Yang Qiong also roared and charged forward with his silver moon spear.
Bronze axe clashed with silver spear, creating a loud clang and sparks flying. They fought fiercely in the middle of the wilderness.
The Yang family spear emphasized agility and skillful strength, combining offense and defense. Huoerhana, however, used a broad and powerful style, relying on brute force. Each clash shook Yang Qiong's hands, so he dared not meet him head-on, retreating several feet to find another strategy.
A strong opponent struck without reservation, causing greater damage than usual, but if they missed, their movements would linger longer than normal. If he could exploit this weakness, defeating the brute attack wouldn't be hard.
In the grass, Cui Yi watched their fight intently. From Huoerhana's fighting habits, it was clear he attacked recklessly, trading blows for life. This made him extremely difficult to deal with, especially since Yang Qiong was already injured...
Yes, that was the most critical point. Hopefully, Huoerhana wouldn't notice it.
On the other side, Bo Muer watched for a while and suddenly whispered: "This is bad."
Sangduo tensed up immediately: "What's wrong?"
"Yang Gongqi seems to be injured in his leg," Bo Muer frowned, pointing. "Look, he puts all his weight on his right leg, hardly using his left. When forced, his stance is unstable. He must be injured."
Sangduo peered curiously: "But we didn't see him get hurt earlier. If Huoerhana had injured him, he would have targeted the wound again. Why did nothing happen?"
Bo Muer pondered: "Probably he was already injured before. This is bad. Originally, the outcome was uncertain, but now..."
As he spoke, Yang Qiong stumbled, losing his balance. Huoerhana noticed immediately and kicked his injured left leg, causing Yang Qiong to finally kneel.
"Coming to challenge me while injured, you really underestimate me!" Huoerhana stomped on his wound, grinding it cruelly. Yang Qiong's veins bulged, gripping his spear with one hand and holding Huoerhana's ankle with the other.
Huoerhana triumphantly trampled his defeated opponent, pressing the bronze axe against Yang Qiong's throat: "To use your Central Plains phrase, next time you want to steal a woman from me, remember to look in the mirror first."
He withdrew the axe and kicked Yang Qiong, who couldn't dodge and was hit in the jaw, falling backward with stars in his eyes.
Cui Yi couldn't help but sigh deeply. Shan Jian had instructed them to prevent Yang Qiong from rescuing Lady Cheng. Unfortunately, fate played its part; Yang Qiong was already at a disadvantage due to his injuries, and Huoerhana easily crushed him.
Huoerhana seemed to disregard Yang Qiong, ridiculing him before turning to leave.
"Tell your master, whoever wants to take the disciple of the Medicine King must step over my dead body!"
The Northern Di soldiers cheered loudly as Huoerhana arrogantly walked back to his horse.
Suddenly, Yang Qiong sprang up, swinging his silver spear, a bright arc slicing through the night sky, aiming for a final blow.
But a nearby Northern Di general wouldn't let him, slashing across his abdomen, leaving a seven-inch-long wound.
Even in the darkness, the splashing blood was visible. Cui Yi straightened up, hand on his Star Abyss sword, ready to charge.
Despite Shan Jian's warning not to reveal himself to Huoerhana, he couldn't just watch Yang Qiong die.
Meanwhile, Bo Muer remained calm. Sangduo shivered nervously: "Brother, should we save him?"
"No," Bo Muer crushed a blade of grass in his hand, "Since he's determined to die, he wouldn't want interference. If we intervene, Huoerhana will become suspicious. There are still six or seven hundred Northern Di soldiers; we can't escape."
"So we just watch him die?" Sangduo's heart softened, tears threatening to fall.
Bo Muer remained silent.
Yang Qiong's failed ambush left him nearly disemboweled. This time, he truly couldn't rise. Huoerhana showed no intention of finishing him off, merely grunting and riding away.
As dawn approached, the sky lightened, and the Northern Di envoy successfully took Lady Cheng away.
Cui Yi emerged from the grass, walking toward Yang Qiong, who lay motionless, too heartbroken to care who approached.
"Get up," Cui Yi said, standing beside him.
Yang Qiong didn't move.
"Get up! Is this all it takes to bring you down?" Cui Yi shouted, kicking his shoulder, rolling him over. "A true man fears no defeat. Just because you lost once doesn't mean you should give up. Do you think this honors your ancestors or repays Lady Cheng's kindness?"
Yang Qiong lay prone, clawing at the ground, pulling up grass and pounding it.
Cui Yi watched silently. Yang Qiong slammed his forehead into the ground, crying initially suppressing his sobs, then letting out animalistic cries.
The Northern Di were far away, leaving only hoof prints and cart tracks on the plain, along with the sound of desperate sobbing.
When he finished crying, Cui Yi commanded again: "Stand up, Yang Gongqi. If you don't want Lady Cheng to suffer under Huoerhana forever, stand up like a man!"
Yang Qiong lifted his tear-streaked face, dirt and debris clinging to his skin.
He gripped his fist tightly: "I will kill him."
Cui Yi nodded: "Alright."
Yang Qiong struggled to rise, and Cui Yi helped him to his feet, guiding him toward the river.
Sangduo followed, helping clean and dress his wounds. Cui Yi asked: "Where's your brother?"
"He said he had something to do and told me to follow you." Sangduo's eyes were red, having shed many sympathetic tears. She carefully replaced the bandage on Yang Qiong's thigh, cutting away the rotting flesh with a small knife.
Yang Qiong remained silent, even when the potent medicine powder was applied, showing no reaction.
Cui Yi nodded: "Do as you wish. I'll borrow a cart from the village ahead. Sangduo, please watch over Gongqi."
Sangduo agreed, and Cui Yi rode off on Jinwu.
Sangduo caught fish, started a fire, and roasted fresh fish, offering it to Yang Qiong, who sat blankly, unresponsive.
"Don't be too upset. As the Central Plains say, victory and defeat are common in war. You've done your best. Even if this attempt fails, there will be others. We'll rescue Lady Cheng eventually, won't we?" Sangduo tried to console him.
Yang Qiong stared blankly, perhaps absorbing her words.
Sangduo handed him the skewered fish: "Eat something. Only with strength can you recover and seek revenge!"
"Oh, right, Chiyin asked me to tell you something."
Sangduo crouched in front of him: "Chiyin said you give Lady Cheng hope by living. If you destroy yourself, she'll be buried in a foreign land, never returning to the Central Plains."
Perhaps her words resonated, or he realized it himself. Yang Qiong's vacant eyes gradually returned to normal. He sighed deeply, lowered his head, and began eating.
The Northern Di envoy entered Yan Prefecture.
Night fell.
"Move aside! Move aside!"
Servants hastily retreated as Huoerhana barged into the tent.
Lady Cheng, sitting dazed in the bathtub, jumped up in fright, quickly covering herself with her arms, stammering: "What do you want? Stay back! Stay back!"
Huoerhana rubbed his thick hands together, grinning wickedly: "I'm not here to do anything. Just checking on you. You seem tense—are you expecting something from me?"
Lady Cheng turned pale, grabbing soap and towels to throw at him: "Get out! Leave! You wolf-hearted fiend, you'll never rest in peace!"
Huoerhana dodged the harmless objects, stepping closer. Lady Cheng backed away, trembling violently.
"Many people have hoped I'd never rest in peace," he enjoyed watching the woman resembling his benefactor tremble in fear, feeling immensely satisfied. "But your mother saved me, allowing me to survive. I'm grateful and wanted to repay her, but she refused."
Bo Muer, dressed in black, infiltrated the relaxed Northern Di camp effortlessly.
No one had told him not to rescue Lady Cheng. After Yang Qiong's failure, he decided to act alone. Killing Huoerhana would avenge his abducted tribesmen, and rescuing Lady Cheng would be a bonus.
Avoiding patrols, Bo Muer searched for Huoerhana's tent.
"She refused, so what! My mother healed countless lives without seeking repayment. Her kindness fed a wolf like you!" Lady Cheng's voice echoed angrily, invigorating Bo Muer. Huoerhana and Lady Cheng were together, simplifying things.
He changed course, heading toward Lady Cheng's tent.
Huoerhana snorted: "I'm the ruler of the Northern Di, highly esteemed. Could I be worse than your useless father? Your mother was shy, not daring to accept. Though she married that old fool Cheng Hu, she must still love me. She couldn't wait for me to take her. No matter, I'll love you as I loved her, so she can rest in peace."
Outside the tent, Bo Muer grimaced—Huoerhana's self-delusion was astonishing.
"Clink!" A porcelain dish shattered inside.
Lady Cheng smashed the soap dish, holding a sharp shard to her neck: "Lady Cheng has only one husband, Zhai Zicheng. Step closer, and I'll die before your eyes!"
Huoerhana chuckled, dismissing her threat: "Do you think I care about your life? Your death means no struggle, and I can do as I please. Back in Changyao, I'll hang your violated corpse on the city gate, showing everyone who dares defy me!"
Lady Cheng paled, tears welling up, but she held her head high: "I'm sworn sisters with Princess Consort Wu of the Great Chu, Longsheng. If I die, my husband will surely ask Prince Wu for help. If I die, they will avenge me. One day, Yan Prefecture's cavalry will breach Changyao, and your blood will honor my soul!"
"Enough!" Huoerhana hadn't expected such defiance, momentarily speechless. Looking at her proud face, he felt conflicted—desiring her yet fearing her death. Finally, he sneered: "Prince Wu? Ha, my eighty thousand troops await in Yanguishan. If he steps out of Yan Prefecture, he won't return."
Both Lady Cheng and Bo Muer outside were shocked—Huoerhana aimed for Yan Prefecture!
Bo Muer's mind raced. With Cui Yi and himself absent, if Huoerhana attacked Yan Prefecture, Chiyin would be in danger. If she fell into his hands, she'd suffer terribly. He needed to warn them.
But what about Lady Cheng? Should he abandon her rescue? Returning empty-handed would invite ridicule from Cui Yi. No, he must save her. Killing Huoerhana would stop the attack.
"As for Princess Consort Wu," Huoerhana continued, drawing their attention: "She's barely surviving, hidden among the Busha tribe. I dispatched troops to find her. Soon, you and your sister will meet in Changyao, becoming mine! Hahaha!"
Lady Cheng gasped, horrified. Bo Muer was enraged.
His tribespeople were hunted because Huoerhana coveted Chiyin! This shameless tyrant, stealing others' wives...
Suddenly, a question arose: "Huoerhana, knowing Chiyin was married, still desired her. Am I any different? Always thinking Cui Yi unworthy, believing I'm better suited for her. Am I like Huoerhana? In Chiyin's eyes, am I a heartless madman?"
Recalling his past hostility towards Cui Yi and their marriage, Chiyin smiled, but her expression always seemed helpless. Without his previous kindness, she might have reacted like Lady Cheng, threatening her life.
This realization dampened his resolve. His mind muddled, nearly exposing himself to Northern Di soldiers.
Should he warn Chiyin about Huoerhana's plan?
Or disappear forever?
If he appeared despicable in her eyes, meeting her again would be pointless.
Bo Muer stood on the hilltop, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, far away in Yan Prefecture, Chiyin faced her first real battle—because the Northern Di cavalry had arrived!
Chiyin woke abruptly, hearing shouts from the city gates: "Report! Urgent news from Tiger Rush Pass!"
Xiaoqiu, on night duty, jumped up, lighting lamps and dressing Chiyin hurriedly.
"What happened?" Chiyin rushed out, wearing only an outer robe.
The messenger knelt on the steps, reporting: "The Northern Di launched a night attack on Tiger Rush Pass! General Cao leads the defense. The Prince isn't here. What should we do, Lady?"
Chiyin took a deep breath—what was inevitable had come.
Xie Yong's defection was a ruse, thankfully countered by Bai Lizan's trap. Otherwise, Tiger Rush Pass would have fallen instantly.
"Stay calm, close the gates, prepare catapults, heavy crossbows, and archers on high ground. Don't let the Northern Di breach the pass!"
"Yes!"
The messenger dashed off. Chiyin rubbed her temples, exhaling tiredly.
Her military knowledge was rudimentary, and with only General Cao defending the city, holding out might be possible, but street fighting would be disastrous.
Their only hope was to hold until Cui Yi returned.
Each led a force of several thousand, and repelling the Northern Di cavalry would no longer be difficult.
"Hurry back!" Shouchong clasped her hands together, praying to the moon.
The Northern Di cavalry had come with eighty thousand troops, four times the number of the Yan Prefecture army. The siege towers and ladders stretched endlessly. The Yan Prefecture army defended Hu Ben Pass, raining arrows down like a torrential rain. When one Northern Di soldier fell from a ladder, another immediately took his place. Cao Qian angrily swung his sword, cutting off the fingers of a Northern Di soldier who was about to climb over the city wall, then raised his sword high and shouted, "For your wives, children, and elders, hold this line!"
The Yan Prefecture soldiers' cheers shook the heavens. Both sides' catapults exchanged volleys, and batches of defending soldiers were replaced, while the corpses of the Northern Di piled up thickly on the ground.
Baili Zan rushed onto the city wall, coughing from the smoke of the torches, "General Cao! Cough, cough..."
Cao Qian, covered in blood, did not turn around, "It's dangerous here, sir, go back quickly!"
"Because it's dangerous, I have to come," Baili Zan wiped away his tears and snot, "What is the situation now?"
Cao Qian kicked over a ladder, shouting back, "We can still hold on, what do you suggest, sir?"
Baili Zan, wiping his nose and tears, said, "When reinforcements arrive, please lead them in, General Cao. I will guard the gate."
"Reinforcements?" Cao Qian was puzzled, "Where are these reinforcements?"
Baili Zan couldn't speak anymore, so Cao Qian had to take him to a sheltered area temporarily.
Without the smoke, Baili Zan sneezed a few times and finally spoke clearly, "I wrote a letter to General Xu, telling him that our scouts found a large number of Northern Di cavalry outside the pass, likely to attack soon. He has promised to help us, arriving by tomorrow morning at the latest!"
General Xu? Former Yan Prefecture Governor Xu Chong? But he was almost seventy years old! Cao Qian felt like crying when he thought of the old man with his white beard going into battle again.
At this moment, a soldier rushed in to report, "Reporting to the general! A troop has broken through the enemy's encirclement and is fighting their way in!"