Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1617 - 1558: Both Enemy and Ally Reinforcements Arrive
After Zhang Xiu charged out, he saw Zang Ba and the others were determined and didn't say much more. Sometimes, words can't persuade others, so when he saw the Miscellaneous Hun advancing again, Zhang Xiu immediately led his trusted aides to crash into them head-on.
It was a combat style lacking technical content, but even when the Miscellaneous Hun army collided head-on with Zhang Xiu's Xiliang Iron Cavalry, it would dent a large section of the army from a bird's eye view.
Given that he couldn't continue to misuse his Legion Talent, Zhang Xiu did not fight in the usual Iron Cavalry style—never turning back without breaking through the opponent. Mostly, after denting a large section of the Miscellaneous Hun, when his side's speed began to be restricted, he would turn his horse around, making sure never to get deeply encircled.
Yet, even so, under the Miscellaneous Hun's mountain-like encirclement and assault, any slight inattention on Zhang Xiu's part would get him trapped within their army. Nevertheless, the Iron Cavalry's fierce combat power ensured that not much was lost despite the thin encircling line.
"Hey, let me show you something impressive!" Zhang Xiu charged out once more.
This time, the Iron Cavalry looked slightly disheveled, but Zhang Xiu maintained a casual expression.
Before his death, Zhang Ji had instructed Zhang Xiu that as the Chief General, one must never show signs of hardship. Let the enemy understand that even with fewer troops, you are not to be trifled with, and likewise, let your subordinates know that although things may seem challenging, there's still strength left in reserve.
With Zhang Xiu's light smile, hundreds of purple Cloud Qi long spears, formed by tapping into the Cloud Qi, thrust out alongside Zhang Xiu's spear. Each wasn't tremendously powerful, but killing the Miscellaneous Hun was more than adequate.
With this strike alone, nearly a hundred were taken down. Zhang Xiu charged again with his troops. Unlike before, this time at the moment of engagement, Zhang Xiu once more activated his Legion Talent for several seconds, taking down hundreds before turning back with ease and nonchalance.
Seeing again hundreds of corpses added to the battlefield, as Zhang Xiu turned his horse, all of his soldiers did so with such ease. The Chief of the charging Miscellaneous Hun hesitated, and the momentum built up earlier against Zang Ba visibly waned.
After all, their true intentions against the Han Dynasty weren't genuinely altered; they had only seen an opportunity and thought they could defeat the enemy. But before it could be confirmed, a severe setback was dealt, causing the entire army's morale to dip and showing some discouragement facing Zhang Xiu, whose forces were only one-eighth of theirs.
Just at this moment, from the Northwest and Northeast directions, two black lines approached. However, it was evident that the line leaning slightly more to the Northwest, although similar in length to the Northeast one, was significantly thinner, indicating a clear distance and troop difference.
"Attack! Our reinforcements are here!" The Miscellaneous Hun Chief, seeing the Northwest-leaning black line appearing, shouted towards Zhang Xiu and charged, followed by loud shouts from all the Miscellaneous Hun troops advancing towards Zhang Xiu.
Having been previously forced to use the Legion Talent and compress the opponent's momentum to gain a short pause of half an incense stick time, Zhang Xiu steeled himself and charged against the incoming Miscellaneous Hun.
In almost an instant, the Miscellaneous Hun Chief noticed the changes in the Xiliang Iron Cavalry. Initially capable of challenging dozens, then capable of ten-to-one odds in the subsequent battles, now, they were at most on par with five-to-one Han Army odds.
This blatant shift gave the Miscellaneous Hun the illusion that they were growing stronger, their eyes ablaze with sparks. However, this was clearly a delusion; even without explosive skills, Zhang Xiu's methodical strategy allowed the Xiliang Iron Cavalry to showcase their superiority vastly over the Miscellaneous Hun.
Although they could no longer maintain the level of initially handling four thousand head-on and pressing down eight times their number, Zhang Xiu's fierce leadership in charges, cutting off their banners meant that the Xiliang Iron Cavalry, even with only one-eighth the enemy's numbers, did not lose their momentum.
Zhang Liao, upon seeing the two approaching clans of Miscellaneous Hun, sensed trouble. If it had been only the fiercely engaged clan, he could have hoped to unite forces and defeat them. But with an additional contingent of no less than sixty thousand Miscellaneous Hun, he knew it would be impossible.
The difficulty of tens of thousands breaking through hundreds of thousands was not in the same realm as thousands breaking through tens of thousands. Though proportionally larger, war isn't about numbers, especially in direct combat.
"All troops, accelerate!" Zhang Liao roared, making an immediate decision. He knew the two forces must not unite, and the half-hour lead he had was the critical window, the difference for victory was within this time margin.
The moment Zhang Liao resolved, he fully activated his Legion Talent. Unlike before, this time, their Cloud Qi turned blue-green and a steady flow of shimmering points continuously fell down.
Naturally, Zhang Liao also clearly felt the drain on his spirit and Inner Qi. But having chosen to fight to the utmost, there could be no reservations. This concerned whether victory could be obtained; the number of Miscellaneous Hun was indeed overwhelming.
The furious assaults of the Xiliang Iron Cavalry did not dissipate even with Zhang Xiu's Halo fading. While their attacks against the Miscellaneous Hun no longer appeared as overwhelming as before, they still could not be restrained by the Miscellaneous Hun from advancing.
Especially upon seeing their reinforcements about to reach the battlefield, the morale and spirit of the soldiers surged, imparting a stronger momentum to the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.
Zhang Xiu led the charge, spearing several Miscellaneous Hun military officers, and with great effort, shattered one of their banners. He then clearly observed their reinforcements' maneuvers. As the Xiliang Commander-in-chief with deep knowledge of cavalry combat, he instantly understood their intention.
Though the reinforcements' tactic was quite perilous, Zhang Xiu comprehended their thought process. Immediately, he activated his remaining Inner Qi and led the Xiliang Iron Cavalry with determination towards the center of the Miscellaneous Hun.
Seeing this unfold, Zhang Liao felt much of his anxiety melt away. The opponent was also an excellent Cavalry Chief Commander; merely showing a hint of his intent, the other side understood instantly, making this battle a likely victory!
As Zhang Xiu penetrated the core of the Miscellaneous Hun formation, the Hun Chief was overjoyed. Through even such a short encounter, they had come to deeply understand Xiliang Iron Cavalry's fierce charges were something flesh and blood could hardly resist.
To handle such an enemy, encircling and restricting their speed was the best strategy; otherwise, no effort would hold much significance.
Yet previously, with Zhang Xiu's successive assaults, except initially when their momentum was grand, power formidable, and confident in breaking through the encirclement did those wild charges occur. At other times, he did not allow the Miscellaneous Hun any chance to encircle and limit the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.







