Chapter Two

My horsemanship is poor, and I dare not strike the enemy too forcefully, for fear of falling off the horse. Fortunately, Ge Gao is guarding me, and seven out of ten enemies who approach my horse have been bravely cut down by him. After charging for a while, the number of dogmen blocking the way ahead is increasing, and I estimate that I have no chance of survival. "Don't worry about me, just go, Ge Gao!" I believe that with his bravery, he can certainly fight his way out alone.

Outnumbered, the royal army nevertheless launched the first offensive. The reason for this, I suppose, is that the emperor believed he possessed an infallible strategy for victory. I did not participate in the battle, but from the highest watchtower in Tong Town, I could see the entire situation clearly. As soon as the two sides made contact, a dark cloud suddenly rose from the royal army's formation, quickly obscuring the entire sky. The battle commenced at the initial moment of the si hour, yet in the blink of an eye, the surroundings became as dark as midnight. As the two sides engaged, the dark cloud from the royal army's formation surged up again, swiftly covering the sky. The battle began at the initial moment of the si hour, but in an instant, the area was shrouded in darkness as if it were deep night. Following this, a fierce gale, mixed with countless ice particles, swept towards our side. Even from the watchtower, I was affected; although I hurriedly used my sleeve to shield my face, I was still buffeted to the point where I could hardly open my eyes.

Ge Gao did not respond to me, and I had no leisure to look into his eyes. At that moment, I saw my father urging his horse, charging from not far ahead. My father was covered in blood, wildly waving his iron sword. The dog-men seemed to be intimidated by his appearance, retreating one after another to clear a path.

This means that we must temporarily abandon the original six hundred infantry who were to serve as foot soldiers. However, this is unavoidable; although the canine warriors have rudimentary weapons, their physical strength is formidable, and their individual combat capabilities are exceptionally high, making it impossible for the infantry to contend with them. I wielded my sword, following my father, and charged westward. For the first time, after slaying a dozen enemies, we were forced to retreat. Meanwhile, the enemies behind us were engaged in fierce combat with the infantry, and we were compelled to push eastward for several dozen paces, driving the canine warriors back. I wielded my sword, following my father, and charged westward. For the first time, after slaying a dozen enemies, we were forced to retreat. Meanwhile, the enemies behind us were engaged in fierce combat with the infantry, and we were compelled to push eastward for several dozen paces, driving the canine warriors back.

The principalities near Wangji were originally significant powers that served as a barrier to the capital. When King Hong established the nation 1,200 years ago, he conferred titles upon his most capable ministers and the most talented youths in the vicinity, resulting in a total of nineteen houses, among which our Peng State was one. Over the subsequent generations, some were diminished while others were increased, and some were destroyed in wars by barbarian tribes or by their own kin. Today, only thirteen houses remain. Excluding the Peng and Su states, which have grown stronger through years of warfare against the barbarians, all others have become exceedingly weak. In contrast, many of the remote marquisates and principalities have flourished in recent years, expanding rapidly.

I shouted loudly, feeling no pain in my throat at all. I desperately yelled, striking the horse's hindquarters with the sword's spine, rushing towards the direction where my father had fallen. Suddenly, two strong arms embraced my waist from behind. The warhorse galloped forward, but I was lifted into the air and flipped onto the back of another horse.

The dog people cannot ride horses; their heavy bodies would likely be too much for any horse to bear. However, they can ride other animals. From a distance, I saw a dog person riding on the back of a long-haired bison, standing out among the many dog people on foot, as if a crane among chickens. "That must be the leader," I pointed out to my father.

The worst part is that if my father and I were to die here at the same time, there would be no adult males left in our clan, and it would likely decline rapidly. I looked at my father, and he looked back at me, his gaze seemingly asking, "Are you afraid?" I quickly straightened my chest, gritted my teeth, and replied, "I will follow you closely; we will definitely break through!"

"What is going on? Where are the reinforcements!" Ge Gao shouted. "The head of the family refuses to send troops, refuses to send troops..." Upon hearing such a response, one that I had already anticipated, a tremendous force surged through my entire body. I struggled to rise from the back of the horse and unexpectedly pushed Ge Gao off his mount with a single shove. Then, I urged my warhorse forward, galloping towards the capital... My horsemanship had never been so exquisite... I struggled to rise from the back of the horse and unexpectedly pushed Ge Gao off his mount with a single shove. Then, I urged my warhorse forward, galloping towards the capital... My horsemanship had never been so exquisite...

At that moment, what was there to say about the barbarian dogmen? However, I could not have anticipated that his words would come true, as suddenly countless dogmen appeared from all directions, surrounding our team. "Why are there dogmen here!" My father did not understand, and neither did I. Logically, their activity area should be another thirty to fifty miles further south, near Lang Mountain.

I still cannot figure out how I managed to break free from the encirclement. The nightmare is vivid, yet disjointed; I only remember that shortly after, I encountered Ming Mu, who was lying on the ground, pounding the earth with great force, exclaiming, "Too late, too late!" However, behind him, I did not see a single soldier from the Aid and * Map * Army.

However, until nightfall, we were unable to break through the encirclement. Nearly half of the soldiers around us had been killed or injured. The dogmen are not as adept at nighttime activities as the slaves, so perhaps they will not launch an attack for the time being. This is our only chance for survival

The dog people waved their tattered and strange flags, shouting as they surged forward, numbering in the thousands, and in an instant, they surrounded us. "Utilize the advantage of cavalry and charge back," my father commanded, "Those who can break through, immediately seek assistance from the head of the family!"

Just as my father and I were discussing whether we should send someone to break out under the cover of night, the retainer Mingmu came running over, dragging a withered canine corpse. It seems that Mingmu was not originally called by this name, but he has always boasted about his bright eyes, claiming that he can see as clearly at night as during the day, so everyone has gotten used to calling him that. It is worth mentioning that there were once suspicions about his slave lineage, but without evidence, there was nothing that could be done about it.

Everyone knows that the dogmen are organized yet undisciplined barbarians; as long as their leader is defeated, the rest will scatter in disarray. However, as we gaze from a distance at the dogman riding the bull, none of us dares to entertain such thoughts—his physique is too enormous, at least three heads taller than I am, with arms that are likely thicker than my waist... Wielding a massive black stone axe, battling him is a nightmare for humanity...

Ming Mu seems to have successfully blended in, as there was no disturbance among the pack of dogs in the direction he passed. If the master receives the news, he will immediately gather troops for rescue, and they will likely arrive just as dawn breaks. We sat on the ground, back to back, firmly gripping our weapons, dozing for a while, waiting for the slaughter that would follow the arrival of dawn

The Son of Heaven summoned the troops of the Five Dukes, but it is said that they only managed to gather around 6,000 soldiers, most of whom were poorly equipped and lacked training. In contrast, our Peng State, with all six ministers taking the field, easily assembled over 10,000 men. These troops passed in front of the official business I was currently repairing, and I roughly counted about 70 chariots, 2,000 cavalry, and more than 3,000 infantry.

In the Wang army's formation, there must be skilled Qi refiners present, and they are certainly affiliated with a sect, I can conclude this immediately. However, that was only for a brief period; before the Wang army could take advantage of the situation to launch a full-scale attack, suddenly the wind began to weaken. I cautiously moved my sleeve aside and looked towards our formation, where I saw in the center a four-horse chariot. A gaunt old man, dressed in black with long hair flowing down, was spreading his arms wide and gazing skyward, letting out a long sigh. A strong beam of white light erupted from his mouth, piercing the heavens, and in the blink of an eye, it dispersed the dark clouds and the raging storm.

However, the dawn finally arrived, along with a new wave of attacks from the dogmen, yet reinforcements did not come. The father gazed somewhat disappointedly into the distance, towards the direction of Pengguo, murmuring, "Surely they wouldn't be so heartless... No, it must be that Mingmu failed to complete the mission..."

Even if one can preserve their life, if the family retainers suffer heavy losses, both the dignity of the gentry and the status within the household will be greatly compromised. I understand that my father is unwilling to do so, but I fear he is even less inclined to escape dressed in the fur of a dog, as this would make him a laughingstock and severely damage the dignity of the gentry.

The Son of Heaven brings humiliation upon himself. Since the famous royal turmoil over two hundred years ago, the feudal lords have been warring against each other and have long disregarded the authority of the Son of Heaven. Perhaps today the Son of Heaven wishes to restore his former glory; after gaining the support of five principalities, he finally dispatched troops to attack Tong Town in early April

That must be the unparalleled master of the Yuan Wuzong sect! Although I have never seen him before, at this moment, appearing in our formation and wielding such astonishing and breathtaking Daoist techniques, who else could it be? ... I stared blankly at his flowing black hair in the air, almost forgetting to observe the development of the battle situation

I would rather trust the family retainers than the head of the family. On issues regarding allegiance to the sect, regicide, and supporting Young Master Nanwang, my father held opinions that were completely contrary, and they argued very fiercely with each other. My father believed that before the head of the family issued a final command, any dissenting opinions must be articulated seriously; otherwise, it would be considered disloyalty. However, the head of the family certainly did not see it that way; he probably assumed that my father was deliberately opposing him at every turn. My father believed that before the head of the family issued a final command, any dissenting opinions must be articulated seriously; otherwise, it would be considered disloyalty. However, the head of the family certainly did not see it that way; he probably assumed that my father was deliberately opposing him at every turn.

"Indeed, you should take advantage of the darkness to sneak out and seek help from the master!" Upon seeing Ming Mu, his father joyfully slapped his thigh. "That is exactly what I intend to do," Ming Mu replied, lifting the corpse of the dog-man he had dragged along—what remained of the original figure was merely a skin, with the bones and flesh completely hollowed out. He donned the skin of the dog-man and let out a few soft calls, perfectly resembling a loathsome dog-man.

The battles that followed were like nightmares, and I will never forget them for the rest of my life. It is strange that from that day on, my life seemed to be filled with nightmares, one after another, pushing me toward an unknown future. When I close my eyes and recall, each nightmare is so vivid, as if it had just happened yesterday

This is a placeholder text.

I suddenly feel like crying, even though I have not shed a tear in my memory for seven or eight years. Of course, as a true noble, I should not cry. I strive to widen my eyes, preventing the hot tears from falling. Ge Gao rides up behind me: "Let’s go, I will definitely protect you as we charge out."

According to historical records: In the fourteenth year of King Tan, during the summer month of April, the royal army attacked the six ministers of Peng at Tong and suffered defeat

I was feeling relieved, thinking that perhaps my father could break through the encirclement, but suddenly, I saw a massive figure emerge in front of him. It was the leader of the dog-men, who had just mounted his steed. My father hurriedly reined in his horse, trying to evade this terrifying enemy, but it was already too late. I saw the dog-man leader swing his stone axe, and I witnessed blood gushing out like a fountain. I saw my father's head fly off...

I did not participate in this battle, but tragically became involved in the subsequent conflict. Just as I had let out a sigh of relief while climbing down from the watchtower, my father suddenly appeared at the edge of Tong Town, riding in a chariot drawn by two horses. "Gather your retainers and come with me quickly!" he called out from a distance.

Father turned his head and nodded to Ge Gao, saying, "He has entrusted you with this; you must take him out." "Father!" I exclaimed. "If your horsemanship were a bit better, I wouldn't have to make such arrangements," Father deliberately turned the horse's head, preventing me from seeing his eyes, "If I die here, your mother and Yuan will have to rely on you for care."

We have a total of six chariots and over two hundred knights, which is more than sufficient for an assault on the city of Fu. As we approached Fu, we caught up with the defeated troops of Duke Zhong and engaged in a fierce battle, inflicting casualties on nearly one hundred enemies. Further ahead, the terrain became increasingly difficult to navigate, forcing us to abandon the chariots and proceed on horseback. "Your skills in imperial arts are commendable, but your horsemanship is truly lacking," my father scolded, noticing my tense posture as I leaned over the horse and the books. "This will not suffice for fighting against the dog-men in hilly terrain!"

"Should we pursue the royal army?" I volunteered to drive for my father. "No, the head of the family has already gone to pursue them. We must take this opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Fucheng," my father said with a stern expression, gazing ahead. "We need to push the national borders forward. The terrain near Tong Town is still not favorable, but if we capture the strategically important Fucheng, we can face the defenses towards the royal territory without worry."

The father, in a state of near despair, issued the command to charge and break through. I thought to myself, I will probably die here today... I had only just undergone the coming-of-age ceremony at the beginning of the year, and had not yet had the chance to marry, not to mention... I had never even tasted the pleasures of a woman... Had I known this would be the case, I should have taken that servant woman who attended to me a few days ago... I slapped my own head—thinking too much is pointless now, and regretting it is of no use.

In my own cries, I faintly heard the voice of Ge Gao rising above me. I closed my mouth. "Don't shout!" I heard Ge Gao yelling, "I will take you out!"

Both my father and I burst into laughter, but suddenly I thought of a way to let my father sneak out with me. I looked at my father, and he was looking at me as well; it turned out we were thinking the same thing, except that he wanted me to go out with Ming Mu. "If you don't leave, I won't leave either!" I said firmly. My father shook his head: "Then forget it. I cannot leave; otherwise, these vassals will all perish."

In fact, there were no significant developments thereafter. The enemy was terrified by the astonishing tactics of Shen Wuzhong, and with one charge, our troops left the Wang army lying dead across the battlefield. It seems that the Emperor was also injured—such is the legend.

Fucheng is a border city of Zhongguo. The founder of Zhongguo, Duke Zhong Ming, is praised in historical records as the most valiant and fearless son of the Hong King. However, his descendants now govern a population of less than 20,000, and their territory has been reduced to a mere 300 miles. This time, when the royal army came to attack, Duke Zhong also participated. Taking advantage of his retreat to his own territory, he pursued and launched a surprise attack on Fucheng, which was indeed a brilliant move

"Let us continue to charge westward!" said my retainer, Ge Gao, who stood beside me. Ge Gao is a renowned warrior under my father's command, skilled in wielding a massive short spear. When it comes to foot combat and cavalry battles, it is likely that no one in the family can rival him. Yet even he seems to lack the courage to challenge that canine leader.