Yes!
There was no way back!
By now, the rebels faced enemies on both fronts. The Imperial Court's army had them firmly surrounded, leaving them no avenue of retreat.
Once retreat was impossible...
They could either surrender...
Or fight with their backs to the wall.
However—
Rebellion was punishable by death.
Gu Changqing had no choice left but to make a last stand.
Just then...
A guard entered from outside and dropped to one knee. "Greetings, my lords!"
"What happened?"
"My lord, the rebels have sent a challenge to battle!"
"Bring it here."
"Yes!" The guard stepped forward and respectfully presented the letter in his hands.
At a glance from Yan Caizhe, a general beside him took the letter, then waved a hand. "You may leave."
"I take my leave!" The guard respectfully withdrew.
Then...
The general opened the letter, read through its contents, and passed it to Yan Caizhe.
He reached out and took it.
Reading the contents, Yan Caizhe frowned slightly, then sneered. "Gu Changqing certainly has nerve. Even at a time like this, he dares to challenge us to battle!"
After reading it, he passed the letter around.
Only when it reached Qin Shujian did he see what it said.
There was little to it.
A single sentence could sum it up.
In half a month, they would fight a decisive battle in the Shang River Region.
As for the Shang River Region mentioned in the letter...
Qin Shujian knew a little about it.
It was a vast plain, flanked on either side by surging rivers. Those rivers were said to be enormous waterways running through the entire Thousand Mountains Prefecture.
Wu Tai said gravely, "Gu Changqing must have realized they have no retreat left, which is why he sent this challenge. They're planning one final struggle!"