No one could describe the transformation that had taken place at this moment. Metal clanged against metal as the intense battlefield suddenly fell silent. More than half of the tens of thousands of war halos instantly dimmed, like extinguished candles. Some of the heavily injured Mengshe – Ü-Tsang soldiers even dropped below the True Martial realm under the effects of the Bane of the Battlefield Halo.
"Damn it! What's going on here? "
The Mengshe – Ü-Tsang soldiers were stunned as if they had seen a ghost. The drop of strength from the True Martial realm to the Origin Energy realm was a massive transformation. It was like a muscular man capable of lifting up a mountain had suddenly become a child without the strength to truss a chicken. The difference was extremely obvious.
The effects of the Bane of the Battlefield Halo reaching the third layer were so great that even some of the generals revealed shocked expressions. They were the most sensitive to the changes in their surroundings.
"Damn it! It's that foul brat again! "
Countless gazes converged on the summit, and even Gelofeng couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. Wang Chong's existence had already become the greatest variable in the war of the southwest. His influence was no longer limited to one or two soldiers or commanders, but to the outcome of the entire battlefield.
How could there be such a halo in this world? Why have I never heard of it before?
Gelofeng, Duan Gequan, and Dalun Ruozan all had the same thought.
But regardless of what they were thinking, Wang Chong's Bane of the Battlefield Halo's third layer was already producing an avalanche of effects. The Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army on the surface of the mountain was thrown into chaos, and this effect was even affecting Huoshu Huizang and the Ouzan soldiers behind him.
Huoshu Huizang had been using the secret arts of the Great Snow Mountain Temple this entire time to absorb the strength of the Ouzan soldiers behind him. When Wang Chong's Bane of the Battlefield Halo was applied to these soldiers and weakened them, even Huoshu Huizang was affected. For a moment, he seemed to be unable to hold back the Mighty Miracle God.
"Damn it!"
Huoshu Huizang's expression also changed slightly. He never thought that Wang Chong's halo could actually affect him. In such a high-level battle, this was very fatal.
"Kill! — "
The thousands of Annam Protectorate soldiers used this chance to charge down from the summit, causing Ouzan and Mengshe Zhao's armies to collapse. Just when it seemed like the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army was about to be completely routed, a massive boom came from the summit.
Rumble! Dust billowed from the top of the mountain, and the huge commotion caused the entire mountain to tremble slightly.
"Not good! This direction … "
Wang Chong was charging through the crowd when he heard this voice. His expression flickered and he reined in the White-hoofed Shadow, vaguely thinking of something.
The top of the mountain was filled with the warriors of the Annam Protectorate. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any changes there, and this direction was clearly …
"Young Master, this is bad! Ouzan has sent people to destroy our water source! "
A dusty horseman charged down the mountain like a bolt of lightning. Before the horse had even come to a stop, a pale-faced guard kneeled in front of Wang Chong's horse.
"What?!!"
Like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, Wang Chong's entire body swayed as if he had been plunged into an icy cavern.
"Dalun Ruozan!"
Wang Chong turned his gaze to Huoshu Huizang at the base of the mountain.
I've been tricked!
This was the only thought in Wang Chong's mind. As if confirming Wang Chong's conjecture, a resounding yak horn suddenly blared from the camp at the base of the mountain.
At this moment, Dalun Ruozan finally gave the order to retreat.
"Take me there!"
With no time to think, Wang Chong turned his horse around and followed the guard up the mountain.
…
On the mountain slope, the Annam Protectorate was chasing after them. However, Wang Chong's attention had already shifted to another place.
"Young Master, look!"
At the back of the mountain, a cave had completely collapsed. Countless water sources flowed down the mountain like a waterfall.
"Ouzan's people used a boulder to reach here. They smashed the cave and dug out the water stored inside. They even poisoned the water."
The guard explained with a pale face.
Wang Chong turned his head and saw the boulder that the guard was talking about not far away.
"You're saying that they fell from the sky on a boulder and landed here?"
"Yes, Young Master."
…
Wang Chong instantly fell silent. Falling from the sky on a boulder was simply wishful thinking. Even if they landed safely, they would definitely be severely injured.
"These are men of sacrifice!"
A thought flashed across Wang Chong's mind. To use this method to transport soldiers, Wang Chong had to admit that Dalun Ruozan's method was something that he had never thought of.
Without a doubt, these soldiers were prepared to die on the mountain peak.
With this thought in mind, Wang Chong's eyes scanned the surroundings and indeed found a few corpses.
"The mountain peak is filled with our people. When we discovered these people, we had already taken action. Unfortunately, it was still too late."
The guard said with a face full of shame.
"There are a total of 17 water sources on the mountain. How many of them have been contaminated like this?"
"A total of 8."
Wang Chong's face darkened. His heart suddenly felt heavy. By now, he had completely understood Dalun Ruozan's scheme. A frontal battle was not his goal. Even Huoshu Huizang's attack was just bait. His true goal was the water sources on the mountain.
To use hundreds of thousands of soldiers as chess pieces, Wang Chong had to admit that he had underestimated the resolve, capability, and charisma of this Ouzan Prime Minister.
"I've been underestimating him all along. No wonder a civil minister like him could stand on equal footing with Zhangchou Jianqiong, Gelofeng, and Huoshu Huizang in the southwest."
"Zhangchou Jianqiong has always been ambitious and has always wanted to achieve something in the southwest, but in the end, he achieved nothing in the past decade. So that's why …"
Zhangchou Jianqiong had always been known as the 'Tiger of the Empire', but in the capital, be it the prestigious clans or the nobles, they all had some reservations about him.
This was because his reputation was not proportional to his achievements. Wang Chong had also had this misunderstanding about him in the past, but at this moment, Wang Chong suddenly understood the situation Zhangchou Jianqiong was in.
Dalun Ruozan was not the sort of person that could make others feel apprehensive and wary of him from the very start. Not only that, the vast majority of those who faced him would even think of him as' mediocre 'and' unworthy of his reputation '.
And Dalun Ruozan's true attack would often come at this moment, a fatal blow that would catch one off guard.
"Water source! Water source! … "
Wang Chong suddenly raised his head and let out a long sigh.
Dalun Ruozan had given him a truly difficult problem, and at this moment, Wang Chong had no other choice.
… …
At the base of the mountain, the armies of Ouzan and Mengshe Zhao had all retreated, leaving behind a mountain of corpses.
"How is it?"
Dalun Ruozan asked in concern. Although his strategic objective had been achieved, Dalun Ruozan was not the slightest bit happy.
Ouzan and Mengshe Zhao had combined an army of nearly five hundred thousand, commanded by Imperial Great Generals like Huoshu Huizang and Duan Gequan, assisted by him and Gelofeng, and supported by the logistical support of the entire Mengshe Zhao Empire. Yet in the end, they had still been forced to rely on their advantage in numbers and sacrifice. This was simply unimaginable to Dalun Ruozan.
Wang Chong had relied on his inferior army to force this Prime Minister of the Ngari Royal Lineage, whose name resounded throughout the Ouzan Plateau, into desperate straits.
"One hundred twenty-three thousand four hundred!"
The messenger accurately read out a number.
"Buzz!"
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, upon hearing this number, Dalun Ruozan still couldn't help but feel his heart sink. Of the more than four hundred thousand soldiers of the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army, more than one hundred and twenty thousand had died in this battle, more than a quarter of their strength. This was an unbearable weight.
This number far surpassed Dalun Ruozan's bottom line.
"How could there be so many? Is this number accurate? "
Dalun Ruozan said, his complexion unsightly.
"Replying to Prime Minister, we've already counted five times."
The messenger lowered his head.
"How many soldiers did the Tang Dynasty lose?"
"It's impossible to count, but I estimate the death toll to be between twenty-three thousand and twenty-four thousand."
Dalun Ruozan closed his eyes, unable to speak for a long time.
"Pass on my order to have the entire army prepare. In addition, have Great General Huoshu Huizang accompany me to see the commander of the Tang Dynasty."
… …
"Young Master, look down the mountain! There's activity!"
On the summit, Eagle's sharp eyes suddenly pointed down the mountain.
"Mm?"
Wang Chong's brow creased as he stood up.
"The battle has only just ended. What does he want to do now?"
"Young Master Wang, can we meet and have a chat?"
A resonant voice came from the base of the mountain. From the summit, one could see the dense ranks of the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army parting like a wave, and the figures of Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huizang were once more reflected in everyone's eyes.
But unlike the first time, Dalun Ruozan and Huoshu Huizang's expressions were a little less relaxed and carefree, a little more solemn and respectful.
"We've already come this far. Does the Great Minister still want to play any tricks?"
Wang Chong circulated his energy through his dantian, his eyes bright as he fearlessly looked down the mountain.
"Young Master is too serious. In front of Young Master, how could Ruozan possibly play any tricks?"
Dalun Ruozan sincerely said.
"Young Master has already seen the result of this battle. The Annam Protectorate's water supply will not last more than three days. For the sake of Ouzan, for Young Master's sake, and for the sake of the Annam Protectorate, Dalun Ruozan wishes to sincerely discuss a matter with Young Master."
"Just what does this Dalun Ruozan want to do?"
This time, even the recuperating Wang Yan and Xianyu Zhongtong couldn't help but look at each other in dismay, their brows furrowed. They had been fighting with the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army for more than a month now, but Dalun Ruozan's attitude had always been aggressive and unrelenting.
This was the first time the two had seen such a humble and modest attitude in front of Dalun Ruozan.
"There's no need for Prime Minister to worry about the matter of the water supply. Prime Minister, if you have something to say, just say it."
Wang Chong calmly said.
"Young Master Wang, I will say the same thing again. If the Annam Protectorate and Young Master are willing to surrender, I can guarantee that Young Master and all the warriors of the Annam Protectorate will receive appropriate treatment.
"Although we cannot allow Young Master and the warriors of the Annam Protectorate to return to the Tang Dynasty, Young Master and all the warriors will be able to live out the rest of their lives on the Ouzan Plateau. No one will be harmed.
"This is the best outcome for Young Master and for our Ouzan. I hope that Young Master can seriously consider this. This way, we can avoid many unnecessary sacrifices."
With these final words, Dalun Ruozan put down the feather fan in his hand and looked at Wang Chong on the summit, his expression incomparably sincere.
The entire battlefield was deathly silent. Gelofeng, Duan Gequan, and Huoshu Huizang, these titans of the southwest who should have been vehemently opposed, all chose to remain silent at this moment.
The strong would only respect the strong. In this battle, the casualties of the Mengshe – Ü-Tsang army had even surpassed those of the Annam Protectorate. These titans of the southwest had never imagined this.
The summit was quiet, everyone waiting for Wang Chong's reply.
"Chong-er, make your own decision."
"Young Master Chong, there's no need to feel apprehensive. Right now, you are the highest commander of the Annam Protectorate. Whether it's war or peace, Young Master can make his own decisions."
At the same time, Wang Yan and Xianyu Zhongtong spoke at Wang Chong's ear. They did not speak too much, but the two had used their actions to fully express their support for Wang Chong.
"Heh!"
In the breeze, Wang Chong grinned and raised his head. Was this a very difficult choice to make? At this stage of the southwestern war, it was already a battle to the death. There was no other path of retreat or choice.
The Tang Dynasty could not lose, the Annam Protectorate could not lose, and Wang Chong could not lose!
And did Dalun Ruozan really think that he had already won?
"Prime Minister, have you ever heard of this saying?"
Wang Chong looked down the mountain and suddenly laughed.
"What?"
Dalun Ruozan's pupils constricted. For Wang Chong to still be able to laugh at a time like this and even have the leisure to mention other things was truly beyond his expectations.
"Whoever laughs in the end laughs the best!"
“！！！”
Dalun Ruozan, Gelofeng, and Huoshu Huizang were all flabbergasted. Gelofeng had a deep understanding of the Tang Dynasty, but she had never heard of such a thing before.
"Jiayi, you've been studying in the Tang Dynasty for many years. Have you ever heard someone say such a thing?"
Geluofeng looked to the side at the bandaged Fengjiayi and asked in confusion.
"This … your child has never heard of such a thing."
Fengjiayi lowered his head. Everyone was baffled by Wang Chong's words.
"Hahaha, Prime Minister, until the final moment of this war, it's too early to say who will win."
Wang Chong heartily laughed. Without waiting for Dalun Ruozan to ask any more questions, he flicked his sleeve and left, vanishing from the summit.
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