Chapter 165 Acting on Behalf of Heaven to Punish Officials, Bring Me Your Head!
At the East Gate, blood flowed like a river, and corpses littered the ground. After Li Xian confessed his identity and ordered the people to stay indoors, he had no more worries. He was determined to overthrow the heavens and uproot the earth.
He ordered two veteran second-class guards, each with more than ten men, to stand guard by the east gate to protect the retreat route in case of emergency.
Li Xian led his troops with great fanfare towards the government office. After traveling several miles, the sounds of fighting could be heard.
The two sides are engaged in fierce combat.
turn out to be……
Upon hearing the news, Cao Kai was deeply impressed by Li Xian's audacity and broke out in a cold sweat, realizing that this Wu Weilang was no pushover.
How could he sit idly by and wait to die? He prided himself on his cultivation, believing that even surrounded by soldiers, they were mostly a rabble and escape would be easy. But how could he simply walk away when others had insulted him? That would be so cowardly.
He immediately summoned the local troops and Cao soldiers, and also won over the three academies and two factions, using coercion and enticement, and invoking the name of the Cao family. He managed to assemble a force of six or seven hundred men.
They actively resisted the county soldiers. Outside the government office, soldiers clashed.
Luo Xia commanded skillfully, deploying troops and arranging formations effectively. She maximized the advantages of the county soldiers, resulting in a close contest between the two.
Although Cao Kai was not as outstanding as the clan's prodigy, he was not mediocre either. He had studied for more than ten years, and although he had not yet succeeded in seizing the opportunity, he knew the layout of military formations.
Although his men were few in number, each one was formidable. Cao's soldiers needed little introduction; they ate Cao's rice, drank Cao's soup, and practiced Cao's martial arts. Their willpower, strength, order, and teamwork were impeccable. Cao Kai commanded them with ease; one man could be worth ten.
The three halls and two factions, however, had different intentions. Some seized the opportunity to pledge allegiance, hoping to curry favor with the Cao family and gain entry into the prefecture. Others feigned compliance, putting on an act. Still others harbored resentment towards Li Xian and sought revenge.
Cao Kai said loudly, "Kill all these traitors, and I will reward them handsomely, the Cao family will reward them handsomely, and the imperial court will also reward them handsomely."
Luo Xia said coldly, "Kill." Her voice was naturally murderous, capable of stirring up killing intent in people's hearts. She didn't need any enticements of profit; she drove her troops entirely with killing intent.
Therefore, he could command the county soldiers at will. Therefore, he dared to say, "I can mobilize troops at any time." Ordinary people, even if they held a warrant, how could they dare to mobilize county soldiers on their own?
How could anyone dare to order the county soldiers to attack the government office? Even the most foolish county soldiers should have sensed something was amiss and thought, "Oh dear, have we been misled by military orders? This government office is where our rations are distributed. If we, a perfectly disciplined army, attack the government office, what will we eat in the future? If we become a rebel army, aren't we just courting death?"
Therefore, they lost their fighting capacity. Although they appeared to have a large number of men, their morale was unstable, and defeat was imminent.
Luo Xia, however, was able to simplify her thoughts. She only wanted everyone to remember one thing: wherever her sword pointed, it was against the enemy.
In the heat of the battle, Luo Xia suddenly waved her hand. Following her command, the soldiers retreated to one side. The three factions, Cao's troops, and the government troops also took the opportunity to catch their breath.
Luo Xia laughed and said, "You're quick."
In the distance, Li Xian arrived with several hundred soldiers, nodding to Luo Xia with an imposing air. Cao Kai immediately looked over, startled, and thought to himself, "What a handsome and dashing young man! Whose prodigy is this?"
After a long while, he came to his senses and realized that he was a military officer.
The two sides were locked in combat, and thousands of people in the arena were watching intently. Li Xian remained calm and said, "Cao Kai, you little thief, didn't you want to see me? I'm right here."
"Li Xian! It really is you!" Cao Kai, clad in black armor, gritted his teeth in hatred. "How dare you rebel! Surrender now and await your fate. I might spare your life because of your military achievements!"
"What a joke," Li Xian sneered. "Why would I, a dignified military officer, need a traitor like you to spare my life?"
Cao Kai's lips twitched, but he couldn't laugh. "How could I, a high-ranking official of the imperial court, rebel?"
Li Xian pointed his long sword forward and said coldly, "I said you rebelled, so you rebelled. Your Cao family occupied the county and acted as kings, intending to seize power. I discovered this first and beheaded you. Then I reported it to the higher authorities and described your crimes."
"you!"
Upon assuming office, Cao Kaichu immediately employed ruthless methods: surrounding the Wuwei Hall, arresting constables, hosting banquets for powerful figures, demanding that they take sides, using coercion and inducement, and spreading rumors.
Each and every action was swift and decisive, with clear objectives and remarkable results. His domineering methods opened the eyes of the people of Qingning County, who all thought, "This young man truly lives up to his noble lineage; he is ruthless and cunning. He is formidable, truly impressive. We admire him."
Intimidated by their methods, they obediently complied.
At this moment, however, it becomes clear that there are always people more capable than oneself, and mountains beyond mountains. Cao Kai's tough style is backed by his family. Li Xian, on the other hand, is clearly a rootless duckweed, born into an ordinary family.
Yet he dared to point his sword at the government office and declare that the county magistrate had betrayed the government. At first glance, this seemed incredibly audacious, but upon closer inspection... it was actually Li Xian who had completely taken the initiative.
Now that things have come to this, Cao Kai is at his wit's end and looks grim.
The enemy outnumbers him. If he were to fight them head-on, he was confident in his cultivation and might be able to escape safely. However, all the Cao soldiers and government troops accompanying him would surely perish. After this incident, Cao Kai would certainly lose the family's favor, would not be able to remain a county magistrate, and would be marginalized within the clan.
Martial arts and literature... have reached their end.
The scions of prominent families are nurtured and cultivated within their clans. Reputation within the clan is often more important than life itself, and even more crucial to their descendants. A strong father leads to a strong son, and a strong son leads to a strong grandson.
Cao Kai gritted his teeth, pondering a solution, when suddenly an idea struck him: "This peasant is extremely arrogant. If I kill him, it will boost my morale and allow me to turn defeat into victory."
Cao Kai said, "Li Xian, don't say too much. In the end, this matter is nothing more than a contest between you and me."
“Since we are all martial artists, let us distinguish right from wrong and decide victory or defeat through martial arts. You and I shall each have our soldiers retreat two hundred feet.”
"Let's see who loses their head!"
Upon hearing this, Li Xian shared the same thought. Continuing the fight would inevitably result in more casualties, and Cao Kai's cultivation was not weak. If he insisted on escaping, the county soldiers and guards would not be able to catch him, and Li Xian would still have to fight him personally.
There was no way to avoid this situation, so Li Xian said, "Alright! I'll count to one, and we'll each take a step back."
Li Xian counted aloud. With each count, both sides took a step back. The street was wide and open, stretching for several miles. After half an incense stick's time, the two groups were already a mile apart.
In the central area, only Li Xian and Cao Kai faced off, their expressions tense and deadly. The outcome would depend entirely on this confrontation.
Seeing that Li Xian had fallen for the trap, Cao Kai was secretly delighted. He slowly walked towards Li Xian and said indifferently, "I've heard that your best deed was cutting off the head of a Yellow Dragon Army general and quelling a rebellion?"
"It's just a misunderstanding," Li Xian said. "This matter wasn't entirely my doing. The one who truly shot and killed the enemy general and took his head was Madam Wen."
She disliked the smell of blood and the ugly head, so she asked Li Xian to do it for her.
"Hehe, I just..." Cao Kai's words "say it" were cut short as he launched his attack. He stepped forward with his right foot, stomping on Li Xian's left foot, while simultaneously turning sideways and slashing at Li Xian's left shoulder with his sword.
Li Xian remained calm and composed, not rushing to retaliate, but first dodging to the side. Cao Kai grinned coldly; this strike was not intended to kill, but only to force Li Xian back. His footwork was unpredictable, forcing Li Xian back and then staying close behind.
Li Xian took a step back, and he took a step forward. Their footsteps overlapped, and Li Xian's shoes were stained with blood. With each step he took backward, a bloodstain was left on the ground.
With each step Cao Kai took, he landed precisely on the blood-stained footprints. Numerous onlookers from both sides—martial arts school students, gang members, county soldiers, prefectural soldiers—were all astonished.
No one expected that the county magistrate would possess such exquisite skills. If it weren't for the bloody footprints, no one would have been able to discern the ingenuity of the technique.
Miao Xichun said, "Such exquisite martial arts! Li Xian is in danger. If he had fought back bravely instead of retreating when Magistrate Cao struck first, he might have been able to put up a fight."
This is Cao's martial art, the "Close-to-Clothing Knife Technique." Traditionally, knife techniques have been mostly forceful and ruthless, with few subtle techniques, primarily aimed at directly attacking the enemy and forcefully breaking through their defenses. This knife technique, however, is the exact opposite.
The first move, called "Desperate Struggle," was the most powerful strike in the entire sword technique, designed solely to force the opponent back. Once the opponent retreats, they will inevitably vacate their position.
Following closely, the sword technique shifted from hard to soft, combined with footwork, becoming like a persistent, insidious infection, always clinging to the body. It's like clothing adhering to the body; when clothes are worn, the wearer often cannot see the full appearance of the clothing.
Therefore, the opponent could not see the enemy's location, where the sword would strike, when the sword would strike, or where the sword would go. The enemy was clearly right beside them, yet they could not see him. They were filled with anxiety and panic, and ultimately suffered a great defeat.
Cao Kai unleashed several moves in quick succession. This sword technique had not been used for a long time, but it had been mastered to a high degree. Even though he was still somewhat rusty, its power was not lacking.
His martial arts were extraordinary, and his entire body exuded an aura that distorted people's vision. He was like clothing, already unpredictable, and with these unusual features, he became even more difficult to discern.
Li Xian exclaimed, "Excellent swordsmanship!" Cao Kai, however, had miscalculated. Li Xian possessed double pupils, granting him extraordinary observational abilities. His eyesight was unfathomably sharp.
Li Xianquan saw every step he took, every strike of his sword clearly, and calmly retreated, waiting for the right opportunity.
Cao Kai, believing the time was ripe, revealed his murderous intent, channeling his inner energy into the blade, which softened it. The blade clung to his clothes, crawling up his neck like a venomous snake.
With just a stroke, one can shave one's head. Human vision is limited; it's difficult to see what's in front, behind, left, or right.
This strike was not only cunningly angled, avoiding all visible angles, but also insidious and ruthless. Who would have known that the wielder, with such strength, could use it like a soft sword?
These are the secrets to the success of the "close-fitting knife". The Cao family knife is made of special iron and uses unique internal energy to soften the blade.
Li Xian activated his "Iron Copper Body" technique, held his breath, and with a sudden jolt, dark light emanated from his body. Since the close-fitting knife required exquisite craftsmanship, it inevitably lacked power.
Li Xian ignored the soft blade. He turned and grabbed backward. Cao Kai was terrified and hurriedly dropped the blade, trying to escape and use other martial arts to win. But Li Xian had already made his move; how could he give him a moment's respite? His attack was bound to be thunderous and filled with murderous intent!
He missed with his first strike, and then struck with his second palm.
Cao Kai managed to dodge one attack, but couldn't avoid the other. He channeled his inner energy and struck back with his palm. This palm strike was like fire, fierce and mixed with raging flames. This was the Cao family's "Fiery Palm," a martial art for advanced practitioners, which only members of the Cao family could learn.
Although Cao Kai entered the realm of food essence.
However, for the children of the family, with the family's care, they have been able to eat and drink "essence soup" every month since childhood. After the age of twelve, they gradually get to taste "essence meat" and step into the realm of eating essence, which does not seem so difficult.
Consuming sperm is just the beginning!
The Fiery Palm technique has the form, but lacks the intent. It contains fire and energy within the palm, but lacks the fierce burning and overwhelming heat of a true palm strike.
Li Xian met palm to palm, unleashing the "Azure Palm" in an instant. The difference in skill was immediately apparent. Cao Kai, who had been confident in his superior palm technique and certain of victory, was terrified out of his wits in that instant.
I felt that Li Xian's profound skill had reached its peak, and no one else could compare to him!
"Ascend to the peak..." Cao Kai's eyes widened, his fighting spirit gone. In the instant their palms clashed, he poured out his inner energy, attempting to compensate for his lack of skill with "energy volume." In this contest, he felt that Li Xian's inner energy was even more powerful, like a rushing river, with surging waves, which was beyond his own reach.
It was too late for regrets. Cao Kai's palms were fractured, and he felt the force of the palm strikes penetrate his body; he was utterly defeated. His desire to fight Li Xian one-on-one was truly foolish and arrogant.
With a deafening roar, Cao Kai was sent flying by the palm strike, his bones shattering inch by inch. Li Xian stepped forward and unleashed a palm strike from mid-air. An extraordinary phenomenon manifested: towering blue waves surged, and the palm strike landed on Cao Kai from a distance.
Cao Kai coughed up blood. If he hadn't already consumed the essence, he would have been dead by now. He was panicked and lost all will to fight. Only the most outstanding talents in the clan could deal with such a person.
Seeing Li Xian approaching with a knife, he begged for mercy, "Spare...spare my life! Li...Li Xian, we have no enmity. There's no need for this!"
“You have quite the talent, you even… you have a palm technique that has reached the pinnacle… I… I am willing to invite you to join the clan on behalf of the elders. Wealth and honor… you… you really don’t need to drive yourself to ruin.”
Li Xian said, "Enough with the nonsense, just give me your head."
He lunged forward and slashed. Cao Kai kicked his legs and fainted from fright.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
