Chu Li had improved significantly in his martial arts skills since he had made substantial progress in his Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture cultivation level as well as his inner energy. While his Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture cultivation level were still lower than Monk Zhi Shan’s, his inner energy was no longer inferior to Zhi Shan’s inner energy.

　　Nonetheless, the Earth Matrix and Reincarnation Scripture were mysterious and profound, so he would still be no match for Zhi Shan even though he could compete with Zhi Shan’s inner energy.

　　However, since his Nature Restoration Manifestation had improved immensely during his time on the battlefield, he was able to anticipate and determine Monk Zhi Shan’s thoughts in advance without any help from the Omniscient Mirror and had managed to launch his attacks before Zhi Shan could make his move.

　　Monk Zhi Shan kept feeling like his powers were being constrained. It was as though his opponent was seeing through his every move. Zhao Dahe was indeed becoming more and more skillful. If the situation were to go on like this, Zhao Dahe might actually manage to kill him.

　　As his murderous intent surged all of a sudden, Zhi Shan abruptly appeared beside Chu Li to launch a surprise attack on him.

　　He found three flying blades coming at him from different directions the moment he appeared, so he had nowhere to hide. He was able to block one of the blades with his right hand and use his body movement technique to avoid another blade, but there was no way he could avoid the third blade.

　　If his left hand had not been injured, he could have used his solar chakram to ward off this blade, but since there was a stab wound on his left wrist, he was unable to hold the solar chakram with his left hand.

　　He suddenly stretched out his left palm to receive the attack. A surge of inner energy was flowing around in his left palm.

　　“Tsh!” As his inner energy failed to block the flying blade, it pierced right through Monk Zhi Shan’s left palm and shot into his left shoulder.

　　Although he could not ward off the flying blade with his left palm, he was able to reduce its speed slightly, and it was because of this slight change in speed that he managed to prevent it from hitting his precordium.

　　Monk Zhi Shan remained calm while his solar chakram shot out from his right hand like a white streak of light.

　　Chu Li vanished just in time to avoid this white streak of light and appeared behind the Hai Cang Mountain elder in the next instant. He thrust his right palm forward while a flying blade flew out of his left hand in a flash at the same time.

　　The Royal Blade Palace elder swung his blade sideways to help ward off Chu Li’s attack.

　　“Ding…” As his blade collided with Chu Li’s palm, a ringing sound echoed loudly.

　　The Royal Blade Palace elder’s expression changed slightly. He was surprised that Chu Li possessed such a pure and refined inner energy and that he could produce such strong palm energy.

　　“Bang!” His blade collided into the Hai Cang Mountain elder’s back and caused the elderly man to stagger for a moment.

　　Chu Li’s flying blade reached the Hai Cang Mountain elder at that moment.

　　The elderly man had not regained his balance, so he was unable to dodge the attack. The flying blade shot into his back and flew out through his chest, causing blood to spurt out of his wound.

　　He did not turn his head to look behind but increased his speed abruptly and moved in an arc until he was over ten meters away. When he turned around, he saw that Chu Li was already engaged in an intense fight with the Royal Blade Palace elder.

　　At that moment, the soldiers on the city wall quickly went away to call over their martial arts masters.

　　Martial arts masters had rarely gone on top of a city wall during times of war since they would be in a vulnerable position there and could easily be killed by a bow shot, which would not be a worthwhile death at all.

　　Monk Zhi Shan’s solar chakram flew out like a white streak of light. However, Chu Li vanished instantly to avoid the attack, so it shot toward the Royal Blade Palace elder behind Chu Li instead.

　　The Royal Blade Palace elder hurriedly turned his body sideways to dodge it, but Chu Li reappeared behind him and launched two flying blades at once.

　　“Tsh, tsh!” The elderly man managed to avoid only one of them, and the other flying blade sliced through his right shoulder.

　　“Let’s leave!” he shouted grimly and turned around to escape with the Hai Cang Mountain elder.

　　They initially thought that the three of them would certainly be able to kill Chu Li and avenge the death of Flying Cloud Cavalry’s Zhu Wuji by launching a joint attack on him. However, they did not expect Chu Li to be so difficult to deal with.

　　Monk Zhi Shan’s expression turned gloomy as his usual calm and easy-going demeanor slipped away. He immediately turned around and left.

　　Chu Li scoffed and appeared beside the monk instantly before shooting out two blades.

　　Monk Zhi Shan moved his body sideways while raising one hand in reverence with a faint smile on his face. “Almsgiver Zhao you have shown great improvement in your martial arts. Congratulations.”

　　He had turned his body just in time to avoid the two blades. After that, he vanished into thin air.

　　Chu Li detected his moving figure using the Omniscient Mirror. Zhi Shan had disappeared like a gust of wind as his speed had suddenly become incredibly fast. Evidently, he had performed his secret skill.

　　He gave a cold laugh. Chu Li was determined to kill Monk Zhi Shan and avenge Li Ruolan’s death today!

　　Chu Li was just about to activate his secret skill to pursue Zhi Shan when he noticed two other monks appearing some distance away from Zhi Shan with their palms joined in reverence.

　　These two monks were shrouded in a strange force that prevented Chu Li’s Omniscient Mirror from peeking into their minds. Their cultivation levels were only slightly lower than Monk Zhi Shan’s, so they were both martial arts masters with exceptional skills.

　　Chu Li sighed helplessly. He had lost his chance! He would have to wait for future opportunities to seek his revenge since his cultivation level was not high enough yet. Once his cultivation level became high enough, killing Zhi Shan would be a piece of cake. Zhi Shan would not be able to escape him then!

　　“Awesome!” the martial arts masters who had rushed up to the top of the city wall cheered loudly.

　　This was the first time they had seen Monk Zhi Shan suffering a defeat. It was a truly satisfying sight.

　　“Amazing!” the soldiers cheered as well.

　　Chu Li had defeated Monk Zhi Shan and the other two men and had made them flee in panic. This caused the onlookers to feel extremely proud and happy.

　　It seemed as though Chu Li could hear their cheers as he looked over and gave a fist salute. Then, he quickened his pace and was about to reach the eastern gate.

　　“General?” Jiang Jinfu turned to look at Yang Ping as he lowered his voice and asked, “Should we open the city gate?”

　　Since the war was still ongoing, they had to keep the city gate firmly locked at all times and should not open it as they pleased since they might get tricked by their enemy. After all, while it was easy to open the city gate, it could be very hard to close it again. Thus, it would not be unreasonable for him to refuse to open the city gate, and there would be no cause for criticism in this case.

　　Yang Ping stared at Chu Li’s approaching figure.

　　At dusk, Chu Li’s figure seemed especially lonely under the darkening evening sky.

　　“… Open the city gate. Let him in!” Yang Ping muttered and huffed.

　　Jiang Jinfu felt dissatisfied but did not let his feelings show on his face as he stared at Chu Li. “Understood. I’ll go and tell them to open the city gate right away!”

　　Yang Ping glanced at him. “Keep in mind our current situation. Don’t stir up any trouble!”

　　He knew that his trusted protector could be quite petty at times, so he was worried that Jiang Jinfu would do something reckless at such a crucial moment and cause him to be discredited among the people.

　　“Understood.” Jiang Jinfu nodded sheepishly.

　　Yang Ping retrieved a military badge from inside his sleeve.

　　After Jiang Jinfu received the military badge from Yang Ping with both hands, he hurriedly went to see the city gate officers and told them to open the eastern gate.

　　Chu Li was already waiting outside the gate by the time the eastern gate started to open.

　　The soldiers and martial arts masters on top of the city wall stared intently at Chu Li and found that his ugly face was giving off a particularly heroic vibe at the moment.

　　Chu Li noticed the bloodstains all over the place and realized that the siege war had already started. His expression grew solemn as he looked up at the people on the city wall and gave them a fist salute. Then, as he strode in through the city gate and saw Jiang Jinfu walking toward him, he said gravely, “I’d like to speak to the general!”

　　Jiang Jinfu replied coldly, “Come with me!”

　　Both of them fell silent as they walked down the avenue.

　　Chu Li finally sensed something different about the city when he felt his inner energy being suppressed once again. The martial arts masters in the city had lost their advantage and had become only slightly stronger than a normal person.

　　The atmosphere in the city felt stifling, and the avenue seemed bleak and desolate. All the shops around them were closed for business, so the busy and bustling atmosphere from before had disappeared entirely.

　　“Rumble…” The ground shook.

　　Dust flew around them as a cavalry appeared before them like a gust of wind.

　　“Neigh…” Eleven horses whined loudly as they stood on their hind legs.

　　Ten riders sat steadily on their horses with grave and stern expressions.

　　A sturdy-looking rider at the head of the group gave a fist salute and asked, “Are you Zhao Dahe from Soaring Eagle Cavalry’s Sharp Vigor Battalion?”

　　Chu Li returned the fist salute. “Yes, I am.”

　　“The Grand General has requested to see you. Come with me!” the rider said calmly.

　　Chu Li replied, “Please allow me to see the general first before meeting the Grand General.”

　　The rider shook his head. “The Grand General wants to speak to you as soon as possible. You can go and meet General Yang after you come back. Let’s go!”

　　Another rider leaped off his horse and led the spare horse they had brought along to Chu Li before stuffing the horse reins into his hands. “The Grand General is waiting to see you, so hurry up!”

　　Chu Li gave Jiang Jinfu a helpless look.

　　Jiang Jinfu calmly said, “I’ll explain the situation to the general. You should go and meet the Grand General first!”

　　He had no other choice but to say these words to Zhao Dahe under such circumstances.

　　Jiang Jinfu scoffed quietly. While Zhao Dahe seemed ugly and bad-tempered, he could be quite smart at times like this. With those words from Jiang Jinfu, no one would be able to criticize him for going to meet the Grand General first.

　　Chu Li gave a fist salute and leaped onto the horse before spurring his horse and galloping away with those ten riders.