Chapter 161: The Knight of Redemption, the Hunter of a Fallen Realm

A knight clad in black armor came from afar.

The four hooves of his steed trampled on fire.

A cyan signal flare rose into the air; this was the call of death, the redemption of life.

Ballads circulating among the horse-tamers brought forth the fear of death.

The faceplate of the black-armored knight who rode over burned with black flames. When the black and red flames intertwined, the magnificent scene left everyone deeply unforgettable.

"Ura!"

Upon seeing the knight, the horse-tamer with the skeletal mask—who had just moments before worn a cruel expression—instantly treated the situation as a formidable enemy. With a shout of "Ura," he whipped his horse around, ignoring Ye Ran and the others, and rushed toward the black-armored knight to join forces with the horse-tamers stationed near the front tents.

"The Redemption Mask, could it be..."

Xiali, who had been walking with her hands behind her back, showed considerable surprise in her eyes.

Meanwhile, no less than fifty horse-tamers ahead were already howling as they drew their scimitars and bows, charging toward the knight. Even before the men and steeds reached him, a wave of arrows rained down.

The black-armored knight flicked the lance in his hand, and a powerful black airflow surged from within his body. The intertwined black and red flames first dispersed across the ground, then swept forward like a prairie fire, charging ahead like a ferocious tiger. The dense swarm of arrows rained down onto the black airflow, yet not a single long arrow could pierce through this defense.

The horse-tamer wearing the skeletal mask roared an order for everyone to scatter, but the moment the words left his mouth, a crescent-like arc flashed into view. With almost instinctive reflex, he ducked his head, and a scimitar flew past his scalp.

A flash of cold light passed in an instant, and cold sweat immediately poured down. He reached up to touch his head, and hot, sticky blood smeared across his hand.

Then, he saw his own body. The face beneath the skeletal mask stiffened abruptly.

"Pardon me, you failed to dodge my swift sword."

Behind his headless corpse, he saw a cynical man holding a scimitar in one hand and a fine rapier in the other, looking at him with a playful smirk.

The world went black as his flying head dropped to the ground, and the skeletal mask parted from his bald head.

The man holding the blade and sword chuckled, braced his hands, and vaulted from the saddle into the air. He transformed into a streak of light, weaving among the horse-tamers, sending head after head flying beneath his scimitar and swift sword.

In the eyes of Ye Ran and the others, his killing was exceptionally gorgeous; head after head flew up, and blood surged like a fountain from the severed necks. There were no screams, no pleas for mercy—only astonishment at the sight of the Grim Reaper and the brilliant crimson of fading life.

When the black-armored knight's steed reached the horse-tamers, the man had already put away his weapons and bowed to the headless corpses atop the forty-seven steeds, his movements exquisitely elegant.

The black-armored knight rode past him directly toward Ye Ran and the others.

So strong. That black airflow, the intertwined black and red flames, and that man of swift blades and swords—even Adolf back then probably couldn't match his speed.

Just as Ye Ran was pondering whether they were enemies or friends, the black steed flashed and inexplicably appeared right behind him.

"You..."

"Hehe, kid, don't be nervous. We're here to repay a favor."

In the time it took him to turn his head, that swift swordsman had also arrived in front of him. Without waiting for Ye Ran to react, the man flashed past, leaving behind only his cynical voice.

Walking up behind the knight, the man pulled two betel nuts from his pocket and tossed them into his mouth to chew.

Meanwhile, amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, the black-armored knight walked up to Xiali, dismounted, knelt on one knee, took her hand, and lowered his head to kiss the back of her fingers. "Lady Xiali, I am late."

His voice was very young, carrying a unique, magnetic timbre.

Xiali was both surprised and delighted. Looking at the Redemption Mask engraved with black patterns on his face, she asked, "Geraint, is it you? Geraint?"

"It is indeed I."

The black-armored knight removed his mask, revealing a handsome face. A full head of silver hair cascaded down, his brows shaped like swords and his pupils like stars. At first glance, this face left everyone feeling utterly stunned by its beauty.

"It really is you, Geraint," Xiali said with a happy smile, though she quickly regained her dignified demeanor and gently helped him up. "It's been two years since we last met, hasn't it? In the blink of an eye, you've become so handsome."

"One year, nine months, and thirty-three days, Lady Xiali. Every day since our parting, I have been longing for you."

The knight's words were straightforward and deeply affectionate.

Xiali couldn't help blushing, and she smiled, saying, "You knights certainly know how to whisper sweet nothings. No wonder all the young girls adore you."

Saying this, she looked at the blue-haired swordsman standing ahead with his hands in his pockets, wearing a cynical expression. "And this is..."

"Gary, the foremost swordsman beside my father in the past. Gary was away executing a mission in the black zone when the Bone-Swallower clan breached the city; otherwise, there would be even more Demon Hunters today."

Gary gave Xiali a polite bow, still chewing his betel nut.

They seemed to be discussing an untold past. Ye Ran and the others didn't quite understand, but at least they were friends, and everyone felt reassured.

Having two such powerful friends in the territory of the horse-tamers was undoubtedly a great comfort.

"Lady Xiali, are you planning to cross the region governed by the horse-tamers?"

Xiali nodded slightly.

Geraint said, "That might be a bit dangerous. The horse-tamers have now split into two factions: one commanded by Attila and his Death Warriors, and the other led by Yimoxie and his Necromancers. Yimoxie's territory is now no smaller than Attila's, and he doesn't care whether travelers are divine envoys or anyone else—he plunders everything indiscriminately."

"The horse-tamers have split into two factions?"

Xiali furrowed her brows. Such a journey would inevitably bring a lot of trouble; this group of horse-tamers was truly impervious to both soft and hard tactics, specializing in highway robbery.

Geraint said, "Lady Xiali, please do not worry. Your troubles will be shared by Gary and me. Please board the carriage, and I shall personally escort you all the way until we leave the territory of the horse-tamers."

Gary shrugged, offering no objection.

Xiali didn't argue. She glanced at Ye Ran and nodded.

"My friend, I believe the carriage in front should be yielded to the ladies who need protection. Don't you agree?" Geraint was always so thorough in his considerations.

At least where Xiali was concerned, that was true.

Ye Ran shouldered his large spear and said, "I have no objections."

Seeing that Qianlong was also following behind, Ye Ran gently tugged at his sleeve and said, "Senior Qianlong..."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Didn't this knight just say that the carriage in front should be yielded to the esteemed ladies?" Ye Ran mimicked Geraint's tone.

Qianlong replied, "I heard him, so I'm riding in the front with Xiali."

"Senior, the ladies I'm referring to are Xiali, Lois, and Freya. You... should probably sit in the back with me and the uncle."

Geraint looked back at him and said, "I think so as well."

He had already mounted his horse, holding his lance steady as if guarding a princess.

"Damn it..."