Chapter 45

In the capital of the Great Liao, at the Southern Palace.

Xiaofeng was handling state affairs when Azhi ran in and clung to him, saying, "Brother-in-law, let's go out and play. It's so boring in this courtyard. You haven't gone out to play with me for several days."

Xiaofeng put down his work and nodded, "Alright. Let's go hunting."

Azhi was delighted, "Wow, long live Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law, this time when we find prey, you can't act first. You have to let me. If you hadn't acted last time, I would have definitely hit that deer."

Xiaofeng and Azhi, along with the "Eighteen Riders of Yan and Yun," left the capital and headed into the wilderness.

...

Azhu and Xiaohuan entered the territory of the Great Liao.

"Azhu, if we follow this road, we can reach the capital in half a day," Xiaohuan calculated the distance and said.

They had been in the Great Liao for over ten days and were finally about to reach the capital. Azhu also felt relieved.

Ten days ago, Azhu and Xiaohuan, while at the border of the Great Liao, heard by chance about a Great Liao hero named Xiaofeng who had helped the Great Liao Emperor Yelü Hongji quell a rebellion and was appointed as the new Southern Palace Lord.

Based on the descriptions from the martial artists, Azhu guessed that this Southern Palace Lord "Xiaofeng" might very well be her Xiaodage.

Therefore, she and Xiaohuan rushed to the capital to find out the truth.

Azhu felt a bit puzzled and sad, thinking to herself, "Xiaodage, have you really become the Southern Palace Lord of the Great Liao? If it's really you, why did you become the second most powerful person in the Great Liao? Didn't you promise to go to the frontier with me to herd horses and sheep?"

Xiaohuan, seeing that Azhu was troubled, said, "Azhu, don't worry. Once we reach the capital, we'll know the truth. Perhaps this Southern Palace Lord Xiaofeng isn't Xiaodage at all. After all, there are thousands of people surnamed Xiao in the Great Liao, and many of them might have the same name."

Azhu nodded, "Alright. Xiaohuan, let's hurry."

...

"Move, faster. If you dawdle, I'll kill you." A series of shouts came.

Among them were cries of despair.

Xiaohuan and Azhu turned around and saw a group of over a hundred Liao soldiers escorting a group of Han people towards the capital.

"These Han people, once they reach here, will become laborers and slaves."

A Liao soldier brandished a whip, and whenever a Han person walked slowly, he would lash them.

Azhu was angry, "These Khitan people are truly despicable, treating our Han people like this. Xiaohuan, can you save these Han people?"

Xiaohuan nodded, "Azhu, with my martial arts, saving these Han people isn't a problem; I might just get a little injured. But do you really want to save them? Even if I kill all these soldiers, these Han people won't be able to return to the Song Dynasty. On Liao soil, they will still face certain death."

Xiaohuan, though angry, did not intend to act.

She had heard Wang Yue say that defending the country was the responsibility of the government and the soldiers. The officials and soldiers who enjoyed the taxes paid by the people should protect the people.

The Liao soldiers could invade the Song territory and plunder like entering a land without people, which was entirely due to the incompetence of the government and the Zhao family.

Such matters, Xiaohuan did not want to and could not handle.

"Xiaohuan, since we can't save them, let's go."

Azhu also knew that with just the two of them, it was impossible to save all these Han people.

"Stop!"

Suddenly, a loud shout came.

Azhu and Xiaohuan stopped and turned to look at the Khitan soldier who had spoken.

Xiaohuan's lips curled into a cruel smile, "Azhu, even if we want to leave now, we probably can't."

Xiaohuan, though she did not intend to save these Han people, would not hesitate to use her sharp single saber to kill these Khitan soldiers if they provoked her.

After all, on this journey, Xiaohuan had already taken over fifty lives.

These Khitan soldiers, numbering over a hundred, could be killed with a little effort, given Xiaohuan's internal martial arts and hidden strength.

Seeing that Azhu and Xiaohuan were rare beauties from the south, the Khitan soldiers had evil intentions and wanted to capture them.

Such beauties, if presented to their superiors, would guarantee promotions and wealth. If not, turning them into personal slaves would also be a good option.

Azhu was a bit afraid, after all, there were over a hundred Khitan soldiers.

Xiaohuan smiled, "Azhu, don't worry. I can handle this situation."

Xiaohuan looked at the soldiers surrounding her and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, what are you trying to do? Your posture is scaring this little girl. Hehe..."

As she spoke, Xiaohuan let out a tinkling laugh like a wind chime.

The Khitan soldiers, seeing Xiaohuan's appearance, were entranced.

Xiaohuan suddenly gripped the hilt of her saber and struck.

A flash of the blade, and the throats of the few Khitan soldiers at the front were cut before they could react, blood splattering everywhere.

After killing a few, Xiaohuan used her footwork and Bagua saber technique to quickly attack the other Khitan soldiers.

Xiaohuan's single saber was like the scythe of death, continuously taking the lives of these soldiers.

Xiaohuan's speed was so fast that it took nearly thirty deaths before the soldiers reacted.

"You little bitch, you dare to kill people. Brothers, kill her!"

The soldiers, armed with long spears, attacked Xiaohuan.

Xiaohuan sneered, "You will all die today."

In the eyes of the Khitan soldiers, Xiaohuan was no longer a beauty but had transformed into a demon.

...

"Rumble."

The sound of hooves approached.

Azhi, riding a horse, holding a bow and arrow, pointed ahead and said, "Brother-in-law, look, there are people fighting. What a bold move, daring to kill Liao soldiers."

Xiaofeng also saw many Liao soldiers killed, "Let's go and see."

...

"Die!" Xiaohuan shouted.

The single saber sliced down, splitting the soldier and his spear in two.

"Stop!"

At this moment, a loud shout came.

"Roar!"

A faint dragon's roar sounded, and a powerful palm force came.

Xiaohuan's face changed, and she retreated, putting away her saber.

This palm force was so strong, so yang and just, that it was beyond her power to resist.

"Boom."

A huge palm print appeared where Xiaohuan had been standing, and the palm force raised a cloud of dust.

Xiaohuan was shaken by the aftereffects of the palm force, her blood surging.

"The Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms!"

Xiaohuan looked at Xiaofeng and Azhi with shock.

Although Xiaohuan had never met Xiaofeng, in the current martial arts world, only the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms had such a powerful force, apart from internal martial arts.

Xiaofeng had only used three-tenths of his true energy; otherwise, Xiaohuan would not have escaped.

Xiaohuan, though skilled in martial arts, was still a woman, and Xiaofeng could not bring himself to kill a woman.

"Xiaodage."

Azhu, seeing Xiaofeng and Azhi, shouted happily.

She never expected to meet Xiaofeng here.

"Azhu." Hearing Azhu's voice, Xiaofeng was also filled with surprise.

Why would Azhu come to the Great Liao?

Xiaofeng dismounted and came to Azhu, hugging her and asked, "Azhu, why are you here? Weren't you treating your injuries in Wangjia Village? The border between the Great Liao and the Song Dynasty is so chaotic, and you still wander around?"

Azhu shook her head, "Doctor Xue came to Wangjia Village, and my injuries have been cured by him. I just wanted to see you, Xiaodage. Don't worry, this time Xiaohuan came with me, and it's not dangerous. Xiaohuan's martial arts are very strong."

"Clang!" Xiaohuan sheathed her saber.

"Xiaodage, your Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms were very powerful just now, almost killing this little girl. So, have you really become the Southern Palace Lord of the Great Liao? How impressive." Xiaohuan sneered.

Xiaohuan was angry to see that Xiaofeng had really become the Southern Palace Lord of the Great Liao. As a Han person, she naturally disliked Liao officials, let alone the Southern Palace Lord.

Xiaofeng looked at the more than forty corpses on the ground and asked, "Miss Xiaohuan, why did you kill these Liao soldiers?"

Xiaohuan's lips curled slightly, "What, are you going to avenge them for killing these soldiers? They wanted to capture me and Azhu. If I didn't have some martial arts, we would have become their playthings, just like these Han people."

Xiaohuan pointed to the Han people tied up by the roadside.

Azhi dismounted, picked up a long sword from the ground, and stabbed a few soldiers, shouting, "You scoundrels, you dared to try to kidnap my sister. Do you know who my brother-in-law is? He is the Southern Palace Lord of the Great Liao, Xiaofeng."

The soldiers who were not killed were terrified.

If Xiaofeng was the Southern Palace Lord, then the woman in his arms must be the princess.

"Pay homage to the Lord, pay homage to the Princess." All the soldiers knelt down and shouted loudly.

Azhi walked to Xiaofeng's side and asked loudly, "Brother-in-law, how should we deal with these guys? I think we should just kill them all."

Xiaofeng shook his head, "No, Azhi. They are not to blame for their ignorance. Let them go. Release those Han people."

Xiaofeng walked to Xiaohuan and said, "Miss Xiaohuan, thank you for bringing Azhu to the Great Liao. I am very grateful."

Xiaohuan said, "Lord Xiaofeng, no need to be polite. I did this as instructed by my lady and the village chief. I have delivered Azhu to you, so my task is complete. Lord Xiaofeng, I will take my leave."

"Goodbye, Azhu. Take care." Xiaohuan bowed to Azhu.

Azhu nodded, "Xiaohuan, take care."

Xiaofeng extended his hand slightly and said, "Miss Xiaohuan, please wait a moment."

Xiaohuan turned and asked, "What else?"

Xiaofeng said seriously, "Brother Wang Yue has killed nearly ten thousand Liao soldiers, which has shocked the entire Great Liao. The Liao will not let this go. The greatest experts of the Liao are about to move south. These experts are imperial martial artists and reclusive masters, with extraordinary martial arts. Tell him to be very careful."

Xiaohuan knew this was a serious matter and nodded, "Thank you, Lord Xiaofeng, for the warning. I will definitely inform the village chief and my lady."

(Seeking votes, seeking collection.)

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