Chapter 241: Great Victory and Admonition to Hou Tong’s Plan
In front of Wu Shuang’s main building, Peng Bo clenched the ghost-head sword in both hands, unleashing all the power of the eight manes, slashing at Duan Pingyu’s vital points. In just a moment, he forced Duan Pingyu from outside the building into the building.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to run away, it’s mainly because Xia Chuan and a few other people have directly surrounded the main building. If he shows any signs of escaping, Xia Chuan and the others will immediately move, making it clear that they want to stop him.

He could only escape into the building.

Bang…bang…

“what!”

“Have mercy, Chief Peng, have mercy.”

“I am willing to surrender. I would like to ask the masters of Daxia to persuade Peng Bo as soon as possible.”

…………

Although Wu Shuang’s main building was made of a lot of iron, it couldn’t withstand the crazy bombardment of an Eight-Mane-Power Cold-Resistant Class. Soon, huge knife-shaped marks appeared on the walls, accompanied by Duan Pingyu’s screams and pleas for mercy.

He even thought of Xia Chuan and others, and showed his surrender, hoping that they could help him persuade Peng Bo.

Unfortunately, Xia Chuan had been watching the battlefield in the Digging Realm. Luo Yuan, Zhao Long and several other Cold-Resistant-class warriors did not react at all. They just looked at the main building quietly and ignored his cries for help.

call…………

Duan Pingyu’s weapon was the same as Wu Xiong’s, a long stick. He heard a gust of wind noise by his ears and realized that Peng Bo’s broadsword was chopping down from above his head again. His heart was filled with despair, and he simply dragged his injured body through the wall of the second floor and ran out.

However, he was already covered in wounds, and his strength was greatly reduced. He was unable to completely break down the iron wall of the main building. Only half of his body came out, with his two legs still inside.

Click…………

“what!”

The big knife chopped down, Duan Pingyu screamed, his legs were cut off, and his upper body fell upside down from the wall on the second floor.

Even though his legs were cut off, his instinct for survival still prompted him to use his hands to crawl forward in an attempt to escape. Even though he knew he was doomed to die, he still wanted to live a few more seconds.

But Peng Bo still didn’t let him go. He jumped up from the second floor, and with the remaining strength from cutting off Duan Pingyu’s leg, he clasped the eyes of the ghost head on the handle with his fingers. The big knife suddenly turned down from behind and stabbed directly into Duan Pingyu’s back.

The handle of his sword was not carved into the shape of a skull for fun. The three holes of the skull, namely the eyes, nostrils and mouth, could be controlled with fingers at critical moments, which could play an unexpected role.

Pfft…………

“There are so many wronged souls among Yang Lu, it would be too easy for you to just kill you like this!”

The ghost-head sword pierced through Duan Pingyu’s back, and Peng Bo’s hateful voice rang out again, foreshadowing that Duan Pingyu was about to face the most vicious revenge.

…………

“what!”

“Kill me, kill me.”

“Peng Bo, you beast, kill me, kill me!”

“Please, kill me, kill me!”

…………

As Duan Pingyu screamed and pleaded in extreme pain, the battlefield, which had still some aftermath, calmed down in an instant.

Everyone turned their heads to look over here. With every slash of the knife made by Peng Bo, their pupils would tremble violently, and they gradually began to feel frightened.

“Gudong…”

Bang!

On Wu Shuang’s side, the first person appeared to lay down his weapons and surrender.

Clank… Clank…

Soon a chain reaction occurred. More and more people put down their weapons and knelt down one after another in front of the Daxia people around them. The lumberjacks who were shooting arrows in the back also dropped their iron bows and knelt down.

In fact, after Hong Gang, Huang Yong, Zhao Hu, Zhao Bao, Lu Yang, Zhu Yuan and Lin Kai, seven cold-resistant-level soldiers, joined the battle, Wu Shuang’s army had already been defeated, and there were only more than two hundred people who could still resist.

As the strongest people laid down their weapons, the rest of the lumberjacks, including some very loyal ordinary Wu Shuang people, also surrendered.

Seeing that Wu Shuang’s camp had completely surrendered, everyone in Da Xia had extremely excited smiles on their faces.

Wu Shuang, just take it down like that!

“Tie up all Wu Shuang’s participants in the battle and detain them. Then quickly count the casualties. When it’s over, the leaders will gather in front of me!”

Xia Chuan shouted an order, awakening all the people of Da Xia who were still immersed in the great victory. The captains or leaders of the thirty intermediate hunting teams quickly began to lead their people to get busy.

Including Luo Yuan, Zhao Long, and Hong Guang who were standing next to Xia Chuan, seeing that Duan Pingyu was doomed to die, they all went to gather their hunting teams and began to count their spoils and casualties.

However, Zhao Hu, Zhao Bao, Zhu Yuan and a few others heard the anger in Xia Chuan’s tone. They looked at each other with some confusion.

Soon, thirty mid-level hunting team captains finished their work and all walked in front of Xia Chuan and stood in three rows.

Although the thirty people are all captains of intermediate hunting teams, their statuses are naturally different due to their different cultivation levels.

The ten cold-resistant class members who came this time, Luo Yuan, Zhao Long, Hong Guang, Hong Gang, Huang Yong, Zhao Hu, Zhao Bao, Lu Yang, Zhu Yuan, and Lin Kai, stood in the first row;
The last two rows are team captains who have just been promoted to intermediate level, including Zhu Shun, Ying Xuan, Zou Yuankai, Xiao Kangcheng, and Zhu He.

Since Chief Secretary Yuwen Tao was not here, the hunting department’s affairs should be handled by Deputy Chief Secretary Luo Yuan. Seeing that everyone was present, he asked about the casualties and gains one by one, and after summarizing them, he walked up to Xia Chuan and reported loudly:
“Reporting to the Secretary, in this battle, the thirty teams have captured a total of 782 people, including 327 Diggers and 455 Woodcutters. We have just taken 821 prisoners, including 252 Diggers, 548 Woodcutters, and 21 ordinary people. Our casualties totaled 42, including 28 deaths, 14 serious injuries, and the rest were slightly injured.”

Luo Yuan’s tone was very calm when he reported, but even so, when most people heard this string of numbers, a hint of pride appeared on their faces to a greater or lesser extent.

Obviously, they were extremely satisfied with this achievement.

Only Luo Yuan himself and the group of cold-resistant-level warriors around him obviously noticed something. They looked up and found Xia Chuan’s gloomy face. They immediately stood up straight, not daring to show any expression.

“Only 28 people died, so we should be satisfied, right?”

Xia Chuan’s angry question made everyone look slightly stunned.

There were 42 casualties and nearly 800 people were captured, a small half of whom were at the Digging Realm, and the entire Wu Shuang camp was captured. This was definitely an undisputed victory. What else is there to be dissatisfied about?
“30 intermediate hunting teams, 1500 people. The Digging Realm has nearly three times the number of people. With Daxia’s forging technology, the same ten-forged weapons in your hands are definitely stronger than the opponent’s. The Lei Kui armor you wear is better than the ordinary armor worn by the Wu Shuang people. Do you all admit these three points?”

After hearing what Xia Chuan said, everyone vaguely realized something. After their heads began to calm down, they gradually put away the arrogance on their faces.

“You had more people, weapons, and armor than the other side, and you had ten cold-resistant soldiers helping you break in. Even after you broke in, most of Wu Shuang’s people hadn’t reacted yet. Even with all the advantages, you still had to send seven cold-resistant soldiers to help you, and in the end, 7 people were killed or injured. Do you really think this victory was glorious?”

As Xia Chuan finished speaking, the ten Cold-Proof-class warriors, including Luo Yuan, and the twenty people behind them, all lowered their heads with a look of guilt on their faces.

“42 casualties, of course not a lot, but you have to understand that tonight Wu Shuang’s 800 Digging Realm soldiers are not here, and there is only one Cold-Resistant Realm soldier left in the camp, who has never attacked you all. With 42 casualties under such circumstances, if we were to attack a normal giant camp, this number would be several times higher.”

“Your thirty intermediate hunting teams are the absolute elite of Daxia at present. You have fought such a smooth and unexpected battle. In the upcoming battle of Pingxiyuan, I am afraid that not many of you will be able to return to Xiacheng alive!”

“You all have to remember that Wushuang is just an ordinary camp in Pingxiyuan. The strongest here are Longshan and Zhaoyang. I don’t know the situation in Zhaoyang, but there is a Longyou Army in Longshan. Judging from the situation when you just attacked Wushuang, if you really run into this army, what will happen then? You can think about it yourself!”

Hearing Xia Chuan’s increasingly profound warnings, everyone’s faces not only showed guilt, but also gradually became more solemn.

“Since this is your first time in a big battle, I picked opponents who are not very strong. But after watching the whole battle, I have to say that your performance really disappointed me…”

Xia Chuan paused, pointed at the ordinary hunting team members who were still busy at the back, and continued to speak to the captains: “I won’t say anything about them. On weekdays, when they hunt cold beasts outside, they always listen to you, so it’s the same on the battlefield, but what were you doing just now?”

“Relying on their own strength, they just charged forward without paying any attention to their teammates, letting them fight on their own without any order at all. They were simply a mob.

Do you really think that the loss of 42 people was caused by your own actions?
In this battle, you have the advantage. My original plan was to let the seven cold-resistant-level soldiers only be responsible for breaking the door, and you will be fully responsible for the rest.

If I hadn’t really been unable to bear it, I would have asked them to attack in advance, and your casualties would have at least tripled to five times!”

At this moment, not only the 30 people standing in front of them were shocked, but even the ordinary members of the Daxia Hunting Team in the back showed shame on their faces.

Hong Mu in the crowd lowered his head in shame.

Xia Chuan said that there were not only 30 captains who only knew how to charge forward, but also % of the ordinary hunting team members were like this, and he was one of them.

He had just rushed forward and put himself in danger. If his father Hong Gang had not intervened in time, he would have most likely become the 43rd casualty.

“Why, with only the title of hunting captain, you are only responsible for hunting and not fighting with other camps. Once on the battlefield, it all depends on personal ability, right?”

Xia Chuan’s voice was sonorous and powerful, as if he was questioning everyone.

“As long as it’s a battle, no matter if it’s a cold beast, a monster, or a human, they are all enemies that will take your life. The reason why we set up so many teams was to let you understand the significance of division of labor and cooperation. In my opinion, the 42 casualties today were all caused by your negligence.

In the coming period, we will have many battles in Pingxiyuan. If you are still like this in the next war, Daxia will not have to stay in Pingxiyuan. I will take you all back to Xiacheng immediately and come back when we are ready next time!”

Xia Chuan paused and said seriously, “It just so happens that the leader has said before that population is the most valuable asset of Daxia, especially for the Digging Realm members of your hunting team. Losing any one of them will be a huge loss to the camp. Instead of exchanging your lives for territory, it is better to stay in Xiacheng and come back when you are strong enough.”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions were slightly moved.

Especially the earliest group of people in Daxia, they knew very well that Xia Hong’s attitude towards ordinary people like them in Tupo before was enough for him to say such words. So they did not doubt the truthfulness of Xia Chuan’s last words.

“I promise Si Cheng that in the next war, no one from my Tiger and Leopard Squad will die.”

“My team, Steel Mane, also promises Si Cheng!”

“Don’t worry, Lord Si Cheng. The next time we fight, we will lead the team, cooperate well, and do our best to reduce casualties!”

………………

The first row of ten cold-resistant level soldiers, starting with Luo Yuan’s direct promise to Xia Chuan, the rest of the people also made promises. They were relatively strong, so they were sure that the team would not suffer any casualties.

Although the captains in the back row who had not yet broken through to the cold-resistant level did not dare to make such a promise, they loudly declared their determination and promised Xia Chuan that they would do their best to reduce casualties in the next battle.

After hearing everyone’s assurances, Xia Chuan’s gloomy expression finally brightened a little, and his brows relaxed a little.

“Okay, I hope my admonition was not in vain. I look forward to your performance next time. Remember, we only have one life, and the lives of us Daxia people are more precious. If we really have to die, at least we must die gloriously. Dying on a battlefield like this is not only meaningless, but also useless. If the price of conquering a city is your life, then I would rather not have such a bloody territory, and the leader will look down on it even more. Do you understand?”

We only have one life, and the lives of us Daxia people are even more precious!

Even if I die, I will die gloriously.

If the price of conquering a city is life, I would rather not have it!

Xia Chuan’s words immediately lifted up the spirits of the crowd that had just been suppressed. Everyone’s breathing became heavier, and they raised their heads slightly, all looking at Xia Chuan.

“Do you understand everything?”

Xia Chuan spoke again in a deep voice.

Whether it was Luo Yuan, Zhao Long and the other ten Cold-Resistant-level warriors, the twenty captains behind them, or the rest of the ordinary hunting team members who were detaining and tying up the Wu Shuang people, they all looked up excitedly and answered in unison:
“clear!!!”

The unanimous answer from more than a thousand people shook the earth and frightened Wu Shuang so much that both the captives and ordinary people lowered their heads slightly, and their already submissive posture became even more respectful.

Not far away, Peng Bo, who had already killed Duan Pingyu some time ago, took in the whole scene. His expression was moved, yet complicated.

He was also the leader of a giant camp. If such losses could be incurred in a battle, he would probably wake up laughing in his dreams. However, Xia Chuan’s admonition just now was obviously sincere, and the shame on the faces of these people from Da Xia was not fake at all. In other words, in Da Xia’s view, such losses were really unacceptable.

How could his heart not be complicated?
I was moved entirely because of what Xia Chuan just said.

Compared to other camps, including his Yang Lu, Da Xia’s emphasis on the lives of its own people has obviously reached another level.

How can there be no casualties when expanding territory?

This is the logic of normal people, but in Daxia, it seems not to be the case.

This emphasis on human life was refreshing to Peng Bo, and at the same time, he felt inexplicably touched.

Daxia seems to be a little different from other camps!
“Alright, it’s almost dawn, detain all the prisoners, screen all the people in Wushuang first, then count all the property and minerals. We will spend the day in Wushuang. Everyone stay alert to prevent mutiny.”

“Yes, my lord!”

After the admonition, under Xia Chuan’s order, the inventory and inspection of Wu Shuang’s property was quickly launched, and everyone continued to be busy.

Xia Chuan, on the other hand, walked slowly towards Peng Bo with a smile on his face:
“Captain Peng, I received some interest. Are you in a good mood?”

“Thank you so much for killing Duan Pingyu this time!”

Peng Bo bowed slightly to express his thanks. In his heart, he could roughly guess what Xia Chuan was going to say to him next.

………………

In the forty-eighth year of Longyou, on April 17th, at dawn.

Wu Shuang changed her master, and Yang Lu strangely revived, two things that happened simultaneously, Xia Hong was completely unaware of them. At this moment, he was following Hou Tong, looking with great interest at the Longyou army stationed on the south side of Baiyuan’s camp.

On the snow-covered plain ahead, there appeared two unusually abrupt wooden houses. The wooden houses were in the shape of spires and were divided into three floors. The first floor was over 100 meters long, the second floor was only 50 meters, and the top floor was only about 10 meters long. There were also many windows on the four sides of the top floor, which were obviously used to observe the surrounding situation.

Through the window, you can see a bonfire in the house, and vaguely see a number of fully armed figures walking around, obviously very alert.

“To the south of Baiyuan is the Wushuang camp, and to the southeast is the Hanqiong camp where our army is stationed. To the west of the wooden house, there is a branch of Longshan Mountain that runs generally east-west and just bypasses this plain. The entrances for the Wushuang and Hanqiong families to Longshan are right here on this branch.”

On the big tree, following Hou Tong’s explanation, Xia Hong looked at the map in his hand, outlined the direction of the branch with his fingers, and a look of understanding appeared on his face.

“This branch just happens to separate Hanqiong, Wushuang and Zhaoyang, so if these two families want to go to Zhaoyang, they must take this plain and pass through Baiyuan.”

Hou Tong, who had been maintaining the same position as Xia Hong, nodded immediately upon hearing this.

“To the north of Wu Shuang and Han Qiong’s families is Zhaoyang, but they are separated by a branch of Longshan Mountain, which is 30 to 40 kilometers wide from north to south. Neither family has the ability to cross it, so they can only take a detour.”

“It seems that they don’t have the ability to mobilize large numbers of personnel!”

Xia Hong nodded slightly, then corrected Hou Tong’s statement in his mind.

The mobilization of a small number of people and a large number of troops are two completely different concepts. That is why the number of people in the hunting team of Bingyuan Camp should not be too large. Because if there are too many people, it will attract a large number of cold beasts.

The same goes for the movement of personnel. After all, they are all at the Digging Realm. Moving them in batches would be a bit dangerous; moving in large numbers would fear attracting large numbers of cold beasts, so they have to take a detour.

While Xia Hong understood the terrain of central Longyou, he also figured out why the Longshan army chose to station here.

The plain ahead is about five or six kilometers long, with a few big trees growing in the middle. There is no obstruction at all. By stationing here, one can have a clear view of the entire plain passage. The three families of Wu Shuang, Han Qiong, and Bai Yuan, as long as there are any large-scale personnel coming and going, can be seen clearly.

“Before Lord Hong came, I had been observing here for three days. I haven’t figured out who the leader is yet, but some of them come out at night and even organize small-scale teams to go hunting in the mountains. The total number is probably over 2,500, and nearly half of them are wearing hundred-forged iron armor. They are obviously soldiers of the Longyou Army.”

Not only did they set up camp, they also organized people to go into the mountains to hunt.

This clearly shows that they intend to stay here for a long time.

A hint of surprise appeared in Xia Hong’s eyes, and he immediately felt some admiration for Long Shan’s quick decision.

“There are 2,500 people, nearly half of whom are Longyou troops. If they get in here, they will cut off the connection between the north and the center. The people of Wu Shuang and Han Qiong will have no way to reunite with Zhao Yang and Bai Yuan. They even have to worry about the Longyou troops attacking from the south at any time. It seems that you are in a bit of trouble!”

Hou Tong was embarrassed at first, but soon his expression changed and he smiled lightly:

“It was indeed difficult, but now that Lord Hong is here, it’s okay.”

“Oh, you have plans?”

Xia Hong raised his eyebrows slightly. After Hou Hu gave him a task last night, he followed Hou Quan directly to the Hanqiong camp. As soon as he arrived in Hanqiong, Hou Tong immediately took him to see the Longshan army stationed there.

Although the time spent at Hanqiong’s base was short, Xia Hong had already gained a general understanding of the situation there as soon as he arrived.

Hou Tong led the 1,500 Zhaoyang men, plus Han Qiong’s own 1,000-plus, totaling more than 2,500 Digging Realm warriors.

It seems that the total number of people is comparable to that of Longshan, but if Hou Tong dares to bring people to fight, Xia Hong will only think that he is crazy.

Although Xia Hong did not have an exact idea of ​​how much stronger the Longyou Army was than an ordinary camp hunting team, he was certain that if the number of people on both sides was equal, a one-sided massacre would definitely occur.

The basic strength per capita is at least at the limit of 30,000 jin, and each person is equipped with a strong bow with a pulling force of 30 stones, plus a hundred-forged weapons and hundred-forged armor. From the cultivation to the equipment and finally to the quality of the personnel, it can be said that professional armies like the Longyou Army and the Blood Guard Army have formed an all-round crushing of the large army composed of members of ordinary camp hunting teams.

If the numbers are equal, there is no chance of fighting.

Xia Hong roughly estimated that the two sides would need at least three times or even more numerical advantage before they could reach a balanced state.

This was still the case even if he tried his best.

In a large-scale Digging Realm battle, someone like him with the strength of Twenty-One Manes can certainly play a huge role, but it is completely impossible for him to completely control the outcome of the battle.

What’s more, they were facing the elite Longyou Army.

The Cold-Resistant level is very strong. With the power of his twenty-one manes, he can easily kill more than a dozen people with a full-strength punch. But in the end, he is still a mortal body.

As long as you are human, you will get tired and exhausted. If you punch too many times, you will not be able to punch anymore. Even if you can punch, the power will become weaker and weaker.
But it is different for an army of thousands of people. Their arrows can threaten you, they can engage in roundabout ways with you, they can rush up to you in waves and batches, draining your strength like a wheel. If you don’t escape in time, you will end up being a lamb to be slaughtered.

This is why when Li Tiancheng saw Hou Hu escape into the Blood Guard’s formation that night, he immediately gave up the idea of ​​killing him.

I am clear about this, and Hou Tong must be clear about this too.

Hou Tong would not be so stupid as to think that his presence, together with the 2,500 men in his hands, could defeat the Longshan army. He must have some plan.

That’s why Xia Hong immediately asked him what his plans were.

While Xia Hong was thinking, Hou Tong also told him his plan.

“I have sent people to Wushuang, Yanglu and Fengchao respectively to inform Wu Xiong, Han Jiuli and Hou Ming to transfer their troops to Wushuang to assemble first. Excluding those who stayed behind, the three parties should be able to send out more than 3,000 people in total. Together with Han Qiong’s 2,500 people, the total number is more than 6,000. With so many people, they can crush the Longyou army even if they risk their lives. With the strength of Lord Hong, we will be able to break the blockade of Longshan in no time and join up with the leader and his men!”

Xia Hong’s expression did not change much when he heard this, but when he heard the sentence “I can kill people in Longyou even at the cost of my life”, a hint of displeasure and disgust immediately flashed in the depths of his pupils.

(End of this chapter)