The Prodigal Son

escape!

They fled for their lives!

Zong Bi glanced back at the soldiers behind him, and a sense of desolation washed over him.

The scattered soldiers who followed were estimated to number less than three thousand.

He had made full preparations to defend the city with 20,000 troops, but in less than half a day, he was in such a sorry state.

This was probably his biggest defeat since he took command of the army.

Even though his raid on Dingzhou in Daning a few years ago ended in failure, he at least led his troops back to Wangzhou in an orderly manner. He had never been in such a sorry state as he is today.

We lost!

A complete and utter defeat.

They lost the battle in the most unsightly way, using their most proficient fighting style.

However, I will not lose again!

If I escape to Rock Fortress, I can hold it for at least a month!

This month is enough time for the reinforcements in the rear to gather their forces!

Even if they are trapped and die in Rock Fortress, they must hold out for at least a month!

As Zong Bi fled, he kept encouraging himself.

Only in this way could he get rid of that intense sense of frustration.

As Zong Bi fled, he kept looking around.

However, as he looked around, Zongbi noticed something was wrong.

Dust billowed from both sides, and the thunderous sound of horses' hooves echoed incessantly.

Clearly, there were pursuers on both flanks.

But the pursuers did not stop them; instead, they seemed to be driving them in a certain direction.

Upon realizing this, Zong Bi's expression immediately changed.

"law!"

Zong Bi abruptly reined in his warhorse, stopping less than five zhang from the mountain pass ahead, his face full of bitterness as he looked at the pass.

"General, why have you stopped?"

Zong Yuan spurred his horse forward, urging anxiously, "Hurry! The enemy is catching up soon! As long as we're alive, we can always fight again!"

"Walk?"

Zong Bi chuckled self-deprecatingly, "Look at where we are! Where else can we go?"

Zong Yuan was taken aback and quickly looked ahead.

As he looked, Zong Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he answered with a face full of despair, "Three ridges..."

These are three major obstacles!

Ahead lies one of the exits of the Three Ridges!

A few days ago, dry firewood was piled up at several exits of Sandaoliangzi and a large amount of kerosene was poured on it.

Ning Jun deliberately drove them here!

Ning Jun used the traps they had laid to deal with them!

There must be enemy troops lying in ambush here!

Murder, but also punish!

Zong Bi sighed wearily and murmured, "Zong Yuan, how many years have you followed me?"

"Twenty-five years!"

Zong Yuan replied, then said firmly, "General, forget about the men behind you, quickly find a chance to hide in the mountains! With so many of us, the enemy won't find you so easily! This subordinate will lead the troops to draw their attention!"

"You're the one who should leave me alone! You'd better find a chance to escape later!"

Zong Bi shook his head slightly and said with a wry smile, "Qin Fumeng won't let me go! Perhaps Qin Fumeng himself has led his troops to ambush me here!"

"If we can escape, we must find a way to get to Rock Fortress and tell the people there that no matter how tough it gets, they must find a way to hold out for a month!"

"If we can hold out for another month, our Great Yan will still have hope of driving the Ning people out..."

Zongbi gave Zongyuan his final instructions.

He knew in his heart that with his current injuries, the hope of escaping was too slim.

"General!"

Zong Yuan grabbed Zong Bi, "Even if it costs me my life, I will protect the General and fight my way out!"

"If you want to protect me and fight your way out, you'll only die with me in the end!"

Zong Bi shook his head slightly, then shouted loudly towards the mountain pass, "Brother Qin, stop hiding, come out!"

As soon as Zong Bi finished speaking, a figure rushed out of the bushes in the mountains.

Who else could it be but Qin Fumeng?

Qin Fumeng, holding his precious carved bow, stood on a large rock halfway up the mountain, no more than fifty feet away from Zong Bi. Looking down at Zong Bi at the mountain pass, he said, "Brother Zong, you've broken your promise!"

"Yes! I broke my promise!"

Zong Bi, no longer dejected, looked at Qin Fumeng with a smile: "Among us, who is a gentleman on the battlefield?"

The moment Zong Bi saw Qin Fumeng, he knew he had no hope of escaping.

Qin Fumeng personally set up an ambush here; how could he be allowed to escape?

If Qin Fumeng were to let him escape given his current injuries, then Qin Fumeng would be utterly useless.

Now, he doesn't want to leave anymore!

If they can use their remaining strength to kill Qin Fumeng, then this battle won't be such a humiliating defeat.

"That's right!" Qin Fumeng nodded and smiled, then said sincerely, "Brother Zong, you're at your wit's end. Surrender!"

Zong Bi smiled and countered, "If our positions were reversed today, would you demote?"

"Won't!"

Qin Fumeng gave the answer without hesitation.

"Then there's no need to say more, right?"

Zong Bi secretly prepared his attack, saying, "Twenty-eight years ago, I should have been dead! To live another twenty-eight years, and to die at the hands of a famous general of Da Ning, I guess I haven't lost out!"

"All right!"

Seeing Zong Bi's resolute attitude, Qin Fumeng stopped trying to persuade him: "Considering you are a renowned general, I will give you the chance to commit suicide!"

Suicide?

Zong Bi smiled dismissively.

He appreciated Qin Fumeng's kindness!

But he still has one last chance!

Zong Bi dismounted and slowly bowed to Qin Fumeng, saying, "Thank you, Brother Qin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zong Bi suddenly looked up, gathered his last bit of true energy, and charged towards Qin Fumeng without regard for anything else.

Zongbi was, after all, a master.

Even when it was at its last gasp, it was still extremely fast.

Unfortunately, he encountered Qin Fumeng.

Just as Zong Bi lunged forward, Qin Fumeng swiftly retreated, simultaneously drawing his bow and nocking an arrow.

"Whoosh!"

The first arrow had barely been fired when the second and third arrows followed at an extremely fast speed.

One arrow after another!

The arrows in front were extremely fast, like a shadow.

The arrows behind flashed with a cold light, like streaks of light.

A shimmering light chases after shadows!

Qin Fumeng's signature skill.

"clang!"

Zong Bi swung his sword and blocked the first arrow with a single strike.

However, the force of the arrow knocked him back.

Zong Bi's heart sank, but a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.

That old man, he really kept it well hidden!

Even though he has already returned to the Grandmaster level, he doesn't choose to fight me head-on!

Even now, that old man is still hiding!

Zong Bi wanted to reveal Qin Fumeng's secret, but it was too late.

A streak of light followed closely behind!

The second arrow blocked Zong Bi's escape route, leaving him with no way to dodge and no strength to do so.

puff!

The third arrow pierced Zong Bi's neck perfectly, leaving a bloody hole.

In mid-air, Zong Bi's figure plummeted rapidly, but his gaze remained fixed on Qin Fumeng.

Before his consciousness faded, a smile flashed across Zong Bi's face.

Da Ning gathered three grandmasters, calculating that they were short of oil, and launched a fierce attack on Wangzhou Prefecture!

I deserved my defeat!

Hopefully, those two grandmasters of Great Yan won't underestimate Qin Fumeng like I did...