Volume One, Chapter 46: One Slash to Sever the Head!

Sheathe your blades!

Draw your blades!

Amidst the biting morning wind, Zhang Muyang and Su Ying were practicing the God-Slaying Saber technique in the courtyard.

The Cold Feather Saber sliced through the air, leaving behind a series of afterimages, while the blade's glow faintly carried the sound of wind and thunder.

By now, Zhang Muyang had broken through to the mid-stage of the Bone-Refining realm. Combined with the system's fifty percent strength boost, he was confident that in terms of raw physical power alone, he was second to no martial artist in the Meridian-Refining realm. However, Zhou Tong was a veteran of many battlefields with extremely rich combat experience, so Zhang Muyang dared not show the slightest negligence. Every single strike was executed with the pursuit of perfection, thoroughly fusing his newly acquired strength with the saber techniques.

Right at that moment—

"Brother Mu! Brother Mu!"

Zhang Xiaobei rushed over at top speed, his voice urgent: "Deputy Commander Wu is mustering the troops at the parade ground and orders us to assemble immediately without delay!"

Understood!

Hearing this, Zhang Muyang flicked his wrist, and the Cold Feather Saber precisely slid back into its scabbard.

He grabbed the profound iron armor that had been prepared nearby and deftly donned it. The armor was forged from plates of repeatedly refined tempered iron and was pitch-black throughout. Embedded right at the chest was a fierce copper beast-faced heart-protecting mirror with protruding tusks, looking as though it wanted to devour someone alive, adding a fierce and menacing aura to him.

Outside the courtyard, led by Wu Kexiong, Chen Xiucheng, and Liu Yunzhao, the reinforcement soldiers from Sifang County had already finished forming up and were mounting their horses.

"Let's move!"

Wu Kexiong gave a low shout, and dozens of horsemen shot out of the courtyard like arrows released from a bow, galloping rapidly toward the Zhenbei Pass parade ground.

Banners fluttered like a forest across the parade ground, snapping loudly against the wind.

Tens of thousands of frontier-defending soldiers donned heavy armor and brandished weapons, with sabers and spears packed tightly together like ears of wheat. The soaring, stern aura of slaughter was so oppressive that people struggled to breathe.

Atop the command platform, the three deputy commanders of the frontier garrison—Wang Shibei, Zhou Chong, and Ma Zhiyuan—sat squarely in the center with solemn expressions. Below them sat the commanders of the various battalions in sequence, every single one of them wearing a grave expression and radiating the iron-blooded aura of seasoned veterans.

The entire parade ground was dead silent, permeated by the stifling tension of an impending great battle.

Clatter, clatter, clatter...

A rapid and unfamiliar sound of hooves shattered the dead silence.

Since when did the frontier garrison possess organized cavalry?

Almost by instinct, the garrison soldiers below instantly grew tense.

The front-row saber-and-shield infantry immediately erected their shields, the rear-row spearmen lowered their spear tips, and the archers instinctively notched arrows onto their strings. Every single gaze locked dead onto the direction from which the hoofbeats came, their formations subtly adjusting as if facing a formidable enemy.

Gradually, the hoofbeats grew closer and closer, resembling rolling thunder.

An on-duty battalion commander shouted, "Who goes there? Halt immediately! Anyone who forcibly enters the parade ground will be executed without mercy!"

"Wu Kexiong, Deputy Commander of the Sifang County reinforcements! Reporting for duty!"

Wu Kexiong's voice rang out like a booming bell.

Five hundred armored cavalry poured into the parade ground in a roaring torrent of black steel! The heavy iron armor intertwined with the clanging sounds of horseshoe strikes, causing the ground to tremble slightly. That unstoppable, fierce momentum instantly subdued the entire audience!

The generals on the command platform changed expression and rose to their feet one after another. Even Deputy Commander Wang Shibei, who had always been known for his composure, flashed a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Deputy Commander Wu?"

Wang Shibei shouted, "Please come up to the platform to speak!"

Wu Kexiong dismounted, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's, and cupped his fists saying, "Deputy Commander Wang! Why is General Xiao nowhere to be seen to preside over the assembly?"

"This... General Xiao has accidentally caught a cold and is feeling unwell. Military affairs for the time being have been temporarily presided over by this commander."

"A cold?"

Wu Kexiong glanced at Zhou Chong and intentionally asked, "When this subordinate last led troops to arrive at Zhenbei Pass, General Xiao was likewise not to be seen. I wonder if the elder is well now? We reinforcement generals are deeply concerned."

"General Xiao is entirely well, so there is no need for Deputy Commander Wu to trouble yourself with concern."

Wang Shibei said in a deep voice, "Today, all units have been summoned simply because the Northern Yan army is pressing upon our borders, and the tactical window is urgent. My intention is to reorganize the reinforcements from various provinces with the frontier garrison under a unified command so as to facilitate coordinated operations. Do any of you have objections?"

"This subordinate agrees!"

"This subordinate agrees!"

Several deputy commanders and battalion commanders successively voiced their approval.

At this very moment...

"Reporting to the Deputy Commander!"

Zhou Tong suddenly stepped out of the ranks, cupped his fists in a salute toward the platform, and declared in a ringing voice, "A few days ago, this subordinate made an appointment with Zhang Mu, the tuobai of the Sifang County reinforcements, to engage in a sparring duel here on the parade ground today! Since the various armies are currently gathered, why not use this to add to the festivities and allow the lads of our frontier garrison to witness the demeanor of our reinforcement brothers!"

"An excellent proposal! It can both boost troop morale and display our military might!"

Zhou Chong immediately spoke up in agreement, a trace of imperceptible malice flashing in his eyes.

Without waiting for Wang Shibei and Ma Zhiyuan to state their positions, Zhou Tong strode with large, confident steps to the center of the parade ground, carrying a battle saber on his shoulder. With an immensely arrogant posture, he roared fiercely, "Zhang Mu! Your duel is right here, do you dare to fight?!"

"Why wouldn't I dare!"

Without a shred of fear, Zhang Muyang walked step by step into the center of the field.

What?

A mere tuobai actually dared to challenge a battalion commander?

Ma Zhiyuan did not know who Zhang Muyang was, but Wang Shibei's pupils constricted slightly. He vaguely felt that this matter was not so simple; Zhang Muyang was certainly no reckless person, and challenging Zhou Tong now must have his reasons—it was just that he himself could not quite see through it.

Wu Kexiong raised his arm and shouted, "Zhang Mu, fight with all your might! Don't shame us men of Sifang County!"

"Zhang Mu will win!"

"Zhang Mu will win!"

Wang Yi, Wang Dadong, Zhang Xiaobei, and other soldiers from Sifang County shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and momentarily overpowering the momentum of the frontier garrison.

Haha!

Zhou Tong laughed loudly and said, "What fun is there in a mere sparring match? Zhang Mu, do you dare to sign a life-and-death pact with this lord, go all out, and determine both victory and life or death?!"

"Cut the crap and hand over those two hundred taels of silver to me."

"Hmph! Hand them to you so what? I'm just afraid you won't live to spend them!"

Zhou Tong sneered with disdain, pulled a pouch of silver from his bosom, tossed it casually onto the ground, and said coldly, "If you win, this Profound Light Armor of mine is yours! Conversely, if you lose, leave the saber in your hand behind for me!"

"Deal!" Zhang Muyang answered resolutely.

Military scribes immediately presented the life-and-death pact.

Without a moment's hesitation, both men pressed their handprints.

Dong! Dong! Dong!

The battle drums sounded in a rumbling cadence, heavy and solemn, instantly tightening the hearts of everyone present.

Tens of thousands of gazes focused on the two figures in the center of the parade ground, making the air feel as though it had frozen.

Wang Yi silently bent his bow and notched an arrow, concealing the arrowhead beneath his sleeve while locking his gaze firmly onto Zhou Tong.

The moment Zhang Muyang faced any danger, he would immediately loose an arrow.

As for the consequences?

To hell with military law; he didn't care at all.

Su Ying also tightly gripped the hilt of her Yanling saber, her entire aura condensing like a fully drawn bow, ready to charge forward and rescue him at any second.

Who would emerge victorious?

One was a battalion commander, a warrior of the Meridian-Refining realm.

The other was a tuobai, a warrior of the Flesh-Refining realm.

This left virtually no suspense.

"If you can take three blows from me, consider it my loss!"

Zhou Tong let out a furious roar, his feet stomped fiercely against the ground, and his figure surged forth like a ferocious tiger breaking out of its cage. The battle saber in his hand tore through the air, carrying a piercing whistle as it slashed straight toward Zhang Muyang's face!

The momentum was immensely heavy and powerful, vowing to slay his opponent in a single strike!

Zhang Muyang did not meet the blow head-on. Instead, his figure flickered as he skillfully took a side step backward, dodging the sharpest edge of the attack.

Haha!

Just a cowardly rat who only knew how to dodge?

Zhou Tong laughed wildly with elation, pressing his advantage relentlessly. His saber technique grew increasingly fierce and ruthless, each strike faster than the last, forcing Zhang Muyang to retreat repeatedly in what appeared to be a perilous situation.

Little did anyone know that Zhang Muyang was retreating without panic, his gaze as cold as ice as he secretly observed Zhou Tong's force-exerting methods and the flaws in his saber path.

Right when Zhou Tong's previous saber move was spent and his new strength had yet to rise—

A brilliant flash erupted in Zhang Muyang's eyes!

Now is the time!

His footwork suddenly shifted, his speed skyrocketing instantly. Like a ghost, he closed in, instantly shrinking the distance between himself and Zhou Tong!

"Overlapping Wave Slash!"

With a low roar, the Cold Feather Saber abruptly left its sheath!

This time, he quietly integrated the force-exerting techniques and killing intent of the "God-Slaying Saber" into it. The momentum of his blade resembled towering waves whipped up by a tsunami, layer pressing upon layer with surging might, fiercely meeting Zhou Tong head-on.

Overestimating your own capabilities!

That was merely a flaw he had deliberately exposed!

A cold smile crossed the corner of Zhou Tong's mouth. He couldn't even be bothered to change his stance, relying solely on his Meridian-Refining realm cultivation and abundant experience to swing his saber backward in a parry, intending to knock away Zhang Muyang's Cold Feather Saber before lunging forward to cut Zhang Muyang down in one stroke.

Who would have thought...

Clang!!!

The two sabers collided violently, bursting forth with a deafening, metallic crash!

Zhou Tong only felt a colossal, overwhelming force transmit through his saber blade, numbing his arms and causing his blood to churn frantically. He was actually forced to stumble back three steps in succession!

How is this possible?!

Zhou Tong let out an involuntary cry of shock, his face filled with sheer disbelief and astonishment.

As a Meridian-Refining realm warrior, he was actually forced back by a tuobai in a direct clash of physical strength?

This was simply utter humiliation!

Zhou Tong erupted entirely, driving the blood within his body into a frenzy and pushing his Meridian-Refining cultivation to its absolute peak. A faint glow even flickered across the surface of his blade. Gathering all of his strength and unleashing ten-percent power, he roared as he met Zhang Muyang's incoming second strike!

He was going to use absolute power to cleave both the man and the saber in two!

Who would win?

At this moment, the ten thousand soldiers on the parade ground held their breath in unison, widening their eyes for fear of missing a single detail.

The entire field was so quiet that a needle dropping could be heard, with only the battle drums continuing to rumble.

Boom!!!

This blade strike produced a sound even more ferocious than the previous one, resembling a sudden clap of thunder on flat ground!

The ferocious expression on Zhou Tong's face instantly transformed into terror. He felt a terrifying force several times more formidable than the first strike surging toward him like a true tidal wave, completely exceeding his limits of endurance!

Crack—!

A crisp and piercing snapping sound rang out!

Before Zhou Tong's terrified gaze, the hundred-refined fine steel battle saber in his hand actually snapped right in two!

The Cold Feather Saber continued on unimpeded, carrying a chilling intent to kill as it carved a fatal arc through the air, heading straight for Zhou Tong's throat.

"Stop!!!"

Terrified out of his wits, Zhou Chong leapt fiercely to his feet, attempting to intervene, but everything happened far too quickly!

His shout of prohibition had barely left his lips—

Splat!

The dull sound of the Cold Feather Saber slicing through flesh echoed out.

Blood splattered everywhere!

Zhou Tong's head soared into the air, and fresh blood gushed like a fountain from his severed neck, staining the beast-face pattern on Zhang Muyang's chest.

The headless corpse swayed for a moment before crashing heavily to the ground.

The entire parade ground fell into a dead silence.