Chapter 2, The Imperial Daughter's Flower

The obsidian water chain entwined around the blade shattered like glass, transforming once again into an invisible void of water essence. The machete, akin to a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, soared high, and under the impetus of Xiao Huo's soaring figure, executed the move "Startling Wind Drives the Wild Geese," curving back towards the elegant and pure neck of Princess Longcheng.

"Impudent!" The two female attendants changed color in anger; although their curved blades did not strike, their gazes were lethal enough to kill their opponent a thousand times.

Suddenly, a burst of white light emanated from the glazed lamp, and in front of the Xiongnu maiden, countless silver-white specks resembling dust illuminated abruptly, instantly coalescing into a platinum round shield with a diameter exceeding six feet

But will the Dragon City Princess be Little Huo's prey? The onlookers, Gao Fan and Lu Peng, were both anxious in their hearts

The princess of Longcheng, hidden within the ice pillars, gently swayed, a hint of restlessness inadvertently escaping from her brows

In the large tent, Gao Fan was momentarily taken aback, quickly realizing Xiao Huo's intention

Xiao Huo's garments fluttered, his eyes, his hatchet, and even the skin of his entire body emanated a chilling fighting spirit. He resembled a lion crouching behind the grass, ready to pounce at any moment to seize its prey; even before revealing its claws, it had already stirred up a fierce and unrestrained aura of killing intent

It is not difficult to kill these guards, but rescuing more than one hundred women and children from the military camp is a challenging task for just the three of us

Xiao Huo raised his eyes to gaze at the twinkling stars beneath the deep purple night sky. It was the hour of the dog, and the Xiongnu were about to fall asleep

"Sour jujube, you bear! Leave it to me!" Lu Peng, stirred by the provocation, drew the Soul-Rending Ghost Axe and strode towards the main tent.

Your Highness, you once said: "We can attack you in any way, as long as we can touch the shaman's robe, it counts as a success." This young girl clearly heard the conversation between Princess Longcheng and Xiao Huo and said, "Now my 'Hou Yi's Divine Arrow' is aimed at your back. I wonder how confident you are in dodging it"

Although the Six Styles of Slashing Dance Sword Technique practiced by Xiao Huo consists of merely a single, simple slash for each style, it possesses unparalleled and extraordinary power, unleashing all the potential of the body within the surging intent of the blade, making it unstoppable. Even when wielding only a firewood knife, it can still cleave mountains and rivers apart, causing the heavens and earth to lose their color

The Xiongnu female attendant was astonished in the blink of an eye, realizing that although her curved saber had struck first, before she could cut down the young man, his hatchet would sever her waist in two!

With a thud, the machete sliced through the top of the tent, and Xiao Huo, wielding his knife, descended from the sky and pounced into the tent

If you fail, you shall remain to accept the fate of the defeated and become my slaves. Three brave warriors, do you dare to consider my suggestion

To the northwest of Dingxiang City, the camps of the Xiongnu tribes are scattered like hungry wolves, lurking in the darkness and eyeing this ancient fortress of the Han Dynasty, which has endured the trials of blood and fire on the northern frontier.

No wonder you are so arrogant; it turns out you have already mastered the "Hidden Dragon in the Abyss" heart technique from the Nine Yang Dragon Force, possessing sufficient capital for your arrogance. This time, it was the Dragon City Princess who expressed her surprise with a soft gasp.

However, this extraordinarily graceful Xiongnu princess stood before him seemingly unguarded, yet he could never find an opportunity to strike. She was like a wisp of cloud seamlessly blending into the natural world around her, perfectly integrated with all that surrounded her, evoking a sense of inevitable defeat in him

Xiao Huo did not speak, nor did he even glance at Li Hong; he merely curled the corners of his mouth slightly, appearing to smile without actually smiling.

Li Hong shouted angrily: "Do you know that she is not only the eldest daughter of Yizhi Xie, the Great Chanyu, but also one of the Four Great Celestial Masters of the Yuhua Palace in the Wolf Residence? If I could catch her myself, why would I scold you all?"

However, under normal circumstances, practitioners of the Five Elements are typically categorized into five major types: Alchemists, Earth Builders, Fire Controllers, Water Masters, and Wood Cutters. Due to the inherent limitations of an individual's spiritual power, one often can only master one of the Five Elements throughout their lifetime.

A faintly visible dark red cloud dragon slowly emerged from the red mist surrounding Xiao Huo's body, with its head pointed downward and its tail raised toward the sky, coiling and entwining with an imposing majesty

Miss Li, due to your sudden appearance, my duel with Young Master Huo can only be halted. Although it is no longer possible for you to use me to coerce my clansmen into retreating, I have decided to release all the Han people within the camp

Xiao Huo had no choice but to temporarily abandon further attacks on the Xiongnu maiden. He then flipped backward into the air and slashed diagonally at the right shoulder of the Xiongnu maidservant on his left.

The moon is cold over the dragon sands, dust settles as the tiger falls, and the clear horn blows a chill! Who taught you the sword dance technique?

The machete emitted a magnificent and grand divine light akin to lightning, cleaving through three zhang of space to slash diagonally at the fragrant shoulder of the Dragon City princess

The night arrives as scheduled, and the wilderness is enveloped in profound silence, a deep stillness pervading the air. The sky is filled with countless stars, and a heavy scent of blood lingers in the atmosphere. Groups of vultures circle tirelessly beneath the starry sky, heading towards their feast for the night

I can't do it. Gao Fan shook his head like a rattle drum: "I blush when I see women, and you all know that."

Lu Peng exclaimed in surprise: "A woman? Women can also fight? Perhaps this barbarian general is a lecher."

Lu Peng felt a surge of anger as she scolded him. Just as he was about to retaliate, he noticed that Li Hongru's eyes were glistening with tears, filled with sorrow and frustration. He suddenly recalled someone and asked, "What is your relationship with Li Dingbian, the city commander of Dingxiang?"

The descendant of Blood Nightmare, Lu Peng, who could gallop freely among hundreds of Xiongnu knights, was surprisingly blocked outside the tent by eight Xiongnu women, unable to step over the threshold. Even more strangely, Gao Fan, who had used earth escape to infiltrate ahead, had still not reported back at this moment, clearly having encountered trouble.

Gao Fan and Lu Peng simultaneously turned their gaze towards Xiao Huo. Xiao Huo suddenly burst into laughter, a mischievous grin that was impossible to be angry at: "Why can't you become my slave just because you lost? Perhaps such a proposal would pique my interest even more."

The clang of metal echoed as the Hunnish female attendant proved to be no ordinary soldier. In a disadvantageous situation where her curved blade had missed, she quickly bent backward and raised her sword to parry. However, the powerful and fierce blade energy emanating from the machete still pressed down on her, causing her to whimper softly, her entire upper body seeming as if it were about to break, with the back of her head already touching the plush carpet on the ground

Everyone's breath involuntarily ceased, their tense gazes fixed upon the closed white lotus

The blade seemed to freeze in mid-air for a moment, struggling fiercely amidst the buzzing vibrations. The advancing speed of the black water flow gradually slowed down due to the powerful resistance of the Nine Yang Dragon's energy, engaging in a tug-of-war between the two feet and seven inches of the blade, showcasing the extraordinary interplay of force and principle.

It turns out that you understand the value of cherishing beauty even better than I do. Little Huo's tone was laced with obvious mockery and derision

The Princess of Longcheng picked up a golden order token from the table beside her and handed it to Xiao Huo, saying: "With my order token, I can ensure your safe return to Dingxiang City. I hope that the next time we meet at mhetushu.com, it will not be on the battlefield of two opposing armies"

Lu Peng angrily shouted: "Nonsense! Do you take me for a coward? If we are to perish, let us all perish together!"

"It is impolite not to reciprocate; it is rare that you have heard this ancient saying. Today, the blood debt owed by the Xiongnu will surely be repaid double by us Han people in the future. I am Lu Peng, the young master of the Fenyang Ranch in Jinyun Town"

"You truly refuse to speak," the Xiongnu maiden said with a slight smile as she rose from the couch. Her graceful and well-proportioned figure resembled a proud and untouchable white swan, and her Mandarin was as melodious and gentle as celestial music: "Are all Han people like you, hiding and peeking, too afraid to confront their opponents openly in a fair duel?"

I am eager to fight alongside Your Highness in tonight's battle

On one side is a young woodcutter wielding a hatchet, and on the other is a princess of noble lineage from the Xiongnu. In this moment, these two originally unrelated strangers cross paths, unveiling a series of grievances and entanglements that would last for many years to come

There is no need! A gaze as sharp as a blade fell upon the bronze mask of the Dragon City Princess, and the hatchet in Xiao Huo's hand gradually rippled with a deep crimson glow, slowly expanding like ripples into the void of the air, faintly resembling countless magical beasts roaring menacingly in the darkness

Those who have escaped disaster hide deep in the mountains and forests, softly weeping as they comfort one another, soothing their bleeding wounds. For many years, peace has gradually drifted further away from them, and living in peace and contentment has become a luxurious and unattainable ideal

It seemed as if a surging blade aura was encroaching, and the princess of Dragon City, hidden behind her mask, slightly furrowed her delicate brows. The colorful glass lantern she held in her slender hand grew increasingly bright, radiating a misty and resplendent brilliance that gradually enveloped her unparalleled and ethereal figure.

"You intend to capture me as a hostage in exchange for those townspeople who have been abducted outside, do you not?" The Xiongnu woman spoke amiably, seemingly not regarding the others as enemies: "You have found the right person; I am the eldest daughter of Yizhi Xie, Princess of Longcheng. There is a saying among the Han people: 'It is impolite not to reciprocate when one comes.' The three of you should also introduce yourselves, shouldn't you?"

Ah! Little Huo's eyes shone brightly, and the blood light flickered three times on his bronze-colored face, urging the Nine Yang Dragon Energy to its utmost limit

The fighting outside the tent had ceased, and Gao Fan and Lu Peng, looking somewhat disheveled, entered the main tent with expressions of vigilance and astonishment. Gao Fan glanced at Xiao Huo and gave a wry smile, saying, "The ground around this tent is sealed off by a barrier."

I did not expect that the Princess of Dragon City would come to his rescue, saying: "He has only one reason for doing this; he is a man"

Xiao Huo grabbed Gao Fan, who was eager to follow closely, and coldly remarked: "Is your earth escape just for show?"

"What a worthless man!" Li Hong, still seething with anger, exclaimed, "You sheathed your sword and delivered the hundreds of thousands of citizens in Dingxiang City right into the hands of the barbaric Xiongnu. Is that something to be proud of?"

The machete in Xiao Huo's hand suddenly felt as heavy as ten thousand pounds, making him involuntarily want to let it fly upwards. A mysterious and chilling aura seeped into the blade, swiftly penetrating his five fingers, continuously draining the Nine Yang Dragon Qi.

Xiao Huo ignored the blade coming from his opponent, using the machete to push outward, sweeping across the waist of the Xiongnu female attendant.

The other party turned out to be a woman, wearing a grotesque bronze mask on her face, dressed in a soft, pure white silk robe, the hem trailing on the ground like a blooming lily. Her figure was elegant and slender, with her exquisite skin exposed outside the silk robe, glowing faintly with a rosy hue under the light. In her right hand, which exuded an aura of grace, she surprisingly held a five-colored glass lantern.

Do not move! A girl's warning suddenly rang out from outside the large tent

Surprisingly, there are fellow travelers outside the account? Gao Fan and Lu Peng were taken aback, halting their actions and deciding to observe the situation quietly

When he spoke these words, there was clearly a rare seriousness in his eyes, but it quickly vanished without a trace

This noble foreign lady appears like a brilliant white sail floating on the crest of the waves, always maintaining her composure and tranquility, regardless of how fiercely and majestically the opposing forces may surge towards her

"Fool, idiot!" Li Hong stared at Xiao Huo, her gaze fierce as if she wanted to swallow him whole. "Why did you put away the knife? Now none of us can leave. Do you know how long I have been lurking outside to find such a good opportunity? You ruined everything!"

Everyone in the large tent was aware of this, silently paying attention to the impending decisive battle

"There really are eight women," Lu Peng murmured softly. "Xiao Gao, it's up to you. I never hit women."

"Learning a few phrases of the Han people's language, does that mean one is no longer a barbarian who feeds on raw flesh?" Little Huo seemed intent on provoking his opponent: "Do you know about crows? They foolishly believe that by bleaching their feathers, they can transform into swans, yet their essence remains black."

With a clang, Xiao Huo forcefully struck the platinum round shield with a single blow, sending a shower of dazzling sparks flying. The machete rebounded in response, and the surface of the shield cracked open with a series of fissures.

The Hunnish female attendant on the right, fearing that her companion might suffer a loss, hurriedly turned her wrist and slashed the knife towards Xiao Huo's lower back.

He used a stone to sketch the general layout of the Xiongnu camp on the muddy ground, explaining: "Right in the center of the camp, there is a circle of six military tents for protection. Outside the entrance, there are eight guards, but... they are all young Xiongnu women"

Gao Fan stood up and said softly: "I must save my sister. If you are willing to give up, it is not too late."

"You should not have revealed the hidden location to me just now, nor should you have stood less than ten zhang away from me," said the Dragon City Princess, her face showing a hint of fatigue as she spoke calmly. "I merely wanted Miss Li to understand that in killing me, you will also bring about your own destruction."

Black Crystal Water Chain

Xiao Huo's gaze was as if it had collided with an indestructible invisible wall, perpetually unable to find a breakthrough. The machete in his hand whistled and trembled, faintly releasing a bloodthirsty low growl

"What Brother Huo said is truly interesting," said the Princess of Longcheng with a smile. After a moment's thought, she continued, "How about this? I will give the three of you a chance to save someone. You may use any means to attack me. If you can touch my shamanic robe within three rounds, you will be able to take back all the captured Han people in this military camp.

The Princess of Longcheng paused for a moment and smiled, saying: "In September next year, I will be awaiting the esteemed arrival of Young Master Huo at the Yuhua Shrine on Mount Langjuxu. If you feel that I have the advantage of location, Young Master Huo may choose another place, and I will be there as promised."

The chilling wind howled behind, as the curved blades of two Xiongnu maidservants slashed towards Xiao Huo's shoulders.

His own technique, "Moon Cold Dragon Sand," unexpectedly failed! Xiao Huo felt a chill in his heart and said: "Five Element Master!"

"Enough of this nonsense!" Lu Peng sprang to his feet, steadied the Soul-Cutting Axe behind him, and charged down the hillside.

Clap, clap! The Xiongnu maiden calmly and gently clapped her hands, instructing outside the tent, "Please invite both warriors in."

"And the book now, the duel has become an agreement between you and me." Little Huo, seemingly oblivious to the anger of Princess Longcheng, said淡淡: "Therefore, regardless of the outcome, Your Highness must ensure the safe departure of the two fools behind me."

The crack suddenly spread like a spider web across the entire ice column.

I have gathered the information. Gao Fan, who had just returned from eavesdropping on the Xiongnu camp using earth escape, reported quietly to his two companions: "My sister and over one hundred fellow villagers from Jinyun Town are being held in an open area at the center of the main camp, with only about ten Xiongnu guards watching over them

"Stop with the nonsense, do you admit defeat or not?" the girl outside the account pressed.

Suddenly, Xiao Huo did something that no one could have anticipated—he put away the firewood knife

Too despicable, too shameless! Gao Fan was left dumbfounded

Lu Peng could not bear to listen any longer and boldly interjected, "You sour jujube, if you have the guts, go catch it yourself. Why insult Xiao Huo?"

A young girl in a red dress, with bright eyes and a charming smile, exuding a bold demeanor, stood five zhang away behind the large tent, holding a golden curved bow. Her body was covered in dust, and her eyes were filled with unmistakable astonishment and defiance.

Stop! A voice as melodious as a yellow oriole emerging from the valley echoed in the large tent, causing two Xiongnu female attendants to retreat to the front of the couch.

Princess Longcheng huffed in displeasure: "Li Hongru, this is our second encounter today, isn't it? Why do you always keep your distance and sneakily shoot arrows at me?"

No need. Xiao Huo replied, "Next September, I hope I can live to see that time."

With a thunderous roar, the entire tent, like a bowstring that had been drawn taut, finally shattered under the pressure of the blade's aura and the arrows' force. Hundreds and thousands of torn fabric pieces fluttered in the night sky, resembling a flurry of snowflakes scattering across the heavens

Three young men quietly infiltrated the tranquil Xiongnu military camp, boldly posing as night watchmen as they passed right under the enemy's nose. Soon, they caught sight of the main general's tent, prominently marked on the map in the distance.

She is indeed a genuine princess! Have we caught a big fish tonight, or is it just a case of a ghost hitting the wall?

Outside a Xiongnu military camp that housed over a hundred tents, three young men lay in wait behind a small hill, observing from a distance. They had donned the attire of Xiongnu cavalry, and their mounts rested at the foot of the hill.

Ding! A pure and flawless white lotus suddenly bloomed on the delicate bosom of the Dragon City princess, its core just managing to meet the advancing blade, successfully halting the opponent's attack. The surrounding petals then began to retract inward, wrapping around the machete in layers, emitting wisps of red smoke.

In the face of an outstanding master of the Five Elements, engaging in long-range combat is certainly not a wise strategy. Approaching the opponent closely and utilizing the formidable attack power of the Slash Dance Blade Technique is the only way to have a chance of victory

The Princess of Longcheng felt a sense of relief as the glazed lantern spun rapidly in the air. Suddenly, a girl's exclamation was heard from outside the tent, and a golden arrow of light pierced through the tent fabric, shooting out and exploding into brilliant radiance in the far distance

In the large tent, lights were shining, and two young Xiongnu women seemed to be on guard, wielding their knives to attack the airborne Xiao Huo from both sides

It was time, and as Gao Fan and Lu Peng exchanged glances, they rushed forward to assist Xiao Huo in subduing the Princess of Longcheng

The Dragon City Princess did not respond, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of cold light born from anger—three degrees colder than ice.

With the aid of the Zhaolong Wind, Xiao Huo straightened his waist and twisted to evade the attack of the curved blade, diving towards the Xiongnu commander seated by the couch

Suddenly, a bundle of sparkling black water threads emerged, resembling a lively magical serpent coiling around the blade, swiftly approaching and wrapping around Xiao Huo's wrist, drowning the crimson light of the blade.

Like the Onmyoji in legends who can communicate with spirits, the Elemental Masters are among the most mysterious groups of spiritual practitioners in this world. They possess astonishing mental powers, capable of summoning and controlling the elemental energies that permeate nature, generating an overwhelming force that is irresistible, making them the natural enemies of Qi Refiners

My name is Gao Fan. Your people killed my mother and took my sister. They are nothing but beasts worse than animals

Faced with the question from the Xiongnu woman, Xiao Huo Wei Lu was taken aback. He silently gazed at the bright eyes hidden behind the bronze mask, feeling they were as clear and sweet as spring water, yet as unfathomable as the ocean.

Victory and defeat are decided in an instant, life and death can change in a moment. Everyone can hear the pounding of their own heartbeat

The colorful glass treasure lamp trembled almost imperceptibly, radiating a deep blue brilliance amidst the oppressive aura of blades. A layer of transparent blue ice light astonishingly gathered from the void, solidifying into a marvelous ice pillar approximately three feet in diameter, encasing the delicate form of the Dragon City Princess within, resembling a solid fortress shimmering with icy light

The Princess of Longcheng slowly nodded to Xiao Huo, her tone becoming much gentler, "I can grant an additional three rounds."

The distance between him and her was three zhang, akin to an insurmountable chasm, determining the life and death outcomes for both parties. How to breach the opponent's magical defense and reach the Dragon City Princess would be the key to Xiao Huo's victory

"This is the first time I have encountered a man like you." The Princess of Longcheng's calm tone finally showed a hint of fluctuation, "Alright, I accept your terms. I hope your swordsmanship will not disappoint me"

"Huo Qubing, once a woodcutter, now slaughters pigs." Young Huo continues to search for the other party's flaws

As he watched Lu Peng's departing figure, Xiao Huo urged the Zhaolong Fengyu, and two black dragon patterns emerged behind him. Under the stirring of eight pairs of invisible wind wings, he soared into the sky. The surrounding Xiongnu cavalry, who had not yet entered the tent to rest, gasped in astonishment, while the guards sounded the alarm horn.

Xiao Huo coldly brandished his sword, gazing at the Xiongnu woman who had made the sound, while fierce fighting could be heard outside the large tent

What direction is the main general's tent located in? Little Huo's eyes appeared even brighter in the darkness

The axe struck the ice column, leaving only a faint deep blue crack before rebounding sharply

However, judging from the colorful glass lamp in the hands of this Hunnish girl, it is highly likely that she is a genuine master of the Five Elements, having at least transcended the realm of a grandmaster, thus enabling her to stand shoulder to shoulder with the masters of the Five Elements

She hurriedly stepped back, retreating swiftly as a cold wind swept past her like a blade, leaving a tear in her clothing at the waist from Xiao Huo's sword energy. Fortunately, she had a piece of protective armor underneath, otherwise she would have lost her combat effectiveness in an instant

The three individuals exchanged silent glances, finding in each other's eyes a resolute determination to fight to the death.

"He is my father." Li Hong's expression grew even more sorrowful: "He was gravely injured in the battle this afternoon, yet he still stands firm on the city tower, refusing to come down. A man like my father is a true man, a true hero"

The machete came and went, precisely cutting into a crack, directly piercing the chest of the Dragon City Princess. Like a seasoned hunter, after repeatedly and patiently circling around the prey, he finally found a slight flaw in the opponent.

At this moment, neither he nor she understood that the impact of this battle would accompany them for the rest of their lives. The only belief was: how to defeat the enemy across from them