The assembled crowd all knew General Tian’s identity. Heraclius looked ashamed and explained, "Apologies, I was eager for revenge and worried he might escape, so I... After the Roman Empire learned to use ballistae, we long abandoned the tradition of one-on-one duels on the battlefield..."
Liang Xiao quickly patted Yue Qingtian’s shoulder, explaining on Heraclius’s behalf.
"It has nothing to do with my eldest cousin. Our army is numerous. If he didn't run, wouldn't he be waiting for death? If I were in his shoes, facing a perilous battlefield with no hope of turning the tide, I would have to lead you all in retreat. Of course, if it were me, I wouldn't be foolish enough to lead troops to wait in the woods two miles away and then send someone to the enemy lines to insult the fallen soldiers' bodies."
Yue Qingtian smacked his forehead. "This monk is indeed only suited for charging into battle; I didn't think it through!"
Only Gongsun Ye worried, "As you all saw, this person can fight General Tian to a draw. The battlefield is dangerous. From now on, General Tian cannot venture out recklessly. Caltrops, hook-and-sickle weapons, Divine Might Cannons, Trebuchets... Liang Xiao, didn't you prepare a pile of treasures to deal with heavy cavalry? We don't need to be honorable with these man-eating white devils; just bombard them!"
Yue Qingtian was taken aback and said sheepishly, "Although I believe Lord Marquis will win, the old marshal also has a point. Just like General Nan, General Yue, General Nie, and Monk Shi and I, after a few private spars, it's small wins and small losses, split fifty-fifty, because fighting also depends on one's condition and performance."
Liang Xiao merely nodded, examining the blade of the Tianlong Pocheng Halberd in his hand.
"When I used to shuttle through battlefields, I never noticed, but this halberd might be a bit heavy."
The generals were puzzled. Liang Xiao merely left the tent to arrange for the burial of the fallen soldiers and offered incense and made an oath before their graves.
"I will definitely slay Achilles to comfort the souls of you all in heaven!"
"Definitely slay?" Gongsun Ye frowned, catching the implication, but fearing to spoil the atmosphere, he dared not advise him.
In his youth, he too had liked to show off. Who hadn't had a passionate youth?
But Liang Xiao was different!
Many of the older generation of Great Gan citizens who had endured decades of hardship would willingly trade their own lives for Liang Xiao to live a hundred years.
This was not baseless talk. Gongsun Ye, disguised, had once traveled in Jinling and heard such sentiments from elders on the streets and in alleyways.
Out of curiosity, Gongsun Ye couldn't help but arrange for his subordinates to investigate, questioning many elders. His subordinates reported back: "The tone of most elders was resolute, wishing they could exchange their lives for a few more years of longevity for Duke Anguo, so that he could continue to benefit their descendants!"
This was also why Gongsun Ye had always opposed Liang Xiao going to battle. Even the elders who had weathered storms were so fervent. How could the young men and women who had just begun to live good lives, who read the Four Sentences of Hengqu and the Sixteen-Character Testament daily, and even carried a copy of Liang Xiao's sayings, allow Duke Anguo to die in battle?
After the funeral, Liang Xiao and Gongsun Ye sat in the military tent, and Liang Xiao said calmly, "Old man, some things cannot be avoided. The enemy will definitely find ways to lure Achilles into a challenge."
"We just won't accept it. After all, General Tian is the martial god in the hearts of the people, and he cannot manifest blessings at all times..." Gongsun Ye pouted, but his voice grew less confident.
Liang Xiao said, "Once I recover Jiaozhou and Daliang, the truth about the Empress and General Tian will be revealed to the world. Shuang'er wishes for me to be the happiest under heaven, and how can I not wish for her to be the happiest under heaven?"
Gongsun Ye was stunned and gave a bitter smile. "Besides that, you also wish to strike at the morale of the Tianri tribe, destroy their belief in invincibility, and simultaneously instill the concept of the Great Gan army's immortal spirit and unwavering victory for millennia to come..."
"Old man, your insight is like a torch. However, there is actually another important reason," Liang Xiao praised.
Gongsun Ye looked at Liang Xiao, his face full of doubt.
Liang Xiao then put on a stern face and said in a deep voice, "I've never believed in 'an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.' I believe in repaying grudges. Achilles caused such a tragic loss to our army and insulted the bodies of our soldiers, so I must give him a death he cannot accept: to extinguish the name of Achilles' invincibility among the Tianri tribe!"
"What are your chances?" Gongsun Ye asked urgently.
Liang Xiao replied, "The battlefield was chaotic at the time, and both he and I had to guard against potential variables appearing at any moment. In fact, both sides held back and couldn't fight with full strength, so I naturally couldn't ascertain his capabilities. However, this person's moves lack a clear pattern, similar to me, he aims for a killing blow with every strike, never hesitating. "
Gongsun Ye nodded slightly. "No matter what, don't forget, ten thousand Achilles combined are not worth your single life."
Liang Xiao readily agreed, but his mood was heavy.
In his heart, there was no such thing as a fair fight...
Achilles returned to the cavalry headquarters and smashed a wooden table with a single blow.
"I was about to slay General Tian, and that scoundrel Heraclius ran over to interfere. When I capture General Tian, I'll slay him too!"
The cavalry generals lamented, "There might not be another chance!"
"No! General Tian must fight!" Achilles' eyes gleamed with ferocity, and he gritted his teeth. "We will use the methods of the Great Gan people to deal with the Great Gan people."
"General Tian has truly appeared??"
Xiao Chang, Xiao Che, Gongyang He, Hannibal, and Dugu Qun were all shocked upon receiving the news.
They had never believed General Tian would encounter Achilles, as there was no necessity. The current Great Gan Empire did not need to rely on individual martial prowess to influence the battlefield.
They were certain that General Tian, who had risked his life to repel the barbarians in Yanzhou years ago, would quickly meet his end on the battlefield against the Tianri tribe's ballistae, scorpion crossbows, and cavalry of today.
Yet, General Tian had indeed appeared on the battlefield and could even fight Achilles to a draw for fifty rounds!
"What do you intend to do?" Hannibal asked urgently.
Achilles’ face darkened, and he said in a deep voice, "The grain and fodder of the vanguard were burned by them, and the disastrous defeat at Luzhou also resulted in a massive loss of grain and fodder. This is a fatal blow. The Peacock Dynasty used millions of slaves and supply carts to make such thorough preparations. How can I quell the hatred in my heart without killing General Tian! Immediately send someone to deliver a challenge, using the methods of the former Right Worthy King of the Barbarians to lure General Tian into battle, but it must be exaggerated."
"Understood. General Tian is burdened by his fame. If he dares not fight, our army can also strike at the enemy's morale and popular support!" Xiao Che exclaimed excitedly.
Achilles growled, "He wears a ghost mask, so I cannot see his true face, but I am absolutely certain he is not a god, but a living person. Like me, he will get angry, observe for flaws, and then deliver a fatal blow! And he has repeatedly shattered Iris's dream of spreading the holy religion in this land! Therefore, no matter who he is, I must ensure he dies in Yuzhang!"
Gongyang He stroked his long beard and analyzed, "If he dares not accept the challenge, then he must be Liang Xiao himself! But if he accepts the challenge, it means he isn't. After all, Liang Xiao is now of immense value, comparable to the Son of Heaven, and has no need to go to the battlefield for a duel."
"Then we need to force General Tian to fight even more to confirm this! Therefore, we must dispatch someone eloquent!" Achilles muttered to himself for a moment, then looked at Gongyang He and Dugu Qun. "Liang Xiao hates you two the most. You two go!"