Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely

Chapter 1029: Chapter 368: The Battle of Hongguan, Zen Gold Powder and Six Vajra Mantras, the Shortsighted and Foolish People of Eight Towns

Moao Calendar Year 131, November 29, the first half of the night

”Advance to Hongguan!”

Contrary to Lu Yang’s expectations, after the 180,000 Earth-digging Realm returned to camp, Jiang Yuanlong gave them more than an hour to rest. By the time they regrouped and ordered the advance to Hongguan, most of the first half of the night had already passed.

The 180,000 Earth-digging Realm set out from the north and south gates of the camp, heading straight for Hongguan.

”There are more than six hours until dawn, definitely enough time! Zhou Shiyan leads the southern troops, Lu Hong leads the northern troops, one kilometer distance, the army approaches Hongguan in combat formation. No matter how many tricks Dajue Temple has, it’s useless!”

Jiang Yuanlong stood outside the west gate, watching the southern and northern armies with already more than ten thousand soldiers moving out. After pondering for a moment, he turned directly to face the 2,000 Defensive Army soldiers behind him and shouted loudly: ”We shall not return until Hongguan is captured!”

Swish...

The 2,000 Defensive Army soldiers standing straight all raised their weapons in unison, shouting angrily: ”We shall not return until Hongguan is captured!”

Generally speaking, regular armies unify soldier weapons to facilitate the manufacture of arms and enhance battlefield coordination. However, Jiangxia Town did not do so; soldiers had a plethora of weapons.

Nonetheless, the momentum created by 2,000 soldiers shouting together was enough to shake the entire camp, not only the more than 2,000 Cold Resistance Level soldiers on the side, but also many Earth-digging Realm soldiers walking towards the north and south gates could not help but glance over.

”March!”

Jiang Yuanlong ordered as he led out of the west gate, followed closely by more than 300 Jiangxia Cold Resistance Level, then 2,000 Defensive Army, with the side flanks being less than 2,000 Cold Resistance Level reinforcements from Seven Towns.

Last night’s Snow Forest surprise attack lost about 200 people; Jiangxia and Seven Towns each lost more than a hundred. Over half of the 800 Cold Resistance Levels in Jiangxia were originally Defensive Army members, who have all rejoined their ranks now, leaving Jiang Yuanlong with only these over 300 people behind him.

180,000 Earth-digging Realm, 2,300 Cold Resistance Level, plus two Jiangxia’s Defensive Army units maintained combat formation throughout, taking less than half an hour to approach Hongguan Pass.

”Hmph, knowing to retreat this time!”

Upon arriving at the pass, Jiang Yuanlong immediately sneered twice.

Hongguan Pass, which is less than two kilometers wide from north to south, found not a single figure on the east outer side. The entire 70,000 army of Dajue Temple was aligned inside the pass, facing east, ready and alert.

180,000 Earth-digging Realm, even if not a regular army, standing still could create a ’black cloud over the head’ effect, and at night, there were almost no trees on the east outer side. As seen from inside Hongguan, it was entirely dark outside, full of oppressive pressure.

”Yan Xin, retreat from Hongguan, return Dragon River and Jinbi villages, Dajue Temple withdraw its entire army back to Qinghepu, and tonight’s massacre will be spared!”

Jiang Yuanlong probably is the type of commander adept at psychological warfare. Clearly aware of the immense pressure his army can inflict on the enemy, he waited a full ten minutes rather than ordering an attack immediately, energizing his blood and shouting loudly towards the inside of the pass.

”Nine Towns have set fire in Qinghe Village without reason, hurting countless people. Dajue Temple fights only for justice for the innocents who died in the fire. Following the master’s earnest teachings, who in Qinghepu doesn’t take pride in doing good and building virtue? We never provoke trouble, if it weren’t for your Nine Towns going too far, where would today’s war come from.”

The opposing Yan Xin stepped forward; his rhetoric not weak either. After his vigorous speech, not only effectively countered Jiang Yuanlong, but also boosted his own troops’ morale. The soldiers defending the pass visibly became angrier after hearing these words.

”Slaughter my sons, seize my territory, greatly harm children, clearly deceitful monster actions! Even your excuses are too grandiose to change these facts. Dajue Demon Temple, deceiving hearts, gaining false fame, how can Jiangxia tolerate you, release the arrows!”

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

”Release the arrows!”

As Jiang Yuanlong shouted to release arrows, Yan Xin simultaneously ordered the same.

One side shot from inside the pass facing east, the other from outside facing west; two waves of arrow rain swiftly flew out, and the arrow formation battle thus began.

The pass is less than two kilometers from north to south. Of the 180,000 troops, those equipped with bows were on the front line, around one-third in number. This round of arrow rain formed a black curtain, instantly submerging the pass.

Dajue Temple had only about 70,000 Earth-digging Realm, even fewer equipped with bows; only around 20,000. Hence, when the two armies’ arrow formations clashed, the situation reversed from last night’s Snow Forest battle.

The arrow curtain shot from Jiangxia’s side directly covered Dajue Temple’s arrow rain.

Thud... thud...

”Ah...”

Not only covering, but the arrows shot by Jiangxia were clearly more powerful than the enemy’s.

Judging from the cries issued from both sides, few cries came from Jiangxia upon being shot, while sounds from Dajue Temple became more concentrated, with even front-line formations starting to loosen.

”Front-line abandon bows, raise shields, hold on, rear continue shooting!”

Yan Xin’s orders further validated this point; Qinghepu’s casting technology showed limitations, not just in war armor, but in bows and arrows too.

Moreover, on Dajue Temple’s side, Zen Temple Bhikkhus were all not equipped with bows, and the Cold Resistance Level from three villages and 18 families barely had any bows, how could they compete with Jiangxia’s more than 800 Cold Resistance Levels?