Chapter 114: The Simple Significance of the Return to Simplicity Realm on the Battlefield (Apologies for the delay)

*Thump!*

Shu Le dropped Chen Gou onto the ground with a heavy thud, a sight that left Wu Gang stunned.

"Shu... Senior Sister Shu Le?! You aren't dead?"

Wu Gang’s attention was so completely fixed on Shu Le that he failed to notice Chen Gou, whose hands were bound by spiritual energy, lying prone on the ground.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted. "Where is Gu Yi?!"

Shu Le frowned as she looked at his empty, fluttering left sleeve. To think that such a tragedy had occurred just because she was a moment too late.

"I am fine, and Gu Yi is fine, but he has been left behind at the Dayu Palace."

Wu Gang was horrified. "You mean he was captured by the Dayu Palace?!"

"Yes, but there is no immediate threat to his life. More importantly than that..." Shu Le had been away for a long time and had no idea what this place had turned into. "What are you doing here? And what happened to your arm?"

His arm? His arm was of no importance now.

Wu Gang was so overwhelmed with excitement at the news that they were both alive that he nearly wept like a child. As for what he was doing here, it was simple enough to explain in a few words.

Shu Le listened intently. Her earnest expression left those around, including Bai Qing, dumbfounded.

Her identity was easy to guess, and her appearance was striking—was she a fairy from Luyang Academy?

"So, you were guarding the formation with the intention of dying," Shu Le said, never imagining Wu Gang would be driven to such lengths.

Wu Gang had no other choice. "General He said that if you did not return, and Shu Yu from the Dayu Palace did, then our number of Return-to-Origin realm cultivators would be far too low."

"Shu Yu will not be coming; she is severely injured. I cannot say I have fully recovered... but I can still hold off one Return-to-Origin realm expert."

Upon hearing this, not only Wu Gang but everyone else felt a sense of relief.

Since the war began, they had been in a relatively weak position. Shu Le’s arrival was incredibly timely.

However, none of these shifts in the situation were as valuable as the capture of Chen Gou.

Simultaneously, Shu Le and Wu Gang fixed their eyes on the enemy General of the Soul-Guarding realm: he surely knew a great deal.

Wu Gang spoke first. "Did you capture him?"

"Yes. I happened to run into him on the way back to Guqing River. I figured he might be of some value, so I picked him up along the way."

"Picked him up along the way." Wu Gang couldn't help but think that she was truly worthy of being the top student of Luyang Academy.

He had exhausted all his wits and strength just to kill a single Chen Jian, taking a shortcut to victory in a rapid skirmish. He hadn't expected that for an opponent of similar caliber, Shu Le would simply "pick him up" in passing.

"I will hold this position," Wu Gang said, feeling a surge of confidence. "Take Chen Jian back to the two generals; he must be of great value!"

"You cannot hold this place, and now that I am here, there is no need for you to stay."

Wu Gang thought she was just trying to comfort him. "...This was agreed upon by the two generals, and I have already made up my mind."

Made up his mind? Shu Le appeared calm, but a storm was brewing within her. Meanwhile, others were watching them.

"Are you all people from Guqing River?"

Bai Qing took the lead and answered for the group: "Yes, my lady. Most of us were refugees who came to Guqing River seeking a way to survive. Though the world is vast, this is the only home we have."

Shu Le had a different approach than Wu Gang.

"Although this is your home, you cannot hold it this time. The brothers Chen Gou and Chen Jian are merely at the Return-to-Origin realm—clowns not worth mentioning. But the Li Army is fully prepared this time and surely has multiple Return-to-Origin realm experts stationed within their ranks. The pressure on the defenses of Desheng Pass is immense. Staying here is merely waiting for death. Aside from slowing the Li Army’s advance, it serves no purpose."

Bai Qing looked to Wu Gang for help. When it came to eloquent and passionate speech, they preferred the one-armed warrior.

But Wu Gang was helpless. "This is Shu Le, the most formidable among us."

Therefore, these people likely dared not disobey what she said.

Even the sight of Chen Gou’s downfall kept them from daring to object.

"Then what should we do? There are Li Army cultivators hiding everywhere outside the Crescent Formation. If we retreat, wouldn't we be walking straight into the tiger's den?"

Shu Le turned and instructed Wu Gang: "Although Chen Gou is also in the Soul-Guarding realm, his meridians have been mostly destroyed by me. Take him back to Desheng Pass."

Wu Gang disagreed. "We should leave together. Didn't you say there are enemies outside?"

It was at least a hundred miles from here to Desheng Pass. Ordinary cultivators could travel quickly, but there were many civilians.

Yet, after thinking it over, there seemed to be no other way. On this journey, they would have to save as many as they could.

"How many people in total?"

"There were over two thousand residents. About a thousand have already fled in bits and pieces; there are still over a thousand left."

Time waited for no one. At the very least, it was the middle of the night, and the Li Army did not yet know that Chen Gou had fallen into enemy hands.

Shu Le made an immediate decision. "There is no survival in staying here. Tell everyone to prepare to run. With me here, nothing will happen."

Though she spoke with conviction, it was hard to gain everyone's trust immediately.

"Listen to Shu Le! I will cover the rear!"

Wu Gang’s words gave the people confidence.

Though they hesitated, they seemed to realize that waiting here meant certain death, while retreating might offer a chance at survival.

***

Shu Le did not seem to agree with Wu Gang’s plan to cover the rear, but she remained silent.

Soon, the eighteen of them dispersed.

Fortunately, because the scent of war already permeated this place, everyone living here had prepared to flee. Once the order was given, every household opened their doors and rushed north.

In an instant, the quiet of the night was shattered. A frantic, deafening clamor replaced everything. A panicked atmosphere terrified every man and woman; they fled for their lives, crying and screaming.

Wu Gang and Shu Le hovered in the sky, their hearts aching at the sight. "Is this really for the best?"

"This is war," Shu Le said, recalling Gu Yi’s words. "There is no war without death. If we can save even one more life, it is worth it. You know what happens if we stay here."

The hatred between the two nations would not be easily erased. The Li Army would surely slaughter everyone here, just as the Xu Army had done last time.

Otherwise, Shu Le would not have decided so quickly on a method that resembled natural selection.

From a rational standpoint, there was nothing wrong with it, though it lacked the upright style of a Luyang Academy student. It was something Gu Yi might choose. Wu Gang was concerned. "What about Gu Yi? He is at the Dayu Palace. Is he truly alright?"

"With the Eighteenth Floor Master there, he should be fine."

"You met the Eighteenth Floor Master? You mean *that* Eighteenth Floor Master?"

"We will discuss this in detail when we return. Movement in Guqing River will certainly draw out some Li State cultivators. You can cover the rear, but you must reserve your strength to escape."

"They are already here."

Wu Gang saw a cluster of spiritual energy rapidly approaching from the forest.

This night was destined to be a night of blood and tears.

Shu Le was at about eighty percent of her power, which was more than enough to deal with lower-level cultivators. "Call Bai Qing over and hand Chen Gou to him."

The moonlight was dim tonight; it seemed like a dark day. She looked cold and distant.

Gu Yi was trapped in the Dayu Palace, and Wu Gang had lost his left arm.

This was what Shu Le of Luyang Academy had endured.

"Wu Gang."

"Yes."

"Remember, do not be merciful to the enemy in war."

Wu Gang could never get used to hearing such ruthless words from a lady who had always been like a "Senior Sister" to him; he couldn't help but get goosebumps. Perhaps it was just the cold night wind.

Regardless, he took her words to heart, and they left a deep impression.

"Gu Yi is still at the Dayu Palace. He cannot get out unless we go to save him. We must use the victory of winning this war to force them to release Gu Yi and the Eighteenth Floor Master. So, this is not the time for your compassion."

This was not who she used to be. Perhaps Shu Le didn't realize it, but to Wu Gang, it seemed as though she had been influenced by Gu Yi.

Below their feet, the flow of people pouring out of Guqing River was as dense as a swarm of rats. Some mothers held their children; in the pushing and shoving, some were accidentally knocked to the ground. Some falls were temporary, and they struggled to stand again; others were permanent.

*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!*

The darkness of the night was finally broken by enemies who could no longer contain themselves. They ran and jumped through the woods, firing waves of spiritual energy at the crowd.

When a beam of yellow light rose into the sky, illuminating the area, the panic reached its peak, for death was now right before their eyes.

"I am going to the front to prevent anyone from blocking the path!"

Shu Le’s pink silhouette traced a straight line above the crowd. If the path ahead were blocked, the people behind would be crushed to death by the sheer pressure of the crowd.

The logic was simple, so those in the crowd with some cultivation were already charging at the very front.

Li State cultivators had already surged out, taking their stances.

Shu Le drew her sword.

A Return-to-Origin realm cultivator was like a god of death here. The warriors in the eyes of the Li people did not realize such a master was present.

They fought alongside their comrades, thinking they were engaged in a battle, when in reality, they were simply charging toward their own deaths.

Blood and screams suddenly multiplied.

Wherever Shu Le’s blade pointed, she was incredibly swift. She killed every enemy she could see in the sky above.

"Everyone, try to avoid that woman!"

The woman’s blade was already drenched in blood.

It was unclear who shouted this, but he never had the chance to speak again. Shu Le’s sword technique surpassed the limits of their imagination. With a single swipe, the man was decapitated.

The gushing, hot blood made Shu Le, under the moonlight, appear terrifying.

It wasn't that those men didn't want to dodge; it was that when facing a Return-to-Origin realm expert, even moving one's body was difficult.

"My turn!"

A delicate-voiced woman leaped out from the shadows of the trees by the road, whipping a long lash with great elegance. She was also beautiful, wearing red clothes that exposed her smooth, flat midriff.

Her Soul-Guarding realm strength gave her enough momentum and confidence. She channeled a massive amount of spiritual energy into the whip, lashing out at Shu Le’s back.

Shu Le merely turned her head and gazed at her.

*Bang!* The red-clad girl’s body began to retreat rapidly.

There was no rain in the sky, yet liquid was constantly dripping. The night was cold and dry, so the appearance of flowing blood on the ground made it all the more horrific.

Shu Le let that woman know, for the first and last time, the massive gap between the Soul-Guarding and Return-to-Origin realms.

Perhaps inspired by the woman's flat midriff, Shu Le sliced her in half at the waist.

If anyone had cared to watch, they would have seen the severed legs fall and strike a man, leaving him covered in blood.

"Run! Run!"

It was impossible to tell which side was shouting, but the point was to run.

Because this was a living hell.

And the greatest demon of them all was Shu Le.

This was the first time Wu Gang understood why both He Jiang and Ji Lan were so concerned about the number of Return-to-Origin realm cultivators—no one could stop them.

It wasn't a matter of logic; they simply could not be stopped.

Shu Le could even take the life of a Soul-Guarding realm expert in an instant.

"My lady..." Bai Qing, still carrying Chen Gou on his back, said with trembling lips, "The Li State cultivators seem to be scattering..."

Wu Gang scolded him, "Do not let your guard down. The more they scatter, the more likely the enemy is to go mad. I will protect you. We must take Chen Gou back to Desheng Pass. We must be extremely careful!"

Even so, people were indeed fleeing.

And others were still throwing themselves at Shu Le.

"That is a Return-to-Origin! That is a Return-to-Origin! Everyone, combine your forces, or we will all lose our lives!"

"Desheng Pass only has two Return-to-Origin experts, how could one be here?!"

*Swish! Swish! Swish!*

Shu Le tossed her sword into the sky, and her left hand caught it in its scabbard.

With a *clack*, she sheathed it, and it became a nightmare for everyone present.

The pink spiritual energy around her grew more intense, spreading outward like a blooming lotus. The energy curved and extended like rapidly growing petals, stretching into the unknown. When they touched the enemy cultivators, there was no substantial harm, even though they were still running for their lives.

Dispersing, and dispersing again.

Like a river, and the enemies, unable to escape in time, were caught within it.

Until, in a single moment, a fire seemed to rise in her palm.

With a *bang*, Shu Le pushed her palm upward into the spreading spiritual energy.

Suddenly, the sky fell into a strange, eerie silence.

The nearly one hundred cultivators who had been caught by the spiritual energy—their hands, feet, waists, and legs—all shuddered at the same time! Their eyes instantly turned gray!

It sounded complicated, but it was actually quite simple. Shu Le had used her own spiritual energy to chase them down, and then released her Return-to-Origin realm pressure upon that energy.

The reason their bodies shuddered was not because of anything else, but because the overwhelming force had nearly shattered their bodies entirely in an instant!

Then, there came the sound of *thump, thump*.

That was the sound of corpses hitting the ground.

Although there were some of lower cultivation levels mixed in, at least twenty of those who had been flying in the sky—meaning twenty Soul-Guarding realm experts—had vanished.

*Whoosh!*

Wu Gang’s figure sprang up from the ground.

Like many others, he knew the Return-to-Origin realm was strong, but he hadn't expected them to be *this* strong. Perhaps it was because such experts were so rare that he had rarely seen them in action.

"Are you alright?"

There was blood on Shu Le’s face. She wiped it off with the back of her hand in a practiced manner and said with a hint of regret: "Some of them still managed to get away."

Wu Gang was terrified upon hearing this. Shu Le didn't even seem tired from the expenditure of spiritual energy.

He swore that from now on, on the battlefield, he would leave the Return-to-Origin realm experts to other Return-to-Origin realm experts.