A big black bear stood in front of Ocean City Wall, roaring loudly at Zhao Renshu, a final, triumphant display of its power. Zhao Renshu nodded to the beast, and the big black bear slowly disappeared, its form dissipating into thin air. On the battlefield, the other bear summoned by Guozhao Zhiqiang also disappeared, its task complete.
Xu Baohai, on the other hand, returned to the shore, frantically searching for Qingyu from one tent to another. He called out for Qingyu, his voice desperate, "Ah Ya! Ah Ya, where are you?"
Xu Baohai and his remaining pirates were now completely surrounded by Centaur troops, their nearest ship already destroyed by the ballista catapults. In a blink of an eye, everything he had worked so hard to accomplish had disappeared. His ten-thousand-strong army was defeated by a well-trained unknown army that came prepared for war. Ten thousand people had died or were seriously injured. There were less than four hundred people left beside him, his grand ambition in ruins.
What emerged from the Centaur soldiers was Guo Baiyu, his arm still bleeding. He said, his voice clear and calm, "Please surrender, everyone. I will negotiate with the mayor on your behalf. All of you will not get cruel punishment or be executed. Now, everyone should know that you will not be able to win against the well-trained army of Horseman Land."
The pirates, defeated and terrified, dropped their weapons one by one, their will to fight broken.
Xu Baohai, however, remained defiant. He pointed his sword at Guo Baiyu. "Guozhao hunter. You..."
He flew towards Guo Baiyu and attacked him, but his desperate strike was blocked by Guozhao Zhiqiang, who moved with lightning speed.
Guozhao Zhiqiang counterattacked Xu Baohai. When Xu Baohai swung his sword, he blocked the sword attack with his foot, kicking Xu Baohai's hand high into the air, preventing the sword from hitting Guo Baiyu. He quickly swayed behind Xu Baohai and, with a precise swing, severed Xu Baohai's right arm. As the blood surged onto the sand, Xu Baohai screamed in agony, and his severed arm, still clutching the sword, fell onto the sand.
He kicked Xu Baohai hard on the back of his right knee, forcing Xu Baohai to fall onto both of his knees, helpless. He then aimed his sword at Xu Baohai's neck, the blade glinting.
"My master orders you to surrender," Guozhao Zhiqiang said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion.
Xu Baohai spit on the sand, defiance still burning in his eyes. "I will never surrender and become someone's prisoner." He grabbed the sword with his left hand, turned his head to the left, and with a swift, decisive motion, slit his own throat, choosing death over surrender.
The Centaur soldiers guarded the rest of the pirates and drove them towards the city gate, their massive forms herding the defeated forces. When the Centaurs and the prisoners were very close, the gate of the city opened wide. It was Mayor Du and his colleagues who came out to greet them, their faces filled with relief and awe. The citizens of Ocean City also poured out to see the mighty Centaur soldiers, their saviors.
Ping'an, Zhao Renshu, Lim Peizhi, the Huang sisters, and the fifty remaining hunters walked forward, part of the welcoming committee. The people stood aside and made way for the heroes, cheering softly.
When Guo Baiyu saw Ping'an, he jumped off Yuping's back and ran towards his wife. Guo Baiyu hugged her tightly, his relief palpable, and kissed her on the forehead.
"Guozhao Hunters, they are?" Mayor Du asked, looking at the Centaur.
"They are soldiers of Horseman Land," Guo Baiyu explained. He walked between Siyuan and Yuping, introducing them. "This is Prince Siyuan, this is Prince Yuping of Horseman Land."
"Hah, Xiao Yuping is all grown up now!" Zhao Renshu chuckled, rubbing Yuping's back affectionately. "Are you now like twenty?"
Yuping shook his head, a fond smile on his face. "No, I am three years old. I was a couple of days old when we parted." Yuping then gently picked Ping'an from the ground and hugged her tight, a familiar gesture. "I miss you, Sister Ping'an." Then, he put Ping'an down. He took out a small, red apple bag and threw it to Zhao Renshu. "For you."
"I miss you too," Ping'an replied, touched.
Zhao Renshu opened the bag. It was a single, vibrant red apple. "It has been three years?" He scratched his chin with his left thumb. "Thank you. No mainlander's apple tastes like these."
"Mayor Du, our work has been completed," Siyuan said, addressing the mayor. "We will not help you clean up the fields. We have the main responsibility to protect the northern fortress; we are going back now."
"I will never forget your kind deeds," Mayor Du said, bowing deeply to the two Centaur princes.
"We are here because Doctor Guozhao asked us," Siyuan clarified. "If you want to thank someone, it should be him."
"In any case, I still thank everyone who came to our rescue," Mayor Du said, encompassing all who fought. Mayor Du and the residents of Ocean City bowed three times to the Centaur soldiers, a profound gesture of gratitude.
When Guozhao Zhiqiang looked at the powerful soldiers, he recalled the conversation he had with his master, Guo Baiyu, about why people were afraid of the Guozhao Hunters. Now, he understood why people were afraid of Hunter Guozhao: because they could summon such powerful allies.
"Good luck to everyone on your journey home," Mayor Du said to Siyuan, bowing again with his four generals.
"Thank you," Siyuan replied. He turned to Ping'an, placed his hand on his chest, and nodded, a sign of respect.
Ping'an smiled and nodded at Siyuan, acknowledging him.
The Centaur soldiers rushed back to the city wall, their forms shimmering. Siyuan and Yuping were the last to disappear into the portal gateway.
After the Centaur soldiers left, Zhao Renshu and Guo Baiyu walked to the painted magic portal gateway on the wall. Zhao Renshu poured water from his bota onto the blood, while Guo Baiyu carefully wiped off the blood magic circle with a handkerchief, erasing the portal. After they wiped off the magic circle, they returned to the group of people.
Guo Baiyu looked at Mayor Du and said, "Mayor Du, I have something to discuss with you."
"Savior, please speak up," Mayor Du replied, his voice filled with deference.
Guo Baiyu looked at the prisoners and said, "They may have done unforgivable things in the past, but now they are prisoners of war. I hope Mayor Du will not impose cruelty or the death penalty on them."
"Do you have any suggestions?" Mayor Du asked, open to his advice.
"I suggest that they bury the dead and fix the city as a penalty," Guo Baiyu proposed. "Once they have completed the reconstruction of the city, please send them to Waterfall City." He looked at Lim Peizhi. "If people have the right guidance, they can change." Guo Baiyu looked at the prisoners, a faint hope in his eyes. "I assure them that if they surrender, they will not be subjected to cruelty or the death penalty."
"I will make sure that they arrive at Waterfall City after they have completed the reconstruction of the city," Lim Peizhi pledged, agreeing to the terms.
Mayor Du looked at his four generals, and they nodded in agreement. "I agree to your request," Mayor Du said to Guo Baiyu.
Guo Baiyu bowed to express his gratitude to Mayor Du. "I thank you on behalf of the prisoners."
Mayor Du held Guo Baiyu's hands. "Don't do that. We should thank you." Mayor Du turned to his citizens on the wall. "Citizens of Ocean City, our heroes!"
When the heroes walked past the city gate, the residents of Ocean City cheered, a thunderous ovation for their saviors.