Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang were still fighting valiantly when a fierce fire suddenly erupted from the side, encircling them.
Xue Gucheng was momentarily surprised. He looked up and saw Suzaku and Baihu approaching. Yan Wushuang also stopped her flying knives and looked towards them with Xue Gucheng.
Baihu spoke to them, "You two are descendants of the divine race, and your ancestors were once our friends. I understand you were misled by the Ten Thousand Demon King into the demonic path. If you are willing to repent now and cease participating in this war, I will let you go."
Xue Gucheng glanced back at Yan Wushuang, understanding they shared the same thought. He then replied, "We appreciate the City Lord's kindness, but we are not fighting for ourselves, nor for fame or fortune. We fight so that no one will be oppressed, and everyone can live in equality."
Suzaku found this amusing and mocked them, "Before the Ghostly Race attacked the Four Cities, everyone lived in peace and happiness. But look at you now, you've pushed us to the point where we must mobilize the entire city's manpower to attack you and maintain peace."
Yan Wushuang argued, "Living in equality is not just for the people of the Four Cities, but also for the Ghostly Race, the Divine Horse Race, the Mermaid Race, and everyone in the entire异界 (Yi Jie - Otherworld). May everyone no longer be hostile towards each other, no longer hate each other, and be able to live in peace without being displaced."
Baihu said, "This world is inherently unfair. No one can be so great as to make everyone live happily."
Yan Wushuang countered, "Yes, there is one person who can. It is Muye. She comes from a land of happiness and has experienced a happy life. She knows how to make everyone happy, and she knows how to resolve racial hatred."
Suzaku found her words utterly ridiculous. "Hahaha, how laughable! If there were such a method, would we, who have lived for tens of thousands of years, not know how to solve it? I think you have been deceived by her unrealistic fantasies."
Xue Gucheng also retorted, "No, Muye is right. She can do it. If this battle is won, she will surely lead everyone to a beautiful future."
Baihu and Suzaku found them childish and ridiculous, speaking only impractical words. They both laughed dismissively. After laughing, Suzaku asked them, "I will not argue with you any further. This victory is already destined for the Northern Divine Capital, not your Allied Army. I will ask you one last time: are you willing to repent?"
Xue Gucheng stated firmly, "Once we entered Black Mountain, we became people of the Ten Thousand Demon King, people of the Ghostly Race. Shuang'er and I will never cling to life and abandon the Ten Thousand Demon King, the Ghostly Race, and the entire Allied Army."
"Good, you have backbone. Since you have made your decision, I can only send you on your way." Saying this, he waved his fire towards them, but it did not touch them. Suzaku exclaimed in surprise, "It's the Feathered Wing Robe!"
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang seized the opportunity and flew out, one wielding a saber and the other a snow blade. As Suzaku and Baihu dodged, they cut open their palms and flung blood onto Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng. The two, not understanding why, did not stop. At this moment, Suzaku and Baihu flung blood all over them again. Only then did the two feel that their actions must be related to the Feathered Wing Robe. However, they had no other choice and could only do what they could.
At this moment, Suzaku once again unleashed the Earth Spirit Fire, encircling Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng. Seeing the raging flames, I inwardly thought it was bad. I decisively sheathed my sword and ran over. Qinglong and Baihu also hurried after me.
Suzaku asked them one last time, "I'll give you one last chance. Are you willing to repent?" Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang shook their heads in unison.
"Good, very good. Then you shall accompany your Allied Army to the Yellow Springs." As he spoke, he was about to wave his hand to cast fire, but Wan Gui Wang and I arrived just in time. I cleaved my sword in front of him, hearing only the screeching sound of metal hitting armor.
Suddenly, someone attacked from behind. Wan Gui Wang rushed forward to block him, but the person passed through Wan Gui Wang's incorporeal form and struck me with a palm, sending me flying to the side.
"Muye!" Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng shouted in concern. I looked up and saw that the attacker was Qinglong, who had caught up. Suzaku, seeing Qinglong arrive, asked him, "Big brother, I've trapped these two traitors of the divine race in the fire. I was about to burn them to death."
I quickly got up and slashed at the Earth Spirit Fire, but it bounced back. Suzaku said, "It's useless. This is Earth Spirit Fire; you can't break it." I looked at Wan Gui Wang and said, "Wan Gui Wang, find a way to save them. I'll hold off the four of them."
Qinglong said, "It's useless. If you surrender, I can release them, and I can release everyone here." I looked at Yan Wushuang and Xue Gucheng trapped in the fire, and then at the Allied Army still fighting. My heart wavered slightly.
Yan Wushuang noticed my predicament and said proactively, "Muye, we've come so far. Don't bow to others for our sake. How can that honor the fallen soldiers and the expectations of everyone?"
Xuanwu tried to persuade me, "Is it worth it to sacrifice so many lives for your own reputation? If you surrender now, all of you can still keep your lives. Isn't that a good thing? Why continue this slaughter?"
Xue Gucheng, however, said, "Muye, don't listen to him. Even if we surrender, we'll still die. It's better to die a glorious death and be true to ourselves." His words strengthened my resolve. Qinglong pointed at me and asked, "Ten Thousand Demon King, I ask you, will you surrender or not?"
I replied without hesitation, "Never!"
"Good. Then we don't need to be polite with you. We'll let you watch the people you care about most die before your eyes. Suzaku, make your move."
"Yes." Saying this, Suzaku waved his hand and summoned the Earth Spirit Fire to attack Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang from all sides. The two held each other tightly. Xue Gucheng asked Yan Wushuang, "Shuang'er, are you afraid?" Yan Wushuang shook her head and said, "As long as you are here, I am not afraid."
"Good, then let's go together."
"Okay." They were then engulfed by the flames and vanished into the inferno.
"No!" My heart was pierced like a knife, and I was overcome with pain. Tears welled up. I turned to rush into the flames to save them, but Wan Gui Wang grabbed me. Wan Gui Wang told me, "Don't let their sacrifice be in vain. You have more important things to do now."
It was then that I came to my senses. I raised my twin swords and roared at the four City Lords, "If I don't kill you, I swear I will not be human!" I then soared into the sky, unleashing my twin swords, shouting, "Dragon's Roar! Crimson Blood Break!"
Wan Gui Wang also transformed into a surge of sword energy and rushed towards them. Wan Gui Wang knew this sword energy could only injure one person, so he led the sword energy with all his might towards Qinglong. Baihu saw this and immediately leaped forward to block him. Three streams of sword energy struck Baihu directly. Amidst a flash of white light, his armor was destroyed, and just as he was about to deliver a fatal blow, Liu Xiang suddenly emerged. He formed the Five-Star Seal in his hand and flung it towards Baihu, blocking the final strike for him. Then, with an explosion.
After the explosion, Baihu, having suffered internal injuries, retreated a few steps and was caught by Qinglong. Qinglong quickly sent a surge of qi to protect his heart and said to him, "Thank you, Baihu. Go rest and wait for us." Baihu nodded and then walked to the side, sitting on the ground to meditate and circulate his energy.
I landed and ran towards Wan Gui Wang, only to see his body turn white from his feet to his waist. I asked him in panic, "Why did you turn white?" Wan Gui Wang slowly stood up and said, "It's nothing. I probably just exerted too much force just now."
Liu Xiang walked over slowly and said, "Wan Gui Wang used half of his demonic power to strike the City Lord. If he continues to fight like this, he will exhaust his demonic power and his soul will scatter." I looked at Wan Gui Wang in disbelief and asked him, "Is what he said true?" Wan Gui Wang knew he could no longer hide it and said, "Muye, we have gone through hardships together. We have finally reached this point. Even if I die, I will fight with you until the end."
My heart ached, and I remembered seeing Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang die before my eyes just moments ago. My heart grew even more sorrowful. Finally, I said, "You go. I don't need you anymore." He paused slightly, shook his head, and said, "I'm not leaving. I will fight alongside you." I suppressed my tears and said to him, "I will definitely fulfill our shared wish. So, until then, you live well. I still need you to visit my grave often."
"I am already dead. What does it matter if I die again? So, let me fight alongside you." He extended his hand, and I also extended mine, tightly gripping his hand, agreeing to his request.
At this moment, Qinglong called out to us, "Come on, let's decide the winner." I replied, "Okay, let's do it." Then I turned to Wan Gui Wang and said, "Let's go together." He nodded and said, "Okay."
Thus, the two of them drew their swords and engaged Qinglong, Baihu, and Suzaku in battle. Liu Xiang watched from the side. He calculated that most of the Allied generals were dead, but one person was still alive: Liu Shinian. He smiled slightly and said, "It's time to settle the score with you." He then flew up to find Liu Shinian.
At this moment, a cloud drifted over the battlefield. Two figures stood on the cloud: a venerable monk and Celestial Master Zhang. Celestial Master Zhang looked at the bloody scene below, the countless dead and the still-fighting parties, and felt a silent sorrow. He then glanced sideways and saw Muye and Wan Gui Wang battling the three City Lords. He anxiously called out, "Muye!"
The venerable monk admonished him, "Everything has its destiny. We cannot change anything." Celestial Master Zhang asked the monk, "Master, can you save Muye?" The monk replied, "Her fate dictates she must face this tribulation. No one can save her." Celestial Master Zhang sighed deeply, helpless.
At this time, Liu Shinian and some Allied soldiers were surrounded by the Northern Divine Capital's soldiers. Liu Xiang suddenly flew over, grabbed Liu Shinian, and flew towards them. As Wan Gui Wang and I were locked in a fierce battle with the three City Lords, Liu Xiang suddenly said from the side, "Liu Muye, look who I brought for you." I turned my head and saw him throw Liu Shinian, whom he had captured, onto the ground. I roared at him, "Don't touch him!"
Liu Xiang smiled slightly and retorted, "You care about him so much. What would happen if he died?"
"Liu Xiang, you promised not to interfere in the battle."
"Yes, but I didn't promise not to kill Liu Shinian."
"You!" He laughed heartily and called out to the three City Lords, "My three elder brothers, the outcome is decided. There's no need to continue fighting." Hearing this, the three City Lords stopped. Liu Shinian tried to get up, but Liu Xiang pressed him down with his hand, preventing him from rising.
Liu Shinian angrily said, "If you want to kill me, kill me. Don't torture me." Liu Xiang smiled faintly, ignoring him, and asked me, "Liu Muye, your defeat is certain. Surrender."
"Liu Xiang, you despicable scoundrel, what right do you have to make me surrender?" Liu Xiang waved his bone fan near Liu Shinian's neck and threatened, "Look back. All your generals are dead, only this one remains." I clenched my fist and asked him, "What exactly do you want?"
"It's simple. The Allied Army's momentum is gone. Why cling to stubbornness and seek death? Surrender."
"Absolutely not."
"It seems you still don't like him. Then I'll have to kill him." As he spoke, he was about to act. Seizing the opportunity, I flew forward with my sword, but the three City Lords suddenly threw ropes, binding my hands and feet. At this moment, the injured City Lord of the Southern Sea City also flew over and threw a rope, binding one of my feet. Instantly, my limbs were tightly held. It was then that I realized this was all their trap. I cursed Liu Xiang, "You despicable villain, it seems this was a trap you planned long ago." He laughed heartily and said, "So what? What you should be concerned about now is not me, but him." He pointed at Liu Shinian again and said, "Since you don't care about him, there's no point in keeping him alive."
As he was about to strike a fatal blow, Wan Gui Wang quickly threw a sword, and Liu Xiang batted it away. Seeing Wan Gui Wang approach, he angrily said, "You court death!" Then, together with the City Lords, he unleashed a palm strike at Wan Gui Wang.
"Wan Gui Wang!" Muye and Liu Shinian exclaimed in panic. Wan Gui Wang had already expended most of his demonic power. With this combined five-force strike, his body and soul were annihilated. Before he vanished, he smiled and said, "Muye, thank you." Then he dissipated into specks of starlight.
After Wan Gui Wang's death, Liu Shinian knew he was next. He said, "Muye, I'm leaving first." After he said this, his throat was slit, and he was then killed with a palm strike.
"No! Liu Shinian!" I cried out, suddenly feeling an unbearable headache. I forcefully summoned my ice-feathered wings, broke free from the ropes, and attacked him. He said calmly, "Still unable to see reality." Then he swung his bone fan and blinded my eyes.
"Ah!" I screamed but did not stop. At this moment, the four City Lords threw ropes again, binding me and dragging me back. Xuanwu, seeing that the time was right, said, "Let me kill her!" As he spoke, he swung his sword and flew towards me. At that moment, a palm strike descended from the sky, "Great Luo Dharma Seal," knocking his sword away.
While they were stunned, a voice from afar was heard, "Amitabha, good deeds, good deeds." They looked back and saw the venerable monk and Celestial Master Zhang flashing towards them. As they approached, Celestial Master Zhang rushed to support me and said, "Muye, I am Celestial Master. I am here." Hearing the familiar voice, I smiled with relief and said, "It's good that you're still alive. It's good." Hearing this, his heart was filled with emotion, and his heart was a mixture of feelings. He dared not speak further and could only support me silently.
The venerable monk bowed to Liu Xiang and the four City Lords and said, "You are all highly respected, benevolent, and righteous ancient divine beings. Since the outcome has been decided today, there is no need to kill any more people. A proper judgment must be made to give the world an explanation and the citizens an explanation." Qinglong found this reasonable and stepped forward to bow to the monk, saying, "Master, what you say is reasonable. We must give the world an explanation. Thank you, Master."
"Amitabha. So many people have died in this battle. City Lords, please stop the fighting promptly and bury the dead."
"Thank you, Master, for your guidance. I will do so immediately." The venerable monk turned to Celestial Master Zhang and said, "Celestial Master, let's go." Celestial Master Zhang said with some surprise, "Master, why so soon?"
"The karmic ties here are resolved. We are no longer needed. Let's go." Celestial Master Zhang looked at Muye reluctantly, carefully wiped the blood from her face, and then said, "Muye, I have to go now." I nodded and replied, "Go." Celestial Master Zhang sighed deeply and then rose to leave with the venerable monk. At this moment, the entire sky turned blood red, making it impossible to distinguish between blood and sunset. I looked up at the sky, but could see nothing. All I could hear was a cacophony of noise.
In the 1189th year of Tiangu, the three alliances led by the Ten Thousand Demon King and the forces of the Four Cities engaged in a decisive battle on the Zhulu Plains. Unfortunately, they were attacked from both sides and suffered a devastating defeat. The Twelve Star Generals under the Ten Thousand Demon King, the Twenty-Four Mountain Lords, the Four Guardians of the Mermaid Race, Wan Gui Wang, Liu Mei, Thirteen Niang, and Xian Ling'er all died heroically. Thus, the allied forces led by the Ten Thousand Demon King completely disintegrated.