Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Zhao Yun repeatedly tested Cao Chun’s formation, but he never attempted a direct assault. Similarly, Cao Chun found himself helpless against the White Horse Cavalry’s agility and swiftness. Even more frustrating, their arrows had a longer range than his own, leaving Cao Chun feeling incredulous.

Cao Chun finally understood the true strength of Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Cavalry that had swept through the land. This realization struck him, especially as he considered the protection his formation provided. Without it, the White Horse Cavalry wouldn’t even need to charge his formation; they could just circle and shoot arrows until his troops collapsed.

Watching the elegant and swift movements of the White Horse Cavalry, a troubling thought crept into Cao Chun’s mind.

Meanwhile, hidden in a snowbank, Li Zheng dug a small hole and stared intently at Zhao Yun’s every move. Zhao Yun was utilizing the White Horse Cavalry’s strengths to their fullest potential. If this continued, even with the protection of the formation, Cao Chun’s forces would be slowly worn down with minimal losses on Zhao Yun’s side. After all, every formation had its limits, and it was clear that the White Horse Cavalry’s consumption of resources was far less than Cao Chun’s. This was a trap of his own making!

”I’ve found it.” A faint smile appeared on Zhao Yun’s face as he decisively broke away from the circling cavalry, leading about five hundred riders in a wedge formation. Their speed surged as they became a white blur, piercing straight through the misty fog of the enemy formation.

Li Zheng was initially stunned by this move, but his expression quickly turned to panic. Zhao Yun’s earlier actions had marked him as a calm and rational commander, not the type to make reckless charges. This could only mean one thing—the Eight Gates Golden Lock formation’s flaw had been exposed to Zhao Yun.

”Prepare for battle,” Li Zheng signaled to his soldiers. He wasn’t taking any chances. His cousin Li Jin had once said that every formation had a unique method of breaking it, and now Li Zheng feared such an unexpected turn of events.

As Zhao Yun plunged into Cao Chun’s formation, Cao Chun’s excitement surged. Li Zheng might not be able to see clearly from outside, but Cao Chun had a perfect view—Zhao Yun had charged directly into the Death Gate!

”Block them!” Cao Chun laughed triumphantly. Fortune had smiled upon him after all. He had expected Zhao Yun to retreat when unable to break the formation or outmaneuver him. Instead, Zhao Yun had thrown himself headlong into the trap. ”Hahaha, not willing to give up? Then die here!”

Once Zhao Yun entered, his wedge formation elongated, increasing speed again. Ignoring the soldiers closing in on all sides, Zhao Yun focused solely on charging forward as if seeking death.”Break!” Zhao Yun’s spear twirled, flinging aside the few soldiers blocking his path. He led the charge into the heart of the formation, where, to Cao Chun’s disbelief, Zhao Yun swiftly pivoted and headed for the Wound Gate. The Eight Gates Golden Lock formation, designed to defend against external threats, was thrown into chaos when attacked from within. In an instant, soldiers were knocked down and scattered before they could react, and Zhao Yun’s forces tore through the formation.

”All units, charge!” Outside the formation, military supervisor Xue Shao had been waiting for this moment. Upon seeing the disruption in the enemy ranks, he ordered his men to attack, leading a detachment to follow Zhao Yun’s breakthrough and further splinter the already fractured formation.

On the perimeter, the White Horse Cavalry unleashed a barrage of arrows at the disorganized enemy. Following up on the chaos they had created, they charged in groups of a hundred, weaving through the gaps in the enemy formation. In the span of a single incense stick, the White Horse Cavalry had used their superior speed and maneuverability to shatter Cao Chun’s three-thousand-strong formation.

Cao Chun’s mind reeled. In just a few minutes, his triumphant mood had turned to panic as his elite force was reduced to scattered fragments. Zhao Yun had clearly charged into the Death Gate, yet everything had turned upside down in the blink of an eye.

”Attack!” Li Zheng, hidden in the snowbank, had witnessed the terrifying scene and knew the situation was dire. He ordered his troops to launch their planned assault, charging directly at Zhao Yun’s cavalry.

Although the situation was far from what Cao Chun had anticipated, with his forces unable to pin down Zhao Yun, Li Zheng saw a chance to at least rescue Cao Chun by executing their original plan. Even if they couldn’t succeed in routing the White Horse Cavalry, they could at least extract Cao Chun from the chaos.

From both flanks, Li Zheng’s troops attacked the White Horse Cavalry. As Cao Chun had predicted, many of Zhao Yun’s riders were caught off guard and unseated. Others managed to swerve away just in time, avoiding the fate of their comrades but opening a path for Li Zheng to reach Cao Chun.

”General, retreat!” Li Zheng’s charge caused further confusion, allowing him to link up with Cao Chun.

”Thank you, Duanfang!” Cao Chun regained his composure, quickly reorganizing his remaining forces into a defensive circle.

”General, you must retreat now! I’ll hold them off. The plains of Xu Province provide too much of an advantage for the White Horse Cavalry. Without the protection of a city, we can’t defeat Zhao Yun. You must retreat to Linyi and hold the city while waiting for reinforcements!” Li Zheng urged.

”Alright, Duanfang, take care!” Cao Chun decided quickly. Though nearly five hundred of his men had already fallen to the White Horse Cavalry’s attacks, and fewer than a thousand remained with him, he knew any further delay would spell disaster.

Li Zheng nodded, leading his men into a tight circle, shields bracing against spears as archers concentrated their fire.

”Zhangming, take a thousand men and chase down the retreating force. Leave no survivors!” Zhao Yun ordered Xue Shao as he led another strike through the remnants of Cao Chun’s forces.

As Zhao Yun’s forces continued to press the attack, Li Zheng’s attempts to retreat while fighting were swiftly thwarted. His troops were unable to fall back far before being overwhelmed by Zhao Yun’s relentless cavalry. Sensing an opportunity, Zhao Yun charged again, shattering Li Zheng’s formation into disarray.