Chapter 191: Unrest in Death

At this moment, Zheng Xu and his subordinate Bing Wan'ang strode proudly out of the camp, with over ten thousand soldiers beneath them arranged in neat formation, weapons sharp, marching in military array, their killing intent surging.

Zheng Xu puffed out his chest and raised his head, eyes fixed straight ahead, striding at the very front of the five thousand. Bing Wan'ang dared not lag even half a step, following closely behind. One in front, one behind, they were like two fierce tigers, making onlookers tremble with fear.

Bing Wan'ang asked in a low voice, "My lord, what strategy shall we use tonight to capture Jiang Jiang Mingyu alive?"

Zheng Xu spoke in a deep voice, "When the gong strikes once, you will lead five thousand light cavalry to surround Jiang Jiang Mingyu's camp on all sides, beating gongs and drums loudly to ensure not a single soldier inside can sleep. At the same time, send your elite troops in ten squads to sneak close to the camp, waiting for the opportunity to loose arrows and increase the enemy's chaos. When dawn breaks, I will personally lead the main force to strike directly at the central command tent, capturing Jiang Jiang Mingyu alive. By then, the enemy will be exhausted from running about, their morale surely plummeting. Our army will press the advantage, capturing the enemy commander in one stroke. Capturing the enemy commander, capturing the enemy commander, capturing the enemy commander; the remaining small soldiers are no cause for concern."

Bing Wan'ang clasped his hands and said, "My lord is wise! This humble one accepts the order!"

As the night deepened, silence shrouded the earth. Zheng Xu raised his hand as a signal, and the ten thousand-strong army silently surrounded Jiang Jiang Mingyu's camp.

Zheng Xu raised the bronze gong high and struck it hard; the gong's sound roared, shaking the night sky.

In the dead of night, the gongs and drums gradually ceased, replaced by the loud snoring of deep sleep. Bing reported, "My lord, the enemy army is fast asleep!"

Zheng Xu nodded and said, "Very good. Stop while you are ahead; do not be greedy and advance rashly. Wait until the enemy sleeps even deeper, then launch the general attack, and only then can we succeed in one stroke."

At dawn, Zheng Xu personally supervised the battle, his spirit swallowing mountains and rivers. He shouted with one roar, "Charge for me!"

The ten thousand-strong army surged like a tide, launching a massive assault into the camp.

Just as Zheng Xu lifted the curtain of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's tent, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's smiling face appeared before Zheng Xu.

Looking at Zheng Xu before him, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but let out a cold sneer. This treacherous and cunning fellow had actually fallen for his trap, thinking he could annihilate his army in one stroke, unaware that he himself had fallen into a carefully designed trap.

"Zheng Xu, you have finally come." Jiang Jiang Mingyu set down the teacup in his hand and slowly stood up. "I have been waiting for you for a long time."

Zheng Xu was startled by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's composure; he could not understand why Jiang Jiang Mingyu could remain so calm in such a critical moment. Did he not know he was already surrounded? Did he not know he had no hope left?

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do you still dare to put on airs here?" Zheng Xu said mockingly. "Do you think you still have any chance? Do you think you can still escape my grasp?"

"I do not need to escape." Jiang Jiang Mingyu answered calmly. "Because I never intended to escape."

"Are you joking?" Zheng Xu laughed disdainfully. "Do you not know your current situation? Do you not know you are already trapped here by me?"

"I certainly know." Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled slightly. "But what about you? Do you know where you are right now?"

"I certainly know." Zheng Xu said without hesitation. "I am right now in your camp, right before your eyes."

"Wrong." Jiang Jiang Mingyu suddenly raised his voice. "You are not in my camp right now; you are in my trap."

"What?" Zheng Xu asked in surprise.

"That is correct." Jiang Jiang Mingyu continued. "Did you think your gongs and drums last night disrupted my army's morale and made my soldiers sleep uneasily? Actually, that was just my strategy. I had long ordered my soldiers to divide into two shifts; one shift shouted insults at the camp gate, while the other went back to sleep. They all slept very well last night."

"So what?" Zheng Xu said, unconvinced. "Even if your soldiers slept well, they cannot withstand my eight thousand elite troops. You have only twenty thousand now, while I have eight thousand; your forces are not even half of mine."

"You are right." Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded. "I have only twenty thousand now, and you have eight thousand. But you forgot one thing: your eight thousand are now inside my camp, while my twenty thousand are all outside my camp."

"What do you mean?" Zheng Xu asked, confused.

"Do you still not understand?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu revealed a cunning smile. "Did you think why I did not sortie to fight last night, but let you enter my camp freely? It is because I had long prepared a fire attack plan. I ordered my soldiers to place many flammable items inside the camp; once you entered, I would light a single fire. Your great army will be burned to death here."

"You... you dare?" Zheng Xu said in terror.

"I certainly dare." Jiang Jiang Mingyu said coldly. "You insulted me first, then poisoned my soldiers, and yesterday tormented me until I was dizzy and confused. Zheng Xu, it is time for you to pay your debt."

Having finished speaking, Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, signaling the soldiers behind him to act.

Soon, Zheng Xu saw flames rising on all sides; he wanted to flee but found himself surrounded so tightly that not even water could leak through.

Zheng Xu wanted to cry for help but found his throat choked by smoke, unable to make a sound. He could only watch helplessly as the fire grew fiercer, his soldiers falling to the ground one by one with screams, either swallowed by the flames or slain by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's soldiers. His heart was filled with despair and fear; he was unwilling to die like this. He still had many unfulfilled wishes; he still wanted to unify the world and become a supreme hegemon.

He wildly waved the precious sword in his hand, trying to break through the encirclement, but found that no matter what he did, he could not escape Jiang Jiang Mingyu's trap. He looked around in all directions, hoping to find a way out, but saw only Jiang Jiang Mingyu's cold and mocking face.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood outside the tent, followed by several close confidants. Watching Zheng Xu's miserable state, his heart was filled with satisfaction and pride. He had finally avenged years of hatred; he had finally eliminated his greatest enemy.

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do not be arrogant!" Zheng Xu said through gritted teeth. "Even if you defeated me today, it is because you used despicable means. If we faced each other head-on, you would not be my match!"

"Hmph, despicable means? This is the application of wisdom! Do you think using troops is merely about matching strength and courage? You are too naive! The way of using troops lies in achieving victory through surprise, in attacking when the enemy is unprepared, and in overcoming the strong with the weak! Do you think relying on your small number of troops can defeat me? You are too arrogant!"

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, do not be so presumptuous!" Zheng Xu roared. "Although I am trapped today, I still have my great army outside. As soon as they learn of my peril, they will come to rescue me immediately! At that time, you will know my power!"

"Hahaha!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed loudly. "You still expect your great army to rescue you? That is pure wishful thinking! Do you know why I did not sortie to fight last night? It is because I had already dispatched a squadron of elite cavalry to bypass your camp and attack your rear directly. Your great army has now been routed, your grain and fodder burned to nothing, and your supplies plundered clean. What else do you have to expect?"

"You... you speak the truth?" Zheng Xu asked, unable to believe it.

"You don't believe me? Then just look!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, signaling the soldiers behind him to produce a torch and ignite a pile of firewood. Hanging on the firewood was a large banner with the character "Zheng" written on it. That was the banner of Zheng Xu's great army, seized by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's cavalry from their hands.

"This... how did this happen?" Zheng Xu said in terror.

"This is your end!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu sneered. "Zheng Xu, you will die here today, and your great army will be wiped out by me in one net!"

Having finished speaking, Tu Tu Kesiluo rushed at Zheng Xu. Seeing the situation was dire, Zheng Xu wildly waved his precious sword, trying to resist. But he was already too weak to continue, unable to withstand Tu Tu Kesiluo's sharpness. Soon, he was pierced in a vital spot by Tu Tu Kesiluo and fell into a pool of blood.

"Ah..." Zheng Xu let out a final scream, his eyes filled with unwillingness and hatred. He hated Jiang Jiang Mingyu; he hated his own failure. He hated the people of the world; he hated that they did not support him. He hated heaven, earth, and all things; he hated that they were unfair.

He died.