Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Ingenious Capture of Yunyang City
When Xiang Buer finally left, Lu Youxiong lifted the cellar’s cover and let everyone out.
As soon as Xu Yaozu emerged, he gasped for breath. “It’s suffocating down there, unbearable!”
Li Yiqing leapt three feet into the air and cursed, “Xiang… Xiang… Xiang Buer, damn you!”
He drew his Golden Dragon Claw and was about to give chase.
But Xu Yaozu yanked him back. “Kid, have you forgotten what Deputy Commander Ye said?!”
He scolded Li Yiqing and then instructed Mu Shijin, “Stick to the original plan—transform and leave the city, notify Deputy Commander Ye. At the third watch tonight, we’ll coordinate from inside and out to seize Yunyang City.”
Once Xu Yaozu had arranged matters with Li Yiqing, Mu Shijin, Zhou Chaogui, and the others, Lu Youxiong spoke up, “We can’t stay here long! I have another house in the south of the city—go hide there. Tonight, at the third watch, I’ll open the eastern gate for your two commanders to lead the army in. Together, we’ll capture Xiang Buer!”
They discussed a few more details.
Mu Shijin then transformed into an ordinary demon soldier and left first.
The others found a large cart and settled Lu Youxiong’s family inside.
Li Yiqing and Zhou Chaogui guarded them.
Xu Yaozu drove the cart straight toward the southern part of the city.
That night, at the second watch, Lu Youxiong gathered his troops.
Standing atop a high platform, he gazed at his brothers, who had followed him through life and death, his emotions turbulent.
There was no moon that night, the wind howled fiercely, sending chills across their bodies.
Lu Youxiong did not feel cold; instead, a blazing fire burned in his chest, warming him.
He spoke with passion, “Brothers, for ten years we’ve worn the skins of dogs, committing evil against the people. We have no face! Even in death, we can’t enter our ancestral tombs!”
His eyes grew moist, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“But what about Xiang Buer?! He never treated us as human. Who among you hasn’t suffered his abuses, his insults?! Even I was never trusted! My wife, children, and parents were all placed under house arrest, difficult even to see once!”
The more he spoke, the sadder he became, tears rolling down.
The soldiers below also began to sob, wiping their eyes.
“I’m not fit to be a man; I can’t face heaven or earth! Some of you once asked why I always wear an iron mask.”
He swept his hand across the soldiers below. “Now I’ll tell you—it’s because I have no face! No face alive, no face dead, no face before anyone in this city!…”
Suddenly, a soldier below raised his arm and shouted, “Revolt!”
One after another, soldiers joined in, “Revolt! Revolt!”
The cry grew into a furious tide, “Revolt! Revolt! Kill Xiang Buer!”
Lu Youxiong feared the noise would alarm the demon soldiers and raised his hand to silence them, continuing, “It’s time. We can’t bear it any longer! Murong Yan and Ye Feng’s righteous army has already reached the city. They didn’t retreat because they couldn’t take Yunyang City, but to avoid needless bloodshed. They came to negotiate with me, hoping we’d cooperate from within and without to break Yunyang City together!”
Hearing this, the soldiers below lit up with hope, eagerly awaiting his next words.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I immediately agreed. Tonight, at the third watch, we’ll tie white handkerchiefs to our arms as a secret signal, throw open the eastern gate, and welcome the righteous army!”
Applause erupted below; the soldiers were overjoyed.
When the white handkerchiefs were brought, each rushed to tie one on.
Lu Youxiong, seeing their enthusiasm, felt immense satisfaction.
“Brothers, from today we’ll live as men again! I’ll never wear that damned iron mask again!”
He finished speaking, removed the mask, and tossed it far away, revealing a handsome face.
His spirit soared.
“Clop, clop, clop…”
He swiftly descended the platform, leapt onto his horse, brandished his folding gate-blade, and shouted, “Charge!”
He spurred his horse.
“Clatter, clatter, clatter…”
They dashed out.
The soldiers followed like a whirlwind, surging forward!
Arriving at the eastern gate, a demon soldier saw them and shouted in awkward Great Xia tongue, “Stop! You are not allowed near! Xiang Commander is here—no one may approach without orders!”
Hearing this, Lu Youxiong was startled. What’s going on? Why is Xiang Buer here?
It turned out that Xiang Buer had failed to capture Lu Youxiong’s family and the heroes during the day, so he panicked.
Fearing Lu Youxiong would rebel, he deployed soldiers overnight, sealing all four gates and patrolled personally.
As expected, Lu Youxiong led his troops to assault the eastern gate that night, and Xiang Buer happened to be there.
Now, Lu Youxiong, having drawn his bow, would not turn back. Hearing the demon soldier’s shout, he didn’t stop—he spurred his horse forward, and in the blink of an eye, rushed before the demon soldier, raised his blade—
“Crack!”
With a single stroke,
The demon’s head tumbled to the ground!
“Loose the arrows!”
“Loose the arrows!”
“Loose the arrows!”
Demon soldiers panicked, shouting to fire.
Arrows rained down!
Lu Youxiong swept his blade, knocking away the feathered shafts!
He spurred his horse onward, charging toward the eastern gate!
“Lu Youxiong, traitor!”
A loud voice sounded; Lu Youxiong turned to look.
Xiang Buer had arrived at the gate, riding his fat horse to block the way.
“Scoundrel! I’ve not treated you badly, how dare you betray me?!”
Xiang Buer, wielding a pair of copper hammers shaped like human faces, clenched his teeth so hard they creaked, nearly spitting blood with rage!
“Xiang Buer, you imprisoned my family, forced me to commit heinous acts—I am your mortal enemy!”
Lu Youxiong, seeing his foe, was furious; he squeezed his horse’s flanks, raised his blade, and charged like a vengeful god.
Xiang Buer was not to be outdone; he raised both hammers to block!
Sparks flew, dazzling like fireworks at New Year.
Then,
“Bang!”
A thunderous clang,
Like a thunderbolt in the silent night,
Deafened both sides’ soldiers, leaving them dizzy and disoriented.
Lu Youxiong’s hands went numb and hot, nearly dropping his blade!
His horse
“Clop!”
“Clop!”
“Clop!”
Retreated over ten paces.
“Ah!” Lu Youxiong was shocked. He’d always looked down on him, thinking he was merely a glutton without skill—who knew he possessed such strength!
Clearly, today he must not underestimate Xiang Buer!
Alas, the third watch was upon them—Murong Yan and Ye Feng must have been waiting outside the city for a long time; he couldn’t afford delay!
Better to imitate the old trick—
Win with my Soul-Chasing Red Lotus!
He tore the Red Lotus from his waist and held it in his hand.
Secretly summoning his mental power, the Red Lotus instantly grew to the size of a round disc.
“Go!”
Lu Youxiong tossed it into the air.
The Red Lotus spun rapidly, flying straight toward Xiang Buer.
“Ah!” Xiang Buer was terrified, whipped his horse to flee!
But his clumsy horse was no match for speed!
Soon, the Red Lotus caught up.
“Poof!”
A puff of white smoke rose from its base.
Xiang Buer wobbled on his horse, swayed twice,
“Thud!”
Without even crying out, he fell off, raising a cloud of dust.
Lu Youxiong ignored him, spurred his horse, raised his blade high, and shouted, “Out of the way! Those who avoid me live; those who block me die!”
The demon soldiers scattered in terror!
Lu Youxiong galloped onward, lightning-fast, reaching the gate!
He saw the bolt was as thick as a barrel; summoning all his strength, he swung his blade fiercely!
“Crack!”
The bolt split in two!
Lu Youxiong opened the gate, called out, “Light the torches!”
The soldiers behind had already caught up, raising torches and waving them three times.
With this signal, the quiet fields outside the city erupted with shouts and battle cries!
Countless righteous army soldiers appeared like heavenly warriors, sweeping into the city like a whirlwind!
The demon soldiers inside were already terrified; seeing the righteous army enter, they surrendered without resistance.
The whole battle lasted less than half an hour; not a single righteous army brother was injured.
Murong Yan and Ye Feng looked at the prisoners and carts of military equipment, thrilled.
Then, a loud voice rang from afar, “Criminal Lu Youxiong, bearing thorns, comes to receive judgment!”
Looking over, they saw a tall, handsome man with a bare chest, thorns on his back, bowing at every step as he approached.
Behind him, several soldiers dragged Xiang Buer, tightly bound.
Murong Yan and Ye Feng hurriedly dismounted, rushing over to help him up.
“General Lu, you opened the gates and offered the city—this is a great merit. Let’s forget the past.”
Lu Youxiong hung his head in shame. “Commanders, I was foolish, coerced by Xiang Buer, and committed many crimes. I deserve death a thousand times. Today, I bring Xiang Buer to you for punishment.”
He then shouted, “Bring Xiang Buer forward!”
The soldiers shoved Xiang Buer up.
Seeing Murong Yan and Ye Feng, Xiang Buer’s legs gave out,
“Thud!”
He knelt.
“Commanders, please be magnanimous and spare me!” he cried, kowtowing repeatedly until his forehead bled, tears and snot covering his face.
Murong Yan and Ye Feng were unmoved. “Take him out and execute him!”
Xiang Buer was utterly desperate, fainting from fright.
When the order came, several soldiers moved to drag Xiang Buer away, only to find he couldn’t be moved!
He was simply too fat and heavy!
Lu Youxiong sneered coldly, took the single-edged blade from the executioner, and cradled it across his chest.
Turning to Xiang Buer, he reached out and gripped the rope binding his back.
“Hmph!” With a single-arm effort, he hoisted Xiang Buer up.
“Thud!”
“Thud!”
“Thud!”
He strode away.
Soon,
“Crack!”
A single stroke—
The demon’s head rolled to the ground!
A soldier brought the demon’s head forward to report; Murong Yan ordered, “Hang it at the city gate to show the people!”
The soldier obeyed.
Thus, Yunyang City was cleverly captured; the righteous army won a resounding victory, the people celebrated with drums and gongs, and many youths enlisted.
The righteous army grew even stronger.
Murong Yan and Ye Feng led the whole army to rest for ten days and then pressed onward.
The people lined the roads to send them off.
Murong Yan and Ye Feng advanced, waving farewell as they went.
Amid the festivities, suddenly, Murong Yan’s horse was tightly held by someone.
He looked down and saw who it was, and could not help but smile.