"We swear to follow the General to the death!"
The generals around the battlefield all loudly echoed this sentiment. Every Sharp Warrior was filled with awe and fervor for Zhao Feng. Such was the power of the War God’s name that all the Sharp Warriors under Zhao Feng’s command shared this conviction.
Zhao Feng mounted his horse and, spear in hand, set off towards Handan. En route, he was bound to encounter many Zhao Jun, whom he would kill on sight.
As Zhao Feng led his troops away, he left behind a field littered with corpses for the Logistics Army to clean up.
Hundreds of cavalry rapidly made their way toward Handan of the Zhao state, led by two valorous Zhao generals.
"This soldier feels that the Senior General truly should not have relinquished his military authority," Sima Shang said with a heavy expression. "Once that authority is surrendered, we return to Handan, where we could be slaughtered like fish on a chopping board at any moment."
"The Royal Edict has been issued, and Yan Ju has arrived with his troops. What would happen if we refused to comply?" Li Mu turned, his expression equally grim. "Do you wish to commit treason?"
"But..." Sima Shang began to protest.
"Enough," Li Mu cut him off. "We are subjects of Zhao. The Royal Edict has been issued, and there is no turning back. Besides, our families are all still in Handan. If we do not surrender our authority, are we to abandon our families in Handan?" Li Mu frowned.
"This soldier understands," Sima Shang nodded helplessly. Googlᴇ search novel★fire.net
Just as the several hundred cavalrymen were galloping swiftly through a forested mountain pass, a sudden torrent of arrows rained down upon them. Caught completely off guard, over a hundred trusted aides were struck. With cries of pain, they tumbled from their galloping horses. The casualties were instantly devastating.
The remaining trusted aides quickly regained their composure. "Enemies!" one shouted. "Protect the Senior General! Hurry!"
The survivors reined in their horses, gathering around Li Mu and drawing their swords as they cautiously scanned the surroundings. But it was already too late. Thousands of armored Zhao soldiers poured out from all sides of the forest. They were all armed with bows and had even brought several large Bed Crossbows with them.
Sima Shang drew his sword, pointing it at the enemy soldiers. "The Senior General is here! Who sent you? How dare you!"
The man leading them, a Capital Commandant, raised his sword and roared, "Fire! Leave no one alive!"
At his command, the Zhao soldiers encircling them loosed another volley. The massive Bed Crossbows were also aimed and fired, their powerful bolts hurtling toward Li Mu’s dwindling party.
Witnessing this, a deathly pallor washed over Li Mu’s expression. He was no fool. Seeing these armored soldiers, he knew exactly who had sent them.
Li Mu sighed inwardly, a wave of disappointment washing over him. Your Majesty... so in your eyes, I was always meant to die.
"Kill them!" Sima Shang roared. "Protect the Senior General! Get him back to Dai Territory!"
The remaining trusted aides spurred their horses into action, drawing their own bows and charging the surrounding Prefecture Soldiers. They employed the famed nomadic archery techniques of Zhao, firing volleys from horseback. This was the strongest type of military unit in the Zhao state—the peerless nomadic cavalry archers who had once expanded Zhao’s borders.
Though their counter-volley felled scores of the attackers, the Prefecture Soldiers numbered two to three thousand. They had an absolute advantage in numbers, not to mention the Bed Crossbows set up for the ambush. There was no way for Li Mu to break through.
Before long, not a single one of Li Mu’s trusted aides remained alive. Only Li Mu and Sima Shang were left, surrounded by the Zhao soldiers.
Li Mu gazed at the Capital Commandant before him, his voice filled with sorrow. "Let this general understand before he dies. Does His Majesty truly wish for my death?"
"Since the general understands, I need not say more," Commander Zhao said slowly. "Considering the general is a famed commander of Zhao, please take your own life. It will grant you a dignified end."
However, each man served his own master. Even though Li Mu was the Senior General of Zhao, there was no chance he would survive. The King of Zhao might not have wanted him dead, but Guo Kai, the one carrying out the Royal Edict, certainly did. This, of course, was under orders from Qin. Once Li Mu was eliminated, the only great general left in Zhao capable of leading troops would be Pang Xuan.
His suspicions confirmed, Li Mu suddenly burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Who would have thought... To think that I, Li Mu, dedicated my life to Zhao, only for it to end ."
Beside him, Sima Shang was filled with rage. "The Senior General devoted himself to the state! How could His Majesty treat him this way? If the world finds out, His Majesty will be cursed by all!"
Commander Zhao shook his head. "After you die today, the world will be told that the Qin Army ambushed and killed you. The King will use your reputations to incite the soldiers and citizens to resist Qin. The people of Zhao will unite against a common enemy."
Hearing this, Li Mu gave a bitter smile. "His Majesty’s schemes are indeed brilliant. He eliminates us and seizes military authority in Dai Territory all at once."
"Enough talk. It is time for you to go, Senior General," Commander Zhao said, his patience wearing thin as he gave Li Mu a cold glare. Perhaps he felt respect for Li Mu, but his superiors wanted the general dead, and as a subordinate, he had to obey.
"This general will not kill himself." Li Mu sneered, drawing the sword from his waist. "If you want my life, then come and take it!"
Sima Shang did the same, his gaze icy. As War Generals, it was only natural they would die fighting.
"Kill them!" Commander Zhao did not hesitate.
With a wave of his hand, the surrounding Zhao soldiers charged, descending upon Li Mu and Sima Shang. This, it seemed, was the final dignity afforded to the two generals.