Mythical Three Kingdoms

”Do not harm my lord!” Jiangh Yiqu and Gao Gan shouted.

After Fa Zheng left Ye City, Jiangh Yiqu was somewhat worried about Yuan Shao, so he immediately followed Fa Zheng, leading five hundred troops toward Yanzhou.

It was not that there was a shortage of soldiers in Ye City, but Jiangh Yiqu did not want to slow down the march. The five hundred cavalry galloped to Guantao, Wei County, Yuancheng, and other places to make preparations. Jiangh Yiqu then rushed to directly deploy troops, saving a lot of time, thus managing to reach the border of Jizhou and Yanzhou at the last moment.

However, it wasn’t just Jiangh Yiqu that made Yuan Shao so agitated; it was the presence of his kin that gave him peace of mind in such a dire situation.

Although Xun Shen’s urgent redeployment of the Northern Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry was very secret, if Gao Gan was the only one in Bingzhou, it would basically go unnoticed. Unfortunately, Gao Rou, Gao Gan’s cousin, came to join him not long ago!

While Xun Shen’s maneuver was secretive, the number of troops redeployed was substantial. Gao Rou, who historically rose to the position of Minister of Works in the Wei Kingdom, saw through this large loophole easily despite his youth compared to Xun Shen.

Moreover, Gao Rou came to join Gao Gan, intending to showcase his abilities in front of Gao Gan. Without much thought, he exposed this matter.

Upon learning this, Gao Gan’s first reaction was not to suspect Xun Shen of treason but to think that Yuan Shao was in trouble. He immediately assembled the Bingzhou Border Army, entrusted the frontier defense to Zang Hong, and directly led his troops to Yanzhou.

It can be said that back in the day, when Gao Gan had contact with Zang Hong in Chenliu, Zang Hong was known for being straightforward but also inflexible. However, his words were very convincing.

Leading his troops out of Bingzhou, Gao Gan hurried along, colliding with Jiangh Yiqu in Wei Commandery. After discussing their situations with each other, they were both greatly alarmed and immediately mustered their forces to rush to Yanzhou to prepare for rescue.

Compared to the ordinary capabilities of Gao Gan, Jiangh Yiqu was an exceptional talent. Historically, after Yuan Shao’s defeat at Guandu amidst chaos, it was Jiangh Yiqu who escorted him to Liyang, where, after arriving, the entire army dispersed, leaving Yuan Shao nearly collapsing due to having no troops available. It was from this person that Yuan Shao learned the true situation of the Battle of Guandu and managed to rally tens of thousands of routed soldiers.

Only after this did Yuan Shao have the troops to continue fighting against Cao Cao. Although he was eventually defeated, it is undeniable that had it not been for this person, Yuan Shao would have found himself with no soldiers immediately after the Battle of Guandu.

This means that even if not mentioning bravery, in terms of commanding troops, Jiangh Yiqu was definitely adept and could at least gain the trust of his soldiers.

Guan Yu, Hua Xiong, and Zhao Yun exchanged glances, with a hint of fierceness in their eyes. Although the three of them only led a small group of troops who had battled for several hours and the enemy reinforcements were numerous, they had resolutely decided that they must not retreat. As long as they held on for a while, Liu Bei’s scouts would discover the situation.

”Kill!” Guan Yu roared, transforming into a blue and red streak of light, charging directly towards Yuan Shao.

Hua Xiong and Zhao Yun also spurred their horses towards Yuan Shao’s army. At this point, there was no point in saying more; if they could not take down Yuan Shao, all would be lost!

With Ju Shou, Tian Feng, Yann Liang, and Juo Yi gone, as long as Yuan Shao was alive, even if they lost Jizhou in this battle, the enemy could still hold on, enduring enough to disgust Liu Bei, which was not what Chen Xi wanted.

Li Youu stood at the border of Jizhou and Yanzhou, having recuperated for some time. When Ju Shou sent him a letter to inquire, he had already known the timing for the decisive battle, and from that moment, he began to construct the final line of defense carefully.

Regarding the victory or defeat of Liu Bei’s Army, Li Youu had absolutely accurate answers. Therefore, his task was to cut off Yuan Shao’s last breath.

There were many escape routes from Yanzhou to Jizhou, but Li Youu did not take much time to choose the path Yuan Shao would retreat by, and he prepared it very thoroughly.

”Let Yuan Shao fall. This is the most suitable opportunity for you to join us and also the best chance to earn honor.” Li Youu turned to a middle-aged man beside him, who was carrying a great sword and holding an undecorated large bow.

”As you wish.” The middle-aged man, whose hair was lightly graying but complexion was extraordinarily ruddy, didn’t hesitate much. He had found his direction and no longer needed to be confused.

Slowly drawing a short spear made entirely of refined iron from his back and placing it on his bowstring, he infused it with countless Inner Qi, yet not a trace of pressure leaked out. Just this level of archery surpassed even top bow users like Lyu Bu, Zhao Yun, and Taishi Ci.

”Can you achieve what I asked for?” Li Youu turned his head and asked, not looking at Yuan Shao. He knew very well that once this arrow was released, only Lyu Bu might block it, only Zhao Yun might evade it. Any other without mental preparation, an Inner Qi Manifestation warrior might die under this arrow—an assassination by a top-class general!

”I can!” The other responded confidently. As he spoke, he released the bowstring, and then Li Youu saw Yuan Shao’s chest penetrated by an arrow, creating a hole the size of a bowl. Subsequently, Yuan Shao bizarrely lurched forward, as if dragged by a great force, towards Guan Yu and the others.

”Unless Divine Doctor Hua is beside him, no one can save him. My arrow, infused with sixty percent of my Inner Qi, is enough to pierce through Cloud Qi and kill any typical Inner Qi Manifestation,” the person slowly put away his Great Yellow Bow and said.

In the past, this person might have boasted that no one could save Yuan Shao, but after witnessing Hua Tuo’s miraculous treatment methods, he had become somewhat cautious.

Li Youu indifferently raised an eyebrow. According to his judgment, Yuan Shao was undoubtedly dead. Indeed, Yuan Shao was beyond saving. That unconventional archery was enough to kill a vast majority of rare talents, including top civil officials, because the arrow was a sure-hit within the opponent’s field of vision!

”Let’s go; if we get blocked, it will be troublesome.” Li Youu casually turned and prepared to leave. He was not worried about such a standard of archery that could hurt him, but this kind of thing should be done sparingly. Using a super first-class general for such near-assassination matters was already quite face-losing.

As Li Youu casually flicked his sleeves and left, quite in the manner of ”when it’s done, leave with a brush of the robe, hiding merits and reputation,” Yuan Shao’s Army, far away in numerous miles, was in turmoil. A sudden flying arrow killed Yuan Shao and even pulled Yuan Shao’s corpse towards Guan Yu after piercing him.

Guan Yu, who was about to charge, was startled when he saw Yuan Shao’s body hurling towards him, but reflexively reached out to grab it, feeling a tremendous force, and then seeing Yuan Shao’s body in his hand. He paused, bellowed, ”Retreat!” (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)