Chapter 70: The Army Divides into Two Routes (Part 1)

  The onlookers, the Valiant Troops and the mountain bandits, were all shocked, never expecting their own people to turn against each other. Chen Manke was deeply moved in his heart, as Zhang Yue had risked everything to save these mountain bandits, even going so far as to oppose the government troops, now he was in mortal danger. Yang Zai Xing charged forward, unstoppable and fearless, Chen Manke had sent his own personal guards to block Yang Zai Xing, but they were all killed by Yang's swift and deadly blows, sending them to the afterlife. Chen Manke had no confidence in Zhang Yue, he clenched his fists tightly, as long as Zhang Yue was in mortal danger, he would risk his own life to stop Yang Zai Xing.

  Chen Manke was actually worried for nothing, Yang Zaixing knew that Zhang Yue was Zhao Jiong's beloved general and couldn't be slaughtered at will. To be honest, Yang Zaixing still had a good impression of Zhang Yue, but Zhang Yue was too arrogant, so Yang Zaixing didn't mind giving him a small punishment, which was actually not light for Yang Zaixing.

  A gentle breeze blew, rolling up a few withered grasses, as if to get lost in the eyes of the crowd. Zhang Yue slightly closed his eyes to prevent sand from blowing into them. Suddenly, his gaze condensed and his heart skipped a beat - Yang Zai Xing's spear seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, just inches away. Zhang Yue exclaimed, "What a fast spear!" He knew he was already at a disadvantage, with no way to avoid it. His only option was to raise the long spear in his hand to block Yang Zai Xing's attack. When Yang Zai Xing's spearhead collided with Zhang Yue's spear, Zhang Yue felt an enormous force that almost sent him flying.

  Zhang Yue took several steps back, stabilizing his stance. Yang Zai Xing stood with his spear at the ready, gazing calmly at Zhang Yue. Yang Zai Xing didn't launch a continuous attack, perhaps because he didn't think it was necessary. In Zhang Yue's mind, his assessment of Yang Zai Xing's combat abilities rose another level. Yang Zai Xing's spear technique was swift and fierce, with great momentum and power, having the aura of "one spear to break all things". No wonder he was so arrogant; indeed, he had the capital to be arrogant.

  Zhang Yue knew he was no match for Yang Zai Xing, but seeing the despondent mountain bandits around him, thinking that if he lost, they would be slaughtered here, his heart ached, and with a long spear, he charged towards Yang Zai Xing. The two men's spears rotated at their sides, colliding and sparking metal fire. Zhang Yue's tiger mouth had already burst open, bleeding profusely, but he didn't care, using a desperate fighting style, thrusting his spear at Yang Zai Xing. Yang Zai Xing furrowed his brow, parrying Zhang Yue's spearhead.

  Yang Zai Xing took two steps back, placing his long spear at a slant behind him, looking thoughtfully at Zhang Yue. At this time, Zhang Yue was already panting heavily, drenched in sweat, but the gaze he gave Yang Zai Xing remained firm. Yang Zai Xing said calmly: "Why do you want to do something that doesn't benefit you at all?"

  "There are some things that you know can't be done, but still have to do. There are some people who you know will lead you to a mountain of knives and a sea of fire, but still have to save. This isn't being obstinate or impulsive, it's just the principle of being human."

  Yang Zai Xing cursed: "Bastard, I'll let you know the price of doing something that you clearly shouldn't do." As he spoke, he raised his gun and moved forward. Zhang Yue used all his strength to thrust his spear at Yang Zai Xing, who no longer held back his true power. With a sweep of his long spear, he deflected Zhang Yue's attack, sending the spear flying out of his hand and into the ground, where it quivered unsteadily. Blood flowed from Zhang Yue's mouth down the spear shaft, adding to the desolation.

  Yang Zai Xing's gun muzzle pressed against Zhang Yue's throat, he said in a low voice: "I'll give you one more chance. If you don't stand with these mountain bandits, I'll let you go."

  Zhang Yue burst out laughing: "A good man is a hero in life and a brave ghost in death, how can I be wrong? Taking innocent lives is not what we good martial artists do. General Yang can kill me if he wants, but as long as I, Zhang Yue, still breathe, I will never let you slaughter these civilians."

  At this time, Chen Manke and others had already shed tears, kneeling on the ground to beg for mercy from General Yang, willing to take their place in punishment, asking General Yang to show mercy. Yang Zaixing ignored Chen Manke and others, looking at Zhang Yue's eyes, Zhang Yue's gaze was firm and unwavering, Yang Zaixing secretly praised "good brave warrior". Only a hero who can remain unmoved when faced with the collapse of Mount Tai is a true hero. Yang Zaixing withdrew his spear and said calmly: "I can spare their lives, remember what you said, if one day you dare to obstruct His Highness's great cause, I, Yang Zaixing, will chase you to the ends of the earth and tear your body into pieces."

  Yang Zai Xing led 10,000 soldiers to report to Zhao E's location. After Yang Zai Xing left, Zhang Yue couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. Yang Zai Xing's gun blade was powerful and heavy, and every time it struck, there was great force hidden within. Zhang Yue had been swept by the gun body several times and suffered some internal injuries. Yang Zai Xing's spirit was somewhat dispirited, and he lay softly on the ground. Chen Man Ke hurried over to pick up Zhang Yue, sobbing: "Xiao Yuezi, why must you do this? We're not worth it."

  Zhang Yue smiled and said: "At that time, Uncle Chen saved me, seemingly without thinking whether it was worth it or not."

  Shut up, we'll take you to see a doctor.

  Zhang Yue said: "No need, the imperial army's medical officer will arrive soon, Uncle Chen doesn't have to worry."

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, Zhao Yi soon arrived with a doctor in a state of anxious urgency.

  Years ago, Zhang Yue was a young scholar who came to the capital to take the imperial examination with dreams in his heart. During the Northern Song Dynasty, literature was valued over military prowess, and Zhang Yue, like many other scholars of his time, had been instilled with the idea that "all pursuits are inferior, only reading is superior". He felt superior to others, and coupled with his natural intelligence and extensive knowledge at a young age, he was naturally arrogant and self-conceited.

  But Zhang Yue's father was originally a veteran of the Song army, and from a young age he forced Zhang Yue to practice martial arts. In the sweltering heat of summer, Zhang Yue would often be seen running with a heavy sandbag on his back, and if he dared to slow down, he would receive a beating. On cold winter days when other children were happily gathered together with their families, Zhang Yue would also carry a sandbag and two buckets of water from the well at the foot of the mountain to a trough dug out at the top of the mountain. To prevent Zhang Yue from being lazy, his father set a time limit for each trip, and if he returned late, he would be punished again.

  When Zhang Yue was a bit older, his father took him into the woods and let him fight alone with small wild beasts. Zhang Yue's combat experience became more and more abundant, and his fighting power rose sharply. However, he often walked along the river without getting his shoes wet. The most dangerous time for Zhang Yue was when he was bitten by a poisonous snake hiding in the water grass. In a state of shock and anger, Zhang Yue killed the snake, but due to intense exercise, the venom spread faster. Dizzy and confused, all he saw was a blurry figure running towards him, and then Zhang Yue fainted.