Chapter 793 – The Veteran’s Counter-Trap (Part Three)
Over ten thousand soldiers split into several paths, creeping toward Jiang Pengji’s camp.
Fu Wang ordered the sound arrows to be shot; as the unified signal rang out, they stealthily attacked the camp.
The so-called sound arrows, also known as Mingdi, had small bamboo whistles tied to their shafts. When the arrows shot into the sky, they emitted a sharp cry.
It can be said that if Jiang Pengji hadn’t anticipated this in advance, Fu Wang’s scheme would have caught everyone completely off guard.
But alas, magic is high, and Dao is higher; Jiang Pengji was destined to be a stumbling block on Fu Wang’s road.
This stumbling block not only had the potential to sever Fu Wang’s legendary victories but could also deal him even more profound blows.
With a single command, soldiers surged in from all directions into Jiang Pengji’s camp.
Fu Wang rode on horseback; the more he exerted himself, the more he felt his strength draining.
Initially, he encountered weak resistance, but Fu Wang charged ahead like a killing god, cutting a path toward the main tent, his inner unease growing stronger. Something felt off—Fu Wang’s eyes widened suddenly as his anxiety intensified; he had to leave quickly.
“General, it’s a trap!”
According to their plan, Jiang Pengji’s soldiers should have been utterly exhausted, their fighting capacity negligible, not dead asleep like pigs.
However, as they stormed into the camp, making such a commotion, the soldiers that charged out were alarmingly few, as if it were an empty fort.
The confidant vice general rushed into a few larger tents, finding them completely devoid of people, just mounds of dry grass and dead branches piled inside.
They had fallen into a trap!
Realizing this, the confidant vice general quickly reported to Fu Wang. The loyal followers of the Meng Clan were so eager for glory that they were a beat too slow to react.
Fu Wang felt panic rising within but maintained a calm demeanor on the surface.
Even if they had fallen into a trap, if their general was flustered and helpless, wouldn’t the soldiers below be thrown into disarray?
“Form ranks and cover the retreat!”
No matter what tricks Liu Xi had up his sleeve, getting out of here quickly was the best option.
But Feng Zhen and the others wouldn’t give him that chance!
They had long been lying in wait from a distance, secretly observing the camp’s movements; the prey was already caught—there was no way they would let it slip.
At that moment, Fu Wang heard the sound of several sound arrows in the air.
The sound arrows weren’t his arrangements; they could only be Liu Xi’s move—
This was a signal for attack!
After a few breaths, the originally dim sky lit up with streaks of orange glowing light, resembling a meteor shower from afar.
To Fu Wang and the others, these “meteor showers” were coming straight for them, rapidly enlarging before their eyes.
The flaming arrows crashed into the tents, igniting a fierce blaze, and the interior was covered with flammable dry grass and branches, as the fire raged violently with the wind. The horses panicked, rearing in fright, trying to evade the sudden flames.
“Now you want to leave? Ask my axes first!”
Strangely enough, after the flames spread, the seemingly empty camp erupted with Jiang Pengji’s soldiers one by one.
Fu Wang’s troops were thrown into disarray; those not burned by flames were struck down by the suddenly emerging enemies.
Fu Wang wanted to retreat, but his path was blocked by a black-faced man wielding dual axes who jumped out from nowhere.
“Shut up!”
Fu Wang sneered, charging his horse to engage in battle.
Dian Yin, having heard from Meng Hunyun about Fu Wang’s combat prowess, was itching for a fight.
He had hidden in the underground tunnel beneath the camp, and upon hearing Fu Wang’s intention to retreat, he dashed out.
For a military general, the head of an enemy general is the most gratifying trophy!
As the confidant vice general tried to regroup their forces and assist Fu Wang, he never expected his general to get entangled in battle.
He gritted his teeth and muttered, “This Liu Xi… is really a nutcase!”
He had only heard of setting fires to burn the enemy’s camp, but never of setting fire to one’s own.
Flames recognize no master; they not only burn enemies but can also scorch their own.
Dian Yin was known for his strength; the combined weight of his weapons exceeded one hundred jin, which ordinary people couldn’t wield!
Not only could he wield the dual axes in an impenetrable manner, but when one of them struck the ground, it made the earth tremble thrice.
“Hey! It’s nothing extraordinary, Meng Xiaowei has really overstated things!”
Dian Yin mocked as he suppressed the almost split pain in his hands.
He thought himself strong enough; apart from Jiang Pengji, few could contend with him. However, he didn’t expect Fu Wang to be quite something as well.
Not only was Fu Wang strong, but he also possessed a speed rivaling Li Yun; this all-rounder was downright detestable.
“A mere junior, how dare you act so arrogantly!”
Fu Wang sensed something was off; his stamina was dropping alarmingly.
Normally, he could train for hours without breaking a sweat, but now, he felt his limbs weak and his head spinning.
Unbeknownst to him, the sleeping herbs had slow-acting effects with prolonged duration; if he exerted himself vigorously, the effects would accelerate along with increased blood flow.
“Bring me your head!”
Dian Yin was also not willing to back down; he had previously bragged to Meng Hunyun about bringing Fu Wang’s head. Now that the opportunity was right there, Fu Wang didn’t seem as formidable as Meng Hunyun claimed, appearing more like a paper tiger… If he couldn’t take him down now, his bragging would really fall flat.
“Humph!”
Fu Wang, possessing the cunning of a beast, would never force himself in a losing battle.
Having already fallen into Jiang Pengji’s ambush, the damage was irretrievable; he had to minimize losses as much as possible.
He planned to fight while retreating; there was nothing to be ashamed of in not being able to win—a chance to preserve his soldiers’ lives was essential for a comeback later. Losing troops over a moment’s impulse would be incredibly foolish. If he continued to linger here, he might very well be consumed by flames.
Seeing the ever-growing flames of the camp, Feng Zhen, watching from afar, clicked his tongue.
“This Fu Wang is quite insightful; realizing the situation is bad and deciding to retreat.”
Beside him, Yang Si stroked his beard, “He displays decisiveness and doesn’t cling to the trivialities of honor and sentiment, which would be wasted among the Meng Clan.”
Indeed, it’s best to captivate those who can be caught.
If they could submit voluntarily, wonderful; if they didn’t, they would be pressured until they had no choice.
Strong-arming is a practice as old as time.
Two flowers bloom, each declaring its branch.
Dian Yin grew more excited the longer he fought. Meng Hunyun had already circled his troops near the Jiamen Pass, waiting for the signal to strike from Jiang Pengji’s side.
It was almost as if they were in sync; Jiang Pengji chose to act exactly at the third watch.
In ancient times, people followed the rhythm of nature, rising with the sun and resting with the moon. By the time it was the third watch, common folks were already fast asleep.
Jiang Pengji waited patiently and finally hit the jackpot at the third watch, with the patrolling soldiers having been replaced.
She nudged the recuperated Li Yun, “It’s about time.”
Li Yun received the command, shared a glance with the other guards, and over a hundred people readied themselves with excitement.
Next, there would be a fierce battle to engage.
Jiang Pengji unsheathed her long knife, leading the charge to eliminate the sentries outside, leaping over the wall to exit the courtyard.
Li Yun hastily followed suit.
Jiang Pengji and her companions weren’t clear on the structure inside Jiamen Pass, but she remembered the way back.
As long as she retraced her steps, she was sure to reach the city gate of Jiamen Pass.
Jiang Pengji lowered her voice, “Han Mei, prepare the sound arrows!”
