The defenders did not dare to breathe, fully aware of the rift between the two leaders, but witnessing such a scene was unprecedented.
Who would dare to intervene?
Luo Yu clenched his fists instinctively as Zhang Gui clearly aimed to drive young Wu to his death!
The angrier one was Wang Shuang, who never expected Zhang Gui to show him such blatant disrespect. He glared at Zhang Gui and said coldly:
"Deputy Zhang, what do you mean by this? Are my words no longer valid? Should I let you take my place as the company leader?"
Just then, the outside echoed with the Qiang soldiers' mocking shouts:
"Turtled cowards, are you too afraid to come out and fight, grandpas?"
"Look at you standing there like men, cowering behind the walls. If you are too scared to face us, just go back to your mothers and drink your milk!"
All the defenders were livid, their faces turning pale. The Qiang soldiers were too brazen!
A mere Qiang cavalryman dared to provoke the defenders, coming dangerously close to the range of their bows and crossbows without any fear. It was a blatant insult, showing utter contempt.
This scene had played out multiple times over the past days of the siege, with the Qian soldiers always remaining behind their closed doors.
However, their morale had been crushed time and time again by these provocations, hitting rock bottom. Over time, a seed of fear was planted in everyone's hearts, and they no longer had the courage to confront the Qiang soldiers.
Hearing the taunts, Zhang Gui had a sudden idea and grinned avariciously:
"Don't misunderstand, I am merely considering the safety of our brothers. The current situation is dire, and neither strict punishment nor leniency would be appropriate. But I do have a solution that will satisfy both sides."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"Since the Qiang soldiers have repeatedly taunted us and we have remained inside, the morale of our brothers is falling lower. To reverse this, we should send young Wu out to face the Qiang soldiers. If he dares, it would show bravery, and we can forgive his earlier cowardice."
"Zhang Gui, that's too much!" Meng Hu erupted in anger upon hearing this. "The Qiang are skilled in mounted combat, and young Wu is just a new recruit. How could he possibly handle the Qiang soldiers? You're clearly sending him to his death!"
Zhang Gui crossed his arms and laughed coldly:
"Well, it's out of his hands now; I've given him a chance to prove his courage."
Young Wu's face went ashen. Going out meant death, staying meant death—he was finished.
Suddenly, Luo Yu spoke up:
"I'll go in place of young Wu. Is that acceptable?"
"What?" Not just Zhang Gui, but everyone else was taken aback by Luo Yu's willingness to fight in young Wu's stead.
Luo Yu, with an impassive expression, continued:
"Young Wu's fear in battle is a mistake, and as his squad leader, I bear some responsibility for his failure. I will fight in his place. If I win, we'll let this matter pass; if I lose, I will accept whatever punishment, even death, as per the deputy leader's orders!"
"You said it!" Zhang Gui nearly laughed out loud, concerned that Luo Yu might change his mind:
"Company Leader, is this settled?"
The soldiers surrounding them looked at Luo Yu as if he were a fool, including Meng Hu and young Wu, who were equally baffled.
There were no horses in the fort; Luo Yu could only fight on foot. No matter how skilled one might be, facing cavalry on foot was a surefire way to die—something everyone understood.
But deep inside, Luo Yu felt a spark of excitement. He was struggling to lift morale, and this was the perfect opportunity! He could also resolve young Wu's crisis—two birds with one stone!
"Alright, just be careful. I'll watch from the walls." Wang Shuang cast a helpless glance at Luo Yu before turning away. He didn't want to witness Zhang Gui's scheming succeed.
Zhang Gui was in a great mood now; he leaned close to Luo Yu and whispered slyly:
"I understand. Wu Mazi was killed because he tried to steal your credit, right? I know exactly who he was. As long as there's one survivor left in the squad, he won't be the one to die."
Luo Yu neither confirmed nor denied this claim but countered with a question:
"So, are you seeking revenge for him, Captain Zhang? Does anyone's military credit deserve to be robbed?"
"I, Zhang Gui, don't know how to read, but I've danced on the edge of death enough times to get promoted to deputy leader. He was with me when he first joined the army, and these years, he has helped me out a lot, so we share a good bond. Stealing military credit is indeed wrong, but it's not up to you to punish him!" Zhang Gui's eyes turned extremely malicious:
"So, you must accompany him to the grave!"
"Don't celebrate too early, Captain Zhang." Luo Yu smirked slightly: "Who says I can't win?"
...
"Cowards in the fort, why not return to your mothers and suckle? Hahaha!"
The mocking laughter still echoed over Jiming Fort. A Qiang soldier galloped around, cursing with a dry throat.
When he spotted a lone foot soldier stepping out and standing with sword drawn, he nearly laughed his teeth out—killing a foot soldier would be easier than killing a chicken. After all, chickens were small and might take a miss.
Even further back, the Qiang soldiers watching erupted in jeers, fully dismissing Luo Yu.
Luo Yu held a sword in one hand and toyed with a short dagger in the other, appearing unafraid and radiating confidence.
On the walls, Meng Hu and the others were sweating profusely. Young Wu was kneeling on the ground, praying for Luo Yu.
Though the distant Qiang cavalry looked small now, once they charged in, they would be colossal. They wouldn't even have to strike; the sheer force of the horses could trample you into pulp.
Luo Yu's calm demeanor provoked Zhang Gui's disdain:
"Hmph, putting on a show! Let's see how long you can continue your charade!"
"Go!" Amid the tense gazes of the crowd, the Qiang soldiers pulled back on their reins and charged forward, raising their long spears, their tips glinting menacingly.
The thunder of hooves grew louder, but Luo Yu remained unmoved.
"Brother Yu, why isn't he moving? It's over; this is all my fault. Woe is me!" Young Wu sobbed, and Zhang Gui laughed mockingly:
"What remarkable skill! He's just a useless coward too scared to move!"
"Ha!" The warhorse got closer, and the Qiang soldier skillfully aimed his long spear, preparing to thrust. A light poke would send Luo Yu to the sands as a lost soul.
Then, Luo Yu moved.
He flipped his palm, the dagger rotated quickly in his hand, and with a powerful swing of his right arm—muscles taut like a drawn bow—he hurled it forward.
The black dagger sliced through the air with deadly accuracy, striking the horse's head directly, puncturing deep within as blood sprayed out.
The warhorse neighed, collapsing as its front legs buckled, throwing the Qiang soldier off, who then tumbled head over heels and rolled across the sand, coming to a stop directly at Luo Yu's feet.
Both sides' spectators strained to see, only able to glimpse the clouds of dust, not yet clear on what had transpired.
The Qiang soldier stumbled, panicking as he attempted to rise. Before he could draw his blade, Luo Yu's fist connected with his face, knocking him unconscious instantly.
As the dust began to settle, the scene on the battlefield was finally revealed.
The dazed Qiang soldier half-kneeled on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth, while Luo Yu placed the blade of his weapon against the soldier's throat.
The crowd was astonished!
Luo Yu had actually won!
Zhang Gui's pupils constricted, his mouth agape as if he could fit an egg inside:
"How… how is this possible?"
Luo Yu turned back towards the walls, a mocking, playful smirk curling at his lips, which turned Zhang Gui's face ashen.
"Whoosh!" As the blade slid across, the severed head was lifted high by Luo Yu:
"Victory is assured!"
After being trapped for so long, with despair hanging over them, the soldiers in the fort felt a surge of hope at this moment, their eyes turning red as they began to shout with fists raised:
"Victory is assured!"