Chapter 71: Merit
Chapter 71: Merit
Whose Flying Sword is this?
Is a Fifteen Li Realm expert here?!
Everyone was pleasantly surprised, looking around. Could it be the Xia Clan?
As Song Yueyao was lost in thought, an image flashed in her mind. But the person she saw earlier was wielding the broken Demon Slaying Blade, not this sword. Could it really be the Xia Clan?
Speaking of which, where is that guy?
Song Yueyao couldn't help but look around but didn't see Li Hao's figure.
Similarly, she didn't see any Xia Clan generals, perhaps they were standing somewhere out of sight.
While everyone was overjoyed, the remaining Great Demons were in a panic.
This sudden change was completely unexpected!
Reinforcements? The Xia Clan?
Regardless, Red Eyebrow Daoist is dead!
Even he was instantly killed, let alone the rest of them at the Divine Wanderer Realm.
Moreover, it was rumored that Red Eyebrow Daoist had practiced in the Holy Palace, with a thousand years of cultivation. Even among the Fifteen Li Realm, he was considered one of the strongest.
The Giant Force True God of Blackwind Mountains once dominated outside Cangyu City, known as the Giant Spirit Demon King, but was defeated by Red Eyebrow Daoist and had to obey his commands.
However, in the face of the Xia Clan's Fifteen Li Realm expert, Red Eyebrow Daoist was so easily defeated?
The demons were terrified and hastily retreated, abandoning the wave of monsters below.
As the Great Demons fled, the other Soul Succession Realm monsters also caught on. With Red Eyebrow Daoist dead, how could they continue fighting?
The monsters in the rear continued to surge forward, but those in the front turned and fled in panic.
The chaos caused by their collision made the entire wave of monsters even more disorganized.
Meanwhile, after slaying Red Eyebrow Daoist, Li Hao continued to maneuver the Flying Sword through the battlefield, pursuing the fleeing Divine Wanderer Realm Great Demons.
These Great Demons still had the potential to regroup, so Li Hao wouldn't let them go.
The sword's light moved like a bolt of lightning, swiftly slicing through the battlefield. The fleeing Divine Wanderer Realm Great Demons tried to resist, using their life-saving techniques, but they were no match for the Flying Sword's speed and power. They were easily pierced with no chance of resistance.
One by one, the Great Demons fell with blood-curdling screams.
These Great Demons could only scatter, hoping that the distance the Flying Sword could control was not enough to catch them.
However, Li Hao was already moving himself, flying toward North City.
Seeing this, Wei Feng, who had been preparing to retreat, had a thought. With such a powerful Fifteen Li Realm expert like Li Hao, it would be nearly impossible for the demons to capture the city unless a Tianren Realm Great Demon were involved.
But if a Tianren Realm Great Demon were to invade, why would they need the help of other monsters to cause such a commotion?
Razing the city would be a trivial task, taking only the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.
However, the entry of a Tianren Realm Great Demon was even more dangerous. If they were to massacre the city, they would be hunted to the ends of the earth by the Divine General Manor. Therefore, they rarely invaded alone.
If they mixed with the border demon forces, they wouldn't be singled out for pursuit, and it would be easier to retreat to the demon territories to save their lives.
With these thoughts in mind, Wei Feng immediately took Ren Qianqian and Li Yuanzhao, and followed in pursuit, wanting to witness the outcome of the battle.
With him nearby, if the situation turned unfavorable, they could quickly retreat to safety.
Meanwhile, as Li Hao moved himself, his control range expanded. The Divine Wanderer Realm Great Demons who had not yet fled the battlefield were killed one by one.
"How can his control distance be so far?!"
A Great Demon, whose body had shrunk into a small black mist, heard the whistling wind behind him and felt deep despair in his eyes.
Pft!
The sword's light flashed, dispersing the black mist.
With the eight Divine Wanderer Realm Great Demons all dead, Li Hao turned the Flying Sword back toward the wave of monsters.
The sword's light moved through the wave like a needle threading through fabric, blood splattering everywhere as the monsters were mercilessly cut down.
The once ferocious wave of monsters quickly turned into a sea of blood and countless corpses, with the rest fleeing or scattering.
Seeing this, the city's defenders on the walls immediately rallied others to pursue.
Liu Shunqing and the Qi Family also led their disciples to chase and kill the monsters, a rare opportunity to earn merit.
In less than half the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the wave of monsters had dispersed.
Looking down at the countless Monster corpses below the City Wall, and the most prominent Red Dragon carcass split into three pieces, many of the city guards felt as if they were in a dream.
They had already despaired, even writing their wills and leaving them in their tents, yet they had managed to defend the city successfully.
A Monster attack?
Under the onslaught of the Flying Sword, it was like a farce, with the Monsters' fierce advance ending in a hasty retreat.
The Demonic Cloud that had hovered over the north dissipated with the death of Red Eyebrow Daoist and the subsequent demise of other Divine Wanderer Realm Great Demons. The sky cleared, and the world returned to its usual tranquility.
On the City Wall, the soldiers raised their hands in jubilation.
When Yue Shuhong arrived, he saw only the scattered remnants of the Monster horde and was taken aback.
For twenty years, he had been playing a double game with the Monsters, carefully plotting and planning, only to be outmatched by a single youth and his sword?
His emotions were a tumult of excitement, coupled with a deep, indescribable sorrow and bitterness.
All his efforts to seek help and plea for mercy had been like a mirage.
What was the point of his years of compromise and humiliation?
Only strength could overcome all obstacles, a truth he understood all too well.
But with his duties as an official weighing him down, how could he find the time to cultivate?
Speechless, he let out a long, quiet sigh.
The wave of Monsters had ended. With the number of casualties among the Monsters, Cangyu City would likely be safe from invasion for the next few decades.
And what about himself?
He gave a bitter smile, then composed himself and walked toward Li Hao.
"Li Family young master, I, Yue Shuhong, on behalf of all the citizens of Cangyu City, thank you for your assistance!"
Yue Shuhong's expression was solemn as he clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Li Hao.
Li Hao raised his hand, and the Flying Sword in the sky flew toward him like a cloud, landing in his palm.
He looked at the City Governor, a middle-aged man with rough, weathered skin, and said calmly, "It was a minor task, no need to be so formal."
Yue Shuhong's lips curled into a bitter smile. "I will report my collaboration with the Demons and my alliance with the Monsters to the imperial court. Additionally, I will also report the Li Family young master's contribution in defending the city. With all the soldiers here as witnesses, your merit will not go unacknowledged."
"Merit? It's a small matter."
Li Hao shook his head slightly, showing no concern.
Seeing Li Hao's nonchalant demeanor, Yue Shuhong was momentarily taken aback. He could see that the youth's eyes were clear and sincere, not feigning modesty.
However, whether one was humble or not in such matters was not important. As Li Hao said, the merit was too significant to be overlooked.
After all, in normal times, it was extremely difficult to earn merit.
Even during wartime, achieving great merit was a daunting task. The most common ways to earn merit included Breaking Through the Enemy Lines, Being the First to Ascend, Capturing the Enemy Flag, and Slaying the Enemy General.
Other methods included Capturing the Enemy Leader and Total Annihilation.
Breaking Through the Enemy Lines and Being the First to Ascend were Second-Class Merits, which, according to Dayu's reward laws, could grant a second-tier title.
Capturing the Enemy Flag and Slaying the Enemy General were First-Class Merits, even harder to achieve, and could grant a third-tier title.
Dayu's titles were divided into Scholar Rank, Viscount Rank, Earl Rank, Marquis Rank, and Duke Rank!
Above the Duke Rank was the renowned Divine Rank.
The ancestors of the five Divine General Manors were all Divine Rank, having followed the former emperor in establishing the Dayu Dynasty, earning unparalleled merit that has been passed down for a thousand years.
Apart from the Divine Rank, all other ranks were divided into three tiers. Achieving a First-Class Merit would directly grant a first-tier Scholar Rank.
A Second-Class Merit would grant a second-tier Scholar Rank.
If one was already a Scholar Rank and achieved a First-Class Merit or three Second-Class Merits, they could be promoted to a Viscount Rank, receiving good land and property, equivalent to a landed noble.
An Earl Rank would also come with a fiefdom!
Earning merit was difficult, but today, Li Hao had single-handedly protected the entire city and its citizens. This feat surpassed a First-Class Merit.
Yue Shuhong didn't have the heart to dwell on the specifics of the rewards. He would leave it to the imperial court to decide, but he estimated it would be at least a third-tier Viscount Rank.
(End of Chapter)
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