Chapter 298

Jiang Mingyu's expression tightened as he feigned panic, asking, "This... this Governor—is he Li Haoyang's trusted general? How did you mobilize such a massive army, and how did you learn of our movements? Could it be... could you be reinforcements from the Southern Frontier?" He put on a dazed, confused expression, trying to deceive his opponent.

His words left Wang Sichao stunned—he didn't understand why Jiang Mingyu would say such things. Had the man truly gone mad?

He scrutinized Jiang Mingyu's eyes and found no trace of fear—only an unfathomable mystery. A thought struck him: Was this Jiang Mingyu's trick? Was he trying to confuse him and seize the chance to escape?

He dared not believe Jiang Mingyu's words. He turned to look at one of his fierce generals, his trusted subordinate named Li Hu, a formidable warrior of unmatched courage. Seeing Wang Sichao's gaze, Li Hu whispered, "Great Governor, this man is deceiving you. Don't fall for it. I can tell this brat is plotting something—his words are nonsense, meant to fool you. Let's finish him quickly before he plays more tricks."

Wang Sichao found some comfort in Li Hu's words. He thought Li Hu was right—he shouldn't be misled by Jiang Mingyu. He should order an immediate attack and annihilate Jiang Mingyu's forces. He was about to speak when Jiang Mingyu suddenly began muttering again: "Ah, I get it! You must be Li Haoyang's loyal henchmen! No, no—you're not Li Haoyang's men..."

Wang Sichao was once again baffled by Jiang Mingyu's words. He couldn't fathom what Jiang Mingyu meant, what hidden intent lay behind them, or whether he had some secret plan.

Wang Sichao let out two loud laughs, clearly delighted: "What? Jiang, are you terrified by this small display? Everyone says Jiang Mingyu is brilliant in strategy—but now I see he's all show and no substance!"

He casually glanced at his thirty-thousand-strong army, then spoke slowly: "Since you have so many questions, I'll tell you the truth. I am Wang Sichao, ordered by His Majesty to lead thirty thousand troops here, watching you with intent for a long time!"

"Ever since you led your army out of Maolingcheng, your movements have been public knowledge. Not just me—even the commonest peasant knows you plan to attack Luohe. Do you really think you're invisible?"

Wang Sichao's words were dripping with contempt. Jiang Mingyu felt a surge of rage swell in his chest, his temples bulging with veins, fists clenching and unclenching. He forced down the fury threatening to explode, his face dark as midnight clouds pressing down on the city, staring fixedly at Wang Sichao.

Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiani exchanged a glance, silently communicating: "Don't move yet." Zhang Jiani's lips tightened, her expression grave, her right hand already resting lightly on the hilt of her waist sword, ready to strike the moment Jiang Mingyu gave the order.

"Why are you silent?" Wang Sichao laughed loudly. "The famed Jiang Mingyu, rendered speechless by me? I'm right, aren't I? Your greatest mistake was daring to attack my Great Liao!"

He leered up and down at Jiang Mingyu, sneered, then pointed at him: "You could've stayed quietly in your territory—perhaps His Majesty would've shown mercy. But you slaughtered countless Liao soldiers! His Majesty despises you with every fiber of his being!" The hostility in his voice was unmistakable.

Wang Sichao's gaze turned meaningfully toward Zhang Jiani, his eyes radiating naked malice: "Jiang, today I settle accounts with you. You and your men will all die for this. As for Zhang Jiani—after you're dead, I'll take special care of her. I'll make her beg me daily, crying for mercy."

His tone brimmed with cruel delight. His gaze, no longer on Jiang Mingyu, now greedily and lewdly raked over Zhang Jiani.

Wang Sichao's taunts were like salt poured into Jiang Mingyu's wound. Rage surged in his chest, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, veins bulging on his forehead, throbbing violently. He barely restrained his fury, his face black as ink about to drip.

Meanwhile, Tukesiluo and Zhang Jiani exchanged another glance. Their expressions instantly hardened and chilled. Tukesiluo's eyes gleamed with icy light, his right hand already on his sword hilt. Zhang Jiani's lips pressed thin, a flash of frost in her gaze—she was ready to strike the moment Jiang Mingyu commanded.

Wang Sichao gloated, continuing his mockery: "Ha! The famed Jiang Mingyu, silenced by me? Useless waste!" He spurred his horse closer, and the surrounding Liao soldiers erupted in laughter, the air ringing with jeers aimed at Jiang Mingyu.

"And your beautiful Empress—after I kill you, I'll have her beneath me every night, every day!" His voice dripped with venom and lust, his gaze slithering like a serpent's tongue over Zhang Jiani.

The moment he finished, the Liao soldiers roared with laughter, their shouts rising in a chaotic chorus.

Jiang Mingyu's blood boiled, his fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms. His face swelled with veins, his forehead throbbing violently with rage.

His expression darkened. He barked: "Now! Seize the leader!" Jiang Mingyu could hold back no longer—he roared.

Before the words left his lips, Tukesiluo shot forward like a silver lightning bolt toward the still-laughing Wang Sichao. Simultaneously, Zhang Jiani shouted: "Protect the Emperor! Volley fire—fire!"

A swarm of arrows hissed through the air, blotting out the sky, raining down on the enemy ranks. Soldiers still grinning froze mid-laugh, pierced by multiple arrows, collapsing instantly.

Wang Sichao snapped out of his triumph. "Shoot—!" He barely got the word out when Tukesiluo's sword was already before him. "Die!" Tukesiluo's voice was cold, lethal.

Wang Sichao's heart lurched. He barely raised his sword to block. Tukesiluo sneered, dismissive: "So you've got some skill after all." Before the words faded, his sword struck again.

At that moment, a torrent of arrows rained from the sky, dense as a storm, turning half of Wang Sichao's army into porcupines. Screams rose in waves; many never even had time to draw breath before collapsing into pools of blood.

Wang Sichao finally snapped out of his arrogance. He stared in shock as his soldiers fell around him, shouting: "Shoot—!" Before he could finish, a blade of ice flashed toward him. He cried, "No!" and barely raised his blade to block.

The attacker was Tukesiluo. His swordplay was fierce—he spun, forcing Wang Sichao back three steps, sneering: "Is that all you've got? Didn't think you had any skill."

Wang Sichao gritted his teeth, parried Tukesiluo's next strike, and the two clashed in furious combat. Seeing this, Wang Sichao's bodyguards rushed in without hesitation to attack Tukesiluo.

Tukesiluo flicked his blade— one guard's head flew off. "Ants dare block me?" He snorted, whirled, and his sword erupted in blinding light, slicing three guards into bloody chunks in an instant.

"Kill him!" Wang Sichao's eyes bulged, veins pulsing on his forehead. He abandoned his earlier composure, roaring. He had always been mighty, admired by thousands—how could he endure such humiliation?

The scattered Liao soldiers, hearing his command, surged toward Tukesiluo again. But Tukesiluo merely smiled coldly, utterly fearless. His movements danced like mist, his sword qi cutting down enemy after enemy.

Seeing his men falling in droves, Wang Sichao finally snapped out of his arrogance. Before he could react, Tukesiluo stood before him.

"Today is your death day!" Tukesiluo raised his sword, his voice thick with bloodlust.

Wang Sichao's heart sank. He drew his black iron heavy blade and blocked Tukesiluo's strike. The two clashed, blades locked in furious combat.

Seeing this, several of Wang Sichao's bodyguards drew their swords and charged Tukesiluo. He sneered, his body swift, his sword a whirlwind—three guards were sliced to pieces in an instant.

"Useless fools, daring to interfere?" Tukesiluo spat contemptuously.

Watching his guards slaughtered, Wang Sichao flew into a rage. He was a high-ranking official of Great Liao, bathed in luxury and honor—he had never suffered such disgrace.

"Kill him!" Wang Sichao's eyes turned blood-red. He ordered the surrounding Liao soldiers to swarm Tukesiluo.

Yet even dozens of them surrounded Tukesiluo, they could not gain the upper hand. His form danced like smoke, his swordplay unpredictable. The battlefield was littered with corpses, yet not one blade touched his clothing.