As time passed, the scorching sun gradually dipped below the mountainside, and the golden twilight filtered through the dense forests at the base of Mount Tai, illuminating the figures of thousands of soldiers stealthily advancing through the woods.
"Rest here for now. We'll continue up the mountain after dark!" Within the forest, the branches intertwined. Having learned from his previous mistake, Guan Yu ordered his troops to advance on foot this time.
Walking was more convenient than riding horses, and it also reduced their visibility, minimizing the risk of detection.
Guan Yu and Wei You led five thousand soldiers on this mission, the entire army crouching low in ambush within the dense forest. Without a thorough search, it would be nearly impossible to detect their presence.
"I never imagined that the bandits of Mount Tai would be so familiar with the terrain, with so many sentries watching the mountain. No wonder I was defeated so swiftly last time."
Guan Yu gazed at the faint lights flickering on the mountainside—the sentries placed by Chang Xi. At the slightest disturbance, they would pass the signal from post to post.
Before the attacking army even reached the mountainside, the news would have already reached the summit.
If Sun Guan hadn't shown Guan Yu this secluded path, they wouldn't have been able to avoid detection and reach the mountain undetected.
Seeing Guan Yu still frowning, Wei You smiled and said, "General Guan, you've been worried ever since we set out from the city. Is there something on your mind?"
"Sigh," Guan Yu didn't hide his concern and sighed deeply, "To be honest, I fear this might be another trap set by those traitors, luring us to attack the mountain again. If the bandits have laid a heavy ambush, wouldn't our army be walking into a trap?"
"Moreover, today we've deployed all the troops from the city. If we find ourselves surrounded, who would be left to lead reinforcements?"
"Hahaha," Wei You laughed heartily, undeterred, "General Guan, the Guan Yu I know wields the Green Dragon Crescent Blade with unstoppable force. But ever since you fell into the bandits' trap last time, how have you become so cautious?"
"Sigh." Guan Yu sighed again, his face flushing with embarrassment as Wei You teased him. "I was sent by my lord to eliminate these bandits, and now it's been nearly a month. "
"If our lord returns from Qingzhou and we haven't sent back a victory report, won't he be disappointed? But these bandits are cunning, and our repeated attempts at a direct assault have been thwarted, which is extremely frustrating."
Wei You chuckled, "Even the most fortified fortress often falls due to internal flaws. Let's wait here for now. If Sun Guan's information is accurate, we should be able to crush these Mount Tai bandits tonight and relieve you of this burden."
Guan Yu nodded, replying, "Let's hope so."
...
As preparations were completed, Sun Guan's camp on the mountain was also ready. Sun Kang, leading five hundred brothers, had donned matching black outfits. Both sides watched the sun slowly sink toward the cliff, their hearts filled with tension.
During the day, Wu Dun had a disagreement with Chang Xi in the Assembly Hall and returned to his camp, where he drank heavily and fell into a deep sleep, unaware that Sun Guan had already surrounded his camp with soldiers.
Finally, a full moon rose into the sky, its bright light casting a soft, cooling glow that somewhat calmed the restless hearts of the soldiers.
"Hang the lanterns!" Sun Kang, estimating that the time was right, ordered two lanterns to be hung at the gate and the gate to be opened wide in silence.
Sure enough, within the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from outside the camp. Hearing the commotion, Sun Kang estimated that no fewer than four or five thousand soldiers were on their way, and his heart relaxed.
Soon, Guan Yu and Wei You arrived with their troops. Sun Kang quickly went forward, dropping to one knee in greeting.
"Your subordinate Sun Kang, under orders from my elder brother Sun Guan, has been awaiting General Guan and Lord Wei!"
"General Sun Kang, please rise," Guan Yu, being a general himself, was unaccustomed to such formalities and quickly helped him up.
"You are now a member of our army and a colleague of mine. Such formalities are unnecessary. Once we capture Mount Tai tonight and behead the bandit leader, both you and your brother will be credited for your service."
Hearing this, Sun Kang smiled, knowing that he had secured a strong ally. "I thank you in advance! My elder brother has already surrounded Wu Dun's camp. General Guan, please lead your five thousand soldiers along the main road behind me directly to Chang Xi's camp."
" I, along with Lord Wei and these five hundred brothers, will take the small path to cut off Chang Xi's escape route. This way, there will be no chance of failure!"
"The small path?" Guan Yu looked at the five thousand soldiers behind him, then at Wei You. He still harbored some doubts about Sun Kang. "Why should we split our forces? If we attack together, wouldn't we catch Chang Xi off guard just the same?"
Sun Kang shook his head. "General, you may not know, but Chang Xi is cunning. When he built his camp, he deliberately had several secret tunnels dug."
"If the camp is attacked, he can escape through one of these tunnels, but no one knows where they lead. If he escapes, all our efforts will be in vain!"
"Hmm..." Guan Yu thought for a moment. Indeed, capturing Chang Xi was more important than simply taking Mount Tai. After exchanging a glance with Wei You, who nodded in agreement, Guan Yu relented, "Very well, we'll follow your plan."
"Thank you for your trust, General!" Sun Kang clasped his fists in salute, and the two groups set off separately toward Chang Xi's main camp.
Chang Xi's camp was located in a valley surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides, with only one wide, open side. However, the area was still littered with hidden sentries. But now that the stage was set, Guan Yu no longer worried about being discovered.
"Shout! Make as much noise as possible! We need to draw all the bandits' attention to us to cover Lord Wei's operation!" Guan Yu raised his Green Dragon Crescent Blade and rallied his troops.
The five thousand soldiers immediately let out a deafening roar, breaking the silence that had settled over the area and sending birds and animals scattering through the forest.
"Report! Chief, we're in trouble!" A small bandit stumbled into Chang Xi's sleeping quarters, shouting loudly. Startled awake from his sleep, Chang Xi was drenched in cold sweat and sat up with a jolt.
"What happened? Why are you so panicked?"
"Chief, the imperial army! A huge force is attacking the mountain!" the bandit wailed.
Chang Xi wiped his face, thinking the attack was coming from the base of the mountain, so he wasn't too alarmed. "What are you worried about? Order Sun Guan and Wu Dun to gather their troops. However many men they send, we'll drive them back!"
The bandit cried even harder, "Chief, they've already reached our main camp!"
"What!" Chang Xi was shocked. Before he could finish speaking, the sky outside lit up with flames, and the sounds of battle filled the air.
Chang Xi leaped to his feet, grabbed the bandit by the collar, and shouted, "How did the imperial army get past Sun Guan and attack us directly? What is Sun Guan doing?"
"I... I don't know..."
Chang Xi's eyes widened in horror as he realized the gravity of the situation. He remembered how Wu Dun had urged him to eliminate Sun Guan earlier that day, but he had hesitated, allowing this disaster to unfold.
"Chief!" Another bandit burst into the room. "Chief, there's a traitor in the camp! They've opened the gates, and the imperial army has stormed in! Our men are in chaos, and we're completely overwhelmed!"
Grinding his teeth in fury, Chang Xi kicked the bandit in front of him and then grabbed his large saber from the weapon rack. He shouted with determination, "Gather all the troops who can still fight and follow me into battle!"
Outside the camp, the flames raged as Guan Yu led his troops into the bandits' stronghold, aided by scouts. The bandits were caught completely off guard, scattering like headless chickens in a desperate bid to escape.
Those brave enough to fight back were quickly cut down, unable to withstand more than two moves from Guan Yu. Wherever his cold blade struck, blood sprayed, and screams echoed.
In less than half an hour, Chang Xi's main camp was in complete disarray. From the foot of Mount Tai, the blazing inferno was visible from afar.
Meanwhile, in Wu Dun's camp, he was also awakened by the commotion. Rushing outside, he saw the flames consuming Chang Xi's camp. Panic set in immediately.
Wu Dun quickly gathered his two thousand men to mount a rescue, but as soon as the gates opened, they were met by a dense barrage of arrows. The leading bandits were instantly turned into pincushions.
"Brothers, attack!" Sun Guan, who had been lying in wait outside Wu Dun's camp all evening, gave the order, and more than two thousand soldiers burst forth from the dense underbrush.
"Ambush! Close the gates!" Wu Dun frantically ordered, but it was too late. Sun Guan, leading the charge, was already inside, his soldiers following in a frenzy, fighting with a bloodthirsty zeal.
The battle quickly turned into a slaughter, with Wu Dun's forces collapsing almost immediately, forcing them to retreat back into the camp.
Recognizing the troops in front of him, Wu Dun realized they were Sun Guan's men and cursed him bitterly.
"Sun Guan! You treacherous dog! Come out here, you traitor!"
"Hahaha!" Sun Guan, hearing the insults, was not angered but amused. He slung his steel blade over his shoulder and swaggered out from his troops. "Brother, we meet again."
"Shut up! You treacherous scum! How dare you call me brother!" Wu Dun knew the truth now. Without Sun Guan's guidance, these imperial troops would never have been able to sneak up the mountain unnoticed.
Sun Guan, picking his ears with irritation, looked at Wu Dun and then wiped the blood off his blade.
"Treacherous? Wu, don't pretend to be righteous. You were the one who was plotting with Chang Xi to kill me first. There were over twenty men lying in ambush for me in the Assembly Hall. If I hadn't rebelled, I'd be dead by now!"
Sun Guan was no fool. For years, he had been oppressed by the other three leaders of the mountain. He had dreamed of this day for so long.
"Enough talk! Listen up, everyone! That scoundrel Chang Xi is finished. Anyone who doesn't want to die, put down your weapons! I'm here today to kill Wu Dun. After this battle, join me in serving General Qin Longyang and enjoy the rewards of official service. Isn't that a better life?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Dun's troops began to waver. Wu Dun was horrified, turning back to shout, "Don't be fools! Why did you become bandits in the first place? There's not a single good official in the land! Brothers, fight to the death with me, and we may still have a chance!"
But his words were met with silence. Sun Guan laughed heartily. Wu Dun, terrified, saw his own soldiers—men he had personally led—begin to lay down their weapons and kneel. His heart sank into despair.
"Fourth Chief! We surrender!"
"We surrender!"
One voice after another, and soon hundreds, then thousands of bandits followed, leaving Wu Dun standing alone in disbelief.
"Heh... Hehahaha!" Wu Dun burst into hysterical laughter. "Fate has decreed it! Fate has decreed it! Sun Guan, you opportunist scum! I'll go to the underworld first and wait to see what your end will be!"
With that, Wu Dun drew his dagger and swiftly slashed his throat. Blood gushed out as he clutched his neck, staring at Sun Guan with wide eyes until he finally collapsed.
"Hmph, still trying to act the hero at the end," Sun Guan sneered. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, chopped off Wu Dun's head, and laughed maniacally, "No matter how bad my end is, it'll be a hundred times better than yours! Hahaha!"