Chapter 44

Chapter 678: Encounter (1)

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While the Guandong army was pounding the gate of Sashu Pass, the Guanxi army had also passed through Hangu Pass and reached Hanguan.

"Luoshi used such a dirty trick."

Huangbosong was frustrated by the delay at Hangu Pass.

Luoshi had held the Guanxi army for nearly four days, even in the crumbling Hangu Pass.

The loss of troops was not significant, but the frustration rose to the top of his head due to Luoshi sealing the gate with rocks and dirt.

Was that all?

The road had turned into a muddy mess due to the harmony of clay bricks and heavy rain. Moving the heavy siege weapons was out of the question, and even the carts loaded with provisions had to move slowly due to the mud.

The only road from Hangu Pass to Hanguan had become a muddy path, making the advance excruciatingly slow.

The morale of the soldiers, who had no time to rejoice over crossing Hangu Pass, plummeted as they were forced to do arduous work.

'If we continue like this, even if we win, it won't be a real victory. No matter how urgent the situation, this is not right. Luoshi... Luoshi... How much time can you buy with such shallow tactics? It won't affect the outcome of the battle.'

However, Huangbosong's thoughts had to change as they approached Hanguan.

"Lord, the defenses of Hanguan seem very solid."

The Guanxi army's strategist, Siyuan, felt heavy-hearted when he saw the numerous crossbows mounted on the walls of Hanguan.

"Does it not worry you?"

"Crossbows are not just about numbers; they require skilled veterans. Do they have enough crossbowmen to operate all those crossbows?"

"Complacency is dangerous. The power of a crossbow can pierce through several armored soldiers at once."

Huangbosong shook his head.

"No matter how many crossbows there are, they take time to reload. Besides, their accuracy is far inferior to that of a bow."

This was the general perception of crossbows.

Even Huangbosong, one of the three great generals of Donghan, knew no more than this about crossbows.

But he was wrong.

The units operating the numerous crossbows on the walls of Hanguan were none other than Wang Guang's crossbowmen, who were unmatched in the thirteen provinces of the world.

Huangbosong would soon experience the power of the crossbows operated by the crossbowmen led by Han Huo.

* * *

Dong! Dong! Dong! Dong!

To the sound of drums, the Guanxi army began to form their battle array for the assault on Hanguan.

It was not a particularly special formation. Since it was impossible to surround the place, they used a linear formation. However, not all linear formations are the same.

The Guanxi army's formation was peculiar. The rear was held by the Red Armored Corps, the front by the River Yi Corps, and the vanguard was divided into the Ma clan army and the Hanshu army on the left and right.

Huangbosong remained in the center of the River Yi Corps, still watching Hanguan. Suddenly, he called for the strategist.

"Strategist, what plan do you have for the assault on Hanguan?"

"Lord, there is no other way but to use conventional methods."

"Why is that?"

"We don't know who is inside Hanguan. We can't use internal assistance without knowing the enemy."

It was impractical to besiege the pass due to the terrain, and fire attacks were of little use.

Especially when attacking a fortress like Hanguan, the only method was to throw in as many troops as possible.

It was certainly a blow to the pride of a military strategist.

However, the current situation did not allow for the use of internal assistance, as the strategist had said.

With only one road, there was no reason to hesitate.

"Do you mean we should pound the gate without rest from the first day, just like at Hangu Pass?"

"At this point, that's the only method. I apologize, Lord."

Huangbosong slowly rode his horse forward. The troops parted to make way for him.

Siyuan, curious about where Huangbosong was going and how far, followed him.

"Lord, it's dangerous to go any further. We don't know the range of the crossbows. How can you put yourself in such a position?"

"It's fine. I'm going to meet an old friend."

"It's too dangerous. You can't go any further."

"You stay here... Don't follow me any further. This is an order."

When Huangbosong mentioned the military order, Siyuan had no choice but to stop and watch him go.

In the end, Huangbosong entered the range of the crossbows alone.

Luoshi's army, standing on the walls of Hanguan, could not have missed Huangbosong's approach.

Han Huo clasped his hands and reported to Luoshi.

"General, Huangbosong has entered the range of the crossbows. Give the order. We'll turn his body into a beehive in one go."

Luoshi held out his palm.

"General Han, don't be too hasty. Even in a battlefield, should we treat an old friend who comes to visit so harshly?"

"I've heard that Huangbosong is also a hunter. I don't understand why he would put himself in such danger. There must be some trick..."

Han Huo could not finish his sentence as Luoshi looked at him with a faint smile.

Luoshi had things he did not tell Han Huo.

'Young General Han doesn't understand. At my age, one naturally understands things that the young cannot.'

Luoshi did not tell Han Huo because he knew he wouldn't understand. He knew and felt that he and Huangbosong shared the same sentiment.

"General, where are you going?"

When Luoshi suddenly descended from the watchtower, Han Huo asked. Luoshi smiled faintly, almost as if he were closing his eyes.

"I'm going to meet an old friend. While I'm away, you must take charge of Hanguan. Will you promise me that you won't surrender it no matter what?"

Han Huo instinctively knew that Luoshi was going to open the gate and meet Huangbosong alone, and that they would likely engage in combat.

"General, you are the commander of Hanguan. How can you leave your post so carelessly? Please reconsider."

"I must meet him. This might be our last chance to speak openly, just the two of us, in this world."

Luoshi held his thumb and index finger slightly apart, as if picking up a bean, and continued.

"Can't you show a little consideration for this old man? I don't want to force you with military orders, but you can't stop me."

Luoshi stubbornly opened the gate and rode out alone. No one could stop the commander, so the soldiers of Hanguan all watched with worried eyes.

* * *

The two men, Luoshi and Huangbosong, stood face to face, each with a vast army behind them.

"You still have a lot of guts. Do you think the arrows will only target you?"

When Luoshi scolded him, Huangbosong laughed.

"Living a lifetime in the rain of arrows, I've realized that arrows avoid me. Otherwise, how could I have survived to this age with my hair turning white?"

"You and I are both old. Don't count on luck. Our survival so far must be due to heaven's favor, right?"

"We... We've been quite lucky. To live to this age, to have survived so many battles, it's truly a wonder how life works."

For a brief moment, Huangbosong's eyes lost focus. He must have been reminiscing about the past.

Luoshi broke his reverie.

"What do you intend to do with the world at your age? Even if you catch the deer by chance, who knows if your reign will last a year or a month..."

Luoshi hoped Huangbosong would abandon his futile ambitions.

"That might be true. At my age, even if I gain the world, how long can I rule it? But that's not the point, is it? You know that, don't you?"

Luoshi tilted his head.

"I envy you, but I also can't understand you. Why... Why do you look down on what you already have?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

"I, Luoshi, have four sons, but all of them are either dead or missing. But what about you? You have two grown sons, don't you?"

If Huangbosong abandoned his futile ambitions, his sons could continue the Huangbo family. The prosperity of the Huangbo family would continue.

On the other hand, Luoshi had no son to carry on his lineage.

How must it feel to be a man who cannot leave descendants? From Luoshi's perspective, Huangbosong's actions were nothing more than a foolish act of someone overwhelmed by good fortune.

"My sons? Their existence doesn't change anything. No matter what happens to my children, my family, or the world after I die..."

Huangbosong clenched his fist in front of Luoshi.

"What's the point of gaining something you can't enjoy?"

"Do you want to know the answer?"

"Of course..."

After this strange exchange, Huangbosong drew his sword. Luoshi rubbed his temples, revealing his discomfort.

"Must it come to this?"

"This is my answer."

Huangbosong's sword lunged at Luoshi.

Clang!

With a ghostly quick draw, Luoshi parried Huangbosong's sword. Luoshi was also a warrior, and he could not avoid a fight he was drawn into.

"If that's your intention, I'll oblige. My dual swords are still sharp. Be careful not to lose your head."

Though his words seemed to show concern for his opponent, the exchange of blows was fierce, as if they were mortal enemies.

Zhang Mo, watching the scene, was extremely worried.

"I don't know if Commander Luoshi will be alright."

Han Huo, standing beside Zhang Mo, spoke calmly.

"Lord Zhang, the only thing we need to worry about is whether the Guanxi army will advance all at once and put General Luoshi in danger. There's no need to worry about a duel."

"General Han, considering Commander Luoshi's age, how can I not worry?"

"I've seen General Luoshi's dual swords many times. Even the best warriors can't last ten rounds against him."

There was no doubt that Luoshi's dual swords were unparalleled. Even as a warrior, Han Huo could objectively assess that Luoshi was still in his prime.

"Seeing old men fight so fiercely, I, Zhang Mo, will never talk about age again."

Zhang Mo watched the duel between Luoshi and Huangbosong, his tongue wagging. Though his martial skills were mediocre, he could clearly see the greatness of their battle.

Clang! Clang!

Luoshi's dual swords and Huangbosong's sword clashed incessantly. After dozens of exchanges, their breathing became heavy.

The two men, standing apart, faced each other.

"Huff huff! You're old too. I remember the days when you wielded two swords and fought the enemy day and night, but you're not as good as you used to be."

"Huff huff! If you're out of breath, why don't you catch your breath before speaking?"

"Heh! So, how was my answer?"

Huangbosong suddenly spoke in a way that made no sense. Luoshi responded with a smile.

"That answer... I quite liked it. I understand what's important to you. Gaining the world, achieving hegemony, that's what matters. While you can still move your limbs."

Did Luoshi's words resonate with Huangbosong?

"Luoshi! My last flame will be truly hot and splendid. Yaaah!"

"Huangbosong! I, Luoshi, will do my best to block you. We'll show the world whose flame is hotter and more splendid between us two old men! Yaaaah!"