As Zhang Niujiao gave the order, the bandits turned south.
However, Zhang Chen and his men were cavalry, running much faster than these infantry, and immediately attacked from behind, causing the fleeing soldiers to be overthrown.
Sui Gu was extremely anxious. If they retreated like this, he feared that by the time they reached the South Gate, the more than ten thousand men would be completely wiped out by the cavalry.
Alas, things have come to this today. I can only risk my life; as for these brothers, may as many as possible escape!
Immediately, Sui Gu steeled his heart and said to Zhang Niujiao, “Da Fang Qu Shuai, hurry! Zhang He will cover your retreat!”
With that, Sui Gu turned his horse around and charged towards the cavalry with his spear.
Zhang Niujiao was startled. He looked back and saw that Sui Gu had already charged into the formation on horseback.
“Brother… take care!” Zhang Niujiao let out a furious roar of grief and galloped away on his horse.
Although Sui Gu was not particularly prominent in the history of the Three Kingdoms, he was still a military General whose name was recorded. Dealing with these minor soldiers was naturally no problem for him. He charged into the formation, thrusting left and right, and in a blink of an eye, he had impaled several people.
Zhang He was furious and rode his horse to battle. Although Sui Gu had some courage, how could he be Zhang He’s opponent? After less than three exchanges, he was stabbed and fell from his horse.
Zhang Chen, who was leading his army in a heated battle nearby, saw Sui Gu charging towards Zhang He’s formation on horseback and couldn't help but inwardly groan. He quickly urged his horse to catch up, hoping to claim the credit for slaying a General, but unexpectedly, he was still a step too slow.
Damn it! The kill was snatched again! Why is Zhang He so fast?
And this Sui Gu, since he’s so eager to die, why didn’t he come towards me!
No, I must get one today!
Zhang Chen glanced over and saw three card entries—two blue and one green—appear next to Sui Gu.
“Proficient Spear Technique (Blue),” “Composed (Blue),” and “Loyalty (Green).”
Except for “Proficient Spear Technique,” the other two seemed to be positive based on their names, so Zhang Chen didn't look closely and collected them all at once.
Immediately, Zhang Chen looked into the distance and saw Zhang Niujiao leading the remnants of his army, fleeing south.
You’re the one! Today, for my merit and reputation, I absolutely cannot let you escape!
Zhang Chen was already depressed from having two kills snatched in a row, so he immediately locked his target on Zhang Niujiao.
Zhang Chen spurred his horse in pursuit, but the opponent had already run a distance, and Zhang Chen’s horse was not a fine steed, making it difficult to catch up quickly.
Damn it!
Zhang Chen remained resolute, and then a sudden idea struck him.
Why not try out the newly upgraded Archery?
Thinking this, Zhang Chen took out his longbow from the quiver beside his horse’s belly, then drew the bow and nocked an arrow, aiming at an angle he thought was suitable, and shot an arrow out.
The arrow drew a graceful arc in mid-air and plunged fiercely into Zhang Niujiao’s back.
Zhang Niujiao let out a loud cry and instantly fell from his horse.
It hit! It really hit!
Zhang Chen never expected that he would actually hit the target.
At this moment, Zhang He, Gao Shun, and County Commandant Jiang Qi, who had just charged out of the city, had basically finished clearing the remaining soldiers below the city and were all looking this way.
They saw Zhang Chen sitting upright on his horse, holding a longbow in one hand, its string still slightly trembling.
All of them were greatly astonished.
Especially Gao Shun, whose face was filled with a look of astonishment.
He only knew that Zhang Chen had a good foundation in martial arts, understood some horsemanship, and had learned spear techniques from him, achieving some minor success. In terms of strength, he was considered a second or third-rate military General.
But he had never known that Zhang Chen’s archery was so proficient, and he could even shoot arrows from horseback. One must know that this requires excellent archery and horsemanship, and proper coordination to achieve!
To be able to do this, Zhang Chen’s strength was at least among the best of second-rate military Generals!
Just then, a troop of cavalry, numbering about several hundred, galloped over from the opposite side.
The leading General, who looked only in his teens, was slender, wore a Yellow Turban on his head, held two sabers, and galloped his horse to Zhang Niujiao’s side. He then dismounted and rushed to Zhang Niujiao, helping his limp body up.
“Big Brother! Big Brother!” The General couldn’t help but cry out in sorrow at the sight.
“Brother… brother, I’m done for. From now on, Black Mountain… will depend on you.”
“No! Big Brother, don’t worry, I’ll take you back, I’ll definitely cure you!”
“It’s… useless, Chu Yan, you… listen, from now on, you are… the Black Mountain Army’s commander.” Zhang Niujiao’s voice was as faint as a wisp of smoke. He took out a tiger tally from his embrace and forced it into his hand: “I… am incompetent, I have failed the Saintess and the Divine Emissary, and I have implicated… implicated my brothers. For me… protect Black Mountain, protect… the Saint… Saintess…”
Zhang Niujiao used all his strength to utter the last few words, and finally, his life force ceased. His head tilted, and he died.
“Big Brother!” Chu Yan was heartbroken and cried out to the sky.
Zhang Chen looked at the General, his expression changing instantly.
Name: Chu Yan
Possessed Entries: Black Mountain Commander (Gold), Da Fang Qu Shuai (Purple), Swift Swallow Agility (Purple), Pinnacle Swordsmanship (Gold)
Black Mountain Commander (Gold): You are the Black Mountain Army’s commander. The Black Mountain Army will grow and strengthen under your leadership. (Easier to gain favorability from bandit forces, making them serve you)
Swift Swallow Agility (Purple): You are nimble and agile like a swift swallow.
Oh no! A miscalculation!
The moment Zhang Chen saw the name “Chu Yan,” he inwardly cursed.
The person before him was Chu Yan, who later became Zhang Yan, the Black Mountain Army’s commander.
It was under his leadership that the Black Mountain Army grew to an unstoppable force, later claiming to have “a million strong.”
His “Black Mountain Commander” entry allows him to gain favorability from bandits, making them join his ranks. No wonder the historical Zhang Yan almost absorbed all the bandits, big and small, in Jizhou; this was the reason!
Zhang Chen had originally planned to subdue this person, because it was under his leadership that the Black Mountain Army grew so uncontrollably. Zhang Chen believed that as long as Chu Yan was subdued, the Black Mountain Army would be a disorganized mess, posing no threat.
However, he had forgotten that Chu Yan and Zhang Niujiao had a deep friendship. Now that he had shot Zhang Niujiao dead, how could Chu Yan possibly surrender?
Alas, I regret that I sacrificed the greater good for a momentary achievement.
Never mind, since he cannot be subdued, then he must be eliminated. Otherwise, if he is allowed to escape today, he will surely become a major hidden danger in the future!
Zhang Chen immediately steeled his heart, his eyes blazing with murderous intent!
But unexpectedly, before Zhang Chen could even give an order, Chu Yan looked up, and a fierce gaze shot towards Zhang Chen.
He put Zhang Niujiao down, stood up, grabbed his dual sabers, and with a leap, soared into the air, attacking Zhang Chen.
Lightness Skill!
Zhang Chen’s pupils constricted. He never expected Chu Yan to possess such a skill!
Is this what “Swift Swallow Agility” means?
Without time to think, Zhang Yan had already flown close and slashed a saber straight down at Zhang Chen!
“You dog thief! Give me back my brother’s life!”
With a “clang,” Zhang Chen quickly raised his spear to parry.
Chu Yan leaped backward, but in mid-air, he performed a hawk flip, kicking Zhang Chen’s spear shaft with both feet.
Zhang Chen felt a tremendous force, and his body involuntarily flew backward, completely knocked off his horse.
Just at that critical moment, Zhang Chen suddenly felt someone supporting him from behind. He looked back and saw that it was Gao Shun, who had rushed forward and caught him. Fortunately, Gao Shun was quick-witted; otherwise, if he had fallen to the ground, losing face would be minor, but he might have suffered broken bones and torn tendons.
“My Lord, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, thanks to Xiaofu’s rescue.”
“My Lord, please rest. Zhang He will capture this rogue!”
With that, Gao Shun, his face full of anger, strode forward with his saber and charged towards Chu Yan.