Chapter 155: Convergence of the Astral Constellations (Part IV)

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Sun Meng’s expression changed. The instant Chao Gai decided to attack Zengtou City, he discovered that the destiny and fortune surrounding Chao Gai had been reduced to the faintest thread, while the rest had all shifted onto Song Jiang. Judging solely from the condition of their astral destinies, Song Jiang was now the true Heavenly Chief Star.

As for Chao Gai, he appeared to be in remarkably fine shape. In both vitality and spirit, he had reached the peak of normal condition. After his speech, the enthusiasm of everyone on Liangshan was roused. Having defeated the imperial army led by Hu Yanzhuo twice in succession, the people of Liangshan were extraordinarily excited. They had begun to believe that the imperial troops were nothing special.

What was a mere Zengtou City? Even if it occupied a considerable area, at most it possessed the strength of the Wuwei Army of Jiangzhou. How could they possibly fear it? Even Lu Zhishen and the others who had only recently come to the mountain were eager to seize this opportunity to earn merit and prove their strength.

At that moment, Wu Yong had taken Li Kui to Daming Prefecture to investigate Lu Junyi’s situation. Chao Gai alone made the decision, and immediately ordered the troops to assemble and march out. Song Jiang, Lin Chong, Gongsun Sheng, and several other high-ranking leaders, along with the naval commanders, logistics officers, and the imperial officers who had defected under Hu Yanzhuo, did not accompany him.

It was not that they were unwilling. Chao Gai simply felt they were unnecessary.

As Chao Gai and the others departed, Song Jiang could not explain why, but an ominous feeling lingered in his heart. He himself could not say where such a thought had come from. He looked up at the sky, and at that very moment a cloud passed over the sun. Under the sunlight, the edges of the cloud seemed gilded in gold.

“A last gleam before dusk,” Sun Meng said, watching Chao Gai’s condition. “Even if Chao Gai is truly brought back alive, he will be no more than a cripple.”

This did not mean that he would become a vegetable or be left with a body full of disabilities. Rather, all the inner energy in his body would be gone, and he would be unable to practice any other cultivation method—not even the most basic refinement of his vital essence and blood. His lifespan would also be greatly shortened, leaving him no more than ten years to live.

Sun Meng glanced at the stellar formation in the heavens and gave a cold snort before flying swiftly in the direction Chao Gai and the others had taken. Chao Gai had to be saved. This was far more than a matter of a single life.

The Liangshan forces made no attempt to conceal their advance toward Zengtou City. The city had learned of their approach long ago, temporarily closed its markets, and prepared its army to face the coming assault.

The Zeng family did not dare to confront Liangshan head-on without reason. First, the family’s five sons were known as the Five Tigers of the Zeng clan, and all possessed extraordinary martial prowess. Since becoming famous, they had never met an opponent they could not defeat. Second, the city had two more generals, both exceptionally skilled in martial arts and military command: Shi Wengong and Su Ding. With more than ten thousand sturdy soldiers besides, there was no question that they could defend the city.

Zeng Nong sat in the place of honor. On his left sat his five sons in order; on his right sat Shi Wengong and Su Ding.

“This time Liangshan has come to attack us, claiming that we seized their horses. Their chieftain, Chao Gai, is leading the force himself, accompanied by more than a dozen commanders and over ten thousand bandits. Gentlemen, what strategy do you have for defeating them?”

Shi Wengong smiled. “The Liangshan bandits were previously beaten so badly by the imperial troops that they hid on their mountain and dared not come down. Somehow, they managed to trick Hu Yanzhuo through his carelessness, and he was defeated there. In other words, had they not been familiar with the terrain, the imperial army would likely have stormed their stronghold and captured or slaughtered them all.”

At this, Zeng Nong’s eldest son, Zeng Tu, who sat on the left, said, “The instructor speaks truly! They are nothing but a band of mountain bandits. At most, they have strength in numbers. They may run roughshod over small cities and local landlords, but our Zengtou City has never been defeated. There is no need to fear them!”

Su Ding said, “I have heard that Liangshan has Lin Chong, once an instructor of the eighty-thousand Imperial Guards. Many of its other leaders are famous as well. If they swarm us all at once, we may suffer if we fight them outside the city.”

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Zengtou City had been established for many years, and every kind of defensive structure was in place. They had nothing to fear if the enemy attacked the walls. But whether they could defeat the enemy in a battle outside the city was the crucial question. Otherwise, if the Liangshan forces shamelessly surrounded them and launched an assault, then even if they drove the enemy away in the end, they would suffer considerable losses.

At this point, the second son, Zeng Mi, said, “Why not go out and challenge them when they arrive? We can fight them to a draw. Then, after nightfall, we can take advantage of their carelessness and launch a surprise attack. Perhaps we could defeat them in one stroke and even kill their bandit chief.”

Shi Wengong nodded. “The plan accords with the principles of warfare, but we must make further preparations…”

He was confident in his own strength. Since coming to Zengtou City, he had been invincible. Yet he was also well versed in military strategy, and he would not neglect the caution and prudence the situation required.

Meanwhile, the closer they came to Zengtou City, the stronger Chao Gai’s unease became. After making camp, he finally shared this feeling with the other commanders.

Lu Zhishen said, “We have come from far away with great fanfare. The enemy must have learned of us long ago. If they truly intend to defend the city, they have been preparing here for years. We cannot afford to rush an assault on the walls!”

At that moment, a soldier outside came to report that Zengtou City had sent men to challenge them to a duel between generals.

Chao Gai smiled. “It seems Heaven is on our side. The people of Zengtou City have grown arrogant from years of ease; they actually dare to leave the city and challenge us. Brothers, come with me. Let us see who has such courage!”

The Liangshan forces marched out of camp and formed ranks. Opposite them stood five generals who appeared quite young, with a force assembled behind them. Their formation was orderly—perhaps even better than that of the imperial infantry they had previously faced. No wonder they dominated this region.

Zeng Tu had been waiting impatiently. When he saw the Liangshan forces emerge from camp, he spurred his horse forward and shouted, “Liangshan bandits! I hear you defeated the imperial army, so you must possess some ability. Which of you dares exchange a few blows with me?”

Zeng Tu wore a golden helmet and iron armor, with a woolen sash around his waist. He sat upon a tall warhorse, a bow and quiver hanging at its side. A crimson robe covered his armor, and he held a steel spear in his hand. An arrogant air radiated from him.

“Hmph. The Zeng family knows neither the height of Heaven nor the depth of the earth. They seized Liangshan’s horses and still dare to swagger like this. Which of you brothers will step forward and teach this cur of the Zeng family a lesson?” Chao Gai asked, looking from one man to the next.

“Big Brother, wait here. I’ll take this cur’s life!”

A young commander urged his horse forward. The spear in his hand had a head of deep black, considerably larger than an ordinary spearhead.

“State your name! I, Zeng Tu, do not kill nameless men!” Zeng Tu said. His words were arrogant, but inwardly he remained extremely cautious.

“Zhou Tong, the Little Overlord! I have come to take your life!”

Zhou Tong’s long spear moved like a black dragon bursting from a cavern, reaching Zeng Tu’s face in the blink of an eye.

“Haha! A bandit is still a bandit. A title like ‘Little Overlord’ is not earned merely by wielding a spear!”

Zeng Tu engaged Zhou Tong in an instant. Behind him, Zeng Mi and the others burst into laughter. The five Zeng brothers were all warriors of exceptional strength, but after witnessing Shi Wengong’s prowess, they understood what a true expert was. Seeing that Zhou Tong was merely so-so yet dared to boast so loudly, they naturally had no fear that their eldest brother would encounter trouble.

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On the city wall, Shi Wengong watched as Zeng Tu’s spearwork remained steady and composed while he began to counterattack Zhou Tong. He lowered the bow in his hand slightly. So long as Zhou Tong had no hidden trump card, even if Zeng Tu defeated him, his life would not be in danger.

Zhou Tong, on the other hand, had been extraordinarily fierce at the beginning, but he was gradually forced back. Anxiety filled his heart. His attacks grew more violent, yet his openings multiplied.

“If someone like you is the Little Overlord, then I must be the Overlord reborn!”

Zeng Tu knocked Zhou Tong’s spear aside. His steel spear suddenly accelerated and thrust toward Zhou Tong’s chest.

“Not good! Hurry and save Brother Zhou Tong!” Chao Gai shouted when he saw what was happening.

“Big Brother, there’s no need to worry. That fellow Zhou Tong is doing it deliberately.”

The speaker was Li Zhong, who had once been Zhou Tong’s half-master.

In the space of a heartbeat, just as Zeng Tu’s spearpoint was about to pierce Zhou Tong’s chest, a burst of dark inner energy erupted from his body and sent Zeng Tu staggering backward. Zhou Tong’s brows and hair stood on end. Beneath that black aura, he looked almost as though a demon god had possessed him.

The Overlord Spear!

Zhou Tong swung his long spear around. In the next instant, he brought it crashing down upon Zeng Tu from above. At that moment, the weapon resembled a massive halberd. Its spearhead was wrapped in black inner energy, making it appear all the more terrifying.

“Ha!”

Zeng Tu was shocked, but there was no time to flee. He concentrated his inner energy into his steel spear and gripped the shaft with both hands, raising it horizontally to block.

The next moment came a sharp crack.

The warhorse beneath Zeng Tu collapsed as both its front legs broke at once. He clenched his teeth, and blood had already begun to trickle from the corner of his mouth.

“Save Big Brother!”

“Help Brother Zhou Tong!”