Chapter 158 (1/2)

Chapter 158

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

With a crisp sound, Vice-General Cheng's palm landed on Sun He's face. He grabbed him by the collar and coldly bellowed, ”Are you an idiot? Do you not know her relationship with His Highness? If we have already reached this stage, if she did not die, we can only wait for his highness to come back and sacrifice us to the nation!”

Since it had already escalated to such a state, if they wanted to survive, they could only carry through with the initial plan. Since they had already identified her as the fake, they could only stick through with that judgment!

With his heart set, Cheng Yuan coldly declared, ”The western garrison troops, assemble!”

Xue Zhiyuan had been rudely awakened by the war drums that had sounded throughout the entire city. Bearing the intense pain that spread throughout his body, he walked up to the city wall and was utterly confused. His eyes wide with surprise, he heard the familiar voice beyond the walls, and the moment he saw the formations that were in place below the city, he instantly understood what was going on. He quickly went down, and pushing aside the guards, he asked, ”What are you doing? Quickly, open the gates! That is Master Chu from Military Staff Office!”

Cheng Yuan coldly walked up and pressed on Xue Zhiyuan's mouth. In his grievous injury, Xue Zhiyuan could not struggle at all, as Cheng Yuan bellowed at his ears, ”If this were to be informed to the entire world, you would be the first to die! Bringing back the wrong intel, and creating panic within the armies, do you think His Highness will forgive you? If you want to live, quickly shut up! If not, I can send you to your maker now!”

Cheng Yuan's eyes froze up, as he strode off with murderous intent while dishing out further instructions, ”Listen to my orders later. We will pretend to be friendly at first. Sun He will flank them, and Li Lu will attack them from the back. We will surround them and destroy them under the city, and we must not allow even a single one of them to leave!”

Xue Zhiyuan was stunned as he stood rooted to the ground. His boiling blood froze up as he entered a daze. He was suddenly reminded of how many years ago, he had such passion and excitement when he was starving and was first educated about the mindset of Da Tong. All along, he had faced such pain and difficulties, yet he refused to yield to his weakness and fatigue. But at this moment, his faith, his dreams, and his world collapsed upon him! His face turned pale, as he suddenly stumbled back. He turned and raced to the city walls. His agile figure quickly scaled the stairs like a beast!

Cheng Yuan was quick to respond as he shouted, ”Stop him!”

Yet, that split second was all Xue Zhiyuan needed to reach the top of the city wall, as he shouted down, ”Chu Qiao, run!”

With a few sharp whooshes, a rain of arrows pierced through that man's figure, as the arrow revealed themselves on the other side of the man, poking out from his body. The blood spilled all over the city wall, as his hot blood dripped down like seeds, landing on the ground from the majestic city walls, creating crimson little holes in the snow below!

Everyone who witnessed that was utterly shocked. The cold wind blew past his robes and brushed against his young figure that once harbored great ambitions. His eyes were still crystal clear, full of awe-inspiring indomitability. His pledge many years ago echoed by his ears, ”I am willing to sacrifice my entire life to Yan Bei Da Tong. There is no self, no personal gains, and I would fight my entire life for freedom!” All noise ceased, as his figure swayed slightly in the wind, before falling with the wind onto the frigid land of Yan Bei! The civilians shrieked in fear as they fell into chaos and quickly evacuated the vicinity of the city gates.

Chu Qiao sat on her horse, her eyes completely red. She steeled her gaze and rekindled the passion and rage within her heart. Finally, she lifted her palm up, and sent out a short and simple order, ”Retreat!”

Before leaving, Chu Qiao turned back to look at the Yan Bei flag that was still floating in the air, the soldiers crowded on the walls, the bodies that littered the battlefield, and the young soldier that she had once slapped twice. She heaved a sigh, and her heart felt heavier than ever.

”I will make sure this revenge will be carried out. I swear! On my life!”

The sun finally emerged from the horizon, painting the entire landscape golden. It was as though even the gods would like to bless the Earth on that particular day. With such speed of retreat, even if he were to be in full pursuit, he would have lost all chances of complete annihilation. Cheng Yuan's heart had sunk completely, as Sun He stared at the disappearing cavalries, asking, ”Master, what should we do?”

Taking a glance at Sun He, Cheng Yuan's gaze was cold and frigid, as he turned around, and without speaking a single word, he left.

”What should I do?” Cheng Yuan asked himself the same question. He will find a way out. Surely! Definitely!

With the sun blazing in the sky, a new day had arrived! But merely two hours later, a huge patch of clouds floated over from the North, as deep rumbling sounds could be heard rolling from afar. Before one even finished their breakfast, one could see that in the horizons, a sea of grey rose in the East. It was seemed endless as it covered the entire land. Thousands and thousands of horses galloped over the snowy plains, with the wind sending their clothes fluttering like a swarm of flying eagles!

The Yan Bei soldiers of the second army, who had only fought with local garrisons, had never seen such majestic formations before. Armed with excellent horses, durable armor, polished blades, and neat columns, the incoming formations had sent even some of the veteran soldiers fumbling, while mumbling in despair, ”The devils have come!”