Chapter 1963: Pursuit in the Night! (1/2)
Edited by: Michyrr
Although the horsemen could not sense any enemies, they all felt an intense danger. It was their liege that had come up with the idea of using fireworks as signals, and it had only begun to spread to the rest of the army over the last half-year. The firework's explosion could be clearly seen for ten-some li, and all the soldiers in that area would begin to move out.
No one understood more than them that the enemy had discovered them and were now converging on their location.
Rumble!
A few moments later, the earth thundered with the stampeding of hooves, so numerous that they sounded like raindrops striking the ground.
”The young commander has ordered that not a single person is allowed to escape!”
”Kill one and be rewarded one hundred taels of gold!”
”Lord Gao has said that if you let one go, you can take your head to see him!”
”Scoundrels, you can't escape! Dismount and get on your knees, and we can spare you!”
”Our young commander has been waiting for some time!”
Loud cries penetrated through the darkness.
The pounding of hooves made the hearts of the horsemen sink. While the enemy seemed scattered, in their pursuit, they maintained their cohesion and pace. This was something only army elites were capable of.
Even more disconcerting was that one of them had said 'our young commander has been waiting for some time'. This meant that the enemy had been ready and waiting this whole time.
But they had moved very furtively, and no one except a small number in their liege's inner circle knew of this operation. Not even the Bureau of Military Personnel's Zhangchou Jianqiong had been informed. But these people had somehow been ready.
”Report back to His Highness that An Yaluoshan is plotting rebellion!” the leader suddenly said.
This was not their first mission, and they were certain that they had not left many clues. For them to be quickly discovered could only mean that An Yaluoshan and his Youzhou crew had been plotting rebellion for some time and had been on their guard throughout.
Thwish!
As the leader spoke, he suddenly took a bow from his saddle and loosed an arrow in the direction of the hooves approaching from behind.
At the same time, the others did the same, taking out their bows and loosing arrows.
”Careful!”
”Raise shields!”
This sudden assault left the pursuing Youzhou elites rather surprised. They had not expected the enemy to dare attack while also trying to escape.
But these were still Andong elites who had survived in the northeast. They reacted with incredible speed, engaging in evasive maneuvers while returning fire.
”'S' formation! Don't get too far! Try to exhaust them and kill a few, or else they'll just keep pursuing us!” the leader sternly ordered.
They were extremely experienced when it came to escaping under high pressure. Focusing solely on escape would mean that the enemy would pursue them endlessly, perhaps even ignoring their own safety to try and stop them. Only by killing a few and striking some fear into their hearts did they have a chance at escaping.
As the countless people of Youzhou slumbered, an intense pursuit and battle was unfolding in the darkness.
The Youzhou elites exhibited their impressive horse archery skills. While riding in full pursuit, they bent their bows and loosed their arrows. A few of them, their eyes sharp and fierce, were able to use their bow with either hand. Moreover, the Youzhou elites also displayed incredible teamwork.
In the midst of the pursuit, the Youzhou elites quickly sent a small team to charge in front. These men had small shields which they used to block and bash, sheltering the men behind them from arrows.
All of them displayed a superb level of training and coordination, without the slightest mistake, but unfortunately, they were dealing with Wang Chong's elites…
Thwish!
With a shrieking whistle, an arrow pierced through the darkness, but this was not aimed at any of the riders. There was a shriek as an arrow struck the left foreleg of a horse. Its rider was caught off guard and was immediately thrown from his horse.
Plush! Another sharp arrow pierced through the neck of one of the shield riders.
Without even a chance to groan, the shield rider dropped lifelessly to the ground.
All the Youzhou elites paled, but before they could react, another arrow shot out, colliding with the arrow loosed by a Youzhou elite.
”What?!”
The Youzhou rider's face was stricken with shock.