Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1306: Chapter 1261: The Present Is Inferior to the Past

However, warfare is about morale. At this moment, both Zang Ba’s Division and Guan Ping’s Division were high in morale, and almost pushed the Yuan Army out of the outer camp in one go.

This was the height of morale, and with Wei Yan pressing on, it was possible to crush the Yuan Army directly before Liu Bei’s Camp if they exerted just a bit more effort.

Even Xu Shu had his doubts, he could not stop the current situation, so he steeled himself and ordered the drums to sound to boost morale, preparing for a major battle with the Yuan Army before the camp.

”Wen Chang, wait a moment,” Xu Shu cautioned the slightly impatient Wei Yan. Although the victory was almost assured, Xu Shu’s worries only increased, so he firmly held Wei Yan back.

Once the drums from the central camp sounded, both Zang Ba’s Division and Guan Ping’s Division bravely charged forward, pushing the Yuan Army out of the camp in mere moments. Even when the Yuan Army was driven out, their formation began to crumble, unable to prevent the soldiers from scattering despite the Lyu Brothers’ best efforts to maintain it.

Zang Ba was a veteran on the battlefield, and Guan Ping, having learned much from Guan Yu, understood that the Yuan Army was on the verge of collapse.

Zang Ba and Guan Ping immediately led their personal troops forward, intending to crush the Yuan Army in one decisive blow. At that moment, regardless of the commander’s tactics, they could not withstand the reversal brought by routed soldiers.

Wei Yan was extremely frustrated, as what could have been a significant achievement was instead handed to Guan Ping and Zang Ba, while he was reduced to a spectator.

[With these three or four ten thousand troops taken down, a flaw might appear in the western defense line of Youzhou. If we seize the opportunity to break in, there will be no lack of battles to fight, right?] Wei Yan consoled his wounded heart without harboring much dissatisfaction towards Xu Shu.

Wei Yan and Guan Yu were quite similar in character; both would acknowledge and trust you if you were capable, forgiving the occasional slip-up. But if you lack ability, who are you?

On the other side, Xun Shen looked on with an extremely grim expression. Was this what Sheni Pei meant by defeating Xu Shu? Wasn’t this just sending troops to their deaths?

As Liu Bei’s Army drove Yuan Shao’s Army out of the camp, they began fighting Yuan Army on the spot, exposing the obvious decline of Yuan Army. Lyu Kuang and Lyu Xiang had difficulty controlling their subordinates, and the routed soldiers started impacting Chunyu Qiong’s rear forces.

”It seems this is the only way,” Sheni Pei sighed, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

A soft sigh then resonated in the minds of all Yuan Army soldiers, suddenly clearing their chaotic minds due to the battle situation. Even new recruits now knew what to do and what not to do.

This technique had also been used by Chen Xi, but Chen Xi’s own spiritual capacity could only affect a few hundred people. Later, with additional free spirit energy, his output could reach thousands. Yet, Sheni Pei easily applied it to everyone using certain means.

With their minds clear, the Yuan Army’s dispatching instantly became smooth again, and the scattered soldiers recoalesced. The previously one-sided situation turned into a fierce struggle again.

”Zheng Nan, if this is all, it might be best to retreat while we still have an advantage. Xu Shu’s spiritual talent is highly effective against such formations in battle,” Xun Shen suggested anxiously after wiping sweat from his forehead when he saw steadiness restored to the battlefield.

”We will not lose,” Sheni Pei shook his head, as the fluidity of Yuan Army’s dispatch changed sharply. The scattered Cloud Qi suddenly converged, infusing mostly into the soldiers, and a fiery glow appeared on the armor and weapons of Yuan Shao’s soldiers.

The dazzling red hue illuminated the darkness, and the Liu Bei’s Army that used to be vague under Yuan Army’s gaze suddenly became vivid. Yuan Tan’s Army, or rather, Yuan Shao’s Army, now felt the strength that had been bestowed upon them once again.

”Clang!” Lyu Xiang parried Zang Ba’s attack with his great sword. Somehow a surge of power emerged from within him, and he couldn’t fathom why he felt a rush of exhilaration and sorrow in his chest.

”Oh, my once-comrades, as we step down from our peak and when the forces we built are suppressed, I will bear everything from our past. I will manifest our past peak, and the power Gongyu granted us, reveal once more...” Sheni Pei’s deep voice resounded across the battlefield, and the combat power of Yuan Army soldiers surged dramatically.

”Take this blow!” Everything that Ju Shou once bestowed was restored onto Lyu Xiang, and with clarity of spirit, Lyu Xiang who had been at a slight disadvantage suddenly launched a counter-attack and suppressed Zang Ba. Simultaneously, Yuan Shao’s soldiers started pushing Liu Bei’s forces back outside Liu Bei’s Camp.

”This is...” Xun Shen looked at Sheni Pei in disbelief.

”All we’ve experienced, acknowledged, all deployed on the battlefield, I can restore upon these soldiers,” Sheni Pei stated bitterly. This was his spiritual talent, weaker than before; solely activated when his side was visibly at a disadvantage...

”The spiritual talents and legion talents once applied to this group, I can reveal them one by one because they were once bearers. I am merely recalling them,” Sheni Pei explained to Xun Shen, signifying a very potent spiritual talent.

The counterattack from Yuan Army was extremely formidable. Back when Ju Shou was alive and activated his spiritual talent, the Yanzhou conflict was fierce. Now, without a rival legion talent in play, Yuan Shao’s Army rapidly suppressed Zang Ba and Guan Ping’s divisions.

”Not good!” Xu Shu realized the long-dreaded situation when he saw Yuan Shao’s Army’s Cloud Qi gather. The subsequent shift in formations shocked him, but strangely calmed his deepest worry.

Even though this Cloud Qi Formation was daunting, it wasn’t beyond Xu Shu’s range to handle; though difficult, withdrawal with the loss of a thousand men was feasible.

Yet the ensuing transformation of Yuan Shao’s Army took Xu Shu aback, as that vivid red light he had seen in the Yanzhou battlefield — a combat method Ju Shou had created by melding formations and spiritual talents, greatly enhancing their strength.

At this point, Xu Shu knew victory was unattainable in this battle, and retreating to camp relying on its defenses was the only strategy. Unfortunately, Liu Bei’s Army had gained an absolute advantage and had charged deep into the Yuan Army, intending to crush them. Now, with regained morale and clear-headedness, the reorganized Yuan Army trapped Liu Bei’s forces within them.

”Wen Chang, charge with me. This time be extremely cautious, as this is likely Ju Gong Yu’s spiritual talent. This talent is terrifying, enhancing morale and combat power for unlimited numbers. Back in the Yanzhou battle, if Xingba hadn’t acted first to slay the enemy, it would have been difficult to say whether we’d have won or lost!” Xu Shu advised a startled Wei Yan seriously.