Chapter Thirty-Three: Bloody Battle at the Celestial Origin (3)

Bu Yuan watched as Wahan pinned Gai Yunyan to death with a single arrow, then prepared to shoot Fang Guohuan and Sun Qi atop the high platform. In the chaos of battle, driven by urgency, Bu Yuan summoned all his strength and shot a powerful arrow from his overlord’s bow, killing Wahan from a hundred meters away. With Wahan dead, the Jurchen soldiers below the Tianyuan Platform fell into disarray. Bu Yuan and his companions pressed their assault, launching hidden weapons that cut down swathes of the enemy and drove them scattering in all directions. The dozens of Jurchen soldiers clinging to the wooden framework of the Tianyuan Platform were suddenly panic-stricken, unable to move up or down. The heroes below showered them with hidden darts, sending them tumbling to their deaths—none survived. The siege of Tianyuan was thus instantly broken. At that moment, Hong Jinshan had already perished alongside more than a hundred elite defenders of the Tianyuan position. Bu Yuan and his allies had arrived just in time. Bu Yuan dared not stray far from the platform, instead joining the heroes in a tight defensive ring.

One hall master leaped onto the wooden frame, brought down Gai Yunyan’s corpse, and laid it respectfully at the base of the Tianyuan Platform. The heroes glanced at him, admiration in their eyes, then turned back to combat and defend their position.

Fang Guohuan and Sun Qi, disregarding their own safety, focused entirely on the greater cause. They manipulated the Tianlong Formation, adapting swiftly, coordinating the front and rear, and resolved the peril threatening Luo Kun and the other star positions. Both remained steady at Tianyuan’s core, directing the formation. By now, the battle between the two sides had reached its most intense phase. Nurhaci and Li Yingsheng, having witnessed Wahan’s near success and subsequent death within the formation, exchanged bewildered glances.

Within the ranks of the Jurchen army observing the battle from the rear, stood their foremost warrior—Sodanu. Fierce and unrivaled, with the strength of a thousand pounds in his arms, none in the Jurchen military could match him. Sodanu had watched for some time, noticing among the enemy front a young man wielding an iron bamboo staff astride a black horse, courageous and unstoppable, with no Jurchen able to oppose him. Sodanu’s fighting spirit was roused, and he immediately requested permission to break the enemy’s formation. Nurhaci, recognizing Sodanu’s prowess, regretted not deploying him sooner and ordered him to lead five thousand elite soldiers into the fray. Li Yingsheng’s expression grew grave, as if she had discerned some subtle shift within the Tianyuan formation, causing her to gasp in apprehension.

Sodanu, wielding a giant blade weighing over a hundred pounds, led his five thousand troops in a thunderous charge, aiming first for Lü Zhufeng. The Jurchen soldiers had previously been intimidated by Lü Zhufeng’s heroic feats and avoided him, so no general had dared challenge him. Now, with Sodanu bearing down, it was clear he was a formidable foe. Not only were Fang Guohuan and Sun Qi atop Tianyuan startled, but Lü Zhufeng himself was taken aback. Seeing this massive warrior, towering like an iron pillar, coming straight for him, Lü realized he finally had a worthy opponent. His heart leapt with excitement; he spurred his horse and brandished his bamboo staff to meet Sodanu in battle. The five thousand Jurchen elites spread out, charging into the formation, where Zhu Weiyuan and Zhao Qingyang led their troops in defense.

Sodanu proved exceptional—ferocious, with a heavy blade and wild cries, he fought Lü Zhufeng to a standstill. Sun Qi, atop Tianyuan, exclaimed in shock, “If not for Lü Zhufeng’s peerless bamboo staff, the formation would surely be breached by this Jurchen general today. Heaven help us! Lü Zhufeng was born to counter him!” Fang Guohuan also marveled, “Such double heroism is rarely seen in the world!” At this moment, the battlefield swelled to over 120,000 soldiers, nearly at full capacity. Fang Guohuan and Sun Qi exchanged glances, knowing that their advantage lay in the terrain; if the full force of the Jurchen’s 200,000 troops engaged at once, the pressure on the Tianyuan formation would be overwhelming, and whether it could withstand such an assault was uncertain.

Meanwhile, Lian Qiying led over a thousand men to protect Gong Ying’er and the families of the heroes from the east, along with their wagons and goods, stationed at a perilous spot five or six miles from Dushikou, keeping vigilant for any movement at the border. Hearing the thunderous sounds of battle from behind, he realized the Tianyuan formation was now engaged with the Jurchen army, causing everyone’s hearts to tighten. Lian ordered scouts to report on the battle’s progress.

Soon, the scouts returned: the Tianyuan formation had trapped fifty thousand enemies within, the fighting was fierce, but the formation remained secure. Lian Qiying and his companions were somewhat relieved. Suddenly, the clamor of battle intensified, alarming them—they wondered what upheaval was occurring within the formation. The scouts soon reported that the Jurchens had reinforced with another fifty thousand troops, all now within the formation, and the Tianyuan formation was under strain. Several hall masters anxiously requested permission to lead five hundred men as reinforcements.

Lian Qiying stopped them, saying, “The enemy is strong. Even another five hundred men would make little difference—Master Sun Qi has his own plans. Besides, we are responsible for guarding Dushikou, and the situation inside the barrier is unclear, fate uncertain. There’s no need for haste.” The hall masters fell silent, gazing anxiously toward the formation. Gong Ying’er paced back and forth in worry, and Lian Qiying comforted her.

Then came word from the scouts: the hundred thousand Jurchen troops were being tangled and blocked within the formation, which was shifting unpredictably and draining the enemy to the utmost. The group’s initial relief was tinged with anxiety for the heroes within.

Lian Qiying marveled, “It seems brother Guohuan’s formation has worked wonders. Who would have thought he could wield the art of chess so deftly! With Master Sun Qi arranging the troops and brother Guohuan orchestrating the grand strategy, they’ve trapped a hundred thousand Jurchen soldiers—an unprecedented feat. With those two here, it seems the fortunes of our Six Harmonies Hall are far from spent.” He recalled how Fang Guohuan had once rescued him on the banks of the Yellow River; now, unexpectedly, he had saved the entire Six Harmonies Hall. Was this fate? Lian Qiying was deeply moved, sighing inwardly.

The sounds of battle from the Tianyuan formation shook them all, and everyone’s heart hung in suspense, knowing that life and death depended on this moment. The soldiers stationed at Dushikou seemed to hear the distant fighting, peering out beyond the barrier, whispering among themselves in admiration for the heroes. Yet, under orders, they reluctantly kept the heroes outside the border.

Suddenly, someone shouted, “Chief Hall Master, there’s something unusual at the border!” Lian Qiying was startled and climbed high to look. He saw flags shifting atop the barrier, soldiers rushing back and forth—some new development was underway. As everyone wondered, three plumes of blue smoke rose into the sky from within the barrier, followed by three explosions that formed vivid clouds of red, yellow, and blue. All members of Six Harmonies Hall erupted in cheers.

Lian Qiying exclaimed, “Reinforcements from inside the barrier have arrived!” A hall master added, “Our brethren inside are quick. They’ve released red, yellow, and blue signal cloud arrows to request orders from the Chief Hall Master.” Lian replied, “Release purple and green signal cloud arrows immediately, telling the brethren to hold their positions for now. Once we have repelled the enemy outside, we’ll coordinate a joint entry.” Two more plumes of blue smoke shot skyward, bursting into vibrant purple and green clouds. These signal cloud arrows were specially designed by Six Harmonies Hall for communication, with six colors—red, yellow, blue, purple, black, and green—each made with unique gunpowder blends and combinations, each conveying a different message.

Soon, a yellow cloud exploded in the sky within the barrier, signaling a reply. The border guards watched the exchange of signal cloud arrows between inside and outside, alarmed. Dushikou was now threatened from both sides by Six Harmonies Hall’s forces, and the soldiers hurriedly repositioned, somewhat panicked.

By midday, the battle at Tianyuan formation had grown even fiercer, reaching a critical juncture. Lian Qiying felt slightly relieved, as the arrival of reinforcements within the barrier eased the threat to those outside, but he still ordered strict surveillance.

Just then, the city gate at Dushikou opened a narrow crack, allowing a single rider and horse to exit before closing swiftly. The rider galloped toward them. Lian Qiying was surprised to see a lone horseman, whose attire didn’t resemble a soldier. How had the tightly guarded border let a “stranger” through? As the rider drew closer, someone cried in joy, “It’s Water Ming Umbrella, hall master of the Fifty-first Hall!” Immediately, people rushed forward to greet him.

Lian Qiying smiled, “So Hall Master Water has arrived.” Water Ming Umbrella rode up, calling urgently, “Where is the Chief Hall Master?” Someone replied, “He’s right here, Hall Master—go pay your respects.” Water Ming Umbrella dismounted and approached Lian Qiying, bowing deeply in joy, “I arrived late to rescue, letting the Chief Hall Master suffer fright.” Lian Qiying quickly helped him up, “These are extraordinary times, Hall Master Water—no need for formality.” Water Ming Umbrella thanked him and immediately said, “I have urgent news to report.” Lian Qiying led him into the tent to talk.

Once inside, Water Ming Umbrella said, “Chief Hall Master, I come by order of Master Zhuge Rong to investigate the situation outside the barrier and relay all news from within.” Lian Qiying was delighted, “Master Zhuge Rong is here as well—our chances of entering the barrier have improved.”

Water Ming Umbrella continued, “After arriving at Qi Family Fortress with Master Zhuge, we met Hall Master Cao Zhuxuan and learned that you had led the main force out a day ahead, so we couldn’t catch up. We gathered the later arrivals and prepared to support you. Just then, Hall Master Huang Xiaotian sent urgent news—there was trouble at Dushikou. Soon after, Master Sun Qi’s carrier pigeon delivered another message. When everyone heard that the Chief Hall Master was trapped outside the barrier, they were shocked and furious, wanting to storm the gate immediately. Fortunately, Master Zhuge Rong stopped them, preventing rash action.”

Lian Qiying nodded, “Master Zhuge Rong and Master Sun Qi are often likened to Zhuge Liang and Sun Wu reborn—calm in crisis, with grand vision. Had we charged the gate, our Six Harmonies Hall, which ventured out to aid the heroes from the east, would have changed its nature, with serious consequences. The court might accuse us of rebellion, and two centuries of Six Harmonies Hall’s legacy would be destroyed. Master Zhuge acted wisely—unless absolutely necessary.”

Water Ming Umbrella added, “Seeing the crisis, Master Zhuge ordered all forces to mobilize and reinforce Dushikou at once. He urgently summoned Six Harmonies troops from Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, and Hebei, who raced through the night. Thus, we arrived inside the barrier and met Hall Master Huang Xiaotian, who briefed Master Zhuge on everything. It turns out…” Water Ming Umbrella lowered his voice, “The emperor intends to use our exit from the barrier as a chance to cut off our retreat and annihilate Six Harmonies Hall’s elite outside the border—this was a secret imperial decree…”

Lian Qiying sighed deeply, “Man bears no malice toward the tiger, but the tiger intends to devour man. Master Sun Qi and I already knew of this.” Water Ming Umbrella was startled, “Chief Hall Master, you are truly wise!” He went on, “Seeing the situation escalate, Master Zhuge immediately ordered the roads connecting the border to the capital to be guarded, cutting off all communication. He also sent experts into the city to capture the wife and son of the border commander, Zhang Weicheng.” “What?” Lian Qiying exclaimed, “You kidnapped Zhang Weicheng’s family?”

Water Ming Umbrella replied quickly, “Please do not blame me, Chief Hall Master. This happened by chance—Hall Master Huang Xiaotian had captured one of Zhang Weicheng’s close guards and learned that Zhang had just brought his family to the border. Normally, generals are not allowed to bring their families to the barracks, so we would not have had this opportunity. Six Harmonies Hall members have never stooped to such tactics, but the crisis forced our hand. Zhang Weicheng was unjust first, so Master Zhuge had no choice but to resort to this. Once we established contact inside and outside the barrier with signal cloud arrows, Master Zhuge used the hostages to pressure Zhang Weicheng, ordering him to let a lone rider out to communicate details between the inside and outside.”

Lian Qiying nodded thoughtfully, lost in contemplation.