Eternal Saber

Chapter 648: Chapter 69: Grandmaster Appears

On the walls of Celestial Gate City.

The leaders of Wusun Country watched the scene, their feelings mixed with shock.

Before this, no one imagined that a man and a mount could face the army of ten thousand from the Barbarian Race and result in such a spectacle.

The Heaven Gate Guard turned his head to look at the Prime Minister of Qi, and suddenly chuckled, saying, "Lord Qi, is this the fearless and unstoppable Barbarian Army you spoke of? They seem quite afraid of dying to me, all scrambling to escape."

The Prime Minister of Qi discerned the mockery in the Heaven Gate Guard’s words but merely offered an embarrassed smile, saying, "He truly is worthy of being the Demon Monarch, possessing means to be an enemy to ten thousand."

After a pause, the Prime Minister continued, "I know that many of you generals may look down on me, but my heart is clear as day and night, loyal to Wusun!"

"These Barbarian Troops were indeed repelled by the Demon Monarch, but only because they faced the Demon Monarch. I invite you to consider, if our Wusun soldiers were up against this Barbarian army, what are their odds of success?"

The other generals fell silent for a moment.

This internal chaos in Wusun, the struggle between the Great and Little Kunmi, severely depleted Wusun’s national strength, leaving the army fragmented and unstable, utterly unsuitable for warfare.

Even at its peak, the strength of Wusun’s army paled in comparison to the Barbarian army.

And not to mention, just judging by the Elephant Array and the Ox Demon Heavy Cavalry, the generals are helpless.

The Heaven Gate Guard said sternly, "Lord Qi’s words are mistaken. If we don’t fight and avoid the baptism of battlefield, constantly retreating, Wusun’s soldiers will never grow, only weaken further."

"It’s easy to say, but it’s war."

The Prime Minister of Qi sighed, saying, "This time we helped the Demon Monarch, but, after all, he is not of our Wusun Country; he will surely leave. Who will protect Wusun then?"

"If the Barbarian Race gets angry and marches south, Elder Feng is already a useless man, who in Wusun can resist them? By then, how many Wusun people will perish, families destroyed, lives lost?"

The Heaven Gate Guard snorted coldly, saying, "The Barbarian Race is ambitious. Even if we don’t fight, they will eventually invade southward."

"Perhaps."

Looking into the distance, the Prime Minister of Qi murmured, "I merely wish that day would come later."

On the battlefield.

With the Barbarian army in a rout, Chen Tang finally discarded the two rhinoceros carcasses he held and casually picked up a long knife. Mounting Thunder Leopard, he let out a long cry, "Brothers, take action!"

Li Zhongmou and others had been on the hillside, itching to go and waiting for a while.

"Brothers, the Barbarian army is defeated and is not to be feared."

Li Zhongmou said sternly, "Everyone follow me to slaughter forward, let’s burn their provisions first!"

The goal is not to intercept the Barbarian army but to cut off the provisions being transported to Liangzhou.

The best approach would be to gather these provisions and send them to Liangzhou City.

But doing so carries substantial risk.

The convoy with the provisions and supplies is a clear target, and the journey to Liangzhou is fraught with danger, unexpected changes could occur at any moment.

Moreover, there are two Grandmaster-level experts under the invading Barbarian army within Liangzhou’s borders.

Any Grandmaster showing up could change the situation drastically.

En route here, after discussions with Chen Tang and the others, Li Zhongmou decided to burn the provisions on the spot.

The group charged down the hillside, shouting, some pursuing the fleeing Barbarian army, others setting the provisions alight.

After a bout of slashing, Chen Tang, riding Thunder Leopard, called the group back.

Just reaching the base of Celestial Gate City and about to enter, Chen Tang seemed to sense something. He looked toward Liangzhou and saw a shadow swiftly charging toward this place, at incredible speed!

In the blink of an eye, the shadow reached the battlefield, gazing at the havoc, corpses strewn about, this person showed a mournful expression and let out a sorrowful roar!

The roar was ear-piercing, splitting gold and cracking stone, causing everyone from Celestial Gate City to feel their ears ache, faces shocked.

"This is..."

Changsun Ming’s expression appeared doubtful.

"Grandmaster!"

Chen Tang’s expression grew serious.

He had anticipated that a Grandmaster might arrive, but hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

If he clashed with the Barbarian army longer, by the time this Grandmaster arrived, the situation would likely reverse rapidly.

Li Shuhu stared at the individual for a moment and said gravely, "It’s him, the Grandmaster from the Mad Lion Tribe, Bashish Red Peak, one of those who attacked Elder Feng!"

Among the Six Barbarian Tribes in the Barbarian Land, like the Mad Lion Tribe, if one reaches Grandmaster level, their name may include the word ’Lion’ to signify their status and prestige.

The other five tribes are similar, like the Celestial God Tribe, if the name of the person includes the word ’God’, they are a Grandmaster-level expert of the Celestial God Tribe.

"What to do?"

Changsun Ming furrowed his brows, saying, "If he gathers the defeated Barbarian army again, this Celestial Gate won’t hold."

Although the Barbarian army was routed, there are still thousands left.

With a Grandmaster present, regaining confidence, they can restore substantial battle strength.

Li Zhongmou glanced at the Wusun leaders on Celestial Gate, saying sternly, "The leaders of Wusun Country are unlikely to intervene. If this person breaks through, Elder Feng is in danger."

Li Shuhu raised his long spear, speaking with determination, "The four of us along with Brother Chen Tang will fight this Grandmaster!"

Chen Tang said, "You all enter the gate first, leave this person to me."

"Brother Chen, you..."

"Brother Chen, that’s not right, we fight together!"

The crowd shook their heads insistently.

Each of them prioritized loyalty above all else; how could they let Chen Tang face a formidable foe alone at such a time?

Chen Tang shook his head, saying, "The four of you joining me doesn’t pose much threat to the Grandmaster but will distract me instead."

Among the four, Li Zhongmou and Li Shuhu were injured.

Although Changsun Ming and Murong Haitang weren’t wounded and hailed from respected schools, their cultivation realms were only Fourth and Fifth Grade.

Chen Tang had seen the extent of a Grandmaster’s techniques.

Even combined, these four couldn’t withstand a single palm from a Grandmaster.

"But..."

Changsun Ming remained concerned, reluctant to leave.

Years ago, the four of them fought side by side, risking life and death together.

Chen Tang shook his head, saying, "If I face him alone, even if defeated, I can ride Thunder Leopard away at any time, leading him away."

As he spoke, somehow Thunder Leopard became restless, unusually excited, constantly lifting its front hooves, seeming eager to charge forward.

Chen Tang was puzzled.

Why is Thunder Leopard braver than me?

His mind was focused on the Grandmaster, so he didn’t dwell on it.

"Brother Chen Tang, be careful then."

Li Zhongmou nodded, "We’ll be on Celestial Gate watching, ready to support at any moment!"

Chen Tang smiled slightly, saying, "Relax, even if a Grandmaster wants to kill me, they’ll find it a bit challenging."

Saying this, Chen Tang patted Thunder Leopard, about to instruct it to charge at the Grandmaster.

Thunder Leopard suddenly shot off, carrying him swiftly ahead!

"Oh damn..."

Chen Tang was caught off guard, nearly thrown back, cursing, "Why are you so eager, rushing to your death!"