Undying Life

Chapter 514: The Brutal War

After a year and a half of relentless campaigning, Ying Lan had successfully cleared twelve dynasties. The power of the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation had stunned the surrounding dynasties.

Of course, to say it shocked the entire world would be an exaggeration, as these campaigns were against the lowest level dynasties. It still paled in comparison to the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation in the hands of the former Grand Preceptor of the Great Li Heavenly Dynasty.

Nevertheless, the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation had now pushed up to the border of the Great Honorable Dynasty.

The army paused for a momentary respite.

In the central command tent, Ying Lan, dressed in full battle armor, stood by a large map depicting the Great Honorable Dynasty's territories. The time had come to face the Great Honorable Dynasty.

Ying Lan knew that the Great Honorable Dynasty's strength surpassed the combined might of the twelve previous dynasties. The coming war would bring unprecedented resistance.

Therefore, she needed to carefully strategize and determine the best route of attack.

Behind Ying Lan stood several scouts.

"What's the progress on all fronts?" Ying Lan asked without turning around.

"Lin Xiao, Yi Yan, and Shuijing are each two dynasties away from their targets. As for the other commanders, they are still gathering intelligence," one scout reported.

"Lin Xiao and Yi Yan are not as fast as I am, and the other commanders even less so," Ying Lan said with a hint of satisfaction.

"Reporting, General! The Great Honorable Dynasty's reinforcements, which we scouted earlier, have crossed into their territory and are advancing rapidly towards us. They will be here within a month," another scout reported.

"Reinforcements? Hmph, the Great Guang Dynasty? Han Jiguang's troops? The Emperor mentioned Han Jiguang isn't dead. Han Wei bringing three hundred thousand rabble to contest the chaotic lands?" Ying Lan scoffed.

"General, what are our next steps?" a general asked.

"Rest for three days. After that, we attack the Great Honorable Dynasty and claim the first victory of this war!" Ying Lan commanded coldly.

"Yes!" the generals responded immediately.

Though Ying Lan was a woman, her gender did not matter. She had the skills and the support of her subordinates, who were willing to follow her into battle without hesitation.

In Han Wei's command tent, he held a letter, reading it over and over, taking a deep breath.

"What a brilliant strategy by the Great Honorable Emperor," Han Wei said with a hint of admiration.

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"Your Highness, what does the letter say?" an aide asked.

"Wei Yinglan's army has entered the Great Honorable Dynasty's territory. The Great Honorable Emperor has agreed to ambush Wei Yinglan outside Lingui City," Han Wei replied.

"Outside Lingui City? Ambush? How?" the aide asked.

"They will lead the ambush. We are to cut off Wei Yinglan's retreat, blocking her escape route," Han Wei explained.

"Just cut off the retreat?"

"Just cut off the retreat. There is a hidden area nearby perfect for a surprise attack without any risk of counterattack," Han Wei elaborated.

"But something feels off. Why would the Great Honorable Emperor give us such an advantageous task? They will bear the brunt of the fight against Wei Yinglan, which will be very costly for them," the aide pondered.

"Costly or not, do you think the Great Honorable Dynasty would willingly hand Lingui City over to us? They can't afford to lose it, so they have no choice but to face Wei Yinglan head-on," Han Wei said with a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"I see! The Great Honorable Dynasty fears we might seize Lingui City, so they must take on Wei Yinglan themselves," the aide nodded in understanding.

"Prepare the army. We march at dawn," Han Wei ordered.

"Yes!" The generals responded immediately.

In the Great Honorable Palace, the emperor reviewed reports from all directions, surrounded by his trusted strategists.

"Your Majesty, are we really going to be the main force in the Battle of Lingui City, leaving Han Wei to block Wei Yinglan's retreat?" one strategist asked with a frown.

"What's on your mind?" The Great Honorable Emperor looked at the strategist.

"Han Wei is ambitious. If it weren't for Wei Yinglan, they might have already attacked the Great Honorable Dynasty. Why give them such an advantage?" the strategist asked, somewhat indignantly.

"Advantage? Who said that?" The emperor smiled.

"Uh? But didn't Your Majesty order them to block Wei Yinglan's retreat?"

"You're aware of Han Wei's ambition. Do you think I'd let him take advantage of us? He wants to play the fisherman? Let's see if he has the ability," the emperor said coldly.

"Uh, does Your Majesty mean..." The strategist seemed to realize something.

"Exactly. I never intended to use our army. Let Han Wei and Wei Yinglan fight it out," the emperor said.

"But, Your Majesty, Lingui City is our stronghold. Shouldn't we stop Wei Yinglan outside the city?" the strategist asked, worried.

"Lingui City? Haven't you noticed how strong Wei Yinglan's momentum is? If we try to hold Lingui City, our losses will be enormous. And with Han Wei's three hundred thousand troops watching us, no matter the outcome, we will be defeated. A wise commander must sometimes make tough sacrifices," the emperor said solemnly.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The ministers expressed their admiration.

Ten days later, outside Lingui City.

Wei Yinglan's army arrived at the city gates!

In a concealed forested area to the right rear of the army, Han Wei's three hundred thousand troops were hidden, camouflaged among the rocks and trees, holding their breath.

Only Han Wei, accompanied by two aides, stood in an inconspicuous spot, watching the distance.

"Remember, once the signal from Lingui City is given, we will cut off Wei Yinglan's retreat," Han Wei ordered.

"Your Highness is overthinking. Wei Yinglan's army only has three hundred thousand troops. Lingui City has five hundred thousand Great Honorable Dynasty soldiers. With our forces added, even with the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, Wei Yinglan is doomed," an aide said respectfully.

"Hmm!" Han Wei nodded, a confident smile on his face, completely unaware that he had been sold out by the Great Honorable Emperor.

Ying Lan arranged her troops, placing the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation at the rear. In front, the hundred thousand troops she had gathered stood in another formation, exuding a fierce and imposing aura.

"Attack!" Ying Lan commanded.

"Roar~~~!" Three hundred thousand soldiers roared in unison, the war drums sounded, and the battle began!

The front lines, consisting of a hundred thousand troops, charged towards the city walls of Lingui City.

"Whoosh~~~!"

Suddenly, a red beam shot up from the city walls, spreading red clouds across the sky.

At the same time, a rain of arrows descended from the walls.

In the distance, Han Wei saw the signal and his eyes lit up. He waved his hand, and countless soldiers emerged from their hiding places, charging towards the rear of Ying Lan's army.

They advanced towards a critical mountainous pass, a natural choke point.

"Ha ha!" Han Wei laughed heartily.

Wei Yinglan glanced at the distant rear but showed no sign of panic. She gave a quick order for the rear troops to stay vigilant, then turned her attention back to Lingui City.

The siege began in earnest. Though the initial onslaught was met with countless arrows and flags, over time, the strength of the arrow volleys weakened.

Yinglan narrowed her eyes, discerning the true state of Lingui City.

Outwardly formidable but inwardly weak, Lingui City had far fewer troops than it appeared. The gates remained shut, a clear sign of their lack of confidence.

"Right three columns, full assault! Everyone else, prepare the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation!" Yinglan commanded.

"Yes!" The generals quickly organized the troops and began forming the battle lines.

In the distant rear, Han Wei watched Lingui City with a growing sense of unease.

"Your Highness, why haven't the troops from Lingui City come out to meet the enemy?" one of his aides asked, frowning.

The closed gates and lack of action from the city's defenders increased Han Wei's sense of foreboding.

Suddenly, yellow sand filled the sky. The two hundred thousand soldiers instantly transformed into a vast desert, with a terrifying sandstorm reaching toward the heavens. The sandstorm did not rush toward Lingui City but instead howled in the direction of Han Wei's forces.

"Something's wrong! We've been tricked, Your Highness! We've been deceived!" an aide suddenly cried out.

"Your Highness, we can't retreat now. Behind us are the cities Wei Yinglan has captured, effectively the territory of the Great Zheng Dynasty. Retreating would mean certain death. We have no choice but to fight Wei Yinglan head-on," another aide realized, his voice filled with panic.

Fight? Han Wei's heart sank to the bottom of despair. He realized that he had been nothing more than a pawn in a larger game.

"Your Highness, order the troops to prepare for battle!" the aide said bitterly.

"Prepare for battle!" Han Wei shouted in frustration.

He had thought he could play the role of a fisherman, reaping the rewards of a conflict between the Great Honorable Dynasty and the Great Zheng Dynasty. Instead, he found himself cornered, with the Great Zheng Dynasty's territory at his back and the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation before him.

Father, am I truly that foolish?

Han Wei's face was filled with anguish. But now, he had no choice but to fight. The sandstorm was already upon them, and battle was inevitable.

The Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation clashed with Han Wei's three hundred thousand troops.

The sandstorm surged, and the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation enveloped them. The overwhelming power made the soldiers gulp in fear, feeling an urge to flee.

Was this a formation or a weapon of mass destruction?

The ground turned to sand, even the high mountains crumbled into dunes. Those with low cultivation were buried alive in the sand, while those with higher cultivation were swept into the Eight Gates.

Inside the Eight Gates, life and death fluctuated. The first battle formation of the Great Li Heavenly Dynasty was not just for show. The screams of the soldiers were endless. Han Wei's men slashed at the yellow sand with their sword auras, but the damage was negligible.

The slaughter was relentless. The desert was soaked in blood, with some areas turning red. In less than an hour, many soldiers knelt in surrender, while others fled in all directions. The morale had completely collapsed.

Despite being protected by powerful guards, Han Wei couldn't escape. Going against Yinglan meant there was no mercy. Targeted by Yinglan, Han Wei was severely injured by the sandstorm, then filled with sand, causing his body to explode.

The war was brutal and horrific. With Han Wei's death, almost everyone surrendered.

Out of the three hundred thousand troops, one million lay dead, another million surrendered, and the remaining million fled.

Meanwhile, Yinglan's other hundred thousand troops successfully captured Lingui City. This was a significant victory with fewer than fifty thousand casualties.