Chapter 52: Even if facing millions, I shall proceed!

"Chief, are those brothers escorting the supply wagons supposed to join the fight as well...?" a squad leader asked, a troubled expression on his face.

"Forget about the supply wagons right now! Throw everyone into the fray!"

Having suffered an unfavorable start despite outnumbering the enemy, the chief was now boiling with rage.

"Even if we have to bury them with sheer numbers, crush those recruits into the dust for me!"

"Once their vanguard shatters, those rookies will inevitably rout and flee. Victory will be ours!"

The various subordinate leaders had no choice but to brace themselves and go mobilize the rear troops.

At the clash point of the battlefield, hundreds of corpses lay left behind by the Black Cloud Fortress, while the Pei County forces had also lost dozens of men.

The rear units of the Black Cloud Fortress were continuously reinforcing the frontline, plugging the gaps in the battle line.

The vanguard of the Black Cloud Fortress, shattered by the Pei County forces, was also driven back into the battlefield under the urging of the rear execution squads.

Over three thousand men fought with desperate valor, yet facing the tide-like rush of troops ahead, they still found themselves overmatched.

"Second vanguard squad, switch your gear and armor! Equip the weapons and armor of the fallen enemy on the ground, and resume the charge!"

Zhuo Zifang commanded with a chilling expression and a composed demeanor.

Over the past few days, aside from training in military marches and weapon proficiency, Liang Xiao had specifically instructed them on how to rapidly execute troop rotations and swap for usable field equipment without missing strategic opportunities.

No matter what, their light-iron-armored vanguard could not be completely routed; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!

In a battle between two forces, the soldiers of the Black Cloud Fortress mostly wore turbans, while the Pei County garrison wore leather helmets, making them easy to distinguish.

With quick eyes and swift hands, the soldiers of the second front-row squad stripped the light iron armor and fine weapons from the enemy soldiers who had fallen along the way, put them on, and re-entered the battlefield with remarkably effective results.

This light iron armor warded off multiple attacks that would otherwise have been fatal.

The soldiers of the third squad quickly followed suit, preparing to swap places and move to the front.

However, the rear of the Black Cloud Fortress continuously poured fresh troops into the battlefield; even with the advantage of resting while the enemy exhausted themselves, they still felt the immense strain.

If the enemy had only six thousand men, they would have had absolute confidence in victory!

Unfortunately, the enemy's numbers were at least triple, perhaps four or five times their own!

Cao Chen was bleeding from multiple wounds, yet he continued to slash at the enemy with indomitable bravery.

Inspired by him, the surrounding comrades grew bloodshot in the eyes with killing intent.

"Avenge our fallen brothers!!"

The frontline soldiers let out a furious roar, united in hatred and valor.

The tide-like forces of the Black Cloud Fortress were actually halted right there on the field by sheer force of will, unable to advance any further.

Another frenzied and brutal battle erupted between the two sides.

Liang Xiao merely watched the battlefield with cold eyes, remaining motionless.

The art of military leadership begins with mastering the mind.

Though Mount Tai crumble before one, the countenance must remain unchanged; though startled stags spring up on the left, not an eye shall blink—only then can one control advantage and disadvantage, and await the enemy!

He had to wait for the fleeting window of opportunity.

If he lost his composure now, it would only mean the soldiers who had fallen would die in vain!

On the city walls, the garrison members were pacing back and forth in frantic anxiety.

"Clan Head Zhongli, perhaps we should join the battle too!"

Finally, someone could not help but suggest.

Zhongli Xiu shook his head helplessly. "If there are still enemy spies hidden within the city waiting to incite a rebellion and strike from within and without, Pei County will be in mortal peril!"

The others realized he was right and felt deeply ashamed, regretting their earlier lack of courage to volunteer for the battle.

Zhongli Wanxue gripped the plum-blossom spear in her hand and took a deep breath.

Her aging father's words were, in truth, meant for her as well.

The battlefield was crucial, but defending the city was equally paramount.

If the city defenses were left hollow, even if Liang Xiao managed to retreat back into the city without cover, the bandit forces would pursue and slaughter their way in...

And yet, she could no longer bear to watch.

Ahead, dark clouds seemed to weigh upon the city; the forces of the Black Cloud Fortress were gathering in ever-greater numbers, and this group of recruits could simply not defeat them.

They had already done more than enough, but they had reached their absolute limit.

On the field, the troops of the Black Cloud Fortress flocked continuously from the rear to the frontline.

Both sides lacked formal military training, and while the Pei County garrison could barely maintain their formation without collapsing, it was slowly beginning to fracture.

"Zifang, keep a tight grip on the troops!"

Having waited long enough, Liang Xiao saw that the troops near the commander's standard were growing increasingly sparse. Finally, with a surge of heroic spirit, he swung his spear, mounted his steed, and shot forward like a majestic swan taking flight, leaving the dust far behind.

"Though thousands upon thousands face me, still I march!"

Zhuo Zifang nodded solemnly, watching his dearest friend ride far away, his eyes growing warm with unshed tears.

Just as it was when they first met—though thousands upon thousands faced him, still he marched!

It was with this reckless disregard for death that Liang Xiao had saved him.

"County Magistrate! The enemy's numbers are swelling!"

Cao Chen, having fallen back to the rear, reported with frantic urgency, but upon finding no sign of Liang Xiao, panic gripped him instantly.

Zhuo Zifang found a brief moment to tell him, "The County Magistrate has already gone forward. Hold your ground!"

Cao Chen looked closely and nearly stopped breathing.

The County Magistrate was charging into the battlefield from the northeast direction completely alone!!

On the city walls, the garrison soldiers also vaguely caught sight of Liang Xiao making a solo charge, and cries of shock echoed one after another.

"The County Magistrate hasn't retreated! He's going in by himself!!"

Zhongli Wanxue's tears streamed down her face. As she turned and hurried down the city wall, she did not forget to urge her accompanying guards.

"Quick! Bring me my prized steed!"

"Milady!" The guards scrambled to follow.

"Master, Milady has left the city wall and is heading for the battlefield!"

Deeply engrossed in watching the spectacle, Zhongli Xiu whipped his head around in shock and trembled as he ordered, "Quickly, go stop her!"

On the battlefield, the banner and carriage of Chief Gou were stationed upon high ground.

As the troops closed in on the battlefield, he was finally able to take in the full panorama of the conflict, and his face filled with shock.

He saw it clearly—the vast majority of the corpses on the battlefield actually belonged to his own Black Cloud Fortress!

And though the Pei County forces were gradually faltering under the relentless onslaught, driven back step by step, not a single one of them had routed!

"Are they truly recruits who enlisted only a few days ago??"

Chief Gou found it utterly incomprehensible.

Among the brothers of the Black Cloud Fortress, many were veteran mountain bandits of many years, yet even they might not possess such unyielding combat resolve!

That was a full force of several thousand men, and not one of them had fled!

"This fellow Liang Xiao can never be left alive..."

This was the first time Chief Gou had recognized a looming threat, and he issued a grim command with a sinister expression.

"Kill him! Whoever brings me Liang Xiao's head shall be rewarded with three thousand liang of pure silver!!"

At his command, the personal guards who had been standing watch around Chief Gou instantly turned green with covetous greed and threw themselves into the fray.

Chief Gou burst into loud laughter.

Heavy rewards breed brave men!

Three thousand liang could easily buy him five hundred Pei County slaves from Yuan Bailong!

As the forces of the Black Cloud Fortress pressed forward along the entire line, the Pei County troops, despite fighting with desperate courage, slowly began to lose the upper hand.

The battle line crept slowly toward the walls of Pei County, and the defenders upon the ramparts sank deeper into despair.

"County Magistrate!"

Down below, the noise was deafening. Thousands of adult townsfolk surged toward the North City Gate, each armed with carrying poles and hoes, burning with righteous indignation.

"We are willing to defend Pei County for the County Magistrate!!"

Liang De, who was patrolling nearby, was taken aback and hurriedly led troops to block the townspeople.

"Everyone, do not panic! Please trust my master; this battle will be a victory!"

Zhongli Xiu, standing atop the city wall, felt a pang in his heart as he looked at the common folk below shouting slogans to defend Pei County.

For ten years!

The people of Pei County had suffered relentless exploitation; when had they ever shown such fierce loyalty to a magistrate...

The Zhongli family had not misjudged their man.

And his daughter had certainly not misjudged him!

Wind and clouds churned across the horizon.

The howling battlefield winds raged, rivaling the cries of ghosts and howling spirits.

At the rear of the battlefield, Chief Gou caught sight of Zhuo Zifang beneath the Pei County banners in the distance and grew intensely excited.

"Liang Xiao himself is right beneath that banner! Put your backs into the attack, we can kill him right now!!"

Just as Chief Gou was consumed by arrogant triumph, a flash of movement in his peripheral vision caught his eye toward the east. He whipped his head around to look, and his brow furrowed deeply.

A single horse and rider were circling around from a small grove near the battlefield, charging straight for the commander's standard!!

"What manner of warrior approaches??"