The spear, like a dragon, streaked across the sky, piercing a Postnatal Ninth Layer expert to the city wall in an instant, blood splattering!
His feet carved through the battlefield, leaving two long gouges!
Wherever the army passed, corpses lay shattered, soldiers of ten thousand men had several heads hanging from their waists, and even the head of the bandit leader was carried on Liao Hua’s three-pointed halberd.
A massacre.
This was a one-sided slaughter.
Other surviving bandits, witnessing this firsthand, felt their legs turn to jelly, their weapons clattering to the ground as they retreated step by step, gazing at Liao Hua, who was like a demon from the heavens.
The three-pointed halberd, blazing with fierce flames, was like divine punishment!
As if condemned to death!
Roars!
Shouts of killing!
Piercing their nerves like the judges of the underworld, each sound a harbinger of doom!
The army of five thousand, united as one, pounded their fragile nerves with every step!
They had roamed Liangzhou, and even the city of Wudu, in their eyes, was as vulnerable as a chicken or a dog, taken with no effort.
Even when the Liangzhou provincial army was dispatched to encircle and suppress them, they could fight and retreat, remaining safe and sound for over a decade.
But now, facing the Jingzhou soldiers, they had lost their former spirit. Such a powerful army, all composed of Yuan Nascent First Layer cultivators!
Terrifying indeed!
“Kill!”
The soldiers’ eyes bulged with blood, veins popping, their right hands, marked with sword scars, pressed tightly against their chests.
Boom!
Ten thousand troops thundered, their long sabers flashing, their weapons ready to fulfill their oath to the deceased citizens of Wudu!
Surging bloodlight filled the heavens and earth, the moonlight lost its color, and the world fell silent!
The bandits, their faces contorted in terror, collapsed.
Clang!
Long swords, one after another, slaughtered the last of the bandits, severing their heads. The entire city gate plaza was strewn with corpses, blood pooling!
Not long after the cries of Wudu disappeared, the surviving citizens cautiously emerged from their homes.
On the streets stood a magnificent, upright army, holding torches, their warmth once again illuminating the ravaged city.
...
Outside the city gates of Wudu Commandery.
A head tower, several zhang high, stood in the city gate plaza, its crimson flames burning the hideous skulls!
Hiss!
Blood steamed, the stench of raw flesh overpowering!
One by one, skulls were fiercely embedded into the Wudu city walls by the Jingzhou soldiers, a truly spectacular sight!
As the head tower, several zhang high, burned with fierce flames, Yang Hao, far away in Shujun Commandery City, felt his heart twist in agony, his rage boiling!
"Ding, Liao Hua has captured Wudu, gaining fifty thousand faith points and ten thousand slaughter points!"
What’s going on? Why such a small amount of faith points for an entire commandery?
Yang Hao urgently communicated with the system in his mind. The vast and mysterious Reincarnation Profound Yellow Pagoda emitted golden light, and a beam of light shot out.
A blue screen appeared!
The horrific scenes of bandits invading Wudu, burning, killing, plundering, and the suffering of the starving populace, assaulted Yang Hao’s vision.
Clang!
Zhu Sheng was about to report to Yang Hao. As he reached the doorway, a table and chairs flew out.
Zhu Sheng approached cautiously and said, "My Lord, what has caused such great anger!"
Ever since Yang Hao returned to the city with Wan Mizhai, he had not left his residence nor engaged in political affairs. Why was he suddenly so angry?
Yang Hao gritted his teeth, his fists clenching ominously, "These damned bandits turned Wudu into a sea of blood, and the populace is reduced to one in ten!"
"Wudu flowed with blood, and the land was strewn with the starving!"
As Yang Hao spoke, he drew the treasured sword from the hall and plunged it fiercely into the wooden plank.
"Zhu Sheng, select one hundred thousand civilians from three commanderies and resettle them in Wudu. Remember not to force them. Those willing to go to Wudu will be exempted from taxes for five years and provided with seeds and tools."
"Send an army for escort, and construct housing and repair the streets!"
"Notify Liao Hua to make proper arrangements for reception, handle Wudu's civil affairs, and appease the city's populace!"
His voice was deep, his expression grave.
"As you command!"
The news of Liao Hua capturing Wudu had not yet arrived. How did his Lord know the situation in Wudu?
Zhu Sheng looked at the angry Yang Hao, a secret suspicion forming in his heart that the situation in Wudu was likely not good. He quickly bowed and withdrew.
...
...
Outside the city of Longxi, on a gobi desert, ten thousand troops were stationed, consisting of five thousand cavalry and five thousand infantry, their presence imposing!
This force was not from the Liangzhou provincial army, but an army led by Zhou Yuji, under Yang Hao. Upon receiving their mission, they had been awaiting Wu Yong's return.
After the mission handover was complete, the army of ten thousand, like sharp fangs, fiercely tore through the turbid atmosphere of Liangzhou.
"Reporting to the Prefect, Zhou Yuji, under Yang Hao, commands ten thousand troops, stationed on the gobi desert. Currently, there is no intention of attack."
A scout from Longxi galloped to the foot of the city wall and shouted loudly.
"Investigate further!"
Lin Yue, the Prefect of Longxi, his complexion slightly sallow, his brow furrowed. Since the world fell into chaos, smoke of war had risen everywhere. However, this Lin Yue was somewhat capable.
He had courted various powerful families, promising them high positions and noble titles, thus firmly controlling the power in Longxi.
He lorded over them, displaying great authority.
But just yesterday, an army of ten thousand suddenly appeared on the gobi desert not far from the city, amassing outside the commandery city, their gazes covetous.
"Prefect, this Yang Hao is a newly risen power, occupying three commanderies in Yizhou. Although we are officials of the same court, we cannot be too careful!"
A deputy general looked at Lin Yue and said.
"Prefect, Yang Hao had no prior contact with our Longxi. Now he has amassed troops outside the city. Prefect, we must be vigilant!"
A civil official was anxious and said.
"Indeed! Indeed!"
A group of officials cried out.
"According to you, what should we do?"
Lin Yue clutched his treasured sword.
He too wished to wield his sword and bring order to the world, to conquer the land, but his strength was insufficient to support the deep desires in his heart.
Under the instigation of the officials, his heart stirred subtly. He wanted to take a gamble and become the overlord of Liangzhou.
"Prefect, Yang Hao's army has traveled a long distance. Their primal energy is insufficient at this moment, and their morale is unstable. Moreover, our Longxi produces abundant cavalry, while Yizhou is mostly mountainous, relying primarily on infantry!"
"Prefect, we have the advantage of time, terrain, and human harmony. If we march now, we will surely annihilate the enemy in one fell swoop!"
"Strike first, and be safe; strike later, and be endangered!"
The deputy general spoke forcefully, his words full of spirit.
"Good! Notify the entire army to march out and meet the enemy. For every person killed, a reward of one hundred taels of gold!"
Lin Yue's heart hardened. In times of chaos, where were the laws of the dynasty? Only the sword in one's hand mattered!
Lin Yue's eyes gleamed. He drew his treasured sword and pointed it directly at the gobi desert. This battle would be the one to ignite his ambitious aspirations.
On the gobi desert, Zhou Yuji rode at the front of the army.
"General, the vanguard cavalry of Longxi, numbering ten thousand, is expected to arrive at the gobi desert in half an hour."
A scout flew in on horseback to report.
"Are all preparations complete?" Sudansha Novel Network
Zhou Yuji's expression was calm. He slowly turned to ask his deputy. As soon as they arrived at the gobi desert, they had discovered Longxi scouts observing their movements not far away.
Zhou Yuji then conceived a plan, dispersing five thousand infantry soldiers around the perimeter and concealing the cavalry within the army to hide their strength.
At the same time, he ordered the digging of pit traps, filled with sharp spears.
"Reporting to the General, all arrangements are complete."