Now, back to Ji Shuqian, who had returned to Sishui Pass to cover the retreat.
Only Ji Shuqian's personal guards remained under his command. Weapons in hand, they formed ranks and slowly fell back, trying to reach the West Gate and fight their way out of the encirclement.
Concerned that a desperate counterattack by the Zhou Army would cause excessive casualties, Lu Xiong deliberately let most of them escape through the West Gate. Inside the pass, the fallen heroes of Sishui Pass provided illumination, but outside there was no such light, only pitch darkness, so a reckless pursuit was out of the question.
Thus, the only remaining opportunity to earn military merit lay with Ji Shuqian's rearguard. This juicy prize absolutely could not be allowed to escape.
Ji Shuqian already understood his predicament. Lei Zhenzi had flapped his little wings and flown away once again, while he was trapped so thoroughly that even wings could not have carried him out.
His personal guards fell silent as well. Unlike common soldiers of humble birth, these guards had been trained from childhood to live and die alongside Ji Shuqian. Faced with such peril, they had already resolved to die.
"How many men are left?"
Before his guards could answer, Ji Shuqian began counting himself, as though murmuring the numbers might bring him some comfort. "A hundred and eighty-two, a hundred and ninety-seven..."
"Round it up, and we have a million men!"
Ji Shuqian drew a deep breath, looked at the ever-growing ranks of Shang soldiers closing in, and laughed loudly. "Kill the enemy! Even if we die, we'll drag someone down with us!"
Ji Shuqian charged at the very front. A first-rate general was, after all, beyond comparison with ordinary soldiers. His spear moved like a dragon, sweeping a broad swath clear