General Chen Haoran Arrives

The Wu Kingdom's army had split into two forces. One was launching a night raid on Wuling City, while the other was taking a covert detour to Qixia City. Sima Heru's army of fifty thousand was stationed inside Cloud Mountain Fortress. General Chen Haoran's army of a hundred thousand was still on the march...

Outside Wuling City's gates, the Qian Kingdom's hidden sentries kept their eyes fixed on the only road from Cloud Mountain Fortress to Wuling City, ready to send word back to the city at the slightest sign of movement. Two soldiers lay hidden on the branches of a tree, dressed in black and motionless, blending into the night. After watching for so long, their eyes were extremely uncomfortable. One was rubbing his eyes when he suddenly heard a muffled sound. He immediately pulled himself together and looked around. A whoosh cut through the air, and he fell from the branch, landing beside his comrade with a thud. Just as the two hit the ground, a dark figure landed where they had been lying.

The figure belonged to the Wu Kingdom's "Selected Vanguard," also known as the "Formation-Breaking Warriors!" They charged into battle in armor, weapons in hand, shattering the enemy's vanguard and breaking through formations, slaying generals and capturing banners! They were a surprise force of the Wu Kingdom, and had rendered many a service in the saddle, saving it a great deal of trouble.

Dark figures darted through the woods. Every time a sword flashed, someone fell dead. Each strike killed, leaving no chance even to cry out.

As the figures twisted and darted about, all the Qian Kingdom's hidden sentries were cleared away. Not one was able to raise the alarm.

The man leading the night raid on Wuling City was Wu Pojun, long known as the foremost warrior under General Yan, the "Pojun War God" of Yan's army. He was powerfully built, with chest muscles shaped like an inverted triangle, broad shoulders and a wide chest, though his waist was disproportionately slender. An invisible pressure surrounded him, giving the immediate impression of overwhelming physical strength!

"The Selected Vanguard has sent word that all the hidden sentries in the woods have been dealt with. The army is to advance at once! Once we reach the western side of the woods, no one is to step beyond them, lest the guards on the city walls spot us," the Pojun War God told his deputy general. His voice was deep and powerful, like rolling thunder.

"Yes, Deputy General Wu!" The deputy general accepted the order and hurried off to pass it on.

"The army is to advance at once, in silence! No one is to step beyond the woods! Violators will be dealt with under military law!"

Wuling City's walls

A squad of soldiers was on patrol, and soldiers guarded every opening for hurling projectiles, all prepared for battle. They had received orders half a month ago that the Wu Kingdom would attack the city soon.

Inside Wuling City, more patrols moved back and forth. With a great battle at hand, every soldier was fully armed and on edge.

Wuling City's city lord's residence!

The residence was brightly lit, with a guard every five paces and a sentry every ten, all on full alert.

"Commander Cao, the secret report from the imperial capital said that the Wu Kingdom would lead an army against our Wuling City in the coming days. The man leading them is the Wu Kingdom's veteran general Yan Fengxiao. Do you know anything about him, Commander Cao?"

The speaker was Wan Que, Wuling City's garrison commander. Ever since City Lord Guan Shinan's mishap, Commander Wan had decided all matters in Wuling City, great and small, until the imperial capital sent Grand Governor Cao Zhouyuan.

"Commander Wan, do you have a strategy in mind? Please, let me hear it."

"Commander Cao, I wouldn't presume to call it a strategy. I have followed City Lord Guan for many years and have crossed swords with Yan Fengxiao of the Wu Kingdom on numerous occasions. As I see it, Yan Fengxiao is narrow-minded and shortsighted, eager for glory and grand achievements. There is no need to worry much about him. But he has a fierce general known as the 'Pojun War God.' This man was born with divine strength, is full of resourceful plans, and excels at using surprise forces. We must be on guard against him."

"I've heard a little about the Pojun War God as well. He truly is not to be underestimated. He is a rare talent. If we could bring him over to our side, it would boost our army's morale!"

"Commander Cao, you are mistaken. It is said that Wu Pojun made a living selling beans and was dirt-poor, with only his elderly mother at home. He was extremely filial. They say a street thug once humiliated his mother, overturned her stall, pushed her to the ground, and beat and kicked her. When Wu Pojun found out, he went to the man's home and smashed his head apart with his bare hands. He was then arrested by officers and thrown into death row. General Yan heard of it, cleared him of the charge, and enrolled him in the army, where he has remained to this day! He has now risen to the post of deputy general! Grateful for that kindness, he once swore loyalty to Yan Fengxiao! Bringing him over to our side would be harder than hard!"

"Alas, War God Pojun-if he is as you say, what a pity!"

In the woods, Wu Pojun waited with his troops for the right moment. When the guards at Wuling City changed shifts, the entire army would charge out like fierce tigers and surely deal the Qian army a crushing defeat. For now, they only had to wait.

Behind Cloud Mountain Fortress, Chen Haoran's army marched through the night with its provisions and baggage.

"Pass the order. Cloud Mountain Fortress is just ahead. The army is to pick up the pace."

Chen Haoran raised his head and looked at the night sky over the fortress. I hope Sima Heru can stop Generals Yan and Guo from dividing their forces. Otherwise, our army is in danger!

"General Chen, a scout reports that there is no army in sight at Cloud Mountain Fortress, only a small number of men guarding the city!"

"This is bad! Could they have already marched out? Quick, the entire army is to pick up the pace! Make for Cloud Mountain Fortress at once!"

Are we still one step too late? Generals Yan and Guo, your hunger for glory has endangered the country...