NOVPUBThe gusty winds whipped fiercely, scattering the clouds above the sky. The sun blazed intensely, overlooking the fields of men below. In the vastness of heaven and earth, the grand legion marched onto the battlefield, becoming the cold chess pieces in the hands of the Commander; the fervent beating of the war drums, the fearless Samurai sang out with vigor, turning into a chapter of fervent bloodshed within the pages of epic history!
Amidst the war drums and shouts, Xiulote ascended the lofty command platform, authoritatively waving the command flag in his hand.
The vast Mexica legion sprang into action instantaneously, spreading like a deluge toward both flanks, then swiftly regrouping under different Commander’s Flags. When two armies contend, each must exploit strengths and avoid weaknesses! Since the Northern Army had the advantage in numbers, it had to extend the battle line as much as possible, increase the width of frontal engagement, and envelop the enemy forces from both wings.
In just a moment, tens of thousands of Mexica Samurai, like a long serpent formation, coalesced into four formidable military arrays. The central army consisted of seven thousand long-spear Militia, divided into left and right formations. These battle-hardened spearmen were organized into units of two hundred and battalions of a thousand. The left formation was slightly thicker, led by the monkey Kuluka who commanded four battalions; the right formation was slightly less, with three battalions under the miner Ezpan. Under the sharp command of the Bone Whistle, the spearmen stood shoulder to shoulder, stacking their spears into staggered layers. Then, under the guidance of their squad leaders, one spear formation after another, like metallic hedgehogs, moved forward slowly yet resolutely.
Xiulote watched the powerful central army becoming neatly organized like a hedgehog, and nodded slightly. In the battle of the Takuro Plains, the long-spear Militia had defeated the formidable Samurai formations head-on, killing thousands of elite Samurai. The mentality of the Militia had undergone a transformation, finally growing into a reliable central legion. True elite soldiers come from the fire of life and death! At this moment, looking from the command platform, the rhythm of the long-spear legion was methodical, their steps steady, already showing an air of elite soldiers.
With strong forces in hand, a grand sentiment naturally reverberated in his chest! The Young Commander looked all around, ordering the central army to thrust forward, with seven thousand long spears arrayed ahead; the wings to cover, with six thousand Samurai arrayed for a combined strike!
The left wing was the loyal Holy City Legion. Three thousand Holy City Samurai held shields and clubs, lowly growling like a pack of wolves under the leadership of the Jaguar Olosh. These hometown warriors, who had followed for generations and were always well-treated, were willing to fight to the death for their commander. The right wing was the devout Religious Legion, formed by the remaining Temple Guards and blessed warriors. The veteran Etalik blew the sharp Death Whistle, while Natali chanted the praises of the Chief Divine. The Religious Legion stood grim and solemn. Whether they were Mexica Samurai or Otomi Warriors, all clutched the Sun Amulet around their necks, praying wholeheartedly to the supreme Chief Divine. Faced with the Royal Army of the foreign god, they were filled with a sacred fervor for battle, and would show no mercy!
The rapidity of the war drums surged with a murderous intent. The four armies in the vanguard maintained a steady pace, advancing toward the likewise unfolded Tarasco Royal Army. Behind them were three thousand archer Legion. These long-range warriors, armed with Longbows and Powerful Crossbows, accompanied by quivers of Arrows, moved in tandem with the vanguard. A new batch of Arrows from the Lake Capital City had been fully replenished, and the warriors were free to shoot. As the two Legions drew near to each other, the Crossbowmen formed ranks in succession. They drew bows and cocked crossbows, ready to let loose a deadly rain of arrows at any moment.
Then, the first to strike like a thunderbolt, were not the awaiting Crossbowmen. "Boom! Boom!", two fierce thunderclaps suddenly exploded, as if the wrath of the God of Thunder had descended upon the land!
In the gaps of the central army, two ready-filled wooden cannons were swiftly fixed into position and immediately fired! At a distance of no more than a hundred paces, the scattered stone shards carried an unstoppable Force, striking the disciplined spear formation of Tarasco’s central army with tremendous power.
Dozens of elite spearmen suddenly let out piercing, wretched screams. They were drenched in dense sprays of Blood from their wounds, rolling on the ground in agony. The fragmented canister shots flew in all directions, with scores of nearby Militia wounded by the stone shards, running in fear and clutching their heads. Within the rising dust, thousands of arrayed Militia looked around in bewilderment. They fell into an unknown terror, bowing down in fear, praying for forgiveness from the divinities ahead.
The roar of the beast terrorized mortals! Centering on the impact point of the cannonade, the ranks of three thousand Tarasco spearmen bubbled like boiling Water, causing chaotic ripples to spread. The actual casualties of the two cannon volleys were only a dozen or so men, but the fear spread by a hundredfold!
Under the inherited Eagle Banner, King Su’angua suddenly widened his eyes, gripping the Divine Staff tightly in his hand. He had already heard of the Mexica’s new weapons through confidential letters from the chief advisor, and had also encountered exploding Clay Tribulus during the battle in the High Mountain Fortress.
But at this moment, no matter how steadfast his will, no matter how much he prepared his troops, when he first truly encountered such a deafening roar like the God of Thunder’s wooden beasts on the open field, King Su’angua’s heart was still profoundly shaken, and his Militia’s morale was still wavering!
Though the flanks of the long-spear square were weak, the front was exceedingly strong. Su’angua placed three thousand long-spear Militia in the central army, with two and a half thousand Royal Warriors unfolded on each wing. The core of two thousand Copper-axe Guards, armed with Longbows, arrayed behind the central army. Facing the offensive of the Mexica legion, the elite Taracos Royal Army made their stand, erecting Copper Spears and presenting a solid defensive formation. However, under the bombardment of the wooden cannons, the sturdiest central defense seemed to crumble in an instant!
Su’angua gritted his teeth fiercely. This was a bad start, and an ominous premonition rose in his mind. He drew out a red flag that had been prepared in advance and pointed it to the left and right toward the direction of the wooden cannons. The piercing sound of the Bamboo Flute was blown immediately. Two thousand Copper-axe Guards simultaneously stepped forward, drawing large Longbows, and releasing a sky-full of deathly howls toward the enemy’s vanguard!
