Chapter 354: Who Can Compete in Flying-Head Cuju?

The city gates were tightly shut, and the Southern Border soldiers guarding them were in a panic. "Commander Zhang is dead, what should we do?!" said a soldier in leather armor with a long braid, his voice trembling. This Commander Zhang was the city's defender, covered in black fur with a bear-like face. "Rest assured, I will go fetch the Deputy Commander immediately." A tall Commandant patted the soldier's shoulder and strode briskly toward the city interior.

At this moment, the ground below the city was littered with corpses. More than a dozen Southern Border soldiers lay twisted in a pile before the gate; among them, a body with no flesh intact had a spear thrust through its back, and it was Commander Zhang's head. The Southern Border soldiers on the ramparts turned deathly pale, their hearts filled with dread of the Great Da Jiang Empire's God of War, Tu Tu Kesiluo. This Tu Tu Kesiluo held a blood-stained great axe, his ink-blue eyes radiating cold killing intent; with but a single order from him, this city would surely fall.

"Hurry and block the city gates, aim your arrows at the enemies below, and I will protect you!" shouted a middle-aged officer in silver armor. The soldiers quickly obeyed, yet a few still gazed fearfully at the bloody scene below. "Deputy... Deputy Commander, my lord..." a young subordinate spoke up, "The enemy is too fierce; what shall we do?" The middle-aged officer said in a deep voice, "Rest assured, although Commander Zhang has fallen, we must absolutely not betray his years of effort in guarding this border city. I will definitely protect this city!" For a moment, everyone seemed to calm down somewhat.

Meanwhile, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Li Goudan hid behind a broken wall, peering at the activity on the ramparts. "That middle-aged officer in silver armor seems very formidable; is he the Deputy Commander?" Li Goudan whispered. Jiang Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes and let out a cold snort. "It matters not; watch as I slowly grind down their will. I will take this city sooner or later." Having spoken, he drew the long sword at his waist, its blade flashing with a sinister chill.

The corpses on the ground and Commander Zhang Zhang Hongzhe's head made his heart feel as if it were being sliced by a knife. Now that Zhang Zhang Hongzhe was dead, the entire responsibility for defending the city fell upon his shoulders. He understood clearly that if he showed weakness or fear now, the forty thousand Southern Border defenders within the city would be finished. Therefore, he forced down the terror in his heart and spoke in a deep voice:

"Jiang Jiang Mingyu, you have killed my city's Commander Zhang Zhang Hongzhe; today, I will fight you to the death!"

If not for the constant trembling in his throat, his words would have carried some intimidating force.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's adjutant, Tu Tu Kesiluo, curled his lips into a sneer. "What are you, that you dare speak to my Majesty? Do you think wearing human skin makes you human?"

Fan Heng's forehead veins bulged, and he was so angry he nearly fainted. "As a commander, to be mocked and insulted by you like this, I will not tolerate it!"

Hearing the uproarious laughter from below the city, Fan Heng shouted angrily, "And what are you?"

A shadow passed through Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes, yet he still spoke with a smile. "Child, listen to your grandfather: I am a Ten-Man Leader of the Great Da Jiang Empire, named Tu Tu Kesiluo. Do you remember?"

"Ten-Man Leader?" Fan Heng's forehead veins jumped. "You, who only manage ten people? And you dare come to Jiancheng to act so arrogantly?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo said leisurely, "Your Majesty said long ago to send the right person for the right task. My humble self, a mere Ten-Man Leader, is already more than sufficient for Jiancheng. Child, are you satisfied with this answer?"

Without waiting for Fan Heng's response, he pointed calmly at the ramparts. "Come, come out and duel me alone!"

Li Goudan, standing nearby, was about to step forward, but seeing Tu Tu Kesiluo's behavior, he grinned. "Your Majesty, I didn't know Tu Tu Kesiluo could talk so well!"

Before Jiang Jiang Mingyu could speak, Fan Heng was already about to explode with rage. "I don't care where you come from; I will absolutely not fall for your trick and leave the city! Your Great Da Jiang soldiers are supposed to be very powerful, come on, attack the city!"

He was determined to hold the city firmly, wear Jiang Jiang Mingyu down until his supplies ran out, and then sally forth to defeat Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Tu Tu Kesiluo paid no mind, chuckling softly. "Are you sure you won't come out?"

Fan Heng sneered. "I said what I meant; do whatever you like!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo kept the same smile. "You said it; don't regret it later!"

Fan Heng smiled inwardly; I have my strategy and will absolutely not regret it. Li Goudan, however, grew worried beside him. "The city has ample food, enough to last half a year."

Tu Tu Kesiluo merely waved his hand lightly, summoning Li Goudan and Feng Feng Xiwei. The three stared at each other, none understanding what this sudden move by Tu Tu Kesiluo meant. Fan Heng on the ramparts was equally baffled, his eyes fixed tightly on Tu Tu Kesiluo, fearing he might try some despicable trick.

Tu Tu Kesiluo spun his body, dismounted from his horse, and casually picked up the severed head of Zhang Zhang Hongzhe lying on the ground. He raised his head and shouted to Li Goudan and Feng Feng Xiwei, "Come, let's play Cuju for a while!"

"Cuju?" The three instantly realized that Tu Tu Kesiluo intended to use Zhang Zhang Hongzhe's head as a ball to kick! This was clearly a provocation meant to enrage Fan Heng! Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched coldly from the side, seemingly unsurprised by Tu Tu Kesiluo's actions. On the ramparts, Fan Heng was furious, his fists clenched so tightly that his veins stood out.

Tu Tu Kesiluo kicked Zhang Zhang Hongzhe's head far away with one stroke, and it flew accurately to land at Li Goudan's feet. Li Goudan smoothly kicked it to Feng Feng Xiwei. Feng Feng Xiwei lightly tapped it against his knee, controlling the force and speed, and kicked this "ball" accurately back to Tu Tu Kesiluo.

Just as the head was about to reach Tu Tu Kesiluo's feet, he stumbled and actually fell to the ground! The head rolled "gulu" and stopped right behind him. Tu Tu Kesiluo painfully clutched his waist, looking utterly wretched.

"Truly sorry; my hands and feet are too clumsy; I failed to catch the ball." Tu Tu Kesiluo glanced awkwardly at Fan Heng, trying to force out a friendly smile, while Fan Heng's face had already turned extremely ugly. He stared fixedly at Tu Tu Kesiluo and the others, as if he wanted to swallow them alive.

"This head is too slippery; I simply can't hold it!" Tu Tu Kesiluo got up, then viciously stomped on Zhang Zhang Hongzhe's head several times to vent his anger, even spitting a mouthful of saliva onto it. After wiping his brow, he kicked it out again, starting a new round of "Cuju"...

This bout of nonsense finally made Fan Heng lose all reason. He roared, "All troops, sally forth!" The city gates crashed open, and the Southern Border army surged out of the encirclement in a mighty tide.

The two armies faced each other, the air thick with killing intent. Fan Heng's eyes were bloodshot, wishing to swallow Tu Tu Kesiluo alive. Yet Tu Tu Kesiluo remained leisurely, not regarding Fan Heng at all.

"Trash, today I will make you pay with blood for your blood debt!" Fan Heng pointed his sword at Tu Tu Kesiluo and shouted viciously.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, looked down on him, waving his hand dismissively. "A mere ant, do you deserve to speak to me?" Immediately, he whispered to his trusted aide beside him, "After I slay this trash, you must immediately lead troops to block the Southern Border army's retreat; under no circumstances must they return to the city." The three nodded in understanding and took their positions, waiting for the opportunity.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, watching from the side, marveled inwardly and smiled. "After my long period of tempering, Tu Tu Kesiluo can finally stand on his own."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the two armies engaged in battle!

Fan Heng suddenly swung his sword, aiming straight for Tu Tu Kesiluo's vital points. Tu Tu Kesiluo calmly parried the long sword and sneered, "A mere piece of garbage, thinking you can take my life?" Having spoken, he pushed off with both feet, and his sword shot out like a venomous snake.

Fan Heng barely managed to parry, feeling his arms go numb and weak. He was shocked; this man was certainly no ordinary person!

Tu Tu Kesiluo let out a cold snort. "Overestimating yourself, die!" Before the words had fully left his mouth, a flash of sword light shot out, instantly slashing toward Fan Heng's neck.

Fan Heng raised his hand to block, but it was already too late. Only a soft "chi" sound was heard as crimson blood gushed from his carotid artery, instantly splashing all over the ground!

"No... impossible..." Fan Heng clutched his neck tightly with both hands, yet could not stop the flow of his life's river. His body swayed unsteadily and finally crashed down, struggling to draw his last breath.

Tu Tu Kesiluo coldly wiped the blood from his sword tip, casually severed Fan Heng's head, and tossed it to his trusted aide behind him. "Go, carry out my order!"

A single acknowledgment was heard, and the aides immediately spurred their horses like flying wind, charging toward the scattering and fleeing Southern Border army. The remaining Great Da Jiang troops also quickly joined the fray, soon surrounding tens of thousands of Southern Border soldiers, killing them while continuously shrinking the encirclement...

Before the bones had even cooled, Li Goudan could not wait to raise his blood-stained great sword, waving it around and shouting wildly, "All troops, listen to orders! Sweep them all up and exterminate the Southern Border beasts!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than, except for the Eighty Thousand Iron Cavalry Camp, the remaining Great Da Jiang troops immediately screamed as they charged toward the Southern Border army's retreat route. Soon, tens of thousands of Southern Border remnants were trapped in a heavy encirclement and surrendered without resistance.

"Revenge!" Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes were bloodshot, his sword light sharp and his figure elusive, striking directly at the vital points of the surrounded Southern Border army. "Feng Feng Xiwei, follow!" Feng Feng Xiwei gritted his teeth in silence, no longer hesitating, and charged into the enemy ranks with his sword raised.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, atop his mount, looked down from a height upon all living beings, his eyes as cold as ice. At this moment, he only wished to drink the enemy's blood to vent the hatred in his heart!

Soon, the encirclement was filled with the mournful cries of dying lives. The various dialects of the Southern Border never ceased, yet not a single word could enter Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart.

His eyes sharpened, and he ordered, "Kill them all! Leave not a single one!" The remaining Great Da Jiang troops, hearing the order, went berserk and slaughtered even more crazily.

Seeing that they were abandoned by all and had no way to surrender, the leading Southern Border commanders, grinding their teeth, could only fight to the death in a desperate counterattack. But soon they fell beneath the iron hooves, and the dawn of hope was extinguished along with them.

When the last Southern Border soldier fell, silence reigned everywhere, save for the sound of Great Da Jiang soldiers' blood-stained long swords hitting the ground. Li Goudan wiped the dust and blood from his face, strode briskly to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, and knelt respectfully. "Your Majesty, may I ask if we should also sweep up the city's residents to vent our army's fury?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo, Feng Feng Xiwei, and others all looked at Jiang Jiang Mingyu with expectant faces. Thinking of the soldiers who had just sacrificed themselves heroically, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart churned violently, and he wished to level the entire Southern Border region.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's death order, which was about to be issued, finally did not leave his lips. He let out a long breath and then said calmly, "No need to kill further; our army has already avenged our grievances. Now, it is more important to properly clean the battlefield and attend to the affairs of the martyrs."

When Jiang Jiang Mingyu's words fell, Li Goudan and others were stunned. Li Goudan hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, they are the murderers who killed countless of our soldiers; why spare them?"

A shadow seemed to cover Jiang Jiang Mingyu's brow as he said slowly, "I understand your feelings; if we speak only of emotion, I too wish to slaughter these beasts until not a single piece of armor remains."

"However, Jiancheng is the primary stronghold for conquering the Southern Border; in the future, we will need to conscript large amounts of manpower and resources. If we kill all the city's residents, this place will become an empty city, useless for collecting taxes or recruiting soldiers."

After hearing this, all the generals suddenly understood. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, however, continued calmly:

"Our army must soon advance deep into the interior; relying solely on Guizhou's supplies is barely enough. Although the Great Da Jiang Empire is wealthy, after years of war, the national treasury is nearly empty. Sparring the city's common people is the only long-term strategy."

Tu Tu Kesiluo, Li Goudan, and others exchanged glances, seeing reluctance in each other's eyes, yet they could not refute Jiang Jiang Mingyu's decision.

At this moment, a baby's cry suddenly sounded from within the city, followed immediately by more cries rising and falling. Everyone's hearts trembled, reminding them of their own flesh and blood.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long breath and finally did not issue the order for slaughter. "Let us stop here; our army has already avenged our grievances. Now, it is more important to quickly handle the post-war affairs."

He beckoned Tu Tu Kesiluo over and instructed, "Take men to take over the city defense; if there is any resistance, kill them without hesitation!" Tu Tu Kesiluo nodded resentfully, still feeling deeply displeased about sparing the city's residents just now.

"As ordered." The various generals finally breathed a sigh of relief, each leading their men to clear the area and settle the common people. Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood alone on high, looking down at the bones of the soldiers, his heart a mixture of five flavors.

He knew they could not rest in peace, but for the long-term benefit of One Da Jiang's Jiangshan and the state, he had to sacrifice the small self for the greater self. This time sparing the people of Jiancheng, they must be able to understand, right?

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long breath and muttered to himself: "Please, spirits of the departed, rest in peace. Jiang Jiang Mingyu will surely continue your unfinished wishes, and eventually expand One Da Jiang's territory to the ends of the earth!"

Immediately after, Jiang Jiang Mingyu sent Mingyuyou Sect's Feng Feng Xiwei to lead people out to post notices and soothe the common people, informing them that Jiancheng had become part of One Da Jiang's territory; as long as the people kept to themselves, they could still live their usual peaceful lives. For Jiang Jiang Mingyu, this was also a test; if the residents of the city dared to resist the army, he would definitely strike hard, and could not be soft-handed.

Seeing the two men receive the order and leave to serve, Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately instructed Li Goudan to go and inspect the city's military grain reserves. After all, the great army was about to embark on a long journey deep into the hinterland, relying entirely on logistical support. He reiterated this matter for the third time, stating it was no small affair and that any carelessness was strictly forbidden.

At this very moment, what Jiang Jiang Mingyu worried about most was Liu Liu Yifei, who was far away in Jiangzhou. He immediately ordered Feng Feng Xiwei to send scouts to investigate, so as to grasp Liu Liu Yifei's situation as soon as possible. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart remained entangled with Liu Liu Yifei, wondering if she was safe and well at present.

Seeing this, Tu Tu Kesiluo hurried forward to comfort him, saying: "Your Majesty, please calm your heart. The Empress is surely fine; a good person is blessed by heaven, and danger will turn to safety." Jiang Jiang Mingyu forced a bitter smile, his heart uneasy. He gazed blankly at the sky and sighed softly: "Liu Liu Yifei, I hope you are safe..."

At this very moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Liu Liu Yifei were separated by the heavens, yet facing the same helplessness and heartache—the people they deeply loved had uncertain fates at this moment, yet their hearts were connected across a thousand li.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu let out a long breath and walked slowly into the city. He believed that heaven never closes all doors, and that the day when bitterness ends and sweetness begins, and reunion is complete, would surely arrive.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood before the Governor's Mansion, examining the city he had just taken over. It had been one shichen since entering the city, and Li Goudan strode over with long, swift steps, respectfully clasping his hands and saying:

"Your Majesty, your subordinate has already counted and checked. The military grain in the city is enough for the great army to eat for at most ten days or half a month."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded slightly; he had already anticipated the scarcity of grain and fodder. After all, the city's original garrison had only fifty thousand, while he commanded a great army of one hundred and seventy thousand.

"You will send people back to Guizhou immediately, instructing Song An to escort the grain and fodder here at once, ensuring it arrives on time." Jiang Jiang Mingyu ordered in a deep voice.

Li Goudan, however, wore a face of reluctance, his coarse and heavy brows tightly furrowed. The issue of grain and fodder concerned the morale of the army, and he was truly unwilling to carry out the order.

"Your Majesty, when we first entered the city, we said we would levy taxes and grain from the common people. Rather than transporting it from far away in Guizhou, where sea and land transport costs are too great, it is more direct to take grain locally."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu immediately shook his head, his tone calm and firm: "It is not yet time to act too hastily. The common people still harbor distrust toward our army; we must slowly stabilize them and win their support from the rear. Moreover, we are about to launch an offensive and leave Jiancheng. If we create conflict with the people, once a variable arises, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Li Goudan pondered for a moment and also understood Jiang Jiang Mingyu's considerations. Li Goudan's distinct personality made him

speak plainly: "Your Majesty, to say something I shouldn't, you are too lenient with the common people. If it were me, I would have already used severe torture to extract confessions and seized all their grain."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu smiled with full understanding and waved his hand: "Enough. Grain and fodder concern the morale of the army. You should go and handle this matter quickly; do not delay."

Li Goudan complained as he complained, but he understood that the greater situation took precedence. With the autumn harvest approaching, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's decision was still wise. He let out a heavy snort, turned on his long strides, and went out to convey the military orders.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Li Goudan leave, his smile gradually fading. He knew that currently the state treasury was empty, and the allocation of grain and fodder would be a major challenge. However, to stabilize the rear, treat the common people with kindness, and guard against variables, these were measures of necessity.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression was solemn; he understood the greater situation well, and the burden on his shoulders was far heavier than that of a simple and rough general like Li Goudan. For the grand plan, Jiang Jiang Mingyu was willing to sacrifice his small family and endure the common people, all for the sake of final victory.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu gazed at Li Goudan's receding figure and sighed softly. He turned around, his gaze falling once again on the map behind him.

The scouts would return soon, and next would be the war against Jiangzhou. At this moment, there were still too many things for Jiang Jiang Mingyu to consider in his mind.

He examined the map carefully. Jiangzhou was located north of Southern Jiang, and its northernmost border directly adjoined Jiancheng between One Da Jiang. Meanwhile, Wangjiangcheng, the capital of Southern Jiang, lay far away at the southernmost end, six hundred and seventy li distant.

Southern Jiang stretched in a narrow north-south direction, with a relatively narrow east-west width. The eastern and western borders on both sides were surrounded by the two vast seas of Star Flow and Level Flow. As for whether other civilizations existed on the other side of that sea, even the most authoritative records of Southern Jiang and Other Xi Xia contained no mention.

But as a modern person, Jiang Jiang Mingyu firmly believed that on the other side of that vast ocean, an even broader world must be hidden. Perhaps after unifying this continent in the future, he would personally sail out to explore, and might make unexpected discoveries.

Thinking of this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but smile lightly, then quickly shook his head. There were still more urgent matters to handle; the battle of Jiangzhou was the immediate priority.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu examined the map once more, his finger lightly tapping the location of Jiangzhou, already planning the various deployments for the start of the war in his mind. He needed to ensure the transport of grain and fodder, logistical support, and the coordination of armies from all routes.

Gazing at the complex and intricate terrain on the map, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's expression was solemn. To occupy Jiangzhou, the road was blocked and long; he still needed to ponder carefully, and could not allow any error.

Commanding an army and governing the world was a burden far beyond what ordinary people could imagine. Yet Jiang Jiang Mingyu knew deeply that to realize his ideals and ambitions, he must take one step at a time, firmly and steadily.

At this very moment, the battle of Jiangzhou was the next step he was taking.