The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 765 Fall
"Inform all camps, regardless of life or death, whoever can kill or capture the traitor Liu Yufei will be rewarded with a thousand gold coins and be granted the title of Marquis of Ten Thousand Households!"

Emperor Guangde pointed to the sky. A giant python soared into the air, and Liu Yufei crouched like a tiny black dot behind the giant python.

Orange-red flames were burning fiercely on the north bank of the Han River. The vanguard troops that had crossed the river to attack the city were instantly engulfed by the fire. The shield carts and ladders pushed to the front, as well as the pontoon bridge built to cross the river, were all ignited by the fire.

The endless wooden siege equipment soon caused a bigger fire. At this time, the northwest wind blew, and the fire was carried by the wind, burning the Qi army within a radius of several miles. Only a few huge rocks were left on the bare river beach. The surviving infantry gathered around the huge rocks, aimed their guns at the giant python whistling over their heads, and pulled the trigger angrily.

Thousands of lead bullets were shot into the sky, like a gorgeous aurora or a swarm of flying bees, tearing apart all living things in the air. The several reconnaissance hot air balloons launched by the defenders were torn into pieces in an instant.

The eldest princess rode on the neck of the giant black tortoise python, holding a piece of snake scales in one hand and pointing at the star-dotted earth with the other hand. Suddenly, she pulled up, and the snake's body rose into the air and disappeared among the clouds.

"boom!"

The ships that entered the Han River also joined in the bombardment of the giant python, and the wide river surface was instantly covered by white smoke.

The Undead Knights split into eight groups, rode their horses around the emperor's banner, and protected Emperor Guangde in the center.

Seeing this, Liu Kan said disapprovingly, "I am the Son of Heaven, and I have received the mandate of Heaven. I have no need for your protection. All you need to do is cross the river and kill the enemy!"

Yeheala Seboli said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty may be the Son of Heaven, but you are also made of flesh and blood. Wherever the dragon's breath strikes, no grass will grow. We can use our armor to protect Your Majesty."

Blue flames flickered in the Undead Knight's helmet, like will-o'-the-wisp, flickering with the rise and fall of his emotions as he spoke.

"Don't you see that the shield carts and armor displayed on the other side have been burned by the raging fire? How could you escape?"

Yeheala Seboli said calmly: "Your Majesty, we are immortal."

Only then did Liu Kan remember that the group of undead knights in front of him were all dead people, and the dead are not afraid of death.

He nodded silently and said nothing more.

~~~~~
"Burn!"

Liu Yufei looked down at the battlefield. A giant python flew across the north bank of the Han River, where flames were everywhere. Little flickering flames appeared in the corners of the princess' eyes. Those were the Qi army soldiers who had not been burned to death and were struggling to escape.

The giant python rushed out of the clouds, carrying the eldest princess and roaring down, smashing to the ground with the force of thunder. Intensive clinking sounds rang out all around, and lead bullets hit the snake scales, splashing a burst of fireworks.

Liu Yufei subconsciously waved her hands in front of her, as if her slender hands could block the lead bullets.

The giant python flipped over in the air, leaving its hard back to the enemy.

"Burn!"

Before the princess finished her words, the black tortoise snake began to fall rapidly, flying at high speed almost close to the surface of the Han River.

A large group of towering ships soon appeared in front of them. The giant python took advantage of the blind spots of the ship's guns and quickly approached the target.

As a massive tongue of fire descended from the sky, the warships anchored on the river surface were ignited one after another. The gunners on the deck diligently adjusted their guns' firing angles, bombarding the rapidly approaching cyan python. Dozens of warships fired simultaneously, creating a dense black barrage in the air. Unfortunately, the python flew too fast, and a mere shadow flashed past. Instead, due to its low range, some of the shells struck other ships directly.

The angry roar of Xuanwu was heard in the air, and the giant python swept across the river again and appeared between the two warships. It suddenly turned over, used the scales on its back to block the bombardment of the ship's cannons, raised its thick snake tail, and swept off the mast of the other ship.

The mast, as thick as a bowl, was swept down by the python in an instant, and the warship began to disintegrate at a speed visible to the naked eye. The wooden boards of the hull made disturbing creaking sounds, and the panicked sailors screamed and jumped into the Han River.

By the time the other ships reacted and fired in this direction, the giant python had already soared into the sky and disappeared again in the thick clouds.

When the smoke cleared, everything was silent except for the crackling sound of the burning deck and the wailing of the wounded.

Everyone looked around and found that the giant python had disappeared without a trace.

"Stop shooting! Stop shooting!"

The captains of each ship ordered to suspend the attack, and the soldiers on the shore had used up all their bullets and looked up at the sky in despair and helplessness.

"Save your bullets! It's escaped!" the officers shouted, ordering the soldiers to clean up the battlefield, gather ammunition, and transport the wounded back to the south bank. On the south bank of the Han River, the guards of the Central Army were as if they were facing a formidable enemy. Witnessing the tragic plight of the siege troops, their faces shone with despair. In just one encounter, over five hundred soldiers were burned to death by the giant python, and countless more were injured.

Now these people have lost their initial fighting spirit and only want to escort Emperor Guangde away from the battlefield safely.

Jiang Liuer said cautiously, "Your Majesty, this giant python is invulnerable to swords and spears, and is so ferocious. We can't stay here for long. It's better to return to Nanzhang first and make plans later."

Emperor Guangde angrily asked, "Where is Deng Changxiong? Bring him to me! The battle has been so intense, and only our men have been killed or wounded. How many rebels have died?"

Jiang Liuer raised his telescope and looked at the horrific battlefield on the north bank. He said worriedly, "Your Majesty, the fire on the north bank continues. I'm afraid Duke Cheng is in grave danger..."

Liu Kan angrily said, "Send Deng Changxiong to see me! Before the war, he said that pacifying Xiangyang would take only ten days, without any effort! Now the war has lasted for days! All the dead are my people!"

"Tell Duke Chengguo that if he is not dead, he must attack Xiangyang City immediately! I have prepared all the troops and equipment for him. What else does he want?"

"But, Your Majesty, you..."

Emperor Guangde was furious and said, "I have the protection of these Undead Knights, so you don't have to worry!"

Jiang Liuer winked at the guard next to him, and the guard immediately took the order and left.

The guards, holding the imperial order, mounted their horses and trampled over the charred corpses on the ground. The corpses instantly turned into dust and drifted away with the wind.

The guard stepped onto a newly built floating bridge and caught a glimpse of countless black corpses floating on both sides of the bridge. Shocked by the tragic scene before him, he galloped on his horse and ran about a hundred steps away. Suddenly, he heard the sound of whistling wind in his ears.

The floating bridge under the guard's feet suddenly shook violently. Before he could react, there was a loud bang, and the bridge was cut in half. A giant green python jumped out from the Han River, and its mountain-like head was facing the broken part of the bridge. The next second, it swallowed the guard into its belly, replacing his horse with his own.

"Fire! Stop the snake! Stop him!"

The Qi soldiers stationed on the front line of the south bank shouted in fear, and the artillerymen hurriedly loaded the few remaining shells into the gun barrels and bombarded the surging giant python without waiting for orders from their superiors.

"Your Majesty! Let's go!" Jiang Liu'er went forward and pulled Liu Kan and retreated without saying a word.

Eight undead knights stood on their horses, as motionless as stone sculptures.

The princess, perched on the giant python's back, looked at Liu Kan, who was standing under a large banner a mile away, and said word by word, "Burn."

The flames of dragon's breath poured down like the Milky Way in the sky, pouring down on the Qi army camp on the river bank. Wherever the flames reached, soldiers and horses were either dead or injured. Countless fireballs ran around in the camp, the screams of people and horses were endless, and the air was filled with a strong stench.

"Your Majesty, let's go!"

Jiang Liuer knelt down and begged.

Emperor Guangde glared at the front, watching the giant python and his sister gradually approaching, until the dragon's breath flames came around the banner.

The guards of the central army fled in all directions, and only Jiang Liuer and eight undead knights remained standing around the emperor.

"Since it is God's will, I will die without regrets!"

The silk tassels on the banner were burning fiercely. Liu Kan opened his arms and could already feel the scorching heat of the dragon's breath on his hands.

At this moment, a complete chill suddenly spread all around.

When I opened my eyes, the dragon's breath flames that were flowing to my feet stopped.

Yeheala Seboli slowly walked towards the flames, and wherever his feet went, the fire under his feet was instantly extinguished.

He raised a sharp green spear, aimed at the giant basalt python that was spewing fire, and threw it out with all his might.

(End of this chapter)