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Chapter 24

  Zhi and Xia have return in the next day, bringing them information from he city.

  "The city of Sunset Breeze Pass has been completely overrun by the second prince's army," Zhi reported, his voice tight with tension.

  "The emiemissar and Li clan is in command, and they're ruthless. They've set up their base in the Li Clan estate."

  Xia stepped forward, his eyes hardened with determination.

  "We've identified key locations where their supplies and leadership are stationed, the army had set temporary camp at the outskirts of the city" he said.

  "Good work," Joshua said, his voice tight with tension. "Now, I need you two to do something of critical importance."

  He handed them back the map of the city, marked with several points.

  "These are the locations of their supply caches and command centers you gathered," he said, his voice a low growl.

  "I need you to place these bags here and here," he indicated with his finger, "at midnight tonight. The bags contain an remote explosive that will cause chaos and confusion, if you guys manage to plant bombs in the sleeping quarters then that even better."

  Zhi and Xi look each other with confusion as then don't know what remote explosive is.

  Joshua didn't waste a second of time to explain as he handed them the bags. They could feel the weight of the explosives through the rough fabric.

  "You need to get into the city, plant these where I've shown you, and get out without being detected," he ordered, his gaze intense.

  He too would be going with them as few locations are needed to be planted by him as these two can't get in without getting noticed.

  The trio set out under the cover of darkness, their hearts pounding in their chests. The moon was a sliver in the sky, providing just enough light for them to navigate the treacherous path to the city.

  Joshua split up along the way, his [Hidden] skill allowing him to move through the night like a ghost. He approached the Li Clan estate, his eyes scanning for any signs of the guards. The air was thick with tension as he scaled the walls, his body moving with a grace and precision that belied his origin.

  Once inside, he located the sleeping quarters of the emissary and the Li clan leaders. His heart racing, he cast [Hypnosis] on one of the old servant going on a patrol. The servant stirred, his eyes snapping open to reveal a vacant stare.

  "You will go to the sleeping chambers," Joshua murmured, his voice a gentle command. "You will place the explosives exactly where I tell you to. Understand?"

  The servant nodded, his eyes glazed over with the power of the [Hypnosis] spell. His movements were slow and deliberate, as if he was in a trance.

  Joshua whispered his instructions into the elder's ear, detailing the locations where the explosives needed to be placed. The servant listened intently, his expression unchanging.

  With a nod, the hypnotized servant set off on his mission, moving silently through the corridors of the Li Clan estate.

  Joshua watched him go before disappearing into the night. His destination was the temporary camp of the second prince's army, which had been set up on the outskirts of the city. The camp was a sea of canvas tents, illuminated by flickering torches that cast long, dancing shadows on the ground. The soldiers, confident in their superior numbers and the protection of the Li clan, were relaxed and unprepared for an attack from within.

  Joshua's [Hidden] skill was invaluable as he slipped past patrols, his heart racing with a mix of excitement and fear. The smell of campfire smoke and the distant murmur of soldiers' conversations filled his nose and ears, but to them, he remained unseen. His eyes darted from tent to tent, searching for the most strategic locations to plant the explosives. He knew that timing was crucial; the blasts had to occur simultaneously to cause the maximum amount of damage and chaos.

  With the precision of a seasoned infiltrator, he planted the explosives, his movements swift and silent. The soldiers' snores and occasional laughter served as a stark contrast to the deadly work he performed. Each tent had a specific role in the army's hierarchy, and he knew that taking out their command structure would be a significant blow. He made sure to plant more on the explosive on all of them.

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  As he approached the final tent, the one reserved for the commander of the army, he felt a sudden, cold blade slicing through the air. The tip of the sword grazed his chest, leaving a burning line of pain. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow, and quickly jumped to his feet, his eyes scanning the shadows for his attacker.

  There, standing before him, was the commander himself. The man's eyes were like ice, his gaze sharp and unforgiving. He was clad in the same black armor that had been seen in the battles that ravaged the lands, the insignia of the second prince glinting menacingly in the moonlight.

  "What do we have here, it seems I caught a rat." The commander's voice was a cold sneer, his sword still poised for the kill.

  Joshua's hand instinctively went to the sword at his side, his [Hidden] skill fading away as he stepped into the light.

  The commander's eyes widened slightly as he took in the unfamiliar figure before him. The technique use by Joshua was never seen in the world of Di but the commander reaching the martial Master core realm was able to detect him.

  "Who are you?" the commander demanded, his grip on the sword tightening.

  "A messenger of justice," Joshua replied while gritting from the pain and cheesy, but his voice even.

  "So choose the hard way, will you?" The commander's eyes narrowed, and he took a step forward, the tip of his sword pointing at Joshua's throat.

  Joshua's hand shot out, his sword singing through the air as he met the commander's blade with a resounding clang. The force of the impact sent shockwaves up both their arms, but neither man flinched. The loud noise woke up the soldier at the camp.

  Seeing the situation unfold, Joshua knew he had to end this fight swiftly. But as he fought the commander even with the same realm he was being push back.

  "You went in with just these measly skills?" The commander sneered and taunted.

  The commander's blade was coated with a faint, but distinct [Slash Intent], a sign that his martial skills had reached a level where his intent could manifest and enhance his strikes. This was not a foe to be underestimated. The commander's movements were swift and precise, each swing of his sword leaving a trail of deadly energy in its wake.

  "Your lucky I didn't just shot you, $#!+ head." Joshua curse as he knew shooting a gun would wake up those further.

  Joshua's thoughts raced as they exchanged blows, each one a dance of steel and death. He had to finish this and retreat before the alarm was fully raised. His eyes flicked to the tent's flaps, which had begun to rustle with the awakening soldiers. With a burst of strength, he pushed the commander back, creating a small opening.

  "Here's a gift to you!" Joshua said.

  He threw the bag of explosives at the commander, who instinctively slashed it with his sword. The bag split open, its contents spilling onto the ground.

  "Petty tricks, do you think you can blind me with this?" The commander look at him disdain.

  But it was too late; the explosives were already armed.

  He saw Joshua smiled and pulled out a button.

  The commander's eyes widened in horror as he realized what was happening.

  Joshua didn't wait to see the result. He pressed the detonator in his hand, and in an instant, a series of deafening booms echoed through the night. The ground trembled as the explosives at the Li Clan's estate and the army camp went off simultaneously. The force of the blasts shook the very air, sending plumes of fire and smoke skyward.

  The commander stared at the bag in disbelief, the realization of his impending doom etched on his face. He tried to lunge at Joshua, but the explosion that followed washed over them like a fiery wave, consuming the tent and everything in its path. The commander's screams were lost in the thunderous roar as the explosive buried beneath the fabric of his own bed obliterated him and his tent.

  Joshua teleported back to Terra, his heart racing from the close call and he was only bleeding from the ear. He reappeared in the mansion's bunker, he felt his head shake as he tried to steady himself. The marble floor was a stark contrast to the chaos he'd left behind, the calmness of the room a stark reminder of the peace he was fighting for.

  The explosions had served their purpose, the Li Clan and the second prince's army were in disarray. Every being in the city and outskirts heard a series of explosions and thought of the end of the world.

  After ten minutes of deafening booms, the night grew eerily still. The air was thick with dust and the acrid smell of burning wood and metal. The citizens of the city slowly emerged from their hiding places, their eyes wide with terror as they took in the scene before them. The once-proud Li Clan estate looked as though a giant had crushed it with a single thumb, the walls reduced to rubble and the courtyard a scene of carnage leaching only few circle indent on the grounds.

  The city streets were littered with debris and the remnants of the Li clan estate. The smell of gunpowder and scorched earth hung in the air, a grim reminder of the destruction that had taken place.

  The soldiers who had survived the blasts staggered around in confusion, their armor tattered and their weapons lost.

  "Please, help us," a voice called out weakly from the rubble, and soon others joined in a desperate chorus.

  The people from the city who went out to look at the damage were met with a gruesome sight: soldiers from the Li clan and the second prince's army were scattered across the streets, some missing limbs and others struggling to breathe. The once-mighty warriors were now pleading for mercy, their cries echoing through the smoke-filled air.

  Rumors began to spread like wildfire. Some claimed they had seen a figure moving through the camp, untouchable and unseen, brought about the destruction of the Li clan and the army. Others spoke of a deafening roar that seemed to come from the heavens, a divine fury that had descended upon the wicked. Whispers grew into shouts, and soon, the tale of 'Thunder and Rain' was on everyone's lips. It was said that this legendary figure had struck before, bringing vengeance to those who harmed the innocent.

  In the days that followed, the people of Di talked of nothing else. The second prince's reign of terror had been broken, and hope began to blossom in the hearts of the oppressed. The legend grew with each retelling, the 'Thunder and Rain' and some Gods suddenly becoming a symbol of resistance, a beacon of hope in the darkest of nights.

  The culprit of this mess was busy healing his wound and leading a group of villagers in the mountains.

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