CHAPTER 125: CHAPTER 119: COORDINATION INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

A thunderous crash hit the large gate of the fortress, causing the gate to sway. The faces of the clan members standing with guns at the front grew increasingly pale, with some even quietly stepping back.

Zhao Hanzhang strode down from upstairs, stood at the forefront, and shouted loudly, "Everyone prepare!"

They fumbled somewhat as they picked up their long spears and nervously watched the gate.

Zhao Hanzhang shouted, "Behind us are the fortress’s streets and houses, where our parents, wives, and children live. If anyone crosses through you into the fortress, they’ll plunder and slaughter, so absolutely do not let them enter the fortress!"

Zhao Hanzhang shouted, "If they dare come, we’ll dare kill them, kill——"

The clan members’ spirits lifted, and they shouted loudly in return, "Kill——"

With another crashing strike, the fortress gate swung open. Zhao Hanzhang was the first to strike, spearing the two leaders at the front. The wood lost balance and fell, and the chaotic army rushed through the fortress gate.

Zhao Hanzhang ordered, "Kill——"

The first row of clan members holding spears followed orders and thrust forward in unison, impaling the chaotic soldiers rushing in...

"Retreat, second row advance——"

They pulled out their spears and stepped back to adjust their stance, while the people behind them stepped forward, gathered strength, and thrust fiercely...

Holding swords and sabers, the chaotic army died before they could get close.

Shi Le found that they couldn’t break through from the front and shouted loudly, "Attack from the flank!"

But Zhao Hanzhang had arranged the formation with a thick flank and thin front, making a breakout impossible.

Seeing his people blocked at the city gate falling one row after another, unable to advance and with Zhao Hanzhang unwilling to pursue, maintaining the rhythm firmly and guarding the gateway without chasing, Shi Le was angry enough to leap off his horse, brandishing his large saber to the foremost position, holding off a row of thrusting spears, and turning to kill two people. But before he could shout for the attack, the gap he opened was immediately filled, and Zhao Hanzhang’s spear came in from the side...

Shi Le flipped into the gate, knowing Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t let him approach, or his courage would surely create a breach.

Zhao Hanzhang then engaged him in battle, and Shi Le recognized that Zhao Hanzhang was adjusting while commanding the Zhao Family, making them steadfast. So he wanted to lure her out.

"Girl, dare to come out for a fight?"

Zhao Hanzhang whistled for her horse, "Come if you dare, who’s afraid of whom, have your men step back!"

Shi Le didn’t think he would lose and felt disdain for tricking her; his aim was to lure Zhao Hanzhang out, so he generously waved his hand to have everyone leave the gate.

Upon hearing the whistle, Zhao Hanzhang’s horse came running up, and she swiftly mounted, nodding to Ji Ping and others beside her, galloping to follow Shi Le out of the gate.

On the fortress, Zhao Ming kept ordering people to throw stones and shoot arrows to relieve the pressure on the fortress gate.

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang ride out, he raised his hand, stopped everyone’s actions, and watched with worry in his eyes.

Fu Tinghan was also very tense. He turned to pick up the drumstick and struck the first drumbeat, then the stirring drumbeats gradually rose, resonating across the fields and drifting afar.

Shi Le, who had exited the gate, also mounted the warhorse stolen last night. Upon hearing the drumbeats, he shouted to the sky, his chest clearing of frustration, gazing fiercely at Zhao Hanzhang, "Looks like your people have a lot of confidence in you."

Seeing him order his troops to retreat, Zhao Hanzhang raised her eyebrows and asked, "General Shi, are you lacking confidence in yourself?"

Shi Le knew that these people were recruited halfway, with no real loyalty, only gathered together to survive.

Unable to capture yesterday after prolonged attack, they already had thoughts of retreat. If he couldn’t quickly settle it today, the chaotic army might turn against him, so Shi Le didn’t plan to slowly engage Zhao Hanzhang.

Of course, if he could kill her with just two saber strikes to establish authority, that would be different, but Shi Le was not pompous, especially after having fought her twice now, yesterday and today. So Shi Le said, "We’ll fight our fight, they’ll fight theirs. I won’t let them interfere in our duel."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hanzhang twirled her spear lightly, firmly looking at him, and chuckled, "Deal."

The two locked eyes, kicked their horses simultaneously, and charged at each other, clashing swords and spears. Shi Le exerted great force, slicing towards Zhao Hanzhang’s head along her spear. Zhao Hanzhang leaned back against her horse to dodge, stabbing back as they passed, while Shi Le sidestepped and avoided...

They crossed past each other.

Shi Le raised his saber, commanding the chaotic army, "Assault the fortress!"

The chaotic army that had retreated immediately swarmed towards the fortress again, Zhao Hanzhang did not stop them, nor did they attack her, but brandished their weapons towards the fortress gate.

Meanwhile, the drumbeats from the fortress towers accelerated, stones and arrows densely rained down. The people lying in the mountains like Zhao Ju had mounted their horses upon hearing the drumbeats.

Upon hearing the urgent drumbeats, Zhao Ju immediately swung his saber and shouted, "Everyone come with me, charge..."

The three drawbridges of Zhao’s Fortress slammed down, crushing and injuring about a dozen chaotic soldiers. Shi Le found it strange; wasn’t the lowered bridge advantageous to them?

Suddenly hearing the sound of hooves, he turned his head to see hundreds of riders charging quickly with whips raised.

He froze, staring back at Zhao Hanzhang who kept her distance, "You tricked me!"

Zhao Hanzhang smiled back at him, shouting, "Didn’t General Shi just trick me too?"

As the words fell, Shi Le charged at her fiercely, Zhao Hanzhang kicked her horse forward to meet him.

Shi Le was renowned for his strength, but Zhao Hanzhang countered with flexibility, transferring and deflecting force. Her spear seemed to curve, with strikes incredibly fast and precise, intercepting wherever Shi Le dodged, stabbing him multiple times within a few exchanges.

Gashes bled heavily from the holes on his body, Shi Le gazed at Zhao Hanzhang who appeared untouched, grinning with eyes glowing red, "Your hand’s grip is breaking, you’re losing strength."

Zhao Hanzhang felt her wrist numb and knew her strength was fading, yet remained calm and cool, "General Shi shouldn’t be too confident."

Drum sequences shifted rapidly on the fortress tower, Zhao Qianli hastened pace, slicing into the chaotic army side, cavalry decimating infantry as long as he didn’t get pulled down from his horse.

Following the drumbeat, Zhao Qianli stabbed into the chaotic army, momentarily hearing the drumbeat change, then didn’t break out but charged vertically before turning, slicing out from the same lateral direction...

The chaotic army split like a serpentine gap in the middle, pressure inside the fortress gate eased.

Up on the fortress, Fu Tinghan watched, noticing Zhao Hanzhang’s twitching hand and knew she might falter soon, turning to Zhao Ming, who was pounding the drums, and said, "Strike the nine sections, send Zhao Ju to aid Hanzhang..."