Chapter 1090: Withdrawal

Chapter 1079: Calling Off the Troops (Bonus)

Primal power was indeed a valuable asset. Unfortunately, He Lingchuan's current allies and army did not yet possess it, putting them at a disadvantage against the regular forces of other nations.

Dong Rui was also contemplating, "This bronze armor needs another revision."

He Lingchuan nodded. "Once we're back in Yangshan, consult with Li Mingyang about the improvements."

Li Mingyang and his brother had established a permanent presence for the Songyang Prefecture people on the Yangshan Islands. In the past six months, they had set up a branch, started forges, trained apprentices, and produced a continuous supply of armaments. The Ape King's current bronze battle armor, already its second version, was crafted by Li Mingyang.

It seemed a third version would soon be necessary.

By the sea.

Lu Qingbang, leading Bailie's elite soldiers and the Bailong warriors, fought desperately to break through to Storm Bay.

The Yangshan Guard, led by Qiu Hu and Wanmoqi Feng, had already engaged the Ya Nation army and had been fighting for some time.

Both sides were roughly equal in number. The Yangshan Guard, fresh to the battlefield, fought with fierce vigor. The Ya Nation army, though relatively fatigued from two days of fighting the Bailong people, possessed primal power.

While their mission was to reinforce Lu Qingbang, Qiu Hu did not simply rush his troops toward Luding Beach. Instead, he secured a large uphill position. Only when the Ya Nation army advanced to meet them did he launch an attack, charging down the slope.

The Ya Nation army was forced to advance uphill, moving against the momentum, while the Yangshan Guard charged downhill, with the momentum. It was clear which side could more easily exploit the terrain.

Qiu Hu consistently kept in mind that since his forces lacked primal power, they had to compensate by maximizing their advantage in terrain and environment.

Furthermore, seven Rongshan individuals had returned, and along with the cultivators newly recruited over the past six months, they plunged into the enemy's vanguard like sharp blades.

Their goal was to rip a large opening in the enemy's formation, allowing their own soldiers to exploit the vulnerability.

The first collision between the two forces resembled two massive waves crashing into each other, sending blood spray high into the air.

The outcome of this initial surge was crucial; the dominant side would immediately gain an advantage in momentum, psychology, morale, and even terrain.

Leveraging the ferocity of fresh troops, the advantageous terrain, and the resilience of the elite vanguard, the Yangshan Guard not only avoided any disadvantage but also pushed their opponents back over three zhang down the slope.

They were driven back in a single wave.

Having secured the initial advantage, the Yangshan Guard was further invigorated, with every member fighting valiantly.

After fighting for another fifteen minutes, Wanmoqi Feng roared, "Change formation! Change formation!"

Although the Yangshan Guard's fierce assault still held the advantage, Wanmoqi Feng keenly observed that the Ya Nation army, despite being disorganized, was not collapsing, and their retreat was becoming increasingly limited.

Command after command was issued within the enemy ranks, and their disrupted formation was slowly recovering.

After all, the Ya Nation army had years of combat experience, giving them superior tactical psychology and rhythm compared to Yangshan's new forces.

As long as they weren't routed and dispersed in the initial assault, the advantage gained by the Yangshan Guard at the outset would gradually diminish.

At this point, the Yangshan army needed to rely on formations and equipment, as the enemy's primal power enhancements began to manifest their advantage.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before news of Wulu's capture spread across the battlefield.

Without elaborating on the details of the encirclement and pursuit, the Ya Nation army subsequently retreated, withdrawing north of the peninsula as He Lingchuan had requested. The Yangshan Guard also received He Lingchuan's message and laid down their weapons.

This brutal battle, which had raged for two full days, finally concluded completely before dawn.

The moment the combat pressure vanished, the Bailong warriors collapsed to the ground, panting, drinking water, and resting with their eyes closed.

Lu Qingbang gulped down several mouthfuls of water to quench his parched throat, then found the nearest large rock and slumped onto it, his limbs feeling as heavy as lead.

He had been fighting continuously at high intensity for so long that he initially believed he wouldn't be able to last.

Fortunately, indeed.

Fortunately, they had endured to the very end.

Just then, someone patted his shoulder and spoke:

"You've worked hard."

Lu Qingbang looked up to see He Lingchuan standing beside him.

The sun was just rising in the east, its first golden rays piercing the forest's darkness and bringing light back to the world.

Fine dust motes shimmered in the dawn light, now revealing a profound sense of quiet and tranquility.

Only after such a bloody battle did the preciousness of peace become apparent.

Both he and He Lingchuan stood bathed in this light.

"Brother He..." Lu Qingbang stood up, his throat tight with emotion. It was no exaggeration to call this a narrow escape from death. He had truly believed he wouldn't live to see the dawn of a third day.

The Yangshan Islands had merely a business relationship with his family, yet they were willing to risk so much to rescue them!

"Brother! Brother! Big Brother!" Another figure rushed over and embraced him.

It was Lu Feiyan.

Lu Qingbang cried out in pain.

He was covered in injuries, and his sister's embrace made cold sweat and blood flow together.

Lu Feiyan quickly released him, mumbling sheepishly, "Your arms and legs are still intact! You're alright!"

Gazing at his sister's radiant smile, the scrapes on her neck, and the bloodstains on her light armor, Lu Qingbang, as an older brother, still felt compelled to ask, "Why did you go to sea with Brother He?"

Although Lu Feiyan had previously used secret messages to relay intelligence to him, there had been no time for idle chatter.

He Lingchuan waved to Ling Guang, and the medicine ape promptly ran over to treat Lu Qingbang's injuries.

"Island Master He went to collect a debt from the Qinglong tribe, and I tagged along to observe. Who would have thought that after the battle, Qinglong captives revealed that Wulu was leading his army to intercept the Bailong tribe!" Lu Feiyan quickly explained. "So, we rushed over here."

She had certainly done her share of fighting, adding a few more souls to the dead beneath her blade.

He Lingchuan interjected, "I initially set out with only a thousand men. Later, I dispatched additional guards from the Yangshan Islands, which caused some delay. Please forgive the wait, Brother Lu."

A thousand reinforcements were indeed insufficient. He Lingchuan's priority was saving lives without sacrificing himself. Lu Qingbang bowed deeply, his heart filled with gratitude. "My life was saved by Brother He; I would never presume to ask for more! In the future, should Brother He ever require my assistance, Qingbang will never refuse, provided it is within my capabilities!"

He Lingchuan waved his hand, his manner grand. "We are brothers; there's no need for such formalities."

The Soul-Capturing Mirror in his arms hummed, "This young man is still holding back in his words."

He even added a caveat.

Yet Lu Qingbang was acutely aware of his significant responsibilities as a young general of Bailie, and thus could not make overly strong promises.

He Lingchuan didn't fault him; speaking cautiously was a virtue, far better than making empty boasts that ultimately couldn't be fulfilled.

Only after Ling Guang had swiftly staunched the bleeding from several of Lu Qingbang's wounds did He Lingchuan speak:

"Come with me to see the Bailong people."

The Bailong tribe had not moved from Luding Beach, where they remained encamped.

A sad and heavy atmosphere pervaded the tribe, for at the very moment the reinforcements arrived, Wanmoqi Tong had just drawn his last breath.

When He Lingchuan arrived, all the Bailong tribesmen were gathered around Wanmoqi Tong. Even Wanmoqi Feng was crouching there, red-eyed and with his head bowed.

He and Wanmoqi Tong had been childhood playmates, sharing a deep bond.

The Yangshan Guard had managed to save the Bailong tribe, but they had arrived too late to save Wanmoqi Tong.

(End of Chapter)