Chapter 305: A City Shattered, A Dream in Vain

But if the boast he made fails to be fulfilled, death is inevitable either way; Zhu Zhu Shaoyu, eyes bloodshot, gritted his teeth and lunged at Tu Tu Kesiluo. The great blade in his hand carved a streak of cold light through the air, aimed straight at Tu Tu Kesiluo's lower abdomen, as if to cleave him in two.

The force of this strike was so heavy that the surrounding air seemed to freeze. Zhu Zhu Shaoyu's only thought was to serve his lord with loyalty; even if the tide had already turned against them today, as long as he could send off this arrogant enemy commander, he could die with satisfaction!

Yet at this critical moment, the long sword in Tu Tu Kesiluo's hand suddenly transformed into a streak of white light, piercing Zhu Zhu Shaoyu's throat with incredible speed! This strike was fast, ruthless, and precise; Zhu Zhu Shaoyu had no chance to defend himself. He felt his body grow light, and blood gushed forth from his neck.

"No... impossible!" His face was filled with disbelief. He struggled to block the wound to stop the bleeding, but his hands could not muster a shred of strength. Warm blood surged out in a rush, quickly staining his entire chest red.

"This... is this your true strength..." Zhu Zhu Shaoyu spoke with great difficulty, his voice reduced to a whisper. He widened his terrified eyes, attempting to raise his blade once more to strike at Tu Tu Kesiluo, but he stumbled, and his head was severed from his body.

In the instant he fell to the ground, the final image in his mind froze on Li Li Haoyang's desperate figure atop the city wall. Your Majesty, Zhu Zhu Shaoyu has served you with loyalty! This thought gushed out along with his blood, and in the blink of an eye, his life came to an end.

"Who else?" Tu Tu Kesiluo flicked his long sword in a flourish. Zhu Zhu Shaoyu's blood splattered across his face, making him look even more ferocious and terrifying. The two hundred thousand strong army immediately retreated without a fight; everyone felt their faces pale and their legs turn to jelly in the face of Tu Tu Kesiluo's murderous glare.

Li Li Haoyang pounded his chest and stamped his feet, unable to hold himself up any longer, collapsing to the ground. He never expected that Tu Tu Kesiluo would be so formidable, killing Zhu Zhu Shaoyu with a single move.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu drew his King's Sword, which shimmered with majesty under the sunlight. His sharp gaze fixed on the two hundred thousand elite troops of Great Liao opposite him. These were the iron-blooded army personally cultivated by Li Li Haoyang. They wore heavy armor, held long halberds, and carried bows on their backs. They had once been the most elite and majestic army of Great Liao. They had once roamed the world, winning battle after battle, causing countless enemies to flee at the mere sound of their approach. They had once been utterly loyal to Li Li Haoyang, willing to face fire and water for him at any cost.

But now, before Jiang Jiang Mingyu, they could only bow their heads and admit defeat. Fear and despair shone in their eyes. They understood they had no retreat. They understood they had no hope. They understood they had no future.

His gaze was sharp as a hawk's, his majesty inviolable like the Son of Heaven's; his voice was as shocking as thunder, as ruthless as a blade.

"Considering you were all forced into the army, and I am benevolent by nature, I will give you one more chance. Lay down your weapons, and all shall be spared death. You have three breaths to make your decision; if you remain as you are, then blame only your bitter fate."

No sooner had the words left his lips than he slowly raised his right hand and extended one finger, speaking in a deep voice: "One!"

That single word struck the hearts of the hundred thousand Liao soldiers like a heavy hammer. Many soldiers felt a chill down their spines, and cold sweat seeped from their palms. These three breaths felt like an eternity to them. No one dared to make a move, fearing that a single glance from Jiang Jiang Mingyu would cost them their lives.

Seeing no movement from the crowd, Jiang Jiang Mingyu slowly raised his middle finger: "Two!"

"Prepare!" The one hundred and fifty thousand troops behind Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately responded. Blades were drawn, arrows nocked, ready to charge at any moment. On the other side, the four hundred and fifty thousand Imperial Guards beat their war drums with a roar, their killing intent surging.

When Jiang Jiang Mingyu extended his first finger, the two hundred thousand Great Liao army stood in absolute silence before their formation. Every soldier held their breath, fearing that a single misstep in their gaze would lead to death. These three breaths felt as long as a century to them. The cold wind howled, banners snapped in the gale, and the chill piercing through the iron armor made their teeth chatter.

At this moment, hovering on the edge of life and death, the morale of many Liao soldiers wavered. They had been conscripted from refugees into this army and already lacked the will to fight. Seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's calm demeanor, a mere youth causing the Liao commander to turn pale, the Liao soldiers whispered among themselves, wondering if the ruler of Chu truly possessed the power of legend.

Just as everyone's faces grew solemn, Jiang Jiang Mingyu slowly raised his middle finger: "Two!" In an instant, the six hundred thousand Chu army's killing intent surged. The crisp sound of blades being drawn, the tearing sound of arrows leaving their strings, and the thunderous war drums threw minds into chaos. Many Liao soldiers could no longer hold themselves back; their legs turned to jelly.

Finally, a cowardly Liao soldier could endure no longer. He knelt and shouted: "I surrender! I surrender!" His voice was exceptionally grating in the death-like silence. Immediately, dozens more followed his example, shouting "Surrender!" This chain reaction spread in a short time; the two hundred thousand strong army continuously dropped their weapons and raised their hands to beg for surrender...

Seeing the two hundred thousand Liao soldiers disarmed, Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded in satisfaction and instructed Tu Tu Kesiluo: "Good. Order men to control them first; once the city is breached, we will discuss further matters." Tu Tu Kesiluo immediately waved his hand. Tens of thousands of Imperial Guards rushed forward like wind sweeping away clouds, surrounding the Liao army and guarding them strictly.

Seeing this situation, the soldiers on the city tower instantly turned pale, their legs turning to jelly, nearly collapsing to their knees. They knew the tide had turned; fierce resistance would only bring disaster upon themselves. At this moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised his eyes to look at the city tower and spoke lightly: "What about you? What do you say?"

Before the words had fully left his lips, the soldiers on the city tower reflexively dropped their weapons, raising their hands high above their heads in utmost respect, their faces filled with despair and regret. This scene further strengthened Jiang Jiang Mingyu's confidence. He smiled inwardly, thinking that these soldiers could not even protect their own lord; how could the mere city of Jizhou hope to hold firm? That was a fool's dream.

"Open the city gates! Immediately disarm and strip the armor from these defenders!" Tu Tu Kesiluo shouted. The city gates creaked open, and the Chu army, thousands strong, surged rapidly into this city where leaves return to their roots. The Imperial Guards bound the defenders with five knots and escorted them to the square, stripping them of all weapons and armor.

At this moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, holding the heavy King's Sword, galloped his horse toward the depths of the inner city. His eyes were bloodshot, his long hair flying. With a voice full of hatred, he cried: "Quick! Capture Li Li Haoyang alive immediately! I will tear him apart by five horses to atone to the world!" No sooner had the words left his lips than a killing wind filled with murderous intent surged from the Chu army. They split into squads and searched in four directions for Li Li Haoyang.

The iron hooves of soldiers and horses trampled the streets and alleys of Jizhou City. Wherever they went, the common people scattered in fear. Wealthy families adorned in gold and silver fled in panic, while peddlers pushed their carts, crashing left and right through the crowds. Everywhere were cries for mercy, neighing horses, and human roars.

Soldiers walked in groups of three and two, their swords and daggers gleaming in the sunlight. They gathered in groups of three and five, kicking open the doors of residential houses like a force of nature, dragging the residents out onto the street one by one. Women and children wailed to the heavens, kneeling and begging for mercy, but the soldiers showed no mercy, beating and kicking them with increasing ferocity.

"You beast, why don't you get up quickly!" A burly man kicked the kneeling old man to the ground. The old man let out a cry of pain, his internal organs seeming to shift position. Others trembled in fear, terrified of suffering such a fate.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrived before the palace gates. With a wave of his hand, dozens of Imperial Guards swarmed forward and broke open the palace doors. They quickly found Li Li Haoyang, bound him with five knots, and dragged him out. Li Li Haoyang's expression was desolate; the fall of Jizhou was destined.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Li Haoyan calmly: "This is your end; I suppose you were prepared for this long ago?"

Li Li Haoyang's body went limp, and he collapsed to his knees. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's arrival had left him utterly broken. He gasped violently, his whole body trembling. At this moment, he looked incredibly old, having long lost the majesty of his past.

Those eyes, once sharp as a hawk's, were now filled with bloodshot veins. The shadow of death, as tangible as a physical object, loomed over him. He struggled to lift his head, glaring hatefully at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair.

His whole body trembled uncontrollably, and tears spilled from his eyes against his will. Scenes and dreams of past grand ambitions and hegemony flashed through his mind like a lantern show, finally shattering and crumbling into pieces.

"Ha... hahaha..." He threw his head back and let out several chilling laughs. His vocal cords seemed to have failed, unable to produce normal tones. His eyes were bloodshot, the scythe of death already hanging over his head. Li Li Haoyang laughed hysterically, as if to vent all the unwillingness and regret of his entire life.

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu!" He suddenly let out a violent shout, his voice hoarse and shrill. The corners of his mouth twisted into a distorted arc, almost becoming a sneer. He suddenly drew the precious sword from his waist; the blade reflected a deathly white light.

"I swear to curse you—" Before the final syllable could leave his lips, the sword had already slashed fiercely across his neck. Blood gushed forth. He let out a mournful, piercing wail to the sky, struggled a few times, and then collapsed into the pool of blood.