Chapter 213: The Final Duel

Chapter 213: The Final Duel

The air crackles with tension as Lin Yuer faces General Xian, her heart a mixture of rage and sorrow. This man had once been a mentor, someone she trusted as a father figure. Now, he stood as her greatest enemy, determined to see her fall.

General Xian's eyes are cold, his expression unmoving as he surveys the battlefield. "You were always too soft, Lin Yuer," he sneers. "You believed that kindness could win hearts, that compassion could forge strength. But in the end, it is power that commands loyalty, and it is power that will defeat you."

Lin Yuer's grip tightens on her sword. "I am not my father, General. I will not let you destroy everything I've built."

With a battle cry, she charges at him. The sound of their swords clashing rings out across the field, echoing like thunder. The sheer force of their strikes sends shockwaves through the ground beneath them.

Their duel is intense, a testament to their years of experience. General Xian is skilled—perhaps even more so than Lin Yuer anticipated. But she is not the same young woman he once knew. She has grown stronger, sharper, and her heart burns with the desire to protect the empire she has fought so hard to build.

Each strike from General Xian is met with a counter, Lin Yuer moving with grace and precision. She sees the openings in his attacks, and with each calculated move, she brings herself closer to victory.

But General Xian is not easily defeated. He presses on, his sword a blur of motion. He attempts to disarm her, but Lin Yuer is prepared. She sidesteps his strike and lands a blow to his shoulder, sending him stumbling back.

"Your time is over, General," she declares, her voice unwavering.

He glares at her, a snarl twisting his face. "You may win this battle, but you will never win the war. The empire will fall. I have seen to that."

With a final, decisive movement, Lin Yuer strikes. Her sword finds its mark, piercing through his chest. General Xian gasps, his eyes wide in shock as he crumples to the ground.

"You were wrong," Lin Yuer murmurs, her voice quiet but resolute. "The empire will stand. And I will ensure it thrives."