CHAPTER 1447: CHAPTER 1395: A BRIEF ENCOUNTER

"Has the army for the eastern campaign left?" A young man standing on the city tower sighed deeply as he watched Cai Yang lead the troops out of the city, "If Liu Ziyang were so easy to deal with, it would be nice. I wonder how much we’ll lose this time?"

After seeing Cai Yang off, the man stood there at the city tower gate for a long time before turning to leave. Though Cai Yang is destined to lose this battle, all current failures are but preparations for turning the tables at the last moment.

Even someone as shrewd as Liu Ye is uncertain about outmaneuvering the youth decisively. If the opponent is prepared, Liu Ye would only secure a small victory at best, which would only make the opponent more serious, and Cao Cao’s resources truly cannot compare to Liu Bei’s.

[Zhongde, next, let’s see your performance at Wancheng. Sun Ce is already making great strides on the Yangtze River. Now it’s our turn. Liu Xuande’s unbroken myth of invincibility is about to end.] The young man, after glancing southward, started to walk down the city.

In Chenliu City, after a long period of recuperation, Li Jin finally healed from the injuries inflicted by Lyu Bu, and his strength significantly improved compared to before.

If in the past, someone had severely injured him, Li Jin would definitely seek revenge afterwards, but since the opponent was Lyu Bu, Li Jin had no intention of confronting him. After using the Forbidden Technique, all he could do was lie down for such a long time.

Additionally, during his recovery, Li Jin heard that Lyu Bu had successfully ascended. Indeed, to heaven and earth, human morality counts for nothing, Li Jin contemplated. He had no interest in seeking revenge against Lyu Bu, as he hadn’t lived enough yet.

A super-strong being capable of Shattering the Void, Li Jin had no thoughts of provoking him. He was thankful the other party wasn’t seeking him out.

"Huh..." Li Jin turned his head to glance into the distance. He seemed to have seen someone just now, but when he turned, he saw nothing, leading him to pat his head, assuming it was just an illusion.

Meanwhile, Cai Yang, leading a thousand men in ambush at a valley through which Liu Ye’s army would pass, had no idea he was already being slowly encircled by Yu Jin and Chen Dao leading the flanking wings.

The northern and southern armies of Yongqiu and Pingqiu were actually just decoys, a tactic Liu Ye used to test the intelligence level of the generals of Chenliu City, as well as the overall level and troop command skills of the Cao Army.

If the opponent rushed directly to Yongqiu and Pingqiu, two cities would be handed over on a silver platter, and they would learn that Liu Ye’s main force was not on the southern, northern, or eastern routes but was instead heading to rescue Guan Yu.

People eat strategies matching their wit, Liu Ye knew very well. Fools fall for fool’s tricks. Using tactics intended for smart people against fools would only get you tricked.

Just like Zhao Yun’s empty camp strategy at the Battle of the Han River, had it been the brainless Xuu Chu on the other side, he would have charged in. However, smart people fall for that trick.

"It seems the opponent is neither very foolish nor very smart, which also makes sense." Upon receiving the ambush report from Chen Dao, Liu Ye thought aloud with a smile.

"Huh..." Originally hiding among the valley shrubs preparing to ambush Liu Ye’s army, Cai Yang stood up to observe Liu Ye’s marching direction, inadvertently glancing distantly, and suddenly broke into a cold sweat, soaking his collar.

As a master at Inner Qi Manifestation, Cai Yang had excellent vision, which allowed him, in that moment, to avoid a disaster, though Liu Ye had not expected the ambushing general would be Cai Yang.

"Everyone, retreat with me!" At this moment, Cai Yang could no longer conceal himself. If they didn’t flee, the extending enemy flanking wings would soon surround them, and then, even as an Inner Qi Manifestation warrior, Cai Yang would meet certain death, encased like a dumpling.

With a loud cry, Cai Yang mounted his horse, and though his soldiers were unaware of the reason, they followed Cai Yang towards the west. Being an Inner Qi Manifestation military general, Cai Yang had absolute prestige among the soldiers.

With a loud cry, Chen Dao, who was about to successfully encircle, realized the dumpling filling was about to escape. Immediately, he broke concealment, shouting mightily as he led the White Spear Soldiers trained by the Danyang Troops charging in the direction of the noise.

As for Yu Jin, it was an awkward moment. When Cai Yang shouted, he unleashed his fierce Inner Qi Manifestation. Alone, Yu Jin could intercept him, but would only sacrifice himself. Leading troops would be too slow.

"Charge with me and crush the enemy!" Yu Jin decisively made his choice, leading his army towards Cai Yang, trusting that his comrade Chen Dao could definitely impede Cai Yang.

Yu Jin and Chen Dao, each leading their own few hundred men, charged towards Cai Yang, while Cai Yang, leading his men in a mad dash, steadied himself with his Great Sword amassed with tremendous strength, striking at Chen Dao as he charged.

At this moment, a layer of colorless Inner Qi surged from Chen Dao. It was described as colorless because in Cai Yang’s eyes, the pressure from Chen Dao surged no less than his own.

An equally fierce Great Spear collided directly against Cai Yang’s Great Sword. Both, mounted, obviously swayed, but in the next moment, erupted with greater momentum, attacking each other further.

Cai Yang’s strikes grew heavier with each chop, and as his strikes gathered, a sharp aura formed around him, enough to cleave in all directions. After ten strikes, even the Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation of Chen Dao was pushed back nearly a yard, under the invincible momentum.

After forcing Chen Dao back, Cai Yang’s presence elevated once again, making Chen Dao feel as if a cutting wind passed through him just by looking at him. Yet, beneath Chen Dao’s calm exterior was great excitement, finally facing a worthy adversary on the battlefield!

"Boom!" Chen Dao, after being forced back, slammed right into Cai Yang’s momentum again, the fierce Great Spear crushed the momentum surging directly at him, once more clashing with Cai Yang.

As blade crossed with spear, both were shaken, then abruptly retreated, each turning to assault the other anew. The shrill sound of the Longblade tearing air collided with Chen Dao’s unwavering Great Spear, both clearly feeling the formidable force from each other.

However, by now Yu Jin had led his army, encircling Cai Yang’s men. Knowing this was not an ideal battleground, Cai Yang hesitated no longer, leading his remaining troops straight out of the encirclement. After sparring with Chen Dao, out of over a thousand soldiers, barely forty or fifty remained over tea time.

"How was it?" Yu Jin asked while watching as Chen Dao gazed distantly after Cai Yang.

"When we coordinated the ceasefire at Ye City, not clashing was truly regrettable." After a moment of silence, Chen Dao replied.