Chapter 120: The Rising Wind (17)

Shi Chaozhi’s panicked cries echoed across the mountain peak.

Every survivor among the elite Mayi Yue cavalry heard them, yet fewer than half of those elites remained. These men, handpicked by Shi Chaozhi for the night raid, were all mid-to-low-ranking officers. They were the backbone and the spine of the army’s combat strength—the elite who were expected to lead the charge, clad in heavy armor and wielding sharp blades. In all the fierce battles Xu Le had fought in Yunzhong, he had never encountered such a formidable opponent.

Concentrating these key combatants into a single skirmish was a wasteful extravagance. Any loss among them would be an unbearable blow to the army. Shi Chaozhi had chosen these men for the raid out of contempt for the people of Xujalu, hoping to finish the task quickly. Who could have imagined that Xu Le and Han Yue would suddenly appear? Xu Le, in particular, had single-handedly incapacitated nearly half of the officer corps of an elite Mayi Yue battalion during the chaotic night infantry fight.

In the midst of the slaughter, these officers were already trembling with fear. Upon hearing Shi Chaozhi’s shout, they all turned to flee. But how could they be allowed to escape so easily? Dozens of villagers, their eyes bloodshot with rage, lunged forward, locking the elite cavalrymen in a desperate, tangled brawl. Weapons clashed and swung; from time to time, the heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground, the sound of blades biting into flesh, and the agonizing wails of the dying filled the air.

This nighttime melee on the mountaintop instantly became even more brutal and blood-soaked.

As the villagers swarmed up, Xu Le lost all desire to continue the fight. Forcing himself to stay upright, he rushed down the mountain without a second thought. Han Yue followed closely, trying to support the limping Xu Le, but was fiercely pushed away. Xu Le had only one thought in his mind: to see his grandfather and confirm he was safe.

Amidst the flickering torchlight, Xu Le caught sight of his grandfather leaning against a rock, his white hair fluttering as he looked toward him. Mother Han was kneeling at his side, guarding him. Ignoring the sounds of battle behind him, Xu Le moved with such speed that he left a blur in his wake, throwing himself beside his grandfather.

An arrow was embedded in his grandfather’s chest, the blood already soaking his clothes deep red. Xu Le froze, his entire body trembling.

Xu Gan looked at his grandson, who stood before him, equally drenched in blood. Subconsciously, Xu Gan stiffened his face and scolded, "Why engage in a head-on infantry fight instead of skirmishing with the enemy at night? Do you have a death wish?" With every word, a stream of blood spilled from the corner of Xu Gan’s mouth, staining his white beard crimson.

Xu Le dropped to his knees, ripping open the fabric around Xu Gan’s wound with a ragged tear. He stared at the arrow, his hands fumbling in a panic as he tried to press against the injury.

Xu Gan shook his head with a bitter smile. "Silly boy, your grandfather is finished. I reckon I can hold on until dawn, just enough time to keep you company for a while longer."

Xu Le let out a low, desperate roar. "You will not be finished!"

The blood from the wound had begun to clot and no longer flowed freely, but with every breath, Xu Gan coughed up frothy blood. It was a sign that his internal organs had been severely damaged. The arrow was buried deep near his heart; in such a position, it could not be pulled out. Doing so would only hasten his death. As a veteran of many years, he knew his own condition better than anyone.

Xu Le knelt beside Xu Gan in a daze, feeling his whole body turn cold, his mind unable to process a single thought. All his lofty ambitions vanished in that instant. Why hadn't he stayed in Shenwu? Why had he insisted on venturing out into the wider world? This was his only kin, the man who had raised him for over a decade, giving him the greatest care and love. And now, his grandfather was dying.

Xu Le wanted to scream, but no sound would come. He wanted to weep, but his tears felt as if they were blocked by something.

Mother Han covered her face, tears streaming through her fingers. This loyal woman, who had served and cared for Xu Gan for years, finally broke into heart-wrenching sobs.

On the mountaintop behind them, cheers erupted. Under the leadership of Han Xiaoliu, dozens of villagers had charged forward, fighting with bloodshot eyes. The remaining Mayi Yue cavalry could no longer hold their ground; only a handful managed to roll down the mountain to escape, while the rest lay dead on the peak.

Xu Gan squeezed out a faint smile and whispered, "The death of your father..."

Xu Le shook his head. "I don't want to know. I just want you to be well, Grandfather."

Xu Gan smiled bitterly and shook his head. Since Xu Le did not want to know, he would leave it unsaid. The death of Wei involved too many earth-shattering figures. If A-Le sought revenge, his enemies would be too numerous and too powerful. If he were still around, he could help devise plans to keep A-Le from harm. But since he was leaving this world, let the truth of Wei's death remain buried in that night from over a decade ago.

Looking at Xu Le, Xu Gan asked with great difficulty, word by word, "Where is the armor I gave you?"

Xu Le wiped his face fiercely, stood up, and let out a sharp whistle.

The whistle carried far into the night sky. In the distance came a neigh, like the roar of a dragon. Out of the darkness, Tunlong—which had been carrying the large bundle Xu Le had brought the entire way—leaped over the woods and charged toward the mountain, head held high and hooves thundering. When Xu Le had sneaked up the mountain, he had left Tunlong on the outskirts. This whistle had summoned the horse; the steed was so magnificent it seemed to possess a soul. Xu Le had originally intended to show it off to his grandfather. But now, even if he possessed all the treasures in the world, what would it matter?

Xu Gan listened to the distant neighing of Tunlong and revealed a small smile. "You actually obtained a divine steed..."

Xu Le quickly interrupted him. "Grandfather, stop talking."

Xu Gan chuckled. "I won't die that quickly. Come, sit by my side. I still have many things to teach you."

Down below the Tingbing Mountain, the rest of the Mayi Yue cavalry stared blankly at the chaotic slaughter on the peak. No one had expected that a night-raid force composed of officers, sent to deal with a few farmers, would ignite such a fierce and brutal battle. Because all the officers of this battalion had been pulled away by Shi Chaozhi, the remaining cavalry were in disarray when the sudden turn of events occurred. It took them a long time to organize and prepare to provide support.

But by then, the fighting on the peak had already ended, and the night air was filled with the cheers of the Xujalu villagers. The Mayi Yue cavalrymen, their eyes reddening, raised their torches and swarmed up the mountain. So many officers had died on that peak; if they returned, Wang Rengong would surely have them flayed alive. Only by hacking every person in Xujalu to pieces could they hope to account for this to Wang Rengong.

Suddenly, several figures emerged from the darkness, stumbling out. The advancing cavalry squinted to identify them and gasped in shock, "General!"

It was Shi Chaozhi. He was covered in blood, his armor shattered. The few remaining officers beside him were in the same wretched state. Shi Chaozhi, his eyes bloodshot, roared at the approaching mass of cavalry, "Surround them! Call for the main army! Hack them into mincemeat!"