The following day at dusk, the remains of the sun bled red.
Vast mountains stretched across the earth like colossal dragons.
Heroic passes and faint trails; in the distance, the forests roared tremulously,
a line of dust rising, billowing towards us.
Human voices and whinnies of horses, shouting like the wind, with the cold gleam of iron armor,
like a black torrent, whistling through the woods.
When traversing the mountain path through a stretch of forest, suddenly,
the precipice ahead cleared into open space.
In the distance, mighty mountains rose like a formidable barrier,
and nestled among them, a majestic pass sprawled, grand and imposing, radiating an ancient, time-worn aura.
At the cliff, calls resonated, reins were pulled,
and banners flapped, fluttering in the wind.
At this moment,
"li"
Above the forest adorned with fluttering banners, an eagle’s cry pierced through the woods.
Someone looked up.
A giant black eagle stretched its wings overhead, its sharp eagle eyes rolling downward, reflecting the cold gleam of the iron armor below,
like a body forged from black iron, crossing the remnant sun’s fiery clouds, drawing a white line,
leaving a trace across the sky, whistling towards the distant heroic pass.
Beneath the eagle’s wide wings, the formidable pass drew ever closer.
Massive green stone walls, tens of meters high, stacked and stretching along the undulating terrain for miles,
embedded within the mountains. The weathered green stones bore marks of the years,
the eaves on the gatehouse soaring high like wings, with the vermillion on the lacquered pillars
spotted and peeling under the blades and shadows of the ages.
"li"
The great eagle soared over the towering walls, its dark pupils reflecting a scene so very different from the boundless expanse outside the border.
Buildings rose side by side in intricate arrangements, countless pavilions and towers with flying eaves and pointed corners spread out like stars,
amidst them, the bustling crowd on the wide streets wore clothes of various styles, a dense flow of people, incessant carriages and horses, a cacophony of sound.
One by one, roofs with flying eaves and tile houses flashed by beneath the black eagle’s wings, fleetingly observed as if in a swift glance.
Yet at this moment, with the eagle’s screech, all through the city, in teahouses and inns, behind the carved balustrades and painted eaves,
silent gazes followed the black eagle’s flight towards the Inner City, then withdrew with its disappearance.
Soon after, murmurs of secret conversations also rose in response.
"The Sky Patrol Department’s Mountain Patrol Eagle has come from outside the border, seems like things are about to heat up here."
"The skies are changing a bit too quickly, don’t you think? How dare those families take over the outer city and push the Sky Patrol Department’s forces back into the Inner City? Don’t they know?
The Government Administrative Office isn’t to be trifled with, their Mountain-cutting Army has slain innumerable demons, drenched in blood, and earned a formidable reputation."
"Keep it down, don’t let people from those families hear you. How could they dare to defy the Government Administrative Office without someone backing them?
Think about it, Tianxiong Pass connects to the Central Plains, all directions flow through, everyone wants to take advantage with the chaos everywhere, wanting to stand atop their own mountain."
"That’s right, the news from the Central Plains says it’s even more chaotic there, it’s the same everywhere. Sigh, us commoners don’t know where to turn."
"Things have been chaotic in the city lately, lots of unfamiliar faces. We’d better be careful."
Meanwhile, on the western side of Tianxiong Pass’ outer city, atop a vermilion lacquered building with flying eaves, hundreds of meters tall, on the topmost floor of an office,
where ancient fragrances filled the air, with wisps of smoke rising from incense burners.
A folding screen with a landscape painting divided the room in two.
Beyond the screen, someone played the zither, sounding melodious and gentle,
while graceful figures danced behind the screen in harmony with the music.
Inside, facing each other sat two figures, with a table laden with delectable dishes.
One of them, dressed in a purple brocade robe, adorned with subtle patterns, hair tied high, a black jade hairpin fitted upon the coiffure,
with a slender build and a long, narrow face, eyebrows slightly raised, exhibiting a barely noticeable sinister air.
Across from him, a middle-aged man in dark robes, with ordinary features,
but his dark eyeballs occasionally flashed with a flicker of white light.
At this moment, the corners of the purple-robed man’s lips curled up slightly, betraying a hint of sarcasm.
"Brother Xiahou, you retreated from White Emperor City in such haste, without even a word of farewell,
that certain someone seems somewhat displeased with you. You’d better prepare yourself mentally."
Xiahou Yuan didn’t even lift his eyelids, simply picking up a small white jade cup from the table, downing it in one gulp,
and then setting the cup back down with a "bang."
"To the victor go the spoils, Xiahou has nothing to say. If they’re displeased, let them be.
Xiahou can’t afford to lose his life over there, and doesn’t think much of it anyway."
The man opposite in the purple robe narrowed his elongated eyes slightly upon hearing this, like a fox on the prowl, glinting with slyness,
"Is that Ninth Mountain’s Colonel as terrifying as you’re saying, Brother Xiahou?"
suddenly appearing and slaying several demons at the Taoist Soldier Realm in a single move?
To tell the truth, I did not catch the full story. Or maybe, Brother Xiahou, you said so just to feel better, heh heh."
Saying this, the man laughed with a sinister mirth.
Xiahou Yuan’s eyelids twitched slightly before he lifted his gaze,
staring intently at the person opposite, his eyes deepening as he spoke in a deep voice,
"Vice Minister Wu can say what he wants."
"Just hope you do not encounter that Colonel."
"After all, with the upheaval at Tianxiong Pass, the Jiannan Road Government Administrative Office will not let this go easily, they will surely send someone.
We better watch from the sidelines for now."
Hearing this, the purple-robed man laughed heartily, pressed his left shoulder down, leaning in closer,
"Has Brother Xiahou been so frightened in White Emperor City that you’ve lost your nerve?
After knowing each other for so long, why can’t I see that spirit in you anymore?"
As he spoke, his eyebrows lifted, and his eyes revealed a sly smile, "How can those who achieve great things be indecisive and hesitant? The Government Administrative Office on Jiannan Road is currently too busy to take care of itself; their Demon Suppression General is now in the west, exhausted from dealing with the restless Demon Country, while the Demon Suppression Commander is stationed at the Youmen Pass in the south, deterring the Devil Race. The Mountain-cutting Army is dealing with demons rampaging everywhere; how much attention can they spare? Those stubborn fools also fail to see the turmoil across the world, with all kinds of people adding to the chaos, yet still they loyally serve what they call the ’court’, haha."
"What’s more, we’re just passing through their territory, what’s there to fear!"
As these words were spoken, his ears twitched, and his gaze suddenly turned towards the window. In the next instant, his body flashed to the side of the window, where he stared intently at a black eagle speeding past, crossing over a higher city wall and disappearing from sight.
That place was the Inner City of Tianxiong Pass, spanning across ten or more miles!
The inner city walls are even more imposing and taller than the outer walls, with watchtowers set at regular intervals along them, featuring flying eaves and massive pillars, exuding an air of solemnity and majesty. The flags fluttered in the wind on top of the towers, revealing rows of chilling iron armor-clad soldiers standing guard, maintaining a strict and somber atmosphere.
Throughout the inner city, various military camps, grain depots, mansions, and arsenals were strategically arranged.
And in its center was a Commander’s Platform, constructed of white marble, with beautifully carved cloud patterns on the steps, and various flags whipping in the wind, most notably the Black Bottom Gold Edge Mountain Flag!
At that moment, the black eagle landed on a beacon tower near the Commander’s Platform.
Subsequently,
"Thud thud thud"
The sound of hurried footsteps quickly traveled towards a main hall of the General’s Mansion.
At this time, inside the hall, three Colonels were seated.
Wei Zhong, the Colonel of Tianxiong Pass, was in casual clothing with a square and dark face, thick eyebrows like sharp swords sloping into his temples, tiger eyes beneath his brows, and a short dense beard on his chin.
Wu Sheng, the Colonel of Jiange Pass, clad in bronze armor, had a wide jawline, thick eyebrows slightly raised, and bright piercing eyes.
Colonel of Fourth Mountain, Changshan, with his square face and thick eyebrows, a Hu-styled mustache, dense and curly, a burly figure dressed in black heavy armor, and a pair of upturned eyes that exuded authority.
At this moment, the three appeared to be discussing something, with expressions ranging from frowning angrily to bowing in deep contemplation, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
With the arrival of the pressing footsteps, the three Colonels in the hall lifted their gazes.
A fully armed Armored Soldier quickly entered the hall and then saluted towards Wei Zhong, who was seated at the center, and began to report.
"General!"
"The Ninth Mountain Army has arrived within two hundred li outside the South Gate, at Scorpion Mountain."
Upon hearing these words, the expressions of the three Colonels shifted instantly, each showing different emotions.
"Understood, you may leave!" ordered Wei Zhong, with a wave of his hand, and then, with his gaze turned towards the other two,
He couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly,
"Generals, the Taoist Office has ordered us to temporarily obey the directives of that Colonel of Ninth Mountain. The true leader is about to arrive!"
"Tianxiong Pass is now caught in a whirlwind of complex situations, and I, Wei, am truly uncertain this time. I haven’t heard of the name of this Colonel of Ninth Mountain, nor do I know his origins."
"Colonel Chang, are you really not aware?" His gaze fell upon the Colonel.
Changshan frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice, "Ninth Mountain suffered a loss in the south, with most of their forces dead or injured, and had to retreat to the Government Administrative Office for reorganization. The previous Colonel Hou died in battle, and the army was almost scattered. Since I have been out of the loop, I am not informed about any recent developments in the Government Administrative Office, and thus I am unaware of the background of this person they have sent."
Only Wu Sheng, the Colonel of Jiange Pass, had a flicker in his eyes, indicative of a certain restlessness.
The name Chen Yuan, Colonel of Ninth Mountain, has been on his mind ever since he received the swift message from the Government Administrative Office.
If it was indeed this person, with his profound skills renowned at Jiange Pass for single-handedly confronting three Heavenly Pass Feiyi, they would have much more leeway in the current complicated situation.
Yet he did not speak; not until he was certain!
At this moment, Wei Zhong stood up suddenly, his eyes shining with an indescribable Divine Light,
"No matter what, the grand scheme of things takes precedence."
"Let’s, the three of us, go and welcome this Colonel of Ninth Mountain!"
Not long after, the solid, wrought-iron gates of the inner city of Xiongtian Pass, located to the south, swung open with a clang.
Following closely, the thunders of horses’ hooves resounded, as lines of iron-clad soldiers poured out in a swelling tide, their movement shaking the ground beneath, drawing shouts of surprise.
At the Southern City Gate, it was the only entrance currently under the control of the Sky Patrol Department!
One could see one iron-clad cavalry after another, neatly lined up every ten-odd zhang, each soldier standing with a sword at each side of the road, blockading it, stretching all the way down.
Meanwhile, atop a previous vermilion pavilion, a man wearing a purple robe and bearing the surname Wu, saw the Sky Patrol Department deploying such a grand force and couldn’t help but feel astonished.
"What kind of person has the Sky Patrol Department mobilized for?"
At the same time, many others also couldn’t help but focus their attention, all looking towards the south!
Soon after, the city gate to the south was thrown open, and the shouts reached the ears of those within Tianxiong Pass.
Then there was the rumble of the earth, and beneath the blood-red dying sun, a crimson tidal wave surged in, with a shout, the horses charged into the city!
And leading the iron-clad torrent was a figure in green clothes on a white horse, the clothes fluttering in the wind.
From atop the tall pavilion, Xiahou Yuan peered through the window and saw that person from a distance; his heart leaped, and his face suddenly turned pale.
"He really came!"

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