Chapter 0124: Charge
"However, why doesn't the Zuo Xian King use the Treasure Mirror to observe the cliffs on both sides? That way, we'll know for sure whether there are any ambushes. It would help eliminate any potential risks completely,"the shaman suddenly suggested.
He knew that the mirror in Liu Bao's hand was a rare wondrous artifact, incredibly mysterious, capable of revealing the surrounding landscape. That mirror was extremely peculiar, and Liu Bao treated it like a precious treasure, never parting from it. Even the shaman himself had only caught glimpses of it and had never touched it. All he knew was that the mirror could scan its surroundings and project the images within.
As for whether it had other abilities—aside from Liu Bao, no one truly knew.
"No need. It's just a small canyon—it won't be able to trap me. Even if there's an ambush, I'm not afraid. Besides, didn't you already say that the village might not know we'd come at this time? Just follow the plan I laid out."Liu Bao waved his hand and cut him off without hesitation.
His words brooked no argument. Deep down, he had a naturally defiant pride. If the shaman hadn't brought it up, perhaps he would've used the Treasure Mirror. But now that it was mentioned, using it would imply his earlier analysis and strategic insight were flawed—a waste of words. Moreover, he had absolute confidence in his own judgment.
"Yes, Zuo Xian King!"The nearby general bowed and quickly relayed the order.
At once, the army divided into groups of a thousand and began weaving their way through the canyon. The troops moved swiftly. The warhorses galloped like a gust of wind through the valley, aiming to cross it in the shortest time possible. As the horses charged, their iron hooves struck the earth thunderously—especially inside the canyon, the sound became even more deafening.
It was like a mountain flood bursting forth, like thunder rumbling in the void.
Unexpectedly, the first wave of a thousand cavalry passed through without hindrance. No rolling logs or boulders fell from above, no hail of arrows rained down. Everything remained eerily quiet and peaceful.
"Second wave—charge through!"
As the first wave made it across, the second immediately followed, another burst of thunderous hooves echoing through the gorge. They too encountered no resistance.
It seemed the cliffs truly held no danger. No ambushes.All suspicions… had merely been speculation.
Still, Liu Bao stuck to his strategy—advancing in waves of a thousand at a time.
In Xuanhuang Village:
The previously damaged sections of the village wall had already been swiftly repaired. Thick vines and thorny brambles now covered large portions of the wall, reinforcing its durability—blades could no longer easily cut through.
Soldiers stood watch along the ramparts. Many villagers were there too. Piles of stones had been stockpiled—used for defending the wall. With a cultivator's strength, hurling those stones would unleash terrifyingly destructive force.
Upon learning the Xiongnu were coming, the villagers had taken the initiative to climb the wall and prepare for defense, determined to fight alongside the warriors.
The Xiongnu's atrocities had spread throughout the village. Tales of their cannibalism had shaken every villager to the core. The rage and indignation burned in every heart. The desire for vengeance surged—they wanted nothing more than to butcher every last one of the Xiongnu.
They didn't fear the enemy's army.
"Old Wang, aren't you scared? It's the Xiongnu. I heard they eat people. If they go too long without human flesh, they lose their will. The village chief says they might arrive soon,"a villager whispered atop the wall.
"Scared? What's there to be scared of? Those Xiongnu are beasts—they're not even human. We've killed monsters and beasts before—no way they're tougher than those freaks. If we're not afraid of monsters, why would we fear them? If they dare come today, we'll show them that Xuanhuang Village doesn't take crap from anyone!"An older man spoke with steely resolve. After cultivating, his strength surpassed even that of younger men.
He had slain monsters, devoured beasts—he feared no Xiongnu.
"Cannibalistic beasts—they're worse than animals. Hmph, I've been itching to kill a few of them myself, take revenge for those innocent villagers. Think they can take our village? In their dreams. Do they think we're just sitting around twiddling our thumbs?"Another man bared yellowed teeth in a grim smile.
No one feared the Xiongnu.They'd fought monsters.The Xiongnu were just another kind of beast.
They weren't cowards without guts.And they had already prepared with the others.The Xiongnu would find no easy prey here.
RUMBLE RUMBLE!!
"They're here!"
"That's hooves—horse hooves, coming from the canyon!"
"It has to be the Xiongnu. That rumble is thousands of cavalry charging. No doubt—it's them!"
"Look! Cavalry emerging from the canyon—look at their gear! They're Xiongnu, alright!"
The thundering roars from the canyon jolted every soul atop the wall. Soldiers and villagers alike stood straight, peering toward the gorge's mouth.
Soon, waves of Xiongnu cavalry surged out, gathering before the canyon. Their numbers swelled—more and more appeared, exuding an oppressive aura. Killing intent surged around them like a dark mist, forming an invisible pressure.
"Clever bastards. They're sending out waves of a thousand, clearly to avoid ambushes from above. Even if we'd laid traps with logs and boulders, it would've only taken out a few. Not enough to cripple them."Yang Ye's face hardened. He realized just how dangerous the Xiongnu were. These weren't brainless brutes—they had strategy and caution.
A sharp enemy was a dangerous enemy.
"Indeed. This army is ruthless. But our lord's strategy is a form of open conspiracy—even if the enemy realizes it, there's no way to counter it. Once they trigger it, they'll suffer heavy losses regardless."Huang Chengyan nodded.
Some strategies, even when laid bare, are impossible to evade.That's what makes them so deadly.
"Cavalry. All cavalry? Good. I won't let them get close. I'll cut off their arms and legs before they reach the village."Yi Tianxing's gaze was cold as he stared down at the cavalry.He felt no pity for these Xiongnu.
Beasts that eat humans…Their existence was a sin.
RUMBLE RUMBLE!!
The last wave of the Xiongnu army crossed the gorge.
Liu Bao appeared, flanked by his troops. The cavalry parted to let him ride at the front.
Exuding the air of a warlord, Liu Bao looked around the canyon. Vast and majestic. Rivers ran through it, the scent of wildflowers on the breeze. He took a deep breath, a drunk-on-power smile on his face, and then laughed:
"My tribesmen! This canyon—this place—is heaven's gift to us. It will be ours. This will be the sacred land of our Great Xiongnu Empire!"
"Haha! Hahaha!!"Tens of thousands of soldiers roared in unison, a thunderclap shaking the mountains.
Clearly, they were pleased with what they saw.In their hearts, this land was already theirs.
"But before we harvest this fertile land… we must first wipe that pathetic village off the map!"
Liu Bao cracked his whip and pointed toward Xuanhuang Village."Warriors! Charge! Kill! Plunder everything! Inside that village lies wealth—women, slaves. Take them with your courage. Kill! Plunder! Revel in bloodshed! SLAUGHTER!!"
His voice echoed through the sky like thunder.
Every Xiongnu soldier heard it.And their eyes turned blood-red.
Their killing intent exploded—savage instincts erupting in full force.
RUMBLE RUMBLE!!
Without hesitation, tens of thousands of Xiongnu cavalry surged like a black tide toward the village. Their charge gained speed, gathering momentum like a flood. Before this cavalry, the village looked like nothing more than a fragile hut in the path of a tidal wave. The very air seemed to solidify under their pressure.
The Xiongnu's charge was a terrifying sight.
The mountains and valleys vanished beneath the flood of riders.
"What a terrifying cavalry charge… Their momentum is truly unstoppable. Without a powerful will, anyone would break."Yi Tianxing nodded inwardly.This kind of charge wasn't just a physical threat—it was a psychological weapon.
Some villagers on the wall were already paling.
The organized assault of cavalry was very different from the chaos of monsters.
One was a river—The other, an ocean.
This wasn't about strength—It was about fear and awe.
"No wonder the Xiongnu cavalry so often invade the borders,"Huang Chengyan muttered with a nod.These cavalrymen were fearsome in their own right.
"Ah!!"
Suddenly, a few Xiongnu horses began to stumble.But not the riders.
The horses themselves fell.
At full speed, some crashed violently into the ground. Bones snapped audibly. One horse's skull even shattered completely. Its rider was flung and killed instantly, his body a bloody mess.