readytorunbook Chapter 205: Dong Jun Enters the Pass and Ma Chao Fights to the Death
Chapter 205: Dong Jun Enters the Pass and Ma Chao Fights to the Death
Pang De was left behind by Ma Chao at Hangu Pass, responsible for welcoming Dong Zhuo's army. He stood on the city gate with a solemn expression, his eyes fixed on Ma Chao, who was fighting bravely and fearlessly in the battle, his eyes almost tearing out.
On the battlefield, Ma Chao was like a trapped beast, but he still fought fearlessly. However, Dong Zhuo's army was tightly surrounded by the coalition forces like a solid wall of steel, and was held back, making it difficult for them to move forward.
Pang De was terribly anxious, his heart aching with the thought of a thousand poisonous insects gnawing at him. He clenched his fists, his knuckles white from the exertion, his palms bloody from the scratches of his nails. He paced anxiously back and forth on the city gate, each step weighing a thousand pounds, the stone slabs beneath his feet threatening to shatter under his feet.
He gazed upon the gruesome scene, wishing he could leap from the city walls and fight alongside Ma Chao, even if it meant his death on the battlefield. But tasked with providing support, despite his utmost eagerness and reluctance, he could only languish on the city wall, howling in agony. His agonized roar drifted on the wind, blending with the blood and clamor of the battlefield, yet it seemed so powerless. Pang De could only pray silently, hoping that the heavens would grant Ma Chao a glimmer of hope, that there would be a glimmer of hope for a reversal of the situation. However, what he saw filled him with immense despair and sorrow.
In the distance, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, at Yuan Shao's eager and furious prompting, charged into battle with lightning speed, like two bolts of lightning carrying the fury of thunder. The four generals had fought Ma Chao for so long, yet had been unable to defeat him. This had left the allied forces feeling humiliated, humiliated, and filled with shame and indignation. Yuan Shao's face was so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it, and every wrinkle on his sullen face was filled with anger and dissatisfaction.
The arrival of Yan Liang and Wen Chou instantly relieved the pressure on the four generals who were struggling to hold on. The flames of hope were rekindled in their eyes, as if they saw the dawn of victory about to penetrate the heavy haze.
Ma Chao mustered all his remaining strength, not only was the pressure he faced multiplied, but his situation became increasingly difficult and precarious. Yet, his eyes held no sign of retreat; instead, his fighting spirit burned with an even stronger intensity than before, a fiery radiance that seemed to be able to burn away all difficulties and obstacles.
In the fierce battle, Ma Chao's cloak was mercilessly torn, the tattered strips fluttering wildly in the wind like a fallen banner. His sturdy lion helmet was also swept away by the fierce attack, and his once-bound hair was scattered in disorder, adding a touch of wildness and unruliness. Despite this, Ma Chao still bravely resisted. His roar, filled with anger and unyielding, resounded through the sky, as if to shatter the world and make all things tremble.
During the battle, Ma Chao entered a state of utter rage, his deranged state unleashing the long spear. Like a dragon emerging from the sea, he carried with him a force that could overturn the rivers and seas; like a silver snake dancing wildly, his movements were unpredictable, and the shadows of his spear were so dazzling and overwhelming that the eyes were overwhelmed.
Yan Liang wielded his heavy broadsword, each strike accompanied by a whirring sound. He struck Ma Chao with the force of a mountain, the blade's force seemingly capable of severing mountains and rivers. Wen Chou, his spear pointed with a chilling gleam, pierced Ma Chao's vitals like a venomous snake, his speed unstoppable. Ma Chao's swift movements evaded the swift swords, dodging left and right, strolling through the shimmering swordplay like a leisurely garden, avoiding each fatal blow. He seized the opportunity and thrust his spear at Yan Liang. Yan Liang quickly drew his blade back to block the blow, only to hear a deafening clang, sparks flying, and a dazzling display of fireworks.
Wen Chou seized the opportunity to attack from the side. Ma Chao reacted with remarkable speed, swerving and lashing out with his spear, a whirring sound. Wen Chou narrowly avoided the blow, breaking out in a cold sweat. The other four generals, unwilling to be outdone, attacked again with reckless abandon. The battle between the six generals and Ma Chao intensified, reaching a pitched frenzy where the air seemed to freeze and time to stand still. The soldiers, overcome with anxiety, forgot to breathe. The battlefield fell into a suffocating silence, broken only by the clashing of weapons.
But despite the six generals' utmost skill and determination, Ma Chao remained powerless. Even Gao Lan was stabbed in the shoulder during the fierce battle, blood gushing out like a stream, instantly staining half his body in a terrifying crimson. Yet, the battle raged on, blood and sweat intertwined, life and death hanging by a thread. Every moment was filled with uncertainty, every move a matter of life and death. This was a brutal, life-or-death struggle, the ultimate test of courage and strength.
Pang De watched helplessly as Ma Chao's army was stretched thin and in grave danger. The situation was extremely critical. He gritted his teeth, left a small number of his troops to Zhang Xiu, who had been injured during the siege, and led his fierce cavalry out of Hangu Pass like a whirlwind.
The allied forces, intent on suppressing Dong Zhuo's forces, had been completely focused on the battle at hand, completely unaware of this sudden turn of events. Suddenly, the Xiliang cavalry charged with the force of thunder and lightning, charging with overwhelming force. The allied forces were caught off guard, their formation thrown into disarray, and a gaping hole was torn open.
Meanwhile, Li Ru and Xu Rong had been nervously observing the situation. Quick-witted and quick-handed, they seized the opportunity and quickly commanded their soldiers to dodge to the side, clearing the way for Pang De. Taking advantage of the chaos created by Pang De's charge, they led the remaining troops through the opening created by Pang De and quickly entered Hangu Pass, like grabbing a life-saving straw in the turbulent sea.
Dong Zhuo's army surged through Hangu Pass like a tide, while the Xianzhen Camp led by Zhang Liao and Gao Shun was practically at the end of its strength. Their soldiers were exhausted, their armor torn and their weapons broken. Seeing that Dong Zhuo's army had successfully entered Hangu Pass, Zhang Liao and Gao Shun began to command their troops in an orderly retreat.
As Pang De, leading his cavalry, passed by Zhang Liao and Gao Shun at lightning speed, he shouted, "Generals Zhang and Gao, please withdraw to the front of the pass and hold the position for a while! I will rescue my son and we'll return together!" His voice boomed, piercing the clamor of the battlefield. Pang De only had time to shout from afar before he unhesitatingly led his cavalry toward Ma Chao's camp, his resolute figure bearing the weight of a desperate resolve.
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun watched them retreat, unable to resist a heartfelt cry of "Brave men!" Both Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were men of loyalty and righteousness. Though they didn't respond to Pang De's words, their eyes were filled with admiration and trust. Pang De's figure vanished in the blink of an eye. The two quickly led the remnants of their troops to Hangu Pass, where the Xianzhen Camp held the gates securely. Despite the surging allied forces, the Xianzhen Camp soldiers fought to the death, gritting their teeth and maintaining a resolute gaze, waiting for Pang De to retrieve Ma Chao.
Ma Chao, having seen Dong Zhuo's chariots safely enter Hangu Pass from afar, thought his purpose had been achieved and wanted to return to the pass. However, this was not so easy. Having lost their goal of pursuing Dong Zhuo's chariots, the allied forces surrounded Ma Chao like wolves scenting blood.
The Xiliang cavalry led by Ma Chao were almost completely annihilated in this brutal battle, and Ma Chao himself was tightly entangled by six generals. These six generals used ruthless moves, all wanting to kill him, and engaged him in a fierce and dangerous battle.
Although he had successfully counterattacked and injured Gao Lan under the siege of six people, his injury was only a drop in the bucket in terms of the overall battle situation. Unfortunately, Yan Liang, Wen Chou, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Zhang He, and Gao Lan were also no ordinary men. They cooperated tacitly and held Ma Chao back.
Ma Chao charged left and right through the battle formation, his horse neighing beneath him, his spear wielding with vigorous force, but he could never break through the iron-clad encirclement. His battle robe was stained red with blood, and sweat mixed with blood streamed down his cheeks, yet his eyes remained firm and resolute, showing no sign of retreat.
In the distant warlord camp, the warlords watched Ma Chao's ferocious ferocity unfold on the battlefield, each one astonished, their expressions filled with shock and disbelief. They whispered to each other, commenting, "This man's abilities are probably no less than Lü Bu's!" Yuan Shao's face darkened as he raged, his teeth gnashing as he declared, "I must strangle this fellow and then break through Hangu Pass! If it weren't for this fellow's desperate efforts to stop him, how could the old scoundrel Dong Zhuo have safely retreated into Guanzhong?"
After saying this, Yuan Shao turned to the Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, we, the princes, are all loyal and unwavering in our quest to restore the Han Empire. Yet, Ma Chao has persisted in his fight. We have deployed all our best generals, fighting him to the death. Ma Chao is exceptionally brave, rivaling Lü Bu. However, Liu Bei's generals, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, have been hesitant to move. If they had been, how could Ma Chao have delayed us until this point, allowing the thief Dong Zhuo to slip through?"
Upon hearing this, the emperor's expression grew grave. He addressed Liu Bei, "Uncle, do you think we should send Generals Guan and Zhang to help? The situation is critical, and a quick victory would be a good thing." Upon hearing the emperor's words, Liu Bei turned to look at his mentor, Lu Zhi. Lu Zhi, too, had his eyes closed, his teeth clenched, and a look of struggle on his face. Finally, he nodded gently.