CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 465: TAUNTING BEFORE BATTLE

If the army’s morale isn’t steady, even the mightiest troops will eventually scatter.

The two armies are facing off, separated by only a few miles.

Shi Daquan dared not be careless, so he was very cautious about choosing a location for the army to camp.

In contrast, the 200,000 troops of the Great Yu Army this time are all former members of the Fiery Fire Army under Third Master Liu’s command.

Currently, the one responsible for the command of this expedition is a General with the surname Pang.

He has a fiery temper, likes swift and ruthless slaughter.

With overwhelming numbers, he wants a quick and decisive battle.

Therefore, upon arrival, he immediately ordered.

"Rest the troops for three days, then attack in full force. Make sure to annihilate all the Liangzhou Army within ten days!"

"Yes!"

Such bold words; if it were anyone else, they might not dare to boast so brazenly.

But coming from his mouth, Vice General Sha couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious for Shi Daquan and the Liangzhou Army.

During his encounter with Vice General Sha, General Pang of the Great Yu showed a somewhat cold demeanor.

"Why didn’t General Yan come personally? Sending a Vice General—what’s the meaning of this?"

In his view, the arrival of the Yan State Army was just a burden.

Two hundred thousand against eighty thousand; it looks like tigers descending a mountain, with them being destined for slaughter.

Why split the glory when it could all be his, thus showing complete disdain for Vice General Sha’s presence.

Vice General Sha wasn’t foolish; he naturally understood the implication.

Such arrogance is exactly the situation they wanted.

Otherwise, if someone else came, he would be beating drums in his heart.

Thus, he maintained a humble posture.

Speaking to General Pang, he said.

"General Yan is naturally staying at the main camp. He sent me to learn from General Pang on troop deployment, so I can be of use in the future."

When he finished speaking, General Pang obviously felt a surge of pride.

It’s clear the words pleased him.

The saying goes, flatteries never fail.

This is probably the reason.

"You do have some self-awareness, so you should substitute for the Yan State Army and see how our Great Yu Army moves on the battlefield."

After saying this, the standing Vice Generals also displayed arrogant expressions.

It’s commonly said that arrogance leads to defeat.

The Great Yu Army is overly confident.

However, it’s good this way.

A prideful tiger is easier to deal with than a hidden venomous snake.

Thinking of this, Vice General Sha silently lowered his head.

Three days flew by.

On the Northwest lands, the battle drums that had rested for a short while began again.

The two armies faced off, with Shi Daquan and General Pang leading them.

The two had never gotten along, and if it weren’t for both being generals of the Northwest, they would have fought long ago.

Now, fate granted them the chance to settle new grudges along with old.

Thus, both sides seemed to grit their teeth fiercely.

Unable to hold back, General Pang was the first to shout insults.

"Shi Daquan, your mother gave birth to you with much difficulty, if you are cut off in the battle later and your appearance ruined, it’d be a pity. How about I show you the way? Cut your throat early and leave yourself a whole corpse, I assure you, I’ll find you the finest grass mat to wrap you with, and definitely won’t leave you exposed in the wild!"

"Hahahahaha."

With this outburst from General Pang, everyone burst into laughter.

Considered a kind of pre-battle encouragement.

Upon hearing this, Shi Daquan felt sickened but quickly retorted.

"What a misfortune, your mother was careless giving birth; you have a mouth but your brain is still left in the womb. Alas, I’m a kind soul, can’t bear to see a disabled person suffer. How about you clean up and follow me back to be a groom? Three meals a day, with white steamed buns, plentiful!"

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

Shi Daquan wasn’t easy to provoke either, and his response made General Pang’s face flush with rage.

Their enmity grows deeper and deeper.

Ultimately, they both wished to slash each other a few times!

Enraged, General Pang immediately pointed his sword at Shi Daquan and cursed.

"You dog! I’ll take your head off to honor the flag!"

"Oh, taking me to honor the flag? I’ll send you to the underworld to meet those 150,000 Great Yu scoundrels of yours."

"Hmph, the Liu Family is without virtue or justice, dug Cold Mountain for selfish gain, causing the Northwest earthquake, not repenting afterward, nor saving the people; instead, they massacred Red Leaf Village to conceal the secret! Truly shameless dogs!"

"All sons of the Northwest, your parents gave birth to and raised you, was it to make you disloyal, unfaithful, inhumane, unjust scoundrels? Soldiers! Do you truly want to serve the Liu Family? Serve the Great Yu in such a way? Do you really want to slash your comrades and citizens with your blades?"

Shi Daquan spoke each word, infusing them with inner strength.

So the words went out with great vigor.

And touched everyone’s hearts.

In the former Northwest Army, now the Great Yu Army, there were naturally those who clenched their fists.

Among them were a few thousand elite soldiers who participated in the massacre of Red Leaf Village, feeling very conflicted at that moment.

Qiu Dong was one of them.

As a soldier, he’s meant to follow orders.

But as a son of the Northwest, he felt that General Shi Daquan’s words made sense.

Could it be, their parents gave birth to them, only for them to someday point their sharpened blades at defenseless citizens?

Thinking of this, his mind struggled for days and finally became clear.

This wasn’t what he wanted, but he couldn’t disobey military orders.

Hence, he wouldn’t participate in this battle.

He didn’t want to close his eyes daily only to see the tragic deaths of Red Leaf Village’s citizens.

He also feared descending into the eighteen layers of hell after death, never to rise again.

Seeing Shi Daquan’s words cause a stir in the Great Yu Army soldiers’ hearts,

General Pang became indignant.

He yelled loudly,

"Talking nonsense, come meet your fate."

After saying this, he fiercely clamped his legs on the horse under him.

The spurred horse bolted forward with a whizzing sound.

Charging at Shi Daquan.

Upon seeing this, Shi Daquan did not retreat.

He lifted his hard spear and charged forward.

"Kill!"

While galloping, he shouted to boost his morale.

With two loud clangs, they met in combat!

Both were powerful warriors, their battle showed real skill and determination.

Facing General Pang’s bold strikes, Shi Daquan held nothing back.

He immediately countered with a sweeping maneuver.

Almost knocking General Pang from his horse.

But these skilled individuals wouldn’t be killed easily by one another.

Thus, exchanging blows; a spear here, a sword there.

Both received injuries, yet both also shed each other’s blood.

After battling over ten rounds, seeing General Pang seemed struggling against Shi Daquan.

The Vice General accompanying him shouted loudly.

"Charge!"

Then 200,000 Great Yu troops roared with intensity.

This was the sound from hell.

Striking fear into hearts.