Chapter 231: One Sword Shatters the Heavenly Pass (End of The Eagle Shooting Heroes)

Peaks clustered, waves raged, the mountains and rivers formed the Tongguan route.

In the misty rain, the mighty pass loomed, high clouds swirled, and the ground's soil was a swath of scarlet.

Niu Dingtian rode the Divine Eagle; just as he neared the sky over Tongguan, a strong scent of blood rushed into his nose, straight to his brain.

He knew this was the scent left by half a month of fierce battle between the two armies.

Even though rain fell and wind blew now, in a short time the odor permeating Tongguan's soil could not be dispelled.

"It's the Divine Eagle! Someone's on it!"

"The men from Xiangyang have arrived!"

Below, flags stood in dense rows, camps were tightly packed, and the shout came from Han Baoju.

He and Zhu Cong, both clad in iron armor and bloodied, stood together with Brother Ke Zhen'e while Guo Jing inspected the camp's injured.

Hearing Han Baoju's shout, the surrounding soldiers all looked up at the sky.

Before the giant eagle could dive, a fleeting silhouette suddenly landed before the central camp tent, standing sword‑in‑hand at Guo Jing's position, gazing intently.

Seeing the young man in a python robe who had just appeared, the soldiers instinctively froze, then one by one knelt on one knee, clasped fists and shouted:

"Your Majesty, a thousand years!"

"Your Majesty, a thousand years!"

"Your Majesty, a thousand years!"

……

The shouts rose like waves, each higher than the last, gradually spreading across the entire ten‑mile camp.

Hearing the call, Niu Ben, Niu Kui, Hu Zaixing and Liu Fengchun—four armored, weapon‑wielding generals—showed excited faces and knelt without hesitation.

Beside them, Huang Yaoshi, seeing this, knit his dark‑blue thick eyebrows, hesitated briefly, then with a solemn expression knelt in salute.

Behind him, disciple Mei Chaofeng, clad in iron armor and a silver helm, dressed as a man, saw his master's action and naturally dared not speak out.

The staff‑bearing, head‑tilted Ke Zhen'e, adhering to the principle of kneeling to heaven, earth, and parents, would never bow his head.

But thinking that his life was saved by that man, as if he were a reborn parent, he was pulled by his second and third brothers and, under their tug, knelt in turn.

"This feeling truly cannot be compared to that of ordinary jianghu folk," Niu Dingtian said, standing with his sword, his gaze sweeping around, thinking to himself.

At that moment, even if he were weary, an unstoppable surge of heroic spirit rose within him, and he conceived a resolve to lead his troops, dominate the world and subdue the four barbarians.

Alas… Nuo Da's family estate has not even a single heir.

"Drive out the Tatars!"

"Restore China!"

Niu Dingtian shouted in a deep voice.

Though he stood at the central army position, his shout rang like thunder, echoing through every corner of the camp.

"Drive out the Tatars!"

"Restore China!"

"Drive out the Tatars!"

"Restore China!"

……

The camp's people, following his shout, raised their fists and shouted excitedly.

Niu Dingtian raised his hand, the shouting abruptly stopped, and he said in a deep voice: "Today we conserve our strength! Tomorrow, I, the King, will personally lead you all to crush Tongguan!"

"Crush Tongguan!"

"Crush Tongguan!"

"Crush Tongguan!"

……

Amid the waves of shouts, Niu Dingtian sheathed his sword, turned, and entered the camp tent.

Huang Yaoshi, Guo Jing, Niu Ben, Niu Kui, Hu Zaixing and Liu Fengchun rose and followed inside.

Inside the tent, Niu Dingtian unceremoniously sat at the commander's desk, fixed his gaze on Huang Yaoshi and said, "Please, father‑in‑law, brief me on the current situation."

If it were the past, seeing the old Tai Shan bow to him, he might have harbored a slight perverse delight, but thinking they might soon part forever, that thought vanished.

Huang Yaoshi's expression was stern, as it had been, but after more than half a year of handling military and civil affairs, his brows bore much fatigue.

Looking at the young man in the python robe on the desk, Huang Yaoshi said gravely, "They say the Tongguan interior now hosts a Jin‑Mongol Allied Force, but it has long been under Mongol control; the northern Jin territories are almost nonexistent, mostly occupied by the Mongols."

"Who is the commander of Tongguan?"

Niu Dingtian frowned and asked.

"Tie Muzhen!"

Huang Yaoshi said gravely.

"Tie Muzhen?" Niu Dingtian's eyebrows involuntarily lifted slightly.

He learned half a year ago that this fellow had been poisoned by the snake venom left by Yang Kang; although Ouyang Feng had neutralized it, he still fell ill.

He hadn't expected him to surface so soon.

Seeing his own son‑in‑law silent, Huang Yaoshi said, "Half a month ago when we learned of his whereabouts, I also invoked the promise you gave earlier, inviting Brother Duan and Brother Qi to go assassinate him together."

"But the target was surrounded by crossbow formations day and night, never leaving the camp; the three of us attempted a forceful assault three times, each ending in forced retreat."

"Brother Duan and Brother Qi once said, 'If anyone can take his head from among ten thousand troops, it can only be you under the heavens.'"

Having said that, Huang Yaoshi quietly stared at Niu Dingtian.

For more than half a year he had displayed his lifelong wisdom with the army, seemingly invincible, yet before that steppe overlord, neither soft nor hard strategies could be effective.

At this moment, he couldn't help but admire his own son‑in‑law's original insight.

At this point, Niu Ben took the floor, clasped his fists and said, "The Mongols are fierce and fearless of death, even far surpassing our army; in this past half‑month of grinding combat, both sides have suffered losses."

"But the Prince just appeared, and our army's morale has surged tenfold; breaking through Tongguan tomorrow will be a piece of cake!"

Niu Dingtian smiled faintly, said nothing, and his gaze swept over the resolute faces of Niu Ben, Niu Kui, Hu Zaixing, and Liu Fengchun, finally resting on Guo Jing in black‑gold armor. He then said abruptly, "I hereby promote Guo Jing to Deputy Commander, the senior general of the Celestial Strategy Office. Do any of you harbor dissent?"

"I dare not!" the four were momentarily stunned, then all clasped their fists in unison.

"Is it that you dare not, or that you have no reason?" Niu Dingtian asked lightly.

The moment those words were spoken, the camp tents froze instantly.

Even Huang Yaoshi couldn't help but look in astonishment at his own son‑in‑law.

Guo Jing was about to speak, but Niu Dingtian raised his hand to stop him, saying calmly, "This is a decision I have deliberated on. Should I ever be absent, the Northern Expeditionary Force shall be led by Guo Jing."

"You are all my true confidants. If any doubt remains in your hearts, you may shed this armor today and serve in the Divine Sect thereafter, sparing yourselves future embarrassment."

Niu Ben dropped to his knees, hot tears welling in his eyes, and clasped his fist, saying, "I was born a servant of the Master, and I will die as the Master's ghost! As long as this order comes directly from the Master, whether I accept it in heart or not, I will execute it to the death!"

Niu Kui also knelt, clasped his fist, and said, "As long as it is the Master's word, Niu Kui swears to carry it out to death!"

At this moment the two address the "Master," yet they regard themselves as household retainers.

Hu Zaixing and Liu Fengchun, seeing this, also knelt and clasped their fists.

Liu Fengchun spoke in a deep voice, "I am still the Liu Fengchun who broke the temple back then! Should any day I, for power, forget the Prince's benevolence, I shall meet a miserable end just like Peng Zhanglao did that day!"

Niu Dingtian fell silent upon hearing this, lowered his eyes to stare at the table, his expression as calm as water, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

Below, Guo Jing was already moved to tears, knelt on the ground, and said, "Uncle…"

"All of you, descend, make proper preparations, and at dawn tomorrow follow me to breach the city." Niu Dingtian, after a long silence, whispered.

……

Nightfall, within the camp tents

The flames in the four fire pits blazed fiercely, illuminating the sides of the table, where two figures were toasting each other.

Huang Yaoshi set down his wine bowl and sighed, "I've long been unable to understand: now that the household is so vast, why do you let it run unchecked?"

Niu Dingtian laughed brightly, "Some matters require me to go far beyond the gate, and I do not know when I shall return."

"So you are uneasy about them?" Huang Yaoshi frowned and asked.

"Proud soldiers and fierce generals—human hearts inevitably change." Niu Dingtian shook his head, lifted the wine jar, and filled it for the old Tai Shan, saying, "Father‑in‑law, do you believe? If I am away for ten, twenty, or thirty years, when I return they will each be regional lords; once authority is at stake, no one will be without hesitation." "If anyone can keep their original intention unchanged, I know not who, but Guo Jing must be one of them."

"But he is not even of coming‑of‑age yet!"

Huang Yaoshi did not ask Niu Dingtian where he was going or when he would return; he thought to himself how long one could stay away, but instead voiced his concerns.

Niu Dingtian sighed lightly, and said gravely, "Therefore I ask my father‑in‑law for assistance!"

"In truth, I care little for the gain or loss of great power; it is only a pity about the eradication of ignorance."

"Father‑in‑law, if one day you think Guo Jing is a hopeless mess, then if you have the will, you may establish yourself as king!"

Bang!

What are you saying!

Huang Yaoshi slammed his wine bowl onto the table, splashing both men with wine, his face turning iron‑blue as he said, "What do you take me for? If it weren't for Rong'er's face, I'd be too lazy to bother with your mere plot of land!"

That isn't even a plot of a few mu; go further and you could establish a state.

Niu Dingtian thought silently, then felt a sudden waning of interest.

"At first I promised my father‑in‑law to help you and Master Yideng enter the Pre‑Heaven."

"But if one forces advancement as Juexing did, this life will likely make any further progress impossible."

"Rong'er has some of my insights left there; father‑in‑law, when you have time, go retrieve them."

Having finished speaking, Niu Dingtian drained the wine from his bowl in one gulp, rose, and left the camp tent.

Huang Yaoshi suddenly felt some regret; this youngster's words and deeds were odd today, and he should have asked him properly.

……

At dawn the next day

At the break of dawn, the glow of sunrise, horns sounded, and the Northern Expeditionary army assembled, slowly pressing toward Tongguan.

As the imposing pass came into view, black clouds loomed over the city, as if brewing terror.

Niu Dingtian, clad in a black python robe, sword in his left hand, sat majestically upon a steed.

Glancing back at the soaring banners that blocked the sky behind him, he said to Guo Jing:

"In a moment, regardless of what happens, you shall lead the troops in a charge; do not delay!"

Having spoken, his figure already flashed through the air to the space ahead.

At the instant a terrifying aura burst from his body, a white beam stretched across the heavens like daylight, coalescing and shooting toward the city wall a hundred zhang away.

The terrifying momentum even made the void itself shiver.

Boom—

Before the astonished gazes of over three hundred thousand soldiers, Tongguan collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Simultaneously, in the heavens, an apocalyptic thunderbolt suddenly formed and, without warning, struck toward Niu Dingtian.

"Open for me!!" The Yitian Sword sprang forth, twirling lightly, its blade light meeting the strike.

Below—

The bewildered Guo Jing finally recalled his uncle's earlier instruction.

He hurriedly drew the Dragon‑Slaying Saber at his waist, raised it, and shouted, "All troops, obey! Follow me and kill!"

Wooo—

Kill!!

Kill!!

……

The sound of horns, the clash of charge, and the whinny of warhorses rose like a boundless tide, surging toward the shattered Tongguan.

"Husband!"

"Husband!"

"Husband!"

"Manor lord!"

"..."

"Just as the thunder dissipated, a void crack was forcibly split open by Niu Dingtian exerting all his strength."

"From below came the sorrowful cries of Chen Jin'er, Miss Huang, Han Xiao Ying, and several other ladies, as well as Niu Qian'er."

"Lovely ladies shed tears on their faces, abandoned their warhorses, and rushed toward this spot amidst the charging army."

"Seeing a palpitation-like feeling suddenly arise, Niu Dingtian extended his divine sense, decisively locked onto an aura within Tongguan City, and flung the Heaven-Supporting Sword from his hand."

"I will come back again!!"

"Amidst a shout, he directly plunged into the void crack."

"The Great Khan is dead!"

"The Great Khan is dead!"

"Husband!"

"Manor lord!"

"..."

"As the shouts beside his ears gradually faded until there was no sound at all, Niu Dingtian lost consciousness."

"——"

"The black clouds dispersed, the morning sun rose, shining upon the blood-stained ruins."

"Guo Jing pulled out the Heaven-Supporting Sword embedded in Tiemuzhen's chest, looked up at the sky, but that figure was nowhere to be seen."

"Recalling past events, everything now seemed illusory; he could not help but well up with tears, kneeling down in the ruins."

"Six months later"

"The Jin State fell, but Guo Jing continued to lead the Northern Expeditionary Army, locked in a stalemate struggle with the Mongol forces in the north."

"As for the former Jiugong Mountain, it seemed as if overnight it had been emptied of people and buildings."

"Chen Jin'er left, Miss Huang left, Han Xiao Ying also left…… The several newcomers of former times, no one knows where they went."

"Only Mu Nianci alone, on a certain night, came to Zhongnan Mountain with her frail body."

"Several days later"

"Li Mochou wore an apricot-yellow robe, her jade-like face icy cold, standing on the martial arts field of Jiugong Mountain."

"However, aside from the few scattered mountain guards on the peak, she searched frenziedly for half a day but still did not see the figure she wished to see."

"\"Why? Why? \" Li Mochou gazed at the empty courtyard, murmuring as she wept."

"\"Master said you have no place for me in your heart, but I don't believe it……\""

"She felt as if the whole world had abandoned her; she spared no cost to leave her sect, yet this was the result she got."

"That night, a voice full of hatred echoed across the mountain summit; on Jiugong Mountain, not a chicken or dog remained."

"Now, the name 'Scarlet Silk Fairy' that appeared out of thin air thoroughly stirred the jianghu; and Guo Jing, who was busy with warfare in the north, naturally flew into a rage upon hearing it."

"Without distinguishing right from wrong, he specifically slaughtered all unfaithful men under heaven!"

"He personally searched several waves, but not only failed to find any trace, he instead caused several more murder cases."

"In the midst of such turmoil, three years passed in the blink of an eye."

"The northern warfare remained stalemated, and the Sun Moon Divine Sect seemed to have gradually been forgotten by people."

"In the deep Kunlun of the Western Regions, a sect called the Ming Sect began to rise."

"——The Legend of the Condor Heroes ends!"

"Rong'er will not end, Mochou will not end; they will appear later on."

"Next volume: In this life, he emerges unexpectedly, his martial arts unparalleled! Whether for righteousness or evil, he seeks only the path to return."

"(End of chapter)"