Storming Hefei's North Gate in the Deluge
There's no way to know if Zhou Yu is holding strong, with Yushugou and Hefei so far apart.
He'll hold out fine, I thought optimistically, steeling myself to move to the next phase.
We couldn't bring any grand chariot divisions or bombers, so marching straight on the main citadel was out of the question.
Our forces had to scatter across Hefei, picking off the enemy near the dikes one by one.
"Let's go. There'll be far more troops garrisoned at the north gate than at the citadel. We'll skirt the rapids, take the high ground, and strike the north gate."
Rwooooooo—!!!
The advance trumpet blared. The soldiers moved out.
This downpour is way too intense!
It's a day full of swirling thoughts.
Or maybe a day with no thoughts at all. I felt it back at Baekmang too—standing on the edge of death brings an overwhelming pressure. What if my plan's wrong? If these people all die, regrets won't even begin to cover it.
"Tie up your worries."
Gan Ning encouraged me. I'd only seen the man a few weeks ago, barely exchanged words. But on the battlefield, he meshed perfectly with the troops. A stranger might mistake him for one of the rank-and-file, but Gan Ning was a proper mid-level general leading a regiment.
"Aren't you worried about Father? Your face looks grim."
Guess my expression's that obvious. Uncle Gongming, who's not the type, tosses in some gentle encouragement.
I'd advised Father to open Hefei's gates after entry and stir up chaos from within.
Right now, Father—without even armor, just his massive axe—was plunging alone into the flooded Hefei.
I had no answer for Uncle Gongming's question.
What I needed to watch now wasn't the citadel.
Rwooooooo—!!!
Amid the roaring rain and thunder, trumpet blasts pierced repeatedly.
The downpour was so fierce it could sow chaos in command, so we issued the all-out assault orders multiple times.
Each blast carried a majestic weight that sobered me instinctively. Were we about to clash with the enemy? Was I already spooked?
No. Not scared. Really not scared.
Mood aside, I was freezing my ass off. If only the sun would shine.
My mind prayed for things to go smoothly, but who knew the reality? Heaven alone, probably.
"We'll swiftly annihilate the foe. Gan Ning's detachment strikes independently. The rest advance straight and steady into their lines."
I was in the safest spot, yet the most precarious.
My hands and feet trembled.
Cold, that's all. Just the cold.
"Enemy sighted!!!"
No sign of enemy response from the north gate. Their hazy silhouettes were visible even here, filling me with doubt.
That Guo Jia—would he have prepared defenses even here, hundreds of li from Yushugou?
"Thank you."
"For what?" Embarrassed, I turned away. For not puking at this reckless op and sticking with me. Uncle Gongming just nodded, saying nothing more.
Curling up in a ball changes nothing. As a commander, I had to square my shoulders, straighten my back, and face the enemy head-on.
The heavens seemed to crack open with howling winds and crashing thunder—like Ragnarok.
What game was that from? Felt like standing at the final stage of some Tsukuru RPG, the hero ready for the boss.
No grand mission, no noble cause—just that B-movie urge to clear it. I leaned into it.
Fine, game on. Mindset: B-grade hero. I'd orchestrated the pieces like a Kaiser puppeteering his undead army, stage set for battle.
Damn, I'm badass, I brainwashed myself.
"All troops! Seize the high ground!"
I unfurled my scholar's fan and bellowed dramatically.
Centurions relayed orders and dashed off.
High-ground fight. We'd be at a massive disadvantage. Pitch-black mud. And those moronic uphill charges from the lowlands.
"Waaaaah!!!"
Roaring soldiers charged.
Strategist totem Chen Soyoung sprinkled buffs on the troops.
If gods existed, may they bless us.
The charging soldiers thought: Why the hell are we fighting like this?
Coming from Chen Soyoung herself, the grunts could nod along.
Everyone knew what happened at Baekmang. Where'd that cleverness go? The source of wisdom summoned thunder and storm—a miracle witnessed. How could men not be moved?
With the charge signal, twilight high-ground battle commenced.
Chen Soyoung's regiment stirred to life.
"Outta the wayyy!!!"
Gan Ning led the charge. He drew his sword from its back sheath, darting nimbly—like a ninja. Head low, his run looked like a kid's goofy elementary school ninja trot, but the speed was blinding, wind-spirit swift.
"The main banner can't falter! Form square formation and advance steadily!"
Zhao Yun calmly took command. Come hell or high water, he was flag-bearer here too.
I could see why Liu Bei trusted him—the guy was pure backbone.
Having him nearby felt like extending my lifespan, a loyal, mighty cheat code.
"We'll meet the foe with the Eight Gates array."
Uncle Gongming unleashed Zhuge Liang's signature—straight from imagination to reality.
Our army's combat power had soared.
Zhuge Liang's Eight Gates identity blanketed the troops in an AoE buff. As a military totem, his potency defied belief.
Even Chen Soyoung, ignorant of Records of the Grand Historian, couldn't mimic it. The real deal was unreal. My fan looked pathetic; his command reached divine realms.
Unity as one? Unrealistic.
At Eight Gates deployment, he outshone buff totem Soyoung by three tiers.
One word, and they synced perfectly, moving like clockwork.
Rain poured; command held firm.
Formation drills paying off.
The magical Eight Gates gnawed slowly at enemy lines…
Clashing now…!
Clang—! Ching ching clang—!
Our forces collided like meshing gears.
Feast of sparks from clashing steel.
Enemy arrow barrages and rolling boulders from the heights weakened before Eight Gates' fluid flow.
Shieldmen wove organically, overlapping into roofs; as attacks faltered, spearmen lunged, stabbing enemy hearts.
"All troops!!! Hold formation!!!"
Someone general-like bellowed. Hard to see through rain.
The torrent raged, but enemy screams pierced clear.
…Or maybe ally screams.
"Give orders, milady! Situation's dire! Enemy resistance is fierce! Heavy losses!"
The centurion's report snapped Eight Gates' elegant flow.
Battlefield haze of mist and dust swirled with bluish killing intent.
"All troops! Reform ranks!"
A lead silhouette shouted.
High-pitched, spine-chilling voice.
The figure shook his spear like a hunting noble.
Helm plumes whipped in the gale. Impassive eyes stared as if bearing Hefei's every burden.
"As long as Zhang Liao stands, Hefei will not fall!"
"Waaah!!! Follow the general!"
Zhang Liao rallied the troops' morale.
"This land is beyond you! I serve another lord now, but past and future, it's my master's—not yours!!!"
As rain eased slightly, enemy cavalry emerged.
"Ryooo lai lai!!!"
Unbelievable cavalry ignoring the muck, charging.
Shocking. Tongue-tied at handling that cavalry in mud.
As I panicked, Uncle Gongming eyed the field sharply.
"No panic! If waves rise high, build dikes, no?"
Zhuge Liang flicked his fan briefly.
"Center! Shift to square formation! General Zhao!"
A silver flash sliced rain, bursting forth.
"Zhao Zilong of Changshan is here! Foe general, curb your frenzy!"
Zhao Yun's spear spun fiercely, flinging water. He parried Zhang Liao's downward thrust precisely.
Kaaang—!!
Shockwave boomed. Mud sprayed; the white and black steeds' riders glared, duel underway.
Zhao Yun calmly aimed his spear tip, glancing my way. Seemed to convey something.
"…All troops, deploy left and right wings to envelop. Cavalry can't maneuver easy in mud. Lowlands mean more quagmire. We meet them there."
Centurion dashed off with orders.
Zhao Yun and Zhang Liao's duel ignited; enemy horse poured downhill in line.
At the sight, I spat resolute words.
"Come on…!"
Maybe 'cause S-rank buff totem Zhuge Liang stood serene beside me.
"Lure foe to the Life Gate! Center, hold formation!"