Chapter 47: Watch Me Turn Their Own Scheme Against Them

Zhou Tong... dead?

For a moment, everyone's gaze froze, focusing entirely on Zhang Muyang standing proudly in the center. Their eyes were filled with shock, awe, and utter disbelief.

A mere Centurion had slain a Battalion Commander in broad daylight?

Flesh-Tempering Realm, Bone-Tempering Realm, Vein-Tempering Realm!

There was a gap of two major realms between the two sides. How... how could this be possible?

Even though it had happened right before their very eyes, they still dared not believe it was true.

The blood was slowly swallowed by the Cold Feather Saber.

Zhang Muyang cupped his fists, dropping to one knee. "Reporting to the Vice Commanders: owing to my unpolished skills and a momentary slip of the hand, I accidentally slew Battalion Commander Zhou... I am ready to accept any military punishment."

Zhou Chong's face was as pale as paper. He stared fixedly at Zhang Muyang, biting his lips until they bled, yet he could not utter a single word.

Absolute silence!

This was a fierce warrior who had just used thunderous methods to cut down someone in the Vein-Tempering Realm!

Who would dare question him?

"Hahaha!"

Wu Kexiong cared little for such concerns. He strode forward, giving Zhang Muyang's shoulder a hearty slap, and laughed loudly, "Well done! That damn well satisfies me! The soldiers under my command are simply the best!"

Up on the commanding platform, Wang Shibei understood the situation completely.

Zhou Chong had colluded with Northern Yan and poisoned General Xiao Lie. Since Zhou Chong could not be moved at present, Zhang Muyang slaying his younger brother Zhou Tong was tantamount to cutting off one of his arms—the sharpest possible warning and retaliation!

This move was ruthless and resolute!

A storm of turbulent waves was already raging in Wang Shibei's heart. He had never expected Zhang Muyang's strength to be so formidable; keeping him at the rank of a mere Centurion was truly wasting his talent.

What a pity...

Having just been promoted, they could only wait for the time being.

Wang Shibei gave Zhang Muyang a deep look, his voice carrying across the entire drill grounds: "In this battle, both parties voluntarily signed a life-and-death pact for a fair sparring match, where casualties matters not! What talk of punishment is there? According to the pre-battle agreement, the Profound Light Armor left behind by Zhou Tong shall belong to Zhang Muyang!"

"This general thanks Vice Commander Wang!" Zhang Muyang cupped his fists once more, then said, "This general requests permission to don the armor immediately, that I may meet the formidable enemy!"

"Granted!"

With a wave of Wang Shibei's hand, several soldiers immediately stepped forward. With swift and practiced movements, they removed the armor shining with a deep cyan luster from Zhou Tong's body, handing it solemnly to Zhang Muyang.

Su Ying and Zhang Xiaobei quickly stepped up to assist Zhang Muyang in putting on the armor.

Forged from refined steel, the Profound Light Armor possessed a chilling dark-cyan hue. Its structure was intricate, yet it was lighter than expected. Most eye-catching were the three circular heart-protecting mirrors embedded on the chest and back, polished to a mirror-like smoothness. The entire suit exuded an aura of stern slaughter forged through a thousand battles.

Standing armored and upright, with the Profound Light gleaming and the Cold Feather at his waist, Zhang Muyang's presence surged abruptly, resembling a youthful god of war stepping out from the battlefield.

This scene was undoubtedly pouring salt heavily upon Zhou Chong's bleeding wounds, trampling his remaining dignity beneath their feet.

***

Zhou Chong took a few deep breaths, his voice hoarse, "Vice Commander Wang! We have just received an urgent report from the scouts: the Northern Yan cavalry vanguard is pressing down upon us, and they are now less than thirty miles from our Zhenbei Pass! Military intelligence moves like fire; we must deploy our defenses immediately!"

"What brilliant insights does Vice Commander Zhou have?"

"The terrain outside the East City Gate is relatively flat, and the wall defenses are somewhat weak. I suggest we immediately dispatch the reinforcements from Sixian County under Vice Commander Wu to garrison the Huqiu encampment, located ten miles outside the East Gate. Relying on the advantage of their cavalry, they can reinforce the city defense while remaining ready to sally forth and harass the enemy's flanks, preventing them from throwing their full strength into attacking the city!"

The Huqiu Encampment!

Many of the generals present felt a chill in their hearts.

They were all too familiar with that place. Situated upon a low earthen mound with flat, open plains all around and no strategic defense to rely on, it was essentially an isolated and exposed death trap. Once surrounded by the Northern Yan cavalry, the entire force would be annihilated in an instant, making even retreat extremely difficult.

However, directly behind the Huqiu encampment lay the Old Dragon Ridge, blocked by natural hazards.

Whether to defend it or not held no significance whatsoever for the entire fortress defense line, nor for the Huqiu encampment itself.

This was clearly a scheme to kill with a borrowed knife!

Ma Zhiyuan shook his head, saying, "Vice Commander Wu's subordinates are local reinforcements; their equipment and training cannot compare to the elite Zhenbian Army. Is it not far too risky to garrison such a perilous ground? This matter requires further discussion."

"What Vice Commander Ma says is true, but... a lot of time ago, Vice Commander Wu guarded Hufeng Pass, using inferiority in numbers to achieve victory and repelling five thousand Blood Wolf Cavalry with brilliant battle merits. This fully demonstrates that his troops possess fierce combat strength, quite unlike ordinary local forces! I believe they will surely be able to hold the Huqiu encampment and blunt the enemy's razor-sharp edge!"

Zhou Chong glanced at Wu Kexiong, saying in a deep voice, "Vice Commander Wu need have no worries! The three thousand elite soldiers of the Zhenbian Army at my East City Gate will certainly echo and respond to your forces from afar, ready to support you at any moment so that your forces will never be reduced to fighting in isolation!"

These words were phrased impeccably, leaving no room for anyone to refute.

Wang Shibei pondered slightly, his gaze falling upon Wu Kexiong as he said gravely, "Vice Commander Wu, the Huqiu encampment is the barrier of the eastern front... and a matter of paramount importance. Can you hold it?"

Wu Kexiong took a sudden step forward, cupping his fists without the slightest hesitation. "This general obeys! While the soldiers live, Huqiu stands! If the soldiers perish, Huqiu... shall still stand!"

His voice was resolute, his determination like iron, echoing across the drill grounds with an indomitable resolve that made one's blood surge uncontrollably.

Wang Shibei cupped his fists heavily, speaking with stern solemnity, "Then I must trouble Vice Commander Wu and the brothers of Sixian County! The safety of Zhenbei Pass rests upon you all! We shall work together with one heart to drive back the Yan bandits!"

"Drive back the Yan bandits!"

"Drive back the Yan bandits!"

Ten thousand Zhenbian Army soldiers, along with reinforcements from various prefectures and counties, waved their sabers and shouted hoarsely, the sound waves shaking the heavens.

With the military strategy decided, the various units acted swiftly.

Wang Shibei led three thousand elite troops to guard the Northern Gate, which faced the greatest pressure.

Ma Zhiyuan led three thousand elite troops to guard the Western Gate.

The reinforcements from various regions served as a strategic reserve, standing ready within the city to support all points at a moment's notice.

The entire Zhenbei Pass was instantly shrouded in the heavy shadow of an impending battle, the air thick with the scent of gunpowder.

"Zhang Mu..."

Wang Shibei called out to stop Zhang Muyang. The two walked to a secluded spot and lowered their voices. "Now, everything is going according to plan... but we remain completely in the dark regarding the exact time of Northern Yan's attack, leaving us in too passive a position... Do you have a way?"

Zhang Muyang did not answer immediately; his gaze drifted toward Wu Kexiong not far away.

Heh heh!

Wu Kexiong grinned and spread his hands, saying, "Heh heh, this old man didn't say anything, and knows nothing."

"Vice Commander Wang, this matter might be somewhat difficult to handle."

"Stop playing the fool! Night raids to burn grain at Hufeng Pass, deep investigations into the general's manor... Which of these was not an audacious act? Just name your price!"

This was a head-severing job!

Zhang Muyang held up two fingers. "Two hundred taels, and I'll risk my life. Tonight, I'll find a way to sneak near the Northern Yan army camp, closely monitor their movements, and ascertain their main direction and timing of attack."

"Can you definitely complete the mission?"

"Definitely!"

"Good! Two hundred it is! I'll pay it out of my own pocket if I have to."

Wang Shibei was remarkably straightforward. His expression turned solemn as he worriedly asked, "What about you and the Sixian County reinforcements? Garrisoning the Huqiu encampment means you face nine deaths for every life."

"We will not make a desperate last stand at Huqiu."

Zhang Muyang lowered his voice even further, wisdom and a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes.

All of this was to hoodwink Zhou Chong!

Once the Northern Yan cavalry launched their attack, the Sixian County reinforcements would offer brief resistance before executing their plan to retreat immediately, falling back entirely into the Old Dragon Ridge. Amidst those towering mountains, Yan bandits lacking horses would pose no threat at all, and their only route... would be to turn and assault the East Gate with all their might.

When that time comes...

Zhang Muyang's gaze burned with fierce intensity as he stated decisively, "At that time, our unit will launch a flank attack from the mountains, while General Xiao leads the main force charging out from the East Gate... Working together from within and without, we will surely leave not a single armor piece of theirs intact!"

Hearing this, Wang Shibei's eyes flashed with brilliant light!

This was indeed a perilous gambit—a hazardous chess move wagering the fate of the entire eastern front and even Zhenbei Pass itself!

However, just as Zhang Muyang had said, faced with the crushing, Mount Tai-like pressure of Northern Yan's hundred thousand cavalry, they had no other choice but to take a desperate risk!

"Take care!"

Wang Shibei pressed a confidential letter into Wu Kexiong's hand, heavily patted the shoulders of both Wu Kexiong and Zhang Muyang, and said in a deep voice, "General Xiao has given his word: if this battle succeeds and the Northern Yan cavalry is repelled, you Sixian reinforcements shall be credited with the top merit!"

Wu Kexiong grinned and laughed, "Top merit or not doesn't matter much, shouldn't you invite us for a drink instead?"

"I will! Most certainly! I shall pour the wine for you myself!"

"Haha, then you had better prepare good wine and food in advance! Awaiting news of our triumphant return!"

Their hearty laughter could not conceal the heavy, resolute determination beneath.

Even if they won this battle... the Zhenbian Army would likely suffer heavy damage, and countless men would perish on the battlefield.