The Struggle of Chaos Chapter 107: The Azure Dragon Emerges, the Martial Saint Appears

“Ping’er, are you foolish? I taught you the art of the blade, trained you in warfare, and guided you in how to live—not for you to risk your life to save me.”

Guan Ping’s face was etched with pain, yet he forced a weary smile. “Foster father, you have treated me like your own son. If I did not try to save you, why would I have learned swordsmanship from you, studied battle tactics with you, and learned how to be a man from you?”

Guan Yu stared blankly at Guan Ping after hearing those words, then slowly closed his eyes.

“Ping’er, I have failed you,” Guan Yu murmured, overwhelmed with guilt. If only he had heeded Guan Ping’s advice earlier—to retreat first and then devise a plan—they would never have encountered the formidable army of ten thousand, and Ping’er would not have perished.

“Brother, you are right. All of this stems from my arrogance and pride. Had I realized sooner, none of you would have fallen in battle.” After settling Guan Ping, Guan Yu dragged his heavy blade and slowly rose to his feet.

“Thank you for granting me this time,” Guan Yu said, lifting his gaze toward Ying Zheng Qin, who had remained silent.

“He is a warrior and deserves a proper farewell. If you are ready, let us continue,” Ying Zheng Qin replied solemnly.

Guan Yu silently faced the tens of thousands of troops before him. Perhaps they were soldiers, but at the same time, they were something beyond mere armies.

Amidst a surge of emerald light, a majestic and divine dragon, exuding the breath of primordial wilderness, soared before Guan Yu. The Azure Dragon took form—not as a force of oppression, but with profound eyes filled with boundless wisdom and thought. Guan Yu knew deeply that this was the true Azure Dragon, the divine beast.

“Great Azure Dragon, have you finally agreed to meet me?” Guan Yu asked reverently.

The Azure Dragon slowly bowed its immense head and spoke deeply, “Guan Yu, from the moment you first wielded the Azure Crescent Moon Blade ten years ago, I recognized you.”

“Then why have you waited until now to reveal yourself?” Guan Yu questioned, puzzled. Deng Zhanxuan had once told him that he had gained the approval of the Black Tortoise in his youth and had long ago formed a contract. Yet the Azure Dragon, who also claimed to recognize him, had only now appeared.

“Guan Yu, your talent is extraordinary, your spirit resilient, and your character upright and open. I acknowledge all these. But there is one flaw—you are excessively proud. Pride in one’s heart is not inherently bad. Yet your pride is one of disdain, a haughty arrogance that refuses to acknowledge anyone besides your eldest brother. You look down on others, and this narrow-mindedness limits your vision. I cannot allow such a man to become the leader of the Four Saints.”

“I understand now,” Guan Yu sighed. “My perspective was indeed too narrow. Perhaps this was my fate. If not for my brother’s dying words and Ping’er’s sacrifice, my heart would still be veiled by that arrogance.”

The Azure Dragon nodded approvingly. “Indeed. But I have always believed in you, Yun Chang. I trusted that one day you would understand, so I never gave up on you. And today, from the moment you uttered ‘thank you,’ you have earned the right to become my Azure Dragon’s bonded warrior.”

No sooner had the Azure Dragon spoken than a contract, woven from divine dragon essence, appeared before Guan Yu.

“Once again, I ask you, Guan Yu—are you willing to accept my power and shoulder the responsibility of protecting the continent?” the Azure Dragon asked gravely.

“I am willing. For the rest of my days, I, Guan Yu, will fight only for my eldest brother, my third brother, and the people of this land,” Guan Yu answered without hesitation.

“Very well. Sign it.”

As Guan Yu’s blood dripped onto the symbiotic contract, a green light swirled, and everything around him seemed to shift back to its original state. Yet that immense power now filled his entire being.

“Yun Chang, your preparations have long been sufficient. Today, with the aid of my divine essence, you shall ascend to the pinnacle of martial arts,” the Azure Dragon’s voice echoed in his mind.

“Thank you,” Guan Yu replied. At once, the Azure Dragon’s martial essence radiated outward, spreading at an astonishing pace until it blanketed the heavens and earth. Within the vast sea of emerald light, an ancient and awe-inspiring divine beast took form, ascending into the sky.

“Full army, be on guard,” Ying Zheng Qin warned, eyes sharp to the extraordinary transformation.

At that moment, Guan Yu, clutching the great blade that seemed to emit a low roar, spoke calmly, “I am ready. Strike.”

Hearing this, Ying Zheng Qin did not falter. “Very well. All forces, concentrate. The flying dragon takes to the skies.”

In an instant, golden light burst forth, seeming to suppress the green radiance.

Guan Yu raised his Azure Crescent Moon Blade and slowly intoned, “Crescent Moon!” With a mighty slash, the two dragons clashed once more—this time, the Azure Dragon’s power was greater, yet the Golden Dragon fought fiercely in defiance.

A thunderous explosion erupted as the storm of energy unfolded wildly. The Han troops in the distance were thrown into disarray, yet Guan Yu remained steadfast, his blade steady as the tempest merely rustled his beard.

On the Qin side, the shockwave shattered the soldiers’ martial formations; several fell from their mounts, dead. Yet most endured.

When the storm finally subsided, Ying Zheng Qin withdrew his spear from the ground, his soldiers behind him visibly drained.

“Unexpectedly, you broke through in the heat of battle and ascended to the pinnacle of martial arts,” Ying Zheng Qin admitted begrudgingly.

“Today, I merely escaped death,” Guan Yu replied.

Before his words were finished, the sound of galloping hooves approached—the ever-watchful Wu Zhan had arrived outside the city gates.

“Brother Zheng Qin, are you all right?” Wu Zhan hurried over to steady the swaying Ying Zheng Qin.

“I’m fine,” he said, eyes fixed on Guan Yu. “I must admit, you are indeed formidable. But now, with my twenty thousand Qin cavalry here, we are not much weaker than you, a newcomer to the martial pinnacle. You may leave—I won’t stop you. But no one else will be allowed to go.”

Raising his spear once more, Ying Zheng Qin’s intent was clear. Wu Zhan immediately understood, as two golden dragons surged into the sky. Suddenly, the two dragons merged into one—a stronger five-clawed golden dragon hovered aloft.

Feeling this overwhelming power, Guan Yu furrowed his brow. Who would have thought the Qin cavalry could fuse two complete martial arrays into an even greater force, shattering his understanding of military formations?

Yet Guan Yu could not abandon the Han people behind him. Gripping his heavy blade, he faced them with calm resolve.

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves thundered again. From the rear gates, a mysterious army clad in azure bright armor, bearing spears and longbows, charged into the city.

Guan Yu’s eyes narrowed in recognition.

Zhu Long, leading the entire Eastern Army, had ridden day and night and arrived at Baidi City just in time.

“General Guan, Zhu Long from Beitong Pass has come to reinforce you,” the messenger announced. For the first time, Guan Yu was no longer standing alone before tens of thousands of troops.

Lowering his blade, Guan Yu felt a hint of warmth toward the leader he had met only once before.

“Thank you all,” he said.

Zhu Long smiled. “You flatter us, General. Let us first deal with the enemy.” Raising his head, he looked toward his former comrade. Even before entering the city, Zhu Long had sensed a familiar power and had long guessed whom he would face.

“Zhu Long? You’re still alive,” Ying Zheng Qin’s heart churned with turmoil upon seeing him.

“Long time no see, Commander Ying,” Zhu Long replied gravely.

Seeing Zhu Long’s radically different armor and opposing stance, Ying Zheng Qin began to grasp the situation.

“I regarded you as a martyr, yet you have betrayed Qin,” Ying Zheng Qin accused sharply.

“A martyr?” Zhu Long smiled wryly.

Ying Zheng Qin pressed on, “Can you tell me what could make you abandon everything for Qin?”

Meeting his gaze squarely, Zhu Long replied resolutely, “A true strongman, one worthy of my loyalty—he understands the way of the warrior better than Bai Qi ever did.”

Ying Zheng Qin fell silent as the two armies remained locked in a tense standoff.

Finally, Ying Zheng Qin lowered his spear. “Liu Bei is dead, isn’t he?”

The question caught the others off guard. Guan Yu looked at him. “What do you mean?”

Ying Zheng Qin sheathed his spear and waved away all martial energies.

“Zhu Long, you once died for Qin. I owe you a life. Today, I spare you, but tomorrow, we will be mortal enemies. Leave quickly,” Ying Zheng Qin said coldly.

“What? Aren’t you afraid Bai Qi will kill you?” Zhu Long asked.

Ying Zheng Qin scoffed, “He wouldn’t dare. Liu Bei is dead, the Han nation has fallen. Withdraw.” With that, he mounted his horse and led twenty thousand cavalry, slowly departing Baidi City.

Wu Zhan glanced at Zhu Long. “Farewell, Brother Zhu.”

Watching their departure, Zhu Long felt an indescribable ache. “I’m sorry, Commander Ying. In the next life, we will be friends.” Suddenly recalling something, he urgently asked Guan Yu, “General Guan, what did you mean just now? Where is the Lord of Shu now?”

Guan Yu lowered his blade, devoid of any joy from his breakthrough, his face heavy with sorrow. “My eldest brother has passed away.”

“What? Then what shall we do?” Zhu Long asked, shocked.

Hearing this, Guan Yu suddenly realized, “Your surname is Zhu, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Commander Zhu, I was too emotional earlier. Tell me, why did you suddenly come here, and why to Baidi City?”

Zhu Long sighed deeply. “It’s a long story. Tang Zong imprisoned General Li, and we’ve severed ties with the Tang kingdom. Others took troops to Chang’an to rescue General Li, but I came ahead to Han territory. When we arrived at Shu Han’s city, the defenders hoped we would support you. So we followed your army and arrived at Baidi City in quick succession.”

“Unexpected events, indeed. Is General Li safe?”

“He should be fine. We initially intended to join the Lord of Shu, but now the Lord of Shu…” Zhu Long faltered, uncertain. If the entire Beitong Pass army arrived without a place to settle, where would they go?

At that moment, the scene was unusually silent. Yet Guan Yu spoke, “We must leave this place quickly. With Han’s leadership gone, it won’t be long before it falls.”

Resigned, Zhu Long gathered his forces and followed Guan Yu out of Baidi City, heading in the opposite direction.

What lies ahead? Where will these thousands find their path? Bearing a hazy hope, they set out toward an uncertain future.