The Spear and the Iron Hammer is the 526th chapter of the Kingdom manga, written and illustrated by Yasuhisa Hara.
Summary
Ou Hon clashes against Ba Nan Ji, while the Gyoku Hou and the Zhao general’s soldiers watch in awe while fighting, but the Qin commander is shown to have the upper hand in the fight as he overwhelms the Zhao veteran with heavy strikes. The Gyoku Hou praise their lord’s skill committing that it had been a long time since they saw Ou Hon get serious, he was already strong with his precision and speed from before but it’s almost as if his spear is currently showing the same destructive force as the late Earl Shi of the Fire Dragons.
A Gyoku Hou soldier asks Ban You that their lord’s spear should already be on par with the awe-shocked old adjutant agreeing. Ban You thinks there’s no doubt that Ou Hon should be among the top five in the central plains.
Ou Hon continues overwhelming Ba Nan Ji chipping away at his armor while sending the general reeling. Ba Nan Ji’s soldiers show their respective worries, but the Zhao general reassures them not to worry as he has yet to take a single clean hit. However, an annoyed Ba Nan Ji observes that it’s his first time meeting such a ferocious spear wielder like Ou Hon and acknowledges that the reports on the Qin commander don’t do him justice.
Even if he were to swing his podao, Ou Hon unleashes a rapid barrage of attacks against him before entering his reach. Ba Nan Ji considers that maybe with a few more exchanges he’ll get the hang of it, but time isn’t on his side with A Kou and his cavalry steadily approaching with soldiers alerting him and suggesting that they disengage.
Ba Nan Ji, chuckling, tells his soldier not to be stupid as the Qin have yet to taste the might. Feeling something off, Ban You warns Ou Hon to beware but Ba Nan Ji suddenly throws his podao at Ou Hon who easily deflects it, but the Zhao general throws himself at him. Amid their free fall, Ba Nan Ji attacks Ou Hon with a punch but the Gyoku Hou commander swiftly dodges the strike while Ba Nan Ji leaves an imprint in the ground.
Ou Hon then tries to grapple Ba Nan Ji's arm but is thrown across the field by the general instead, and the surrounding soldiers are astonished at their fight. Ba Nan Ji is impressed that Ou Hon managed to dodge his punch, remarking that with his fists, he has beaten to death countless Xiongnue tribal leaders, regardless of their almost superhuman strength.
While Ou Hon glares at him, one of Ba Nan Ji's soldiers tosses back his podao and alerts him but the general is already as he prepares to strike at a charging A Kou who suddenly attacks surprising the Gyoku Hou who watches A Kou and Ba Nan Ji exchange powerful respective attack against each other with A Kou slightly reeling and Ba Nan Ji's hand trembling.
Ba Nan Ji, amused, comments that it seems A Kou is more of his cup of tea. Ba Nan Ji's soldiers quickly come to his defense along with his horse, Ba Nan Ji states that to let the "Iron Hammer" fall on two commanders of Ou Hon and A Kou's caliber is difficult with the few soldiers he has. A Kou asks the Zhao general if he thinks he can escape the situation while Ou Hon is given his horse and spear but Ba Nan Ji asks them if they truly believe that they could take his head on the first day. Ou Hon then spots enemy forces attacking their rear.
Over on Zhao's left wing, Chou Ga Ryuu and his aid watch the Ba Nan Ji Army's other portion that acted as a shield earlier in the battle return as attackers. The Gyoku Hou and A Kou watch as Ba Nan Ji retreat while boasting that they over-committed their resources and remind them that he isn't the only commander on the battlefield before leaving. Chou Ga Ryuu's aid comments that their first wave has caught a second wind with Chou Ga Ryuu agreeing. He explains that Ba Nan Ji's attack on the Qin's left, along with the Qin commanders choosing to target him has resulted in a large disparity in their strength along the length of Qin's line. That opening is all the Gaku'Ei Army needed to catch their breath and mount a comeback as Gaku'Ei leads his men. Chou Ga Ryuu thinks to himself that he was right about Ba Nan Ji seeing that he understands warfare very well.
Chou Ga Ryuu's aid asks the general if they were to join the battle as well, then the tides would be greatly in their favor, but Chou Ga Ryuu dismisses the suggestion to state that the Chou Ga Ryuu Army will not move until the enemy has been fully weakened further, only after they have been thoroughly weakened shall they go to "devour" them.
Meanwhile, at the Qin central army's HQ, Shin is summoned by General Ou Sen. Ignoring an annoyed aid, an anxious Shin and Ou Sen exchange looks with Shin asking if it is finally the Hi Shin Unit's turn but Ou Sen interrupts with an order to pick out 800 soldiers from his cavalries. Further adding that the 800 must be chosen from his fastest riders as they set out immediately. Shin asks which battlefield with Ou Sen telling him it is the left where the Gaku Ka Unit is. Ou Sen states to Shin that he will cut his way into the left battlefield...and bring him the head of Ki Sui, the Zhao commander!
Characters
Qin
Shukai Plains
Zhao
Shukai Plains
- Ki Sui Army
- Ki Sui (Mentioned)
Wei
- Earl Shi (Mentioned)
High Points
- Ou Hon overwhelms Ba Nan Ji with his new destructive style of spearmanship as the Zhao general can barely even get near him.