Chapter 24: Melee in the Camp

Blade light like the moon. Sword gleams like snow. The clash of weapons was like lightning, flickering in rapid succession, dazzling the eye.

Just as Lady Fan was wounded and forced back by Deng Jijun, more rebel soldiers surged from the tunnel entrance. Zhu Wen and his men, who had initially formed a defensive perimeter, found themselves plunged into a chaotic melee with the Taining Army’s garrison.

Lady Fan’s injury had indeed dampened the morale of the vanguard, but when Meng Kai, bare-chested and brandishing a massive axe, charged toward Deng Jijun with roars like a tiger, the Taining lines collapsed like snow under boiling water.

Earlier, upon his arrival, he had single-handedly tossed a warhorse, killing an elite armored swordsman instantly. That display of god-like strength terrified the Taining troops, draining their spirit. He then plowed through the ranks, his axe swinging in wide, sweeping arcs, smashing through flesh and bone to carve a bloody path. Even the once-arrogant Deng Jijun was cowed by Meng Kai’s ferocity, fleeing in panic without daring to engage.

Sunlight fell upon Meng Kai’s bronze-colored torso, refracting with a metallic sheen. His knotted muscles were as distinct as the gnarled roots of an ancient pine, pulsing with explosive power.

The battle-axe had been a symbol of authority since ancient times, and wherever Meng Kai stood, he declared to the world with his overbearing presence: with this axe in hand, this world shall obey my command!

Zhu Wen laughed heartily, charging alongside him on his right. The rebel warriors, their blades shining, were invincible.

"Marshal Snow," Qi Ke-rang, was a man as unfathomable as the deep abyss.

But Zhu Wen was clearly not.

He had to engage in agonizing thought, pushing his mind to the brink of explosion, to devise a strategy capable of cracking Qi Ke-rang’s ingenious schemes. Yet, this painful contemplation was the very thing that brought him the most ecstasy, fervor, and boiling blood.

He shouted in his heart:
"Look, how a youth from the wilderness uses the wisdom of a mortal to shatter the unfathomable schemes of the Four Marshals."
"With me, Zhu Wen, here, no matter how wise you are, or how invincible you have been for decades, your undefeated life shall end amidst the roaring of my blood!"

Whenever he reached a breakthrough, he could barely contain himself, eager to dash to Huang Chao’s tent and present his brilliant strategy. And once his plans were set in motion, his blood would boil as if set aflame.

To be the wisest in the world and the bravest among the three armies—this was the supreme dream of a warrior. Thus, when the strategy was launched, it was the moment Zhu Wen’s fighting spirit was at its peak.

He only wished for a kill that was as exhilarating as a torrential downpour!

With the strategy in his mind and the blade in his palm, he sought to challenge the limits of wisdom and courage.

Zhu Wen leaped onto a high platform, his Daxia Longque blade flashing as he severed a great banner embroidered with gold thread—the large, square-script character "Qi," the commander’s flag of Qi Ke-rang’s central camp.

Generals Xiao Ling and Ren Yuan stepped forward to block him, only to retreat in haste as the sound of a bowstring signaled an incoming arrow.

The archer was a figure in red armor, radiant as the dawn, her dark hair coiled into a "startled swan" bun, a peony hairpin adding to her striking beauty. Her stunning appearance was eclipsed only by the fierce, heroic aura she exuded, making it impossible to look away. Who could it be but his junior sister, Duan Hongyan?

Zhu Wen roared, hacking wildly with his blade. Under the red glow of his strike, the two generals recoiled in fear. In a narrow encounter, the brave prevail, and at this moment, many in the Taining Army had lost their courage.

Zhu Wen laughed with pleasure. As wisdom surged like molten lava, he felt his martial prowess reach its limit. This included his perception of danger.

It was only when an arrow was three feet away that Zhu Wen heard the whistling of the wind. It was the "White Tiger" of the "Twenty-Eight Stars of the Nebula," who was also in the camp.

"White Tiger" was known for his peerless archery, but he never used armor-piercing heavy arrows, opting instead for a simple wooden bow and standard light arrows. With his exquisite skill, light arrows were enough to pierce armor, and they could fly further, more accurately, and more stealthily.

But Zhu Wen simply closed his palm, caught the arrow, and flung it to the ground.

"Well caught, Battalion Commander Zhu!" Lin Yan applauded from the side.

Before the words faded, a follow-up arrow flew without warning, aimed straight at Zhu Wen’s face. He appeared to have no way to dodge.

But in the blink of an eye, a heavy clatter was heard, followed by the grinding of an arrow shaft against teeth. Zhu Wen spat out a mouthful of blood and pulled the arrow from his mouth. He casually hurled it back, and a heart-wrenching scream erupted from the enemy ranks.

"General 'White Tiger'..." the Taining soldiers cried.

"I am fine, but that rogue pierced my right wrist; I fear I can no longer fight..." came the trembling reply. For an archer, fighting with only the left hand was a fantasy.

In truth, Zhu Wen had felt a flicker of doubt when he bit the arrow, never expecting that a casual throw would hit the enemy’s vital point. Zhu Wen could not help but laugh loudly, thinking: Heaven assists me!

Lin Yan mocked from the side: "A petty man who uses dark arrows, yet his second shot was caught by Commander Zhu as well. He is unharmed, and he used your own arrow to cripple your arm. What else do you have to say?"

This was slightly inaccurate, as Zhu Wen’s gums had been cut, which was why he spat blood. But his extreme excitement numbed the pain.

"That 'Azure Dragon,' 'Vermilion Bird,' and 'Black Tortoise'—they must all be here too. Come out together!"

The wind howled. The fire of battle in Zhu Wen’s heart was stirred by the wind, rising in a roaring blaze.

Zhu Wen caught a glimpse of his senior brother, Meng Kai, swinging his axe and scattering the Taining troops like falling leaves, leaving no path for any soldiers to block his way. Before him stood only a youth in black robes and silver armor, his face cold and silent, holding a long spear and striding forward.

Zhu Wen lunged, swift as a shooting star chasing the moon.

"Black Tortoise’s" silver spear struck like a venomous snake toward Zhu Wen’s throat. The mythical Black Tortoise was known as the "Turtle-Snake." This youth, clad in thick, layered armor, possessed a spear technique even more vicious than a poisonous viper.

Fast against fast, slow against slow. Zhu Wen knew that in such a battle, the outcome would be decided quickly. The Daxia Longque blade hummed, its blood-red glow reflecting in the blue sky.

"Black Tortoise" thrust three times, all blocked by Zhu Wen’s lightning-fast blade technique. Then, reversing the blade, Zhu Wen struck like a hammer, slamming the thick spine of the sword into "Black Tortoise’s" back.

This man was heavily armored; a direct slash might not have penetrated. So, Zhu Wen used a hammer-like motion, focusing all his strength into the blunt edge to shatter the defense from within.

"Black Tortoise" let out a pained howl, his spine injured, blood gushing from his mouth as he clutched his chest plate and fled in a panic.

"White Tiger’s claws shattered, Black Tortoise’s spine cracked," Zhu Wen scratched his ear with his pinky finger, muttering, "If I add 'Vermilion Bird’s wings broken and Azure Dragon’s horns snapped,' the set will be complete."

As if on cue, a row of arrows whistled toward him. At the edge of his vision, a red shadow flickered. It was undoubtedly "Vermilion Bird’s" repeating crossbow technique.

"Good marksmanship," Zhu Wen smiled, though his eyes burned with fighting spirit.

Clad in full armor, he sprang up like a harrier, his movements fluid and unpredictable, dodging the volley of crossbow bolts like an elegant dance.

"Too bad crossbows are less accurate at range than bows. And repeating crossbows are even less precise."

With a whistle, Zhu Wen decapitated the three Taining soldiers blocking "Vermilion Bird." Without losing momentum, he struck the shoulder of the beautiful youth in red armor. The sharp blade failed to pierce the armor, but the sheer force and killing intent dislocated "Vermilion Bird’s" shoulder, leaving his right arm hanging limp. He had no power left to resist.

"Vermilion Bird’s" pupils dilated, cold sweat rolling down his cheeks. Terror had reached its limit; he wanted to scream, but it was as if an invisible hand had choked him, leaving him speechless.

"Third brother, step back! Let your aunt handle him!"

After a roar as bold as any man’s, a green shadow blocked Zhu Wen, shoving the incapacitated "Vermilion Bird" to the rear. The person before him was the only woman among the "Twenty-Eight Stars of the Nebula"—their leader, "Azure Dragon" Tian Jun.

"Interesting little brat. Even Marshal Kou couldn't kill you last time," "Azure Dragon" smiled, her red lips curling.

"Marshal Qi, Marshal Kou—they are men of the past. They will only serve as stepping stones on my path to fame," Zhu Wen replied with arrogance.

"Azure Dragon’s" expression changed instantly. "In that case, I’ll cut out your tongue and see if you can still spout such nonsense!"

The snake spear whistled, green shadows churning like a storm. The spear strikes were heavy, carrying the weight of a crashing sea. Zhu Wen realized immediately that "Azure Dragon" was a level above the others.

But having survived even the likes of "Heavenly Blade" Song Jue and Deputy Marshal Kou Qianzhi, and now with his wisdom and courage fully ignited, his strength was far beyond his usual state. A peer of his own generation—what was there to fear?

The Longque blade danced, unstoppable, shattering the green shadows in an instant. Dust and sand swirled around them like dragons battling in the wilderness.

*Swish!*

After ten exchanges, Zhu Wen felt a chill on his head. As he ducked, his helmet was plucked away by "Azure Dragon’s" spear. A hot sting burned his forehead as the spear tip grazed his skin, blood trickling down.

He felt no pain. The blood blurred one eye, but he felt fine. The enemy before him seemed clearer, and her aura seemed to have halved in an instant.

Zhu Wen roared and lunged. He closed the distance with the speed of thunder, taking advantage of the spear’s length and difficulty in retracting, and swung his blade. "Azure Dragon" ducked just as he had earlier.

The blade sliced through her helmet, grazing her scalp. Strands of dark hair and bits of the helmet top flew into the air, shimmering with pearls from her hair ornaments.

"Azure Dragon" let out a sharp cry, revealing a flicker of feminine fear—not because of her hair, but because the snake spear had been ripped from her hands! During the strike, Zhu Wen had used the "Spear-Snatching Technique" Meng Kai had recently taught him.

Unarmed, "Azure Dragon" had no chance of defeating him. She could only leap away, retreating.

"Brat, you just wait!" She clenched her fist, shouting a final threat before fleeing.

Zhu Wen laughed heartily, retrieving his helmet from the tip of the discarded spear. "Azure Dragon’s horns snapped, Vermilion Bird’s wings broken, White Tiger’s claws shattered, Black Tortoise’s spine cracked. All in the blink of an eye."

Zhu Wen laughed, "The Twenty-Eight Stars of the Nebula are nothing special!"

He tore a piece from the enemy banner he had captured and used it to bandage his forehead, wiping away the blood. In his peripheral vision, he saw Meng Kai carving through the Taining troops like firewood, and his junior sister, Duan Hongyan, smiling with pride as she fired arrows like shooting stars.

Behind a collapsed tent, a whistling sound emerged. "Sister, watch out!" Zhu Wen warned.

A small throwing spike flew in a sharp arc, aiming straight for Duan Hongyan’s chest.

A spike, or *chui*, was a type of mace. In the Warring States period, the warrior Zhu Hai used a forty-pound iron spike to kill General Jin Bi and seize military authority. Smaller spikes, however, could be hidden in sleeves for sneak attacks—more concealable and powerful than arrows.

Duan Hongyan wore soft armor, but a blunt force impact like that would surely cause severe injury. She was an experienced veteran and reacted instantly, leaning back to retreat. But the spike was relentless, as if it had eyes.

In a split second, a shadow flashed. With a metallic *clang*, Zhu Wen drifted in, blocking the spike with his left arm. Because Duan Hongyan had been attacked from the left, she hadn't had time to react. Though he wore arm guards, the force of the strike left his joints aching and numb, inflicting a minor wound.

The hidden Taining warrior roared and lunged out like a mad tiger, but he was no match for Zhu Wen, who cut him down within a few exchanges.

Despite the pain that left his face pale, Zhu Wen asked with concern, "Junior sister, are you alright?"

Unexpectedly, Duan Hongyan showed no gratitude. She remained silent for a long time before saying coldly, "Thank you for intervening, but this lady doesn't need protecting."

Zhu Wen was stunned. *Why is she so prickly today?*

If it were his usual temper, he would have scolded her for being ungrateful. But having just defeated the four generals, his mood was high. He decided, for once, to say something pleasant.

"Sister, I didn't mean to steal your thunder."

Duan Hongyan was startled. "So, you're saying I was just being stubborn?"

"There’s nothing wrong with being stubborn. If you weren't the type to refuse to admit defeat, how would you have caught the Master’s eye?"

Zhu Wen paused. "My father once told me that everyone has different talents. But the character for 'human' is made of two strokes supporting each other. Without that, how could we have this world? Sometimes, relying on others isn't a bad thing."

"I have a few clever ideas, but I know that for the past few days, you risked your life every night to scout the Taining camp, measuring their defenses and distances with precision. By day, your eyes were bloodshot, yet you never refused to compete."

"Without your hard work, even if I had the strategy, how could I have implemented it? This military achievement contains much of your blood and sweat."

At these words, Duan Hongyan’s face turned a deep, lotus-like red, and she stood frozen like a statue.

At that moment, a breeze swept through, fluttering the flags and blowing the peony hairpin from her hair. It spun in the wind, but Zhu Wen reached out, catching it as easily as a butterfly, and gently placed it back into her hair. The beauty and the flower complemented each other like a painting.

Zhu Wen’s gentle smile and bright eyes left her speechless and embarrassed.

As Zhu Wen turned back to the battle, he heard her voice, soft as a mosquito’s hum, drift into his ear: "Junior brother, it was I who was narrow-minded. I hope you don't take it to heart."

She was usually straightforward and rarely showed such shy, girlish behavior.

"Sister, how could a hero like you be narrow-minded?" Zhu Wen laughed. "Once we secure this victory, let us drink a toast!"

Duan Hongyan’s eyes shimmered. She suddenly stepped closer and used her slender fingers to wipe the blood from his lips—blood from when he had bitten the arrow.

Zhu Wen mused that women were truly strange creatures. She had been petty just moments ago, but after a few kind words, she had become so tender and thoughtful.

The golden banner of the Huang Chao army was handed to him. With a solemn expression, Zhu Wen planted the banner, embroidered with gold-threaded autumn chrysanthemums, atop the high altar.

"The enemy commander’s flag is in our hands!" Zhu Wen shouted, his voice echoing with momentum.

With four generals defeated and the flag captured, his spirit had reached its zenith. "Rebel soldiers, you are as fierce as bears, sharp as blades, and invincible!"

The soldiers cheered, morale soaring as every man’s eyes glowed with the resolve to fight to the death. With Meng Kai leading the charge, they cut through the camp like a hot knife through butter. The camp workers and auxiliary troops fled in terror, many becoming souls under the blades. This was the cold law of the battlefield.

As Zhu Wen approached from the tunnels, Huang Chao had also led his troops out, feigning a desperate final assault on the North Bian River construction site. When the camp was attacked, scouts would surely rush to inform Qi Ke-rang. But Huang Chao would spare no cost to pin down Qi Ke-rang’s main force, preventing them from reinforcing the camp!

One could imagine that once the news arrived, it would be the Taining Army that would have to retreat in haste.

Just as Deng Jijun and the others were failing to hold the line, the sound of hooves erupted at the camp gate, followed by a curtain of arrows—each tipped with a faint golden light. Several rebel soldiers fell, blood gushing from their vitals.

*Drawing a bow that could split two sculptures, the thousand enemy riders seemed like nothing. Sitting in the golden saddle, he adjusted the white feather, shooting five Chanyu in succession.*

This was Kou Qianzhi’s peerless "Golden Splinter Arrow" technique. Drawing the string with righteous energy, he fired in rapid succession, the arrows like breaking stars and fleeting shadows, never missing their mark.

In the past, when Kou Qianzhi crossed the border to fight the Shiwei, he had used this technique to kill five of their warriors instantly, terrifying thousands of cavalry into collapse. Today, this peerless arrow-light, once used to defend against foreign invaders, was finally used to slaughter the rebels who had risen against the tyranny.

"General Deng Jijun, welcoming Marshal Kou! Please forgive me for not saluting, as I am in armor!"

Deng Jijun’s voice, usually shrill, was now full of vigor. Kou Qianzhi’s hearty laughter rolled like thunder, shaking the very earth.

"As expected," Zhu Wen smiled.

With Qi Ke-rang’s main force pinned down by Huang Chao, the first to reinforce the empty camp would naturally be Kou Qianzhi’s cavalry. The remaining twenty-four of the "Twenty-Eight Stars of the Nebula" had returned with him.

Kou Qianzhi was a rare and handsome man, his features standard and his presence charismatic. Beyond his military brilliance, his sheer appearance alone could captivate countless young hearts.

As Kou Qianzhi dismounted and swept the field with his stern gaze, the Taining Army’s morale surged. The lost fighting spirit returned with a vengeance.

A golden eagle on Kou Qianzhi’s shoulder took flight, circling above, screaming proudly in the vast wind.

The peerless cavalry commander, Deputy Marshal Kou Qianzhi! A hero whose mere presence could bolster the morale of his troops like a surging rainbow!

Zhu Wen knew that the success of this raid now depended on whether he could suppress Kou Qianzhi and his Twenty-Eight Stars of the Nebula!