Chapter 354
Chapter 354
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 354
Chapter Title: Clash with the Archenemy (2)
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As the main force of the Qin Kingdom army joined the fray, the battlefield plunged into chaos in an instant.
The Zhao Kingdom army had concentrated too much of its strength in one place, leaving the forces at the rear unable to even engage before the Qin army struck precisely at their vulnerable midsection.
This split the Zhao army front and rear, leading to a dispersal of their forces.
Crunch!
"Smash them all!"
"You bastards!"
"Argh!"
"Urk!"
Do Geom's eyes hardened instantly.
The Qin army's momentum was formidable. Moreover, their main force included renowned warriors from Qin boasting exceptional martial prowess, felling Zhao's fighters before they could even put up a fight.
This quickly led to the deaths of commanders, and the Zhao troops, bereft of leadership, devolved into disorder, their movements chaotic.
Thud!
Clang!
"Ugh!"
"Argh!"
No one could withstand Baek Woo-kyeong's sword. Even if one barely dodged him, Baek Yeon's blade awaited.
Thwack!
"Argh!"
Drenched in enemy blood, Baek Yeon scanned his surroundings. Not far off, Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok were locked in fierce combat amid the foes.
"Don't push too deep!"
Ever fond of them, Baek Yeon swiftly turned toward them.
At that moment, a Zhao commander to his left lost his head and tumbled from his horse. The one who severed it was Baek Woo-kyeong.
He was a raging tiger.
His long robe fluttered as sharply as his honored blade, the Sword God. A Zhao warrior who lunged from behind, unaware, had his arm sliced clean off by the hem.
Thwack!
"Urk!"
Death followed inevitably.
A commander's bellow erupted from behind.
"We've cut their waist! Hold the line—don't let their rear advance!"
"Hold the line!"
"Defensive formation!"
The scattered Qin troops swiftly rallied toward the commander, forming a massive defensive array that successfully severed the Zhao army's front from rear.
"Break through!"
"We have to break through with everything we've got!"
The Zhao rear desperately charged at the Qin main force blocking them.
If they dawdled here, the vanguard would be utterly surrounded by the enemy.
* * *
'Their waist completely severed...'
Do Geom stared south toward the vanguard, where Dong Ja-ryang was.
Having boldly pierced the defensive line, they hurriedly wheeled around to assault the Zhao main force that had severed their own midsection.
Both the Zhao vanguard and Qin main were now flanked on both sides by the enemy.
Yet there was a world of difference between the Zhao army, caught off guard, and the Qin forces, who had anticipated and deliberately induced this.
Do Geom couldn't hide his dismay as the favorable tide turned against them in a flash.
"Charge!"
"Charge!"
At the commander's order, the Zhao troops attacking the western line surged toward the center. They judged that breaking it was their only path to victory.
Grip!
Do Geom readjusted his sword and leaped forward. Yi Tae-ji kept pace beside him.
Do Geom said gravely,
"White-Clothed Sword God is there—stay sharp."
"You too."
Moments later, Do Geom's unit slammed into the flank of the Qin forces where Baek Woo-kyeong and the others held.
Crunch!
Boom boom!
"Ugh!"
"Argh!"
But the defensive formation was too solid to breach easily.
"Warriors, advance!"
At the commander's call,
Do Geom and Yi Tae-ji exchanged glances and soared into the air.
Numerous Blood Demon followers were nearby, and over two hundred warriors surged forward in unison, hammering the Qin flank.
Clang!
Boom boom!
"Argh!"
"Urk!"
"Hold the line!"
"Break through, damn it!"
The bloody clash between those breaching and those defending shifted the battle anew.
Thwack!
"Guh!"
Do Geom cleaved an enemy's head.
Then a streak of light flashed toward him. Amid the melee, it might have gone undetected, but Do Geom spotted it instantly, twisting to swat it away.
Boom!
"......!"
The powerful impact forced Do Geom to grit his teeth and retreat.
A figure in white robes descended before him.
Baek Yeon. He attacked Do Geom the instant he landed, pressing relentlessly. Do Geom yielded ground with each exchange.
Clang clang clang!
Swords clashed, sparks flying to singe Do Geom's robe and hair.
Flames ignited in Do Geom's eyes. He spun, countering Baek Yeon's incoming strike.
Boom!
'Ugh!'
Another jolt shook his innards. But this time, Baek Yeon was pushed back.
Baek Yeon's gaze flickered faintly toward Do Geom. He hadn't anticipated such prowess.
Do Geom gripped his sword two-handed, unleashing his full might.
Whoosh!
"Pah! Come at me again."
Then—
Boom!
A fierce clash of energies erupted right beside them.
Yi Tae-ji was pressing Namgung Jang-cheon, mirroring the prior exchange between Baek Yeon and Do Geom.
Baek Yeon, poised to strike Do Geom again, moved like the wind to flank Yi Tae-ji.
Swish!
Baek Yeon's attack missed by a hair.
Yi Tae-ji, forced to abandon Namgung Jang-cheon, shifted to Do Geom's side.
"You alright?"
"That guy's stronger than the rumors."
"Best we stick together. Can't die here, right?"
"Got it."
They spaced out, assuming stances.
Baek Yeon, having rescued Namgung Jang-cheon from peril, stepped forward again.
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
Amid it all, warriors on both sides continued their deadly fray.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok approached Baek Yeon's flanks.
"We'll assist!"
"Stand back. These aren't for you."
A resonant voice accompanied a descending figure. Baek Woo-kyeong.
Namgung Jang-cheon and Danri Mok reluctantly withdrew.
Baek Woo-kyeong turned to Baek Yeon.
"They're strong—let's take them together."
"Yes, brother."
* * *
'What the hell is this?'
Do Geom and Yi Tae-ji's faces twisted momentarily.
A joint assault by Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon.
Qin's ultimate duo. Do Geom was gripped by dread that he might die here.
Then—
[Fall back.]
"......!"
Yi Tae-ji's transmission.
[Fighting them to victory would leave us far from unscathed. No need to force it.]
Tremble...
Do Geom's face twitched.
Yi Tae-ji was utterly right. Yet retreating didn't sit well.
Pride?
No—as a warrior, his hot blood surged.
Then—
Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon moved. The moment he sensed it, a streak of light blazed before Do Geom's eyes.
Do Geom and Yi Tae-ji poured all their strength into leaping back.
Swish swish!
Severed robe hems soared into the air. Simultaneously, Yi Tae-ji and Do Geom kicked off the ground, flying rearward.
In the end, Do Geom chose survival.
Baek Woo-kyeong and Baek Yeon pursued but halted.
"No time to waste on them—quickly finish the others."
"Yes, brother."
* * *
Eastern sector of the enemy lines.
Thud thud thud!
Twenty thousand Zhao elite charged south like a gale.
Leading was Zhao's Commander Gwak Beom. He raced south, leaving the battlefield behind.
Take twenty thousand elites, bypass the field, and strike the enemy headquarters.
Crown Prince Jo Gwang-mu's order was precisely that.
Clang!
"Argh!"
"Urk!"
Faint screams carried on the wind—enemy or ally, indistinguishable. Gwak Beom gritted his teeth.
'Yang Mu, please be there.'
His goal was Crown Prince Yang Mu's head.
If unprepared for this tactic, claiming it would be simple.
But... if anticipated, he and his twenty thousand elites might become the ghosts who never return.
Thud thud thud!
The deputy shouted.
"Enemy HQ isn't far. At this pace, we'll arrive exhausted!"
"The moment their reinforcements arrive due to delay, the plan fails! Don't slacken speed!"
"Yes!"
Thud thud thud!
* * *
Qin headquarters.
As messengers reported the battlefield, Crown Prince Yang Mu sipped from his cup in the tent.
Yang I-cheon poured refills opposite. Yang Mu's face grew grave, downing cups without touching food.
"We've cut their waist per plan, turning the tide our way—why the unease, brother?"
"Just a bad feeling."
"A feeling?"
"Yeah."
Yang Mu's eyes darkened.
"Come in!"
"Yes!"
A general entered.
"How many troops remain at HQ?"
"Twenty thousand, including five thousand guards."
"Twenty thousand? Why so few?"
"Zhao's all-out assault forced minimal HQ defense."
"Dismissed."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Yang Mu drained another cup.
Thud!
Yang I-cheon asked cautiously.
"Worried they'll strike our HQ?"
"If I were Jo Gwang-mu, that's what I'd do."
"How dare compare a bookish fool like Jo Gwang-mu to you. Even if they bypass and hit us, twenty thousand elites can hold."
"Hmm..."
Yang I-cheon’s assurances failed to ease Yang Mu's anxiety.
Then—
"Your Highness!"
Another general burst in.
Yang Mu's heart sank.
"What is it?"
"Enemy approaching HQ!"
"......!"
Yang I-cheon asked, stunned.
"How many?"
"At least twenty thousand!"
Yang I-cheon turned, face rigid, to Yang Mu—whose grim expression had brightened.
"Twenty thousand versus twenty thousand favors the defenders absolutely. Jo Gwang-mu underestimated us perfectly. Time to show him the consequences. Heh heh heh."