My lord, spare his life!

Sun Ban had a thousand words she wanted to say to Wang Ba, but it was all in vain now. Today, let alone making the ungrateful Wang Ba pay the price, she herself might even lose her life. Zhang's two groups of men posed no threat to her, but Wang Ba truly could!

Even though Wang Ba's strength and realm are far inferior to what they used to be.

Sun Ban's eyes flashed with venom as he stared intently at the large "King" banner in the distance, his mind racing as he weighed the pros and cons. Zhang Ze's provocation and humiliation had ignited the generals' fury, but Wang Ba's betrayal and treachery had poured cold water on the out-of-control situation.

At this point, withdrawing troops would actually be a good opportunity.

Sun Ban remained silent, showing no signs of panic or confusion. She raised her hand to brush aside the guards blocking her way, and a soft laugh seemed to have the power to calm people's hearts: "Pass down the order, commanding the Xuanwu Camp troops to withdraw their forces and return to reinforce, kill Wang Hongtu first, and then encircle and annihilate the bandit Zhang."

After saying that, she glanced around with a calm and indifferent gaze.

"I'll be right here, watching whether Wang Hongtu has any chance of survival. If that rat dares to come, I'll kill him to appease my fallen soldiers."

Sun Ban's voice wasn't loud, but every word was firm and resonant.

Hearing her words of fighting to the death and personally leading the charge, the chaotic thoughts in the hearts of her guards were instantly suppressed, and they calmed down. One of them quickly stepped forward to stop her, his tone anxious and earnest: "My lord, you mustn't! How can you, a flawless jade, clash head-on with those crude rubble? That Wang Hongtu is a notorious scoundrel, a shameless rogue who knows nothing of propriety or morality. Spitting at him, he knows no shame; cursing at him, he knows no disgrace. If he succeeds and endangers your safety, I, your humble servant, will be condemned even to the point of death."

After he finished speaking, the other personal guards also gradually realized what was happening.

They all stepped forward, bowed, and wept as they pleaded with him.

Their lord had remained steadfastly loyal, and the entire army was naturally grateful. However, they couldn't allow their lord to be placed in danger. A wise man avoids dangerous situations, and the traitor Wang Ba's troops were currently close at hand, capable of breaking through the encirclement and reaching their camp in an instant. If their lord were captured by Wang Ba, what would become of the army?

Sun Ban remained unmoved, stepping aside to say, "There's no need to persuade me anymore."

Hearing the increasingly loud shouts of battle, the guards' foreheads were beaded with sweat, and their lips were about to crack from the heat. Another general knelt on one knee: "Wang Hongtu has calculated that our lord is of a fiery temperament, unable to swallow the humiliation of being betrayed, and unwilling to easily retreat from this dangerous situation. This has played right into the villains' trap. If anything were to happen to our lord, wouldn't that please the villains and break the hearts of his loved ones? Our lord, you must not lightly abandon your noble life to fight with such lowly people for a moment's pride!"

"Yes, my lord!"

"Please, my lord, prioritize your health and the greater good."

"This humble general is willing to cover the rear for his lord and fight the traitorous king to the death."

Several trusted confidants will soon reach a consensus.

Wang Ba's backstab came too suddenly, catching everyone off guard. It was like being stabbed near the heart, with blood gushing out. If they continued fighting Zhang Yang to the death at that moment, Wang Ba could have stabbed them right in the heart with a second blow.

Where there is life, there is hope.

Don't try to be brave at this time.

They weren't ungrateful scoundrels like Wang Hongtu. They knew their lord's good intentions and naturally wanted to repay him in kind. Faced with their unanimous decision, Sun Ban was both angry and furious: "What are you doing? Are you trying to make me, Sun Zhaoruo, a cowardly, pathetic dog? Heaven's justice is clear! What are Wang Hongtu? What are Zhang Boyuan?"

There are always people who better than you.

Using despicable means to seek temporary gains will not last.

She has always been upright, so why would she be afraid of two thieves who are in cahoots?

Sun Ban's attitude was as firm as a rock, and the generals had no other choice. Some of them hardened their hearts and knelt down, kowtowing to force him. If Sun Ban did not show them mercy today, they would rather kill themselves here. Gritting her teeth, she drew her sword with a whoosh.

The sight of the general holding a knife to his neck, threatening suicide, shocked Sun Ban. Her face pale, she desperately reached for the sword in his hand, her anger and frustration palpable. Years of pampered life had left her hands with only thin calluses from practicing calligraphy and wielding swords. The moment she gripped the meticulously honed sword, a chilling coldness seeped into her flesh along the lines of her palm, the sharp blade slicing through her skin.

Bright red blood gushed out from the cut, meandering down the wound.

She was completely oblivious to the stinging pain, clinging tightly to the blade.

His voice trembled as he said, "What are you doing? Put the knife down immediately! It's just a minor crisis; why are you threatening my life?"

The military officer, however, refused to loosen his grip.

The blade didn't move away from her neck; instead, it drew closer, leaving a thin, red mark. Her voice was firm: "Please, my lord, promise me you will not risk your life, you will not grant the villains their wishes, you will not... you will not disregard your precious body and the entire army."

Sun Ban clenched his fist tighter and tighter.

The blood flowed faster and faster, dripping onto the ground and mingling with the mud and water. Seeing the general's resolute stance, Sun Ban breathed heavily but dared not continue the struggle, fearing he might accidentally kill him in the process: "Fine—"

The military officer was overjoyed and clasped his hands in gratitude.

The others also recovered from the intense chaos.

Those who tried to stop Sun Ban did so, while others seized the general's sword, only feeling relieved after completely separating the two. Everyone was immersed in the joy of Sun Ban's heeded advice and retreated; the anger over the deaths of close friends and relatives was overshadowed, and no one mentioned again the need for Sun Ban to fight to the death.

Sun Ban was escorted by elite troops and moved in another direction.

Two generals stayed behind to cover her retreat and hold off Wang Ba's troops.

Wang Ba initially failed to notice anything amiss. Sun Ban's banner still stood firmly near the main tent, swaying in the wind and rain without showing any signs of movement. He killed seven or eight people to warm up, gradually regaining his touch: "Pah, this damn rainy weather is freezing my hands and feet."

My limbs were sluggish from the cold and swollen from the dampness.

Wang Ba felt his limbs were so clumsy they seemed more like prosthetics than his natural ones. After a thorough warm-up, his limbs warmed up, became more agile, and he used them with increasing ease. Despite having the advantage of a sneak attack, he couldn't be too complacent, as he was in enemy territory and risked a disastrous defeat. The physical pleasure from the killing, combined with the tender warmth in his heart, made him so happy he wanted to roll his eyes, more so than any victory he had ever won.

"Hahaha, that's it—"

"Sun Zhaoruo, your grandfather is right here, why aren't you paying your respects!"

Wang Ba leaped onto his horse, slapping its rump with his weapon. The horse, in pain, galloped towards the banner. With a powerful leap, the horse soared over several heads. Wang Ba didn't even glance at the weapons thrusting at him; he simply pulled back his arm, binding them together. With a backhand motion, he scattered them like a shower of petals. The clang of metal rang out.

His momentum didn't last long.

In the blink of an eye, a tiger appeared and blocked his way.

"You've come at the perfect time! Your grandpa thinks the warm-up isn't enough!"

"You traitorous king, dismount and prepare to die!"

Without hesitation, the opponent released the Star Illusion.

Wang Ba sneered, retorting in kind: "You little brat, trying to teach your grandfather a lesson? I think you really don't want to live!"

In an instant, two giant beasts of similar size and slightly transparent bodies clashed violently above the two. One of them was covered with a dozen or so black chains, the other end of which was embedded in the ground.

The general blocking Wang Ba's path caught sight of the black chains and burst into laughter: "Wang Hongtu, today is your death day!"

Wang Ba secretly rolled his eyes: "I have a son, do you? And this is supposed to be your death day? What kind of daydreaming is this in the middle of the night!"

That statement does have some deterrent effect.

It actually intimidated the other party for a moment.

Despite Wang Ba's numerous children, when his enemies mentioned his son, Wang Qi was the first name that came to mind. In Wang Ba's eyes, this son was exceptional in every way; at most, he was young and his temper hadn't yet been tempered. He was handsome, had a great physique, and his talent and strength were among the best in the world. But to his enemies, it was a different story. Wang Qi's brutality and ruthlessness made him stand out even in this chaotic world. If Wang Qi were truly alive today, who could ignore him?

The heart likes to hear good things from Wang Qi.

The more Wang Ba boasted and the more proud he became, the more intensely his heart reacted, as if a warm spring flowed from his heart, permeating his empty internal organs. This made Wang Ba's smile increasingly paternal, which seemed far too strange and eccentric to his enemies…

It's more terrifying and bizarre than seeing a ghost in broad daylight.

Boom!

The enemy general, suppressing the goosebumps rising beneath his armor, unleashed a blade of energy that sent Wang Ba flying, carving a mud pit several meters long into the ground. Filthy mud splashed onto the armor plates, seeping into the fabric through the seams. It was impossible to tell whether the water stains clinging to his skin were rain or sweat. His breathing grew heavier, but the flames burning in his chest remained undiminished.

"Bring Sun Zhaoruo out!"

Wang Ba gradually sensed that something was wrong.

The enemy general merely sneered, the rain blurring the mockery on his face: "You, a mere coward, dare to dream of seeing your lord?"

Just then, Wang Qi's voice came again.

But this time, unlike before, his tone was tinged with anger: "Wang Hongtu, what are you doing? Sun Zhaoruo has escaped!"

Wang Ba shuddered.

They immediately broke free from the warm experience of filial piety and parental love.

Ignoring the enemy general, he briefly deflected the attack before leaping atop the phantom of the star, looking down from above. Sure enough, the main tent was eerily quiet, and Sun Ban and his entourage, who had come out to oversee the battle, were nowhere to be seen. He looked up, his gaze shifting to the distance, where he could vaguely make out troops moving against the flow of the enemy.

Wang Ba: "!!!"

Even a duck that's already in your mouth can fly away?

As soon as he took a step, a strong gust of wind hit his back.

The opponent's power was like sticky glutinous rice, forcefully drawing in Wang Ba's energy and obstructing his movement. He had no choice but to dodge the attack by staying close to the ground, and his attempts to break through were also blocked. With an annoying obstacle on one side and his eager son urging him on the other, Wang Ba's good mood was ruined. He fiercely demanded, "A good dog doesn't block the way, get out of the way!"

"Don't even think about it! Today I will avenge this humiliation with your head." The enemy general's attitude was extremely firm. "No one can get past me and harm our lord."

Wang Ba was so angry he almost laughed.

"What poison did Sun Zhaoruo feed you?"

Are all of you so stubborn?

Are you willing to risk your life just to go against him?

"Shut up! How could you lowly rats know the goodness of your lord?"

Hearing Wang Ba slander Sun Ban, the enemy general became even angrier, and his men unleashed a barrage of deadly attacks, wishing they could tear Wang Ba's mouth apart alive.

Wang Ba: "..."

The urge to inquire about other people's household registration information reached its peak.

Wang Ba not only couldn't catch up with Sun Ban's troops, but he was also bogged down. He could only grit his teeth and order his trusted men to lead the pursuit, even though the chances of success were slim, the show of force had to be made. Wang Ba recalled Sun Ban's face: "What kind of 'Descending Star' is this—"

God is really unfair.

For some, the rank of stars and the descent of evil stars only hinder progress, while for others they can be the icing on the cake. He also knew Sun Ban to some extent; to say that Sun Ban could win the loyalty of so many generals purely through personal charisma was impossible, nor could it be done purely through self-interest.

Wang Ba's elite troops, possessing the best geographical advantage, advanced like a sharp knife towards the main tent, so close that even an ordinary person could see the main tent with the naked eye. Sun Ban deployed a considerable number of troops to cover their rear, and Wang Ba's army encountered extremely stubborn resistance here.

It won't be possible to break through in the short term.

Wang Qi was worried for Wang Ba after seeing this.

"Is that old man a piece of trash? How could he let Sun Zhaoruo escape? This is simply—" His desire to kill his father reached its peak, simply because Wang Ba had embarrassed him so much. Guan Si, that slacker, was just as good at fighting as him, but he was even better at showing off and posing. He wanted to get back at him.

Wang Ba thought he would show off something big, but he ended up making a huge mistake. Despite such an excellent geographical advantage, Sun Ban managed to escape with his men, causing Wang Ba to miss the chance to capture the leader first.

Wang Qi's eyes were sinister, and he let out a whistle.

Upon hearing the command, the water leopard transformed into a stream and surged towards him.

Ignoring numerous attacks, Wang Qi forcefully cleared a path, his speed propelled by the water's current. In the blink of an eye, he weaved through a hail of blades and arrows, disappearing halfway across the battlefield to confront his target: "Get lost! Don't get in my way!"

Guan Si frowned when he saw this action.

He said in a low voice, "You brute."

He's reckless and brainless; the thing around his neck is just for show.

Despite his disdain, Guan Si couldn't stand idly by and watch Wang Qi charge recklessly. Wang Qi had suffered considerable losses in the earlier delay, and if he encountered a slightly tougher opponent, he would be caught off guard and suffer a crushing defeat. Guan Si feinted, dodging the enemy general blocking his path, and over a hundred Kui Mulang clones coalesced into one, carrying him towards Wang Qi. Wang Qi was too fast; there was no way he could catch up.

Guan Si lowered his eyes and shot an arrow in Wang Qi's direction.

It's fast, but harmless; it's purely a warning.

Wang Qi not only didn't stop, but accelerated again, and soon arrived above Sun Ban's remaining troops. His movements were so loud that Sun Ban had already noticed Wang Qi's pursuit. Without Sun Ban giving any further orders, someone volunteered to lead his personal guards to cover their retreat.

The battlefield is ever-changing.

The commotion on Sun Ban's side also indirectly reached Zhang Yang.

"Why do I feel like they're not as tough as before?" Both the tightness of their formation and the morale of the enemy soldiers are far inferior to when the battle started. Upon closer inspection, Zhang Yang noticed that many of the red-named soldiers had several different debuffs added below their health bars.

These debuffs can stack.

Fear, low morale, cowardice...

Some have two or three layers, while others have more than ten layers.

The rate at which these negative conditions accumulate is accelerating.

"Huh—"

Zhang Yang discovered a pattern.

As long as she swung her golden spear near them, even if she didn't injure them, the negative status effects above their heads would accumulate. She wasn't sure, so she tried several times.

"Wow, they really can stack!"

When will this weapon be able to apply these status effects to red-named players?

Sixteen years have passed, how come she didn't know?

I'm not giving up, let's try again.

Add another layer around the left side.

Add another layer around the right side.

"Hey, that's interesting."

Zhe Meng: "..."

Is the stepmother using human heads to scare people?

? ?|??w?`)