Chapter 165: Chapter 164: Acting for Heaven to Execute the Official, Bring Me His Head

Under the East City Gate, blood flowed like rivers, corpses were everywhere. Li Xian revealed his identity, advising the people to close their doors and stay inside, with no more worries. He wished to annihilate the rebels and overturn the land.

He ordered two veteran B-class Nursing Home members, each leading more than ten men and horses, to guard beside the East City Gate, protecting the retreat route in case of need.

Li Xian led the troops with great momentum, heading toward the Government Office. After traveling a few miles, they heard the sounds of battle.

The two sides were fiercely fighting.

Originally…

Cao Kai heard the news, deeply feeling that Li Xian was audacious, suddenly breaking out in cold sweat, realizing this Military Officer was no easy threat.

How could he just sit to die, he prided himself on his cultivation not being weak, even though surrounded by numerous soldiers, mostly a motley crew, escaping was not difficult. But being humiliated by others, how could he just run away in such cowardice?

He immediately gathered government soldiers and Cao Family soldiers, also drawing in three halls and two factions, using threats and promises, bringing out the Cao Family’s name. He pieced together six to seven hundred troops and horses.

Proactively resisted the county soldiers. Outside the Government Office, weapons clashed.

Luo Xia commanded with precision, deploying troops and horses, arranging formations. She maximized the advantage of the county soldiers, and the two sides struggled endlessly.

Although Cao Kai was not the prodigy of the clan, he was no mediocre talent. He had studied for over ten years and, although not grasping fortune, understood military formations.

His subordinates were few but each was formidable. Cao Family soldiers needed no explanation, they ate Cao Family’s rice, drank Cao Family’s soup, practiced Cao Family’s martial arts. Their willpower, strength, order, and cooperation were impeccable. Cao Kai commanded them like an extension of his body, one man could be as ten.

The three halls and two factions had differing motives. Some took the opportunity to submit, wishing to attach themselves to the Cao Family, leaving the county for the prefecture. Some feigned compliance, pretending. Others resented Li Xian, seizing the moment for revenge.

Cao Kai loudly exclaimed, “Kill all these traitors, I will greatly reward you, the Cao Family will greatly reward you, the Court will greatly reward you.”

Luo Xia coldly said, “Kill.” Her voice inherently carried a murderous aura, able to stir the killing intent in people’s hearts. No need for profit inducements, driven purely by the intent to kill.

Thus, she commanded the county soldiers as if they were part of her. Thus, she dared say, “Strike at any time.” Ordinary people, even if holding authority, how dare they personally command county soldiers.

Let alone dare say, let the county soldiers attack the Government Office? Even if the county soldiers were foolish, they should sense something unusual and think, “Oh no, have we mistakenly trusted military orders? This Government Office is where the grain is dispensed. We are well-regulated troops, attacking the Government Office, what do we eat later? Becoming rebel forces, isn’t it seeking our own deaths?”

So then they lose combat effectiveness, seeming numerous but actually lacking stable morale, collapse in an instant.

Luo Xia could simplify the chaos of thoughts. Just let everyone remember one thing, where her sword pointed, all were enemy masses.

In the heat of fierce fighting, Luo Xia suddenly waved her hand. The troops under her command retreated to one side. The three halls, two factions, Cao Family soldiers, and government troops also took the chance to catch their breath.

Luo Xia smiled and said, “Your speed is quite fast.”

In the distance, Li Xian came with hundreds of troops, nodded toward Luo Xia, his momentum imposing. Cao Kai immediately looked over, startled in his heart, and suddenly thought, “What a dashing noble son, whose family’s prodigy is this?”

After a while, he came to his senses and knew he was the Martial Captain.

The two sides competed, with thousands present at the scene, all looking on. Li Xian handled it calmly, saying, “Cao Kai the little thief, weren’t you wanting to see me? I am right here.”

“Li Xian! It really is you.” Cao Kai, clad in black armor, gnashing his teeth in hatred, “You are so bold, daring to rebel. You should quickly surrender now, awaiting your punishment. Considering your military achievements, perhaps your life can be spared!”

“Ridiculous.” Li Xian sneered coldly, “I am a dignified Martial Captain, why should I need a rebel like you to spare me?”

Cao Kai’s lips twitched, unable to laugh, “I am a dignified official of the Court, how could I be a rebel?”

Li Xian pointed with his longsword, coldly saying, “I say you are rebelling, then you are rebelling. Your Cao Family ruling the county as kings, intending to rise. Found by me first, after I cut off your head. I will then report to the prefecture, telling of your crimes.”

“You!”

Cao Kai, upon first taking office, used drastic means: surrounding the Martial Captain Hall, arresting constables, feasting with factions, demanding alignment, coercing and enticing, spreading opinions.

Every act was sharp and decisive, with clear goals and significant effects. Tyrannical methods, astonishing the people of Qingning County, all thought: “This person is worthy of a family background, tough and ruthless, impressive, impressive, worthy of respect, worthy of respect.”

Intimidated by his methods, they obediently submitted.

At this moment, however, they saw there are always other people, bigger mountains. Cao Kai’s tough style, backed by family support. Li Xian, clearly a rootless person, ordinarily of commoner origin.

Yet dared to point his sword at the Government Office, declaring the County Magistrate’s rebellion. It seemed audacious at first glance, but upon reflection… it was Li Xian who firmly held the initiative.

At this point, Cao Kai had no plan on either side, his face looking unpleasant.

The other side had many people, if he fought strongly, he prided himself on his cultivation, he might leave safely. But the accompanying Cao soldiers and government soldiers would certainly perish. After this ordeal, Cao Kai would not be valued by his family, wouldn’t achieve County Magistrate, would be marginalized within the clan.

Martial Arts, Civil Dao… had already reached a dead end.

Family children, raised within the clan. The family’s reputation is often more important than life and impacts future generations. Father strong, then the son strong, son strong, then the grandson strong.

Cao Kai gritted his teeth, contemplating strategies, suddenly having a flash of inspiration: “This bumpkin is quite confident, if I kill him, boost my momentum, naturally, I can turn defeat into victory.”

Cao Kai said, “Li Xian, stop saying so much, this matter ultimately comes down to a contest between you and me.”

“Since we are both Martial Artists, divide right and wrong by martial arts, decide victory by martial arts. You and I let our soldiers retreat two hundred yards.”

“Let us see whose head won’t stay on their shoulders!”

Li Xian heard these words and had the same thought. Continuing the fight would certainly cause more casualties, plus Cao Kai’s cultivation was strong, if he insisted on escaping, the county soldiers and Nursing Home members could not catch him, it still needs Li Xian to personally battle him.

This section was hard to avoid, and Li Xian said, “Good! I will count once, and each of us will take a step back.”

Li Xian loudly counted. With each count, both sides took a step back. The street was broad and open, extending for several miles. After half an incense stick’s time, the two groups were separated by a mile.

In the middle area, only Li Xian and Cao Kai were facing off, with a murderous aura. The outcome of victory or defeat rested entirely on this.

Cao Kai, seeing Li Xian fall into his trap, was secretly delighted, and slowly walked towards Li Xian, nonchalantly saying, “I heard your greatest achievement was beheading a Yellow Dragon Army general and quelling the rebellion?”

“It was just a rumor,” Li Xian replied, “The credit isn’t all mine.” The real one who shot and took the enemy general’s head was Madam Wen.

She only found it too bloody and too ugly, so she had Li Xian do it for her.

“Hehe, I just…” The words “was saying” hadn’t escaped Cao Kai’s mouth when he suddenly attacked. His right foot moved first, stepping towards Li Xian’s left foot, while he turned his body and slashed his blade towards the left shoulder.

Li Xian calmly dodged, not rushing to counterattack. Cao Kai sneered coldly, for this slash was not to kill but to force a retreat. His footwork was bizarre; once Li Xian retreated, he followed closely.

Li Xian took a step back, and Cao Kai took a step forward. Their steps overlapped, and Li Xian’s shoes smeared with blood left a print with every retreating step.

Cao Kai advanced with precision, stepping right into the bloody prints. Many onlookers, martial school apprentices, gang members, county soldiers, government soldiers… were all astonished.

No one expected County Magistrate to possess such exquisite skill. Without those bloody prints, no one could really see the subtlety involved.

Miao Xichun remarked, “Such fine martial arts; Li Xian is in danger. If during County Magistrate Cao’s first strike, he had bravely attacked instead of retreating, he might have had a chance.”

This was the Cao family’s Clothes-Clinging Saber Technique. Historically, saber techniques are more often brutal and less soft, primarily for frontal attacks, breaking with brute force. Yet this technique was the exact opposite.

The first move just now, called “Desperate Path,” was the most vigorous strike in the entire technique, only meant to force a retreat. Once the enemy retreats, they inevitably yield their position.

Subsequently, the saber technique shifts from hard to soft, combined with footwork, like a bone-attached gangrene, always sticking close. It’s like “clothing” adhering to the body, worn on the body, yet the wearer often cannot see the full appearance of the clothing.

Therefore, opponents also cannot see his position, where the blade will come from, when it will come, or where it will go. Clearly right beside them, yet its track is unseen, causing anxious confusion and ultimately leading to a crushing defeat.

Cao Kai executed several maneuvers. This saber technique had not been used for a long time but had already been perfected; even though rusty, its power wasn’t lacking.

The martial arts displayed an anomaly, with his entire body dispersing strange energy. Distorting a person’s vision, he adhered like “clothing,” his whereabouts unpredictable, further obscured by this distortion.

Li Xian said, “What a fine saber technique!” Yet Cao Kai had already miscalculated. Li Xian, endowed with heavy pupils, had perception beyond ordinary people. His eyesight was incredibly strong, almost unimaginable.

Every step, every strike of Cao Kai, Li Xian saw clearly, calmly dodging, just waiting for the right opportunity.

Cao Kai believed the time was right, revealing killing intent, imbued his blade with inner qi, and could soften the blade. The blade stuck to the clothes, climbing up the neck like a venomous snake.

With just a stroke, it could sever the head. A person’s line of sight is limited, lacking full view – seeing the front but not the back, the left but not the right.

This strike not only had a tricky angle, avoiding all visible angles, but it was also insidiously vicious. Who would know that though the wielder was strong, he could use it as a soft sword?

These are the secrets to the “Clothes-Clinging Blade’s” success. The Cao Family Saber was crafted with unique iron and utilized a unique inner qi, softening the blade.

Li Xian circulated his “Iron Copper Body” technique, held his breath, and let a dark radiance emanate from his body. The Clothes-Clinging Blade, while seeking intricacy, inevitably lacked strength.

Li Xian ignored the soft blade, turning around to grab it instead. Startled, Cao Kai tried to abandon the blade and flee, hoping to use other martial arts to gain victory. But once Li Xian made his move, how could he let him escape, coming down with thunderous intent and surging kill intent?

One grab missed, and the second palm struck.

Cao Kai dodged the first but couldn’t evade the second, gathering qi to block with his palm. This palm was seething with fiery qi, intense with flame. It was the Cao family’s “Fire Palm,” an entry-level martial art exclusively for the Cao lineage.

Though Cao Kai had entered the Food Essence realm,

the family looked after their descendants; since childhood, they were fed “Essence Soup” every month and gradually tasted “Essence Meat” after age twelve. Stepping into the Food Essence Realm seemed less daunting.

Food Essence was just the beginning!

The Fire Palm had its form, but not its intent. The palm contained fiery energy, yet lacked the raging, overwhelming flame intent.

Li Xian countered palm with palm, quickly employing the “Jade Palm.” With palms meeting, the outcome was immediately clear. Cao Kai prided himself on superior palm techniques, confident he wouldn’t lose, but in an instant, his spirit was utterly shattered.

He felt Li Xian’s magnificent mastery, reaching the peak, leaving no one else.

“Peak…” Cao Kai’s eyes widened in disbelief, losing all will to fight. At the instant of exchange, he poured inner qi, hoping to compensate for his lack of palm technique mastery with “Qi Amount.” In this contest, he felt even more of Li Xian’s inner qi, surging and overwhelming like a mighty river, incomparable to him.

Regretting now was already too late. Cao Kai’s hand bones cracked, feeling the palm force entering his body, conceding complete defeat. Attempting to face Li Xian one-on-one was indeed foolishly arrogant.

With a “boom,” Cao Kai was sent flying by the palm force, his bones shattering. Li Xian took a step forward, striking with an airborne palm. A strange phenomenon appeared, crashing azure waves with palm force striking Cao Kai from a distance.

Cao Kai spat blood; were it not for his Food Essence attainment, he would be dead by now. Now in panic and disarray, devoid of any fighting spirit, such a figure required the clan’s prodigy to contend.

Seeing Li Xian approaching with his blade, he begged for mercy, “Spare… spare me! Li… Li Xian, we have no grudge or enmity. No need for this!”

“Your talent is commendable, to have such peak mastery… I… I am willing to represent my family elders to invite… invite you into… into the clan. Glory and wealth… riches, you… you really don’t need to block all your paths.”

Li Xian said, “Too much nonsense, hand over your head.”

He leaped and slashed. Cao Kai kicked both legs, fainting in fright.

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