Helan Province, historically known as the Central Plains, has been the focal point of contention for countless dynasties throughout China's five-thousand-year history.
The Xia Dynasty, China's first imperial dynasty, was established in this very region.
The Central Plains... the Youxiong Kingdom was the ancestral homeland of the Youxiong Clan. Five millennia ago, Xuanyuan Huang Emperor was born on Xuanyuan Hill, north of Xinzheng, and raised along the banks of the Ji River. He ascended the throne in the First Year of the Huang Emperor, residing in Youxiong and pioneering the designs for imperial regalia.
Most of the mythical tales of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors also unfolded in this cradle of Chinese civilization.
Upon learning of the Heretic God's appearance, Phoenix immediately led Higokumaru and the other two to the location Lu Yinghua had described. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived, the Heretic God had already vanished.
Being a Heretic God, even the Five Prisons Sect members couldn't approach too closely. In the blink of an eye, the deity had disappeared.
Phoenix felt a pang of disappointment.
If only I hadn't brought Erica and Liliana along, she thought.
Still, now that the Heretic God had descended, it couldn't have vanished without a trace. It would undoubtedly reappear.
At worst, I'll just have to wait here for a few days, Phoenix decided.
"Lu Yinghua, do you know which war god from Chinese mythology this Heretic God actually is?" Phoenix asked, her gaze fixed on the man before her, certain he held some information.
"Martial Aunt," Lu Yinghua replied, clasping his hands respectfully, his voice tinged with trepidation, "I'm afraid I'm not entirely certain. This Heretic God descended so suddenly and vanished just as quickly, leaving no clear indication of its identity. However, based on the devastation and influence it unleashed, we can confirm it's a deity associated with war and weaponry."
Lu Yinghua's fear wasn't directed at Phoenix herself. Rather, seeing her instantly reminded him of his Master, Luo Hao, and the humiliating beatings he'd endured at her hands. After all, Phoenix was no longer dressed as a man, but appeared even more stunningly beautiful than his Master.
"So, you don't know either..." Phoenix murmured, a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. If I spend days waiting here, only for it to be some obscure, nameless god...
"However, members of the sect who witnessed the Heretic God's descent firsthand described it as colossal, like a towering giant..."
Lu Yinghua suddenly remembered something and quickly added, "Could the giant... be Xingtian?"
Phoenix's eyes lit up. In ancient Chinese mythology, Xingtian was depicted as a colossal giant wielding a massive axe and shield—a symbol of unmatched strength and ferocity.
"Well... I'm not entirely sure," Lu Yinghua admitted, hesitant to speculate.
Alright then...
If it really is Xingtian, that would be incredible!
Jingwei carries twigs to fill the sea; Xingtian dances with his axe and shield, his indomitable spirit forever untamed.
During the Yan Emperor's reign, Xingtian served as one of his ministers. Later, after the Yan Emperor was defeated by the Huang Emperor, and Chiyou's rebellion failed, Xingtian—grasping a bronze shield in one hand and a massive axe in the other—charged straight into the Huang Emperor's palace.
Their legendary battle raged from the imperial court to the mortal realm, culminating at Changyang Mountain. Though the Huang Emperor ultimately beheaded Xingtian, the peerless warrior refused to yield. Even without his head, Xingtian transformed his nipples into eyes and his navel into a mouth, continuing his relentless fight.
Truly a warrior beyond compare...
A day or two passed.
In a city not far from Phoenix's location, a series of strange events began to unfold.
The Heretic God had reappeared.
-
"King, the Heretic God has manifested!"
Less than five minutes after the Heretic God's arrival, Phoenix received another call from Lu Yinghua.
"Understood. I'm on my way."
Phoenix hung up immediately and turned to the two Knights and Higokumaru beside her.
"I'll head there first. You can follow at your own pace... or not at all."
This time, Phoenix decided against bringing them along, preferring to investigate the Heretic God's manifestation alone to avoid any further complications.
"Yes, King. Please go ahead! Don't worry about us."
"We'll catch up as soon as possible."
Neither Erica nor Liliana voiced any objections to Phoenix's decision.
"Alright, I'll head out first."
With that, Phoenix turned abruptly and leaped into the air. Mid-flight, she transformed into a divine bird and vanished in the blink of an eye.
"We should hurry and catch up!" Erica declared, watching Phoenix disappear. She immediately began packing her things, preparing to leave.
"Mm," Liliana nodded. Although Phoenix had said they didn't need to come, as Knights of the King, how could they possibly stay behind?
Only Higokumaru remained seated, hugging her tablet and engrossed in her television show.
-
Tianyu City, a small third-tier city, was shrouded in an apocalyptic darkness.
Lightning flashed and thunder roared across the sky, an indescribable force dominating the city, driving people to their knees in terror. Trees and buildings alike crumbled under this invisible, intangible pressure.
Then the earth began to shake violently, and mountains trembled. In mere minutes, the devastation reached staggering proportions.
Meanwhile, members of the Holy Cult of the Five Mountains poured into the city, coordinating with government forces to evacuate residents and minimize casualties.
When Phoenix arrived in Tianyu City, she found it completely shrouded in a thick, impenetrable fog. Through the mist, she vaguely glimpsed a colossal creature invisible to ordinary mortals—a bizarre giant.
This giant possessed three heads, six arms, and wielded four massive weapons as it strode purposefully forward.
"This is... the Heretic God..."
"The War God of Armaments... Chiyou."
Phoenix's expression tightened as she recognized the towering figure before her. He was the legendary War God of Armaments from ancient Chinese mythology—the inventor of bronze ware, weapons, and penal codes, the ruler of the Jiuli tribe in ancient China... Chiyou, the Lord of Armaments.
Chiyou was most renowned for his epic war against Xuanyuan, the Yellow Emperor.
Legend tells that Chiyou first battled the Yan Emperor and defeated him. In response, the Yan Emperor allied with the Yellow Emperor to jointly oppose Chiyou. Leading eighty-one brothers, Chiyou clashed fiercely with the Yellow Emperor at Zhuolu.
Myth described Chiyou as having eight feet, three heads, six arms, a copper skull, and an iron forehead, rendering him impervious to blades and spears. Skilled in wielding swords, axes, and halberds, he fought relentlessly with unmatched ferocity.
Unable to defeat Chiyou through sheer might, the Yellow Emperor implored the Heavenly Gods for aid. The ensuing battle darkened the heavens, stained the earth crimson, and filled rivers with blood. Eventually, the Yellow Emperor slew Chiyou, severing his head and burying it. From the severed head sprang forth a forest of blood-red maple trees. Later, the Yellow Emperor honored Chiyou as the "Lord of Armaments," the God of War.