At the Hebei main camp, a fire of unknown origin blazed, painting half the sky red. The sounds of fighting and fierce roars filled the air, with sparks dancing in the wind. In the chaos, it was difficult to distinguish friend from foe at first glance.
From above, the Liao cavalry appeared like a sharp blade piercing into the heart of the camp.
With the camp under attack and morale unstable, Ling Ziyue couldn’t hide in his tent. He had to fight alongside everyone to boost their spirits!
“Forget the supplies, protect the general!” Gao Dazhuang ordered as he sprinted. “Mei Fourteen, stay hidden and assist with your bow. The rest, follow me!”
“Yes!” everyone answered in unison.
They could find ways to replace lost supplies, but if Ling Ziyue fell, the Song Dynasty would struggle to find a comparable military leader in the short term. Everyone wholeheartedly agreed with Gao Dazhuang’s decision.
An Jiu headed towards the northern forest, climbing the tallest tree. Her gaze swept across the nearby grassland, noting several hidden figures. Understanding the situation, she scanned the crowd from her high vantage point, finally locating Ling Ziyue.
This was a good spot for camping, with no high points within five li. An Jiu’s tree was just over three zhang tall. Tents everywhere created many blind spots, making it unsuitable for sniping. But with no better options available, she had to make do. Besides, she could now rely on her spiritual power for blind shooting, compensating for the visual limitations.
Ling Ziyue had made reasonable preparations for the Liao army’s surprise attack. Logically, nothing should go wrong, given the 100,000 versus 10,000 numerical advantage.
Unfortunately, things often don’t go as planned. Ling Ziyue watched in shock and anger as the Liao cavalry cut through his forces like a sharp blade, continuously slaughtering Song soldiers.
This was impossible! Although Song troops were generally weaker, the men in this camp had fought alongside him for many years. They shouldn’t be so easily defeated.
Several deputy commanders approached Ling Ziyue. One said, “We’ll cover the general’s retreat. The Liao army has deployed experts; their vanguard of several hundred cavalry are all martial masters!”
These were Ling Ziyue’s trusted subordinates, prioritizing his safety in critical moments.
“We’re not retreating!” Ling Ziyue gritted his teeth so hard they nearly shattered. He was usually a calm person, but seeing his carefully trained troops crumble under the enemy’s iron cavalry was a devastating blow. Moreover, at this crucial moment, he couldn’t abandon the results of his lifelong efforts.
“Brothers, charge with me!” Ling Ziyue roared, his long sword flashing as he cut down the approaching Liao infantry.
Nearby soldiers, initially shocked, were inspired by their general’s fierce display. If death was inevitable, why not die fighting?
“Kill! Kill the Liao dogs! Protect our great Song!” a deputy commander shouted.
Gradually, more voices joined in the cry, “Kill!”
Kill! Kill! Kill!
The roars of rage swelled from a ripple to a tidal wave, like thunder splitting the sky. The earth seemed to tremble.
These ordinary people, fighting with all their might, actually managed to halt the enemy’s unstoppable momentum!
Ling Ziyue needed to stabilize the situation and couldn’t recklessly lead the charge. After clearing the Liao soldiers around him, he could only stand and observe, leaning on his sword.
He watched helplessly as familiar soldiers fell like moths to a flame under the Liao masters’ blades. His eyes stung with pain, but he couldn’t retreat. Not even half a step!
This was the Hebei main camp, and Ling Ziyue was a war god in the hearts of the border people. If 100,000 troops couldn’t stop 10,000 Liao cavalry if even Ling Ziyue was defeated, what hope remained for the entire Song Dynasty?
As the leading commander fell and the newly ignited morale began to waver, a deputy beside Ling Ziyue said, “General, let me go!”
Ling Ziyue gripped his sword tightly and nodded slightly.
This almost imperceptible gesture weighed heavily on him. Ling Ziyue knew the deputy wouldn’t return. With only seventh-rank strength against hundreds of fourth-rank and above martial masters, including many ninth-rank experts…
“Brothers, charge!” The deputy leaped into the fray, taking the fallen vanguard commander’s place.
Gao Dazhuang and his team, hidden near Ling Ziyue, witnessed this. Li Qingzhi was the first to rush forward, sword in hand.
The Liao forces, facing this slight resistance, hadn’t taken the dying struggle seriously. Just as they were about to crush this surge of spirit, two unexpected figures charged in from different directions – one with a sword like lightning, the other with a broadsword like a thunderous tiger. Caught off guard, several Liao cavalry fell instantly.
Emboldened by this success, Li Qingzhi’s strikes grew even more powerful, his sword strikes as heavy as thunderbolts.
Seeing this, the surrounding Song troops’ retreating blood surged back, their overall strength seeming to increase in an instant.
This is how a man should live to be worthy of his life!
Gao Dazhuang felt the urge to join but hadn’t lost his head. As Shadow agents, this wasn’t their primary duty. Whether to fight to the death was a question he needed to consider carefully.
Lou Mingyue, after restraining herself repeatedly, finally couldn’t hold back. She drew her sword and charged in. Unable to kill Yelü Huangwu now, her long-suppressed hatred made her suffocate. Only Liao’s blood could temporarily soothe this killing intent.
An Jiu observed from hiding. With limited arrows and her body just recovered, she couldn’t casually use her spiritual power. If used, it had to be at a critical moment, so she held back for now.
Meanwhile, Li Qingzhi and the deputy’s intervention momentarily halted the Liao advance. But how could a mere two people block hundreds of martial masters?
Soon, both were wounded, especially Li Qingzhi. His expertise in assassination didn’t translate directly to chaotic battlefield prowess. Despite being on par with the deputy in martial arts, he was now relying purely on ferocity to persevere. As they say, those with nothing to lose fear nothing; on the battlefield, experience matters less for those disregarding their lives.
Gao Dazhuang frowned, muttering, “How embarrassing.”
The others remained silent, knowing that no one could suddenly become invincible in such circumstances.
“Sir, give the order,” Sui Yunzhu said.
“Did I order those two to charge?” Gao Dazhuang glanced at him disapprovingly.
Understanding his meaning, Sui Yunzhu looked at Qiu Yunyan, then drew his sword and charged.
Qiu Yunyan hesitated briefly before following.
These people, long suppressed, all had some psychological issues. This battle provided a good outlet.
Gao Dazhuang felt a sharp gaze upon him. He turned slightly, meeting Ling Ziyue’s eagle-like eyes.