Chương 190: "Meeting", Ambush, 3 Strikes

The next morning, on the Lulong Pass plain, just as dawn was breaking, Liu Ce's military camp was bustling with activity.

Inside the tent, he first put on the gold-threaded soft armor he had bought at the beginning of his transmigration. Over it, he wore a light and practical outfit, making him look more like he was going to a banquet than to go to war.

After he had made all the preparations, he left the tent.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu were already waiting outside, both fully armed, one carrying double halberds and the other carrying a large sword.

The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun were also ready—they had changed out of their signature black armor and into gleaming armor, blending in with the ordinary guards. Without a close look, they were completely unrecognizable.

"My lord," Xu Chu muttered softly, "are we really taking this few men to the pavilion? What if the Wuhuan attack first?"

Liu Ce grinned: "Don't worry, all they care about right now is supplies and trade; they won't dare to make a move. Besides..."

"If we really fight, we can utterly crush them!"

Dian Wei laughed and said, "Brother is right! If they dare to make a move, I'll take them down one by one with my halberd!"

Liu Ce mounted his horse: "Let's go!"

Liu Ce led his army to a stop not far from the pavilion, and then continued to lead Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and the eighteen riders of Yanyun toward the pavilion.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Liu Ce dismounted, sat down at the table, picked up the tea that had already been brewed, and slowly took a sip.

They didn't look like they were here to negotiate; they looked like they were here for a picnic.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu stood behind him on either side, like two gatekeepers. The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun spread out ten paces outside the pavilion, seemingly standing casually, but in reality blocking all routes of attack.

Time passed little by little.

As the sun rose higher, its rays bathed the plains, gilding the grasslands with a golden hue.

...

In the distance, the sound of horses' hooves finally came.

At first, there was a faint rumble of thunder, which gradually became clearer and eventually turned into a deafening roar.

A black line appeared on the horizon.

Then, the black line widened and turned into a black cloud, which was the Wuhuan cavalry, more than 10, 000 riders, sweeping in from all directions.

The horses' hooves pounded the ground with a resounding thud, like an earthquake. Dust billowed, obscuring the sky.

Liu Ce sat in the pavilion, his expression unchanged, and took another sip of tea.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu gripped their weapons tightly, their eyes sharp.

The eighteen riders of Yanyun quietly placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

The Wuhuan cavalry stopped about five hundred paces from the pavilion.

This distance allows for a clear view of the situation inside the pavilion, while also enabling a swift advance or retreat in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Qiu Liju, Su Puyan, and Wu Yan rode at the very front, followed by more than a dozen trusted military officers.

They stopped not far from the pavilion, exchanged glances, and then slowly rode closer with their confidants.

As they approached, they carefully examined Liu Ce.

Liu Ce, dressed in a simple, close-fitting outfit, without armor or weapons (at least not outwardly), sat there smiling and drinking tea. Behind him stood Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and eighteen "ordinary" guards. My heart immediately relaxed considerably; it seemed the peace talks were genuine!

Looking again at the small mountain of grain and fodder piled outside the pavilion, and the large carts loaded with goods in the distance...

The last lingering doubts in the three minds were completely dispelled.

"Lord Qiuliju, Lord Supuyan, Lord Wuyan," Liu Ce stood up, beaming, "You must be tired from your journey! Please have a seat; I've prepared some of the finest tea!"

He was incredibly enthusiastic, as if he were seeing a long-lost brother.

Qiu Liju dismounted, laughing loudly as he walked over: "Lord Liu is truly a man of principle! He really is sincere about peace!"

Su Puyan and Wu Yan also dismounted, and the three of them entered the pavilion and sat down opposite Liu Ce.

The dozen or so trusted generals they brought stood outside the pavilion, their hands on their sword hilts, still on high alert. They stood face to face with Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and the others, staring at each other, the atmosphere somewhat delicate, but still restrained.

"Absolutely!" Liu Ce personally poured tea for the three of them.

"I, Liu Bolue, am a man of my word. If I say I'll provide provisions, I will; if I say I'll open a trade market, I will. The provisions are already prepared and will be delivered to you shortly—enough to eat your fill!"

Upon hearing that "the provisions are plentiful," Su Puyan's eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together, saying, "Lord Liu is so generous! And what about the trade... when shall we discuss that?"

"Let's talk now!" Liu Ce laughed.

"The sooner we finish, the better, and you can take the provisions back sooner so that the people of the tribe can live a better life."

As he spoke, he pretended to chat with the three of them about the specific details of the trade.

The prices of horses, cattle, sheep, fine salt, wine, ironware, and cloth were all discussed in great detail.

During the process, Qiu Liju and his two companions made exorbitant demands, driving the price up to an extremely high level.

Liu Ce pretended to argue with them. Some reluctantly agreed, while others firmly disagreed, and the argument continued.

This pulling lasted for almost half an hour.

Outside the pavilion, Dian Wei and Xu Chu stood ramrod straight, their hands always resting on their weapons.

The Wuhuan generals on the other side were initially wary, but seeing the lively conversation inside, they gradually relaxed, and some even started whispering among themselves, discussing how much grain they would receive later.

Inside the pavilion, Liu Ce drank tea and chatted idly, while silently calculating the time in his mind.

almost.

While Qiu Liju was speaking enthusiastically, spittle flying everywhere.

Liu Ce reached under the table and silently commanded, "System, retrieve the horizontal sword!"

The next second, a gleaming scalpel appeared in his hand.

He suddenly stood up!

With a flick of the wrist!

"Whoosh!"

The first cut slashed across Qiu Liju's neck.

Qiu Liju was speaking enthusiastically when he suddenly felt a chill on his neck. He instinctively tried to raise his hand to touch it, but found that he could no longer make a sound. He stared wide-eyed at Liu Ce, his eyes filled with disbelief, and then collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"Whoosh!"

Before Su Puyan could react to the second cut, another bloody gash appeared on his neck. He opened his mouth, trying to shout, but only spat out a few mouthfuls of blood and collapsed to the ground.

"Whoosh!"

With the third slash, Wu Yan finally reacted and tried to draw his sword, but it was too late. The blade sliced across his throat, and he clutched his neck, his eyes wide open, falling to the ground with his eyes wide open in death.

The whole process took less than three seconds.

The three leaders of the Wuhuan tribes were killed by Liu Ce with three strikes.

Do not look down.

He never understood why Liu Shijun, who had been laughing and bargaining with them just moments before, had suddenly turned on him.

The air inside the pavilion seemed to freeze.

The trusted generals of Qiu Liju and his two companions stared in disbelief at the scene before them, their minds blank.

Before they could even react to what was happening, except for Taddon, who immediately ran back.

"Attack!" Liu Ce shouted.

Almost simultaneously, Dian Wei and Xu Chu, like tigers released from their cages, swung their halberds and swords and cut down the two nearest Wuhuan generals.

The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun were even more swift. They had already spotted their target, and as soon as Liu Ce made his move, they darted out like ghosts. In the flash of their blades, more than a dozen trusted generals of the Wuhuan were all lying on the ground before they could even draw their swords.

The whole process was clean, efficient, and without any unnecessary delays.

Liu Ce quickly went to the horse's side, took out a composite bow, and aimed it at the fleeing Tadun.

Tadun shouted as he ran.

However, what awaited Tadun was not a reply from the Wuhuan cavalry, but an arrow as fast as a shooting star.

This arrow is incredibly fast; it will blow Tadun's head off in one shot.

...