Chapter 130: War Rages Across the Land
Just as Su Wanrou was giving her last breath for her premature son at the maternity ward of the Duke's mansion in the capital, a far more bloody and cruel life-or-death struggle was unfolding thousands of miles away in the Eagle Falling Gorge in the northern border.
The night was as dark as ink, and a cold wind whipped up snowflakes, lashing against the steep cliffs with a mournful howl. At the bottom of Eagle Falling Gorge, devastation reigned, the air thick with the stench of blood and gunpowder. A few weak campfires flickered in the wind, illuminating the haphazardly lying corpses, broken weapons, and tattered banners.
Gu Yangui leaned against a cold, massive rock, his dark iron armor covered in sword and knife marks and congealed, blackened bloodstains. His left arm was simply bandaged, but fresh blood still seeped out, staining the bandage dark red. Days of grueling fighting, lack of water and food, had left his handsome and resolute face etched with deep fatigue, and dark stubble had appeared on his chin. Only his deep eyes, illuminated by the flickering firelight, remained sharp as a hawk's, burning with an indomitable fighting spirit and a chilling killing intent.
Did he believe it too easily? Perhaps. The secret report, risked at the risk of his life by his "confidant," concerning the Rongdi royal family's supply train passing through Luoying Gorge, was far too tempting in terms of timing and route—like a carefully prepared poisoned bait. But Gu Yangui, a veteran of over a decade of battlefield experience, was no man entirely unprepared. He dared to risk his life because he had even greater confidence in his understanding of the Rongdi's military tactics and his secretly prepared backup plans. He simply hadn't expected the enemy's scheme to be so ruthless, not only mobilizing a far larger force than the intelligence indicated but also preemptively destroying the exit on the other side of the gorge, turning his thousand-plus elite troops into sitting ducks.
"Lord Duke, we've counted them. There are less than three hundred brothers who can still move. Our arrows are almost gone, and our rations... will last us at most two more days." Deputy General Han Qing dragged his injured leg and limped over to report, his voice hoarse and dry, his face covered in blood and worry.
Gu Yangui nodded silently, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers huddled together by the campfire, wounded yet still gripping their weapons tightly. Every face, young or no longer young, bore the marks of exhaustion, but their eyes held no despair, only unconditional trust in their commander and a determination to fight to the death. These were veterans who had followed him through countless battles, the sharpest blade of the Great Zhou Dynasty, now trapped in this desperate situation because of his decisions.
A heavy sense of guilt weighed on his heart, but it was quickly replaced by a stronger will to live and a burning rage. He couldn't die here, and these loyal soldiers couldn't have sacrificed in vain! And... in the capital, that delicate yet resilient young woman, and their unborn child...
On the eve of his departure from Beijing, he held Wanrou in his arms, clearly feeling the vitality of the little life growing inside her. He had promised to return and witness the birth of their child. Gu Yangui was a man of his word, never breaking his promises to anyone, especially not to her.
"Han Qing," Gu Yangui's voice was low but carried a strange calmness, as if it could dispel the chill of this desperate situation, "How is the Rongdi's offensive today?"
Han Qing spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and said hatefully, "You sons of bitches! As if they know we can't hold on much longer, they're attacking even more fiercely! Especially that centurion in charge, named Wutuo'er, he's so arrogant, he keeps shouting and cursing in front of the lines, saying... saying he'll hang your head on their royal flagpole."
A cold glint flashed in Gu Yangui's eyes. Far from being angry, a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "The more fiercely they shout and curse, the more impatient they are. Luoying Gorge is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If they launch a strong attack for several days, their casualties will only be heavier than ours. They want a quick victory, but we will not let them have their way."
He paused, then lowered his voice: "I've observed that every time Uttar attacks, he likes to personally lead the charge at the forefront. Relying on his bravery, the formation often breaks down. This is his biggest weakness."
Han Qing's eyes lit up: "Lord Duke, what do you mean..."
"To catch the thief, first catch the king." Gu Yangui's voice was resolute. "This is our only chance. Rather than waiting to die, we should fight to the death! Gather all those who can still fight, prepare the last of our crossbows and oil canisters. The next time the Rongdi attack, let them into the valley. When that Wutuo'er makes a rash advance, concentrate all our firepower and take him down! With our commander dead, the enemy army will surely fall into chaos!"
"But Duke, this is too risky! What if..." Han Qing still had reservations. This was practically a desperate gamble!
"There's no 'what if'!" Gu Yangui interrupted him, his gaze piercing as if it could penetrate the deep darkness. "We have no way to retreat; we must fight to the death! Tell the brothers that if they want to go home alive to see their parents, wives, and children, they should gamble with me on this last gamble! If we win, we'll fight our way out! If we lose, we'll die on the battlefield, worthy of the honor of the soldiers of the Great Zhou!"
His words carried a powerful, undeniable force, instantly igniting a flame in the eyes of Han Qing and the soldiers around him who had only caught a glimpse of his words. Yes, since death was inevitable, why not die a glorious death!
"Your subordinate obeys!" Han Qing clasped his hands in a fist salute, his eyes showing no more hesitation, only determination.
The order was swiftly relayed. The surviving Zhou soldiers silently inspected their dwindling weapons, shared their last rations, moistened their chapped lips with snow water, and rekindled a bloodthirsty fighting spirit in their eyes. The atmosphere of despair was replaced by a tragic, desperate, and resolute killing intent.
As dawn approached, in the darkest hour, the deep, resonant sound of horns and the distinctive whistles of charging Rongdi cavalry echoed once more from outside the canyon. The dark mass of enemy troops surged towards the valley entrance like a tidal wave. Leading the charge was none other than the burly Rongdi commander, Wutuo'er, brandishing a scimitar and roaring with arrogance.
"Ready!" Gu Yan retreated behind the rocks, drawing the last intact crossbow bolt in his hand, the cold arrow aimed at the increasingly arrogant figure. He held his breath, his killing intent subdued, like a lurking cheetah, waiting for the perfect moment to deliver the fatal blow.
Three hundred steps, two hundred steps, one hundred steps... Wu Tuo'er's figure grew larger and larger in his field of vision, and he could even see the ferocious smile on the other's face.
Now!
"Release the arrows!"
At Gu Yangui's command, the last few dozen crossbow bolts, which had been ready to fire, shot out like venomous snakes, accurately targeting Wutuo'er and his personal guards! At the same time, several lit oil canisters were also thrown forcefully, exploding in the enemy ranks and bursting into flames!
The attack was sudden; Wutuoer never expected that the Zhou army, already trapped, would dare to launch a counterattack, let alone that the attack would be so concentrated and deadly! He parried two arrows with his sword, but a third arrow struck his mount hard! The warhorse neighed and fell to the ground, throwing him heavily off!
"Kill—!" Gu Yangui leaped out of the cover like a tiger released from its cage, his spear flashing like a dragon as he charged straight at Wu Tuo'er, who had fallen from his horse! Han Qing and the rest of the Zhou army soldiers also roared in fury, rushing towards the enemy army, which was in a brief state of chaos due to their commander's fall from his horse, like a flood bursting its banks!
"Protect the commander!" the Rongdi soldiers shouted in panic, and their formation instantly fell into disarray.
Gu Yangui had only one target—Wutuoer! Ignoring the swords and blades aimed at him, he moved like lightning, his spear carrying an unstoppable momentum, piercing through the guards who tried to stop him. Finally, in Wutuoer's terrified gaze, the cold spear tip precisely pierced his throat!
Wu Tuo'er, the tribal chief of the Rongdi tribes, has perished!
With their commander killed instantly, the Rongdi vanguard was thrown into complete chaos and panic!
"Wu Tuo'er is dead! Charge out with me!" Gu Yangui hoisted Wu Tuo'er's head, his voice echoing through the valley. He took the lead and launched a desperate charge towards the weak point in the enemy's forces caused by the chaos!
"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The remaining Zhou soldiers unleashed astonishing fighting power, following closely behind like red-hot daggers, tearing a bloody gash in the chaotic enemy ranks!
A fierce and brutal breakout battle began in the darkest hour before dawn. Every inch of land fought for was accompanied by splattering blood and fallen lives. Gu Yangui was covered in blood, unsure whether it was his own or the enemy's. He only knew to brandish his spear and charge forward! Further forward! Only one thought screamed in his mind:
Break through! Get back alive! Wanrou! Child! Wait for me!
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