"Kill!"
Like a vast, crimson tide, an overwhelming surge poured into Blood Mountain Pass. Countless soldiers of the Blood Sun Dynasty, survivors of the black iron ball bombardment, roared as they met the Vermillion Bird Legion.
Even if they managed to escape this place by some miracle, given the Blood Sun Emperor's fiery temper, they would likely be apprehended by the imperial court, perhaps even implicating their families. It was better to fight to the death and earn a reputation as valiant defenders of the nation. Those with no other path could only brace themselves for the storm's onslaught.
Soldiers of the Blood Sun Dynasty, their bodies still aflame, paid no heed to the inferno. Gritting their teeth, their eyes ablaze with fire, devoid of any discernible emotion, they charged forward with ferocious visages.
"Sizzle!!"
Even at their peak, they might have stood a chance against the Vermillion Bird Legion. But now, battered by iron balls and consumed by flames, their bodies were incredibly fragile. In an instant, a sea of blood spread, and mist of gore billowed!
"Kill!!"
Soldiers of the Blood Sun Dynasty, fearless in the face of death, did not falter even as their comrades fell one after another!
"Sizzle!"
"Bang bang bang!"
The soldiers of the Vermillion Bird Legion, their entire bodies, including their sharp blades, were enveloped in a faint Southern Bright Flame. In an instant, they tore through the flesh of the Blood Sun Dynasty soldiers. Blooms of burning blood scattered like tragic sparks!
Nearly half a million Vermillion Bird soldiers, arrayed in a single line, stretching for over a dozen ranks, surged like a tide, washing over Blood Mountain Pass layer after layer, thoroughly purging it. Everywhere lay shattered flesh, incomplete bodies, and faintly recognizable faces. Blood Mountain Pass was no longer the western frontier's foremost stronghold and military fortress of the Blood Sun Dynasty!
It was more fittingly called a blood sea purgatory!
The terrain of Blood Mountain Pass was slightly higher than the surrounding mountains. Streams of blood flowed from within the pass, mingling with the scorched remnants of walls and ruins. The blood was a deep crimson tinged with black, and centered on Blood Mountain Pass, it seeped into the soil in all directions like rivers.
...
Inside the Vermillion Bird Legion's command tent at Blood Mountain Pass, Zhang Liao, Chen Gong, and Gan Ning sat around a sand table.
"Strategist!"
"Given the distance from the Blood Sun Dynasty's capital to this place, the Blood Sun Dynasty's reinforcements must have already reached within a hundred li of Blood Mountain Pass."
Zhang Liao pointed to the mountain ranges on the sand table, a slight frown on his brow. "The battle for Blood Mountain Pass has fully commenced. Our current actions will undoubtedly alert the Blood Sun Dynasty's reinforcement army. Strategist, what are your thoughts?"
"General Zhang, the Blood Sun Dynasty's commander is Marquis Lie Feng. You must have met him before. The domineering and iron-blooded might you displayed that day must have deeply imprinted itself upon Marquis Lie Feng's mind and spirit. The battle at Blood Mountain Pass now will surely make him anxious and fearful."
"He will certainly accelerate his advance and most likely pass through the Soul Soaring River here!" Chen Gong pointed to a river fifty li east of Blood Mountain Pass. This river was named the Soul Soaring River, which directly bisected the east of Blood Mountain Pass, like a giant python coiled in the east.
"The situation is urgent. Marquis Lie Feng will undoubtedly attempt to cross the Soul Soaring River. General Zhang, this is an excellent ambush location."
"Understood!"
Zhang Liao, Gan Ning, and Xu Chu stepped forward simultaneously. As they surveyed the terrain around the Soul Soaring River, Chen Gong squinted, a smile playing on his lips.
"Gentlemen, please observe!"
"The Soul Soaring River is a natural defensive bastion to the east of Blood Mountain Pass. The current here is swift, and the primal energy is prone to violent disturbances. Fierce beasts lurk beneath the river, and their cultivation is immensely powerful. Even martial artists in the Divine Mansion realm would most likely detour around it!"
"Because this river is extremely perilous, local martial artists call it the Soul Soaring River!"
"Our assault on Blood Mountain Pass has been quite significant, coupled with the fireballs and blazing iron balls launched by the trebuchets that obscured the sun and covered the sky. This will surely cause panic for Marquis Lie Feng's reinforcement army, who have traveled a long distance. They will surely seek speed amidst danger and attempt to cross the Soul Soaring River!"
"Gentlemen, I have three strategies that can, with little effort, or even without expending a single soldier, allow us to capture Marquis Lie Feng's million-strong army!"
"And deliver a fatal blow to the Blood Sun Dynasty!"
"Speak quickly, Strategist!" Xu Chu, impatient, blurted out, causing the people in the command tent to burst into laughter.
"Gentlemen!" Chen Gong surveyed the surroundings, looking at Zhang Liao, Gan Ning, and Xu Chu. Lu Kang, Gao Shun, and Liao Hua were currently handling the aftermath at Blood Mountain Pass.
"My first strategy is—the Soul Soaring Heavenly River!"
"General Zhang Liao can be ordered to lead an army of 100,000 to ambush on the opposite bank of the Soul Soaring River. General Zhang Liao's reputation has long struck awe in all directions. With General Zhang Liao presiding, this first strategy will surely yield twice the results with half the effort!"
"When Marquis Lie Feng crosses the Soul Soaring River and three-fifths of his army reaches the mid-river position, the army will instantly launch its attack. First, a barrage of rockets and blazing iron balls. Then, hundreds of soldiers will erect General Zhang Liao's banner to create a formidable presence. At this point, Marquis Lie Feng's army will be utterly routed. General Zhang Liao will then advance and, with a single strike, completely shatter the enemy's morale."
"At this point, the first strategy will have achieved its intended effect. Marquis Lie Feng will surely believe that a large army is lying in wait ahead, fraught with danger, and that Blood Mountain Pass is likely lost. Marquis Lie Feng will surely retreat."
"And at this moment, we can implement the second strategy—Flooding the Army!"
"When Marquis Lie Feng's army retreats from the Soul Soaring River and makes a rapid withdrawal eastward, General Xu Chu can dispatch 100,000 soldiers to ambush on these higher mountain peaks, preparing large stones and massive logs. Once the army reaches this location, a volley of arrows will rain down, followed by bombardment with stones and logs."
"At this point, we can wave flags and shout, creating the illusion of a million-strong army. This, firstly, will further erode the enemy's will to fight. Secondly, it will serve as a signal for General Zhang Liao. When the flags are raised, General Zhang Liao can break open the Soul Soaring River and flood the army!"
"With the torrent of water and the rampage of fierce beasts, Marquis Lie Feng's army will be reduced to less than one in ten. However, this location is relatively higher, and the floodwaters will not linger here for too long. The remaining soldiers of Marquis Lie Feng's army will surely flee north in desperation!"
"And at this point, this third strategy is about creating momentum!"
"Creating momentum?"
Zhang Liao, Xu Chu, and Gan Ning frowned simultaneously.
"Haha!"
"General Zhang Liao and General Xu Chu are already renowned far and wide, with illustrious reputations. And Marquis Lie Feng can be considered the second most powerful person in the Blood Sun Dynasty after the Emperor. If General Gan Ning were to strike down Marquis Lie Feng at this moment, it would bring three benefits."
Chen Gong smiled at the three of them.
"Strategist, speak plainly. Listening to this makes my heart, Xu Chu, extremely uneasy!" Xu Chu snorted, a hint of grievance in his eyes.
"Haha, firstly, it will psychologically dismantle the Blood Sun Dynasty's fighting spirit and cast a suffocating atmosphere over them. Secondly, it will allow General Gan Ning to carry Marquis Lie Feng's head, making his fame resonate far and wide. Thirdly, it will further enhance the supreme national prestige of our Great Han Dynasty!"