Yang Ye understood this all too well.
During a march, what military officers feared most was a camp riot, commonly known as a rampage.
As soldiers approached battle, their nerves would be stretched taut. Even a small mishap could snap that thread, plunging them into madness in an instant.
Especially at night, once a camp broke into chaos, soldiers would lose all reason. They would attack anyone near them, friend or foe alike, fighting to the death or until they collapsed from exhaustion or died themselves. The only way to stop it would be for someone of immense prestige to step in and exert control.
Those who held great authority within the army could calm the madness with a single word. Their voices carried an invisible weight that could shake soldiers back to their senses. But even that required light—something to illuminate the darkness so faces could be seen. Without it, even the loudest shouts were often useless.
This time, even Liu Bao wouldn't be able to stop it. The moment the rampage started, it was already out of control. Add to that the terrifying shouts underground from Yang Yanping and the others, making it seem like a Han army was launching a surprise attack, and the chaos only intensified, sending the Huns deeper into insanity.
They were already seeing red with bloodlust.
The majority of them would likely die by their own hands. That much was almost certain.
"In the dark, a rampage cannot be stopped. Even someone like the Left Sage King Liu Bao is powerless. How much of his forces he can preserve now depends entirely on his reaction. If he responds quickly and correctly, the casualties can be contained. If not—this single incident could wipe out nine-tenths of the Hun army."
Yi Tianxing's eyes gleamed with confidence.
The sounds of fierce fighting had already reached his ears—blades clashing, screams of agony, relentless chaos echoing through the night.
"Not even the gods could save them now. A disaster is inevitable,"Huang Chengyan nodded in agreement.
"These man-eating Huns killing each other is just retribution for their past atrocities,"Cai Yan added softly, a flash of sorrow passing through her eyes—memories of what the Hun captives had done to the women still haunted her.
"My lord, supper is ready,"At that moment, Lai He approached briskly, followed by several cooks carrying trays of food.
Someone brought over a table. The city wall had ample space, easily enough to set one up.
The trays were placed on the table.
There were only three dishes.
A jar of aged wine was brought out—bartered from traveling merchants. Supplies were limited, and the village still lacked the means to brew its own alcohol. Grain was far too precious to waste on such luxuries.
Clang!
Three iron lids were lifted.
As the covers came off, radiant light and rich aromas burst forth. The brilliance of the food lit up the dark night with dazzling color.
"My lord, due to time constraints, only three dishes were prepared. One is roasted peanuts, one is steamed man-eating fish, and the last is braised wolf meat."
"The wolf meat was prepared earlier today—reheated with extra seasoning. The peanuts were roasted using a precise technique where each peanut touches the oil for no more than three seconds. Constant flipping ensures an even roast."
"The steamed man-eating fish was cooked with ginger, scallions, and garlic stuffed into its belly. The herbs eliminate the fishy odor and infuse flavor deep into the flesh, even the bones. This technique locks in every drop of savory taste."
"Good wine, exquisite food, and a great show to watch—what more could one ask for?"Lai He concluded his short introduction.
Though the cooking methods weren't complicated, that was exactly what tested a chef's skills—controlling the fire, the timing, and mastering color, aroma, and flavor.
"Elder Huang, Zhaoji, General Yang, Da Hu—come sit. Let's eat and watch. This bloodbath won't end quickly. I'd like to see how Liu Bao handles it,"Yi Tianxing took the lead, already feeling his Gourmet Cells tingling with excitement. Every cell in his body was sending urgent hunger signals to his brain.
He didn't hesitate. He sat.
"Let me pour for you, Brother Yi,"Cai Yan gently lifted the wine jar, pouring a bowl of aged brew for Yi Tianxing, and then for the others.
"Zhaoji, come join us. Lai He's cooking is unmatched in Xuanhuang Village. Every dish he makes is a peak-level delicacy. Each bite is an experience. Please!"Yi Tianxing smiled as he invited her.
He grabbed a roasted peanut and popped it in his mouth.
A crunch—a crisp explosion of flavor. The outer saltiness and inner nutty fragrance combined into a mouthful of deliciousness that delighted the senses.
Just the word fragrant didn't do it justice. It felt like it could drown one's very soul.
It was sublime.
His cells danced with joy, and a surge of world energy was drawn into his body, subtly enhancing his physical strength.
He tried a bite of the fish. One word—fresh.
Everything Lai He had said was true. The flavors were perfectly locked into the meat, the fishiness completely erased. The seasoning had penetrated to the bone. It practically melted in the mouth.
It was far beyond anything Yi Tianxing had cooked himself—a supreme experience.
As they ate, they continued watching the carnage unfold in the darkness.
In the Hun camp, Liu Bao had been jolted awake.
At the first screams and clashing steel, he knew something was wrong.
Before he could act, chaotic voices rang out—men shouting that he was already dead. Panic swept the camp. Blood filled the air.
"Camp's gone mad!"
The thought hit Liu Bao like lightning. And with it came a surge of terror and fury. As a seasoned general, he knew exactly how disastrous a rampage could be.
"Damn it! It's over! Those cunning Central Plains bastards—how did they cause this?"
Liu Bao's eyes burned red as he threw on his armor, grabbed his curved saber, and rushed outside with a torch in hand.
Fwoosh!
A splash of water doused his torch the moment he stepped out.
Everywhere he looked—soldiers killing each other.
Even without light, Liu Bao's strength allowed him to see clearly in the dark. There were no enemy troops. It was all his own men.
A full-blown rampage.
"Stop! I order you to stop immediately!"
"I am Left Sage King Liu Bao! Do you want to commit treason?!"
"I command you all—STOP!"
His furious roar shook the air like a lion's roar.
Nearby soldiers were stunned, some halting momentarily in confusion. But the chaos was too loud—his voice was swallowed by the carnage. No one could see clearly. No one knew who was around them.
Even those jolted awake panicked and lashed out blindly at nearby shadows.
"Idiots!"
Liu Bao saw that they were killing again. Fuming, he grabbed a club and began knocking out soldiers one by one to break the cycle of madness.
"I am Liu Bao!"
"There are no enemies! STOP FIGHTING!"
"Everyone yell with me—'Left Sage King is here!' If someone yells back, they're an ally! Stop attacking!"
Furious but determined, Liu Bao kept shouting, waking people up, gathering them together, and organizing mass chants.
It worked—slowly.
The terrified soldiers, hearing familiar voices, started to calm. Caution gave way to recognition, and they began to regroup.
More and more gathered.
But the bloodshed continued.
Some had gone too far—lost in bloodlust, unable to distinguish anything anymore. Like war-induced psychosis, their minds had shattered.
Unnoticed, a ray of sunlight pierced the eastern sky.
Dawn had come.
This night raid had been timed perfectly—just before daybreak, the darkest hour of the night, yet closest to light.
With the light, the killing slowly abated.
Bodies.
Covered the camp.
Blood.
Soaked the earth.
Many Huns had been hacked to the point of being unrecognizable.