[Wuxia] Wandering Freely in the Tang Dynasty (Complete) - 36

Chapter 135 Who Will Be the Hero?
"Clang!"
The five bell towers of Longquan City, located within the palace and at the four outer city gates, rang out simultaneously. The melodious tones carried a sense of tragic desolation, for these were the funeral bells to mourn the passing of Bai Ziting. The bells tolled forty-nine times before ceasing.
Amidst the solemn tolling of the bells, the hearse carrying Bai Ziting's remains, drawn by eight warhorses and guarded by a hundred loyal guards at each end, dragged its heavy steps out of the Vermilion Bird Gate, onto Vermilion Bird Avenue, circled the city once, and returned to the imperial mausoleum. Soldiers
and civilians lined the streets to see him off. Those who had lost their spiritual pillar and whose faith had crumbled looked blankly, mechanically weeping and wailing. No one knew whether they were mourning Fu Nanda, expressing their grief for the tragic end of their leader who had once filled them with hope and anticipation for the future, or lamenting the impending annihilation of their clan.
Regardless, Bai Ziting was still the nominal ruler of Longquan, so after discussion, Ke Subie and others decided to risk not preparing a funeral for Funantha; he simply didn't deserve it. Judging from the expressions of the Longquan soldiers and civilians, it was clear that he had suffered a severe mental blow and had lost the ability to think rationally. Otherwise, someone would have jumped out to criticize why they hadn't sent troops to apprehend the murderer, Yuan Yueze, and why they hadn't held a funeral for the great national teacher.
The night sky after the rain showed no signs of clearing; the white haze grew thicker, and the stars and moon dimmed.
Negative emotions gradually reached their peak.
Only a few loyal civil and military officials of Bai Ziting didn't shed tears. After their afternoon of busy work, although a small number of rebellious soldiers and civilians still disobeyed orders, searching for Yuan Yueze with fierce eyes and weapons, the overall security in Longquan had been barely stabilized. They only began preparing for Bai Ziting's funeral after dark. Those who hadn't lost their minds clearly knew that the Sumo tribe would soon face an even greater crisis. The tolling of the funeral bells transformed their humiliation and grief into strength; they would never show their weakest side at this moment.
The hearse returned to the palace and then headed towards the rear mausoleum.
Along the way, everyone bowed their heads, the solemnity weighing heavily on their hearts.
After the "Dragon King" was properly buried, Ke Subie, Ge Yuan, and Zong Xianghua returned to the daily council hall and sat around the round table, all three silent. With
the Dragon Spring without a master, these three were the most trusted by Bai Ziting, in charge of civil affairs, military affairs, and city defense, respectively. Most of the other ministers had become followers of Funantha, and with the crisis of extermination looming, they had no reason or mind to consider matters. It was better to simply hand over power to these three.
Suddenly, the sound of hooves shattered the almost eerie silence of the imperial city. A rider galloped up, one of Zong Xianghua's close attendants, his expression panicked, almost tumbling off his horse.
Staggering into the wide-open council hall, the personal guard knelt and shouted, "It's terrible! Tie Fuyou has personally led nearly ten thousand elite cavalry and is already five li north of Xiaolongquan. They will probably arrive within an hour; Abaojia has led more than five thousand hawk soldiers to the Meituo Plain and is setting up camp. Tuli's Black Wolf Army is still stationed within the Hualin area, and the Turkic Golden Wolf Army, numbering over one hundred thousand, has crossed our cordon and is now more than twenty li west of the city. They will be at the city walls by tomorrow at the latest."
Ke Subie and his two companions initially... Slightly taken aback, but upon hearing the news of the Turkic Golden Wolf Army, they were simultaneously shaken, taking a long time to recover. He waved away his personal guard, glanced at his two compatriots whose faces were equally grave and eyes filled with horror, laughed loudly, and extended his hand, saying in a chillingly cold voice, "Good! Let's fight to the death, a desperate battle, and let Jieli witness the unity and indomitable spirit of the Mohe people!"
A resolute glint flashed in Kesubie's eyes, and he offered his hand without hesitation.
Retracting his hand, Kesubie revealed a weary expression, seemingly overwhelmed by the current situation, and sighed, "It's a pity we couldn't rescue the Crown Prince and preserve the King's bloodline; otherwise, there would still be a sliver of hope for revenge."
The three fell silent again.
Bai Ziting's son, Da Zuorong, was indeed in the hands of Funantha. Yesterday, he had ordered his loyal men to remain in the palace and search the Eight Treasures Glazed Well thoroughly after the Battle of the Long Street began. This well had long aroused his suspicion, but he dared not search it openly because Funantha had too many confidants. Little did he know that the Battle of the Long Street would become the last leg of Bai Ziting's life. After returning to the palace, his confidants reported that there was indeed a hidden chamber in the middle of the well, but unfortunately they were a step too late. In the secret room at the end of the tunnel, there were only some cut ropes, and not a single person in sight.
Zong Xianghua suddenly had a thought and blurted out, "I guess the Crown Prince will be alright. 'He' should be here soon."
Ke Subie and the other man stared at her beautiful face, which was filled with complex emotions. After a moment of stunned silence, they immediately realized who "he" was. Zong Xianghua didn't hide anything and told them what Shang Xiufang had told her. Ke Subie and the other man's expressions improved somewhat. Ge Yuan sighed, "Brother Yuan is a man of great ambition. If we can truly escape the annihilation of our clan with his help, what difficulty would there be in submitting to him?"
He was, after all, a general who had fought on the battlefield, and his cunning and political acumen were far inferior. Ke Subie frowned and said, "Of course, we can't completely believe his one-sided words. However, protecting our clan is the most important thing right now. If he goes back on his word in the future, we will secretly gather our strength and take everything back from him."
The three of them exchanged glances and nodded.
Ge Yuan stood up and said, "You two wait for him. I need to go guard Xiaolongquan first."
Suddenly, a guard came to report from outside, shouting, "Yuan Yueze, Ba Fenghan, and Ren Jun are requesting an audience outside the palace gates. They've also brought back the Crown Prince!"
Hearing Da Zuorong's news, the three were overjoyed and led their men out to greet them.
In the large square in front of the palace gates, thousands of Sumo warriors drew their weapons and surrounded Yuan Yueze and his companions with hostile expressions. On the official wall a little further away, even more Sumo warriors drew their bows and nocked arrows, aiming thousands of arrows at them, ready to fire at any moment. From the expressions of these warriors, it was clear that if it weren't for Da Zuorong, they would have already swarmed them and torn the three to pieces. There were five thousand warriors surrounding them, yet no one uttered a sound; the pressure created by that silence alone was enough to make one tremble with fear.
Yuan Yueze and his companions appeared relaxed and at ease, chatting and laughing. Da Zuorong, whose hand was being held by Yuan Yueze, was extremely clever. His large, clear eyes, black and white, curiously scanned the surroundings, seemingly unaware of the precarious situation before him. If even one person were to accidentally release the arrow, his life as the crown prince might be in danger.
"Everyone, don't move!"
Ke Subie's calm voice rang out. The soldiers instinctively made way, and the three of them walked over, stopping about five zhang in front of Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze released his hand, and Da Zuorong, who recognized Zong Xianghua, ran over and threw himself into her arms, their embrace intimate.
Zong Xianghua hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"No one is allowed to move! Otherwise, you will be punished according to military law!"
Ge Yuan immediately shouted, suppressing the restless emotions of the soldiers. The square was silent, save for heavy breathing; the atmosphere was extremely tense, and the torches on the city walls flickered.
Seeing that Da Zuorong was unharmed, the three men breathed a sigh of relief. Ke Subie said in a deep voice, "May I ask if Young Master Yuan knows how the King died? And how he saved our Crown Prince? On behalf of the Sumo people
, I thank you for your great kindness." This question seemed like a provocation, but in reality, it gave Yuan Yueze an opportunity to clarify himself in front of the Longquan Army. With a slight smile, Yuan Yueze said, "Your Majesty's death has absolutely nothing to do with me. I'm not boasting, but if I wanted to kill him, I would have done it long ago. Why would I need to resort to underhanded tactics? You should remember what Fu Nanta said before he died, and you must have the same suspicions as me! If I'm not mistaken, Fu Nanta cast a strange mental spell on Your Majesty, linking their lives together, to live and die together. As for your Crown Prince, I didn't save him. My brother Ba Feng Han rescued him casually on the way to rescue Xiao Jun. Prime Minister Ke, there's no need to be so polite."
"Whoosh!"
Several arrows suddenly shot over, but the three men nimbly dodged them.
Zong Xianghua's beautiful eyes flashed with murderous intent, and she and the astonished Ke Subie both looked over.
It turned out that several soldiers on the city wall had turned pale upon hearing this and accidentally fired their arrows.
Yuan Yueze's words had touched the most vulnerable part of their nerves. Fu Nanta's last words were indeed worth pondering. If he was truly as great as he boasted, why would he only talk about the gains and losses of his own life before his death? Considering his extraordinary spiritual cultivation and his last words to Bai Ziting, "You won't fare any better after I die," everyone's thoughts gradually became clearer. Yuan Yueze's act of not taking Da Zuorong hostage further demonstrated his open-mindedness, and everyone began to believe his words.
Ge Yuan's eyes gleamed as he stared intently at Yuan Yueze, saying, "Brother Yuan, you have shown great kindness to my clan. I am grateful. Please, the three of you, return!"
Ba Feng Han laughed heartily, saying, "If I am not mistaken, the Turkic allied forces will arrive soon. If we leave, Longquan will surely be razed to the ground, and your entire clan will still face annihilation!"
The Su Mo warriors' emotions were so complex that even they themselves couldn't explain them, and they had no mind to object to Ba Feng Han's statement. Moreover, the Golden Wolf Army's ferocity was renowned throughout the grasslands, and the razing of Longquan was practically a certainty.
Zong Xianghua coldly asked, "Why are the three of you helping my people?"
Yuan Yueze replied, "Personally, I have an irreconcilable hatred for Jieli, which can only be washed away with blood. For the public good, I'm planning for the future. Once the Central Plains are unified, I will surely march into the grasslands, so I'm trying to win over some hearts beforehand. Of course, your immediate priority is to protect your people's lives. When I attack the grasslands in the future, you can choose to be my comrades or my enemies. If Longquan is safe this time, please forget what we three have done."
His impassioned words inspired respect; the Sumo people had almost never seen such a straightforward and honest person. Although Ke Subie and the other two had only just heard Zong Xianghua's explanation and weren't too surprised, remembering that he had killed Fu Nanta even with his weakened state, they felt a growing fear of his powerful confidence and began to consider their future plans.
In fact, Yuan Yueze had no choice but to act this way; facing the fierce and brutal Golden Wolf Army of the Turks, how could anyone be complacent! No one was foolish enough to simply believe he was so noble, great, kind, and chivalrous. His words, combined with self-interest, were reassuring and yielded unexpected results.
Yuan Yueze continued, "I have a backup plan that can at least inflict a major defeat on Jieli, and at worst, kill him in Longquan. I can tell you three privately later. In any case, please think of the people of Longquan."
Zong Xianghua and the other two looked grim. The soldiers were also affected by these words; perhaps thinking of their parents, wives, and children, their hands no longer held firm, and their weapons and bows drooped. However, some still held their bows and swords with unwavering resolve, showing that Fu Nanta still held considerable authority in their hearts—a power that couldn't be changed overnight, nor erased with a few words.
Ge Yuanli's gaze swept across the crowd, and those who remained steadfast looked bewildered, their bows and swords hanging precariously.
All eyes turned to Ke Subie and the other two, awaiting their decision.
Ke Su and the other two exchanged glances. The former pondered, "Most people from the Central Plains are cunning, but the young master is honest. The King was deceived by the Indian monk's trickery, becoming deeply entangled and dragging our people into an abyss of no return, even losing his own life in the process. We cannot continue to be so depressed. This is the time to wake up from our dream, the time to fight for our people."
Zong Xianghua, holding Da Zuorong in her arms, clenched her fists with unwavering determination and shouted loudly, "Who are our people's friends, and who are our people's enemies? Everyone should know this very well! Warriors of Su Mo
, listen up! Even if we die, we will die heroically, we will die fighting to protect our people and the city!" The dozen or so guards behind her echoed their leader's words in unison, "We will die like heroes!"
Their shouts reverberated in the spacious square, stirring the blood of the soldiers.
While some warriors remained silent, many more began to respond with passionate shouts.
Yuan Yueze and Ge Yuan exchanged a pleased glance, a joyful smile simultaneously spreading across their lips.
A sudden, clattering sound of hooves arose from outside the palace gates, approaching from afar.
Warriors quickly made way, and a sweating knight fell from his horse, shouting, "Tiefuyou's vanguard of over two thousand cavalry has reached about a mile outside Xiaolongquan! Please, Prime Minister, General, and Chief of the Guard, give us your orders!"
Before anyone could react, Ge Yuan roared, "Excellent! Let me personally lead the army to meet him and teach Tiefuyou a lesson for being Jieli's lackey!" Tiefuyou
was a Houjin of the Heishui tribe, a sworn enemy of the Mohe and Baiziting. The Sumo tribe already harbored hatred for him, a hatred that flared fiercely after he willingly became Jieli's lackey. Ge Yuan's resolute and confident shout was the perfect catalyst. The warriors responded swiftly, their morale soaring, completely erasing their previous dejection.
A quarter of an hour later, Ge Yuan, Yuan Yueze, and two others led five hundred elite cavalry to a military camp with a force of a thousand men northwest of the harbor. Yuan Yueze also saw Xiaolongquan with his own eyes. Xiaolongquan was not a city, but a small town on the eastern Bohai Bay centered around a dock and shipyard. There were seven or eight watchtowers along the coast, and maritime traffic was not particularly prosperous. It was far inferior to important seaports like Yangzhou in the Central Plains.
Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua had other important business to attend to, so they stayed in Longquan. Along the way, Ge Yuan asked a few questions about the details of rescuing Da Zuorong. Yuan Yueze told him about how Ba Feng Han broke open the Eight Treasures Glazed Well when there were few people in the palace and rescued Ren Jun, Yue Kepeng, and other people from the Cheshi Kingdom, as well as Da Zuorong. Hearing that several members of Yuekepeng's delegation had been killed by Funanda, and that the remaining members were on the verge of starvation and thirst, Ge Yuan was even more relieved that Funanda had finally met his end due to his arrogance; otherwise, who knows how many more Longquan people would have been killed. The
group arrived at the military camp, where they found the soldiers mostly demoralized, their eyes blazing with fury as they stared at Yuan Yueze. After Ge Yuan's angry rebuke, they finally dared not look at Yuan Yueze again, but their morale did not improve.
Reaching a small hill north of the camp, the four of them gazed into the distance.
In the dim night, there was no movement ahead.
After recovering his strength with Shan Ruyin's help, Ren Jun said, "It seems we arrived too early."
Yuan Yueze asked Ge Yuan, "General Ge, what is your plan? The three of us are novices."
Ge Yuan's eyes gleamed as he looked at the distant, faintly visible stone fortress, a symbol of the safety and control of Xiaolongquan, and said, "In terms of troop strength, we only have a little over a thousand, and in terms of morale, we can't compare to our opponents. Perhaps we can abandon this place and retreat into the stone fortress. The main defensive force of the stone fortress is the eight arrow towers on the upper level. If the enemy wants to attack, they can only do so by fighting their way in through the towers. We need to control the only gate in and out of the stone fortress. With the help of three experts, as long as we hold our ground, we can manage."
Yuan Yueze pondered for a while, then shook his head and said, "In the long run, this might not be a good idea. The most important thing for the Longquan army right now is to recover their lost morale. Why not try this battle?"
Ge Yuan looked at him in surprise and said, "Brother Yuan, do you perhaps intend to launch a preemptive strike? Your physical condition..." "
Ba Feng Han raised his hand to interrupt him, laughing loudly, "We're all fine. Brother Yuan's tactics are exactly what I wanted. Haha, we were too barbaric!"
Ge Yuan's eyes flashed with gratitude, and he sighed, "Today I finally witnessed the spirit of a true hero. I admire him greatly. Brother Yuan is absolutely right. Let the four of us charge ahead and catch the enemy off guard, boosting our morale!"
Ren Jun asked in astonishment, "But Big Brother can't ride a horse. Are we supposed to have him walk behind us? How can we go to the battlefield like that?"
Yuan Yueze said irritably, "You brat, why do you always like to expose people's shortcomings! I am the self-proclaimed 'Commander-in-Chief of Infantry.' Besides, what does being able to ride a horse have to do with strength?"
Ren Jun showed a wronged expression, and the four of them could no longer hold back and burst into laughter, attracting the attention of the dejected Longquan soldiers not far away. They couldn't understand why the four of them could still laugh so happily at such a desperate moment.
In the dense forest halfway north of Xiaolongquan, Yuan Yueze and his group split into four groups, lying in ambush in the woods on both sides of the road like the four vertices of a rectangle. Yuan Yueze and Ren Jun were positioned closest to the enemy, while Ba Fenghan and Ge Yuan were a hundred paces away. Each of the four led a hundred elite warriors, all of whom were Ge Yuan's trusted confidants who had served Bai Ziting for many years. After hearing Yuan Yueze's explanation, they all understood that Yuan Yueze was not the one who killed Bai Ziting, and naturally harbored no more hostility. Moreover, the prospect of fighting alongside this world-renowned figure filled them with immense excitement.
The noisy yet orderly sound of hooves grew closer, indicating the size and discipline of the enemy force.
Although it was dark, it had no effect on a master like Yuan Yueze. His sharp eyes were fixed on the enemy ranks, and he saw the three leading riders approaching. The riders were dressed in the attire of the Mohe tribe warriors, young and fierce, with handsome appearances, yet exuding a sinister aura from their very bones.
When the cavalry force of over a thousand men had passed most of the way, a sudden commotion arose from the front, clearly signaling that Ba and Ge, who were waiting on the other side, had already launched their ambush.
The enemy troops behind them scurried about, rapidly changing formations with speed and discipline, displaying the true nature of their elite force.
Seeing the enemy force trapped, Yuan Yueze gave the order, and the hundred men opposite simultaneously unleashed a hail of arrows, a storm of arrows raining down on the enemy's rear.
After the first volley, Ren Jun, on the other side of the road, roared, "Brothers of the Sumo tribe, tonight whoever kills more than me, I'll give them a hundred taels of gold!"
He then leaped into the air, his "long sky" streaking across the dark night, leaving a beautiful green trail as he struck a strong enemy soldier at the rear of the column. His powerful aura made him appear like a god descended to earth, majestic and arrogant.
Before the enemy soldiers at the rear of the column could even turn around, a scream rang out. The strong, muscular soldier's left shoulder and arm had been cleanly severed. Blood splattered everywhere, and he was sent flying two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters)
before collapsing to the ground, lifeless. Yuan Yueze shrugged helplessly. Ren Jun, perhaps suppressed by Fu Nanda, was finally able to unleash his power today. He responded with a shout and was the first to charge forward. The crowd surged forward like a gust of wind, sweeping out of the forest and attacking the enemy ranks, which had been disrupted once again, at full speed, supporting the advance of the Ba and Ge troops at the front. Their
fighting strength had been reduced by nearly a quarter in an instant. The enemy was also thrown into chaos, their warhorses rearing up and neighing, further unsettling them. No matter how they tried to guess, they could never have imagined that the Sumo warriors, having lost their two pillars of strength, would be so brave. They had only received news of the spies within Longquan today, so they immediately launched an attack, intending to wipe out as many demoralized Longquan soldiers as possible and gain more spoils. However, their opponents not only launched a preemptive attack but also ambushed and trapped them. Now, their only option was to fight head-on.
Yuan Yueze's moves were elegant and natural, each movement fluid and effortless. Although the enemy was fierce and charged forward relentlessly, they couldn't even touch the hem of his clothes—a result of the vast difference in strength. The Su Mo warriors behind him regarded him as a god, their killing intent intensifying.
Ba Feng Han, already a ruthless killer, showed no hesitation. He swung his longsword left and right, killing anyone in sight. His moves seemed casual, but in reality, they chilled the enemy to the bone. For example, many of his attacks seemed to land in mid-air, yet the enemies seemed to offer themselves up, always landing squarely on his "empty" attacks, utterly powerless to retaliate.
Ge Yuan, though the weakest of the four in cultivation, was still a skilled fighter. His broadsword flashed with bursts of blue light, slicing down enemy soldiers one after another.
The four points quickly converged. Influenced by their formidable leaders at the forefront, the Su Mo warriors were filled with fighting spirit, throwing themselves into the battle with reckless abandon. For a time, they were unstoppable, the enemy overwhelmed and thrown into chaos, screaming in agony.
Shouts of battle rose and fell, echoing across the battlefield, plunging the enemy into a nightmare of being attacked from both sides.
Ren Jun, leading his hundred-man force, was the most imposing. His swordplay was incomparably fierce, his powerful strokes flowing effortlessly and powerfully. A single strike either killed the opponent instantly or sent them flying, weapon and all. No one could stop him for even a moment. Under his leadership, the hundred-man force, like a raging dragon unleashed, swiftly tore a gap in the enemy formation and charged into its heart.
In the blink of an eye, nearly a thousand dead and wounded lay on the ground, only a very few of them being Su Mo warriors, demonstrating the ferocity of the battle.
Three dark figures suddenly shot out from different directions; these were the three leaders, clearly attempting to escape after sensing the danger.
Two flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, an arrow and a sword moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, piercing the backs of two of them. The force sent the two flying backward like kites with broken strings, crashing into the roadside woods with a thud, ultimately pinning them to the trees, dying instantly without a sound. The thick trees swayed violently from the residual force, further demonstrating the speed and power of the attacks, and the two seemed to have a telepathic connection, instantly selecting their opponents—a tacit understanding equally impeccable.
The Su Mo warriors immediately stopped, cheering loudly.
The one who fired the sword was Yuan Yueze, and the one who shot the arrow was Ba Feng Han; the two exchanged a knowing smile.
The third man had barely escaped ten paces when Ren Jun's ghostly figure caught up to him. With a shout, Ren Jun's cleaver transformed into a streak of green light, slashing repeatedly more than ten times. The wind from the blade howled as it struck him head-on. The fugitive's mind had already been shattered; he couldn't even resist. The mere wind from the blade terrified him to the core . With a
"bang,"
he was sent flying high into the air, then collapsed headfirst, lifeless.
Ge Yuan thrust his sword forward, pointing it at the Blackwater soldiers huddled together in battle formation, and shouted in Turkic, "Tiefu's betrayal of the Mohe and his willingness to become Jieli's lackey has nothing to do with you. If you surrender, you may live; otherwise, you will suffer the same fate as the Blackwater Three Fiends!"
Yuan Yueze then realized that the three leaders were the infamous "Blackwater Three Fiends" he had heard of, renowned far beyond the Great Wall. These three were handsome, but extremely cruel and ruthless, committing countless atrocities. Most despicable of all was their rampage of raping women. Killing them today was a great act of charity.
The enemy army, with less than five hundred men remaining, was already surrounded. Only now did they realize that their opponents, numbering only around four hundred, had utterly routed their two thousand elite soldiers. Dejected, they dared not resist any longer, abandoning their troops and kneeling to beg for mercy.
The Sumo warriors erupted in thunderous cheers. Though they had fought a life-or-death battle, their bodies were covered in blood, and their strength was severely depleted. Yet, their weary faces were filled with joy as they gazed at the four leaders, their fear gone.
This victory had come at the perfect time.

Chapter 136 Valley Ambush
The soldiers, exhausted, returned to camp. Ge Yuan ordered the disbelieving soldiers to clean up the battlefield.
An hour later, the battlefield was cleared. The Sumo side had lost thirty-two men, with most of the others wounded to varying degrees. They had annihilated 1,602 enemy soldiers, captured over 300, seized over 1,000 warhorses, and over 1,000 weapons—a resounding victory. After
cremating their comrades' bodies and holding a public memorial service, Yuan Yueze and his three companions sat around the central campfire amidst the admiring gazes of the surrounding soldiers. Soldiers immediately brought them roasted meat.
Ge Yuan said excitedly, "Thanks to the help of the three of you, otherwise our tribe's morale would never have recovered so quickly."
Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, "General Ge, don't be so polite. Let's plan our next move as soon as possible!"
Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "Brother Yuan, are you planning to carry out a 'decapitation operation' tonight?"
Ge Yuan and Ren Jun had fought so fiercely that they had beheaded over a hundred enemy soldiers, and both had sustained minor injuries. However, Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han seemed completely unfazed by the battle, and their calm and composed words after the great victory were even more admirable. Upon hearing this, Ge Yuan and the surrounding soldiers all showed curious expressions.
Ba Feng Han smiled and said, "Do you know how lions and leopards hunt?"
While the soldiers were still in astonishment, Ge Yuan revealed a thoughtful expression. After a moment's thought, he connected the dots with Ba Feng Han's next words and said, "Lions and leopards are both expert hunters. They have fixed targets and thoroughly understand the habits and reactions of their prey before launching an attack to increase their chances of success."
Ba Feng Han nodded and said, "Lions move in packs, like invincible lions and armies of various tribes on the grasslands; leopards, on the other hand, are ghosts of the wilderness, solitary and lone like night thieves."
He then put a hand on Yuan Yueze's shoulder and said, "Brother Yuan is a born leopard, a ghost of the night."
The crowd was stunned, then burst into loud cheers. Even the soldiers who were a little slower to react understood that the decapitation operation referred to a special tactic of assassinating the enemy leader.
Ge Yuan felt a surge of excitement and sighed, "This kind of thing is probably just a dream for others, but it's a piece of cake for Brother Yuan, ha!"
Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly, "This was forced upon me. In fact, if I were in perfect condition, I would even dare to try to assassinate Jieli among 100,000 Golden Wolf soldiers. But Jieli is likely protected by someone even more skilled than Fu Nanta. In my current state, I only dare to assassinate Tie Fuyou among a thousand men."
No one would laugh at his cowardice. They would say that such a crazy tactic was something that probably no one else in the world could come up with, let alone try to put into practice. This tactic was very special. It was special because once successful, the benefits would be unimaginable, but the difficulty was also unimaginable for ordinary people. However, even if Yuan Yueze only recovered 50% of his strength, what difficulty would it be for him to assassinate Tie Fuyou among a thousand men? Besides, there was Ge Yuan and others to cooperate with the attack from the inside and outside.
Ge Yuan's muscular body trembled slightly, and he clenched his fist, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, brothers."
Although he was a man of strong emotions, he was not foolish and was skilled in the ways of the battlefield. He immediately understood that Ba Feng Han's deliberate mention of the lion and leopard was a subtle way of reminding Ge Yuan to remain calm and remember the military principle of "know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."
The four of them enjoyed their food and drink while formulating their next plan. Time was limited, and they could not afford to rest for long. Fortunately, their morale had been boosted, and there were still nearly a thousand soldiers stationed there, all of whom were full of energy and ready to carry out their mission at any time.
A minor leader suddenly came up to report that one of the Blackwater prisoners had confessed to the method of contacting Tie Fuyou. It turned out that Tie Fuyou had ordered the "Three Fiends of Blackwater" to seize Xiaolongquan and immediately send a signal so that his more than 5,000 cavalry could quickly catch up. Occupying Xiaolongquan would not only pose a greater threat to Longquan, but also allow for both offense and defense, and enable them to rush into Longquan and seize its treasures at the first opportunity. It was truly an excellent plan.
Ba Feng Han laughed and said, "Tie Fuyou couldn't hold back and offered himself up. It seems that Brother Yuan's 'decapitation operation' will have to be temporarily shelved!"
Yuan Yueze shrugged and made a helpless expression. After the four of them laughed, they immediately decided to turn the tables and ordered their men to divide the work and begin setting up an ambush. After the Sumo warriors who had just acted with them spread the word, the other Sumo warriors also regarded them as gods and began to prepare.
Ge Yuan said casually, "Sun Tzu's Art of War says: 'If ten times their strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if twice, fight them; if equal, divide them; if few, escape; if weak, avoid them. Therefore, the strength of a small enemy leads to the capture of a large one.' Our plan doesn't conform to the principles of military strategy at all, yet we are confident of victory because we have three powerful individuals on our side who can reverse the situation."
Yuan Yueze laughed and said, "General Ge, don't flatter us. Sun Tzu listed someone like me, 'deadly,' as the first of the five dangers for generals!"
Ge Yuan shook his head and said, "As the saying goes, 'Courage and cowardice are matters of momentum; strength and weakness are matters of form.' Although our current strength is weak, we have the initiative, and our momentum has reached an unprecedented level..."
Ba Feng Han waved his hand and said irritably, "Can you two speak properly? Don't show off in front of roughnecks like me and Xiao Jun!"
The four looked at each other and burst into laughter again.
An hour and a half later, Tie Fuyou personally led a large army to approach Xiaolongquan from the north without making a sound.
This intelligent and courageous Blackwater leader was short, stocky, and imposing, with a brightly colored crown on his head. His cavalry stretched as far as the eye could see, flanked by fifty elite men who had protected him for years; a single glance revealed them to be seasoned warriors.
"Your Majesty, that camp was destroyed by those three, Gurunalie and his companions. Why didn't they come out to greet us?"
A rider swiftly reached Tiefuyou's side, his speed barely creating a faint sound. The speaker, dressed in tight-fitting clothes, didn't resemble the refined and agile Sumo Mohe people; instead, he was rugged and somewhat cunning.
The "camp" he referred to was the one Yuan Yueze and his men had abandoned to lure the enemy deeper into their territory. No matter how shrewd Tiefuyou was, he couldn't have imagined the enemy's audacity, nor suspected any trickery. Gurunalie was the leader of the "Blackwater Three Fiends," the unfortunate elder brother who had been pierced by Yuan Yueze's sword.
Gazing at the stone fortress with its flickering flames ahead, Tie Fuyou's spirits lifted. He nodded and said, "We heard the deafening battle cries from this area a while ago. I didn't expect that even with Bai Ziting dead, the Sumo tribe still possesses such formidable fighting power. Gurunale's losses must have been considerable as well. Oh! Look, they've all set up camp and are resting under the stone fortress."
Several important Blackwater tribe figures looked in the direction he pointed. They saw over a hundred tents erected near the innermost stone wall in a natural valley northwest of the fortress. Blackwater banners fluttering in the wind indicated their allegiance. Each tent had a torch outside, and groups of Blackwater warriors, their heads wrapped in cloth, stood guard beside the camp.
Tie Fuyou's expression darkened. He raised his hand to signal a halt, and the main force immediately stopped, emitting only a faint sound.
Xiaolongquan's defenses were weak, with its main defensive force being the stone fortress built about half a mile from the shore. It could hold several hundred soldiers, more than enough to deal with pirates and bandits, but only good for a prelude to a large-scale invasion by the Turks or other foreign enemies. The Blackwater Three Fiends' vanguard force numbered two thousand; if they hadn't suffered heavy casualties, why would they be stationed here in a standoff instead of attacking immediately?
Tie Fuyou stared intently at the activity in the small valley camp, his expression cold. "What do you think of Yuan Yueze's actions in killing Fu Nanta and Bai Ziting in Longquan?"
This man was cunning; his clansmen showed no surprise. One of them pondered, "We can all guess his purpose in coming to the grasslands. His actions are likely to build momentum for Tuli. Everyone knows his relationship with Tuli, and our scouts reported that the two met near the Songhua River. As for what they discussed, outsiders have no idea." "Yes, but it's certain they've reached some kind of cooperative relationship. With the support of this ruthless man, Tuli could very well ambush Jieli during the attack on Longquan. Coupled with the momentum Yuan Yueze has created for him, Tuli will definitely rise to power and might even replace Jieli."
Another person chimed in, "I don't think he'd choose the more complicated route to help the Longquan army, because that would be like throwing an egg against a rock."
Those who reacted a little slower realized that Tie Fuyou was worried about being ambushed, and their admiration for him and his meticulous thinking reached a new level. The small valley in front of them had a geographical advantage that allowed for both offense and defense. Only someone with a calm enough mind would still consider the possibility of being ambushed in such a situation.
Tie Fuyou nodded and made another hand gesture.
The cavalry slowly entered the valley.
As Tie Fuyou walked and looked around, he secretly admired that the Blackwater Three Fiends knew a bit about military tactics and had built their camp against the mountain, so they weren't afraid of being ambushed by the enemy. Just as the Blackwater cavalry were about to reach the valley entrance, a strange, piercing howl suddenly rang out, echoing throughout the valley. Arrows rained down from the surrounding hills, raining down on the Blackwater knights.
Tefer knew something was wrong and shouted orders. The cavalry, without panic, quickly dispersed, galloping in all directions of the valley – the best way to deal with an ambush.
Wave after wave of arrows rained down, and even with the Blackwater soldiers' swift reaction, losses were still heavy. After another volley of arrows, deafening battle cries erupted from the hilltops on either side of the valley entrance. Thousands of spear-wielding Sumo warriors surged towards the enemy lines like a tidal wave, engaging in fierce combat. In an instant, hundreds of Blackwater cavalrymen were felled from their horses, their souls lost.
Spear infantry were the natural nemesis of cavalry. Tie Fu gritted his teeth, yet remained calm, ordering, "Retreat to the depths of the valley!"
The forces, scattered for the emergency, began to regroup. The Blackwater cavalry ignored the cries of their comrades; they had to regroup first before attempting a breakthrough, or face certain death.
Yuan Yueze, Ba Fenghan, and Ren Jun each led about three hundred Sumo spear infantry, rapidly pursuing from three directions in a fan-shaped formation. Led by three godlike figures, the Sumo warriors, their fighting spirit surging, gripped their spears and charged into the fleeing enemy ranks with lightning speed.
Like virgins at first, they opened the door for the enemy; then, like rabbits, they were caught off guard. This was the essence of their tactics.
But the Blackwater cavalry's nightmare was far from over.
Having retreated deep into the valley near their camp, they had already lost over a thousand men. Before they could even catch their breath, a burst of fire arrows suddenly erupted from the rear of the camp, not targeting the Blackwater cavalry, but rather the tents themselves.
Tefuyou was immediately alarmed.
How could he not have suspected that the enemy might have laid traps deep in the valley? But the order he had given was a last resort. The enemy had seized every opportunity, first using the terrain to break their formation with a hail of arrows, then using spearmen against their cavalry to dismantle their advantage, and finally laying an ambush, rapidly weakening their forces—a truly masterful maneuver. Now, with several ambushes specifically designed to counter cavalry behind them and a sea of fire blocking their path ahead, the Blackwater cavalry were instantly at their wits' end.
This was a carefully crafted plan by Yuan Yueze and his three companions. Being close to Xiaolongquan, they could quickly replenish their weapons and supplies. Ge Yuan, being a commander, devised a strategy of using spear infantry against the Blackwater cavalry. Yuan Yueze, his companion, and the others suggested the fire tactic: obtaining oil from Xiaolongquan and hiding it in a flammable leather-built camp. Ge Yuan would lead two hundred men to ambush in the deepest part, waiting to ignite the fire when the Blackwater cavalry were forced to retreat into the valley. The success
of this entire plan ultimately stemmed from exploiting Tie Fuyou's underestimation of the enemy. This was understandable; no one expected the Longquan soldiers' morale to suddenly recover, daring to ambush six thousand cavalry with only a thousand infantry.
Rockets rained down on the military camp like a storm of meteors, instantly igniting over a hundred tents. In the blink of an eye, flames erupted everywhere . Some Blackwater cavalrymen who had retreated into the camp's perimeter were engulfed by countless tongues of fire before they could even escape,
their cries of agony far more piercing than those from swords and spears. The Blackwater cavalrymen fled in panic, their faces blackened, their uniforms tattered, a picture of utter defeat and utterly demoralized.
If there had been a strong wind in the valley, the fire attack might have been even more effective. However, every loss has its gain; if so, the Sumo warriors would also have been harmed, and Yuan Yueze and his men would no longer dare to use this four-sided encirclement tactic.
Yuan Yueze and his two companions each led their troops to defend different routes, remaining inactive to recover their strength.
The real battle was about to begin.
Tie Fuyou led about four thousand cavalrymen out of the sea of fire, facing off against nine hundred spearmen from Yuan Yueze's three sides.
Yuan Yueze stood with his evil sword, still sheathed, stuck in the ground before him, his hands clasped behind his back. Ba Fenghan stood calmly, his long sword resting on his shoulder. Ren Jun stood with his legs slightly apart, hands on the ground, as upright as a mountain, eyes closed, regulating his breathing.
These three alone exerted an inexplicable pressure that made it difficult to breathe and prevented any sense of confrontation.
Tie Fuyou, seated on his horse, had a grim face, his eyes flashing with a fierce light. He coldly swept his gaze over the three men, Yuan Yueze and Ba Fenghan, his expression turning ferocious. He said hatefully, "Yuan Yueze, Ba Fenghan, Ren Jun! I never imagined you three would make such a sacrifice to win over the hearts of the Sumo people. I admire you greatly!"
His Chinese was excellent, which didn't surprise Yuan Yueze and the others, as they knew that leaders or royalty of the various tribes beyond the Great Wall were all fluent in Chinese.
Yuan Yueze's Evil Sword and Ren Jun's Long Sky Sword both possessed distinctive features, making them unforgettable. Tie Fuyou naturally recognized them at a glance, and given Ba Feng Han's roaming of the grasslands and deserts, it was impossible for Tie Fuyou not to recognize him. His words were more than just a tactic; on one hand, they were buying time for his men to reorganize their ranks, and on the other hand, they were sowing discord between Yuan Yueze and his companions and the Su Mo tribe, warning the Su Mo people not to trust others too much. His words did have some effect. The Su Mo warriors, who had just lost their moral support and were extremely vulnerable psychologically, though they revered Yuan Yueze and his companions like gods, began to ponder and whisper among themselves upon hearing his words, creating a slightly chaotic scene.
Ge Yuan led his men around the sea of fire to the other side of the Blackwater cavalry, shouting, "Brother Yuan and his two companions are chivalrous and loyal, helping our tribe, while you, Tie Fuyou, are willing to be Jieli's lackey. Do you think you are more noble than Brother Yuan and his two companions? You are not worthy to be a member of our Mohe tribe!"
The Sumo warriors were already hostile to the Blackwater tribe, and upon hearing this, they all cursed, their attention successfully diverted.
Ren Junhu's eyes widened, and he pointed his halberd at Tie Fuyou, shouting, "Stop with the empty words! Do you have the guts to fight me to the death?"
Tie Fuyou was a renowned expert on the grasslands, his strength unquestionable. He had never been looked down upon like this before, and he sneered disdainfully, "Killing two bandits makes you arrogant? You have no ability to challenge me!"
After this delay, the Blackwater soldiers' formation was no longer so chaotic, and upon hearing this, they cheered, their low morale beginning to rise.
Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han exchanged a glance and laughed, "What a joke! Let's see who's better, mule or horse, run them around a few times, and it'll be clear! Unless you're determined to send your men to their deaths while you find a chance to escape."
Ba Feng Han laughed loudly as well, "If you can defeat Xiao Jun, I, Ba Feng Han, swear by the gods of the grasslands that I will spare your lives tonight."
Ge Yuan, having witnessed the three men's prowess, knew that Ba Feng Han's words meant Ren Jun was certain of victory, and he also swore an oath.
Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han realized that Tie Fuyou was using this opportunity to reorganize the ranks and simultaneously rouse their demoralized will and confidence, hence his words pressuring him to duel immediately.
Ren Jun understood, drew his sword proudly, and stepped forward, saying, "Don't waste your energy. With your skills, my two brothers wouldn't even consider you a threat. The choice is yours—to fight or not to fight—it's a simple decision! The Sumo brothers behind us are not to be trifled with!"
His steps were steady and powerful, displaying immense confidence, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light, extremely intimidating. His words subtly boosted the morale of his own side, and the Sumo warriors immediately felt that he was a brother bound by life and death, not a subordinate. Looking at his retreating figure, they all showed respect.
In terms of numbers, the Blackwater Clan far surpassed the Sumo Clan, but the outcome of a war cannot be determined solely by numbers. Tie Fuyou was also a master of strategy, naturally understanding that boosting his own morale was crucial, and fighting Ren Jun was the simplest and quickest way to do so. He burst into laughter, dismounted, grabbed his spear, and slowly advanced, declaring, "Today, I, the king, will teach you a lesson you won't regret coming to the grasslands!" He
stopped about three zhang in front of Ren Jun, coldly scrutinizing the still-proud Ren Jun, who stood with his sword pointed at him. The energy emanating from both sides clashed repeatedly, causing their clothes to flutter wildly.
The warriors on both sides began to shout encouragement, and a murderous aura filled the air, the atmosphere of a decisive battle enveloping the valley.
A strange smile played on Ren Jun's lips as he calmly said, "Your Majesty, please!"
His straight sword trembled slightly, emitting a chilling hissing sound, and a tangible energy surged from its tip, enveloping Tie Fuyou.
Tie Fuyou was surprised, realizing he had underestimated his opponent. He immediately gripped the spear shaft with both hands, his eyes flashing fiercely, and shouted, "Enough nonsense!"
Ren Jun roared, "Good!"
and then, man and sword became one, transforming into a wisp of green light, lightly sweeping towards Tie Fuyou's chest.
His swordplay was exceptionally profound, combining lightness and ferocity. Seemingly weak, it was actually ruthless, possessing an indescribable air of unpredictability. This immediately raised Tie Fuyou's opinion of his enemy.
This battle had to be swift, and Ren Jun's attack was already his strongest strike.
A chilling aura suddenly surged, chilling the soul. The sharp sword energy pierced the air, and Tie Fuyou dared not be careless, gathering his power at the tip of his spear and slashing upwards. "Clang!"
The sword struck Tie Fuyou's spear tip, producing a sharp, unpleasant, piercing sound that lingered for a long time. Both men were jolted back; Ren Jun only took one step, while Tie Fuyou took two large steps. The Blackwater cavalry were all astonished. Was their king truly inferior to this newly risen up? The shouts were no longer as loud. The Su Mo warriors, however, roared wildly. Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han nodded in approval; Ren Jun's improvement had indeed been rapid in recent days. Having gained the upper hand in one move, Ren Jun didn't hesitate. His feet moved with a strange, rhythmic gait, pressing closer to his opponent step by step, each step possessing an eerie rhythm, like the talisman of death. Tie Fuyou had no time for regret. With a long roar, he rushed forward, his spear thrusting from different angles in a blur of motion, creating hundreds of unpredictable phantoms. The sound of air being torn apart echoed continuously, a tidal wave crashing against the seemingly slow but actually swift Ren Jun. Ren Jun laughed loudly, his entire body instantly enveloped in a burst of emerald light, plunging into the overwhelming shadow of spears. The sounds of metal clashing rang out repeatedly. Tie Fuyou struggled to advance or retreat. After a series of exchanges with Ren Jun, he felt a sense of dejection. His opponent's sword, seemingly casual, was actually perfectly executed, continuous and relentless, with incredibly tricky angles. He felt utterly lost, unsure of which aspect of his opponent's attack to best counter. Even more deadly was the opponent's fluctuating strength, but regardless of the force, each strike held his spear and momentum captive, preventing him from retreating and launching another attack. Suddenly, the myriad spear shadows vanished, transforming into a single spear that flashed like lightning, piercing towards Ren Jun's abdomen. Then, Tie Fu let out a scream, spurting blood as he was thrown towards the Blackwater cavalry's camp, shouting hoarsely to those around him, "Attack!" Ren Jun hadn't expected his opponent to force him to retreat in a mutually destructive manner, and sighed in regret as he hastily retreated. Ge Yuan, who had been observing every move, immediately ordered an attack. The battle cries echoed through the valley, and the direct confrontation finally began. The Blackwater cavalry's morale, which had just begun to rise, plummeted again, but for survival, they had no choice but to fight with renewed vigor. Killing one was enough, killing two was a bonus—a simple principle everyone understood. Yuan Yueze and his three companions continued to charge at the forefront, cutting through the enemy ranks like vegetables. Cavalry is best suited for fighting on wide plains. In this valley, facing spearmen and with their own leader defeated, the Blackwater Army's advantage, except for numbers, vanished. In this life-or-death situation, the ferocity of the steppe people was ignited, and the Blackwater soldiers bravely resisted the encirclement of the Sumo infantry. However, the situation was dire; they could only fight and retreat. Tie Fuyou's fifty personal guards even tried to break through the encirclement, protecting their exhausted master. But with Yuan Yueze and several other skilled warriors present, their repeated attempts only resulted in the deaths of more of their comrades. After several exchanges, Yuan Yueze cut down the last of Tie Fuyou's guards, leaving only about a thousand Blackwater cavalrymen remaining. Ba Feng Han killed the still-sleeping Tie Fuyou with a single sword strike, shouting loudly. The blood-soaked Sumo warriors echoed his cry, intensifying their attack. The valley was littered with blood and flesh, piles of bones, a scene of utter devastation, creating a bleak and terrifying picture against the backdrop of the gray haze. The battle lasted for nearly half an hour before the shouts of battle gradually subsided. After the last Blackwater cavalryman was killed, the valley returned to calm, leaving only the heavy, exhausted breathing of the still-breathing Sumo warriors, some sitting, some lying down. Ren Jun and Ge Yuan slumped down, their faces pale, but their eyes held boundless joy. Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han were also extremely exhausted and sat down to recuperate. When they opened their eyes after recovering some of their strength, the overcast sky had lessened considerably, and the stars and moon were faintly visible. Many Sumo soldiers carrying torches were cleaning up the battlefield. Yuan Yueze looked around; Ren Jun and Ge Yuan were nowhere to be seen, and most of the Sumo warriors who had fought alongside them were also gone. The long-legged beauty of the bodyguard, Zong Xianghua, dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, was issuing orders and directing the troops around a campfire not far away. The two got up and went over to greet her. Zong Xianghua turned around, a look of joy flashing across her pretty face, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she carefully examined the two men. The campfire cast a shadow of light on her graceful figure, giving her an indescribable air of mystery and aloofness. Being stared at so openly by a woman, the two men were a little flustered, their faces slightly flushed. Yuan Yueze quickly changed the subject, asking what had happened. It turned out they had been resting for several hours, and it was now past midnight. After the battle, Ge Yuan had sent out the remaining warriors to notify the people of Longquan to clean up the battlefield. Zong Xianghua and Ke Subie, in high spirits, came together to retrieve the exhausted warriors. Ge Yuan and Ke Subie, both exhausted, were carried back to Longquan to rest. Because Yuan Yueze and Ke Subie were resting, no one dared to disturb them. Zong Xianghua solemnly said, "In this battle, our side suffered over four hundred casualties, annihilated over six thousand enemy cavalry, and acquired abundant spoils. From tomorrow onwards, the Blackwater tribe will have no further influence. On behalf of my people, I thank the three of you for your righteousness." Chapter 137 Burning Battle Spirit At this moment, Sumo tribe soldiers who were cleaning up the battlefield kept coming and going, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude as they looked at Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han. Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han quickly returned the courtesy. Zong Xianghua glanced at Yuan Yueze again and sighed, "Jieli is going to be in deep trouble this time!" Yuan Yueze and Ba Feng Han exchanged a glance, knowing that they had earned the respect of this aloof woman through their strength and performance. Then they smiled bitterly to themselves: Tonight, they displayed their might, annihilating nearly ten thousand elite Blackwater cavalry. But the Golden Wolf Army was not only more powerful than the Blackwater cavalry, but also more than ten times their number. Facing such a large and ferocious force, no one dared to boast that they could win. Zong Xianghua's actions represented the thoughts of the loyal followers of Bai Ziting, and the believers of Fu Nanda probably wouldn't easily accept Yuan Yueze and his companions. Zong Xianghua's clear voice rang in their ears again, saying, "Our scouts report that Jieli's Golden Wolf Army has been marching eastward, killing and burning along the way, destroying many market camps, and raping and murdering countless women and children. Their cruelty is intolerable." Upon hearing this, a chilling glint flashed in the eyes of the two men, and they simultaneously looked northeast. In the deepest part of the valley, flames blazed into the sky, sending billowing smoke high into the air, obscuring the faint starlight and moonlight that had just begun to clear. After a long silence, Yuan Yueze coldly snorted, "Let Jieli see for himself how powerful I am as the Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry!" Zong Xianghua asked in astonishment, "When did you become the Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry, young master?" Yuan Yueze glanced at her adorable surprised expression and said smugly, "I am not talented; I just proclaimed myself Commander-in-Chief of the Infantry tonight. Brother Ba is the Commander-in-Chief of the Cavalry, and Xiao Jun is his deputy!" Ba Feng Han gave him a light punch, shrugged, and spread his hands, indicating that he had no interest in his "appointment." Zong Xianghua immediately understood and let out a silvery laugh, which stunned Yuan Yueze and his companion, who had only ever seen her cold demeanor. Realizing her lapse in composure, Zong Xianghua hurriedly regained her composure and said calmly, "Please rest in Longquan. At the latest, by dusk the day after tomorrow, Jieli's army will arrive at the gates of Longquan City." A fierce killing intent flashed in the eyes of Yuan Yueze and his companion. They nodded and followed the respectfully leading soldier out of the valley. April 1st.

Chengdu, Qintai Road.
A graceful figure, dressed in a simple white gown and barefoot, appeared on a rooftop in the middle of the road.
Her exquisite face was serene, her beautiful eyes, like two bright stars in a deep night sky, tranquil and pleasing, gazing affectionately down at this street where the great Western Han Dynasty poet Sima Xiangru and the talented and beautiful Zhuo Wenjun once lived. Shops lined the streets, pavilions rose in tiers, rooftops sloping, their simple colors conveying a warm and welcoming atmosphere. A gentle breeze stirred, her skirt fluttering, her long, black hair reaching her hips contrasting sharply with her white dress and snow-white skin.
As she gazed around, a peaceful smile played on Wanwan's lips.
Today was a very special day for both Chengdu and the Demonic Sect.
The Demonic Sect Conference is being held today. After hundreds of years of division, the Demonic Sect has finally reached a moment of unity. The only obstacle standing before Wanwan now is the "Evil King" Shi Zhixuan.
A moment later, Wanwan disappeared from her spot, running towards the end of Qintai Road at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye. One moment she stood proudly on the eaves, the next she was strolling leisurely down the street with her hands behind her back, but in an instant she had already turned out of the long street, disappeared into the alley and disappeared into the distance. Ordinary people could not even perceive that she was running, only feeling a sense of mystery.
When Wanwan's figure became clear again, she had already landed in an ancient and quiet mansion in the west of the city.
Pushing open the door, Wanwan slowly walked in.
The hall was empty, without a single person in sight.
Wanwan did not show the slightest surprise, and walked gracefully to the tiger-skin thick-backed chair in the center of the head table and sat down, closing her eyes to rest.
Less than a quarter of an hour before the start of the assembly, a series of footsteps, inaudible to ordinary people but thunderous to Wanwan, echoed outside the door. Several figures then entered the room.
They were Bichen from the Laozi Temple, Yin Zuwen and Xu Liuzong from the Extinction of Emotion Path, An Long and Fu Gongshi from the Heavenly Lotus Sect, and Zuo Youxian, a true disciple of the Dao Ancestor. Without a word of greeting, they took their seats on either side of the room. Their outward appearances were impassive, but their eyes flashed with a fierce light, all focused on Wanwan in the center.
Wanwan remained motionless, her eyes still closed, and she did not speak, her expression solemn and dignified. Her seemingly casual posture, ethereal and dreamlike, possessed an elusive quality, as if she might vanish at any moment, evoking a poignant sense of loss and sorrow for the fleeting nature of beauty, exuding a uniquely captivating and mysterious charm.
After a long while, Wanwan slowly opened her beautiful eyes. Her pair of deep blue pupils, like an endless starry sea, shone brightly, adding a touch of bewitching and sinister aura.
Her sharp, sword-like gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and a smile no one could understand played on her lips.
The crowd unanimously wondered if she had also mastered the Demon Seeding Technique. What followed was a chilling realization: they were all peerless masters, and they clearly saw that as Wanwan's gaze swept over each person, it lingered for a long time, yet their sense of time told them that Wanwan only glanced at them briefly before withdrawing her gaze in the blink of an eye. These two completely opposite extremes of speed in time were the essence of the Demon Seeding Technique. Even more terrifying was that after being looked at by Wanwan, they all felt a terrifying, irresistible urge to resist. They exchanged understanding glances, barely suppressing their horror.
Wanwan parted her cherry lips slightly, her voice sweet and gentle, surpassing even the heavenly music, and said: "Since the ancestor of our Holy Sect, 'Heavenly Demon' Cangqu, searched the world for rare and exotic books, and compiled them into the ten volumes of 'Heavenly Demon Strategy,' he created two sects and six paths. After the development of the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Five Pecks of Rice Sect at the end of the Han Dynasty, and then after the 'Holy Ruler' Mu Qingliu at the end of the Jin Dynasty failed to realize his wish of 'Holy Sect ruling the world,' it became fragmented. Today, Wanwan, in the name of the three sects of Yin Gui Sect, Holy Extreme Sect, and Demon Xiang Sect, announces: the two paths and six sects of the Holy Sect are reunited. Does anyone have any objections?"
The people sitting there were all people who could make decisions in the various branches of the Demon Sect. Upon hearing this, they all groaned in unison, seemingly not quite agreeing with Wanwan's words.
Yin Zuwen said expressionlessly, "Brother Shi, who represents the Flower Sect and the Heaven-Mending Sect, did not attend today's conference. How could Wan'er be so careless?"
After the Spring Festival, Li Yuan began to sideline Yin Zuwen. If Li Yuan hadn't been so easily swayed, he would have killed him long ago. However, Yin Zuwen showed no remorse and instead suspected that Yuan Yueze and others had informed Li Yuan, leading to his current predicament. Today, in addition to witnessing the Demonic Sect Conference, he also came to vent his anger.
Zuo Youxian chuckled sinisterly, "It's said that Commander Yan disappeared long ago, passing his mantle to Wan'er. Has he gone off to live a quiet life in seclusion in the mountains?"
Fu Gongshi continued in a low, effeminate voice, "Since today is the day our Holy Sect is unified, why hasn't Wan'er produced the Holy Relic? Wasn't the Yang Gong Treasure Vault already in Brother Yuan's hands?"
This man, as Du Fuwei's sworn brother, An Long's junior brother, and the second-in-command of the Jianghuai Army, had no choice but to put aside his hatred for his master's murder after being utterly defeated by Kou Zhong, and temporarily chose to ally with An Long, hoping to avenge himself later.
Wanwan lowered her gaze, listening to the accusations from these people who were not convinced of her authority. They kept calling her "Wan'er." While the strict hierarchy within the Demonic Sect was one reason, more importantly, these people didn't recognize Wanwan as the supreme leader of the Demonic Sect, so they found various problems to make things difficult for her. However, they all suppressed their fear as they spoke, for they clearly noticed that Wanwan's eyes were fixed on them as each person spoke, yet she never actually raised her eyelids. This profound spiritual cultivation far surpassed that of the others.
Wanwan still did not raise her eyes, nor did she answer their questions. She said calmly, "In terms of seniority, all of you here are Wanwan's elders, but after the Holy Sect is unified, Wanwan will be the new 'Holy Empress.' Please remember this well; I will not repeat myself."
Anlong let out a deafening laugh, somewhat like a pig's wail, extremely unpleasant, as if his laughter pierced through to the bone marrow, stirring up waves. Then he coldly snorted, "Brother Shi hasn't even nodded yet, so what right does Wan'er have to proclaim herself 'Holy Empress'?" Wanwan was
not annoyed by his provocation. She looked up at him and smiled, "Wanwan respects everyone, that's why I'm sitting here..." "We're trying to negotiate politely here. If we weren't all fellow disciples, and if you didn't control various forces and sources of income, Wanwan would have already resolved this by force."
Ignoring the angry stares of the crowd, she raised her slender, translucent hand, her beautiful eyes flashing with murderous intent, and coldly said, "The Stone Demon King is in Chengdu. If he dares to come, why hasn't he shown himself? If you, Anlong, can withstand one of my palm strikes, Wanwan will serve you as her master from now on!"
Anlong, one of the eight great masters of the evil path, had never been treated with such contempt. Hearing this, his fat, round face turned bright red, and he gritted his teeth for a long time without daring to speak again. It wasn't that he was cowardly; it was simply that, as a member of the demonic sect, his admiration and fear of the demonic sect's number one extraordinary skill, the Dao Heart Demon Seed Technique, far surpassed that of ordinary people. Moreover, he clearly sensed that he was tightly locked by an invisible yet tangible yin energy field, unable to move his entire body, let alone speak.
In terms of seniority, Pi Chen was two generations older than Wan Wan. He said expressionlessly, "The Soul-Locking Technique of the Demon Seed Art is indeed bizarre and unpredictable. However, if you want to become the 'Holy Empress,' there is still one hurdle you must overcome. We are here today to issue a 'challenge' on behalf of the Evil King. July 14th, Phoenix Mountain, a battle to determine the supreme ruler!"
Wan Wan silently withdrew her aura, and An Long breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, he hadn't acted impulsively, otherwise he would surely have died at Wan Wan's hands. Experts of their level rely on the life force released by their opponents when probing for them. For example, the flow of blood, pulse, and heartbeat inside a person's body emit subtle sounds to track the enemy's location. However, Wanwan's soul-locking technique was clearly far superior. Anlong and the others had just seen Shi Zhixuan in the south of the city, and Shi Zhixuan had muttered to himself, "She's here!"
At that time, they were completely awestruck by Shi Zhixuan's profound cultivation, but little did they expect that Wanwan was no less capable than Shi Zhixuan; their primordial spirits had already been locked away. This kind of strange technique, which seemed absurd to outsiders, was simply terrifying.
Wanwan thought to herself, no wonder these guys were so fearless; it turned out that Shi Zhixuan was backing them up. So she nodded and said, "Please tell the Evil King that Wanwan will definitely be there!"
Originally, a battle between her and Shi Zhixuan was inevitable, and since he had challenged her, why wouldn't she accept?
Having achieved their objective, Anlong and the others didn't waste any more words and immediately left.
The Demonic Sect revered the law of the jungle, and Wanwan could see their fanatical worship and admiration for Shi Zhixuan from Anlong and the others' eyes; otherwise, they would never have dared to oppose her. Thinking of how Shi Zhixuan had tricked Liu Yu again during the Spring Festival, absorbing a significant amount of internal energy, she secretly warned herself not to underestimate her opponent.
At dusk,
Yuan Yueze and Shi Feixuan sat facing each other at a round table with their eyes closed.
After eliminating the Blackwater cavalry the night before, they had launched another surprise attack yesterday, defeating Abaojia's five thousand Hawks stationed by Meituo Lake. Like Tie Fuyou, Abaojia never expected the Sumo army to launch a preemptive strike, resulting in him being surrounded by three thousand Sumo infantry. Except for a few who escaped, most were killed. After returning to the city, thanks to the deliberate spreading of rumors by Ke Subie and others, Yuan Yueze and his companions gained considerable influence in Longquan. Although the followers of Fu Nanda still looked at him with murderous eyes, they at least dared not openly act recklessly. As for Bai Ziting's loyal subordinates, they worshipped the three of them immensely.
Last night, at the end of the 5 PM, the vanguard of the Golden Wolf Army, about 40,000 men, had already reached a mile outside Longquan, and then split into two waves to camp in the west and south of the city. Then, cavalry squads came one after another to create a deafening roar about half a mile outside the city to intimidate the soldiers and civilians of Longquan, but they did not launch a frontal attack.
Ba Feng Han recognized this as Jie Li's famous strategy that made him famous on the grasslands. Every time he approached the battlefield, he would divide his soldiers into groups and have them fight in shifts. By maintaining a state of full-scale attack, he gave the enemy no time to rest. This tactic was very effective on the plains. Combined with the small teams he sent out to harass the enemy, they devoured everything in their path like locusts.
If it had been two days ago, when the morale of Longquan was low, if the enemy had launched a fierce attack from all sides, Longquan probably wouldn't have lasted even half a day. Now things were different. A large portion of the soldiers and civilians were filled with fighting spirit, and Ge Yuan even ordered his men to shout and curse on the city walls, their momentum no less than that of the Golden Wolf Army.
The two opened their eyes at the same time, meeting Yuan Yueze's undisguised gaze. Shi
Feixuan was slightly embarrassed, her pretty face flushed slightly, and said, "Young Master, do you really intend to lead this weak Longquan army against the 100,000-strong ferocious Golden Wolf Army?" Yuan Yueze was slightly taken aback and said, "'Leading' is not the right word. Feixuan should know my level. I'm good at leading troops into battle, but I'm not suited for strategic command, because I only know how to talk about war on paper. The current situation is about to break out, and for both public and private reasons, I cannot stand idly by."
Shi Feixuan nodded silently, seemingly feeling something, and said, "Why can't people live in peace?"
It was not unusual for her to say such a naive and simple thing in the eyes of many, but rather a return to her most authentic self. Yuan Yueze gave her a sense of kinship; the two had engaged in a spiritual communion, an experience too wonderful for words to describe.
Yuan Yueze smiled and said, "Feixuan already knows the answer in her heart, why ask again?"
Shi Feixuan sighed, "Since ancient times, once people learned to center their thoughts on themselves and had desires, those desires became uncontrollable. The grasslands are a region with weak ethical and legal awareness; relatively speaking, people's thoughts tend to be primitive, but also more savage and unrestrained."
Yuan Yueze agreed, "No matter how prosperous and developed a culture becomes, if humanity wants to survive, it cannot escape the most primitive law of nature, 'survival of the fittest.' Now is an era that glorifies violence; only the strong can obtain supreme authority and are worthy to dominate the earth." There are biological activities. "
Master Fei Xuan nodded slightly and said: "Young Master is here to purify the paradise on earth which is full of violence and hatred.
Yuan Yueze laughed out loud and said, "I'm not that great!" I just don’t want my conscience to be condemned and I just want to do my part. I have no interest in worldly life and fighting for fame and fortune. Oh! Feixuan thinks I'm lying. "
In this peaceful atmosphere, the two of them focused their energies on each other. Through the magical and mysterious mental induction, they could naturally grasp the other's psychological activities. Master Feixuan's face turned red when she heard this, and she shook her head slightly, but did not answer him.
Yuan Yueze said: "Feixuan must have thought of all the good wives in my family, so she had the idea that I didn't mean what I said. Or..."
At this point, he stopped and said with a strange smile: "Has Fei Xuan noticed my 'ambition'? "
Shi Feixuan still sat quietly at first, but when she heard what happened later, she immediately felt extremely embarrassed. She shouted angrily with a red face: "You are not allowed to say anything anymore! ”
What exactly this “ambition” is is self-evident.
Yuan Yueze laughed heartily, feeling a charming sense of playful banter with her. At this moment, Shi Feixuan, though not quite like a fairy, possessed a real, flesh-and-blood quality.
Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door, causing Yuan Yueze, who was about to tease her further, to immediately stop. Shang Xiufang's gentle voice rang out from outside, saying, "Jieli has reached the city gates. General Ge requests that you come over for a talk, my husband."
Yuan Yueze's face darkened, then he made a helpless expression, tapping his bracelet. Shi Feixuan nodded with a complicated expression.
Yuan Yueze patted her shoulder, laughing, "Feixuan, don't worry. Even the worst outcome is that they capture me. You know very well how strong my body is."
Shi Feixuan gave him a flustered glare, which only made Yuan Yueze laugh even harder.
Outside the West and South Gates, rows upon rows of orderly torches illuminated the mountains and fields, dimming the stars and moon, turning the night sky fiery red.
The three Yuan brothers, along with Ke Subie and other Su Mo generals, gathered on the southwest corner of the city wall, their faces grim.
The two closest vanguard forces, each numbering around seven thousand, had advanced to within a few hundred feet of the city gate. Jieli's banner was atop a peak about a mile away; the total force visible was at least eighty thousand, all cavalry. No siege equipment was visible, likely hidden in a distant dense forest—a formidable force, their morale soaring.
Yuan Yueze glanced back; the faces of his soldiers, including Ge Yuan, showed varying degrees of fear. Facing the Golden Wolf Army, far more ferocious and numerous than the Blackwater Cavalry and the Hawk Army, their newly raised morale was dealt another blow. This was understandable; the Golden Wolf Army's strength was enough to sweep across the grasslands, even dominating the Central Plains without anyone able to stop them.
Yuan Yueze exchanged a glance with Ba Feng Han and said, "You are all from the grasslands, so you are naturally more familiar with Jieli. What are your thoughts?"
Ge Yuan forcibly suppressed his panic and said, "Now that Jieli has arrived, they should launch an attack soon. However, judging from their current formation, they are not yet fully arrayed, so the attack may be delayed, or even postponed until tomorrow morning."
Ren Jun interjected, "The walls of Longquan City are only five zhang high. Anyone with a strong foundation in light-footed martial arts can easily leap over them. We cannot allow them to reach the city walls!"
This was something everyone could see. More importantly, the morale of Longquan had been shattered by the enemy. Let alone defending the city, even escape would be difficult.
Ba Feng Han said in a deep voice, "Now Jie Li has no one left to use. As long as we hold out until Tu Li, as Brother Yuan mentioned, comes to our aid, we will have a chance to counterattack."
Yuan Yueze sensed his dissatisfaction with his old rival and did not defend Tu Li, saying, "We are full of energy now, why don't we take advantage of the enemy's lack of preparation and launch a surprise attack outside the city?"
Ke Subie and the others showed expressions of shock, but they all knew that he had no other choice. Otherwise, Longquan would have been crushed by the Golden Wolf Army due to low morale.
Ba Feng Han said, "This time, the three of us brothers will lead the way. General Ge, please stay on the city wall to observe the battle and familiarize yourself with the enemy's combat habits."
Ge Yuan's eyes flashed with gratitude, and he nodded with a wry smile. He and the three of them were kindred spirits and had deep conversations despite their short acquaintance. If it weren't for his duty, he would have wanted to live and die with them. Ba Feng Han was aloof and arrogant, but his words warmed his heart, and he understood that Ba Feng Han was afraid that he would be in danger.
Longquan's fighting strength was less than 50,000. They selected 3,000 of their most elite cavalrymen, and their best warhorses had their hooves wrapped in thick cloth so that they could approach the enemy silently and launch a surprise attack. Every soldier was armed with a sharp weapon and carried a quiver of arrows, and they were well prepared.
Knowing that Yuan Yueze and his two companions were leading the three thousand elite soldiers, their fighting spirit surged, demonstrating the trio's prestige within the Longquan army.
Standing before the slowly opening south gate, the usually taciturn Ba Fenghan rallied the troops, declaring, "My two brothers and I will be at the forefront, swearing to live and die with you, my brothers of Su Mo!"
Ren Jun, his face flushed with emotion, echoed, sword in hand, "To protect our families in Longquan, we swear to fight to the death!"
Yuan Yueze, atop Ren Jun's horse, was also filled with fervor, brandishing his sword and shouting, "Having fought a hundred battles in the yellow sands, clad in golden armor, we will not return until the Golden Wolf is defeated!"
The three thousand elite soldiers were greatly influenced, raising their swords, spears, and halberds above their heads, responding in unison, "We will not return! We will not return!"
At that moment, their morale miraculously reached an unprecedented peak.
Ke Subie and the others watched with tears in their eyes. Yuan Yueze and his companions might not be fit to be commanders, but they were undoubtedly top-notch warriors on the battlefield. Without them, the fate of Longquan was unimaginable. Even if Funanda hadn't died, there would have been absolutely no way to resist the Golden Wolf Army, which outnumbered locusts, let alone the utterly absurd idea of venturing out of the city to meet them head-on!
The ability to turn the impossible into the possible is precisely the characteristic and strength of the most outstanding figures of any era.
The city gates finally swung open.
Yuan Yueze and his two companions took the lead and rushed out.
Half a mile passed in the blink of an eye.
A gentle night breeze blew as Yuan Yueze stood on horseback, images of the Chao Lu family flashing through his mind, finally culminating in the clear eyes and childlike voice of Bayin. A wave of sorrow washed over him, yet his heart remained calm and serene. His spiritual awareness expanded to boundless limits, and with a clear whistle, he transformed into a dazzling bolt of lightning, the first to charge towards the Golden Wolf Army camp hundreds of paces away. His evil sword, devoid of any fancy moves, slashed, thrust, sliced, and cut, unleashing a series of attacks with ever-changing intent. The power and ferocity were like a thousand troops traversing a battlefield, yet also as desolate and bleak as the endless falling leaves of a cold autumn, a sight to behold. Before
the sensations even reached his brain, a dozen or so strong Golden Wolf soldiers had already fallen victim to his attack.
On the city wall, Ge Yuan and the others exchanged wry smiles: they could have launched a volley of arrows first, but who would have thought that Yuan Yueze, usually so peaceful, would act so impulsively? However, remembering that the main purpose of this battle was to boost morale and their own, not to annihilate the enemy's forces, they weren't too surprised. At Zong Xianghua's rallying cry, more and more Longquan soldiers surged onto the city wall, seeing their own forces gaining momentum, wishing they could be part of the raiding party.
Yuan Yueze charged into the enemy ranks without holding back, unleashing the most ruthless and cold-blooded slaughter, instantly tearing a terrible gap in the enemy formation.
Amidst the surging emotions, Ba Fenghan and Ren Jun led their troops to the scene.
The bugle sounded, and the enemy cavalry quickly and orderly regrouped, forming ranks and launching a counterattack.
Yuan Yueze's offensive was extremely domineering, with no superfluous movements in his attacks. Simple and direct, yet it gave people a sense of perfect elegance. When he went all out, no Golden Wolf soldier could block his sword. Ba Fenghan's sword, on the other hand, was light yet heavy, clumsy yet ever-changing. With a flash of cold light, one Golden Wolf soldier after another was cut down. After undergoing marrow cleansing and hair removal and comprehending the Concentration Technique and the Sun and Moon Brightening the Sky Technique, he summarized a set of mental techniques and swordsmanship that suited him, and his progress was rapid. Ren Jun, the former greenhorn, was no longer the same as before. At this moment, his killing intent was surging and his hatred was boundless. His feelings for Qige made him wish he could devour Jieli alive. He slashed wildly with one sword after another, like lightning and thunder, with great power and unparalleled sharpness. The Golden Wolf soldiers who opposed him all felt that they could not withstand his sharpness.
As Yuan Yueze and his two companions tore through the enemy lines like unstoppable killing machines, the Golden Wolf Army fought and retreated. Cheers and shouts erupted from the walls of Longquan City, as soldiers cheered for Yuan Yueze, his comrades, and their fallen comrades.
Although Ge Yuan was excited, he had to maintain a calm perspective. Suddenly, he frowned and shouted, "Not good! Sound the retreat immediately!"
The surrounding generals and soldiers looked at him in astonishment.
Outside the city, the sound of horns echoed across the land, followed by the thunderous roar of hooves.

Chapter 138 A Cornered Beast Fights
on All Sides With the sound of horns and hooves, a sudden volley of arrows erupted from both sides of the retreating Jin army. Thousands of arrows were unleashed simultaneously, filling the sky like locusts, aimed directly at Yuan Yueze and his two companions, along with the elite Su Mo troops behind them. Each arrow was powerful and heavy, like shooting stars obscuring the sun, momentarily eclipsing the vast starlight and moonlight that covered the Meituo Plain. Then, thousands of fierce cavalry charged out from both flanks, advancing in a circular formation like a tidal wave as the central vanguard retreated. The cavalry charged like a whirlwind, creating a sense of devastation. Their imposing presence was overwhelming; every rider on horseback drew their bows, ready to pounce. The enemy's central formation halted its retreat and began a counterattack. Although Yuan Yueze was consumed by bloodlust, his composure remained unwavering. He immediately sensed the shift in the situation and, without hesitation, roared, "Retreat back into the city! Those who disobey will die!"
Before leaving the territory, Ge Yuan had instructed three thousand elite troops to obey the orders of Yuan Yueze and his two companions. Influenced by the three who had led from the front, these three elite troops were unleashing their pent-up anger and frustration against the Jin army. Suddenly confronted with a rain of arrows, they had no time to react; more than half had already fallen from their horses, struck by arrows. Only a small number of elite troops managed to retreat in time. Although they were concerned about Yuan Yueze and his companions' retreat, military orders preceded their actions, and they had no choice but to withdraw.
The bugles of the Jin army sounded rhythmically again, and hundreds of cavalrymen split off from each flank to pursue the fleeing Jin army.
At that moment, the sound of retreating troops rose from the walls of Longquan City.
Ge Yuan... He finally understood why the Jin army had unusually retreated instead of fighting to the death. Clearly, the enemy had planned this all along, and the retreat was merely a ploy to lure them in. While the loss of most of their troops was regrettable, what worried him even more was that Yuan Yueze and his two companions had retreated instead of advancing, killing their way into the enemy ranks.
He exchanged a helpless glance with Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua, and the three of them smiled bitterly. This mission was meant to boost morale, but the cunning Jieli had seen through their scheme and used it against them. Yuan Yueze and his companions remained at the front because they couldn't retreat; otherwise, they would only make things worse, and the morale of Longquan would never be able to rise again. The actions of Yuan Yueze and his companions had completely impressed the generals, but they worried about how they would escape the enemy lines. The Jin army was well-organized and their numbers were increasing. After a long period of fighting, Yuan Yueze and his companions' strength and energy were greatly affected, and the likely outcome was that they would be worn down and die from exhaustion.
As the three charged in different directions, though surrounded, the formidable iron bows and arrows of the Jinruan army became completely ineffective. Chaos immediately erupted within the Jinruan army ranks, leaving them only able to engage the three in close combat with heavy weapons such as spears, halberds, iron clubs, and broadswords.
A series of horn calls, varying in rhythm, sounded, and the Jinruan army, in disarray, quickly reorganized, transforming from individual fighting into a disciplined and organized force. They launched wave after wave of attacks on Yuan Yueze and his companions, spears, swords, halberds, and arrows raining down upon them like mercury. The three groups of Jinruan soldiers constantly shifted their speed, coordinating their attacks with breathtaking tactical precision. The central vanguard changed tactics, spreading out under the command of the horns, their attack speed undiminished. Enemies on both flanks rushed in from the left and right, like two dark clouds engulfing them.
Together, the three had already slain at least a thousand Jin soldiers, but with countless enemies remaining, their energy was severely depleted, teetering on the brink of exhaustion. They could hardly withstand such a high-intensity, relentless battle. Yuan Yueze, due to his special physical condition, fared somewhat better, while Ba Feng Han and the other two were both slightly injured. While none were serious, they had no time to heal, and the blood loss could prolong the battle and lead to defeat. The three were of one
mind. Just as Yuan Yueze was about to issue a firm order, Ba Feng Han and the other two understood that Yuan Yueze wouldn't back down, so they stayed behind to accompany him. Little did Yuan Yueze know, he was secretly lamenting that dragging things out like this wouldn't be of much help, but rather a burden. Even so, he felt a surge of emotion; these were true friends, these were true brothers!
With two swords and a dagger, he roamed freely through the Jin army's ranks. With each strike, a chilling aura arose, generating powerful bursts of true energy, like invisible sharp blades. Wherever his edge struck, enemies fell one after another.
In the distance, illuminated by torchlight and the starlight and moonlight, the area within a hundred feet was littered with headless, severed corpses—a horrific scene, like a hellish abyss.
The Turks, inherently fierce, charged with increasing ferocity, attacking over the bodies of their fallen comrades. The battle was intense, blood splattering across the night sky, creating patches of crimson, a chilling sight.
The moment the enemy's horns sounded, Yuan Yueze immediately realized this was all a conspiracy by Jieli to lure him; the scene before him was the true face of the Jin army, their earlier retreat a mere pretense. These nomadic peoples, originating from the northern deserts, were warlike and fiercely brave, their bloodlust ignited. They had all grown up in war, their combat experience unparalleled. Their reckless attacks were truly terrifying; even with their combined strength, the three of them would ultimately only die from exhaustion.
Just as Yuan Yueze killed the soldier who appeared to be a squad leader of the Jinruan Army, a powerful killing intent surged forth with the turbulent airflow, accompanied by a sharp, elusive chill that swept through the air. The attacker's appearance was not yet clear, but his eyes, brighter than stars, were unforgettable.
At the same time, a figure shot out from the Turkic army, somersaulted, and landed on Ba Feng Han's head. With a seemingly light yet heavy kick, he aimed for Ba Feng Han's crown. The skill was so extraordinary that one would not believe it unless witnessed firsthand that a mere kick could reach such a level. A blade of light shot out from another direction in the Turkic army formation, striking directly at Ren Sha, who had exhausted his strength and had not yet generated new power. The sharp blade energy it brought was like a sandstorm sweeping across a scorching desert.
Yuan Yueze's true energy was abundant, and although greatly depleted, he still had the ability to retaliate. He raised his sword to parry the attacker's ever-changing staff stance, and both sides were simultaneously shaken and forced back half a step. In the lightning-fast moment when the iron staff was deflected, Yuan Yueze unleashed a second sword strike with unbelievable speed and an extremely tricky angle. Guided by his energy, the attacker's iron staff was repeatedly pulled back and released, generating astonishing pressure as he clashed head-on with the evil sword.
"Clang clang clang!"
The three groups clashed simultaneously, the crisp and dull sounds of metal energies colliding ringing out, and the cold energy swirling
wildly. The three attackers retreated one by one, instantly disappearing into the Golden Ferocious Army formation, which pounced frantically like tigers.
Ren Sha, already at his limit, could not withstand such a heavy blow. Like a kite with a broken string, he was thrown from his horse, spitting blood as he crashed into the direction of Ba Feng Han, who had just regained his footing and whose face was deathly pale.
With a whoosh, a powerful arrow shot out from the numerous yet orderly ranks of the Jinhun army, aiming straight for Ba Feng Han's temple as he reached out to help Ren Sha.
The accuracy and ferocity were astounding. Ba Feng Han, unfazed by the danger, perfectly controlled the arrow's angle and trajectory in a flash, his iron claws catching the arrow squarely.
Only a few thousand members of the Jiangmo tribe escaped to the south gate. Ge Yuan immediately ordered an arrow barrage, which rained down like locusts. The pursuing Jinhun army dared not act rashly, reining in their horses and shouting, turning them to surround Yuan Yueze and his companions.
The fleeing soldiers were all wounded to varying degrees; some even collapsed from their horses before reaching the city gate, their fates unknown. Generals immediately rushed to provide them with temporary medical treatment. Seeing the Jinhun army surrounding Yuan Yueze and his companions growing ever larger, Ge Yuan could no longer restrain himself and prepared to summon a large army to rescue them.
Ke Subie and Zong Xianghua immediately stopped him. Ke Subie, breathing heavily, said, "Young Master Yuan and the other two have shown our clan great kindness, which we have no way to repay. But even if we give it our all, we cannot defeat the Jinhun army, which has been planning this all along. We may even be wiped out. General Ge,
you must not act rashly." Zong Xianghua looked in the direction where the three had already been overwhelmed by the Jinhun army. Her delicate body trembled. After taking a deep breath, she said with a firm gaze, "The three of them will definitely be alright!"
How could Ge Yuan listen to her? He could only nod dejectedly. The entire Longquan army had less than 5000 soldiers, and the regular army numbered less than 20,000. Five thousand of them had already been sent to guard Xiaolongquan. At present, the Jinhun army besieging Yuan Yueze numbered around 10,000 and was still increasing. Even if the entire Jiangmo army were to be mobilized, the result would only be annihilation. After
a long "Report!"
, a soldier staggered over, panting, and knelt down, shouting, "It's terrible! Xiaolongquan has been attacked!"
Ge Yuan and the other two felt their hearts sink. Xiaolongquan was the lifeblood of Longquan; with it, their forces could be replenished at any time, allowing them to contend with Jieli. But if they lost this seaport's cargo route, Longquan would face an even greater crisis. Zong Xianghua, her face frosty, scolded, "What's the rush! Now you know!" The soldier looked up, and everyone noticed his deathly pale face. His body was wrapped in a tangled gray cloth, clearly hastily bandaged, and covered in blood—a gruesome sight after a bloody battle. He spoke haltingly, "Nearly 10,000 troops of the Jin and Hei armies launched a surprise attack on our camp on the coast under cover of darkness a quarter of an hour ago. We suffered heavy losses; I barely escaped." Ge Yuan and his two companions exchanged bewildered glances. They wondered, "
Didn't Yuan Yueze have a cooperation agreement with Tu Li, the commander of the Black Fierce Army? How could Tu Li cooperate with Jie Li again?" Meanwhile, in the south, horns and war drums sounded again, their earth-shaking roar echoing as the Golden Fierce Army launched a new and even fiercer attack on Yuan Yueze and his companions. The three enemy groups suddenly split into two, moving in a crisscrossing pattern around the three, their superior horsemanship and ferocity giving them an even greater impact.
Ge Yuan and his companions felt helpless, but knew they had to remain calm. Zong Xianghua decisively said, "I'll lead men to rescue Xiao Longquan. You two stay here and find an opportunity to rescue Young Master Yuan and his companions!" After turning around ,
he went to Yuan Yueze and cut down another Jin Ruthless soldier. Then, using the momentum, he leaped to the side of Ba Feng Han Ma, who was clearly only supporting Ren Sha by willpower. He slapped Ren Sha's back with one hand, sending the two of them onto the back of Taklamakan. Then, with a backhand strike, he swept away two attacking Jin Ruthless soldiers, slapped Taklamakan's buttocks with the other hand, and shouted, "Go quickly!" "
Ba Feng Han mustered his last breath of true energy, squeezed his twin swords together, and the two streams of true energy propelled him upright. He reared up, neighed to the sky, and then leaped more than ten feet off the ground, like a celestial horse, overtaking more than a dozen enemies who rushed at him. He traversed a space of more than ten feet, escaping the entanglement of the Jin Ruan army in this area. Relying on most of his true energy, Ba Feng Han wielded his sword with lightning speed, sweeping towards the enemies like a whirlwind. With flashes of cold light, he broke through the encirclement, shouting: "Tunyu Valley, Shen Mo Huan, Ba Feng Han will never forget your great kindness!" Seeing the horde of vicious Jin soldiers relentlessly pursuing Ba Feng Han, Ge Yuan immediately ordered the archers
outside the city gates to fire. These Jiangmo soldiers were deeply inspired by Yuan Yueze and his companions. These three didn't possess any profound theories or reasoning; they simply used the most direct and effective methods to boost morale. Seeing Ba Feng Han and his companion escape the battle after killing countless Jin soldiers, and the pursuing Jin army retreating without success, a cheer erupted from the city walls as the city gates were opened. Ba Feng Han was escorted in.
Zhu Sha was merely exhausted and unconscious, not seriously injured, and was carried to the Eighth Palace to rest. Ba Feng Han was so weak that he could not stand on his own, and with the help of Ge Yuan and Ke Su Bie, he sat down on the city wall, gazing at Yuan Yue Ze, who was still trapped in the Jin army's encirclement. Ge Yuan and Ke Su
Bie continuously channeled their true energy into Ba Feng Han, and after a short while, some color returned to his pale face. He asked the two to withdraw their true energy, and he let out a long sigh, saying, "Today I have finally witnessed what it means to be at the end of one's rope."
Ke Su Bie said with shame, "General Ge sent out to rescue him, but I stopped him. Young Master Ba, please feel free to scold me." "
Ba Feng Han smiled bitterly, "We stayed behind voluntarily. Your decision not to rescue us was the best option; otherwise, how would we have the strength to resist Jie Li's next attack?" Ge Yuan gazed outwards and asked, "Brother Yuan... will he be alright?"
The surrounding warriors all listened intently. In truth, it was already unimaginable if Yuan Yueze could escape the encirclement. The low morale of the Jiangmo warriors had been roused by the three of them, and they regarded them as gods. Of course, they didn't want their lives to be in danger.
Ba Feng Han smiled and said, "He definitely won't die! Otherwise, why would I easily abandon him and escape alone?" A deafening cheer erupted around them.
In reality, Yuan Yueze was still inside the encirclement!
"Halt!" A loud shout suddenly came from the direction of the Turkic army camp at Meituo Lake. The Jin army abruptly withdrew from their offensive, their crisscrossing movement abruptly dispersing to the left and right, quickly retreating to a distance, forming a large circle of ten zhang in diameter around Yuan Yueze. Then, like a series of elaborate dances, they simultaneously reined in their horses and shouted, creating a magnificent spectacle. Their warhorses reared up like waves sweeping across the grasslands, their horsemanship superb and their formation perfect, leaving onlookers in awe. Even Yuan Yueze had to admit that it was no wonder Jieli could dominate the vast grasslands; the speed and wonder of his troop deployment was truly something he had never seen before.
A burly, golden figure suddenly surged diagonally from the direction the Jin army had parted, instantly reaching Yuan Yueze's head. His long saber transformed into a dazzling white light, then abruptly retracted, becoming a single blade that slashed directly at Yuan Yueze's head. Though it was only a single blade, it descended like a thousand horses galloping, a mountain crashing down, its killing intent frosty and chilling, making it difficult to breathe.
Its overwhelming power and domineering presence caused the world to suddenly fall into a chilling atmosphere, as if winter had suddenly arrived despite it being early summer.
The surrounding tens of thousands of Turkic warriors roared and cheered excitedly, their torches illuminating the blood-red ground, further highlighting the tense atmosphere before the eruption of two incredibly powerful forces.
The blade traced a strange, curved trajectory in the air. Though it happened in the blink of an eye, each change in direction caused the blade to suddenly accelerate, and the resulting airflow became even stronger. But to outsiders, it was merely a flash of light. Yuan Yueze, barely managing to catch his breath, showed no change in expression, but was inwardly shocked. The newcomer was undoubtedly Jieli himself. He hadn't expected Jieli's cultivation to be so high, perhaps even comparable to Bi Xuanjie. His instantaneous intuition told him that this was likely related to Liu Yu as well.
Though his thoughts raced, Yuan Yueze remained unmoved. Looking up at the sun, his gaze sharpened considerably. The two stared at each other, their gazes clashing like thunderbolts. Jieli had initially thought Yuan Yueze was at his limit, but now he suddenly felt a strange sense of unfathomable depth and unpredictability from his opponent. Although he stood there casually, he exuded a powerful aura, his might sweeping across all directions, showing no signs of exhaustion.
In a flash, the long saber was already a foot or so above Yuan Yueze's head. Yuan Yueze crouched low, his two feet slightly bent, and parried with his evil sword.
Swords clashed, producing a deep, resounding boom, like muffled thunder, audible even to those on the distant Longquan city walls.
They parted instantly.
Yuan Yueze's blood surged, and he staggered back three steps before barely managing to regain his footing.
Jieli somersaulted several times in the air, landing back where the Turkic warriors had cleared a path. Surrounded by many high-ranking chieftains, he rode his tall horse in a circle, elegant and relaxed, his face beaming with joy, showing no remorse for taking advantage of Yuan
Yueze. The cheers of the Jin army roared again, echoing across the Jingbo Plain. The Turkic warriors' morale soared, each one spirited, their eyes flashing with fierce light as they glared and shouted at Yuan Yueze.
Yuan Yueze glanced indifferently at Jieli and his entourage, then tilted his head back, looking up at the sky. The suns shone with a deep, unfathomable light, illuminating the vast starry night on the plain, as if he were not the one surrounded.
Clad in a golden robe, Jieli was exceptionally eye-catching. Not only was his bald head, broad bones, and powerfully sculpted face striking, but his innate air of confidence and charisma gave him the air of a decisive, resilient, and ambitious tyrant, ruthless and unscrupulous in his pursuit of success. Among those protecting him were men of imposing stature, all clearly high-ranking officials. Aside from Tunyugu and Kedazhong, whom Yuan Yueze recognized, only two others caught his attention. One carried a rare snake-shaped spear in his right hand, was of medium build, and had a sinister, ruthless face. The other, on the other hand, was radiant and spirited, his narrow, elongated face particularly intimidating—the kind of man who had long enjoyed a life of success and triumph. The other was a short monk wielding a long black iron staff. His large nose immediately reminded Yuan Yueze of Chao Lu's words, confirming that this man was Xi Feng. The one who had just ambushed the three was Xi Feng, Tun Yugu, and Ke Dazhi, while the one who ambushed Ba Feng Han with a cold arrow was the one wielding the snake-shaped spear, Zhi Wei Shenmo Huan.
The next moment, however, a question arose in his mind. Without the information he had received earlier, no matter how he imagined it, he couldn't connect this monk with Xi Feng. At his level of cultivation, no amount of manipulation or changing his aura was useful; he could immediately recognize the other party by using his profound spiritual sense, unless the other party possessed some strange, evil magic that could evade his detection.
In fact, every move around him was observed. The fierce Turkic warriors in the innermost circle all gripped sabers, and in the narrow spaces between them, clusters of arrows peeked out. These arrows were indeed carefully selected, their range not solely aimed at Yuan Yueze, but rather aligned in a line based on his possible path and speed of advance. Most of them seemed to be concentrated in the space in front of Yuan Yueze, but in reality, they sealed off every space within three zhang around him. If he dared to move, each arrow could block his path. He made this seemingly casual move... Yuan Yueze's expression was one of utter desperation. He himself was unaware of how many Jin soldiers he had personally slaughtered. Surrounded by others, this was the perfect opportunity to replenish his energy. Thus, he adopted a mysterious and unfathomable demeanor while secretly circulating his inner energy, absorbing the vital energy of heaven and earth. Although the Turkic warriors saw Yuan Yueze gazing at the moon, they all had the strange feeling that he was carefully watching each of them. Sure enough, perhaps recalling his past formidable achievements, Jieli unleashed his power, and the surroundings immediately fell silent. Although tens of thousands of Jin soldiers surrounded him, they could not hear a sound, only the crackling of the pine resin burning in the torches.
Jieli sized Yuan Yueze up and down for a long time before sighing, "Before, no matter who praised Brother Yuan's abilities to me, saying he was a rare talent, I would only think it was an exaggeration. Now I know that there really are people like Brother Yuan in the world."
His words could be interpreted as genuine praise, but considering the enmity between the two sides, Yuan Yueze would only interpret it as deliberate sarcasm and mockery, kicking someone when they're down.
Yuan Yueze turned his head, his eyes flashing, and asked the short monk, "How should I address you, Master?" The short monk murmured a Buddhist chant and replied in a soft, melodious voice, "This old monk is Yuanchu, greetings to you, benefactor."
A fleeting look of displeasure crossed Jieli's face, and he chuckled, "Master Yuanchu is my personal bodyguard, protecting me for over twenty years." Yuan Yueze's previous question resurfaced, and he wondered if this person was not Xi Feng, but a remnant of Xi Feng's faction. Seeing that Yuan Yueze was looking at the stars in the sky with boredom, Jieli said softly, "
I wonder if Brother Yuan has received any news from the Central Plains recently?" Yuan Yueze replied, "The Great Khan should know that you and I are already enemies to the death, so why are you still arguing!" He knew that
given the current situation, he couldn't kill Jieli at all. His only option was to escape the encirclement and return later when he was fully recovered. Thinking this, he felt utterly helpless and dejected. His sworn enemy was right before him, yet he was powerless against him.
Jieli reigned supreme on the grasslands; who dared speak to him like that? Those around him shouted curses in unison, their anger rising. Jieli, however, seized the opportunity to stop the cursing, saying, "Brother Yuan, you are indeed a fearless and tough man. I, the Khan, most admire tough men. If you are willing to lay down your arms and surrender, kneeling before my horse and swearing eternal loyalty, I will not only spare your life but also elevate you to the position of ruler of the Central Plains, second only to the emperor, above all others. Beautiful women and wealth will be yours to enjoy!" Yuan
Yueze began to understand why Jieli hadn't ordered his immediate execution. Given the current situation, he was already at Jieli's mercy, and he was a pillar of strength for many in the Central Plains. Killing him was easy, but breaking his beliefs and will, and subduing such a stubborn man, was extremely difficult. If successful, Jieli would not only weaken the will of the Central Plains people, creating momentum for the future Turkic invasion and rule, but also gain immense personal satisfaction. A man like him could have anything, except for the fickle nature of human nature. Subduing someone like Yuan Yueze would bring him joy and happiness that others could never comprehend. Finally, it would also reverse Bi Xuan's humiliation in the Central Plains—a triple win, why not? Suddenly understanding, Yuan Yueze curled his lip in disdain; his answer was already clear.
Jieli's killing intent surged, lightning flashed, and he coldly laughed, "Brother Yuan, are you still waiting for Tuli to come to our aid?" "I'm not afraid to tell you, Tuli won't come!" "
Yuan Yueze's pupils suddenly contracted as he pondered, saying, "Bi Xuan doesn't seem to be as bad as the rumors say! I don't think Huang Mu's morale has been affected much!"
He was just making conversation, his mind starting to wonder if Tu Li had encountered any danger. Since Jie Li was a high-ranking official, and it could be Xi Feng or a guard from the other party, it was possible that they would go and kill Tu Li in advance to prevent him from coming to his rescue. Yuan Yueze had been speculating that Jie Li would lure Tu Li to Longquan to kill him. If that were the case, wouldn't Jie Li be a fool to abandon the weak for the strong? Jie Li let out a deafening laugh, and the surrounding Jinhen military troops began to shout and suppress, making the entire Meijie Plain seem to shake and tremble, the momentum terrifying. After laughing, Jieli said, "The Saint was only injured, and you were injured too, and you haven't recovered yet. It's clear that the Saint and you are truly evenly matched." Yuan Yueze was speechless. This was clearly Jieli's way of sowing discord, but even if he explained, no one would believe him, because judging from the timeline, Bi Xuan was indeed the most likely cause of Yuan Yueze's injury. The people on the Longquan City wall were anxious, worried about whether Yuan Yueze was in danger. Only Ba Feng Han remained calm, meditating in seclusion.
The sound of hooves rose, and a soldier came to the foot of the city wall, knelt down and cried out, "Reporting to the Prime Minister and General, the Jin and Hei armies have been repelled, and Xiaolongquan has been saved!"
Ke Subie and the others were stunned. The incident happened suddenly. Zong Xianghua only brought a few people to rescue him. How could she possibly save Xiaolongquan?

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