Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 193 - 182 Is This It?_4

Chapter 193: Chapter 182 Is This It?_4

The two cavalry forces that should have been dispatched earlier finally played their crucial role at the decisive moment, launching a fierce attack on the hillside where the Northern Barbarian leader was located.

The Northern Barbarian Cavalry immediately launched a counter-charge from their higher ground, clashing with the Sheng Army like a steel torrent.

Though the elite Cavalry of the Sheng Army had better equipment, they were at a disadvantage in terms of terrain, and were also outnumbered, so the two sides soon became fiercely engaged.

A cavalry leader of the Great Sheng Dynasty, Li Kezhong, fought bravely to his death, and several princes on the side of the Northern Barbarians also perished in battle.

In the midst of the army formation, the veteran general with a goatee wiped the sweat from his forehead, and his heart settled slightly.

Although the victory was not yet decided, the battle had reached a point where they were at least not facing a total defeat.

Had His Majesty not resolutely decided to pitch camp at the Sangyuan River, and instead recklessly advanced or retreated in panic, the Sheng Army might have already collapsed, a consequence unbearable to contemplate.

The preservation of those two elite Cavalry units was now playing their role, greatly reducing the pressure on the front. Otherwise, even if the Northern Barbarian Cavalry could not break through the defensive lines of the Sheng infantry, merely surrounding them on all sides would have drawn out the battle indefinitely.

But then again... where was His Majesty?

The old general with the goatee looked around, then witnessed a scene that left him utterly shocked.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, you mustn’t!"

However, before he could finish his warning, he saw the Emperor leading five thousand Cavalry like a whirlwind, charging out of the formation.

...

"Kill them!"

Zhao Haiping, mounted on his warhorse, at the forefront!

"Protect the Emperor! Quickly, protect the Emperor!"

Amid the frantic cries of those around, the five thousand elite Cavalry closely followed Zhao Haiping, sticking with him tenaciously.

The Emperor personally taking to the field was one thing, often a mere formality performed from the rear. As long as the Emperor commanded from within the ranks, letting the soldiers know that he stood with them, the morale boost intended by such a gesture would have been sufficient.

But for the Emperor to actually lead a charge himself?

The inspiration to morale was indeed off the charts, but on the battlefield where swords and blades showed no mercy, what if something went wrong with the Emperor, some mishap occurred?

These five thousand Cavalry, clearly, had not expected the Emperor to outpace even them in the charge, and had no choice but to spur their horses and keep up.

And the remaining infantry, seeing this, could not shrink back either; they hurriedly followed in a fierce surge!

Atop the hillside, the Northern Barbarian leader was also stunned.

For the individual leading these five thousand elite Cavalry wore a yellow robe and golden armor, obviously the Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty. No other commander could don such attire.

"That’s the Emperor of the Great Sheng! Kill him!"

A great shout erupted among the barbarians, and the already nearly exhausted Northern Barbarian Army surged with renewed fighting power.

By this point, the battlefield had seen several rounds of skirmishing; first, the Northern Barbarian Army’s fierce assault on the Sheng main formation was repelled by firearms, suffering heavy casualties, followed by their attempt to encircle, but the Sheng’s two Cavalry units broke through, attacking the flanks, forcing the Barbarian Army to divide their forces to resist.

Now, the battlefield had entered a fevered state, and this last contingent of five thousand elite Cavalry would determine the outcome of the war.

The barbarians, indeed exhausted, seized the opportunity to kill the Emperor of the Great Sheng Dynasty, naturally bursting forth with their ultimate strength.

Many heavy Cavalry charged down the hill, confronting this elite Cavalry unit!

"Bang!"

"Bang! Bang!"

Gunfire rang out!

The Sheng’s elite Cavalry drew their muskets and strongbows, firing at the approaching Northern Barbarian Cavalry.

These were the elite of the elite of the Sheng Army; even though they attacked uphill and lacked the advantage in speed and momentum, they could inflict damage on the barbarian soldiers with firearms first.

But at that moment, many Cavalry’s faces changed.

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

As the two sides’ Cavalry clashed, several Northern Barbarian heavy Cavalry already swung their sabers at Zhao Haiping.

His armor was indeed very conspicuous on the battlefield.

But while the enemy’s sabers were still far away, Zhao Haiping’s spear had already pierced one of the riders.

The barbarian heavy Cavalry, encased like tin cans, were unhorsed by the immense force of the spear, with one foot tangled in the stirrup, dragged a long distance.

Meanwhile, Zhao Haiping easily stepped on the stirrup, counteracting the recoil from his spear.

Riding a stirrupless horse and then returning to a stirrup-equipped steed was an indescribable feeling.

The surrounding Sheng Cavalry watched in awe as their Emperor fought amidst countless horsemen, cutting through them as if entering a realm without enemies.

This contingent of five thousand elite Cavalry committed their all at the critical moment, throwing the enemy formation into disarray, while the other two Cavalry forces finally broke through.

At last, amid the sounds of battle cries and gunfire, the Northern Barbarian Cavalry retreated across the board!

Zhao Haiping reined in his horse atop the small hill, watching the greatly encouraged Sheng Army chase after the fleeing Northern Barbarian leader.

"Is that all?

"I had thought it would be a difficult battle, but it seems capability suffices..."