Chapter 1138: Hanging by a Thread! (2/2)

A harsh and enraged voice rang out in everyone's ears. Qutaybah was an immovable figure with an aloof expression, and it seemed like nothing in the world could affect him, but for Wang Chong to have enough spare attention to keep an eye on Mansur while fiercely battling him, even finding time to launch an attack, was deeply humiliating to Qutaybah.

The proud and conceited Qutaybah who almost always looked down on his opponent was seemingly angered by Wang Chong's actions.

Rumble!

The sky quaked as a dazzling beam of golden Sword Qi that was originally aimed at the black-armored guard suddenly turned toward Wang Chong.

Wang Chong's entire body was burning like a golden pyre, and behind him, a massive golden god crossed its arms to block Qutaybah's terrifying strike.

”Master, General Li, Lord Gao, Village Chief! Everyone, withdraw! Abandon Talas and return to the Western Regions!”

Wang Chong's bellow exploded like a peal of thunder in the sky, resounding throughout Talas. This order shocked everyone on the Tang side. After three to four months of fierce fighting, after they had pushed back the Arabs, Tibetans, and Western Turks again and again, in the end, Wang Chong was forced to make the prudent decision. The Tang army would have to retreat at full speed, returning to the Western Regions so that the last of its strength could be preserved.

Buzz!

As if a whirlwind had passed through, all the craftsmen and the various tribesmen on the walls of Talas began to panic.

Lost!

The Great Tang had lost!

In the end, the Great Tang had still lost this war against the Arabs and Tibetans. With Talas lost, the trilateral alliance's army was certain to push farther into the Western Regions.

In the sky, the Governor of Iron and Blood was stunned at first, but then he began to laugh. ”Hahaha, Gao Xianzhi, Wang Chong, you've finally lost. Alas, none of you will get the chance to return to the Western Regions!”

He knew a little of the Tang language, so he could clearly understand Wang Chong's order. After paying such an enormous price, Arabia had finally won the war. This protracted fighting had made Abu Muslim forget that his initial goal had been to occupy Talas and use it as a bridgehead to attack the Great Tang.

Now, Abu Muslim's wishes were about to be fulfilled, but he no longer wanted just Talas.

”All of you should stay here!”

Abu Muslim's entire body shivered, and the bronze 'Eye of the Demon God' gauntlet on his hand began to exude a dazzling light. Raaaa! An ancient and bleak roar emerged from the gauntlet, akin to the furious and bloodthirsty roars of the now-lost Seventy-Two Demon Gods. Boom! Roiling torrents of Stellar Energy shot forward like black dragons toward Gao Xianzhi and Wang Chong.

”Eight Ultimate Sunderings Art!”

With no time to think, Gao Xianzhi spread out his fingers, the pillars of the Eight Ultimate Sunderings Art shooting forward to block Abu Muslim's attack. As these energies clashed, Gao Xianzhi's body shivered and his aura wavered. He was forced to take several steps back as his face turned ghastly pale.

Gao Xianzhi had consumed an enormous amount of Stellar Energy over the course of this battle, and even he was finding it hard to endure any longer.

”Wang Chong, you go first. The Great Tang can't lose you! I'll cover the retreat!” Gao Xianzhi sternly said, his eyes shining with resolve.

Dalun Ruozan's plan had been too vicious. None of them had accounted for that ritual tool in their plans, and it had completely upset the Great Tang's arrangements. Moreover, Qutaybah was simply too powerful, preventing them from easily retreating.

If someone did not pay the ultimate price and cover the retreat, no one would be able to leave.

And in this situation, the black-armored guard, Wushang Village Chief, and the Demonic Emperor Old Man were all heavily injured, and their injuries were only getting worse. They simply didn't have the strength to cover the retreat. As for Wang Chong…

Never in Gao Xianzhi's life had he so ardently wanted to protect a junior. Gao Xianzhi could see hope for the entire Great Tang in the person of Wang Chong. His intelligence and grasp for strategy, his resolve and persistence, his undying loyalty to the Great Tang—these were precisely the things that this era, that the Great Tang, needed.

If Gao Xianzhi could protect him and keep him alive, he could die without regrets.

”No! Leave this place to me! Lord Gao, take everyone else and get out of here!”

Wang Chong immediately knew what Gao Xianzhi was trying to do. The army needed someone to cover its retreat, but Gao Xianzhi was definitely not the man for the job.

”Wang Chong, don't be stubborn! Get out of here!” Gao Xianzhi anxiously said.

They didn't have much time left. Every second wasted was another bit of strength shaved away, leaving them even less capable of escaping.