Chapter 424: Encountering Ding Yuan
Chapter 424: Encountering Ding Yuan
September 25, 2017
After escaping from Jiuyuan County with Ding Li and the Flying Wolf Cavalry, Ding Yuan headed towards Wudu County. However, his true destination was not Wudu County but the neighboring Xihhe Prefecture.
Ding Yuan had some prior knowledge of the situation before the news from Wuyuan Prefecture was completely blocked out. He was aware that the three prefectures of Yunzhong, Dingxiang, and Yanmen had fallen into Lu Hai Kong's hands. If Lu Hai Kong were to advance towards Xianyang, he would undoubtedly deploy a substantial military force to guard the area.
Although heading towards Xianyang would be safer, it might be more dangerous for Ding Yuan than staying in Jiuyuan.
After a long rivalry, would Lu Hai Kong warmly welcome him at this time? If he went to Xianyang, it was likely that Lu Hai Kong would greet him with his swords.
Therefore, Ding Yuan could only head towards Xihhe Prefecture, intending to return to Jinyang from there and gather troops in his capacity as governor.
Ding Yuan's thoughts were slightly naive. Even if he returned to Jinyang at this moment, it was unlikely that anyone would treat him kindly, let alone allow him to mobilize troops. It would be challenging even to sustain the two thousand Flying Wolf Cavalry accompanying him.
Fortunately, Ding Yuan no longer needed to experience this setback, as he could not return to Jinyang.
"General, a large number of cavalry has appeared ahead, numbering at least twenty thousand, and they are highly elite!"
Not long after Ding Yuan's group escaped from Jiuyuan County and barely shook off the pursuit of the Wu Xian rebels, a scout rushed over to report to Ding Li.
Upon hearing this news, Ding Yuan and Ding Li initially thought they had encountered Wu Xian rebels. Before they could react, the cavalry in front of them quickly approached, led by a man wearing Dragon Soul Armor and wielding a Savage Wilderness Axe. If it wasn't Lu Hai Kong, who could it be?
When Ding Yuan recognized the leader as Lu Hai Kong, his face turned deathly pale, and his heart sank into despair.
"It's over!"
Indeed, Lu Hai Kong's forces soon stopped in front of Ding Yuan's group. This was the second time Lu Hai Kong had commanded such a large army of fifteen thousand, and he was still somewhat unfamiliar with the task, causing his troops to halt in a somewhat disorganized formation. However, they quickly adjusted and regained order.
This demonstrated Lu Hai Kong's remarkable talent, but at this moment, Ding Yuan had no interest in contemplating anyone's talents.
"Isn't this Governor Ding? You managed to escape? That's great! Oh, I see, it seems you employed a diversionary tactic, sending that fool Lu Bu to his death to draw fire while you easily escaped with your troops."
Lu Hai Kong did not shout or threaten but approached with a smile and a friendly tone.
With Lu Hai Kong's current strength of 83 points and his mastery of internal energy, it was challenging to project his voice across an army of fifteen thousand. Still, it was not difficult for the few hundred Flying Wolf Cavalry beside Ding Yuan to hear him.
As soon as Lu Hai Kong spoke, Ding Yuan's expression changed dramatically.
The Flying Wolf Cavalry was raised by Lu Bu, and every member had followed him through life and death situations. In their eyes, Lu Bu was akin to a god or a father figure.
When Ding Yuan previously summoned this force, they were unaware that Lu Bu had already left through the north gate. They thought Lu Bu was still guarding Jiuyuan County, and they were accompanying Ding Li to seek aid. The Flying Wolf Cavalry didn't even know that Ding Yuan was among them.
At this moment, when Lu Hai Kong spoke, the Flying Wolf Cavalry erupted in anger.
Lu Hai Kong, with a mocking smile, looked at the group of Flying Wolf Cavalry and said, "Oh, so this is the Flying Wolf Cavalry that Lu Bu has been training for half a year. They're not bad, much more sensible than the ones I killed before."
Upon hearing Lu Hai Kong's words, the Flying Wolf Cavalry glared at him, while Ding Yuan's scalp went numb. He had witnessed Lu Hai Kong's sharp tongue before, and it was clear that his words towards the Flying Wolf Cavalry were not friendly.
Ding Yuan knew that he couldn't let Lu Hai Kong continue, so he quickly interrupted, "Lu Hai Kong, you colluded with the WuXian tribes to cause chaos, an unforgivable act! Come here, I'll..."
"Governor Ding, why are you so eager to accuse me? I was talking to Lu Bu's Flying Wolf Cavalry, can't you let me finish? Or is there something you don't want me to say? Like how you managed to escape?" Lu Hai Kong interrupted Ding Yuan with a mischievous smile on his face.
Without paying attention to Ding Yuan, Lu Hai Kong turned to the two thousand Flying Wolf Cavalry.
"Where was I just now? Ah, yes, I was saying that you lot are much more sensible than the previous batch. When I almost killed Lu Bu, that bunch of idiots charged at my Automaton Beast, breaking it with their bodies."
"It's just Lu Bu, is it worth risking your lives like this? A bunch of fools, each one of you throwing away your lives just to protect Lu Bu. Aren't you Flying Wolf Cavalry too stupid? Too blind to see reason?"
"After Lu Bu escaped, I ordered that batch of Flying Wolf Cavalry to surrender. Do you know what they said? They said that Flying Wolf Cavalry only know how to fight to the death, not surrender like cowards who flee in battle. Listen to this, it's a bunch of nonsense."
"They were a bunch of fools, a bunch of clueless people, so they died. But you lot are much smarter, you know when to run, you know when to abandon that bastard Lu Bu, so you'll live safely."
Upon hearing this, the Flying Wolf Cavalry finally realized that Lu Hai Kong was referring to the previous batch. His words were filled with disdain and mockery towards them.
Everyone's faces were filled with unwillingness, they were not deserters, they were merely deceived by Ding Yuan.
Ding Yuan felt a surge of anger brewing, and his heart trembled involuntarily as he roared, "Lu Hai Kong!"
"Shut up! If you say another word, I'll kill you!"
In an instant, Lu Hai Kong's mischievous smile turned into an icy killing intent, filled with disdain for Ding Yuan.
"I hate people like you the most, spouting righteousness and morality, yet your belly is full of male and female prostitutes. For your own interests, you can kill millions of people from the WuXian tribes, inciting them to start this rebellion."
"When you received the news, I saw you turn your back and return to Jiuyuan. I thought you still had some conscience and responsibility, but later I realized I was wrong, horribly wrong. You defended Jiuyuan only because you couldn't bear to part with its wealth. You're like a miser, guarding Jiuyuan with your eyes closed, ignoring other places. You let the Wu Xian rebels occupy the rest of Wuyuan Prefecture, and in the end, you became a lone army."
"And when you saw that Jiuyuan couldn't hold on, to save yourself, you even used the diligent and steadfast Lu Bu as a pawn, letting him lead the Wu Xian army away while you escaped with this bunch of cowards, afraid of death. Seeing someone like you makes me sick!"
At this point, Lu Hai Kong seemed tired and weary, waving his hand at Ding Yuan, "Forget it, you're the governor, I can't do anything to you. Go wherever you want, escape with these cowards. I don't have time to talk more, I still need to go and fight in Jiuyuan."
Upon hearing this, Ding Yuan's face lit up with joy, although he didn't know if Lu Hai Kong's head had suddenly gone blank. But this outcome was undoubtedly good for him.
However, as Ding Yuan rejoiced, the Flying Wolf Cavalry was not happy!
"We are not cowards!"
A mighty roar echoed.
As their roar rang out, Ding Yuan suddenly understood why Lu Hai Kong's head seemed to have gone blank...
(End of Chapter)
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