Chapter 84

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Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

Bai Qi rode atop a pitch-black Xuan horse, its hooves treading on the muddy ground of the Yueyue Liequn Colony, splashing up specks of mud.

He deliberately stayed half a body length behind Xuan Ge, and even with Xuan Ge's back turned to him, he still respectfully saluted with clasped fists, his tone steady and solemn:

"General, the leap mass in this area has been disrupted; a total annihilation operation can proceed."

Xuan Ge held the reins of Chidian with one hand; he turned his head to glance at the light screen in Bai Qi's hand beside him, quickly scanning the information on it.

The light screen clearly displayed that a large number of fox-person slaves were imprisoned in this colony; Xuan Ge said in a deep voice:

"There are fox-person compatriots; don't corner the Step-Departing people."

He pondered briefly, then ordered: "Select an open area, set it as bait; we will drive the Step-Departing people, and the Fifth Army's fleet can designate targets within the bait."

Bai Qi listened attentively, not daring the slightest slackness; the aide-de-camp beside him immediately recorded the military order swiftly and transmitted it to each squad via communication.

The Shenwu Army iron cavalry led by Xuan Ge slowly advanced the battle line, their steps steady, deliberately slowing speed to leave ample time for the order's transmission and execution.

He knew clearly in his heart that the Step-Departing people were brutal and bloodthirsty; if driven to a dead end, they would surely turn on the fox-person slaves, even though the Step-Departing people were already in disarray at this moment.

"General, there are people ahead."

Bai Qi's eyes sharpened, his gaze piercing toward the forest direction not far away.

He sensed a group of Step-Departing people frantically chasing two frail fox-people; footsteps and shouts gradually drew near.

Xuan Ge did not respond; a thread of blue energy radiance slowly emerged in his golden pupils, his left hand raised slightly, a completely deep-blue energy greatbow condensing in his palm.

His right hand naturally hooked the bowstring, his fingertips condensing a blue-gold arrow, the arrow wreathed in fierce divine might, its sharp edge fully revealed.

On the other side, within the forest, Salan tightly gripped Ning Li's hand; the two exerted all their strength to swiftly shuttle through, their clothes torn by branches, their skin scraped with tiny wounds.

Salan perceived Ning Li's speed gradually slowing, her breathing becoming disordered and rapid; she turned her head to look at the Step-Departing people pursuing relentlessly behind, and shouted loudly:

"Ning Li! Don't give up! We're almost there!"

Salan's words were not empty comfort; she clearly heard bursts of vibration coming from ahead, as if ten thousand horses were trampling the earth — that was the sound of salvation she had long awaited.

"Sa... Salan... I can't... let go!"

Ning Li's voice carried a hint of weakness, her face pale as paper; she did not want to become Salan's burden.

She gritted her teeth, violently exerted force, broke free of Salan's hand, wanting to turn around and lure away the Step-Departing people to buy Salan time to escape.

Salan stopped her steps in an instant, her heart tightening; without hesitation she grabbed Ning Li's hand again, her tone firm:

"I won't abandon you; we'll escape together!"

"Damn slaves! Let's see where you run!"

The two Step-Departing people were agile in form, sprinting like wolves, waving curved blades in their hands, pouncing on Salan and Ning Li in an instant.

At this critical moment, Xuan Ge released his right hand drawing the bow; the blue-gold arrow shot forth like a meteor, the arrow body slicing through the air, a Qi ring instantly exploding open.

But the next second, the arrow vanished into thin air.

Salan and Ning Li stiffened all over, their faces splashed with a bit of sprayed blood, stupidly watching those two Step-Departing people suddenly burst like balloons, instantly leaving no trace.

"This method... is... the Demon Bow....? No! It's Divine Might!"

Among the group of Step-Departing people pursuing the two, an elderly Step-Departing person suddenly realized, his voice full of terror.

His face pale, he cried out in alarm: "Damn it! The news from the frontline said only the Shenwu Army Fifth Army! Why would the Divine Might General come personally!"

"Divine Might himself has come! Forget those two, run..."

His words not yet finished, his body burst like the previous two Step-Departing people, instantly exploding into a pool of blood, dying on the spot.

Death spread like a plague; the remaining Step-Departing people were scared out of their wits, turning to flee, yet one by one they successively exploded, not a single one surviving.

"Divine Might... who is that?"

Ning Li looked at the bizarre death scene before her; the fear in her heart had not diminished in the slightest; she tightly gripped Salan's hand, her voice trembling slightly.

Salan did not speak; she felt the trembling beneath her feet growing ever stronger, a glimmer of hope igniting in her eyes; she pulled Ning Li and ran hard following the direction from which the trembling came.

The trembling grew stronger and stronger; the mud underfoot shook slightly; the distant rumbling grew clearer, as if right by their ears.

Finally, the two burst out of the dense forest, raised their heads to the sky, only to see sky-covering blue-gold light and shadow streaking across the horizon — that was the Shenwu Army's warship formation.

Looking down again, on the ground, a black-gold formation like a Sigh Wall slowly pushed horizontally across the forest.

Where hooves passed, those thick branches were effortlessly crushed like dry firewood.

Bai Qi's gaze swept over Salan and Ning Li in the distance, then he raised his hand, signaling the two Shenwu Army soldiers beside him to step forward and settle the two women in a safe area.

"A bit interesting."

Xuan Ge also noticed those two fox-girls; a flash of interest passed in his eyes, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

Seeing this, Bai Qi immediately waved his hand to stop the Shenwu Army iron cavalry stepping forward beside him; he knew well that the General was surely attracted by the actions of these two fox-girls.

"Qiu Ye, you lead five squads, go to each detention point, guide the rescued fox-person comrades to the safe zone."

Xuan Ge raised his eyes, issuing the command in a steady tone.

"Yes, General!" Qiu Ye's voice was sonorous and forceful; he then turned and led five squads away swiftly.

Bai Qi spurred his horse forward a step, his gaze falling on Salan and Ning Li; his voice steady and cold, the killing intent around him making Ning Li tremble all over, subconsciously hiding behind Salan.

"Who are you?" Bai Qi's tone held not a shred of warmth, carrying the unique authority and detachment of a commander.

"I... I'm Salan, she's my good friend, Ning Li."

Salan was not frightened by the killing intent on Bai Qi; she raised her head, answered truthfully, her gaze firm.

Bai Qi gave no response; having played the "white face," he naturally had to leave the "red face" for the General to do.

"Not bad; daring to escape from the Step-Departing people, and having the courage not to abandon a companion — some mettle."

Xuan Ge spoke, a faint smile on his face, his tone full of praise.

Just now, Salan stopping her steps, refusing to abandon Ning Li, and Ning Li's willingness to sacrifice herself to lure away the enemy — he had taken it all in, and felt considerable admiration in his heart.

"Who... are you?"

Salan raised her head, her gaze landing on Xuan Ge.

He wore black-gold armor, his shoulders carved with Ghost-faced Beast Devouring patterns; his handsome features and fierce aura formed a stark contrast, making her unconsciously swallow her saliva.

"I am of the Xianzhou Alliance, General of the Shen Wu Xian Zhou, Shen Wei."

Xuan Ge slowly introduced himself, looking down at Salan from above, his tone calm.

"The Foxian constitution has never been as good as the Xianzhou natives'; you should know, running will only make you die faster."

"I...."

Salan raised her head and looked straight at Xuan Ge; the pressure emanating from him made her tremble slightly; she took a deep breath, suppressed the nervousness in her heart, and slowly spoke.

"We Foxians have suffered endless exploitation here; whips and shackles follow us like shadows; every day we struggle bitterly in hunger and fear, exerting all our strength to survive."

Salan took a deep breath again, a hint of red rising in her eyes, her tone full of unwillingness and anger:

"Those sunless, despair-filled days — I don't want to experience them again!"

As her words fell, Salan directly dropped to both knees, kowtowing heavily toward Xuan Ge's direction, her voice sonorous and forceful:

"Please, General, let me join the Shen Wu Corps! I don't want any more Foxians to suffer such dark days!"

Xuan Ge expressionlessly tugged the reins, making Che Dian slowly turn its head, his tone flat:

"You may go; from today on, the Xianzhou natives will no longer chase you, and the Foxians will regain their freedom."

"But I want them dead!"

Salan did not raise her head, but once more kowtowed heavily toward Xuan Ge's direction, her forehead striking the ground until blood seeped out, her voice hoarse yet incomparably firm.

That revenge-fury buried deep in her heart lent her voice a thick killing intent; every word carried resolve.

"Salan..."

Ning Li watched Xuan Ge about to turn and leave, then glanced at Salan kneeling on the ground with blood flowing from her forehead, and whispered in heartache, wanting to step forward yet not daring to.

Just as Salan heard the hoofbeats gradually recede, endless unwillingness surged in her heart, thinking her request had been refused, a gentle yet firm voice came:

"Follow."

Salan violently raised her head, only to see Xuan Ge with his back to her, riding the divine steed Che Dian, his right hand singly extended, signaling her to grasp it.

"Yes! General!"

Light instantly ignited in Salan's eyes; she hurriedly pulled Ning Li up and jogged over quickly, tightly grasping Xuan Ge's hand.

Xuan Ge exerted slight force, and in one motion pulled Salan onto Che Dian's back, letting her sit in front of him, her back against his chest.

Seeing this, Bai Qi did not hesitate in the slightest, spurred his horse forward, extended his other hand, and lightly pulled the nearby Ning Li onto his own Xuan horse, letting her sit behind him.

"Th... thank you..."

Ning Li looked at Bai Qi's cold back, softly uttered a thanks, her tone carrying a few parts shyness and gratitude.

"Mm."

Bai Qi responded faintly, his tone still without any warmth, yet it made the unease in Ning Li's heart completely dissipate, and she lightly leaned against his back.