Rebirth: Phoenix Riding the Ninth Heaven

As the Daqian army quietly approached the Xiongnu's hidden stronghold, the surrounding sentries were completely unaware of the approaching danger. Following their pre-planned plan, a team of nimble scouts silently approached the sentries. They approached with ghostly speed, their blades flashing, dispatching the enemy before the sentries could even make a sound.

After eliminating the secret sentries, the Daqian army quickly advanced towards the stronghold. However, just as they were about to reach the stronghold, a sudden sound of clappers rang out, and the stronghold suddenly became brightly lit. It turned out that the cunning Xiongnu had deployed extremely hidden lookouts around the area and discovered the whereabouts of the Daqian army.

"Oh no! We've been discovered!" Baili Xi frowned, but quickly regained his composure and shouted, "All soldiers, listen up! Follow the second plan! Attack!" Suddenly, shouts of killing erupted, and the Daqian army surged towards the stronghold like a tide. Not to be outdone, the Xiongnu soldiers also poured out of the stronghold, and a fierce battle ensued before the stronghold.

On the battlefield, swords flashed and blood splattered. The Fourth Prince, Li Jing, led the charge, brandishing his spear as he charged into the Xiongnu ranks. Wherever he went, Xiongnu soldiers fell. He shouted, "Brothers, follow me and kill!" The soldiers, greatly encouraged, followed him closely, engaging in a desperate battle with the Xiongnu.

Baili Xi commanded from the rear, methodically deploying his troops. He observed the battlefield situation and noticed that the Xiongnu had deployed a large number of barricades and archers at the entrance to their stronghold, significantly hindering the Daqian army's advance. "Pass my orders! Crossbowmen, advance and suppress the Xiongnu archers. Shieldmen, provide cover. Spearmen, follow me as I break through the barricades!"

Under Baili Xi's command, the various arms of the Daqian army coordinated closely. The crossbowmen unleashed a volley of arrows, a hail of arrows hurled at the Xiongnu archers, overwhelming their firepower. The shieldmen advanced swiftly, forming a solid defensive line to ward off the Xiongnu's arrows. The spearmen followed behind the shieldmen, diligently removing the barricades. After a bitter battle, they finally broke through the barricades, and the Daqian army engaged the Xiongnu in close combat.

Despite breaking through the barricades, the Daqian army soon found itself in a difficult position. The Xiongnu, relying on the complex fortifications within their stronghold and a steady supply of troops, put up a tenacious resistance. Furthermore, the Xiongnu dispatched cavalry from the valleys on either side, creating a pincer attack on the Daqian army.

"General, Xiongnu cavalry are charging from both sides!" a soldier anxiously reported to Baili Xi. Baili Xi turned and saw dust rising as Xiongnu cavalry swept in like a whirlwind. "Don't panic! Spearmen, form a square formation to resist the cavalry's charge, and crossbowmen, keep firing!" Baili Xi shouted.

However, the Xiongnu cavalry's attack was fierce, and although the spearmen's phalanx put up a fierce resistance, many of them were scattered and trampled. The crossbowmen's fire could not completely stop the cavalry's charge, and the situation became increasingly critical.

Fourth Prince Li Jing, observing this scene from within the battle line, was terrified. He led a group of elite cavalrymen, attempting to break through the Xiongnu encirclement and support the trapped soldiers. "Brothers, follow me and charge out! Blaze a trail of blood!" Li Jing shouted, his spear swift as a dragon, knocking down several Xiongnu cavalrymen in quick succession.

However, the Xiongnu cavalry was numerous and constantly receiving reinforcements. Despite their valor, Li Jing and his men struggled to break through the encirclement. The Daqian army was locked in a bitter battle, suffering mounting casualties. The situation was extremely unfavorable for them. Baili Xi knew that if they didn't come up with a countermeasure quickly, the army would likely be annihilated.

Just when the Daqian army was in dire straits, a turning point suddenly appeared. A team of spies, who had been sent deep into Xiongnu territory to gather intelligence, happened to be passing by on their way back from completing their mission. Seeing the Daqian army engaged in battle with the Xiongnu and at a disadvantage, they decided to launch a surprise attack on them from the rear.

Although this group of spies was small in number, each one was agile and skilled in stealth and assassination. They quietly infiltrated the Hun rear and, while the Hun soldiers were focused on the battle ahead, launched a surprise attack. Suddenly, chaos erupted in the Hun rear, with shouts and cries everywhere.

"Oh no! There are enemies in the rear!" The Xiongnu soldiers panicked and their formation was in disarray. The Xiongnu soldiers fighting the Daqian army in the front also began to lose their focus when they heard about the changes in the rear. Baili Xi keenly noticed this change and seized the opportunity, shouting loudly: "Brothers, the enemy's rear is in disarray. This is our chance. Kill!"

The Daqian army's morale suddenly soared, and the exhausted soldiers seemed to regain strength. The spearmen pressed forward, the crossbowmen increased their firepower, and the cavalry seized the opportunity to charge. Under attack from both sides, the Xiongnu army gradually gave way and began to retreat.

Seeing the tide turning, the Fourth Prince, Li Jing, became even more valiant. He thrust his spear repeatedly, driving back the Xiongnu soldiers who blocked his path. The Daqian army pursued the enemy, gradually approaching the Xiongnu's hidden stronghold, and the balance of victory began to tilt in their favor.

The Daqian army took advantage of the Xiongnu's panic and launched an all-out assault on the stronghold. However, the Xiongnu had deployed even stronger fortifications within the stronghold, with thick wooden doors and stone walls stretching out in front, and behind the doors, numerous Xiongnu soldiers were waiting in formation, armed with powerful crossbows and sharp blades.

Baili Xi gazed at the fortified stronghold before him, knowing full well that it would be a difficult siege. He quickly adjusted his tactics, directing his soldiers to carry nearby boulders and trees to construct simple siege engines. Catapults were quickly assembled, and massive stones rained down upon the stronghold's wooden gate and walls. The wooden gate clunked under the impact of the rocks, sending wood chips flying, but the gate remained resilient and withstood the blow.

Meanwhile, the soldiers of the front, braving a barrage of Xiongnu arrows, rushed towards the stronghold, carrying ladders. Xiongnu crossbows rained down like locusts, and soldiers continued to fall. But the soldiers behind remained undaunted, stepping over the bodies of their comrades and continuing their advance. Finally, the ladders were successfully erected on the stronghold's walls, and the soldiers climbed up along them.

The Xiongnu soldiers inside the stronghold fought desperately, stabbing the Daqian soldiers climbing the ladders with their spears and constantly pushing against them. Many Daqian soldiers were stabbed as they climbed, falling with screams. But the Daqian soldiers did not retreat, and continued to charge upward.

Seeing this, the Fourth Prince, Li Jing, personally led a team of elite soldiers. Taking advantage of the moment when the catapults distracted the Xiongnu, they launched an attack from a relatively weak side of the city wall. Protected by shields, they quickly approached the wall. Li Jing led the charge, leaping onto a ladder and, spear in hand, engaging the Xiongnu soldiers on the wall in a desperate battle. His spearmanship was razor-sharp, each strike targeting the Xiongnu's vital points, instantly slaying several. Under his leadership, the elite soldiers successfully scaled the wall and engaged the Xiongnu in fierce close-quarters combat.

As Li Jing and his men successfully scaled the city wall and tore a breach in it, the Daqian army poured into the stronghold like a tide. Inside the stronghold, shouts and screams mingled as the two sides engaged in a brutal close combat.

Fueled by hatred for the Xiongnu and a determination to defend their country, the Daqian soldiers bravely fought. Wielding their swords, they engaged the Xiongnu in one-on-one combat. Some soldiers, wounded in battle, clung to their fellow Xiongnu soldiers, stabbing them with their daggers. Others, clearing a path for their comrades, even used their bodies to block the Xiongnu's blades.

The Xiongnu soldiers, knowing full well that if their stronghold fell, they would be annihilated, fought with all their might. They exploited the complex terrain and buildings within the stronghold to engage the Daizen army. In the narrow passages, the two sides engaged in close combat, staining the ground red with blood.

While directing his troops' attack, Baili Xi kept a close eye on the battlefield. He noticed that the Xiongnu seemed to be gathering towards a tower deep within their stronghold. Drawing on his years of combat experience, he suspected that a key Xiongnu general or command center might be hiding there. "Come on, follow me to that tower. We must destroy the Xiongnu's command center!" Baili Xi commanded, leading a group of his personal soldiers towards the tower.

On their way to the tower, they encountered numerous Xiongnu obstacles. A group of elite Xiongnu cavalry charged toward them, the sound of their hooves shaking the ground. Baili Xi showed no fear. He drew his long sword and shouted, "Kill!" He charged at the cavalry first. His personal guards followed closely behind, engaging the Xiongnu cavalry in a fierce battle. For a moment, swords flashed, and blood and flesh flew everywhere.

After a fierce battle with the Xiongnu cavalry, Baili Xi and his personal guards finally broke through the blockade and arrived at the foot of the tower. The tower was surrounded by Xiongnu guards, who immediately surrounded Baili Xi and his men when they saw them coming.

Baili Xi led the charge, wielding his sword and instantly felling two Xiongnu guards. He shouted, "Brothers, if we can capture this tower, we will win!" The morale of his personal guards was greatly boosted, and they bravely fought the Xiongnu guards in a desperate battle.

During the fierce battle, Baili Xi discovered that the tower's gate was tightly closed and had a mechanism. Forcing it open would only lead to more trouble. While fighting the enemy, he observed his surroundings, trying to find a way into the tower. Just then, one of his personal guards discovered a secret entrance to the side of the tower.

Baili Xi acted decisively, leading some of his personal guards to a swift charge towards the tunnel entrance. Once inside, the tunnel was dimly lit and filled with a pungent odor. They advanced cautiously when, suddenly, countless hidden arrows pierced through the walls on either side. Baili Xi shouted, "Be careful!" Everyone quickly raised their shields to block the incoming fire. Fortunately, their shields provided protection, and only a few suffered minor injuries.

After some searching, they finally reached the interior of the tower. Inside the tower, a Xiongnu general was commanding his soldiers to prepare for a counterattack. Seeing Baili Xi and others breaking in, the Xiongnu general's face changed drastically, but he quickly calmed down, drew his sword, and said viciously: "You dog thieves from the front, how dare you break in here? Today is the day for us to fight back."