The long pole forged from pig iron was ten feet in length, and with the spearhead included, it measured a full fourteen feet, weighing at least just over two hundred jin.

Eric Bolton's mind flashed with a name: 'Phoenix-winged Gilded Spear'—that's right! It must be this kind of weapon.

Following the thick, long iron shaft, Eric Bolton's gaze fell upon the great general wielding it. This was a man of imposing stature, riding a black warhorse as fierce as a magical beast. He stood nearly two meters tall, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, clad in silver armor and helmet with a plain silk robe. His face was as handsome as jade, his eyebrows like swords, and he held the phoenix-winged gilded spear in hand, exuding an awe-inspiring presence, like a god descended to earth.

“Go ambush on both sides of the main road ahead—don’t let Samuel Young escape!”

The general spurred his horse away from the ravine, and overhead came the rustling sound of a large group of soldiers running, gradually fading into the distance.

After quite a while, Eric Bolton finally emerged from the ravine. He climbed a tree and gazed into the distance for a moment. It was clear that the Sui army was setting up an ambush on the main road. Should he leave, or go take a look at the main road?

Eric Bolton's eyes narrowed. He thought again of that phoenix-winged gilded spear. Could that general just now be the legendary second greatest hero of the Sui and Tang?

Eric Bolton was extremely cautious, sprinting all the way toward the main road. Passing by the spot where he had just rested, he saw that James Lee's corpse was gone, but the two short spears remained. Eric Bolton grabbed the short spears and ran southwest.

He was about eighty paces from the ambushers, hiding behind a thick tree. Eric Bolton gripped the trunk and leapt up into the tree, concealing himself behind a cluster of dense branches and leaves.

Before long, the urgent sound of hoofbeats came from afar. Groups of soldiers appeared, dressed in shabby attire—some in leather armor, some in cloth—wielding all sorts of weapons, clearly not regular Sui troops. These must be Samuel Young's rebel forces.

The soldiers all looked terrified, their ranks in complete disarray, marching silently with heads down, fleeing south. None of them noticed the army lying in ambush in the woods on either side of the road.

Eric Bolton shook his head. Although this Sui general was decisive, he was not meticulous enough. Anyone capable of killing James Lee could not be an ordinary bandit or deserter. Even if there was no time for a thorough search, he should have sent a small squad to investigate carefully. Otherwise, if the enemy sent a signal, their ambush would be pointless.

Moreover, this area was densely forested and perfect for ambushes. Yet the commander of the southbound army didn’t send scouts ahead to check for enemies—a major oversight. If this commander was indeed Samuel Young, then it was no wonder that Samuel Young's rebellion was doomed to fail.

Eric Bolton pondered whether he should warn this army and tell them there were ambushers on both sides. But if he exposed himself, he probably wouldn’t survive.

The army marched on—at least five or six thousand men—until finally, several hundred armored cavalry appeared. Each was burly, wielding a long spear, and a large banner fluttered above them, embroidered with a giant 'Yang' character.

Beneath the banner rode a man in his forties, wearing a golden crown and golden armor, of powerful build, astride a tall, fiery-red steed, holding a cavalry lance. He had a square face, thick brows, tiger-like eyes, and a gaze brimming with murderous intent.

Instinct told Eric Bolton that this man was Samuel Young!

At that moment, a clapper sounded from both sides, and a dense volley of arrows rained down like a storm upon Samuel Young and his surrounding cavalry.

Instantly, screams filled the main road as cavalrymen were struck and fell from their horses. Yet Samuel Young reacted with lightning speed, spinning his lance so swiftly that it formed an impenetrable barrier, the shadow of the weapon flying so fast it obscured him from view. It was as if a glass dome shielded him—thousands of arrows were deflected, and not a single one pierced his defense. It was truly a breathtaking sight.

The arrow storm ceased in an instant, and of the hundreds of cavalry, only Samuel Young remained mounted. Not a single arrow had touched him. Samuel Young threw back his head and laughed wildly, “Want to try again?”

In the woods, the Sui general pointed his phoenix-winged gilded spear and said coldly, “Charge! Leave none alive!”

A sudden roar erupted—“Kill them!”—as thousands of Sui soldiers burst from the woods, plunging the main road into chaos. Though Samuel Young was extraordinarily brave, his troops’ morale was abysmally low. Faced with the ferocious Sui soldiers, they broke before the battle even began, slaughtered as they wailed and fled in all directions, cursing their parents for not giving them more legs to run on.

Hundreds of Sui soldiers surrounded Samuel Young, shouting, “Samuel Young, surrender and we’ll spare your miserable life!”

Samuel Young flew into a rage, let out a furious roar, and charged into the Sui ranks. Like a tiger among sheep, his lance swept through them like a gale scattering leaves—heads rolled, severed arms flew, blood mist filled the air. Samuel Young was unstoppable, invincible wherever he went.

The Sui soldiers were so terrified by Samuel Young's prowess that they scattered in panic. Samuel Young then charged into the enemy ranks on the left, and screams echoed to the heavens. The main road became a slaughterhouse, the earth stained red with blood.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, hundreds of Sui soldiers had been slain by Samuel Young on the main road. The air was thick with the stench of blood, mangled corpses lay everywhere, and most of the warhorses had been killed as well—human and horse flesh mixed together in a scene of utter carnage.

At this moment, Samuel Young's brother Benjamin Young charged in from behind, shouting, “Big brother, Thomas Carter's army is in pursuit—break out quickly!”

Samuel Young let out a mighty roar and swept his lance toward the dense ranks of Sui soldiers ahead...