At the mention of the Knowledge and Practice Institute, Emperor Chen's expression darkened. He had met both Gu Qingzhou and Fang Yizhi before. This He An must have been the man who defeated Cui Zhixia during the last competition between the Dragon Gate Academy and the Knowledge and Practice Institute. Though this was their first meeting, an inexplicable aversion rose in his heart. "Ling Wenyue... has trained fine soldiers indeed. We are greatly pleased!" he said coldly.
He raised his riding whip and shouted, "Pass the order to all three armies! Press the assault!"
The Western Liang Cavalry had poured out of the eastern gate with fierce momentum, but the Great Chen army's rain of arrows pinned them down, and He An and the others tore through their ranks. They swiftly gave ground, retreating into the city and leaving corpses strewn behind them.
"Kill!"
Arrows streaked across the sky, and battle cries shook the heavens.
Amid the chaotic fighting, Gu Qingzhou grew increasingly bloodthirsty. His spear struck down several Western Liang riders in succession. When an arrow hit his mount, he leaped off and hurled his spear, impaling another soldier. He snatched a steel saber from the ground and charged into the crowd like a maddened tiger, shouting "Kill!" with every slash.
The Western Liang riders around him were astonished that this pretty fellow, who looked as delicate as a woman, could be so ferocious. Several exchanged glances, then thrust their spears and swords at Gu Qingzhou.
"Kill!"
Gu Qingzhou slashed with all his strength. A Western Liang soldier's head rolled across the ground, and hot blood gushed from the severed neck, splashing over his face.
"Kill!"
Gu Qingzhou shouted again, catching an incoming spear with his steel saber. His blade slid along the shaft and sliced away half the