Chapter 436 Yuwen Ye has become weaker.
Yuwen Ye stood in the center of the room, raising both arms, while another pair of fair hands picked up the heavy armor and carefully put it on his body.
By this time, the sunlight was already intense.
Even though the light shone through the window frame, it was intensely hot, like a flame. Although Yuwen Ye tried his best to calm himself down, Shang Ruyi, who was standing in front of him adjusting his belt, could still feel his hot breath, which also carried an indescribable unease.
After fastening the belt, she slowly raised her head and looked at the pale, bloodless face.
A low-grade fever that lasts all night would severely deplete anyone's energy.
He had done his best in yesterday's battle and was very tired. Did he really have to fight Xue Xian again today?
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi's breathing became even more disordered than his. After pondering for a long time, she finally asked softly, "Are you really going?"
Yuwen Ye glanced down at her.
He said calmly, "I brought you to Fufeng, not so you could ask me these questions before I go to war."
Upon hearing this, Shang Ruyi's eyes immediately darkened.
She lowered her head: "I know."
Donning a suit of gleaming armor, Yuwen Ye, despite his pale face and uneven breathing, still exuded a fierce aura. He looked down at her for a moment before finally softening his voice and whispering, "When duty comes, unnecessary worries must be put aside. You can be weak when I return."
After saying that, he raised his head, pushed open the door, and walked out.
Shang Ruyi gritted her teeth, turned around, and followed him out.
Mu Xian and Dai Junliang were already waiting at the entrance of the government office. As soon as they saw Yuwen Ye come out, Mu Xian immediately led the black steed that had fought alongside him yesterday to greet him. Yuwen Ye took the reins and mounted the horse.
But before they could leave, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the morning's tranquility.
Looking up, I saw soldiers guarding the city.
He galloped towards them in a panic, stopping only at the entrance of the government office. He scrambled off his horse and knelt before Yuwen Ye, crying, "General... General..."
Yuwen Ye frowned: "What?"
The man said with a mournful face, "After Lord Song left the city, he was besieged by Xue Xian's troops. He is now trying to escape back into the city, but Xue Xian's men are following closely behind. They are currently locked in a stalemate outside the city and are about to collapse."
Upon hearing this, everyone around felt a chill in their hearts.
Shang Ruyi looked at Yuwen Ye with even more worry—although there was hesitation in her words just now, she actually knew better than anyone else here that Yuwen Ye had to leave the city to rescue Song Yu.
Xue Xian crossed the river today to attack Fufeng City. If he manages to breach the city, yesterday's victory will immediately be in vain.
And Song Yu...
Although he underestimated the enemy and went into battle, he was, after all, an official appointed by the imperial court and leading the imperial army. He could not stand by and watch the enemy die. Otherwise, not only the people in the city, but also the soldiers in the army would doubt the general's authority. At that time, the morale of the army would be unstable and the people would be scattered, and Fufeng would really be in danger.
As expected, Yuwen Ye's face darkened, but he didn't say much, only waving his hand.
The soldier immediately retreated.
Yuwen Ye gripped the reins tightly. The August sun shone on him, making his already feverish body even hotter. But he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Come with me!"
"yes!"
Everyone responded and hurriedly mounted their horses.
Shang Ruyi watched their figures and suddenly said, "Mr. Mu!"
Mu Xian was about to spur his horse to follow Yuwen Ye toward the city gate, but upon hearing her voice, he immediately stopped: "Young Madam, what are your orders?"
Shang Ruyi leaned close to his ear and whispered something.
Mu Xian was stunned and stared at her in astonishment.
Shang Ruyi said, "This isn't a military order, it's just a request of mine. You can ignore it, but—"
"I see,"
Before she could finish speaking, Mu Xian interrupted her in a deep voice. He turned his head and glanced at Yuwen Ye, who was already galloping away and whose figure was getting farther and farther away. Even though he was so far away, he could still vaguely sense the unsettling weakness in Yuwen Ye's burly figure. He said in a deep voice, "This is not the first time the General has gone to war while ill, but this time, it seems a bit strange."
"..."
"Don't worry, Madam, I'll go right away!"
After saying that, he immediately mounted his horse, cracked his whip, and galloped off into the distance.
Shang Ruyi did not delay and mounted her horse to follow.
Before long, they arrived at the city gate.
Although the gates were tightly shut, the howling wind kept pounding against them, making a heavy rumbling sound; and the soldiers guarding the city tower stood on tiptoe and looked out, and could only see in the distance the dust that was being stirred up, and it seemed that people were constantly swinging their swords and fighting desperately. Even though they were so far away that they could not hear the sounds, they could still hear screams and roars echoing in everyone's ears.
And those screams and roars truly echoed throughout the entire Xiaolin River.
At this moment, Song Yu was lying on the back of his horse, desperately urging the horse forward. His back armor had just been cleaved open by Xue Xian's sword, and his shoulder was torn open, with blood flowing freely, almost staining half of his body red.
At that moment, he shouted in a hoarse voice, "Retreat! Retreat!"
However, even though those around him had heard his order, they no longer had a chance to escape.
Just now, on the riverbank, watching Xue Xian's troops cross the river, they rushed forward with full confidence, wanting to win the battle. However, they did not expect that in just one round, Xue Xian rushed up and cut Song Yu to the ground. If the surrounding troops had not rushed to protect him, he would probably have died on the spot.
After this incident, Song Yu lost all will to fight and immediately began to retreat.
His retreat played right into Xue Xian's hands. He led his men and slaughtered their way through the enemy lines, completely scattering the once well-organized army of the Lord of Fufeng. Now, Song Yu and his men were like birds caught in a trap with their wings tangled, waiting to be hunted.
Seeing that Song Yu had already retreated to the riverbank, the towering gate of Fufeng City was visible in the distance.
But he felt as if he were thousands of miles away from there.
Just as he was about to turn his horse around and gallop towards the city gate, a roar rang out beside him. Song Yu instinctively dodged to the side, and a large sword, its blade still stained with the blood of other soldiers, cleaved down from his side, nearly severing his arm. Cold sweat poured down Song Yu's back, and he could only hurriedly turn his horse around again, forced to step into the river.
The river, already stained with blood, was kicked up by the horse's hooves, creating a splash as tall as a person, which drenched him.
Other soldiers were also forced into the river. Some even tumbled off their horses and were trampled by the galloping warhorses, leaving no trace of their bodies; their flesh and blood flowed slowly down the river.
What to do? What to do?!
Song Yu was extremely anxious, especially hearing the sound of horses' hooves chasing closely behind him.
Am I really going to die here today?
Seeing his panicked and disheveled state as he fled in disarray, Xue Xian, holding a knife in one hand and the reins in the other, spurred his horse on in pursuit, a ferocious smile appeared on his face.
He hadn't been unaware that he could win today, but he hadn't expected to win so easily.
As expected, Fufeng was as easy to defeat as Yuwen Ye had predicted. The general in front of him, who could only run away with his head in his hands, was the commander-in-chief of the army that Daxing City had sent out. He was so easily defeated.
Defeating him, though not as much as defeating Yuwen Ye, would at least boost the morale of our troops.
Then, throw his head, along with the heads of the other Fufeng soldiers who died today, into the city. That will be enough to terrify those people!
Thinking of this, Xue Xian spurred his horse on, and in an instant he caught up with Song Yu. He was only half a horse's length away when he shouted and swung his crescent blade. The blade drew a bright arc in the air, carrying with it the bloody smell in the wind and his anger at yesterday's temporary defeat, and slashed down hard at the back of Song Yu's head!
At that moment, even without turning around, Song Yu felt a chill run down his spine.
He closed his eyes in despair, awaiting death.
However, excruciating pain and death did not befall him at that moment.
Instead, a piercing and heavy screech sounded behind his head, a loud "bang" that almost hurt his ears. Song Yu turned around in a panic—
A gleaming knife lay across his back, almost within millimeters of him.
They managed to block Xue Xian's crescent blade!
"—!"
Song Yu's breath caught in his throat. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked along the long blade of the Mo Dao, down to the long hilt, and then at the steady hands gripping the handle.
It's Yuwen Ye!
He was clad in gleaming armor and rode a jet-black steed. He had suddenly appeared and was now riding alongside the two of them, his sword steadily parrying Xue Xian's crescent blade.
only--
That blow had split his hand open, and blood was flowing down his face.
At this moment, not only was Song Yu still in shock, but Xue Xian, who was following closely behind, also felt incredulous for the first time. He stared wide-eyed at the person in front of him, who was almost the same as yesterday—just as brave, just as strong, and just as unstoppable.
However, there seems to be some difference.
Despite the galloping warhorse and splashing water, Xue Xian still noticed the other person's excessively pale face and bloodless lips at a glance.
Xue Xian's heart skipped a beat.
The next moment, Yuwen Ye gritted his teeth and forcefully swung the crescent blade away. Xue Xian loosened his grip, and the long blade was flung away by him, but he himself remained firmly seated on the horse, without even swaying his waist.
Xue Xian's heart stirred again.
Yuwen Ye's strength seemed to be weaker than yesterday.
But at this point, there was no time for them to think things through. After deflecting the attack, Yuwen Ye immediately said to Song Yu, "Return to the city!"
"Huh? Ah—!"
Song Yu had almost escaped death, so he dared not hesitate any longer. Just then, Yuwen Ye appeared and blocked Xue Xian, as well as several warhorses that were following him. He immediately turned his horse around and led his men toward the city gate.
Yuwen Ye immediately turned his horse around, and with a wave of his long sword, he shocked the cavalrymen who had been pressing him closely to a stop. Two of them even tumbled off their horses before they could stop.
Yuwen Ye immediately spurred his horse and turned to gallop towards the city gate.
Xue Xian was unwilling to let them go and immediately said, "Chase them!"
The men behind him were like a pack of wolves chasing their prey on the grasslands; at his command, they surged toward the city gate.
Just as they were speeding along, almost bursting through the city gates, the people inside the city turned pale with fright. Even if Rong Songyu and Yuwen Ye managed to get through by then, the city gates wouldn't have time to close, and Xue Xian's troops would certainly seize the opportunity to storm into the city!
Shang Ruyi, standing on the city tower, saw this scene and her eyes turned red.
what to do?
As they drew closer to the city gate, Xue Xian sped forward, his sinister grin sharper than the blade in his hand. If he could seize this opportunity to storm into the city, then even if Yuwen Ye was truly so valiant, he would undoubtedly be defeated in this battle!
But just as they were still hundreds of steps away from the city gate, and Song Yu had just led his troops into the city, Xue Xian's vision was suddenly cut off by a flash of blade light.
"—!"
He gasped for breath, and when he looked closely, he saw that Yuwen Ye had suddenly stopped, turned his horse around, and stood in front of him with his sword drawn, actually trying to block his way!
At this point, Xue Xian slowly came to a stop.
He looked at Yuwen Ye, who stood alone with a sword at the city gate, and sneered, "I didn't expect General Yuwen to be so diligent. My men have barely crossed the river when you've already set your sights on them."
Yuwen Ye frowned as he looked at him.
The hand that was hanging by his side, holding the Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), unconsciously pulled back a little, using his body to block his hand and, more importantly, his sword.
Because, after blocking that shot, he felt a tingling numbness in his arm.
The numbness had even spread to my shoulders.
This is not a good sign.
But when facing Xue Xian, he remained unfazed, only coldly saying, "I didn't expect this, did I?"
"oh?"
"I didn't expect that after such a crushing defeat last night, General Xue would be here so soon."
As he spoke, the sound of horses' hooves echoed behind him. It was Dai Junliang leading the other troops to meet them. Although Yuwen Ye had taken the lead and rushed out of the city gate to rescue people, it was impossible to let the general go out of the city alone. So they immediately mobilized the remaining troops and rushed forward at this moment.
Dai Junliang and Cheng Qiao each stood on one side of Yuwen Ye on horseback.
Seeing their formation, Xue Xian laughed loudly and said, "So, this is how you conduct yourself in battle?"
"..."
"If that's the case, then things will be much easier."
Yuwen Ye's eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "I do follow the rules when I fight."
"...!?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Xian in front had not yet reacted, but Dai Junliang behind him was stunned for a moment, staring wide-eyed at his back.
Just a moment ago, this general had told him that there were no rules in war, otherwise the enemy would not only break the rules, but also destroy him.
How come now, he's the opposite—
Yuwen Ye's words clearly surprised Xue Xian. He narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at the person in front of him: "Oh? What rules?"
Yuwen Ye stared at him and said, word by word, "Me."
"..."
"I am the rule!"
Dai Junliang's heart skipped a beat.
He looked up at Yuwen Ye, but before he could even get a clear look at the tall and imposing figure in front of him, who, even though he was ill, still gave people a great sense of security and seemed as strong as a mountain, Yuwen Ye suddenly raised his hand, swung his sword and spurred his horse, and charged towards Xue Xian in front of him.
"General!"
Seeing him suddenly charge forward, others might be okay, but Dai Junliang's expression changed instantly.
Only at this moment did he remember that Yuwen Ye was still ill, yet he was going to fight Xue Xian directly again, just like yesterday. Dai Junliang shouted out subconsciously, but it was too late.
Facing Yuwen Ye's charge, which was exactly the same as the night before, Xue Xian remained calm and composed. He gripped his crescent blade in the back of his hand and spurred his horse to gallop towards him. Just as the two men and their horses were about to collide, he suddenly leaned back, and Yuwen Ye's longsword narrowly passed over his horse.
The blow missed its mark, and the powerful momentum nearly caused Yuwen Ye to fall off his horse.
He quickly spurred the horse's belly to steady himself.
Just as the two horses passed each other, Xue Xian leaned back, and with one hand gripping the crescent blade, he suddenly thrust it out from the side, grazing directly across the chest of Yuwen Ye's black steed.
Suddenly, a shrill scream rang out.
Before Yuwen Ye could even react, he felt a jolt beneath him. The horse reared up with a loud neigh, its front hooves thrashing wildly.
Although Yuwen Ye gripped the horse's belly tightly, the horse was already about to fall backward.
If that's the case, I'm afraid he'll be completely crushed!
At this critical moment, Yuwen Ye could only stomp on the stirrups and leap off the horse. Sure enough, the horse overturned and fell to the ground, creating a large crater. Dust billowed up, and a jet of blood spurted from the horse's chest wound, directly hitting Yuwen Ye's face.
His eyes suddenly turned red, and he closed them.
At the same time, the sound of wind arose.
Amidst the whistling wind, an even more chilling and sharp sound crashed down from above his head.
At that moment, Dai Junliang and Cheng Qiao, who had been following behind him but were left far behind by his charge, were terrified. Cheng Qiao even shouted, "General, be careful!"
It's Xue Xian!
The instant Yuwen Ye dismounted, he too leaped off the horse that had just brushed past him. Before he even landed, he swung his crescent blade in mid-air, creating a whooshing sound as the blood-stained blade, imbued with immense force, slashed straight down toward Yuwen Ye's crown!
The power of this strike is enough to split mountains and shatter rocks!
Yuwen Ye was still half-squatting on the ground, his head and face covered in blood, making it impossible for him to open his eyes or dodge.
This strike could cleave him in two!
Just as Dai Junliang and Cheng Qiao were terrified and desperately tried to rush to Yuwen Ye's side, a dark figure suddenly rushed between them.
Before they could even see who or what it was, they heard a heavy, rumbling sound that made the ground tremble slightly, like a calf galloping wildly.
That is—
Just as everyone held their breath, almost forgetting everything in the world, watching the blade crash down, about to land on Yuwen Ye's head.
Suddenly, the cold light froze.
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