Volume One: Where Am I

Chapter One: Two Points in Time

※※※ Eight Hundred Years Ago ※※※

Black clouds pressed down on the city, armor gleamed coldly!

Two opposing forces stood face to face, as if cast in iron and bronze, not moving in the slightest.

Only two large banners fluttered in the wind, snapping and dancing, adding a hint of vitality to the deathly stillness of Zhuxian Town.

The banner on the left was black with golden edges, bearing only a single character '岳' written in bold, sweeping strokes, as if the character would leap off the flag. The soldiers beneath it stood in a wild goose formation, holding long spears, with dozens of archers at the rear, eyes fierce and alert, securing the formation. Each wore heavy bronze armor, exuding an imposing presence. The Yue Family Army had always been known for their prowess—back at the Battle of Niutou Mountain, Marshal Yue led eight hundred men to defeat tens of thousands of Jin soldiers. From that day on, no one dared underestimate the Yue Family Army!

At the front, a lone rider stood ahead of the ranks, unarmored, yet exuding an indescribable aura of grim determination and might. At his waist hung a sheathed iron sword, its hilt wrapped in silk cloth. The blade was five fingers wide, three inches thick, and over five feet long!

Countless swordsmen roamed the martial world, but only one could wield such a heavy sword: the top expert under Marshal Yue, Eric Foster. A prodigy, he created the "Nine Farewells, Eighteen Partings" internal technique, and wielded a fifty-three-jin black iron greatsword—blunt and unsharpened, yet invincible!

His thick eyebrows slanted like swords into his temples, his nose was prominent, his eyes flashed like shooting stars, though a trace of gravity lingered within them.

Not far away, another large banner whipped in the wind. It bore no characters, only the image of a fierce tiger with wings on its sides, vivid and lifelike, as if ready to charge into battle at any moment. The soldiers beneath it stood in a line, armored cavalry, their faces covered with iron mesh masks, their entire bodies radiating a boundless killing intent. Their momentum was in no way inferior to the Yue Family Army!

The Jin soldiers were known for their ferocity, and this unit was undoubtedly the elite among them—the finest of their fierce warriors. Though the Yue Family Army struck fear into the Jin, if there were any Jin troops unafraid of them, it would be these "Flying Tiger Ironclad Soldiers" before them!

Standing opposite Eric Foster were two people. One wore animal pelts, and though the weather was cold, his chest was half-bare, his skin as tough as iron, his appearance wild like a savage. His tangled hair was tied into a long braid coiled around his neck. Despite his rough attire, his features were not coarse; in fact, he had a certain scholarly aloofness. Yet his eyes flashed with a chilling light, making those who met his gaze shudder. There was an odd sense of discord about him.

On his saddle hung a thick-backed broadsword, also five feet long, its blade gleaming coldly, exuding a sinister aura.

If one only looked at his appearance, others might laugh, but upon seeing that broadsword, no one would dare. The sword itself was not particularly special—perhaps thicker, longer, and heavier than most—but the two golden characters "魔炎" engraved on its back were enough to strike terror into the heart!

It was well known in the martial world that two legendary weapons reigned supreme: one was the "Wen Tian Sword," now in the hands of Eric Foster; the other was the "Lie Yan Saber," wielded by the top expert of the Jin, Matthew Bennett.

This wild-looking man was none other than the number one expert of the Jin, the Demon Blade, Matthew Bennett!

Beside him stood a woman, her expression stern, but with delicate features—she was a rare beauty, even among the women of the southern lands. Her gaze toward Eric Foster was filled with gravity and respect. Her name was Ashley Bennett, the sister of Matthew Bennett. She knew that their opponent today was the famed "Wen Tian Sword" Eric Foster, whom she had long heard of but never met.

Marshal Yue had many fierce generals under his command—Yue Yun, Zhang Xian, Wang Gui, Yang Zaixing—each a hero capable of facing ten thousand foes. Yet Eric Foster was the fiercest among them, the vanguard of vanguards!

It was said that since his debut, Eric Foster had fought countless battles and faced innumerable martial arts masters, never once defeated. Though she and her brother were invincible in the Jin, for some reason, her heart was uneasy today.

They say it is easier to shake a mountain than to shake the Yue Family Army. Yet the man before her, Eric Foster, stood as steady as a mountain—defeating him would be no easier than moving a mountain.

But today's battle was inevitable!

Just like the Song and Jin, as incompatible as fire and water, there was no possibility of reconciliation.

"Matthew Bennett." Eric Foster said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect that after parting three years ago, today we would meet again with swords drawn."