Chapter 179

During the fierce battle between the Tuxeslo Army and the Pang Hai Army, the ground grew littered with more and more corpses, and the situation grew increasingly dire for Tuxeslo. Seeing this, Zhang Jiani could no longer contain her rage; she snatched up her longbow.

"These bastards are unbearable!" Zhang Jiani screamed, drawing her bowstring and aiming at Pang Hai atop the city wall.

But Pang Hai had anticipated this; he sidestepped Zhang Jiani's lethal arrow. He sneered, "Firing from ambush—typical rebel tactics! Keep shooting! Annihilate them!" He ordered his soldiers to continue firing.

Zhang Jiani flew into a fury, drawing her short knife to charge out. Her sister Zhang Jiaqi's face turned ashen. Jiang Mingyu rushed forward to stop her: "Jiani, remember our plan." Zhang Jiani clenched her teeth tightly and sheathed her knife.

Meanwhile, Tuxeslo continued pressing forward. The arrow rain grew denser, but his gaze remained resolute as he hurled his shield toward the city wall. The shield struck a Da Feng soldier, shattering his skull instantly. The defenders on the wall gasped in horror—this sight was too terrifying.

Seizing this precious moment, Tuxeslo's soldiers finally completed the ladder construction and began scaling the walls. "Climb!" Tuxeslo led the way up the ladder.

Pang Hai sneered and ordered, "Release!" Massive boulders roared down. Tuxeslo dodged one, but a dozen soldiers beside him were crushed into pulp. Watching the mounting casualties, his eyes glowed red as he roared, "Keep advancing! I'll wipe them all out!"

At that moment, a golden bell rang from Jiang Mingyu's camp—the retreat signal. Tuxeslo remembered the plan had reached its end; he shouted, "The enemy is strong, we are weak—retreat!" After leaving many corpses behind, Tuxeslo's forces withdrew to Jiang Mingyu's position.

On the city wall, Pang Hai smirked, his sharp gaze sweeping over the retreating rebels. He mocked, "Come on, why don't you come again? Dogs, weren't you mighty just now? Have the guts to return—I'll slaughter every last one of you!"

Jiang Mingyu watched Pang Hai with cold eyes, his face expressionless as he ordered, "It's late. Withdraw ten li and set up camp. We fight again tomorrow."

Another deputy general gritted his teeth and said, "Commander, Jiang Mingyu is clearly finished. Let's pursue—we can annihilate them in one strike!"

Pang Hai shook his head solemnly. "No. Aside from the garrison, we have only fifteen thousand men. We cannot risk it."

The deputy general, furious, said, "Are we just going to let the rebels return? Commander Ruan's spirit is still watching us!"

Pang Hai's eyes darkened. At the mention of Ruan Chen, his voice dripped with venom: "Send scouts to secretly locate Jiang Mingyu's camp. We'll launch a night raid. Jiang Mingyu has marched far—he's exhausted, and today's defeat has shaken his morale. We strike now, and we'll avenge Commander Ruan."

The deputy general perked up, leapt to his feet, and Pang Hai's scouts slipped out of the city.

Ten li away, in Jiang Mingyu's camp, the soldiers wore grim expressions. Tuxeslo stared at the broken defenses and said, "My lord, we lost over five hundred men. The cost is too high."

Jiang Mingyu sighed, then said firmly, "Taking a city demands sacrifice—it's unavoidable. But we've paid for a greater victory. Zhuge Yu, how are your preparations?"

Zhuge Yu smiled faintly. "Everything is ready as you ordered. I've stationed ambushes around the camp and spread rumors that our morale is shattered and our troops demoralized. These words will reach Pang Hai. When he attacks at night, he'll walk straight into our trap. Then we'll strike back with full force—he'll be thrown into chaos. The state capital will fall easily."

Jiang Mingyu nodded in approval. "My worthy disciple. With this, Pang Hai will surely fall for it. After we crush his night raid, we'll continue besieging the isolated city—victory is within reach."

The last rays of dusk faded, and the state capital sank into twilight. Faint light spilled over the stone streets, casting a hazy glow. The sentries on the wall stood motionless, staring blankly, yawning with boredom—their minds already far away.

A few vendors pushed heavy carts, hurrying to pack up and go home. Their faces were weary, their clothes caked with a day's dust. The restaurants along the streets gradually closed; owners wearily wiped tables, ending another day. This remote state capital was always unnaturally quiet—its nights, utterly silent.

Inside the Inspector's mansion, Pang Hai stared intently at the map on his desk. His brow furrowed, his eyes sharp and cruel. At that moment, the deputy general stepped quietly in to report.

"Report, Commander: Deputy General Qi requests an audience."

Pang Hai lifted his head, his gaze cold as he fixed on the deputy. His voice was low and resolute: "Good timing. Have the scouts returned?"

The deputy smiled and nodded. "They've returned, Commander. I've received their report." He whispered the intelligence to Pang Hai.

The enemy camp lies just ten li outside the city. They're now feasting lavishly, drunkenly reveling in their false victory. This is the perfect opportunity for a decisive strike.

Pang Hai's lips curled into a cruel smile, his eyes glinting with icy malice. "Perfect! Heaven aids me! Order the troops to prepare rations. We march at the second watch—I'll lead the charge to exterminate these rebels myself!"

The deputy stepped forward to advise: "Commander, this is extremely dangerous. You need not risk yourself. Send elite troops—we can command from within the city."

But Pang Hai was determined. His eyes burned with hatred for his old friend and the thirst for vengeance. "No. I will lead the troops myself. I will avenge Commander Ruan—I will make them pay!"

Seeing Pang Hai's resolve, the deputy could only nod helplessly, silently praying for him.

Thus, Pang Hai led his troops out of the city, vanishing into the night. He believed heaven would grant him victory—the enemy was drunk on wine, blind to the danger. This moment could not be better.

That night, the small city gained another secret—a secret that would decide life or death. And this secret would be revealed with the dawn—victors would return in triumph, the defeated would be buried far from home.

As night deepened, the small city grew still. Only faint glimmers flickered along the streets, illuminating faded buildings and empty roads. A light breeze stirred, carrying a heavy, oppressive air—as if foretelling the coming battle.

In the darkness, Pang Hai's troops swiftly covered the ten li to Jiang Mingyu's camp—pitch-black, filled with the thunderous snores of sleeping men. One soldier grinned at Pang Hai: "Commander, your brilliance never fails. Jiang Mingyu is utterly unprepared. Tonight, we feast!"

But Pang Hai coldly replied, "Don't celebrate yet. Proceed with caution."

At that moment, several sentries near the camp began speaking:

"Our lord is too cautious. We have so many men—how could those rats from the city ever reach us?"

"Yeah, why wake us up in the middle of the night? What's the point?"

"I'm dead tired… this is torture…"

Pang Hai flew into a rage. "Insolent scum—I'll teach you a lesson!" He waved his hand; several silent arrows struck down the sentries. He sneered and ordered his men to sneak into the camp.

But then, from deep within the camp, a cry rang out: "No! Commander, it's an empty camp!"

Pang Hai's face turned ashen. "We've been tricked! Retreat!" He turned to flee—when a cold voice cut through the night: "Pang Hai, do you still recognize Jiang Mingyu?"

Before the words finished, countless torches blazed to life, illuminating the night. From all directions, waves of fierce soldiers surged forth, surrounding Pang Hai's forces completely.

Pang Hai snarled, "Jiang Mingyu, you've always been a vile bastard!"

Jiang Mingyu laughed heartily. "Let's see how many lives this city will give you tonight!"

The two armies clashed in the darkness. Brave soldiers from the state fell one by one, while Jiang Mingyu's troops kept pouring in. The battle raged, chaotic and bloody—the air thick with the stench of blood.

Trapped in the encirclement, Pang Hai trembled, voice shaking: "Jiang Mingyu, how did you know we'd launch a night raid?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled coolly. "I defeated Commander Ruan with a night raid. Do you think this petty trick can fool me? This is just a little game I play—coming to raid my camp? You've come to die!"

He frowned and barked, "Avenge our fallen brothers—fire!"

Hidden in the shadows, Zhang Jiani raised her hand. A wave of dark arrows roared down. Pang Hai's men screamed as hundreds collapsed instantly.

The Da Feng troops' morale shattered. They scattered in panic. Then, Zhang Jiaqi, fully recovered from her wounds, swung her long blade and shouted coldly: "Follow me—kill and avenge!"

Blade flashes lit the night. Zhang Jiaqi moved like a demon among the enemy, slaughtering without mercy. Her eyes red with bloodlust, she terrified fleeing soldiers into terror.

Behind her came Zhang Jiani's warriors, surging forward in a furious charge. Half of Pang Hai's men fell instantly.

The screams jolted Pang Hai awake. He shouted, "Retreat! Retreat to the state capital!"

Saying this, he led his remaining troops in a frantic, muddy flight, abandoning their gear and fleeing the battlefield in disgrace.