Chapter 109

The Third Prince strode up onto his battle horse, saying to his personal guards, "Quickly go report to the Commander-in-Chief that Daye has launched a surprise attack!" Having spoken, he immediately spurred his horse forward, his guards closely following behind.

"Commander-in-Chief, Daye has launched a surprise attack. The Third Prince has already led troops to charge out and attack the raiders."

"Excellent, I was just about to settle accounts with them."

So he put on his armor, took up his sword, and said, "Generals, prepare to meet the enemy with me."

"Yes, sir!"

As soon as the Third Prince stepped out of the military camp, the deafening sound of galloping warhorses approached from the distance, shaking the very earth with their thunderous approach.

Soon a cavalry appeared up ahead, their black iron armor glinting coldly under the moonlight. Their uneven blades pointed straight for the heavens, exuding a chilling aura of slaughter as they surged forward with irresistible momentum. They halted about fifty meters away from the Dawei Army, confronting each other face to face.

At the very forefront of both armies were their commanders, seated atop their warhorses - one wielding a long saber, the other a sharp battleaxe.

The Third Prince looked at the enemy commander in surprise. It was none other than the woman who had defeated him atop Buluo Jian Mountain!

"So you are Daye's new general?"

"I am."

"Has Daye run out of capable men to lead troops into battle that they sent a woman to make trouble here? Be careful when you go back or you'll end up with the reputation of a shrew - then no one will dare marry you!" the Third Prince scolded with a frown.

"How dare you malign our Commander-in-Chief so!" rebuked Guard Captain Guo from the vanguard battalion.

"Commander-in-Chief? What's it got to do with you when I'm talking?" The Third Prince glared back.

Captain Guo was incensed and wanted to confront the Third Prince, but was stopped by a wave of Gong Xiaohua's hand. "No need to bother the Third Prince."

"I don't fight women. Tell that thick-bearded sidekick of yours to come out and fight me!"

"Hah! Aren't you just afraid of losing to our Commander-in-Chief? Haha!"

"I...!" The Third Prince's face flushed red, too angry to speak.

"Third brother!"

The Second Prince's shout came from behind. He rode up on horseback, followed by the generals of each battalion behind him. "Second brother..." the Third Prince called out shamefully.

The Second Prince glanced at him, his expression grim. "I'll deal with you later."

Then he turned to face the front: "Was it you who sent people to burn down our granaries?"

"It was."

"Impressive courage and talent for one so young. Daye finally has someone capable."

"You flatter me, Second Prince."

"By burning our provisions, you've completely angered me. Today, I vow to annihilate each and every one of you."

"Second Prince, I will return those words right back at you."

"Don't overestimate yourself. My Dawei Army is brave and battle-hardened, and has never known defeat."

"Things are different now. I hope the Second Prince can remain so confident after our battle."

"Enough nonsense. You and I shall duel!"

He slowly drew out a longsword from his waist. It was two feet and one inch long, with a blade of dark steel that gave off a faint chill. Its hilt was carved into the shape of a golden eagle, appearing extremely majestic.

The two spurred their horses towards each other at full gallop.

The Second Prince's eyes glinted with bloodlust. When they closed in on each other, he swung his sword upward with incredible speed and brilliance. The surging sword energy shot towards his opponent's throat like a rainbow.

Gong Xiaohua brought up her blade to meet it. With one sweep from the ground upwards, the very earth itself seemed to shudder. She blocked the Second Prince's sword energy.

Crouching atop her horse, she spun her wrist and knocked aside her opponent's sword point from behind.

There was a clear ringing as their weapons collided and repelled each other.

The Second Prince felt his tiger mouth go numb and discreetly relaxed his sword grip. This woman has monstrous strength!

He then wheeled his horse around and shouted, "Again!"

The two clashed on horseback over thirty bouts. Suddenly, Gong Xiaohua gripped her saddle with one hand, twisted her body sideways, and kicked the Second Prince right off his mount with both feet! She swiftly leapt back onto her own horse while slashing down with her blade towards his head.

But the Second Prince tucked into a forward roll at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the killing blow. At the same time, his sword swept past and severed his opponent's horse's hind legs. The maddened animal reared and thrashed violently, forcing Gong Xiaohua to abandon it with an adept leap to safety.

Meanwhile, the Second Prince's helmet had been chopped clean in half by her blade, revealing his loose hair. He spat out blood - clearly at a disadvantage.

The Daye soldiers roared and cheered at this scene, their morale greatly lifted.

"Second brother! Commander!" The Third Prince and guards rushed over upon seeing their leader unhorsed and injured. They shielded him protectively. Likewise, Gong Xiaohua's captains also galloped up to guard their commander.

The two sides glared fiercely at one another.

"You're the first to put me in such a sorry state. Tell me your name," said the Second Prince.

"Gong Xiaohua."

"Gong Xiaohua?" Why did that sound so familiar? The Second Prince muttered to himself.

Then he recalled the letter he received from the Ghost Eunuch months ago, claiming that several top martial artists in the jianghu had all been defeated by a mere bodyguard from Daye...

"While your martial arts is impressive, the same can't be said for your troops!"

"We shall see."

The two retreated to their respective armies. Morale-boosting horns blared as both sides prepared for the carnage ahead.

But then came the sudden cries and shouts of soldiers approaching from both flanks. The Dawei Army paled in shock.

"Commander! Not good - we're surrounded!"

"Stay calm! Warriors, the Daye Army is nothing to fear. Follow me in breaking through the encirclement!"

"All units attack!" came Gong Xiaohua's order. The Daye soldiers fearlessly charged at the enemy lines.

The two armies collided in a clash of swords and spears. Rocks and arrows darkened the sky. Blood splattered freely as agonized screams rang out.

The mighty Dawei Army fought bravely as they tried to hack their way out.

But the Daye troops were equally undaunted. Eyes blazing with determination to fight to the death, they swung their gore-slicked blades without pause. Enemy soldiers fell in droves amidst the flowing blood, only to be replaced by more men behind them.

Ever since their provisions were burned, morale among the Dawei Army had already been shaky. And after their commander was defeated in personal combat, it plummeted even further.

Under the relentless three-sided assault and frenzied attacks of the Daye Army, panic and fear finally crept into the eyes of the Dawei soldiers. Their lines crumbled as they began to retreat.

"How did the Daye Army become so fierce and brave all of a sudden?"

After an unknown stretch of time, the utterly routed Dawei Army discarded their armor and weapons as they fled stumbling towards the horizon.

The Second Prince watched his defeated army flee, surrounded on all sides by the Daye troops. The battle was truly lost.

When the fighting ceased, the Second Prince regarded Gong Xiaohua gazing imperiously down at him:

"To have transformed your army so quickly to such an extent - you have done well."

"A field of corpses, a river of blood - this was not my wish. But if you threaten my people, I shall strike you down."

"Though you are but a woman, you surpass even the greatest heroes. To have lost to you today - I freely admit my inferiority."