The more you believe me, the more real it becomes.

Chapter 168 He can even bewitch me?! (4k)

After nightfall, the five thousand cavalrymen, who had been ordered to rest in place, set off under cover of darkness.

The plan is to intercept the other side before they can drive away and kill the disaster victims.

Without a word spoken that night, they indeed found the slowly advancing army in Yishui County.

"They really are here!"

Looking down at the army that snaked like a serpent, Wang Pingzhang, finally snapping out of his daze after hearing those words, felt a sense of lightness wash over him.

He was genuinely afraid of making the wrong bet and losing everything.

After all, the immortal lord had invited a blockhead like himself to take on the heavy responsibility of rescuing the people of the southwest!

If he's wrong, he might just jump straight off this cliff!

Thankfully, no!

The elegantly dressed young man also exclaimed in admiration:
"Uncle, you have the talent of a general!"

After wiping away his cold sweat, a relieved Wang Pingzhang finally held up the wisp of bright yellow flame and asked:
"Nephew, how should we use this treasure bestowed by the immortal?"

He was completely stunned at the time and couldn't remember anything. So when he got here, he belatedly realized that he hadn't asked how to use this treasure.

Following Wang Pingzhang's actions, the thousands of cavalrymen behind him also kept looking at the celestial treasure.

The elegantly dressed young man said with great certainty:
"Since the senior says to just throw it over, then we'll do as he says!"

He has been cultivating for a long time and has seen more than a million different kinds of magical treasures.

Therefore, it is very clear that this kind of treasure must be used in accordance with the instructions.

Otherwise, if it doesn't work, that's the least of the consequences.

"Oh, so, is it for the main army, or for Zhang Wei?"

This question stumped the elegantly dressed young man. After a moment's thought, he said:
"The most likely course of action would be to throw it into the army, but the safest option would still be to use it on Zhang Wei, wouldn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Pingzhang immediately said:

"In that case, I'll find a way to capture Zhang Wei!"

"Uncle, what do you mean?"

Wang Pingzhang didn't speak, but just smiled slightly at him.

Then, raising his arm, he shouted to the army behind him:

"Brothers, the lives and fortunes of all the people in the entire Southwest are now in our hands! Tell me, do you dare to fight for them!"

The army marched out of its camp, primarily for the sake of a meager supply of food and provisions.

What about family and country, what about righteousness? They're all just empty words.

But it's different now.

This cavalry brigade, like Wang Pingzhang, consists of people who have become numb to the human tragedies in this godforsaken place.

Because they were all from truly humble backgrounds, they were actually more empathetic than Wang Pingzhang.

Even after seeing many heartless people, one can't help but wonder what a tragedy it would be if their hometown were like that.

Previously, they had been just like him, knowing they couldn't do anything, so they remained indifferent.

But now, they all know they are fighting for something hopeful and absolutely right.

Therefore, when Wang Pingzhang shouted, the thousands of cavalrymen responded in unison:

"dare!"

Its power shook the mountains and its vastness was like the sea.

"Then go!"

With a loud laugh, the cavalrymen instantly sprang into action.

They headed straight for the army at the foot of the mountain.

They saw five thousand elite cavalry approaching menacingly ahead.

Zhang Wei cursed loudly upon seeing this:

"That damned Wang Pingzhang! He's really rebelled! Tell the front lines, no matter how many die, hold them off! If we hold them off, they're doomed!"

Throughout history, cavalry has had a natural advantage over infantry, but this advantage is based on the fact that cavalry possesses far greater mobility than their opponents.

This gives them the option to choose the battlefield at any time.

It was not a case of cavalry recklessly charging into a prepared infantry formation.

Admittedly, a mountain of cavalry charging head-on is terrifying and formidable. But as long as they overcome their fear and successfully hold their ground, not to mention the menacing army formation, the corpses on the ground and even the charging cavalry themselves will be their own deaths.

Cavalry is formidable, and any nation, given the opportunity, will try its best to cultivate a powerful cavalry force.

Even the most powerful unit cannot be deployed alone.

Wang Pingzhang's army consisted entirely of cavalry, prioritizing speed and targeting a group of disaster victims.

Now they are fighting against a fully-equipped infantry brigade.

Therefore, even though Zhang Wei was extremely angry, he remained incredibly confident.

Although the area isn't particularly narrow, it's still situated between two mountains, leaving both sides with only one option: to face each other.

He is not afraid of being harassed by the other party.

If anyone dares to come, he'll show Wang Pingzhang the difference between a noble young master and a true general.

Just as they were all ready to go, they suddenly saw the approaching cavalry suddenly stop.

Then Wang Pingzhang rode forward alone and shouted at him:
“Zhang Wei, although we have different opinions now, we were once comrades-in-arms. So I ask you, do you dare to come out and fight me one-on-one? If I win, you can go back the way you came. If I lose, even without me as the leader, you can definitely take these brothers back with you.”

"So, do you dare to come?"

Looking at Wang Pingzhang challenging him from the front, Zhang Wei thought the guy had gone mad.

Their military officers naturally practiced martial arts and honed their skills, after all, even great generals had times when they had to personally engage in battle.

Meanwhile, junior and mid-ranking officers were constantly fighting alongside their troops on the front lines.

But the idea of ​​generals fighting one-on-one on the battlefield is something that only exists in stories!
So he shouted directly:

"Wang Pingzhang, what's wrong with you? You betrayed your country and surrendered to the enemy first, and now you're saying such stupid things. If you're crazy, just kill yourself and don't drag your brothers and your Langya Wang clan down with you!"

"Or is it that it's not you who's rebelling, but your Langya Wang clan?!"

The more Zhang Wei talked, the more he felt this way.

Otherwise, why would Wang Pingzhang suddenly go mad and defect to the enemy?

But Wang Pingzhang simply waved his hand, causing the cavalry behind him to retreat another hundred paces.

"Zhang Wei, we're comrades-in-arms, so I'm asking you, do you dare to fight me one-on-one?"

Does he really think that way?
Zhang Weiren was completely dumbfounded.

Several captains beside him also said:

"General, that thief is all alone now. Let's ride out of the formation quickly and capture him!"

"No, if there are too many of you, he'll definitely turn around immediately. It's over a hundred paces; how could you possibly catch up?"

"Then we'll go into battle alone. General, rest assured, I will definitely capture him!"

Zhang Wei was about to nod when he heard Wang Pingzhang shout:
"Zhang Wei, do you truly have no regard for the bonds of brotherhood?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei's heart skipped a beat.

No, he's not crazy, he's seeking death!
He knew he was wrong and didn't want to implicate his five thousand brothers, but he had no choice but to do so due to family circumstances.

So he did this on purpose!
This is credit that came to us on our own initiative!
Zhang Wei, suddenly realizing what was happening, was overjoyed. He then shouted:
"Very well! Our gentlemanly pact has been made; today, life and death will be decided between the two of us!"

Seeing Zhang Wei truly going into battle alone, Wang Pingzhang's lips curled into a slight smile. Zhang Wei was a man who excelled at finding stability amidst danger, but also loved to take a risky move even when things were going smoothly.

He probably thought that even if they really had to fight one-on-one, how could he, a poor boy who was promoted by the general, possibly lose to me, a scion of a noble family who rose to power through family background?

As soon as the two sides met, Wang Pingzhang said apologetically:
"Brother Zhang, I'm so sorry!"

Zhang Wei thought he was referring to his defection, and immediately waved his hand in response:
"Don't worry, my dear brother, I understand. And from today onwards, I will definitely find a way to protect your wife and children! But, shall we have a fight first?"

Wang Pingzhang nodded with pleasure.

The two sides immediately engaged in a fierce battle. After several rounds, Zhang Wei, feeling numbness in his hands, could only lament that he had underestimated this scion of a powerful family.

Suddenly, he realized that after his opponent dodged his shot, he actually threw away the spear in his hand.

This delighted Zhang Wei; they had indeed come to their deaths!
No sooner had a look of joy appeared on his lips than that blockhead spurred his horse forward and charged.

'What's this blockhead trying to do?!'

Because the two sides were too close, he didn't have time to swing his spear.

They could only watch helplessly as the other side approached.

Then, with one hand reaching out and clamping his arm, he shouted and pulled him and his armor over with one hand!

You're a seasoned veteran, but am I not?!

"what?!"

After a violent impact to his abdomen, Zhang Wei realized that he had changed horses and a dagger was being pressed against his neck.

"Brother Zhang, I'm so sorry!"

After saying that, Wang Pingzhang turned his horse around and, before anyone could react, rode straight towards the cavalry behind him.

Such a scene startled Zhang Weibu, who was unable to catch up.

Zhang Wei was so shocked that he cursed repeatedly:

"Wang Pingzhang, you are despicable and shameless! You actually deceived me!"

This guy didn't come to his death willingly; he came for him!

How hateful that I was blinded by the credit! I did such a stupid thing!
But how come this blockhead is so brave?
Isn't he a spoiled brat who rose to power because of his family background?

Zhang Wei dared to come out not only because he thought he had guessed the truth, but also because he believed that Wang Pingzhang, a spoiled brat who had risen through the ranks because of his family background, could not possibly be his match.

Can bear fruit.
Wang Pingzhang didn't explain, he just led his cavalry in a headlong rush.

Once they emerged from the ravine, their view was no longer obstructed by the mountains, and they were far enough away from Zhang Wei's troops who could not catch up.

He had just shouted:
"Good nephew!"

"Uncle, your nephew has arrived!"

What nephew?
Zhang Wei turned around and saw a donkey-like face come into view first.

The next moment, a flickering flame rushed towards us.

"Someone surnamed Wang?!"

Thinking he was disfigured, Zhang Wei struggled a few times on horseback before going still.

Because he also saw the magnificent fire soaring into the sky!
At the same time, Zhang Wei, Wang Pingzhang, and the elegantly dressed young man nearby all vaguely heard a muffled sound coming from the horizon—"Huh?!"

Looking at Zhang Wei, who was stunned.

Only after he knew it was done did Wang Pingzhang put him down from the horse.

Zhang Wei was also pointing incoherently at the towering fireworks, and then at Wang Pingzhang, babbling incoherently.

Seeing this, Wang Pingzhang immediately followed the feeling brought by the immortal and said to Zhang Wei:

"Brother Zhang, the urgent report is true! That's not some sorcerer, that's a genuine immortal! We're the ones being deceived by their sorcery!"

Zhang Wei was stunned, and was about to retort, when he saw Wang Pingzhang quickly step forward, grab his hand, and stare straight at him, saying:
“Brother Zhang, you have the well-being of the people in your heart, and you will surely act impartially and bring benefits to the region.”

"Now, are you willing to join us in considering the well-being of the people?!"

Before he could react, another sentence came out:
"Brother Zhang, elder brother! The lives and well-being of the people of the world are now entirely in your hands!!!"

Zhang Wei never knew how he got back to headquarters.

His mind was filled with the towering fireworks and Wang Pingzhang's words.

Until the surrounding officers rushed over to inquire:

"General, Wang Pingzhang's troops have retreated thirty miles, and there are thousands of disaster victims around. What do you think, should we first disperse the disaster victims or..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei immediately shouted:

"No, we can't let the people suffer!"

"Then, General, what do we do?"

Coming to his senses, Zhang Wei smiled and looked at his subordinates, saying:
"Let's follow Wang Pingzhang!"
-
The atmosphere in the camp was as cold and still as stagnant water.

All the generals stared in disbelief at the scout who had come to report.

After a long silence, a lieutenant asked:
"You mean, Zhang Weibu also defected?"

Who is Zhang Wei? He was promoted by the general from among his own personal guards!

It's fair to say that even though they doubted themselves, they never doubted that Zhang Wei would betray them.

The scout, steeling himself, said:

"Absolutely true! I personally witnessed General Zhang Wei, no, it was Zhang Wei leading his troops to join forces with Wang Pingzhang's troops!"

Everyone wore incredibly expressive faces at that moment.

Does this mean whoever is sent there will surrender?

So, does that sorcerer really have some magic powers?

Otherwise, why would anyone who went surrender?
They betrayed us without even fighting a single battle!

Therefore, in an indescribable atmosphere, everyone turned to look at the general sitting high on the throne.

The veteran also frowned deeply.

Finally, he stood up and said:
"I will personally go and confront this sorcerer!"

Upon hearing this, everyone hurriedly tried to dissuade him:

"General, you mustn't! The enemy's situation is unclear right now. How can we move the central camp so rashly?"

"Yes, General, even if we must move, we must proceed slowly to avoid being attacked by the enemy! We cannot afford to be caught between two fronts!"

The old general exhaled a long breath and said:

"I know, I know everything, but Wang Pingzhang, Zhang Wei, and how many other disaster victims were there that day... have you counted how many people there were?"

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in shock.

How could I forget this?!
Wang Pingzhang had 5,000 elite cavalry, Zhang Wei had 20,000 veteran soldiers, and in addition, there were at least several hundred thousand disaster victims who were well-fed and ready to serve as soldiers.

They were already overwhelmed with both ends!

"Pass down the order: leave the camp untouched, only take the provisions and weapons. Han Song, you will leave two thousand troops behind as a diversionary force to mislead the enemy and support the vanguard. You will also set off two days after the main army departs."

Finally, the old general, his face grim, looked towards the direction of Cold Pine Mountain and said:

"Let me see for myself what this sorcerer is capable of that he has managed to bewitch two of my esteemed generals time and time again!"

With a slap, the sand flags on the table swayed for a moment.

He managed to maintain a relatively stable situation in the southwest, preventing the war from spreading to other prefectures and counties.

But these damned Taoist priests keep popping up and ruining his plans. They're a bunch of beasts who don't care about their country!
He wanted to see for himself whether this damned sorcerer could even bewitch him!
(End of this chapter)