Chapter 184

As Nurhaci's eldest son Chu Ying, clad in heavy armor and wielding a spear, he led an elite cavalry unit, charging left and right on the battlefield as if entering an uninhabited land.

His figure was like a banner, inspiring Manchu warriors to fight bravely against the enemy.

Whenever the battle entered a fierce stage, Chu Ying always led from the front.

Charging to the forefront, he used his spear to pick off enemies one by one.

Under his leadership, the Manchu army's offensive surged like a tide, forcing the Mongol army to retreat step by step.

He was low-key and not good with words, but the brave in battle Abai was stalwart, possessed immense strength, and wielded a massive battle-axe.

Wielding the battle-axe, he charged straight ahead, and wherever he went enemies fell one after another.

The battle-axe in his hand was like the scythe of the grim reaper; each swing would take the lives of several enemies.

Although Abai's fighting style was somewhat crude, it was precisely this fearless approach that made the Mongol army feel dread.

Under his leadership, the morale of the Manchu army reached its peak.

And Nurhaci's eighth son Hong Taiji, although still young, displayed extraordinary courage and wisdom in this battle.

He did not charge into battle like his other brothers, but was responsible for commanding a unit composed of archers.

Hong Taiji understood the importance of archery on the battlefield, so he specially selected a group of elite archers for training.

This archer unit could accurately fire a dense rain of arrows, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

This greatly enhanced the Manchu army's long-range strike capability.

At this moment, the battlefield was filled with figures of combat; some soldiers hacked at enemies from horseback, while others dismounted to engage in melee.

The air was thick with the intense smell of blood and gunpowder, making it almost impossible to breathe.

The two sides fought back and forth, the battle indecisive, with fallen soldiers and horses scattered across the battlefield.

The Four Heroes and others were also extraordinarily brave, engaging in fierce combat with the Manchu generals.

Borshu wielded a spear, moving across the battlefield like a wandering dragon.

Chilaowen excelled at archery; his arrows seemed to have eyes, always hitting the enemy accurately.

Boruo was a fierce general, wielding a large hammer and charging across the battlefield, causing enemies to fall wherever he went.

The battle lasted an entire day, and both sides suffered heavy losses.

The two armies fought each other, then each withdrew its forces.

The battlefield was littered with severed limbs, broken weapons, and blood staining the earth red.

At the same time, on another flank of Nurhaci's army, an equally fierce melee erupted!

Speaking of that vast grassland, the sky was azure as if washed, and sunlight poured through the clouds in golden rays.

Nurhaci's second son Daisan and fifth son Mangguerti, two valiant generals of the Aisin Gioro clan, led the elite of the Plain Red, Bordered Red, Plain Blue, and Bordered Blue Banners of the Eight Banners, marching mightily toward the other side of the battlefield.

On the opposing side, the Mongol eagle archers were not to be outdone.

They wore skin robes, sported eagle-feather caps, had long bows slung at their waists, and their quivers on their backs were full.

These eagle archers were the elite force of the Mongol army, their archery skills so superb as to be astonishing.

The two armies faced off, the tension reaching its peak.

But just then, a gentle breeze swept over, making the grass on the plain sway lightly, as if cheering on the contest.

Daisan, dressed in military attire, appeared heroic and spirited, his brow bearing an aura of majesty that needed no anger.

Mangguerti, on the other hand, was a tall, sturdy man wielding a spiked club, his very appearance making people feel a sense of dread.

The two had fought side by side for many years, their coordination already perfect.

Just as they had finished forming their ranks and prepared to meet the enemy, dust rose in the distance and the Mongol army surged forward like a tide.

At their fore was a chief commander, namely the Mongol eagle archer Jebe.

Jebe possessed extraordinary archery, hitting every shot, and was famed in the Mongol army as a divine archer.

"Fifth brother, it looks like today we'll have a go at this Mongol eagle archer."

Seeing this, Daisan gave a slight smile and said to Mangguerti:

"Good timing!"

"Today let these Mongol barbarians witness the might of our Eight Banners!"

Mangguerti laughed heartily, brandishing his spiked club and shouting loudly:

The two armies quickly closed in; upon Daisan's order, the four banners' elite shot forward like arrows released from a bow, charging at the Mongol army.

Jebe likewise did not yield, leading the Mongol army behind him and a considerable number of elite eagle archers to meet them.

In an instant, arrows rained down on the battlefield and the battle cries shook the heavens.

Daisan and Mangguerti led the charge, breaking into the enemy formation and engaging in fierce combat with the Mongol officers.

The soldiers of the Plain Red and Bordered Red Banners under Daisan's command charged while shooting arrows, which fell like rain upon the Mongol army opposite them.

The Mongol army's eagle archers in the rear were not to be outdone either.

They quickly nocked and loosed arrows, one volley after another tearing through the sky toward the Eight Banners soldiers.

At the very front, Daisan's spear moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, thrusting left and right, each strike precise and aimed at the enemy's vital points.

And Mangguerti's spiked club was overwhelmingly heavy; each swing sent several enemies crashing down.

"These Aisin Gioro youths truly live up to their reputation!"

Jebe, seeing this, gave a cold snort; he did not personally join the melee but stood on high ground directing the eagle archers to shoot.

He drew a deep breath, pulled his bow to a full moon, and loosed an arrow at Daisan.

"Ding! Jebe's skills Eagle Shot and Hawk Eye activate!"

"Eagle Shot: a skill unique to Mongol eagle archers"

"Unique effect: when fighting with bow and arrow, martial force +5; when focusing and exerting full strength, martial force +3 more."

"Hawk Eye"

Effect One: When facing an enemy, own martial strength +5; when choosing long-range attack, martial strength additionally +2.

Effect Two: There is a certain chance to see through the enemy's flaw, and reduce martial strength by 1–4 points.

Current Zhebie's base martial strength is 104, Eagle Shooter martial strength +5, Eagle Eye skill effect one +5, current martial strength rises to 114!

At the same time, the arrows in the hands of the Eagle Shooters behind the Mongol army fell like rain, shooting toward the armies of Daishan and Mangguertai.

However, these Eight Banner soldiers are all battle-hardened elites, and they are themselves a horseback people, making a living from mounted archery.

Each is a master of mounted archery, they flexibly dodge arrow attacks on horseback, while the soldiers in the rear aim and shoot deadly arrows at the enemy.

The warriors at the front waved their weapons and engaged in a death struggle with the enemy.

Across the steppe, flying arrows and running figures are everywhere.

Daishan and Mangguertai at the forefront grew braver with each fight, constantly seeking Zhebie's figure on the battlefield, hoping to kill him in one strike.

However, Zhebie was like a ghost, elusive; whenever they approached, he could always skillfully evade.

Both sides fought back and forth on the battlefield, the killing was indecisive.

The soldiers of the Plain Red Banner and Bordered Red Banner were like fierce tigers descending the mountain, charging forward, unstoppable.

Meanwhile, the soldiers of the Plain Blue Banner and Bordered Blue Banner were like flood dragons in the sea, agile and mobile, delivering deadly blows to the enemy.

(End of Chapter)