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

The sounds of arrows piercing the air, the screams of those struck by arrows, the thuds of warhorses falling to the ground, and the howling of Chu cavalry in pursuit all intertwined to create a cruel symphony of pursuit.

Under the desperate protection of his personal guards, Tuoba Hun finally managed to break out of the most chaotic area. Looking back, he saw that his army was no longer organized.

Like sheep torn apart by wolves, they fled in disarray across the mountains and fields, with the black "wave of death" still relentlessly pursuing them, constantly devouring those who lagged behind.

His chest heaved violently, half from exhaustion, half from overwhelming anger and humiliation, and a chill that seeped into his very bones.

His 30,000 elite troops, after a night of raiding, not only failed to shake Jicheng in the slightest, but were also ambushed and suffered heavy losses at the city walls. Now they are being chased and killed like ducks by an enemy force that is far smaller than their own!

"General, this humble general...this humble general has failed you!"

A general, his face covered in blood, rushed to the bald man's side, his voice choked with emotion.

"Shut up! Gather your men! Retreat towards Blackrock Fortress!"

Bald Hun gritted his teeth and roared. He knew now was not the time for regrets; he had to preserve his strength as much as possible.

However, under such a complete rout and pursuit, how easy is it to effectively regroup the troops?

As the sun set, it dyed the sky a poignant crimson, reflecting the tragic scene that stretched for dozens of miles north of Jicheng.

Dead warhorses, mutilated corpses, abandoned weapons and flags, and severely wounded people struggling to crawl.

After this battle, Tuoba Hun's 30,000 iron cavalry suffered more than 5,000 casualties due to non-combat losses and pursuit, and their morale plummeted to rock bottom.

Meanwhile, atop Jicheng, Su Tingmei's figure in black and white robes remained upright, her feather fan gently waving, as if everything was as expected.

This raid, intended to break the stalemate, ended in a crushing defeat and a chaotic rout for the Scorpion Clan cavalry, firmly establishing the Youzhou garrison's initiative on the northern front.

The smoke of the Battle of Jicheng seemed to still linger in the gaps of their armor as Tuoba Hun led his remaining troops in a hasty retreat toward Blackstone Fortress.

Of the 25,000 Scorpion Clan cavalry, only half are now uninjured.

The column trailed a long cloud of dust, winding across the northern wilderness like a wounded giant python.

Half a day ago, they fought a bloody battle with Su Tingmei's Northern Army in Jicheng.

That strategist, renowned throughout Youzhou, was a master of military tactics, employing deception and real attacks to fight against overwhelming odds with fewer troops, managing to inflict nearly five thousand casualties on the Scorpion Clan's most elite cavalry.

Tuofahun still remembers Su Tingmei's terrifyingly calm eyes as she stood on the city wall of Jicheng.

That wasn't the look of a defeated general, but the gaze of a hunter scrutinizing his prey that had fallen into his trap.

"General, Eagle's Sorrow Gorge is just ahead."

The lieutenant, Tuoba Lie, rode closer and lowered his voice: "The scouts report that the valley is unusually quiet."

Bald-haired Hun reined in his warhorse and raised his hand to signal the entire army to halt.

Eagle's Sorrow Gorge – with sheer cliffs on both sides as if sculpted by a master craftsman, and a passage in the middle only wide enough for ten riders to walk abreast, it is the only way back to Blackstone Fortress and also a strategically perilous place.

Normally, he would send out three times as many scouts to investigate thoroughly, but now that the pursuers are behind them, every moment they are a little late in arriving at Blackrock Fortress will cause the morale of the army to waver.

"Send two cavalry squads to scout ahead, and the rest of you rest in place for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."

He ordered that his gaze remain fixed on the silent canyon.

The light cavalry sped towards the gorge like arrows released from a bow.

The bald man dismounted, knelt on one knee, and pressed his ear close to the ground.

A slight tremor came from the ground, not from pursuers behind, but from...

"Prepare for battle!" he roared, rising abruptly. "All troops, retreat! This isn't an earthquake, it's horses' hooves!"

Too late.

On the cliff tops on both sides of the canyon, countless banners suddenly rose up.

That wasn't the military flag guarding Jicheng, but the Chu military flag embroidered with a golden coiled dragon.

Immediately afterwards, war drums thundered from all directions, the muffled sound waves crashing against the cliff face and creating echoes.

When the first volley of arrows fell, the Scorpion Clan cavalry had not yet fully turned around.

This was no ordinary arrow; the arrowhead was wrapped in oilcloth, and it fell into the crowd while burning.

The warhorses were startled, reared up with neighs, and the ranks were instantly thrown into chaos.

Bald Hun swung his sword to deflect several rockets, watching as more than ten of his men and their horses were engulfed in flames.

"Circular formation defense! Shields facing outwards!" he shouted hoarsely, but chaos spread like a plague.

The second wave of attack followed immediately. Instead of arrows, boulders and logs cascaded down the cliff top, crashing into the dense ranks of cavalry.

The sounds of bones breaking, screams, and the dying cries of horses blended into a symphony of hell.

"Chu Xuan is here! Bald Hun, this is where you will die today!"

A deep voice came from the top of the cliff. The bald man looked up and saw a figure standing at the highest point, his golden armor dazzling in the sunlight.

Chu Xuan, Prince of Chu!

That royal nobleman, who was said to have only ever competed with the current emperor Chu Ning for the throne, was now personally taking up arms.

"Chu Xuan! I never expected you to show up here in person!"

"Aren't you afraid that my Scorpion Clan General will lead his army to breach Youzhou City?"

The bald man roared in anger, but then suddenly realized: the defeat at Jicheng, Su Tingmei's strange military tactics, and the appearance of the Chu army here were not coincidences at all, but a carefully woven trap.

Chu Xuan laughed loudly upon hearing this, his laughter full of sarcasm, "Hmph, if he has the ability, then let him attack freely!"

He paused deliberately, saying each word carefully, "However, I'm afraid you won't live to see that day!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than dust billowed up at both ends of the canyon.

The heavily armored infantry phalanx blocked any retreat route like an impregnable fortress, its spears gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

On the cliff top appeared a dense array of archers and crossbowmen.

Tuofa Hun quickly assessed the situation: the Chu army numbered at least 50,000 and held the advantage of terrain, while his side was trapped in a narrow valley, and their cavalry advantage had vanished.

Even more deadly was the dust and smoke behind them, which indicated that Su Tingmei's pursuers were probably close behind.

"General, what should we do?" The deputy general, Tuoba Lie, had blood on his face and an arrow stuck in his left shoulder.

He looked around, his head bald.

Fear was already evident in the soldiers' eyes. These grassland warriors were not afraid of head-on combat, but they had an instinctive panic at the sight of such a trap.

He had to make a decision immediately.

"The whole army obeys the order!"

His voice boomed like a war drum: "Discard all baggage, keep only weapons and bows and arrows! The vanguard becomes the rearguard, break out towards the southwest corner!"

The southwest corner is the weakest point in the encirclement, with a gentler cliff and fewer Chu army flags.

This is the only chance of survival.

The Scorpion Clan cavalry displayed astonishing discipline, quickly regrouping despite being at a severe disadvantage, and charged southwest like a sharp dagger.

Bald-headed Hun took the lead, his long sword flashing like silver light, and wherever he went, the Chu infantry fell like wheat being harvested.

But Chu Xuan's arrangement was far more ingenious than he had imagined.

Just as the Scorpion Clan's vanguard was about to break through the breach, the ground suddenly collapsed.

Dozens of riders and their horses fell into a deep pit, where sharpened wooden stakes were stuck upside down at the bottom.

Immediately afterwards, dozens of strange vehicles were pushed out from both sides, with huge iron nets shooting out from them and covering the charging cavalry.

"Tripwire! Watch out for the ground!"

The bald man cried out in a panic, but it was too late.

Another batch of warhorses were tripped, the riders fell, and were instantly pierced by the Chu army's spears.

The Chu army pressed forward relentlessly, tightening the encirclement like a noose. The Scorpion Clan cavalry, though fierce and brave, were unable to launch a charge in the narrow terrain and were surrounded and slaughtered like trapped beasts.

For every Scorpion Clan warrior who falls, three or four Chu soldiers fill the vacancy.

"The Prince's strategy is brilliant!" Cheers erupted from the top of the cliff from the Chu army generals.