The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 681: Imposing Manner of the Losing Army!

Imposing Manner of the Losing Army! . . .

Cha Eun Xiao found himself amidst a dire situation. The Western Army, under Wu Gonglie's leadership, was outnumbered by the Kingdom of Lan-Feng. Faced with relentless and aggressive attacks, the Western Army could hardly maintain its ground. They began a desperate retreat, hoping to prolong their defense for another month or two, even though ultimate defeat seemed inevitable. But fate had other plans.

As they withdrew, reinforcements arrived for Wenren Jianying, the Kingdom of Lan-Feng's commander. It was none other than the kingdom's princess, who had brought additional troops with her. Together with Wenren Jianying, they attacked Wu Gonglie, the stalwart defender of the Western Army, from two sides. This unexpected turn of events spelled disaster for Chen's forces.

Realizing that the odds were stacked against him with more enemy reinforcements on the way, Wu Gonglie made a daring and perilous decision. In a move that would bring an end to the battle, he resolved to draw the enemy deep into his trap and then trigger a devastating explosion. To ensure the enemy took the bait, he willingly became the bait himself, fighting fiercely until the very end.

Vice-commander Zhu Chenggong took charge of leading the Western Army's retreat, while Wu Gonglie prepared to set off the explosive. Tears filled the eyes of those who witnessed this sacrifice. The resulting destruction was catastrophic, with both Western Army and Lan-Feng soldiers paying a heavy toll in lives. The location, known as Pair Wolves Pass, became a burial ground for hundreds of thousands.

However, to Zhu Chenggong's disappointment, the casualties did not include Wenren Jianying, the Prince of Lan-Feng, or the princess. Although Wu Gonglie perished, many Western Army soldiers survived, and his death left a spark of hope for the defense force.

Following these events, Zhu Chenggong continued to lead the army, evading Wenren Jianying's pursuit until they reached Iron Peak. At this point, their retreat was halted, as Iron Peak marked the last line of defense for the Kingdom of Chen. Its capture would spell the kingdom's doom, and the Kingdom of Lan-Feng was amassing its greatest forces for a final decisive assault.

In the midst of these dire circumstances, Cha Eun Xiao took command of a one hundred thousand-strong army as the generals discussed their plans. The scene was grim, with lifeless bodies strewn across the battlefield. The soldiers were severely injured, yet their eyes burned with a fierce determination, resembling starving wolves in a frozen wasteland. Their unspoken message was clear: "I will fight you with all I have before I meet my end." This unyielding resolve coursed through the hearts of every soldier.

Cha Eun Xiao observed a seasoned soldier tending to a deep arm wound. Without uttering a word, the soldier tore a piece of cloth from his attire, clenched it in his mouth, and used his remaining hand to wrap it around his wounded arm to staunch the bleeding. Their silent camaraderie and unwavering determination formed a palpable bond among the soldiers.

Cha Eun Xiao's body trembled with exhaustion and pain. Beads of sweat adorned his forehead, a testament to the agony he must have been enduring. Yet, his steely resolve showed no signs of faltering. In the midst of his suffering, he extended his wounded left hand, gripping the hilt of his sword once more. With gritted teeth, he thrust the blade into the floor, its sharp point biting into the ground.

Having achieved his immediate objective, Cha Eun Xiao leaned against the wall, allowing his battered body a moment of respite. He was well aware that the makeshift cloth bandage wrapped around his wound could only staunch the bleeding temporarily. Blood would inevitably pool beneath it, threatening his life. However, for the present moment, as long as he retained the ability to wield his sword, he felt a glimmer of satisfaction. To be able to fight was what mattered most to him.

"Brothers! Our kingdom has sent reinforcements!" cried out Zhu Chenggong, his voice ringing with conviction. "Men, salute! To Commander Cha!"

The wounded soldiers, despite their injuries, rose to their feet promptly. Their hands trembling and wounds seeping blood, they stood tall, their unwavering determination evident. Their eyes fixed upon Cha Eun Xiao, their silent salute paying tribute to his leadership.

These were men who had emerged from a nightmarish battlefield, survivors of a sea of carnage and death. At this moment, their hearts harbored no admiration or reverence for anyone. Regardless of an individual's rank, proximity to the king, or past honor, none of it held their interest. Only one question loomed large in their minds.

Who was Commander Cha? Could he lead them to victory and avenge their fallen Great General?

Their eyes bore into Cha Eun Xiao with a hunger for justice, akin to the intensity of wolves and eagles. He felt the fire of their determination coursing through his veins, and he declared with unwavering conviction, "I promise you this: I will lead you back to the front lines, and we will avenge Great General Wu Gonglie!"

A resounding "HOOOO!!!" echoed through the crowd of soldiers. They saluted once more, shouting in unison, "Avenge the Great General!"

"For the Great General!"

"Revenge!"

The collective roar of hundreds of thousands of voices surged skyward, carrying with it the powerful wave of their resolve and grief, filling the entire world with their unwavering determination.

Cha Eun Xiao needed no lengthy speeches; his few words had garnered the unwavering support of these battle-hardened warriors on Iron Peak. It was an astonishing sight, an awe-inspiring testament to his leadership.

Meanwhile, Song Jue watched his nephew in disbelief. He felt like he was discovering a new side of Cha Eun Xiao, one that had been concealed from him until now. Cha Eun Xiao's recent actions in the capital, where he had unflinchingly executed over four hundred young lords, were bold and audacious. The soldiers had likely rejoiced at the sight of those pampered lords meeting their end. After all, while the common soldiers bled and fought on the front lines, these aristocrats had enjoyed their privileged lives in the city, holding higher positions than the soldiers themselves.

The soldiers' sentiments were clear: they found satisfaction in witnessing the downfall of these entitled lords, and with their deaths, opportunities for promotions had arisen. How could they not appreciate such a turn of events?