Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather-Chapter 378 - 363: Overestimating Oneself

"General Yang is here!"

Yan Zhengqing fell to the ground in a sorry state, even rolling twice, but when he stood up, his face was filled with wild joy.

"General Yang is here, kill these traitors!"

He bellowed, as he charged forward, brandishing his long saber.

"General Yang is here!"

"General Yang is here!"

Many soldiers shouted along, and the morale which had been somewhat subdued, instantly exploded. Those who were confused regained their senses at once.

Who is Yang Zhenshan?

He is the notorious butcher and god of slaughter in Chongshan Town!

To the enemy, this reputation holds a formidable deterrence.

To his comrades, this reputation greatly boosts morale.

Yang Zhenshan’s fearsome name is known to all within the Songzhou Guard.

The opened South City Gate was like a breached dike, with a massive influx of Tenglong Guard soldiers.

The cavalry loyal to Liu Zeqing were immediately overwhelmed by Yang Zhenshan leading the Five Army Camps and the Personal Guard Camp.

The originally chaotic battle turned one-sided in a mere instant.

Meanwhile, inside the Assistant General Mansion, the battle was still exceedingly brutal.

Zhang Chengzhi, Zhang Yuanwu, and others were strong, but this was Liu Zeqing’s territory after all—outnumbered and outpowered.

Especially since Liu Zeqing had reached the Seventh Layer of Postnatal cultivation, while Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu were only at the Sixth Layer. Together, they were no match for Liu Zeqing.

Fighting while retreating, they were now forced out of the mansion’s main gate, with only thirty or forty people bitterly persisting at their side.

However, there wasn’t a trace of joy in Liu Zeqing’s heart, as he had already heard the shouting from the direction of the South City Gate.

Thunderous hooves on the streets...

Yang Zhenshan rode Red Cloud, clad in gold-lacquered armor with mountain patterns, Xuan Tie Spear in hand, leading two hundred from his Personal Guard Camp thundering towards them.

Before the man arrived, a terrifying presence already enveloped the sky above the Assistant General Mansion.

Liu Zeqing halted his advance, looking towards the approaching Yang Zhenshan.

The surrounding soldiers, overwhelmed by the terrifying might, halted their attacks and gathered around Liu Zeqing.

Zhang Chengzhi, Zhang Yuanwu, and the rest of the Military Officers, battered and bruised, were however showing ecstatic faces.

"Stop!"

Yang Zhenshan grasped the reins tightly, and the charging Personal Guard Camp came to a sudden, eerily silent halt.

In the rear, the sound of battle continued to rise and fall, becoming ever more intense.

Before them, the two sides were arrayed in confrontation, quiet and still, the heavy atmosphere and terrifying might pressing down on everyone’s hearts.

"Liu Zeqing!"

Yang Zhenshan fixed his gaze on Liu Zeqing.

He had met Liu Zeqing before, but they weren’t well acquainted.

"Yang Zhenshan!" Liu Zeqing’s expression was dark.

Yang Zhenshan looked at him coldly, then flicked the reins, and Red Cloud, comprehending, began to step forward.

Tall and majestic, Red Cloud was like a huge beast—over eight feet at the shoulder, more than ten feet in length, clad in iron armor, with an iron mask, its body mostly stained red with fresh blood—a true embodiment of a ferocious behemoth.

Watching Yang Zhenshan draw near, Liu Zeqing’s heart pounded wildly.

Emotions of fear and dread filled him, yet at the same time, malicious and insane thoughts surged forth.

"Kill!" Liu Zeqing roared, raising his long saber and lunging at Yang Zhenshan.

Yang Zhenshan looked on coldly as Liu Zeqing raised the blade.

A faint blue halo wrapped around the saber, its sharpness unveiled and formidable, the strong Jin Qi making the blade even more radiant.

Pity that all these seemed insignificant before Yang Zhenshan.

Postnatal Eighth Layer!

Heh...

The Xuan Tie Spear lifted slightly, then thrust out like a venomous snake’s strike.

Pfff...

The spear tip pierced through Liu Zeqing’s chest, as if Liu Zeqing himself had deliberately slammed into the point of Yang Zhenshan’s spear.

There was no suspense; with one hand holding the spear, Yang Zhenshan hoisted Liu Zeqing upon it.

Liu Zeqing howled in pain, blood flowing down the long spear.

"Overestimating your capabilities!"

Yang Zhenshan flicked the spear, hurling the heavily wounded Liu Zeqing to the ground.

It was not out of arrogance that Yang Zhenshan acted thusly, but Liu Zeqing truly did overestimate his capability.

Five years ago, Yang Zhenshan could slay Meng Temu of the Postnatal Ninth Layer as if slaughtering a chicken.

Now, Yang Zhenshan’s cultivation had reached the true threshold of Half-step Innate.

What does it mean to be truly Half-step Innate?

Two criteria: the cultivation must reach the pinnacle of Postnatal, the peak of the Ninth Layer, and one must be able to condense Innate True Qi.

At this point, Yang Zhenshan was genuinely Half-step Innate, with one foot already stepping into the Innate Realm, the other foot ready to follow at any moment.

With his current cultivation, it wasn’t just the Postnatal Eighth Layer that posed no threat to him, but even an ordinary practitioner of the Postnatal Ninth Layer couldn’t harm him in the slightest.

Liu Zeqing had no idea of the chasm that existed between him and Yang Zhenshan!

With a thud, Liu Zeqing smashed heavily to the ground.

Yang Zhenshan didn’t even give him a second look, instead raising his head to observe the rebels gathered in front of the Assistant General Mansion’s gate.

All these people were Liu Zeqing’s loyalists!

"Do you still wish to fight?"

All the rebels showed looks of terror, their bodies involuntarily retreating.

A person’s reputation looms like the shadow of a great tree.

Before meeting Yang Zhenshan, perhaps some would still dare to be defiant.

But having seen Yang Zhenshan dispatch Liu Zeqing in one move, none of these men dared utter another word of defiance!

"Hmph, a bunch of weak and cowardly trash!"

Yang Zhenshan couldn’t be bothered to waste words on them and waved his hand, "Take them down. Should there be any resistance, show no mercy!"

Whoosh!

The trusted aides behind dismounted and stepped forward.

Clang!

Some dropped their weapons and, of course, some desired to fight for their lives, but they were no match for the Personal Guard Camp.

In just a short while, hundreds of rebels were captured by the Personal Guard Camp.

Yang Zhenshan jumped off his horse and approached Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu with a gentle smile on his face, "Mr. Zhang, long time no see!"

Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu stared at Yang Zhenshan, somewhat stunned. They too were overawed by Yang Zhenshan’s imposing presence.

"This subordinate pays respects to General Yang!"

"Pays respects to General Yang!"

A multitude of officials bowed and paid their respects one after another.

Yang Zhenshan reached out to help Zhang Chengzhi up, observing the scar on his face and the bloody wounds on his body.

"Mr. Zhang’s loyalty and bravery are commendable. I will surely ask the court to recognize your achievements," Yang Zhenshan said.

To be honest, Zhang Chengzhi was indeed in a pitiful state at this moment. Not to mention the scar on his face, there were more than ten wounds of various sizes all over his body. It was clear that they fought desperately against Liu Zeqing.

"This subordinate is unworthy!" Zhang Chengzhi said with a somewhat pale face.

Yang Zhenshan waved his hand, "I know, Mr. Zhang, no need for excessive words!"

"Come, first take the officials to rest! Arrange for doctors to treat their wounds."

"Thank you, General!"

Conquering Songzhou City was much easier than Yang Zhenshan had expected. He had thought it would take a few days to capture Songzhou City, but as soon as the army arrived, Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu had already turned their coats.

However, this was normal. It was already not easy for Liu Zeqing to take control of Songzhou Guard, let alone when Yang Zhenshan was leading a large army there. At such times, it’s natural for the officials below to become restless.

Plus, Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu were well-prepared. Although their action was somewhat risky, it precisely seized the best opportunity.

Liu Zeqing did not expect them to act so hastily and thus missed the best chance to deal with them.

If Zhang Chengzhi and Zhang Yuanwu had delayed for a few more days, perhaps Liu Zeqing would have taken the initiative to deal with them first.

The remaining battles had no suspense left!

With the soldiers of the Jianning Guard and the Jinzhou Guard entering the city, all soldiers of the Songzhou Guard were forced back into their campgrounds.

Whether those affiliated with Liu Zeqing or the soldiers who had turned their coats, all were held under guard in the campgrounds.

The next day, Songzhou City was completely under the control of Yang Zhenshan.

In the hall of the Assistant General Mansion.

A group of officials gathered.

Yang Zhenshan sat in the main seat, pondering to himself.

After taking Songzhou City, they would have to face Chongshan Pass next.

But before heading to Chongshan Pass, he must first ensure the affairs of Songzhou City were well-arranged.

As for how to manage Songzhou City, Yang Zhenshan already had plans in mind.

At this moment, a group of Military Officers from Songzhou City arrived at the hall.

Zhang Chengzhi’s injuries were severe; it was Zhang Yuanwu and others who helped him over.

"Pay respects to the General!"

"Pay respects to General Niu!"

"Pay respects to General Tang!"

After exchanging greetings amongst each other.

Yang Zhenshan said with a smile: "Please sit down and speak. Mr. Zhang’s condition is not convenient!"

"I am sorry for troubling the General!" said Zhang Chengzhi, somewhat embarrassed.

"No matter, I never liked making everyone stand during meetings!" Yang Zhenshan stated nonchalantly.

This was where Yang Zhenshan differed from others.

When other commanders held meetings, they would sit in the main seat while their subordinates stood below.

But Yang Zhenshan would generally arrange seats and tables for his subordinates and let everyone sit during meetings.

After everyone was seated, Yang Zhenshan continued: "I’ve just received news that Assistant General Hou Yao of Fuzhou Guard has already led troops into Chongshan Pass, and there are almost sixty thousand soldiers inside now!"

Northern Road Fuzhou Guard is different from East Road Songzhou Guard.

The Deputy General Mansion of the East Road has always been in Songzhou Guard, from Wang Bin to Liu Zeqing.

However, the Northern Road Deputy General Mansion was originally in Guangning Guard. After the annihilation of the East Sea Hu Clan, the Northern Road Deputy General Mansion moved from Guangning Guard to establish Fuzhou Guard in Fuzhou City.

One can say that the current Northern Road of Chongshan Town was virtually built from scratch by Hou Yao.

This undoubtedly facilitates Hou Yao’s control over the Northern Road of Chongshan Town.

Dealing with Hou Yao and expecting the lower-ranked Military Officers and soldiers to defect is almost impossible.

As for the Camp inside Chongshan Pass, although Ji Feiyu also established it based on the original foundation, the authority of a General is much greater than that of an Assistant General.

A General wishing to place his own people in the Camp doesn’t need to consider the opinions of others.

Therefore, the current Chongshan Pass is firmly controlled by Ji Feiyu.

Strategies such as defection and inside-outside collaboration wouldn’t work in Chongshan Pass.

As for a forceful attack!

That would be Chongshan Pass!

A truly formidable pass!

Taking Chongshan Pass by force would truly not be easy!

"I plan to rest for three days, then set out for Chongshan Pass!"

Regardless of whether they can take Chongshan Pass or not, they should first reach Chongshan Pass.

The pressure of the army’s presence can be applied to Chongshan Pass first, and other matters can be dealt with slowly.

Everyone watched Yang Zhenshan solemnly as he continued, "On the Songzhou Guard side, Mr. Zhang Chengzhi will temporarily act as the Assistant General, in charge of all affairs of the Assistant General Mansion."

"Your primary task is to pacify the soldiers, prevent any further upheaval, and restore peace to Songzhou Guard as quickly as possible!"

"Additionally, organize and prepare for battle, ready to march at any time!"

In actuality, the losses of Songzhou Guard were not severe. Although the Rescue Camp lost thousands of soldiers due to Liu Zeqing, the foundation of the East Road of Chongshan Town remained.

Spending one or two months to console the soldiers below and gather several thousand more troops was still feasible.

And the war at hand was far from over.

What lies ahead is Chongshan Pass, but the ultimate enemy they will face is the Wuliang Hu Clan.