Slaying Three Golden Core Cultivators in Anger, Chu Qingcheng’s Thoughts
Cut off the dragon's edge!
This military fortress, with its steep and treacherous terrain, was the perfect location for an ambush. Nestled between towering mountains, the narrow path in the middle resembled a gateway to heaven, a natural barrier that could thwart any large-scale invasion. It was a place where a single defender could hold off ten thousand attackers.
In ancient times, the Yongyao Dynasty and other northern powers often clashed here in decisive battles. However, after the rise of the God of War, Lin Yang, who led the Divine Guard Army northward, this place gradually faded from prominence.
In his previous life, Lin Yang and hundreds of thousands of Divine Guards had been ambushed here by the elders of the Demonic Heaven Sect, caught completely off guard. But in this life, Lin Yang's foresight had changed everything. He ordered the Divine Guard Army to halt and regroup for a day, forcing the Demonic Heaven Sect elders to abandon their ambush plans.
"Damn it! Who leaked our ambush plans?" growled Xue Changkong, the hook-nosed leader of the trio, his face twisted in fury.
The three of them had been tasked by their sect leader to assassinate Lin Yang, the Major General of the Yongyao Dynasty. Success would mean promotion to inner sect elders, access to advanced cultivation techniques, and an abundance of resources.
Originally, the steep terrain of Duanlongya had given them a 70% chance of success, even against Lin Yang's formidable Divine Guards. But now, the Divine Guards had stopped thousands of miles away to rest—clearly, their plan had been exposed.
"Brother, since we've been discovered, why not just attack directly? With the three of us working together, killing a mere Foundation Establishment brat should be easy," one of the burly sword-wielding men beside Xue Changkong said dismissively.
"Exactly. The Divine Guards may be powerful compared to ordinary armies, but to us, they're nothing more than ants. Numbers won't save them," the other added.
Both men were Golden Core cultivators, and they couldn't understand why their leader was being so cautious. To them, taking Lin Yang's head should have been a simple task.
"You're underestimating Lin Yang and the Divine Guards. They've never lost a battle and have even conquered the capitals of three dynasties. Do you really think they're weak?" Xue Changkong glared at them, his expression conflicted.
Without the advantage of Duanlongya's terrain, their chances of success had dropped to 50%. Among the three, only Xue Changkong had reached the peak of the Golden Core stage. While Golden Core cultivators were powerful, facing an iron-blooded army of hundreds of thousands was no small feat.
Yet, the temptation was too great. Success would bring them wealth, glory, and a rise to the top. As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold, and Xue Changkong was determined to seize this opportunity.
"The Divine Guards' strength lies in their formation. You two will attack with everything you've got and disrupt their formation. I'll take the chance to kill Lin Yang," Xue Changkong instructed after a moment of thought.
But just as he finished speaking, a cold, mocking voice echoed from the distance.
"Why go through all that trouble when you're already doomed?"
The trio froze. They had been speaking in hushed tones—how had anyone heard them? They turned abruptly to see a handsome young man in white robes, holding a black spear and riding a dirt-covered yellow ox, gazing at them indifferently.
"Lin Yang?" Xue Changkong and his companions were both shocked and elated.
"Heh, you had the chance to walk the path of heaven, but you chose the gates of hell instead. Today, I'll use your head to claim my fortune!" one of the burly men sneered.
Without waiting for Xue Changkong's command, the two sword-wielding men lunged at Lin Yang, their 40-meter-long swords gleaming. To them, a Foundation Establishment cultivator without the protection of the Divine Guards was an easy target.
Even Xue Changkong couldn't suppress a cruel smile. "Old grudges from the past life and new ones in this life—let's settle them all today."
Facing the onslaught of two Golden Core cultivators, Lin Yang remained calm. He raised the God-killing Spear in his hand and slashed casually.
Boom!
With a single strike, one of the Golden Core cultivators fell, his throat pierced before he could even scream.
"How is this possible? How can a Foundation Establishment cultivator be this strong?" The surviving attacker's eyes nearly popped out of his skull in disbelief.
But Lin Yang didn't waste time on words. With another swift strike, the second attacker fell, dead before he could react.
Until their dying breaths, they couldn't comprehend how a Foundation Establishment cultivator had crushed them so effortlessly.
"Do you want to come down and die, or should I come up and kill you?" Lin Yang asked coldly, his gaze fixed on Xue Changkong atop the distant mountain.
In his previous life, Xue Changkong had killed Lin Yang's second uncle and slashed his sister. Lin Yang wouldn't let him die easily—he wanted him to suffer.
"You dare kill my brothers? This sin is unforgivable! One day, I'll wipe out your entire family in Tianqi City!" Xue Changkong shouted, his voice trembling with fear. He turned and fled like a frightened dog.
"Trying to run? Did you ask for my permission?" Lin Yang sneered. He hurled the God-killing Spear with terrifying precision.
Whoosh!
The spear, a top-tier artifact, shot through the air like a beam of light. It severed one of Xue Changkong's legs mid-flight before piercing his heart and pinning him to the ground in front of Lin Yang.
Thud!
Xue Changkong lay there, nailed to the earth like a lifeless dog. Lin Yang calmly inserted needles into eight of Xue Changkong's vital acupoints, amplifying his pain a hundredfold.
"You devil... you're the real demon..." Xue Changkong gasped, his eyes bloodshot, his soul trembling.
"So what if I am? I'm here to protect what's mine. What's wrong with that?" Lin Yang replied, his expression unreadable.
In his previous life, the boy who fought demons had become one himself, surviving as the last demon and savior. But in this life, he embraced the demon within to protect his sister. Nothing else mattered.
...
After more than half an hour of torture, Xue Changkong finally died, his soul devoured by the God-killing Spear. Lin Yang collected the treasures from the three corpses and mounted his yellow ox, which grumbled about not getting a chance to fight.
"Don't worry. There will be plenty of enemies for you to face in the future," Lin Yang assured the ox, which finally relented.
Upon returning to the military camp, Lin Yang kept his promise and took his sister, Lin Qingyao, to watch a rare sunrise. The little girl, brimming with joy, danced around him like an elf, picking wildflowers and adorning her hair.
"Do I look pretty, Brother Lin Yang?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with expectation.
"Of course. Yao'er is the most beautiful girl in the world," Lin Yang replied, ruffling her hair affectionately.
"Then I'll watch the sunrise with you every day, okay?" she said, taking his hand and swinging it playfully.
"Alright, I'll allow you to be my little follower," Lin Yang teased, laughing.
"Brother Lin Yang, you're so mean! Yao'er isn't a follower—she's your little cotton-padded jacket!" she protested, giggling.
In the morning light, Lin Yang held his sister's hand as they walked through the flower-filled meadow. In this life, he vowed to protect her innocence at all costs.
...
Meanwhile, in the palace gardens of Tianqi City, the capital of the Yongyao Dynasty, a peerless woman stood beneath a weeping willow. Dressed in a snow-white gown, her cold elegance was unmatched. Her gaze drifted northward, as if searching for someone dear to her.
"In my past life, you endured so much pain and hardship to destroy the three holy lands for me, shaking my faith in the Tao. Yet, I didn't believe you, and it broke your heart, leading you to destroy your soul and die."
"In this life, let me love you, my dear husband…"