Chapter 739: Chasing the Tail

"Withdraw!"

"The young Great Linglu gazed resentfully at the recklessly charging Chen Wuji, and eventually still issued the order to withdraw troops."

"He had come all the way on a forced march aiming for Chen Wuji's head, yet now he must flee in such a sorry state; he truly is unwilling."

"But after his uncle's persuasion, he still regained his composure."

"The fact is, they have indeed now lost the opportunity to fight."

"The cavalry's sharpness comes after it starts running."

"When a cavalry unit is trapped in place, going in circles, it becomes a cornered beast."

"Even the sharpest claws and fangs struggle to exert twenty or thirty percent of their strength at this moment."

"A mournful horn call rang out across the vast plain of Jiuli Chuan."

"Chen Wuji suddenly lifted his head, looked toward the sound's source, turned his horse, and charged over."

"The bandit chief is over there—kill!"

"Behind him, the Central Personal Guard suddenly turned, charging in like a rampaging beast."

"Chen Wuyi led the Central Cavalry loitering on the periphery; seeing this, he immediately changed direction."

"Hu Bu Gui poked his head out, looked, and quickly ordered the army to encircle and kill toward the horn's direction."

"The Qiang people's withdrawal horn had not yet fully directed their scattered fragments of troops; instead, it first directed Chen Wuji, and the two forces, combining thirty thousand troops, almost instantly reacted and surrounded and attacked."

"At this moment, if one viewed from high above with an eagle's eye, the Qiang people would look like scattered go stones on a chessboard, here a piece, there a piece."

"Meanwhile, Chen Wuji, positioned at the southern end of the battlefield, was like a sharp dagger, charging straight into the Qiang people's largest troop formation."

"Hu Bu Gui's forces on the northern flank were like a hard shield, advancing in a crescent shape to envelop, their main target also being the Qiang people's largest troop formation."

"Without prior discussion, the blade and shield on this battlefield achieved the most seamless cooperation."

"Hu Bu Gui blocked the north, Chen Wuji abandoned the fragmented wall-solid troops, charging straight into the Qiang heartland; where the horn sounds, there must be a big catch."

"Beside the horn, the elder Qiang keenly noticed the battlefield's shift, his expression suddenly changing: 'Great Linglu, it's bad—the enemy has changed formation; they're coming for you, withdraw quickly!'"

"Hearing this, the young Great Linglu dared not hesitate another moment, instantly turned his horse and withdrew."

"His withdrawal caused the battlefield's wind to shift dramatically once again."

"The Qiang people chased after the horn and ran; defeat was already evident."

"On the battlefield, the two words 'withdrawal' are directly tied to victory, life and death."

"To retreat is to be defeated."

"It also means they will inevitably lose more people."

"Without withdrawal, even if the situation is dire, the lives that ought to be risked will still be risked."

"Once they withdraw, they become passive recipients of blows."

"On the battlefield, the two words 'withdrawal' are directly tied to victory, life and death; morale wanes and waxes, and now is the time to truly reap military merit."

"In the chase, they killed out two li; the young Great Linglu looked back at his own troops, his eyes nearly bursting—his fifty thousand elite troops, that mighty force, now……"

"Now it seems not even half remains!"

"Chen Wuji, I, Shi Er, swear by the heavenly god that I will kill you in this life!"

"Shi Er roared toward the heavens."

"Exerting too much force, he nearly bit his teeth through, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth."

"His uncle beside him sighed lightly: 'Shi Er, let's split our forces; take care of yourself.'"

"The Canlang can have clansmen like you; that is the pride of all of us. The heavenly god's radiance has already fallen, and in the near future, Canlang will surely be the most illustrious name on this land."

"Shi Er stared, turning his head: 'Uncle, what are you saying?'"

"The elder Qiang let out a faint sigh: 'I hear the warhorses' galloping ahead.'"

"I've predicted few things correctly in my lifetime, but this time I don't even want to be right—yet it seems I truly was."

"Chen Wuji has laid a great net for us, encircling on all sides without a single gap; if we don't split our forces in this battle, we will surely suffer greater losses. Leave me three thousand; I'll hold off the pursuing troops ahead and behind—you take the people and withdraw!"

"No!" Shi Er firmly refused.

"Charge! Our side still has twenty thousand able fighters; even if Chen Wuji has fifty thousand cavalry ahead, I want to retreat and he can't stop me!"

"Shi Er!" the elder Qiang shouted, "This is no time for willfulness!"

"Shi Er's face darkened, veins bulging on his forehead: 'Then uncle, don't be willful—I know what I'm doing; you're my only kin, don't give me bullshit, charge!'"

"Charge!!!"

"Shi Er whipped his horse's leg hard, eyes glaring, like a mad wolf, he lowered his head and madly charged toward the direction the cavalry's sound came from."

"Ahead, the sound of cavalry galloping grew ever closer."

"Moments later, a black torrent appeared in the sight."

"The black iron armor, under the sunlight, appeared even darker, flashing with a chilling killing intent."

"Chen Wu Yin took the lead, watching the head-down charging Qiang cavalry, he smirked: 'Brothers, get ready—this is called 'better late than never'!'"

"These Qiang people seem a bit more numerous; tell me, are you afraid?"

"Afraid!"

"The surrounding soldiers shouted in unison."

"Chen Wu Yin nodded deeply in agreement: 'Being afraid is right—with so many, how could you not be? These bastards seem to be fighting desperately to flee; look how exhausted their horses are, their jaws nearly dislocated.'"

"Just dodge; don't clash head‑on—such a stupid thing we can't do!"

"Chen Wu Yin gave an order, and the army swiftly cleared the road, crossing paths with the Qiang cavalry."

"Tsk tsk, they don't even bother to turn and strike me—they're truly frightened by the Family Head!"

"Chen Wu Yin reined in his horse, pinching his chin and chuckling."

"Since you're so cowardly, don't blame me for kicking you when you're down. Brothers, chop them to bits! Wives and fields—we'll have to cut them out with our knives; just don't make the laborers pity their strength—losing a bit of strength is fine, you can eat it back."

The surrounding soldiers burst into loud laughter.

On this harsh battlefield, everyone was solemn, only they were like a bunch of good-for-nothings.

A massive group, numbering over eight thousand, of good-for-nothings.

Chen Wu Yin turned his horse's head, spurred his horse and gave chase, beginning to ride side by side with the Qiang People's formation, from time to time lunging forward to take a bite.

This scene was very much like animals hunting.

Not using deadly force, but just clinging to you, slipping around you, from time to time lunging up to take a bite.

Shi Er glanced at the situation behind, again angered to the point of nearly grinding his teeth, "Uncle, Chen Wuji's cavalry is too disgusting, let's split forces and fight a battle. If we don't wipe them out, they will keep draining our warriors, hindering our army's retreat."