Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest
Chapter 1082: 1082: March to the West (Part 2)

Chapter 1082: Chapter 1082: March to the West (Part 2)

The enemy retreated swiftly, and their withdrawal was executed with remarkable organization.

The infantry pulled back first while the cavalry covered their rear, abandoning most of the cumbersome baggage such as the heavy cannons.

Despite the great losses this incurred, it ensured their rapid evacuation.

Therefore, when Wang Chen arrived at the foot of Hanhai City with hundreds of warriors from the Taoist Palace, aside from corpses and broken weaponry, no enemy presence remained.

The gates of Hanhai City opened forthwith, and a valkyrie led a troop of light cavalry charging out.

Before reaching Wang Chen and his party, the armored general immediately fell from his horse and knelt to salute, “Subordinate Lu Yunfei, greets National Master!”

Wang Chen nodded slightly, “Dispense with the formalities.”

The distance between Hanhai Taoist Palace and Hanhai City was originally close, and after several expansions, the Taoist Palace had grown even larger, always serving as strong mutual support with Hanhai City.

The Taoist Palace had not fallen under the siege of a massive enemy force, due in no small part to the fierce resistance from Xi Yun and others, and the significant support and diversion from Hanhai City.

Otherwise, how could a single Taoist Palace withstand the onslaught of hundreds of thousands?

Simultaneously, Hanhai City had also sustained attacks from the enemy, suffering heavy casualties.

At the onset of the war, the remaining forces of the Yan State had spies within the Taoist Palace and Hanhai City stirring up trouble, and the situation in the latter was particularly serious, causing great difficulties.

Fortunately, Hanhai City was garrisoned with 37,000 Guard troops, and fire cannons were well-deployed. Added to this was the Guard Army Commander Lu Yunfei’s experience from numerous battles and his strength at the fifth-tier Martial Ancestor level, which ultimately saved this Prefectural City.

However, Hanhai City also had the duty to guard the Taoist Palace. Had the latter fallen, even if Lu Yunfei had managed to defend Hanhai City, he could not have escaped blame considering the previous situation, leaving this valkyrie inevitably fraught with anxiety.

Fearful of Wang Chen’s potential punishment.

More than a decade ago, he had encountered Wang Chen once and was profoundly aware of Wang Chen’s strength.

Leaving aside Wang Chen’s personal might, with his status and authority, a mere flick could crush a Guard Army Commander like him!

Overwhelmed by fear, Lu Yunfei took the initiative to plea for wrongdoings: “This subordinate failed to protect the Taoist Palace, I beg for the National Master’s punishment!”

“Let’s not discuss this.”

Yet Wang Chen showed no intent to dwell on the issue and asked, “How many cavalrymen can be dispatched now?”

Lu Yunfei was momentarily stunned, and after hesitating, answered, “Three thousand elite cavalry.”

He originally had seven thousand cavalry troops under his command, but many had been drawn into battle during the defense of the city, resulting in significant casualties. About three thousand remained relatively intact.

“That will suffice.”

Wang Chen immediately said, “Summon all the elite cavalry at once, and join me in pursuing the enemy fugitives!”

“Additionally, prepare me the largest and best chariot.”

Pursue the enemy fugitives?

The scalp of Lu Yunfei tingled at the thought. Three thousand elite cavalry charging after more than two hundred thousand enemies—wasn’t that seeking death?

If Wang Chen fell in battle, he too would have to accompany in death!

Seeing the Guard Army Commander’s hesitation, a warrior from the Taoist Palace at Wang Chen’s side couldn’t help but rebuke, “What are you afraid of? Do you know why the enemy retreated?”

“Just now, the National Master alone broke through the enemy’s formation and slew their commander!”

What?!

Lu Yunfei was agape and almost couldn’t trust his own ears.

Due to the distance and his position, Lu Yunfei, who was stationed in Hanhai City, was unaware of this event, but he had received correspondence from the Taoist Palace informing him of the return of Wang Chen.

He had thought that the enemy was chased off by the reputation of Wang Chen; he had not expected this turn of events.

Lu Yunfei’s courage surged. “Your subordinate obeys the order!”

He immediately issued orders, swiftly assembling three thousand elite cavalry and also preparing a Four-Horse Chariot for Wang Chen.

This was already the best chariot in Hanhai City.

Moreover, Lu Yunfei himself would lead the team to guard Wang Chen in pursuit of the retreating enemy forces.

Wang Chen did not refuse the request of the Guard Army Commander.

“Let’s move out!”

The chariot charged westward at the forefront, with the three thousand elite cavalry thunderously following behind, initiating a pursuit that was highly unequal in terms of strength.

Although the enemy’s large army had abandoned most of their heavy supplies, a great part of their soldiers were infantry, and given their own equipment burden, they would never outpace the four-legged mounts, even if they pushed themselves to their limits.

Most importantly, this allied force was diverse in composition; though tribe warriors were brave and skilled in combat, when compared to a real army, their organization and discipline were much lacking.

So while the initial retreat was somewhat orderly, after running a few miles, their formation became disorganized and chaotic.

If it were not for the strong restraint of the Qin officers, the situation would have been even worse!

Additionally, they had not given up on attacking Hanhai City, but circumstances had undergone a drastic change, necessitating a withdrawal to the rear camp to regroup and rally.

Therefore, most tribe warriors lost their drive and became indolent and careless.

Many of them ended up at the very back of the troop.

However, they would never have imagined that Hanhai City would dispatch three thousand cavalry to chase them.

Nor could they have anticipated that this cavalry would be commanded by Wang Chen.

“Enemy attack!”

When the Raider Cavalry at the rear detected the pursuers, they immediately blew the whistles to sound the alarm; most of the tribe warriors were still confused.

Then Wang Chen led the charge with his chariot.

The entire chariot, including the four spirited horses, had been fortified with protective Spells, becoming akin to a heavy tank plowing through the retreating troops, instantly stirring a terrible maelstrom of blood and carnage.

Innumerable fireballs rained from the sky, followed by bolts of lightning slashing down upon the crowd, and then came blades of wind and frost.

The earth thundered, the war cavalry whinnied in grief, and hundreds of tribe warriors fell like wheat before the scythe, under the fierce onslaught of Spells.

Truthfully, such casualties were inconsequential for the enemy’s huge force.

The problem was that Wang Chen’s arrival was too abrupt and his attacks too relentlessly vicious, causing the trailing infantry to end up extremely unfortunate, collapsing in disorder amidst the piercing screams and agonized wails.

In just a moment’s time, Wang Chen’s chariot had carved a long bloody path through the enemy ranks!

Hot on his heels, the three thousand elite cavalry followed; they began by blasting the surrounding enemies with their Three-Eyed Fire Muskets, and after emptying the ammunition of their two flintlock guns, they drew their sabers to slash at the infantry blocking their way.

The enemy was caught off guard and disoriented.

By the time they snapped back to reality, Wang Chen had already broken through the rear guard, with his blade pointing towards the central forces where several tribal leaders were.

“Hold steady! Surround him!”

Despite some Qin officers shouting themselves hoarse trying to command their warriors to block Wang Chen’s charge, their orders were ineffective at that moment.

Under the assault of Wang Chen’s Spells, the tribe warriors were being slaughtered so mercilessly they wished they had an extra pair of legs to run away.

Their bravery was unquestionable, but the fear of “Heavenly Might” easily overrode their will to fight.

As a result, a minor retreat escalated into a catastrophic collapse!

——–

The second update is here.