Chapter 16: Whose Army is This, So Fearless?

Encouraged by Wang Yan, the army charged at the Yellow Turban soldiers like a ferocious tiger descending a mountain. Every soldier was full of morale, eager to fight, and the battlefield echoed with their shouts and screams. The Yellow Turban soldiers fell back wherever they went, unable to resist the onslaught.

Seeing this, Sun Qing was stunned. He had believed victory was within his grasp, but this sudden, fierce attack caught him entirely off guard.

"Hold your positions, don't let the formation break!"

"They are only a few thousand strong, don't be afraid!"

Sun Qing quickly tried to reorganize his defense, but it was futile. The soldiers, fed daily by Wang Yan with highly nutritious meals, were far more robust and more resilient than the Yellow Turban soldiers. Boosted by Wang Yan's motivational speech, their morale was high, especially among the three thousand believers, who fought with the strength of ten men, displaying incredible combat prowess.

Zhou Cang led the believers, charging straight into the Yellow Turban's encirclement with one goal—to rescue Zhao Yun.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yun continued fighting fiercely amidst the Yellow Turban soldiers, feeling the pressure ease with the support of Wang Yan's army. In no time, Zhou Cang's troops broke through the Yellow Turban's encirclement and joined forces with Zhao Yun.

"General Zhao, I am Zhou Cang, here by my master's order to assist you!"

"Who is your master?"

"My master is the son of Inspector Wang Fen, now the vanguard of General Lu Zhi's anti-rebellion army, here specifically for you today!"

Zhao Yun was slightly taken aback and looked towards the direction Zhou Cang pointed. There, standing on a hill, was Wang Yan, dressed in fine clothes, exuding a heroic and imposing presence. With a gentle wave of his whip, it seemed he was commanding the whole battlefield, strategizing with ease.

"Thank you, hero! Please lend me a horse. I will take Sun Qing's head and end this battle!"

"Magnificent!" Zhou Cang replied.

As for Sun Qing, faced with the sudden turn of events, he looked around in disbelief, feeling an unprecedented sense of crisis.

"Where is this army from? How can their soldiers be so ferocious?"

His voice trembled, and his heart quaked. But before he could react, he saw another terrifying scene. Now mounted on a horse again, Zhao Yun had transformed into a war deity and was charging directly at him.

Realizing the danger, Sun Qing abandoned the battle and fled on horseback. In a split second, Zhao Yun caught up with him, swung his spear, and struck Sun Qing in the back with a powerful blow.

"Ah!"

The armor on Sun Qing's body shattered under Zhao Yun's strike, and he, along with his horse, fell to the ground, bones crushed, and life extinguished.

After killing Sun Qing, Zhao Yun swiftly turned back and regrouped with Zhou Cang, launching a counterattack against the Yellow Turban soldiers. With their leaders, Sun Ji and Sun Qing, both dead, the Yellow Turban soldiers, leaderless, fell like harvested wheat, their bodies and discarded weapons littering the battlefield.

The Yellow Turban army was thoroughly defeated.

Wang Yan looked at the scene before him with satisfaction. The army's spirit and confidence were built through battle after battle. For these new soldiers, this victory was of great significance.

After the battlefield was cleared, Zhou Cang returned triumphantly to report to Wang Yan.

"Master, we have killed a thousand Yellow Turban rebels and captured three thousand."

Wang Yan nodded, "Ask their opinions. Those willing to surrender should be dispersed and incorporated into the army."

"Understood!"

Following closely, Zhao Yun knelt on one knee, saluting Wang Yan.

"Thank you, Lord Wang. Zhao Yun and Zhen Ding City would have been in grave danger without your timely assistance!"

Wang Yan quickly stepped forward and helped him up, "General Zilong, I have long admired your fame. Today, I came specifically to meet you!"

Wang Er then presented the recruitment letter from Wang Fen.

"Now the Yellow Turban rebels are causing chaos, and the people are in misery. I, Wang Yan, have the heart to quell the rebellion. This is a recruitment order from my father, Inspector Wang Fen, appointing you as a colonel. Will you join me in achieving great deeds and restoring peace to the land?"

Moved by Wang Yan's humility and respect, Zhao Yun felt deeply honored.

"To be held in such regard by the Inspector's son?"

Wang Yan's journey and his earnestness to recruit Zhao Yun left the latter feeling both honored and conflicted. But joining would mean leaving his hometown and his people behind.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord. However, with the rebellion not yet quelled, the people of Changshan have entrusted me with defending their home. I dare not leave Changshan hastily. Could you grant me some time before I take up the appointment?"

Zhou Cang was puzzled by Zhao Yun's response, thinking he should immediately accept such a great offer.

"General Zhao, my master's kindness is immense; please reconsider."

Wang Yan smiled, having anticipated Zhao Yun's reaction. Such a small obstacle was easily overcome.

"A man of loyalty should be moved by loyalty."

"Zilong, how can we focus only on one place while ignoring people's suffering across the land? I understand your concerns, but I also believe you bear a greater responsibility for the people of the world!"

"Changshan is too small for you!"

"Do you need to realize the best defense is a good offense? I intend to eliminate Zhang Jiao. With your help, this will be accomplished. If the rebel leader is eliminated, Changshan will be secure!"

"How can the world not be at peace then?"

Zhao Yun, inspired by Wang Yan's words, felt a surge of heroism.

"Such ambition in this young man!"

Feeling enlightened, Zhao Yun knelt, clasped his hands, and solemnly saluted Wang Yan.

"Master, Zhao Yun is willing to follow you!"

Overjoyed, Wang Yan grasped Zhao Yun's hand, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Excellent! With General Zilong's help, how can we not stabilize the world?"

Zhao Yun then led Wang Yan into the city. As the savior of Zhen Ding, Wang Yan, accompanied by Zhao Yun, was welcomed by the people lining the streets.

The crowd eagerly awaited a glimpse of the returning hero. When they saw Wang Yan, exclamations of surprise erupted.

"Hey, isn't that the Great Yan Immortal Master?"

"The Great Yan Immortal Master has come to Changshan!"

"Such a young hero, even younger than General Zhao!"

"He truly is a savior, saving us from the brink of disaster."

"With the Great Yan Immortal Master here, how can we fear the Yellow Turbans?"

Wang Yan's presence seemed to bring a breath of spring to this city troubled by the Yellow Turban Rebellion, giving the people hope for rebuilding their homes and restoring peace.

Zhao Yun, observing this, was secretly astonished.

"Could it be that the master is the legendary Great Yan Immortal Master? Does he truly possess immortal powers?"

Riding his horse, Wang Yan smiled and waved to the people on both sides, feeling immensely satisfied.

"So much emotion value!"