As I stare at the battlefield, which is about to become soaked in blood, I ask Yu Meixian, "What should we do now?"
Yu responds with a focused expression, "We wait. Let's see what happens for the moment. I think they haven't noticed us yet."
I look at her, confused. "How about you try to talk to them? Maybe they'll give us a way to exit Chongqing."
Yu Meixian immediately gives me a sharp glare. "Are you stupid? I'm an orthodox martial artist. If they think Murim is trying to interfere in their politics, they'll turn against us. Worst case—I'll have to fight all of them."
I gulp and ask nervously, "So… can we win?"
Yu Meixian glares at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Do you think I'm a Transcendent Stage martial artist who can kill a thousand warriors with one swing? At best, I can buy time for you to escape."
"Then… I'll talk to the caravan manager and ask them to take a break for a while," I mutter.
Soon, Yu Meixian and I reassure the caravan passengers, letting them know they're safe. The caravan manager bows her head slightly and says, "We put our trust and lives in your abilities."
With the passengers now calm, Yu and I return our gaze to the battlefield. We listen intently to the heated voices rising from the field.
In the center, Blade Tigress stands tall and proud. Before her, four women approach—figures of authority from the four unorthodox sects: the Supreme Elder of the Evil Poison Sect, known as Poison Eccentric; the former sect leader of the Devil Bone Sect, called Bone Fist Eccentric; the Supreme Elder of the Wu Clan, known as Whip Eccentric; and finally, the Greater Elder of the Blood Moon Sect, the infamous Blood Talisman Eccentric.
Yu Meixian narrows her eyes and whispers, "Oh… the aura coming from Blood Talisman Eccentric is strange… twisted. I feel something similar to a Lust Devil's presence. She's definitely at half-step Unrestrained Stage."
I stare in awe. "They all have the same title—'Eccentric'—in their names."
Yu nods with pride. "Yes. These four were once known as the Four Eccentrics of Chongqing. It's been a long time since they stood together."
"Are they strong?" I ask.
Yu glances back at the battlefield and answers, "Very. All of them have reached the peak of the Grandmaster Stage. And with Blood Talisman Eccentric now at half-step Unrestrained… it's anyone's fight."
I frown. "So who do you think will win if a war breaks out?"
She exhales. "It's 50-50. Bandit Union has the numbers, but the four sects have stronger martial artists. Blade Tigress is seasoned. She's been through countless battles. That makes a huge difference."
All four Eccentrics finally stand before Blade Tigress. The atmosphere crackles with tension.
Blade Tigress smirks. "It's been a while since we last met."
Poison Eccentric responds coldly, "It has. And I see you've only grown more arrogant since then."
"Arrogant, you say?" Blade Tigress chuckles.
Bone Fist Eccentric steps forward with fury in her eyes. "Yes, arrogant! Your Bandit Union men crossed into our territory, looted our people, and even kidnapped my grandson! Tell me where he is, or I'll never let this go!"
Blade Tigress narrows her eyes. "I don't know anything about that. There are those impersonating the Bandit Union—"
Before she can finish, Bone Fist Eccentric throws an iron crest toward her. Blade Tigress catches it—and her expression hardens.
"How... this crest belongs to a sub-lord of the Bandit Union," she mutters. "But she was reported dead just days ago…"
"There's a conspiracy," she declares. "Someone's framing us."
"Lies!" Bone Fist Eccentric shouts. "You even killed your own to cover this up!"
"My granddaughter is dead because of you!" Whip Eccentric screams. "There's nothing left to discuss. We'll have your lives in payment!"
Poison Eccentric snarls, "We should've never signed that peace agreement with bandits!"
Suddenly, Blood Talisman Eccentric raises a hand and speaks calmly, "Enough. We already agreed—one last chance. Let her choose peace or war."
Blade Tigress's jaw tightens as Blood Talisman Eccentric continues, "Three conditions: One—you give us 25% of Bandit Union territory. Two—you cooperate in our search for Bone Fist Eccentric's grandson. And three—you offer your daughter's life as payment for the Wu Clan's blood debt."
The field grows still. All eyes rest on Blade Tigress.
Suddenly, she throws her head back and laughs. "You think the Bandit Union is some insect?!"
Her laughter stops abruptly. Her aura explodes in intensity. Qi flares like a storm, and the veins on her forehead bulge.
"It was my mistake to speak with old fossils like you," she growls. "You want blood? You'll get it."
With a sharp gesture, her army draws weapons and charges.
The four Eccentrics raise their hands in unison. "So there's nothing left to discuss."
Their forces charge as well.
"Buy me time," Blood Talisman Eccentric says, leaping backward toward her sect.
The Blood Moon Sect warriors form a strange formation. Each one pulls out talismans and begins chanting in unison. Blood Talisman Eccentric herself unfurls a massive black talisman inscribed with eerie symbols and begins chanting in a deep, ancient tongue.
Meanwhile, Bone Fist Eccentric dons a gleaming gauntlet. "Let me show you the power of old bones!"
She chants, "Iron Bone Fist Technique!"
Her muscles swell. Two glowing hands materialize behind her. She now resembles a four-armed war goddess. She charges at Blade Tigress.
At the same time, Whip Eccentric snaps her iron whip. "Wind Ruling Whip Technique!"
as she spin the whip in air Vortexes form, spinning into miniature tornados. She flings one toward Blade Tigress.
Poison Eccentric releases green qi from her body. Eight knives hover around her, absorbing the poison. "Poison Serpent Knife Technique!"
Four of the blades launch, their aura forming into snake-like phantoms. They slither through the air, hissing toward Blade Tigress.
But the warrior doesn't flinch. "You underestimate me!"
Her weapon glows as she chants, "Dark Steel Blade Technique!"
A qi shield forms around her body as she charges forward. All attacks collide midair—explosions, swirling air, and clashing qi lighting up the battlefield. The sound of steel and roars of warriors echo in every direction.
Within thirty minutes, the field turns red with blood. The three Eccentrics pant heavily, wounds forming across their bodies. But Blade Tigress stands firm—still breathing steadily, her muscles twitching with readiness.
"Damn it…" Poison Eccentric mutters. "There's still a huge gap between Grandmaster and Unrestrained."
Watching from the distance, I whisper, "So… Unrestrained Stage masters are that powerful?"
Yu Meixian narrows her eyes. "Not exactly. If it was a different Unrestrained master, she might've lost by now. But Blade Tigress... she honed her strength through countless life-and-death battles. She's a real warrior."
Suddenly, Poison Eccentric shouts, "How long do we have to stall!?"
A reply comes like thunder.
"It's done," Blood Talisman Eccentric declares.
She raises the black talisman and cries out, "Oh, ancient spirit, bless your descendant! Show your might and help us defeat our enemies!"
Suddenly, all the blood across the battlefield begins to rise.
Rivers of crimson swirl toward the sky, forming into a massive sphere.
Simultaneously, every Blood Moon Sect warrior releases their qi. All of it merges with the blood sphere. It begins to crack open in the sky.
The clouds part.
From within the sphere, a monstrous entity emerges—
A 60-foot-tall skeleton.
Its bones glow red like smelted iron. Six massive arms stretch out from its torso. Its skull is crowned with unholy flame. The air trembles at its presence.
A bone-shattering scream escapes its mouth—so loud, so twisted, it feels like it tears at the soul.
I fall to my knees, eyes wide with horror. "What… what is that…?"
Yu Meixian's expression hardens, the blood draining from her face. Her pupils narrow, and her lips tighten.