In the early winter of Sea Circle Calendar 1515, cold mist veiled the great river like gauze, yet could not conceal the fierce killing intent soaring into the sky. The spearhead of Hua Country's southern campaign now pointed straight at Jinling. This battle would involve more than ingenious naval tactics; it would also demonstrate to the fullest how individual might could dominate a battlefield.
Zhao Yun had also reclaimed the cities along the route from Chang'an to Jinling. Not a single general could withstand even one exchange with him.
The fleet reached the treacherous stretch at Red Cliffs, where the current rushed and mist hung thick. Guo Jia stood at the bow, gently waving his feather fan. Uxie's Power flowed through his eyes, as though he could see through the fog. "Hidden dangers lurk here. Duan Hong is a seasoned veteran. There must be an ambush."
Gan Ning had already transformed into his Kyogre hybrid form. At these words, rather than fear, he let out a wild laugh. "An ambush is just what I want! I was worried I wouldn't get a chance to stretch my limbs!" He turned and roared, "Brocade Sail Battalion, follow me into battle!"
Before his words had faded, battle cries and the sounds of colliding ships rang out from the mist ahead! A fierce general under Duan Hong led more than twenty armored warships charging out, using the hidden currents and reefs to their advantage!
"Perfect timing!" Gan Ning let out a long cry, and Kyogre's power erupted! Rather than relying on a warship, he shot forward like an arrow, his feet treading the waves as though on level ground! "Overturning Rivers and Seas · Raging Tide Strike!" He swung both halberds, drawing up the river beneath his feet into two enormous spiraling waterspouts that slammed toward the leading enemy ship!
Boom-!
The terrifying force within the waterspouts snapped the armored ship's keel outright, breaking it apart in an instant! The enemy soldiers aboard tumbled into the water like dumplings dropped into a pot!
"Our commander's might is unmatched!" At the sight, the Brocade Sail Battalion's morale soared, and its soldiers charged forward in swift boats.
Shocked and furious, the enemy general leaped up with his saber swinging and lunged straight at Gan Ning. "Enough of your arrogance, Gan Ning!"
Gan Ning sneered, neither dodging nor retreating. Armament Haki coated his twin halberds. "Brocade Sail · Flow-Cutting Slash!" A ribbon of halberd light flashed past, cleaving the fierce general and his saber in two. Blood stained the river!
With their commander killed in an instant, the ambushers' morale collapsed, and the Brocade Sail Battalion wiped them out in moments. Gan Ning had crushed the enemy vanguard single-handedly. The personal fighting prowess and control over water he displayed earned a silent nod even from Zhao Yun, who arrived afterward.
Breaking through Red Cliffs, Hua Country's forces advanced to Caishi Rock. Duan Hong personally led his main force, standing ready behind sturdy shore fortifications. He commanded from the fortress atop the rock, his Commodore-level Haki surging as his voice carried across the river. "Gan Ning, you brat! Zhao Yun, you brute! Dare you come ashore and fight this old man?"
Duan Hong's intent was clear: to blunt the Hua army's momentum through his advantageous terrain and personal fighting prowess.
Enraged, Gan Ning was about to take his halberds ashore. But Guo Jia gently waved his feather fan and said to Zhao Yun, "Zhao Yun, Duan Hong wishes to flaunt a mere warrior's courage. He holds the advantage of terrain, and a frontal assault would put our army at a disadvantage. Could you... take his head directly?"
Zhao Yun's gaze was calm as he gave a slight nod. "Rest assured, strategist. I will be right back." With that, his white robe fluttered, and Reshiram Turbo Propulsion activated instantly. His figure became a streak of white light almost too fast for the naked eye to follow. Without a boat, he ran straight across the river, leaving a long white trail on its surface as he rushed toward Caishi Rock!
Duan Hong saw only a white blur skimming across the river at an incredible speed. Horrified, he hastily ordered the bows and crossbows to fire together! Yet before the arrows could reach Zhao Yun, the currents of azure flame swirling around him swept them aside!
"Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix · A Thread of Sky!" Zhao Yun became one with his spear. Ignoring the rain of arrows, he reached the base of the rock in an instant. His toes tapped repeatedly against the nearly vertical cliff, his figure surging upward like a dragon!
"Stop him!" Several skilled fighters under Duan Hong leaped out to intercept him.
"Out of my way!" Zhao Yun thrust his spear in a rapid flurry, Armament Haki winding around its tip. Like a phoenix dipping its head, it pierced several throats in an instant. Without slowing, he lunged straight at Duan Hong!
Shocked and furious, Duan Hong swung his saber at Zhao Yun with all his strength. "Arrogant fool!"
Clang-!
Saber and spear collided with a deafening crash! Duan Hong felt an irresistible force surge into him. The webbing of his hand split, and his saber nearly flew from his grasp! Horror filled him. How could this man's strength be so great?
Zhao Yun's spear attacks surged like a tide. "Seven-Snake Coiling · Lock!" Dragonlike spear shadows enveloped every vital point on Duan Hong's body. Duan Hong struggled to fend them off, danger closing in from every side. Within ten exchanges, Zhao Yun found an opening. His spear tip shot out like a venomous dragon emerging from its lair. "Snake Coiling · Finishing Touch!" One thrust pierced Duan Hong's heart!
"Urgh..." Duan Hong stared in disbelief at the spear tip in his chest, then breathed his last.
With their commander dead, the defenders of Caishi Rock were terrified out of their wits and collapsed instantly. Alone with his spear, Zhao Yun had slain the enemy leader amid an army of thousands, taking the natural stronghold in one stroke! The pinnacle of individual martial prowess was on full display!
With Caishi Rock taken, the gateway to Jinling lay wide open. To reduce casualties in a siege, Guo Jia devised a surprise attack: Gan Ning's fleet would feint from the north bank to draw attention, while Zhao Yun led elite troops ashore at the treacherous Longtan shoals on the south bank to launch a surprise assault on Jinling's southern gate.
That night, the moon was dark and the wind high. Gan Ning's fleet beat drums and shouted, firelight reddening the sky north of the river as they made a show of attacking the city in full force. Sure enough, the bulk of Jinling's defenders were drawn to the northern walls.
Meanwhile, Zhao Yun personally led over a thousand elite troops in small boats, reaching Longtan without a sound. The shoals were treacherous and thick with reefs. Believing a landing there impossible, the defenders had grown lax.
"Follow me!" Zhao Yun called in a low voice. Reshiram's power erupted once more, and he was the first to leap onto the steep cliff, moving as though on level ground. Behind him, the elite troops followed close with ropes and grappling hooks.
After landing, Zhao Yun's force moved like phantoms through woods and across ravines, heading straight for Jinling's southern gate. The terrifying speed granted by Reshiram brought them beneath the walls before the defenders discovered them!
"Enemy attack! Enemies at the south gate!" The defenders panicked.
"Zhao Yun of Changshan is here! Open!" Zhao Yun roared. Armament Haki Hardening coated his spear, and he drove it into the southern gate's heavy crossbar!
Boom!
The crossbar shattered at the impact! The southern gate burst open!
"Kill-!" Hua Country's elite troops poured into the city. Seeing flames rise at the southern gate, Gan Ning knew Zhao Yun had succeeded and immediately directed his forces into a fierce assault on the northern gate. Attacked from front and rear and bereft of their commander, Jinling's defenders instantly fell into chaos.
When the false emperor Luo Yongzhen heard the news, he knew all was lost. He had himself bound and came out to surrender. Those who continued their desperate resistance were cut down by Gan Ning and Zhao Yun as easily as vegetables beneath a knife. Jinling changed hands in a single night.
News of Jinling's capture reached Chang'an, and all of Hua Country rejoiced. The overwhelmingly superior individual fighting prowess Gan Ning and Zhao Yun had displayed in this battle deeply shook the southern provinces and commanderies. In particular, Zhao Yun's heroic feat of taking an enemy general's head amid an army of thousands as easily as reaching into a bag became the stuff of legend.
Chen Yu issued orders to establish benevolent rule in Jinling, treat surrendered soldiers well, and reassure the people. Seeing Hua Country's tremendous military might and the valor of its generals, the powers throughout the south hastened to submit, losing all desire to resist. Without shedding blood, Hua Country took all the rich lands south of the river, and its national strength surged.
Inside Dragon Might Hall, Chen Yu said to Guo Jia with a sigh, "Fengxiao, I once believed strategy and tactics reigned supreme. Only now do I understand that in this world, supreme individual fighting prowess is what lays the foundation for victory. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Xingba, and Huang Zhong are all pillars holding up the heavens of our Hua Country."
Guo Jia smiled and nodded. "Your insight is clear, my lord. Yet careful planning can place those pillars where success is assured. Next, we should consolidate our foundations and quietly await the rising winds. The World Government... will not sit idly by for long."
The conquest of Jinling marked the moment Hua Country truly gained the strength to contend for supremacy over the West Blue. Yet higher peaks had already appeared ahead. On this sea, absolute power would ultimately have the final say.
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