Chapter 175: A Turtle in a Jar

The sky gradually brightened; the rolling stones and gravel on the cliff face gleamed with a cold luster in the dawn light. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi gripped her long sword tightly, a sinister smile curling her lips as she said, "Today I will personally slay that beast."

Zhang Zhang Jiani understood her twin sister's temperament and softly comforted her, "Zhang Jiaqi, rest assured. With Mr. Zhu Ge Yu's planning, victory is already in our grasp for this battle. By then, Bring Ruan Chen will surely have no escape from death."

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi shook her head, saying, "I am not speaking of Bring Ruan Chen, but of one of his highly skilled guards. That day in the prefectural city, he wounded me with a sword; had I not been lucky enough to dodge the vital spot, I would likely already be dead."

Having spoken, she rolled up her sleeve, revealing a long gash on her arm deep enough to show the bone; Zhang Zhang Jiani could not help but draw in a sharp breath of cold air.

Killing intent shot from Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's eyes: "If I do not avenge this wrong, I swear I am not fit to be human. Today I must personally slay that beast!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo quickly interjected, "Little sister-in-law, do not worry. In a moment, your brother-in-law will surely avenge you for you, chopping that beast into minced meat!"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi glanced at him sideways, and finally nodded slightly. Although she had spoken arrogantly, having suffered heavy injuries, she was truly powerless to fight and kill.

By now the sky was fully bright; Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu exchanged a glance, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Make preparations; Bring Ruan Chen's army will arrive at any moment."

Our army of thirty thousand troops is already in position; we only await Bring Ruan Chen taking the bait before we can begin our counterattack.

At this moment, dust rose in the distance, and a dark, pressing mass of people could be vaguely seen surging toward this place—Bring Ruan Chen's army had finally arrived!

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze was like lightning; he lightly stroked the sword at his waist, waiting only for Bring Ruan Chen to enter the death trap before he could capture him alive in one stroke.

Zhu Ge Yu was also ready; he only awaited Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command to activate the rolling stone mechanism and bury Bring Ruan Chen's army!

Watching Bring Ruan Chen about to fall into the trap, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhu Ge Yu exchanged another glance.

"Act!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice echoed through the valley like a cold northern wind.

"Master, I will block Bring Ruan Chen with all my strength; you must lead five thousand elites, circle around to the valley entrance, and cut off their retreat," Zhu Ge Yu said, his gaze as firm as a rock.

Zhu Ge Yu's words seemed to embody a strategy long brewing; he had intended to execute it personally, but considering the soldiers' doubts, he made the decision of self-sacrifice.

After hearing this, a trace of firmness flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's calm eyes: "Very well, I will ensure Bring Ruan Chen cannot escape."

He led the elite troops away silently, while on the snow below the mountain, the footsteps of Bring Ruan Chen's army drew closer like thunder.

Soon, Bring Ruan Chen appeared before them; he wore iron armor, his beard was streaked with gray, and the muscles on his face were as knotted and uneven as old tree roots.

The middle-aged man beside him, sporting a small mustache, made Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's face even more gloomy.

"It is him," her voice was like a cold blade.

Tu Tu Kesiluo's hand gripped his sword hilt tightly; Zhu Ge Yu's gaze remained calm as he softly stopped him: "Do not rush; only when Bring Ruan Chen's troops have fully entered the valley will we have the chance for revenge."

Bring Ruan Chen also noticed the terrain at the valley entrance; his military career made him realize this dangerous place could bring disaster upon him.

"This place is fraught with danger; Zhang Chao, go and order the soldiers to speed up and cross this area as quickly as possible," he said to the guard beside him.

Thus, Zhang Chao took the order to the rear army; when he returned, Bring Ruan Chen's troops were already marching rapidly, surging into the valley like a flood.

Watching the last soldier enter the valley, Zhu Ge Yu shouted the command: "Release!"

Following his command, the soldiers filled with hatred pushed down huge stones and rolling logs; Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also coldly ordered, "Release the arrows."

At that very moment, the valley descended into a human hell. Before Bring Ruan Chen could react, the soldiers behind him were already lying in pools of blood.

He turned to look and saw over a thousand corpses pierced by feathered arrows or with their skulls crushed by rolling stones; the wails of the wounded and the panic of the survivors pushed the entire scene to the brink of chaos.

Bring Ruan Chen urgently shouted, "Do not panic! Ambushers are on the mountain; turn back immediately and exit the valley!"

However, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi did not let him have his way; her full-strength rain of arrows once again poured down upon Bring Ruan Chen's troops. At the same time, more rolling logs and stones, like raging beasts, crashed down upon Bring Ruan Chen's head.

Bring Ruan Chen's army was trapped in the narrow valley; they could neither escape nor advance.

After Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's continuous rain of arrows, over half of Bring Ruan Chen's troops were already dead or wounded; the corpses were cold, the blood not yet cooled, already covering the pure white of the snow.

Bring Ruan Chen's army was in a desperate situation; he watched helplessly as soldiers once full of life turned into cold corpses, his anger and helplessness surging forth like a vast river that could not be stopped.

He waved the sword in his hand and roared, "Do not panic! Ambushers are on the mountain; turn back immediately and exit the valley!" This voice was like a lion struck heavily, emitting waves of mournful cries.

However, Bring Ruan Chen's orders seemed unable to stop this catastrophe.

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi was unwilling to miss any opportunity; she let out a sharp cry, and a new round of arrows once again poured down upon Bring Ruan Chen's troops.

At the same time, more rolling logs and stones, carrying the roar of hatred, crashed down upon Bring Ruan Chen's head. This was a merciless slaughter, a release of endless hatred toward Bring Ruan Chen.

The valley was narrow; Bring Ruan Chen's army immediately fell into the awkward predicament of having nowhere to hide and no way to run. Their retreat was blocked by the five thousand elites led by Jiang Jiang Mingyu, while ahead lay rolling stones and arrow rain; Bring Ruan Chen's army was like a trapped beast, in a desperate situation.

All of this was within Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's calculation; she had no mercy, only cold revenge. Her arrows were like the scythe of the Grim Reaper, time and again reaping Bring Ruan Chen's life.

Over half of Bring Ruan Chen's troops were already dead or wounded; his army had become a field of cold corpses.

All of this was before Zhang Zhang Jiaqi's eyes; the flames of revenge flickered in her eyes, and her resolve did not waver in the slightest.

Bring Ruan Chen was already in a desperate situation; he could neither advance nor retreat.

His heart was filled with despair, and his gaze was filled with helplessness.

However, all of this was merely the beginning of revenge for Zhang Zhang Jiaqi.

Zhang Chao gripped his great sword tightly, his gaze solemn as he faced the dense rain of arrows. Unafraid, he slashed down a single stroke to cut the incoming feathered arrows in half and shouted hoarsely, "The enemy is numerous and we are few; Commander, leave this place quickly!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than a figure suddenly leaped down from the cliff, holding a long sword, his gaze cold as he aimed at Zhang Chao and sneered, "You injured my little sister-in-law; you have only one path to death!"

Zhang Chao quickly pushed Bring Ruan Chen behind him and whispered, "Commander, withdraw quickly! Leave this thief to me for a duel!"

Bring Ruan Chen thought the newcomer was Jiang Jiang Mingyu and immediately retreated without further comment, shouting to his generals, "Retreat! Return to Yasmo City to regroup and fight again!"

That person was none other than Tu Tu Kesiluo; he had already arrived before Zhang Chao and said coldly, "Give up your life!" Sword light flashed, pointing directly at Zhang Chao.

Zhang Chao instantly twisted his waist, skillfully dodging the attack, while quickly drawing a snow-bright long sword to prepare a counterattack.

Tu Tu Kesiluo laughed heartily, "You can dodge my single strike; it seems my little sister-in-law did not misjudge you. You indeed have some skill. But today you are destined not to escape death!"

No sooner had he spoken than the sword edge fiercely attacked Zhang Chao again, killing intent filling the air.

Zhang Chao sneered and said, "Damn thief, die!" He swung his long sword to parry Tu Tu Kesiluo's assault. The two clashed blade against blade, killing intent overflowing.

Just then, Zhu Ge Yu's command rang out from the mountaintop: "Aim at Bring Ruan Chen, release the arrows!" Bring Ruan Chen's heart jumped; this was not Jiang Jiang Mingyu; there were others on the mountain commanding!

The rain of arrows poured down again; Bring Ruan Chen's subordinates fell one after another, and he himself could only accelerate his escape.

Seeing the enemy army reduced to just over ten thousand, Zhu Ge Yu shouted loudly, "Charge down and annihilate Bring Ruan Chen!" Zhang Zhang Jiani led the army, striking the enemy formation like a fierce tiger.

Zhang Chao was frantic with anxiety, wanting to save Bring Ruan Chen, but was forced back by Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Your opponent is me!"

Zhang Chao's anger burned; he slashed fiercely at Tu Tu Kesiluo with a single stroke, the force ten times more violent than before!

Puchi! Zhang Zhang Jiani slashed down and killed an enemy soldier, continuing her pursuit of Bring Ruan Chen.

And the soldiers and horses behind her also shouted for revenge, surging toward Ruan Chen's battered troops.