Chapter 934: Yang the Invincible

Urged on by the fierce cries of battle, the lazy spring sun climbed above the clouds, illuminating the sky. Yet beneath that lofty sky hung layer upon layer of fire-like clouds, red with a heavy depth, dark with oppression, mirroring the thick bloodstains spread across the mountain ridges.

A sudden assault was something the Liao army had never anticipated. Even though Yelu Wuzhi had previously remarked that there might be pursuers behind Shi Yanchao, it had only been an instinctive overthinking, not taken too seriously. They never imagined that Yang Ye would come from behind so quickly and with such audacity.

The scattered Liao troops became the best prey for the Han army—chased, driven, and slaughtered at will. Because of the terrain, it was not convenient for the Han army to pierce through and break apart the enemy, so Yang Ye's orders focused on two points: first, to scatter the chaos; second, to slaughter.

Within a little over an hour, the Han army had pushed a full three li northward, and along the way, blades flashed and blood dyed the mountain wilds. Under the assault, the Liao army fell into utter confusion—men panicking, beasts fleeing, chaos everywhere.

Once the southern defenses were easily breached by Yang Ye, the Liao army could no longer concentrate any effective resistance. They fled in panic, even losing all sense of direction. Besides being hunted down by the Han army, a great number of men and beasts trampled each other to death.

Under such circumstances, even the elite Liao troops holding the rear could not avoid falling into disorder, which made the Han army's pursuit under Yang Ye's command all the more leisurely.

Yelu Wuzhi reacted quickly. On one hand, he notified the Liao emperor to retreat north and leave the mountain pass as soon as possible; on the other, he personally gathered the scattered troops in the south to organize resistance. Under Yelu Wuzhi's emergency response, it did have some effect—but while the chaotic masses could barely be suppressed, the Han army's attacks were not so easily withstood.

Thus, whenever Yelu Wuzhi managed to organize his men, the Han army's attack would already arrive. Such formed-up Liao troops naturally became priority targets. In the end, Yelu Wuzhi himself was swept up in the rout, and had it not been for his trusted subordinates fighting desperately to protect him, this Great King of the Northern Division would likely have perished amidst the chaos.

Even so, Yelu Wuzhi's efforts still bought some time for Yelu Jing and the central and forward Liao forces to withdraw. In fact, the Liao army was not far from the northern exit of the pass. While the southern troops faced the Han army's fierce pursuit, the northern Liao troops withdrew even faster.

Because of the frantic haste, by the end, aside from warhorses and weapons, all baggage and valuables were abandoned. Only after escaping through the mountain pass did they stop, under Xiao Husi's arrangements, to reorganize on the spot and receive the troops behind—especially the Liao emperor.

Yang Ye led the Han army along the mountain road, advancing all the way. Whatever obstacles they encountered—man or beast—if they blocked the imperial army, they were killed without exception. Only after advancing seven or eight li did they truly meet organized resistance.

By this time, the Han army had killed an incalculable number of enemies. The one who organized the resistance was a general of the Pishi Army named Yelu Xianshi. With harsh measures, he gathered over a thousand troops in the rear, brutally stopping the charge of the routed soldiers, seizing the road junction, and directing them to disperse and retreat—most importantly, covering the retreat of the Liao emperor Yelu Jing.

At the same time, this gave the fleeing Yelu Wuzhi a chance to catch his breath. But the Han army following close behind showed no sign of resting, charging straight into battle. Iron and blood clashed, arrows flew everywhere, and for the first time, the fighting became fiercely intense.

Yelu Wuzhi didn't even have time to praise Yelu Xianshi. He directly took over command, sending him to the rear to continue suppressing the routed troops and organizing men. As for himself, he chose to stay and fight here personally, relying on his considerable prestige and command ability to contend with the Han army.

However, under the critical circumstances, the Liao army was a tangled mess. Even though their overall strength and combined force held an advantage, in this line of close combat, the Han army held absolute superiority. Under Yang Ye's command, the Han army attacked fiercely, breaking through three defensive lines set up by the Liao army in succession, pushing another two li northward.

It was clearly perceptible that the Liao army's resistance was continuously strengthening, and under their defiance, the Han army's casualties were also growing. Having clearly noticed the problem, Kang Zaiyu couldn't help but say: "General Yang, the Hu barbarians are fleeing, but by the look of it, the Liao army is gradually stabilizing their position. Our soldiers lay in ambush through the night, got little rest, then launched the attack. Fighting continuously until now, pushing nearly ten li north, they are already exhausted, with no strength left in reserve. This battle has already achieved great results. Further fighting serves no purpose—better to retreat!"

The problem Kang Zaiyu could see, Yang Ye naturally knew in his heart as well. The further north they went, the more obvious the increase in offensive pressure they faced. However, facing Kang Zaiyu's suggestion, Yang Ye decisively shook his head and said: "Morale must not be allowed to flag! Precisely because the Liao army has stabilized their position, we must not retreat rashly. Otherwise, we would invite their counterattack, and instead plunge our own army into danger!"

Hearing this, Kang Zaiyu asked: "Completely breaking the Liao army and achieving total victory is already impossible! Dragging on like this, I fear the Liao army will see through our true strength. General Yang, what do you plan to do—just continue this stalemate of attacks?"

Yang Ye's expression showed not the slightest change. He stared at the soldiers ahead who were still throwing themselves forward, fighting the Liao army in bloody combat. He raised his hand and pointed at the sky above, saying: "This morning's celestial signs are unusual!"

"What's wrong with the celestial signs?" Kang Zaiyu was startled, not catching on.

Pointing at the morning clouds that were clearly darkening, layer upon layer filling the sky without diminishing, Yang Ye said: "Clouds this densely packed—there is bound to be rain!"

Kang Zaiyu finally understood. He had been so focused on the fighting that he hadn't paid much attention to the sky above the ridges. But hearing Yang Ye's words, Kang Zaiyu couldn't help but admire: "If the rain falls, then when we stop our pursuit, it will seem natural, and the Liao army won't dare to counterattack rashly!"

Yang Ye observed the situation of the battle, pointing into the distance: "There is no shortage of capable men in the Liao army! Otherwise, they wouldn't have caused our army such losses. Truly a formidable enemy!"

As he spoke, Yang Ye took out a precious carved bow slung across his horse's back—a gift from the Son of Heaven. Every piece of Yang Ye's equipment had been bestowed by Liu Chengyou. Thus, fighting in this martial attire, Yang Ye always felt a sense of glory upon him—a scholar dying for one who understands him—an impulse and excitement to give his all in repayment.

Drawing the bow and nocking an arrow, the power of the strong bow was fully displayed through the drawn bowstring. His target was Yelu Wuzhi, who was commanding operations amidst the Liao ranks. After all this time, he had long since entered Yang Ye's sights.

He had been holding back, not making his move. Now, he suddenly loosed an arrow, flying straight at Yelu Wuzhi. On Yelu Wuzhi's side, he was boosting morale and encouraging the troops, and he too had noticed that the Han army's offensive was flagging.

When Yang Ye's arrow tore through the air, Yelu Wuzhi had absolutely no time to react. Had his personal guard not shoved him aside, that powerful arrow would have pierced straight through his skull.

Even so, Yelu Wuzhi had a frightful scare and tumbled to the ground. The moment he fell, the Liao army immediately fell into panic. The attacking Han soldiers were all veterans of a hundred battles, extremely experienced, and they pressed forward on the opportunity.

The defensive line Yelu Wuzhi had set up was broken again in less than a quarter of an hour. Behind, Yang Ye continued leading his men forward in assault—advancing while drawing his bow, his target still the protected Yelu Wuzhi.

This time, there was no accident. Though Yelu Wuzhi tried to dodge, the arrow struck him directly in the back. Even protected by armor, he could hardly avoid injury. Facing Yang Ye's divine archery, the Han soldiers' spirits soared, and their battle cries grew even fiercer.

Outside the mountain pass, over ten thousand Liao troops had already escaped and were being settled under the organization of Xiao Husi and others. Yelu Jing had also emerged after a harrowing flight. Though he was safe now, the shame and fury in his heart was beyond measure.

Paying no heed to anything else, he immediately sent men to check on the situation—especially Yelu Wuzhi's condition. The news received was not optimistic: the Han army was still pursuing along the road, sweeping all before them, defeating Yelu Wuzhi repeatedly.

Some attendants accompanying the emperor urged Yelu Jing to leave first, and were whipped by Yelu Jing until they rolled on the ground. Finally, word arrived: the Great King of the Northern Division was severely wounded and being hunted by the Han army.

At this, Yelu Jing was thoroughly enraged. He immediately ordered the Pishi Army's Xiangwen, Yelu Sagei, to lead troops to provide support. Yelu Sagei was unwilling, saying he needed to protect the Liao emperor.

Though gratified by his loyalty, Yelu Jing still roared at him: "The Great King of the Northern Division is the pillar of the state! If not for his full effort in holding back the Han army, how could any of you have escaped the mountain pass intact? You must bring him back for me!"

It was not until around the second ke of the chen hour that the sky completely changed. The black-red clouds still remained, but spring rain began to fall in a fine drizzle, gradually growing heavier, enveloping heaven and earth in a hazy curtain of rain.

The cool rain washed away the bloodstains on the mountain ridges, and also cooled and sobered both the Han and Liao armies mired in slaughter. The arrival of this spring rain also drew a conclusion to Yang Ye's raid.

The rain did not last long—it stopped in less than an hour. The clouds parted, the rain cleared, and the sun emerged once more. The rosy clouds at the horizon remained, growing even more splendid and beautiful.

Everywhere on the ridges was drenched. Earlier, the Han army had relied on some felt tents and carts left by the Liao army for shelter from wind and rain. Yang Ye held his saber in his arms, leaning against a concave rock wall for a brief rest. After all, since last night, he had barely gotten any rest or sleep.

"General, the Liao army has withdrawn eastward!"

At the sentry's report, Yang Ye came alive in an instant and immediately asked: "Truly? Was it a partial movement, or a full retreat?"

"They've all withdrawn—not a single soldier left behind!"

Hearing this, Yang Ye was not pleased but puzzled instead. Kang Zaiyu was also bewildered: "The Liao army is just swallowing this loss?"

"Heading east—that should be toward the Supreme Capital, to join up with the Liao forces at Wuzhou. With such urgency, could something have happened at Wuzhou?" Yang Ye speculated.

Since Yunzhou had chosen to withdraw, the Liao troops at Wende obviously could not hold their ground and linger either—that much was certain. But regardless, for Yang Ye's army, the Liao army's withdrawal was good news. At the very least, he didn't have to rush southward anymore.

He sent men northward to continue surveillance and reconnaissance, lest any other surprises arise, while simultaneously beginning to arrange for the soldiers to sweep the battlefield and tally the results.

The victorious Han army couldn't help but cheer. Someone started it—no one knew who—and the cry of "Yang the Invincible" resounded through the mountain ridges and valleys...