Chapter 386: Clear Wind and Bright Moon (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 386: Clear Breeze and Bright Moon (Seeking Monthly Votes)

The sword known as "Bu Zheng" was renowned as the most prestigious blade of his era. Not merely because it was the sword of the former dynasty's sword immortal, but also due to its unique design.

How to describe it?

Bu Zheng's entire form was a deep, mysterious black, with only the sword's tip glowing in a faint crimson. Its most special feature was its extreme length and narrowness—far longer and thinner than ordinary swords. Named "Bu Zheng," it in truth sought to claim the apex of martial prowess.

Thus, when Xiao Hong beheld this long blade, he immediately recognized the wielder's identity—Song Jinbi. Also, the current guardian of the Cao family in Clear River.

Xiao Hong held the long sword at an angle, gazing down upon Song Jinbi from above, his cold eyes reflecting the man's silhouette through his armor.

"Is this matter orchestrated by the Cao family?"

This was not an issue.

When Xiao Hong voiced the question, his heart had already reached an answer.

Song Jinbi's face still bore a trace of surprise, for he had truly not anticipated his hiding place would be discovered. He looked up at Xiao Hong, shook his head after a moment, and said, "Not ashamed that your master, the sword immortal Li Wu Dang, has such a gifted disciple—sword techniques truly are extraordinary."

"You've only ever witnessed my external transformation method before. You've seen through my flaws, and thus I have come to respect you."

As he spoke, Song Jinbi sheathed his sword, straightened his back, and spoke with dignity: "The count is correct, General Xiao. It is indeed the Emperor's command that I have come here."

Xiao Hong remained unmoved, coldly asking, "Cao family, what does Cao Mei intend to do?"

Upon hearing her mention Cao Mei's name, Song Jinbi's face flickered with a hint of displeasure, and said, "Surely General Xiao has already heard of the Earl of Xiao and General Fu Jian's whereabouts—this matter is certain beyond doubt."

"My Cao family spent a great deal to procure their attendants from the Black Bear Tribe; we would not have them falsified."

"As for what the Emperor wishes to do..."

Song Jinbi let out a light laugh and said, "The Emperor pities you, a mere lady of the Xiao family, finding your plight difficult."

"If the General intends to rescue the Earl of Xiao and General Fu, the Emperor is willing to lend his support."

Xiao Hong's expression remained unchanged.

She did not believe such words.

The Cao family's sending of Song Jinbi to inform her of her mother's continued survival in the mortal realm, and their painstaking efforts to acquire Fu Wanqing's scented pouch and Xiao Fengchun's finger guard—what could that possibly be for?

"I wish to know whether the Cao family has been involved in this matter all along."

Upon hearing this, Song Jinbi smiled and said, "You, General Xiao, think too much."

"The ones who set a trap for the Earl of Xiao and General Fu were Liu Hong, the governor of Shu Province. My Emperor was also deceived by him, only discovering this afterward."

Xiao Hong stared at him, continuing to ask, "How are your father and mother faring now?"

Song Jinbi nodded and shook his head: "Not particularly bad, though not exactly good either."

"After the King of the Left, Wu Hage, captured them, he did not treat them harshly. He even had your mother teach several of his sons to read and write."

Xiao Hong immediately rejected this: "Impossible!"

In her impression, Fu Wanqing's mind was delicate; how could she not foresee the consequences of teaching the barbarian tribe to learn Wei dynasty knowledge?

Moreover, the Xiao family had a deep-seated hatred with the barbarian tribe.

Even if they were captured, they would never surrender to the barbarians.

Song Jinbi shook his head: "General Fu initially refused to comply, but..."

"Regarding the Earl of Xiao's life and death..."

Xiao Hong frowned slightly, a hint of murderous intent flickering in her eyes, "My father... did Wu Hage threaten my father's life to force me?"

"Yes, or rather, not exactly."

"Five years ago, the barbarian master Wen Ke La personally intervened, and the Earl of Xiao fought with all his might, yet still suffered severe injuries."

"Though treated in time, the Earl of Xiao remains in a coma to this day, requiring daily medication."

Song Jinbi smiled and then said, "It's a pity. General Fu had no choice but to agree to teach those young barbarians the rites and music, in exchange for a chance to save the Earl of Xiao's life."

Ah... so it was like this.

Xiao Hong was slightly dazed, her heart filled with complex emotions.

If so, her mother, for her father's safety, might indeed have agreed to the barbarians' demands.

Seeing her silent, Song Jinbi realized she was lost in thought and said, "I know that upon first hearing this news, you would find it hard to accept."

"But the facts are as such; you must look ahead."

Xiao Hong's eyes returned to his gaze, "Look ahead?"

She coldly said, "The Cao family's representative need not be so vague in their words."

Song Jinbi smiled and nodded, asking, "General Xiao, do you wish to rescue them?"

Before Xiao Hong could answer, he affirmed, "The General surely wishes to save the Earl of Xiao and General Fu."

"But this matter... is difficult."

"Even with my Emperor's strength, we can only obtain two items from Wu Hage."

"To rescue the people, some additional measures are needed."

Xiao Hong tightened her grip on the long sword, "What measures?"

Song Jinbi spoke with gravity: "Your Xiao family must join hands with my Cao family. Only then is there a chance."

"Join hands?"

"With the Cao family's thousand-year heritage, how could they look down upon your Xiao family, a fallen border household?"

"The General is being too modest."

"With your talents, and the might of Qinghe, how many families in the nine provinces could compare to the Xiao family?"

Xiao Hong stared deeply into his eyes, then calmly asked, "Straightforwardly now, what does Cao Daoren hope your Xiao family will do?"

Upon hearing this, Song Jinbi's smile became even broader, "Surely the General has heard some rumors."

"Like when the Shu Province's examination came around, Ma Xuezhi's answer was that the Emperor should either march south or launch a northern expedition."

"In truth, the rumors are not unfounded."

"Since the Emperor's ascension, he has intended to launch an army to subdue the barbarians."

"But because the North is not yet settled, the Emperor fears that launching an expedition southward would cause the northern passes to be breached, so he has delayed until now."

Song Jinjin paused, gazing at the cold-eyed Xiao Jinghong, and spoke in a low voice:

“Yet recently, the Emperor has changed his mind.”

Xiao Jinghong added in a cold tone: “The Emperor wishes to launch an invasion northward.”

Song Jinjin slightly nodded. “Some shallow-minded individuals have spread rumors, clouding the Emperor’s judgment, so the Emperor, neglecting the threat from the barbarians, has instead marched northward—this is truly unwise.”

“The General should understand: in recent years, the northern wasteland and our great Wei dynasty have maintained peaceful relations, with frequent trade and exchanges.”

“Even without sending troops northward, the northern wasteland would soon be gradually absorbed by our regime, its borders easily incorporated into our realm.”

Song Jinjin’s tone grew passionate. “Once the Emperor dispatches an army to conquer the northern wasteland, the entire situation will be ruined in an instant.”

“Is this not the folly of those lacking wisdom?”

“On the contrary, invading the south to subdue the barbarians is the wiser choice.”

“With northern troops marching south, supported by Duan Yuanjun’s forces as the central army, and led by the experienced commanders Xiao the Marquis and the General, who understand the barbarians well, how could they fail to eradicate them in one fell swoop?”

“At that time, the General’s efforts to rescue Xiao the Marquis and Fu the General would not be difficult.”

After hearing his words, Xiao Jinghong fell silent.

So it was indeed this plan.

Cui family had devised this very strategy.

By leveraging Xiao family’s influence, they had redirected the Emperor’s northern expedition into a southern campaign—its purpose… was to secure this realm?

Xiao Jinghong mused on these thoughts, replying in a neutral tone: “Lord Cui, your kindness is profound.”

Song Jinjin smiled. “One person’s strength is limited; the collective effort of many is greater.”

“As a Heavenly Officer, the Emperor himself does not wish to see the realm plunged into chaos. He merely seeks the safest path to fulfill his desires.”

“For this reason, the Lord has sent me to Shuzhou, hoping we might join forces with you, Xiao family.”

Song Jinjin said these words, fixing his gaze on Xiao Jinghong’s earnest expression: “How do you intend to proceed, General?”

Xiao Jinghong looked down at him. “Why is it me, and not my grandfather?”

“You—and Lord Cui—should understand that the Xiao family’s allegiance lies with my grandfather.”

Song Jinjin paused, then replied: “Now, General Xiao is the commander of the Duan Yuanjun forces.”

“Without your approval, my grandfather would have to step forward himself, and there would be no way to mobilize the Duan Yuanjun.”

“Just as these days, General, you have privately dispatched three garrison troops for training exercises.” “My grandfather would not have been so resolute.”

Xiao Jinghong slightly smiled at the corner of his mouth. “If I do not agree, how would your lord fare?”

Upon hearing this, Song Jinjin’s smile grew subdued. “General, you do not wish to save Xiao the Marquis and Fu the General?”

“I do.”

Xiao Jinghong flicked his wrist, drawing his sword to reveal a radiant sword flower. “But I wish to ensure the safety of Shuzhou above all!”

Before his words had fully settled, his figure had already vanished.

Song Jinjin’s expression darkened. He withdrew his non-contested sword and struck diagonally to his left.

Xiao Jinghong blinked, and as he landed, his sword erupted with a sweeping blade intent.

Clang!

The sharp ring of steel echoed, and two overwhelming blade forces surged outward like wind, enshrouding the entire valley.

Song Jinjin was knocked back ten feet, staring at Xiao Jinghong. “General, your resolve is firm?”

“If this opportunity is missed, rescuing Xiao the Marquis and Fu the General will be as impossible as climbing the heavens.”

“Think thrice before proceeding.”

Xiao Jinghong’s sword pointed directly at him, his voice cold: “I will rescue them in my own way!”

Then he vanished again, leaving only a fading silhouette.

Song Jinjin’s face turned utterly cold. “If so, then I shall not hold back!”

He pressed on, his non-contested sword sweeping effortlessly, its dark ink-like blade intent trailing behind.

The blade force wrapped around his weapon, slicing through one side of the valley with ease, then slowly descending.

Boom! The mountains and rocks crumbled, dust billowing into the air.

Xiao Jinghong’s form reappeared, struck down by his blade, then dissipated into a mere breeze once more.

The sword light gleamed like silver.

Brilliant and dazzling.

Song Jinjin did not retreat but pressed forward, his body rigid, his non-contested sword striking in rapid succession.

Each blade force formed a barrier before him.

Soon, the valley rang with the clinking of steel.

Two residual shadows clashed fiercely, severing all trees and rocks around them.

“What a marvelous Qingfeng Sword!”

“Swift, brilliant, extraordinary!”

“No wonder it is the ultimate art of the sword master Li Wu-zhi!”

Song Jinjin had long since abandoned his attempts to persuade Xiao Jinghong, his focus now entirely on the battle.

In recent years, he had diligently refined his sword techniques, yet his martial arts remained stuck at the pinnacle of completeness, making no further progress.

In the end, he lacked opportunities for life-and-death struggles.

Xiao Jinghong faced the same predicament.

Her martial prowess was only slightly inferior to Song Jinjin’s, yet due to her study of spear techniques, her sword skills advanced more slowly.

Additionally, among the army, she had few opponents, deprived of the chance to confront true peril.

This battle was both a contest and a quest for breakthrough.

Thus, neither held back, their attacks relentless, targeting each other’s vital points.

Yet Song Jinjin, having reached the first-grade middle realm, was a full level above Xiao Jinghong’s second-grade middle realm.

In the short term, she could endure.

But over time, she would inevitably tire.

In fact, had it not been for her established spear technique and the subtle edge of divine perception, she could not have matched Song Jinjin’s ferocity.

At some point,

The clouds above dispersed, and the bright moon and stars shone brilliantly.

Xiao Jinghong’s form materialized, her long sword gleaming under the moonlight, more radiant than ever.

As her silhouette appeared, the sword light condensed into a single strike, unleashing its blade intent.

Though not grand in display, it possessed an apex sharpness that cut through the air like a blade honed to perfection.

In contrast, when Song Jinjian and Song Jin were clad in their true essences and protective bodies, their forms gradually faded into shadow, as though swallowing the moonlight itself.

Even the non-claiming sword in their dance vanished entirely from sight.

Swift, yet strange.

As time wore on, both men’s breaths grew unbearably weak.

Their true power, sword intent, even their command over the spirits of heaven and earth—all diminished.

At this point, the contest was no longer merely about cultivation or technique, but resilience.

*Ping!*

*Bang!*

Two sharp chimes rang out, and Xiao Hong’s form vanished like a ghost, flashing to Song Jinjian’s side, his long sword descending.

—If!

The sword light that manifested no longer cut straight as a blade, but swayed like willow branches in the wind, intertwining and coiling toward Song Jinjian.

“Good!”

Song Jinjian let out a low hiss, charging toward those radiant sword beams.

Dodging, leaping, weaving—he parried with the non-claiming sword, countering with fluid motion.

A thrust here, a sweep there, a slash, a block.

His swordplay boasted no flourish or artifice, merely the most fundamental techniques—yet they stood evenly matched against Xiao Hong.

Moreover, his non-claiming sword was slightly longer and finer; when he drew it, the blade trembled like a serpent’s shadow, each strike driving Xiao Hong back.

Such was the strangeness of it all.

After but a few moments of clash, both bore wounds.

Beneath the torn hems, faint trails of blood marked their bodies.

And as time passed, their injuries deepened—gashes to the organs, wounds to the meridians.

Just as they prepared for a desperate, fatal struggle, a whistling sound came from the south.

A roar followed: “Who dares assault General Xiao—surrender and be taken prisoner!”

Song Jinjian furrowed his brow, about to speak—when Xiao Hong once again thrust a sword straight at his chest.

Song Jinjian’s brow darkened, let out a cold hiss, parried with his non-claiming sword, sidestepped, and soared into the air.

He looked down at Xiao Hong and whispered, “It seems there can be no further contest today.”

“General Xiao, I beg you to consider—this matter… the longer it drags on, the more disadvantageous it becomes for you and your family.”

“Enough! Let this be the end—we shall meet again!”

Xiao Hong prepared to employ his martial art in pursuit—when he saw Song Jinjian had already vanished ten li away.

By the time he looked again, the figure was fifty li distant, his movement far surpassing expectation.

“The path of the Great Becoming realm…”

Xiao Hong furrowed his brow, gazing at the silhouette that had disappeared into the horizon.

For the moment, Song Jinjian had held back his full strength.

Xiao Hong silently sheathed his sword.

He waited a moment.

Men such as Ma Wei and others, riding from the Mong Water Pass, arrived and, upon seeing Xiao Hong, immediately bowed:

“General Xiao, we arrive too late—we beg your forgiveness for the delay in our rescue!”

Xiao Hong motioned for them to rise, then passed over them and moved toward the Mong Water Pass.

“General, that man…”

“Give it no further thought—he was merely a swordsman seeking renown in the world.”

“Renown… him?”

Xiao Hong, his back turned, gave a slight gesture, “Go home—defending the frontier is the priority.”

The men exchanged glances and could only follow.

They did not know, however, that Xiao Hong’s lips bled slightly.

“My sword… it is not strong enough… far from strong enough!”

(Chapter Complete)