Schatzkammer von Jianghu

Kapitel 23

“My lord, you see, after a long march and war, both men and horses are exhausted, and most of the soldiers are wounded. Ah Cheng has some medical knowledge and can make house calls free of charge during the march, acting as a doctor.”

Wei Chong didn't need to turn around to see his men's current situation. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "What can I do for you?"

Acheng still didn't turn around, his voice as gentle and silent as a mountain stream. "It's very simple. Don't reveal anything about me and my brother. The master has ensured our safety, and in return, I can ensure the master's safety."

The Three Ape Gorge is located at the throat of Wuzhou, surrounded by mountains on three sides. A steep and winding mountain road leads directly to the chasm in front of it. It not only has the momentum of "one man can hold the pass against ten thousand men", but also has the faint sound of tigers roaring and dragons howling in the wind. It is a gate of hell that even immortals sigh at and find difficult to cross.

Clad in bright purple, Ma Liancheng sat solemnly on his horse, followed by a battalion of silver-clad cavalrymen silently holding the reins and halberds. The thousand-strong force stood quietly on a high ground behind the Three Apes Gorge, ready to depart in the wind.

This towering cliff, with its pillars like those cast in gold and carved in jade, pierces the sky, seemingly a masterpiece of nature's artistry. The crowd's gazes remained calm, their eyes fixed on the purple figure before them.

Ma Liancheng glanced down at the jade-like road below, as if assessing the situation and measuring the distance between the cliff and the flat ground.

The ambush mission was simple. The young master of the Bixie Sect looked coldly into his eyes and said only one sentence: "Ma Liancheng, as long as you live and win the Battle of Three Ape Gorge, I will grant you any request."

Ma Liancheng's hesitation wasn't due to the armored cavalry behind him, but rather the immense drop between the towering cliff and the mountain path. The high ground before them had been traversed directly over the mountains, making it impossible for his warhorse to descend steadily.

Ma Liancheng looked up at the mountain path in front of him. According to the plan, a detachment would lure the enemy into the heart of the territory, and the main force would be brought to this seemingly impregnable place to join forces with the Snow Shadow Camp, which had emerged from the deadly area, to attack the enemy from both sides.

Ma Liancheng felt like an archer drawing his bow, the arrow already on the string, with the young master of Bixie forcing him to release it.

He still remembered the price he paid for his first meeting with the young master of Bixie: the cavalry he brought from beyond the Great Wall was annihilated by the wolf pack of White Stone Mountain. The coral and jade he offered were lost, and he stood alone in the shadows of wolves in the darkness, with no one to turn to for help.

Before he turned forty, Ma Liancheng thought that fine clothes, spirited horses, beautiful women, and strong liquor were the true meaning of life, until the Liao army repeatedly invaded his fertile lands and he met the all-powerful young master Bixie.

A pure white horse, its hooves swift and powerful, galloped like a cloud across the street. The carriage's pillars were carved from gleaming white marble.

The carriage shafts and sides were all made of ebony. The horses on the shafts, in particular, were pure white with a touch of crimson on their foreheads.

Ma Liancheng glanced at the inn and immediately recognized it as the "Hualong," a breed that had long been extinct in the northern frontier. In ancient times, the "dragon" was the ancestor of purebred white horses, and a noble bloodline like this with a red dot on its forehead was unparalleled among horses. Its owner was either a member of the imperial family or not far from a position of wealth and nobility.

Ma Liancheng made up his mind to chase after the carriage. Finally, he stopped at a spacious and magnificent mansion. Looking up, he saw: the Prince Zhuang's Mansion.

A middle-aged man in a brocade robe stood beneath a white jade lion, his eyes gleaming: "Ma King Ma Liancheng?" His eyes revealed endless wisdom and shrewdness.

Ma Liancheng was genuinely surprised.

The man bowed slightly and said, "My name is Wu Suanzi."

Ma Liancheng was even more astonished. The renowned advisor to Prince Zhuang, the fortune teller known in the martial arts world as the "Poisonous-Eyed Judge," was actually willing to serve as a servant before the carriage. He vaguely knew who the owner of the carriage was.

It seemed only natural that he would see the young master of Bixie below, but Ma Liancheng had not seen Qiu Yeyijian for several months, and he was extremely anxious and restless.

The fortune teller only received him when he requested an audience, treating him with courtesy, serving tea and a banquet, without mentioning anything else.

"When will I have the honor of meeting you, young master?" This was the sentence Ma Liancheng said most often.

"Forgive my rudeness, young master, but you are busy with other matters and not at your residence." This is the answer I always receive.

Ma Liancheng silently stood up, took a few steps, and after walking for a while, finally made up his mind: "Young master must be extremely noble. I, Ma Liancheng, am a humble man, but I humbly request an audience. I will serve you in the future and will never break my promise."

"Oh?" The fortune teller smiled slightly. "May I ask why the Horse King requests an audience with my young master?"

"Although Ma Liancheng has lived in the border region for a long time, he has heard a little about the customs and culture of the Central Plains: It is said that the young master of Bixie has unparalleled swordsmanship and extraordinary talent. He has gathered a group of handsome and talented people like you under his command to assist him. Moreover, the highly respected Prince Zhuangjing is devoted to him. He is powerful and influential in and out of the court. I, Ma Liancheng, have an urgent matter to ask for and earnestly request Mr. Wu to make an introduction."

The fortune teller listened to Ma Liancheng's resounding words and looked at his upright and honest face, but still said calmly, "It seems that this matter is very troublesome, which makes King Ma firmly believe that only you, young master, can handle it. I wonder if King Ma has heard another rumor outside?"

"I have never heard of it."

"The young master divides people into two kinds: those who can be used and driven around at any time, and those who are useless and dead."

Looking at the shrewd smile on the face of the fortune teller, Ma Liancheng sighed heavily: "I originally did not want to get involved in the Central Plains, and I did not want to have any connection with the court or the public. It seems that I have no choice but to make an exception this time."

The fortune teller bowed slightly, a smile playing on his lips, his demeanor extremely refined, as if the cold words he had just spoken were not his own. "Once you return to your residence, young master, I will convey the message on behalf of King Ma."

After a miserable and heartbreaking six months, I finally met the legendary young man at the White Phoenix Tower in Yangzhou.

The two streets of Yangzhou were blocked off, and the bluestone streets outside the buildings were silent.

The young man in white sat like an emperor on the carved throne. His elaborate court robes, with their silk-trimmed brocade patterns, were layered like ethereal clouds. Ma Liancheng glanced at his cold, piercing eyes and knew that he could only be thinking of the young master of Bixie.

After Ma Liancheng succinctly expressed his request, the young master of the Bixie Sect kept his gaze fixed on his face, his tone as cold as the deepest snow of winter: "I only need your cavalry and a victory."

Looking back, Ma Liancheng gazed at the vast landscape, standing atop a precipice, and felt a slight sense of melancholy.

Before planning today's Battle of Three Ape Gorge, Ma Liancheng personally urged Liuli Huo to safely transport Wuzhou through numerous life-or-death trials before finally settling the matter.

Regardless of life or death, a battle is inevitable today.

In the distance below, along the mountain road, billowing yellow smoke rose, banners fluttered endlessly, and centaurs surged like boiling water.

Ma Liancheng waved his hand, and the Snow Shadow Camp knights behind him straightened their uniforms. One hand soothed the biting horse's head, while the other gripped their spears tightly, their eyes sharp and fierce, like eagles spreading their wings to take flight. Ma Liancheng turned and gazed at them, a gaze as ancient and silent as the pine-covered mountains that have stood for eternity.

"Listen to my command, blindfold the horses, and only move forward. If you're a true man, follow me!"

24. Combat

The thunderous sound of drums echoed through the Three Ape Gorge.

Along a winding, impassable road, black-armored cavalry were densely packed together. The army was like an ever-flowing tide, wave after wave, rushing towards the distance.

Wei Chong drew his long sword from his waist, raised his hand, and roared through the rolling yellow sand: "Charge towards the Three Ape Gorge!"

The thunderous sound of hooves thundered through the mountain stream as the group charged toward the cliff face, which resembled a gate with two pillars opening around it.

A mile behind this fierce army, there were still gusts of dust kicked up by horses' hooves.

Chu Yi lay prone on a jagged rock to his right, squinting as he carefully discerned the patch of yellow sand behind him. Opposite him was the cliff of one of the twin pillars, and further into the heart of the pillars lay a narrow strip of sky that blocked his view.

He heard a roar mixed with the neighing of horses, and his heart skipped a beat. He sighed slightly: This Lord Wei is indeed a righteous man.

After carefully scaling the cliff, Wei Chong and his men left Chu Yi, the boy he called "Acheng," and dozens of severely wounded and weak infantrymen to cover the rear—in fact, they had climbed down from the top of the cliff. By the time they arrived, the war was probably nearing its end.

Before leaving, Wei Chong instructed Chu Yi: "Acheng, if I cannot come back, take my waist token, and no one will dare to stop you. Go well."

The fierce army following Wei Chong drew ever closer. Chu Yi couldn't make out their numbers amidst the dust and wind, but just by the sound, he knew their strength surpassed that of Wei Chong and Ma Liancheng.

The man before them had large, shoulder-length earlobes and a square face. His helmet was adorned with circular ornaments on both sides, and a three-layered, fan-shaped felt turban fluttered behind him. Chu Yi was unaware that this was the common attire of the Liao people at the time. He held a long sword horizontally in his right hand and urged his horse on with his left.

Behind him were cavalrymen with prominent noses and high foreheads. A quick glance revealed their heavy armor, gleaming from friction, and thundering along with the horses' hooves. The horses themselves were clad in chilling silver armor, their armor gleaming brightly in the distance, exuding an aura of impenetrable steel and killing intent.

Even those unfamiliar with military strategy could see the strength and ferocity of this army. Chu Yi couldn't help but worry. His eyes darted frantically across the ground, but with the dust billowing, how could he possibly make out Wu Sanshou's figure?

The first day of the Lunar New Year was almost like a goose with a broken leg; I was filled with deep regret.

"Why are you so stupid! You actually let Wu Sanshou follow you into the military camp, thinking that the most dangerous place is the safest place?"

The martial arts world outside, sealed off by the young master of the Evil-Slaying Sect, is certainly perilous, but it's still better than this life of licking blood from the blade in the military. Especially on this battlefield filled with billowing smoke, even with Wu's martial arts skills, where can he find a place to rest?

Wu Sanshou had always been Wei Chong's clerk, in charge of maps and historical records, leading the way through mountains and along the way. Just now, an old soldier from the same tent spoke with him and learned that Wu Sanshou had unknowingly wandered ahead and disappeared. Chu Yi was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and hurriedly ran along the road to get there.

The Liao army closely pursued Wei Chong's troops, urging their horses into the pass at breakneck speed.

With the golden pillars coiled around the narrow passage of sky right before him, Wei Chong suddenly pulled on the reins, paused, turned around, and stared at his comrades following closely behind.

He pointed his long sword to the sky and roared loudly amidst the thunderous hoofbeats: "All soldiers, listen to my command: turn your horses around and face the enemy head-on. The rear guard will be the vanguard, and the front troops will split into two groups to attack. Anyone who retreats will be executed on the spot!"

A hoarse roar echoed through the mountain stream, stirring the soldiers' courage with its powerful force. Wei Chong's men brandished their weapons and shouted in unison, "Wei's cavalry, with their continuous lines, can crush even the strongest enemy!"

The passionate roar pierced through the hazy sky, its sharp sound echoing and rumbling all around.

Chu Yi seemed to be infected as well, gripping her hand tightly, feeling a surge of heat coursing through his body, which he couldn't suppress. His eyes were wide open, trying his best to discern the movements below.

The Liao army leader was Yelü Xingtian, one of the eight nobles in the court. He also heard this passionate cry, but only gave a slight sneer: "How can a remnant army resist my Iron Lion?"

One of his lieutenants, well-versed in Han Chinese military strategy, spurred his horse forward and said in a low voice, "General Yelü, in the Central Plains, military operations emphasize the interplay of deception and reality. The Three Ape Gorge is treacherous and filled with eerie atmosphere; it seems there is an ambush!"

Yelü Xingtian glanced arrogantly at his subordinate general and sneered, "The people of the Central Plains love to tell these fabricated stories! The Three Ape Gorge is a natural cliff, how could there be an ambush? This victory is our Liao Dynasty's for the taking. Pursue them quickly, do not let the army's morale be shaken and miss this opportunity!"

Yelü Xingtian tightened his mount, raised Fang Shuo, and charged forward, shouting battle cries.

Instantly, the valley erupted in a fierce battle, with shouts echoing across the land.

Wei Chong's army fought with a do-or-die mentality, using their bare hands to fight the heavily armored Iron Lion Legion. Yellow sand filled the sky, and the stench of blood permeated the valley. Soldiers at the front were constantly being cut down and fell from their horses, like a cold dagger piercing a beautiful wildflower. Their bodies rolled on the ground a few times before being trampled by the iron hooves of the Liao army, their brains splattering everywhere, without even a chance to cry out.

Chu Yi's eyes were fixed on the tall figure in the smoke and dust, and he had long since put aside the matter of finding Wu Sanshou. He slammed his hands on the rocks and, using the force, leaped into the ground like an eagle soaring over a mountain wall.

The saying goes, "To shoot a man, shoot his horse first; to capture a thief, capture his king first." I understand this principle, but I lack the strength to shoot a horse. So I'll risk my life to capture the Liao army leader.

On the first day, like a bullet soaring into the sky, it landed twice amidst the iron lions of the Liao army.

The Liao army, likely a seasoned and battle-hardened force, hesitated for a moment upon seeing a powerful and swift figure descending from the sky, but quickly reacted. Several scattered Liao soldiers had already raised their spears and thrust them at Chu Yi like stabs of straw.

Chu Yi leaped into the air, arms outstretched, and charged at a soldier on horseback. The soldier groaned and fell from his horse, instantly trampled to death. Chu Yi knew that even with his exceptional skills, it would be difficult to use them on the battlefield amidst thousands of soldiers, so he first seized the commander's flag and leaped forward.

The Liao army was brave and skilled in battle. They remained calm in the face of this sudden change, as if someone was directing them on the spot. They all raised their guns high in the air, intending to cut off Chu Yi's ankle as he rode at full speed.

Chu Yi waved the banner, which swept away the layers of light and shadow with a whoosh, like a large cloud. Taking advantage of the gap, he quickly sprinted and leaped behind Yelü Xingtian. He poured all his true strength into his hand, shouted, and slashed down at Yelü Xingtian's back, completely ignoring the swords and halberds behind him.

Yelü Xingtian was a brave warrior in Liaozhong. Hearing the sound of wind behind him, he was greatly alarmed and turned around to block. His divine steed, which was very attuned to its master's thoughts, stopped and turned around to steady itself.

It seemed that Yelü Xingtian's men were highly disciplined and fearless in the face of death. Two or three guards, unable to stop him in time, threw themselves on their commander, taking the blow from Chu Yi's staff and dying instantly. Then, some quick-thinking soldiers raised their spears and thrust them into the air, forcing Chu Yi to leap up and dodge the attack.

Chu Yi deftly flipped through the air, the gleaming armor of the Liao army below shimmering like a surging tide in a storm. Seeing his chance to capture and kill had slipped away, a brilliant idea flashed through his mind. He stepped onto the clashing spears and halberds, using their momentum to leap forward like a vulture, brandishing his commander's flag with a whoosh and shouting, "The commander is dead! The flag is here!"

The sound, carried by the fierce, surging tide, echoed and spread in all directions.

As expected, Yelü Xingtian was furious and urged the Iron Lion Regiment to abandon Wei Chong's vanguard and surge into the heart of the valley.

Chu Yi darted between the soldiers on both sides of the valley, like a gentle breeze drifting through the valley floor. After weaving left and right, he darted to a flat spot, and without stopping, he leaped up towards the cliff face.

Chu Yi used the backs of his left and right feet to alternately exert force, climbing with one hand, using the "Sky Ladder" commonly seen in the martial arts world. However, Chu Yi had a long breath and profound internal strength, and with a little effort, he arrived at an upside-down tree branch in a short time.

He steadied himself, channeled all his strength into his right hand, and hurled the commander's flag like a javelin. The black and gold flag, imbued with wind and carrying the whistling sound of Chu Yi's two hundred years of cultivation, flew straight away with a "thud."

The Liao army's Iron Lion Regiment erupted like boiling water, with screams echoing continuously. After knocking down several men, the commander's flag was firmly planted in the solid mud and stone ground, fluttering in the wind.

Chu Yi stretched out his arms, looked up at the endless sky with his chest raised, as if gathering all the strength in the world, and roared: "Ma Liancheng, lead the way with your banner, charge!"

The whistling sound was deep and long, echoing faintly even from a hundred miles away in the valley.

Ma Liancheng lowered his eyes and looked down. Sure enough, there was a white light in the rolling yellow sand. He knew that someone had lured the main force of the Liao army to this place. He silently waved his hand and forcefully stabbed the short dagger in his hand into the horse's rump. The drug on the dagger entered the horse's blood. The horse was frightened and immediately reared up, wearing a mask, and rushed forward in a panic.

Amidst the billowing wind, only a booming shout echoed: "Go!"

Ma Liancheng clung tightly to his horse's back, holding its head close, his eyes narrowed, preparing to tear open the visor covering its eyes when they reached the bottom of the valley. The whistling wind continued to rush past his ears; he dared not turn around, but he trusted his warhorse. He felt that, apart from his horse, nothing else could be assured.

Behind them, there were the sounds of horses rearing up, and one after another, white figures rolled straight down to the bottom of the valley. Even when those iron-clad Snow Shadow Knights lost their footing and tumbled down, there were no cries of alarm or screams.

"Good lad!" Ma Liancheng couldn't help but exclaim in his heart. This exhilarating battle seemed to have shown him the indomitable spirit of the men of the Central Plains.