Consultor de vida de la dinastía Song del Sur

Capítulo 95

3. Dust

Dark clouds loomed overhead, pressing down on the gloomy sky. The sky was a semicircle, reflecting a crimson light, like a splashed ink dragon, its heavy, roaring murderous aura engulfing the crowd from outside the gate to inside the manor.

Arrows pierced the twilight with a hissing sound, raining down in a flurry of bullets that swept towards the crowd. After several bursts of fire, the black-clad warriors tightened their formation, with those on both sides moving towards the center in a semi-circle, gradually surging into the manor in a fierce battle.

To maintain the power of their shots, the Silver Arrow Guards retreated continuously, their scattered formation retracting its tendrils, resembling tangled tree roots rising from the ground. The guards at the top of the formation acted as the vanguard, continuing to fire arrows, the sound of bowstrings being drawn echoing through the air.

In an instant, the black tide surged in like a tree canopy, while the silver-white Feathered Guards retreated straight back like tree trunks.

Entering from the east gate, they found themselves in a square courtyard. After the guards swiftly retreated, the Black Tide warriors followed closely behind, neck and neck. They arrived at a spacious courtyard, the central location of the Evil-Repelling Center, and the training ground.

The shadows of the trees swayed and danced wildly in the gale, their mournful cries echoing through the air. The courtyard was surrounded by thick, solid blue brick walls, sharp and edgy, reaching several meters high; it would be quite difficult for an ordinary person to leap over them.

This is clearly the location of the ambush.

Silverlight, mixed in with the ranks, shouted: "Scatter, scatter, go around the tree!"

The guards understood what Young Master Silverlight meant. The Evil-Repelling Manor was planted with holly and pine trees, their roots spreading deep underground, firmly controlling the lifeline of the underground mechanisms. The archers were capable of ranged attacks, but in close combat, they would be torn apart by the fierce and bloodthirsty Japanese samurai. Therefore, they retreated around the trees, using the trunks to conceal their bodies, hoping that the enemy would step on the hooks and be brought down, while also blocking the deadly attacks that came at them.

The white scattering, like a gentle stream, cuts through the deep, somber tree color, disappearing silently and swiftly into the darkness.

Yin Guang turned to assess the situation and roared, "Two thousand men, go and hold the perimeter outside the courtyard and block the entrance! Front guards, follow me to cut off the enemy and quickly switch to arrows!"

A wall of white figures formed as the crowd drew arrows coated with fire oil from their quivers, stood on high ground, and drew their bows.

Wei Wuyi did not follow. Among the Japanese samurai, there were also leaders; seven or eight of them shouted loudly, directing their formation to advance. Various screams, cries, and the sound of air being torn apart mingled together, making the situation extremely tense for a time.

A fierce killing intent, intruders as fierce as wolves and tigers.

Before the black-clad warriors entered the manor, their leader had explained the location of the exorcising mechanism. Seeing the silver-clad guards retreating in disarray, like ants swarming and blocking the front gate of the courtyard, they carefully avoided stepping on the ground before viciously charging forward. The black force suddenly resembled a ferocious dragon, its head raging and tearing across the training ground, its body and tail hanging outside, continuously flowing along the long corridor.

The sword energy in the east courtyard surged like a rainbow, its colors dazzlingly vibrant.

Leng Shuangcheng relied entirely on her fierce inner energy, engaging in a chaotic battle with the enemy at the tail end. The Eclipse Sun Sword was crimson red, its cold light gleaming, and a strong wind swept up and down. She didn't expend much time, only unleashing five sword strikes, but each strike was deadly and soul-snatching. The entire dark sky was absorbed by the sword energy, accompanied by the roar of the ocean waves, swirling up droplets of blood and spray.

The courtyard was scattered like raindrops; the well railing, steps, tree branches, and the man in black, if touched by even a trace of sword energy, were instantly torn into pieces, like orchid leaves scattered in the dark sky.

She suppressed the rear of the formation and slowly moved towards the well.

Wei Wuyi grew increasingly alarmed as the battle progressed. Leng Shuangcheng's Eclipse Sun sword was terrifying, far surpassing the sword skills his young master had described! Moreover, it was precisely because his young master had been certain that Leng Shuangcheng was severely injured that he felt safe enough to pursue her while she was locked in combat.

However, the world was filled with layers of sword shadows, and the chaos was as fierce as Pangu creating the world. How could it be affected by the rumors that Leng Shuangcheng was seriously injured and in poor condition?

His pupils involuntarily contracted. Apart from focusing on dealing with the swaying sword shadows, he could not pay attention to anything else. The crimson light of the eclipsing sun was fierce and dazzling, exuding a large amount of killing intent. However, what was most unbearable was the brilliant and fierce aura of the Xuanbing emanating from the cold snow blade!

The sword was chillingly cold, and its killing intent was overwhelming.

A sword severed the formation, slaying the two Tang cudgels and destroying everything that came near it. Although Leng Shuangcheng was pale and her cheeks were sunken, Wei Wuyi couldn't feel happy. He had exhausted all the projectiles from the Sun and Moon Golden Wheel, but she dodged them all. The remaining flames only burned her body but did not damage her major acupoints.

Moreover, the frost on the sword froze the surrounding air, obscuring the sky. He couldn't withstand such a domineering and bizarre sword technique.

Leng Shuangcheng's hair was disheveled, her clothes were stained with flame marks, and her moon-white shirt was soaked with menstrual blood, the light blue background still showing mottled red flowers. Her whole body felt like it was crawling with insects, and countless pains were gnawing at her wounds.

Time was slowly passing, and half an incense stick's time had passed. She had successfully killed the medicine man and delayed Wei Wuyi's command of the attack, but she was forced to remain in the backyard.

The objective of capturing and killing has been achieved; the agreed time is approaching.

Leng Shuangcheng's eyes were fixed on Wei Wuyi, who was dodging behind the crowd. She suddenly gathered her inner energy and unleashed a powerful sword strike towards the ground. With a whoosh, sword energy rained down, sending sand and gravel flying. The two elders, Zhu Lan and her companion, stiffened and unable to dodge the projectiles, were thrown into the air with a shriek, barely swaying twice. The others, already accustomed to the power of the Corrosive Sun, only saw the red light and hastily retreated behind the two elders to avoid it.

The dazzling light shot straight into the ground without stopping, then bounced up from beneath the bricks like a barrage of cannonballs, creating ripples in the air with a series of loud thuds. Wei Wuyi had just cried out in alarm, "Oh no!" when a sharp, whistling sound erupted from the ground, and a bone-chilling cold burst forth from between his legs!

Then came a scream, and two pieces of scarlet flesh were torn apart and fell to the ground, blood splattering into the soil and covering the bluestone bricks.

One sword kills.

Wei Wuyi's corpse lay tilted on the ground, and everyone stood there stunned, their faces filled with astonishment.

This move, "The Long River Unloads the Sun," was incredibly powerful, its sword flashing through the air with a cunning and deadly force, seemingly accompanied by the roar of tigers and the howl of monkeys, its killing intent piercing to the very bones of everyone present. It not only had the effect of striking from a distance, but it also tore open a gap in the wheel-shaped array.

The time was ripe. A gap suddenly appeared in the encirclement.

Leng Shuangcheng leaped into the air with incredible speed, nimbly breaking free of the encirclement. The wisp of smoke rose higher and higher, making a sharp point in the air before plunging straight into the well in the center of the courtyard with a thud.

Seeing that they had lost their command in an instant, the men in black, after regaining their senses, pushed forward in a chaotic manner, roaring like leopards that had been released from their cages for a long time.

The icy chill seeped into Leng Shuangcheng's limbs and bones; her wounds, soaked in water, stood up like thorns. She endured the pain, her eyes fixed ahead, as she swam sideways, her arms paddling through the water.

It was no accident that she was able to escape the iron wall of encirclement at the rear.

Two years ago, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, she followed the water cart and entered the exorcism chamber in a daze. Every day, under Zhao Yong's curses, she indifferently fetched water and cleaned. Afterwards, she reflected on it and immediately understood a principle: the wells in the courtyard must be connected, and there must be an inlet for water to be poured in. Otherwise, if there was water stored underground, there would be no need to use a horse-drawn cart to transport it.

Today she's going all out.

As agreed with Wu Suan and Yin Guang, she personally covered the rear, engaging the commander and slowing down the drug-using people's rampage against their side, minimizing losses as much as possible. Moreover, killing the enemy leader would be an added bonus. "I'm different from Qiu Ye. I don't seek any merit or achievement; I only want the Japanese to be unable to escape Wufang," she said indifferently to Wu Suan, coercing him into agreeing to her demands.

Wu asked: Are the underground mechanisms still activated?

“Send it.” She told him decisively, “Since they’re here, how can we not treat them well? Moreover, by setting up the mechanism, we can make the Japanese believe that we don’t know about the spy, which will probably make them even more emboldened to enter the training ground.”

The well water was icy cold, and the light was dim. If it weren't for Leng Shuangcheng's far-sighted eyes, an ordinary person would easily get lost in the underwater passage. She tried her best to identify the direction, and after swimming forward for five zhang, she turned left.

The winding waterway, like crisscrossing paths in a field, traversed the depths of the Bixie Earth. After several bends, she spotted a circular light, and with a surge of joy, she rushed upwards.

With a splash, the water droplets boiled and burst open, and Leng Shuangcheng, her clothes soaked through, emerged from the pool. A fierce wind swept past, and green branches danced wildly like halberds and clouds. A raging storm swept through the air, swirling around her dripping, cold clothes. She couldn't help but shiver, glancing down at herself, inwardly lamenting the disadvantage of losing her water-repellent garment, while anxiously rushing towards the central courtyard.

As she leaped into the air, a glimpse of frost-yellow blossoms caught her eye at the edge of the courtyard, and she smiled slightly. They were summer flowers born in late spring, flourishing amidst the rugged bluestone of the courtyard, creating a vibrant scene.

It turns out that even the cold and indifferent Bixie Manor missed the tender spring sunshine.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, and a fierce wind raged like a pillar, swirling up large swaths of falling leaves that seemed to devour every inch of the training ground. The tree branches, bared and clawed like ghosts, pierced the soil with sharp, pointed blades at the base of the massive trees, their quills gleaming coldly.

Once the earth spears are activated, they bloom everywhere. Often, when the hidden stakes of one star formation charge forward, a whole array of sharp spikes will fall from the other side, neat as nails, gleaming coldly.

These were merely minor traps, known even to the surging tide of men in black. They skillfully navigated the star palace's layout, jostling and chasing after the white waves—the silver-clad guards. In an instant, the vast training ground was filled with the deafening roar of battle, the clash of swords and arrows soaring into the heavens.

When Chai Jin was preparing the underground mechanisms of Bixie, he had indeed put a lot of effort into it, and his hard work was protected by Qiu Ye Yijian. Therefore, since the manor was closed, Bixie has never accepted unknown people, and those who enter the manor without permission never return.

Like this place, many courtyards are filled with countless mechanisms of all sizes. At the heart of this place, buried deep underground, lies a secret treasure for warding off evil spirits: the mechanical beast Nine-Ringed Leopard.

Chai Jin then arranged a nine-square formation on the blue brick base of the drill ground, following the numerical order of two and four for the shoulders, six and eight for the feet, three on the left and seven on the right, nine at the head and one at the feet, with five in the center. He then buried hidden stakes in each square, and the nine-ringed leopard with its bronze body and iron arms was positioned in the center of the five-pointed star pattern.

After more than half an incense stick's time, Wu Suan, who was underwater, activated all the key mechanisms, and the century-old exorcism finally unleashed a massacre.

The ground suddenly cracked open, and the sound of wind and thunder shook the heavens! Chunks of soil and stones gathered and rolled down, and the smooth and flat surface of the bluestone bricks suddenly turned into a sharp, black, and hard black. After the clanging and rattling of the mechanical hinges, nine bronze beasts of different sizes slowly rose up.

At this moment, dark clouds still lingered, and the sky was gloomy and without light. After the nine-ringed, nine-tailed bronze leopard appeared, the world was filled with a desolate roar.

Cast in bronze, with ball bearings and clattering iron gears, it resembled a ferocious beast hunting for prey. The nine-section whip's tail tip curled into the air, its chilling claws stomping and cracking. Its entire body gleamed as if new, exuding a cold, sharp aura—an aura of death.

The iron beast is ruthless and heartless; once it unleashes its power, it will devour anyone it sees.

The main beast was about three zhang tall, with gleaming white limbs. It strode forward with its iron claws, cleaving mountains and splitting rocks with great speed. Its axle spun, and people flew like leaves. Three-foot-long streaks of blood splattered all over its body, further highlighting the ruthless chill of the iron. The other eight beasts were about half the size, agile as the wind, constantly pouncing on the scattered crowd.

The mixed crowd of black and white figures exploded like boiling water, spraying blood everywhere. At this moment, the two sides not only had to fight each other, but also had to be wary of the livestock falling from the sky. In just an instant, the drawn-out screams continued endlessly, rolling and echoing in the air. A gale howled, and the sharp cries swept across the vast sea.

Heaven closed its eyes and poured down a torrential rain, with icy beads rolling down and washing away the reddened earth.

Bixie Manor has become a living hell.

With a jolt of silver light, he leaped onto a bronze leopard, crouched low, gripped the leopard's jaw tightly with his left hand, and quickly reached out with his right hand to turn the pivot next to the leopard's ear. The leopard let out a muffled thud and turned to crash into the tree trunk.

With a loud crash, two ancient, thick trees collapsed, injuring a group of men in black.

Seeing this, several men in black seemed to regain their senses. They climbed onto the small beasts, stepping on the corpses of their fellow disciples, and manipulated the leopard's body in the same way. With a loud crash, the two bronze beasts collided, sparks of fire and starlight illuminating pairs of bulging eyes. Silver Light clung tightly to the leopard's head, desperately struggling left and right.

Japanese samurai poured into the courtyard, while the front gate was fiercely guarded by the thousand bodyguards left behind by Yin Guang. The Japanese were extremely fierce, disregarding their own safety, their snow blades slicing through the flying arrows as they charged toward the gate with murderous intent. After several battles, the weak defenses were gradually breached.

The man in black understood the secret of the exorcism, but he hadn't expected to lose command first. Everyone crowded into the courtyard, greatly reducing the space for them to fight. The black tide gathered more and more, and as soon as the mechanical beasts launched their attack, those with eyes could react immediately. Seven or eight out of ten people who entered the village clung to the big trees, leaping and bounding like monkeys, rushing straight to the front gate.

There are many trees and many people, like patches of black ink on a green screen, constantly changing.

Yin Guang hardened his heart, leaving a thousand Imperial Guards to cover the rear, and ordered them to stand on high ground and use specially made rockets to fiercely attack the enemy. The soldiers in silver armor stood in a straight line on the vermilion tile wall, their hands nocked on powerful bows and firing arrows. The friction of the arrows generated heat, and when the tips pierced the bodies of the rushing enemies, sparks flew.

Flames mingled with drops of blood, the scorched skin hissed, and the corpse fell to the ground, only to be trampled to pieces by the nine-ringed leopard's thunderous strides. Black, red, yellow, and white colors covered the ground in a mottled pattern, both eerie and bloody.

The courtyard was crammed together like a bouncing bullet, with groups of people dodging and weaving in and out. The nine-ringed leopard strode around, rushing and darting about, gnawing at fragile flesh, unable to distinguish friend from foe, good from evil.

The largest slaughterhouse is a place of inhumane slaughter, where everything happens in the blink of an eye, and the situation on the field changes in an instant.

Several of the silver-clad guards groaned and swayed before collapsing to the ground. Seven men in black, their eyes gleaming, lunged forward, intending to kill the archers atop the wall.

A red light flashed across the face, and the fierce sword energy crashed through the soaring blood light. The crimson sword light, carrying a hint of frost, sliced away the black body with a whoosh, causing it to scatter like a wind-blown banner and fall into the claws of the Nine-Ringed Leopard.

"Arrow Guards, retreat outwards! Leave the manor immediately!" Leng Shuangcheng gripped the Eclipse Sword tightly, its flames surging like waves, embodying her burgeoning courage. Time was running out, and she had no time to elaborate. She urged everyone to turn around quickly, her sword continuously cleaving through the dark night, its crimson light like a five-colored dragon and phoenix winding its way into the sky, trailing dazzling, sparkling shadows.

The sword energy was earth-shattering.

Seeing the horrific scene on the training ground, Leng Shuangcheng felt a pang of pain in his heart, his face filled with deep regret: If Heaven had eyes, why did it allow this catastrophe to happen?

"Silver Light!" She channeled all her inner strength and shouted fiercely into the raging wind.

Silverlight crawled on the leopard's body, maneuvering the mechanical beast to smash through a large tree, struggling to turn around in the narrow gap. His leopard was small, but it couldn't withstand the impact of the other beasts, teetering on the brink of collapse several times. If it weren't for the crowd below running for their lives, he would have long been devoured by the leopard or surrounded and killed by the men in black. —The Japanese samurai, though fierce in close combat, were helpless against Silverlight's agile movements. Those who had desperately climbed onto the leopard's body were either cut down or easily leaped onto another mechanical beast. Some assassins who jumped down from the trees were quickly impaled by stray arrows as soon as they got close.

The scene became chaotic at one point.

Leng Shuangcheng shouted again, "Silver Light!"

Yin Guang looked around with a troubled expression. It was easy to get on the Nine-Ring Leopard before, but now the black tide was surging in, and there was no way for him to retreat.

Leng Shuangcheng gritted her teeth, gathered her energy, and darted forward. Thousands of blades, as white as snow, shimmered and rolled beneath her feet. Thunder roared and lightning flashed, her sword energy was invincible, and she slashed downwards with fervor.

The dense crowd suddenly parted, collapsing to the side like a tidal wave.

A figure flashed before the silver light, and then a red light arrived, carried by clouds.

Leng Shuangcheng snapped back to reality, her left hand seizing the opportunity to tighten her grip on the silver wrist: "The time has come!" Her eyes shone with a clear, bright light, piercing and spirited. "We have done our best. No matter the outcome, I have no regrets."

A burst of silver light flashed, and his eyes were faintly filled with tears. Before he could recover, Leng Shuangcheng quickly pulled him up and leaped upwards like a meteor!

To their right was the main beast, swaying wildly.

Before the man arrived, the sword struck first, a streak of flowing cloud and rosy light rushing forward, slashing the black-clad man atop the nine-ringed leopard's body, who tumbled into the black tide. Leng Shuangcheng and Yin Guang remained firmly atop it, each tacitly holding a leopard ear.

Leaping, drawing the sword, seizing position—the movements were fluid and natural, with the force and timing perfectly controlled.

With a deafening roar, the ground cracked open, and the once bustling field was instantly engulfed in a cloud of dust, as if the heavens and earth had collapsed and shattered the entire area! Clumps of earth mixed with large figures fell straight down, like a magnificent palace being blasted into dust in an instant.

The ground collapsed rapidly, and the force of the underground collapse was like an invisible net, firmly swallowing the prey that was entrenched in it.

The cries of anguish filled the land, and the rolling voices of people faded into the depths of the earth.

At the same time, the two who were prepared pulled the mechanism, and the bronze beast arched its body and leaped into the air with a roar.