The sudden enemy attack changed the expression on the Xiu Tu king’s face.

Surrounding sounds of hooves and footsteps, following the arrow’s trajectory, closed in on their position.

Raised in the harsh environment of the steppe, he could easily discern the size of the approaching force.

This was a troop of at least a thousand, and that figure was likely just the beginning.

Such a sudden onslaught, without any warning, infuriated him.

Were his cavalry stationed at the Yinshan Pass and across the steppe all blind?

But regardless of whether they were blind or not, he had to face the reality of an imminent enemy attack.

That arrow shot, though impressive, was just the beginning; he feared what would come next…

Indeed, he now saw cavalry galloping towards him beyond the bright campfires!

He also heard the cries of anguish from his own men.

“What’s the panic!” The Xutu king roared angrily, his voice resonating with the confidence of a steppe nomad, ensuring everyone present heard his shout. “Don’t you all have weapons in your hands?”

True.

Though they were celebrating, they were also mustering for war.

By their nomadic customs, they were always armed; they were not unarmed and surrounded.

As the Xutu king spoke, signals were sent to summon their horses.

The enemy had come suddenly, but they were not incapable of fighting back.

The Xutu king’s words calmed them instantly.

Underneath the platform, people drew their swords and organized themselves, their movements synchronized.

In the corner of his eye, the Xutu king suddenly noticed the Han Empire’s captives lying bound nearby.

Despite their hopeless situation as offerings and potential food, they now seemed to harbor a glimmer of hope.

Their expressions were clearly illuminated by the campfire.

Fury surged within the Xutu king.

He thought of sacrificing these few to rally his people’s resolve against the enemy.

However, as he took three steps forward, raising his sword to strike, a sense of imminent danger crept into his mind.

Instinctively stepping back, he witnessed a feathered arrow landing right in front of him.

This arrow was not the same as the one that had earlier struck down the flagpole.

But that clearly wasn’t the focus at this moment!

Had he been even slightly slower, he might have died right there.

Still trembling with the fear of his narrow escape, he saw the person who had shot the arrow now leading a cavalry charge towards him.

These were high-headed steeds from Bingzhou, clearing the flags and barriers around them with ease.

Their commanders rode with dignified bearing, and their cavalry were no ordinary fighters.

Just as his guards rushed to shield him, the clash of arrows against their shields echoed loudly.

Even mounted, these riders were shooting arrows in his direction.

Almost simultaneously, another group of cavalry attacked from a different direction.

But this wasn’t a shooting formation; these were spear-armed cavalry!

Mounted lancers!

The hastily formed defensive formation was no match for such a force.

It was like a paper wall pierced with a spear.

The leading general of Han’s Army thrust his lance like a whirlwind, the tip catching fire under the campfire’s glow as it pierced through the closest opponent’s chest.

Withdrawing swiftly, the lance glistened with blood, appearing as if ablaze.

As he looked up at the platform with its arrows, shields, and the Xutu king surrounded by his retinue, a hint of youthful exuberance flashed across the general’s face.

“Wen Yuan! Are you trying to steal all the glory?”

Before his words even finished, he turned his horse and charged straight for the Xutu king.

During that operation, they cut down many skilled Xiu Tu warriors with their long spears.

The spears almost converged into a silver wave of turbulent force, which might have been just an illusion caused by their swift movements.

Regardless of whether it was real or just an illusion, facing this terrifying intimidation, Xiu Tu’s king had no doubt.

Even with his elite guards and iron shields, he couldn’t possibly stop the spear-wielding Han’s soldiers from advancing.

The Xiu Tu king understood a few words of Chinese.

He could tell from what was said that these two were aiming to claim his head as a prize.

He thought that labeling the young officer as greedy for merit would provoke him to step forward in anger.

The rivalry over credit between the two groups might give him a chance to exploit.

However, he noticed the young archer had turned the arrowheads toward another direction, targeting the Xiu Tu Leaders.

It was clear they were each performing their designated roles!

Although Zhang Liao’s experience on the border of Bingzhou might not have been enough to match his later achievements, it had at least taught him one thing: coordination in battle is far more effective than competing against each other.

“First achievement is more important,” Qiao Yan had said on their journey here, emphasizing that competing for Xiu Tu King’s head should not interfere with commanding subordinates.

So, since he had missed his chance by a step, why not give this opportunity to someone else?

He laughed aloud, “Let it be! First, achieve this victory, then come and boast to me!”

The target of the mounted archers immediately shifted from the Xiu Tu King to others.

A sudden arrow attack caused several to fall dead on the spot.

Almost simultaneously, Zhao Yun’s cavalry spear formation advanced toward the shielded defenders.

Without hesitation, the Xiu Tu King jumped from his vantage point, intending to buy time by engaging the shield bearers and quickly mount his horse to resume combat.

He saw the spear-wielding officer’s target switch to clearing out these shielded soldiers, providing him a chance to rally.

But as he mounted, Xiu Tu warriors, rallying with shouts, gathered swiftly.

Before forming a charge formation, they clashed head-on with a third cavalry charge of Han’s Army.

Coincidentally, this group of Han’s Army was expertly equipped to counter their cavalry, wielding sickle-hooks instead of spears or swords.

Led by a young and capable leader, this unit’s sickle-hooks rang out with the cries of warhorses in the first moments of battle.

Xie Tu King’s horse panicked from a leg wound, throwing him off before he could steer away.

His robust physique saved him from immediate unconsciousness.

With the help of fellow warriors, he managed to escape amid the chaotic clash of cavalry.

Then, he heard a series of heavy, thunderous sounds.

Boom!

Followed by another.

And another.

…

These weren’t coming from one direction but from all around, like the initial sounds of footsteps and hooves.

It was a terrifying surround-sound effect.

As the enemy closed in, he finally saw them.

Dressed plainly in sturdy clothes, only a few wore armor.

But as they approached, he realized they were a formidable force.

They stepped forward in unison, closing in on the center, creating an atmosphere of panic that was hard to ignore.

In the thick of the night, this special encirclement made it difficult to discern how many of them there were or how strong their forces were.