Esman's Thunder

"Esman's Thunder!"

Lady Mati, upon hearing Constantine XI utter this name, immediately felt a shiver run down her spine.

The enthusiastic cheers from the soldiers on the western wall also diminished significantly.

Some even swallowed hard.

Bayed, the renowned veteran of the Esman, had earned his reputation over three generations. He single-handedly held a city gate open for his army to enter during a siege. He led three hundred foot soldiers to break through five thousand cavalrymen in battle against the Western coalition forces. He even captured a rebel leader single-handedly in the midst of a massive army.

In thirty years of military service and more than seventy battles, he had never suffered a single defeat.

When Mumoona's father was alive, he praised Bayed's reputation, saying that it was equivalent to having thirty thousand soldiers under one man's command.

He was known throughout the land as "Esman's Thunder"!

The current situation was too obvious. The Sultan was about to unleash her Thunder.

But the warning from Constantine XI was ignored by the steppe archers.

Who knows what the old man is saying?

We don't understand Norman talk!

"Hmm?" Shu Yichao noticed that the wavering Esman army seemed to be regaining its composure.

Moreover, there were occasional shouts coming from the army.

"Bayed, Bayed!"

A burly, shirtless giant on horseback rushed through the army. Wherever he went, the soldiers of Esman spontaneously made way for him.

They banged their shields, waved their flags, cheered, and welcomed Esman's Thunder—many of them had grown up listening to Bayed's legendary stories.

Bayed arrived at the front of the formation, his scarred and fierce face looking towards Mumoona.

Mumoona looked at him and nodded.

"Boom—" A huge battle axe smashed into the ground, sending dust flying, and the deep voice resounded through the sky.

"To the great victory, dedicated to the messenger of the true god, the great Sultan!"

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

"Bayed!"

"May the true god bless you!"

"Hail the Sultan!"

Tens of thousands of Esman soldiers cheered wildly, their voices shaking off the birds and dispersing the clouds, even causing the western wall to tremble under the roar.

Grabbing his battle axe, Bayed charged towards Shu Yichao amidst the enthusiastic cheers.

[Hey, Master, another key figure has appeared!]

System12345 said.

[Let me check the information. Hmm, his name is Bayed, the first warrior under Mumoona's command, "Esman's Thunder".]

[It's crucial to build a good relationship with him.]

[Master, I think you can prepare a generous gift.]

[Then, express your sincere desire to learn from him and ask him to be your mentor in martial arts.]

[With the help of me, Master, you'll surely make rapid progress and gain Bayed's favor.]

[With such an important figure vouching for you, why worry about not standing firm in Mumoona's court later?]

[How's this suggestion, Master?]

[Isn't it great?]

"Wow—" Shu Yichao's eyes lit up.

"What a horse!" He blurted out.

The horse ridden by the opposing general was large, glossy, majestic, and exceptionally handsome—

Compared to the horse on the other side, Shu Yichao's 250-speed horse suddenly didn't seem so good.

No, what opposing horse? That's obviously my horse!

Eager to reclaim his own horse, Shu Yichao immediately accelerated, his elite scimitar emitting a chilling light in the dust.

"Hiss—" Constantine XI covered his chest.

The battle between the Khitan Batulu and the Esman's Thunder was making him nervous and afraid. His heart pounded, almost jumping out of his chest, and even breathing became difficult at this moment.

This is unbearable.

Beside him, Lady Mati was no better off. With weak legs, she relied on pressing her body against the battlements to avoid falling.

"Thud—"

Shu Yichao and Bayed passed by each other.

Whether Esman or Norman, or from other countries and city-states—everyone involuntarily held their breath and stared with wide eyes.

Who, who won?

Excitement.

Curiosity.

Fear.

Worry.

Various emotions pervaded the battlefield, crazily stimulating the nerves of everyone present.

In front of tens of thousands of spectators, the two in the center of the battlefield adjusted their warhorses simultaneously, once again assuming a charging posture.

The first round.

No winner!

"Hiss—"

"Phew—"

Inhalations, exhalations, and sighs filled the air, tugging at the hearts of everyone present.

Charge, clash of blades and axes, the two sides fought once again.

"Bang—"

They stopped, turned around again.

The second round.

Still no winner.

Shu Yichao and Bayed had fought for only two rounds, and neither had defeated the other. However, among the spectators, dozens had already been so excited that they fainted...

However, after three rounds, a turning point occurred.

A burst of exclamations.

The Esman soldiers slowed down their shield strikes, and the cheers diminished, replaced by a fearful and anxious sigh.

Because in front of everyone's eyes, Bayed, who had just passed by Shu Yichao, was visibly swaying.

The sound of gasps echoed one after another.

No way.

It can't be.

Is this real?

Could it be...

Amidst the worried gazes of the Esman people, Bayed finally managed to steady himself.

However, a sense of foreboding had silently crept into the hearts of every Esman person.

Huff, huff, huff— The scorching air pricked at their nostrils, and sticky sweat soaked Bayed's back as he held his battle-axe, his hand trembling.

"My god, what kind of monster is this?"

If before the fight, this Thunder of Esman considered the opponent just another scratch on his record of achievements, after exchanging blows for two or three rounds, Bayed completely changed his mind.

In terms of strength, speed, and the ruthlessness of his attacks, he was completely suppressed!

"So, this is the Khitan people?"

He turned his horse around, muttering to himself.

For the first time in his life, he knew what fear felt like.

"Attack seems to be around 90?" Shu Yichao clicked his tongue, evaluating Bayed as he would when building his troops in a game.

"Regular cavalry?"

"No, he's not wearing armor."

Shu Yichao glanced at Bayed's breastplate, then drew his conclusion.

"I see, experienced tribal cavalry."

In short, cannon fodder on horseback.

"What a waste of a good horse."

"It's time to end this."

"..." Every hair on Bayed's body stood on end, a feeling of being stared down by a deadly beast surged in his heart.

As a veteran of thirty years of warfare, the Thunder of Esman, he suddenly entertained the thought of running away.

Am I kidding?

How could I possibly run away?

I absolutely cannot run away!

"Ahhh!!!" Whether it was to boost his own morale or out of fear, Bayed, contrary to his previous calm demeanor, roared and swung his battle-axe, charging at Shu Yichao.

Shu Yichao met him without hesitation.

But just as the two were about to collide, amidst the unbelieving gazes of everyone, Shu Yichao leaped from his horse, stepping through the air, his curved blade pointing straight at Bayed.

Swish—

Blood sprayed into the sky.

With a kick, Shu Yichao sent the headless corpse tumbling into the dust, then landed on the majestic horse he had long coveted.

"Hahaha!!!"

As he patted the horse and laughed uproariously, "A 300-speed heavy horse!"

"Ahhhhh!!!" The defenders on the western wall had gone mad, shouting, singing, hugging, jumping, waving flags, banging shields, and weeping tears of joy.

The Thunder of Esman was shattered today!

In contrast, the Esman army fell into silence.

[Master, what have you done now!?]

[Your favorability with Bayed has dropped to zero in an instant.]

[How many times is this now?]

[Every time your importance increases, it suddenly drops to zero.]

System12345 was puzzled, unable to make sense of it.

[What did you do to offend Bayed so badly?]