Chapter 206: Forceful Assault

"You caused my wife and children to be torn apart, I painfully lost my beloved wife—have you ever thought there would be today?"

"Recalling these years of hardship, Yang Tiexin's eyes flashed with killing intent; he couldn't help but press the spear tip forward again."

"Today, if not for using Yang Kang's father's identity to force Chen Jin'er to allow him and his son to descend the mountain together, he probably would never in this life be able to slay this enemy before him with his own hands."

"\"Kang'er! Save me! Save my royal father! How has my father treated you these past ten years? My father has treated you like his own son! \" Wanyan Honglie, terrified to the point of his liver and gallbladder nearly bursting, instinctively cried out to Yang Kang before him for help."

"Yang Kang's eyes flickered with reluctance; having regarded him as his own son for ten years, to say he felt nothing would be false."

"Facing him like this pleading for rescue, if he felt no compassion, he would also feel somewhat uneasy in his heart."

"He sighed and advised: \"Father, if you want to kill, wait until the Jin troops retreat before you kill; if you kill to your heart's content, how many people on our mountain will have to fight to the death? \""

"Niu Qing quickly said: \"What Yang Kang said is correct; we risked our lives descending the mountain precisely to capture someone alive to bring back. Uncle Yang, if you only care about venting your own anger, the Jin army will undoubtedly also slaughter Han civilians to vent their rage. \""

"Yang Tiexin's eyes flickered with a hint of hesitation; he had originally intended to die together, but he hadn't considered so much."

"After all, he is still a good-hearted person."

"Just then, Yang Tiexin, who had been pressing his leg against Wanyan Honglie's body, suddenly felt warmth."

"\"What a scoundrel! Even now you're thinking about that filthy business—I'll just chop off your dirty thing! \""

"Reacting, Yang Tiexin flew into a rage, bellowed loudly, seized the spearhead, and fiercely stabbed Wanyan Honglie's lower body."

"\"Puchi—! \""

"\"Ah—! \""

"Accompanied by a heart-rending scream, as the spear tip passed, the sound of the stab made Niu Qing and Yang Kang's hearts jolt violently."

"Reacting, Niu Qing hurriedly grabbed Wanyan Honglie, while Yang Kang lunged and threw himself onto Yang Tiexin's body."

"At that moment, the people on the mountain had already heard the commotion and rushed over quickly."

"When the moonlight illuminated the scene before them, Chen Jin'er, Miss Huang, Han Xiao Ying, Zhu Cong, as well as Hong Qigong, Huang Yaoshi, Yi Deng, and the others who had just come up the mountain, all froze in place."

"\"Still not bringing medical help from up the mountain! \""

"Chen Jin'er glared angrily at Niu Qing and Yang Kang, then gave an order, swiftly pulling over the dazed Miss Huang and, together with Han Xiao Ying, turned and hurried up the mountain."

"\"Tsk tsk tsk~\""

"Looking at the spot where the half spearhead had pierced, Hong Qigong clicked his tongue a few times."

"He picked up the wine gourd, gulped down a mouthful of liquor, and laughed heartily: \"Even your father-in-law probably never pierced the Jin prince's vital parts before—how satisfying! Let's down a big cup! \""

"\"Amitabha! \" Yi Deng gave a bitter smile, shook his head, and uttered a Buddhist chant."

"Huang Yaoshi glanced sideways at Wanyan Honglie, then, as if disdainful, didn't look again; thinking of this man's identity, he inexplicably felt a bit more pleased."

"Zhu Cong stepped forward and took a few looks; seeing that Wanyan Honglie was unconscious and those nearby had no intention of intervening, he felt his pulse, sealed several acupoints, and said with a smile:"

"\"Having taken a potency-enhancing medicine earlier, a large amount of blood has pooled in his lower body; if not treated promptly, he may very well lose his life. \""

"Upon hearing this, Niu Qing did not dare delay; he hurriedly lifted Wanyan Honglie and rushed up the mountain."

"\"Father! Father! Are you all right? \""

"At this moment, Mu Nianci rushed up from the mountain, shoved Yang Kang aside, and helped the dazed Yang Tiexin to his feet."

"\"Elder Seven? \""

"Upon seeing Hong Qigong, Mu Nianci's face lit up with surprise; she hurried forward and performed a salute."

"At the gathering, she had seen him from afar outside the martial arts arena, but because of the crowd she dared not approach to recognize him; she never expected to meet him again now."

"\"Haha, so you're the father of this lass! What a fine man! Truly straightforward! \""

"Hong Qigong laughed heartily, stepped forward and patted Yang Tiexin's shoulder, felt moved, turned his head to look at Mu Nianci, and mused: \"Back then it was also fate; I taught you this girl a few moves of the Free and Easy Roam. The old beggar will still be staying on the mountain for a few days; if you have any doubts about your martial arts, just come find me. \""

"\"Thank you, Elder Seven! \""

"Mu Nianci smiled and returned the salute with clasped fists."

"\"All right, all right, hurry up the mountain—we three brothers will go back and properly celebrate! \""

"Hong Qigong waved his hand and cheerfully greeted Yi Deng and Huang Yaoshi."

"Several people returned to the mountain; after Wanyan Honglie received treatment from Doctor Yan, his life was spared, but he was completely reduced to a man without roots."

"In the dead of night, upon learning that the marshal had been captured, the Jin army's vice marshal Wanyan Sai bu originally intended to suppress the news and gamble on it, but before he could act, the news spread like a wild wind through the entire camp."

"At midnight, the flames below Jiugong Mountain stretched as far as the eye could see, accompanied by the neighing of warhorses and blaring horns; nearly two hundred thousand Jin State troops, on one hand forming a posture to launch a surprise attack on the two cities of Xiangfan, on the other hand encircling the entirety of Jiugong Mountain."

"\"Jin lackeys, it seems your vice marshal doesn't care much for your dog's life. \""

"On a relatively low hilltop, watching the firelight rising from the mountain's base, Miss Huang tapped the prone Wanyan Honglie on the stretcher with her bamboo flute."

"\"That's right; as long as Prince Zhao dies heroically, this two-hundred-thousand-strong army is whatever Wanyan Sai bu says it is—how long they fight in Xiangyang is merely his word. \""

"Seeing Wanyan Honglie show no reaction, merely appearing lifeless, Miss Huang again jeered with a grin."

"Saying this, she waved her hand, and a group of soldiers holding torches surrounded them on all sides; then another group of soldiers holding bronze mirrors gathered around."

"The next instant, beams of light streamed through the bronze mirrors, reflecting together; in the darkness they shone especially brightly on the stretcher bearing Wanyan Honglie. \"Soldiers down the mountain! \""

"\"Just see who this person is! \""

"A thunderous shout exploded in the night sky; Hong Qigong exerted his full strength and bellowed toward the firelight: \"Your prince has been captured! By order of Prince Zhao, the three armies are to gather and withdraw immediately, retreating from the Xiangyang region! \""

"As soon as the shout rang out, the Jin troops at the mountain's foot fell into an uproar; the vanguard units advancing with torches abruptly halted their steps."

"Originally, the marshal's capture was merely rumor among the soldiers, but after the vice marshal issued an order to dispel the rumor, who would have thought that this very moment they would personally see their Prince Zhao?"

"That low hill was not far from the vanguard units; under the concentrated beams of light, Wanyan Honglie's face was clearly visible."

"\"If the prince remains silent, don't believe I'll strip him naked, hang him on a flagpole, then gather the lights so all the soldiers of the great Jin State can see exactly where their prince lacks... \""

"Seeing Wanyan Honglie's dazed, unresponsive gaze, Niu Ben beside him gave a cruel smile, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a threat."

"Wanyan Honglie's eyelid twitched violently as he met Niu Ben's evil gaze; he involuntarily shuddered."

"With difficulty he swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his throat rolling; he seized the horn-shaped metal object beside him, brought it to his lips, gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and bellowed: \"Wanyan Sai bu! Do you intend to defy military orders and kill the prince? I, the prince, now command you: immediately gather the troops and withdraw from the Xiangyang region! \""

"\"It is the prince! \""

"\"Truly the prince! \""

At the central army's position, where the commander's flag was stationed, the soldiers heard the sound coming from afar, instantly became chaotic, and all turned to look at the person beneath the flag.

"Trash!!" Wanyan Sai bu, clad in gilded iron armor, held his knife and sat firmly on horseback, his face dark as he spat a low curse toward that direction.

But now the soldiers had already recognized Prince Zhao's identity; he could no longer continue feigning ignorance, for otherwise, even after capturing North of Xiang and returning to the Capital, he would not escape death.

"Sound the recall!"

Wanyan Sai bu bellowed at the messenger.

"Woo—woo—woo—"

The retreat bugle blew across the night sky; the scattered Jin troops swiftly gathered and withdrew, rallying toward the central army's main formation.

"Send the signal quickly! Send the signal quickly!"

Seeing this, Miss Huang's pretty face lit up with joy, and she hastily ordered the nearby flag bearer.

The flag bearer dared not delay, quickly sending two flag signals toward a hilltop; in the next moment, a huge black shadow shot up from there, racing swiftly toward the air above the Jin army.

"Launched! Launched!"

"Heaven-shaking Thunder launched!"

Staring at the faint sparks swiftly descending in midair, Miss Huang did not blink, her face excited as she shouted, "Blast! Blast! Blast!"

"Boom—"

"Boom—"

As the words fell, two tremendous booms like thunderclaps erupted; in the midst of the Jin troops' formation at the mountain's base, two huge fireballs instantly burst into flame.

"Boom—"

"Boom—"

Another two explosive blasts rang out, accompanied by screams, the neighing of warhorses, and the fireballs shot up once again.

Wanyan Honglie stared at the commotion at the mountain's base, his eyes wide with shock and vacant.

Meanwhile, facing this sudden heavenly punishment, the Jin army instantly fell into utter chaos; the already densely packed soldiers and warhorses exploded outward, gradually trampling each other.

"Brother Duan! Brother Seven!"

"The time to test our martial skills has come!"

Seeing the huge black shadow return in the night sky, Huang Yaoshi laughed aloud, his blue robe billowing.

Thereafter, the three exchanged a smile, as if by prior agreement, simultaneously leapt down from the hilltop and rushed swiftly toward the Jin army's position.

In the blink of an eye, Huang Yaoshi, Hong Qigong, and Yi Deng had already charged into the midst of the chaotic Jin troops, rushing toward the commander's flag.

"Form ranks! Form ranks!"

Wanyan Sai bu bellowed an order.

After cleaving to death a nearby panicked fleeing soldier with a single stroke, he fixed his gaze on a figure rapidly approaching from ten zhang away and roared, "Those who retreat die! Meet the enemy with the crossbow array!"

"Pfft—"

The messenger guard beside him was about to raise the command flag when a broken arrow shot through the air, piercing his chest in an instant. It was precisely an arrow unleashed with full force by Huang Yaoshi.

"No chaos! No retreat! Form ranks to block the enemy! Form ranks to block the enemy!" Wanyan Sai bu roared angrily, and under the cover of his personal guards he swiftly withdrew.

But just as the shield formation was about to close and the spears prepared to thrust, a dragon's roar rang out, and a tremendous force instantly shattered it.

Wanyan Sai bu was greatly startled, just about to spur his horse to flee, when he saw two fleeting silhouettes flash toward him.

He stood dazed, not yet reacting, only feeling a sudden lightness beneath his feet as he was abruptly lifted into the air. (End of chapter)