Chapter 119: The Overlord Reborn, Silent in Valor

Especially later on, Kong Sheng charged forward with the ferocity of a warlord reborn. Mounted on his white horse and wielding a long spear, he crashed through the ranks, leaving his foes either dead or grievously wounded. His invincible aura and the deadly resolve that allowed no enemies to survive struck terror deep into the hearts of these bandits born from the countryside. Their courage shattered, their ferocity in battle was reduced by more than half.

Nangong Wang had long since retreated under the protection of his men to a shaded pavilion. His brow furrowed tightly, fully aware that if this brutal fight continued, even if they managed to wear down or entangle Kong Sheng and his three companions to death, his own troops would suffer heavy casualties. Such a bitter cost was unacceptable and unbearable to him.

More importantly, the unknown cavalry unit of suspected government soldiers led by Li Xuan lurked menacingly nearby. If this official cavalry seized the opportunity to strike, the Hongze militia that Nangong Wang had painstakingly trained and assembled would likely be annihilated in an instant.

“Sound the gong! Retreat!” Nangong Wang gritted his teeth and decisively waved his hand, shouting sharply. A man of quick decision and foresight, seeing the unfavorable situation, he refused to sacrifice his entire force under Huanggang Hill.

The clear, resonant gong sounded, terrifying the already shaken Hongze bandits, who hastily turned and fled up the hillside, barely keeping formation. The battlefield was littered with bloodied corpses, and over a dozen heavily wounded lay writhing in agony on the ground.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie were also drenched in blood, their blue robes stained with shocking crimson patches. Wu Xian bore deep cuts on his shoulder, waist, and back, blood still flowing freely.

Mu Changfeng rode up, bent low on his horse, and pulled from the ground Kong Sheng’s broken “Conqueror’s Sword,” its blood-stained hilt embedded in the earth, then sheathed it carefully.

Kong Sheng, mounted and spear in hand, eyes blazing like a torch, shouted fiercely, “Nangong Wang! What’s this? Cowardice? You Hongze bandits always boast about wiping us out, yet here you are retreating!”

“You scoundrel, don’t get arrogant!” Tang Genshui spat in anger, furious and unwilling to give up. He wanted to charge down and settle the score with Kong Sheng but was held back firmly by Nangong Wang’s personal attendant, who would not let him cross the line.

Tang Genshui was Nangong Wang’s most capable general—brave, loyal, and skilled in spear techniques taught by masters. Yet today, facing Kong Sheng’s overwhelming force, he lost his weapon before he could even display his skill, leaving him feeling deeply wronged.

But Nangong Wang would never let Tang Genshui risk himself recklessly. Kong Sheng’s fierce and invincible image was deeply etched in his mind. He secretly decided that this man was not only invincible in combat but also possessed a rising fortune as fierce as a blazing fire. If he met Kong Sheng again, he would either avoid direct confrontation or use cunning to overcome him, for brute force alone would not suffice.

Nangong Wang’s elegant demeanor vanished, replaced by a hint of regret and sorrow on his delicate face. He stepped forward slowly, lightly waving the folding fan in his hand. “This battle was my miscalculation. The loss of our brothers is my fault.”

“Brothers, Nangong Wang is deeply ashamed! The spirits of our fallen comrades are near—please accept my deepest respects!” With these words, he boldly lifted his garment and knelt down.

The bandits around him were startled, then roared in unison and knelt as well, lamenting, “Sir!”

On the other side, Li Xuan watched coldly, sneering, “Such hypocrisy and cunning deceit. These bandits are nothing but pawns in his hands, yet they remain unaware!”

Nangong Wang suddenly stood and turned to face Kong Sheng again. Kong Sheng curled his lip and halted his spear. “Nangong Wang, spare me the pretense. If you want to fight, then fight; if not, then retreat quickly!”

“I never expected that a mere scholar like you could be so fierce and brave, rivaling a warlord reborn, holding off all the Hongze heroes single-handedly,” Nangong Wang said calmly. “It seems you are indeed the famed Jiangning scholar Kong Sheng, renowned for both unmatched literary talent and astonishing martial prowess. You have truly opened my eyes.”

“What Hongze heroes? Just a bunch of bandits and rabble!” Kong Sheng laughed wildly. “I am Kong Sheng of Jiangning. Nangong Wang, if you knew how things would turn out, why did you act the way you did back then?”

“Kong Sheng, I respect you as a young hero, but I am no coward. If this battle must continue to the death, you will lie dead on the spot,” Nangong Wang replied with a cold smile. “I choose to end the fight to spare more of my brothers from bloodshed. Let today’s matter rest here. However, you have harmed my comrades. If fate allows, I will surely seek justice for them in the future.”

“I’ll be waiting anytime!” Kong Sheng pointed his spear from afar. “Nangong Wang, will you not withdraw your troops?”

Nangong Wang’s long eyebrows bristled. He turned his gaze toward Li Xuan’s cavalry and let out a profound, inscrutable laugh. Casting a deep glance at Kong Sheng once more, he waved his hand and ordered his men to carry away the wounded and the fallen. Then, the bandits, faces etched with grief and anger, slowly retreated up the hillside.

Though they suffered heavy losses, the Hongze bandits dared not disobey Nangong Wang’s authority. Moreover, they were no fools—they understood that continuing the fight would only lead to greater casualties, especially with the government cavalry watching closely and the risk of total annihilation looming.

If the Hongze militia were wiped out, what meaning would killing Kong Sheng and the others hold?

For most of the retreating bandits, their minds churned not with hatred for Kong Sheng but with an overwhelming, almost crushing fear. This incomparable dread buried their hatred utterly. Many trembled uncontrollably at the memory of Kong Sheng, bloodied and fierce, charging on his horse with his spear.

Once Nangong Wang’s men had finally withdrawn, Mu Changfeng exhaled deeply, relieved, and rode over softly. “Young master, are you injured?”

Kong Sheng stuck his gleaming spear into the ground, then turned to Mu Changfeng, pale-faced but smiling faintly, waving off concerns as if unhurt. Suddenly, darkness clouded his vision, and the world spun wildly. His body swayed and then collapsed from his horse.

All the earlier efforts had been sustained by sheer willpower and fierce determination, but multiple wounds, excessive blood loss, and exhaustive combat had drained his strength. Once he relaxed, he could no longer hold consciousness.

Mu Changfeng was horrified, immediately dismounting to catch the fainted Kong Sheng and begin aid. As for Wu Xian and Wu Jie, they were no better off and too preoccupied with their own survival to assist Kong Sheng.

Nearby, Li Xuan silently watched the three. Suddenly, he softly instructed, “Zhang Zhao, send some herbal wound medicine over. I thought this young rogue was invincible, but in the end, he’s just flesh and blood like the rest.”

Zhang Zhao bowed on horseback and turned to order two subordinates to rush over and help Mu Changfeng tend to Kong Sheng’s injuries.