: Su Yang, Commander of the Northern City! Yuwen Zhuo, Shang Xiuxun!

Chapter 76: Su Yang, Commander of the Northern City! Yuwen Zhuo, Shang Xiuxun!

"Sun Wang, relay my orders."

Su Yang handed the soup bowl to Sun Wang and said in a deep voice, "Have Chen Wenyuan set up another quiet room next to the soup hall, move the Golden Bell from the Golden Bell Martial Arts School into it, and send ginseng soup with each of the three meals a day. Collect the morning dew and send it to the city tower."

"Yes, Commander!"

Sun Wang accepted the order and left.

at the same time.

In the northern part of the city, by the canal, lies a secret underground chamber.

The room was dark and gloomy, with frost on the walls and the oil lamp flame flickering in the cold air.

Eight Ice Fiend Guards, clad in black robes and wearing ice-patterned masks, stood silently on either side, their aura as cold as ice.

A tall, gray-robed old man stood with his hands behind his back. His pale fingers gleamed with a faint blue light as he rubbed the Xuan Turtle Token between his fingertips. His icy blue eyes flashed with a cold light: "The young master has ordered that Su Yang's techniques can counter my clan's Ice Profound Force. He must be captured alive to seize the power. Only kill him as a last resort."

A leader of the Ice Fiend Guard stepped forward: "Su Yang is stationed at the North City Tower, surrounded by many personal guards, and they are very powerful. It will be extremely difficult to capture him alive."

"The young master's command cannot be disobeyed."

Yuwen Zhuo's palms were frosty as he said, "If we obtain this technique, there will be no force in Jiangnan to restrain our clan. We can even cripple their meridians; as long as we can find the technique, it will be a great achievement."

He said in a deep voice, "Tonight, we'll proceed in two steps: In the first half of the night, six men from Team A will accompany me to assassinate Su Yang, while two men from Team B will provide support and distract him. If we succeed, we'll secretly interrogate him; if we fail, we'll burn down the building and spread rumors to create chaos in the northern city. In the second half of the night, we'll take advantage of the chaos to kill Fang Zetao... He'll still be in his study reviewing documents at 1 AM, with only two personal guards. This is the perfect opportunity."

"With Fang Zetao dead, Jingling will be thrown into chaos. Huang Zhenggang can then seize control of the city's troops, allowing our clan to maintain long-term control over Jingling." Yuwen Zhuo's tone turned stern: "Capturing Su Yang is paramount, killing Fang Zetao is urgent. Success is the only option; failure is not an option!"

"Yes, sir!"

The eight Ice Fiend Guards responded in unison, and the chill intensified.

The night was dark.

At the Jingling military camp, the campfire at the Pegasus Ranch temporary military camp illuminated the neatly arranged tents, the flames flickering gently in the night breeze.

Dressed in a smart outfit and carrying a sword, Shang Xiuxun stood on a high platform outside the camp. Her gaze first swept across the dark night in the direction of the Jianghuai Army outside the city, and then fell on the north city tower. Her figure was heroic and she had the air of a heroine.

Behind him, Liu Zongdao, the ranch's second steward with a black eye patch over his right eye, clasped his hands and reported: "Master, the Jianghuai Army's main force of 30,000 is pressing in and will attack the city within three days. However, the city is not peaceful. The Yuwen Clan's Ice Fiend Guard has made unusual movements. In my judgment, they will probably make a move tonight, and the target is most likely Su Yang, the commander of the North City."

Shang Xiuxun raised her eyebrows slightly and nodded in agreement with his words: "The Jianghuai army is at the city gates. The Yuwen clan chose this time to make their move in order to disrupt the city's defenses from within and without. They have a good plan."

She paused, her tone now more knowing: "Besides, Yuwen Wudi's defeat to Su Yang was already a great disgrace, and Su Yang's techniques also countered their Ice Profound Force. The Yuwen Clan would naturally never tolerate such a threat."

When she rushed to the aid of Jingling, she had personally witnessed Su Yang leading the elite vanguard battalion to defend the northern city, and had also heard that he had defeated Yuwen Wudi. She had already come to approve of him and secretly praised him as a promising talent.

Shang Xiuxun murmured to herself, "This Su Yang is so young yet he can hold Beicheng steady. He also has a high level of martial arts aptitude. He is truly rare in this chaotic world. If something happens to him, Beicheng will fall and Jingling will be in grave danger. Our ranch's efforts to come to his aid will be in vain."

Liu Zongdao then asked, "Does the owner of the venue need immediate assistance?"

Shang Xiuxun shook her head, her gaze returning to Beicheng: "No rush. Yuwen Zhuo, the commander of the Ice Fiend Guard, is far more powerful than Yuwen Wudi. It's a good opportunity to let him see Su Yang's true abilities. If he can't pass this test, he won't live up to my expectations, and he won't be able to protect Beicheng."

She immediately gave a deep order: "Order the elite cavalry to stand guard outside the camp, ready to be deployed at any time! You will personally oversee the military camp and coordinate the operation. I will go to the northern outskirts of the city to check the situation. If we find any signs of the situation getting out of control or Su Yang being in dire straits, we will immediately lead our troops to his aid! Now that my Pegasus Ranch has already rushed to the aid of Jingling, we cannot let the Yuwen Clan's conspiracy succeed, nor can we stand by and watch a promising talent perish here."

"Understood! I will certainly live up to the owner's expectations!"

Liu Zongdao accepted the order and withdrew, immediately going to mobilize the troops.

Shang Xiuxun then mounted her horse and led her men at breakneck speed toward the outskirts of the northern district.

Upon reaching a high slope on the outskirts of the northern district, Shang Xiuxun reined in her horse, the night breeze ruffling her hair.

Gazing at the lights on the city wall ahead and the indistinct figures of patrolling soldiers, she thought to herself: Su Yang, I hope you won't disappoint me. If you can withstand Yuwen Zhuo, you will not only be able to defend the northern city, but you will also surely have a place in the martial arts world of Jiangnan in the future.

In the central army camp of Jingling, the captain's tent was brightly lit.

Huang Zhenggang, clad in silver armor, stood by the window with his hands behind his back, staring intently at the General's Mansion in the distance, using the pretext of "inspecting defenses" to await a secret report.

The tent flap rustled slightly, and a Dark Lotus Guard dressed in Huang Zhenggang's personal guard uniform with a tight-fitting undergarment quietly slipped in, knelt down, and presented a secret letter: "Captain, a letter has arrived from over there."

Huang Zhenggang took the letter, opened it, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

The letter contained only a few words: "Take Su Yang's life in the first half of the night, kill Fang Zetao in the second half of the night, and act according to the agreement after the deed is done."

He crumpled the secret letter into a ball and casually tossed it into the brazier; the flames instantly engulfed the paper. A disdainful smirk curled at the corner of his mouth: "Yuwen Zhuo's strength far surpasses Su Yang's; taking his life is as easy as picking something out of a bag."

He knew in his heart that he had secretly controlled the horse group. With Fang Zetao dead, he would gain the upper hand and could use the "stabilizing of the army" to control the General's Mansion. The military power of Jingling would then be in his hands. Thinking of this, Huang Zhenggang's eyes were filled with greed and ruthlessness. He sneered, "Fang Zetao should have stepped down long ago. Su Yang is just a clown who jumped the beam. He is not worth the death."

He whispered his orders: "Order the Dark Lotus Guards to prepare for battle. If we succeed in the latter half of the night, immediately seize control of the General's Mansion. Send two elite troops to the north city to keep watch. If Su Yang is alive, deliver the final blow in secret. Do not let him return to camp!"

"Yes, sir!"

The Dark Lotus Guards obeyed the order and disappeared into the night.

Huang Zhenggang stroked his silver armor, looked at the deep night outside the tent and sneered, "After tonight, Jingling will be surnamed Huang!"

Dark as ink.

Inside the quiet room beside the North City gate tower, Su Yang sat in a chair, his right palm shrouded in cold mist. The Bright Moon True Qi transformed into fine snowflakes, which fell softly to the ground. He lightly stepped on the snowflakes.

His eyes were fixed on a picture of a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey hanging on the opposite wall.

[Snowflake-Treading Skill Level +1!]

[Forty-Nine Styles of the Overlord Blade. Incomplete Proficiency +1!]

[...]

The panel in my mind was flashing.

Su Yang focused his mind. Suddenly, he looked up at the left side of the city wall, where three auras were approaching. He immediately stopped. He got up and walked out of the meditation room, where he saw three people standing outside.

A young girl in green, carrying a sword, was none other than Dugu Feng.

Behind her followed two thin old men, their auras deep and unfathomable, their martial arts skills unfathomable.

"Brother Su, your martial arts skills have improved again."

Dugu Feng looked at Su Yang, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. In the day since they last met, Su Yang's aura had become even more refined.

"Miss Dugu, you flatter me."

Su Yang nodded to her, his tone calm, and said, "It's late at night, could it be that there's news about the Yuwen Clan?"

""

Dugu Feng nodded solemnly and said, "I just received a secret report that the Yuwen Clan has sent Yuwen Zhuo, the commander of the Ice Fiend Guard, who is also Yuwen Wudi's uncle. He has been in charge of the Ice Fiend Guard for over fifteen years, and no fewer than a dozen renowned experts have died at his hands. His strength is far beyond what Yuwen Wudi can match."

She paused, her tone growing even heavier: "According to reliable sources, he infiltrated with at least eight elite Ice Fiend Guards, and his target is clearly you. Brother Su, this man is ruthless and domineering; you cannot underestimate him in a one-on-one fight."

She stepped aside to let the two white-haired elders behind her pass, and added, "These two are seniors of my Dugu family, with considerable strength. They have come to lend you a hand."

The two old men's eyes fell on Su Yang, their eyes scrutinizing him. Although this young man had a refined aura, he looked too young. How could he possibly be a match for a ruthless character like Yuwen Zhuo, who had been famous for a long time?

Su Yang lowered his raised hand, shook his head, and said firmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Dugu and the two seniors. However, please let me handle this alone first. If I am no match for you, then you may intervene."

"Have you thought this through?"

Dugu Feng frowned, her tone urgent: "Yuwen Zhuo's Ice Profound Force is ruthless and domineering, further enhanced by the Frost Killing Array, and he's also skilled in poison. A slight mistake could lead to death!"

"I know what I'm doing."

Su Yang looked up at the night outside the city, his eyes sharp as a blade: "I can borrow his Ice Profound Force to test the results of my training these past few days."

Dugu Feng stared at him for a moment, and seeing that his mind was made up, she finally relaxed her brows and nodded: "Alright, the two seniors and I will stay here and watch over you. If you are no match for us, we will then make our move."

The two old men exchanged a glance, still harboring doubts, but said nothing more.

Let's see just how much real skill this young man, whom Miss Feng values ​​so highly, truly possesses.

Just now.

Su Yang's brows suddenly furrowed, and the hairs on his body instantly stood on end.

He could clearly sense that a faint, chilling aura was rapidly approaching from the shadows of the city wall, carrying a strong killing intent.

Almost simultaneously, Dugu Feng and the two retainers beside her also suddenly focused their attention, their eyes locking onto the direction from which the aura was coming.

They are all seasoned masters of the martial world, whose perception of danger far surpasses that of ordinary people.

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