Chapter 175: The Duel of Generals

Zhong Li looked toward the Gao Family Fort.

At first glance, he saw the youth in fine robes surrounded by a group of generals.

Without a doubt, this person was Yan Wang.

"Captain, we arrived a step late; the Gao Family Fort has been captured by Yan Wang," a colonel said, riding up to Zhong Li's side.

Zhong Li gritted his teeth; his mind was now entirely focused on avenging his father. "Captured or not, even if I die today, I will make Yan Wang pay the price. Tell the soldiers to prepare; I will be the first to charge the city wall."

"Yes, General," the colonel replied.

He was a clansman of Zhong Li, having come to Shanggu Commandery this time.

Prefect Yuan had temporarily mobilized ten thousand troops, and another ten thousand were soldiers under Zhong Li's command, many of whom were Zhong Family descendants.

Upon learning that Zhong Li's father had been murdered by Yan Wang, they shared a common hatred for the enemy.

"Is the man below the wall Captain Zhong Li, under Prefect Yuan?"

Just then, a voice came down from the city wall.

Zhong Li reined in his horse and leveled his spear, moving forward a few paces. "That is correct. You lot took advantage of the night to set fires and kill my biological father; it is truly despicable and shameless. I once heard people say Yan Wang was benevolent and kind, but now it seems that was nothing but empty talk. Today, I shall fight you to the death."

Following this, he looked at Zhao Xu. "Yan Wang, you rat, you only dare to cower inside the fortress! Come out and meet your death!"

On the city wall.

Zhao Xu gently waved his folding fan, looking at Zhong Li indifferently.

If it were any other of Yuan Li's generals, he would have just had them blasted away with a shot of Artillery.

But at this moment, he had his own calculations.

According to what Mo Yu said, Zhong Li was a man of upright character who had defied Yuan Li several times due to differences in opinion.

If it weren't for Zhong Li being brave and skilled in battle, Yuan Li would have killed him long ago.

Furthermore, Zhong Li had come wearing mourning clothes this time to seek revenge for his father.

But his father was not only alive, he had also been saved by Liu Fu.

If he could find an opportunity to resolve this, there would be no need to fight this battle, and he might even gain a general and his troops.

After all, many of the men under Zhong Li's command were members of the Zhong Family.

Thinking of this, he gave a look to Lv Chang.

Lv Chang had always liked being brave and aggressive; when Mo Yu said Zhong Li could fight, he started to feel an itch.

Just now, when Yan Wang decided to use a ruse to have him go out and duel, he immediately agreed.

"You little brat, how can you be allowed to speak so disrespectfully of my Prince? If you have the ability, fight me! I'll make you kneel and call me 'Grandpa' a hundred times!" Lv Chang roared.

Hearing this, Zhong Li was furious and pointed his Silver Spear at Lv Chang. "If you have the guts, come down and duel!"

"I'm not afraid of you; your grandpa is coming!" After cursing, Lv Chang descended the city wall, mounted his horse, and rode out of the city gate.

Seeing this, Chang Wei showed a worried expression. "I hope this kid doesn't get carried away and forget the real business."

Mo Yu was speechless for a moment.

When he first joined the Prince's army, Chang Wei introduced him to the generals, and this Lv Chang had looked at him askance.

He had an air of "what skills do you have to be a Vice General?"

He found it strange at the time, but since he had just arrived, he didn't hold it against him.

Later, after they became familiar, Lv Chang still provoked him several times with his words, implying they should spar.

He had no choice but to have a fight with him.

However, he had to admit that Lv Chang had a fair amount of strength; it was troublesome if he got close.

But his martial arts were somewhat clumsy, and he was eventually knocked unconscious by a sweep of his leg followed by an elbow strike.

"It's fine, don't we have this?" Zhao Xu patted the Artillery beside him.

He knew Lv Chang had some ability, but overall he was at the level of being mediocre yet loving to fight.

This Artillery was loaded with ammunition, and an Artilleryman was standing behind it with a torch, ready to light it at any time.

If Lv Chang were in danger, he would have the Artilleryman light it to create an opportunity for him to escape back.

While they were talking, Lv Chang had charged out more than fifty meters.

He held a Long Spear, dancing it with a fierce wind.

Zhong Li also rode his horse forward, holding his Silver Spear to strike directly at Lv Chang.

The two encountered each other a hundred meters from the city.

Lv Chang brandished his Long Spear, thrusting straight at Zhong Li's chest.

Zhong Li dodged to the side, and his spear followed the momentum to thrust at Lv Chang's back.

Lv Chang caught a glimpse of it and lowered his upper body, the spear thrusting over his head.

"Hahaha, good!" Turning his horse around, Lv Chang became even more excited.

He spurred his horse again to charge at Zhong Li.

Zhong Li's heart was filled with surging hatred, his face solemn; he only wanted to pierce this Yan Wang general to death, and he also charged over on his horse.

The two fought back and forth for several rounds, with neither gaining the upper hand.

"Lv Chang's martial arts have improved," Chang Wei and the generals watched intently.

Mo Yu nodded slightly; Lv Chang had fought well in these ten or so rounds.

However, he still did not think highly of Lv Chang.

The longer the fight lasted, the easier it was for mistakes to happen.

Just as he was thinking this, he suddenly saw Zhong Li's spear thrust toward Lv Chang, followed by a feint; he leaned back against his horse, and his spear swung around to strike Lv Chang's back.

Lv Chang was only focused on blocking the spear; by the time he realized what happened, he had already been struck in the back by the spear shaft, lost his balance, and fell off his horse.

Zhong Li turned his horse around, his spear thrusting straight at Lv Chang, who was lying on the ground.

"Your Highness, light the cannon." Chang Wei was a bundle of nerves.

Zhao Xu felt a tightening in his heart and was about to give the order when he suddenly saw Lv Chang on the ground roll to the side, dodging a thrust from Zhong Li, then grab Zhong Li's long spear and drag him off his horse, the two of them rolling together in a brawl.

"Captain Zhong, His Highness told me to tell you that your father is not dead; he is in Shanggu City right now. It was Gao Yuan who set the fire to harm your father, and he was saved by Liu Fu of the Prince's Mansion."

With his neck being gripped by Zhong Li, Lv Chang squeezed out these words.

Zhong Li was stunned upon hearing this. "You are spouting nonsense."

"If the Captain does not believe me, you can sneak someone into Shanggu City tonight. Otherwise, if you let yourself be incited by Yuan Li and cast your father into dishonor, would you not regret it for the rest of your life?" Lv Chang added.

Hearing this, Zhong Li loosened his hand from Lv Chang's throat.

If this man were lying, it would not be too late for him to attack the city again.

If he were not lying, would he not have wronged Yan Wang, causing pain to his kin and joy to his enemies?

"Go," Zhong Li barked in a low voice.

Lv Chang performed a roll, pretending to break free from beneath Zhong Li.

Mounting his horse, he immediately headed toward the Fortress.

He had had his fill of excitement this time, and it was time to finish the task Yan Wang had entrusted to him.

At the same time, Zhong Li's men had all arrived to escort Zhong Li back.

Lv Chang returned to the Fortress and climbed the city wall. "Your Highness, this general has said everything Your Highness instructed. Zhong Li will send someone to Shanggu City tonight."

Zhao Xu nodded; this plan would likely succeed.

In the evening, Zhao Xu dispatched soldiers back to Shanggu City to relay the matter.

As night fell, Zhong Li summoned a member of the Zhong Family and sent him secretly to Shanggu City.

At Shanggu City, the Zhong Family member met Zhong Shidao.

"You bastard, go back and tell him that if he dares to touch a single hair on Yan Wang's head, I will surely beat him to death! He has been used by Yuan Li." Zhong Shidao was so angry he coughed several times.

The Zhong Family member was too scared to even breathe loudly.

This time, they had indeed been used by Yuan Li.

He immediately said angrily, "Head of the Family, I will return to the army camp now and inform the young master of this."

The Zhong Family member left the city, returned to the main camp, and relayed Zhong Shidao's words.

Upon hearing this, Zhong Li smashed a teacup with a single palm strike. "Good for you, Yuan Li! I, Zhong Li, have risked life and limb for your Yuan Family, yet you would humiliate me like this."

After a moment of thought, he said, "Replace all the patrolling soldiers with Zhong Family members. Tonight, I will go to see Yan Wang."