Every loud explosion made George Washington's face twitch.

At this moment, inside the cell, Henry Clark said, “Mr. Washington, let me out, one more person means more strength.”

However, George Washington acted as if he hadn’t heard anything. At such a critical moment, of course he didn’t trust Henry Clark—who knew if he wouldn’t stab him in the back?

“Boom!”

With a deafening crash, the dungeon’s main gate was smashed down.

Charles Quinn led over twenty elite Taiping soldiers charging in.

In an instant, both sides were locked in a frenzied battle.

Inside the dungeon, blood splattered everywhere, and screams filled the air.

Looking at ancient battle records, one would find that in battles against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the casualty rates were often shockingly high.

Normally, if casualties reached thirty percent, an army would rout. But in battles with the Taiping forces, it was often an exception—both sides fought desperately, and casualty rates soared sky-high.

George Washington’s provincial governor’s guard was highly organized: some fought at the front, while several others pulled George Washington back toward the second cell door.

But the Taiping veterans from Guangxi were simply too formidable.

Even though they were outnumbered, they didn’t fall behind at all.

“Protect the master!”

“Swear to protect the commander at all costs!”

George Washington’s guard showed no fear of death, each dying a tragic death.

The Taiping elites, though outnumbered, also fell one after another.

Very soon, they broke through the first defensive line of George Washington’s guard.

Then, they quickly smashed through the second cell door.

At this point, George Washington had no barriers left.

Henry Clark watched with burning eyes—these must be the best soldiers of this era, with an excellent foundation.

As the battle escalated, more and more Taiping veterans from the two provinces died, and their fighting power began to decline. The best soldiers were becoming fewer and fewer.

“Hurry and rescue Commander Shi!” Charles Quinn shouted.

Amazingly, the Taiping forces actually split off a man, who rushed deep into the stone cells to rescue Samuel Stone.

It was baffling—at this moment, every man was precious. From a commander’s perspective, they should have first wiped out George Washington’s guard, captured George Washington, and only then rescued Samuel Stone.

At a time like this, you dare to split your forces? Aren’t you afraid George Washington might turn the tables?

The brutal fighting continued.

That Taiping soldier found a key on a dead jailer, came over, opened the cell door, and helped Samuel Stone out.

At this point, Samuel Stone was still dazed and confused.

“What’s going on?”

“What’s going on?”

Seeing Henry Clark, the Taiping soldier asked, “Commander, what about this person?”

Charles Quinn was busy fighting and had no time to answer.

Both sides’ numbers dwindled rapidly.

In the end, only five guards remained at George Washington’s side, while Charles Quinn was left all alone, the last man standing.

“Brave warrior, surrender to me and I guarantee you a bright future,” said George Washington.

“Surrender to you Qing demons? Dream on! We rebelled to kill every last Qing demon!” Charles Quinn shouted harshly. “Witch Washington, don’t think you’re safe just because you have five men left. Don’t think I can’t kill you.”

With that, he swung his broadsword and charged at George Washington.

In an instant—

This Taiping commander fought five at once.

Meanwhile, the Taiping soldier actually put down Samuel Stone and came over to open Henry Clark’s cell. He was Charles Quinn’s personal guard, and had been present during the deal with Gui’er that day. He thought Charles Quinn wanted to keep his promise and rescue Henry Clark to earn the remaining twenty thousand taels of silver, so he came to save Henry Clark.

George Washington had thought that with five men at his side, he would surely win and be able to kill Charles Quinn.

But he was wrong.

This Taiping commander Charles Quinn was simply too fierce, utterly fearless of death.

Blades struck his body as if he felt nothing.

“Swish!” He killed one.

Then, he killed a second.

A third.

A fourth.

Covered in blood, Charles Quinn looked like a god of slaughter, terrifying to behold.

Only one guard remained at George Washington’s side.

“Ah… Anyone who blocks me dies!”

With a thunderous roar, Charles Quinn swung his broadsword and charged forward.

The last guard at George Washington’s side raised his blade to block, but his courage had already been shattered by Charles Quinn.

With a single stroke, Charles Quinn nearly severed his neck.

Blood spurted like a fountain, spraying all over George Washington’s face.

In an instant, George Washington’s entire vision was blood-red.

The next second, Charles Quinn’s blade was pressed against George Washington’s neck.

“Witch Washington, you’ve killed so many of our brothers. I’ll cut you to pieces, cut you to pieces!” Charles Quinn roared.

With that, he suddenly slashed down.

He sliced a piece of flesh from George Washington’s leg and roasted it over the fire.

“Hahahaha…”

Charles Quinn laughed savagely.

With blood streaming all over him, he looked truly terrifying.

Then, Charles Quinn saw his subordinate opening Henry Clark’s cell and flew into a rage: “Damn you! What are you doing? He’s a Qing demon too, and a Banner Qing demon at that! You still want to save him? Kill him! Kill him!”

The Taiping soldier froze, then raised his blade to kill Henry Clark.