Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 255: The Eastern Battle, Part 3
The atmosphere of confrontation was always extremely tense, and no one dared to relax even a little. Yan Zhengqing maintained a serious expression, constantly monitoring the defensive situation.
Yuan Zhong and Yuan Yong had anticipated that Nanyang County would send reinforcements, and naturally, Yan Zhengqing had also expected this. He, too, was waiting for the arrival of Nanyang County’s reinforcements.
As time passed, both sides launched attacks across the river, resulting in casualties on both ends. However, the Yuan family suffered more losses, as Anyang had cannons at its disposal.
During the wait, a soldier suddenly arrived holding an arrow, with a letter attached to it. This was a message delivered by an aerial reconnaissance device flying at an altitude of over 5,000 meters—an excellent means of gathering intelligence.
The message was simple: Southwest of their position, Nanyang County’s reinforcements had been spotted, numbering approximately 100,000 troops and stretching for ten miles. Their marching speed was estimated at 12 to 15 kilometers per hour. At present, the reinforcements were located between Longshan Town and Sanshan Town.
Yan Zhengqing scanned the map with sharp eyes. “Longshan Town and Sanshan Town are right at the transition zone between the hilly region and the coastal plains. This is a perfect place for an ambush.
“In military warfare, the key is to ‘strike unexpectedly and attack where the enemy is unprepared.’ Shen Jianfei, take 5,000 elite Foundation Establishment cultivators, cross the Xiandai River immediately, and head to Sanshan Town to ambush the reinforcements from Nanyang County.
“Remember, your primary objective is harassment, with killing as a secondary goal. Focus on delaying the enemy’s advance as much as possible.
Furthermore, after this, do not return. Remain hidden behind enemy lines and wait for the right moment to strike. You will decide the best time to act.”
“Yes!” Shen Jianfei accepted the order and departed.
The 300-mile-long riverbank was filled with vulnerabilities. Although Dongyuan County and Yuan Jinjiang had anticipated Anyang’s attempt to halt their forces, they lacked precise intelligence and were not as strategically adept as Yan Zhengqing. As a result, Shen Jianfei led his 5,000 elite soldiers across the river undetected, advancing swiftly.
After just two hours of marching, they reached the outskirts of Sanshan Town, where they spotted the Nanyang County reinforcements winding their way forward through the low hills.
Shen Jianfei let out a sinister laugh, licking his slightly dry lips as a cruel grin spread across his face. “Break into small units of five or three and operate independently. If you get the chance, take a shot—fire once, then relocate. If there’s no opportunity, just shadow them. Remember, killing is secondary; harassment is the priority.
“Sometimes, even firing blanks can be useful. Deliberately missing the target or wounding instead of killing will be more effective. It will create fear and chaos, and the wounded will require care, slowing down the enemy’s advance.”
As one of Anyang’s earliest musketeers, Shen Jianfei had his own tactical insights. Injuring rather than killing an enemy meant that the wounded soldier would serve as a constant source of fear.
The 5,000 elite soldiers split into small guerrilla units and disappeared into the hills. Large formations were easy to spot, but dispersed Foundation Establishment cultivators were much harder to detect.
Meanwhile, Nangong Zhi, the commander of Nanyang County’s forces, was leading his 100,000-strong army forward at a rapid pace. However, his brows furrowed with unresolved concern.
“We must secure Dongyuan County. If we lose it, the Li family will dominate completely. But I have no idea how the northern battle is progressing…”
Due to the blockade of information, Nangong Zhi was still unaware that Li Yulong had already ascended the throne as emperor.
As he marched with his troops, Nangong Zhi suddenly sensed a fleeting but deadly intent.
“Not good! Anyang has set up an ambush!” His mind immediately grasped the situation, but it was already too late.
Suddenly, the sharp crackling of gunfire erupted around them. In an instant, 2,000 to 3,000 of Nanyang County’s troops collapsed. Some died on the spot, but the majority groaned in pain, wounded but not dead.
Cultivators were inherently strong, making it difficult for long-range attacks to be fatal. But this was exactly the effect Shen Jianfei wanted—disrupting the enemy rather than eliminating them outright.
The attack came swiftly and retreated just as fast. The ambush lasted only a single wave before the attackers disappeared.
Nangong Zhi immediately dispatched scouts to search the surrounding area, but they found nothing.
However, when the Nanyang County army tried to continue their march, their scouts and sentries became the next targets. More soldiers fell, and after two such incidents, no one in the army dared to take on the role of a scout anymore.
But Nangong Zhi was no ordinary commander. He quickly made adjustments, deploying Foundation Establishment and a handful of Golden Core experts to search for the enemy. These Golden Core cultivators were powerful and managed to inflict some casualties on Anyang’s forces.
Secondly, Nangong Zhi divided his army into three major units, with the three teams supporting each other, making it increasingly difficult for Shen Jianfei to gain the upper hand. In the end, he was unable to stop Nangong Zhi’s advance. Furthermore, Nangong Zhi leveraged death and fear to increase the marching speed of the Nanyang County soldiers by more than half!
Shen Jianfei was stunned—this was the difference between an ordinary commander and a true general. A failed mission was a failure, and Shen Jianfei was decisive. He immediately retreated with the remaining 4,700 elite troops. “We’ll hide in the shadows and play the long game.”
In just about an hour of skirmishing, Anyang lost 300 elite Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, Nanyang County suffered more than 3,000 injuries and over 2,000 deaths.
Strategically, Shen Jianfei was ultimately defeated.
Within the Nanyang County army, Nangong Zhi looked at the ten rifles neatly lined up before him, his expression solemn. “So these are the firearms that Anyang has never sold to outsiders? Such intricate design, such superb craftsmanship. The ten guns are completely identical, their parts interchangeable, and their bullets universally compatible.”
Nangong Zhi personally disassembled one of the guns and then reassembled it before firing at a mid-grade magical shield.
Bang!
With an explosive sound, the shield in front of him was directly pierced through.
Feeling the recoil in his hands and looking at the penetrated shield, Nangong Zhi’s expression grew even heavier. “It doesn’t require much physical exertion, nor does it consume true essence, yet it can unleash an attack equivalent to the peak of the Qi Refining stage. What astonishing craftsmanship!”
Nangong Zhi carefully opened a bullet and, upon seeing the yellow powder inside, was momentarily stunned. His expression then turned even graver. “This isn’t gunpowder? Impressive. Anyang is truly hiding many secrets!”
A personal guard beside him cautiously asked, “Marshal, this thing doesn’t seem very complicated. Can we produce it ourselves? And if it’s so simple, why is Anyang keeping it secret and refusing to sell it?”
Nangong Zhi glanced at his guard and slowly uttered four words: “A true profiteer!”
The guard was puzzled and naturally didn’t understand, but he didn’t dare ask further. Nangong Zhi didn’t explain either, as these matters couldn’t be clarified in just a few words.
For the rest of the journey to Xiandai River, the Nanyang County army no longer faced ambushes, but the atmosphere remained heavy. In the previous battle, over 200,000 troops had either died or surrendered, dealing a massive blow to the morale of Nanyang County’s remaining soldiers. Now, after another ambush, a seed of “fear” had begun to take root.
Nangong Zhi understood the situation, but he had no choice but to press forward—at the very least, he had to hold onto Dongyuan County!
Across the Xiandai River, after regrouping, the combined forces of Nanyang County and Dongyuan County, numbering 200,000 strong, immediately prepared to break through the river’s defenses together.