Mythical Three Kingdoms

No matter how the forces from all directions converge, Yuan Shao’s army began dismantling its military camp at the Mao Period the following day, preparing with heightened morale. During this time, both armies had temporarily ceased hostilities due to an apparent lack of supplies, which allowed the soldiers from both sides to relax and recover to a considerable degree.

Soon, Zhang He and Jiangh Qi’s camps situated at the left and right diagonal sides respectively arranged their attack formations. Both commanders led their armies of over ten thousand troops, fully prepared, though with different focuses—Zhang He’s left wing principally consisted of elite cavalry, while Jiangh Qi’s right wing was reinforced with sword-and-shield infantry, supported by a regiment of organized crossbowmen.

On Yuan Shao’s left and right flanks, the Lyu Clan brothers and Wen Chou each commanded twenty thousand troops as protective wings. Unlike the forward main army, these two forces were mixed-unit regiments, comprehensively armed with both short- and long-range weaponry, capable of adjusting to varied situations. Positioned between these two wings was Yuan Shao’s central army where Yuan Shao led nearly twenty thousand troops personally.

Yuan Shao’s central army was commanded by Yann Liang as the Chief General, with Ju Shou overseeing dispatch operations and Sheni Pei assisting Yuan Shao. In the front, the formation was heavily fortified with a significant number of heavy crossbows and a large contingent of sword-and-shield infantry. Additionally, the Great Halberdiers, who were ranked alongside the Vanguard Death Squad, were a rare inclusion in this battle.

Unlike the previous Battle of Jieqiao, this time all eight hundred Great Halberdiers were towering giants, standing over nine chi tall, with massive builds. Fully geared, they donned completely sealed steel armor, wielded thick shields forged as a single piece, and carried great spears. Each of them had been handpicked by Yuan Shao from the battlefield as elite warriors.

Their collective gear weighed no less than fifty kilograms apiece. Without formidable Inner Qi and strong physiques, it would have been impossible for them to move even a few steps after putting everything on.

However, the astonishing weight of their equipment brought equally astonishing defensive power. Once outfitted, even under the weakening influence of Cloud Qi, it would be nearly impossible for valiant generals like Guan Yu or Yann Liang to slice through two of them in a single strike with their great swords.

To complement the arrangements for this epic confrontation, Yann Liang chose to wield a long sword this time instead of the short-handled Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Blade, as the battlefield’s restrictions on Inner Qi usage severely curtailed the effectiveness of the latter weapon.

This time, Juo Yi did not lead troops at Yuan Shao’s forefront as he had done previously. Instead, he commanded the Vanguard Death Squad in the rear army. Additionally, several of Yuan Shao’s civil and military officials, such as Zhao Rui and Wang Mo, were also controlled by Juo Yi in the rear, making the army appear excessively large and the rear forces remarkably bloated.

Of the fifteen thousand troops mobilized, Yuan Shao’s rear army accounted for half, consequently exposing the central army directly to the frontline. The prominent Yuan Character Command Banner of Yuan Shao was left openly displayed within this arrangement.

On the other side, Liu Bei’s army formed two colossal, overlapping triangular formations. Gan Ning and Guan Yu occupied the points of the two formations, while Liu Bei’s entirely concealed central army was shielded by Xuu Chu at the overlapping section of the triangles. Meanwhile, Zhao Yun led a relatively small cavalry unit positioned at the left flank of Liu Bei’s army.

”What does Yuan Shao mean by this setup?” Liu Bei gazed toward Yuan Shao’s formations, pondering the exposed central army visible to their view.

”No matter the intention, our goal is simply to crush them,” Lub Su said passionately, then steadily began his actions. Unlike his previous lighthearted demeanor, this time Jia Xu, Guo Jia, and Lub Su poured their entire Spiritual Capacity into the army.

As the three acted, Liu Bei’s army’s Cloud Qi churned rapidly, and following their arrangements, a faint golden radiance began to appear on the hands of every soldier gripping their weapon.

”This can be considered our ultimate stratagem. As the era continues to evolve, we must also make constant innovations,” Guo Jia said breathlessly, gulping down a cup of wine. For this battle, ordinary methods like manipulating the Changing Heavens had lost all effectiveness. Even Lub Su’s Spiritual Talent seemed to contribute less significantly.

This was the ultimate trump card developed by Jia Xu and the others—a revolutionary technique derived from research into the nature of Cloud Qi as Spiritual Energy, Heaven and Earth Essence, and Inner Qi Energy. The breakthrough was astonishing: if Spiritual Capacity could stabilize the flow of Cloud Qi, then it could also imbue the Cloud Qi movement with the properties equivalent to military formation’s Cloud Qi—an incredible enhancement!

”Fight! No matter what happens behind us, don’t turn back!” Jia Xu said with unparalleled calmness. ”Trust that Zichuan will undoubtedly arrive!”

[I trust more in everything I once witnessed in Xiliang; in this world, beyond the invincible human spirit, iron cavalry can crush everything!] Jia Xu gazed skyward with a faint smile.

”Issue the command, my lord. This time, there’s no need for questions—just commence the battle!” Jia Xu said calmly. The fate of this world would be decided today, and thus Yuan Shao must fall this day!

With the Command Banner fluttering, Liu Bei’s army’s left and right wings began to slowly move forward. Though the pace was unhurried, the pressure they carried made Yuan Shao’s army feel an oppressive weight.

”Advancing gradually, using sheer momentum to overwhelm?” Ju Shou chuckled lightly as he raised a command signal. The fifteen thousand troops of Yuan Shao’s army obeyed the order and stepped forward in unison, advancing steadily. At the same time, Ju Shou activated his Spiritual Talent.

In an instant, the aura of Yuan Shao’s army underwent a dramatic transformation. Their previously high-spirited morale surged across each limit, reaching its pinnacle.

Meanwhile, Ju Shou felt his Spiritual Capacity spilling out like water bursting through a dam. All active Spiritual Talents consumed Spiritual Capacity, differing only in quantity and application targets.

This was the first time Ju Shou had unleashed his Spiritual Talent fully, pushing it to its limits. At this moment, the Essence, Qi, and Spirit of Yuan Shao’s entire army reached their peak. The morale of all fifteen thousand soldiers was exceptionally vigorous.

At this point, every soldier in Yuan Shao’s army operated near the maximum range of their combat power, including supreme generals like Yann Liang and Wen Chou.

Similarly, Liu Bei’s side, once the flow of Cloud Qi was stabilized, saw a uniform enhancement in the destructive power of every soldier, including exceptional warriors like Guan Yu.

The two powerhouses, totaling two hundred thousand elite troops, closed in on each other, finally accelerating and charging forward with deafening roars when the formations of Liu Bei’s central army and Yuan Shao’s left and right wings reached near parallel alignment.

Across the vast battlefield spanning over ten miles, Yuan Shao’s left and right wings advanced at varying speeds to outflank Liu Bei’s forces from both sides. However, Liu Bei’s army disregarded the provocations of the wings and drove directly into Yuan Shao’s central army—toward Yuan Shao himself and the never-broken ”Yuan” Character Command Banner that symbolized the invincible faith of the Northern Army!

Victory or defeat would unfold at this moment, deciding the fate of Yuan Liu, the dominance of the northern ruler, and the destiny of the empire in this critical battle east of Wuyang in Yanzhou Province. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit Qidian [qidian.com] to cast your recommendation votes or monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users can visit m.qidian.com for reading.)