I have a martial arts panel.

Chapter 168 War Crisis: Return to Tao Family Village

Feiyun Prefecture.

Kangyun County.

Taojiazhuang.

"Have you packed everything?"

Tao Yunchuan limped in from outside and asked Xu Lian inside.

"Soon."

Xu Lian responded and continued packing her things.

Compared to a year ago, Xu Lian looked much more haggard, and the light in her eyes had faded.

Seeing his wife like this, Tao Yunchuan sighed, sat down at the door, and looked at the chirping chicks in the yard with a tired expression in his eyes.

They are moving.

To be more precise, the entire Taojiazhuang village is moving away.

A year ago, a war broke out between the Black Armor Guards of Feiyun Prefecture and the Shadow Blood Faction of Liewu Prefecture near Kangyun County, Qiuyun County, and Dingyun County.

The battle ended in victory for the Black Armor Guards.

However, despite the victory, the conflict between Feiyun Prefecture and Liewu Prefecture did not end.

Not only in the southeast of Feiyun Prefecture, but also along the entire border between Feiyun Prefecture and Liewu Prefecture, war is raging, and the friction between the two sides is becoming increasingly intense.

In an effort to ease the internal conflicts within Liewu Prefecture, the major sects and families within the prefecture united to put pressure on the Yuansheng Sect of Feiyun Prefecture, attempting to infiltrate their influence into Feiyun Prefecture.

The Yuansheng Sect, of course, refused to yield an inch, so the battles at the border between the two states became more and more frequent and intense.

Following their victory a year ago, the Black Armor Guard reinforcements were stationed and expanded their forces, recapturing the previously lost Qiuyun County and Dingyun County.

However, two months ago, the Shadow Blood Faction increased its military presence here again and seized Qiuyun County and Dingyun County once more.

Moreover, the enemy forces this time are coming in strong, with a significant increase in both numbers and combat power.

After recapturing the two counties, they began their march toward Kangyun County.

Faced with an enemy several times stronger than the Black Armor Guard garrison, the new commander of the Black Armor Guard in Kangyun County issued an order to abandon Kangyun County.

After learning that the Black Armor Guards had abandoned Kangyun County, the Tao family clan elders decided to lead the entire village to evacuate.

Today, the three major villages of Kangyun County are completely entangled with the Black Armor Guard.

If the Shadow Blood Faction's enemy forces successfully capture Kangyun County, they will inevitably slaughter the three major clans that have already become one with the Black Armor Guards.

To avoid a possible tragedy, the people of Taojiazhuang had no choice but to leave their homeland and go to other places.

There is now only one day left before the entire Taojiazhuang village is relocated.

Before dawn tomorrow, all the villagers of Taojiazhuang will be gathered together for relocation.

"Father, are we leaving tomorrow?"

Tao Tao, dressed in a floral dress, walked over and asked Tao Yunchuan cautiously.

Tao Tao is almost six years old now. She has grown taller than a year ago, and her hair has also grown longer.

"Yes, I'm leaving tomorrow."

Tao Yunchuan looked at his daughter and nodded in response.

Faced with Tao Yunchuan's answer, Tao Tao paused, tugged at the hem of her clothes, and tentatively asked, "Then we're not going to wait for Uncle?"

Upon hearing this question, Tao Yunchuan fell silent instantly.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

Not only Tao Yunchuan, but Xu Lian, who was tidying up inside the house, also heard Tao Tao's words.

The rustling sounds that had been making while packing things also stopped.

Tao Yunchuan and Xu Lian still remember the scene when the Black Armor Guards came to their home.

At that time, Xu Ning had only been away from home for a few days and had already gone to the Yuansheng Sect in Yunying City.

One night, however, the Black Armor Guards suddenly came to visit and told them that Xu Ning and his entourage had disappeared.

In the place where they disappeared, other members of their entourage were also killed.

Upon hearing the news, Xu Lian fainted on the spot.

Her beloved younger brother, whom she had always cared for and placed high hopes on, disappeared without a trace on his way to his future career, his fate unknown.

Thinking of everything her younger brother had done for the family, and of the warm memories they shared, Xu Lian couldn't bear the blow and fell seriously ill, taking several months to recover.

After that, Xu Lian would stand at the entrance of Taojiazhuang every day, gazing into the distance, hoping that Xu Ning would return home under her watchful gaze.

However, a year has passed since Xu Ning went missing.

His figure never entered Xu Lian's sight again.

"Your uncle..."

Tao Yunchuan paused for a long time before finally speaking with difficulty: "He will come looking for us."

"But my uncle doesn't know where we're going..."

Tao Tao pressed for an answer, her brow furrowing, her lips pursed, and she looked disappointed.

Tao Yunchuan didn't know how to respond to Tao Tao.

"Sister Lian, brother-in-law!"

Just then, a sound came from outside the door.

Guo Ye walked into the courtyard from outside the gate.

"Have you all finished packing? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Guo Ye walked up to Tao Yunchuan.

Guo Ye learned of Xu Ning's disappearance immediately.

Guo Ye felt extremely heartbroken at the tragedy that befell his close friend.

During the days when Xu Ning was missing, Guo Ye took on the responsibility of being Xu Ning's younger brother.

He would come to their home to help Xu Lian and Tao Yunchuan with chores.

Although Xu Ning left enough money and food for his family to live on, Guo Ye would still send them food, clothing, and even medicine from time to time, taking good care of Xu Ning's family.

"Almost done."

Xu Lian came out of the house and helped Tao Yunchuan, who was sitting on the ground, to his feet.

"You just focus on your family matters and don't worry about us."

Xu Lian and Tao Yunchuan noticed and appreciated Guo Ye's daily help.

"Sister Lian, brother-in-law."

Seeing that there was nothing that needed help, Guo Ye continued, "Tomorrow morning, I will bring a donkey cart over. You can put your things on the cart. On the way to the relocation, we can stay together and look out for each other."

Guo Ye lowered his voice slightly: "Although we have family guards on the way, there's no guarantee that we won't be robbed by bandits. Staying with my uncle is a kind of protection."

"Thank you very much, Guo Ye."

Xu Lian and Tao Yunchuan also expressed their gratitude.

"In that case, I'll be going now."

Seeing that he had nothing to do, Guo Ye delivered the message and left.

"Xu Ning, this brotherhood was truly worthwhile..."

After Guo Ye left, Xu Lian and Tao Yunchuan continued packing their belongings.

Tao Tao, on the other hand, squatted at the door of her house, propping her face up with her hand and staring at the path in front of her.

This is the path Xu Ning used to take to get home.

……

"We've arrived in Feiyun Prefecture!"

At this moment, Xu Ning, Wei Changqing, and the other two, aboard the giant eagle beast, had already arrived in the territory of Feiyun Prefecture.

After a year away from their hometown and through countless twists and turns, they have finally returned.

"Uncle Wei, Binglin, Zicheng, I need to go home first."

Xu Ning addressed the three of them.

Taojiazhuang is located in the southern part of Feiyun Prefecture, right next to Jifeng Prefecture.

"That's natural!"

They naturally followed Xu Ning's ideas.

After Xu Ning left Feiyun Prefecture, he had no relatives left.

Although the three of them endured much suffering, they always had someone by their side.

"Um?"

After crossing the border between Feiyun Prefecture and Jifeng Prefecture, the giant eagle monster flew for a while longer.

Xu Ning, who was above the clouds, looked down at the ground and noticed something unusual.

"Is war breaking out again?"

Xu Ning took in the ground defenses and the garrison troops in a standoff.

Upon seeing this, Xu Ning felt a pang of anxiety, a growing concern for her family.

Without me by my side, there's little ability to protect myself from risks at home.

"Little Grey, hurry up!"

Xu Ning urged the giant eagle-like demon beast beneath him.

The giant eagle monster had gray feathers all over its body, so it was named Little Gray.

Upon hearing Xu Ning's command, Little Gray flapped its wings more vigorously, increasing its speed even further.

……

At the entrance of Taojiazhuang.

Although the entire Tao Family Village will be relocated to another place tomorrow, the village's security will remain extremely tight.

Today's patrol leader is Tao Yunmeng, who is at the fourth level of the Mortal Realm, the Qi Sensing Realm.

Tao Yunmeng is the backbone of Taojiazhuang and has provided Xu Ning with a lot of help in the past.

"Cheer up, everyone!"

Tao Yunmeng shouted to the patrolling Zhuang clan guards: "The situation in Kangyun County has been very chaotic recently, with many bandits looting everywhere. Two days ago, before the Tan family village was relocated, they were robbed by bandits due to carelessness, resulting in considerable losses and even casualties."

"We must learn from this and prevent bandits from taking advantage of the chaos to rob!"

"yes!"

The guards all had serious expressions.

They were all aware of the current situation, and everyone was on high alert to ensure the safety of the entire village before its relocation.

Yo!

Suddenly, a cry rang out from the sky.

The voice was loud and clear, and it also carried a sense of oppression.

Tao Yunchuan and the patrolling Zhuang clan guards both felt a sense of oppression.

"What is that?"

At this moment, some sharp-eyed Zhuang clan guards spotted a dark shadow flying down towards Tao Family Village through the clouds.

"That is..."

Tao Yunmeng is strong and can see things clearly.

He discovered it was a giant gray eagle, spreading its wings and flying towards Taojiazhuang.

"not good!"

Tao Yunmeng's expression changed drastically, instantly realizing danger was approaching: "It's a demonic beast!"

"A demonic beast?!"

The Zhuang clan guards behind him trembled upon hearing Tao Yunmeng's words.

They were all ordinary people, most of whom had only practiced some external skills, and very few of them practiced internal skills.

"Quickly, go and inform the clan elders!"

Tao Yunmeng immediately gave instructions.

Although Tao Yunmeng felt that the clan elders might have already discovered the giant eagle monster, he still sent someone to warn them as a precaution.

"Get ready!"

Tao Yun shouted loudly.

However, despite issuing the order, Tao Yunmeng didn't know what exactly to prepare.

Faced with this exceptionally terrifying monster, he didn't know how to defend himself.

Whoohoo!

The giant eagle-like monster is landing.

The strong wind made Tao Yunmeng and the Zhuang clan guards behind him lose their footing.

"This is terrifying! What level of monster is this?"

Tao Yunmeng couldn't even open his eyes.

Besides the immense wind force, the oppressive aura of the giant eagle beast also made Tao Yunmeng feel palpitations.

This sense of oppression is something even the clan leader doesn't possess.

The giant eagle landed.

Tao Yunmeng was on high alert.

He gripped the long knife tightly in his hand and looked at it carefully.

However, on the back of that giant eagle-like monster, he saw a familiar figure.

"Xu Ning?!"

Thank you Mr. Wang for the generous donation!

(End of this chapter)