The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1524: Yan Yu

"Man Cang, are you in good condition?" Ye Shikai inquired.

"General, rest assured, my injuries are only superficial. I am still capable of fighting again tomorrow. Securing this camp is a certainty—please grant me an additional half day." Man Cang disregarded his wounds, dropping to one knee before Ye Shikai. Prior to the engagement, he had signed a military warrant; had Ye Shikai not commanded a retreat at dusk, within four more hours, he would have captured the entire encampment.

"You have performed admirably and set a precedent for all our soldiers. Now that you are injured, you should be treated immediately." Ye Shikai could not accept the possibility of Man Cang encountering misfortune. Candidly speaking, Man Cang was the subordinate he trusted and valued the most. With such a formidable general at his side, no matter how dire the circumstances, Ye Shikai would remain composed. Man Cang also commanded significant respect within the military: with him leading the charge, the soldiers behind were motivated to fight valiantly. Furthermore, his past experience as an officer in the Wei Wu Zuo Sect equipped him with expertise in troop deployment and formation strategy. To lose such a loyal aide due to a moment of impulsive bravery was something Ye Shikai staunchly refused to countenance.

Through the day's brutal conflict, both factions incurred substantial losses, yet the rebel army's casualties were considerably higher. Their equipment was inferior to that of the Qin Army, and they lacked the protection of heavy armor. The Qin Army also possessed advanced bows and potent crossbows—arsenals completely absent from the rebels' capabilities. Moreover, following the intense fighting of the day, the majority of the enemy camp's perimeter walls had been breached. Consequently, the capture of the encampment the following day was virtually assured. Ye Shikai was disinclined to court further unnecessary risks.

"General, I led my men through hours of grueling combat today, and over a thousand of our brothers have been killed or wounded. I implore you to permit me to re-enter the fray and personally conquer this camp. Grant me this request." Man Cang adamantly rejected the order. He placed immense significance on this battle; only through their total annihilation could the brothers of Eagle Ridge stronghold be considered avenged. Now, with Ye Shikai withdrawing him from the front lines, how could he possibly endure it?

"Very well. However, you must prioritize your own safety. The army physicians have explicitly stated that your wound must not be reopened, as it will lead to severe complications." Ultimately, Ye Shikai relented to Man Cang’s fervent plea. For a man of his caliber, the importance of this battle transcended a mere suppression of a rebel faction...

"Thank you, General, for granting my request."

The following day unfolded.

After a night of restorative rest, the soldiers had fully regained their strength and spirit. Even before the engagement commenced, their countenances were already ablaze with a palpable killing intent. As the adage suggests, "First suppress, then unleash"—following Ye Shikai's order to retreat the preceding night, a pent-up fury had long been simmering within their hearts.

"Brothers, today marks the decisive battle. Charge with me!" Man Cang, positioned at the forefront of the formation, drew his sword and roared.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Ye Shikai observed the entire battlefield from an elevated vantage point at the rear. The Qin Army's offensive surged forward like a relentless tide, a dark wave breaching the enemy camp, advancing with the terrifying ease of a scorching blade slicing through soft butter. In mere moments, comparable to the time it takes to burn a single stick of incense, they had penetrated the camp's outer defenses. Ye Shikai noted that the enemy's defensive capabilities were significantly diminished compared to the previous day. With their morale at an all-time high, numerous soldiers, even after sustaining arrow wounds, disregarded their injuries and pressed onward with gritted determination. The ferocity was so extreme that two combatants were observed grappling on the ground, savagely biting at an opponent's throat—an act of sheer, unadulterated madness.

"Old Ye, it won't be long before this camp is under our control," Shangguan Jian remarked placidly, standing beside him.

"You speak the truth. Compared to yesterday, the enemy's defense today is pathetically weak, almost to the point of powerlessness. I suspect they have already withdrawn the majority of their forces." Ye Shikai offered his analysis. Yesterday, he had deliberately slowed the assault's pace, his objective being to grant Wan Qi Yuan sufficient time to mobilize the cavalry and establish a blockade, thereby preventing any escape and securing precious hours. However, this did not imply that the enemy would passively remain within their fortifications. It was entirely plausible that Yan Yu had already orchestrated the departure of troops through an 'escape route' the previous night. Even so, the period between dusk and midnight—those crucial hours—should have sufficed for Wan Qi Yuan to finalize his strategic deployment.

"Come, let us go and observe firsthand." Ye Shikai gave a nod.

"Agreed."

Two hours elapsed.

Within the confines of the camp, the clamor of intense combat had completely dissipated; an unnerving silence had fallen over the entire encampment. The battle had concluded...

With his guards in tow, Ye Shikai entered the devastated camp, a scene now strewn with casualties. The ground bore the marks of intense conflict, stained with blood and littered with the fallen from both the Qin Army and the rebel forces.

"Old Ye, this entire camp is lost. Adding yesterday's counts, the enemy has suffered four thousand casualties or more—practically a complete wipeout. It's strange, isn't it? When this camp housed our soldiers, it felt spacious, but now, with so many corpses packed together, there's hardly any room left," Shangguan Jian remarked, his attempt at humor tinged with melancholy. He pondered the grim reality: living souls, once full of life, now reduced to mere corpses. What was the true purpose of such warfare?

"Bury them," Ye Shikai stated simply. With thousands of bodies present, transporting them for proper internment was impossible; there weren't enough personnel. Even a basic burial within the camp would consume a considerable amount of time.

"Understood."

"Quick, surround them! Don't let any of them escape!" Just then, a commanding shout echoed from nearby. Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian hastened towards the commotion, discovering hundreds of soldiers forming a tight circle, boxing in over thirty rebels.

"The General has arrived!"

Upon Ye Shikai's appearance, the encircling soldiers promptly cleared a path. What Ye Shikai hadn't anticipated was the presence of a rebel adorned in general's armor amongst the captured.

"Everyone, fall back," Ye Shikai commanded, gesturing for his men to stand down as he advanced slowly.

"Who are you?" Ye Shikai scrutinized the man before him. The sword clutched in the rebel's hand was evidently a superior weapon, and an aura of distinct pride emanated from his entire being. Ye Shikai was certain this was no mere officer.

"Yan Yu," the man replied with composed dignity.

"What, isn't Yan Yu the commander of the rebel forces?"

"Indeed, it appears we've captured him today."

"Kill him, and the victory is ours!"

The mere utterance of the name "Yan Yu" ignited excitement among the soldiers. They lowered their spears and bronze halberds, stepping forward with renewed vigor. Capturing the enemy commander alive signified an undeniable and complete triumph.

"So, you are their leader," Ye Shikai acknowledged, raising a hand to halt his men's advance.

"I am. May I inquire as to your identity?"

"A Qin General, Ye Shikai."

"General Ye, the very one who repelled the Wolf Clan? Your renown has preceded you; I never anticipated meeting you today," Yan Yu responded, a hint of respect in his voice.

"I am surprised my fame has traveled so far," Ye Shikai replied, his desire to prolong the conversation minimal. He cut to the chase. "You have lost. Surrender."

"Brothers, lay down your arms." Yan Yu turned, casting a glance at the dozens of men behind him, and spoke in a low tone. The battle had concluded; further resistance would only be a futile sacrifice of their lives.

"This..."

"Put them down." Noticing their hesitation to disarm, Yan Yu spoke once more. Only then did the remaining rebels release their weapons and submit.

"You are a commendable general. What led you to choose such a path of rebellion?"