Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1440: Boiling Blood

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Previously on Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return...
Han Yan and her followers held the line against a relentless horde of Exotic Beasts, performing an "unbelievable miracle" by preventing any lives lost at Beining Pass. As the beast attacks lulled, a new, massive wave emerged, overwhelming the defenders. Meanwhile, Dan Tai Xuan and his allies, outside Qingyang Pass, declined to assist, their selfish motives clashing with Fang Zhe's desperate plea, leading Fang Zhe to charge out alone.
"Fang Zhe, do you intend to make sworn enemies of our Four Great Families?" Changsun Yi’an snapped his folding fan shut, his tone laced with menace. "I simply refuse to be an accomplice. That would be a betrayal of my swordsmanship and an insult to the Fang Family name." With that declaration, Fang Zhe led the charge, leaping from the city wall. One after another, the disciples of the Fang Family followed suit. Amongst them, a handful of younger individuals, clad in slightly distinct attire, also took the plunge. "Changsun Feiyun, Song Mingcheng, Mo Jing, what is this?" Changsun Wuji, his eyes sharp, recognized two of them immediately and questioned them sternly. The gazes of the other Young Masters shifted, their attention drawn to the realization that besides those already called out—Changsun Feiyun, Song Yicheng, and Mo Jing—dozens of their own family disciples were subtly integrated within the Fang Family's ranks. "My apologies, Young Masters. We came to Lu'an City under family orders to make our mark, not to cower. While you engage in schemes, we wish only to battle the Exotic Beasts with all our might," Changsun Feiyun replied, turning his head. "Beyond plotting and deception, what else are you capable of? Even facing death on the battlefield, I have no desire to be associated with such individuals anymore," Song Mingcheng declared, spitting onto the ground before jumping down after Changsun Feiyun. Had Mu Hanyan been present, she would surely have recognized these two as the individuals she had spoken with on the city walls that fateful day. The scores of sons from noble lineages cast glances at their respective Young Masters, offering no words but shaking their heads in clear disappointment before they too leaped forward. "You... you..." Changsun Yi’an and Mo Yanhong were left speechless, a mixture of humiliation and fury rendering them incapable of uttering another sound. "Lord Tantai, Young Masters, I am taking three hundred of my personal soldiers to reinforce Beining Pass. Kindly hold Qingyang Pass for us. Farewell," General Chen said, his gaze filled with admiration for Fang Zhe and the others, before abruptly addressing Lord Tantai and the remaining group. "General Chen, you..." This time, it was Lord Tantai's turn to be rendered speechless, his expression one of sheer outrage. "Kill!" General Chen, too impatient to engage in further discourse, led his three hundred personal soldiers in a leap from the ramparts. Driven by an intense battle fervor, he yearned to lead all the soldiers out of the pass, but strict duty held him back. Lord Tantai, Changsun Yi’an, and the others flushed with intense anger. Although only seven or eight hundred individuals remained—barely a third of the original force—the disciples and soldiers who stayed behind regarded them with peculiar expressions, conveying disappointment, scorn, and utter disdain. "Very well, very well! I wish to see what aid they can possibly provide, marching headlong to their own demise," Lord Tantai exclaimed, his voice choked with embarrassed rage. As thousands of Exotic Beasts surged from the canyon toward Beining Pass, a detachment of several hundred soldiers suddenly descended from Qingyang Pass, crashing headlong into the monstrous horde. "It’s General Chen! They've finally engaged the enemy!" the Fifth Prince exclaimed in surprise. The other soldiers and the Shi Family disciples felt a surge of hope. But their expressions swiftly turned somber once more. With only just over seven hundred fighters, if this crucial force had reached Beining Pass, they might have decisively altered the course of the battle. However, confronting the Exotic Beasts in the open, unprotected terrain, offered virtually no hope of victory; it was an act akin to suicide. Mu Hanyan's heart gave a slight tremor as well. She had not anticipated Qingyang Pass dispatching reinforcements. Yet, observing that, apart from the three hundred garrison soldiers, the majority were members of the Fang Family, she understood the reason behind their actions and their underlying intentions. Mu Hanyan was profoundly touched by the noble sacrifice of the Fang Family and the three hundred garrison troops. Nevertheless, she knew that even if all seven hundred perished on the battlefield, it would not create a significant enough impact nor buy enough time to repel the Exotic Beasts beneath the pass—their fate was sealed! Within the canyon, the cacophony of battle echoed, shaking the very heavens. Fang Zhe and his comrades charged into the dense mass of beasts with spirits soaring, their hearts devoid of fear and regret. Upon Beining Pass, the mournful horn sounded once more, its tone both tragic and despairing. The Fifth Prince's eyes welled up, Qu Fengting's eyes brimmed with tears, and indeed, everyone present found their eyes moistening! "Howl!" A wolf's piercing howl suddenly reverberated through the canyon. Could there be other Exotic Beasts? Everyone was taken aback by the sound, but soon realized their initial assumption was incorrect, their faces breaking into expressions of pure joy. A stern-faced young man appeared, astride a Wind Wolf comparable in power to a Seventh Rank Sword Master. Close behind him followed nearly a hundred cultivators, each riding their own formidable Exotic Beasts. "Mu Cheng!" Mu Hanyan gasped in astonishment. The youth at the forefront was none other than Mu Cheng, who had remained in Fang Town to cultivate. His mount, the very Sword Pet Wind Wolf, was one that Mu Hanyan had assisted him in taming. Following in his wake were a hundred cultivators, mounted on various Sword Pets—they were the guards from Nanyan Commerce and disciples of the Fang Family. Mu Hanyan's surprise did not end there, as more shadows swept into view behind them. Though not riding Sword Pets, the Crimson Cloud Smoke Beasts beneath them possessed a majestic and awe-inspiring presence.Could it be reinforcements arriving from Anyun? Mu Hanyan mused as she continued to fend off the onslaught of beasts, only to realize her initial assumption was incorrect. The approaching group displayed a motley assortment of attire and banners, not of military standards, but insignia representing various chambers of commerce from Anyun. A flicker of recognition crossed Mu Hanyan's mind; she recalled encountering most of them previously in Fang Town. Nanyan Commerce’s banner, in particular, stood out prominently among them. Then, her gaze fell upon familiar faces: Mu Family’s Great Elder from Heishi City, the Yuan Family Master, Wu Qiuyun, the current prominent figure of the South Smoke Chamber in Nanxi County, Nie Fangsheng, the head of Sword Casting Hall at Long Yan Academy, Array Dao Hall’s head Gan Qiyi, along with Tan Yu, Gu Linfeng, Gu Yushu, and a contingent of Academy Disciples... A genuine smile finally graced Mu Hanyan’s lips. "Master, we have arrived! These beasts within the canyon are now under our charge," declared a member of the Fang Family, gesturing with the tip of his sword. Amidst the ensuing clamor, the guards from Nanyan Commerce and the disciples of the Fang Family surged into the fray against the beast horde. Though their individual cultivation bases might not have been overwhelmingly powerful, their combat prowess was significantly bolstered by their Sword Pets, ensuring their immediate safety. "President Mu, have no concern! With our presence, these Exotic Beasts pose no threat to Beining Pass whatsoever," bellowed a steward from one of the chambers, his confidence echoed by other experts from various commercial guilds as they joined the battle. One should never make the mistake of underestimating these chambers. While their martial strength may not rival that of established families, their sheer financial influence often eclipses that of even the most powerful clans. As the old adage suggests, substantial rewards inspire immense bravery; with profound financial backing, even declining families can be revitalized and lent their support. Furthermore, numerous chambers boast legacies spanning generations, their accumulated heritage in no way inferior to that of the old families. When united, their collective power can even command a degree of caution from royal lineages. Fortunately for them, their adversaries in this instance were merely Exotic Beasts.