Chapter 287: Blocking the Road

Your Highness overpraises me; Yun Yi is merely doing his duty.

The key to this battle is a quick victory, giving the Que Wang Army no chance to catch their breath.

Li He lowered his eyes, not responding to Shangguan Lie's remark, and simply cupped his fists.

Also good.

Pass the order: the entire army will accelerate forward, must reach the designated position before nightfall, and launch the attack at dawn tomorrow!

Shangguan Lie did not see Li He's failure, and his face showed some regret.

But he didn't mind; he was used to it.

With Shangguan Lie's order, the allied army surged forward like an arrow released from a bow.

The soldiers wearing various armors had high morale.

The upcoming battle will be a tough fight, but also a great opportunity for them to achieve merit and establish themselves.

Like a tiger descending the mountain, they charged straight toward the central region of Wen Prefecture.

Before dawn tomorrow, my lord can dispatch a large force to lie in ambush here.

We've just arrived; tomorrow we'll give this Great Yong Dragon Que a welcome gift!.

If the situation at Dragon Gate Pass progresses smoothly.

Shangguan Lie laughed loudly upon hearing it, looking at the map and speaking heroically.

In the night, the allied army's tents were brightly lit.

Meanwhile, the battlefield at Dragon Gate Pass.

The soldiers were tired but spirited, hoping to win tomorrow's battle.

My lord, please look: this terrain is perilous, an ideal spot for an ambush.

As the night deepened, the allied army set up camp at the designated location.

When the Que Wang Army passes, a sudden strike will surely catch them off guard.

At the same time, he sent his first general, Lu Gu Yun, to lie in ambush at the designated location, waiting for the Que Wang Army to return from the Dragon Gate Pass direction.

Long Junzuo stared into the distance and saw only a plume of dust rising behind the Que Wang Army—the banners of the Fan Wang Allied Army fluttering in the wind.

After discussing some further details, the two went their separate ways to rest.

Yun Yi, for tomorrow's battle, what concrete plan do you have?

Given the Fan Wang Alliance's large-scale invasion, Long Junzuo will surely avoid the front line.

Li He pointed to a certain spot on the map and said.

At dawn the next day, as the sky just began to lighten, Shangguan Lie personally led the main force of the Fan Wang Allied Army onward.

Shangguan Lie and Li He discussed tomorrow's tactics and strategy in the tent.

Haha, good!

Shangguan Lie looked at the map and spoke in a low voice.

This sudden change, while not dealing a devastating blow to the Que Wang Army, carries far-reaching implications that cause concern.

Their appearance indicates one thing: the Fan Wang Alliance has also moved against the Que Wang Army!

At this moment, Long Junzuo's heart sank, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

He knew well that this battle could no longer be turned around; the gravity of the situation exceeded imagination.

He took a deep breath, striving to calm his agitated emotions.

The situation before him was like a complex chessboard; one misstep could lose the whole game.

With the Fan Wang Alliance's emergence, the Que Wang's predicament was laid bare—surrounded by enemies, isolated and unaided.

As one of the Three Feudatory Princes of Great Yong, the Que Wang has now fallen into a situation of being surrounded on all sides.

Now, the army under his command in Wen Prefecture is of vital importance.

Their presence may be the Que Wang's last hope for a turnaround, and also the final line of defense for Que Prefecture in the rear.

Furthermore, with the arrival of the Fan Wang Allied Army's elite troops, launching a strong assault on Dragon Gate Pass in a short time has become a luxury.

He had no choice but to face reality and reassess his strategy and tactics.

Knowing the situation was hopeless, Long Junzuo, renowned within the Great Yong Dynasty as the Great Yong Dragon Que, would naturally not let the soldiers die pointlessly at Dragon Gate Pass.

He had long planned this; he decided to temporarily avoid the sharp edge and seek an opportunity to counterattack.

Pass the order,

Long Junzuo's voice was steady and strong: 'Leave a unit of elite troops to follow me in covering the rear, blocking the pursuit of the Dragon Gate Pass counterattack.'

His command was as firm as a mountain, beyond doubt.

Afterward, he turned to face the army, raised his sword high, and shouted loudly: 'All troops, hear the order: retreat! Return to Wen Prefecture City!'

His voice echoed across the open field, like a war drum inspiring every soldier.

The army began an orderly retreat, with Long Junzuo leading a unit of elite troops at the rear; his silhouette in the sunset appeared especially brave.

It's a pity, whether it's Pei Xingjian on Dragon Gate Pass or the elite of the allied army in this surprise attack.

None gave the order to pursue Long Junzuo's orderly withdrawing Que Wang Army.

Night gradually fell, specks of starlight shining on the retreating army.

Long Junzuo glanced back at the chaotic battlefield, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.

Although only a unit of elite troops followed him at the rear this time, the cavalry within the entire retreating Que Wang Army.

were concentrated in the rear; once the Nine Heavens Army from the Dragon Gate Pass direction or that allied army dared to pursue.

Long Junzuo would then be confident, relying on the cavalry gathered from the entire Que Wang Army.

Knock them down!

Perhaps there is still a chance to seize Dragon Gate Pass outright.

What a pity, the opponent is not a mediocre talent.

Long Junzuo let out a quiet sigh in his heart.

When Long Junzuo led the elite troops who had stayed behind to cover the retreat but were still incomplete, they were crossing the dense forest.

The leaves in the forest rustled, as if whispering unknown secrets.

"Haha, Long Junzuo, I've been waiting for you for a while!"

Suddenly, a loud shout split the sky, shaking the entire forest.

This sound rang like thunder in Long Junzuo's ear; he raised his head and saw, in the forest, a General brandishing a spear, mighty and imposing.

He was none other than Lu Guyun, the First General under Shangguan Lie.

Behind him followed a unit of elite cavalry, each clad in bright armor, their swords and spears gleaming, clearly prepared.

Lu Guyun wore a set of majestic, flowing battle armor, the armor etched with cloud patterns and dragon-soaring designs, holding a long spear, his gaze like a torch, fixed on Long Junzuo.

His appearance was like a tiger suddenly leaping out of the forest, filling people with dread.

However, Long Junzuo showed no fear.

The two armies faced off in the forest, the tension reaching its peak.

Lu Guyun waved his spear, pointing at Long Junzuo, and shouted loudly, "Long Junzuo, today is your day of death!"

The sound echoed through the forest, shocking the heart.

"You insignificant nameless rat! You're overconfident."

"If you want to take my life, you'll have to see if you have the ability!"

However, Long Junzuo let out a cold sneer and said disdainfully,

Although he had faintly felt that the strength of this nameless opponent was actually not inferior to his own.

But his momentum must not weaken!

Seeing this, the soldiers of both armies shouted in support.

In the forest, hooves pounded the ground, dust rose, and a fierce battle was about to begin.

This sudden encounter battle turned the originally tranquil forest into a noisy place.

The two stood opposite each other, their gazes meeting in the air, as if sparks could fly.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze, with only the two's breathing and heartbeat echoing in the air.

(End of chapter)