NOVPUBThe next day, under the extremely dissatisfied gaze of Wei Xu, Gao Shun took over his own troops, and then he equipped them with the eight hundred sets of fish scale armor, full body shields, great swords, and heavy crossbows captured from the Flying Bear Army at Lyu Bu’s place.
Looking at the eight hundred soldiers with cold expressions on their faces, Lyu Bu did not know what to say. Then, with a wave of Gao Shun’s hand, the strength of the eight hundred soldiers was enhanced from Qi Refining Into Body straight to Qi Refining to Gang, without relying on any formation. Purely through the military spirit of the Trap Formation, the entire army was comprehensively strengthened.
"Move out," Gao Shun ordered softly. His soldiers, without making a single sound, all picked up their swords and shields, slung their heavy crossbows, and set off with cold expressions.
Shortly after Gao Shun departed, Wei Xu, Houcheng, and Hao Meng led ten thousand infantry and cavalry on their expedition as well.
Several days later, Hua Xiong finally encountered the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans at the border between Jizhou and Yanzhou, who were no different from refugees at this point.
"Brother Feiyan, how did you all end up like this?" Hua Xiong was not obstructed by the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans; on the contrary, he was received with great hospitality. However, looking at the pale-faced Zhang Yan sitting in the seat of honor, Hua Xiong was somewhat at a loss for words. 𝔫𝖔𝔳𝔭𝔲𝔟.𝖈𝔬𝔪
"Let’s not talk about anything else. Our Black Mountain Yellow Turbans will fully join under Lord Xuande. However you want to reorganize us is fine. I am handing over the leadership to you right now." As he spoke, Zhang Yan did not even frown as he took the great sword by his side and slashed towards his neck.
"Snap!" Hua Xiong was startled and hurriedly reached out to flick away the great sword Zhang Yan was using to try to kill himself with. He was now very glad that he could carry a great sword when joining the ranks.
"Brother Feiyan, the road ahead still requires you to lead the Black Mountain Army, and you still have a chance at life. Wait until the matter with Mount Tai is presented to Lord Xuande," Hua Xiong said. He was one of the few people who knew the secrets, as he was usually either Chen Xi’s or Li Youu’s guard, and neither of them concealed much from Hua Xiong.
"..." Zhang Yan looked at the interrupted great sword and sighed deeply. If he didn’t have to die, who would want to die? There was a wound between his stomach and chest that had already become infected, a clear indication that his inner qi could no longer contain the injury. Whether he died now or not, he wouldn’t last many more days.
Zhang Yan silently unbuttoned his clothes, revealing a huge wound between his belly and chest. "General Hua, don’t laugh at me. I, Zhang Yan, don’t have many days left to live. I’ve been forcefully holding on just to bring my brothers here. Rather than dying like this, it would be better to give up this broken body for a chance at a way out for my brothers. So, General Hua, there’s no need for you to stop me."
"..." Hua Xiong did not know how to respond. This was a matter of honor.
"Let’s try first; there might still be hope. I have a medic with the army, and the road ahead still requires you to lead. I need to cover your retreat, so it’s impossible for me to lead you. Therefore, Channel Commander Zhang, the journey towards Mount Tai still relies on you," Hua Xiong said, bowing in salute. It wasn’t because of Zhang Yan’s strength, but rather out of genuine admiration for his sense of honor.
Hua Xiong assigned his accompanying medics to Zhang Yan and others, then distributed the surplus supplies to Zhang Yan and his group. He then led his entire army to set up camp, needing to hold out for ten days to buy some time for Zhang Yan to retreat.
"We didn’t wait for Lyu Bu’s side and ended up encountering Liu Xuande’s troops instead. Looking at that command banner, it should certainly be Hua Xiong." Yann Liang stroked his prickly beard from a distance, observing. He had entered the state of Inner Qi Manifestation a few days after Hua Xiong, but comparing their current strengths, Yann Liang was confident that he was definitely stronger than Hua Xiong.
"Should we go challenge them?" Lyu Kuang and his brothers stood behind Yann Liang and asked. "Hua Zijian has been a renowned figure for a long time. If we kill him..."
"The two of you are no match for him, even Jun Yi wouldn’t be assured of victory. Tomorrow, I will lead the troops and issue the challenge. You just need to prepare for a surprise attack," said Yann Liang. His mastery of military strategy was quite rough, but he had been trained for a year under Tian Feng’s relentless guidance and had developed a straightforward three-move tactic.
These so-called three moves involved a straightforward duel to draw attention, followed by an overpowering display of martial force to overturn the adversary, and then seizing the chaos to launch a strike with hidden forces flanking from both wings. Generally, this dogmatic approach to combat was highly effective in most situations.
After all, Tian Feng wasn’t playing around. He tailor-made tactics for Yann Liang that aimed at undermining morale and taking advantage of chaos and bluffed strength; usually, such tactics were enough to send an average general weeping.
"Report!" After dispatching a large number of scouts to scout all around, not long after setting up camp, Hua Xiong’s scouts returned with an envoy and a challenge letter from Yann Liang’s side.
"Yann Liang? It’s been a long time." Hua Xiong crushed the bamboo slip in his hand to dust. Since parting beneath Hulao Pass, Hua Xiong could hardly remember Yann Liang’s face anymore.
"Will you join the hunt tomorrow?" Hua Xiong looked at his deputy, Du Sheng, "Send someone to tell Yann Liang: the day after tomorrow, I will meet him in battle. Today, the master is tired and weary, unwilling to fight, and tomorrow I still need to rest."
In fact, Hua Xiong’s army hadn’t suffered much in combat power, but his main mission wasn’t to battle Yann Liang; it was to buy time, so he didn’t want to waste his limited troops on Yann Liang.
Yann Liang looked at the returned challenge letter and smiled. Hua Xiong wanted to stall for time, didn’t Yann Liang also need to do the same? He was still waiting for Juo Yi’s Vanguard Death Squad to smash Hua Xiong; in terms of bravery among his ranks, Juo Yi was confident that no one could surpass him. As for the Black Mountain Yellow Turbans, Tian Feng and Xun Shen had already plundered enough; continuing to plunder was no longer sustainable.
Thus, Hua Xiong and Yann Liang faced off for three days, while Juo Yi’s Vanguard Death Squad was only a few hours’ distance from Yann Liang, who finally broke camp and set off.
"So, you finally come? But it’s about time to take action. Du Sheng, Sunx Yan, Li Hu, and Du Yuan, each of you prepare five hundred cavalry. Chen Hao, you lead a thousand infantry, lay out plenty of kerosene and dry grass. Hold the camp steady. If the situation turns dire, retreat from the rear camp and burn it. I have an ominous feeling!" Hua Xiong said this without any hint of superstition.
The rigour and discipline of Hua Xiong’s soldiers had long been ingrained; even if they knew death was certain, as long as he didn’t retreat, none of the soldiers would withdraw.
Hua Xiong donned his armour and stepped out of the main tent, only to see a gust of autumn wind sweep by. The Command Banner with the "Hua" insignia planted at the Yuan Gate suddenly snapped and, as if it had eyes, landed at Hua Xiong’s feet.
Hua Xiong didn’t even glance at the broken Command Banner, walking straight ahead. Although he didn’t understand divination, he could still sense that such a bad omen heralded something. As he stepped over the snapped flagstaff, a chilling shiver ran down his spine.
"General, perhaps we shouldn’t go to battle today," Du Sheng said with palpable trepidation, feeling the same imminent terror of death.
"Heh, the last time I felt I was going to die was at Sishui Pass, and I survived, breaking through to Inner Qi Separation. This time, I feel the prescience of death again. Alas, you can’t evade such immense terror of death by simply stepping back!" Hua Xiong laughed, a laugh so relaxed. He mounted his horse and charged towards the camp entrance. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
