268 Charge (2/2)

Fifty stalks of the heavy swords cut down, and only a few people made it out on horseback. Most of the others were killed and only a few had resisted.

Most of the feeling machetemen had no intentions to fight. In spite of their greed for money: those who could run, ran; those who could not run, either plead for mercy or fought for their lives.

When the cavalry led by Gu Shenwei caught up to them, the two sides were already in fierce combat. Gu Shenwei still hadn't dismounted, so he continued the chase until he saw the crossroads at the western boundary of Jade City. He then turned back to kill the overtaken machetemen.

Countless bodies littered along the main road one after the other like a wandering serpent.

The battle ended when he returned to the ambush point of the swordsmen on foot. The 30 or more surviving swordsmen gazed at the corpses and killed those who were still breathing.

Only one wounded person was spared.

This man was dressed in black and he wore a red belt. It was a killer who was rarely seen in the Golden Roc Army.

Shangguan Qingqi's right leg was injured and he could only be supported by his left leg. He leaned forward and stood still. He knew that his life was coming to an end. His heart was a little nervous, and he felt empty inside as if all of his viscera was missing. However, he remained calm with a trace of pride.

His surname is Shangguan, and as a blademaster, he should maintain his dignity in front of a defected killer.

Gu Shenwei returned the long-saber to the Weapon Carrier, dismounted the horse, and the swordsmen gave way to him.

The killer and the blademaster had no contact in the Stone Castle. There was just a very unclear impression of each other between them. Shangguan Qingqi appeared to be somewhat old. His had passed his prime and his instincts had dulled, but his ability to kill was still very good.

Gu Shenwei drew out his saber and walked toward Shangguan Qingqi before stopping five steps away. The blademaster had stood on one leg for a while, causing it to go numb. His body could not help but sway as if it was displaying his weakness. He felt deeply ashamed and said, ”Traitor, you will always... ”

The saber passed through his throat, which prevented him from completing his sentence.

Shangguan Qingqi covered the wound with his hands, and the blood flowed down the fingers. He didn't feel the pain, but he was becoming colder and colder. His heart sank like a stone falling into the water, and the darkness quickly drowned him.

At the entrance of the Golden Roc Fort camp, dozens of swordsmen placed their heavy swords on the ground and waited for their punishment. They had not followed the Black Blood Flag and had violated the orders of the Dragon King.

”Those who fell down from their horses are acquitted of their crimes.” Gu Shenwei forgave everyone. The swordsmen were delighted and immediately picked up their swords. They were not afraid of death, but they were afraid of losing face in front of their companions.

In this campaign: more than 200 Golden Roc machetemen were killed, more than 70 were imprisoned, and hundreds had fled; Half of the camp was still intact with many usable supplies, and Great Snowmountain only lost a little more than ten people. This was a great victory.

The captives were gathered in a pile and their faces paled. The legend of the killings of the Dragon King and the Demon Bird were repeating in their thoughts. Thankfully, there were no dark clouds drifting through the sky this time, so their eyes would be preserved even if they died.

”Go back and tell the Supreme King that I have returned. Tell the machetemen in the city: don't die for money.”

The Dragon King threw the head of Shangguan Qingqi at the captives. They almost fainted at the sight, and barely stood straight with each other's support.

The swordsmen gave way, and the captives realized that they had preserved their lives. They trembled in fear as they walked out of the camp slowly, and ran as soon as they reached the exit.

A young swordsman with tears in his eyes came with a brown belt killer's body, and hoarsely said, ”Dragon King, this is my brother.”

Golden Roc Fort was fond of children from Great Snowmountain. Every year, they would abduct a large number of people and trained them to become killers. Then they would be ordered to kill their former relatives.

”His death was caused by Golden Roc Fort.” Gu Shenwei closed the eyes of the corpse and comforted the sorrowful swordsmen. ”We will avenge him.”

”Revenge! Revenge! ”The swordsmen shouted in unison to symbolize the end of the first battle.

Gu Shenwei looked up to the hillside deep in the valley. He also had hatred. It used to be his home. The ruins of the Gu family's manor still stood in the same place.

Three days later, panic spread across the entire Jade City. Golden Roc Fort doubled the salary but they still could not recruit several machetemen.

Five days later, another army arrived. Thousands of people were stationed at the west side of the mountain pass, while the Great Snowmountain had set up camp half a day's distance away. Both sides were very cautious and were busy building strong camps as well as sending out scouts to test each other. No one launch a large-scale offensive.

Gu Shenwei was waiting for the arrival of his main troops, but he wanted to know what Golden Roc Fort was waiting for.

Ten days later, the main force of Great Snowmountain arrived. Fang Wenshi waited for others to join their advance from Shu-lik City. Then, scouts came back with news that Golden Roc Fort's army had also increased in numbers by about three to four thousand.

A great war was brewing. The military counselor Fang Wenshi, despite being covered in dust, asked for a private audience with the Dragon King as soon as he arrived. He didn't like to fight, he really didn't like it at all, so much that he proposed a strategy that everyone could not accept.