Chapter 43: This Bastard Is Trying to Escape!

At the city gate, just as Dong Ping charged to the foot of the wall, the vanguard of more than a hundred riders from Daming Prefecture had already surged into the gate passage.

Inside the gate tunnel, soldiers from both sides were packed tightly together—some desperate to escape, others eager to press the attack—until there was no room to move.

The iron-shod hooves clattered harshly against the ground; bones cracked and shattered—whether leg bones or ribs, no one could tell.

Suo Chao wielded his golden-ink axe, smashing with sparks flying, each strike severing flesh and bone.

A fierce roar rang out: “Suo Chao, come die swiftly!”

Dong Ping arrived, riding his horse directly into the gate tunnel, heedless of trampling his own men.

Dong Ping was also known as “One Charge Straight,” a name earned for his fierce courage in battle—he was known to rush headlong through enemy lines.

The two long spears danced rapidly; in a few swift moves, two men were struck down and unhorsed. Looking again, it was Suo Chao himself.

Though the gate tunnel was not small, the chaotic crush made it extremely cramped.

The clash of Dong Ping and Suo Chao’s weapons caused the space inside to suddenly clear on both sides; those charging in halted, and those retreating stepped back out.

For a moment, Dong Ping alone blocked the gate tunnel, holding back over a thousand enemy soldiers outside.

Dong Ping’s bravery was unparalleled; mounted on his horse, his spears clanged back and forth. Suo Chao, the fierce vanguard, was forced into continuous defense.

Suo Chao’s horse began to retreat involuntarily—perhaps Dong Ping’s mounted skill was superior, or perhaps the golden-ink axe had lost some of its agility.

Dong Ping held a spear in each hand, stretching them wide, effectively blocking the entire gate tunnel by himself.

Suddenly, a young officer behind Suo Chao spurred his horse forward. This was Zhou Jin, Suo Chao’s disciple, also a spear wielder. He charged in, crossing his spear to block, then raising it to thrust.

Within just a few moves, Zhou Jin was already in grave danger.

Only Suo Chao could come to his aid, bringing his massive axe down like a mountain. Even though Dong Ping had not yet broken into a gallop, he dodged calmly and aimed a spear at Suo Chao.

Behind them, Su Wu had already grasped the situation—if the fight continued this way, Suo Chao truly could not defeat the dual-spear-wielding Dong Ping. Whether after thirty or sixty exchanges, Suo Chao would inevitably lose.

Yet Dong Ping still taunted: “With such little skill, you dare act up here in Dongping Prefecture!”

Su Wu exchanged a glance with Wu Song, who immediately shouted, “Let me handle this!”

Wu Song dismounted and leapt forward; the gate tunnel was too narrow to fight mounted, much less with so many horses side by side.

“It’s you!” Dong Ping finally noticed Su Wu and Wu Song standing before him, and growled, “Just in time—come and die!”

Wu Song moved to the left, stepping against the wall of the gate tunnel, springing high. His great wooden cleaver flashed like lightning as he swung.

Dong Ping clearly knew Wu Song was no ordinary fighter. With perfect harmony between horse and rider, he nudged his horse’s belly with his heel, and the horse moved accordingly.

Wu Song’s first strike missed, but the second came again, aimed at the horse’s hoof.

Dong Ping reacted swiftly, blocking with his spear and controlling the horse’s legs; the horse did not retreat but leapt forward with forelegs high.

It was a display of near-miraculous skill—blocking and evading with ease.

“Charge!” Dong Ping shouted as he turned his horse around and exited the gate tunnel. The passage was too small to fully deploy his skill, but out on the street—even if narrow—there was room to maneuver.

Dong Ping was overconfident, truly believing he alone could turn the tide of battle.

Wu Song quickly pursued, followed by Su Wu and Suo Chao, charging through the gate tunnel into the city amidst a wild surge of soldiers.

Dong Ping circled his horse left and right; behind him, armored soldiers gathered, shouting curses: “You petty thieves! How dare you act so recklessly, bringing troops across the border to attack the prefectural city!”

Su Wu responded immediately: “Dong Ping, you disregard imperial law, conspiring with rebels. The evidence is undeniable. The lords of Daming and Dongping Prefectures have ordered your capture. Surrender now!”

These words were crucial. The soldiers behind Dong Ping, who still seemed composed, suddenly froze in shock, all turning to look at their general.

Dong Ping retorted sharply: “I, Dong Ping, am upright and loyal. It is Cheng Wanli who slanders the faithful. You are nothing but his lackeys! Let’s see who is truly stronger today!”

Though this response seemed reasonable, it only deepened the uncertainty among Dong Ping’s men.

Su Wu said no more; his words alone sufficed. He turned to Suo Chao: “Commander, do not let this rebel escape.”

Suo Chao clenched his teeth and spurred his horse forward.

Su Wu dismounted as well, spear in hand, advancing.

Wu Song was the fastest, swinging his great cleaver in a fierce arc. Even when the blade sliced through air, it whistled sharply.

Dong Ping blocked the cleaver, but Suo Chao came at him again. Though the golden-ink axe was not the fastest weapon, its power was immense.

Dong Ping parried with his twin spears, while Su Wu leapt forward, thrusting his spear.

For a moment, Dong Ping was thrown off balance and shouted, “What are you all waiting for? Kill them!”

Two riders charged out from behind Dong Ping—one to block Su Wu, the other to block Wu Song.

Yet most of the soldiers behind Dong Ping remained hesitant.

Some soldiers had served long, others short, but none had truly faced such brutal combat before in the Song army.

And it seemed their general was in some kind of trouble—though none knew what, it was enough to have summoned troops from two prefectures to capture him.

Suo Chao, meanwhile, found himself pushed back again and shouted, “Advance! Push forward!”

Behind him, countless armored soldiers pressed forward; Suo Chao’s disciple Zhou Jin led the charge into the enemy ranks.

A cry of agony rang out as Wu Song struck down a man, then attention turned to Su Wu.

Though Su Wu’s spear work was unrefined, the spear was an excellent weapon, repeatedly thrusting to force the opposing cavalry backward. When mounted infantry did not charge at full gallop, their impact was less formidable in the chaos.

This was not open-field cavalry combat, but street fighting. Dong Ping and his cavalry had lost much of their advantage.

In effect, it was mounted combat reduced to foot combat, a chaotic melee.

This was the result of Su Wu’s careful planning outside the city; Dong Ping had already lost the upper hand.

Seeing that Su Wu was not in danger, Wu Song pressed on toward Dong Ping.

As Wu Song’s cleaver descended again, Dong Ping immediately fell behind—the twin spears were too much to manage at once.

Wu Song’s cleaver struck with tremendous force, making Dong Ping’s fingers tingle and his arms tremble.

Another horrendous scream filled the air. Dong Ping turned to see that Su Wu had unseated one of Dong Ping’s trusted men with a spear thrust.

On horseback, Dong Ping was reduced to constant defense. Fortunately, his horse control was superb; while parrying, the horse turned without his awareness.

“That devil’s trying to escape!” Suo Chao shouted.

Wu Song quickly sprinted forward to intercept.

Dong Ping spurred his horse to flee; the steed pawed fiercely, eager to bolt. Wu Song’s cleaver clashed again with Dong Ping’s spear, sparks flying.

Suddenly Su Wu said, “Let him go!”

Wu Song, puzzled, turned to look. At that moment, Dong Ping’s horse hoof crossed past him.

Suo Chao also wore a look of confusion.