allonlinenovel Chapter 258 The Eve of the Decisive Battle and the Decision of Fate
Chapter 258 The Eve of the Decisive Battle and the Decision of Fate
Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting stood side by side on the top of a tall building in the palace. The biting cold wind cut at their clothes like a knife. Their gazes penetrated the palace walls and fell on the distant place that seemed to be dyed with ink.
"That frontier general is like a vicious beast lurking in the dark. Although he is thousands of miles away, he can turn the palace and the martial arts world upside down. His ambition and wisdom are indeed a great concern." Ling Xuan's voice was low, but seemed to contain suppressed anger. His clenched fists creaked and veins bulged.
Yun Mengting tilted her head back slightly, letting her hair dance wildly in the wind, her brows furrowed slightly. "The palace guards haven't experienced the baptism of war in a long time. Now facing a powerful enemy, although their numbers are considerable, their fighting capacity is worrying. As for the various factions in the martial arts world, they are a mixed bag. Some are chivalrous and willing to sacrifice their lives, while others are profit-seeking and vacillating. It's not easy to unite them all."
At this moment, a white-haired old minister stumbled over, panting. "My lords, this is urgent! I think we should quickly close the palace gates, dispatch swift horses to mobilize the nearby garrison to protect you, and then send eloquent men to negotiate peace with the general, promising him generous salaries and fiefdoms. Perhaps this urgent situation can be resolved."
Ling Xuan lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then shook his head resolutely, "Sir, this is like drinking poison to quench thirst.
"The general is determined to rebel, so how could his wicked ambitions be quenched by a few small sums of money and land? Furthermore, mobilizing troops would take time, and by the time his army reaches the border, the imperial court would be in tatters, vulnerable to destruction."
Yun Mengting also opened her red lips and spoke firmly, "The only way now is to take a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, we must strengthen our military and strengthen the palace defenses; on the other hand, we must sincerely inspire the heroes of the martial arts world to fight against the foreign enemies together. Time waits for no one, and we cannot afford to slack off."
With that, Ling Xuan swept towards the martial arts arena like a gust of wind. His movements were as swift as lightning, and the shadows of his sword flashed like a dragon emerging from the sea. Every swing of his sword brought with it a sharp whistling sound, and amidst the gleaming cold light, the sand and stones of the martial arts arena seemed to be driven by an invisible force, scattering in all directions.
"Guards, listen! The palace is the foundation of the nation. It's your home, and your loved ones depend on it. Now that the enemy is approaching, cowardice will only lead to death. Forge ahead bravely, and there is a chance of survival!"
The sound was like a loud bell, shaking the flags around the martial arts field. The guards looked at Ling Xuan, who looked like a god of war, and their blood boiled. They shouted one after another and trained more and more fiercely.
Yun Mengting sat quietly in the study, the flickering candlelight in front of the desk, illuminating her gentle yet resolute face.
She held the pen in her bare hands, and each letter flowed with deep affection and righteousness: "Chivalry in the Jianghu is as vast as the sea of smoke. Its essence lies in saving the people from danger and supporting the crumbling empire. The court is in trouble now, and treacherous officials are in power. If they succeed in usurping the throne, there will be chaos in the world, starvation everywhere, and the Jianghu will be plunged into a bloody storm.
"Fellow sect leaders, in this critical moment of survival, we should put aside our differences, join hands, and face the national tragedy together." However, the responses from the various sects in the Jianghu were mixed. Some, like the deep, cold waters of a pond, declared neutrality and stayed out of the conflict; others, like cunning merchants, took the opportunity to demand huge profits, hoping to gain advantages in this chaotic world.
In the midst of this predicament, Ling Xuan had an idea, remembering a reclusive martial arts master. This elder was like a leading figure in the world, highly respected and respected, his words carrying weight. If he could gain his help, he would surely be able to turn the tide. So, Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting set out into the vast mountains and forests without delay.
The path through the mountains, with towering ancient trees and thickets of thorns, was difficult and bumpy. But the two of them, with their unwavering faith, forged ahead, overcoming all obstacles.
Finally, in a quiet valley, I found the elder's residence. Surrounded by mist, it resembled a fairyland, and a simple thatched cottage stood quietly. Upon hearing the elder's purpose, his long beard trembled slightly, and he looked up to the sky and sighed, "The palace and the martial arts world, the grievances and entanglements, have stretched on for thousands of years.
Although I have retired to the mountains, I cannot bear to see the suffering of the common people. I am willing to lend a hand and contact some of the sects. I only hope that you will take good care of yourself and not let the world down.
With the help of the seniors, the situation in the martial arts world gradually became clear. Heroes from various sects responded to the call, and powerful troops marched towards the palace like a hundred rivers flowing into the sea.
Some of them are dressed in black, holding cold and sharp blades, walking with vigorous steps and looking aggressive; others are dressed in white clothes as white as snow, holding folding fans or jade flutes, looking elegant and righteous.
Although they were from different sects and had different styles, at this moment their eyes were like bright stars, firmly focused in the direction of the palace.
At the same time, the frontier general's army rolled in like a surging tide. The vanguard troops were less than a hundred miles away from the palace. Wherever they passed, villages and towns were engulfed in flames, thick smoke billowed, and the land was filled with grief.
Ling Xuan and Yun Mengting stood on the palace watchtower, looking at the rolling dust in the distance, their hearts feeling as if they were weighed down by a heavy rock.
Back at the palace, the difficult decision loomed again like a demon. Should he rely on the palace's deep trenches, high fortifications, traps, and devices to fight the rebels to the death? Or should he risk everything and head out of the city to confront the ambitious general, attempting to defuse the conflict through verbal battle?
“Once the war breaks out, this palace will turn into a sea of blood and purgatory, and thousands of lives will become wronged souls. Even if we can win, it will be a tragic victory. After that, our vitality will be greatly damaged, and the road to revival will be long.” Tears welled up in Yun Mengting’s beautiful eyes. She bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, and her face was full of sadness.
Ling Xuan's heart was boiling with anxiety. He knew the general's cruelty and greed. If he gained power, he would bring disaster to the people. "But peaceful negotiations are tantamount to trying to get the skin of a tiger. The general is cunning and suspicious. Can our sincerity impress him? Can his promises be trusted?"
At this crossroads of fate, they felt like a lone boat on a raging sea, lost and helpless, struggling in agony. The gazes of the court were like thorns in their backs, filled with worry and expectation; the heroes of the martial arts world also waited silently, the solemn atmosphere like a leaden weight, making them breathless.
After a long moment, Ling Xuan suddenly raised his head, a trace of determination flashing in his deep eyes. "Leave the city! We will meet him with sincerity and explain the pros and cons. If he remains stubborn, then we will have no choice but to use the sword in our hands to carve out a righteous path for the world!"
Yun Mengting stared at him, her eyes woven with trust and courage, and nodded slightly. They led a handful of trusted followers and marched resolutely out of the city.
Behind them, the palace stands tall and majestic, and heroes of the martial arts world stand like a forest. Their eyes are like torches, illuminating their way forward and adding a touch of tragedy and hope to this journey of unknown destiny.
The blood-red sunset stretched their figures long and firm, like a magnificent scroll engraved in the long river of history, and above the scroll was a symphony of fate interwoven with courage, choices and endless unknowns.