Chapitre 32: War of deception
Qin HQ
Kaishibou was staring at one of the best spearmen in China as he clenched his weapon. He yelled angrily, "What are you doing here, Zhao Yun of the 6 Heavenly Dragons? This war does not have anything to do with northern Qin or your master."
Zhao Yun smiled and replied, "Last time I checked, Northern Qin was a part of Qin, and this invasion is done by the Qin army, is it not?"
Kaishibou didn't waste more time talking and charged at Zhao Yun with his mace. Their weapons collided, and sparks flew. The match between brute force and skills would prove to be an exciting battle for ages.
*Flashback* Before the battle of Sanyou
General Mougou was sipping tea calmly as he sat face-to-face with Zhao Yun. He asked calmly, " why did you come to join this battle, General Zhao Yun? I won't turn down your help as I'm facing Renpa of all people, but what made you come here?"
Zhao Yun replied politely, "My lord believes the battle of Sanyou shall begin the next era of warfare, so it should be observed by him. But he is busy with some other things, so he sent it to me instead. Since I'm here, I should lend a hand to Hakurou sama for old times sake ."
General Mougou laughed slowly and replied, "Then I'll be happy to have you assist me. Maybe this time I'll finally defeat him."
*Flashback ends*
While Kaishibou battled Zhao Yun and Kanki ambushed Genpo , KyoEn was fighting Ousen near the gourd valley. They both tried to outmaneuver each other but their tricks were seen by their opponent. Ousen used Heki as bait to lure KyoEn but he easily countered that plan. He instead ambushed Ousen from the cliffs. Then Ousen being Ousen, countered KyoEn and trapped him again.
KyoEn PoV
Ousen is a genius in warfare. His battle style can be compared to the six greats of Qin , the likes of whom stood toe to toe with my lord. To predict that his trap would be seen and to set up an ambush behind my hidden troops , very few can be so capable.
I should have expected such a thing from someone who fought beside General KouRyu against Chu.
But it seems today his luck has run out. Predicting his strategy being broken and setting a counter-ambush in a valley with no exit , he can be considered a worthy foe. And to even go beyond and back me into a corner—that can be called a monster.
But there is a greater monster than him who had already predicted all this and set the stage for his entry, my lord that is!
I heard a rumbling noise as a smile appeared on her face. I saw the proud banner of my lord fluttering in the wind and him personally leading the charge. That is Renpa, the great heaven of Zhao and my master !
As my Lord's army began surround Ousen's , I felt a little unease, as if we were missing something. My suspicions proved true as suddenly there was dust cloud behind my Lord's army. Even my lord was a little surprised as he yelled the command to guard the rear .
The rising dusts came closer and we all could see the banner of Mougou army soaring high. I was stunned, and my lord Renpa just smirked and said, "How interesting. So he learned some new tricks. "
I immediately turned my attention towards Ousen, who met my eyes. If not for his mask, I could swear there was a smirk on his face as he ordered, "The whole army take position," to which I shockingly witnessed another batch of army showing up on the cliffs and regaining control again.
My lord immediately yelled , " KyoEn , ignore Ousen and bypass Mougou to retreat. We will break out of this trap first. We still have Genpo and the others at front. As long as we can regroup, this battle will be our victory."
Renpa's orders were clear and decisive, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. KyoEn, knowing the urgency of the situation, rallied his troops and began the retreat maneuver. Ousen's forces, recognizing the shift in tactics, pressed harder to contain them, but the Zhao soldiers, driven by Renpa's presence, pushed back with ferocious determination.
As Renpa's army fought to break through the encirclement, a fierce battle erupted on multiple fronts. Kaishibou's clash with Zhao Yun continued to rage with unrelenting intensity, each strike of their weapons resounding like thunder. Meanwhile, Kanki's ambush had successfully thrown Genpo's forces into disarray, creating a window of opportunity for Mougou's reinforcements to join the fray.
Renpa's commanding presence was the anchor for his troops. His strategic mind was always several steps ahead, calculating every possible outcome. He observed the battlefield, identifying the weakest points in the Qin encirclement, and directed his troops accordingly. KyoEn, despite the overwhelming pressure, executed Renpa's orders with precision, skillfully maneuvering his forces through the gaps.
The Qin soldiers were relentless, however, with Ousen orchestrating his troops like pieces on a chessboard. Every Wei advance was met with fierce resistance, and every Qin fallback was a calculated move to lure the enemy into another trap. The battle was a deadly dance of strategy and might.
Renpa and his personal guard fought at the forefront, their presence a rallying cry for the Wei soldiers. With every slash of his sword, Renpa carved a path through the Qin lines, his warriors following closely behind. The clash of steel and the cries of soldiers filled the air as the Wei forces pressed forward.
Suddenly, a horn sounded from the Qin side. Ousen, observing Renpa's movements, had anticipated this breakout attempt. From the cliffs above, another contingent of Qin soldiers appeared, led by none other than Heki. They descended swiftly, aiming to cut off Renpa's retreat.
Renpa's eyes narrowed as he saw the new threat. "KyoEn, prepare to engage the flank! We cannot afford to be surrounded again."
KyoEn nodded, immediately repositioning his forces to counter the descending Qin troops. The battlefield shifted once more, now a chaotic blend of hand-to-hand combat, strategic withdrawals, and desperate charges.
In the midst of the chaos, Renpa's forces managed to create a narrow corridor through which they could retreat. It was a perilous route, but it was their best chance to regroup with Genpo and the others.
Renpa, leading the charge, cut down any Qin soldier that dared to block their path. His presence was an unstoppable force, driving his men forward. Kyoen and his troops formed a rearguard, holding off Ousen's relentless pursuit.
The second day of the battle of Sanyou was reaching its zenith. The battlefield was a cauldron of chaos, with strategies unfolding and counter-strategies responding in kind. It was a battle to see who could decieve and outsmart their opponent. Renpa's forces, although initially gaining the upper hand, were now facing unexpected maneuvers by the Qin army.
Kaishibou and Zhao Yun's fierce duel continued, with neither giving an inch. Sparks flew from their clashing weapons, and the soldiers around them watched in awe, momentarily forgetting their own battles. Zhao Yun's spear was like a silver dragon, darting and weaving with precision, while Kaishibou's mace struck with the power of a thunderbolt. It was like a clash of titans, and their battle's outcome would tip the scales of the battle.
Meanwhile, Kanki's forces, having ambushed Genpo, were engaged in a brutal skirmish. Kanki, with his devilish grin, slashed through Wei soldiers, his eyes always searching for Genpo. "Old man, your head will make a fine trophy," he said as he cut down another soldier.
Genpo, despite his calm demeanor, realized the peril he was in. "Kanki, you rogue," he spat, signaling his men to form a defensive perimeter. "Retreat to the second line! We must regroup and hold this position." The Wei forces began to pull back in a disciplined manner, but the relentless pursuit by Kanki's men was taking its toll.
After a while, the Wei soldiers could not hold on, and they were cut down. Genpo realized that this is where his life would end. With no other way, he faced Kanki and spoke, "You have bested me with the help of those youngsters. Your mind, although sharp, falls slightly behind mine. I think you have potential to be a great general, Kanki. How about becoming my disciple ?"
Kanki laughed mockingly as he severed Genpo's head and spoke, "You old loser who got beaten by me want to be my master? You are not worthy of my service. No one is." Then he muttered under his breath, "Well, all except that guy, maybe."
At the same time, the clash between KyoEn and Ousen near the gourd valley intensified. KyoEn, despite his respect for Ousen's tactical brilliance, was now in a dire situation. "We must break through," he commanded his men, trying to force a path through the Qin encirclement.
Ousen, with his masked visage, observed the battlefield calmly. "KyoEn is formidable, but desperation clouds his judgment," he mused. With a swift series of commands, he repositioned his forces, tightening the noose around KyoEn. "This battle will be decided here."
In the midst of this turmoil, General Mougou led his forces towards Renpa. His eyes were steely with determination. "This is our chance to turn the tide," he urged his men. "We must engage Renpa and break his hold on the battlefield."
As Mougou's forces clashed with Renpa's vanguard, the ground shook with the fury of battle. Renpa, ever the calm and collected strategist, issued orders to counter Mougou's advance. "We will not let them break us," he declared. "Form a defensive line and hold your ground."
Back at the Qin HQ, the situation was dire. Kaishibou's surprise attack had thrown the rear reserves into disarray. Zhao Yun, realizing the urgency, decided to end his duel with Kaishibou quickly. With a sudden surge of energy, he unleashed a flurry of spear thrusts that forced Kaishibou back. "I cannot afford to waste more time here," Zhao Yun thought.
"Enough playing around!" Kaishibou roared, swinging his mace in a wide arc. But Zhao Yun anticipated the move, dodging to the side and countering with a precise strike to Kaishibou's shoulder. The mace wielder stumbled, momentarily off balance.
"This ends now!" Zhao Yun declared, his spear striking with lightning speed. The blow disarmed Kaishibou, his mace clattering to the ground. "Surrender, or face the consequences."
Kaishibou, breathing heavily, glared at Zhao Yun but knew he was beaten. He stepped back, conceding defeat. "You fight well, Zhao Yun," he admitted grudgingly. "But this battle is far from over."
Zhao Yun nodded. "Indeed, but this is a start. Now, let's secure our HQ."
With Kaishibou subdued, Zhao Yun quickly organized the remaining Qin forces, restoring some order amidst the chaos. The Qin HQ, though battered, would hold.
On the main battlefield, KyoEn's forces, under immense pressure from Ousen, began to falter. The trap had been perfectly executed, and now it was closing. "We must retreat!" KyoEn ordered, but the path was blocked.
Suddenly, a horn sounded from the Qin side. Reinforcements, led by Mougou, were charging into the fray. "Push forward!" Mougou shouted, his presence invigorating the weary Qin soldiers.
Renpa, seeing the tide turning, gave the order for a strategic withdrawal. "We will fight tomorrow again, and this time we will win." he told his men. "Fall back in proper order. We'll fight again tomorrow. " He didn't show even an ounce of doubt as he retreated. The Qin forces, though regrouped and ready for another clash, watched with respect for the indomitable spirit of Renpa and his men.
As the sun began to set, the battlefield quieted. The day had been hard-fought, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. But for Qin, the day ended in their favor. Renpa's forces were retreating, and the Qin HQ had been secured. Although they both suffered great casualties, the war was not over yet.
From the 120,000 troops in the Qin army, only about 70,000 remained after the fierce clash of 2 days. Meanwhile Wei, Losing both General Fuugan and Strategist Genpo along with the defeat of Kaishibou were on the backfoot, despite having about 85,000 soldiers from their originally 150,000 soldiers.
Mougou, surveying the battlefield, felt a glimmer of hope. "We did it," he said softly, but his eyes were still wary. "But the war is not over. We must remain vigilant."
Zhao Yun, joining him, nodded in agreement. "This was just one battle. The war for Sanyou continues."
In the distance, Renpa looked back at the battlefield, his mind already planning the next move. "This is far from over, Mougou. We will meet again tomorrow . I will Avenge Genpo and the rest."
"Today, we have fought hard and shown our strength," Renpa called out to his troops. "But the final stage of this battle begins now. Prepare yourselves, for we will not rest until victory is ours!"
The Wei soldiers cheered, their spirits lifted by their leader's words. Kaishibou gripped his mace hard as he thought, "I must defeat Zhao Yun and win this battle." Rinko patted his shoulder as he also gripped his left arm which was bandaged. The result was from a battle between him , Shin, and Ouhon. He would have beaten them if not for the death of Genpo and being shocked and getting injured by a surprise attack. He vowed to avenge his mentor tomorrow.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the battlefield, both sides prepared for the next phase of the conflict. The Battle of Sanyou was far from decided, and the fate of kingdoms hung in the balance.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Virtuosso
Virtuosso This will be the last chapter in a while as I mentioned my mental state in the other chapter published today. Nobody can be calm and alright knowing their friends are in danger or might not be alive at all.
I have no more chapters stocked up so I will continue from here after the whole rewrite is done. Hopefully the chaos will pass and light shall shine once again.
— Un nouveau chapitre arrive bientôt — Écrire un avis
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone