I wield power with my innate talents, and forge the Heavenly Court.

Chapter 166 Extraordinary Battle, Zhao Shuaijiao Dies in Battle

After leaving some troops to continue suppressing the bandits, Hong Chengchou and Chen Qiyu led their troops through Shanxi to the capital to defend the emperor.

As Hong Chengchou had predicted, the situation regarding the suppression of bandits immediately deteriorated shortly after he led his troops away.

Although Hong Chengchou left behind some troops.

However, without his effective command, the rebel army quickly escaped the encirclement and crossed the Yellow River into Shanxi.

Upon learning that the Later Jin army was advancing on the capital, not only Hong Chengchou and Chen Qiyu from Shaanxi, but also began to lead their troops to the capital to defend the emperor.

Others in various places also led their troops toward the capital, including Qin Liangyu in Sichuan and Yuan Chonghuan at Shanhaiguan.

Yuan Chonghuan, in particular, turned deathly pale upon receiving the news.

He had just told Chongzhen about his five-year strategy to pacify Liaodong when Huang Taiji led his army into the pass. How was he supposed to explain this to Chongzhen?
Although he had only been in office for a little over a year, although some of his policies were not so good, and although Huang Taiji also bypassed Mongolia, Shanhaiguan, and the Guan-Ning defense line to enter the interior.

But can the emperor understand him?

Ultimately, it was his lack of awareness that led to his dereliction of duty.

However, despite some hesitation, he immediately mustered his troops and led them to the capital to defend the emperor.

At the same time, he ordered General Zhao Shuaijiao, who was in charge of pacifying Liaodong, to lead 4,000 troops to reinforce Zunhua, hoping to stop the Later Jin army in Zunhua.

Zhao Shuaijiao led his army day and night, and in just three days and nights, they arrived at Santunying from Shanhaiguan.

He originally intended to enter Santunying to replenish food and supplies and take a rest.

However, General Zhu Guoyan was unwilling for Zhao Shuaijiao to enter the city.

No matter how much Zhao Shuaijiao knocked on the city gates, Zhu Guoyan did not order them to be opened.

Left with no other choice, Zhao Shuaijiao had to lead his troops westward once again.

On November 4th, Zhao Shuaijiao finally arrived in Zunhua.

However, Zhao Shuaijiao, who arrived in haste, was immediately ambushed by the Later Jin army.

A major battle was fought outside Zunhua between Huang Taiji and the main force of the Later Jin army led by Ajige.

Looking at the Later Jin army charging towards him, Zhao Shuaijiao felt a chill run down his spine; he was in danger this time.

However, he showed no sign of backing down.

"kill!"

"Kill, kill, kill!"

As Zhao Shuaijiao shouted, the soldiers behind him also roared back, their eyes filled with fear, but also with determination.

"kill!"

"Ding Dong!"

"Clang, clang, clang."

In the blink of an eye, the two were locked in combat.

Zhao Shuaijiao, wielding a large sword, charged back and forth among the Later Jin army, killing countless enemy soldiers.

Upon seeing Zhao Shuaijiao's fierce and invincible appearance, Ajige frowned deeply, spurred his horse, and charged towards Zhao Shuaijiao.

"You arrogant general, cease your arrogance! I will fight you!"

His voice was loud and domineering, truly possessing the imposing presence of a general from the Three Kingdoms period.

Seeing Ajige approaching on horseback, Zhao Shuaijiao was not afraid at all, and instead spurred his horse forward as well.

As they drew closer, a cold glint flashed in Zhao Shuaijiao's eyes, and he suddenly slashed out with his long sword.

"Tsk~!"

This strike was as powerful as thunder and as swift as lightning, producing a sound that tore through the air.

Upon witnessing the power of this strike, Ajige's eyes widened in shock. How could there be such a fast blade?

Is it
Divine power—this Ming general actually possessed divine power as well.

However, although Ajige was shocked, he quickly reacted, raising his long sword sharply, and the newly emerged special power in his body - divine power - surged into the long sword.

"Dang~!"

A loud bang suddenly rang out, causing the surrounding soldiers to experience some hearing loss.

"Huh? You've mastered Yuan Qi too?!"

Taking advantage of the rebound, Zhao Shuaijiao quickly withdrew his sword and looked at Ajige opposite him with some surprise.

With slightly trembling hands, Ajige forced himself to remain calm as he looked at Zhao Shuaijiao and said with a disdainful expression:
"What primordial energy? I have received the blessing of the Changbai Mountain God and possess the divine power of the mountain god."

"Pshaw~, what mountain god power?"
But I'm too lazy to argue with you. Since you say it's the power of the mountain god, then it is the power of the mountain god.

"Let's see if my vital energy is stronger, or your mountain god's power is weaker."

After saying that, Zhao Shuaijiao spurred his horse and charged toward Ajige again.

"Alright! Let's have a competition and see who's stronger."

Although he was already feeling scared, he refused to lose face. He channeled his divine power to relieve the numbness and pain in his hands and roared defiantly.

However, Ajige quickly realized what was happening.

"Hmm, no, what do you mean by your vital energy being stronger, or my divine power being weaker?"
"Is it a case of you being stronger and me being weaker, no matter which way you look?"

"Haha, you're not too stupid."

"You treacherous general, I'll chop off your dog's head!"

Ajige was so angry he almost exploded with rage. He immediately forgot what had just happened, grabbed his broadsword, and charged forward.

"Dang Dang Dang"

Amidst deafening clangs of metal clashing, the two men stood locked in fierce combat.

However, in just a few breaths, Ajige was once again at a disadvantage. Under Zhao Shuaijiao's attacks, he was struggling to defend himself and was on the verge of collapse.

Seeing this from afar, Huang Taiji's eyes flashed with a strange light, but he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Ming Dynasty was vast and rich in resources, producing many famous generals, unlike the Later Jin Dynasty. It was only because the Ming emperors were incompetent and the court officials were corrupt that these famous generals were not given important positions.

However, since you are not of my use, I can only ask you to die.

"Mangultai, Ming general is ruthless. I, the Khan, order you to assist Ajige in capturing him."

"Hmph, yes!"

Although unwilling, Mangultai knew that now that the two armies were at war, he could not disobey Huang Taiji's orders.

Otherwise, Huang Taiji could have used this as an excuse to execute him.

Therefore, after Mangultai gave a soft snort, he casually responded loudly and spurred his horse into the army ahead.

A cold glint flashed in Huang Taiji's eyes as he watched Mangultai's retreating figure.

However, he quickly composed himself and simply stared blankly at the battle ahead.

Mangultai and Ajige joined forces and finally managed to put Zhao Shuaijiao at a disadvantage.

However, Zhao Shuaijiao had already disregarded life and death. After being suppressed by the two, he immediately launched an even more ferocious attack, ignoring the attacks of Ajige and the other man and relentlessly attacking with a death-defying ferocity.

As a result, Ajige and his companion, who were now restrained, were once again suppressed by Zhao Shuaijiao, and for a time they found themselves in a precarious situation.

"Hmph! Waste!"

Upon seeing the situation on the battlefield, Huang Taiji couldn't help but curse "useless!" Then, his eyes turned cold, and he coldly gave the order:

"Release the arrows and kill the Ming general!"

"This"

Upon hearing Huang Taiji's order, the archers hesitated.

The two Beile, Mangultai and Ajige, are still near the enemy general.

However, when they noticed Huang Taiji's cold gaze, they immediately became alert and did not hesitate for a moment.

They all drew their bows and aimed at Zhao Shuaijiao, and then a hail of arrows rained down, covering several meters around Zhao Shuaijiao, leaving him with nowhere to escape or avoid.

Seeing the overwhelming rain of arrows, Mangultai and Ajige both paled. Huang Taiji was so ruthless; was he going to kill them both here?
Immediately, both of them unleashed their divine power and retreated sharply.

However, Zhao Shuaijiao did not try to dodge. Instead, he desperately urged his internal energy and slashed diagonally at Ajige.

"No, you're insane, you're a madman."

Upon seeing Zhao Shuaijiao's actions, Ajige's eyes widened in shock as he looked at Zhao Shuaijiao in horror.

However, it was too late to say anything now. He could only desperately mobilize the divine power within his body, retreating rapidly while simultaneously slashing out with his sword to intercept Zhao Shuaijiao's attack.

The overwhelming rain of arrows and the enemy before him forced Zhao Shuaijiao to concentrate intensely. The sense of impending death squeezed every last drop of his potential from him.

at last
"Om~!"

Zhao Shuaijiao felt a jolt of energy, and the world around him seemed to change.

Strands of celestial energy flowed, and the sky was bathed in a faint, bright yellow glow mixed with countless gray and black wisps, while their surroundings were a deep crimson.

As if by telepathy, Zhao Shuaijiao learned their names: the energy of heaven and earth, the grievances of the people, the fate of the nation, and the iron-blooded aura belonging to the army.

Instinctively, Zhao Shuaijiao followed his inner feeling, his spirit merging into the chopping motion in a mysterious way.

In an instant, the wind and clouds surged, and the energy of heaven and earth, the national destiny, and the surrounding iron-blooded aura were all mobilized and incorporated into this attack.

However, at the same time, the endless gray-black energy also descended and entangled him and his weapon, interfering with his mind and attacks.

For a moment, Zhao Shuaijiao felt as if he were seeing a series of illusions. Countless people were impoverished and living in constant fear, filled with dissatisfaction and resentment towards the Ming Dynasty.

This caused Zhao Shuaijiao to momentarily lose his composure. Public resentment was rising, the nation's fortunes were declining, and was the Ming Dynasty truly doomed?
However, Zhao Shuaijiao suddenly realized that he didn't care whether the Ming Dynasty was going to perish or not; all he needed to know was that he had to fulfill his duties as a general and his subject.

Once he realized what was happening, Zhao Shuaijiao bit his tongue hard, instantly regaining his composure and breaking free from the impact of the public resentment. In that moment of clarity, he swiftly brought down his long sword.

All this was said too late, but it was soon.

After talking for so long, it all happened in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Shuaijiao's longsword suddenly erupted with a dazzling light that intertwined black-gray, bright yellow, and dark red rays, transforming into a sharp blade of light that slashed out instantly.

"Dang~!"

"Hey~!"

In the blink of an eye, the long sword in Ajige's hand was severed by the light of the sword.

Ajige's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the surging blade of light before him. Despite his best efforts to dodge, he was still struck on the right arm by the blade.

"boom!"

In an instant, Ajige was blasted off his horse and thrown heavily several feet away.

The next moment, a rain of arrows fell.

"Puff puff"

The powerless Zhao Shuaijiao was covered by a rain of arrows, and his body was instantly riddled with arrows.

"laugh!"

Zhao Shuaijiao smiled bitterly, reversed his long sword, and slammed it into the ground in front of him, barely supporting his body to prevent himself from falling.

"Your Majesty, this humble general, Zhao Shuaijiao, has done his utmost for Your Majesty and for the Ming Dynasty."

Zhao Shuaijiao stared wide-eyed at the west, murmured a few words, his breathing gradually subsided, and finally he was no more.

After a long while, Mangultai, with two arrows stuck in his body, and Ajige, who had been cleaved away but only lost an arm, staggered to their feet. They looked at each other and could see the fear and hatred in each other's eyes.

After glancing at Zhao Shuaijiao, who was standing motionless, the two cautiously approached him. Only after discovering that he was no longer breathing did they breathe a sigh of relief.

After Zhao Shuaijiao's death, the Ming army, which had lost its effective command, was quickly wiped out.

Subsequently, Zunhua City, having lost its reinforcements, was quickly captured by Huang Taiji, who continued his rapid advance towards Shuntian Prefecture.

Upon hearing of Zhao Lüjiao's deeds, Emperor Chongzhen was deeply saddened and mourned him. He then bestowed posthumous honors and erected a shrine to commemorate him.

Next, Huang Taiji swept through enemy lines, killing Sun Zushou and Man Gui, the general of Datong, both outside the capital.

(End of this chapter)