CHAPTER 1454: CHAPTER 1402: THE BATTLE OF CHANGPING – ATTACK AND DEFENSE

As Fengg Ji and Guo Tu timed their actions perfectly, successfully deceiving the Xianbei and entering Jundu Mountain from the astrologer before easily capturing the unguarded Juyong Pass, Zhang He of Bingzhou also made his move.

Although Zhang He did not understand why Sheni Pei would open the Juyong Pass to let the Xianbei in, he still chose to trust Sheni Pei when the situation arose.

Zhang He knew Sheni Pei’s pride; apart from Yuan Shao, Sheni Pei wouldn’t bow to anyone, let alone barbarians. However, the subsequent defeat shocked Zhang He and made him have ominous thoughts.

After passing Jundu Mountain, the terrain is flat—a fact acknowledged by everyone. Sheni Pei was defeated by the Xianbei, and the Xianbei displayed legion talent, which could no longer be termed as mere strategy.

Even so, Zhang He still believed that Sheni Pei had his own plans. However, given the circumstances, even knowing that Sheni Pei had prepared in advance, Zhang He couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.

Thus, upon confirming Sheni Pei was besieged in Changping, Zhang He led his cavalry squad, equipped with armor, to Youzhou Changping. Though he had only three thousand men, Zhang He was confident that even if completely surrounded by the Xianbei, he could break in and out three times!

At Juyong Pass, Guo Tu was leading Chen Peng and Hee Mao in defense preparations. The last battle in Youzhou would definitely be the Xianbei’s bloody battle northwards at Juyong, and even before departure, Sheni Pei had stated that no prisoners were needed this time; kill them all.

Therefore, the battlefield for this final battle needed to be prepared early to avoid issues arising at that time.

"Gong Ze, this place depends on you. Although our forces have gathered, there is still a significant gap compared to the Xianbei’s hundred thousand army." Fengg Ji rarely refrained from provoking Guo Tu.

"I know. The battle of Changping depends on you all, that fight is the most important. If we win decisively at Changping, the Xianbei retreating north will certainly die at the foot of Jundu Mountain." Guo Tu said after a moment of silence, "I will arrange everything here; you all hurry."

"The Xianbei will not receive news that we have captured Juyong Pass. As long as you guard this place well, there will be no issue." Fengg Ji said solemnly.

"It’s up to you then." Guo Tu respectfully bowed. This battle could truly affect the fate of the Yuan Clan. The reason Guo Tu didn’t contend with Fengg Ji was because they were near the moment of life and death. Dying at the hands of a strong man like Liu Bei is not shameful; what’s shameful is dying at the hands of outer barbarians like this vermin.

"I will launch the attack at the most opportune time." Fengg Ji said calmly. Sheni Pei entrusted the timing of the military campaign to Fengg Ji because Fengg Ji is very decisive when necessary.

"Farewell on your journey. Although I find you disagreeable, if you return alive, I’ll invite you for a drink." Guo Tu straightened his body and said earnestly.

"I will definitely return." Fengg Ji turned, waved his hand, and walked down the wall of Juyong Pass, then donned his battle armor and set off under Guo Tu’s gaze.

Several days after Fengg Ji and Zhang He set off, the situation in Changping had already started to shift in favor of the Xianbei.

The day before, the Xianbei warriors had even reached the city walls. After Sheni Pei was forced to use a backup squad to drive them down, both the Xianbei and Sheni Pei knew that Changping couldn’t hold out for much longer.

After all, to stabilize the Xianbei and prevent them from raiding, Changping was chosen as a fortress-like defense structure, and its walls weren’t particularly high. After several legion attacks, cracks had appeared in Changping’s walls.

Perhaps tomorrow, or maybe today, the fall of Changping City was almost inevitable. However, even for this reason, the Xianbei army did not change their attack despite lacking food; instead, they continued launching wave after wave of attacks on Changping.

"At most two days, Changping can last at most another two days. But if today that Xianbei inner qi manifestation personally leads the army in an assault, Changping can hold out for ten more days." Sheni Pei stood on the city wall in a sorry state, having just repelled the Xianbei once more shortly before.

"Strategist, let the last backup squad come up, otherwise, the next wave might break the city." Jiangh Yiqu’s precious sword had already chipped at its edge. He said to Sheni Pei with a disheveled figure, thanks to Jiangh Yiqu’s effective dispatch, Changping has held out for this long.

"Wait a bit longer. When did the last batch of Xianbei reinforcements arrive?" Sheni Pei looked at the weary Yuan Army soldiers sitting next to the wall’s bases and turned to Jiangh Yiqu and asked.

"The last batch of reinforcements appeared about last night." Jiangh Yiqu thought and said, "But if we don’t send in the last backup squad now, the city will really be breached."

"He’s here." Sheni Pei glanced at the Xianbei below assembling troops, spotting a tall, imposing Xianbei among them, who came into his view. This is the Xianbei, or the Northern Hun, possessing legion talent and inner qi manifestation. As for his name, no one has learned it yet.

"Archers, upper string! Gunners, ready!" Jiangh Yiqu’s extraordinary vision left him a bit chilled when he saw that Xianbei warrior, but Sheni Pei’s lips curled up; he knew this was expected.

"Yiqu, go notify the backup squad to be ready. You’ll soon understand why I haven’t let them take the field." Sheni Pei said with a cold smile. A teetering Changping was meant to let the opponent believe in a decisive victory.

Inner qi manifestation is certainly terrifying but not invincible. During a siege, when defenders lack preparation, it can allow an inner qi manifestation to exploit the situation, but in such scenarios, Sheni Pei has been waiting.

Jiangh Yiqu left and returned, with a squad of five hundred archers carrying longbows crouching on the wall—this is the gift Sheni Pei prepared for the opponent.

As the opponent drew bows and shot arrows, swift arrows came directly toward Sheni Pei, who stood coldly watching that black light. He didn’t even need to use spiritual capacity; just relying on the distortion of the cloud qi from the city, the arrows slid past him naturally without causing any harm.

To kill enemies inside a city during a siege with inner qi arrows amidst a cloud qi-ridden environment, even in Central Plains, few can achieve it. At Hulao Pass, even with Zhao Yun’s ferocity, most arrow showers were deflected.

Playing with bows and arrows during a siege, unless playing with quantity, trying to play with quality without reaching a certain realm is merely embarrassing.

Arrows shot forward, while the Xianbei warriors roared and charged at Changping. The inner qi manifestation followed casually behind the Xianbei soldiers, occasionally arrows directed at him but easily deflected.

Soon, the opponent accelerated up the siege cloud ladder, and whether attacking Xianbei or those shouting in camp, they loudly cheered. With just a few leaps, the opponent showed his head on the city wall.