Chapter 38: The Upper State Sends an Urgent Message (5)

  Highly recommended are Chong Guan's masterpiece "Ji Pin Han Fei" and the new work of the beautiful Mu Xue Han Mei, "Yi Shi Yan Xiu". Welcome everyone to go and appreciate.

  But today, in the book review section, I saw a brother asking why the main character hasn't appeared yet after four chapters. Now, Old Mo is here to explain that these few chapters about the war are extremely important and are entirely for laying the groundwork for later on. So please be patient and keep reading, as I believe it will get even more exciting later on! Alright, no more nonsense, here's the third update with a bang!

  The commander of the Shu army who came out of the formation was indeed the main general of this siege, named Nangong Haotian. He was also one of the most powerful families in Shu country, the second generation leader of the Nangong family. From a young age, he had read military books and his martial arts skills were exceptional. The weapon he used was also a spear, called Jiutian Lanyue Spear, which was longer and heavier than the Qichidragon Spear. The entire spear body was forged from fine iron, with a five-clawed golden dragon inlaid on the handle, its head hanging down at the red tassel of the gun neck. His spear technique was called "Stealing Heaven and Replacing Day", also known as the legendary spear technique of Shu country's Dragon in the Wild.

  "Looks like you're not simple, able to dodge Zhang Heng's thrust and come out unscathed."

  Nangong Haotian rode his mount, looking at Mu Zhongliao with some curiosity and a calm tone. He knew about Zhang Heng's abilities, in Shu country, it could be said that no one's power could surpass Zhang Heng, not even himself. It was clear that the opponent's young general also followed the agile route, which awakened his inner desire for a duel.

  "Can you still fight?" Nangong Haotian asked with some concern, seeing that Mu Zhongliao opposite him was clearly weakening and on the verge of collapse.

  Mu Zhong Liao exerted his strength, straightening his body on the horse, and with a flick of his wrist, said in a deep voice: "You try it and you'll know!"

  Nangong Haotian's eyes showed a hint of appreciation, he was not afraid of his opponent's strength, and as an enemy general, he never hesitated to admire, Mu Zhongliao was no exception. He raised his gun and pointed, saying: "Then come on!"

  "Brothers! Follow me in the charge!" As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his gun and shook it, patted his horse and led the way out first. His target was hundreds of meters away - Nan Gong Hao Tian.

  Nangong Haotian also shouted without hesitation: "Cavalry formation, follow me in the charge!"

  "Roar!"

  Both sides formed a triangular charging formation and charged towards each other, the hundred-meter distance was instantly reached. The Shu army's cavalry outnumbered the Chu army by several times, just as they clashed, the large triangle engulfed the small triangle of the Chu army, the sound of clashing weapons, the neighing of war horses, and the soldiers' mournful cries blended into a tragic symphony.

  Afterwards, both sides rushed out from the rear of each other's formation. When they re-formed their charging formation, Mu Zhongliang found that their formation had become smaller. Upon closer inspection, he realized that this impact had resulted in a loss of at least 1,000 officers and men. With all the archers who were part of the cavalry charge killed, close combat was a paradise for the cavalry, while the soldiers who were archers were at a disadvantage in terms of armor and speed. Although they dropped their bows and arrows and raised their long spears, they were still no match for the Shu army's cavalry.

  The Shu army lost only four or five hundred men in this round of reunions, and the tip of Nangong Haotian's gun was still dripping with blood. In this collision, the Chu army was defeated, with a loss ratio of two to one, and Mu Zhongliao also lost, his shoulder bleeding profusely. Looking at Nangong Haotian who was still intact in front of him, he felt stifled, raised his steel gun again, and shouted loudly to the soldiers behind him: "Brothers! Follow me in a charge!"

  "Hoo-ah!" This time the Chu army's cavalry let out an even louder battle cry, and the murderous aura emanating from everyone infected the opposing Shu army.

  Looking at the incoming Chu army with fewer men but more momentum, Nangong Haotian suddenly tightened his reins, swung his Nine Heavens Gun and shouted loudly: "Follow me in a counterattack!"

  The two sides clashed again like Mars colliding with Earth, and after a fierce battle, the two armies parted ways once more. This time, Mu Zhongliao smiled, his gun tip also stained with blood. He saw that Nan Gonghao's arm had a shallow gash, a crimson patch. It was a wound he got in exchange for the shocking gash on his thigh.

  The Chu army lost another thousand cavalrymen this time, with less than 5,000 soldiers left, but they stuck together tightly, each person's armor and war robes were incomplete, and some soldiers' blades had already been ground into a curl, yet still held tightly.

  This round, the Shu army did not gain an advantage either. The number of corpses left behind was about the same as that of the Chu army. Nan Gong Hua Tian's face showed some anger. The enemy had only this many men, while his own cavalry still had at least 30,000 men. After two charges, they still couldn't annihilate the enemy completely. This was an insult to Nan Gong Hua Tian, and it was also an insult to Shu Guo. In his heart, he secretly vowed that in the next round, just one more round, he would definitely cut down all the Chu army under his horse, and the white-robed young general opposite him would have himself sent on his way.

  "Brothers! Follow me in the charge!"

  "Men of Great Shu! Kill for me!"

  "Roar!"

  The third fierce collision, the two sides did not immediately separate, but instead entangled in a fierce battle, taking three times as long as before to finally part ways. This time, nearly all of the Chu army was sacrificed, with only a few dozen men left standing beside Mu Zong's body, each of them bearing multiple deep wounds that exposed their bones.

  Mu Zhong Liao panted heavily, his entire body still a bloody mess from head to toe. His hands grasping the steel gun were shaking unnaturally, and he was panting heavily, but his eyes remained fixed steadily on Nan Gong Hao Tian in front of him.

  Nangong Haotian saw Mu Zhongliao's appearance and knew he was about to exhaust himself. Looking at the dozens of soldiers behind him, they were all on the verge of collapse. A smile finally appeared at the corner of his mouth. Although he didn't annihilate the opponent completely, he was satisfied with this impact.

  "Huff! Huff! Huff!" Not only Mu Zhong Liao, but also the soldiers around him were panting heavily. At this moment, Mu Zhong Liao inserted his steel gun into the ground, untied his belt from his waist, tied one end to his arm and handed the other end to the soldier beside him, saying softly: "Tie it on!"

  The soldiers will tie the other end to themselves, while the other soldiers also forcefully insert the long spears in their hands into the ground, and untie their belts, tying their bodies together with their comrades. Nan Gong Hua Tian on the opposite side did not understand why they were doing this, and was not in a hurry to attack, just watching like that.

  Wait until all the Chu army, including Mu Zhong Liao himself and his comrades, are tied together, with no one in command. Everyone simultaneously pulls out their weapons from the ground, holding them tightly in hand, with all gun tips pointing at the Shu army in front!

  "Great Chu's heavenly might! Eternal and immortal!"

  "The great Chu's heavenly might! Eternal and immortal!" Although there were only a few dozen soldiers, the sound was loud enough to be heard by the generals on the city walls in the distance. The sky had brightened, and a new day had begun. The Chu army officers and men inside the Upper City were all gathered on the city walls, none of them speaking, each with tears in their eyes. Some soldiers threw away their weapons, squatting on the ground, covering their heads, and sobbing in pain. At this time, Mu Kui had already closed his eyes, two lines of turbid tears slowly flowing down from the corners of his eyes.

  The Nan Gong Hao Tian opposite him had now stopped smiling, his heart was changing, he was moved, he was in awe, he couldn't believe that with only a few dozen people in front of him, they could exude such an intimidating aura, if the soldiers of Chu were all like this, how could they have been defeated by Shang Bang, he didn't understand and couldn't figure it out, there was just a voice in his heart telling him that these people couldn't be let go, they had to be kept.

  "Brothers! Follow me in the charge!" With a thunderous roar, Mu Zhongliang launched his final assault, his voice shaking the heavens, tragic and heroic.

  ……

  Looking at the dozens of Chu state generals still standing on horseback, Nan Gong Hua Tian simply said lightly: "Collect their bodies, do not damage their military appearance, and send them to the city gate." After finishing speaking, he disappeared without looking back in the sight of the generals.