"You say Wei is attacking Zhao?"
Shaodian Qingnu blinked, keenly catching the key point in Su Qin's words. She followed up, asking, "Who is leading the army?"
Hearing this, Su Qin thought for a moment before replying, "It is the Great General of the State of Wei, Pang Juan!"
Once he spoke that name, Shaodian Qingnu understood. She waved him off, saying, "Go then. Do not bring shame upon your status as a disciple of Ghost Valley. Leave a stroke of brilliant color upon this era of great contention!"
"This disciple will surely not fail the Master!"
Su Qin took his leave of Shaodian Qingnu.
After he left, Shaodian Qingnu also packed her things, preparing to depart.
"We're leaving again?"
Hongluan tilted its head, looking at Shaodian Qingnu in confusion. It asked, "Didn't we used to stay in one place for thirty or fifty years? What has been happening lately?"
"It's not like we're moving house. I'm going to collect a body."
Shaodian Qingnu replied as she slung her pack over her shoulder and walked out of the valley.
Hongluan landed on her shoulder and asked, "For whom? Pang Juan?"
"Oh my, you truly are a bird who has followed me for hundreds of years. You've finally managed to pick up a fraction of my intelligence!"
Shaodian Qingnu shook her head with a tsk.
Hongluan realized she was calling it a fool and immediately hopped in indignation. "You're the fool! You're the stupid snake! Stupid snake!"
"Fine, fine, I'm the stupid snake," Shaodian Qingnu nodded.
In the lands of Zhao, at Handan.
The Wei army had besieged Handan for many days. The State of Zhao had sent envoys in every direction, yet until now, not a single soul had come to their rescue!
Amidst the military formations, Pang Juan bore a proud expression. He said, "This time, Handan will surely fall!"
However, it seemed as though the heavens always enjoyed playing tricks on men. Just as Pang Juan finished speaking, a messenger from Daliang came running in stumbling steps, bringing an order from the King of Wei. The army of the State of Qi had besieged Daliang, and the King of Wei demanded his immediate return to provide relief!
"The Qi army!"
"It's actually the Qi army!"
In the military tent, the strategists and lieutenants were struck with astonishment.
Pang Juan's expression instantly turned cold. He remembered Sun Boling, who had been rescued by Shaodian Qingnu years ago! After they had left, Pang Juan had specifically sent men to inquire about the situation and learned that Sun Boling had been brought back to the State of Qi by Chunyu Kun!
It wasn't that he hadn't thought of killing Sun Boling, but the State of Qi had protected him very well!
Now, this Qi army that had suddenly besieged Daliang must be under his command!
"Who is the lead general of the Qi army?" Pang Juan asked hastily.
The messenger replied, "It is Tian Ji!"
"What about Sun Bin?" Pang Juan pressed further.
The messenger looked dazed and shook his head, saying, "I have never heard of any Sun Bin. Great General, the King orders you to return and provide relief immediately!"
"But Handan is about to fall!"
Pang Juan roared. The lieutenants looked at each other and all advised, "Great General, the King's command cannot be disobeyed! Furthermore, if Daliang falls, the King will be in danger! Even if we break Handan then, what would it matter? We would have failed to protect the state, which is a capital offense for us all!"
"Indeed, Great General, please reconsider!"
"Great General!"
Watching these lieutenants plead with him to not act willfully and instead return to save Daliang, Pang Juan suddenly lost all his strength.
He staggered back a few steps and slumped into the chair behind him.
Seeing him like this, the crowd grew panicked and stepped forward. "Great General..."
Pang Juan raised his hand to stop them. After a period of dead silence, he finally issued the military order: "Notify the whole army. Set the fires to cook a meal, then retreat at dawn! Under no circumstances must the Zhao army detect our movements. Leave a detachment behind to guard against a Zhao pursuit."
"Understood!"
Seeing Pang Juan relent, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Pang Juan's character was lacking, his military leadership was quite capable. When the Wei Armored Soldiers retreated, their formation was strict and orderly.
Months later, as the army returned to the Wei capital, the Qi army besieging Daliang retreated upon hearing the news. Pang Juan did not dare delay and quickly entered the palace to see the King of Wei.
The King of Wei was exasperated and furiously ordered Pang Juan to lead the troops in pursuit of the Qi army, vowing to take revenge!
Pang Juan tried to dissuade him several times, but the King of Wei would not listen.
Helpless, he had to reorganize his troops and lead the army in pursuit of the Qi forces! However, even seeing the Qi army in a state of retreat, he remained cautious and did not dare to be too aggressive. After pursuing for several consecutive days, he noticed that the cooking fires of the Qi army were becoming fewer and fewer.
"Are the Qi people deserting?"
Pang Juan frowned, a sense of uncertainty rising in his heart. "Could it be that the one leading the Qi army this time is not Sun Bin?"
He grabbed a soldier nearby and asked, "Tell me, who exactly is the lead general of the Qi army?"
"It's... Tian Ji! There is no mistake!"
The man replied in a panic.
"Tian Ji! A fine Tian Ji!" Pang Juan laughed upon hearing this. He quickly ordered, "Notify the whole army: Pursue! We shall annihilate this Qi force entirely to manifest the prestige of our State of Wei!"
The generals nodded. "Understood!"
The army pursued as far as Maling, where the road ahead was treacherous and narrow, preventing the army from passing in a wide formation!
Pang Juan carefully observed the terrain of the area and had the army divide into three sections—vanguard, center, and rear. He personally took command of the center, accelerating the march to pass through this place!
Atop a treacherous cliff, Shaodian Qingnu was eating meat while chatting with Sun Boling. "Are you going to kill him here?"
"Yes."
Sun Boling nodded. He looked at Shaodian Qingnu, his hands resting on his legs gradually tightening. He asked, "Does the Master not wish for me to kill him?"
Shaodian Qingnu shook her head and said, "Your grievances have nothing to do with me!"
Seeing her shake her head, Sun Boling breathed a sigh of relief. He understood the purpose of Shaodian Qingnu's arrival and asked again, "If I were to die, would the Master come to see me?"
This was a strange thing to say. Shaodian Qingnu glanced at him and muttered, "What is wrong with you lately? Rest assured, you are an acquaintance of mine. For acquaintances, I have always maintained the good habit of visiting their graves! Just remember to bury some nice treasures in your tomb."
Sun Boling gave a rare smile at those words.
Below, after the vanguard of the Wei army had passed, the Qi army suddenly charged out, cutting the three sections apart!
Utilizing the terrain, the Qi army surrounded the center where Pang Juan was located!
An old tree was cast down by the Qi army.
Carved upon it were the words: Pang Juan shall die beneath this tree!
When Pang Juan saw this line of carved characters, he understood everything! Like a madman, he rushed to the front of the military formation and looked up at the Qi army watching them from the heights. He roared loudly, "Where is Sun Bin? Have him come out to face me!"
"I am the Qi General, Tian Ji!" Tian Ji stood beside Sun Boling, gripping his sword hilt.
Pang Juan frowned deeply and shouted, "I want to see Sun Bin!"
Tian Ji turned to look at Sun Boling at his side with a somewhat helpless expression. He said, "Mister Sun, look at this..."
Sun Boling took a deep breath, signaled for someone to push him forward, and shouted to Pang Juan below, "Senior Brother, you wanted to see me. I have come!"
Seeing Sun Boling surrounded by the Qi army, Pang Juan was stunned for a moment before suddenly laughing out loud. He drew his sword and pointed it at Sun Boling, raging, "Sun Bin! Back in Daliang, I should have killed you! A moment of soft-heartedness has led to today's predicament. I truly regret it!"
Hearing this, Sun Boling's gaze flickered slightly. He only spoke slowly to Pang Juan, "Words are useless now, Senior Brother!"
"It is time to die!"
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