Strife of Chaos Chapter 77: The Ordeal at Beitong Pass

Northern Tongguan.

“Big brother, how’s your injury?” Deng Zhanxuan asked, concern in his voice.

“I’ve been fine for ages. I’m full of energy now. I could take on a few hundred more men without any trouble.” Li Qiutong said this as he swung his fists a few times to demonstrate his robust condition.

Ren Xingtian shook his head helplessly. “Brother Tong, you should keep a low profile. News from the front lines says the Mongol army has been defeated. Ruiyun should be back soon. Save your excitement for when he returns.”

“Got it. You’re always so talkative and serious. If you were as lively as when you see a beautiful woman, wouldn’t that be better?” Li Qiutong replied with a straight face.

“When it comes to serious matters, this is how I act.”

“So, does that mean Yuling isn’t a serious matter to you?” Li Qiutong continued with a grin.

“That’s a different thing altogether. By the way, Brother Tong, when you forced your martial essence to rise that day, you might have suffered some internal injuries. I’ve written to Lady Hongyu; she intends to come in person to check on you. Also, according to my sources, Lady Hongyu has been finding several marriage prospects for you in Chang’an.”

“My foster mother is coming? Are you joking? And what’s this about matchmaking? I’ve never heard anything about it.” Li Qiutong was stunned.

Ren Xingtian smiled triumphantly. “Apparently, this time she plans to stay here for a while. You’d better tidy up your room quickly.”

Before Li Qiutong could process the news, a soldier suddenly rushed in to report, “Lord of the city, there’s a sudden appearance of an army of over five thousand outside. Judging by their attire, they seem to be Mongols. They’re demanding to see you.”

“Aren’t the Mongols supposed to have retreated? How did they end up here?” Li Qiutong looked at Ren Xingtian in confusion, who was equally puzzled.

“Big brother, let’s go take a look.”

“Mm.”

When they hurried to the city wall above the northern gate, Li Qiutong realized the soldier’s report was not exaggerated in the slightest. Where the fields should have been empty, a neatly arranged army of thousands stood. Fully armed, their grim and disciplined atmosphere made everyone atop the wall tense.

Li Qiutong summoned all his presence and shouted down, “This is the territory of Tang. Who are you, and why have you come?”

He released the aura of a Saint Martialist without any concealment.

Below, Hulun’er was startled, but with the confidence of five thousand steppe cavalry, he shouted back, “I am Hulun’er, Grand General of Mongolia. Today, I have my eye on your city. If you open your gates and surrender, perhaps I’ll spare your lives. If you resist, we’ll breach your city and slaughter all within ten minutes. You have half an hour to decide. Don’t think of escaping or sending word—you’ll never outrun our pursuit.”

With that, Hulun’er began to silently count.

After his speech, those atop the wall fell silent. Half a minute later, Deng Zhanxuan spoke, “Big brother, what should we do?”

Li Qiutong sighed and looked at Ren Xingtian. “Can we beat them?”

Ren Xingtian shook his head gravely. “It’s difficult. The steppe cavalry total ten thousand; five thousand are already here—half their force. Their martial essence cohesion is at least at the level of a three-star Saint Martialist, bolstered by their stamina. Our military formations aren’t fully formed yet; if we face them head-on, it would be suicide. Our odds are nearly zero.”

“How could the front lines let so many Mongol troops through, especially after their defeat?” The Lone Wolf, standing nearby, voiced his doubts.

Li Qiutong glanced back at the army below. “It’s useless to consider those things now. The enemy is at our gates; we have no choice but to fight.” He then turned to Ren Xingtian. “Any ideas?”

For the first time, Ren Xingtian showed uncertainty. He extended his left hand, calculating something silently. After a long pause, he finally spoke, “Brother Tong, I have a plan—but the losses might be heavy.”

“Tell me.”

Ren Xingtian looked around at the eager faces. “We have four barracks. Excluding the three thousand men Ruiyun took, we have just over six thousand soldiers, with each barrack holding more than two thousand. My idea is to let the heavy-armored troops from the northern barracks resist first, while the eastern and southern barracks launch flanking attacks. It’s just to buy time. Meanwhile, Brother Tong, who can travel quickly, should go and seek reinforcements.”

He waited for Li Qiutong to make his decision.

“You said sending them in is sending thousands to their deaths, right?” Li Qiutong asked simply.

Ren Xingtian did not answer.

“Have all the barrack commanders bring their men to the central field.” With that, Li Qiutong silently left the wall.

The central field was vast, able to accommodate tens of thousands, normally used for training coordinated operations among different troop types. At this moment, three distinct armies were assembled in neat formations.

Li Qiutong stood at the front, took a deep breath, and addressed them, “You probably don’t know why I’ve gathered you. Let me tell you: outside our walls are five thousand steppe cavalry who plan to attack Northern Tongguan in half an hour.”

His words sparked murmurs among the soldiers.

“Quiet. Let me finish. To be honest, I’ve poured all my energy into training you all, hoping to forge the greatest military formation in the realm. But time hasn’t allowed it; five thousand men have arrived right at our doorstep. Still, as your lord, I feel obligated to ensure your survival.”

The crowd fell silent. Ren Xingtian wanted to speak, but Li Qiutong stopped him.

He continued, “You each have your own ambitions and goals. I never wanted to interfere. I only wanted to fulfill my dream. Now, my dream is over, but yours are not. After you leave, pursue what you wish. I hope you don’t fail as I did. Escape as quickly as you can. Eastern barracks, follow Lone Wolf and flee through the eastern gate; southern barracks, follow Biluo and escape through the western gate; northern barracks, follow my third brother Deng Zhanxuan and flee through the southern gate.”

With that, Li Qiutong turned and walked north.

Some soldiers shouted, “Lord, what about the five thousand steppe cavalry outside?”

Li Qiutong waved confidently over his shoulder. “Their strength is that of a three-star Saint Martialist. Your lord will send them packing!”

Ren Xingtian hurried after him. “Brother Tong, you’re going to die.”

“If I send them, thousands will die; if I go, only one dies.” Li Qiutong had understood Ren Xingtian’s plan: let the soldiers hold off the steppe cavalry while the leaders escape. It was logical—Li Qiutong’s life was more valuable than those without ambition or purpose. Yet, his heart told him otherwise; perhaps this was his guardian spirit.

“Then, Brother Tong, I’ll accompany you,” Ren Xingtian said, resolute.

Li Qiutong grabbed him by the collar and tossed him toward the still-hesitant Deng Zhanxuan. “You’re responsible for Yuling and Lady Yang. Go with my third brother. If anything happens to them, I’ll hold you accountable.”

He smiled at Deng Zhanxuan. “Third brother, go find second brother. I’ll come for you soon.”

“Big brother, is that true?”

“Of course. When have I ever lied to you? Go now.” With that, Li Qiutong’s figure slowly vanished from their sight.

At the northern gate, Hulun’er was still counting. Suddenly, a figure leapt from the wall, landing gracefully on one knee, stirring a cloud of dust.

Hulun’er looked up at the man before him: dressed simply in black and white Tang military garb, holding a black-and-white staff, his ordinary yet resolute face radiated determination.

“What, are you planning to surrender?”

Li Qiutong smiled slightly. “I heard you suffered a defeat at Kaiyan Pass at the hands of a young man named Yang Ruiyun.”

Hulun’er’s face darkened, but as a grand general, he kept his composure. “That young man was alright, but only managed to show off briefly. In my eyes, he’s nothing but a clown.”

“Is that so? Actually, Yang Ruiyun is my second brother. I know his abilities well. If you say that, he must have held back and spared you.”

“What did you say?” Hulun’er shouted.

Li Qiutong shrugged, elegantly pointing his Yin-Yang Dragon Staff at Hulun’er. “Since my second brother didn’t properly teach you a lesson, as his elder brother, I’ll do it for him.”

With those words, Li Qiutong’s martial essence surged, and four distinct essences erupted from him.

A snow-white celestial horse spread its wings, soaring above his head. To one side, a green bird vibrated its vividly feathered wings. Behind him, flashes of lightning revealed a thunder dragon covered in electric scales. On his shoulder perched a fiery pheasant, ablaze with martial essence.

The stalwart celestial horse, the agile wind bird, the raging thunder dragon, and the blazing fire pheasant—four fully formed martial essences guarded Li Qiutong, stunning the five thousand cavalry before him.

Hulun’er refused to yield. He raised his long blade, and five thousand martial essences instantly fused. A gray divine wolf bared its fangs, staring fiercely at Li Qiutong.

In that moment, the martial essences of both sides reached their peak. Yet Li Qiutong was still at a disadvantage; his peak was only at the first stage of a two-star Saint Martialist, while Hulun’er’s essence was firmly at the three-star level.

“You mean to stand alone and hold the pass against ten thousand?” Hulun’er asked, his strength swelling.

Li Qiutong wagged his finger. “Not that impressive. I’m just one man who’ll crush a thousand of you.”

As soon as he finished, Li Qiutong raised his staff, and his four martial essences attacked the menacing divine wolf in unison.