Chapter 38: The Battle of Tianshui: Part II
The hills beyond Tianshui fort were littered with thousands of Wei corpses as the final wave of infantry and cavalry charged down the hill. They advanced against the barrels of the Crescent Wardens' bladed bows, which had already blown apart hundreds of their comrades. But although the gargantuan host managed to advance several yards towards the Shu formation, Yue Ying's Juggernauts had arrived as planned, surrounding the frontline of Wei warriors. They advanced from beyond the dunes and plateaus that elevated the southern moor against the lowlands that surrounded Tianshui, catching the Wei soldiers by complete surprise.
"What… what are those?" mumbled one private.
"Are they even… the works of man?" whispered a corporal.
Constructed as heavy artillery siege engines, the bulky, mobile machines resembled aberrant beasts, adorned with the golden heads of tigers that breathed fire, incinerating any foe that dared to draw close. Just above the frontal wheels were giant slots that vomited out missiles from within, rendering close-quarters counterattack all but impossible. Even the Wei Men-At-Arms that had learned to utilize Claymore swords were unable to break through these new technological marvels. Manned by two soldiers from within the reinforced tanks, the Juggernauts counterattacked and fired their projectiles into the enemy, blowing apart another platoon of Cao Pi's elite guards. The Wei forces had not prepared themselves for such heavy-duty resistance, and Sima Yi still refused to deploy the Central Plains Guardians until the Shu forces arrived at Jieting.
And without the Guardians' assistance, conventional Wei troops were all but outclassed by Yue Ying's ingenuity.
She slashed apart a heavily armoured man that attempted to block her way. "So the mouse overwhelms the elephant," she said to herself, retracting her blade and pummelling a regiment of infantry with several rounds of flaming pellets. They screamed and fell, blood pouring through their punctured armour, exposing the men behind her to be mowed down. "They will retreat, or they will fall here. Their choice is simple."
"My Lady," called her lieutenant. "Their flanking attack has been neutralized." He casually blew apart the head of a charging assailant. "We should make a concerted effort to drive them back."
"Agreed," she replied. "On my mark, commence a combined attack with our bladed bows and the Juggernauts." There were twenty of the mobile machines in total, each worth fifty men. The cannons that she had fitted on top of the engines proved even deadlier than predicted, and the piercing incendiary rounds tore through the panicking ranks of the enemy like wet paper. The burning soldiers crumpled before the Shu battalions, folding one after another. It would not be long before the rear flanks were exposed to the salvo. "I will finish this," declared Yue Ying, sliding a bolt along Sapphire Crescent. Her weapon began to spit out fireballs at a rapid, unremitting speed, her gattling mechanism mowing down the Men-At-Arms like a sickle reaping crops. Her Crescent Wardens joined her in the final push, and the darkening sky briefly ignited in glorious flames as the Wei army was annihilated by the united firepower of the Crescent Wardens and Juggernauts.
The sprawling battlefield, once a roaring spectacle of pandemonium, was utterly silent, save for the sizzling of spent ammunition and the weeping of Wei fighters in their death throes. The banners of the Cao family no longer billowed proudly on the feet of the wind. They lay alongside their dead flagbearers, humbled and shattered by Yue Ying's counter-offensive.
The remnant Shu forces stared at each other, not daring to be so arrogant to believe that they had survived. But when they realized such arrogance was warranted, they roared and cheered, applauding and thrusting their sore, bleeding arms into the dusk air. "Long live Liu Bei, King of Hanzhong!" cried the men. "Hail to the Grand General, Lady Huang!" That they had managed to defeat an army far stronger than theirs was a living testament to Yue Ying's genius and calm against otherwise impossible odds.
She closed her eyes, stilling her heavy breathing. Victory against Wei… she lived for these glorious moments.
The strength and numbers of Cao Pi's soldiers had been impressive. But that was not enough to send her into despair. There was nothing that could overwhelm her hope. As long as she continued to breathe, she would continue to fight, and to offer quality strategies to her loyal men. It was her lifeblood, her very sustenance. It was the reason for her presence here.
It was her reason for ending the war that saw her father killed by the marauders of Wei, when they set torch to her tribe's village, killing every neutral, innocent bystander that did not come on bended knee before Cao Cao.
I will never forget that terrible, fiery night… when I swore on my father's body that I would someday lead the people of Liu Bei against Wei…
But it would not end with her promotion to Grand General. It would not end after all her training, after all the wounds she suffered on the battlefield, after all her hard work as a commander of trained soldiers. As if to jeopardize her happiness evermore, her husband had repeatedly fallen ill performing his duties as Shu's foremost advisor and most capable strategist. The Southern Expedition's lukewarm success and the stress of Sima Yi's sudden, two-pronged attack would only cripple his constitution further.
She did not tell any of her Claymore allies, for news that her husband was growing frailer by the day could only demoralize them all.
My husband… Kongming… you have worked long and hard, and our family has suffered due to your anguish. If this drags on for much longer… I fear even the Sleeping Dragon will succumb to the weaknesses of his body. I must end this chaos to save your life. To end the visions of Priscilla and Isley… I will fight on. For now, I stand victorious. You can rest at ease.
But her heart was still uneasy. "Marshal Flora… Master Zilong…"
I pray that you will triumph, and return to us unharmed.
*
A disconcerted Zhao Yun groaned, opening his eyes only when the fluid inside his skull stopped swirling. He glanced around, his headache compounding the throbbing that beat against his cranium. He was immersed in darkness, but he could make out the silhouette of a lavish throne, decked in yellow and flanked by two Wei-aligned banners.
"A… palace?" he whispered.
In the unidentifiable distance, the low chanting of Buddhist monks was audible. Their ancient liturgy filtered through a single central window that revealed the light of the moon, providing the hall with its only source of light. The illumination and shadows, coupled with the evocative mantra beyond the veil, lent the chamber an eerie and ominous atmosphere.
This place is haunting indeed. The sacred ground of central China, after all, was host to many religious premises that had been built many centuries ago by Indian, Parthian, and Greek devotees travelling along the Silk Road. It was, in fact, through this revered trade route that Cao Cao had recruited the Central Plains Guardians, warriors of varying ethnicities, customs and religions.
"Am I near… temple grounds?" he murmured.
"Well, you do recover from surprises reasonably quickly. I expected nothing less from the man who held off fifty of my father-in-law's officers at Chang Ban."
That melodic voice! It was typically icy cold, but as passionate as a burning nova when roused. He glanced to his front as his eyes slowly adjusted to the tremendous darkness. The striking and elegant Princess of Wei stood between him and the throne, her dark irises piercing into him like a mistress bidding a disobedient servant to receive punishment. She spoke, addressing him from beyond the dais. "Welcome to Tianshui fortress, majestic creature."
"Zhen Ji," he acknowledged calmly. He instinctively moved to attack her, but his body refused to move in tandem. Only his legs obeyed, and even then they tottered uncertainly. And then he remembered. She had trapped him within her weapon, and his arms were bound at his sides. She teleported me to this place… leaving Lady Flora behind. "My spear," he demanded, abruptly and angrily. "Why have you brought me here?"
"Don't get over your head," smirked Zhen Luo, gesturing to several feet beside him. "You certainly hold on to that weapon tight. Even I couldn't remove it from your grasp until we arrived. And your reason for being held in this fort? Should that not be obvious? Divide and conquer, little tiger. It is a basic strategy of war."
He tensed, struggling to break free from the whip that bound his arms against his back. He grunted, his sore limbs unable to dislodge the metal digging into his silver armour. "You really think this will hold me back forever?" he questioned, pouring all his strength into breaking free.
"Give it up," she urged scornfully. "You cannot leave Allure's grip unless I decide it." A hint of viciousness glinted in her almond eye. She suddenly tugged, and his weakened body spun upwards, slamming back to the ground as she withdrew her weapon. Allure arced and curved back into her hand as she stepped back, observing her prone opponent. "I've heard much about the champion of Shu, the General of Tiger's Might," she smiled. "This is the first time I have looked upon you with my own eyes."
"And you… are the Lady of Wei, the princess of the northern Kingdom," replied Zhao Yun, propping himself on one knee and one hand. He suddenly rolled and swept up Dragon Spike before Zhen Ji could trap him again. He shifted into a balanced, comfortable stance and aimed the tip of his weapon at her face. "Duty calls, as you'd surely understand. I will fight you!"
"You're not very experienced with entertaining women, are you?"
Zhao Yun smiled grimly as Flora's gentle voice echoed inside his heart, drowning out Zhen Luo's condescending insult. "I have already devoted my life to one. I don't need to entertain anyone else, Princess."
"Love… is it?"
"Yes. Without a doubt."
Zhen Luo shrugged. "You are quite the eager dog, aren't you? That Flora must be such a fortunate woman." She advanced, her slender, high-heeled legs stepping slowly down from the dais of the throne. She sidled towards him, her full, curved expression visibly amused. Zhao Yun quickly took heed of his immediate environment. The palace hall was rather confined compared to the royal vestibule at Chengdu, and there was little space to utilize the acrobatic discipline of Dragon Spike. He would have to make do with a defensive approach, and perhaps even fight barehanded. His youthful eyes remained glued to hers. She licked her lips, but then stopped herself, as if privately reprimanding herself for something. But she recovered quickly, and smiled again.
"Allow me to test your resolve."
She struck first, flinging her whip at an angle towards his left shoulder. He leaped away, and the bladed head of Allure smashed against the wall, tearing through the stone and flinging large, deadly chunks of rubble at him. He parried with difficulty, momentarily blinded by the debris, but the trajectory of her attack had already changed, this time sweeping towards his right foot. He dived forward and rolled to evade and leaped up, thrusting Dragon Spike at her head. He would end this quickly –
"Foolish man."
Zhao Yun winced in pain as the crescent-shaped blade of the nine-section whip dug into his back, piercing into his armour and drawing blood. He staggered, and Zhen Luo smoothly twirled away from his intended attack. "You must watch every angle if you wish to defeat me. That is Allure's strength. But I suppose you've never fought anyone like me, after all."
He gritted his teeth. "Damn it," he growled, parrying another powerful angled lash and its subsequent recoil. This confined vicinity; combined with her weapon that can break past my restricted defence… she enjoys an overwhelming advantage over me.
The winding, arcing Allure surrounded him. Its midsection clicked and detached, allowing for even greater range. It clanged against his spearhead, and then retracted, before twisting and striking into his leg. He refused to cry out and charged, swinging and attempting to sweep Zhen Luo off her feet, but she pulled her whip upwards, and before he could dodge, the whip once again surrounded him and closed in, pinning his own spear and arms against his body. He felt his joints groan from the unnatural pose. I've erred! he thought wildly. I should have realized that the previous attack was a feint!
"What's wrong?" she sniffed. "Are you unable to keep up with me?"
Bound in her clutches, Zhao Yun felt the world turn upside down as he crashed against the cold floor. Before he could shout out in protest, Zhen Ji strode towards him, keeping a firm grip on Allure's helve. Her eyes burning with triumphant desire, she lifted her foot and crushed the end of her high heel against his face, drawing blood as she pulverized the side of his face, digging into flesh and bone. He gritted his teeth in agony. "What… what are you – " he growled, staring up into her cruel face.
She… she's trying to break me like this?!
She laughed, flicking his blood off her jagged blade. "What else? I'm having you kneel before me, you disgusting creature!" she cried, wedging harder against his cheek. He groaned again, unable to move his head, unable to counterattack. She tightened the whip. Blood poured from his head, but she did not care; her pressure against him only increased. "You backwater, country bumpkin dog of Shu. Don't you dare try to break free from my implacable hold…" Her eyes narrowed. "Now, beg for mercy! I want to hear it… straight from your lips."
The fierce scraping was repellently audible. The pain… it's crippling.
"How does it feel?" she crowed, clenching her teeth in barely restrained arousal. "How does it feel, to be trampled underfoot and humiliated by a lady like me? Say it. Cry out your pain. Say you will surrender to the pain, slave."
He felt his jaw aching beneath her heel. A warning ache shot through the nerves throughout his face. Any more, and he would lapse into unconsciousness. His jaw joint creaked dangerously. She was on the verge of breaking it, and her whip could retract at any moment and finish his prone form. I can't last long like this, he thought feverishly. I must break free and end this quickly…
He was surprised that he managed to speak at all. "I need not satisfy your sadism. You are merciless and brutal, unworthy of the title of Princess," he forced out, struggling to free himself, his jaw grinding against her thin shoe.
She smirked, as he avoided her sensual gaze. "Come now, young man. It's somewhat adorable when you put so much effort into talking to me. Show me more."
Stay calm. Do not fall for her tricks. You've fought far worse. Taking the deepest breath that he could manage while her foot was still grinding against his mouth; he closed his eyes, visualizing the beautiful face of Flora. Her gentle, light voice was clear, energizing. My Lord Zilong. In stark contrast to the icy malice of Zhen Ji, Flora's warmth felt completely benevolent. Yes. It could not end here at Tianshui. He still owed Liu Bei his service as a knight of Shu. He still owed the Kingdom his martial dedication. And he still owed Flora…
Everything.
His eyes snapped open. For all her talent, Zhen Ji had let one thing slip past her guard: she had not managed to disarm held Dragon Spike from him, and that was enough. He released his full power, an azure, snow-like aura of chi shooting up his otherwise helpless body and blinding her. He could notice her grip tightening, but it was too late. His arms inched outwards, and he roared, his metal armour shattering his bondage. He allowed himself to rebound upwards, leaping away and skidding away on one knee. She gasped in shock her close-quarters advantage was lost. "You… broke through Allure?!"
Scrambling up, he shook his spear, disentangling it from her whip entirely. Metal tinkled as it disengaged from its kind, and Zhen Luo's hand trembled in shock. "H… how?" she cried. She had him under her foot, bound and tied just minutes earlier! Yet now…!
Encouraged, he slashed somewhat wildly and uncontrollably at her, desperate to ensure she could not execute such a sly manoeuvre again. "Impossible!" she protested angrily, staggering back as Dragon Spike tore through her top, slashing apart the fabric and partially exposing her pale, noble skin. She let out an indignant cry as her dress began to fall apart. "How dare you treat me like this?!"
"You are an amazing fighter, and I can never surpass you in noble birth," conceded the young dragon. "But… I am a warrior too, and I will not fall before you here." He spun Dragon Spike and blasted her back with a shockwave that emanated from his stance. Even her shocked cry of pain was enticing and enthralling, but he ignored it to the best of his ability. He lunged with all the power his legs allowed him, and in one fatal thrust, shattered Allure at its centre, breaking the nine-section whip into two. Zhen Ji screamed in frustration and attempted a final swing, but he swung up the pommel of his spear, intentionally missing her chin and striking her in the shoulder. She was hurled up, and he slammed her into the ground with a sudden reversal of his weapon's swing. She dropped her whip and it clanged to the ground, falling apart inelegantly.
She stared up at him as he prepared to end it. "You… really will not kneel before me."
"You're right." His chi enveloped them both. "I hold nothing back!"
He slammed his spear down in a final shockwave that thundered throughout the cramped Throneroom, smashing through stone and pummelling Zhen Luo's body. Her chemise tore, and she flew up, her shredded lingerie exposed to the cold air. She managed to land on her feet, but she tottered and stumbled back, before falling gracelessly on her behind. It was suddenly over, and it was not a poised end to the duel at all.
Zhao Yun blushed, his eyes involuntarily falling upon her bare torso. He looked away, trying his damndest not to rouse the growing bulge between his legs. "Forgive me…"
Her dress was torn through the middle, and only her frantic arm covered her bosom from being exposed to the young knight's slightly mortified gaze. Shapely arms and legs bleeding, she looked at him furiously. "I do not consort with beasts!" she cried in womanly wrath, clutching harder at her torn chemise. "You – you – "
He tossed his shoulder sash at her, and she frantically caught it to wrap it around herself. He looked away as she continued to glare irately at him. "I… apologize for this apparently ignoble end. But I assure you that I have no intention of destroying you. In fact, I care not if you curse my name. I only wish to reunite with my Lady." He lowered his spear, breathing heavily. "Where is she? Where is Lady Flora?"
"You speak of that blonde broad?" sniffed Zhen Luo. Her shattered whip lay to the side, forgotten. "I… I don't believe it!"
Zhao Yun bowed. "It is true, Zhen Ji. It is as you say." He gave a small, beseeching smile, and to her surprise, he lowered himself at the waist, bowing down sincerely. "I am her champion, and she is the woman I love. I have defeated you in fair combat, and I wish to know where your husband has taken her. Please show me the honour that I expect from the Wei Empire's Princess."
She glared at him, deliberating on whether to insult him further, concede the contest, or to misinform him.
Her lips parted reluctantly only after several moments. "She is here, too," she said grudgingly. "This is not a normal castle; it is built vertically, according to the tradition of the Continent rather than that of China. It was Sima Yi's strategy to confuse the Shu forces, for few Chinese have ever seen such a construction. A storey is repeatedly built upon a lower level, until the fortress reaches up into the sky like an extremely tall pillar. But you do not have far to go. Flora is only one storey below you, underneath this layer of the fort."
He spun Dragon Spike again. "Thank you," he said gently, looking upon her subdued countenance. "In that case, I will go to aid Lady Flora against your husband. I bid you farewell."
"You cannot hope to make it out alive," she mocked as she tied a knot around her breasts with his sash. "This fortress is enchanted – it devours those who dare to wander its ancient halls. After all, it is one of the many sentinels that protect the Central Plains." She licked her lips, the remnants of her previous fire returning to her eyes. "Do you really think you can defeat my father-in-law? Dream on. This world belongs to him. And when we've captured you all as our prisoners…" she smiled spitefully. "I will flog you until you squeal like a pig!"
He turned away, raising his spear. He tensed, and smashed it into the stone floor. The tower began to shake, and as he exerted ever more force, his muscles burning like a wildfire, the stones gave way, falling below him into the darkness. He could hear faint voices, but one of them was unmistakably Flora's – passionate, high in pitch, and… angry?
He could only trust Zhen Ji's integrity and honesty. While some men would have branded her a hellcat, underneath that somewhat frightening, sadistic persona, he sensed a certain… unique variety of honour.
But he could not fret about that now. My Lady is down there, and she's in trouble. That conviction alone cleared his mind of all apprehension. Taking a deep breath, he leaped down into the abyss. Flora… I am coming to assist you.
He leaped down to his Lady.
*
Wrapped tightly in Cao Pi's arms, Flora looked up, her eyes widening. Something was happening… she could not tell exactly what, but the presence of Zhao Yun was palpable. Even as the Prince of Wei continued to speak silky words and caress her body, her lips parted in apprehension. Was he here…? And… was he safe?
"Zilong…"