After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 854 - 840: The Great Counteroffensive III_2

Zhao Hanzhang confidently declared, "It will happen!"

Unable to wait, resting while lying here sufficed. She had recaptured more than a dozen counties in Yan State, and she would eventually reclaim the remaining counties. Sooner or later she would encounter Zhi Xiong again; if revenge couldn’t be exacted today, another day would suffice.

No matter, she was very vengeful. As the saying goes, it’s never too late for a gentleman to seek revenge, even after ten years. She would always remember him, intending to take him with her even in death.

On the surface, Zhao Hanzhang appeared calm, but inside she was gritting her teeth.

She suppressed her hatred and took out a piece of dry food from her bosom, breaking a small piece to alleviate her hunger.

Their supply of dry food was limited; if they couldn’t find the target by tomorrow, they would have to return.

While in thought, chaotic hoofbeats reached her ears. Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes lit up, and she immediately pressed her ear to the ground to listen, "They’re coming, everyone prepare!"

Rong Yi responded while passing down the orders and also began listening from the ground. He thought Zhao Hanzhang might be overly tense and misheard, hesitating until his own ears finally caught the vibrations of hooves beating the earth.

Rong Yi was momentarily stunned, lifting his head to look at Zhao Hanzhang with admiration.

Seeing him lift his head, Zhao Hanzhang forcefully pushed it back into the grass, "Stay still and no one should reveal themselves."

Orders were passed down one by one; soldiers grasped their weapons and stayed prone, even their horses were calmed to lie down.

Moreover, a hundred cavalrymen led by Wuliang hid above the official road, using trees for cover, ready to charge upon command.

Soon, everyone saw Zhi Xiong leading a team of riders, rushing towards them in disarray.

They had fled all day, both men and horses exhausted, so their pace was slow; evidently, Xun Ming wasn’t pressing hard.

Zhao Hanzhang waited until the leading cavalry approached, calculating the rate of their hoofbeats and after letting seven or eight riders pass, waved her hand and shouted, "Trip—"

Numerous ropes were instantly pulled up, coupled with small pits buried in the ground; dozens of horses were caught off guard and fell, throwing the riders off...

The Jie Clan were skilled in mounted archery; most, as the horses stumbled forward, quickly twisted their bodies, choosing to fly out using their shoulders or backs, landing, rolling twice before standing...

But amidst fallen, chaotic horses, not everyone could roll safely, with many trampled or breaking their necks upon falling.

Zhi Xiong, both skillful and lucky, successfully stood up, but just as he was rising and barely steady, Zhao Hanzhang already led her men in a charge into their midst.

The two armies instantly clashed in a chaotic battle.

Zhao Hanzhang spotted Zhi Xiong and charged towards him.

Zhi Xiong also saw Zhao Hanzhang.

The two could be considered old adversaries; during the battle at Zhao’s Castle years ago, he was by Shi Le’s side, already harboring deep hatred for her. This time, he didn’t even bother to run, wielding his large saber, he charged at Zhao Hanzhang.

A space quickly cleared where they clashed; primarily because Zhi Xiong was vicious and Zhao Hanzhang killed without hesitation. Regardless of who approached them, they killed, gradually people ceded space to them while tacitly blocking reinforcements from either side.

Rong Yi wanted to assist but couldn’t get close, so he could only lead his men to block Shi Army soldiers constantly trying to push forward.

Fleeing soldiers were easier to kill than stop, and soon hundreds scattered out of the encirclement, paying no mind to their commander, sprinting away; meanwhile, from a corner ahead, a cavalry unit charged forth, harvesting directly.

They plunged into the chaotic melee and slaughtered, while Zhao Hanzhang thrust a spear into Zhi Xiong’s chest, shoving him back until the spear pierced him through and quickly withdrew.

Zhi Xiong still held his saber, glaring wide-eyed at Zhao Hanzhang, his knees buckling as he fell, trying to speak, but only blood surged forth, his voice barely audible.

Zhao Hanzhang showed no intention to listen closer, instead lifting her chin proudly, "I’ll send your head back to Shi Le."

Enraged, Zhi Xiong spat blood, finally uttering, staring hatefully at Zhao Hanzhang, "The Great General will avenge me, he surely will!"

Zhao Hanzhang’s eyes sharpened; her spear swiftly sliced across his neck, Zhi Xiong’s eyes widened instantly, slowly bowing his head.

Zhao Hanzhang stepped forward, seized his saber, swung forcefully, decapitating him and picking up the head, shouted, "Zhi Xiong is dead; will you still resist?"

The bloodthirsty Shi Army’s rationality returned, slowing their actions, and the Zhao Army also slowed, beginning to encircle them.

Rong Yi slew the enemy he was battling, stepped forward and loudly declared, "Surrender and you won’t be killed!"

The soldiers joined in the clamor, Shi Army looked around cautiously, some carefully dropped their weapons, quickly seized by an agile Zhao soldier who pulled them over, making them squat...

Seeing surrendered soldiers spared, others gradually laid down their weapons.

By then the sun had set, blood and scattered corpses covered the entire official road. Zhao Hanzhang stood on a battlefield redder than the setting sun, her battle-induced emotional turmoil slowly cooled with the twilight, her mind gradually calming from the urge to tear everything apart, leaving only physical and mental exhaustion.

Standing in the twilight’s darkness, Zhao Hanzhang pursed her lips, feeling war’s weariness for the first time: if the world couldn’t be unified, the war would never end.

Wishing for Yu State’s independent peace was simply delusional.

"Sir, the battlefield is cleared, 398 prisoners captured, heads collected..."

Before Rong Yi could finish his report, Wuliang suddenly shouted, "Who dares to spy?"

Zhao Hanzhang immediately turned, and the entire army instantly rose, taking weapons and standing ready.

Bird calls immediately emanated from the forest, everyone recognized it as Zhao Family Army’s signal, involuntarily looking towards Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang didn’t relax, stepping forward she commanded, "Signal him to come out and respond."