Chapter 287: Blood-Soaked Valley

The hour had passed; Jiang Mingyu's army had taken position as planned, with the ambush conducted in orderly fashion. On both sides of the valley, ten thousand archers under Jiani held the high ground, bows drawn and ready to strike. In the valley's center, Fang Hang's thirty thousand troops lay hidden silently in tunnels and thickets, poised to cut off Qin Lihai's retreat. Li Goudan's forty thousand cavalry were concealed at the valley's exit, spears in hand, ready to block the approach.

Jiang Mingyu and Tuxesiluo, leading their elite, crouched behind bushes, watching the valley floor, patiently waiting for the prey to enter the trap. Jiang Mingyu stared intently, eyes blazing, not daring a single moment of slackness. Tuxesiluo idly played with his sword, his eyes gleaming with excitement and eagerness.

At that moment, Tuxesiluo let out a soft laugh and whispered, "The trap is set; all we wait for is Qin Lihai to fall for it. To rescue Nanjing, he must pass through here—when we strike suddenly, we'll capture him alive. This kind of battle is as easy as shooting a bird in a cage."

Li Goudan also glanced at the blood-red setting sun and replied quietly, "Night is falling; by the time Qin Lihai's men arrive, darkness will be total. We can strike under cover of night—he'll be caught completely off guard, at our mercy. With heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human unity, victory is within reach!"

No sooner had he finished than a scout galloped back, dismounted, and knelt to report: "Your Majesty, Qin Lihai's army is fifty li away and appears to plan to camp after advancing another twenty li." Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow, sneering inwardly: "Whether day or night, this valley is Qin Lihai's only path. To rescue Nanjing, he'll march deep into our territory—when we attack from all sides, he'll have nothing but death awaiting him!"

Tuxesiluo nodded in agreement: "Qin Lihai's troops have been marching nonstop for days—their morale must be shattered. To fight now, they're already spent. Our plan is bound to succeed!" He sighed bitterly, "Too bad I can't lead the charge myself—what a pity."

After nightfall, silence enveloped all around. Tuxesiluo grew anxious and whispered, "The hour is late, yet Qin Lihai hasn't appeared—could he have changed course?" Jiang Mingyu replied firmly, "Relax. Qin Lihai has already penetrated deep into our territory—there's no other route. To rescue Nanjing, he'll walk straight into our net."

No sooner had he spoken than a scout suddenly ran up, knelt, and whispered, "Your Majesty, Qin Lihai's army is only five li away—still pushing the troops forward at full speed, seemingly with no caution at all!" Jiang Mingyu's eyes flashed with excitement; he immediately ordered the scout to alert all units to prepare for attack. The enemy had taken the bait—victory was within grasp!

At the appointed hour, Jiang Mingyu indeed saw flames drawing near—Qin Lihai's army was slowly entering the valley. Tuxesiluo threw back his head and laughed aloud, growling, "My prey, you cannot escape! Hahaha!" Jiang Mingyu sneered in response.

Qin Lihai's army surged into the valley, ten thousand cavalry advancing in force, their momentum fierce. Qin Lihai frowned, scanning the dark cliffs and trees around him: "This terrain is treacherous—marching here risks disaster. Wei, hurry the troops through the valley and find open ground to camp as soon as possible!"

Wei, the deputy commander, dismissed him: "General, you overthink it. Nanjing is close, and Zhao Yin holds it firmly. Jiang Mingyu couldn't have taken it so quickly. Our troops are exhausted—let's rest here."

Qin Lihai flew into rage—when suddenly, a roar echoed from the hilltop: "Fire!" Arrows rained down from all sides, instantly killing hundreds of men and horses. Qin Lihai shouted in alarm: "We've been tricked! Raise shields, charge forward—break through!"

At that moment, the ground exploded with a thunderous crash—the valley floor, soaked in burning oil, erupted into flames. Men and horses scrambled to escape, trampling their own comrades, adding to the chaos. Qin Lihai bellowed: "Wei, order the breakout!" Before the words left his lips, an arrow pierced Wei's throat—he fell dead.

The situation was dire; Qin Lihai still screamed, "Follow me—break out!" When Jiang Mingyu gave the order: "Attack!" Tuxesiluo and Li Goudan led seventy thousand troops charging in, instantly splitting Qin Lihai's army into fragments.

In the valley, smoke slowly cleared. Qin Lihai staggered up from a pile of corpses, turned, and gasped in horror.

The once-mighty ten-thousand-strong army had vanished—bodies lay scattered everywhere, blood staining the entire valley. Most corpses bore twisted faces, blood on their lips, resting on fallen comrades, expressions filled with agony and terror—clearly, they had endured a brutal slaughter.

Qin Lihai stood weakly, his body battered, armor torn and scarred. He looked desperately around—but not a single living soldier remained. Where was the once-formidable ten-thousand-man force? Now, the valley held only silence and despair.

Qin Lihai forced his heavy steps forward; corpses filled his vision. One body had three arrows through its chest, its neck nearly severed, mouth gaping as if screaming silently before death; another lay crushed beneath two dead horses, its body contorted into a grotesque shape... Each corpse bore witness to the despair and cruelty of its final moments.

Qin Lihai felt dizzy, his strength gone. He collapsed to his knees in the sea of blood. He looked up, howling in despair, voice raw—yet nothing could undo the annihilation of his ten-thousand-man army. In that moment, he finally understood: this was a battle doomed from the start.

"Wei, why didn't you listen? Why camp here, in this death trap..." Qin Lihai muttered, tears blurring his vision. Before he could sink further into self-reproach, several of Jiang Mingyu's scouts rushed in, bound him, and dragged him away.

Qin Lihai, covered in blood and half-conscious, was dragged before Jiang Mingyu and thrown to the ground.

Tuxesiluo looked down at him, sneering: "General Qin, fate has brought us together again. Last time in Guizhou, you fled with arrogance—now you're reduced to this. What are you thinking now?"

Qin Lihai lifted his head weakly, his eyes dull, staring blankly at Tuxesiluo.

Jiang Mingyu continued: "Your feud with Tuxesiluo—let it fade. Serving Li Haoyang was merely your duty. I understand."

"Now, we are prisoner and victor. Surrender to me, and I'll put your talent to use—I won't pursue you relentlessly. This benefits us both. What do you say?"

Qin Lihai finally spoke, voice hoarse and weak: "Jiang Mingyu, you may kill me if you wish—I will never betray Li Haoyang to surrender to you."

Jiang Mingyu frowned: "General Qin, don't be stubborn! Abandon your past errors—join me, and a glorious future awaits us both."

Qin Lihai suddenly smiled—a relieved smile. "Jiang Mingyu, you still don't know me. I've always valued loyalty and righteousness—I could never betray Lord Li. Even if you spare me, I'll be grateful—but I'll never abandon my lord."

"I may have failed in this life, but I have no regrets. Jiang Lang, you and I are evenly matched. We're merely on opposing sides—perhaps in our next life, we'll be friends."

With that, Qin Lihai closed his eyes: "Do with me as you will—I care no longer. All I await is the day I meet Li Haoyang again in the next life."

Jiang Mingyu's face darkened; he snorted: "Fine. A pathetic act of loyalty. Since your mind is made up, let it be."

The scouts dragged Qin Lihai up, forcing him to kneel. Tuxesiluo stepped forward with a long blade. Its edge gleamed coldly, reflecting on Qin Lihai's blood-smeared face.

Qin Lihai raised his head, summoning his last strength to meet Jiang Mingyu's gaze, calmly saying: "Jiang Mingyu, take my life if you must—but my loyalty, you can never take."

Jiang Mingyu snorted, turning away.

Tuxesiluo raised the blade and brought it down—precisely, cleanly. Qin Lihai's head fell with a thud. Blood sprayed across the ground. His body swayed, then collapsed heavily.

The slaughter in the valley ended. Jiang Mingyu surveyed the corpses and pools of blood, coldly speaking:

"Tuxesiluo, send Qin Lihai's head to Jizhou—to warn Li Haoyang."

Tuxesiluo bowed respectfully and immediately ordered scouts to sever Qin Lihai's head, wrap it carefully, and prepare to transport it to Jizhou.

Jiang Mingyu stared at the carnage below, a surge of vengeance coursing through him. For years, he had never forgotten the pain of his family's massacre by the Xi Xia army. Today, he had avenged even a small part of it—Xi Xia's forces were utterly annihilated.

Jiang Mingyu exhaled slowly, straightening his disheveled hair and armor. His expression shifted from ferocity to calm, his gaze hardening once more. Turning, he ordered in a low voice:

"Retreat. We return to Nanjing!"

The army assembled and departed swiftly, leaving behind countless gruesome corpses and blood-soaked earth.

Returning to Nanjing was already deep night. Jiang Mingyu led his morale-boosted troops into the city. He gazed at the generals standing in formation below the steps, his heart swelling with the thrill and ambition of commanding all under heaven.

"Tuxesiluo," he said, "let the troops rest for one day. The day after tomorrow, we march on Quyang City—the vital stronghold of Hongzhou!"

Tuxesiluo bowed respectfully and withdrew to deliver the orders.

Jiang Mingyu stood alone on the city wall, gazing at the dark night sky. Qin Lihai's defeat and death would soon reach Li Haoyang's ears. Then, he would face a furious enemy and a brutal battle. But Jiang Mingyu was ready—he would crush Li Haoyang with the ferocity of a wounded wolf and seize all under heaven!

The scene seemed already before him—Jiang Mingyu's eyes gleamed with excitement, his fists clenched, waiting for the moment of victory...