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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 16: Ambush
In an instant, more arrows intertwined in the air above the battlefield, creating a stunning tapestry of chaos. This barrage completely disrupted the formation of the New Arrivals at the front line. The Cult, having evaded the arrows, began to regroup and charged towards the Zhang City Soldiers.
The Great Seat had brought seven beasts with him, known as Chalro Worms and Shepherd Worms. These creatures resembled snails; whenever a Shepherd Worm curled into its shell, any attack would be blocked by its hard exterior. The Shepherd Worm had two powerful antennae atop its head that appeared soft when not attacking, but became incredibly rigid when they struck at prey.
The Zhang City Soldiers were helpless against the Shepherd Worms. The antennae could easily tear through human flesh, and despite their massive size—comparable to that of a wild elephant—the Shepherd Worms were well-protected and moved slowly. Each shell could accommodate ten people, with a railing about half a person’s height secured around it.
Those crouched behind the railing could launch arrows at enemies near the Shepherd Worms. The Cult members on top of the Shepherd Worms were equipped with throwing knives, leaving devastation in their wake as they advanced, littering the ground with corpses.
At this moment, seeing that their attacks on the Shepherd Worms were ineffective, the Zhang City Soldiers decided to ignore them and instead focused their arrows on the Cult members atop the shells. Some of these Cult members were caught off guard and fell to their deaths, while others quickly ducked behind the railing to avoid the incoming arrows.
One particularly enraged Shepherd Worm charged at the pikemen from Zhang City, who had been attempting to jab it in the head with their spears. Suddenly, one spear grazed under its jaw. In a fit of anger and surprise, the Shepherd Worm partially retreated into its shell but quickly thrust its antennae forward, killing one of the pikemen.
For the Zhang City Soldiers, the situation was nearly beyond control. However, their objective was not to kill the Shepherd Worms; they were there to cover Deputy Wei's retreat. These soldiers had not come uninvited; they were summoned by Prince Huixin. Shortly after Prince Huixin left Fierce Death Valley, he awoke and saw Zhang City Patrolmen passing by, prompting him to seek an audience with Zhang City Lord.
Upon hearing Prince Huixin's report about a significant victory over Fierce Death Valley, Zhang City Lord understood the gravity of the situation and his disdain for Hall of Malevolence. Thus, he agreed to Prince Huixin's request for assistance. The contingent of Zhang City Soldiers arrived swiftly as if they had sprung from the ground itself to provide aid.
Seeing many Zhang City Soldiers surrounding the Shepherd Worms, the Cult realized that while defeating these creatures was not their primary goal, they were still formidable opponents. The Zhang City Soldiers devised various strategies to bring down the Shepherd Worms.
Taming such large beasts was no easy task. As the Cult swarmed around the Zhang City Soldiers like ants, it appeared that despite their fierce resistance, their defensive lines were becoming chaotic under pressure from the Cult's assault.
However, this was merely a trap set by the Zhang City Soldiers. They feigned defeat in this large-scale battle to make Hall of Malevolence's Cult believe they could easily win and to encourage Great Seat to underestimate them. Ultimately, this would turn their apparent defeat into a resounding victory.
Great Seat recognized his opponent's intentions as they led his Cult towards the left hillside. He immediately ordered his troops to halt in place.
"They didn't fall for it; we need to retreat," a Zhangcheng Captain said to the Zhangcheng Officer.
On the hill, they had set up barrels of fire. As long as the Cult fell into their trap, they would be engulfed in flames. However, the Great Seat was astute and did not take the bait. Initially, the Zhang City officer was reluctant to pull back his troops, but seeing that Wei Deputy and the Cavalry had already moved far away, their objective had been achieved. Even the soldiers who were willing to sacrifice their lives to protect Wei Deputy had long since departed.
The Shepherd Worm was quite troublesome; it had moved closer, protecting each other. The officer observed the situation and realized that any further delay would only increase unnecessary casualties. Finally, the call for retreat sounded. The Cult continued their pursuit, and with every step back taken by the Zhang City Soldiers, there were losses.
"The losses are too great," the Zhangcheng Captain said as he retreated on horseback, glancing at the situation while assisting the officer in fighting back. "If we can't maintain some distance from them, even if we manage to escape, we might not have half our numbers left."
The officer replied, "Do you have any brilliant plans?"
The captain's gaunt face grew even heavier. "Leave a portion of our men behind as a meat shield to stop their main force from closing in on us!"
The officer was furious. "You want my soldiers to stay behind to die? Am I such a coward? This matter should not be mentioned again!"
The captain risked his life to speak up. "If we retreat at this snail's pace, more people will be killed!"
No matter how much the officer did not want to hear those words, what the captain said was true. The Hall of Malevolence's Cult was rampaging through the ranks of Zhang City Soldiers with weapons drawn, attacking anyone within reach without regard for who stood before them.
The captain held great respect for this officer; he knew he was not someone who feared death. But now, in order to save as many soldiers as possible, he could only speak out like this.
After thinking for a moment, the officer said, "Leave the warhorses behind; do you understand what I mean?"
The captain immediately understood but hesitated slightly; horses were more valuable than men. However, he replied, "I understand."
The captain waved to summon dozens of Cavalry, and they galloped forward together.
Great Seat followed closely behind, noticing that the opposing Cavalry had already taken off. For a moment, Great Seat couldn't understand why, but then thought to himself that the Cavalry must be afraid and had fled to save their lives. A smile crept onto his face as he realized, "Good, their morale is in disarray. This is a perfect opportunity to slaughter them all."
At Zhang City, a horn suddenly sounded, and the Zhang City Soldiers rushed into the woods by the roadside. Great Seat looked at the forest and thought, "Have they run into the Swamp Forest?"
A moment later, Great Seat laughed heartily. "Do they think they can escape through the swamp? They are underestimating the situation."
Without hesitation, Great Seat signaled for the Cult members to pursue them into the Swamp Forest. The swamp was deep, and many from both the Zhang City Soldiers and Hall of Malevolence Cult found themselves struggling in the muck.
Great Seat was familiar with this Swamp Forest and instructed, "Block off the North Side! There’s no swamp there; they won’t be able to escape!"
The Swamp Forest, which had been tranquil, suddenly became chaotic as a large number of people surged in, startling the Birds and Insects within.
The soldiers from Zhang City were also familiar with the Swamp Forest. Although many had perished earlier, they now retreated to the North Side. At a bend in the Mountain Valley on the North Side, dozens of horses formed a line to block the path. The captain saw that his soldiers had arrived and released several horses to create an opening for the Zhang City Soldiers to pass through. Once all the soldiers had crossed, he reconnected the horses.
When the Hall of Malevolence Cult reached the bend, they found dozens of horses linked together, leaving them puzzled.
However, the path through Mountain Valley was narrow; if some were blocking it in front, those behind could not get through. The Cult members behind could not see what was happening around the corner and shouted at those in front, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and move!"
The people in the back pushed against those in front. Although those in front felt it was strange, they dismissed it as just horses—what was there to fear? The Zhang City Soldiers were merely putting on a show of confusion.
The officers and captain ordered other soldiers to retreat while they stayed back with a group at one side of the bend. They were now far from the line of horses, surrounded by many Insects buzzing around them.
The insects buzzed incessantly, easily finding their way into people's noses, but the officer paid no mind to the swarming bugs. In his hand, he gripped a Strong Bow, an arrow already nocked and ready. The horses tethered nearby were bound with Flammable Oil, which was set to ignite the Black Iron. Once the Flammable Oil caught fire, a powerful explosion was imminent.
If they could collapse the Mountain Valley, they would be able to leisurely ride away from this place.
Initially, the Cult in front of the Hall of Malevolence seemed indifferent to the horses. They noticed a small group of soldiers waiting for them in the distance, as most of the Zhang City Soldiers had retreated from the Mountain Valley. However, upon seeing the officer's bow lit by the captain, even the dullest among them could foresee what was about to happen.
Those pushed to the front desperately tried to shove back, causing chaos among those behind who were unable to react in time and fell to the ground. Many began cursing loudly. The officer raised his bow and aimed at the Flammable Oil; with a swift release, the arrow shot towards the Flammable Oil hanging by the side of a horse.
Then came a deafening explosion that consumed the Mountain Valley. Debris tumbled down from above, crushing members of the Cult below. Those further away heard the Mountain Valley roar in fury and scattered in panic. But for those at the front of the Cult, there was no chance to escape; the rolling stones above showed no mercy, eager to wipe them out completely.
With much of the Mountain Valley collapsed, the officer remained silent; he didn’t need words. They understood that the Cult from the Hall of Malevolence had no chance to turn the tide of battle. The officer was merely trying to save as many soldiers as possible.
At that moment, he caught an insect buzzing around his face and crushed it in his hand.
Great Seat stood behind the Cult and first heard the explosion before witnessing a mass retreat of his forces. It dawned on Great Seat that his troops had fallen into an ambush.
Furious and embarrassed, Great Seat had initially thought to trap their enemies in the narrow Mountain Valley. Suddenly, he recalled seeing a cavalry unit leaving earlier; now he realized they weren’t fleeing but rather setting traps for them.
A tremendous pressure built up in Great Seat's head as if his brain were expanding against his skull—this was due to his anger and not any ailment.
The dust swirled in Mountain Valley as the officer and captain had long since ridden away. As long as they could return to the city, they were not afraid of an assault from those at Hall of Malevolence.
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