After a long while, Zhang Gongjin suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "No, we have fewer people than they do. The Changlin Army alone numbers two thousand. And the entire Xuanwu Gate garrison only has a little over four hundred men."
“From the moment we left until now, the Changlin Army has suffered over two hundred casualties. But we have also lost over a hundred. Now, the Changlin Army still has eighteen thousand men, but we only have a little over three hundred left. In this way, we are actually the ones who have suffered the most,” Zhang Gongjin said with a frown.
In terms of numbers, it was initially about four to one. But now, it's closer to six to one. Although the Changlin Army suffered greater losses, the difficulty of the siege has been reduced significantly.
"So you've learned to be smart now? Too bad it's useless!" After saying that, Lin Yang immediately opened his Divine Eye of Luck and began to examine the current situation.
Indeed, these eyes can perceive the energy and fortune of all things in heaven and earth. Naturally, they can also discern the weaknesses of an army. Furthermore, through the art of observing energy, one can constantly monitor the condition of one's own army.
Just like data, you can know the morale and combat effectiveness of your army anytime, anywhere. Such a huge advantage is hard to imagine.
In Lin Yang's eyes, the battlefield at this moment was like a strategy game. Even a primary school student who knew how to play games could easily win with the help of such a cheat.
After all, the core of war is to fight with superior numbers. Whether it's gaining a local advantage, launching a surprise attack, or using various stratagems like the Thirty-Six Stratagems, the ultimate goal is to fight with superior numbers and achieve victory.
"This feint attack involved ten siege ladders, corresponding to ten attack points. At a glance, the enemy's morale is strongest near the fifth siege ladder from the left, likely composed of veterans or elite troops. With such elite defenses, it's not a good place to break through."
"The military aura near the ninth cloud ladder is the weakest. In other words, the elite soldiers there, dressed in armor and looking very imposing, are actually just for show, all show and no substance."
"Well, now it's my turn to perform," Lin Yang muttered to himself.
"Send a detachment to attack from the third ladder on the left. It doesn't matter if we can't take it, but we must draw the enemy's attention no matter what."
"Very well, it is time. Where are my personal guards? Join me in launching the attack from the ninth ladder."
Amidst shouts of battle cries, Lin Yang easily stormed the city walls. It could be said that the siege had already won half the battle. From now on, all that remained was to maintain that momentum.
The sword flashed, each strike accompanied by a scream, blood, and bits of flesh. In just a few breaths, more than ten soldiers had fallen at Lin Yang's hands. Even his flamboyant white robe was now stained a dark red with blood.
With the cooperation of his personal guards, it was only a few breaths before a large gap was torn in the Xuanwu Gate's defenses.
"Not good, this must be Lin Yang, Lin Feipeng. I didn't expect him to be so fierce. General Chang, let's take the last reserve force and go." With that, Zhang Gongjin seemed to have a death wish. He straightened his armor and charged forward.
Seeing this, Chang He considered his own situation, gritted his teeth, and followed.
In this battle, there is no turning back.
In this battle, there is no chance of survival.
"Ah, Lin Feipeng, prepare to die!" After saying that, Chang He directly raised a large horizontal sword and slashed down from above.
At this moment, Chang He was truly using all his strength. Every strike was incredibly powerful, with no intention of defense whatsoever. Each strike was aimed directly at Lin Yang's head, a fight to the death, and even Lin Yang was finding it somewhat troublesome.
If there were only one madman, dealing with him would be very simple. But there's another madman named Zhang Gongjin nearby, fighting in the same way, clearly not intending to kill anyone.
"Heh, how long can you hold out by just fighting desperately? What's the use of relying on momentary bravado?" With that, Lin Yang doubled the strength in his hands. After just a few strikes, he had the two men weak in the arms and legs, their bodies exhausted.
"Chang He, prepare to die!" With a loud roar, a murderous aura emanated from him, and Chang He felt a chill run down his spine. Even the precious sword in his hand seemed to become unsteady.
A sword against a sword, Lin Yang against Chang He.
With a clang, the knife broke and the man died.
Chang He, the general guarding Xuanwu Gate, was originally a general bribed by the Crown Prince, but later betrayed the Crown Prince and defected to Prince Qin, Li Shimin. Now, he is dead.
Ding-dong
Zhang Gongjin was one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyun Pavilion. He participated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident and made great contributions to Li Shimin. Now, he has passed away.
"Hehe, no wonder he is one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion. Although this is just an ordinary historical world, he still has a trace of the spirit of a general."
"Luckily, this is just an ordinary world. Otherwise, if it were in the main world, it would definitely attract the surrounding evil energy and killing intent, and I would probably be the one to die." Looking at the wisp of the soul in his hand, Lin Yang said with a smile. This time, the harvest was really not small.
The so-called "General's Soul" is actually an essential item for a martial general when breaking through from the third to the fourth rank. It is closely related to the path of each martial general, but has little to do with cultivation level.
It is important to know that, depending on their personality and habits, even if they practice the exact same cultivation method, their souls will be very different.
Therefore, in the future, many chosen ones will come specifically to these historical worlds without extraordinary powers, to reap rewards time and again. Their target is the souls of these outstanding military generals.
It's important to know that these incomplete general souls are highly sought after in the main world. They are especially effective elixirs for generals stuck at the peak of the third tier and unable to advance.
Once used, the chances of a breakthrough increase significantly. After all, there are very few people who are truly gifted and can comprehend the Soul of a General through their own abilities.
"Alright, Xuanwu Gate has been captured. Send the signal to inform the Crown Prince." With Lin Yang's command, the pre-prepared small balls were ignited. Thick plumes of black smoke rose straight into the sky.
"Alright, Your Highness, look at the sky," Shi A said with a smile.
He was in a terrible state. Although he had broken through to the Innate Realm after his last return, in this world devoid of spiritual energy, the difference between the Innate and Acquired Realms was truly minimal.
Even with the enhancement of internal energy, one can only be a little faster, a little stronger, and have better eyesight. As for other things, such as capturing dragons and controlling cranes, internal energy leaving the body, true energy taking form, or striking a cow through a mountain, don't even think about it.
Therefore, despite his exceptional martial arts skills, he was in a rather disheveled state. His armor was tattered beyond recognition. If it weren't for the high quality of his inner armor, he might already be dead.
The group had dwindled from over twenty people to just the two of them: him and Li Jiancheng. The remaining guards were almost all dead. Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, had also been separated from them. Whether he lived or died was now up to fate.
"Ah, what? Look at the sky."
At this moment, Li Jiancheng's robes were already torn, and his arm was injured. If he hadn't worn an inner armor beforehand, he would have been dead long ago. Even the sword in his hand was stained with blood.
He appears more mature and resilient. You could say he used to be somewhat frail. But I believe he will definitely change that after this experience.
"This, this is a pre-arranged signal? Could it be a trap set by the King of Qin's men to lure me out?" Li Jiancheng asked, first excitedly, then suspiciously.
"Hehe, Your Highness, there's no need to worry. You see, these smoke signals follow a pattern. As the saying goes, 'If there are three long and one short, choose the shortest; if there are three short and one long, choose the longest.' Ah, no, it's like this, the pattern is..."
------------
Chapter 30: The End of One Era and the Beginning of Another