Episode 2
Her reflection gave the impression of a demoness who delighted in terrorizing humans. The longer the cold spread, the harsher it became, like lingering ice clinging tightly to the skin of everyone present.
She raised her sword to the heavens and challenged him.
“You call me a despicable criminal, but Heaven knows the truth, and Hell agrees even more. My Red Moon Bandit Camp is worth more than several armies put together.”
Yet the young man continued to stare at her, his face utterly expressionless.
The slender young woman’s face was hidden behind a silver mask, leaving only her gleaming, tigerlike eyes visible. Slowly, she lowered her sword and pointed it at him, letting out a derisive snort.
“Even if I must die today at the hands of a mighty general like you, I can count it a blessing to have been born... But you’ll be the only one forced to bow your head and serve those tyrannical officials for the rest of your life. How pitiful!”
One of the deputy generals lunged forward.
“Impudent!”
His name was Jin He. He drew his sword and rushed forward, but the young general who had been insulted raised a palm to stop him, forcing him to return to his former position behind him.
“General Yang, this bandit chieftain—”
Deputy General Jin had not finished speaking when Yang Jian waved dismissively. Only then did the other man fall silent.
Though he knew the full truth of the matter, Yang Jian remained silent. Duty weighed heavily upon him. The Red Moon Bandit Camp had to be completely eradicated—nothing less would do!
The young general spoke in an even voice. “If you had brought all your bandit followers to surrender peacefully, these corpses would never have existed.” As he spoke, his cold gaze swept over the scraps of flesh that had once been complete human bodies. His handsome face grew even more devoid of emotion.
“Your abilities could still be put to good use for the country and the Yan Kingdom.”
The leader of the Red Moon Bandit Camp let out a scornful laugh when she heard this. “Hmph! I never imagined that the brilliant General Yang, famed for his skill in war, would be such a dreamer. What utter nonsense!”
“You!” The same deputy general charged forward again, livid. “You filthy bandit!”
The beautiful eyes visible beneath the silver mask flashed sharply. “A filthy bandit like me is still better than worthless scum who serve vile, corrupt officials like you!”
“How dare you! I’ll cut out your tongue!”
The deputy general drew his sword and prepared to lunge and slash at her, unwilling to back down. Yang Jian turned and shot him a sharp glare. Gritting his teeth, the man forced himself to calm down once more, looking like a wolf chained in place.
At that moment, the woman standing proudly beneath the heavens struck first.
Insects of every kind were released, blotting out the sky in a suffocating black swarm. She merely whistled beneath her silver mask, and a murky fog seemed to spread across the entire area, instantly filling it with poisonous insects.
Yang Jian was no powerless man. He had crossed countless battlefields and mastered innumerable military tactics. His position as East General, and his title of Sunblade Swordmaster, had certainly not been won through luck.
The young man raised a palm and gave his orders at once. Many brave soldiers hacked at the poisonous insects, while others spread out to search for the remaining bandits.
Yang Jian himself charged at the woman leading the Red Moon Bandit Camp, who stood alone and conspicuous on the slope.
She had already been waiting to receive him.
The young woman was not at all intimidated by the man charging toward her with such ferocity. Even when the aura around him suddenly turned as savage as a beast’s, she did not feel the slightest fear.
Though his entire body radiated bloodthirsty killing intent that seemed to reach the heavens, she merely gave a cold snort before leaping upward to meet him at equal height.
Clang!
The clash between two supreme martial artists erupted with the speed of flashing lightning. Anyone who managed to follow the exchange could truly understand what it meant to be blinded by brilliance.
The sky, which had been blazing brightly only moments ago, suddenly darkened beneath heavy clouds. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the sun had been eclipsed by the moon.
Their swords struck again and again, sending silver sparks flying. Yang Jian still did not stop trying to persuade the woman whose skill he respected.
“I’ll give you one more chance. Turn back before it’s too late, then surrender to the authorities. Abandon the path of evil.”
“Keep dreaming!”
The darkened sky suddenly blazed bright once more. A stream of internal energy was channeled into Yang Jian’s sword, making it flare with heat. When he swept his blade outward, an invisible wave of power flashed into existence, carving a streak of light through the air.
The Crescent Moon Sword in the woman’s hand moved even faster, swift and agile. It was like a sharp, curved crescent moon—delicate yet capable of cutting deep, and stronger than anything else.
She dragged a frigid silver arc across the blazing sunlight, creating a violently seething collision between two utterly opposing forces.
The large and small figures closed in and exchanged blows, then separated to circulate their profound inner energy before leaping back into another fierce clash—again and again.
The two figures charged and slashed at each other until the entire stretch of forest was flattened. A long, enormous trench was carved into the earth, its width equal to the span of the Grim Reaper’s foot and its depth several inches.
Sand and stones scattered in every direction, while dust and gravel filled the air, no different from hidden weapons that tore the souls from evil demons.