Chapter 297 - 198: Slaying the Dragon

Chapter 297: Chapter 198: Slaying the Dragon

But Fang Hu and his son were as cunning as foxes, their movements erratic and unpredictable.

Capturing them was easier said than done.

But that was all just official rhetoric. In reality, the reason these rebels could run rampant and evade suppression time and again was twofold: on one hand, some still held lingering attachments to the imperial court; on the other, some were intentionally letting the threat fester to increase their own military importance.

But now, the higher-ups had issued repeated orders. If he couldn’t produce any tangible results soon, that Celestial King Chen wouldn’t be so courteous.

Therefore, this time, he had to completely annihilate Fang Hu’s contingent of Great Wei Dynasty troops.

However, County Magistrate Liu believed that as long as he could capture them, he would surely be credited with the greatest merit.

Then, he might even be able to use this opportunity to rack up achievements, earning a promotion and a title.

As he envisioned this wonderful future, County Magistrate Liu’s heart burned with excitement. ’I wish I could sprout wings and fly over there right now!’

"Men! Light the fires!"

County Magistrate Liu waved his arm, giving the order.

"Yes, sir!" several soldiers immediately came forward, carrying torches.

WHOOSH! One by one, they lit the arrowheads, and the flames roared to life.

"Fire!"

At his command, a dense volley of arrows rained down into the canyon.

The air was dry and the foliage tinder. As expected, when the fire arrows landed in the canyon, they ignited it completely.

COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!

The canyon was instantly filled with billowing smoke, causing everyone inside to cough violently.

The canyon was flanked by sheer cliffs, impossible to climb, let alone escape from.

"It’s over!"

Seeing this, the figures in the canyon were all filled with despair.

They all knew that tonight, there was absolutely no escape.

"Hahahaha! Fang Hu, oh, Fang Hu, in your wildest dreams you never imagined you’d meet your end here, did you!" County Magistrate Liu stood at the canyon entrance, laughing heartily as he looked down at the scene below.

His words were dripping with satisfaction.

Ever since Fang Hu and his son were in the county seat, they had been at odds with him. They had clashed in secret countless times, and they had even sent assassins after him.

With new hatred piled on old grievances, how could he possibly forget!

"County Magistrate Liu, you who lived on the imperial court’s stipend, have turned traitor! Your crimes are unforgivable! Today, I will cut you down!" A voice suddenly boomed from deep within the canyon as a sturdy, imposing figure charged out.

This man was none other than Fang Hu.

However, Fang Hu looked to be in a wretched state, covered in dust and swaying unsteadily.

During the fire arrow attack, although he had blocked with his saber and shield in time, he had still been burned in many places by the Flame.

Most critically, this place, surrounded by sheer cliffs, offered no room to dodge, let alone to escape.

"Heh, Fang Hu, do you really think you can turn the tables? What wishful thinking!" County Magistrate Liu sneered.

He was in the late stage of Qi Sensing, not far from the Innate realm.

Fang Hu’s cultivation was much weaker than his. He was only a Martial Master in the early stage of Qi Sensing, a full two minor realms below him. Not to mention, he now had a massive number of troops under his command. Even if Fang Hu wanted to escape with his life, it would be extremely difficult—to say nothing of trying to assassinate him in a situation like this.

"Hmph. In that case, I will strike you down here and now. Consider it a final gesture to honor the bond we shared as fellow officials!" County Magistrate Liu sneered, drew his longsword, and charged straight at Fang Hu.

His speed was immense. In the blink of an eye, he was upon Fang Hu, his longsword cleaving through the air in a vicious strike aimed at Fang Hu’s head.

THWACK!

Just then, a Crossbow Arrow suddenly flew out, piercing clean through County Magistrate Liu’s chest.

In an instant, blood sprayed forth, dyeing County Magistrate Liu crimson.

THUD!

County Magistrate Liu collapsed to the ground, his eyes wide with disbelief. He clearly could not accept that he, a dignified late-stage Qi Sensing Martial Artist, had been killed so easily in a sneak attack.

With their commander killed, the Rebel Army that had followed County Magistrate Liu to ambush Fang Hu’s group of imperial troops instantly fell into a panic.

Although Fang Hu didn’t know who had fired the Crossbow Arrow, he knew this was an opportunity not to be missed. He roared, "Brothers, fight our way out!"

"Fight our way out!"

Hearing Fang Hu’s command, the remaining soldiers of the Great Wei Dynasty roared and charged furiously at County Magistrate Liu’s Rebel Army.

PSCHT!

Blades flashed, and heads rolled onto the ground. Having already lost their commander, the panicked Rebel Army was thrown into complete chaos by the sudden charge.

A few moments later, aside from a few scattered, dying screams, the area around the canyon fell silent, as if everything had been swept away by a gust of wind...

But Fang Hu and his men did not give chase. After all, they too had suffered heavy losses in this battle and had no strength left to fight.

"General, what do we do now?" one of his personal guards asked.

"Go! We leave this place. We have to find a way out of Shanyang Prefecture."

The situation in Shanyang Prefecture is complex. The Rebel Army’s control over the entire prefecture is strengthening. Before long, there will be no place for us to hide in the mountains and countryside.

"If we stay, death is certain."

"Yes, sir!"

The men nodded.

~~~~~~~

「Three months later」

Night had fallen in the dense forests of the Boundary Mountain range. Inside a Mountain God Temple.

"Prince Wucheng’s Rebel Army has blockaded the river. Crossing it now is as hard as climbing to the heavens."

Fang Hu said to Fang Yue with a sigh.

Even he hadn’t expected that the two of them, master and disciple, would reunite under such circumstances.

He had originally thought that amid the chaos of those years, they would never have the chance to see each other again.

He never imagined they would meet again after more than a year.