Chapter 50: Victory_1

Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Victory_1If there was anyone in the Qin Empire whom the soldiers loved and respected as much as the Qin Emperor, it was Qin Wudao! Especially those soldiers who had fought by his side; they were completely devoted to him. They would willingly sacrifice their own lives to ensure Qin Wudao’s safety. "Die!" Yan Zhenan led the charge, his expression stern and his eyes filled with murderous intent as he looked at the Qin soldiers blocking his path. His saber burst with scorching flames as he furiously slashed down. BOOM! BOOM! Wherever the blade reached, blood splattered and flesh flew. Broken bodies fell to the ground. At least a dozen Qin soldiers were slain, creating a small clearing in the tightly sealed defensive line, tearing open a gap. The death of their comrades in arms did not frighten the Qin soldiers. Instead, it ignited their fighting spirit, and they immediately surged forward to plug the gap. "You’re courting death!" Faced with the Qin soldiers who were unafraid of sacrifice, Yan Zhenan grew anxious, continuously wielding his saber. His attack on Qin Wudao had already attracted the attention of the Qin Empire’s experts, who might already be rushing to the rescue. He was well aware that he did not have much time left! One by one, the Qin soldiers fell under his blade. Confronted by Yan Zhenan, whose cultivation was at the Peak of the Celestial Realm, these soldiers were like lambs to the slaughter, utterly unable to fight back. Even so, the courageous soldiers of the Qin Empire did not retreat. One after another, they rushed towards the abyss of death, using their scalding blood to prove their loyalty. Standing to the rear, Qin Wudao, seeing his soldiers diminishing in number, yelled loudly, "Fall back! You are no match for him!" Liu Yong stood at the front, turned his head, and shouted, his gaze unwavering as he wielded his weapon, stepping on corpses, "Your Highness, you are the hope for the rise of the Qin Dynasty! The Qin Dynasty can do without ordinary soldiers like us, but it absolutely cannot do without you!" Eventually, he too became a corpse. Protected by the soldiers, Qin Wudao remained unscathed, yet his eyes were red and moist. He felt as though he had let these soldiers down! If he had retreated to safer territory, so many people wouldn’t have died protecting him! Strength, I need greater strength! For the first time, Qin Wudao desperately wished to enhance his own power. If he possessed the cultivation of Reaching the Holy Realm, these soldiers would not have died, and so many casualties would not have occurred in this war. Why did these soldiers die? He knew very well it was to protect him, the Crown Prince. However, as the Crown Prince of the Qin Dynasty, he could not protect these soldiers. "Stop!" Jia Xu, rushing over from afar, looked panicked. Only after seeing Qin Wudao unharmed did he let out a sigh of relief. He then looked coldly at Yan Zhenan; this time, he was not smiling. For a venomous strategist like him, not smiling was more terrifying than smiling! A venomous strategist’s smile was part of his schemes; amidst laughter and conversation, mighty armadas could be turned to ash, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. When a venomous strategist did not smile, that was when true terror manifested. With a clench of his right hand, a Soft Sword appeared. A dense scholarly aura suffused the blade, making it incredibly sharp, as if capable of cleansing the Nine Heavens and shaking Heaven and Earth. The sword flashed out! Countless streams of noble Sword Qi erupted from the Void, obscuring the sky. Each strand of Sword Qi exuded Celestial Realm power, all shooting towards Yan Zhenan. Damn it, I’ve failed! Upon seeing Jia Xu, Yan Zhenan knew his plan had failed. Sighing, he raised his long saber in defense. CLANG! CLANG! Sparks flew in all directions. Most of the Sword Qi was blocked by Yan Zhenan, but some of it landed on the elites of the Red Robe Army. They were sliced into a thousand pieces by the Sword Qi, reduced to bloody pulp. "Kill! Kill! Kill!" The Qin soldiers who had luckily survived once again gripped their weapons, their killing intent surging. They charged towards the Red Robe Army, launching a frenzied attack. So long as blood does not dry, the battle will not cease! So long as life is not lost, we will never surrender! Faced with the considerably weaker Qin soldiers, the elite Red Robe Army was terrified and was steadily beaten back. "Fight!" Yan Zhenan had no time to spare for his subordinates, his gaze fixed intently on Jia Xu. He had a premonition that this would be their final battle. He raised his saber high, Spiritual Energy surging from his body. Instantly, countless red flames blazed fiercely, coalescing into what resembled a colossal volcano, pressing down with immense force. This slash contained his life’s cultivation! This slash was his desperate counterattack! This slash was a desperate bid for life, yet also an acceptance of death! "I shall send you on your way!" Tens of zhang away, Jia Xu remained unperturbed. The energy of the Literary Dao swept through the Changkong, communing with the power of Heaven and Earth from the Void. High above the Nine Heavens, a colossal Sword Qi took form, roaring as it tore through the world. CLANG! Once the Sword Qi fell, Jia Xu turned and left without a second glance, as if the matter of life and death had already been decided. BOOM! The heavens and earth rumbled, and a massive fissure, like a hideous scar upon the land, tore open. It remained for a long time, hot blood gushing out and quickly filling the chasm. "Pope, your subordinate has come to join you!" Yan Zhenan stood before the gorge, his body riddled with sword wounds so deep that his bones and even his internal organs were visible. After spitting out a mouthful of blood, he collapsed into the blood-filled chasm. Before his death, his face showed unwillingness, regret, and a faint trace of a smile. Actually, when Duan Wanjiang fell, he had already prepared for death. He was the one who had proposed this battle; he was a sinner of the Holy Fire Sect, and only death on the battlefield could absolve his sins. His only lingering concern was for Duan Yonghui, the Saint Heir. Hope he can leave as soon as possible! Survive! Preserve the spark! Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... "Your Highness, are you alright?" After killing Yan Zhenan, Jia Xu walked over to Qin Wudao and knelt on one knee, his face full of shame. Only upon arriving did he realize how perilous Qin Wudao’s situation had been. If I had been delayed by even a few minutes... A chill ran down Jia Xu’s spine at the thought. "I’m fine." Qin Wudao shook his head. He walked over to the mountain of corpses and found Liu Yong’s remains, a trace of shame appeared on his face. If not for me, so many wouldn’t have died. "Your courage lived up to your name, Liu Yong. Upon our return, I will ensure your family is well cared for! Not just your family; henceforth, the families of all soldiers who die defending the Qin Dynasty will be well looked after by me!" Qin Wudao said, squatting down to gently close Liu Yong’s eyes. In the Qin Empire, soldiers who died in battle received a sum of compensation, but there were no other provisions beyond that. The sum was often meager and would eventually be depleted. Many Qin soldiers were the only sons in their families. Once they fell in battle, their families were often shattered! "Your Highness..." Jia Xu said, helping Qin Wudao to his feet. The latter’s eyes reddened as he roared, "Accompany me to slay the enemy!" Another storm of blood and gore ensued, and more countless corpses piled up. But such was the nature of a battlefield. ... "Your Highness Saint Heir, the Red Robe Cardinal has fallen!" In the rear of the battlefield, a Red Robe Army commander knelt on one knee and reported with sorrow. "Issue the order: retreat!" Duan Yonghui stood up and said reluctantly. He was not being reckless; he was following Yan Zhenan’s final arrangements. "Your Highness Saint Heir, may your journey be safe!" the Red Robe Army commander said. He then drew his sword, turned, and rushed back towards the battlefield. He was going to slay enemies, to accompany Yan Zhenan in death. He sought death! Duan Yonghui’s heart trembled, but he made no move to stop him. How could he not wish for a final, decisive battle against the Qin Dynasty? But he shouldered a far heavier responsibility!