Xu Huang's face appeared ashen in the firelight; he painfully closed his eyes and said, "Let's surrender."

"Gongming, this is the most correct decision you've ever made."

Aozawa did not continue to stay there, turning around to head toward Fancheng several miles away.

The Han Army's morale soared.

They no longer doubted that they would win.

Even the Heavenly Deity was on their side; who else could resist their onslaught?

The world shall belong to the King of Hanzhong!

...

Fancheng.

This was Cao Cao's last line of defense against Jingzhou.

Once it fell, the consequences would be unimaginable.

This was also why Cao Ren, as a member of the Cao Clan, was adamant about defending Fancheng to the death.

He could perish, but Fancheng must not be lost.

Months of combat had made sleep uneasy for Cao Ren; recently, he even dared not remove his armor, outwardly displaying a readiness to fight at any moment.

In truth, he was vigilant of possible betrayal.

At the sound of footsteps outside the door, Cao Ren was immediately awakened.

The room was dimly lit, allowing him to see only the outline of the table.

Cao Ren remained silent, his bloodshot eyes fixed on the door, secretly gripping the sword hilt.

If subordinates wanted to bind him and take him out of the city or claim his head for rewards from the outside.

Then they must die!

Cao Ren was not a suspicious person, but constant tension had driven him to be suspicious.

Better to kill wrongly than to spare anyone.

"General, there is the sound of drums from the Han Army's camp."

Hearing the call from outside, Cao Ren breathed a sigh of relief, quickly jumped out of bed, and said, "I'm coming immediately."

He strode quickly to the door.

His personal soldiers were shrewd, promptly opening the door.

Allowing Cao Ren to see them clearly, indeed not looking like they intended to betray.

But what does Guan Yu setting drums at night mean?

Cao Ren rubbed the corner of his eye, swiftly leaving the tower and jogging to the northern city wall where the drum sound came from.

Xu Huang's camp was stationed several miles north of Fancheng.

He couldn't see it from there, only hearing the "dong dong" sound of war drums from afar, showing how loud it must be at close range.

"That direction is Xu Huang..."

Cao Ren showed a look of suspicion.

As a cousin of Cao Cao, Cao Ren had fought many battles throughout his life and was not considered a mediocre general.

Cao Ren knew well that deploying troops at night and attacking in such a straightforward manner absolutely does not comply with military strategy.

Guan Yu is a renowned general of the world; he couldn't make such a basic mistake.

Yet he still chose to attack, there must be a reason.

Could it be that Xu Huang, considering old friendships, has betrayed the King of Wei?

Thinking about this possibility, Cao Ren was shocked.

With the previous example of Yu Jin's surrender, he dared not trust generals outside the Cao Clan and Xiahou anymore.

After all, they are outsiders.

Of course, Cao Ren didn't think Yu Jin's downfall was his problem.

Although Yu Jin's campsite was appointed by him, so it would be convenient to support Fancheng at any time.

He did not anticipate the torrential rain.

Moreover, after being flooded, Yu Jin didn't remain loyal to the King of Wei, instead choosing to surrender.

His heart deserves to be punished.

"General who Conquers the South, is Guan Yu attacking the city?"

Hearing the inquiry from behind, Cao Ren turned and said, "No, from the direction of the drum sound, Guan Yu should be heading to Xu Huang's camp.

Boning, what do you think?"

Man Chong, styled Boning, person from Changyi, Shanyang, was known for his strict enforcement in his youth.

He once acted as the prefect of Gaoping County, directly torturing a prisoner to death.

After that, he did not change his habits of strict law enforcement, earning Cao Cao's favor through his severity.

Man Chong strode forward, showing a look of confusion, "Strange, acting at this time, what does Guan Yu rely on?"

He fell into deep thought.

Earlier, it was Man Chong who persuaded Cao Ren never to abandon Fancheng and drowned his beloved white horse in the river to demonstrate his resolve to defend to the death.

He believed that the flood might not be a bad thing.

The flood's obstruction could slow down Guan Yu's assault on Fancheng.

Man Chong was confident that the King of Wei would not stand by idly if Fancheng was in jeopardy and would definitely send troops to support.

As long as they could hold out, they could accomplish great deeds.

It was proven that everything developed as he anticipated.

Xu Huang's reinforcements arrived quickly, stationed several miles north of Fancheng, threatening Guan Yu and preventing him from attacking the city with full might.

In addition, Sun Quan also launched a surprise attack on Guan Yu from behind.

Moreover, the King of Wei personally led a large army prepared to intervene in the Battle of Xiangfan at any time.

With the situation like this, Man Chong couldn't imagine defeat on their side.

What is the meaning of Guan Yu's actions?

Man Chong furrowed his brow, unable to fathom what Guan Yu's actions represented.

Cao Ren couldn't help saying, "Do you think Xu Huang might..."

"General who Conquers the South! General Xu is definitely not that kind of person!"

Man Chong immediately interrupted Cao Ren, his behavior seeming rude, but Cao Ren was not angry; instead, he apologized, "You're right; General Xu is greatly favored by the King of Wei and would never commit such treacherous acts.

I suppose Guan Yu has lost his mind."

Cao Ren changed his words, considering that everyone present was sustained by the thought of having reinforcements.

If he implied that Xu Huang was a traitor, wouldn't the soldiers also start to doubt?

This atmosphere must not be allowed.

Cao Ren showed a hint of gratitude as he looked at Man Chong.

Man Chong stared into the distance, his thoughtful expression suddenly replaced by astonishment, his eyes bulging, and even his mouth was agape in surprise. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

This expression puzzled Cao Ren, who followed his gaze to see a bright flame glowing in the distance.

Very high, very bright, different from ordinary fire.

That mass of fire was rolling toward them.

And during its rolling, the flame gradually took on a human shape, showing the obvious contours of armor.

Even the long mustache of a man, each strand was drifting over the chest.

The shape, no matter how Cao Ren looked at it, it seemed familiar.

"Cao Ren, tonight is the night I break through Fancheng!"

Like rolling thunder, the voice changed Cao Ren's expression radically, exclaiming, "Guan Yu?!"

"Guan Yu?"

Man Chong also reacted, his sharp mind momentarily going blank.

What's going on?!

Am I still dreaming?!