Then, a rhythmic marching sound was heard from afar, and several teams converged at the center of the Four Great Streets, led by General Ye Youzi, heading towards the South Gate.
They arrived outside the South Gate like a gust of wind, their footsteps synchronized. However, facing them were only a handful of people.
He couldn't help but laugh mockingly.
"You dare to attack my East Yue Town with just this? Scram before I make a move."
As he spoke, a voice suddenly came from nowhere.
"Ye Youzi, a subordinate of Wan Laihai, was once a wandering knight who sought justice and avenged wrongs. He later met Wan Laihai during a battle with the Ghost Tribe."
He looked around in confusion, unable to see the speaker, and angrily demanded, "Who is it? Who are you?"
"You probably don't know who I am."
I said, stepping out from behind the crowd and appearing before him.
He looked at me with a mixture of confusion and terror, recalling the rumors from the Four Cities:
Rumor had it that the Myriad Ghost King had appeared, and the world was about to plunge into chaos. This incarnation of his was beautiful and cunning, having transformed from a man into a woman.
"You, you are the Myriad Demon King!"
"Indeed, I am."
Upon receiving his affirmative answer, he suddenly relaxed, his eyes sharpening with killing intent.
"A thousand years ago, I failed to fight the Myriad Ghost King. Today, I am fortunate to rectify that regret."
At this moment, Ye Changfeng emerged, carrying his sword, and said with a smile, "Your opponent is me."
Ye Youzi focused his gaze, seeing only the person before him with gentle eyes and a hint of killing intent. Behind him stood three figures of different appearances.
One was burly, carrying a large saber. Another had a frosty expression, his arms crossed. The third had a bright smile, holding a white Lycoris radiata.
This suddenly reminded him of recent events. He had heard that the Demon Hell in the Northwest Desert had been breached, and all the imprisoned villains had escaped.
Among them were the Four Great Villains, notorious for their wickedness. He hadn't expected them to have defected to the Myriad Demon King and become her pawns.
Seeing Ye Youzi stunned into silence, Ye Changfeng impatiently asked, "What are you hesitating about!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he unleashed a wave of sword wind.
"Quick, dodge!"
Ye Youzi shouted, and his soldiers behind him scattered to the sides.
At that moment, a sudden roar of shouts was heard. Turning back, he saw a large contingent carrying the Black Mountain banner charging into East Yue Town from the East and West gates.
He straightened himself and said to the soldiers behind him, "Go help them. I'll handle this."
"My Lord," his副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) seemed to sense something was wrong and was very worried.
"Go, I can handle it."
Seeing the resolute look in Ye Youzi's eyes, he was reassured and led the main force back into the city to intercept the Black Mountain contingent.
Watching them leave, he felt at ease. He unbuckled the treasure sword at his waist and began to speak as he drew it.
"My treasure sword is called Hai Zhong Jian (海中剑 - Sword in the Sea). Its original owner was the general I respected most, Wan Laihai.
From the day he bestowed his personal sword upon me, I have yet to use it in battle.
And today is the day of its unveiling, and the day of my return to battle."
With that, he brought the sword to his eyes and drew it. The gleaming sword shadow reflected in his eyes.
Even after a thousand years, it had not dulled, still shining brightly, capable of cutting hair with a single stroke.
He leaped into the air, his sword moves swift and graceful like a night rain. Ye Changfeng laughed and said,
"Finally willing to make a move?"
Then he met the sword with his own, striking the blade with a sustained, echoing "Clang~". Ye Youzi stumbled, using his sword to brace himself on the ground, then flicked it upwards, sending dirt flying.
He then swung his sword like carving a flower, attacking. Ye Changfeng dodged the dirt and thrust his sword sideways. The two swords met, and Ye Youzi surprisingly pushed his sword sideways, aiming directly for Ye Changfeng's throat.
Ye Changfeng chuckled and praised,
"Good swordsmanship."
Then he released his grip, dropped his sword, bent down, and kicked. The sword flew up and pierced his left arm.
"Ah!"
He cried out in pain but did not stop his attack, instead slashing downwards. Ye Changfeng turned and leaped, pulling out the Zhan Shen Jian (斩神剑 - God-Slaying Sword) from his left arm.
In an instant, blood splattered, about to fall onto Ye Changfeng's face. Ye Changfeng immediately raised his sword to block his face, letting the flying blood fall onto the sword.
"Big Brother is amazing! Your swordsmanship is as sharp as ever," Fu Zimo praised.
Ye Changfeng turned and gave him a thumbs-up, and Fu Zimo returned the gesture.
I watched Ye Youzi, who was bleeding profusely, and persuaded him,
"East Yue Town's defeat is inevitable. Why are you so persistent? Put down your sword and join us."
He sneered and spat.
"Bah! You detestable demon king, how can I, the Great General of East Yue Town, associate with you? Don't say such insulting things to sicken me."
I sighed sadly, "It seems only force can subdue you."
He sneered dismissively. Then, looking closely, he noticed that the people around the Myriad Demon King were lax and distant from her. This was the perfect opportunity to kill this villain.
He immediately took advantage of their inattention, drawing his sword and charging forward swiftly.
Suddenly, a Lycoris radiata bloomed, enveloping his entire body. As the flowers fell, he was tightly bound by ropes, unable to move.
I looked at his stubborn eyes and said helplessly,
"The fate of the Four Cities is sealed and they will be replaced. This is the will of heaven, not something I alone can overturn."
He sighed, but still retorted, "I admit defeat to you, but I do not accept that this is the will of heaven."
I didn't expect him to be so stubborn.
I smiled slightly and no longer argued with him, only saying to the people behind me, "Enter the city!"
Zhu Yan and Fu Zimo stepped forward, grabbed Ye Youzi, and pulled him into the city.
Upon entering the city, more than a dozen warriors suddenly emerged from both sides, their sabers raised, blocking the path ahead.
Ye Changfeng stepped forward and asked curiously, "Hey! What do you want?"
The leading warrior glared and said, "You murderers who have committed countless evils, today we will act on behalf of heaven and eliminate this harm for the people!"
"Hahaha, how ridiculous. I wonder how your swordsmanship is?"
With that, Ye Changfeng swiftly moved forward, his sword slashing, cutting off all their swords.
"Now, what will you use to fight me? Hahaha."
Unexpectedly, they were prepared. They drew another sword from behind and shouted, "Today, either you die or we die."
Ye Changfeng praised,
"Not bad, you have spirit. How about this move, Sword Qi Burst!"
With a shout, he turned and gathered his strength, slashing his sword. Instantly, a great sword formed from sword qi shot out from the blade, splitting the ground.
Although the group dodged in time, they were still sent flying by the sword qi.
After a cloud of white smoke cleared, only the fallen warriors were seen lying on the ground, groaning in pain.
Suddenly, a wild laugh echoed from mid-air, "Hahaha!" followed by someone reciting poetry, "In the twilight snow of Cangshan, I come alone amidst myriad techniques."
As I was wondering, a great sword suddenly descended from the sky, aiming directly at me. I leaped out, and with a "boom," the great sword plunged into the ground.
The impact instantly pierced the ground, sending stones flying. At this moment, a figure descended from the sky and landed on the hilt of the sword.
"Li Zilai!" the Four Great Villains exclaimed in unison.
Li Zilai turned around and smiled, "I didn't expect you to be here too. What, after a few days, you've become the lackeys of villains?"
Ye Changfeng retorted unhappily,
"How long have you been in the world that you still can't distinguish right from wrong? If you're here to cause trouble today, I'll have no choice but to draw my sword and fight you."
Hearing Ye Changfeng's words, he suddenly became interested in me.
"Everyone says you, Myriad Demon King, are cunning and skilled at manipulating people's minds. It seems the rumors are true, otherwise, how could these mere martial artists be willing to be driven by you?"
Ye Changfeng impatiently said, "If you want to fight, I'll accompany you."
Li Zilai ignored him, pointing a finger at me and asking, "Do you dare to fight me?"
I smiled slightly and replied, "I'd be happy to oblige."
Zhu Yan interjected, "Demon King, if you need any help, just say the word."
Confident in myself, I turned to everyone and said, "I'm fine here. You go help Liu Shinian and the others."
"Are you really okay?"
"Yes, go."
"What about this person?" Gui Ye asked, pointing at Ye Youzi.
"Take them with you as well."
"Then be careful yourself."
"Alright."
After they left, Li Zilai smiled faintly and then said,
"I heard you were originally just an ordinary, delicate woman, and you gained demonic power through the possession of the Myriad Ghost King. I also want to test how powerful this Myriad Ghost King is."
"Enough nonsense, attack if you want to kill."
He sneered, drew another sword from his body, and lunged forward to stab. I dodged him, and he landed in front of me, confused, "You don't use a weapon?"
I touched the treasure sword at my waist and provocatively asked him, "Are you sure?"
"Are you looking down on me?"
"No, I just don't want you to die too miserably."
"You dare to underestimate me!" Enraged, he immediately swung his sword. I didn't engage him, merely dodging casually.
He reminded me again, "If you don't use your sword, don't blame me for being merciless!"
Saying that, he leaped forward and swung his sword, cutting off half of my hair tail.
He looked at the falling hair and laughed triumphantly, "This is the result of you underestimating me, hahaha."
"Since that's the case, I'll graciously accept your challenge."
With that, I held my sword forward and drew Liu Pi (柳皮 - Willow Bark). Instantly, a wave of cold air shot out towards Li Zilai. Li Zilai saw the sword before him and was immediately shocked.
"Dragon Roar Sword!"
He then swung his sword and engaged in a battle with the sword qi. Afterwards, he channeled his energy into his heated sword to break through the cold air.
Regaining his composure, he stared at the Dragon Roar Sword in my hand for a long time. The sword body emitted a chilling cold, and the silver dragon carved on it seemed to shuttle back and forth within the cold air.
He had heard the story of the Dragon Roar Sword and knew it had been lost ten thousand years ago. Seeing it again today in the hands of the Myriad Demon King, he asked in confusion,
"Where did you get this sword?"
"Do you want to know? Surrender to me, and I'll tell you."
"You dream!"
With that, he swung his sword again. I met his sword, and the moment the Dragon Roar Sword touched his blade, it immediately emitted a cold air that froze his sword from top to bottom.
He quickly drew his sword back and then channeled his energy to dispel the ice on his sword.
"If not for the Dragon Roar Sword today, you would surely have died by my sword."
"Oh? You might have forgotten, I have the Myriad Ghost King." As soon as the words left my mouth, a black mist flew out from my body towards him, covering his head and smashing him against the wall.
"Don't kill him!" I quickly called out to stop it.
The black mist immediately released him and returned to my body.
Li Zilai slowly got up from the ground, smiled faintly, but had to admit,
"You are indeed a difficult opponent. If you spare me today, and I capture you in the future, I will also let you go. We will meet again, as paths cross."
With that, he waved his hand, summoned his great sword, leaped onto it, and flew away.
After he left, I looked at the broken hair on the ground, lost in thought.
"Are you heartbroken?" the Myriad Ghost King suddenly asked.
I shook my head, smiled helplessly, then wrapped Liu Pi around my sword and walked towards the city, heading straight for the residence of the East Yue Town Lord, the "East Ming Royal Palace."
Outside the palace gates, a group from Black Mountain had already gathered. I slowly approached, arriving just as everyone else did.
Thirteen Niang (十三娘 - Thirteenth Lady) stepped out from the crowd and reported, "Reporting to the Demon King, all soldiers of East Yue Town have been captured. However, the East Yue Town Lord..."
Liu Shinian (柳十年 - Liu Ten Years) interjected, "He ran away, taking most of the East Yue Town soldiers with him."
Just like South Sea City.
"Alright, I understand. Let's go into the palace and take a look."
"Yes."
Pushing open the palace doors and walking forward through the open space, we arrived at the Qi Xuan Hall of the East Ming Royal Palace.
Entering the main hall, I saw that the surroundings were empty, with only a white chair placed on the steps on the eastern side.
I walked forward and looked closely, only to discover it was a carved wooden tiger covered in white fur. I was very confused. Were their tastes all this strange?
Ye Youzi looked at the East Ming Royal Palace he once guarded, now under the dominion of the Myriad Demon King. He could only sadly close his eyes and humbly plead,
"Myriad Demon King, please untie me. I have something I want to say."
I nodded to Liu Shinian, and he quickly untied the ropes.
Ye Youzi, freed from his restraints, suddenly walked outside, and we followed to see what he intended to do.
At this moment, his heart was already filled with despair. He simply stared blankly at the azure sky.
In a daze, he seemed to see the clouds in the wandering sky slowly transform into the face of an old friend. He smiled faintly, remembering that he hadn't seen him for a thousand years.
Then, as he untied his sword, he recited, "My old friend departed and never returned, leaving only a land filled with longing."
Afterward, he lowered his head and smiled, speaking affectionately to Hai Zhong Jian, "General, if there is a next life, we will still be brothers. At that time, you must let me win."
With that, he drew his sword and, to everyone's astonishment, committed suicide. The spurting blood spread across the ground like newly bloomed Lycoris radiata.
Liu Shinian rushed forward, trying to save him, but found that he had already breathed his last. I quickly asked, "Can he still be saved?"
Liu Shinian shook his head helplessly.
I sighed and wondered, "Why did he do this? He wasn't afraid of death, but he was afraid of living."
Dao Lang (刀狼 - Wolf of the Saber) explained,
"It is rare to find a true friend in life. I guess when Wan Laihai left, his heart went with him. Perhaps he waited until today to fulfill a promise."
"Alas!"
I sighed, but as I turned, a tear fell. I asked myself, if only I had noticed earlier, how good it would have been to save him.
At this moment, the Myriad Ghost King suddenly appeared and comforted me,
"This was his destiny; you couldn't save him. If you regret it, give him a proper burial."
Hearing the Myriad Ghost King's words, I felt somewhat consoled and immediately ordered,
"Give General Ye a proper burial, and bury him next to General Wan Laihai."
"Yes."
After handling the matter, I slowly walked into the hall, thinking to myself.
"The people in this world are all deeply emotional and righteous. It is my great fortune to have come here and met them.
The once timid and weak me, I never expected that one day I could lead everyone forward and become a savior in the eyes of others."
The Myriad Ghost King suddenly added,
"The road ahead is perilous, and every step is a step towards death. I am very pleased with what you have achieved so far.
Whether as a friend or as a leader, you have done well."
I smiled slightly, thinking of another matter: after East Yue Town, should we attack West Purple Country or North Divine Capital?
At this moment, Xue Ruyi (雪如意 - Snow as My Wish) suddenly walked over and reminded me, "Demon King, do you need to report your safety to the elders?"
Only then did I remember this matter and immediately said, "You reminded me, I almost forgot. I'll leave this to you."
"Alright."
"By the way, you asked the elder to come to East Yue Town in your letter. I have something I want to discuss with him."
"Yes."
Receiving the instructions, Xue Ruyi got up and went to write a letter to Lin'er (麟儿 - Little Qilin).