181: Chapter 0181 This is how they film it

The dense sound of "rustle, rustle, rustle" could be heard!

Countless cold glints, too fast to be seen clearly, shot out from the cylinder!

Even with his speed, Lin Xiao found he couldn't dodge at such close range!

He used his black blade to block his heart and throat, but his chest, abdomen, and arms were still hit by these needle-like hidden weapons!

Holy crap! An ancient Gatling gun, or the Storm Pear Blossom Needles!?

Lin Xiao suddenly realized he still knew too little about the Tianwu Continent; there was actually such a lethal weapon!?

Crucially, the system didn't even detect it?

This meant it didn't count as a weapon, but just a prop.

"Hahahaha!!..."

He Yu, Earl of Anyang looked at Lin Xiao, who was stuck like a hedgehog on one side, and laughed loudly: "Lin Xiao, how does the 'Thousand-Glare Star' of the Baiyue Xuanji Sect taste?"

"Since the Xuanji Sect was destroyed, few of these remain in the world. Prince Bai bestowed this one upon me, and I've been reluctant to use it."

"You're lucky this time! To die under this tube of 'Thousand-Glare Star' is a worthy end to your life!"

Lin Xiao coughed twice, his expression pained: "This... is this thing poisonous?"

"No poison, but this item has extreme piercing power, specifically countering a master's protective astral qi. It's said even a Great Grandmaster must avoid its edge."

He Yu, Earl of Anyang sneered: "That you can still stand without falling shows your profound cultivation, but unfortunately... it ends here!"

The soldiers of the Shazhou Army all showed expressions of mockery and ridicule, laughing incessantly.

But soon, Lin Xiao's expression gradually turned into one of disappointment.

"No poison? Then my acting was for nothing!"

With that, Lin Xiao shook his body, shaking off the needles stuck in his clothes!

The laughter on the scene stopped abruptly!

He Yu, Earl of Anyang and the soldiers all felt like they were seeing a ghost!!

How is that possible!?

How could anyone in this world withstand the 'Thousand-Glare Star' head-on and not die!?

"Full army... retreat!!"

Realizing things were bad, He Yu, Earl of Anyang immediately issued the command!

He picked up his Fallen Leaf Spear, leaped off his horse, circulated his Great Dragon-Elephant Power, and thrust the spear fiercely at Lin Xiao!

Lin Xiao had less than ten seconds of Indestructible Diamond Body left and wanted to end the fight quickly.

He parried the spear with his blade and slashed down at He Yu, Earl of Anyang's shoulder!

He Yu, Earl of Anyang was pale with fright!

Even after activating his Great Dragon-Elephant Power, he lost in a contest of strength!?

Does this guy have over a hundred years of cultivation!? Or does he also have a technique that enhances strength!?

Damn it, he's only in his twenties! What kind of monster is he!?

Without time for thought, He Yu, Earl of Anyang forced a dodge and swept back with his spear!

Lin Xiao frowned; as expected of a Natural Martial Pulse combined with rich combat experience, he had already developed an instinctive avoidance of danger.

Conversely, although his own martial arts were high, he lacked experience in one-on-one actual combat.

However, experience doesn't always work; it ends here...

Lin Xiao flicked the tip of his blade, directly knocking the Fallen Leaf Spear away!

He Yu, Earl of Anyang hurriedly retreated to avoid Lin Xiao's blade light, while simultaneously drawing the Phoenix Soaring Saber from his waist!

This mystic grade treasure saber had lifelike phoenix feather patterns on its blade; because it was too exquisite, he rarely used it.

Of course, mainly because most battles didn't require it!

"Lin Xiao! To be honest, what this general is best at is the saber!"

He Yu, Earl of Anyang swung his saber toward the ground, intending to force Lin Xiao back with the erupting Bloody Battle in Ten Directions Saber Qi!

But Lin Xiao saw through the saber's path a step ahead. With a stroke and a pull of his black blade, he directly parried He Yu, Earl of Anyang's Phoenix Soaring Saber in mid-air!?

A burst of Burning Heaven Blade Flame erupted, scorching He Yu, Earl of Anyang's hands!

The black blade was like a lethal venomous snake, its striking angle incredibly tricky. Before He Yu, Earl of Anyang could dodge again, it had already swept across his neck...

[Kill +1, Cultivation +1, Prestige +150]

The moment He Yu, Earl of Anyang died, what he saw was a pair of cold, ruthless, and extremely calm eyes.

"Coincidentally, my saber technique is only average."

Filled with grief and indignation, He Yu, Earl of Anyang tried to lift his saber, but his body no longer obeyed.

The fleeing soldiers, seeing He Yu, Earl of Anyang fall in a pool of blood, all let out cries of terror and despair!

"The Earl of Anyang is dead!!"

"Run!!—"

Lin Xiao flipped onto a warhorse and began a pursuit of the five thousand fleeing cavalry!

On the walls of Yangquan, the soldiers of the Zhenbei Army were ecstatic, cheering and shouting!

"General Lin killed the Earl of Anyang!! We won!!"

"They're running!! General Lin scared them all away by himself!!"

Although they couldn't see many details, it was clear that the Earl of Anyang was dead and the Shazhou Army was fleeing!

"Open the gates!! Let's go support General Lin!!"

General Wu Jinzhe and the others were anxious, fearing Lin Xiao might pursue too deep and fall into an ambush!

These cavalry were currently terrified and lacked command, having lost their composure.

Once desperate, if they counterattacked Lin Xiao recklessly, just a few thousand warhorses charging could crush even a Martial Arts Grandmaster!!

Although Lin Xiao's martial arts were incredibly strong, one must be cautious; anyone in the Zhenbei Army could die, except Lin Xiao!

Xie Juner stood blankly on the gate tower, gripping her sword, watching the Zhenbei Army ride out to pursue, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

She had made up her mind and summoned her courage to come up and defend the city with Lin Xiao through blood and fire...

In the end, she only witnessed Lin Xiao killing the Earl of Anyang alone and routing five thousand Shazhou cavalry!?

She couldn't help with anything! Like a silly girl who knew nothing!

She should be happy; after all, Lin Xiao and the Zhenbei Army won.

But a sense of defeat and helplessness made her very depressed...

If this continued, when would she ever win Lin Xiao's heart?

Could it be that she really wasn't good enough for him...

Xie Juner turned around and walked down the city wall, her back looking lonely.

Two incense sticks of time later.

Lin Xiao and the Zhenbei Army returned to the city amidst loud laughter.

During the pursuit, Lin Xiao collected over four hundred heads and obtained two weapons, one yellow grade and one mystic grade, putting him in a good mood.

Lin Xiao collected the depleted Thousand-Glare Star and the needles from the ground into his storage space, intending to show them to Old Yu next time to see if anything could be made of them.

Upon returning to the city, a large number of citizens lined the streets to welcome them, shouting, "General Lin is mighty!"

Since the arrival of the Zhenbei Army, every household had essentially benefited.

After seeing those comic strips, the people of Yangquan had a greatly improved view of Lin Xiao and the Zhenbei Army, seeing them as great heroes protecting the country!

Combined with Lin Xiao's heroic killing of the Prince Bai's general, the Earl of Anyang, which saved Yangquan from the flames of war, everyone was even more convinced!

The citizens sincerely hoped that the Zhenbei Army would always guard this city!

Just then, a figure forced his way in front of Lin Xiao, blocking his path.

"General! This subordinate has something to report!"

The person was none other than Chang Youkui!

General Wu Jinzhe laughed and scolded: "Lord Chang, didn't you see we just had a great victory and are celebrating? Is there anything that can't wait until we get back?"

"Celebrating is not fighting; the General naturally has time, so why can't I speak on the way?" Chang Youkui said bluntly.

General Wu Jinzhe was speechless, about to say this guy was a killjoy, but was stopped by Lin Xiao.

"No matter, speak, what is it?"

Lin Xiao smiled, not angry at all.

Impartial and incorruptible, he understood; one had to ignore social niceties and block the imperial envoy in the street—it's always filmed like this in the period dramas he'd seen!

"May I ask General Lin, does this subordinate's thorough investigation into Yangquan's corruption include all powerful and influential people?" Chang Youkui asked.

"Naturally, including me. If there's a problem, just say it!" Lin Xiao said.

Chang Youkui cupped his hands: "The evidence from the dozen or so officials this subordinate is currently investigating all points to one person, but this subordinate is of low status and cannot summon them for interrogation... Please assist me, General!"

Lin Xiao frowned, thought for a moment, and said: "The Marquis of Linyuan?"

Chang Youkui was stunned, took a deep breath, and nodded heavily: "It is indeed Marquis Xie Shang!"

For a moment, the street fell silent as everyone gasped...