Chapter 334 (1/2)

“Kill!” The Xiliang Cavalry shouted with a voice that would have startled the average troops as they charged forward. It was not something a person could easily endure. Even Liu Mang was sweating. Liu Mang told himself that he had a.s.surance. Although he did not have much, it was the only thing he could do.

Hu Che Er’s had been forced to take these actions by Liu Mang and Liu Ye. Similarly, Liu Mang was also forced to do this as Zhang Xiu, Liu Bei and Sun Ce had allied with each other. In this world, one would be killed if he does not kill others.

Hu Che Er slowed down and fell behind his men. He was not cowardly but in the end, he was only a general. His martial prowess was nowhere near Lu Bu’s level so it was better for him to remain behind giving commands as opposed to charging in front where he could be killed t any time. Taking the lead at the start was simply to act as a role model. This is to raise their morale.

Liu Mang became even more afraid when he saw Hu Che Er’s actions. This is because Hu Che Er was as good at leading a charge compared to his Father-in-law. He did not have fighting skills like Lu Bu but brute force had always been more suitable for Lu Bu.

Zhang Liao did not have Lu Bu’s level of skills but could lead the Wolf Cavalry just as well as Lu Bu. He was in charge because people like Chen Gong and Liu Mang had to deal with other methods. Zhang Liao was extremely talented and Liu Mang could even entrust Yangzhou to Zhang Liao with a peace of mind. Liu Mang had simply been afraid that Hu Che Er was also such a person.

“They are here!” Liu Mang steeled himself. Xiliang Cavalry had already started to approach. Initially, they were over a thousand paces away but this distance could easily be covered.

“Spear units!” Liu Mang ordered as he brandished his sword. They were not only holding s.h.i.+elds. Behind the first row of s.h.i.+elds were men holding spears.

The first row of the Xiliang Cavalry and the first row of the Urban Army collided. The Xiliang Cavalry started their charge from the hills and had astonis.h.i.+ng power. Their momentum along with their total weight were heavily hammered onto the s.h.i.+eld soldiers.

Even though the Urban Army had s.h.i.+elds and armor to protect them, the powerful force was difficult to endure. They received internal injuries and their faces turn pale. After receiving the damage, some of the troops spat out blood and internal organs. Still, they all persevered as they clenched their jaws with pale faces. They swallowed back the blood they spat out. The ones that spat out internal organs were going to die anyway so, they worked even harder.

The Urban Army suffered from this but so did the Xiliang Cavalry. Although the Xiliang Cavalry had caused damage to the first row of the Tortoise Formation, they also suffered because they did not manage to break through the formation and felt the rebounding force. Some were trampled or were pierced by spears of the others charging from behind. The pitiful one still lived even after turning into kebab and could only wail in anguish.

The Xiliang Cavalry continued to attack. Even though their first group was met with disaster, they were not afraid as numbers would be the deciding factor. Their repeated attacks caused the s.h.i.+elds to crack. Some of the s.h.i.+eld troops were no longer able to persevere. They spat out blood and fell onto the ground.

“Move up!” Liu Mang roared. The Tortoise Formation is circular like a tortoise’s sh.e.l.l. If the sh.e.l.l is broken, death would not be far away.

The Urban Army troops from the back quickly moved to the front to receive the blows. They Urban Army continued to persevere like this until hundreds of the Xiliang Cavalry had perished. A small crack could then be seen at the formation. Although this Urban Army soldier did his best and sacrificed his life, he was still unable to stop the Xiliang Cavalry. A single vacant spot in the formation was only like a small crack but the Xiliang Cavalry reacted as though they were sharks that smelled blood and quickly attacked.

“Haha. King of Shu! I already said that I will take your head!” Hu Che Er saw the gap and knew that the Xiliang Cavalry would be able to win if they were to tear that gap open.

“Move! Move!” The soldiers at the back quickly tried to fill the gap. Some used s.h.i.+elds, some used spears and some threw their bodies in front to block the way. However, it would not be so easy as the Xiliang Cavalry would not allow it to happen.

“Han Sheng! Let us go out as well!” Liu Mang was no longer on a horse. He also threw away his sword and raised his s.h.i.+elds as he charged forward.

“Milord!” Huang Zhong did not hesitate. He would go wherever Liu Mang went. Liu Mang held the s.h.i.+eld in front while Huang Zhong shot arrows from the back.

“Die!” One soldier from the Xiliang Cavalry had just only cut off the head of an Urban Army soldier, splas.h.i.+ng blood everywhere. Before he had the chance to feel excited for his newly acquired trophy, Liu Mang smashed his head with his bladed s.h.i.+eld. The gap was resealed after killing off a few more men. However, with Liu Mang guarding this spot, other spots would be in peril.

They were severely outnumbered. At average, one Urban Army soldier would need to fight against three enemies. The Urban Army may be Liu Mang’s elites but they were only evenly matched against the Xiliang Cavalry. Outnumbered three to one, the Urban Army remain helpless even when they are in formation.

“Han Sheng! Go over there!” Liu Mang was unable to leave his current location as he needed to help the Urban Army re-establish the defensive line. The only one that could help him deal with the problems elsewhere was Huang Zhong.

“Milord. What about you?” Huang Zhong did not dare to leave Liu Mang. He had been instructed by Lu Bu and Chen Gong to ensure Liu Mang’s safety even if he had to throw away Yangzhou. Huang Zhong also vowed to protect Liu Mang with his life.

“Don’t worry about me! They would not be able to take me as long as the Tortoise Formation still stands!” Liu Mang explained to Huang Zhong. After a while, he became angry when he saw that Huang Zhong still had not acted. He roared. “We are running out of time! Go! Are you going to disobey my orders now?”