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墨書 Inktalez
Yu Jianyuan's return truly unsettled Zhao Zhen. It seemed that the number of Hua Gang members was no less than his own, and he couldn't fathom where they had come from. What about those who had gone to ambush his stronghold? Zhao Zhen found it difficult to make sense of it all and could only wait for Yu Jianyuan to provide some answers.
Stepping out from the crowd, Zhao Zhen moved forward, scanning the ranks of Hua Gang but not spotting Guan Chao. Although he felt a twinge of suspicion, he knew there were more pressing matters at hand and couldn't afford to dwell on the traitor.
His gaze finally settled on Yu Jianyuan. This was not their first encounter; previously, they had merely exchanged glances before fleeing in haste, never having the chance for a calm discussion.
Tonight was a decisive moment. While he still couldn't maintain his composure, at least they could speak roughly.
Before the battle commenced, it was customary in Huaguo to exchange insults with the enemy.
"Yu Jianyuan, it seems I have indeed caught sight of you. You’ve sent your people marching towards my stronghold; it must be for my benefit. But what does that matter? I have half an army here that you won't be able to chew through anytime soon. As long as my reinforcements arrive, you won't be able to do anything to me."
Hearing Zhao Zhen's bravado, Yu Jianyuan couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Even when facing death, Zhao Zhen could still be so spirited; it was quite commendable for this Unification Alliance leader. Once Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Yu Jianyuan suddenly broke into applause. In the stillness of the night, such clapping felt eerily unsettling amidst the tense atmosphere.
After a moment, Yu Jianyuan stopped clapping and said loudly, "Zhao Alliance Leader is correct; however, I wonder how long it will take for your reinforcements to arrive."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Jianyuan slowly raised his right hand. One of his subordinates nearby shouted loudly, and then the members of Hua Gang surged forward like a tide towards the Unification Alliance.
The scene erupted into chaos; blades flashed and cries filled the air as steel clashed against steel. The tumultuous sounds of battle echoed everywhere as waves of people surged fiercely and grandly.
On Zhao Zhen's side, a melee had already begun, while Jiang Fa found himself in a dire situation.
Initially excited at what he thought would be a mere formality, Jiang Fa led his troops at full speed toward Hua Gang's stronghold, arriving ten minutes earlier than expected. Just as Zhao Zhen had predicted, the vast stronghold was empty. Jiang Fa felt immense joy and completely forgot Zhao Zhen's earlier warning about setting up defenses immediately upon success, thus sowing the seeds of disaster.
Before he could settle in, a commotion erupted outside. When he went out to investigate, he found Hua Gang members had appeared from nowhere and launched a surprise attack while his forces were unprepared. Although their numbers were small, their suddenness caused significant losses in combat power.
What infuriated Jiang Fa even more was that after successfully striking, Hua Gang retreated. He quickly dispatched men to pursue them with a large force. However, just as they ventured out of sight, another group of Hua Gang members appeared from behind with similar numbers and launched another surprise attack on them. Jiang Fa was furious and hastily ordered his pursuing troops back. Yet how could the mobility of a large force compare to smaller units? As the Unification Alliance retreated, they were met with a counterattack from the very Hua Gang members they had been chasing, resulting in further losses among their ranks. By the time they returned, the second wave of attackers from Hua Gang had vanished without a trace.
Jiang Fa had just been in high spirits due to his recent achievements when the two surprise attacks shattered his mood. He learned from experience and immediately ordered defensive measures to be put in place, determined to hold the line. However, just as everything was set up, he received a message from Zhao Zhen instructing him to abandon his position and rush to their aid. It was then that Jiang Fa truly realized something was amiss; it turned out that he had not outsmarted Hua Gang, but rather had fallen into their trap.
The journey to provide assistance was fraught with complications. The earlier two waves of Hua Gang's ambush teams had hidden along the route from Hua Gang's base to the rescue point, waiting for Jiang Fa and his men to pass. When they did, the attackers struck suddenly, managing to inflict damage before retreating. Anxious to help Zhao Zhen, Jiang Fa could not afford to chase them down for long, playing right into their hands. All along the way, Hua Gang trailed behind the Unification Alliance, striking a few blows before fleeing whenever Jiang Fa attempted to pursue. Lacking the resolve to leave some of his men behind to fend off Hua Gang, fearing that he would arrive at Zhao Zhen's location with too few troops to ensure their survival, Jiang Fa pressed on in this stop-and-go manner until he finally reached Zhao Zhen's position.
Unfortunately, by the time Jiang Fa arrived, Zhao Zhen's forces had been reduced to a mere remnant, and his own troops were in disarray. The remnants faced each other in a state of despair, unable to turn the tide.
Yu Jianyuan ordered the two beleaguered leaders to reunite amidst the chaos. The battlefield was still littered with debris, and the dark red stains under the moonlight looked grotesque.
"Zhao Alliance Leader," Yu Jianyuan remarked mockingly, "your reinforcements have arrived, but can they change the outcome of this battle?"
At that moment, Zhao Zhen was exhausted; his legs and right arm bore wounds from blades, blood soaking through his clothes. He looked utterly defeated. Yet, despite his condition, his ability to fight on until now had earned Yu Jianyuan's respect. Though Yu was known for his jealousy and arrogance, he couldn't help but admire Zhao Zhen's spirit of bravery. If Wu Li were present, he would undoubtedly give a thumbs-up.
Hearing Yu Jianyuan's taunt only fueled Zhao Zhen's anger; his eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Yu. However, in times of war, victory and defeat were all that mattered—no amount of resentment could change that.
"Yu Jianyuan!" Zhao Zhen pushed away Jiang Fa, who was supporting him, and shouted with all his strength, "I, Zhao Zhen, admit my defeat today! If you want to kill me or torture me, just do it quickly; I won't flinch."
Yu Jianyuan chuckled at this and replied, "Zhao Alliance Leader, why would I want to kill you? You have graciously surrendered Zhangjia City; I should be thanking you instead of holding a grudge. Take your brothers back to Jin Province. I look forward to our next battle there."
Zhao Zhen paused in disbelief and asked cautiously, "You truly won't kill me?"
Yu Jianyuan nodded earnestly. "Indeed. Everything that has transpired today is largely due to Alliance Leader Guan's influence. Once you return home, as long as you shift the blame onto Alliance Leader Guan, you can still sit comfortably on your throne as Jin Alliance Leader."
Zhao Zhen scanned the area again but did not see Guan Chao among them. Coupled with Yu Jianyuan's words, a flicker of understanding began to form in his mind.
However, just as this thought emerged, Zhao Zhen forcefully suppressed it because at that moment—regardless of what the truth was—Guan Chao had to be held responsible.
"Very well," he said finally. "But I won't thank Brother Yu for this. When we meet next time, everything I've endured today will be repaid in full. Until we meet again!"
Zhao Zhen finished and left with the remaining gang members in a disheveled state. Once they disappeared from sight and the battlefield began to be cleared, Wu Li suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Brother Yu, I couldn't find Guan Chao. Damn it, I don't know how he slipped away."
Wu Li was filled with resentment; this anger had not been resolved, but he held back a deep breath.
Hearing Wu Li's report, Yu Jianyuan frowned. Since the battle began, they had been keeping an eye on Guan Chao. He had managed to slip out of the crowd and was still within their surveillance range, but that cunning fox had escaped nonetheless.
In Yu Jianyuan's view, Guan Chao's escape was far more dangerous than letting Zhao Zhen go.
"Sigh! There must have been a lapse! But it’s fine; he’s now like a stray dog and won’t stir up much trouble. Inform the other brothers in the gang and Hurricane to be on guard against him taking advantage of any openings. A resentful tiger is not scary; it’s the hidden and patient fox that suddenly strikes that hurts the most."
(To be continued)
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