Chapter 381: Into the Trap, Lay an Ambush!

This news won't expose his identity as a traitor, after all this intelligence is true!

It's just that the person being targeted is uncertain.

It's a bit hard to say.

Although Meng Zhang's identity has also never been a secret, inside the Taiping Sect behind the Yellow Turban Army.

Basically just those behind‑the‑scenes forces, aside from themselves.

There aren't many options left.

At this moment, upon hearing this news, the behind‑the‑scenes black hands of the Taiping Sect also fell into tension and anxiety.

They knew that if Meng Zhang's words were true, this would be a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity.

As long as they could coordinate with the actions of those several Great Qian Generals, they might be able to rout the Cangzhou Army in one fell swoop.

But they also knew that Meng Zhang had never taken them seriously.

Now whether his intelligence is true still needs further verification.

Some firmly believed Meng Zhang's intelligence was true and advocated immediate action to coordinate with the Great Qian Generals' offensive.

Others were doubtful, thinking this might be Meng Zhang's ruse and urging caution; the two sides argued back and forth without cease.

"Meng Zhang is cunning and crafty; his words cannot be lightly trusted."

A grim‑looking old man spoke in a low voice, a flash of vicious light in his eyes.

"But if his intelligence is true, this will be a great opportunity for us to defeat the Cangzhou great army."

Another middle‑aged man interjected, his tone revealing a hint of urgency.

"We might as well send a small team to scout the situation; that would both verify the intelligence's truth and avoid falling into Meng Zhang's trap."

Just as everyone was arguing nonstop, a youth who had remained silent suddenly spoke up.

His voice was not loud, yet it conveyed an unquestionable firmness.

The youth's proposal won everyone's approval, and soon a capable, efficient small team was dispatched.

To go behind the Cangzhou Army and scout the movements of those several Great Qian Generals.

And within the Yellow Turban allied camp, the scheming and infighting among the various factions of the Taiping Sect grew ever more intense.

Although those behind‑the‑scenes black hands appeared united on the surface, in private each harbored ulterior motives.

They vied for military power, territory and profit, with open and covert struggles never ceasing.

Meanwhile Meng Zhang skillfully exploited the contradictions among those black hands in this struggle, creating favorable conditions for Su Ye's plan.

At this moment in the Yellow Turban army camp, although on the surface it remained noisy and bustling with high morale,

in reality undercurrents were surging and dangers lurked everywhere.

At the same time, in the Cangzhou army's camp, Su Ye was also nervously laying out the final line of defense.

No mishap must be allowed to happen.

When the Yellow Turban army had fully assembled and was awaiting the "attack" signal,

Su Ye and Meng Zhang's plan also entered its final countdown.

At dusk, the rosy clouds on the horizon were like blood‑stained, foreshadowing the impending slaughter.

The Yellow Turban army, fully assembled, advanced toward the designated attack point like a tide, accompanied by the rumbling of war drums.

The soldiers' footsteps and the clashing of armor wove together a war symphony, the air filled with a killing chill.

However, when they reached the target site, the sight before them shocked them—there was no one there, only a cold wind drifting through the ruined wreckage, bringing waves of desolation. Soldiers

The soldiers stared at each other, their eyes full of confusion and unease.

The commanding general furrowed his brows, a sense of foreboding welling up in his heart.

"We've been tricked!"

Suddenly a general from the Yellow Turban great army roared, his voice filled with anger and resentment.

However, it was already too late; they had been swept into a massive trap.

Just then, a earth‑shaking shout of killing suddenly came from the rear.

The Yellow Turban troops hurriedly turned to look, only to see the Cangzhou army charging like wolves and tigers, their morale high, their armor flashing coldly in the sunset.

"Form ranks! Meet the enemy!"

In the Yellow Turban army formation, a general clad in armor, wielding double whips, stood imposingly at the front of the ranks.

He was none other than the Liang Shan General Huyan Zhuo, who had previously emerged from the balance.

But obviously, he had joined the Yellow Turbans for various reasons.

He was not on Meng Zhang's side; otherwise he would not appear here.

Huyan Zhuo's voice was deep and powerful, echoing across the battlefield as he tried to steady the troops' morale.

Beside him, a small portion of Yellow Turban soldiers who heard his command quickly formed ranks, spears like a forest, shields like a wall, ready to meet the approaching Cangzhou army.

Huyan Zhuo's gaze swept over the soldiers, seeing their tension and fear.

He drew a deep breath and gripped his double whips tightly.

"Ding! Skill Double Whip of Huyan Zhuo activated!"

"Double Whip: Exclusive skill for whip‑type generals; after mastering whip technique to the utmost, it can be awakened, granting +4 martial power upon activation."

"Huyan Zhuo's current base martial power is 98; his water‑polished eight‑sided steel whip adds +1, his Kick Snow Black Steed adds +1, and the Double Whip skill adds +4, raising his total martial power to 104!"

The war drums sounded, and the Cangzhou army surged forward like a tide.

Huyan Zhuo brandished his double whips, leading the charge into the enemy formation; seeing this, the Yellow Turban soldiers beside him had their morale boosted, followed closely, and engaged the Cangzhou army in a death‑defying battle.

On the battlefield, Huyan Zhuo's double whips moved in an impenetrable blur; each sweep brought forth a spray of bloody wind.

Yet, no matter how brave Huyan Zhuo was, he could hardly withstand the Cangzhou army's relentless onslaught.

The battle grew ever fiercer; the Yellow Turban soldiers beside Huyan Zhuo fell one by one, and his heart grew heavier.

He realized that if they lost this battle, those behind them would never have a chance to redeem themselves in the Yellow Turban Army.

Thinking of this, he increased the force of his double whip strikes a little.

However, human strength has its limits.

Although Huyan Zhuo was incomparably brave, his stamina gradually wore out in the prolonged battle.

At that moment, a Cangzhou Army commander took advantage of his inattention and swung his blade at him.

Huyan Zhuo reacted quickly, dodging to the side to avoid the blow, but his left arm was still gashed by the blade, blood flowing freely.

Huyan Zhuo endured the pain, glared angrily, and swung his double whips at the commander.

The two fought back and forth, the battle indecisive.

At that moment, several war horses neighed in the distance, and a few swift steeds came galloping.

The riders on the horses wore Yellow Turban Army armor, yet bore a hint of the heroic spirit unique to the Liang Shan outlaws.

"Brother Huyan, we've come to help you!"

The leading commander shouted, holding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade, riding a Night-Shining Jade Lion, imposing and mighty—none other than Liang Shan hero Guan Sheng.

Following closely behind was another Liang Shan hero, Lin Chong.

He wielded a Zhangba Snake Spear, rode a Black Dragon Colt, with a red tassel fluttering from the spear tip, like a flame on the battlefield.

"Huyan Zhuo, rest a moment; these Cangzhou brats are ours to deal with!"

Lin Chong shouted, and before his words faded, he spurred his Black Dragon Colt straight into the enemy formation.

"Ha ha, good timing!"

"Today, to fight side by side with you all, I, Huyan Zhuo, would die without regret!"

Seeing this, Huyan Zhuo's spirits were lifted.

Having said that, he again swung his double whips and engaged the Cangzhou commander opposite him.

(End of chapter)