bayedsolid Chapter 2269 An Unexpected Encounter
Chapter 2269 An Unexpected Encounter
On the battlefield fifteen miles outside Changtingpo,
The blood-red twilight was shattered by the neighing of warhorses and the clanging of weapons.
Feng Mulan reined in her horse atop a high slope, her scarlet cloak fluttering in the wind, which carried the scent of sand and rust.
Her gaze, sharp as a tempered blade, swept across the chaotic and brutal battlefield below.
There, the once snow-white and dazzling flags are now stained with filth and scarlet, like the last few white feathers struggling in the mud.
Of the eight thousand White Horse cavalry left behind by Zhao Yu, less than three thousand remained, yet they still stood like a stubborn silver dam, firmly blocking the mighty Youzhou army and Tang cavalry.
Zhou Dashou's Youzhou cavalry, a dark mass resembling a moving reef, merged with the well-equipped Tang light cavalry, forming a torrent of over 22,000 men.
They intended to gallop past and head straight for Chu Ning's true target, but they were held fast by this battered yet relentlessly fighting white horse cavalry.
Zhou Dashou's anger almost turned into a physical flame. He was eager to pursue Zhao Yu, but was unexpectedly drawn into this encounter.
Left with no other option, he could only unleash his raging fury on the isolated army blocking his path.
The losses intensified every moment, and the White Horse Cavalry's circular formation shrank continuously with each repeated charge.
With every breath, warriors and their horses collapsed, the pure white being mercilessly swallowed and submerged by the black tide and red bloodstains.
The soldiers behind Feng Mulan stood at attention; they were the elite troops she relied on to conquer all. Their blades were still cold, and their fighting spirit was burning.
With just one command from her, this new force will cut into the battlefield like a sharp sword.
However, her fingertips tightened on the cold reins, her phoenix eyes narrowed, and she looked deeper into Changtingpo.
That's the direction Chu Ning is heading.
Save her husband, or annihilate the enemy?
This decision was like a red-hot pair of iron tongs, searing her mind and soul.
The safety of the monarch hangs by a thread; every moment of hesitation could lead to eternal regret.
But right now, this loyal and brave army, which had fallen into a deadly situation to cover Chu Ning's escape, was on the verge of total annihilation.
The annihilation of Zhou Dashou's enemy forces would undoubtedly alleviate the pressure on Changtingpo.
Time flowed thickly amidst the shouts of battle.
Just as the iron clamps were about to crush her resolve, a steady voice sounded beside her:
"Miss."
Xue Dingshan urged his horse forward half a step, his silver armor covered in dust, but his face remained as calm as an ancient well.
His gaze swept across the horrific battlefield, landing on the distant horizon where smoke from battle faintly rose. His voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the clamor:
"My father, Huai De, has already led his troops to reinforce Changtingpo. At this moment, he must have already joined up with another 10,000 White Horse Cavalry under General Zhao Yu's command."
"Your Majesty is currently surrounded by General Zhao, my father, and the elite troops of Xiliang. Our forces already surpass those of our opponents, so Your Majesty will surely be safe."
Each word was like a calm rock, thrown into Feng Mulan's turbulent heart.
Xue Huaide, the veteran known for his unwavering steadiness.
Zhao Yu, the sharpest spear under Chu Ning's command.
In addition, there are 10,000 well-rested and prepared white horse main force.
These names and numbers were quickly pieced together and weighed in her mind.
Xue Dingshan didn't elaborate, but this simple analysis of the situation was like a lightning bolt, cleaving through the fog before her eyes.
The tide of anxiety receded abruptly, replaced by an icy calm and the iron will befitting a commander.
She looked down at the battlefield once more, at the lone white-horse army that was still shining brightly in despair. Every parry and every counterattack they made seemed to be a silent cry.
They were risking their lives to buy time for the monarch and for the greater good.
If she abandons them now, even if she saves Chu Ning, what wrong have these loyal souls done?
Where is the morale of the army?
Moreover, letting Zhou Dashou's 20,000-plus cavalry escape was always a sharp blade hanging over Chu Ning's flank.
The wind seemed to stand still at that moment.
All the noise faded away, leaving only clear cause and effect and cold calculations in Feng Mulan's world.
Xue Dingshan's words provided a crucial advantage—Chu Ning's chances of winning had shifted.
Therefore, what she should do now is no longer rush to a relatively safe battlefield.
Instead, we should seize this fleeting opportunity to completely sever one of the enemy's arms, laying a more solid foundation for final victory.
She took a deep breath, the scent of gunpowder and blood seeping into her lungs and transforming into a resolute will.
In his eyes, the last trace of hesitation vanished, leaving only a chilling, ruthless determination, like ancient ice.
"Pass on the order!"
The sound was not loud, but it seemed to carry the vibration of metal clashing, instantly drowning out all the noise on the battlefield and clearly reaching the ears of every general behind him.
She slowly raised her arm, her riding whip pointing below at the surging enemy tide, a tapestry of black and red:
"All troops, charge! Annihilate the enemy forces in front of us, leave no one alive!"
"promise!"
A thunderous roar of response rose into the sky.
With flags waving and war drums beating, the once-standing legion instantly transformed into a long-awaited torrent of steel.
Feng Mulan took the lead, her scarlet cloak transforming into a blazing inferno as she charged straight into the heart of the battle.
Her goal was clear—Zhou Dashou's central army.
The sudden arrival of fresh troops, especially the commander's conspicuous and majestic imperial concubine banner, drastically changed the battlefield situation.
The remnants of the White Horse Cavalry, who were struggling to hold on, saw the reinforcements descend like divine soldiers, especially when they saw the familiar "Feng" banner.
The almost shattered morale instantly regrouped, erupting into an astonishing roar:
"The Imperial Concubine is here! Kill her!"
Meanwhile, the Youzhou army and the Tang army were in turmoil.
Zhou Dashou was filled with shock and anger. He never expected Feng Mulan to appear at this moment, let alone that she would choose to attack him first without hesitation. The threat of being attacked from both sides threw him into disarray.
Feng Mulan's tactics were simple yet deadly.
She did not engage in much fighting with the enemy forces on the periphery; her elite personal guards were like a red-hot dagger.
Under her leadership, the army, in an unstoppable wedge formation, tore through the somewhat chaotic flank defenses of the Youzhou army and charged toward Zhou Dashou's command flag.
To catch the thief, first catch the king!
On the battlefield, iron hooves thundered and swords flashed like snow.
Feng Mulan's light sword transformed into countless cold stars, causing men and horses to fall wherever it passed.
Her martial arts skills were already superb, and now, fueled by anger, they were even more unstoppable.
Zhou Dashou hurriedly mobilized his personal guards to resist, but Feng Mulan's attack was too fast and too fierce, and the hastily assembled defense line was breached layer by layer like paper.
The two armies clashed violently, and the most brutal and gruesome battle began.
With the addition of Feng Mulan's elite force, the White Horse Cavalry, which was originally in dire straits, was greatly relieved of pressure and even began to launch a counter-charge.
The battlefield shifted from a one-sided attrition war to a pincer attack aimed at annihilation. Zhou Dashou's troops found themselves in an unprecedentedly passive position.
"Protect the general!"
The military officer from Youzhou shouted at the top of his lungs, but his voice was quickly drowned out.
Seeing that the situation was not good, the commander of the Tang cavalry tried to maneuver to the flank to find an opportunity to break through or counterattack.
However, Xue Dingshan, acting on Feng Mulan's orders, led a force of elite troops to launch a surprise attack from the side, precisely blocking the Tang army's path and preventing them from effectively coordinating with Zhou Dashou.