Chapter 566: The Decisive Battle! The Second Wave of Fighting! (1/2)
Chapter 566: The Decisive Battle! The Second Wave of Fighting!
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
”Pass on my order. Tell them to not get careless! This was only a test. The battle is still far from starting!” Wang Chong said.
This first clash was extremely important, as it related to the morale of the army. His forces were already lacking in numbers, and if their morale was poor was well, then this battle would already be lost.
But 8,700 kills was merely a drop in the ocean for the 500,000 soldiers of the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army, not even enough to stir some froth in this massive army.
”…In addition, they absolutely can't let down their guard. The Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army has Imperial Great Generals Huoshu Huicang and Duan Gequan commanding it, and neither of them has yet moved.”
Chen Shusun bowed and solemnly replied, ”Yes, Young Master! Your subordinate understands. I will pass on Young Master's orders.”
The five hundred thousand soldiers of the Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army and the two Great Generals Huoshu Huicang and Duan Gequan who had yet to move meant that the situation truly was still grim. It was far from the time to be happy.
As Wang Chong looked down at the somewhat restless Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army, he suddenly ordered, ”It's about time. Pass on my order to make ready to execute the second plan… Geluofeng and Dalun Ruozan are probably going to move soon.”
……
The winds howled, and the air over the battlefield was far more intense than one could imagine.
Geluofeng and Dalun Ruozan acted faster than Wang Chong had expected. Just as Wang Chong had suspected, those eight-thousand-some casualties were no mortal wound to the vast Mengshe–Ü-Tsang army.
”Get ready!” Geluofeng said, his expression cold and hard. ”Tell Duan Wuzong to commit the entirety of the Whitestone Corps! The remnants of the Annan Protectorate army don't even reach one hundred thousand. I don't believe that my one hundred thousand soldiers of the Whitestone Corps can't make an opening in the Annan Protectorate army!”
”Yes, your subordinate will comply with this order!”
”Wait a moment! …Tell Duan Wuzong to lead the army himself this time!” Geluofeng coldly ordered. The Annan Protectorate army had not even used seventy percent of its manpower, having mobilized only the troops at the base of the mountain. In these circumstances, Duan Wuzong had still suffered a major defeat, incurring Geluofeng's extreme displeasure.
”Tell Duan Wuzong that if the Tang army retreats, don't rashly pursue! Not unless he's confirmed that the Tang army really is fleeing!”
Suddenly, a cold and emotionless voice rang out in everyone's ears.
”Yes, Milord!”
Before anyone else could react, the bodyguard responsible for delivering the message went stiff. Hurriedly clasping his hands, he gave a deferential bow, an expression of dread on his face.
This voice even seemed to cause the surrounding temperature to drop.
This Duan Gequan… has a rather good eye, cutting straight to the heart of the matter!
Near Geluofeng, nobody noticed a strange light flash through the eyes of Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang.
This Great Tang youth called Wang Chong used an art of war that was completely different from any art of war that these two knew about. Armies competed in terms of sharpness and courage, seeking to break through the opponent's defense. For someone to intentionally show signs of weakness and retreat, then use this opportunity to launch an attack, was a tactic that none of them had ever seen or heard of.
Not even Dalun Ruozan or Huoshu Huicang, with all their experience as powerhouses of the southwest, had ever experienced such a thing.
Mengshe Zhao's Great General, Duan Gequan, had remained behind the curtains all this time, revealing little of his prowess. But just like Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huicang, he had managed to notice that the Whitestone Corps's defeat had arisen from the intentional show of weakness.
However, Duan Gequan only said these words before resuming his silent stance behind Geluofeng, transforming once more into a lifeless sculpture.
Boomboomboom!
War drums thundered as the front ranks of the vast Mengshe Zhao army once more began to slowly advance toward the mountain base.. In a few short moments, the Whitestone Corps had once more divided itself into orderly squares surrounding the mountain.
”All soldiers, hear my order! Rolling Stone Formation!”
With this resounding voice, a stalwart and well-built figure rode forward on his horse, his hand holding a sword high into the air. And as Duan Wuzong's voice rang through the air, soldiers exuding a majestic aura began to walk out of the ranks and to the very front of the army.
The commanders of the Whitestone Corps had all walked to the very front of the army.
Boom!
With a metallic clatter, a Halo of Thorns the color of white jade began to expand from under the hooves of Duan Wuzong's horse to the other soldiers of the Whitestone Corps. As if this was some sort of signal, Halos of Thorns began to expand from the other officers of the Whitestone Corps to boost the strength of the entire army.