Chia-hao rode as fast as he could, fear and panic clutched his heart as he tightened his grip on the reins. His beloved home, filled with cherished memories, faced imminent danger. The designated path to the village would take him some time, being far from its borders. Any delay could mean the village's destruction.
Surrounded by the forest, the Three Drunken villages stood amidst tall trees and dense foliage. The small buildings gathered together while the walls were enveloped by algae and creepers.
Chaos reigned, with the sounds of battle and fire echoing in the distance. The ground was strewn with lifeless bodies of soldiers from the Xiongnu army and the bandits.
The bandits outnumbered the soldiers, their lifeless bodies strewn across the ground, a sickening stench of blood permeating the air. Crimson pools stained the once-green earth, bearing witness to the brutal clashes between bandits and soldiers. Limbs twisted, heads severed, and wounded fighters emitting agonizing groans.
Chia-hao's eyes welled up with tears at the sight of his ravaged village and people. Fueled by determination, he let out a roar, charging towards the enemy on his steed.
,
Exhibiting the Lightning Nimble Steps technique, he effortlessly evaded the enemy soldiers, leaving a trail of decapitated heads and excruciating pain.
The Lightning Nimble Steps technique was a motion technique in combat arts that was known for its rapidity and effectiveness in close-range combat, requiring immense spiritual energy that could be quickly depleted with frequent use.
Caught in a whirlwind of rage and grief, Chia-hao unleashed the Lightning Nimble Steps technique repeatedly, leaving a devastating trail of death. With crazed eyes and a menacing expression, he charged towards an unsuspecting official facing forth.
A sly smile arched across a pale-faced official as suddenly he noticed the incoming danger, with a sly smile and pale face, effortlessly blocked Chia-hao's attack using a dark, crimson-edged sword. The blade emitted a sinister aura, drawing in souls and dark entities. Chia-hao narrowed his eyes in recognition. A thought abruptly popped up and he lifted his eyes. Chia-hao's spine chilled as he recognized the sword as xiōngzhào, the weapon of the Xiongnu's right-hand military official, Chang-Yuchan!
In Chinese, xiōngzhào is a phrase for "bad omen." It is used to refer to signs or events believed to foreshadow negative outcomes or misfortune. Xiōngzhào was rumored to have been tinged dark after the countless lives it has slayed and absorbed numerous souls that bear grudges and resentment. Eerie and agonizing cries and whispers could be heard from the slash by its sharp blade. Leading one's enemy in disarray and restlessness.
Chia-hio retreated immediately and planned his next move, Chang Yuchun looked at his circumspection and laughed.
"The legendary thief sure is immature, this isn't a place for games, run along little lad. " he taunted.
Contemplating his next attack, he circulated the latter slowly and deliberately. Chang Yuchun grinned and continued.
" Three drunken villages was quite a landscape, more suited to build a barrack. The land was good and productive but, fortunately, we are here, and we are going to utilize it to its maximum." he gaily blocked an attack from the former.
He tilted his head in thought as an eerie smile etched across his pale, devilishly handsome face.
"We could kill the men, and have our men entertain your females." he paused in consideration for a moment. "Enslave the children and the aged. That seems fair enough"
Chia-hio clenched his jaw in rage as he dispelled his spiritual energy into the surroundings creating a dense fog.
"Beguilement Cloud technique." Chang Yuchun nodded in approval.
The Beguilement Cloud technique was an illusion formation in the art of formation. It allows one to beguile and causes hallucinations in one's victim, rendering them vulnerable. One can move like a phantom among the fog, giving the user an advantage in battle. But it requires a lot of inner force to drive it.
Weak cultivators would have succumbed but Chang Yuchun was no weak cultivator. He drove his spiritual energy through his life energy paths warding off the effect of the technique. The former launched a sneak attack multiple times in rapid succession but Xiōngzhào flew out of its scabbard and countered it.
"Phantom Shadow technique!" the latter amused.
The Phantom Shadow technique was an offensive technique in combat arts. It enables one to strike sneakily and forcefully in rapid succession as one appears like a ghaut, the victim was unable to differentiate between real attacks and after-image motions.
The former swung Xiōngzhào and stabbed randomly in the air before lacerating them brutally. As the sword came in contact with the air, a sonic boom could be heard as the air howled in agony.
Chia-his retreated seven steps behind and his complexion twisted in pain. He felt a stifling sensation in his throat and he spewed crimson blood.
His eyes darted around as he clutched his chest in shock.
"Myriad Slash technique," he muttered in astonishment.
The Myriad Slash technique was an offensive technique in combat arts. It gave one the ability to sever anything without restraints or friction. It was very powerful, enough to injure a high-level primary cultivator.
The fog gradually dissipated as the former could no longer drive it with his spiritual energy. The latter grinned and slashed the air in a rhythmic pattern towards the former.
The former narrowed his eyes anticipating a fatal blow when someone jumped to his defense. The slashes imprinted gravely behind his back as Chia-hao froze in shock. It was Fenghua. His closest friend and loyal subordinate.
Chia-hao looked at Fenghua as memories flashed through his mind. Their childhood, their brotherly vows, their excitement, and almost death experiences as they journeyed through and through.
Fenghua frowned faintly as Chia-hao rushed to his side. Tears streak freely from Chia-hao's eyes.
"Go!" he managed to say.
"I can't leave you behind." he broke down.
"If you die, how are we going to get our revenge?" he whispered forcefully, clearly in pain. Chia-hao shook his head repeatedly.
Fenghua mustered all his strength and pushed him. It wasn't strong but it was enough to push him a distance away.
Chia-hao rushed out of the village as the soldiers were hot in his pursuit. A safe distance away he hid carefully behind some overgrown shrubs and bushes. He glanced as the soldiers slayed the fleeing survivors along their path. Children weeping over the death of their beloved. The majority of the older men were shot in the chest and a few women were dragged away. He covered his mouth with his right hand, tears dampening his veil as he watched with his clenched left fist and boiling anger.
He spotted Chang-Yuchun. His expression darkened and he grasped his fist tightly.
"Come out, come out."
Chang-Yuchun taunted with a menacing smile. Abruptly Chang-Yuchun spotted his location and thrusted Xiōngzhào forward. It pierced the shrubs and Chia-hao flinched automatically, missing it by a breath. He left his hideout and faced him. Finally drew his sword. Kěpà de shǎnguāng
In Chinese, kěpà de shǎnguāng can be translated as "ghastly gleam". The sword gave off a ghastly aura and death. its color flashed between gray and ash and it gave a sinister glow.
The two clashed swords head-on. The relentless sounds of howling winds and shock waves resonated in the air, leaving deep depressions in the ground.
Chia-hao's head was clouded with pending emotions as his movement and use of combat techniques were sluggish, Chang-Yuchun sensed an opening and exploited his flaw. With a powerful slash, he left a deep incision on the former's arm. Chia-hao felt disoriented and restless. Hallucination and the gruesome scenes of slaying flooded his mind. feeling trapped, he threw a smoke ball. The pungent, thick, and intoxicating mist suffused the air.
Taking the opportunity, he staggered while fleeing through the woods. Chang-Yuchun chuckled, his cold voice resonating in the forest. The former felt his presence as he pulled on. Chia-hao reached the edge of a waterfall, a distance away from the ruined villages. He clutched his forehead, attempting to settle his mind. His eyes dilated and his breath weak. The cut from Chang-Yuchun's sword was still in effect. He could hear whispers and voices. An eerie laughter reverberated in his ears.
In his disrayed state, he saw a pale-faced man with a sword in his grip. His smile was vicious. With a push, he plummeted down the waterfall.