Chapter 271

The Great King wasn't in a hurry either, letting the cavalry catch their breath, slowly driving the Xianbei people north to the border.

The Xianbei people were also encountering such a sorry sight for the first time; instinctively they ran north, wanting to flee back to their own land, which suited the Great King just fine.

The surviving Tufa and Tuoba fled north with all their might, seeing that the pursuing troops behind were not urgent but they couldn't shake them off; they weren't without complaints, but they had no other choice.

When they had fled out of the borders of Secluded Prefecture and saw Branch Yan Mountain at the horizon's end, one second they relaxed, the next their hearts rose again.

About a li ahead, a great army came from both sides to encircle them; the leading cavalry looked even more extravagant than the pursuers behind!

They were armed to the teeth, their faces wrapped so only their eyes showed; their warhorses wore armor, and even the horses' heads were fitted with spears flashing cold light!

That's right, the army blocking them from behind was from Upper Valley Pass, and the vanguard blocking the road was precisely the Owl Cavalry!

He drew his sword first and said to the Marquis of Dongdu, 'Just hold the line here, General; we Owl Cavalry will give the brothers a demonstration!'

As soon as he finished speaking, the lazily perched Zhetian on his horse shot up into the sky, 'Let's fight! Why are you dawdling?'

The Marquis of Dongdu and his men were seeing the fully armed Owl Cavalry for the second time, but this was the first time they saw them in action.

These fellows had that kind of armor and horses; once Zhou Ke signaled to attack, they charged the Xianbei cavalry like madmen, needing no tactics or formations, instantly throwing the enemy horsemen into disarray.

For a moment, the whole Upper Valley Pass force was just gasping!

The enemy horsemen's mounts were pierced through by the Owl Cavalry's horse spears at first contact; the Owl Cavalry on their backs swiftly and accurately dealt a finishing blow to the riders above, their steeds trampling the fallen enemy horses as they kept charging forward.

The opposing cavalry's warhorse was run through in an instant by the spear tip of the owl cavalry's mount; the owl rider on its back swiftly and accurately dealt a finishing blow to the rider above, and the warhorse, trampling the fallen enemy mount, kept charging forward.

Ge Zhong voiced everyone's feelings. He also rode a Black Wind Horse—how could the difference in bearing be so huge just because of armor?!

Wu Jian slowly exhaled, 'Fortunately, fortunately we've already decided not to be enemies with the You King.' How the hell do we fight this?!

The Marquis of Dongdu's eldest son was also there; he couldn't help but say, 'Even harvesting wheat in military camps has never been this smooth…'—and what they're reaping is human heads!

Men block and kill men, gods block and kill gods!

The usually silent Marquis of Dongdu suddenly spoke, 'Look closely, the Xianbei can't cut through the Owl Cavalry's armor.'

The Xianbei soldiers were also battle-hardened, not to the point of being unable to land a blow at first. But when the Owl Cavalry slashed them once, they fell; when they tried to slash the Owl Cavalry back, it was as if… they hadn't cut at all. Although the Xianbei really had few chances to strike back.

It's astonishing; the You King is truly generous! The Owl Cavalry are armed to the teeth, even those gauntlets look uncuttable.

Ge Zhong drooled the whole time, 'Can't I get one of those?!'

From the Marquis of Dongdu's perspective, the Owl Cavalry's moves were well-practiced, not relying on brute strength; at a glance they'd trained in techniques and footwork, the kind he couldn't find a flaw in.

The You King must have a mastermind in his army!

Zhetian had been crouching beside Zhou Ke for a long time; now that the fight finally started, it excitedly rushed to the most crowded spot and flapped its huge wings, instantly freezing the ground around it into ice, leaving men and horses stunned, alive or dead unknown.

This kind of nuclear weapon was something the Xianbei had never seen before; the outer ring of spectators who weren't affected by the blast weren't scared silly!

The Xianbei had never seen such a nuclear weapon before; the crowd in the front rows who weren't hit by the blast and were watching this scene didn't go crazy with fear.

Some even dismounted to kowtow, muttering incantations, clearly already far down the path of mysticism.

The Great King watched from behind with a telescope, grinning ear to ear, 'Our Zhetian's combat power is a waste if not in the army. Ah! If only I'd known to lend it to the Northern Expedition Army—people move slowly, but our Zhetian is fast.'

Wei Shen: '……If you're not here, can you be sure it'll work?'

Wei Shen: "……You're not here, are you sure it will show up for work?"

At once he lost what confidence he had.

This creature, even as a carrier pigeon to this day, only ever goes to Changzhou……

This guy, even as a messenger pigeon to this day, only ever goes to Changzhou……

Tufa and Tuoba never imagined that the ones blocking ahead were even tougher characters.

Seeing the pursuing troops also closing in from behind, they finally realized there was no way they could escape this time.

They couldn't win even if they fought; they were utterly outmatched. Tufa fiercely slashed the Owl Cavalry he was grappling with, but the enemy's armor was fine while his sidearm got nicked.

Having lived this long, always smooth sailing on the battlefield, this was the first time he'd encountered such a helpless situation. He suddenly realized he might have to meet his end here.

Having lived this long, he'd always had smooth sailing on the battlefield; this was the first time he'd encountered such a helpless situation. He suddenly realized he might have to die here.

No, not possibly—it's certain.

He has killed countless Great Jin people; now… what is this? All day he hunts geese, now a goose has pecked out his eye?

He suddenly turned his head toward the King, looked up and roared with laughter, 'Hahaha~ I never thought the worthless emperor of Great Jin would father someone as ruthless as you!'

The King heard it, but before he could answer, the owl cavalry behind him ruthlessly chopped off the bald head…

The King: ……

That'll do.

Now he's truly bald.

On the other side, Tuoba Yao was pursued by Zhou Ke, who cut off his hand in two strikes; he promptly surrendered.

This man is quite savvy; even missing a hand, he still wants to live.

"I surrender, don't kill me! Don't kill me! I'm the younger brother of the King of the Western Xianbei!"

Zhou Ke had him tied up; one more Xianbei makes no difference, anyway the jail still has empty cells.

The genuine criminals have all been sent to work the mines; the You Prefecture jail is now reserved solely for the Xianbei.

As Tuoba Yao surrendered, the remaining survivors flung down their weapons and surrendered.

The King's policy is just that: surrender and you won't be killed; there's plenty of work to be done there.

"Tie them all up, strip off their armor, search them, and first send them to the mines to be locked up!"

After such a delay, the You Prefecture infantry also arrived, just in time to tidy the battlefield.

The King glanced toward Mount Zhi Yan, then said, 'Don't bury them near my home; bury them at the foot of Mount Zhi Yan. Remember to dig a pit! Leaving them out in the open to rot will breed bacteria.'

Wei Shen: '……Quite particular! But, what are bacteria?'

The King thought for a moment, then said, 'Plague.'

This time everyone was frightened; Zhang Tu urged the soldiers, 'Bury them deep, don't cut corners!'

Those opposite at Shanggu Pass were all stunned.

Is this still the arrogant Xianbei Three Tribes cavalry?!

How do those Youzhou guys seem to have practiced this, or often do such things? They're so skilled!

Watching them tie up the living and pile them, and pile the dead, then start removing armor, searching bodies, delivering finishing blows—so skilled it doesn't seem like this is their first time today!

The King and Zhetian had a friendly meeting, then came over to greet the Duke of Dongdu.

"Uncle Liang, you first return to Shanggu Pass; I'll personally lead people on a trip to Yizhou to finish off the remaining Xianbei."

"Yes! Your Highness, go yourself; this old man will guard Shanggu Pass for Your Highness."

"The troops at Shanggu Pass also work hard making a trip; later, if I gain something in Yizhou, I'll also send a share to Uncle Liang."

"Then I, on behalf of Shanggu Pass, will thank Your Highness in advance for the reward!"

"The old fox and the little fox bade each other farewell affectionately; the King led his troops mightily toward Yizhou."

"Strike while the iron's hot; we haven't yet found the court's compensation, so I can't work for free!"