Chapter 272 Don't worry, I, Yan, don't hold grudges.

There are two great totems on the Northern Mang Steppe.

One is the wolf—cautious, suspicious, fierce, decisive, and tenacious; the other is the eagle—aloof, arrogant, brave, fearless, and full of wildness.

Under the supreme deity, the eternal heaven, countless tribes similarly worship these two great totems.

The Xiao Family, to which the Great King of the Northern Court Xiao Sidao belongs, are worshippers of the Eagle God.

Like Helian Clan Chief, Xiao Sidao also possesses a Sacred Object of the Eagle God.

If someone with a powerful Divine Sense were to look, they would see that among his spread wings, one feather is distinctly different from the other eagle feathers, emitting a soul-stirring light.

This eagle feather granted him extraordinary speed, allowing him to dash through in an instant, taking Pucha Yunlie away amidst a ripping sound.

"What was that?!"

The divine eagle broke into the high sky, covering a hundred miles in a heartbeat, shredding the distant layers of clouds, its cry fully displaying the Aura of the king of the skies.

Xiao Sidao's expression was solemn; he felt a trace of palpitations.

At the moment he dashed through just now, a chill flashed through his heart, and the hair on his back stood on end. Even with the help of the Feather of the Eagle God, he was still filled with lingering fear.

Suddenly, Xiao Sidao noticed something. He looked down, and his eyes couldn't help but turn extremely gloomy.

"How could this be?!!"

He saw that he was only holding half a body in his hands.

The break was irregular, as if it had been torn away by something; blood gushed out like a fountain, splashing down.

Pucha Yunlie was already dead!

No wonder there was no movement in his hands; only half of Pucha Yunlie's head remained, and even his Primordial Spirit had been torn to shreds.

How did that Yan Chu do it?

Killing someone despite the speed of the Eagle God, and killing Huyan Zhuori who held the Wolf Fang—Xiao Sidao didn't dare to stay here any longer.

No!

This matter must be reported to the Khan and the Great High Priest immediately.

Northern Mang has a foe!

Whoosh!

The massive eagle wings spread out. Xiao Sidao's face was slightly pale as his speed surged once more, racing toward the north at extreme velocity.

[Tearing apart a Northern Mang Celestial (Physical Body Divine Treasury, Qi Sea Divine Treasury), extremely satisfying, Experience +400,000]

On this side, Yan Chu put the half-corpse he had torn off into his item slot. Looking at the empty sky in the distance, his brow twitched slightly.

Xiao Sidao's speed was too fast!

Assisted by the Feather of the Eagle God, he even made Yan Chu secretly alarmed. At this moment, Xiao Sidao's speed could be called the ultimate speed of this world; even Yan Chu could not catch up with his Nine Heavens Profound Wind.

Temporarily withdrawing his gaze, Yan Chu looked at Luo Jin and the other two nearby.

Pang Chong noticed Yan Chu's unfriendly gaze, and his heart skipped a beat. His face turned deathly pale as he squeezed out a strained smile.

He had been too careless!

He really hadn't expected Yan Chu to be so terrifying!

The moment that Blood Wolf appeared, it possessed an Aura that didn't seem to belong to this world. In such a situation, Yan Chu actually managed to survive and even killed Huyan Zhuori and the others.

Just what was his background?

"How are you?"

Luo Jin landed lightly beside Yan Chu, her fair and delicate face showing some concern.

"I'm fine!"

Yan Chu waved his hand.

"Great Hero Yan's strength is extraordinary and refined. To kill Northern Mang Celestials in succession today is truly an eye-opener for me!"

Li Shuoting descended, cupped his fists, and exclaimed in admiration:

"After today, the Celestials of the whole world will spread Great Hero Yan's name. Such a feat has never been achieved in the entire world."

Pang Chong followed behind Li Shuoting. Hearing him compliment Yan Chu so much, his heart sank further and further.

Jianghu rumors say Yan Chu is extremely petty and carries a small notebook to record everyone he holds a grudge against. Would he record his own name on it?

With the Prince of Zhenbei here now, it wasn't convenient for Yan Chu to take action.

But later, once he was alone, would he...

Having seen Yan Chu's Divine Might with his own eyes, Pang Chong couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"The Prince of Zhenbei overpraises me!"

Although it was the first time he had met the Prince of Zhenbei, Li Shuoting, the man gave Yan Chu a good impression; he acted upright and honorable.

"It's a pity that fellow Xiao Sidao escaped."

Li Shuoting shook his head, but laughed in the next second:

"But it doesn't matter. After today's battle, Northern Mang's Origin Qi is greatly damaged. Having lost three Celestials, they won't have the chance to invade the south again for the next hundred years."

"It's six Celestials."

At this time, Luo Jin spoke softly.

"What? What do you mean, Fellow Daoist Luo? Could it be... more Celestials died at Great Hero Yan's hands?"

Both the Prince of Zhenbei and Pang Chong couldn't help but look at Luo Jin.

Luo Jin glanced at Yan Chu. Seeing he had no expression, she nodded her head slightly and said:

"Before you arrived, the Longevity Cult's Third High Priest Huliu Zhangkong, General Tuoba Hong, and the Great King of the Southern Court Helian Clan Chief were all killed by him."

What?

Both the Prince of Zhenbei and Pang Chong were shaken, their gazes filled with disbelief.

Although Pang Chong had just overheard the conversation between Yan Chu and Huyan Zhuori and had some faint suspicions, having it confirmed again made his breath tighten, and the feeling in his heart grew increasingly ominous.

Slaying six Northern Mang Celestials in a single day—in the thousand years since the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty, no one had ever done it.

Only the Founding Emperor, during his northern expedition in the past, had ever achieved such a feat.

"Great Hero Yan, on behalf of the imperial court, the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, and the tens of thousands of soldiers in Longsheng Pass, I thank you!"

The Prince of Zhenbei performed a formal bow to Yan Chu, very solemn.

"The Prince of Zhenbei is too polite. I didn't do this for the imperial court; it's just that they provoked me. I'm not the type of person willing to suffer a loss. Since they provoked me, they must be prepared to die."

Yan Chu lightly brushed his hand, gently helping Li Shuoting up, then turned to Pang Chong and said:

"General Pang, wouldn't you agree?"

"Ah?"

Pang Chong felt his scalp tingle and forced a smile:

"Great... Great Hero Yan, I don't know what you mean?"

The Prince of Zhenbei noticed the subtlety in their conversation and hurriedly said:

"Great Hero Yan, I know about the friction between you and Li Shu. Since he is my nephew and General Pang's nephew, I am willing to mediate and resolve the conflict between you."

"I ask for Great Hero Yan's magnanimity. Our Great Jin Imperial Court cannot afford internal strife right now."

"Yes!"

Pang Chong also hurriedly waved his hands:

"Great Hero Yan, I have no intention of disrespecting you. Please do not take it to heart."

"Hehe!"

Yan Chu chuckled and said:

"Rest assured, I don't hold grudges. Many people have offended me before, and in the end, they were all fine. If you don't believe me, you can go and find out."

Hearing Yan Chu say this, Pang Chong became even more panicked.

Because of the matter with First Prince Li Shu, he had specifically investigated Yan Chu. This man was indeed extremely petty; almost no one who had a grudge against him ended up well.

They were either dead or had to offer up their wives and daughters to save their lives...

Wait, offering up wives and daughters to save their lives?

Pang Chong was suddenly stunned, his thoughts spinning a thousand times in an instant. It seemed that some people who had offended Yan Chu did indeed survive.

As for the method, it was indeed offering up their wives and daughters.

But Pang Chong was focused on cultivation. Although there were many women in his mansion, he had never officially married because he didn't want any attachments, and he had no children or daughters.

He wondered if Yan Chu would take a liking to those women?

...

...

Pang Chong felt that Yan Chu most likely wouldn't.

He heard that this person had a niche hobby—he loved other people's legal wives.

He didn't even value those women much himself, so how could he expect Yan Chu to care? What could he do then?

Offer up his treasured rare items?

As a border general, Pang Chong couldn't help but ponder what he could give to Yan Chu.

So that Yan Chu would cross his name off that small notebook.

Hearing Yan Chu's words, the Prince of Zhenbei thought he was truly a man of great magnanimity, so he smiled kindly:

"Good! Great Hero Yan has a broad mind. In a few days, after I return to the capital, I will surely have my nephew bring generous gifts to apologize and thank Great Hero Yan, so both sides can smile and forget their past grievances!"

"Sure, sure!" Yan Chu nodded repeatedly.

This appearance, in Li Shuoting's eyes, naturally meant Yan Chu didn't care about previous matters.

After all, once cultivation reaches the Celestial level, all goals are for the pursuit of higher Realms. Few people would fight to the death over a small matter.

Everyone is an adult; what's wrong with being a bit broad-minded?

Immediately, he began to chat with Yan Chu about other matters, inviting him to travel to Longsheng Pass.

In contrast, as a woman, Luo Jin's thoughts were more delicate, and she understood Yan Chu better.

Yan Chu was indeed very petty, but if a woman paved the way, he would become much more generous.

After a few words, Li Shuoting and Pang Chong were anxious to head to Longsheng Pass.

From what Xiao Sidao and the others said just now, Longsheng Pass had likely been slaughtered by Northern Mang. They couldn't rest easy without seeing it for themselves.

"Great Hero Yan, Fellow Daoist Luo, why don't you two come with us to Longsheng Pass?"

Yan Chu did not refuse. To head north into Northern Mang, he had to pass through Longsheng Pass. On this trip, he was determined to charge into Northern Mang and make heads roll.

Luo Jin looked towards the south and said:

"The Princess is still behind us. Let's go pick her up first before we go."

"Oh? That girl Yunshu is here? That's excellent!"

...

...

The night was deep, like ink that wouldn't dissolve.

On the walls of Yongzhou, there was a post every five steps and a sentry every ten. Torches illuminated the guards' faces, making them flicker in and out of the light.

In this deep night, a roar resounded through the sky, instantly waking the entire prefectural city.

A black long spear descended from the sky, slamming into the Yongzhou city wall with a boom. The formation runes on top were like paper; the wall crumbled and collapsed, causing a wave of startled cries and screams.

"Hahaha! Yuwen Xuan, you old fogey, do you dare to come out of the city for a fight!!"

Whoosh!

In the night sky ahead, a tall figure stood.

He was covered in black iron armor that shimmered with cold light, the beast-head pauldrons looking ferocious. His entire body emitted a chilling and inviolable Aura. In the eyes of the countless soldiers of Yongzhou, he was like a god or demon descending.

"It's the Great Rebel Xue Bai!!"

"Heavenly King Xue is here!!!"

Cries of alarm rang out, and the peaceful city seemed to boil instantly, with bright lights immediately turning on in many places.

That figure in the night was deeply etched into the hearts of all the Yongzhou soldiers.

Didn't they say Xue Bai's army was still a thousand miles away? Did he charge here all by himself?

While everyone was filled with doubt, an old, low shout rang out from within the city:

"Xue Bai, you are simply audacious!"

Boom!

A white rainbow light flew out from the direction of the Prefectural Governors Mansion, exiting the city in an instant. A white sword light pierced the dark night, slashing toward Xue Bai in the night sky.

"Humph!"

Xue Bai gave a cold snort and threw a massive punch from hundreds of feet away. The sword light shattered, and the Fist Intent sent Yuwen Xuan flying back more than ten miles, crashing back into the city.

Then he raised his hand and made a beckoning gesture.

The black long spear that had pierced the city wall immediately flew back into his hand on its own.

Xue Bai swept the spear horizontally, and a ring of Qi energy swept across the sky, spreading for dozens of miles. As it hit the city wall ahead, many soldiers watched the spear wave sweep toward them with wide eyes, unable to dodge at all in their terror.

"Xue Bai, how dare you be so insolent?!"

Another low, cold shout rang out. A robust figure with a gray beard and white hair appeared above the city wall. With a wave of his hand, the dozens of miles of spear wave dissipated into nothingness.

Xue Bai laughed nonchalantly:

"Yuwen Yi, has your Yuwen Family run out of generations? Why is it either women or old things? If we keep fighting, will your daughter Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng have to fight me herself?"

This gray-bearded, white-haired old man was the current head of the Yuwen Clan, the father of Empress Dowager Empress Dowager Yuwen Feng, Yuwen Yi, and also the elder brother of Yuwen Xuan.

"Xue Bai, what my Yuwen Clan is like is not for a rebel like you to comment on!"

"However, since you dared to come to Yongzhou tonight, I will make sure you never return!"

Xue Bai's manner was unrestrained, his long hair flying as he said:

"You alone cannot keep me here. Aren't there a few more? All of you, come out together!"

Crash!

From within the broken houses, Yuwen Xuan flew up and landed beside Yuwen Yi, saying solemnly:

"He has become even stronger!"

Yuwen Yi's expression remained unchanged as he said calmly:

"Having taken so much territory, the Luck on this man is growing thicker; it is only natural. However, after today, I will surely wipe out the rebel army in one fell swoop!"

After speaking, Yuwen Yi's calm yet unquestionable voice resounded in all directions:

"Fellow Daoist Red Pine Master, Brother Wu, Brother He, everyone, please reveal yourselves!"

Boom! Boom! Whoosh!!

As Yuwen Yi's voice fell, several peerlessly powerful and terrifying Auras rose from the four directions of Yongzhou. Various Auras surged, illuminating the entire prefectural city as bright as day.

From the east of the city, two Daoists in azure robes, one old and one middle-aged, appeared together. The Aura on them was vast and unpredictable, with Immortal Qi fluttering about them, making them seem not of the mortal world.

To the south, a thin old man in plain clothes with a voice like a great bell stepped into the Void Realm. The air around him was distorted and deformed by his terrifying Aura.

"Hahaha! I haven't walked the Jianghu for a long time, but I've already heard of two great geniuses appearing in the Jianghu."

"One is the top Prodigy not seen in a millennium, the Blade Demon Yan Chu; the other is the True Dragon of the Mortal World from the west, Xue Bai."

"Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation!"

Xue Bai cupped his fists in greeting and said:

"I have long heard of the great name of the Beggars Gang's old chief, Wu Chunqiu. In your youth, you roamed the Jianghu with a single iron staff, which was stained with the blood of countless wicked villains. You are ranked fifth on the Heaven Ranking. It is a great honor to meet you today!"

"I'm past it, I'm past it!"

The old chief of the Beggars Gang, Wu Chunqiu, waved his hand.

"These old bones of mine won't last much longer. The world belongs to you young people now!"

Xue Bai smiled slightly and looked at the middle-aged man appearing from the west.

The middle-aged man's Aura was equally terrifying beyond words. His broad palms were different from ordinary people, and his Aura was solemn and inviolable.

Xue Bai cupped his hands and said:

"This must be the great hero known as 'Dual Palms Propping the Heavens,' He Wuzhu?"