dmims Chapter 833 Want to decide the outcome again?
Chapter 833 Want to decide the outcome again?
Fifty thousand Chu troops lined up before them, their dark armor and weapons reflecting a cold gleam against the gloomy sky. The air was thick with the lingering smell of blood, the stench of earth, and the restless snorting of war horses. After yesterday's setbacks and the sudden onslaught of reinforcements, the Chu army's morale was low, and their siege equipment needed repair.
To everyone's surprise, Xiang Yu did not launch a thunderous attack immediately as usual.
Xiang Yu rode alone, spurring his majestic black steed as he slowly emerged from the crowd. The heavy hooves of his horse thumped against the blood-stained mud of yesterday, making a dull thud that echoed clearly to the top of the city walls. Clad in heavy black armor, his scarlet cape rustling in the morning breeze, he wielded the Overlord Halberd, a weapon that terrified heroes everywhere. He looked like a demonic deity from an ancient battlefield. His eyes burned with suppressed rage and an almost paranoid fighting spirit, fixed fixedly on the towers of Yangping Pass.
"Gaoyao—where is it!" Xiang Yu's voice boomed like thunder across the empty battlefield, carrying with it an unparalleled sense of pressure and a challenge that had been suppressed to the extreme. The sound pierced the clouds, making the eardrums of the defenders on the wall buzz and even sending dust rustling down from the towers.
On the tower, Gao Yao, who was quietly discussing the deployment of the defenses with Ma Chang, heard the sound. His brows raised slightly, and the corners of his mouth curved into a smile of understanding. He straightened his armor and, under the tense and awed gaze of the defenders, calmly walked to the battlement, looking down from above at the imposing figure in front of the battlement.
"Xiang Yu!" Gao Yao's voice was clear, with a hint of deliberate laziness and sarcasm, and it was clearly transmitted, "Why, you failed to attack the city yesterday, and you want to surrender today? I am merciful and will allow you to dismount and be tied up, and leave your body intact!" He deliberately emphasized the word "I am the king" to irritate Xiang Yu's proud nerves.
"Gaoyao! You scoundrel!" Xiang Yu was truly provoked, his hair and beard standing on end. He pointed his halberd at the top of the city wall and roared, "At this point, what's the point of just talking? Don't say I won't give you a chance! Open the city! Let's fight!" His voice was like the clanging of metal, full of unquestionable arrogance. "If you can defeat this halberd in my hand, I will withdraw my troops immediately, without hesitation! If you lose..."
Xiang Yu's pupils flashed with a terrifying murderous light, and he spoke each word with a pause, as if pronouncing a verdict: "I will commit suicide to thank the world! Gao Yao, do you dare to fight me?!"
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar inside and outside the city!
Many Chu generals expressed worry. Xiang Yu, the commander-in-chief of the entire army and a man of ten thousand gold, could not easily risk his life in a one-on-one duel? If something unexpected happened... the consequences would be disastrous! Meanwhile, the Han troops on the city walls were intimidated by Xiang Yu's almost arrogant confidence and domineering attitude.
After hearing this, Gao Yao was stunned at first, and then he couldn't help but burst out laughing as if he had heard a huge joke. The laughter was particularly harsh in the silent battlefield.
"Hahahaha!" Gao Yao laughed so hard he fell backwards. He pointed at Xiang Yu and mercilessly launched into modern Chinese curses: "Xiang Yu! Did a fart blow your brain out? Did it get flooded or was it caught in a door? If I lose, I die, and if you lose, you just pat your butt and retreat? So you're the only one who's taking advantage of everything? Stupid! Do you think I'm as clueless as you?!"
The word "idiot" was like two resounding slaps across Xiang Yu's face! Although he didn't fully understand the exact meaning of this strange word, Gao Yao's undisguised contempt, mockery, and look of idiocy instantly made his blood boil! His resolute and heroic face flushed crimson, then turned livid with extreme anger, and veins on his forehead throbbed! He had roamed the world, invincible, but had he ever suffered such a terrible humiliation?!
"Gao Yao! You scoundrel! How dare you insult me!" Xiang Yu's roar was like a wounded prehistoric beast, shaking the very earth. "Good! Good! I accept your offer! This battle will determine both superiority and life and death! Whoever loses will die! Gao Yao, you coward, do you dare to leave the city and fight me—to the death?!"
Xiang Yu practically roared out the final words, "fight to the death," filled with the humiliation and murderous intent that had been pent up for six or seven years! That draw in Kuaiji, the greatest humiliation of his life, gnawed at his pride like a venomous snake day and night!
Over the years, he had honed his martial arts skills, meticulously mastered the art of halberds, and sought out stronger opponents on the battlefield to hone his skills. His diligence far surpassed that of the historical Overlord of Western Chu, who, after achieving invincibility, grew complacent! All of this was fueled by the man on the city wall before him, whose words could easily ignite his wrath! He longed for a righteous, resounding victory to completely wash away the shame and crush Gao Yao!
On the city wall, Gao Yao's playful smile faded. He narrowed his eyes, looking down at Xiang Yu, who was like a volcano about to erupt, his mind racing.
Promise him!
After just a moment's hesitation, Gao Yao made his decision.
"Alright!" Gao Yao's voice suddenly rose, carrying a stern fighting spirit that resounded throughout the city walls. "Since you're courting death, how can I be afraid of you?! Xiang Yu, clean your neck and wait! I'm coming to take your head!"
Gao Yao's response also caused a cry of surprise! Ma Chang and others were eager to dissuade him: "Your Majesty! No! Xiang Yu is the bravest and most courageous man in the world. This is just a trick to provoke him. Your Majesty, your precious life, how can you risk it?"
Gao Yao raised his hand to stop them, his eyes gleaming with shrewd calculation: "The duel, no matter how long or short, is precious time! It's enough time for the rear reinforcements to gather further, and for the Yangping Pass defenders to rest and strengthen their defenses."
If Xiang Yu could be defeated or even killed in public, the blow to the morale of the Chu army would be devastating! It might even directly lead to the collapse of the Chu army! This would be a hundred times more effective than just defending the city and killing people!
Risks? Of course there are! Xiang Yu's martial arts skills are truly BUG-level! But since Gao Yao dared to come to Yangping Pass and stand at the forefront of the storm, he had already put life and death aside! Deep down, he also possessed the arrogance and ruthlessness to risk his life!
"Open the city gates!" Gao Yao no longer hesitated and gave the order in a deep voice, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Prepare the horses! Bring me my gun!"
The heavy city gate creaked open a crack. Gao Yao, clad in gleaming silver chain mail and armed with an equally heavy and sharp Fang Tian Hua Ji (a painted halberd), rode a majestic white horse. Flanked by dozens of elite guards, he burst through the city gates like silver lightning, halting a hundred paces before Yangping Pass to confront Xiang Yu, who stood before the battle line.
Between the two armies, a deathly silence reigned! Hundreds of thousands of eyes focused on this small open space. On one side stood the Overlord of Western Chu, clad in black armor, his aura as profound as a deep prison, his pupils burning with the flames of war and years of resentment! On the other, Gao Yao, clad in silver armor and a white robe, his expression stern, his eyes gleaming with shrewd calculation and unyielding fighting spirit!