Chapter Sixty-Four: Captured

Murong Yan and Ye Feng, disguised and accompanied by several officers, left the camp and approached Juxiong Pass to carefully survey the terrain.

What a formidable and majestic pass it was! The entire fortress was built against the mountains, resembling a giant chair. Three sides were encircled by steep cliffs, as sheer as if cut by knife and axe, forming the chair’s back. In the middle lay the camp, broad and level like the seat, upon which numerous houses and military installations were constructed. The fortress occupied the heights, defending from perilous ground—it truly possessed the power to block ten thousand men with but a single defender!

As Murong Yan was discussing strategies with Ye Feng, suddenly the gates swung wide. At the forefront, a white unicorn horse burst from the city. Its rider, a short and stout officer, was none other than Tuoli Leopard. The steed beneath him was magnificent, head high and chest out, its four hooves strong and swift.

With a thunderous rush, it seemed to fly over the ground, charging forward like a whirlwind.

“Marshal, retreat quickly!” Ye Feng, startled and pale, rushed to shield Murong Yan and lead her away. But the unicorn horse was astonishingly fast—within the blink of an eye, it blocked their path. Behind them, the demon soldiers encircled them tightly.

How did Tuoli Leopard discover them so quickly? After his defeat in the water battle, he had retreated here, relying on the natural defenses. Bitter and unwilling, he had hoped to exploit the rebels’ unstable footing and lack of warships to deliver a crushing blow. Yet, his opponent had outwitted him with mere bamboo rafts, forcing him to swallow a humiliating loss.

Now, he was more cautious, observing daily from the wall to better understand his enemy. That day, he saw the rebel army camped outside the city. Soon after, a dozen warhorses left the camp, heading toward a hill outside Juxiong Pass, gazing at his fortress and gesturing. He knew instantly they were scouts, probing his defenses. Thus, he led a force out to intercept—only to unexpectedly seize the great prize of Murong Yan herself.

Overjoyed, he shouted, “Hey, little girl, isn’t your name Murong Yan? Get off your horse and surrender at once!”

Tuoli Leopard hated Murong Yan fiercely; seeing her now, old grudges flared, and he pointed his steel-tipped spear in her direction, cursing angrily.

“A defeated general dares speak of courage? Which of you will step forward and seize him?” Murong Yan’s brows arched and her eyes flashed with fury as she called her officers to engage.

“I will go!” Zhou Chaogui, a long-time member of the rebel army with little merit to his name, was delighted by the challenge. He spurred his horse and raised his serrated sickle blade, charging forward with a shout: “Face my blade!”

Tuoli Leopard, calm and unhurried, leveled his steel-tipped spear.

With a clang, the spear struck the tip of Zhou Chaogui’s blade. Gripping with his left hand and exerting force with his right arm, he bellowed, “Open!”

Zhou Chaogui’s grip failed instantly. “Ah!” he cried, “Such strength!” His hands released, and with a sharp sound, the sickle blade was sent flying.

“Old fool…” Before he could finish his curse, Tuoli Leopard swung his spear and stabbed straight at Zhou Chaogui’s heart.

With a sickening thud, the spear pierced through, and he was dead in an instant.

“Take that!” Tuoli Leopard twisted his wrist, flipped his hand, and tossed the corpse under his horse.

The demon soldiers surged forward, severed the head, and hoisted it on a bamboo pole.

All these actions happened in an instant, leaving everyone stunned and frozen with fear.

“Tuoli Leopard, give me back my brother’s life!” A cry rang out. Murong Yan glanced over and saw it was Li Yiqing, the nimble “Little Monkey of the Thousand Mountains.”

“General Li, return!” Murong Yan called urgently, but it was too late. Tuoli Leopard casually pulled a transparent brick from his pouch—a piece three inches wide, five inches long—shouted, “Take this!” and hurled it.

Li Yiqing was leaping forward when suddenly a chill swept over him from head to toe. He found himself unable to move, his body frozen stiff.

With a crack, the brick struck his forehead, and he tumbled to the ground.

“Take him away!” Tuoli Leopard commanded. The demon soldiers surged forward, carried Li Yiqing off, and quickly returned to their camp.

The rebels, witnessing these events, were seized with terror, feeling a chill rise from their feet to their hearts, as if they themselves had been frozen, not Li Yiqing.

Tuoli Leopard circled his horse, shouting, “Who else? If you’re not afraid of death, step forward!”

When no one answered, he pointed at Murong Yan, “Girl, stop sending your men to their deaths. Get off your horse and surrender!”

Murong Yan was dumbstruck by Tuoli Leopard’s prowess; his reputation was well-earned. Alas, she realized none of her people could match him—if they all perished, what use would that be? Better to surrender herself and plead for the others’ lives.

With a heavy heart, she urged her horse forward, but Ye Feng stopped her: “Marshal, let me go instead!”

Murong Yan’s face hardened. “Vice Marshal Ye, step back. I must speak with him.”

Ye Feng, helpless, retreated cautiously.

Murong Yan squeezed her legs, spurring her iron-bridled horse ahead.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, she drew near Tuoli Leopard.

“Tuoli Leopard, I, Murong Yan, admit I am no match for you today. I will surrender—on one condition. You must promise me.”

Tuoli Leopard raised his brows and glared. “Speak.”

“I will return with you to the Demon Kingdom; whatever punishment you wish to inflict, let it fall on me alone. But you must release all my officers.”

Tuoli Leopard laughed heartily. “Agreed! But there is one exception.”

Murong Yan asked, “Who?”

Tuoli Leopard had just uttered “Ye—” when a furious cry rang out, “Marshal, I will fight him! I will not yield!”

With a bang, a spear thrust forward—it was Ye Feng.

Tuoli Leopard, enraged, raised his spear to parry.

With a deafening clash, sparks flew as the spears met, echoing like thunder across the field.

Ye Feng’s horse staggered back more than ten paces; his hands tingled and arms grew numb. He silently marveled at Tuoli Leopard’s strength.

The blow had shaken Ye Feng badly, but Tuoli Leopard felt it too—his arms trembled, palms burned, and a surge of hot blood rose to his throat, though he swallowed it down. Only his mighty horse kept him from retreating, masking his discomfort.

Surprised, he asked, “Young white-faced officer—are you that ‘Invincible, Undying General’ Ye Feng?”

Ye Feng halted his horse and nodded, “I am! I never change my name or surname; Ye Feng it is!”

As he spoke, he urged his horse forward, shouting, “Old demon, take another spear!”

He stabbed again.

Tuoli Leopard nodded inwardly—Ye Feng’s reputation was deserved; the young man had real skill. He dared not be careless, secretly summoning his demonic power. With a shake of his head and a swing of his shoulders, two additional heads and four extra arms sprouted immediately.

Six hands drew various weapons and magical treasures, launching a ferocious assault on Ye Feng.

Clang! Clang! Clang! The sounds of battle rang out without pause, and Ye Feng was soon overwhelmed, struggling to defend himself.

Ye Feng, rallying his own supernatural might, cried, “Divide!”

Two phantom figures leapt forth—a second Ye Feng and a snarling fire dragon. The illusions coalesced into solid forms: one wielded the Flowing Cloud Sword, the other exhaled blazing flames, both charging at Tuoli Leopard.

Tuoli Leopard, seeing Ye Feng’s abilities, secretly admired him. Yet he was fearless, shouting, “Well done!” He swung the God-Whip at the sword-wielding Ye Feng, and hurled the Soul-Brick at the fire dragon’s head.

The battle was fierce, but soon the outcome was clear—Tuoli Leopard grew stronger with every exchange, while Ye Feng was forced back, unable to keep pace.

“Brothers, hurry, get Marshal Murong away!” Even in danger, Ye Feng thought only of Murong Yan’s safety.

“Brother Feng, live or die, we do it together! Let’s fight!” Murong Yan, seeing Ye Feng falter, snatched her newly forged velvet broadsword from the Bird-Wing Hook Victory Ring and charged forward.

“Protect the Marshal! Hurry, get her out!” Ye Feng, hearing Murong Yan’s call, glanced back and saw her rushing in. His eyes grew frantic. Sensing the dire situation, the officers exchanged looks, then surged forward, dragging Murong Yan away and fleeing.

“Stop them! Don’t let the enemy marshal escape!” Tuoli Leopard, seeing Murong Yan’s flight, shouted for the demon soldiers to block her, urging his horse to pursue.

“Old demon, you won’t get past me!” Ye Feng cursed, summoning his power. He and his phantom selves rushed forward, surrounding Tuoli Leopard tightly.

“Brat, you court death!” Tuoli Leopard raged, wielding all his weapons at once. Ye Feng was quickly overwhelmed, forced to retreat.

Yet as Ye Feng fell back, whenever Tuoli Leopard tried to pursue Murong Yan, Ye Feng clung to him like a stubborn shadow. Thus, Tuoli Leopard could neither defeat Ye Feng nor capture Murong Yan, caught in a frustrating stalemate.

The demon soldiers failed to block Murong Yan, and soon she vanished with her officers.

“Damn it! Curse it!” Tuoli Leopard howled with fury.

“Surround Ye Feng!” he ordered.

The demon soldiers surged forward, encircling Ye Feng layer upon layer.

“Ye Feng, today you cannot escape. Surrender your weapons and yield!” Tuoli Leopard struck at the sword-wielding Ye Feng with the God-Whip, lashed the fire dragon with the Dragon-Binding Rope, and tangled his steel-tipped spear with Ye Feng’s Overlord God Spear. The Soul-Brick, Heaven-Earth Sword, and Decapitation Flying Knife launched sudden assaults.

Amidst flashing blades and glinting swords, the air was filled with violent clangs and crashes—a scene of utter carnage.

Ye Feng, with nothing left to lose, fought desperately. Not only did he not retreat, he seized two spears, raised them high, and together with his other weapons, struck fiercely at Tuoli Leopard.

Tuoli Leopard, enraged, shouted, “Today, your ‘Undying General’ title will become ‘Dead Early’!”

He hurled the Dragon-Binding Rope; a bolt of lightning flashed, binding the fire dragon tight.

“Hit!” he cried, launching the God-Whip. In a flash of silver, it struck the sword-wielding Ye Feng’s head, dispersing him instantly.

The steel-tipped spear and Heaven-Earth Sword attacked Ye Feng on horseback, while the Decapitation Flying Knife spun around his neck. An ice brick flew toward Ye Feng’s chest.

Alas, Ye Feng’s Overlord Spear was no match for so many weapons. He could not dodge the ice brick—it struck him squarely.

With a crack, he was instantly frozen into a block of ice.

“Carry him away!” The demon soldiers surged forward, lifted Ye Feng, and departed.

Is Ye Feng alive or dead? Find out in the next chapter.