The explosions on the battlefield gradually died down. Most of the troops had retreated, leaving only the two trapped enemies. There was no need for so many people to stick together.
Hearing Zhan Ruyi's roar, Defeating Armies, covered in blood and wielding his saber, took a glance and immediately charged towards Zhan Ruyi with all his might.
It wasn't to save Zhan Ruyi. He knew it was impossible to save Zhan Ruyi in this situation, nor was he trying to help Zhan Ruyi. It was because the enemy's intentions were obvious. They wanted to capture the two of them alive. She was afraid Zhan Ruyi would be caught off guard, so she wanted to kill him.
However, there were too many experts blocking his way. There was no way he could kill his way through.
In desperation, he roared at the person blocking his way, "It's you!"
The general who blocked his way was ashamed. He was a general of the Netherworld Governor's Office, Yan Lu, whom Xu Tangran persuaded to surrender!
It wasn't clear if the commander on Miao Yi's side had done it on purpose or not, but the rest of the troops had all retreated. The remaining troops were all from the Netherworld Army, and the former Imperial Guard Army. The former Imperial Guard Army was tasked to kill the former Imperial Guard Army's troops, and nearly half of them were former subordinates of Defeating Armies, such as Yan and Lu.
However, Yan Lu's expression turned resolute. He worked closely with several other experts to block the encirclement of Defeating Armies.
Since they had already betrayed him, there was no turning back. Why did the general ask them to attack Defeating Armies? Countless people were looking at them. They could only fight with their lives on the line. They could only draw a clear line between themselves and Defeating Armies.
Seeing that he couldn't break out of the encirclement, nor could he kill his way to Zhan Ruyi's side, and instead faced the danger of being captured, especially when the possibility of Zhan Ruyi being captured was right before his eyes, Defeating Armies suddenly shouted angrily, "Stop if you want this old man to surrender!"
The Marshal of the Fifth Earthly Branch, Su Qingquan, immediately shouted, "Stop!"
The troops surrounding Zhan Ruyi and Defeating Armies quickly stopped, and retreated.
Trapped within the large group of troops, Defeating Armies cautiously circled around with his saber in hand. He looked towards Zhan Ruyi, who also happened to look back in confusion.
In that instant, the battered Zhan Ruyi seemed to understand the meaning behind Defeating Armies's gaze. He nodded slightly.
Defeating Armies was finally relieved that Zhan Ruyi could read his intentions. He pointed his saber at his surroundings and roared, "A bunch of traitors!"
The former guards surrounding him were speechless.
"Your Majesty! This old subject is incompetent and has failed to live up to your expectations. This old subject shall take his leave first! "
A sorrowful roar reverberated through the skies. Defeating Armies pulled back the saber in his hand. Saber light flashed and a mouthful of blood splashed into the starry sky. His head flew off, decisive and abrupt!
Everyone was shocked, and the people surrounding them were dumbstruck. All of them were caught off guard, and they didn't even have time to stop them.
Yan Lu and the others were startled. They felt sad and ashamed. They lowered their heads. They had personally forced the Left Imperial Guard Commander, whom they respected the most, to die.
Miao Yi furrowed his brows, then turned to look at Zhan Ruyi. He saw that the spearheads in Zhan Ruyi's hands were already pointed at his body, causing the surrounding people to hesitate even if they wanted to stop him. After all, Zhan Ruyi's cultivation wasn't weak at all.
Amidst the battle formation, the woman in the palace dress was extremely conspicuous, not to mention that this woman had a big belly and was covered in blood. Although she was in a sorry state, she did not show any signs of panic or fear as she was surrounded by a group of men who were eyeing her like tigers watching their prey.
Many people sighed inwardly. Such a heroine was indeed worthy of being the Celestial Emperor's woman.
However, seeing that she wasn't as eager to commit suicide as Defeating Armies, the people surrounding her were a little restless, looking for a chance to make a move.
Zhan Ruyi looked around warily, slowly floating in the air. Her gaze locked onto Miao Yi, and she said in a clear voice, "Niu Youde, do you dare to fight me to the death?"
'How could he be His Majesty's match? Is he trying to find a way out of this situation by surrendering?' Many people muttered to themselves as they looked towards Miao Yi.
Meeting Zhan Ruyi's bright eyes, Miao Yi fell silent. The images in his mind were a mess as he recalled how this woman had pestered him to fight her all those years ago.
He didn't expect that at this point, the two of them would still have the chance to fight one on one. It was as though they had returned to the past.
The reason was simple. Zhan Ruyi was prepared to commit suicide, but she still issued him a challenge. If Miao Yi wanted to capture Zhan Ruyi alive and use her as a hostage against Lord Qing, then Miao Yi's challenge would definitely be an opportunity.
Miao Yi slowly raised his hand and flicked it lightly. The people surrounding him immediately moved aside, clearing a path and clearing the battlefield.
No one stopped Miao Yi. They were all confident in Miao Yi's strength. After all, he was the one who killed Kou Lingxu in a single strike. They all believed that his challenge would be a chance to capture Zhan Ruyi alive.
Miao Yi's figure flickered as he floated over. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he stood opposite Zhan Ruyi. He lightly grasped the Inversed-Scales Spear in his hand.
"Surrender!" Miao Yi's gaze moved from her blood-stained face to her belly. He calmly said, "As long as you surrender, I promise you and your child will be fine."
With three heads and six arms combined into one, Zhan Ruyi pointed the spear at Miao Yi. "With me around, there is no such thing as surrender on the battlefield. I am the woman of the Celestial Emperor. The child in my belly is his flesh and blood. There is no reason for me to surrender in humiliation! "
Miao Yi calmly said, "You are no match for me."
"Not necessarily!" As soon as Zhan Ruyi finished speaking, he suddenly dashed forward.
Dragon roars resounded through the air. Miao Yi casually thrust his spear forward, but his eyes suddenly widened. It seemed like it was too late for him to retract his spear.
The spectating army instantly fell silent as they stared at the scene in shock.
The Inversed-Scales Spear was halfway into Zhan Ruyi's chest. They could see the crimson blood quickly staining Zhan Ruyi's chest.
Everyone could see that Zhan Ruyi, who had launched a fierce attack, had crashed into the Inversed-Scales Spear of his own accord, catching His Majesty off guard.
Miao Yi wanted to pull his hand back, but Zhan Ruyi grabbed onto the shaft of the spear, refusing to let go. The two of them stared at each other.
Zhan Ruyi's face showed no signs of pain. He calmly said, "On the day I got married, I saw you almost drawing your sword for me with my own eyes. I don't believe you don't feel guilty at all. Yu Garden, Yu Tian, you said I would understand in the future. I understand now! I am indeed no match for you, but I have to repay you in some way. I have to let everyone see that you have won … "
He exerted force in his hand and pushed his body forward. The sharp tip of the spear pierced through his heart. He used so much force that the tip of the spear came out of his back. Fresh blood spurted out.
His grip on the shaft of the Inversed-Scales Spear gradually loosened. The spear in his hand also gradually loosened. His gaze on Miao Yi gradually dimmed, and his entire body hung silently on the Inversed-Scales Spear.
In that instant, an unknown expression flashed across Miao Yi's face. He didn't look at her. Instead, he abruptly turned his head to the side. His gaze was like a cold star, bright and piercing. He looked at the shocked faces around him.
The image of the Yu Garden and Yu Tian appeared in his mind.
'If you could go back to that moment and were given another chance to choose, would you take me with you?'
'No.'
'Why? I want to know why. Tell me the real reason. '
"Your Highness entered the palace because you have a responsibility that belongs to you. I refused because I have a responsibility that belongs to me."
'I have responsibilities for my family behind me. What responsibilities do you have behind you? For those old subordinates of yours? How many subordinates did you kill in the battle of Yuding Domain? For that concubine of yours? You could have taken her with you. You know I would have agreed to it. Or should I say, you just want me to enter the palace? '
'No! This is the reason I mentioned just now. Perhaps Your Highness will understand in the future. '
'If that's the case, then I will wait. I will wait for the day when you understand.'
He could still vaguely remember the man's silver armor glistening under the sun on the green meadow. The woman's dress fluttered as she brushed past the man. The fragrant satin ribbon brushed past the man's face and disappeared like a shadow. The feeling of wanting to reach out and grab her, yet unable to do so, was very similar to what he was feeling now.
'Pu!' Miao Yi forcefully pulled out his spear, then turned around and left. His face was expressionless, and he didn't look back again. He allowed Zhan Ruyi's long hair to quietly float in the starry sky …
"Your Highness, I've received news that His Majesty has won another battle. His Majesty has personally killed Lord Qing's beloved concubine, Zhan Ruyi!"
Inside the storage space, Xue'Er put down the Star Bell and reported the good news to Yun Zhiqiu, who was standing guard in front of the star compass.
Yun Zhiqiu slowly raised his head, a look of disbelief on his face. He asked cautiously, "Are you saying that His Majesty personally killed Zhan Ruyi?"
"Yes! He was assassinated by His Majesty's spear. "Xue'Er nodded.
Yun Zhiqiu immediately found someone and asked about the situation at the scene. After a long time, he fell silent. After a long time, he sighed and said, "Why bother? They're just trying to make him feel guilty for the rest of his life!"
Inside the dragon carriage, Wu Qu gripped the Star Bell tightly. His face was tense, and his emotions were a little agitated.
He cupped his fists towards the seated Lord Qing and reported word by word, "Your Majesty, Pojun and his troops were completely annihilated. Pojun took his own life, and Your Highness was killed by Niu Youde's spear!"
The dragon carriage was quiet. Only the Buddhist Lord was slowly fiddling with the rosary beads in his hand. In silence, Lord Qing slowly closed his eyes. He didn't make a sound, but tears welled up in the corners of his eyes …
On the platform of the other dragon carriage, Pu Lan put down the Star Bell in his hand, seemingly heaving a sigh of relief.
Standing beside him, Mirror Flower Buddha turned to look at him and asked, "Did you manage to contact your son?"
Pu Lan nodded with lingering fear in his heart. "Yes. He was heavily injured during the battle at the Spirited Mountain, but he luckily managed to escape. He's currently in hiding."
Mirror Flower Buddha nodded slightly. "That's good."
Pu Lan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Master, your disciple wishes to contact Niu Youde and persuade him."
"Will you be able to persuade him?" Mirror Flower Buddha smiled kindly. However, she didn't try to stop her and let her run into a wall.
Pu Lan gritted her teeth, but still took out the Star Bell and contacted Miao Yi. The answer was just as Mirror Flower Buddha expected. She couldn't help but sigh, "I thought fighting and killing was something only mortals would do. Who would've thought …"
Mirror Flower Buddha said calmly, "What's the difference between mortals and cultivators? Living things in this world cannot live in groups. If they do, there will be chaos. Humans are like this, pigs are like this, dogs are like this, and even ants are like this. Even if the vegetation in the forest is fighting for the sun, it will still be you covering me and I covering him. You pester me and I pester him. What is the meaning of all living things being equal? This is what all living things are equal! "
Pu Lan said, "Is there no way to turn hostility into friendship and live in peace?"
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