Sand Rolls, Dust Swirls, War Drums Beat; Bloodied Armor Charges, Shattering the Enemy's Home

The Yan army commander beside him said in a low voice, "General, the Xiongnu must have learned that Donghu had sent out their entire force to attack Pinggang City. They want to seize Donghu's western territory while the opportunity presents itself. Sand Fox Post is the only route they must take to advance east!"

Du Ren nodded and made his decision in an instant. "No time to overthink this!

"Pass on my orders! The Blood-Clad Army is to assemble immediately! Use Sand Fox Post's walls and dry trenches to prepare for the enemy!

"The Yan army will hold the eastern breach and prevent the Xiongnu from circling around us!"

Before his words had even faded, a dark mass of cavalry appeared beyond the western dunes.

Thirty thousand Xiongnu vanguard troops surged forward like a tide, their hooves pounding the ground until the sandy earth trembled faintly.

A Gula, the Xiongnu commander, reined in his horse before the formation. Seeing the Blood-Clad Army's red banner already flying atop Sand Fox Post's walls, a flash of fury and contempt crossed his eyes.

"A pack of things that don't know whether they're dead or alive, daring to occupy what is already in Xiongnu's bag!"

A Gula raised his riding whip high and roared, "Men, charge! Slaughter every last one of these bastards and take Sand Fox Post!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The thirty thousand Xiongnu cavalry moved at the cry, charging fiercely toward Sand Fox Post.

Most of them wore leather armor and carried curved sabers and bows. Their momentum was savage, as though they meant to trample Sand Fox Post flat.

Du Ren watched the charging Xiongnu cavalry coldly and shouted, "Heavy crossbowmen, ready! Target the cavalry formations ahead!"

The Blood-Clad Army's heavy crossbowmen, who had long since occupied the high ground along