Armor surged, stepping and shattering the snow-filled ground.

Red lanterns penetrated the snowy mist, casting a glow of crimson.

From a high vantage point, the reinforcements from Chongqing Prefecture resembled a black torrent, tearing through this scarlet, heading towards the Shu Prince Mansion.

In the midst of the crowd, Yang Chenghua gazed at the bronze flower basket in his hands.

After lifting the spell, this ancient National Sacrificial Divine Artifact returned to its original worn-out appearance, showing no signs of anomaly.

However, Yang Chenghua could sense a thought within it, slowly nurturing under the Power of Incense.

It felt familiar yet strange to him.

Familiar, because it originated from the River God Grand Duke; ever since the Erlang True Monarch Temple appeared, a key task has been to suppress this remnant demon thought.

One could say that the karmic ties had been forged from the beginning.

Strange, because the Dragon Lady has seized the divine charm.

A new powerful Water God is about to emerge.

Thinking of this, Yang Chenghua's gaze grew complex.

"Daoist, are you leaving?"

A voice of ancient tones suddenly rang from behind.

It was Cheng Jianxin and Chang Tianque.

"I have no attachment left."

Yang Chenghua nodded, showing no surprise.

Among everyone present, besides Li Yan who knew his identity from the beginning, the rest were somewhat confused.

Mingshanzi seemed to have a guess, but wasn't sure.

Yet, this Chen Jianxian, although aged, had once stepped into the Ascension Realm and discerned his identity.

Recalling occasional past conversations, Yang Chenghua couldn't help but ask, "At that time, you were just one step away, why did you sever your own path?"

Cheng Jianxin was silent for a moment, then smiled on his old face, "Perhaps it was disappointment; that place may grant Ascension, but it is still elusive in freedom, the sea of bitterness is boundless."

"I've sent forth too many swords in my lifetime, and have grown weary, unwilling to part from this mortal world, wishing only to be buried here."

"You are not of the human world, you might as well take a journey…"

Having said this, with Chang Tianque's support, he continued forward.

Only leaving Yang Chenghua, who looked at the flower basket in his hand, then at the sky thick with mist and thunder, gently shaking his head...

...…

Without obstacles in the street, the army moved faster.

Finally, they arrived at the main street outside the Shu King Palace.

Funeral lanterns were as cold as snow, while red lanterns permeated the thick mist.

Amidst the red and white, the opposing armies stood hundreds of meters apart.

Urlaa!

The Shu Prince Mansion's side raised countless firearms.

The Chongqing reinforcements also aimed their firearms.

A cold wind blew, both sides held their breath, extremely tense.

The new-style firearms were more powerful, and the Shu Prince Mansion's side was more robustly equipped, as they guarded all around the mansion.

The number of troops at the front gate was just about equal to the Chongqing reinforcements.

In such a situation, firing would benefit no one.

Zhao XianDa, with his crossed blade mounted, suddenly turned his gaze and shouted loudly towards the distance, "Hear me, comrades!"

"That Shu King Xiao Qipan has long been controlled by a demon; they are performing an Evil Technique inside, intending to destroy all of Sichuan! All these strange occurrences in the city are their doing!"

His words clearly aimed at shaking their morale.

Indeed, they were effective.

Many garrison soldiers harbored doubts, for the sights before them were indeed bizarre, and the Shu Prince Mansion had been well-prepared.

Could it be they had all been exploited?

But at this point, having caused such chaos, what should they do…

Seeing their hesitation, Zhao XianDa pleased, clanged as he drew his sword, pointing towards the swirling thick mist in the sky:

"Look at this city filled with nightmare curses; you are also Chengdu-born children, perhaps your wives and children are going mad in the streets, how dare you aid evildoers?!"

His voice echoed like a bell through the snowy night.

"How audacious!"

Just as the Chengdu Guard Station soldiers hesitated, a Black Feather Guard leader suddenly spurred forward on horseback, shouting sternly:

"Traitorous ministers, how dare you incite with demon words!"

Having said that, he raised his hand and fired a shot with the Divine Fire Gun.

Bang!

A loud explosion scattered flames.

Zhao XianDa felt a chill atop his head; his turban and hair bun were blasted apart, his hair flying in the fierce wind, frightening him into ducking low.

He narrowly dodged it, but the soldiers beside him were less fortunate.

Someone groaned, blooming with blood in the chest and abdomen.

Someone's head was pierced through by a pellet, instantly falling dead.

But this moment seemed to trigger a switch.

"Kill!"

The reinforcements from Chongqing Prefecture opened fire in unison.

It was still a three-phase attack, the roar of gunpowder merged into a cacophony, flames burst forth, smoke blending into the snowy night.

Bang bang bang!

Those led by the Black Feather Guards, their Divine Fire Guns roared, while the remaining Chengdu Guard Station soldiers, anxious, instinctively fired.

Once the guns sounded, reasoning ceased.

Everyone madly pulled the trigger.

Fortunately, on the street leading to the Shu Prince Mansion, there were quite a few taverns and eateries on either side, offering much cover.

After dozens of casualties, the Chongqing reinforcements quickly dispersed, some climbed onto taverns to fire, others darted through dark alleys, firing from another street.

Before coming, everyone had been briefed on their mission.

Their goal was to hold off the Shu Prince Mansion's front gate troops, preparing for the other two factions.

The Shu Prince Mansion side also suffered significant losses.

Someone's head burst open, dropping to the ground, their carried gunpowder and firearms swiftly seized by others, used to return fire.

The mist thickened, dusk descended.

At a distance of three hundred meters, ordinary soldiers couldn't see the opponent, unable to aim, firing blindly.

For a moment, chaos reigned.

Atop the dim locale at the Scholar's Tower, Li Yan watched all this, his gaze cold, murderous intent barely suppressed.

Honestly, he didn't consider himself a good person.

His father was a renowned bladesman, where killing for money was a regular practice.

From a young age, he was cunning, never willing to lose, mingling in the pugilistic world, knowing all sorts of deceitful tricks, dragging others into trouble.

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