Chapter 137 Capture that woman!
No one could have imagined that this grand procession would end in such a disastrous and miserable manner.
No, it's not over yet.
After burning down the camp, the Turks began their pursuit and massacre. Because of the surprise attack, the people on this trip did not even have time to assemble. Everyone fled the camp in panic and headed south.
Even many years later, that night remained the most terrifying and unforgettable night in Shang Ruyi's memory.
Her ears were filled with screams, cries, complaints, and desperate wails. These sounds were even more suffocating than the blood that splattered on her before the people around her fell to the ground after being shot by arrows. During this time, the army of the Daye Dynasty also gathered to resist several times, but because it was too dark, the enemy's offensive was too fierce, and the fleeing crowd was chaotic, they were almost unable to stop the enemy's attack.
They had no choice but to flee!
They couldn't see the road ahead, but they could feel the bloody blades closing in from behind. Everyone became panicked prey, and even before the Turks charged forward, countless people had already been trampled to death.
The road was littered with corpses and blood, stretching for miles.
Finally, as dawn broke, they looked up and saw a tall, dark shadow on the horizon ahead. It was Yanmen County, the northernmost part of the Daye Dynasty and the last line of defense against nomadic cavalry!
Those running ahead cheered, "We've arrived! We've reached Yanmen City!"
"Run!"
"Get into the city and you'll survive, quick!"
One of the boys riding ahead couldn't help but wave his arms and shout, "Run! Let's—"
Before he could finish speaking, an arrow pierced his throat with a whoosh. Shang Ruyi's eyes widened as she watched the young man's body stiffen, sway twice, and then fall off his horse.
"ah--"
The people around screamed in fright.
Shang Ruyi's face turned deathly pale. She turned around in a panic and saw a group of Turkic cavalry galloping after them, relentlessly pursuing their small group. Several of the fastest riders brandished scimitars and charged directly into the fleeing crowd, hacking and slashing. Amid screams, several people fell from their horses and were trampled into a bloody mess by the rolling hooves. The cavalrymen behind them held bows and arrows and kept firing at them. One by one, people around Shang Ruyi fell from their horses, struck by arrows.
At that moment, they were like prey being hunted.
Death is just around the corner!
Cold sweat had completely soaked through her clothes. Instinctively, Shang Ruyi quickly lay down on the horse's back and squeezed the horse's belly tightly. The horse galloped forward, getting closer and closer to the gate of Yanmen City.
The arrows that followed grazed her body one by one, and even those that didn't hit her made her tremble with fear.
Just as Shang Ruyi turned around again, she suddenly saw a bow and a quiver of arrows tucked behind the saddle!
Last night was too chaotic, so Mu Xian haphazardly brought over a horse, and she haphazardly rode it as well. Only then did she realize that this horse was used for their patrols, and the bow and arrows were their standard patrol weapons.
Shang Ruyi was overjoyed and hurriedly picked up the bow and drew an arrow from the quiver.
Right behind her, the Turkic soldier who was pursuing her the most closely saw that she, a woman, had actually picked up a bow and arrow. He burst into laughter, brandishing his scimitar as he spurred his horse straight at Shang Ruyi, grinning maliciously, "I'll see what you've got—"
Before he could finish speaking, a flash of cold light appeared before his eyes.
The Turkic soldier felt a burning sensation in his eye sockets. Before he could react, his head was struck by a powerful force, causing it to tilt backward. Instant pain spread from his eye sockets throughout his body, and he screamed as he fell off his horse.
Those around were stunned by what they saw.
Shang Ruyi held the bow in one hand and kept the arrow-releasing posture in the other, her fingertips beginning to swell and go numb again.
Thank goodness, thank goodness...
At this moment, she only wanted to go back to a few months ago to be grateful to Yuwen Ye, who "used" her in the Taiyuan military camp. If it weren't for his provocation, she would have gradually become interested in archery after that match with Huang Gongyi, and would spend her time at home shooting arrows when she had nothing to do. She would not have had the opportunity to shoot an arrow to open a way out at this moment!
However, her arrow immediately attracted the attention of the Turkic soldiers behind her.
These people had been chasing them all night with almost no strong resistance, but they never expected that this seemingly delicate woman would shoot and kill their team leader with a single arrow!
The Turkic soldiers were immediately enraged and abandoned those around them who were fleeing for their lives, chasing after Shang Ruyi.
"Don't run!"
"I'm going to chop you into mincemeat today!"
Shang Ruyi was stunned.
Now, she wished she could go back to the moment before and give that arrogant version of herself who had pulled out a weapon a good beating.
Just follow the main force and you'll be fine. But now, although you've shot and killed one Turkic soldier, you've drawn the attention of the other Turkic soldiers to yourself. Isn't that just courting death?
She didn't even have time to cry, nor did she have time to think. As these men spurred their horses toward her, she immediately drew her arrow, lay prone on her horse, and pulled the bowstring taut. Although her fingers were trembling with tension, the Turkic soldiers behind her were chasing too closely. She didn't even have time to aim before she shot an arrow that struck the Turkic soldier right behind her in the chest.
"ah--!"
Another scream rang out as the man tumbled off his horse. The men behind him, rushing too fast, couldn't avoid him in time, and the horses' hooves trampled over his tall body, causing him to howl in agony. The horses were also tripped and fell to the ground, blocking the cavalry behind them.
Shang Ruyi was overjoyed and quickly turned around to grab the reins, urging his horse forward at full speed.
At this moment, beneath the towering city gate, the fleeing people were like sheep being chased by wolves, desperately trying to squeeze into the city gate. Shang Ruyi immediately noticed that Wang Shaoji and his imperial guards had just escorted someone into Yanmen City.
That's... His Majesty the Emperor?
So he's safe now?
At this moment, a strange feeling welled up in Shang Ruyi's heart. It seemed like a mix of regret and relief. Especially when the chaotic crowd entered the city gate, it seemed like a familiar gaze turned back to look at her among the millions of people, making her heart even more confused.
But at this moment, there's no time to worry about your feelings!
Although most people had already entered Yanmen City, he hadn't gone in yet. Moreover, those two arrows had completely enraged the Turkic soldiers behind him. Now, they abandoned their pursuit of the other scattered fugitives, and everyone rushed towards Shang Ruyi like wolves smelling blood.
Amidst the surging tide of people, the shouts of the Turkic soldiers resounded across the vast wilderness—
"Grab that woman!"
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