Chapter 1082

Chapter 1082: Western Expedition (Part 2)

The enemy retreated swiftly and with remarkable discipline.

The infantry withdrew first, with the cavalry covering their retreat, abandoning most of their cumbersome supplies, such as heavy artillery.

Though this resulted in significant losses, it ensured their rapid escape.

Thus, when Wang Chen arrived at Hanhai City with over a hundred Dao Palace warriors, the battlefield was littered with corpses and broken weapons, but no enemies remained.

The gates of Hanhai City swung open, and a valiant general led a squad of light cavalry charging out.

Before reaching Wang Chen, the armored general dismounted and knelt in salute, “I am Lu Yunfei, here to meet the Grandmaster!”

Wang Chen nodded, “Rise.”

The distance between Hanhai Dao Palace and Hanhai City was not great. After several expansions, the palace had grown significantly and could support Hanhai City.

The Dao Palace did not fall under the siege of the vast enemy forces, largely due to the efforts of Xi Jun and others, as well as the reinforcements and distractions from Hanhai City, which played a crucial role.

Otherwise, how could a single Dao Palace withstand an attack from hundreds of thousands?

Meanwhile, Hanhai City also faced heavy enemy assaults, suffering severe casualties.

At the onset of the war, remnants of the Yan Kingdom had infiltrated the Dao Palace and Hanhai City, causing major disruptions, particularly in Hanhai City.

Fortunately, Hanhai City was garrisoned by thirty-seven thousand elite soldiers, with well-deployed artillery, and under the command of Lu Yunfei, a fifth level martial sect master with extensive battle experience, which helped protect the county capital.

However, Hanhai City also bore the responsibility of safeguarding the Dao Palace. If the palace fell, Lu Yunfei would still be held accountable even if he managed to hold Hanhai City. Given the previous circumstances, this brave general felt deeply uneasy.

He feared Wang Chen’s retribution.

More than a decade ago, he had met Wang Chen once and was well aware of his immense strength.

Not to mention Wang Chen’s power; given his status and authority, he could crush a military commander like Lu Yunfei with a single finger!

Terrified, Lu Yunfei took the initiative to admit his fault, “I have failed to protect the Dao Palace; I ask for your punishment, my lord!”

“Let’s not discuss that.”

However, Wang Chen showed no intention of holding it against him and asked, “How many cavalry can you muster?”

Lu Yunfei was momentarily stunned, hesitating before answering, “Three thousand elite cavalry.”

He originally had seven thousand cavalry, but many were reassigned for combat during the city defense, resulting in heavy losses, leaving about three thousand intact.

“That’s enough.”

Wang Chen said immediately, “Gather all the elite cavalry and prepare to pursue the enemy!”

“Also, prepare me a war chariot; make it the largest and best.”

Pursue the enemy?

Lu Yunfei felt a chill run down his spine; three thousand elite cavalry against over two hundred thousand enemies? Wasn’t that courting death?

If Wang Chen died in battle, he would follow suit!

Seeing the hesitation of the military commander, a Dao Palace warrior beside Wang Chen couldn’t help but shout, “What are you afraid of? Do you know why the enemy is retreating?”

“Just now, the Grandmaster broke into the enemy formation alone and killed their commander!”

What?!

Lu Yunfei listened, his eyes wide with astonishment, scarcely able to believe his ears.

Due to his distance and position, Lu Yunfei, stationed in Hanhai City, was unaware of the unfolding events. However, he had received correspondence from the Dao Palace Side, informing him of Grandmaster Wang Chen’s return.

He had initially assumed that the enemy had retreated in fear of Wang Chen’s formidable reputation, unaware that there was another underlying reason.

Lu Yunfei’s courage surged instantly: “I will follow your orders, military commander!”

He promptly issued commands to assemble the three thousand elite cavalry with utmost haste and prepared a war chariot with four powerful horses for Wang Chen.

This was the finest war chariot available in Hanhai City.

Moreover, Lu Yunfei decided to personally lead the escort, guarding Wang Chen as they pursued the Enemy Army.

Wang Chen did not refuse the leader’s request.

“Let’s move out!”

The war chariot charged westward at the forefront, closely followed by the three thousand elite cavalry, their advance accompanied by rumbling sounds as they embarked on a pursuit that highlighted the disparity in strength.

Although the Enemy Army had abandoned much of their heavy equipment, a significant portion of their forces consisted of infantry. Burdened by their own loads, they could not outrun the four powerful horses, even if they pushed themselves to the limit.

Crucially, this coalition army was composed of diverse factions. While the tribal warriors were fierce and valiant, they lacked the organization and discipline of a true military force.

Thus, while their initial retreat was orderly, their formation quickly disintegrated into chaos after covering a few miles.

Were it not for the strict discipline enforced by the Qin Army officers, the situation would have been far worse!

Moreover, they had not entirely abandoned their plans to attack Hanhai City; they merely needed to retreat to their main camp to regroup in light of the drastic change in circumstances.

As a result, many tribal warriors lost their fighting spirit, becoming lax and careless, with a significant number falling to the rear of the formation.

Little did they know that Hanhai City had dispatched three thousand cavalry to pursue them.

They certainly did not anticipate that this cavalry would be led by Wang Chen.

“Enemy Attack!”

When the riders at the rear spotted the pursuing forces, they immediately sounded the alarm with their whistles, but most of the tribal warriors remained bewildered.

Then, Wang Chen’s chariot surged forward.

The entire chariot, along with the four powerful horses, was enveloped in protective spells, resembling a heavy tank crashing into the retreating troops, instantly unleashing a terrifying storm of Blood Rain.

Countless fireballs rained down from the sky, bolts of lightning struck amidst the crowd, followed by wind blades and frost.

The earth trembled, the war horses neighed in distress, and hundreds of tribal warriors fell like wheat before a scythe under the relentless magical assaults.

In truth, these casualties were negligible compared to the vast numbers of the Enemy Army.

The real issue was the suddenness of Wang Chen’s arrival and the ferocity of his attacks, which left the infantry at the rear utterly devastated. Amidst the piercing screams and agonized cries, they crumbled into disarray.

In mere moments, Wang Chen’s war chariot carved a long, bloody path through the enemy ranks!

The three thousand elite cavalry followed closely, first unleashing a barrage from their three-eyed flintguns upon the surrounding foes. Once they exhausted the ammunition of two flintlock guns, they drew their sabers and slashed through the infantry blocking their path.

The enemy was completely caught off guard.

By the time they regained their senses, Wang Chen had already broken through the rear guard, his sword now aimed at the central army where several tribal leaders were stationed.

“Hold your ground! Surround him!”

Though some Qin officers shouted themselves hoarse in an attempt to rally their warriors and block Wang Chen’s charge, their commands fell on deaf ears.

Under the relentless magical assaults, the tribal warriors were cut down, crying out for their parents, desperate to escape with their lives.

Though they were brave, their fear of "divine might" swiftly overpowered their will to fight.

Thus, what began as a minor rout escalated into a full-scale collapse!