Chapter 352: General Tianwei!

The famed general of the Sixth Heaven, commander of the hundred-thousand Western Regions allied army, Helian Jieshan's head had been severed; Li Guanyi's taut spirit finally relaxed, followed immediately by an indescribable, overwhelming exhaustion that seized him like a tidal wave.

But correspondingly—

Around him, the morale of the Western Regions allied army collapsed in an instant; the Tiger Roaring Heaven Battle Spear vanished from Li Guanyi's hand, replaced by a long spear, which he thrust forward—Helian Jieshan's head was impaled and lifted, then caught in his grasp; the famed general's face still bore defiance, his tiger-like eyes wide with fury.

Li Guanyi understood his unwillingness.

Had not the hundred thousand within fractured, had not Li Li Zhaowen's battle formation aided, had not the Black Armor Army, Qibili and Fan Qing, had not Li Guanyi himself—

Helian Jieshan would never have been slain in the midst of his own army.

And after accomplishing such a feat—

Li Guanyi felt only exhilaration; this was the ultimate of being a general.

He flicked his wrist, tearing out a streak of cold light; there came a sharp crack—the central command flag shuddered, then crashed sideways with a thunderous crash; the generals recoiled, faces ashen, trembling with dread, none daring to advance, while Li Guanyi raised his spear high.

Blood-stained, brows commanding.

Amidst the silence, he shouted aloud:

"Helian Jieshan has been slain by me!!!"

Amidst the hundred-thousand troops, the decapitation of the enemy commander shattered what little morale remained; deserters appeared everywhere, chaos erupted in an instant; Li Guanyi exhaled a deep, foul breath, glancing at the battle spear now snapped from prolonged combat.

Even a divine weapon, when infused with Master-level internal qi and battered relentlessly against elite officers bolstered by battle formations, could not endure—it broke.

He held the broken spear like a sword, snatched up another battle spear from the field, and charged outward with Helian Jieshan's head; the Western Regions allied army saw him as a celestial deity, each one filled with terror and dread.

Though Li Guanyi was now at the end of his strength, even his Immortal Life cultivation body showing signs of decline.

Rapid regeneration was impossible; he needed to replenish his primordial qi.

Yet his battle robe was drenched in blood, his armor scarred, his brows blazing as he wielded spear and sword—generals and captains reined their horses back in retreat; within the hundred-thousand troops, none dared face his sharp edge.

Not to mention the Fire Qilin still waiting in Li Guanyi's arms—anyone who dared approach would be met with a blast of Qilin fire.

A thousand armies, ten thousand horses parted for one man; cries of "General Tianwei!" rang out.

Far off, watching Li Guanyi's aura surge, Fan Qing's taut spirit eased; seeing the enemy formation open wide, he was deeply shaken, solemnly sighing: "My lord—truly, my lord…"

Qibili felt the same; though terrified, now that he recovered, a boundless surge of pride rose within him—this ten-thousand-strong Anxi army had witnessed their lord's peerless valor; Qibili felt nothing but exhilaration.

Xia Hou Duan, watching from afar, saw the central command flag sway and suddenly snap; he saw the enemy army descend into chaos; though the distance was too great to hear anything, the crushing defeat of the Western Regions allied army was plain to see.

Xia Hou Duan felt his grip on his weapon trembling, his face alight with joy:

"What divine might!"

To slay the enemy commander in the midst of a hundred-thousand troops!

Truly, a man against ten thousand!

As a warrior-general, even as he aged, his heart still burned with hot blood; even though this feat was not his own, he felt an unadulterated sense of shared glory—now, no matter allegiance, he felt only pure exhilaration.

All generals and captains within Xiyicheng felt the same, blood boiling.

Even prior hostility toward Li Guanyi, resentment over Li Xuanye's death, vanished in an instant; in times of chaos, warriors most yearned for this ultimate display of valor.

Lord Li smiled in admiration, yet his eyes held shock and wary caution.

What divine might…

Around him, ten thousand troops cheered, morale soaring beyond measure; Lord Li felt a chill—he noticed Lord Li's change; Xia Hou Duan tugged his reins and whispered: "My lord, he is our ally—why are you not pleased?"

Lord Li smiled bitterly: "I had wished to conceal his achievements."

"So that Your Majesty would focus solely on the campaigns in all directions, aware only of our victories, unaware of this 'Tian Ge Er', unaware of these Central Plains traders—then the matter of the forty-two cities would be nothing."

"Raise it high, then let it fall lightly."

"This is the game of court politics."

"But now—do you think it can still be hidden?"

Xia Hou Duan's fervent joy vanished; he fell silent for a long while, then said:

"We cannot stop it."

He paused, earnestly adding: "Nor should we."

Lord Li said: "Indeed—hundred thousand men; if we combine both sides, the annals might record two hundred thousand in this battle."

"Yet here stands one man, alone, challenging the enemy emperor's uncle, slaying the commander of a hundred thousand before their very eyes—even a historian who writes sparingly will record this battle; this youth is young enough to enter the Divine Generals' Roster."

"No matter the reasons behind this battle, no matter the strategic comparisons or rivalries that led to this outcome—the result is fixed."

"His name will shake the world!"

"Your Majesty has broad vision and a heart that cherishes talent across the land."

"Such a general—one who slew a commander in the midst of a hundred thousand—do you think Your Majesty will not inquire? Such a man, possessing the forty-two cities, is like a tiger entering the deep mountains, a dragon returning to the sea—who can stand against him?"

Lord Li sighed: "When Your Majesty asks, we'll have headaches."

"Moreover…"

Lord Li surveyed the surroundings: the Xiyicheng army—whether the elite who never broke despite being besieged and chased, or the auxiliary troops and garrison soldiers—all now roared in frenzy, morale surging.

Lord Li felt a bone-deep chill.

Having witnessed such divine might, this army could no longer oppose Li Guanyi—not because he could not command them, but because facing that young warrior, their morale would collapse before even a single clash!

He imagined how these generals and soldiers would react upon learning they faced the man who had taken a commander's head from a hundred thousand—his head throbbed with pain.

Even within the Western Regions alone, from now on, whenever the enemy commander was known to be this 'Tian Ge Er', every warlord would find excuses to avoid engagement.

Alliance?

Even if he severed ties with Li Guanyi—

These soldiers, these elites, could never again fight against Li Guanyi.

One man's reputation had reached this point!

Throughout history and into the future, which general at this age could match him? Perhaps only the Overlord…

The situation had shifted—from being chased and besieged in the city, to forcing the enemy army to retreat, to achieving a stalemate, and now—this was outright victory.

The Western Regions allied army scattered in chaos and fled.

First deceived by a feint, then struck by the Black Armor charge, Li Guanyi cut down their commander amid ten thousand troops—layer upon layer of blows piled up. No army in history had ever survived such relentless assaults and still retained willpower or formation.

Total rout.

They cursed their parents for giving them only two legs.

You didn't need to outrun the pursuers behind you—just outrun your comrades.

While retreating, they discarded armor and anything else slowing them down.

"Discarding helmets and armor" was a literal description.

As for the execution squads? They ran even faster—they were the ones ahead.

All the Xiyicheng commanders, seeing the Westerners flee in disarray, seized the moment to lead their troops, attacking or surrounding them, eager to vent the bitterness of these past days. Yet as they charged forward, they encountered one man—and all bowed their heads, reverent, making way.

Ten thousand troops parted like waves, clearing a path.

The commanders saw Li Guanyi alone on horseback, clad in mountain-patterned armor, riding Sa Lu Zi, one hand gripping a spear, the other holding a "sword," dragging the severed head behind him as he emerged from the sea of soldiers, radiant and invincible.

Li Li Zhaowen gazed at this godlike general, her eyes shimmering with awe.

She had never before felt how extraordinary her youthful friend, her sworn brother, truly was.

Li Li Zhaowen was always free-spirited and bold, yet she delighted in gathering the world's greatest talents.

Seeing Li Guanyi sever an enemy commander's head from among a hundred thousand troops,

She felt nothing but boundless joy.

Li Guanyi's gaze swept over the commanders ahead—all bowed in silent stillness. The distant clash of swords and thunder of hooves echoed far away, yet here, silence reigned. Li Guanyi reversed his spear and drove it into the ground, then raised his hand and removed his helm.

Black hair, tied in a ponytail, fell loose; blood stained his armor; his spirit blazed.

He raised his hand.

Helian Jieshan's head, filled with furious disbelief, tumbled down—landing beside Li Li Zhaowen's horse's hooves. She froze, stunned for a moment, then looked up at Li Guanyi and smiled: "Brother, what do you mean?"

Li Guanyi held his helm in his arm and said:

"The enemy commander has been slain by me."

Li Guanyi was weary, his face carrying a hint of laziness.

Even his divine-grade armor bore cuts and spear punctures, his body riddled with wounds—he himself was badly injured—yet after killing the commander of a hundred thousand men, he strolled calmly through the army and said:

"Second Young Master."

He tugged the reins; Sa Lu Zi stepped forward, brushing past the stunned girl.

Li Guanyi smiled:

"I'm waiting for your melody."

Li Li Zhaowen's heart hammered hard.

This feeling—she had never known it before.

Though she knew Li Guanyi spoke in jest, to downplay his achievement, to refuse pride in it—still, the sudden quickening of her heart made her slightly purse her lips.

Defeating a hundred thousand, slaying the commander, seizing the banner—all reduced to a casual promise made before the campaign began.

After a pause, she laughed as she always did, loud and bright: "Very well."

She said: "I won't let you down!"

Li Guanyi burst into laughter.

This great victory allowed many Xiyicheng commanders to vent their pent-up rage. They gathered over thirty thousand captives, plus other wounded, totaling over fifty thousand. The rest had discarded armor and helmets, running faster than anyone else.

A barbarian child can ride a horse at four.

When they sprinted, these Central Plains commanders couldn't catch them.

As the Western Regions tribes fled, they used every ounce of strength—even the strength from nursing.

The Central Plains commanders chased them only for military merit.

They knew well: if captured by the Central Plains, they'd become nothing but a pile of skulls—a monument called a Jingguan—so they ran for their lives.

Their usual eighty percent horsemanship surged to one hundred twenty or even one hundred thirty percent.

The commanders, having gained merit and captives, had no reason to risk their lives—they returned boasting of their achievements. Li Guanyi met with Fan Qing and Qi Bi Li; the Guo Gong family's officers reunited with Li Shude. After brief rest, the commanders noticed a problem—

Food had already been insufficient; now there were tens of thousands more captives.

These men had been captured only because the army collapsed in chaos, and Li Guanyi's deeds had been too shocking—they were momentarily swept up. Once marched back, if even one fierce man raised his voice, mutiny would erupt.

The commanders argued: some said kill them, others said take them along.

When the Guo Gong heard the commanders speak of Li Guanyi—each with sincere admiration and utmost respect—he grew restless. After long thought, he stared at the bound Westerners and devised a plan.

He went to see Li Guanyi.

Li Guanyi was chatting with Fan Qing and Qi Bi Li, inquiring about affairs in Anxi. The two generals revealed everything without concealment. They had spoken only briefly, not yet fully clarified matters, when the Guo Gong arrived.

After a few pleasantries, the Guo Gong praised Li Guanyi as peerless on earth, rare in heaven, then shifted tone and said:

"Young nephew, you've seen—we've won a great victory and taken many captives."

"They should be handed over to you. You slew their commander; they harbor deep hatred toward you. And they consume food and fodder—extremely costly in 【silver】…"

The Guo Gong explained the captives' situation:

"Now, during their flight, each seized food and destroyed or burned much of it. After dividing the remaining grain between our armies, there's not enough left to feed so many. Young nephew, you may emulate our Central Plains' ancient military sages."

"Build a Jingguan—to prove this great victory."

"Second, to display might to the world."

"Third, to make these Western barbarians understand the divine valor of General Tianwei."

Li Guanyi lowered his gaze slightly. He could not bring himself to kill prisoners and build a Jingguan. Such acts—like slaughtering captives or massacring cities—seemed to glorify power, but in truth, they ruined his own reputation.

If Li Guanyi did this, he would cut himself off from the Western Regions—and now, the Western Regions was the last power unclaimed by any giant force, the final key to contesting the realm.

Li Guanyi looked at the Guo Gong and understood his intent.

He demands Li Guanyi take his own life before the world.

Just be a fierce and brave general.

The Duke of Ying would naturally make such a choice.

Li Guanyi replied: "Uncle, you're so generous—I won't refuse!"

The Duke of Li and Li Guanyi chatted at length before parting.

Li Guanyi rubbed his temples, assigned Fan Qing and Khan Qibili to take charge of the prisoner camp, when footsteps approached—it was Li Li Zhaowen. Li Li Zhaowen strode forward, fixing his gaze on Li Guanyi, saying: "Brother Li, don't kill the prisoners!"

She seized Li Guanyi's arm, her eyes locked on him, saying: "Whether friend or foe, killing surrendered troops stains one's reputation irreparably—it is to cut oneself off from the world. The tribes of the Western Regions value these things deeply!"

Li Guanyi felt reassured. Though the Duke of Li was indeed a bold and cunning politician, Li Li Zhaowen was a brother in loyalty and trust. He said: "Second Young Master, rest easy—I understand."

Seeing Li Guanyi composed, Li Li Zhaowen relaxed too, smiling: "I know your nature and courage—I only came to speak because I worried slightly. With your insight, you must have seen the flaws of this situation at a glance!"

"But now that the siege of this city is lifted, will you return to Xiyicheng with me?"

Li Guanyi shook his head and replied: "I must return to Yemenguan City."

"Once this city is settled, I will come to Xiyicheng to join you, Second Young Master."

Li Li Zhaowen nodded: "I wish to stay here with you, but my father would never permit it. He and the many officers of Xiyicheng were chased relentlessly by the Western Alliance, never directly assaulted—only terrified into trembling fear."

"They were then besieged for so long that their spirits are shattered. I must lead the troops myself to escort them home."

Li Li Zhaowen felt apologetic, but Li Guanyi comforted her, telling her not to feel so.

After Li Li Zhaowen left, Li Guanyi thought for a moment, pulled out a second brocade pouch, tossed it lightly, then opened it.

Li Guanyi could not kill these men.

But letting them go outright was impossible too.

These were all elite warriors of the Western Regions.

Letting them go would mean another major battle later; yet the Duke of Li's words were true. Though some grain had been seized from these Western troops, much was ruined on the battlefield—dry rations turned to powder mixed with soil, or burned, or carried off.

After division, little remained.

They could not feed tens of thousands of hungry mouths.

Moreover, if these men mutinied, Li Guanyi's remaining ten thousand or so could not suppress them. Many problems swirled in Li Guanyi's mind—he opened the pouch.

He saw the writing inside:

"Lord, congratulations on your great victory."

Li Guanyi paused, momentarily startled by the foresight of Po Jun, then smiled:

"If it's Mr. Po Jun, it's no surprise he guessed correctly."

He continued reading: "From my view, Lord, you have just won a great victory and taken prisoners. If you perform well after this battle, many in Xiyicheng will seek to tarnish your reputation."

"The prisoners are a hot potato—but I have just the plan."

"The Yu Langwang's sackings and the construction of kenguan mounds established his dominance over the Western Regions. The captured tribes will tremble with terror, convinced they must die. Lord, you may use the Yu Langwang's name to build your own hegemony: keep some, release most."

"Retain those still fit for battle."

"Release the sick, weak, and lightly wounded, allowing them to take dry rations."

"Thus, first, they believed death was certain—yet now see a chance to live. In their overwhelming joy, you gain the reputation of benevolence. Second, along the Western roads, towns and cities have been seized by these tribes; these released men will return to their clans' strongholds."

"Thus, your great victory will be proclaimed, shaking the morale of garrison troops: one, through fear—fear of your battlefield might; two, through mercy—your benevolent virtue."

"With such a great reputation!"

"When you besiege cities, defenders will believe they cannot stand against you—and if they surrender, you will treat them kindly, perhaps even release them. Their will to resist will crumble."

"This is a strategy of psychological warfare."

"Thus, the people's hearts can be won."

"The cities of the Western Regions will fall at your fingertips."

"Third, use these sick and weak to drain the resources of towns and cities—herbs, medicine—also aiding the second strategy."

"The great tide of heaven and earth turns in yin and yang, endlessly wondrous. The Yu Langwang dominates the Western Regions—his yang energy is at its peak. But you may act contrary: borrow his fame to elevate your own. The more fiercely the Yu Langwang rules, the higher your reputation soars."

"The subtle art of military strategy, its flow and transformation, lies entirely here."

"The highest form of warfare is to defeat the enemy's plans."

"It is here!"

Li Guanyi's thoughts cleared. He clutched the pouch and said: "With Mr. Po Jun's aid, I have more than a million troops!" He rose and left, first seeing off the Duke of Li and others, then bidding farewell to Li Li Zhaowen.

Xia Hou Duan whispered: "Lord, will Tian Ge'er kill and build kenguan?"

He felt uneasy about the Duke of Li's methods.

Military strategists are not mass murderers—kenguan are typically built from slain enemies.

Killing surrendered troops or massacring cities has always been a source of infamy.

The Duke of Li replied: "He treats the Central Plains people well—but he may not have the heart to tolerate the people of the Western Regions."

"Even if he refuses to kill them, he cannot control them once food runs out—crises will multiply, even sparking rebellion. He must make a decision. I have no wish to harm him, nor to become his enemy."

"I only hope Your Majesty does not unleash thunderous wrath."

"Isn't it better to abandon the chance of conquering the Western Regions, and simply be a mighty general of the realm?"

Xia Hou Duan asked: "What if he can tolerate even the people of the Western Regions?"

The Duke of Li froze, silent for a long while, then said:

"Then he is Your Majesty's greatest rival."

"The winds and clouds gather—no one sees the future. We, like you and me, can only struggle through this whirlpool, step by step. All we do is what our roles demand."

"If he possesses such spirit and breadth of heart,"

"then he himself is the storm's origin in this chaotic age of great contention."

"What is there to complain about if we become stepping stones for such a man?"

Li Duke let out a light laugh, saying with ease:

"It's merely fate, merely the world—this chaotic age is just like this."

Li Guanyi strode into the prisoner camp; all these men had been stripped of armor and weapons, knew they were doomed, faces pale, and as Li Guanyi stepped forward, their expressions twisted in terror and trembling.

Li Guanyi's mighty deeds had long cast shadows in their hearts; they cried out together:

"General Tianwei!"

Fan Qing said: "My lord."

Li Guanyi looked at him and asked: "How is it?"

Fan Qing said: "... We kept much of the armor and weapons. I've sent word to Changsun to bring the grain from Xiyicheng, but it won't last for so many mouths."

Li Guanyi spoke a few words; Fan Qing nodded and brought forward the grain seized from the battlefield. The prisoners' faces turned ashen. Li Guanyi said: "You all know me. I have no wish to take your lives—but there isn't enough grain."

As these words fell, all faces turned pale. One fierce general said:

"Ha! I understand! It's just death!"

"I am a warrior of the Shatuo tribe. Though I never got along with Helian Jieshan, you cut off his head—I bow to you. I've never seen a general like you in this world. To die by your sword, I won't dishonor my father!"

"Come then! Kill me first!"

Li Guanyi looked at him, reached out, gripped his sword, drew it—the fierce general's surname was Zhu Xie. Amid the routed troops, he had still fought bravely, standing tall, eyes blazing with fury at Li Guanyi. Li Guanyi's long sword fell—but did not kill him. Instead, he severed the man's ropes.

The fierce general froze. Li Guanyi pressed the tip of his sword to the ground and said:

"Those wounded, rise."

"Take one ration of food, and go home. Between you and me, there is no hatred—we only fight because of Helian Jieshan. He is dead. I have no wish to slaughter you. Grain is scarce: some of you stay, others may go."

"No more weapons."

"Next time, I will execute without mercy."

The many fierce western soldiers, who had believed death certain, now found life from the jaws of doom—stunned. Seeing Li Guanyi holding his long sword, their hearts trembled; fear and submission rose within them. They kowtowed and left. Ten thousand fierce warriors, along with their respective Captains and commanders, were kept behind.

All laid down their weapons and armor, handing them to Fan Qing.

The young fierce general with the surname Zhu Xie watched Li Guanyi's back, his expression complex.

Li Guanyi had mounted his warhorse and returned to the city. The townspeople had shut the gates. Outside, the sounds of battle raged; they dared not look, only the old men of the city organized the able-bodied youth, gripping abandoned weapons, resolved to die the moment the walls fell.

Li Guanyi reached out. With no soldiers left to defend it, the gate was already broken. With the power of a Grand Master, no one could stop him—he easily pushed the gate open. The townspeople trembled, having prepared to die.

But then they saw the general who had marched out return. All froze, unsure what to say. In the silent air, only Li Guanyi led his warhorse forward. Two battles in one day—the sky neared dusk as he walked into the city.

"I'm back. The city's peril is over."

The setting sun glowed like blood. The young general, drenched in crimson, bowed with clasped hands before the tens of thousands of townspeople and said:

"I always keep my word!"

The young general lifted his head, his smile radiant:

"Isn't that right?"

?? Successfully survived another day of struggling with my schedule.

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