As the slaughter at Wandu City reached its peak, Ye Feng, far away in Suanzao, was preparing to depart.
His objective for coming here had largely been met.
Not only had he witnessed future warlords firsthand, but he had also caused them to clash fiercely with the Yellow Turban rebels.
He had even unexpectedly gained Cai Yong and his daughter, along with the peerless general Lu Bu.
Compared to these gains?
Ye Feng had only paid with a few summon cards and some of his time.
It was practically insignificant!
If he hadn't feared that without him, neither the Yellow Turbans nor the court would dare to fight at full strength, Ye Feng truly wanted to stay longer.
Not for any other reason,
but simply for the historical generals about to make their appearance, Ye Feng had more than enough reason to stay.
What?
For Diao Chan?
Don't be ridiculous!
Would Ye Feng be someone who coveted beauty?
I, I... I simply wanted to rescue young Diao Chan from her sea of suffering!
After all,
fighting wars was a matter for men; what kind of man would let a woman be caught in the middle?
"Hmm???"
Yang Yanqi, who was massaging Ye Feng's shoulders inside the carriage, couldn't help but raise her delicate eyebrows as she heard her lord mumbling to himself.
"What did you say, my lord? Something about fighting wars being a man's business?"
"Uh..."
Feeling the increasing pressure on his shoulders, Ye Feng's voice faltered.
"Did I say anything? No! You must have misheard!"
"Is that so?"
"Absolutely!"
Nodding without hesitation, Ye Feng changed the subject:
"Yanqi, do you think we should go back now, or travel around a bit?"
"Travel around?"
Yang Yanqi paused at his words and asked with a hint of curiosity,
"My lord, have you taken a liking to another young lady?"
"???"
Ye Feng's face flushed with embarrassment. He turned and spanked her firm backside.
"Little girl, if I don't discipline you for a few days, you forget the family rules of my Ye family, do you?"
"Come here!"
"Position yourself!"
"..."
Despite her flushed face from the spanking, Yang Yanqi obediently moved closer.
She didn't want to suffer!
As it turned out,
if you cooperated obediently, it might be over quickly.
But if you resisted?
Then the saying would truly apply: the more you resist, the more excited he becomes.
However,
just as Ye Feng was preparing to mount his steed, a special notification sound echoed in his ears.
"Ding~!"
"Congratulations to the host. Your Great Han Iron Cavalry has successfully killed Prince Gao Nanwu of Goguryeo, dropping..."
"Hiss?!"
Ye Feng gasped, momentarily losing control of his strength and pushing Yang Yanqi's small head against the carriage wall.
"???"
Yang Yanqi, her face full of question marks, turned her head. Her eyes contained an infinite number of unanswered questions.
"It's, it's nothing~!"
Ye Feng, coming to his senses, chuckled, his voice full of excitement.
"It's just been a while since we... you know? I got a bit excited!"
"..."
Sensing Ye Feng's excitement, Yang Yanqi closed her eyes in despair.
Heaven!
When will I get to go home?
Sister Xiuning, do you know how much I miss you right now!
.........
Beneath Wandu City,
the slaughter was in full swing!
While Ye Feng was fighting on horseback, Gongsun Zan also led his Black Armored Cavalry to the city gates.
"Fire, fire the arrows!"
"Quickly fire the arrows!"
Seeing the densely packed Black Armored Cavalry, the King of Goguryeo's legs felt weak as he roared,
"Are all the people outside the city dead? Close the gates! Hurry and close the gates!"
"Report..."
As the King of Goguryeo roared, a messenger stumbled his way up.
"Your, Your Majesty, bad, very bad news!"
"I know it's bad!"
Increasingly enraged, Gao Bogu grabbed the messenger and asked through gritted teeth,
"Where is Gao Nanwu? What is that scoundrel doing? Why aren't the gates closed yet!"
"Your Majesty, the First Prince, the First Prince... he's been killed!"
"What?!"
Gao Bogu froze at the news, his ears disbelieving. He rubbed them.
"What did you just say?"
"Your, Your Majesty..."
Startled by Gao Bogu's ravenous gaze, the messenger said with a tearful face,
"What I said is true, the First Prince was surrounded and killed by the chaotic troops!"
"This, this..."
Upon confirming he hadn't misheard, Gao Bogu felt a tightness in his chest and shortness of breath.
Then...
"Pfft!"
A arc of crimson blood sliced through the air. Gao Bogu fainted.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
"How could this happen?!"
"Damn it!"
Seeing Gao Bogu spit blood and fall, the leaders of the four major tribes nearby panicked.
While they had their own schemes, they certainly didn't want to die!
With the Han cavalry about to breach the city, their king was dead and their prince fainted?
What in the world was going on!
Despite their inner turmoil, they didn't completely lose their heads.
"Quick!"
"Send orders to the military camp!"
"Mobilize another three thousand archers, and the rest will quickly reinforce the city gates!"
"This..."
Hearing the orders from the elders of the four major tribes, the nearby messenger replied with a wry face,
"Without the King's order and his seal, the army might not obey..."
"Scoundrel!"
Slapping the messenger across the face, the Great Elder, his face ashen, barked,
"The enemy is about to break in, and you're still concerned about seals and such!"
"Hurry and deliver the order!"
"Yes, yes..."
Having inexplicably received a slap, the messenger quickly rushed to the military camp with the orders.
However,
just as he had said, without the King of Goguryeo's seal and personal command, the commander in the military camp outright refused to dispatch troops.
What?
You say the Han cavalry is about to charge in?
They haven't yet!
But if he dared to order troops out now, his head would surely be forfeit after the Han cavalry retreated.
Therefore,
no matter how much the messenger pleaded, the guard commander at the military camp refused to send troops.
Fortunately,
just as the messenger was at a loss, a graceful figure rode up.
"Deliver the King's decree: dispatch troops immediately to the city gates to repel the Han cavalry!"
"Understood!"
After verifying the seal was in order, the guard commander respectfully cupped his hands towards the newcomer.
"Princess, please forgive me. I truly had no choice!"
"It's alright!"
Gao Xueli waved her hand. Though her expression was grim, she didn't say much.
After all,
if military orders were not strictly enforced, the royal family would be the first to suffer.
There was no other way!
Therefore,
Gao Xueli merely nodded and let the matter pass.
"General Ran Ren, the situation at the city gates is dire. I implore you to hasten there for support."
"Princess, rest assured!"
The burly man, known as Ran Ren, cupped his hands, turned, and strode quickly into the military camp.
Soon,
units of passably well-equipped infantry jogged towards the city gates.
Seeing this,
Gao Xueli breathed a sigh of relief and her impression of Ran Ren improved.
So this fellow had already assembled the troops, and only lacked an order.
Indeed!
As a general capable of leading armies in battle, how could he lack foresight?
The fleeing soldiers had already returned to the city.
If he hadn't realized the situation was problematic, he wouldn't deserve to be a general.
However,
it was a pity!
Even though Ran Ren moved quickly, the Han Iron Cavalry moved faster!
Or rather,
the misjudgment of the Goguryeo cavalry directly led to the fall of Wandu City.
While the Han cavalry were surrounding Gao Nanwu, the Goguryeo cavalry not only failed to intervene but many even gave them thumbs-up.
Perhaps, in the eyes of those Goguryeo cavalry, these Han cavalry were their benefactors for allowing them into the city.
But this left the vigilant Han cavalry utterly bewildered.
What?
Are they all this stupid?
Even though we're wearing the same clothes as you, we've already launched an attack.
Can't you cooperate a little?
Of course,
while inwardly complaining, the Han cavalry maintained restraint towards the Goguryeo cavalry who hadn't launched an attack.
It wasn't until Gongsun Zan arrived with the main force that the Goguryeo cavalry realized something was wrong.
They still weren't closing the gates?
Are they trying to die?
Even though many hadn't entered yet, the important thing is that I've gotten in.
Thus,
many Goguryeo cavalry began to panic. The first thing they did after dismounting was to try and close the city gates.
But this was met with a flurry of sword strikes!
Those who tried to close the gates fell into the gateway without even a whimper.
This caused even more Goguryeo cavalry to become agitated!
Before they entered, they wished for someone to do this. But now that they were inside.
As for those still outside?
Sorry!
Who told you to run slow?
Those with this thought began to gather, preparing to charge the Han cavalry's positions.
But they overlooked one thing.
That was the potential of people in despair.
With pursuers behind and the gates needing to be closed ahead, the Goguryeo cavalry outside erupted.
Draw your bows!
Nock your arrows!
Whoosh!
A Goguryeo cavalryman blocking the city gate fell, hitting the ground heavily.
"???"
The Han cavalry, who were just preparing to fight back, looked at each other in confusion.
"Who did that?"
"Don't know!"
"Looks like it was one of their own? Holy cow, look, they're fighting..."
With a shout from a Han cavalryman, the chaos at the city gates instantly escalated.
The cavalry waiting outside followed suit, each drawing their bows and arrows to sweep away those trying to close the gates.
Caught completely off guard,
those who had just entered and intended to betray their comrades fell in large numbers within the city gate.
The rest, realizing something was wrong, quickly retreated and fled without looking back.
They had understood!
Wandu City was likely not going to be defended today. They should focus on finding a hiding place.
Indeed!
These soldiers had a clear understanding of the situation and knew the disadvantages of continuing this way.
But so what?
They might not die if the city was breached, but they would certainly die if they were trapped outside.
Even if the Han cavalry showed mercy, they would face life as prisoners.
Who would willingly become a prisoner if they could live well?
As long as I get into the city and return home, I'll discard my sword and horse.
Who would know I was a Goguryeo cavalryman?
After the Han cavalry entered the city, surely they wouldn't harm civilians like them, right?
With this thought,
the Goguryeo cavalry, who were on the verge of being overtaken, ran even faster.
Someone blocking the way?
Get out of the way!
Those who block me die!
At this moment,
they seemed to be imbued with an invincibility buff, making anyone who stood in their way fall.
But for some reason,
despite their heightened combat effectiveness at this moment, they dared not turn back to fight the Han cavalry.
Perhaps... this was the effect of the "invincible in civil war" buff?