Tang Dynasty: Starting with 3,000 elite cavalry, a bloody battle to retake the city.

A furious roar shattered the silence!

Just as his consciousness was about to completely vanish, he heard a series of war songs ringing in his ears!

It wasn't a student's voice...

It's a new voice!

It is the roar of even more men!

They are the sons of Han, they have returned in triumph!

They're compatriots, here for revenge!!

His eyes are already blind, and his ears are gradually becoming deaf.

But the smile on his lips grew deeper and more serene.

In his last moments of awareness on earth, he heard hope.

I heard it! The thunderous roar of iron hooves shattering the frost!

enough.

Even if I die, I will have no regrets!

……

"kill!!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill—!!"

"Pfft! Pfft!"

On the execution platform, blood rained down.

The Turkic barbarians wielded their swords with swift, decisive strokes, slaughtering the Han Chinese people as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

They laughed wildly, their laughter savage and menacing, as if Youzhou City had become their hunting ground.

"wind--!"

"Strong wind—!"

"The great wind returns! The soul of Han returns—!!"

Suddenly, from the depths of the street, a desolate song ripped through the sky!

His voice was like tearing silk, every word dripping with blood!

The Turkic soldiers on the execution platform were all stunned, and their laughter stopped abruptly.

What was that sound?!

Wasn't Youzhou already captured? Weren't all the people in the city slaughtered long ago?!

What?! Someone actually dares to sing this?!

Shi Keming's pupils contracted, his gaze sweeping over like a hawk's: "Go and take a look."

One of the barbarian soldiers hesitated for a moment, but eventually stepped forward.

But they had only walked three zhang (approximately 10 meters) –

"General, the enemy..."

Before he could finish speaking—

"Whoosh—!!"

A long spear flashed out from the dark alley, swift as lightning and with the force to shatter the sky!

The spearhead pierced his mouth and exploded from the back of his head, splattering red and white blood everywhere!

The corpse was nailed to the ground, twitched twice, and then remained still.

"What the hell?!"

Shi Keming suddenly looked up, his eyes bulging!

Right under his nose, one of his soldiers was shot through the skull?!

impossible!

There should be no one left in this city capable of fighting! How could an army suddenly appear?!

His throat tightened, and he was still not fully conscious—

"Enemy attack!! Enemy attack!!"

The moment the roar was uttered—

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

"Tap! Tap! Tap!"

The thunderous sound of horses' hooves rolled across the ground, surging from the depths of the streets and alleys!

One after another, dark figures burst out from the blood mist!

Clad in iron armor, the warhorse was as black as ink, the blades gleamed with a cold light, and the bowstring was taut like a snake's tongue!

Those are Death's cavalry, returning from hell!

And the one in the lead—

The white clothes were stained with blood, like fallen petals covered in snow.

Han Ye rode slowly, his face expressionless, but his eyes were so cold they could freeze one's soul.

With each step closer, the air seemed to freeze.

"This...is...a Han Chinese?!"

Shi Keming finally saw it clearly, and the hairs on his body stood on end!

But those survivors kneeling on the execution platform had already broken down in tears!

His eyes bulged, and tears of blood streamed down his face!

"They're here...they're really here!!"

"Master—Master!! Can you hear me?!"

"Our people are back!!"

Some people knelt on the ground and wept bitterly, while others struggled to their feet and roared, their voices heart-wrenching.

Han Ye's gaze swept over the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and his eyes blazed with a chilling light.

He spurred his horse forward and stopped beside the nailed corpse of the barbarian soldier.

Reach out and grasp the spear shaft—the Azure Dragon Spear!

"Zheng—!!"

Pull hard!

Blood gushed out, splattering his sleeves crimson.

He raised his hand and gently wiped the tip of the gun; beads of blood slid down his wrist.

Then, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at Shi Keming.

The voice was icy, each word distinct and clear:

"You... slaughter my people and humiliate my land."

"Now—it's my turn."

At that very moment, Han Ye led three thousand Tiger Leopard Iron Cavalry, like a dark cloud pressing down, sweeping in with the force of thunder!

The thunder of hooves shook the earth, and dust billowed into the sky!

Those previously arrogant and domineering Turkic cavalrymen instantly turned pale, their pupils shrinking sharply—

They are afraid!

It wasn't the number of people, but the overwhelming killing intent that swept over us, as if a demon had crawled out of hell and descended upon the world!

In terms of momentum, they have been completely crushed!

Even more terrifying was that... flames were flashing all around, and shouts of battle rose and fell!

"We're surrounded!" someone whispered, trembling.

"Gurgle..."

Shi Keming swallowed hard, his throat bobbing, and forced a show of force, shouting sternly, "Insolence! Who are you?! I am the vanguard general personally appointed by the Turkic Khan! How dare you invade my ranks? You have no regard for your lives!"

Before the words were finished—

"boom!!"

A dark shadow streaked through the air!

Han Ye made a move!

Without uttering a word, he spurred his horse forward like thunder, the warhorse soaring like a dragon from the abyss, tearing through the sky in an instant!

"die!!"

A roar, hoarse like a ghostly wail, shook the very core of one's being!

Holding the Azure Dragon Spear, he rode alone on horseback, like a divine warrior descending from the heavens, and strode straight onto the execution platform!

The spearhead cleaved through the sky, leaving a trail of crimson light, its sharpness reaching its peak!

In that instant, the world seemed to fall silent!

"No...no—!!"

Shi Keming finally saw who it was, and he was terrified. He screamed for mercy and hastily raised his knife to block!

But the next moment—

"boom!!"

The Azure Dragon Spear slammed down furiously, its tip like a soul-devouring fang, piercing straight through his chest!

"puff--!"

Blood gushed out, and the corpse was forcibly lifted three zhang high, suspended above the spear, swaying in the wind!

Blood rained down, staining the execution platform, the flags, and countless eyes red.

In the cold wind, Han Ye slowly raised his face, revealing only a pair of extremely cold eyes beneath the ghost mask.

His voice was hoarse yet clear, each word etched into the bone like a knife:

"I am a Han Chinese."

boom--!!!

These words resonated like a thunderclap in the hearts of every Han Chinese!

The people of the Tang Dynasty, the captured soldiers, the elderly, women and children imprisoned in the streets... everyone stood there stunned, trembling all over!

Her eyes instantly turned red, and tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably!

"We...won?"

Someone murmured, as if in disbelief.

The next second, she burst into tears!

Won!

We really won!

Not only did they survive, they also personally beheaded the enemy general!

A Turkic general who once ravaged Youzhou and slaughtered its people, just like that, he's dead?!

To die at the hands of a general wearing a ghost mask?!

All the Han people had bloodshot eyes and their blood was boiling like magma!

As they looked at that figure standing tall with his spear, it was as if they saw the heroic spirit of Huo Qubing, who went beyond the Great Wall and sealed the wolf's lair a thousand years ago, returning to the world!

Those Turkic cavalrymen were already terrified!

Their proudest general couldn't even last a single move against the enemy!

"Retreat...retreat...seek aid from the Khan..."

Shi Keming, hanging high on the tip of a gun, uttered his last words, blood constantly spilling from the corner of his mouth.

That sound became a death knell.

"Run! Run now—!"

"Assemble outside the pass! Run!"

"Leave Youzhou! We can't stay!!"

In an instant, the Turkic cavalry scattered and fled like ants, crying out for their parents, showing no will to fight!

Can--

"Bang!"

Han Ye glanced at them coldly and suddenly swung his spear!

Shi Keming's body crashed heavily to the ground, splattering a cloud of blood mist.

He stood on the high platform, his voice as sharp as ice scraping bone:

"Trying to leave?"

"Issue the order—close all four gates! From this day forward, massacre the entire city of Youzhou! Every Turkic barbarian, regardless of age or gender, kill them all without mercy!"

"kill!!"

The order fell like thunder!

Three thousand Tiger and Leopard Iron Cavalry roared in unison, their armor clanking as they surged like a black tide, rushing towards all parts of the city!

Screams and wails echoed everywhere—in the streets, alleyways, city walls, and government offices!

Those Turkic cavalrymen who had just turned to flee were surrounded and beheaded on the spot before they even reached the city gate!

Heads rolled into the middle of the street, and blood flowed into streams, gurgling through the cracks in the stone slabs!

The entire Youzhou region was no longer a human realm.

It is purgatory.

It is a blood-red graveyard that belongs exclusively to the Turks!

"Aaaaaah—Help!! General, spare me—!"

"Impossible! Who are you?! Where did these soldiers come from?!"

"Khan...save me...pfft—!"

The cries of agony rose and fell, only to be extinguished one by one by the even more ruthless sounds of killing.

A flash of blade, and a head falls.

Gunfire streaks past, corpses litter the streets.

Wherever the three thousand iron cavalry passed, the Turks fell like straw, blood soaked the city walls, and corpses piled up like mountains!

The cities they once burned, killed, and looted will now be repaid with their blood and flesh!

This Youzhou, which once became a hellish place, has finally begun to retaliate!

It was not Han Chinese who died.

The invaders are dying!

The night wind howled past, carrying the stench of blood, and the entire city seemed to transform into a colossal beast awakening, devouring the souls of the invaders piece by piece.

Han Ye stood on the high platform, his Azure Dragon Spear pointing diagonally at the ground, blood droplets slowly dripping down the blade.

He gazed at the city engulfed in flames, a slight smile playing on his lips beneath his mask.

This revenge has only just begun.

Youzhou is back!

The city, once inhabited by the Han people, was finally recaptured by the sword of the Han people!

On the execution platform, the surviving civilians sat slumped in pools of blood, trembling all over, yet still alive.

Deep in the city's alleys, the survivors who had been hiding among piles of corpses and in cracks in the walls finally dared to push aside the wooden planks and stagger out of the darkness.

The wind, carrying the stench of blood, swept past the broken walls and ruins.

At that moment, all eyes—whether old, weak, women, children, or soldiers covered in blood—were fixed on the figure standing on the high platform.

Han Ye.

Iron armor still on, a demon mask covering his face, a long sword hanging to the ground, dripping with the black blood of the enemy.

"Thank you... General!"

Someone let out the first roar, the voice dry and hoarse like tearing silk.

Immediately afterwards, tens of thousands shouted in unison, and the landscape changed color—

"Thank you, General!"

"Thank you, General!"

The sound surged skyward, shaking the roof tiles and causing them to fall in a rustling sound, as if the entire Youzhou was trembling in this mournful cry.

Three thousand elite cavalrymen continued to mop up the remaining enemies in the streets and alleys; where swords flashed, only the wails of barbarians could be heard.

But at this moment, they are no longer cold-blooded killing machines.

In the eyes of the people, they are divine soldiers, an iron torrent that saves the world.

And Han Ye—

He was no longer some unknown general.

He is the Ghost-Faced General in the hearts of the people of Youzhou, a living war god who walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood!

"General?"

Han Ye whispered, his voice hoarse as if it had been ground against gravel.

He is not a general.

At the very least, it shouldn't be.

But when those two words were uttered from the mouths of thousands of people, the heavy weight pressed down on his shoulders, almost causing him to bend over.

This is not glory, it is a debt of life.

It is a responsibility bought with the lives of countless people.

Half an hour later, Youzhou fell into complete silence.

Not a single living Turk was ever seen again.

Only the corpses lying in the streets, layer upon layer, their blood soaking through the blue bricks, dyed the night sky dark red.

Under the stars and moon, one could almost hear Commander Lou Yuanbo's dying words: "I am a Han Chinese, and I have no regrets even in death!"

It was as if the lingering spirit of Confucius was chanting: "How can we say we have no clothes? We share the same robes with you!"

The mournful song has not yet ended, its lingering melody still echoes around the rafters.

A city, now only marked by pain and fire.

"General, the massacre of the city is complete."

A cavalryman returned, his horse foaming at the mouth and his armor torn apart.

Han Ye stood atop the city wall, the wind whipping past, his eyes beneath the mask unwavering as iron: "What are the casualties?"

"Thirty-seven were killed in action, and all have been buried."

He sustained more than ten minor injuries, but was still able to wield a weapon.

Han Ye nodded slowly.

Much better than expected.

It was already a miracle that they were able to break through the city and rescue people before the main Turkic force collapsed.

Just as he was about to order a rest, a piercing roar suddenly came from outside the city walls—

"Captain—!!"

"Turkic cavalry ambushed and forced the evacuation of civilians!! Calling for help!!"

A figure scrambled up the city wall, covered in blood, half an ear missing, his eyes filled with terror.

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

The next moment, his anger exploded!

"What?! Killing these beasts wasn't enough, they wanted to exterminate them all?!"

"I'll curse your ancestors for eighteen generations! I'll fight them to the death!!"

The crowd erupted in a frenzy, their eyes bloodshot, and many grabbed broken swords and rushed toward the city gate!

Only Han Ye remained as still as a frozen pool.

He didn't speak, he just raised his hand.

Beneath the mask, a glint flashed in his eyes, cold enough to freeze a blade.

"Reorganize the army."

"Let's go immediately."

"yes!"

Three thousand iron cavalrymen behind him responded in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Moments later, the thunder of iron hooves roared, and billowing dust filled the air.

Three thousand masked cavalrymen, all clad in black armor and riding black horses, their masks menacing, were like the gates of hell being opened as they charged toward the bloody road to the north!

"Tap! Tap! Tap—"

The horses' hooves struck the earth like the footsteps of death, grinding away step by step toward the fleeing people in the distance.

The people stood at the city gate, watching the black torrent disappear into the distance, and no one spoke.

Some people knelt down, and some people cried out.

They knew—

This army, once again, led them into the battlefield.

The scout who had just returned was stunned.

He stared at Han Ye's retreating figure, murmuring, "Who...is he?"

After a long silence, an old man wiped away a tear and said in a hoarse voice, "Nobody knows his name."

"But we call him—"

"The Ghost-Faced General".

"He is our Ghost General."

"It was he who dragged Youzhou back from hell."

The scout froze, muttering under his breath, "The Ghost-Faced General...?"

When did the Tang Dynasty acquire such a formidable general, akin to Yama?

……

The next morning.

Han Ye led his troops away, leaving only a few soldiers to guard the ruined city.

Youzhou has become a dead city.

Corpses littered the fields, rivers of blood flowed solidified, and the wind blew through the empty streets, echoing like a mournful lament.

The entire city looked as if it had been ravaged by blood; even the cracks between the bricks were tinged with a dark red.

"It really has taken a heavy toll on its vitality..."

On the city wall, a young man leaned against the ruins, gazing at the devastation, and sighed softly.

His name is Shitou (Stone), he has no surname or given name, and he has been an orphan since childhood.

Last night, if Han Ye hadn't personally led his cavalry into the execution ground, he would have long since become an unnamed corpse under the Turkic blade.

survived.

Kexin felt pain worse than death.

Thinking of the scene where Commandant Lou Yuanbo set himself on fire, and of the Master leaping into the flames with his books in his arms...

Shi Tou gritted his teeth, his nails digging deep into his palms.

Youzhou is now empty.

It has also weakened.