"Who dares to be so audacious?"
"Clang... clang..." With two sounds, a green light shot out from inside the house and collided with the arrows fired by the Yan army cavalry, producing the sound of clashing steel. What was astonishing was that in an instant, countless arrows stopped, as if time had ceased to flow, suspending in mid-air. The surrounding Xuepi army soldiers widened their eyes and opened their mouths, wanting to roar, but could only grip their sabers, spears, bows, and arrows tightly. The Yan army's ten thousand cavalry were instantly awestruck by this green light.
Then, a figure slowly descended to the ground. If it weren't for the deafening sounds of battle and the surrounding Xuepi army soldiers, one might have thought an immortal had descended.
This green light was none other than Xiao Ningshan, the master of Xiaojia Tunbao and the Great Shaman of the Northern Kingdom. He had cultivated many evil arts, was extremely insidious and vicious, and would not hesitate to harm the populace, especially women, and even his own daughters, to practice his wicked ways. There were even rumors from years ago that he had achieved the status of a divine envoy under Ake'endiuli, who was the god of thunder.
Xiao Ningshan, as always, had a majestic physique and a dignified appearance. His eyebrows were as if painted, his chest broad, his hair jet black, and his eyes shone like cold stars, staring coldly at the Yan army cavalry.
However, the stench of rotting corpses around him grew stronger.
The main antagonist had arrived. Zhou Fugui glanced back at the young Taoist priest Ge Rufeng, who was performing his rituals, shook his head slightly, and then urged his horse forward to meet Xiao Ningshan.
Looking at this boastful young Taoist priest, Zhou Fugui knew he couldn't be relied upon. He thought to himself that perhaps the only way to defeat him was to shoot three arrows in rapid succession, taking his life swiftly.
As for his own safety, Zhou Fugui also hoped that the red light on his body would reappear. However, the red light was unreliable, and he didn't know if it would work when needed.
Zhou Fugui tightly gripped his Lunar Chasing Bow, secretly nocked three arrows, and smiled as he rode forward, "Master of the fort, Xiao, are you well?"
"Who are you?" Xiao Ningshan asked coldly, looking at Zhou Fugui.
"It seems that Master Xiao is too preoccupied to remember... " Zhou Fugui secretly drew his bowstring and smiled, "I am Zhou Fugui of Yan, formerly a prisoner of Yan, and now a brave general of the Great Yan!"
"So it's you!" Xiao Ningshan finally recognized Zhou Fugui, this insignificant figure who was like a blade of grass. After several years, his appearance had changed considerably, his physique had transformed, and his status had also risen. From a lowly prisoner to a dignified fourth-rank Brave General of the Great Yan Kingdom, Xiao Ningshan asked coldly, "General Zhou, it has been a long time. I congratulate you, General Zhou. But why have you led troops into my Xiaojia Tun, and why have you killed my people?"
Although Xiao Ningshan possessed evil arts, he could not kill all of these ten thousand overwhelming cavalry. At most, he could kill some commanders, and even then, it was uncertain if he could retreat safely. Even if Xiao Ningshan could retreat safely after killing, his Xiaojia Tun, which he had painstakingly built over many years, would be destroyed. Therefore, Xiao Ningshan spoke to Zhou Fugui with much more politeness and a softened attitude.
Resolving major issues and trivializing minor ones was one of the reasons why Xiao Ningshan, despite his wicked deeds, had been able to dominate this area for so long. At the same time, Xiao Ningshan still had no idea what the red light on Zhou Fugui had been that year.
However, Xiao Ningshan was also prepared to kill Zhou Fugui to achieve the effect of capturing the leader first, and Zhou Fugui felt the same way.
"Alas, you said you are too preoccupied to remember, and it seems you truly are!" Zhou Fugui sighed upon hearing this. "Why were my brothers tragically killed by your hand? Today, you must give this general an explanation!"
The moment Zhou Fugui uttered the word "explanation," three arrows shot out from his bow towards Xiao Ningshan, intending to kill him with a single blow.
If these three arrows hit, Xiao Ningshan would surely die. However, at this very moment, something unexpected happened...
Xiao Ningshan suddenly descended to the ground like a ghost, his entire body radiating intense green light as he continuously chanted a series of evil incantations.
Immediately after, countless resentful souls and ferocious ghosts began to converge wildly towards Xiao Ningshan. The clansmen gathered around Xiao Ningshan hastily dodged and scattered.
As before, the three arrows collided with the green light and, like wind blowing fallen leaves, scattered and fell to the ground. The three arrows were rendered useless.
All the Xuepi army cavalry were stunned, as if time had stopped flowing. A moment later, the warhorses in the Xue Xiong army formation first became restless, whinnying and rearing up, causing many riders to fall from their horses.
"Zhou Fugui, I spared your life back then, but you refuse to repent and dare to bring people here for revenge? Do you really think this old man dares not kill you?" Xiao Ningshan then let out a cold snort, chanted a spell, and a point of green light shot directly towards Zhou Fugui.
"Fugui!" Murong Huiying exclaimed in horror.
"Master!" The Kunlun slave Pi'e, without regard for his own safety, spurred his horse forward and blocked Zhou Fugui with his massive body, shielding him completely.
Pi'e was loyal, followed him throughout his life, defended his master to the death, and would not rest until death.
"Om! Taiyi's True Essence, golden form, jade color. Please summon the golden Qi, and fill my divine chamber. Fly into the Niwan, illuminating the body's dwelling. Boundless True Lord, haste, haste, as the law commands!"
At this critical moment, the young Taoist priest Ge Rufeng's altar and formations were finally set up. He formed a hand seal with his right hand, held a sword in his left, stepped through the Big Dipper, and chanted the "Golden Light Incantation." With a point of his finger, a beam of golden light descended from the clouds, piercing and dispersing the approaching green light. Its momentum unabated, it shot towards Xiao Ningshan's green protective shield.
The golden light struck the green protective shield, emitting a piercing "sizzling" sound. After a moment, the green protective shield dissipated, and the golden light pierced Xiao Ningshan's body.
Xiao Ningshan roared, turned over, and fell. When he stood up again, his face was ashen like gold paper, his hair disheveled, and his body trembling. He had long lost his former dignified demeanor.
"Yellow-robed brat, what enmity do I have with you? To dare injure me?" Xiao Ningshan roared, bit his lip, and muttered a vicious curse. Three foul-smelling green lights shot directly towards Ge Rufeng.
"Boundless True Lord, Wind, Fire, Thunder, Lightning Spell, haste, haste, as the law commands!" Ge Rufeng did not reply. He formed a hand seal, and a golden light flashed, blocking the three foul-smelling green lights.
However, Ge Rufeng's cultivation had not yet reached the point of summoning wind and rain or commanding thunder and lightning. Therefore, the golden light was mixed with his own additions... two Qiankun Thunder!
The golden light once again dispersed the green lights and then struck Xiao Ningshan.
Xiao Ningshan was prepared this time and dodged the golden light, but the two Qiankun Thunders fell at his feet, sparking and spinning erratically.
What monster is this? Xiao Ningshan had no idea what these were. He had no time to care what they were. Xiao Ningshan even kicked at the Qiankun Thunder and then, pointing his finger, reprimanded, "Yellow-robed brat, today you..."
"Boom!" With two loud explosions, before Xiao Ningshan could finish speaking, the Qiankun Thunders exploded. Two red lights flashed, and nails, glass shards, and other debris from the Qiankun Thunders scattered like a heavenly maiden scattering flowers. Simultaneously, two plumes of thick smoke rose, enveloping Xiao Ningshan.
When the smoke cleared, Xiao Ningshan stood there, stunned like a wooden chicken, looking like a soot-covered beggar...
Although the power of the Qiankun Thunder was far from the effect Zhou Fugui had hoped for, the explosion at such close range was still astonishing and could cause injury, even severe injury or death.
At this moment, Xiao Ningshan was smoking all over, his body blackened by the thick smoke. His previously elegant brocade robes had become mere rags, hanging from his mangled body. Countless nails and glass shards were embedded in him, and blood flowed profusely. However, the blood was not red but dark green. A nail had pierced Xiao Ningshan's eye, blinding his left eye.
"Haste, haste, as the law commands, Qiankun Thunder!" Ge Rufeng, seeing this, was overjoyed. He stopped pretending and immediately threw two more Qiankun Thunders.
"Boom! Boom!"
With two more loud explosions, the smoke cleared, but Xiao Ningshan had disappeared.
"Demon, where are you running?" Ge Rufeng, having the upper hand, was relentless and arrogant... He had been filled with apprehension and nervousness just moments ago, but now he was full of spirit and smugness. He formed a hand seal with his left hand, pointed with his right, and shouted, "Boundless True Lord, haste, haste, as the law commands!" He then chased after them, determined to pursue the defeated enemy relentlessly, not seeking empty fame like the Hegemon King!
"Hey, hey, young Taoist priest, don't pursue the defeated enemy..." Zhou Fugui called out to him, afraid that Ge Rufeng might get into trouble, but he had already shot off like a streak of light, disappearing without a trace.
Zhou Fugui and the generals of the Xuepi army looked at each other in dismay.
"Mas... ter, what... should we do now?" After a moment, Li Qing stammered.
The Xuepi army cavalry and Li Qing looked no different. They were all stunned, trembling, and dumbfounded, as if they had witnessed an immortal descending or a ghost appearing.
"Who knew our master had such a capable subordinate? Truly, a hidden dragon, a crouching tiger," many thought to themselves.
Everyone knew that Zhou Fugui had a young Taoist priest who was like a brother to him. He usually loafed around and was considered someone who just ate and drank for free. But who would have thought that the young Taoist priest Ge Rufeng possessed such formidable skills, capable of subduing demons and dispelling evil?
"What should we do?" Zhou Fugui glared at Li Qing and then raised his Heaven-Shaking Dragon Halberd high, ordering loudly, "Soldiers, the demon Xiao Ningshan has been defeated, and Immortal Elder Ge will surely capture and kill him. Now is the time to settle accounts with his lackeys and accomplices! Charge in! Those who are extremely wicked will be executed, and the innocent will be spared!"
"Your subordinates obey the master's command!" The generals shouted in unison and then led their troops to continue the pursuit of the Xiaojia Tun soldiers.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"The master has ordered that the extremely wicked be killed, and the innocent be pardoned!"
"Throw down your weapons and kneel to be spared!"
Thus, shouts of killing once again echoed through Xiaojia Tun. Countless cavalry charged wildly through the village, and after Xiao Ningshan fled, Xiaojia Tun instantly crumbled.