Chapter 761

First Volume, Chapter 761: Fight and Retreat

In Beixi County, a combined force of five hundred black cavalry, five hundred light cavalry, and one thousand infantry marched out the city gate in heavy, dense steps, heading swiftly toward Sangzhou.

The leader of this force was none other than Beixi County Commander Xu Mo.

"Move faster, all of you! Yan'nan Pass is no close distance—full forced march! If Lord Qin suffers even a scratch, including myself, you all better smash your heads against the wall and die!"

An hour later, at the border city of Liang Kingdom North Border, the Former General frowned tightly as he watched Xu Mo's troops rush toward Sangzhou.

"What's going on? Didn't we already cease hostilities with Bei Di? Why is Beixi County urgently mobilizing troops?"

"Where are the messengers? Where are the scouts? What exactly is happening?!"

Soon after, a scout from the border city ran up to the City Wall, his expression frantic: "General, the area around Sangzhou's Yan'nan Pass has turned into a bloody mess."

"Lord Qin is engaged in battle with the Snow Wolf Brigade—their conflict began when the Snow Wolf Brigade launched a night raid on Lü Ci's garrison."

The Former General knew well that Qin Feng's pacification of Lü Ci and Li Chou was meant to cultivate rebel factions and stir chaos within Bei Di.

But to risk a night-long battle with the Snow Wolf Brigade over two minor officers like "Ci" and "Chou" was clearly not a worthwhile trade.

The Snow Wolf Brigade was an elite force, famed alongside the Xiongying Brigade, known as Bei Di's decapitation blade, specializing in assassinating key targets of enemy nations.

Even if Beixi's troops were the finest, directly clashing with the Snow Wolf Brigade would inevitably lead to massive casualties.

Was it worth paying such a heavy price just to cultivate Bei Di's rebel factions?

The Former General was no politician—he had no grasp of Qin Feng's political calculations.

At that moment, the scout reported again: "General, reliable intelligence confirms Lord Qin has massacred the entire thousand-man vanguard of the Snow Wolf Brigade, and personally beheaded Chen Mou, the Snow Wolf Brigade's Commander who led the battle. At this critical moment, Lord Qin is likely fighting Chen Li, the Snow Wolf Brigade's Deputy General."

Upon hearing this, the Former General froze, unable to believe his ears.

"What?!"

"Chen Mou was… killed?"

The Former General was speechless with shock—he had spent half his life stationed on the Northern Border and had clashed with Chen Mou multiple times, fully aware of Chen Mou's prowess.

Though his military acumen might not match his elder cousin Chen Si, Chen Mou was an unshakable Tiger General, especially in close-quarters tactical maneuvers, which he executed with divine mastery.

The Former General had suffered so many defeats at Chen Mou's hands he'd lost count.

If not absolutely forced, he would never willingly fight Chen Mou. And now, Qin Feng had simply killed him outright? Regardless of the political value of Lü Ci and Li Chou, merely eliminating an enemy Tiger General was already a blood-soaked profit.

"Damn, this Qin Feng—he doesn't strike until he strikes, and when he does, it's awe-inspiring. First, he captured the last Heavy Fortress on Bei Di's Front Line in just one month; now, he's locked in a night-long battle with the Snow Wolf Brigade and slain their top general."

"It seems the rumors are true—Lord Qin is truly the reincarnation of Wuqu Star!"

The Former General's mind raced, and moments later, he made his decision—he would stand with Qin Feng to the end.

Though Qin Feng's rank was nowhere near his own, his military talent left the Former General in awe—so much so that he was willing to lower his own status and swear eternal loyalty.

"Issue my command: immediately assemble a force of two thousand troops and rush to Yan'nan Pass to reinforce Lord Qin."

"Also, inform the two Grand Generals—Piaoqi and Cheqi—of this news."

As the order was given, the accompanying staff officer frowned slightly: "General, we've already ceased hostilities with Bei Di, and peace talks are concluded. Now making such a commotion—won't that be inappropriate?"

The Former General threw back his head and laughed loudly: "Hahahaha! What's there to fear? Just follow Lord Qin and slaughter everything in sight!"

"Neither Bei Di nor our great Shedynasty will acknowledge this battle. And this battle is destined never to appear in any history book."

The staff officer was initially baffled, then suddenly understood, his eyes brightening.

No wonder Qin Feng dared fight the Snow Wolf Brigade with such impunity—the Snow Wolf Brigade was Bei Di's elite force; if news of such devastation spread, it would severely damage Bei Di's national prestige.

As the defeated nation, Bei Di was already unable to suppress surrounding vassal states—how could it afford to add further humiliation? It would surely do everything possible to suppress the news.

As for Shedynasty, it was even simpler to understand: as the victorious nation, fighting a bloody battle with Bei Di was hard to justify—outsiders might think Shedynasty had broken its word.

Thus, as long as Bei Di refused to pursue it, Shedynasty would turn a blind eye.

Whether losing Xiongying Ridge or the death of General Chen Mou, Bei Di was stuck swallowing bitter medicine with no way to complain.

…

At this moment, due to numerical disadvantage and the Snow Wolf Brigade's morale pushed into near-frenzy by "blood feud," Qin Feng was being steadily pushed back.

All his cavalry combined now numbered fewer than five hundred, while the Snow Wolf Brigade, desperate to rescue Chen Mou, had nearly emptied their ranks, with reinforcements arriving in waves.

According to joint intelligence gathered by scouts, messengers, and the Brocade Uniform Guard:

On the battlefield, the Snow Wolf Cavalry still numbered two thousand—excluding the entire vanguard annihilated by Chen Mou, their total losses since the battle began were under two hundred.

The casualty ratio between the Snow Wolf Brigade and Qin Feng's troops had reached one to two.

For every two men Qin Feng lost, the Snow Wolf Brigade lost one.

There was no help for it—even the elite Beixi Light Cavalry, facing twice their number of Snow Wolf Cavalry, remained in absolute disadvantage.

In any battle where numbers favor one side—especially open field battles—the side with more troops always enjoys a favorable casualty ratio.

After all, mortal combat is never as simple as one plus one equals two.

The Snow Wolf Brigade's morale soared further, and with the battle now a four-to-one situation, if the fighting continued, Qin Feng's troops would soon be massacred.

The tactics must change!

Qin Feng did not hesitate. Under the protection of his troops, he retreated fifty steps, breaking contact with the battlefield, and ordered messengers to deliver the message to every light cavalryman by any means necessary.

"Break off combat immediately!"

During the withdrawal, nearly one hundred more men were cut down—now Qin Feng had only four hundred cavalry left.

Since the battle had begun, escape was impossible—he would never flee in this lifetime.

Qin Feng's cold eyes blazed: "All troops, follow me in maneuver!"

Qin Feng gripped the reins in his left hand and clutched his spear in his right, leading the charge eastward as his troops fought and retreated together.

Chen Li, also wielding a spear, roared: "Qin Feng, don't run! Tonight, it's either your death or mine!"