Han Sui froze. "Ah?"
A chill crept up his spine. What kind of horror lurked inside Xixian County that could frighten seasoned soldiers into such a state?
After questioning several fleeing troops, the truth finally emerged.
When Yan Xing led his men into the city, everything seemed eerily quiet—too quiet. Just as he began deploying his soldiers to take control of the defenses, Han troops suddenly appeared from rooftops and alleyways. In an instant, arrows rained down from all sides.
The rebels were thrown into chaos.
Yan Xing reacted quickly, shouting orders to rally his men and return fire. But before they could regain formation, a group of Han soldiers charged forward. At their head was a towering general, built like an iron pillar, who rushed straight at Yan Xing.
With a single sweep of his halberd, he shattered Yan Xing's spear and sent him flying. Yan Xing crashed to the ground, his fate uncertain.
The surrounding soldiers tried to resist, but the general cut them down effortlessly. One man was split clean in two—his lower half still mounted on the horse while his upper body was flung into the air, blood and entrails scattering mid-flight.
The sight was beyond horrifying.
These were men who had seen death before—but never anything like this. Terror seized them. Some lost control of their bodies on the spot.
With their commander down and ambushed on all sides, the rebel army collapsed and fled in panic.
"So… there really was an ambush inside the city," Han Sui muttered, secretly relieved he hadn't rushed in blindly.
He asked how many enemy troops there were.
The answers were all over the place.
Some claimed a few hundred. Others said over a thousand. A few insisted there were several thousand—some even exaggerated it to tens of thousands.
There was no way to determine the truth.
"My lord," Cheng Gongying advised, "our army has marched hard for days. The men are exhausted, and after this defeat, morale is shaken. It would be unwise to press on."
"It would be better to withdraw, set up camp, and observe the situation. The Marquis of Wuxiang has retreated to Xixian, likely intending to take the Qishan Road into Hanzhong. The terrain there is wide and suitable for large troop movements. Once he gathers his forces, we can pursue him."
Han Sui looked around. The soldiers were visibly worn—some barely able to sit upright on their horses, fear still lingering in their eyes.
There was no fighting spirit left.
"Very well," he said at last. "We withdraw."
—
When Zhang Xin learned that Han Sui had retreated, he acted immediately.
He summoned Zuo Bao and ordered him to lead the former Yellow Turban troops overnight to Qishan Fort to establish a defensive position and secure their retreat.
Qishan Road cut through the mountains, passing between South and North Qishan. A wide river valley stretched for dozens of miles—perfect terrain for a large army. But at its center stood a narrow choke point: a small hill known as Qishan Fort.
Though small, it was a vital strategic position.
After dispatching Zuo Bao, Zhang Xin sent word to Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao, instructing them to remain hidden in the mountains and maintain their ambush positions.
Then he had Dian Wei bring in the captured rebel general.
"Who are you?" Zhang Xin asked.
"Yan Xing," the man replied, pale but composed.
Zhang Xin raised an eyebrow in surprise. He had heard of Yan Xing—a formidable warrior known for nearly killing Ma Chao. And yet, he had been captured by Dian Wei.
"So my Old Dian is the stronger one after all," Zhang Xin said with a faint smile.
He studied Yan Xing carefully. "Han Sui's rebellion will not last. Why not abandon him and join us?"
Yan Xing lowered his gaze. "My parents are in Jincheng. If I surrender, they will not survive. I was defeated fairly. I only ask for a swift death."
Zhang Xin fell silent.
In such times, surrender often meant doom for one's family—especially under a man like Han Sui.
Keeping Yan Xing might only breed resentment.
Killing him would serve no purpose.
After a moment, Zhang Xin made his decision.
"Very well. For your filial piety, I will spare your life. You may return."
Yan Xing's eyes widened in disbelief before he dropped to his knees, bowing repeatedly. "Thank you, Marquis! Thank you!"
"But not yet," Zhang Xin added. "Stay here for two days. Then you will carry a message back to Han Sui."
"Of course!" Yan Xing said eagerly.
—
Two days later, Han Sui grew suspicious. There had been no movement from Xixian.
"Could it be… a bluff?" he wondered aloud.
Cheng Gongying frowned, deep in thought. Then suddenly, realization struck him.
"That's it! The Marquis of Wuxiang is known for daring tactics—surprise attacks across great distances. He must have left small forces behind to create the illusion of an ambush while his main army slipped away!"
"We've been deceived!"
Alarmed, Han Sui quickly gathered troops and marched toward Xixian.
From afar, the city was silent. The gates were shut, the walls empty—no banners, no soldiers.
"He's gone! After him!"
The rebels surged forward.
Suddenly, arrows shot into the sky with sharp whistles.
"Kill!"
Ambush forces burst from both sides of the mountains. Zhao Yun struck from the left, Zhang Liao from the right, splitting the rebel army in two.
At the same moment, the city gates flew open, and Dian Wei charged out with another force.
Panic erupted instantly.
Some of the soldiers who had survived the earlier massacre recognized him and screamed, "Evil Lai!" before turning to flee.
The formation collapsed.
"We've been trapped! Retreat!" Han Sui shouted, barely escaping with his guards.
The Han forces pressed their attack, routing the enemy completely before finally withdrawing after several miles.
—
Back in Xixian, Zhang Xin gave the order to move out immediately toward Qishan.
Budugen protested, "We've marched for seven days, hidden in the mountains for two more, and just fought a fierce battle. How can the men endure another march?"
The Xianbei cavalry murmured in agreement.
Zhang Xin looked at them and spoke plainly.
"The imperial army has already been defeated. We have no reinforcements. No supplies. If we stay, we die."
Silence fell.
This time, no one objected.
—
Meanwhile, Han Sui returned to camp in disgrace, furious at having been outmaneuvered.
Just as he prepared to pursue again, Yan Xing returned.
"Yanming! You're alive?" Han Sui exclaimed. "How did you escape?"
"I did not escape," Yan Xing replied calmly. "The Marquis of Wuxiang released me."
Han Sui frowned. "Released you?"
Yan Xing nodded.
"He also asked me to deliver a message."