As Xiao Yunlong led his 180,000 troops south towards Tianzang Mountain, Broni also led his 280,000 troops north.
Perhaps eager to save their country, Broni's army marched at a rapid pace, soon arriving at Jiacity Pass, the most crucial gateway in the northern region of the Dragon Country.
"Deputy Commander, Jiacity Pass is a vital strategic point in the north of the Dragon Country. I believe we should set up an ambush force here. If my predictions are correct, there will be pursuers from behind. We can then catch them completely off guard!"
The plan proposed by this general from the Snow Wolf Kingdom was indeed excellent. However, unfortunately, Broni was too preoccupied to consider it.
"How laughable. We have already lost 300,000 troops this time, and even your Snow Wolf Kingdom's highest commander, General Bruzager, has been captured alive by the enemy. This battle is essentially a declaration of our defeat. Do you think leaving an ambush force now is still meaningful?"
Broni sneered coldly and continued, "This time, our speed must be paramount. We must cross Tianzang Mountain as quickly as possible and then find the main force of the Northern King Xiao!"
A general from the Stan Kingdom said, "Commander is absolutely right. That Dragon Country's Northern King Xiao actually dared to advance deep into our Stan Kingdom alone. The Snow Wolf Kingdom has once again assembled 300,000 troops. In addition, our Stan Kingdom and the Wumeng Kingdom have each mobilized another 100,000 troops. If you add our 280,000 troops, that makes a total of 700,000 to 800,000 soldiers. At that point, a single spit from each person could drown that Northern King Xiao!"
Upon hearing this, many generals couldn't help but laugh triumphantly.
"All troops, listen up! In five minutes, advance at full speed and ensure we pass through Tianzang Mountain immediately!" Broni commanded sternly.
It was evident that Broni suspected Xiao Yunlong's attack on the Stan Kingdom was merely a feint, fearing that the enemy's main force would seize the opportunity to swiftly advance south into Tianzang Mountain for another ambush. If that were the case, his 280,000 troops would suffer the same fate as Bruzager.
Five minutes later, the army moved swiftly. Soon, the vast Tianzang Mountain loomed close ahead, forcing the army to slow down and proceed with caution.
"Commander, we are approaching Tianzang Mountain. What if Northern King Xiao has set up another ambush in the depths of the mountain? Then..."
Before the general beside him could finish, the burly Broni waved his hand to interrupt, "Impossible. Do you really think I am as arrogant and foolish as Bruzager? Let me tell you, after the last incident, I have already set up informants in the Tianzang Mountain area and have control over the entire mountain. There are no ambush forces in the depths of the mountain!"
"So that's how it is. Commander Broni is indeed far-sighted and well-prepared. I am impressed!" the adjutant flattered repeatedly.
"Notify the entire army that Northern King Xiao's troops have not yet arrived, nor have they set up an ambush in Tianzang Mountain. Let the entire army pass through at the fastest speed!" Broni declared with a wave of his hand.
The night before dawn is the darkest and quietest. Tianzang Mountain was shrouded in deep darkness. The 280,000 enemy troops advanced at full speed, divided into five corps, and soon passed through Tianzang Mountain.
However, they were unaware that although Xiao Yunlong had not set an ambush in Tianzang Mountain this time, he knew that the same tactic could not be used twice in a short period, as the enemy commanders were not complete fools.
Instead, this time, Xiao Yunlong led his 180,000 troops and had already dug trenches and set up checkpoints in the outer valley of Tianzang Mountain.
The terrain of Tianzang Mountain was very peculiar, resembling a gourd. As long as checkpoints were set up at the mouth of the gourd, which was the exit of the valley, it would not be easy for the troops inside Tianzang Mountain to force their way out.
When Broni and his army arrived at the valley entrance, they were stunned.
"Stop! Quickly order the vanguard to stop!" a general shouted, noticing something was amiss.
"Damn it, how did so many trenches and checkpoints suddenly appear ahead? Could it be..."
Deputy Commander Broni stood on a high rock, looking at the situation outside the valley entrance through his telescope. His face suddenly turned grim, and he gritted his teeth, "Northern King Xiao, this must be your doing again. It's infuriating! I was wondering why you didn't choose to ambush in the depths of Tianzang Mountain this time. So you chose to dig trenches at the mountain pass and build ramparts instead!"
At this moment, a general stepped forward and said, "Commander, please grant me 50,000 troops. I am willing to lead the charge to break through and swear to destroy those trenches and ramparts outside the valley!"
"Good, granted. Without delay, you may proceed immediately!" Broni nodded.
Immediately, the general led his 50,000 soldiers and launched an assault.
However, he had underestimated Xiao Yunlong's military capabilities. As defenders, they were well-rested and had the advantage of trenches, ramparts, and bunkers for defense.
The enemy's 50,000 troops only managed to breach the first defensive line. By the time they reached the second line, they were intercepted and cut off, with almost all of them being annihilated. Only about one to two thousand men managed to escape back into Tianzang Mountain in a sorry state.
"Damn it, why are Northern King Xiao's fortifications so strong? Five thousand troops charged, and they could only break through his first defensive line!"
Seeing this, Broni's head began to ache. He immediately called out, "Which general is willing to go forward and charge?"
Hearing this, the generals in the command tent all lowered their heads, no longer daring to lead the charge.
Just then, a junior officer responsible for transmitting messages rushed in and reported, "Bad news, Commander! Our rear has been blocked by enemy forces!"
"What? Blocked by enemy forces? Which enemy forces? Is it from the east or the west?" Broni asked, his eyes wide.
"It's from the west. The 90,000 defenders who were originally stationed in Pingcheng arrived near Jiacity Pass long ago. As soon as we passed the pass, they immediately followed us and have now completely blocked our retreat!" the young officer said.
"Damn it... We've fallen into the trap again, fallen into the scheme of that despicable and shameless Dragon Countryman, Northern King Xiao!"
Broni growled through gritted teeth, clenching his fists so tightly that his veins bulged and his face contorted.
The generals present also became agitated, with many saying, "I only now realize that Northern King Xiao of the Dragon Country's threat to attack the Stan Kingdom was just a smokescreen. His true intention was to lure our army out of the pass and, at the same time, relieve the crisis in Wancheng!"
"It's truly detestable! It's this trick again. How could we be so foolish to fall for it again!"
"Now that we are blocked from both front and back, we are trapped in Tianzang Mountain, completely becoming turtles in a jar. The situation is extremely unfavorable!"
The generals spoke one after another, making the entire command tent noisy, like a marketplace.
"Silence! All of you, shut up!" Broni roared, and everyone quieted down. He then said, "Complaining won't solve anything. The more critical the situation, the calmer we need to be. Everyone, tell me, what should we do next?"
The general from the Snow Wolf Kingdom immediately said, "Judging by the current situation, advancing forward is impossible. Northern King Xiao of the Dragon Country has already dug trenches and built ramparts, setting up five defensive lines. With our strength, we cannot break through head-on!"
"If we cannot break through from the front, what about retreating? After all, there are only 90,000 defending troops behind us, and Northern King Xiao of the Dragon Country is not present?" Broni asked.
"That's even more impossible. Once we retreat and engage those 90,000 defending troops, Xiao Beiwang will definitely launch a surprise attack from the rear, and might even occupy Tianzang Mountain. Then we will be in even greater danger!" the Snow Wolf Kingdom general analyzed.
"Indeed. At this point, we cannot retreat anymore. After all, besides the 90,000 western front defenders, there are over 200,000 troops in Wancheng on the eastern front. If they join in, our situation will be even more unfavorable!" a general said.
Broni was so angry that his chest felt like it would explode. He roared, "We can't charge forward to break through, and we can't retreat. Then what should we do? Are we supposed to wait here to die?"
The Snow Wolf Kingdom general said, "The best course of action now is to hold our ground and wait for reinforcements. Tianzang Mountain has complex terrain. We should immediately set up defenses. With the advantage of this terrain, even if Northern King Xiao of the Dragon Country charges in with his army, he won't be able to do anything to us in a short time!"
"In addition, we should immediately send out a request for reinforcements. I have learned that our Snow Wolf Kingdom's 300,000 troops have already been assembled, and the vanguard of 80,000 troops has already marched south. They will arrive here by tomorrow morning at the latest. Therefore, as long as we hold on for one day and one night until reinforcements arrive, we can be relieved!"
"That's right, that's right. Looking at the current situation, this is indeed the best plan. Pass down the order, command all corps to find advantageous terrain and set up defenses!"
Broni said, waving his hand, and the generals immediately took action.
Meanwhile, outside the valley entrance, Xiao Yunlong, after waiting for half an hour and not seeing the enemy launch a second wave of attack, couldn't help but smile slightly.
"It seems that not all enemy generals are complete fools. They only launched one probing charge and then stopped. I was actually hoping they would charge a few more times so we could annihilate them all!"
Li Jiuxiao couldn't help but chuckle, "Their charging like this is no different from throwing a meat bun at a dog – there's no return. They wouldn't be that foolish."
Tang Bowen also said at this time, "Judging from the current situation, they should be setting up defensive fortifications based on the advantageous terrain of Tianzang Mountain. The terrain of Tianzang Mountain is very special, so it will be difficult for us to attack it in a short time!"
"It is indeed not easy. At least, I can't think of any effective solution in a short time!" Li Jiuxiao shook his head and said with a wry smile.
"However, according to intelligence, the 80,000 vanguard troops of the Snow Wolf Kingdom have now been captured and will arrive by dawn tomorrow at the latest. We don't have much time left. Once the 80,000 vanguard troops of the Snow Wolf Kingdom arrive and join forces with the over 200,000 enemy troops in Tianzang Mountain to launch a joint charge against us, we will undoubtedly become sandwiched!"
Tang Bowen said with a worried expression. Having studied military strategy since childhood, he could see the situation clearly.
"Then, according to this, aren't we in a precarious situation now? Master, what should we do next?" Pan Chaofeng asked.
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly and said, "A mere over 200,000 enemy troops. Since I have them surrounded in Tianzang Mountain, I naturally have a solution. Tianzang Mountain has two abandoned ancient roads, one on the east and one on the west, that lead to the mountaintop. These are the breakthrough points!"
Speaking of this, Xiao Yunlong's expression turned stern, and he said solemnly, "Qinglong and Xuanwu, listen to my orders. You two will each lead 5,000 elite soldiers and sneak up the mountain through the eastern and western abandoned ancient roads under the cover of night. At that time, I will conduct a massive bombardment of the hinterland of Tianzang Mountain to cover your ascent!"
"Once you successfully ascend the mountain, I will launch a general offensive and strive to end the battle before dawn. I intend to annihilate all 200,000 enemy troops in Tianzang Mountain!"
"Yes!" All the generals present immediately cupped their fists.