Fifty li outside Yunzhou City, in the northwest extension of Yunwu Mountain, Yan Yang Dynasty.
Lu Junyi, leading a hundred thousand Great Han soldiers, arrived near Yunzhou City, traveling day and night. He ordered the army to rest in place, adjust their state, and prepare to take Yunzhou City in one fell swoop.
Lu Junyi looked up at the moonlight. "At this time, the Yunzhou City defender Shen Yu should have already entered the Bottleneck Pass."
"General, there's no need to worry. General Wang will surely defeat both armies and successfully capture Wu Zhou City," the副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) said, cupping his fists in a salute, his tone firm and powerful.
"Report!" Su Dan Xiao Shuo Wang.
A figure darted through the darkness and instantly appeared before the two, kneeling on one knee.
"Reporting to the General, the Yunzhou City wall has few soldiers, and the city lights are bright. There are no other abnormalities!" The scout's words were concise, quickly conveying the situation inside Yunzhou City to Lu Junyi.
"General!" The副将's face was excited. All of this was within the predictions of General Wang Baobao and General Lu Junyi.
Lu Junyi frowned and moved to a higher vantage point, gazing at the city tens of li away, where faint sparks could be seen. He hesitated.
"Let's wait a bit longer!" He pondered for a moment, looking at the silent city, his heart tightening. He had a feeling that the malevolent aura within the city was extremely intense. Being unable to grasp it, he decided to wait a little longer.
"General, time waits for no one!" the副将 urged.
"Guard!" Lu Junyi looked at the副将's gaze and began to reconsider.
"Yes!"
A soldier knelt on one knee.
"Send a scout team to extend ten li to the northeast and southwest of Yunzhou City. Investigate. Remember not to ride horses, move quietly. If there are any developments, report back quickly!" A trace of unease flashed in Lu Junyi's eyes.
"Yes!"
The soldier bowed and accepted the order.
"General?" the副将 asked Lu Junyi, confused.
"It's good to patrol more. Don't act rashly. The battlefield changes in an instant, and none of us can truly predict the enemy a thousand li away!" Lu Junyi clenched the sword at his waist.
"Deputy General, as a true commander, you must not only achieve your objectives but also minimize our army's losses!"
"Yes, this subordinate remembers!" The副将 knelt on one knee. He knew he had been impulsive. When people are impulsive, they are easily blinded by the superficial phenomena, and it is often extremely dangerous at such times.
...
The Bottleneck Pass, on the border of Wu Zhou and Yun Zhou, Yan Yang Dynasty.
Wang Baobao led fifty thousand troops back to the original high ground. From here, the entire narrow, winding mountain road of the Bottleneck Pass was in full view.
They saw an endless expanse of torches from the direction of Yun Zhou, illuminating half of the mountain range. The Yun Zhou army, vaguely visible under the torchlight, was slowly advancing towards Wu Zhou.
"General, did King Xiao send General Liu Zheng to garrison Yunzhou City because he doesn't trust you to defeat the Beifeng army in Wu Zhou in one fell swoop?"
"General, this terrain is treacherous, a major military taboo. This subordinate cannot understand why King Xiao insisted on having you attack Wu Zhou City from here," one副将 said, full of confusion and anger, complaining to the main general in front of him, Shen Yu.
"Hmph, what do you know? King Xiao has his own plans. If he wants us to go this way, he must have a reason. Besides, even if Beifeng ambushes us in this mountain range, I believe my long saber will be able to slay that scoundrel Beifeng here!"
"Hmph, hmph, Liu Zheng is nothing. Besides flattering King Xiao, what else can he do? When he left, he even told me to capture Zuo Bo for him to see!"
"Pah!"
"Zuo Bo!"
"Zuo Bo is in Wu Zhou City now. Where is he going to catch him? Could it be that Zuo Bo would abandon Beifeng and go around from the west of Wu Zhou to Yun Zhou? Catching Zuo Bo, he's dreaming! Hahaha!"
Shen Yu's voice was extremely rough and loud, audible from tens of zhang away.
"General, perhaps Zuo Bo might really go around to Yun Zhou. General, were we sold out by King Xiao!" the副将 exclaimed in alarm. Shen Yu might be foolish, but he was not.
"Why panic, why panic? With me here, what is there to fear!" Shen Yu roared, "Hurry up and command the army to quickly pass through this narrow mountain road. Capturing Wu Zhou is the most important thing. At that time, I will count it as your first merit!"
Shen Yu held his long saber, looking up at the starry sky.
Suddenly, two towering peaks above exploded, and countless rocks and fireballs rained down unceremoniously. Arrows filled the sky, tearing through the air with a whistling sound.
"Beifeng, you bastard, how dare you ambush this general!" Shen Yu's eyes turned red as he roared furiously.
"Defend, quickly defend, beware of shattered corpses and fireballs!" The副将's face changed drastically, and he hurriedly brandished his weapon, tearing apart the surprise arrow rain.
In an instant, the narrow mountain road was filled with firelight. Shen Yu's two hundred thousand troops were engulfed in flames, suffering countless casualties.
"Hahaha, Shen Yu, this time next year will be your death!" Beifeng appeared on the peak of the mountain.
"Beifeng, you bastard, dare you fight me!" Shen Yu continuously swung his saber, smashing hundreds of arrows with each strike.
"Ah hahaha, fight, why? This time I will make you unfaithful officials sacrifice to the mountains and rivers for my Yan Yang Dynasty!" Beifeng's eyes shot out fierce light.
"You..."
Shen Yu's face turned red, veins bulging, and he glared at Beifeng.
"General, quickly retreat! We have been betrayed by King Xiao!" The副将 was full of fear. Behind him, soldiers were constantly falling. This place was so dangerous that only Shen Yu would obey King Xiao and attack from here.
"Impossible, how could King Xiao harm me!" Shen Yu roared, taking a step forward and charging towards Beifeng, completely disregarding the lives of the army behind him.
"Haha, good! Your rash advance will only make your army behind you suffer a worse defeat!" Beifeng brandished his long saber and instantly met the charging Shen Yu.
With a deafening boom, the surrounding dozens of li trembled as if an earthquake had struck.
"Beifeng, die for me!"
Shen Yu roared to the heavens, slashing at Beifeng like a madman!
The two figures clashed back and forth in the void. Every attack was a direct hit, shaking the mountain range of the Bottleneck Pass, causing landslides, and the intense fire spread rapidly from the valley upwards.
Wang Baobao looked at the two armies fighting in the distance. The narrow valley was filled with the roars of battle, and the raging flames illuminated the entire mountain range along the road. Wu Zhou soldiers who had been ambushed on the mountainside quickly charged down, rushing into the sea of fire.
In the void, the two figures furiously bombarded each other. Mountains collapsed, stars fell. Even Wang Baobao, tens of li away, couldn't help but cast a side glance. True spiritual powerhouses were indeed formidable. They had to wait until both of them exhausted their Yuan Li before striking a decisive blow.