Chapter 290: Oscillating Waters

Revealing control over the situation and utter disdain. Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded silently, casting an admiring glance at Jiang Jiang Mingyu; he knew well that his elder brother's strategy was extraordinary.

The heavy rain still poured down, but in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's view, this rain was already part of his plan. The rain mixed with mud, forming towering floods that rushed toward the direction of Quyang City.

Inside Quyang City, Yu Yu Gaoyang held command on the city wall, gazing into the distance within the darkness. Rain blurred the view on the ramparts, yet unease weighed on his heart. Five days of heavy rain had exhausted the soldiers in the city, and the city's reserves were gradually being affected.

"General Yu, this rain has not ceased; the situation in the city may grow increasingly dire," a strategist cautiously suggested.

Yu Yu Gaoyang snorted coldly: "No matter how heavy the rain, it cannot stop our walls. Do they think this can stop us?"

Just as his words fell, a howling sound erupted on the city wall. Yu Yu Gaoyang looked up and saw a massive torrent surging from the darkness, cascading down like a waterfall.

"What is happening?" Yu Yu Gaoyang's face instantly became solemn.

The strategist glanced over and said in surprise: "It's a flood! They have breached the dams and are attacking with water!"

Yu Yu Gaoyang immediately burned with rage; he never expected the enemy to choose such cunning tactics. The soldiers in the city also panicked one after another. The flood, like an enraged beast, instantly submerged the low-lying areas below the city walls.

"Quick! Emergency plug the leaks!" Yu Yu Gaoyang shouted the order, but the momentum of the flood grew even more fierce. The soldiers dared not slacken, grabbing sandbags and stones, rushing desperately to the water's edge, trying to resist this disaster.

Inside Jiang Jiang Mingyu's main camp, the great army guarded the riverbank tightly, controlling the water flow. Archers manipulated powerful bows and crossbows, ready at all times to meet any counterattack from the city. Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled, watching the changes in Quyang City; his plan was being executed perfectly.

"Elder brother, it seems Quyang City cannot escape this calamity," Tu Tu Kesiluo said excitedly to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded: "We continue to stand guard through the night; we must not be careless. Quyang City's counterattack may be even more intense."

The night was deep, the rain did not stop, yet in this dark battlefield, a cold light flickered in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes. He knew that the destruction of Quyang City was merely the beginning of this war, and greater trials awaited them ahead.

A sleepless night; the heavy rain, like threads of coolness, washed over this battlefield. The sounds of resistance within Quyang City gradually subsided, and the lights on the city walls dimmed. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood by the river, gazing at the distant city; he knew tomorrow would be an even more fierce battle.

"Prepare to welcome tomorrow's victory," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said softly, his gaze revealing expectation for the future. Tu Tu Kesiluo stood beside him, a determined light also flickering in his eyes.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sat inside the tent; the herbal tea, clearing heat and quenching thirst, emitted a faint fragrance. He looked up toward the outside of the tent; the sky after the rain was clear and pure, as if washing away all dust, bringing a brief tranquility to the entire world.

This night's heavy rain not only washed over Quyang City but also brought a moment of tranquility to Jiang Jiang Mingyu's great army. He sipped the tea, immersed in the fresh air after the rain, contemplating the next plan.

On the second day's morning, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had just finished breakfast when Tu Tu Kesiluo entered the tent, full of spirit. His face bore the joy of good news; obviously, he had important intelligence.

"Elder brother, there is news," Tu Tu Kesiluo said happily.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked impatiently: "How is it? Speak quickly and let me hear."

Tu Tu Kesiluo answered with a smile: "Elder brother, the scouts just reported that last night's flood has already poured into Quyang City; now Quyang is like a vast swamp nation. Other situations are not yet clear, but I'm afraid Yu Yu Gaoyang cannot hold out for a few more days!"

After hearing this, a satisfied smile appeared on Jiang Jiang Mingyu's face. He had long planned to use the heavy rain to flood Quyang City and deliver a heavy blow to the defending army; now it seemed the plan was very successful. Without hesitation, he ordered: "Good, the rain has also stopped. You go quickly to deliver the order; call the entire army to assemble and gear up. We set out immediately!"

Half an hour later, one hundred and fifty thousand troops had already formed their ranks. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood on a high platform, gazing at the troops with high morale, and loudly announced: "Heroes, Yu Yu Gaoyang has reached the end of his rope; the grain in Quyang City is beckoning us! Set out!"

A roar surged out like a tide; the great army, like an arrow leaving the bowstring, rushed straight toward Quyang City.

Upon reaching the foot of the city, Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw for the first time the tragic state of Quyang having become a water nation. No trace of defending soldiers remained on the city walls; only floating corpses drifted there. Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately ordered the various generals to block and drain the water, preparing to attack the city directly.

Several hours later, the city gates finally burst open under fierce battering. However, what Jiang Jiang Mingyu saw was a dead silence. Inside the city, the scene was unbearable; countless corpses floated in the waters, emitting an unbearable stench of decay.

Tu Tu Kesiluo reported excitedly: "Elder brother, Yu Yu Gaoyang has no power to turn the tide. We will surely take this city easily!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at the sky and nodded: "Good, Heaven itself aids me. No more delay; assemble quickly; we set out again immediately!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood in waist-deep muddy water. Looking far away, Quyang City had become a silent water nation. All around were rooftops emerging from the water; occasionally, a few panicked birds flew past chimneys or roof ridges. Nearby were countless corpses, bloated and deformed by soaking, emitting a nauseating stench. Most of these corpses were unrecognizable, yet one could still distinguish the different attire of soldiers and common people.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's gaze swept over the corpses one by one; a sense of vengeful satisfaction surged in his heart. He recalled that several years ago, in a city also flooded by water, his dearest loved ones had been taken. Now, he had finally avenged them and smoothed over years of regret.

"Plop!" A corpse fell from a nearby roof into the water, splashing up a large spray. Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked closely and discovered it was none other than Yu Yu Gaoyang himself! Several tattered official robes still clung to his corpse, proving his identity. Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately sneered coldly and ordered someone to haul it up to verify the identity. He also saw the governor's mansion gate piled high with corpses of common people who had died miserably; obviously, Yu Yu Gaoyang had refused to let them seek shelter from the flood disaster and had cruelly killed them.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes sharpened; he thought in his heart: "Thoroughly examine this madman's death. His miserable end is precisely the example of the fate awaiting an enemy worthy of my banner!" Carefully studying the mangled and twisted face of Yu Yu Gaoyang, it seemed to confirm the harsh words in his heart. Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but nod inwardly; this corpse was truly too much to his liking, simply a generous gift from Heaven.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu signaled his subordinates to carefully lift Yu Yu Gaoyang's corpse and display it to the various generals. Standing high, he looked down upon the crowd, his voice solemn and stirring: "Look! This is Yu Yu Gaoyang, that arrogant and domineering villain who once slaughtered common people indiscriminately! Now, he has completely sunk into the mud and can no longer harm the world."

The generals all turned their gaze toward the corpse, their eyes filled with hatred and disdain. Yu Yu Gaoyang had once been their greatest threat; now he had become a lonely ghost in the pool of blood.

"Elder brother, this is not a joke; it is absolutely Yu Yu Gaoyang!" one general said doubtfully.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded: "Correct, this is him. We must let everyone see; let his death spread everywhere; let those who still dare to oppose us know what the consequence is for daring to challenge us."

His gaze turned once more toward the city interior; broken houses, floating corpses, and Yu Yu Gaoyang in the mud interwove into a vivid and cruel picture. This was a victory of revenge, and also the end of vengeance.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved his hand, signaling Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Throw this corpse into the water; let him sleep forever with this silent city."

Tu Tu Kesiluo accepted the order; a soldier dragged Yu Yu Gaoyang's corpse to the city wall and then forcefully threw it into the city that had become a swamp. Water splashed in all directions, the waves calm, just like the end of this war.

"Elder brother, what do we do now?" Tu Tu Kesiluo asked.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took a deep breath; a determined light flashed in his eyes: "Our mission is not yet complete. Although Quyang City has fallen, our target is the Liao King's City. We continue forward; let the entire world know that the Liao King's City will collapse beneath our feet!"

The great army reformed its ranks; Jiang Jiang Mingyu, with a satisfied and determined expression, led the generals forward once more. They trod through the muddy water, walked past the ruins of Quyang City, and advanced toward a more distant goal.

And in the lingering echoes of Quyang City, the remaining weeping and wailing gradually scattered with the wind, submerged in the dampness of the earth. The city, once the prosperous Quyang City, was now silent, having become a soundless water tomb.

The wind blew, carrying Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice to the distance: "Our victory is not merely conquest; it is the moment to avenge those innocent souls who once lost their lives!"