The situation grew increasingly dire, leaving Parker (Aasif) and Sarapletely isted, with norades left by their side.


    A leader from a Qing army unit was hot on their trail,manding arge group of cavalry. However, the steep mountains and thick forests forced them to dismount and pursue on foot.


    With a booming voice, he called out, “Traitors inside, listen up! If you surrender, I, Gartu, can offer you mercy. But if I catch you, you’ll be sent to the capital, Lingchi, for execution!”


    Meanwhile, Parker (Aasif) was desperately dragging Sara through the woods. She was suffering from a serious injury—a broken arrow lodged in her shoulder, inflicted by a Qing cavalry archer during their retreat.


    The Qing army was notorious for their prowess in mounted archery, and they dipped their arrowheads in putrid corpse water, making them carriers of dangerous viruses and bacteria. As a result, Sara’s wound was turning ck, with foul-smelling pus constantly seeping out. Each jolt sent waves of excruciating pain through her shoulder, causing her to weaken and nearly copse with every surge of agony.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Fortunately, Parker (Aasif) held her hand tightly, pulling her along with all his might, ensuring she wouldn’t be caught by the enemy.


    Sara was acutely aware of the lethality of the Qing army’s arrows. Even non-fatal wounds could lead to a festering death within days. She realized her time was limited. Observing Parker (Aasif) slowing down to help her, she choked back tears and urged, “Brother Parker (Aasif), just let me go and escape quickly. I can’t survive this; staying with me will only put you in danger…”


    Parker (Aasif) replied resolutely, “I promise to protect you, sister. Even if it means I die in battle, I will face it with you. I can’t bear the thought of facing Sarag without you.”


    With tears streaming down her face, Sara pleaded, “Brother Parker (Aasif), the Qing army is merciless and has ughtered countless people during the Ming Dynasty. If we fall into their hands, our lives will be worse than death. It would be better if you ended my suffering than let them capture us!”


    Parker (Aasif) clenched his teeth, responding fiercely, “Sara, don’t give up hope! If ites to it, I will grant you a quick end before I fight those Qing dogs to myst breath. I won’t let you fall into their hands!”


    At that moment, Gartu’s men were closing in, and he noticed the dark bloodstains Sara left behind. With a sneer, he proimed, “Since you refuse to surrender, don’t me me for my ruthless subordinates! Once we catch you, my men will make that pretty little thing of yours very happy!”


    Sara’s anger red, and she retorted, “I’d rather be a ghost than let you filthy dogs have your way! One day, we will avenge our people and drive your vile emperor out!”


    Gartu scoffed, “Do you still cling to the idea of a great Ming Dynasty? Your Ming is nearly wiped out by us! This world will belong to us now, and all Han people like you who refuse to submit will be eliminated!”


    Suddenly, a loud voice interrupted, “What? You dare threaten this old man?”


    As he spoke, an elderly man in a blue robe descended gracefully from the treetops, wielding a silver sword, exuding an aura of majesty and authority.<fn512b> Updates are released by find?novel</fn512b>


    This man was Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st.


    Gartu was taken aback by the old man’s unexpected entrance, questioning him warily, “Who are you?” Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st replied coldly, “You Tartars have no right to ask my name! You’re disturbing my tranquility, and for that, you shall all pay!”


    Gartu sneered, “You old man must be quite resilient! Come on, kill him!”


    As soon as hemanded, a group of Qing soldiers readied their bows, aiming at Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st.


    Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st responded with disdain, “You think your bows and arrows can intimidate me? You will all perish!”


    With that, he flicked his wrist, and his sword transformed into a whirlwind of spinning des, slicing through the ranks of the Qing soldiers. In an instant, countless heads fell, leaving no survivors.


    Parker (Aasif) and Sara stood in stunned silence, having never witnessed such incredible power before; it was as if they had encountered a god.


    Afterward, Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st sheathed his sword and approached the duo, asking, “Why are you being chased by these Tartar soldiers?”


    Parker (Aasif) was the first to regain hisposure and hastily replied, “I am Parker (Aasif), a junior who owes his life to you, great immortal! My sister and I have been fighting against the Qing forces, but our strength iscking, and we’ve been pursued relentlessly. Without your timely rescue, we might not have survived this day…”


    Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st frowned, questioning, “Aren’t the Tartars usually active in the north? How did they venture this far into the southern reaches of the Tang Dynasty?”


    Parker (Aasif) eximed, “Great Tang? Old Immortal, this is no longer the Tang Dynasty. We are in the era of the Great Ming, which has ruled China for over two hundred years. But thanks to the traitor Wu Sangui, the Qing army has invaded and taken most of ournd…”


    Meng Changsheng (Willie) the 1st scolded sharply, “Is it true that the Han people today cannot even defend their own homnd?”