Just as the armies of the Yan Clan and Xiahou Clan were at their wits' end, suddenly —
"Enemy attack!"
"Enemy attack!"
A loud and sharp voice came from the west. The Yan Clan army's morale was low because they were unable to occupy the northern hill and had suffered many casualties. Upon hearing the shout of "enemy attack," they were shocked. They clenched their weapons and prepared to face the enemy. The army in the west was already fighting with the enemy.
At this moment, Yan Baishou, Xiahou An, and the Steel Sword Martial Saint all looked to the west. A soldier carrying a small flag on his back dashed towards them at high speed.
"Which side are they from?" Yan Baishou's expression changed.
"Patriarch, it's the Duan Clan's army." The soldier reported, "The Second General is leading the right flank to defend against the Duan Clan's attack."
Yan Baishou nodded slightly.
"Let's go." The Steel Sword Martial Saint said, "Let's take a look at the front."
Immediately, the Steel Sword Martial Saint, Yan Baishou, and Xiahou An rushed to the right flank. As they advanced, they heard battle cries coming from the front. Before long, when Yan Baishou and the others arrived at the right flank, they heard shrill cries, "Run! Run!"
The flag had already fallen. The soldiers were like headless flies. Facing the attack of the Duan Clan's elite army, they were frantically routed!
Tens of thousands of people fighting each other was actually a battle of morale!
Once the frontline collapsed and formed a wave of rout … even if the soldiers at the back wanted to push forward, their formation would be broken by the fleeing soldiers at the front. As the saying goes, a defeated army is like a landslide. Once the frontline collapsed, it would be very difficult for the soldiers at the back to reverse the situation.
"Oh no." Yan Baishou's expression changed drastically.
"How is the Duan Clan so powerful? They defeated the right flank so quickly?" The Steel Sword Martial Saint was slightly shocked.
"Brother Xiahou, it's up to you." After Yan Baishou finished speaking, he hastily shouted, "Wujian, lead your troops and hold them off for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea … The rest of you, break through the north!"
The routed army was in chaos. Yan Baishou was trying his best to reduce his losses.
…
An hour later, with the help of the Xiahou Clan's army, the Yan Clan was finally able to catch a breather after withstanding the Duan Clan's attack head-on. They managed to preserve the majority of their men. Even so … blood-stained corpses could be seen everywhere in the mountain forest where they were fleeing. A single fierce attack had caused the Yan Clan to lose nearly ten thousand men!
"Duan Shijin, if this enmity isn't settled, I swear I'm not a human!!!" The filthy Yan Baishou looked towards the west and couldn't help but gnash his teeth.
In just an hour, they had lost nearly ten thousand men. Even his own brother, Yan Bailie, had been trampled to death by the defeated army! The death of his blood brother, coupled with the sudden blow, caused Yan Baishou's anger to soar to the heavens.
"Why is the Duan Family's army so powerful?" Xiahou An's expression was also unsightly. "My Xiahou Family had long since prepared for this. We seized the opportunity and charged forward, but we were actually forced to retreat a mile, with thousands of casualties."
"Armor!"
The Steel Sword Martial Saint said in a deep voice, "The leading elite troops of the Duan Clan's army are all wearing top-notch armor. Each set of armor is worth a few thousand taels of silver. Ordinary swords and sabers are unable to harm them. It's not strange that over a thousand elite soldiers wearing such armor, acting as the spearhead of the army, couldn't withstand the attack. "
"How did the Duan Clan get such good armor?" Xiahou An narrowed his single eye. "One or two pieces of this top-notch armor are fine, but over a thousand pieces are hard to buy, even if one has the money."
In Duanmu Continent, the hundreds of clans contended for hegemony. War resources were very important.
Even the mass sale of ordinary, low-quality armor was restricted, not to mention this top-notch armor. A set of several thousand taels of silver would cost several million taels of silver … Silver was a small amount, but ordinary clans wouldn't be able to buy so many armors.
"Perhaps the Duan Clan has hidden this armor very well." Yan Baishou said coldly.
"Not necessarily. There's an even worse situation." The Steel Sword Martial Saint said in a deep voice. Yan Baishou and Xiahou An both looked over.
Even worse?
"The Duan Clan might have the support of the Rising Sun Trading Company!" The Steel Sword Martial Saint said.
Yan Baishou and Xiahou An immediately inhaled a breath of cold air. "If that's the case, then it's going to be troublesome." Xiahou An's facial expression changed slightly.
The Rising Sun Trading Company had influence all over the world. The Rising Sun Trading Company occupied twenty to thirty percent of the slave trade in the world. The Rising Sun Trading Company had guards in almost every city! Although they were scattered all over the world, if they were gathered together, then it would be a terrifying number.
"Don't be anxious."
The Steel Sword Martial Saint said indifferently, "Previously, we wanted to take down the northern hill in one go. Then, we would be halfway to success. However, since we haven't taken down the northern hill yet, we shouldn't be in a hurry to attack. After all … until now, the Tantai Clan, Dong Clan, and Fu Clan haven't made any moves. They couldn't have mobilized so many troops just to watch the show. "
Yan Baishou and Xiahou An nodded.
"Now, let's wait and see." The Steel Sword Martial Saint looked in the direction of the northern hill. At this moment, the foot of the northern hill was already occupied by the Duan Clan's army. "Moreover, Mister Teng is at the peak of the northern hill. It's impossible for the Duan Clan's army to attack."
"Yes, it's impossible."
Yan Baishou and Xiahou An felt even more at ease when they thought of Teng Qingshan's methods.
"Let's let the Duan Clan have a taste of Teng Qingshan's methods." Yan Baishou thought maliciously.
*****
At the peak of the northern hill:
Teng Qingshan was still sitting cross-legged quietly. The bloody battle that had occurred below did not affect Teng Qingshan at all.
"The Duan Clan has some tricks up their sleeves. They actually forced the Xiahou Clan and the Yan Clan to retreat." Teng Qingshan looked at the army below.
The army below was orderly and lined up in an orderly manner. Millions of soldiers raised their heads and looked at the peak of the hill. Being stared at by so many soldiers was extremely stressful. However, Teng Qingshan looked down with a faint smile. It was as if he was a god looking at countless ordinary humans.
"Mister Teng!" A clear and loud voice came from the army. "I am Duan Shijin. I have heard of Mister's great name for a long time. A few days ago, Mister fought with the Steel Sword Martial Saint, and I was fortunate enough to witness it. Mister is very talented. However, the Duan Clan also has an army of a hundred thousand soldiers. We do not wish to be enemies with Mister. Mister, please give up the northern hill … After this matter is over, the Duan Clan will definitely reward you handsomely."
Teng Qingshan shook his head and smiled.
"Duan Shijin, please leave quickly." Teng Qingshan's clear voice resounded in the mountain forest.
"Mister Teng …" Duan Shijin still wanted to persuade Teng Qingshan.
"Leave quickly." Teng Qingshan said coldly.
Duan Shijin, who had not seen Teng Qingshan's methods, did not believe that a single person would be able to stop an army of a thousand soldiers from occupying the hill. He immediately gave an order, and nearly a thousand soldiers rushed to various places at the foot of the northern hill. Almost simultaneously, they began to climb the hill. When these soldiers climbed halfway with great difficulty …
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
One after another, stones burning with flames flew through the air, causing the walls of the northern hill to explode. Large amounts of shattered stones tumbled down, smashing many soldiers who were climbing the hill and smashing into the rocks below. Their heads were crushed, and they died on the spot. There were also some who were lucky enough to survive.
With just one wave of attack, the Duan Clan had lost several hundred men.
Painful groans and blood-curdling screams filled the air.
When the soldiers of the Duan Clan saw this scene, their faces turned pale. They were all afraid … that they would be ordered to climb the hill.
"This … this …" Duan Shijin, who was protected by many soldiers, was a very refined middle-aged man. At this moment, his complexion did not look good.
"Brother Duan." A deep voice sounded.
A man wearing black armor and a helmet walked over. His face was blocked by the steel wire mask of the armor, making it impossible to see his face clearly.
Duan Shijin turned his head and hastily walked over.
"Give up." The armored man walked over and whispered a few words to Duan Shijin. At first, Duan Shijin did not agree, but after a while, he finally agreed.
… …
"Eh?" Teng Qingshan watched as the soldiers retreated. Then, he began to move the corpses of the dead and injured soldiers. At the same time, he sat down to rest. There was even smoke rising from the chimneys. It was obvious that he had started cooking.
"Giving up so quickly?" Teng Qingshan smiled and said, "It's good to give up. No matter what, this northern hill cannot be completely occupied by a single great clan. It would be best if we wait for the Tantai Clan, Wu Clan, and Dong Clan to approach and surround the valley. At that time, all the clans will restrict each other … "
Everything went according to Teng Qingshan's plan. None of the clans dared to surround the valley. If they really did so, they would be attacked by all the other clans.
Every clan occupied a part of the area around the valley.
The Xiahou Clan, the Yan Clan, the Duan Clan, the Dong Clan, the Tantai Clan, the Wu Clan, and the Fu Clan, which arrived the next morning, were all very close to the Fiery Gilt Steel Valley. The seven clans restricted each other. Among them … it was obvious that the Yan Clan and the Xiahou Clan were the most powerful.
*****
In a large tent in the Fu Clan's military camp:
Teng Qingshan, Li Jun, Teng Shou, Yang Dong, Blue Luan, and the Whole Gale Eagle were all present.
"Mister." Fu Dao entered the tent.
"Mister, you have worked hard this time. If it weren't for you, the Xiahou Clan and the Yan Clan would have already occupied the northern hill. At the same time, they would have sealed the valley. If they wanted to conquer it, they would have to have five or six times the number of soldiers, "Fu Dao said with a smile.
Teng Qingshan shook his head and said, "Fu Dao, your Fu Clan has too few men. It will be difficult to occupy this ore vein."
Even though Teng Qingshan was extremely powerful, he was only one person.
"Yes." Fu Dao was slightly anxious. "Right now, the seven clans are in a stalemate. The Fu Clan is only able to stand side by side with the other six clans because of Mister! With Mister's strength, you can definitely occupy the northern hill. But the Fu Clan … "
Fu Dao understood his weakness.
"Fu Dao, the other clans outside are probably about to form an alliance, right?" Teng Qingshan asked.
"Yes."
Fu Dao nodded and said, "This time, the Wu Clan was attacked by the Yan Clan and the Xiahou Clan and suffered a great loss. The Tantai Clan and the Dong Clan are probably aware of this situation. If we don't form an alliance, it will be very difficult for us to monopolize the Fiery Gilt Steel Ore Vein. Unfortunately, no one has come to form an alliance with the Fu Clan. "
"Mister Teng." A shout came from within the tent.
"Come in." Teng Qingshan said.
The person who came in was the Patriarch of the Fu Clan, Fu Yunzhan. Fu Yunzhan's face was full of joy as he looked at Fu Dao and said, "Uncle, an envoy from the Duan Clan has arrived."
"The Duan Clan?" Fu Dao couldn't help but reveal a hint of joy.
"However, they said they want to see Mister Teng." Fu Yunzhan looked at Teng Qingshan.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
