The night wind howled, stirring the clouds like undulating waves, while a bright full moon occasionally hid and revealed itself among the dark clouds.
Under the dusky curtain of night, the streets were desolate and human presence was rare, except for the sporadic patrols of government officials still concerned about others.
The chaotic army besieged the city, and all the residents within had their doors tightly shut. Families trembled as they huddled in their rooms, fearing that any noise might lead to them being captured as spies.
Even Nuoxiang Building, which was usually bustling, was exceptionally quiet at this time.
In stark contrast were the locations of the Zhang family and the Du family situated in the east and west of the city, from which loud noises like tidal waves spread all around.
Zhong Lin walked out of the room, leapt gracefully onto the roof using the wall for leverage twice, and surveyed the scene. Unexpectedly, in the dark night, there were two great fires blazing, located precisely where the Zhang and Du families were situated.
"Has it started already?"
Beyond the two families’ locations, the city gates were also ablaze with fire, and the sound of shouting and killing was deafening. One could vaguely see the Guard Army moving through the city like sparks scattered among the wilderness.
The sound of shouts and battles, the beating of drums... shook the heavens and earth.
Old Man Xu hurriedly came out of the house in panic, alarmed by the distant firelight, and asked, "Zhong Lin, what’s going on? What’s happened?"
"The chaotic army is attacking the city."
Zhong Lin leapt down from the rooftop, and with a grave expression said to Old Man Xu, "Wake up Stone and the others, everyone into the cellar."
Old Man Xu dared not delay. Having lived so many years, he knew the horrors of war better than anyone. Forcing down his inner fear, he returned to the house.
Old Lady Xu was also awake, sensing the shouting outside with a face full of panic.
"Quick, take Brother Xiu and Little Stone into the cellar."
The couple swiftly woke the two young ones, lifted the grass mat in the corner, and opened a dark hole.
Old Lady Xu descended first with an oil lamp in hand, followed closely by Little Stone and Brother Xiu, with Old Man Xu entering last.
At this time, Zhong Lin also moved the large boulder in the courtyard inside.
"Zhong Lin, be... careful."
Xun Le looked at Zhong Lin with a complex expression.
Zhong Lin smiled: "Don’t worry, nothing will happen."
After Old Man Xu entered the cellar, Zhong Lin first sealed the opening with planks, then covered it with the huge stone.
The stone weighed nearly a thousand jin. Unless it was moved by someone with divine power or a martial artist of Seventh Grade or above, it was extremely safe for a short period.
After completing the task, Zhong Lin donned his night attire, equipped himself with lime powder, iron caltrops, and his Ghost Head Blade, then swiftly vanished into the street as a shadow.
Headed straight for the location of the Du family.
By this time, the Du family had already descended into chaos, with sounds of assassination, pleas for mercy, and clashing weapons all mingling together.
The thick scent of blood wafted from within, and several houses were engulfed in raging flames, lighting up the dark night sky to a dazzling crimson.
The scattered pavilions and layered corridors of the estate had already become a wasteland.
In the firelight, a troop of nearly fifty men moved through the Du family grounds, relentlessly killing and setting fires.
Zhong Lin concealed himself under an eave, watching the chaos below with sharp eyes scrutinizing every detail of the battlefield.
A loud noise echoed as two figures burst out of the central hall of the Du family like cannonballs, hurling tiles and soil around in a flurry.
Zhong Lin observed from afar, witnessing the aftermath of two figures clashing with their bare hands, shattering a rooftop ridge from a distance of some two or three feet.
"Impressive, is this the Qi Blood Power only Martial Artists of Sixth Grade can possess? Indeed formidable."
Zhong Lin’s face was filled with seriousness, his eyes fixed intently on the two figures in the battlefield.
Even from afar, he could sense the terrifying aura emanating from them, each move imbued with immense power, especially with the Qi Blood Power possessed only by martial artists of the Middle Third Grades.
"That white-haired elder must be the Du family’s Old Master Du Lun, and as for that middle-aged man, he’s likely part of the chaotic army. There are skilled people even in the chaotic army! Wasn’t it said that the Qi Blood Cultivation Skills of the Middle Third Grades were monopolized by noble families? How can there be such an expert among the chaotic army?"
Zhong Lin was filled with doubts.
As Zhong Lin contemplated, the two figures were chasing and battling between the eaves, their speed in the bright moonlight leaving behind a trail of afterimages. Where they passed, bricks and stones flew as if blown by iron winds.
Suddenly, the Du family’s Old Master Du Lun swung his black dragon-headed cane down from above. The middle-aged man hastily raised his blade to defend, but was knocked backward by the tremendous force, stepping backward over dozens of tiles before he stopped.
"The Du family’s Old Master is truly vigorous still! Admirable, admirable."
The middle-aged man shook his slightly numb left arm and spoke words of admiration.
"Hmph! I never expected such a hero in the chaotic army, being able to cultivate as a sixth-grade martial artist means you’re no nameless figure. Who are you?"
"I am Xu Ruo, greets to the Du family’s Old Master."
Xu Ruo clasped his hands toward the Du family’s Old Master, yet his face showed no respect.
"It’s him, I didn’t expect him to join the chaotic army."
Zhong Lin raised an eyebrow, recognizing the man’s identity.
At the government office, there was a bounty notice for him. His name was Xu Ruo, known as the "Iron Arm Sword King"; his sword skills in the Qingzhou region were undefeated. He was wanted for killing a noble son and was thought to have vanished, but it turns out he joined the chaotic army.
"So it’s you, a traitor to be killed by everyone, today you dare to attack my Du family at night, don’t think about leaving, stay here forever!"
The Du family’s Old Master Du Lun also recognized Xu Ruo’s identity, declaring dominantly.
"Is that so? The last person who said that to me ended up having all their bones shattered bit by bit. Old Master of the Du family, the rebel army has already besieged the city, as long as I hold out until General Guo breaches the city, it will be the end of your Du family. I want to see with my own eyes the destruction of your Du family, see the so-called noble children wailing in pain." Xu Ruo said with a cold voice.
"Ridiculous, you’ve merely just entered the Sixth Grade, how could you contend with me? Do you really think that by creating chaos in Zhang and Du families while the army attacks the city, you’ll achieve your goals? The foundation of noble families is not something you can imagine. The people you brought are almost dead, it’ll soon be your turn." The Du family’s patriarch, Du Lun mocked.
Du Lun scanned the entire Du family courtyard from above, although caught unprepared at first, resulting in a chaotic family, now they had begun organizing an effective defense. The infiltrating chaotic army was also starting to be encircled and massacred, and it wouldn’t be long before this batch of chaotic army would be completely eradicated.
"Is that so?" Xu Ruo laughed loudly: "Have you ever thrown bones?"