[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-cultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress-":3,"chapter-cultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress--cultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress--chapter-469":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1526545,1980,"Chapter 469 - 558 Initial victory, proactive attack","cultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress--chapter-469",469,"\u003Cp>Although the faces of the Song Army displayed panic, their formation remained orderly. The vanguard opened up on both sides to create a path, letting them in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few moments later, screams echoed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after they went in, a rope buried in the snow was suddenly pulled taut by the Song Army on both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The charging speed of the warhorses was already extremely fast, and the sudden appearance of the rope gave the Dragon Oath Guard no time to react. The front-line warhorses had their hooves tangled by the thick rope and plunged headlong into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horses toppled over, and naturally, the Dragon Oath Guard atop them couldn’t avoid the fate of falling either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the front rows fell, the Dragon Oath Guard following closely behind, unable to stop their momentum, also flipped over in disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Dragon Oath Guard attempted to get back up, the Song Army suddenly closed in from both sides, each soldier stabbing their spears into the guards’ faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood spilled across the snowy ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining Dragon Oath Guard immediately split into two orderly teams, continuing to charge towards the area without trip ropes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another portion began retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that moment, the Song Army immediately sealed the gap they had just opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They split into a squad, quickly forming a formation at the front to prevent those Dragon Oath Guards who hadn’t yet entered the gap from charging once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear to everyone that they had fallen into a trap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Zhi, commanding from the rear, turned pale, and the general beside him urgently exclaimed, \"General, we’re in an ambush.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can see that.\" Ling Zhi replied grimly, seeing that at least nearly ten thousand Dragon Oath Guards had been ensnared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General, let’s charge once more, tear open the gap, and rescue all our brothers,\" urged another general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though furious, Ling Zhi retained his reason. The enemy had sealed the gap well and formed a formation, clearly prepared. Another charge might tear open the gap, but it would come at a great cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And every member of the Dragon Oath Guard was extremely valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a main general, one must be prepared to make a difficult decision in critical moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Retreat!\" Ling Zhi sorrowfully made the decision, turning his horse around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Weiqiu, who was organizing the formation to face the incoming charge, felt somewhat disappointed as he anticipated the enemy’s charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quick, go report to the lord that the remaining barbarians of the Desolate Kingdom have retreated,\" Li Weiqiu instructed a subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the encirclement formed by the Song Army, Chen Mo observed the enemy troops with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These barbarians from the Desolate Kingdom were extraordinarily strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they didn’t kill him the moment he dismounted and wasn’t prepared, once he steadied himself, even two or three Imperial Guards couldn’t touch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the weapons of the Imperial Guard could not break through the armor of these Desolate Kingdom barbarians in a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, even though they were surrounded, they didn’t collapse immediately. Instead, they held on for a while and caused some casualties to the Imperial Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While cleaning the battlefield, Gao Zheng approached, holding a token taken from an enemy’s corpse, muttering curses:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it, these barbarians from the Desolate Kingdom were so fierce, they killed many of our brothers. Sir, look, this token was taken from a Desolate Kingdom general.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the token was inscribed a character from Great Song, \"Dragon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before heading north, Chen Mo specifically learned about the Desolate Kingdom, also known as Loulan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loulan was initially composed of various tribes, operating under a slave system. The tribes were constantly in conflict, leading to the term ’Desolate Kingdom.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of the Desolate Kingdom were also referred to as barbarians by those in the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hundred years ago, a woman named Dugu Nanmu emerged out of nowhere. She was the wife of the chief of the largest tribe, taking on his surname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After her husband was ambushed and killed while vying for territory, Dugu Nanmu somehow became the tribal chief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through decades of warfare, she united the tribes and founded Loulan, becoming its first queen under her birth name, Yue Nanmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing the strength of Great Song, they learned from Great Song in many aspects, including language and writing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, Loulan still used the script of Great Song.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it possible that these are the elite cavalry of the Desolate Kingdom, the Dragon Oath Guard?\" Dai Xishan exclaimed in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dragon Oath Guard?!\" Li Weiqiu, just arriving, was also surprised upon hearing the mention of the Dragon Oath Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, we’ve just arrived and are already facing Ling Zhi’s army?\" Zhang Lie wiped the blood off his broadsword with his bent left arm, sheathed it, and approached, looking somewhat excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Zhi, renowned within the Desolate Kingdom for capturing the southwest and breaching Hulao Pass, was well known to Zhang Lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Zhang Lie’s left arm was severed, Chen Mo had sent for the best Imperial Physician to reattach it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the reattached limb was not as good as before, and it was damaged by True Qi, making it several centimeters shorter than his right arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mention of the Dragon Oath Guard made Chen Mo realize that these were indeed the iron cavalry of the Desolate Kingdom, established specifically to counter the Celestial Dragon Army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the tallying was completed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemy killed numbered eight thousand, with one thousand three hundred and twenty captured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our own casualties were over one thousand seven hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, sir, wise and powerful, to anticipate the enemy’s moves so well, achieving a decisive first victory and severely dampening the morale of these Desolate Kingdom barbarians. Sir, you are mighty,\" Gao Zheng flattered Chen Mo at the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Weiqiu, Zhang Lie, and others, in their first meaningful battle, also expressed admiration for Chen Mo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had arrived unprepared at this Anchang Plain, facing the aggressive Dragon Oath Guard, they wouldn’t have had any means of stopping them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the era of cold weapons, infantry couldn’t be compared to cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in this vast plain, without cover, unprepared infantry stood no chance against heavy cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with preparation, over one thousand seven hundred were lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without preparation, the toll would have been unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough flattery, it’s getting late. Pass the order, make camp here. Tonight, all commanders above the rank of battalion come to my tent for a meeting.\" Chen Mo commanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Northern Lands, darkness fell swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of Imperial Guards were camped on the Anchang Plain, their lights stretching to the horizon, their banners conspicuous in front of the commander’s tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center of the army, inside the commander’s tent, Chen Mo changed into a simple white robe, staring at a map made of cowhide, while discussing the newly arrived situation with the various generals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Mo said, \"If we’re going to drive out these Desolate Kingdom barbarians, we can’t operate like before. We must take the initiative in the attack.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1184,"2026-06-06T05:54:36.387Z",1,"novelbin.me","7e70105edc0a88135baab6d5b5abeac16c3ce56dfc8f617e83718695ebbf5b79","cultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress--chapter-470","cultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress--chapter-468",571,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-simulator-starting-from-the-empress--cover.jpg"]