Chapter 905: First Volume, Chapter 905: Only Forward, Never Retreat

First Volume, Chapter 905: Only Forward, Never Retreat

Although the combat effectiveness of Jiabing and Tuntian Soldiers differs greatly, mutiny is not a basic operation for Tuntian Soldiers; examples of Jiabing mutiny are by no means rare. Jiabing, in essence, are mercenaries, motivated solely by pay, so their loyalty is inherently low—after all, whoever feeds them is their master. In contrast, private guards like "family retainers" exhibit far higher loyalty.

With Zhang Feng and Zhao Ling successively slain, the entire Official Road now had only the Last Guan Ka remaining.

At the same time, Liu Ming returned promptly to Qin Feng's side and reported all gathered intelligence about the surrounding situation.

Liu Ming bowed and said solemnly: "Lord Qin, the Last Guan Ka has at least seven or eight hundred men. Judging by their armor and their morale and military discipline, they are Lü Li's personal troops."

"Moreover, the thousands of enemy troops lying in ambush around us have not yet formed a Tactical Encirclement—apparently, the alliance between Ye Xiao and Lü Li is fragile."

Hearing this, Qin Feng stroked his chin, silently pondering.

The Last Guan Ka, whether in numerical advantage or elite status, was far beyond Qin Feng's capacity to force through. Around the Official Road, Ye Xiao and numerous ambush troops lurked—on the surface, the situation seemed utterly desperate.

Li Xiaolan, mounted beside Qin Feng, gazed ahead at the Official Road and said softly: "Feng'er, with our tiny force, a frontal assault against Lü Li's personal troops would bring heavy casualties. And with too many ambush troops on both sides of the road, after careful thought, retreat is the only option."

Qin Feng shook his head, his gaze resolute: "There is no turning back now."

"These garrison troops haven't closed in because we're too close to Wang Du—Lü Li and Ye Xiao are hesitant. If we retreat now, moving away from Wang Du's territory, we'll face Lü Li's full, unimpeded Tactical Encirclement."

"Right now, only forward remains an option."

Li Xiaolan did not care about the risk—so long as she was with Qin Feng, even a nine-to-one death sentence held no fear.

Moreover, Qin Feng had led fewer than two hundred men, breached two Checkpoints, crushed four hundred enemies, and slain two commanders—Zhang Feng and Zhao Ling—while suffering negligible losses and not a single fallen soldier. He had simply crushed Lü Li's hounds through superior combat experience and superior equipment.

Even as they faced Lü Li's personal troops next, Li Xiaolan still had complete faith in Qin Feng.

Under the unwavering gazes of Li Xiaolan and Liu Ming, Qin Feng did not hesitate—he decisively waved his hand and led the Beixi Soldiers and Anwu Guard toward the Last Guan Ka held by Lü Li.

At the same time, Zhang Zhenhai had already led the Tianji Camp Guards to the Last Guan Ka, with both sides now less than five hundred steps apart.

Zhang Zhenhai did not rashly advance; he immediately ordered the Tianji Camp Guards to halt and observe from afar.

Because the initial Anwu Guard scouts had already informed him, Zhang Zhenhai knew the defenders ahead were none other than Lü Li himself.

Not only that, Lü Li noticed that the distant checkpoint held not only a large number of troops but also nearly one hundred cavalry.

The remaining infantry were uniformly armored—clearly well-trained elite troops.

Most crucially, despite facing the Tianji Camp Guards who had breached two Checkpoints and surged forward relentlessly, the enemy showed no panic. They calmly organized their defense, while the hundred-plus cavalry had mounted their Horses but did not charge—instead, they remained beside the infantry, guarding against ambushes.

Whether it was their unshaken morale or their orderly defense, it was clear Lü Li's personal troops were no pushovers.

Even if the Tianji Camp Guards were fiercer, thirty against eight hundred, with comparable morale, charging forward would only be Beidi War Tactics.

Zhang Zhenhai wisely chose to hold his ground in a Standoff, waiting for Qin Feng to bring up the main force.

As Zhang Zhenhai studied the defenders, Lü Li was studying the Tianji Camp Guards.

Lü Li nodded slightly and murmured in admiration: "No wonder they're Tianji Camp Guards—truly fierce, battle-hardened elites."

Hearing Lü Li's praise for the Tianji Camp Guards, the Deputy General beside him felt puzzled and asked softly: "Pillar of the State, the enemy numbers only thirty. They've fought through two Checkpoints—they must be exhausted. Our light cavalry are fresh. Now is the perfect moment to charge and annihilate them."

"A hundred against thirty—there's no way we lose."

Seeing the Deputy General eager for battle, Lü Li calmly waved his hand, signaling calm.

"Though few, they've breached two Checkpoints without a single death or even injury—clearly, these thirty are extraordinarily fierce. Moreover, the Tianji Camp Guards are already infamous for their ferocity. Rash underestimation will bring disaster."

"Our light cavalry may have stamina, but as long as we coordinate with the infantry in defense, we are invincible. A rash charge risks being lured into a trap, causing unnecessary losses."

"Rest assured—the advantage is ours."

Lü Li remained calm because the net was already cast—Qin Feng had no retreat, only forward, and Lü Li merely needed to wait and strike.

On the other side, Zhang Zhenhai, seeing Lü Li's composure, felt even heavier.

"Lü Li is truly the Northern Di Pillar of the State—only five hundred steps away, yet he remains utterly composed, refusing to send out his cavalry. This is bad."

Though the guards knew this battle was likely fatal, their gazes toward Lü Li never wavered—after all, clearing the path for Lord Qin was their duty; they feared neither death nor dismemberment.

As time passed, the sky darkened. Zhang Zhenhai turned to glance at the sun sinking below the horizon, his worry deepening.

Finally, just before total darkness fell, Qin Feng and the main force appeared in Zhang Zhenhai's line of sight.

Zhang Zhenhai did not hesitate—he wheeled his Horse and rode swiftly to Qin Feng's side.

"Lord, the road ahead is blocked by Lü Li and his personal troops. To avoid unnecessary losses, I did not order our men to launch an Ambush."

Hearing this, Qin Feng smiled and nodded: "Well done. We are few—every soldier is invaluable."

Seeing Qin Feng bore him no blame, Zhang Zhenhai exhaled slightly and asked: "Lord, night has fallen. Under cover of darkness, the ambush troops around us may strike. What is your plan?"

Every person present, including Li Xiaolan, wore grim expressions—except Qin Feng, whose face retained its calm smile, as if the dire situation before him meant nothing at all.