That night, a single rider departed from Shikou, galloped to Yanmen Pass, and delivered Li Mu’s letter. It stated that he had brought the Yan princess Murong Zhe, completely unharmed, and requested the swift return of the Eldest Princess and her son.

Wugan readily agreed, but added an extra condition. He said that to express the Heavenly King’s sincerity in retrieving the princess and to reassure Li Mu, his side would only send a force of one thousand cavalry three days hence. Correspondingly, he required that Li Mu’s forces coming to receive the Eldest Princess could not exceed his own number, that the army must halt at Shikou, and could not advance a single step before Princess Murong safely reached Yanmen Pass.

Li Mu agreed.

Three days passed in a flash.

According to the original agreement, both sides would each send one thousand troops to meet at the garrison town and exchange hostages.

The thousand cavalry accompanying Gao Huan to the garrison town were all elite young warriors. Before departure, they formed neat ranks before the main gate of the Shikou camp, armor gleaming, fully armed. The blazing sun cast the white gleam of armor and swords upon their faces, creating an atmosphere of deadly solemnity.

Li Mu came before the formation and personally poured wine for the soldiers to boost their morale.

The strong liquor filled their bowls.

His gaze swept over those rows of young, spirited faces before him, finally settling on Gao Huan standing at the front of the cavalry formation. Looking at him intently, he spoke word by word: “This is the first battle, of utmost importance. If it proceeds as I expect with swift victory, all credit will belong to you and these thousand warriors. Before departure, drain this cup as farewell!”

Gao Huan’s expression was resolute, his eyes bright and determined. Raising his wine bowl high with both hands, he responded loudly: “We swear to fight to the death and will not fail this trust!”

Behind him, the soldiers echoed his oath in unison, their voices like thunder, drinking down this farewell wine together.

The tall warhorses stood in a line behind them, as if sensing the stirring pre-battle atmosphere. They pranced and neighed, their voices like heavenly dragons, seeming to wish they could break free from their reins the next moment and charge onto the battlefield.

After the farewell drink, Gao Huan raised his arms and shouted, mounted his warhorse, and led the thousand cavalry toward the garrison town.

The curtained carriage carrying Murong Zhe passed by Li Mu’s side. A woman’s voice filled with resentment and hatred emerged from within: “Li Mu, I, Murong Zhe, swear that from now on, I will…”

But before her words could finish, they were drowned out without trace by the spirited battle song the surrounding soldiers sang in unison.

Li Mu remained calm, watching the rapidly departing cavalry formation, his gaze finally turning toward the distance.

There, beyond the reach of sight, stood Yanmen Pass – the target of this battle.

…

Gao Huan led the thousand cavalry and reached the garrison town in half a day. Wugan’s forces had not yet arrived, and the town was empty.

Though the hanging corpses had all been buried two days earlier, under the blazing sun amid the yellow sand, abandoned walls, and collapsed ramparts, even in broad daylight this place looked like a graveyard in the desert, ghostly and eerie.

Gao Huan was in no hurry. He simply led his soldiers to the north side of the town and formed battle lines on level ground several li away.

The sun gradually moved westward.

The soldiers waited in the blazing sun for half a day, but Wugan’s forces still hadn’t appeared. They began to grow restless and agitated, their formation no longer as strict as initially, gradually becoming loose. Some cursed and grumbled, some loosened their collars to catch the breeze, some removed their boots to shake out sand, and some in the rear ranks simply set down their spears and sat on the ground to rest. When Gao Huan saw this, he sternly berated them, and only then did they reform ranks.

Though the formation resumed its original appearance, the military bearing was slack, and the soldiers’ faces no longer showed their initial eagerness for battle.

All of this was observed by spies hidden nearby, who reported everything to Wugan.

Wugan’s forces had actually arrived long ago. Since early morning, they had been concealed behind a sand dune several li from the garrison town, deliberately not showing themselves. Hearing the report now, he laughed heartily and said to those beside him: “Li Mu’s reputation is undeserved – he’s nothing special! He must think himself too important and look down on me, sending that little brother-in-law whose beard hasn’t even grown yet! Watch how I deal with them! I’ll show Li Mu that the Heavenly King is not comparable to a pretty boy like Murong Ti, and Yanmen Pass is not a place for him to run wild. This time, I’ll make sure he never returns, burying him here!”

Someone chimed in: “Two days ago, scouts reported that this baby general brought men to dig pits outside the town and buried all the corpses. But I wonder if he dug a few extra holes to leave himself a burial place!”

Laughter erupted all around. Wugan’s subordinates were all smug, as if they could already see their opponents’ impending defeat.

“Left General, we’ve waited all day. Should we move out?” a deputy asked.

Wugan looked up at the sun and said: “Wait a bit more! They’re the ones eager to retrieve their people, not us eager to hand them over. Let’s wear down their morale further. Besides, it’s better to act when the sun goes down.”

Everyone understood his implication. Since they planned to use imposters to deceive the enemy, the dimmer the light, the better. They all agreed and waited patiently until the sun set and light faded across the wilderness. Only then did Wugan give the order and lead a thousand troops from behind the hill, charging directly toward the garrison town.

“General Gao, the Xiongnu are coming!”

The sentries detected movement ahead and immediately returned to report.

Gao Huan looked toward the front.

In the twilight, a dark mass of shadows indeed appeared on the horizon, heading in their direction.

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. Without showing emotion, he ordered the signal passed down. When Wugan brought his men close, before the enemy could stop, Gao Huan spurred his horse forward from the formation and shouted sternly: “Wugan! We agreed to exchange hostages today. I came early, but why were you so late? You made me wait all day! Going back on your word – what kind of hero does that make you?”

Wugan sat on his horse, squinting at the opposite side. He saw a red-lipped, white-toothed young general in white robes charge out from the enemy cavalry formation, glaring at him angrily. He knew this was Li Mu’s little brother-in-law, a noble son from the Gao clan of the Southern Dynasty. Looking at the soldiers behind him, all with angry expressions, clearly impatient from waiting, his heart grew even more pleased. He secretly laughed that the enemy was indeed too green and couldn’t keep their composure. On the surface, he showed an apologetic expression and had a follower who understood Chinese relay his words, saying he had received the Heavenly King’s orders early in the morning to come out, but was delayed by matters along the way, arriving late, and asking for understanding.

Gao Huan showed complete impatience and shouted: “I won’t talk much with you! Since you’re here, where are my aunt and her son? I brought Princess Murong over!”

After speaking, he ordered men to bring Murong Zhe forward.

Wugan looked carefully and saw two soldiers pushing out a bound, beautiful woman from behind Gao Huan. He had the Northern Yan envoy who came with him identify her, confirming she was indeed Murong Zhe. Only then did he relax and laugh heartily: “Good! I appreciate straightforward people like General Gao! Your aunt and the others – I naturally brought them too.” He then ordered soldiers to bring them out.

After sunset, not only did the light rapidly dim, but the wind also picked up. Gusts of wind carried fine sand, blurring vision. They could see a woman dressed as a Han Chinese with disheveled hair, hunched over, holding a three or four-year-old child by the hand. Escorted by several Xiongnu soldiers, she staggered out from the formation. After a pause, in a hoarse voice, she tremblingly called out: “Sixth Brother… it’s your aunt… quickly save me…”

Her voice was filled with terror. The child beside her, prodded by a Xiongnu soldier’s blade tip, was frightened and began wailing loudly.

Gao Huan felt both excitement and rage. With a sudden movement, he leaped down from his horse and shouted: “Aunt, don’t be afraid! Your nephew is coming to save you!” He was about to charge forward.

This woman was found by Liu Jian and bore some resemblance to the Eldest Princess in appearance and figure. Using the dim twilight, they brought her out for the exchange.

Gao Huan’s emotional reaction showed he was clearly deceived.

Wugan suppressed his satisfaction and gave his follower a meaningful look. Understanding, the man quickly intervened: “Please wait, General Gao. For safety’s sake, both our sides should exchange hostages simultaneously. What do you think?”

Gao Huan forcibly stopped and urged his subordinates to bring Murong Zhe forward.

The other side did likewise. When the hostages from both sides were in position, at the signal, both groups began walking toward the opposite side.

“Hurry up! What are you standing there for!”

Gao Huan shouted at Murong Zhe.

Murong Zhe, disheveled, stepped toward the opposite side.

As she and the approaching mother and child drew closer, she glanced around, suddenly turned back to stare at Gao Huan, a cold smile appearing at the corner of her lips. Then she turned back and quickened her pace forward.

Gao Huan seemed impatient. But the woman walked slower and slower, head always lowered. When she was almost close, she stopped.

Unable to contain himself, he rushed forward to meet her. Getting close, he suddenly stopped and stared at the woman who still dared not raise her head. His expression changed dramatically as he shouted at Wugan across from them: “Wugan! She’s not my aunt! How dare you deceive me!”

Wugan’s men had already received Murong Zhe into their formation, removed her bonds, and without any delay, immediately sent her toward Yanmen Pass.

He was immensely pleased: “Little Gao brat, you’re still wet behind the ears. Using your Han phrase, you only got your general title through your connection to Li Mu, right? Li Mu has an empty reputation, and you’re no match for me. I thought there might be some trouble, but I didn’t expect it would be so easy to get Princess Murong back. Too late! You realized too late!”

He laughed wildly, and the cavalry behind him joined in. The laughter rolled like waves, full of mockery, surging forward in waves.

Gao Huan’s eyes blazed with fury. Gritting his teeth, he abandoned the woman who had collapsed in terror and was kowtowing repeatedly, mounted his horse, turned and gave an order. The soldiers shouted and followed him onto their horses, charging toward the Xiongnu cavalry ahead.

Wugan had deliberately provoked this white-robed young general, waiting for exactly this situation. Seeing this, he made a gesture, and his men immediately followed him in a rush backward, retreating like a tide.

Gao Huan pursued fiercely, chasing for dozens of li until reaching the sand dune where Wugan had hidden all day. He saw the Xiongnu cavalry ahead suddenly stop. With a sharp whistle signal, countless pre-positioned Xiongnu cavalry emerged from behind the dunes on both sides – a sea of black figures everywhere.

“Little Gao brat, not only did you give back Princess Murong for nothing, you didn’t expect I’d have five thousand ambush troops here, did you? Li Mu has an empty reputation as war god – today won’t he still fall before our Western Liang’s Yanmen Pass!”

Accompanied by Wugan’s booming laughter, the cavalry behind him wheeled around and joined the ambush formation. Amid deafening battle cries, they charged toward Gao Huan’s cavalry.

The unwashed body odor of the Xiongnu mixed with their sheepskin smell wafted over on the wind.

Gao Huan’s eyes flickered. With a whistle, the thousand cavalry behind him received the order and wheeled toward the garrison town.

Seeing the enemy turn and flee, Wugan was even more triumphant.

This was a trap within a trap set by Liu Jian and him.

First, exchange the real Murong Zhe for a fake Eldest Princess. When Gao Huan discovered the deception, he would be furious. Then provoke him with words, lure him to pursue here, and the pre-positioned cavalry would emerge to annihilate this cavalry force with superior numbers.

But this wasn’t today’s ultimate goal.

The five thousand cavalry hidden here were the elite of Liu Jian’s proud cavalry – the best of the best.

His final objective was to use today’s opportunity to catch Li Mu off guard and use this elite cavalry to raid the enemy’s main camp, burn their supplies and provisions, then withdraw like lightning.

This was exactly the tactic Western Liang cavalry excelled at. By the time Li Mu reacted, even if his cavalry’s horses were strong enough, he would have safely retreated within Yanmen Pass long before Li Mu could catch up.

Retrieving Princess Murong, destroying Gao Huan’s cavalry, and raiding Li Mu’s camp – three goals achieved at once.

Once Li Mu’s army lost their supplies and provisions, Western Liang alone could ensure victory without needing to join forces with Murong Ti.

This trap within a trap was proceeding so smoothly it made him ecstatic.

With such a great achievement within reach, how could he let this fleeing cavalry escape? He immediately gave orders and led six thousand cavalry in relentless pursuit, gradually closing the distance. When they chased back to the garrison town, by the remaining daylight, he saw the enemy seemed cornered and had all taken refuge in the town, using the protection of walls that hadn’t yet collapsed to form arrow formations behind the earthen walls, apparently planning to fight to the death here.

The enemy had only a thousand troops while he had six thousand elite. How could Wugan take them seriously? Leading his soldiers, he made the sharp, eerie howls that struck terror into enemy hearts during battle, drew his sword and waved it, charging toward the town entrance.

The soldiers remained motionless, hidden behind earthen walls, watching the approaching Xiongnu cavalry, ready to strike.

Gao Huan had given orders that no one could shoot a single arrow without receiving his signal.

The Xiongnu cavalry were almost upon them.

Even the dim evening light couldn’t hide those ugly, demon-like fierce faces of the Xiongnu riders.

Just as they shrieked and waved their sabers, spurring their horses toward the town entrance, preparing to chop off the heads of the thousand enemies hiding inside, they were completely unaware that ahead, a massive trap awaited them.

Wugan only knew that two days earlier, Gao Huan had brought men here to dig pits and bury the slaughtered residents.

He never would have dreamed this was merely a diversionary tactic.

When Li Mu came here that day to survey the terrain, he had already devised a strategy upon returning.

Using the daytime burial of corpses as a cover, under cover of night, they set a trap to bury their enemies.

At this moment, Gao Huan and dozens of soldiers were half-buried in the sand, lying motionless on both sides of the town entrance.

Each person’s arm was wrapped with a thick rope as wide as an arm.

The ropes were shallowly buried under the sand, extending across the town entrance, with the other end held by soldiers hidden on the opposite side.

One hundred paces, sixty paces, fifty paces…

Gao Huan’s expression was calm, but his eyes fixed intently on the approaching Xiongnu cavalry. His rope-wrapped arm slowly rose, seeming to contain boundless explosive power, ready to be unleashed.

Just as the front row of Xiongnu cavalry crossed the rope buried in the ground and continued forward, he roared and suddenly leaped from the sand, leading the soldiers beside him to pull the ropes taut. Blue veins bulged under the skin of their arms as the ropes strained and suddenly snapped straight.

With a thunderous crash like heaven and earth splitting, accompanied by yellow sand and dust flying several zhang high, the originally flat ground before the town entrance suddenly cracked open with a massive gap.

Sections of bamboo fencing and crossbeams, pulled by the ropes, rapidly flipped up and exploded outward.

A huge deep pit appeared in the ground, a hundred meters long and ten zhang wide, like a giant maw opening to mercilessly swallow the horses and riders above.

At the bottom of the pit, sharpened wooden stakes were densely planted. The front cavalry fell down and were immediately impaled on the stakes, both riders and horses.

As men screamed and horses neighed in futile struggle, the rear cavalry, due to tremendous momentum and pressure from behind, plus the dim light preventing clear sight, couldn’t stop and tumbled down one after another.

In almost the blink of an eye, the pit bottom filled with men and horses.

The pit walls were vertical. Even those who fell later and luckily escaped immediate impalement by cushioning on their comrades’ bodies couldn’t climb out.

Six thousand elite cavalry were thus swallowed up in an instant.

At the pit bottom, a dense, writhing mass made it impossible to distinguish human from horse, living from dead, as horses and men trampled each other.

Neighing mixed with piercing screams rose continuously from the pit bottom, as if emanating from the depths of hell.

“Shoot arrows!”

Gao Huan’s eyes were blood-red. At his command, soldiers poured out from behind the earthen walls, gathered at the pit edge, and drew their bows.

Arrows formed a dense net, mercilessly shooting down at the Xiongnu in the pit.

Wugan, charging at the front, also fell into the sand pit. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and grabbed a soldier who fell with him as a shield, barely avoiding the wooden stake that had already impaled two cavalry.

The soldier screamed as the stake pierced him but didn’t die immediately, his hands still desperately clutching Wugan’s thigh, struggling and refusing to let go.

Wugan severed the soldier’s hands with his blade and finally broke free.

Only now did he understand. He had thought Li Mu was trapped, never imagining he himself was the one caught in the trap.

Filled with hatred and fear, his liver and gallbladder nearly bursting, he looked for a usable horse to try climbing out by stepping on the piled corpses. Suddenly, a rain of arrows fell from above. With nowhere to escape, his entire body was instantly filled with arrow shafts, shot full of arrows like a hedgehog.

He raised his head and looked up, eyes bulging, filled with unbelievable indignation and unwillingness, standing stiffly there, still refusing to fall.

A shot-dead Xiongnu cavalry suddenly fell from above, crushing him underneath.

The lucky Xiongnu cavalry in the rear finally stopped before the sand pit that kept devouring men and horses.

Everyone was stunned by this sudden massive catastrophe before their eyes.

Before the enemy could react, Gao Huan gave another command, and cavalry hidden on both sides of the town entrance also charged out.

Seeing their general had fallen and was obviously beyond saving, with ambushes on both sides of the town entrance and weak light making it impossible to know how many enemies remained, the surviving Xiongnu soldiers had no fighting spirit left and turned to flee.

How could Gao Huan let these men escape? He encircled and blocked them. After a fierce battle, by nightfall, Wugan and all six thousand elite cavalry he had brought were completely annihilated. Gao Huan achieved total victory.

Victorious cheers echoed around the garrison town. Torchlight illuminated the blood-stained, excited faces.

Gao Huan sheathed his blood-soaked sword, wiped the blood splattered on his face, and ordered his soldiers to eat some dry rations and rest briefly on the spot.

At the same moment he was attracting the Xiongnu’s attention here, his commander and brother-in-law Li Mu had already used the alternative route marked on the map his uncle had previously passed along. Last night, he had led the army to avoid Liu Jian’s surveillance and launched a night raid on Yanmen Pass.

If all went smoothly, at this moment, his brother-in-law should be attacking Yanmen Pass.

According to previous scout reports, Liu Jian had personally gone to Yanmen Pass.

While waiting for Wugan to bring good news about burning the supplies, he probably never dreamed that Li Mu would appear at the city gates at this time.

Thinking of that scene, Gao Huan’s blood boiled with excitement, wishing he could sprout wings and fly there immediately. After the soldiers finished resting, he rode non-stop toward Yanmen Pass at full speed.