Chapter 197 - Lu Xiaofeng's Mission, An Easy Victory, and The Power of A Keepsake

On a hill not far from the battle between the Uyghur Army and the Qing Dynasty forces.

Yuan Suiyun, Lu Xiaofeng, and a few others stood watching the ongoing conflict in the distance, their faces solemn.

"The Azure Dragon Association really has a long reach. They even have people in the Qing Dynasty's western frontier and can manipulate a war like this."

"What should we do next?"

"Should we make the Qing Army suffer a complete defeat or just wipe them out entirely?"

"Right now, the Qing Dynasty and Ming Dynasty are at a point of no return."

"The fewer troops they have, the better for us."

"Besides, this mission isn't ours alone. Other branches are also involved."

"If we do nothing, not only will we receive no reward, but we'll be punished severely."

"If this gets reported to His Majesty, our fate will be miserable."

"His Majesty grouped the few of us into one branch. There is no way he isn't keeping an eye on us."

"After all, we each have some reputation in the Ming Martial World, at the very least showing potential."

"His Majesty is clearly testing us."

"We can only succeed, failure is not an option."

"No one knows what consequences failure would bring, but we cannot afford them."

At these words, not only Yuan Suiyun, but even Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Liuxiang became incredibly cautious.

They had accepted His Majesty's rewards, so they had to prove their worth.

Otherwise, given the Emperor's temperament, he would not let them off lightly.

He might not kill them.

But the outcome certainly would not be pleasant.

"Alright, let's move!"

"We are only the Great Grandmaster Realm. Only by reaching the Land Immortal Realm can we hold any weight in the Azure Dragon Association."

"Don't tell me you all want to stay like this forever!"

"No need to say more, let's go!"

"We move according to plan number 25."

With that, the group moved, turning into shadows as they rushed toward the battling armies.

==========

Night.

Uyghur Military Tent.

Huo Qingtong sat at the head of the hall, while her generals and leaders of various smaller tribes stood below.

"Have you figured out the reason?"

"Earlier during our battle with the Qing Dynasty, their troops suddenly fell into chaos, which caused them heavy losses."

"What triggered it?"

"Could it be a Qing Dynasty scheme?"

Huo Qingtong asked with some confusion.

"Your Highness, we've already found out. Someone attacked the Qing Army's rear and killed many of their officers."

"This caused confusion in their command structure, which gave us the chance to win."

"Did you find out who these people are?"

"Could they be Anti-Qing heroes who secretly helped us?"

"Impossible. Those so-called Anti-Qing rebels wish for both sides to suffer. Why would they help us?"

"Keep investigating. We can't fall into someone else's trap."

At that moment, a white figure entered the hall.

Everyone's eyes lit up upon seeing her.

"Greetings, Princess Xiangxiang!"

If Huo Qingtong was respected as the leader.

Then Kasili was adored by all.

Her charm was boundless, and it was nearly impossible to dislike her.

"Sister, why are you here?"

"Elder Sister, I just received a secret message. You should take a look!"

With that, Kasili handed her a letter.

Huo Qingtong opened it without hesitation and scanned the contents.

Joy lit up her eyes.

But then she seemed to remember something.

She immediately channeled her internal energy and turned the letter into dust.

"Generals and leaders, I have found out the truth."

"Someone did indeed help us from the shadows, but don't worry. This is no scheme."

"They are allies, friends, not enemies!"

"Your Highness, who are these allies?"

"This matter must be kept secret. If the Qing Dynasty finds out, it will be harder to wipe them out."

"We understand, Your Highness."

"Good. Let us proceed with the next phase of our plan."

"Then wait for the right time to join forces with our allies and wipe out the Qing Dynasty dogs completely."

==========

Inside Kasili Tent.

Huo Qingtong and Kasili entered together.

The meeting was over, but the two of them showed no signs of fatigue, instead looking excited and full of energy.

"Sister, was that message really from Elder Brother Su?"

"So he hasn't forgotten us after all!"

"Humph, when we see him again, he'll definitely be shocked."

"I'm no longer the weak girl he first met who needed protection!"

"Next time, I'll be the one to protect him!"

Looking at her sister's happy face, Huo Qingtong didn't know whether to feel glad or regretful.

Her sister had been pampered since childhood, resulting in a kind, pure, and innocent personality.

She had always lived a simple and carefree life, worshipped by all the Uyghur Kingdom as a divine goddess.

But everything changed with that man's arrival.

Kasili had never known martial arts, but under his guidance, her strength had become extraordinary.

Even Huo Qingtong, who had trained for over ten years, was almost no match for her.

Under his teachings.

Kasili's beauty and temperament had reached an entirely new level.

Especially now, after advancing to the Heavenly Human Realm, her life essence had transformed, making the changes even more noticeable.

She didn't know how he had taught her.

But in such a short time, the change was astonishing.

Her sister never liked violence, yet now she fought without hesitation.

Even when seeing dead bodies, she remained calm and composed.

If she hadn't personally checked, she might've thought her sister had been replaced.

Thinking of that lovable yet infuriating man, Huo Qingtong couldn't help feeling a bit resentful.

All these years and he hadn't come to see them even once.

Leaving the two sisters to miss him day and night.

Truly unforgivable.

==========

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Just as the two sisters were still excited.

Two streaks of energy suddenly rushed into the tent.

Their target was Kasili.

They completely ignored Huo Qingtong, the current leader of the Uyghur Kingdom tribe.

"Sister, be careful!"

At the critical moment.

Just as Kasili was about to be hit.

There was no trace of fear on her face.

From within her snow-white sleeves, two blades as thin as cicada wings appeared.

With a slight movement.

The two incoming energy strikes vanished into thin air.

Like a graceful butterfly.

She danced elegantly within the tent.

A cold light flashed.

And she struck directly at the mysterious attackers.

Clang clang clang!

The sound of weapons clashing rang out.

Bang bang bang!

Three black shadows were sent flying.

Two of them crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting blood.

The leader stumbled back several steps.

Leaving a deep trail on the ground.

"How is this possible?"

"Isn't Kasili just a defenseless girl who doesn't know martial arts?"

"How is she this strong?"

The leading black-clad man cried out in shock.

His eyes filled with disbelief.

The intel was completely wrong.

They hadn't even discovered that she was a Land Immortal.

Their intelligence department was useless.

"Flying Guillotine Division, it's you again!"

"You really are like ghosts that refuse to leave!"

Seeing the strange weapons in their hands, Huo Qingtong immediately recognized them.

And felt a chill of fear.

Their target hadn't been her, but her sister.

Why?

Her sister had never interacted with outsiders and had never made enemies.

Why would anyone want her dead?

"Why are you trying to kill my sister?"

"You truly deserve to die!"

"You've crossed the line!"

Huo Qingtong said through clenched teeth.

"Who said we're trying to kill her?"

"Princess Xiangxiang is someone His Majesty personally ordered to be brought back."

"As long as she enters the palace, she will surely be named a Consort."

"You better know your place. His Majesty rarely takes interest in someone like this."

"If you refuse, His Majesty will send a larger army to destroy your tribe."

"He'll wipe out every last one of you."

"Even destroy your entire bloodline."

The lead assassin growled.

"What? Hongli?"

"Could it be the reason the Qing Dynasty attacked us was for my sister?"

Huo Qingtong was stunned.

Then a fierce glint flashed in her eyes.

Who did Hongli think he was, daring to covet her sister?

In an instant, her hatred for Hongli and the Qing Dynasty forces surged.

Her sister must not come to harm.

Otherwise, she could not face their dead father.

She would never hand her sister over to the man who murdered their father.

If that was the case.

Then death was the only answer.

As the Queen of the Uyghur Kingdom, Huo Qingtong naturally had no lack of decisiveness.

She immediately pulled a pouch from her collar, opened it, and took out a piece of paper.

Upon unfolding it, a sword-shaped drawing appeared.

She channeled her true energy into it.

In the next moment.

The sword on the paper came to life.

Transforming into a terrifying sword intent.

Under her control, it shot toward the three assassins.

The leader was her primary target.

Whoosh!

The sword intent flew forward.

Its power was immense and overwhelming.

The two assassins who were already wounded on the ground didn't even have time to react.

They were crushed instantly and died on the spot.

The lead assassin's face filled with fear.

He quickly tried to retreat.

But the sword intent was faster.

He only saw a flash.

Then the sword pierced through his forehead.

His head throbbed with pain.

And in the next moment.

Everything went dark.

He was dead.

Neither Huo Qingtong nor Kasili had expected that the life-saving item he had given them would be this terrifying.

Such power was too shocking.

That Flying Guillotine Division Leader was at the Heavenly Human Realm!

Yet under this sword intent, he didn't even have a chance to escape.

This was...

While they marveled at the power of the sword intent.

Thinking of the one who created it made it all the more unbelievable.

No wonder he could turn her defenseless sister into a Heavenly Human Realm cultivator in such a short time.

He was incredible.

"Elder Sister, that sword just now... was it from Elder Brother Su?"

"Do you have more?"

"He gave me three of them back then. I just used one, so I still have two."

"I always treated them as keepsakes. I never thought they would be this powerful!"

Huo Qingtong was also amazed.

Thinking of the "keepsakes" she carried and the "mementos" her sister had, they likely were no ordinary items.

Looks like it's time to properly examine the things that man left them.

There might be even more unexpected surprises waiting.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

List of Characters:

Legend of Lu Xiaofeng ( 陆小凤传奇 )

・Lu Xiaofeng ( 陆小凤 ) — Famous Detective of Ming Dynasty

Legend of Chu Liuxiang ( 楚留香传奇 )

・Yuan Suiyun ( 原随云 ) — August 15th Branch Master of Azure Dragon Association

The Book and The Sword ( 书剑恩仇录 )

・Huo Qingtong ( 霍青桐 ) — Queen of Uyghur Kingdom

・Kasili ( 喀丝丽 ) — Princess of Uyghur Kingdom