating a hundred miles is akin to letting a tiger return to its mountain. We at Dusi Mansion have not rested for over ten days in our pursuit of the Eighth Demon General's whereabouts. We cannot let them escape."
"But your intelligence did not mention that the Second Demon General was here as well. This is your oversight; if you had clarified everything earlier, my brothers would not have sacrificed themselves in vain."
"Now that this mess has arisen, let you Dusi Mansion handle it. The Second Demon General is here; only the Cold Commander can deal with her. Where is she at this critical moment?"
"Are your people from Dusi Mansion human? Are my Xie family soldiers not human? Retreat!" God of War Xie ordered, disregarding the elder's objections.
The elder watched as the Armored Soldiers retreated from dozens of miles away and sighed deeply, "Who would have thought that there was still a Second Demon General hidden within that carriage?"
With the Armored Soldiers no longer blocking their path, the carriage sped up even more. Under the coachman’s Divine Ability, clouds floated down beneath the hooves of the white horse, allowing it to gallop as if on flat ground. From afar, it appeared as though the carriage was soaring through clouds—a sight both wondrous and beautiful.
The carriage soon reached the border of Gaojing's eastern outskirts and beheld a vast Current. The coachman tightened the reins; with a neighing cry, the white horse plunged into the Current, splashing waves several feet high. The sturdy carriage could not withstand such immense impact and shattered into pieces instantly.
The coachman stood atop a shattered piece of the carriage, slowly drifting in the air, watching the Armored Soldier and the Mysterious War Chariot in the distance as they organized their formation, a mocking smile on his face.
"Today was quite the uproar in Gaojing. Refreshing," said the coachman, Eighth Demon General Qiu Feihu, with a wide-eyed grin.
A figure from White Shadow stood on the floating wooden block, the glint of her blade fading away. At that moment, her true appearance was revealed. Her skin was as pale and tender as congealed fat, making her look very young, around twenty years old. Her beauty was captivating, with a cold elegance between her brows. She wore white garments and draped a fur shawl over her shoulders, exuding an air of nobility.
Her presence was like the moon, stunningly beautiful. It was hard to imagine that someone from the impoverished demon race could possess such a noble demeanor.
In Gaojing, when people mentioned the demon race, what came to mind were tattered clothes, dark skin, and coarse fabric. This image stemmed from poverty, hunger, and inadequate clothing.
Just then, towering waves surged nearby, and a White Shadow was enveloped within them. Soon, as the waves approached, it became clear that it was a several-meter-long Great White Shark rushing toward them.
The Great White Shark gracefully dove into the water and then securely carried Qiu Feihu and Xiao Mi on its back.
At that moment, a thunderous roar of waves echoed nearby. An old and battered Warship sped across the sea with astonishing speed.
Though worn out, the Warship had an impressive presence, creating waves that towered several meters high.
On the bow of the Warship, stood a White-Clad Woman, her garments billowing in the wind, her long hair dancing gracefully; she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Xiao Mi looked at the newcomer with an expression still cold and indifferent. "Seeing is believing; Cold Commander, your grace is unparalleled."
Standing atop the Warship, Cold Rain replied calmly, "And Master Xiao, your elegance is also remarkable."
"It's a pity you arrived a bit late. Otherwise, you would have had the chance to witness Cold Commander's splendor," said Xiao Mi.
Among the four extraordinary women of Grandmaster level, all of whom had once topped the rankings at the Jiuzhou Gathering Conference, Cold Rain was the youngest among them.
Xiao Mi was a disciple of Cold Rain's previous generation. Cold Rain referred to her as Master Xiao, rather than calling her Demon General Xiao or Thief General Xiao, which indicated a respect for the powerful Walker in the realm. It was a mutual understanding; they were simply in different positions.
"Seeing Master Xiao today puts my mind at ease."
Cold Rain understood that Xiao Mi wouldn't create such a commotion without reason. The people from Dusi Mansion were closely investigating the disappearance of Princess Jian'an, and today, Xiao Mi had deliberately shown herself to draw Cold Rain's attention.
This clarified one important issue: Princess Jian'an of Tang Kingdom was still alive. They had not succeeded. Today was a critical moment.
This information was very important to Cold Rain.
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