Chapter 94: The Lin Family's Counterattack

Early in the morning, in the main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion in Huasu City, the group chatted while having their usual breakfast.

"By the way, has the news from Jiazhou arrived?" Ye Pei asked.

Chen Mo nodded. "It just arrived last night. A total of thirty-seven tribes, both large and small, have responded to the call to provide support, bringing an army of about ten thousand men."

"Ten thousand?" Ye Pei looked surprised. "Is that all?"

Yang Tianrui added, "Brother Ye, you still don't quite understand the political landscape of the Yan lands. Many of the tribes capable of sending support right now are small ones within the territory ruled by the Lin clan; their capacity to provide troops is very limited. Those large tribes that hold grievances against the Lin clan are likely still sitting on the fence. Adding them to our existing forces, our army size is now around twenty thousand, which is enough to fight some decent battles."

Ye Pei nodded. "I understand now. But generally speaking, the combat effectiveness of a coalition force isn't very high. If we clash with the Lin clan's elite, I don't feel we have much of a winning chance even if the numbers were equal, let alone when the Lin clan has the numerical advantage."

Chen Mo laughed. "Brother Ye, I think you've forgotten..."

"Oh!" Ye Pei smiled. "I know. No need to say more."

At that moment, Ye Pei suddenly realized that, at most, this would be a battlefield of twenty thousand against thirty thousand. With such numbers, a fierce commander could still significantly boost morale. Since the enemy had lost so many officers, if he and his companions could slay a few more during the battle... The reason he had hurriedly interrupted Chen Mo was simply because he knew that if he didn't take action, Chen Mo’s penchant for lecturing would likely lead to a series of taunts while he explained.

"I miss my brothers from Wangmai more and more..." Ye Pei muttered to himself.

However, everyone present possessed extraordinary hearing. Yang Tianrui smiled and said, "I wonder, for a hero like Brother Ye, what kind of divine beings are your brothers in Wangmai?"

A proud smile bloomed on Ye Pei’s face. "They... one is skilled with a Fangtian painting halberd; his strength is astonishing, and a single swing can hold back a million soldiers. Another has practiced with dual blades since childhood; his blade work is eerie and unconventional—in a duel, I am no match for him. The third has peerless archery skills; during the Wangyan season, he once shot and killed a traitor from over a mile away with a tail-chasing arrow. The last one has been well-versed in military strategy since childhood; his grandfather was my master in military tactics. While my own ability is likely not even half of his grandfather’s, he possesses eighty percent of his master's essence."

At this, everyone present became interested.

Chen Mo finished his breakfast, opened his folding fan, and smiled. "If there is a chance, I would really like to meet that last brother of yours."

Beside him, although Yang Tianrui and Huang Jifeng said nothing, the intense interest in their eyes betrayed them. Ye Pei knew with one glance that they definitely wanted to cross swords with Yan Chuanming.

Ye Pei smiled vaguely. "Rest assured, there will be a chance." Glancing at Chen Mo, Ye Pei thought to himself, "If they faced each other on the battlefield... I’m afraid Mo wouldn't be able to beat Liu Zhi, though he might be superior to him in other abilities. If his grandfather hadn't retired with his entire family..."

Liu Zhi was the eldest grandson of Liu Su, the greatest military strategist of Wangmai.

Ye Linhui’s martial arts master was Ye Pei’s grandfather, Ye Guanwen, and his mentor in military strategy was none other than Liu Su. Liu Su’s son—Liu Zhi’s father—had relied on his status as a "second-generation official" and "second-generation rich kid" to lead a dissolute life in his youth, maintaining eight concubines in addition to his legal wife. After Liu Zhi was born, it seemed Liu Su feared the boy would develop the same temperament as his father. Coupled with the fact that Ye Linhui was beginning to stand out, Liu Su resolutely resigned from his position as a First-Rank Grand General’s military advisor and quietly retired with his eldest grandson.

Even so, Liu Su would occasionally bring Liu Zhi to visit his prized student, Ye Linhui, which allowed Liu Zhi to become acquainted with Ye Pei and the others.

By the time the Wangyan season began, Liu Su had already passed away, and Liu Zhi, who harbored the strategies of a million soldiers in his heart, seemed to have fallen in love with the mountain life and had no intention of returning to officialdom.

Once the serious business was concluded, the group chatted casually while they finished their meal, enjoying the camaraderie. During the meal, Chen Mo suddenly asked, "Brother Ye, when do you intend to officially take Miss Zi as your wife? We would love to make a scene at the celebration!"

This question immediately made Zi Qingrong’s lovely face flush, and she looked at Ye Pei with a mixture of six parts shyness and four parts anticipation. Ye Pei choked on his food and quickly took a sip of tea to clear his throat.

"That..." Ye Pei hesitated. "There are still so many things to do, I really can't be sure yet..."

"Hahaha..." Chen Mo laughed loudly. "Look at you..." Before he could finish, Chen Mo saw the scene unfolding before Ye Pei.

Ye Pei had taken Zi Qingrong’s hand, ignoring everyone around them, and smiled. "But rest assured, I will definitely put on the grandest display in all of Wangmai and the Yan lands to marry you."

Zi Qingrong, watched by so many people, kept her head down, blushing, and gave a soft, flower-like "Mhm."

"Damn it..." Chen Mo swallowed the rest of his taunts. "Extremely uncomfortable..."

Just as everyone was finishing their meal and enjoying the conversation, a messenger suddenly rushed in, knelt on one knee, and said, "Scouts report that two armies have been spotted ten and thirty miles west of the city. The first is a cavalry force of five thousand, followed by a main army of twenty-five thousand. They are all flying flags with the character 'Lin' and are heading our way."

Hearing this, everyone was startled and exchanged glances. Chen Mo ordered, "Pass the word to the entire army: prepare for battle!"

After the soldier left, Ye Pei said, "It hasn't even been a few days, and Lin Yuzhe has already attacked. Five thousand cavalry in the lead... they've come to challenge us, haven't they?"

Yang Tianrui added, "Most likely. Brother Ye, what do you think?"

Ye Pei sneered, "Could we possibly be afraid? First, mobilize one thousand troops; the rest will stay in the city to prepare for the siege. We will go and meet this vanguard. Zhongqing," Ye Pei looked at Jiang Zhongqing, "you aren't suited for mounted combat; stay in the city and prepare for the defense."

Jiang Zhongqing had no objections and nodded in agreement. Subsequently, Ye Pei, Yang Tianrui, Huang Jifeng, and five generals from the Sacred Sacrifice Domain prepared to lead one thousand men out of the city to engage.

At the city gate:

"Be careful..." Zi Qingrong had seen Ye Pei go to the battlefield several times, but her hands still turned cold whenever the moment arrived.

Ye Pei touched her hair as he always did, mounted his horse in one fluid motion, and smiled. "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

The group led their forces out of the city, and the five thousand galloping cavalry soon appeared on the horizon, trailing clouds of dust.

As they drew closer, the group saw a delicately decorated carriage in the midst of the dust-choked army. When the two sides were only a mile apart, the five thousand cavalry came to a halt. Surrounded by a group of officers, the carriage slowly moved to the center of the clearing between the two armies. A handsome youth in brocade robes emerged; looking closely, his features seemed somewhat similar to the three Lin brothers.

"Which one of you on the opposite side is Ye Pei?" the youth shouted as soon as he stepped out.

Hearing this, Ye Pei spurred his horse forward. He looked at the youth, who appeared to be two or three years his junior, and smiled. "It seems... you are Lin Yuzhe, the son of Lin Hezhi?"

The youth replied, "That is me! Ye Pei, you killed my cousin and then my father. Only two days ago, you dared to sneak into my camp to assassinate my general. I have come this time to hack you into ten thousand pieces!"

Ye Pei looked at the figure surrounded by officers and spread his empty hands, smiling. "I am so afraid. I haven't brought anything with me; are you going to capture me?"

Lin Yuzhe barked, "Which general will capture this villain for me?"

The officers around Lin Yuzhe looked at each other, but no one stepped forward to take the challenge. After all, in their eyes, even Lin Hezhi had died at Ye Pei’s hands; they feared they wouldn't last a single exchange against him.

At that moment, an officer under Huang Jifeng’s command suddenly rode out from behind Ye Pei and said, "Young Master Ye, please return; leave this to me."

Ye Pei looked at him with interest. "What is your name?"

The general replied, "I am Wang Yifei."

Ye Pei nodded and retreated. Then, Huang Jifeng smiled. "Young Master Ye, when we were in the Capture Domain, before we entered the Jade Blade Tomb, his younger brother was among those you saved from the Sacred Sacrifice Domain."

Ye Pei laughed. "Ha... so that’s it. That saves me the trouble of doing it myself."

When the people on the other side saw Ye Pei return to his formation and another general come out to challenge, one of their officers said, "Young Master, I am willing to go!"

Lin Yuzhe nodded. "Good! We shall return and beat the drums to cheer for General Lin!"

With that, Lin Yuzhe and the large group of officers guarding him retreated, leaving the Lin general alone. Before leaving, Lin Yuzhe shouted, "Ye Pei! You shameless coward, you don't dare to fight yourself, so you send your underling to die in your place!"

This remark terrified the Lin general on the field so much that he nearly dropped his cavalry spear.

"Damn... he finally left. If this remark provokes him into coming back, should I run or stay..."

Fortunately, Ye Pei had bullied many such second-generation heirs since childhood and couldn't be bothered to argue with him, showing no intention of entering the fray.

Thus, Wang Yifei and the Lin general looked at each other, raised their spears, and charged at each other with a roar.

It must be said that many people use long spears as weapons. The reason is simple: even someone who knows nothing of martial arts, when given a long pole, can swing it around a few times regardless of their skill. When given a spear, people often instinctively make a thrusting motion. It can be said that this is an undeveloped skill deep in human nature, which is why many feel the spear is easier to pick up.

In the clearing, the two generals were already trading blows. In reality, the skill levels of most vanguard officers are similar; in one-on-one mounted combat, it is common to see dozens of rounds go by without a winner. Since Ye Pei had officially stepped onto the battlefield, no one had lasted more than twenty rounds against him. Even Lin Yufei, the strongest mounted combatant Ye Pei had faced, had barely lasted ten rounds.

At this moment, the two generals were evenly matched, fighting until they were gasping for breath with no winner in sight. Aside from killing intent, there was even a budding sense of mutual respect in their eyes...

Suddenly, Ye Pei heard a strange sound. Ignoring the others, he dismounted, supported himself with one hand on the ground, and leaned down to listen. He then mounted his horse, whipped out his demon-iron spear from his waist, and surged forward, shouting, "General Wang, please return to the ranks! Let me handle this man!"