Chapter 1279 He Has Not Yet Reached His End
The soldier who was removing the bolt was startled by the roar, and the bolt on the gate fell heavily to the ground with a dull thud!
Oh no!
At that moment, Shi Yuxin, who had just led her troops on horseback at full gallop, widened her eyes in shock. But even though her furious shout echoed throughout the long street, it couldn't stop what had already happened. A heavy, mournful creak was heard, followed by a blinding ray of sunlight shining through the crack in the tall city gate, piercing her eyes.
"General, be careful!"
The loud shouts of the surrounding soldiers jolted her awake. Shi Yuxin hurriedly pulled on the reins, and the warhorse that was almost crashing into the city gate let out a long neigh. Its iron hooves left several white marks on the ground before finally coming to a stop.
Just as the soldiers stepped forward to open the city gates, Su Changjing silently waved his hand. The elite guards behind him rushed forward, protecting him and Yuwen Cheng in the center, and slowly retreated into the market area beside Zhuque Avenue. When they saw Shi Yuxin appear, their faces showed surprise, but they ran even faster.
Shi Yuxin's eyes immediately turned red when she saw them, and she pointed at Yuwen Cheng and Su Changjing: "You are rebelling!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Tiesheng suddenly came to his senses and felt deep remorse.
A ruthless glint flashed in Yuwen Cheng's eyes, but there was no time to confront her. The next moment, an even louder shout accompanied by a violent gust of wind rushed into the city gate. When the soldiers saw someone preventing them from opening the gate, they instinctively tried to close it again. However, once such a heavy gate was opened, it could not be closed hastily. Moreover, the people outside the city gate had been waiting for an opportunity to storm the city. Once they saw the gate open a crack, they would not wait any longer.
They immediately took action and forcefully pushed open the city gate!
Two loud "booms" resounded as the city gate slammed against the cold, hard walls on either side of the gate opening, producing a deafening roar like muffled thunder. A soldier who couldn't dodge in time was pinned behind the gate and let out a bloodcurdling scream.
Blood bloomed on the city wall like a poignant flower.
The next moment, a large group of people rushed in from outside the city gate, like a flood bursting through a dam. In the chaotic crowd, Shi Yuxin spotted a familiar figure at the front. His armor gleamed in the sunlight, and what shone brightest were his eyes, which had never lost their desire. Even in the dazzling sunlight, they still shone brightly, as if even the sunlight could not dim the light in his eyes.
It's Xiao Yuansui!
He led his army into the city, and the soldiers around him roared, brandished their swords, and galloped away on horseback. This scene stunned everyone. In his panic, Zhao Tiesheng turned around and saw that Yuwen Cheng and the others had disappeared without a trace. He realized that he had been tricked. Opening the city gates was simply to put everyone here, and even the people in the city behind them, under swords.
Zhao Tiesheng gritted his teeth, jumped up, and shouted loudly, "Valiant Guards, kill the enemy!"
At the command, the previously panicked city guards snapped back to their senses and drew their swords to defend themselves.
But it was too late.
Xiao Yuansui's men were fully armored and armed with swords. The moment they rushed through the city gate, they were like tigers released from their cages, charging towards the soldiers. Swords flashed and blood splattered everywhere. After a few horse neighs, all the defending soldiers had fallen into pools of blood.
These people were caught up in the killing frenzy and immediately wanted to continue their charge.
After her initial panic and shock, Shi Yuxin quickly calmed down, raised her red-tasseled spear, and stretched out her long arm. A red shadow flew through the air, followed by her shout: "Kill them!"
Before she finished speaking, she had already spurred her horse and charged forward!
When Xiao Yuansui rushed into the city gate and saw that it was Shi Yuxin who was the first to block his way, he was also surprised. But he immediately calmed down. Especially when he saw that even Yuwen Cheng and Su Changjing had dodged to the side, but she rushed up, Xiao Yuansui's face darkened. He immediately drew his horizontal sword and swung it hard. A cold light flashed in the air.
On the long street, two riders, leading their followers, collided like dark clouds swept by a hurricane, instantly unleashing a thunderous roar that echoed through the empty street.
"clang--!"
The spear and the sword clashed, sparks flying everywhere.
Without stopping, Xiao Yuansui gripped the horse's belly with both hands while holding his sword, propelling the warhorse forward. The blade of his sword sliced across the shaft of the spear, and a burst of sparks flew along the spear toward Shi Yuxin's tiger's mouth.
Just as their warhorses passed each other without stopping, and the blade was about to slash at Shi Yuxin's hand, Shi Yuxin hurriedly let go. The spear flew forward more than ten feet through the air along the force of her hand. At the same time, Shi Yuxin suddenly bent her waist and leaned back, barely avoiding Xiao Yuansui's blade that was suddenly swung towards her throat. Then she immediately straightened up, raised her hand to intercept the spear's end, and without pausing for a moment, she twisted her wrist and thrust it back behind her!
"General, be careful!"
The soldiers behind the two had already rushed up and started a chaotic melee. Several soldiers screamed in fright when they saw this dangerous scene.
Just as Shi Yuxin's red-tasseled spear was about to pierce Xiao Yuansui's back, he suddenly turned around, forcefully swung his horizontal saber, and blocked the spear!
That was close!
The people around were terrified, and when they saw Shi Yuxin immediately turn her horse around and continue her attack with her spear, they couldn't help but feel scared.
These people weren't unfamiliar with Shi Yuxin; after all, she had participated in the Battle of Luoyang. However, her plan to attack Chang'an was thwarted at Huyang Valley, and she was captured by Shen Tu Tai in the Battle of Huiluocang. Therefore, in everyone's eyes, this female general seemed to have no real talent or ability, and only had her current status and position due to the protection of her ancestors.
But at this moment, she and Xiao Yuansui fought on horseback. One wielded a long spear with great force, while the other held a sword with a cold glint in its hand. They were not at a disadvantage. Only then did everyone realize that perhaps this female general was not as they thought.
Women are not entirely useless on the battlefield.
At this moment, Shi Yuxin, despite her narrowly missed attack, was not discouraged. She turned her horse around and immediately brandished her spear to fight again. Her spear technique was fierce and swift, the spear moving like a dragon, sometimes thrusting straight, sometimes sweeping horizontally. Red cherries flashed before Xiao Yuansui's eyes, like blood flowers constantly intertwining and blooming in the air. Xiao Yuansui was not to be outdone. Although his swordsmanship was not as domineering as Yuwen Ye's, it was steady and profound. The angles of his sword strikes were tricky and insidious, and the force of each strike was extremely powerful. Wherever the blade passed, the air seemed to be torn apart, emitting a faint buzzing sound.
The crisp clanging sounds continued, and in an instant, the two had exchanged dozens of blows on their warhorses.
Seeing that he could not win for a long time, Shi Yuxin, as a woman, although her spear skills were swift and her martial arts were no less than those of men, ultimately suffered from a lack of strength. After a while, her arms gradually felt sore and weak. Xiao Yuansui also saw through her sluggish spear thrusts and lack of strength. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly slashed down with his sword, aiming straight for her left shoulder.
Shi Yuxin quickly gripped the gun with both hands and forcefully blocked the attack!
Xiao Yuansui remained calm and pressed down hard, causing Shi Yuxin's arm to bend immediately. As the two horses surged forward, their weapons clashed, resulting in a stalemate.
Shi Yuxin gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice, "Xiao Yuansui, you and I are old acquaintances, and I do not want to be your enemy."
Xiao Yuansui raised his eyes, his bright eyes looking at her through the cold glint of the blade, his gaze still sharp: "You are not worthy to be my enemy."
Shi Yuxin frowned slightly, but was not angered by him: "Then, who is worthy?"
"..."
Xiao Yuansui didn't speak, but a glint flashed in his eyes at that moment. He was never one to show his emotions, but at this moment, it seemed as if his thoughts were written all over his face. Shi Yuxin, as if she knew everything, let out a deep breath, still using her hands to resist the horizontal blade in his hand with all her might. Her arms gradually stretched out, and she actually managed to withstand Xiao Yuansui's strong pressure.
The two remained locked in a stalemate, while the surrounding soldiers, not slacking off, charged into a fierce battle. In an instant, swords flashed, blood and flesh flew, and roars and screams mingled into chaos at the city gate.
Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, Shi Yuxin suddenly sensed danger approaching!
She instinctively dodged, but the force Xiao Yuansui exerted on her spear slowed her dodge for a moment. With a "whoosh," an arrow flew over and grazed her arm.
"Hmm!"
Shi Yu cried out in pain. He was hit by the sharp wind of the arrow and almost fell off his horse. He could only barely keep his balance by squeezing the horse's belly tightly, but blood immediately gushed from his arm!
Those around who witnessed this scene shouted, "General!"
Shi Yuxin reluctantly turned her horse around and took a few steps back. Then she looked up at the direction from which the arrow had come. It was the direction from which Yuwen Cheng and Su Changjing had just retreated from the market. A figure flashed through the narrow alley and then hurriedly ran away.
It was them! Not only did they open the city gates and let Xiao Yuansui into the city, but they also launched a sneak attack on me at this moment!
Shi Yuxin gritted her teeth in hatred, one hand covering her wound, blood immediately gushing out from between her fingers. Xiao Yuansui also glanced back at the direction from which the arrow had come, a contemptuous sneer on his face: "You can't even unite your own people now, how can you fight against me?"
"..."
"Why not come with me and accomplish great things together?"
Shi Yuxin gritted her teeth and endured the initial excruciating pain. As the wound on her arm gradually went numb, she caught her breath and said in a deep voice, "You are incapable of achieving great things."
"...!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuansui's eyes darkened instantly.
But he refused to admit defeat. After a moment of silence, he looked up at Shi Yuxin again: "Who can?"
"..."
"Yuwen Ye?"
"..."
Where is he now?
Shi Yuxin said coldly, "He is where he belongs."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuansui suddenly realized something, and his expression became even more solemn—yes, he was ordered to intercept Yuwen Ye on the Tongguan Road. Although Yuwen Qian and Yuwen Cheng did not expect him to succeed in one strike, they were certain that Yuwen Ye would take this road to leave Tongguan and go to Luoyang.
However, as he rushed back to Chang'an from Taolin Pass, he did not encounter Yuwen Ye's entourage along the way!
Thinking of this, Xiao Yuansui's face darkened: "He's still in the city?"
But he immediately dismissed the idea. If Yuwen Ye were still in the city, Yuwen Cheng would never have been able to come here to "help" him open the city gate, and Shi Yuxin would not have been able to come to the city gate to stop him.
Could it be that he has already left?
But if he has already left, why didn't I meet him on the way?
He is where he should be, but where is that?
This series of chaotic questions crashed and roared through Xiao Yuansui's mind like surging waves, leaving him somewhat dazed. He then realized that some things were not what he had expected.
"you--"
He was about to say something when the soldiers around him suddenly shouted, "General!"
"General, be careful!"
"They're about to fire their arrows!"
Not only his men, but also Shi Yuxin's subordinates retreated and shouted at her. Shi Yuxin hurriedly looked up and saw that Zhao Tiesheng, who had just blocked the city gate from opening in time, had already climbed up the city wall along the steps. He had only run halfway up when he shouted at the top.
"The enemy has entered the city! Archers, prepare!"
Before the soldiers on the city wall could react, and unaware of what was happening below, they were busy firing arrows down from the wall. They discovered that all the enemies near the city gate had vanished. Only when they heard screams coming from inside the city gate did they realize that Xiao Yuansui and his men had breached the city gate. They were terrified. It wasn't until they heard Zhao Tiesheng's order that they immediately changed direction, drew their bows, and aimed countless arrows, gleaming with cold light, at the Vermilion Bird Avenue inside the city gate.
Shi Yuxin and her people were also within range of these people!
Shi Yuxin's eyes were bloodshot with rage. She quickly released her injured arm, tightened the reins with one hand, and pulled hard, almost twisting the horse's head backward. The horse let out a long, shrill neigh, accompanied by Shi Yuxin's shout: "Everyone, retreat!"
No one dared to delay, and they hurriedly retreated to the markets on both sides.
Shi Yuxin had already turned her horse around and galloped towards the other end of the long street.
"Release the arrows!"
Zhao Tiesheng's hoarse roar echoed throughout Mingde Gate, followed by countless arrows flying towards Zhuque Avenue like meteors.
Xiao Yuansui reacted extremely quickly. The instant the arrows were aimed at him, he immediately raised his sword and shouted, "Run!"
His men dared not delay and rushed forward. Arrows rained down like a storm, striking dozens of men in an instant. They screamed and fell to the ground, lifeless. But amidst this rain of arrows, Xiao Yuansui and his men spurred their horses on, galloping several dozen feet in an instant. The archers refused to give up and drew their arrows to shoot at them again, but these men had already escaped the arrows' range. Those nearby immediately scattered and retreated into the surrounding market areas, beyond the reach of the arrows.
Zhao Tiesheng stomped his foot angrily, then turned back to look at the still-shaken soldiers on the city wall and waved his hand, saying, "Hurry up and come down with me. If these chaotic troops are allowed to storm the palace, our entire clan will be doomed!"
These people, covered in cold sweat, readily accepted the order.
Some of them quickly struck gongs to warn the surrounding city gates and the patrolling guards, while others slung bows and arrows over their shoulders, picked up swords, and quickly assembled to follow Zhao Tiesheng in pursuit.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuansui led his men, dodging the rain of arrows behind them, and sped forward, soon reaching the middle section of Vermilion Bird Avenue.
There was almost no one there, and no guards to stop them.
The soldiers surrounding him suddenly became excited, their eyes red as they shouted at him, "Brother, we've broken in!"
"Chang'an City is ours now!"
"Big brother, what should we do now?"
These excited and carefree shouts finally brought him back to his senses. Xiao Yuansui abruptly pulled his gaze away from the figures of Shi Yuxin and the others who had already hidden in the streets and alleys of the city. Looking around again, he saw the familiar streets, the familiar markets, and the wide and straight avenue in front of him, leading to the north, which seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. That was the very center of Chang'an, and the most important center in the world!
The Imperial Palace!
However, a familiar figure suddenly flashed through his mind.
If Yuwen Ye isn't in the city, then where is she?
Did they go with them too? Did they also avoid these dangers?
If that's the case...
Xiao Yuansui gritted his teeth and shook off the lingering image in his mind—now was not the time to think about her, after all, he had not yet reached the end of his road.
So he raised his arm, pointed to the other end of Vermilion Bird Avenue, and said in a deep voice, "Chang'an is not ours yet, it belongs to him. Only by taking him will Chang'an be ours!"
After saying that, he waved to the soldiers behind him: "On my command, charge into the palace!"
Some of these soldiers were terrified when they learned of the impending rebellion last night. In fact, many of them had fled along the way. However, some of the bolder ones followed him back. They never expected that the most difficult city gate to be attacked would be breached so easily. The imperial palace was right in front of them, and the wealth and power of the world were within their grasp.
How could they not go crazy?
Then a group of people started shouting like madmen: "Charge in! Kill—!"
Just as the battle cries shook the Blood Sparrow Avenue as Xiao Yuansui led his troops toward the palace, in another dark corner, Yuwen Cheng was also leading his men north. Hearing the battle cries, Yuwen Cheng's lips curled slightly, as if everything was under his control.
Su Changjing, who was standing beside him, had just waved for the archer to return to his unit when he turned to look at him again: "Your Highness, what should we do next? Go to the palace too?"
"Of course not."
"No? Then where are we going?"
Yuwen Cheng said, "Didn't you notice just now? Shi Yuxin came, but my second sister-in-law didn't show up."
Su Changjing's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood: "Your Highness wants to—"
Yuwen Cheng said, "This is an opportunity that will not come again. You must immediately lead the elite guards to the Prince of Qin's residence!"
"yes!"
Su Changjing accepted the order and immediately turned his horse around to lead his elite guards away, but after taking only two steps, he stopped and turned back to look at Yuwen Cheng: "Your Highness, what about you?"
Yuwen Cheng said, "Of course I'll go and make things even more chaotic!"
After saying that, he suddenly pointed at the archer from before: "Come with me!"
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