Chapter 646: Chapter 190: Kill the Thief!
In a moment, Du Tiechuan found himself in a dilemma.
To turn the iron torrent around was naturally impossible. If it could be easily redirected, he wouldn’t have stubbornly charged ahead at Ghost Gate Pass earlier—why not detour and avoid a loss of twenty percent of the troops?
To continue advancing meant that the Vanguard Army of his own side would be crushed, naturally without much reduction in the strength of the main force.
However, that did not mean combat effectiveness would not drop.
According to Military Art, those who carry and manifest military tactics are usually the soldiers and officers. The morale and fighting spirit of the soldiers have a crucial impact on their combat effectiveness.
Once they start fighting amongst themselves, it would certainly delight the enemy and boost their morale, while on our side, it’s evident: we have fallen for the enemy’s poisonous scheme, played like puppets to their applause. Even with strong military tactics, it would seem foolish.
As a result, morale would plummet, combat effectiveness would nosedive, creating a significant gap for the enemy to exploit.
Keep in mind, though Iron Stream Flat Country is immensely powerful, they have now penetrated deep into enemy territory. And if their combat strength severely weakens, they will surely be surrounded and attacked by the enemy.
Indeed, before even reaching the Vanguard Army camp, the main army was already in an uproar, and the people’s hearts were unsettled.
The soldiers were shaken, and so were the officers.
If they really do end up slaughtering each other, how would they explain themselves upon returning to the Royal Capital? There would inevitably be major consequences. Those without a firm backing might even end up in prison!
In the court of Liangzhu Country, such is the atmosphere.
In a previous ambush, Sun Gan served as a warning example.
At that time, the Golden Halberd Army led by Sun Gan was trapped by foggy mountain tactics, and despite breaking out, they missed the opportunity for rescue.
White Jade Camp suffered heavy casualties and lost many talents.
Nobles’ sons perished in great numbers, and the court opinion of Sun Gan was extremely negative.
When Sun Gan got involved with Mu Lan, it further infuriated the military of Liangzhu Country.
Therefore, during the following probing, Du Tiechuan directly sent out the Golden Halberd Army as pawns to scout the strength of Thousand Peak Forest’s forces.
As a result, Sun Gan was captured, and the entire Golden Halberd Army was wiped out.
Now, the situation of the Heavy Armor Main Army is undoubtedly even worse!
They were not just missing out on victory, nor were they failing to provide aid but slaughtering each other!
Even Upper General Du Tiechuan would have to bear an extremely heavy responsibility.
Even if the Monarch pardoned him, his reputation would be destroyed.
After all— if he charged straight through, who would dare to fight under his command in the future?
This scandal weighs too heavily.
One misstep, and Du Tiechuan could be sidelined, nearly ending his career as a commander.
At this moment, Lu Hongtu observed the situation with a deep gaze.
He wore a slight smile, perfectly composed, relishing the delightful feeling of strategic command.
The surrounding Cultivators cast admiring and reverent glances at him from time to time.
The leader of the Six Cave Sect demonstrated his strategic prowess at this moment.
“Du Tiechuan, even if you are of Transforming Spirit Level. Your choice at this moment will impact your entire life.”
“So, how should you choose?”
“I am very curious,” Lu said.
In this moment, Du Tiechuan seemed to have pondered a lot, yet also as if he hadn’t thought at all.
His face calm, eyes staring straight ahead, his gaze neither scattered nor shaken, and without the slightest hesitation.
Just as the Deputy Generals anxiously sought his orders, he had already spoken—
“Advance.”
The answer was just one word.
The Deputy Generals gaped, with one using Divine Sense to urgently transmit thoughts, calling out: “But, Great Commander…”
“Keep advancing,” Du Tiechuan spoke again.
His tone was normal, neither impassioned nor through gritted teeth, still concise and clear.
The Deputy Generals stood dumbfounded, feeling a chill throughout their bodies, their hearts entirely filled with dread.
“Stop, stop quickly, we are friends, not foes!” leaders in the Vanguard Army camp shouted as they saw colors changing, desperately calling out.
The stationed elite soldiers also became panicked.
This Vanguard Army, being the regular army of Liangzhu Country, was highly trained with great discipline. Many knew all too well the terrifying might of Iron Stream Flat Country.
“If we stay, we die.”
“Move quickly.”
“Dammit! We’re surrounded by Formations; we can’t get out. To escape, we have to break the Formation.”
But breaking the Formation obviously requires a great deal of time.
At this critical juncture, that was fatal!
Some Deputy Generals hurried to the side of the Main General.
“Sir, there is no time to break the Formation.”
“The enemy’s scheme is too vicious. Since they designed it this way, they surely won’t let us escape easily.”
“What should we do now?”
“If we go all out in attack and defense, there might still be a glimmer of survival!” a young officer suggested with a face full of shock and anger.
His suggestion received the agreement of many officers.
The middle-aged Main General looked deeply at the young officer, sighed heavily: “Given the circumstances, that’s all we can do.”
Right away, the Main General took out his General Seal, took command at the core, and had the other Deputy Generals leave to guard the Array Eye and array foot, forming the strongest possible Battle Formation.
The soldiers were mobilized, fighting for their lives, and this time, they were definitely going all out.
“If we go all out, there might still be a chance to live!” the young officer loudly encouraged those around him.
However, just as the Battle Formation was about to be successfully established, it suddenly collapsed.
The formation failed; soldiers wailed as they fell, countless vomited blood, and many fainted on the spot.
The scene was utterly chaotic.
The officers were also severely afflicted by the backlash.
The young officer screamed incredulously: “Impossible!”
Bleeding from the seven orifices, he rushed to the Main General’s tent and faced the Main General roaring: “Sir!”
The Main General, bearing the brunt of the backlash, was lying in a pool of blood on the ground.