Chapter 31: Soldiers in the Breach, Death Before Retreat

Although Wanyan Jindanzi had sustained significant injuries, Xue Rengui had no intention of killing him while he was vulnerable. In the short time they had been locked in combat, the Han cavalry had already suffered heavy losses.

If the fighting continued, the Han army, having lost its cavalry, would be forced into a purely defensive posture, stripped of all offensive capability. As for relying solely on infantry to engage the Xiongnu cavalry, that would not only result in a pitifully low kill rate, but it would also be a reckless disregard for the lives of the soldiers. If the Xiongnu cavalry were to find an opportunity to counterattack, a charging cavalry force would turn the infantry into victims of a massacre. For this reason, Xue Rengui had to ensure the survival of his cavalry so they could maintain a certain degree of combat effectiveness upon returning to Yanmen Pass.

It was precisely because of this that, despite the possibility of killing Wanyan Jindanzi if he persisted, Xue Rengui ultimately decided to abandon the opportunity. Seeing the look of vigilance and lingering fear on Wanyan Jindanzi’s face, Xue Rengui knew the man would not dare to charge forward easily again, so he turned his attention elsewhere with peace of mind.

Seeing Xue Rengui charging in his direction, Wanyan Yindanzi, though close to defeating Qin Qiong, did not dare to linger. He immediately forced Qin Qiong back with a strike of his hammer and fled on horseback. Wanyan Yindanzi had been close enough to see the arrows Xue Rengui had fired at his brother, and knowing his own limitations compared to his sibling, he realized that staying would be akin to suicide.

Once Wanyan Yindanzi retreated, Qin Qiong breathed a sigh of relief. The pressure the man had exerted was immense; if the duel had continued much longer, he would not have been able to hold out.

"Captain Qin, quickly reorganize the cavalry," Xue Rengui urged. "Captain Zhang has likely finished his mission as well; we cannot afford to keep fighting like this. I will go and assist the other generals to free them from their adversaries."

Qin Qiong, a figure renowned in legend, was a man of immense tactical brilliance, and he immediately understood the gravity of the situation.

Meanwhile, on the city walls, Meng Tian was under immense pressure. Wanyan Wugumai’s scheme was far more elaborate than it first appeared. Using the Han civilians to draw the army out of Yanmen Pass was only the first step; the true objective had always been the capture of the pass itself.

The moment the Han cavalry engaged the Xiongnu, Wanyan Wugumai’s plan began in earnest. This was why commanders like Wanyan Yishuke and Wanyan Loushi had not yet appeared. These men were known for their leadership, but in the harsh environment of the grasslands, physical prowess was essential. Had they joined the duels earlier, the balance of power would have shifted decisively, as Xue Rengui and Qin Qiong had been suppressed by their opponents, and Xiong Kuohai had only managed a stalemate, with only Xing Tian maintaining his usual dominance.

As the gates of Yanmen Pass stood wide open and the generals clashed, Wanyan Wugumai finally initiated the next phase. Although Zhang Liao was a promising general, he was still inexperienced. Despite Xue Rengui’s warnings, he had missed several Xiongnu infiltrators and lowered his guard. Wanyan Gao had pressed the attack while Zhang Liao was rescuing the civilians, leaving him no time to conduct a proper sweep for spies—a detail meticulously planned by Wanyan Wugumai.

Wanyan Gao, also known as Wanyan Xieye, was a prince of the Jin dynasty and a top-tier commander who had played a pivotal role in the fall of the Northern Song. Under his relentless assault, Zhang Liao had been forced to fight a rearguard action, unable to consider anything else.

However, the moment Zhang Liao reached the gates of Yanmen Pass, Wanyan Wugumai’s true trap was sprung. The hundred or so Xiongnu infiltrators began to sow chaos among the civilians, disrupting the formations Meng Tian had arranged at the gate. Wanyan Xieye naturally seized this opportunity, leading his troops into the fray and tearing a massive breach in the defense. The arriving Xiongnu army poured through the gap, shattering the Han lines.

Just as it seemed the fall of Yanmen Pass was inevitable, a thunderous roar echoed from within: "The Trapped Army! Death is our only path!"

Gao Shun emerged with his elite unit, one thousand soldiers clad in iron armor, carrying heavy shields and steel blades. They marched with perfect unison. Wanyan Xieye stared at them, recognizing immediately that this was a force of unparalleled discipline—the kind of elite unit that could turn the tide of an entire war. Despite his apprehension, Wanyan Xieye was not a man to retreat, especially with victory within his grasp.