Chapter 180 Wudati Hou is Dead!

Chapter 180 Wudati Hou Is Dead!

Pitching camp in the forest? It seemed feasible.

This year was unbearably hot, even worse than last year's worst heatwave.

Wudati Hou had been closely monitoring Tuo Baxiao’s movements when his subordinates reported unusual activity in the Xianbei Army camp. He climbed a watchtower several stories high and surveyed the scene—indeed, the Xianbei camp was in a flurry of activity.

His first thought was that Tuo Baxiao was gathering troops for a surprise attack, but after observing for a while, he realized they were moving their camp.

The Xianbei Army was feeling the heat too and were seeking a solution.

Warfare ultimately depended on the soldiers’ endurance. If the Xianbei Army remained vigorous while his own forces fell ill, Tuo Baxiao could seize the opportunity to strike—what chance would he have then?

Without further hesitation, Wudati Hou ordered the camp to be moved into the woods.

…

Inside the newly erected Hun royal tent.

The past month or two of warfare had not gone well, and Wudati Hou was fuming with anger. After another useless strategy session, still no one had devised a way to crush Tuo Baxiao completely. He snapped, and once everyone had dispersed, he commanded his Imperial Guard:

“Bring that Han woman here.”

Moments later, Jiang Yinzhu was hauled in.

Hu Tuxie had handed her over to Wudati Hou to lessen his punishment for a previous defeat, and Wudati Hou had accepted.

He had always treated women as just playthings for his urges. When his rage took over, even if he had just finished with one, he'd slit her throat without a second thought.

He never kept any woman along on campaigns—wherever he went, there were always new ones to enjoy.

But Jiang Yinzhu was an exception. She was a princess of Liang State.

A Liang State princess—wasn’t the woman Tuo Baxiao married also a Liang State princess? He had heard that woman had aided him greatly. Hmph.

Jiang Yinzhu was forced to kneel in the tent, her face blank, resigned.

Wudati Hou stalked over, grabbed her jaw, and flung her onto the bed.

Jiang Yinzhu slammed into the bed, her brow furrowing in pain, but she remained silent.

Wudati Hou towered over her, his hand unconsciously touching his chest.

On the night she was first presented to him, when he came to take her, this seemingly fragile woman had actually tried to stab him with a hairpin.

Of course, she failed, but she had enraged him. Wudati Hou had choked her for a long time that night.

But later, he thought of the woman Tuo Baxiao had married—she, too, had deceived him with a frail appearance before leaving a scar on his neck.

Yet now she was Tuo Baxiao’s woman, beyond his reach. So he spared Jiang Yinzhu’s life, channeling all his warped jealousy, hatred, and resentment onto her, using her as a substitute for his violent fantasies.

“You’re also a Liang State princess. The woman Tuo Baxiao married is a Liang State princess too. But now she’s protected by him, living in luxury, high and untouchable, while you can only cry under me. Both princesses, yet night and day—aren’t you jealous? Don’t you resent it…?”

As he spoke, he tore at her clothes, nails biting into her skin. The bruises from before had yet to fade, and now new bruises formed.

Jiang Yinzhu tried to endure, but the pain was too much. Tears escaped the corners of her eyes, and choked sobs rose in her throat.

Seeing this, Wudati Hou finally let up on her.

Every time Wudati Hou ranted at her, she didn’t understand, but she knew he was just blowing off steam.

She used to fight back and curse at him, but that only earned her worse beatings, so she stopped cursing.

She wanted to live.

That night when she attempted to assassinate him, she was ready to die, but she failed to kill him. Miraculously, he let her live. Since she had survived, she would continue living.

Living meant hope.

Jiang Yinzhu endured Wudati Hou's torment as if she’d been mauled by a rabid dog.

More than an hour later, he finally tired of it and ordered his guards to drag her away.

Another day survived—another day alive.

—

Meanwhile, Tuo Baxiao also climbed the high watchtower. Lifting a spyglass, he observed the movements of the Xiongnu and his lips curled into a predatory grin.

When he descended the watchtower, A Long approached with a report. “My Prince, Jiankun has sent someone.”

Tuo Baxiao raised an eyebrow. “Bring them here.”

The moment the person saw Tuo Baxiao, they spoke in the Xiongnu language.

“The general says he’s persuaded Wudati Hou to move the camp into the forest. He hopes the Prince of Mobei will keep his promise.”

So this was their inside man.

Since the great battle in early May, the two sides had been deadlocked for a month, each searching for a breakthrough. Tuo Baxiao had naturally sent spies into the Xiongnu ranks, even slipping into their ranks this time, but they were low-ranking soldiers, unable to do much damage. However, they did uncover some other information.

One of Wudati Hou’s commanders named Jiankun had been brooding for days. Upon further inquiry, it was discovered he was worried about his wife and children, who remained in the Xiongnu royal court.

Wudati Hou had abandoned the royal court to engage in a decisive battle with Tuo Baxiao. Now, with a triple alliance besieging them, the court would surely fall. Unlike Wudati Hou, who would discard everything in pursuit of dominance, Jiankun deeply loved his wife and children. How could he not worry about them, especially his youngest child, who was not even two years old?

Yet he could not defy Wudati Hou and could only sigh in silence.

When Tuo Baxiao learned of this, an idea flashed through his mind. He believed he had found the key to a breakthrough.

He secretly sent someone to meet Jiankun, proposing a deal: if Jiankun convinced Wudati Hou to move the camp into the forest, Tuo Baxiao would spare his wife and children, ensuring their safe reunion.

The deal was irresistible to Jiankun.

Glory or his family?

If following Wudati Hou truly promised dominance, Jiankun might have hesitated. But now, Wudati Hou was clearly at a disadvantage, with his stronghold on the verge of collapse. He had no retreat and no way to defeat Tuo Baxiao decisively; his dreams of conquest slipping away. At this moment, Tuo Baxiao used family as leverage—how could Jiankun not be swayed?

In the end, he agreed.

"Tell Jiankun that this prince always keeps his word," Tuo Baxiao said to the messenger.

The messenger, having received confirmation, quietly left the Xianbei camp to report back to Jiankun.

Two days later, most of the Xiongnu army had moved into the forest. Tuo Baxiao then summoned an expert in astronomy and meteorology to seek his counsel.

Everyone gathered in the main tent.

"Reading the heavens, the time is ripe. The scorching sun ensures no rain for the next three days."

"Excellent!" Tuo Baxiao sprang to his feet, exclaiming in approval.

Modolou and the others were just as fired up.

Under the pretense of relocating their camp in the days prior, the Xianbei Army had stockpiled large quantities of sulfur, saltpeter, and straw as fire-starting supplies.

On the second night, Tuo Baxiao led the main force of 20,000 troops in a surprise attack on the Xiongnu camp.

He deployed banners everywhere and ordered soldiers to tie branches to horses' tails, pounding war drums like thunder until the mountains trembled and the very rivers shook. Under the cover of darkness, it appeared as though an army of 100,000 was charging forth.

Wudati Hou, believing Tuo Baxiao had finally run out of patience, immediately led his troops to engage.

After an hour of chaotic battle, Wudati Hou sensed the Xianbei forces showing signs of fatigue and retreat. Feeling triumphant, he prepared to intensify his assault when suddenly, flames shot skyward from his rear.

While Tuo Baxiao put on a show of attacking head-on, Su Li and Modolou took advantage of the Xiongnu's unprepared rear guard, charging into their camp. They tossed mixtures of straw and sulfur, soaked everything in tung oil, and with the slightest spark, everything ignited instantly. The Xiongnu camp was engulfed in a sea of fire.

In panic, the Xiongnu soldiers rushed to extinguish the flames, but the fire raged out of control. The Xianbei Army had scattered so much fuel, and with the surrounding forest catching ablaze, not only their tents but the entire mountain was soon burning.

It was only then that Wudati Hou realized he had been tricked.

By then, there was no time for second thoughts. With his camp destroyed, he could only hastily gather his men and escape the inferno.

But Tuo Baxiao had every angle covered—there was no chance of escape.

As Wudati Hou stumbled westward, he ran straight into a Xianbei ambush. Already in disarray, the Xiongnu forces saw their morale crumble further under the surprise attack.

"Khan, we must cross the river now!" someone urged.

"Yes, hurry! Once we cross the Yellow River, the Xianbei won’t be able to pursue us."

Wudati Hou knew these suggestions were sound—crossing the river would save his life. But he couldn’t stomach it.

What use was temporary survival? His army had been crushed by Tuo Baxiao, the Xiongnu royal court had fallen, and the Liangzhou Army had cut off the Huangdi region. He had no retreat left.

Everything was lost.

Surviving like this—broken—what difference was there from death?

Wudati Hou halted, turning back to glare at the pursuing forces, eyes gold-green and burning with rage.

"I will settle this with Tuo Baxiao—once and for all!"

"Khan!"

"It’s suicide!"

"We can’t defeat Tuo Baxiao now..."

No matter how others pleaded, Wudati Hou wouldn’t hear it. His mind was set on one final, desperate battle.

"With me—attack!"

With a furious roar, he turned and led the charge, his Imperial Guards following closely. But others hesitated, refusing to move.

"Charging back now means certain death. Should we die for nothing?"

"Let’s go—cross the river."

Once someone took the lead, the Xiongnu army quickly split into two factions.

Wudati Hou charged forward for a distance before realizing some hadn’t followed, but he could no longer afford to care.

Steel met steel as the two armies locked in savage combat.

"My king, part of the Xiongnu forces are attempting to flee across the river," a scout reported.

Tuo Baxiao narrowed his eyes. "Throw everything into surrounding and crushing Wudati Hou."

"Yes!"

Once, Wudati Hou had besieged Tuo Baxiao at Fengming Po. Now, Tuo Baxiao had trapped Wudati Hou with a host of thousands. That time, Tuo Baxiao lived to fight another day thanks to reinforcements—but this time, he would not allow Wudati Hou any chance of resurgence.

The man had to die!

Tuo Baxiao advanced head-on against the Xiongnu forces while ordering General Modolou and Su Li, who had just finished burning the enemy camp, to seal Wudati Hou’s exits.

For two days and nights, tens of thousands fought fiercely, the air thick with blood. Both sides suffered heavy losses, but Tuo Baxiao ultimately wore them down with sheer numbers and better equipment.

The encirclement tightened until only a few hundred men remained by Wudati Hou’s side, and nowhere was left to run—not even the Yellow River.

Knowing he had no way out, Wudati Hou spotted Tuo Baxiao amidst the crowd and shouted, "Tuo Baxiao! You got the guts to fight me one-on-one?"

"Your Majesty, don’t!"

"Don’t agree!"

Wudati Hou had so few men left—they could finish him off safely. Why gamble now?

Tuo Baxiao raised his forearm.

The crowd fell silent.

He spurred his Li Eagle ahead.

"Try and stop me."

"Your Majesty!"

Others still wished to dissuade him, but Tuo Baxiao had made up his mind.

Seeing him actually accept, Wudati Hou smirked. Typical Tuo Baxiao—all pride and no sense.

Surrounded by tens of thousands, Wudati Hou knew he wouldn’t survive—but if he could take him with him, it would be worth it. Even if he failed, getting a few good swings in would vent his hatred.

The two soon clashed.

Though neither had rested in two days of battle, they moved like men fresh to battle.

All fury and momentum, their fight was like two tigers tearing at each other.

Any other time, the onlookers would’ve cheered such a fierce duel—but General Modolou and the others only cared whether their king could slay Wudati Hou.

They stopped breathing, not daring to make a sound.

Wudati Hou had known Tuo Baxiao was formidable, but now he realized the man had grown even stronger since their last encounter.

At twenty-five, Tuo Baxiao was in his prime, naturally growing fiercer—while Wudati Hou, nearing forty, felt his body betraying him.

Seventy blows in, Wudati Hou finally slipped up, and Tuo Baxiao drove him from the saddle.

He crashed heavily to the ground, his insides felt scrambled, yet he ignored the pain and swiftly rolled aside, narrowly dodging a killing strike, leaving a deep, long gash across his face.

He scrambled upright in one desperate motion, still intent on a final struggle. But in the next moment, Tuo Baxiao’s spear rammed straight through his chest with enough force to skewer him clean through, nailing him to the hard ground.

Wudati Hou was dead!

"Wudati Hou is dead!"

"Dead!"

"The king is peerless in valor!"

"King! King! King!"

The Xianbei troops roared in triumph.

Tuo Baxiao paid no heed to the clamor, staring down at Wudati Hou, cold and unmoved. Blood bubbled from his lips, his chest still faintly rising and falling—his final breaths rattling.

"I told you I would kill you with my own hands."

Wudati Hou stared wide-eyed at him, his throat working uselessly, as if choking on words, but no sounds came.

Even as his life faded, his face stayed locked in a snarl of hate.

Tuo Baxiao severed his head, impaled it on his spear, and raised it high. The Xianbei Army’s frenzy reached a fever pitch.

Wudati Hou’s death meant their greatest enemy had been vanquished. From this day forth, nothing stood between them and ruling the world.

Most of the Xiongnu had already bolted across the Yellow River to Guanzhong while Tuo Baxiao was besieging Wudati Hou. The fight at Xiaoguan still raged on. After a brief day of rest, Tuo Baxiao ordered General Modolou, Su Li, and Chigan Balie to pursue the remaining Xiongnu forces, while he personally led forty thousand troops straight toward Chang’an.