Chapter 13: This Is Impossible

On the mountain peak, the battle between the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the bandits had entered a white-hot stage.

Both sides were fighting desperately, but overall the bandits still had a slight edge.

At the center of the battlefield stood Xu Long, the eldest of the Xu family, and Chief Banner Yang Yi.

Xu Long shook the great hammer in his hand.

"Yang Yi, you're not bad, but your men seem unable to hold on."

Yang Yi glanced sideways and saw that the Embroidered Uniform Guard's casualties were far greater than the bandits', which was very wrong.

It was ninety percent wrong.

Yang Yi furrowed his brows and swung a heavy axe straight down at Xu Long.

The clash of metal rang in the air,

"Where did you get so many people? Looking at their skills, they're definitely not bandits—who are they?"

"We naturally can't match the Embroidered Uniform Guard's vast resources, but we do have some money and can naturally hire help."

Inner force surged on Yang Yi's axe, forcing Xu Long back several steps, his face clouded and uncertain.

In these times, few dare to oppose the Embroidered Uniform Guard, yet there really is such a force in Ning Prefecture.

"Did you bring in people from the White Dragon Sect?"

Xu Long laughed loudly, a hint of cruelty appearing on his face.

"Smart, you don't need to talk about rebellion."

"Being hunted by your Embroidered Uniform Guard, death is only a matter of time; we might as well fight you."

Miserable cries continually came from around—some from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, some from bandits and White Dragon Sect members.

Still, the Embroidered Uniform Guard suffered the most.

After all, the White Dragon Sect was founded by remnants of the previous dynasty, and its training of subordinates is not inferior to that of the Great Wu Dynasty.

At the same cultivation level, even one-on-one the Embroidered Uniform Guard would gain no advantage, let alone now when the enemy outnumbers us.

Xu Long swung his hammer again, sending out a massive air blast toward Yang Yi.

"Besides, listen—there are still shouts of battle down the mountain; your people are likely already suffering heavy losses."

"Today is your death day, Yang Yi!"

Yang Yi took a deep breath, unleashing his inner force without reserve, and launched a series of slashes, hoping to break through Xu Long's defense.

He could indeed hear nothing from below; it seemed the whole army had been wiped out, and if Xu Long wasn't dealt with, they too would be in danger.

Xu Long tapped his toe and retreated several steps; he also saw Yang Yi's desperate intent, but all he needed to do now was hold Yang Yi off.

Xu Long gave Yang Yi a hehe laugh: "Yo, Chief Banner Yang, you're in a hurry!"

Just then, a rustling sound came from the forest behind—someone was swiftly moving through the woods.

Xu Long didn't even turn his head, speaking confidently: "Look, my men have arrived; yours are all dead."

Yang Yi's face turned ashen; he gripped his great axe, ready for a death-defying struggle, but the next moment he froze.

"Huh?"

"How come I feel those coming from the forest are wearing Embroidered Uniform Guard clothes?"

The next moment, three cold blades of light flashed through the air.

A White Dragon Sect follower was directly hacked into three pieces.

Without losing speed, it went on to slash at the next bandit.

"What is that? So fast!"

"Run..."

"Don't come over!"

In the air, blood and limbs flew everywhere; wherever Shen Qing passed, not a single bandit could leave with a whole corpse.

Although Shen Qing's face was unfamiliar, there was no doubt he was one of our own.

A huge delight appeared on Yang Yi's face.

At this moment, the offense and defense reversed!

"Hahaha, Xu Long, just because you have reinforcements? We do too."

"Hey, why haven't your people arrived yet? Did they all get wiped out?"

Shen Qing moved with the Carefree Step, weaving through the night like a ghost.

With each step he took, a bandit was torn apart, blood spraying; in just three breaths, five people were shredded by Shen Qing.

"Stop!"

Xu Long's eyes nearly burst; he swung his great hammer and launched a charge at Shen Qing.

If Shen Qing kept killing, they'd all be dead within half a cup of tea's time.

But at that moment, Yang Yi burst out from the side, blocking Xu Long's front with a teasing expression.

"Yo, in a hurry?"

Yang Yi directly threw back the words Xu Long had just spoken.

But Xu Long was truly anxious; he patted his chest and spat out a mouthful of heart's blood.

This was a life-risking secret technique he cultivated, mobilizing essence and blood to gain power; the side effect is a regression of one cultivation level.

At this point he couldn't worry about that.

This life-risking secret art indeed works; after a clash, Yang Yi, who had been evenly matched with Xu Long, fell into the disadvantage.

With Xu Long's angry roar, Yang Yi was shoved back and slammed into a tree on the side.

Yang Yi pushed himself up from the ground quickly, but unable to stop Xu Long's charge toward Shen Qing, he could only shout.

"Watch out!"

All that could be seen was Shen Qing slowly turning around, merely raising the Azure River blade in his hand and swinging it upward.

Seeing Shen Qing dare to block his life‑risking hammer head‑on, Xu Lao Da's face filled with a ferocious smile.

"Bold!"

Yang Yi rushed toward Shen Qing: "Don't block it head‑on! He used the Life‑risking Secret Technique!"

But at this moment the blade and the giant hammer were only a hair's breadth apart.

The next moment, Yang Yi stopped in his tracks, mouth agape, his pupils filled with shock.

Only saw the blade and hammer collide; the enormous sound shook everyone's ears with a buzzing, and the nearby bandits and Embroidered Uniform Guard were knocked directly to the ground.

Such immense force, yet Shen Qing's azure long blade held fast against the giant hammer, preventing it from moving an inch.

Looking at Shen Qing's expression, he appeared completely at ease, as if he hadn't exerted his full strength.

It was as pleasant as a stroll after the rain.

"How... how is this possible?"

Xu Lao Da's face filled with disbelief; he staggered back three steps and collapsed, pallid, to the ground.

Shen Qing so easily caught his hammer, causing Xu Lao Da's held breath to dissipate, prematurely ending the Life‑risking Secret Technique.

"How did you block it? This is impossible!"

Shen Qing's expression remained blank; he gave the Azure River blade a slight flick, then walked unhurriedly toward Xu Lao Da.

Ridiculous—achieving a saintly flesh body gave him a terrifying boost in power.

He isn't even at the Innate Realm, lacking the qualification to trade blows with Shen Qing.

Is this something a petty bandit like you can match just by using the Life‑risking Secret Technique?

The Azure River blade rested against Xu Lao Da's neck.

"Are you the head of the Xu family?"