You Go to Your Grave

The soldiers held their breath. Everyone knew the two commanders didn't get along, but a confrontation like this was unprecedented.

Who would dare to get involved?

Luo Yu's fists clenched instinctively. Zhang Gui was clearly trying to force Xiao Wu to his death!

Wang Shuang was the most furious. He hadn't expected Zhang Gui to be so disrespectful, his face cold as he said:

"Deputy Commander Zhang, what's your meaning? Am I no longer in command?

Why don't you take over as commander?"

Just as the fort was filled with tension, the enemy's taunts came from outside:

"Cowards in your shells, dare you come out and fight grandpa?"

"You're all men who stand to urinate, hiding behind walls - what kind of skill is that? If you don't dare to fight, crawl back to mommy's arms and drink milk!"

Every soldier's face turned livid with rage. The enemy was being too arrogant!

Just one enemy cavalryman dared to ride close to the range of their bows and arrows, taunting them - completely disregarding their presence.

This scene had happened multiple times during the siege, with the Dryland army always staying inside.

But each provocation eroded their morale, lowering it to its lowest point. Over time, fear would be planted in everyone's hearts, making them never dare to face the enemy again.

Hearing the taunts, Zhang Gui suddenly had an idea. He smiled and said:

"How could I dare disobey your orders? I'm just thinking of our brothers' safety. The current situation is critical, and neither strict punishment nor leniency is appropriate. I have a solution that benefits everyone."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"The enemy has been provoking us, and we've always stayed inside, lowering our brothers' morale. This can't continue.

Why don't we let Xiao Wu go out and fight the enemy? If he dares, it shows he has courage, and his previous offense can be forgiven."

"Zhang Gui, you've gone too far!"

Meng Hu was furious at this suggestion:

"The enemy is skilled in cavalry combat, and Xiao Wu is just a new recruit. How could he possibly be a match for the enemy? You're sending him to his death!"

Zhang Gui crossed his arms and sneered:

"That's not up to him. I've given him a chance to prove his courage."

Xiao Wu's face was ashen. Death awaited him either way. He was finished.

Luo Yu suddenly spoke up:

"Can I take Xiao Wu's place?"

"What?"

Everyone was stunned, not just Zhang Gui. Luo Yu was actually volunteering to fight.

Luo Yu said expressionlessly:

"Xiao Wu's cowardice in battle was wrong, and I, as his squad leader, am also responsible for not disciplining him properly.

I'll fight in Xiao Wu's place. If I win, this matter will be forgotten. If I lose, you can punish me however you see fit - even execution!"

"Those are your words!"

Zhang Gui was almost laughing, afraid Luo Yu might change his mind:

"Commander, shall we agree to this?"

The soldiers looked at Luo Yu as if he were insane, including Meng Hu and Xiao Wu, who couldn't understand his reasoning.

There were no horses in the fort. Luo Yu would have to fight on foot. No matter how skilled he was, fighting cavalry on foot was certain death - everyone knew this.

But Luo Yu felt a spark of excitement. He was worried about how to boost morale, and now wasn't this a good opportunity? Plus, it would solve Xiao Wu's crisis.

Two birds with one stone!

"Let it be. Be careful. I'll watch from the wall."

Wang Shuang gave Luo Yu a helpless look and turned to leave. He didn't want to see Zhang Gui's smug face any longer.

Zhang Gui was in high spirits, whispering in Luo Yu's ear:

"I know, Wu Mazi was killed by you because you wanted his military credit, right?

I know him better than anyone. As long as there's one man alive in the squad, it's not his turn to die."

Luo Yu neither confirmed nor denied it, just asked a question:

"So you're getting revenge for him? Is it right for others to steal military credit?"

"I, Zhang Gui, am illiterate and have hovered near death many times before becoming deputy commander. He joined the army with me and has fought hard for me over the years. We're good friends.

Stealing military credit was wrong, but you had no right to kill him!"

Zhang Gui's eyes turned vicious:

"So, you must go to your grave with him!"

"Don't be too happy yet."

Luo Yu's lips curled into a mocking smile: "Who says I can't win?"

…

"Get back to mommy's arms, you cowards! Hahaha!"

The mocking laughter echoed over the Watchtower as an enemy soldier rode back and forth, shouting until his voice was hoarse.

When he saw a foot soldier slowly walk out and stand with his saber, he almost laughed out loud. Killing a foot soldier was easier than killing a chicken.

After all, chickens are small and might be hard to hit.

The enemy watching from a distance joined in with jeers, completely dismissing Luo Yu.

Luo Yu held his saber in his left hand and played with a small dagger in his right. He didn't look afraid, instead exuding confidence.

On the wall, Meng Hu and the others were sweating bullets. Xiao Wu was on his knees praying for Luo Yu.

Don't think the distant enemy cavalryman looks small now - when he charges close, he'll be a giant, and even without attacking, the force of his horse's charge could turn you into mincemeat.

Luo Yu's calm made Zhang Gui sneer:

"Hmph, putting on a show! How long can you keep it up?"

"Go!"

Under everyone's tense gaze, the enemy soldier pulled the reins and charged forward, slowly raising his spear, its tip gleaming.

The hoofbeats grew faster, but Luo Yu remained motionless.

"Why isn't Brother Yu moving? It's over. I've doomed Brother Yu. Sob."

Xiao Wu cried, while Zhang Gui sneered:

"What great skills! Just a useless coward too scared to move!"

"Ah!"

As the horse got closer, the enemy soldier expertly raised his spear, ready to impale Luo Yu and send him to his grave.

Luo Yu moved.

His palm flipped, the dagger spun in his hand. His right arm whipped around, muscles tensing like a drawn bow, and he threw it forward with all his might.

The black dagger flew straight through the air, hitting the horse's head. The blade pierced cleanly through, blood splattering.

The horse neighed in pain, its front legs buckling. The rider was thrown off, rolling through the sand until he landed at Luo Yu's feet.

Both sides watched in confusion, seeing only dust flying but not understanding what had happened.

The enemy soldier, disoriented from the fall, scrambled to his feet in panic. Before he could draw his sword, Luo Yu punched him in the face, knocking him out cold.

As the dust settled, the battle scene became clear to everyone.

The nearly unconscious enemy soldier knelt on one knee, blood dripping from his mouth. Luo Yu's saber pressed against his throat.

Everyone was stunned!

Luo Yu had won!

Zhang Gui's pupils contracted, his mouth gaping wide enough to swallow an egg:

"How, how is this possible?"

Luo Yu turned to look at the wall, his mocking smile making Zhang Gui's face turn ashen.

"Slash!"

The blade cut through, and Luo Yu held the bloody head high:

"Victory!"

The besieged soldiers, long trapped and demoralized, were suddenly inspired. They raised their fists and roared:

"Victory!"