The number of serpentfolk was staggering.
A glance revealed an unending swarm.
Each of them had the upper body of a human and the lower body of a snake. There were both males and females. The females were seductively beautiful, while the males carried an eerie chill. The occasional cold glint in their eyes was enough to make one's heart tremble.
Their weapons varied greatly.
Some held bone swords, others bone knives, some wielded long spears, and some had bows and arrows.
Strange and diverse, each radiated an aura of icy malevolence.
They stared at the Jixia Academy, like venomous snakes hiding in the shadows—terrifying to behold. Had the people of the academy not long since become accustomed to the serpentfolk's presence, they would surely have been frightened out of their wits.
At the forefront stood a striking figure in a purple palace gown—the Serpent Empress.
Her expression was cold as ice. In her hand, she held a grotesque bone whip. Her icy demeanor couldn't conceal her natural beauty. Standing before the academy, she was impossible to ignore.
Like a crane among chickens.
"Serpent Empress, you've launched assaults on our academy time and again. Don't you think you've grown a bit too arrogant? Do you really think Jixia Academy is so easily bullied?" Cai Yong stepped forward to the academy's perimeter, coldly laughing as he spoke.
"Old Cai, I'm not here to stir up trouble this time. Hand over the thief hiding in your academy, and I'll leave. I'll even allow a portion of your people to walk away unharmed. If you refuse, don't blame me for making your academy a place where not even chickens and dogs survive."
The Serpent Empress' tone was icy.
"Hmph, there's no thief here. Only loyal sons of the human race. As for you—bring whatever tricks you have. Jixia Academy isn't afraid of your despicable methods."
Cai Yong refused flatly.
There was no need to ask—he already knew the "thief" she referred to was Yi Tianxing. But that only strengthened his resolve not to hand him over. Surrendering him would be nothing short of national disgrace. Worse, Yi Tianxing was a sovereign ruler, a figure whose identity carried vast weight. One thread could unravel the entire human cause.
He could never be handed over.
"That's just a petty thief. Give him up, and I'll let three thousand of your academy folk leave. I won't harm them on the way out—their lives or deaths in the wilderness are their own fate. I promise not to pursue."
The Serpent Empress tried again.
"Hmph, Serpent Empress, you're trying to divide us. If we hand him over now, how can we ever speak of unity again? Our morale would crumble. Once our will is broken, you alien tribes could easily destroy our academy. Such a crude ploy—do you think we'd fall for it? Old Cai is right. Surrendering him is absolutely out of the question. I, Qi Jiguang, will never agree."
A tall, broad-shouldered man in a long robe stepped forward. His features were sharp and dignified, exuding an unyielding will—like a pine tree growing through the bitter cold.
His voice rang clear and firm, carrying an air of steadfast determination that made others instinctively trust him.
"Qi General is right. We'll never agree. If we surrender one of us to the alien tribes, then what are we? If it happens once, it will happen again. Once this precedent is set, we'll lose all our principles. If you've got the guts, come and take him—we're not afraid of you!"
"No matter who it is, if you alien tribes seek to kill, then we at Jixia Academy shall protect. At worst, we die. But even in death, we'll make sure you pay dearly."
"Enough talk! You think you can divide us? Do you take us for fools?"
Voices of agreement erupted from the academy.
Even those who were once mere civilians had now learned to read and write. Having received legacies from the Hundred Schools of Thought, their minds had sharpened dramatically. They were no fools. The Serpent Empress' plot was obvious. To fall for it now would be sheer stupidity.
Of course, not everyone necessarily thought the same way, but under the firm leadership of Cai Yong and Qi Jiguang, no one dared to dissent openly.
"Serpent Empress, if it's battle you want, I, Qi Jiguang, will gladly accompany you."
Qi Jiguang stepped forward with a cold sneer, his body radiating a decisive, martial aura.
"Qi Jiguang… this aura—it's of the School of War! Could he be… the founder of the Qi Family Army? That famed general of the past?"
Yi Tianxing had arrived long ago but had not revealed himself immediately.
He wanted to see how the students of Jixia Academy would react when faced with danger and a possible chance at survival. Their response had not disappointed him.
Not a single disgraceful soul had stepped forward.
What surprised him even more was spotting another top-tier talent.
Qi Jiguang, and clearly one who had inherited the legacy of the School of War.
Memories of history floated through Yi Tianxing's mind—Qi Jiguang, a scholar and scion of a military family, styled Yuanjing, later called Mengzhu, posthumously titled Wuyi. Born in Penglai, Shandong, of Han ethnicity. A famed general of the Ming Dynasty, military strategist, calligrapher, poet, and national hero.
In the Ming era, wokou pirates ravaged the coast. Qi Jiguang was entrusted with critical duties, quickly mobilizing forces to suppress the pirates. For over ten years, he defended the southeastern coast, restoring peace to the region. He later repelled Mongol incursions in the north, defending the frontiers.
Nearly his entire life was spent fighting foreign invaders.
He was the epitome of a true patriot.
His military expertise was unmatched.
Yi Tianxing also remembered that Qi Jiguang was not just a brilliant commander, but also an innovator in weaponry and military engineering. He designed various fire-based weapons, and his warships and siege equipment gave Ming forces a distinct advantage. His creation of hollow watchtowers on the Great Wall, which could both attack and defend, was a masterpiece of military design.
He was also a phenomenal drillmaster. The legendary Qi Family Army was one of the most elite units in the Ming Dynasty—comparable to the Yang Family Army and the Yue Family Army in prestige and power.
"As expected of Jixia Academy, to draw in a talent like Qi Jiguang—and he even entered the School of War. His ability to command armies must be even more exceptional."
Yi Tianxing's gaze toward Qi Jiguang sparkled with admiration.
In chaotic times, elite generals were more valuable than civil officials. Only powerful armies could protect the people and preserve their dignity.
But now wasn't the time to win over Qi Jiguang.
His gaze shifted to the Serpent Empress, who stood tall beyond the academy walls. A hint of bitterness flickered in his eyes before they firmed with resolve. Calmly, he stepped forward.
As he walked, he spoke evenly:"Serpent Empress, calling me a thief every time you open your mouth—that's a bit lacking in grace, isn't it?"
With those words, every gaze—serpentfolk and academy student alike—fell upon Yi Tianxing.
"Who's that?"
"Never seen him before. Maybe he just got in from outside."
"So he's the 'thief' the Serpent Empress mentioned? What did he do—steal something from her?"
"Whoever he is, he carries himself like no ordinary man. Facing an alien queen and showing no fear—that's not something a normal person could do."
The crowd murmured, curiosity piqued.
To be the center of such a momentous scene—few could manage that.
"A fine dragon among men."
Qi Jiguang silently praised him. His composure, his aura—he left a deep impression.
"You vile thief! So you were hiding in the academy! If you've got any guts, fight me head-on!"
The Serpent Empress' eyes flashed with chilling fury. Murderous intent surged from her expression. The sight of Yi Tianxing enraged her to the core—his face was one she would never forget.
Her fingers clenched around her bone whip, making crisp, brittle cracks.
"Even if it comes to battle, I, Yi Tianxing, do not fear."
He spoke calmly. "As for the past, I'll admit—I bear part of the blame. But if you want to kill me, I will not submit. My life is no longer mine alone. The future of countless people rests on me. I cannot selfishly choose to die."
"Today, I stand here and will receive three attacks from you. After three strikes, our grievance ends. If you still seek my life, then I will take yours."
Yi Tianxing stared into the Serpent Empress' eyes without flinching.
He would atone for the past with three blows—but if she persisted, he would strike back without mercy. Life or death, let fate decide.
"Lord Yi, reconsider!!"
Cai Yong furrowed his brow, urging, "Your life isn't yours alone—it concerns the fate of millions. Don't take this risk. Stay within the academy. Let's see how these aliens break through."
His voice was full of confidence.
"No need. This is my personal matter. Let me be willful just this once."
Yi Tianxing shook his head and stepped forward, beyond the academy's protective range, standing face-to-face with the Serpent Empress.
"A true man indeed."
Qi Jiguang once again found himself impressed.
"You're courting death."
The Serpent Empress glared at him, her face showing an odd flash of emotion before she let out a cold snort.