Chapter 375: Chapter 147: Sunset Blood Battle! Galloping Freely!_3
Almost every second, someone died.
The battle waged on for a full hour.
“Wuuu wuuu wuuu!”
Behind the Black Wolf Army, the sound of horns rang out.
“Dong dong dong!”
Behind the Dafeng Iron Cavalry, heavy drumming echoed as well.
This signaled the call to retreat.
Obeying the orders, the Black Wolf Army started to fall back, and the equally exhausted Dafeng Iron Cavalry didn’t pursue and also retreated.
Exhaustion was evident on everyone’s faces, along with a sense of relief for surviving the ordeal and dissatisfaction for not having killed more enemies.
As both sides retreated, it was estimated that the next battle would reignite within days, leaving the plains strewn with even more bodies.
By evening, the corpse collectors from both the Dafeng Iron Cavalry and the Black Wolf Army appeared on the battlefield to collect the bodies of their fallen comrades, placing them in body bags to be carried away. The corpse collectors looked at each other with hatred in their eyes, yet no one took action.
Many of the bodies of these fallen soldiers were mutilated, missing arms or legs, requiring some patching up, while others were blown apart, their remains scattered beyond recognition.
The bodies of these fallen soldiers would be sent back to their hometowns or buried in mausoleum gardens.
“This battle has caused over five thousand casualties on both sides,” said Su Changkong sadly, having witnessed the entire battle from the city walls.
In just one skirmish, thousands perished—each one a soldier who was one in a hundred, most at the Divine Strength Realm, reduced to cannon fodder here.
Yet, this was merely an appetizer; in the last bloody battle, the dead and wounded totaled one hundred thousand before hostilities ceased!
“The Great Way is merciless,” sighed Su Changkong. Dying of old age, illness, or in the chaos of war seemed all too common in this world. Death was the ultimate destination for everyone; the difference lay only in the manner of dying.
Su Changkong didn’t want to die; he yearned to see a greater, wider world!
“Train!”
In the residence within Sunset Fortress, Su Changkong cast aside all distractions and trained diligently, aware that he might be called to the battlefield before long.
With this thought in mind, Su Changkong found his practice of the Guiding Technique more attuned to nature, advancing faster than before, with an increasingly clear perception of the Spiritual Energy flowing through the world.
“At this rate, within a maximum of two months, I should be able to step into the 8th realm of my Guiding Technique,” Su Changkong quietly rejoiced.
Just as Su Changkong had anticipated, half a month had passed and the Dafeng Iron Cavalry clashed with the Black Wolf Army on the Sunset Plains four times, incurring nearly twenty thousand casualties between them.
“Dang dang dang!”
At noon, the chimes rang out from Sunset Fortress once again. Su Changkong stopped his practice of the Guiding Technique, knowing that the Ferocious Wolf Clan was attacking again.
Di Hen was the first to see Su Changkong and somberly informed him, “Scouts just reported that over a hundred thousand troops from the Black Wolf Army are gathering. Judging by the flags they are flying, this time their ranks include a distinguished warrior!”
“A distinguished warrior?” Hearing this, Su Changkong’s expression shifted slightly.
In the Ferocious Wolf Clan, being called a “distinguished warrior” was a symbol of honor and strength; only the mightiest were bestowed such a title by the Ferocious Wolf King Court!
“This battle… will require Commander Hong to take the field,” said Di Hen.
“I understand,” replied Su Changkong with a nod. Warrior against warrior, king against king—since the Black Wolf Army had a distinguished warrior among them, their side would need ‘Hong Zhenxiang’ to enter the fray. The outcome of this battle could significantly influence the current war!
Su Changkong donned a suit of Treasure Armor forged from pure Star Pattern Gold and strapped the Monster Wailing Blade to his waist before departing with Di Hen.
“Commander Hong, this will be a hard battle for you,” Pei Yang said gravely upon meeting him.
Pei Yang was worried—while Su Changkong possessed great strength, he wondered if Su Changkong could really inspire the Dafeng Iron Cavalry as Hong Zhenxiang did?
With a distinguished warrior appointed by the Ferocious Wolf King Court taking the field and the deployment of a hundred thousand troops, victory in this battle could demoralize the Black Wolf Army, but defeat would mean devastating losses for them.
“Leave it to me,” said Su Changkong, cutting to the chase. He had accepted benefits from Pei Yang, and though he couldn’t make guarantees, he would do his utmost!
The entire Sunset Fortress was mobilized; gates to the north, south, east, and west flung open, and massive hordes of cavalry charged out, taking formation outside the fortress.
“Wuuu wuuu wuuu!”
By afternoon, dark shadows appeared at the horizon’s edge, and the resounding call of horns could be heard from the distance.
Su Changkong rode atop a grand black warhorse, clad in armor, with Di Hen at his side in a suit of silver armor, giving Su Changkong a knowing look—a reminder.
“Follow my lead in the charge!”
Su Changkong’s roar thundered like a blast reverberating across the sky!
“Charge!”
“Charge!”
The other Chiefs of Ten Thousand and Chiliarchs took up the cry, rallying the one hundred and twenty thousand Iron Riders around them into a deafening surge that resounded for miles.
“Rumble rumble rumble!”
Su Changkong tugged the reins, and his powerful black steed neighed, its head sheathed in a metallic helmet, bolting forward like an arrow loosed from its bow.
Behind him, the thundering of thousands of hooves filled the air and even Su Changkong’s blood began to boil.
A quarter hour later, as they advanced, Su Changkong spotted the oncoming Black Wolf Army; clad in bronze armor emblazoned with black flames, wielding swords, spears, and heavy shields, they were mostly infantry.