Eternal Saber

August, drawing ever closer to the Mid-Autumn Festival.

On this day, Murong Daoye reported that remnants of the previous dynasty had appeared in Yan State, requesting leave from the Capital City.

Three days later.

Urgent military news arrived from Nanxia; along the Xiajiang River, the Vermilion Bird Guard discovered unusual movements in the Northern Expedition Army, marshaling ships, seemingly poised to cross the river, with their forces aiming at Yaozhou!

The northern expedition by Nanxia is a matter of great importance.

The Little Emperor dared not be careless and immediately decreed Grand Commandant Yuwen Mao to personally go to the Xiajiang River to fend off the enemy.

In the Capital City, some keen-sensed individuals had already detected an air of unease.

The vast majority, including the Little Emperor, were still immersed in the joyful atmosphere of nations coming to pay tribute, foreign lands offering homage, and joining together in the Capital City.

As he watched reports of auspicious omens coming in from various regions, the Little Emperor was overjoyed.

He planned, during those few days of the Mid-Autumn Festival, after the entrance of the delegations to the Capital City, to host foreign trade missions with unparalleled opulence, showing the nations the wealth and strength of Daqian, illustrating the flourishing splendor of its Capital City.

To let those minuscule nations and barbarian tribes see what truly constitutes the great era of Daqian!

Yuan Qingmo scolded him as foolish and reckless, bringing disaster upon the nation, that Daqian would be ruined by his hand.

He was even more eager to show Yuan Qingmo his own brilliance and martial prowess, young and promising.

Even during his father’s time, there had never been such grandeur.

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Qingzhou, Coiling Dragon Ridge.

It is said that recently, a large creature frequented the area, entirely snow-white, extremely mystical, its movements concealed, local counties sent soldiers into the mountains for investigation, all were seen leaving but not returning.

On this day, hundreds of refugees arrived here, all looked pale and thin, their clothes tattered.

Only the young man at the forefront appeared somewhat robust, looking seventeen or eighteen, of a burly build, with a head resembling a tiger’s, his eyes gleaming brightly.

This robust young man glanced back, seeing dust and smoke rising in the distance; soldiers were approaching, the spectacle was formidable, truly without a place to go.

"Into the mountains!"

The robust young man called out, leading the crowd of refugees into Coiling Dragon Ridge.

"Brother Hong!"

An elder called out to the robust young man, his face troubled, saying, "These soldiers surround us but don’t kill us, driving us here, fearing they have another purpose."

"I heard that recently a large creature appeared within Coiling Dragon Ridge, extremely vicious, fond of eating humans. Even if we enter the mountains, we’ll likely fall into the tiger’s mouth, hard to escape death."

"Grandpa, it’s okay!"

Beside the elder, a seven or eight-year-old boy looked at the robust young man with admiration and trust, saying, "Brother Hong is immensely strong, and the name ’Qinhu’ which includes ’subduing tiger,’ surely he can conquer that Fierce Tiger!"

The elder smiled bitterly without a word.

It’s said that the soldiers who entered the mountains nearby all ended up unknown dead or alive.

This Brother Hong, even with great skills, wasn’t as formidable as those soldiers; otherwise, he wouldn’t be leading them in hiding.

The robust young man was Hong Qinhu from Longyin Village.

Fortunately, years ago, a mysterious Blade Master passed through, saving him from being devoured by a Flood Dragon, also imparting the ’Tiger Subduing Fist’ to him.

Years have passed, and now it has been cultivated up to the Eighth Grade Bone Transformation Realm.

After fleeing Longyin Village the second year, his grandpa passed away.

Hong Qinhu roamed Qingzhou, surviving the first year, gaining entry level afterward, thus gaining some self-defense capability.

These past two years, Daqian’s taxes grew increasingly heavy, and forced labor became frequent.

Even if people everywhere handed over all their grain, it wasn’t enough for taxes, and encountering natural disasters made the situation even worse.

With no other options, the populace abandoned their lands, resulting in the rise of refugees, leaving fields barren.

Local officials concealed it without reporting, instead, hunted refugees as merits.

Some time ago, Hong Qinhu rescued these refugees from the hands of some soldiers and led them fleeing to this place.

"Elder Liang, entering the mountains offers a slim chance for survival."

Hong Qinhu said, "Except for that Fierce Tiger, there should be other wild game in the mountains; if we can catch some prey and share it, everyone eats a bit and might just manage to hold on."

"The soldiers behind are well-equipped with strong bows and powerful crossbows, and this time, the Commander of Longpan County might have invited a Mystic Master from Profound Celestial Temple; there’s no chance if we backtrack."

"Yes, indeed."

The young boy alongside showed a trace of fear in his eyes, "Those Mystic Masters can perform Immortal Techniques; just seeing a bright white light flash, then dozen heads fall, incredibly formidable."

"Alas."

Elder Liang sighed, "Brother Hong, actually with your skills, you could escape alone; it’s we who have dragged you down."

Hong Qinhu paused and gazed at the people following behind him, then said, "Having encountered this situation, I can’t leave them to die; back then, my master also rescued me from despair."

"Roar!"

Right at this moment, a tiger’s roar suddenly echoed within Coiling Dragon Ridge, resonating through the mountains!

The faces of Hong Qinhu and his group all changed drastically.

Many of the people, starving for days, with hollow stomachs, had long since become weak, and hearing this roar, their legs turned limp, collapsing to the ground, expressions filled with despair.

Faced with the Fierce Tiger ahead and pursuers behind, truly a situation without a path to heaven or a door to earth.

Below Coiling Dragon Mountain.

Three thousand soldiers and horses from Longpan County gathered, flags fluttering.

Present were Commander Chai Si of Longpan County, County Captain Ma Baisan, and several Mystic Masters.

Upon hearing the roar from within Coiling Dragon Ridge, everyone’s eyes lit up, faces showing delight.

"Congratulations, Lord Chai."

The leading Mystic Master smiled.

"Congratulations to you too."

Chai Si smiled slightly, "This white creature is extremely rare and entirely precious; when we go to Qingzhou Manor to celebrate Marshal Zhang’s birthday and offer it as tribute, we’ll appear in good light."

"Indeed."

Mystic Master Ji Yang nodded, "Among Qingzhou’s Eight Great Marshals, Marshal Zhang is the only Grandmaster; when we pay our respects for his birthday, the gift mustn’t be shabby; this creature couldn’t be more suitable."

Chai Si added, "However, this beast is exceedingly ferocious, having killed many of my subordinates; Master Immortal Ji Yang, please be cautious."

"Hmph!"

Mystic Master Ji Yang let out a slight cold laugh and said, "No matter how fierce it is, it’s just a beast of flesh and blood. How can it withstand my Flying Sword!"

"Indeed, indeed!"

Chai Si quickly smiled and praised, "With an Immortal Divine Weapon, slaying this beast is as easy as turning a hand."

The crowd fixed their gaze on the direction of the mountain forest, searching for the whereabouts of that white beast.

Mystic Master Ji Yang suddenly asked, "Lord Chai, how did you know this beast would appear?"

"Hehe."

Chai Si chuckled lightly, saying, "This beast has eaten quite a few people and must have developed a taste for human flesh. To lure it out, the best method is to use live humans as bait."

"Just happened to encounter this group of refugees, might as well make use of them and drive them into Coiling Dragon Ridge."

"If the refugees are eaten by the beast, it saves us the effort of making a move, and then we can slay the beast, which would be killing two birds with one stone."

Beside him, Capital Captain Ma Baisan echoed, "Brilliant, my lord."

At this moment, Ma Baisan’s expression changed, pointing toward the direction of the mountains he suddenly said, "My lord, look over there!"

Everyone followed the direction of Ma Baisan’s finger and saw a white figure flickering in and out of view in the forest, rushing swiftly towards the group of refugees.

"Haha!"

Chai Si laughed and said, "Once this beast is satiated, it’ll be up to you all to show your skills."

In the mountain forest.

The crowd, hearing the roar of a tiger, was startled and panicked, and saw the trees on the mountain shaking, getting closer and closer, as the beast approached quickly.

A strong sense of fear loomed over the hearts of the crowd.

Even Hong Qinhu couldn’t help but swallow, his expression grave.

With a fierce wind, a white fierce tiger had already charged into the midst of the crowd!

This white fierce tiger was a size larger than an ordinary tiger, exuding an extremely terrifying aura, issuing low growls from deep within its throat, its tiger eyes glinting with a ferocious cold light, chilling the scalp!

The faint-hearted, when frightened like this, rolled their eyes and fainted on the spot.

Some children were so scared they wailed loudly.

Some people shook in their boots, some were trembling, and some lost control of their bowels.

"Come on!"

Hong Qinhu stood in front of everyone, spreading out the stance of the "Tiger Subduing Fist," eyes wide open, roaring loudly, seemingly brave and fearless, yet actually drenched in cold sweat.

This white tiger was obviously much more powerful than usual fierce beasts he had encountered!

However, the white tiger stood in front of everyone but did not immediately pounce on them.

The white tiger merely looked at the stance Hong Qinhu had taken with apparent interest.

Hong Qinhu was daunted at heart, yet he dared not retreat.

According to the village hunters’ experience, when faced with such a fierce beast, one must stare into its eyes and shout loudly; one must never expose their back or show fear.

Otherwise, if the beast senses his fear and cowardice, it will surely seize the opportunity to attack.

"Come here!"

Hong Qinhu shouted once more, executing a move of ’Hungry Tiger Descending the Mountain,’ followed by another move of ’Hungry Tiger Pounce,’ gesturing vigorously, with quite the momentum.

The white tiger suddenly leaped in front of Hong Qinhu.

Hiss!

Hong Qinhu took a sharp breath.

The beast’s movement was too fast!

He only felt a blur before his eyes, and the white tiger was already in front of him!

Hong Qinhu instinctively threw a ’Black Tiger Drilling Heart’ strike.

This punch was purely a reflex.

Over the past years, he had practiced the "Tiger Subduing Fist" every day, and this fist technique had long been ingrained in every fiber of his being.

The white tiger suddenly sidestepped, dodging aside.

Hong Qinhu’s punch missed, leaving him stunned on the spot.

Before he could react, the white tiger jumped back in front of him, towering over him, glaring down with its tiger eyes.

Man and beast, big eyes staring small eyes.

Hong Qinhu even developed a slight illusion.

The expression in the white tiger’s eyes seemed to carry a hint of playfulness.

This kind of human-like emotion shouldn’t appear in such a fierce beast.

It must be an illusion!

Without time for more thought, Hong Qinhu executed a ’Fierce Tiger Climbing Mountain,’ leaping up to strike the white tiger’s face.

That white tiger suddenly stood up as well, raising its front paws to swat at Hong Qinhu, mimicking a climbing slope gesture.

Hong Qinhu had just leapt up when the white tiger flattened him back down with a single paw.

Smack smack smack!

The white tiger extended its paws, patting him several times on his back.

Hong Qinhu, in pain, immediately rolled over and got up, flanking to the side.

"Hmm?"

Immediately, Hong Qinhu felt something in his heart.

Earlier, when the white tiger patted him, it did not extend its claws but only used its paw pads.

Moreover, the move it used was almost identical to ’Fierce Tiger Climbing Mountain,’ strangely similar!

Wait!

The sideways leap the white tiger first used should be the ’Tiger Leaping Gorge’ from the "Tiger Subduing Fist"!

Strange, strange indeed, a white tiger actually knows the "Tiger Subduing Fist"?

Moreover, this white tiger doesn’t seem to want to kill him, just playing around with him.