Chapter 176: Li Goudan's Confession

At this life-or-death moment, Ruan Chen had no time to worry about the battle behind him; he could only flee recklessly, his steps becoming even more urgent.

He glanced coldly at Zhang Zhang Jiani, who was surrounded, and a sneer curled his lips. As Ruan Chen ran, he muttered, "Damn it, when I return, I will leave you no life!"

As the battle grew fierce, Ruan Chen led his remaining force of fewer than two hundred men to the canyon entrance. Suddenly, a voice came from ahead: "Ruan Chen, I am Jiang Jiang Mingyu. Today, you and I shall decide who is superior!"

Ruan Chen's heart sank. He wanted to turn and fight, but the moment he looked back, he saw Zhang Zhang Jiani and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi blocking his path, their eyes flashing with murderous intent.

Ruan Chen realized escape was hopeless, so he resolutely drew his sword and shouted loudly, "Come then! Let me fight these traitors to the death!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered and ordered Zhang Zhang Jiani, "Capture Ruan Chen alive; kill everyone else!"

In an instant, screams rose one after another, and nearly all of Ruan Chen's men perished. Just as Ruan Chen prepared to end his own life, Zhang Zhang Jiani's sword pointed at his throat, leaving him unable to move.

"You... finish me off quickly!" Ruan Chen gritted out.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu walked forward slowly and shook his head gently. "Killing you would be too easy. You slaughtered our families; how can I let you die so easily?"

"Rest assured, I will make good use of your life to open the gates of Asmodu. At that time, your head will be a gift presented to the Emperor, a testament to the recapture of Dingtao."

Ruan Chen looked to the sky and let out a long, mournful cry. "I am destined to die! Heaven will not forgive you; retribution will come sooner or later!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered once more, then said to Zhang Zhang Jiani, "Guard him well; do not let him easily take his own life. When I recapture Asmodu, I will execute this man personally to wash away our shame."

Zhang Zhang Jiani nodded and bound Ruan Chen tightly. Jiang Jiang Mingyu encouraged the soldiers, saying, "Brave warriors, Asmodu lies ahead! Let us strike with one burst of energy, utterly annihilate the enemy, and reclaim our homeland!"

"Yes!" The ten thousand troops shouted in unison. Morale was high, and a column of men marched forward in great force, their momentum overwhelming.

With his hands bound behind his back, Ruan Chen kept his head down, silent. He knew his fate was sealed, and despair filled his heart.

As Zhang Zhang Jiani led Ruan Chen away, a piercing scream suddenly echoed through the valley.

Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately treated the injured Zhang Chao like a dead dog, throwing him before Zhang Zhang Jiaqi.

"Little sister-in-law, I have brought him to you. The method of disposal is yours to decide," Tu Tu Kesiluo said coldly.

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi drove her sword straight into Zhang Chao's back, a cruel smile on her lips.

"Beast, go die," she said coldly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed in relief; the corpses on the ground brought him a sense of release.

"Ruan Chen's trouble is resolved. Now we must march on the Asmodu Regional Military Commissioner. Let's go; we will return to Dingtao first," he ordered.

Just then, Zhu Ge Yu, who had been commanding the battle from the mountaintop, also walked over.

"Master, in this battle, our casualties were fewer than two thousand. It can be called a great victory," Zhu Ge Yu reported to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled and nodded; he was accustomed to winning battles with fewer forces, and this time was no exception.

As for the situation at the Asmodu Regional Military Commissioner beforehand, he considered it merely an accident, not worth mentioning.

After returning to Dingtao, Jiang Jiang Mingyu recounted the entire battle to everyone. Li Goudan, upon hearing it, felt deeply ashamed and knelt before Zhu Ge Yu on the spot.

"Mr. Zhu Ge Yu, I..."

Zhu Ge Yu was somewhat surprised but quickly reached out to help Li Goudan to his feet.

"Goudan, get up quickly. What did you do?"

Li Goudan refused to rise; he felt such regret that he could not express it.

"Mr. Zhu, before this, I... I... ah..." Li Goudan finally could only let out a long sigh.

Looking at the cross-shaped scar on Zhu Ge Yu's face, Li Goudan's heart surged with intense emotion.

It was a mark that could never be erased in a lifetime.

Zhu Ge Yu seemed to have already forgotten the previous unpleasantness; he spoke in a deep voice.

"Say no more. I understand your feelings. If it had been me at that time, I might have done the same."

The two resolved their past grievances, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu was very pleased. He ordered a three-day rest to allow the exhausted soldiers to recover properly.

"Xiao Er, send men to blockade the official road back to the Asmodu Regional Military Commissioner. The news of Ruan Chen's total destruction must not be transmitted back for now," he instructed, to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Wu Xiao Er, whose head was still wrapped in gauze, understood the urgency of the matter, immediately agreed, and departed swiftly.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Tu Tu Kesiluo and continued issuing orders.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, send more men to Ruan Chen's main camp. There should be sufficient grain and supplies there to sustain the army's needs for a period of time."

Ruan Chen had led eighty thousand troops, so the grain and fodder must not be scarce. Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew these resources were extremely important for the upcoming battles.