Chapter 215: Nothing More Than This

A cold glint flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes as he spoke coldly: "You low guards are nothing but a mob. The reason I, Jiang Mou, have come today is because I covet your fertile lands."

With that, he raised his voice, causing his words to echo through the surrounding valleys: "Are you Zhong Nianyu?! Do you know that your Dingdong City has already been breached by me? How long do you intend to resist? Surrender early, and perhaps I will leave you a path to live; otherwise, you have only one road to death!"

Naturally, his words were meant to crush Zhong Nianyu's morale, instilling fear and doubt in their hearts. After all, Dingdong City was Zhong Nianyu's stronghold and their last retreat; if Dingdong City fell, what hope did they have left?

However, his words did not produce the expected effect. In the opposing camp, a general clad in silver armor waved a great blade, killing until blood flowers flew, paying no heed to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's threats. He was Zhong Nianyu, the defender of Dingdong City and the leader of the low guards.

"Spit! Surname Jiang, do not think to deceive me with lies! Wang Wang Leyuan guards Dingdong City; how could you possibly breach it! You are nothing but an ignorant brat!" Zhong Nianyu cursed loudly.

He did not believe Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words in the slightest. He and Wang Wang Leyuan were sworn brothers in life and death; Wang Wang Leyuan was a man of loyalty and righteousness who would never easily surrender to an enemy. Moreover, Dingdong City was not easily breached; its walls were tall and solid, its garrison elite and fierce, its provisions ample and its weapons complete. Even if Jiang Jiang Mingyu had a hundred thousand troops, he could not harm him.

Seeing that Zhong Nianyu did not believe his words, Jiang Jiang Mingyu said no more. He simply beckoned someone beside him to approach: "Zhong Nianyu, look, who is this?"

That person walked to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's side, revealing a face that was both familiar and strange. It was a young, handsome man dressed in black brocade that shimmered in the sunlight. He looked coldly at Zhong Nianyu across the way, a trace of mockery on his lips.

When Zhong Nianyu saw that face, he froze instantly. The great blade in his hand nearly fell to the ground. "Wang Wang Leyuan? How are you here? Were you not in Dingdong City? Have you surrendered to Jiang Jiang Mingyu?"

His voice was filled with shock and disbelief. He never imagined that his dearest friend, his own brother, would betray him and defect to the enemy. The two had grown up together since childhood, learned martial arts together, joined the army and campaigned together, and guarded Dingdong City together. The bond between them was not something ordinary people could understand. He had been utterly sincere toward Wang Wang Leyuan, treating him as his own flesh and blood brother.

But now, Wang Wang Leyuan stood on the enemy's side, looking at him with not a trace of emotion. This caused Zhong Nianyu a pain and despair unlike anything he had ever felt. He felt as though his heart had been cut by a knife, bleeding fresh blood.

Yet it was this single cry of shock that all the low guards present heard. They had been fighting desperately against Jiang Jiang Mingyu's assault, but when they heard the news that Dingdong City had fallen and Wang Wang Leyuan had surrendered, they were struck as if by lightning, stunned like wooden chickens. An endless panic and despair surged in their hearts. They felt they had lost all hope, all way out.

In that brief moment of daze, more than a dozen low guards were slaughtered by the elite soldiers led by Tu Tu Kesiluo and Xu Xu Zhanhong under Jiang Jiang Mingyu's command. Tu Tu Kesiluo and Xu Xu Zhanhong were both trusted generals close to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, highly skilled in martial arts and adept at warfare. Leading Jiang Jiang Mingyu's elite troops, they charged through the low guards like a tiger among sheep, killing until rivers of blood flowed.

Seeing the situation grow increasingly unfavorable, Zhong Nianyu gritted his teeth and shouted: "Zhong Qinqiang! Kill Jiang Jiang Mingyu for me! And that beast who sells his master for profit!"

Zhong Qinqiang, fighting amidst the chaotic army, heard Zhong Nianyu's order and his eyes instantly turned red. He was Zhong Nianyu's most trusted general and one of the bravest warriors among the low guards. Wielding a long staff, he had felled countless enemies. But when he heard that Dingdong City had fallen and Wang Wang Leyuan had surrendered, he too felt boundless grief and indignation. Dingdong City was the home they had guarded with hard work for many years; Wang Wang Leyuan was the brother they had trusted and respected for many years. All of this had been taken by Jiang Jiang Mingyu; how could he endure it?

Seeing Zhong Qinqiang's long staff thrust toward him, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was startled and hurriedly retreated. The long sword in his hand had been taken by Zhong Nianyu, so he could only use a dagger to defend. He knew he was no match for Zhong Qinqiang and could only delay time, waiting for Tu Tu Kesiluo's rescue.

Zhong Qinqiang gave him no chance to catch his breath, pursuing relentlessly; his staff technique was fierce, every strike aimed directly at vital points.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was forced to retreat step by step, the dagger appearing small and powerless beneath the long staff. He already bore several wounds, his white clothes stained red with blood. A glint of despair flashed in his eyes as he thought he would likely not escape death today.

Just then, a beam of white light descended from the sky, striking Zhong Qinqiang's long staff with a heavy blow. Zhong Qinqiang felt a massive force transmit through him; the long staff in his hand was knocked flying, and he himself was shaken back several steps. He looked up and saw a figure descending from the air; it was Tu Tu Kesiluo.

After landing, Tu Tu Kesiluo looked coldly at Zhong Qinqiang and said: "Tu Tu Kesiluo is here; do not be reckless." Then he turned to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and asked: "My lord, are you unharmed?"

Seeing Tu Tu Kesiluo arrive in time, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was overjoyed. He hurriedly said: "Thank you for the rescue."

Tu Tu Kesiluo smiled and said: "My lord is too polite; this is what I ought to do." Then he shouted at Zhong Qinqiang: "You dog thief, daring to injure my lord! Today I will make you pay blood for blood!"

With that, he waved his blade and charged forward, engaging Zhong Qinqiang in fierce combat.

The two clashed, blade against staff, sending sparks flying in all directions. Tu Tu Kesiluo's blade technique was agile and varied, every strike carrying the momentum of wind and thunder. Zhong Qinqiang's staff technique was powerful and forceful, every strike unstoppable. They exchanged blows back and forth, evenly matched.

Seeing the two locked in an indecisive struggle, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt anxious in his heart.

Shaken back by Tu Tu Kesiluo's strike, Zhong Qinqiang roared in anger: "Tu Tu Kesiluo, dare you block Laozi's path? Die!" With that, he raised his spear and thrust swiftly at Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Tu Tu Kesiluo executed a sliding step beneath his feet, lightly evading Zhong Qinqiang's long spear, while simultaneously turning his blade's edge to strike Zhong Qinqiang. Zhong Qinqiang's spear technique was so advanced it seemed supernatural; his long spear danced, repeatedly blocking Tu Tu Kesiluo's fierce blade. The two clashed with spear and blade, fighting fiercely.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched anxiously from the side, silently praying that Tu Tu Kesiluo could hold off Zhong Qinqiang. Zhang Zhang Jiaqi also kept constant watch on the battle situation with Tu Tu Kesiluo, fighting the enemy while shouting loudly: "Tu Tu Kesiluo, hold on!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo was covered in cold sweat; Zhong Qinqiang's spear technique was surprisingly excellent, and he could only barely hold on. After dozens of exchanges, Tu Tu Kesiluo was gradually unable to sustain himself. At that moment, he made a bold decision and suddenly struck Zhong Qinqiang hard with the hilt of his blade. Caught off guard, Zhong Qinqiang staggered. With sharp eyes and quick hands, Tu Tu Kesiluo shook his long blade and thrust it into Zhong Qinqiang's chest.

Zhong Qinqiang let out a miserable cry and fell from his horse, unable to rise again. Tu Tu Kesiluo exhaled a long breath, pointing the blade's tip at the ground: "Nothing more than this; you are no match for me!"

Behind them, an even greater war was underway. The army led by Zhong Nianyu and the army of Zhang Zhang Jiaqi slaughtered each other in the rain, rivers of blood flowing and corpses covering the fields. Although Zhong Nianyu was a mindless thing, he had a group of loyal brothers. Lu Lu Chuanwen was one of them; he had always protected Zhong Nianyu's left and right, allowing no one to approach.

But Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Xu Xu Zhanhong's assault was too fierce; like two sharp blades, they pierced into Zhong Nianyu's battle formation. Seeing his brothers around him fall one by one, Lu Lu Chuanwen felt extreme anxiety. He shouted loudly:

"My lord, withdraw quickly! Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Xu Xu Zhanhong, those two dogs, are too powerful; we cannot hold them! Be careful, my lord..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Zhang Zhang Jiaqi in the distance draw her bowstring fully, aiming at Zhong Nianyu. Lu Lu Chuanwen had no time to think; he shoved Zhong Nianyu aside. With a "whoosh," an arrow flew, striking Lu Lu Chuanwen squarely in the throat. Blood flowers sprayed in all directions, and Lu Lu Chuanwen fell to the ground.

Seeing that she had hit Lu Lu Chuanwen, Zhang Zhang Jiaqi could not help but smile with satisfaction. She knew Lu Lu Chuanwen was Zhong Nianyu's most trusted confidant and one of the most skilled experts in his army. By killing Lu Lu Chuanwen, she had effectively severed Zhong Nianyu's left arm and right wing.

Zhong Nianyu also saw this scene. He looked in terror at Lu Lu Chuanwen falling, his eyes filled with grief and rage. Completely disregarding his own safety, he rushed to Lu Lu Chuanwen's side and lifted his corpse. He cried out loudly:

"Lu Chuanwen! How can you die! You cannot die! You are my best brother! You cannot leave me!"

His voice rang through the clouds, shaking heaven and earth. Everyone who heard his voice knew that Lu Lu Chuanwen was dead. Lu Lu Chuanwen was no ordinary person; he was one of the two experts, Zhong Nianyu's closest companion. His death meant that Zhong Nianyu was finished.

The morale, which had already begun to scatter, completely collapsed at this moment. Some began to flee, some began to surrender, and some began to weep. No one was willing to fight for Zhong Nianyu anymore.

Yet Zhong Nianyu, like a madman, roared beside Lu Lu Chuanwen's corpse. He waved the blade in his hand recklessly and charged toward the enemy. He shouted loudly:

"Brothers! You cannot run! You cannot surrender! You must kill them all!"

No one listened to his words, no one paid him heed. He was alone, isolated, charging toward the enemy. He was no longer a lord, no longer a general, no longer a hero. He was merely a fool, a pitiful fool.