At 100 years old, he joined the army in place of his granddaughter, and became a national war god.

Inside Duanyun Pass, the sounds of battle filled the air, and blood soaked the mountains and rivers.

Corpses lay scattered everywhere, and blood flowed slowly down the ravines, staining every inch of the land red.

The soldiers of the two armies were locked in a fierce battle, with swords flashing and shadows crisscrossing. The sharp sound of weapons cutting through the air, the crisp sound of bones breaking, and the desperate screams of the dying intertwined, depicting the most tragic and desperate battlefield.

In the midst of the chaotic army, a figure in silver armor, like a raging dragon against the current, forcefully tore a bloody path through the dark mass of Yan soldiers.

In Xiao Yunche's hand, a long spear of cold iron was held in his palm. The tip of the spear gleamed coldly and emitted inch by inch of frosty light.

His once gentle and composed eyes were now stained crimson, and his aura of murderous intent was overwhelming. His silver armor was already soaked in blood, and mottled bloodstains covered his cheeks and armor, making it impossible to tell whether they were the blood of the enemy or the bloodstains he had accumulated during the battle.

His marksmanship was superb, in no way inferior to his swordsmanship.

As the spear danced, shadows filled the sky, combining offense and defense. Its fierce and domineering style concealed unpredictable and ruthless moves. Every thrust, parry, slash, and sweep was precise and vicious, each move aimed directly at vital points.

puff!

A single spear pierced the chests of two Yan soldiers, the spear shuddering and spraying blood everywhere.

With a sweeping motion, a fierce wind swept through, instantly shattering the weapons and breaking the bones of several Yan soldiers who rushed forward with their swords. They screamed as they flew backward, crashing heavily to the ground, lifeless.

The enemy troops, layer upon layer, fearlessly surrounded him, densely packed and relentlessly advancing. But no matter how surging the crowd or how dense the weapons, they could not stop his charge.

Xiao Yunche's eyes burned brightly, ignoring all the fighting and entanglement around him, ignoring the swords and spears that attacked him at close range, his eyes had only one target from beginning to end.

That was the towering, heavily armored, gilded war elephant at the forefront of the battlefield, and Meng Shan, the Nanzhao general who calmly commanded from its back.

To catch the thief, first catch the king; to kill the general, you can break the deadlock!

As long as the enemy's commander is killed, the ten war elephants that are ravaging the battlefield will immediately be leaderless. This unstoppable weapon of the southern border will inevitably be defeated, and the battle of Duanyun Pass, which is on the verge of a desperate situation, will have a glimmer of hope to turn the tide!

His spear thrusts surged even higher, his figure moved like a dragon, weaving and dodging through thousands of troops, charging forward in a bloodbath, slaughtering his way through, invincible in every direction!

……

Not far away, Murong Di, who had just stabilized the battle and directed his army to advance, glanced unintentionally at the center of the battlefield. When he saw the silver-armored figure who was galloping across the battlefield and was unstoppable, his sharp eyes suddenly narrowed.

His eyes first showed extreme astonishment, which quickly turned into intense fighting spirit and excitement!

He had long admired Xiao Yunche's reputation.

He was both a scholar and a warrior, possessing exceptional wisdom and courage. He guarded the northern frontier for several years and was the most dazzling young general in the Great Qian court.

Previous battles, both remote and on the battlefield, were all strategic maneuvers involving formations and tactics, and never involved actual close combat.

Murong Disu was proud of his martial arts skills and looked down on his peers. He had long been eager to confront this legendary young master of the Great Qian Dynasty and see who was stronger!

In this chaotic battlefield, facing a desperate confrontation, the opportunity has finally arrived!

Beside him, Tian Cheng stared intently at the incomparably valiant figure, his eyes filled with shock and awe. He couldn't help but sigh deeply, "Xiao Yunche is truly a peerless warrior!"

"Trapped in a desperate situation, with all his forces lost and his troops retreating in disarray, he remained undaunted by any challenge, charging single-handedly through a thousand-strong army. Such martial prowess, such courage, such fighting spirit are rarely seen in this world!"

Sighing with regret, Tian Cheng shook his head and lamented, "How foolish the Emperor of Daqian is! Such a brave and resourceful prince, a peerless talent, has been unjustly banished to the harsh borderlands. What a waste!"

Before the words were even finished, Tian Cheng's pupils suddenly contracted, instantly recognizing Xiao Yunche's sudden advance. His expression changed drastically, and he shouted urgently:

"Not good! General! Xiao Yunche's target isn't breaking through, nor is it escaping; it's General Mengshan's war elephants!"

The situation was critical. Tian Cheng clasped his hands and volunteered for battle, his tone urgent: "This humble general requests permission! Immediately lead the elite troops to intercept Xiao Yunche and prevent him from getting even a step closer to the war elephants!"

Murong Di's gaze was deep and fixed on the blood-soaked, silver-armored figure charging forward. His eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit. He slowly raised his hand, shook his head in a deep voice, and said with absolute arrogance and dominance: "No need."

"You are no match for him."

These six simple words conveyed absolute certainty.

Tian Cheng was no weakling in martial arts, and was considered one of the top generals in the Yan army. However, Murong Di knew very well that if it were a one-on-one fight, Tian Cheng would be no match for Xiao Yunche, who was in full force and bloodthirsty. If he rashly went forward, he would only be throwing his life away.

"In an era of two heroes clashing, today, amidst the chaos of war, I can finally fulfill my long-cherished wish."

Murong Di gripped his cold iron spear tightly, his armor clanging as his immense inner strength erupted, a chilling aura sweeping over him. His eyes were sharp and domineering: "This lad, I will personally confront him!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he no longer hesitated. He squeezed his legs tightly around the horse's belly, and the black warhorse neighed and suddenly accelerated, like a black lightning bolt, breaking through the surrounding chaotic tide of soldiers and charging straight towards Xiao Yunche!

Upon seeing this, Gongsun Yu, who was standing by watching the battle, felt a sudden tightness in his chest, his heart leaping into his throat, his face filled with anxiety and helplessness.

As the strategist of the Yan army, he was well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the battle situation and was even more familiar with Murong Di's character.

The tide now turns in Yan!

With over 100,000 allied troops crushing and encircling the enemy, the remaining Daqian defenders were exhausted, more than half of them had been killed or wounded, and they were trapped in a tight encirclement. Their annihilation was only a matter of time.

There is absolutely no need for the commander-in-chief of the armed forces to personally risk their lives and fight alone!

He knew Murong Di too well.

This man is a man of great talent and unparalleled bravery, but he is also arrogant and competitive, and has always wanted to face Xiao Yunche head-on to prove himself.

Now, seeing his opponent charge into the fray alone and display unparalleled martial prowess, he could no longer suppress his fighting spirit and wanted to settle things with a private duel.

However, in battle, the worst thing is to encounter unexpected complications!

Winning is merely icing on the cake; it does nothing to improve the overall situation.

But if you lose, or even die by accident, the consequences are unimaginable!

Murong Di was the commander-in-chief of the Yan army, the core of the three armies, and the pillar of morale!

Once the commander-in-chief is lost, the hundreds of thousands of troops will be leaderless and their morale will collapse instantly. The seemingly invincible battle situation could be reversed in an instant!

Upon realizing this, Gongsun Yu dared not gamble and immediately turned to Tian Cheng beside him, urgently instructing, "General Tian, ​​quickly lead a team of elite assassins to closely follow General Murong! Do not stray far; provide close protection and remain on high alert at all times!"

"If the battle situation changes, we must immediately rush to their aid, fight to the death to protect our commander-in-chief, and absolutely not allow General Murong to suffer even the slightest mishap!"

Tian Cheng instantly grasped Gongsun Yu's deeper intentions, knowing the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, he cupped his hands and accepted the order: "This subordinate understands!"

At that moment, Tian Cheng mustered several hundred elite cavalrymen, armed with sharp blades, ready for battle, closely following Murong Di's figure, rushing swiftly to the heart of the battlefield, prepared to support and protect their lord at any time.

……

In the center of the battlefield, Xiao Yunche was using his spear to knock away the last Yan army elite who was blocking his way. The tip of his spear was stained with blood and exuded a chilling aura. He was about to continue his charge towards the war elephant.

A sudden, earth-shattering roar swept across the battlefield, domineering and fierce, intimidating all directions!

"Xiao Yunche! Your opponent is me!"

Before the roar had even faded, a dark figure galloped in on horseback, his spear carrying a tremendous force and a deafening roar as it pierced through the air from the side!

The spear tip gleamed with a chilling light, moved with lightning speed, and was angled with cunning and ruthlessness, aiming directly at Xiao Yunche's vital point. Every move was deadly and showed no mercy!

In the blink of an eye, the killing intent was already upon them!

Xiao Yunche's reaction was incredibly swift!

Having practiced martial arts for many years, he has long since developed an extreme instinct.

His eyes narrowed sharply, and his body suddenly tilted to the side, using his waist and abdomen to exert force. He swayed and barely avoided the fatal spear.

The sharp spear whistled past his armor, the strong wind making his robes flutter loudly. A mere hair's breadth would have pierced his heart and killed him instantly!

At the same time, he flipped his wrist and suddenly tightened the reins of his warhorse. The warhorse under his feet responded by turning to the side and galloping back several feet, instantly creating a safe distance between himself and Murong Di. The movement was smooth and seamless, without the slightest sign of panic.

The moment he regained his footing, Xiao Yunche looked up and saw the person's face clearly. A knowing, cold smile flashed across his eyes.

He had already anticipated that Murong Di was arrogant and conceited, and that seeing him charge into battle alone and be invincible, he would definitely be unable to suppress his desire to fight.

The enemy is currently overwhelming and has already formed an encirclement. There is no hope of breaking out from the front, and holding out to the death will result in the annihilation of the entire army.

Murong Di's initiative to come alone for a duel is precisely the only chance to break the deadlock in this desperate situation!

As long as the commander-in-chief of the Yan army, Murong Di, is killed, the morale of the hundreds of thousands of Yan soldiers will immediately fall into chaos and they will be leaderless. The encirclement will collapse on its own, and the remnants of the Daqian army, which is on the verge of annihilation, will have a chance to catch their breath, escape, and regroup!

At this thought, Xiao Yunche's eyes flashed with murderous intent, and he sneered coldly, his tone extremely ruthless: "Murong Di, you've come at the perfect time."

"I was just worried that I wouldn't be able to take your head amidst a thousand troops, but I never expected you to deliver yourself to my doorstep! Today on the battlefield, let us fight to the death!"

Murong Di stopped his horse, spear in hand, looking down at Xiao Yunche, who was covered in blood but still remained proud and unyielding. He couldn't help but laugh loudly, his laughter arrogant and domineering, filled with absolute confidence: "Outrageous words!"

"Xiao Yunche, you are trapped in a desperate situation, your army is at its last gasp, you are nothing but a cornered beast fighting for survival! How dare you be so arrogant and domineering in front of me? Today, I will personally defeat you, destroy your reputation as Xiao Yunche, and let the world know that the prince of the Great Qian Dynasty is nothing more than this!"

Before he finished speaking, Murong Di's eyes suddenly sharpened, his fighting spirit soared, and he suddenly brandished his spear!

Whoosh!

The spears pierced the air, the wind howled, and countless spear shadows filled the sky, layer upon layer, dense and impenetrable. The fierce and domineering moves, imbued with immense internal force, crushed and bombarded Xiao Yunche from all directions!

Two of the world's top generals finally clashed head-on in a desperate battle amidst the chaos of war!

Spears clashed, and metal clanged!

Xiao Yunche's spear offered a steady defense and counterattack, its movements agile and sharp, its feints and real attacks constantly shifting; Murong Di's spear launched a fierce and relentless assault, its power immense and its domineering force unmatched.

One man, facing dire circumstances and fighting against all odds, fought ruthlessly, leaving no way out.

One man, riding the wave of opportunity, exuded boundless confidence, his every move fierce and domineering, overwhelming the entire scene!

Both men possessed martial arts skills that were at the pinnacle of their time. Their agility, strength, techniques, and reactions were all equally matched and difficult to distinguish.

Warhorses darted and turned, figures crisscrossed, and the clanging of spears and lances echoed continuously, causing the surrounding ground to tremble slightly.

A hundred moves can be mastered in the blink of an eye!

The two exchanged blows, switching between offense and defense, locked in a fierce battle that lasted from the ground to the streets and alleys, from close combat to ranged attacks, remaining deadlocked and unable to determine a winner.

The soldiers of the two armies fighting around them stopped fighting involuntarily, their eyes fixed on the ultimate showdown in the center of the battlefield, their eyes filled with shock and their minds shaken.

The two heroes of the era faced off, their moves exquisite and ruthless, each strike fraught with danger and deadly, leaving the audience dazzled and terrified.

After a hundred fierce exchanges, their inner strength was severely depleted, and both men's breathing fluctuated slightly, with beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads, yet their eyes remained burning and their fighting spirit undiminished.

Just as the weapons clashed and their energies collided, and the two men retreated to borrow momentum, Xiao Yunche's sharp eyes suddenly caught a fleeting flaw!

After a hundred moves of intense fighting, he had already figured out Murong Di's fighting style and power exertion habits.

Murong Di's martial arts were more powerful than agile. When he launched a strong attack, he had a great deal of follow-up strength. However, when he defended from the side, there was a small blind spot hidden in his side!

The flaws are extremely small and fleeting, making them difficult for ordinary martial artists to detect, let alone accurately exploit!

However, Xiao Yunche had already ingrained the ability to seize weaknesses and defeat the enemy in one blow into his very bones!

This is the moment!

Xiao Yunche's eyes flashed with a sharp light. Instead of retreating, he advanced, suddenly accelerating and abandoning defense. He concentrated the remaining internal energy in his body on his spear, and the cold light at the tip of the spear surged, like a streak of light cutting through the air. It was precise and tricky, and he stabbed straight at the blind spot where Murong Di was standing!

The speed, the angle, and the force were so great that it was caught off guard and impossible to defend against!

puff!

A deep, resounding sound of a weapon clashing into armor suddenly rang out!

The sharp spear pierced precisely through the seam of Murong Di's side armor, and the powerful penetrating force exploded out!

A tremendous impact struck instantly!

Murong Di felt an immense force crushing his chest, his blood surging, and a sweet taste in his throat. He was thrown off balance by this terrifying force and fell heavily off his warhorse!

A split second of crisis!

The seasoned Murong Di reacted swiftly. In the critical moment, he instantly calmed himself, forcefully adjusted his body in mid-air, lightly touched the air with his feet, and used his exquisite lightness skill to dissipate the force of the fall, landing steadily without falling down in a disheveled manner.

He lowered his eyes and stared intently at the heavy armor in front of his chest, which was pierced by a spear and was already damaged and dented. A layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back, and his heart was filled with fear.

The armor was sturdy and heavy, protecting all vital organs. The spear just now only pierced the armor and injured the internal organs, but did not kill the user.

But he knew perfectly well in his heart...

If his armor had been even slightly thinner, or if his reaction had been even a fraction slower, he would have been pierced through the chest and abdomen by the spear and died on the spot!

This hundred-move duel may seem like a draw, but in reality, he has already lost by a move or two!

Seeing this, Tian Cheng, who was watching closely from the sidelines, felt a sudden sinking feeling in his heart and could no longer sit still!

With the head coach out of the game and the tactics failing, they've already fallen into a disadvantageous position!

Xiao Yunche possesses overwhelming combat power and unparalleled bravery. If the fight continues, Murong Di will inevitably face dire consequences and may very well die on the spot!

We must never let the two of them fight one-on-one again!

"All troops, advance! Protect our commander! Kill Xiao Yunche!"

Tian Cheng disregarded the rules of one-on-one duels and issued a stern and forceful order!

Hundreds of elite assassins immediately responded to the sound, each wielding a sharp blade and exuding a murderous aura, charging towards Xiao Yunche to encircle and kill him!

A dense swarm of dark figures rushed in, their killing intent locking in from all sides, giving Xiao Yunche no chance to breathe!

Xiao Yunche's eyes turned cold as he looked at the elite Yan army that was closing in from all directions, and he understood what was going on.

The opponent, already defeated and feeling guilty, dared not continue a fair duel and planned to end the battle by overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers!

He took a deep breath, suppressed the surging blood in his body, stood with his gun, fearless and ready to fight again.

But when he turned around and glanced at the entire battlefield, a heavy sense of powerlessness instantly swept over him!

The situation at the Duanyun Pass battlefield had deteriorated to an extreme degree.

The Daqian garrison was already outnumbered and exhausted, suffering heavy casualties.

Now that the city gates are breached and the natural defenses are lost, the Yan army of over 100,000 men has entered the pass. In addition, ten invincible war elephants are rampaging through the enemy, causing our formation to completely collapse. More than half of our soldiers have been killed or wounded, and corpses are strewn across the fields and rivers of blood are flowing.

The surviving soldiers were surrounded and divided, fighting on their own and struggling to hold on. Every moment, countless brothers fell under the enemy's blades, never to rise again.

The defeat is now firmly established!

"Your Highness!"

Two figures rushed through the chaos of battle and swiftly reached Xiao Yunche's side. They were covered in blood, their armor was tattered, and they were breathing heavily. It was Shen Luotang and Wang Yang!

The two stood side by side, firmly blocking Xiao Yunche's side. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination.

Shen Luotang's voice was hoarse but incredibly firm as she urgently pleaded, "Your Highness, the situation is hopeless! Our army has suffered heavy casualties and is completely surrounded. There is no chance of turning the tide!"

"Old Master Wang and I fought to the death to clear a path for you and help you break through the encirclement! You must immediately withdraw from Duanyun Pass, retreat to Pingzhou, regroup your forces, and then plan for the future!"

Wang Yang followed closely behind, nodding emphatically: "Your Highness! As long as we live, we can always fight again! The greater good is at stake; you must go! We are willing to sacrifice our lives to cover your retreat and ensure your safe departure!"

The two were of one mind and were willing to sacrifice their own lives to carve out a bloody escape route for their commander.

Xiao Yunche looked at the two generals who had sworn to protect their lord to the death in front of him, and at his soldiers who were fighting fiercely and unyielding to the death all around him. His eyes were bloodshot and his heart was burning hot, yet it was also extremely heavy.

He is the commander-in-chief of the three armies, the general guarding the northern frontier, and the backbone of thousands of soldiers!

In the face of danger and desperation, how could he abandon his brothers and soldiers, and instead live a life of ignominy and flee in a sorry state?

Xiao Yunche shook his head resolutely, his voice firm and resolute, each word carrying immense weight: "Don't even think about it!"

"Throughout my life of battle, I, Xiao Yunche, have never abandoned my soldiers in the face of death!"

"On this battlefield, we share both the good times and the bad!"

"If we must die, I will die with all my soldiers!"

"If I must live, I will live with my brothers! I will never escape alone and live a wretched existence!"

His words were forceful and resounding!

Shen Luotang and Wang Yang's eyes suddenly reddened, filled with grief and determination, but they did not try to persuade him any further. They could only grip their weapons tightly and protect Xiao Yunche on both sides, preparing to face the final battle to the death!

Across from him, Murong Di, having regained his footing, wiped away a trace of blood from the corner of his lips. The shame and anger of defeat in his eyes transformed into a chilling killing intent. He raised his hand high and roared fiercely, his voice domineering and arrogant, resounding throughout the entire arena!

"Entire army encirclement!"

"Surround and kill all the remaining soldiers! Leave not a single blade of grass, not a single one alive!"

Orders must be obeyed without question!

The Yan army, which had been advancing relentlessly, the soldiers fighting everywhere, and the elite troops waiting for an opportunity all turned around and frantically surrounded Xiao Yunche and the remaining remnants of the Daqian army!

An endless black tide of soldiers pressed in, filling the air with murderous intent and forming an impenetrable wall of defense, completely blocking all escape routes.

Desperate times loomed, and the entire army was wiped out; it seemed like the end was near!

Shen Luotang and Wang Yang led their remaining troops in a desperate battle. Blades clashed and screams filled the air as the hundreds of surviving soldiers launched a bloody counterattack, using their flesh and blood to hold off the massive army. However, the disparity in troop strength was too great, and they continued to retreat in defeat, with more and more soldiers falling and dying.

A sense of utter despair, a feeling of helplessness and despair, rose in everyone's hearts.

Is it really true that today, the entire army at Duanyun Pass will perish here?

Just when the entire army was in despair and on the verge of annihilation!

On the official road outside the distant Duanyun Pass, a deafening sound of rapid iron hooves suddenly rang out!

Rumble!

The thunderous hooves galloped on, like rolling thunder, growing clearer and clearer as they approached from afar!

The sound was orderly, deep, and powerful, not the sound of ordinary infantry running, but the magnificent roar of a large-scale cavalry charge and a thousand riders charging!

On the chaotic and brutal battlefield, everyone's movements froze for a moment, and the fighting abruptly stopped.

Countless eyes turned towards the road from beyond the pass!

In the distance, billowing smoke and yellow sand filled the sky as a massive, dark army of cavalry charged toward the battlefield of Duanyun Pass with lightning speed!

Iron cavalry galloped forward, banners fluttered, armor gleamed in the sun, their sharpness was boundless!

In our dire straits, reinforcements have arrived!