Xiaopei Defense Battle (2): Clash!!!
Clang!!!
Honestly, even in the game, it felt like, "Yeah, this setup is a bit much." But sure enough, it was a game-based world. It stuck faithfully to the in-game settings.
'Well, in a world where smashing the imperial seal grants immunity to mental and physical debuffs, what more is there to say.'
Trusting the performance of the Seven Star Sword from the game and smashing that catapult outright had been the right call in the end.
Clang!!!!
Swinging my sword at the catapult's frame while on horseback, I sliced clean through its body like it was tofu.
Kuuuung!!!
As the catapult crumbled, Yuan Shu's entire army froze in stunned shock, their morale crumbling in an instant.
"I-it's collapsing!!"
"Get out of the way!!"
They were in a total panic, scrambling to dodge the falling wreckage.
Shing.
I sheathed the sword and checked the blade. As expected from a beat-up bronze sword, the edge was badly chipped. Being a double-edged blade, I could flip it to the other side, but the soft metal of the whole thing meant it'd snap after a few more swings.
Durability: 29/60
In the first summer after Qin Shi Huang began inspecting the empire he had unified, a meteorite fell into a pond. The sword was forged from that and bronze.
A blade that could slice through anything with ease drew the admiration of all at the time, and Qin Shi Huang cherished it deeply.
The craftsman who made the sword advised the emperor: "Politics is like this sword. It cuts anything easily, but doing so damages the blade. A damaged sword eventually can't even be swung. The root of politics is to avoid situations where you must draw and swing it."
This sword cuts exceptionally well but breaks just as easily. Whether that was the craftsman's true intent is mere speculation. Who knows the craftsman's real heart?
Yeah, that's what it says~
Anyway, I only had one shot at slicing through anything without worry.
'Three catapults up front in total, right?'
A quick scan around confirmed it. One down by me, two left.
Wait, make that one.
"Urgh!!"
Guan He swung his man-sized battle axe wide, clearing a path.
"I'll cover the flanks—go!!"
The Kim Squad had gotten some real battle seasoning now; they instinctively formed up into a defensive circle, backs to each other, covering all directions like pros.
"Hyaah!!"
Slipping through the gap was Guan He, sword in one hand, torch in the other. He took advantage of the squad's formation to dive right into the catapult.
Puuk!!
Guan He slashed deep into the guy blocking the front, kicked the corpse aside, and hurled the torch with all his might.
Fwoooosh!!
The lit torch flew straight, igniting the catapult's frame.
Well-oiled joints meant it went up like dry tinder in seconds.
'Damn, they're fighting well.'
Mustering the elites and throwing them into real scraps had paid off. They were leagues better than before.
"Nice one!! Guan He!!!"
Essential early-game recruit for a reason. Kid gets shit done. Maybe because I gave him that "not-quite-threat" vibe early on, he had this pressure like he had to prove his worth or get axed. Fine by me—as long as he hustled.
One catapult left.
"Sis!!"
I called out to Guan Yu right away.
"I'll clear the path!!"
Guan Yu flashed a grin, hefted her Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and charged on horseback.
Clop clop!!! Clop clop!!
Even as a woman, she looked badass riding into battle. Didn't matter if she was a girl or guy—Guan Yu was just that cool.
Go get 'em, Gale of Guan!!!
Guan Yu raised her crescent blade, twisted from the hips, and swung it wide.
Flash!!
The blade gleamed for a split second before shredding the front-line troops like wheat, scattering them.
Guan Yu was basically soloing Dynasty Warriors out there.
With the path open thanks to her, I grabbed my sword and bolted for the catapult.
One target: the last catapult standing.
Shing.
Gripping the Seven Star Sword, I spurred my psycho steed straight ahead.
"Hiiihiihing!!"
Psycho didn't flinch at the spears and swords aimed from all sides, barreling forward like a maniac. Gotta admit, that fearlessness made her a top-tier mount.
"Urgh!!"
Veering slightly past the catapult while riding, I swung the Seven Star Sword with everything I had.
Chaaaanggeeeerrr!!!!
The Seven Star Sword smashed the frame to bits as it passed.
Kurururung!!!
The catapult's body shattered and collapsed on the spot.
Kikit.
The blade was totally wrecked now, chipped to hell. No wonder it wasn't main-weapon material.
I sheathed the Seven Star Sword and drew my trusty Namun Sword.
"Catapults neutralized!!! Push them!!"
Smashing all three in a flash had swung momentum our way. Time to press the advantage.
"Tch…!! What are you idiots doing?! Block them!!"
Yuan Shu's voice echoed from afar. Bingo—got his position.
"Yuan Shu!!! We didn't even attack you first—why come at us?!"
Guan Yu bellowed as she cleaved a path with her crescent blade. Total badass. No wonder Cao Cao was obsessed with recruiting her. Raw, overwhelming power.
"Yuan Shu!!!"
Today, I'd take his head and end this threat for good. That single-minded drive had me charging.
Got a wife now, kid on the way—I just wanted some peace. Couldn't leave a loose end like this goldmine around.
"Tch…. You won't pass…!"
Yuan Shu's rearguard—spearmen and shieldbearers—blocked my path. Trying to halt the horse charge, huh.
"Kkiyaaaak!!"
With a battle cry, I slashed upward from below.
Clang!!
Psycho shoved the shield guy, creating an opening, and I thrust my sword up over the shield.
Pushaaaak!!!!
The shieldbearer's body split clean, opening a gap.
"Yuan Shu!! Show yourself!!!"
Bathed in blood, I roared at him.
Didn't matter if he brought 30,000—he couldn't even handle this. Especially with his troops' shitty quality.
In this spot, you ignore the fodder, ram the gates with siege wagons—but his men were ditching the wagons and bolting.
"Retreat!! Fall back!!"
Yuan Shu yelled and whipped his chariot into motion.
Rumble!!
His army started fleeing.
'Honestly, isn't this Zhang Liao-level feat?'
Routing 30,000 with a modest 1,000-man force? Straight-up Zhang Liao tier. Hers was with like 500, but still…. Am I a legendary general too? Got lost in that ego trip for a sec.
But nah, ego high didn't last. Stone-cold focus: kill Yuan Shu here.
Clop clop!! Clop clop!
Xiaopei was surrounded by woods, slowing the fleeing troops through the trees.
Thought about fire tactics, but that'd torch the castle too—scratch that.
Yuan Shu's men scattered like wild animals into the forest.
"Tch…."
Yuan Shu wasn't dumb; he ditched the chariot for a horse, knowing wheels sucked in woods.
"Kkiyaaaak!!!"
Yelling my lungs out, I spurred Psycho after him like a madman.
"Damn it!! What the hell is that guy?!"
Yuan Shu grimaced and drew his gaudy ceremonial sword.
"That bastard…. Whoever kills that thick-headed barbarian gets Lieutenant General!!"
Desperate for meat shields.
A chance for a grunt to jump straight to Lieutenant General…!! Wang Ping-level promotion speed from Romance of the Three Kingdoms!
"Tch!! My lord!! I'll hold him!!"
A pretty-boy soldier charged with sword drawn, looking heroic.
Oho. Protagonist vibes, kinda cool. Young dreamer chasing glory.
"Come at me!!"
He swung confidently, boldly.
Whoooosh!!
Sharp swing, no fear against a strong foe—damn impressive.
But his one mistake: serving Yuan Shu.
Hey, I work under lowlife Liu Bei too, so can't judge—but Yuan Shu's on another level of trash.
"Bye."
Thrill of crushing a promising sapling!!
Clop clop!!
Dodged his strike on horseback and swung straight for the neck.
Pushaaaak!!
His head popped off, spraying blood.
"Tch…!! Anyone else?!"
Yuan Shu flailed desperately.
"Major General!!! I'll make you Major General!!"
Upgrading the bait. Grunt to Major General? Insane.
"Tch!! I'll do it, my lord!!" "Me!!"
Ambition-fired officers and grunts blocked me.
"Kkiyaaaak!!"
They joined the ghosts, obviously.
"Damn it!!! Eastern Commander!! Yeah!! Any rank you want!!!"
Yuan Shu wailed, tears streaming. Calling every title now. Next up: Nanyang Governor?
Clop clop!!
His fancy silk robes and dangling armor snagged on sharp branches.
Riiiip!!
Yuan Shu made the big call—ditched the silk and armor. Half-naked on horseback, pure survival instinct.
"E-Eastern Commander…!" "My lord!! Don't worry…."
Pushaaaak!!!
Sliced the bugs diving at me and floored it straight.
"Fuck…. What is this guy's deal…!!"
Pure terror flashed in Yuan Shu's eyes.
Clop clop!! Clop clop!!
Was about to close in when—yep, heaven's mandate's a thing.
Forest edge: a creek.
"Urgh!!"
Yuan Shu kicked his horse's belly like mad, full throttle.
"Hiiihiihing!!"
His horse flew.
Clop!!
Yuan Shu and horse cleared the wide creek in a full jump.
Damn, he made it. Like Liu Bei dodging Chameleon over the river.
Chasing solo like a lunatic would've been suicide, so I wheeled around.
Scattered Yuan Shu's main force. Wonder how Xiaopei side's holding up.