Chapter 1031

The black-clad knights' formation finally began to move, with the central knights leading the charge; the four-sided array formed an arrowhead as they ran. At the command, all knights on horseback drew their bows and nocked arrows, the rockets were strung, and over a hundred rockets shot upward at a forty-five-degree angle into the night sky. The rockets flew to their peak, then changed direction, swooping down toward LiuJiaoCheng.

The black-clad knights' formation finally began to move.

Let's produce: "The black-clad knights' formation finally began to activate, with the central knight leading the charge; the four-sided array formed an arrowhead shape as they ran. At the sound of a command, all knights on horseback drew their bows and nocked arrows; the fire-arrows were strung, and over a hundred fire-arrows simultaneously shot upward at a forty-five-degree angle into the night sky. The fire-arrows flew to their limit, then changed direction, flying diagonally downward toward LiuJiaoCheng."

LiuJiaoCheng

over a hundred; forty-five-degree angle

Now output as 【1】 translation.

Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba raised the shields they had prepared earlier. Xiong Tianba not only had a shield, but he had also beforehand put on a seven-layer phosphoric fire armor missing a piece; even if rockets struck it, they could not penetrate the tough armor in the slightest. Seeing this miraculous armor, that guy grinned widely and laughed. He was born belligerent, and the more dangerous the situation, the more excited he became. Liang Yinghao, meanwhile, slipped into a previously dug underground hole to avoid the meteor-like rain of arrows.

Translate:

"Hu Xiaotian and Xiong Tianba raised the shields they had prepared earlier. Xiong Tianba not only had a shield, but had also put on the Seven-Layer Phosphorus Fire Armor missing a piece beforehand; even if fire-arrows struck it, they could not penetrate the tough armor in the slightest. Seeing the armor so miraculous, he grinned widely and laughed, for he was born belligerent—the more dangerous the situation, the more excited he became. Liang Yinghao, meanwhile, dug into the previously prepared underground hole to avoid the arrow rain that fell like meteors."

raised the shields they had prepared earlier

He grinned widely and laughed.

Hu Xiaotian looked toward the north and saw no reinforcements arriving; he felt somewhat reassured, thinking their reinforcements must be few.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian looked toward the north and saw no reinforcements; he felt somewhat reassured, concluding that their reinforcements must be few."

After two rounds of arrow rain, the knightly camp had already advanced to within less than thirty zhang of them. Hu Xiaotian looked toward the north and saw no reinforcement troops; his heart felt somewhat relieved; it seemed their reinforcements should be few.

Xiong Tianba said: "They're coming!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded, and Xiong Tianba, receiving his assent, lifted a millstone-sized cornerstone, hoisted it overhead, and with all his strength hurled it into the enemy ranks. Born with divine strength, he threw it with full force, and the stone flew out like a catapult shot, landing in the enemy camp and smashing squarely into the chest of a black-clad knight, knocking both man and horse to the ground. Before the man could utter a sound, the horse let out a mournful neigh, flesh and blood flying as it died on the spot.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian nodded; Xiong Tianba, receiving his approval, lifted a millstone-sized foundation stone, raised it overhead, and hurled it with all his might into the enemy ranks. Born with divine strength, his full-force throw sent the stone whistling like a catapult shot, landing in the enemy formation and smashing squarely into the chest of a black-clad knight. Both man and horse were knocked to the ground before the man could utter a sound, while the horse let out a mournful neigh as flesh and blood flew—killed on the spot."

Xiong Tianba laughed heartily, but suddenly several feathered arrows were aimed at him and shot rapidly. Believing his armor made him immune to blades and spears, he did not dodge or evade. Hu Xiaotian hastily extended his concealed blade, intercepting the arrows in front of him and deflecting them.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba laughed heartily, but suddenly several feathered arrows shot toward him. Believing his armor made him immune to blades and spears, he did not dodge. Hu Xiaotian hastily extended his Hidden Edge Sword, intercepting and deflecting the incoming arrows before they could reach him."

Xiong Tianba was slow to react; only then did he realize he was missing a piece of breastplate. He hurriedly lowered himself, picked up a cornerstone, and flung it away. A tragic cry came from below, and another knight was struck.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba reacted a beat late, only then realizing he was missing a chest plate. He hurriedly bent down, picked up a foundation stone, and flung it; a cry came from below as another knight was struck."

Hu Xiaotian said: "You hold this position; I'll go down first."

"Ah! Don't worry, Third Uncle!" he exclaimed, and as he spoke another cornerstone was thrown. Hu Xiaotian, at the same time, planted one foot on the ground, leapt into the air, and while airborne repeatedly struck, knocking down the cold arrows aimed at him. Then he unleashed a Mountain-Splitting Strike, roaring, "Die!" The sword, charged with his anger and inner energy, released an invisible blade of energy that descended from above at a diagonal.

Translate: "\"Ah! Don't worry, Third Uncle! \" he said, and at the same time another foundation stone was thrown. Hu Xiaotian planted one foot on the ground, leapt into the air, and while airborne repeatedly struck, knocking down the cold arrows aimed at him. Then he unleashed a mighty 'Mountain-Splitting' strike, shouting, 'Die!' The sword, condensed with anger and inner power, projected outward as an invisible blade of qi that slanted down from the void."

Mountain-Splitting Strike

The sword energy continued to expand as it traveled, reaching a span of three zhang before hitting its target. Pu! Pu! Pu! A knight was split in half from the middle; half of his body slid off the half of the warhorse that had been similarly split, followed immediately by his comrade behind him, as blood mist sprayed from the ruptured cavity. Though these knights were seasoned veterans of countless battles, they were still deeply shaken by the sight.

Translate: "The sword qi expanded as it traveled. Before reaching its target, it had already spread over a range of three zhang. Pu! Pu! Pu! A knight was cleaved in half from the middle; half his body slid off the similarly severed half of his warhorse, followed immediately by his comrade behind him, as blood mist sprayed from the ruptured cavity. Though these knights were seasoned veterans of countless battles, they were still deeply shaken by the sight before them."

Pu! Pu! Pu!

Hu Xiaotian had already successfully broken into the enemy camp. With a kick he knocked a knight from his horse, seized the mount, and with a backhand sword strike he severed the head of the knight who had been trying to ambush him from behind.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian, however, had already succeeded in breaking into the enemy formation. With a kick he knocked a knight from his horse, seized the mount, and with a backhand sword strike he chopped off the head of the knight behind him who had intended to ambush him."

More than ten knights surged to surround Hu Xiaotian from the center. Suddenly a spear thrust up from the yellow earth, piercing the belly of a galloping warhorse. The spearhead withdrew instantly, but the horse, in pain, neighed and lunged forward, colliding with another of their own mounts. The two riders were thrown from their saddles. One crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting blood with his head lolling to one side—clearly dead. The other still clung desperately to his horse's reins; before he could rise, the galloping horse's hooves stomped his face.

Translate: "More than ten knights surged to encircle Hu Xiaotian from the center. Suddenly a spear thrust up from the yellow earth, piercing the belly of a galloping warhorse. The spearhead withdrew immediately, but the horse, overcome with pain, neighed and lunged forward, colliding with another of our mounts. The impact threw two knights from their saddles. One crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting blood with his head lolling to one side—clearly dead. The other clung desperately to his horse's reins; before he could rise, the galloping horse's hooves struck his face."

Hu Xiaotian swept his blade in an arc; today, as if aided by the gods, another fierce blade of sword energy shot out, and the air filled with continual cries of anguish—over half of the knights surrounding him were cut in half by the sword energy. At that moment the rear camp began to descend into chaos, for Tang Tiexin arrived just in time, firing crossbow bolts at the rear, forcing the attacking knights to divert some of their number to pursue him. However, following his plan, Tang Tiexin withdrew once he had the advantage; as soon as the enemy gave chase, he spurred his horse and fled, using the astonishing speed of his little gray mount to easily shake off the pursuers, thereby tying down many of the opponents.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian waved his sword in an arc; today he seemed aided by the gods, and another fierce sword qi shot out. Shrieks rang out continuously around him, and over half of the knights assaulting him were cut in half by the qi. At that moment turmoil arose in the rear formation, for Tang Tiexin arrived just in time, firing crossbow bolts backward. The attacking knights were forced to divert some of their number to pursue Tang Tiexin, but Tang Tiexin, following the plan to disengage when advantageous, spurred his mount and fled, using the astonishing speed of his little gray horse to shake off the pursuers—this in turn tied down many of the enemy."

little gray

Liang Yinghao appeared and disappeared like a ghost underground, spearing the enemy's horses from below. Xiong Tianba stood on the beacon tower, hurling cornerstone bricks one after another; his destructive power was astonishing. Hu Xiaotian led the charge, relying on his immensely powerful sword energy, he dealt heavy blows to the enemy, and in the blink of an eye more than thirty knights had fallen to their combined ambush.

Translate: "Liang Yinghao appeared and disappeared underground, thrusting his spear from below to kill the enemy's horses. Xiong Tianba stood on the FengHuoTai, hurling foundation stones and bricks in turn; his destructive power was astonishing. Hu Xiaotian led the charge, relying on his immensely destructive sword qi to inflict heavy casualties, and within moments over thirty knights had fallen to their combined ambush."

Yet all these individuals wore identical attire, making it difficult for Hu Xiaotian to determine whether any of them was the soul-capturing master.

Translate: "Yet all these individuals wore identical attire, making it hard for Hu Xiaotian to tell whether the soul-stealer was among them."

Xiong Tianba had used up all the cornerstones on the beacon tower; seeing the fierce battle below, he could no longer restrain his desire. He grabbed his two great iron hammers, grinning widely, and shouted, "Third Uncle, leave a few for me!" He leapt from the tower; before his feet touched the ground, his left hammer flew out. A knight wielding a blade at him saw the hammer coming, hastily swung his horse‑cutting saber to block, but his strength could not compare to the hammer's; the saber shuddered from his grasp, and the hammer continued its trajectory, striking the knight's face with a puff, shattering his skull and sending a headless corpse tumbling from his horse.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba had exhausted all the foundation stones on the FengHuoTai; seeing the fierce battle below, he could no longer restrain his desire. He seized his two great iron hammers, grinning widely as he said, 'Third Uncle, you gotta leave a few for me!' He leapt from the FengHuoTai; before his feet touched the ground, his left hammer flew out. A knight wielding a blade and charging at him saw the hammer coming, hastily raised his horse‑cutting saber to block, but his strength could not compare to the hammer's—his saber shuddered loose, and the hammer continued its trajectory, striking him squarely in the face with a puck! —the impact burst his brains, and a headless corpse toppled from his horse."

with a puff!

After landing, Xiong Tianba rolled, seized the hammer he had just thrown, leaned back to dodge a lance thrust, then swept his right hammer sideways, striking the enemy horse's left leg. The horse's long leg could not withstand the blow; with a crack, the leg snapped at the joint, the horse lost its front hoof, the rider was flung from the saddle and fell prone in the classic "dog eating feces" pose. Before the man could rise, Xiong Tianba lunged forward like a starving tiger, brought his hammer down on the man's back, and shattered his spine into several pieces.

Translate: "After landing, Xiong Tianba rolled, grabbed the hammer he had just thrown, leaned back to dodge a lance thrust from a knight, and swept his right hammer horizontally, striking the left leg of the knight's warhorse. The horse's long leg could not withstand such a heavy blow; with a crack! the leg snapped at the joint, the horse lost its front hoof, and the knight was flung from his saddle, landing in a classic 'dog-eats-shit' pose. Before the knight could rise, Xiong Tianba charged like a starving tiger pouncing on prey, hammering the man's back and shattering his spine into several pieces."

The enemy camp was already in chaos; three knights rode close to the wall toward a gap, intending to enter LiuJiaoCheng, but the ruined wall suddenly collapsed, burying all three beneath it.

Translate: "The enemy formation was already in chaos; three knights clung to the wall and charged toward the breach, intending to enter LiuJiaoCheng, but the ruined wall suddenly collapsed, burying all three beneath it."

Xiong Tianba brought his hammer down on the head of the incoming warhorse, flipping the rider to the ground. He charged forward, lifted his huge foot, and stomped the man's face into the dirt, shouting, "Come out in the open—don't stab people in the back!" Seeing the wall collapse repeatedly, crushing more than ten knights, he worried that Liang Yinghao had schemed against them, leaving him with no one to play with.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba hammered the head of the incoming warhorse, flipping the rider to the ground. He rushed forward, lifted his big foot, and stomped the man's face into the dirt, shouting, 'Come out in the open—don't stab people in the back!' Seeing the wall collapse in succession, crushing more than ten knights, he worried that Liang Yinghao had schemed against them all, leaving nothing left for him to enjoy."

A black warhorse charged toward him from ahead. Xiong Tianba was delighted—since the rider had come looking for death, he saw no reason to hold back. He raised his hammer, ready to crush the man into pulp, when the opponent suddenly lifted an object; a flash of light made Xiong Tianba blink, and he instinctively looked up. In the opponent's hand was a luminous pearl that illuminated his face, revealing a pair of deep, sinister blue eyes locked onto his own. Xiong Tianba stared, entranced, his mind going blank.

Translate: "A black warhorse galloped toward him from ahead; Xiong Tianba was delighted—since the opponent had come looking for death, he would show no mercy. He raised his great hammer, ready to smash the foe to pulp, when the opponent suddenly lifted an object; a flash of light made him blink, and he instinctively looked. In the opponent's hand was a Night Pearl, its glow illuminating his face, revealing a pair of deep, sinister blue eyes locked onto his. Xiong Tianba stared back, entranced, his mind instantly going blank."

blue eyes

The newcomer was none other than the soul‑capturing master Multiji of Shajia, who pointed at Hu Xiaotian, who was slaughtering people in the crowd, and shouted, "Kill him!"

Translate: "The newcomer was none other than the Shajia Soul-Stealer DuoJi, who pointed at Hu Xiaotian, who was slaughtering in the crowd, and said, 'Kill him!'"

Xiong Tianba slowly turned his head, saw Hu Xiaotian in the crowd, and a previously unseen cold killing intent appeared on his sallow face.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba slowly turned his head, seeing Hu Xiaotian in the crowd; his dark‑black face revealed an unprecedented chill of killing intent."

Hu Xiaotian was also drawn by a sudden flash of light in the distance; by the time he turned, the light had vanished, everything had happened too quickly for him to see what exactly had occurred.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian was also drawn by the sudden flash of light in the distance; by the time he turned around, the light had vanished, everything having happened too quickly for him to see what exactly occurred."

Xiong Tianba descended like a demon god, swinging his twin hammers toward Hu Xiaotian at breakneck speed; anyone who tried to block his path was struck down by a single blow.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba descended like a demon god, swinging his twin hammers toward Hu Xiaotian at breakneck speed; anyone who tried to block his path was struck down by a single hammer."

At first Hu Xiaotian noticed nothing unusual, but when Xiong Tianba was about two zhang away, he suddenly leapt into the air, raised both hammers overhead, and brought them crashing down upon Hu Xiaotian's head.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian initially noticed nothing unusual, but when Xiong Tianba was about two zhang away, he suddenly leapt into the air, raised both hammers overhead, and brought them crashing down toward Hu Xiaotian's head."

Hu Xiaotian muttered an oath of alarm, flipped backward off his saddle, and the two great hammers of Xiong Tianba smashed into the horse's back. The animal's legs went limp, it collapsed with a thunderous crash, and its belly burst open from the sudden immense pressure, spilling blood and entrails onto the ground.

Translate: "Hu Xiaotian silently cursed his misfortune, flipping backward off the saddle; Xiong Tianba's two great hammers smashed onto the horse's back, causing the animal to go limp in all four legs and collapse with a roar. Unable to bear the sudden immense pressure, the horse's belly burst open, spilling blood and entrails across the ground."

Oblivious to what had happened, Xiong Tianba glared at Hu Xiaotian with blood‑red eyes, raised his hammer, and pressed the attack.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba, oblivious, glared at Hu Xiaotian with blood‑red eyes, raised his great hammer, and continued the assault."

Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize that Xiong Tianba had been taken over by the enemy; although he had previously warned his comrades to watch for the soul‑capturing master, in the melee Xiong Tianba had still fallen under his influence. Unable to match Xiong Tianba's strength, Hu Xiaotian saw the knights receive the message, scatter, and race toward LiuJiaoCheng to give the two of them room to fight each other to the death.

Translate: "Only then did Hu Xiaotian realize that Xiong Tianba had been possessed by the enemy; although he had previously warned them to watch for soul‑stealers, in the melee Xiong Tianba had still fallen under the foe's influence. Unable to match Xiong Tianba in brute force, Hu Xiaotian saw that the knights had gotten the word, scattering in all directions toward LiuJiaoCheng to give the two enough space to fight each other to the death."

Xiong Tianba swung his hammer; Hu Xiaotian, knowing he could not risk his life against it, employed the Evasive Dog's Eighteen Steps and swiftly retreated toward LiuJiaoCheng.

Translate: "Xiong Tianba swung his hammer; Hu Xiaotian, unable to trade blows with him, employed the Dog‑Dodging Eighteen Steps and retreated swiftly toward LiuJiaoCheng."

At that moment a gray‑clad figure appeared on the beacon tower, wielding a long blade—the very Willow‑Eyed Sword that Hu Xiaotian had given Tang Tiexin to use. Its edge gleamed with the cold light of the moon in the sky. The man and sword had become one; he twisted his right hand slightly on the hilt, then leapt from the tower and brought the blade down toward Hu Xiaotian. This pre‑meditated strike was designed to cut off every possible escape route for Hu Xiaotian: if he dared to advance, he would face an overwhelming, unmatched sword aura; if he retreated, he would have to contend with Xiong Tianba's mighty, flawless twin hammers.

Translate: "At that moment a gray‑clad figure appeared on the FengHuoTai, wielding a long blade—the very Eyebrow Knife that Hu Xiaotian had given Tang Tiexin to use. Its icy edge reflected the cold moonlight in the sky. The gray‑clad person and the blade had become one; he twisted his right hand slightly on the hilt, then leapt from the FengHuoTai and slashed at Hu Xiaotian. This pre‑meditated strike took into account all of Hu Xiaotian's possible escape routes: if he dared advance, he would face an overwhelming, unmatched blade qi; if he dared retreat, he would have to contend with Xiong Tianba's mighty, flawless twin hammers."

Seeing the blade's flash, Hu Xiaotian instantly recognized the comer—the Sword Demon FengXingyun! He wondered why the demon had appeared here, and when he had reclaimed the Willow‑Eyed Sword. He had no time to ponder whether Tang Tiexin was still alive; the sword's return to the demon's hand was like giving a tiger wings, enabling FengXingyun to unleash vast sword aura at will. Hu Xiaotian had no hope of defeating the demon at his peak; even if

Translate: "Seeing the blade's light, Hu Xiaotian instantly recognized the attacker: the Blade Demon, FengXingyun! He wondered why the Blade Demon had appeared here, and when he had snatched back the Eyebrow Knife. He no longer had time to ponder whether Tang Tiexin was still alive; the Eyebrow Knife's return to the Blade Demon's hand was like giving a tiger wings—FengXingyun, blade in hand, could now unleash tremendous blade qi at will. Hu Xiaotian had no confidence in repelling the Blade Demon at his peak; even if he could block a single strike, behind him lay the will‑less, berserk Xiong Tianba. Front and rear attacked, Xiong Tianba sealed his retreat, while the Blade Demon blocked the front, left, right, and even the escape route above Hu Xiaotian—leaving him with no way out."

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