Beneath the Northern Luo City, the sound of thundering hooves echoed. The dust rolled as Lu Changkong, clad in full armor, gripped a long spear in hand, his eyes flashing like lightning. His steed galloped at breakneck speed, charging toward Feng Shi, who was riding ahead.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
On the city tower, a burly man, shirtless, began swinging a massive drumstick, causing the war drum to reverberate, its thunderous beats shaking the heart. Feng Shi's gaze sharpened, feeling a powerful momentum sweeping toward him, as if even the yellow sand on the ground was being blown away.
"Lu Changkong... the Grandmaster Warrior!" Feng Shi murmured softly, then burst out laughing. His voice roared like thunder. With a quick squeeze of his legs, his black warhorse, clad in armor, neighed and charged forward without hesitation, racing like thunder.
The ground scenery flew past them at breakneck speed. In Feng Shi's eyes, bloodlust and excitement flashed. He gripped his large blade tightly.
To the south and the north, two figures galloped on their steeds, continuously closing in. Though Lu Changkong was tall and sturdy, he was no match for Feng Shi, who specialized in external martial arts. In contrast, Lu Changkong practiced internal martial arts, particularly blood-moving techniques. The two figures closed in like lightning.
Lu Changkong bent low in his saddle, and with a powerful sweep of his spear, the veins on his arm bulged like writhing dragons. Feng Shi roared. Amid the war drum's booming beats, the clash of Lu Changkong's spear and Feng Shi's great blade sent sparks flying, the sound of metal striking metal ringing out.
Feng Shi possessed immense natural strength and was unmatched in bravery. After just one exchange, he had already overpowered Lu Changkong in terms of force. Though he wasn't a Grandmaster, his strength was nearly on par with one.
Lu Changkong's gaze remained cold, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he stared at Feng Shi, as if he were looking at a dead man. With a sudden twist of his spear, he redirected the force and struck with newfound power, causing Lu Changkong's helmet to explode from the force of his blood energy.
Rip!
His spear pressed down on the great blade, sweeping across its length. Feng Shi's heart skipped a beat, and he relinquished his weapon. Lu Changkong coldly snorted, tossing his spear aside and driving it into the ground, pinning Feng Shi's great blade there.
Then, he unleashed a powerful punch.
Feng Shi bellowed in rage and swung his massive fist to meet Lu Changkong's in a direct collision.
However…
Lu Changkong, having mastered internal martial arts, his blood and energy flowing in a continuous stream, unleashed three successive punches before Feng Shi could even gather his strength.
Thud!
Feng Shi coughed up blood as he was knocked off his horse and crashed to the ground, tumbling in a messy roll.
"Good!!!"
"The City Lord is mighty! Kill!"
"The City Lord is a Grandmaster Warrior! How dare a mere barbarian challenge him!"
…
On the city walls of Northern Luo, the soldiers guarding the city cheered in unison, their spirits lifted. The Northern Jun army, however, fell silent.
Lu Changkong showed no sign of pride. His gaze remained sharp and cold as he rode past, reaching down to grab his spear lodged in the ground. He swung it with a mighty sweep, aiming to cleave Feng Shi in two.
Feng Shi, however, showed no hesitation and turned, racing back toward the direction of his army. His legs, like solid pillars, thudded heavily against the ground, causing the earth to tremble as he sprinted like a giant beast.
…
Deep within the Northern Jun army's camp, a massive military tent was erected. Soldiers rushed in and kneeled before a man in the main seat.
"Lord Taishou! The City Lord of Northern Luo, Lu Changkong, personally took to the battlefield. General Feng Shi could not withstand him and was defeated, retreating in disarray."
The soldier reported loudly.
Within the tent, the man sitting in the main seat—elegant in appearance but dressed in armor with a red cape flowing down—rested his chin on his hand, his finger lightly tapping. Upon hearing the report, his brow didn't furrow in worry, but rather, a hint of joy flickered in his eyes.
"Lu Changkong has truly left the city," he mused softly. "It seems the city is as good as ours."
In the tent, the soldiers exchanged glances, their faces displaying a peculiar expression.
"Lord Taishou's predictions are always spot on. Northern Luo City… is within our grasp."
The soldiers congratulated their lord, Dantai Xuan.
Dantai Xuan's refined face broke into a warm smile.
"Lu Changkong is a cautious man and rarely leaves the city. Only someone like Feng Shi, full of crude and reckless words, could provoke him into action."
Dantai Xuan stood up, his scholarly eyes flashing with sharpness.
"Send out the martial arts Grandmasters. Today, we will ensure that Lu Changkong does not return to Northern Luo City. This opportunity will not come again. If Lu Changkong escapes back into the city and resorts to defensive tactics, it will take months before we can breach Northern Luo."
He adjusted his helmet and waved his hand, giving the orders.
The soldiers all cupped their fists in respect and received their commands.
…
The sound of galloping hooves echoed. Feng Shi's heart trembled.
Suddenly, the Northern Jun army's ranks parted, and several figures riding horses charged toward Lu Changkong, their blood energies booming with explosive sounds.
The impact was thunderous.
Grandmasters! The figures charging out of the camp were all martial arts Grandmasters!
Lu Changkong's heart sank slightly as he pulled his horse to a halt, hooves raised high.
Feng Shi's expression relaxed as he burst into laughter.
The sound of air breaking echoed as four figures emerged, armed with spears, swords, blades, and whips.
"The Luo Sword Sect, Black Tiger Gang… and… the Qingcheng Sect?!"
Lu Changkong's eyes narrowed. Apart from a Northern Jun officer, the other three were all martial arts Grandmasters!
"You martial artists, called upon by the National Master to aid the Great Zhou, yet you have betrayed us and sided with the enemy?!" Lu Changkong roared, his temple throbbing.
His long spear swung in a dazzling arc, white light flashing as it collided with the blades and whips, using one against three without faltering.
In the Northern Jun army's camp, Dantai Xuan stood atop a raised platform, his gaze narrowing slightly.
"Lu Changkong's strength has indeed improved again… Fortunately, with the help of these three martial arts Grandmasters, we might have a chance. Otherwise, he would have been nearly impossible to stop."
Dantai Xuan sighed.
"Unfortunately, even a Grandmaster is still human."
Meanwhile, in the distance, Lu Changkong drove back his enemies with a swift strike and, without hesitation, turned his horse back toward Northern Luo City, galloping at full speed.
He had recently experienced a breakthrough in strength and thought he had everything under control, but now, the martial arts Grandmasters had turned traitor. Lu Changkong could not afford to fall off his horse—if he was captured, Northern Luo City would be without a leader… and it would fall!
Suddenly, a surge of blood-red fury erupted in his eyes. His rage boiled over.
"How dare you!!!"
Lu Changkong roared, his voice erupting in a sonic boom. The city gates, which had been wide open, suddenly slammed shut.
On the city walls of Northern Luo, chaos had already broken out.
Three martial artists from the three great families, dressed in Confucian robes, were engaged in a fierce battle with the city guards atop the walls.
With the gates closed, Lu Changkong was now isolated, helpless.
…
When Ning Zhao pushed the wheelchair-bound Lu Fan to the base of the city walls, the entire Northern Luo City had already descended into a bloody turmoil.
Behind the city gates, bodies were piling up. Lu Changkong's loyal officers were impaled with long spears, kneeling on the ground with wide, furious eyes—lifeless.
The air was thick with the stench of blood.
The three martial artists, dressed in Confucian robes, had killed the gate guards, seized power, and closed the city gates.
Lu Fan frowned slightly, his face turning pale. He covered his nose and mouth with a woolen blanket, unable to bear the bloody stench.
Ning Zhao and Yi Yue seemed unfazed. As martial artists, they were accustomed to bloodshed. Even Ni Yu had seen death before. It was Lu Fan, however, who was unaccustomed to such a brutal, hellish sight.
"Young Master..." Ning Zhao glanced at Lu Fan with concern.
Lu Fan waved his hand, his gaze sharp with realization. This was the chaos of the world... Life was like grass in times of strife. No matter how powerful his system attributes, if he didn't survive, it would all be meaningless.
"This world… these rules of this era… are unforgiving," Lu Fan muttered.
"I'm fine."
He waved off their concerns, his voice calm.
"It's just the smell of blood. Nothing more."