Xiao Jiu charged at Ye Qiu once more.
This was the final strike.
His speed was slow, and not only that, Xiao Jiu could barely stand, his feet stumbling, looking as though he might collapse at any moment.
His fist was loose and feeble, without the slightest bit of strength.
Yet, in Xiao Jiu’s eyes, there burned an unyielding resolve, as if proclaiming to others that even if a mountain of blades or a sea of fire lay before him, he would never retreat.
Never give up!
Ye Qiu felt a pang of regret in his heart.
Originally, Xiao Jiu didn’t have to die, but to prove his loyalty and filial piety, he sought death with all his heart.
Perhaps in the eyes of the despicable, Xiao Jiu’s actions were utterly foolish, something only a fool would do, but in the eyes of the noble, Xiao Jiu’s behaviour was heroic, though somewhat tragic, it was admirable.
As the commander of the Northern Territory, Xiao Jiu had not failed his lord’s grace.
As a disciple of the Forbidden City, he had not let down his master.
As a warrior, he sacrificed himself for his country.
As a martial artist, he fought until his final moment.
This is how a true man should be!
While Ye Qiu admired Xiao Jiu, he also felt a sense of melancholy.
“Once, in my heart, he was an insurmountable mountain, I never imagined he would end his life in this way.”
“What a pity.”
Ye Qiu watched Xiao Jiu, quietly waiting for him to approach.
Ten metres.
Eight metres.
Six metres.
Three metres.
Two metres.
Half a metre.
Finally, Xiao Jiu’s fist swung forward.
Ye Qiu could sense no strength at all in Xiao Jiu’s fist, it was as weak as an infant’s.
But Ye Qiu showed no mercy.
Boom!
He threw a punch.
Xiao Jiu, like a kite with a broken string, arced through the air, flying twenty metres.
Clang!
His body crashed heavily onto the ground.
Blood spurted ceaselessly from Xiao Jiu’s mouth, he wasn’t dead yet, he still tried to stand, but after struggling for a while, he couldn’t rise.
He could feel the Reaper drawing ever closer.
In his final moment.
Xiao Jiu seemed to recall something, turning his head to look at Xiao Qingdi, his lips moving with difficulty, producing no sound.
But Ye Qiu, reading his lips, understood, Xiao Jiu had said eight words to Xiao Qingdi.
“Live well, don’t seek revenge.”
Xiao Qingdi clearly understood Xiao Jiu’s lip movements too, collapsing to the ground, crying out, “Brother, brother!”
Ye Qiu walked to Xiao Jiu, squatted down, and said, “Be brothers again in the next life.”
A smile appeared on Xiao Jiu’s face, then, he peacefully closed his eyes.
A generation’s Champion Marquis had fallen.
From this moment on, the title of Champion Marquis would only live in people’s memories.
“Rest in peace!”
Ye Qiu stood up, took two steps back, and stood at attention.
Swish!
He saluted Xiao Jiu with a military salute.
Immediately after.
The War God stood up, his face solemn, slowly raising his right hand to salute Xiao Jiu as well.
Such a warrior deserved respect.
Ye Wudi followed suit with a salute.
“Amitabha,” Master Du’e pressed his palms together, bowing his head, softly chanting the Rebirth Mantra.
Old Master Ye and Dragon Lady stood up, bowing their heads in silent mourning.
Old Tang’s eyes reddened, he stood, saluting Xiao Jiu while shouting loudly, “Farewell to the Champion Marquis!”
Whoosh!
The prominent figures from the noble families at the scene rose one after another, sending Xiao Jiu off in their own way.
Though Xiao Jiu was dead, his heroic spirit would live forever.
Afterwards, Ye Qiu lifted Xiao Jiu’s body, gently placing it to the side to prevent the upcoming battle from damaging his remains.
Adjusting his mood.
Ye Qiu turned, his gaze falling on Long Yi’s face, and said provocatively, “Old man, come meet your death!”
The crowd was stunned.
No one expected Ye Qiu to dare challenge Long Yi.
“This lad, he really isn’t afraid of death!”
“I reckon he knows he’ll die tonight, so he’s just throwing caution to the wind.”
“Just watch, this lad will soon be torn to pieces.”
Long Er shouted, “Ye Qiu, who do you think you are, daring to yell at Big Brother?”
“Last time in Jiangzhou, I told you I’d kill you with my own hands.”
Long Er then said to Long Yi, “Big Brother, you rest for now, I’ll slaughter that lad and avenge our brothers.”
“Hm,” Long Yi responded softly.
Long Er stepped forward, ready to act.
Suddenly, a resounding voice rang out, “Second Uncle, why use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken?”
“Leave this one to me.”
“He dares disrespect Master, I’ll make him regret ever being born.”
The crowd turned to see, through the wind and snow, a man holding a long sword walking slowly towards them.
He was 1.7 metres tall, with a short crew cut, dark skin, and unremarkable features, the kind of person you’d forget the moment you turned away after seeing him in a crowd.
There was nothing noteworthy about him.
Utterly ordinary.
But, upon closer inspection, one would notice that each of his steps was heavy, yet left no trace on the ground.
A master!
Ye Qiu’s eyes narrowed, studying the man closely, only to find he couldn’t discern the man’s cultivation level.
Suddenly, a name flashed into his mind.
Zhuge Yun!
Sure enough, Long Er said, “Zhuge Yun, I’ll leave Ye Qiu to you.”
“Remember, don’t let this lad die too quickly.”
“Your uncles died by his hand, make him feel what it’s like to wish for death before you kill him.”
Zhuge Yun?
The crowd was astonished.
“Is he the master of the Shu Sword Pavilion, Zhuge Yun?”
“Didn’t they say the Sword Pavilion was destroyed by Ye Wushuang years ago, how is Zhuge Yun still alive?”
“Zhuge Yun was a martial arts genius back then, who knows how powerful he’s become after all these years?”
“Ye Qiu is done for.”
The War God and Old Master Ye exchanged a glance, their expressions calm, Zhuge Yun’s appearance was within their expectations.
“Lad, how do you want to die?”
Zhuge Yun called out from afar, as if, in his eyes, killing Ye Qiu was easier than crushing an ant.
“How do I want to die?” Ye Qiu laughed, “I don’t want to die.”
“Tell me, who in this world wants to die?”
“But you, with such an arrogant tone, be careful or I’ll tear you to pieces later.”
Zhuge Yun was utterly dismissive, “No one in this world can tear me to pieces.”
“Lad, don’t think that because Xiao Jiu died by your hand, you’re qualified to challenge the Forbidden City.”
“In my eyes, you’re as weak as an ant.”
“To kill you, I need only one strike.”
Clang!
Zhuge Yun drew his long sword, instantly releasing an intensely chilling aura.
“One strike to kill me? Big words,” Ye Qiu laughed in exasperation.
“You don’t believe me? Then let me show you,” Zhuge Yun said, his figure suddenly vanishing from the spot.
The next second, his sword’s edge was at Ye Qiu’s throat.
