Chapter 1000: One Strike Decides the Outcome

## Chapter 990: A Single Strike to Determine the Outcome

"You..." Wanshi Song was about to curse him when the grass knot tucked into his lapel suddenly broke in half and fell to the ground.

A Bailong tribesman nearby saw this and immediately warned him, "The target has departed!"

This grass knot had a beautiful name: Thousand Knots.

It was very easy to craft; a pair could be made at once. If one knot broke within a ten-mile radius, the other would instantly snap as well.

The purpose of these grass knots was simple: to confirm and alert.

Bailong scouts were ambushed near the front gate of the Hot Spring Retreat. As soon as they saw He Lingchuan depart, they immediately broke the knot, sending a signal to the main force.

When Wanshi Song saw the knot break, he knew He Lingchuan would soon pass through the ambush zone!

The Hot Spring Retreat was only three and a half li from here; a fast horse could cover the distance in the blink of an eye.

Now, the problem and pressure were all on Wanshi Song:

Should they attack?

If they attacked, could they take down He Lingchuan?

If they didn't attack, would such a good opportunity arise again?

Wang Xiang saw his dilemma and immediately said, "You haven't been exposed, but the Bailong people at the docks already have! If you don't act, our tribesmen at the docks will suffer!"

This statement instantly enlightened Wanshi Song.

Although the Imperial Ambrosia hadn't arrived, the docks were already in chaos, locked in battle. If He Lingchuan successfully reached the docks and commanded the fight, the hundred Bailong tribesmen fighting alone there might quickly be suppressed.

By then, the Bailong's plan for the night would also be declared a failure.

Even if Wanshi Song stayed here motionless, he would still face the fate of failure!

The fire that ignited the powder kegs at the docks had directly burned away all his escape routes.

Wanshi Song gritted his teeth, fiercely swung his arm, and declared, "Let's do it! Attack as soon as the target arrives!"

Wang Xiang, standing nearby, took a deep breath, disregarded the risk of exposure, and immediately cast a spell to transmit the situation.

As soon as everyone was in position, they heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching from the west.

They were urgent, but the number didn't sound large.

The Bailong tribesmen Wanshi Song had ambushed at the front corner also pulled out mirrors and sent a signal.

The mirror flashed only once, indicating the enemy numbered less than thirty!

The attendants of the Mou Kingdom's high official indeed did not escort He Lingchuan to the docks. Wanshi Song was overjoyed; the ratio of their forces to the enemy's was even less than one to five. Five of them against one – surely they could handle it?

Finally, their luck had turned; it wasn't easy!

"Advance!" He gestured to everyone. The Bailong warriors crept forward in small steps until they reached the side of Qingyun Road.

They had now entered the range of the wind-protection barrier, requiring every move to be exceptionally cautious.

Qingyun Road was quiet at this time, with no idle people around.

Just as they lay down, the enemy arrived.

The dozen or so riders sped along, about to pass the ambush point in an instant. Wanshi Song saw clearly at a glance: there were about sixteen or seventeen people. The first two riders were guards, in the middle were an anxious-looking He Lingchuan and Qiu Hu, and the rest followed closely, riding fast towards the docks.

The target was correct, the location was correct, and the timing... the timing was also right, wasn't it?

What were they waiting for? Attack!

As the first two riders approached, the Bailong tribesmen on both sides of the road pulled their tripwires.

The ropes instantly tensed, blocking the horses' hooves.

The first two riders had no time to react; their horses stumbled badly, and amidst their neighs of distress, the riders were thrown off with them.

Seeing this, the subsequent riders quickly reined in their horses, making them rear up and stagger back a couple of steps.

"Enemy attack!"

No sooner had the cry ended than arrows flew like locusts from the dark grass by the roadside, aimed specifically at the riders' heads and faces.

He Lingchuan and his subordinates had to raise their shields to protect themselves.

But he was targeted most heavily by the flying arrows; his horse was hit by four arrows instantly, struggled twice, and then collapsed.

Under the cover of arrows, numerous Bailong tribesmen leapt from the grass, roaring and charging with knives and axes.

Although there were only a hundred-plus people, they charged with the momentum of seven or eight hundred.

Wanshi Song led the charge, leaping directly from the roadside to the middle of the road in a single bound, covering a distance of three *zhang* without a running start.

He accelerated his descent in mid-air, plummeting like a steelyard weight towards He Lingchuan directly below, already wielding a giant axe, and brought it down in a powerful overhead cleave!

The momentum was unparalleled.

He had been accumulating power in the shadows for a long time; this strike was like a fierce tiger pouncing on a deer, truly formidable and executed with full might.

Before the axe arrived, the strong wind it generated was already buffeting them, capable of pressing a person directly to the ground.

He Lingchuan didn't want to meet its force head-on, so he slapped his saddle and leapt up to dodge.

But just as his feet touched the ground, Wanshi Song's giant axe coincidentally smashed into the ground.

With a "bang," the bluestone ground cracked like a spiderweb. Centered on the axe, shockwaves pushed air currents surging in all directions.

Within a ten-zhang radius, the ground violently trembled three times in succession, as if aftershocks followed an earthquake. Even the raindrops on the ground bounced uncontrollably, shattering into a fine mist.

This kind of ground tremor was most unfriendly to mounts; the dozen or so horses were all panicked, scrambling in all directions, their riders unable to control them.

Qiu Hu had intended to help He Lingchuan remount, but his own horse, startled, stepped backward, delaying the rescue.

He Lingchuan recognized the attacker and angrily shouted, "Ungrateful wretches! You were at your wit's end, and I kindly took you in; is this how you Bailong people repay me?"

Qiu Hu, meanwhile, roared, "My lord, quickly go!"

Everyone knew he was a fierce general, and as soon as the battle started, a dozen Bailong tribesmen relentlessly clung to him, gritting their teeth and refusing to retreat even when wounded. He couldn't free himself for a moment.

The other Yangshan guards were in similar predicaments.

A numerical advantage of five or six to one, combined with a surprise attack, was no laughing matter.

Wanshi Song seized this opening and flung a throwing axe at He Lingchuan.

Just then, a third tremor erupted. He Lingchuan, still unbalanced, his body half-tilted, saw a flash of cold light before his eyes—

The throwing axe was upon him.

He sucked in his stomach and turned his head, barely shifting back; the blade almost grazed his nose.

It was a miss by a hair's breadth.

Then, it spun away towards a large tree.

But He Lingchuan relaxed too soon. As the throwing axe left his hand, Wanshi Song sprang up, and with a "Shadow Stride," appeared right behind He Lingchuan.

This was a combat technique passed down through generations of the Bailong tribe, capable of traversing three *zhang* and instantly appearing behind an unsuspecting enemy.

Although it consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy and could only be performed once in a short period, its effect was extraordinary.

Just as the throwing axe spun past, Island Master He also happened to have his neck craned back.

Everything was perfectly timed.

Wanshi Song caught the returning weapon and, with a backhand motion, slashed at He Lingchuan's neck.

Island Master He surely wore protective armor, so cutting his body wouldn't be fatal; only his neck was exposed, a single swipe would be precise. What's more, Wanshi Song's treasured axe specialized in breaking defensive *qi*, and this cleave was executed with all his might. Even if a rhinoceros were in front of him, Wanshi Song could split it in two with a single strike.

A once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity, and a strike to determine the outcome!

With a flash of cold light, blood spurted, and a fine head flew high into the air!

(End of chapter)