Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 75: Dividing the Forces

The sky was blue, like a length of silk unrolled, with only a few white clouds scattered across it, embroidered like delicate embellishments. A small river wound its way through the land for dozens of miles before merging with the great river. The Jin army advanced eastward, once again drawing close to the Clear Water River, as if deliberately following its course.

In the middle reaches of this small river lay a mountain village, verdant hills and clear waters making it appear idyllic. Yet now, armies converged here, bringing inevitable devastation to the land and its people.

“In the old days, the water in this river was sweet. It is said that a sage opened a spring here, and if you drank even a mouthful, you’d be fortified in body and never fall ill for a hundred years,” an old man’s voice drifted from within the village.

“Elder Village Chief, the Jin army is coming. You must flee!” The last family escaping from the village interrupted his reminiscence, urging him with genuine concern.

“I won’t flee, nor do I need to!” The old man shook his head, his white hair and beard swaying in the wind. “I drank that sweet spring water once, and have lived free of illness to this day. The sage will watch over us.”

...

“We’re from the Qingzhou Army. Have you seen the Jin forces?” Duan Changfeng replied.

“Qingzhou Army? Why are you heading back?” the infantry officer asked in surprise.

“The Jin army has turned back. Their attack westward was just a ruse—they have no intention of invading the Yu Kingdom,” Duan Changfeng continued. “We’re pursuing them under orders from the Grand General.”

“What, the Jin army is escaping this way?” The officer, noting their disheveled armor and dirt-stained uniforms, grew wary. “Which detachment are you from?”

“General, we serve under General Li Yu. He and the others have gone southeast to search,” Tiansingzi interjected. He was well-acquainted with the various officers of the Wei army, his practiced responses easily passing muster.

The infantry officer was puzzled—could the Jin army really be fleeing back west, toward Jin itself? That wasn’t impossible; why go to Yu when their own border was so near? If they truly had slipped behind, shouldn’t he turn and give chase? Yet, with no orders, he had no choice but to continue westward as commanded, quickly dispatching a messenger to contact his general.

But something was off about their armor…

Watching the cavalry ride past, the officer suddenly saw, further back, men in Jin uniforms staring intently at them. A chill ran through his body.

“Jin army! Enemy attack!”

His warning had barely left his lips when a shrill whistle split the air. An arrow fletched with a signaling whistle shot from behind. The officer instinctively raised his saber.

Sparks burst as steel met arrow. His weapon flew from his grasp, and he himself was thrown to the ground. The arrow, spent, dropped straight down. Looking up, he met Duan Changfeng’s calm gaze.

“Kill!”

The shout rolled forth like a tidal wave, drowning all other sounds. The Jin soldiers at the front wheeled around, encircling the Wei troops. The thunder of hooves seemed to shake the very earth and sky, horses leaping into the river, scattering water in all directions.

The Wei soldiers, hearts seized by fear, involuntarily stepped back. The next moment, sabers flashed at their throats.

Duan Changfeng’s face was expressionless. Coolly, he observed that although the enemy was numerous, their morale was broken and they were already beginning to rout. These northern troops were even less courageous than the western forces—about to bring disgrace to their capital.

What concerned Duan Changfeng most were the Wei forces still in pursuit behind them. In such circumstances, one could hardly hope for even a moment’s restful sleep.

“Release!” The command rang out as if honed by countless drills, and Duan Changfeng directed his cavalry with perfect control. With a wave of his hand, the formation shifted, splitting in two before sweeping in from both flanks, encircling the foe. Hundreds of archers let fly a volley.

“This is the Jin army!” The other officers watched the field, faces twitching with unease. The Jin army had appeared as if from nowhere, descending upon them like a sudden storm.

Their weapons, though simple, made their tactics efficient—every gap could be instantly filled. Jin cavalry fought with lances and sabers, two riders cooperating: the front held off the enemy, while the rear delivered silent death with a single blow. Blood spattered the riverbank, soon staining the stream itself.

In barely a quarter of an hour, casualties soared to forty percent—the Wei forces were crippled and finally broke ranks in retreat. The Jin cavalry, by instinct, prepared to pursue, but Duan Changfeng held them back, leading them southwest across the Clear Water.

Cavalry chasing down infantry was like harvesting wheat. Yet, despite their string of victories, Duan Changfeng dared not relax, forever wary in the midst of encirclement. The soldiers were exhausted, still without proper rest. Worse yet, their rations were running low.

“General Duan, what are you and His Highness thinking? Our men can’t hold out much longer,” Tiansingzi said, worry in his voice. The situation was dire: they must either retreat to Jin or secure provisions and rest. That, to him, was the pressing need.

Yet day after day, they’d struck only at the weak points of the Wei, whittling them down—effective, but if the main Wei cavalry caught up, they would be powerless to resist.

“One more battle,” the young general replied, gaze unwavering. “His Highness believes we must first fight the Wei cavalry before we can break free. It won’t be long now.”

Another battle?

“You’re easily startled,” Duan Changfeng shot him a glance. “Peace is won on the battlefield.”

It was only natural.

“General Duan, it looks like rain is coming,” Tiansingzi remarked, gazing at the sky. They were making their way northeast, toward Luocheng. With his knowledge of celestial signs, he sensed a change in the weather, though he couldn’t say if it boded well.

“Rain?” Duan Changfeng paused, glancing upward, but saw no sign of it. Though he wasn’t unskilled in such matters, even the most talented generals were no match for the court astrologers or prodigies like Tiansingzi.

“General, why don’t we head west? Wouldn’t that be easier for reaching Luocheng?” Tiansingzi asked. He still couldn’t believe they meant to attack Luocheng with such a small force—it seemed almost farcical. But perhaps Prince Wang Chuan or General Duan had other plans.

Otherwise, they’d be hard-pressed to succeed.

The eastern route was mountainous, ill-suited for cavalry charges, and they would inevitably run into Wei forces. Only infantry could make use of such terrain; cavalry would be at a disadvantage. Duan Changfeng’s previous two victories had relied on favorable terrain as well.

“No matter. The Wei are tired too. If they don’t stop to rest, they’ll arrive here as a force of exhausted men,” Duan Changfeng reasoned. Looking back, he seemed to see the layers of pursuing troops behind them. But the deeper they pressed toward Luocheng, the more Wei soldiers they were bound to encounter.

“We may have to split our forces. Yang Hao, are you up to it?” Duan Changfeng turned to one side.

Yang Hao, who had barely drawn attention until now, suddenly found all eyes on him.

“Me?” he stammered.

“Military orders are absolute. Any who disobey will be executed!” Duan Changfeng said indifferently. “But once the command falls to you, it must be like a saber in your hand—wielded with ease, striking where the enemy is weakest. Understand?”

The burden of the main command was just that.

“I understand,” Yang Hao answered heavily.

“What is General Duan planning?” Yang Hao asked.

“I will take ten thousand cavalry with me. You are to lead the rest and await orders in the next valley. If the enemy comes, do not panic—I will send word,” Duan Changfeng instructed.

“Yes, sir.” Yang Hao replied at once. “The terrain ahead is perfect for an ambush. Is General Duan luring the enemy here?”

“You’ll see soon enough.” Duan Changfeng called over a junior officer, sent him off with his men, and then looked back at Yang Hao once more. “You’ve grown quickly.”

“Me?” Yang Hao was momentarily stunned, watching as Duan Changfeng led the troops away, the column receding into the distance.

“It’s you indeed. Brother Yang, you’re becoming formidable. Even General Duan speaks well of you,” Tiansingzi said. “I imagine His Highness will soon hold you in high regard as well.”

“You flatter me, sir,” Yang Hao replied, a little overwhelmed.

“I’m not much use myself,” Tiansingzi sighed. “It’s all up to you now. Feeling the pressure?”

“I… I don’t really know what I’m doing,” Yang Hao whispered, not wanting others to hear. His palms were slick with sweat.

When the enemy arrived, he had no idea how to arrange forces or meet their attack. Unlike Duan Changfeng, who always seemed in control, he could only try to recall and imitate every move he’d seen.

“Yang Hao, did you notice? Of the four captains, General Duan took Zhao Yunxi with him,” Tiansingzi remarked.

“Fourth Prince’s man?” Prince Wang Chuan, prompted by the hint, suddenly understood. He’d thought nothing of it before, assuming it was a random selection. Now it seemed deliberate.

“To subdue the enemy without fighting—General Duan truly understands the art of war!” Tiansingzi exclaimed.

“What does that mean?” Yang Hao was confused. He couldn’t bring himself to suspect Duan Changfeng of any underhanded tactics. Was he being too cynical?

But if it was all in the open, how could one subdue the enemy?

“Sir, have you really never marched with an army before?” Yang Hao asked.

“No, this is my first time,” Tiansingzi said, somewhat wistfully.

“You’ll make a great strategist,” Yang Hao admired, though he knew they both had their shortcomings. He himself only understood the basics of military tactics. He’d heard Duan Changfeng was the top of the Military Institute—if he ever reached Jin, perhaps he’d have a chance to learn as well.

“If His Highness truly intends to contend for the realm, I hope I don’t hold him back,” Yang Hao sighed.

“Wei soldiers are coming. What do we do?” Tiansingzi suddenly said.

“They are? Where? Why haven’t the scouts reported?” Yang Hao exclaimed, immediately on guard.

“They’re still far off,” Tiansingzi replied calmly, his gaze stretching to the horizon as if he could see the Wei soldiers tracking them from a hundred miles away.

But it was only infantry. Why had Duan Changfeng taken his men around that way?