Chapter 39: Annihilating the Tartar Cavalry!

To these pursuing Tartars.

They hated Zhu Ying to the extreme, and they hated the Ming army even more.

Through days of trekking, Zhu Ying had led his soldiers in flight, successfully leaving an impression on the Tartars: the Ming army was panicking and losing its way, knowing nothing but how to flee.

This was exactly the impression Zhu Ying intended to give, driving them to pursue with reckless abandon.

Finally!

In less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

In a low-lying area between the mountains.

A Tartar Wanfuzhang (Commander of Ten Thousand) was leading five to six thousand Tartar cavalry in a rapid pursuit.

Upon seeing the mountain depression ahead, they did not pause, continuing their charge.

"Commander."

"The terrain here is extremely low. Could the Ming army have set an ambush here?"

As they charged, a Tartar Qianfuzhang (Commander of a Thousand) looked ahead with concern.

"The Ming army has been chased into a panic by our clan's warriors. This area is still our territory, and not far ahead is our Red Flag Tribe. I have already sent messengers to the Red Flag Tribe, telling them to quickly dispatch their youths to block the Ming army's retreat."

"If I do not tear this Ming unit into ten thousand pieces this time, I, Mainuha, will have no face to meet the Clan Chief."

"Lads, speed up the pursuit! We must exterminate this Ming unit completely!"

"Kill!"

The Tartar Commander roared.

Over six thousand Tartar iron cavalry swept forward, rapidly approaching the valley entrance.

The Ming soldiers hidden above all gripped their bows and arrows, their eyes filled with killing intent.

At this moment, they were all waiting for Zhu Ying's signal.

They waited only for Zhu Ying to release his arrow, and then the rain of arrows would descend.

However.

Zhu Ying was in no hurry. He stared intently, quietly watching these Tartars walk into the trap.

"It's you."

As far as Zhu Ying's gaze could reach, he saw the central battle flag of the Tartars.

Beneath that flag.

A Tartar general clad in iron armor caught Zhu Ying's eye.

Distinguishing between Tartar officers and common soldiers was simple, especially from a high vantage point where everything was clear.

Zhu Ying drew his Precious Eagle Bow, an arrow notched upon the string.

With Zhu Ying's strength, the bowstring was easily pulled back.

By the time more than half of the Tartar cavalry had entered the valley.

"Die!" Zhu Ying barked coldly in his heart.

*Swish!*

The arrow from the Precious Eagle Bow flew out with a whistle, aimed directly at the Tartar Commander below.

In a flash of lightning.

The Tartar was still charging forward when suddenly—

*Puchi!*

The sharp arrow instantly pierced through the Commander's chest. The immense force even sent him flying backward.

*Thud.*

He slammed heavily onto the ground.

Before the Tartar soldiers could even react, the Commander's corpse was trampled under the hooves of his own comrades' horses.

"Killed a Tartar Wanfuzhang, gained 100 points in all attributes," the panel prompted.

As Zhu Ying's arrow pierced the air, almost instantly, the Ming soldiers, who had been poised for action, unleashed a frantic volley of arrows upon the forces below.

A chaotic rain of arrows.

In an instant, large clusters of Tartar cavalry were shot from their horses.

Furthermore, following Zhu Ying's prior orders, the initial volley targeted the Tartar rear, using their own corpses and fallen horses to block their path of escape.

"First, Second, and Fourth Qianfu Battalions, charge with me!"

"Fifth Qianfu Battalion, hold the high ground and fire!"

"Kill!"

Zhu Ying let out a great shout.

Mounting his horse, he brandished his long saber and charged directly toward the Tartars below.

"We follow the Commander to the death!"

"Kill!"

Three Qianfu commanders and one acting Qianfu immediately led their soldiers to follow Zhu Ying into the fray without a moment's hesitation.

Having followed Zhu Ying through many battles, they now shared a tacit understanding: they only needed to follow their Commander's charge.

From the high ground, nearly a thousand Ming soldiers dismounted, wielding bows and firing madly at the Tartar rear. The arrows fell like rain, and because they held the high ground—and especially because Zhu Ying had just killed their Commander—the charging Tartar army fell into complete chaos. They could neither advance nor retreat, appearing utterly wretched.

At this moment, the Tartars were in total disarray.

"The Ming army has an ambush here!"

"We've been trapped!"

"Retreat... retreat quickly!"

"Don't panic! Our retreat is blocked, we can't get out! We can only charge forward!"

"Lads, do not lose heart! Charge with me!"

"The Red Flag Tribe has sent reinforcements! As long as we break through, we can live! Kill...!"

The Tartar cavalry were muddled together. Facing the constant rain of arrows from above and seeing their comrades falling from their horses, panic spread. They couldn't even see the Ming army; they only saw a dense, incoming storm of arrows.

Then!

Right in front of the chaotic Tartar ranks.

"Kill!"

Zhu Ying led his charge.

With a sweep of his hand, he swung his saber.

Several Tartars in his path were cut down, blood spraying everywhere.

"Killed a Tartar cavalryman, gained 20 Strength."

"Killed a Tartar cavalryman, gained 20 Constitution."

"Killed a Tartar cavalryman, gained 50 Lifespan."

...

The panel continued to prompt as he gained attributes from killing enemies.

After every major battle, Zhu Ying grew stronger, and this sortie was naturally even more ferocious.

As before, Zhu Ying charged at the very front alone.

Even facing thousands of Tartars, Zhu Ying felt no fear, charging with madness.

Today.

Zhu Ying intended to utterly bury the Tartar cavalry.

Today.

Zhu Ying intended to break the 1,000-point threshold in all attributes, ensuring he would be even more unstoppable on future battlefields.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

The battle cries echoed through the mountains.

In this foreign land, the spirit of the Ming soldiers was on full display.

Charging.

Slaughtering.

This battle of ambush.

Compared to previous head-on confrontations, the results were naturally different.

They broke the enemy much more easily, and an enemy that had lost its command was no match for the Ming soldiers.

As time passed.

Zhu Ying charged relentlessly, and thousands of Ming soldiers followed his lead, continuously slaughtering the Tartars.

Meanwhile, the nearly thousand soldiers on the high ground aimed their bows and rained arrows down upon the Tartars.

Heaven, earth, and man—the Ming army held every advantage.

After more than an hour.

The great battle reached its end.

"Mercy!"

"Don't kill me!"

"Spare me..."

"I surrender! Mercy!"

At this moment, fewer than a hundred Tartars remained, surrounded and begging for their lives in terror.

Many others were struggling amidst the piles of corpses, desperately trying to survive.

Zhu Ying glanced at them and said coldly, "Leave no survivors."

As his voice fell, the Ming soldiers surged forward without hesitation, swiftly eliminating the remaining Tartars.

"Commander!"

"Fewer than seven or eight hundred escaped; the rest of the Tartars have been wiped out!"

Wei Quan hurried over and reported with excitement.

The surrounding soldiers were also greatly uplifted, looking at Zhu Ying with deep admiration.

They had been in the heart of the northern frontier for over ten days.

They were like a knife plunged into the heart of the Tartar territory, and after this battle, they had annihilated the last of the Tartar cavalry.

Such great merit.

Such a victory.

They had never imagined this when they first arrived.

And all of it was achieved under Zhu Ying's leadership.

...

PS: 2025 has arrived. I hope all my brothers can be with their families and stay healthy. Wishing all brothers a prosperous new year.

(End of Chapter)