Zhang He was also a brave warrior, and he understood that after being ambushed, although shocked, he had become completely calm. When over a thousand cavalrymen from the left and right flanks suddenly launched their attack, Zhang He realized that if he couldn’t break through within one incense stick’s time, he and Yann Liang, along with several thousand Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry, would be trapped here!
"Charge!" Zhang He roared, and the Cloud Qi in the sky suddenly twisted fiercely before rapidly changing. It was the first time Zhang He displayed his Legion Talent in front of the people of the world.
"What is this…" Chen Xi frowned as he looked in the direction of Zhang He, where the Cloud Qi resembled dark clouds.
"Legion Talent, but it’s unknown what kind of attribute it is. However, fortunately, no matter how good the Legion Talent is, it still depends on the abilities of the commander and soldiers. They are the key; Cloud Qi and Legion Talent are just auxiliary after all." Guo Jia also frowned but felt somewhat relieved seeing the rain of arrows pouring down from the vanguard.
"It seems to be a Legion Talent that collectively enhances agility." Chen Xi frowned, encountering such a Legion Talent for the first time. Clearly, with this Legion Talent, Zhang He’s army seemed capable of collectively performing some extraordinary maneuvers.
"It’s not of much use, but if the army commands, this kind of agility can greatly improve the survival ability and combat power of the soldiers. However, it has no effect at the moment." Guo Jia nodded and chuckled. Eight thousand crossbows, indeed Mount Tai is wealthy; this would be impossible for other feudal lords.
"Eliminate them. However, it’s a pity that Zhang He, a man capable of cunning changes, unexpectedly attacked from the rear army. My forward forces will unavoidably suffer losses. Indeed, excessive killing power can also lead to insufficient defense!" Chen Xi sighed.
All Zhang He could do now was to madly charge towards Liu Bei’s Army. A volley of arrows took down at least hundreds of men, with even more dismounted. It could be said that with one go of eight thousand heavy crossbows and longbows, Zhang He’s forces lost over a thousand soldiers!
After three volleys of arrows were fired, Zhang He led his forces straight into the vanguard. The archers, armed only with single-handed swords, were slaughtered in large numbers in this onslaught. The front was a scene of carnage, but all these losses meant nothing to Zhang He; what was important was that his Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry had been cut off by the cavalry led by Sima Ju and others, and further delay would lead to complete encirclement.
"General Yann, escape!" Zhang He, leading his trusted aides, fought fiercely to reach Yann Liang’s side. By this time, Yann Liang had already been struck by several arrows, with blood soaking his armor, and the hundred soldiers who had followed him were now reduced to a mere handful.
"Jun Yi, you must flee!" Yann Liang roared, already seeing Guan Yu leading the Central Army towards them.
"If you don’t leave, we’ll all be trapped here – do you want us to die?" Zhang He shouted, "The Lord is still waiting for you to return. Do you want to leave behind regrets? Have you forgotten what the Lord said?"
"I…" Yann Liang hesitated, then another arrow hit him, and he continued to swing his Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade, hacking at the enemy soldiers nearby.
"General, hurry and leave!" Zhang He raged. He was there to save Yann Liang, and now that many of his men had been sacrificed, if he couldn’t get Yann Liang out, what had he done all this for – exerted effort for nothing?
"I…" Yann Liang opened his mouth, at a loss for what to say.
"Stop talking nonsense, Yann Manzi! Our Lord awarded you precious horses and swords, beautiful women, not for you to die in vain. You at least need to return these things to the Lord. Do you want to let these become the enemy’s spoils of war, to let Liu Bei fight our Lord wielding these trophies?" Zhang He shouted furiously in reproach, "How will you repay if you’re dead?"
For Yann Liang, Zhang He’s voice was as urgent as the Morning Bell and Evening Drum.
"Let’s go, we must break out. Before I repay my Lord, I absolutely cannot die!" Yann Liang roared, and the several arrows lodged in his body were shaken out by his Inner Qi.
The melancholic resignation of impending death dissipated with Yann Liang’s mighty roar, as he once again embodied resolve. With a single stroke, he severed the war chariot’s frame and leapt onto his green horse.
Brandishing his great sword, Yann Liang joined forces with Zhang He, fighting vigorously to carve a bloody path, fleeing northward. Standing in their way was Zhao Yun, who had swiftly moved from the left to their right flank.
"Kill!" Zhang He bellowed without a trace of fear, thrusting towards Zhao Yun. Zhang He had already clashed with Zhao Yun earlier, and he knew that only by fighting fiercely to the death, could he withstand Zhao Yun’s fifty moves.
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As for what would happen after those fifty moves, it all depended on whether Yann Liang could save him. However, Zhang He did not dare to pin all his hopes on Yann Liang. Fortunately, this time facing Zhao Yun, Zhang He did not need to hide his true level of inner qi.
"Yann Liang, meet your doom!" Guan Yu, transformed into a streak of blue light, dashed with astonishing speed through the central army. At this moment, his essence, qi, and spirit converged into his sword, as he fiercely struck down at Yann Liang.
"Go to hell!" Yann Liang’s eyes shone with unwavering determination. He absolutely could not die, not before he repaid all he owed to Yuan Shao.
Yann Liang’s resolve was unshakeable, his great sword infused with his entire conviction as he swung with all his might. The belief in a decisive victory met the belief in invincibility; Guan Yu and Yann Liang violently collided, and with one slash, Yann Liang was sent flying, horse and all, dozens of steps, landing right beside Zhang He.
"Jun Yi, retreat quickly, you are no match for him!" Yann Liang roared, as his Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade slashed towards Zhao Yun.
Facing Zhao Yun head-on this time, Yann Liang instantly realized that Zhao Yun was indeed a master of Guan Yu’s caliber, not the slightest bit inferior to Lyu Bu, except for lacking in heart spirit!
Yann Liang’s annihilating blade was deflected by Zhao Yun’s spear, which followed with dozens of thrusts amidst a sharp whistling sound. Regrettably, Yann Liang did not dodge or flinch, hacking down with his sword, willing to sustain injuries, and forcibly pushed back Zhao Yun.
After Zhang He and Yann Liang broke through the blockage of the White Horse Righteous Followers, they found only a few hundred cavalry remaining behind them. The contrast with Zhang He’s previous torrential charge was starkly miserable, yet the two managed to make their escape towards the sky.
"Order the others to clean up the battlefield quickly, and do not pursue," commanded Chen Xi, upon seeing Zhang He and Yann Liang making their escape, with Zhao Yun and Guan Yu leading a pursuit. He immediately ordered the entire army to tidy up the battleground.
One must realize that the previous battle with Zhang He lasted but a mere quarter hour, yet about three thousand men laid fallen on the battlefield, with even more wounded. But casting his gaze upon those thousands of Bingzhou horses, Chen Xi couldn’t help but reflect that the battle had been won. The most crucial part was yet to come.
As Chen Xi’s orders to clean the battlefield swiftly and bury Yuan Shao’s dead on the spot were executed, with all wounded receiving treatment, Guan Yu and Zhao Yun finally returned. However, their expressions of helplessness told Chen Xi all he needed to know—they had failed to capture Yann Liang and Zhang He. But then again, these men were not easy to chase when they chose to flee.
"Bad luck," Guan Yu sighed.
"What happened?" Chen Xi, curious upon seeing Guan Yu’s helpless expression, inquired.
"It looked like we were going to catch them, but then we ran into Yuan Shao’s main army," Zhao Yun also expressed his frustration. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to continue reading.)