Can't a princess ascend the throne?

Chapter 237 Thunderbolt

The subordinate wanted to persuade him further, but after seeing his boss's almost insane face, he swallowed the words of advice that were already on the tip of his tongue. After all, seeing his side retreating step by step, he couldn't just stand by and watch his men get killed.
At a command, someone cautiously carried over a large, black earthenware jar. He didn't look like he was moving a secret weapon; rather, he looked like he was carrying some venomous snake or ferocious beast. His eyes were filled with fear. How could he not be afraid? This very thing he was holding had killed countless brothers during this time; it was terrifying.

"Find someone who's quick and agile, and make sure you aim carefully before you throw!"

"But boss, we can't tell which one is the real Nine Palaces. What if we pick the wrong carriage? This damned grain transport team has picked more than twenty identical carriages. If we make a mistake, wouldn't we be wasting the treasure we worked so hard to get?"

"Don't worry about that, just throw it at the very center. This thing is so powerful, even if it doesn't kill Ying Jiuque, it will cause chaos. Besides, look at all those people over there, even if they die, it's not a loss for us! Hurry up, go! Don't waste time."

In the short time it took to say just a few words, several of their brothers had been killed. These were soldiers he had raised one copper coin at a time. If they were to be killed here today, their master would surely skin them alive.

"Yes!"

Immediately, three nimble rebel soldiers rushed out, clutching the black earthenware pot tightly in their arms. Whether they were eager to get rid of what they were holding or genuinely wanted to obey Jiu Que's command, they were incredibly fearless. Those who cleared the way for them risked injury or even death to ensure that the men carrying the pot could get through.

Wei Yuan noticed the unusual situation immediately, so he simply drew the bow and arrow from his back, nocked the arrow, and shot the first earthenware pot with great accuracy.

"boom!"

The instant the earthenware pot was hit, bright sparks and blood erupted around the surviving soldier. Limbs and severed bodies were thrown into the air before crashing to the ground. Because the two sides were so close together, many people were hit by the blast and drenched in blood.

This sound was truly earth-shattering, startling both sides who were locked in combat, causing them to temporarily halt their actions in great fear. What was going on? Why did the sound sound so much like the Thunderbolt that appeared in the Worry-Free Cave before? But wasn't that thing strictly controlled by His Majesty? How could it appear on the border thousands of miles away?
Wei Yuan was even more furious. There was a traitor in the capital! What's more, as one of the few people in the know, the Thunderfire was something created by Jiu Que. He never expected that something she created would be used on her now. It was disgusting!
Those damned traitors!
Before the others could react, Wei Yuan aimed at the second earthenware pot. The rebel holding the pot reacted the instant the arrow was shot at him and tried to turn to block it, but Wei Yuan's archery skills were excellent. The arrow passed through his body, and the arrowhead emerged to pierce the large earthenware pot.

To ensure the best effect of the Thunderbolt, the sturdiest earthenware pot couldn't be used. Besides, these people didn't have a deep understanding of gunpowder; it's extremely unstable, especially under such a strong impact, and it simply exploded!
The second bang terrified the hesitant rebels, who fled in panic. With the first one taking the lead, the remaining rebels abandoned their stalemate on the battlefield and ran back one after another. No matter how desperately the rebel leader in the mountains roared, he couldn't stop his deserters.

As for the third one carrying the large earthenware jar, fearing he would be the next to be hit by an arrow, he simply put down what he was carrying and ran away.

His reaction was wise; at least it saved his life for the time being.

The rebel leader, standing in the forest, was furious. He drew his longsword and charged forward, striking the first subordinate who rushed towards him in the neck. The subordinate didn't even utter a sound; he was instantly dead. "Anyone who retreats will be executed!"

His menacing appearance, stained with blood, did indeed frighten the first group of rebels who were fleeing back. However, after a moment's reaction, they simply ran towards the other side of the valley. It must be said that even ants cling to life; at this moment, who cares where they run if they can save their lives? So, more and more people ran towards the valley.

Wei Yuan wanted to rush forward and stop the rebels, but those who remained were still locked in combat with the grain transport team. His first priority was to help Ying Jiuque behind him, so he forcibly restrained himself.

Just as more and more people were fleeing and the situation was gradually getting out of control, Jiu Que suddenly twitched his ears and looked ahead. Although there was a carriage between them, Jiu Que could keenly sense the thunderous sounds coming from the other side of the valley.

This is the kind of spectacle you only see when a massive army is charging in. Are these reinforcements or enemy troops?
The next moment, Jiu Que relaxed, because she could feel the sounds of fighting coming from the front of the valley. Since they were fighting with the fleeing rebels, it was obviously reinforcements.

Sure enough, after a short while, red figures riding steeds appeared and disappeared ahead. Keen-eyed observers recognized them immediately—it was the renowned Women's Army of the frontier!
Sure enough, this women's army was worried about General Ying Chongming's only descendant and came to pick him up.

The rebels, already terrified by the two previous thunderbolts, were now caught in a pincer attack, leaving them with no escape. In battle, the worst thing is for morale to drop; now, gripped by fear, their resolve crumbled, and they fled in panic. Wei Yuan, leading his well-equipped supply convoy, moved with incredible ease on the battlefield, quickly reuniting with the renowned women's army.

Despite the lingering traces of battle, Wei Yuan remained composed and respectfully bowed to his opponent.

"I am Wei Yuan. May I ask who this general is?"

Leading the group was a tall woman. Wei Yuan was already one of the tallest men in the group, but there was someone even taller than him. The female general in charge was nine feet tall, carrying two large purple-gold iron hammers, which were stained with blood. She wore a set of dark brown armor, and blood was still dripping from the cloak behind her.

Upon hearing the sound, the female general glanced at him casually, then looked towards the carriages behind her.

Was General Ying's daughter in those carriages? Although somewhat disappointed that General Ying's daughter was not as brave and skilled in battle as her mother, she was, after all, a young lady from a wealthy family raised in seclusion. It was already quite remarkable that she could overcome her fear and travel to the frontier.

(End of this chapter)