Heartbreaking

Red Moon's display of skill was truly earth-shattering, shocking everyone present. Even the hot-tempered Split-in-Two was stunned, frozen in place for a moment. Fengshen Yinde only came to his senses after a long while, his face beaming with smiles as he said, "So it's the renowned Rongmen Sect Master, Senior Red! My apologies for my rudeness, this junior is honored to pay my respects!" He quickly bowed deeply, his expression dignified and solemn.

Seeing his humility, politeness, and easygoing nature—unlike his father Heshen—and his composed demeanor, Hong Yueliang smiled slightly and said, "Young master, you are so young yet your martial arts are already so advanced, and your spear skills are even more remarkable. You are sure to achieve great things in the future, and your bright future is limitless! May I ask which school you belong to and who your reclusive master is?" Fengshen Yinde dared not conceal anything and bowed respectfully, saying, "My master is Luo Yunshang, the lord of Youzhou City, the most important city in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun."

Red Moon's heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "Could it be the Soul-Stealing Jade Spear Master Luo Yunshang?" Feng Shen Yinde replied respectfully, "Indeed, it is my master." Red Moon sighed and said sorrowfully, "According to rumors in the martial world, six years ago, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun offended someone for some unknown reason, and overnight, the entire city was massacred by their enemies. All sixteen cities in the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were wiped out in blood, and even the civilians in the cities were not spared. Blood flowed like rivers, and corpses littered the fields. It is estimated that there were more than 100,000 victims, all of whom were decapitated and killed with a single blow. However, the murderer came and went without a trace, leaving not a single clue!"

Fengshen Yinde was trembling all over, grief-stricken, and tears welled up in his eyes as he said, "Indeed, since my mentor and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun were murdered six years ago, it has always been a disgrace to the descendants of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun. This headless tragedy remains unsolved to this day, becoming the biggest unsolved case in the history of the Qing Dynasty."

Seeing his genuine affection and loyalty, Hong Yueliang was very pleased. Suddenly, she asked, "Young general, your spear is very similar to the weapon of Luo Cheng, the cold-faced spearman of the Sui and Tang dynasties. That 'returning spear' move just now was even more sinister, cunning, and ruthless, and it also comes from the Luo family spear technique. I speculate that your master, the elder Luo, probably shared the same martial arts school as Luo Cheng, the hero of the Sui and Tang dynasties. They must have a deep connection."

Fengshen Yinde smiled slightly and said, "Luo Cheng, the Cold-Noodles and Cold-Spear Master, is a legendary hero widely known among the people. His father, Luo Yi, and his Eighteen Riders of Yanyun were renowned throughout the northern deserts, existing as if they were mythical figures! If our Luo family's martial arts were to be linked to the Luo family's spear technique, which is famous throughout the martial arts world, that would be perfect!" Red Moon asked quietly, "The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun and the Cold-Noodles and Cold-Spear Master are both history, but do you know the true story, its underlying meaning, and its cautionary message?"

Fengshen Yinde asked with some confusion, "What do you mean, senior? I'm a little confused." Hong Yueliang said emotionally, "At the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, the Turks and Khitans invaded our northern borders. Luo Yi, the governor of Youzhou, one of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, personally led his own Yanyun Eighteen Cavalry Special Forces. Using the flanking maneuver of feinting to the east and attacking to the west, they appeared and disappeared unpredictably, and launched a counterattack from a desperate situation, defeating an invading army of 100,000 in the desert in one night."

The enemy suffered heavy casualties, crumbled, and fled in utter defeat, while the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun escaped unscathed. This battle made them famous, deterring the Turks and Khitans from ever again daring to set foot on the borders of the Central Plains, and forcing them to venture far into the northern deserts, utterly terrified! Such national heroes, loyal to their country, are indeed rare and deserving of our utmost respect, their names etched in history. However, history is also filled with countless shameless traitors who sell out their country for personal gain, their despicable methods and sycophantic behavior utterly unbearable to witness!

For example, in the first year of Tianfu (936), Shi Jingtang, the founding emperor of the Later Jin Dynasty (who was also the military governor of Hedong under the Later Tang Dynasty), rebelled against the Tang Dynasty and sought help from the Khitan. The Khitan sent troops to support him in establishing the Later Jin Dynasty, and Emperor Taizong of Liao and Shi Jingtang became father and son (Emperor Taizong was the father, and Shi Jingtang was the son). In the third year of Tianfu (938), Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun to the Khitan as demanded, thus expanding the territory of the Liao Dynasty to the Great Wall. Several dynasties in the Central Plains were unable to fully recover these territories.

The strategic significance of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun meant that the Northern Song Dynasty in the Central Plains felt threatened for over 160 years. In 1367, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Xu Da as commander-in-chief and Chang Yuchun as deputy commander-in-chief to launch a northern expedition against the Yuan Dynasty. In just over a year, they captured Dadu, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were thus recovered by the Han Chinese regime.

Without the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun, the Yang family generals would have had to use their bodies to shield their troops, and Yue Fei's Northern Expedition would have been tragically heroic. From a military perspective, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were the northern gateway to the Central Plains dynasties. Their strategic location, with its crisscrossing mountains, served as a natural barrier against invasions by northern nomadic tribes. Historically, it was a battleground coveted by military strategists! In ancient times, Luo Yi and his eighteen riders guarded this northern gateway; today, the lords of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun protect our northern Great Wall.

Fengshen Yinde, unable to contain his excitement, said, "Senior, what's the use of saying all this? Now that the northern gates of the Great Qing have been opened, nomadic tribes from the north could break in at any time, plunging our border people into misery once again, and the Great Qing Dynasty will be on the verge of collapse!" Red Moon, filled with righteous indignation, exclaimed loudly, "But do you know? Emperor Qianlong, known as the 'Old Man of Ten Perfections,' allowed some people to commit such heinous and unjust acts right under his nose, deliberately pretending to be completely unaware, indifferent, and ignoring it all!"

Fengshen Yinde could hardly believe his ears and exclaimed in astonishment, "Who did this? How could they kill so many people! Do they know that the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are vast and rich in resources, with a large population? How could the murderer be so lawless and wanton in killing? Is there no law at all? Does the imperial court know about this horrific murder case? Has it investigated it?"

Red Moon's almond-shaped eyes widened as she glared angrily at Heshen before her, and she said sternly, "You'd better ask your father; he knows the most about this!" Fengshen Yinde could only look at Heshen, who was trembling uncontrollably. He suddenly realized, "Their corpses are all headless... Could this be the work of your Sticky Pole Office, Father? What was the purpose of this?!" Heshen just hung his head like a child who had done something wrong, and remained silent.

Fengshen Yinde finally understood Hong Yueliang's good intentions, and couldn't help but cry out in anguish, "No wonder the land of China is constantly engulfed in war! I truly don't understand what your court officials are thinking! Do they really intend to lose this beautiful land before they finally realize their mistake and have a change of heart? Alas! Enough! Enough! I'm not getting involved in this mess!" With that, he spurred his divine steed and angrily turned and rode away, abandoning his father and returning alone to the Qiongshan official residence!

Seeing Fengshen Yinde's resolute words, Heshen knew that his kind-hearted eldest son, who had always been cautious, was truly enraged this time! It's said that when an honest man gets angry, even a god can't escape it! He had always disapproved of his son's usual behavior and had never wanted to live with him. This time, he had come to the front lines with the army, and if it weren't for the emperor's idea, he would never have come! Today, after being instigated by the cunning Red Moon, he suddenly threw a tantrum, displaying the spoiled nature of a young master, and stormed off! His intention was clear: neither side of you is a good person! I won't help either of you; I'd rather not see you, not worry about you, and leave this place of trouble for peace and quiet!

A general in red armor rode forward on horseback, shouting, "Hey! You wretched woman! Release the Grand Secretary right now, or don't blame me for being ruthless and taking your life in a heartbeat!" Red Moon smiled coldly and retorted, "Quickly state your name, let this old lady see if you have the strength!"

The red-armored general, clearly hot-tempered, roared, "Do you know the Blood Droplets' Sticky Rod Office, renowned throughout the land? Do you know there are five young officers in the Sticky Rod Office? Although we come and go without a trace, never meeting the world, we are famous throughout the martial arts world, known by the nickname—the Blood Killing Five Monsters! I am one of the Five Monsters, Fire Summer!"

Seeing his boastful and arrogant manner, Red Moon couldn't help but sneer. Suddenly, she threw the cumbersome blood-dripping dropper she was holding in her left hand, aiming straight for Huo Xia's face! Unexpectedly, this kid, despite his loud boasting, did have some skill. With a quick shift of his robe and a sidestep, he actually caught the blood-dripping dropper with both hands!

He roared, suddenly activating the Blood Droplet. Grabbing the iron chain with one hand, he swung the other violently. A mournful wail filled the air, like the wails of ghosts in the dead of night, sending chills down one's spine. The Blood Droplet, like a giant bird, darted east and west, left and right, circling in the air. Suddenly, with a piercing cry, it swooped down like lightning, hurtling straight towards the Red Moon's head! Under the blazing sun, the monster, resembling a birdcage, suddenly opened its blood-red maw. Several steel blades within gleamed coldly, their blades clashing and snapping like enormous scissors, aimed at the Red Moon's beautiful head!

Despite the perilous situation, Red Moon remained calm. She shifted her body, grabbed Heshen in front of her, and threw him at the Blood Droplet! Heshen screamed like a pig being slaughtered and fainted! Seeing the Blood Droplet miss its target, Huo Xia hurriedly pulled it back, changed direction, and threw it at Red Moon's back! Unexpectedly, she used the same tactic, turning Heshen's fat body into a weapon, wielding it like Guan Yu wielding his broadsword, creating a whooshing sound, impenetrable to all!

After several rounds, although Red Moon was able to handle it with ease, she was, after all, a woman, and with the weight of the fat man weighing over 200 pounds, she gradually couldn't keep up. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her snow-white forehead, and even her breathing became heavy!

Split in two had initially intended to join the fray, but he remained skeptical of the White Lightning couple, disbelieving that White Lightning, a high-ranking official, would truly rebel against the Qing Dynasty! Therefore, he had held back until now. Otherwise, given his fiercely competitive and fiery temper, would Huo Xia have been allowed to act so arrogantly?

(End of this chapter)