Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1438: Shameless People

At the city gate, Mu Hanyan, the Fifth Prince, and various noble scions held the line, staunchly preventing the Exotic Beasts from breaching their defenses even by a single step.

Across the way, the resounding beat of war drums emanated from Qingyang Pass. Yet, those stationed on its formidable walls, including Dan Tai Xuan and his company, were awash in elation.

As the colossal beast horde began to materialize, their fists clenched in palpable anxiety. However, a moment later, they detected an inexplicable anomaly.

The overwhelming majority of the Exotic Beasts were bearing down on Beining Pass, while a mere ten percent directed their assault towards Qingyang Pass. Much like Beining Pass, Qingyang Pass was equipped with formidable catapults and Cloud Piercing Stone Shattering Bows. Under the relentless barrage of massive stones and a ceaseless rain of arrows, the less than two thousand Exotic Beasts saw their numbers dwindle by half even before reaching the halfway point. Suffering immense casualties, only a few hundred beasts managed to reach the base of the pass, and even then, they arrived not in a unified surge but in scattered groups of three to five, never exceeding a hundred at any given time.

Despite the heavy losses Dan Tai Xuan's forces had sustained in previous engagements, the combined might of the younger generation from the Five Great Families, capable of fighting as one, numbered around nine hundred. The hundred elite cultivators he personally brought from the Holy Court were now barely seventy-something. Nevertheless, their collective strength exceeded a thousand individuals. The soldiers garrisoning Qingyang Pass numbered over a thousand, and with the cultivators temporarily conscripted from the civilian populace, their total fighting force reached approximately three thousand.

Facing a mere hundred Exotic Beasts with a formidable contingent of three thousand, and with the advantage of defending a fortified city, victory was a foregone conclusion. Dan Tai Xuan seized the opportune moment, rising triumphantly and leading a frenzied slaughter, annihilating every last Exotic Beast that dared to rush the pass.

It must be acknowledged that Dan Tai Xuan, in his esteemed position as a Holy Court Steward, possessed truly exceptional martial prowess. Though his personal strength as a Ninth Rank Sword Master paled in comparison to Mu Hanyan's, the sword techniques he had acquired from the Church Court were nevertheless exceedingly refined and deadly. If he were to cast aside all reservations and unleash his full might, his combat effectiveness was remarkably astonishing, outshining other masters of the same rank and far surpassing even the young elites under his command, who were also Ninth Rank Sword Masters.

In the entirety of this engagement, the Exotic Beasts that met their end by his blade numbered at least ten. This singular individual's combat achievements were equivalent to those of dozens of others combined.

"Hahahaha, so it turns out these Exotic Beasts are nothing more than this, hardly worth a mention." The pent-up frustration within him dissolved, and Dan Tai Xuan erupted in hearty laughter.

At that moment, his entire being slicked with blood, his laughter wild and his hair dancing in the wind, he indeed projected an aura of heroic valor and unbridled boldness.

"Indeed, our esteemed Lord possesses the Mandate of Heaven and has shown them leniency multiple times. Yet, they remain oblivious to their place and dare to provoke Qingyang Pass. Truly, they are seeking their own demise," Mo Yanhong declared, his words dripping with sycophancy.

"Brother Yanhong speaks with utmost truth. Lord Dan Tai has finally set aside his compassionate heart, which is a cause for great delight. Witnessing his divine power, I doubt those Exotic Beasts would dare to advance even half a step past Qingyang Pass!" Changsun Yi’an declared, idly flicking his broken fan, affectation a wise and sophisticated demeanor.

Behind them, Fang Zi nearly retched with disgust. If one were truly blind, one might believe their words. It was patently obvious that Qingyang Pass was being defended with such ease because the primary horde of Exotic Beasts had targeted Beining Pass. Yet, these individuals dared to utter such shameless words without a shred of shame.

It wasn't just him; even the defending soldiers present felt a blush creep onto their faces.

"Lord Dan Tai, the situation at Beining Pass is dire. Might we consider dispatching a portion of our forces to render assistance?" Fang Zi ventured.

"From which of your eyes do you perceive Beining Pass to be in crisis? I observe them coping quite easily," Dan Tai Xuan replied, a frown creasing his brow, his displeasure evident.

"Precisely. Does not Young Master Mu possess the might of a Great Sword Master, coupled with his extraordinary Beast Taming Technique? Have you not witnessed the Sword Pets of Yan Yi and He Qingzong? With such formidable power, do they truly require our assistance?" Mo Yanhong retorted with biting sarcasm.

"Zihe, I believe you should cease your words. Our fundamental objective is to secure Qingyang Pass steadfastly. We must not act rashly. Should any mishap occur, can you possibly bear the weight of such responsibility?" Changsun Yi’an admonished heavily, tapping his fractured fan.

"Fang Zhe, I suggest you concern yourself with your own affairs rather than meddling in matters concerning Mu Hanyan without understanding your place," Song Yu and his cohort chimed in, their mocking tones sharp.

Fang Zhe’s countenance grew ashen. Though his heart yearned to support Mu Hanyan, he found himself utterly incapable of acting independently. Should he take solitary action, he was certain to face ostracism from the other Four Great Families later. After careful deliberation, he could only withdraw, unable to bear witnessing their ignominious expressions any longer.

"Lord Tantai, in my humble assessment, Young Master Fang makes a valid point. Though Beining Pass is currently holding, the sheer volume of Exotic Beasts suggests a prolonged engagement will be disadvantageous. As the old saying goes, 'when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold.' If Beining Pass were to fall, Qingyang Pass would struggle to maintain its defense. While these Exotic Beasts relentlessly assault Beining Pass, we ought to dispatch forces to strike their rear, allowing for an advance, a defensive retreat, and the potential to annihilate these Exotic Beasts in a single decisive blow..." The defender of Qingyang Pass, unable to bear it any longer, declared righteously.

"General Chen, if our presence is unwelcome, we can certainly withdraw from Qingyang Pass and allow you to proceed as you see fit," Dan Tai Xuan coldly interjected before General Chen could finish his statement.

General Chen found himself without words, unable to formulate a response. He lacked the standing of the Fifth Prince and thus dared not offend the Holy Court Steward. Furthermore, despite the lackluster performance of Dan Tai Xuan and the scions of the Five Great Families thus far, Qingyang Pass would indeed face considerable difficulty if left solely to the soldiers' defense. Consequently, he could not afford to provoke Dan Tai Xuan.

Observing Dan Tai Xuan’s firm refusal to act, General Chen could only suppress his persuasive words.

Consequently, a peculiar situation unfolded within the canyon: Beining Pass was engulfed in the fierce flames of battle, while Qingyang Pass remained eerily tranquil. Dan Tai Xuan, Changsun Yi’an, Mo Yanhong, and their companions watched the embattled figures across the way with chilling smiles.

As General Chen had noted, while Beining Pass seemed to be holding its ground for the moment, the situation steadily worsened with the passage of time.

Regardless of the Fifth Prince and his defending soldiers’ high morale or their synchronized efforts, they were, after all, only human and bound to eventually succumb to exhaustion.

With each powerful strike against the formidable Scale Armor of the Exotic Beasts, their internal Qi was rapidly depleted. Whenever comrades neared their limit, fresh, rested soldiers would step forward to take their place, granting them a brief respite before they, in turn, relieved others.

After several such rotations, everyone at Beining Pass was nearing utter exhaustion. Even the Sword Pets, whose endurance far surpassed that of humans, were clearly fatigued.