Zhuge Hualuan's face stiffened.
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218
Updated: 2013-07-30 16:31:15 Word Count: 3440
Everyone finally understood why this year's Grand Finale of the World's Greatest Talent Competition was held at this ancient battlefield. It turned out it was for the purpose of preparing for the third and final round.
When the army of ten thousand men marched in with their perfectly synchronized steps, everyone was stunned by the chilling aura emanating from the two groups of people.
On the vast desert, the enclosed battlefield stretched as far as the eye could see. The spectators were driven back by the competition's organizers, leaving the battlefield almost empty.
Two square formations, one black and one white, stood facing each other on either side, two thousand cavalry and three thousand infantry, perfectly aligned. Under the blazing sun, the desert became even hotter, the fiery sunlight seeming to burn, scorching the people below. But at this moment, no one felt the heat; instead, they felt a numb, trembling fear.
Because this scene is truly terrifying!
What kind of people are these? Most of the people here are ordinary people, there are some wealthy ones, but where have they really seen what war is like? But today, when an army of 10,000 men stands there ready for battle, the desolate Gobi Desert seems to become even colder and more chilling because of their ruthless presence.
There was a large open space in front of both armies, enough for them to fight to their hearts' content. Behind both armies, two men in battle robes rode up on horseback, riding above the armies and standing at the very front.
Within the silver-white formation, Zhuge Hualuan arrogantly gazed at her opponents, knowing in her heart that she had already won this round. Therefore, her gaze towards Luo Zhiheng seemed to regard her as a dead man. However, when she noticed that Luo Zhiheng's armor seemed to be glowing, her pupils contracted, and she finally realized something was amiss.
Although her armor was silver, it lacked any striking features. In contrast, Luo Zhiheng's armor shimmered brilliantly under the sun. It wasn't just white that shone; black could too. In fact, the radiance of black symbolized a more magnificent and mysterious aura. Zhuge Hualuan, with her vast knowledge, immediately recognized that the armor, which had been unremarkable moments before but now gleamed, was made of black gold! 178.
A hint of jealousy flashed in his eyes, but more so, he was annoyed. He had misjudged the situation! But the Silver Moon Kingdom was being too extravagant. For a simple competition, they brought out the Black Gold Armor that everyone in the world coveted. Could they have shown off the Silver Moon Kingdom's wealth any more?
Luo Zhiheng was dressed in black armor that fit her perfectly, highlighting her slender figure and making her look capable and domineering. She looked very energetic, with her long hair flowing down her back. She held a very handsome helmet with one arm, and her heroic eyes looked straight ahead. In the blink of an eye, the female bandit had transformed into a female general. Her righteousness could not be concealed even in this black outfit.
"Luo Zhiheng, swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. If you are unavoidably injured in the fighting outside, please don't mind," Zhuge Hualuan said righteously, and what she said made a lot of sense.
Luo Zhiheng's usually cool and aloof face was now unusually serious. Donning this battle armor, her only feeling was a surge of adrenaline! She seemed to have rediscovered the aura of her bandit days and the invincible, domineering spirit that had slain the invading demons! She raised an eyebrow, her red lips like blood, and let out a hearty laugh, both beautiful and enchanting: "Likewise, I don't ask you to show mercy, but don't expect me to be chivalrous either. We'll see each other on the battlefield!"
"Good!" Zhuge Hualuan's eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Luo Zhiheng took the helmet and put it on her head in a serious and cool way. For a moment, she was indistinguishable from a male!
"Please choose the weapon you wish to use." Madam Song's voice carried far, reaching even the audience who seemed to be miles away.
Zhuge Hualuan raised his hand, revealing an extremely sharp sword: "This is my weapon. Can I bring my own?"
“Of course, then, Luo Zhiheng?” Madam Song asked.
Luo Zhiheng really didn't know what weapon to use. She was used to Zhuge Hualuan's weapon. She wanted to use a cane, but wouldn't using a cane be a bit too much?
Just then, someone ran over from a distance. It was Princess Yu, holding a golden iron rod as thick as a baby's arm. Luo Zhiheng knew that it was Princess Yu's toy.
"Luo Zhiheng, here's my weapon for you. This iron rod is made of refined gold. Don't let its bluntness fool you; it's indestructible. Once you open this part, it will grow longer." Princess Yu stood beneath Luo Zhiheng's horse, looking up at her with great anticipation, her eyes filled with admiration and amazement. She never let anyone touch her weapon, because this iron rod was a priceless treasure from the Southern Dynasty's treasury. But if Luo Zhiheng could wield this treasure to conquer the world, she would be more than willing.
Luo Zhiheng couldn't bear to disappoint this kind girl, so she chuckled and extended her hand, saying solemnly, "Okay! I will definitely use it to defeat the enemy and not let its golden color be tarnished!"
Princess Yu excitedly placed the iron rod in Luo Zhiheng's hand, and before leaving, she said loudly with great anticipation and excitement, "I think you can definitely win, Luo Zhiheng, you have to do your best! Your aunt and I are waiting to throw you a victory celebration!"
"Okay!" Luo Zhiheng felt a surge of warmth in her heart. This was true friendship—not requiring years of camaraderie, nor maintained by money or wealth; he was willing to trust her unconditionally. How fortunate she was to have people around her who had given her everything they had. How could she let those who loved her down?
Luo Zhiheng watched Princess Yu leave, and when she looked up again, her eyes no longer held the mischievousness and smile of the past. Instead, they were filled with a fierce aura and fighting spirit that could stir up storms! She stroked the iron rod and finally found the mechanism. With a strong pull, the iron rod, which was originally only an arm's length long, instantly sprang out a long section, about 1.2 or 1.3 meters long, but without increasing its weight. What a clever design!
The final step before the match was to arrange the formation so that she could better command the group. Luo Zhiheng made the arrangements, which was no stranger to her. She used to carry out surprise attacks when she was a bandit, and this time was no exception.
Luo Zhiheng was full of confidence. With a light swing of her iron rod, a sharp, unusual sound of weaponry cutting through the air rang out. She looked up and shouted, "My troops, listen to my command! Target: the enemy opposite! Objective: Annihilate them all! Treat this battle as a real battle; if we fight, we will fight to the very end!"
"Fight to the end! Fight to the end!" Five thousand elite soldiers shouted in unison with her command, their voices of absolute support echoing across the desert!
In an instant, Luo Zhiheng's side was filled with overwhelming momentum! The soldiers' fighting spirit and heroic spirit were ignited, and their momentum absolutely suppressed the enemy on the other side.
Zhuge Hualuan had no idea what kind of morale was needed in battle, so she ignored it, neither shouting nor leading the troops. She didn't even know to instruct the group on formation and battle plans. Although her mother, who grew up on the grasslands, was skilled in warfare, she hadn't taught her how to manage an army. Zhuge Hualuan even thought that Luo Zhiheng was just trying to boost her own morale, a clear sign of insecurity. She scoffed at this.
"The competition officially begins!" Madam Song gave the order, and the war drums sounded!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The massive war drums were struck, each one louder than the last, and the horns howled. Once again, after a hundred years, the ancient battlefield was filled with the horns of war, the flames of battle, and the roars of soldiers charging into battle!
Here, perhaps there are no grand ambitions, perhaps no truly selfless acts. But here, too, are a group of passionate young men and women, striving and fighting for their goals!
"Giddy up!" Luo Zhiheng shouted, and her warhorse galloped away. Her gaze was sharp as she rode towards her target. Of the five thousand elite soldiers behind her, only two thousand were cavalry. The three thousand infantry remained in place, awaiting orders.
But the two thousand cavalrymen picked up a cloud of yellow sand on this desert, and the smoke instantly swept across the arena, once again vividly depicting the scene of Yelü Cangsheng leading thousands of troops to fight against the enemy on the battlefield a hundred years ago.
When Zhuge Hualuan saw Luo Zhiheng move, she also roared and rushed out, ordering all the men behind her to attack! In an instant, five thousand elite soldiers rushed out like a surging dark cloud, and the dust they kicked up almost engulfed them!
Seeing this, Luo Zhiheng immediately pulled on the reins and shouted, "Halt! Two thousand cavalrymen, on my command, spread out! Form groups of twenty and kill the enemy soldiers charging at you! Leave no one alive!"
The two thousand cavalrymen were indeed elite troops. Although they had only recently begun cooperating with Luo Zhiheng, they were there today to help the two of them complete this final competition, so naturally they had to listen to Luo Zhiheng. Although Luo Zhiheng's words were somewhat unprofessional, they immediately understood and quickly dispersed. Two thousand men, even in groups of twenty, would still be divided into many groups, and even then, they were scattered. Yet, on this battlefield, they were still insignificant.
Seeing the billowing yellow sand rushing towards them, Luo Zhiheng smirked coldly. "I'll show you what a bad start looks like!" she thought. Her sharp eyes narrowed, her long, flowing hair shielding her from the sandstorm. Seizing the opportunity, when the enemy had reached their closest point, Luo Zhiheng decisively shouted, "Kill!!"
Two thousand cavalrymen instantly charged out in their assigned groups, immediately engaging the enemy in a fierce battle. The sounds of fighting and killing filled the air. Luo Zhiheng, amidst the sandstorm, could see clearly that the moment her men charged in, they slashed down countless enemy soldiers who were almost stuck together in a tangled mass.
The enemy soldiers visibly panicked upon encountering the enemy; a disorganized battle would only result in futile struggles and excessive casualties. Screams grew louder and louder, and there were even instances of friendly fire. Luo Zhiheng's troops were swift, accurate, and ruthless, and being cavalry, they rode from higher ground, attacking and retreating with incredible speed!
Her first tactic was to disperse her troops, yet maintain order amidst the chaos, preventing friendly fire and effectively eliminating the enemy in situations where friend or foe was unclear—a multi-pronged approach. Luo Zhiheng's first battle was a masterstroke, demonstrating foresight and a firm grip on the initiative from the very beginning, giving her a significant advantage over Zhuge Hualuan!
The difference in skill between the two is immediately apparent! 16478510
Second update! There's an extra chapter today! I'll keep working hard, my darlings! Please give me your recommendation votes and comments! I'm working so hard, please give me your monthly tickets! I'll give an extra chapter if I get 1600 monthly tickets! It'll be there soon, so please give me your monthly tickets! Don't be shy! Love you all!
219 First Battle a Great Victory! Speed is of the essence in war! (Bonus chapter for 1200 monthly votes)
Updated: 2013-07-30 19:05:44 Word Count: 3456
Luo Zhiheng was ready to press her advantage and deliver a devastating blow before the enemy could regroup or react!
"I, the Black Army, obey your command! All enemy cavalry, annihilate them swiftly, aiming to knock them off their horses. Advance at full speed and drive the enemy back to their lair!" Luo Zhiheng roared at the top of her lungs. Amidst the deafening war drums and billowing smoke, her voice was a banner, an invisible yet audible direction!
The Black side's momentum intensified, and their elite troops roared in unison. The two thousand cavalrymen fought with increasing ferocity, and the general's skillful command and efficient administration allowed the soldiers to effectively unleash their fighting power!
The black cavalry roared "Kill!" amidst the billowing dust, specifically targeting the enemy's tall, mounted cavalry. In truth, both armies were elite troops from the same unit, evenly matched in strength, and incredibly united. But they were also soldiers; obeying orders was their duty. So, in this moment, they were bloodthirsty, yet they knew this was merely a contest, and they were the supporting characters, but they would give it their all. However, they were to follow their commanders' orders completely, not fight independently, because this was the time for both generals to demonstrate their abilities.
However, the Black general's battle plans were ever-changing and highly adaptable, while the White enemy's command ability was much weaker. Therefore, the Black side's fighting power was astonishing, while the White side was like a disorganized rabble. This can only be blamed on Zhuge Liang's poor command. 16478556
Puff puff puff!
The sound of blades piercing clothing echoed across the battlefield, where two thousand elite soldiers charged forward, felling one White Army cavalryman after another. The thuds of soldiers hitting the ground and the neighing of horses ignited the desert. A surge of passion swept across the land; the desert, desolate for centuries, once again teemed with the burning blood and sweat of these strong men.
The fallen soldiers weren't truly dead. Their battle robes were specially made so that swords and blades wouldn't penetrate them, but would leave clear marks. Anyone wounded in a vital area was considered dead, while wounds in places other than those requiring immediate retribution were considered injuries, rendering the wounded immobile. The severity of the injuries varied, with the seriously wounded being considered equivalent to death. Thus, in no time, the chaotic battlefield was littered with a mass of living dead.
It can truly be said that "loyal bones lie scattered amidst the endless yellow sand, and corpses lie everywhere unburied!"
Zhuge Hualuan had to stop halfway through her charge. She was skilled in martial arts, but not in leading troops into battle. The moment the sandstorm swirled up, her spoiled princess act kicked in, and she quickly covered her face, groaning in exasperation. But after a while, as her men fell one by one and never got up again, Zhuge Hualuan finally realized the true meaning of this battle.
This is no joke, it's real cruelty! If she wants to win, it's not a matter for one person, but for leading so many people to victory! Zhuge Hualuan was anxious, feeling that this was too unfair, but Luo Zhiheng's side was unstoppable, and her side was about to be routed. Where was there time for her to be pretentious?
She was about to give the order, but a mouthful of sand entered her mouth, making her nauseous and causing her to vomit. By the time she had finished vomiting, her charging soldiers were already being forced into a retreat. Zhuge Hualuan, proud and arrogant, couldn't bear the sight of her thin face. She quickly overcame the difficulty and roared, "No retreat! Charge! Fight back the way they attacked you! Kill them!" 178.
What kind of general shouts like that? In an instant, everyone inside and outside the arena was shocked!
"Insolence!" General Murong roared, pointing at the Painting Sage and angrily saying, "This is your good granddaughter? It's utterly laughable! Is this a battle between two armies, a fight to the death? This is cheating, shamelessness, and despicable! If you're so capable, don't try to learn tactics from others. You can't win, so you resort to cheating? This match is simply pointless! Zhuge Hualuan's words alone are enough to declare her the loser!"
"It's not just that she lost the battle, but also that she lost her integrity and the face of your Zhuge family!" Old Master Tong added sarcastically from the side.
Zhuge Huahun's painting was so skillful, its color a unique blend of white and rosy! It was so intense it almost resembled a monkey's bottom. He stiffened his neck and angrily said, "What would a girl like you know about this? Even if she's wrong, you don't have to be so harsh."
"This isn't being mean! She seemed like a nice little girl, but has this already exposed her true colors? It's a disgrace to the Saintly Family. Luo Zhiheng is also a girl, and she knows how to manage both the front and the rear, and she commands effectively. Why can't your child do that?" General Murong retorted sarcastically. He was a soldier, a man of iron will his entire life, and he couldn't stand such petty people, especially in battle. There was no reasoning with them.
"Enough! Don't start fighting before the children have even determined a winner. The tournament organizers will decide how to judge the outcome." The chess master's attitude was fair, but his gaze towards Zhuge Huahun also held disapproval.
If Zhuge Hualuan had actually done that, it would have been immoral. It was just a competition, but the competition itself reveals a person's true character. Why didn't Luo Zhiheng follow his example and forge her own path? Because Luo Zhiheng has a moral bottom line. What belongs to others will always belong to them. Even if you learn from them and use them for your own purposes, it's still theirs. That's stealing. If you steal someone else's things, you'll have to return them sooner or later. If someone can abandon their morals and values for a little immediate gain, then they're clearly not a good person.
Zhuge Hualuan's words were spoken in a moment of excitement. She could feel her soldiers freeze in place for a moment, and knew that something was wrong. She quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "I'm not telling you to learn from them, but to be more imposing than them. Don't be afraid, charge forward and kill them."
The soldiers reluctantly accepted her words, but their morale was still not as high as that of Luo Zhiheng's side.
Luo Zhiheng rediscovered the heroic spirit he once possessed, riding swiftly and dominating the mountain stronghold. He laughed heartily and said, "Brothers, charge! Don't be afraid of them, they're just a bunch of cowards! We'll take them down in the shortest time possible, kill them all, cut off their general's head, and then we'll go back and drink to our hearts' content!"
The true nature of a female bandit was completely exposed. She mingled with the men, treated the soldiers as her brothers, and drank three million with them. This boldness and cheerfulness immediately ignited the enthusiasm of the soldiers and made them accept Luo Zhiheng's way of speaking. They became more energetic and charged forward with a roar, defeating the enemy with an overwhelming momentum.
However, White was firmly suppressed by Black from the very beginning and had no momentum to gain any advantage.
"Kill!" the cavalrymen roared, swords drawn, their morale at its peak.
Luo Zhiheng's command was skillful and she was good at boosting morale, so it was a great start. Zhuge Hualuan only thought about his own gains and losses and did not care about the overall cooperation, which caused the morale of the whole army to be defeated and reduced sharply, and they were instantly devastated!
The Black faction truly emerged as a dark horse in the desert, their members displaying exceptional bravery and skill in battle. They decisively routed the remaining enemy forces, forcing them to abandon their commander's orders and begin a retreat. The Black faction relentlessly suppressed the White faction, pushing them back to their initial position—their camp!
The desert fell silent, even the sandstorm-like dust subsided, and people finally saw the initial results of the battle after all the hardship.
Amidst the endless yellow sand, soldiers clad in white battle robes lay scattered across the ground, stretching from front to back. This gave a glimpse into the intensity of the battle that had just taken place, and further allowed one to imagine the overwhelming power of the Black forces as they swept the White forces back to their homeland! Zhi pursued them.
"Don't pursue a desperate enemy!" Luo Zhiheng shouted loudly at that very moment.
The cavalrymen on their warhorses immediately assembled and charged back, kicking up clouds of dust as they returned in triumph, each one like a general amidst the sounds of victory horns! The three thousand infantrymen who had remained motionless in the ranks cheered and shouted with joy, and the scene instantly became jubilant.
"Did they win?" This was the common question on everyone's mind. Although they couldn't see clearly just now, they could hear Luo Zhiheng's shouts several times, and they could hear Luo Zhiheng's command of the battle. Now they could see everything in front of them.
"Wow, that's amazing!" Princess Yu exclaimed softly, not daring to breathe too loudly. It was clear that Luo Zhiheng hadn't moved an inch in front of the formation. She said dejectedly, "What a pity, Luo Zhiheng didn't get to use my weapon."
"Don't be discouraged, the competition has only just begun," the Empress said softly, appearing beside Princess Yu at some point.
"Really! Will Luo Zhiheng win?" Princess Yu's eyes lit up.
The Empress smiled meaningfully at Luo Zhiheng: "Then you'll have to ask your ancestor."
Princess Yu hurriedly ran to General Murong's side and asked for his exact words. General Murong stroked his beard and gave a profound four-word evaluation: "Speed is of the essence in war!"