Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

In August in Jicheng, the night was as dark as ink, and the sultry air was filled with the smell of gunpowder and blood.

Outside the central army tent in the south of the city, Chu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, his black dragon-patterned robe rustling in the night wind.

The sky to the north of the city was dyed crimson, the flames rising into the sky made the clouds shine, and faint shouts of killing could be heard drifting in the wind.

"Your Majesty, there is a fire."

Jia Yu walked forward slowly, and the Jinyiwei's Feiyu uniform shone with a cold luster in the firelight.

In his hand, he was playing with a bronze token engraved with the totem of the scorpion clan - a ferocious scorpion with its tail sting raised high.

Chu Ning's eyes were deep and calm, like an ancient well. "Did Sima Yi really think I didn't know about his deal with the Scorpion Clan?"

"Three border towns and 100,000 dan of grain in exchange for these 30,000 Scorpion Clan cavalry."

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a sneer: "Little do they know that their every move is under my surveillance!"

A hint of amusement flashed in Jia Yu's eyes. "The Jinyiwei spies reported that the Scorpion Cavalry have been running for hundreds of miles these past two days, and they've consumed a lot of their energy."

There was a muffled sound from the distance, followed by a series of screams.

Chu Ning narrowed his eyes, as if he could see through the darkness and see the battle situation in the north of the city: "I guess it's time for our army's Modao team to take the stage."

"Your Majesty is a master of foresight." Jia Yu bowed, "But if Sima Yi sees the situation is not good and hides in hiding..."

"He will not."

Chu Ning interrupted, his tone firm: "Sima Yi is suspicious and greedy by nature. He must be watching from the city wall at this moment."

"Once he sees the Scorpion's signal arrow, he'll definitely hesitate—should he send troops to support them, or hold his ground and wait for help?"

He turned and walked towards the sand table, pointing his finger at the north gate of Jicheng. "It is this hesitation that I want."

In the Chu army camp north of the city, the battle situation was just as Chu Ning had expected.

The Scorpion general Helian Hui took the lead, and the scimitar in his hand flashed a cold light, beheading a Chu army sentry.

The 30,000 cavalrymen behind him poured into the camp like a tide, and the sound of horse hooves shook the ground.

"Kill! Leave no one behind!"

Helian Hui shouted loudly, and the scar across his face looked even more hideous in the firelight.

He had already found out that there were only 20,000 Chu troops in the North Camp, and most of them were infantry.

With the elite Scorpion cavalry, it only took a moment to break the camp.

However, when he led his troops deep into the camp, he found that the Chu army was not fleeing, but was retreating towards the center in an orderly manner.

Helian Hui's heart trembled, but the arrow was on the string and had to be shot. He gritted his teeth and swung his sword: "Charge!"

At this moment, the Scorpion cavalrymen who were rushing in the front suddenly fell to the ground with their horses.

The warhorse neighed and its hooves twitched, as if it had suddenly lost strength.

Immediately afterwards, large groups of cavalrymen fell down like wheat being cut, and their formation was in chaos.

"No! There's an ambush!"

Helian Hui pulled the reins suddenly, and saw that the ground was covered with caltrops and tripwires.

What was even more terrifying was that the fallen cavalryman was unable to get up for a while, obviously he had been drugged.

"Fire arrows!"

At a command, the archers of the Chu army hidden behind the tents fired thousands of arrows.

The rain of arrows covered the sky and poured down with the roar of death.

The leather armor of the Scorpion Cavalry could not withstand the strong bows and crossbows at close range, and screams rang out one after another.

Helian Hui swung his sword to block several stray arrows, but his left arm was still grazed by an arrow, causing a burning pain.

His eyes widened with anger as he saw a general walking out of the Chu army formation. He was wearing silver armor and a red robe. It was none other than Zhao Yu, the famous general of the Chu army.

Zhao Yu sneered, pointing the spear in his hand directly at Helian Hui: "General, please leave your name. I will not kill nameless people!"

"I am General Helian Hui!"

"You despicable person!" Helian Hui spat out a mouthful of blood foam: "You Chu people only know how to use such despicable means!"

Zhao Yu remained unmoved and waved his right hand: "Modao Team, move forward!"

The ground began to tremble.

Three thousand heavily armored infantrymen walked out of the Chu army formation, each holding a nearly three-meter-long Mo Dao in his hand.

The blade shone coldly, looking like the scythe of the god of death in the firelight.

"kill!"

At Zhao Yu's command, the Modao team swung their swords in unison.

The Scorpion cavalry in the front row had no time to react and were cut in two, both their horses and men.

Blood gushed out, staining the ground dark red.

Helian Hui's eyes were bloodshot, he knew he had been ambushed today, but the Scorpion warriors never retreat.

He raised his scimitar high: "My men, follow me and fight your way out!"

The remaining Scorpion cavalry launched a charge and fought with the Chu army.

Helian Hui personally faced Zhao Yu, and the two fought with swords and spears, and the battle was difficult to determine.

However, the Scorpion Cavalry had lost the initiative and was blocked by the Modao Team, gradually falling into a disadvantage.

"Fire the signal arrow!"

Helian Huige fired a shot at Zhao Yu and shouted to his guards, "Send the Wei army out of the city to support us!"

Three firecrackers rose into the air with sharp whistles, exploding into three dazzling red fireworks in the night sky.

On the north gate tower of Jicheng, Sima Yi clutched the battlements of the city wall tightly, his knuckles turning white.

His already gloomy face was now filled with gloom.

The Prime Minister Cheng Yu beside him said anxiously: "Your Majesty, General Helian has requested assistance. Should we send troops as planned?"

Sima Yi did not answer immediately. He looked at the chaotic battle outside the city with a frown.

According to the agreement, the Wei army should leave the city and cooperate with the Scorpion Tribe from inside and outside.

But now the Scorpion Tribe has clearly been ambushed, and the outcome is unpredictable.

"Minister Cheng, look at what the Chu army is doing..." Sima Yi's voice was a little dry.

Cheng Yu leaned in and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Chu army is clearly well prepared. If we attack now, the Chu troops from the other three gates will surely come to support us. What will we do then?"

Sima Yi's eyes twitched.

How could he not understand this? Jicheng had been under siege for over half a month, and the city's food and fodder were gradually dwindling.

Chu Ning even cut off the food supply in the city.

These 30,000 Scorpion cavalry were his last hope in exchange for the three northern fortresses. If he watched the Scorpion tribe perish, the fall of Jicheng would only be a matter of time.

But if we send troops to support them, and fail...

"Report!"

A scout rushed up to the city: "The Chu army is moving at the east and west gates, and it seems they are gathering!"

Cheng Yu's face changed slightly, and he looked quickly, and found that the torches of the Chu army camp outside the east gate and the west gate were flashing continuously.

This is a sign of gathering troops!

"It seems that the Chu army wants to eat up this Scorpion cavalry!" Cheng Yu said seriously.

Sima Yi was shocked when he heard this, and cold sweat ran down his back.

He turned and looked towards the south of the city, and saw torches moving like a long dragon.

"Your Majesty, this must be resolved quickly!"

Veteran General Wang Jin stepped forward, sword drawn. "Either dispatch troops immediately to support the Scorpion Tribe, or close the city gates and do nothing. There is absolutely no room for hesitation!"

Sima Yi's chest heaved violently.

This battle is of great importance. If there is a mistake, not only will we be unable to cooperate with the Scorpion troops, but even Jicheng may be lost.

This is the last barrier of the Wei State and the only place where he can make a living.

He was hesitant and worried.

If he is not careful, he might be completely taken down by Chu Ning!

Thinking of Chu Ning's half-smile, Sima Yi's expression became even gloomier.