Chapter 190

The archery team headed into the Songlu Ridge. No one knew why they headed in, but at the same time, no one knew why was it that after they entered, they did not come out. That was because the two groups of infantry that were sent in to look for them vanished as well.

Route, defeat, annihilation, disappearance… The news came back one after another as Yan Xun’s expression turned darker. Those generals who were sitting around the table were also sitting on pins and needles. It was then that an old general cautiously asked, “Just wondering…should we concentrate our troops into one single place? Splitting them into so many groups seems too risky.”

“What a joke!” AhJing was present as well, although his position was obviously not as high as Cheng Yuan’s. Sitting far off in the crowd, he coldly retorted, “The enemy was only 300 strong. We have gathered 100,000 to fend them off. With such a huge difference in strength, why should we concentrate our forces?”

That old general tried to explain, “But the enemy has extremely strong fighting abilities, and each of them could match a hundred men…”

“I do not agree with gathering our forces into one spot either.” Cheng Yuan asserted his opinion, before elaborating, “The area is wide and deserted, along with the current snowstorm, the 300 men just need to hide somewhere and we will no longer able to find them. Grouping all 100,000 men together makes us easier to spot and avoid. Your Highness, this subordinate suggests an encirclement. As long as we block all paths out, I believe they will definitely appear.”

“Great General Cheng, I am afraid you have forgotten about the battle of Caoqiu? You said the same thing back then.” AnJing coldly glanced at Cheng Yuan coldly and mocked, “To set up a blockade at all roads, and to mobilize all our troops, guarding even the smallest of dirt roads. At that time, General, you had sworn that even a mouse would not be able to escape from the barricade, yet after merely one month, Zhuge Yue happily ate and slept in luxury in the Yanming Pass while we were thoroughly exhausted.”

Hearing that, Cheng Yuan’s face turned black, but he did not speak much. He merely turned to look at Yan Xun. Everyone knew that the Battle of Cao Qiu was a forbidden topic for Yan Xun. Although Cheng Yuan was to be blamed, as the main commander whose main base had even been ambushed, Yan Xun would be the main party responsible. Yet, Yan Xun did not show any expression on his face, and pretended as though he had not heard anything, his eyes frigid as usual, no sign of emotion.

With a whoosh, with his body that was clad in heavy armor, AhJing pushed the small table before him and walked up slightly. With a deep voice, he spoke to Yan Xun, “Your Highness, Zhuge Yue only has around 300 men, yet he managed to inflict over 3,000 casualties on us. He could not have escaped without any casualties. In that case, the fact that we had not seen any Xia soldiers’ bodies was due to the fact that he had brought them with him. That would further hinder the combat ability of their originally small number of soldiers. This subordinate wishes to bring 1,000 men to pursue him. I will certainly accomplish the mission.”

Yan Xun’s eyes were like the depths of the ocean, cold and calm, as he observed AhJing’s face. Beyond the tent, the raging wind swept up layers of layers of fallen snow, yet that was still nothing compared to the coldness in Yan Xun’s eyes. Carefully, he weighed the pros and cons, as though he was a cunning lead wolf of a pack.

AhJing? AhJing’s capabilities were not to be doubted, and his previous suppression of AhJing had trained his temper well. Right now, AhJing’s request to fight was no doubt in an attempt to prove himself again. Yet, he still could not be fully trusted. After all, he was particularly close to Chu Qiao. What could happen if this incident was made known to Chu Qiao?

The tent sank into silence, as all looked upon Yan Xun for further instructions. Time passed as the hourglass slowly emptied itself. Suddenly, the neighing of a warhorse could be heard. AhJing ran up, only to see that two hundred horses were running towards the main tent, with the leading commander bathed in blood, shouting, “We captured the enemy leader!”

At that moment, the entire tent shook. With his brows furrowed deeply, Yan Xun’s cold eyes finally seemed to glimmer with something that seemed like anticipation.

The entire heavens were filled with whiteness, as the heavy snow continued to fall. The light cavalry group that had headed out to locate the enemies had set off with 500 men, but by the time they returned, they did not even have 300. From that point alone, the intensity of the battle could be seen. The commander of the group, Lu He, was drenched in fresh blood, his shoulder pierced by an arrow. Jumping off his horse, he kneeled before Yan Xun and reported, “Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate has completed the mission that was given to us, and has captured the marshal of the Northwest Xia forces, Zhuge Yue.”

The crowd erupted into a wave of cheers upon hearing that. In the past year, the Yan Bei army had suffered greatly because of Zhuge Yue. That man seemed to be undefeatable when it came to strategy, and had never fought conventionally before. With countless excellent generals under his command, he was daring and courageous, and commanded the fierce loyalty of his soldiers. Zhuge Yue was the main cause for the fact that Yan Bei had lost most of their battles. In addition, Zhuge Yue represented the support of the Xia Noble families in this war, and his presence in the battle had greatly affected the outcome. Compared to other people, Yan Xun did not seem to be too happy. Looking at Lu He, he firmly instructed, “Bring him up.”

“Bring him up!” Lu He shouted, and immediately someone brought a man up. This man wore a purple robe, and was dressed in an overwhelming splendor. Covered in wounds, this man’s leg had been impaled by six arrows, and he could no longer stand. Upon seeing Yan Xun, he gradually lifted his head up, and with a cold glance, he smirked, “Prince Yan, it has been long.”

Yan Xun frowned and growled slowly, “Yue Qi?”

“Prince Yan, your memory is pretty good. No wonder you could come up with so many kinds of underhanded methods to fight against my master.” Yue Qi chuckled. The wound on his face was wide open. Coupled with his smile, he had already lost his past handsomeness and now seemed more like a devil.

Yan Xun was not moved by his remark, and asked coldly, “Where is Zhuge Yue?”

Yue Qi chuckled out loud, as though he had just heard the funniest joke. He asked, “Could Prince Yan be actually crazy? How could you ask such a stupid question?”

“Bring him out and behead him.” Yan Xun coldly turned around and instructed. His bodyguards immediately crowded around Yue Qi and dragged him out. Yue Qi’s carefree voice sounded off from behind, as though he was completely not bothered, “Yan Xun, you are not a soldier! You are merely a despicable man who is used to playing dirty! You will not be my master’s opponent! I will go ahead first, and wait for you in the afterlife!”

“Is it?” Yan Xun’s voice was cold and frigid, like an ancient clock that had rust. Yan Xun turned back, and with a sharp gaze, he replied, “Go and wait, and see who comes first.” Standing in the middle of the snowstorm, Yan Xun’s expression was completely dark.

“Your Highness,” Lu He anxiously asked, “this subordinate is to be blamed, as I was deceived by him. But I already know where the Zhuge Dog has escaped to. I will go in pursuit now.”

With a glance, Yan Xun saw his sword, and asked, “Give me that.”

Lu He was even more surprised, and quickly removed the sword and passed it to Yan Xun. With his forehead full of sweat, he explained, “This was the sword that that man wore. This subordinate…this subordinate was just about to give it to Your Highness.”

The blade was four feet long, and was imbued in a pale green with faint red patterns looking like blood. That was the blade of Zhuge Yueဧ—Moon Shatterer. As for this sword, Yan Xun could not be any more familiar with it.

“Sun Cai, bring this sword and chase after Master Chu. She should be along the way back to Shangshen. Tell her that Zhuge Yue assaulted the food stockpile at Yuegong. I was coincidentally at Yuegong, and my bodyguards had almost been annihilated, with me being struck a few times too. Right now, I have been encircled. Request that she immediately head to Yuegong City for reinforcements. Remember, you must take a detour through the Nanhe Mountain to show that you just escaped from Yuegong city, understand?”

The young general kneeled on the ground, and firmly acknowledged, “This subordinate understands.”

“Nian Qing, you are to head to Yuegong City, and bring my orders to the garrison that they are mobilizing within one day, and create an illusion that they have been encircled.”

“Roger, I will head off now.”

“Cheng Yuan, gather the Black Eagle Army, and in five waves, head to Yuegong. Follow behind Master Chu, pretend to attack, but do not make contact with her forces. Make it seem like you are in pursuit of her. Understand?”

“Understand.”

“Qi Zhi, you are to follow Nian Qing and head to Yuegong. Along the way, you are to inform all the cities along the way to shut their city gates, mobilize, and prepare for a potential siege.”

“Yes!”

“Huo An!”

“This subordinate is here.” A soldier wearing Xiuli Army uniform stood at one side. With his head lowered, one could not see his facial details. In deference, the soldier replied, “Please give me an order.”

“You are to follow Lu He. After meeting Zhuge Yue, I believe you know what to do.”

Huo An knelt on the ground, and firmly answered, “This subordinate understands. I will not betray your expectations.”

As the various forces moved out, Yan Xun stood in his original spot, and slowly, he informed, “AhJing.”

AhJing quickly took a step up, and in anticipation, he asked, “This subordinate is here. Please give your instructions.”

“Head to the Song Empire, and check on our next shipment of food for our army that is due next Spring.”

AhJing was stunned, and asked in disbelief, “Now?”

“Yes.” Yan Xun turned around, and with his sharp gaze, he slowly replied, “Now.”

With wave after wave of wind passing by, Yan Xun stood in the cold wind in his black robes, completely unmoved by the entire incident. With the sun covered by the dark clouds, the surroundings were a gloomy darkness. It was as though even the heavens were anticipating a great battle ahead.

Anticipating a huge snowstorm, Chu Qiao had just settled down her troops for the night when she heard that the hurried sound of horses coming from the north. He Xiao went to intercept that man, and before long, he brought back a young general. That man was completely covered in grime and blood, and his hair was a mess. Upon seeing Chu Qiao, he seemed happy, as though he had just met a long-lost relative. He pounced to the ground while crying out loud, “Master Chu! I finally found you! Please, quickly, bring your forces to reinforce His Highness before it is too late!”

With a clang, Chu Qiao’s Can Hong sword dropped to the ground. With her eyes wide open, she stepped up and asked, “What have you said? Repeat yourself!”

“Zhuge Dog brought his men secretly into the Yan Bei territory, and burnt the entire food stockpile in Yuegong city. His Highness was nearby, and not knowing the situation, he brought merely 200,000 men to aid in the situation. But now he is trapped by Zhuge Yue, and has been wounded so grievously he can no longer ride a horse. As of now, a 50,000 strong Xia army has trapped His Highness in the city. This subordinate brought 300 men out to report on the situation. In the process, all of them died except for me.”

Chu Qiao frowned and asked, “How could 50,000 Xia troops suddenly appear in the middle of Yan Bei? Explain yourself!”

The man’s grim face turned into a grimace, as he cried, “This subordinate does not know either! They seemed to have dropped down from the heavens! That Zhuge Yue is so skilled with the sword, and slashed His Highness’ chest with just one strike. If not for AhJing’s desperate defense, His Highness would have already died. A general called Yue Qi attacked the city gates three times. All the soldiers have died…” Sun Cai started to tear as he depicted the bloody scene. Picking up the blade on his waist, he presented it to Chu Qiao. “Right, this was Zhuge Yue’s sword. He struck his highness with this blade. Stuck in His Highness’ shoulder bone, Zhuge Yue was unable to draw it out.”

Chu Qiao was instantly stunned. Picking up the sword, she instantly recognized the sword. Tightly grabbing it, she tried her best to control her trembling desires. Her gaze was cold, as though her pupil was full of snow.

Zhuge Yue, how could he? He had said that he had not come here for war this time. If that was the case, how could he burn the food stockpiles of Yuegong and assassinate Yan Xun? Yet, what exactly was this? Whose blood was it on the Sword of the Moon Shatterer?

“Master! With haste! If you do not hurry, it may be too late!” Sun Cai prostrated himself, and pleaded.

Taking a deep breath, Chu Qiao felt like her entire blood had started to freeze. If anything were to happen to Yan Xun, wouldn’t it be her fault? Deftly flipping onto her horse, she informed the subordinate, “Set off! We are heading to Yuegong!”