Duel Before the Battle

The sun was already setting in the west, casting long shadows of people and horses across the open field. Xueya, riding on his black ponies, stared intently at the south, his palms sweating profusely.

In the distance, the black line on the horizon grew closer and thicker, the sound of hooves like muffled thunder, making the earth tremble slightly. Seven hundred cavalrymen were galloping towards them. Leading them was a burly man with broad shoulders and a powerful build, riding a tall chestnut horse. Xueya recognized him—it was Dazhuang Zhuang, the leader of the Fire Tribe.

Xueya remembered the battle at Yellow Leaf Camp last year, where Dazhuang killed several of the Wolf Tribe's Xiaotou. Xueya's heart sank. The Fire Tribe had even more cavalry than last year. Last year they only had a few hundred cavalrymen, but now they had seven hundred!

This Fire Tribe is developing too fast! But as the cavalry got closer, Xueya took a closer look and felt a little more at ease. The person coming was not the one he feared most— the Fire Tribe's leader, Jianshi.

It wasn't that young man named Yan; the leader was just Dazhuang. Xueya took a deep Xueya, gripped his bone knife tightly, and thought, "So what if Dazhuang from the Fire Tribe is here? He has over five hundred cavalry and two hundred infantrymen under his command, no fewer in number than the enemy. If a fight breaks out, he's not afraid!" He immediately gave the order.

"Shichui, you take five hundred cavalry and form a battle line at the front!"

Shichui shouted, "Yes!"

"Yexiao, you take two hundred infantrymen and protect the logistics personnel and supplies! That food was hard-won; we can't lose it!"

Yexiao nodded. "Understood!"

The Wolf Tribe's forces sprang into action. Over five hundred cavalrymen formed five ranks at the front, while two hundred infantrymen protected the wagons laden with grain and retreated to the rear. A thousand support personnel huddled together, watching in horror the menacing cavalry force in the distance. Xueya himself, with a few dozen personal guards, stood in the center of the formation, coldly watching the approaching Fire Tribe cavalry.

The Fire Tribe's cavalry stopped two hundred paces away from the Wolf Tribe. The seven hundred cavalrymen were neatly arrayed in formation. Although the stirrups had been removed—to prevent the Wolf Tribe from copying them—each rider remained as steady as a mountain. Dazhuang his horse forward a few steps, reined in his horse, and shouted loudly at Xueya.

Xueya!

His voice was loud and clear, echoing across the wilderness.

"Have you forgotten the battle at Yellow Leaf Camp last year? How dare you still cause trouble here!"

Xueya's face darkened, but he remained silent.

Dazhuang continued, "If you know what's good for you, quickly leave your food and supplies here! Then kowtow to the Fish Tribe and apologize! Otherwise, you'll be in big trouble!"

Xueya was furious. Leave behind the grain? Kneel and admit fault? When had Xueya ever been treated like this?

"Bullshit!" he yelled, his voice trembling. "These supplies were stolen by our Wolf Tribe! Come and take them if you dare! Don't even think about me kowtowing to that worthless Fish Tribe!"

He brandished his bronze sword and roared, "Enough talk! Let's fight!"

Dazhuang looked at him with a cold smile. Sure enough, Xueya wouldn't admit defeat easily. But Dazhuang didn't want a decisive battle now. He had already planned it out when he came—to hold off the Wolf Tribe first, and then deliver a thunderous blow to the Wolf Tribe when the Fire Tribe's reinforcements arrived.

Now we should focus all our efforts on attacking the Wolf Tribe. Xueya is as slippery as Niqiu. If he senses something is wrong, he will definitely lead his men to escape. Then, if he manages to escape back to High Pointed Mountain, it will be difficult to encircle and annihilate him. Dazhuang turned his head and looked at a young man beside him.

"Yingmu, go and challenge them."

The young man was in his teens, with a strong and muscular build and bright, piercing eyes. He came from the Fire Tribe's Youth Team and had grown up with Yan since childhood. Over the years, he had diligently practiced martial arts and had become a renowned warrior in the Fire Tribe.

"Yes!" Yingmu responded, spurred his horse forward a few steps, and shouted loudly in the direction of the Wolf Tribe.

"Xueya! Last year at Yellow Leaf Camp, we chased you like a dog! Now you still dare to come here?"

His voice was young and sharp, echoing across the wilderness.

"If you don't kowtow and admit your mistake now, wait till I chop off your dog's head!"

The Wolf Tribe warriors were furious and began to curse him. Xueya was especially enraged; how dare a mere brat insult him like that? He was about to spur his horse and charge at him.

"Chief!" Shichui grabbed his horse's reins. "Let me go!"

Xueya looked at him. Shichui was strong and fearless in the Wolf Tribe, and he fought like a madman.

"That kid's barely grown up, let me teach him a lesson!" Shichui said. "Watch me chop him to the ground and tear his mouth apart!"

Xueya nodded. "Alright, go. Remember, we must win this battle. The Fire Tribe doesn't want to start fighting immediately; they want to demoralize us first. We must win this round!"

Shichui Hammer grinned. "Don't worry, Chief!"

He spurred his horse out of formation, brandishing his Shifu, and charged toward the Yingmu.

"You brat who hasn't even grown all his pubic hair!" he yelled as he charged, "How dare you yell like that! I'll teach you a lesson!"

Yingmu watched him charge without panicking. He gripped the wooden-handled Shimao tightly, squeezed his legs against the horse's flanks, and waited quietly. Over the years, he had been honing his strength and skills every day. From Youth Team to a full-fledged soldier, he had fought countless battles and had killed quite a few people in recent years.

Last year, he fought his way into the top 100 in the martial arts tournament, and his skills have improved greatly in the past year! Shichui rushed in front of him, swung his Shifu, and chopped down hard. Yingmu dodged to the side and thrust out his Shimao.

Then came a few more exchanges!

"When!"

The Shifu and the Shimao collided with a dull thud. Shichui felt a jolt in his arm and was startled; this young man was quite strong! He stopped his axe and swung it down again, Yingmu remained calm and raised his spear to block.

"Ta-da!"

The two exchanged blows, quickly going over a dozen moves. Shichui grew increasingly alarmed; this young man was actually stronger than him! His martial arts skills were also superior! Relying on his reckless fighting style, he barely managed to fight his opponent to a standstill.

But after twenty moves, he began to struggle. After thirty moves, he was clearly at a disadvantage. After forty moves, he could only defend passively, with no power to fight back. After fifty moves, he was covered in sweat, panting heavily, and the Shifu in his hand was getting heavier and heavier.

Yingmu fought with increasing ferocity, wielding his Shimao like a venomous snake, each strike deadly. Shichui felt a surge of fear; if this continued, he would die here today! He bit his tongue hard, and with the help of the excruciating pain, swung his axe with all his might, making a desperate stand. Yingmu was indeed forced to retreat half a step. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shichui kicked his horse's belly and turned to flee.

"Giddy up! Giddy up!"

He whipped his horse wildly, galloping desperately back to his own camp. Behind him, cheers erupted from the Fire Tribe. Yingmu didn't give chase. He reined in his horse, looked at Shichui fleeing in disarray, and sneered.

"Is that all you've got? You dare to show your face?"

He rode slowly back to his camp, and the warriors of the Fire Tribe cheered for him.

"Yingmu! Well done!"

"Well done!"

Dazhuang patted him on the shoulder with a smile, "Not bad, you didn't disgrace the Fire Tribe."

Yingmu grinned. "Uncle, that guy is quite strong, but his martial arts skills are too rough. He couldn't even last fifty moves."

Dazhuang nodded and turned to look at the other young man beside him.

"Mangu, go."

Mangu was the number one warrior of the Bison Tribe. After joining the Fire Tribe, he followed Dazhuang. After joining the Fire Tribe, Mangu also honed his martial arts skills like crazy, greatly improving his abilities. He was even stronger than Yingmu, and his strength was also greater.

"Yes!"

Barbarian spurred his Mangu forward and shouted in the direction of the Wolf Tribe.

"The cowards of the Wolf Tribe, who else dares to step forward and fight?"

On the Wolf Tribe's side, there was complete silence. Shichui had suffered a crushing defeat, fleeing back in a sorry state after only fifty moves. This was a huge blow to morale. Xueya's face was ashen, and he gritted his teeth, remaining silent. Yexiao frowned and spurred his horse forward.

"Chief, let me go."

Xueya looked at him. "Are you confident?"

Yexiao shook his head. "I'm not confident, but we can't not go. If we don't go, morale will be completely ruined."

Xueya remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"Careful."

Yexiao Owl spurred his horse out to meet Barbarian Mangu. The two met on the battlefield and, without exchanging words, immediately attacked. Yexiao used a bone knife, his swordsmanship cunning and ruthless. He was experienced in combat and knew how to use skillful techniques to deal with strong opponents.

Mangu used Shifu, and his strength was overwhelming. Every axe blow was powerful and fierce. The two fought for thirty rounds. Yexiao gradually became exhausted. Although his swordsmanship was tricky, his strength was far inferior. Every time Mangu axe, he had to use all his strength to block it. After thirty rounds, his arm was numb from the impact.

Yexiao feinted with his sword, then turned and ran. Barbarian Mangu didn't chase after him, but just coldly watched him escape back to his camp. Cheers erupted again in the Fire Tribe's camp. On the Wolf Tribe's side, morale was even lower. Xueya's face was as black as the bottom of a pot. Two defeats in two battles had dealt a huge blow to morale.

He took a deep breath, gripped his bone knife, and prepared to go into battle himself. Just then, another person came out from the Fire Tribe. The man was tall and strong, riding a large chestnut horse, and holding a long spear in his hand.

Shinian, the former top warrior of the Green Grain Tribe, joined the Fire Tribe last year and is now an important leader of the Fire Tribe. He rode forward and shouted in the direction of the Wolf Tribe.

"Xueya! Dare to come out and fight?"

Xueya his teeth and spurred his horse forward.

"What's there to be afraid of!"

The two met on the battlefield and, without exchanging a word, immediately attacked. Shinian's spear and Xueya's bone knife clashed in mid-air, sparks flying. This battle was far more intense than the previous two. Shinian's spear technique was wide and sweeping, each thrust carrying immense force, while Xueya's knife technique was ruthless and vicious, each strike aimed straight for vital points.

Thirty rounds passed, neither side gaining the upper hand. Forty rounds passed, and the fight remained deadlocked. Fifty rounds passed, and Xueya began to feel the strain. The Shinian was too powerful; he had to use all his strength to block every spear thrust. After fifty rounds, his arms were numb, and his tiger's mouth was throbbing with pain.

After sixty rounds, Xueya finally couldn't hold on any longer. He feinted with his sword, turned around and ran away. Shinian sneered and didn't give chase.

He reined in his horse, watching Xueya flee back to his camp in a sorry state, and shouted, "Xueya, is this all the skill you have? You dare to cause trouble here?"

A deafening cheer erupted from the Fire Tribe's camp—three victories in three battles! Morale was at its peak! On the Wolf Tribe's side, all was deathly silent. Xueya fled back to his own camp, his face ashen and his whole body trembling—not from anger, but from exhaustion.

He was panting heavily, his hand gripping the knife trembling slightly. Shichui and Yexiao surrounded him, not daring to speak. After a long while, Xueya finally recovered. He looked at the cheering Fire Tribe cavalry opposite him, then at his own dejected warriors, and gritted his teeth.

"Pass down the order," his voice hoarse, "Prepare for a slow retreat."

Shichui was taken aback. "Retreat? But what about the unharvested grain outside the Fish Tribe camp...?"

Xueya glared at him.

"Is food more important or our lives? The Fire Tribe might still have reinforcements that haven't arrived yet! Once they get here, we won't be able to escape even if we want to!"

Shichui lowered his head, not daring to speak again. Xueya looked at the Fire Tribe's camp in the distance, his eyes flashing with complex emotions: anger, resentment, and a deep fear. The Fire Tribe's strength was far greater than he had imagined; these cavalry alone were enough to give him a run for his money. He'd have to wait for their reinforcements to arrive...

He dared not think any further.

"Withdraw!" he ordered again. "Take the harvested grain and slowly retreat eastward to set up camp!"

The Wolf Tribe began to slowly retreat. The wagons loaded with grain were escorted by infantry and moved slowly eastward. Xueya led the cavalry to cover the rear, watching the Fire Tribe warily in the distance. Dazhuang watched them retreat for a while and set up camp without attacking. His mission was to hold off the Wolf Tribe, not to fight a decisive battle. He would wait for the Fire Tribe's reinforcements to arrive before delivering a fatal blow.

He said, "Let's go to the Fish Tribe first."

The Fire Tribe's cavalry slowly turned and galloped towards the Fish Tribe's camp.