Chapter Ninety-Two: A Turning Point

It appeared that Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing were deeply encircled. Although both were exceptionally skilled warriors and had already slain over two hundred enemies, their opponents had only suffered about a tenth of their forces in return, while Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing had lost more than half of their strength.

Yet Ye Pei remained calm. He knew that the Eastern Army’s scouts surely covered this area; once the battle began here, news would soon reach their camp, and reinforcements would be dispatched. If they could just hold on a little longer, help would arrive.

However, Ye Pei had kept this to himself, fearing that if Jiang Zhongqing knew there was a backup plan, he might hold back and not fight with his full strength, risking failure. Ye Pei had no such concerns—having survived many life-or-death battles, he had learned from past mistakes, especially when Meng Huaicheng, who accompanied him then, helped maintain stability.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Army was holding an emergency meeting about the situation. The scouts had indeed reported the crisis quickly upon returning to Jiazhou. The high command received the news immediately. Yang Tianrui was ready to take up his sword and rush to their aid, but upon hearing about the emergency meeting, he hurried to attend.

“Why wait? Send troops at once! What meeting is there to hold?” Yang Tianrui shouted as he entered.

“General Yang, please be patient,” Eastern Bo Yi said thoughtfully at the table, “There’s some disagreement here.”

Yang Tianrui grew impatient. “Disagreement? Over what?”

A general from the Feng family spoke up: “General Tianrui, I believe if we send reinforcements before they arrive, the situation might become too unstable. I fear we won’t be able to hold this favorable position.”

“You’re talking nonsense,” Yang Tianrui snapped, showing no mercy to his subordinates. “Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing are formidable fighters. If we don’t rescue them, future battles will be even harder. Besides, reinforcements are arriving soon—what’s there to worry about?”

The Feng officer flushed with anger but dared not argue. Another Feng general then added, “General Tianrui, I agree. Their combat prowess is extraordinary. We should trust they can fight their way back.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Two men against two thousand? You...” Yang Tianrui’s fury broke loose.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Zi Qingrong rushed in, asking, “Why are you still holding a meeting instead of sending troops?”

Yang Tianrui’s tone softened. “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. We’re discussing the matter.”

Zi Qingrong, a refined lady, kept her composure. “Though I don’t understand war, isn’t there nothing left to discuss?”

Yang Tianrui glanced around and asked, “Where is Liu Ziwen?”

A Feng family officer replied, “General Liu is unwell and resting.”

In truth, Liu Ziwen wasn’t ill but was also hesitating about whether to send troops.

“What? Sick? Sick for whom?” Yang Tianrui was exasperated. He had no command over the troops; the Feng family controlled them under Liu Ziwen, the Xiao family under Ye Pei, and the Yin family under their own control. Eastern Bo Yi’s opinion on troop deployment was pivotal, while Yang Tianrui’s words, no matter how urgent, were only suggestions.

He had even prepared to go to Huasu City alone when a city guard reported, “Young Master Dongfang, there is an army outside the city flying the imperial banner. The leader claims to be Chen Mo and says they come to support us.”

Before Eastern Bo Yi could respond, Zi Qingrong’s face lit up with joy as she dashed to the city wall. Though Yang Tianrui was puzzled, he followed her out.

Eastern Bo Yi paused, wondering who this reinforcement could be. Someone reminded him, “Young Master Dongfang, General Yang and Lady Ye have already gone out.”

Snapping back to reality, Eastern Bo Yi stood. “We should go as well.”

Zi Qingrong reached the city wall and looked down to see Chen Mo and a burly man leading their troops. Judging by their orderly formation, they numbered about five thousand.

As Zi Qingrong leaned out, Chen Mo spotted her and cupped his hands respectfully. “Sister-in-law, I hope you are well. Where is Brother Ye?”

Zi Qingrong replied anxiously, “He and Jiang Zhongqing are besieged by two thousand men to the west at Huasu City! Hurry to save them!”

Without waiting, she hurried down, seemingly intent on joining the rescue.

Yang Tianrui, arriving shortly after, recognized Chen Mo as an old acquaintance of Ye Pei. Seeing the five thousand troops, a fierce smile crossed his lips. He shouted, “Bring me my horse!”

Chen Mo and Huang Jifeng exchanged glances. Huang Jifeng immediately ordered, “Relay my command! Except for logistics, advance swiftly westward!”

The troops obeyed without hesitation. The five thousand quickly changed formation and set out west, while Zi Qingrong and Yang Tianrui rode out from the city to join Huang Jifeng and Chen Mo.

“Brother-in-law, what’s the situation with Ye and Jiang?” Chen Mo asked as they rode.

Zi Qingrong, who had recently learned to ride, answered, “You know Jiang Zhongqing? Never mind that. They went to assassinate a general under Lin Yuzhe and were intercepted by two thousand men on their return.”

Huang Jifeng asked, “How long ago did this happen?”

Yang Tianrui replied, “The scouts reported as soon as the fight began. It’s not too late now. With their strength, they can hold on. And who might you be?”

Huang Jifeng bowed. “I am Huang Jifeng from the Sacred Sacrifice Domain. May I ask your name?”

Yang Tianrui smiled. “Oh... it’s you. The situation is chaotic; rules don’t matter now. I am General Yang Tianrui.”

Huang Jifeng and Chen Mo exchanged surprised looks and said respectfully, “We have long admired General Yang.”

This was no empty flattery; Yang Tianrui was known as the strongest warrior in Yan Territory, and few had not heard of him.

“Sister-in-law,” Chen Mo glanced at the sword at Zi Qingrong’s waist, “when the fight starts, please don’t rush forward. I know Brother Ye taught you some skills, and you’re anxious, but leave the battle to our troops. Two thousand enemies don’t require all five thousand of us. Stay with me in the rear. If something happens to you, Brother Ye will surely kill me.”

Zi Qingrong nodded. “I understand.”

The troops moved swiftly and lightly. Jiazhou was not far from Huasu, and within half an hour, the sounds of battle grew louder with smoke rising in the distance.

Seeing this, all felt reassured—it meant Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing were still alive and fighting.

Yang Tianrui trained primarily in physical combat, while Huang Jifeng cultivated both internal and external strength. Though Yang Tianrui’s voice couldn’t reach the battlefield three miles away, Huang Jifeng’s could.

Huang Jifeng closed his eyes, circulating his energy. The air around him shimmered slightly before he suddenly opened his eyes and shouted, “Ye Pei! Jiang Zhongqing! Don’t panic! I am here!”

His roar rippled through the air, almost visible as it swept toward the battlefield.

Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing, back-to-back and desperately fending off wave after wave of attackers, were invigorated by the shout. Their blades, which had begun to falter, moved with renewed agility.

They were already at their limits. Hua Yun, knowing this, intensified the pressure on his soldiers. Upon hearing the shout, he realized reinforcements had arrived. From his horse, he looked eastward, but the dust cloud made it impossible to tell the numbers. Originally commanding six thousand troops, after the previous battle, few would come now. He ordered, “Kill those two! The outer troops, turn and fight!”

The Huasu forces pressed harder, but Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing’s morale soared, and the battle remained stalemated. At the front, Huang Jifeng and Yang Tianrui were breaking into the fray.

“Charge!”

Their shouts overlapped. The two generals, each wielding a greatsword, plunged into the Huasu ranks like arrows.

The troops behind quickly followed. The three thousand front-line soldiers surged into battle, while Chen Mo led the rear guard to protect Zi Qingrong.

“Master Ye! You’re out!” Huang Jifeng shouted toward Ye Pei as he cut down enemies.

Ye Pei gauged the distance and told Jiang Zhongqing, “Zhongqing, let’s go!”

Jiang Zhongqing understood. They split, exchanged a glance, and let out a long cry. Using their remaining internal strength, they leapt into the air, vaulting over countless foes toward Huang Jifeng.

Huang Jifeng, seeing them airborne, jumped from his horse and caught them both midair. Yang Tianrui dismounted as well. Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing, though unsteady, mounted their horses, shielded by the Sacred Sacrifice Domain troops, and began to retreat.

Hua Yun, astonished that the two could still perform such lightness skills after so long, bellowed, “Chase them! Kill the two!”

But the remaining sixteen hundred soldiers were blocked by Huang Jifeng and Yang Tianrui.

Though Yang Tianrui had disguised himself, his presence as a great general was unmistakable. Raising his greatsword and flicking his cloak, he roared, “Those who dare besiege us must be prepared to face the consequences! Die!”

Before his words faded, Yang Tianrui and Huang Jifeng led the charge into the enemy ranks. Their momentum suggested this rescue was more than just saving Ye Pei—it seemed they intended to annihilate the Huasu forces altogether.