Boom!
A deafening, earth-shattering roar as the gates of Jinshuang City were blasted open from the outside in.
The Jin Xia Garrison stationed behind the gates were also swept away together with the heavy door, and as the door fell heavily onto the street within the city, the soldiers were crushed into pulp.
Witnessing this scene, the garrison soldiers inside the city exchanged glances, swallowing hard, and their hands holding weapons trembled slightly. They looked at the cold, stern young man walking in from the dust-filled gateway, eyes filled with shock.
Chen Mo looked at them and lightly spat out a single word from his mouth: "Kill!"
A mass of Wei Army soldiers poured in from behind Chen Mo.
Shield soldiers at the front.
Followed by archers wielding compound bows.
A volley of arrows rained down, and the Jin Xia Army inside the city fell in a swath.
It was at this moment.
Chen Mo’s sword eyebrows furrowed, and he looked up.
At that instant of looking up, there was a peal of thunderbolt from the heavens, a dazzling silver light streaked across the sky, slicing towards Chen Mo.
Chen Mo squinted his eyes, the glaring silver light prompted him to instinctively close them. But as a Martial Artist of Divine Transformation Realm, his senses sometimes surpassed his sight. He drew his saber from his waist in an instant, raising his hand to slay the silver light.
"Clang!"
Instantly, a clear and sonorous explosion rang out at the city entrance.
Wanyan Xiaji, as agile as an eagle preying on a rabbit, leaped down from the three-zhang-high city wall, wielding the Kanglong Mace, and struck Chen Mo’s Tang Blade.
The crisp sound from earlier was the sound of the two weapons clashing.
At this moment, Chen Mo felt a slight numbness spreading through his wrist.
Wanyan Xiaji was somewhat surprised to see Chen Mo block the strike, and simultaneously, a strong desire for battle welled up within him. He abruptly twisted the Kanglong Mace with his hand.
In an instant, the mace body began to spin rapidly while the handle remained steady.
The numbness in Chen Mo’s hand grew stronger, even making it feel like he might lose his grip on his blade. He realized the mace had some peculiarities.
Sure enough, in the next second, the Tang Blade in his hand shattered into several pieces.
Seizing the opportunity as the Kanglong Mace aimed to crush Chen Mo’s head, Chen Mo caught it in a reverse grip, and the energy transmitted from his body onto the bluestone pavement.
Under Chen Mo’s feet, the bluestone pavement cracked like a spider web, rapidly spreading.
Until a piece of bluestone splintered off, launching into the city wall like a hidden weapon, embedding itself completely.
And Chen Mo staggered back two steps.
At the same moment, the red numbers on Wanyan Xiaji’s forehead changed from 4028 to 4028+298.
Disbelief flickered in Chen Mo’s eyes.
"You managed to kill Lu Sheng, indeed you have some skill." The surprise in Wanyan Xiaji’s eyes deepened.
The surprise shown earlier was upon confirming Chen Mo as a Martial Artist of Divine Transformation Realm, being unexpectedly young.
The current surprise was due to the unexpected strength of Chen Mo’s prowess.
After all, even among those in the Second Grade Divine Transformation Realm, there were distinctions of strength.
The previous blow he delivered would’ve been difficult for even a Martial Artist of the Divine Transformation Realm to intercept easily.
Wanyan Xiaji exerted force through his arm, channeling immense strength into the Kanglong Mace, then transferring it onto Chen Mo’s body.
The augmentation of power shattered the protective spiritual qi enveloping Chen Mo, and the bracelet on his arm holding the Kanglong Mace was also blown away.
Had it not been for the Vajra Skill strengthening his physical body immensely, his tiger’s mouth might have been torn.
There was also a flash of astonishment in Chen Mo’s eyes, then he erupted with power, forcing Wanyan Xiaji to retreat.
The two drew a certain distance apart.
"You are slightly stronger than Lu Sheng, I assume you must be Wanyan Xiaji," Chen Mo remarked.
"I didn’t expect the Emperor of Wei to know of me," Wanyan Xiaji responded, showing a surprised expression.
"Of course, the blood feud of tens of thousands of troops and civilians in Longyou when you invaded Central State, you were the commander. How could I forget? Furthermore, according to my investigation, the epidemics that broke out in regions like Youzhou of my Great Wei were due to your schemes," Chen Mo’s voice was icy.
Wanyan Xiaji neither denied nor confirmed, saying: "Quite a few Jin Xia warriors have also fallen at your hands, who should I seek to settle this blood feud of theirs?"
"You are the invaders, and we are defending our homeland. Had you stayed honestly within your borders, they wouldn’t have died. Their deaths are a responsibility you cannot evade, nor can your Khan."
"Last time we were the invaders, so what about you this time?" Wanyan Xiaji retorted without arguing.
"To eradicate bandits and seek vengeance," Chen Mo replied succinctly.
"Then last time, when we were seeking retribution for the blood debts the Great Song owed us four hundred years ago, were we not justified?" Wanyan Xiaji, holding the Kanglong Mace, kept his eyes fixed on Chen Mo.
"Debts owed naturally have those who should repay them," Chen Mo replied.
"Haha..."
Wanyan Xiaji laughed in anger at Chen Mo’s words, which implied seeking out Song Taizu and the Great Song for grievances, a stance already dismissed here.
"Moreover, over four hundred years ago, it was your invasion first, and the Song Taizu of that time was forced to retaliate," Chen Mo felt the need to add.
"Seems like there’s no agreement to be reached," said Wanyan Xiaji.
"There never was anything to negotiate with you folks," Chen Mo stretched his neck and loosened his limbs: "This time, with my imperial command, I am here to flatten Jin Xia. You, who have harmed my Central State’s people, not a single one should expect to escape."
"Then you better have the capability," Wanyan Xiaji retorted.
"You’ll soon find out whether I do or not," Chen Mo casually picked up a Ring-Headed Saber that had fallen to the ground, weighed it in his hand, then pointed it at Wanyan Xiaji, saying: "I took one of your moves just now, now, let’s see if you can take one of mine."