Chapter 2, The Ghost Riders of Qingzhou

The owl-faced warrior extended his arms, resembling a great bird descending. As soon as he touched the ground, he leaped backward into the air, swinging his spear to dismount a warrior from a fine steed. He then flipped over and forcefully reined in the horse along the official road. He spurred his horse to chase after Xu Ruyu. This series of actions was completed in the blink of an eye, with the owl-faced warrior appearing almost ghostly, his form nearly impossible to capture. However, this brief delay, combined with the earlier swift movement, had allowed Xu Ruyu to drive the horse-drawn carriage several dozen paces away.

"The Shock Spirit Technique." Why does this ten-year-old child possess such terrifying power of the Shock Spirit Technique?

Wu Chubi's intention was to capture the essence of the azure clouds filling the sky. As he wielded his spear, it pointed like the brilliant sunset after a clear day, and the force generated by the spear was as if it were pressing down heavily. The strength was beyond what could be borrowed, and the defense was beyond what could be maintained. The hawk-faced warrior felt an extreme discomfort in his heart. Moreover, his steed was also under considerable strain, already showing signs of fatigue. However, this was indeed a blood-sweating horse from Dayue, managing to hold on until now. Had it been an ordinary horse, it likely would not have withstood the pressure and would have collapsed on the spot. If the hawk-faced warrior had been able to notice the abnormality of his mount on ordinary days, he would have done so. However, after the battle in the morning, he was intimidated by Wu Chubi. Reluctantly pursuing from the city, he would have preferred to abandon this pretentious chase, had he not feared being ridiculed by the second brother in the future. He had not even noticed that the horse had just leaped into the air, which was already its limit at that moment.

At this moment, Xu Ruyu's life was hanging by a thread. Although he did not witness his father's suffering at the hands of the enemy, the air was filled with the sound of silent screams, interspersed with the terrified shrieks of women and children, and the stench of blood permeated the atmosphere, leaving him fearing the worst. Xu Ruyu felt a pervasive sense of death in the world around him, his chest filled with uncontainable grief and anger, yet he found no outlet for his emotions. Unable to restrain himself, he spat out a mouthful of blood. At this time, the Yin energy within his Dantian was stimulated by the aura of death, surging violently, as if it would pierce through the Dantian. Over the past few months, his Dantian had been tormented by the Yin energy, becoming increasingly resilient. With no way forward, he sought alternative paths, as the Yin energy surged into the Yin Qiao and Yin Wei meridians, just as Chen Ang had feared. Although Chen Ang's Yang energy, stored in the auxiliary meridians of Ruyu's body, continuously flowed into the Yin Qiao and Yin Wei meridians to dissolve the cold energy, Xu Ruyu's Great Circulation was blocked, and his meridians were too weak. The Yang energy that managed to enter the Yin Qiao and Yin Wei meridians was immediately extinguished upon encountering the Yin cold. While it did dissolve some of the cold energy, it was negligible compared to the torrent of cold energy that surged forth. The Yin cold between the Yin Qiao meridian from the Penque point to the Liangmen point, and the Yin Wei meridian from the Kangquan point to the Lingdao point, surged like a raging river. Due to the narrow channels at both ends, it could not drain away, leading to a breach. At that time, both Xu Ruyu's Yin Qiao and Yin Wei meridians would be damaged, and even immortals would be powerless to intervene. Even if the two meridians remained intact, if that strange cold lingered in his chest and abdomen for too long, his vitality would cease.

The knight's lips curled into a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown, a strange expression that cast a resentful glance towards Bayang City. He then turned his head and led his team away in a cloud of dust. The crowd felt as if a giant stone had been lifted from their hearts.

The figure with the owl mask was still in a state of panic when a cold snort echoed ominously from behind him. Startled, he swiftly moved several paces to the side, drawing his weapon to counterattack, yet his body continued to leap backward. This clearly indicated his profound fear of the person who had emitted that cold snort behind him

When the crowd reached Little Green Mountain, the sky had already turned white

The owl-faced warrior spoke loudly: "That dog thief Wu Chu has escaped alone, heavily injured, but I have captured twenty-five of his rebellious subordinates." He tilted his head slightly, and from the corner of his eye, he noticed that the guards were stationed at the city gate and within the city walls, with no one else in sight. With a cold snort, he cast a chilling gaze at the fleeing crowd and said: "I specifically request twenty-five heads from you all, so that I may report to the governor. I wonder if you would be willing to comply?" As he spoke, he waved his long spear, and the guards behind him surged forward, surrounding the fleeing crowd.

The city tower flagpole rising on the eastern horizon can be seen from afar, and the hearts of the crowd feel a sense of relief. The ensuing exhilaration prompts everyone to quicken their pace, as they hope to reach the city to enjoy a bowl of hot noodle soup, and then take a good rest in a sunny corner of a house.

Xu Xing turned back to look at Ru Yu, sighed deeply, and said: "Heaven and Earth are indifferent, treating all things as mere fodder; the sage is unkind, regarding the common people as mere fodder. In this world, those who boast of being heroes are often petty villains, acting on their whims, driven by greed to seize the world. This was originally a bright and clear universe, yet it has become this murky world."

"Everyone, flee quickly! The person before us intends to kill us all!" Zhang Boyang's voice was high-pitched, like an old phoenix singing amidst fierce flames. The crowd, along with the soldiers, was momentarily stunned. They finally understood what the scattered soldiers around them were about to do. Exhausted bodies, under the pressure of impending death, suddenly generated a final surge of extraordinary strength and will. They frantically searched for gaps between the horses, eager to break free. They finally understood what the scattered soldiers around them were about to do. Exhausted bodies, under the pressure of impending death, suddenly generated a final surge of extraordinary strength and will. They frantically searched for gaps between the horses, eager to break free.

The leader was a young warrior clad in a black helmet and brown armor. His face resembled that of an owl, with a long, narrow jaw, a hooked eagle-like nose, and eyes like those of a hawk. As his gaze swept over the crowd, a chilling sensation enveloped everyone. The owl-faced warrior, with a somber expression, looked at the snowflakes kicked up by the hooves in the distance, then glanced at the people haphazardly seated in the snow. Seemingly enlightened, he rode his horse to the right side of the warriors, leaned over to give a few instructions to one of them, and then returned to the group of refugees. The knight on the right side appeared displeased, but his expression quickly turned serious, and the long scar lying across his brow became even more menacing. He called out loudly, "Chang Guan, take your men and follow me." With that, he cracked his whip and galloped towards the city gate, followed by more than forty knights who surged out from the group like a whirlwind.

As the two white rays dissipated, Zhang and Xu had already fallen on either side of the official road. The hawk-faced warrior looked at Xu, whose eyes were filled with despair and *images* as he faced death, and a surge of pleasure arose in his heart. He thought to himself that allowing the six young ones to escape so easily was not feasible. Although the situation had been exposed and there would be trouble, it was not a cause for concern. The young man driving the carriage appeared deathly pale, as if suffering from a chronic illness, and was not a worry. However, the other five children, with their handsome and extraordinary features and bright, distinct eyes, remained clear-headed in the face of life and death. If they were to encounter a renowned master, within ten years, they would all achieve remarkable accomplishments. If the root of the problem was not eliminated now, it would lead to greater troubles in the future.

I? You need not worry about me. I will die together with Uncle Zhang, and even as a ghost, I will not be too lonely. You must remember, do not think about revenge. " With that, he suddenly drew the dagger that Chen Ang had given him for self-defense and stabbed it towards the horse's flank.

Zhang Boyang helped Xu Xing to his feet, and the two exchanged glances. Xu Xing said, "That person must be Wu Chu, but I do not know why he fled in such a panic from his own territory. Ah, there seems to be a change in Qingzhou; Xu Bodang must have joined forces with Yi Zhouwu to implement a strategy of cutting off the enemy's supplies at the source"

The closer we get, the more we can see the withered wild grass on the city walls, the sparse treetops emerging from within the city, and the orange-red morning sun shining on the treetops.

Approaching Xu Ruyu, the masked figure's hatred surged uncontrollably. You wretched creature, even on the brink of death, you seek to obstruct me; you truly deserve to die. Although the reason eluded him, the masked figure could no longer sense Xu Ruyu's presence. Nevertheless, the hatred in his heart could not be quelled, and he thrust his spear. Although it was unnecessary to target a specific point to destroy a corpse, habit dictated that the spear still pierced the Shaohai point just above Xu Ruyu's buttocks. He felt a tremendous heat surge along the spear, invading the Taiyin Lung Meridian, followed closely by a slightly weaker yet purer cold energy. Although it was unnecessary to target a specific point to destroy a corpse, habit dictated that the spear still pierced the Shaohai point just above Xu Ruyu's buttocks. He felt a tremendous heat surge along the spear, invading the Taiyin Lung Meridian, followed closely by a slightly weaker yet purer cold energy. The two energies were separated by no more than an instant, and the rapid alternation of cold and heat struck the black-helmeted knight as if he had been struck by lightning. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood to alleviate his injuries. His complexion changed several times in an instant, and he struggled to suppress the surging blood energy. His astonishment grew ever more intense.

Zhang Boyang and Xu Xing stood resolutely in the middle of the road, unmoving. They only hoped that this futile struggle could provide the Sixth Son with a faint glimmer of hope for escape. They quietly gazed at the black-helmeted commander. Their acceptance of death made their gaze clearer and gentler, yet it caused the hawk-faced warrior to avert his eyes.

The reins fell to the ground; even if they had not, with my driving skills, controlling this mad horse would still be futile. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, let it be decided by this wild horse. Having said that, there was not a trace of resignation on his face; his upper teeth pressed tightly against his lower lip, and after a moment, blood began to seep out. He said bitterly, "If I do not die today, I will repay it tenfold another day." No further words were spoken.

The coldly snorting individual is one of the ghost riders from Qingzhou who departed first. He holds a spear, thrusting it diagonally into the snowy ground, coldly watching as the owl-masked man leaps to strike with his spear. The owl-masked man swings his spear, creating a swirling vortex that sends snowflakes flying towards him, which unexpectedly fall straight down. He sneers and says: "Yi Hanwen, do you possess only this much courage? Why then do you resort to such despicable acts?"

The Owl-Faced Warrior was about to exert all his strength to urge the horse, but unexpectedly, the usually spirited steed stumbled and fell to the side of the road. In the morning, the crowd had launched a collective attack on Wu Chu, with a significant portion of the offensive being absorbed by this Owl-Faced Warrior.

Before my eyes lay a scene of snow-covered mountains and rivers, a landscape adorned in silver, resembling jade trees and crystal flowers, which stirred my heart. However, the fleeing crowd had no mind to appreciate the scenery, each person trudging along with their heads down, shivering and struggling. My foolish heart was suddenly engulfed in sorrow, tears fell silently, and I could not help but exclaim: "So bitter"

We are not lamenting for the Ghost Riders of Qingzhou; we are merely afraid that the art of charging into battle and the technique of the Biluoge will vanish from the world henceforth

A loud bang echoed from a distance, followed by the sight of wooden splinters flying from the city gate. More than twenty armored knights rushed out of the gate in disarray, creating a flurry of snow that filled the air, obscuring a large area, including the city gate, from the eyes of the fleeing crowd

Xu Ruyu fainted for a moment and then woke up, discovering that he was inside a carriage, which was still racing forward. He thought to himself: I am in this state, and the horse has indeed not let me down. As his taut nerves relaxed, he fainted again.

Xu Ruyu observed the expressions of the two men, filled with astonishment, and inquired: "The Qingzhou soldiers have ravaged the prefectural government, causing the people to live in misery. Their departure is indeed a fortunate event for the world. Why do my uncle and father feel regret over this?"

Xu Xing lost his voice and murmured: "The Ghost Riders of Qingzhou." His voice was so suppressed that it was as thin as a thread, barely audible beside him to Zhang Boyang. The leading black-armored knight seemed to sense something and turned to look this way, his eyes gleaming like sharp blades. Xu Xing could no longer withstand this palpable aura of killing intent and sat down abruptly in the snow, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth

The owl-faced warrior watched a group of people leave, a cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. The fleeing crowd shivered in fear, and Xu Xing had an even stronger premonition of impending disaster. Xu Xing secretly instructed Ru Yu to return to the carriage and sit at the front to await any changes. Fortunately, Xuan Ji and the other five children had remained in the carriage. However, Xu Xing did not dare to make any sudden movements, fearing that even the slightest action might provoke the murderous intent of the man before him.

The horse, in pain, broke free from the encirclement it had completed and galloped back along the path it had come from

Xu Ruyu exclaimed in surprise, "Why are there only twenty-five people left?"

The eldest among them spoke with a resolute expression to another young man, saying: "Wen Chang, you assist Xuan Ji while I assess the situation outside"

Do you not drive?

At this moment, Xu Ruyu had no time to consider his physical condition, as the man with the hawk-like face was driving his horse from behind, gradually closing the distance. Although he realized that his situation was undoubtedly fatal, he was unwilling to die under the cold blade of the hawk-faced man. Moreover, the last glimmer of hope for his child in the carriage depended on him. With this thought, a sense of tragic heroism arose in Xu Ruyu's heart. If he was to die, then he would fight to the end. Xu Ruyu leaned out of the carriage, gripping the handle tightly with his right hand to prevent himself from falling. His left hand stretched forward with all his might, and as soon as his palm touched the horse's tail, he quickly grasped it, channeling the true fire of the Yang Jue accumulated in his four limbs into the second white point of his left hand, according to the techniques taught by Chen Ang. Instantly, his left hand felt as if it were holding a burning coal, and his entire left arm felt as if it were being scorched by fire. The once weary steed suddenly surged with new strength, significantly increasing its speed and pulling the hawk-faced man back. Xu Ruyu gradually became able to endure the extreme cold of the Dan Mansion. However, after being stimulated by the intense heat, the cold became as clear as reality. The two extreme sensations of pain surged in his mind, and he finally could not bear it any longer and fainted.

As they were speaking, a column of black smoke rose from the northwest corner of Bayang City, with flames flickering in the center and the sound of hooves in disarray. Xu Xing and Boyang exchanged glances, unsure of what new incident had occurred.

The owl-faced warrior cursed under his breath, "Damn it." Finally, he issued the command: "Kill without mercy." Before his voice had faded, he leaped high on his horse, soaring over Zhang and Xu, and swung his spear downward.

Wu Chu, there is no need for further words. If you wish to take my life, you must also pay a price.

Xuanji and the two young children had already awakened, and were horrified to see a horse lying in the nearby snow, frothing at the mouth and convulsing uncontrollably. Xu Ruyu was sprawled on the snow pile by the roadside, motionless and in an unknown state. The two men, Wen Chang and another, stood tall behind, their faces ashen as they stared intently ahead. Xuanji followed their gaze and her complexion suddenly turned pale.

The force exerted by the urging was not sustained for more than two hundred breaths, and the horse fell headlong into the snow by the roadside, unable to rise. Liu Er was thrown out of the carriage and landed in the snow-filled ditch. Fortunately, the snow by the road was thick, and Liu Er did not sustain any new injuries

Xu Xingzhi, knowing that he needed to silence the crowd, was determined to eliminate all of the more than one hundred refugees. He urgently said to Ru Yu: "You should drive the carriage and pursue Wu Chu; you might be able to escape this calamity"

The youth named Wen Chang took the Xuánjī, but could no longer reach out with empty hands to support the carriage wall. In a moment of carelessness, his forehead struck heavily against the carriage board, and a stream of blood trickled down along his brow. Wen Chang could not wipe it away and had to let it flow through the corner of his eye. He tightly embraced the three people, sitting cross-legged in the corner of the carriage. His shoulders pressed against the carriage wall, and although he occasionally lifted off the ground, his head heavily bumped against the ceiling, he remained silent throughout.

Xuanji and the two younger children sat in the bumpy carriage, listening to the anguished cries of their loved ones being slaughtered from behind, their hearts filled with unbearable sorrow. Xuanji and the two younger children could not help but faint. Only two boys, of similar age to Xu Ruyu, tightly grasped the walls of the carriage, supporting the other three. Listening to the hooves of the pursuing soldiers drawing closer and then receding, they were filled with terror but dared not peek back. Although the two were still in a state of fear, their faces gradually grew resolute in response to the cries of their loved ones. Listening to the hooves of the pursuing soldiers drawing closer and then receding, they were filled with terror but dared not peek back. Although the two were still in a state of fear, their faces gradually grew resolute in response to the cries of their loved ones.

This despicable wretch has made me expend so much effort. Truly infuriating. The hawk-faced warrior dismounted and slowly approached Liu Er. Now, everything was under his control; the slaughter behind him had not been part of his involvement, and now it was time to indulge himself properly.

This matter is indeed complex to explain from the beginning. At this moment, the sound of "huhuh" arose in the city. Everyone turned to look. Over a hundred cavalrymen streamed out of the city, clearly in pursuit. However, although the pursuers shouted loudly, their movements were neither hurried nor slow. When they approached the crowd of fleeing people, they ceased to advance.

Originally, Wu Chulu was concerned that his retreat might bring disaster to the group of refugees. Therefore, he returned alone to investigate the situation. Just in time, he saved five children.

Xu Xing immediately instructed everyone to scatter to the sides of the road to avoid being trampled. In the midst of the crowd's panic, a group of black-armored knights had already swept close by, all clad in black armor and riding black steeds, their bodies drenched in blood. They wielded long spears, which were also entirely black, save for the glimmering silver at the blade's edge, reflecting the light of the snow and captivating the soul. Their faces were covered by bronze masks, instilling a chilling and terrifying impression.

Didn’t Wu Chu just pass through here completely intact?

The slightly older youth moved to the front of the carriage, leaned out to look. Seeing Xu Ruyu unconscious, he hurriedly lifted him and dragged him into the carriage, saying: "He has fainted"

Under the gaze of the Qingzhou Ghost Riders, no one dared to even think about counting their numbers, let alone meet their eyes. Zhang Boyang could not help but praise, "It is truly remarkable that Geng Su can discern the number of riders." After a pause, he could not help but wonder, "Only half of the forty-nine riders remain?" It should be noted that aside from his exquisite swordsmanship, Wu Chu is particularly skilled in the halberd, being recognized as the foremost expert in halberd techniques in the world. He carefully selected a group of exceptionally talented warriors from among the people to train in halberd techniques, resulting in forty-nine outstanding individuals, all clad in black armor and riding black steeds, their faces covered with bronze masks, known as the Forty-Nine Long Halberd Riders. Zhang Boyang could not help but praise, "It is truly remarkable that Geng Su can discern the number of riders." After a pause, he could not help but wonder, "Only half of the forty-nine riders remain?" It should be noted that aside from his exquisite swordsmanship, Wu Chu is particularly skilled in the halberd, being recognized as the foremost expert in halberd techniques in the world. He carefully selected a group of exceptionally talented warriors from among the people to train in halberd techniques, resulting in forty-nine outstanding individuals, all clad in black armor and riding black steeds, their faces covered with bronze masks, known as the Forty-Nine Long Halberd Riders. These forty-nine are adept at the art of charging; in the event of battle, the Forty-Nine Long Halberd Riders would charge into the fray as the Qingzhou Ghost Riders, either wedging into the enemy's weak points to tear apart their formation or confronting the strong with strength, charging into the most stubborn parts of the enemy's ranks. The Forty-Nine Long Halberd Riders are like the cutting edge of a long halberd, and Wu Chu often uses them to destroy the will of his opponents. Therefore, much of the Qingzhou Ghost Riders' reputation is established by the Forty-Nine Long Halberd Riders, causing all who hear of them to turn pale. Wu Chu continuously trains replacements; whenever someone falls in battle, he immediately fills the ranks, ensuring that these forty-nine riders resemble an unyielding steel formation that never runs short. However, with only half remaining at this time, it appears that the Qingzhou Ghost Riders have suffered a significant blow. Given this situation, it is likely that a major upheaval has occurred in Qingzhou; if Wu Chu were to be expelled from Qingzhou, the Qingzhou Ghost Riders would become a thing of the past. Zhang Boyang and Xu Xing exchanged glances and sighed, their expressions filled with helplessness.

You foolishly suffered from the cold all night, unable to sleep soundly like the other five children in the carriage. At this moment, you are utterly dispirited. You carefully avoided the five children lying haphazardly and moved to the front of the carriage

Cousin, why discuss these matters with the common folk?" Zhang Boyang waved his sleeve, took a deep breath, and finally remarked that there are indeed things that cannot be settled. He took over Xu Xing's topic and said: "Zichan often said that disorder is not determined by heaven. Yet he also said that the confusion in the world stems from a lack of understanding of right and wrong, which is the root of disorder."

Father, what about you? Xu Ruyu asked anxiously