Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Having experienced three large-scale attacks and countless strikes launched by killers, the impregnable Great Snowmountain was the Golden Roc Fort’s most formidable enemy. This exceeded Supreme King and Zhang Ji’s expectations.
In the grand strategy drawn up by the two of them, the critical part was invading Shu-lik by borrowing soldiers, followed by occupying the Central Plain stronghold near the eastern border. Eliminating the Snow Mountain Gang was a minor distraction. According to the plan, the assault would end within half a month.
Til now, the first two plans were going well. Third Young Master Shangguan Yun, leading a troop of 5,000 soldiers and horses, had marched thousands of miles towards the Central Plain stronghold. They failed in the first foray. Shangguan Nu, who was hiding in the stronghold, escaped upon hearing the news, leaving several years worth supplies accumulated by the Central Plain in the hands of Golden Roc Fort. Shangguan Yun was recruiting laborers to build an invincible city in the eastern border, in anticipation of Central Plain retaliating.
The 10,000 cavalry of Norland was even more overwhelming. They won every war and were slowly approaching the capital of Shu-lik, continuously strengthening their forces at the same time.
The Great Snowmountain campsite, located at the eastern entrance of Shu-lik, occupied an important position. Dugu Xian led tens of thousands of people to besiege it. They should occupy it as early as possible, and then lead the troops into Shu-lik to occupy the city after Norland army. Twenty days passed, however, and the Great Snowmountain campsite still resisted. Dugu Xian could only spare a few soldiers to send into Shu-lik, which greatly disrupted Zhang Ji’s grand plan.
Norland was like a tiger, and Golden Roc Fort, a wolf compared to it. Even if they worked together, as long as the wolf exposed its weakness, the tiger was very likely to swallow its prey and kick the wolf away. This was what Zhang Ji worried about the most.
The pressure upon Dugu Xian grew. He prepared for the fourth attack, which would be the last attack as well, at least for Dugu Xian.
The Great Snowmountain campsite remained impregnable, but it suffered heavy losses and faced major internal discord.
Over the past few months, the number of swordsman from the Great Snowmountain had gradually increased to more than 2,000, and including the swordsmen brought by machetemen Tuo Nengya, it amounted to around 3,500. After three rounds of war, they had lost almost one-third of the troops.
Moreover, the first two defensive lines had all been broken through. Only one was left. Many people doubted that they could withstand the next attack.
However, the swordsman’s morale did not diminish. Having been in hiding for months, everyone was reserving back their strength. Now, they would rather rush out to die in battle rather than wait for death while defending the camp.
Among many high-ranking military officers, Tuo Nengya was the only one who insisted on a defensive strategy. He had once saved the Great Snowmountain at a critical point; that was why he was highly respected. However, his status had declined recently. This was not his fault. As soon as the war had started, many machetemen fled or turned, greatly damaging the swordsmen’s impression of the old machetemen.
That night, Tuo Nengya walked through the last snowfall of the winter and headed for the main tent. He intended to discuss military affairs with the chief of the Five Peaks to decide whether they would defend or attack. Till now, the 50-year-old macheteman had refused to accept that he was too old. At this moment, however, he felt that his strength did not match his desire, and he sensed that he might lose this negotiation.
But he was still convinced that Dragon King would create miracles and reverse the situation once again.
When Gu Shenwei was in Stone Kingdom, he had suspected that Golden Roc Fort might find an excuse to start the war again, so he sent three swordsman to ride through the night and return to the Great Snowmountain campsite with a warning. They arrived two days before the war started. Therefore, the Great Snowmountain earned precious time to respond, which was the main reason why they could resist the three strong attacks.
And that was also why Tuo Nengya believed that Dragon King would come back to save the army. All they needed to do were to defend the campsite and maintain their strength.
He entered the main tent. After glancing at the people inside, he knew that this was a fight he would not win.
The chiefs had arrived early. It seemed like they had already reached a agreement.
There were five chiefs in the Great Snowmountain, of which the highest-ranking, Long Qinying, chief of the Luoshen tribe who guarded in the mountain, had appointed a young man of his tribe to perform the duty on behalf of the chief. He seldom expressed his opinions, and he always followed the decisions of the other four chiefs.
The chief of Danduo Peak Long Xiaoshi, who had one of his eyes pecked away by the giant red-crowned roc, was the most influential figure among the five chiefs. The chiefs of Greatsword Peak and Smallsword Peak ceded to his orders.
The chief of Canopy Peak Long Fanyun was a young man. He and Tuo Nengya had once been rewarded by Dragon King the patronus’s saber. He had always been a supporter of the old machetemen. Tonight, however, he lowered his head and avoided eye contact with Tuo Nengya.
Long Xiaoshi stood up and spoke on behalf of all the swordsmen of Five Peaks. “We have held back for too long. The men of the Great Snowmountain do not want to be cowards any more. Even if all the troops of Western Region are outside, we will charge and fight.”
Long Xiaoshi’s words made it clear that there was no more room for negotiation. Tuo Nengya did not reply. Long Xiaoshi paused shortly, and then continued, “We understand that the machetemen have different ideas from us, and we will not force them. In the final battle, the swordsmen will rush to the forefront. As for others, they can choose whether to fight or leave.”
Finishing his speech, he sat back.
Tuo Nengya took off the patronus’s saber given by Dragon King from his back and held it respectfully in his arms. He said, “Although some have escaped and some have turned, please don’t lay blame on those here. Have they not fought shoulder to shoulder with you and killed the enemy? Did they not show courage when fighting the army of Golden Roc Fort? Are they not loyal to Dragon King, just like you?”
The five chiefs in the Great Snowmountain looked embarrassed. The young chief of the Canopy Peak Long Fanyun even blushed.
Long Xiaoshi stood up again, holding out his hands in a respectful fist and apologized to the old machetemen. “I am a rude man who is not good at speaking, please forgive me, Boss Tuo. To me, every macheteman who fought shoulder to shoulder with us is as good as any man in the Great Snowmountain. However, we are still somewhat different from you. We only know how to attack, and do not know how to defend. We are born to die on the battlefield.”
Tuo Nengya silently sighed to himself. Dragon King had found a group of the bravest soldiers, but not a competent commander. The chiefs could not do it, neither could he.
” I do not oppose war.” As Tuo Nengya said this, the people in the tent beamed, relieved. He added, “I have only one request.”
“Please tell us, Boss Tuo.” Long Xiaoshi said politely.
“All signs indicate that Golden Roc Fort is preparing for its fourth attack, which will probably happen tomorrow. Let’s defend one more time to discourage the enemy. After that, I will be the first to lead the charge.”
This was not what the chiefs had agreed on. All people fixed their eyes on Long Xiaoshi. Now that Dragon King was not here, he was the leader of the Great Snowmountain. Long Xiaoshi lowered his head and did not say a word.
“There will be a fight sooner or later, why should we have to wait again? When Golden Roc Fort comes, why not charge and kill them just as we desire?” The chief of the Greatsword Peak had a quick temper, and was eager to say what was on his mind.
The chief of the Canopy Peak Long Fanyun flushed and said, “I think Boss Tuo speaks reason. Defending one more time will act to discourage Golden Roc Fort.”
The chief of the Greatsword Peak slapped on his knee and shouted angrily, “Golden Roc Fort is as timid as a mouse. They only kill people stealthily. Are the swordsmen from the Great Snowmountain afraid of them?”
Long Fanyun blushed deeply, but refused to concede. “I didn’t say we were afraid of Golden Roc Fort. I just don’t want our people to die in vain.”
The two glared at each other, which was common in Great Snowmountain. Long Xiaoshi knew that fight themselves bloody if he did not say anything, so he spread out his arms, and said, “Ok, keep your fire for the battlefield. Why not defend first and attack later, and take Golden Roc Fort by surprise?”
The plan was settled. Tuo Nengya could not change the chiefs’ minds, and simply agreed.
Back in his residence, Tuo Nengya antsy, like on pins and needles. He couldn’t explain why but felt that something was wrong. Later, he would recall that each time Golden Roc Fort had launched a strong attack, they would send a number of killers to sneak into the camp to create chaos. However, these two days had been peaceful, not a single sneak attack.
The attack tomorrow would be fierce. Tuo Nengya was worried that it would be difficult to defend, let alone launch an attack instead.
Before dawn the next day, all troops in the camp began to prepare for the war. The Five Peaks of the Great Snowmountain and Tuo Nengya volunteered half of their machetemen as the main force to defend, leaving the rest for the attack during the second half.
After breakfast, with the drums beating their resounding beat, Golden Roc Fort’s army launched their fourth attack.
Unlike what Tuo Nengya had expected, this attack was not as formidable as the previous three attacks. The defending army repelled several attacks only with their bows and arrows.
Dugu Xian seemed to be at his wits end and could only take advantage of sheer numbers to launch one attack after another to break the last defence line of the Great Snowmountain campsite.
However, the attack this time lasted far longer than the previous attacks. It raged from morning to noon Piles of corpse were lay in front of the camp, dyeing the soil red.
The defenders were exhausted and quickly running out off their arrows. Behind them, the other half of swordsmen were waiting impatiently for their turn to attack. The chief of the Greatsword Peak unsheathed his heavy sword, pleading Long Xiaoshi to launch the attack.
Tuo Nengya felt that it still was not the appropriate time. It seemed that Golden Roc Fort had not used up all their forces. However, the plea for the final attack was getting louder and louder, he could not ignore it any longer.
At three o’clock in the afternoon, Long Xiaoshi ordered the gate of the camp open and lead the entire army to charge.
The sound of the low drum beat and the shrill horn intertwined in the valley. The bravest group of swordsmen in the Great Snowmountain took the lead in rushing out of the camp, stepping over the enemy’s corpses and blood, heading for the enemy who outnumbered them.
Even the exhausted defending army were drawn into the battlefield, putting down their bows and arrows, taking up their swords, and rushing out before receiving the order.
In the distance, the Commander of Golden Roc Fort Dugu Xian finally felt relieved.
Three thousand heavy cavalries, all heavily armed, gathered at the foot of the mountain, pointed their lance forward. Propelled by the battle drum, they hastened their pace and rushed towards the enemy.
Tuo Nengya was still a macheteman inside. Once he rushed out of the campsite and held up the patronus’s saber, he no longer thought about winning or losing. Even when he saw the unexpected heavy cavalry, he did not care. There was only one thought in his mind: Never let the swordsmen from the Great Snowmountain win. Even if he were to die, he would kill as many people as possible.
Meanwhile, dozens of masked killers emerged from where they were hiding, and jumped into the Great Snowmountain campsite, which was almost deserted.
That was what Gu Shenwei saw when he returned to the campsite after his ordeal.
