The Strife of Chaos Chapter Sixty-Three: The Heroic Spirit of the Yang Clan Rides to Battle Once More

The next day, at Kaiyan Pass.

“General, the Mongol army is outside the city, calling for battle,” a soldier reported in the main hall.

“Is that so? Among you newcomers, is there anyone willing to lead the army out to fight?” Xue Rengui asked the assembled generals in a loud voice.

Among them were some of Xue Rengui’s former officers, but the majority were newly conscripted soldiers and commanders from across the country. Of course, this included Yang Ruiyun.

The new commanders looked at one another uncertainly. At last, one of them stepped forward of his own accord.

“I am willing to fight the enemy.”

Xue Rengui did not ask his name or where he came from. He simply nodded and said, “I wish you a victorious return.”

The general smiled faintly, saluted, and replied, “Thank you, General.” With that, he took up his weapon and left, brimming with confidence.

Not long after, a soldier hurried into the hall to report, “General, General Sun has been slain by the Mongol commander in just three rounds.”

“What? Impossible! General Sun is a master of martial arts!”

“Yes, in the previous battle, General Sun slaughtered countless foes!”

“How strong must the enemy commander be?” Those who knew the prowess of the fallen warrior began to murmur in consternation.

“Silence!” With a single command, the commotion instantly ceased.

“Who else is willing to go out and fight?” Xue Rengui asked again.

A heavy silence fell. General Sun’s martial prowess was among the best in this group, yet he had been killed in just three bouts. Who among them dared to step forward and court death?

“General, I am willing to fight,” declared one of Kaiyan Pass’s original officers.

But Xue Rengui shook his head and looked toward the group of soldiers, who began inching backward.

“Do none of you dare to enter the fray?”

Seeing none respond, Yang Ruiyun, the only one unmoved, was pushed to the front. Observing the expressions around him, he knew the moment had come. He stepped forward impassively and declared, “Yang Ruiyun of Beitong Pass requests to engage the enemy.”

Xue Rengui smiled. “Five years ago, Han had a famed cavalry archer named Guan Yu, once unknown, who made his name by beheading Hua Xiong after a cup of warm wine. Young Yang, I await your victorious return.”

“Thank you, General.” Without hesitation, Yang Ruiyun strode toward the battlefield.

Hearing Xue Rengui’s words, those below sneered openly. Who was Guan Yu? Once an obscure cavalryman, in just five years he became a legend—crossing five passes, slaying six generals, and now the foremost warrior of Shu Han, one of the three great powers of Han. How could an unknown youth, delicate as a woman, be compared to the great General Guan Yu? Only Yang Ruiyun understood: Xue Rengui was building his reputation.

A group of gloating onlookers began to wager on the outcome. “I bet he won’t last two rounds before he’s dead.”

“I think that pretty boy won’t even draw his weapon before he’s killed, ha!”

Xue Rengui alone remained silent, unconcerned with their idle talk.

In the military camp.

“Brother Yang Hu, prepare the troops at once. We are going to battle,” Yang Ruiyun said, taking the silver spear handed to him by Yang Hu and vaulting onto his white warhorse.

“Just the two of us?” Yang Hu asked.

“That’s right. I’ll fight in the vanguard, you’ll lead the vanguard contingent. Be ready to engage at any moment,” Yang Ruiyun instructed simply.

“Understood.” A soldier by birth, Yang Hu immediately shifted into command, organizing the troops with efficiency. Soon, the pair led their men to the battlefield.

Outside Kaiyan Pass, tens of thousands of Mongol soldiers stood fully armed. At the forefront, an arrogant, long-bearded Mongol general brandished a long spear and shouted loudly.

“Hey, Tang pup, is there no one to face me? My blade thirsts for blood!”

Seeing a detachment of white-armored cavalry emerge slowly from the city gate, the Mongol general’s arrogance only grew. He slammed his weapon into the ground and, clutching his belly, burst into laughter.

“Haha! Are there no men left in Tang? You send a woman to the battlefield!” he jeered, waving his hand and calling out to Yang Ruiyun, “Lovely lady, the men of Tang must be useless. Why don’t you come home with me? I’ll treat you well. We Mongol men are made of sterner stuff!”

His words echoed across the field, drawing laughter from the Mongol ranks. On the Tang side, the atmosphere was grim. Yang Ruiyun, at the head of his contingent, looked thunderous. He knew he was handsome, but he detested being mocked for his appearance.

“Master, stay calm. On the battlefield, do not let the enemy’s words unsettle you,” Yang Hu reminded him.

Yang Ruiyun caught himself and silently admitted his own inexperience. “I understand. But I will take his head before this day is done.”

Meanwhile, on the Mongol viewing platform, a young noble turned to the general beside him, Huren’er, and cautioned, “General, you should warn our men to be careful. If I’m not mistaken, that white-armored cavalry swept the field yesterday, unstoppable. They are not to be underestimated.”

“Do not worry, Your Highness. Facing them is my finest general, a commander of the Mongol cavalry—his strength is unmatched,” Huren’er replied with unwavering confidence.

Seeing his warning dismissed, Lichen could only sigh. “I hope you’re right.”

Back on the battlefield, the two armies faced each other with solemnity.

“I won’t show mercy just because you’re a woman. Be careful, girl,” the long-bearded general taunted.

Yang Ruiyun gave no reply, only tightened his grip on his silver spear. Pale silver martial energy coiled around the weapon. With a press on the reins, he charged fiercely at the Mongol general.

Seeing his opponent’s attack, the long-bearded general’s demeanor turned serious. A veteran of countless battles, he did not believe the Tang would send a sacrificial pawn. If this person dared to fight, he must have confidence in his strength.

A gray martial aura gathered around him; his warhorse leapt forward to meet Yang Ruiyun head-on. In battle, there is no holding back—both combatants unleashed their full might. A spectral gray wolf materialized around the Mongol general, charging at Yang Ruiyun alongside its master.

Around Yang Ruiyun, a figure in silver armor appeared. In a flash of light, Yang Ruiyun was suddenly before the long-bearded general, who had no time to be surprised. The sharp spear pierced straight through his chest—his carefully crafted armor shredded like paper, offering no protection. Even his vaunted martial shield was no more than mist before the spear.

“You… really are… a man.” With those final words, the Mongol general’s eyes widened in shock as he tumbled from his horse.

In a heartbeat, it was over. The Mongol soldiers’ laughter had not yet faded, but their commander already lay dead on the ground—as if in a dream. Some, unable to believe their eyes, were about to rub them for clarity. But Yang Ruiyun gave them no time. Vaulting back onto his horse, he leveled his spear, and his entire army moved as one.

Silver martial energy ignited around every soldier, linking them together—one to two, two to four, four to eight—until the entire force moved as a single entity.

“Is that a military martial formation?” The Mongol soldiers, just realizing something was wrong, collided headlong with the Silver Spear Cavalry.

A massive, heroic soul manifested above the army, far larger and more tangible than the one that had appeared for Yang Ruiyun alone. The patterns on its armor were clear, and the spirit in its eyes was almost real.

“The Yang family of Tianbo Mansion—Yang Yanping, presents himself!” A deep voice echoed across the battlefield. Though simple, the words sent a shudder through many soldiers’ hearts; never had they seen a martial soul speak. A spiritual pressure struck at their very cores.

“Shadow of Peace!” At Yang Ruiyun’s command, four thousand soldiers raised their spears as one, mirroring his signature technique. In the next instant, four thousand spears shot skyward, densely packed. Led by the massive Quliu Alloy Spear, they rained down on the Mongol ranks like a storm.

Countless Mongol soldiers were skewered by the descending spears, dying without ever understanding how. The lucky ones escaped impalement, but when the colossal spear crashed into the already disordered army, a deadly aura erupted, cutting down any it touched and snuffing out all remaining life in an instant.

The Silver Spear Cavalry did not rest; four thousand riders charged into the Mongol formation, pulling up the fallen spears and beginning another round of slaughter.

“Retreat! Fall back! Archers, cover the withdrawal!” Huren’er, quick to react, immediately ordered a retreat.

Of the original force of over ten thousand, only a few thousand scattered survivors managed to flee back to their main camp. Seeing the enemy retreat, Yang Ruiyun raised his spear, signaling his men to cease pursuit. He well remembered the principle: never chase a desperate foe. Their surprise attack had succeeded, but pressing the attack would only invite the enemy’s military formation into action.

Carrying the enemy commander’s head, Yang Ruiyun led his troops back into the city.

In the main hall, Yang Ruiyun entered with the cool composure of a gentle breeze. He tossed the severed head to the floor and saluted.

“Yang Ruiyun of Beitong Pass has taken the enemy general’s head. The Mongols resisted, but with my four thousand cavalry, I slew over seven thousand of their number.”

The hall, noisy just moments before, fell instantly silent. If not for the fresh blood on his white armor and the fierce countenance of the severed head, none would have believed that this unremarkable youth was so formidable.

“Well done. Yang Ruiyun has established first merit. I wish to appoint him Vanguard of the Western Campaign. Does anyone object?”

Not a sound was heard below; no one dared speak. Even such a high office as Vanguard was now to be bestowed upon a newly emerged young officer. It was clear to all that, should he survive, he would become a general of the age.

Seeing no objections, Xue Rengui smiled with satisfaction. “So be it. Yang Ruiyun, receive your command.”

“Thank you, General.”