Batian Martial Soul

Chapter 14421 My greatest skill is escaping

The brick walls bear the marks of time, as if telling the story of the city's past glory and vicissitudes.

At this moment, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the horizon a brilliant red, and cast Lingxiao's long, thin shadow on the city wall, making him appear exceptionally lonely and resolute.

"Are the people in the city still safe and sound?"

Ling Xiao suddenly spoke, breaking the silence on the city tower.

His voice was deep and full of concern, which sounded especially warm on the city tower where the wind was howling.

Upon hearing Ling Xiao's question, Shangguan Yuening quickly stepped forward.

She wore exquisite armor that gleamed coldly in the twilight, making her look like a female war goddess from the battlefield.

She answered respectfully:

"Your Highness, rest assured, the people's hearts are with us."

"In recent days, not a single citizen of the city has fled. They know that this battle concerns the life and death of the empire, so they have all responded enthusiastically."

"Every household is working feverishly to manufacture weapons, and even the children are volunteering to help carry arrows, contributing their own strength to the upcoming great battle."

The west wind whipped up the banners on the city tower, making them flutter and rustle, as if cheering for the upcoming battle.

Ling Xiao's gaze slowly swept over the soldiers standing guard below the city. Their faces were filled with determination and resolve, as if they were prepared to perish together with the enemy.

Ling Xiao's voice grew increasingly solemn:

"Since there is no way out, there is no need to hide anything."

"We will make all key information, including enemy troop strength and our own food reserves, public."

"Make sure everyone understands our current situation and the challenges we are about to face."

He slowly turned around, his cloak billowing in the wind in a clean arc, like an eagle spreading its wings to take flight.

His voice was firm and powerful, like a sharp sword piercing the enemy's heart:

"Tell everyone that there is no turning back in this battle; we must fight to the death."

"Every single one of us in the Overlord Empire must fight to the very last moment for the dignity and glory of our empire!"

"Everything has been arranged."

Shangguan Yuening's eyes were firm as she gripped the hilt of her sword tightly, the delicate patterns on the hilt turning slightly white from her exertion.

"Empress Mingkong is currently personally checking the last of the provisions. According to her estimate, these provisions are enough to sustain the army for half a month. Even if the enemy besieges the city, we need not worry about running out of food."

"The forces of Batian City..."

Ling Xiao's gaze sharpened slightly as he continued to inquire about the crucial matters.

"Lü Ning had everything arranged perfectly yesterday."

Shangguan Yuening immediately replied, her voice crisp and clear.

"One hundred thousand elite troops are now deployed around the city walls, protecting this city like an impregnable fortress."

"The archers are all in position. If the enemy dares to approach, they will never return."

Ling Xiao nodded slightly, about to say something, when suddenly a figure staggered into the city tower.

The man was none other than the abbot of Xuantian Temple. His face was as pale as paper, and he could barely stand by leaning against the wall. His clothes were soaked with blood, a shocking sight.

He struggled to raise his hand and pointed to the distant horizon, his voice hoarse like a broken bellows:

“Here it comes…”

"It was a dark, overwhelming mass, blotting out the sky and the sun, as if it were about to devour the entire world."

At this moment, dark clouds covered the sky, as if even the heavens were moved by the impending great battle.

The dark clouds were like a huge black curtain, weighing heavily on people's hearts, making it hard to breathe.

Ling Xiao stood alone atop the mountain, hands clasped behind his back. A fierce wind howled past, causing his robes to flutter in the wind, making him look like an eagle spreading its wings to take flight.

His deep gaze pierced through layers of clouds and mist, landing directly on the distant horizon.

There, the faint aura of clashing swords and galloping horses surged, as if a primordial beast was awakening, carrying a chilling pressure that sent shivers down one's spine.

"It's finally here."

Ling Xiao muttered to himself, his voice soft yet filled with determination and fighting spirit.

His fingertips unconsciously clenched into a fist, which was somewhat cold, but the fighting spirit contained within was boiling, like a volcano about to erupt, unstoppable.

Shangguan Yue rushed over, her skirt billowing in the mountain wind like a butterfly in flight.

She gazed at Ling Xiao's tall yet lonely back, and a strange tightness gripped her heart, as if something bad was about to happen.

She walked quickly to Ling Xiao's side and asked softly:

"Are they from the Heavenly Abyss Sanctuary?"

Her voice trembled almost imperceptibly; clearly, she too felt the immense pressure that was about to be placed upon her.

Upon hearing Shangguan Yue's words, Ling Xiao slowly turned around, and a faint smile appeared on his originally cold face.

The smile seemed somewhat abrupt at this moment, yet it carried an indescribable composure and confidence:

"Who else could it be but them?"

"In this world, the only ones with such a formidable force, and who share an irreconcilable hatred with our Overlord Empire, are the people of the Heavenly Abyss Sanctuary."

His smile seemed calm and composed, as if everything was under his control, but in Shangguan Yue's eyes, it made her even more uneasy.

She felt her heart suddenly race, as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly.

She could no longer care about anything else and quickly stepped forward. Her slender fingers unconsciously gripped Ling Xiao's sleeve, the delicate patterns on the sleeve caressing her fingertips, as if reflecting her panicked state of mind at that moment.

"Let me take some men to scout ahead."

Shangguan Yue said urgently, her voice tinged with a pleading tone:

"You are the ruler of the Overlord Empire, the backbone of the empire, and you must not take unnecessary risks."

"What would happen to the entire empire if something went wrong?"

Her eyes were filled with worry and anxiety, as if the whole world would collapse if something happened to Ling Xiao at this moment.

Just then, a clear, melodious voice came from behind, like a mountain spring flowing through the air, breaking the brief tension:

"Let him go."

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Ji Mingkong walking slowly down the blue stone steps.

Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back, tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, a few stray strands fluttering in the wind, adding to her lively charm.

Her plain face held an all-knowing understanding, as if everything in the world was within her expectations.

She stopped three steps away, her gaze first sweeping over Shangguan Yue's worried face, her eyes carrying a hint of understanding and comfort, before finally landing on Ling Xiao, her eyes becoming firm and profound.

"If he can't win, he'll naturally run away."

Ji Mingkong spoke calmly, as if stating a perfectly ordinary fact, yet these simple words revealed a trust and understanding of Ling Xiao.

She knew that Ling Xiao was not a reckless person; he had his own judgment and strategies, and would surely be able to protect himself at crucial moments.

Upon hearing this, Ling Xiao was slightly taken aback, then burst into loud laughter.

The laughter was hearty and unrestrained, startling the birds in the forest into flight. They flapped their wings and flew into the sky, as if they too were infected by the laughter.

He patted Shangguan Yue's shoulder forcefully, the force carrying a sense of encouragement and comfort:

Did you hear me?

"My greatest skill is escaping."

"Back then, I used to weave through the clash of swords and shadows, and countless times I escaped danger thanks to my survival skills."

"So, don't worry about me." (End of Chapter)