Chapter 287: Blood Valley

The appointed time had passed; Jiang Jiang Mingyu's army was already in position as planned, with the ambush proceeding in perfect order. On both sides of the valley, ten thousand archers under Zhang Zhang Jiani occupied the high ground, their bowstrings drawn and ready to launch an assault at any moment. In the center of the valley, Fang Hang's thirty thousand troops hid silently within tunnels and thickets, standing ready to cut off Qin Qin Lihai's retreat. Li Goudan's forty thousand cavalry lay concealed at the valley's exit, spears in hand, prepared to block the approach at a moment's notice.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo led their elite forces, crouching behind the bushes to peer into the valley floor, waiting patiently for their prey to enter the trap. Jiang Jiang Mingyu focused intently on the enemy, his gaze sharp as a torch, daring not to show even a sliver of laxity. Tu Tu Kesiluo, meanwhile, toyed with the precious sword in his hand, his eyes brimming with excitement and eagerness to fight.

At that moment, Tu Tu Kesiluo let out a soft chuckle and whispered, "The trap is set; we only wait for Qin Qin Lihai to fall into it. To rescue Nanjing, he must pass through here. When our army suddenly strikes, we shall capture him alive in one fell swoop. Such a battle is as easy as shooting a bird in a cage."

Li Goudan also glanced at the sinking, blood-red sunset and replied in a low voice, "Night is falling. By the time Qin Qin Lihai's forces arrive here, it will be so dark one cannot see a finger in front of one's face. Our army can strike under the cover of darkness; Qin Qin Lihai will be caught off guard and at our mercy. With heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human harmony on our side, success is within sight!"

No sooner had he spoken than a scout galloped back on horseback, kneeling to report, "Your Majesty, Qin Qin Lihai's main force is already fifty li away and seems intent on advancing another twenty li before making camp." Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised an eyebrow and thought coldly, "Whether day or night, this place is a route Qin Qin Lihai must take. To rescue Nanjing, he will surely plunge deep with a lone army. When our forces attack from all four sides, Qin Qin Lihai will have no choice but to meet his end!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo also nodded in agreement, saying, "Qin Qin Lihai's troops have been marching and fighting day after day; their morale must have plummeted greatly. To fight them now, I fear they are but a bowstring stretched to its breaking point. Our move here has success within sight!" Having said this, he sighed bitterly, "It is a pity I cannot personally take the field to kill the enemy; that would be somewhat regrettable."

After nightfall, silence reigned everywhere. Tu Tu Kesiluo felt slightly anxious and asked in a low voice, "It is late, yet Qin Qin Lihai's forces are still not in sight. Could he have diverted mid-journey?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu replied in a deep voice, "Rest assured. Qin Qin Lihai has already penetrated deep into our heartland; there are no other roads from here. To rescue Nanjing, he must pass through this place obediently and walk straight into our heavenly net."

No sooner had he spoken than a scout suddenly ran over, kneeling to whisper, "Your Majesty, Qin Qin Lihai's main force is already five li away and is urging his troops to march faster; they seem completely unprepared!" Hearing this, a gleam of excitement flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes. He immediately ordered the scout to notify all units to prepare for attack. The enemy had taken the bait; victory was now within arm's reach!

As soon as the appointed time arrived, Jiang Jiang Mingyu indeed saw the torchlight approaching; Qin Qin Lihai's army was slowly entering the valley. Tu Tu Kesiluo threw his head back and laughed long, roaring, "My prey, you cannot escape! Hahahaha!" Jiang Jiang Mingyu also let out a cold chuckle.

Qin Qin Lihai's army surged into the valley, a mighty host of one hundred thousand cavalry, their momentum fierce. Qin Qin Lihai frowned tightly, scrutinizing the gloomy cliffs and trees around him with caution: "The terrain here is complex and ever-changing; the army's advance may harbor hidden dangers. Vice-General Wei, hasten the passage through the valley and find open ground for camping as soon as possible!"

Vice-General Wei dismissed the concern: "Commander, you are overthinking. We are not far from Nanjing; Zhao Yin's city defenses are solid, and Jiang Jiang Mingyu is unlikely to capture it so quickly. The army is exhausted; it would be better to rest here on the spot."

Enraged, Qin Qin Lihai suddenly heard a furious shout from the mountaintop: "Loose the arrows!" He saw a rain of arrows descend from all eight directions, instantly slaughtering hundreds of men and horses. Qin Qin Lihai cried out, "We have fallen into a trap! All troops, raise shields and charge to break the encirclement!"

Just then, the ground erupted with a "Boom!" of a massive explosion; it turned out the area had been drenched in burning oil, and flames shot skyward. Men and horses scrambled to break out, trampling their own comrades, adding to the chaos. Qin Qin Lihai shouted, "Vice-General Wei, quickly order a breakout!" Before his words had even faded, Vice-General Wei was shot through the throat and killed.

The situation was dire. Qin Qin Lihai was still desperately shouting, "Follow me and break out of the encirclement!" At that moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu gave the order: "Advance!" He saw Tu Tu Kesiluo and Li Goudan lead seventy thousand troops to the fray, instantly slicing Qin Qin Lihai's army to pieces.

In the valley, the smoke gradually cleared. Qin Qin Lihai, disheveled, climbed out from a pile of corpses. Looking back, he could not help but draw a sharp breath of cold air.

He saw that the once-mighty army of one hundred thousand was now utterly annihilated; corpses littered the ground, and blood had dyed the entire valley red. Most of the dead had twisted faces, blood at the corners of their mouths, lying upon the bones of their comrades, their expressions filled with pain and terror, clearly having endured extremely fierce fighting.

Qin Qin Lihai stood weakly, unable to keep his balance; he bore multiple wounds, his armor was broken, and the scene was one of utter devastation. He looked around in despair but could find not a single living soldier. Where was the imposing army of one hundred thousand that had been here moments ago? Now, the valley was filled only with silence and despair.

Qin Qin Lihai barely managed to take heavy steps; one corpse after another came into view. This corpse had three arrows piercing its chest, its neck nearly severed, its mouth wide open as if it had let out a silent scream before its agonizing death; that body lay beneath two dead warhorses, its entire form twisted into a grotesque shape... Every single corpse recorded the desperation and cruelty of its life.

Qin Qin Lihai felt his head heavy and his feet light; he could no longer support himself and collapsed into this sea of blood. He threw his head back and let out a desperate, hoarse roar, shouting with all his might, yet unable to change the outcome of the annihilation of his hundred-thousand-strong army. Only at this moment did he truly realize this was a life-or-death battle destined for failure.

"Vice-General Wei, why did you not heed my advice to rest and make camp in this desperate place..." Qin Qin Lihai murmured to himself, tears blurring his vision. Before he could indulge in self-pity, several of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's scouts rushed over, bound him, and dragged him away.

Qin Qin Lihai, bound and dragged away by Jiang Jiang Mingyu's scouts, was covered in blood and incoherent. The scouts escorted him before Jiang Jiang Mingyu and threw him to the ground.

Tu Tu Kesiluo looked down at Qin Qin Lihai and sneered, "Commander Qin, it is unfortunate we meet again. Last time in Guizhou, you fled with great momentum; in the blink of an eye, you have fallen to this state. I wonder what you are thinking in your heart now?"

Qin Qin Lihai weakly raised his head; his eyes had lost all light, staring blankly at Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu continued, "The grudge between you and Tu Tu Kesiluo shall be left to fade with the wind. Serving Li Li Haoyang this time, you were merely fulfilling your duty. I can understand that."

"Now, we are once again in the relationship of captive and victor. If you surrender to me, I will certainly employ your talents and will not pursue you relentlessly. This benefits both of us. What do you say?"

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

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned: "Commander Qin, do not be stubborn! Repent your past mistakes and henceforth strive for the world. If we join hands, a bright future awaits you."

Qin Qin Lihai suddenly smiled, a smile of relief: "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you still do not understand me. I have always valued loyalty and righteousness; I could never betray Lord Li. Even if you spare me, I will only feel gratitude, but I will never betray my sovereign."

"Though I have failed in this life, I have no regrets in my heart. Jiang Lang, your talent is equal to mine. It is merely that our stances differ; we are opponents in this life, but perhaps in the next life, we could be friends."

Having said this, Qin Qin Lihai closed his eyes: "Kill me or flay me, I care not. What I wait for is only that day when I see Li Li Haoyang again in the next life."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face darkened; he let out a cold snort: "What a clever act of self-harm! Since your mind is made up, then go as you wish."

The scouts dragged Qin Qin Lihai up and forcibly forced him to kneel. Tu Tu Kesiluo picked up a long blade and approached Qin Qin Lihai. The blade's edge gleamed coldly, reflecting on Qin Qin Lihai's blood-stained face.

Qin Qin Lihai raised his head, using his last strength to look into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, and said calmly, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, if you want my life today, then take it. But my loyalty, you can never take away!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a cold snort and turned his face away.

Tu Tu Kesiluo raised the blade and struck; the sharp edge fell with perfect accuracy, and Qin Qin Lihai's head rolled off instantly. Blood splattered, scattering across the ground. Qin Qin Lihai's body swayed a few times before crashing heavily to the earth.

The fighting in the valley finally ended. Jiang Jiang Mingyu surveyed the corpses and pools of blood around him and said coldly:

"Tu Tu Kesiluo, send someone to cut off Qin Qin Lihai's head and send it to Jizhou as a warning to Li Li Haoyang."

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

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed at the chaotic scene in the valley floor, a sense of vengeful satisfaction surging within him. For many years, he had been unable to forget the painful memory of the Other Xi Xia army killing his family. And today, he had finally avenged a small part of that debt; the Other Xi Xia troops had been utterly annihilated by him.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu slowly exhaled a breath, tidying his somewhat disheveled hair and armor. His expression shifted from ferocity to calm, and his gaze became firm once more. Turning around, he gave a deep order:

"Withdraw the troops; we return to Nanjing!"

The army, fully prepared, soon left the chaotic valley. All that remained were countless tragic corpses and soil steeped in the scent of blood.

By the time they returned to Nanjing, it was already late at night. Jiang Jiang Mingyu led his high-spirited army into the city. Looking at the generals standing with hands clasped, waiting at the foot of the steps, a surge of excitement and ambition to rule the world filled his heart.

"Tu Tu Kesiluo," he began, "order the army to rest for one day and adjust their state. The day after tomorrow, we will march out to attack the key stronghold of Hongzhou—Quyang City!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo respectfully acknowledged and immediately withdrew to convey the military order.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood alone on the city tower, gazing at the pitch-black night sky. The news of Qin Qin Lihai's disastrous defeat and death would soon reach Li Li Haoyang's ears. At that time, he would face an enemy in a furious rage and a hard battle. But Jiang Jiang Mingyu was ready; he would, in a fierce manner, drive Li Li Haoyang to extinction and seize the world!

Such a scene seemed right before his eyes; a gleam of excitement flashed in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes. He clenched both fists, waiting for the moment of victory to arrive...