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Kapitel 67

Xiao Shuai's body lay on the ground. Although Jun Yu couldn't see it, she remembered Xiao Shuai's miserable scream. These assassins knew the importance of a good horse in the desert, so they killed Xiao Shuai as soon as they arrived to cut off her escape route.

She knew that if she didn't break out now, she would surely die. But even if she did, in this vast desert, blind and missing Xiao Shuai, she still wouldn't get very far. For a moment, she was completely at a loss.

The moonlight slowly enveloped the sky above the inn, while the surrounding noise continued unabated. Another fierce attack erupted, accompanied by screams of agony. In the chaos, she was wounded again in the waist, and blood quickly soaked through her blue robe. Although she was blind, she had not lost her martial arts skills. Normally, even if there were several times more people, they could not harm her. But at this moment, she was lucky to be able to protect herself.

More than thirty people lay sprawled on the ground, some dead, some wounded, unable to move. Junyu carried his long sword, which was covered in blood. With each step he took, the remaining dozen or so people retreated a large step. In their terror, they even forgot to continue making noise or whistling.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats rang out, followed by dozens of torches illuminating the desert night sky as bright as day. Jun Yu could not see anything, yet he could sense the red flames.

Suddenly, a low cheer erupted from the deathly silence. The dozen or so men immediately retreated swiftly, and dozens of powerful bows and crossbows were already aimed at Junyu, who was walking slowly with his sword drawn.

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Chapter 216: Though there be thousands, I will go (2)

Jun Yu, having spent a long time in the army, immediately recognized it as a well-trained archer's mount. She raised her head, facing the direction of the firelight, and, holding her longsword, took a few more steps before stopping.

An assassin was quietly reporting to the leader of the group that "Flying General of Phoenix City" had lost his sight. His voice was soft and trembling, as if he was afraid that the sharp sword would immediately pierce his chest with the sound of his voice.

Dozens of huge torches illuminated the surroundings as bright as day, and dozens of archers drew their powerful bows and crossbows to their fullest extent, aiming at the young man carrying a longsword in the center of the battle.

The archers finally saw the legendary "Phoenix City Flying General," and all eyes were fixed on her, filled with a mixture of tension and wonder. This blind young woman had been fighting for most of the day; although her sleeve was torn, her two external wounds were minor. Now, she stood fearlessly in the center, her longsword dripping with blood. Surrounded by enemies, she remained upright, her handsome features striking, her dark, jade-like eyes wide open, calmly observing the crowd, like a war god who would never fall.

The dozen or so people who had just survived were even more horrified when they saw her piercing eyes in the firelight. For a moment, they all had the illusion that the young girl was not blind at all!

Sun Jia kept hiding in the back of the crowd, wishing that a hole would suddenly appear in the vast desert and swallow him whole. Fortunately, no one noticed his movements at the moment; all eyes and attention were focused on the same place, and even Zhu Gang, who had lost an arm, forgot to continue groaning.

A rough, triumphant voice pierced the silence of the night: "Flying General of Fengcheng, it's been a long time."

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Chapter 217: Though there be thousands, I will go (3)

Junyu immediately turned his gaze toward the direction of the voice and said loudly, "Mongkechi, it's you!"

The leader of this elite cavalry, Mongkechi, was originally an important general in the army of the Hu King. His elder brother, Menglier, was the first Hu general that Junyu killed after joining the army. Later, after the main force of the Hu King was defeated by the Phoenix Army, he switched allegiance to Zhenmutier and became a cavalry general.

Mongkechi had only met Junyu once when he accompanied his brother in a raid on Phoenix City, and many years had passed since then. Now, seeing that she could accurately call out his name after hearing just one sentence, even though she was blind, he was extremely surprised. However, he still said smugly, "Flying General of Phoenix City, you've finally met your match? I'll take your head to avenge my elder brother."

Junyu burst into laughter: "Mongkechi, when I was conquering battlefields, I never took an incompetent coward like you seriously."

Enraged, Möngkechi retorted, "You blind fool, you dare to spout such nonsense even when you're about to die..."

"Mongkechi, you coward, you never dare to fight me squarely, you only hide behind the warriors and bluff..." Junyu spoke in fluent local dialect, channeling his inner strength, his clear voice resounding in everyone's ears across the desert, "Mongkechi, you boast of your heroism, but in my blind eyes you are nothing but a complete coward! If you, you coward, can withstand three of my moves," Fengcheng Flying Commander "surrender immediately today..."

Möngke Chi had spent half his life on the battlefield and was a famous hero among the Hu people. Even after being incorporated into the army by Zhenmutier, he was still a cavalry general, a formidable figure. Now, hearing the blind boy in the field calling him a "rat" and a "coward," he couldn't help but feel anger rising in his heart and evil thoughts arising in his mind. He couldn't help but reach out and touch his waist knife.

However, he finally regained his composure and sneered loudly, "You blind fool, just keep spouting nonsense. Once these arrows turn you into a hedgehog, let's see how arrogant you'll still be, hahaha..."

"Mongkechi, you really are a coward. Even with so many people around you, you don't dare to take a single blow from me alone. Why not spare your life today? Hahaha..."

The crowd heard that the young man's voice in the arena wasn't particularly loud, yet it completely suppressed Mongkechi's maniacal laughter. At this moment, she still stood calmly in the arena, a smile on her face. A gust of wind caused her wide robes to flutter gently. Suddenly, everyone had the illusion that what stood in the arena wasn't a person, but an indescribable, wondrous celestial flower. At this moment, she didn't look like a war goddess, but a celestial being.

Chapter 218: Though there be thousands, I will go (4)

On the battlefield, soldiers admire heroes and valiant men. They had long heard of the great name of "Flying General of Fengcheng". Now, seeing her blind and alone in a heavily surrounded area, yet still "speaking wildly".

From "three moves" to "one move"—while their own general, with superior strength and numbers, repeatedly retreated and dared not engage in battle, they couldn't help but look at Möngke Chi with varying degrees of expectation or disdain in their eyes.

Although it was night, Möngkechi's already flushed face felt burning hot. He knew that if he didn't fight today, he would never be able to hold his head high in front of his subordinates again. Seeing that Junyu was blind and surrounded by cavalry, he wasn't afraid she would fly away. He had heard of Junyu's feat of shooting down one of his generals from dozens of feet away, but he had never personally fought her. Seeing that she had fought fiercely for half a day, was injured and frail, he thought, "Even if you, 'Flying General of Phoenix City,' are powerful, you're just a weak scholar. You can't possibly defeat me, Möngkechi, in one move, can you?" So he laughed loudly and menacingly, "Fine, after one move, this general will take your head back to claim the great merit..."

The dozen or so assassins who had retreated to the side already knew of Jun Yu's prowess, yet none of them dared to warn Mongkechi. Firstly, seeing Jun Yu surrounded by archers, they knew he had no chance of escaping; secondly, their group of fifty men had almost been wiped out without capturing "Flying General of Phoenix City," while these cavalrymen had gotten a huge advantage. They could imagine how smug these cavalrymen would be after their victory, so it was better to let them witness the power of "Flying General of Phoenix City" now, thus providing an excuse and saving face for their own failures later.

"General, this kid is very capable. Be careful not to fall for his provocation..."

One of the people next to Mongkechi said in a low voice.

Junyu listened to the direction of the sound, his eyes darted around, and he suddenly burst into laughter: "Lang Xiong, you actually became a lackey of a rat!"

The one speaking in a low voice was Lang Xiong. Drunk, he had caused trouble at a tavern in Phoenix City, throwing a young man off the building. That young man, with Jun Yu's support, had slapped him. Lang Xiong, who had been a notorious figure for twenty years, considered this slap a profound humiliation and refused to serve the Phoenix Army again. Later, he joined the Crimson Gold Clan, but Mongke Chi, wary of his martial prowess, constantly ostracized him. Lang Xiong was extremely frustrated and had no better way out. Today, seeing that Jun Yu was blind, he knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and resolved to achieve something great today, hoping for a chance to turn his life around.

Lang Xiong was extremely pleased with himself and laughed loudly, "Today I'll have a go at you, the number one Flying General of Fengcheng, and see how the blind Flying General of Fengcheng can still show off his power..."

Jun Yu said loudly, "Who do you think you are? You dare to challenge me?"

Lang Xiong's purplish-red face had now turned purplish-black, and he was eager to make a move, almost immediately. However, he was ultimately wary of Jun Yu's prowess and dared not act rashly, instead turning his gaze to Meng Gechi beside him.

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Chapter 219: Though there be thousands, I will go (5)

Junyu gripped her longsword, her face still bearing a smile, but her heart was filled with anxiety and trepidation, like an ant on a hot plate. She was constantly calculating the best moment to escape. From being poisoned to now being surrounded by archers, her fear wasn't of being riddled with arrows, but rather of the vast desert offering no cover. Even if she managed to escape, she couldn't see her way out and was certain she wouldn't be able to. She had no choice but to stay in a crowded area to avoid getting lost. Junyu was blind, and those who came were all her enemies, which ignited her heroic spirit. She laughed loudly, "You two are cowards, come at me together..."

The two exchanged a glance. Originally, neither of them would have dared to go into battle alone, but now that they heard Junyu's words, which suited them perfectly, they immediately split up and attacked Junyu from both sides.

Mongkechi had already charged forward on horseback. He swung his broadsword, and although the horse's hooves were rapid, the sword was swung silently. Although he appeared rough and tough, he knew that Junyu relied entirely on sound, so he was cautious. His horse circled three times, raising a huge cloud of dust. Amidst the dust and the sound of hooves, he silently swung his broadsword at Junyu...

Lang Xiong, on the other hand, was even more cunning and skilled. He first launched a hidden weapon, then leaped from his horse and, relying on his lightness skill, silently pounced on Jun Yu...

The wailing cries were like the lamentation of blood in the desert. Everyone only saw a blur before their eyes; a pale red light streaked across the night sky. Mongke's bare-waisted sword fell to the ground, his right hand, which had been gripping the sword, was severed, leaving only a bare, bloody hand. Lang Xiong, though he retreated quickly, also let out a scream. Most of the left side of his scalp had been shaved off, a large patch of bloody, mangled hair falling to the ground—a gruesome and nauseating sight.

Driven by the instinct for survival, Junyu pushed his body to its limits. He had already clearly heard the direction and distance of the archers. With a powerful stomp of his feet in the sand and a long howl, he kicked up a huge cloud of dust that shot towards the group in all directions. Junyu's body soared into the air like a roc, rushing straight towards the front row of archers. The well-trained archers' eyes were stung by the sand. Although they reacted quickly and fired their crossbows, they were still a step too late. Wherever their swords passed, cries of agony echoed as one powerful bow after another fell to the ground along with its master.

The other archers reacted instantly, arrows nocked, and with a whoosh, they drew their bows. Amidst the whistling of arrows, Jun Yu swiftly changed direction, her longsword wielding with unparalleled skill. Her ears perked up, every hair on her body stood on end, and wherever her sword went, more than a dozen sturdy bows were destroyed. She knew the power of this elite cavalry and showed no mercy. Another dozen arrows came flying; she gathered all her inner strength, caught them, and hurled them in all directions. In an instant, a chorus of screams and the sounds of fleeing soldiers filled the air…

She slaughtered more than 30 of the fifty-odd archers as easily as cutting melons and vegetables; the rest either scattered and fled or fired even more frantically.

Junyu dared not relax for a moment. A huge cloud of dust rose into the air again. She listened intently and heard the faint sound of thunderous hooves approaching. It seemed there were at least a thousand men coming; this time, she couldn't possibly hold them off. Without hesitation, Junyu leaped to the side, instantly covering seven or eight zhang (approximately 33-40 meters). Behind her, a scream rang out. A volley of crossbow bolts aimed at her had all struck the seven or eight men she had just leaped over…

"Quickly, chase after him! We can't let him get away..."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; once missed, it will never come again. The Great Khan has decreed that whoever captures 'Flying General of Phoenix City,' whether dead or alive, will be richly rewarded..."

The remaining fewer than twenty people, under the cover of night, raised their torches and began to shout wildly across the vast desert, but none of them dared to take the lead.

Zhu Gang, who was in so much pain that he was almost fainting, looked around with his rat-like eyes, but Sun Jia was nowhere to be seen. Taking advantage of the chaos, Sun Jia had also run away and disappeared.

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Chapter 220: The Mysterious Man by the Lake (1)

The huge cloud of dust drew closer and closer. Mongkechi, clutching his severed hand and Lang Xiong whose scalp had been shaved off, stood there in a disheveled state. Zhu Gang looked at the people charging at the front, his face growing increasingly grim.

The fast horse drew closer, and the rider's eyes flashed with a cold light as he asked in a chilling voice, "What are you doing?"

Zhu Gang didn't dare to say a word.

Zhu Sihuai whispered, "Second Young Master, we are besieging 'Flying General of Phoenix City'..."

Where are they?

Mongkechi shouted, "That blind man can't have gone far in this desert, Your Highness! Send men to chase after him..."

Zhu Yu's heart sank: "Blind man?"

Zhu Gang mustered his courage and shouted, "Flying General Fengcheng is blind, what is there to fear? Everyone, hurry and chase after him! There will be a great reward for whoever catches him..."

Zhu Yu glanced at the corpses strewn across the ground and was secretly horrified. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he sneered, "You bunch of good-for-nothings! You can't even take down a blind 'Flying General of Phoenix City.' How will you face the army from now on? You all retreat immediately! I will personally lead the search party. I want to see if that 'Flying General of Phoenix City' has three heads and six arms, and has sprouted wings to fly out of this vast desert..."

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Chapter 221: The Mysterious Man by the Lake (2)

Junyu ran faster and faster, the pain in her waist intensifying. Unfortunately, the moonlight was exceptionally bright that night, illuminating the vast desert without any obstruction. Behind her, the sound of hooves grew clearer. She listened intently for a moment, estimating the number of horses to be between thirty and fifty—clearly a scattered group of soldiers out hunting.

The term "grass-raiding" refers to the practice of armed groups of border ethnic minorities frequently raiding surrounding villages and towns. The Zhenmutier army was notorious for its brutality and often condoned and encouraged this "grass-raiding" behavior.

If she were to confront this group of "grass-hunting beasts," it would be another bloody battle. With thousands of ferocious pursuers behind her, Junyu dared not linger. Completely disoriented, she could only hold her breath and run desperately forward, not knowing when it would end. Yet, she dared not relax for a moment. She knew that if she let her guard down, this vast desert would immediately become her burial ground.

While running, Junyu suddenly stepped on a few slightly larger pebbles, stumbled, and fell low. A sharp arrow flew overhead with a "whoosh".

The sound of hooves behind grew increasingly rapid, and the jade box containing the flowers she kept close to her body pounded against her chest with each gallop, causing a dull ache. The impact of the flowers against her chest was so intense that Junyu unconsciously reached for the box, and suddenly caught a faint fragrance. She was extremely surprised; these flowers never had a scent before, and this was the first time she had ever smelled such an unfamiliar fragrance. She shook her head, thinking it was a hallucination, but the unfamiliar fragrance grew even stronger.

Junyu looked up at the vast, dark night sky where he could see nothing, gave a bitter laugh, and said softly, "Tuosang, I'll be coming to see you soon, but I wonder if you're waiting for me!"

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Chapter 222: The Mysterious Man by the Lake (3)

Before she could finish speaking, she heard the sound of flying rocks ahead. She paused for a moment and heard someone whisper, "This way..."

She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether the voice was friend or foe, and had no choice. She figured that whatever the other party's identity was, it was better than the thousands of troops chasing after her, so she stopped hesitating and immediately followed the voice.

The sound grew fainter and fainter, and Junyu quickened her pace to catch up. After running for a while, she suddenly lost her way completely. She felt that the gravel under her feet was decreasing, but the number of small stones was increasing, and the road was becoming more and more difficult to walk on. Several times, she stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

Behind him, the sounds of the pursuers had faded. Junyu stood still, listening carefully, but could hear nothing except the fine sand stirred up by the breeze.

"Thank you..." She bowed deeply, not knowing whether the stranger who gave her directions was male or female, old or young, or how to address him. After a pause, she continued, "I dare not thank you enough for such a great kindness. I will always be grateful to you."

The surroundings remained silent. Even with Junyu's keen hearing, he could not detect any sign of anyone's presence. It seemed that the mysterious guide had already left.

Exhausted, thirsty, and hungry after traveling through the night, the wound on her waist bled again, and the sweat on her body had completely cooled and congealed, giving off a chilling feeling in the dead of night. But what she feared most was dawn. If the pursuing Crimson Gold Clan failed to find her, and she was blind, she was determined not to leave this vast desert alone.

Without someone to guide her, Junyu grew increasingly panicked. She had never realized before how important eyesight could be: once she lost her sight, even the "Flying General of Fengcheng" found it difficult to move an inch.

She took out the box again, the fragrance of the flowers fading away. For a moment, she couldn't be sure whether the scent she had smelled earlier was real or an illusion. She sighed, put the box in her lap, and sat down on the cold sand, closing her eyes to rest for a while.

The mysterious voice had disappeared for a while, and Junyu looked around again. The sound of the pursuers gradually grew louder in his ears.

As she listened to the increasingly clear voices of her pursuers, she felt not fear, but deep sorrow. Even if she managed to escape tonight, she would forever be confined to this pitch-black world, where the vibrant colors of flowers, birds, and animals, and the faces and voices of her loved ones, would only remain in her memories. What joy would there be in living the rest of her life like this?