Magical Water Margin: They all call me brother

Page 111

Alternatively, a commander of the Imperial Guards from the central government could be sent to lead local militias, with the aim of eliminating the distinction between soldiers and generals, in order to prevent another An Lushan from emerging.

However, Liu Hong was not afraid at all, as his generals had their own fixed legions and troops.

Not only that, he also stopped sticking to the old ways; a battalion of one thousand men was the basic framework, and he wouldn't change that.

However, the system of five battalions forming an army was abolished, and instead, a legion was formed where any number of battalions could be incorporated. Lin Chong, Lu Zhisheng, Wu Song, Luan Tingyu, Huyan Zhuo, Chao Gai, and Li Jun, the seven commanders who controlled an entire legion, even had the right to conscript militia on the spot. The main idea was to delegate power, allowing these legion commanders to exercise their subjective will and combat capabilities to the fullest extent without being restricted.

As for not being able to control them?

Liu Hongcai was not worried about this matter. He was not as weak as Emperor Song, who could not even control his own generals.

After giving these people enough power, Liu Hong began to divide his forces.

Chao Gai's First Naval Army and Lu Zhisheng's First Infantry Army were stationed at Liangshan Marsh, their stronghold.

Wu Song's Second Infantry Army and Li Jun's Second Naval Army were stationed in Penglai, Dengzhou, to protect the second base that Liangshan had established.

Luan Tingyu's Third Infantry Army was stationed in the three mountains of Taohua Mountain, Erlong Mountain, and Baihu Mountain in Qingzhou, forming a pincer movement with the troops of Dengzhou against the prefectures east of Mount Tai.

Huyan Zhuo's Fourth Infantry Army was stationed at Mangdang Mountain to deter the new prefectures south of the Yellow River.

All the cavalry units were dispersed and patrolled, so that they could be assembled as quickly as possible in the event of a war, forming the sharpest spear of Liangshan Marsh!

Just as Liangshan Marsh and the anti-Liang alliance were rapidly expanding their armies, tensions were high, and they were poised to clash at any moment, a small incident became the fuse for the entire war.

Meanwhile, in Cangzhou, Chai Jin, the wealthy and powerful man, lived a life of extravagant spending and utter boredom. Today, he once again generously donated 30,000 strings of cash to a gang of Cangzhou thieves. Suddenly, a man rushed up to his manor carrying a letter. Chai Jin greeted him warmly, took the letter, read it, and was greatly alarmed.

It turned out that she had an uncle, Chai Huangcheng, who lived in Gaotang County. He was also a member of the Later Zhou royal family and lived a life of luxury under the protection of Emperor Taizu of Song and the emperors of the Song Dynasty. All the officials of the Song Dynasty ensured that these orphans of the Later Zhou lived a very respectable life.

However, Gao Qiu did not pass the imperial examination and did not understand these political tacit understandings. His younger brother, Gao Lian, understood even less. Yet, Gao Qiu was the magistrate of Gaotang County and married the daughter of the most powerful man in the area, the Yin family.

From then on, the Yin family of Gaotang County became close to Gao Qiu, and they acted recklessly and committed all sorts of evil deeds.

With the support of the Yin family, the largest landowners in the area, Magistrate Gao Lian, having formed an alliance between the highest-ranking official and the most powerful local bullies, became local tyrants who oppressed men and women. This time, they went even further, beating Chai Huangcheng so badly that he was paralyzed and bedridden!

Upon hearing this, Chai Jin was enraged, his chest heaving with resentment. Holding the imperial edict bestowed upon him by Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, he was determined to settle accounts with these scoundrels. She arrived in Gaotang Prefecture, entered the city, and dismounted before the residence of Chai Huangcheng, only to find her uncle already dying!

His face was as pale as gold paper, his body as withered as firewood. He had no seven spirits or three souls, only a wisp of breath.

My jaw is clenched so tightly that I can't eat or drink anything all day; my chest and diaphragm are swollen so that I can't swallow any pills all day.

After seeing Chai Huangcheng, Chai Jin sat down in front of his uncle's bed and burst into tears. He angrily asked who Gao Lian was and what connections he had. The servants hurriedly explained.

"The newly appointed prefect here, Gao Lian, is in charge of the local military forces. He is the cousin of Grand Commandant Gao of Dongjing. Relying on his brother's power, he does whatever he wants here. He brought along a brother-in-law named Yin Tianxi, whom everyone calls Yin Zhige. That fellow is young and, relying on his brother-in-law Gao Lian's power, he runs rampant and harms people here."

We told him that there was a beautifully built garden and pavilion behind our house. That fellow, accompanied by more than thirty servants, went straight into the house. After looking around, he wanted to send us away so he could stay there! The master said to him, “My family is of noble birth, protected by an imperial edict from the previous dynasty. No one is allowed to mistreat us. How dare you seize my residence? Where do you expect to send my family?”

"That fellow wouldn't listen to reason and insisted that we leave the house. When the imperial city went to pull him away, he pushed, grabbed, and beat us instead. Because of this humiliation, we've been bedridden, refusing to eat or drink, and medicine has been ineffective. It seems we're on the verge of death. Today, thanks to the great sir, we've been able to get justice for us!"

Upon hearing this, Chai Jin became even more enraged. How dare they bully men and women and run rampant in the streets? He immediately went to find Yin Tianci and Gao Lian to settle accounts. Holding the imperial edict in his hand, he turned and walked towards the county government office. Ordinary people saw Chai Jin as a dignified and noble man, like a celestial being descended to earth. His imposing presence seemed to be protected by the founding emperor, and everyone trembled with fear.

"Oh no! Your Honor! We've offended the wrong people. Let's just let it go and apologize. The Chai family are descendants of the Later Zhou imperial family, and they have an imperial edict from the founding emperor!"

Several servants scrambled into the county government office and hurriedly explained the situation to Gao Lian. Even the Yin family was wary of the artifacts passed down from the founding emperor.

"Yes, my husband, why don't we just forget about it? It's just a piece of land, can't we just give it up?"

"Don't want her? Why not? Who is Chai Jin?! A fallen member of the royal family from over a hundred years ago?"

Unexpectedly, Gao Lian, born into a rough and unruly family, had become habitually lawless under Gao Qiu's protection.

“My brother Gao Qiu serves the real emperor! Even the Emperor Zhao has to listen to my brother! What is Chai Jin? We're not refusing to pay for this house; buying it from him is giving him face. It was Chai Jin who refused to listen to our offer and is now being forced to drink the penalty cup!”

Faced with the imposing Chai Jin, Gao Lian, who was not very politically savvy but was very knowledgeable in Taoist arts, came up with a brilliant idea. In front of everyone, he used his spiritual power to steal Chai Jin's imperial edict and then gave an order for the Yin family's servants to rush forward, tie up Chai Jin, and throw him into prison!

Faced with the Gao and Yin families, who were so thuggish, the respectable Chai Jin was dumbfounded. He really didn't expect that this kid would not care about his dignity at all and would act like a street ruffian. Before he could react, he was already locked in a cell. Chai Jin was so angry that he laughed and then activated a hidden device.

In an instant, all the heroes who had been sponsored by Chai Jin, including Liu Hong, received Chai Jin's distress signal—there were thieves trying to harm me, and I was trapped in Gaotang County.

"What?! Is Gao Lian out of his mind, attacking Chai Jin?!"

For a moment, everyone on the street was dumbfounded, not understanding what Gao Lian was thinking. Did he really think that his brother Gao Qiu was so powerful that he could cover up the sky of the Song Dynasty with one hand?

In the past, Lord Chai provided us with so many resources; all the angel investment and start-up capital for the bandits in the vicinity came from him! Today, Lord Chai is in danger, brothers and sisters, even if we die in Gaotang, we must go to save her! Otherwise, we would be letting down the word "righteousness," and even more so, we would be letting down Lord Guan!

In an instant, all the bandits and rebel armies on both sides of the Yellow River began to contact each other and discuss how to rescue Chai Jin.

Chapter 306: The Gathering of the Kings of Liangshan

The undercurrents of the martial world are turbulent, and chaos reigns.

The news that Chai Jin was imprisoned in the Gaotang Death Row was like a crimson thunderbolt splitting the night sky, exploding over the Yellow River! In an instant, mountain bandits and river pirates from dozens of prefectures on both sides of the Yellow River suddenly looked up, united together, and wanted to rescue Chai Jin.

However, they discovered that their strength was indeed very small. Although the local officials of the Song Dynasty practiced the separation of powers, with the government, finance, and military not interfering with each other, the local fighting capacity was very poor.

However, Gaotang County was different. The county magistrate, Gao Lian, was the younger brother of Gao Qiu, the Grand Commandant of the current dynasty. Who would dare to share power with him? In addition, with the support of the local powerful Yin family, he was very powerful in Gaotang County. Ordinary bandits were no match for him.

However, the code of honor among these bandits prevented them from giving up, and they anxiously searched for a way to rescue them.

At this moment, Wu Yong made her move. Using magic, she disguised herself as one of the bandits' subordinates, infiltrating their meetings and making the same suggestion: join Liangshan and launch a joint attack. Furthermore, based on the bandits' interests and desires, she offered tailored advice, making them extremely tempted to join Liangshan.

Joining Liangshan would at most restrict our actions from the Great Sage Equaling Heaven.

But from now on, we can rely on Liangshan and fear no one!

At the same time, Zhu Gui's intelligence network was also secretly conveying the message that Liu Hong, the leader of Liangshan, had also received a great favor from Chai Jin and was going to rescue Chai Jin. If any of you leaders wanted to join Liangshan, I am willing to give you the title of "Separate Commander," which is equivalent to an independent battalion not included in the legion's organization. I will absolutely not confiscate your military power, and you can still fight with your old brothers.

Under the combined offensive of Liangshan, within a few days, the warlords, bandits, and thieves who had previously carved out their own territories and occupied strategic passes began to frantically flock to Liangshan! Countless flags of various colors appeared on Liangshan, and the apricot-yellow flag bearing the inscription "Acting on Behalf of Heaven" that fluttered before the Hall of Righteousness at Liangshan Marsh suddenly transformed into a magnificent celestial monument that subdued all demons.

A single spark ignited the flames of Gaotang, drawing forth a horde of wild men from all directions. The banks of the Yellow River and the various prefectures of Shandong were still abuzz with excitement!

"Are all members of the Gao family this stubborn?"

Liu Hong snorted coldly, speechless at Gao Qiu and Gao Lian's reckless actions. Things had come to this point. Thirty-six rebel kings on both sides of the Yellow River, seventy-two routes of smoke and dust, tens of thousands of bandits and righteous troops had all gathered under the banner of Liangshan. So be it, let's fight!

Liu Hong calmly began his deployment, while Chao Gai's First Naval Army continued to garrison Liangshan Marsh. He himself led Lu Zhisheng's First Infantry Army, marching in a mighty force towards Gaotang. The core of this First Army was the five thousand veteran soldiers who had defeated Huyan Zhuo before.

Although these 5,000 men also suffered heavy casualties, they recovered through recruitment. Lu Zhisheng now commands three battalions of heavily armored veterans, all clad in iron armor and wielding muskets and spears, along with five newly added battalions of light infantry, each with 1,000 men, totaling 8,000 elite troops.

Subsequently, two battalions of recently trained soldiers were added, capable of adapting to the new tactics. This elite Liangshan First Army now numbers 10,000.

Meanwhile, thirty-six rebel kings of varying sizes on both sides of the Yellow River, along with seventy-two groups of plunderers, commanded armies ranging from fifty to over a thousand men, totaling a staggering thirty thousand.

It was just past the autumn harvest, and the people had entered a rare period of leisure. Liu Hong gave an order and conscripted 40,000 people out of the 400,000 people in Jizhou to perform corvée labor: they were provided with food and lodging and were paid wages. Liangshan was very close to Gaotang. It could be reached by following the Ji River and entering the Yellow River. The entire journey was by waterway, and one logistics support could barely support one soldier.

As for the wages and food for 40,000 people, where will they come from? — Wouldn't it be enough after we take Gaotang County?

With 40,000 soldiers and 40,000 laborers, this army of 80,000, which Liu Hong claimed to number 300,000, swept across the entire Jizhou region in a mighty procession. They crossed the Yellow River by boat and entered the Song Dynasty territory as if it were empty. No local official wanted to intercept them, dared to intercept them, or had the strength to intercept them. They could only watch helplessly as the Liangshan bandits marched directly to the outskirts of Gaotang County on the north bank of the Yellow River, set up camp, and began to surround the county town from all sides. They even built artillery positions in broad daylight.

At this moment, Gao Lian panicked. He hadn't expected to make such a huge mess. So he immediately wrote a letter, one to his brother, the Grand Commandant in the imperial court, asking for help, and the other to the anti-Liang alliance in Shandong—brothers, please help me! Liangshan is coming to attack me!

The anti-Liang alliance, led by Zhang Shuye, was also helpless at this moment. Liu Hong was forced to fight this battle because he had not trained his troops well and did not want to take action so quickly.

The same logic applies to the anti-Liang alliance. Thanks to the Song Dynasty's peculiar separation of powers, their foundation was even weaker than Liangshan's, and their training costs were higher than those of local ruffians and bandits. Liu Hong was not prepared, and neither were they, so neither wanted to fight.

But there's no other way. If Gao Lian gets attacked and we don't rescue him, morale will collapse and we won't be able to lead the team. We have to rescue Gao Lian!

In a short time, a massive storm gradually swept across the entire Shandong province, and the epicenter of the storm was the small county of Gaotang.

In Dengzhou, the newly appointed prefect of Qingzhou, Yun Tianbiao, acted swiftly. He was quite a jack-of-all-trades; in this critical moment, he used his excellent and generous speech, along with a well-timed offer of benefits, to persuade the prefects of the six neighboring prefectures in Shandong to cooperate—"I know you are afraid of Liu Hong. So, even if you don't express your stance and continue to cooperate with Liu Hong on the surface, at least lend me your local troops to wipe out Liangshan! I will absolutely not betray you."

Subsequently, he divided the unknown troops and resources at his disposal into several teams, scattered them to set up camp, and pretended to be a feint. He then attacked Wu Song's Second Army Corps stationed in Dengzhou and Luan Tingyu's Third Army Corps stationed in the Three Mountains at the same time, thus tying down the two Liangshan armies in Qi, east of Mount Tai.

North of the Yellow River, the prefect of Dongchang Prefecture, the closest prefecture to Gaotang County, immediately dispatched his general Zhang Qing, leading all of Dongchang Prefecture's cavalry—a full eight hundred riders—along with two deputy generals: Gong Wang, nicknamed "Flower-Headed Tiger," and Ding Desun, nicknamed "Arrow-Struck Tiger," carrying essential supplies, to Gaotang as reinforcements! It was imperative to send a general and a force of elite troops into the county town to defend it before Liu Hong completed the siege, thus ensuring Gaotang's safety.

Chapter 307: The Featherless Arrow's Golden Whirlwind

Upon receiving the order, Zhang Qing immediately led Gong Wang, Ding Desun, and eight hundred cavalrymen out of the camp at breakneck speed.

Liu Hong was no fool. He led a large infantry force to build four large camps around Gaotang in the east, south, west, and north, as well as an artillery position. At the same time, he also dispatched five hundred cavalrymen to patrol the surrounding area. The leader of the cavalry was none other than the cavalry commander, the vanguard Suo Chao, to gather intelligence in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

However, Zhang Qing arrived far too quickly, and the Liangshan cavalry was insufficient in number. Only Suo Chao's meticulously planned reconnaissance network, dividing his 500 cavalry into 100 teams of five men each, with both visible and concealed sentries intertwined, managed to detect Zhang Qing's presence. Had it been anyone else, they might not have even noticed Zhang Qing charging through the ranks. The 800 cavalry, like arrows released from a bow, tore through Suo Chao's first layer of detection!

"Report this immediately! A cavalry force of about five hundred to a thousand men is heading towards Gaotang! I'll intercept them!"

Suo Chao didn't expect to be able to defeat Zhang Qing's eight hundred cavalry. After all, the five hundred cavalry had been too scattered for reconnaissance and had only managed to assemble hastily. He only had fifty cavalrymen at his disposal. He thought he could harass and delay them. As long as he could hold off Zhang Qing's advance here, the five hundred cavalry would quickly regroup, and Brother Liu Hong would also send a large infantry force to drive away this small cavalry unit.

When Suo Chao arrived at the battlefield with fifty riders, he couldn't help but praise Zhang Qing as a hero upon seeing his figure.

The female general was clad in a white, silver, soft armor with scales that were densely packed like intertwined dragons and snakes. She wore a palm-width dark gold plum blossom and beast-swallowing belt that accentuated her slender, supple waist in a breathtakingly graceful curve. Her long neck was held high like a swan singing, while her jawline was sharp and clean, like a knife cutting through cold iron.

Two blushes quietly spread across her fair, snow-white face, whether from surging fighting spirit or natural beauty, it was hard to tell. Her pair of clear, amber vertical pupils, like the finest cat's eyes, locked onto targets with the precision of a hawk seizing a prey.

With red lips and white teeth, she naturally exuded a hint of cold sarcasm. A small cinnabar mole on the corner of her right lip resembled a splash of hot blood from a flying stone shattering a jade plate, an eerie and striking detail.

Dark gold armbands and wristbands tightened around her forearms, making her ten fingers appear even longer and more slender, like carved cold jade. Her knuckles held a springy energy ready to be unleashed. The hem of her plain white battle robe with cloud patterns fluttered as she lightly touched her toes, like a startled swan spreading its wings, revealing white deerskin trousers that tightly hugged her plump thighs.

Her two lieutenants were also imposing and dashing, named Gong Wang, with black tiger tattoos on their cheeks and arms, carrying thirty-six javelins on their backs, and skilled in throwing javelins on horseback.

The man named Ding Desun, nicknamed "Tiger in the Middle," had numerous scars on his face and arms, resembling medals of a hero. He held two throwing forks connected by chains, exuding arrogance and brilliance, and was skilled at throwing forks on horseback.

"Sound the war drums, blow the horns, I'm going to meet her!"

The vanguard, Suo Chao, snorted coldly. Her golden helmet and armor gleamed in the sunlight, her scarlet battle robe turning into a blood-red river in the gale. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her golden axe whipped up a ground-shattering gale. Her crimson steed trampled the scorched earth, and she transformed into an angry golden thunderbolt, accompanied by a battle roar that could shatter mountains, charging straight at Zhang Qing! Before the axe blade even arrived, the violent wind had already whipped up a cloud of dust, like waves and walls! That giant axe, raised high, seemed capable of cleaving the entire earth in two, let alone a woman!

Zhang Qing's amber pupils flashed with a cold light. Her slender waist twisted slightly like a serpent, her legs pushing off the stirrups, her right hand touching, guiding, and spinning the edge of the scarlet brocade pouch! The movement was as gentle as plucking the delicate strings of a zither, yet her jade arm followed a mysterious arc, perfectly executing a golden spin as she threw an iron ball.

"Om-"

A single point of golden light, as condensed as liquid gold, left the hand. It didn't shoot in a straight line, but instead drew a visible, ever-expanding golden spiral in the air! The air vibrated at a high frequency from this spiral trajectory, emitting a deep and sacred resonance. The golden sphere itself seemed to possess life, greedily absorbing the kinetic energy in space as it flew. The spiral trail expanded larger and larger, like a destructive meteorite hurled by a god onto the mortal world!

Suo Chao's pupils shrank suddenly as she sensed danger. She instinctively raised her axe to block, but the golden spiral light wheel strangely bypassed the axe blade, carrying a golden vortex that could crush stars, and slammed into the Panlong Heart Mirror in the center of his chest and abdomen!

"Boom!!!"

A deep, resounding boom, like the thunder of a great bell, exploded instantly! No sparks flew, no armor plates scattered, but Suo Chao's thick, steel-forged, dragon-patterned breastplate collapsed inwards at its center, as if a boulder had been thrown onto ice! Countless spiraling cracks, gleaming with golden light, spread outwards at an alarming speed, instantly covering the entire breastplate! Deep within the cracks, the afterimage of the rapidly spinning golden flying locust stone could be faintly seen, like a miniature star imprisoned in amber!

"puff!!!"

Suo Chao was struck head-on by a battering ram. A mouthful of scalding blood, mixed with fragments of internal organs, gushed out, turning into a cloud of blood mist. Her massive, mountain-like body was thrown uncontrollably off the saddle and flew backward. The heavy mountain-splitting axe also flew out of her hand, spinning and piercing into the hard soil a meter away. Her own body also crashed heavily to the ground two meters away, accompanied by a loud bang, and dust rose up like waves beneath her!

At this moment, the dragon armor on Suo Chao's chest, covered with golden spiral cracks, had not broken or fallen off, but with each difficult breath, fine beads of blood seeped from the depths of the cracks, as if the entire armor was groaning and moaning! She struggled to prop herself up, but the slightest movement triggered excruciating pain from her ribcage shattering, and she spat out another mouthful of blood onto the twisted and deformed breastplate, staining the spiral golden patterns a glaring, eerie red!

For a moment, the Liangshan cavalry were stunned. Although Suo Chao wasn't among the strongest, he was still very powerful. Lin Chong would need at least twenty or thirty rounds to defeat him. This person had killed the vanguard Suo Chao in one move? What did she throw?!

Chapter 308: The Golden Spearman's Iron Wall Remains Unbreakable (Bonus Chapter for 3400 Monthly Tickets!)

For a moment, the Liangshan cavalry showed no further intention of harassing them. Seeing Zhang Qing's cavalry charging towards them, several guards lifted Suo Chao from the ground and picked up her golden-handled axe. The guards fought desperately to stop Zhang Qing's cavalry charge, barely managing to rescue Suo Chao. The remaining thirty-odd cavalrymen were then chased by Zhang Qing's eight hundred cavalrymen all the way towards Liu Hong's Gaotang camp!

Meanwhile, in Gaotang County, Liu Hong was assisting Ling Zhen in constructing artillery positions when a messenger arrived on horseback with news that an 800-strong cavalry force was approaching from the direction of Dongchang Prefecture.

Before he could even set up a defense, Zhang Qing had already stormed into the South Camp, arriving only thirty seconds later than Suo Chao's scouts!

Cao Zheng, the commander of the Southern Camp, immediately led his infantry to hastily set up defenses. However, before the formation could be fully deployed, Zhang Qing, quick-witted and agile, recognized Cao Zheng, dressed as a general, under the commander's banner. He then launched a stone, causing the iron ball to spin in the air in a perfect golden ratio. Before Cao Zheng could even react to what it was, he was knocked unconscious by the stone!

"The Liangshan camp isn't ready yet! This is the last chance! All troops! Charge!!!"

At Zhang Qing's command, eight hundred elite Xuanjia cavalrymen, like a dark torrent lurking in the night, surged forth the instant Zhang Qing raised her wrist! Their hooves, wrapped in hemp cloth, pounded the ground silently. Their armor joints were lined with soft leather, making the entire cavalry seem like ghosts gliding along the tips of the grass! Zhang Qing, riding a white horse with a silver saddle, led the charge, her slender waist straight as a spear, her amber pupils locking onto the weakest point of the Liangshan camp ahead, and she charged through Cao Zheng's chaotic army.

The entire army was like a black tide of death arranged in a wedge shape. Without any fixed tents, the wooden fences were smashed by the piles the moment they came into contact. Before the crisp sound had even faded, men and horses were already trampled and swept into the camp by the splinters!

"what's the situation?!"

"A cavalry unit under Suo Chao's command has just reported that a cavalry force is rapidly approaching!"

"It's Zhang Qing from Dongchang Prefecture! Brothers! Grab your weapons and charge!"

The commanders of the Southern Camp immediately sprang into action, leading their troops to intercept Zhang Qing. However, Zhang Qing remained silent, only taking out iron balls from his bag. With his strong thighs, supple waist, and slender arms, he simultaneously unleashed a series of perfectly spinning iron balls at each of the commanders. Those hit by the balls invariably clutched their faces and screamed in agony, abandoning their armor and weapons, some even being pierced through the chest or blown to their heads, dying instantly!

Zhang Qing launched nine iron balls in succession, striking nine rebel kings who had recently joined Liangshan. His eight hundred cavalrymen, like a cold, sharp, black jade hairpin, pierced through the thickest part of the Liangshan camp! Leaving chaos, flames, and death behind!

After breaching another rebel king's camp, Zhang Qing's view suddenly opened up—the majestic walls of Gaotang City were already visible in the faint morning light!

"Change direction! Stick to the wall! Dodge the arrows!"

Zhang Qingqing roared again! Eight hundred riders, like a serpent swaying its tail, with Zhang Qing as the head, instantly rushed close to the base of the rammed earth city wall! Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Gao Lian immediately ordered the entire army to rush up the city wall, using a rain of arrows to suppress the Liangshan troops and cover Zhang Qing's charge. Then he opened the city gates wide to let Zhang Qing in.

However, Liangshan also reacted at this moment. Seeing that Gaotang's city gates had opened, Xu Ning, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Camp, the Golden Spear, bravely led his troops in a fierce charge, intending to cut through Zhang Qing's eight hundred cavalry and rush into Gaotang! A hail of arrows rained down from the Gaotang city walls, but none could penetrate Xu Ning's armor! While the other cavalry were held back by the arrow rain, Xu Ning alone charged through the arrow storm, relying on his 95% armor protection, moving as if there were no arrows!

Even a single crossbow bolt, a two-meter-long arrow, would only tickle Xu Ning's armor; it couldn't penetrate his defenses at all!

"You all go in first, I'll cover the rear."

Zhang Qing remained silent, drawing her horse to fight Xu Ning. One wore a gleaming golden chainmail, the other a chillingly white silver armor. Their horses clashed, spears raised side-by-side. Before five rounds had passed, Xu Ning began to doubt—such slow spearmanship, such weak martial arts. Zhang Qing's close-combat ability was mediocre, probably only at the Earthly Fiend level. Suo Chao was instantly defeated by her? How could that be?

Engaging in close combat with a powerhouse of Xu Ning's caliber was incredibly stressful for Zhang Qing. After only ten rounds, he was already overwhelmed, his iron spear only capable of parrying, with no opportunity to launch an attack.

Having bought some time for his men, Zhang Qing turned his horse and fled. The victorious Xu Ning hurriedly gave chase. Zhang Qing, however, merely held his spear in his left hand while reaching into his pouch with his right, pulling out an iron ball. Seeing Xu Ning's face close, he twisted his waist and, using his grassland archery skills, hurled another cavalry golden slingshot behind him!

Xu Ning was on high alert, wondering if the other party would launch a counterattack or pull out a hidden crossbow to shoot her. She thought of a million ways the other party could retaliate, but she never expected that this guy would throw an iron ball. She was hit squarely on the bridge of her nose. The huge golden whirlwind impact knocked Xu Ning off her warhorse and she fell heavily to the ground, stirring up a cloud of dust!