Chapter 14: Jin Wuzhu

Yue Fei was unaware of the strength of his opponent. He thrust his spear forward, aiming at the Jin general. The Jin general, equally curious to test Yue Fei’s mettle, did not dodge but raised his battle axe high, meeting Yue Fei’s attack head-on.

With a thunderous clang, both men’s warhorses staggered back a step, the momentum of their charge instantly halted. The sheer force behind this exchange was evident to all.

Yue Fei was taken aback. Since launching his assault on the Jin camp, he had yet to encounter an adversary this formidable. None of the previous Jin generals had survived more than three moves against him, but this man was clearly a ruthless and powerful foe. Although both had retreated equally, it was Yue Fei who had initiated the attack. In comparison, his opponent’s strength was perhaps greater than his own.

Truth be told, Yue Fei was somewhat brash in his youth, thinking himself invincible. Now, meeting this Jin general, he realized he still had worthy opponents in the world.

In the blink of an eye, the two had already exchanged dozens of blows, yet victory remained elusive for either side. Yue Fei quickly scanned his surroundings and saw Jin soldiers surging back from all directions. He knew he could not afford to tarry. Otherwise, the three hundred men he led would be lost here.

With such disparity in numbers, his three hundred could only serve as a surprise force. If they were encircled, disaster would ensue.

“No nameless ghost has ever died beneath my spear. State your name, and I’ll send you on your way!” Yue Fei demanded.

“Hahaha! If you want to kill me, let’s see if you have the skill! I am Wanyan Zongbi, Deputy Commander of the Great Jin Eastern Army!” Wanyan Zongbi replied with a booming laugh, brimming with confidence in his own strength.

“So, he is Wanyan Zongbi!” Yue Fei was startled. Wanyan Zongbi’s name was legendary among the Song army. Of course, he was also known among the Song as Jin Wuzhu. It was unexpected to encounter him here.

If this were an open battle, Yue Fei would have relished a duel to the finish. But now, in the midst of a raid, he had to suppress his desire to settle the score.

“So, you are Jin Wuzhu. Let’s see if you can withstand my next strike.” With those words, Yue Fei drove his spear forward with all his might.

“Well done!” Jin Wuzhu exclaimed as Yue Fei’s spear shot toward his chest. The attack was cunning and exceptionally swift, making it nearly impossible to evade.

Jin Wuzhu dared not underestimate his foe. He shifted his massive form to the side just in time, narrowly avoiding the lethal spear.

Yet Jin Wuzhu was a fierce warrior. No sooner had he dodged Yue Fei’s attack than he swung his axe toward Yue Fei’s head.

Seeing his attack evaded and an axe coming at him in return, Yue Fei felt a flash of regret, realizing that he would not be able to eliminate this formidable adversary today.

However, Yue Fei quickly regained his composure. With formidable skill and courage, he did not flinch as the axe swept toward him. Instead, he deftly flicked his spear upward and aimed another thrust at the Jin general’s brow.

Jin Wuzhu had never before met a Song general who could stand toe-to-toe with him. He had looked forward to a proper duel with Yue Fei, but he was startled by this reckless, life-for-life fighting style.

If he continued his axe strike, Yue Fei’s spear would surely pierce his forehead. Such a mutually destructive approach was not to his liking.

So Jin Wuzhu retreated!

And that was precisely Yue Fei’s goal.

Seeing Jin Wuzhu fall back, Yue Fei wasted no time. He withdrew as well, shouting, “Retreat!”

With that, he led the remnants of the Flying Feather Battalion in a swift dash toward the northern gate.

Jin Wuzhu tried to pursue, but it was already too late. He alone was mounted, and his own men quickly fell behind. Seeing this, Jin Wuzhu could only rein in his horse in frustration and roar, “Yue Fei, I’ll remember you! Next time, you will not return alive!”

“Hahaha! Jin Wuzhu, keep your head ready for me. I’ll come to claim it next time!” Yue Fei shot back.

The Flying Feather Battalion soon vanished into the vast night.

As Jin Wuzhu surveyed the camp, now in shambles from the Song assault, and realized the rations had all been torched and the warhorses set loose, he could not help but clench his fists in anger. With a long, helpless sigh to the heavens, he knew this campaign against the Song would have to end in failure.

The fire raged until noon before finally burning itself out. In the main tent of the Jin army, the generals sat in a grim circle, their faces dark.

“Commander, the casualty report is ready. We lost twenty thousand horses and 1,536 soldiers, including more than five hundred officers of centurion rank or higher,” Wanyan Chang reported as he handed the document to Wanyan Zongwang.

Wanyan Zongwang glanced over it briefly and then passed the report to Wanyan Zongbi. “We all know the situation. Let’s hear your thoughts.”

“The Song are too cunning. They don’t dare face us in open battle, relying instead on schemes and trickery,” Wanyan Xiyin said angrily.

“War is the way of deception. We can hardly expect the Song to send us a formal challenge before launching a surprise attack,” Wanyan Loushi replied.

“Hmph! This is all the Song are capable of. If they were real men, they’d fight us honorably on the field!” Wanyan Xiyin continued to brood over the night raid.

“Even in open battle, I doubt you could best that Yue Fei,” Wanyan Zongbi interjected.

Wanyan Xiyin’s face darkened at these words. Among the Jurchens, martial prowess was a matter of pride—being called inferior to an enemy was a grave insult.

“There’s no need to glare at me. I speak the truth. I fought that man myself. Even if I gave my all, defeating him within three hundred bouts would be difficult,” Wanyan Zongbi said gravely.

Hearing this, the others realized he was not jesting. For one as proud as Wanyan Zongbi to praise an opponent—such a thing was indeed rare.