134: Who is here to make such a big scene? (Seeking monthly votes)

The next day, at dusk, the setting sun was like blood.

The vast mountain ranges were like giant Dragons stretching across the earth.

Through the majestic pass, in the distant mountains, a rumbling tremor began, and a thin line of dust rolled in.

Human voices and horse neighs, shouts like wind, and cold glints of armor, like a black torrent, roared through the forest.

As they followed the mountain path through a stretch of forest, the cliff ahead suddenly opened up.

In the distance, towering mountains formed a majestic barrier, and nestled among them, a magnificent pass stood, grand and imposing, exuding an ancient, weathered aura.

At the cliff, shouts rang out, reins were pulled, and banners fluttered in the wind.

Just then,

“Li!”

Above the forest where banners flew, an eagle's cry pierced through the trees and startled the sky.

Someone looked up.

They saw a large black eagle soaring overhead, its sharp eagle eyes scanning downwards, reflecting the cold glint of armor below, its body appearing as if cast from black iron, cutting through the fiery clouds of the setting sun, leaving a white trail in the sky, and whistling towards the distant majestic pass.

Under the eagle's outstretched wings, a towering, majestic pass grew closer and closer.

A majestic city wall, tens of meters high, constructed from massive bluestones, stretched and extended along the undulating mountain range for dozens of miles, embedding itself within the mountains. The heavy bluestones bore the marks of time, and on the gate tower, upturned eaves, like wings, soared high, their vermilion paint, under the ravages of time, had already peeled and become mottled.

“Li!”

The great eagle soared over the towering city wall, its dark eagle eyes reflecting a scene completely different from the boundless desolation outside the pass.

High-rise buildings, arranged in a staggered pattern, countless pavilions and towers with upturned eaves, like stars scattered across a chessboard, dotted the landscape. On the wide, interconnected streets, crowds dressed in various styles of clothing flowed like weaving threads, carriages were ceaseless, and sounds boomed.

Pavilions with upturned eaves, railings, tile houses, wine shops, and tea houses flew by rapidly beneath the black eagle's wings, like a fleeting glance.

But at this moment, with this eagle's cry, in various parts of the city—tea houses, wine shops, brothels, and even amidst the carved beams and painted rafters—faint gazes followed the black eagle, watching it swiftly disappear towards the Inner City, and then their eyes returned.

Immediately after, whispers began to rise.

“It’s the Sky Patrol Division’s Patrol Mountain Eagle, coming from outside the pass. It seems this place is going to get livelier and livelier.”

“The situation is changing a bit quickly. How dare those few families occupy the Outer City and force the Sky Patrol Division’s forces into the Inner City? Isn’t that… The Dao Fu Division is not to be trifled with. Their Fa Shan Army has slain countless demons, stained their hands with much blood, and earned a formidable reputation.”

“Lower your voice. Don’t let those few families hear that. How dare those few families challenge the Dao Fu Division? Someone must be supporting them from behind! Think about it, Tianxiong Gate connects to the Central Plains, it’s a strategic gateway. Now that there’s chaos everywhere, some people have started to have ideas, wanting to establish their own strongholds.”

“Exactly, exactly. News from the Central Plains says it’s even more chaotic there. Such things are everywhere. Alas, we don't know where we are going.”

“The city has been a bit chaotic lately, with many new faces appearing. We should be careful.”

“……”

At this moment, in a private room on the top floor of a hundred-meter-high pavilion with vermilion paint and upturned eaves, located on the west side of Tianxiong Gate’s Outer City, an ancient fragrance permeated the air, and wisps of smoke rose from an incense burner.

A landscape screen divided the room into two halves.

Outside the screen, someone played the zither, its melodious notes echoing pleasantly, and graceful figures danced through the screen, their lithe forms swaying with the music.

Inside the screen, two figures sat opposite each other, the table laden with delicacies.

One of them wore a purple brocade robe with dark patterns embroidered on the hem, his hair tied high and adorned with a black jade hairpin. He was slender, with a long, narrow face and slightly upturned eyebrows, carrying a hint of an almost imperceptible wickedness.

Opposite him sat a middle-aged man in a dark ink-colored robe, his face unremarkable, but his dark eyes faintly shimmered with white light.

At this moment, the purple-robed man’s lips curled slightly, showing a hint of harshness.

“Brother Xiahou, you hastily withdrew from Baidi City this time without even a word. That person seems a bit displeased with you. You should prepare yourself.”

Xiahou Yuan did not raise his eyelids, merely picked up the small white jade cup on the table, took a silent gulp, and then set the cup down.

“Thud.”

“The victor is king, the loser is nothing. Xiahou has nothing to say. If he’s displeased, then so be it. It’s not like Xiahou can afford to lose his life there. I don’t think it matters.”

The purple-robed man opposite him narrowed his long eyes slightly upon hearing this, like a cunning fox ready to pounce, gleaming with slyness.

“Is that Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General Brother Xiahou mentioned truly that formidable?”

“How is it that he was a Patrolling Mountain Commandant one moment, and then a Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General the next? As soon as he appeared, he consecutively slew several Dao Soldier Realm human devils. To be honest, Wu did not understand, or is Brother Xiahou just trying to make himself feel better, hehe.”

Saying this, the man chuckled, a chilling wickedness in his brows.

Xiahou Yuan’s eyelids twitched slightly, then he raised his eyes, gazing at the person opposite him, his expression deepening, and he spoke slowly:

“Mr. Wu can say whatever he wants.”

“But I hope you don’t encounter this Zhonglang General.”

“After all, with your actions this time, and the changes at Tianxiong Gate, Jiannan Road Dao Fu Division will certainly not let it go. They will definitely send people. We should observe from the sidelines for a while longer.”

However, the purple-robed man opposite him burst into laughter upon hearing this, lowering his left shoulder and leaning closer.

“Brother Xiahou, could it be that you were frightened out of your wits in Baidi City? We’ve known each other for so long, why do you seem to have lost your spirit now?”

Saying this, he raised an eyebrow, a cunning smile appearing in his eyes, “How can one who seeks great achievements be so hesitant? The Jiannan Road Dao Fu Division is too busy with its own affairs right now. Their Zhenmo General is currently in the west, struggling to cope with the restless Demon Country, and the Town Demon Commander is stationed at Youmen Pass in the south, deterring those Yao Race. How much attention can their Fa Shan Army, busy dealing with rampant demons, spare? Those pedantic people of theirs don’t even look at the world’s situation. Aren’t the monsters and demons chaotic enough already? Yet they still risk their lives for the so-called imperial court, hah.”

“Besides, we’re just borrowing a path, what’s there to fear!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the man’s ears twitched, and his gaze suddenly shot towards the window. Then, his body flickered, appearing by the window, his eyes burning as he watched a black eagle soar past, crossing an even higher city wall and disappearing without a trace.

That was Tianxiong Gate’s Inner City, spanning over ten miles!

The Inner City walls were even more majestic and taller than the outer walls. On the city walls, watchtowers were set up at regular intervals. These watchtowers, with their upturned eaves and intricate dougong brackets, were solemn and imposing. Banners fluttered fiercely atop them, and stern, armored figures stood guard, the atmosphere Severe.

Throughout the Inner City, various barracks, granaries, mansions, and Weapon Repositories were meticulously arranged.

And at its center was a Commanding Platform, built of white marble, with exquisite cloud patterns carved into its steps. Banners fluttered in the wind, clearly displaying black banners with gold borders and mountain patterns!

Just then, the black eagle flew to a beacon tower around the Commanding Platform.

Then,

“Thump, thump, thump.”

Urgent footsteps quickly echoed through the main hall of the General’s Residence.

At this moment, three Zhonglang Generals were seated in the main hall.

Tianxiong Gate Zhonglang General Wei Zhong, in civilian clothes, had a square, dark face, thick, sword-like eyebrows that slanted into his temples, and a pair of tiger eyes beneath them, with a short, dense beard on his chin.

Jiange Pass Zhonglang General General Wu Sheng wore bronze armor, had a broad jawline, thick, slightly upturned eyebrows, and bright, piercing eyes.

Fourth Mountain Zhonglang General Colonel Chang Shan had a square face, thick eyebrows, a walrus mustache, thick and curly, a sturdy physique, and wore heavy black armor, with a pair of fierce, drooping eyes that exuded authority.

At this moment, the three seemed to be discussing something, either glaring angrily or pondering deeply, the atmosphere heavy.

As urgent footsteps approached, the three Zhonglang Generals in the hall looked up.

They saw an armored soldier quickly enter the hall, then cup his fists and report to Tianxiong Gate Zhonglang General Wei Zhong, who sat in the center.

“General!”

“The Ninth Mountain Army has arrived two hundred li outside the South Gate, at Scorpion Mountain.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the three Zhonglang Generals’ expressions changed, their faces showing various reactions.

“Understood, you may withdraw first!” Wei Zhong waved his hand, then looked at the other two seated below him,

He couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly,

“Two Generals, the Fushi has ordered us to temporarily obey the Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General’s command. The main person is about to arrive!”

“Tianxiong Gate is currently in a vortex, and the situation is complex. Wei is not confident this time. I have not heard of this Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General’s name, and I don't know his background.”

“Chang Central Herald, are you truly unaware?” His gaze fell upon the Zhonglang General.

Colonel Chang Shan frowned and spoke in a muffled voice: “The Ninth Mountain suffered a defeat in the south, with heavy casualties, and retreated to the Fushi for recuperation. The original Junior General Hou also died in battle, and this mountain army almost disbanded. I, Chang, have been out, so my information is clearly not up-to-date. I don't know what happened at the Dao Fu Division, nor the background of the person they sent. I haven't heard of him.”

Only Jiange Pass Zhonglang General General Wu Sheng’s eyes gleamed, and he seemed to be on the verge of rising.

Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General Chen Yuan, this name had caused him to be surprised ever since he received the urgent order from the Dao Fu Division.

If it was truly this person, given his Divine Ability to single-handedly spear three Heavenly Gate Fei Yi in Jiange Pass, they would have much more room to maneuver in the current situation.

He did not speak, not until it was confirmed!

Just then, Wei Zhong suddenly stood up, his eyes flickering with an inexplicable divine light,

“Regardless, the big picture is what matters.”

“The three of us will go and welcome this Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General!”

...

Soon after, the heavy, wrought-iron gate on the south side of Tianxiong Gate’s Inner City swung open with a loud clang.

Following that, rumbling hoofbeats sounded, and torrents of armored cavalry surged out, a grand display that made the ground tremble, eliciting gasps of surprise.

The South City Gate, that was the only gate the Sky Patrol Division still controlled!

One by one, armored cavalry stood in orderly fashion, positioned every ten or so zhang, with swords at their sides, blocking the road, extending all the way out.

At this moment, from the top of the previously mentioned vermilion high pavilion, the purple-robed man surnamed Wu, seeing the Sky Patrol Division, which guarded the Inner City, suddenly deploy such a large force, couldn't help but be surprised.

“Who has the Sky Patrol Division come for?”

At the same time, many people couldn't help but focus their gaze towards the south!

Soon after, they saw the South City Gate wide open, and a chorus of shouts entered Tianxiong Gate.

Then came the rumble of the earth, and beneath the blood-red setting sun, a crimson torrent, a swift horse, entered the city!

And at the head of that armored torrent, a figure in green clothes on a white horse, their garments fluttering.

From the high pavilion, Xiahou Yuan, looking through the window, saw that person in the distance, his eyebrows twitching wildly, his face instantly changing dramatically.

“He really came!”

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