Chapter 64: Jingzhou Hides So Many Commoner Prodigies? Kuai Yue's Face is Swollen, Liu Biao is Utterly Defeated!

"Who possesses such monstrous strength?"

Zhang Yun let out a startled cry, whipping his warhorse with frantic desperation.

It was far too late.

The airborne warhorse hurtled through the air at terrifying speed, crashing down in the blink of an eye.

Cries of agony pierced the air. Seven or eight of the elite guards trailing behind him were crushed beneath the falling beast along with their mounts, severed limbs flying in every direction.

Zhang Yun's own steed had its hind legs shattered by the impact, and with a shrill whinny, the animal collapsed forward.

Zhang Yun was hurled from the saddle into the air, flying seven or eight paces before crashing heavily onto the ground in a thoroughly ungraceful sprawl.

Ignoring the blinding pain, he scrambled frantically to get back on his feet.

Behind him, Hu Che'er strode forward with giant strides, grabbed him by the collar as if lifting a helpless chick, and hoisted him high into the air.

During the chaotic charge earlier, Hu Che'er had spotted an enemy commander clad in exquisite armor and surrounded by a desperate retinue of bodyguards, instantly guessing he must be a person of great importance.

Without a second thought, he had dismounted and, relying on his superhuman physical prowess, used his own warhorse as a projectile weapon, hurling it directly into the enemy ranks.

"Trying to run, are you?"

"I'll take your pathetic life as compensation for my dead horse!"

Hu Che'er gripped Zhang Yun by the legs, the veins bulging on his powerful arms standing out like cords, threatening to tear the man apart alive right there in mid-air.

Overwhelmed by blinding pain and sheer terror, Zhang Yun felt his courage utterly shatter. He shrieked in horror:

"I am Zhang Yun! Liu Jingsheng is my uncle!"

"Spare me! Spare my life!"

Hu Che'er's eyes lit up, and he halted his tearing motion.

Zhang Yun?

Liu Biao's nephew?

Wasn't this the commander-in-chief of the entire Jingzhou army? This was a truly massive catch...

"The military strategist gave strict orders to capture prisoners alive whenever possible. If I take Liu Biao's nephew alive, won't that be a magnificent merit?"

Hu Che'er's eyes rolled as he instantly reined in his murderous intent, casually tossing Zhang Yun down onto the earth.

Yet, gifted with divine strength from birth, even his casual toss carried unimaginable force.

Zhang Yun struck the ground with a resounding thud, several of his ribs fracturing instantly under the impact, sending waves of excruciating agony through his body that wrung out wretched screams.

"Tie this wretch up and hand him over to the strategist for disposal!"

The Xiliang soldiers following closely behind stepped forward and subdued Zhang Yun within a few swift movements.

Several dozen paces away.

Wen Pin was still locked in fierce combat with Wei Yan. After exchanging dozens of blows, the outcome remained seemingly undecided.

Wei Yan's confidence swelled to a fever pitch, his blade-work growing increasingly ferocious, gradually suppressing Wen Pin and making the latter labor under mounting pressure.

Meanwhile, the surrounding Jingzhou soldiers were being slaughtered so thoroughly their cries echoed like wailing ghosts; those who weren't routed outright were throwing down their weapons and begging for quarter on their knees.

The inadequacy of his martial prowess and the disastrous collapse of his surrounding troops finally crushed the last remnants of Wen Pin's self-assurance.

"To think that I, Wen Pin, would fall into defeat today at the hands of a mere nobody!"

"That Xiao Fang possesses extraordinary stratagems, and this Wei Yan's martial arts surpass my own. How is it that Jingxiang harbors so many talented men of humble origins, yet none of them are put to use by our lord?"

A tempest raged within Wen Pin's chest, leaving behind an indescribable bitterness.

He knew deep down that to continue the fight would mean certain defeat, and his own life would likely be forfeited here as well.

"Wei Yan, today we can scarce determine a victor. Another day we shall settle the score of life and death!"

Hlinging this fierce threat as a parting shot, Wen Pin forced a desperate offensive with his blade to beat Wei Yan back.

He then wheeled his horse around, broke free from the melee, and fled blindly into the distance.

Knowing he could not detain him, Wei Yan did not pursue. He held his blade horizontally across his saddle and proclaimed with haughty arrogance:

"Wen Pin, go back and tell Liu Biao!"

"Today, my strategist Xiao Fang's brilliant scheme has shattered you, Wen Pin. Another day, his unfathomable divine calculations will assist my lord in slaying Liu Biao himself."

"Tell him to quickly relinquish his post as Governor of the Province and retire to his homeland. My lord is benevolent and righteous—he will spare his life!"

Utter arrogance.

Wei Yan's ultimatum-like threat was dripping with supreme arrogance.

Stung to the quick by profound vexation, Wen Pin dared not turn back to renew the combat, and could only swallow this bitter humiliation, spurring his horse to escape in wretched disgrace.

"Xiao Fang? Did he say it was Xiao Fang's brilliant scheme that defeated me?"

"Could it be that this man has already arrived in Rangxian, and tonight's entire affair was his orchestration?"

As he galloped furiously away, Wen Pin caught the hidden implications in Wei Yan's words, causing a chill to run down his spine.

Yet, with no leisure to ponder further, he could only whip his horse mercilessly and forge a path for his escape.

Within Rangxian, fierce fires raged.

Outside Rangxian, blood stained the air.

As the eastern sky paled and dawn began to break, the blazing fires within the city and the sounds of slaughter outside gradually subsided.

"Reporting to the strategist! General Wei brings tidings of victory!"

"Our army set Rangxian ablaze, inflicting heavy casualties on the Jingzhou army, slaying three thousand enemies and capturing nearly five thousand prisoners."

"General Hu has furthermore captured the enemy commander Zhang Yun alive!"

A scout galloped up, shouting the triumphant report at the top of his lungs.

Along the riverbank, the remaining garrison soldiers immediately burst into waves of thunderous cheers.

"Congratulations, brother-in-law! The scheme to burn Rangcheng to the ground has achieved total victory!"

Zhuge Liang's face was wreathed in joy as he offered a respectful bow toward the direction of the moored boats and rafts.

Xiao Fang, who had long since retreated into the cabin to catch up on sleep, finally emerged with a great yawn, stretching his limbs languidly.

"Wen Chang and the others fought a commendable battle this time. I will request merits for them from our lord."

"I shall return to Yuyang first to report to our lord. As for the aftermath in Rangxian, I leave it in their hands."

"Tell Wei Wenchang to ensure the common people receive triple compensation to help them rebuild their homes."

"I'll be taking that Zhang Yun with me."

Having given these instructions, Xiao Fang vaulted smoothly into the saddle.

The entourage took advantage of the lingering darkness before dawn and rode toward Yuyang.

...

Fifty li southeast of Rangyang.

A massive army was moving in leisurely formation along the main highway toward Rangxian.

Though numbering nearly thirty thousand troops, their banners were pitifully sparse—from a distance, the fluttering flags looked to represent no more than ten thousand men.

At this moment.

Liu Biao rode slowly at the head of the disguised force, commanding this army to creep toward Rangxian at a snail's pace.

"By now, Zhang Ziying should have Rangxian largely surrounded. Liu Bei ought to lead his main army to relieve Rangxian by the day after tomorrow at the latest."

"The very moment Liu Bei makes his move, we can instantly alter our course, press forward day and night straight toward Yuyang, cut off his retreat, and then march directly north to seize Wancheng!"

Riding alongside him, Kuai Yue painted this grand blueprint for Liu Biao as they advanced.

Liu Biao nodded slightly, a look of appreciation flashing in his eyes:

"The wisdom of Jingxiang's premier strategist truly lives up to its legendary reputation."

"After all, that Xiao Fang is merely an obscure scholar from the countryside; how could he ever hope to match Yidu's unfathomable calculations?"

Hearing Liu Biao's lavish praise, Kuai Yue maintained a modest and self-deprecating facade outwardly, though his gaze lifted subtly, unable to conceal a trace of quiet self-satisfaction.

Observing their discussion, Cai Mao spurred his horse forward a few paces and interjected bitterly:

"If Yidu's plan succeeds, Liu Bei's army will undoubtedly collapse like a sandcastle and disintegrate without a fight."

"Our lord should seize the momentum to surround and annihilate this big-eared thief, avenging my third brother and settling the hearts of the people of Jing州!"

Harboring a blood feud, Cai Mao was stubbornly resolved to drive Liu Biao to eliminate Liu Bei.

Liu Biao, however, remained silent.

Waging war against Liu Bei was something he could justify with a righteous conscience, but actually murdering Liu Bei gave him a degree of hesitation.

The stigma of killing a fellow clansman did not sound pleasant when spoken aloud, after all.

"Liu Bei first harmed our lord's brother-in-law, committing an unrighteous act of betrayal, and showed complete disregard for the bonds of the same clan."

"For our lord to put Liu Biao—ah, Liu Bei—to death is merely avenging a grievance, a course fully sanctioned by heaven and earth. How could the world dare to censure our lord?"

"Furthermore, our lord can use the execution of Liu Bei to demonstrate his might and awe those ambitious schemers who dare cast covetous eyes upon our Jingzhou!"

Perceiving Liu Biao's inner conflict, Kuai Yue offered a smooth and exhaustive rationalization.

Evidently, he and Cai Mao had already reached a consensus that Liu Bei had to be put to death at all costs.

Influenced by Kuai Yue's persuasive words, Liu Biao felt a sudden wave of realization wash over him, and the hesitation in his eyes gradually gave way to a cold, ruthless resolve.

"Yidu's words are entirely correct."

"Since Liu Bei has acted without benevolence, old man blame me not for being unrighteous."

"In the past, I managed to slay Sun Jian; today, I can certainly slay this Liu Bei!"

"I will let those petty schemers know what fate awaits anyone who dares covet my Jingzhou!"

Liu Biao's tone was chillingly severe, radiating an oppressive, tyrannical aura across his entire person.

Cai Mao and Kuai Yue exchanged a glance, their lips curling into knowing, cold smiles.

At that very moment.

A billow of dust rolled across the road ahead, as if a troop of horsemen was charging toward them.

Liu Biao instantly grew alert, ordering the entire army to halt their advance and form battle lines on the spot.

A brief moment later.

A single horseman galloped up furiously, shouting:

"Reporting to our lord! General Wen Zhongye has arrived to seek an audience!"

Liu Biao's expression shifted drastically, his gaze snapping toward Kuai Yue and Cai Mao.

On the faces of those two, expressions of shock and suspicion flashed as well.

Shouldn't Wen Pin currently be assisting Zhang Yun in the siege of Rangxian? Why would he appear here?

A deeply ominous preordained feeling welled up within Liu Biao's heart, prompting him to command instantly:

"Quickly! Summon Wen Zhongye here at once!"

Before long.

Wen Pin galloped up on his steed, his complexion dark and desolate. He tumbled from the saddle and dropped to one knee before Liu Biao.

"Zhongye, you ought to be assisting Ziying in Rangxian—why have you come here?"

Liu Biao demanded impatiently.

Wen Pin let out a long, heavy sigh and raised his hands in a silent salute:

"Reporting to our lord! We fell into Xiao Fang's treacherous stratagem; over half of my fifteen thousand troops have been wiped out, suffering catastrophic casualties!"

Liu Biao turned deathly pale with shock, dropping his riding crop to the ground in sheer astonishment.