Azure Heaven Saber
Chapter 1008 - 1008 15 Strategies to Break the Impasse

Chapter 1008: Chapter 15: Strategies to Break the Impasse [3-in-1]_2 Chapter 1008: Chapter 15: Strategies to Break the Impasse [3-in-1]_2 With the aid of Feng Yin’s medicinal pellets, the Qin Army’s endurance in battle had already surpassed the normal limits of warfare; how else could they have sustained themselves until this moment without resorting to such extreme methods?

The remaining soldiers of the Qi army cried out in unison, “Brothers, wait for me a moment!”

One by one, they drew their swords and committed suicide.

Those on the ground who were unable to move screamed urgently, “Send me off first!”

Thud, thud, thud—steel blades fell one after another.

The last one, who only had one arm left, still lifted his sword, earnestly searching for his comrades. Whenever he found someone still breathing, he delivered a final blow and added one more sentence, “Wait for me!”

Then he proceeded to search for the next one!

If he occasionally encountered a member of the Qin Army who was still breathing, he acted as if he saw nothing and simply passed by.

After making a round to ensure there were no other living comrades nearby, with the last bit of his life, he burst into laughter and said loudly, “I’m coming! Brothers, don’t go too far; I’m afraid of the dark.”

Before his voice faded, he decisively brought the blade across his throat. His body slumped softly to the ground, returning to the dust of the earth alongside his brothers.

There were no more sounds.

Wu Tiejun had long since ordered his men to stop firing arrows. Witnessing this tragic scene, his eyes couldn’t help but redden slightly as he calmly gave the order, “Clean up the battlefield, starting with a search to confirm our own survivors! Immediately, with the utmost speed!”

“Yes!”

“And these Qi soldiers…”

“Leave them be!”

With a gentle sigh, Wu Tiejun slowly removed his marshal’s helmet, bowed deeply, and softly said, “Rest in peace.”

Under the setting sun, the dying light was as red as blood—the wind whistled mournfully, stirring the torn flags that still howled in the breeze.

“Recover the bodies of the Qi soldiers with care, try to assemble their remains, and, importantly, collect any items that might identify them. Construct coffins, and prepare to send their spirits back.”

“Yes, Great Marshal!”

“Treat the bodies of our fallen soldiers with the utmost care, and ensure that their flesh and blood is not mixed with those of Qi soldiers.”

Wu Tiejun spoke softly, “We belong to the Qin country, they belong to Yan State. As they descend to the netherworld, let’s not have them…entangled any further. A lifetime of enmity is already too much!”

“Yes!”

“This is a top-level military order. Anyone who errs shall be executed without mercy!”

“This subordinate understands!”

“Clean the battlefield!”

After dropping these words, Wu Tiejun stepped into the battlefield, personally engaging in the collection of his brothers’ personal effects and remains.

With his back turned to everyone, he silently worked alone, his shoulders trembling slightly. Tears dropped silently onto the bloody ground, melting the half-coagulated blood into fresh bright red blossoms.

In the distance, the sound of galloping horses.

That was the cavalry from Yuezhou arriving.

They had caught up with the last wave of the battle.

The Yan Army was still fiercely attacking the valley,

The reinforcements, like massive stones crashing into waves, never stopped even for a moment as they stormed into the battlefield and broke through the enemy lines.

At this point, the situation had turned, and the outcome was decided.

The Yan Army’s commander, with only desolation in his eyes, reluctantly ordered a retreat.

With this withdrawal, out of the Yan Army’s three hundred thousand soldiers, it was likely that no more than a hundred and fifty thousand would be able to return.

Just as the Qin Army was about to launch a pursuit to capitalize on their advantage, they were unexpectedly met with the sound to cease fighting.

A truce?! Why call off the forces?

They could have continued the pursuit to expand their victory, with another glorious triumph within reach.

Although the soldiers did not understand, military orders were absolute, disobedience punishable by death, so they could only obey and return to camp.

When Tian Dahui returned, the first thing he did was to seek out Wu Tiejun.

This straightforward man bluntly asked, “Great Marshal, why did we call off the forces? We were about to pursue our advantage and expand our territory!”

Wu Tiejun stood silently, his eyes scanning the long list of names of fallen soldiers, his mood heavy.

The list in front of him was only partial, far from complete.

At this moment, Wu Tiejun’s heart held no joy for the great victory.

Tian Dahui was shaken by the somber atmosphere in the commander’s tent and, even as he struggled to voice his persistent questions hesitantly, decided against speaking further. Remembering the puzzled looks of the soldiers, he mustered the courage to step forward and ask, “Great Marshal! Why…”

Wu Tiejun suddenly looked up, barked, “Military orders are as heavy as mountains; you only need to follow orders!”

Tian Dahui took a step back, bit his lip, and lowered his head, “This subordinate doesn’t understand!”

Wu Tiejun sighed.

“Twenty military beatings!”

“This subordinate willingly accepts the punishment, but I beg for an answer.”

“Fine, I’ll tell you. The reason is: Yan State cannot be destroyed just yet!”

Wu Tiejun waved his hand, “Take him away, twenty lashings, no mercy!”

…

On the other hand, Fei Xinyu chased and killed in a frenzy. Her madness was not merely descriptive but actual, killing relentlessly over a distance of two thousand and five hundred miles!

The Yan Army on this side was annihilated to the last man.

Every small city along the way fell at the first assault, nearly without resistance, all because of the unyielding pursuit that resembled herding ducks—extreme slaughter, only halting when the great walls of the enemy’s capital came into distant view.

“Back to camp!”

“Deputy Commander Fei, our army is overwhelming, invincible in attack. Taking down that great city would be an easy task. There are routing soldiers paving the way ahead; why don’t we do as before and carve the same path…”

“Return!”

“…Yes.”

Fei Xinyu seemed to realize her tone was too harsh, took a measured breath and, in a low voice that was half a murmur and half an explanation, said, “…Yan State, it’s not yet time for their country to fall…”

“Deputy Commander Fei, what are you saying? This subordinate was distracted just now and didn’t hear you clearly.”

In reality, Fei Xinyu’s voice was too quiet, but General Zhao Yunlong would never dare to tell her that, so he could only say he hadn’t heard clearly.