361 A Decisive Battle (1/2)
Chapter 361: A Decisive Battle
Translator: TransnEditor: Transn
Having experienced three large-scale attacks and countless strikes launched by killers, the impregnable Great Snowmountain was the Golden Roc Fort's most formidable enemy. This exceeded Supreme King and Zhang Ji's expectations.
In the grand strategy drawn up by the two of them, the critical part was invading Shu-lik by borrowing soldiers, followed by occupying the Central Plain stronghold near the eastern border. Eliminating the Snow Mountain Gang was a minor distraction. According to the plan, the assault would end within half a month.
Til now, the first two plans were going well. Third Young Master Shangguan Yun, leading a troop of 5,000 soldiers and horses, had marched thousands of miles towards the Central Plain stronghold. They failed in the first foray. Shangguan Nu, who was hiding in the stronghold, escaped upon hearing the news, leaving several years worth supplies accumulated by the Central Plain in the hands of Golden Roc Fort. Shangguan Yun was recruiting laborers to build an invincible city in the eastern border, in anticipation of Central Plain retaliating.
The 10,000 cavalry of Norland was even more overwhelming. They won every war and were slowly approaching the capital of Shu-lik, continuously strengthening their forces at the same time.
The Great Snowmountain campsite, located at the eastern entrance of Shu-lik, occupied an important position. Dugu Xian led tens of thousands of people to besiege it. They should occupy it as early as possible, and then lead the troops into Shu-lik to occupy the city after Norland army. Twenty days passed, however, and the Great Snowmountain campsite still resisted. Dugu Xian could only spare a few soldiers to send into Shu-lik, which greatly disrupted Zhang Ji's grand plan.
Norland was like a tiger, and Golden Roc Fort, a wolf compared to it. Even if they worked together, as long as the wolf exposed its weakness, the tiger was very likely to swallow its prey and kick the wolf away. This was what Zhang Ji worried about the most.
The pressure upon Dugu Xian grew. He prepared for the fourth attack, which would be the last attack as well, at least for Dugu Xian.
The Great Snowmountain campsite remained impregnable, but it suffered heavy losses and faced major internal discord.
Over the past few months, the number of swordsman from the Great Snowmountain had gradually increased to more than 2,000, and including the swordsmen brought by machetemen Tuo Nengya, it amounted to around 3,500. After three rounds of war, they had lost almost one-third of the troops.
Moreover, the first two defensive lines had all been broken through. Only one was left. Many people doubted that they could withstand the next attack.
However, the swordsman's morale did not diminish. Having been in hiding for months, everyone was reserving back their strength. Now, they would rather rush out to die in battle rather than wait for death while defending the camp.
Among many high-ranking military officers, Tuo Nengya was the only one who insisted on a defensive strategy. He had once saved the Great Snowmountain at a critical point; that was why he was highly respected. However, his status had declined recently. This was not his fault. As soon as the war had started, many machetemen fled or turned, greatly damaging the swordsmen's impression of the old machetemen.
That night, Tuo Nengya walked through the last snowfall of the winter and headed for the main tent. He intended to discuss military affairs with the chief of the Five Peaks to decide whether they would defend or attack. Till now, the 50-year-old macheteman had refused to accept that he was too old. At this moment, however, he felt that his strength did not match his desire, and he sensed that he might lose this negotiation.
But he was still convinced that Dragon King would create miracles and reverse the situation once again.
When Gu Shenwei was in Stone Kingdom, he had suspected that Golden Roc Fort might find an excuse to start the war again, so he sent three swordsman to ride through the night and return to the Great Snowmountain campsite with a warning. They arrived two days before the war started. Therefore, the Great Snowmountain earned precious time to respond, which was the main reason why they could resist the three strong attacks.
And that was also why Tuo Nengya believed that Dragon King would come back to save the army. All they needed to do were to defend the campsite and maintain their strength.
He entered the main tent. After glancing at the people inside, he knew that this was a fight he would not win.
The chiefs had arrived early. It seemed like they had already reached a agreement.
There were five chiefs in the Great Snowmountain, of which the highest-ranking, Long Qinying, chief of the Luoshen tribe who guarded in the mountain, had appointed a young man of his tribe to perform the duty on behalf of the chief. He seldom expressed his opinions, and he always followed the decisions of the other four chiefs.
The chief of Danduo Peak Long Xiaoshi, who had one of his eyes pecked away by the giant red-crowned roc, was the most influential figure among the five chiefs. The chiefs of Greatsword Peak and Smallsword Peak ceded to his orders.
The chief of Canopy Peak Long Fanyun was a young man. He and Tuo Nengya had once been rewarded by Dragon King the patronus's saber. He had always been a supporter of the old machetemen. Tonight, however, he lowered his head and avoided eye contact with Tuo Nengya.
Long Xiaoshi stood up and spoke on behalf of all the swordsmen of Five Peaks. ”We have held back for too long. The men of the Great Snowmountain do not want to be cowards any more. Even if all the troops of Western Region are outside, we will charge and fight.”
Long Xiaoshi's words made it clear that there was no more room for negotiation. Tuo Nengya did not reply. Long Xiaoshi paused shortly, and then continued, ”We understand that the machetemen have different ideas from us, and we will not force them. In the final battle, the swordsmen will rush to the forefront. As for others, they can choose whether to fight or leave.”
Finishing his speech, he sat back.
Tuo Nengya took off the patronus's saber given by Dragon King from his back and held it respectfully in his arms. He said, ”Although some have escaped and some have turned, please don't lay blame on those here. Have they not fought shoulder to shoulder with you and killed the enemy? Did they not show courage when fighting the army of Golden Roc Fort? Are they not loyal to Dragon King, just like you?”
The five chiefs in the Great Snowmountain looked embarrassed. The young chief of the Canopy Peak Long Fanyun even blushed.
Long Xiaoshi stood up again, holding out his hands in a respectful fist and apologized to the old machetemen. ”I am a rude man who is not good at speaking, please forgive me, Boss Tuo. To me, every macheteman who fought shoulder to shoulder with us is as good as any man in the Great Snowmountain. However, we are still somewhat different from you. We only know how to attack, and do not know how to defend. We are born to die on the battlefield.”