Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 213 - 187: Trial Cleared!_3

Chapter 213: Chapter 187: Trial Cleared!_3

The Northern Barbarian Cavalry had gained the upper hand!

After a long march, the strength of the Sheng Army was already not at its peak, to say nothing of fighting from a disadvantageous position. Although their numbers were greater and all fought bravely, gradually, as the number of Northern Barbarian Cavalry swelled, they began to fall behind.

There had already been cavalry leaders who had made heroic sacrifices or been forced to retreat after taking several arrows.

Zhao Haiping’s gaze swept across the flanks and quickly returned.

Casualties were high...

In the age of cold weapons, armies could tolerate very low casualties, with even 5% potentially leading to a collapse of order, sending the entire battle towards defeat. To be able to withstand 10% or even 15% casualties was to be considered an elite force in that era.

And now, the casualty rate on the flanks of the Sheng Army was teetering on the brink of collapse.

Once one side collapsed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Some leaders were itching to take their troops to assist the Sheng Army on the flanks, as the Northern Barbarian Cavalry had already several times detached forces to support their flanks.

But since Zhao Haiping had not given an order, naturally, no one dared to act rashly.

Zhao Haiping looked towards the higher ground in front of him, as if locking onto the target he was searching for across the distance.

He slowly closed his eyes, considering how Emperor Taizu of Sheng might have felt when facing a similar situation.

Was it surging passion? Or... a life without regrets?

Finally, Zhao Haiping’s eyes snapped open, and he quickly issued several commands.

The generals by his side were stunned.

"Your Majesty! This..."

But before they had a chance to say anything, Zhao Haiping had already raised his lance and spurred his horse, charging towards the hillside in front!

"Charge!"

Behind Zhao Haiping, a thunderous roar erupted, and five thousand of the most elite cavalry followed him closely, charging directly at the Northern Barbarian Cavalry atop the hillside!

Once they left their main formation, it meant the supreme commander had also become part of the warriors. Even if he wanted to issue new orders, it would be difficult.

Therefore, Zhao Haiping brandished his lance and issued his final directive as he charged.

"When narrow paths meet, courage! Determines! Victory!

"Long live Great Sheng!!"

Like a whirlwind, the five thousand elite cavalry followed Zhao Haiping’s lead and launched an assault on the main formation of the Northern Barbarian Cavalry.

At the same time, the Divine Machine troops, upon receiving orders, dispersed to the sides, charging toward the desperate battle lines on the flanks, raining down fierce gunfire on Northern Barbarian Cavalry on both routes!

Gunsmoke rose, and the sound of firearms was incessant.

The Northern Barbarian Cavalry, who were still reinforcing the flanks, were thrown into chaos under the gunfire.

And the previously faltering flanks were finally alleviated by the entry of the Divine Machine troops.

But what ultimately decided the outcome of the battle was in the center.

Seeing that the Sheng Army had indeed started a cavalry charge, the faces of the Northern Barbarian Cavalry showed surprise.

But after their surprise, a smile flickered across their faces.

The reason was simple: the Northern Barbarian Cavalry still occupied the high ground with an orderly formation; even under assault, they would not necessarily disintegrate. Moreover, in their hands were strong bows, heavy crossbows, and armor-piercing arrows, with a considerable range advantage when shooting downhill.

The script that followed might be the same as the battle on the flanks: first, shoot armor-piercing arrows, then counter-charge with cavalry. However you looked at it, the Northern Barbarian Cavalry held a greater advantage.

Mahari waved his hand: "Fire the arrows!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Armor-piercing arrows, with their piercing whistles, traced perfect arcs, shooting toward the Sheng Army below.

It was not easy to hit the fiercely charging cavalry, but these barbarians were skilled in mounted archery. With so many arrows fired simultaneously at the Sheng Army’s formation, some were bound to hit.

To the Northern Barbarian Cavalry’s surprise, however, the armor-piercing heavy arrows that hit the Sheng Army cavalry did not have too much effect.

The cavalry continued to charge forward!

As the distance between them narrowed, the Northern Barbarian Cavalry noticed that the armor of this elite cavalry appeared different from that of the rest of the Sheng Army.

It was all heavy armor!

Not only that, but the mounts of the Sheng Army’s elite cavalry had also been carefully chosen for their robust build, matching even the strongest horses of the Northern Barbarian Army in strength, thus possessing great carrying capacity for such heavily armored cavalry.

With speed like a whirlwind, the Sheng Army cavalry rapidly closed the distance before Mahari could react.

And during the charge, the Sheng Army cavalry had already drawn their bows and notched their arrows, firing in retaliation!

The heavily armed bow cavalry had formidable power at range.

Although the range of mounted bows was shorter than foot bows, and shooting uphill would affect the distance, the gap in range was quickly bridged by the strength of the horses’ legs.

As they withstood the first wave of arrow fire and reached the Northern Barbarian Cavalry, the Sheng Army’s counterattack of arrows struck back.

"Charge!"

Mahari could no longer wait. The cavalry needed enough distance to build up speed to not be at a disadvantage in the clash.

The impatient Northern Barbarian Cavalry immediately launched a countercharge against the five thousand Sheng Army advancing up the hill.

Yet even before the two sides truly engaged in combat, Mahari felt a foreboding sense of ill fortune.

It seemed they might be undermanned.

He had sent too many troops to support the flanks earlier!

Still, Mahari firmly believed that the Northern Barbarians would prevail. After all, the cavalry were their entire capital, the absolute elite, with many brave and skilled princes among them. Moreover, they charged downward from a higher position, naturally holding the advantage.