Kapitel 54: Wu Xiaowen- The War Commander of the 14th Squad

As the tension reached a new height, Liu Peng continued to search for his family, but his efforts appeared to be futile. He could hear the commotion happening and knew he had to act fast. He decided to forego his intention to find his family and rushed to help Juanxiu and the rest.

Liu Peng's heart raced as he saw the chaos unfolding before him. Screams and shouts echoed through the air, blending with the clashing of weapons and the crackling of qi. His mind was in a haze, trying to process what was happening around him.

As he got closer to the fight, he saw the uncle of Juanxiu engaged in a fierce battle with a man he didn't recognize. The two were exchanging blows with incredible speed and precision, their ax and scythe clashing in a deadly dance. Liu Peng felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the gravity of the situation.

The battle between the cultist group and their own was no less intense. The governor of the Tiger Quarry was leading her people out of the prison site, her voice barely audible over the chaos. The air was thick with the smell of blood and sweat

"Han Ru, we cannot let my nephew get in the way of our mission. Let me talk to him and convince him to step aside," Shunyuan said, his tone firm.

"Your nephew is becoming a nuisance. We can no longer afford to take chances," Han Ru replied, his face twisted in anger.

"But we cannot just eliminate him without giving him a chance to understand our cause," Shunyuan argued.

Han Ru shook his head. "I'm sorry, but that is not an option. We have to do what needs to be done to achieve our goals."

Han Ru swung his scythe in a graceful yet deadly dance, reminiscent of a butterfly fluttering its wings. His movements were fluid and precise, yet there was a deadly edge to it that could easily cut through flesh and bone.

But Shunyuan was not to be outdone. He responded with a forceful swing of his axe, splitting the air with a loud whoosh. His attack was like an eclipse, blocking out the light and leaving only darkness in its wake. The sheer force of his strike caused the ground to tremble beneath their feet, and the air to ripple and distort.

Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as metal met metal. Han Ru's scythe danced around Shunyuan's axe, seeking out weaknesses in his defense. But Shunyuan was no easy opponent. He held his ground, his stance solid as he countered Han Ru's attacks with swift and powerful strikes.

The two fighters were evenly matched, each one determined to come out on top. The sound of their weapons clashing echoed through the air, drowning out the chaos around them. The battle was intense, with neither side gaining the upper hand.

The raging wind tore through the area, sending ordinary people flying like discarded paper. Debris swirled around them, and dust filled the air, making it difficult to see. Liu Peng's heart raced as he spotted his eldest and youngest child, a powerful gust of wind knocked them off their feet. Without hesitation, he rushed to shield them from the ferocious wind's onslaught.

Meanwhile, Juanxiu and the rest of the group worked tirelessly to protect the innocent people from the dangerous debris swirling around them. They formed a shield of qi to ward off any harm, using their skills to control the wind and redirect the debris away from the people. The battle between Han Ru and Shunyuan continued to escalate, with each move causing more destruction and chaos. It was a deadly dance, with the innocent people caught in the crossfire.

As the chaos continued to unfold in the air, the sound of thundering hooves filled the sky, catching the attention of everyone. Thirteen massive Cloud Chaser ships soared through the sky, their flags fluttering in the wind, bearing the insignia of the Shaoying Empire and the 14th Battalion. A War Commander must be leading the army, and it was evident from the sheer size and power of the ships.

One of the ships came closer to the two people hovering in the air, and a platform appeared. A man, around the age of fifty, stepped onto the platform. His walk exuded authority, every step resonating with power. From toe to head, he looked serious, stern, and intimidating. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, his lips a tight line that showed no sign of a smile. This was Wu Xiaowen, a man who only followed the rules.

Wu Xiaowen walked to the edge of the platform, where he could be seen by the people below. He took a deep breath and began to speak. Standing beside him were two 5-Star Generals, each just as important as Fang Jinhai and Wei Wencheng. Every ship was also carrying a 3 or 4-star general, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

"The Shaoying Empire has come to restore order in Tiger Quarry," Wu Xiaowen's voice boomed across the land, silencing the chaos below. "We will not tolerate any disturbance in this area. Those who seek to disrupt the peace will be dealt with accordingly. The Shaoying Empire will not rest until justice is served."

Wu Xiaowen's voice boomed across the battlefield as he addressed his soldiers, his eyes fierce and his sword hand steady. He drew his blade from its sheath, the metal glinting in the sunlight as it let out a sharp hiss. The sword seemed to hum with energy, as if eager to spill the blood of its enemies.

Descending from his sky ship, Wu Xiaowen strode purposefully towards the air, moving closer to the two people who was earlier engage in a battle, his steps heavy and filled with authority. As he approached the area where Shunyuan and Han Ru stood, he assessed the situation with a cold, calculating gaze.

"Who do we have here?" he asked, his voice ringing out like thunder. "The former second young master of the Hao Clan and the butcher of the Xinshan Village, Han Ru."

Shunyuan and Han Ru regarded him with intense scrutiny, their eyes locked onto his figure. Han Ru spoke up, his tone dripping with contempt. "Xiaowen, are you still acting like the loyal dog of the empire? I told you before that the empire we know is no longer the Shaoying Empire."

Wu Xiaowen's expression did not change. "Says the criminal who fled. Fleeing is tantamount to admission of guilt, and you will die by my hands today," he declared, his voice cold and unwavering.

Han Ru's lip curled in a snarl. "I guess there's nothing left to talk about," he said, his voice laced with anger and defiance.

The three of them unleashed their full power, signaling the start of another fierce battle. The people below them were busy trying to evacuate those caught in the middle of the conflict and subdue the members of the cult. The fighters from the Tiger Quarry caught their attention, which made their job easier since the cult members' attention was diverted in all directions.

While they waited for someone to make a move, Wu Xiaowen made a remark. "It seems the rumor is true. You have joined the Karma Order."

Han Ru sneered. "And what of it? The Karma Order is the only way to bring down the corrupt Shaoying Empire."

Wu Xiaowen's expression hardened. "You are mistaken, Han Ru. The empire may be corrupt, but it is still the empire. And as a soldier of the empire, it is my duty to eliminate all threats to its sovereignty. That includes you."

Shunyuan stepped forward. "And what about us, Wu Xiaowen? Will you turn your sword on us as well?"

Wu Xiaowen looked at them with a cold gaze. "If it is necessary for the empire's sake, then yes. I will do what needs to be done."

Wu Xiaowen took a battle stance, his movements reminiscent of a fierce Lord Wolf. Han Ru twirled his scythe, its sharp blades resembling the wings of a butterfly. Shunyuan held his massive ax, its weight akin to the gravity of the moon. The three of them charged towards each other, their eyes fixed on their opponents.

Wu Xiaowen was the first to attack, lunging forward with his sword aimed at Han Ru's neck. But Han Ru deftly dodged the attack, his scythe twirling in a blur as he countered with a sweeping motion aimed at Wu Xiaowen's legs. Wu Xiaowen leaped back just in time, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he parried Han Ru's attack.

Shunyuan watched their movements intently, waiting for the right moment to strike. He saw an opening and charged forward, his massive ax aimed at Wu Xiaowen's back. But Wu Xiaowen sensed his approach and whirled around, his sword deflecting the blow with a resounding clash. Shunyuan grunted and stumbled back, but he quickly regained his balance and charged forward again.

The battle continued, the three warriors moving with lightning speed as they exchanged blows. Their weapons clashed and sparks flew as they tried to gain the upper hand. Wu Xiaowen's sword glinted in the sunlight, Han Ru's scythe twirled like a dancer, and Shunyuan's ax cleaved through the air like a thunderbolt.

The people watching from below could only stare in awe at the fierce battle unfolding above them. They saw the three warriors darting back and forth, their movements almost too fast to follow. They heard the sound of metal striking metal, of grunts and shouts, and of the wind whipping around them.

It seemed as though none of the three warriors could gain the upper hand. Each of them was too skilled, too fierce, and too determined to give up. But then, something changed. Wu Xiaowen's attacks became more focused, his movements more precise. He began to drive Han Ru and Shunyuan back, forcing them to defend themselves more fiercely.

Han Ru and Shunyuan exchanged a glance, and they knew what they had to do. They nodded to each other and attacked Wu Xiaowen at the same time, their weapons flashing in unison. Wu Xiaowen parried their attacks with ease, but then he stumbled. Han Ru and Shunyuan had caught him off-guard, and they seized the opportunity to strike.

However, in the last minute, the tide of the battle shifted as the two generals who were on Wu Xiaowen's side joined the fray. It was now three against two. The generals moved with the same deadly grace as Wu Xiaowen, their weapons howling like a coyote during a full moon.

Breathing heavily, Shunyuan and Han Ru stood on guard, watching as Wu Xiaowen regained his footing. The air around them was tense, the only sound being the rustling of their clothes and the clashing of their weapons.

"You are a traitor to the Shaoying Empire," Wu Xiaowen said, his voice cold and steely. "and for that, you must be punished."

Han Ru sneered. "The Shaoying Empire is already a part of the Grand Echo continent, and you know it. The Karma Order is fighting for justice and freedom."

Wu Xiaowen scoffed. "Justice and freedom? You have allied yourselves with murderers and thieves. You are no better than the criminals you claim to fight against."

Shunyuan stepped forward, his massive ax resting on his shoulder. "You speak of justice and freedom, but what do you know of it? You are nothing but a puppet of the empire, blindly following its orders without question."

Wu Xiaowen's eyes narrowed. "I am a loyal servant of the Shaoying Empire. I will do whatever it takes to protect its people and maintain its power."

Han Ru shook his head. "Your loyalty is misplaced. The empire no longer serves its people. It only serves the Grand Echo continent."

Shunyuan grunted in agreement. "Your blind obedience will be your downfall, Wu Xiaowen. You cannot see the truth that is right in front of you."

Wu Xiaowen raised his sword, his expression grim. "I will not let traitors like you destroy the empire. I will fight to my last breath to protect it."

Wu Xiaowen took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing all of his energy on his sword. As he drew in more breaths, the wind around him began to swirl and pick up, causing the clouds to part overhead. The sun shone down, casting a bright light on the battlefield below.

His hand tightly gripped the hilt of his sword, and he poured his qi into it, causing it to glow with a bright white light. The air around him crackled with energy, and the ground beneath his feet trembled.

The clouds continued to part, revealing a clear, blue sky, and the wind howled around him like a fierce beast, making his cloak billow out behind him. The sound of his breathing mixed with the wind, creating a haunting melody that seemed to fill the air.

The people around him, both friend and foe alike, watched in awe as he prepared for his attack. Even Han Ru and Shunyuan, who had been battling him moments ago, paused to watch with respect and admiration.

Finally, Wu Xiaowen opened his eyes, and they blazed with a bright light.

"Die, you fools,"