A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1144: So It Was You
Previously on A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace...
The message has been received. The enemy is approaching from the anticipated direction. With all reinforcements and strategies in place, there is no need for alarm!
Hai Xiangjin wiped the sweat from his brow. He donned his wolf fur cloak, mounted his ebony warhorse, and ascended to the highest vantage point to survey the scene. Half a Shichen after the engagement commenced, Hai Geli hurried over with a report.
"Your Majesty, the assault troops have been repelled, and our forces are systematically eliminating them!"
"Excellent!" Hai Xiangjin declared with confidence. He continued to envision the moment they would conquer the Great Chu, picturing himself ascending to a position of great stature and assuming control of the Central Plains.
Suddenly, an alarm blared from another sector. "Not good, not good, the enemy has breached our defenses!" Upon receiving this urgent dispatch, another contingent of soldiers rushed to the front lines to engage the invaders.
Everything proceeded with surprising order; the activity was intense yet not chaotic. Hai Xiangjin sneered sarcastically. "Yang He, oh Yang He, another half-hearted assault is all you are capable of!"
Observing his meticulously constructed army formation, as impenetrable as a fortress, Hai Xiangjin felt a surge of elation. "Today, I shall ensure you do not escape with your life!"
... Amidst the clash of the two armies, Hai Tang could no longer remain passive. She wrapped herself securely and hurried out of the tent. Rushing to the site of the battle, she urgently searched for any sign of the Great Chu forces. Her intention was to seize this chance and deliver a message about the impending trap.
However, despite her persistent efforts, she could find no one to relay the crucial information. Hai Tang, consumed by anxiety, darted about frantically, like an ant trapped on a scorching surface.
Hai Situ, who was vigorously engaged in combat, noticed this peculiar figure. He frowned and silently approached, his mind filled with confusion. 'Who is this person?' 'Why are they dressed in such a manner? Are they from the Great Chu or Western Xia?' 'What are they doing here?!'
Upon closer examination, he discerned that the individual was mingling with the Chu Dynasty's troops. Ha! So, it is a fool from the Chu Dynasty! This simpleton must be a deserter, not fighting but instead searching for someone on the battlefield? Utterly mad! Annoyed, he swung his great saber.
Hai Tang sensed the chilling intent to kill. She swiftly turned, narrowly evading the fatal blow. "Who is it?!" she demanded indignantly. A closer look revealed it was indeed Hai Situ! He was far too dangerous. Hai Tang wished to avoid any confrontation with him.
She immediately feigned terror and moved towards the ranks of the Chu Dynasty. Hai Situ did not give chase, as expected. However, his gaze remained fixed upon her, as though attempting to penetrate her disguise. Hai Tang felt a pang of guilt, doing her utmost to keep her back turned towards him. After a while, he reluctantly departed.
Hai Tang exhaled a sigh of relief, fortunate to have avoided exposure!
... The battle escalated dramatically. The number of Chu Dynasty's assault troops swelled. Western Xia retaliated with their pre-arranged military tactics. The two armies plunged into a feverish engagement. As time wore on, Western Xia began to gain a distinct advantage.
Hai Xiangjin smirked arrogantly. "Hmph! My army's formation is unrivaled in this world; how could you simpletons possibly breach it?!" The moment these words left his lips, flames suddenly erupted all around the mountainside.
"Not good..." "Not good!" "It's ablaze! It's ablaze, flee quickly!" "If we don't run now, we'll be incinerated here!" someone in the throng shouted. The Western Xia soldiers, overcome by panic, scrambled haphazardly towards areas where the flames were less intense.
The tide of the battle shifted abruptly, plunging the situation into disarray, and the battlefield rapidly descended into chaos. The Chu Dynasty's predicament transformed from defeat to victory in an instant. Yang He, despite his advanced age, remained vigorous. Astride his horse, he led a small contingent of elite soldiers, charging into the enemy encampment.
They wrought havoc in all directions, completely dismantling the final formation of the Western Xia soldiers. The other generals were unwilling to be outdone. Deputy General Cui led his troops in an encirclement from the left flank. Deputy General Qin directed his men in a fierce pursuit from the rear. Xia Tingfeng and Yang Chenyi led a small detachment to lay an ambush at the sole exit of the fiery trap.
The two waited in readiness, akin to hunters casting a net, anticipating their prey's arrival. This sensation was simply magnificent. The morale of the Chu Dynasty soared. The war drums thundered, thick smoke billowed, and the flickering light of fires illuminated the scene. The sounds of conflict, agonized cries, the clang of steel, and the moans of fallen soldiers and horses blended into a deafening symphony.
The Chu Dynasty fought with ever-increasing valor. The Western Xia soldiers grew more fearful with each setback. Hai Xiangjin, consumed by rage, roared towards the heavens.
"Curse it all!" "Damn, they're incredibly cunning!" "I meticulously planned the strategy, yet I never anticipated the enemy would resort to fire attacks!" The surroundings were a mess of chaotic hills, thick with weeds, and the climate here was undeniably arid. Once ignited, this area would swiftly transform into a deadly trap for anyone caught within! Hai Geli, having battled fiercely to ensure his escape, shouted with all his might. "Your Majesty, we must make haste and retreat, or not a single one of us will live to see another day!" Hai Xiangjin, a veteran of countless campaigns, could accurately assess the gravity of their predicament! After a sweeping glance around, realizing they were completely encircled by infernos, a sense of resignation mingled with his defiance. "I have been utterly tricked!" "Retreat!" He was a cunning old strategist, the foremost warrior of Western Xia for many years, and now, the newly enthroned monarch. To suffer total defeat so soon after ascending the throne would undoubtedly become a source of immense ridicule. Therefore... Compared to that potential disgrace, withdrawing now seemed like a more palatable option! His reason dictated: This was the most ignominious, yet undeniably the most effective, course of action. "Retreat!" With every ounce of his strength, the King of Western Xia bellowed the order once more. Mounted on a horse as black as midnight, he resembled a proud, defiant lone wolf, unwilling to accept defeat. Hai Geli wheeled his horse around and rode out, his commands echoing urgently. "Retreat!" "Retreat!" "Retreat!" However, as the words left his lips, they were immediately drowned out by the ceaseless din of battle. Who could possibly hear him amidst this pandemonium? Who would heed his commands? The carefully constructed formations had already been shattered by Yang He, plunging everything into utter disarray. Panicked by the encroaching flames. Both soldiers and steeds shrieked in terror, scattering in all directions. He couldn't even locate his own bewildered troops?! "Where is everyone?! Where have they all gone?" Hai Geli was utterly bewildered by the unfolding chaos. The situation had devolved into complete anarchy! Yet, amidst this maelstrom, one individual remained remarkably composed: Hai Tang! Having lost contact with Xia Tingfeng and the others, her paramount concern was to reunite with them as swiftly as possible. Navigating the pandemonium, she tore off the human-skin mask, shed the Crown Prince's opulent robes, donned dark attire, and mounted a warhorse, charging headlong into the fray. Her gaze swept the surroundings with keen intensity. She spotted a narrow breach in the wall of fire. Likely an ambush point; while others might be oblivious, Yang Chenyi, a master of tactical ambushes, would surely be lurking there! With no time for further deliberation, Hai Tang redirected her horse and charged towards the gap. Just as she neared the opening, Hai Tang felt an icy chill graze her neck. Lowering her head, she saw the menacing glint of a large saber pressed against her throat. "Who is it?!" "It is I!" Hai Situ's voice emanated from her side. Hai Tang's eyes narrowed into icy slits; she dared not move, but subtly shifted her wrist, attempting to draw a dagger concealed within her sleeve. Hai Situ let out a sneering laugh. "Do not make any sudden moves, Crown Prince!" "I have harbored suspicions about you for a considerable time!" "So it was you all along!"