Chapter 376: The Fall of Qu Province: 70,000 Southern Border Soldiers Turned to Dry Bones

Inside Qu Province City, a chilling atmosphere of impending warfare prevailed.

Sunlight pierced through the dense clouds, casting a blinding glare upon the earth.

The vast One Da Jiang army surrounded the entire city so tightly that not even a breath could pass; all entrances and exits were heavily guarded.

The Southern Border soldiers, clad in armor, wore expressions of mockery and contempt on their faces.

Clouds of dust rose outside the military camp as the 70,000-strong Southern Border army was being encircled layer by layer by One Da Jiang troops within the camp. The area surrounding the camp was covered with enemy soldiers wearing thick armor, holding long spears, broadswords, and iron hammers, their cold glints exposed under the sunlight, brimming with warlike intent.

The Southern Border soldiers, each with a solemn face, gripped their weapons, their eyes revealing anger and unwillingness. Trapped within their own city, they were powerless against the enemy, forced to watch as the One Da Jiang forces advanced step by step from the perimeter. The bloodlust and killing intent in the air grew heavier, foreshadowing a brutal decisive battle about to unfold.

Outside the camp, a dense forest of spear tips blocked out the light, black and oppressive, stretching to the horizon. From afar came the occasional sound of iron hooves and the crisp clatter of blades being drawn from sheaths, the killing intent palpable, war drums beating in waves, unsettling the hearts of all.

Many Southern Border soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their palms soaked with sweat. They knew their strength was exhausted, facing a desperate battle where an egg would strike a stone, yet they showed no fear on their faces, their resolve unshaken.

The war drums drew nearer, seemingly heralding approaching doom. Sunlight filtered through the dark clouds, shining upon the Southern Border soldiers' armor, reflecting a cold, eerie gleam. At this moment, no birds or beasts made a sound in the sky, the earth was silent, and within the camp only the clashing of blades echoed. This dead silence seemed to foreshadow the arrival of a storm of blood and wind.

Looking at the stunned man before him and the 70,000 Southern Border soldiers gripping their weapons, Tu Tu Kesiluo spoke with a leisurely expression, "You are Du Du Jianmu?"

The man clad in silver-white armor, his face full of murderous rage, glanced at the surrounding dark mass of One Da Jiang troops, and his complexion instantly turned pale and gloomy. He stared fixedly at Tu Tu Kesiluo, his eyes filled with even greater fear, his fists unconsciously clenching tight, veins bulging.

Tu Tu Kesiluo's eyes were deep as night, his gaze cold and mocking; his thin lips curled slightly, outlining an arc of contempt. He slowly strode to Du Du Jianmu's front, his black cape fluttering in the wind like the dark wings of the Grim Reaper.

"My One Da Jiang iron cavalry has surrounded your 70,000 Southern Border soldiers in the camp; all escape routes are cut off, leaving you no choice but to surrender." His tone was flat, yet every word struck straight at Du Du Jianmu's heart.

Du Du Jianmu's eyes were bloodshot, red veins covering the whites, intense emotions churning within. His thick fingers gripped the hilt of his long sword so tightly that veins stood out, as if he might crush the hilt. "You!" He ground his teeth fiercely, his cold gaze sweeping toward Tu Tu Kesiluo like a blade's edge, "Come on then!"

"Tsk, tsk." Tu Tu Kesiluo sneered, raising his hand slightly; tens of thousands of black-armored iron cavalry immediately raised their long spears and broadswords, brimming with killing intent. Infantry swarmed from the surrounding hills, holding sharp blades, marching in unison, as if intent on leveling the Southern Border camp to the ground.

Du Du Jianmu clenched his fists, veins bulging, eyes bloodshot, the fear in his gaze transforming into fury and killing intent. He sized Tu Tu Kesiluo up and down, as if examining livestock awaiting slaughter. Tu Tu Kesiluo's lips curled into a contemptuous sneer, his black eyebrows raising slightly.

Surrounding them were tens of thousands of Southern Border soldiers holding spears and halberds, sealing the area off completely. Sunlight fell upon their weapons, reflecting a cold, ruthless gleam. Du Du Jianmu's gaze swept around, realizing his 70,000-strong army was completely surrounded, the situation extremely unfavorable. He gritted his teeth, muscles bulging, his mouth twitching, barely able to contain his rage.

"This King knows you are a talent and does not wish to kill you so easily. If you do not resist, lay down your weapons and surrender, I will show mercy." Tu Tu Kesiluo raised his chin slightly, his tone filled with contempt and threat, "Order your men to lay down their weapons and surrender immediately; this King can guarantee your life!"

"You are Tu Tu Kesiluo!" Du Du Jianmu spat heavily, "This Governor heard long ago of you, a scheming, opportunistic villain!" His right hand slowly gripped the long sword at his waist, his upper body leaning forward, ready to draw and attack at any moment.

"Today, although you entered the city by surprise, this Governor still commands 70,000 elite Southern Border troops!" Du Du Jianmu's warlike intent intensified; he turned to survey the soldiers under his command, seeing them all secretly gripping their weapons, poised to strike, and his heart warmed.

As he spoke, Tu Tu Kesiluo's expression changed; he suddenly drew the long blade at his waist, the blade's edge surging with cold light. He swung the blade violently, the blade energy carrying a massive gust of wind, rushing straight at Du Du Jianmu's face!

Du Du Jianmu was terrified; reflexively, he raised an axe to block. Only the loud clang of a massive impact was heard; the long sword in his hand was already split in two, his knees buckling, nearly causing him to kneel! Instantly, cold sweat poured down, his face turning even paler.

"Hehe..." Tu Tu Kesiluo snorted lightly, his blade flicking gently before returning to its sheath. He lifted his foot and slowly strode to Du Du Jianmu's front, looking down from above, "Such crude martial arts, yet you dare to oppose me? Governor, this duel between us is destined to end only in death!"

Du Du Jianmu's face was deathly pale, veins on his forehead bursting, beads of cold sweat sliding down his brow. He gritted his teeth tightly, his gaze burning like a torch, staring fiercely at Tu Tu Kesiluo.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly let out a long roar to the heavens, raising his arm and shouting, "Listen well to me! This Governor is not that rash and ignorant Che Gang, nor will I kneel and surrender like him!" Du Du Jianmu's volume suddenly rose, his tone filled with disdain. His eyes widened, fury churning within, his thick eyebrows trembling slightly.

Hearing this, Che Gang shuddered, veins on his forehead bursting, sparks of anger flashing in his eyes. He clenched his fists, knuckles turning white, grabbed Du Du Jianmu's collar, and yanked him violently toward himself. Their faces were mere inches apart, Che Gang's spittle splashing onto Du Du Jianmu's face.

"Du Du Jianmu, Wei Wei Yangyao killed my entire family without cause; he truly deserves to die!" Che Gang's voice boomed like a great bell, every word spoken through gritted teeth. Du Du Jianmu, held by the collar, could not stand steadily, his upper body tilting, his steps stumbling.

Du Du Jianmu whipped his arm away, violently breaking free from Che Gang's grip. He stepped back two paces, eyes bloodshot, radiating uncontrollable fury and hatred. "Traitor who betrayed his master, you still dare to show your face, truly shameless!" He drew the sharp blade at his waist, the sword tip pointing directly at Che Gang, his arm trembling slightly.

"You, a traitor who surrendered to One Da Jiang, actually dare to try to persuade my brothers to surrender?" Du Du Jianmu stepped forward, the sword tip mere inches from Che Gang's chest, "I tell you, loyal men of the Southern Border are not just me; no one will listen to your treacherous villain's seduction!" His volume grew even louder, his tone filled with condemnation.

Having said this, he suddenly turned, raised his long sword high, and shouted loudly to the 70,000 Southern Border soldiers behind him, "Brothers, we are all subjects of the Southern Border and Your Majesty; beneath our feet is our land, behind us are our parents, wives, and children!"

"If we take one step back today, they will become slaves of One Da Jiang; do you agree or not?" Du Du Jianmu's volume suddenly rose, his warlike intent fully exposed, his tone passionate and rhythmic. In the next moment, the 70,000 Southern Border soldiers responded with a thunderous, powerful roar: "We do not agree! We absolutely do not agree!" The soldiers each gripped their weapons tightly, brimming with killing intent.

"Let's fight! Fight these One Da Jiang dogs!" Du Du Jianmu shouted again; the Southern Border soldiers echoed his slogan, the scene surging with emotion. Du Du Jianmu then coldly turned his head, sizing Che Gang up and down, his eyes full of contempt.

"Even a commoner is like this; Che Gang, what face do you have to remain here?" His tone was extremely contemptuous, his gaze beneath his thick eyebrows sharp as a blade, "Brothers, let us fight to the death!" Before the words had fully left his lips, he suddenly drew his long sword, pointing it straight at the sky. The 70,000 Southern Border soldiers, filled with ambition to eat the enemy in their hunger, all raised their weapons high, their war cries shaking the heavens!

This scene made even Tu Tu Kesiluo frown. The situation had reached a point of clarity; the Southern Border soldiers vowed not to surrender, meaning they would surely be annihilated. But doing so would undoubtedly stain many innocent lives with blood. Tu Tu Kesiluo scanned the soldiers under Du Du Jianmu's command, and sorrow rose within him—they were all vigorous young men who should not have to die in vain.

"That is wrong!" Tu Tu Kesiluo spoke, his tone calm yet every word resonant, "Facing my One Da Jiang iron cavalry, you are outnumbered; surrender is the best strategy. Since you are here, accept it; why must the soldiers sacrifice themselves in vain!" He spoke with deep feeling, trying to dissuade Du Du Jianmu from his stubbornness.

Du Du Jianmu cursed angrily, "We vow to fight until the last drop of blood; do you think you can eat us so easily without fear of total annihilation!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo also sighed lightly, "Truly beyond foolishness! My One Da Jiang forces are invincible wherever they go; how could you, with merely a few tens of thousands, be a match?"

Then he suddenly raised his arm and roared angrily at the tens of thousands of troops behind him, "Listen to the order: exterminate them all, leave not a single living soul!" "Listen to the order: exterminate them all, leave not a single living soul!"

The moment the words fell, the army immediately brimmed with killing intent, each gripping their weapons, poised to strike. Over a hundred thousand long swords, halberd-spears, and bows, gleaming coldly, were aimed at the Southern Border soldiers under Du Du Jianmu's command.

Hearing this, He Jing immediately understood; he raised the command flag and waved it high; behind him, 15,000 archers immediately drew their sharp arrows, aiming at the dense crowd ahead.

"Release the arrows!" He Jing's face showed no expression; he calmly issued the death order.

Before the words had fully fallen, a shadow of arrows suddenly swept across the dark night sky, dense as a rainstorm, fast as lightning, rushing straight at the Southern Border soldiers under Du Du Jianmu's command. Immediately, a chorus of miserable wails came from the front, followed by the hissing sound of arrows piercing bodies and the dull thud of corpses falling.

Du Du Jianmu felt the world spin; his ears were filled with terrifying screams and wails. He shuddered violently and looked closely, seeing his burly Southern Border soldiers falling one by one, struck by multiple arrows, blood flowing like a river.

"Do not panic!" Du Du Jianmu roared, forcing down the shock and pain in his heart, "Raise your shields, charge forward, fight them to the death!" His eyes were bloodshot, his whole body trembling violently, yet he forced himself to boost morale.

But the remaining Southern Border soldiers were already terrified out of their wits, unable to think of raising shields. They looked at each other, eyes vacant, having lost all fighting spirit. At this moment, a second wave of arrows came rushing at them again; the Southern Border soldiers could no longer organize a counterattack and could only submit to slaughter.

"Continue." Tu Tu Kesiluo revealed a cold smile on his face, lightly uttering a single word. Then, the third wave of arrows arrived as promised; the Southern Border soldiers could not cope, suffering heavy casualties.

When Du Du Jianmu regained consciousness, only a small portion of survivors remained under his command. He gritted his teeth, eyes bloodshot, determined to fight the One Da Jiang soldiers to the bitter end.

At this moment, Tu Tu Kesiluo still wore a calm and composed smile; he slowly raised his right hand, a cold gleam flashing in the moonlight, his long sword pointing straight ahead. He spoke calmly, yet his tone contained a firm resolve, "E Bu, lead 3,000 iron cavalry to break through the center of the enemy forces; I want you to go straight for Du Du Jianmu; do not give him any chance to counterattack!"

E Bu's eyes flashed with cruel light, and a sneer involuntarily curled his lips. He suddenly drew the long blade at his waist, the cold light fierce, as if foreshadowing the bloodshed and slaughter to come. "Follow me!" he shouted loudly, whipping his mount fiercely. The 3,000 iron cavalry let out earth-shattering roars, sweeping down like a violent storm; wherever they went, the enemy formations instantly crumbled into chaos.

The iron cavalry waved their sharp long blades, each strike opening a fatal bloody wound on the enemy. The great warhorses they rode also became terrible weapons of slaughter; enemies beneath their hooves were trampled into pieces. E Bu's eyes were bloodshot; amidst the bloody slaughter, he saw the figure of his enemy, Du Du Jianmu. "Du Du Jianmu, it is time for you to die!" He roared to the heavens, gathering all his strength, leaping from his horse like a flying eagle, rushing straight at Du Du Jianmu.

Du Du Jianmu's face was devoid of color; he hastily drew the blade at his waist, barely managing to block E Bu's long blade. But he was still knocked off his horse by the massive impact, falling heavily to the ground and fainting. Taking advantage of the momentum, E Bu turned, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes, and screamed at the iron cavalry, "Kill! Do not let a single one escape!"

The iron cavalry became even more frenzied; their long blades dripping with the enemy's hot blood, yet still unsatisfied, they continued to carve a bloody path through this ruin of life. At this moment, the Southern Border army was like a scattered swarm of bees, fleeing in all directions, daring not to fight again.

"It is our turn to appear!" Li Goudan's eyes flashed with a cruel smile; he turned back with a sinister grin and said to Che Gang, "Kill one more, save one more!" Che Gang nodded silently, a fire of rage burning in his heart; this was the rage to avenge his mother and repay his wife and daughter! He waved his steel blade, and along with Li Goudan leading the remnants of the army, they pounced on the fleeing enemies like hungry jackals.

With every enemy cut down, the miserable screams of his mother, wife, and daughter echoed in Che Gang's heart. His eyes were bloodshot red; the cold light on his chopping blade was no longer visible, replaced by congealed blood clots. A Southern Border soldier raised his blade to block in panic; before he could react, Che Gang slashed his carotid artery, hot blood spraying out and splashing all over his face. Yet Che Gang felt nothing; he wanted to carve this rage and hatred into the enemy's flesh and blood!

Li Goudan chopped off an enemy soldier's head with one strike; the large blade at his waist was being waved so fiercely that sparks flew in all directions. His grotesque face was covered with excitement and cruelty, like a wild beast feeding. "Hahaha!" He laughed loudly; with every Southern Border soldier he killed, it was as if he were venting days of pent-up frustration.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, however, stood aside leisurely, watching this one-sided massacre with cold eyes. A sneer curled his lips as he commented disdainfully, "The so-called Southern Border elites are nothing more than this. This battle was fought far too easily for us."

Du Du Jianmu pulled the reins desperately, trying to escape this slaughterhouse. But E Bu had already caught up; he suddenly hurled his long blade, the blade edge slicing through the air; before Du Du Jianmu could react, his entire body was split in two, blood splashing in all directions.

Taking advantage of the momentum, E Bu drew the curved blade at his waist, executed a spinning move, and Du Du Jianmu's head flew off. "Your commander is dead; do you still wish to resist!" He stood on his horse, his long hair dancing in the howling wind, his demeanor arrogant.

Those Southern Border soldiers were stunned, their faces deathly pale, their weapons trembling uncontrollably in their hands. A hint of disdain flashed in E Bu's eyes; he shouted loudly, "Since you refuse to surrender, then kill them all!" Before the words had fully left his lips, the iron cavalry pounced; soon, these Southern Border soldiers turned into corpses beneath their blades.

At the third watch, Li Goudan finally chopped off the head of the last Southern Border soldier. The ground was piled with bodies, one after another, blood flowing like a river, splashed bloodstains coloring this land red.

Tu Tu Kesiluo stood motionless without looking aside, issuing the command indifferently: "Che Gang, immediately lead men into the city to search for the remaining Southern Border remnants; not one is to be allowed to escape." He knew that given Che Gang's hatred toward Wei Wei Yangyao, this was undoubtedly the most suitable mission.

Che Gang's face was expressionless, yet burning fury raged in his eyes. He longed to personally slaughter everyone connected to Wei Wei Yangyao. At this very moment, he was completely blinded by hatred, his entire body radiating killing intent, wanting only to vent this rage upon the flesh and blood of the Southern Border remnants.

At this time, Tu Tu Kesiluo remained calm and composed, a hint of triumphant smile even appearing on his face. Standing high to observe the battle, he occasionally assigned various tasks, his tone calm and devoid of any emotion, as if the gruesome scene of slaughter just now had nothing to do with him.

Li Goudan wiped the fresh blood splattered across his face, baring a mouth of yellow teeth, and sneered: "Understood, the city defense of Qu Province is left to me!" With a tiger's back and bear's waist, he patted his chest as a guarantee and swaggered out of the military camp. As an old hand, such deeds of storming cities and seizing land were precisely his forte.

Tu Tu Kesiluo watched Li Goudan depart; his stern countenance finally showed some softening. He slowly shifted his gaze to He Jing, his tone no longer as rigid as before but carrying a touch of concern: "He Jing, you immediately lead men to tally the casualties; you must give me a definite result before tonight." As a civil official, He Jing was not as domineering as Li Goudan; he respectfully bent low and said with utmost deference: "Yes, my lord, I will attend to this at once." Having spoken, he carefully directed several confidants, carrying account books and shuttling everywhere to tally the dead and wounded.

Once He Jing's figure also vanished into the army, Tu Tu Kesiluo finally turned his gaze to E Bu. Perhaps recalling E Bu's heroic slaying of enemies just now, a faint smile unconsciously rose on Tu Tu Kesiluo's lips, and his tone gained a measure of praise: "E Bu, you immediately return to the main camp to welcome the eldest brother into the city. Remember, there must be no failure." E Bu's face still retained the frenzy of killing enemies earlier; hearing this, he immediately said: "Rest assured, my lord, I will go fetch the eldest brother at once!" He whipped his mount fiercely and charged out like an arrow leaving the bowstring.