Chapter 169: The Siege of Justice

San Bing, the Foolish People's Sixth Seat Executant.

Unlike the Executants stationed long-term in other countries, he is a mobile standby Executant responsible for supporting the Foolish People's covert operations in various nations.

Luo De never expected this.

The Lady was tangled up by Diluc and unable to move, yet this drew in a higher-ranked Executant.

The Foolish People's Executants are ranked by strength.

In other words,

A higher-ranked San Bing simply means his brute strength surpasses that of the Lady.

What's more troublesome is that,

San Bing is not human.

His body was created by one of the Seven Archons, the Electro Archon, intended to bear the Gnosis and become a divine agent.

If we were to describe it in simple terms.

That is, he possesses a powerful body close to that of a god.

Furthermore, with the help of the Second Seat Executant Doctor, he successfully broke the seal the Electro Archon placed within him, greatly increasing his power and instantly becoming the Sixth Seat Executant.

If I recall correctly,

Initially, the Lady's assessment of him was that he was far more durable than ordinary humans.

But being durable,

nor does it mean he can arrogantly challenge, by himself, the Dendro Archon's envoy, a Mondstadt Dandelion Knight, and a true Descender.

Luo De licked his lips, watching the smiling San Bing step closer, and fully activated the Void Terminal's detection function, trying to see if any other Executants were nearby.

Being a Foolish People's Executant is no job for a fool.

Even if the Lady hadn't told San Bing that Venti is the Wind God,

San Bing would also know very well that the two people capable of contending with and driving off the Wind Demon Dragon are not easy to deal with.

Especially since there is also an Acting Captain of the West Wind Knights here.

One against three strong foes.

No matter how much he falters, he wouldn't falter to this extent.

Unless there is at least one Executant lying in ambush here, giving him ample confidence to speak boldly.

Sure enough.

After scanning the surrounding forests once, the Void Terminal made another discovery.

About a kilometer from where they are, there is another person lurking in the shadows.

Unlike the openly hostile San Bing,

that person harbors no ill intent.

Moreover, he isn't using elemental energy, merely gazing from afar.

So the Void Terminal's first scan had detected nothing abnormal; only after Luo De issued the command did his second scan reveal him.

Upon seeing that person's face,

Luo De recognized him.

Gongzi.

The Foolish People's Last Seat Executant.

Like San Bing, he is also a mobile standby Executant.

It seems.

He, too, came to Mondstadt to help after receiving the Lady's call for aid, just like San Bing.

"Well played,"

Luo De, feeling greatly mistaken, frowned and complained: "You lot in Mondstadt are really lively; the Foolish People have only eleven Executants in total, and now three of them have gathered here."

Had I known, I wouldn't have sent Diluc to go after the Lady.

I never expected that proud woman to lower herself, call two colleagues for help, and dare to openly attack the Wind God right in front of the West Wind Knights' Acting Captain.

"Three Executants?"

Qin, who had stepped forward to rebuke San Bing, turned her head to look at Luo De, her eyes filled with solemn gravity.

In response,

San Bing halted his steps, snorted coldly: "Hmph, that useless troublemaker who can't even hide properly."

Saying that,

He turned his head toward Gongzi's hiding place and shouted: "Get out now—you've been found, hiding is pointless."

As his words fell,

The rustling of leaves sounded in the woods, and in an instant an orange-haired youth appeared before Luo De and the others.

Unlike the perpetually scowling, contemptuous San Bing,

Gongzi, also an Executant, appeared at first glance to be bright, handsome, and still somewhat youthful.

As soon as he appeared,

Qin and Ying instinctively shielded Venti behind them once more, gripping their weapons tighter.

Three against one.

That is the Siege of Justice.

Three against two.

Who will win is hard to say.

Know that the Foolish People's Executants are not only the strongest in their organization, but also have been granted divine authority by Snezhnaya's Cryo Archon, wielding power beyond mortals.

「Ying, Venti, Your Excellency has been entrusted to you to protect; don't let the upcoming battle affect him. 」

Qin's expression was firm, he held a standard-issue West Wind Sword of the West Wind Knights, resolutely standing beside Luo De, shoulder to shoulder, facing off against Sanbing and the Young Master.

Things have come to this.

Qin clearly understood that this could not be resolved with words.

The two Executors came to intercept the operation to pacify the East Wind Dragon; it was obvious they had planned this in advance, and moreover they deliberately waited until our side's few people arrived at the uninhabited Starfall Cliff before acting.

Those who come are not friendly.

Then we cannot handle this with peaceful means.

"That woman is yours, this man is mine."

Trash talk was no longer necessary; the Young Master, who had long been impatient, signaled to Sanbing, stepped forward, and, seizing the initiative, nocked an arrow and shot at Luo De.

The arrow formed from water elemental energy possessed extraordinary power, whistling with a piercing sound as it shot straight at Luo De's face.

At the same time.

Sanbing did not follow the Young Master's instruction to engage Qin; instead, he stepped on lightning aura, rushing at Luo De with extreme speed, without using any weapon, his fists crackling with lightning, he launched a straight punch at Luo De's abdomen.

In an instant.

The battlefield situation turned into a two-on-one.

"Despicable!"

Qin, who had always upheld the knight's code, instantly flew into a rage.

She saw wind elemental energy surge around her, and, before Sanbing could strike Luo De, she tried to intercept him.

Clang—

The piercing clang of metal made Paimon instinctively cover her ears and scream; Ying quickly grabbed Paimon with one hand and pulled the 'fragile' Venti with the other, hurrying away from the battlefield.

Although Ying is a true Descendant, she has only just awakened not long ago, her strength not yet fully restored, and the only elemental energy she can manipulate is wind elemental energy.

Speaking purely in terms of strength,

She still has a considerable gap compared to the Executors.

After realizing that Sanbing and the Young Master's target was Venti, she decisively took Venti and Paimon to hide first, ensuring her own safety before looking for an opportunity to help Luo De and Qin.

On the battlefield,

Although Qin had struck him with her adept use of wind elemental energy, intercepting Sanbing before he could reach Luo De, her attack had no effect whatsoever on Sanbing's movements.

The contact between the West Wind Sword and flesh,

It merely made Sanbing's body shudder slightly, unable even to pierce his skin, and the West Wind Sword was bounced back outright.

Such a development made Qin's pupils contract involuntarily.

Her strike was indeed hasty, but it was not to the point of being unable to injure a single person.

"What kind of body is this exactly?"

Qin, unaware of Sanbing's details, was shocked in her heart, but her hands did not stop; as Sanbing and Luo De were about to collide, she moved behind Sanbing and thrust her sword again toward his vitals.

A booming explosion rang out.

Luo De met him head-on, ignoring the lightning on Sanbing's hands, and firmly grabbed Sanbing's fist; the two, like primitive humans, engaged in a pure test of strength.

As for the arrow shot by the Young Master,

Luo De simply ignored it.

It was merely the Young Master's probing attack, so its power was average.

Then, after activating the Blazing Sun Secret Canon to invoke the Blazing Sun Shield, and with the amplification of the Grass Elemental Holy Rite, Luo De's physical body greatly strengthened; he simply bit the water elemental arrow shot by the Young Master, clenched his teeth, and crushed it to pieces.

Qin's subsequent attack arrived just in time.

She likewise ignored any possible attack from the Young Master, using the most lethal technique of the West Wind Sword Art, condensing wind elemental energy into a point and fiercely stabbing at the heart.

Luo De, facing the enemy head-on, firmly bound Sanbing's both hands to prevent him from dodging Qin's all-out strike.

The sound of metal clashing once again echoed throughout Starfall Cliff.

This time,

Even if Sanbing's body were stronger, it could not withstand Qin's all-out attack; his god-forged physique finally broke through, being pierced straight through.

What astonished Qin was that,

Even though Sanbing's heart had already been pierced by her, how could he still appear unharmed?

Even in Qin's astonished gaze, Sanbing let out a strange laugh, then turned to seize Luo De's both hands, forcibly dragging his body toward the exposed sword tip, using this injury-for-injury tactic to inflict a piercing wound on Luo De as well, who had no time to react.

"Mr. Luo De!"

Terrified, Qin hastily drew her sword and dodged, simultaneously slashing sideways at Sanbing's neck, hoping to drive him back.

However, Sanbing still did not let go; instead, he tried to repeat his trick, suddenly exerting force with his hands, attempting to pull Luo De into the path of Qin's sword.

However,

This time he miscalculated.

Luo De's body was like rooted to the ground; no matter how much force he exerted, he could not budge at all, and even the wound just pierced was rapidly healing in a brilliant green light.

"Huh?"

An unexpected sudden situation left the scattered soldiers no chance to dodge, and Qin's angry sword struck one in the neck.

It was just that Qin's strength was ultimately insufficient.

The sword only cut through skin and flesh before getting stuck, making it difficult to cut any further.

Luo De seized the opportunity, driving a heavy knee into the scattered soldier's belly, then quickly retracting his leg and kicking out hard, sending the soldier flying.

Everything happened in an instant.

Qin's two consecutive strikes and Luo De's two heavy blows ended in the blink of an eye, sending the scattered soldier flying back tens of meters.

However, Qin and Luo De showed no happy expression because of it.

On the contrary.

Their faces were much more solemn than at the start.

This Sanbing is really too meaty.

With Qin's consecutive attacks just now, a normal person would already be seriously injured, but he, with his heart pierced, was not only unaffected but even withstood another fatal blow, showing no sign of serious injury.

Moreover, there is one more thing to be wary of.

That is, the Young Master shot an arrow at the start of the battle and then didn't move again.

Including Sanbing, when he was being surrounded and attacked by Luo De and Qin, he also chose to stand aside coldly, never saying a word to help from beginning to end.

Qin, unaware of the Young Master's nature, while staring at Sanbing walking out from the woods, also had to divert part of her attention to the Young Master to guard against his sudden attack as an enforcer.

Don't worry about him.

Suddenly.

Luo De's voice sounded in Qin's ear.

Huh?

Qin didn't quite understand.

The Young Master is an enforcer who values fair combat; when he fights someone, he will absolutely defeat them openly and honorably, and he disdains tactics like ganging up or taking advantage of danger.

Luo De listed the Young Master's conduct like counting his own treasures, then turned to the grim-faced Sanbing and smirked: "It was this idiot who broke the rules first; as long as he can still fight, the Young Master won't intervene."

Is this the reason the Young Master didn't intervene?

Qin recalled the words the Young Master had said at the start of the battle.

【That woman is yours, this man is mine.】

Looking at the Young Master now, one would see his gaze fixed on Luo De, with an interested expression.

As for Qin,

He simply couldn't be bothered to even glance at her, completely dismissive.

Being looked down upon, huh.

Qin gave a wry smile and shook her head.

She is still too young; her swordsmanship isn't refined enough, and even with all her strength she can't truly wound this enforcer called Sanbing.

Change swords.

Luo De's voice sounded again: "That guy's body is created by the gods, he feels no pain, his defense is astonishing, and he has regenerative abilities far beyond humans; relying solely on this West Wind Sword, you can't hurt him."

Having said that.

Luo De's hand flashed with fire, and a long staff made of flames instantly condensed.

This Sanbing's body is really absurdly hard.

His recovery power is also extremely strong.

Just now Qin cut two wounds, and after only a short while they had already fully healed.

Furthermore, this guy is a puppet's body, with no vital points to speak of.

This type of enemy is the most troublesome Luo De has ever encountered; before he can think of a good countermeasure, he can only clash head-on and wear him down.

After hearing his words, Qin also replaced her West Wind Sword, whose blade was completely cracked, with a pure white long sword whose blade shone with a verdant light.

Wind Hawk Sword.

The first-generation South Wind Knight, and also the personal sword of Wen Nisha, founder of the West Wind Knights.

This sword once followed her to overthrow the tyrannical nobility and establish the knights and church of virtuous rule.

Finally, Wen Nisha received the favor of the Sky Island, was summoned by the gods to ascend to the heavens, becoming the first person in history to attain godhood with a mortal body, the Original God; this Wind Hawk Sword, once blessed by the Wind God, remained in the West Wind Knights, to be inherited as the personal sword by each generation's South Wind Lion.

It is said that.

As long as one holds this sword, they can feel the brave fighting spirit of the past Wen Nisha knight.

"Listen to the wind's guidance."

Qin stood holding the sword, her entire demeanor changing abruptly, becoming stern and upright, like a drawn sharp blade.

Facing the two whose aura suddenly changed.

Sanbing touched the neck Qin had just wounded, his expression growing more sinister.

However, he did not charge at Luo De and Qin with all his might as before; instead, he glanced askance at the Young Master, who had been watching from afar for a long time, and sneered, "Cowardly waste."

The Young Master ignored Sanbing's words, merely keeping his gaze on Luo De, repeating: "That woman is yours, this man is mine."

Having just suffered a loss, Sanbing was no longer obstinate.

But just as he was about to agree, Luo De and Qin tacitly struck first, not letting him speak.

The one who took the initiative was Qin.

The Wind Hawk Sword in her hand is a divine weapon blessed by the Wind God, and also the trump card of the generations of South Wind Knights.

With the aid of the Wind Hawk Sword.

The distance between Qin and Sanbing, originally less than a hundred meters, was closed in an instant.

The same West Wind Sword Technique.

Under the aid of the Wind Hawk Sword, each strike seemed to have immense pulling power, drawing Sanbing's body to actively collide with the blade.

Sanbing, who had previously just brute-forced attacks, no longer dared to do so; he exerted himself to dodge, constantly weaving through the sword shadows filling the sky.

This also made Qin's attacks increasingly fierce and brutal.

Through her exchanges with Sanbing.

She discovered a very fatal weakness of Sanbing.

That is, Sanbing lacks martial skill, relying purely on instinct and brute strength.

Such a weakness is not a problem when one cannot break his defense.

But after Jean switched to the Wind Hawk Sword, a divine weapon that could easily wound him, the situation completely changed.

San Bing, who could originally still act domineering, was quickly suppressed.

When Jean pressed San Bing, sealing off all his dodging routes and forcing him to retreat,

Luo De, with Snowy Owl Wings on his back, rode up, and with a fierce swing of his crimson-flame staff, he doused San Bing's body in raging flames and shoved him into Jean's sword light.

In an instant.

Fire, fueled by the wind.

Under the wind elemental energy drawn by Jean, the flames on San Bing's body surged severalfold; even though he was a puppet's body, he suddenly felt an unbearable sensation.

Just then.

A passage of obscure ancient language echoed behind San Bing.

Immediately, a terrifying aura surged up, and San Bing's composure, which had remained confident even under Jean's pressure, collapsed.

He disregarded the sharpness of the Wind Hawk Sword, electric arcs flashing on his body as he forcibly extinguished the flames, then struck the sword with his palm, shaking Jean back and rolling away to the side without hesitation.

Just as his silhouette vanished, a flame giant wolf descended from the heavens, slamming into the ground with terrifying force.

San Bing, having dodged that blow, had not yet had a chance to counterattack.

Another giant wolf then descended from the heavens, landing squarely on him.

The power of divine arts is not something mortal arts can compare to.

This time, Luo De transformed his staff into a magical artifact, alternating fire and ice elemental energy; he sought only speed, not power, repeatedly striking San Bing with successive scorching sun strikes.

In the violent reaction between ice and fire,

Soon, San Bing's sturdy puppet body was battered until skin split and flesh tore, scorched marks everywhere; looking closely, one could see the scorched marks mixed with icy shards, a sight that made one's blood run cold.

At the same time,

Jean was not idle either.

The Wind Hawk Sword seals a West Wind Hawk soul bestowed by the Wind God.

Only see her holding the sword before her chest, chanting the ancestral precept of the Gunnhildr Family: "Ever protect Mondstadt!"

Having said that,

The sword swung.

Verdant wind elemental energy surged forth from the Wind Hawk Sword, forming a soaring eagle with outstretched wings, accompanied by a piercing cry, and together with Luo De's summoned flame giant wolf, it smashed into San Bing, who had fallen into a deep pit and could no longer counterattack.

"Ah—"

The piercing shriek rent the tranquility of Starpluck Cliff, and even from several kilometers away one could clearly hear San Bing's mournful howl.

Just as Luo De was gathering his strength to deliver another killing blow,

A water-elemental arrow shot over.

This attack wasn't strong; it merely interrupted his next attack.

Then,

The Young Master who had been watching the show appeared beside San Bing.

At this time he was no longer dressed as the energetic youth he once was.

Instead, his whole body was encased in black armor mixed with purple, and a crimson mask covered his entire face, hiding his expression.

Demon King Armor.

The Young Master's trump card up his sleeve.

It was clear he also greatly feared the attacks Jean and Luo De unleashed, to the point that he dared not face them head-on without wearing the Demon King Armor.

One saw the Young Master, clad in Demon King Armor, holding San Bing, whose half-body had turned to white bone, and saying to Luo De and Jean: "You two, let's stop here; the consequences of killing an officer are not something you can bear."

Having said that,

He also nodded at Luo De: "Friend, if you have time, let's spar."

Just as before,

The Young Master still completely ignored Jean, his eyes only on Luo De.

"If it's a friendly spar, I don't mind."

Luo De met his gaze and said: "If it's a life-and-death battle, I must refuse."

"Tsk."

"What a boring answer."

"Fine then."

"Then it's settled."

Having agreed with Luo De on a match, the Young Master nodded at him again, lifted the half-crippled San Bing, and sped away, disappearing into the woods shortly after, leaving no trace of his presence.

(End of chapter)