strictlysupreme Chapter 2018 Testing
Chapter 2018 Testing
"One of the sharpest blades under Chu Ning's command, a fierce general known for his bravery and recklessness."
"He personally led 20,000 elite cavalry in a night raid. It seems that Chu Ning is not content with being idle and wants to test how well my camp is secured."
He instantly discerned the Chu army's intentions—this was by no means a signal for a decisive battle, but rather a premeditated military reconnaissance or a provocation aimed at demoralizing the troops.
If it were an ordinary general, being so emboldened by the enemy to the front of his camp, he might have been filled with righteous indignation and ordered his troops to march out of the camp to meet the enemy in order to dampen their morale.
But who is Li Jing?
He was a veteran of countless battles and had a deep understanding of the essentials of military strategy.
He knew that it would be unwise to rashly leave the camp and engage in open battle with the well-rested and powerful elite cavalry of the Chu army, especially against a fierce general of Ran Ming's caliber, when the enemy situation was unclear and the night was deep.
What the other side wants is to annihilate the enemy in open battle, or to force him to reveal a weakness.
In the blink of an eye, Li Jing had made his decision.
He whirled around and sternly gave orders to the messenger standing beside him, who also looked tense. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an iron will and clearly echoed throughout the area:
"Pass on my command!"
"Each battalion must remain at its post and not act rashly! Without my order, no one is permitted to leave the camp to engage in battle!"
"All archers, advance immediately, take advantage of the fortifications, palisades, and arrow towers, occupy advantageous positions, prepare sufficient arrows, and await further instructions!"
"Pikemen and shield bearers, form ranks behind the camp gates and palisades to prevent enemy attacks!"
"The cavalry shall remain in camp and await orders. Without a signal, they shall not launch an attack!"
"Tell them that if the Chu army dares to approach, they will be met with a hail of arrows! Let them taste the might of the Tang Dynasty's crossbows!"
"As ordered!"
The messenger loudly accepted the order, immediately mounted his horse, and led a troop of personal guards, rushing like arrows to various parts of the camp, loudly conveying Li Jing's instructions.
The Tang army, which was initially somewhat panicked by the enemy's surprise attack, seemed to find its backbone and quickly calmed down after receiving this clear and firm order.
Under the command of their officers, the soldiers quickly rushed to their posts, following their usual drills.
The archers calmly checked the bowstrings and quivers, nocking the cold arrows onto the crenellations or aiming holes.
At the command of the captain, the pikemen formed a dense array of spears behind the camp gate and fence, their gleaming spear tips flashing coldly in the campfire.
The entire Tang army camp, like a frightened hedgehog, instantly curled up, revealing its sharp and deadly edge, and stood ready for battle.
Li Jing remained standing before the command tent, gazing at the approaching torrent of cavalry, rolling like thunder, and the large banner bearing the character "Ran" faintly visible in the torchlight, his eyes cold.
He wanted to see what tricks this fierce general of the Chu army could pull off in the face of his impregnable camp.
Tonight, no one is destined to sleep peacefully.
Under the cover of night, ten thousand riders galloped!
With Ran Ming as the spearhead, the 20,000 Chu cavalrymen, like a death torrent from the underworld, charged fiercely towards the brightly lit Tang army camp with a ferocious momentum that could crush everything.
The sound of horses' hooves was like a continuous thunderclap, shaking the earth. The soaring killing intent almost solidified, scorching the cold air.
"Steady! Steady!"
Behind the fence of the Tang army camp, officers of all ranks shouted hoarsely.
Gazing at the rapidly enlarging shadows of the cavalry in the darkness, surging in like a tidal wave, even seasoned veterans couldn't help but feel cold sweat trickling down their palms.
Just as the Chu army's cavalry vanguard had charged into firing range, a sharp clang suddenly pierced the night sky from within the Tang army's camp!
"Fire arrows!"
“Swish, swish, swish—!”
In an instant, countless cold stars rose into the air from behind the Tang camp's fence and above the arrow tower!
The dense barrage of arrows, like locusts swarming across the land, with a chilling whistling sound, wove a massive, deadly net that descended upon the charging Chu cavalry!
Arrows rained down on the first half of the charge, their sharp tips gleaming with a deadly cold light in the moonlight and torchlight.
"Raise shields! Form defensive formation!"
Facing the overwhelming rain of arrows, Ran Ming, who was charging ahead, showed no fear in his eyes, only an even more fervent fighting spirit.
He let out a roar like a bear, which shook the surrounding area.
Upon receiving the order, the well-trained Chu cavalry moved swiftly. The cavalrymen at the front and flanks quickly raised the round shields hanging beside their saddles to protect themselves and their horses' vitals.
At the same time, the entire charging formation slightly contracted to reduce the area exposed to arrows.
"Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding..."
The sound of arrows striking shields and armor was like a torrential downpour pounding on a tin roof, continuous and relentless.
Arrows kept piercing through the defenses, striking knights or warhorses, and screams and neighing of horses filled the air.
At the edge of the charging torrent, men and horses rolled and fell, but the overall momentum of the charge was not completely stopped by the rain of arrows, and it continued to advance tenaciously!
However, Li Jing's preparations went far beyond that.
Just as the Chu cavalry, braving a hail of arrows, charged closer to the camp—less than two hundred paces away—and could clearly see the tense faces of the Tang soldiers behind the palisade—
"Om-!"
"Boom!"
A deeper, more chilling roar came from deep within Tang's camp!
That was the terrifying sound of a large catapult swinging its boom.
Immediately afterwards, dozens of stones the size of millstones, or even larger, with destructive force, ripped through the dark night sky as if hurled by ancient giants.
With a mournful whistle, it crashed heavily into the charging ranks of the Chu cavalry!
This is no longer a delicate arrow, but pure, overwhelming power!
"boom!"
"Crack!"
"Xilulu——!"
Where the boulder fell, the scene was horrific.
The sturdy shields shattered like paper before absolute power, the armored warhorses were smashed into mincemeat before they could even utter a mournful cry, and the valiant knights were crushed to dust, armor and all!
A boulder can even carve a bloody trench in the ground, leaving people and horses sprawling and bones broken wherever it goes!
The charging Chu cavalry formation was as if it had been struck hard by an invisible giant hammer.
Several terrifying blank areas appeared instantly, halting the previously unstoppable momentum and inevitably slowing down the speed.
Chaos and panic began to spread like a plague through the ranks.
"Damn it!"
Ran Ming cursed angrily. As a huge rock crashed down on him like a meteor, he did not dodge but instead his eyes flashed with a fierce light.
With a sudden tug on the reins, the warhorse reared up.
His arms were bulging with muscles, bursting with astonishing power. The giant axe in his hand, as big as a door panel, swung out fiercely from bottom to top with the force of splitting mountains and rocks!
"Open it for me!"
"boom--!"