Chapter 271: Chapter 149: Two Dragons Emerge, Eight Directions of Wind and Rain (Part 2)
But instead of engaging directly with Chen Ping’s military formation, they sliced in from the side.
Whoosh...
Arrows rained down like a storm, blades flashing continuously. On the left, Cui Yuzhe’s troops from Gushan County were like a millstone, wearing down a thin layer from Chen Ping’s five thousand soldiers.
Dozens to hundreds of soldiers screamed and fell to the ground.
More than ten cavalrymen also plunged to the ground.
Especially fierce was the fact that as Cui Yuzhe’s cavalry cut through, three thousand infantrymen surged forward through the breach they’d made, advancing step by step, their battle cries thundering.
Just as the left wing withstood the assault, on the right, Cui Yulin’s two thousand cavalry mirrored this in the opposite direction, sweeping slantwise like an arc while also wielding the Flowing Gold General-Slaying Saber.
They would strike and then retreat, without lingering in battle.
Having killed a hundred or so, the two thousand cavalrymen roared away into the distance.
Behind them, the infantry surged forward.
"It’s the Two Dragons Emerging from Water Array, separating Yin and Yang, mutually responding... We must not let the two dragons intersect, otherwise our five thousand soldiers will be scattered and cut apart, leading to total annihilation."
Han Xiaoru had been burning the midnight oil these past two days, mastering the One-Character Soaring Snake Array while also gaining some understanding of the major formations under Heaven.
Watching the five thousand soldiers on each side maneuver like swimming dragons intertwining, while infantry fell in waves, Han Xiaoru had a revelation about the opponent’s formation.
The Two Dragons Emerging from Water Array is most feared when it emerges.
Despite appearances that those infantrymen attacking in confusion, a pile here and a pile there...
Yet when the conical sharp-edged cavalry cross and merge on both sides, those infantrymen will transform into the Eight Gates Golden Lock, severing the military Qi of this army and locking it tightly with a golden lock.
By then, the opponent will have military Qi, and we will not.
Fighting would mean a single War General against tens of thousands of troops.
How could we compete?
Moreover, directly ahead, another army was eyeing us like a tiger watching prey, already beginning its charge.
Vaguely protecting the formation core of the Two Dragons Emerging from Water, presenting the stance of Heaven and Earth Trinity.
Poised and waiting.
If we disregard everything else and directly engage the enemies ahead, the army behind us will be utterly lost.
If we turn around to engage, their War General will lead from the front, piercing through with a thrust, attacking our flank and rear.
"What an excellent formation."
Yuwen Ying also sighed, observing that the Southern Dynasty, occupying the fertile land of the Central Plains, produced a continuous flow of outstanding generals and talents. Unfortunately, its prosperity was both the making and the downfall.
These talents, despite their high learning and clever minds, suffered from low morale and lacked the resolve to fight to the death.
When things were in their favor, nothing could stand against them, but at the first sign of setback, they would collapse immediately.
By dividing and isolating them, it became easy to recruit these talents to one’s own side.
Though the formation before them was good, it was already theirs.
"Indeed, it’s true."
Ji Xuange revealed a trace of satisfaction on his face.
The Cui Family, having raised soldiers for a thousand days, utilized them in an instant; with their help, the fertile lands of Jiangnan would eventually be his.
Wouldn’t this be better than his unclear-minded father, who only clung to old ways and was content to be an idle prince?
In these times, no matter if one was under Great Li or Great Zhou, having authority in one’s hands was the most crucial thing.
"Xuanwu Guard, it’s over."
He turned to look at the two old men beside him, lowering his eyes and clasping his hands, saying, "In a moment, should Chen Ping become desperate, I will need to trouble the elders to prevent his escape."
"This is not difficult, Crown Prince, rest assured."
The two old men chuckled softly, eyes as sharp as hawks as they watched the battlefield, their robes fluttering, exuding an aura as if ready to soar with the wind.
These two were none other than the elders of the Cui Family’s Hall of Glory, Cui Yun and Cui Hao.
Utilizing the name of the Ji Family’s Prince and Crown Prince, the Cui Family had involved themselves in the national conflict, sparing no expense for the safety of this grandson. They not only dispatched the three outstanding mid-generation leaders to assist, but also brought along a third of the Cui Family’s elite troops.
Moreover, they took every precaution, fearing mishaps before success, even dispatching the elders of the Hall of Glory to protect him.
The elders of the Hall of Glory are typically some secret figures of each noble family, chosen as the family’s prodigies from a young age, taught with careful guidance.
Undercover, they traveled the world under an alias, establishing a formidable reputation, only to be secluded in the family in their old age, rarely intervening except for significant family crises.
Both Cui Yun and Cui Hao were Peak of Innate, with Martial Intent Perfection.
For twenty years, they had not taken action...
This time, stepping into the Jianghu again was not for personal glory, but for the betterment of the family.
For them, Ji Xuange was the seed of the family’s prosperity, the best investment target, one that they absolutely could not afford to lose.
Anyone who dared obstruct the realization of this goal must be prepared to be crushed to dust.
"Chen Ping, is it? You can’t escape..."
The two old men’s eyes sparkled fiercely as they watched the army encircled by the Cui Family’s formation, feeling slightly regretful that it seemed they might not need to personally intervene.
...
"Two Dragons Emerging from Water, Yin and Yang in harmony, what an excellent formation."
At the forefront, Chen Ping, with military Qi uniting, was unable to protect his wings, being picked apart piece by piece by the enemy’s superior force, losing several soldiers, his anger boiling with an ever-growing killing intent.
Such excellent generals, such brilliant talents.
They actually bravely charged, slaughtering their compatriots for the greater plan of the Beizhou Barbarians.
The noble families, truly deplorable.
Seizing the riches of the world, having the best teachers, using the finest precious herbs, yet what they foster are ingrates.
The ultimate result is that they turn to tear apart their own people, both lamentable and absurd.
Then, let them all die.
