Chapter 109

The vanguard forces led by Borhu were the first to bear the brunt; they were like a sharp dagger, deeply piercing the Southern Xiongnu's defenses.

Borhu led from the front, his great sword whipping up wind and water; each swing took an enemy's life.

Muhuaili then led a unit of elite cavalry, launching an attack from the flank against the Southern Xiongnu.

They used terrain and speed to their advantage, constantly harassing and attacking the enemy's rear, leaving the Southern Xiongnu soldiers overwhelmed and unable to form an effective defense.

Borshu, Chilaowen, Zhebie and others then led the archery units, suppressing the Southern Xiongnu from a distance.

Their arrows fell like raindrops, preventing the Southern Xiongnu soldiers from raising their heads.

Each draw and shot took an enemy's life, contributing their strength to the Northern Xiongnu's victory.

The remaining four heroes each led their own troops, roaming the battlefield to seek out the enemy's weak points and attack them.

They were like wolves on the steppe; once they found a target, they would frenziedly tear and bite until the enemy was utterly destroyed.

When the battle reached its fiercest, Temujin sometimes even personally led a band of warriors charging into the Southern Xiongnu camp.

Wielding his saber, he hacked left and right; each swing took an enemy's life.

By his side, the Four Heroes and Four Hounds followed closely; their blades' light and shadow intertwined with Temujin's figure, forming an unstoppable force.

The remaining rag-tag troops of the Southern Xiongnu were beaten back step by step by the Mongol warriors under Temujin's command, their morale already sunk to the lowest point.

Meanwhile, the Mongol warriors grew braver with each fight, their hearts filled with longing for victory and reverence for Temujin.

And as for the Southern Xiongnu.

Temujin did not blindly slaughter; he took advantage of the emptiness of the Southern Xiongnu camp to swiftly seize important resources and strategic points.

He also sent small units to harass the Southern Xiongnu's reinforcements, preventing them from concentrating their strength to launch a counterattack.

He himself personally held the central command, using his wisdom and courage to direct every battle.

Under Temujin's command, the Mongol army was as flexible and cunning as a wolf pack.

They used terrain and numerical advantage to continually wear down the Southern Xiongnu's strength.

And the Southern Xiongnu, before Temujin's wisdom and courage, were like lambs awaiting slaughter, powerless to resist.

The few khans of the Southern Xiongnu who had gone south on a raiding campaign and survived to return to the steppe, bringing fatigue and despair, saw only a landscape of wounds and the blue wolf banner left by Temujin when they arrived on the northern grasslands.

This news came like a bolt from the blue, leaving them unprepared.

They hastily gathered their remaining troops, trying to reinforce the northern steppe.

But Temujin's speed was too great; his army swept across the steppe like a gale, leaving the Southern Xiongnu only endless fear and despair.

The forces they had left on the steppe were already few, and most of the Southern Xiongnu's territory had been taken by Temujin.

Seeing this miserable sight before them, the few khans who had just suffered defeat at Tai Ping Guan at the hands of the Huatie Lu knelt on the grass, tears mixing with mud flowing into their already broken hearts.

The gap between the two sides was too great!

Moreover, Temujin also held the initiative advantage and inflicted a time lag on the Southern Xiongnu.

Moreover, most of the Southern Xiongnu's able-bodied fighters had just been completely lost at Tai Ping Guan.

Even the Southern Xiongnu's top general, the sole War God Tie Fulun, was killed in a single move by the White Tiger at Tai Ping Guan.

Therefore, facing Temujin's full-strength lineup, the luxurious configuration of the Four Heroes—Borhu, Muhuaili, Borshu, Chilaowen—and the Four Hounds—Subutai, Zhelemie, Zhebie, Hubilai—and the Four Sons—Juchi, Chagatai, Ogedei, Tolui—was complete.

The Southern Xiongnu were directly struck into confusion, utterly unable to fight back.

Finally, under the leadership of Temujin and the Four Heroes, Four Hounds, and Four Sons, the Mongols swiftly conquered the Southern Xiongnu while most tribes on the steppe had not yet had time to react.

Their banners flew high on the battlefield, proclaiming the victory of the Northern Xiongnu and the unification of the Xiongnu tribes.

Temujin stood on high ground, looking down over the entire battlefield.

His heart filled with heroic spirit and joy; he knew he had fulfilled the dreams and aspirations of the Xiongnu people at present.

What remained was to orderly the Xiongnu, sharpen weapons and feed horses.

Tiger-eyed, surveying the whole steppe!

This also signified that Temujin officially represented the entire Xiongnu tribe, or rather the Mongols.

He joined the bloody meat grinder of the northern great steppe.

The wind blew from the distant north, carrying the news of Xiongnu unification, sweeping across the entire steppe.

At this time, Wanyan Aguda of the Jurchen tribe sat in his tent, tightly gripping a secret report that plainly read: "Northern Xiongnu's Temujin has unified the entire Xiongnu!"

Looking at the secret report in his hand, Wanyan Aguda's eyes flickered with a hint of complex emotion.

He was a leader with grand ambitions, always dreaming of leading the Jurchen tribe to a broader expanse.

However, Temujin's rise and the unification of the Xiongnu brought him unprecedented pressure.

He drew a deep breath and slowly rose to his feet.

He knew that at this moment he must convene the tribesmen to discuss countermeasures.

Thus, he walked out of the tent and stood upon the vast steppe.

The sky was azure as if washed, sunlight showered upon Wanyan Aguda's body, cloaking him in a layer of golden radiance.

He looked around, seeing only his tribesmen either busy preparing food or gathered together chatting and laughing.

Yet he knew this tranquility was about to be shattered.

Wanyan Aguda loudly called out the names of his tribesmen, his voice echoing across the steppe.

Soon, the tribesmen gathered around him, their faces showing curiosity and anticipation.

Wanyan Aguda looked at the tribesmen before him; their eyes were full of trust and reliance.

He knew he could not let them down.

Thus, he drew a deep breath and loudly announced the news of Temujin's unification of the Xiongnu.

The tribesmen immediately began to chatter—some surprised, some worried, some angry.

Wanyan Aguda waited silently, knowing they needed time to digest the news.

Finally, the tribesmen's discussion gradually subsided.

"The rise of Temujin is a challenge for our Jurchen people, and also an opportunity."

"Next, a hungry wolf has appeared on the grassland; we need to be more careful."

Wanyan Aguda looked at them and spoke slowly.

Wanyan Wugumai, Wanyan Lushi, Wanyan Yinshuke, Wanyan Gao, Wanyan Liang, Wanyan Zhemu, Wanyan Yindanzhi and others are outstanding figures of the Jurchen people; each possesses extraordinary talent and courage.

At this time, they followed Wanyan Aguda one after another into the tent, each of their faces bearing a solemn expression.

Wanyan Aguda looked at them and felt a hint of comfort in his heart.

He knew that these people were the hope of the Jurchen people, the strength with which they jointly faced challenges.

(End of chapter)