Chapter 1482: The Black Cat in the Middle of the Night

That day, Cao Cao led a million-strong army, like black clouds pressing down on the city, approaching Jiangdong aggressively. The Liu Bei coalition, although vastly outnumbered in troops, held their ground, swearing to defend this land and the thousands of commoners behind them. Inside the camp, Liu Bei's brows were locked tight as he discussed countermeasures with his generals; the atmosphere was solemn.

"Zilong, how do you view this battle?" Liu Bei's gaze finally fell on Zhao Yun, his tone carrying a bit of expectation.

Zhao Yun stood up, bowed, and said: "My lord, the enemy is many and we are few; head-on collision is by no means the best strategy. But although the enemy army is large, it also has its weaknesses, which are inconvenient scheduling and easily scattered morale. I am willing to lead an elite force to launch a surprise attack at night, disrupt their formation, and then seek an opportunity to defeat the enemy."

Hearing this, a trace of appreciation flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, but he immediately worried: "Zilong, this trip is extremely dangerous; do you have confidence?"

Zhao Yun said firmly: "My lord, rest assured, I, Zhao Yun, swear to live and die with my lord; even if I am smashed to pieces on this trip, I must win a glimmer of life for the coalition."

Night fell, the moon was dark and the wind was high, and Zhao Yun led five hundred carefully selected cavalry, crossing the enemy's defense line silently, heading straight for the enemy's main camp. Their figures were like ghosts in the night, fast and agile.

Inside the enemy's main camp, Cao Cao was discussing the attack plan for tomorrow with his generals when suddenly, a burst of urgent hoofbeats broke the tranquility. A scout rushed in, reporting with a terrified face: "Prime Minister, it is not good! There is an enemy cavalry force galloping toward our main camp!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao's face sank, but he immediately calmed down and ordered: "Pass the order down, the whole army is to be on alert; you must capture this enemy force and find out their intention."

However, when the enemy army was fully on alert and waiting in full battle array, Zhao Yun had already led his cavalry to cleverly bypass the enemy's main force and head straight for the enemy's logistics camp. There, the mountains of grain and supplies were the lifeline of the enemy army.

Zhao Yun gave an order, and the cavalry were like tigers descending the mountain, attacking the enemy's logistics camp quickly and fiercely. Fire lit up the sky, grain was ignited, thick smoke billowed, and the enemy army instantly fell into chaos.

After Cao Cao learned that the logistics camp had been attacked, he was furious and personally led the army to support it. However, when he arrived at the scene, he only saw Zhao Yun, alone on his horse, standing before the raging sea of fire, the long spear in his hand like a dragon, majestic and awe-inspiring, as if he were invincible.

"Zhao Yun, you dare to be so bold!" Cao Cao roared, and the generals beside him also glared, as if they wanted to tear Zhao Yun into ten thousand pieces.

Zhao Yun sneered, waved his long spear, and pointed directly at Cao Cao: "Cao thief, you oppress the commoners and plot to unify the world; I, Zhao Yun, have come today to take your head and eliminate harm for the people!"

After speaking, Zhao Yun charged on his horse, heading straight for Cao Cao. Seeing this, Cao Cao did not show weakness and swung his sword to meet the battle. The two horses crossed, blades and spears collided, sparks flew, and for a time, it was hard to tell who was better.

However, Zhao Yun knew well that the purpose of this battle was not to duel with Cao Cao, but to disrupt the enemy's formation. Thus, he feinted with his spear, pretending to be defeated, and lured Cao Cao to pursue. Seeing this, Cao Cao thought Zhao Yun was weak and led the army in hot pursuit.

Zhao Yun led Cao Cao's pursuing troops and ran wildly until they reached a dense forest. There, another elite force of Zhao Yun's had already been ambushed. When Cao Cao's pursuing troops entered the dense forest, Zhao Yun gave an order, the ambushers came out together, arrows rained down, and the enemy army instantly fell into chaos.

Seeing this, Cao Cao was shocked and quickly ordered a retreat. However, how could Zhao Yun let go of such a good opportunity? He led the cavalry in hot pursuit, slaughtering the enemy army all the way, with the force of a broken bamboo.

After a fierce battle, Cao Cao's million-strong army actually began to collapse under Zhao Yun's heroic charge. The soldiers fled one after another, morale collapsed, and they could no longer organize effective resistance.

Liu Bei was overjoyed to learn the news of Zhao Yun's great victory and quickly led the army to support him. When the two armies met, Zhao Yun was already covered in blood, his battle robes torn, but his gaze remained firm and sharp.

"Zilong, you have worked hard." Liu Bei held Zhao Yun's hand and said gratefully.

Zhao Yun smiled slightly, shook his head, and said: "My lord, you speak too seriously; this is the duty that Zilong should fulfill. As long as my lord gives an order, Zilong is willing to go through fire and water, and will not refuse."

Hearing this, a warm current surged in Liu Bei's heart. He knew well that with such a loyal minister and good general as Zhao Yun, why worry that the great cause would not be accomplished?

Finally, under Zhao Yun's heroic leadership, the coalition successfully repelled Cao Cao's million-strong army and defended the tranquility of Jiangdong.

After the war, Liu Bei rewarded merit, and Zhao Yun was named one of the Five Tiger Generals, enjoying supreme glory. However, for Zhao Yun, the greatest glory was not these empty names, but being able to fulfill his duty for the country and the people, guarding the peace and tranquility of this land.

Whenever the night was deep and quiet, Zhao Yun would always stand alone outside the camp, looking up at the starry sky. His heart was filled with longing and expectation for the future. He knew that this path of guarding peace was still very, very long, but he was willing to spend his whole life practicing this vow.

Late at night, the military camp was silent, with only the footsteps of patrolling soldiers and the chirping of insects in the distance breaking the tranquility. Zhao Yun sat in his camp, beside him was a dim oil lamp, the firelight flickering, reflecting on his slightly tired but still firm face. In his hand, he held a cloth, carefully wiping the long spear that had accompanied him on the battlefield for many years; the tip of the spear flickered with cold light in the lamplight.

Just then, a subtle and eerie sound broke the peace in the camp; Zhao Yun raised his head alertly, his gaze like a torch, scanning the surroundings. The sound seemed to come from outside the tent, soft and mysterious, carrying a trace of indescribable temptation. Zhao Yun slowly stood up, gripped his long spear, and walked toward the tent door lightly, secretly on guard in his heart.

The moment he lifted the tent curtain, a cold wind blew on his face; Zhao Yun looked closely and saw a black cat, its whole body pitch black, its eyes flickering with green light, standing not far away, looking at him. The cat's eyes seemed to contain some kind of wisdom, or some kind of power beyond the secular world, making Zhao Yun feel a chill in his heart.

"What sacred being, visiting in the middle of the night?" Zhao Yun asked in a deep voice, the long spear in his hand tightening, but he did not act rashly.

The black cat did not answer, but jumped lightly onto a stone beside it, its posture elegant, as if it were showing its fearlessness and confidence. Then, it slowly opened its mouth, but the sound was not a cat's meow, but clear human language, carrying a trace of etherealness and distance: "General Zhao Yun, I am the spirit of the night walker, specifically here to tell you one thing."

Hearing this, Zhao Yun was shocked in his heart, but his surface remained calm and asked: "What matter needs you to come in person?"

A trace of cunning flashed in the black cat's eyes, and it slowly said: "Tomorrow's battle will be the key to deciding who the world belongs to. Although I am of a different kind, I also know where heaven's mandate belongs. The General is brave and unparalleled, but fighting alone, it is hard to avoid being unable to do what one wants. I am willing to help you, to repay the grace of you saving my clan in the past." ===== CHAPTER 1483 =====