Chapter 183

Sima Yi glared at the culprit who had turned his perfect strategy into chaos with resentment.

The battlefield, already in disarray due to the sudden intrusion of Chang-ran, had turned into complete chaos.

With Guan Yu’s dagger lost, the western encirclement was shaky, and now a huge gap had opened in the south, which Sima Yi had been overseeing.

Fortunately, Xiahou Shang in the north had taken over Guan Yu’s position and was effectively controlling the western troops. Without him, the western front would have collapsed due to the loss of their leader and the fear of enemy reinforcements.

“Again, you interfere with Sima Yi’s plans,” he muttered.

Chang-ran, despite being a woman, was taller and more robust than most, yet her martial prowess was even more terrifying than Guan Yu’s.

To Sima Yi, she remained an enigma.

While Guan Yu’s fierce fighting was expected, given his reputation, Chang-ran’s abilities were unprecedented in history.

She seemed like a mythical creature from ancient folklore, worshipped by the ignorant masses.

“General! Chang-ran is heading this way!” a soldier cried.

“Do not panic! If I falter, the entire army will falter! Chang-ran won’t reach us. Our forces have already regrouped, and she’s busy protecting Guan Yu,” Sima Yi commanded.

Yes, all Chang-ran could do was glare at him.

Confident in his assessment, Sima Yi intensified his gaze, as if his stare alone could pierce through Chang-ran’s skull.

As expected, Chang-ran, after breaking through the encirclement, immediately ordered her troops to join Guan Yu’s forces.

“Do not think you can retreat easily. Even with your reinforcements, we still outnumber you. The era of a single hero dominating the battlefield is long gone,” Sima Yi declared.

While continuing the encirclement would be difficult, harassing the retreating enemy and increasing their losses was entirely possible.

‘They will likely head west. Xiahou Shang has already filled Guan Yu’s vacant position,’ Sima Yi thought.

Within moments, Sima Yi completed his analysis and swiftly issued new orders.

“Szec, take the troops I entrusted to you and assist Xiahou Shang in the west. And Du Jun, Xue Xiaowei, attack their rear if they attempt another assault on the west,” Sima Yi commanded.

After issuing orders to Deng Ai and Xue Zhao, Sima Yi planned to personally lead the remaining troops to pressure the Han army.

Using Xiahou Shang’s western Wei army as the anvil, Sima Yi would be the hammer striking the Han forces.

However, Chang-ran once again defied his expectations.

With Wei Yan, Chang-ran led her elite cavalry in a direct charge towards Sima Yi.

She charged straight at him, her eyes locked onto Sima Yi as if he were her sole prey.

Like a tiger pouncing on its prey, or an eagle diving from the sky, Chang-ran’s relentless advance was unstoppable.

“She’s insane. Throwing herself into certain death?” Sima Yi scoffed initially.

“Her martial skills are unparalleled, but she’s ventured too deep,” he thought as she broke through the first line.

But as the second line crumbled, Sima Yi’s confidence wavered.

Chang-ran, aided by Wei Yan and the elite Lanling Army, shattered Sima Yi’s defenses.

Desperately, Sima Yi handed command to his deputy, Hu Zun, and fled the scene.

As Deng Ai, Xue Zhao, and Hu Zun held the front, Sima Yi heard a strange sound and instinctively ducked.

A spear narrowly missed him, embedding itself in his horse’s head, killing it instantly.

Thrown to the ground, Sima Yi felt a sharp pain in his shoulder but remained conscious.

“How long was I unconscious?” Sima Yi asked.

“Not long, Governor. We assisted you immediately after your fall,” a soldier replied.

“Good. What’s the battle situation?”

“Largely unchanged, but Chang-ran’s momentum is fierce.”

“This is no time to delay. Announce my survival to the entire army! If rumors spread that I was defeated by Chang-ran, all will be lost! Hurry!” Sima Yi ordered.

As the soldiers spread the news of his survival, Sima Yi slumped down, exhausted.

Nearby, Hu Zun was desperately trying to hold off Chang-ran.

As the news of Sima Yi’s survival spread, Chang-ran hesitated.

Finally, as Chang-ran’s golden steed turned away, Sima Yi sighed deeply.

“This can hardly be called a success,” he muttered.

At least half of Guan Yu’s forces had been annihilated, but it was far from the complete victory Sima Yi had hoped for.

Instead, Chang-ran’s reputation had only grown.

‘Guan Yu’s wounds are beyond saving now,’ Sima Yi thought.

Such severe injuries meant Guan Yu’s death was inevitable unless Chang-ran was truly a reincarnated deity.

The ensuing revenge from Liu Bei would likely proceed as Sima Yi had anticipated.

But Sima Yi couldn’t shake the feeling that he would have no place in the aftermath.

§

I clicked my tongue as I watched Sima Yi dodge the thrown spear.

Even though he fell from his horse, hitting the ground hard, he was only bruised, not seriously injured.

I considered waiting for a stroke of luck, but hearing Sima Yi’s announcement of his survival, I abandoned the thought.

“Retreat! If we push further, the army will split,” I ordered.

Sima Yi, truly a tenacious man.

Now was the time to focus on escaping. Despite the chaos our arrival had caused, with generals like Sima Yi and Xiahou Shang, the Wei forces would quickly regroup and counterattack.

While our numbers were similar, the Wei still had the advantage.

If Guan Yu’s forces were intact, we could have faced the Wei head-on, but they were too battered. Reinforcements from Bingzhou or Zhang Pei, left in the rear, were uncertain.

Our goal was not to kill Sima Yi but to rescue Guan Yu.

“Rear General, take the cavalry and secure the mechanism as planned. I’ll attach the Lanling Army’s cavalry to you,” I ordered.

“Leave it to me,” Wei Yan replied, though fatigue was evident on his face.

“Bai Qian is informing the Supreme General and opening the northern route. Depart immediately. Bai Qian, I leave it to you.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll keep the mechanism’s gate open,” Bai Qian assured.

My reckless attack on Sima Yi was also meant to distract Xiahou Shang in the west and Sima Yi in the south while Jiang Wei breached the northern encirclement.

Once Jiang Wei secured the path, Wei Yan would lead the vanguard, followed by the main force. I would stay in the rear to cover the retreat.

But someone volunteered to take my place.

“Lan, no, Commander Wei. I’ll stay in the rear. You should protect the Supreme General in the center,” Guan Ping offered.

“Brother Ping, no. You should stay by Father’s side. I’ll handle the rear,” I insisted, invoking our familial bond.

Guan Ping, concerned for his critically injured father, reluctantly agreed.

Staying in the rear was more fitting for me, given my reputation.

As our forces escaped through the northern gap created by Jiang Wei, the Wei encirclement tightened.

From the rear, I took a deep breath and roared, my voice echoing across the battlefield.

“Those who value their lives, come forth! I, Zhang Lan, Commander of Han, will face you!”