Chapter 126: Judging by Appearance

Zhao Laixi spotted the Hu soldier walking toward him. The man was burly and robust; compared to Zhao’s frail, thin frame, two of him wouldn't have stood a chance.

The soldier sensed Zhao’s cowardice and approached with a malicious grin, raising his blade to stab the man beneath the cart. Though terrified, Zhao knew he had to dodge. The Hu soldier lunged several times, but Zhao managed to evade each strike, frustrating the attacker, who began cursing in his native tongue.

Unable to understand the insults, Zhao felt a surge of panic. He knew he couldn't keep dodging forever; one slow move would surely cost him his life. In his desperation, he felt the repeating crossbow in his satchel. With a sudden burst of resolve, he gripped it, waited for the soldier to be momentarily distracted by his own rage, and pulled the trigger.

Two bolts struck the soldier squarely in the chest. He let out a blood-curdling howl and collapsed to the ground.

Zhao stood frozen, stunned. He had actually killed a man! He could hardly believe it was real.

On the field, the Hu had gained the upper hand. Most of the local militia were raw recruits who had never seen blood; many, like Zhao, were paralyzed by fear, failing to even raise their weapons before being cut down. These common militiamen lacked the skills of someone like Fan Sanpang, and many were slaughtered by the fierce invaders.

Fan Sanpang, meanwhile, was having a difficult time, as he had come face-to-face with the Hu commander, Kang Leiguo.

Kang had been directing his troops when he noticed a short, stout man using a heavy iron wok to kill his soldiers with ease. Irritated, the commander spurred his horse forward to engage the man. Kang fought on horseback with a heavy iron spear, while Fan was on foot. Fan was at a distinct disadvantage in terms of raw power, but he had the edge in agility. Being short, he moved under the horse's belly like a fish in water.

Kang was spun in circles, constantly losing track of his opponent, unable to land a blow. He was so furious he could practically see smoke rising from his head. After trading blows for over thirty rounds, Fan suddenly darted beneath the horse and slammed his iron wok cover against the animal’s leg. The horse shrieked in pain, slipped, and collapsed, throwing Kang to the ground.

Before the commander could stand, Fan leaped up and brought the wok down on Kang’s head. Despite the helmet, the impact left Kang seeing stars, his ears ringing, and he slumped into unconsciousness.

Fan quickly signaled Zhao Hu and the others to bring ropes, and they bound Kang Leiguo tightly. Seeing their leader captured, the Hu forces fell into chaos. Seizing the opportunity, Lu Yang ordered the militia to push forward, dealing the invaders a crushing defeat.

With the Hu in retreat, Lu Yang did not pursue. He returned to clear the battlefield and take count. The militia had suffered over four thousand casualties, but they had also taken down roughly four thousand of the enemy—a feat made possible only by that final, decisive charge.

Zhao Laixi crawled out from under the cart, patting his chest to calm his frantic heart now that the enemy was gone. But when he saw the limbs and corpses scattered across the ground, he retched, nearly vomiting his midday meal.

There were many in the militia as timid as Zhao. Once the battlefield was cleared, Lu Yang ordered the troops to gather their supplies, round up the hundred-plus prisoners, and head toward Dingbian City.

Upon reaching the outskirts, they saw the Hu encampment surrounding the city. Lu Yang forced the prisoners, including Kang Leiguo, to the front of their column, threatening to execute them if anyone tried to stop their advance. Seeing their commander in the captives' ranks, the Hu dared not act, allowing Lu Yang’s force to pass through their lines.

When they reached the city walls, the guards recognized Lu Yang’s men and opened the gates. Huang Wenlong had expected reinforcements from the Yongzhou regional army; he was disappointed to find only a supply unit, though he reminded himself he should be grateful. Even a militia had managed to repel the enemy and deliver much-needed grain and supplies, ensuring the city would not starve.

Huang was surprised to see over a hundred prisoners, including a Hu commander. After days of fighting, he had neither captured nor killed a single high-ranking enemy officer. That a supply unit of green recruits had managed both made him look at Lu Yang with newfound interest. When he learned it was a short, stout, unimpressive cook who had captured Kang, he summoned Fan Sanpang.

"Fan Yitong," Huang said, "with such martial prowess, how about I promote you to captain to help me lead the troops?"

To his surprise, Fan shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, my lord, but I don't want to be a general. I only want to be a cook."

Huang’s nose nearly went crooked with indignation. He thought, so many people dream of such a promotion, and this man refuses it to stay a cook? What kind of future is there in cooking? Seeing Fan’s stubbornness and his unsightly appearance, Huang lost interest and waved him away.

Huang Wenlong, it seemed, was a man who judged by appearances.

On the other side, the Hu were seething. Having failed to loot the grain and losing four thousand men—not to mention their commander—Bala Tian was enraged. When he heard the enemy supply train had entered Dingbian City, he roared, "Who let them through?"

"General, it was General Yeli who permitted their passage," a soldier replied.

The Yeli brothers, Yeli Ertai and Yeli Laowen, were of the Dangxiang tribe, the largest ethnic group in the Great Xia Kingdom. Bala Tian’s tone softened slightly upon hearing this. "Why did they let them in?"

"They said the supply unit held Commander Kang and over a hundred of our warriors at the front," the soldier explained. "They threatened to kill them if the Yeli brothers didn't let them pass."

"Deceitful Song people!" Bala Tian slammed his fist onto the table, splashing tea everywhere. "And who captured Commander Kang?"

"They say it was a short, fat, stubby man," the soldier replied.

"A short, fat, stubby man?" Bala Tian frowned. He knew the notable warriors of the Song, and he had never heard of such a person.