However, he had no choice but to obey Yan Xiang's words, or he would surely suffer the consequences.

Han Xian gritted his teeth, mustered his courage, and slowly approached Sun Ce.

"Hmph, if you come any closer, I'll kill you." A cruel smile crept onto Sun Ce's lips.

Upon seeing that smile, Han Xian felt a chill run down his spine, stopped in his tracks, and dared not take another step.

Seeing this, Sun Ce sneered, "Coward!"

After saying this, Sun Ce slowly stood up, but his body swayed violently and he was about to collapse.

Meanwhile, the battle between Cheng Pu and Zhang Xun had reached its climax. The two sides were evenly matched and neither could gain the upper hand in the short term.

Yan Xiang narrowed his eyes. He knew that Sun Ce was nearing his limit and he had to get rid of him now!

He immediately gave the order, and a group of soldiers quietly left the camp.

"Whoosh whoosh!"

Several arrows pierced the air and struck Sun Ce's head and chest, among other vital areas.

Just as Sun Ce was about to defend himself, an arrow struck him squarely in the cheek.

Sun Ce's eyes widened, a gurgling sound came from his throat, and then his body swayed and he fell to the ground.

"My lord!" Cheng Pu roared as he rushed toward Sun Ce's location, trying to save him.

Zhang Xun seized the opportunity, gripped his spear, and stabbed it viciously into Cheng Pu's back.

"Pfft!"

The spear pierced Cheng Pu's body, drawing out a spray of blood.

Cheng Pu let out a scream, clutching his wound and collapsing to the ground in agony.

"My lord, my lord!" Cheng Pu struggled to his feet, tears streaming down his face as he looked at Sun Ce's body on the ground.

The old lord Sun Jian died before his eyes, and now the young lord Sun Ce is also going to die before his eyes?

He was unwilling to accept it. Cheng Pu had fought for more than ten years and participated in countless battles, but he had to face the death of his lord twice and was helpless.

"Is Heaven going to destroy Jiangdong?" Cheng Pu roared angrily.

Then came the heavy sound of horses' hooves. Cheng Pu quickly looked up and saw the Zhou-character flag fluttering in the wind.

"The governor is here! Reinforcements are here!" Cheng Pu was overjoyed.

When Zhou Yu arrived with his cavalry, he frowned upon seeing the corpses on the ground and Sun Ce lying there.

"How is Bo Fu?" Zhou Yu asked anxiously.

Cheng Pu cried, "My lord... my lord was ambushed, seriously injured, and unconscious..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu's face darkened, and he angrily retorted, "Bastard!"

He had been worried that Yuan Shu might have laid an ambush, and had even tried to dissuade Sun Ce, but they still encountered an ambush, and Sun Ce almost died there.

But now is not the time to assign blame; Sun Ce's safety is the most important thing.

"Retreat quickly, I'll cover the rear!" Zhou Yu shouted, mobilizing a large army to cover Cheng Pu's retreat.

Yan Xiang angrily slammed his fist on the city wall. He was furious that Sun Ce had been rescued.

They wanted to send troops out to pursue, but they didn't dare.

Because Sun Ce alone killed two of their generals, and there were still Huang Gai, Zu Mao and others in the Jiangdong army. Moreover, one should not pursue a desperate enemy, lest they be ambushed, which would be a greater loss than gain.

Looking at Yan Xiang atop the city wall, Zhou Yu shouted, "I, Zhou Yu, hereby swear that from this day forward, Jiangdong and Yuan Shu will be locked in a life-or-death struggle!"

Yuan Shu first killed Sun Jian, and now he has seriously injured Sun Ce, whose fate is unknown. This enmity has become very deep.

"One day, I will personally conquer Nanyang and cut off Yuan Shu's head!"

After saying this, Zhou Yu led his army away from Nanyang and headed towards Jiangdong.

"How is our lord?" Zhou Yu asked anxiously as he hurried along, inquiring about the situation of Cheng Pu and Sun Ce.

"My lord is seriously injured, I'm afraid... I'm afraid he won't make it!" Cheng Pu cried out in grief.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yu felt as if his heart was being cut by a knife, and his face turned deathly pale. He murmured, "Bo Fu, you must survive."

The two of them were childhood friends. Although they were not blood brothers, their bond was stronger than that of blood brothers.

Now that Sun Ce is in trouble, Zhou Yu is really distressed, and even a sense of despair is rising within him.

Upon returning to Jiangdong, Sun Ce coughed up large amounts of blood, making him even weaker than before.

Sun Ce lay on the bed, his eyes dull and lifeless.

"My lord!" Cheng Pu cried out in grief. He had not expected Sun Ce to be so badly injured that he did not even have the strength to open his eyes.

Sun Ce said with difficulty, "Cheng Pu...call, call Sun Quan to come!"

Cheng Pu was taken aback, realizing that Sun Ce intended to pass the position of family head to Sun Quan, and could only sigh and agree.

Upon receiving the news, Sun Quan rushed over. Seeing Sun Ce's state, his eyes immediately welled up with tears, and he knelt beside the bed.

"Brother! What's wrong? Brother!"

"Cough cough!" Sun Ce coughed violently, his face growing paler and paler. With great effort, he raised his right hand and stroked Sun Quan's face, smiling slightly as he said, "Quan'er, listen carefully to what your elder brother is about to say!"

"My elder brother is dying... I must pass the position of ruler of Jiangdong to you!" Sun Ce said with difficulty, his voice strained.

"What? Brother! Don't scare me!" Sun Quan exclaimed.

Sun Ce took a breath, tried to steady his breathing, and then struggled to sit up straight.

He looked at Sun Quan seriously and said, "Quan'er, remember this clearly!"

"You must... fulfill your father and brother's last wishes and bring glory to Jiangdong!"

Sun Quan was now in a panic and didn't know what to do. He hurriedly said, "Brother, I am still young and I am afraid I am not capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility!"

Sun Ce grasped Sun Quan's hand and said slowly, "You have been intelligent and studious since childhood, and you have the ability to recognize talent. I believe in you!"

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