Chapter 1350: 击溃

Chapter 1336: Rout

Speaking of which, where had their leader gone?

Seeing the colossal elephant puppet about to trample them, while the Blue Turban Warrior desperately clung to it, the scorpion-python, finally showing more cunning than the other two, flipped over to face the giant elephant and thrust its two large pincers violently into the ground—

The ground where the giant elephant was charging suddenly turned into a mire!

This was a natural ability of the Highland Python, which it could still use even after being modified by the mastermind.

The giant elephant's immense weight and its unstoppable forward momentum caused it to sink into the mud after only a couple of steps. Its four pillar-like legs couldn't be pulled out, and the more it struggled, the deeper it sank.

It was truly mired.

Seizing this opportunity, the scorpion-python suddenly broke free from the Blue Turban Warrior and burrowed into the ground.

Several black-armored cavalrymen arrived and immediately fired two crossbow bolts, which rapidly lodged themselves in the scorpion-python's body. Spider silk grappling hooks followed the bolts; once they latched onto the scorpion-python, everyone urged their horses to pull it back together.

Dong Rui flashed out from the side and also fired a sleeve arrow straight into the scorpion-python's open mouth, with surprisingly excellent aim.

It was unclear what he had smeared on the arrowhead, but after the once lively scorpion-python was hit, its thrashing and struggling slowly weakened, making it easier for the black-armored cavalrymen to drag it.

In a dark corner of the battlefield, someone was constantly staring intently at this spot, fully concentrated.

When the three monsters appeared together, he gripped a staff tightly, his eyes wide open, his face flushed red, and he mumbled to himself. After only about ten breaths of combat, sweat poured down his forehead, without even time to wipe it away.

Even after the scorpion-python was subdued by Dong Rui using an unknown method, this person waved his staff, activating it several times, but the scorpion-python only became increasingly sluggish.

He stamped his foot furiously in anger, crying, "Impossible, this is impossible!"

What kind of background did these black-armored people have, to dare take away his scorpion-python!

He had spent more than half a year carefully refining this treasure!

He would definitely make them pay for this!

Then, low roars were heard again on the battlefield as the other two monsters, originally chasing the manor guards, abandoned their fleeing prey and charged directly towards the black-armored cavalry.

Dong Rui knew with a glance that they were indeed being manipulated by someone.

It seemed that person had figured out the situation here and decided to deal with the black-armored cavalry first to rescue his demon puppets.

Dong Rui rubbed his hands together, just about to employ some more tricks, when he heard He Lingchuan's telepathic message in his ear: "Wan Qiliang, block the two monsters."

Wan Qiliang loudly affirmed, turned back and whistled, leading over ten black-armored soldiers to meet them.

After being attacked from above and below by the scorpion-python and the Blue Turban Warrior, He Lingchuan had vanished, but none of the black-armored cavalry believed their lord had been harmed, so they continued to fight and pursue without panic or disorder.

This confidence had been established at some unknown point, but it had taken shape very quickly.

He Lingchuan then gave orders to two more people, and then said to Dong Rui: "There's a mound nearby that can conceal your figure; don't let anyone see you."

The main battlefield had already moved to the edge of the forest, and there were few people near this mound.

"Understood," Dong Rui said, and without another word, rushed headlong towards the back of the mound.

The yellow-tailed tiger came rushing from afar and even circled around to check behind the mound first, evidently concerned about Dong Rui.

However, behind the mound was utterly empty, not even a ghost's shadow to be seen.

After dispatching the Blue Turban Warrior, Wu Madan had already blown his whistle and retreated, no longer caring about strategy or order, wanting to return to his safe stronghold as quickly as possible.

If the leader was like this, how could his subordinates be any better? Over a hundred people, both in front of and behind him, heard the signal and turned back, frantically dashing north. Who cared about formations? Who cared about covering the rear? Who cared about exposing their backs?

The retreat was faster than the advance.

They had been elite cavalry when they came, but on the way back, they were routed soldiers.

However, they had only run a few dozen yards when two volleys of arrows whizzed out from the small forest ahead, followed by another troop of black-armored cavalry charging out with shouts!

This was the force led by Wan Qifeng and Wang Fubao, whom He Lingchuan had previously assigned to cover the rear. They had been waiting here for quite some time, specifically for Wu Madan to flee in this direction.

Just now, with the troops in a panic and disarray, Wu Madan hadn't expected that He Lingchuan, with so few men, could still spare a force to cut off their retreat. These hundred-plus people were already routed troops, and with Wan Qifeng's fresh troops charging into their exhaustion, their panic intensified, and their disarray deepened. Before they could put up any decent resistance, they split into three groups, each seeking their own escape route.

By Wu Madan's side, fewer than thirty loyalists remained.

Fortunately, he hadn't unfurled his banner, and the forest was pitch black, so Wan Qifeng and others couldn't identify him as the leader and did not pursue this particular group.

Through the forest, the tall walls of the North Courtyard were already in sight, and it would take less than twenty breaths to run there.

Once inside, he would be safe. Wu Madan finally let out a silent sigh of relief.

However, before he could fully exhale, four black-armored cavalrymen emerged from the shadows beneath the courtyard wall:

Leading them was again the one with the dragon-head mask!

Wu Madan's pupils abruptly constricted.

Just moments ago, he had personally witnessed this fellow being attacked jointly by the Blue Turban Warrior and the scorpion-python, and falling amidst a cloud of dust.

How could he now be standing here, full of life and vigor?

Moreover, he had run from the mound to here without stopping midway. How could the other party have arrived at the North Courtyard even faster than him?

The only thing he could think of was teleportation.

"Who exactly are you!" Wu Madan roared sharply. "What grudge or enmity do you have with me that you would destroy my manor and kill my men? Where is my son!"

This fellow had charged out from the direction of Wu Maxu's courtyard, and Wu Madan hadn't had time to consider whether his second son had met with misfortune!

"To condone evil is to commit evil," the black-armored leader's chilling voice resounded in everyone's mind. "Wu Maxu harmed young girls; he deserves to die! Wu Madan preyed on his neighbors and brought disaster to the region; he deserves to die!"

Wu Madan stared, dumbfounded, saying, "You, you..."

He had made many enemies in his life, but it was the first time he had encountered someone causing trouble for him with such a reason.

However, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. He suddenly recalled some recent rumors from the south about a group of black-clad individuals killing people everywhere, claiming to be acting on behalf of Heaven. Some gossipy villagers cheered them on, even calling their leader something like 'Nine Nether Emperor.'

Could such a group truly exist? And could he truly have encountered them?

But with a quick change of thought, he decided the other party was spouting nonsense and immediately shouted, "Who hired you? I'll pay double, no, five times the price!"

In this chaotic land, what was so rare about hiring assassins? Wu Madan himself had done it. 'Acting on behalf of Heaven' and such were just excuses.

He Lingchuan chuckled softly, lightly tapped his horse's flank, and charged towards him like an arrow.

His original mount had been destroyed by the Blue Turban Warrior and the scorpion-python, and this one had been borrowed from one of his subordinates.

The opposing side, also fearing him, hastily grabbed their bows and shot arrows.

He Lingchuan's Soaring Dragon Spear flashed out, parrying several incoming arrows, and in an instant, he charged close to Wu Madan's group.

Before others could even clearly see, two cavalrymen had already been consecutively unhorsed by him.

Wu Madan roared, "Stop them!" while urging his horse to circle around and rush into the North Courtyard.

Even if the opponents were strong, there were only four of them, and he still had a chance to rush into the courtyard and activate the formation.