You get Lu Bu as your starting character.

Chapter 348: I want to kill the thief, but I can’t save him
Dongyan Pass.

Since the Great Zhou Dynasty annihilated the Eastern Yi tribes, the defense of Dongyan Pass has been relaxed.

However, not long ago, the world underwent a strange change. After the Great Zhou Dynasty merged into the Great Wilderness, the imperial court ordered the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness to strengthen the defense of Dongyan Pass.

Now, Dongyan Pass has not only restored its previous defense, but it is even stronger than before.

Marquis Song Li of the Eastern Wilderness was patrolling the city wall, followed by several generals guarding the pass.

Every seven days, the Marquis of Donghuang would take time to inspect Dongyan Pass.

Today is the day that the Marquis of Donghuang is inspecting Dongyan Pass.

"Has anything been happening at this border lately?"

As he walked, Marquis Donghuang casually asked.

"Reporting to the Marquis, everything is normal, there is nothing wrong."

The general beside him bowed and replied.

Upon hearing this, Marquis Donghuang nodded. "We cannot let our guard down even if there is nothing wrong. Both the Northern Frontier and the Western Liang have been attacked by experts from the Hundred Cities of the Great Wilderness. Our Eastern Wilderness cannot afford to be harmed. You all need to be careful."

"Rest assured, my lord, I understand."

The generals guarding the pass who were following behind the Marquis of Donghuang said in unison.

at this time.

The earth trembled.

Marquis Donghuang raised an eyebrow, immediately turned around and walked to the wall, glancing outwards.

As a general who had led troops for many years, Marquis Donghuang could naturally tell that the commotion was caused by the cavalry.

"alert."

The general guarding the pass behind Donghuang Hou immediately shouted and looked out of the pass with Donghuang Hou.

The generals guarding the pass naturally realized that cavalry were heading towards Dongyan Pass.

However, regardless of whether the cavalry are friend or foe, it is right to order precautions first.

"Da da da……"

Before everyone's eyes, a group of white-horse cavalrymen galloped toward Dongyan Pass from afar.

"My lord, it is the White Horse Cavalry."

Upon recognizing the White Horse Cavalry as the White Horse Righteous Cavalry from afar, the generals guarding the pass all relaxed.

The White Horse Cavalry were cavalry under Zhao Yun's command, the elite of their Great Zhou, not enemies.

However, the Marquis of Donghuang did not look as relaxed as the generals guarding the pass; instead, his expression became somewhat solemn.

"problem occurs."

The Marquis of Donghuang gazed at the white-horse cavalry galloping toward Dongyan Pass from afar and spoke in a deep voice.

The Marquis of Donghuang was far more powerful than the generals around him, and his vision was naturally far-reaching and clear.

Marquis Donghuang immediately noticed the disheveled state of the White Horse Cavalry, traces of battle they had endured.

what?
problem occurs?
Upon hearing this, the guards all looked on with bewilderment as the white-horse cavalry charged closer from afar.

soon.

Zhao Yun led his White Horse Cavalry to Dongyan Pass.

Now, the guards on the wall saw the White Horse Cavalry clearly, and their expressions changed drastically.

Marquis Donghuang leaped down the wall and landed in front of Zhao Yun and his men.

"General Zhao, what happened? What's going on here...?"

Marquis Donghuang looked at Zhao Yun and the White Horse Cavalry with a solemn expression, almost unable to believe his eyes.

The White Horse Cavalry were covered in blood and wounds, clearly having been through a life-or-death battle.

Especially the number of the White Horse Cavalry. Of the three thousand White Horse Cavalry, the Marquis of Donghuang has only seen less than a thousand.

It should be noted that the White Horse Cavalry was the most elite cavalry the Marquis of Donghuang had ever seen, unmatched in the entire Great Zhou.

But now, of the three thousand White Horse Cavalry, the Marquis of Donghuang only saw less than a thousand, and each of them was covered in wounds.

Who could have caused such heavy losses to the White Horse Cavalry?

Zhao Yun, the commander of the White Horse Cavalry, was also covered in blood, his face was pale, and he no longer had the elegant demeanor of his usual white armor and silver spear.

To be honest, the Marquis of Donghuang had never seen Zhao Yun so disheveled.

Not only the Marquis of Donghuang, but also the guards who followed him and jumped off the wall were in disbelief.

In their minds, Zhao Yun's White Horse Cavalry was invincible.

Zhao Yun, in particular, possessed a combat strength of five pairs, making him virtually invincible.

Even their lord could only look at his back and couldn't withstand a single spear thrust from Zhao Yun.

But what about now?
What did they see?
Zhao Yun, a figure they regarded as a god of war, was actually injured and in such a sorry state.

How shocking!
cough cough...

Zhao Yun dismounted, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and said urgently to the Marquis of Donghuang, "My lord, the Great Yan army has attacked. Lord Zhang has died in battle, and almost all of the 30,000 defenders have been wiped out. The Eastern Capital has fallen, and only I led the White Horse Cavalry to break through."

"The pursuers from Great Yan will be following closely soon. I urge you, Lord Marquis, to issue an order immediately to mobilize the Eastern Wilderness Army and deploy them to defend Dongyan Pass."

what?
Zhao Yun's words immediately changed the expression on the face of the Marquis of Donghuang.

The Great Yan army attacked, the governor of the Eastern Capital was killed in battle, 30,000 defenders were wiped out, and the Eastern Capital fell.

Marquis Donghuang could hardly believe his ears.

Previously, the garrison of Dongdu City consisted of only three thousand men. Later, the imperial court issued an edict to strengthen the defenses of the four capital cities, and the Marquis of Donghuang transferred some of the Donghuang army to Dongdu City, increasing the garrison of Dongdu City to thirty thousand men.

Marquis Donghuang always believed that with 30,000 garrison troops, plus the unparalleled general Zhao Yun in charge, and 3,000 White Horse Cavalry, the safety of Dongdu City was absolutely as secure as Mount Tai.

But now the Eastern Capital has fallen, 30,000 defenders have been wiped out, and the prefect has been killed in battle.

Even Zhao Yun, an unparalleled general, was forced to flee in disarray, which greatly shocked the Marquis of Donghuang.

Needless to say, the guards who followed the Marquis of Donghuang were also involved.

They had all witnessed Zhao Yun's strength, but now, judging from Zhao Yun's situation, it seemed that they didn't even have a chance to ask for help before the Eastern Capital was captured.

What kind of formidable enemy did Zhao Yun and his men encounter that led to such a crushing defeat?

"My lord, there is no time. Quickly order the army to deploy defenses. The enemy is about to arrive."

Zhao Yun knew that the troops of the Great Yan were in hot pursuit of them, heading towards Dongyan Pass.

Upon hearing the sound, Marquis Donghuang immediately came to his senses.

Without hesitation, Marquis Donghuang looked directly at the generals behind him and ordered, "By my order, all troops at Dongyan Pass are to prepare for battle."

"Immediately send men to the Eastern Wilderness camp to mobilize troops to Dongyan Pass. All cities in the Eastern Wilderness should enter a state of full preparedness and deploy defenses..."

The Marquis of Donghuang issued several orders to generals.

One by one, the generals received their orders and left.

After the Marquis of Donghuang finished issuing the order, he looked at Zhao Yun's pale face and asked with concern, "General Zhao, are you alright?"

Zhao Yun shook his head; "It's nothing, just some minor injuries."

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Yun's eyes.

In the Battle of Dongdu, Zhao Yun single-handedly defeated eleven generals of the Great Yan.

Six of them are Nirvana masters, and five are Yin-Yang experts.

In the end, Zhao Yun was no match for the overwhelming force and failed to defend the eastern capital.

It wasn't that Zhao Yun was too weak, but rather that the enemy was too strong, with too many experts, making it impossible for Zhao Yun to hold out alone.

"My lord, a great battle is imminent. I must go and heal my wounds first. If you wish to know the details of the battle in Dongdu, you may first ask my White Horse Cavalry."

After a fierce battle, Zhao Yun was seriously injured.

Zhao Yun wanted to take advantage of the time before the troops of the Great Yan arrived to heal his injuries.

Because, next, there will be a major battle.

"Very well, I have some excellent healing pills on hand. I will have someone fetch them immediately. General Zhao, please heal your wounds first."

Marquis Donghuang nodded and said.

Marquis Donghuang knew that Zhao Yun was the top combatant in the upcoming battle.

If Zhao Yun cannot recover his fighting strength, even as the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness at the Celestial Realm, he probably wouldn't be able to withstand a single slap from the enemy.

After all, even a strongman like Zhao Yun was injured and returned in a sorry state; the Marquis of Donghuang could not withstand such a powerful enemy.

Subsequently, Marquis Donghuang and Zhao Yun, along with their White Horse Cavalry, entered Dongyan Pass.

……

Half an hour later.

The earth trembled.

Tens of thousands of soldiers rushed in from afar.

In just a short while, tens of thousands of troops were at the gates.

The flag fluttering in the wind had a large 'swallow' character embroidered on it.

On the gate wall, the Marquis of Donghuang looked at the Yan army outside the gate with a solemn expression.

As a general who had led troops for many years, Donghuang Hou could see through the true strength and weakness of the troops of the Great Yan outside the pass at a glance.

It must be said that these Yan troops outside the pass were very elite, far superior to the Eastern Wilderness Army.

Fortunately, the Yan army outside the pass was not large, appearing to be only about 50,000 to 60,000 men.

His Eastern Wilderness Army was no match for the elite Yan Army, but it had a significant numerical advantage.

……

Close it.

A massive army of 50,000 from the Great Yan stood in formation.

At the front of the army, the commander looked at Dongyan Pass and said, "This must be Dongyan Pass of the Great Zhou! It is indeed a formidable pass, but it cannot stop the iron cavalry of my Great Yan."

"Attack with the entire army and capture Dongyan Pass for me."

Without any hesitation, the commander ordered the entire army to attack.

They did not allow the army a moment's rest.

In the eyes of this commander, the Great Zhou, a native dynasty that had just merged into the Great Wilderness, was nothing but a clay chicken and a tile dog, utterly vulnerable.

There's no need to wait for the main army; their vanguard of 50,000 troops is enough to take Dongyan Pass.

"kill……"

At the commander's order, 50,000 Yan soldiers charged toward Dongyan Pass.

As the Great Yan army rose into the sky, the Eastern Wilderness Marquis's pupils constricted.

Marquis Donghuang had not expected that there were so many experts above the Celestial Realm in the Great Yan army.

"Archers, fire!"

The dense rain of arrows, like a net, rained down on the charging Yan army.

The great war had officially begun.

The fighting, the bloodshed, and the screams all unfolded.

Facing the Yan army, the Eastern Wilderness Army fought desperately.

Unfortunately, the Yan army was too strong.

In just a few minutes, the Eastern Wilderness Army was at a disadvantage. "Kill them all with your lives! Anyone who dares to retreat will die!"

The Marquis of Donghuang roared and with a single spear thrust sent a Celestial Realm general from the Yan army flying.

"Hmph, you insignificant ants, how dare you natives block the army of my Great Yan?"

A general from the Great Yan Dynasty arrived before the Marquis of Donghuang, his powerful aura making the Marquis of Donghuang feel breathless.

The general casually swung his sword at the Marquis of Donghuang.

Marquis Donghuang's expression changed, and he thrust his spear straight out to block.

"bump……"

Under one knife.

The spear in the hands of the Marquis of Donghuang was broken in two with a single stroke.

Marquis Donghuang was also sent flying backward.

"puff."

After falling to the ground, Donghuang Hou coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Looking at the wound on his chest, the Marquis of Donghuang was still shaken.

Fortunately, in addition to his outer armor, he was also wearing a soft armor made of gold thread underneath.

Otherwise, that one cut would have killed him.

Before Donghuang Hou could react, the opponent's blade flashed again.

Marquis Donghuang's pupils contracted, realizing he couldn't dodge in time and the blade was about to fall.

At this critical moment.

A long spear thrust forward, blocking the blade.

Zhao Yun appeared before the Marquis of Donghuang.

After Zhao Yun blocked the blade with his spear, he did not stop but continued to thrust forward, piercing directly through the chest of the Yan army general.

After killing the Yan general, Zhao Yun drew his spear and turned to attack other Yan army experts.

Three shots were fired in quick succession.

Zhao Yun knocked three Yan army generals, all of whom were at the Nirvana Realm, flying.

"Well done, Zhao Yun! You've killed over a dozen of my Great Yan's generals. Let me have a go at you."

The commander of the Yan army leaped into the air and struck Zhao Yun with his palm.

bump……

Zhao Yun's figure flew backward.

Zhao Yun tumbled several times and took a few steps back before regaining his footing.

"Peak of Yin and Yang?"

Zhao Yun looked at the Yan army's commander with a solemn expression.

Zhao Yun knew that the commander of the Yan army was very strong, but he did not expect that the commander of the Yan army was actually a peak Yin-Yang expert.

Fortunately, the commander of the Yan army did not make a move when they were in the Eastern Capital.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy for Zhao Yun to break through the encirclement with the White Horse Cavalry.

"Zhao Yun, I let you escape before, but this time I will personally take action and see where you can run to now."

The general made his move again, his Yin-Yang peak aura overwhelming the entire arena.

Zhao Yun possessed the strength of the late Nirvana stage. Although he was a whole realm below the Yan army's commander, Zhao Yun was not intimidated at all and charged forward with his spear.

The two figures clashed instantly.

The two's immense power constantly stirred up the surrounding aura.

Anyone of weak strength who was affected by the aura of the two was instantly turned into blood rain and vanished into thin air.

After dozens of moves.

The Yan army commander concentrated his aura into his palm, and with unparalleled power, he struck Zhao Yun with his palm.

"Zhao Yun, with your strength at the late Nirvana stage, you were able to fight me for dozens of rounds. You have every reason to be proud."

"However, that's enough for you!"

"I am going to die."

Faced with this terrifying palm strike, Zhao Yun's pupils also contracted.

Although Zhao Yun was an outstanding individual with unparalleled combat prowess, when facing a powerhouse at the peak of Yin-Yang realm, strength alone could not compensate for the gap in their cultivation levels.

Zhao Yun seemed to smell the scent of death for the first time.

"Where righteousness leads, life and death shall follow."

"Heaven is my witness, and the white horse is my proof."

Zhao Yun shouted, and the less than one thousand White Horse Cavalry instantly formed a matrix.

A military spirit emerged.

Zhao Yun's aura instantly surged by a large margin.

"Snake Coil Seven-Probe Spear".

Zhao Yun used his self-created signature move.

One shot, and the world changed color.

His imposing presence was in no way inferior to that of the Yan army's commander.

"boom……"

After a violent collision.

The two figures flew out at the same time.

"puff."

After falling to the ground, Zhao Yun spat out a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper.

Zhao Yun was already seriously injured in the previous battle.

This battle against the Yan army's top-tier Yin-Yang general was the last straw.

Zhao Yun struggled to get up, but before he could struggle for more than a few moments, he completely lost consciousness.

When Marquis Donghuang saw that Zhao Yun was seriously injured and had fainted, he shouted to the White Horse Cavalry, "White Horse Cavalry, listen to my command, take your General Zhao away."

Marquis Donghuang has already realized that Dongyan Pass cannot be defended.

With Zhao Yun defeated, they lost their top-tier combat power. How could they possibly withstand the Yan army's experts?

Upon hearing the order from the Marquis of Donghuang, the White Horse Cavalry hesitated for a moment, but ultimately left with Zhao Yun.

After the White Horse Cavalry led Zhao Yun away, the Marquis of Donghuang, enduring his injuries, brandished his spear and continued to charge towards the Yan army.

Despite the inevitable defeat, the Marquis of Donghuang showed no sign of backing down.

Although the Marquis of Donghuang could not be considered a loyal minister or a good general, he was by no means a spineless man. He would not back down in the face of foreign enemies.

Marquis Donghuang knew that Dongyan Pass was the eastern gateway of the Great Zhou Dynasty. If the Great Yan Dynasty were to breach it, their army would march straight in and trample the heart of the Central Plains.

At that time, the Great Wilderness's hundred cities will be in turmoil to the west and north of the Great Zhou, while the Great Yan army will be advancing rapidly to the east.

The situation of the Great Zhou Dynasty is in grave danger.

Therefore, the Marquis of Donghuang will not retreat, nor can he retreat.

Marquis Donghuang is determined to defend Dongyan Pass to the death, and to live and die with it.

Even if I die in battle, I will not hesitate.

"You traitorous Yan, how dare you offend my Great Zhou! You shall die!"

The Marquis of Donghuang unleashed his full power, wielding his spear and fighting recklessly.

However, he did not last long before the Marquis of Donghuang was struck by a hail of arrows.

The spear that the Marquis of Donghuang raised never had a chance to fall; blood stained his chest and armor.

Marquis Donghuang was filled with resentment; he wanted to kill the traitors, but he was powerless to change the situation.

"Kill the traitors."

The Marquis of Donghuang let out his final cry.

This cry was a mixture of resentment and helplessness.

Marquis Donghuang lowered his head, but there was not a trace of regret in his eyes.

Marquis Donghuang has guarded Donghuang for decades. Perhaps, Marquis Donghuang felt that this was his best end and his best destiny.

Blood was spilled in the Eastern Wilderness, and the body was wrapped in horsehide; the ambition of the Marquis of the Eastern Wilderness was not in vain.

"Master Hou..."

As if sensing the final cry of the Eastern Wilderness Marquis, every soldier in the Eastern Wilderness Army wore a sorrowful expression.

"Kill the traitors."

"There is no hope of survival, only death."

Upon seeing the death of the Marquis of Donghuang, the Donghuang army did not fall into chaos; instead, they were all filled with a death wish.

All the soldiers of the Eastern Wilderness fought desperately.

boom……

boom……

The sound of suicide explosions continued to be heard; some generals of the Eastern Wilderness Army were detonating themselves to take the enemy with them.

"crazy."

"These soldiers of the Great Zhou have all gone mad."

Faced with the Donghuang Army's continuous self-destruction, every member of the Yan Army's expression changed drastically.

Although their strength was far superior to that of the Eastern Wilderness Army, they were no match for the Eastern Wilderness Army's desperate fighting, where they self-destructed and perished together.

"Zhao Yun, you actually injured me."

An angry voice resounded through the sky.

The commander of the Yan army searched for Zhao Yun's figure in the air.

This commander never expected that he, a powerful expert at the peak of Yin-Yang realm, would be injured by a late-stage Nirvana realm cultivator from an indigenous dynasty.

This is simply a great humiliation.

After scanning the area, the commander-in-chief, unable to find Zhao Yun, vented his anger on the Eastern Wilderness Army, who were still fighting desperately.

"You will all die!"

The power of a peak Yin-Yang master is truly terrifying.

With a single strike, a large number of Eastern Wilderness troops were instantly annihilated and fell to the ground.

After an unknown amount of time, the sounds of fighting at Dongyan Pass subsided.

The entire Dongyan Pass was littered with corpses, severed limbs, and other bodies, a sight too painful to behold.

The commander of the Yan army looked towards the direction inside the pass and said coldly, "Zhao Yun, I didn't expect you to escape again."

"You wait, you can run away, but you can't hide. Next time, I will definitely rip your head off and use it as a football."

(End of this chapter)