Hearing that someone had been shot and wounded by the Northern Desert Army, Lyu Chenglong flew into a rage: “What is wrong with these people? Could it be that you, Grand General Ji Ning, really are colluding with the Black Crow Empire and planning rebellion?”
“Even you doubt this commander?”
Ji Ning had swallowed the antidote Ling Xiao gave him. Though it could not fully neutralise the poison, he should not die for the time being.
His cracked lips were somewhat black, and his face was full of helplessness.
What a fine man he had been!
A grand general!
A man unbreakable on the battlefield, yet betrayed by his own people into this state.
“But how do you explain the current situation?”
Lyu Chenglong asked with some hesitation.
“No need to ask further. I have done all benevolence and righteousness require. Take Ji Ning and Ling Xiao away and begin the counterattack!”
At this moment, Sikong Zun waved his hand, his face showing a serious and solemn expression.
Yet no one noticed the cold smirk that flickered across his lips.
Truly a perfect scheme. He even felt proud of himself.
From now on, whether Ji Ning died or not, Northern Desert City was finished.
Earth-shaking shouts of killing rose near Northern Desert Pass.
The men above and below had all been soldiers of the Divine Phoenix Empire, yet because of a sowing of discord, they began slaughtering each other.
Killing cries shook the heavens, blood splashed everywhere.
Even the starry sky was dyed red.
Ling Xiao felt powerless and once again experienced the frustration of his insufficient strength.
If he were a Yin-Yang Realm expert, he would not be so constrained and could easily resolve today’s events.
But he was not.
And Feng Qingyan could not help him.
After all, Feng Qingyan was royalty at heart. He could not, without clarity, choose to aid someone possibly guilty of treason.
“Boom! Boom!”
Suddenly, strange massive explosions came from the distance.
Ling Xiao could even see flames rolling in the sky.
“Not good. The Black Crow Empire has begun attacking Northern Desert City!”
Ling Xiao’s heart instantly sank halfway.
Sure enough, the worst-case scenario had occurred.
Ji Ning was trembling too.
“Ling Xiao, no matter what method you use, you must hold Northern Desert City for me. Otherwise, even as a ghost, I will not let you off!”
Ji Ning suddenly began circulating his inner energy.
Everyone knew what circulating inner energy while heavily poisoned would lead to.
Ji Ning himself knew.
But he had to get Ling Xiao back.
Since he could no longer leave, placing hope on Ling Xiao was his final recourse.
From these few days of observing Ling Xiao, Ji Ning knew this young man had courage, boldness, and extraordinary strategy. Entrusting Northern Desert City to him would absolutely pose no problem.
“Wait, Grand General. Things have not reached that point yet.”
A voice reached Ling Xiao’s ear. It was Ji Mingkong, lying in wait outside Northern Desert Pass.
“The escorts taking Ling Xiao and Ji Ning could not hear Ji Mingkong’s voice. They only urged the two to move faster.”
Ling Xiao looked toward a section of the city wall.
Northern Desert Pass had gone long without garrison, so naturally some damage had appeared. Though Sikong Zun had repaired it after stationing here, full restoration in a short time was impossible.
After sensing something amiss, Ji Mingkong had found these vulnerabilities, opened them, and led Shadow Assassins inside, creating a path for Ling Xiao and Ji Ning to escape smoothly.
However, the two were still some distance from that spot. Ling Xiao made no unusual moves and did not tell Ji Ning about it. He only reassured Ji Ning to stay calm.
Trusting him, Ji Ning temporarily abandoned the idea of burning his life force.
After walking a bit further to a very concealed spot, Ling Xiao suddenly sensed a strong aura of danger from behind. He hurriedly turned and raised his sword to block.
Bang!
The opponent was too strong. He was blasted flying directly.
The man turned and stabbed an icy blade toward Ji Ning.
The one escorting Ling Xiao and Ji Ning was precisely that previously righteous commander, cultivation at the Ten Directions Heaven.
“Why?”
Ji Ning grabbed the opponent’s blade with his hand and roared the question.
“Since you are both about to die, I will let you die enlightened. The emperor’s meaning is that Northern Desert City can be lost, but you, Ji Ning, must die!”
With that, the blade in his hand thrust down viciously again.
But at that instant, a black shadow appeared silently from the darkness, plunging a pitch-black dagger into the commander’s heart.
“Master, we are late.”
Leng Mei confirmed the commander was dead before looking at Ling Xiao.
“Perfect timing. Go, withdraw at once.”
Ling Xiao called out, and several Shadow Assassin soldiers immediately came to carry Ji Ning, then slipped out through a breach in the wall.
At this point, Ji Ning no longer cared if it was some dog hole.
Compared to the safety of Northern Desert City’s troops and civilians, he clearly cared more for those lives.
“You take Grand General Ji Ning back to the city first. Remember, do not take the main road, or you will collide with the Black Crow Empire’s main force.”
Ling Xiao issued the order, then looked toward Northern Desert Pass.
Below the pass, fighting continued.
He had to stop this meaningless bloodshed and sacrifice.
“Master, let me go with you. At least someone can watch your back.”
“Alright.”
Ling Xiao did not refuse Leng Mei’s kindness. In the current situation, Leng Mei’s help was immense.
Losing face being protected by a woman?
When life was at stake, who cared about face?
Splitting into two groups, Ji Mingkong led the Shadow Assassins to escort Ji Ning back to Northern Desert City, while Ling Xiao and Leng Mei appeared below Northern Desert Pass.
“Commander Li, Commander Zhang, what nonsense are you two up to? The Black Crow Empire is closing on Northern Desert City, yet you are still fighting your own here. Withdraw at once!”
“Ling Xiao! Where is the Grand General?”
Li Ruguang asked.
“The Grand General has returned to Northern Desert City through a safe route. This is his handwritten order. Withdraw quickly. If we delay, it will be too late. We have all been played!”
Ling Xiao shouted urgently.
After Zhang Yufei examined the order, he nodded: “Yes, it is the Grand General’s handwriting. Let us withdraw.”
In truth, the two of them were conflicted at this moment.
On one hand, they wanted to rescue Ji Ning quickly.
On the other, they worried about Northern Desert City.
Now with Ling Xiao’s message, they had no more worries.
Yet what Ling Xiao never expected was that as they withdrew, Sikong Zun actually opened Northern Desert Pass and personally led troops in pursuit.
“That fellow really wants to kill everyone.”
Ling Xiao now saw it completely.
Sikong Zun cared not how many died. Even leading these men out in full force was deliberate.
Yet realising this, Ling Xiao still had no way. No one believed his words, not even Feng Qingyan or Lyu Chenglong.
All he could do now was preserve Northern Desert City.
After all, he was no immortal with boundless power. To achieve this much was already his limit.
