Published: March 7, 2025
Chapter 407: Push It Down, Push It Down!
The Great Zhao Army is quite substantial, with three major legions gathered here, all elite forces totaling over a million men. But... no matter how many people there are, they can't withstand this level of consumption!
"Get the army ready. Once things settle down, we will quickly withdraw," Long Ao said solemnly. "Staying here serves no purpose whatsoever; instead, we risk being consumed by the enemy. Moreover... if our retreating path gets cut off, we will truly be buried here."
The other two nodded repeatedly.
In reality, the three of them all understood that Iron Cloud's army was mostly pinned down on the main battlefield, with only a small part unable to move here.
The rear of Great Zhao would definitely not be in any danger. Long Ao said this merely to justify a reason for retreat.
However, at this critical moment, everyone had already lost their courage. They would rather fight desperately on the main battlefield than stay here facing the massive boulders that could fall at any moment!
"But to prevent Wu Kuangyun from launching a surprise attack while we are retreating, one of us three must stay behind," Jin Nankai looked at the other two. "Who will stay?"
"I'll stay," Long Ao said calmly.
Jin Nankai and Yu Chenglong exchanged a glance and nodded. Given the current situation, leaving behind someone posed greater danger, but there was absolutely no risk of total annihilation for those who remained behind. In contrast, the troops heading out risked encountering those falling boulders at any moment.
This point was truly difficult to assess.
The three quickly agreed: as soon as things calmed down and they confirmed safety, the two troops would pass through Slant Valley as fast as possible, and then Long Ao would lead his troops to retreat immediately!
Once they were outside Slant Valley, everything would be manageable!
"It's just a pity about this hard-earned situation..." Yu Chenglong sighed, looking regretfully at the Heavenly Rift Pass ahead. The other two also sighed deeply.
This situation was indeed rare. On the main battlefield, nearly all of Iron Cloud's army was tightly restrained, not daring to move. Meanwhile, on this side, over a million troops had been cleverly drawn out by Diwu Qingrou, chasing and attacking all the way into Slant Valley, right up to the Heavenly Rift Pass.
Although the Heavenly Rift Pass is the number one stronghold in the world, it is not unbreakable. With so many people from Great Zhao, continuing to harass day and night, as long as supplies were uninterrupted, they could persist in this assault. Even at the cost of hundreds of thousands of casualties, they could still endure and eventually take the Heavenly Rift Pass. Though the sacrifices were great, compared to the vast achievements of breaking through the Heavenly Rift Pass and expanding their territory, these casualties were entirely bearable!
And this was precisely the strategy designated by the three desperados, the Great Generals! In fact, they had never intended to return empty-handed since entering this region.
Even if it took ten men to engage Iron Cloud's one, it would still be a worthwhile trade!
But now, seeing Iron Cloud's defenders also showing signs of fatigue, they only needed to continue with their aggressive harassment, and eventually, they would not be able to hold out. At such a critical moment, retreating was truly frustrating.
Since they had resolved to withdraw, there was no time to waste; they immediately issued orders for the army to prepare. All the soldiers had already been terrified by this terrifying phenomenon, and upon receiving the command to retreat, everyone became energized, quickly packing their things. Everyone was eager to leave this place.
Over ninety percent of the men swore to themselves: once they leave here, they would never return in their lifetimes! They would rather crash to their deaths at the valley's mouth than wait to die here...
...
At this moment, Chu Imperial Seat was at the mountain's peak chopping wood. The base of the mountain had already become alarmingly empty, looking precariously close to collapse. Moreover, Chu Yang had only dug a long tunnel at the back, which had openings above and below but did not look very substantial.