An Jiu took down the Dragon Subduing Bow but didn’t reach for an arrow. Instead, she glanced at Chu Dingjiang.
Chu immediately understood her intention and placed his palm against her back.
As the bowstring drew taut, a red glow flickered at An Jiu’s fingertips, and the Dragon Subduing Bow seemed to emit a low, satisfied hum. At the same time, Chu felt the True Energy in his body surge out like a floodgate had been opened.
A crimson arrow of condensed True Energy took shape. An Jiu aimed at the firing mechanism of one of the Explosive Crossbows a hundred zhang away.
Dust and sand swirled in the air, severely limiting visibility.
During the aiming process, the Dragon Subduing Bow seemed unsatisfied, continuously drawing True Energy from Chu’s body. This energy coursed through An Jiu’s meridians before gathering at her fingertips. The initially translucent arrow grew increasingly solid—its color shifting from pale red to deep crimson, then dark red, until finally forming a distinct black-feathered arrow, as if materialized from pure energy!
Gao Dazhuang stared in astonishment at the scene.
Had An Jiu noticed the arrow’s appearance at this moment, she would have been even more shocked than Gao Dazhuang—because the solidified arrow bore the unmistakable form of the Shā Yǔ Arrow!
Even after the Shā Yǔ Arrow took shape, the Dragon Subduing Bow continued to drain Inner Force. Soon, tendrils of red light coiled around the black arrow like flickering flames.
As the True Energy cycled through her body twice, An Jiu felt her vision sharpen. At this moment, her mind was filled with the bow’s resonant hum. The entire world seemed to fade into obscurity—only the firing mechanism of a distant Explosive Crossbow remained crystal clear, magnified infinitely before her eyes.
The dazzling red light shot into the sky, drawing the attention of the Liao army’s rear guard.
Xiao Zhenning’s expression darkened, and he abruptly wheeled his horse around.
At that instant—
A piercing Crane Cry soared into the heavens. A streak of red light tore forward like a hurricane, kicking up sand and stones in its wake. The dust, stirred by the surging True Energy, split like a wave cleaved by a sword, revealing a perfectly clear path in the middle.
The soldiers on both sides of the battlefield suddenly felt an overwhelming heat. For a brief moment, they thought the sun itself had fallen. Wherever the light passed, countless cranes shrieked—their usually graceful cries now brimming with terrifying killing intent.
The arrow closed in on the Explosive Crossbow in the blink of an eye. The soldier holding it barely had time to react before watching in horror as the crossbow silently disintegrated upon contact with the red glow.
What felt like an eternity passed in an instant.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted a hundred zhang away as the light burst apart. For half a breath, the shockwave—imbued with the combined power of Transformation Realm Skill and over a dozen Explosive Crossbows—ripped outward with apocalyptic force.
No one would ever forget this sight.
Where the light touched, flesh and blood scattered—only to vanish without a trace in the next instant, reduced to wisps of black smoke that reeked of charred rot.
Ling Ziyue roared with Internal Energy-enhanced force, “RETREAT!”
But his voice was drowned out by the explosion. In that moment, soldiers from both the Liao and Song armies could only flee in blind panic, driven by sheer survival instinct.
An Jiu’s eyes widened as she took in the devastation. The reflection of the light burned in her pupils, her blood boiling with exhilaration.
This destructive power was no less terrifying than high-grade firearms!
Chu Dingjiang coughed up a mouthful of blood and plummeted from the tree.An Jiu froze for a moment. Her mind was in chaos, the destructive impulse that had been ignited gradually dissipating as Chu Dingjiang fell. A fleeting clarity surfaced in her thoughts, and without hesitation, she lunged forward to grab him. "Chu Dingjiang!"
Her voice carried a trace of fear.
A faint smile appeared on Chu Dingjiang's pale face.
An Jiu watched helplessly as his tall frame crashed heavily into the dust, sending up a cloud of debris. It felt as though something inside her shattered at that moment. Instantly, her entire body turned ice-cold, the agitation stirred by bloodshed forced into retreat. Her mind became startlingly clear, and a long-absent sense of panic surged in her chest.
"Chu Dingjiang!" An Jiu landed and rushed to help him up, pressing her fingers to his neck to check his pulse. Only when she detected a faint beat did she exhale slightly in relief.
Chu Dingjiang, seeing her frightened expression, turned his head and spat out a mouthful of blood. His voice was hoarse as he said, "Not dead yet."
"Mm." An Jiu crouched down and grabbed his arm. "I'll carry you away."
Chu Dingjiang silently climbed onto her small back, his eyes burning slightly.
There had been a time, when everyone doubted him, that he had fantasized about having someone stand by his side in times of crisis—even if they couldn’t help much, at least he wouldn’t feel so alone. Now, that dream had finally come true. The person before him, despite her petite frame, could shoulder burdens no less than his own.
An Jiu wasn’t particularly tall, nor did she look strong, but her explosive power and endurance were astonishing. Even while carrying someone as large as Chu Dingjiang, she sprinted straight into the main camp without showing the slightest sign of fatigue.
"Chu Dingjiang, how are you?" An Jiu placed him on Ling Ziyue’s bed and, seeing him about to pass out, frantically slapped his face. "Should I call a physician?"
"An Xiaojiu, count how many times you’ve slapped me today," Chu Dingjiang said through gritted teeth.
An Jiu thought to herself, If he can still hold a grudge, then his condition can’t be too bad.
After enjoying the rare sight of her panic, Chu Dingjiang finally reassured her, "I’m fine. My True Energy was drained too violently and too quickly. I just need to rest and regulate it—don’t disturb me."
"Alright, I’ll stand guard." An Jiu picked up the Dragon Subduing Bow and took position by the door.
Chu Dingjiang watched her—covered in dust yet holding the bow with solemn determination—and his gaze softened further.
At his core, Chu Dingjiang wasn’t a gentle man. He was skilled at disguising himself, capable of appearing bold and straightforward, considerate and attentive, or cold and aloof as the situation demanded. He was a strategist, wearing different masks for different people, his heart truly cold and ruthless. He had never been able to figure out what An Jiu meant to him. At first, she had merely been a pet he intended to keep for amusement, a way to stave off loneliness. But somehow, his feelings had spiraled beyond his control. Just moments ago, as he fell, he had seen her throw herself after him without hesitation—and something deep inside him had stirred.
To him, it didn’t matter whether he was falling from a tree or a cliff. What mattered was that someone had chosen to follow without hesitation.
Chu Dingjiang closed his eyes and began regulating his breathing.
About half an hour later, the army returned to camp.
The Explosive Crossbow’s detonation had resulted in thousands of casualties on both the Liao and Song sides.The area closest to the blast was almost entirely occupied by Liao troops. Since no bodies could be found, it was roughly estimated that about five to six hundred had died, with several thousand soldiers from both Liao and Song suffering varying degrees of injuries. Xiao Zhenning assumed the Song forces had used a weapon similar to the Explosive Crossbow. Unaware of how many they possessed, he dared not press the attack further and hastily led his troops in retreat.
When Ling Ziyue returned and saw An Jiu standing like a statue at the entrance, he was momentarily stunned before solemnly clasping his fists and bowing deeply in salute.
An Jiu skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "I need to borrow your place to treat my injuries."
Ling Ziyue had no objections. "How severe are the injuries? Should I summon a military physician to examine them?"
An Jiu shook her head.
"General, the envoy from the Weaponry Bureau has arrived!" a soldier came to report. (To be continued...)
Note:
Accompanied my mom for her IV drip this afternoon. Will type up the rest first thing tomorrow. Asking for leave from everyone. Apologies. (To be continued...)
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