The Prodigal Son

The sounds of fierce fighting gradually subsided, and the battle was essentially over.

Led by Yuan Dingguo and others, the Daning cavalry cleaned up the battlefield and treated the wounded.

On the vast battlefield, only the Chu master remained, stubbornly resisting.

His breathing was disordered, and his clothes were already soaked in blood. Anyone with eyes could see that he was at his last gasp.

But he stubbornly clung to his last breath and refused to collapse.

It wasn't that he still possessed fighting strength, but rather that Ning Huang didn't want to kill him.

Ning Huang deliberately left him to practice on Zeng Guan.

Ning Huang did not participate in the battle; he merely stood by and watched over Zeng Guan.

After Nan Que'er quickly bandaged Qin Yu's wound, Qin Yu eagerly ran over to watch the battle.

Although the Chu master was seriously injured, a master is still a master.

Even under such circumstances, Zeng Guan was somewhat exhausted and almost killed several times. Fortunately, Ning Huang was able to block the fatal blows for him in time each time.

boom!

The Chu master attempted to kill Zeng Guan again but failed, and immediately began to flee.

However, he was fast, but Ning Huang was even faster.

"Get the hell back here!"

Ning Huang unleashed a single slash, forcing the fleeing Chu Kingdom grandmaster back.

Taking advantage of this moment, Zeng Guan attacked again.

Enraged, the Chu master was forced to engage Zeng Guan in another fierce battle while seeking an opportunity to escape.

However, Ning Huang kept a close eye on him.

Every time he tried to escape, Ning Huang forcefully intercepted him.

After several more rounds of back and forth, the Chu Grandmaster was completely exhausted. Leaning on his longsword, he knelt on the ground, panting heavily, his chest heaving violently, and roared angrily, "Ning the Madman! We are both Grandmasters, kill me if you want, why humiliate me like this?"

He was a grand master of the State of Chu, holding a high position and respected by all.

Now it's being treated like a plaything, used as a practice tool by a junior.

This kind of humiliation is more unbearable than death.

"Don't give me that crap!"

Ning Huang snorted coldly, his nostrils flaring: "Either surrender and serve my Great Ning! Or, be his practice subject!"

"There are only grandmasters who die in battle, not grandmasters who surrender!"

The Chu master, enraged, retorted, "Though I am no match for you, I still have my pride!"

"You're willing to have any self-respect, but I'll see if I'm going to give it to you!"

Ning Huang, with an arrogant expression, snorted, "A grandmaster of the Chu Kingdom, being played with like a prostitute? You still have the nerve to talk about your reputation? Surrender now, or I'll cut off your testicles and make you sisters with that testicleless bastard Guo Yang!"

"..."

Hearing Ning Huang's words, Qin Yu couldn't help but twitch his lips, but he was also secretly curious.

This seemed to be the second time he had heard something similar.

Why does it feel like Ning Huang harbors a deep-seated hatred for Guo Yang?

Hearing Ning Huang's insidious words, the Chu Grandmaster flew into a rage: "Ning the Madman! Don't push your luck!"

"I'm just kidding!"

Ning Huang looked arrogant.

"I'll fight you to the death!"

The Chu master was furious. With his last bit of strength, he suddenly stood up and charged toward Ning Huang with a determination to die together with him.

Ning Huang scoffed and immediately drew his sword.

Faced with Ning Huang's imposing strike, the Chu master advanced instead of retreating, heading straight for Ning Huang's blade.

not good!

Ning Huang realized something was wrong and tried to sheathe his sword, but it was too late.

puff……

The blade flashed across the neck of the Chu master.

As blood gushed forth, the Chu master fell into the muddy ground mixed with blood, a victorious smile still on his face.

Dying under Ning Huang's blade can be considered a fitting end to his status as a grandmaster.

Watching the Chu master slowly close his eyes, Ning Huang gradually withdrew the contempt on his face, beckoned Zeng Guan forward, and said, "This man has been the subject of your training for so long, you should dig a hole and bury him yourself..."

He certainly did not disgrace the title of Grandmaster!

It's much better than Guo Yang's worthless nonsense!

As Ning Huang was speaking, a trickle of blood suddenly spilled from the corner of his mouth.

Upon seeing this, Zeng Guan immediately asked with concern, "Senior Ning, are you injured?"

"I just accidentally bit my tongue!"

Ning Huang snorted coldly, his nostrils flaring, and walked to the side, sitting down on a damp bluestone to meditate.

He did suffer some internal injuries, not minor, but not serious either.

However, he had been stubbornly resisting in order to intimidate the Chu master.

Although Zeng Guan understood, he didn't press the matter further and could only silently go to the side to dig a hole.

Taking the opportunity, Qin Yu moved closer to Zeng Guan and asked with a gossipy look, "Does Senior Ning have a grudge against Guo Yang?"

"He can mention Guo Yang all he wants, but you absolutely mustn't mention Guo Yang in front of him, or he'll slap you!"

Zeng Guan reminded Qin Yu, glancing at Ning Huang out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that Ning Huang hadn't noticed them, he lowered his voice and said, "He and Guo Yang used to be friends, and he even owes Guo Yang a favor! Back then, in the Battle of Wuguan, our Great Ning originally planned to ambush Tuoba Liuyun with four Grandmasters. It was a sure win! But at the crucial moment, Guo Yang didn't show up..."

In the end, Da Ning had no choice but to send three Grandmasters to fight Tuoba Liuyun.

The result was that one died and one was injured, and Qin Fumeng was also knocked down from the Grandmaster realm.

Guo Yang arrived late, after Tuoba Liuyun had fled wounded.

No one knew why Guo Yang was late, and Guo Yang himself did not explain, only saying that he was delayed by something.

Because Ning Huang owed Guo Yang a favor, he didn't kill Guo Yang, but he did completely break ties with Guo Yang.

From then on, Guo Yang became known in Ning Huang's eyes as "a worthless piece of trash."

Even in front of the Empress Dowager, Ning Huang would point at Guo Yang's nose and call him a "castrated dog".

Guo Yang knew he was in the wrong, so he never talked back to Ning Huang's insults, but tried to avoid meeting Ning Huang as much as possible.

After understanding the cause and effect of the matter, Qin Yu suddenly realized what had happened.

No wonder Ning Huang had such a strong opinion about Guo Yang!

If Guo Yang had arrived in time for the appointment, Tuoba Liuyun would not have survived, and his father and brothers would not have died at Tuoba Liuyun's hands.

So, should I also call Guo Yang a spineless bastard?

Just as Qin Yu was lost in thought, Yuan Dingguo rode up, his face grave, and said, "General Qin, I just learned from a surrendered general that Yu Wu borrowed an additional 20,000 troops from Chu in exchange for a medium-sized iron mine in Wuzhou! Those 20,000 troops should have already reached Yuwang Pass..."

Qin Yu's expression changed, and he asked in a deep voice, "Is the information reliable?"

"reliable!"

Yuan Dingguo nodded, "The surrendered generals were interrogated separately, and they all said the same thing!"

Grass!

Qin Yu couldn't help but swear.

Despite his meticulous planning, he never anticipated that Yu Wu would borrow troops from the State of Chu again!

Damn it, is the State of Chu so desperate for money?

They already lent 50,000 troops to Yu Wu, and now they're lending him another 20,000?

Is the State of Chu not afraid of provoking Da Ning at all?

Aren't you afraid that Zhao Luan will order the army of Yinzhou to invade the State of Chu?

Qin Yu mentally cursed the ancestors of the Chu emperor for eighteen generations, his mind racing.

According to the information they received, Yuwang Pass itself was guarded by 10,000 Min State troops led by Yu Wu's uncle, Wu Zhang.

Now, the State of Chu has once again dispatched 20,000 troops!

By the time they reach Yuwang Pass, there will likely be 30,000 troops already inside!

Even if they possess extraordinary abilities and manage to capture Yuwang Pass despite the enemy's heavy defenses, they themselves would likely suffer heavy losses.

But it's more likely that they will suffer heavy losses and still fail to capture Yuwang Pass!

Qin Yu pondered silently for a moment, then a sharp glint suddenly flashed in his eyes: "Send down the order: after a short rest, immediately move the wounded and the spoils of war to safety! Also, send scouts to reconnoiter our rear to see if anyone is pursuing us! And order the soldiers to take as much meat as possible from the fallen warhorses!"

"What about...the prisoners?"

Yuan Dingguo asked again.

Qin Yu glanced at the prisoners, hesitated briefly, and then coldly uttered a single word.

"kill!"

As Qin Yu's voice fell, Ning Huang, who had been silently adjusting his breathing, twitched his ears, and a hint of appreciation flashed across his face...