Zhu Pao was a sect elder of the Zhu sect, the overlord of Nedong District and a direct descendent of the founder, Zhu Mao. He was innately proud of his bloodline and had an arrogant personality leading to many clashes with other disciples and elders. As one of the four elders of the Zhu sect, he commanded immense authority in the Nedong District and was responsible for the south of the region. This was considered to be the most important region in the entirety of the main city as the entrance was located here, also acting as the first line of defence to invasion. He was always proud of achieving his status, believing he was above his peers and trusted with an important position. Today, however, he was regretting it. Huge green Orc's in the hundreds flooded into the city through the south gate, leaving it up to him and his subordinates from the Zhu sect to fend off and wait for reinforcements. Little did they know, the other regions of the city were also experiencing a rough time. Sure, humans would find it very difficult to enter the city through the North, West or East, but not monsters. Their agile bodies and little care for personal safety allowed them to raid the city from all directions. This meant Zhu Pao would have to deter a small army of over 200 Orc's and thousands of Goblins with only himself, in the Martial Master realm, and his subordinates, in the Martial Disciple realm. His only relief was that his four core disciples of the sect were Martial Experts, able to punch through steel.
Still, with just over 100 disciples, four core disciples in the Martial Expert realm, and himself in the Martial Master realm, he was forced to fend off a small army by utilising the cities defensive measures.
These measures, however, were created for defence against humans. The 9-Foot-tall wall connecting from the East mountains to the west mountains, created from hardened stone hundreds of years ago, was knocked down almost instantly. Now, the courtyard directly ahead of the wall was in chaos. Limbs flying, Orc's and goblins eating disciples alive whilst civilians ran for the inner city, and Zhu Pao committing himself to a last stand alongside his core disciples. He may be arrogant, but he would not allow civilians to be slaughtered on his watch.
After slicing down an Orc, he turned towards his core disciples. With a sober voice, he spoke, "My disciples. Reinforcements or not, we will not allow these vile creatures to pass. We will give our lives for our Home, for our Sect!" With each word, his voice became louder, until each and every disciple of the Zhu Sect could hear them.
With those words, all Zhu sect disciples prepared to battle to the death. This is what they were trained for, to protect the city with their life, to kill invaders.
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The small group of villagers led by Tang Sheng finally approach the city gates, half a mile away, they saw clouds of smoke, and once they approached closer, screams of terror were heard. 'It seems we were late', Tang Sheng sighed. Perhaps he could have saved more lives if he was earlier, but the city shouldn't rely on him anyway, the Zhu Sect should do a good job within the circumstances.
Closing in on the gate, they saw the destruction left behind as corpses lay spread all over the path, huge gaps of rubble next to holes the size of an Orc in the walls surrounding the south side.
"Clean up the goblins left behind" Tang Sheng ordered both Eric and Mia, pointing towards goblins gnawing on corpses of both civilians and what looked to be Sect members.
The fallen Sect members were dressed in a long Black Martial arts robe, with gold engravings outlining the creases, and the badge of a dragon embraided in gold on the left side, truly traditional Martial arts clothes not too different from Sheng's own white Martial robe.
Both Eric and Mia nodded their heads, running towards the nearest Goblin on either side of the party. Killing a distracted Goblin was as easy as crushing an ant, giving the warriors free experience towards their next level.
On the other hand, the children and women couldn't stand the stench of a battlefield. Loose limbs and half eaten faces were common sights the monsters left in their wake, most of the survivors were puking or gagging and attempting to avoid the dead bodies by stepping over them.
"Saint, there's a battle ongoing just north of us, in the courtyard." Eric promptly reported after venturing further north.
Tang Sheng naturally heard the sound of battle a minute ago, his senses were extremely refined and could hear the sound of Orc's and swords clashing. Unfortunately, leaving the villagers alone would amount to a death sentence for them, so he was forced to allow them to keep up.
"You" He pointed at eric. "Stay with the others and lead the remaining warriors to surround them in a defensive position. The most you will encounter is a few goblins. Wait for me." He commanded.
"Yes sir!" He replied, before explaining to the other warriors.
"Disciple, come with me." He said to Mia.
"Yes Master" She replied, almost excited to witness what was about to happen. Although she felt sympathy for the dead, she quickly adapted to it, surprising Tang Sheng greatly.
Rushing north, they found the origin of the battle. Orc and Goblin bodies were strewn everywhere, Zhu Sect disciples mixed within. 10 Zhu sect survivors were attempting a last stand against more than 50 Orc's and one slightly larger than the rest, being over 10 Foot tall and wearing a necklace made with bones. He seemed like the leader of the south invasion. Goblins were nowhere to be seen, likely chasing civilians towards the inner city.
Zhu Pao and the others immediately spotted the newcomers, gaining hope for reinforcements. Unfortunately, it was just a little girl with a spear and what looked like a Martial Expert not from the Zhu Sect. This greatly disappointed them and almost caused them to lose the battle. Their spirits were very low after suffering such a depressing defeat at the hands of this Huge Orc leader. He would send in 10 Orcs at a time into the dilapidated building they were hiding in and watch the fight with relish, wearing the surviving members out and greatly exciting the sadistic Orc leader.
Seeing these strangers approach the building from the front, directly behind the Orc army, Elder Zhu Pao yelled at the top of his lungs, "IDIOTS, RUN!" causing the small army of over 50 Orcs to turn their heads in confusion.
Tang Sheng, on the other hand, had a temper. With furrowed brows and a rising aura, he raged "When is the last time a mere Martial Master dared to insult me to my face?". Walking forward, he pulled out a sword seemly from air, made purely of a bright white jade material that was pleasing to the eyes. Mia thought to herself, 'This is the most beautiful weapon I have ever seen! Where did it come from?' with sparkling eyes oozing jealously, she stared at the sword before coming back to herself. It's natural the Master has his methods, living so long and being so strong, she convinced herself.
Waving his sword in the air, Tang Sheng disappeared from the naked eye, looking like he teleported directly to an Orc, before slicing his head off in a clean motion. "Do I look like an Idiot to you, child?" He spoke facing Zhu Pao.