Translator: Whatsyourissue Editor: ICheah
All the soldiers that had fallen off their steeds become mincemeat within the blink of an eye. Blood sprayed liberally and spewed endlessly. From afar, only broken arms could be seen flying up after being detached from bodies upon the collision of both cavalry troops; heads rolled in the air like frogs hopping out of water before landing, there were also complete bodies that were hurled like rice sacks as blood sprayed from their entire physique before they fell limply to the ground.
Wu Jundao charged in to kill with all his might. Suddenly, he felt his movements unhampered, the restraints around him vanished as his front view became unhindered. He had charged out of the enemy’s cavalry formation! Behind him, the Steel Cavalry that was still in a uniform arrangement charged out as well; Wu Jundao raised his spear diagonally as his warhorse fled, making a complete swing before readjusting his aim towards the enemy’s formation.
He charged in once again without a sound!
It was a moment of life and death; it was also the point of victory and defeat!
Somewhere higher up, Tie Zheng stretched his arm towards the sky as he hollered, “Yutang Steel Cavalry!”
His voice roared like booming thunder, traveling and resonating through the battlefield.
Hundreds of thousands of warriors shouted in response at the same time, “Unmatched in the world!”
This was the first time that the Steel Cavalry had made a sound since the war began, their bloodlust rising under the lead of their marshal.
In the enemy’s battle array, deafening drumbeats sounded as well but a cruel smile had already claimed its spot on Tie Zheng’s face.
He had been slightly quicker, and the marshal’s thunderous growl was no doubt an essential boost to the battling warriors.
Yutang’s Steel Cavalry grew increasingly maddened, roaring “Yutang Steel Cavalry! Unmatched in the world!”, as they charged towards Dongxuan’s Shadow Cavalry on the opposite side like a whirlwind.
In the enemy’s tent, the general conducting the battle wore a grim expression, sweat dropping from the tip of his nose. A thin elder stood with his arms behind his back. He looked at the battlefield as he said indifferently, “The Shadow Cavalry has lost. Beat the gong, signal the retreat.”
“Marshal!” The unwillingness to back down was written all over the general’s face.
“A defeat is a defeat!” The elderly said coldly, “Beat the gong and signal the retreat.”
“Yes!”
The enemy had pull backed its own troops but it would be difficult for the cavalry in the thick of battle to regain their own side.
They were still at each other’s throat and slaughtering indiscriminately. Each of them was charging through the other party’s battle array to return to their own.
On the ground, corpses of flesh and blood were trampled into mush.
“Do you know where your defeat was?” The elderly’s gaze was wise.
“I was slow.” The general lowered his head in shame.
“Correct.” The elder was none other than Dongxuan’s god of war Han Sanhe. “Our Shadow Cavalry is basically the same as their Steel Cavalry. Both have the most elite combat skills, both could sustain injuries and not be defeated easily. In conducting their movements, however, you have lost. Our side has commissioned five thousand cavalrymen in this battle and so did they. Those returning to their camp number approximately three thousand five to four thousand people while our brothers who returned to our camp were at least five hundred lesser men than them! Why is this?”
“Because the moment when the men charged through the formation and rearranged their troops, Tie Zheng grasped the opportunity in this battle. His roar spurred the army to new heights, and rallied their morale!”
“Cavalrymen from both sides have already reached the end of their tether. It was only morale that spurred them on. Whichever side had the higher morale, that side would win. The opposite troop has made the first move, the morale of their troop was boosted; we were slower by one step, our morale inhibited.”
“In the first wave, the casualties on both sides were actually equal. The additional hundreds of casualties from our side compared to theirs happened during the second wave when we lost our dominance. You are not worthy to be Tie Zheng’s opponent.”
The thin elder said slowly, “Another reason for your defeat is that Tie Zheng has been standing there all along, where all his men could clearly see him. You, on the other hand, were invisible to your own soldiers.”
“A general is the soldiers’ gut and the army’s soul!”
Han Sanhe sighed softly, “Tie Zheng is truly an outstanding general talent of our time.”
The general beside him was ashamed.
“After this battle, the Shadow Cavalry will be temporarily held of their battlefield. Their dominance would definitely be oppressed. We need to search for opportunities to retaliate if we wish to survive this war. If we were to face the Steel Cavalry again where their psychology has already taken on a superior state, we would still be defeated.”
“For forty-five continuous days, the three of you have pursued the battlefield respectively against Tie Zheng. Three of you, losing half of the war!” Han Sanhe squinted his eyes and looked at the battlefield. “Looks like I have to take care of this myself.”
“This lowly general is ashamed, I am willing to be taught warfare.”
“This is not warfare, this war is supposed to be practice for all of you!” Han Sanhe said coldly, “The three of you, open rivals and veiled strife, challenging each other within the nation for that so-called top general of the younger generation. This battle was to show all of you how far all of you are from being a notable general.”
“I hope you remember the countless heroic souls that have fallen in this war because of your mistake.” Han Sanhe looked at the general, then at the other two generals who stood straight and crestfallen, uttering each word slowly, “This time, I am letting all of you practice warfare using actual lives a fact that you should never forget. In front of a truly reputable general, all of you… are lesser than sh*t!”
“If you don’t improve, all of you will die on the battlefield sooner or later.”
Han Sanhe’s voice was icy; all three generals were flustered with their heads lowered, wanting to dig a hole and bury themselves in it.
“This is how the making of a great general is built; upon a mountain of fallen souls!”
Han Sanhe wore a straight face as he ascended the podium.
A large flag was suddenly raised amidst the wind in Dongxuan’s military camp! It fluttered without restraint – Han!
The entire Dongxuan army, several hundred thousand warriors in all, erupted into roars. The warriors cheered, their shouts deafening as it echoed across the air.
On the other end, Tie Zheng’s expression was stoic. Han Sanhe had finally decided to take the field himself! He had raised his flag to tell him that ‘I view you as an opponent that is a viable threat.”
‘I shall do battle with my all!”
This was the respect Han Sanhe paid to his opponent.
However, this respect almost made Tie Zheng’s heart skip a beat. He would rather Han Sanhe look down on him or despise him than to have the latter come at him with such a ferocious intent.
The pressure was as heavy as a mountain!
Orders resounded continuously from the enemy’s camp, the ongoing battle on the battlefield was forcefully halted as all the deployed soldiers returned to their base camp.
The army’s morale was high and boosted as much as it was also overwhelming; within a hundred-mile radius, the wind bellowed as the great flag fluttered like a dragon!
Han Sanhe had only begun reorganizing the troops but the entire Dongxuan army was already exuding a different vigor! Whether it be their dominance, the will to fight, or killing intent, everything seemed to have instantly taken a few notches up!
This was the ever-victorious confidence that a peerless notable general could give to his troops.
The instinctual fear of the soldiers had for the battlefield were entirely wiped off of their hearts the moment Han Sanhe had taken command of the army himself!
Facing the imposing dominance that was hitting him overwhelmingly in the face, Tie Zheng took in a deep breath as he gave his own orders.
All soldiers were to retreat to base camp.
Although he knew such a decision could only place him at a disadvantage, he could only do so when facing such an overwhelming force.
If they battled now, his side would definitely be wiped out.
The enemy’s morale was burning!
Just a show of force without any attacking orders had forced Tie Zheng to change his strategy from attacking to defending!
There was no trace of triumph on Han Sanhe’s face, he was only calmly and methodically giving out orders. Countless battalions began moving from every direction towards Tie Zheng’s Yutang troop, attacks that seemed chaotic yet executed in an orderly fashion.
Wave after wave they came, they attacked and retreated; as they charged from the east and west, so did their conquest advance from the north and south.
Tie Zheng was exhausting his mind’s capacity to calculate the strategic possibilities; he was tackling each tactic with another technique, going head-on against the enemy’s attacks.
“Arrow!”
Time passed bit by bit.
Tie Zheng looked calm as day throughout the entire ordeal but his heart was already powerless.
Han Sanhe was attacking for three continuous days, the attacks were endless in various tactics and from various directions; sneak raids, hijacks, outright charges, ambush, fire attacks… it was an encyclopedia of warfare.
Piecemeal aggression!
This was Han Sanhe’s piecemeal aggression that had intimidated the generals from every nation – nibbling the enemy’s military resources bit by bit! No matter how one played his defense, he could figure out ways to erode the enemy’s shield in small increments.
Tie Zheng’s troops were forced to retreat time and again.
Three days later, the enemy had already completed half a circle in addition to displaying all their military might.
This was an obvious disposition of following up!
Subsequently, the only thing left to do in regards to such a situation was to continue the battle although Tie Zheng had not one ounce of confidence to win if they did so.
They could only retreat once defeated.
However, once they retreated, the enemy’s fifty thousand-strong Shadow Cavalry that had not been commissioned would come on in overwhelming waves.
If he had insisted on running by then, Han Sanhe would probably give chase in direct follow-up attacks straight to Tiantang City!
“The continent’s god of war; the name is indeed befitting!”
Tie Zheng heaved a deep sigh, exhausted and weary. He had not even realized in hindsight how the enemy had plotted their warfare but impending doom has just swept over them!
There were no loopholes to be found.
“Marshal!”
The soldier on lookout shouted in panic as he stood on the top of the hill.
“What is it? Why are you panicking?” Tie Zheng fumed but he was immediately shocked.
Behind him, a battalion of cavalrymen had appeared. It was dark and ominous, a large column of countless men.
The Dongxuan Shadow Cavalry!
Since when had they arrived behind him?
Tie Zheng was stripped of all hope. He turned to look at the enemy camp; Han Sanhe still did not show his face but Tie Zheng knew that he was doomed.
The persistent and unforgiving attacks Han Sanhe had executed these past few days were all for this unexpected move.
Outflank and attack the rear!
While he had been occupied tackling the enemy’s attacks from various directions, this troop of cavalry had come up from the rear.
There was no path to advance just as there was no route to escape!
Han Sanhe was obviously going for the complete annihilation of the Empire of Yutang’s military might!
Right now, the enemy was attacking from every direction, their rhythm picking up. Without a doubt, the main attack was about to begin, and it took place, all hell would break loose!
Tie Zheng squeezed his brain in search of something to rid themselves of this fate of imminent defeat and death! If he were to be defeated, the entire east border of the Empire of Yutang would crumble entirely.
However, even as his temple began to throb, he still could not manage to figure out a countermeasure. Han Sanhe’s attack was closely-set and impenetrable.
It was impossible to guard against them.
“Marshal!” The lookout shouted again but in delight, “Marshal, there is a commotion in Dongxuan’s battalion, in the southwest direction. There seems to be a battle…”
Tie Zheng was surprised.
Southwest…?
He had intended to break through the enemy’s line there and set up their defense by the mountains. However, Dongxuan had obviously caught on as the defense established on southwest direction was impassable. How could there be a battle there?
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Translator: Whatsyourissue Editor: ICheah
Tie Zheng turned to look. Thick smoke was rising while battle cries could be heard distinctly even from several dozen miles away. It was primed to be a grand battle.
Tie Zheng felt his heart pumping violently, his lips parched. “Send orders, signal semaphore! Ask what is going on.”
Before they could take action though, nine pillars of smoke, without traces of a spark, were already soaring into the sky.
“Those are our people!” Tie Zheng could feel his heart about to leap out from his chest. “Where did these reserve troops come from?”
Dongxuan’s Han Sanhe’s side had also realized the commotion in the southwest as ten thousand men were sent charging over like a flying arrow in a single command.
“Charge over!”
Tie Zheng decided immediately that this was their only chance of survival!
“Assemble there! To Tianxuan Cliff!”
Even if there were backup troops now, defeat was already imminent. The only thing he could do was to head over to Tianxuan Cliff and rebuild a defensive line using the geographical advantage, holding on as long as he could!
War erupted without any preamble.
Tie Zheng led the troops personally, leading all of them to penetrate the defense at southwest.
This was something Han Sanhe had never expected as much as Tie Zheng had never dared to wish for to attack from this direction!
Both sides were equally surprised. The brutality of the battle was even more unexpected.
“Yutang Steel Cavalry!” Tie Zheng roared, his mounted form on his steed leading the troops.
The thirty thousand-strong Steel Cavalry that he had kept aside throughout the war moved together, charging over as if they were a giant hammer.
At the same time, fifty thousand of the Dongxuan Shadow Cavalry counter-attacked!
The thirty thousand-strong Shadow Cavalry who had outflanked Yutang’s army and were attacking from the rear reacted a beat slower before they began charging in for the kill. Prior to this, no one could have expected that there would be such a loophole at the most unexpected of locations.
…
Yutang’s total of two hundred thousand men broke through collectively while Dongxuan concentrated their elites to block the charge with all their might.
Han Sanhe stayed on as a commander as he commissioned soldiers and appointed generals, giving out directions endlessly. Tie Zheng, on the other hand, was charging in a single direction with maddened eyes!
The goals of both parties were extremely clear.
If these two hundred thousand men could retreat all the way to the west of Tianxuan Cliff without damage, then the Empire of Yutang’s military force could still be retained; they could still fight. If these two hundred men were to be stifled here, the Empire of Yutang would definitely suffer in its military might!
Han Sanhe had strategized for so long to achieve this, how could he allow Tie Zheng to flee?
Tie Zheng led his troops, acting as an incredible shield as his two and a half foot spear split into shadows that burst through the air, piercing through the enemy soldiers.
Where he had passed, not a single person remained alive.
His steed was like a whirlwind as it led thirty thousand Steel Cavalry to charge forward with a resolute objective – they charged, knowing that they put their lives on the line.
Over on the other side, an unknown troop was charging towards them with all their might to receive Tie Zheng’s breakout. The determined might there was a perfect comparison to the spirit here!
The Yutang army’s brave spearheading roused the war to its climax!
Tie Zheng led the charge in fury, “Charge! Charge over!”
This was their only chance!
“Where did this troop come from?” Han Sanhe’s sunken face was full of doubt as well. He was well aware of the Empire of Yutang’s army organization like his own palm.
There was definitely no more reserves to backup Tie Zheng. How could such a troop pop up from nowhere?
Tie Zheng charged as his steed galloped through the several dozen miles of blood drenched soil. He was finally approaching the battlefield in front but his heart almost stopped the moment the battlefield greeted his eyes.
His eyes were rimmed red as hot tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Charge over!”
“Assemble with our brothers!”
On the opposite side, handicapped veterans dressed in old military uniforms and old armor! Whether it was the officer who was in command or the soldiers, they were all either blind with one eye left or handicapped with one arm remaining.
They cried in unison as they fought fiercely and charged.
“Undefeatable Yutang!”
“Unmatched Yutang!”
“I as Yutang’s man shall serve the country with my death!”
“Save Marshal Tie!”
“Brothers, it’s time to go all out!”
One by one, the handicapped veterans charged over like madmen; they were not avoiding the attacks at all, exchanging one life for another. A slash by the enemy was greeted with a similar slash to the enemy!
I am crippled, I can’t fight you. All I can do is to give my life in return for yours.
An old veteran charged, guffawing while facing two Dongxuan soldiers who were raising their sabers. He did not bother to avoid nor hide, his eyes glaringly wide as he growled, “We’re not here for war! We’re here to brave death!”
He welcomed the two sabers with his neck and chest as the saber in his hand landed harshly as well.
As blood spurted, three heads rolled off together!
Another handicapped veteran with only an eye left hopped off from a high spot throwing himself into a sea of sharp sabers and pointy spears; his body was pierced through but his saber had also chopped of a Dongxuan soldier’s head!
“Marshal Tie, over here!”
The handicapped veterans fought as they braved death, crying battle cries.
“Our lives are not worth much! Only death awaits us…” A handicapped veteran general hollered, “Marshal Tie! The Empire of Yutang cannot lose you!”
“We have no qualms dying in battle in front of the Nine Supremes sirs’ Tianxuan Cliff!”
“We have no regrets to leave following the nine sirs!”
Tie Zheng teared up. “Charge! Charge over! Do not let our brothers die in vain!”
He shouted madly before the valley. Suddenly, he hopped off his horse as his muscular build charged towards the enemy’s formation like a berserk tiger; his spear danced like pelting raindrops as chilling sparks formed an arc – hundreds of Dongxuan soldiers were killed with his spear!
A gap had been opened!
“Charge over!”
“I’ll cover you!”
Yutang Steel Cavalry gushed through this opening in a wild stampede.
Tie Zheng was crazed!
He had lost all sense of rationality when he saw these handicapped veterans! These old brothers of theirs were opening the ranks for the army with their own lives!
They did not have a sole authoritarian command. Although they were many in number, they lacked a uniform organization. They could only use such barbaric and brutal ways to realize their combat value!
“How could I, Tie Zheng, use my brothers’ lives in exchange for my own! Let me breach this gap with all of you!” Tie Zheng roared.
Once the spear of two and a half feet length spun, nothing within a hundred feet radius could penetrate it!
Their marshal was covering for them with his own hands, the army of Yutang knew they had to grasp the opportunity as they surged in swiftly, following the way. As each general saw their own battalion charging through, each of them returned immediately, with no exception, to cover for the army alongside Tie Zheng!
“I as the general, should cover for my brothers to our deaths!”
“I as the general cannot only use my brothers’ lives to accumulate meritorious awards!”
“I am the general!”
The generals by Tie Zheng’s side increased in number, each of their expressions stoic as they killed without mercy. They formed a wall of steel, blocking the hounding attacks of the Dongxuan army.
In the enemy’s battle array, a cold voice resounded. “Shadow Cavalry, charge over! Stampede through them!”
The enemy who were killing in berserk fury suddenly separated towards both sides. Behind them, countless rows of intimidating Shadow Cavalrymen were surging over as swiftly as devils materializing in the dark and as unstoppable as a collapsing mountain!
Fierce resolution flashed across Tie Zheng’s eyes.
“Marshal!”
Countless handicapped veterans charged against the incoming Shadow Cavalry. “Run, quick!”
“Shoot the arrows!”
A command came from the opposite side; the sky turned dark. Hundreds of thousands of arrows had shielded the sky completely.
“Leave!” The veterans in the valley ran with their all at the same time towards the Shadow Cavalry, towards the sky-shadowing arrows. “Tie Zheng! If you don’t leave, these brothers will never rest in peace!”
A piercing shout resonated.
Tie Zheng was drenched entirely in crimson blood as he growled hopelessly. Two assistant generals were pulling him along madly. “Marshal! Let us leave, quick!”
“We still have a chance once we have passed Tianxuan Cliff…”
The sockets of Tie Zheng’s eyes were already torn from glaring wide, fresh blood pouring out as it mixed with his hot tears. He finally roared brokenly, “Leave!”
“Leave!”
The despair in this agonized growl was similar to an injured beast’s roar in the wild.
“Han Sanhe!”
Tie Zheng’s voice was loud and echoed across the land. “As long as I, Tie Zheng, am alive, I shall kill you! I shall kill you!”
The army had retreated to the valley.
However, Han Sanhe’s Dongxuan troops pursued in a manic frenzy, as if giving their all as well, biting on the Yutang army’s tail relentlessly.
“Shadow Cavalry! Even if all of you die in pursuit, do not lose Tie Zheng’s troops!”
This was Han Sanhe’s deadly command.
The heartlessness of this god of war was beyond anyone’s imagination. He was brutal against the enemy but he was also harsh on his own men!
This was a rare opportunity!
As long as they pursued Tie Zheng’s disorganized troop, as long as they were hot on their trail, Yutang’s military force was certain to crumble! Even if the Empire of Yutang still stood in this world after this war, the critical state of the Empire of Yutang as well as the significant shrink in the land would definitely remove it from being one of the five greatest empires!
It would then be reduced to a weak force that would be at the mercy of others.
Han Sanhe was determined to never give Tie Zheng a chance to reorganize his troops no matter the cost.
“Deploy the Dark Shadow Squad, intercept Tie Zheng!”
…
Countless veterans automatically opened rank to allow their brothers through, but they remained still themselves.
“There isn’t much use for a crippled body, we’re covering for the army with our lives!”
A number of handicapped veterans automatically charged towards the legion of enemy troops that were coming in a paralyzing manner, with their lives.
They would delay them if they could, if only for a short while.
“My fallen brothers!” Someone shouted shrilly, “I am coming!”
“All the brothers are coming!” Another hefty man hollered. His remaining single arm waved his saber about as his muscular build rushed forward like a tower. “My brothers’ families, I, Du Heizi, cannot do much for all of you anymore. But your father is happy to meet all of you! I have no regrets!”
Hundreds of handicapped soldiers chuckled together as they raised their sabers in their charge towards the enemy’s formation.
“No qualms about the nation! No qualms about families! No qualms about my brothers!”
It was a cliff on the other side. Eight hundred veterans were throwing rocks they had collected on the cliff but their actions still could not deter Dongxuan’s troops. Suddenly, a loud command split the sky.
“A saber, a person, a life to stop another!”
Eight hundred handicapped veterans formed groups of fifty as they jumped straight off the three-hundred-foot high cliff, raising their sabers with bloodshot eyes.
Just the height alone could kill them! They used their bodies as rolling logs and rocks, rolling logs and rocks that carried sabers!
Consider it my gain if I could kill someone with a chop!
Consider it my gain if I could kill someone by landing on them!
If I can’t kill anyone with my saber or myself, I will f*cking land and become the rock that deters your advance!
…
Tie Zheng’s tears and blood streamed down in unison, he wanted to roar, to perish in the battle here. Yet he did not even have a chance to reorganize his troops.
He was being tailed in pursuit; the handful of times that Tie Zheng wanted to reorganize his troops, he could not do it in time. The Shadow Cavalry was right behind them, less than a thousand feet away! If they stopped to shuffle with such a distance, the enemy could have annihilated all of them with a single charge.
They could only flee to a safe distance. However, how could their enemy grant them such a distance?
The forest was dense on both sides while bushes and weed were lush under their feet, drowning everyone to their waist.
The northwest wind swirled with vigor, as if blowing upon their trail.
Tianxuan Cliff!
They had arrived at Tianxuan Cliff!
Tie Zheng cried against the sky, “Tianxuan Cliff! The Nine Supremes sacrificed themselves here. Could it be that I, Tie Zheng, have to perish in the war here too? What does it matter if I, Tie Zheng, perish here… I only resent the fact that so many of Yutang’s souls would fall foul under Dongxuan’s Shadow Cavalry… I, Tie Zheng, can’t die in peace!”
“Nine Supremes! If you are blessing us from above, if you are watching this, save us Yutang! Save us Yutang!”
Tie Zheng cried hopelessly, spurting a mouthful of blood with his shouts.
At a corner, the many silhouettes of the Shadow Cavalry glinted ferociously.
In the dark, some forty to fifty shadows appeared like spirits; they were soundless, the gleaming chill from their swords and sabers had already surrounded Tie Zheng in a glimmering circle.
“Dark Shadow!” Tie Zheng was already exhausted. He suddenly guffawed. “Dongxuan Dark Shadow! Your father has long admired your reputation! Come at me!”
He roared, welcoming the squad with big strides; those people in the dark were soundless as they descended from all directions.
Tie Zheng growled, his sword swinging rapidly in counterattack but he was a militant after all. His ability obviously paled in comparison to these martial arts experts as several wounds were added to his body within an instant.
“Marshal!”
A dozen of his janissaries sprung up, blocking the swords and sabers with their bodies in the air, shielding Tie Zheng from the sudden attacks. Blood splattered, warm crimson droplets landing on Tie Zheng’s face. The man roared deafeningly, his heart throbbed with so much anguish that his breathing almost ceased.
Another dozen janissaries charged forward with their lives, a rough chortle resounded in the dark night. “Marshal! Don’t forget to give me a toast at your wedding!”
The person who spoke had sent his saber right into the enemy’s chest as his head simultaneously flew with a chilling ray.
Only swooshes from swords and sabers as well as the splutter of spurting blood could be heard in this dark night. With a jerk, Tie Zheng fell onto the ground. Beside him, a guard was breathing in labor; his intestines were threatening to drop out as blood spurted from a frightening gash on his stomach.
“Brother…” Tie Zheng tore off a strip of cloth with much difficulty with the intention to bandage his wound.
“Marshal!” The injured soldier suddenly growled and sprang up with all his might, pushing Tie Zheng aside as a saber was driven like lightning right into his stomach.
Tie Zheng roared, swinging his sword at the assassin, cleaving him from his head down to his toes before turning to look at the soldier. “Brother…”
“Marshal…” The wounded soldier smiled. “Don’t forget to give me a toast of wine at your wedding… I’d wanted to congratulate marshal with the utmost glorious merit, I’m very sorry…” With a tilt of his head, his breathing ceased.
“There is! There is! Brother! Drink however much you want to…!” Hot tears stung Tie Zheng’s eyes as he sobbed, “Brother, my brothers…”
His janissaries charged forth to fight against the enemy in this darkest of nights, the clashing sound of metal against metal resonated through the air.
Outside the valley, the galloping of warhorses approached.
The Shadow Cavalry was here!
Yutang’s Steel Cavalry who was retreating had suddenly reigned their steeds in uniformly; their faces solemn.
“Marshal! Let’s give it our all!”
Hundreds of thousands of people shouted at the same time, their eyes bloodshot with battle fury!
“Give it our all?” Tie Zheng picked himself up with much effort, his muscular build drenched in blood. He murmured and suddenly bellowed maniacally, “Give it our all! I, Tie Zheng, have let down my brothers this life. Let us perish in this war, let us reassemble and fight again in the underworld!”
“It is us brothers who have let the marshal down!” An assistant general’s voice was tearful. “We wanted to congratulate marshal with the utmost glorious merit! It is too bad that the brothers have let you down! We have let sister-in-law down the most…”
Sister-in-law.
Tie Zheng’s gaze froze. The delicate figure that waited against the door seemed to appear in front of his eyes.
“The battlefield is vicious and dangerous, take great care.”
“Of course, Qian’er. When I return, I shall take you as my wife! I shall make the army and all of Yutang’s citizens come celebrate our victory, come celebrate our marriage!”
“I will wait for you…”
Tie Zheng laughed bitterly against the sky.
He had enlisted in the military since he was young. The busy years he had spent stationed away as a militant! It was only when he was thirty-nine years old this year that the thought to marry finally came to him. It was too bad that everything was for nothing...
The galloping of the enemy was blaring in their ears, the hollering deafening. “Tie Zheng, don’t you think of escaping!”
“Kill!”
The gentle face gradually distanced away from Tie Zheng’s gaze, merging into the faraway scenery. “Find good in-laws after I die… But remember, never find a militant again!”
He turned around, his expression already cold and hard. His spear pillared against the ground as he bellowed like a majestic mountain that reached the heavens, “With our lives!”
“With our lives!”
All warriors in the army cried together, blood shooting into their pupils.
“Prepare to recoup! Brothers, get ready!”
Tie Zheng laughed, his laughter carefree and unrestrained. The delicate silhouette in his eyes dissipated into thin air, leaving behind a murderous thirst for copper blood and a willingness to brave death!
Five hundred feet away, a battalion of the Dongxuan Shadow Cavalry appeared; the chilling glint of their spears and sabers blinked in the dark night.
“Is everyone here?”
Tie Zheng roared, his shout loud and clear through the air!
“Here!” Tens of thousands of the army answered in unison.
Just as Tie Zheng was about to issue his command, his spear aimed diagonally towards the front; just as he was about to cry for them to fight to their death, he stopped abruptly. His entire being froze.
It was because, right then, a surge of wind suddenly hailed from above Tianxuan Cliff!
Hoo, hoo, hoo.
The northwest wind that was bellowing in fervor had actually switched its direction, blowing over in the opposite path.
The wind bellowed, growing stronger and stronger…
Woo, woo.
The shrill cry of the wind had changed into a devil’s roar.
All the trees in the entire forest bent simultaneously towards the Shadow Cavalry! Tianxuan Cliff’s blessed topography had turned into a fatal circumstance for Dongxuan!
Tie Zheng’s heart lurched, as did all of Yutang’s army’s!
This scene was so… familiar.
Could it be?
Could it really be?
Translator: Whatsyourissue Editor: ICheah
All the soldiers that had fallen off their steeds become mincemeat within the blink of an eye. Blood sprayed liberally and spewed endlessly. From afar, only broken arms could be seen flying up after being detached from bodies upon the collision of both cavalry troops; heads rolled in the air like frogs hopping out of water before landing, there were also complete bodies that were hurled like rice sacks as blood sprayed from their entire physique before they fell limply to the ground.
Wu Jundao charged in to kill with all his might. Suddenly, he felt his movements unhampered, the restraints around him vanished as his front view became unhindered. He had charged out of the enemy’s cavalry formation! Behind him, the Steel Cavalry that was still in a uniform arrangement charged out as well; Wu Jundao raised his spear diagonally as his warhorse fled, making a complete swing before readjusting his aim towards the enemy’s formation.
He charged in once again without a sound!
It was a moment of life and death; it was also the point of victory and defeat!
Somewhere higher up, Tie Zheng stretched his arm towards the sky as he hollered, “Yutang Steel Cavalry!”
His voice roared like booming thunder, traveling and resonating through the battlefield.
Hundreds of thousands of warriors shouted in response at the same time, “Unmatched in the world!”
This was the first time that the Steel Cavalry had made a sound since the war began, their bloodlust rising under the lead of their marshal.
In the enemy’s battle array, deafening drumbeats sounded as well but a cruel smile had already claimed its spot on Tie Zheng’s face.
He had been slightly quicker, and the marshal’s thunderous growl was no doubt an essential boost to the battling warriors.
Yutang’s Steel Cavalry grew increasingly maddened, roaring “Yutang Steel Cavalry! Unmatched in the world!”, as they charged towards Dongxuan’s Shadow Cavalry on the opposite side like a whirlwind.
In the enemy’s tent, the general conducting the battle wore a grim expression, sweat dropping from the tip of his nose. A thin elder stood with his arms behind his back. He looked at the battlefield as he said indifferently, “The Shadow Cavalry has lost. Beat the gong, signal the retreat.”
“Marshal!” The unwillingness to back down was written all over the general’s face.
“A defeat is a defeat!” The elderly said coldly, “Beat the gong and signal the retreat.”
“Yes!”
The enemy had pull backed its own troops but it would be difficult for the cavalry in the thick of battle to regain their own side.
They were still at each other’s throat and slaughtering indiscriminately. Each of them was charging through the other party’s battle array to return to their own.
On the ground, corpses of flesh and blood were trampled into mush.
“Do you know where your defeat was?” The elderly’s gaze was wise.
“I was slow.” The general lowered his head in shame.
“Correct.” The elder was none other than Dongxuan’s god of war Han Sanhe. “Our Shadow Cavalry is basically the same as their Steel Cavalry. Both have the most elite combat skills, both could sustain injuries and not be defeated easily. In conducting their movements, however, you have lost. Our side has commissioned five thousand cavalrymen in this battle and so did they. Those returning to their camp number approximately three thousand five to four thousand people while our brothers who returned to our camp were at least five hundred lesser men than them! Why is this?”
“Because the moment when the men charged through the formation and rearranged their troops, Tie Zheng grasped the opportunity in this battle. His roar spurred the army to new heights, and rallied their morale!”
“Cavalrymen from both sides have already reached the end of their tether. It was only morale that spurred them on. Whichever side had the higher morale, that side would win. The opposite troop has made the first move, the morale of their troop was boosted; we were slower by one step, our morale inhibited.”
“In the first wave, the casualties on both sides were actually equal. The additional hundreds of casualties from our side compared to theirs happened during the second wave when we lost our dominance. You are not worthy to be Tie Zheng’s opponent.”
The thin elder said slowly, “Another reason for your defeat is that Tie Zheng has been standing there all along, where all his men could clearly see him. You, on the other hand, were invisible to your own soldiers.”
“A general is the soldiers’ gut and the army’s soul!”
Han Sanhe sighed softly, “Tie Zheng is truly an outstanding general talent of our time.”
The general beside him was ashamed.
“After this battle, the Shadow Cavalry will be temporarily held of their battlefield. Their dominance would definitely be oppressed. We need to search for opportunities to retaliate if we wish to survive this war. If we were to face the Steel Cavalry again where their psychology has already taken on a superior state, we would still be defeated.”
“For forty-five continuous days, the three of you have pursued the battlefield respectively against Tie Zheng. Three of you, losing half of the war!” Han Sanhe squinted his eyes and looked at the battlefield. “Looks like I have to take care of this myself.”
“This lowly general is ashamed, I am willing to be taught warfare.”
“This is not warfare, this war is supposed to be practice for all of you!” Han Sanhe said coldly, “The three of you, open rivals and veiled strife, challenging each other within the nation for that so-called top general of the younger generation. This battle was to show all of you how far all of you are from being a notable general.”
“I hope you remember the countless heroic souls that have fallen in this war because of your mistake.” Han Sanhe looked at the general, then at the other two generals who stood straight and crestfallen, uttering each word slowly, “This time, I am letting all of you practice warfare using actual lives a fact that you should never forget. In front of a truly reputable general, all of you… are lesser than sh*t!”
“If you don’t improve, all of you will die on the battlefield sooner or later.”
Han Sanhe’s voice was icy; all three generals were flustered with their heads lowered, wanting to dig a hole and bury themselves in it.
“This is how the making of a great general is built; upon a mountain of fallen souls!”
Han Sanhe wore a straight face as he ascended the podium.
A large flag was suddenly raised amidst the wind in Dongxuan’s military camp! It fluttered without restraint – Han!
The entire Dongxuan army, several hundred thousand warriors in all, erupted into roars. The warriors cheered, their shouts deafening as it echoed across the air.
On the other end, Tie Zheng’s expression was stoic. Han Sanhe had finally decided to take the field himself! He had raised his flag to tell him that ‘I view you as an opponent that is a viable threat.”
‘I shall do battle with my all!”
This was the respect Han Sanhe paid to his opponent.
However, this respect almost made Tie Zheng’s heart skip a beat. He would rather Han Sanhe look down on him or despise him than to have the latter come at him with such a ferocious intent.
The pressure was as heavy as a mountain!
Orders resounded continuously from the enemy’s camp, the ongoing battle on the battlefield was forcefully halted as all the deployed soldiers returned to their base camp.
The army’s morale was high and boosted as much as it was also overwhelming; within a hundred-mile radius, the wind bellowed as the great flag fluttered like a dragon!
Han Sanhe had only begun reorganizing the troops but the entire Dongxuan army was already exuding a different vigor! Whether it be their dominance, the will to fight, or killing intent, everything seemed to have instantly taken a few notches up!
This was the ever-victorious confidence that a peerless notable general could give to his troops.
The instinctual fear of the soldiers had for the battlefield were entirely wiped off of their hearts the moment Han Sanhe had taken command of the army himself!
Facing the imposing dominance that was hitting him overwhelmingly in the face, Tie Zheng took in a deep breath as he gave his own orders.
All soldiers were to retreat to base camp.
Although he knew such a decision could only place him at a disadvantage, he could only do so when facing such an overwhelming force.
If they battled now, his side would definitely be wiped out.
The enemy’s morale was burning!
Just a show of force without any attacking orders had forced Tie Zheng to change his strategy from attacking to defending!
There was no trace of triumph on Han Sanhe’s face, he was only calmly and methodically giving out orders. Countless battalions began moving from every direction towards Tie Zheng’s Yutang troop, attacks that seemed chaotic yet executed in an orderly fashion.
Wave after wave they came, they attacked and retreated; as they charged from the east and west, so did their conquest advance from the north and south.
Tie Zheng was exhausting his mind’s capacity to calculate the strategic possibilities; he was tackling each tactic with another technique, going head-on against the enemy’s attacks.
“Arrow!”
Time passed bit by bit.
Tie Zheng looked calm as day throughout the entire ordeal but his heart was already powerless.
Han Sanhe was attacking for three continuous days, the attacks were endless in various tactics and from various directions; sneak raids, hijacks, outright charges, ambush, fire attacks… it was an encyclopedia of warfare.
Piecemeal aggression!
This was Han Sanhe’s piecemeal aggression that had intimidated the generals from every nation – nibbling the enemy’s military resources bit by bit! No matter how one played his defense, he could figure out ways to erode the enemy’s shield in small increments.
Tie Zheng’s troops were forced to retreat time and again.
Three days later, the enemy had already completed half a circle in addition to displaying all their military might.
This was an obvious disposition of following up!
Subsequently, the only thing left to do in regards to such a situation was to continue the battle although Tie Zheng had not one ounce of confidence to win if they did so.
They could only retreat once defeated.
However, once they retreated, the enemy’s fifty thousand-strong Shadow Cavalry that had not been commissioned would come on in overwhelming waves.
If he had insisted on running by then, Han Sanhe would probably give chase in direct follow-up attacks straight to Tiantang City!
“The continent’s god of war; the name is indeed befitting!”
Tie Zheng heaved a deep sigh, exhausted and weary. He had not even realized in hindsight how the enemy had plotted their warfare but impending doom has just swept over them!
There were no loopholes to be found.
“Marshal!”
The soldier on lookout shouted in panic as he stood on the top of the hill.
“What is it? Why are you panicking?” Tie Zheng fumed but he was immediately shocked.
Behind him, a battalion of cavalrymen had appeared. It was dark and ominous, a large column of countless men.
The Dongxuan Shadow Cavalry!
Since when had they arrived behind him?
Tie Zheng was stripped of all hope. He turned to look at the enemy camp; Han Sanhe still did not show his face but Tie Zheng knew that he was doomed.
The persistent and unforgiving attacks Han Sanhe had executed these past few days were all for this unexpected move.
Outflank and attack the rear!
While he had been occupied tackling the enemy’s attacks from various directions, this troop of cavalry had come up from the rear.
There was no path to advance just as there was no route to escape!
Han Sanhe was obviously going for the complete annihilation of the Empire of Yutang’s military might!
Right now, the enemy was attacking from every direction, their rhythm picking up. Without a doubt, the main attack was about to begin, and it took place, all hell would break loose!
Tie Zheng squeezed his brain in search of something to rid themselves of this fate of imminent defeat and death! If he were to be defeated, the entire east border of the Empire of Yutang would crumble entirely.
However, even as his temple began to throb, he still could not manage to figure out a countermeasure. Han Sanhe’s attack was closely-set and impenetrable.
It was impossible to guard against them.
“Marshal!” The lookout shouted again but in delight, “Marshal, there is a commotion in Dongxuan’s battalion, in the southwest direction. There seems to be a battle…”
Tie Zheng was surprised.
Southwest…?
He had intended to break through the enemy’s line there and set up their defense by the mountains. However, Dongxuan had obviously caught on as the defense established on southwest direction was impassable. How could there be a battle there?
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Translator: Whatsyourissue Editor: ICheah
Tie Zheng turned to look. Thick smoke was rising while battle cries could be heard distinctly even from several dozen miles away. It was primed to be a grand battle.
Tie Zheng felt his heart pumping violently, his lips parched. “Send orders, signal semaphore! Ask what is going on.”
Before they could take action though, nine pillars of smoke, without traces of a spark, were already soaring into the sky.
“Those are our people!” Tie Zheng could feel his heart about to leap out from his chest. “Where did these reserve troops come from?”
Dongxuan’s Han Sanhe’s side had also realized the commotion in the southwest as ten thousand men were sent charging over like a flying arrow in a single command.
“Charge over!”
Tie Zheng decided immediately that this was their only chance of survival!
“Assemble there! To Tianxuan Cliff!”
Even if there were backup troops now, defeat was already imminent. The only thing he could do was to head over to Tianxuan Cliff and rebuild a defensive line using the geographical advantage, holding on as long as he could!
War erupted without any preamble.
Tie Zheng led the troops personally, leading all of them to penetrate the defense at southwest.
This was something Han Sanhe had never expected as much as Tie Zheng had never dared to wish for to attack from this direction!
Both sides were equally surprised. The brutality of the battle was even more unexpected.
“Yutang Steel Cavalry!” Tie Zheng roared, his mounted form on his steed leading the troops.
The thirty thousand-strong Steel Cavalry that he had kept aside throughout the war moved together, charging over as if they were a giant hammer.
At the same time, fifty thousand of the Dongxuan Shadow Cavalry counter-attacked!
The thirty thousand-strong Shadow Cavalry who had outflanked Yutang’s army and were attacking from the rear reacted a beat slower before they began charging in for the kill. Prior to this, no one could have expected that there would be such a loophole at the most unexpected of locations.
…
Yutang’s total of two hundred thousand men broke through collectively while Dongxuan concentrated their elites to block the charge with all their might.
Han Sanhe stayed on as a commander as he commissioned soldiers and appointed generals, giving out directions endlessly. Tie Zheng, on the other hand, was charging in a single direction with maddened eyes!
The goals of both parties were extremely clear.
If these two hundred thousand men could retreat all the way to the west of Tianxuan Cliff without damage, then the Empire of Yutang’s military force could still be retained; they could still fight. If these two hundred men were to be stifled here, the Empire of Yutang would definitely suffer in its military might!
Han Sanhe had strategized for so long to achieve this, how could he allow Tie Zheng to flee?
Tie Zheng led his troops, acting as an incredible shield as his two and a half foot spear split into shadows that burst through the air, piercing through the enemy soldiers.
Where he had passed, not a single person remained alive.
His steed was like a whirlwind as it led thirty thousand Steel Cavalry to charge forward with a resolute objective – they charged, knowing that they put their lives on the line.
Over on the other side, an unknown troop was charging towards them with all their might to receive Tie Zheng’s breakout. The determined might there was a perfect comparison to the spirit here!
The Yutang army’s brave spearheading roused the war to its climax!
Tie Zheng led the charge in fury, “Charge! Charge over!”
This was their only chance!
“Where did this troop come from?” Han Sanhe’s sunken face was full of doubt as well. He was well aware of the Empire of Yutang’s army organization like his own palm.
There was definitely no more reserves to backup Tie Zheng. How could such a troop pop up from nowhere?
Tie Zheng charged as his steed galloped through the several dozen miles of blood drenched soil. He was finally approaching the battlefield in front but his heart almost stopped the moment the battlefield greeted his eyes.
His eyes were rimmed red as hot tears rolled down his cheeks.
“Charge over!”
“Assemble with our brothers!”
On the opposite side, handicapped veterans dressed in old military uniforms and old armor! Whether it was the officer who was in command or the soldiers, they were all either blind with one eye left or handicapped with one arm remaining.
They cried in unison as they fought fiercely and charged.
“Undefeatable Yutang!”
“Unmatched Yutang!”
“I as Yutang’s man shall serve the country with my death!”
“Save Marshal Tie!”
“Brothers, it’s time to go all out!”
One by one, the handicapped veterans charged over like madmen; they were not avoiding the attacks at all, exchanging one life for another. A slash by the enemy was greeted with a similar slash to the enemy!
I am crippled, I can’t fight you. All I can do is to give my life in return for yours.
An old veteran charged, guffawing while facing two Dongxuan soldiers who were raising their sabers. He did not bother to avoid nor hide, his eyes glaringly wide as he growled, “We’re not here for war! We’re here to brave death!”
He welcomed the two sabers with his neck and chest as the saber in his hand landed harshly as well.
As blood spurted, three heads rolled off together!
Another handicapped veteran with only an eye left hopped off from a high spot throwing himself into a sea of sharp sabers and pointy spears; his body was pierced through but his saber had also chopped of a Dongxuan soldier’s head!
“Marshal Tie, over here!”
The handicapped veterans fought as they braved death, crying battle cries.
“Our lives are not worth much! Only death awaits us…” A handicapped veteran general hollered, “Marshal Tie! The Empire of Yutang cannot lose you!”
“We have no qualms dying in battle in front of the Nine Supremes sirs’ Tianxuan Cliff!”
“We have no regrets to leave following the nine sirs!”
Tie Zheng teared up. “Charge! Charge over! Do not let our brothers die in vain!”
He shouted madly before the valley. Suddenly, he hopped off his horse as his muscular build charged towards the enemy’s formation like a berserk tiger; his spear danced like pelting raindrops as chilling sparks formed an arc – hundreds of Dongxuan soldiers were killed with his spear!
A gap had been opened!
“Charge over!”
“I’ll cover you!”
Yutang Steel Cavalry gushed through this opening in a wild stampede.
Tie Zheng was crazed!
He had lost all sense of rationality when he saw these handicapped veterans! These old brothers of theirs were opening the ranks for the army with their own lives!
They did not have a sole authoritarian command. Although they were many in number, they lacked a uniform organization. They could only use such barbaric and brutal ways to realize their combat value!
“How could I, Tie Zheng, use my brothers’ lives in exchange for my own! Let me breach this gap with all of you!” Tie Zheng roared.
Once the spear of two and a half feet length spun, nothing within a hundred feet radius could penetrate it!
Their marshal was covering for them with his own hands, the army of Yutang knew they had to grasp the opportunity as they surged in swiftly, following the way. As each general saw their own battalion charging through, each of them returned immediately, with no exception, to cover for the army alongside Tie Zheng!
“I as the general, should cover for my brothers to our deaths!”
“I as the general cannot only use my brothers’ lives to accumulate meritorious awards!”
“I am the general!”
The generals by Tie Zheng’s side increased in number, each of their expressions stoic as they killed without mercy. They formed a wall of steel, blocking the hounding attacks of the Dongxuan army.
In the enemy’s battle array, a cold voice resounded. “Shadow Cavalry, charge over! Stampede through them!”
The enemy who were killing in berserk fury suddenly separated towards both sides. Behind them, countless rows of intimidating Shadow Cavalrymen were surging over as swiftly as devils materializing in the dark and as unstoppable as a collapsing mountain!
Fierce resolution flashed across Tie Zheng’s eyes.
“Marshal!”
Countless handicapped veterans charged against the incoming Shadow Cavalry. “Run, quick!”
“Shoot the arrows!”
A command came from the opposite side; the sky turned dark. Hundreds of thousands of arrows had shielded the sky completely.
“Leave!” The veterans in the valley ran with their all at the same time towards the Shadow Cavalry, towards the sky-shadowing arrows. “Tie Zheng! If you don’t leave, these brothers will never rest in peace!”
A piercing shout resonated.
Tie Zheng was drenched entirely in crimson blood as he growled hopelessly. Two assistant generals were pulling him along madly. “Marshal! Let us leave, quick!”
“We still have a chance once we have passed Tianxuan Cliff…”
The sockets of Tie Zheng’s eyes were already torn from glaring wide, fresh blood pouring out as it mixed with his hot tears. He finally roared brokenly, “Leave!”
“Leave!”
The despair in this agonized growl was similar to an injured beast’s roar in the wild.
“Han Sanhe!”
Tie Zheng’s voice was loud and echoed across the land. “As long as I, Tie Zheng, am alive, I shall kill you! I shall kill you!”
The army had retreated to the valley.
However, Han Sanhe’s Dongxuan troops pursued in a manic frenzy, as if giving their all as well, biting on the Yutang army’s tail relentlessly.
“Shadow Cavalry! Even if all of you die in pursuit, do not lose Tie Zheng’s troops!”
This was Han Sanhe’s deadly command.
The heartlessness of this god of war was beyond anyone’s imagination. He was brutal against the enemy but he was also harsh on his own men!
This was a rare opportunity!
As long as they pursued Tie Zheng’s disorganized troop, as long as they were hot on their trail, Yutang’s military force was certain to crumble! Even if the Empire of Yutang still stood in this world after this war, the critical state of the Empire of Yutang as well as the significant shrink in the land would definitely remove it from being one of the five greatest empires!
It would then be reduced to a weak force that would be at the mercy of others.
Han Sanhe was determined to never give Tie Zheng a chance to reorganize his troops no matter the cost.
“Deploy the Dark Shadow Squad, intercept Tie Zheng!”
…
Countless veterans automatically opened rank to allow their brothers through, but they remained still themselves.
“There isn’t much use for a crippled body, we’re covering for the army with our lives!”
A number of handicapped veterans automatically charged towards the legion of enemy troops that were coming in a paralyzing manner, with their lives.
They would delay them if they could, if only for a short while.
“My fallen brothers!” Someone shouted shrilly, “I am coming!”
“All the brothers are coming!” Another hefty man hollered. His remaining single arm waved his saber about as his muscular build rushed forward like a tower. “My brothers’ families, I, Du Heizi, cannot do much for all of you anymore. But your father is happy to meet all of you! I have no regrets!”
Hundreds of handicapped soldiers chuckled together as they raised their sabers in their charge towards the enemy’s formation.
“No qualms about the nation! No qualms about families! No qualms about my brothers!”
It was a cliff on the other side. Eight hundred veterans were throwing rocks they had collected on the cliff but their actions still could not deter Dongxuan’s troops. Suddenly, a loud command split the sky.
“A saber, a person, a life to stop another!”
Eight hundred handicapped veterans formed groups of fifty as they jumped straight off the three-hundred-foot high cliff, raising their sabers with bloodshot eyes.
Just the height alone could kill them! They used their bodies as rolling logs and rocks, rolling logs and rocks that carried sabers!
Consider it my gain if I could kill someone with a chop!
Consider it my gain if I could kill someone by landing on them!
If I can’t kill anyone with my saber or myself, I will f*cking land and become the rock that deters your advance!
…
Tie Zheng’s tears and blood streamed down in unison, he wanted to roar, to perish in the battle here. Yet he did not even have a chance to reorganize his troops.
He was being tailed in pursuit; the handful of times that Tie Zheng wanted to reorganize his troops, he could not do it in time. The Shadow Cavalry was right behind them, less than a thousand feet away! If they stopped to shuffle with such a distance, the enemy could have annihilated all of them with a single charge.
They could only flee to a safe distance. However, how could their enemy grant them such a distance?
The forest was dense on both sides while bushes and weed were lush under their feet, drowning everyone to their waist.
The northwest wind swirled with vigor, as if blowing upon their trail.
Tianxuan Cliff!
They had arrived at Tianxuan Cliff!
Tie Zheng cried against the sky, “Tianxuan Cliff! The Nine Supremes sacrificed themselves here. Could it be that I, Tie Zheng, have to perish in the war here too? What does it matter if I, Tie Zheng, perish here… I only resent the fact that so many of Yutang’s souls would fall foul under Dongxuan’s Shadow Cavalry… I, Tie Zheng, can’t die in peace!”
“Nine Supremes! If you are blessing us from above, if you are watching this, save us Yutang! Save us Yutang!”
Tie Zheng cried hopelessly, spurting a mouthful of blood with his shouts.
At a corner, the many silhouettes of the Shadow Cavalry glinted ferociously.
In the dark, some forty to fifty shadows appeared like spirits; they were soundless, the gleaming chill from their swords and sabers had already surrounded Tie Zheng in a glimmering circle.
“Dark Shadow!” Tie Zheng was already exhausted. He suddenly guffawed. “Dongxuan Dark Shadow! Your father has long admired your reputation! Come at me!”
He roared, welcoming the squad with big strides; those people in the dark were soundless as they descended from all directions.
Tie Zheng growled, his sword swinging rapidly in counterattack but he was a militant after all. His ability obviously paled in comparison to these martial arts experts as several wounds were added to his body within an instant.
“Marshal!”
A dozen of his janissaries sprung up, blocking the swords and sabers with their bodies in the air, shielding Tie Zheng from the sudden attacks. Blood splattered, warm crimson droplets landing on Tie Zheng’s face. The man roared deafeningly, his heart throbbed with so much anguish that his breathing almost ceased.
Another dozen janissaries charged forward with their lives, a rough chortle resounded in the dark night. “Marshal! Don’t forget to give me a toast at your wedding!”
The person who spoke had sent his saber right into the enemy’s chest as his head simultaneously flew with a chilling ray.
Only swooshes from swords and sabers as well as the splutter of spurting blood could be heard in this dark night. With a jerk, Tie Zheng fell onto the ground. Beside him, a guard was breathing in labor; his intestines were threatening to drop out as blood spurted from a frightening gash on his stomach.
“Brother…” Tie Zheng tore off a strip of cloth with much difficulty with the intention to bandage his wound.
“Marshal!” The injured soldier suddenly growled and sprang up with all his might, pushing Tie Zheng aside as a saber was driven like lightning right into his stomach.
Tie Zheng roared, swinging his sword at the assassin, cleaving him from his head down to his toes before turning to look at the soldier. “Brother…”
“Marshal…” The wounded soldier smiled. “Don’t forget to give me a toast of wine at your wedding… I’d wanted to congratulate marshal with the utmost glorious merit, I’m very sorry…” With a tilt of his head, his breathing ceased.
“There is! There is! Brother! Drink however much you want to…!” Hot tears stung Tie Zheng’s eyes as he sobbed, “Brother, my brothers…”
His janissaries charged forth to fight against the enemy in this darkest of nights, the clashing sound of metal against metal resonated through the air.
Outside the valley, the galloping of warhorses approached.
The Shadow Cavalry was here!
Yutang’s Steel Cavalry who was retreating had suddenly reigned their steeds in uniformly; their faces solemn.
“Marshal! Let’s give it our all!”
Hundreds of thousands of people shouted at the same time, their eyes bloodshot with battle fury!
“Give it our all?” Tie Zheng picked himself up with much effort, his muscular build drenched in blood. He murmured and suddenly bellowed maniacally, “Give it our all! I, Tie Zheng, have let down my brothers this life. Let us perish in this war, let us reassemble and fight again in the underworld!”
“It is us brothers who have let the marshal down!” An assistant general’s voice was tearful. “We wanted to congratulate marshal with the utmost glorious merit! It is too bad that the brothers have let you down! We have let sister-in-law down the most…”
Sister-in-law.
Tie Zheng’s gaze froze. The delicate figure that waited against the door seemed to appear in front of his eyes.
“The battlefield is vicious and dangerous, take great care.”
“Of course, Qian’er. When I return, I shall take you as my wife! I shall make the army and all of Yutang’s citizens come celebrate our victory, come celebrate our marriage!”
“I will wait for you…”
Tie Zheng laughed bitterly against the sky.
He had enlisted in the military since he was young. The busy years he had spent stationed away as a militant! It was only when he was thirty-nine years old this year that the thought to marry finally came to him. It was too bad that everything was for nothing...
The galloping of the enemy was blaring in their ears, the hollering deafening. “Tie Zheng, don’t you think of escaping!”
“Kill!”
The gentle face gradually distanced away from Tie Zheng’s gaze, merging into the faraway scenery. “Find good in-laws after I die… But remember, never find a militant again!”
He turned around, his expression already cold and hard. His spear pillared against the ground as he bellowed like a majestic mountain that reached the heavens, “With our lives!”
“With our lives!”
All warriors in the army cried together, blood shooting into their pupils.
“Prepare to recoup! Brothers, get ready!”
Tie Zheng laughed, his laughter carefree and unrestrained. The delicate silhouette in his eyes dissipated into thin air, leaving behind a murderous thirst for copper blood and a willingness to brave death!
Five hundred feet away, a battalion of the Dongxuan Shadow Cavalry appeared; the chilling glint of their spears and sabers blinked in the dark night.
“Is everyone here?”
Tie Zheng roared, his shout loud and clear through the air!
“Here!” Tens of thousands of the army answered in unison.
Just as Tie Zheng was about to issue his command, his spear aimed diagonally towards the front; just as he was about to cry for them to fight to their death, he stopped abruptly. His entire being froze.
It was because, right then, a surge of wind suddenly hailed from above Tianxuan Cliff!
Hoo, hoo, hoo.
The northwest wind that was bellowing in fervor had actually switched its direction, blowing over in the opposite path.
The wind bellowed, growing stronger and stronger…
Woo, woo.
The shrill cry of the wind had changed into a devil’s roar.
All the trees in the entire forest bent simultaneously towards the Shadow Cavalry! Tianxuan Cliff’s blessed topography had turned into a fatal circumstance for Dongxuan!
Tie Zheng’s heart lurched, as did all of Yutang’s army’s!
This scene was so… familiar.
Could it be?
Could it really be?
