Chapter 834

“Tufang has invaded! The Demon Lord has brought a hundred thousand troops to Suihuang Plain!”

“Where are the Suihuang Iron Cavalry? Why don’t I see any of them?”

“They’ve all gone out to fight beyond the city walls!”

“Why didn’t they stay to defend the city? Isn’t it better to fight inside the walls?”

“Are you stupid? If they stayed here to defend the city, wouldn’t we suffer along with them? When Tufang breaks through, they’ll kill us all!”

“Even if they don’t break the city, if they surround it, what will we eat?”

“At least the Suihuang Iron Cavalry have some conscience—whether they win or lose, they won’t drag us into their suffering!”

A group of people were discussing the war in a teahouse, when the old man who tended the stables in the back courtyard found the shopkeeper: “I’m feeling unwell today. Let me take a day off.”

The shopkeeper frowned: “What’s wrong? Are you sick? You were hopping around this morning—how did you get sick so fast?”

The old man chuckled: “I’m old now—some days good, some days bad. I won’t take my pay today—just let me rest one day!”

The shopkeeper snapped: “You want pay? Why should I give you anything? No work, no pay! If you really want to leave, don’t come back.”

The old man clenched his teeth, slammed his hand on the table, and turned to walk away: “Fine, I won’t come back—who cares about your pitiful wages!”

A waiter had just finished clearing tables and was heading to the kitchen when he saw the shopkeeper scowling, staring toward the door.

The waiter asked: “What happened?”

The shopkeeper grunted: “The stable boy left.”

The waiter was new and couldn’t recall who the stable boy was: “What’s his name again?”

The shopkeeper grunted: “Who cares what his name is? He’s just the stable boy!”

The waiter didn’t understand why the shopkeeper was angry: “So he left—big deal.”

The shopkeeper tapped his abacus beads: “He said he was sick—that’s a lie. If he really were sick, would I withhold his pay?”

The waiter laughed: “That kind of guy’s useless—why bother with him?”

The shopkeeper slammed the abacus into the waiter’s chest: “Who are you calling useless? He’s a hero!”

The waiter quickly picked up the abacus: “Then what’s really going on—”

The shopkeeper’s fingers clicked the abacus beads: “Why would he lie to me? Where’s he going? What good could it possibly do?”

The waiter grew more confused: “Where is he going?”

The old man who tended the horses went outside the city, following hoofprints for a full fifty li.

Ahead lay a stretch of land called Mayang Slope, where in spring and summer, the hillsides were covered with Shike grass.

Shike grass was a special pasture herb—its leaves were juicy and rich. Ordinary cattle and sheep, after eating just one meal, would soon seek out a rock, bang their heads against it until their skulls cracked and brains spilled out, only then stopping.

Only the native Mayang sheep of Suihuang Plain could eat Shike grass.

Mayang sheep had sparse fur and bodies pitted with spots, looking like they had sores. They loved Shike grass—ate it until they grew fat, no matter how much, and never suffered ill effects. Hence the name Mayang Slope.

Now, no Mayang sheep could be seen, nor any Shike grass—only snow stretched before them, and two armies stood upon it.

One army was led by Yao Xin—this was the Suihuang Iron Cavalry, the legendary force of Iron-Boned Men, with Zhao Xiao among them.

The other army was led by a girl—this was a ragtag force composed of the Chu family, the Lu family, and the Hundred Flowers Sect. The girl commanding them wore a student’s uniform and looked shy—she didn’t look like a warrior at all.

The old man who tended the horses gazed into the distance, staring for a long time—he saw no figures, but faintly heard drumbeats.

Boom. Boom.

Because they were still far off, the drums sounded muffled, yet each beat struck like a hammer on the heart, sending chills through the bones.

The old man recognized the drumbeats—he knew the Tufang forces had arrived.

The cavalrymen beside Yao Xin gripped their reins tightly; perhaps because of the cold, many were sniffling.

One company commander stood beside Yao Xin, first sneezed, then burst into a fit of coughing.

Yao Xin asked: “Did you catch a chill?”

The commander rubbed his face: “It’s nothing—I’ll be fine in a moment.”

Yao Xin lowered his voice: “Why not step back a little?”

The commander shook his head: “Don’t worry about me—I only sneezed twice. Won’t hinder the battle.”

Yao Xin gazed into the distance—figures emerged across the snowy plain.

The Tufang army had arrived.

Yao Xin took a sip from his wine flask, intending to crack a joke to lift spirits, but was met with a chorus of coughs around him.

Nian Shangyou presented the battle report to Qiao Yi: “The Tufang Demon Lord has launched an attack on Huangtu Town, but Li Qi remains engaged in battle within the Suihuang Plain.”

Qiao Yi studied the report, his smile growing wider.

Nian Shangyou asked: “My lord, Tufang is pressuring us to advance—isn’t this rash? Li Qi hasn’t yet secured victory. Shouldn’t we wait until the dust settles before moving?”

Qiao Yi shook his head: “The outcome is already decided. Waiting longer will only cause us to miss our chance.”

Yao Xin’s Suihuang Iron Cavalry is utterly incapable of fighting. Li Qi’s scattered troops had no ties to Suihuang Plain to begin with.

If Suihuang Plain won’t fight, who are these powerful clans and sects fighting for? How long can Li Qi hold out?

The Demon Lord claims he will take over Huangtu Town—he’s confident he can seize it without bloodshed. Once Huangtu Town falls, Li Qi will be utterly broken.

He might return to Wuyou Ping, or he might send reinforcements to Qunying Mountain—either way, he’ll only strengthen the Merchant’s hand and put our army at a disadvantage.

Right now, Li Qi is trapped in Suihuang Plain, unable to advance or retreat—this is the perfect moment for our army to strike.”

Nian Shangyou exclaimed in admiration: “My lord’s strategy leaves no room for error—you are truly a divine being!”

Qiao Yi ordered Nian Shangyou to issue the command: “All troops, march toward Qunying Mountain.”

He had ultimately chosen Qunying Mountain, but Nian Shangyou was unfamiliar with it: “My lord, once we reach Qunying Mountain, which direction do we advance?”

Qiao Yi frowned: “Why ask that?”

Why ask?

That’s what you said!

You’re leading the troops and you don’t even know the route—how can you ask why you’re asking?

“I’ve never been to Qunying Mountain—I know nothing of the terrain. If you don’t clarify, I won’t know how to advance.”

Qiao Yi unfolded a map and pointed to Nian Shangyou: “This is Wulao Valley. The east, north, and west are sheer cliffs—only a single exit lies to the south.”

Beneath the northern cliff of Wulao Valley is a cave. Inside lies a path leading to Shengxian Peak. This path has always been sealed—but now it’s been opened. Do you understand now?”

That was clear enough—Qiao Yi meant they could reach Wulao Valley on Qunying Mountain directly from Shengxian Peak, then find a way to break out of the valley.

But does the Merchant know about this path from Shengxian Peak to Wulao Valley?

If he does, this route won’t be easy.

Nian Shangyou asked: “Will the enemy have already entered this path and set traps?”

Qiao Yi shook his head: “The enemy cannot enter this path.”

Nian Shangyou understood—only the Imperial Jade Seal could open this path.

“My lord, isn’t the Imperial Jade Seal still in Zhen’e? We’re on Shengxian Peak now!”

Qiao Yi glared at Nian Shangyou: “Is that your business to ask?”

Nian Shangyou dared not ask about the Jade Seal again, but some things had to be confirmed: “My lord, after entering Wulao Valley from the north, must we cross the valley and exit from the south?”

Qiao Yi nodded: “This is the hardest part of the battle. The Merchant will lead the remnants of the Suihuang Iron Cavalry to block us inside the valley, while Shi Ba Lun will lead all the warlords to pursue us from behind.”

Nian Shangyou felt the situation was dire: “How do we fight this battle?”

Qiao Yi drew a line on the map: “Defeat the Merchant, break out of Wulao Valley, use the terrain to trap Shi Ba Lun’s forces inside the gorge.”

Nian Shangyou didn’t know what Wulao Valley looked like—he could imagine defeating the Merchant and breaking out.

But trapping Shi Ba Lun’s men inside Wulao Valley—he couldn’t picture how.

How?

With Shi Ba Lun’s forces, they’d surely find a way to escape.

Qiao Yi smiled: “When you reach Qunying Mountain, you’ll understand the methods here. Issue the order—march at once. Remember, within two days, you must defeat the Merchant and the remnants of the Suihuang Iron Cavalry, and lead your entire army out of Wulao Valley—or the battle will turn against us.”

Nian Shangyou led his army forward. The Merchant watched clearly from Qunying Mountain and immediately sent word to Shi Ba Lun: “Qiao Yi has moved. Pursue him at once.”

Shi Ba Lun gathered all his men and confirmed the battle site with the Merchant again: “Still Wulao Valley? The location hasn’t changed?”

“No change,” the Merchant replied. “I’ve sworn a blood oath in Wulao Valley—you know how to fight this battle.”

Hearing “blood oath,” Shi Ba Lun’s heart tightened: “I know how to fight it. Can you hold out?”

At the mention of the life contract, Shiba Lun’s heart tightened: “I know how to fight—can you take it?”

“Can those old Iron-Boned ones on the mountain hold out?”

“They can. Grab your weapons and fight!” The Merchant gazed toward Suihuang Plain.

The Tufang army halted on Mayang Slope. The two forces were far apart, but the Demon Lord’s eyesight was sharp—he scanned the Suihuang Iron Cavalry’s formation and couldn’t help laughing.

“I knew they were weak, but I didn’t expect them to be this pitiful,” the Demon Lord sighed, turning to his messenger. “During the Second Pro War, our ancestors failed to conquer this land. That regret has haunted our empire ever since.”

“Now we shall make up for their failure. Give them three drumbeats to kneel before me and repent for their crimes. This is our mercy. Don’t squander it—or in the next three days, I will kill every soul in Huangtu Town.”

The messenger relayed the order to a giant bear—seven or eight meters tall when lying down. It stepped forward and roared toward the Suihuang Iron Cavalry: “Within three drumbeats, surrender and live. After three drumbeats, we will slaughter the city for three days—no chicken, no dog, spared!”

The order officer delivered the command to a giant bear, which lay on the ground seven or eight meters tall; it stepped forward to the front of the formation and shouted at the Suihuang Iron Cavalry: “Within three drumbeats, surrender and live; after three drumbeats, sack the city for three days, leave not a chicken or dog alive!”

The words were stark and simple—everyone understood.

In the Suihuang Iron Cavalry’s formation, one company commander’s horse swayed wildly, nearly throwing its rider off.

Yao Xin glanced at the commander and said with a hint of mockery: “You thinking of surrendering?”

The commander shook his head frantically: “Surrender? I’m no coward! We came to fight—we fight to the death, and I won’t regret it.”

The horse neighed, and the commander nearly fell again. Once he steadied himself, he hurried to explain: “General, I’m not afraid—it’s just my horse spooked!”

Yao Xin sighed: “Loosen your reins—you’ve pulled the horse’s mouth bloody.”

Yao Xin sighed and said, “Loosen the reins—you’re pulling so hard you’ve drawn blood from the horse’s mouth.”

Seeing that the Suihuang Iron Cavalry had not surrendered, the Demon Lord ordered the drums to be beaten.

Two water buffaloes carried a drum over ten meters tall to the front of the formation, while two giant bears took turns striking it with massive mallets.

BOOM!

After that sound, everyone’s ears rang for a long time.

It was this drumbeat that had just made the Suihuang Iron Cavalry cough, sneeze, and left many gasping for breath.

Now, as the drumbeat sounded again, Yao Xin turned to look—and saw that a group of cavalrymen were trembling uncontrollably in their saddles, in rhythm with the drums.

The Fifth Lady glanced at the cavalry and shook her head repeatedly at Zhao Xiao.

Iron-boned men are all iron-blooded, but not all iron-blooded men are true heroes.

The Suihuang Iron Cavalry feared most of all the emergence of cowards; if just three or five cowards appeared among five hundred iron-blooded men, the entire unit would collapse.

Yao Xin had trained ten thousand Suihuang Iron Cavalrymen, and in terms of bloodline, all of them were iron-blooded.

But judging by their current state, nearly all ten thousand had lost their nerve—no one who hadn’t cowered could yet be found.

Chu Er realized the situation was dire; she gathered the Chu family members to the front of the formation.

“We won’t wait for these useless wastes—we’ll attack ourselves.”

Xiang Fenglan was about to lead the charge when the Fifth Lady shouted: “Miss Chu, do not act on your own initiative—today, I am in command.”

“What difference does it make who’s in command now?” Chu Huaiyuan looked up at the Fifth Lady with narrowed eyes. “Just standing here watching the enemy charge—aren’t we just waiting to die?”

The Fifth Lady and Chu Er locked gazes for a moment, then Lu Chunying stepped forward to plead: “Huaiyuan, don’t forget what Seventh Brother said—those who know how to fight, we must obey.”

Xiao Yeci added: “Yes! Our benefactor said we must follow military orders!”

Zhang Xiuling also urged: “Huaiyuan, don’t act foolishly.”

The Fifth Lady explained: “If this were a surprise attack, I’d let you strike. If neither side were prepared, I’d let you strike. But now both armies have formed battle lines—this is a disciplined force. If you charge, you’ll die pointlessly—with no value at all!”

Fifth Lady explained: “If it’s a surprise attack, I’ll let you strike; if neither side is prepared, I’ll let you strike—but now both sides have formed battle lines and are fighting as disciplined armies, if you go in, you’ll just die pointlessly, with no value at all!”

The Fifth Lady stared at the Suihuang Iron Cavalry. “Because we also have a disciplined army!”

Chu Huaiyuan laughed. “What kind of army is this?”

By then, the first drum roll had ended.

Watching the Suihuang Iron Cavalry shiver in terror, the Demon Lord’s three heads all laughed: “I had intended to grant them some dignity—but now I see no need.”

“Carry out my order: after the third drum roll, if they still refuse to surrender, grant them no chance to live—crush them into pulp!”

The entire army roared in unison. Just that single cry caused many more horses on the Suihuang side to panic.

Yao Xin looked at Zhao Xiao, face flushed with shame. “Marshal, these are the troops I trained myself. They are iron-blooded men—correct bloodline, correct character, all of them have spirit.”

“I’ve replaced every cowardly company commander—I truly don’t know why they’ve broken today—”

“Don’t rush,” Zhao Xiao said. “I know they have blood in them. Today is their first battle—they’re terrified.”

When she trained iron-blooded men in the past, she always used veterans to guide the new recruits. Now, for their first battle, they faced the elite of Tufang and the Demon Lord himself—every last one of them had lost their courage.

How could she restore their courage?

“Can you find ten men?” Zhao Xiao asked Yao Xin. “If ten iron-blooded men lead the charge, the rest will find the courage to follow.”

Ten iron-blooded men could form the most basic formation. As long as none of them were cowards, Zhao Xiao was confident she could lead them in the vanguard.

“Yes!” Yao Xin answered with confidence. He rode around the formation several times, but his confidence slowly faded.

Fear spreads. The entire army was now drowning in fear.

Pan Dehai sighed beside him—he could read hearts. Among all the iron-blooded men present, fewer than five were not cowards, and that included Yao Xin himself.

BOOM! BOOM!

The Demon Lord ordered the second drum roll.

Pan Dehai looked helplessly at the Suihuang Iron Cavalry around him. He couldn’t find ten brave men—he feared they’d flee outright under the drumbeats.

He gazed into the distance and sensed a faint trace of courage.

“Old Yao, who are those men over there?” Pan Dehai pointed to the old horse-tending man and the group of men beside him.

Yao Xin said nothing—he looked at Zhao Xiao.

Zhao Xiao lowered her head and bit her lip hard: “I owe them an apology—”

She rode her warhorse slowly out of the formation.

Yao Xin cried out: “Marshal, what are you doing?”

Zhao Xiao raised a hand, silencing him.

Standing at the front of the formation, she began to sing an old war song:

In spring, green grass grows, armor stitched fine.

In summer, red flowers bloom, drums and horns roar.

In autumn, yellow leaves fall, we take enemy heads on the field.

In winter, snowflakes fly, blood stains the ground where the fallen heroes lie.

A cold wind swept across Ma Yang Slope.

Amid the deafening drumbeats, the woman’s voice remained crystal clear—every soldier heard each word distinctly.

It was the most beautiful song they had ever heard. Even after hearing it, they still felt fear—but at least they stopped trembling.

The old horse-tender gazed toward Zhao Xiao. He was far from the formation; the snowlight was blinding, and he couldn’t make out her face clearly—but he recognized Huang Yuxian’s voice.

The old cart driver, Lao Liu, walked over and squatted beside the horse-tender, grinning: “Hey, you gonna do it?”

The horse-tender looked at him. “Do what?”

“You tell me.”

“If you don’t say, how am I supposed to know?”

“Don’t play dumb—you know what I mean! I brought the horses!” Lao Liu pointed to the thirty-odd horses in the distance.

The horse-tender glanced over and shook his head. “These horses? Wrong bloodline.”

Lao Liu said: “Don’t care about bloodline—these horses run fast! Don’t believe me? Ride one!”

The Suihuang Iron Cavalry never left their horses.

The old restaurant owner from the underground city, Chen Yong, walked over, followed by thirty men.

He unslung a large wooden chest from his back: “I brought the blades—sharpened last night.”

He opened the chest—some hidden mechanism inside held over thirty horse blades and over thirty sets of armor.

The Suihuang Iron Cavalry never left their blades.

“Damn your ancestors!” The horse-tender picked up a horse blade. “You trying to kill me?”

Lao Liu strapped on armor, gripping his blade. “Afraid to die? Then why’d you come here? I’m asking you—you in or not?”

The horse-tender held the blade, tracing the edge with his thumb, then looked at the group. “Back then, a peddler gave me silver. I spent half, buried the rest under the floor.”

“After the battle, if any of you bastards survive, dig it up with a hoe—split it fifty-fifty. Don’t come whining that I shortchanged you!”

Tan Jinxiao laughed. “What nonsense! Who cares about money? All the silver I’ve earned these years belongs to the brothers. After the battle, we’ll celebrate!”

“Just say it—do we go?”

The second drum roll ended. The Demon Lord ordered his troops to ready their weapons.

The Demon Lord had issued his command: after the third drum roll, no mercy—crush them all into pulp.

The horse-tender donned armor, mounted his steed, and gripped his horse blade.

He pulled the reins, turned his horse, and shouted to the group:

“Who’s a coward? Speak up!”

His voice cracked—but not one of the thirty-three men spoke.

He turned his horse toward the Tufang formation and shouted again:

“No cowards? Then follow me—CHARGE!”

The horse blades were rusted—but the edges gleamed.

The warhorses were new-blooded—but they ran fast.

Their hair was white, hidden beneath iron helmets, dusted with snowflakes—hard to see.

They were old.

They charged at the front.

They charged at the front, following Huang Yuxian.

Lu Chunying watched their backs and asked: “Who are they?”

Chu Er, wearing a hat, pulled the brim low like Li Banfeng.

Xiao Yeci wiped snow and wind from her face. She didn’t know how to answer Lu Chunying’s question.

Zhang Xiuling ordered the Hundred Flowers Sect to prepare for battle, her eyes fixed on the retreating backs, murmuring: “They are people from Pulu Province—they are the masters of Pulu Province!”

The Demon Lord frowned—he couldn’t understand why these thirty-odd men would charge to their deaths.

But Yao Xin understood: fear spreads, and so does courage—especially among iron-blooded men.

With these thirty-odd iron-blooded men leading the charge, the ten thousand iron-blooded men behind them no longer feared.

“Suihuang Iron Cavalry! Follow me—CHARGE!” Yao Xin hurled his wine flask, scattering a mist of alcohol.

Over ten thousand cavalrymen, emboldened by the liquor, charged into the Tufang formation.

The Demon Lord stopped laughing.

“Prepare! Prepare at once!” He hadn’t expected them to charge.

The Tufang cavalry surged forward—riding steam-powered mounts, clad in armor covering every finger, wielding blades that cut through iron like mud.

In the first clash, the Suihuang Iron Cavalry suffered no disadvantage—they smashed straight into the Tufang army’s formation.

Their physiques were not as robust as the Tufang soldiers’, and their weapons far inferior; yet in bloody combat, none of the Tiegu breed retreated.

Fifth Lady ordered the Chu family, Lu family, and Baihua Gate: “Split into three columns—follow me to ambush and kill their commanders!”

In a flash of eagle-like combat, Chu Er, Xiang Fenglan, Lu Chunying, Lu Yuanxin, and Tan Fucheng charged into the enemy ranks and killed two commanders on the right flank.

The Tufang army’s right flank showed signs of collapse.

The Demon Lord sensed trouble and immediately dispatched three top generals to reinforce the right flank.

Fifth Lady focused on the slaughter; she had clenched her teeth and held back for a long time, but now she could hold back no longer.

These three top generals resembled wild boars, each fatter than the last.

Zhao Xiao had warned Fifth Lady: “Eat all you want at home, but when you’re out, you must show restraint.”

But Fifth Lady could not restrain herself now—she craved their bodies!

She leapt onto one of the generals and began biting straight into him!

Xiao Yeci trembled all over: “Oh my god, she’s eating people!”

Chu Er lifted her hat brim and stared for a long time, so absorbed she didn’t notice an arrow whistling toward her back.

Xiang Fenglan grabbed Chu Er from behind and dragged her swiftly away: “What are you staring at? Do you want to die?”

Chu Er watched Fifth Lady, swallowed hard, and said: “I think this woman is fiercer than me!”

Fifth Lady devoured two of the three top generals; the last one was surrounded and killed by the Chu and Lu families.

The Tufang army fell into chaos; the Suihuang Iron Cavalry seized the moment and shattered the right flank.

The Demon Lord hurriedly shifted commanders to the right flank, while Zhang Xiuling led her troops to breach the left flank.

Commanders were overwhelmed, troops were being slowly devoured layer by layer; the Demon Lord felt the battlefield before him couldn’t possibly be real—his left head even used a spy artifact to scan for illusions on the battlefield.

It must be an illusion. I had expected the enemy wouldn’t dare fight—they’d hand over Huangtu Town outright.

I came here to take control of Huangtu Town, but now it looks like I’m about to lose.

Impossible!

The thundering war drums still rang in his ears; it was still too early to declare victory or defeat.

First, we must subdue the Suihuang Iron Cavalry—the scattered remnants are no threat.

The Demon Lord was about to issue orders when he suddenly heard faint singing mixed within the war drums.

An old general, drenched in sweat, said: “Your Majesty, please withdraw for now.”

“Withdraw?” the Demon Lord snarled. “Withdraw from whom?”

“Huang Yu is almost here!”

“Who is she? Why should I flee from her?” The Demon Lord paused, then recalled Huang Yu’s identity: “I remember she was just a dead general—don’t you have tactics against undead?”

The old general had fought Huang Yu before: “Your Majesty, this is a battlefield. When you encounter Huang Yu, avoid her at all costs—never let emotion cloud your judgment!”

Deep in the night, the Demon Lord fled with his remaining two thousand men into the heart of the wasteland.

He should have listened to the old general—if he had withdrawn sooner, he wouldn’t be in this state now.

His left head had been devoured by Fifth Lady.

His right head had heard Huang Yu sing a song.

Now, this right head still breathed, but could neither see nor hear; its throat trembled constantly, yet it could not speak.

The old general who had urged the Demon Lord to withdraw now secretly observed the right head.

He suspected Huang Yu had left a mark on it, but he couldn’t say so outright.

What would he do if he spoke up? Tell the Demon Lord to cut off his own head?

But if this mark remained on the Demon Lord, what consequences might it bring!

The central head remained intact; it ate some food and conferred with the commanders on their next move.

Few commanders remained alive, and their opinions were divided.

“Your Majesty, we should remain stationed in Suihuang Plain—we need reinforcements.”

“Your Majesty, I also believe we should stay in Suihuang Plain. The road from the kingdom to Suihuang Plain remains open; if we regroup our forces, [243] we still have a chance to turn defeat into victory.”

We still have a chance to turn defeat into victory.

“Your Majesty, I believe we should abandon Suihuang Plain and return immediately to the capital. We’ve lost too many soldiers—if we continue fighting here, other upheavals may erupt within the kingdom!”

“But if we leave Suihuang Plain now, won’t our soldiers’ blood have been shed in vain?”

“I agree. Since you came, you should stay here with your soldiers!”

One commander roared: “Who dares speak so boldly? Is this how you address your monarch?”

Li Ban lowered his hat brim and said: “I think my attitude is quite good!”