Forge a path to success.

Chapter 374 War and Turmoil (4)

"Is everything ready with the store manager? You're really enthusiastic. What about Trek?...Okay, I understand. Be careful."

Chu Hengkong cut off the communication and turned to ask, "Is everything ready?"

Qingxia raised her hand: "I need a kiss to inject power! Otherwise I might lose! Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Chu Hengkong poked her forehead hard: "A lot of people will be watching, be serious."

“I understand, we’ll win~” Qingxia covered her forehead. “But, will winning solve the problem? It doesn’t seem like everyone will change their minds because of a duel.”

"Of course not, this battle is just an excuse," Chu Hengkong said. "Excuses can guide thinking, but they can't change the status quo. The key to solving problems is always people and effort."

Qingxia nodded repeatedly: "I see~~ That's why I said Xiaoye is the key."

The two of them looked at the other end of the preparation room. Miss Canxin was sitting on the bench with an expression of extreme stomach pain. It wouldn't be surprising if she vomited at any moment.

They used this arena competition as an opportunity to devise a small plan, and Qingye was the core of this plan.

"I sent the letter a long time ago, but... the patriarch's reply hasn't arrived yet..." Qingye covered her face. "What if the patriarch disagrees?! Wouldn't that be considered giving false information?! I'd be the first one executed if the truth came out!!"

"Are you already feeling the psychological burden?" Chu Hengkong patted her shoulder forcefully. "Think about your ambitions."

Vande chimed in, "You're the woman who's going to turn the entire Shura Island into a battlefield!"

"Please, you two, shut up! You're losing all fighting spirit as you talk!"

Qingye took a few deep breaths, picked up her twin swords, and stood up.

"Okay, let's go."

Van der was very impressed: "I told you she had the talent to be a dictator."

"Watch out, one-eyed squid, I might really chop you up!"

"Go go go!"

Qingye stepped out of the preparation room amidst cheers, greeted by blinding sunlight and a surging crowd. The oval dueling arena, resembling a stadium, was packed with people; almost half the military camp had come to watch this decisive duel. She knew that not only the military camp, but probably citizens from other factions were also watching the duel, with hundreds of millions of eyes fixed on her.

The referee was none other than the second captain, Huan Ge himself. He raised his hand in the center of the arena and shouted, "According to the ancient tradition of the military camp, the victor is justice. Now, let's begin the first Ironthorn Crown 'Justice' Tournament!"

"First match, point mass, 3-way battle! Both contestants, enter the arena!"

The Independent faction's contestant was the first to enter the arena amidst cheers. He was a treant clad in full-body armor, wielding a large green sword. Huan Ge introduced him: "Independent faction, from the Ironthorn Crown Second Team, Path of Unity Point 3, 'Green Blade' Graru."

"Charge, Graru!" "Let them know our resolve to protect the sacred tree!" "Don't let us lose to outsiders!"

The audience has reason to be confident. Unlike those pampered Ascendants, Grall is a powerful fighter who has earned his reputation on the battlefield.

His character and abilities are absolutely first-rate. If he weren't so young, he would have already crossed the first abyss.

Huan Ge pointed to the other side: "The Allied Forces, from the Guangshi family of Shura Island, the Path of the Remnant Heart, Point 3, Guangshi Qingye!"

The shouts of encouragement abruptly ceased, replaced by a cacophony of discussion. "That Guangshi family?" "People from Shura Island?" "Why would a prestigious family of the Remnant Hearts..."

Amidst the murmurs, Qingye stepped into the dueling arena, ignoring the commotion around him, and bowed to his opponent. Gralu returned the bow meticulously, and both assumed their fighting stances. He calmly calculated before the drums signaling the start of the battle.

"Everyone is in his place..."

Having spent so long on the front lines, he knew the characteristics of the various schools of Soul Reapers like the Light Toki family. Soul Reapers were primarily known for their speed, while the Musou Reverse Heart Style would more or less utilize the interplay of light and shadow.

The opponent likely has a wide range of tactics, and with their high speed, a preemptive strike is probably hopeless. Therefore, I must utilize my advantages as a treant and rely on my endurance to withstand the first attack…

"preparation……"

He raised his long sword and held his breath.

Wait for the enemy to run out of energy and reveal an opening before launching a counterattack!
"Begin! End! Victor, the light will sweep away the night!"

...?
what happens?

In Glaru's mind, the beginning and the end sounded immediately. There wasn't even a moment's pause in between. Was the captain too nervous and called the wrong thing? Did he make a blunder in this situation?
Then, a sudden wave of pain made him turn his head. He then realized that he was no longer on the arena; he was stuck in a pile of wood chips, surrounded by warriors who were just as bewildered as he was.

—In that instant, the enemy knocked him from the ring back to the independence camp!

Above the dueling arena, a video recording, slowed down five hundred times, played back. The Soulbreaker, who burst forth like a beam of light after the starting signal, swung his scabbard, knocking his opponent away, and returned to his original position, sheathing his sword. His movements were fluid and seamless, so fast they seemed like a mirage in the sunlight.

The arena was completely silent.

Huan Ge clapped loudly, like a clueless fool, "Excellent skill! Truly superb swordsmanship, worthy of being a genius from the prestigious Guang Shi family. I just wonder why a genius from Shura Island would come to my city-state to participate in the war?"

Qingye returned the greeting with ancient etiquette and said frankly, "I have come here to convey the determination of Shura Island. Shura Island is also part of the allied forces. The city-state is in dire straits, and our Lord has specially ordered my Guangshi clan to bring the island's elite troops to its aid. At this moment, the reinforcements from Shura Island are already on their way, and the Remnant Hearts already on the front lines will not retreat either!"

She brandished her sword in the sunlight; it was the long sword "Mian Sheng," a symbol of martial prowess!
"Lord Wuzun specially dispatched me to deliver this message in order to stabilize the morale of the troops. Everything I said earlier is true, and I have Lord Wuzun's sword as proof!"

The second branch erupted in uproar, the soldiers in a frenzy of shock. The core members of the independence faction hurriedly looked at Silane: "General..." "It's true," Silane confirmed, "I've seen that sword. Mingwu never parted with it... After all, it belonged to his brother..."

Silay's voice grew softer and softer as he stared intently at Qingye's other dagger.

Isn't that "Longyu"? The other knife lost during the night, a weapon that had long disappeared into the mists of history, how could it have reappeared now?

Did she retrieve the sword for her ancestor...? Then were those who broke through the wilderness earlier really just Chu Hengkong and his group...?
Silian was momentarily confused. As a true veteran, he understood better than anyone what this meant. With these twin swords in hand, coupled with her merit in breaking through the Heavenly Prison, this young girl was the future of Shura Island.

Even if what she says on the stage is a lie, Chunhe Wuzun will make it the truth. Because she is the hero who broke through the Heavenly Prison, what she says is true, and must be true!

"Even if reinforcements arrive, we might not win..."

"The enemy is stronger!"

"Anyone can play word games; even a small boat can be reinforcements!"

Slaine remained silent, and the independence officers grew increasingly anxious. A trusted confidant whispered, "General, reinforcements are almost here, should we... should we still rebel?"

Silian sighed, "You yourself said it's 'rebellious,' so don't you know who's right and who's wrong?"

Without waiting for a reply, he silently walked towards the ring. The independence activists were all at a loss because of this bombshell news, and the scene was so chaotic that no one paid any attention to the general who was about to enter the ring.

How ridiculous. Thlaine thought to herself. Everything was so absurd.

Soldiers fight amongst themselves in the barracks, while outsiders come to uphold justice. A "Love for All" bill, ostensibly for national salvation, is implemented, but the popular but incompetent speaker is sidelined. A good commander has been ousted. The new general is caught in a dilemma. The ignorant masses, with their lives forged in thorns, engage in a tug-of-war.

Everyone sees it clearly. But what good does knowing do? He can't stand up, yet he's made up his mind again. Tens of millions, hundreds of millions, hope he can speak out. The future remains uncertain, and the spirits of the dead watch from afar. All the hesitation has propelled him to take this step.

A pointless battle.

“That’s great…” Slaine muttered to herself, “A ring tournament…that’s a really good idea…”

He tossed aside his cane, head held high, and stepped onto the ring in his military uniform, seemingly preserving this dignity for someone else's sake. Huan Ge's booming voice echoed throughout the arena: "Second match, point-to-point, 4-winner!"

"Independent Faction, from the Ironthorn Crown Second Team, Path of Unity Point 4, 'Veteran' Silayen!"

"Allied faction, free fighter without affiliation, Path of Unity Point 4, Qingxia!"

The opposing player entered the arena; it was the red-haired girl who had been watching the spectacle from the bar. At this moment, she radiated an overwhelming vitality, a pressure that was almost suffocating.

They have no affiliation whatsoever. They are absolutely warriors who fought their way out of the Heavenly Prison. If they were to get serious, it wouldn't even take a second to finish.

Silian smiled and calmly took out his hidden weapon. If he could boost the morale of his warriors, then the fight wouldn't have been in vain. Huan Ge beat the drum.

"start!"

Slaine vanished instantly, his form concealed by invisible wings. He launched darts from 16 different directions, the blade-like throwing knives silently piercing the air. The assassination techniques of the Fourth Team were the same ones he had overseen the development of years ago; on the battlefield, these were tricks reserved for scouts.

Qingxia shifted her body slightly, the leaves brushing past her. She twitched her ears, seemingly a little confused: "Huh..."

Silian wouldn't let this opportunity pass. No matter why she was distracted, the enemy wouldn't stop. He threw two throwing knives at Qingxia's eyes, using a unique force. Qingxia casually picked up two fallen leaves and threw them back in response.

The blades collided in mid-air. They fell simultaneously. Even the force was the same? A terrifying learning ability.

Slayne instinctively changed his tactics, though it meant little to the outcome; the fighting style was ingrained in his bones. The blade traced a bizarre pentagram trajectory, and Qingxia retaliated with an equally bizarre throwing knife. Collision, fall, change again—three feints, one direct strike…

Completely ignoring the feinting throwing knives, a counter-attack struck first, shattering the offensive. Then let's switch to a scimitar formation…

"Um……"

Slaine stood frozen in shock, and as he pondered, the enemy launched a scimitar-like attack of falling leaves.

Qingxia twitched her ears and asked, "Old man, why do you know my family's hidden weapon technique? Is this a compulsory course for your race?"

“No…” Sillian revealed herself in a daze, “This is… a family heirloom…”

"It's a family heirloom? I see!"

Something inside the old man's heart trembled uncontrollably. The red-haired girl smiled brightly at him and asked, "So, do you know Grandpa Slar?"

-

"His ears are a little longer than yours, his eyes are a lighter color, and when he eats, he likes to hold his food in his paws like a hamster..."

Before he could even react, his emotions had already driven him to blurt it out.

"Is he still alive?!"

The old man shouted as if he were a drowning person grasping at a straw.

"Is Silar still alive?!"

(End of this chapter)